cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and Analysis of a Large-Scale Positive Displacement Vane Pump for Wind Tower Application

An innovative combined hydraulic and gear-train power transmissions system for Mega-Watt scale wind turbines is proposed herein. The proposed concept targets large-scale wind turbines for an efficient and reliable conversion of the mechanical power of the rotating blades to electrical power. The novel hybrid system presented in this approach takes advantage of the benefits of both hydraulic and conventional gearbox systems, without introducing their potential inherent undesirable attributes at large scale. The proposed design first converts the mechanical power of the turbine blades to hydraulic power at a relatively high-pressure (about 2,500 psi) under a relatively low-speed (about 4 in/sec). The hydraulic fluid exiting the discharge port of the low-speed hydraulic pump is branched out into plurality of hydraulic lines for the purpose of dividing the total mechanical power of the wind turbine into multitude of lower hydraulic power lines. Each hydraulic line then delivers its hydraulic power into the corresponding intake port of a hydraulic motor having a low-speed-high-torque output shaft. The output shaft of each of the hydraulic motors then drives the input shaft of a mechanically matched gearbox to increase the rotary speed. Finally, the high-speed output shaft of each gearbox (about 1800 RPM) drives a corresponding matched electric generator. A preliminary design for a variable displacement vane pump has been proposed in this paper. This work includes a theoretical analysis of the overall efficiency of the system. The combined volumetric, mechanical, and overall efficiency of a typical proposed system was shown to be about 98%.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
SP0173 Treatment of Refractory Myositis

Despite a paucity of controlled clinical trials, glucocorticoids remain the mainstay of initial treatment for inflammatory myopathies. Glucocorticoid-sparing agents, either methotrexate or azathioprine, are often begun concomitantly with glucocorticoid therapy. However, in refractory patients other immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory agents such as mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and IVIg are used alone or in various combinations. In a large clinical trial of rituximab in adult and juvenile myositis, the primary outcome was not met but most patients met trial criteria of improvement and rituximab use was associated with a significant glucocorticoid-sparing effect. Some of immunosuppressive agents are more appropriately used when certain disease manifestations predominate such as mycophenolate mofetil (interstitial lung disease and refractory cutaneous disease) and tacrolimus or cyclosporine (interstitial lung disease). Anti-TNF drugs have also been studied but the results are not encouraging. ACTH-gel has an FDA approved indication for polymyositis and dermatomyositis with positive results in a small retrospective case series, however, a more definitive trial is ongoing. Novel therapeutic agents are being studies and have shown favorable outcome in case reports and series, but more definitive trials are ongoing or are needed. The future therapeutic options for myositis will depend on well-designed clinical trials using validated outcomes and improvements in classification schemes based on serologic and histopathologic factors. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Study on Present Status and Development Countermeasures of the Strawberry Industry in Yunnan

The status of strawberry industry in Yunnan Province was elaborated,the existing problems in the development process were proposed,such as variety,seedling,development balance,standard cultivation,market system,processing after harvesting,the countermeasures for promoting strawberry industry development in Yunnan Province were put forward.
Renal functional changes associated with vesicoureteral reflux.

SUMMARY The data cited have been intended to show that renal functional abnormalities are commonly associated with reflux. Tubular abnormalities, particularly concentrating defects, probably occur early, and glomerular dysfunction is a late manifestation. Problems with acid-base balance are uncommonly examined but may be more relevant clinically, because such abnormalities could affect bone growth. Fractional excretion studies are less sensitive than concentrating ability in indicating dysfunction. Associated pyelonephritis hastens renal damage and exacerbates any functional abnormality. Renal functional abnormalities are more common in patients with renal scarring and indeed may be predictive of a process that is not yet apparent pathologically.
Genetic architecture, biochemical underpinnings and ecological impact of floral UV patterning

