cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Diverse Expertise To Advance Climate Change Fisheries Science

As climate change continues to impact New England's coastal ecosystems and their related fisheries, the need for measuring, projecting, interpreting, and applying those impacts for adaptive management is expanding. In New England, different types of formal and informal research efforts that involve collaboration between the fishing community and traditional university and government researchers continue to develop to address some of this need. To better understand the opportunities and challenges that these collaborative research efforts face, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 members of the fishing and research communities who are engaged in advancing New England climate change and fisheries science. Participants showed clear concern for the impacts of climate change on New England fisheries and about the insufficient availability of the necessary science to manage for those impacts. They also noted a number of challenges in collaborative research, including poor communication and a lack of trust among fishers, researchers, and decision makers, as well as a lack of perceived credibility for research coming out of the fishing community. We identify a number of opportunities for improving collaboration and communication among these groups, which could build upon the identified value of existing collaborations.
Sampling-based synthesis of maximally-satisfying controllers for temporal logic specifications

Sampling-based methods have advanced the state of the art in robotic motion planning and control across complex, high-dimensional domains. With few exceptions, such approaches only admit simple constraints and objectives, such as collision-avoidance and reaching a goal state. In this work we leverage the best of two worlds: the scalability of sampling-based motion planning and the precise formal guarantees of temporal logic. We present an incremental sampling-based algorithm that synthesizes a motion control policy satisfying a bounded Signal Temporal Logic formula over properties of a given environment. Our key insight is that we can bias the selection of samples using a quantitative measure of how well the best path in the current tree of samples satisfies the specification. This allows us both to converge to a path that satisfies the specification, and to improve upon an existing path, i.e. to satisfy the specification with maximum robustness. We illustrate the performance of our method in several case studies.
Prairie Visions: Writings by Hamlin Garland

Review of: "Prairie Visions: Writings by Hamlin Garland," by Keith Newlin; photographs by Jon Morris.
Leveraging tripolar antenna diversity to improve link reliability in severe multipath environments

In this work, empirical results demonstrate the efficacy of tripolar antenna diversity to improve data packet delivery in environments prone to severe multipath, i.e., those that may be seen for industrial IoT applications. The work leveraged an Arduino platform with a XBee wireless module and compared performance (i.e., link reliability) when a baseline monopole antenna was used versus a prototype, 3D printed tripolar antenna system. The testing was conducted by placing both antennas inside of a compact reverberation chamber. We also compared empirical data with simulated data and showed that for both cases, the tripolar antenna system performed approximately three times better than the monopole antenna. Finally, we conducted tests under dynamic conditions where the wireless node switched, at various rates, between the three antenna elements, choosing the best option to send data packets and results showed that the tripolar antenna can mitigate the high multipath effect with 95% successful packet delivery.
Some Ancient Theories of Justice

The formidable shadow of the form of justice, in which all those stand who, through Aristotle and his followers, reflect the ideals of Plato, can be defined by assumptions as surely as can the rights of individuals, also unstated but accepted by means of the assumptions of the English common law. Justice is an universal principle which while remaining essentially unknown is assumed as applied behind every particular theory of justice and every legal system which has ever continued in effect. In other words, behind every relative theory of justice there stands the ideal of an absolute justice at which the relative theory aims.
Evaluating Bank Efficiency Using Cost Frontier and Quantile Regression Analysis: The Case of Argentina in the Late 1990s

This paper examines the cost efficiency of Argentine commercial banks following the financial and monetary reforms of the early 1990s. A panel data set including all commercial banks operating in Argentina during 1996-2000 was used. Cost efficiency is measured using two different techniques. First, input "X"-inefficiency is estimated via the Distribution-Free Approach, introduced by Berger (1993). Second, financial institutions with different characteristics (private vs. public and domestic vs. foreign) are analyzed based on their cost distribution using quantile regression analysis. In both cases, bank costs are specified as translog functions. When all banks are considered together, empirical results reveal X-inefficiencies representing around 20% of banking costs, which might be interpreted as a "reasonable" level of inefficiency, as compared to international standards. Analysis of banks sorted by different asset classes indicates that smaller banks tend to depart relatively more from a fully optimizing behavior. On the other hand, according to quantile regression estimations, public banks consistently show (on average) higher costs than private banks, being the differences larger when banks are evaluated at higher quantiles of the (conditional) cost distribution. In other words, the efficient public banks would have similar costs as the efficient private banks, while the inefficient public banks would have higher costs than the inefficient private banks. This could be indicating the unwillingness (or inability) of the government to liquidate public banks operating with high costs. Finally, when banks are distinguished as "foreign vs. domestic", cost measures are not significantly altered (on average). Specifically, the estimated quantile function characterizing foreign banks shows costs slightly above domestic banks along most quantile point estimates, and exceptionally lower costs for banks located either at the very lower and upper tails of the cost distribution, although in any case these results (especially the latter ones) turn out to be statistically robust.
Medical Consultations in the Context of the Physician-Patient Relationship

