cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog and Insulin Combination Therapy in the Management of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of combination glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs and insulin in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adults.Data Source:A MEDLINE search (1966–April 2010) was conducted using the key terms glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, exenatide, incretin mimetic, liraglutide, diabetes mellitus, and insulin.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All English-language articles identified from the data source were evaluated and reviewed for inclusion. Original research and retrospective cohorts were included in this review. The references of articles that we identified were examined for any additional studies appropriate for review.Data Synthesis:Exenatide is a subcutaneously administered GLP-1 receptor agonist that is used for the improvement of glycemic control in adults with T2DM. Through actions similar to those of endogenous GLP-1, exenatide contributes to improved postprandial glycemic control and weight loss. The concomitant use of exenatide and ...
A Practical Approach to Morse-Smale Complex Computation: Scalability and Generality

The Morse-Smale (MS) complex has proven to be a useful tool in extracting and visualizing features from scalar-valued data. However, efficient computation of the MS complex for large scale data remains a challenging problem. We describe a new algorithm and easily extensible framework for computing MS complexes for large scale data of any dimension where scalar values are given at the vertices of a closure-finite and weak topology (CW) complex, therefore enabling computation on a wide variety of meshes such as regular grids, simplicial meshes, and adaptive multiresolution (AMR) meshes. A new divide-and-conquer strategy allows for memory-efficient computation of the MS complex and simplification on-the-fly to control the size of the output. In addition to being able to handle various data formats, the framework supports implementation-specific optimizations, for example, for regular data. We present the complete characterization of critical point cancellations in all dimensions. This technique enables the topology based analysis of large data on off-the-shelf computers. In particular we demonstrate the first full computation of the MS complex for a 1 billion/10243 node grid on a laptop computer with 2 Gb memory.
Health‐related quality of life of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: hearing the voices of the children

The aim of the study was to determine whether pediatric patients with cerebral palsy (CP; 24.3% hemiplegic, 30.4% diplegic, 38.5% quadriplegic) can self-report their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 (PedsQL 4.0) Generic Core Scales. The PedsQL was administered to 148 families (84 males, 64 females; mean 10y, SD 3y 9mo, range 5 to 18y) recruited from a children's hospital clinic and state medical therapy clinics. Sixty-nine children (47%) were able to self-report. Children with CP self-reported a significantly lower HRQOL (mean 65.9) than healthy children (mean 83.8). Children with CP self-reported a similar HRQOL to pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment (mean 68.9). Children diagnosed with quadriplegia (mean 49.4) self-reported more impaired HRQOL than children with diplegia (mean 69.1) and hemiplegia (mean 72.4). Parent-child concordance was lowest for emotional functioning. Providers and parents should obtain the children's HRQOL perceptions whenever possible.
Microbes in the neonatal intensive care unit resemble those found in the gut of premature infants

The source inoculum of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbes is largely influenced by delivery mode in full-term infants, but these influences may be decoupled in very low birth weight (VLBW, <1,500 g) neonates via conventional broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. We hypothesize the built environment (BE), specifically room surfaces frequently touched by humans, is a predominant source of colonizing microbes in the gut of premature VLBW infants. Here, we present the first matched fecal-BE time series analysis of two preterm VLBW neonates housed in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over the first month of life. Fresh fecal samples were collected every 3 days and metagenomes sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq2000 device. For each fecal sample, approximately 33 swabs were collected from each NICU room from 6 specified areas: sink, feeding and intubation tubing, hands of healthcare providers and parents, general surfaces, and nurse station electronics (keyboard, mouse, and cell phone). Swabs were processed using a recently developed ‘expectation maximization iterative reconstruction of genes from the environment’ (EMIRGE) amplicon pipeline in which full-length 16S rRNA amplicons were sheared and sequenced using an Illumina platform, and short reads reassembled into full-length genes. Over 24,000 full-length 16S rRNA sequences were produced, generating an average of approximately 12,000 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (clustered at 97% nucleotide identity) per room-infant pair. Dominant gut taxa, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacteroides fragilis, and Escherichia coli, were widely distributed throughout the room environment with many gut colonizers detected in more than half of samples. Reconstructed genomes from infant gut colonizers revealed a suite of genes that confer resistance to antibiotics (for example, tetracycline, fluoroquinolone, and aminoglycoside) and sterilizing agents, which likely offer a competitive advantage in the NICU environment. We have developed a high-throughput culture-independent approach that integrates room surveys based on full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences with metagenomic analysis of fecal samples collected from infants in the room. The approach enabled identification of discrete ICU reservoirs of microbes that also colonized the infant gut and provided evidence for the presence of certain organisms in the room prior to their detection in the gut.
Fluorescence imaging with one nanometer accuracy: in vitro and in vivo studies of molecular motors.

