cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational intelligence and soft computing for space applications

Systems using computational intelligence and soft computing have been successfully developed for many industrial and space applications. These systems seek to emulate the type of reasoning that humans perform when solving complex tasks. The field of soft computing, as defined by Zadeh-the inventor of fuzzy logic-encompasses fuzzy logic as well as other methodologies such as neural networks, genetic algorithms, and uncertainty management. It is expected that soft-computing techniques will eventually become as common and prevalent as traditional methods of computer science. This paper presents an overview of applications of fuzzy logic and soft computing to space projects. The role of fuzzy systems that can learn from experience to improve their performance is discussed. We present a report on applications of these adaptive systems to NASA space projects such as the orbital operations of the Space Shuttle, which include attitude control and rendezvous/docking operations. We also provide insights on the future of computational intelligence and soft computing and of their vast potential in industrial applications.
Deficient realities: expertise and uncertainty among tea plantation workers in Sri Lanka

In May 2009, nearly three decades of civil war in Sri Lanka came to an end with the Government of Sri Lanka’s defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Often eclipsed within representations of the country’s civil and political conflict, Malaiyaha or Hill Country Tamils, who primarily reside and work on Sri Lanka’s tea plantations, have experienced protracted forms of discrimination that directly result from social and economic matrices of escalating civil violence, legal and affective exclusion, and neoliberal policies of worker dispossession. Based on ethnographic research conducted in the immediate aftermath of war, this article focuses on Malaiyaha Tamils encounters with economic and bodily uncertainty in postwar Sri Lanka and their responses to hegemonic forms of knowledge about their heritage and present marginalization from Sri Lankan society. By presenting an ethnographic narrative of a cāmi pākkiratu (“consulting god”) healing ritual on a tea plantation, I argue that Malaiyaha Tamils, when intimately confronted with deficient realities that emerge from the more subtle effects of sustained dispossession on their community, cultivate modalities of expertise that destabilize the more dominant, subordinating perceptions about their worth and emplacement as minority workers in Sri Lanka. Such modalities suggest that building knowledge and competency within one’s conditions of dispossession cannot be understood as simple resistance or agency. Rather, such modalities of expertise complicate the redacted categories into which Malaiyaha Tamil plantation workers are persistently emplaced by affirming both new possibilities alongside the subtle militarization and persistent dispossession of minority workers in postwar Sri Lanka.
Translating Career Theory to Practice: The Risk of Unintentional Social Injustice

An important aspect of social justice involves ensuring that effective career guidance is readily accessible to all citizens. The career theory used to guide the delivery of career services can contribute to or detract from social justice. This article examines the translation of career theory to practice, the effectiveness of career interventions, and access to career guidance. Collaborative career counseling is presented as an intervention to improve access to career services.
The liver transplant waiting list--a single-center analysis.

At this transplant center 1340 patients were entered on the liver transplant waiting list during the first 25 months (October 1987 to November 1989) after the initiation of the UNOS allocation system for liver grafts. Of these 972 (72.5%) of the patients received a graft, 120 (9.0%) died waiting for a graft, 109 (8.1%) remained on the active list as of the study endpoint of December 15, 1989, 123 (9.2%) were withdrawn from candidacy, and 16 (1.2%) received a transplant at another center. A total of 1201 patients were candidates for a first graft. Of the 812 primary candidates who received a graft, 64.8% received their graft within one month of entry on the waiting list. Of the 109 primary candidates who died before a graft could be found, 79.0% died within a month of entry onto the waiting list. At time of transplantation, 135 (16.6%) primary recipients of a graft were UNOS class 1, 326 (40.1%) were UNOS class 2, 190 (23.4%) were UNOS class 3, and 161 (19.8%) were UNOS class 4. Actuarial survival rates (percentage) at 6 months for recipients in UNOS class 1, class 2, class 3, and class 4 were 88.7±2.9, 82.6+2.1, 78.4±3.2, and 68.4±3.9, respectively (P<0.001). At the time of death of recipients who failed to get a graft, 6 (5.5%) were UNOS class 1, 14 (12.8%) were UNOS class 2, 23 (21.1%) were UNOS class 3, and 66 (60.6%) were UNOS class 4. These results indicate that a high proportion of liver transplant candidates are in urgent need of a graft and that the UNOS system succeeds in giving these patients high priority. However patient mortality on the waiting list and after transplantation would lessen significantly if more patients with end-stage liver disease were referred to the transplant center in a timely manner before their condition reaches the point where the probability of survival is diminished. © 1991 by Williams & Wilkins.
Damage diagnosis using a kernel-based method

