cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving land‐surface model hydrology: Is an explicit aquifer model better than a deeper soil profile?

Land surface models (LSMs) are computer programs, similar to weather and climate prediction models, which simulate the storage and movement of water (including soil moisture, snow, evaporation, and runoff) after it falls to the ground as precipitation. It is not currently possible to measure all of the variables of interest everywhere on Earth with sufficient accuracy. Hence LSMs have been developed to integrate the available information, including satellite observations, using powerful computers, in order to track water storage and redistribution. The maps are used to improve weather forecasts, support water resources and agricultural applications, and study the Earth's water cycle and climate variability. Recently, the models have begun to simulate groundwater storage. In this paper, we compare several possible approaches, and examine the pitfalls associated with trying to estimate aquifer parameters (such as porosity) that are required by the models. We find that explicit representation of groundwater, as opposed to the addition of deeper soil layers, considerably decreases the sensitivity of modeled terrestrial water storage to aquifer parameter choices. We also show that approximate knowledge of parameter values is not sufficient to guarantee realistic model performance: because interaction among parameters is significant, they must be prescribed as a harmonious set.
The chief justiceship of John Marshall, 1801-1835

A portrait of the US Supreme Court's activities and accomplishments under the Chief Justiceship of John Marshall. The Marshall Court established the supremacy of the federal government in areas of national concern and shaped the structure of federalism in the US before the Civil War.
Micromorphology and dissolution of quartz sand in some exceptionally ancient soils

Abstract Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the effect of prolonged weathering on the micromorphology of quartz sand. Three soil chronosequences in the southeastern United States (Virginia), with weathering profiles ranging in age from ∼ 90 ka to ∼ 10 Ma, were studied. Detrital sand grains from soil B horizons show that dissolution features are crystallographically controlled and develop progressively over time from smaller to larger etch pits, then to an interconnected network of grooves and crevasses, and finally to bulk grain decomposition. SEM also shows that disintegrating quartzite clasts in the oldest gravelly soils have been preferentially leached of silica cement, possibly due to selective weathering along ‘dust lines’ and spalling-off of quartz overgrowths. Severely etched quartz, usually attributed to tropical weathering, is an unreliable paleoclimate indicator because similar features can form as a result of prolonged weathering under a temperate climate. However, the well-defined relationship between quartz micromorphology and duration of weathering suggests that SEM is a useful tool for soil correlation and geomorphic analysis.
Spline Regression in Clinical Research

Objective: The objective of this article is to illustrate the statistical technique of spline regression, an under-utilized tool in clinical research. Spline regression was used to assess the dose-response association between serum albumin and hospital mortality. Methods: Data from a previous study of patients hospitalized throughout Florida, United States of America (USA), for invasive group A streptococcal disease were accessed. For the current analysis, serum albumin (SA) at the time of admission was the risk factor of interest. The outcome was unadjusted hospital mortality among 117 patients. First, a traditional, suboptimal approach was employed by breaking SA into three groups and calculating the crude hospital mortality rate in each SA category. The second approach involved the creation of a curve using a quadratic spline model. Results: The traditional approach yielded only three points of information: the hospital mortality rate for the three SA groups. Among patients whose SA upon admission was < 2.5 g/100 mL, 2.5 to 3.4, and 3.5 or greater, the hospital mortality rate was 40.7%, 14.8%, and 8.3%, respectively. The spline model, however, resulted in a smooth curve which was more clinically plausible. Conclusion: The goal of this paper is to expose clinicians to splines. Spline regression, unlike categorical analysis, does not impose the unrealistic assumption of a homogenous risk within categories. Another disadvantage of categorical analyses is that they allow large changes in risk between categories.
Highly Improved Thermal Properties of Hydroxyl-Containing Polymers via Modification by Benzoxazine Groups

Isocyanate functional benzoxazine (NCO-4HBA-a) is used for coupling with hydroxyl-groupcontaining molecules. Glycerol is used in a model reaction to study the urethane bonds formed between the NCO-4HBA-a and the glycerol’s hydroxyl groups. The model supports a reaction between NCO-4HBA-a and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), which leads to an improved char yield, determined by thermogravimetric analysis. Glycerol-based benzoxazine is also an attractive benzoxazine synthesized from the products of biofuel production. Upon functionalization with benzoxazine and subsequent thermal treatment, the hydroxyl-containing polymer gains thermal stability shown by improved char yield of polybenzoxazine cross-linked PVA.
Product-Type Probability Bounds of Higher Order

