cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of a proposal to alter the statistical significance threshold on previously published orthopaedic trauma randomized controlled trials.

Abstract Introduction A recent proposal suggests changing the threshold for statistical significance from a P value of .05 to .005 to minimize bias and increase reproducibility of future studies. P values less than .05 but greater than .005 would be reclassified as “suggestive”, whereas P values less than .005 would be considered significant. The present study explores how lowering the P value threshold would affect the interpretation of previously published orthopaedic trauma randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and whether outcomes from these trials would maintain statistical significance under the proposed P value threshold. Methods All RCTs published between January 01, 2016 and January 31, 2018 in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Injury, and Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery were screened by at least 2 authors. Data from included trials were extracted in blinded and duplicate fashion. All P values for primary endpoints were included from each study. Results We identified 124 primary endpoints from 48 trials: 39.5% (49/124) of endpoints had a P value less than .05 and 60.5% (75/124) had a P value greater than .05. Overall, 51.0% (25/49) of statistically significant primary endpoints were less than .005, while 49.0% (24/49) would be reclassified as suggestive. Conclusion Based on our results, adopting a lower threshold of significance would heavily alter the significance of orthopaedic trauma RCTs and should be further evaluated and cautiously considered when viewing the effect such a proposal on orthopaedic practice.
Noise-Assisted MEMD-Based Phase-Connectivity Analysis to Personalize Closed-Loop DBS Therapy in Epilepsy Patients

Abstract Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment that has been explored for controlling seizures in patients with intractable epilepsy. Many clinical and pre-clinical studies using DBS therapy determine stimulation parameters through trial and error. The same stimulation parameters are often applied to the whole cohort, which consequently produces mixed results of responders and non-responders. In this paper, an adaptive non-linear analytical methodology is proposed to extract stimulation frequency and location(s) from endogenous brain dynamics of epilepsy patients, using phase-synchrony and phase-connectivity analysis, as seizures evolve. The proposed analytical method was applied to seizures recorded using depth electrodes implanted in hippocampus and amygdala in three patients. A reduction in phase-synchrony was observed in all patients around seizure onset. However, phase-synchrony started to gradually increase from mid-ictal and achieved its maximum level at seizure termination. This result suggests that hyper-synchronization of the epileptic network may be a crucial mechanism by which the brain naturally terminates seizure. Stimulation frequency and locations that matched the network phase-synchrony at seizure termination were extracted using phase-connectivity analysis. One patient with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) had a stimulation frequency ∼15 Hz with the stimulation locations confined to the hippocampus. The other two patients with extra-temporal lobe epilepsy (ETE) had stimulation frequency ∼90 Hz with at least one stimulation location outside of hippocampus. These results suggest that DBS parameters should vary based on the patient’s underlying pathology. The proposed methodology provides an algorithm for tuning DBS parameters for individual patients in an effort to increase the clinical efficacy of the therapy.
Pharmacogenomics: Personalizing palliative pharmacotherapy.

126Background: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is a developing field in individualized medicine concerned with understanding genetic polymorphisms that may explain inter-individual variation in drug efficac...
Pharmacologic therapy of male infertility: specific treatment.

Pharmacotherapy of male reproductive disorders is applicable to the majority of men seeking treatment for infertility. Since a favorable prognosis is associated with specific medical measures directed toward enhancing sperm quality, a comprehensive clinical and laboratory assessment of the infertile male is essential. This treatment may consist of replacement therapy for pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction (i.e., exogeneous gonadotropins or GnRH), suppression of prolactin excess, antimicrobial therapy, sympathomimetic agents for ejaculatory disorders, or immunosuppressive treatment of sperm autoimmunity. Finally, the possibility of multiple causes of male reproductive dysfunction and their specific forms of treatment should be considered.
Daytime Variation Does Not Impact Outcome of Cardiac Surgery: Results from a Diverse, Multi-institutional Cardiac Surgery Network

Abstract Objective Recent single-center and experimental data suggested greater adverse cardiac events for patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) in the morning (AM) versus the afternoon (PM). However, previous studies in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have found no similar time-related difference. We examined the impact of AM versus PM operative time on surgical outcomes of CABG and AVR in a diverse, multi-institutional cardiac surgery network between January 2008 and September 2018. Methods The AM group included patients whose surgery start time was between 6:30 and 9 AM, whereas noon to 2:30 PM was considered PM (8901 AM/1962 PM) for CABG and (2598 AM/617 PM) for AVR. Because of imbalances in sample size, risk factors, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk between groups, propensity score matching using all baseline characteristics was used to create 2 well-matched patient groups whose outcomes were compared. Results After propensity score matching, there was no difference in mortality, stroke, prolonged ventilation, renal failure, deep sternal wound infection, reoperation, myocardial injury, atrial fibrillation, or readmission between AM and PM groups for both isolated CABG and AVR. However, there were mixed differences noted in intensive care unit length of stay, postoperative length of stay, blood product use, and crossclamp time. Findings were stable when accounting for site and physician effects, whereas subgroup analyses showed similar findings in the elective, diabetic, Hispanic, and off-pump patient populations. Conclusions There were no differences in operative mortality nor in major morbidity between well-matched AM and PM patients undergoing either CABG or AVR.
Song and Improvement in the Scottish Enlightenment

