cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cooperative wind turbine control for maximizing wind farm power using sequential convex programming

Abstract This paper describes the use of a cooperative wind farm control approach to improve the power production of a wind farm. The power production by a downstream wind turbine can decrease significantly due to reduced wind speed caused by the upstream wind turbines, thereby lowering the overall wind farm power production efficiency. In spite of the interactions among the wind turbines, the conventional (greedy) wind turbine control strategy tries to maximize the power of each individual wind turbine by controlling its yaw angle, its blade pitch angle and its generator torque. To maximize the overall wind farm power production while taking the wake interference into account, this study employs a cooperative control strategy. We first derive the wind farm power as a differentiable function of the control actions for the wind turbines in a wind farm. The wind farm power function is then maximized using sequential convex programming (SCP) to determine the optimum coordinated control actions for the wind turbines. Using an example wind farm site and available wind data, we show how the cooperative control strategy improves the power production of the wind farm.
The Functional Role of Imagery in Cognition

The role of imagery in learning, memory, and cognition can be clarified if the storage of information is distinguished from the use of that information following retrieval. Empirical findings from studies in several domains represented at this conference indicate a functional role for imagery in human cognition, but neither previous data nor any of the new findings require the conclusion that images serve as analog representations in long-term memory. Rather, the results from most studies are consistent with the notion that concreteness and imagery effects result from differential processing of distinctive and relational information for high- and low-imagery materials and contexts.
Antagonism, Accommodation and Retrenchment: Civil Military Relations in the Southern Cone and Brazil

This paper examines three countries that have historically suffered conflict-ridden civil-military relations and are now governed by the democratic left: Argentina, Brazil and Chile. In Chile, the military has maintained its position on important issues such as defense funding. Brazil's military, of reduced influence in the 1990s, is reasserting itself over issues such as the Amazon and urban crime. This stands in stark contrast to Argentina, where the military has been antagonized by a government that limits funding and has increased prosecution of members of the former military government. What explains this marked variation? While some have predicted that democracy will cause states to uniformly neglect defense, this paper finds three different patterns of civil-military interactions: antagonism in Argentina, accommodation in Brazil, and retrenchment in Chile. I argue that these patterns can best be understood by examining the intensity of support for the military and the extension of the armed forces' mission.
Time-Dependent Regional Myocardial Strains in Patients with Heart Failure with a Preserved Ejection Fraction

Objectives. To better understand the etiology of HFpEF in a controlled human population, regional time-varying strains were computed using echocardiography speckle tracking in patients with heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction and normal subjects. Methods. Eleven normal volunteers and ten patients with echo-graded diastolic dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure were imaged with echocardiography and longitudinal, circumferential, and rotational strains were determined using speckle-tracking. Diastolic strain rate was also determined. Patient demographics and echo-derived flows, volumes, and pressures were recorded. Results. Peak longitudinal and circumferential strain was globally reduced in patients (), when compared to controls. The patients attained peak longitudinal and circumferential strain at a consistently later point in systole than controls. Rotational strains were not different in most LV regions. Early diastolic strain rate was significantly reduced in the patients (). LV mass and wall thickness were significantly increased in the patients; however ejection fraction was preserved and stroke volume was diminished (). Conclusions. This study shows that patients with HFpEF have reduced early diastolic strain rate and reduced peak strain that is regionally homogeneous and that they also utilize a longer fraction of systole to achieve peak axial strains.
A unique pattern of central nervous system leukemia in acute myelomonocytic leukemia associated with inv(16)(p13q22)

Twenty-six patients with inv(16)(p13q22) or del(16)(q22) in association with acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML-M4, FAB classification), and abnormal marrow eosinophils have been treated at this institute. Initial bone marrow eosinophilia (greater than or equal to 4%) was observed in 22 of 26 patients (85%), and abnormal eosinophil morphology, characterized by immature cells with some interspersed basophilic granules, was evident in 26 of 26 (100%). Giemsa-banded chromosome analysis performed in all patients revealed 16 cases with inv(16)(p13q22) alone, and ten cases with additional chromosome changes. Twenty-five patients received combination induction chemotherapy, and 23 (92%) achieved complete remission (CR). The median duration of remission was 18 months (range, six to 72 + months), and the median duration of survival was 34 months (range, 0.5 to 133 months). Nine patients (35%) relapsed in the CNS at a median time of 19 months (range, six to 133 months) from first marrow CR. All patients had leptomeningeal disease, and in addition, six of nine (66%) demonstrated two or more enhancing lesions on computed tomography brain scan, consistent with intracerebral myeloblastomas. Review of 384 Giemsa-banded patients with acute myeloid leukemia revealed no other morphologic or cytogenetic subgroup with either an equivalent incidence of CNS leukemia or documented intracerebral myeloblastomas. This series of inv(16)(p13q22)/del(16)(q22) AMML reports a favorable prognosis for such patients and associates a specific clonal cytogenetic subgroup of acute leukemia with a distinct propensity for CNS relapse, manifesting as leptomeningeal disease and intracerebral myeloblastomas.
How tree species fill geographic and ecological space in eastern North America.

