cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controversies Surrounding the Use of Etomidate for Rapid Sequence Intubation in Patients with Suspected Sepsis

Objective:To evaluate the risk of adrenal insufficiency following a single dose of etomidate in patients with suspected sepsis requiring rapid sequence intubation.Data Sources:A literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from the dates of database inception until April 2010, utilizing the terms adrenal insufficiency, etomidate, and sepsis.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Data were synthesized in a qualitative manner, as variable study designs were identified. All studies that evaluated the clinical association between etomidate-induced adrenal insufficiency and sepsis in adults were reviewed and included.Data Synthesis:A search of the literature revealed 7 studies that specifically evaluated clinical endpoints in septic adults receiving etomidate for induction prior to intubation. Three of the studies evaluated risk factors associated with adrenal insufficiency in critically ill patients. Each of these studies determined that etomidate expo...
A NEW SECURITY FRAMEWORK FOR HIPAA- COMPLIANT HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Security in health care information systems is among the highest priority research topics. Introduction of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) increased the pressure on health care organizations for implementing security. Two existing frameworks, which affect the proposed security standards, are introduced. It is important to understand the development of standards and how they can be useful, in order to successfully implement them. In this paper, we propose a techno-managerial framework that can aid planners of security systems as deployed within health care environment. Having a security framework will enable organizations to implement security standards more easily and quickly. As a result, we–the patients–will start seeing an increasing number of new health care services supported by the information technologies.
Conceptual Model of Tidally Influenced Deposition on Margins of Epeiric Seas: Lower Ordovician (Canadian) of Eastern New York and Southwestern Vermont

Ten carbonate lithofacies are recognized in the Lower Ordovician (Canadian) Great Meadows and Fort Ann Formations in eastern New York and adjacent southwestern Vermont. These lithofacies developed on a shallow shelf adjacent to the deeper proto-Atlantic Ocean on the east, and were deposited within the tidally influenced zone along the margin (pericontinental zone) of a craton-wide epeiric sea. Shelf sedimentation involved the formation of a widespread carbonate tidal-flat complex, and was succeeded temporally by a lithofacies mosaic which reflected the balance between the laterally discontinuous progradation of low-energy carbonate tidal flats and algal shoals, and the patchy submergence by quiet-water, fossiliferous subtidal limestones. Shelf-marginal lithofacies appear to have consisted of high-energy oolite shoals which persisted throughout early Canadian time. Periodic circulation restriction between inner-shelf and open-ocean waters by marginal shoals and areal restriction of shallow subtidal environments by extensive prograding tidal flats affected salinity fluctuations within shelf waters, from normal to hypersaline conditions. Widespread intertidal environments at times isolated local evaporite-depositing salinas on desiccated tidal flats.
High-Fidelity Real-Time Simulation on Deployed Platforms

We present a certified reduced basis method for high‐fidelity real-time solution of parametrized partial di erential equations on deployed platforms. Applications include in situ parameter estimation, adaptive design and control, interactive synthesis and visualization, and individuated product specification. We emphasize a new hierarchical architecture particularly well suited to the reduced basis computational paradigm: the expensive O ine stage is conducted pre‐deployment on a parallel supercomputer (in our examples, the TeraGrid machine Ranger); the inexpensive Online stage is conducted “in the field” on ubiquitous thin/inexpensive platforms such as laptops, tablets, smartphones (in our examples, the Nexus One Android‐based phone), or embedded chips. We illustrate our approach with three examples: a two‐dimensional Helmholtz acoustics “horn” problem; a three‐dimensional transient heat conduction “Swiss Cheese” problem; and a three‐dimensional unsteady incompressible NavierStokes low‐Reynolds‐number “eddy‐promoter” problem.
Exploiting h --> W* W* decays at the upgraded Fermilab Tevatron

We study the observability of a standard-model-like Higgs boson at an upgraded Fermilab Tevatron via the mode $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{h}{W}^{*}{W}^{*}.$ We concentrate on the main channel $g\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{g}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{h}{W}^{*}{W}^{*}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}l\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}\overline{l}\ensuremath{\nu}.$ We also find the mode $q{q}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{W}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{h}{W}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{W}^{*}{W}^{*}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{l}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\nu}{l}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\nu}\mathrm{jj}$ useful. We perform detector level simulations by making use of a Monte Carlo program SHW. Optimized searching strategy and kinematical cuts are developed. We find that with a c.m. energy of 2 TeV and an integrated luminosity of $30 {\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ the signal should be observable at a $3\ensuremath{\sigma}$ level or better for the mass range of $145 \mathrm{GeV}\ensuremath{\lesssim}{m}_{h}\ensuremath{\lesssim}180 \mathrm{GeV}.$ For 95% confidence-level exclusion, the mass reach is $135 \mathrm{GeV}\ensuremath{\lesssim}{m}_{h}\ensuremath{\lesssim}190 \mathrm{GeV}.$ We also present results of studying these channels with a model-independent parametrization. Further improvement is possible by including other channels. We conclude that the upgraded Fermilab Tevatron will have the potential to significantly advance our knowledge of Higgs boson physics.
Community Dwelling Elderly Women and Meal Preparation