Traditional microscopy techniques are limited by the wave-like characteristics of light, which dictate that about 250 nm (or roughly half the wavelength of the light) is the smallest distance by which two identical objects can be separated while still being able to distinguish between them. Since most biological molecules are much smaller than this limit, traditional light microscopes are generally not sufficient for single-molecule biological studies. Fluorescence Imaging with One Nanometer Accuracy (FIONA) is a technique that makes possible localization of an object to approximately one nanometer. The FIONA technique is simple in concept; it is built upon the idea that, if enough photons are collected, one can find the exact center of a fluorophore's emission to within a single nanometer and track its motion with a very high level of precision. The center can be localized to approximately (λ/2)/O-N, where λ is the wavelength of the light and N is the number of photons collected. When N = 10,000, FIONA achieves an accuracy of 1-2 nm, assuming the background is sufficiently low. FIONA, thus, works best with the use of high-quality dyes and fluorescence stabilization buffers, sensitive detection methods, and special microscopy techniques to reduce background fluorescence. FIONA is particularly well suited to the study of molecular motors, which are enzymes that couple ATP hydrolysis to conformational change and motion. In this chapter, we discuss the practical application of FIONA to molecular motors or other enzymes in biological systems.
A novel OPF-based security pricing method with considering effects of transient stability and static voltage stability

This paper extends the basic theory of spot price to incorporate power system security issues and presents a price decomposition method based on Optimal Power Flow (OPF), which can supply security prices corresponding to different security constraints. Transient stability and static voltage stability restrictions respectively expressed as Practical Dynamic Security Region (PDSR) and Static Voltage Stability Region (SVSR) are considered as constraints in OPF model which takes tree branch angles as optimal variables instead of power injections used in the traditional OPF. According to optimality conditions of OPF and Moore-Penrose generalized inverse matrix, the security prices are determined by spot price decomposition, which can stimulate all of the participants to take an active part in maintaining the system security. A case study on the New England 10-genetator 39-bus System is presented to demonstrate the proposed method.
The elephant and the whale: Empires of land and sea

(2007). The elephant and the whale: Empires of land and sea. Journal for Maritime Research: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 23-36.
Characterization of arsenic species in microbial mats from an inactive gold mine

Filamentous cyanobacterial mats and Fe oxyhydroxide-rich bacterial mats collected near an inactive gold mine in California are enriched in arsenic (As) approximately 1000-fold relative to the waters in contact with them. The predominant organism in the cyanobacterial mat could not be identified using morphological characteristics, but the unique morphology of the sheath-forming β protobacterium Leptothrix ochracea was used to identify this species in Fe oxyhydroxide mat samples from several sites near the gold mine. Leptothrix sheaths commonly exceed 10 μm in length and have an average diameter of 1 μm. The Fe-oxyhydroxide mats are dominated by L. ochracea sheaths, but use of fluorescently tagged genetic stains reveals the presence of sheathless bacteria that presumably also promote the formation of Fe oxyhydroxide. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to identify As species in these microbial mats. Mat-associated As is predominantly As(V), even when As(III) is the primary dissolved species in contact with the mats. The species of As(V) associated with the cyanobacterial mat could not be conclusively identified; however, it is not associated with Fe oxyhydroxide or other minerals, based on comparison to XAFS spectra of As adsorbed to various substrates. In addition, the cyanobacterial mat XAFS spectrum is different from that of aqueous As(V), suggesting that As(V) in the mat lacks some or all of the coordinating water molecules present in aqueous solution. We hypothesize that As is associated with the exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrix secreted by the cyanobacteria. In Leptothrix -dominated Fe-oxyhydroxide bacterial mats, XAFS analysis clearly indicates that As(V) is associated with the Fe oxyhydroxide as an adsorbed and/or coprecipitated complex.
A Retrospective Analysis on the Effectiveness of a Maternal Hemorrhage Plan

