cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sudden Death Due to Colloid Cyst of the Third Ventricle

The sudden death of a 6-year-old child due to a colloid cyst of the third ventricle is described. Although rare, colloid cysts do present in childhood. The initial manifestation may be signs of acute increased intracranial pressure, and sudden death may result unless recognition and treatment are prompt.
Thin-section helical computed tomography of the bladder: Initial clinical experience with virtual reality imaging

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the application of virtual reality imaging of the bladder (virtual cystoscopy) in the detection of bladder masses. Methods Six patients (mean age 61 years, range 43 to 75) with hematuria and positive findings on conventional cystoscopy were studied by means of thin-section helical computed tomography of the air-distended bladder. Using volume-rendering algorithms, interactive intraluminal views of the bladder mucosa were generated (virtual cystoscopy). Results of virtual cystoscopy were compared with those of conventional cystoscopy in each case. Results Twenty-six (100%) of 26 masses (mean size 1.7 cm, range 0.3 to 6), detected on conventional cystoscopy, were visualized on virtual cystoscopy. Twelve of 26 masses measured less than 1 cm in maximum diameter. All masses were pathologically proven transitional cell carcinomas. Virtual cystoscopy was well tolerated by all patients, and no complications occurred. Conclusions Our results indicate that virtual cystoscopy is an accurate technique for detection of intrinsic bladder masses. It may represent a radiologic adjunct to conventional cystoscopy for initial evaluation of patients with hematuria and for surveillance of patients after bladder tumor resection.
Geriatric Elementary-Type Acetabulum Fractures: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Techniques

Geriatric acetabulum fractures commonly occur because of low-energy falls. The decision-making and treatment strategies can be difficult independent of the fracture pattern. Elementary fracture patterns in the elderly are more commonly treated with open reduction and internal fixation versus acute total hip arthroplasty. Osteopenia further challenges surgeons' ability to obtain and maintain the reduction of these fractures. We present techniques regarding open reduction and internal fixation of elementary type acetabulum fractures in the elderly/geriatric population.
Ward identities on the lattice for Wilson fermions

Abstract General Ward identities on the lattice for Wilson fermions are written in terms of the Green functions measured in numerical simulations. In the pion sector, the emphasis is on K = K c at intermediate values of the coupling constant. An argument is made similar to the one leading to Adler's zeroes, and tests of restoration of chiral symmetry are proposed which are accessible to numerical simulations.
The practical application of research

This review of typical advances in various fields and industries made possible by the practical application of research demonstrates the vital role played by measurements
Cue reliability, risk sensitivity and inducible morphological defense in a marine snail

Reliable cues that communicate current or future environmental conditions are a requirement for the evolution of adaptive phenotypic plasticity, yet we often do not know which cues are responsible for the induction of particular plastic phenotypes. I examined the single and combined effects of cues from damaged prey and predator cues on the induction of plastic shell defenses and somatic growth in the marine snail Nucella lamellosa. Snails were exposed to chemical risk cues from a factorial combination of damaged prey presented in isolation or consumed by predatory crabs (Cancer productus). Water-borne cues from damaged conspecific and heterospecific snails did not affect plastic shell defenses (shell mass, shell thickness and apertural teeth) or somatic growth in N. lamellosa. Cues released by feeding crabs, independent of prey cue, had significant effects on shell mass and somatic growth, but only crabs consuming conspecific snails induced the full suite of plastic shell defenses in N. lamellosa and induced the greatest response in all shell traits and somatic growth. Thus the relationship between risk cue and inducible morphological defense is dependent on which cues and which morphological traits are examined. Results indicate that cues from damaged conspecifics alone do not trigger a response, but, in combination with predator cues, act to signal predation risk and trigger inducible defenses in this species. This ability to "label" predators as dangerous may decrease predator avoidance costs and highlights the importance of the feeding habits of predators on the expression of inducible defenses.
Teacher Ratings of Student Risk for Substance Use as a Function of Specialized Training

The purpose of this study was to determine if teachers' abilities to identify accurately students who are at risk for substance abuse can be improved through attendance at a specialized training program. Sixty-three eighth-grade teachers participated in the study. Of these, thirty-six teachers participated in the training sequence (intervention group), while the remaining twenty-seven teachers served as a comparison group. All eighth-grade students in the school district were surveyed regarding their substance usage. Teachers rated the students regarding their risk for substance usage. Teachers' ratings and students' reported substance usage were compared to assess the percentage of matching responses. After training, the intervention teachers provided more accurate ratings among usage categories than did the comparison teachers. The trained teachers were better at correctly identifying the students who were at risk for substance use.
Linking Energy Levels in the Circadian Core Body Temperature Cycle to Human Health and Well-Being

