cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opening space research: Dreams, technology, and scientific discovery

On 4 October 1957 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics launched Sputnik, the world's first man-made satellite. It may have been the dawn of humanity's toehold in space, but it was not the beginning of the story. In the AGU monograph Opening Space Research: Dreams, Technology, and Scientific Discovery, George H. Ludwig describes the people, politics, and experiments that led from weather balloons and leftover German V-2 rockets to a highly successful U.S. space research program. In this interview, Ludwig shares some insights with Eos.
Informed mobile prefetching

Prefetching is a double-edged sword. It can hide the latency of data transfers over poor and intermittently connected wireless networks, but the costs of prefetching in terms of increased energy and cellular data usage are potentially substantial, particularly for data prefetched incorrectly. Weighing the costs and benefits of prefetching is complex, and consequently most mobile applications employ simple but sub-optimal strategies.Rather than leave the job to applications, we argue that the underlying mobile system should provide explicit prefetching support. Our prototype, IMP, presents a simple interface that hides the complexity of the prefetching decision. IMP uses a cost-benefit analysis to decide when to prefetch data. It employs goal-directed adaptation to try to minimize application response time while meeting budgets for battery lifetime and cellular data usage. IMP opportunistically uses available networks while ensuring that prefetches do not degrade network performance for foreground activity. It tracks hit rates for past prefetches and accounts for network-specific costs in order to dynamically adapt its prefetching strategy to both the network conditions and the accuracy of application prefetch disclosures. Experiments with email and news reader applications show that IMP provides predictable usage of budgeted resources, while lowering application response time compared to the oblivious strategies used by current applications.
Microphone-array hearing aids with binaural output. II. A two-microphone adaptive system

For pt.I see ibid., vol.5, no.6, p.529-42, 1997. This work is aimed at developing a design for the use of a microphone array with binaural hearing aids. The goal of such a hearing aid is to provide both the spatial-filtering benefits of the array and the natural benefits to sound localization ability and speech intelligibility that result from binaural listening. The present study examines a design in which two ear-level omnidirectional microphones constitute the array. The merging of array processing with binaural listening is accomplished by dividing the frequency spectrum, devoting the lowpass part to binaural processing and the highpass part to adaptive array processing. Acoustic and behavioral measurements were made in an anechoic chamber and in a moderately reverberant room to assess the trade-off between sound localization and speech reception as the cutoff frequency was varied. A lowpass/highpass cutoff frequency of 500 Hz provided an improvement of 40 percentage points in sentence intelligibility over unaided listening for normal-hearing listeners, while still allowing adequate localization performance. Comparison of this binaural adaptive system to traditional amplification configurations with normal-hearing listeners showed improvements in speech reception in noise in a mildly reverberant room of approximately 3 dB over simple binaural amplification and 5 dB over monaural amplification.
Self-Efficacy and Cognitive Performance in High-Functioning Older Individuals MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging

The hypothesis that stronger self-efficacy beliefs are associated with better cognitive performance at older ages was examined in a sample of men and women, age 70-79. Multiple domains of efficacy beliefs and cognitive abilities were examined. Analyses revealed considerable specificity in the observed associations. For men, multiple regression analyses revealed that instrumental efficacy beliefs were related to better performance on tests of memory and abstraction, independent of sociodemographic characteristics and physical and psychological health; there were no independent associations with individual tests of spatial ability naming, incidental recall, or delayed spatial recognition. For women, instrumental efficacy beliefs had no significant associations with the tests of cognitive ability. Interpersonal efficacy beliefs showed no significant associations for men or women. Possible reasons for these gender differences as well as the specificity of the instrumental efficacy associations are discussed.
Some signal processing problems in diagnostic radiology

Diganostic radiology is a branch of clinical medicine in which various forms of radiation are employed as an aid in the diagnosis of potential pathologies in a relatively noninvasive fashion. Both radioactive and x-ray sources of radiation are commonly employed as are a wide variety of detector and equipment configurations. Our objective in this presentation is to survey some signal processing problems that arise in this context, particularly problems in which random point processes and statistical inference seem to be of some importance.
Perspective on theories of non-Fickian transport in heterogeneous media

