cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EUS-guided FNA diagnostic yield of malignancy in solid pancreatic masses: a benchmark for quality performance measurement

Background The diagnostic yield of EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) of solid pancreatic masses is a potential benchmark for EUS-FNA quality, because the majority of EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic masses should be diagnostic for malignancy. Objectives To determine the cytologic diagnostic rate of malignancy in EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic masses and to determine if variability exists among endoscopists and centers. Design Multicenter retrospective study. Patients EUS centers provided cytology reports for all EUS-FNAs of solid, noncystic, ≥10-mm-diameter, solid pancreatic masses during a 1-year period. Main Outcome Measurement Cytology diagnostic of pancreatic malignancy. Results A total of 1075 patients underwent EUS-FNA at 21 centers (81% academic) with 41 endoscopists. The median number of EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic masses performed during the year per center was 46 (range, 4-177) and per endoscopist was 19 (range, 1-97). The mean mass dimensions were 32 × 27 mm, with 73% located in the head. The mean number of passes was 3.5. Of the centers, 90% used immediate cytologic evaluation. The overall diagnostic rate of malignancy was 71%, 95% confidence interval 0.69%-0.74%, with 5% suspicious for malignancy, 6% atypical cells, and 18% negative for malignancy. The median diagnostic rate per center was 78% (range, 39%-93%; 1st quartile, 61%) and per endoscopist was 75% (range, 0%-100%; 1st quartile, 52%). Limitations Retrospective study, participation bias, and varying chronic pancreatitis prevalence. Conclusions (1) EUS-FNA cytology was diagnostic of malignancy in 71% of solid pancreatic masses and (2) endoscopists with a final cytologic diagnosis rate of malignancy for EUS-FNA of solid masses that was less than 52% were in the lowest quartile and should evaluate reasons for their low yield.
Cesarean section in a pregnant patient with an anterior mediastinal mass and failed supradiaphragmatic irradiation

Nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease stages IA and IIA are the most common presentation of this disease during pregnancy. Patients presenting with late Hodgkin's disease with failed irradiation for cesarean section present a unique challenge. When this presentation occurs, a voluntary interruption of pregnancy is recommended. Upper body irradiation during the second trimester of pregnancy is recommended as well. We report a case involving a pregnant patient at 34 weeks' gestation presenting for cesarean section with a symptomatic anterior mediastinal mass occupying over 50% of the thoracic diameter. The anesthetic management was performed using continuous spinal.
New variable selection methods for zero-inflated count data with applications to the substance abuse field

Zero-inflated count data are very common in health surveys. This study develops new variable selection methods for the zero-inflated Poisson regression model. Our simulations demonstrate the negative consequences which arise from the ignorance of zero-inflation. Among the competing methods, the one-step SCAD method is recommended because it has the highest specificity, sensitivity, exact fit, and lowest estimation error. The design of the simulations is based on the special features of two large national databases commonly used in the alcoholism and substance abuse field so that our findings can be easily generalized to the real settings. Applications of the methodology are demonstrated by empirical analyses on the data from a well-known alcohol study.
On the stochastic 2-D motion of a Bingham fluid

We establish the existence and uniqueness of a strong solution to the initial boundary value problem associated with the motion of a Bingham fluid in a two-dimensional domain with random noise. We also prove the existence of an invariant measure for a certain class of noise. When the deterministic forcing is sufficiently small and the multiplicative noise is almost linear, it is shown that extinction of a solution occurs in a finite time almost surely.
Effects of silymarin on hepatitis C virus and haem oxygenase-1 gene expression in human hepatoma cells.

Background/Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global medical problem. The current standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC), pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, is prolonged, expensive, has serious side effects and, at best, is only 50% effective. Silymarin (SI) is a natural antioxidant often used by patients with CHC, although its efficacy for decreasing HCV levels or ameliorating CHC remains uncertain. HCV infection is associated with increased hepatic oxidative stress, and one of the antioxidant enzymes that protect cells against this stress is haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Methods: We investigated effects of SI on HCV and HO-1 gene expression in Huh-7 cells, CNS3 and 9-13 cells (the latter two stably expressing HCV-proteins). Results: Silymarin significantly downregulated HCV core mRNA (by 20%–36%) and protein (by 30%–60%) in CNS3 cells. In contrast, SI did not decrease HCV NS5A mRNA or protein expression in 9-13 cells. HO-1 mRNA was upregulated (60%–400%) by SI in Huh-7, CNS3 and 9-13 cells, whereas BTB and CNC homology 1 and nuclear factor erythroid related factor 2 mRNA levels were not affected. The effect of SI to downregulate HCV core was not related to changes in the Janus-activated tyrosine kinases–signal transducer and activators of transcription signalling pathway. Conclusions: Silymarin may be of benefit in CHC, although prospective, randomized, controlled trials are needed to be certain.
Implementing expert system rule conditions by neural networks