Scots songs were important to the development of the Scottish Enlightenment concept of “improvement”—defined by Adam Smith as a progression of human societies through four stages: “first, the Age o...
« Attache-moi ! » : isolement et contention volontaire. À propos de deux cas cliniques

L’isolement et la contention sont au centre des discussions cliniques et ethiques actuelles, avec la mise en place de protocoles et de registres pour un meilleur controle de ce type de prescription. En partant de deux cas cliniques exemplaires, les auteurs ouvrent la reflexion sur la participation active des patients a ces prises en charge. Le premier cas clinique presente est un homme de 21 ans, manifestant une schizophrenie paranoide selon les criteres DSM 5, avec un delire des lieux : « il s’agit d’un jeu, je dois faire mes preuves pour etre admis dans l’armee de terre, mais je ne veux pas etre violent, il faut m’attacher et me garder en chambre fermee. Mon role c’est d’y echapper si je peux… ». La prise en charge impliquant un isolement et une contention va durer trois semaines, avant que le patient, traite par clozapine, accepte d’etre demaintenu et ebauche une critique des elements delirants initiaux. Le second patient, porteur d’un trouble schizoaffectif selon les criteres DSM 5, avec un delire de persecution et de filiation : « on me poursuit partout, je ne suis en securite nulle part, je veux rester dans la chambre blindee, dans laquelle on ne peut pas me faire de mal, c’est ma maison, vous etes ma famille… ». Apres une prise en charge de deux mois en chambre d’isolement, le patient accepte de sortir progressivement et d’integrer les espaces communs, sous traitement par clozapine. Les auteurs discutent ces protocoles de prise en charge, l’implication active de certains patients, surtout schizophrenes, mais aussi des patients deprimes avec un risque suicidaire majeur, qui sont demandeurs d’un tel type d’accompagnement, avec une revue de la litterature associee a ce sujet.
Homotopy Continuation for Feedback Linearization of Noncontact Magnetic Manipulators

Magnetic fields render a unique ability to control magnetic objects without a direct mechanical contact. To exploit this potential for a broad range of medical, microrobotics, and microfluidics applications, noncontact magnetic manipulators have been designed using both electromagnets and permanent magnets. By feedback control of these manipulators, magnetic objects can be precisely driven in the directions required by an application of interest. The feedback design process for these manipulators is normally complicated by their highly nonlinear nature, particulary for those utilizing permanent magnets. Yet, feedback linearization techniques can be applied to compensate for the nonlinear nature of most magnetic manipulators. This goal can be achieved by solving an underdetermined system of nonlinear algebraic equations. This paper adopts a homotopy continuation approach to solve this system of equations. It is shown by simulations that the proposed feedback linearization scheme drastically improves the control performance compared to the alternative control design methods used in prior work.
Planning for success: Leveraging two ecosystem models to support development of an Antarctic marine protected area

Abstract Efforts are underway to forward a marine protected area (MPA) in the Western Antarctic Peninsula, guided by an internationally agreed framework of protected area objectives. Preliminary MPA boundaries were evaluated against some of these objectives using a static, map-based process, yet further assessment and additional objectives could be addressed with dynamic approaches. Here, the MPA's evaluation was expanded using the joint application of two published dynamic ecosystem models to further appraise the MPA. These models also considered potential impacts of climate change in the region, and greater insight can be gained from using them together rather than independently. Both models projected the proposed MPA could increase ecosystem viability in the region by reducing potential population declines, especially of penguins. These benefits manifested even when the impacts of climate change occurred over the long term, and likely accrued due to protection of areas important for krill aggregation and predator foraging. Model outcomes also suggested possible improvements to the preliminary MPA boundaries to reinforce these benefits. Using the two structurally distinct models together increased confidence in results and the potential for an MPA to meet multiple policy objectives in the region, and the paper further details the process of translating outcomes into timely decision support for stakeholders. Modelling results were regularly communicated using established formal and informal channels, ensuring model-derived advice directly supported policy needs. Collectively, the work demonstrates the process and value of leveraging existing ecosystem models, quickly adapting models to policy needs, and developing actionable advice for policy makers.
Beam Steering Metasurfaces via Inverse Design

We numerically demonstrate state-of-the-art beam steering metasurface via inverse design, which show tunable steering angles ranging from 12° to 144°and switching efficiencies above 80%.
Antimicrobial Peptides and Peptidomimetics for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance

Bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics is a growing issue, and the development of novel antimicrobial compounds has not been able to keep pace with the emergence of multi drug resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides are source of inspiration for the development of next generation antimicrobial drugs; however, there are key limitations to the use of natural antimicrobial peptides, owing in large part to common pharmacological features that preclude their use outside of topical applications. The development of novel antimicrobial peptides and peptidomimetics via strategic chemical alterations is a means of improving on the functionality of natural antimicrobial peptides while tuning their pharmacological properties and in some instances, imparting novel mechanisms of action and functions outside of bactericidal activity as well.
73565 Defining tp53 tumor suppressor functions in zebrafish embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

