cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimising power efficiency in trace cache fetch unit

As the issue width and the number of function units of superscalar processors continue to increase, the fetch unit must support a large fetch bandwidth in order to fully utilise the datapath resources. This trend makes power issue worse in the fetch unit since the traditional instruction fetch mechanism is not optimised for power consumption. This paper explores the problem of extra power consumption in traditional instruction caches because of dynamic control flows. Capturing the dynamic paths/characteristics of code during the course of execution, trace caches provide a potential framework for power optimisation in the fetch unit. Our study shows that conventional trace caches (CTC) may increase power consumption in the fetch unit because of the simultaneous access to both the trace cache and the instruction cache, and sequential trace caches (STC) have the advantage of lower power consumption at the cost of a significant performance loss. In order to address this problem, we perform a detailed study of trace distribution and access locality. Based on this study, we first propose a new model, the selective trace cache (SLTC). SLTC uses both compiler and hardware support to selectively control trace cache lookup and update. Experimental evaluation shows that our selective trace cache achieves up to 42.2% power reduction over CTC and an additional reduction of up to 21.8% over STC, on the average, while only trading a performance loss of no more than 1.8% compared to CTC. Further, we propose a dynamic direction prediction based trace cache (DPTC), which eliminates the need for compilation and instruction set architecture (ISA) modification involved in SLTC. Powered by a fetch direction predictor, DPTC achieves competitive power efficiency. On the average, DPTC reduces the power consumption by up to 40.5% and 17.6% in the fetch unit compared to CTC and STC, respectively, by trading a performance loss of less than 2.4% to CTC.
A simplified index of the plasma sodium threshold for arginine vasopressin secretion-morning fasting, euhydrated sodium levels.

Abstract Objective: Human pregnancy results in a reduction in plasma osmolality and thus a reduction in the osmotic threshold for arginine vasopressin secretion. Although the functional characteristics of the osmoregulatory system controlling arginine vasopressin secretion have been carefully defined, determination of the osmotic threshold requires a complex, labor-intensive protocol of an intravenous hypertonic saline infusion. To aid in studies of osmotic threshold resetting in pregnancy, we sought to develop a simplified method for determination of this value. Study Design: Ten healthy nonpregnant women between the ages of 18 and 40 years were studied over 2 days. All patients were hospitalized, and morning euhydration was ensured by oral water hydration (5-10 mL/kg) the evening before the study. On the first study day, patients were fed a standard no-salt-added diet; plasma osmolality and sodium values were checked just before and 1 and 2 hours after meals. On the second study day, after fasting blood samples were obtained, patients received an intravenous infusion (0.06 mL · kg –1 · min –1 for 120 minutes) of hypertonic (5%) saline to gradually increase the plasma sodium level. Blood samples were obtained every 15 minutes for measurement of plasma electrolytes and arginine vasopressin. Plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations were regressed against plasma osmolality and sodium concentration to calculate the osmotic threshold for arginine vasopressin secretion. Results: Hypertonic saline injection significantly increased plasma sodium (from 139 ± 1 to 149 ± 1 mEq/L) and osmolality (from 284 ± 2 to 304 ± 2 mOsm/kg H 2 O). Plasma arginine vasopressin significantly increased (from 5 ± 1 to 30 ± 10 pg/mL). The mean sodium and osmolality thresholds for arginine vasopressin secretion were calculated as 137 ± 2 mEq/L and 285 ± 15 mOsm/kg H 2 O. The mean morning fasting sodium level was nearly identical to the calculated sodium threshold, whereas the morning fasting osmolality value was significantly different. Conclusions: The morning fasting, euhydrated sodium level can be used as a simplified index for the plasma osmotic threshold for arginine vasopressin secretion. This index may provide a useful predictive measure for pregnant women in whom the plasma volume does not expand. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:933-6.)
Optical scintillation of a Gaussian beam in moderate-to-strong irradiance fluctuations

A model of irradiance fluctuations for a propagating optical wave in a weakly inhomogeneous medium is developed here under the assumption that small-scale irradiance fluctuations are modulated by large-scale irradiance fluctuations of the wave. The resulting scintillation index from this theory has the form (sigma) 12 equals (sigma) x2 + (sigma) y2 + (sigma) x2 (sigma) y2 where (sigma) x2 denotes large-scale scintillation and (sigma) y2 denotes small-scale scintillation. By applying a modification of the Rytov method that incorporates an amplitude spatial frequency filter function under strong fluctuation conditions, tractable expression are developed for the scintillation index of a Gaussian beam wave that are valid under moderate- to-strong irradiance fluctuations. The expected scintillation of Gaussian beams predicted by these analytic models is compared to the experimental data previously published.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Influenza A virus infection of human Schwann cells in vitro.