Poster Presentation Objective In 2011, a multidisciplinary team at a 728‐bed nonprofit Magnet hospital developed a standardized maternal hemorrhage plan (MHP) aimed at early identification and rapid treatment of excessive bleeding, with the ultimate goal of decreasing the incidence of massive maternal hemorrhage. The purpose of this study was to correlate the effectiveness of the MHP on maternal outcomes and blood utilization. Design A pre‐ and postintervention retrospective data analysis to compare maternal outcomes and blood utilization in women experiencing massive postpartum hemorrhage Sample All women at greater than 16‐weeks gestation treated in the obstetrics unit requiring transfusion of ≥ three units of blood products due to postpartum hemorrhage ( n = 99). The sample was divided into two groups: pre‐implementation (January 2009 – December 2011; n = 62) and postimplementation (January 2012 – June 2014; n = 37). Exclusion criteria included transfusions due to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, postsurgical hemoperitoneum, blood dyscrasias, and secondary postpartum hemorrhage following discharge. Method Retrospective chart reviews using obstetric transfusion records from transfusion services were performed. Data were extracted regarding estimated blood loss, quantitative blood transfusions, international normalized ratio (INR) results, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, length of stay, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and hysterectomy rates. Preimplementation data from 2009 to 2011 were compared to postimplementation data from 2012 to 2014. Implementation Strategies Using an interdisciplinary approach, formal education on the unit inservices were conducted, followed by video recorded simulations, debriefings, and ongoing education. Results Since implementation of the MHP in 2011, there has been a notable decline in all outcomes. Sixty‐two women were transfused for massive hemorrhage prior to implementation, compared to 37 since implementation. There has been a steady decline in total obstetric transfusion rates from 1.5% in 2010 to 0.8% in 2014. Additionally, preimplementation blood product usage for massive hemorrhages totaled 561 units, compared to only 298 units postimplementation. Early identification and treatment of maternal hemorrhage has resulted in decreased instances of DIC (14 vs. 9), fewer hysterectomies (12 vs. 7), a reduction in hemorrhage related ICU admissions (26 vs. 16), and decrease in average length of stay (4.56 vs. 4.0 days). Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice Early identification and treatment of hemorrhage with implementation of a MHP protocol resulted in improved maternal outcomes.
Misconceptions about Aerobic and Anaerobic Energy Expenditure

The measurement of gas exchange has played an invaluable role in metabolic interpretation. The uptake of 1 liter of oxygen is often converted into an energy expenditure estimate of 21.1 kilojoules (e.g., 1 L O2 = 21.1 kJ or ~5 kcal). This article demonstrates both the importance of such a conversion and the potential for misinterpretation. Oxygen uptake during heavy and severe exercise will also be discussed.
Coherent terahertz emission from coupled quantum wells with exciton effects

We have developed a theoretical model for investigating the recent observation of terahertz electromagnetic pulse emission from GaAs–Ga0.8Al0.2As asymmetric coupled-quantum-well structures. We use a multisubband model that takes into account Coulomb interactions among all electrons and holes, particularly the exciton effects. The calculations indicate that the terahertz emission originates from the quantum beat between heavy-hole excitons in the narrow well and shifts to two resonantly coupled exciton states in the coupled quantum wells and later to heavy-hole excitons in the wide well as the applied dc field is increased. Furthermore, exciton, interband, and intersubband dephasing times determine the characteristics of the radiation fields. The theoretical results are in good agreement with those of previous experiments.
Avoided climate impacts of urban and rural heat and cold waves over the U.S. using large climate model ensembles for RCP8.5 and RCP4.5

Previous studies examining future changes in heat/cold waves using climate model ensembles have been limited to grid cell-average quantities. Here, we make use of an urban parameterization in the Community Earth System Model (CESM) that represents the urban heat island effect, which can exacerbate extreme heat but may ameliorate extreme cold in urban relative to rural areas. Heat/cold wave characteristics are derived for U.S. regions from a bias-corrected CESM 30-member ensemble for climate outcomes driven by the RCP8.5 forcing scenario and a 15-member ensemble driven by RCP4.5. Significant differences are found between urban and grid cell-average heat/cold wave characteristics. Most notably, urban heat waves for 1981–2005 are more intense than grid cell-average by 2.1 °C (southeast) to 4.6 °C (southwest), while cold waves are less intense. We assess the avoided climate impacts of urban heat/cold waves in 2061–2080 when following the lower forcing scenario. Urban heat wave days per year increase from 6 in 1981–2005 to up to 92 (southeast) in RCP8.5. Following RCP4.5 reduces heat wave days by about 50 %. Large avoided impacts are demonstrated for individual communities; e.g., the longest heat wave for Houston in RCP4.5 is 38 days while in RCP8.5 there is one heat wave per year that is longer than a month with some lasting the entire summer. Heat waves also start later in the season in RCP4.5 (earliest are in early May) than RCP8.5 (mid-April), compared to 1981–2005 (late May). In some communities, cold wave events decrease from 2 per year for 1981–2005 to one-in-five year events in RCP4.5 and one-in-ten year events in RCP8.5.
Characteristics of cylindrical multiconductor transmission lines above a perfectly conducting ground plane - Summary