Abstract Subsurface fluid flow and solute transport take place in a multiscale heterogeneous environment. Neither these phenomena nor their host environment can be observed or described with certainty at all scales and locations of relevance. The resulting ambiguity has led to alternative conceptualizations of flow and transport and multiple ways of addressing their scale and space–time dependencies. We focus our attention on four approaches that give rise to nonlocal representations of advective and dispersive transport of nonreactive tracers in randomly heterogeneous porous or fractured continua. We compare these approaches theoretically on the basis of their underlying premises and the mathematical forms of the corresponding nonlocal advective–dispersive terms. One of the four approaches describes transport at some reference support scale by a classical (Fickian) advection–dispersion equation (ADE) in which velocity is a spatially (and possibly temporally) correlated random field. The randomness of the velocity, which is given by Darcy’s law, stems from random fluctuations in hydraulic conductivity (and advective porosity though this is often disregarded). Averaging the stochastic ADE over an ensemble of velocity fields results in a space–time-nonlocal representation of mean advective–dispersive flux, an approach we designate as stnADE. A closely related space–time-nonlocal representation of ensemble mean transport is obtained upon averaging the motion of solute particles through a random velocity field within a Lagrangian framework, an approach we designate stnL. The concept of continuous time random walk (CTRW) yields a representation of advective–dispersive flux that is nonlocal in time but local in space. Closely related to the latter are forms of ADE entailing fractional derivatives (fADE) which leads to representations of advective–dispersive flux that are nonlocal in space but local in time; nonlocality in time arises in the context of multirate mass transfer models, which we exclude from consideration in this paper. We describe briefly each of these four nonlocal approaches and offer a perspective on their differences, commonalities, and relative merits as analytical and predictive tools.
Simple and Efficient Method for Heterologous Expression of Clostridial Proteins

Many clostridial proteins are poorly produced in Escherichia coli. It has been suggested that this phenomena is due to the fact that several types of codons common in clostridial coding sequences are rarely used in E. coli and the quantities of the corresponding tRNAs in E. coli are not sufficient to ensure efficient translation of the corresponding clostridial sequences. To address this issue, we amplified three E. coli genes, ileX, argU, and leuW, in E. coli; these genes encode tRNAs that are rarely used in E. coli (the tRNAs for the ATA, AGA, and CTA codons, respectively). Our data demonstrate that amplification of ileX dramatically increased the level of production of most of the clostridial proteins tested, while amplification of argU had a moderate effect and amplification of leuW had no effect. Thus, amplification of certain tRNA genes for rare codons in E. coli improves the expression of clostridial genes in E. coli, while amplification of other tRNAs for rare codons might not be needed for improved expression. We also show that amplification of a particular tRNA gene might have different effects on the level of protein production depending on the prevalence and relative positions of the corresponding codons in the coding sequence. Finally, we describe a novel approach for improving expression of recombinant clostridial proteins that are usually expressed at a very low level in E. coli.
Coprime factor based closed-loop model validation

In order to provide a formal definition of the model validation problem, it is necessary to provide more details on an uncertainty model that consists of a nominal model and an additional model uncertainty or allowable model perturbation. The following problems are described: model validation via optimisation; uncertainty models based on coprime factor perturbation; and closed-loop model validation using coprime factorisation.
Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari: Intersecting Lives

At the very beginning of this impressively comprehensive examination of the lives and times of Deleuze and Guattari, Francois Dosse orients his project by posing a series of provocative questions. ...
Hydrocarbon Speciation of a Lean Burn Spark Ignited Engine

A research program at West Virginia University sought to identify and quantify the individual hydrocarbon species present in alternative fuel exhaust. Compressed natural gas (CNG) has been one of the most widely researched fuels proposed to replace liquid petroleum fuels. Regulated CNG non-methane hydrocarbon emissions are often lower than hydrocarbon emissions from conventional liquid fuels because of the absence of heavier hydrocarbons in the fuel. Reducing NOX and non-methane organic gas (NMOG) emission levels reduces the ozone forming potential (OFP) of the exhaust gases. A Hercules GTA 3.7 liter medium duty CNG engine was operated at seven load and speed set points using local supply CNG gas. The engine was operated at several rated, intermediate and idle speed set points. The engine was operated while the air/fuel ratio value was varied. The lighter load tests as well as the lean operation tests showed an increase in the hydrocarbon emissions as a result of unburnt fuel passing through the engine. As the lambda value approached stochiometric operation, NOX increased and the HC decreased. Hydrocarbons were captured using a dedicated sampling system drawing a sample from a full scale dilution tunnel via a rotary vane pump through a mass flow controller and collected in a tedlar bag. The sample was then analyzed by a gas chromatograph for identification and species were quantified utilizing retention indices. Upon close analysis of the data, the production and destruction of compounds present in engine exhaust can be related to the test fuel and background dilution air. The intent of this research was to identify the formation of products such as ethene that arise from incomplete combustion.
Dynamically Complex [6+4] and [4+2] Cycloadditions in the Biosynthesis of Spinosyn A

SpnF, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of spinosyn A, catalyzes a transannular Diels-Alder reaction. Quantum mechanical computations and dynamic simulations now show that this cycloaddition is not well described as either a concerted or stepwise process, and dynamical effects influence the identity and timing of bond formation. The transition state for the reaction is ambimodal and leads directly to both the observed Diels-Alder and an unobserved [6+4] cycloadduct. The potential energy surface bifurcates and the cycloadditions occur by dynamically stepwise modes featuring an "entropic intermediate". A rapid Cope rearrangement converts the [6+4] adduct into the observed [4+2] adduct. Control of nonstatistical dynamical effects may serve as another way by which enzymes control reactions.
Writing Conquest: Literate Technologies and Military Bureaucracy in Madagascar