This paper presents the use of a kernel-basedmachine learning technique, popular in the field of pattern recognition, to detect and classify various forms of damage states in both isotropic and anisotropic structures. A classification algorithm based on one-class Support Vector Machines (SVMs) is used for damage detection. The SVMs use a Gaussian kernel to map the input attributes to the high dimensional feature space and the transformed features are linearly separated by a decision plane. A procedure for obtaining the optimal value of the hyperparameter that controls the smoothness of the kernel is described. The type of damage addressed in this paper includes a combination of loose bolt and fatigue crack damage in a single lap, Al 6061-T651, bolted joints. Graphitelepoxy composite laminates with different types of damage are also studied, taking into account uncertainties in the measurement and material properties. The results show that the algorithm is able to accurately distinguish between different torque states and changes in crack length in the bolted joint sample. In anisotropic media, the algorithm was able to detect and classify various damage signatures with significant accuracy, using mutual information of two sensors. The algorithm was able to produce similar levels of accuracy when variability due to material properties was introduced.
Unsupervised video segmentation by dynamic volume growing and multivariate volume merging using color-texture-gradient features

We propose a new unsupervised technique for segmentation of digital video that partitions its constituents by identifying homogeneous sub-volumes within the data treated as a three dimensional (3-D) spatio-temporal volume. Our approach is commenced by subjecting the input video to a 3-D gradient detection method that determines the magnitude of color changes across the volume. The computed gradient is utilized to guide a volume growing procedure, initiated at spatio-temporal locations with small gradient magnitudes and concluded at locations with large gradient magnitudes, to yield an initial set of homogeneous sub-volumes. These partitions are further refined by integrating them with an entropy-based texture descriptor as well as color and gradient features in a multivariate volume merging procedure that fuses sub-volumes with similar attributes, to yield the final segmentation. Our approach was tested on several simple-to-complex video sequences with favorable results.
Acute Renal Failure After Placement of Tobramycin-Impregnated Bone Cement in an Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty

Tobramycin-impregnated bone cement is frequently used in revision procedures of infected total hip and knee arthroplasties. Aminoglycoside-impregnated cement is typically fashioned into beads or block spacers, which are temporarily placed in infected joint spaces. The use of aminoglycoside-impregnated bone cement has allowed the local concentration to exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration breakpoint of susceptible organisms while serum concentrations after 48 hours were usually not detected. Nephrotoxic complications are rarely encountered with this type of antibiotic delivery method. However, we report the case of an 85-year-old man with a history of renal insufficiency who experienced acute renal failure after undergoing revision treatment of an infected knee arthroplasty with the combined use of tobramycin-cefazolin bone cement and a block spacer. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity from the use of this combination.
Effects of Food Type, Habitat, and Fish Predation on the Relative Abundance of Two Amphipod Species, Gammarus fasciatus and Echinogammarus ischnus

Abstract We evaluated the abundance patterns of Gammarus fasciatus and Echinogammarus ischnus in dreissenid and macrophyte areas in Hatchery Bay, Lake Erie before (1997) and after round goby (2001, 2002) invaded the area. Total amphipod abundance was higher before round goby invasion in both habitats. In mussel beds, E. ischnus abundance was similar or significantly higher than G. fasciatus . In macrophytes, G. fasciatus was significantly more abundant than E. ischnus. In laboratory experiments, we compared amphipod survivorship and growth when fed mussel feces and pseudofeces (F+P) or macrophytes with epiphytes (M+E). Gammarus fasciatus survivorship and growth were higher when fed F+P than M+E. Echinogammarus ischnus showed similar survivorship under both diets, but significantly higher growth when fed M+E than F+P. Therefore inter-habitat differences in food resources cannot explain the abundance patterns observed in the lake. We also estimated the relative vulnerability of G. fasciatus and E. ischnus to yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ) and round goby ( Neogobius melanostomus ) predation in laboratory feeding trials using mussel colonies or macrophyte beds as substrate. Both fish strongly preferred E. ischnus in macrophytes, but consumed relatively more G. fasciatus than E. ischnus in dreissenid habitats. Our results suggest that dreissenid establishment may have facilitated the invasion of E. ischnus . However, habitat-specific differences in vulnerability to fish predation may mediate the coexistence of G. fasciatus and E. ischnus by minimizing expansion of E. ischnus to macrophyte areas. Our results also suggest that round goby invasion can alter amphipod abundance patterns in Lake Erie.
Limitations on the uses of Euclidean semiclassical methods

The breakdown of semiclassical methods based on solutions of the Euclidean equations of motion is studied for the case of the quartic potential. The model is nontrivial, yet sufficiently tractable that techniques for careful treatment of non-Gaussian fluctuation modes can be illustrated clearly. It is shown how such fluctuations prohibit one from employing the semiclassical method once the dilute-gas approximation becomes invalid. Speculations are advanced regarding the relevance of these results to quantum chromodynamics.
Addressing the Problem of Stagnant Wages

From the mid-1940s through the 1970s, median wages and productivity growth rose in tandem. Since the 1980s productivity continued to grow steadily while wages stagnated. In this paper we document these trends, explore the reasons for these divergent trends, and outline a mix of policy, institutional, and organizational changes needed to restore wage growth and improved living standards for the American workforce.
A note on characterizations of multivariate stable distributions

