cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uniform execution environment for dynamic reconfiguration

Modern high-performance embedded systems face many challenges. Systems must function in rapidly changing environments. Power/size constraints limit hardware size, while extreme performance requirements demand algorithm specific architectures. Hardware architectures must structurally adapt to achieve high performance with changing algorithms. Reconfigurable computing devices offer the promise of architectures that change in response to the changing environment. The primary difficulty in this approach lies in system design. A model-integrated approach is used in the design capture and synthesis of these systems. The target systems are built on a heterogeneous computing platform including configurable hardware, ASIC and general purpose processors and DSPs. This project is a DARPA Adaptive Computing Systems funded effort, involving close cooperation with US ARMY/AMICOM.
Laws, Models, and Real People: Choice of Chapter in Personal Bankruptcy

It has been a central assumption in bankruptcy policy debates that financially troubled persons faced with bankruptcy will respond to economic incentives and disincentives. Two provisions of the Bankruptcy Code (Chapters 7 and 13) are most commonly used by individual debtors. Under Chapter 7 debtors agree to give up all their property (n excess of state-determined exemptions) to a trustee for sale and distribution to creditors. Under Chapter 13 debtors keep all their property but agree to pay all or part of their debts over three to five years. This empirical study of fifteen hundred consumers in three states explores whether economic incentives and disincentives are in fact the chief factors influencing choice of chapter. The analysis demonstrates that while economic factors play a part, noneconomic factors are also significant, among them intra- and interstate migration, marital status, self-employment, state of residence, and local legal culture. We conclude that to explore fully how individual decisions are made, the simplistic economic model must be replaced by a more sophisticated model that accounts for both economic and noneconomic factors.
Registered sex offenders and house prices: An hedonic analysis:

The sex offender registry system provides consumers with locations of registered sex offenders. This paper uses two methods to evaluate the impact of sex offender registries on house prices in Memp...
Developing molecular tools and insights into the Penstemon genome using genomic reduction and next-generation sequencing

Penstemon’s unique phenotypic diversity, hardiness, and drought-tolerance give it great potential for the xeric landscaping industry. Molecular markers will accelerate the breeding and domestication of drought tolerant Penstemon cultivars by, creating genetic maps, and clarifying of phylogenetic relationships. Our objectives were to identify and validate interspecific molecular markers from four diverse Penstemon species in order to gain specific insights into the Penstemon genome. We used a 454 pyrosequencing and GR-RSC (genome reduction using restriction site conservation) to identify homologous loci across four Penstemon species (P. cyananthus, P. davidsonii, P. dissectus, and P. fruticosus) representing three diverse subgenera with considerable genome size variation. From these genomic data, we identified 133 unique interspecific markers containing SSRs and INDELs of which 51 produced viable PCR-based markers. These markers produced simple banding patterns in 90% of the species × marker interactions (~84% were polymorphic). Twelve of the markers were tested across 93, mostly xeric, Penstemon taxa (72 species), of which ~98% produced reproducible marker data. Additionally, we identified an average of one SNP per 2,890 bp per species and one per 97 bp between any two apparent homologous sequences from the four source species. We selected 192 homologous sequences, meeting stringent parameters, to create SNP markers. Of these, 75 demonstrated repeatable polymorphic marker functionality across the four sequence source species. Finally, sequence analysis indicated that repetitive elements were approximately 70% more prevalent in the P. cyananthus genome, the largest genome in the study, than in the smallest genome surveyed (P. dissectus). We demonstrated the utility of GR-RSC to identify homologous loci across related Penstemon taxa. Though PCR primer regions were conserved across a broadly sampled survey of Penstemon species (93 taxa), DNA sequence within these amplicons (12 SSR/INDEL markers) was highly diverse. With the continued decline in next-generation sequencing costs, it will soon be feasible to use genomic reduction techniques to simultaneously sequence thousands of homologous loci across dozens of Penstemon species. Such efforts will greatly facilitate our understanding of the phylogenetic structure within this important drought tolerant genus. In the interim, this study identified thousands of SNPs and over 50 SSRs/INDELs which should provide a foundation for future Penstemon phylogenetic studies and breeding efforts.
EFFECTS OF PAST LAND USE ON SPATIAL HETEROGENEITY OF SOIL NUTRIENTS IN SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FORESTS