The non-planar microstrip lines are becoming increasingly popular due to its wide range of applications which require circuits to conform to curved surfaces such as those of aircraft, missiles, probes, etc. The non-planar microstrip line studied here consists of a finite number of infinitesimally thin perfectly conducting strips, placed either between a dielectric substrate and an overly, or on top of two layers of dielectric substrate. The whole structure is then placed on the tip of a perfectly conducting wedge as shown in Fig. 1. The quasi-TEM characteristics of this geometry are rigorously derived, based on the technique presented in [1,2]. The first part of this analysis is to determine the capacitance matrix for the multiconductor line. Once the capacitance matrix is obtained, other parameters such as the phase velocities, the characteristics impedances, and the coupling between the conductors are readily obtained from the capacitance matrix [3]. The derivation starts with solving Laplace's equation for the potentials in the free space region and in each of the dielectric regions. The potentials are expressed in terms of Fourier series with unknown expansion coefficients for each regions. The expressions for the potentials are constructed such that the continuity of the tangential components of the electric field across the dielectric interfaces are automatically enforced. The remaining boundary conditions are applied by enforcing the potential to have constant voltages on the conducting strips and satisfying the jump discontinuity in the normal derivative of the potential across the dielectric interfaces. The equations obtained are then solved using Galerkin's method to find the expansion coefficients [2]. The expressions for the charge distributions on the strips and the capacitance matrix are then obtained. The transmission line considered for analysis consists of two cylindrical layers of dielectric material, the substrate and the overlay. The substrate is defined by permittivity e r2 and radius a 2 . The overlay is defined by permittivity e r1 and radius a 1 . The conducting strips are placed either on the interface between the substrate and the overlay or on top of the overlay as shown in Fig. 1. The arc width of the strips is given by (β i - α i ), where i = 1, 2,...,S and S is the total number of strips not counting the ground plane. The dielectric layers are placed on top a perfectly conducting wedge of angle γ
Electronic surveillance systems in infection prevention: Organizational support, program characteristics, and user satisfaction

Background The use of electronic surveillance systems (ESSs) is gradually increasing in infection prevention and control programs. Little is known about the characteristics of hospitals that have a ESS, user satisfaction with ESSs, and organizational support for implementation of ESSs. Methods A total of 350 acute care hospitals in California were invited to participate in a Web-based survey; 207 hospitals (59%) agreed to participate. The survey included a description of infection prevention and control department staff, where and how they spent their time, a measure of organizational support for infection prevention and control, and reported experience with ESSs. Results Only 23% (44/192) of responding infection prevention and control departments had an ESS. No statistically significant difference was seen in how and where infection preventionists (IPs) who used an ESS and those who did not spend their time. The 2 significant predictors of whether an ESS was present were score on the Organizational Support Scale (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.18) and hospital bed size (OR, 1.004; 95% CI, 1.00-1.007). Organizational support also was positively correlated with IP satisfaction with the ESS, as measured on the Computer Usability Scale ( P = .02). Conclusion Despite evidence that such systems may improve efficiency of data collection and potentially improve patient outcomes, ESSs remain relatively uncommon in infection prevention and control programs. Based on our findings, organizational support appears to be a major predictor of the presence, use, and satisfaction with ESSs in infection prevention and control programs.
Magnetron directional amplifier space solar power beamer concept design

Current NASA studies of space solar power systems for delivery from GEO of electric power at 5.8 GHz envision use of a 500 m diameter phased array transmitting of order 2 GW to yield 1.2 GWe output to the electric grid from Earth based rectenna arrays. Phase injection-locked magnetron directional amplifiers (MDA) are one approach for the DC to RF converters on the beamer. This approach is based on earlier work by Bill Brown. The key element of the system is the proposed 5 kW output 85.5% efficient, 6 kV MDA with pyrolytic graphite thermal radiator operating at 350C. Slotted waveguide transmitting antennas are also proposed and their low-cost manufacture and multipacting breakdown margins under 25 kW/m/sup 2/ power flux density in the center of the 10 dB Gaussian tapered aperture are discussed. An average specific areal mass density goal of 35 kg/m/sup 2/ is proposed. EMC issues regarding the close-in carrier noise and harmonic levels are discussed. Grating lobe level maintenance requirements are discussed in regards to the few are minutes allowed tilt of the entire array, slightly larger are minute tilts of the individual 4 m subarrays, and maximum allowed random failures of about 2% of the subarrays.
Large-scale simulations of turbulent stellar convection flows and the outlook for petascale computation

The late stages of stellar evolution have great importance for the synthesis and dispersal of the elements heavier than helium. We focus on the helium shell flash in low mass stars, where incorporation of hydrogen into the convection zone above the helium burning shell can result in production of carbon-13 with tremendous release of energy. The need for detailed 3-D simulations in understanding this process is explained. To make simulations of the entire helium flash event practical, models of turbulent multimaterial mixing and nuclear burning must be constructed and validated. As an example of the modeling and validation process, our recent work on modeling subgrid-scale turbulence in 3-D compressible gas dynamics simulations is described and a new turbulence model presented along with supporting results. Finally, the potential impact of petascale computing hardware on this problem is explored.
Effect of Fining Agents on the Solarization of a Borosilicate Glass

The effects of both fining agents and TiO2 concentration on the solarizability of a borosilicate glass proposed for solar energy applications have been determined. Optical and ESR measurements indicate that chlorine-fined glasses are much less susceptible to solarization than are arsenic-fined glasses. Titanium dioxide acts as a solarization suppressant with either fining agent. The observed increase in optical absorption in the visible region is in marked contrast with the recent report of a solar-induced decrease in optical absorption in the infrared range for soda-lime silicate glasses.
The pulmonary histopathology of anti-KS transfer RNA synthetase syndrome.