This paper examines the military report as a key genre of bureaucracy in the empire-state of Antananarivo between about 1825 and 1860. These reports accounted for the activities of mobile military campaigns ranging about the island from Antananarivo. Composed in Malagasy and held in the national archives of Madagascar, the reports include a general narrative on the movement of troops, their tactics and engagements, the food offered the army, the number of captives taken and enemy killed, the amount of ammunition used. Report dossiers also frequently include correspondence relative to the campaign. I will analyze the style of report writing, their literary qualities, and the ways in which the literate and numerate characteristics of the reports directed attention to the technical aspects of conquest rather than its social and political consequences. I intend to argue that the specific bureaucratic techniques of literacy adopted in the reports channeled knowledge about conquest into tables and tabulations, distancing the violence of regional territorial conquest from constituencies in Antananarivo. The paper will also reflect on the relationship of literate technologies to statebuilding in Madagascar, engaging scholarship on literacy and conquest more broadly.
The Utility of Ictal Magnetoencephalography in Localization of Ictal Onset (S46.004)

Objective: We evaluated the utility of ictal magnetoencephalography (MEG) in localization of the seizure onset zone, and compared results with interictal MEG discharges and findings from other modalities. Background Since ictal events during MEG recording are infrequent due to the brevity of routine recordings, literature on utility of ictal MEG in clinical practice and the relationship to interictal MEG and other modalities is limited. Design/Methods: From a total of 377 MEGs recorded between 2008-2011, 44 patients had seizures captured during MEG. The interictal and ictal MEG findings using single equivalent current dipole analysis(sECD), concurrent EEG during MEG, neuroimaging, non-invasive and invasive video-EEG, pathology and surgical outcome data were reviewed. Results: Mean duration of recording was 51.2 minutes. Median age at the time of recording was 14.4 years. Seizures were provoked by known triggers in 3 patients and were spontaneous otherwise. 25 patients had one seizure, 6 patients had two seizures, and 13 patients had three or more. MEG sECD analysis was possible in 29 patients (66%), 8 of whom had no clear interictal discharges in either MEG or EEG. Lobar concordance between ictal and interictal dipoles was seen in all 21 cases with positive interictal MEG findings, and sub-lobar concordance in 18 cases (86%). Two cases showed clear MEG ictal patterns without ictal EEG changes, whereas there were no cases showing ictal EEG activity not seen in MEG. In 8 cases subsequently evaluated with intracranial electrodes, ictal MEG dipoles correlated with lobe of onset in 7. Reasons for failure to identify ictal dipole included: Diffuse and non-dipolar ictal patterns in 9 cases, no MEG changes in 3 cases, and movement artifact in 3 cases. Conclusions: We present the largest series to date of ictal MEG recordings. Ictal MEG dipole analysis can provide useful localizing information in pre-surgical evaluation even in some "EEG-silent" cases. Disclosure: Dr. Alkawadri has nothing to disclose. Dr. Isitan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Burgess has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alexopoulos has received personal compensation for activities with UCB Pharma as a speaker.
Human impact: the ethics of I=PAT

Global change, driven by increasing levels of human population, growing consumption by the rich, and poor choices of technologies and social arrangements to supply that consumption, have generated a suite of environmental problems that threaten civilization. This in turn has brought to the fore a daunting array of ethical issues that, sadly, are not being widely addressed. I sample some of these and discuss them in a way that hopefully will generate some of the needed discourse.
Direct simulation of supercritical gas flow in complex nanoporous media and prediction of apparent permeability

Abstract Mudrocks and shales contain pores within the size range of 2–100 nm. Flow of supercritical gas in these pores at reservoir pressure–temperature conditions falls within the slip-flow and early transition-flow regime (0.001
ER Alpha Rapid Signaling Is Required for Estrogen Induced Proliferation and Migration of Vascular Endothelial Cells

Estrogen promotes the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells (ECs), which likely underlies its ability to accelerate re-endothelialization and reduce adverse remodeling after vascular injury. In previous studies, we have shown that the protective effects of E2 (the active endogenous form of estrogen) in vascular injury require the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). ERα transduces the effects of estrogen via a classical DNA binding, "genomic" signaling pathway and via a more recently-described "rapid" signaling pathway that is mediated by a subset of ERα localized to the cell membrane. However, which of these pathways mediates the effects of estrogen on endothelial cells is poorly understood. Here we identify a triple point mutant version of ERα (KRR ERα) that is specifically defective in rapid signaling, but is competent to regulate transcription through the "genomic" pathway. We find that in ECs expressing wild type ERα, E2 regulates many genes involved in cell migration and proliferation, promotes EC migration and proliferation, and also blocks the adhesion of monocytes to ECs. ECs expressing KRR mutant ERα, however, lack all of these responses. These observations establish KRR ERα as a novel tool that could greatly facilitate future studies into the vascular and non-vascular functions of ERα rapid signaling. Further, they support that rapid signaling through ERα is essential for many of the transcriptional and physiological responses of ECs to E2, and that ERα rapid signaling in ECs, in vivo, may be critical for the vasculoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of estrogen.
The Structure and Phases of a Relaxed Langmuir Monolayer of Methyl Eicosanoate as Determined by Grazing Incidence Xray Diffraction and Brewster Angle Microscopy

