cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cirrhosis Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Are Significantly Less Likely to Receive Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Disparities in receipt of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance contribute to disparities in overall survival outcomes. We aim to evaluate disparities in receipt of routine HCC surveillance among patients with cirrhosis in a large urban safety-net hospital. Consecutive adults (age ≥ 18) with cirrhosis from July 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015, were retrospectively evaluated to determine rates of receiving appropriate HCC surveillance within 6 months and 1 year after diagnosis of cirrhosis. Rates of HCC surveillance were stratified by sex, race/ethnicity, and liver disease etiology. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to evaluate for predictors of receiving appropriate HCC surveillance. Among 157 cirrhosis patients enrolled [hepatitis C virus (HCV): 29.9%, hepatitis B virus: 13.4%, alcoholic cirrhosis: 44.6%, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): 8.9%], mean age of cirrhosis diagnosis was 53.8 ± 9.0 years. Among these patients, 49% received (n = 77) HCC surveillance within 6 months and 78% (n = 123) were surveyed within 1 year of cirrhosis diagnosis. On multivariate analyses, patients with NASH cirrhosis were significantly less likely to receive HCC surveillance compared with chronic HCV cirrhosis patients (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.19–0.99, p < 0.05). No significant sex-specific or race/ethnicity-specific disparities in receipt of HCC surveillance were observed. Among a diverse safety-net hospital population, sub-optimal HCC surveillance rates were observed: Only 49% of cirrhosis patients received HCC surveillance within 6 months, and 78% of cirrhosis patients received HCC surveillance within 1 year. Differences in rates of HCC screening by liver disease etiology were observed.
City of Gods: religious freedom, immigration, and pluralism in Flushing, Queens

Although the United States has a legal tradition of separation of church and state, throughout its history it has been a predominantly Christian, mostly Protestant nation. Immigration has increased...
Heidegger and the Nature of Social Learning

The image of the “active” thinker maintains a central role in the allure of social learning pedagogy. The social learner co-constructs knowledge with others, and, in doing so, brings active cognition to the learning process. At the heart of this process is a particular type of discourse, one devoted not to the communication of already-established knowledge, but to the co-creation of knowledge. As illustrated by James V. Wertsch and Ana Luisa Bustamente Smolka, this model of discourse is particularly compelling when contrasted with the type of discourse prevalent in traditional teacher-centric pedagogy, discourse that revolves around teacher evaluation of student responses to teacher-initiated questions.1 As numerous critics, including John Dewey, Jerome Bruner, and Paulo Freire have noted, students participating in teacher-centered discourse typically assume the role of passive thinker or even nonthinker, a receptacle to be “filled” with already-known information.2 In light of this contrast, social learning shines as an opportunity for students to think for themselves, to be active, agentic learners.
Outcomes of microvascular flap reconstruction of the head and neck in patients receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplantation

Background For organ transplant recipients, cancer secondary to immunosuppressive therapy threatens long-term survival. The associated multiple comorbidities make major free flap reconstruction following cancer surgery a complicated event. This study evaluates the outcomes of free flap reconstruction in this population. Methods A retrospective chart review of all head and neck free flap cases in patients with a history of organ transplantation receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy between 2005 and 2017 at a single-institution was conducted. Results Of 57 organ transplant patients, 25 patients (28 flaps) were included. Flaps used included the anterolateral thigh (n = 17), radial forearm (n = 4), latissimus dorsi (n = 3), fibula (n = 2), lateral arm (n = 1), and thoracodorsal artery perforator (n = 1) flaps. The most common organ transplant was kidney, then lung, liver, and heart. Mean inpatient stay was 8.2 days (range, 4-28). Complications occurred in 15 patients, with no total or partial flap losses. Conclusion Major head and neck free flap reconstructive surgery can be performed safely in organ transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Meticulous multidisciplinary care is required to achieve consistently successful outcomes.
Communicating Jesus’s Liberating Love Amidst Hostile Powers:

Ministering to inmates and training them as pastoral agents inside jails and prisons are highly challenging in today’s correctional institutions. Many forces are at work in these facilities that in...
EdgeCache: An optimized algorithm for CDN-based over-the-top video streaming services

In this paper, we propose a model for video streaming systems, typically composed of a centralized origin server, several CDN sites, and edge-caches located closer to the end users. We comprehensively consider different systems design factors including the limited caching space at the CDN sites, allocation of CDN for a video request, choice of different ports from the CDN and the central storage, bandwidth allocation, the edge capacity, and the caching policy. We focus on minimizing a performance metric, stall duration tail probability (SDTP), and present a novel and efficient algorithm accounting for the multiple design flexibilities. The theoretical bounds with respect to the SDTP metric are also analyzed and presented. The implementation on a virtualized cloud system manged by Openstack demonstrate that the proposed algorithms can significantly improve the SDTP metric, compared to the baseline strategies.
Bifurcations in the Mean Angle of a Horizontally Shaken Pendulum: Analysis and Experiment