Several characterizations of multivariate stable distributions together with a characterization of multivariate normal distributions and multivariate stable distributions with Cauchy marginals are given. These are related to some standard characterizations of marcinkiewicz.
Overview of Electrons and Orbitals in a Nearly One-Dimensional Co3+/Co4+ System

Ba6Co6ClO15.5 has been analyzed from the point of view of local electric/magnetic interactions and orbital overlapping, step by step following the different subunits of the crystal structure. Our i...
‘CONCHAS LEGERE’: SHELLS AS TROPHIES OF REPOSE IN NORTHERN EUROPEAN HUMANISM

This paper interprets Hendrick Goltzius's 1603 portrait of a Dutch shell collector as a powerful statement on the cultural and spiritual ambitions of leading citizens in the Dutch city of Haarlem. The focus is on the role of natural philosophy and natural theology in realizing the ideals of the humanist vocation. Within this context the Erasmian adage ‘collecting of shells’ proves to be a fitting slogan for the pursuit of fruitful repose as the indispensable foundation of a successful commonwealth.
The role and effectiveness of traditional birth attendants in Somalia

Abstract In Somalia, many organisations have supported Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) training as a strategy to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. An evaluation was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of this intervention and its potential as a component of a national strategy for safe motherhood in Somalia. The study examined the TBAs actual influence in improving a womans chances of surviving life-threatening complications of pregnancy and delivery. The results of the study showed that despite a high standard in TBA training, when dealing with complications such as prolonged labour, haemorrhage or infection, families prefer traditional practices. Families are unlikely to value the opinion of the TBA in making a decision to refer a woman for emergency obstetric care. The report concludes that TBA programmes which exist in isolation of other interventions are unlikely to have any significant effect on maternal mortality although clean deliveries and ante-natal care pectised by trained TBAs may reduce maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality and morbidity.
Left-handedness and life expectancy.

Halpern and Coren recently described an association between left-handedness and a lower life expectancy. This finding is not unexpected because left-handedness has been linked to three leading causes of death in our society—alcoholism, smoking, and breast cancer—as well as to several neurological and immune disorders.
Thiamine biosynthesis can be used to dissect metabolic integration

The emergence of systems biology has re-emphasized the advantages of understanding biological processes with a global perspective. One biological process amenable to global approaches is microbial metabolism. This review describes a model system that contributes to the goals of systems biology by experimentally defining metabolic integration found in a bacterial cell and thus providing data needed for implementation and interpretation of systems approaches. We have taken a largely unbiased in vivo approach centered on thiamine biosynthesis to identify new metabolic components and connections, and to explore uncharacterized paradigms of the integration between them. This article summarizes recent results from this approach that include the identification of the function of unknown genes, connections between cofactors biosynthesis and thiamine biosynthesis, and how metabolites from one biosynthetic pathway can be used in thiamine biosynthesis.
Rural healthcare providers question the practicality of motivational interviewing and report varied physical activity counseling experience

Objective To evaluate rural healthcare providers (HCP) physical activity (PA) counseling experiences and perceptions of motivational interviewing (MI), a behavioral counseling style, prior to MI training.
Gender, gender roles and attitudes towards violence: Are viewpoints changing?

Androgyny is a gender role that has several positive characteristics such as adaptive coping strategies and less violent viewpoints. To examine the relationship between gender, gender roles, and attitudes towards violence, 161 individuals were administered the Bem Sex Role Inventory and a violence questionnaire. It was hypothesized that a significant number of nonandrogynous people would have a great predisposition towards violence. The mean violence score was higher for men than for women, however, there was no difference between androgynous individuals and others. There were no significant interaction effects. Results are surprising when compared to previous research. It may be that more and more people, regardless of their interpersonal style, are moving towards a view which does not condone violence.
Effects of an experimental challenge with Mycobacterium marinum on the blood parameters of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1757)

A hundred adult of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, were inoculated intraperitoneally with 108 c.f.u. of Mycobacterium marinum. Other 100 speciemns were maintained without inoculation. Blood samples of six inoculated animals were collected at 01, 03, 07, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 and 84 days after inoculation. Initially, six specimens were taken from the non inoculated group ("time zero"). The haematological parameters determined were: haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin concentration (Hgb), total erythrocytes count (RBC), hematological indexes (MCV, MCH and MCHC), thrombocyte count (Tr), leukocyte count (WBC) and leukocyte differential count. There were no changes in Hct, Hgb, MCH and MCHC. However, the mean values for RBC and MCV decreased. The mean values for RBC and Hct of specimens from the "time zero" group were higher and the MCV and MCH lower than in inoculated animals. Occurred neutrophilia, and, at 72 h there was lymphocytosis and neutropenia. By the 49th day after bacterial inoculation, there was monocytosis.
Region-specific targeting of dopamine D2-receptors and somatodendritic vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) within ventral tegmental area subdivisions

