cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectral compressive sensing

Compressive sensing (CS) is a new approach to simultaneous sensing and compression of sparse and compressible signals based on randomized dimensionality reduction. To recover a signal from its compressive measurements, standard CS algorithms seek the sparsest signal in some discrete basis or frame that agrees with the measurements. A great many applications feature smooth or modulated signals that are frequency-sparse and can be modeled as a superposition of a small number of sinusoids; for such signals, the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) basis is a natural choice for CS recovery. Unfortunately, such signals are only sparse in the DFT domain when the sinusoid frequencies live precisely at the centers of the DFT bins; when this is not the case, CS recovery performance degrades signicantly. In this paper, we introduce the spectral CS (SCS) recovery framework for arbitrary frequencysparse signals. The key ingredients are an over-sampled DFT frame and a restricted unionof-subspaces signal model that inhibits closely spaced sinusoids. We demonstrate that SCS signicantly outperforms current state-of-the-art CS algorithms based on the DFT while providing provable bounds on the number of measurements required for stable recovery. We also leverage line spectral estimation methods (specically Thomson’s multitaper method
Analysis and Extension of Arc-Cosine Kernels for Large Margin Classification

We investigate a recently proposed family of positive-denite kernels that mimic the computation in large neural networks. We examine the properties of these kernels using tools from dierential geometry; specically, we analyze the geometry of surfaces in Hilbert space that are induced by these kernels. When this geometry is described by a Riemannian manifold, we derive results for the metric, curvature, and volume element. Interestingly, though, we nd that the simplest kernel in this family does not admit such an interpretation. We explore two variations of these kernels that mimic computation in neural networks with dierent activation functions. We experiment with these new
Not Whiskers or Hillocks, But Tin Bumps on RF Shielding Cans

Pure tin bumps can sometimes be formed on tin-plated steel RF cans during certain conditions of reflow. This is a rare phenomena not associated with tin whiskers. A Design of Experiments (DOE) strategy was used to confirm the oven variables that could be used to turn the formation on or off. Extensive lab work and investigation by the supplier revealed that the root cause of these bumps is organic contamination during the plating process.
Season of birth and other perinatal risk factors for melanoma

Background: Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is the main risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), but its specific effect in infancy is unknown. We examined whether season of birth, a proxy for solar UVR exposure in the first few months of life, is associated with CMM in childhood through young adulthood. Methods: National cohort study of 3 571 574 persons born in Sweden in 1973–2008, followed up for CMM incidence through 2009 (maximum age 37 years) to examine season of birth and other perinatal factors. Results: There were 1595 CMM cases in 63.9 million person-years of follow-up. We found a sinusoidal pattern in CMM risk by season of birth (P = 0.006), with peak risk corresponding to birthdates in spring (March–May). Adjusted odds ratios for CMM by season of birth were 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05–1.39; P = 0.008] for spring, 1.07 (95% CI, 0.92–1.24; P = 0.40) for summer and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.96–1.29; P = 0.14) for winter, relative to fall. Spring birth was associated with superficial spreading subtype of CMM (P = 0.02), whereas there was no seasonal association with nodular subtype (P = 0.26). Other CMM risk factors included family history of CMM in a sibling (>6-fold) or parent (>3-fold), female gender, high fetal growth and high paternal education level. Conclusions: In this large cohort study, persons born in spring had increased risk of CMM in childhood through young adulthood, suggesting that the first few months of life may be a critical period of UVR susceptibility. Sun avoidance in early infancy may play an important role in the prevention of CMM in high-risk populations.
A Case Of ‘Medical Homelessness’

A physician yearns for patient-centered medicine as he watches his sister and severely ill brother-in-law search for a doctor who’s accessible and willing to coordinate care.
Nitrogen Implantation Induced Intermixing in InAs/InAlGaAs/InP Dots-in-Well Laser

Nitrogen implantation has been performed to promote the group-III intermixing in InAs quantum dots embedded in InAlGaAs quantum-well laser structure. A differential bandgap shift as large as 112 nm (65 meV) has been observed after nitrogen implantation at 5times1012 ions/cm2, 1500 keV and annealing at 700degC. The intermixing activation is found to occur at a lower temperature than the typical dielectric cap annealing induced intermixing technique. The implantation induced a vacancy peaks at 1.5 mum above the active region. The point defects diffuse efficiently through the active region during subsequent annealing and induced quantum-dot intermixing with improved luminescence at a relatively low activation annealing temperature
Effects of pH and Particle Size on the Processing of and the Development of Microstructure in Alumina–Zirconia Composites