We examined patterns of nutrient heterogeneity in the mineral soil (0-15 cm depth) of 13 southern Appalachian forest stands in western North Carolina .60 yr after abandonment from pasture or timber harvest to investigate the long-term effects of land use on the spatial distribution and supply of soil resources. We measured soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), acid-extractable phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations and pools, and potential net N mineralization and nitrification rates to evaluate differences in mean values, variance at multiple scales, and fine-scale spatial structure. While comparisons of averaged values rarely indicated that historical land use had an enduring effect on mineral soil or N cycling, differences in variance and spatial structure suggested that former activities continue to influence nutrient distributions by altering their spatial heterogeneity. Patterns differed by element, but generally variance of soil C, N, and Ca decreased and variance of soil P, K, and Mg increased with intensive past land use. Changes in variance were most conspicuous and consistent locally ( ,28 m), but C, Ca, P, and Mg also exhibited appreciable differences in variance at coarser scales ( .150 m). High variability in soil compaction resulted in some changes in scale-dependent patterns of nutrient pool variance compared with nutrient concentration variance. It also affected the variance of N cycling rates, such that mass-based rates varied less and area-based rates varied more in intensively used areas than in reference stands. Geostatistical analysis sug- gested that past land use homogenized the spatial structure of soil C, K, and P in former pastures. In contrast, logged stands had highly variable spatial patterning for Ca. These results suggest that land use has persistent, multi-decadal effects on the spatial heterogeneity of soil resources, which may not be detectable when values are averaged across sites. By interacting with patterns of variability in the plant and heterotrophic biota, differences in nutrient distribution and supply could alter the composition and diversity of forest ecosystems. Scale-dependent changes in nutrient heterogeneity could also complicate efforts to determine biogeochemical budgets and cycling rates.
Evolution strategies optimization of the multiple Fabry-Perót imaging interferometer for the advanced technology solar telescope

We describe an evolutionary algorithm for the design of an imaging triple-etalon Fabry-Perot interferometer (MFPI), which gives a solution to the multidimensional minimization process through a stochastic search method. The interactions between design variables (the etalon reflectances, interetalon ghost attenuator transmittances, and spacing ratios) are complex, resulting in a fitness landscape that is pitted with local optima. Traditional least-squares and gradient descent algorithms are not useful in such a situation. Instead, we employ a method called evolution strategies in which several preliminary designs are randomly generated subject to constraints. These designs are combined in pairs to produce offspring designs. The offspring population is mutated randomly, and only the fittest designs of the combined population are passed to the next iteration of the evolutionary process. We discuss the evolution strategies method itself, as well as its application to the specific problem of the design of an incoherently coupled triple-etalon interferometer intended for use as a focal plane instrument in the planned National Solar Observatory's Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (NSO's ATST). The algorithm converges quickly to a reasonable design that is well within the constraints imposed on the design variables, and which fulfills all resolution, signal-to-noise, throughput, and parasitic band suppression requirements.
A Computational-Experimental Approach Identifies Mutations That Enhance Surface Expression of an Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza Neuraminidase

The His274Tyr (H274Y) oseltamivir (Tamiflu) resistance mutation causes a substantial decrease in the total levels of surface-expressed neuraminidase protein and activity in early isolates of human seasonal H1N1 influenza, and in the swine-origin pandemic H1N1. In seasonal H1N1, H274Y only became widespread after the occurrence of secondary mutations that counteracted this decrease. H274Y is currently rare in pandemic H1N1, and it remains unclear whether secondary mutations exist that might similarly counteract the decreased neuraminidase surface expression associated with this resistance mutation in pandemic H1N1. Here we investigate the possibility of predicting such secondary mutations. We first test the ability of several computational approaches to retrospectively identify the secondary mutations that enhanced levels of surface-expressed neuraminidase protein and activity in seasonal H1N1 shortly before the emergence of oseltamivir resistance. We then use the most successful computational approach to predict a set of candidate secondary mutations to the pandemic H1N1 neuraminidase. We experimentally screen these mutations, and find that several of them do indeed partially counteract the decrease in neuraminidase surface expression caused by H274Y. Two of the secondary mutations together restore surface-expressed neuraminidase activity to wildtype levels, and also eliminate the very slight decrease in viral growth in tissue-culture caused by H274Y. Our work therefore demonstrates a combined computational-experimental approach for identifying mutations that enhance neuraminidase surface expression, and describes several specific mutations with the potential to be of relevance to the spread of oseltamivir resistance in pandemic H1N1.
Ambient beacon localization: using sensed characteristics of the physical world to localize mobile sensors

There is a growing need to support localization in low-power mobile sensor networks, both indoors and outdoors, when mobile sensor nodes (e.g., mote class) are incapable of independently estimating their location (e.g., when GPS is inappropriate or too costly), or are unable to leverage localization schemes designed for static sensor networks. To address this challenge, we propose ambient beacon localization (ABL), an unconventional approach that allows mobile sensors to localize by exploiting their ambient physical environment. Ambient beacon localization combines machine learning and free range beacon-based techniques to bind distinct characteristics of the physical world that appear in sensor data of known locations, which we call ambient beacon points (ABPs). Supervised learning algorithms are used to allow mobile sensors to recognize ABPs, i.e., those physical locations that are sufficiently distinguishable in terms of sensed data from the rest of the sensor field. Ambient beacon localization leverages the very same sensed data that nodes are already collecting on behalf of applications. When a mobile sensor finds itself at an ambient beacon point it starts to beacon that location so that other nodes in range of an ambient beacon can localize themselves, for example, by applying existing beacon based localization schemes. In this paper, we present the design of ambient beacon localization and its initial evaluation in a building-sized testbed. Our work is at an early stage but our experimental testbed and simulation results demonstrate that this unusual approach to localization shows promise.
The effects of forest fragmentation and increased edge exposure on leaf litter accumulation

