cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracer Experiments in Feeding Littoral Foraminifera

SYNOPSIS. Tracer technic has proved to be an excellent tool in the study of predator-prey relationships among the foraminifera. More than fifty axenic species of protists including diatoms, dinoflagellates, chlorophytes, chrysophytes, cyanophytes, bacteria and yeasts were tested as potential food for Allogromia sp (NF), A. laticollaris, Am. monia beccarii, Quinqueloculina spp, Rosalina floridana, Anomalina sp, Elphidium sp, Spiroloculina hyalina, Globigerina bulloides, and Globorotalia truncatulinoides. Although many types of potential food are present in the environment, foraminifera select only certain organisms. The yeasts, cyanophytes, dinoflagellates, chrysophytes and most bacteria tested were not eaten. Selected species of diatoms, chlorophytes and bacteria were eaten in large quantity. Three additional factors affect feeding: the “age” of the food organism, the “age” of the foraminifer or its position in the life cycle, and the concentration of the food. Feeding by foraminifera on most food is erratic below a concentration of 103 organisms and is approximately directly proportional to concentration within a range of 103-106 organisms per 10 ml experimental tube. A natural bloom of Protelphidium tisburyensis was analyzed. A high concentration of 6 species of diatoms characterized the community. A “bloom”-feeder hypothesis for foraminiferal nutrition is presented.
Self‐Assembly with Block Copolymers through Metal Coordination of SCS–PdII Pincer Complexes and Pseudorotaxane Formation

Poly(norbornene)-based block copolymers containing side chains of palladated pincer complexes/dibenzo[24]crown-8 or palladated pincer complexes/dibenzylammonium salts were synthesized. Noncovalent functionalization was accomplished with their corresponding recognition units through simple 1:1 addition with association constants (Ka) greater than 10(5) m(-1). The self-assembly processes were monitored by using both 1H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. In all cases, we found that the self-assembly of the recognition units along each polymer block does not preclude the self-assembly processes along the other block.
The Coxiella burnetii Ankyrin Repeat Domain-Containing Protein Family Is Heterogeneous, with C-Terminal Truncations That Influence Dot/Icm-Mediated Secretion

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium that directs biogenesis of a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) for replication. Effectors of PV maturation are likely translocated into the host cytosol by a type IV secretion system (T4SS) with homology to the Dot/Icm apparatus of Legionella pneumophila. Since secreted bacterial virulence factors often functionally mimic the activities of host proteins, prokaryotic proteins with eukaryotic features are considered candidate T4SS substrates. Genes encoding proteins with eukaryotic-type ankyrin repeat domains (Anks) were identified upon genome sequencing of the C. burnetii Nine Mile reference isolate, which is associated with a case of human acute Q fever. Interestingly, recent genome sequencing of the G and K isolates, derived from human chronic endocarditis patients, and of the Dugway rodent isolate revealed remarkable heterogeneity in the Ank gene family, with the Dugway isolate harboring the largest number of full-length Ank genes. Using L. pneumophila as a surrogate host, we identified 10 Dugway Anks and 1 Ank specific to the G and K endocarditis isolates translocated into the host cytosol in a Dot/Icm-dependent fashion. A 10-amino-acid C-terminal region appeared to be necessary for translocation, with some Anks also requiring the chaperone IcmS for secretion. Ectopically expressed Anks localized to a variety of subcellular regions in mammalian cells, including microtubules, mitochondria, and the PV membrane. Collectively, these data suggest that C. burnetii isolates translocate distinct subsets of the Ank protein family into the host cytosol, where they modulate diverse functions, some of which may be unique to C. burnetii pathotypes.
Prevention of sexual and physical assault toward women: A program for male athletes

This article presents a sexual and physical violence prevention program designed for college student athletes. The program has been in place for approximately 10 years and has demonstrated several uniquely positive results. Implications for prevention programs designed for high-risk groups and athletes in particular are presented as are the components and philosophy felt necessary for such programs. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Structure of the flexible amino-terminal domain of prion protein bound to a sulfated glycan.