ABSTRACTMaintaining instrumental activities of daily living independence is an important component of successful aging in place. Meal preparation is an essential occupation and aspect of self-identity for many women. The aim of this study was to learn which meal preparation occupations are perceived to have high activity demands, the source of these activity demands, and the coping strategies developed to mitigate the press of these activity demands. Eight community dwelling American women, 73 years old or more, participated in this study. Using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, each woman identified meal preparation occupations that were important to her but which she felt were performed unsatisfactorily. The author completed an activity analysis based on the Person-Environment-Occupation Model to validate each participant's identified source of high activity demands. The results suggest that the activity demands are not solely due to a decline in functional capacity but also due to environm...
Road to evolution? Local adaptation to road adjacency in an amphibian ( Ambystoma maculatum )

The network of roads on the landscape is vast, and contributes a suite of negative ecological effects on adjacent habitats, ranging from fragmentation to contamination by runoff. In addition to the immediate consequences faced by biota living in roaded landscapes, road effects may further function as novel agents of selection, setting the stage for contemporary evolutionary changes in local populations. Though the ecological consequences of roads are well described, evolutionary outcomes remain largely unevaluated. To address these potential responses in tandem, I conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment on early life history stages of a pool-breeding salamander. My data show that despite a strong, negative effect of roadside pools on salamander performance, populations adjacent to roads are locally adapted. This suggests that the response of species to human-altered environments varies across local populations, and that adaptive processes may mediate this response.
IMAGE ANALYSIS FOR AUTOMATED ASSESSMENT OF GRADE OF NEUROBLASTIC DIFFERENTIATION

Peripheral neuroblastic tumors (pNTs) make the most commonly encountered tumor groups in children. Neuroblastoma, one of the categories in pNTs, is known to have unique biological behaviors with variable clinical prognoses of the patients. Part of the neuroblastoma prognosis is closely related with grade of neuroblastic differentiation. In this work, we present an automatic classification system that includes a novel segmentation method using the EM algorithm with the Fisher-Rao criterion as its kernel. This is followed by a classification stage with classifiers applied to the actual neuroblastoma images. The good classification accuracy suggests that the developed method is promising in automating this pathological assessment
Identification of differently timed motor components of conditioned blink responses.

Abstract Electromyographic recordings were made from the orbicularis oculi muscles of cats in order to identify differently timed motor components of conditioned eye blink responses (CRs). Conditioning was established rapidly by pairing electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus (HS) with a click conditioned stimulus (CS) and a glabella tap unconditioned stimulus (US). Analysis of the EMG responses disclosed five different motor components of the CR that could be distinguished and characterized according to their latencies of occurrence. Four were associated with an increase in EMG activity elicited by the CS (16–48 ms, α1; 48–80 ms, α2; 80 to 120 ms, β; ≥120 ms, γ), and one was associated with a decrease in activity (16 to 60 ms, αi). Analysis of the amplitudes of the different components of the CR during the course of conditioning and extinction disclosed that short latency, α1 components of the CRs were acquired and extinguished in a manner equivalent to longer latency components of the CRs. The observations supported the hypothesis that short and long latency components of blink responses represented comparable rather than substantially different forms of Pavlovian conditioning. The α2 response was present before conditioning began, and increased with other components after conditioning. The αi response component was also observed prior to conditioning, and represents a previously undetected, inhibitory consequence of presenting weak (70 dB) acoustic stimuli. It could play a role in conditioned inhibition, latent inhibition and blocking as well as suppression of the conditioned motor response during extinction.
Contraception and prenatal vitamin supplementation for women on antiepileptic medications

This article identifies interactions among AEDs with hormonal contraceptives and summarizes management strategies from the literature. Recommendations for addressing folate, vitamin K, and vitamin D deficiency caused by AEDs are also reviewed.
Mobile peer-to-peer frequency-hopping communications

The potential performance of mobile peer-to-peer frequency-hopping communication systems in multiple-access networks is studied. Through analysis and simulation, the effects of Rayleigh fading, shadowing, spectral splatter, the number of frequency channels, spatial diversity, and thermal noise are examined.
Experimental support for the foldability- function tradeoff hypothesis: Segregation of the folding nucleus and functional regions in fibroblast growth factor-1

