cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis of Human Papillomaviruses in Differentiating Epithelia

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the etiological agents of cervical and other anogenital malignancies. Over 100 different types of HPVs have been identified to date, and all target epithelial tissues for infection. One-third of HPV types specifically infect the genital tract, and a subset of these are the causative agents of anogenital cancers. Other HPV types that infect the genital tract induce benign hyperproliferative lesions or genital warts. The productive life cycle of HPVs is linked to epithelial differentiation. Papillomaviruses are thought to infect cells in the basal layer of stratified epithelia and establish their genomes as multicopy nuclear episomes. In these cells, viral DNA is replicated along with cellular chromosomes. Following cell division, one of the daughter cells migrates away from the basal layer and undergoes differentiation. In highly differentiated suprabasal cells, vegetative viral replication and late-gene expression are activated, resulting in the generation of progeny virions. Since virion production is restricted to differentiated cells, infected basal cells can persist for up to several decades or until the immune system clears the infection. The E6 and E7 genes encode viral oncoproteins that target Rb and p53, respectively. During the viral life cycle, these proteins facilitate stable maintenance of episomes and stimulate differentiated cells to reenter the S phase. The E1 and E2 proteins act as origin recognition factors as well as regulators of early viral transcription. The functions of the E5 and E1^E4 proteins are still largely unknown, but these proteins have been implicated in modulating late viral functions. The L1 and L2 proteins form icosahedral capsids for progeny virion generation. The characterization of the cellular targets of these viral proteins and the mechanisms regulating the differentiation-dependent viral life cycle remain active areas for the study of these important human pathogens.
Effects of Measurement Frequency on Analytical Quality Required for Glucose Measurements in Intensive Care Units: Assessments by Simulation Models

BACKGROUND: Total error allowances have been proposed for glucose meters used in tight-glucose-control (TGC) protocols. It is unclear whether these proposed quality specifications are appropriate for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). METHODS: We performed Monte Carlo simulations of patients on TGC protocols. To simulate use of glucose meters, measurements were made hourly. To simulate CGM, glucose measurements were made every 5 min. Glucose was measured with defined bias (varied from −20% to 20%) and imprecision (0% to 20% CV). The measured glucose concentrations were used to alter insulin infusion rates according to established treatment protocols. Changes in true glucose were calculated hourly on the basis of the insulin infusion rate, the modeled patient's insulin sensitivity, and a model of glucose homeostasis. We modeled 18 000 patients, equally divided between the hourly and every-5-min measurement schemas and distributed among 45 combinations of bias and imprecision and 2 treatment protocols. RESULTS: With both treatment protocols and both measurement frequencies, higher measurement imprecision increased the rates of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and increased glycemic variability (SD). These adverse effects of measurement imprecision were lower at the higher measurement frequency. The rate of hypoglycemia at an imprecision (CV) of 5% with hourly measurements was similar to the rate of hypoglycemia at 10% CV when measurements were made every 5 min. With measurements every 5 min, imprecision up to 10% had minimal effects on hyperglycemia or glycemic variability. Effects of simulated analytical bias on glycemia were unaffected by measurement frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Quality specifications for imprecision of glucose meters are not transferable to CGM.
Stokes flow past bubbles and drops partially coated with thin films. Part 2. Thin films with internal circulation-a perturbation solution

In the present study we examine the steady axisymmetric creeping flow due to the motion of a liquid drop or a bubble which is partially covered by a thin immiscible fluid layer or film. The analysis is based on the assumption that surface-tension forces are large compared with viscous forces which deform the drop, and that the circulation in the film is weak. The latter assumption is satisfied provided that the film-fluid viscosity is not too small. A perturbation scheme based on the thinness of the fluid layer is used to construct the solution.One of the principal results is an expression for the drag force on the complex drop. We also find that the extent to which the drop or bubble is covered the film has a maximum value depending on the magnitude of the driving force on the film. In addition, we find the rather interesting result that when the ratio of the primary drop viscosity and bulk fluid viscosity is greater than ½, the circulation within the film may have a double-cell structure.
Limited feedback for multicarrier block fading channels: A rate distortion approach

This paper studies power loading in a multicarrier system with channel state feedback of no more than one bit per sub-channel. Full channel state information is assumed known at the receiver. A simple model with parallel two-state (good/bad) memoryless sub-channels is considered first, where feedback is used to select a given fraction of sub-channels to activate. The optimal feedback scheme is the solution to a vector quantization problem, the performance of which is characterized by a rate distortion function in the limit of infinite number of sub-channels. Bounds for performance loss with finite number of sub-channels are also developed. We then consider a second model of a bank of block Rayleigh fading sub-channels with total power constraint, where the feedback describes which sub-channels to activate with equal power. A scheme based on rate distortion code is proposed to describe which sub-channels exceed a threshold in signal-to-noise ratio and should be activated. With optimized threshold and moderate amount of feedback, the resulting capacity is known to be of the same order in the number of sub-channels as that achieved by water-filling with full channel state information at the transmitter. This scheme performs more favorably than alternative schemes based on channel state reduction (such as by grouping them) and subsequent entropy coding.
A new algorithm of realizing arbitrary nonlinear filters-adaptive neural filters