GIaz and Johnson [14] introduce ith-order product-type approximations, βi, i =1,…n − 1, for Pn = P(X1 ≤c1, X2 ≤ c2,…Xn≤ cn) and show that Pn≥ βn−1 ≥ βn−2 ≥… ≥ β2 ≥ β1 when X is MTP2. In this article, it is shown thatunder weaker positive dependence conditions. For multivariate normal distributions, these conditions reduce to cov(Xi,Xj) ≥ 0 for 1 ≤ i C1,…,Xn > cn). It is shown that these conditions are satisfied for the multivariate exponential distribution of Marshall and Olkin [20].
Proton MR spectroscopy in the evaluation of cerebral metabolism in patients with fibromyalgia: comparison with healthy controls and correlation with symptom severity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Widespread pain sensitivity in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) suggests a central nervous system (CNS)-processing problem. Therefore, it is conceivable that metabolic alterations exist in pain-processing brain regions of people with FM compared with healthy controls (HC) and that such metabolic data could correlate with clinical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to test these hypotheses using proton MR spectroscopy ( 1 H-MR spectroscopy). Materials and METHODS: There were 21 patients with FM and 27 HC who underwent conventional structural MR imaging and additional 2D-chemical shift imaging (CSI) MR-spectroscopy sequences. For the 2D-CSI spectroscopy, larger volumes of interest (VOIs) were centered at the level of the basal ganglia and the supraventricular white matter. Within these larger areas, 16 smaller voxels were placed in a number of regions previously implicated in pain processing. N -acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine(Cr), choline (Cho)/Cr and NAA/Cho ratios were calculated for each voxel. Subjects underwent clinical and experimental pain assessment. RESULTS: Mean metabolite ratios and ratio variability for each region were analyzed by using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Correlations between clinical symptoms and metabolite ratios were assessed. Cho/Cr variability in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was significantly different in the 2 groups; a significant correlation between Cho/Cr in this location and clinical pain was present in the FM group. Evoked pain threshold correlated significantly with NAA/Cho ratios in the left insula and left basal ganglia. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that there are baseline differences in the variability of brain metabolite relative concentrations between patients with FM and HC, especially in the right DLPFC. Furthermore, there are significant correlations between metabolite ratios and clinical and experimental pain parameters in patients with FM.
Degloving injury of the mandible

A young boy fell off his bicycle, striking his face on the pavement. On arrival in the emergency department, his only apparent injuries were facial abrasions; however, further examination of his oral cavity revealed that the soft tissues overlying the mandible had been stripped from the bone. Oral Surgery was consulted and the patient was taken to the operating room, where debridement and primary closure of the wound was performed under general anesthesia. Soft tissue injuries that result from a shearing or stripping force are termed degloving injuries, which are described best in relation to injuries of the hand, although other body parts can be involved. We report the case of a degloving injury of the mandible, an injury that has not been reported previously.
Collaborate to Learn, Learn to Collaborate: Examining the Roles of Context, Community, and Cognition in Asynchronous Discussion:

This study explored how asynchronous discussion supported by a Web-based learning system facilitated collaborative learning. The participants in this study consisted of the instructor, facilitators, and the students in a master's level course at a university in the south. Different sources of evidence were used in the study (individual/group interviews, and discussion board transcripts), and various methods were used to analyze the data (inductive analysis and discourse analysis). Three main categories with multiple themes emerged from the data as important for facilitating collaborative learning in online environments: context (i.e., structural support, active participation), community (i.e., a formation of membership, generation of social dialogue), and cognition (i.e., a social process of learning, communal facilitation). Implications for research and practice are described at the conclusion of the article.
Information-Theoretic Reflections on PCM Voiceband Modems

This paper deals with the downstream transmission in “56 kbit/s” PCM modems. The channel consists of a digital 64 kbit/s PCM voice channel extending from a digital server modem to a local telephone office (LTO) and an analog subscriber line from the LTO to a client modem. We compute the capacity of the ideal PCM downstream channel, which is represented as a perfectly equalized AWGN channel over which A-law or μ-law symbol levels are transmitted at 8 kbaud. The Blahut—Arimoto algorithm is employed to determine the capacity-achieving symbol probabilities, either with or without a constraint on average symbol power. Coded-modulation methods for downstream transmission are still being studied. In the absence of agreement on a suitable coded-modulation method, first-generation PCM modems employ uncoded modulation and thereby do not achieve reliable 56 kbit/s transmission. We examine the performance gap between capacity-achieving modulation and uncoded modulation, and conclude that true 56 kbit/s transmission may become possible by applying suitable shaping and coding techniques. We also offer an observation that may stimulate further thought on the virtue of the quantization-noise avoidance approach adopted for PCM modems.
Recognizing Facial Expressions by Tracking Feature Shapes

Reliable facial expression recognition by machine is still a challenging task. We propose a framework to recognise various expressions by tracking facial features. Our method uses localized active shape models to track feature points in the subspace obtained from localized non-negative matrix factorization. The tracked feature points are used to train conditional model for recognising prototypic expressions like anger, disgust, fear, joy, surprise and sadness. We formulate the task as a sequence labelling problem and use conditional random fields (CRF) to probabilistically predict expressions. In CRF, the distribution is conditioned on the entire sequence rather than a single observation. For the joint probability defined for the entire sequence, CRF does global normalization of the exponential model, as opposed to MEMM, for which the per state exponential distribution is locally normalized. Unlike generative models (HMM), no prior dependencies between the features are assumed. We adopt a simplistic approach to classify expressions without explicitly monitoring the change in shapes of the individual facial features. Instead, we allow CRF to learn the complex dependencies between the features and recognize the expressions directly. Experimental results demonstrate that accurately tracked feature shapes provide reliable discriminative cues to robustly recognize facial expressions for an image sequence
Restoration of Normal L-Type Ca2+ Channel Function During Timothy Syndrome by Ablation of an Anchoring Protein