The molecular structure and phase diagram of relaxed monolayer films of methyl eicosanoate at the air/water interface were studied using x-ray diffraction and Brewster Angle Microscopy. Six phases have been identified in relaxed films in a temperature range of 5 to 28 degrees Celsius.
Blockade of GABAergic Inhibition Reveals Reordered Cortical Somatotopic Maps in Rats That Sustained Neonatal Forelimb Removal

A previous study from this laboratory demonstrated that forelimb removal at birth results in invasion of the cuneate nucleus (CN) by sciatic nerve axons and the development of CN cells including thalamic projection neurons with receptive fields that include both the forelimb stump and the hindlimb. However, recordings from unit clusters in lamina IV of the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) of these animals revealed the presence of only a very few sites in the forelimb stump representation where responses to hindlimb stimulation could also be recorded. In the present study we tested the possibility that input from the hindlimb was suppressed in lamina IV of the cortical stump representation via GABAergic inhibitory mechanisms by mapping this cortical region, applying the gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA(A)) and GABA(B) receptor antagonists bicuculline and phaclofen (50 microM each), and then remapping the same sites. In six neonatally manipulated rats, 15 of 242 sites (6.2%) in the stump representation responded to hindlimb stimulation before GABA receptor blockade and 107 (44.2%) of the same sites responded to stimulation of the hindlimb during blockade (P 0.05). These results indicate that hindlimb input to the portion of SI representing the forelimb stump is functionally suppressed in rats that have sustained neonatal forelimb removal and that GABAergic inhibition, mediated by both GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors, is involved in this process.
Observation of effect on lung function in childhood asthma treated with fluticasone propionate and BCG-PSN

Objective: To observe the degree of effect on lung function in childhood asthmatics treated with fluticasone propionate inhalation and BCG-PSN injection. Methods: To test lung function indicators with MasterScope spirometer before and after administration. Results: There exists significsnt difference betreen PEF, FEF25, FEF50 and FEF75 except FVC and FEV1.0 before and after administration in 20 patients. Conclusion: Good result can be attained in symptoms and lung function in asthmatics treated with fluticasone propionate and BCG-PSN.
Virginia's two largest earthquakes—December 22, 1875 and May 31, 1897

A study of the macroseismic effects associated with the two largest of Virginia's historic earthquakes, based primarily on journals and archival newspaper accounts, reveals that exceptionally large felt areas can be associated with moderate earthquakes in the middle Atlantic region. Occurring at opposite ends of the state, the two shocks exhibit similar effects to the north, which appear related to the surficial geology, but differing intensity distributions to the southwest, which may reflect the differences between the two areas that exist in the geological structure. Differences in focal depth and focal mechanism may also be contributing factors. The Giles County earthquake of May 31, 1897, in the folded Appalachian Province of western Virginia, is assigned a maximum intensity (MM) of VIII and a felt area of at least 280,000 square miles. The Chesterfield County earthquake of December 22, 1875, in the crystalline Piedmont Province near Richmond, had a maximum intensity (MM) of VII and a 50,000-square-mile felt region. In both cases the previously reported intensities and felt areas were found adequate. For the moderate seismicity of the Appalachians, an extremely long period, May 3 to June 6, of seismic and acoustic phenomena occurred in conjunction with the May 31, 1897 shock.
Horizontal variability of high-frequency nonlinear internal waves in Massachusetts Bay detected by an array of seafloor pressure sensors

A two-dimensional array of fourteen seafloor pressure sensors was deployed to measure properties of tidally-generated, nonlinear, high-frequency internal waves over a 14-km by 12-km area west of Stellwagen Bank in Massachusetts Bay during summer 2009. Thirteen high-frequency internal wave packets propagated through the region over 6.5 days (one packet every semidiurnal cycle). Propagation speed and direction of wave packets were determined by triangulation, using arrival times and distances between triads of sensor locations. Wavefront curvature ranged from straight to radially spreading, with wave speeds generally faster to the south. Waves propagated to the southwest, rotating to more westward with shoreward propagation. Linear theory predicts a relationship between kinetic energy and bottom pressure variance of internal waves that is sensitive to sheared background currents, water depth, and stratification. By comparison to seafloor acoustic Doppler current profiler measurements, observations nonetheless show a strong relationship between kinetic energy and bottom pressure variance. This is presumably due to phase-locking of the wave packets to the internal tide that dominates background currents and to horizontally uniform and relatively constant stratification throughout the study. This relationship was used to qualitatively describe variations in kinetic energy of the high-frequency wave packets. In general, high-frequency internal wave kinetic energy was greater near the southern extent of wavefronts and greatly decreased upon propagating shoreward of the 40-m isobath. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Themes and Schemes in the Development of Biomedical Ethics