There is widespread agreement that the physician-patient relationship is changing and remains in a state of flux. This assertion is incontestable with the proviso that the physician-patient relationship is changing more for some patients and physicians than for others. The traditional paternalistic medical model, characterized by the patient’s trust in and dependency on the physician, has been replaced in many cases by a more equal relationship in which patient autonomy and self-determination is emphasized. While this newer model certainly has many advantages, there are times when patients’ rights and physicians’ responsibilities conflict. When this happens, an adversarial relationship may develop between physician and patient which could negate the cooperative, reciprocal, mutual, voluntary, and goal-oriented engagement essential for both parties.
Catalytic Power and Transition-State Stabilization

This book is about the use of the transition-state concept, and of ideas about transition-state structure and the stabilization of transition states in catalysis, in understanding the rate processes of biochemistry. Essentially all the reactions considered are enzyme-catalyzed reactions or reactions studied in order to illuminate enzyme catalysis. In view of our thesis in this volume—that the transition state and its structure and interactions are the central feature of catalysis it is interesting to note that in much of the current writing on enzyme catalysis, the transition state is mentioned rather more rarely than might have been anticipated and its stabilization is sometimes relegated to the position of a single item in a long list of potential contributions to catalytic power. This is true in the pioneering volumes of Bruice and Benkovic,(1) in the monographs of Jencks(2) and Bender,(3) and in the recent reviews of Jencks(4) and Bruice.(5) It is likewise true of many other valuable books and articles, of which well over 5000 are cited in the sources just mentioned. Obvious exceptions to this custom are, of course, the authors interested in transition-state analogs, such as Lienhardt(6) and Wolfenden,t(7) but the general tendency is clear. There is certainly no agreement that all we need to know in order to understand enzyme catalysis is the structure of the transition state and the manner in which it is stabilized.
Dual Influence of Nitric Oxide on Gene Regulation During Hyoixua

It is being increasingly recognized that nitric oxide (NO) is associated with many physiological processes, including regulation of gene expression. NO shares certain similarities with molecular oxygen (O2) Previous studies have shown that hypoxia up-regulates c-fos, an immediate early gene, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a late response gene that encodes rate limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. Given the similarities between NO and O2, we hypothesized that NO inhibits hypoxia-induced up-regulation of c-fos and TH. Experiments were performed on rat pheochromocytoma (PC 12) cells, c-fos and TH mRNA’s were analysed by Northern blot and promoter activities by reporter gene assays, respectively. Hypoxia (1%O2 for 6 h) up-regulated c-fos and TH mRNAs and increased c-fos promoter activity. Hypoxia-induced c-fos mRNA expression, and promoter activities were significantly potentiated in presence of spermine nitric oxide (SNO), a NO donor. By contrast, SNO significantly inhibited TH mRNA expression and TH promoter activity during hypoxia. Electrophoretic mobility shift-assay showed increased binding of AP-1 and HIF-1 transcription factors to the TH promoter in cells exposed to hypoxia. SNO abolished the binding of AP- 1 and HIF- 1 to the TH promoter during hypoxia, suggesting that inhibition of hypoxia-induced TH transcription by NO are due to reduced binding of AP- 1 and HIF- 1 transcription factors. These result demonstrate that NO has both positive and negative influence on gene regulation by hypoxia and suggest that although NO resembles O2 does not always inhibit gene expression during low oxygen.
Efficacy and safety of secukinumab treatment in adults with extensive alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of non-scarring hair loss. The pathogenesis of AA is believed to involve multiple inflammatory cytokines, including possibly IL-17A. To assess the efficacy and safety of the IL-17A antagonist secukinumab in AA, we conducted a double-blinded, randomized prospective pilot study in which 11 subjects were treated with either secukinumab (n = 7) or placebo (n = 4) subcutaneously at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter until (inclusive of) week 20. The primary endpoint for the study was the percentage of patients achieving SALT50 at 24 weeks. A total of three subjects out of 11 completed the study through the primary endpoint, and therefore, we used the last observation carried forward method to analyze the missing data. At the primary endpoint or last completed observation, 0% (0/7) of the secukinumab-treated subjects achieved a 50% reduction in SALT score (SALT50), and likewise, 0% (0/4) of the placebo-treated subjects achieved SALT50. In the secukinumab group, one (14.3%) subject had some hair regrowth, one (14.3%) subject had worsening hair loss, and five (71.4%) subjects had no change in response to treatment. No adverse events attributable to the study drug were observed. The lack of a treatment response to most of our treated patients suggests that the TH17/IL-17 axis likely has no pathogenic role in AA and an alternative therapeutic approach should be considered for this disease. However, due to the low statistical power of this study, future studies may be required to corroborate these findings.
Validation of neoadjuvant rectal cancer (NAR) score as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival in real-life practice settings.