The aqueous processing of binary suspensions that contain 0.50-μm alumina and either 0.20- or 0.71-μm zirconia was studied from pH 3 to 11, emphasizing colloidally stable systems. Differences in particle size and density can induce differential sedimentation and lead to a nonuniform oxide distribution in pellets prepared by pressure filtration. Uniformity improves when the zeta potentials of the unlike particles are of the same sign but differ greatly in magnitude, i.e., in the pH range 5 to 6, where the oxides experience a weak, mutual association. However, when they are more similar electrostatically, they do not mutually associate and uniformity suffers. This nonuniformity occurs with the adjustment of pH to ≪5 (pos ive particles) and the adsorption of soluble species that strongly alter the zeta potential, e.g., after the preexposure of zirconia to aluminum chloride (positive particles) and the addition of polyacrylic acid (negative particles). In these cases, either high viscosity or rapid consolidation are required to ensure a uniform distribution. The disparity in the particle number fraction, derived from the size differences, and the thermodynamic interparticle energies control the prefired microstructure and are central to the prediction of the proper processing conditions.
Toxicity burden score: a novel approach to summarize multiple toxic effects

Background: Toxicity data from cancer trials are summarized into a single outcome, dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), which does not account for multiple lower grade toxic effects nor differentiates between toxicity types and gradations within DLT.
HISTORY: Adrian Walton Zorgniotti (1925–1994): Renaissance Urologist

Adrian Zorgniotti was born on March 3, 1925 and died on July 6, 1994. During his 47 years as a physician, he brought innovation and imagination to the field of Urology, especially in the field of erectile dysfunction (ED). Biographical information was obtained from Dr. Zorgniotti's curriculum vitae, his published articles, and his eulogies. Several of his colleagues and peers were also interviewed by telephone. In addition, personal experiences of this author, from the 9 years we spent as associates, and of several other friends were recounted. Dr. Zorgniotti's involvement with the history of Urology began in 1970 when he published his first historical treatise on Rome's first doctor, Arcagathus. He continued his involvement when he served as moderator for the History Forum of the American Urological Association (AUA) from 1975 to 1988 and as Historian for the AUA from 1979 to 1988. This innovator brought vision to the field of ED when he introduced the combination of papaverine and phentolamine as an intracavernous injection for the treatment of ED. He also organized the first International Conference on Corpus Cavernolum Revascularization in 1978 at New York University and published long-term results with this therapy. Adrian Zorgniotti will probably be best remembered by the multitude of Urologists whose lives he has touched for his generosity of spirit and for his ability to help shape our careers with a kind gesture, suggestion, or phone call. I am proud to call him a mentor, a colleague, and a friend.
Propaganda, Trusteeship, and Artifact: Locating a New Place for the Management Textbook:

Whether or not the management textbook qualifies as ideology and as propaganda has important implications for where the study of management can be located in an undergraduate college curriculum. This article contains a sketch of one way to use the concept of management practice as the focal point for an undergraduate course about pluralism in American society. In such a course, the study of management practice is not an end in itself but rather becomes a means to an end in each student’s quest to find an intellectual voice. This kind of critical study of management practice is enhanced by the way that Cameron, Ireland, Lussier, New, and Robbins sidestep the question of management textbooks as propaganda.
PP09.1 – 2352: Systematic review of incidence and prevalence of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)

Objective Provide a summary of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) incidence and prevalence worldwide. Methods A systematic review of incidence and prevalence was conducted to identify estimates from peer-reviewed publications. SMA diagnostic criteria, definition of prevalence and incidence, geographic location, date of data collection, and population characteristics were noted. Incidence and prevalence estimates of SMA overall and by type are presented along with limitations. Results The PubMed search identified 27 population-based studies published between 1971 and 2014. Most publications focused on European populations (17) with the remaining in the Middle East (4), North America (2), Asia (1), South America (1), Africa (1), and Australia (1). Annual incidence for all types of SMA combined was estimated in 7 studies and ranged from 5.1 to 16.6 cases per 100,000 live births. By type, annual incidence per 100 000 live births ranged from 3.5 to 7.1 (with an outlier of 250 in a population of Egyptian Karaites in Israel) for type I, 1.0 to 5.3 for type II, and 1.5 to 4.6 for type III. Eight studies provided detailed overall prevalence estimates; however, these estimates varied by the population denominators that were applied. Point prevalence per 100 000 total population by SMA subtype ranged from 0.1 to 0.15 for type I, 0.57 to 0.67 for type II, and 0.64 to 1.05 for type III. Conclusion SMA is a rare disorder, with SMA type I having the highest incidence yet the lowest prevalence due to its higher mortality rate. Variations in diagnostic definition and population denominator used limit pooling of estimates across studies. More comprehensive, methodologically robust, and timely population-based incidence and prevalence measures are needed.
Increasing Secondary Metabolite Production by In Vivo Extraction and Elicitation

