cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SPREAD, a crowd sensing incentive mechanism to acquire better representative samples

Crowd sensing is an approach to collect many samples of a phenomena of interest by distributing the sampling across a large number of individuals. While any one individual may not provide sufficient samples, aggregating samples across many individuals may provide high-quality and high-coverage measurements of a phenomena. In this work, we propose an incentive assignment mechanism for crowd sensing variable phenomena (e.g., temperature) that balances the goal of maximizing coverage of the area of interest, while at the same time staying within a budget constraint. This algorithm not only takes into account the area covered by the participants' sensors, but also the spread of these sensors through a target area. This characteristic enables more representative sampling than existing methods, assuming the same budget. Compared to existing methods, this algorithm improves the spread of the set of acquired samples by more than 56 % percent, without sacrificing the number of samples purchased from human sensors.
Dual-plane breast augmentation for minimal ptosis pseudoptosis (the "in-between" patient).

Background: Dual-plane breast augmentation (DPBA) can be an effective technique for treating patients with ptotic breasts who fall somewhere in between the traditional requirements for breast augmentation versus a more extensive augmentation-mastopexy. Objectives: The author outlines indications for DPBA, describes the technique, and presents outcomes data from patients receiving gel or saline implants in an effort to clarify the advantages of DPBA compared with breast augmentation with or without mastopexy. Methods: This 8-year retrospective comparative study reviewed the results of saline implants placed with a DPBA technique in a single surgeon's practice during the final 4 years of the FDA moratorium (phase 1) compared with both gel and saline implants placed during the 4 years after the moratorium was lifted (phase 2). Patients were consecutive. The entire patient cohort (n = 1999 for primary BA; 3998 implants) was assessed for outcomes. Results: Of the entire cohort, 24.2% were followed for over 1 year; 23.5% of the 256 DPBA patients were followed for over 1 year. Mean (SD) age was 33.6 (8.7) years. The difference in revision rates between BA versus DPBA was 4.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7–8.5). Conclusions: The DPBA approach is most likely suited for patients with minimal ptosis who fall into a “gray area” between normal anatomy (treated with a traditional BA) and frank ptosis (which would require mastopexy). Knowledge of this approach will allow surgeons to more effectively treat patients who present with unique “in-between” anatomy not addressed by ordinary BA and avoid more extensive mastopexy scars. Level of Evidence: 3 ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
The Relation of Hypertension to Changes in ADL/IADL Limitations of Mexican American Older Adults

Hypertension, highly prevalent and often undiagnosed among older Mexican Americans, is associated with greater limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) that can lead to greater dependency for older adults. Using data from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly study, the rate of increase in ADL/IADL limitations for a 7-year period was examined for 3,046 older Mexican Americans classified either as reporting hypertension at baseline, first reporting hypertension at subsequent waves, or never reporting hypertension. Latent growth models indicated increased ADL/IADL limitations over time; individuals with hypertension evidenced greater increases than those without hypertension. Age, comorbidities, and depression were positively related to greater ADL/IADL limitations at baseline for all groups; only age was consistently related to ADL/IADL change over time. Development of hypertension may increase the risk of ADL/IADL decline, but early diagnosis and treatment may attenuate this effect.
Rapid resolution of macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion using ranibizumab after failure with multiple bevacizumab injections.

Purpose: To report improvement in cystoid macular edema from central retinal vein occlusion with one injection of ranibizumab after failure with seven injections of bevacizumab.Methods: Case report.Results: A 74-year-old female developed persistent blurred vision for three months. Ocular examination revealed macular edema secondary to nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion. The patient was treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg in 0.05 mL). She received seven injections (every 5–6 weeks). Vision fluctuated between 20/30 and 20/60 with minimal variation in central foveal thickness (449-574 μm). However, weeks after one injection of ranibizumab the patient’s vision improved to 20/20 with near resolution of macular edema (CFT = 343 μm).Conclusions: Patients with no response to bevacizumab injections can show a rapid and large improvement with ranibizumab. This underscores the important differences between these two medications. Further study is required to determine if these initial effects of ra...
Pore Size Distributions in Clays

Abstraet-A knowledge of the distribution of pore sizes in clay and soil bodies is a useful element in the microstructural characterization of such materials. Pore-size distributions and total porosity of a number of reference clays, naturally-occurring subsoils, and commercial clay samples prepared in various ways were determined by mercury porosimetry. The range of equivalent pore diameter explored covered almost five orders of magnitude, from several hundred microns down to approximately 150A. The method and its assumptions are critically evaluated, and measurements of the contact angle of mercury on clays yield values of 139 ~ for montmorillonite and 147 ~ for kaolinite and illite clays. The extent of shrinkage on oven-drying prior to mercury intrusion is assessed in each case and found to vary from insignificant to as much as 30 per cent of the pore space, depending on microstructural state and degree of initial saturation. The development of techniques for water removal which do not involve change in pore structure is explored. Some preliminary results for structurally weak saturated clays suggest that critical-region drying and perhaps freeze-drying procedures may be practical.
Focal expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor and smooth muscle cell proliferation in the neointima of experimental vein grafts: relation to eddy blood flow.