In forested ecosystems leaf litter is generally the primary pathway through which nutrients are cycled from the canopy to the forest floor (other pathways include throughfall, stemflow and animal faeces; Jordan 1985). Consequently, any disturbance that alters the quantity or quality of litter can have dramatic impacts on nutrient cycling and the availability of essential nutrients to plants (Vitousek 1984). Fragmentation of tropical forests has been demonstrated to cause several changes in both the biotic (Cosson et al . 1999, Laurance et al . 1998, Saunders et al . 1991) and abiotic environments (Camargo & Kapos 1995, Debinski & Holt 2000, Laurance 2002, Laurance et al . 2002) and thus may influence litter accumulation in the remnant patches (Carvalho & Vasconcelos 1999, Didham 1998, Laurance et al . 2002).
A Reconfigurable Dual-Output Switched-Capacitor DC-DC Regulator With Sub-Harmonic Adaptive-On-Time Control for Low-Power Applications

This paper presents a reconfigurable switched-capacitor (SC) DC-DC regulator to simultaneously generate two different regulated output voltages for low-power applications. With capacitor and power switch sharing in the power stage, the area efficiency of the proposed regulator is improved. The proposed power stage can also be configured to provide different conversion ratios in order to maintain high power efficiency of the regulator in different input voltages. A sub-harmonic adaptive-on-time (SHAOT) control scheme is developed to regulate both outputs. The adaptive-on-time control automatically adjusts the durations of charge transfer to both outputs to reduce output voltage ripples under different input voltages. Switching power transistors at the fundamental or sub-harmonics of the system clock frequency can provide predictable noise spectrum to both regulated outputs and improve the light-load regulator power efficiency. The cross regulation between both outputs can also be minimized by the proposed SHAOT scheme. Implemented in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS process, the proposed regulator provides two regulated outputs of 2 V and 3 V and delivers up to 12 mA at each output. The proposed regulator achieves a maximum power efficiency of 89.5%. Both power efficiency and output ripple can be improved by 10% and ~ 4 times, respectively, over a wide input range from 1.1 V to 1.8 V by using the proposed reconfigurable power stage and adaptive-on-time scheme.
Optical Comb Sources and High-Resolution Optical Filtering for Measurement of Photodiode Harmonic Distortion

In this work we preset a new technique for measurement of harmonic distortion in microwave photodiodes. Our technique combines optical combs and high-resolution optical filtering to provide a pure optical two-tone excitation of the photo diode. Our technique removes the challenges presented by laser frequency drift and modulator bias control by utilizing a single laser and phase-modulation to synthesize the optical combs. We demonstrate our technique through measurement of the harmonic distortion generated in a commercial InGaAs photodiode and compare our results with those obtained via phase-locked laser measurements. We show that this technique provides essentially equivalent measurement fidelity to phase-locked laser techniques while offering decreased system complexity. We additionally provide a general discussion of the limits of nonlinearity measurements performed using optical heterodyne techniques.
CRUISE: cache replacement and utility-aware scheduling

When several applications are co-scheduled to run on a system with multiple shared LLCs, there is opportunity to improve system performance. This opportunity can be exploited by the hardware, software, or a combination of both hardware and software. The software, i.e., an operating system or hypervisor, can improve system performance by co-scheduling jobs on LLCs to minimize shared cache contention. The hardware can improve system throughput through better replacement policies by allocating more cache resources to applications that benefit from the cache and less to those applications that do not. This study presents a detailed analysis on the interactions between intelligent scheduling and smart cache replacement policies. We find that smart cache replacement reduces the burden on software to provide intelligent scheduling decisions. However, under smart cache replacement, there is still room to improve performance from better application co-scheduling. We find that co-scheduling decisions are a function of the underlying LLC replacement policy. We propose Cache Replacement and Utility-aware Scheduling (CRUISE)-a hardware/software co-designed approach for shared cache management. For 4-core and 8-core CMPs, we find that CRUISE approaches the performance of an ideal job co-scheduling policy under different LLC replacement policies.
Effect of gemfibrozil on levels of lipoprotein[a] in type II hyperlipoproteinemic subjects.