The relation of subsymbolic (neural computing) and symbolic computing has been a topic of intense discussion. We address some of the drawbacks of current expert system technology and study the possibility of using neural computing principles to improve their competence. In this paper we focus on the problem of using neural networks to implement expert system rule conditions. Our approach allows symbolic inference engines to make direct use of complex sensory input via so called detector predicates. We also discuss the use of self organizing Kohonen networks as a means to determine those attributes (properties) of data that reflect meaningful statistical relationships in the expert system input space. This mechanism can be used to address the defficult problem of conceptual clustering of information. The concepts introduced are illustrated by two application examples: an automatic inspection system for circuit packs and an expert system for respiratory and anesthesia monitoring. The adopted approach differs from the earlier research on the use of neural networks as expert systems, where the only method to obtain knowledge is learning from training data. In our approach the synergy of rules and detector predicates combines the advantages of both worlds: it maintains the clarity of the rule-based knowledge representation at the higher reasoning levels without sacrificing the power of noise-tolerant pattern association offered by neural computing methods.
Adolescent substance use and aggression: a review

Substance use disorders (SUDs) in youth are strongly associated with aggression, delinquency, and involvement with the juvenile justice and mental health systems. This article reviews the relationship between aggression and SUDs and discusses evidence-based approaches to assessment and intervention, with a focus on youth in secure settings. While evidence indicates etiological overlap, SUDs also confer risk for aggression and delinquent behavior. SUDs and aggression are each influenced by executive functions that develop as youth transition toward adult roles. Additionally, the effects of substance use on the adolescent brain impair neurocognitive function and increase the risk for aggression and further substance use. In terms of assessment, it is important to identify function and form of aggression in order to understand motives and associations with substance use and to select appropriate interventions. Evidence-based screening and assessment of aggression, substance involvement, and related domains i...
Symmetry-breaking plasmonic metasurfaces for broadband light bending

We experimentally demonstrate unparalleled wave-front control in a broadband, optical wavelength range from 1.0 μm to 1.9 μm, using a thin plasmonic layer (metasurface) consisting of a nanoantenna array that breaks the symmetry along the interface.
Algorithm of nested clustering for unsupervised learning

Autonomous learning in the architectures of intelligent control requires special procedures performed upon acquired knowledge. This affects the structure of world representation and it is intimately linked with mechanisms of behavior generation. This paper illuminates algorithms of autonomous learning performed via nested clustering which is goal driven and exercises simulation of decision making process.
Thermal System Interactions in Optimizing Advanced Thermoelectric Energy Recovery Systems

Energy recovery is gaining importance in various transportation and industrial process applications because of rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainties impacting basic energy supplies. Various advanced thermoelectric (TE) materials have properties that are inherently advantageous for particular TE energy recovery applications. Skutterudites, 0- and 1-dimensional quantum-well materials, and thin-film superlattice materials are providing enhanced opportunities for advanced TE energy recovery in transportation and industrial processes. This work demonstrates: 1) the potential for advanced thermoelectric systems in vehicle energy recovery, and 2) the inherently complex interaction between thermal system performance and thermoelectric device optimization in energy recovery. Potential power generation at specific exhaust temperature levels and for various heat exchanger performance levels is presented showing the current design sensitivities using different TE material sets. Mathematical relationships inherently linking optimum TE design variables and the thermal systems design (i.e., heat exchangers and required mass flow rates) are also investigated and characterized.
Microscopic Delineation of Medulloblastoma Margins in a Transgenic Mouse Model Using a Topically Applied VEGFR-1 Probe