We propose a novel class of nonlinear adaptive filters-adaptive neural filters based on a family of nonlinear functions f(/spl middot/) used in neural network, and we introduce several concepts of mapping pairs [X/sub i/,y/sub i/ (i=1,...,N)]. An important idea is to approximate adaptive filters by iteratively searching f/sub i/(/spl middot/): R/sup n//spl rarr/R (i=1,...,K) in N-dimensional topological space, where the f/sub i/(/spl middot/) is a member of the family of nonlinear functions. Another new approach suggested in this paper is to use nonlinear distribution chart, in which the characteristics of nonlinearity in a given approximation (f/sub i/(/spl middot/):R/sup n//spl rarr/R i=1,...,K) can be clearly found, based on the nonlinear distribution charts. There are three steps in the new algorithm: (a) using the least mean-square algorithm to adapt linear approximation with the given approximation pairs [X/sub i/,y/sub i/]: (b) drawing nonlinear distribution chart and using the new algorithm to choose the exact nonlinear function f/sub i/(/spl middot/); (c) adding the hidden nodes with the algorithm. If the established nodes cannot reach the desired precision, until the desired accuracy achieves. >
Non-dissipative Undeland snubber for electric vehicle drive inverters using GaAs anti-parallel diodes

Many techniques have been developed over the years for reducing the switching stresses and losses in the transistor switches of DC-AC inverters. Soft-switching techniques such as resonant-pole inverters, resonant DC link inverters and quasi-resonant DC link inverters suffer from substantially increased voltage or current ratings of the devices, additional controlled switches and increased complexity of control. Conventional snubbers are simple to use, but the dissipation in the snubber results in no overall improvement in the efficiency of the inverter. The Undeland snubber with a simple energy recovery circuit combines both the simplicity of the conventional snubber while reducing the switching stresses in the switches and improving the overall efficiency of the power circuit. Experiments are conducted on single-phase 1 kVA MOSFET inverter with GaAs anti-parallel diodes and operating from a DC bus of 135 V. The results are presented for operations in the hard-switched mode as well as with the regenerative Undeland snubber in operation. It is shown that the Undeland snubber improves efficiency as compared to the hard switched mode of operation. Practical limitations and design considerations of the Undeland snubber in the presence of improved devices such as low-reverse recovery current diodes like GaAs diodes are also shown.
Efficient Inhibition of Germination of Coat-Deficient Bacterial Spores by Multivalent Metal Cations, Including Terbium (Tb3+)

Release of dipicolinic acid (DPA) and its fluorescence with terbium (Tb3+) allow rapid measurement of the germination and viability of spores of Bacillus and Clostridium species. However, germination of coat-deficient Bacillus spores was strongly inhibited by Tb3+ and some other multivalent cations. Tb3+ also inhibited germination of coat-deficient Clostridium perfringens spores.
The Effect of Zidovudine on Erythrocyte Mean Corpuscular Volume in Asymptomatic HIV-Infected Individuals

Erythocyte mean corpuscular volume (MCV) rises dramatically in the presence of zidovudine, which currently is the only anti-retroviral licensed for the treatment of HIV infected individuals. This paper reports the long-term effects of zidovudine on MCV levels and discusses the potential for using MCV levels as a measure of compliance to study medication in clinical trials of zidovudine.
Detection of moniliformin in maize using capillary zone electrophoresis

Moniliformin is a mycotoxin produced by certain fungi pathogenic to maize. It is capable of causing disease in domestic animals, possibly through inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Testing for MON commonly involves extraction of maize, isolation of moniliformin using solid-phase extraction columns and detection with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography. A capillary zone electrophoresis-diode array detection (CZE-DAD) method for determination of moniliformin in maize is reported. The extraction and isolation procedures are similar to those of a commonly used HPLC method, while the detection step requires only 10 min. Sixty-three samples of maize were tested by an established HPLC method using absorbance at 229 nm (HPLC-ultraviolet light) and by the CZE-DAD method. The limit of detection of the CZE-DAD method was 0.1 microg MON g(-1) maize compared with 0.05 microg g(-1) for the HPLC-ultraviolet light method. The CZE-DAD method gave good agreement with the HPLC-ultraviolet light method for samples tested at levels up to 1500 microg g(-1), with a linear regression of r(2) = 0.996.
Bootstrap confidence bands for sojourn distributions in multistate semi-Markov models with right censoring