Floral attraction traits can significantly affect pollinator visitation patterns, but adaptive evolution of these traits may be constrained by correlations with other traits. In some cases, molecular pathways contributing to floral attraction are well characterized, offering the opportunity to explore loci potentially underlying variation among individuals. Here, we quantify the range of variation in floral UV patterning (i.e. UV 'bulls-eye nectar guides) among crop and wild accessions of Brassica rapa. We then use experimental crosses to examine the genetic architecture, candidate loci and biochemical underpinnings of this patterning as well as phenotypic manipulations to test the ecological impact. We find qualitative variation in UV patterning between wild (commonly lacking UV patterns) and crop (commonly exhibiting UV patterns) accessions. Similar to the majority of crops, recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from an oilseed crop × WI fast-plant® cross exhibit UV patterns, the size of which varies extensively among genotypes. In RILs, we further observe strong statistical-genetic and QTL correlations within petal morphological traits and within measurements of petal UV patterning; however, correlations between morphology and UV patterning are weak or nonsignificant, suggesting that UV patterning is regulated and may evolve independently of overall petal size. HPLC analyses reveal a high concentration of sinapoyl glucose in UV-absorbing petal regions, which, in concert with physical locations of UV-trait QTLs, suggest a regulatory and structural gene as candidates underlying observed quantitative variation. Finally, insects prefer flowers with UV bulls-eye patterns over those that lack patterns, validating the importance of UV patterning in pollen-limited populations of B. rapa.
Principles and Applications of Gas Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) tandem mass spectrometers (MSs) were first commercially available in the mid-1990s. Since then, they have traditionally been coupled with liquid chromatography (LC)-based ionization techniques, such as electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). More recently, QTOF instruments have been paired with gas chromatography (GC) via the modified APCI ion source; however, this technique utilizes an LC-based QTOF to couple to the gas chromatograph. Although this provides increased versatility for the LC–QTOF, its use is restricted to APCI ionization. This chapter discusses a novel QTOF instrument that has been specifically designed to be interfaced with GC using the primary GC/MS ionization techniques of electron ionization (EI) and chemical ionization (CI). This new coupling of EI and CI ionization techniques to QTOF technology expands the number and types of compounds that are currently analyzed by QTOF MSs. The basic principles of GC/QTOF technology and its use for environmental applications will be discussed.
Modular Multilevel Converter for Wind Energy Storage Applications

This paper presents a medium-voltage wind energy conversion system with integrated storage that implements power electronics converter based on modular multilevel topology. The proposed converter has a storage system integrated into its modular cell structure. This paper analyzes the proposed topology and presents detail sizing procedure for both converter and storage system in order to meet new grid connection standards and fault ride through (FRT) requirements. In order to verify the system operation, high detail model of the converter leg is used to simulate independent power control on ac and dc sides of the converter needed for the successful implementation of the FRT control.
Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibition: Promise of a Dynamic Duo

ABSTRACT Objective: This article reviews evidence supporting sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor combination therapy for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: We conducted a nonsystematic review of the literature focusing on single-pill or fixed-dose combinations of SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors available in the United States. Results: SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors have complementary mechanisms of action that address several of the underlying pathophysiologic abnormalities present in T2DM without overlapping toxicities. The combination of these 2 agents has several advantages including a low risk of hypoglycemia, the potential for weight loss, the ability to coformulate into a pill with once-daily administration, and the possibility to use with other classes of glucose-lowering agents. Cardiovascular outcomes trials reported to date support the safety of the DPP-4 class and suggest possible cardioprotective effects for SGLT2 inhibitors – at least based on the first reported study that used empagliflozin. Recent clinical evidence shows that SGLT2 inhibitor/DPP-4 inhibitor therapy is an effective combination for T2DM treatment, providing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reductions of 1.1 to 1.5%, and weight reductions of approximately 2 kg when added to metformin, which is its primary place in therapy. Conclusion: The combination of an SGLT2 inhibitor/DPP-4 inhibitor is a safe and effective treatment choice for patients with T2DM who are unable to obtain adequate glycemic control with metformin therapy, cannot use metformin, or have a higher baseline HbA1c. Abbreviations: BP = blood pressure; CI = confidence interval; CVOT = cardiovascular outcomes; DKA = diabetic ketoacidosis; DPP-4 = dipeptidyl peptidase-4; EXAMINE = EXamination of cArdiovascular outcoMes with alogliptiN versus standard of carE in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and acute coronary syndrome; FDA = Food and Drug Administration; HbA1c = glycated hemoglobin; HR = hazard ratio; MACE = major adverse cardiovascular events; SAVOR-TIMI 53 = Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SGLT2 = sodium glucose cotransporter 2; TECOS = Trial to Evaluate Cardiovascular Outcomes after Treatment with Sitagliptin; T2DM = type 2 diabetes mellitus; XR = extended release
Osseointegration of Coarse and Fine Textured Implants Manufactured by Electron Beam Melting and Direct Metal Laser Sintering