The unambiguous demarcation of tumor margins is critical at the final stages in the surgical treatment of brain tumors because patient outcomes have been shown to correlate with the extent of resection. Real-time high-resolution imaging with the aid of a tumor-targeting fluorescent contrast agent has the potential to enable intraoperative differentiation of tumor versus normal tissues with accuracy approaching the current gold standard of histopathology. In this study, a monoclonal antibody targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1) was conjugated to fluorophores and evaluated as a tumor contrast agent in a transgenic mouse model of medulloblastoma. The probe was administered topically, and its efficacy as an imaging agent was evaluated in vitro using flow cytometry, as well as ex vivo on fixed and fresh tissues through immunohistochemistry and dual-axis confocal microscopy, respectively. Results show a preferential binding to tumor versus normal tissue, suggesting that a topically applied VEGFR-1 probe can potentially be used with real-time intraoperative optical sectioning microscopy to guide brain tumor resections.
Psychological Coercion in the Context of Modern-Day Involuntary Labor: Revisiting United States v. Kozminski and Understanding Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is synonymous with modern-day slavery according to legislators, law enforcement, immigrant rights advocates, women's rights advocates, and the public at large. This characterization, however, has little resemblance to the chattel slavery that existed in the United States' antebellum South. A broader understanding of slavery has replaced the visceral imagery of the buying and selling of African slaves, and the state-sanctioned violence of whips and chains that prompted the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. Through a diverse range of physical or non-physical methods including deception and mental manipulation, modern private actors have lured and compelled individuals to work in a variety of industries. In the context of modern Thirteenth Amendment doctrine, lawmakers and courts have broadly categorized such non-overt means of inducing labor as "psychological coercion." Liberal application of this term encompasses a vast range of abusive elements of human trafficking situations from poor working conditions and cultural isolation to threats to harm a worker's family members. Yet, while recognized as a key component of human trafficking, courts and legislatures have yet to define the legal dimensions of psychological coercion. This article aims to contribute to the development of Thirteenth Amendment jurisprudence by exploring the nature and legal function of psychological coercion in cases of modern-day slavery. By discussing the nature and legal significance of psychological coercion in cases of modern-day involuntary labor, this article critically examines the doctrinal limitations that have emerged and sets a foundation for ongoing evaluation of psychological coercion in future human trafficking cases.
High-Flow Oxygen through Nasal Cannula in Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: the FLORALI study

An evaluation of a recent study by Frat JP, Thille AW, Mercat A et al: High-Flow Oxygen through Nasal Cannula in Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure. New England Journal of Medicine 2015;372(23):2185-96. PubMed PMID: 25981908. Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT01320384 .
The casposon-encoded Cas1 protein from Aciduliprofundum boonei is a DNA integrase that generates target site duplications.

Many archaea and bacteria have an adaptive immune system known as CRISPR which allows them to recognize and destroy foreign nucleic acid that they have previously encountered. Two CRISPR-associated proteins, Cas1 and Cas2, are required for the acquisition step of adaptation, in which fragments of foreign DNA are incorporated into the host CRISPR locus. Cas1 genes have also been found scattered in several archaeal and bacterial genomes, unassociated with CRISPR loci or other cas proteins. Rather, they are flanked by nearly identical inverted repeats and enclosed within direct repeats, suggesting that these genetic regions might be mobile elements (‘casposons’). To investigate this possibility, we have characterized the in vitro activities of the putative Cas1 transposase (‘casposase’) from Aciduliprofundum boonei. The purified Cas1 casposase can integrate both short oligonucleotides with inverted repeat sequences and a 2.8 kb excised mini-casposon into target DNA. Casposon integration occurs without target specificity and generates 14–15 basepair target site duplications, consistent with those found in casposon host genomes. Thus, Cas1 casposases carry out similar biochemical reactions as the CRISPR Cas1-Cas2 complex but with opposite substrate specificities: casposases integrate specific sequences into random target sites, whereas CRISPR Cas1-Cas2 integrates essentially random sequences into a specific site in the CRISPR locus.
Risk factors and management of refractory or recurrent clostridium difficile infection in ileal pouch patients.

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasingly recognized in patients with ulcerative colitis with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). The aim of this study was to identify clinical risk factors for treatment-refractory or recurrent CDI in patients with IPAA. Methods We identified patients with IPAA for underlying ulcerative colitis and a positive polymerase chain reaction stool test for C. difficile at the Center for Ileal Pouch Disorders during the period from October 2010 to November 2013. Demographic clinical variables were compared between the refractory or recurrent CDI and nonrecurrent CDI groups. Results Patients with IPAA with refractory or recurrent symptoms (refractory/recurrent CDI, the study group, N = 19) were compared with patients with a single antibiotic-responsive episode of ileal pouch CDI (nonrecurrent CDI, the control group, N = 21). The frequency of pouchitis before the index CDI was similar in the study and control groups (63.2% versus 66.7%, P = 0.82). Postoperative mechanical abnormalities occurred in 16 patients (84.2%) in the study group versus 7 patients (33.3%) in the control group (P = 0.0008). There were no differences between the two groups regarding hospitalization, non-C. difficile antibiotic use, the use of gastric acid-reducing therapy, or immunosuppressives before or after the index CDI. Six of 15 patients (40.0%) in the study group versus 1 of 15 patients (7.1%) in the control group had a low serum level of IgG1 (P = 0.031). Conclusions Refractory or recurrent disease is common in patients with ileal pouch with CDI. The presence of postsurgery mechanical intestinal complications or low serum immunoglobulin level may be risk factors for refractory or recurrent CDI in this patient population.
Effects of Anonymity and Group Saliency on Participation and Interaction in a Computer-Mediated Small-Group Discussion

AbstractResearch on the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in learning environments has demonstrated that the levels of member participation and achievement are consistently high when compared to more traditional learning environments. On closer scrutiny, this medium of exchange seems to have a dramatic impact on the ability of groups to structure interaction across time. This article reports on the structure of individual interaction in a CMC environment in which one condition had a high level of group identification in contrast to a condition that maintained individual anonymity. In addition, the condition of identity was crossed with a redesigned user interface that required participants in the discussion to map their interaction manually. The results of this study indicate that high group saliency inhibits the development of highly structured interpersonal interaction. However, through the use of a graphic-based interface, members are more likely to engage in highly structured interpersonal ...
Mitochondrial Stress Induces Chromatin Reorganization to Promote Longevity and UPR(mt).