Objectives--Sudden sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular neuronitis, vocal fold paralysis and Bell's palsy have been associated with a viral etiology, due to the infection of nerve cells. The goal of this research was to ascertain whether Schwann cells can support infection with human influenza A virus and thereby represent a plausible alternative site for virus-host interaction. Viral infection of Schwann cells may lead to secretion of inflammatory mediators, leukocyte recruitment, demyelination and nerve damage. Material and methods--Cultured human Schwann cells were exposed to human influenza A virus. Infection was assayed at various times post-inoculation (0, 24, 48 and 72 h) using light microscopy, immunocytochemistry and influenza A virus-specific reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A group of unexposed cells served as controls. Results--Following exposure to the virus, vacuolization, cellular expansion and detachment from the dish were seen as early as 24 h post-inoculation. ...
PRICING EXOTIC OPTIONS

We show that if the payoff of a European option is a convex function of the prices of the security at a fixed set of times, then the geometric Brownian motion risk neutral option price is increasing in the volatility of the security. We also give efficient simulation procedures for determining the no-arbitrage prices of European barrier, Asian, and lookback options.
Nonlinear Optical Properties of Organic Photorefractive Polymers

This paper describes the photorefractive properties of a new and growing class of materials exhibiting the effect, doped nonlinear organic polymers. We show directly using a PMMA-based copolymer with a pendant nonlinear nitroaminotolane chromophore doped with a charge transport agent that the presence of photoconductivity and optical nonlinearity are only necessary, but not sufficient to guarantee that a given materials system will yield measurable photorefractive gratings, rather than gratings due to some other process such as photochromism. To prove photorefractivity unequivocally, direct measurement of the spatial phase shift between the intensity pattern and the index modulation is best, and we summarize a convenient way to do this using two-beam coupling and sample translation. In addition to the photorefractive epoxy materials such as bisA-NPDA:DEH reported earlier (Phys. Rev. Lett. 66, 1846 (1991); Proc. SPIE 1560, 278 (1992)), a new PMMA-based copolymer with pendant p-nitroaniline chromophores doped with DEH also shows photorefractive grating formation, with writing speed 100 times higher than that for the epoxy material.
Adults with type 1 diabetes eat a high-fat atherogenic diet that is associated with coronary artery calcium.

Aims/hypothesis Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of mortality among people with type 1 diabetes. Diet is an important lifestyle factor that relates to risk of CHD. The aim of this study was to examine how diet and adherence to dietary guidelines differ between adults with and without type 1 diabetes, and their correlation with CHD risk factors and coronary artery calcium (CAC).
Automatic test generation using genetically-engineered distinguishing sequences

A fault-oriented sequential circuit test generator is described in which various types of distinguishing sequences are derived, both statically and dynamically, to aid the test generation process. A two-phase algorithm is used during test generation. The first phase activates the target fault, and the second phase propagates the fault effects (FE's) from the flip-flops with assistance from the distinguishing sequences. This strategy improves the propagation of FE's to the primary outputs, and the overall fault coverage is greatly increased. In our new test generator, DIGATE, genetic algorithms are used to derive both activating and distinguishing sequences during test generation. Our results show very high fault coverages for the ISCAS89 sequential benchmark circuits and several synthesized circuits.
Efficiency of mixing from data on fast reactions in multi‐jet reactors and stirred tanks

Some fluid mechanical information concerning mixing generation in complex flow fields can be obtained from conversion data of fast chemical reactions. Computation of such information and averages required in the procedure are presented here. Complex turbulent flow fields present deterministic-like behavior when analyzed in average sense with regard to mixing generation.
The application of sputtered thin film in advanced recording tape media

Recording characteristics of CoCrPt-sputtered tape media with a thickness of 25 nm were investigated using an anisotropic magnetoresistive head. The sputtered tape media showed a high output, and a flat frequency response with a D/sub 50/ value of 5500 fcmm (140 kfci) and a corresponding signal-to-noise ratio of 22 dB. Such sputtered tape media produced a sharp and symmetrical isolated pulse waveform with a PW/sub 50/ of 0.31 /spl mu/m and showed good overwrite characteristics for digital recording. The overwrite performance of the sputtered tape media was better than 30 dB for an overwriting frequency of 12 MHz or 3500 fcmm (90 kfci) and overwritten frequency ranging from 2-9 MHz or 600-2650 fcmm (15-67 kfci). In addition, the stability of the sputtered tape media was characterized exposed to an atmosphere of 65/spl deg/C and 90% RH for several weeks and showed to be highly corrosion resistive with less than 5% of their magnetization loss after 30 days of exposure.
Parental Effects on Seed Mass: Seed Coat but Not Embryo/Endosperm Effects