ABSTRACT IMPACT: By assessing function of mutant (patient-specific) tp53 in zebrafish embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma will inform clinicians of the severity of mutant tp53 alleles. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: This study aims to define loss- and gain-of-function TP53 mutations by comparing effects in tp53-null and wild-type tumors. In addition, it aims to generate a rapid in vivo analysis platform to assign function to patient specific TP53 mutations in the clinic METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: To define tp53 function in ERMS pathogenesis, we previously generated a new tp53-null mutant (tp53-/-) in zebrafish by deleting the entire tp53 genomic locus using TALEN mutagenesis. tp53-/- zebrafish spontaneously develop a spectrum of tumors including sarcomas, leukemia and germ cell tumors (Ignatius…Baxi et. al., eLife) reminiscent of tumors observed in Trp53-null mice. Using the tp53-/- mutants to generate kRASG12D-induced ERMS, we discovered that tp53 is a potent repressor of metastases but rather surprisingly had no effect on self-renewal (Ignatius…Baxi et. al., eLife). Here, using tp53-/- zebrafish, we assessed effects of wild-type and mutant (patient specific) tp53 on tumor initiation, proliferation and apoptosis. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: ERMS tumor initiation in the tp53-/- background is observed in > 97% of animals whereas only <40% of wild-type animals develop ERMS. Additionally, tp53 is a potent suppressor of ERMS proliferation and its effect on apoptosis is minor. Next, we expressed either WT zebrafish or human TP53 in tp53-/- animals along with kRASG12D and both genes suppressed tumor initiation and growth. We co-expressed TP53C176F (found in two ERMS patients) and TP53P153del (identified in a patient with osteosarcoma in our clinic) in zebrafish ERMS, and find that the TP53C176F allele significantly suppressed tumor initiation with effects predominantly on enhanced apoptosis. However, the TP53P153del allele initiated tumors at similar frequency compared to tp53-/- animals but increased the initiation of tumors in the head musculature. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Different TP53 alleles identified in patient tumors have very different effects on tumorigenesis in vivo and can respond differently to potentially therapeutic compounds. Thus, the type of precision modeling demonstrated here promises to help further define patient-specific TP53 biology and improve clinical strategies in the future.
Market Perception of Information Asymmetry; Concentration of Ownership by Different Types of Institutions and Bid-Ask Spread

Total institutional ownership, institutional ownership by type of institution (e.g. banks, insurance companies, mutual funds), and a new measure of ownership concentration (similar to the Herfindahl Index) are used to explain contemporaneous bid-ask spreads for 72 quarters (1983-2000) of NASDAQ-traded stocks. When controlling for a number of commonly-used variables, relative bid-ask spreads are found to be significantly negatively related to the level of institutional ownership and significantly positively related to the concentration of ownership. The results are consistent with expectations of market perception of information asymmetry. The impact of ownership by type of institution and concentration within each type of institution on bid-ask spreads and future returns vary between five major groups of institutional investors. These differences are explained by alternative investment goals and strategies, and by regulatory factors.
How Can a Histidine Kinase Respond to Mechanical Stress

Bacteria respond to physical forces perceived as mechanical stress as part of their comprehensive environmental sensing strategy. Histidine kinases can then funnel diverse environmental stimuli into changes in gene expression through a series of phosphorelay reactions. Because histidine kinases are most often embedded in the inner membrane, they can be sensitive to changes in membrane tension that occurs, for example, in response to osmotic stress, or when deformation of the cell body occurs upon encountering a surface before forming biofilms, or inside the host in response to shear stress in the kidney, intestine, lungs, or blood stream. A summary of our recent work that links the histidine kinase EnvZ to mechanical changes in the inner membrane is provided and placed in a context of other bacterial systems that respond to mechanical stress.
Non-inferior Nash strategies for routing control in parallel-link communication networks: Research Articles

We consider a routing control problem of two-node parallel-link communication network shared by competitive teams of users. Each team has various types of entities (traffics or jobs) to be routed on the network. The users in each team cooperate for the benefit of their team so as to achieve optimal routing over network links. The teams, on the other hand, compete among themselves for the network resources and each has an objective function that relates to the overall performance of the network. For each team, there is a centralized decision-maker, called the team leader or manager, who coordinates the routing strategies among all entities in his team. A game theoretic approach to deal with both cooperation within each team and competition among the teams, called the Non-inferior Nash strategy, is introduced. Considering the roles of a group manager in this context, the concept of a Non-inferior Nash strategy with a team leader is introduced. This multi-team solution provides a new framework for analysing hierarchically controlled systems so as to address complicated coordination problems among the various users. This strategy is applied to derive the optimal routing policies for all users in the network. It is shown that Non-inferior Nash strategies with a team leader is effective in improving the overall network performance. Various types of other strategies such as team optimization and Nash strategies are also discussed for the purpose of comparison. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling He and H Isotopes in the Radiation Belts