Abstract —Eddy flow has been shown to promote focal smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and neointimal formation in experimental vein grafts. This study focuses on whether the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor mediates these events. Experimental vein grafts with and without eddy flow were created in the rat. Losartan was used to assess the influence of the AT1 receptor on SMC proliferation. In vein grafts with eddy flow, apparent focal expression of AT1 mRNA and protein was found in the leading region of the proximal focal neointima, where eddy flow occurred, but not in the trailing region, where eddy flow diminished, at days 5, 10, 20, and 30. The rate of SMC proliferation in the leading region (10.9±1.4%, 19.5±2.2%, 12.2±2.0%, and 6.9±1.3% at these times, respectively) was significantly higher than that in the trailing region (9.5±1.8%, 15.3±2.0%, 8.2±1.9%, and 3.2±0.7%) in these vein grafts. When eddy flow was prevented in engineered vein grafts, no apparent location difference was found in the distribution of AT1 receptor mRNA and protein in the neointima, and the rate of SMC proliferation (5.3±1.0%, 5.8±0.9%, 3.4±1.0%, and 3.7±0.9% at days 5, 10, 20, and 30, respectively) was reduced significantly. In vein grafts with losartan, the rate of SMC proliferation in the leading region of the neointima (9.4±1.8%, 10.1±1.3%, 8.3±0.9%, and 4.2±0.5% at days 5, 10, 20, and 30, respectively) was significantly lower than that in vein grafts without losartan. These results suggested that eddy flow upregulated the AT1 receptor, which in turn mediated focal SMC proliferation in the neointima of experimental vein grafts.
Program Chair's message

The following topics are dealt with: performance analysis of systems and software; benchmarking and workload characterization; simulation; architecture and performance evaluation; memory and caches; Java; and power estimation and reduction.
Investigation of directive antennas in a metal cut-wire array

Radiowave propagation in a forest experiences much higher loss than in an open field [1]. For ground sensors deployed in such environments, the use of directive antennas can be one possible means of overcoming the high path loss. Design of highly directive antenna in a complex environment like the forest, however, is much more challenging than in free space, as the existence of trees can affect the antenna radiation characteristics. The effects of the forest environment on the performance of antennas have been explored at HF/VHF frequencies [2, 3]. It was found that the antenna input impedance, gain and radiation pattern are all affected by nearby trees.
Magnetic ordering in (La, Gd) Al2 alloys

Abstract The detailed dependence of the magnetic ordering temperature θ on Gd concentration n below ∼ 15 at.% Gd substitution for La is reported for the system ( La Gd) Al2. In this concentration range, the θ vs.n curve lies markedly below the extrapolation of the linear behavior previously observed for concentrations ⪆ 20 at.% Gd, and apparantely goes to zero at a finite concentration. The effective moment of Gd is enhanced by 1 μB over the free ion value.
Association of Functional and Health Status Measures in Heart Failure

Background: A wide variety of instruments have been used to assess the functional capabilities and health status of patients with chronic heart failure (I-F), but it is not known how well these tests are correlated with one another, nor which one has the best association with measured exercise capacity. Methods and Results: Forty-one patients with HF were assessed with commonly used functional, health status, and quality of life measures, including maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing, the Duke Activ- ity Status Index (DASI), the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ), the Kansas City Cardio- myopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), and 6-minute walk distance. Pretest clinical variables, including age, resting pulmonary function tests (forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity), and ejection fraction (EF) were also considered. The association between performance on these functional tools, clin- ical variables, and exercise test responses including peak V02 and the V02 at the ventilatory threshold, was determined. Peak oxygen uptake (VOz) was significantly related to V02 at the ventilatory threshold (r = 0.76, P < .001) and estimated METs from treadmill speed and grade (r = 0.72, P < .001), but had only a modest association with 6-minute walk performance (r = 0.49, P < .01). The functional question- naires had modest associations with peak VO2 (r = 0.37, P < .05 and r = 0.26, NS for the VSAQ and DASI, respectively). Of the components of the KCCQ, peak V02 was significantly related only to quality of life score (r = 0.46, P < .05). Six-minute walk performance was significantly related to KCCQ physical limitation (r = 0.53, P < .01) and clinical summary (r = 0.44, P < .05) scores. Among pretest variables, only age and EF were significantly related to peak V02 (r = -0.58, and 0.46, respectively, P < .01). Multivariately, age and KCCQ quality of life score were the only significant predictors of peak VOz, accounting for 72% of the variance in peak VOz. Conclusion: Commonly used functional measures, symptom tools, and quality of life assessments for pa- tients with HF are poorly correlated with one another and are only modestly associated with exercise test responses. These findings suggest that exercise test responses, non-exercise test estimates of physical func- tion, and quality of life indices reflect different facets of health status in HF and one should not be considered a surrogate for another.
Newly Recognized Causes of Acute Lung Injury: Transfusion of Blood Products, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and Avian Influenza