Plants have historically been important providers of fine chemicals, particularly pharmaceuticals. In more recent times, the technology of plant cell culture has had an important role in enhancing these resources and this role has been greatly accelerated in the past decade. A topic of current interest, for example, is the production of taxol, a potent microtubule binding agent that has antineoplastic activity [1]. Taxol is available only as an extract of the Pacific yew tree, which is itself in extremely short supply. These factors all suggest that a cell culture system using taxol-producing plant cell lines is a viable alternative to harvesting whole plants. In order to develop such a cell culture system as well as similar systems for a variety of other plant derived compounds, factors that effect the yield of the reactor systems need to be closely examined. In one approach, we have been investigating plant cell lines that can be conveniently manipulated to isolate different biological and process factors responsible for increasing secondary metabolite synthesis. The hope is that by clearly understanding these factors, some general conclusions can be arrived at that have broad applicability. This paper examines the biological factor commonly referred to as elicitation and a process factor that involves in vivo extraction in plant cell lines of California poppy (Eschscholtzia californica). Suspension cultures of E. californica have been known to produce the benzophenanthridine alkaloids sanguinarine, chelirubine, chelerythrine and macarpine as well as their dihydro forms.
Control of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Sickle Cell Disease with the Nrf2 Activator Dimethyl Fumarate

Abstract Aims: Heme derived from hemolysis is pro-oxidative and proinflammatory and promotes vaso-occlusion in murine models of sickle cell disease (SCD), suggesting that enhanced detoxification of heme may be beneficial. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) transcription pathway is the principal cellular defense system responding to pro-oxidative and proinflammatory stress. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a drug approved for treatment of multiple sclerosis, provides neuroprotection by activating Nrf2-responsive genes. We hypothesized that induction of Nrf2 with DMF would be beneficial in murine SCD models. Results: DMF (30 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (0.08% methyl cellulose) was administered for 3–7 days to NY1DD and HbSS-Townes SCD mice. Vaso-occlusion, a hallmark of SCD, measured in sickle mice with dorsal skinfold chambers, was inhibited by DMF. The inhibitory effect of DMF was abrogated by the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitor tin protoporphyrin. DMF increased nuclear Nrf2 and cellular mRNA of Nrf2-...
A Leafhopper Parasite—Polynema Saga (Girault). (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae)

During the summer of 1927, the writer became interested in the life history of the leafhopper, Euscelis stactogalus , which was then unusually abundant on some tamarix bushes near the laboratory. The insects were actually numerous enough to discolor these very hardy plants quite seriously. Under such conditions, it was very easy to find a large number of the eggs, which are deposited in the newer stems.
Rapid Solidification of Composite Materials

The melt spinning technique was used to prepare composite materials consisting of a metallic glass matrix and a second phase in the form of particles and/or C or SiC fibers. The spatial distribution of the second phase varied with the method used to incorporate the particles into the melt. The observed distributions can be explained by assuming that rotational stirring takes part in the melt puddle. The influence of second phase on the effective quenching rate is discussed and the mechanical properties of Ni75Si8B17 glass containing a variety of second phase particles are reported.
Potential effects of high plasma to red blood cell ratio transfusion in pediatric trauma

ObjectiveHigh ratio of plasma to red blood cells during massive transfusion is associated with improved survival of traumatic injuries in adults, but this has not been demonstrated in children. Our...
Cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase influences the expression of hepatic apoA-I in two inbred mouse strains displaying different susceptibilities to atherosclerosis and in hepatoma cells.

C57BL/6 mice are susceptible to diet-induced atherosclerosis, whereas BALB/c mice are resistant. The susceptibility of C57BL/6 mice has been linked to decreased plasma HDL cholesterol in response to a diet containing fat, cholesterol, and cholic acid. Feeding C57BL/6 mice a diet consisting of fat and cholesterol, but no cholic acid, increased plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The increase in HDL was associated with increases in both plasma apolipoprotein (apo)A-I and hepatic apoA-I mRNA. Supplementation of the cholesterol-rich diet with cholic acid inhibited the stimulatory effect of cholesterol on hepatic apoA-I mRNA expression, resulting in similar hepatic apoA-I mRNA levels compared to chow-fed mice. Atherosclerosis-resistant BALB/c mice were also resistant to diet-induced changes in plasma HDL, apoA-I, and hepatic apoA-I mRNA levels. Previous studies showed that the diets changed both the activity and mRNA encoding the liver specific enzyme 7alpha-hydroxylase (1993.J. Lipid Res. 34: 923-931). In both strains of mice, hepatic expression of apoA-I and 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA varied in parallel. Whereas susceptible C57BL/6 mice also showed a significant correlation between HDL cholesterol and expression of 7alpha-hydroxylase, no such correlation was observed in BALB/c mice, suggesting that genetic differences in HDL metabolism, not hepatic apoA-I synthesis, are responsible for the strain specific differences in plasma HDL levels. The finding that lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was significantly decreased in C57BL/6 mice, but not in BALB/ c mice fed the atherogenic diet, further supports this conclusion. Additional studies show that McArdle hepatoma cells stably expressing plasmid-derived rat 7alpha-hydroxylase recapitulated the parallel linear relationship between 7alpha-hydroxylase and apoA-I mRNA expression observed in both strains of mice. These data link hepatic apoA-I mRNA expression to hepatic cholesterol/bile acid metabolism.
Discussion on Energy Saving of Air Conditioning System for Shopping Mall in the Summer Hot and Winter Warm Area