Throughout the ventral tegmental area (VTA), dopamine is packaged within subcellular organelles by the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2). Somatodendritically released dopamine in this region binds to the D2 receptor (D2R) to modulate ongoing neurotransmission. Although autoregulation of mesocortical dopaminergic neurons in the parabrachial VTA (PB-VTA) is known to be less efficacious than that of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons in the paranigral (PN-VTA), the cellular basis for this regional heterogeneity is not known. For this reason, we used electron microscopic immunocytochemistry to determine the subcellular localization of the dopamine storage vesicles (identified by the presence of VMAT2) in relation to the D2R in these VTA subdivisions. In both regions, D2R immunoreactivity was principally located on extrasynaptic dendritic plasma membranes near excitatory-type synapses. Equivalent percentages (72 and 74%) of the D2R-labeled dendrites in each region contained VMAT2-immunoreactive tubulovesicles. Of the total VMAT2-labeled dendrites, however, a significantly lower percentage in the PB-VTA (26%) than in the PN-VTA (38%) contained D2R labeling. In contrast, a significantly higher number of VMAT2 immunogold-silver deposits was seen within individual dendrites in the PB-VTA than in PN-VTA. In both regions, D2R immunoreactivity was also detected in VMAT2-negative axon terminals that formed synapses on dendrites containing VMAT2. Our results are the first to demonstrate that within VTA neurons and their afferents the D2R is strategically positioned for activation by dopamine released from dendritic storage vesicles. These findings also suggest that the potential for D2R activation may affect the expression levels of VMAT2 in VTA dendrites.
Primary systemic treatment of advanced Hodgkin’s disease with EVA (etoposide, vinblastine, doxorubicin): 10-year follow-up

ABSTRACT Background The most commonly used regimen for the treatment of advanced Hodgkin’s disease (HD) is ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine). Two of these components, bleomycin and dacarbazine, have defined toxicities such as pulmonary fibrosis and nausea/vomiting, and also uncertain single-drug activity. The EVA regimen (etoposide, vinblastine, doxorubicin) is an attempt to substitute a known active agent, etoposide, for bleomycin and dacarbazine. Patients and methods A series of 51 patients with advanced HD without prior systemic therapy were treated. The series included 12 stage II patients with bulky (>10 cm) mediastinal tumors, 10 of whom received complementary radiation therapy. The remaining patients received EVA only. Response, duration of response, survival, toxicity and the efficacy of salvage therapy were evaluated in all patients. The median follow-up time was 111 months and permitted an assessment of the long-term effects of treatment and natural history of a cohort of treated patients. Results EVA achieved a complete response (or clinical complete response) in 48/51 patients (94%). Of these 48 responders, 16 relapsed in a median of 11 months (range 3–48 months). In follow-up, 32/51 patients had no evidence of relapsed HD, although three died from other causes (two from vascular events and one from large cell lymphoma), resulting in progression-free survival for the entire group of 57% at 111 months. Eight of the 16 were alive and free from disease at follow-up at 111 months. In the entire series, only seven patients (14%) died of HD. 37 patients (73%) continued free from disease. There was no pulmonary toxicity. Conclusions The EVA regimen appears to have an overall survival (OS) outcome comparable to ABVD, but without the lung toxicity. The high salvage rate of second-line therapy, in most instances at conventional dosage, suggests an absence of cross-resistance to alkylating agents in patients treated with EVA.
Nonlinear tracking control of underactuated surface vessel

We consider in this paper the tracking control problem of an underactuated surface vessel. Based on the cascaded structure of tracking error dynamics, we present two new tracking controllers using Barbalat's lemma and back-stepping techniques under mild assumptions on the reference trajectory. The closed-loop systems achieve global asymptotical and exponential tracking respectively. Simulation results show that the proposed control laws are effective.
Performance of Levees (Stopbanks) during the 4 september 2010 Mw 7.1 Darfield and 22 February 2011 Mw 6.2 Christchurch, New Zealand, Earthquakes

The objective of this paper is to summarize the performance of the levees (or stopbanks) along the Waimakariri and Kaiapoi rivers during the 4 September 2010 Mw 7.1 Darfield and 22 February 2011 Mw 6.2 Christchurch, New Zealand, earthquakes. Shortly after their arrival in the Canterbury area in the mid-nineteenth century European settlers started constructing drainage systems and levees along rivers (Larned et al. 2008). In particular, flooding of the Waimakariri River and its tributaries posed a constant threat to the Christchurch and Kaiapoi areas. The current levee system is a culmination of several coordinated efforts that started in earnest in the 1930s and is composed of both primary and secondary levee systems. The primary levee system is designed for a 450-year flood. Damage estimates for scenarios where the flood protection system is breached have been assessed at approximately NZ$5 billion (van Kalken et al. 2007). As a result, the performance of the levee system during seismic events is of critical importance to the flood hazard in Christchurch and surrounding areas. During the 2010 Darfield and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, stretches of levees were subjected to motions with peak horizontal ground accelerations (PGAs) of approximately 0.32 g and 0.20 g, respectively. Consequently, in areas where the levees were founded on loose, saturated fluvial sandy deposits, liquefaction-related damage occurred ( i.e. , lateral spreading, slumping, and settlement). The performance summary presented herein is the result of field observations and analysis of aerial images (New Zealand Aerial Mapping 2010, 2011), with particular focus on the performance of the levees along the eastern reach of the Waimakariri River and along the Kaiapoi River. In the sections that follow, we first present background information about the levee system. This is followed by an overview of the performance of the levees during the Darfield …
Fetal hemoglobin reactivation in baboon and man: A short perspective