Abstract Osseointegrated implants transfer loads from native bone to a synthetic joint and can also function transdermally to provide a stable connection between the skeleton and the prostheses, eliminating many problems associated with socket prostheses. Additive manufacturing provides a cost-effective means to create patient-specific implants and allows for customized textures for integration with bone and other tissues. Our objective was to compare the osseointegration strength of two primary additive manufacturing methods of producing textured implants: electron beam melting (EBM) (mean Ra = 23 μm) and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) (mean Ra = 10 μm). Due to spatial resolution, DMLS can produce surfaces with a roughness comparable to EBM. Two cohorts of Sprague-Dawley rats received bilateral, titanium implants in their distal femurs and were followed for 4 weeks. The first-cohort animals received EBM implants transcortically in one femur and a DMLS implant in the contralateral femur. The second c...
An Actual Advance in Advance Directives: Moving from Patient Choices to Patient Voices in Advance Care Planning

Since the concept of the living wills emerged nearly 50 years ago, there have been practical challenges in translating the concept of an advance directive (AD) into documents that are clinically useful across various healthcare settings and among different patient populations and cultures. Especially, challenging has been the reliance in most ADs on pre-selected “choices” about specific interventions which either revolve around broad themes (e.g., “prolong life / do not prolong life”) or whether or not to utilize particular interventions (e.g., CPR, mechanical ventilation), both of which about most laypersons know little and, more importantly, lacking context, prove to be of limited meaningfulness. Moreover, whether by foundational frame, decade-long misunderstanding in medicine and bioethics, or different societal customs, these ADs present decision-making responsibility for initiating, continuing, or withdrawing medical interventions as a patient responsibility—creating a burden for which most patients are unprepared—and hence reducing healthcare providers’ responsibility to mere technical application or customer service. At our institution, significant efforts have focused on embracing the unique and complementary responsibilities of patients (articulating their goals, values, and preferences) and physicians (using medical expertise to reach patient goals) for enabling appropriate plans of care. This includes re-structuring our AD form to more accurately represent patient’s values as the frame within which physicians are responsible for determining appropriate care. Rather than specifying interventions, the AD makes patients responsible for specifying what matters to them as well as what they value in terms of function, interaction, and level of acceptable burden, thus providing clear goals for clinicians to pursue—or when goals are not reachable by available medical interventions, to acknowledge and allow for logical shifts to what may be achieved, including, in end of life contexts, care focused on respect and dignity.
Emission Mechanisms in X-Ray Sources (invited Discourse)

A large body of spectral information on X-ray sources has now become available, but the interpretation remains ambiguous. If temperature variations and finite optical depth effects are taken into account, almost any spectrum can be fitted to a model of thermal bremsstrahlung. If a suitable energy spectrum is adopted for the relativistic electrons, a wide variety of synchrotron spectra becomes possible. Although one or the other interpretation may seem artificial in some cases, it nevertheless should be pointed out that a strictly isothermal source would be a miracle and that power-law type energy spectra of the relativistic particles can apply over only a limited range of energies. More satisfactory progress can be made when the spectral data are augmented with structural information, when emission lines can be studied and polarization can be measured. Not only do the intensities of emission lines give much more detailed information on the temperature and density in a hot gas than can be derived from the continuum, but at sufficient resolution velocity fields can also be studied. Useful structural information probably can be obtained only if spatial resolution of 1 arc-min or better is achieved. But one has only to look at the situation in radio astronomy to see how essential this information is for the building of quantitative models.
Virtual MAC Spoofing Detection through Deep Learning

Identity-based attacks such as MAC spoofing are common in wireless networks. The recently developed virtualization technologies bring a new type of MAC spoofing attack, virtual MAC spoofing. This makes it even more challenging to detect such attacks, especially in a tight environment with spatial similarities. In this paper, we design, implement and evaluate a system to effectively detect virtual MAC spoofing attacks via deep learning. A deep convolutional neural network is constructed to extract physical features from CSI obtained from packet transmissions, to detect virtual MAC spoofing attacks. An important merit of the proposed detection system is that this system can distinguish two devices even at the same location, which was not well addressed by previous approaches. Our extensive experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the system with an average detection accuracy of 95%, even when devices are co-located.
Reliability characterization of TaOx-based commercial ReRAM in combination with radiation