The body core temperature is a measure of the health and well-being of a person. This temperature seldom varies from the average of 37 °C (98.6 °F) and has been used to gage a person’s wellness at any time. The current work reviews the published health and medical works about this topic, focusing on the effects of hypothermia, especially with respect to neurological issues. The controversy still exists, and the jury is out. A heat transfer researcher’s insight foresees the possible results and calls for more research in the field. In addition, a perspective is provided for a couple of traditional “truths” about related topics that have been challenged in recent times.
The use of animal models to study the effects of aging on cognition

This review addresses the importance of animal models for understanding the effects of normal aging on the brain and cognitive functions. First, studies of laboratory animals can help to distinguish between healthy aging and pathological conditions that may contribute to cognitive decline late in life. Second, research on individual differences in aging, a theme of interest in studies of elderly human beings, can be advanced by the experimental control afforded in the use of animal models. The review offers a neuropsychological framework to compare the effects of aging in human beings, monkeys, and rodents. We consider aging in relation to the role of the medial temporal lobe in memory, the information processing functions of the prefrontal cortex in the strategic use of memory, and the regulation of attention by distributed neural circuitry. We also provide an overview of the neurobiological effects of aging that may account for alterations in psychological functions.
Educational feedback in the operating room: a gap between resident and faculty perceptions

Abstract Background Immediate feedback regarding performance in the operating room remains a key component of resident education. The aim of this study was to assess resident and faculty perceptions regarding postoperative feedback. Methods Anonymous surveys were distributed to residents and faculty members. Questions addressed the timing, amount, and specificity of feedback; satisfaction; and the definition and importance of feedback. Additional questions regarded the importance and frequency of feedback in 7 specific areas of surgical competency. Results Resident satisfaction with timing, amount, and specificity of feedback was significantly lower than faculty satisfaction. Perceptions of the importance of feedback for each of the 7 specific areas did not differ. Faculty members' perceptions on the frequency of feedback were higher than residents' perception in all competencies of feedback (5-point scale, all P values=.001). Conclusions There are significant differences between resident and faculty perceptions regarding postoperative feedback. Although faculty members believed they delivered appropriate amounts of timely, quality feedback, this perception was not shared by residents.
Pressure Distribution in Centrifugal Dental Casting

Equations are developed for liquid metal pressure in centrifugal dental casting, given the instantaneous rotational velocity, density, and certain dimensions of the casting machine and casting pattern. A "reference parabola" is introduced making the fluid pressure concept more understandable. A specially designed specimen demonstrates experimentally the reference parabola at freezing.
Inclusive STEM High School Design: 10 Critical Components

Historically, the mission of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) schools emphasized providing gifted and talented students with advanced STEM coursework. However, a newer type of STEM school is emerging in the United States: inclusive STEM high schools (ISHSs). ISHSs have open enrollment and are focused on preparing underrepresented youth for the successful pursuit of advanced STEM studies. They promise to provide a critical mass of nontraditional STEM students, defying stereotypes about who does STEM and creating positive STEM identities. In this article, we advance a conceptual framework designed to systematically capture the qualities of ISHSs that can provide exciting new possibilities for students and communities. An iterative review of the literature suggests 10 critical components that may work together across 3 dimensions: design, implementation, and outcomes. Our goal is to apply this framework in various school models to better understand the opportunity structures that emer...
Test Item Order, Level of Difficulty, and Student Performance in Marketing Education

Using multiple-choice exams, instructors can discourage student cheating by making more than one version. However, this may unintentionally compromise student performance as sequencing items from easy to hard was traditionally viewed as the most constructive. The author examined the scores on 1,335 multiple-choice exams in a principles of marketing course to investigate student performance based on level of difficulty test item order, gender, and major. The results suggest that test item order and its interaction with gender or major is not a significant factor in student performance. Thus, faculty who teach introductory marketing courses with students from various business majors should feel comfortable randomizing on multiple-choice exams.
Computer-aided protocol analysis of writing processes

With increased interest in process analysis of writing has come an expanded role for computers. Records of written and verbal protocols are made by capturing keystrokes and speech, playing them back on videotape, and then coding, second by second, the duration, frequency, and effort of various writing subprocesses as they unfold. In this paper we introduce a new approach to analyzing think-aloud and resource allocation protocols in writing research and describe how analyses of them can add to current models of writing.
Growth conditions impact 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) accumulation by Cucurbita pepo.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effects of soil moisture content, planting density, plant age, and the growth of multiple generations on the bioconcentration of weathered p,p′-DDE by the plant Cucurbita pepo. As soil moisture content increased from 7.4% to 29.9% (by weight), rates of contaminant accumulation by plant roots were increased by more than a factor of 2. Higher planting density also led to higher uptake, as the root bioconcentration factor (BCF, dry-weight ratio of contaminant concentration in the tissue to that in the soil) increased by 15-fold as the number of plants per pot was raised from 1 to 3. Concentrations of the compound in plant roots were inversely related to plant age, with root BCF declining by approximately a factor of 3 as plants aged from 14 to 28 d. Finally, no change in the bioavailability of the compound was observed in successive generations of plants grown in the same contaminated soil. The results suggest that phytoremediation is influenced by a number ...
ANCA-associated renal vasculitis and acute exacerbation of scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease: A case report