Present concepts of the mechanism of reactivation of synthesis of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in the adult under conditions of erythropoietic stress are briefly reviewed. Since HbF can be considered an effective natural antisickling agent, the reactivation of its synthesis in patients with sickle cell anemia as a desirable therapeutic goal has been extensively explored since the discovery in 1982 that 5-azacytidine increases HbF levels in the baboon. Hydroxyurea (HU) has become the most widely used agent, although its effectiveness in increasing HbF levels and the number of F cells is highly variable. Recent investigations are cited showing that other agents such as butyrate, and the addition of recombinant hemopoietic growth factors, such as erythropoietin and stem cell factor, especially in combination with HU, offer important therapeutic possibilities. Transacting nuclear proteins are briefly discussed as possibly having a future role in the efforts of stimulating γ-chain synthesis. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Myocardial infarction as a problem of growth control:Cell cycle therapy for cardiac myocytes?

Abstract Pump failure after myocardial infarction ultimately can be ascribed, in large part, to theinability of ventricular muscle to regenerate functional mass through cell proliferation. Recent studies using adenoviral gene transfer have provided direct evidence for the operation of two growth-suppressing pathways in cardiac muscle, via “pocket proteins,” including the retinoblastoma gene product, and via a less well understood protein, p300. An understanding of molecular mechanisms that confer a virtually irreversible lock to the proliferative cell cycle in “postmitotic” cardiac muscle, together with improved means for delivery of exogenous genes to the heart, suggests the long-term potential for manipulating cardiac growth to achieve a therapeutic benefit.
La3+ uptake and its effect on the cytoskeleton in root protoplasts of Zea mays L.

La3+ ions are known to antagonize Ca2+ and are used as a Ca2+ channel blocker but little is known on the direct effects of La3+. Micromolar La3+ concentrations promoted root growth while higher concentrations were inhibitory. The uptake of La3+ in maize root protoplasts revealed a membrane binding component (0.14 and 0.44 pmol min−1 protoplast−1 for 100 and 1,000 μM La3+) followed by a slower concentration and time-dependent uptake. Uptake was reduced by Ca2+, but had no substantial effect on other ions. La3+ shifted microtubule organization from random to parallel but caused aggregation of microfilaments. Our data suggest that La3+ is taken up into plant cells and affects growth via stabilization of the cytoskeleton.
Tester Feedback Driven Fault Localization

Coincidentally correct test cases are those that execute faulty statements but do not cause failures. Such test cases reduce the effectiveness of spectrum-based fault localization techniques, such as Ochiai, because the correlation of failure with the execution of a faulty statement is lowered. Thus, coincidentally correct test cases need to be predicted and removed from the test suite used for fault localization. Techniques for predicting coincidentally correct test cases can produce false positives, such as when one predicts a fixed percentage that is higher than the actual percentage of coincidentally correct test cases. False positives may cause non-faulty statements to be assigned higher suspiciousness scores than the faulty statements. We propose an approach that iteratively predicts and removes coincidentally correct test cases. In each iteration, we present the tester the set of statements that share the highest Ochiai suspiciousness score. If the tester reports that these statements are not faulty, we use that feedback to determine a number that is guaranteed to be less than or equal to the actual number of coincidentally correct test cases. We predict and remove that number of coincidentally correct test cases, recalculate the suspiciousness scores of the remaining statements, and repeat the process. We evaluated our approach with the Siemens benchmark suite and the Unix utilities, grep and gzip. Our approach outperformed an existing approach that predicts a fixed percentage of test cases as coincidentally correct. The results with Ochiai were mixed. In some cases, our approach outperformed Ochiai by up to 67\%. In others, Ochiai was more effective.
Multi-stage quantum secure communication using polarization hopping