Organisms respond to mitochondrial stress through the upregulation of an array of protective genes, often perpetuating an early response to metabolic dysfunction across a lifetime. We find that mitochondrial stress causes widespread changes in chromatin structure through histone H3K9 di-methylation marks traditionally associated with gene silencing. Mitochondrial stress response activation requires the di-methylation of histone H3K9 through the activity of the histone methyltransferase met-2 and the nuclear co-factor lin-65. While globally the chromatin becomes silenced by these marks, remaining portions of the chromatin open up, at which point the binding of canonical stress responsive factors such as DVE-1 occurs. Thus, a metabolic stress response is established and propagated into adulthood of animals through specific epigenetic modifications that allow for selective gene expression and lifespan extension.
Analysis and Application of Air Supply Control System for Supercritical Once-through Boiler

This paper describes the main task and the mode of air-flow control,analyzes the loop of oxygen regulation and overall air-flow instruction of boiler combustion control,and,taking 600 MW Unit 5 in Phase III of Huaneng Yangluo Powre Plant for example,parses the air-flow control project of supercritical once-through boiler at length.In addition,the paper brings forward the opinion about how to achieve satisfying air flow in coordinated control system.It is indicated that the air supply control system is a cascade control system with oxygen regulation,the oxygen regulator functioning mainly and the air-flow controller working subsidiarily.In the coordinated control system,when the load changes,the air flow is first regulated by the feedforward loop,and then the lagging regulation is made by the oxygen control system,so as to achieve satisfactory air flow.In the end,the paper accounts for stall protecting of axial-flow blower.It is indicated that once the blower is found to have entered the stall zone in actual operation,the moving-blade angle should be adjusted at once to avoid the stall zone.
Implementation of transformer models in three-phase load flow program

Implementation of three-phase transformer models in a three-phase load flow program was studied.The transformer was divided into two parts.One part includes the primary connection and ratios of three-phase turns,the other contains the secondary connection and transformer impedance values.The two parts were implemented by two independent subroutines.According to the actual types of transformers,the corresponding subroutines were combined to gel complete transformer models.The proposed method is simple and clear and can be implemented easily in programming with different transformer connection models.It is also suitable for three-phase load flow calculation.The validity of the proposed method was analyzed and verified by an example.
Nitrogen location in R2Fe17 compounds: an NMR study

Abstract 14 N, 89 Y and 1 H spin-echo NMR experiments have been carried out in order to study the nitrogen location in the R 2 Fe 17 lattice with R = Gd, Lu and Y. The observed 14 N spectrum for the Gd-compound indicates that essentially all of the N atoms occupy the octahedral interstitial sites. However, the ‘two-peak’ 14 N spectra for the Y-compounds and, to a lesser degree the Lu-compound, indicate that some of the N atoms enter the tetrahedral interstitial sites in addition to the octahedral sites. A consideration of both 14 N and 89 Y spectra indicates that the probability for a N atom to enter a tetrahedral site in the Y 2 Fe 17 lattice is much smaller than that for octahedral site occupation. This study reveals that the local structure of Y 2 Fe 17 N x may change with the nitrogenation conditions.
Machado de Assis and the Secret Heart of Literature

Paulo Moreira proposes a nuanced reading of Machado’s short story “A causa secreta” (translated as “The Secret Heart” or “The Hidden Cause”). Moreira uses the story to explore one familiar motif present in several of Machado’s stories: the ambitious young man negotiating favors in order to ascend socially and being dragged by unexpected twists of fate into violent and tragic moral circumstances. Moreira argues that in this particular short story, the shifting points of view and narrative voices combine in a daring examination of voyeuristic and sadistic pleasure (“no anger, no hatred; just a vast pleasure, quiet and profound”) as “something like a pure aesthetic sensation.” The chapter fundamentally demonstrates how Machado de Assis decisively links this particularly cruel mode of aesthetic sensation to literary representation.
On the same page: a novel interprofessional model of patient-centered perinatal consultation visits.