Rationale:L-type Ca2+ (CaV1.2) channels shape the cardiac action potential waveform and are essential for excitation–contraction coupling in heart. A gain-of-function G406R mutation in a cytoplasmic loop of CaV1.2 channels causes long QT syndrome 8 (LQT8), a disease also known as Timothy syndrome. However, the mechanisms by which this mutation enhances CaV1.2-LQT8 currents and generates lethal arrhythmias are unclear. Objective:To test the hypothesis that the anchoring protein AKAP150 modulates CaV1.2-LQT8 channel gating in ventricular myocytes. Methods and Results:Using a combination of molecular, imaging, and electrophysiological approaches, we discovered that CaV1.2-LQT8 channels are abnormally coupled to AKAP150. A pathophysiological consequence of forming this aberrant ion channel-anchoring protein complex is enhanced CaV1.2-LQT8 currents. This occurs through a mechanism whereby the anchoring protein functions like a subunit of CaV1.2-LQT8 channels that stabilizes the open conformation and augments t...
A technology optimization process for heavy hybrid electric vehicle systems using computational models

We have developed a computer-based technology optimization process to define vehicle systems that meet specified goals and constraints using a minimum amount of resources. The process is built around answering three questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to go? And what is the best way to get there? A technical target setting algorithm helps answer the last question. The target setting algorithm uses computational models that predict system responses for various combinations of technology attributes, quantitatively defined requirements and goals, and relationships between improvements in technology attributes and resource requirements. The algorithm yields the mix of technologies that achieve overall program and vehicle goals using a minimum amount of resources. This process was developed for and applied to the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Heavy Hybrid Propulsion Systems activity. In this paper, we describe the technology optimization process, with a focus on technical target setting, and illustrate its use with a simple example.
Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (matrilysin) controls neutrophil egress by generating chemokine gradients

Matrilysin [matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7)] is induced by mucosal injury of many tissues. To assess function of this proteinase, we subjected wild-type and Mmp7(-/-) mice to acute colon injury. When matrilysin expression was increasing, 73% of wild-type mice died, whereas only 32% of Mmp7(-/-) mice succumbed. Although re-epithelialization was delayed in Mmp7(-/-) mice, overall injury did not differ markedly between genotypes. We hypothesized that differences in acute inflammation caused increased mortality in wild-type mice. Indeed, whereas overall neutrophil influx into tissue was similar in wild-type and Mmp7(-/-) mice, their location and extent of migration differed between genotypes. Neutrophils were dispersed throughout the mucosa and within the lumen of wild-type mice, but these leukocytes were largely confined to the submucosa in Mmp7(-/-) mice. The levels of neutrophil chemokines, keratinocyte-derived chemokine and MIP-2, increased in the colon tissue of both genotypes, but these factors were detected only in lumenal lavages of wild-type mice. Our findings indicate that matrilysin mediates beneficial and deleterious effects in response to injury. On one hand, it promotes re-epithelialization, but it also controls the transepithelial influx of neutrophils, which if excessive, can lead to tissue damage.
Point dissipative 2D systems with conservative homogeneous nonlinear term

We study a class of nonlinear dynamical systems whose nonlinear terms are homogeneous polynomials of degree m. A system is point dissipative if there exists a closed bounded set which every trajectory eventually enters and remains within. This is an extension of previous results for homogeneous quadratic polynomials. >
Identification of External System Equivalents for Steady-State Security Assessment

A methodology is developed for obtaining network equivalents of external systems for on-line security assessement purposes. The problem is formulated either as a constrained or unconstrained optimization problem. By proper selection of the topology of the equivalent network, sparsity effects are retained while the accuracy of outage analysis using the equivalent model is maintained within predetermined bounds. This methodology is foreseen as the basis for testing and updating network equivalents for on-line applications.
Improving solubility and refolding efficiency of human VHs by a novel mutational approach

The antibody V H domains of camelids tend to be soluble and to resist aggregation, in contrast to human V H domains. For immunotherapy, attempts have therefore been made to improve the properties of human V H s by camelization of a small set of framework residues. Here, we have identified through sequence comparison of well-folded llama V H domains an alternative set of residues (not typically camelid) for mutation. Thus, the solubility and thermal refolding efficiency of a typical human V H , derived from the human antibody BT32/A6, were improved by introduction of two mutations in framework region (FR) 1 and 4 to generate BT32/A6.L1. Three more mutations in FR3 of BT32/A6.L1 further improved the thermal refolding efficiency while retaining solubility and cooperative melting profiles. To demonstrate practical utility, BT32/A6.L1 was used to construct a phage display library from which were isolated human V H s with good antigen binding activity and solubility. The engineered human V H domains described here may be useful for immunotherapy, due to their expected low immunogenicity, and in applications involving transient high temperatures, due to their efficient refolding after thermal denaturation.
Regrowth and production of herbaceous riparian vegetation following defoliation