Nuclear interactions between inner zone protons and atoms in the upper atmosphere produce energetic H and He nuclei that are an additional radiation belt source. We calculate production rates of these isotopes from models of the inner zone proton intensity, the upper atmosphere drift averaged composition and densities, and cross-sections for the various interaction processes. For comparison with observations of radiation belt H and He isotopes, the production rates are combined with a model of the energy loss rate in the residual atmosphere to calculate particle intensities. Although the calculations are in principle straightforward, they depend on a detailed knowledge of the various model inputs, including models for radiation belt protons, and may also depend on the phase of the solar cycle. On the other hand, the results of the calculations, when compared with the observational data, can provide useful tests of the model inputs. Preliminary results show that the atmosphere is a significant source for inner zone ^4He, ^3He, and d.
Symbolic Model Checking for Distributed Real-Time Systems

In this paper, we examine the symbolic model checking problem for distributed real-time systems where time is represented by the real numbers and multiple clocks are allowed. A symbolic model checking algorithm is proposed. This algorithm handles timing constraints that are written in inequalities whose two sides refer to readings of the same local clock. The timing inequalities are used as triggers for transitions in Multiclock Continuously Timed Automaton (MCTA), a variation of the Timed Safety Automaton [11] which we propose as the specification language for distributed real-time systems. We also propose MTCTL, an extension of TCTL by the introduction of multiple local clocks, for specifying system behavior to be verified.
Route optimization and location updates for mobile hosts

Mobile hosts in a wireless network can move from one location to another while communicating with other hosts. A challenge is to provide seamless network access for mobile hosts and, at the same time, to retain compatibility with existing network protocols and applications. This paper addresses the issue of route optimization in IP mobility support that provides mobile handoff and "triangle" routing to mobile hosts through their home agents. We combine IP mobility support with hierarchical dynamic routing protocols OSPF and BGP. Existing mechanisms of authentication, incremental route propagation, and address aggregation can be used for efficient and secure propagation of location updates of mobile hosts. The geographical locality of consecutive mobile handoffs fits well with hierarchical dynamic routing protocols. No changes are required on fixed hosts or on routers that do not handle mobile hosts directly.
Apodized optical filters based on silicon-on-insulator waveguides with sidewall gratings

We describe the design, fabrication, and characterization of apodized integrated-optical filters based on silicon-on-insulator ridge waveguides. A sidewall grating design allows the waveguide and a variable strength Bragg-grating to be patterned in one lithographic step.
Production and Use of Monoclonal Antibodies for Identification of Strains of Rhizobium trifolii.

Abstract We produced a monoclonal antibody against Rhizobium trifolii 162×95. This antibody in cell culture supernatant was used in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to differentiate strain 162×95 from naturalized strains in the Appalachian region. Nodules crushed in 0.1 to 0.2 ml of phosphate-buffered saline and used to charge enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plates gave strong absorbance readings. Heat-inactivated and noninactivated portions of 162×95 cultures were strongly reactive, indicating that the antigen is probably a carbohydrate. Of 10 strains from California, where 162×95 was isolated, 6 strongly cross-reacted with the antibody. The cellular protein patterns in a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gradient gel of cross-reactive strains were essentially identical. A Western blot analysis indicated that the antibody was against a 19.8-kilodalton band. The Western blot analysis also revealed that the polyvalent antiserum contained other strongly reacting antibodies with molecular weights of approximately 20,000, indicating the possibility that other monoclonal antibodies to detect strain 162×95 may be produced. However, the available antibody has been shown to be useful for short-term experiments. Based upon protein profiles and immunological reactions, there are 4 or 5 California strains rather than 10.
Abstract W P359: Activation of Prostacyclin Receptor (IP) in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Stimulates Production of SAPPa

Previous studies have established that cerebral blood vessels possess high capacity to synthesize prostacyclin (PGI2). Substantial evidence indicates that amyloid precursor protein (APP) and soluble APPα (sAPPα) have neurotrophic and nueroprotective properties. We hypothesized that activation of IP-cAMP pathway stimulates non-amyloidogenic processing of APP in cerebral endothelial cells. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression; real time RT-PCR was employed to measure mRNA levels of APP, and a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10, an α processing enzyme); sAPPα secretion was detected in condition medium derived from culturing human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs), by ELISA. After human BMVECs were treated with PGI2 analog iloprost (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, or 0.5 μM) for 3 days, protein levels of ADAM10 (n=7-9, P<0.05) and APP (n=6, P<0.05) were significantly increased in a concentration dependent manner, while β amyloidogenic processing enzyme BACE1, and other α processing enzymes such as ADAM9 and ADAM17 were not changed. mRNA levels of APP (n=7, P<0.05) and ADAM10 (n=4, P<0.05), as well as sAPPα production in human BMVECs (n=6, P<0.05) were also significantly augmented in response to iloprost treatment. Moreover, stimulation of human BMVECs with forskolin (40μM) significantly enhanced APP and ADAM10 protein expression. Most notably, iloprost significantly augmented protein expression of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-δ (PPARδ) and SIRT1. We further explored the role of PPARδ in APP processing. ADAM10 expression (n=6, P<0.05), but not APP and BACE1, was significantly increased in human BMVECs treated with PPARδ ligand GW501516 (30 or 100 nM). GW501516 (100 nM) also significantly increase sAPPα production (n=9-10, P<0.05). siRNA against PPARδ significantly suppressed basal levels of ADAM10, and blocked iloprost-induced ADAM10 expression (n=4, P<0.05). These findings suggest that activation of IP-cAMP pathway enhances non-amyloidogenic processing of APP and consequently increases production of neurotrophic molecule sAPPα in human BMVECs. Activation of PPARδ in part mediates iloprost-induced α processing of APP.
The reliability of the ankle-brachial index in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and the NHLBI Family Heart Study (FHS)