On the same page: a novel interprofessional model of patient-centered perinatal consultation visits
Novel Ecosystems: Adaptive Management and Social Values in the Anthropocene

As environmental management progresses into the Anthropocene, the traditional idea that ecological restoration should return damaged ecological systems to their prior state has become more controversial. Some systems—“novel ecosystems”—are so altered that hopes to return them to their prior state is impossible. Some restorationists have suggested more flexible approaches to managing these systems, but this has been controversial among traditionalists who focus on protecting species in their historical habitat. This controversy is best faced by engaging in adaptive management and by including all voices in a deliberative process of articulating social values to guide flexible management goals.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Vein of Galen Aneurysmal Malformations

Diagnosis and treatment of 13 patients with vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM), seen at Children’s Hospital and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1994-2007, were evaluated retrospectively, and those treated within the first 2 weeks were compared with those treated later.
Abstract P249: Patient Centered Care: Baseline Demographics Data From a Stage I Hypertension Clinical Trial

Background: Hypertension is highly prevalent in underserved communities and is associated with excess cardiovascular mortality. Patient Centered Care (PCC) programs are essential to achieve adequate blood pressure control and modify CVD risk. Use of the Internet to report self measured BP is one method to achieve better BP control. However, in underserved populations, Internet access is limited. We tested whether low income and lack of home Internet access limits BP management with a telemedicine program. Methods: Inner-city, primarily African-American (AAs) patients (N=130) with uncontrolled HTN (BP>140/90 mmHg) who are followed by primary care physicians were randomized to usual care or Telemedicine plus usual care. BP, weight, BMI, blood glucose, lipids, tobacco use, and physical activity were measured at baseline and at 6 months. Income level and availability of Internet were recorded for each patient. We divided the income level in five groups: 1) $15,000-$24,999, 2) $25,000-34,999, 3) $35,000-44,999...
Justice‐centered science pedagogy: A catalyst for academic achievement and social transformation

Longstanding inequities in science education across the lines of race and class remain the most intractable problem in the field. Justice-centered science pedagogy is introduced as a theoretical framework built on the traditions of critical pedagogy and culturally relevant pedagogy to address these inequities as components of larger oppressive systems. This study examines how a justice-centered advanced chemistry class in an urban neighborhood high school supported students to succeed academically while taking up urgent issues of social and environmental justice identified by their communities. The findings include evidence that curriculum organized around an issue of environmental racism supported academic achievement that exceeded the expectations of a typical high school chemistry course. The findings also document how the curriculum provided opportunities for students to move beyond academic achievement to position themselves as transformative intellectuals. As transformative intellectuals, students demonstrated complex thinking about science and social justice issues, cultivated their commitment to their communities and cultures of origin, and developed credibility as local youth knowledgeable in science. These findings have implications for teachers, teacher educators, and educational researchers who wish to engage with science education as a catalyst for social transformation.
Using workforce analytics to improve strategy execution

In this article, I introduce an approach to conducting workforce analytics that is designed to improve strategy execution and organizational effectiveness through the application of systems diagnostics. What differentiates the approach are two analytic steps that precede the analyses that are typical of workforce analytics today: competitive advantage analytics and enterprise analytics. Conducting these two additional steps enables the analyst to identify the critical business issues that are the biggest problems for senior business leaders, and to determine if structural issues coming from the organization design and culture are at play. First conducting those analyses best enables traditional workforce analytics to provide insights the organization's leadership views as truly valuable.
Semi-Empirical Crest Distributions of Long-Crest Nonlinear Waves of Three-Hour Duration

In wave basin model test of an offshore structure, waves that represent the given sea states have to be generated, qualified and accepted for the model test. For seakeeping and stationkeeping model tests, we normally accept waves in wave calibration tests if the significant wave height, spectral peak period and spectrum match the specified target values. However, for model tests where the responses depend highly on the local wave motions (wave elevation and kinematics) such as wave impact, green water impact on deck and air gap tests, additional qualification checks may be required. For instance, we may need to check wave crest probability distributions to avoid unrealistic wave crest in the test. To date, acceptance criteria of wave crest distribution calibration tests of large and steep waves of three-hour duration (full scale) have not been established.The purpose of the work presented in the paper is to provide a semi-empirical nonlinear wave crest distribution of three-hour duration for practical use, i.e. as an acceptance criterion for wave calibration tests. The semi-empirical formulas proposed in this paper were developed through regression analysis of a large number of fully nonlinear wave crest distributions. Wave time series from potential flow simulations, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and model test results were used to establish the probability distribution. The wave simulations were performed for three-hour duration assuming that they were long-crested. The sea states are assumed to be represented by JONSWAP spectrum, where a wide range of significant wave height, peak period, spectral peak parameter, and water depth were considered. Coefficients of the proposed semi-empirical formulas, comparisons among crest distributions from wave calibration tests, numerical simulations and the semi-empirical formulas are presented in this paper.Copyright © 2017 by ASME
Optimizing the design of a latin hypercube sampling estimator

Stratified sampling and Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) reduce variance, relative to naive Monte Carlo sampling, by partitioning the support of a random vector into strata. When creating these estimators, we must determine: (i) the number of strata; and, (ii) the partition that defines the strata. In this paper, we address the second point by formulating a nonlinear optimization model that designs the strata to yield a minimum-variance stratified sampling estimator. Under a discrete set of candidate boundary points, the optimization model can be solved via dynamic programming. We extend this technique to LHS, using an approximation of estimator variance to obtain strata for the domain of a multivariate function. Empirical results show significant variance reduction compared to using equal-probability strata for LHS or naive Monte Carlo sampling.
Robotic surgery: the future is now.