A pendulum excited by high-frequency horizontal displacement of its pivot point will vibrate with small amplitude about a mean position. The mean value is zero for small excitation amplitudes, but if the excitation is large enough the mean angle can take on non-zero values. This behavior is analyzed using the method of multiple time scales. The change in the mean angle is shown to be the result of a pitchfork bifurcation, or a saddle-node bifurcation if the system is imperfect. Analytical predictions of the mean angle as a function of frequency and amplitude are confirmed by physical experiment and numerical simulation.
A Bayesian network approach to juxtapose brand engagement and behaviors of substantive interest in e-services

This study juxtaposes brand engagement and behaviors of substantive interest in the context of eservices and utilizes Bayesian networks for an exploratory, data-driven approach. Enlisting a behavioral focus, it investigates the item-to-item relationships between brand engagement, attitudes, and conspicuous behaviors both online and offline. Two Bayesian networks were constructed from samples of city website users (N = 1089) and nonusers (N = 475). Results confirm that the five groups of nodes included in our constructed Bayesian networks were well distinguished as separate constructs and interrelated, centered on two nodes of brand engagement. Results also indicate that two nodes of brand engagement, “sense of belonging” and “participating in activities”, induced positive attitudes and were associated with conspicuous behaviors. Overall, this study demonstrates the dynamic, item-to-item relationships between engagement and behaviors of substantive interest. For managers, it is important in practice to discover the particular variables that play central roles among associated variables.
Differences in Diagnostic Criteria Mask the True Prevalence of Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The reported prevalence of thyroid disease in pregnancy varies widely through the published literature. These discrepancies are due to differences in criteria for euthyroidism, national...
Teaching the Incompleteness Theorem

Abstract It is suggested that the technical work that has led to the solution of Hilbert's tenth problem can advantageously be used in teaching the incompleteness theorem.
Evaluation and Management of Cirrhotic Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery

Cirrhotic patients have an increased risk of surgical complications and higher perioperative morbidity and mortality based on the severity of their liver disease. Liver disease predisposes patients to perioperative coagulopathies, volume overload, and encephalopathy. The goal of this paper is to discuss the surgical risk of cirrhotic patients undergoing elective surgeries and to discuss perioperative optimization strategies. Literature thus far varies by surgery type and the magnitude of surgical risk. CTP and MELD classification scores allow for the assessment of surgical risk in cirrhotic patients. Once the decision has been made to undergo elective surgery, cirrhotic patients can be optimized pre-procedure with the help of a checklist and by the involvement of a multidisciplinary team. Elective surgeries should be performed at hospital centers staffed by healthcare providers experienced in caring for cirrhotic patients. Further research is needed to develop ways to prepare this complicated patient population before elective surgery.
Subdural Hematoma in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: An Outcome Analysis and Examination of Risk Factors of Operative and Nonoperative Management.

Background Patients with hematologic disorders who present with subdural hematomas (SDH) present a surgical decision-making challenge. Because of intrinsic coagulopathy, platelet dysfunction, and immunosuppression, surgical intervention poses a unique set of risks. Objective To describe a clinical sample of patients with hematologic disorders and concurrent SDH, to compare baseline and outcome variables, including complication rates and survival, in surgical versus nonsurgical management, and to identify clinical variables that may predict outcomes. Methods A 12-year retrospective case-control study was carried out of 50 adult patients with hematologic malignancies and SDH. Patients underwent surgical evacuation for SDH. Controls did not. Outcomes included discharge disposition, Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 30-day mortality, and overall survival. Complications included seizure, reoperation, and readmission. A Fisher exact test or χ2 analysis compared categorical variables; continuous outcomes were compared with a Student t test. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed and multivariable Cox logistic regression evaluated variables associated with overall mortality. Results Surgical and nonsurgical groups differed only by Glasgow Coma Scale score, with slightly lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores in the surgical group. Complication rates did not differ; however, the 30-day reoperation rate was 35% for the surgical cohort. Overall, seizure incidence was 18%, readmission was 30%, 30-day mortality was 38%, median survival was 140.5 days, and 75% had a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1–3 at censorship. Increased age, low hemoglobin levels, and low platelet levels were associated with increased risk of mortality. Conclusions Low platelet and hemoglobin levels are consistent markers of poor prognosis and surgical intervention, either as a proxy of or as a cause for clinical deterioration, is associated with increased mortality risk.
Eigenvalues for the Minors of Wigner Matrices