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is a clinical syndrome that has an ever-growing list of potential causes. The transfusion of blood products is often a life-saving therapy, but it can be associated with the development of ALI/ARDS. Transfusion-related ALI is now the leading cause of transfusion-associated fatalities in the United States. Two infectious causes of ALI/ARDS, severe acute respiratory syndrome and H5N1 influenza, have recently emerged and have the potential for pandemic spread. This article discusses the clinical importance, pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and prevention of these newly recognized causes of respiratory failure.
A layered design of discretionary access controls with decidable safety properties

An access control design can be viewed as a three layered entity: the general access control model; the parameterization of the access control model; and the initial users and objects of the system before it goes live. The design of this three-tiered mechanism can be evaluated according to two broad measures, the expressiveness versus the complexity of the system. In particular, the question arises: What security properties can be expressed and verified? We present a general access control model which can be parameterized at the second layer to implement (express) any of the standard Discretionary Access Control (DAC) models. We show that the safety problem is decidable for any access control model implemented using our general access control model. Until now, all general access control models that were known to be sufficiently expressive to implement the full range of DAC models had an undecidable safety problem. Thus, given our model all of the standard DAC models (plus many others) can be implemented in a system in which their safety properties are decidable.
Mycobacterial antigens exacerbate disease manifestations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected mice

To control tuberculosis worldwide, the burden of adult pulmonary disease must be reduced. Although widely used, Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination given at birth does not protect against adult pulmonary disease. Therefore, postexposure vaccination of adults with mycobacterial antigens is being considered. We examined the effect of various mycobacterial antigens on mice with prior M. tuberculosis infection. Subcutaneous administration of live or heat-treated BCG with or without lipid adjuvants to infected mice induced increased antigen-specific T-cell proliferation but did not reduce the bacterial load in the lungs and caused larger lung granulomas. Similarly, additional mycobacterial antigen delivered directly to the lungs by aerosol infection with viable M. tuberculosis mixed with heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (1:1) also did not reduce the bacillary load but caused increased expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), which was associated with larger granulomas in the lungs. When M. tuberculosis-infected mice were treated with recombinant BCG that secreted cytokines shown to reduce disease in a preinfection vaccine model, the BCG secreting TNF-α, and to a lesser extent, IL-2 and gamma interferon (IFN-γ), caused a significant increase in granuloma size in the lungs. Moreover, treatment of M. tuberculosis-infected mice with recombinant murine TNF-α resulted in increased inflammation in the lungs and accelerated mortality without affecting the bacillary load. Taken together, these studies suggest that administration of mycobacterial antigens to mice with prior M. tuberculosis infection leads to immune activation that may exacerbate lung pathology via TNF-α-induced inflammation without reducing the bacillary load.
African swine fever virus replication in the midgut epithelium is required for infection of Ornithodoros ticks.

Although the Malawi Lil20/1 (MAL) strain of African swine fever virus (ASFV) was isolated from Ornithodoros sp. ticks, our attempts to experimentally infect ticks by feeding them this strain failed. Ten different collections of Ornithodorus porcinus porcinus ticks and one collection of O. porcinus domesticus ticks were orally exposed to a high titer of MAL. At 3 weeks postinoculation (p.i.), 90% of the ticks by 5 weeks p.i. To further study the growth defect, O. porcinus porcinus ticks were orally exposed to MAL and assayed at regular intervals p.i. Whole-tick viral titers dramatically declined (>1,000-fold) between 2 and 6 days p.i., and by 18 days p.i., viral titers were below the detection limit. In contrast, viral titers of ticks orally exposed to a tick-competent ASFV isolate, Pretoriuskop/96/4/1 (Pr4), increased 10-fold by 10 days p.i. and 50-fold by 14 days p.i. Early viral gene expression, but not extensive late gene expression or viral DNA synthesis, was detected in the midguts of ticks orally exposed to MAL. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that progeny virus was rarely present in ticks orally exposed to MAL and, when present, was associated with extensive cytopathology of phagocytic midgut epithelial cells. To determine if viral replication was restricted only in the midgut epithelium, parenteral inoculations into the hemocoel were performed. With inoculation by this route, a persistent infection was established although a delay in generalization of MAL was detected and viral titers in most tissues were typically 10- to 1,000-fold lower than those of ticks injected with Pr4. MAL was detected in both the salivary secretion and coxal fluid following feeding but less frequently and at a lower titer compared to Pr4. Transovarial transmission of MAL was not detected after two gonotrophic cycles. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that, when injected, MAL replicated in a number of cell types but failed to replicate in midgut epithelial cells. In contrast, ticks injected with Pr4 had replicating virus in midgut epithelial cells. Together, these results indicate that MAL replication is restricted in midgut epithelial cells. This finding demonstrates the importance of viral replication in the midgut for successful ASFV infection of the arthropod host.
Limiter discriminator-detected GMSK with FM and GMSK interference in a land mobile channel