Over the last 25 years, the mortality rate of pancreas surgery has decreased dramatically. However, the morbidity rate remains quite high. Minimally invasive surgery has been widely adopted in many surgical specialties and the use of robotics is now commonplace.
Proxy-Based Optimal Control Allocation for Dual-Input Over-Actuated Systems

Over-actuated systems are characterized by a larger number of actuators compared with the degrees of freedom to be controlled. In such systems, it is often desirable to allocate control effort dynamically (i.e., over a broad range of frequencies) in an optimal manner, without sacrificing control performance. At present, this goal is achieved through computationally intensive real-time optimization or by using static redundancy models, which could significantly sacrifice optimality and/or control performance. In the context of dual-input, single-output over-actuated systems, this paper proposes a proxy-based approach for optimal dynamic control allocation without need for real-time optimization. Using factorization, a causally implementable optimal relationship between two control inputs is derived. It is shown that control energy is minimized indirectly by minimizing the deviation of control inputs from the derived relationship, which can be achieved using classical or advanced feedforward (FF) and/or feedback (FB) control techniques. A classical FF and FB approach for implementing the proposed proxy-based allocation scheme, alongside an approach for handling input constraints, is detailed and validated in simulations and experiments on an over-actuated hybrid feed drive. In comparison with an existing static-model-based dynamic allocation approach, large reductions in control energy without sacrificing control performance are demonstrated.
Member Retention in Social Networking Sites.

With the growth in social networking and the highly competitive nature of the social networking market, it is important for companies, entrepreneurs and investors to understand the factors that influence member retention. This paper utilizes a variation of expectation confirmation theory that incorporates both perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment to better understand continuation intention among members of social networking sites. In addition, the impact of the member’s selfidentification with their particular social networking site (SNS) and the emotional attachment between individuals in the virtual community are considered. The proposed model provides insight into how community factors influence customer retention thus providing value to researchers, companies, entrepreneurs and investors.
Prospects of the Russian Ruble as a Regional Reserve Currency: Theoretical Approach

In recent years the discussion of the role played by reserve currencies in the world economy has reached a new level. Problems caused by the domination of a single reserve currency have not yet been resolved and it remains unclear when and how they will be solved in the future. At the same time, the discussion quite often does not include necessary theoretical foundations for the different alternatives. In this article we try to develop a rigorous foundation for the concept of a regional reserve currency, to present theoretical arguments for the factors relating to the formation of reserve currencies and to estimate the potential of the Russian ruble as a regional reserve currency.
Niche Applications of Graphene Within Silicon Technology

In the previous two chapters we have outlined possible applications of graphene in two leading potential areas, solar cells and switching logic devices. These are arguably the largest applications that graphene might find, but are both only moderately likely to occur with large impact.
Suspected or Known Neonatal Sepsis and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at Five Years

Background: Neonatal sepsis has been linked to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Previous studies examined this association, but did not include term infants, extend beyond two years, delve into specific types of developmental delay, or explore the role of suspected sepsis on developmental delay. Objective: We sought to evaluate the impact of both known and suspected neonatal …
Efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction in emerging adults with poorly controlled, type 1 diabetes: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background/objective The negative effects of stress on persons with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are well-established, but effective interventions to reduce stress among emerging adults with T1D are limited. The study objective was to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to obtain preliminary data on the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to reduce stress and improve diabetes health outcomes in a population of high-risk, urban emerging adults with poorly controlled diabetes. Methods Forty-eight participants aged 16 to 20 years of age with T1D (mean duration = 8 years) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: MSBR, cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM), or a diabetes support group. Data were collected at baseline, end of treatment, and 3 months after treatment completion. Measures of self-reported stress and depressive symptoms, diabetes management, and glycemic control were obtained. Results MBSR was found to reduce self-reported stress at end of treatment (P = 0.03, d = -0.49) and 3-month follow-up (P = 0.01, d = -0.67), but no effects on diabetes management or glycemic control were found. Diabetes support group participants had improved glycemic control at the end of treatment (P = 0.01, d = -0.62) as well as reduced depressive symptoms at 3-month follow-up (P = 0.01, d = -0.71). Conclusions Results provide preliminary support for the efficacy of MBSR to improve psychosocial adjustment in emerging adults with poorly controlled T1D but require replication in adequately powered studies. Findings also support the value of peer support in improving health outcomes in this age group.
Notes for a Substantive Theory of Rural Planning: Evidence from the US Experience