Background and Aims Ecologists broadly accept that the number of species present within a region balances regional processes of immigration and speciation against competitive and other interactions between populations that limit distribution and constrain diversity. Although ecological theory has, for a long time, addressed the premise that ecological space can be filled to ‘capacity’ with species, only with the availability of time-calibrated phylogenies has it been possible to test the hypothesis that diversification slows as the number of species in a region increases. Focusing on the deciduous trees of eastern North America, this study tested predictions from competition theory concerning the distribution and abundance of species. Methods Local assemblages of trees tabulated in a previous study published in 1950 were analysed. Assemblages were ordinated with respect to species composition by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS). Distributions of trees were analysed by taxonomically nested analysis of variance, discriminant analysis based on NMS scores, and canonical correlation analysis of NMS scores and Bioclim climate variables. Key Results Most of the variance in species abundance and distribution was concentrated among closely related (i.e. congeneric) species, indicating evolutionary lability. Species distribution and abundance were unrelated to the number of close relatives, suggesting that competitive effects are diffuse. Distances between pairs of congeneric species in NMS space did not differ significantly from distances between more distantly related species, in contrast to the predictions of both competitive habitat partitioning and ecological sorting of species. Conclusions Eastern deciduous forests of North America do not appear to be saturated with species. The distributions and abundances of individual species provide little evidence of being shaped by competition from related (i.e. ecologically similar) species and, by inference, that diversification is constrained by interspecific competition.
Increasing 13C CP-MAS NMR Resolution Using Single Crystals: Application to Model Octaethyl Porphyrins

Octaethyl porphyrin (OEP) and its Ni and Zn derivatives are considered as model compounds in biochemical, photophysical, and fossil fuel chemistry. They have thus been investigated by high-resolution solid-state (13)C NMR using powders, but peak assignment has been difficult because of large line widths. Arguing that a significant cause of broadening might be the anisotropic bulk magnetic susceptibility, we utilized single crystals in our (13)C cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) measurements and observed a nearly 2-fold line narrowing. This enhanced resolution enabled us to assign chemical shifts to each carbon for all the three compounds. The new assignments are now in agreement with X-ray structural data and allowed us to probe the motional dynamics of the methyl and methylene carbons of the OEP side chains. It is apparent that the use of single crystals in (13)C CP-MAS measurements has a significantly wider impact than previously thought.
Abstract 2928: Regulation of MST1 and MST2 by mTOR and androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer

The serine/threonine kinases MST1 and MST2 (hippo in Drosophila) were originally identified as pro-apoptotic proteins. In addition to their pro-apoptotic functions, evidence suggests that deficiency in MST1 and MST2 and their downstream effectors has been linked to developmental defects, tissue overgrowth, and cancer, including prostate cancer (PCa). However, the molecular mechanism that may modulate MST1 or MST2 signaling in PCa cells remains unknown. Here we investigate the impact of androgen receptor (AR) and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling on MST1 or MST2. We used biochemical, mutagenesis, histochemical, and pharmacological approaches to carry out this investigation. First, we demonstrate that AR and MST1 co-localize and form protein complexes in cell nuclei. Androgen further stimulates the interaction between the two proteins and reduces MST1 kinase activity in LNCaP PCa cells, suggesting that AR may sequester MST1 in an inactive form. Second, we showed that MST1 at Threonine120 (T120) was exclusively phosphorylated in cell nuclei, whereas MST2 at Threonine117 (T117), corresponding to MST1-T120, was phosphorylated only in the cytoplasm, although MST1 and MST2 were found in both locations. Similar phosphorylation patterns were also observed in prostate cancer tissue samples. Third, we have found that the T120 is not a physiologic target of AKT kinase in vivo, because the inhibition of AKT activity by a specific PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, had no effect on the phosphorylation of MST1 at the T120 site, but it did inhibit MST1-T117 phosphorylation. Furthermore, attenuation of mTOR activity by Ku0063794, a specific mTOR1 and mTOR2 inhibitor, abolished MST2-T117 phosphorylation, but without having an effect on the levels of phospho-MST1-Thr120. Lastly, the use of combined LY294002 and Ku0063794 compounds synergistically inhibited PCa cell growth, relative to a single compound. Our data suggest that AR and mTOR pathway signaling may oppose MST1 and MST2 in discrete cell locations. Thus, understanding the functional relationship between these signal networks in the context of cell proliferation and cell death may have important therapeutic implications in prostate cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2928. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2928
Use of an electrochemically-induced proton-coupled electron transfer reaction to control dimerization in a ureidopyrimidone 4 H-bond array