Many biologists studying environmentally induced parental effects have indirectly suggested that the parental environment alters seed mass by altering the amount of endosperm or embryo tissue in the seed. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the effects of parental temperature on total seed mass, seed coat mass, and embryo/endosperm mass in offspring of Plantago lanceolata. Parental temperature significantly affected total seed and coat mass but not endosperm/embryo mass. Thus, larger seeds do not contain more resources in the embryo or endosperm than do small seeds. Rather they have more coat mass, which probably strongly influences germination. These results suggest caution when making assumptions about the pathways by which environmentally induced parental effects are transmitted in plant species. We also observed that controlled crosses differed significantly in their response to parental temperature, which provides evidence for genetic variation in environmentally induced parental effects, i.e., intergenerational phenotypic plasticity, in natural populations of P. lanceolata. Many studies of parental (maternal) effects have suggested that parental environment can alter offspring fitness by influencing the amount of resources that a maternal parent packs into its seeds. These resources represent capital that is used later by the offspring for seedling establishment and subsequent growth and reproduction (see reviews by Roach and Wulff, 1987; Gutterman, 1992; Wulff, 1995). This hypothesis is based on two observations: first, many studies of parental effects show that parental environment influences seed mass; second, many other studies show that seed mass can strongly influence growth, competitive ability, and other fitness traits (see references cited in above reviews). These observations suggest that seeds enlarged by the parental environment have more stored resources in the endosperm, or embryo, than do smaller seeds. To test this hypothesis, we examined the tissue(s) involved in mediating the effect of parental temperature on offspring seed mass in Plantago lanceolata L. (Plantaginaceae), a cosmopolitan temperate herbaceous plant species. The experiment that we describe here complements a study that has already documented the effects of parental temperature on a suite of life-history traits in this species (Lacey, 1996). That study showed that parental temperature influences offspring seed mass, germination, 1
ECONOMETRIC MODEL OF THE TURKEY INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES

This paper is an empirical investigation of the several major relationships that explain the behavior of the U.S. turkey industry in the 1946-66 period. A model is constructed that consists of four structural equations: (1) consumer demand, (2) farm supply, (3) cold storage accumulation, and (4) cold storage liquidation, and an identity equation. Four different estimation techniques are used to derive values for the structural parameters. These procedures are: (1) ordinary least squares (OLS), (2) limited information single equation (USE). (3) two stage least squares (TSLS). and (4) three stage squares (3SLS). The estimation techniques are evaluated by assessing their forecasting ability against observed data in the post 1966 period. So one method proved superior to another. An index of dispersion indicated that 3SLS is superior in forecasting consumer demand and farm supply. The 3SLS and OLS are about equal in forecasting cold storage accumulation, and TSLS, LISE. and OLS are about equal forecasters for cold storage liquidation. Cel article represente une etude empirique des facleurs imporlanls qui servenl a expliquer ľinduslrie americaine ďelevage de dindes. au cours de la periode 1945-66. Un modele est construit qui comporte qualre equations structurelles: la demande finale. (2) ľoff re au niveau de ľexploitation agricole. (3) ľaccumulation de slocks de viande congelee. et (4) le liquidation des stocks, plus une equation ďidentite. Quaire differentes techniques ďestimalion sont utilisees pour determiner la valeur des parametres: (1) simples moindres carres, (2) equation unique avec information limitee, (3)doubles moindres carres. et (4) triples moindres carres. En se hasant sur la qualite des previsions par rapport aux observations de la periode posterieure a 1966. on a pu evaluer les differentes techniques ďestimalion, pour se rendre compte qu'aucune methode ne s'est averee superieure aux autres. Un indice de dispersion demontre que les triples moindres carres fournissenl une meilleure prevision de la demande finale et de ľoffre au niveau de ľentreprise. Les triples moindres carres et les simples moindres carres sont equivalents lorsqu'il s'agit de prevoir ľaccumulalion des slocks. ľequation simple avec information limitee peut predire ľecoulement des stocks avec une precision sensihlemenl egale a celle obtenue avec les simples et triples moindres carres.
Two Proteins, One Stone

In the human body, the liver and spinal cord are at opposite ends of the regeneration scale: Liver regenerates; spinal cord does not. Thus, individuals with spinal cord injury suffer from serious paralysis. Now, Takeuchi et al. explore the role of chondroitin sulfate (CS) on axonal growth, finding that regulating one gene,CS N -acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-1 (T1), can inhibit CS activity and promote recovery from spinal cord injury. Takeuchi et al . knocked out T1 in mice (T1KO) and then subjected them to bilateral contusion injury induced at the 10th thoracic vertebrae. These injured mice produced 25% less CS and recovered faster than did wild-type controls and control animals treated with chondroitinase ABC, an enzyme that degrades CS, as shown by an increase in functional (serotonin-positive) axons and reduced fibrosis and glial scar formation. Conversely, injured T1KO mice produced 20-fold more heparan sulfate (HS), which acts opposite of CS by strongly promoting axonal growth, than did controls. Coupled with the decrease in CS, such tremendous increase in HS likely contributed to the recovery of the injured T1KO animals. The mechanism behind this finding, however, remains to be elucidated. Once mechanism is known, these findings could be translated to an elegant gene therapy for spinal cord injury, in which silencing the expression of only one gene affects two proteins to promote axon growth and spinal cord regeneration. Kosei Takeuchi et al ., Chondroitin sulphate N -acetylgalactosaminyl-transferase-1 inhibits recovery from neural injury . Nat. Comm. 4 , 2740 (2013). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2013/131112/ncomms3740/full/ncomms3740.html
Raman Scattering for Speciation and Analysis