3517Validation Of Neoadjuvant Rectal Cancer (NAR) Score As A Surrogate Endpoint For Overall Survival In Real-life Practice Settings Background: Response to neoadjuvant therapy(NT) for rectal cancer...
Abstract WP306: Race-Ethnic Disparities in 30-Day Readmission After Ischemic Stroke Among Medicare Beneficiaries in the Florida Puerto Rico Collaboration to Reduce Stroke Disparities (FL-PR CReSD) Study

Background: 30-day readmission after ischemic stroke is an important health quality of care metric, but little is known about potential race-ethnic disparities for this outcome. We examined 30-day rates and causes for readmission among Medicare beneficiaries in the NINDS-funded Florida-Puerto Rico Collaboration to Reduce Stroke Disparities (CReSD) Study. Methods: We examined 30-day all-cause readmission for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries treated for ischemic stroke (ICD-9 433,434, 436) in FL CReSD hospitals from 2010-2013. We fit a Cox proportional hazards model that censored for death and adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities to assess race-ethnic differences in readmission, and identified reasons for readmissions. Results: Among 16,952 unique ischemic stroke patients (54% women, 75% white, 8% black, 15% Hispanic), all-cause 30-day readmission was 15%. Readmission rates were 17.2% for Blacks, 16.7% for Hispanics, 14.4% for Whites, and 14.7% for Others (p=0.003). There was a median of 11 days b...
Pr62Fe21M16C32 Versus Pr21Fe8M7'C12 (M = Si, P; M' = Si, Ge, Sn): Competing Intermetallic Carbides Grown from a Pr/Ni Flux.

Reactions of silicon, carbon, and iron in a low-melting flux mixture of praseodymium and nickel produced two competing intermetallic compounds. Pr62Fe21Si16C32 has a new structure type in tetragonal space group P4/ mmm ( a = 15.584(2) A, c = 11.330(1) A, Z = 1) that features trigonal planar FeC3 units that share corners to form a framework of cylindrical channels encompassing a network of silicon-centered praseodymium clusters. Slight variation of reactant ratio and heating profile produced Pr21Fe8Si7C12 instead; this compound has the previously reported cubic La21Fe8Sn7C12 structure type. Identical Pr/Si clusters and FeC3 subunit motifs are found in both structure types. In addition to reactant ratio and heating profile, size effects play a role in determining which structure forms. Replacing silicon with smaller phosphorus atoms produces only the tetragonal structure; replacement with larger elements (M = Ge, Sn) yields only cubic Pr21Fe8M7C12. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on single crystals of Pr62Fe21Si16C32 indicate antiferromagnetic ordering of the Pr moments below 17 K and no magnetic moment on iron atoms. The behavior of Pr21Fe8Si7C12 is more complex, revealing magnetic contributions from both Pr and Fe atoms and possible spin frustration.
Deprivation in Rewards and Alcohol Misuse

Abstract Behavioral economics states that alcohol misuse is inversely related with reinforcement from alternative sources, as operationalized by Herrnstein’s matching law. Thus, alcohol misuse is influenced by environmental constrains and is promulgated by deprivation of reward from alternative (nonalcohol) sources. This chapter briefly describes the history of research on reward deprivation before describing currently available approaches for the measurement of reward deprivation. Next, the current research using these measurement approaches is reviewed, including cross-sectional and longitudinal relations. The chapter ends by describing intervention approaches that embody the spirit of behavioral economics by purposefully targeting engagement in alternative activities.
Measuring Changes in Electrical Impedance During Cell-Mediated Mineralization.

Abstract Background: The fundamental electrical properties of bone have been attributed to the organic collagen and the inorganic mineral component; however, contributions of individual components ...
Full-Sphere Frequency Scanning Array Antenna Based on Passive Dual-Band CRLH Series Integrated Feeding Network

A full-sphere frequency scanning array antenna based on passive dual-band composite right/left handed series (CRLH) series integrated feeding network is presented in the paper. The proposed antenna array can support full-sphere (elevation angle θ = 0o to 360o) frequency beam scanning, where each θ is mapped to a unique frequency value. The array is realized by combining the dual-sided antenna elements with dual-band CRLH feeding network. For the antenna elements, both the proximity and aperture coupling are used to feed the radiators placed on the opposite sides of the shared ground plane. Furthermore, the right-handed and left-handed sections of the CRLH transmission lines (TL) are individually designed to provide the dual-band dispersion engineering of the proposed feeding network. In summary, directive full-sphere frequency scanning can be realized using an all-passive compact single array design. The full-sphere frequency scanning capability (a minimum of 30o in each quadrant) of the proposed passive array antenna is validated both in simulation and measurement.
Low Power Design of Runtime Reconfigurable FPGAs through Contexts Approximations