Cyclic voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical evidence is presented showing that the H-bonded dimer formed from a ureidopyrimidone derivative containing a phenylenediamine redox couple can be reversibly broken apart at mM concentrations in CH2Cl2 by an electrochemically induced proton-coupled electron transfer reaction.
PD,Logistics,SCM,and Theory of Material Flow——A Historical Perspective

The growing interest in the material flow(MF) theory has invoked many interesting studies in recent years.Although the MF theory is a new theory,literature review from a historical perspective shows that MF theory represents a new stage of the development of interrelated subjects including PD,Logistics,and SCM.The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary review of the evolution of the subjects PD,Logistics and SCM and their new development the MF theory. The paper aims at tracing how concepts and findings in PD,Logistics,SCM and MF have been developed and extended continually.The study shows that PD evolved to Logistics in middle 1980s;starting from late 1990s,Logistics has evolved to SCM,and today PD,Logistics and SCM can be considered under the umbrella provided by a new theory——MF theory.This paper points out that MF theory is a necessity to deal with the overwhelming complexity of material flow systems in the global economy of the 21st century.
Functional MRI of disease progression in Parkinson disease and atypical parkinsonian syndromes.

Objective: To explore longitudinal changes in brain activity in patients with Parkinson disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) using task-based functional MRI (fMRI). Methods: A total of 112 individuals were scanned 1 year apart while performing a unimanual grip force task: 46 PD, 13 MSA, 19 PSP, and 34 healthy controls. The outcome measure was percent signal change in prespecified regions of interest: putamen, primary motor cortex (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA), and superior motor regions of the cerebellum (lobules V–VI). Results: Patients with PD showed a decline in functional activity over the course of 1 year in the putamen and M1 compared to controls. Changes after 1 year in MSA were exclusively extrastriatal, and included a reduction in functional activity in M1, SMA, and superior cerebellum. In PSP, all regions of interest were less active at 1 year compared to baseline. The functional activity of these regions did not change in the control group. Conclusions: We provide evidence using task-based fMRI for cortical and striatal functional deterioration in PD over a 1-year period of time. Results also describe more widespread and unique patterns of functional changes in MSA and PSP compared to PD, suggesting distinct rates of disease progression in parkinsonian disorders that may assist in future clinical studies testing the potential efficacy of disease-modifying therapies.
Changing Patterns of Electricity Demand in Homes: An International Overview

Residential electricity use grew rapidly in most OECD countries through 1973. After this, growth was slower. The reasons for the changes in growth rates include saturation of equipment, changes in consumer behavior, electricity conservation through more efficient equipment, substitution of fuels for electricity (or vice versa), and other reasons. This report analyzes the implications of the differences among countries, and the changes each country has undergone.
Nanofibrous smart bandages for wound care

Abstract Nanofibers, with morphological characteristics resembling the native extracellular matrix, hold great potential for wound healing applications. These ultrathin strands can be manufactured using different approaches, the most common of which is electrospinning. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive review of electropun nanofibers used for wound healing applications. Specifically, dominant polymers used in development of these nanofibers are reviewed, with detailed descriptions of both natural and synthetic polymeric approaches. The role of polymeric nanofibers as drug carriers is also described. In particular, nanofibrous approaches to delivery of antimicrobials and growth factors are extensively discussed.
Liver and Gallbladder

Publisher Summary In both humans and mice, the liver is a regulatory center for nutrient processing, protein production, energy homeostasis, and detoxification. Nutrients are collected from blood arriving from the gastrointestinal tract via the portal vein, and toxins from intestinal bacteria and other sources are cleared. The human liver occupies the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, whereas the mouse liver spans the entire subdiaphragmatic space. Lobe patterns are different between the two species, and the human liver is traversed and suspended by surface ligaments that are not apparent in the mouse. Although lobar patterns are species-specific, basic lobular subunits are highly conserved in structure and function. Nevertheless, adaptations to unique exposures and dietary habits can be reflected even at the histologic level. Mixed arterial and portal venous blood enters the lobule from portal “triads” (actually composed of four structures: arterioles, venules, bile ductules, and lymphatics). Nutrients and macromolecules are freely exchanged between hepatocytes and plasma across sinusoids lined by fenestrated endothelium, while resident cells including hepatic stellate cells, Kupffer cell macrophages, and T and natural killer (NK) cells maintain close immune surveillance. Physiologic function is similar in both species, although there are some key differences reflected at the morphologic level.
Maternal excess gestational weight gain and infant waist circumference: a 2-y observational study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of gestational weight gain (GWG) and infant feeding practices on infant growth parameters in infants from 6 to 24 mo of age. Forty mother–infant pairs were recruited after delivery and followed up to 24 mo postpartum. GWG was calculated as prepregnancy weight subtracted from weight at delivery. Infant weight velocity was calculated as the change in weight between consecutive visits divided by the intervening time. Infant feeding practices were measured by interview and infant growth and waist circumference by standard anthropometry. Infants born to mothers with excess GWG were heavier at birth (3,521 ± 91 vs. 3,196 ± 97 g, P = 0.02) and had an average 2.16 ± 1.1 cm (P = 0.03) larger waist circumference throughout the 24 mo compared with infants born to mothers with appropriate GWG. Waist circumference increased by 0.12 and 2.0 cm for every 1 unit increase in GWG and infant birth weight. Infants born to women who exceeded the Institute of Medicine (IOM)-recommended guidelines for GWG were heavier at birth and had a significantly higher waist circumference up to 2 y of age. Strategies to control maternal excess GWG and thus the outcome on infant birth weight and waist circumference should be pursued.
Hybrid relay selection in heterogenous relay networks