The intrinsically disordered amino-proximal domain of hamster prion protein (PrP) contains four copies of a highly conserved octapeptide sequence, PHGGGWGQ, that is flanked by two polycationic residue clusters. This N-terminal domain mediates the binding of sulfated glycans, which can profoundly influence the conversion of PrP to pathological forms and the progression of prion disease. To investigate the structural consequences of sulfated glycan binding, we performed multidimensional heteronuclear (1H, 13C, 15N) NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence studies on hamster PrP residues 23–106 (PrP 23–106) and fragments thereof when bound to pentosan polysulfate (PPS). While the majority of PrP 23–106 remain disordered upon PPS binding, the octarepeat region adopts a repeating loop–turn structure that we have determined by NMR. The β-like turns within the repeats are corroborated by CD data demonstrating that these turns are also present, although less pronounced, without PPS. Binding to PPS exposes a hydrophobic surface composed of aligned tryptophan side chains, the spacing and orientation of which are consistent with a self-association or ligand binding site. The unique tryptophan motif was probed by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, which displayed enhanced fluorescence of PrP 23–106 when bound to PPS, consistent with the alignment of tryptophan side chains. Chemical-shift mapping identified binding sites on PrP 23–106 for PPS, which include the octarepeat histidine and an N-terminal basic cluster previously linked to sulfated glycan binding. These data may in part explain how sulfated glycans modulate PrP conformational conversions and oligomerizations.
Robbins Review of Pathology. Edward Klatt and Vinay Kumar, eds. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 2000, 311 pp., $32.00. ISBN 0-7216-8259-6.

Robbins Review of Pathology consists of >1000 multiple-choice questions, which provide an excellent review of the very broad subject of human disease. This book is best used as a companion to Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease , the reference textbook on pathology that has been used by medical and other healthcare students for several decades. The book intentionally adheres to the same order of topics as the main text. Thus, the book begins with several chapters on general pathology topics (tissue injury, inflammation, neoplasia, and so forth) followed by the specific diseases of all the organ …
Sleep disturbances and excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson disease: an overview

Sleep disturbances are frequent in Parkinson disease. These disorders can be broadly categorized into those that involve nocturnal sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. The disorders that are often observed during the night in PD include sleep fragmentation that may be due to recurrent PD symptoms, sleep apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome/periodic limb movements and REM sleep behavior disorder. Excessive daytime sleepiness is also a common occurrence in PD. EDS can arise from several etiologies, and patients may have more than one etiology responsible. The causes of EDS include nocturnal sleep disorder with sleep deprivation and resulting daytime somnolence, the effect of drugs used to treat PD, and possibly neurodegeneration of central sleep/wake areas. Appropriate diagnosis of the sleep disturbance affecting a PD patient can lead to specific treatments that can consolidate nocturnal sleep and enhance daytime alertness.
Radiative properties of deformed hydrometeors for commonly used passive microwave frequencies

Scattering parameters for ensembles of aspherical ice and liquid hydrometeors were calculated at an incidence angle ( psi ) of 50 degrees for frequencies of 10.7, 18.0, 37.0, 50.3, and 85.6 GHz. Hydrometeors are assumed to be oblate ellipsoids with semiminor axes aligned with psi =0 degrees . The angle psi 50 degrees is determined by the viewing angle of satellite-borne radiometers. The backscattering extinction coefficients at psi =0 degrees were also calculated at 18, 37, and 85.6 GHz to provide information for future nadir scanning satellite-borne radars. The hydrometeors are assumed to be characterized by Marshall-Palmer drop-size distributions. The extended boundary condition method is used to calculate the extinction and backscattering coefficients as well as the albedo for single scattering and the asymmetry factor of the phase function. Results are fitted to simple functions of the rainfall rate. Some comparisons illustrate the differences and similarities of these results with those obtained from equal volume spheres. >
Analysis of mode II fractured surfaces of graphite/epoxy laminates using SEM and optical reflectivity methods

This paper presents a study of scanning electron microscope surface morphology and the reflectivity of the mode II fractured surface of graphite/epoxy laminates. A discrete number average method was developed for the quantitative characterization of hackles formation. The variation of hackle marks linear density with impact energy for end-notch flexure and centre-notch flexure for pure mode II loading were determined. The results indicated that hackles formation decreased with impact energy and the maximum hackles formation were observed at the centre area. Reflectivity was observed to be increased with the angle of reflection and decreased with impact energy, which is in agreement with the scanning electron microscope analysis. With the incident light scanned in the transverse direction, the intensity of the reflected light increases much more exponentially compared with along the fibre direction. Reflectivity in the fibre direction was clearly lower than in the transverse direction in the damaged area. The greater the damaged area, the less the intensity (reflectivity) of light reflected.
Global Interactive Advertising

AbstractGlobal interactive advertising is becoming an important key term for the current marketplace as Internet usage continues to climb at astounding rates on a worldwide basis. The authors propose a definition of global interactive advertising. This study defines global interactive advertising as cross-cultural marketing communications that are deliberately planned and executed to actively engage persons in advertising processing through interactivity as a part of overall localized, regionalized, or worldwide strategic communication efforts. It is important to carefully consider how the term is conceptualized and operationalized. Likewise, it is important to understand what is not considered to be global interactive advertising. By reviewing the components of the term, the authors hope to show how distinctly and strategically different this form of advertising is from interactive advertising that is merely viewed by a consumer living outside of the homemarket’s URL domain. The paper examines the comple...
Towards automatically checking thousands of failures with micro-specifications

Recent data-loss incidents have shown that existing large distributed systems are still vulnerable to failures. To improve the situation, we propose two new testing approaches: failure testing service (FTS) and declarative testing specification (DTS). FTS enables us to systematically push a system into thousands of failure scenarios, leading us to many critical recovery bugs. With DTS, we introduce "micro-specifications", clear and concise specifications written in Datalog style, which enables developers to easily write, refine, and manage potentially hundreds of specifications
Abstract 110: Stent-Assisted Coiling of Intracranial Aneurysms: Predictors of Complications, Recanalization, and Outcome in 509 Cases.