Plasma lipoprotein[a] (Lp[a]) levels are highly correlated with angiographically demonstrable coronary heart disease, and elevated Lp[a] is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have provided evidence that the levels of Lp[a] and triglyceride are related, suggesting that Lp[a] might be altered by gemfibrozil, a drug well known for its efficacy in reducing plasma triglycerides. Accordingly, 18 type IIa and 16 type IIb hyperlipoproteinemic males aged 35-58 were treated for 3 months with 600 mg of gemfibrozil twice daily. The efficacy of the drug in altering lipid and lipoprotein levels was different in the two type groups. In type IIa and IIb subjects the respective changes in median levels were: total cholesterol, -7.5 and -8.5% triglycerides, -35.6 and -54.4% HDL-cholesterol, +9.0 and +11.0% and Lp[a], -17.2 and +6.1%. Before and after gemfibrozil treatment, 7 type IIa and 10 type IIB subjects were given a 100 g/2 m2 oral-fat load; triglycerides and Lp[a] were measured post-prandially at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h. The differences between before- and after-gemfibrozil post-prandial curve integrated areas (PPCIA) were compared for triglycerides and Lp[a]. The changes in median PPCIA for triglycerides in types IIa and IIB were -54% and -53%, and for Lp[a] were -8% and +8%, respectively. These results indicate i) that the levels of Lp[a] are about 2 times higher in type IIa than IIb subjects, and ii) that although gemfibrozil elicits a rather uniform decrease in fasting and post-prandial triglyceride levels in type IIa and IIb patients, the drug causes heterogeneous changes in Lp[a], suggesting that different metabolic mechanisms may be dominant in subjects showing opposing effects.
Road and Road Intersection Extraction

Beginning in 1879 the United States Geological Survey (USGS) began surveying land in the United States. Since then they have developed over 55, 000 1​​: 24, 000-scale topographic maps covering the 48 coterminous states in a standard, detailed manner. The result is a wealth of data contained in physical documents. Unfortunately many of these documents over the years have begun to deteriorate.
Effect of inorganic additives on the growth of silica-carbonate biomorphs

Abstract Silica–barium carbonate biomorphs are complex precipitate microstructures that form by purely inorganic processes. They display life-like morphologies with smoothly curved surfaces that are not restricted to crystallographic symmetries. We investigate the morphogenetic influence of inorganic dopants that compete with the barium carbonate precipitation. Trace deposition of alkaline earth or transition metal additives causes significant changes to the crystal morphologies. In the case of Pb 2+ and Ag + ions, biomorph growth is disrupted by the formation of competing precipitates. Similarly, the addition of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Zn 2+ induces the rapid crystallization of witherite or amorphous silica–carbonate aggregates at enhanced growth rates. By comparison, the addition of strontium ions results in the assembly of classic biomorphs such as cardioid sheets and helices. The procedures reported here exemplify the use of co-depositing agents to influence the compositional and crystallographic properties in a manner similar to magnesium-doped biogenic calcites.
Evidentiary Considerations In Civil Cases

The paper is in outline form, and specifically addresses the use of character evidence in civil cases, with the context being the use of the Maryland Rules of Evidence. Liberal use of examples is made throughout the text.
Category III: Atypical

The categories “Atypical” and “Suspicious for Malignancy” are indeterminate categories containing a spectrum of cellular changes ranging from minor degrees of nuclear enlargement, hyperchromasia, and anisonucleosis (atypical) to cellular specimens with features falling just short of those necessary for the diagnosis of a high grade malignancy (suspicious). The “Atypical” category is used for atypia in endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration specimens of solid lesions, nonspecific cyst fluids, and duct brushing specimens. Specimens with cytologic features falling short of those diagnostic of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and solid and papillary neoplasm (SPN) are placed in the “Atypical” category. Brushing specimens of strictures containing features of low-grade dysplasia (BilIN I to II) are placed in the “Atypical” category while high-grade dysplasia, e. g. biliary intraepithelial neoplasia III, is placed in the “Suspicious for Malignancy” category.
Scan statistics for temporal surveillance for biologic terrorism.

INTRODUCTION: Intentional releases of biologic agents are often designed to maximize casualties before diagnostic detection. To provide earlier warning, syndromic surveillance requires statistical methods that are sensitive to an abrupt increase in syndromes or symptoms associated with such an attack. OBJECTIVES: This study compared two different statistical methods for detecting a relatively abrupt increase in incidence. The methods were based on the number of observations in a moving time window. METHODS: One class of surveillance techniques generates a signal based on values of the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT). This surveillance method is relatively well-known and requires simulation, but it is flexible and, by construction, has the appropriate type I error. An alternative surveillance method generates a signal based on the p-values for the conventional scan statistic. This test does not require simulation, complicated formulas, or use of specialized software, but it is based on approximations and thus can overstate or understate the probability of interest. RESULTS: This study compared statistical methods by using brucellosis data collected by CDC. The methods provided qualitatively similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively simple modification of existing software should be considered so that when GLRTs are performed, the appropriate function will be maximized. When a health department has data that indicate an unexpected increase in rates but its staff lack experience with existing software for surveillance based on GLRTs, alternative methods that only require computing Poisson probabilities can be used. Language: en
Maternal Signaling Pathways and the Regulation of Cell Fate