This paper presents a method to improve the performance and reduce the energy of applications mapped onto coarse-grain runtime reconfigurable arrays (CGRRAs) by substituting and merging different contexts by approximate predictive models. In CGRRAs applications are split into contexts. The CGRRA is then reconfigured every clock cycle by loading a new context onto the reconfigurable fabric. In this work, we propose to substitute contexts by approximate expressions using machine learning models of different complexities like linear regression (LR) and multi-layer perceptrons (MLPs) such that the CGRRA area and energy can be reduced albeit introducing different levels of errors at the output. Moreover, we propose a technique to merged these approximated contexts with other contexts leading to a set of Pareto-optimal configurations. Experimental results show that our proposed method works well and it can trade-off area, performance and energy with output error of several computationally intensive applications mapped onto a commercial CGRRA.
The Ohio State University Partial Discharge Detection Platform for Electric Machine Windings Driven by PWM Voltage Excitation

Unexpected premature insulation breakdown has been reported for many electric machines driven by variable speed drives (VSDs). A major cause is the reflected voltage overshoots at the machine winding caused by the pulse voltage excitation, leading to severe stress on the insulation system. At The Ohio State University (OSU), we have started a series of efforts to understand the degradation and breakdown of the insulation systems in electric machines driven by VSDs. This paper reports our activities on partial discharge (PD) detection and characterization for random-wound low voltage and form-wound medium voltage coils excited by PWM voltages. A PD detection platform has been established consisting of three main systems: the testing samples and setups, the pulsed voltage generation system, and the PD detection system. One silicon (Si) based and two silicon-carbide (SiC) based pulsed voltage generators were employed to produce voltage excitations with a magnitude up to 10 kV and a $dV/dt$ up to $\mathbf{70\ kV}/\mu\mathbf{s}$ . The PD detection system, moreover, installed nine sensors catering to five different physical manifestations during PD: electrical current, electromagnetic wave, optical light emission, acoustic ultrasound emission and chemical ozone emission. The detection effectiveness of each type of sensor is presented and compared using twisted pairs of magnet wire samples. The demonstrated results hope to provide a better understanding of the effect of VSDs on the behaviors of PDs in electric machine winding insulation systems, and also some insight for the selection and evaluation of PD detectors for various VSD applications.
Type IV-Like Pili Facilitate Transformation in Naturally Competent Archaea

ABSTRACT Naturally competent organisms are capable of DNA uptake directly from the environment through the process of transformation. Despite the importance of transformation to microbial evolution, DNA uptake remains poorly characterized outside of the bacterial domain. Here, we identify the pilus as a necessary component of the transformation machinery in archaea. We describe two naturally competent organisms, Methanococcus maripaludis and Methanoculleus thermophilus. In M. maripaludis, replicative vectors were transferred with an average efficiency of 2.4 × 103 transformants μg−1 DNA. In M. thermophilus, integrative vectors were transferred with an average efficiency of 2.7 × 103 transformants μg−1 DNA. Additionally, natural transformation of M. thermophilus could be used to introduce chromosomal mutations. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a method to introduce targeted mutations in a member of the order Methanomicrobiales. For both organisms, mutants lacking structural components of the type IV-like pilus filament were defective for DNA uptake, demonstrating the importance of pili for natural transformation. Interestingly, competence could be induced in a noncompetent strain of M. maripaludis by expressing pilin genes from a replicative vector. These results expand the known natural competence pili to include examples from the archaeal domain and highlight the importance of pili for DNA uptake in diverse microbial organisms. IMPORTANCE Microbial organisms adapt and evolve by acquiring new genetic material through horizontal gene transfer. One way that this occurs is natural transformation, the direct uptake and genomic incorporation of environmental DNA by competent organisms. Archaea represent up to a third of the biodiversity on Earth, yet little is known about transformation in these organisms. Here, we provide the first characterization of a component of the archaeal DNA uptake machinery. We show that the type IV-like pilus is essential for natural transformation in two archaeal species. This suggests that pili are important for transformation across the tree of life and further expands our understanding of gene flow in archaea.
Comparison of reconstructive techniques following oncologic intraarticular resection of proximal humerus.