The acquisition of function is often associated with destabilizing mutations, giving rise to the stability-function tradeoff hypothesis. To test whether function is also accommodated at the expense of foldability, fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) was subjected to a comprehensive φ-value analysis at each of the 11 turn regions. FGF-1, a β-trefoil fold, represents an excellent model system with which to evaluate the influence of function on foldability: because of its threefold symmetric structure, analysis of FGF-1 allows for direct comparisons between symmetry-related regions of the protein that are associated with function to those that are not; thus, a structural basis for regions of foldability can potentially be identified. The resulting φ-value distribution of FGF-1 is highly polarized, with the majority of positions described as either folded-like or denatured-like in the folding transition state. Regions important for folding are shown to be asymmetrically distributed within the protein architecture; furthermore, regions associated with function (i.e., heparin-binding affinity and receptor-binding affinity) are localized to regions of the protein that fold after barrier crossing (late in the folding pathway). These results provide experimental support for the foldability-function tradeoff hypothesis in the evolution of FGF-1. Notably, the results identify the potential for folding redundancy in symmetric protein architecture with important implications for protein evolution and design.
Cell Shape and Negative Links in Regulatory Motifs Together Control Spatial Information Flow in Signaling Networks

The role of cell size and shape in controlling local intracellular signaling reactions, and how this spatial information originates and is propagated, is not well understood. We have used partial differential equations to model the flow of spatial information from the β-adrenergic receptor to MAPK1,2 through the cAMP/PKA/B-Raf/MAPK1,2 network in neurons using real geometries. The numerical simulations indicated that cell shape controls the dynamics of local biochemical activity of signal-modulated negative regulators, such as phosphodiesterases and protein phosphatases within regulatory loops to determine the size of microdomains of activated signaling components. The model prediction that negative regulators control the flow of spatial information to downstream components was verified experimentally in rat hippocampal slices. These results suggest a mechanism by which cellular geometry, the presence of regulatory loops with negative regulators, and key reaction rates all together control spatial information transfer and microdomain characteristics within cells.
Bob Marshall's forest reconstruction study: three centuries of ecological resilience to disturbance1

Abstract In 1924, Bob Marshall and his Harvard University advisor Richard Fisher developed an integrated historical approach for forest reconstruction to address ecological questions and provide insights to forest management. Their approach utilized complementary methods and data: dendrochronology, diverse historical records (e.g., deeds, town and oral histories, and census and lumber mill records), and intensive field mapping and sampling of the site including stumps and uproot mounds, and forest composition and structure. Marshall applied this approach broadly to a 61-ha Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock)-Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) forest on sandy dry soils and intensively to a 0.15-ha sub-plot. He sought to test his hypothesis that pine and hemlock displayed compositional resilience to disturbance and to understand the life-history and growth characteristics of the two species that enabled co-dominance. Marshall concluded that, in contrast with the successional tendencies of white pine across N...
A Ray tracing algorithm for progressive radiosity

A new method for computing form-factors within a progressive radiosity approach is presented. Previously, the progressive radiosity approach has depended on the use of the hemi-cube algorithm to determine form-factors. However, sampling problems inherent in the hemi-cube algorithm limit its usefulness for complex images. A more robust approach is described in which ray tracing is used to perform the numerical integration of the form-factor equation. The approach is tailored to provide good, approximate results for a low number of rays, while still providing a smooth continuum of increasing accuracy for higher numbers of rays. Quantitative comparisons between analytically derived form-factors and ray traced form-factors are presented.
Comments on: 'The Trouble with Instruments: Re-Examining Shock-Based IV Designs' by Atanasov and Black

Atanasov and Black (2015) (AB) analyzes potential limitations of empirical studies that use shock-based IV designs, focusing specifically on our article that studies the effect of board independence on firm value (Duchin et al., 2010). With regard to our study, AB raises three concerns with our analysis. This note presents our reaction to AB’s analysis. We agree with two of the concerns in the abstract; it turns out they do not matter for the substance of our analysis. We disagree on the critical issue concerning selection of covariates. As a guide to future research, we highlight the nature of the disagreement, and explain why we believe covariates should be motivated by theory, and why an a theoretical approach to selecting covariates can result in failure to identify effects that actually exist. An important lesson from the analysis is that researchers should exercise caution when including ad-hoc covariates in empirical specifications. We offer concluding thoughts about empirical research and causal inference.
Pulling together: Tissue-generated forces that drive lumen morphogenesis

Mechanical interactions are essential for bending and shaping tissues during morphogenesis. A common feature of nearly all internal organs is the formation of a tubular network consisting of an epithelium that surrounds a central lumen. Lumen formation during organogenesis requires precisely coordinated mechanical and biochemical interactions. Whereas many genetic regulators of lumen formation have been identified, relatively little is known about the mechanical cues that drive lumen morphogenesis. Lumens can be shaped by a variety of physical behaviors including wrapping a sheet of cells around a hollow core, rearranging cells to expose a lumenal cavity, or elongating a tube via cell migration, though many of the details underlying these movements remain poorly understood. It is essential to define how forces generated by individual cells cooperate to produce the tissue-level forces that drive organogenesis. Transduction of mechanical forces relies on several conserved processes including the contraction of cytoskeletal networks or expansion of lumens through increased fluid pressure. The morphogenetic events that drive lumen formation serve as a model for similar mechanical processes occurring throughout development. To understand how lumenal networks arise, it will be essential to investigate how biochemical and mechanical processes integrate to generate complex structures from comparatively simple interactions.
Inter-National and Intra-Country Economic Integration: The Case of China