Transient semi-Markov processes have traditionally been used to describe the transitions of a patient through the various states of a multistate survival model. A survival distribution in this context is a sojourn through the states until passage to a fatal absorbing state or certain endpoint states. Using complete sojourn data, this paper shows how such survival distributions and associated hazard functions can be estimated nonparametrically and also how nonparametric bootstrap pointwise confidence bands can be constructed for them when patients are subject to independent right censoring from each state during the sojourn. Limitations to the estimability of such survival distributions that result from random censoring with bounded support are clarified. The methods are applicable to any sort of sojourn through any finite state process of arbitrary complexity involving feedback into previously occupied states. Copyright 2012, Oxford University Press.
Naktodemasis bowni: New Ichnogenus and Ichnospecies for Adhesive Meniscate Burrows (AMB), and Paleoenvironmental Implications, Paleogene Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming

Adhesive meniscate burrows (AMB) are common in alluvial paleosols of the Paleogene Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. AMB are sinuous, variably oriented burrows composed of a nested series of distinct, ellipsoidal packets containing thin, tightly spaced menisci subparallel to the bounding packet. Menisci are non-pelleted and texturally homogeneous with each other and the surrounding matrix. AMB were constructed most likely by burrower bugs (Hemiptera: Cydnidae), cicada nymphs (Hemiptera: Cicadae), and less likely by scarabaeid (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) or carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), based on burrow morphology and comparison to similar structures produced by these organisms in modern soils. Extant burrowing insects excavate backfilled burrows in well-rooted A and upper B horizons of soils generally below field capacity depending on soil type. This study demonstrates that AMB are distinct morphologically from such previously described ichnofossils as Beaconites, Laminites, Scoyenia, Taenidium, and Ancorichnus. Naktodemasis bowni, a new ichnogenus and ichnospecies, represents burrows composed of nested ellipsoidal packets backfilled with thin, tightly spaced, menisci subparallel to the bounding packet. The presence of N. bowni indicate periods of subaerial exposure associated with pedogenic modification under moderately to well-drained soil conditions, or during periods of better drainage in imperfectly drained soils. N. bowni, therefore, can differentiate alluvial paleoenvironments from marine and lacustrine paleoenvironments, as well as periods of subaerial exposure of sediments deposited in aquatic settings.
Purposeful Choice and Point-of-View

This paper presents a generalized quantum model for describing purposes or goals of individual agents, and the way choices can be made that enable these goals to be achieved. The underlying model is a semantic vector space model, which is turned into a purposeful choice model by labelling some axes as objectives, and describing choices as transformations on the vector spaces that enable agents in the model to set these objective axes in sight. We introduce this framework using a simplified example model of a dog trying to get food. Many parts of what has become the standard generalized quantum toolkit become apparent in this model, including learning, superposition, the importance of the metric used for normalization, classification, and a generalized uncertainty principle. The incorporation of purpose or goal into semantic vectors models also enables the analysis of traditional areas that are relatively new to artificial intelligence, including rhetoric, political science, and some of the philosophical questions touched by quantum theorists.
Enhanced biocompatibility of CD47-functionalized vascular stents.

The effectiveness of endovascular stents is hindered by in-stent restenosis (ISR), a secondary re-obstruction of treated arteries due to unresolved inflammation and activation of smooth muscle cells in the arterial wall. We previously demonstrated that immobilized CD47, a ubiquitously expressed transmembrane protein with an established role in immune evasion, can confer biocompatibility when appended to polymeric surfaces. In present studies, we test the hypothesis that CD47 immobilized onto metallic surfaces of stents can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response thus mitigating ISR. Recombinant CD47 (recCD47) or a peptide sequence corresponding to the Ig domain of CD47 (pepCD47), were attached to the surfaces of both 316L-grade stainless steel foils and stents using bisphosphonate coordination chemistry and thiol-based conjugation reactions to assess the anti-inflammatory properties of CD47-functionalized surfaces. Initial in vitro and ex vivo analysis demonstrated that both recCD47 and pepCD47 significantly reduced inflammatory cell attachment to steel surfaces without impeding on endothelial cell retention and expansion. Using a rat carotid stent model, we showed that pepCD47-functionalized stents prevented fibrin and platelet thrombus deposition, inhibited inflammatory cell attachment, and reduced restenosis by 30%. It is concluded that CD47-modified stent surfaces mitigate platelet and inflammatory cell attachment, thereby disrupting ISR pathophysiology.
Holographic topography using acousto-optically generated large synthetic wavelengths

Digital holography uses phase imaging in a variety of techniques to produce a three-dimensional phase resolved image that includes accurate depth information about the object of interest. Multi-wavelength digital holography is an accurate method for measuring the topography of surfaces. Typically, the object phases are reconstructed for two wavelengths separately and the phase corresponding to the synthetic wavelength (obtained from the two wavelengths) is obtained by calculating the phase difference. Then the surface map can be obtained using proper phase-unwrapping techniques. Usually these synthetic wavelengths are on the order of microns which can be used to resolve depths on the order of microns. In this work, two extremely close wavelengths generated by an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) are used to perform two-wavelength digital holography. Since the difference between the two wavelengths is on the order of picometers, a large synthetic wavelength (on the order of centimeters) can be obtained which can be used to determine the topography of macroscopic surface features. Also since the synthetic wavelength is large, an accurate surface map can be obtained without using a phase-unwrapping technique. A 514 nm Argon-ion laser is used as the optical source, and used with an AOM to generate the zeroth-order and frequency-shifted first-order diffracted orders which are used as the two wavelengths. Both beams are aligned through the same spatial filter assembly. Holograms are captured sequentially using a typical Mach-Zehnder interferometric setup by blocking one beam at a time. Limitations of the large synthetic wavelength are also discussed.
Static and Hydrodynamic Dimensions of Flexible Polyions in Solutions