Abstract Stubble height regulations are frequently used to manage livestock grazing of herbaceous riparian vegetation. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of stubble height, time of clipping and soil water status on production and regrowth of herbaceous riparian vegetation. We used a randomized block design with 4 study sites on each of 3 small (< 2m width) streams in northern Harney County, Ore. In June and July of 2000–2003, 40 × 50 cm experimental plots were clipped to stubble heights of 5.1 (2 inch), 10.2 (4 inch), or 15.2 cm (6 inch), and paired control plots were left unclipped. Complete treatment sets were located adjacent to the stream and 4 m from the stream at each site. All plots were clipped to 1 cm in October and regrowth was calculated by comparing clipped and control plots. Water table depth was measured weekly using PVC wells. Results indicate that height regrowth was associated positively with stubble height (P < 0.01) and was less with July compared to June clipping (...
Enhancement of Misonidazole Chemopotentiation by Mild Hyperthermia (41°C) in Vitro and Selective Enhancement in Vivo

SummaryExperiments were designed to test the hypothesis that mild heat treatment would selectively increase misonidazole (MISO) chemopotentiation of CCNU toxicity in hypoxic versus aerobic cells in vitro and in tumours in vivo via an augmentation of nitroreduction. EMT-6 cells were exposed to CCNU ± 1·0 mm MISO under aerobic or hypoxic conditions for 4 h either at a constant 37°C or at 41°C for the first hour followed by 37°C for the remaining 3 h. Chemopotentiation was not observed under aerobic conditions and heat treatment did not modify CCNU toxicity. Co-incubation with MISO and CCNU under hypoxic conditions resulted in enhanced toxicity (i.e. chemopotentiation) with either incubation protocol; however, the magnitude of the enhancement was significantly larger (P < 0·025) when 41°C incubation was included. Systemic heat treatment produced a similar enhancement of chemopotentiation in KHT tumours in C3H/HeN mice treated with MISO (0·5 mg g−1) and whole body hyperthermia (41°C, 1 h) prior to administrat...
Descripción del efecto de los ejercicios de la extremidad superior ipsilateral realizados con realidad virtual en mujeres sometidas a mastectomía

Resumen Objetivo Describir los efectos de la rehabilitacion fisica temprana sobre el dolor y la funcionalidad de la extremidad superior en pacientes mastectomizadas, mediante la realizacion de ejercicios con realidad virtual. Metodo Estudio descriptivo realizado en mujeres con mastectomia unilateral sin enfermedad de hombro (n = 77; 41, grupo de estudio; 36 grupo de control), agrupadas conforme al tipo de mastectomia: parcial con ganglio centinela, parcial con vaciamiento axilar y radical modificada. El septimo dia tras la cirugia, se aplico un protocolo de rehabilitacion fisica basado en ejercicios con realidad virtual (consola Wii™). Las pacientes fueron evaluadas con respecto al dolor con una escala visual analoga y al grado de funcionalidad de la extremidad superior ipsilateral a la mastectomia (QuickDASH). Las mediciones se realizaron antes de la cirugia (preoperatorio-dia 0) y tras la cirugia los dias 7 y 30, periodo durante el cual se aplico el protocolo al grupo de estudio. El analisis estadistico es descriptivo y los resultados se presentan en promedios con el error estandar asociado. Resultados En los 3 grupos de pacientes mastectomizadas que se sometieron a rehabilitacion fisica temprana con realidad virtual (consola Wii™) disminuyo el dolor; en las pacientes del grupo de control con mastectomia parcial con ganglio centinela y mastectomia radical modificada el dolor se incremento. En las pacientes del grupo de estudio aumento la funcionalidad de la extremidad superior ipsilateral a la mastectomia, especialmente en las del grupo con mastectomia radical modificada; en cambio, en las pacientes del grupo de control solo se incremento levemente. Conclusion Las pacientes mastectomizadas, al someterse a rehabilitacion fisica temprana con realidad virtual, ven disminuido el dolor y experimentan un incremento en la funcionalidad de la extremidad superior ipsilateral a la mastectomia.
Ductile, High Heat Capacity, Magnetic Regenerator Alloys for the 10 to 80 K Temperature Range

New erbium-based regenerator materials have been developed as a replacement for lead in low temperature cryocoolers. These alloys have volumetric heat capacities which are 20 to 185% larger than that of lead from 10 to 80 K. These magnetic, ductile, oxidation resistant erbium alloys are more than 10 times stronger than lead and have a thermal conductivity ∼10 times lower than lead. The alloys can easily be fabricated into spheres, foils, ribbons, and wires, and are environmentally friendly, non-toxic materials. A layered regenerator composed of three different erbium alloy compositions is recommended as the most efficient system to improve the cryocoolers’ performance to “get the lead out.”
Direct torque control of permanent magnet synchronous machine using Sparse matrix converter with SiC switches