This paper proposes a generalized multi-stage multi-photon protocol that uses arbitrary polarization states to securely communicate between a sender and a receiver. Because the polarization measurement of an arbitrarily polarized state results in altering the state in an irreversible way, any such measurement produces noise in the measured state. The proposed multi-stage protocol exploits this phenomenon to provide quantum secure communication. This paper assesses the vulnerability of the multi-stage protocol to photon number splitting attack and Trojan horse attack. In addition, it presents an upper bound on the number of photons that can be used per pulse to exchange information while maintaining quantum-level security. Determination of such a bound is important for the multi-stage protocol to operate in the multi-photon domain while maintaining a quantum level of security. Furthermore, this paper proposes a key/message expansion scheme that provides another layer of security to the multi-stage protocol. The multi-stage protocol, can potentially provide higher data rates as well as longer communication distances. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients

Background Physical functioning is without restriction in most pediatric heart transplant survivors, but only limited data are available about neuropsychologic outcomes in these children. In this study we assess neurodevelopmental outcomes in transplant survivors in comparison to population norms. Methods Neuropsychologic evaluations were performed 12 to 24 months (mean 16 months) post-transplant in 21 children ranging in age from 1 to 101 months (median 15 months) at time of transplant. Outcomes included verbal, non-verbal and overall intelligence; visual–motor integration skills; and adaptive functioning. Results Transplant recipients had a mean overall IQ of 86.7, verbal IQ of 88.4 and non-verbal IQ of 87.5, all significantly below the normative population mean of 100 ( p p p p = 0.01). Receptive language was normal in the same patients (mean 96.8). Finally, 63% of patients had visual–motor deficits and 48% had fine motor deficits ( p Conclusions Although many pediatric heart transplant recipients display normal neurodevelopmental functioning, this population is at increased risk for cognitive difficulties, especially in expressive language, visual–motor integration and fine motor skills. Children with CHD may be at especially high risk. Early identification and intervention are essential to promote optimal neuropsychologic outcomes and overall quality of life in pediatric heart transplant recipients.
The moments of inertia of Mars

The mean moment of inertia of Mars is, at present, very poorly constrained. The generally accepted value of 0.365 M(R-squared) is obtained by assuming that the observed second degree gravity field can be decomposed into a hydrostatic oblate spheroid and a nonhydrostatic prolate spheroid with an equatorial axis of symmetry. An alternative decomposition is advocated in the present analysis. If the nonhydrostatic component is a maximally triaxial ellipsoid (intermediate moment exactly midway between greatest and least), the hydrostatic component is consistent with a mean moment of 0.345 M(R-squared). The plausibility of this decomposition is supported by statistical arguments and comparison with the earth, moon and Venus.
Seventh Edition of the Cancer Staging Manual and Stage Grouping of Lung Cancer: Quick Reference Chart and Diagrams

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. TNM staging, which is an important guide to the prognosis and treatment of lung cancer, has been revised recently. In this article, we propose a quick reference chart and diagrams that consolidate TNM staging information in a simple format. The current classification of lymph node stations and zones is illustrated as well.
Error correction of high-throughput sequencing datasets with non-uniform coverage

Motivation: The continuing improvements to high-throughput sequencing (HTS) platforms have begun to unfold a myriad of new applications. As a result, error correction of sequencing reads remains an important problem. Though several tools do an excellent job of correcting datasets where the reads are sampled close to uniformly, the problem of correcting reads coming from drastically non-uniform datasets, such as those from single-cell sequencing, remains open. Results: In this article, we develop the method Hammer for error correction without any uniformity assumptions. Hammer is based on a combination of a Hamming graph and a simple probabilistic model for sequencing errors. It is a simple and adaptable algorithm that improves on other tools on non-uniform single-cell data, while achieving comparable results on normal multi-cell data. Availability: http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~pashadag. Contact: pmedvedev@cs.ucsd.edu
Natural fiber composites with EMI shielding function fabricated using VARTM and Cu film magnetron sputtering

Abstract To fabricate kenaf fiber composites with electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding function, the technique of vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) and Cu film magnetron sputtering were employed. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) and composite surface characteristics were examined with PNA Network Analyzer, Quanta 200 environmental scanning electron microscope and OCA20 contact angle meter. After being Cu-sputter coated for 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h, the EMI SE values were increased to be 23.8 dB, 32.5 dB, 43.3 dB, and 48.3 dB, which denoted 99.5799%, 99.9437%, 99.9953%, or 99.9985% incident signal was blocked, respectively. The SEM observations revealed that the smoother surface of the composites was obtained by longer time sputtering, resulting in the SE improvement. The contact angle increased from 49.6° to 129.5° after 0.5 h sputtering, which indicated that the coated Cu film dramatically improved the hydrophobic property of composite. When the coating time increased to 3 h, the contact angle decreased to 51.0° because the composite surface roughness decreased with the increase in coating time.
Body Form and Trackway Pattern in Australian Desert Monitors (Squamata: Varanidae): Comparing Zoological and Ichnological Diversity