Intra-country market segmentation and urban-rural income disparity are undeniable indications of disintegration of a national economy. Inter-national economic integration has resulted in issues of intra-country economic integration being largely neglected in current research. China is a case in point. As China joins the World Trade Organization (WTO) and becomes increasingly integrated with the world economy, anecdotal evidence shows that markets are still internally segmented in the country. This paper provides a measure of national and international economic integration from the perspective of the level of the firm. It analyzes the importance of urbanization in national economic integration in the context of the current globalization trend. One key argument is that urbanization through free labor mobility is an unavoidable necessity for any economy seeking to survive and prosper in an increasingly competitive international environment.
The Relation of f′+(a) to f′(a+)

(1966). The Relation of f′+(a) to f′(a+) Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 112-120.
Personal Space Methodology: Relation between Felt-Figures and Scores on Comfortable Interpersonal Distance Scale:

24 males and 24 females paired a self-figure with 8 stimulus figures using both the Comfortable Interpersonal Distance Scale and the Felt-figure Free-placement Technique. The two measures were stro...
Thermoelastic Properties of Rubberlike Networks and Their Thermodynamic and Molecular Interpretation

Abstract Thermoelastic measurements and their interpretation by means of rotational isomeric state theory provide a great deal of insight into both thermodynamic and molecular aspects of rubberlike elasticity. Furthermore, conformational energies obtained in part from thermoelastic studies can in turn be used in the interpretation and even prediction of a variety of configurationally dependent properties of chain molecules, as is shown in many of the theoretical investigations cited in Sections IV and VII of this review.
Eisenhower, Dulles, and Dienbienphu: “The Day We Didn't Go to War” Revisited

America's role in the Dienbienphu crisis of 1954 has been a source of persisting confusion and controversy. In a Washington Post story of June 7, 1954, subsequently expanded into a Reporter article provocatively entitled "The Day We Didn't Go to War," journalist Chalmers M. Roberts divulged that the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration had committed itself to a massive air strike to relieve the Vietminh siege of the French fortress at Dienbienphu. The United States would have intervened in the Indochina War, Roberts went on, had not the congressional leadership, after a secret meeting on April 3, made intervention conditional on British participation and had not the British refused. In their memoirs British and American officials confirmed some of Roberts's account. French memoirists went further, charging that Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and Admiral Arthur W. Radford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), had proposed an air strike to save Dienbienphu, had even proposed the loan of atomic weapons, and then had callously reneged, sealing France's defeat in the war. On the other hand, administration officials at the time and Eisenhower later insisted that they had never seriously contemplated military intervention in Indochina. Eisenhower conceded only that he had attempted to put together an allied coalition to resist Communist encroachments in Southeast Asia but had been thwarted by the British. 1
Analyzing the Importance of ICT in Tourism Industry with Reference to Thailand

The ICT plays a significant role in tourism industry and throughout its supply chain. The primary objective of the study is to understand the role & importance of ICT and to analyze its impact on Thailand Tourism Industry. The study is descriptive in nature and the sample size is estimated to 90 numbers. (i.e. 18 items multiplied with 5 subjects), based on the recommendations by (Gorsuch, 1983). The simple random sample of 138 managers has been drawn from the database of Travel Organizations, Travel Agencies, Airlines and hotels. Hence the sample size for the study is greater than the estimated sample size. The Instrument has been developed with 5 dimensions ie. Business Perspective, Internet/Social Media, Financial Transactions, Innovation & ICT Oriented Business Model and tested for Reliability and Validity. The results indicate that the manager doesn’t differ in their opinion towards the role and importance of ICT based on various dimensions. Based on the regression results, it is obvious that ICT have impact on tourism industry. Whereas, some variables have negative impact due to increased competitiveness in business and to struggle for capturing market share for individual channel partners in their business. And for all dimensions the R square and Adjusted R Square is high and the model is fit appropriately except for the dimension financial transaction. Because channel partners face challenges towards the dimension financial transaction. Further strategies for sustainable development of tourism through ICT oriented business model have also been given.
The investigation of domestic high voltage post porcelain insulator manufacturing

Accordingto the investigation results of the domestic post porcelain insulator manufacturing situation,analyzes the main factors affecting the quality of the post porcelain insulators,puts forward the improvement measures,makes some requirements for the handing over and taking over test of post porcelain insulator.
Unanticipated consequences of hospital-based insulin management order sets