This paper describes an investigation of a new control method for Sparse matrix converters (SMC) using Silicon Carbide (SiC) switches fed direct torque control (DTC) of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives. Using this control method, it is possible to combine the sparse matrix converters with VSI-DTC, which reduces the torque ripple, does not require rotational co-ordinate transformation, and no need to calculate duty cycle and ensure fixed switching frequency. Mathematical expressions for change rates of torque and flux of PMSM are derived as a function of SMC voltage vectors. Then, the SMC-fed DTC algorithm is implemented based on the VSI and SMC switching table. Some numerical simulation are carried out, showing the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in reducing torque ripple for SMC-based PMSM derives.
Transient Photoconductivity in GaAs Films Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Hahn-Meitner-Institut, D-1000 Berlin 39, W. Germany Abstract The transient photoconductivity, in MBE grown silicon doped GaAs films, was studied by a contactless microwave conductivity technique. The dark carrier concentration of the investigated films varies from 4 x 1014 cm-3 to 6 x 1017 cm-3. At least two decay channels can be distinguished. An initial fast decay process (t<20 ns), which is excitation intensity dependent, followed by a slower one. The fast decay is tentativly identified with a direct electron-hole recombination and is more pronounced at high excitation intensities and in low impurity materials. The slower decay component is characterized by effective electron lifetimes ranging from 2 µs for low impurity fims up to 100 µs for high impurity samples. It can be concluded that an increase of the Si-concentration leads to an increase in the concentration of hole traps, which quenches the initial electron-hole recombination and decreases the electron decay rate in the microsecond region.
Individual sensory experiences, socialized senses, and everyday lived religion in practice:

Building on the conference theme, ‘Sensing Religion’, this article argues that the sociology of religion needs to pay attention to sensory experiences. Our discipline has traditionally focused on r...
Electrocardiographic indicators of acute coronary syndrome are more common in patients with ambulance transport compared to those who self-transport to the emergency department journal of electrocardiology

Abstract Introduction The American Heart Association recommends individuals with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) activate the Emergency Medical Services' (EMS) 911 system for ambulance transport to the emergency department (ED), which enables treatment to begin prior to hospital arrival. Despite this recommendation, the majority of patients with symptoms suspicious of ACS continue to self-transport to the ED. The IMMEDIATE AIM study was a prospective study that enrolled individuals who presented to the ED with ischemic symptoms. Objectives The purpose of this secondary analysis was to determine differences in patients presenting the ED for possible ACS who arrive by ambulance versus self-transport on: 1) time-to-initial hospital electrocardiogram (ECG), 2) presence of ischemic ECG changes, and 3) patient characteristics. Methods Initial 12-lead ECGs acquired upon patient arrival to the ED were evaluated for ST-elevation, ST-depression, and T-wave inversion. ECG signs of ischemia were analyzed both individually and collapsed into an independent dichotomous variable (ED ECG ischemia yes/no) for statistical analysis. Patient characteristics tested included: gender, age, race, ethnicity, English speaking, living alone, mode of transport, and presenting symptoms (chest pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, syncope, and clinical history). Results In 1299 patients (mean age 63.9, 46.7% male), 384 (29.6%) patients arrived by ambulance to the ED. The mean time-to-initial ECG was 47 minutes for ambulance patients versus 53 minutes for self-transport patients ( p p = 0.004). There were significantly higher rates of ECG changes of ischemia for patients who arrived by ambulance versus self-transport ( p = 0.02), and patient characteristics differed by mode of transport to the ED. Discussion Our findings indicate that less than 30% of individuals with symptoms of ACS activate the EMS ‘911’ system for ambulance transport to the ED. Individuals more likely to activate 911 have timelier ECG but higher rates of ischemic changes, specifically ST-depression and T-wave inversion. Individuals least likely to activate 911 are women, younger individuals, Latino ethnicity, live with a significant other, and those experiencing chest or jaw pain.
Effect of Sulphur Nutrition on Agronomic and Quality Attributes of Wheat

Global sulphur deficiency in arable lands is mainly due to phasing out of S-containing fertilizers and decrease in atmospheric deposition due to reduced emissions of SO, since the 1970’s. Wheat has a low S requirement and addition of 10–20 kg/ha in most soil types is sufficient for maximum yield and optimum quality. Field experiments are the most direct and reliable methods of determining nutritional status of the soil. In addition to field trials, m any chemical indices have been investigated for diagnosis of S deficiency. Among these indices malate:sulphate ratio is a simple one step procedure for determination of soil S status. A malate:sulphate ratio of≤1 indicates S sufficiency and ratio of>1 suggests S deficiency.
Incidence of CNS Demyelinating Syndromes