The article contains sections titled: 1 Introduction 2 Raman Spectroscopy Basics 2.1 Theory 2.2 Enhancement 2.3 Subsurface Measurements — Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) 2.4 Instrumentation 2.4.1 Laser Safety 2.4.2 Basic Instrumentation 2.4.3 Fiber Optic Probes 2.4.4 Microprobes 2.5 Data Reduction 3 Identification and Quantification of Inorganic Materials 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Minerals 3.3 Art, Archaeology, and Architecture 3.4 Forensics 3.5 Nanoscale Semiconductors 3.6 Industrial Process Control 4 Identification and Quantification of Organic Materials 4.1 Pharmaceutical Applications 4.2 Polymer Chemistry and Physics 4.3 Forensic and Homeland Security Applications 5 Biological Applications of Raman Spectroscopy 5.1 Subcellular Level 5.2 Tissue Level 5.2.1 Epithelial Tissue 5.2.2 Muscular Tissue 5.2.3 Nervous Tissue 5.2.4 Connective Tissue 5.3 Microorganisms Keywords: Raman scattering; quantum efficiency; plasmon; diode laser; quantum dots
Prediction of Jet Noise Shielding

This study is motivated by the development of aircraft that use jet noise shielding by the airframe. Current methods to predict shielding from aircraft surfaces rely on formulae developed for diffraction of sound from omnidirectional point sources. However, the jet noise source is distributed and directional, thus requiring a different approach. In this study, the jet noise source is modeled as the incoherent superposition of a wavepacket and a monopole. Source parameterization and application of minimization methods are used to match the directivity of the far-field sound at a given frequency. The resulting incident field is then used to compute the diffraction problem using the Boundary Element Method. Reasonable agreement is found with experimental data, suggesting the applicability of the wavepacket ansatz in modeling the jet noise source.
Role of the S4 gene in the establishment of persistent reovirus infection in L cells

We have studied the viral genes playing a role in persistence of reovirus in L cells. We established persistent infections by coinfecting L cells using wild-type reovirus type 2 and defective reovirus type 3. An analysis of the genomic double-stranded RNA pattern of the virus population selected during persistent infection revealed that the S4 gene was derived from the defective parent in three independently established lines, suggesting that the S4 gene plays an essential role in the establishment of persistent infection. The selection of recombinant viruses containing the S4 gene derived from the defective virus was specific for persistent infection, since it was not selected in lytic infections. Following the establishment of persistent infection, mutations in the S1 gene appeared in two of three cell lines. Thus mutations in the S4 gene play a critical role in the establishment of persistent infection, while mutations in the S1 gene play a role in the maintenance of the persistent infection.
Positive lightning: An overview, new observations, and inferences

[1] We examine the various conceptual cloud charge configurations and scenarios leading to production of positive lightning with a view toward an explanation of its observed properties. Data for 52 positive cloud-to-ground flashes containing 63 strokes recorded in Gainesville, Florida, in 2007–2008 are presented and discussed. The U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) located 51 (96%) of the positive strokes at distances of 7.8 to 157 km from the field-measuring station. In 42 (81%) of the 52 flashes, the first (or the only) leader-return stroke sequence was not preceded by in-cloud discharge activity. The average number of strokes per flash is 1.2. Single-stroke flashes constitute 81%. In three (38%) of eight two-stroke flashes, the second stroke likely followed the channel of the first stroke, and in five (62%) flashes it likely created a new termination on ground. Eight (15%) of the 52 positive flashes had detectable preliminary breakdown pulse trains in their electric field records. Electric field waveforms of 14 (27%) first strokes (also of one third stroke) are preceded by pronounced pulses, apparently indicative of leader stepping. NLDN-reported peak currents for 48 positive strokes in 40 flashes ranged from 20 to 234 kA with a geometric mean value of 75 kA. The median charge transfers in 1, 2, and 40 ms after the beginning of return stroke electric field change for an assumed height of 12 km were estimated to be 13, 18, and 34 C, respectively. Two bipolar lightning discharges are additionally examined.
Nucleotide prodrugs for HCV therapy