In this report, we describe a patient with the unusual concomitant presentation of an acute exacerbation of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease with the development of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated active renal vasculitis. Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease characterized by systemic autoimmunity and organ fibrosis and vasculopathy. Interstitial lung disease is identified in the majority of patients with systemic sclerosis and may have varying degrees of severity. Patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease rarely develop acute exacerbations of interstitial lung disease. An overlap of systemic vasculitis has been reported to occur in patients with systemic sclerosis – yet this too is a rare occurrence. This case is unique in that it demonstrates the concomitant presentation of these rare clinical scenarios and serves to highlight the importance of a comprehensive and multidiscciplinary approach to the evaluation of patients in general, and systemic autoimmune patients in particular.
Neuroprotection by glutamate receptor antagonists against seizure-induced excitotoxic cell death in the aging brain

We previously have identified phenotypic differences in susceptibility to hippocampal seizure-induced cell death among two inbred strains of mice. We have also reported that the age-related increased susceptibility to the neurotoxic effects of seizure-induced injury is regulated in a strain-dependent manner. In the present study, we wanted to begin to determine the pharmacological mechanism that contributes to variability in the response to the neurotoxic effects of kainate. Thus, we compared the effects of the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801 and of the AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX on hippocampal damage in the kainate model of seizure-induced excitotoxic cell death in young, middle-aged, and aged C57BL/6 and FVB/N mice, when given 90 min following kainate-induced status epilepticus. Following kainate injections, mice were scored for seizure activity and brains from mice in each age and antagonist group were processed for light microscopic histopathologic evaluation 7 days following kainate administration to evaluate the severity of seizure-induced injury. Administration of MK-801 significantly reduced the extent of hippocampal damage in young, mature and aged FVB/N mice, while application of NBQX was only effective at attenuating cell death in young and aged mice throughout all hippocampal subfields. Our results suggest that both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors are involved in kainate-induced cell death in the mouse and suggest that aging may differentially affect the ability of neuroprotectants to protect against hippocampal damage. Differences in the effectiveness of these two antagonists could result from differential regulation of glutamatergic neurotransmitter systems or ion channel specificity.
Retinoic acid induced growth arrest of human breast carcinoma cells requires protein kinase C alpha expression and activity

Retinoic acid inhibits proliferation of hormone-dependent, but not hormone-independent breast cancer cells. Retinoic acid-induced changes in cellular proliferation and differentiation are associated with disturbances in growth factor signaling and frequently with changes in protein kinase C expression. PKC delta, epsilon, and zeta are expressed in both hormone-dependent (T-47D) and hormone-independent (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. Retinoic acid arrested T-47D proliferation, induced PKC alpha expression and concomitantly repressed PKC zeta expression. The changes in PKC alpha and PKC zeta reflect retinoic acid-induced changes in mRNA. In contrast, retinoic acid had no effect on growth, or PKC expression in MDA-MB-231 cells. Growth arrest and the induction of PKC alpha, but not the reduction in PKC zeta, resulted from selective activation of RAR alpha. In total, these results support an important role for PKC alpha in mediating the anti-proliferative action of retinoids on human breast carcinoma cells.
Mechanized derivation of linear invariants.

Linear invariants, discovered by Lake, promise to provide a versatile way of inferring phylogenies on the basis of nucleic acid sequences (the method that he cahed “evolutionary parsimony”). A semigroup of Markov transition matrices embodies the assumptions underlying the method, and alternative semigroups exist. The set of all linear invariants may be derived from the semigroup by using an algorithm described here. Under assumptions no stronger than Lake’s, there are >50 independent linear invariants for each of the 15 rooted trees linking four species.
Decreasing process memory requirements by overlapping program portions

Most compiler optimizations focus on saving time and sometimes occur at the expense of increasing size. Yet processor speeds continue to increase at a faster rate than main memory and disk access times. Processors are now frequently being used in embedded systems that often have strict limitations on the size of programs it can execute. Also, reducing the size of a program may result in improved memory hierarchy performance. This paper describes general techniques for decreasing the memory requirements for a process by automatically overlapping portions of a program. Live range analysis, similar to the analysis used for allocating variables to registers, is used to determine which program portions conflict. Nonconflicting portions are assigned overlapping memory locations. The results show an average decrease of over 10% in process size for a variety of programs with minimal or no dynamic instruction increases.
Optimization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell flow channels using a genetic algorithm