Context.— The clinical spectrum of the antisynthetase syndromes (AS) has been poorly defined, although some frequently present with pulmonary manifestations. The anti-KS anti–asparaginyl-transfer RNA synthetase syndrome is one in which pulmonary interstitial lung disease is almost always present and yet the histopathologic spectrum is not well described. Objective.— To define the morphologic manifestations of pulmonary disease in those patients with anti-KS antiasparaginyl syndrome. Design.— We reviewed the connective tissue disorder registry of the University of Pittsburgh and identified those patients with anti-KS autoantibodies who presented with interstitial lung disease and had surgical lung biopsies. Results.— The 5 patients with anti-KS antisynthetase syndrome were usually women presenting with dyspnea and without myositis, but with mechanic's hands (60%) and Raynaud phenomenon (40%). They most often presented with a usual interstitial pneumonia pattern of fibrosis (80%), with the final patient dis...
Dimensional changes in ultradrawn polyethylene

Samples of ultradrawn high density polyethylene were studied by thermomechanical analysis. The purpose was to study the dimensional changes in polyethylene morphologies of extreme orientation. Dimensional changes were measured from −140 to +70°C with a precision of better than 1%. A negative thermal expansion coefficient was observed along the length (c axis) of the fibers containing the polyethylene morphologies of extreme orientation. A change in negative coefficient is observed between −35 and −45°C. The sign and magnitude of the expansion coefficient confirm, along with other evidence, the existence of extended chain structures in these morphologies. A series-parallel model has been developed for the ultradrawn polyethylenes to describe the dimensional changes with temperature.
Effects of Pb Treatment on Optical Properties of Aqueous CdSe Quantum Dots

Cadmium selenide (CdSe) aqueous quantum dots (AQDs) with broadband trap-state emissions were synthesized using an environmentally friendly, aqueous method under room temperature. By treating CdSe AQDs with Pb precursor in solution, the photoluminescence (PL) intensity and quantum yield of the CdSe AQDs doubled. Furthermore, the absorption edge and PL peak wavelength of CdSe blue-shifted. It was found that the presence of excess Cd in the CdSe is essential to the observed behavior. A possible cation exchange between Pb and the excess Cd is proposed to explain the observation. Our study provides a unique way to increase the photoluminescence intensity of trap-state emission quantum dots.
CloudTransport: Using Cloud Storage for Censorship-Resistant Networking

Censorship circumvention systems such as Tor are highly vulnerable to network-level filtering. Because the traffic generated by these systems is disjoint from normal network traffic, it is easy to recognize and block, and once the censors identify network servers (e.g., Tor bridges) assisting in circumvention, they can locate all of their users.
Ovarian cancer treatment in the New York City municipal hospital system

5569 Background: OC patients (pts) from minority groups/lower socioeconomic strata are reported to have poorer outcomes. New York City (NYC) Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) has 11 municipal ...
Nonlinear tissue response modeling for physically realistic virtual surgery using PAFF

In this paper we present a novel physically realistic scheme based on the point-associated finite field approach (PAFF) for modeling the nonlinear behavior of soft biological tissues in real time during multimodal simulation of laparoscopic procedures using visual and haptic feedback. In this technique the response predicted by an underlying linear model is enhanced in the local neighborhood of the surgical tool-tip by a nonlinear model.
Catching a baseball: a reinforcement learning perspective using a neural network

Moments after a baseball batter has hit a fly ball, an outfielder has to decide whether to run forward or backward to catch the ball. Judging a fly ball is a difficult task, especially when the fielder is in the plane of the ball's trajectory. There exists several alternative hypotheses in the literature which identify different perceptual features available to the fielder that may provide useful cues as to the location of the ball's landing point. A recent study in experimental psychology suggests that to intercept the ball, the fielder has to run such that the double derivative of tanϕ with respect to time is close to zero (i.e. d2 (tanϕ) / dt2 ≈ 0), where ϕ is the elevation angle of the ball from the fielder's perspective (McLeod & Dlenes 1993). We investigate whether d2 (tanϕ)/dt2 information is a useful cue to learn this task in the Adaptive Heuristic Critic (AHC) reinforcement learning framework. Our results provide supporting evidence that d2 (tanϕ) / dt2 information furnishes strong initial cue in determining the landing point of the ball and plays a key role in the learning process. However our simulations show that during later stages of the ball's flight, yet another perceptual feature, the perpendicular velocity of the ball (vp) with respect to the fielder, provides stronger cues as to the location of the landing point. The trained network generalized to novel circumstances and also exhibited some of the behaviors recorded by experimental psychologists on human data. We believe that much can be gained by using reinforcement learning approaches to learn common physical tasks, and similarly motivated work could stimulate useful interdisciplinary research on the subject.
Race Disparity in Grants: Check the Citations