HCV infection is a significant worldwide health problem and is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. The current standard of care, interferon and ribavirin, is only effective against a proportion of the patient population infected with HCV. To address the shortcomings of existing therapy, the development of direct acting antiviral agents is under investigation. The HCV RNA dependent RNA polymerase is an essential enzyme for viral replication and is therefore a logical target against which to develop novel anti-HCV agents. Nucleosides have been shown to be effective as antiviral agents for other viral diseases and therefore, have been investigated as inhibitors of HCV replication. The development of prodrugs of nucleoside 5'-monophosphates has been pursued to address limitations associated with poor nucleoside phosphorylation. This is required to produce the nucleoside 5'-triphosphate which is the anabolite that is the actual inhibitor of the polymerase enzyme. Prodrugs of nucleoside 5'-monophosphates have been developed that enable their delivery into cells and in vivo into the liver. The implementation of these prodrug strategies has ultimately led to the identification of several prodrugs of nucleoside 5'-monophosphates that are potent inhibitors of HCV replication in vitro. They have progressed into the clinic and the early data demonstrate greatly reduced viral load levels in HCV-infected patients. This review will survey the state of nucleotide prodrugs for the treatment of HCV.
Open-content signal processing laboratories in connexions

Due to inherent factors such as a small and fragmented market and rapid hardware obsolescence, the conventional textbook is inadequate for DSP laboratory education. Freely available open-content materials that enable and promote both local customization and further development by a community of educators offers a fresh approach to lab text development that can surmount these barriers. We overview a joint effort under the aegis of the Connexions Project to develop a large pool of DSP lab modules sufficient to serve as the complete, stand-alone text for several types of DSP lab courses.
A Stochastic Model for Patterning of the Cytoplasm by the Saltatory Movement

In various cases of importance for animal physiology and development, a specific distribution of cellular components is achieved through the active transport of these components along cytoskeletal fibres by molecular motors. The pattern-generating transport is stochastic; it is commonly referred to as the saltatory movement which means frequent, random change of direction of movement of individual transported particles. Inference of the distribution of the cellular components and kinetics of transitions between different patterns from parameters of the saltatory movement is the goal of the proposed theory. The theory is presented by developing a sample model for the redistribution of lipid droplets at early stages of Drosophila development, a process well studied at the quantitative level. The saltatory movement is modelled at the fundamental level as a stochastic velocity jump process. A diffusion (in the mathematical sense) model is derived from the fundamental velocity jump description as its simple and accurate approximation. This approximation reduces the number of parameters, simplifies the methods of their measurement and clarifies the relationship between the kinetics and the resulting pattern.
Residencies With Dual Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Programs Outperform Others on the American Board of Pediatrics Certifying Examination

Objective. The purpose was to evaluate American Board of Pediatrics Certifying Examination performance based on if a residency offers a dual internal medicine–pediatrics program, hypothesizing that having a dual-accreditation program is associated with higher exam performance. Methods. Pediatric residency programs in the United States were retrospectively evaluated from 2010 to 2012. The accreditation status was determined. Mann–Whitney U tests were performed for continuous variables, and χ2 tests were performed for categorical variables, using an α = .05. Results. For 190 residencies, 75 (39%) had dual Med-Peds accreditation whereas 115 (61%) did not. The median overall residency pass rate for Med-Peds accredited programs (83%; interquartile range = 74% to 91%) was higher than other programs (78%; interquartile range = 65% to 89%; P = .02). The pass rate for examinees from Med-Peds accredited programs (n = 4,108; 84.2%) was higher than examinees from other programs (n = 4,310; 79.6%; P < .001). Conclusio...
The geometry of lightlike surfaces in Minkowski space

Abstract We investigate the geometric properties of lightlike surfaces in the Minkowski space R 2 , 1 , using Cartan’s method of moving frames to compute a complete set of local invariants for such surfaces. Using these invariants, we give a complete local classification of lightlike surfaces of constant type in R 2 , 1 and construct new examples of such surfaces.
Nodular disease during pregnancy.

The high incidence of thyroid neoplasia in thyroid nodular disease during pregnancy has been documented. Various tumor growth factors and altered immunologic conditions of pregnancy seem to enhance the growth of thyroid neoplasms. Nodular thyroid disease during pregnancy, therefore, should be evaluated promptly; and neoplasms documented by ultrasonography and needle aspiration biopsies should be considered for thyroidectomy either during the second trimester or immediately post partum.
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Both epidemiology and pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes are discussed in detail elsewhere in this textbook ( Chapters 8 and 13). For the purpose of this chapter, a brief summary of these topics is provided.
Redefining Overuse to Include Costs: A Decision Analysis for Computed Tomography in Minor Head Injury