A low ankle-brachial index (ABI) is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and death. Regression model parameter estimates may be biased due to measurement error when the ABI is included as a predictor in regression models, but may be corrected if the reliability coefficient, R, is known. The R for the ABI computed from DINAMAP™ readings of the ankle and brachial SBP is not known. A total of 119 participants in both the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and the NHLBI Family Heart Study (FHS) had repeat ABIs taken within 1 year, using a common protocol, automated oscillometric blood pressure measurement devices, and technician pool. The estimated reliability coefficient for the ankle systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.77) and for the brachial SBP was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.83). The reliability for the ABI based on single ankle and arm SBPs was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.70) and the reliability of the ABI computed as the ratio of the average of two ankle SBPs to two arm SBPs was estimated from simulated data as 0.70. These reliability estimates may be used to obtain unbiased parameter estimates if the ABI is included in regression models. Our results suggest the need for repeated measures of the ABI in clinical practice, preferably within visits and also over time, before diagnosing peripheral artery disease and before making therapeutic decisions.
Photometric Observations of the Sun

Ground-based calorimetry and photometry of the Sun have been carried out for many years. Following the early years, ground-based photometry has largely replaced ground-based calorimetry, in part due to the advent of airborne and spaceborne detector systems for the broad-band measurement of the solar irradiance and the realization of the difficulty of correcting calorimetry measurements for the effects of the terrestrial atmosphere. Even from spacecraft, recent measurements of the total solar irradiance range from about 1367 to 1374 W/m2. Most of this difference can be ascribed to differences in instrumental scales, while a variation of about 1 to 2 W/m2 appears to be due to solar variability. The quiet Sun may also change, globally, over longer time scales. Using disparate data to understand solar variability will require cooperation between a number of current groups, supported by various governments, covering several zones of longitude.
Can the optimal cervical length for placing ultrasound-indicated cerclage be identified?

Objective To assess a continuum of cervical length (CL) cut-offs for the efficacy of ultrasound-indicated cerclage in women with previous spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). Methods This was a planned secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized clinical trial of ultrasound-indicated cerclage for the prevention of PTB in high-risk women. The efficacy of cerclage for preventing recurrent PTB < 35, < 32 and < 24 weeks' gestation was assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and CIs were estimated for a range of CL cut-offs using bootstrap regression. The 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of bootstrapped ORs determined the CIs. Results were illustrated using smoothed curves superimposed on estimated ORs by CL cut-off. Results Of 301 women with a CL < 25 mm, 142 underwent ultrasound-indicated cerclage and 159 did not have cerclage placement. The few cases with CL < 10 mm limited the evaluation to CL cut-offs between < 10 mm and < 25 mm. For PTB < 35 weeks, ORs in women with a cerclage and CL < 25 mm were statistically significantly lower than in those without cerclage, and efficacy was maintained at smaller CL cut-offs. Results were similar for PTB < 32 weeks. For PTB < 24 weeks, results differed, with ORs increasing toward unity (no benefit), with wide CIs, for CL cut-offs between < 10 mm and < 15 mm, attributed to the small number of births < 24 weeks. Conclusions The efficacy of ultrasound-indicated cerclage in women with previous spontaneous PTB varies by action point CL cut-off and by PTB gestational age of interest. Cerclage significantly reduces the risk of PTB < 35 and < 32 weeks, at CL cut-offs between < 10 mm and < 25 mm, with the greatest reduction at shorter CL, affirming that women with prior spontaneous PTB and a short CL are appropriate candidates for ultrasound-indicated cerclage. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The effectiveness of savings and loan political action committees

In recent years, political action committees (PACs) have played an increasingly important role, both in contributing to candidates and in influencing voting patterns. Savings and loan PACs are numerous throughout the country and consist of PACs affiliated with individual institutions and trade associations. The question which is addressed in this research paper is the effectiveness which savings and loan related PACs have had on influencing voting patterns.
Touch-level model (TLM): evolving KLM-GOMS for touchscreen and mobile devices