Abstract The design of the flow channels in PEM fuel cells directly impacts the transport of reactant gases to the electrodes and affects cell performance. This paper presents results from a study to optimize the geometry of the flow channels in a PEM fuel cell. The optimization process implements a genetic algorithm to rapidly converge on the channel geometry that provides the highest net power output from the cell. In addition, this work implements a method for the automatic generation of parameterized channel domains that are evaluated for performance using a commercial computational fluid dynamics package from ANSYS. The software package includes GAMBIT as the solid modeling and meshing software, the solver FLUENT, and a PEMFC Add-on Module capable of modeling the relevant physical and electrochemical mechanisms that describe PEM fuel cell operation. The result of the optimization process is a set of optimal channel geometry values for the single-serpentine channel configuration. The performance of the optimal geometry is contrasted with a sub-optimal one by comparing contour plots of current density, oxygen and hydrogen concentration. In addition, the role of convective bypass in bringing fresh reactant to the catalyst layer is examined in detail. The convergence to the optimal geometry is confirmed by a bracketing study which compares the performance of the best individual to those of its neighbors with adjacent parameter values.
Noise-induced switching via fluctuating atomic coherence in an optical three-level bistable system

Noise-induced switching caused by fluctuating atomic coherence is experimentally demonstrated in an atomic optical bistable system consisting of three-level atoms in Λ-type configurations confined in an optical ring cavity. The nonlinear phase as a result of enhanced Kerr nonlinearity induced by atomic coherence in the electromagnetically induced transparency system is fluctuating due to the noise in laser parameters and is primarily responsible for such a switching phenomenon.
Imaging of fluorescent yield and lifetime from multiply scattered light reemitted from random media.

The feasibility of employing fluorescent contrast agents to perform optical imaging in tissues and other scattering media has been examined through computational studies. Fluorescence lifetime and yield can give crucial information about local metabolite concentrations or environmental conditions within tissues. This information can be employed toward disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment if noninvasively quantitated from reemitted optical signals. However, the problem of inverse image reconstruction of fluorescence yield and lifetime is complicated because of the highly scattering nature of the tissue. Here a light propagation model employing the diffusion equation is used to account for the scattering of both the excitation and fluorescent light. Simulated measurements of frequency-domain parameters of fluorescent modulated ac amplitude and phase lag are used as inputs to an inverse image-reconstruction algorithm, which employs the diffusion model to predict frequency-domain measurements resulting from a modulated input at the phantom periphery. In the inverse image-reconstruction algorithm, a Newton–Raphson technique combined with a Marquardt algorithm is employed to converge on the fluorescent properties within the medium. The successful reconstruction of both the fluorescence yield and lifetime in the case of a heterogeneous fluorophore distribution within a scattering medium has been demonstrated without a priori information or without the necessity of obtaining absence images.
Partial compliance with antipsychotics increases mental health hospitalizations in schizophrenic patients: analysis of a national managed care database.

Medication noncompliance is considered to be the single most important factor leading to relapse among patients with schizophrenia.1 One meta-analysis of maintenance antipsychotic treatment found that noncompliance causes about 40% of relapses.2 The advent of newer, second-generation oral antipsychotics has had a greater impact on efficacy than on adherence. For example, patients maintained on second-generation antipsychotics are about one third less likely to relapse compared with those receiving first-generation medications,3 but the overall gains in preventing nonadherence by moving from first-generation to second-generation medications have been much more modest.4 Schizophrenia is a very debilitating and expensive disease, resulting in $62.7 billion in direct and indirect costs in 2002 in the United States, of which $32.4 billion was indirect costs, including unemployment, reduced workplace productivity, family caregiving, and suicide. Direct healthcare costs totaled $22.8 billion ($8.0 billion in long-term care, $7.0 billion in outpatient costs, $2.8 billion inpatient, and $5.0 billion in drug therapy). In 2002, direct healthcare costs in terms of per member per year equaled $79 per US resident.5
Transformation, Nostalgia, and Illusion in Public Life and Public Place

When this chapter was first requested, it surfaced a set of assumptions I then held about public life and public place. These assumptions probably came from my lifelong experience as a big-city dweller and intense city user, from being an architect, and from the teaching of architecture and urban design.
Early versus late surgical intervention or medical management for infective endocarditis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Infective endocarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality and optimal timing for surgical intervention is unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare early surgical intervention with conservative therapy in patients with infective endocarditis. Methods PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL and Google-scholar databases were searched from January 1960 to April 2015. Randomised controlled trials, retrospective cohorts and prospective observational studies comparing outcomes between early surgery at 20 days or less and conservative management for infective endocarditis were analysed. Results A total of 21 studies were included. OR of all-cause mortality for early surgery was 0.61 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.74, p Conclusion The results of our meta-analysis suggest that early surgical intervention is associated with significantly lower risk of mortality in patients with infective endocarditis.
Lifetimes of the First Excited States of Li 7 and Be 7