Recent studies demonstrated risks to patient safety associated with implementation of electronic applications for medication management in ambulatory care. This study was aimed at demonstrating similar phenomenon in a hospital setting. After introduction of computerized order set targeting hypoglycemia, the frequency of hypoglycemia significantly decreased from 1/1/07 to 12/31/08. In contrast, the frequency of hyperglycemia increased at the same time from 1/1/07 to 12/31/07. Only after subsequent introduction of a hospital-wide standardized insulin order set including hyperglycemia policies frequency of hyperglycemic episodes declined. Hypo/hyperglycemia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in the inpatient setting. Retroactive analysis showed that if hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic policies were introduced simultaneously, unexpected increase in frequency of hyperglycemic episodes could have been avoided. These data are informative in identifying unanticipated consequences of an insulin management order sets focused entirely on hypoglycemia. A balanced approach in implementing insulin management guidelines concurrently addressing both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia policies is warranted.
Gain of function AMP‐activated protein kinase γ3 mutation (AMPKγ3R200Q) in pig muscle increases glycogen storage regardless of AMPK activation

Abstract Chronic activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) increases glycogen content in skeletal muscle. Previously, we demonstrated that a mutation in the ryanodine receptor (RyR1 R615C ) blunts AMPK phosphorylation in longissimus muscle of pigs with a gain of function mutation in the AMPK γ 3 subunit (AMPK γ 3 R200Q ); this may decrease the glycogen storage capacity of AMPK γ 3 R200Q + RyR1 R615C muscle. Therefore, our aim in this study was to utilize our pig model to understand how AMPK γ 3 R200Q and AMPK activation contribute to glycogen storage and metabolism in muscle. We selected and bred pigs in order to generate offspring with naturally occurring AMPK γ 3 R200Q , RyR1 R615C , and AMPK γ 3 R200Q + RyR1 R615C mutations, and also retained wild‐type littermates (control). We assessed glycogen content and parameters of glycogen metabolism in longissimus muscle. Regardless of RyR1 R615C , AMPK γ 3 R200Q increased the glycogen content by approximately 70%. Activity of glycogen synthase (GS) without the allosteric activator glucose 6‐phosphate (G6P) was decreased in AMPK γ 3 R200Q relative to all other genotypes, whereas both AMPK γ 3 R200Q and AMPK γ 3 R200Q + RyR1 R615C muscle exhibited increased GS activity with G6P. Increased activity of GS with G6P was not associated with increased abundance of GS or hexokinase 2. However, AMPK γ 3 R200Q enhanced UDP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase 2 (UGP2) expression approximately threefold. Although UGP2 is not generally considered a rate‐limiting enzyme for glycogen synthesis, our model suggests that UGP2 plays an important role in increasing flux to glycogen synthase. Moreover, we have shown that the capacity for glycogen storage is more closely related to the AMPK γ 3 R200Q mutation than activity.
The role of β-arrestins in cancer

Beyond their well-characterized roles in G protein-coupled receptor desensitization and trafficking, β-arrestins (ARRBs) have been implicated in the regulation of several basic cellular functions, including cell cycle regulation, cell migration, and apoptotic signaling. Nowhere are the data supporting a physiologically relevant role for these arrestin-mediated responses stronger than in cancer. In vitro, ARRBs regulate cell proliferation, promote migration, and transmit anti-apoptotic survival signals by scaffolding cytosolic signaling protein networks and even translocating to the nucleus to directly regulate gene expression. In animal models, ARRB expression affects tumor initiation time, growth rate, vascularization, survival under hypoxic conditions, invasiveness, and metastatic potential. Studies in human cancer patients have demonstrated that dysregulation of ARRB expression, localization, or phosphorylation is associated with more aggressive cancer phenotypes and poorer outcomes in malignancies involving the breast, lung, prostate, brain, and hematologic system. Collectively, these data build a strong case that ARRB-dependent signaling contributes to the cancer phenotype and that the ARRBs may represent novel therapeutic targets in certain malignancies.
Raza Rising: Chicanos in North Texas. Al Filo: Mexican American Studies Series. By Richard J. Gonzales

Raza Rising: Chicanos in North Texas . Al Filo: Mexican American Studies Series. By Richard J. Gonzales. (Denton: University of North Texas Press, 2016. xviii + 333 pp. Illustrations, tables, notes, bibliography, index. $29.95; $23.96, ebook.) The book’s title Raza Rising stems from Richard J. Gonzales’s belief that demographically, politically, economically, culturally, and otherwise, raza (i.e., Mexican-descent people or Chicanos, Gonzales’s preferred term) will be a powerful and influential force in the U.S. future. This anticipation Gonzales chronicled in a number of newspaper columns which over the years he contributed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Raza Rising brings together some of these columns. The collection serves Gonzales in lecturing, offering advice, giving insights into current … Arnoldo.Deleon{at}angelo.edu
Mitigating Processor Variation through Dynamic Load Balancing