Researchers at Los Angeles Medical Center, and University of California, San Francisco determined the incidence and clinical features of pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) and other forms of acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) in the multiethnic membership of Kaiser Permanente Southern California from Jan 1, 2004, to Dec 31, 2009.
WorldCursor: Pointing in Intelligent Environments with a Tele-operated Laser Pointer

We introduce the WorldCursor, a pointing device and cursor designed for intelligent environments. The WorldCursor is analogous to the mouse and cursor used in traditional GUIs: the user may select and interact with a physical device by positioning the cursor on the device and clicking. We use the XWand as a physical pointing mechanism, and couple it with the WorldCursor device which projects a cursor on the physical environment. The WorldCursor improves upon the XWand by removing the need for external positioning technology such as video cameras. INTRODUCTION In [1] we introduce the XWand, a hardware device and associated signal processing algorithms that controls multiple connected devices in a natural manner. For example, an XWand user may turn on a light in the room by pointing the wand at the light and pressing the button on the wand. Figure 1 shows the XWand prototype as demonstrated at UIST 2002. The XWand system determines which device the user is pointing at by combining the orientation and 3-d position of the wand with a 3-d model of the room and the devices within it. Orientation of the wand is determined from onboard sensors, while wand position is determined with stereo computer vision. The 3-d model of the room and devices is entered into the system by pointing with the wand itself in a special training mode. With the orientation, position and model of the room, it is easy to determine which object in the world model the wand is pointing at, if any. Users of the XWand are often impressed with the immediate and natural feel of absolute pointing. However, the pure geometry-based approach which enables absolute pointing also has a number of important drawbacks: • Two or more cameras must be permanently mounted in the room. Besides the difficulty of installation, such cameras inevitably draw objections related to privacy. • The cameras must be carefully calibrated to the room geometry upon installation, and recalibrated if they are moved. • At least two cameras must have clear sight-lines to the wand at all times. • The three dimensional position of each active device in the room must be known. • Small errors in the orientation and position information translate to inaccuracy in pointing, possibly disrupting the interaction. We set about exploring alternatives to absolute pointing, with the goal of eliminating the three dimensional positioning system. One general approach is to place tags in the environment, but they have drawbacks as well. By design tags require installation on every active device. Figure 1: The XWand.
Post-Operative Parsonage Turner Syndrome: A Ghost of Christmas Past? (P01.134)

OBJECTIVE: We explore the role of surgery as a risk factor in the development of Parsonage Turner sydnrome (PTS) by examining two cases where patients presented with this condition post-operatively, one of whom underwent a total hip replacement and the other a surgery for clavicle malunion. BACKGROUND: PTS is a neuropathy of the brachial plexus which occurs in two forms: hereditary and idiopathic. Although the etiology of most forms remains idiopathic, the most plausible theories implicate an immune-mediated reaction. DESIGN/METHODS: Two cases are reported in which PTS was observed post operatively. RESULTS: Case 1: A 36 year old man reported pain followed by numbness and weakness in the left upper extremity after clavicle malunion surgery. He was found to have a brachial neuritis on EMG. Case 2: A 54 year old woman presented with pain in the left shoulder and arm followed by weakness of left digit 2 and thumb flexion following a right total hip replacement and was found to have a left anterior interosseous neuropathy on examination and EMG and was diagnosed with Parsonage Turner syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: PTS can be a difficult syndrome to diagnose. The exact cause is unknown but many factors are thought to influence its development, including trauma, infection, viral disease, heavy exercise, immunization, and autoimmune conditions. We believe that post-operative patients are at risk for developing brachial neuritis. Only two other post-operative PTS caes have been described in the literature but we suspect that many more exist but are not acknowledged due to lack of recognition of this phenomenon. Literature suggests that the stres of surgery may activate an unidentified virus lying dormant in nerve roots. These cases are additional evidence that surgery can serve as a precipitating event that activates the immune process that is implicated in Parsonage Turner syndrome. Disclosure: Dr. Shetty has nothing to disclose. Dr. Villegas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Voigt has nothing to disclose.
Late relapse in soft tissue sarcoma: Prognostic factors for recurrence after 3 years.

10570 Background: In patients (pts) with localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS), 80% of relapses occur within the first 2 years (yrs) after definitive resection. However, relapse after 3 yrs is not un...
Abstract 4202: Trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, augments nab-paclitaxel based chemotherapy response in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is currently the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the USA with a 5-year survival less than 6%. Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel, NPT) has demonstrated 8.5 months median survival in combination with gemcitabine, and now represents a standard of care for PDAC patients. Genetic alterations of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signaling pathway yielding constitutive activation of the ERK cascade have been implicated in many human cancers. In PDAC, activating K-ras mutations occur at a frequency of 90%, rendering this a potential therapeutic target. Efforts to develop drugs that directly target mutant KRAS protein remain challenging due to target specificity issues. Alternative strategies therefore focus towards inhibition of downstream targets in the RAS-MAPK cascade such as MEK. Trametinib (Tra) is a potent and highly selective small molecule inhibitor of MEK1/2 kinase activity. We evaluated efficacy of trametinib to enhance antitumor response of nab-paclitaxel based chemotherapy regimens in preclinical models of PDAC using K-ras mutant cell lines. In subcutaneous PDAC xenografts using AsPC-1 cells, net tumor growth in different therapy groups was 432.6 mm3 in controls, 105.3 mm3 after NPT (p=0.0023), 184 mm3 after Tra (p=0.0018), 81 mm3 after NPT+Tra (p=0.0003), 37.3 mm3 after NPT+Gem (p=0.0025) and -8.1 mm3 (tumor regression) after NPT+Gem+Tra (p Citation Format: Niranjan Awasthi, Sheena Monahan, Alexis Stefaniak, Margaret A. Schwarz, Roderich E. Schwarz. Trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, augments nab-paclitaxel based chemotherapy response in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4202. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4202
Highly selective acylation of polyamines and aminoglycosides by 5-acyl-5-phenyl-1,5-dihydro-4: H -pyrazol-4-ones