We present reliability data combined with total dose gamma radiation for one of the first commercially available resistive memory devices. These Tantalum Oxide (TaOX)-based resistive memory chips demonstrate operation in dynamic program and erase testing up to ~130 Krad(Si) of 60Co gamma dose. In static and unbiased conditions, the stored data in the memory cells were able to withstand up to 50Mrad(Si) of exposure. The access circuitry, though, seemed less robust to gamma radiation and was able to operate only up to a total dose of 3Mrad(Si). Post exposure reliability as indicated by endurance, cycling error rate, and data retention tests showed no detectable impact from the combination with prior gamma irradiation. Overall, the total dose radiation tolerance of the commercial TaOx-based resistive memory chip appears to be higher than flash memory chips and in agreement with prior tests conducted with single cell resistive memories.
Abstract 1913: Role of glypican 1 in regulating fibroblast activation in the prostate cancer tumor microenvironment

Cancer is a heterogeneous collection of neoplastic cells, surrounded by non-malignant, stromal cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM), among other constituents. Cross-talk between tumor and stromal cells forms a dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME) that mediates cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis. The TME can inhibit cancer growth and proliferation during the initial stages of carcinogenesis; however, cancer cells can evade these inhibitory signals, and reshape the TME, making it more amenable to their own growth. This gives rise to cancer-associated stromal cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs further modulate the TME by regulating the release of growth signals, cell death, ECM remodeling, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Glypican-1 (GPC1) is a cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) that has both pro-mitogenic and pro-metastatic activity. GPC1’s role in regulating fibroblasts and their transformation into CAFs has not been investigated. We studied the ability of prostate cancer cells to alter the TME in vitro by exposing human bone fibroblasts (HS-5 cells) to tumor conditioned media (TCM) isolated from a human neuroendocrine (DU-145) and bone (PC-3) metastatic prostate cancer cell lines and assessed changes in cell morphology and cytotoxicity (using MTT). Exposure of HS-5 cells to TCM from DU-145 and PC-3 cells altered cellular morphology to a more mesenchymal phenotype similar to that seen in active myofibroblasts. TCM also decreased MTT staining in a time-dependent manner. We also determined the effect of GPC1 knockdown (KD) in HS-5 cells on cell morphology, migration and cytotoxicity. Interestingly, we saw phenotypic switching of GPC1 KD HS-5 cells to a myofibroblast like morphology akin to that when treated with TCM. There was no change in cytotoxicity in GPC1 KD HS-5 cells as compared to control cells. However, GPC1 KD enhanced the migration of HS-5 cells in wound healing assay. Migration was also increased in GPC1 KD HS-5 cells upon treatment with TCM. GPC1 KD also increased HS-5 cell contractility significantly. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that GPC1 plays an inhibitory role in the TME of prostate cancer by regulating the activation of fibroblasts. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Sukhneeraj P. Kaur, Hee K. Lee, Robert D. Arnold, Brian S. Cummings. Role of glypican 1 in regulating fibroblast activation in the prostate cancer tumor microenvironment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1913.
Engineered Fn3 protein has targeted therapeutic effect on mesothelin-expressing cancer cells and increases tumor cell sensitivity to chemotherapy

Mesothelin is a protein expressed at high levels on the cell surface in a variety of cancers, with limited expression in healthy tissues. The presence of mesothelin on tumor tissue correlates with increased invasion and metastasis, and resistance to traditional chemotherapies, through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Molecules that specifically recognize mesothelin and interrupt its contribution to tumor progression have significant potential for targeted therapy and targeted drug delivery applications. A number of mesothelin-targeting therapies are in preclinical and clinical development, although none are currently approved for routine clinical use. In this work, we report the development of a mesothelin-targeting protein based on the fibronectin type-III non-antibody protein scaffold, which offers opportunities for applications where antibodies have limitations. We engineered protein variants that bind mesothelin with high affinity and selectively initiate apoptosis in tumor cells expressing mesothelin. Interestingly, apoptosis does not occur through a caspase-mediated pathway and does not require downregulation of cell-surface mesothelin, suggesting a currently unknown pathway through which mesothelin contributes to cancer progression. Importantly, simultaneous treatment with mesothelin-binding protein and chemotherapeutic mitomycin C had a greater cytotoxic effect on mesothelin-positive cells compared to either molecule alone, underscoring the potential for combination therapy including biologics targeting mesothelin.
Evaluating the effects of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) on juvenile Houston Toads (Bufo [=Anaxyrus] houstonensis) in Colorado County, TX