![Figure][1] CREDIT: DON BAYLEY/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM The Report “Race, ethnicity, and NIH research awards” (D. K. Ginther et al. , 19 August, p. [1015][2]), documenting a lower grant funding rate for black than for white applicants, has generated widespread alarm that there may be a hidden racial bias in the grant review process. However, the study is flawed. Ginther et al. looked at two groups—those with fewer and greater than 84 citations—and found that blacks in both groups were substantially unsuccessful with grant funding. This range does not seem relevant to competitive scientists. A meaningful cutoff for a typical assistant professor, approaching tenure and the renewal of his first grant, would be closer to 1000 citations, not 84. The study also overlooks the fact that citations accumulate over time. Ginther et al. should have used an algorithm that normalizes citations to age. I believe they would have found that scientists who are highly successful, as defined by age-normalized citations or h index, would be equally successful in grant funding, with no disparity for race and ethnicity. [1]: pending:yes [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1196783
Engineering Robust Optical Entanglement for Quantum Communication

A robust source of polarization-entangled photons for quantum communication at telecom wavelength is implemented. The benefits of using Superconducting Photon Counting Detectors (SSPD) have been evaluated.
Hit the Target

Hit the Target illustrates the effects that increasing delays and decision steps can have on the success of achieving a goal. The exercise can be used with a large audience. It requires only 15 minutes and no special materials to demonstrate how adding layers of management can reduce the accuracy of any hierarchical system. The game is described for use in reaching target levels for greenhouse gas concentrations. But it can easily be reframed to deal with an extremely diverse set of other issues.
Secular Trends in Rates and Etiology of Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infections at a University Hospital

AbstractTo examine changing trends in the microbial etiology of nosocomial urinary tract infections, we reviewed culture data from a surveillance database for the calendar years 1982 to 1991. The overall rates of nosocomial urinary tract infections have increased significantly during the last decade from 2.63 per 1,000 patient-days to 4.35 per 1,000 patient-days (p = 0.0023). For specific isolates the rates of yeasts, Klebsiella pneumoniae and group B streptococcus have increased significantly during the last decade. The rates of Escherichia coli, Proteus species and Pseudomonas species have all decreased. Analysis of these secular trends can provide important information relating to the etiology of nosocomial urinary tract infections. It is likely that antibiotic “pressure” has influenced the microbiology of infections and that altered case-mix would explain much of the increase in rates. However, the multiple reasons for these secular trends and their precise contributions to them are unknown.
A Genetic Mosaic Screen Reveals Ecdysone-Responsive Genes Regulating Drosophila Oogenesis

Multiple aspects of Drosophila oogenesis, including germline stem cell activity, germ cell differentiation, and follicle survival, are regulated by the steroid hormone ecdysone. While the transcriptional targets of ecdysone signaling during development have been studied extensively, targets in the ovary remain largely unknown. Early studies of salivary gland polytene chromosomes led to a model in which ecdysone stimulates a hierarchical transcriptional cascade, wherein a core group of ecdysone-sensitive transcription factors induce tissue-specific responses by activating secondary branches of transcriptional targets. More recently, genome-wide approaches have identified hundreds of putative ecdysone-responsive targets. Determining whether these putative targets represent bona fide targets in vivo, however, requires that they be tested via traditional mutant analysis in a cell-type specific fashion. To investigate the molecular mechanisms whereby ecdysone signaling regulates oogenesis, we used genetic mosaic analysis to screen putative ecdysone-responsive genes for novel roles in the control of the earliest steps of oogenesis. We identified a cohort of genes required for stem cell maintenance, stem and progenitor cell proliferation, and follicle encapsulation, growth, and survival. These genes encode transcription factors, chromatin modulators, and factors required for RNA transport, stability, and ribosome biogenesis, suggesting that ecdysone might control a wide range of molecular processes during oogenesis. Our results suggest that, although ecdysone target genes are known to have cell type-specific roles, many ecdysone response genes that control larval or pupal cell types at developmental transitions are used reiteratively in the adult ovary. These results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms by which ecdysone signaling controls oogenesis, laying new ground for future studies.
The Protective Role of Positive Well-Being in Cardiovascular Disease: Review of Current Evidence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications

Positive psychological aspects of well-being-including positive emotions, optimism, and life satisfaction-are increasingly considered to have protective roles for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and longevity. A rapidly-growing body of literature has linked positive well-being with better cardiovascular health, lower incidence of CVD in healthy populations, and reduced risk of adverse outcomes in patients with existing CVD. This review first examines evidence on the associations of positive well-being with CVD and mortality, focusing on recent epidemiological research as well as inconsistent findings. Next, an overview is provided of putative biological, behavioral, and stress-buffering mechanisms that may underlie the relationship between positive well-being and cardiovascular health. Key areas for future inquiry are discussed, in addition to emerging developments that capitalize on technological and methodological advancements. Promising initial results from randomized controlled trials suggest that efforts to target positive well-being may serve as valuable components of broader CVD management programs.
A Case of Hashimoto's Encephalopathy treated with only Oral Thyroid medication and symptomatic therapy for seizures and psychosis, but Without Steroids (P2.257)