Publisher Summary A maternal mRNA Vgl induction of markers of both anterior (pancreas) and posterior (intestine) endodermal cell types suggests that Vgl acts early in the endodermal fate decision, resulting in endodermal lineages present throughout the digestive tract. In the case of mesoderm induction, Vgl induces dorsal markers and results in differentiation of notochord and somitic muscle. However, Vgl also induces ventral–lateral markers such as Xwnt8, and therefore, Vgl can induce gene expression representing all domains of the gastrula marginal zone, with the exception of definitive ventral fates that form blood. The results point to a role for Vgl in establishing endodermal and mesodermal fates, without a specific role in the dorsal–ventral pattern of the induced tissues. The observations presented in this chapter lead to two apparently distinct conclusions: (1) Vgl, or Vgl-like factors localized to vegetal blastomeres regulate endodermal fate as a primary effect, and mesodermal fate, perhaps as a secondary effect; and (2) siamois, as a mediator of maternal dorsal determinants, regulates dorsal specification, and organizer formation.
An Attempt to Formulate a Quantitative Theory of Membrane Permeability

The fundamental theories of electrolyte diffusion (Nernst,1 Planck2) take into account the electrostatic forces that cooperate with the “osmotic” forces to cause the migration of ions. In these theories, however, no assumption has to be made as to the origin of the charge on the particles in the solution. Accordingly, we may expect that their predictions regarding ionic diffusion may be extended to include other cases of diffusion, where other charged elements are present, regardless of the constitution, shape, etc., of these elements.Diffusion of an electrolyte through a membrane may be such a case. The membrane may be regarded as having a charge due either to “adsorption,” “dissociation,” or “polar character,” etc., but it is not necessary to make any further assumptions as to its nature. The effect of the membrane is regarded as that of an “added ion.”In order to demonstrate the usefulness of treating permeability problems as cases of simple diffusion we shall—for the sake of clarity, in a highly simpl...
Latent reacquisition and extinction

Forty water-deprived albino rats ran a straight alley with differently textured and colored startbox, runway, and goal box (GB) for 35 acquisition trials and were then extinguished to criterion. After random assignment to four conditions, Ss received three trials of 30 sec exposure to either regular GB with reward (Group LRA-1), novel GB with reward (Group LRA-2), regular GB without reward (Group C-1), or hold box without reward (Group C-2). Three test extinction trials in initial runway followed. All acquisition, extinction, treatment, and test trials were given one per day. Control group speeds did not differ significantly at any test trial. LRA-1 group medians exceeded controls at all test trials on both starting and running speeds, significantly so only on the former. LRA-2 group medians were slower than controls on test trial 1, but not on later test trials, and significantly so only for running speed.
Simply Analyzing the Existing Emptiness Problems and Countermeasures of the Private Higher Learning Institution's Students

Currently,students' existing state in many private higher learning institutions is worrying.The deficiency of objective and significance,the weakening of positive action,which prominent tiresome spiritual and hollow existing of the private higher learning institution's students.Self identity crises,lack of controlling own self,bad habits and so on are the main reasons that cause hollow existing of the private higher learning institution's students.Undertaking task,loving and bearing hardships are the primary channels that make individual refrain from emptiness and obtain significant life.
Particle Flow Simulation of Crack Development in Asphalt Mixture

In order to describe the crack development in asphalt mixture from the meso-scale perspective,a virtual specimen of asphalt mixture with heterogeneous( aggregates,mastic and air voids) and multilayer( aggregate gradation) morphological features is reconstructed using the Fish language provided in the discrete element software PFC2 D. The corresponding micromechanical models describing the interaction of micro-scale components of the virtual specimen are assigned. A single-edge notched beam virtual 3-point bending test is implemented using the discrete element method( DEM). The surface crack development of the experimental beam specimen is captured using the digital camera method,and some parts of 2D fracture mechanism are investigated. The result indicates that( 1) the macro fracture mechanical response from virtual test shows good agreement with the experimental result,but the model reconstructed using the digital image from the single face of the specimen is short of credibility to predict the mechanical property;( 2) the 2D crack propagating paths simulated by virtual test shows very similar trends with those of the digital camera method,the brittle fracture behavior is represented using both the modeling and testing,but the 2D model herein tends to exaggerate the effect of coarse aggregates on the fracture process of asphalt mixture;( 3) the method based on the DEM program,which is used for analyzing the crack development behavior,can be used as asupplemental tool to investigate the fracture behavior of asphalt mixture.
Application of the On-board Computer Network Technology in the Baojun Car

Application of electronic control system is more and more widely in the automobile.Bao Jun cars using computer network technology to realize the electronic control system computer control function,through the on-board computer network transmission data flow,to achieve different electronic control system between the information transfer and share.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Are there barriers to ideal care?