This paper addresses Gaussian minimum-shift keyed (GMSK) receiver performance analysis for limiter discriminator detection with cochannel interference resulting from a combined cellular voice and packet radio network. A specific example is cellular digital packet data (CDPD), which shares spectrum with cellular voice users; thus, the CDPD receiver will see both narrow-band frequency modulation (NBFM) voice and GMSK data interference. Previous studies investigated the performance of a GMSK receiver with a single GMSK interferer and multipath delay. In this paper, we extend earlier work to multiple Rayleigh fading (Doppler spread) interferers having NBFM (f/sub dm/=12 kHz) analog modulation and/or GMSK modulation. Probability of bit-error expressions are derived for the frequency modulation (FM) and GMSK interferer cases assuming medium-to-high signal-to-noise ratio regions. For scenarios of from one to six NBFM interferers, having the same total power, a corresponding Gaussian approximation is within 1.5 dB. Simulation results are also presented for various combinations of FM and GMSK interference. FM interference is only slightly worse than GMSK interference. Delay spread representing an urban scenario resulted in only a slight increase in the error floor.
Eye injury risk from water stream impact: biomechanically based design parameters for water toy and park design.

Purpose: Interactive water displays are becoming increasingly popular and can result in direct eye contact. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate eye injury risk from high speed water stream impacts and to provide biomechanically based design parameters for water toys and water park fountains.Methods: An experimental matrix of 38 tests was developed to impact eight porcine eyes with water streams using a customized pressure system. Two stream diameters (3.2 mm and 6.4 mm) were tested at water velocities between 3.0 m/s and 8.5 m/s. Intraocular pressure was measured with a small pressure sensor inserted through the optic nerve and used to determine the injury risk for hyphema, lens dislocation, retinal damage, and globe rupture for each impact.Results: Experimental water stream impacts created a range of intraocular pressures between 3156 mmHg and 7006 mmHg (61 psi to 135 psi). Injury risk varied between 4.4%–27.8% for hyphema, 0.0%–3.0% for lens dislocation, and 0.1%–3.3% for retinal dama...
Echoes of Beauty: In Memory of Pleshette DeArmitt

There is a special poignancy to the fact that Pleshette DeArmitt's essay "Sarah Kofman's Art of Affirmation" foregrounds Freud's essay "On Transience," in which he muses on the fact that beauty seems to be inextricably linked to a fleeting existence. As DeArmitt writes, "beauty, even in full flowering, foreshadows its own demise, causing what Freud describes as 'a foretaste of mourning.'" Such a transience, in Freud's mind, increases rather than decreases the worth of all that is beautiful. In her essay, DeArmitt argues that Kofman's 1985 text Melancolie de l'Art reinscribes Freud's text, but brings it into the present by pointing to contemporary art as the occasion for the opening up of a new space, one capable of "dislocat[ing] the space of representation and meaning" and "invent[ing] a space of indetermination and play.” Through dislocation of a fixed reference or meaning and opening up a place for indeterminacy and play, contemporary art acknowledges and celebrates, rather than regrets, the transience of beauty.
Preventing capture through consumer empowerment programs: Some evidence from insurance regulation

This Chapter in Preventing Capture: Special Interest Influence in Regulation and How to Limit It, examines the extent to which consumer empowerment programs can counteract industry influence over insurance regulation. Consumer empowerment programs come in two basic varieties. Proxy advocacy creates independent government entities that are tasked with representing consumer interests in regulatory processes, while tripartism empowers independent public interest groups to influence regulation. Focusing on three short case studies, the Chapter offers several preliminary thoughts regarding the optimal deployment and design of these programs in insurance regulation. First, it suggests that proxy advocacy can effectively counteract industry influence where there exists a discernible consumer position, new information is likely to impact regulatory results, and the involvement of non-industry stakeholders is limited. These conditions are met in a broader set of circumstances than the current deployment of proxy advocacy might suggest. Second, it argues that tripartism may be more desirable than proxy advocacy when a clear consumer position is difficult to identify or the threat of political pressure is an important tool to influence results. However, the Chapter cautions that tripartism may be ineffective where there does not exist a sufficient network of public interest groups, which is a substantial risk in regulatory contexts that resemble insurance.
General Laws for Additive Functions. II : Logarithmic Renormalisation