In the early days of personal computing, a model called "Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection Rules" (GOMS) provided a method with which to quantify user interaction with a system. [2] Soon after, the Keystroke Level Model (KLM) allowed decomposition of complex tasks into atomic, benchmarked 'operators' that could generalize and estimate interactions on any keyboard interface. However, this the model is dated and unsuitable for today's modern devices.These touchscreen interfaces are now pervasive [4], but the HCI implications of this shift are not fully researched; an imperative exists for research in human-computer interaction to study these interfaces and the interactions of the people using them. [3]In this paper, we introduce new operators and other modifications to KLM-GOMS to accommodate modern touchscreen interfaces. We call these additions, together with updates to the existing KLM operators, the Touch Level Model (TLM). We propose that this model can be employed to model human task performance on a constrained-input touchscreen device and, with proper benchmarking, accurately predict actual user performance.Our goal is to provide a means for quantitative analysis of touchscreen interfaces for HCI research and to enable description of interactions with such interfaces in terms of these operators, thus predicting user performance with less need to create prototypes or perform user studies.
In-situ surface x-ray scattering of metal monolayers adsorbed at solid-liquid interfaces

The structure of the solid-liquid interface is of fundamental importance in chemistry, but progress in understanding this interface has been slow, due to the lack of in-situ probes that provide information at atomic scales. Recently, in-situ surface x-ray scattering measurements have provided insight into the microscopic nature of solid-liquid interfaces and this paper discusses experiments on electrochemically deposited monolayers of Pb, Tl, and Bi on Ag and Au (111) electrodes. Tl and Pb form 2-D, incommensurate hexagonal solids that are compressed relative to bulk and rotated by 4 - 5 degree(s) with respect to the substrate. As the applied electrode potential decreases, the in-plane atomic spacing also decreases, since the chemical potential of the monolayer increases. From these data, the 2-D compressibility of the monolayer can be calculated. We find that the compressibility is only slightly dependent on substrate, being smaller on Ag(111) than on Au(111). For Tl/Ag(111), the intensity of the Ag surface diffraction changes when the monolayer is adsorbed. This results from a substrate- induced modulation of the atomic positions in the incommensurate monolayer and we have quantified this modulation. Bi/Ag(111) forms an unusual structure: a rectangular lattice that is uniaxially commensurate with the hexagonal surface. There are two Bi adatoms per rectangular unit cell and one adatom is displaced from the centered position by 0.35 angstrom. The commensurate Bi rows lie along the rows of threefold hollow sites on the Ag(111) surface. This unusual structure reflects the tendency toward covalent bonding found in Bi and a fortuitous match between the atomic spacings of the Ag substrate and the close packed planes of bulk Bi. In contrast to Tl and Pb where the compressibility is isotropic, Bi/Ag(111) compresses anisotropically and this maintains the uniaxially commensurate structure. Our results show that for these metal monolayer systems the adatom-adatom interactions determine the atomic structure of the monolayer and the adatom-substrate interactions only weakly affect this structure. Furthermore, the structure is not influenced by the presence of the large concentration of adsorbed water molecules or anions.
Cardiac risk factors in patients with diabetes mellitus and major depression.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of major depression is approximately 2-fold higher in patients with diabetes mellitus compared to medical controls. We explored the association of major depression with 8 cardiac risk factors in diabetic patients with and without evidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Medical problems of space flight.

Several consistent medical problems have been encountered by astronauts during space flights. These include vestibular dysfunction, weight loss, increase in height, upward fluid shift, anemia, cardiovascular deconditioning, muscle atrophy, and bone loss. Almost all of these alterations can be attributed to the absence of gravitational force. Most are adaptive in nature and therefore reversible, but readaptation after returning to earth may cause further problems (e.g., in the case of vestibular dysfunction). The most recalcitrant and disturbing of all these problems is the relentless bone loss associated with negative calcium balance. This problem appears to be irreversible, and critical demineralization can occur after two years in a weightless state. Unless its mechanism is elucidated and preventive measures are taken, the bone loss may prove to be the medically limiting factor for the duration of space flight.
Reducing in‐flight turbulence

A new turbulence detection system designed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research could help to reduce accidents and injuries and reduce fuel costs. The system, which is being tested through October, uses the NEXRAD Turbulence Detection Algorithm to analyze data obtained from the U.S. National Weather Service's network of Next-Generation Doppler (NEXRAD) radars. “Our goal is to use these radar measurements to create a three-dimensional mosaic showing turbulence across the country that can help pilots avoid hazardous areas, or at least give them enough warning to turn on the ‘fasten seat belt’ sign,“ NCAR scientist John Williams noted.
Cole's precancerous hyperplasia of the breast.