After noting the principal themes in the brief history of bioethics, this essay turns to a consideration of the implications of the human genome project, which implications have clearly stretched our moral imagination well beyond traditional limits. Analysis of that history, especially its most recent articulation in the ‘new genetics,’ makes evident a central theme—namely, questions at the heart of life before birth, especially individual uniqueness and, therefore, identity or what is termed the “personal enigma” posed by the unraveling of the human genome and efforts at cloning. Indeed, the perplexing wonder within this remarkable development is a labyrinth at once deeply personal, and yet also social, historical, and conceptual. Who are we? Who am I? How is each of us connected to that body we experience as our own?
A framework to integrate MFiX with Trilinos for high fidelity fluidized bed computations

A framework is developed to integrate MFiX, an open source multiphase flow solver, with state-of-the-art pre-conditioners and linear solver packages in Trilinos via MFIX, Fortran, C and CPP wrappers. The computations are carried out to simulate flow in a fluidized bed problem with MFiX as well as the integrated solver, MFiX-Trilinos. BiConjugate gradient stabilized method as well as GMRES is used to solve the linear system of equations. The linear system of equations for the flow variable are solved using the built-in solvers in MFiX. On the other hand, MFiX-Trilinos uses the solvers from AztecOO package in Trilinos. The performance of the integrated solver is tested on various computer architectures for variety of problem sizes. The flow from the solver with the integrated framework and MFiX are in good agreement. However, the solver in MFiX-Trilinos is, approximately 30% faster compared to the same solver in MFiX.
Detecting Overlapping Communities in Complex Networks Using Swarm Intelligence for Multi-threaded Label Propagation

We propose a unique approach to finding overlapping communities within complex networks that leverages swarm intelligence, for decentralized multi-threading processing, with label propagation, for its fast identification of communities. The combination of the two technologies offers a high performance approach to overlapped community detection that allow for the processing of very large networks in tractable time.
The importance of microgrids & renewable energy in meeting energy needs of the Brazilian Amazon

The Brazilian Amazon is located in the Northern region of Brazil with rich and unused resources. In spite of the availability of the sources, the region has been characterized with the lack of electricity and, consequently, has a higher level of poverty in the country. Reasons include very low rural electrification, low electricity demand, topographical difficulties, dispersed communities, and small investments to Amazon region which is not supplied by regular. This paper investigates the possibility of using renewable energy based microgrids as an option to electrify in remote areas, in the state of Amazonas. The load profile is generated based on the local information and the available loads. Renewable energy sources such as solar and hydro are utilized in the design of hybrid off-grid microgrid systems. Then, the system is modeled in HOMER. The simulations are run to obtaion an optimal microgrid configuration for Torre da Lua which is an isolated community in the Brazilian Amazon. It is shown that renewable energy based microgrid concept can be utilized to meet the local demand and electrify these isolated communities in a feasible and clean way.
How Does Fat Transition from White to Beige

Fischer et al. (2017) recently reported that interleukin-4 (IL-4) does not increase adipose thermogenesis and that activated macrophages do not synthesize catecholamines. These findings are unexpected because IL-4 activation of macrophages has been proposed to have a pivotal role in cold-induced thermogenesis by stimulating macrophage catecholamine production to recruit thermogenic beige or brite fat.
Comparison of Thoracic Radiography and Computed Tomography in Calves with Naturally Occurring Respiratory Disease.

Objective: To evaluate the severity and extent of lung disease using thoracic computational radiography (CR) compared to contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the thorax in calves with naturally occurring respiratory disease and to evaluate the feasibility and safety of performing contrast-enhanced thoracic multidetector MDCT examinations in sedated calves. Furthermore, to evaluate if combining CR or MDCT with respiratory scoring factors will improve prediction of the chronicity of pulmonary disease in calves. Animals: Thirty Jersey heifer calves ranging in age between 25 to 89 days with naturally occurring respiratory disease. Procedures: All calves were evaluated via thoracic CR and contrast-enhanced MDCT. All calves were euthanized immediately following thoracic MDCT and submitted for necropsy. Imaging and histopathology results were compared with each other. Results: Thoracic MDCT was superior for evaluation of pneumonia in calves due to the lack of summation in all areas of the lungs. Intravenously administered sedation provided an adequate plane of sedation for acquiring MDCT images of diagnostic quality, without the need for re-scanning. A diagnosis of pneumonia was made with equal rate on both thoracic CR and MDCT. Although mild differences in classification of lung pattern and extent of lung disease were seen when comparing an experienced and a less experienced evaluator, the overall differences were not statistically significant. The best intra- and inter-observer agreement was noted when evaluating the cranioventral aspects of the lungs in either modality. Clinical respiratory scoring is inadequate for diagnosing chronicity of pneumonia in calves with naturally occurring pneumonia. Conclusion and clinical importance: Both imaging modalities allowed diagnosis of pneumonia in calves. The cranial ventral aspects of the lungs were most commonly affected. Thoracic CR and MDCT provided similar diagnostic effectiveness in diagnosing pneumonia. However, MDCT provided better assessment of subtle details, which may be otherwise obscured due to summation artifact.
Evaluating e-consultation implementations based on use and time-line across various specialties