5-Acyl-5-phenyl-1,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazol-4-ones, accessible from arylpropargyl phenyldiazoacetates, are highly selective acyl transfer reagents for di- and polyamines, as well as aminoalcohols and aminothiols. As reagents with a carbon-based leaving group, they have been applied for benzoyl transfer with a broad selection of substrates containing aliphatic amino in combination with other competing nucleophilic functional groups. The substrate scope and levels of selectivity for direct benzoyl transfer exceed those of known benzoylating reagents. With exceptional selectivity for acylation between primary amines bound to primary and secondary carbons, these new reagents have been used in direct site-selective monobenzoylation of aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Evaluating hydrophobic galactonoamidines as transition state analogs for enzymatic β-galactoside hydrolysis.

Abstract A spectroscopic examination of six galactonoamidines with inhibition constants and efficacy in the low nanomolar concentration range (Ki = 6–11 nM, IC50 = 12–36 nM) suggested only two of them as putative transition state analogs for the hydrolysis of β-galactosides by β-galactosidase (A. oryzae). A rationale for the experimental results was elaborated using docking and molecular dynamics studies. An analysis of the combined observations reveals several common factors of the compounds suggested as transition state analogs (TSAs): the putative TSAs have a similar orientation in the active site; show conserved positioning of the glycon; display a large number of H-bond interactions toward the catalytically active amino acid residues via their glycon; and exhibit hydrophobic interactions at the outer rim of the active site with small changes of the position and orientation of their respective aglycons.
Impact of Microbes on the Intestinal Development of the Preterm Infant

The preterm intestine is not ready for life outside the womb because of its impaired digestive, absorptive, and motility capabilities. Intestinal barrier function is inadequate and enterocyte contributions to innate immunity are hyper-responsive, predisposing the infant to inflammatory disease and sepsis. Microbial colonization plays a significant role in normal postnatal development of the intestine. Microbial–host interactions can enhance motility, digestion, and absorption, in addition to strengthening barrier function and encouraging immune homeostasis. These benefits are not seen in preterm infants who experience delayed and altered microbial community colonization after birth, termed dysbiosis. In combination with the reduced gut functions in the preterm infant, dysbiosis can further damage existing gut functions and exacerbate the hyper-reactive inflammatory state, which increases the risk for inflammatory diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This chapter details the role of the microbiome in intestinal maturation and outlines ways in which poor clinical outcomes in the preterm infant, such as NEC, could be circumvented through clinical interventions that optimize the microbiome community.
Effect of a Computerized Individual Education Program (IEP) Writer on Time Savings and Quality.

This study compared the amount of time 42 special education teachers in the state of Hawaii took to write handwritten and computer-generated Individual Education Programs (IEPS) after 12 hours of t...
Criminal Opportunities in Legitimate Businesses: Control Policy Issues

What are the strategies of illegal firms, crime organizations, that enable them to successfully infiltrate legitimate businesses? If this question can be answered satisfactorily, it should inform law enforcement control policies and assist agencies in anticipating the types of businesses likely to be targeted by criminal groups. By understanding the operational characteristics of criminal enterprises that threaten the upperworld community of business, labor, and commerce in general, organized crime policies can be developed that can weaken the capacities of criminal groups.
Sustainable and Cost-Effective Pavement Preservation Method: Micromilling and Thin Overlay

AbstractTo respond to funding shortages and sustainably preserve their aged pavements, transportation agencies are forced to go beyond conventional thinking to develop innovative, cost-effective pa...
Progressive Decoupling of Linkages in Optimization and Variational Inequalities with Elicitable Convexity or Monotonicity

Algorithms for problem decomposition and splitting in optimization and the solving of variational inequalities have largely depended on assumptions of convexity or monotonicity. Here, a way of “eliciting” convexity or monotonicity is developed which can get around that limitation. It supports a procedure called the progressive decoupling algorithm, which is derived from the proximal point algorithm through passing to a partial inverse, localizing and rescaling. In the optimization setting, elicitability of convexity corresponds to a new and very general kind of second-order sufficient condition for a local minimum. Applications are thereby opened up to problem decomposition and splitting even in nonconvex optimization, moreover with augmented Lagrangians for subproblems assisting in the implementation.
Corrections to the General Fourth-Order FDTD Schemes