In this paper heterogenous networks are envisioned where multiple amplify-forward (AF) and decode-forward (DF) relays coexist. Consider a representative case with one source, one destination, and multiple relays, where at each point in time a subset (e.g. two) of the relays can be active simultaneously. The question naturally arises: how can we select relays for service from among the collection of available relays, and what is the performance of each selection scheme. We propose and analyze several selection schemes in a two-relay scenario involving a number of ways to synchronously combine AF and DF relays. Expressions for outage probability in each case are obtained.
Sustained ELABELA Gene Therapy in High-salt Diet-induced Hypertensive Rats

Background Elabela (ELA) is a recently identified apelin receptor agonist essential for cardiac development, but its biology and therapeutic potential are unclear. In humans, ELA transcripts are detected in embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, kidney, heart and blood vessels. ELA through the apelin (APJ) receptor promotes angiogenesis in vitro, relaxes murine aortic blood vessels and attenuates high blood pressure in vivo. The APJ receptor when bound to its original ligand, apelin, exerts peripheral vasodilatory and positive inotropic effects, conferring cardioprotection in vivo. Methods This study initially assessed endogenous ELA expression in normal and diseased rats and then characterized the effects of long-term ELA gene delivery by adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors on cardiorenal function in Dahl salt-sensitive rats (DS) on a high-salt diet over 3 months. Results Endogenous ELA was predominantly expressed in the kidneys, especially in the renal collecting duct cells and was not affected by disease. Rat ELA was overexpressed in the heart via AAV9 vector by a single intravenous injection. ELA-treated animals showed delayed onset of blood pressure elevation. Prior to high-salt diet, a reduction in the fractional sodium and chloride excretion was observed in rats given the AAV9-ELA vector. After three months on a high-salt diet, ELA preserved glomerular architecture, decreased renal fibrosis and suppressed expression of fibrosis-associated genes in the kidneys. Conclusion ELA is constitutively expressed in renal collecting ducts in rats. Sustained AAV-ELA expression may offer a potential long-term therapy for hypertension and renal remodeling.
Probiotics of the Acidophilus Group: Lactobacillus acidophilus , delbrueckii subsp . bulgaricus and johnsonii

Abstract Members of the acidophilus group of lactobacilli, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and johnsonii, have a long-standing, indeed ancient, pedigree in the preparation of fermented dairy products. Additionally, this taxonomically closely related group was the first to be employed, over a century ago, as probiotics in the modern sense. This chapter will discuss recent clinical successes reported predominantly utilizing this group of probiotic bacteria in a wide spectrum of clinical conditions including intestinal and systemic inflammation, hepatic, immunological, metabolic, and gynecological disorders. Of note, the acidophilus group is typically used in yogurt preparations, often supplemented by other probiotic formulations and synbiotics. Thus, specific biological activities and clinical benefits are difficult to assign to this group.
Emerging-Image Motion CAPTCHAs: Vulnerabilities of Existing Designs, and Countermeasures

Based on the notion of “emergence”, Xu et al. (Usenix Security 2012; TDSC 2013) developed the first concrete instantiation of emerging-image moving-object (EIMO) CAPTCHAs using 2D hollow objects (codewords), shown to be usable and believed to be secure. In this paper, we highlight the hidden security weaknesses of such a 2D EIMO CAPTCHA design. A key vulnerability is that the camera projection on 2D objects is constant (unlike 3D objects), making it possible to reconstruct the underlying codewords by superimposing and aggregating the temporally scattered parts of the object extracted from consecutive frames. We design and implement an automated attack framework to defeat this design using image processing techniques, and show that its accuracy in recognizing moving codewords is up to 89.2 percent, under different parameterizations. Our framework can be broadly used to undermine the security of different instances of 2D EIMO CAPTCHAs ( not just the current state-of-the-art by Xu et al. ), given the generalized and robust back-end theories in our attack, namely the methods to locate a codeword, reduce noises and accumulate objects’ contour information from consecutive frames corresponding to multiple time periods. As a countermeasure, we propose a fundamentally different design of EIMO CAPTCHAs based on pseudo 3D objects , and examine its security as well as usability. We argue that this design can resist our attack against 2D EIMO CAPTCHAs, although at the cost of reduced usability compared to the - now insecure - 2D EIMO CAPTCHAs.
Books, Read-Alouds, and Voluntary Book Interactions: What Do We Know About Centers Serving Three-Year-Olds?