The eigenvalues for the minors of real symmetric ($\beta=1$) and complex Hermitian ($\beta=2$) Wigner matrices form the Wigner corner process, which is a multilevel interlacing particle system. In this paper, we study the microscopic scaling limit of the Wigner corner process both near the spectral edge and in the bulk, and prove they are universal. We show: (i) Near the spectral edge, the corner process exhibit a decoupling phenomenon, as first observed in [24]. Individual extreme particles have Tracy-Widom$_{\beta}$ distribution; the spacings between the extremal particles on adjacent levels converge to independent Gamma distributions in a much smaller scale. (ii) In the bulk, the microscopic scaling limit of the Wigner corner process is given by the bead process for general Sine$_\beta$ process, as constructed recently in [34].
Surface-Volume Consistent Construction of Longitudinal Atlases for the Early Developing Brain

Infant brain atlases are essential for characterizing structural changes in the developing brain. Volumetric and cortical atlases are typically constructed independently, potentially causing discrepancies between tissue boundaries and cortical surfaces. In this paper, we present a method for surface-volume consistent construction of longitudinal brain atlases of infants from 2 weeks to 12 months of age. We first construct the 12-month atlas via groupwise surface-constrained volumetric registration. The longitudinal displacements of each subject with respect to different time points are then transported parallelly to the 12-month atlas space. The 12-month cortico-volumetric atlas is finally warped temporally to each month prior to the 12th month using the transported displacements. Experimental results indicate that the longitudinal atlases generated are consistent in terms of tissue boundaries and cortical surfaces, hence allowing joint surface-volume analysis to be performed in a common space.
Developing Open Practices in Teacher Education: An Example of Integrating OER and Developing Renewable Assignments

This manuscript offers a reasoning for and example of integrating Open Educational Resources (OER) and open pedagogy within a teacher education course. We highlight a collaborative partnership between library faculty and education faculty and the decision points and processes we used when redesigning this course to provide an example of adopting OER and our considerations for developing a renewable assignment. The benefits of using OER for K-12 teachers include increasing awareness of and providing opportunities to develop open practices. The transition to a renewable assignment creates a space for teaching candidates to meaningfully contribute to the profession and engage in collaboration across time and space. Teacher education programs provide an ideal space to develop digital literacies and open practices.
Creating a prediction model of passenger preference between low cost and legacy airlines

Abstract The airline industry is highly competitive, and in order to increase profits, airlines are always looking to better target key customers. Increased understanding of customers also helps improve the product from the customer's perspective. This study aims to determine which factors predict airline passengers' preference between legacy and low-cost carriers. The correlational design used creates a prediction model for passengers from the United States. Through two stages of this study, 936 participants (379 females) from the US were utilized for the linear multiple regression analyses to build the model. In the first stage, the regression analysis was used to generate a regression model of passenger preference, which was then tested in the second stage, thereby validating the prediction model. Samples for each stage were independent and subjected to a backward stepwise regression analysis. To determine the influencers of passenger preference, nine potential predictors were surveyed. The predictors were age of the participant, gender of the participant, yearly income of the participant, education level of the participant, seat type, purpose of travel, frequency of travel in a year, category of frequent flier program, and risk-taking tendencies of the participant. The results of the data analysis showed frequency of travel in a year, yearly income of the participant, seat type, and education level of the participant as significant predictors of passengers' preference between legacy and low-cost carriers. This research has practical implications for the airline industry in better understanding the consumer base, which could lead to increased profitability for the carriers.
Thermal Chemistry of Metal Organic Compounds Adsorbed on Oxide Surfaces

The thermal chemistry of several metal organic compounds with amidinate, diketonate, or cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligands on oxide surfaces, mainly on silicon dioxide but also on aluminum oxide, was st...
The Analysis of the ADHD child Accident incident rates in school environment

Aim. The main objective of this article is to contribute to the research in the area of accident incident rates among school children. Methods. A non-standardized, 12-item questionnaire based on independent compilation was used for data collection. The questionnaire contained closed questions which monitor the nature of school-related injuries, gender and age of respondents. Results. 100 students with diagnosed ADHD and 100 children without ADHD diagnosis participated in the research. The accident and incident data were collected between September 2016 and June 2017. Out of 100 given questionnaires filled by ADHD children, the result shows that 49% of them experienced an injury in school and children without ADHD diagnosis reported injury in only 26% of cases, which means that roughly every second child with a Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder experienced an injury some time during the school year during class, whereas among neurotypical children this ratio would refer to every fourth child. Conclusions. The results of the analysts pointed at the possible need of informing all staff involved in the education system of ADHD children about the risks of injury in school environment and thus support the prevention of injuries, support the prevention programs which would be focused on children with attention disorders.
Can we infer the age of karst conduit from the profile of potentiometric surface