There can be performance variation among same-model processors in large scale clusters, and supercomputers that are caused by power, and temperature variations among the processors. These variations manifest itself as frequency difference of the processors under dynamic overclocking, such as Turbo Boost. Different-model processors also create an inherent variation when used in same cluster. For some tightly coupled HPC applications even one slow processor in the critical path can slow down the whole application therefore this variation is an important problem. To mitigate the performance variation among processors, we propose a speed-aware dynamic load balancing strategy which works on both homogeneous and non-homogeneous hardware. Our main idea is to provide an estimation of the task completion time based when moving a task from one processor to another on the processor speed. We show up to 30% performance improvement using our speed-aware load balancer compared to the no load balancing case. We also show that our speed-aware balancer performs 5% better than non-speed aware counterpart.
The Flexibility of Self Regulated Strategy Development for Teaching Argumentative Text

An increasing challenge for many secondary special education teachers is preparing students for the writing demands in postsecondary settings. The self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) model o...
Rim-to-Rim Wearables at the Canyon for Health (R2R WATCH): Experimental Design and Methodology

The Rim-to-Rim Wearables At The Canyon for Health (R2R WATCH) study examines metrics recordable on commercial off the shelf (COTS) devices that are most relevant and reliable for the earliest possible indication of a health or performance decline. This is accomplished through collaboration between Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and The University of New Mexico (UNM) where the two organizations team up to collect physiological, cognitive, and biological markers from volunteer hikers who attempt the Rim-to-Rim (R2R) hike at the Grand Canyon. Three forms of data are collected as hikers travel from rim to rim: physiological data through wearable devices, cognitive data through a cognitive task taken every 3 hours, and blood samples obtained before and after completing the hike. Data is collected from both civilian and warfighter hikers. Once the data is obtained, it is analyzed to understand the effectiveness of each COTS device and the validity of the data collected. We also aim to identify which physiological and cognitive phenomena collected by wearable devices are the most relatable to overall health and task performance in extreme environments, and of these ascertain which markers provide the earliest yet reliable indication of health decline. Finally, we analyze the data for significant differences between civilians’ and warfighters’ markers and the relationship to performance. This is a study funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA, Project CB10359) and the University of New Mexico (The main portion of the R2R WATCH study is funded by DTRA. UNM is currently funding all activities related to bloodwork. DTRA, Project CB10359; SAND2017-1872 C). This paper describes the experimental design and methodology for the first year of the R2R WATCH project.
Long-term outcomes of staged basilic vein transposition for hemodialysis access in children.

INTRODUCTION Children requiring long-term hemodialysis often face significant challenges due to their young age and small-vessel caliber for arteriovenous (AV) access creation. In this study, we report our experience of staged basilic vein transposition (BVT) in pediatric patients. METHODS All patients undergoing staged BVT at a tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2003 to 2015 were reviewed. Indications for staged BVT included inadequate cephalic conduit or failed AV fistula using cephalic vein. Pertinent clinical variables were analyzed to determine treatment outcomes. RESULTS Forty-two children (24 males, 57%) underwent 46 staged BVT during the study period. Median age was 12.8 ± 4.8 years (range 3-18). The mean weight was 47 ± 5.1 kg (range, 13-126 kg), with four children (10%) weighing ≤20 kg. Mean operative times for initial brachiobasilic AV fistula and staged BVT were 39 ± 12 minutes and 66 ± 17 minutes, respectively. Mean follow-up period was 5.4 ± 1.8 years. Functional maturation was achieved in 93% of BVTs. Early fistula thrombosis within 30 days following BVT occurred in four patients (10%). Late BVT thrombosis occurred in 13 patients (31%). Primary patency rates at 2 years and 4 years were 78% and 72%, respectively. Secondary patency rates at 2 years and 4 years were 86% and 82%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Staged BVT is a durable and reliable autologous hemodialysis access in children who do not have adequate cephalic venous conduit.
In Vivo Evaluation of Biodegradability and Biocompatibility of Fe30Mn Alloy.

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the biodegradability and biocompatibility of an alloy of iron and manganese (Fe30Mn) in a bone model in vivo. Methods Resorption of a Fe30Mn wire was compared with traditional permanent 316L stainless steel (SS) wire after bilateral transcondylar femoral implantation in 12 rats. Evaluation of biodegradation over 6 months was performed using radiography, post-mortem histology and microscopic implant surface analysis. Results Corrosion and resorption of the novel iron-manganese implant with formation of an iron oxide corrosion layer was noted on all post-mortem histological sections and macroscopic specimens (corrosion fraction of 0.84 and 0 for Fe30Mn and 316L SS, respectively). Increased bone ongrowth was observed at the wire-bone interface (bone ongrowth fraction of 0.61 and 0.34 for Fe30Mn and 316L SS, respectively). Occasionally, poorly stained newly formed bone and necrotic bone in contact with corrosion was seen. In bone marrow, Fe30Mn alloy was scored as a mild local irritant compared with 316L SS (biocompatibility score of 8.8 and 5.3, respectively). There was no evidence of systemic adverse reaction. Clinical Significance Resorbable iron-manganese alloys may offer a promising alternative to permanent metallic implants. Further in vivo studies to control implant resorption at a rate suitable for fracture healing and to confirm the biocompatibility and biosafety of the resorbable Fe30Mn metallic implant are necessary prior to use in clinical settings.
Multiattribute Utility and Derived Utility

An individual’s fundamental utility is a function of many variables or attributes. Even in a single time period, it is a function of consumption of many goods, purchased at given prices and, it is to be hoped, optimally within a budget constraint. Even if single-period consumption is reduced to a single spending variable, trade-offs are required across time periods or between saving and consumption in each period, taking into account future uncertainties and opportunities.
An essay on the Houston Conference policy statement: static yet incomplete or a work in progress?