Rural areas are the locus of many pressing planning issues, pointing to the need for and possibility of a substantive theory of rural planning. In this article we develop a framework for such a the...
The effectiveness of credibility indicator interventions in a partisan context

Audiences, who cannot investigate the credibility of most news stories for themselves, rely on noncontent heuristic cues to form credibility judgments. For most media, these heuristics were stable ...
Statistical evaluation of spectral methods for anomaly detection in static networks

The topic of anomaly detection in networks has attracted a lot of attention in recent years, especially with the rise of connected devices and social networks. Anomaly detection spans a wide range of applications, from detecting terrorist cells in counter-terrorism efforts to identifying unexpected mutations during ribonucleic acid transcription. Fittingly, numerous algorithmic techniques for anomaly detection have been introduced. However, to date, little work has been done to evaluate these algorithms from a statistical perspective. This work is aimed at addressing this gap in the literature by carrying out statistical evaluation of a suite of popular spectral methods for anomaly detection in networks. Our investigation on the statistical properties of these algorithms reveals several important and critical shortcomings that we make methodological improvements to address. Further, we carry out a performance evaluation of these algorithms using simulated networks and extend the methods from binary to count networks.
G339(P) An evaluation of primary care streaming in a tertiary paediatric emergency department

Background Over the last 5 years, attendances at major emergency departments (ED) have increased by 3000 patients per day. Primary care streaming has the potential to mitigate this increased demand. However, while one UK study in a tertiary paediatric ED found that a co-located General Practitioner (GP) significantly reduced waiting times and admissions, a Cochrane review has concluded there is a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of primary care services in ED. Aim To evaluate the impact of primary care streaming on the paediatric ED service for patients presenting with non-urgent medical problems. Method This service evaluation was conducted from January – December 2018 in a tertiary paediatric ED. At triage, patients who met specified criteria were assigned to the ‘primary care’ category. The evaluation compared patients seen by a co-located GP during term time, between 1800–2300 on weekdays and 1100–2000 on weekends, with patients seen by ED staff presenting at other times, or when the GP service was full/unstaffed. Data was collected from ED and GP electronic systems and analysed using Excel. The main outcome measures were patient numbers, length of stay (LOS), admission rates, unplanned ED re-attendances, number of investigations and prescriptions. Results Interim results show that, from January – June 2018, 3646 primary care patients attended the ED. 38.2% attended during primary care streaming hours, of which, 30% saw a GP. The difference in median LOS was 45 min (ED 108.25 vs. GP 63.5). The GP investigated 5.4% (ED 7.6% vs GP 7.2%) and prescribed for 1.7% (ED 34.9% vs GP 34.3%) fewer patients than ED staff. Admission rates were similar in both groups (ED 3.15% vs GP 3.5%). There was a 31.7% reduction in the re-attendance rate for patients seen by the GP (ED 9.7% vs GP 7.1%). Conclusion For patients with non-urgent medical problems, primary care streaming significantly reduces length of ED stay without an increased admission rate. Additionally, is a trend towards a reduced re-attendance rate suggesting that the primary care streaming model implemented is safe and effective.
Geriatric hearing loss. Understanding the causes and providing appropriate treatment.

Geriatric hearing loss may be caused by a variety of problems, some of which are amenable to treatment. Presbycusis may be the most common cause of diminished hearing in the older population, but it should not be diagnosed until other potential causes of hearing loss have been ruled out. In this article, we discuss the most common etiologies of geriatric hearing loss, suggest treatments for some types, and provide an overview of assistive devices that can be used to improve hearing.
Conformational Changes Upon Gating of KirBac1.1 Into an Open-Activated State Revealed by Solid-State NMR and Functional Assays

The conformational changes required for activation and K+ conduction in inward-rectifier K+ (Kir) channels are still debated. These structural changes are brought about by lipid binding. It is unclear how this process relates to fast gating or if the intracellular and extracellular regions of the protein are coupled. Here, we examine the structural details of KirBac1.1 reconstituted into both POPC and an activating lipid mixture of 3:2 POPC:POPG (wt/wt). KirBac1.1 is a prokaryotic Kir channel that shares homology with human Kir channels. We establish that KirBac1.1 is in a constitutively active state in POPC:POPG bilayers through the use of real-time fluorescence quenching assays and Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) distance measurements. Multidimensional solid-state NMR (SSNMR) spectroscopy experiments reveal two different conformers within the transmembrane regions of the protein in this activating lipid environment, which are distinct from the conformation of the channel in POPC bilayers. The differences between these three distinct channel states highlight conformational changes associated with an open activation gate and suggest a unique allosteric pathway that ties the selectivity filter to the activation gate through interactions between both transmembrane helices, the turret, selectivity filter loop, and the pore helix. We also identify specific residues involved in this conformational exchange that are highly conserved among human Kir channels.
Athlete off-field misconduct, sponsor reputation risk, and stock returns

