cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient cost-sharing and insurance arrangements are associated with hospital readmissions after abdominal surgery: Implications for access and quality health care.

Background Readmission rates after operative procedures are used increasingly as a measure of hospital care quality. Patient access to care may influence readmission rates. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between patient cost-sharing, insurance arrangements, and the risk of postoperative readmissions. Methods Using the MarketScan Research Database (n = 121,002), we examined privately insured, nonelderly patients who underwent abdominal surgery in 2010. The main outcome measures were risk-adjusted unplanned readmissions within 7 days and 30 days of discharge. Odds of readmissions were compared with multivariable logistic regression models. Results In adjusted models, $1,284 increase in patient out-of-pocket payments during index admission (a difference of one standard deviation) was associated with 19% decrease in the odds of 7-day readmission (odds ratio [OR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78–0.85) and 17% decrease in the odds of 30-day readmission (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.81–0.86). Patients in the noncapitated point-of-service plans (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07–1.33), preferred provider organization plans (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03–1.19), and high-deductible plans (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00–1.26) were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days compared with patients in the capitated health maintenance organization and point-of-service plans. Conclusion Among privately insured, nonelderly patients, increased patient cost-sharing was associated with lower odds of 7-day and 30-day readmission after abdominal surgery. Insurance arrangements also were significantly associated with postoperative readmissions. Patient cost sharing and insurance arrangements need consideration in the provision of equitable access for quality care.
Conformance verification of privacy policies

Web applications are both the consumers and providers of information. To increase customer confidence, many websites choose to publish their privacy protection policies. However, policy conformance is often neglected. We propose a logic based framework for formally specifying and reasoning about the implementation of privacy protection by a web application. A first order extension of computation tree logic is used to specify a policy. A verification paradigm, built upon a static control/data flow analysis, is presented to verify if a policy is satisfied.
Rotten Apples and Sterling Examples: Moral Reasoning and Peer Influences on Honesty in Managerial Reporting

We propose that idiosyncratic benefits from adhering to social norms explain the heterogeneity in honesty documented in many situations where misrepresentation yields a financial benefit. Further, information about the honesty of one's peers modifies the descriptive norm and hence, one's own honesty. We test these hypotheses in a reporting experiment with two managers in which one manager observes the reports of a peer. Managers’ honesty decreases when peers are less honest and increases when peers are more honest. The importance of the maintaining norms schema — assessed by the DIT-2 — explains these adjustments and, moreover, explains variation in reporting honesty in vacuo.
Conservative Therapy as a Primary Treatment for Spontaneous Isolated Dissection of the Superior Mesenteric Artery

Background Spontaneous isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SIDSMA) is a rare and potentially fatal disease. Several therapeutic options are available, including conservative therapy, endovascular repair, and open surgery. Herein, we report our experiences in the treatment of SIDSMA. Methods Between February 2009 and June 2013, 17 patients were diagnosed as having SIDSMA. We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed their clinical characteristics, medical history, risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic imaging modality, treatment, and outcome. The lesions were categorized according to the modified Sakamoto's classification. If no evidence of bowel necrosis or arterial rupture was present in the patients with symptomatic SIDSMA, we first performed conservative therapy, even if the patients had abdominal pain. Results The subjects included 15 men and 2 women, with a median age of 62.8 years. Eight patients were symptomatic and 9 were asymptomatic. Conservative therapy included the use of antithrombotic agents in 3 patients but not in 5 patients. During the follow-up period (mean, 21.1 months), all the patients were discharged without any significant complications, and none of the patients showed the progression of the dissection on follow-up computed tomography angiography examinations. Conclusions Conservative therapy without antithrombotic agents should be the primary treatment for SIDSMA. Endovascular repair for SIDSMA is associated with several risks, thus the procedure might occasionally be useful and necessary.
Impact assessment and sensitivity analysis of distribution systems with DG

High penetration of distributed generation (DG) brings several challenges as well as opportunities in distribution system. In order to exploit maximum benefits out of DGs, it is essential to understand the impact of various parameters on system performance such as DG location, smart inverter settings, set points and bandwidths of existing control devices etc. This paper will investigate impact of all the settings on steady state performance and present a comprehensive sensitive analysis of a DG integrated distribution feeder. Relationships among various parameters and system performance indices will be inferred from the study. Sensitivity levels of various settings will be identified to develop better insight into the system and to explore full potential of DG.
The Bureau of Municipal Research and the Development of a Professional Public Service

This article explores the professionalization of public administration in terms of its relation to the New York Bureau of Municipal Research. The formation of the New York Bureau of Municipal Research in 1907 served as the catalyst for the creation and expansion of a professional public service. Although public administration has failed to transform into a profession, this article shows that the Bureau contributed to professionalization by (a) developing a body of knowledge and theory for the field, (b) developing a school in which to train persons in that knowledge, and (c) promoting a place where the training and knowledge can be applied.
Conflict-aware historical data fusion