Ardila (Neuropsychol. Rev. 12: 3, 2002) criticizes the Policy Statement from the Houston Conference on Specialty Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology (Hannay et al., Arch. Clin. Neuropsychol.13: 157–250, 1998) as possessing deficiencies in the training of clinical neuropsychologists in three fundamental knowledge areas: the history of the discipline, neuropsychological syndromes, and neuropsychological theory. These problems are seen here as a result of a more pervasive problem associated with the Houston Conference training model's emphasis on technical skill over science and the attempt to micromanage the training of the clinical neuropsychologist at the administrative level.
Optimized structural analysis software for solenoid magnets

A modified version of the solenoid structural analysis computer program STANSOL II has been linked to a constrained optimization algorithm to obtain more cost-effective magnet designs. The linking of these two programs permits the designer and analyst to investigate optimization of various parameters used to define solenoid coils. Geometric and other variables can then be adjusted so that loads, stresses, strains, and displacements can be minimized or constrained. This paper details this work and solves an example problem regarding variable winding schemes to minimize bobbin crush pressures for a typical coil configuration.
Cap-Independent mRNA Translation in Germ Cells

Cellular mRNAs in plants and animals have a 5′-cap structure that is accepted as the recognition point to initiate translation by ribosomes. Consequently, it was long assumed that the translation initiation apparatus was built solely for a cap-dependent (CD) mechanism. Exceptions that emerged invoke structural damage (proteolytic cleavage) to eukaryotic initiation factor 4 (eIF4) factors that disable cap recognition. The residual eIF4 complex is thought to be crippled, but capable of cap-independent (CI) translation to recruit viral or death-associated mRNAs begrudgingly when cells are in great distress. However, situations where CI translation coexists with CD translation are now known. In such cases, CI translation is still a minor mechanism in the major background of CD synthesis. In this review, I propose that germ cells do not fit this mold. Using observations from various animal models of oogenesis and spermatogenesis, I suggest that CI translation is a robust partner to CD translation to carry out the translational control that is so prevalent in germ cell development. Evidence suggests that CI translation provides surveillance of germ cell homeostasis, while CD translation governs the regulated protein synthesis that ushers these meiotic cells through the remarkable steps in sperm/oocyte differentiation.
Microstructural Evolution of Graded Transition Joints

Carbon diffusion and the associated microstructural changes in dissimilar metal welds at elevated temperatures lead to a microstructure that is susceptible to premature failure. Graded transition joints (GTJs) can potentially provide a viable replacement to prolong the service life of these components. The purpose of the current investigation is to fabricate, age, and characterize GTJs using three candidate filler metals (Inconel 82, EPRI P87, and 347H) to understand the microstructural evolution at elevated temperatures. Microhardness measurements were performed on the GTJs in the as-welded and aged conditions to understand the initial strength gradients throughout the graded region and how they evolve with aging time. Additionally, energy dispersive spectrometry was performed to measure the compositional gradients, which were input into thermodynamic and kinetic calculations to understand the carbon diffusion behavior and phase stability. Enhanced carbon diffusion occurred at the layer interfaces in the graded region of the GTJ, which indicated important regions that undergo microstructural evolution. The hardness results also revealed hardness changes at the layer interfaces. The analyzed interfaces demonstrated that carbon diffusion and corresponding carbide redistribution occurred that accounted for the observed hardness gradients. Additionally, the transition from a martensitic to austenitic region was observed in each GTJ that contributed to the hardness variations in the graded region. Finally, the formation of a nickel-rich martensitic constituent was observed in the graded region of all filler metals after aging. This constituent was originally austenite at the aging temperature, and transformed to martensite with no change in composition upon cooling. The morphologies of the constituent in the three filler metals are presented and discussed.
Does Attention Modify Contributions to Heaviness Perception

Purpose: The current study investigated the effect of attention on heaviness perception and its physiological and kinematic contributions. Method: Participants lifted objects that varied in mass an...
Nursing Theory Informs Dressage

Application of nursing theory in daily life by applying elements of Parse’s paradigm allowed for a more expansive view of the dressage experience by focusing on the paradox of visible-invisible in ...
High-severity wildfire leads to multi-decadal impacts on soil biogeochemistry in mixed-conifer forests