Introduction: Self-expanding stents are increasingly used for treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. We assess the safety and efficacy of intracranial stenting and determine predictors of complications, recanalization, and outcome in the largest series of intracranial aneurysms to date. Methods: A total of 509 patients were treated with Neuroform and Enterprise stents between 2005-2011 in our institution. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to detect predictors of complications, recanalization, and outcome. Results: 445 (87.4%) patients were treated electively and 64 (12.6%) in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Mean aneurysm size was 7.7 mm. Stent placement was successful in 97.6% of patients. The Neuroform stent was used in 56.8% and the Enterprise stent in 43.2%. Complete or near-complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved initially in 87.7% of cases. Procedural complications occurred in 5.6% of patients. In multivariate analysis, subarachnoid hemorrhage (p=0.03), delivery of coils prior to stent placement (p=0.002), and carotid terminus/middle cerebral artery aneurysm locations (p=0.01) were independent predictors of procedural complications. Angiographic follow-up was available for 85.1% of patients at a mean of 27 months. The rates of recanalization and retreatment were respectively 11.7% and 6.1%. Previously coiled aneurysms (p=0.02), ruptured aneurysms (p=0.01), larger aneurysms (p Conclusion: Stent-assisted coiling of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms is safe, effective, and provides durable aneurysm closure. Stent delivery prior to coil deployment reduces the risk of procedural complications. The type of stent used does not affect treatment outcome.
0223 Marginal Structural Models in Occupational Epidemiology: An Application in the US Aluminium industry

Objectives To apply Marginal Structural Models (MSM) to address healthy workers survivor effect in a cohort study of active workers when time varying variables on health status and exposure are measured. Method We used Cox MSMs and inverse probability weighting to assess the effect of PM­ 2.5 exposure on incident ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in an active cohort of 11 966 US aluminium workers. The outcome was assessed using medical claims data from 1998 to 2012. Quantitative exposure metrics of current exposure to PM 2.5 were dichotomized using different cutoffs and effects were assessed separately for smelters and fabrication. Risk score based on insurance claims was available as a time varying health status variable. Results Defining binary PM2.5 exposure by the 10th percentile cut-off, health status was affected by past exposure and predicted subsequent exposure in smelters, but not in fabrication. A Traditional cox model was appropriate for fabricators; the hazard ratio was 1.51(95% CI: 1.12 – 2.06) and was attenuated when considering higher exposure cutoffs. In smelters, Cox MSM Hazard Ratios for IHD comparing the effect of exposure in a population had everyone always been exposed to everyone always unexposed, using the 10 th percentile exposure cutoff was 1.83 (95% CI: 1.14 – 2.94). Higher exposure cutoffs also resulted in attenuated effects. Conclusions Marginal Structural Models can be used in active employment occupational cohorts to address time varying confounding. Results from the current study suggest that occupational exposure to PM 2.5 in the aluminium industry increases the risk of IHD in both smelters and fabrication.
A filterbank method to determine ocean wave frequency

There is global need for renewable energies and wave energy converters provide a promising method to generate energy without generating green house gases. Thus there is a global interest to increase the efficiency of wave energy converters. The wave energy converter utilizes the energy produced by ocean waves to drive a mechanical device to generate electricity. This paper aims to increase the efficiency of current wave energy converters by providing a space-frequency filterbank analysis of satellite images to estimate incident ocean wave frequency.
Informed consent—Wishful thinking?

This article is concerned with the concept of “informed consent” as applied both in biomedical research involving human subjects and in clinical medicine in general. The current crisis over the elaboration and interpretation of the concept will be examined, along with the broader question of whether “informed consent” is any longer meaningful or viable as a criterion for complex bioethical policy-making. Finally, I will attempt to sketch a prognosis for the concept in doctor-patient relations, even if it is only wishful thinking.
Phylogenetic analysis of sulfate reducing bacteria based on terminal products and sequence genes