Historical data reports on numerous events for overlapping time intervals, locations, and names. As a result, it may include severe data conflicts caused by database redundancy that prevent researchers from obtaining the correct answers to queries on an integrated historical database. In this paper, we propose a novel conflict-aware data fusion strategy for historical data sources. We evaluated our approach on a large-scale data warehouse that integrates historical data from approximately 50,000 reports on US epidemiological data for more than 100 years. We demonstrate that our approach significantly reduces data aggregation error in the integrated historical database.
Improving faster-than-real-time human acoustic event detection by saliency-maximized audio visualization

We propose a saliency-maximized audio spectrogram as a representation that lets human analysts quickly search for and detect events in audio recordings. By rendering target events as visually salient patterns, this representation minimizes the time and effort needed to examine a recording. In particular, we propose a transformation of a conventional spectrogram that maximizes the mutual information between the spectrograms of isolated target events and the estimated saliency of the overall visual representation. When subjects are shown spectrograms that are saliency-maximized, they perform significantly better in a 1/10-real-time acoustic event detection task.
Delay Pattern Estimation for Signalized Intersections Using Sampled Travel Times

Intersection delays are the major contributing factor to arterial delays. Methods to estimate intersection delay patterns by using measured travel times are studied. The delay patterns provide a way to estimate the delay for any vehicle arriving at the intersection at any time, which is useful for providing time-dependent intersection delay information to the driving public. The model requires sampled travel times between two consecutive locations on arterial streets, one upstream and the other downstream of a signalized intersection, without the need to know signal timing or traffic flow information. Signal phases can actually be estimated from the delay patterns, which is a unique feature of the proposed method in this paper. The proposed model is based on two observations regarding delays for signalized intersections: (a) delay can be approximately represented by piecewise linear curves due to the characteristics of queue forming and discharging and (b) there is a nontrivial increase in delay after the...
Glycosynaptic microdomains controlling tumor cell phenotype through alteration of cell growth, adhesion, and motility

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) GM3 (NeuAcα3Galβ4Glcβ1Cer) and GM2 (GalNAcβ4[NeuAcα3]Galβ4Glcβ1Cer) inhibit (i) cell growth through inhibition of tyrosine kinase associated with growth factor receptor (GFR), (ii) cell adhesion/motility through inhibition of integrin-dependent signaling via Src kinases, or (iii) both cell growth and motility by blocking “cross-talk” between integrins and GFRs. These inhibitory effects are enhanced when GM3 or GM2 are in complex with specific tetraspanins (TSPs) (CD9, CD81, CD82). Processes (i)–(iii) occur through specific organization of GSLs with key molecules (TSPs, caveolins, GFRs, integrins) in the glycosynaptic microdomain. Some of these processes are shared with epithelial–mesenchymal transition induced by TGFβ or under hypoxia, particularly that associated with cancer progression.
Influence of microbe-associated parthenogenesis on the fecundity of Trichogramma deion and T. pretiosum.

Microbe-associated parthenogenesis (thelytoky) has been discovered in nine Trichogramma species, parasitoids of mainly lepidopteran eggs. Parthenogenetic and bisexual conspecifics co-occur in many field populations. As an initial step to understand the dynamics of these two reproductive strategies we studied the effect of microbe-associated parthenogenesis on fecundity. The fecundity of two parthenogenetic isofemale lines of T. pretiosum and one of T. deion was compared with bisexual lines derived from them by antibiotic treatment. In all three cases parthenogenetic females were less fecund over their lifetime than bisexual females. Also, parthenogenetic females produced fewer daughters in two cases and in one case a similar number of daughters as their respective bisexual counterparts. The lack of mating and insemination was excluded as an explanation for the reduced fecundity of parthenogenetic females, because mated and virgin parthenogenetic females produce the same number of offspring. Antibiotic treatment can also be excluded because females of field-collected bisexual line treated with antibiotics produced the same number of offspring as untreated females. The reduced fecundity of parthenogenetic females was caused by a lower number of eggs being laid rather than by a greater developmental mortality. Parthenogenetic females produced less daughters than bisexual females when host availability was not limiting, but when host availability was severely limited, parthenogenetic females produced more daughters than the bisexual females.
On testing equality of two censored samples

This paper examines some stochastic processes derived from rank related statistics for testing equality of distributions of two samples with possibly censored data. Based on the martingale approach, the null distributions of these processes are approximated through simulating zero-mean Gaussian processes. Each observed process can then be compared with a large number of realizations from the corresponding Gaussian process. Based on these comparisons, a supremum test is discussed to assess equality of two censored samples. The proposed methods are illustrated in two applications.
Antenna array signal processing with neural networks for direction of arrival estimation