Abstract Background Electronic Consultation (e-consults) can provide improved access, enhance patient and provider satisfaction, and reduce beneficiary travel expenses. We explored how e-consults were implemented across three specialty areas, diabetes (Diab), gastroenterology (GI), and neurosurgery (Neuro), at two Veterans Affairs hospitals in terms of strategies for use and time-lines. Methods We conducted observations and electronically shadowed patient e-consultations submitted to a specialty care service by primary care provider(s) at the two sites during a thirteen-month period. We divided the e-consult process in each specialty into three broad milestones; Request (from primary to specialty), Response (from specialty back to primary), and Follow up (from primary to patient), and recorded the flow and time in each category. An overall hierarchy of e-consults was developed to illustrate the many ways an e-consult was used. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to compare the distribution of time across specialties. Results A total of 394 consults submitted between April 14, 2012 and May 2, 2013 were reviewed (Diab = 152, GI = 169, Neuro = 73). Of the 152 diabetes specialty clinic e-consults, 35% required some sort of direct contact with the patient by the specialty clinic before a recommendation was provided. Overall, 58% of the e-consults were completed within 20 days, while 68% were completed within 30 days. The Response times between Diab and GI were significantly different (median = 0 vs. 3 days; p Conclusions The use of an e-consult is likely to vary based on the specialty, but the often significant variations in time may continue to hinder prompt access to care. E-consult design, implementation, documentation, training, self-learning, and monitoring should be tailored to get the most benefit out of this system.
Evidence from machines that learn and think like people

We agree with Lake et al.'s trenchant analysis of deep learning systems, including that they are highly brittle and that they need vastly more examples than do people. We also agree that human cognition relies heavily on structured relational representations. However, we differ in our analysis of human cognitive processing. We argue that (1) analogical comparison processes are central to human cognition; and (2) intuitive physical knowledge is captured by qualitative representations, rather than quantitative simulations.
Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm

IntroductionThe development of a carotid artery pseudoaneurysm (PA) after carotid endarterectomy is a rare complication with a reported incidence of 0.25% to 0.74%. It results from suture line fail...
Citibank: Weathering the Commercial Real Estate Crisis of the Early 1990s

As the commercial real estate market began to crash in early 1990 heavily exposed banks like Citibank and Chase Manhattan were left largely undercapitalized. John Reed, Citibank Chairman and CEO, was caught off guard by the sudden market plunge. While Reed struggled to maintain the capital reserve of us his bank further weaknesses within Citi began to emerge. In addition, to missing the coming of the real estate crisis Citi had had poorly managed internal operations, overvalued acquisitions and grown heavy from organizational excess. The poor management left Citi in the care of Federal Regulators, worried about the banks solvency. The case examines the roots of these problems and the steps taken by Reed to return the bank to a well-managed and stable institution. Learning Objective: The case discusses the strategic challenges faced by Citi Bank in the early 1990s. The case allows students to identify the factors that lead to Citi's decline and assess Reed's performance in the turnaround. The case also introduces students to the border issues of commercial real estate and the crisis of the early 1990s. The case is appropriate for courses in strategy and organizational leadership.
Discovery and Development of Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors for Inflammatory Diseases

The Janus kinases (JAKs) are a family of intracellular tyrosine kinases that play an essential role in the signaling of numerous cytokines that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. As a consequence, the JAKs have received significant attention in recent years from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries as therapeutic targets. Here, we provide a review of the JAK pathways, the structure, function, and activation of the JAK enzymes followed by a detailed look at the JAK inhibitors currently in the clinic or approved for these indications. Finally, a perspective is provided on what the past decade of research with JAK inhibitors for inflammatory indications has taught along with thoughts on what the future may hold in terms of addressing the opportunities and challenges that remain.
Sources of Social Power and Ding Xinzhao’s Reading of Chinese History

Dingxin Zhao’s book, The Confucian-Legalist State: A New Theory of Chinese History, contains a theory of Chinese history, a comparison with European history, and a contribution to a general theory ...
Association between Hospitalist Productivity Payments and High-Value Care Culture.