Applying the Hungate anaerobic technology,8 strains of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) were isolated from the wastewater of Daqing Oilfield. Terminal products were analyzed by gas chromatography and the sequence cloning of 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region was used for the phylogenetic analysis of sulfate reducing bacteria. The results show that 8 strains of SRB belong to Salmonella D2 and Salmonella I7,Clostridium F4,Clostridium D10 and Clostridium H1,Anaerofilum A8 and Anaerofilum A18,and Enterobacter E1. The analysis of clustering shows that the length diversity for the intergenic spacer region sequence of 16S-23S rDNA is large,and the variety and quantity of tRNA are distinct. The 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region can be used as an effective supplement of 16S rRNA sequence phylogenetic analysis. Terminal products of the strains detected by gas chromatography are similar and exhibit close phylogenetic relationship. It can be seen as the foundation of identification,and the sequence of 16S rDNA is the main foundation of classification. For stains in dispute,the phylogenetic analysis on them should be according to the morphological,physiological and biochemical characteristics,16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region sequence,and the analysis of terminal products by gas chromatography.
EFFECT OF HIGH MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE GROWTH BEHAVIOR OF PRIMARY Sb PHASE IN Sb-4.8%Mn HYPOEUTECTIC ALLOY

The changes of solidified structure of Sb-4.8%Mn hypoeutectic alloy under uniform and gradient magnetic fields were examined.It was found that the morphology of primary Sb phase in the alloy changed from a faced to non-faceted one or from a non-faceted to faceted one,and the transition is dependent on cooling rate and magnetic flux density.The size of Sb particles increased at first and then decreased with the increase in magnetic flux density under uniform magnetic ficlds, furthermore,its size at a positive magnetic field gradient is smaller than one at a negative gradient when the product of the magnetic flux density and its gradient has a small absolute value.Thermal analyses indicated that the application of a high magnetic field increased the crystallized temperature of the primary Sb phase,decreased the undercooling of the melt and the solidification rate.
Research of Acute Toxicity of Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid

In order to observe the applied reliability of Shuanghuanglian oral liquid,the experiment was conducted in accordance with acute toxicity requirements in compilation of veterinary drug registration data.The acute toxicity of Shuanghuanglian oral liquid was studied by selecting mouse in this experiment,the toxicity of Shuanghuanglian oral liquid was demonstrated by the minimal lethal dose and the LD50 of mouse.The results showed that the minimal lethal dose ranged between 49.2 and 60.8 g/kg,which was equivalent to from 111.8 to 138.2 times of daily dosage of poultry.Shuanghuanglian oral liquid was relatively safe in clinical application.
Measurement of mitochondrial free Ca2+ concentration in living single rat cardiac myocytes

A technique that allows the continuous measurement of mitochondrial free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) in a single living cardiac myocyte is described. It involves the introduction of the fluorescent chelating agent indo-1 into the cell by exposure to the acetoxymethyl ester, followed by selective quenching of the fluorescence of indo-1 in the cytosol by Mn2+. The identity of the remaining fluorescence due to intramitochondrial indo-1 is established by its resistance to treatment of the cell with digitonin at concentrations that release cytosolic but not mitochondrial enzymes and by the finding that ruthenium red and carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone prevent its response to elevated cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c). [Ca2+]m is found to be low (less than 100 nM) in unstimulated cells and to rise in procedures that chronically elevate [Ca2+]c, such as Na+ replacement. The gradient [Ca2+]m/[Ca2+]c is less than unity at values of [Ca2+]c of less than 500 nM but rapidly increases at higher values of [Ca2+]c. Although there is no detectable increase in [Ca2+]m during a single electrical stimulation, [Ca2+]m increases up to 600 nM as the pacing frequency is raised to 4 Hz in the presence of norepinephrine; this increase occurs over the course of many contractions. It is concluded that these findings are consistent with an increase in [Ca2+]m acting as a signal to increase dehydrogenase activity, and hence flux through oxidative phosphorylation, in response to increased work loads.
Purine nucleoside phosphorylase from human erythrocytes. 3. Inhibition by the inosine analog formycin B of the isolated enzyme and of nucleoside metabolism in intact erythrocytes and sarcoma 180 cells.

Formycin B, an analog of inosine, is a potent competitive inhibitor of purified erythrocytic purine nucleoside phosphorylase. The inhibition constant, Ki (1 x 10-4 M) is of the same order of magnitude as the Km for inosine (5 x 10-5 M). Formycin B also inhibits the degradation of nucleosides by intact and hemolyzed human erythrocytes and by Sarcoma 180 ascites cells.
Dynamic mapping of 180° domains hidden in photorefractive crystals

Most applications for BaTiO3 require crystals that are well poled and free from domains. Spotting 90° domains inside such crystals is easy, because the Δn ~ 0.2 refractive-index step at the domain boundary scatters light into the viewer's eye. However, 180° domains are invisible to the naked eye and require more elaborate detection techniques, such as x-ray diffraction or acid etching of the crystal faces. Recently, we described a simple, all-optical technique to map, in the two transverse directions, any 180° domains hidden inside photorefractive crystals.1 Here we elaborate on this technique to provide a fully three-dimensional map of 180° domains hidden inside a photorefractive crystal, and we show movies of these domains in motion.
Characterization of corneal ablation by argon-fluoride excimer laser