According to the characteristic of energy consumption in Shopping Mall and the clime characteristics in the Summer Hot and Winter Warm Area,this paper points out and analyzes the several energy saving methods in Shopping Mall project in the Summer Hot and Winter Warm Area.Analysis showed that the use of air to air heat recovery system,fresh air free cooling system and PAU variable speed or variable frequency control system was more profitable to economize on energy resources and was worthy for being widely used in Shopping Mall in the Summer Hot and Winter Warm Area.
Natural radioactivity and metal contamination of river sediments in the Calabria region, south of Italy

River sediments from eight different sites of the coast of Calabria, south of Italy, were sampled to determine natural radioactivity and metal concentrations, in order to assess any possible radiological hazard, the level of contamination and the possible anthropogenic impact in the area. Gamma and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry were employed and results of this study show that the mean activity concentrations of radium (in secular equilibrium with uranium) ranged from 15.1Bq/kg to 26.7Bq/kg, that of thorium from 21.8Bq/kg to 48.3Bq/kg and that of potassium from 541.3Bq/kg to 1452.2Bq/kg. In terms of mean mass concentrations, XRF analysis revealed that uranium was lower than 1.5ppm (minimum detectable value), thorium ranged from 6.1ppm to 10.3ppm while potassium ranged from 2.5% to 4.4%. The degree of sediment contaminations were computed using an enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index ( I geo for some potential hazardous elements. Results suggested that enrichment factor and geoaccumulation values of Pb and Mn were greatest among the studied metals. The study revealed that on the basis of computed indexes, the eight investigated rivers can be classified as no polluted ones.
Abstract 937: Nef-M1 peptide inhibits oncogenic signaling and tumor angiogenesis in patient-derived xenografts of colorectal cancer

Introduction: The Nef-M1peptide competes effectively with the natural ligand of CXCR4, SDF-1α, to inhibit tumor angiogenesis in colorectal and breast cancer cell models. However, these established cell models may not signify an adequate means for evaluating signaling mechanisms and therapeutic sensitivities. In this study, we evaluated the antiangiogenic effect of Nef-M1 and its inhibitory role in oncogenic signaling in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) of colorectal cancer (CRC). Experimental Design: Surgical specimens of human CRC were cut into 2-to 3-mm3 pieces in antibiotic-containing RPMI 1640 medium. Non-necrotic tumor pieces were selected and implanted subcutaneously in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Tumors were harvested when they reached a size of 1500-mm3 (PDX1). The xenografts were repassaged multiple times with retention of genetically human characteristics. One week after implantation the mice started receiving intraperitoneal Nef-M1 injections at 2μg biweekly. Sections from PDX were evaluated for tumor angiogenesis, as measured by microvessel density (MVD) based on immunostaining of endothelial marker (CD31). MVD was determined by light microscopy in areas of invasive tumor containing the highest numbers of microvessels per high power field. Western blot analyses were performed on lysates of both PDX and CRC cell lines to assess the effect of Nef-M1 on the oncogenic signaling pathways. Results: Histological analysis revealed that the surgical specimens and the corresponding PDXs were morphologically similar. However, differences were seen in the untreated and treated PDXs. In mice bearing subcutaneous PDX tumors, Nef-M1 treatment inhibited tumor growth. Immunostaining analyses indicated that control PDXs had well established vascularity, but Nef-M1 treated PDXs had poor vascularization. The average MVD was reduced in Nef-M1 treated PDXs (n = 530) compared to control PDXs (n = 1132) (p Conclusions: Treatment with Nef-M1, a peptide antagonist of CXCR4, is a highly promising novel experimental therapeutic strategy against CRC. This work was supported by NIH/NCI Workforce Diversity Grant R21-CA171251. Citation Format: Venkat R. Katkoori, Harvey L. Bumpers. Nef-M1 peptide inhibits oncogenic signaling and tumor angiogenesis in patient-derived xenografts of colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 937.
Worse and Worse and Worse: Essential Tremor Patients' Longitudinal Perspectives on Their Condition.