The sampling weights and approximate stability criteria for two general fourth-order accurate FDTD schemes were previously derived by Smith et al. However, inconsistencies between several of their governing equations and corresponding solutions were recently discovered. Upon rederiving the full 3-D, fourth-order FDTD dispersion relation, two separate errors were identified in the original work. This paper details these errors and provides corrected sampling weights. Exact stability criteria are also derived and stated for the first time.
Cellular and Mucosal Immune Responses Following Vaccination with Inactivated Mutant of Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) can cause mild to severe gastrointestinal disease in humans. Cattle are the primary reservoir for O157, which colonizes the intestinal tract without inducing any overt clinical symptoms. Parenteral vaccination can reduce O157 shedding in cattle after challenge and limit zoonotic transmission to humans, although the impact of vaccination and vaccine formulation on cellular and mucosal immune responses are undetermined. To better characterize the cattle immune response to O157 vaccination, cattle were vaccinated with either water-in-oil-adjuvanted, formalin-inactivated hha deletion mutant of Shiga toxin 2 negative (stx2−) O157 (Adj-Vac); non-adjuvanted (NoAdj-Vac); or non-vaccinated (NoAdj-NoVac) and peripheral T cell and mucosal antibody responses assessed. Cattle in Adj-Vac group had a higher percentage of O157-specific IFNγ producing CD4+ and γδ+ T cells in recall assays compared to the NoAdj-Vac group. Furthermore, O157-specific IgA levels detected in feces of the Adj-Vac group were significantly lower in NoAdj-Vac group. Extracts prepared only from Adj-Vac group feces blocked O157 adherence to epithelial cells. Taken together, these data suggest parenteral administration of adjuvanted, inactivated whole-cell vaccines for O157 can induce O157-specific cellular and mucosal immune responses that may be an important consideration for a successful vaccination scheme.
From Rational Choice to Reflexivity: Learning from Sen, Keynes, Hayek, Soros, and most of all, from Darwin

This paper identifies the major failings of mainstream economics and the rational choice theory it relies upon. These failures were identified by the four figures mentioned in the title: economics treats agents as rational fools; by the time the long run equilibrium arrives, we are all dead; the social, political and economic institutions that meet most urgent human needs most effectively could not have been the result of rational choice, but their ‘spontaneous order’ needs to be explained; human uncertainty and reflexivity prohibit a predictively useful rational choice approach to human affairs, and even limit its role in institution design. What unifies the perspectives of all four of these critics of neoclassical economics, however, is their implicit reliance or on need for a Darwinian perspective on human affairs.
The Crystal Structure of the Beta Subunit of Luteinizing Hormone and a Model for the Intact Hormone

Abstract The β subunit of bovine luteinizing hormone (LH) was crystallized and its structure solved to 3.15 ​A resolution by molecular replacement using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) β subunit as search model. The asymmetric unit contains two copies of the β subunit that are related by a non-crystallographic symmetry (NCS) two-fold axis, both copies of which contain proteolytic cleavages after amino acid 100. It is noteworthy that the oligosaccharide moieties covalently attached at asparagine 13 were particularly pronounced in the electron density, allowing seven sugar residues to be defined. The α subunit of LH, which is common to all glycosylated gonadotropin hormones, was placed by superposition of hCG on the LH beta subunits, thereby yielding a model for the intact hormone.
Making Connections: Student-Teacher Rapport in Higher Education Classrooms: Student-teacher rapport in higher education classrooms

Educational research asserts the importance of establishing rapport between teachers and their students for the sake of fostering a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Especially given the disparities in outcomes of university students, it is imperative for educators and policy makers to look at teaching practices in the college classroom as well as policies relevant to teaching and learning in university contexts. This paper reports on an ethnographic study of a college-level academic writing class, centering on how its writing teacher seeks to establish rapport and facilitate understanding with first- and second-year undergraduate students. The findings presented in this paper highlight examples practitioners can examine to validate student knowledge and participation as well as mitigate the effects of differences in identity between teacher and student. This paper closes by inviting discussion and reflection of college-level teachers' practices in the classroom and whether they elicit engagement from students.
Resilience Assessment of Self-healing Distribution Systems Under Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and winter storms cause severe damage and failures to power systems, especially distribution systems. This paper proposes a resilience assessment model for self-healing distribution systems under extreme weather events. The aim of the model is to quantify the performance of the system starting from pre-event to post-event stage. A simulation-based fragility model is presented to capture the interaction between weather and physical power infrastructure. A mixed-integer linear optimization model is proposed to achieve self-healing operation with the objective to minimize load shedding. Furthermore, a resilience metric based on performance curve is applied to assess the system resilience. The effectiveness of the proposed model is tested on the modified IEEE 123-bus test feeder against different hurricane levels.