In this chapter we study the limiting behaviour of the frequencies $$v_x (n;f(n) - \alpha (x) \leqslant z\beta (x))$$ for an additive function f(n) when the renormalising function is allowed to be as large as a fixed power of a logarithm. The results which we obtain are not as complete as those of Chapter 16.
Management Information Systems: Expanding the Role and Authority of Public Sector Managers

Contemporary public sector managers increasingly have the responsibility of acquiring, organizing and managing critical and sensitive information. The data is used by managers to make decisions which support the organizations mission and help achieve its stated goals and objectives. As public sector managers assume a greater role in collecting, managing and organizing data they increasingly take on the responsibilities of management information systems (MIS) administrator. Today, public sector organizations expect managers to be able to effectively manage information systems and this requires a particular set of skills. It also significantly expands the role of the contemporary public sector manager. This article examines the appropriate role of public sector managers with regards to managing information systems. This article also examines the impact this expanded role assumed by public sector managers has on efficiency, effectiveness and productivity in public sector organizations.
Antibiotic Studies on Beta Hemolytic Streptococci.V. Streptomycin Resistance Acquired by Group A, B, and C Organisms.

Summary1. Twenty-three strains of beta hemolytic streptococci of groups A, B, and C were sub cultured serially on media containing streptomycin in an effort to induce resistance. The minimum increase in resistance after 40 transfers was 40-fold and the maximum 3000-fold. Most organisms, however, of all 3 groups showed increases of 100- to 400-fold.2. The streptomycin sensitivity range for recently isolated strains of beta hemolytic streptococci is 10 to 50 μg/ml for 275 strains of group A, 30 to 400 μg/ml for 20 strains of group B, and 10 to 50 μg/ml for 47 strains of group C organisms.3. Organisms which had acquired streptomycin resistance maintained it throughout subcultivations on blood agar medium.4. Partial loss of resistance was observed in 5 of 6 strains on serial passages through mice.5. Mouse virulence was decreased in 8 of 9 resistant organisms studied. Virulence was partially restored by passage through mice.6. Group specificity was maintained by all resistant organisms.7. Reduction in streptok...
Dual-Polarization Radar Characteristics of Wind Turbines With Ground Clutter and Precipitation

The demand for renewable power production has fostered an exponential increase in the size and number of wind turbines. This expanding source of power generation is sometimes at odds with maintaining the effective operation of radar systems in air traffic control, defense, weather prediction, and severe-storm-tracking applications. With the recent upgrade of the NEXRAD weather radar system to enable dual-polarization observations, a dual-polarization characterization effort of wind turbines is warranted. Focusing on weather radar applications, a characterization of ground clutter, precipitation, and wind turbines is presented here using a consistent unified treatment. This characterization effort directly compares the dual-polarization radar signatures of these three classes of scatterers. The physical characteristics of wind turbines (particularly their cyclostationary behavior) are exploited to identify unique dual-polarization radar signatures.
Ureteral Stent-Associated Pain: A Review

Abstract Purpose: Ureteral stent-related pain is a well-known side effect of stent placement. To date, there is a paucity of resources that address this topic. Herein, we present theories on stent pain pathophysiology, summarize available pain outcome data for different stent designs, and provide an overview of the management of stent pain, including preplacement modifiers, medical management, and other considerations. Materials and Methods: This narrative review focused primarily on articles indexed in the PubMed®, Google Scholar™, and EMBASE databases. No formal search strategy was used and no meta-analysis of data was performed. Results: Stent pain pathophysiology is multifactorial and likely a result of mucosal irritation along with retrograde reflux of urine. While there is a consensus on the lack of association between stent length, diameter, and stent-related flank pain, stents should be properly sized so as to prevent dislodgement. Insufficient data exist comparing stent materials and durometry. M...
Teachers as Creative Designers in Transnationalism

The current goals of the standards-based reform environment can be limiting to teachers’ freedom and creativity. This occurs at a time when immigrant diversity transforms U.S. cities and innovative...
Dynamic evaluation of the equine upper respiratory tract.

The absolute documentation of the contribution of upper respiratory dysfunction to performance inadequacy in each individual horse requires observation of the upper respiratory tract during strenuous exercise. High-speed treadmills and fiberoptic or video endoscopy allows this examination to be a routine part of the performance evaluation of the equine athlete. This diagnostic technique is described, and several of the more frequently observed dysfunctions are discussed.
Cytological Atypia in the Prostate Gland: Frequency, Distribution and Possible Relevance to Carcinoma