The lifetimes of the first excited states of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$ and ${\mathrm{Be}}^{7}$ have been remeasured with the Doppler-shift attenuation method and a lithium-drifted germanium detector. The value of the mean life obtained for ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$*, (1.06\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.14)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ sec, is in better agreement with earlier measurements from resonance fluorescence than with previous determinations by the Doppler-shift method. The value obtained for ${\mathrm{Be}}^{7}$*, (1.92\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.25)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ sec, agrees with but is appreciably lower and more precise than an earlier Doppler-shift measurement. The value of 1.82\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.20 obtained for the ratio of the lifetimes, and the lifetimes themselves, are in excellent agreement with the range of values expected for intermediate coupling with $L\ensuremath{-}S$ coupling predominating ($\frac{a}{K}l3.6$). They agree as well with specific theoretical predictions based on studies of $p$-shell nuclei.
Alternating extensional and shortening stress fields on the West Salton detachment fault, Southern California

Stress field perturbations are known to follow earthquakes, but the length scales over which the stress field varies are still poorly understood. Most focal mechanism inversions are assumed to represent the bulk regional stresses, yet fault irregularity and observed small-scale stress changes in boreholes suggest a strong degree of local heterogeneity. We present geologic paleostress inversion results from a segment of the folded West Salton detachment fault located in a left stepover in the San Felipe dextral fault zone of Southern California (United States). Extension and dextral slip in this region were synchronous during latest detachment slip. The local (1–10 km scale) vertical stress field alternated from σ 1 during extension to σ 3 during flex-slip folding of the detachment in a restraining bend of the San Felipe fault zone (where σ 1 , σ 2 , and σ 3 are the maximum, intermediate, and minimum principal stress directions, respectively). Regionally (10–100 km scale), we infer that the vertical stress alternates from σ 1 during extension to σ 2 during dextral slip. Both are consistent with nearly complete earthquake stress drops. If the fault-slip data set records paleoseismic strains, the magnitudes of differential stress and stress drop must be similar. Both may be relatively small during tectonic transitions.
Preparation and Optical Properties of Indium Tin Oxide/Epoxy Nanocomposites with Polyglycidyl Methacrylate Grafted Nanoparticles

Visibly highly transparent indium tin oxide (ITO)/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared by dispersing polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) grafted ITO nanoparticles into a commercial epoxy resin. The oleic acid stabilized, highly crystalline, and near monodisperse ITO nanoparticles were synthesized via a nonaqueous synthetic route with multigram batch quantities. An azido–phosphate ligand was synthesized and used to exchange with oleic acid on the ITO surface. The azide terminal group allows for the grafting of epoxy resin compatible PGMA polymer chains via Cu(I) catalyzed alkyne–azide “click” chemistry. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation shows that PGMA grafted ITO particles were homogeneously dispersed within the epoxy matrix. Optical properties of ITO/epoxy nanocomposites with different ITO concentrations were studied with an ultraviolet–visible-near-infrared (UV–vis-NIR) spectrometer. All the ITO/epoxy nanocomposites show more than 90% optical transparency in the visible light range and absor...
General Institutional Framework of Foreign Direct Investment in Brazil

This chapter aims to address the general institutional framework of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Brazil. We will, more particularly, focus on the economic and institutional changes in Brazil from the period of import substitution policies to the period of reforms in the 1990s, in which the country implemented a new model of development based on free competition, fiscal responsibility, and economic openness. Furthermore, we will analyze the evolution and patterns of FDI, and draw some conclusions about the strategies and performance of multinationals in the country, comparing the period before and after the global financial crisis of 2008.
Seeking applicants for New Trans NIH K12 program in Emergency Care Research

A new Trans NIH K12 Program in Emergency Care Research was funded in late July 2016 and is funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). The new program seeks to widen the scientific domain of emergency care research to include mental health and nursing research. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The association of exosomes with lymph nodes

Cells produce extracellular nanovesicles known as exosomes that transport information between tissue microenvironments. Exosomes can engage and regulate the function of various immune cell types facilitating both normal and pathological processes. It follows that exosomes should also associate with lymph nodes containing immune cells. Herein, data derived from investigations that incorporate experiments pertaining to the trafficking of exosomes to lymph nodes is reviewed. Within lymph nodes, direct evidence demonstrates that exosomes associate with dendritic cells, subcapsular sinus macrophages, B lymphocytes and stromal cells. Interactions with endothelial cells are also likely. The functional significance of these associations depends on exosome type. Continued investigations into the relationship between exosomes and lymph nodes will further our understanding of how exosomes regulate immune cells subsets and may serve to inspire new exosome based therapeutics to treat a variety of diseases.
Finite dimensional representations of the double affine Hecke algebra of rank 1