ABSTRACTThis study examined the quality of books, the quality of read-alouds, and children’s voluntary interactions with books in childcare centers serving low-income 3-year-olds (N = 30). Although a large percentage of centers had book areas, the features of book areas differed. The highest percentage of books was highly recommended and appropriate (39%) but about 14% was completely inappropriate. Childcare personnel managed read-alouds well and involved children. The bulk of naturally occurring talk focused on reviewing story content (39.78%) with management/task organization following (27%). Three-year-olds did not voluntary interact with books at very high levels. Comparisons of the findings to existing studies suggest trends.
A comparative analysis of simulation and experimental results on RPL performance

A wireless sensor network and associated routing protocols are the fundamental elements in Internet of Things (IoT) framework. The data routing protocol used in a sensor network is of major concern as it determines reliability, lifetime, speed and scalability of a network. Routing Protocol for Low-power and lossy networks (RPL) is an IPv6 based routing protocol specifically designed for IoT applications. Therefore, the RPL's performance is crucial to determine the overall functionality of an IoT system. Many researchers have conducted experimental studies on RPL's performance evaluation using simulation tools such as Cooja, NS2, but not much literature exist on performance evaluation in a real network. Addressing this challenge, this paper presents an RPL network built upon Contiki-3.0 operating system. It is implemented physically and in Cooja simulation software, using Z1 motes. Performance metrics are defined, evaluated, and compared between the two settings. The resulting wide variation in the data obtained from the two environments signifies the necessity of physical experimentation for actual performance evaluation.
Putting modal metaphysics first

I propose that we approach the epistemology of modality by putting modal metaphysics first and, specifically, by investigating the metaphysics of essence. Following a prominent Neo-Aristotelian view, I hold that metaphysical necessity depends on the nature of things, namely their essences. I further clarify that essences are core properties having distinctive superexplanatory powers. In the case of natural kinds, which is my focus in the paper, superexplanatoriness is due to the fact that the essence of a kind is what causes all the many properties and behaviors that are typically shared by all the instances of the kind. Accordingly, we know what is necessarily true of kinds by knowing what is essential to them in the sense of actually playing such causal-explanatory roles. Modal reasoning aimed at discovering metaphysical necessity thus proceeds via essentialist deduction: we move from essentialist truths to reach necessary truths.
Do Macroalgal Mats Impact Microphytobenthos on Mudflats? Evidence from a Meta-Analysis, Comparative Survey, and Large-Scale Manipulation

Eutrophication and species introductions have resulted in increased macroalgal biomass in coastal ecosystems around the globe. Macroalgal mats may compete with microphytobenthos (MPB) for light and nutrients and, due to their position in the canopy, have a negative impact on MPB biomass. We tested this effect by conducting a meta-analysis of prior experiments, as well as a comparative survey, and a macroalgal-removal manipulation in the coastal lagoons of the Virginia Coastal Reserve (VCR) on the eastern shore of Virginia (USA). In all cases, MPB biomass was estimated using benthic chlorophyll as a proxy. While prior individual studies documented impacts of macroalgae, when effect sizes were averaged across studies, there was no consistent effect of macroalgal biomass on MPB biomass. In the VCR, a non-native red macroalga, Gracilaria vermiculophylla, dominates intertidal mats and attains high biomasses at some sites. Nevertheless, MPB biomass was unrelated to macroalgal mass based on a survey of mudflats. Further, when macroalgae were experimentally manipulated on a mudflat using a before and after impact design, there was no change in MPB. Based on the meta-analysis, survey, and manipulation we conducted, macroalgal mats do not have a generalizable effect on MPB, interactions seem context-dependent, and in the VCR, the effects on MPB appear neutral. This finding is important given the significance of MPB in supporting food webs and other estuarine ecosystem functions, as well as the increasing frequency and intensity of macroalgal blooms.
Toxicity and pathophysiology of palytoxin congeners after intraperitoneal and aerosol administration in rats.