During the past century, systematic wildfire suppression has decreased fire frequency and increased fire severity in the western United States of America. While this has resulted in large ecological changes aboveground such as altered tree species composition and increased forest density, little is known about the long-term, belowground implications of altered, ecologically novel, fire regimes, especially on soil biological processes. To better understand the long-term implications of ecologically novel, high-severity fire, we used a 44-yr high-severity fire chronosequence in the Sierra Nevada where forests were historically adapted to frequent, low-severity fire, but were fire suppressed for at least 70 yr. High-severity fire in the Sierra Nevada resulted in a long-term (44 +yr) decrease (>50%, P 50%, P < 0.05) in the upper 5 cm compared to sites that had not been burned for at least 115 yr. However, nitrogen (N) processes were only affected in the most recent fire site (4 yr post-fire). Net nitrification increased by over 600% in the most recent fire site (P < 0.001), but returned to similar levels as the unburned control in the 13-yr site. Contrary to previous studies, we did not find a consistent effect of plant cover type on soil biogeochemical processes in mid-successional (10-50 yr) forest soils. Rather, the 44-yr reduction in soil organic carbon (C) quantity correlated positively with dampened C cycling processes. Our results show the drastic and long-term implication of ecologically novel, high-severity fire on soil biogeochemistry and underscore the need for long-term fire ecological experiments.
An Atypical Sulcal Pattern in Children with Disorders of the Corpus Callosum and Its Relation to Behavioral Outcomes.

Hypogenesis (hCC) and dysgenesis (dCC) of the corpus callosum (CC) are characterized by its smaller size or absence. The outcomes of these patients vary considerably and are unrelated to the size of the CC abnormality. The aim of the current study was to characterize the sulcal pattern in children with hCC and dCC and to explore its relation to clinical outcome. We used quantitative sulcal pattern analysis that measures deviation (similarity index, SI) of the composite or individual sulcal features (position, depth, area, and graph topology) compared to the control group. We calculated SI for each hemisphere and lobe in 11 children with CC disorder (hCC = 4, dCC = 7) and 15 controls. hCC and dCC had smaller hemispheric SI compared to controls. dCC subjects had smaller regional SI in the frontal and occipital lobes, which were driven by a smaller SI in a position or a graph topology. The significantly decreased SI gradient was found across groups only in the sulcal graph topology of the temporal lobes (controls > hCC > dCC) and was related to clinical outcome. Our results suggest that careful examination of sulcal pattern in hCC and dCC patients could be a useful biomarker of outcome.
Forecasting the impact of coronavirus disease during delivery hospitalization: an aid for resource utilization.

Background The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has severely affected the United States. During infectious disease outbreaks, forecasting models are often developed to inform resource utilization. Pregnancy and delivery pose unique challenges, given the altered maternal immune system and the fact that most American women choose to deliver in the hospital setting. Objective This study aimed to forecast the first pandemic wave of coronavirus disease 2019 in the general population and the incidence of severe, critical, and fatal coronavirus disease 2019 cases during delivery hospitalization in the United States. Study Design We used a phenomenological model to forecast the incidence of the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 in the United States. Incidence data from March 1, 2020, to April 14, 2020, were used to calibrate the generalized logistic growth model. Subsequently, Monte Carlo simulation was performed for each week from March 1, 2020, to estimate the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 for delivery hospitalizations during the first pandemic wave using the available data estimate. Results From March 1, 2020, our model forecasted a total of 860,475 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 in the general population across the United States for the first pandemic wave. The cumulative incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 during delivery hospitalization is anticipated to be 16,601 (95% confidence interval, 9711–23,491) cases, 3308 (95% confidence interval, 1755–4861) cases of which are expected to be severe, 681 (95% confidence interval, 1324–1038) critical, and 52 (95% confidence interval, 23–81) fatal. Assuming similar baseline maternal mortality rate as the year 2018, we projected an increase in maternal mortality rate in the United States to at least 18.7 (95% confidence interval, 18.0–19.5) deaths per 100,000 live births as a direct result of coronavirus disease 2019. Conclusion Coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women is expected to severely affect obstetrical care. From March 1, 2020, we forecast 3308 severe and 681 critical cases with about 52 coronavirus disease 2019–related maternal mortalities during delivery hospitalization for the first pandemic wave in the United States. These results are significant for informing counseling and resource allocation.
Chapter I – MATRICES

Publisher Summary Matrices are basic to the theory of group representations, and group representations are basic to most applications of groups. This chapter focuses on the aspects of matrix theory that are relevant to representation theory. It discusses the principal relevant concepts, such as, trace, equivalence, and reducibility and presents the theorems that develop these concepts. A diagonalizable matrix is a square matrix, which is equivalent to a diagonal matrix. No simple criterion for diagonalizability seems to be known, but a few useful relevant results are known. A matrix is equivalent only to real matrices only if it is a real scalar matrix. A projection matrix is an idempotent diagonalizable matrix. If two sets of real matrices are equivalent, then they are equivalent with respect to a real transformation. This result will be essential to the group theoretic derivation of crystallographic point groups.