A neural network architecture is applied to the problem of direction of arrival (DOA) estimation using a linear array. A three layer radial basis function network (RBFN) is trained with input output pairs. The network is then capable of estimating DOA not included in the training set through generalization. This approach reduces the extensive computations required by conventional superresolution algorithms such as MUSIC and is easier to implement in real-time. The results suggest that the performance of the RBFNN method approaches that of the MUSIC algorithm. In real time the fast convergence rates of neural networks will allow the array to track mobile sources.
Human effectiveness issues in simulated uninhabited combat aerial vehicles

The advancement in technology has brought a new revolution in the military domain. The success of the two unmanned reconnaissance prototypes Predator and Hunter had paved the way to the development of more challenging remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), such as uninhabited combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), used for locating, identifying, and destroying the enemy targets. As these semi-autonomous systems become more and more complex, the use of automation tools become inevitable. Although automation is introduced to reduce operator workload, increase in the automation features also increases the complexity of the system. The complexity of the system is increased by factors like situational awareness, trust, biases, workload, skill degradation as well as many other human factors issues. The purpose of this paper is to describe the research and development of a UCAV interfaces and simulation that can support human factors issues for controlling multiple UCAVs.
Distributed dynamic event tree generation for reliability and risk assessment

Level 2 probabilistic risk assessments of nuclear plants (analysis of radionuclide release from containment) may require hundreds of runs of severe accident analysis codes such as MELCOR or RELAP/SCDAP to analyze possible sequences of events (scenarios) that may follow given initiating events. With the advances in computer architectures and ubiquitous networking, it is now possible to utilize multiple computing and storage resources for such computational experiments. This paper presents a system software infrastructure that supports execution and analysis of multiple dynamic event-tree simulations on distributed environments. The infrastructure allow for 1) the testing of event tree completeness, and, 2) the assessment and propagation of uncertainty on the plant state in the quantification of event trees.
Early limited instrumentation of scoliosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: is a single-rod construct sufficient?

Abstract Background context Correction of scoliotic deformity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is performed to maintain adequate seating posture and facilitate comfort. Delaying surgery can predispose to greater morbidity as DMD exhibits progressive cardiorespiratory compromise. Early limited instrumentation may provide a solution to optimize patients with this condition. Purpose The aim was to assess outcomes for a cohort of DMD patients who had posterior single-rod instrumentation and bilateral spinal fusion of their neuromuscular scoliotic deformity. Study design This was a retrospective cohort study. Patient sample Forty-one consecutive patients were included. Outcome measures Perioperative morbidity, seating outcomes, pulmonary function, deformity correction, and instrumentation integrity were assessed. Methods Clinical and radiographic review was performed. Results No perioperative mortality or neurologic deterioration was encountered. Total surgical time was 96 minutes, mean total blood loss was 2.3l, mean intensive care unit stay was 41 hours, and overall length of stay was 11 days. Mean Cobb angle improved from 24.3° to 15.6°, pelvic obliquity improved from 7° preoperatively to 5° postoperatively. Three patients had failure of fixation at a mean of 3.5 years. Forced vital capacity was 60% preoperatively and 56% at 1 year, forced expiratory volume/1 second was 67% and 62% at 1 year postoperatively. Seating and posture was satisfactory in all these patients. Conclusions The authors advocate early operative intervention using a limited instrumentation technique in patients with DMD to maintain seating balance and minimize perioperative morbidity.
Tree mortality risk of oak due to gypsy moth

We present prediction models for estimating tree mortality resulting from gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, defoliation in mixed oak, Quercus sp., forests. These models differ from previous work by including defoliation as a factor in the analysis. Defoliation intensity, initial tree crown condition (crown vigour), crown position, and species grouping classes were highly significant in categorical analysis of variance for mortality. Heavy defoliation intensity was shown to have a strong, consistent influence in increasing the probability of tree mortality. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis, a binomial decision tree procedure, was used to develop prediction models of mortality risk for use by forest managers. The best decision tree had 65 groups that correctly classified 75% of the live trees and 76% of the dead trees. Models were run separately by defoliation class and provided correct classifications between 63 and 78% of the trees. Forest land managers can use these models to assign probabilities of death for moderate and heavy defoliation intensity levels and compare predicted mortality to mortality of undefoliated trees to determine how gypsy moth defoliation will affect their stands. The probabilities can be used to develop marking guides based on projected defoliation levels for implementing silvicultural treatments to minimize gypsy moth effects in forest stands prior to infestation.
Dynamic PWM Ramp Signal to Improve Load Transient in DCM and Mode Hoping Operation