Research Question: Does athlete off-field misconduct affect the stock price of sponsors of the athlete's team, stadium and league? No research on the impact of athlete off-field misconduct on indir...
Eco-Driving System for Connected Automated Vehicles: Multi-Objective Trajectory Optimization

This study aims to leverage the advances of connected automated vehicle (CAV) technology to design an eco-driving and platooning system that can improve both fuel and operational efficiency of vehicles on the freeways. The proposed algorithm optimizes CAVs' trajectories with three objectives, including travel time minimization, fuel consumption minimization, and traffic safety improvement, following a two-stage control logic. The first stage, designed for CAV trajectory planning, is carried out with two optimization models. The first model functions to predict the freeway traffic states in the near future and accordingly optimize CAVs' desired speed profile to minimize total freeway travel time. Notably, the interactions between CAVs and human-driven vehicles (HVs) are described in the embedded traffic flow model and the optimization can fully account for CAVs' impact to HVs' speeds. Then grounded on the obtained speed profile, the second eco-driving model would further update it so as to platoon CAVs and minimize their fuel consumption. The second stage, for real-time control purpose, is developed to ensure the operational safety of CAVs. Particularly, based on the speed profile from the first stage, real-time adaptions would be placed on CAVs to dynamically adjust speeds, in response to local driving conditions. To evaluate the proposed algorithms, this study selects a freeway segment of I-15 in Salt Lake City as the study site. The extensive numerical simulation results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed framework in both mitigating freeway congestion and reducing vehicles' fuel consumption.
Abstract 16543: Severe Thrombocytopenia is Common in Adults Undergoing Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and is Predictive of Hemorrhage

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to provide circulatory support and facilitate gas exchange via cardiopulmonary bypass. The relationship between ECMO and the inciden...
Pax2a, but not pax2b, influences cell survival and periocular mesenchyme localization to facilitate zebrafish optic fissure closure.

BACKGROUND Pax2 is required for optic fissure development in many organisms, including humans and zebrafish. Zebrafish loss-of-function mutations in pax2a display coloboma, yet the etiology of the morphogenetic defects is unclear. Further, pax2 is duplicated in zebrafish, and a role for pax2b in optic fissure development has not been examined. RESULTS Using a combination of imaging and molecular genetics, we interrogated a potential role for pax2b and examined how loss of pax2 affects optic fissure development. Although optic fissure formation appears normal in pax2 mutants, an endothelial-specific subset of periocular mesenchyme (POM) fails to initially localize within the optic fissure, yet both neural crest and endothelial-derived POM ectopically accumulate at later stages in pax2a and pax2a; pax2b mutants. Apoptosis is not up-regulated within the optic fissure in pax2 mutants, yet cell death is increased in tissues outside of the optic fissure, and when apoptosis is inhibited, coloboma is partially rescued. In contrast to pax2a, loss of pax2b does not appear to affect optic fissure morphogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that pax2a, but not pax2b, supports cell survival outside of the optic fissure and POM abundance within it to facilitate optic fissure closure.
See one, do one, teach one: Reimagining reproductive endocrinology and infertility training programs to expand access to care

Abstract: Objective To provide a review of the current literature surrounding barriers to reproductive medicine and present examples of how resident and fellow education can be used to overcome these barriers. Design A review of relevant literature addressing barriers to reproductive medicine, resident and fellow education, and related materials was completed. Setting Academic medical institutions Patients None Interventions None Main outcome measures Health disparities and barriers in access to care Results Of barriers in access to care, three here are reviewed in detail: cost of healthcare, racial inequities, and marginalization of immigrant communities. Suggested strategies to mitigate these barriers include: reducing racial inequities through improved diversity within reproductive medicine and resident and fellow anti-racism training, opportunities for trainees to engage in advocacy, strengthening REI clinical exposure and educational curriculums in training programs, inclusion of residents and fellows in clinical care, and improving the accessibility of fertility care through implementing approaches to optimize the management of infertility in challenging resource-constrained settings. Conclusions Infertility is one of the most prevalent reproductive health diseases, yet profound disparities and inequities in access to care exist today in the United States. Lower income, minority and immigrant communities are among those most marginalized. Improved access to care begins with broadened OB/GYN and REI trainee education which acknowledges the barriers these communities face and provides strategies to help overcome these obstacles to care.