AbstractFrequency and distribution of atypical prostatic hyperplasia were assessed in 51 total prostatectomy specimens for cancer and the data were compared to similar data obtained from analysis of 51 autopsy specimens. Enlargement of columnar cell nuclei in conjunction with preservation of basal cells was chosen as the only criterion for atypia. Depending on the degree of nuclear enlargement, atypia was divided into mild and severe degrees. The evaluation of nuclear atypia was applied to areas of carcinoma as well as to atypical prostatic hyperplasia. There were 3 major findings. 1) Atypical prostatic hyperplasia was found more frequently in prostatectomy specimens (48 of 51 cases) than in autopsy specimens (14 of 37 cases after exclusion of cancer-associated cases) and the difference was significant (p less than 0.001). In addition, atypical prostatic hyperplasia found in prostatectomy specimens was more frequently of severe degree than that in the autopsy specimens (42 of 48 versus 3 of 14 cases, p le...
High-Speed Scanning Probes for Internal and External Cavity Biomedical Optics

Novel miniaturized and hand-held optical scanning fiber-optic probes are introduced for internal and external cavity optical sensing, respectively. These probes can rapidly acquire sample data such as blood flow rates via Doppler and reflectance over a spatial domain of interest. These scanning probes are based on a wavelength multiplexing technique that offers simple control via wavelength tuning. A unique optical amplifier-variable optical attenuator combination enables the calibration of the scanning probe power response. These non-coherent miniaturized fiber-optic probes function as a precision optical knife to remove fat in blood vessels or to make intra-cavity incisions with pinpoint accuracy. System issues such as probe beam angular scan, scan distance, and insertion loss have been addressed.
3D crack-like damage imaging using a novel inverse heat conduction framework

Abstract A new inverse heat conduction (IHC) framework for 3D crack-like damage imaging reconstruction is proposed in this paper. First, the basic idea to use the IHC for 3D damage imaging is discussed and formulated. The proposed IHC includes three major components: forward thermal analysis solver, adjoint method for efficient sensitivity analysis, and conjugate gradient method with constraints for optimal inverse solutions. Following this, the proposed IHC framework is applied to a simple one dimensional problem to illustrate the key steps. Next, two application examples (one for isotropic and homogeneous material and one for anisotropic and heterogeneous material) in 3D are investigated. Special focuses on the detectability, convergence, and robustness are discussed in detail. Finally, several conclusions and future work are drawn based on the proposed study and numerical results.
TAVR with CoreValve via Transfemoral Approach

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the treatment of choice for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who are not candidates or at high risk for aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery. The CoreValve has been extensively used worldwide and has recently been approved by the FDA for commercial use in the USA. The CoreValve is a transcatheter valve composed of porcine pericardial leaflets mounted on a self-expanding nitinol stent. The CoreValve comes in four sizes (23, 26, 29, and 31 mm) accommodating aortic annulus with mean diameters from 18 mm to 29 mm. Transfemoral is the most common delivery route for the CoreValve, and it is associated with the best outcomes. In this chapter, we describe the CoreValve and its delivery system. We provide a detailed description of the preprocedure evaluation of the aortic root, aorta, and iliofemoral arteries by multidetector computed tomography and of the anatomic criteria essential for prosthesis size and access selection. This chapter also provides a step by step description of the CoreValve deployment process with hints to avoid common problems and a review of the outcomes of the US CoreValve Pivotal trial.
Modeling Potential Consequences of Connected and Automated Vehicle to Future Travel Behaviors and Patterns Changes: A Fuzzy Cognitive Map Approach

The authors examined changes that are likely to affect transportation behaviors in the future, developed a “fuzzy cognitive map” (FCM) of the relationships, and used the FCM model to investigate the effects of those relationships. This new FCM method enables modeling the potential consequences of new technologies and services using a variant of the fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) approach, which enables problems involving imprecise and uncertain information to be modeled. Significant modifications to the standard FCM approach were made to address deficiencies found in applying the standard approach. The new approach retains some basic FCM characteristics, but it deviates substantially in a number of ways as well. It has been found that this produces well-behaved models that can be explained in common-sense terms, be easily configured, run many scenarios quickly, and used to analyze scenarios of disruptive change. The results of the study show that FCM models offer a promising method for transportation planners to enhance their ability to reason about system effects when quantitative information is limited and uncertain. More specifically, the results provide some initial guidance on the potential impacts of disruptive changes on future travel, which may help in targeting limited research funds on the most consequential potential changes.
The future of bionic dynamos

Millions of lives rely on implantable medical devices. At present, the power sources (typically batteries) for such devices are rigid and bulky and must be changed frequently. Users are often forced to undergo a surgical procedure each time the battery needs to be changed, which are accompanied by health risks and high costs.
Centella asiatica, an Ayurvedic Medicinal Plant, Prevents the Major Neurodegenerative and Neurotoxic Mechanisms Associated with Cognitive Impairment