Article-at-a-Glance Background A study was conducted to (1) determine the testing threshold for head computed tomography (CT) in minor head injury in the emergency department using decision analysis with and without costs included in the analysis, (2) to determine which variables have significant impact on the testing threshold, and (3) to compare this calculated testing threshold to the pretest risk estimate previously reported when the Canadian CT Head Rule (CCHR) was applied. It was hypothesized that the CCHR might not identify all patients above the testing threshold. Methods A decision analytic model was constructed using commercially available software and data from published literature. Outcomes were assigned values on the basis of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and cost. Two testing thresholds were calculated, the first based only on the effectiveness of either strategy, the second on the overall net monetary benefit. Two-way sensitivity analyses were performed to determine which variables most affected the testing threshold. Results When only effectiveness (QALYs) was considered, the testing threshold for obtaining head CT was 0.039%. This threshold increased to 0.421% when the net monetary benefit was considered in lieu of QALYs. Age, probability of lesion on CT requiring neurosurgery, and cost of CT were the main drivers of the model. Conclusion If only effectiveness is considered, current clinical decision rules might not provide a sufficient degree of certainty to ensure identification of all patients for whom the benefits of CT outweigh its risks. However, inclusion of cost in the analysis increases the testing threshold by an order of magnitude and well outside the range of uncertainty of current clinical decision rules. These results suggest that the term overuse should be redefined to include the provision of medical services with no benefits or for which harms including cost outweigh benefits.
Primary vertebral artery reanastomosis during retrosigmoid skull base approach following iatrogenic near-transection with monopolar electrocautery.

BACKGROUND Iatrogenic vertebral artery injury is a rare neurosurgical complication, but it is potentially fatal. The majority of vertebral artery injuries are encountered during cervical spine instrumentation, and craniotomy-related injuries have been encountered during the far-lateral approach. OBJECTIVE To present the first reported case of iatrogenic vertebral artery injury occurring during retrosigmoid craniotomy, in the setting of an anomalous vertebral artery course within the suboccipital musculature. METHODS A 70-year-old man underwent elective retrosigmoid craniotomy for meningioma resection. During exposure, iatrogenic injury to the third segment of the vertebral artery occurred above the craniocervical junction. His vertebral arteries were codominant. The artery was primarily repaired and the operation was aborted. He was treated with aspirin, remained neurologically intact, and was discharged the next day. RESULTS Immediate and 5-week vascular imaging studies demonstrated vessel patency. After 5 weeks, the patient returned for elective tumor resection, which was uncomplicated, and he remained neurologically intact at 10-week follow-up. CONCLUSION The rarity of vertebral artery injuries and lack of previous such complications involving retrosigmoid craniotomy highlight the need for vigilance during any suboccipital exposure. Complication avoidance is possible by using several preoperative and intraoperative checks. When an injury has occurred, rapid assessment and management of the event is necessary, while primary repair may be more difficult following electrocautery-mediated laceration. Successful treatment of iatrogenic vertebral arterial injuries has been described, but the most frequently reported management has been endovascular sacrifice of the injured vessel, which carries inherent risks of vertebrobasilar insufficiency in a dominant vertebral artery.
Acute Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Recognition and Management

Preliminary clinical results suggest that an innovative treatment protocol, put into action at the earliest sign of gastrointestinal distress or distension in high-risk infants, may substantially improve the prognosis in this otherwise highly lethal disease. Experimental data suggest, too, that breast feeding, by compensating for their immunologic immaturity, can provide significant protection to such neonates.
Molecular Profiling to Determine Clonality of Serial Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Ultrasound Fusion Biopsies from Men on Active Surveillance for Low Risk Prostate Cancer

Purpose: To determine whether MRI/ultrasound (MRI/US) fusion biopsy facilitates longitudinal resampling of the same clonal focus of prostate cancer and to determine whether high-grade cancers can evolve from low-grade clones.Experimental Design: All men on active surveillance who underwent tracking MRI/US fusion biopsy of Gleason 6 prostate cancer, on at least two distinct occasions, between 2012 and 2014 were enrolled. MRI/US fusion was used to track and resample specific cancer foci. IHC for ERG and targeted RNA/DNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) were performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded prostate biopsy specimens to assess clonality.Results: Thirty-one men with median age and PSA of 65 years and 4.6 ng/mL, respectively, were analyzed. The median sampling interval was 12 months (range, 5-35). Of the 26 evaluable men, ERG IHC concordance was found between initial and repeat biopsies in 25 (96%), indicating resampling of the same clonal focus over time. Targeted NGS supported ERG IHC results and identified unique and shared driving mutations, such as IDH1 and SPOP, in paired specimens. Of the nine men (34.6%) who were found to have Gleason ≥7 on repeat biopsy, all displayed temporal ERG concordance. Prioritized genetic alterations were detected in 50% (13/26) of paired samples. Oncogenic mutations were detected in 22% (2/9) of Gleason 6 cancers prior to progression and 44% (4/9) of Gleason ≥7 cancers when progression occurred.Conclusions: Precise tracking of prostate cancer foci via MRI/US fusion biopsy allowed subsequent resampling of the same clonal focus of cancer over time. Further research is needed to clarify the grade progression potential of Gleason 6 prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 23(4); 985-91. ©2016 AACR.
On the Uses and Abuses of Nietzsche in Self-Help Literature

This paper investigates the uses that self-help literature makes of Nietzsche’s philosophy. Some specific concepts of his philosophy, as well as his choices in terms of expression, made Nietzsche a topmost reference for self-help authors in the U.S. and in France. As a philosopher and a nearly legendary figure, Nietzsche, in a strange way, fits more easily than other philosophers in the self-help project of leading people, through practical advices, to peace and happiness. Through examples taken from American and French self-help literature, and with comparisons made with other philosophers, this paper shows how self-help functions when it comes to borrowing from other people’s works.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Italian Children with Down Syndrome: Prevalence and Correlation with Obesity-Related Features.