Demanding high power applications, such as fast processors, and pulsed loads are requiring new levels of performance from dc/dc converters. The requirement of high slew rate of load current with minimal output voltage deviation is challenging. In case of load transient in CCM operation, the duty ratio is almost constant over the load current range, it slightly changes to compensate the extra losses and keep output voltage regulation. While in DCM and mode hoping operation, duty ratio varies significantly in case of load transient, the compensator is required to update the error signal, consequently the duty ratio, as load current varies. Since it takes longer time for the compensator to reach the steady state in cases of large duty cycle variation (DCM operation), the output voltage deviation during load transient is drastically increased when operating in DCM compared to CCM operation. Proposed is a control method, that dynamically modulate the PWM ramp signal peak, consequently modulate the PWM modulator gain, to minimize the required error signal change during load transient, so that the compensator reach steady state faster. Therefore, lower output voltage deviation during load transient can be achieved. Principle of operation, analyses, and experimental results are presented, revealing significant load transient improvement.
Chromatic Plasmonic Polarizers for Active Visible Color Filtering and Polarimetry

Color filters are widely used in color displays, optical measurement devices, and imaging devices. Conventional color filters have usually only one fixed output color. However developing active color filters with controllable color output can lead to more compact and sophisticated color filter-based devices and applications. Recent progress in nanotechnology and new knowledge of the interaction of light with metal nanostructures allow us to capture and control light better than ever. Here we use it to fabricate active color filters, based on arrays of metallic optical nanoantennas that are tailored to interact with light at visible frequencies via excitation of localized surface plasmons. This interaction maps the polarization state of incident white light to visible color. Similarly, it converts unpolarized white light to chromatically polarized light. We experimentally demonstrate a wide range of applications including active color pixels, chromatically switchable and invisible tags, and polarization imaging based on these engineered colored metasurfaces.
Photoconductivity in high purity, semiconducting CdF2

Abstract The photoconductivity spectra of high purity, semiconducting CdF2, containing low concentrations of rare-earth donors, are interpreted in terms of a shallow trap 1260 ± 100 cm−1 below the bottom of the conduction band and an excited bound state 1030 cm−1 above the ground state.
Neutralino-nucleon scattering reexamined.

We present a detailed discussion of the elastic scattering of a supersymmetric neutralino off a nucleon or nucleus, with emphasis on the spin-independent interaction. We carefully treat QCD effects on the squark exchange contribution. In particular, we identify a class of terms that survive even in the absence of mixing in both the neutralino and squark sectors; the corresponding quark and gluon operators also appear in analyses of deep-inelastic lepton-nucleon scattering ("twist-2 operators"), so their hadronic matrix elements are well known. We also reemphasize the importance of mixing between the superpartners of left- and right-handed quarks, and of the contribution from the heavier scalar Higgs boson. We use our refined calculation of the scattering amplitude to update predictions of signal rates for cosmic relic neutralino searches with germanium detectors. In general the counting rate varies strongly with the values (even the signs) of model parameters; typical results lie between a few times ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ and a few times ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ events/(kg day).
Does an expansion in private sector contraceptive supply increase inequality in modern contraceptive use

Conclusions The study found no support for the hypothesis that an increase in private sector contraceptive supply leads to higher MCPR inequality. The findings suggest that continued public sector supply of contraceptives to the poorest women protects against increased MCPR inequality. The study highlights the role of the public sector in building contraceptive markets for the private sector to exploit.
Stitching algorithms for biological specimen images

In this paper, we address the problem of combining multiple overlapping image sections of biological specimens to obtain a single image containing the entire specimen. This is useful in the digitisation of a large number of biological specimens stored in museum collections and laboratories. In the case of many large specimens, it means that the specimen must be captured in overlapping sections instead of a single image. In this research, we have compared the performance of several known algorithms for this problem. In addition, we have developed several new algorithms based on matching the geometry (width, slope, and curvature) of the specimens at the boundaries. Finally, we compare the performance of a bagging approach that combines the results from multiple stitching algorithms. Our detailed evaluation shows that brightness-based and curvature-based approaches produce the best matches for the images in this domain.
Analytical predictions, optimization, and design of a tensegrity-based artificial pectoral fin