Background: Essential tremor (ET) patients regularly inquire about their prognosis. Therefore, physicians have cause to review available medical literature for meaningful answers. Longitudinal studies are ideally suited to provide a glimpse into the evolution of tremor. Despite its high prevalence, there are surprisingly few longitudinal clinical studies of ET. Furthermore, none of them provided data from the patients’ perspective. Understanding the patient vantage point is valuable as it is the starting point of personalized medicine. Given the progressive nature of ET, we hypothesized that many patients will experience an increase in symptom severity over time. However, due to a lack of clinical data, the exact nature of this progression is unclear. For example, whether patients experience a worsening at each time interval is simply not known. In this longitudinal study, we assessed whether ET patients felt that their symptoms had worsened between each follow-up evaluation and try to identify specific clinical characteristics associated with this experience. Methods: A cohort of 164 ET cases enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal research study. After a baseline in-person assessment, they received regular telephone evaluations for up to 5.25 years, beginning in 2009. During each follow-up evaluation, cases answered the question, “has your ET worsened since our last call?” Results: Two-thirds (104 [63.4%]) of ET cases reported worsening at one-half or more of their follow-up evaluations. Furthermore, one-in-four cases (44 [26.8%]) reported worsening at every follow-up evaluation. Self-reported worsening was not associated with any of the baseline clinical variables assessed, including age, gender, tremor duration, age at tremor onset, or total tremor score. Conclusions: Little has been written from the patient perspective on progression of ET. When followed longitudinally at regular intervals, a majority of ET cases we studied reported worsening one-half or more of the time; furthermore, one-in-four reported worsening at each and every assessment, indicating that they felt they were inexorably getting worse and worse with time. That there is so much self-reported worsening in ET argues against the notion that this is a static and benign condition. It suggests that patients experience it as a condition that worsens regularly and consistently.
P69 Evaluation of the STOPBANG threshold in the pre-operative screening for obstructive sleep apnoea at sherwood forest hospitals foundation trust

Background Undiagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) has been associated with a higher perioperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to prepare a comprehensive review of the STOPBANG score, a pre-operative screening tool for patients with possible OSA. This study investigates if the current STOPBANG threshold of ≥3/8 is appropriate, or if it should be increased to ≥5/8 or ≥4/8 (with ¾ in the STOP category) to avoid the unnecessary cancellation/postponement of surgery and inappropriate referrals into the sleep service. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients referred to the Sleep Service following a positive STOPBANG score (≥3). The Research and Development Department of the hospital deemed the study did not require ethical approval. 84 patients were included in the study. The selected patients’ case notes were used to review their STOPBANG score, Epworth Sleepiness Score, type of sleep study performed, Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), diagnosis and treatment. If the patient had an ODI ≥ 15, or was successfully started on treatment with a borderline ODI > 5 The sensitivity and specificity of the different STOPBANG thresholds were calculated to assess if the threshold score of STOPBANG ≥3 is appropriate, or if this should be adjusted to more appropriately identify those patients with OSA. Results For a threshold of ≥3, the sensitivity is very high (100%). The sensitivity is decreased for the threshold of ≥5 (71%), and further decreased for the ≥4/8 (3 from STOP) threshold (53%). For the ≥3 threshold, the specificity is 0%. The specificity is dramatically increased for the ≥5 threshold (70%), and highest in the ≥4/8 (3 from STOP) category (85%). Conclusion The statistical analysis confirms that a threshold of ≥3 has a very high sensitivity, but very low specificity. A threshold of ≥5 has a lower sensitivity however is much more specific and may be a more useful way of identifying the high risk of OSA surgical patient. A change in protocol to ≥5 aims to reduce the unnecessary delay or cancellation of surgery and avoid inappropriate referrals into the Respiratory and Sleep department.
Survivors’ stories are the teacher: Narrative mapping and survivorship care plans as educational innovation for pre-clerkship medical students.

90Background: The IOM’s recommendation for Survivorship Care Plans (SCPs) has met slow adoption, further hampered by growth in survivorship. Inviting patients into SCP creation supports individuali...
Four Biofuel Species’ Responses to Periodic Flooding and High Water Tables on a Florida Histosol

Rising energy costs, decreasing soil depth, and best management practices that require on-farm water retention have led to interest in flood-tolerant bioenergy crops for production in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) of Florida. Information on the effects of high water tables on sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.) is available; however, little is known about the bioenergy crops elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.), energycane (Saccharum spp. L.), and giant reed (Arundo donax L.). The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of water-table depth on the yields, morphology, physiology, and early season growth of these three bioenergy species in relation to sugarcane. The species were grown in a greenhouse and subjected to three water management strategies, −40 or −16 cm constant water-table depths, and bi-weekly flooding with drainage to −40 cm. The experiment was conducted in plant-cane, first-ratoon, and successive plant-cane crop cycles. Periodic flooding relative to a −40 cm constant water table significantly reduced dry weights and leaf area index and increased aerenchyma development. Averaged among crops, dry weight declined by 32, 49, 37, and 52% while leaf area index (LAI) decreased by 31, 50, 46, and 57% for giant reed, elephant grass, energycane, and sugarcane, respectively, in response to flooding. Aerenchyma proportional area of the stalk increased by 52, 90, and 95% for elephant grass, energycane, and sugarcane, respectively, but aerenchyma in giant reed decreased by 11%. High yields and stalk populations for all water tables were observed in energycane and elephant grass. These two species show potential for bioenergy production in the EAA. Field trials are recommended to confirm production scale yield.
Mathematical Modeling and Optimization of a Semi-Batch Polymerization Reactor