Objective To assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity in a cohort of Italian children with Down syndrome (DS) and to investigate the correlation of both obesity and DS with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Study design We enrolled 280 children with DS (age range 5-18 years), who were referred to the DS outpatient clinic of the Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital in Rome. For all children, we collected the clinical history and measured anthropometric variables. Eighty-four of 280 children with DS were selected to undergo liver ultrasound scanning to evaluate the presence of NAFLD. Results Italian children with DS exhibited a prevalence of 19.64% for overweight and 12.14% for obesity. The prevalence of NAFLD in nonobese (45%) and overweight/obese (82%) children with DS is greater than in the European pediatric nonobese (5.7%) or obese population (33%). Moreover, the severity of liver brightness on ultrasound scan correlated positively with body mass index, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and leptin levels and negatively with adiponectin. Conclusions We demonstrated that, independently from the obese phenotype, children with DS display a greater risk to develop NAFLD than the general pediatric population.
Dietary sodium and chloride levels for growing-finishing pigs.

The performance and the physiological and metabolic consequences of three dietary levels of Na (.03, .09 and .18%) and of Cl (.08, .17 and .32%) arranged factorially were determined in growing-finishing pigs (36 to 89 kg). Average daily gain and feed efficiency of pigs fed .03% Na were lower than pigs fed .09 or .18% Na. Gain:feed ratio of pigs fed .32 or .17% Cl was greater than that of pigs fed .08% Cl during the finishing phase (58 to 89 kg) but not during the growing phase. Increasing dietary Cl levels increased average daily feed intake and gain:feed ratio of pigs fed .03% Na, but had no effect at the higher levels of Na. Plasma Na and Cl were lower (P less than .05) while plasma K (P less than .01), total protein, (P less than .04), albumin (P less than .07) and urea N (P less than .03) were higher in pigs fed .03% Na compared with those fed .09 or .18% Na. Increasing the dietary levels of Cl decreased urea N (P less than .05). Plasma lysine:arginine ratio increased as dietary Cl increased in pigs fed .18% Na diets, but not in pigs fed .03 or .09% Na. The urea cycle intermediate ornithine was highest in the plasma of pigs fed .18% Na. Dietary Na and Cl seem to interact to affect both plasma electrolytes and basic amino acid metabolism.
Transforming CO2 by Stabilizing the Labile Product

Dr. Qing He is currently a postdoctoral researcher with Prof. Jonathan L. Sessler at the University of Texas at Austin. He obtained his PhD in organic chemistry in July 2015 from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS), where he mainly worked on molecular recognition, sensing, and self-assembly based on anion-π interactions under the supervision of Acad. Prof. Zhi-Tang Huang and Prof. De-Xian Wang. Qing's research interests include the development of new functional macrocycles and supercycles for molecular recognition, sensing, mass transport, extraction, and catalysis, as well as their application in the areas of critical material development, energy, and biology.
Predicting Economic Growth: Which Variables Matter

In this chapter, we delve deeper into our findings in Chap. 4. We highlight how machine learning algorithms can highlight variables that have little predictive value relative to others. This machine learning technology can therefore help highlight the most salient growth “theory” among many. We also notice that the most predictively salient variables affect economic growth in a way that suggest equilibrium shifts in strategic models rather than smooth neoclassical patterns. Thus, we argue that machine learning approaches can help researchers identify more appropriate theoretical modeling techniques. Last, we suggest that some variables are better policy levers than others.
Online and offline anger detection via electromyography analysis

Emotional states involving anger, hostility, anxiety and stress have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Online emotion recognition has achieved little attention in the literature in comparison to offline approaches. We present both online and offline methods to identify anger based on EMG data. In the offline method, the Hilbert-Huang transform is used to extract energy features from different time-frequency blocks. This approach achieves an overall classification accuracy of 87.5%. We also develop a novel online method combining machine learning with the tracking of a single parameter for anger detection. Here, band energy is calculated within time windows, and is continuously adjusted based on classified peak amplitudes. Although this technique has a lower classification accuracy than the offline method, it is quite promising as it is well-suited for wearable monitoring and long-term stress management.
Group Supervision and the Psychoanalytic Process