-Introduction: Hashimoto9s encephalopathy is a rare disease associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. Symptoms may include delirium, encephalopathy, seizures, and psychosis. Pathophysiology of this disease is unknown. It is associated with increased anti-thyroid antibody and thyroid peroxidase antibody levels. Thyroid status may range from severe hypothyroidism to severe hyperthyroidism. Steroid therapy is usually required for treatment. -Case presentation: A retired 71-year-old right-handed man who was living independently presented with new onset complex partial seizures progressing over two days to partial complex status epilepticus and encephalopathy with severely abnormal EEG. His clinical course was complicated with delirium and acute psychosis manifested as visual hallucinations, agitation, manic episodes and insomnia. Complete work up revealed normal CBC, CSF and serum chemistries, except for TSH 77.4 and FT4 of 0.8. No evidence of infectious etiology was found. MRI Brain was normal. He was managed with oral thyroid supplementation, antipsychotics and antiepileptic medications and was discharged in stable condition after two weeks. EEG at discharge and two months later was normal. Retrospective chart review, revealed elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies and anti-thyroid antibodies were present on admission. His condition improved with only thyroid hormone supplementation and without steroids. He was seen in clinic two months later still on discharge medications and was mentally normal and living independently. No seizure or psychosis had occurred in the interim. - Conclusion: Hashimoto9s encephalitis is a serious condition which is often under-diagnosed if not suspected. It should be considered in patients with diverse neuropsychiatric manifestations (including seizures). It is a diagnosis of exclusion and anti-thyroid antibodies and thyroid peroxidase antibodies must be measured for the diagnosis. Along with supportive management, empiric steroid treatment is usually administered as soon as infectious and other causes are ruled out. In this case the disease was controlled with only oral thyroid therapy. Disclosure: Dr. Kapoor has nothing to disclose. Dr. Couch has nothing to disclose.
Nonanthracycline Induction Chemotherapy (T-FLAG) for Elderly Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract 4356 Introduction: Prognosis of elderly patients (age>60 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is poor as compared to younger patients with a higher incidence of cardiac co-morbidities. With standard induction therapy, complete remission (CR) is achieved in 35% to 50% of elderly patients. However, the induction anthracycline containing chemotherapy related mortality is in this population has been reported to be approximately 30%. We attempted to decrease this by replacing the anthracycline with topotecan. Alternative therapies are needed that are less toxic but equally efficacious. In a phase I/II trial of the combination of topotecan, fludarabine, cytarabine and G-CSF (T-FLAG) in elderly AML and MDS, there was 50% CR and 15% treatment related deaths. In this study, we report patients >60 years of age treated with T-FLAG as an initial therapy for AML at our institute. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of elderly patients with AML treated with T-FLAG at our institution. Elderly patients were defined as more than 60 years of age. IRB approval was obtained for the study. All patients received topotecan 2mg/m2, fludarabine 30 mg/m2, and cytarabine 2000 mg/m2 all given over 30 min from day 1 to day 4 and G-CSF 400 μ g/m2/day from the day 5 to neutrophil counts recovery. International working group criteria was used to assess responses. All statistical analysis was done using SAS statistical software. Descriptive statistics were used. Progression free survival was defined from the time of diagnosis to progression, death or last follow up, whichever comes first. Overall survival and progression free survival was calculated using Kaplan and Meier method. Results: Thirteen elderly patients were treated with T-FLAG. The median age of diagnosis was 73 years (Range: 60–86 years). There were 10 male and 3 female patients. Ten (77%) patients had complex cytogenetics. Cardiomyopathy (EF 500/μ L) was 22 days (Range: 10–47 days). Conclusions: In this study of unfavorable risk group elderly patients, T-FLAG induction chemotherapy results in comparable remission rates with low induction chemotherapy related mortality. It may be an alternative regimen for elderly patients with complex cytogenetics or patients who cannot tolerate anthracyclines. More studies are needed to confirm these results. This however, may be useful to bridge patients to transplant or maintenance demethylating agents to improve survival. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Full three-dimensional direction-dependent x-ray scattering tomography

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) detects the angular-dependent, coherently scattered X-ray photons, which provide improved contrast among different types of tissues or materials in medical diagnosis and material characterizations. By combining SAXS with computed tomography (CT), coherent scattering computed tomography (CSCT) enables the detection of spatially-resolved, material-specific scattering profile inside an extended object. However, conventional CSCT lacks the ability to distinguish direction-dependent coherent scattering signal, because of its assumptions that the materials are amorphous with isotropic scattering profiles. To overcome this issue, we propose a new CSCT imaging strategy, which can resolve the three-dimensional scattering profile for each object pixel, by incorporating detector movement into each CSCT projection measurement. The full reconstruction of the three-dimensional momentum transfer profile of a two-dimensional object has been successfully demonstrated. Our setup only requires a table-top Xray source and a panel detector. The presented method demonstrates the potential to achieve low-cost, high-specificity X-ray tissue imaging and material characterization.
On the dominance of permutation schedules for some ordered and proportionate flow shop problems