INTRODUCTION The proximal humerus is a common site of primary and metastatic disease in the upper extremity. Historically, the goal of a hemiarthroplasty reconstruction was to provide a stable platform for hand and elbow function, with limited shoulder function. Techniques utilizing a reverse endoprosthesis (endoprosthetic replacement [EPR]) and allograft-prosthetic composite (APC) have been developed; however, there is a paucity of comparative studies. METHODS A total of 83 (42 females, 41 males) patients undergoing an intraarticular resection of the humerus were reviewed. Reconstructions included 30 reverse and 53 hemiarthroplasty; including hemiarthroplasty EPR (n = 36) and APC (n = 17), and reverse EPR (n = 20) and APC (n = 10). RESULTS Reverse reconstructions had improved forward elevation (85° vs. 44°, p < .001) and external rotation (30° vs. 21°; p < .001) versus a hemiarthroplasty. Reverse reconstructions had improved American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (65 vs. 57; p = .01) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 93 scores (72 vs. 63; p < .001) versus hemiarthroplasty. Subluxation of the reconstruction was a common (n = 23, 27%), only occurring in hemiarthroplasty patients (EPR [n = 13, 36%] and APC [n = 10, 59%]). CONCLUSION The current series highlights the improved functional outcome in patients undergoing reconstruction with a reverse arthroplasty compared to the traditional hemiarthroplasty. Currently reverse shoulder arthroplasty (APC or EPR) is our preferred methods of reconstruction in this patient population.
Improving learning experiences using LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots in control systems course

This paper integrates LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots into undergraduate control systems course to improve students’ learning experiences using Matlab as a development tool. This platform facilitates th...
Main Breaker Switching Control and Design Optimization for A Progressively Switched Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker

The switching control and MOV design optimization in the main circuit breaker (MCB) of a progressively switched hybrid DC circuit breaker (DCCB) is presented. A progressively switched hybrid DCCB achieves faster fault isolation with reduced fault current and transient recovery voltage compared to a regular hybrid DCCB due to its modified switching strategy. Analytical model of the system dynamics during fault isolation with progressive switching is derived to demonstrate the switching scheme’s effect on the energy-absorbing component, which is the metal oxide varistor (MOV), during turn-off. The developed analytical model in conjunction with the displacement curve of the fast mechanical switch of the hybrid DCCB is utilized to optimize the components of the main circuit breaker branch to reduce MOV degradation from asymmetric energy dissipation. This process also calculates when each switch stage should be turned off progressively during fault isolation. A model of the circuit breaker is built in PSCAD to validate the performance of the proposed optimization method. Experimental results are provided for a low voltage system to demonstrate reduced fault current peak in a progressive switching and near uniform energy absorption in optimally selected MOVs.
Zoom Shakespeare: The Show Must Go Online and "Read for the Globe"

This performance review examines the phenomena of Zoom Shakespeare during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, I examine the ways in which The Show Must Go Online paved the way for other productions of Zoom Shakespeare, including the “Read for the Globe” readathon to raise money to save Shakespeare’s Globe. In this examination, I consider how these productions forged international communities during a time of isolation, and how the social media presence of these productions served to create distinct fandoms that imbricate audiences inside the performance experience.
Learning Optimal Decision Making for an Industrial Truck Unloading Robot using Minimal Simulator Runs.

Consider a truck filled with boxes of varying size and unknown mass and an industrial robot with end-effectors that can unload multiple boxes from any reachable location. In this work, we investigate how would the robot with the help of a simulator, learn to maximize the number of boxes unloaded by each action. Most high-fidelity robotic simulators like ours are time-consuming. Therefore, we investigate the above learning problem with a focus on minimizing the number of simulation runs required. The optimal decision-making problem under this setting can be formulated as a multi-class classification problem. However, to obtain the outcome of any action requires us to run the time-consuming simulator, thereby restricting the amount of training data that can be collected. Thus, we need a data-efficient approach to learn the classifier and generalize it with a minimal amount of data. A high-fidelity physics-based simulator is common in general for complex manipulation tasks involving multi-body interactions. To this end, we train an optimal decision tree as the classifier, and for each branch of the decision tree, we reason about the confidence in the decision using a Probably Approximately Correct (PAC) framework to determine whether more simulator data will help reach a certain confidence level. This provides us with a mechanism to evaluate when simulation can be avoided for certain decisions, and when simulation will improve the decision making. For the truck unloading problem, our experiments show that a significant reduction in simulator runs can be achieved using the proposed method as compared to naively running the simulator to collect data to train equally performing decision trees.
The role of the renal resistance index in patients with heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

Abstract Background Renal impairment is a common phenomenon that portends a poor prognosis of heart failure (HF). The renal arterial resistance index (RRI) can be useful for defining renal function and predicting outcomes in patients with HF. This study aimed to investigate the determining factors of the RRI in HF patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and with reduced EF (HFrEF). Methods This retrospective study included 330 patients with HF. We investigated the determining factors for the RRI and the association between the RRI and 1-year composite outcome, comprising all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization for HF. Results The independent predictors of the RRI were tricuspid regurgitation peak gradient and estimated glomerular filtration rate in HFpEF, and pulse pressure and blood urea nitrogen in HFrEF. During the follow-up, 30 (9.1%) patients presented the composite outcome. Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed the association of the RRI with the composite outcome in both HFrEF (HR 1.08; 95% CI 1.03–1.14) and HFpEF (HR 1.07; 95% CI 1.03–1.12) without an interaction (p for interaction = 0.770). Conclusions The RRI was a consistent prognosticator in patients with HFpEF and those with HFrEF, while factors defining RRI were different between these groups.
Analysis of urgent/emergent conversions from monitored anesthesia care to general anesthesia with airway instrumentation.