Much interest now exists in using excimer lasers as ophthalmologic tools to reshape the cornea and improve visual acuity. Ablation with the ArF (193mn) excimer laser has been shown to produce precise corneal excision with minimal collateral tissue damage. While considerable work has been devoted to the clinical application of this technology, the underlying physics of the ablation process are not yet well understood.
Reframing risk for transgender and gender-expansive young people experiencing homelessness

ABSTRACTThis article expands conceptualizations of homelessness among transgender and gender-expansive young people beyond those associated solely with risk and victimization. Participants were 27 New York City–based transgender and gender-expansive young people (between the ages of 18 and 25) with histories of homelessness. This exploratory inquiry utilized semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 60 minutes. Participants shared another side of their homeless experiences that challenge the risk paradigm, describing their homes as primary sites of risk, from which they were fortunate to escape. Once homeless, they described finding a community of which they felt a part, accessing information they needed, and developing skills of which they were proud. The findings from this study have the potential to guide practice, policy, and research and to inform prevention and intervention strategies for transgender and gender-expansive young people experiencing homelessness.
Outcomes of Elective Outpatient Hysteroscopic Sterilization in Undocumented Women: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract Objective To determine the feasibility of hysteroscopic sterilization in low-income and unauthorized immigrant women when financial barriers to care are removed. Methods Outpatient hysteroscopic sterilization for low-income women at an urban clinic was made possible by grant funding. All procedures were performed by obstetrician/gynecologist attending physicians or supervised trainees. Electronic records were reviewed for cases performed from June 2010 to December 11, 2013. Outcome incidences and complications were determined. Subgroup analyses using demographic and clinical factors were performed. Results Hysteroscopic sterilization was attempted in 197 patients. Most were Hispanic (93%) and undocumented immigrants (83%). Bilateral placement was achieved on first attempt in 92% (181/197). Successful placement was ultimately achieved in 96% (190/197), and 88% (168/190) returned for hysterosalpingogram (HSG). Appropriate tubal occlusion was documented on 96% (161/168) of HSGs with mean time of 3.5 ± 1.3 months. Repeat HSG at 6 months showed 100% occlusion (7/7). Of the initial cohort, 85% (168/197) could ultimately rely on Essure for contraception. One pregnancy was self-reported 9 months after the procedure; the patient had not followed up for HSG. There were no pregnancies among those who completed follow-up. There were no cases of procedural complications. Successful Essure placement was not associated with age, parity, immigration status, or clinical characteristics (analgesics administered, history of cesarean section, vaginal delivery, cervical surgery, ectopic, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease). The only factor positively associated with HSG follow-up was age 35 years or younger (53% vs. 47%; p = .03). Conclusions Successful hysteroscopic sterilization can be achieved in an undocumented, low-income population. Rates of confirmatory HSG follow-up were found to be higher than in the general population. Public funding of programs could decrease unintended pregnancies and pregnancy-related costs.
Patient-Provider Communication Training for Dysarthria: Lessons Learned from Student Trainees.

Patient-provider communication skills training programs rarely include content addressing how health care providers can improve communication with patients exhibiting dysarthria and other communication disorders. Consequently, these patients often struggle to access quality health care services. This article describes a training program focused on giving health care students the opportunity to interact with standardized patients portraying dysarthria and aphasia. A summary of the program's outcome is then provided from the perspective of the students involved as well as lessons students taught us about how to continue improving this type of program and to make it a more universal part of health care education.
Origin of Neural Firing and Synthesis in Making Comparisons

The nervous system uses its own kind of mathematical function patterns for both external and internal realities. The conscious part of the nervous system is there to respond to what happens outside by regulating externally received information signals from the senses and the skin and muscles of the body itself. To do that, it needs to communicate with its subconscious using the familiar language of neural ﬁring. In this paper, we show that because reciprocal pairwise comparisons are performed at the neural level, the division algebra of the octonions, in which commutativity and associativity are not satisﬁed, provides the structure needed to represent mental processes and that these processes could be represented in G2-manifolds.
Towards bootstrapping Acoustic Models for resource poor Indian languages

There are several challenges while building Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system for low resource languages such as Indic languages. One problem is the access to large amounts of training data required to build Acoustic Models (AM) from scratch. In the context of Indian English, another challenge encountered is code-mixing as many Indian speakers are multilingual and exhibit code-mixing in their use of language. Recognizing named entities also poses similar challenges as code-mixing as the entities are often of Hindi origin. In this paper we address the problem of training an AM for Hindi with limited data starting with a well trained English model. We do this in two steps — first we expand the phonesets of the English model to include Hindi phones and train it on samples collected from Indian speakers. We show that this step addresses some of the issues with code-mixing and named entity recognition and also acts as a base model for the second step in which we train a Hindi AM.
Christians of Ottoman Europe in Sixteenth-Century Costume Books