For millions of years, aquatic species have utilized the principles of unsteady hydrodynamics to perform efficient, highly maneuverable and silent swimming motions. The manta ray, Manta birostris, has been identified as one such high performance species due to their ability to migrate long distances with low energy consumption, maneuver in spaces the size of their tip-to-tip wing span, produce enough thrust to leap out of the water and attain sustained swimming speeds of 2.8 m/s with low flapping frequencies. These characteristics make the manta ray an ideal candidate to emulate in the design of a bio-inspired autonomous underwater vehicle. The enlarged pectoral fins of the manta ray undergo complex motions that couple a curved spanwise deformation with a chordwise traveling wave to produce thrust and to maneuver. To produce an artificial pectoral fin that achieves this compound deformation while supporting large force generation, a tensegrity-based solution is developed. Various actuation strategies that are capable of matching these key kinematic features are explored and compared. Analytical solutions for active planar tensegrity beam structures are derived. These solutions allow for the direct calculation of optimal parameter values without the need to perform an exhaustive parametric study using a numerical solution. Moreover, the analytical solutions provide physical insight into the mechanics of tensegrity beams. Building on previous studies of active tensegrity structures, the loading response of different actuation strategies has been investigated analytically and is validated by a nonlinear numerical model and experiments. Optimal stiffness-to-mass and strength-to-mass strategies have been identified. Utilizing the analytical predictions for the optimal solution, an example design of a tensegrity-based artificial pectoral fin is shown. Structural performance metrics were calculated showing that the fin structure can closely match the kinematics of the manta ray, under external loading, using open-loop actuation of four actuators remotely located outside of the active structure. This approach costs minimal power consumption and shows the simple design of a high performance tensegrity-based artificial pectoral fin.
Coupling Correction of a Circularly Polarizing Undulator at the Advanced Photon Source

The electromagnetic circularly polarizing undulator (CPU) installed at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) storage ring produces skew quadrupole field errors, which were initially corrected by a small skew quadrupole magnet at one end of the device. Because the storage ring is operated at 1% coupling or less, a correction not located at the source inside the CPU is insufficient, as we have confirmed in simulation. Adding a skew coil at the other end of the CPU allows us to make a complete correction of the coupling source in the undulator. Correction set points are determined by APS’s general optimizing software with the vertical beam size of an x-ray pinhole image as a readback.
Postoperative intravaginal brachytherapy for endometrial cancer; dosimetric analysis of vaginal colpostats and cylinder applicators.

Purpose: To investigate the dosimetric differences between colpostats and cylinder applicators for intrav- aginal brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: Dose distributions near vaginal colpostats and dome cylinders were computed with a commercial high-dose-rate treatment-planning system and verified by spot measurements by using LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters. Taking source anisotropy into account, dwell times were optimized by the computer by using the polynomial optimization on dose points method to give uniform doses along the lateral surfaces of the applicators. In addition, the effects of vaginal packing and the separation dis- tance between colpostats were studied by computing the dose to the vaginal mucosa, assuming 0.5 and 1.0 cm of vaginal packing and colpostat separation, respectively. Results: The computed and measured doses agreed within � 7%. Surface doses were similar for both types of applicators when the effect of shielding in the colpostats was neglected. However, percent depth doses in the anterior/posterior and lateral directions were higher for the cylinder, whereas the dose fall-off along the longitudinal patient axis was less pronounced for the colpostats. When vaginal packing at the anterior and posterior surface of the colpostats was increased from 0 to 5, 10, and 15 mm, the corresponding vagi- nal dose decreased from 97% of the prescription dose to 60%, 39%, and 26%, respectively. Separating the colpostats from 0 to 5 and 10 mm reduced the surface dose near the bladder/rectum to 80% and 67%, re- spectively, whereas the respective apex dose decreased from 105% of prescription to 91% and 77%. Conclusions: Colpostats and cylinder applicators for intracavitary brachytherapy have their advantages and disadvantages in depth dose distribution and clinical use. If treatment is confined to the vaginal apex, either applicator can be used. However, the colpostat separation should be kept to a minimum, and vaginal packing should be applied with great care to avoid generating cold spots along the upper vaginal surface and vaginal cuff. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Novel associated hydrogels for nucleus pulposus replacement

Hydrogels of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) blends may provide a material suitable for replacement of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. This research examined the stability of these hydrogels under simulated physiological conditions. Polymer dissolution and stability were characterized over 120 days immersion, chemical surface analysis over 56 days immersion, and tensile mechanical behavior over 56 days immersion. Rubber elasticity theory was used by combining mechanical results with swelling data to calculate network characteristics such as the molecular weight between physical crosslinks and density of crosslinks. Properties were examined as a function of PVA/PVP composition as well as PVA molecular weight and PVP molecular weight. Results indicated that PVA/PVP blends prepared with moderate amounts of PVP (0.5-5%) resulted in a polymer network stabilized through interchain hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups on PVA chains and carbonyl groups on PVP chains. Most notably, a significant decrease in percentage of polymer mass loss was seen for blends prepared with 143K molecular weight PVA. Surface chemical analysis revealed that PVP unincorporated in the network structure suffered significant dissolution out of the polymer network and into solution. The molecular weight of PVA and PVP were shown to have a significant influence on the blends' network properties. Gels prepared with lower molecular weight PVA resulted in a more stable blend containing a higher density of crosslinks. However, blends prepared with a higher molecular weight PVA showed superior polymer network stability in dissolution studies. The blend that had the best combination of network stability under physiological conditions and a relatively tight, stable, and crosslinked network was prepared with 99% PVA (143K) and 1% PVP (40K). This material is proposed as an implant material for replacement of the degenerated nucleus pulposus.
Introduction to intercollegiate athletics