Abstract We classify the finite dimensional irreducible representations of the double affine Hecke algebra (DAHA) of type C ∨ C 1 in the case when q is not a root of unity.
Pharmacokinetics of nicotine following the controlled use of a prototype novel tobacco vapor product

The objective of this clinical study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of nicotine following the use of a prototype novel tobacco vapor (PNTV) product in comparison to a conventional cigarette (CC1). The study was conducted in Japanese healthy adult male smokers, using an open-label, randomized, two-period crossover design, to assess the pharmacokinetics of nicotine after controlled use of a PNTV product or CC1. During the study period, blood samples were drawn from subjects for the measurement of plasma nicotine concentrations and nicotine intake was estimated from the mouth level exposure (MLE). The Cmax and AUClast following the use of PNTV product were 45.7% and 68.3%, respectively, of those obtained with CC1 and there were no significant differences in the tmax and t1/2 between PNTV product and CC1. The estimated MLE following the use of PNTV product was approximately two-thirds of that obtained following the smoking of CC1, but the relative bioavailability of PNTV product to CC1 was approximately 104%. The differences in Cmax and AUClast between PNTV product and CC1 therefore are explained by differences in nicotine intake. These results suggest that the PNTV product shows a similar pharmacokinetic profile to CC1, while delivering less nicotine following controlled use.
Cognitive software defined radar: Waveform design for clutter and interference suppression

Clutter and radio frequency interference (RFI) are prevalent issues in the field of radar and are specifically of interest to of cognitive radar. Here, methods for applying and testing the utility of cognitive radar for clutter and RFI mitigation are explored. Using the adaptable transmit capability, environmental database, and general “awareness” of a cognitive radar system (i.e. spectrum sensing, geographical location, etc.), a matched waveform is synthesized that improves the signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR), assuming at least an estimate of the target response and the environmental clutter response are known a prior i. RFI may also be mitigated by sensing the RF spectrum and adapting the transmit center frequency and bandwidth using methods that optimize bandwidth and signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) (i.e. the spectrum sensing, multi-objective (SS-MO) algorithm). The improvement is shown by a decrease in the noise floor. The above methods’ effectiveness are examined via a test-bed developed around a software defined radio (SDR). Testing and the general use of commercial off the shelf (COTS) devices are desirable for their cost effectiveness, general ease of use, as well as technical and community support, but these devices provide design challenges in order to be effective. The universal software radio peripheral (USRP) X310 SDR is a relatively cheap and portable device that has all the system components of a basic cognitive radar. Design challenges of the SDR include phase coherency between channels, bandwidth limitations, dynamic range, and speed of computation and data communication / recording.
Rare Earth and Main Group Metal Poly(hydrosilyl) Compounds

The potassium poly(hydrosilyl) compound KSi(SiHMe2)3, which contains three β-SiH groups, is synthesized by the reaction of Si(SiHMe2)4 and KOtBu. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals chains composed of head-to-tail KSi(SiHMe2)3 monomers. This potassium poly(hydrosilyl) anion reacts with divalent metal halide salts in THF to form the bis(silyl) compounds Mg{Si(SiHMe2)3}2THF2 (1·THF2), Ca{Si(SiHMe2)3}2THF3 (2·THF3), and Yb{Si(SiHMe2)3}2THF3 (3·THF3). A trivalent yttrium bis(silyl), as part of a KCl-containing polymeric chain, is supported by K↼H–Si bridging interactions. The N donors pyridine (py) and dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) readily substitute THF, giving tetrahedral magnesium and octahedral calcium silyl compounds. The one-bond silicon–hydrogen coupling constants (1JSiH), infrared stretching frequencies (νSiH), and solid-state structures of 2·py4 and 3·THF3 indicate classical two center-two electron bonding between the metal center and the silyl ligand, as well as terminal (nonbridging) Si...
Optical coherence tomography guided carotid artery stent procedure: technique and potential applications.

Objectives To (1) present a guide on how to perform optical coherence tomography (OCT) in carotid artery stenting (CAS), to (2) highlight several instructive cases illustrating OCT-guidance as an interventional strategy, and to (3) present the largest case-series of OCT-guided CAS performed in North America, demonstrating its feasibility as an imaging modality in this setting. Background OCT is an intravascular imaging method that captures images with an axial resolution 10 times higher than intravascular ultrasound. OCT has proven to be a useful modality in coronary angiography and may have similar applications in evaluating carotid atherosclerotic disease. Methods We compared our experience in CAS utilizing OCT (40 patients) versus that of CAS without OCT guidance (52 patients). Results No strokes or deaths occurred in either group postprocedurally or at 12 months. Fluoroscopy time was reduced in the OCT arm (14 ± 1 vs. 16 ± 1 min). Postprocedural creatinine levels were identical (1 ± 0 mg/dl, P = 0.96). Procedure time (96 ± 8 vs. 80 ± 3 min, P = 0.06) and contrast use (94 ± 4 vs. 83 ± 4 ml, P = 0.05) was slightly elevated in the OCT arm. Conclusions We established a standardized protocol to consistently obtain OCT images that helped guide interventional decision-making during CAS. OCT imaging in the carotids requires a higher contrast load and prolongs procedure time. However, it can be performed without significant increases in fluoroscopy time or negatively affecting renal function. There were no negative safety signals in this pilot study.
Computing with obfuscated data in arbitrary logic circuits via noise insertion and cancellation