As guides to the hierarchies of Ottoman society, sixteenth-century costume books depicting the Ottoman world contained purportedly accurate depictions of sultans, their wives, soldiers, bureaucrats, and commoners. Prior studies of Ottoman costume books focusing on their exotic representation of the East make little attempt to explain the substantial number of Christians embedded into the pages of the Muslim world around them. This article highlights their presence, suggesting that the genre allowed for a substantial Christian presence in the Ottoman world. Through a visual analysis of selected images, it argues that artists depicted these figures with the same pictorial conventions as their Muslim and ethnically Turkish or Middle Eastern counterparts. By considering the ambiguous identities of the Christians of Ottoman Europe (Greek Orthodox locals, Catholic and Protestant ambassadors, converted and unconverted slaves), the article sheds new light on the costume book genre. In backing away from questions of influence across an imaginary line of difference between East and West and looking at the in-between, it explores a more ambiguous relationship between viewer and subject, and between self and other.
Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis in Association with Hydroxyzine and Cetirizine

Purpose: Describe our review of the occurrence of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) with hydroxyzine, and its active metabolites, cetirizine, and levocetirizine. Methods: The Division of Pharmacovigilance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) searched the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and the medical literature for cases of AGEP reported in association with use of hydroxyzine, cetirizine, and levocetirizine. Causality was assessed using a modified World Health Organization Uppsala Monitoring Centre (WHO-UMC) causality assessment tool. Results: The FDA identified 26 cases of AGEP reported in association with the use of hydroxyzine (n = 21), cetirizine (n = 5), and levocetirizine (n = 3) (three cases included more than one drug product). Hydroxyzine causality was probable in five of the cases, and cetirizine causality was probable in two of the cases. All levocetirizine cases were assessed as unlikely. Conclusions: Our findings supported an association between hydroxyzine and cetirizine and AGEP. As a result, FDA has required labeling changes for hydroxyzine products to inform clinicians to avoid using hydroxyzine, cetirizine, and levocetirizine in patients who have experienced AGEP or other hypersensitivity reactions to any one of the above agents due to the risk of cross-reactivity.
Countries with an immediate potential for primary prevention of spina bifida and anencephaly: Mandatory fortification of wheat flour with folic acid.

Objectives Mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid has been proven to be a highly effective way to prevent spina bifida and anencephaly. Yet, over 100 countries worldwide do not implement this intervention. Our objectives were to identify countries with an immediate potential for mandatory fortification of wheat flour with folic acid and to estimate the number of preventable cases of spina bifida and anencephaly that would be averted each year through the intervention. Methods We examined folic acid fortification characteristics in countries as of September 2017. Country selection criteria included current fortification status, existing industrial capacity for flour production, fortification coverage, and daily grams of per capita wheat flour available for human consumption. We estimated the country-specific number of preventable cases of spina bifida and anencephaly by calculating the difference between the observed prevalence (prefortification) and expected prevalence that can be achieved postfortification (0.5 per 1,000 live births). Results We identified 71 countries with an immediate potential for mandatory fortification of 145 million metric tons of wheat flour with folic acid. Fortification in identified countries would avert approximately 57,000 live births associated with folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly annually and increase global prevention from the current rate of 13% to a new rate of 34%. Conclusions Fortification can be achieved immediately in many countries with existing industrial milling infrastructure. Effective fortification interventions can accelerate global primary prevention efforts of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly, especially in developing countries with a high prevalence of neural tube defects and associated morbidity and mortality.
A quality assurance device for measuring afterloader performance and transit dose for nasobiliary high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Abstract Purpose Nasobiliary high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy has emerged as an effective tool to boost the radiation dose for patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. This work describes a quality assurance (QA) tool for measuring the HDR afterloader's performance, including the transit dose, when the source wire travels through a tortuous nasobiliary catheter path. Methods and Materials The nasobiliary QA device was designed to mimic the anatomical path of a nasobiliary catheter, including the nasal, stomach, duodenum, and bile duct loops. Two of these loops, the duodenum and bile duct loops, have adjustable radii of curvature, resulting in the ability to maximize stress on the source wire in transit. The device was used to measure the performance over time for the HDR afterloader and the differences between intraluminal catheter lots. An upper limit on the transit dose was also measured using radiochromic film and compared with a simple theoretical model. Results The QA device was capable of detecting performance variations among nasobiliary catheter lots and following radioactive source replacement. The transit dose from a nasobiliary treatment increased by up to one order of magnitude when the source wire encountered higher than normal friction. Three distinct travel speeds of the source wire were observed: 5.2, 17.4, and 54.7 cm/s. The maximum transit dose was 0.3 Gy at a radial distance of 5 mm from a 40.3 kU 192Ir source. Conclusions The source wire encounters substantially greater friction when it navigates through the nasobiliary brachytherapy catheter. A QA tool that mimics the nasal, stomach, duodenum, and bile duct loops may be used to evaluate transit dose and the afterloader's performance over time.
Principles of Homotopy Analysis