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) is an anesthetic service involving the titration of sedatives/analgesics to achieve varying levels of sedation while avoiding general anesthesia (GA) and airway instrumentation. The goal of our study was to determine the overall incidence of conversion from MAC to general anesthesia with airway instrumentation and elucidate reasons and risk factors for conversion. In this retrospective observational study, all non-obstetric adult patients who received MAC from July 2002 to July 2015 at Mount Sinai Hospital were electronically screened for inclusion via a clinical database. Patient, procedure, anesthetic, and practitioner data were all collected and analyzed to generate descriptive analyses. Subsequent univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify specific risk factors associated with conversion to GA. Overall, 0.50% (1097/219,061) of MAC cases were converted to GA. Approximately half of conversions were due to the patient’s “intolerance” of MAC (with or without failed regional anesthesia), while the other half were due to physiologic derangements. Body mass index, male sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification, anesthesia team composition, and surgical specialty were all associated with risk of conversion to GA. This is one of the first and largest retrospective studies aimed at identifying reasons and risk factors associated with the conversion of MAC to GA. These findings may be used to help better anticipate or prevent these events.
Robotics and Automation in Molecular Genetics

Robotic platforms and automation can be applied to laboratory molecular biology protocols to achieve high-throughput sample processing for DNA sequencing, genomics, proteomics and other biological applications. Keywords: human genome project; automation; robotics; DNA sequencing
The laparoscopic management of post-transplant lymphocele: A critical review

Background: The management of lymphocele in patients following kidney (KT) and kidney pancreas (KPT) transplants is evolving. Open surgery has been the traditional treatment, but some authors have advocated laparoscopic drainage in selected patients.
Nonlinear Stochastic Control and Information Theoretic Dualities: Connections, Interdependencies and Thermodynamic Interpretations

In this paper, we present connections between recent developments on the linearly-solvable stochastic optimal control framework with early work in control theory based on the fundamental dualities between free energy and relative entropy. We extend these connections to nonlinear stochastic systems with non-affine controls by using the generalized version of the Feynman–Kac lemma. We present alternative formulations of the linearly-solvable stochastic optimal control framework and discuss information theoretic and thermodynamic interpretations. On the algorithmic side, we present iterative stochastic optimal control algorithms and applications to nonlinear stochastic systems. We conclude with an overview of the frameworks presented and discuss limitations, differences and future directions.
An Integrated Model of Alternative Mechanisms of In-Store Display and Feature Advertising on Brand Choice

Although many studies have documented that in-store displays and feature advertising can significantly increase brand choice probabilities, the mechanism through which they affect the choice decision process is not well understood. The marketing literature has suggested twoprominent decision mechanisms through which their effects may take place, which I call: the price cut proxy effect and the consideration set formation effect. The primary objective of this study is to jointly examine these two decision mechanisms suggested in the literature using scanner panel data of actual purchase behavior. I construct a brand choice model based on the behavioral premises of both effects. The proposed model allows consumers to use a combination of various decision processes with different probabilities, and accommodates the correlation in utilizing different decision mechanisms of display and feature ad. Results of the empirical analysis reveal distinct consumer segments with regard to their tendenc ies to use displays and/or feature ads as price cut proxies or for forming consideration sets, and the pattern is consistent with consumer characteristics in each segment, such as degree of state dependence and price sensitivity. Findings from this study shed light on some mixed patterns of promotion interaction effects documented in the literature, and also have interesting implications for promotion decisions.
Moisture absorption and autoclave performance optimization of glob top ball grid array

The glob top BGA has been pursued by multiple companies to reduce package cost and cycle time. This report discusses material and process improvements that can be made to enhance the packages' performance to a JEDEC Level 3. The material evaluations included in this report tested different liquid encapsulants, die attach epoxies and solder resist materials. Process improvements targeted using different cure profiles for the encapsulants, cleaning processes and location of special cleaning in the assembly process. Flag designs that reduce Cu surface area on the substrate for possible better die attach adhesion are also discussed. These results are benchmarked with the overmolded plastic ball grid area (PBGA) performance which is a JEDEC Level 5. The reliability test response was C-SAM to inspect for delamination at various package interfaces and weight gain to determine package moisture absorption and deabsorption rates.
Asexual development of Cryptosporidium parvum within a differentiated human enterocyte cell line.