Abstract The Floridan aquifer consists of a high presence of karst features that make the landscape prone to sinkholes. Karst conduits can conduct high amounts of water and affect processes such as groundwater transport. A karst conduit evolution model based on dissolution chemistry is applied to the Silver Springs springshed in Ocala, Florida. The model is able to reproduce the observed potentiometric head profiles more accurately than the one-dimensional groundwater flow model for confined aquifer with leaky conditions. In addition, based on the initial fracture geometry and dissolution chemistry, the model predicts the age of the conduits from the analyzed head profiles to be approximately 9–60 Myrs old. The understanding of the karst conduit geometric evolution and mapping can improve conduit age prediction as well as better characterize conduit flow patterns and subsequent groundwater processes.
Tel-Aviv and the sea: models of inspiration

The article examines the development of Tel Aviv’s seaside in its formative years. The proximity to the sea aroused in the predominately-European founders’ aspirations of creating a seaside resort ...
How Valuable is Experience? Examining the Impact of Founder Experience on Nonprofit Start-Up Success

Nonprofit entrepreneurs face a number of liabilities that are particularly significant during the emergent phase of a new nonprofit. Using a human capital perspective, this study examines the influence previous experience plays as it relates to nonprofit organizational start-up success. The study draws on a sample of 118 nascent nonprofit entrepreneurs. The results from a logistic regression analysis show no significant impact with regard to education or prior nonprofit management experience. The results, however, show that prior start-up experience significantly enhances the likelihood of start-up success.
An Input-Output Reconstruction of the Macro-Monetary Interpretation of Marxian Theory

In this paper, I extend Fred Moseley’s algebraic summary of the macro-monetary interpretation (MMI) of Marxian theory to explicitly incorporate the equality between the input and output prices, and examine some of the mathematical properties of the input-output model of the MMI that emerges from this exercise. First, in case the variable capital is equal to the prices of production of wage goods, the MMI model yields two different solutions, where one of them has the profit rate determined in the same way as in the standard model. Moreover, it is shown that the standard input-output system of equilibrium prices can be derived directly from the model of the MMI, which demonstrates that the latter shares the same structure with the standard input-output model. Second, in case the variable capital is equal to nominal wage cost, the profit rate and the prices of production are uniquely determined consistently to Moseley’s suggestion; however, the solution for gross outputs supporting these does not exist in a general condition.
El espacio de las redacciones: Novelando en el periódico y reporteando en la novela de America Latina

This article investigates the imbrications and porosities between fiction and nonfiction in Latin America. It analyzes a two-way textual process in which writers working for newspapers included styles and characteristics of literature in their journalistic texts as they simultaneously created works of fiction that were based on or influenced by their journalism. This discursive dialogism occurs in a space herein called the «narrative room». Deeply rooted in Latin American literary tradition, this phenomenon has produced texts with different degrees of hybridity that blur the boundaries between Latin American literature and journalism.
Mentoring Experience of Academic Librarians: A Pilot Study of Mentorship in Academic Libraries

Librarians have embraced the critical role mentoring can play in the professional growth, socialization and leadership development for academic libraries. The author sought to understand mentoring experiences in career and professional development and psychosocial functions as well as barriers to entering mentoring relationships in New England academic libraries. Surveys sent to academic librarians at Association of College and Research Libraries/New England Chapter News Group invited them to share their experiences with mentoring relationships and its benefits. The study suggests that few structured formal mentoring programs from their own libraries exist for librarians outside of professional associations’ mentoring programs. Additionally, results suggest that the mentoring program antecedents of library organizational culture, prior positive mentoring experience are the main influencing factors for successful implementation of mentoring programs.
Snapshot spectral imaging using Solc-based multivariate optical filters and pixelated polarization cameras

Despite recent advances, customized multispectral cameras can be challenging or costly to deploy in some use cases. Complexities span electronic synchronization, multi-camera calibration, parallax and spatial coregistration, and data acquisition from multiple cameras, all of which can hamper their ease of use. This paper discusses a generalized procedure for multispectral sensing using a pixelated polarization camera and Solc stages to create multivariate optical filters. We then describe some preliminary experimental results of a fabricated filtered camera system. Finally, classification of the imagery is achieved using either shallow or deep neural networks. We also discuss the potential of using a color red, green, and blue microgrid polarization camera to detect upwards of 12 spectral channels using readily available standard off-the-shelf components.
Patient and general public attitudes towards clinical artificial intelligence: a mixed methods systematic review.