Abstract Preparations of palytoxin (PLTX, derived from Japanese Palythoa tuberculosa) and the congeners 42-OH-PLTX (from Hawaiian P. toxica) and ovatoxin-a (isolated from a Japanese strain of Ostreopsis ovata), as well as a 50:50 mixture of PLTX and 42-OH-PLTX derived from Hawaiian P. tuberculosa were characterized as to their concentration, composition, in-vitro potency and interaction with an anti-PLTX monoclonal antibody (mAb), after which they were evaluated for lethality and tissue histopathology after intraperitoneal (IP) and aerosol administration to rats. Once each preparation was characterized as to its toxin composition by LC-HRMS and normalized to a total PLTX/OVTX concentration using HPLC-UV, all four preparations showed similar potency towards mouse erythrocytes in the erythrocyte hemolysis assay and interactions with the anti-PLTX mAb. The IP LD50 values derived from these experiments (0.92, 1.93, 1.81 and 3.26 μg/kg, for the 50:50 mix, 42-OH-PLTX, PLTX, and ovatoxin-a, respectively) were consistent with published values, although some differences from the published literature were seen. The aerosol LD50 values (0.063, 0.045, 0.041, and 0.031 μg/kg for the 50:50 mix, 42-OH PLTX, PLTX, and ovatoxin-a, respectively) confirmed the exquisite potency of PLTX suggested by the literature. The tissue histopathology of the different toxin preparations by IP and aerosol administration were similar, albeit with some differences. Most commonly affected tissues were the lungs, liver, heart, salivary glands, and adrenal glands. Despite some differences, these results suggest commonalities in potency and mechanism of action among these PLTX congeners.
ORDER-THEORETIC BASE AXIOMS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the order-theoretic base axioms. It highlights a few base properties that are defined with the help of partial order relationships, either between the members of a base or between the points of the space, or both. It also describes the properties of local bases at points. One drawback of co-scattered spaces is that they have no canonical division into levels the way scattered spaces do. The zeroth level of any space consists of its isolated points; if all levels
The Effects of Glucosteroids upon Experimental Brain Edema

Brain edema has been produced in rabbits, cats, dogs, and monkeys by the intracranial implantation of hydrophillic materials, stab wounds, implantation of viable brain tumors, inflation of extradural or subdural balloons, and cortical or spinal cord freezing injury. The temporal course of the evolution and resolution of brain edema in each of these models has been studied by gross photography, the extravasation of fluorescent protein tracers, wet weight/dry weight determinations, light microscopy, histochemistry, and electron microscopy. In a similar series of animals, the effects of glucosteroids given in several ways have been evaluated. Dexamethasone, cortisone, prednisone, and prednisolone have been utilized in dosages varying from 0.25 to 2.5 mg/kg/24 h. Animals have been pre-treated with steroids for 24 and 48 h prior to lesion production, and steroids have then been begun at the time of lesion production and at regular intervals up to 72 h after lesion production. The effects of the administration of glucosteroids upon the same parameters of edema estimation have been assessed. The cold injury model provides the best quantitative data. The administration of glucosteroids to animals in which a cold or spinal cord freezing injury has been inflicted results in a gross reduction in brain edema with reduced extravasation of dye protein complexes. Wet weight/dry weight determinations demonstrate significant retardations in the development of brain edema. At 24 and 48 h there is an approximate 50% reduction in edema, and at 72 h, a reduction of almost 30% persists. Light microscopic and histochemical differences were not striking. Electron microscopic studies revealed definite reduction in astrocytic volume and in white matter extracellular space in treated animals. The resolution of edema appeared to be accelerated. In addition, there was a marked reduction in postedema astrogliosis in animals receiving glucosteroids.
Achieving the ‘True’ Triple Aim in Healthcare

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) defined Triple Aim as simultaneous pursuit of three goals including improving the health of population, improving the experience of care and reducing the per capita cost of care. This approach aims at optimizing the performance of health systems which is of crucial importance as currently United States (U.S) spends 18% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health care and this number is expected to rise in the near future. The IHI believes that the healthcare reform must be aimed at achieving Triple Aim to improve the quality of care and lower the cost of care. In the U.S., the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched initiatives like Physician Group Practice (PGP) demonstration and PGP transition demonstration, to test the comparative effectiveness of a new reimbursement mechanism that includes pay for performance (P4P) for Medicare beneficiaries in physician group practices (PGP’s). The non-inclusion of oral health services as a part of these initiatives was questionable. Numerous studies indicate that oral health impacts the overall health of a person and receiving regular oral care reduces the total health care cost. The Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) formed under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to improve the quality of Medicare services did not mandate the provision of oral health care. This chapter enumerates a variety of initiatives undertaken by the U.S. government to improve the quality and cost of health care. The authors discuss about the importance of oral health and how non-provision of oral care in these initiatives would be detrimental to achieving “True Triple Aim”.
Development of an Infection Risk Index for Microbiome Targeted Intervention in Children at High-Risk of Multidrug-Resistant Bloodstream Infections