Ayurveda is one of the ancient traditional healthcare systems that originated in India. A number of herbal-based medicinal preparations have been used for the treatment of health disorders associated with the nervous system. According to Alzheimer’s disease Facts and Figures, millions of people around the world are suffering with cognitive impairment. Cognitive ailments and diseases are a group of disorders associated with mental health. The cognitive disorders mainly comprise of acute and chronic or reversible or irreversible conditions such as amnesia, delirium, and various types of dementia. These disorders primarily cause deficits in cognitive tasks associated with awareness, insight, knowledge, memory, and problem-solving skills. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that occurs due to excessive protein deposition inside and outside the neuron, oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and excitotoxicity. These neurotoxic mechanisms cause synaptic disturbance, alteration of neurotransmission leading to neurodegeneration. Centella asiatica is a well-known medicinal herb used in Ayurveda to improve cognitive functions since ancient times. In this article, we review the therapeutic potential of Centella asiatica in relation to its neuroprotective properties.
Data envelopment analysis models for probabilistic classification

Abstract We propose and test three different probabilistic classification techniques using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The first two techniques assume parametric exponential and half-normal inefficiency probability distributions. The third technique uses a hybrid DEA and probabilistic neural network approach. We test the proposed methods using simulated and real-world datasets. We compare them with cost-sensitive support vector machines and traditional probabilistic classifiers that minimize Bayesian misclassification cost risk. The results of our experiments indicate that the hybrid approach performs as well as or better than other techniques when misclassification costs are asymmetric. The performance of exponential inefficiency distribution DEA classifiers is similar or better than that of traditional probabilistic neural networks. We illustrate that there are certain classification problems where probabilistic DEA based classifiers may provide superior performance compared to competing classification techniques.
Bone Health in Adolescents with Chronic Disease

Adolescence is a critical window for bone mass accrual during which skeletal mass is expected to double. Chronic disease in adolescence can have wide-ranging consequences for bone health, not only related to the direct effects of the underlying disorder on bone development but also to disease-related comorbidities and treatments that may exert a negative impact on bone. Common risk factors for decreased bone mineral density and fractures in adolescents with chronic disease include sex hormone deficiency, decreased physical activity, impaired linear growth, decreased lean body mass, chronic inflammation, and prolonged use of systemic glucocorticoids. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the pathophysiology, presentation, screening, and management of bone disease in common chronic conditions affecting adolescents including type 1 diabetes mellitus, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, cancer, and hypogonadism. Emerging literature on various other childhood conditions will also be reviewed. Optimal control of bone and mineral homeostasis in adolescents with chronic diseases is essential not only for the promotion of adequate growth but also for the prevention of debilitating skeletal complications. Treatment strategies for poor bone health associated with chronic disease in adolescents include optimizing nutrition, maintaining vitamin and mineral homeostasis, encouraging weight-bearing exercise, minimizing treatment of the underlying disease with glucocorticoids or other bone-impairing medications, and treating the underlying disorder in order to prevent further bone impairment.
Association Among Television and Computer/Video Game Use, Victimization, and Suicide Risk Among U.S. High School Students

With the increasing popularity of mobile Internet devices, the exposure of adolescents to media has significantly increased. There is limited information about associations between the types and frequency of media use and experiences of violence victimization and suicide risk. The current study sought to examine the association of bullying and teen dating violence (TDV) victimization, suicide risk with different types of media use (i.e., television and computer/video game use), and number of total media use hours per school day. Data from the nationally representative 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 15,624) were used to examine the association between media use and violence victimization and suicide risk. Logistic regression models generated prevalence ratios adjusted for demographic characteristics and substance use behaviors to identify significant associations between media use and victimization and suicide risk, stratified by gender. Media use was associated with TDV victimization for male studen...
“My blessed child does not need to know about that!”: How should sexual health educators confront the challenge of religious pluralism in working with individuals who have intellectual disabilities?

Summary In a recent series for National Public Radio in the United States, Joseph Shapiro exposes an undiscussed epidemic of sexual assault among those with intellectual disabilities. U.S. Department of Justice data indicates that people with intellectual disabilities are assaulted over seven times the national average. Although international data is sparse, similar patterns exist in other countries. Shapiro argues that comprehensive sexuality education is key to lowering the incidence of sexual assault among those with intellectual disabilities. However, in my experience as a sexuality educator, guardians and care providers of those with intellectual disabilities sometimes consider these individuals to be “blessed children” – people whose child-like innocence must be protected at all costs. As a result, people with intellectual disabilities are often asexualized. This, taken together with Shapiro's argument, leaves open an important question: how should sexual health educators confront the challenge of religious pluralism in working with individuals who have intellectual disabilities? I argue that sexual health educators should frame this work as a matter of civil rights in order to accommodate religious pluralism. I contend that if guardians and others who care for people with intellectual disabilities are genuinely committed to protecting their civil rights, they should also take an interest in their sexuality education if it is framed as a civil rights issue. Sexual health educators have an obligation to ensure that guardians and others who care for people with intellectual disabilities do not overlook sexuality in providing care or advocating for an individual with an intellectual disability.
Dressings/Wound Care for Laser Treatment