Introduction to Intercollegiate Athletics, edited by Eddie Comeaux, is a 28-chapter textbook, ‘intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, though scholars, teachers, practitioners...
Exercise volume and aerobic fitness in young adults: the Midwest Exercise Trial-2

To examine the effect of exercise volume at a fixed intensity on changes in aerobic fitness. Ninety-two overweight/obese individuals (BMI 25–40 kg m2), age 18–30 years, 50 % women, completed a 10 mo, 5 d wk−1 supervised exercise intervention at 2 levels of exercise energy expenditure (400 or 600 kcal session−1) at 70–80 % heart rate (HR) max. Exercise consisted primarily of walking/jogging on motor-driven treadmills. The duration and intensity of all exercise sessions were verified by a downloadable HR monitor set to collect HR in 1-min epochs. All participants were instructed to continue their typical patterns of non-exercise physical activity and dietary intake over the duration of the 10 mo intervention. Maximal aerobic capacity (indirect calorimetry) was assessed on a motor-driven treadmill using a modified Balke protocol at baseline, mid-point (5 mo), and following completion of the 10 mo intervention. VO2 max (L min−1) increased significantly in both the 400 (11.3 %) and 600 kcal session−1 groups (14 %) compared to control (−2.0 %; p < 0.001); however, the differences between exercise groups were not significant. Similar results were noted for change in relative VO2 max (mL kg−1 min−1); however, the magnitude of change was greater than for absolute VO2 max (L min−1) (400 group = 18.3 %; 600 group = 20.2 %) due to loss of body weight over the 10-mo intervention in both exercise groups. Our results indicate that exercise volume was not associated with change in aerobic fitness in a sample of previously sedentary, overweight and obese young adults.
Abstract 1880: Incorporating protein levels with genetic variation and gene expression in sensitivity to chemotherapy

Genome-wide studies of genes important in chemotherapeutic sensitivity or disease susceptibility and progression have primarily relied on mRNA expression levels; however, mRNA expression levels do not always accurately reflect downstream protein abundances. We have applied a novel technology, microwestern arrays, along with reverse phase lysate arrays, to evaluate the role that over 400 transcription factor and signaling proteins play in mediating cellular sensitivity to ten chemotherapeutic agents. Utilizing unrelated International HapMap lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from the Yoruba population, we evaluated the relationship between protein abundances, genetic variation, microRNA and mRNA expression, and chemotherapeutic-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Using ∼12 million single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) imputed from the 1000 Genomes Project, we identified SNPs associated with protein abundance (protein quantitative trait loci, pQTLs) and SNPs associated with chemotherapeutic sensitivity (drug quantitative trait loci, dQTLs). Chemotherapeutic agents included platinating agents, antimetabolites and microtubule inhibitors. For cytarabine there was a significant (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1880. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1880
The Immunology of Lyme Borreliosis

Despite a growing knowledge of the clinicopatbologic features of Lyme borreliosis, the underlying pathophysiology remains inferential. With current information, it is not presumptuous to state that the immunology of the disease process is critical to pathophysiologic mechanisms. Furthermore, if immunologic parameters are to be decisive in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme borreliosis better definition of the immune response will be necessary.
Self-reported experiences of discrimination and inflammation among men and women: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Objective To examine associations of lifetime and everyday discrimination with inflammation independent of sociodemographic characteristics. Method Cross-sectional associations of self-reported experiences of everyday discrimination and lifetime discrimination with interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were examined by gender in a multiethnic sample of 3,099 men and 3,468 women aged 45-84 years. Everyday discrimination, lifetime discrimination due to any attribution, and lifetime discrimination attributed to race/ethnicity were based on self-report, and IL-6 and CRP were assayed from blood samples. Results Among women, higher levels of all 3 discrimination measures were significantly associated with higher IL-6 in models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, recent infection, anti-inflammatory medication use, and hormone replacement therapy use. All associations were attenuated with adjustment for body mass index (BMI). For men, everyday discrimination was inversely associated with IL-6 in all adjusted models. Lifetime discrimination was not related to IL-6 among men. Discrimination was unassociated with CRP in all models for both men and women. Conclusions The association between discrimination and inflammation varied by gender and marker of inflammation. These findings highlight the complex relationship between discrimination and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and point to areas in need of further research. (PsycINFO Database Record
Hypercalcemia in the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) encompasses disorders involving hyperfunction of two or more endocrine glands. Most patients (97%) with MEN type 1 present with hyperparathyroidism, making albumin-adjusted serum cal cium measurements a cost-effective tool for screening kindred members. Recurrent hyperparathyroidism after partial parathyroidectomy renders management of this syndrome difficult.
A Method for Comparing Large Scale Inter-indexer Consistency Using IR Modeling