We consider the ordered and the proportionate flow shop with unequal machine speeds.We consider both the Cmax and the j=1nCj objectives.We show that permutation schedules are dominant for Cmax with V-shaped speeds.We show that permutation schedules are dominant for j=1nCj with three stages.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Circular Magnetic Couplers for Wireless Power Transfer Applications

Recent expansion of emerging wireless power transfer technology has not been followed by an adequate systematic approach to the magnetic couplers design. The relation between design parameters (mutual inductance, coupling coefficient, leakage field flux density, coil quality factor, and so on) and structural parameters (coils and ferrite shape, size, thickness, and so on) has not been thoroughly explored, and practical designs often depend on trial-and-error methods supported by the finite-element modeling simulation to verify a final design. In order to fill that gap, this paper describes the adoption of multi-objective hybrid particle swarm optimization (MOHPSO) and multi-objective real-numbered particle swarm optimization (MORPSO) algorithms for a circular coupler design to increase performances and automate the design process. Objectives of this paper are threefold: 1) apply MOHPSO and investigate if there are some unconventional structures of circular couplers capable of outperforming traditional designs; 2) identify a minimum set of key optimization parameters for a circular magnetic coupler; and 3) demonstrate the operation of an MORPSO algorithm to optimize a circular magnetic coupler. The Pareto front concept is applied to provide multi-objective optimization. Two different multi-objective function pairs are considered, the first pair being the coil coupling coefficient ( $ {k}$ ) and maximum leakage field magnetic flux density ( $ {B_{\max }}$ ); for the second pair, the product between quality factor ( $ {Q}$ ) and $ {k}$ is combined with ( $ {B_{\max }}$ ). To validate the optimization algorithm effectiveness and accuracy, a selected magnetic coupler is fabricated and tested. Due to superior execution time, and satisfactory optimization capabilities, the MORPSO algorithm is employed to generate a final optimum design. Collected measurements demonstrate a very good agreement between the experimental and simulation results.
The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, non-scarring form of hair loss caused by immune-mediated attack of the hair follicle. As with other immune-mediated diseases, a complex interplay between environment and genetics is thought to lead to the development of AA. Deficiency of micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals may represent a modifiable risk factor associated with development of AA. Given the role of these micronutrients in normal hair follicle development and in immune cell function, a growing number of investigations have sought to determine whether serum levels of these nutrients might differ in AA patients, and whether supplementation of these nutrients might represent a therapeutic option for AA. While current treatment often relies on invasive steroid injections or immunomodulating agents with potentially harmful side effects, therapy by micronutrient supplementation, whether as a primary modality or as adjunctive treatment, could offer a promising low-risk alternative. However, our review highlights a need for further research in this area, given that the current body of literature largely consists of small case-control studies and case reports, which preclude any definite conclusions for a role of micronutrients in AA. In this comprehensive review of the current literature, we found that serum vitamin D, zinc, and folate levels tend to be lower in patients with AA as compared to controls. Evidence is conflicting or insufficient to suggest differences in levels of iron, vitamin B12, copper, magnesium, or selenium. A small number of studies suggest that vitamin A levels may modify the disease. Though understanding of the role for micronutrients in AA is growing, definitive clinical recommendations such as routine serum level testing or therapeutic supplementation call for additional studies in larger populations and with a prospective design.
Electrochemical Characterization of Vitreous Humor

Abstract The vitreous is a gel-like structure found in the eyes above the retina. We are interested in characterizing the vitreous electrochemically in order to help define safety measures for future retinal prostheses. Here we show results from characterization of vitreous in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), in thimerosal, and by itself. Our results showed that the the vitreous is resistive for a large frequency range. The electrochemical profile shows an increase in impedance modulus as thimerosal is added; the cathodic charge storage capacity of both the vitreous with and without thimerosal remained unchanged.
Studies in mucous membrane hypersensitiveness

Abstract 1. The nasal mucous membranes of the inferior turbinate and septum were successfully sensitized by the injection of a reagin-bearing serum in 26 of 31 subjects. 2. Reactions could be elicited at the sensitized sites by intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramucosal injections, and by topical application of the antigen in that order of effectiveness. 3. Local sensitiveness lasted for several weeks and could be exhausted by repeated tests with the specific antigen.
One Point of View: Technology Is Always a People Issue

(1996). One Point of View: Technology Is Always a People Issue. Research-Technology Management: Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 9-9.