Unremitting diarrhea with malabsorption is associated with Cryptosporidium parvum infection of the small intestine in patients with AIDS. The lack of a well-defined in vitro model of C. parvum infection has severely hampered research into the biology of cryptosporidial invasion of the host epithelial cell and development of new pharmacologic and immunologic therapies. The adherent human intestinal epithelial cell line HT29 when grown in glucose-free medium develops morphologic and functional characteristics of the small intestine enterocyte and was used to develop an in vitro model of infection. Cryptosporidium oocysts obtained from AIDS patients were applied to a monolayer of cloned, differentiated HT29.74 cells. Cells were fixed and stained to estimate the degree of parasite infection. Schizonts were easily distinguished from the host cell by light microscopy. Twenty-four hours after 10(5) oocysts were added to approximately 10(6) HT29.74 cells, Cryptosporidium infection rates varied from 50 to 120 schizonts per 1,000 cells. Among 14 different experiments, the mean infection rate was 91 (+/- 18) schizonts per 1,000 cells. Electron microscopy at 6 and 24 h confirmed intracellular localization and development of schizonts. The morphologic features of the cryptosporidial schizonts within HT29.74 cells, which included the presence of a dense band and feeder layer, were identical to those described during cryptosporidial infection of human enterocytes in patients with AIDS. Fewer schizonts were observed at 5 days and beyond. Infection of differentiated HT29.74 cells (62 and 65 schizonts per 1,000 cells at 24 and 72 h, respectively) was over five times more efficient than infection of undifferentiated HT29.74 cells (9 and 5 schizonts per 1,000 cells at 24 and 72 h, respectively). In vitro infection of differentiated HT29.74 cells will allow a better understanding of the mechanisms by which C. parvum infects the small intestinal epithelium and will allow a systematic evaluation of new therapeutic agents. Images
Total and distributed plantar loading in subjects with stage II tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction during terminal stance.

Background:In subjects with stage II tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction (TPTD), the function of the tibialis posterior muscle is altered and may be associated with a change in total and distribu...
Secretagogue response of goblet cells and columnar cells in human colonic crypts.

Crypts of Lieberkuhn were isolated from human colon, and differential interference contrast microscopy distinguished goblet and columnar cells. Activation with carbachol (CCh, 100 μM) or histamine ...
Determination of optimal work of breathing with negative pressure ventilation: "Best NPV"

Negative pressure ventilation (NPV) is used classically in a control mode for patients with neuromuscular disease. The conventional negative pressure ventilator can only be adjusted according to rate and negative pressure. However, a microprocessor-based negative pressure ventilator, such as the NEV 100 (Respironics, Murrysville, PA), allows for an assist mode of ventilation and the incorporation of extrathoracic positive pressure during ventilation cycles. Traditionally, titration of optimal settings with a conventional NPV is adjusted to patient comfort and arterial blood gases (ABG). We present a case report in which NPV parameters for a 14-month-old child with pulmonary hypoplasia were optimized by evaluating pulmonary mechanics. To date, no studies using pulmonary mechanics to titrate NPV have been published in the literature.
AERIAL MEASUREMENT OF SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT BY TERRESTRIAL GAMMA RADIATION SURVEY

ABSTRACT Research studies measuring terrestrial gamma radiation from aircraft to determine snowpack water equivalent are reported. Both spectral and total count data were collected using 10·16 cm by 10·16 cm (4 in.) NaI (T1) scintillation crystals. Extensive ground truth data were used in conjunction with count rates obtained to develop empirical procedures relating count attenuation with snow water equivalent. Soil moisture, altitude, and air density corrections were made in the course of development of the method. Spectral relations are compared with theoretical. Significant limitations on data collection and interpretation imposed by the presence of radon gas are discussed. Because of radon gas interference in the total count, the spectral method gives the best measurement of water equivalent in the snow-flood sensitive North-Central United States.
Cross-cultural social science research and questions of scientific medical imperialism

Concern for the rights and safety of individuals has caused clinical researchers to develop informed consent protocols for research involving human subjects. The applicapability of these regulations to social science research is often tenuous, since such research usually focuses on populations rather than individuals, and potential damage is apt to be political rather than personal. In cross-cultural social research, the protocols developed by Western clinical researchers may be not only ludicrously inapplicable, but intrusive and disruptive within the cultural context, raising questions of the intellectual imperialism of Western research ethics.
Arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in acute myocardial infarction

Abstract From a consideration of cardiac anatomy and pathologic electrophysiology, acute myocardial infarctions may be classified into three groups: anterior, lateral, and posterior. Arrhythmias and conduction disturbances are least common in patients with anterior infarctions, and most common in those with posterior infarctions. A review of the mechanisms involved suggests that infarction of the sinus node or A-V node and excess vagal discharge are the most important pathogenetic factors. A brief discussion of clinical management is based on these considerations.
Hemostatic regulation and Whitehead's philosophy of organism