Due to his recognition as the discoverer of the first test for visualization of the gallbladder, his prolific research on dissemination of cancer and his stimulation and interest in stress and immunity, one of Warren Cole's most significant reports has not been accorded due recognition. In 1944, Cole presented data at the Southern Surgical Association Meeting which clearly identified the premalignant histologic change in the breast. In the published report, Cole and Rossiter [Ann Surg 119:573–590, 1944] presented a classification of benign breast histology: 1) adenofibrosis, 2) parenchymatous hyperplasia, 3) precancerous hyperplasia, and 4) cystic disease. Following the work of Warren in 1940 [Surg Gynecol Obstet 71:257–273], who stated that the chronic cystic mastitis had an incidence of breast cancer over 3 times the expected rate, this report of Cole and Rossiter focused on the worrisome lesion atypical epithelial hyperplasia. Since then, Haagensen [“Diseases of the Breast,” Philadelphia: Saunders] has stressed that gross cystic disease is the lesion most associated with increased risk of cancer. In an attempt to resolve these seeming contraindications, we reviewed the charts of patients referred to a private breast clinic. With the advent of mammography, sonography, and thermography, the incidence and management of benign breast diseases has changed over the years. This study focuses on the current management of breast masses and reinforces the significance of Cole's classification.
Behavioral performance and visual attention in communication multitasking: A comparison between instant messaging and online voice chat

Participants carried out a visual pattern-matching task on a computer while communicating with a confederate either via instant messaging (IM) or online voice chat. Communicating with a confederate led to a 50% drop in visual pattern-matching performance in the IM condition and a 30% drop in the voice condition. Visual fixations on pattern-matching were fewer and shorter during the communication task and a greater loss of fixations was found in the IM condition than the voice condition. The results, examined within a threaded cognition framework, suggest that distributing the work between the audio and visual channels reduces performance degradation. Implications for media literacy and distracted-driving are discussed.
SU‐FF‐J‐18: Adaptive IMRT Using Cone‐Beam CT: A Case Study On Patients with Bulky Head and Neck Tumors

Purpose: The objective of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of acquiring on‐board Cone‐Beam CT(CBCT) volume images for adaptive radiotherapy(ART) and image‐guided‐radiotherapy(IGRT) for patients with bulky head and neck tumors treated with IMRT.Method and Materials: The quality of the CBCT volume images acquired on the treatment table was evaluated by measuring the spatial accuracy, contrast, resolution, and the curve for converting CT number to electron density. A patient planning CT volume images were acquired before treatment and at mid‐course. CBCT volume images were acquired weekly during treatment. To cover the IMRT fields, two CBCT acquisitions were combined into one volume image using in‐house software. PTV and organ contours were copied from the pretreatment CT volume to the CBCT volume and adjusted as necessary. The IMRT plan was applied to the CBCT volume and dose‐volume histograms were calculated for the adjusted PTV and spinal cord. The CBCTimages were used for patient treatment verifications and dose calculations for ART.Results: Significant changes in the skin contours and PTV contours were seen on patients with bulky HNC after as few as five treatments. The dosimetric consequences were also significant. Adapting the IMRT plan to the changes in patient anatomy by re‐optimizing on the CBCT volume was found to be feasible. For patients whose Head and Neck cancer was not bulky, there were no significant changes in setup or anatomy.Conclusion: It is feasible to acquire weekly CBCTimages on the treatment table for analyzing significant changes in anatomy and determine dosimetric consequences of those changes. The CBCT can be used to obtain the accumulative target dose and to modify treatment plans without performing additional planning CT. The CBCT is shown to be a very effective tool for ART for IMRT treatment.
Virginia VIEW: 1979-1987

The Virginia Career Information Delivery System—Virginia VIEW, which started in 1979–1980 is an evolving effort to provide career information assistance to the citizens of the Commonwealth. Every person in Virginia has access to the CIDS through a toll-free career information hotline. Over 20,000 callers have used the telephone to make career inquiries. The entire CIDS is available in over 1,000 locations ranging from middle schools, high schools, vocational technical centers, community colleges, colleges and universities, employment rehabilitation and social welfare agencies, to libraries and correctional facilities. Plans for the future of Virginia VIEW include a major system-wide evaluation, career tabloid, and conversion of the current microfiche-based system to hard disk microcomputer.
Chunking for massive nonlinear kernel classification