This article attempts to elucidate the psychodynamics of group supervision of group psychotherapists. The significance of the supervisory setting is explored with a particular emphasis on the frame. The regressive interactions in group supervision are regarded as enactments, which are conceptualized as nonverbal communications that are covertly transmitted. Enactments offer a link between the present group (supervisory group) and the absent group (the therapy group that is being supervised). The relationships between the experiential and didactic components of group supervision are also addressed. Clinical vignettes illustrate the interplay between the present and the absent group focusing on the supervisor's interventions.
Information and attitude diffusion in networks

The availability of diverse information does not guarantee that a person's views will be equally diverse. Research has consistently shown that attitudinal positions on an issue will lead to selective reception and dissemination of information, which in turn have reciprocal effects on those attitudes. The current paper aims at understanding how the diffusion of information and attitudes in networks are dynamically related to each other from a computational perspective. Simulations from an agent-based model show that selective exposure of information and social reinforcement in active dissemination of information can lead to polarization of attitudes in the network. Network structures are shown to have significant effects on information and attitude diffusion. While simple contagion models of information diffusion predicts that hub nodes in a small-world network can facilitate propagation of information, our model shows that hub nodes can induce stronger polarization of attitudes when information and attitude diffusion can mutually influence each other. Results highlight the importance of incorporating social science research in network models to better establish the micro-to-macro links.
Fundamentals of OOP and Data Structures in Java

Part I. Foundations: 1. Cornerstones of OO 2. Objects 3. Class construction 4. Relationships between classes 5. GUIs - basic concepts 6. Implementing simple GUIs in Java 7. Errors and exceptions 8. Recursion Part II. Data Structures: 9. Abstract data types 10. Containers as abstract data types 11. Stack and queue 12. Application of stack 13. Lists 14. Trees, heaps and priority queues 15. Search trees 16. Hashing and sets 17. Association and dictionary 18. Sorting Appendices.
Acculturation and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Hispanic adolescents: The moderating effect of impulsivity

Abstract Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is a risk factor for obesity. Acculturation to the United States (US) might increase sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Hispanic adolescents, but few moderators of this relationship have been examined. This study examined the moderating influence of impulsivity on the association between acculturation and sugar-sweetened beverages. Hispanic adolescents (n = 154), 14–17 years, were identified and screened for eligibility through low-SES high schools and parents provided consent. Adolescents completed measures of acculturation using Unger's 8-item acculturation scale, impulsivity, and diet. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the main effect of acculturation and the interaction of acculturation with impulsivity on the diet outcomes: sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and percent of calories from sugar. Acculturation was positively associated with sugar-sweetened beverages (β = 0.43; p
Grandmothering in Remission

Xander, your Grandma is really sorry, but right now I can’t concentrate on this upcoming milestone in your life, your first birthday, because today I’m having my two year scans. In this personal narrative I explore grandmothering from a position of uncertainty— in this case cancer in remission. Using the framework of letters to my young grandson, I unpack my expectations for and experiences of the role of grandmothering, contextualized by my simultaneous effort to understand myself as a cancer survivor and the liminality of that particular status. How do I develop a relationship with my grandchild when he may not even have the memories of our interactions? How do I grandmother authentically while masking the health worries that sometimes threaten to consume me? How do I care for my daughter who has become a mother from a position of strength and confidence when the very ground I walk on feels unsettled and the future unclear? Considering issues of temporality, relationship directionality, caregiving, and authenticity, I place my musings as a grandmother and cancer survivor from my cancer journal, half-written letters, poetry, and reflective narrative into interaction.
Critical Review of Microbial Degradation of Aromatic Compounds and Exploring Potential Aspects of Furfuryl Alcohol Degradation

Last century witnessed widespread use of phenolic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as dyes, polymers, plastics, pigments and also in pharmaceutical sectors. However, the uses of both these compounds in monomeric or polymeric form are being discouraged because of its origin from non-renewable resources. Due to the environmental concern, there is a great need of eco-friendly material. Hence, several countries are adopting green products or products based on renewable material. Among several materials, furfuryl alcohol (FA), polymerized furfuryl alcohol and lignin show tremendous applications as solvent, resins and bioplastics or biopolymers. Once these materials either in liquid and solid form are used, then there are chances that these materials will be disposed of through land fill system. We have discussed the microbes responsible for degrading lignin as well as widely used phenols and PAHs along with the parameters involved in the degradation process of these monomers or polymers so that the probable degrading microbes for FA and their pathways can be proposed. Lastly, we have tried to present the degradation kinetics of all four aromatic compounds with literature available till date.
Transference-focused psychotherapy for borderline and narcissistic personality disorders

Abstract Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) was originally articulated and empirically examined for the treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The current understanding of personality pathology as a general factor of personality dysfunction manifested in self-functioning and dysfunction in relating to others is consistent with an object relations view of personality pathology, in its focus on identity consolidation and mental representations of self and others. This understanding of personality pathology has led to the articulation of principles of TFP for patients with both BPD and narcissistic personality disorder.