In secure computing, sensitive data must be kept private by protecting it from being obtained by an attacker. Existing techniques for computing with encrypted data are either prohibitively expensive (e.g., fully homomorphic encryption) or only work for special cases. (e.g., only for linear circuits). This paper presents a lightweight methodology for computing with noise-obfuscated data by carefully selecting internal locations for noise cancellation in arbitrary logic circuits. Noise is inserted in the data before computation and then partially cancelled during the computation and fully cancelled at the outputs. While the proposed methodology does not provide the level of strong encryption that fully homomorphic encryption would provide, it has the advantage of being lightweight, easy to implement, and can be deployed with relatively minimal performance impact. A key idea in the proposed approach is to reduce the complexity of the noise cancellation logic by carefully selecting internal locations to do local noise canceling. This is done in a way that prevents more than one input per gate from propagating noise thereby avoiding the complexity that arises from reconvergent noise propagation paths. One important application of the proposed scheme is for protecting data inside a computing unit obtained from a third party IP provider where a hidden backdoor access mechanism or hardware Trojan could be maliciously inserted. Experimental results show that noise can be propagated to outputs with overheads ranging from (13%–56%).
Nanoparticle formulation improves doxorubicin efficacy by enhancing host antitumor immunity.

Abstract Strategies that enhance the host antitumor immune response promise to revolutionize cancer therapy. Optimally mobilizing the immune system will likely require a multi-pronged approach to overcome the resistance developed by tumors to therapy. Recently, it has become recognized that doxorubicin can contribute to re-establishing host antitumor immunity through the generation of immunogenic cell death. However, the potential for delivery strategies to further enhance the immunological effects of doxorubicin has not been adequately examined. We report herein that Chimeric Polypeptide Doxorubicin (CP-Dox), a nanoparticle formulation of doxorubicin, enhances antitumor immunity. Compared to free doxorubicin, a single intravenous (IV) administration of CP-Dox at the maximum tolerated dose increases the infiltration of leukocytes into the tumor, slowing tumor growth and preventing metastasis in poorly immunogenic 4T1 mammary carcinoma. We demonstrate that the full efficacy of CP-Dox is dependent on CD8 + T cells and IFN-γ. CP-dox treatment also repolarized intratumoral myeloid cells towards an antitumor phenotype. These findings demonstrate that a nanoparticle drug is distinct from the free drug in its ability to productively stimulate antitumor immunity. Our study strongly argues for the use of antitumor immunotherapies combined with nanoparticle-packaged chemotherapy.
Postnatal Ontogenesis of the Islet Circadian Clock Plays a Contributory Role in β-Cell Maturation Process

Development of cell replacement therapies in diabetes requires understanding of the molecular underpinnings of β-cell maturation. The circadian clock regulates diverse cellular functions important for regulation of β-cell function and turnover. However, postnatal ontogenesis of the islet circadian clock and its potential role in β-cell maturation remain unknown. To address this, we studied wild-type Sprague-Dawley as well as Period1 luciferase transgenic (Per1:LUC) rats to determine circadian clock function, clock protein expression, and diurnal insulin secretion during islet development and maturation process. We additionally studied β-cell–specific Bmal1-deficient mice to elucidate a potential role of this key circadian transcription factor in β-cell functional and transcriptional maturation. We report that emergence of the islet circadian clock 1) occurs during the early postnatal period, 2) depends on the establishment of global behavioral circadian rhythms, and 3) leads to the induction of diurnal insulin secretion and gene expression. Islet cell maturation was also characterized by induction in the expression of circadian transcription factor BMAL1, deletion of which altered postnatal development of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and the associated transcriptional network. Postnatal development of the islet circadian clock contributes to early-life β-cell maturation and should be considered for optimal design of future β-cell replacement strategies in diabetes.
Black Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusions are common in clinical practice. In general, the diagnostic approach starts with thoracentesis. Serous (yellow) and blood tinged (reddish) pleural effusions are the most common types of pleural fluid at thoracentesis. Black colored pleural effusions are an extremely rare entity and knowledge regarding this entity is limited to case reports. A thorough systemic search on PubMed database was done looking at all reported cases of black pleural effusion. Broadly, dividing black pleural effusion based on etiology, the causes are as follows: (1) infectious – especially fungal – Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oryzae, (2) malignancy -metastatic melanoma and primary lung cancers, (3) pancreaticopleural fistula, and (4) miscellaneous causes-including crack cocaine use, rheumatoid pleurisy, and charcoal containing empyema. Treatment of these effusions involves treatment of the underlying cause. Black pleural effusions are very rare entities with a limited differential, which the treating clinician should consider when encountered in clinical practice.
Querying Videos Using DNN Generated Labels