Background Given the national emphasis on affordability, healthcare systems expect that their clinicians are motivated to provide high-value care. However, some hospitalists are reimbursed with productivity bonuses, and little is known about the effects of these reimbursements on the local culture of high-value care delivery. Objective To evaluate if hospitalist reimbursement models are associated with high-value culture in university, community, and safety-net hospitals. Design, setting, patients Internal medicine hospitalists from 12 hospitals across California completed a cross-sectional survey assessing their perceptions of high-value care culture within their institutions. Sites represented university, community, and safety-net centers with different performances as reflected by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Service's Value-based Purchasing (VBP) scores. Measurement Demographic characteristics and High-Value Care Culture Survey (HVCCSTM) scores were evaluated using descriptive statistics, and associations were assessed through multilevel linear regression. Results Of the 255 hospitalists surveyed, 147 (57.6%) worked in university hospitals, 85 (33.3%) in community hospitals, and 23 (9.0%) in safety-net hospitals. Across all 12 sites, 166 (65.1%) hospitalists reported payment with salary or wages, and 77 (30.2%) with salary plus productivity adjustments. The mean HVCCS score was 50.2 (SD 13.6) on a 0-100 scale. Hospitalists reported lower mean HVCCS scores if they reported payment with salary plus productivity (β = -6.2, 95% CI -9.9 to -2.5) than if they reported payment with salary or wages. Conclusions Hospitalists paid with salary plus productivity reported lower high-value care culture scores for their institutions than those paid with salary or wages. High-value care culture and clinician reimbursement schemes are potential targets of strategies for improving quality outcomes at low cost.
Student Reflections on Urban Physical Education and Involvement in College Physical Activity

The purpose of this study was to understand freshman college students’ reflections on urban high school physical education (PE) programs and to discern the extent to which their experiences influenced college physical activity. Sixteen university freshman students enrolled in a college PE class who had taken at least one high school PE class in an urban school setting were interviewed. Data collection methods included open-ended semi-structured qualitative interviews. Using constant comparative analysis, the reflective findings of the study revealed that students who had positive experiences had increased college physical activity involvement.
Validation of a Risk Model for Hospitalized Adult Cancer Patients with Febrile Neutropenia.

Abstract Introduction: Febrile neutropenia (FN) represents the most common dose-limiting toxicity associated with systemic chemotherapy and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The majority of patients with FN are hospitalized for evaluation and administration of empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics. A risk model for mortality in hospitalized adult cancer patients with FN has previously been reported (Kuderer, ASCO 2004). Validation of this risk model in an independent population of hospitalized patients with FN is presented. Methods: Risk model development was based on the records of 40,163 adult non-transplant cancer patients hospitalized with FN at one of 115 academic medical centers reporting to the University HealthSystem Consortium between 1995 and 2000. A risk score for mortality was estimated for each patient based on a weighted summary of all significant variables in a logistic regression model including age, cancer diagnosis, comorbidities (heart, liver, renal, cerebrovascular, pulmonary embolism) and complications (gram+ and gram- sepsis, fungal infection, pneumonia, hypotension, hypovolemia, ICU admission). The risk score was classified into low risk (0–4); intermediate (5–9); high (10–14); and very high (15–22). Results: To validate the FN mortality risk score, it is applied here to an independent population of 16,379 adult cancer patients hospitalized with FN at academic medical centers between 2001–2002. Inpatient mortality was reported in 1,452 (8.9%). Although patients ≥65 years of age represented 30% of the inpatient FN population, they accounted for 43% of deaths. Application of the previously developed risk model to this independent population provided adjusted estimates of relative risk (odds ratios) of: age ≥ 65 (1.5); leukemia (1.3); lung cancer (1.3); heart (1.4); liver (2.1); renal (3.0); cerebrovascular (3.6); pulmonary embolism (2.8); gram+ sepsis (2.1); gram- sepsis (2.4); fungal (1.4); pneumonia(1.8); hypotension (1.9); hypovolemia (1.6) and ICU (3.7) (Global χ2:P Risk Score Category Low (0–4) Int (5–9) High (10–14) Very High (15+) Development Phase Patients (%) 74.6 20.6 4.3 0.4 Deaths (%) 3.1 18.9 48.1 64.6 Validation Phase Patients (%) 68.5 23.3 7.0 1.2 Deaths (%) 2.5 14.4 42.3 68.8 Test performance among the 22% of patients with a predicted risk of mortality of ≥10% include: sensitivity: 71%; specificity: 83%; positive predictive value: 29%; negative predictive value: 97%; likelihood ratio positive: 4.2; likelihood ratio negative: 0.3; diagnostic odds ratio: 12.2 [10.8, 13.8]. A low risk subgroup (23%) was also identified with a risk Conclusions: Previously reported risk models for mortality, length of stay and cost have been validated in a separate population of adult cancer patients hospitalized with FN. These validated models may assist clinicians in identifying both high-risk patients for more aggressive supportive care measures as well as low risk patients as candidates for early discharge. The cost-effectiveness of these models in assisting clinical decision-making is currently under study.
Energy Statements: Mediating Decision Cycles