Biology as a scientific discipline has relied heavily upon advances in chemistry and physics. An inherent danger in this relationship is the reduction of living phenomena to physico-chemical terms. Whitehead's ‘Philosophy of Organism’ is utilized to examine current methodologies within biology and to evaluate their appropriateness for future research. Hemostatic regulation is employed to illustrate the applications of organistic concepts to biological research. It is concluded that understanding of living entities and their properties as well as possibly life itself will require synthesis of the many analytical elements as informational structures.
Picosecond excimer fluorescence spectroscopy: applications to local motions of polymers and polymerization monitoring☆

Abstract The local motions of α,ω-bis-(1-pyrene)alkanes and pyrene-labelled poly(methyl methacrylate) polymers in solution were characterized by picosecond excimer fluorescence spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that 1,3-bis-(1-pyrene)propane and 1,10-bis-(1-pyrene)decane have similar local motions that bring two pyrene groups together to form excimers. Further, poly(1-pyrenylmethyl methacrylate) and a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and 1-pyrenylmethyl methacrylate in solution were found to have similar local motions that lead to excimer formation. In addition, the viscosity change during the polymerization of methyl methacrylate was monitored by measuring with picosecond fluorimetry the fluorescence lifetime of a trace amount of 1,3-bis-(1-pyrene)propane dissolved in methyl methacrylate.
Protection and immune responses induced by attenuated Salmonella typhimurium UK-1 strains.

Abstract We previously reported that Salmonella typhimurium SR-11 mutants with deletion mutations in the genes encoding adenylate cyclase ( cya ) and the cAMP receptor protein ( crp ) are avirulent and protective in mice. Salmonella typhimurium UK-1 is highly virulent for chicks (oral LD 50 of 3×10 3 CFU) and mice (oral LD 50 of 8.5×10 3 CFU) and is capable of lethal infections in pigs, calves and horses. We postulated that attenuated derivatives of this lethal strain would probably induce a higher level of protective immunity than achieved with attenuated derivatives of less virulent S. typhimurium strains such as SR11. To test this hypothesis, we have constructed S. typhimurium UK-1 Δ cya-12 Δ crp-11 mutant strain 3985 and its virulence plasmid cured derivative 4095 to investigate their avirulence and immunogenicity in mice. We found that the mutants are avirulent and able to induce protective immune responses in BALB/c mice. These mutant strains retained wild-type ability to colonize the gut associated lymphoid tissue but reach and persist in spleen and liver at a significantly lower level than the wild-type parent strain. Mice survived oral infection with >1×10 9 CFU of 3985 (the equivalent to 10 5 50% lethal doses of wild-type S. typhimurium UK-1) and were fully protected against challenge with 10 5 times the LD 50 of the wild-type parent. Immunized mice developed a high level of serum IgG titre to Salmonella LPS and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to S. typhimurium outer membrane proteins. Compared to the virulence plasmid-containing strain 3985, the virulence plasmid cured Δ cya Δ crp mutant strain 4095 was more attenuated and less protective, as some mice immunized with 4095 died when challenged with the wild-type UK-1 strain. This work demonstrates that S. typhimurium UK-1 Δ crp Δ cya mutant strain may be a potential live vaccine to induce protective immunity against Salmonella infection or to deliver foreign antigens to the immune system.
Anxiety-like and depression-like behavior in Maudsley reactive (MR) and non-reactive (NMRA) rats

Abstract 1. 1. Female MR (“anxious”) and MNRA (“non-anxious”) Maudsley rats were tested in the CSD behavioral conflict paradigm (anxiety-like measure) and also in the FST paradigrn (depression-like measure). 2. 2. As expected, MNRA rats accepted significantly more shocks in the CSD paradigm than did MR rats (i.e., MNRA rats were less “anxious”), MNRA rats also exhibited significantly less immobility in the FST procedure (i.e., MNRA rats were less easily made “depressed”). 3. 3. When the data were pooled across the two strains, there was a significant correlation between CSD and FST behavioral scores, however, there was no significant correlation between these measures when the data from the two strains were evaluated separately. Multiple regression (independent variables of rat strain and CSD score, dependent variable of FST score) revealed a significant effect of rat strain, but not CSD score, on FST behavior. 4. 4. The relationship of these findings to the apparent relationship between anxiety and depression in humans is discussed.
Scalable Ensemble Learning by Adaptive Sampling

Scalability has become an increasingly critical problem for successful data mining and knowledge discovery applications in real world where we often encounter extremely huge data sets that will render the traditional learning algorithms infeasible. Among various approaches to scalable learning, sampling techniques can be exploited to address the issue of scalability. This paper presents a brief outline on how to utilize the new sampling method in [3] to develop a scalable ensemble learning method with Boosting. Preliminary experimental results using benchmark data sets from the UC-Irvine ML data repository are also presented confirming the efficiency and competitive prediction accuracy of the proposed adaptive boosting method.