Abstract This paper concerns mathematical modeling and optimization of a labscale and a pilot-scale semi-batch free-radical homo-polymerization reactors. A first-principles mathematical model is developed by using reaction rate laws available in polymerization literature. The model is validated by comparing the model predictions of monomer conversion, polymer mass fraction, number-average molecular weight, weight-average molecular weight, and polydispersity index to off-line measurements taken in pilot-scale and lab-scale polymerization reactors at DuPont’s Marshall Laboratory. The validated model is then used to calculate optimal initiator and monomer feed-rate policies which minimize the polydispersity index of the final polymer product, subject to a set of tight operational constraints.
Secondary fracture prevention in spine surgery

Abstract A fragility fracture is associated with high likelihood of further fracture and the risk is reduced by quality improvement programs to provide osteoporotic care and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, these treatments are offered to less than 20% of patients who have fragility fractures. Multiple types of secondary fracture prevention programs are available and all have been shown to increase diagnostic testing and pharmacologic treatments in a cost-effective manner. The American Orthopaedic Association’s “Own the Bone” is one such comprehensive quality improvement program that provides leadership and offers patients access to preventive care. Spine surgeons should take the lead to make sure that patients with fragility spinal fractures receive secondary fracture prevention.
Concerted Shifts in Absorption Maxima of Yellow and Red Plumage Carotenoids Support Specialized Tuning of Chromatic Signals to Different Visual Systems in Near-Passerine Birds

Recent evidence that absorption maxima (λRmin) expressed by colorful plumage pigments align to diagnostic cone sensitivities of affiliated visual systems suggests that birds employ specialized signals in relation to their color vision. However, these studies compared different pigments and clades for the violet (porphyrins in non-passerines) and ultraviolet (carotenoids in passerines) sensitive system, which confounds chemistry and phylogeny with tuning patterns. To test whether signal alignments to violet (VS) and ultraviolet (UVS) systems transcend confounding factors, parallel analyses were conducted for a diversity of near-passerines, a group in which plumage carotenoids occur in taxa with either visual system. Conventional and phylogenetically informed analyses confirmed earlier findings: short wavelength absorbing (yellow carotenoid) pigments aligned λRmin with the violet-sensitive (V) cone of VS species but with the short wavelength-sensitive (S) cone of UVS species, whereas long wavelength-absorbing (red carotenoid) pigments aligned only with the S cone of VS species. More extensive variation among VS yellow carotenoids produced λRmin alignments to cone sensitivities that differed at shorter (peaks) versus longer (overlaps) wavelengths. Ancestral trait reconstructions indicated that signals evolved to match pre-existing VS systems, but did not resolve scenarios for UVS systems. Regardless of historical details, alignments expressed a higher-level pattern in which λRmin values were blue-shifted for yellow and red carotenoids in VS compared to UVS species, a pattern opposite that expressed by receptor sensitivities between systems. Thus, generalized functional designs attributed to avian color vision allow for specialized visual communication through the development of chromatic signals suited to each perceptual system.
Surgical success and lateral incomitance following three-muscle surgery for large-angle horizontal strabismus.

Purpose To evaluate motor alignment, motility, and sensorial outcomes of simultaneous three-muscle surgery for large-angle horizontal strabismus, with special attention to lateral incomitance and long-term success. Methods The medical records of consecutive patients with large-angle deviations (≥30Δ) who underwent simultaneous surgery on three horizontal muscles to correct esotropia or exotropia were reviewed retrospectively. Successful motor alignment was defined as residual deviation of ≤10Δ and consecutive deviation in primary position of ≤4Δ, with no induced lateral incomitance >5Δ between lateral gazes. Sensory success was defined as an improvement in stereopsis of ≥2 octaves. Surgical procedures included a combination of recessions and resections/plications depending on surgeon preference. The majority of cases were two-muscle recessions combined with one-muscle resection or plication. Results A total of 19 patients with exotropia and 9 patients with esotropia were included. In the esotropic group, the mean age at surgery was 48 ± 15 years and the mean preoperative deviation improved from 45.6Δ ± 11.9Δ to 1.5Δ ± 1.6Δ (P Conclusions Patients undergoing three-muscle surgery for horizontal strabismus had good motor outcomes with low incidence of induced lateral incomitance. Motor and sensorial outcomes for esotropia were very stable.
Manipulation of the Media: Indiscretions, Misrepresentations and Fleet Sightings

Abstract On April 15, 1797, at the height of the French Revolution and amid a flurry of invasion scares, the Channel Fleet of the Royal Navy mutinied. The news captured the public's imagination and dominated newspaper coverage for months. Politicians in and out of office recklessly used the news of the mutiny to further their ambitions, to influence public opinion or to force a resolution to the crisis. This article examines the success and failure of those efforts, shows how an aggrieved minority used the medium for its own purposes and considers how newspapers still managed both to keep an eye on government and to keep the public informed. It seeks to prove (or disprove) a specific accusation of manipulation by tracing a story from its source to its appearance and interpretation in various newspapers. Finally, it considers the media's role in the messages they are meant only to deliver.
A Detailed Analysis of a Multi-agent Diverse Team