Summary Artificial intelligence (AI) promises to change health care, with some studies showing proof of concept of a provider-level performance in various medical specialties. However, there are many barriers to implementing AI, including patient acceptance and understanding of AI. Patients' attitudes toward AI are not well understood. We systematically reviewed the literature on patient and general public attitudes toward clinical AI (either hypothetical or realised), including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods original research articles. We searched biomedical and computational databases from Jan 1, 2000, to Sept 28, 2020, and screened 2590 articles, 23 of which met our inclusion criteria. Studies were heterogeneous regarding the study population, study design, and the field and type of AI under study. Six (26%) studies assessed currently available or soon-to-be available AI tools, whereas 17 (74%) assessed hypothetical or broadly defined AI. The quality of the methods of these studies was mixed, with a frequent issue of selection bias. Overall, patients and the general public conveyed positive attitudes toward AI but had many reservations and preferred human supervision. We summarise our findings in six themes: AI concept, AI acceptability, AI relationship with humans, AI development and implementation, AI strengths and benefits, and AI weaknesses and risks. We suggest guidance for future studies, with the goal of supporting the safe, equitable, and patient-centred implementation of clinical AI.
Desarrollo: perspectiva ética y cristiana

espanolLas paginas que siguen parten de un convencimiento: que el desarrollo no es solo una cuestion tecnica y socioeconomica, sino que encierra una dimension etica. Pero este convencimiento no estaba tan asentado cuando se empezo a hablar de desarrollo y se pusieron en marchas las primeras estrategias para hacerlo realidad, a mediados del siglo XX. Fue obra de quienes comenzaron a tomar cierta distancia critica frente a politicas que pretendian “el desarrollo” para preguntarse “?que desarrollo?”. Porque la reflexion etica suele activarse cuando empezamos a sentirnos incomodos con la realidad que nos circunda. Para visualizar este proceso tomaremos como referencia tres momentos del Pensamiento Social Cristiano vinculados a documentos oficiales de la Iglesia, pero en cada uno de esos momentos haremos referencia al contexto historico y a las principales tendencias en el pensamiento sobre el desarrollo y sobre la etica del desarrollo. Porque el pensamiento de la Iglesia, que no se puede entender ignorando estas relaciones, ha contribuido con sus aportaciones a la elaboracion de una etica del desarrollo hecha desde perspectivas no religiosas. EnglishThe following pages are founded on one conviction: that development is not simply a technical or socio-economical issue but that it involves an ethical dimension. This idea, however, was not well established when development first became the subject of debate, and first strategies were designed to turn it into a reality during the mid-20th century. It was the work of those who took a certain critical distance in the face of policies supposed to promote development, in order to ask the question as to what development actually meant. The reason for this is that ethical reflection tends to emerge when we begin to feel uneasy with the reality that surrounds us francaisLes pages qui suivent reposent sur la conviction que le developpement n’est pas seulement une question technique et socio-economique, mais qu’il a aussi une dimension ethique. Mais cette conviction n’etait pas aussi bien ancree lorsque l’on a commence a parler de developpement et que les premieres strategies pour le concretiser ont ete mises en place au milieu du XXe siecle. C’est l’œuvre de ceux qui ont commence a prendre une distance critique par rapport aux politiques qui se reclamaient du «developpement» pour se demander «quel developpement?». Parce que la reflexion ethique est generalement acti-vee lorsque nous commencons a nous sentir mal a l’aise avec la realite qui nous entoure.
SHORT COMMUNICATION: Evaluating the relationship between in vitro and in situ starch degradation rates

Abstract Determining starch degradability is important because of its implicit relation to gut health, ruminal acidosis, energy availability, feed intake, and animal productivity. In vitro assays for protein and fiber degradability have been useful tools for ration formulation; however, analogous assessments of starch degradability have limited update. Our objective was to test how an enzymatic in vitro starch degradation assay compared with the in situ technique in terms of its ability to rank feeds based on their starch degradation rates. Samples of 19 livestock feeds were obtained from 4 feed mills and subjected to in vitro and in situ starch degradation analyses. Seven ruminally cannulated wethers on forage were used for the in situ procedure. In vitro starch degradation was assessed using an acetate buffer technique with modified enzymatic incubation times: amylase (AML) 5 min and amyloglucosidase (AMG) 10 min; AML 10 min and AMG 20 min; AML 15 min and AMG 30 min; AML 30 min and AMG 60 min; AML 45 min and AMG 90 min; and AML 60 min and AMG 120 min. In situ rates were determined using the Orskov method and in vitro predicted rates calculated assuming exponential decay. Relationships were analyzed as a linear mixed-effects model with in situ degradation rate as the response variable and in vitro predicted degradation rate, and initial free glucose, starch, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and fat content as fixed effects. Interactions between in vitro predicted degradation rate and the nutrient percentages were also included. Feed source was included as a random effect. In vitro predicted starch degradation rates ranged from 2.98 to 279%/h and in situ degradation rates ranged from 1.53 to 42.8%/h. A relationship between in vitro and in situ methods was observed when starch, fat, NDF, and initial free glucose contents were accounted for. Interactions between in vitro predicted degradation rate and starch and NDF contents were also observed, suggesting that these nutrients may confound the relationship between in vitro and in situ starch degradation measurements. Removing the rapidly degradable starch fraction from in situ analysis calculations improved the strength of the relationship between in situ and in vitro starch degradation rate. This in vitro assay may prove more useful for determining relative rankings of starch degradation rates among different feedstuffs rather than serving as an alternative to the in situ method. Additional investigation into assay repeatability and comparisons with true in vivo estimations of starch degradation are needed to confirm the usefulness of this in vitro screening technique.
Lasers and Optical Spectroscopy in Questioned Document Examination