A chunking procedure [Bradley, P.S. and Mangasarian, O.L., 2000, Massive data discrimination via linear support vector machines. Optimization Methods and Software, 13, 1-10. Available online at: ftp://ftp.cs.wisc.edu/mathprog/tech-reports/98-05.ps] utilized in [Mangasarian, O.L. and Thompson, M.E., 2006, Massive data classification via unconstrained support vector machines. Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, 131, 315-325. Available online at: ftp://ftp.cs.wisc.edu/pub/dmi/tech-reports/06-01.pdf] for linear classifiers is proposed here for nonlinear kernel classification of massive datasets. A highly accurate algorithm based on nonlinear support vector machines that utilize a linear programming formulation [Mangasarian, O.L., 2000, Generalized support vector machines. In: A. Smola, P. Bartlett, B. Scholkopf and D. Schuurmans (Eds) Advances in Large Margin Classifiers (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 135-146. Available online at: ftp://ftp.cs.wisc.edu/math-prog/tech-reports/98-14.ps] is developed here as a completely unconstrained minimization problem [Mangasarian, O.L., 2005, Exact 1-Norm support vector machines via unconstrained convex differentiable minimization. Technical Report 05-03, Data Mining Institute, Computer Sciences Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Available online at: ftp://ftp.cs.wisc.edu/pub/dmi/tech-reports/05-03.ps. Journal of Machine Learning Research, 7, 1517-1530, 2006.]. This approach together with chunking leads to a simple and accurate method for generating nonlinear classifiers for a 250,000-point dataset that typically exceeds machine capacity when standard linear programming methods such as CPLEX [ILOG, 2003, ILOG CPLEX 9.0 User's Manual, Incline Village, Nevada. Available online at: http://www.ilog.com/products/cplex/] are used. Because a 1-norm support vector machine underlies the proposed method, the approach together with a reduced support vector machine formulation [Lee, Y.-J. and Mangasarian, O.L., 2001, RSVM: reduced support vector machines. Proceedings of the First SIAM International Conference on Data Mining, Chicago, 5-7 April, CD-ROM. Available online at: ftp://ftp.cs.wisc.edu/pub/dmi/tech-reports/00-07.ps] minimizes the number of kernel functions utilized to generate a simplified nonlinear classifier.
The function of hemoglobin in the arcid clam Noetia ponderosa—I oxygenation in vitro and in vivo

Abstract 1. The mol. wt of the hemoglobin of the arcid clam Noetia ponderosa estimated on a calibrated gel column is 34,500, suggesting a dimeric molecule. 2. The oxygen affinity (P50) of hemoglobin in intact cells in the pH range 6·6–7·4 is 5·30 mm Hg at 10°C and 6·25 mm Hg at 23°C. 3. Two phases of oxygen equilibrium curves can be detected, each with a significantly different Hill coefficient (n). The slope of the curve at lower oxygenation levels is slightly less than that at higher oxygenation levels. 4. Total oxygen content and PO2 of the blood of animals exposed to various oxygen conditions indicate that substantial changes in oxygenation occur at environmental PO2's above 70 mm Hg, which are typical of the habitat. The measurements indicate that the blood from clams exposed to very low oxygen levels still contains detectable amounts of oxygen.
Hobbes Against the Jurists: Sovereignty and Artificial Reason

This paper discusses sovereignty and examines in detail Hobbes’s debates with the two leading legal theorists of his day, Coke and Hale, both Lord Chief Justices of the King’s Bench. I argue that Hobbes came to change his mind somewhat about the desirability of divided sovereignty by the time, near the end of his life, that he wrote the Dialogue. But I also argue that Hobbes should have developed more than a very thin conception of the rule of law. Hobbes should have been more open to the ideas that the jurists of his day were developing, especially the idea that the judiciary should have independent status.
Walnut Serpentine Leaf Miner, Nepticula juglandifoliella Clem., a Pest of English Walnut

A destructive population of the walnut serpentine leaf miner, Nepticula juglandifoliella Clem., was encountered infesting English walnut in a localized area ill the Salinas Valley near King City, California. This is the first report of this insect's causing serious damage to walnut in this State. Two hundred of 600 acres were either severely or seriously damaged. It is believed that under ordinary conditions the pest is held in cheek by natural enemies and that treatments of demeton applied to control the walnut aphid may have interfered with effective parasitism. Parasites were very abundant and the following species of the family Eulophidae were reared from infested leaves: Closterocerus utahensis californicus Girault, Zagrammosoma nigrolineatum Cwfd., and Solenotus begini (Ashm.).
A Systematic Review of Tablet Computers and Portable Media Players as Speech Generating Devices for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Powerful, portable, off-the-shelf handheld devices, such as tablet based computers (i.e., iPad®; Galaxy®) or portable multimedia players (i.e., iPod®), can be adapted to function as speech generating devices for individuals with autism spectrum disorders or related developmental disabilities. This paper reviews the research in this new and rapidly growing area and delineates an agenda for future investigations. In general, participants using these devices acquired verbal repertoires quickly. Studies comparing these devices to picture exchange or manual sign language found that acquisition was often quicker when using a tablet computer and that the vast majority of participants preferred using the device to picture exchange or manual sign language. Future research in interface design, user experience, and extended verbal repertoires is recommended.
Purposeful commingling of adult and child cranial elements from the Chelechol ra Orrak Cemetery, Palau

Continued excavation in 2007 of the early (ca. 2000–3000 calBP) cemetery at Chelechol ra Orrak in Palau, Micronesia revealed the remains of at least six individuals, adding to a minimum number of at least 25 other mostly fragmented individuals recovered in previous years. Of particular interest was the discovery of two isolated adult partial crania one of which, when emptied of sandy matrix, was found to contain a complete child's frontal bone. Here we explore the possibility that the placement of the skulls, particularly the commingling of the adult and child cranial elements, was done purposefully and discuss its significance for early Pacific mortuary behaviours. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.