Background Bloodstream infections (BSI) cause significant morbidity and mortality following pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and are increasingly from multidrug-resistant pathogens. Most of these BSI pathogens arise from the intestines. Increased evidence demonstrates commensal gut anaerobes maintain host resistance from enteric infection, while loss of commensals increases host susceptibility. Antibiotic use reduces gut anaerobes and allows a compensatory increased pathogen burden that precedes BSI; BSI risk is related to colonization burden. Recent reports suggest fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can displace an enteric pathogens and broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance genes during restoration of a healthy microbiome. However, the impact of intestinal microbiota on colonization, transmission, and invasive MDR infections is poorly understood in children undergoing HSCT. Methods Using metagenomic shotgun sequencing (MSS) data of longitudinal stool samples from high-risk children, including 63 undergoing HSCT with 166 samples preceding BSI onset (n = 23), we developed a metagenomic-based infection risk index (IRI) from key microbiome features (scaled Brady-Curtis distance relative to healthy controls and relative anaerobe and pathogen abundance). Traditional cart data analysis was compared to advanced machine learning algorithms that consider microbiome distribution, longitudinal sampling, and feature selection. Results A metagenomic-derived IRI from our cohort identified children having up to an 8-fold increased BSI risk. Evaluation of these key microbiome features as a diagnostic screening test by traditional cart analysis accurately identified patients at-risk for BSI with 91% sensitivity using its negative likelihood ratio. However, its specificity of 51% prohibits targeting interventions to those at greatest risk (Figure 1). Therefore, advanced machine learning algorithms were used for metagenomic-derived BSI prediction. While training results suggest overfitting, its performance promises clinical utility with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 84% warranting optimization and validation in HSCT patients (Figure 2). Analysis during heterologous FMT interventions in 5 symptomatic high-risk children (including 1 HSCT patient) revealed a concomitant pathogen-dominated gut microbiome harboring a high burden of broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance genes prior to each FMT. Following FMT, we confirmed restoration of a healthy gut microbiome with abundant anaerobes had a low metagenomic-derived IRI in all cases (Figure 3). Conclusions The application of advanced machine learning to shotgun metagenomic data provides the resolution required for accurate BSI prediction to identify HSCT patients at greatest risk preceding an illness providing new opportunity for early FMT intervention to prevent BSI.
How to Revive Congress's War Powers

Even though the United States has been at war around the globe for most of the last two decades, the vast majority of those serving in Congress have never voted to authorize a military operation. Among current members of Congress, only 18 of 100 Senators were in office when the most recent authorization - the 2002 authorization for use of force against Iraq - was enacted and only 58 of 435 Representatives were. As a result, there has been little democratic accountability for the many wars the United States has waged in the past seventeen years, which have cost trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives. The institutional structure for authorizing military force by the United States is obviously broken. There is no doubt that part of the problem is the absence of political courage among many of our elected officials. Too many members of Congress are all too happy to abdicate their Constitutional responsibility and allow the President to go it alone, taking all the political risk. No institutional reform can fix that. But at least part of the problem is that the system of checks and balances is no longer working. This essay argues that a few revisions, some simple, some more ambitious, could significantly strengthen the capacity to act for members of Congress willing to do so. This essay argues for three separate reforms. First, the War Powers Resolution should be revised to include a definition of “hostilities.” This is a gap in the original resolution, and filling this gap could, in one simple step, substantially strengthen the rest of the resolution and the ability of Congress to constrain the President. Second, Congress should enact “Rules for Limited War” that would create a default sunset for all new authorizations. Third, the War Powers Resolution should be revised to make explicit that any use of military force in contravention of international law is prohibited. While none of these suggested reforms addresses all of the problems plaguing the system for authorizing the use of military force, each would help reset the balance in the right direction.
Angle-dependent strong-field ionization of halomethanes.

We study, experimentally and theoretically, the ionization probability of singly halogenated methane molecules, CH3Cl and CH3Br, in intense linearly polarized 800 nm laser pulses as a function of the angle between the molecular axis and the laser polarization. Experimentally, the molecules are exposed to two laser pulses with a relative time delay. The first, weaker pulse induces a nuclear rotational wave packet within the molecules, which are then ionized by the second, stronger pulse. The angle-dependent ionization yields are extracted from fits of the measured delay-dependent ionization signal to a superposition of moments of the rotational wave packet’s angular distribution. Angle-dependent strong-field ionization (SFI) yields are also calculated using time-dependent density functional theory. Good agreement between measurements and theory is obtained. Interestingly, we find a marked difference between the angle-dependence of the ionization yields for these two halomethane species despite the similar structure of their highest occupied molecular orbitals. Calculations reveal that these differences are a result of multichannel (CH3Cl) vs single-channel (CH3Br) ionization and of increased hole localization on Br vs Cl. By adding calculations for CH3F, we can discern clear trends in the ionization dynamics with increasing halogen mass. These results are illustrative, as chemical functionalization and molecular alignment are likely to be important parameters for initiating and controlling charge migration dynamics via SFI.
Impact of NCI Clinical Announcement upon use of chemoradiation for women with cervical cancer