In this chapter we shall introduce the basic principles of the homotopy analysis method for nonlinear differential equations. In Section 2.1, we shall review the topological principle of homotopy and then discuss how this relates to the homotopy analysis method for constructing solutions to nonlinear differential equations. As with any perturbation method, we shall need a way to compute higher order corrections, and this is outlined in Section 2.2, where we discuss the higher order deformation equations. From here, we are then able to outline the general method of constructing series solutions to nonlinear differential equations and relevant initial or boundary value problems in Section 2.3. Often times when dealing with nonlinear differential equations, the question of whether solutions exist and are unique is of importance. Accordingly, in Section 2.4, we discuss the existence and uniqueness of solutions obtained via the homotopy analysis method. Throughout mathematics, there are often multiple ways to solve a given problem. In obtaining perturbation solutions to differential equations, there are multiple iterative routines one may employ. In Section 2.5, we compare the method of homotopy analysis to some other perturbation schemes, and highlight one primary benefit of the method — namely, that the homotopy analysis method solution does not require small model parameters. From here, we will be in a position to introduce more advanced methods which permit the control of convergence of solutions in Chapter 3 and advanced treatments for more complicated systems of equations in Chapter 4.
Operative Strategies in Penetrating Trauma to the Neck

This chapter is a review of the pertinent anatomical considerations and tricks of the trade for neck explorations. The neck has a high density of vital structures that can make an expedient exploration and definitive control difficult. However, there are basic and fairly straightforward methods to safely navigate the neck and gain control of the penetrating injury. The basic approach to laryngeal/tracheal, esophageal, and vascular injuries are discussed. In addition, techniques for damage control surgery are discussed and summarized. These suggestions are based on the author’s personal experience and certainly are not an all inclusive list of tricks. It is the intention of the author to supplement a basic general surgical and trauma-training program.
Learning limited dependence Bayesian classifiers

We present a framework for characterizing Bayesian classification methods. This framework can be thought of as a spectrum of allowable dependence in a given probabilistic model with the Naive Bayes algorithm at the most restrictive end and the learning of full Bayesian networks at the most general extreme. While much work has been carried out along the two ends of this spectrum, there has been surprising little done along the middle. We analyze the assumptions made as one moves along this spectrum and show the tradeoffs between model accuracy and learning speed which become critical to consider in a variety of data mining domains. We then present a general induction algorithm that allows for traversal of this spectrum depending on the available computational power for carrying out induction and show its application in a number of domains with different properties.
The general ensemble biogeochemical modeling system (GEMS) and its applications to agricultural systems in the United States

The General Ensemble Biogeochemical Modeling System (GEMS) was es in individual models, it uses multiple site-scale biogeochemical models to perform model simulations. Second, it adopts Monte Carlo ensemble simulations of each simulation unit (one site/pixel or group of sites/pixels with similar biophysical conditions) to incorporate uncertainties and variability (as measured by variances and covariance) of input variables into model simulations. In this chapter, we illustrate the applications of GEMS at the site and regional scales with an emphasis on incorporating agricultural practices. Challenges in modeling soil carbon dynamics and greenhouse emissions are also discussed.
An Acoustic Approach for Detection of Developmental Dysplasia of Hip

An acoustic non-invasive approach for detection of Developmental Dysplasia of Hip (DDH) was investigated. The proposed method was tested using different benchtop simplified models of the hip joint. Models were stimulated with band-limited white acoustic noise (10-2500 Hz) and the response of the model was measured. The transfer function, coherence, and phase were determined for different simulated hip dysplasia levels and for simulated normal cases. Results showed that the transfer function, coherence and phase were affected by dysplasia occurrence. Larger effects were seen for more simulated severe dysplastic hips. This suggests that the proposed approach may have potential for DDH detection. Further investigations in animal models and humans are warranted to document accuracy of the proposed approach.
Combined Hartmann's Reversal and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: Defining Postoperative Morbidity.