Ablative and non-ablative lasers have different effects on the skin. Various postoperative treatments have been used, e.g., topical agents and/or dressings (open vs closed techniques).Additional research is needed to determine the optimal postoperative care after laser procedures.
Orbital integrals on symmetric spaces

A main step in Harish-Chandra's proof of the Plancherel Formula for semisimple Lie groups is a certain limit formula. This formula can be described as follows. Let G be a semisimple symmetric space. Let J be a Cartan subgroup, and J' the regular elements in J. For j E J' and f E let MfU) =1 f(gjg-l)dg. G/J Here dg is a G invariant measure on G/J. Note, it has to be shown that this integral converges. Note also, in Harish-Chandra's treatment he actually uses a normalized orbital integral
Spreading Chirality Throughout the Galaxy and Throughout the Earth

To what extent would the molecules that have been processed by SNAAP become widely distributed throughout the Galaxy? As we discussed in earlier chapters, the molecules are thought to be created and contained, probably in dust grains, possibly in larger objects such as meteoroids or even comets (which could be agglomerations of grains) in the molecular clouds that pervade the Galaxy. The objects must then come relatively close to a star when it becomes a supernova so that they can be processed by the supernova neutrinos. Would this model predict the creation of a homochiral environment on Earth? Would it create the same chirality in every planetary environment? This chapter revisits amplifi cation in these contexts, and presents an experimental test for the SNAAP model. It also revisits the cometary missions, and predicts the results from them for the SNAAP model and the circularly polarized light model.
Empowering communities through archaeology and heritage: The role of local governance in economic development

In Empowering Communities through Archaeology and Heritage, Peter Gould provides entry to several increasingly important conversations, all of which should be of interest to students aspiring to a ...
Predicting Postsecondary Attendance by Income in the American States Using Multilevel Regression with Poststratification

In this paper we introduce a novel technique to estimate postsecondary attendance rates by income in 50 states and the District of Columbia. We use parameter estimates based on the federally administered Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 combined with known characteristics of state populations from the American Community Survey in order to estimate postsecondary attendance rates by income in each of the states. Our application of Bayesian techniques for estimation and inference allow us to make appropriate statements of uncertainty regarding our estimates, including the probability that low-income young people will attend higher education in a given state. We find substantial variation in the postsecondary attendance rates of low-income young people, ranging from 34 percent in some states to over 54 percent in others. Our results also provide evidence that the within-state difference between low-income and middle/high-income college attendance rates ranges from 20 to 28 percentage points. Our validity checks show that our estimates follow expected patterns based on estimates from other surveys.
Newton's Scholium on Time, Space, Place and Motion

In the Scholium to the Definitions at the beginning of the {\em Principia\/} Newton distinguishes absolute time, space, place and motion from their relative counterparts and attempts to justify they are indeed ontologically distinct in that the absolute quantity cannot be reduced to some particular category of the relative, as Descartes had attempted by defining absolute motion to be relative motion with respect to immediately ambient bodies. Newton's bucket experiment, rather than attempting to show that absolute motion exists, is one of five arguments from the properties, causes and effects of motion that attempts to show that no such program can succeed, and thus that true motion can be adequately analyzed only by invoking immovable places, i.e., the parts of absolute space.
Effect of temozolomide on neurogenesis and anxiety in the adult mouse brain.

e23082Background: The hippocampus is one of two regions in the adult brain where new neurons are generated well into adulthood. Newborn neurons develop from neural stem cells, and are consequently ...
Identification and Topography of Synaptic Phosphoproteins

Publisher Summary Purified preparations of synaptic plasma membranes contain more than 25 polypeptides susceptible to phosphorylation by resident kinases that are dependent on a variety of activators such as CAMP, Ca 2+ at low concentration enhanced by CaM and Ca 2+ at high concentration. Among the more prominent phosphoproteins are ones with M app = 44 x 10 3 and two different proteins with M app = 54 x 10 3 , one formed in a Ca 2+ and another in a CAMP-requiring reaction, that can be separated on 2D gels. The 44 × 10 3 protein has been identified as the a subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase and is localized in both cell body and intraterminal mitochondria. The protein phosphorylated in the presence of Ca 2+ is identical with phosphoprotein B-50 and appears to exhibit a localization confined to the interior surface of presynaptic membranes. The protein phosphorylated in the CAMP-dependent reaction has been identified as the regulatory, brain-specific, type II subunit of CAMP-dependent protein kinase and is located on pre- as well as postsynaptic membranes. Treatment of synaptic and postsynaptic membranes with low concentrations of nonionic detergents appears to facilitate interaction of membrane-bound kinases with potential substrates, resulting in an extensive phosphorylation of many membrane proteins, some of them protected from this modification in intact membranes.