The variation of the radius of gyration RG and the hydrodynamic size RH are followed as the ionic strength of the medium is monitored for a flexible polyelectrolyte compound in solutions. In addition, a comparison between the thermodynamical and hydrodynamical interaction parameters is given for the present system.
Nature of surface-enhanced coherent Raman scattering

A model to simulate the dependence of surface-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectra on the position and line width of the surface plasmon resonance is developed and strategies to increase experimental enhancement factors towards theoretical predictions are proposed.
SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF RIVAROXABAN IN PATIENTS WITH CARDIAC IMPLANTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES: OBSERVATIONS FROM THE ROCKET AF TRIAL

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) may require cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). However, limited data are available on the use of oral factor Xa inhibitors in patients receiving CIEDs. ROCKET AF randomized 14,264 patients with nonvalvular AF to warfarin or rivaroxaban. We
A rapid injection NMR study of the reaction of organolithium reagents with esters, amides, and ketones.

Unexpectedly high rates of reaction between alkyllithium reagents and amides, compared to esters and ketones, were observed by Rapid Inject NMR and competition experiments. Spectroscopic investigations with 4-fluorophenyllithium (ArLi, mixture of monomer and dimer in THF) and a benzoate ester identified two reactive intermediates, a homodimer of the tetrahedral intermediate, stable below −100 °C, and a mixed dimer with ArLi. Direct formation of dimers suggested that the ArLi dimer may be the reactive aggregate rather than the usually more reactive monomer. In contrast, RINMR experiments with ketones demonstrated that the ArLi monomer was the reactive species.
Decentralized testing in the '90s. A survey of U.S. hospitals.

Laboratory testing is increasingly moving out of the central laboratory and into other areas of the hospital. Many factors are driving this trend, but most revolve around the desire for prompt, medical decision making guided by quick, convenient on-site or decentralized testing using emerging new technologies. Although many theories exist about the viability of on-site testing, research on the subject has been minimal. This article reviews the results of a 1993 independent survey on decentralized testing among laboratory managers at U.S. hospitals and quantifies various aspects of this new movement within such institutions.
The Question of Empire

Setting the United States amid a review of empires and claiming the setting will illuminate the contemporary American condition only makes sense if America does indeed have an empire. Going farther and studying those empires in order to prevent the United States from falling into imperial traps only makes sense if our general view of empire is a negative one. Both views/assumptions are, of course, highly controversial. There are plenty of people out there who think that empires are good things. There are plenty of people out there who think that the American Empire is a particularly good thing, and there are plenty of others who deny that America is an empire at all. Before we can sensibly develop any comparative analysis of America and its predecessor empires, we need first to deal directly with those who deny the validity of the comparison.
Moral Responsibility and Agricultural Research (1)

The productivity of modern agriculture is the result of a remarkable fusion of technology and science (White, 1968; Asimov, 1979). In the West this fusion was built on ideological foundations that, from the early Middle Ages, has valued both the improvement of material well being and the advancement of knowledge.
A snail shell process model for knowledge discovery via data analytics

The rapid growth of big data environment imposes new challenges that traditional knowledge discovery and data mining process (KDDM) models are not adequately suited to address. We propose a snail shell process model for knowledge discovery via data analytics (KDDA) to address these challenges. We evaluate the utility of the KDDA process model using real-world analytic case studies at a global multi-media company. By comparing against traditional KDDM models, we demonstrate the need and relevance of the snail shell model, particularly in addressing faster turnaround and frequent model updates that characterize knowledge discovery in the big data environment. Big data imposes many unique challenges for knowledge discovery via analytics.A snail shell process model for knowledge discovery via data analytics (KDDA) is proposed.Design science used to develop, refine and validate the snail shell model.The real world case demonstrates the relevance of snail shell model for organizational knowledge discovery.The study fills the gap in existing knowledge discovery and data mining (KDDM) literature.
Changing microsoft's build: revolution or evolution