The use of in situ laser-luminescence and excitation spectroscopy for examination of questioned documents is investigated. It is found that such spectroscopy can at times discriminate between similar inks when conventional methods are unsuccessful. A particularly effective procedure for room temperature luminescence enhancement is presented and compared with luminescence at cryogenic temperatures.
A Comparison of Two Methods for Measuring Land Use in Public Health Research

1. Katherine E. King[1][1],[2][2] 1. 1U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA 2. 2Duke University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA 1. Katherine E. King, US Environmental Protection Agency, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Email: keking{at}umich.edu Public health researchers have identified numerous health implications associated with land use. However, it is unclear which of multiple methods of data collection most accurately captures land use, and “gold standard” methods vary by discipline. Five desirable features of environmental data sources are presented and discussed (cost, coverage, availability, construct validity, and accuracy). Potential accuracy issues are discussed by using Kappa statistics to evaluate the level of agreement between data sets collected by two methods (systematic social observation [SSO] by trained raters and publicly available data from aerial photography coded using administrative records) from the same blocks in Chicago, Illinois. Significant Kappa statistics range from 0.19 to 0.60, indicating varying levels of intersource agreement. Most land uses are more likely to be reported by researcher-designed direct observation than in the publicly available data derived from aerial photography. However, when cost, coverage, and availability outweigh a marginal improvement in accuracy and flexibility in land-use categorization, coded aerial photography data may be a useful data source for health researchers. Greater interdisciplinary and interorganization collaboration in the production of ecological data is recommended to improve cost, coverage, availability, and accuracy, with implications for construct validity. [1]: #aff-1 [2]: #aff-2
Why do upgrades fail and what can we do about it?: toward dependable, online upgrades in enterprise system

Enterprise-system upgrades are unreliable and often produce downtime or data-loss. Errors in the upgrade procedure, such as broken dependencies, constitute the leading cause of upgrade failures. We propose a novel upgrade-centric fault model, based on data from three independent sources, which focuses on the impact of procedural errors rather than software defects. We show that current approaches for upgrading enterprise systems, such as rolling upgrades, are vulnerable to these faults because the upgrade is not an atomic operation and it risks breaking hidden dependencies among the distributed system-components. We also present a mechanism for tolerating complex procedural errors during an upgrade. Our system, called Imago, improves availability in the fault-free case, by performing an online upgrade, and in the faulty case, by reducing the risk of failure due to breaking hidden dependencies. Imago performs an end-to-end upgrade atomically and dependably, by dedicating separate resources to the new version and by isolating the old version from the upgrade procedure. Through fault injection, we show that Imago is more reliable than online-upgrade approaches that rely on dependency-tracking and that create system states with mixed versions.
Fragile X–Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome in a Man in His 30s

Fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that usually begins in the early 60s1,2 and affects carriers of premutation expansion (55–200 CGG repeats) of the fragile × mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. It is caused by elevated levels of FMR1 messenger RNA, leading to toxicity. Clinical features include progressive cerebellar ataxia and intention tremor. Associated symptoms include autonomic dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and cognitive impairment2.
Situation-Theoretic Analysis of Human Intentions in a Smart Home Environment

Smart home environments often need personalized requirements based on existing service products. Requirements under the environment may change at any time, even while services are correctly provided, since both caregivers and residents eventually diversify their intentions. In this paper, a situation-theoretic framework to infer human intentions is presented through a smart-home demonstration aimed at supporting independent living of elderly people. By analyzing experimental sensor data collected from a real-life smart home, differences and similarities between three detected intentions were intensely discussed.
On-Line Algorithms for a Single Machine Scheduling Problem

An increasingly significant branch of computer science is the study of on-line algorithms. In this paper, we apply the theory of on-line algorithms to job scheduling. In particular, we study the nonpreemptive single machine scheduling of independent jobs with arbitrary release dates to minimize the total completion time. We design and analyze two on-line algorithms which make scheduling decisions without knowing about jobs that will arrive in future.
Single-mode optical waveguide using siloxane polymer on Cu-polyimide substrate