In an open system we can have many different kinds of agents. However, it is a challenge to decide which agents to pick when forming multi-agent teams. In some scenarios, agents coordinate by voting continuously. When forming such teams, should we focus on the diversity of the team or on the strength of each member? Can a team of diverse (and weak) agents outperform a uniform team of strong agents? We propose a new model to address these questions. Our key contributions include: (i) we show that a diverse team can overcome a uniform team and we give the necessary conditions for it to happen; (ii) we present optimal voting rules for a diverse team; (iii) we perform synthetic experiments that demonstrate that both diversity and strength contribute to the performance of a team; (iv) we show experiments that demonstrate the usefulness of our model in one of the most difficult challenges for Artificial Intelligence: Computer Go.
Mapping the literature of medical-surgical nursing

Background: Medical-surgical or adult health nursing is a complex specialty that requires a wide-ranging literature to inform its research and practice. Several excellent qualitative aids exist for collection development for this field, but quantitative studies are few. While one bibliometric study of journals exists, no recent work had been done in this area. Method: The Mapping the Literature of Nursing Project protocol was used. Four source journals were selected, and a citation analysis of articles from 1996 to 1998 was conducted. Results: A list of the most frequently cited journals was created, using Bradford's Law of Scattering. The list demonstrates that 1.2% of the cited medical-surgical nursing journals produced just over 33% of the citations. PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Science Citation Index provided the most complete indexing coverage of all of the journals, with CINAHL providing the most complete coverage of nursing journals. Books were the second-most cited format. Conclusions: Citation analysis of journal articles is a useful aid for selecting journals for medical-surgical nursing collections, but it did not prove to be as useful for selecting materials in other formats. Indexes in addition to PubMed/MEDLINE are necessary to provide access to the journal literature serving this specialty.
Quine, Wittgenstein, and Holism

“Holism” has become a “buzz-word” of contemporary philosophy. It figures prominently in current discussions in philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and epistemology. However, as is frequently the case with “buzz-words,” its meaning rarely remains fixed from context to context or even within a single context.
Explaining critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and openness to diversity in fraternity members: A quantitative analysis

Each year thousands of college students make the choice to join a men’s collegiate social fraternity. This study sought to understand how a student’s demographic characteristics, academic characteristics, participation in fraternity activities, and chapter characteristics explain growth, learning, and development along three areas: critical thinking skills, leadership, and openness to diversity. To assess fraternity members’ development of critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and openness to diversity, data were collected from members of Delta Tau Delta international fraternity using the University Learning Outcomes Assessment (UniLOA) during the spring of 2011, resulting in a sample size of 1,238 students. Through multiple regression analysis, I discovered that critical thinking scores were explained by the length of membership in the fraternity, attending a Road Connection presentation, GPA, belonging to a chapter rather than a colony, and the average GPA of the respondent’s chapter/colony. Leadership and membership scores were explained by attending a Road Connection presentation, attending a Delta Tau Delta sponsored leadership event, belonging to a chapter on conduct probation, GPA, belonging to a chapter rather than a colony, the average GPA of the respondent’s chapter/colony, and the size of the respondent’s chapter/colony. Finally, diversity scores were explained by the length of membership in the fraternity, the average GPA of the respondent’s chapter/colony, and whether or not his chapter was on conduct probation. The results build upon existing literature regarding the effect of fraternity membership on college student development by exploring what factors explain growth, learning, and development within fraternity members and reveal the need for additional research.
Readability of Spanish-Language Patient Education Materials From RadiologyInfo.org.

Abstract Purpose Readability of patient education materials has been linked to health outcomes, and reports on patient education materials in radiology have demonstrated readability levels higher than recommended. Few studies in radiology, however, have assessed patient comprehension of Spanish-language health care educational materials. The purpose of this study was thus to assess the readability of patient education materials written in Spanish from RadiologyInfo.org . Methods All patient education materials written in Spanish available in July 2017 from the RadiologyInfo.org patient education library were compiled into a database over a 1-day period. After modification and editing to minimize artificial changes in readability levels, four readability scales were used to assess the texts: the Gilliam-Pena-Mountain scale, the Lasbarhets formula, the rate index formula, and the SOL formula. Readability was compared among scales using analysis of variance, and inter- and intrarater variability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Results In total, 134 patient education articles written in Spanish were included from the RadiologyInfo.org patient education library. The mean readability grade level was the 10th grade reading level or higher for all scales (average, 12th grade); only one article was written below the 8th grade level. There was no significant difference in readability level on the basis of readability scale used. Conclusions Spanish-language patient educational materials provided at the RadiologyInfo.org website are written at levels too high for the average patient. Future efforts should be made to improve the readability of these patient education materials for English and Spanish speakers alike.
Additive effect of the combination of 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine and valproic acid in leukemia cell systems