e18046 Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have revolutionized treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with excellent survival outcomes and response rates. Our institution serves a...
Results of a phase I-II trial using tri-modality therapy in patients with post-prostatectomy high risk pathologic (p) T2-3N0M0 prostate cancer.

e16620Background: A phase I-II trial was conducted to determine the safety and feasibility of post-prostatectomy radiation therapy (RT), concurrent docetaxel and hormonal therapy (HT) in patients w...
Transfer Frequency as a Measure of Hospital Capability and Regionalization

Objective To provide metrics for quantifying the capability of hospitals and the degree of care regionalization. Data Source Administrative database covering more than 10 million hospital encounters during a 3-year period (2012–2014) in Massachusetts. Principal Findings We calculated the condition-specific probabilities of transfer for all acute care hospitals in Massachusetts and devised two new metrics, the Hospital Capability Index (HCI) and the Regionalization Index (RI), for analyzing hospital systems. The HCI had face validity, accurately differentiating academic, teaching, and community hospitals of varying size. Individual hospital capabilities were clearly revealed in “fingerprints” of their condition-specific transfer behavior. The RI also performed well, with those of specific conditions successfully quantifying the concentration of care arising from regulatory and public health activity. The median RI of all conditions within the Massachusetts health care system was 0.21 (IQR, 0.13–0.36), with a long tail of conditions that were very highly regionalized. Application of the HCI and RI metrics together across the entire state identified the degree of interdependence among its hospitals. Conclusions Condition-specific transfer activity, as captured in the HCI and RI, provides quantitative measures of hospital capability and regionalization of care.
Analysis of IEEE 802.11a interference on UWB systems

The performance of an ultra-wideband receiver in the presence of IEEE 802.11a interference is evaluated. A mathematical expression for the interference is presented, and a closed-form solution for the interference on an UWB system employing the second derivative Gaussian monocycle is derived. The interference is characterized in terms of the receiver's bit error rates and throughputs. Our results indicate that, under certain conditions, the IEEE 802.11a interference can cause a significant increase in the bit error rate and a severe degradation of the attainable throughput of the UWB system.
Hearing Preservation After Penetrating Cochlear Injury

Objectives:To share results and recommendations for management of penetrating cochlear injury.Methods:A patient underwent repair of a penetrating cochlear injury after a projectile led to a traumatic cochleostomy with a narrow miss of the facial nerve and intracranial carotid artery.Results:Postoperatively, the patient’s audiogram demonstrated a pure tone average of 47.5 dB for air conduction and 35 dB for bone conduction, worse in the high frequencies, with a Word Recognition Score of 76%.Conclusions:Hearing loss from a penetrating cochlear injury can be mitigated with early repair, minimizing inner ear trauma, and steroid use to treat posttraumatic labyrinthitis.
Complex Truncal Masses in the Setting of CLOVES Syndrome: Aesthetic and Functional Implications.

Congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformations, epidermal nevi, and skeletal abnormalities (CLOVES) is a complex overgrowth syndrome with dramatic aesthetic and functional implications. The truncal masses characteristic of CLOVES syndrome are described as vascular malformations or lipomatous lesions with variable vascular components. Herein, we describe our single-institution experience with surgical excision of CLOVES-related truncal masses and discuss future directions in treatment of these complex anomalies. A single-institution retrospective review was performed for patients diagnosed with CLOVES syndrome. Patients undergoing excision of truncal vascular malformations were included. Outcome measures included perioperative characteristics [estimated blood loss (EBL), specimen size/anatomic location, blood-product requirement], as well as length-of-stay [LOS], and complication profile. Mean follow-up was 23.4 months (range 4.2–44). Three consecutive patients were reviewed, accounting for 4 surgical operations. One patient underwent two operations for two distinct masses. All lesions were located on the upper back or flank with various degrees of muscular involvement. One patient required no transfusions with an uneventful 2-day hospitalization. The remaining three patients had an EBL ranging from 1500 to 6450 mL, requiring 9–13 units of packed red blood cells and 5–8 units of fresh frozen plasma during LOS (averaging 5 days). Mean weight of resected masses was 6.26 lbs (range 2.04–12 lbs) and mass dimensions ranged between 1778.9 and 15,680 cm3. One patient with recurrence was subsequently treated with a combination of sclerotherapy and rapamycin, leading to significant mass reduction. Management of CLOVES syndrome requires a collaborative and multimodal approach. Although surgical debulking is one treatment option, non-invasive medical modalities and sclerotherapy should be considered prior to surgical resection. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
510. Synergistic Efficacy from Gene Therapy with Pompe Disease Using Anti-CD4 mAb and a Beta-Agonist, Clenbuterol