A new single mode optical waveguide has been developed to obtain optoelectronic multichip modules. It is fabricated using siloxane polymer and thin film process technology onto a copper polyimide ceramic substrate. The siloxane polymer refractive index is 1.451, very similar to that of SiO/sub 2/. It is revealed that titanium doped siloxane polymer has refractive index of 1.4537 to 1.5949 (at 632.8 nm wavelength) which can be controlled by the TiO/sub 2/ content. The siloxane polymer which contains 2.0 wt% of TiO/sub 2/ has refractive index of 1.4437 at 1550 nm wavelength. Therefore, the siloxane polymer and the TiO/sub 2/ doped siloxane polymer can be used for cladding and core layers respectively, enabling a single mode waveguide. The core size is designed to be 4-8 /spl mu/m wide by 7.0 /spl mu/m thick to obtain a single mode optical waveguide at /spl Delta/n=0.0022.
Probabilistic Deformation Models for Challenging Periocular Image Verification

The periocular region as a biometric trait has recently gained considerable traction, especially under challenging scenarios where reliable iris information is not available for human authentication. In this paper, we consider the problem of one-to-one (1 : 1) matching of highly nonideal periocular images captured in-the-wild under unconstrained imaging conditions. Such images exhibit considerable appearance variations, including nonuniform illumination variations, motion and defocus blur, off-axis gaze, and nonstationary pattern deformations. To address these challenges, we propose periocular probabilistic deformation models (PPDMs) that: 1) reduce the image matching problem to matching local image regions and 2) approximate the periocular distortions by local patch level spatial translations whose relationships are modeled by a Gaussian Markov random field. Given a periocular image pair, we determine the distortion-tolerant similarity metric by regularizing local match scores by the maximum a posteriori probability estimate of the relative local deformations between them. Unlike the existing global periocular image matching techniques, by accounting for local image deformations in the periocular matching process, PPDM exhibits greater tolerance to pattern variations. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our model via extensive evaluation on a large number of in-the-wild periocular images. We find that PPDMs outperform many benchmark 1 : 1 image matching techniques (improving verification rates at 0.1% false accept rate by ${\sim }30$ % over previous work and ${\sim }40$ % when compared with the best baseline) in challenging scenarios leading to state-of-the-art verification performance on multiple real-world periocular data sets.
A Query-Driven Approach to the Design and Management of Flexible Database Systems

The need for timely information in the e-business world provides the impetus to develop a flexible database system with the capability to adapt and maintain performance levels under changing queries and changing business environments. Recognizing the importance of providing fast access to a variety of read-only applications in today's e-business world, we introduce the systems architecture for developing and implementing a flexible database system to achieve considerable gains in processing times of read queries. The key component of a flexible database system is query mining, the concept of determining relationships among query properties, alternative database structures, and query processing times. We validate the flexible database system concept through extensive laboratory experiments, where we embed learning tools to demonstrate the implementation of query mining.
Varactor tuned ring resonator filter with wide tunable bandwidth

This paper presents a ring resonator bandpass filter (BPF) with tunable passband bandwidth. By varying capacitance of four varactors, mid-upper passband bandwidth can be tuned while mid-lower one is almost fixed. An open stub attached to the ring is designed by using an equivalent serial capacitor, and feed lines are designed by analyzing susceptance slope and return losses. Measured results show that the 3dB-fractional bandwidth (FBW) ranges from 70.1 – 85.3 % with the return loss better than 10.9 dB within the passband.
Critical bandwidth allocation techniques for stored video delivery across best-effort networks

We propose two new techniques for the delivery of compressed prerecorded video streams across best-effort networks like the Internet. Current approaches for the delivery of stored video across best-effort networks typically alter the quality of the video frames, the frame rate delivered to the user, or a combination of both. By using network feedback, these algorithms continually adjust the video quality to fit within the available network resources. These approaches, however do not take advantage of the a priori information available from stored video streams, namely the frame sizes that the movie consists of. We show how monitoring the a priori information and actively monitoring a client-side buffer can help smooth the video frame rate delivered to the user, providing a more consistent quality of video.
Reverse osmosis in laminar flow through curved tubes

Abstract A new design for reverse osmosis in a curved tube system takes advantage of the scouring-silting nature of the secondary flow pattern by utilizing a split membrane over the circumference of the tube. The wall concentration and concentration boundary layer thickness at the inside of the bend grow rapidly unless salt is allowed to escape there, whereas at the outside of the bend, the wall concentration and concentration boundary layer thickness remain small compared to straight tubes, thus indicating improved performance.
Therapeutic targeting of the tumor microenvironment

Cancer is not a solo performance, but rather an ensemble production. Tumor cells play the leading villains, with a diverse supporting cast of normal cells that can be recruited to aid their malignant progression. The supporting players in the tumor microenvironment include stromal fibroblasts, infiltrating immune cells, the blood and lymphatic vascular networks, and the extracellular matrix (Figure 1). Normal cells can contribute both positive and negative signals to the tumor. They can be co-opted or modified by the cancer cells to produce a variety of growth factors, chemokines, and matrix-degrading enzymes that enhance the proliferation and invasion of the tumor.
Challenges to dairy cattle management : genetic considerations