Tens of thousands of Microsoft engineers build and test hundreds of software products several times a day. It is essential that this continuous integration scales, guarantees short feedback cycles, and functions reliably with minimal human intervention. During the past three years TSE's charter has been to shorten this cycle time. We went after this goal in two ways: Evolution via CloudBuild and Revolution via Concord. CloudBuild is a build service infrastructure, now being used by all major product groups in Microsoft, like Azure, Bing, Office, SQL except for Windows. CloudBuild addresses all aspects of a continuous integration workflow, like builds, test and code analysis, but also drops, package and symbol creation and storage. CloudBuild supports multiple build languages as long as they fulfill a coarse grained IO based contract. CloudBuild uses content based caching to run build-related tasks only when needed. Lastly, it builds on many machines in parallel. The speed ups of build and testing range from 1.2x to 10x. CloudBuild aims to rapidly onboard teams and hence has to support non-deterministic build tools and specification languages that under-declare dependencies. CloudBuild, being a reliable build service in the presence of unreliable components, currently achieves service availability better than 99%. Windows went a different path. Their past build exhaust was so massive that building Windows in the cloud and bringing the build results back for testing on corp.-net. was considered infeasible. So they decided to move to a new build language, codename Concord. By construction, Concord guarantees reliable builds, no over-build, and allows for efficient distribution. Adopting Concord has led to immense performance improvements, we have seen up to 100X speedup for Windows builds. But the path has been long and rocky, since it not only requires a substantial rewrite of existing build logic, but also all related developer and build lab processes have to change. Whether evolution or revolution is the right path forward -- the verdict is still out.
Endothelin-1 Treatment Induces an Experimental Cerebral Malaria-Like Syndrome in C57BL/6 Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65.

Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection of C57BL/6 mice is a widely used model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). By contrast, the nonneurotropic P. berghei NK65 (PbN) causes severe malarial disease in C57BL/6 mice but does not cause ECM. Previous studies suggest that endothelin-1 (ET-1) contributes to the pathogenesis of ECM. In this study, we characterize the role of ET-1 on ECM vascular dysfunction. Mice infected with 10 6 PbN-parasitized red blood cells were treated with either ET-1 or saline from 2 to 8 days postinfection (dpi). Plasmodium berghei ANKA–infected mice served as the positive control. ET-1–treated PbN-infected mice exhibited neurological signs, hypothermia, and behavioral alterations characteristic of ECM, dying 4 to 8 dpi. Parasitemia was not affected by ET-1 treatment. Saline-treated PbN-infected mice did not display ECM, surviving until 12 dpi. ET-1–treated PbN-infected mice displayed leukocyte adhesion to the vascular endothelia and petechial hemorrhages throughout the brain at 6 dpi. Intravital microscopic images demonstrated significant brain arteriolar vessel constriction, decreased functional capillary density, and increased blood-brain barrier permeability. These alterations were not present in either ET-1–treated uninfected or saline-treated PbN-infected mice. In summary, ET-1 treatment of PbN-infected mice induced an ECM-like syndrome, causing brain vasoconstriction, adherence of activated leukocytes in the cerebral microvasculature, and blood-brain barrier leakage, indicating that ET-1 is involved in the genesis of brain microvascular alterations that are the hallmark of ECM.
Penile Prosthesis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients-A Matched Cohort Study.

Objective To determine whether patients with solid organ transplant (SOT) are at higher risk of developing complications after inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed outcomes data for all patients with SOT who underwent IPP placement at our institution. A cohort of age-matched IPP recipients without SOT were used as controls. Results We identified 26 patients who underwent SOT and IPP between 1999 and 2015, and 26 controls. Transplants included heart (3), liver (2), kidney only (17), and kidney and pancreas (4). Mean follow-up time after IPP placement was 29.5 months (SOT group) and 13.5 months (controls). Age at IPP did not significantly differ between groups (53.7 + 8.1 vs 56.4 + 9.0, P = .26), nor did body mass index (30.3 + 5.5 vs 30.2 + 4.7, P = .92), history of prostatectomy (7.7% vs 15.4%, P = .39), rectal surgery (3.9% vs 3.9%, P = 1.00), hyperlipidemia (69.2% vs 69.2%, P = 1.00), hypertension (92.3% vs 76.9%, P = .25), or heart disease (57.7% vs 30.8%, P = .093). Peripheral vascular disease was more common in transplant patients (26.9% vs 3.9%, P = .021), as were stroke (19.2% vs 0.0%, P = .05) and diabetes (84.6% vs 53.6%, P = .016). No significant differences in IPP reoperation rates existed between patients with vs without SOT (11.5% vs 11.5%, P = 1.00), nor did they differ by organ transplanted (P = 1.00). No differences in IPP reoperation rate existed between 2-piece vs 3-piece IPP models (P = .47). Conclusion Outcomes of IPP implantation in patients with SOT are similar to those of nontransplant patients. Patients with SOT should be considered suitable candidates for penile prosthesis.
Comparison of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy for predicting botanical composition of cattle diets.