Pompe disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of acid α-glucosidase (GAA), and makes weakness in many organs and tissues including cardiac and skeletal muscles. An adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector containing a muscle specific-expression promoter, AAV-MHCK7hGAApA, showed elevated GAA expression levels in cardiac and skeletal muscles in GAA knockout (KO) mice. Efficacy of Pompe gene therapy is minimized by at least 2 serious obstacles; 1) low expression of cationic-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) which mediates uptake and trafficking of GAA from blood stream to lysosomes, 2) immune responses against introduced GAA especially in cross-reactive immunological material (CRIM)-negative patients. According to our previous studies, the level of CI-MPR in skeletal muscles could be increased by treatment of β-agonists (clenbuterol and albuterol), and immune responses could be blocked by a single injection of anti-CD4 mAb.herefore, we were interested in a combined treatment of clenbuterol and anti-CD4 mAb in Pompe gene therapy to reach the sufficient efficacy for clinical application.We injected 20 mg/mouse anti-CD4 mAb at one day before the injection of AAV-MHCK7hGAApA, and treated 6 mg/ml clenbuterol in drinking water for 13 weeks. In measurement of physical conditions, latency time on the Rotarod was increased by treatment of anti-CD4 mAb but not by clenbuterol. Meanwhile, the latency time with wirehang was increased by clenbuterol treatment. As the latency on Rotarod related to the mice's neuromuscular abilities, injection of anti-CD4 mAb might enhance the physical condition ofAAV-treated GAA-KO mice, and clenbuterol might enhance muscle strength of GAA-KO mice. Encouragingly, the combined treatment showed a further enhancement in the both tests (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). We also measured GAA level and glycogen clearance in several tissues to evaluate the effect of combinational treatment in biochemical corrections. We found that GAA activity was correlated with glycogen clearance in cardiac muscle but not in skeletal muscles. Glycogen clearance was mainly correlated the effect of beta-agonist in skeletal muscles (p<0.01). Importantly, the combinationed treatment Pompe gene therapy showed clear synergistic effect for the clearance of glycogen in both cardiac (p<0.001) and skeletal muscles (p<0.001 in quadriceps, and p<0.01 in gastrocnemius). The combined treatment also showed the synergic effect in gaining of body weight. From this study, we concluded that therapeutic effects of Pompe gene therapy including glycogen clearance and muscle strength was not only by GAA activity but also by other lysosomal functions such as β-adrenergic receptor-mediated endocytosis. In addition, drug effects were shown to be different between cardiac and skeletal muscles. Together, the results demonstrate that an optimizing clinical outcome could be achieved by the combined treatment with stimulation of β-adrenergic receptor and suppression of immune response.
Blood-Brain Barriers in Obesity

After decades of rapid increase, the rate of obesity in adults in the USA is beginning to slow and the rate of childhood obesity is stabilizing. Despite these improvements, the obesity epidemic continues to be a major health and financial burden. Obesity is associated with serious negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and, more recently, cognitive decline and various neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease. In the past decade, major advancements have contributed to the understanding of the role of the central nervous system (CNS) in the development of obesity and how peripheral hormonal signals modulate CNS regulation of energy homeostasis. In this article, we address how obesity affects the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the impact of obesity on Alzheimer’s disease, the effects of obesity on circulating proteins and their transport into the brain, and how these changes can potentially be reversed by weight loss.
Lobular Carcinoma In Situ

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a risk factor and a nonobligate precursor of breast carcinoma. The relative risk of invasive carcinoma after classic LCIS diagnosis is approximately 9 to 10 times that of the general population. Classic LCIS diagnosed on core biopsy with concordant imaging and pathologic findings does not mandate surgical excision, and margin status is not reported. The identification of variant LCIS in a needle core biopsy specimen mandates surgical excision, regardless of radiologic-pathologic concordance. The presence of variant LCIS close to the surgical margin of a resection specimen is reported, and reexcision should be considered.
Polyolefins — What Next?

In this Symposium on “Advances in Polyolefins” a galaxy of distinguished experts have presented an impressive and stimulating account of the recent developments in Science and Engineering of this important class of polymeric materials. Professor Raymond B. Seymour, the organizer of the Symposium has kindly asked me to add a “Concluding Chapter” to it. This chapter could have been a “Summary” or a “Forecast.” The other chapters represent a closely knit and complete survey of the “Advances” — therefore, a “Summary” would not make much sense.
Storage Versus Performance Exchange in Probabilistic Question-Answering Systems

In this paper we study the trade-offs between the required storage space and the quality of answers produced by Probabilistic Question-Answering (POA) systems.
College Students’ Degree Aspirations: A Theoretical Model and Literature Review With a Focus on African American and Latino Students

Quite a few comprehensive studies on undergraduate experiences and general models of degree attainment and attrition have highlighted the importance of measuring educational aspirations. Many researchers theorize that student educational aspirations have strong effects on (or strong relationships with) a variety of outcomes, particularly college choice, student retention, and graduate school enrollment (Astin, 1977; Tinto, 1993
General Anatomy and Setup

Arthroscopy of the radiocarpal and midcarpal articulation can be performed safely and effectively once the anatomy is mastered and the appropriate equipment is obtained. Its usefulness as a diagnostic and therapeutic modality for pathology of the wrist has been demonstrated. As our understanding of wrist pathology and our technical ability increase, arthroscopy will play a larger role in the treatment of disorders of the wrist.
Deep Learning for Plant Stress Phenotyping: Trends and Future Perspectives.