Abstract To what extent does ichnological diversity (the number of distinctive trace fossil morphologies) serve as a proxy for zoological diversity (species richness of trackmakers in the living fauna) in footprint assemblages made by terrestrial lower vertebrates? This question was investigated in a study of body form and trackway features of monitor lizards (varanids) from the Western Australian desert. Body-shape parameters deemed likely to affect trackway pattern of seven varanid species were measured. These lizards differ in average adult size, but there is considerable size overlap between adults of small-bodied species and juveniles of large-bodied species. Although subtle species differences in body form were detected, these were largely swamped by intraspecific variability. Furthermore, the most distinctive features in which trails of monitor species differ reflect interspecific differences in foraging behavior rather than anatomical differences, and are features that would be difficult or imposs...
G-protein Coupled Receptor Signaling in Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Cardiovascular Cells: Implications for Disease Modeling

Human pluripotent stem cell derivatives show promise as an in vitro platform to study a range of human cardiovascular diseases. A better understanding of the biology of stem cells and their cardiovascular derivatives will help to understand the strengths and limitations of this new model system. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key regulators of stem cell maintenance and differentiation and have an important role in cardiovascular cell signaling. In this review, we will therefore describe the state of knowledge concerning the regulatory role of GPCRs in both the generation and function of pluripotent stem cell derived-cardiomyocytes, -endothelial, and -vascular smooth muscle cells. We will consider how far the in vitro disease models recapitulate authentic GPCR signaling and provide a useful basis for discovery of disease mechanisms or design of therapeutic strategies.
Evidence for a single glucocorticoid regulated pool of adrenocorticotropin in sheep anterior pituitary

The goal of this study was to determine whether separate glucocorticoid-sensitive releasable pools of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) could be distinguished in sheep anterior pituitary cells. Isolated cells were cultured in serum-free medium containing 0-10 nM cortisol (F) for 7-11 days to determine whether variation in the glucocorticoid environment selectively affected ACTH release stimulated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) or arginine vasopressin (AVP). Secretion was studied using a microperifusion system. The results indicated that while the concentration of F in the medium bathing the cells profoundly influenced the magnitude of ACTH released in response to either peptide, the fractional release of total ACTH was unchanged. F concentration in culture medium similarly did not alter the negative-feedback effectiveness of a larger dose of F applied to cells 45 min before treatment with CRH or AVP. These results support the existence of a single glucocorticoid-sensitive pool of ACTH in corticotrophs.
Rheology and Phase Behavior of Lyotropic Cellulose Nanocrystal Suspensions

The dispersion microstructure and rheological properties of aqueous sulfonated cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspensions have been investigated. Between 3.07 and 10.4 vol % the suspensions phase separated into liquid crystalline and isotropic domains. At 12.1 vol %, no isotropic phase was visible, and the samples had the fingerprint texture characteristic of a cholesteric liquid crystal. Below 35 °C, temperature had little influence on rheology and phase behavior. However, between 35 and 40 °C there was a significant change in both the fraction of isotropic phase and the rheological properties. In contrast to many lyotropic suspensions, the steady shear viscosity did not go through a maximum with increasing concentration. Maxima were observed for complex viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus at concentrations that appeared fully liquid crystalline. Time–concentration superposition was successful for the loss modulus but not the storage modulus. This suggests that the interface in biphasic samples aff...
Exercise in Neuromuscular Disease

In this review, the authors present an overview of the role of exercise in neuromuscular disease (NMD). The authors demonstrate that despite the different pathologies in NMDs, exercise is beneficial, whether aerobic/endurance or strength/resistive training. The authors analyze methodological flaws of existing studies and suggest improvements for future trial protocols. Finally, we discuss specialized exercise training of specific muscles, as well as new technologies adapted from other neurologic disorders, including body-weight-supported treadmill ambulation, robotic-assisted gait training, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
Effects of early rehabilitative training on brain structure and learning function following hypoxic-ischemic insult in neonatal rats

AIM: To explore the effects of early rehabilitative training tasks on brain structure and learning function of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: control group,HIBD group and HIBD plus training groups.HIBD models were made by Rice method.Since 72 h after HIBD,HIBD plus training group underwent rehabilitative exercises for 30 d.Morris water maze tests were used to evaluate rats' learning and memory ability.HE staining was employed to estimate neuron necrosis in hippocampus and cortex areas,and brain weights of three groups were also weighed.RESULTS:(1)Compared with training group,the learning ability of no-training group was significantly decreased,whereas no difference was observed between training and control groups.(2) Compared with control group [(0.638±0.019) g],the left half brain weight of both training group[(0.428±0.085) g]and no-training group [(0.348±0.043) g] decreased significantly and the no-training group decreased more seriously.There was no difference in the right half normal brain weight between the 3 groups.(3) Compared with control group,the number of neuron in both training and no-training groups were significantly decreased,and more obviously in no-training group.CONCLUSION: Early rehabilitation following hypoxic-ischemic insult in neonatal rats can promote the survival of neurons,accelerate the recovery from brain injury and improve the brain learning function.
New aspects of organophosphorus pesticides. V. Oxidative rearrangement of organosphosphorus thionate esters