ABSTRACT Diet selection is an important driver of ecosystem structure and function that is difficult to measure. New spectroscopic instruments are available for evaluating their applicability to ecological field studies. The objective of this study was to compare near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to Raman spectroscopy of fecal samples for predicting the percentage of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) in the diet of ruminally fistulated cattle fed three different hay diets and compare them for their ability to discriminate among the three base diets. Spectra were collected from feces from a feeding trial with mesquite fed at 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% of the diet and base hay diets of timothy hay (Phleum pratense), Sudan hay (Sorghum sudanense), or a 50:50 combination of Bermudagrass hay (Cynodon dactylon) and beardless wheat hay (Triticum aestivum). NIRS and Raman spectra were used for partial least squares regression calibrations with the timothy and Sudan hays and validated with the Bermudagrass/...
An improved rotor design for dual-stator vernier ferrite permanent magnet machines

This paper proposes a ferrite dual-stator spoke type Vernier permanent magnet machine (DSSVPMM) using a drum rotor for low speed applications. The drum rotor offers supports on both sides of the machine, significantly improving the rotor alignment, the rotor rigidity and stability. The inner stator windings are completely removed and shifted to the outer stator so that the heat produced by the inner stator windings is completely eliminated inside the rotor. The performance of the proposed design is compared against an existing industrial interior permanent magnet machine (IPMM). Not only does the proposed ferrite DSSVPMM improve the rotor structural design and solve the associated thermal problem, but also shows higher torque density and efficiency than those of the existing IPMM using rare earth permanent magnets.
Comparison of risk factors and complications in patients by stratified mastectomy weight: An institutional review of 1041 consecutive cases

Background and objectives This study aims to investigate the specific complication rates, reconstructive differences, and delineate the pertinent independent risk factors in patients with different mastectomy weights. Methods A retrospective chart review of consecutive patients undergoing mastectomy between 2010 and 2015 was performed. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were collected. Patients were divided into three groups: those with mastectomy weight 1000 g. Results During the study period, a total of 704 consecutive patients and 1041 total mastectomy surgeries had complete mastectomy specimen weight data. Of these, 437 breasts were in the 1000g group. The rate of overall complications between the three mastectomy weight groups ( 1000 g) was statistically significant (14.0%, 17.6%, and 25.7%; P = 0.002, respectively) and were higher with increased mastectomy weights. Notably, in patients with breast mastectomy weight >1000 g, autologous reconstruction had significantly reduced rates of overall complications (AOR = 0.512, P = 0.048). Conclusion Complication rates were lower in women with larger breast weights undergoing autologous reconstruction, warranting potential use of autologous free flap breast reconstruction in women with large mastectomy specimen weights when possible.
START learning by sharing: FAQs.

ter influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. This can help alleviate the strain on primary care facilities and hospitals particularly at the start of the flu season when the demand for these vaccinations is very high. States that allow pharmacists to administer vaccinations have seen an increase in influenza vaccination rates. One study compared influenza vaccination rates in states that allow pharmacists to administer vaccinations versus states that do not.5 Where pharmacists were allowed to administer vaccinations, the vaccination rate increased from 58% in 1995 to 68% in 1999, compared to an increase of 61% to 65% in states that do not allow pharmacists to administer vaccines. However, due to the legal implications of pharmacists administering injections, many community pharmacy chains may not allow their pharmacists to actually perform the vaccinations but may hire qualified nurses to perform this duty.
What would 'google' do? users' mental models of a digital library search engine

A mental model is a model that people have of themselves, others, the environment, and the things with which they interact, such as technologies. Mental models can support the user-centered development of digital libraries: if we can understand how users perceive digital libraries, we can design interfaces that take these perceptions into account. In this paper, we describe a novel method for eliciting a generic mental model from users, in this case of a digital library's search engine. The method is based on a content analysis of users' mental representations of the system's usability, which they generated in heuristic evaluations. The content analysis elicited features that the evaluators thought important for the search engine. The resulting mental model represents a generic model of the search engine, rather than a clustering of individuals' mental models of the same search engine. The model includes a number of references to Web search engines as ideal models, but these references are idealistic rather than realistic. We conclude that users' mental models of Web search engines should not be taken at face value. The implications of this finding for digital library development and design are discussed.
Kinetics of Drug—Receptor Interaction: Interpreting Dose—Response Data

The concept of the pharmacological receptor was introduced by Langley28 and by Ehrlich.11 Langley’s formulation was based on experiments in which he applied nicotine to small regions of a muscle surface. He observed that a muscle twitch occurred only when the nicotine was applied to certain small areas of the muscle surface and, hence, he postulated the existence of a receptive substance at those small areas. Ehrlich, on the other hand, worked with various dyes, observing that some cells were stained more deeply or in a different way from other cells. These observations suggested to Ehrlich that a general theory could be developed that would explain the selective action of drugs. Much study since then, particularly studies that showed that other substances could inhibit or block the specific action of a drug, have given general acceptance to the receptor concept. The most general definition of a receptor is that it is that component of the cell that combines chemically with a drug in order to produce an effect. For the most part we know little about the chemical or physicochemical makeup of the receptor. In that respect, the receptor has been described as a measure of our ignorance by Gero20; yet the concept has proved most helpful in pharmacology.
European Union Law, Gambling, and Sport Betting. European Court of Justice Jurisprudence, Member States Case Law, and Policy