Abstract Several new technologies will be used to produce continued genetic change in dairy cattle. These technologies are categorized broadly as 1) improved modeling, selection, and evaluation methods; 2) use of new and improved reproductive technologies; 3) new developments in molecular genetics; and 4) new developments in immunogenetics. Improvements in evaluation will continue as computers become faster and have more storage capabilities. Improved mathematical models that more nearly describe the biology of lactation will maximize estimation of genetic differences and reduce residuals. New reproductive technology could allow reduction of generation intervals two-to fivefold compared with present generation intervals and, combined with genetic markers, could markedly accelerate progress. Health problems in dairy cattle are expected to increase as production increases. Thus, selection for decreased incidences of health disorders will be needed, probably by selection of sires with improved general immunocompe-tence. Research is in the early stages of application of techniques of molecular genetics to animal breeding. Early uses will allow detection and alleviation of genetic defects. Eventually, marker genes that directly affect production and metabolic pathways that also affect production will be subjected to selection. The ability to foresee new and potentially useful techniques will be determined by scientific advancement of areas in which researchers are engaged; thus, accurate prediction far into the future cannot be expected.
Rejuvenation of the inflammatory system stimulates fracture repair in aged mice

Age significantly reduces the regenerative capacity of the skeleton, but the underlying causes are unknown. Here, we tested whether the functional status of inflammatory cells contributes to delayed healing in aged animals. We created chimeric mice by bone marrow transplantation after lethal irradiation. In this model, chondrocytes and osteoblasts in the regenerate are derived exclusively from host cells while inflammatory cells are derived from the donor. Using this model, the inflammatory system of middle-aged mice (12 month old) was replaced by transplanted bone marrow from juvenile mice (4 weeks old), or age-matched controls. We found that the middle-aged mice receiving juvenile bone marrow had larger calluses and more bone formation during early stages and faster callus remodeling at late stages of fracture healing, indicating that inflammatory cells derived from the juvenile bone marrow accelerated bone repair in the middle-aged animals. In contrast, transplanting bone marrow from middle-aged mice to juvenile mice did not alter the process of fracture healing in juvenile mice. Thus, the roles of inflammatory cells in fracture healing may be age-related, suggesting the possibility of enhancing fracture healing in aged animals by manipulating the inflammatory system.
Separation by flow and its application to gel permeation chromatography

Abstract When dilute solutions of finite size particles undergoing Brownian motion flow through a capillary, the larger particles have higher average velocities than the smaller particles. Thus one can obtain a separation of particles of different sizes due to fluid flow. The elution volumes of suspended particles or polymer molecules are derived for various tube geometries. Following T aylor , the effects of diffusional broadening of the volume elution peak for finite size particles are discussed and the process is shown to be chromatographic. Models of a gel permeation chromatographic column are proposed in which there is fluid and particle flow through each of the beads as well as around them. Diffusion is allowed within and outside of the beads. Equations for the location of the volume elution peaks are computed for such models and shown to yield functional dependence on the polymer radius and column geometry very much like equations derived by previous workers for models of gel permeation chromatographic columns in which there was no flow allowed within the beads. Explicit formulae are given for the second and third moments for the above models. It is shown that for a mono-disperse species the volume elution peak is always a gaussian of a finite width. It is shown that beads with open pores that allow for flow always have better separation capabilities than beads with pores that do not allow for flow.
Atomic electron populations for some simple molecules

Abstract Atomic electron populations obtained by the semi-empirical INDO molecular orbital theory are compared with some values from full SCF calculations using a minimal basis set of exponential-type atomic orbitals. Agreement is moderately good, provided that exponents in the full calculation are chosen to minimize the total energy.
Interferometric determination of broadband ELF wave phase velocity within a region of transverse auroral ion acceleration

Broadband electric field fluctuations with typical amplitudes of 10–20 mV/m peak-to-peak and frequencies from 0 Hz to 3 kHz (BB-ELF) were observed coincident with a region of ≤200 eV transverse H+ acceleration (TAI) near the poleward edge of the pre-midnight aurora. The coherence and phase velocity of the electric fields were measured using a interferometric antenna array over the frequency range of ≈ 100 Hz to 3 kHz. These electric field fluctuations were found to have the following characteristics: 1) incoherence perpendicular to the geomagnetic field, 2) coherence parallel to the the geomagnetic field, 3) parallel phase velocity (ω/k∥) of 30–35 km/s upwards, 4) 0 < |k∥/k⟂| < 0.22. We show that these properties are compatible with the emission being electrostatic H+ cyclotron (EHC) waves. We also discuss possible generation mechanisms for the waves, and their relationship to the TAI.