Massive amounts of videos are generated for entertainment, security, and science, powered by a growing supply of user-produced video hosting services. Unfortunately, searching for videos is difficult due to the lack of content annotations. Recent breakthroughs in image labeling with deep neural networks (DNNs) create a unique opportunity to address this problem. While many automated end-to-end solutions have been developed, such as natural language queries, we take on a different perspective: to leverage both the development of algorithms and human capabilities. To this end, we design a query language in tandem with a user interface to help users quickly identify segments of interest from the video based on labels and corresponding bounding boxes. We combine techniques from the database and information visualization communities to help the user make sense of the object labels in spite of errors and inconsistencies.
The Integration of Inventory Control in Materials/Logistics Management

Inventories provide a rational approach to operations by aiding the smooth flow of materials, the effective utilization of facilities, and efficient materials handling, all to better serve customers.1 Various operations, both manufacturing and service businesses, involve the inventory process. Inventories allow each unit enough independence to operate efficiently. With adequate inventories, supplies can be ordered and shipped, and operations can be performed without excessive costs for setups and/or ordering. This allows more efficient handling of optimum-quantity lots. Various Japanese techniques of inventory control, such as the Just-In-Time technique, try to achieve these benefits without maintaining large inventories. Unfortunately, inventories allow for poor scheduling, planning, and controls by management.
Genetics of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

A possible genetic basis for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has begun to be proposed. The various strands of evidence that support this proposal, as well as the evidence for specific chromosomal loci in children, will be reviewed in this chapter. Genetic heterogeneity is likely in this disorder, with extensive phenotypic heterogeneity.
Fluid Dynamics Effects on Microstructure Prediction in Single-Laser Tracks for Additive Manufacturing of IN625

Single-track laser fusion were simulated using a heat-transfer-solidification-only (HTS) model and its extension with fluid dynamics (HTS_FD) model using a parallel open-source code, which included laminar fluid dynamics, flat-free surface of the molten alloy, heat transfer, phase-change, evaporation, and surface tension phenomena. The results illustrate that the fluid dynamics affects the solidification and ensuing microstructure. For the HTS_FD simulations, thermal gradient, G was found to exhibit a maximum at the extremity of the solidified pool (i.e., at the free surface), while for HTS simulations, G exhibited a maximum around the entire edge of the solidified pool. HTS_FD simulations predicted a wider range of cooling rates than the HTS simulations, exhibited an increased spread in the solidification speed, V variation within the melt-pool with respect to the HTS model results. Primary dendrite arm spacing (PDAS) were evaluated based on power law correlations and marginal stability theory models using the (G, V) from HTS and HTS_FD simulations to quantify the effect of the fluid dynamics on the microstructure. At low-laser powers and low-scan speeds, the PDAS obtained with the fluid dynamics model (HTS_FD) was larger by more than 30 pct with respect to the PDAS calculated with the simple HTS model. A new PDAS correlation, i.e., $$ \lambda_{1} \left[ {\mu {\text{m}}} \right] = 832\;G\left[ {\text{K/m}} \right]^{ - 0.5} V\left[ {\text{m/s}} \right]^{ - 0.25} $$ , which uses the (G, V) results from the HTS_FD model was developed and validated against experimental results.
The Behavioral Health of American Indian/Alaska Native Populations: Risk and Resiliency

This chapter provides the epidemiology of behavioral disorders in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, including mental disorders, alcohol/drug disorders, disabilities, and co-occurring disorders. The chapter also emphasizes both risk and protective factors and highlights some of the successful behavioral health prevention and treatment strategies. The chapter concludes by discussing implications for behavioral health for AI/AN including future directions for research, services, programs, and policy.
A Bayesian Constancy-Enforced Non-Inferiority Design in Medical Device Trials with a Binary Endpoint

Non-inferiority trials are commonly seen in medical device trials. However, the violation of the constancy assumption could be a serious concern. Some approaches have been proposed to address the impact of violation of the constancy assumption on the validity of a non-inferiority trial such as prevention through good trial conduct and adjustment through analysis. In this paper, we propose a new approach via adding a companion constancy test to the non-inferiority test that consequently protects the validity of a non-inferiority trial under Bayesian framework. In addition, as some clinical data from historical studies are available for the active control prior to the start of the investigational study, we consider two different methods to borrow the available information. We use a simulation study to assess the performance of the proposed approach.