Carmen Media and Engelmann are the latest in a series of many cases handled by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on matters dealing with gambling, sport betting practises, and member states’ traditionally-established monopolies. EU Law application on these cases has been problematic and fairly inconsistent among national courts and the ECJ itself. In an era where online gaming, in particular, is rapidly growing into a larger share of the gambling industry, and considering the ease of access and multitude of products, services, and transactions involved, the ECJ, European Commission, and national governments are toiling over the most prudent, balanced, and practical approach and policy directions for the future of the industry in Europe.
Addressing climate change through a nursing lens within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Abstract Background In 2000, the United Nations (UN) introduced the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), described as a global movement with the primary aim of ending world-wide poverty (“Millennium Summit,” 2000). The second phase of the project, known as the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda offers an increased emphasis on lessening the mitigating factors associated with climate change and adapting to the negative effects of climate change. Nurses are in the unique position to address the health-related impacts related to climate change through community health approaches aimed at education and promotion of environmental stewardship. Purpose The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the relationships among the health consequences of climate change, nursing literature on climate change, and nursing implications. The following will be addressed: “What is nursing's role in policy, practice, and advocacy when addressing the effects of climate change? What is the importance of the SDGs as a framework for addressing climate change in the role of nursing?” Method This scoping review of the literature was conducted which included the evaluation of a broad range of articles using scoping methods as frameworks. Findings An overarching theme regarding the nursing community's responsibility in addressing the effects of climate change and their role as advocates, educators, and global citizens was extracted from the scoping review. Discussion There are many opportunities for nurses to become actively involved in efforts aimed at mitigation, adaptation, and resilience efforts in climate change, including becoming involved in policy, advocacy, research, and practice opportunities.
New approaches to measuring the comprehensiveness of primary care physicians.

OBJECTIVE To develop claims-based measures of comprehensiveness of primary care physicians (PCPs) and summarize their associations with health care utilization and cost. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING A total of 5359 PCPs caring for over 1 million Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries from 1404 practices. STUDY DESIGN We developed Medicare claims-based measures of physician comprehensiveness (involvement in patient conditions and new problem management) and used a previously developed range of services measure. We analyzed the association of PCPs' comprehensiveness in 2013 with their beneficiaries' emergency department, hospitalizations rates, and ambulatory care-sensitive condition (ACSC) admissions (each per 1000 beneficiaries per year), and Medicare expenditures (per beneficiary per month) in 2014, adjusting for beneficiary, physician, practice, and market characteristics, and clustering. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Each measure varied across PCPs and had low correlation with the other measures-as intended, they capture different aspects of comprehensiveness. For patients whose PCPs' comprehensiveness score was at the 75th vs 25th percentile (more vs less comprehensive), patients had lower service use (P < 0.05) in one or more measures: involvement with patient conditions: total Medicare expenditures, -$17.4 (-2.2 percent); hospitalizations, -5.5 (-1.9 percent); emergency department (ED) visits, -16.3 (-2.4 percent); new problem management: total Medicare expenditures, -$13.3 (-1.7 percent); hospitalizations, -7.0 (-2.4 percent); ED visits, -19.7 (-2.9 percent); range of services: ED visits, -17.1 (-2.5 percent). There were no significant associations between the comprehensiveness measures and ACSC admission rates. CONCLUSIONS These measures demonstrate strong content and predictive validity and reliability. Medicare beneficiaries of PCPs providing more comprehensive care had lower hospitalization rates, ED visits, and total Medicare expenditures.
The Role of Non-Contrast Cone Beam CT in Identifying Incomplete Treatment during Uterine Artery Embolization.