4435 Aberrant DNA methylation is a common feature of human acute leukemias. This epigenetic alteration is associated with gene silencing and a close chromatin configuration characterized by specific biochemical changes in core nucleosome histones. A close interplay between DNA methylation and non-permissive histone code changes has been observed in different cell systems. Clinical interest in these epigenetic alterations has recently increased due to the development of several anticancer agents with hypomethylating and histone deacetylase inhibitory activity (HDAIC). Based on this, and as the bases for future clinical trials in leukemia, we have investigated the activity of the combination of the hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-aza) and the HDAIC valproic acid (VPA) in two different leukemia cell lines: HL-60 and MOLT4. The effects of each individual agent and in combination at different doses and sequences on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle status was correlated with the induction of expression, DNA demethylation and increase in global acetylation of the two cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p57KIP2 and p21CIP1. These two genes were selected because of their reported importance in acute leukemia, as well as because both genes are silenced in the cell lines studied here, although only p57KIP2 is methylated. Both VPA and 5-aza had the capacity to inhibit cell proliferation by 50% and 58% at potential therapeutic doses such as 0.5-1 mM of VPA and 1 μ M of 5-aza daily for 3 days. This correlated with an increased in apoptosis (from 7.51% at baseline compared to 18.62% after VPA therapy and from 6.98% to 19.19% for 5-aza) by Annexin V-FITC assays, and effect that was not mediated by changes in cell cycle status. Using real-time PCR assays, VPA had the capacity to increase 11.31 and 2.58 fold respectively the transcription of p57KIP2 and p21CIP1, and 5-aza increased 3.01 and 13.17 respectively. As expected, VPA had no effect on the methylation status of p57 although it was able to induce its expression alone. VPA induced global hyperacetylation in both cell lines. Of interest, 5-aza was also able to induce p21CIP1 re-expression, despite the fact that this gene is no methylation in any of the two cell lines studied. When combined, 5-aza and VPA had an additive effect on leukemia cell kill (93.5% of proliferation inhibition), and apoptosis (49.56%), as well as on the reactivation of p57KIP2 and p21CIP1. This effect was not dependent on the sequence used (VPA followed by 5-aza or vice versa). No effect on halting cell cycle transition was observed by the combination. This data indicates that the combination of 5-aza and VPA should be studied in clinical trials, in particular in view of the known activity of 5-aza in leukemia, but that further insights are needed in terms of the reactivation of p57 and p21, two genes silenced via different mechanisms, and their role in apoptosis and cell cycle control.
Induced eggplant resistance against Trialeurodes vaporariorum triggered by jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and Nesidiocoris tenuis feeding

Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, is one of the major insect pests of agricultural crops such as eggplant. Due to various difficulties associated with synthetic pesticides, more environmentally friendly alternative methods are greatly appreciated for controlling pests. In the present study, the induction of resistance was investigated in eggplant using root and foliar application of jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, as well as Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) either individually or in combination against T. vaporariorum. The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions inside a growth chamber, which was set at 27 ± 2°C, 50 ± 5% relative humidity with a 16 h day length. Our results showed an increase in plant resistance due to the higher immature mortality rates, longer immature periods, lower longevity of adults, and fecundity. In free-choice situation, oviposition on root jasmonic acid (RJA) + N. tenuis and root abscisic acid (RABA) + N. tenuis was similar, but numbers of eggs deposited on these plants were lower than other treatments and control plants. The plant enzyme activity and phenolic content were significantly greater in RJA + N. tenuis and RABA + N. tenuis, intermediate in individual treatments, and the lowest in control plants. Correspondingly, T. vaporariorum longevity, number of eggs produced per female, oviposition preference, all were lowest when the insects fed on these treatments. These findings suggest that the induction of resistance in eggplants with the physiological changes in the host plant leads to a reduction in whitefly damage.
Is it effective to use websites in getting parents involved in education

Parental involvement is an emerging issue in education. Many research studies show that when parents are interested in science and involved in science activities, their children’s performance in science increases. According to these research studies, many science educators are concerned with how to improve parents’ engagement in learning science. At the international science competition, U.S.A ranked lower than many Asian countries including Korea, Japan, and Taiwan (TIMSS, 1997). According to the report of TIMSS (2001), US eighth-graders performed slightly above the international average of 38 nations in science. In the 1995 study, US eighth-graders had tested above the international average in science, compared to students in 41 participating countries. Direct comparisons of international standing cannot be made between the two years because the list of participating countries is not identical. In fact, the data shows no absolute improvement in performance of US eighth-graders between 1995 and 1999, in science. To improve students’ performance in science, not only teachers at school but also parents at home must be engaged in science education.
In the name of immigrant mothers: Gendered mobilization of Korean-Chinese women in South Korea

Drawing on ethnographic data from the anti-deportation protest of the Seoul Korean-Chinese Church (SKCC) in 2013, I examine the impact of gender on the mobilization of Korean-Chinese immigrant wome...
How Does the Brain Infer Hidden Social Structures

Many everyday thoughts and actions are shaped not only by our direct relationships with others, but also by our knowledge of relations between third-parties. Lau et al. recently demonstrated how knowledge of one type of social relation - interpersonal similarity - shapes cognition and behavior, and shed light on the neural basis of such phenomena.