The authors present a method for comparing indexing consistency between groups of indexers based on the vector space IR model. Terms assigned by indexers are treated as vectors whose distances from a central vector may be compared. The method is outlined and demonstrated with an example. Les auteurs presentent un modele pour comparer la coherence interindexeurs entre des groupes d’indexeurs base sur le modele de RI d’espace vectoriel. Les termes attribues par les indexeurs sont traites comme des vecteurs avec lesquels il est possible de comparer la distance par rapport a un vecteur central. La methode est expliquee et illustree avec un exemple.
Revolution and the Jews

Taking the public demonstrations in France after the attacks on Charlie Hebdo as its starting point, the essay considers the active role Jews played in shaping the relationship between religion and politics in modern Europe to argue that this history can allow us to think more expansively about the position of Islam in current discussions of theo-politics in France and Europe more broadly.
Motion of Sphere Rising in Turbulent Flow

This paper presents new and corrected data on the critical shear stresses required to initiate erosion as a function of type and amount of clay, pore and eroding fluid composition, and degree of dispersion as influenced by ion exchange. Data on the relationship between water uptake and critical shear stresses are also reported to support the fact that the mechanism causing erosion is due to the local swelling developed in clays.
The Need for Flexible Community Research Infrastructure

Many areas of computing research have strong empirical components, and thus require testbeds, test networks, compute facilities, clouds, and other infrastructure for running experiments. The most successful facilities of these types are those built by the communities that need them: domain experts are in the best position to ensure that infrastructure they design meet the needs of their communities. The observation that we make in this chapter is that the hardware, and in many cases, software, infrastructure needs that underlie many of these facilities are remarkably similar. This points out the opportunity to build infrastructure that supports a wide range of computing research domains in an easy to use, cost effective, and low-risk manner. This chapter describes our vision for the future of computing research infrastructure.
Principles of Synaptic Organization of GABAergic Interneurons in the Striatum.

The striatum, the entry nucleus of the basal ganglia, lacks laminar or columnar organization of its principal cells; nevertheless, functional data suggest that it is spatially organized. Here we examine whether the connectivity and synaptic organization of striatal GABAergic interneurons contributes to such spatial organization. Focusing on the two main classes of striatal GABAergic interneurons (fast-spiking interneurons [FSIs] and low-threshold-spiking interneurons [LTSIs]), we apply a combination of optogenetics and viral tracing approaches to dissect striatal microcircuits in mice. Our results reveal fundamental differences between the synaptic organizations of both interneuron types. FSIs target exclusively striatal projection neurons (SPNs) within close proximity and form strong synapses on the proximal somatodendritic region. In contrast, LTSIs target both SPNs and cholinergic interneurons, and synaptic connections onto SPNs are made exclusively over long distances and onto distal dendrites. These results suggest fundamentally different functions of FSIs and LTSIs in shaping striatal output.
Direct echo PIV flow vector mapping on ultrasound DICOM images

Echo Particle Image Velocimetry (Echo PIV) has great potential as a non-invasive, simple-to-use hemodynamic vascular profiling technique. Results generated through the analysis of radio frequency (RF) data have shown to be accurate under in vitro and in vivo testing settings. However, most ultrasound (US) imaging systems do not provide RF data but provide image output using the DICOM standard. An important issue when analyzing DICOM-coded images using the Echo PIV method is how to reduce the effects of noise introduced during postprocessing. In this work, a new Echo PIV analysis algorithm was developed to analyze DICOM images. In the algorithm, a quasi-linear transform first operates on the cross-correlation maps of each interrogation window, after which a modified ensemble average method is used to estimate time-averaged velocity field from multiple image pairs. This approach was validated against theory using measurements of fully developed laminar pipe flow, thus indicating that DICOM-image based Echo PIV is possible. We further demonstrate that the instantaneous velocity maps of certain pulsatile flow configurations were actually improved by the new method compared to the RF-based Echo PIV results.
Information content of analyst recommendations in the banking industry

Abstract We investigate whether analyst recommendations about banks become more valuable in periods when the information environment for banks is more uncertain. The degree of uncertainty in the information environment for banks is time-varying because of time-varying changes in information asymmetry for banks and in bank regulations. Based on a sample of 23,632 analyst recommendations of 1106 banks, we find that analyst recommendations are more informative for banks that are riskier and subject to a higher degree of information asymmetry. Furthermore, regulations that reduce the information asymmetry (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or the risk (Dodd-Frank Act) of the banking industry also reduce the information content of analyst recommendations, while regulations that increase the risk of the banking industry (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) increase the information content of analyst recommendations. Our results suggest the role of an analyst is more valuable when the information environment is more uncertain.
Valve-Sparing or Valve Reconstruction Options in Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery

This review deals with a relatively new field in congenital heart surgery, valve preservation or, in cases of more severe pulmonary valve stenosis or dysplasia, valve reconstruction during tetralogy of Fallot repair. We describe the stepwise approach utilized, starting with simple maneuvers such as commissurotomy and valve dilation for mild pulmonary stenosis to commissurotomy and intraoperative balloon dilation for moderate stenosis, and finally transection of the annulus and valve reconstruction using a patch that acts as a modified monocusp. Results are presented and have been gratifying.
Finding a quality metric for FlexRay networks

Non-reproducible electronic problems, which leave no other trace than an entry in the error log, influence a driver's trust in his vehicle. The possibilities range from radios that can be switched on after turning on ignition but will only produce sound after re-booting. They also include vehicle-integrated cell phones that temporarily cease to function. This Agilent Technologies paper discusses error causes and strategies for the testing of FlexRay networks.
Promoting sunscreen use and sun-protective practices in NCAA athletes: Impact of SUNSPORT educational intervention for student-athletes, athletic trainers, and coaches.

Background Student-athletes (SAs) have an increased skin cancer risk on account of significant ultraviolet exposure; however, their sun-protective practices are suboptimal. A novel program, Stanford University Network for Sun Protection, Outreach, Research, and Teamwork (SUNSPORT), was designed to target SAs, coaches, and athletic trainers (ATs). Objective To measure the impact of educational intervention on sun protection beliefs and practices of SAs. Methods A survey of sun protection beliefs and practices was administered to National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes before and after intervention. SUNSPORT dermatologists educated SAs, coaches, and ATs regarding skin cancer risk and prevention methods. The main outcome was frequency of sunscreen use by SAs before versus after intervention. Results A total of 846 National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes were surveyed between September 23, 2012, and September 20, 2015. After intervention, significant increases were observed in sunscreen use 4 or more days per week by SAs (from 26% to 39% [P = .02]), SAs spoken to by their coach about sun safety (from 26% to 57% [P = .0001]), and SA recognition of higher skin cancer risk (from 54% to 67% [P = .04]). Limitations Intervention in only 1 West Coast university and no paired data. Conclusions Following the SUNSPORT intervention, SAs were significantly more likely to use sunscreen, especially if encouraged by their coach. This study emphasizes that education directed to SAs, ATs, and coaches can improve sun-protective practices in SAs.
Extremal Numbers for Directed Hypergraphs with Two Edges

Let a $2 \rightarrow 1$ directed hypergraph be a 3-uniform hypergraph where every edge has two tail vertices and one head vertex. For any such directed hypergraph $F$, let the $n$th extremal number of $F$ be the maximum number of edges that any directed hypergraph on $n$ vertices can have without containing a copy of $F$. In 2007, Langlois, Mubayi, Sloan, and Tur a n determined the exact extremal number for a particular directed hypergraph and found the extremal number up to asymptotic equivalence for a second directed hypergraph. Each of these forbidden graphs had exactly two edges. In this paper, we determine the exact extremal numbers for every $2 \rightarrow 1$ directed hypergraph that has exactly two edges.
Latissimus Dorsi and Immediate Fat Transfer (LIFT) for Complete Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

Background Despite the popularity of latissimus dorsi (LD) flap in breast reconstruction, a breast implant is often necessary to achieve sufficient volume. Prior reports describe fat grafting to the LD flap as a secondary procedure to correct contour deformities and improve volume. Our institution has instituted autologous breast reconstruction with an LD flap and immediate fat transfer (LIFT). Methods A retrospective review of all patients undergoing the LIFT procedure was undertaken. Patient age, total volume of fat transfer, length of follow-up, need for adjuvant therapy, and complications were recorded. The procedure begins with harvest of the LD flap and fat. Prior to disorigination of the latissimus muscle, fat is injected into the flap. Flap harvest is then completed and inset to create a breast mound. Results Eighteen patients underwent LIFT procedures over 3 years with an average follow-up of 8.7 months (range, 2-24). Four breasts (22.2%) had previously received adjuvant radiation therapy. The mean total fat grafting volume was 515.5 mL (range, 325-730) per breast. The average estimated fat graft take was 66.8% (range, 50-80%). Four patients (22.2%) experienced complications. Conclusion Autologous augmentation of the LD flap with lipotransfer has been used to avoid placement of an implant. We improve the technique by performing lipotransfer during index reconstruction. Furthermore, we perform lipotransfer prior to disorigination of the LD muscle to minimize trauma to the flap and increase the efficiency of fat grafting. Our experience demonstrates that this technique is a viable autologous alternative to microsurgical breast reconstruction.