5537 Background: On the basis of 5 NCI-sponsored randomized phase III trials, in 1999 the NCI issued a Clinical Announcement recommending that women with cervical cancer who require radiation also receive concomitant platinum-based chemotherapy. We undertook a population-based cohort study to determine whether the 1999 NCI Clinical Announcement was associated with changes in clinical practice in the United States. Methods: Through the NCI’s SEER program, we identified 973 women with invasive cervical cancer diagnosed in 1997, 773 diagnosed in 2000, and 1370 diagnosed in 2001. Hospital records were re-abstracted and treated physicians were contacted to verify initial therapy provided to each patient. Results: In multivariate analysis, we found a significant increase in the use of chemoradiation between 1997 and 2001/2001 among women with cervical cancer of all stages for which radiation would be appropriate. (see table). Compared to women with well-differentiated tumors, women with moderately or poorly dif...
Proportional Reasoning Word Problem Performance for Middle School Students With High-Incidence Disabilities (HID):

Schema-based instruction (SBI) was used to teach nine middle school students with high-incidence disabilities (HID) to solve proportional reasoning word problems. A multiple-baseline-across-groups ...
Patient and Parent Perspectives on Improving Pediatric Asthma Self-Management Through a Mobile Health Intervention: Pilot Study

Background: Asthma is a common chronic pediatric disease that can negatively impact children and families. Self-management strategies are challenging to adopt but critical for achieving positive outcomes. Mobile health technology may facilitate self-management of pediatric asthma, especially as adolescents mature and assume responsibility for their disease. Objective: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of youths with high-risk asthma and their caregivers on the use of a smartphone app, Smartphone Asthma Management System, in the prevention and treatment of asthma symptoms, possible use of the app to improve self-management of asthma outside traditional clinical settings, and the impact of asthma on everyday life to identify potential needs for future intervention development. Methods: Key informant interviews were completed with parent-child dyads post participation in an asthma management feasibility intervention study to explore the perceptions of users on a smartphone app designed to monitor symptoms and medication use and offer synchronous and asynchronous provider encounters. A thematic qualitative analysis was conducted inductively through emergent findings and deductively based on the self-determination theory (SDT), identifying 4 major themes. Results: A total of 19 parent-child dyads completed the postintervention interviews. The major themes identified included autonomy, competence, relatedness, and the impact of asthma on life. The participants also shared their perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with using the app and in the self-management of asthma. Both children and parents conveyed a preference for using technology to facilitate medication and disease management, and children demonstrated a strong willingness and ability to actively engage in their care. Conclusions: Our study included support for the app and demonstrated the feasibility of enhancing the self-management of asthma by youth in the community. Participant feedback led to intervention refinement and app improvements, and the use of the SDT allowed insight into motivational drivers of behavioral change. The use of mobile apps among high-risk children with asthma and their parents shows promise in improving self-management, medication adherence, and disease awareness and in reducing overall disease morbidity.
Cell-Cell Interaction Mechanisms in Acute Lung Injury.

ABSTRACT Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are caused by an exaggerated inflammatory response arising from a wide variety of pulmonary and systemic insults. Lung tissue is composed of a variety of cell populations, including parenchymal and immune cells. Emerging evidence has revealed that multiple cell populations in the lung work in concert to regulate lung inflammation in response to both direct and indirect stimulations. To date, the question of how different types of pulmonary cells communicate with each other and subsequently regulate or modulate inflammatory cascades remains to be fully addressed. In this review, we provide an overview of current advancements in understanding the role of cell-cell interaction in the development of ALI and depict molecular mechanisms by which cell-cell interactions regulate lung inflammation, focusing on inter-cellular activities and signaling pathways that point to possible therapeutic opportunities for ALI/ARDS.
Ambient Synchrophasor Measurement Based System Inertia Estimation

This paper develops an algorithm to estimate the system inertia value based on ambient synchrophasor measurement. Informative features are extracted from ambient synchrophasor measurements for machine-learning-based inertia estimation. Besides ambient synchrophasor measurements of FNET/GridEye, other available data relevant to inertia (such as weather and system load data) are also used to improve the inertia estimation accuracy. Then a machine learning algorithm to estimate system inertia is developed. A test dataset including ambient synchrophasor data from FNET/GridEye measurements and the WECC system inertia data from NERC is used to evaluate the performance of the developed inertia estimation method. The average and maximum estimation errors of the developed inertia estimation method is lower than 5% and 10%, respectively. This accuracy is higher than reported accuracy values in existing literature.