Abstract Purpose To describe the utility of post-procedure noncontrast cone-beam computed tomography (CT) in identifying cases of incomplete treatment and the need to search for additional vascular supply during uterine artery embolization (UAE). Materials and Methods From June 2013 to June 2018, 427 patients (age, 45 ± 5 years) underwent 430 consecutive UAEs with post-embolization noncontrast cone-beam CT. If noncontrast cone-beam CT showed an area of the uterus lacking contrast retention, aortography was performed to search for collateral supply. Procedures were characterized as suspected complete bilateral UAEs or suspected incomplete UAEs, such as in cases of a unilateral uterine artery or diminutive uterine arteries. Rates of inadequate contrast retention on noncontrast cone-beam CT and discovered collateral artery supply were calculated. In 10 consecutive cases in which both noncontrast cone-beam CT and aortography were performed, dose-area product radiation exposure from noncontrast cone-beam CT and aortography was compared using a 2-sided paired-sample t-test. Results Of the 411 suspected complete bilateral UAEs, noncontrast cone-beam CT showed an area of the uterus lacking contrast retention in 38 (9.2%) cases. Of the 19 suspected incomplete UAEs, noncontrast cone-beam CT demonstrated incomplete treatment in 6 (31.6%) patients. Aortography was performed in 40 of the 44 cases of incomplete treatment on noncontrast cone-beam CT, and collateral supply was found in 28 (70.0%) cases. In 22 of these cases (5.2% of the 427 patients studied), noncontrast cone-beam CT led to the discovery of significant collateral supply requiring further embolization. Dose-area product radiation exposure from noncontrast cone-beam CT was less than from aortography (P = .007). Conclusions Post-UAE noncontrast cone-beam CT can be used to select a subset of patients with a higher likelihood of collateral supply who may benefit from post-embolization aortography.
Venous Flaps for Revascularization and Soft-Tissue Coverage in Traumatic Hand Injuries: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background The use of the venous flap for simultaneous revascularization and coverage of soft tissue defects has been documented in the literature for over 30 years. First described in 1981, Nakayama et al demonstrated that a vein and overlying skin, or a venous flap, may be transposed from one area of the body to another with complete survival of the graft. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to determine predictors of venous flap survival in traumatic hand injuries. Methods A literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library was performed with emphasis on venous flap use in traumatic hand injuries. MeSH terms included: vein graft, revascularization, venous flow through flap, arterialized venous flap, bypass, replantation, amputation, avulsion, trauma, injury, amputate, finger, hand, and thumb. Results Forty-three articles were collected that contained data on 626 free venous flaps. Most patients were males (73.9) and injured their right hand (52.3%). The forearm was the most commonly used venous flap donor site (83.6%), and most of the skin paddles were 10 to 25 cm2 (41.1%). Arterial inflow was used in 93.1% of the flaps. Most venous flaps (79.6%) healed without superficial tissue loss or necrosis. Ninety-two (14.7%) flaps had partial loss while 36 (5.8%) flaps did not survive. Conclusion The use of venous flaps for concomitant revascularization and soft tissue coverage of the hand permits good results with limited morbidity. The overall flap survival rate is nearly 95%. Younger patients whose flaps have arterial inflow and skin paddles of medium size (10–25 cm2) have the best chance for survival.
Robust low-energy Andreev bound states in semiconductor-superconductor structures: Importance of partial separation of component Majorana bound states

Robust topologically trivial low-energy Andreev bound states (ABSs) induced by position-dependent effective potentials have recently come under renewed focus, in light of a remarkable set of experiments observing robust quantized zero-bias conductance plateaus in semiconductor-superconductor heterostructures. We show that (1) the partial spatial separation of the wave functions of the component Majorana bound states (MBSs) is crucial for the creation and stability of topologically trivial near-zero-energy Andreev bound states, (2) the signs of the spin polarizations of the component MBSs can be either the same or opposite, depending on the profile of the inducing potential, and (3) the spin polarizations do not play a fundamental role in generating vastly different coupling strengths to local probes and/or ensuring the robustness of the near-zero-energy ABS. Consequently, in contrast to recent theoretical claims (Vuik et al., arXiv:1806.02801), we find that a robust, quantized zero-bias conductance plateau of height 2e^2/h measured in the topologically trivial regime necessarily requires partially separated ABSs (ps-ABSs), independent of the relative signs of the spin-polarizations. In addition, we show that (4) well-defined energy splitting oscillations involve MBSs characterized by exponential tails pointing toward each other, and (5) ps-ABSs generated by the tunnel barrier itself produce zero-bias conductance peaks with a characteristic width that increases strongly with the applied magnetic field. Finally, we propose (6) a quantitative scheme for analyzing the stability of Majorana modes based on probability distributions of splitting susceptibilities and show that a ps-ABS mode can be remarkably robust when judged based on its signature in a charge tunneling experiment, but, in essence, is topologically unprotected.
SharpTNI: Counting and Sampling Parsimonious Transmission Networks under a Weak Bottleneck

Technological advances in genomic sequencing are facilitating the reconstruction of transmission histories during outbreaks in the fight against infectious diseases. However, accurate disease transmission inference using this data is hindered by a number of challenges due to within-host pathogen diversity and weak transmission bottlenecks, where multiple genetically-distinct pathogenic strains co-transmit. We formulate a combinatorial optimization problem for transmission network inference under a weak bottleneck from a given timed phylogeny and establish hardness results. We present SharpTNI, a method to approximately count and almost uniformly sample from the solution space. Using simulated data, we show that SharpTNI accurately quantifies and uniformly samples from the solution space of parsimonious transmission networks, scaling to large datasets. We demonstrate that SharpTNI identifies co-transmissions during the 2014 Ebola outbreak that are corroborated by epidemiological information collected by previous studies. Accounting for weak transmission bottlenecks is crucial for accurate inference of transmission histories during outbreaks. SharpTNI is a parsimony-based method to reconstruct transmission networks for diseases with long incubation times and large inocula given timed phylogenies. The model and theoretical work of this paper pave the way for novel maximum likelihood methods to co estimate timed phylogenies and transmission networks under a weak bottleneck.