We describe a new framework for a metrics system that unifies the reporting of energy across an organization. Today, the energy management discipline is focused primarily on the flow of energy. The stereotypical goal of energy managers is to save money on utility bills, but bills only represent this flow. In reality, energy-related costs occur on different cycles for different durations. The data is needed by many stakeholders—accountants, engineers, impact investors, and so on. Energy statements enable the shift from managing energy-as-a-commodity flows to managing energy-as-strategy decision cycles. This framework analyzes a company’s performance through a nonfinancial lens. It improves the management of assets and elucidates the risks and opportunities of an organization to achieve a sustainable energy outcome.
State-of-the-art TCAD: 25 years ago and today

In the past 25 years, process and device TCAD used in direct support of industrial process development has undergone radical change. In the era of Dennard scaling [1], TCAD efforts in manufacturers such as Intel could arguably be described as advanced applications work. However, with the advent of nanometer device dimensions, the need to calculate fundamental material properties on the fly, resolve quantum effects, and understand the role of atomic-scale defects has shifted TCAD from engineering towards research. Rigorous solutions to Schrodinger’s equations based on NEGF and DFT and semi-classical solutions of the BTE are now in routine use. Concurrently, aging continuum models such as drift-diffusion continue to be infused with more rigorous approaches to maintain accuracy while still affording the fast turn-around-time required by today’s development, which now involves a significant number of novel options under simultaneous consideration. This talk will contrast Intel’s TCAD environment of 25 years ago with today’s and give examples of studies which illustrate the evolution.
CHAPTER 4 – Antigens

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of antigens, which are any foreign materials to which an animal will respond; although all animals sequester antigen, their manner of ridding themselves of antigen differs. Variables that influence differences include, for example, whether the antigen is soluble, particulate, or cellular. The species, age, and probably the sex also influence the response. In addition, the amount of antigen, its route of administration, and whether or not it is soluble or combined with adjuvant all greatly affect its antigenicity and the resulting antibody. The specificity of antigen-antibody interaction and the size of the antigenic determinants reflect the nature of the non-covalent forces responsible for binding. The determinants of a simple polymer with a repetitive structure possess a small number of different specificities. Globular protein-antigens possess a larger variety of specificities that depend to a great extent on the conformation of the whole protein. The capacity of a substance to induce antibody formation is determined by its size and chemical nature. The antigenic determinants must interact with T- and B-cells and probably macrophages to produce an antibody response.
A qualitative examination of college students' perceptions of cannabis: insights into the normalization of cannabis use on a college campus.

Objective: This study aimed to qualitatively examine how perceptions of cannabis differ among college students in an effort to better understand the changing landscape of cannabis on college campus...
Work of electrochemical pressurization of a pore in an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte and implications concerning solid oxide electrolyzer degradation

Abstract Solid oxide electrolyzers are known to degrade by forming cracks in the electrolyte as well as by the occurrence of electrode delamination. The origin of degradation lies in the internal precipitation of oxygen and local pressurization. Internal precipitation of oxygen may occur in a perfect lattice or also in already existing pores or pores formed during longtime operation. Precipitation of oxygen can occur at numerous places but analysis of such a problem is complicated due to the random nature of such events. Here, an analysis is presented on electrochemical internal pressurization of an isolated pore in a solid electrolyte such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). This allows one to model the mechanics of pressurization and precipitation. This precipitation occurs by the transport of oxygen ions and their local oxidation to oxygen gas releasing electrons. Transport of oxygen ions and electrons thus is necessary for internal precipitation in an operating cell. The analysis is also presented on a hypothetical piston–cylinder arrangement to pressurize a pore. A possible experiment consists of embedding a platinum wire at the tip of which exists a pore. The surface of the sample has a porous electrode. Oxygen is electrochemically transported and stored under an applied voltage. Assuming linear elasticity, calculations are presented on strain energy generated in the YSZ sample upon the pressurization of the pore. In addition, estimated is the energy stored in the gas phase assuming it to obey the ideal gas law. The calculations are made under two different assumptions: (a) Pore radius is nearly fixed—applicable at low pressures. (b) Pore radius changes upon pressurization—applicable at high pressures. All equations are developed in a closed form. It is shown that the energy stored in the gas phase is much larger than the strain energy in the solid. The kinetics of pore pressurization is addressed in which the time required to achieve a given pressure is estimated in a parametric form. This work shows that an isolated pore can in principle be pressurized to very high values.
Computational design of two new soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors

Inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) enzymes have shown great potential for the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, current sEH inhibitors have poor physicochemical properties and has not been proven to be safe for human treatments yet. New inhibitor designs could have the potential to improve current drugs9 efficacy, and so in this work, chemical intuition and bioisosteric replacement were used to computationally design two novel sEH inhibitors. These new candidates showed good pharmacokinetic properties and presented better docking scores compared to a known sEH inhibitor, t-TUCB, used in the treatment of pain in horses. Homology analysis revealed that Mus musculus may not be suitable organism for preclinical trials studies of these novel inhibitors.