Abstract Background Ventral hernias are common after Hartmann's procedure and add complexity to Hartmann's reversal. Colostomy reversal and abdominal wall reconstruction may be performed in a staged or concurrent fashion, although data are limited as to which strategy is optimal. We aimed to define the complication profile of concurrent abdominal wall reconstruction with colostomy reversal as compared to either procedure alone. Materials and methods For this retrospective cohort study, we used the National Surgery Quality Improvement Project Database from 2012 to 2015. All patients undergoing elective colostomy reversal, abdominal wall reconstruction with component separation, or combined colostomy reversal with component separation were identified. Propensity score matching was used to compare outcomes among similar patients undergoing colostomy reversal alone versus combined procedure. Groups were evaluated for postoperative morbidity including reoperation. Results We identified 11,689 patients; 6951 (64%) underwent component separation alone, 4563 (35%) colostomy reversal alone, and 175 (1%) combined component separation and colostomy reversal. The combined group, as compared to colostomy reversal alone, showed an increased overall complication rate (39% versus 25%; P Conclusions This analysis shows that in patients undergoing colostomy takedown, concurrent abdominal wall reconstruction is associated with increased morbidity including increased rate of reoperation, even when controlling for patient factors. Consideration may be given to a staged approach.
Evaluation of Time to Surgery and Its Effect on Prognosis in Head and Neck Cancer.

Background Recently, time to treatment initiation has been observed to be increasing specifically for head and neck cancer. It is acknowledged that the pattern of increase is reflective of the use of sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic techniques but was also determined to affect survival. Objectives Our study sought to further investigate time to surgery (TTS) for surgically treated patients to see whether TTS would influence patient survival. Method TTS was defined as the time from the earliest pathological report or scan, whichever was earlier, to surgery. The endpoints were overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). Results A total of 294 patients with head and neck cancer were included. Patients were organized into TTS quartiles of 0-14 days (quartile 1), 15-29 days (quartile 2), 30-49 days (quartile 3), and ≥50 days (quartile 4). The median follow-up time was 651 days, and the median TTS was 32 days. Using a univariable analysis of Cox regression, TTS was not significantly associated with OS or EFS. Kaplan-Meier curves were not significant for OS (p = 0.8904) and EFS (p = 0.9556). Conclusion In this cohort study, we could not conclude that TTS was associated with OS or EFS.
WARCIP: write amplification reduction by clustering I/O pages

The storage volume of SSDs has been greatly increased recently with emerging multi-layer 3D triple-level cell and quad-level cell. However, one critical overhead of any flash memory SSD is the garbage collection (GC) process that is necessary due to the inherent physical property of flash memories. GC is a time consuming process that slows down I/O performance and decreases endurance of SSD. To minimize the negative impact of GC, we introduce Write Amplification Reduction by Clustering I/O Pages (WARCIP). The idea is to use a clustering algorithm to minimize the rewrite interval variance of pages in a flash block. As a result, pages in a flash block tend to have a similar lifetime, minimizing write amplification during a garbage collection. We have implemented WARCIP on an enterprise NVMe SSD. Both simulation and measurement experiments have been carried out. Real world I/O traces and standard I/O benchmarks are used in our experiments to assess the potential benefit of WARCIP. Experiment results show that WARCIP reduces write amplification dramatically and the number of block erasures by 4.45 times on average, implying extended lifetimes of flash SSDs.
Global sensitivity analysis for the design of nonlinear identification experiments

Bayesian inference techniques have been used extensively in recent years for parameter estimation in nonlinear systems. Despite the many advances made in the field, highly nonlinear systems can still be challenging to identify. Of key interest is the challenge in establishing the identifiability of the model with respect to various excitation signals and, in particular, doing so prior to the collection of experimental data. Global sensitivity analysis techniques provide a perspective on this problem that is well-suited to informing the design of identification experiments for use with Bayesian inference techniques. These methods quantify the relative importance of the parameters to the model response by decomposing the variance of the response into contributions from the respective parameters. The sensitivities obtained provide a valuable indication of the information available for parameter estimation in the response of a system to a particular excitation. In this study, nonlinear model parameters are identified based on experimental responses from a nonlinear energy sink device with the unscented Kalman filter. The experimental identification results are compared with those of a Sobol’ sensitivity analysis on the system model to demonstrate how global sensitivity analysis can be used as a method to preselect experimental excitations for use with Bayesian inference techniques.
110th Anniversary: Surrogate Models Based on Artificial Neural Networks to Simulate and Optimize Pressure Swing Adsorption Cycles for CO2 Capture

Carbon capture technologies are expected to play a key role in the global energy system, as it is likely that fossil fuels will continue to be dominant in the world’s energy mix in the near future. Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is a promising alternative among currently available technologies for carbon capture due to its low energy requirements. Still, the design of the appropriate PSA cycle for a given adsorbent material is a challenge that must be addressed to make PSA commercially competitive for carbon capture applications. In this work, we propose and test a model reduction-based approach that systematically generates low-order representations of rigorous PSA models. These reduced-order models are obtained by training artificial neural networks on data collected from full partial differential algebraic equation (PDAE) model simulations. The main contribution of this paper is the development of surrogate models for every possible step in PSA cycles: pressurization, adsorption, and depressurization ...