Oxidative pathways account for much of the in vivo chemical modification of pesticides, both activation and detoxication. In fact, the oxidative desulfurization of phosphorothionates, such as parathion, to the corresponding phosphate is essential for the toxicity of organophosphorothionate insecticides. A wide variety of other reactions is catalyzed by this system including thioether oxidation, N- and O-dealkylation, aromatic hydroxylation, and epoxidation. In living systems, the enzymes responsible for these oxidative reactions are located in the smooth endoplasmic reticula and are called the multifunction oxidase (MFO) system. A preparation of endoplasmic reticula isolated by cellular homogenation and differential centrifugation is called a microsomal system. For oxidative activity the in vitro microsomal preparations must be fortified with NADPH and molecular oxygen.
Le Digital Storytelling : Pratique de visibilisation et de reconnaissance, méthode et posture de recherche

Cette contribution explique comment, avec des residents d’un complexe de logements sociaux de Montreal et d’autres partenaires, nous avons tente d’ajouter d’autres representations de leurs realites quotidiennes aux imageries, conceptions et stereotypes vehicules a leur propos dans des espaces mediatiques generalement occupes par des personnes expertes qui parlent sur et pour eux. Plus precisement, je detaille le premier de quatre volets d’une « infrastructure de visibilisation » codeveloppee ensemble entre 2008 et 2010 pendant ma recherche doctorale, volet qui s’est appuye sur le digital storytelling. Pour ce faire, je definis d’abord la visibilisation comme concept operatoire distinct de la visibilite qui peut potentiellement generer de la reconnaissance. Ensuite, je presente l’avenement et les particularites du digital storytelling de meme que sa pertinence ethnographique. Finalement, j’illustre les manieres avec lesquelles nous avons « travaille » la visibilisation au sein d’une infrastructure ou le digital storytelling est devenu autant un outil d’expression et de reconnaissance qu’une methode et une posture de recherche.
A contemporary approach to the prevention of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis in children: the role of improvement science

Peritonitis is a leading cause of hospitalizations, morbidity, and modality change in pediatric chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) patients. Despite guidelines published by the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis aimed at reducing the risk of peritonitis, registry data have revealed significant variability in peritonitis rates among centers caring for children on CPD, which suggests variability in practice. Improvement science methods have been used to reduce a variety of healthcare-associated infections and are also being applied successfully to decrease rates of peritonitis in children. A successful quality improvement program with the goal of decreasing peritonitis will not only include primary drivers directly linked to the outcome of peritonitis, but will also direct attention to secondary drivers that are important for the achievement of primary drivers, such as health literacy and patient and family engagement strategies. In this review, we describe a comprehensive improvement science model for the reduction of peritonitis in pediatric patients on CPD.
Smart building energy management systems (BEMS) simulation conceptual framework

Continuing growth of energy use by commercial buildings has created a need to develop innovative techniques to reduce and optimize building energy use. Recently Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) have gained popularity because of increasing interest in building energy conservation and savings. In this study, a conceptual framework for real-time weather responsive control systems combined with BEMS is proposed to achieve model simulation based Smart BEMS. The proposed control system is developed using building energy control patterns, which are generated from the combinations of weather data changes. As a result, building energy use can be adjusted by, for example, using daylighting responsive controls for electrical lighting as well as by adjusting the HVAC operational schedule, in response to weather changes. To create control logics for model based Smart systems, BIM and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulation are used to obtain material properties and to develop air flow operational algorithms, respectively.
An adaptive vestibular rehabilitation technique

Objectives/Hypothesis There is a large variation in vestibular rehabilitation (VR) results depending on type of therapy, adherence, and the appropriateness for the patient's level of function. A novel adaptive vestibular rehabilitation (AVR) program was developed and evaluated. Study Design Technology and procedure development, and prospective multicenter trial. Methods Those with complete unilateral vestibular hypofunction and symptomatic at least 3 months with a Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) >30 were eligible. Patients were given a device to use with their own computer. They were instructed to use the program daily, with each session lasting about 10 minutes. The task consisted of reporting orientation of the letter C, which appeared when their angular head velocity exceeded a threshold. The letter size and head velocity required were adjusted based on prior performance. Performance on the task was remotely collected by the investigator as well as a weekly DHI score. Results Four patients aged 31 to 74 years (mean = 51 years) were enrolled in this feasibility study to demonstrate efficacy. Two had treated vestibular schwannomas and two had vestibular neuritis. Starting DHI was 32 to 56 (mean = 42), which was reduced to 0 to 16 (mean = 11.5) after a month of therapy, a clinically and statistically significant (P < .05) improvement. The three who continued therapy an additional month improved to a DHI of 4. Conclusions This AVR method has advantages over traditional VR in terms of cost and customization for patient ability and obtained a major improvement in symptoms. This study demonstrated a clinically and statistically significant decrease in symptoms after 4 weeks of therapy. Level of Evidence 2b Laryngoscope, 2017