Deep learning (DL), a subset of machine learning approaches, has emerged as a versatile tool to assimilate large amounts of heterogeneous data and provide reliable predictions of complex and uncertain phenomena. These tools are increasingly being used by the plant science community to make sense of the large datasets now regularly collected via high-throughput phenotyping and genotyping. We review recent work where DL principles have been utilized for digital image–based plant stress phenotyping. We provide a comparative assessment of DL tools against other existing techniques, with respect to decision accuracy, data size requirement, and applicability in various scenarios. Finally, we outline several avenues of research leveraging current and future DL tools in plant science.
Health and appearance: Factors motivating the decision to seek bariatric surgery

Abstract Background Few studies have examined the motivating factors and people that lead patients to seek bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery helps to improve body image, but little is known about patients' desired changes in the appearance of specific body parts. Objectives To identify key factors and people motivating patients' decision to seek bariatric surgery, and to assess body dissatisfaction and desire for surgery to change the appearance of specific body parts. Setting U.S. university-based hospital clinic. Methods Patients seeking bariatric surgery (N = 208, 78.4% women, 52.4% black, mean age = 42.0 ± 12.3 yr, mean body mass index = 46.7 ± 8.5 kg/m2) completed the Reasons for Bariatric Surgery questionnaire before their preoperative Psychosocial–behavioral evaluation. Participants rated (1–10) the importance of 15 potential reasons and 7 potential people motivating their decision to seek bariatric surgery. Participants also rated their dissatisfaction and desire for surgery to change the appearance of 11 body parts. Results Mean scores of motivating factors were highest for Physical Health (9.9 ± .4), followed by Longevity (9.7 ± .9). Patients reported high body dissatisfaction and desire for surgery to change the appearance of several body parts, including stomach and thighs. "Myself" was the highest-rated motivating person, followed by healthcare providers, family, and someone who had undergone bariatric surgery. Conclusions Health is the primary reason reported by patients for seeking bariatric surgery. Patients also report a strong desire for surgery to change the appearance of their body. Patients are self-driven to pursue surgery but are also influenced by healthcare providers, family, and people who have undergone surgery. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2019;X:XXX–XXX.) © 2019 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.
Bacidia gullahgeechee (Bacidiaceae, Lecanoromycetes) an unusual new species potentially endemic to the globally unique Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto River Basin of southeastern North America

Bacidia gullahgeechee is described as new to science and easily recognized by the combination of a leprose thallus, minute tan to dark reddish-brown biatorine apothecia, and production of perlatolic acid. The species forms extensive, conspicuous colonies on palmetto (Sabal palmetto) trunks in maritime forests of the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin of South Carolina, one of largest protected estuaries in the eastern United States, where it is presumed to be narrowly endemic.
Using multiple tracers (F−, B, δ11B, and optical brighteners) to distinguish between municipal drinking water and wastewater inputs to urban streams

Abstract Releases of municipal waters, including drinking water and wastewater, can considerably alter urban stream chemistry. However, the relative contributions of drinking water versus wastewater to streams have not been quantified previously and are therefore the focus of this study. We sampled streams along a land use gradient that included watersheds with impervious surface areas (ISA) ranging from 1.6 to 62.6%. Samples were analyzed for F−, total B, δ11B, and optical brighteners to determine municipal water inputs to streams. We observed low F− (75 ± 20 μg/L), B (29 ± 6 μg/L), and optical brightener (3.66 ± 0.76 RFU) levels in rural streams, but their concentrations increased with urbanization (up to 475 μg/L, 227 μg/L, and 22.09 RFU, respectively). The δ11B values for drinking waters (16.52 ± 0.39‰) and wastewaters (untreated = 6.06 ± 0.88‰ and treated = 6.46 ± 0.93‰) were distinct, but there was poor correlation between δ11B and ISA for the streams (R2 = 1 × 10−5; p = 0.99), likely due to variable lithology in the study area. We used inverse and three-component mixing models to quantify municipal water inputs to the streams. In densely urbanized watersheds, drinking water and wastewater can respectively contribute up to 54% and 16% of the total streamflow. In addition to our spatial sampling, we collected weekly samples at a suburban stream to test the effects of discharge and seasonality on municipal water tracer behavior. We found that tracer levels did not change significantly (p ≥ 0.28) with discharge or season, suggesting that municipal water inputs are fairly constant. Understanding the relative proportions of differing municipal water types to streams is crucial in guiding infrastructure improvements to conserve drinking water and reduce harmful wastewater releases. The unique chemical signatures of municipal waters aid in the widespread applicability of our multi-tracer method for identifying water sourcing to urban streams.