The spread of invasive species is considered a major threat to biodiversity, second only to habitat loss. Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) are a globally invasive species with negative impacts reported on native invertebrate and vertebrate species. Federally endangered Houston Toads (Bufo [=Anaxyrus] houstonensis), endemic to Texas, are among the vertebrates reportedly negatively impacted by Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA). Threats posed by RIFA to Houston Toads needed to be explicitly characterized. Large-scale chemical treatments to suppress RIFA and facilitate brood survival in Attwater's prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge (APCNWR) afforded us an opportunity to experimentally examine the influence of RIFA abundance on juvenile Houston Toad growth and survival. We also sought to examine whether juvenile Houston Toads could grow and survive in a vegetation type similar to a historic species locality. We conducted a terrestrial mesocosm experiment to test whether the application of bait-driven suppressant decreased counts of RIFA relative to untreated sites. We examined whether counts of native ant and non-ant native invertebrates were higher in response to potential decreases in RIFA. We compared growth and survival rates in juvenile Houston Toads among treated and untreated sites, expecting juvenile growth and survival to be higher in response to potentially decreased RIFA counts and increased native invertebrate counts. We saw lower counts of RIFA in treated prairies, but we also observed a decrease in native ant counts possibly due to chemical treatment. Therefore, the application of bait-driven suppressant may not affect RIFA alone. We saw no difference in counts of non-ant invertebrates among treated and untreated sites. Juvenile Houston Toads did not differ in growth and survival among treated and untreated sites. We recognize that the lack of a relationship between juvenile growth and survival with a treatment effect, and therefore RIFA abundance, may be limited to APCNWR. We encourage additional experimental studies to elucidate RIFA impacts at other sites. We extrapolated apparent survival estimates from our study to one year. These appear comparable to juvenile survivorship required in simulations for Houston Toad population persistence and on this basis, we recommend that APCNWR be re-evaluated as a reintroduction site for Houston Toads. We also recommend further studies to potentially broaden the regulatory definition of Houston Toad habitat beyond the current restrictive view of canopied forest alone. Such studies would need to examine the utility of native grasslands as dispersal corridors/upland habitat for juvenile Houston Toads. Our findings emphasize the utility of experimental studies in directly examining the influence of perceived threats to imperiled species and the role of such clarifications in adapting recovery efforts.
When the edges blur: A future psychiatrist's perspectives on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

A graduating medical student and incoming psychiatry resident reflects on his diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and his treatment for this condition. He also examines the impacts of ADHD and stimulant medication on his career, education, and personal life, as well as the impacts of individual and systemic mental health stigma on mental health care providers as prosumers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Stratospheric water vapor feedback and its climate impacts in the coupled atmosphere–ocean Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry-Climate Model

The stratospheric water vapor feedbacks on climate for abrupt CO2 quadrupling are investigated with the coupled atmosphere–ocean Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry-Climate model. A feedback suppression method is used to quantify the stratospheric water vapor climate feedback parameter and the impacts of stratospheric water vapor increases on temperature and circulation. It is found that increases in stratospheric water vapor change the model’s net climate feedback parameter by 0.11 W m−2 K−1, contributing to 0.5 K, or 10%, of the global-mean surface warming under abrupt CO2 quadrupling. Stratospheric water vapor increases lead to significant impacts on stratospheric temperature and dynamics. The increases induce stratospheric dynamical changes that strongly modify stratospheric cooling patterns. About 30% of the acceleration of the stratospheric Brewer-Dobson circulation under 4 × CO2 is attributed to the stratospheric water vapor increases. In the troposphere, the stratospheric water vapor feedback plays a role in Arctic amplification and is responsible for 14% of the Arctic warming. It also affects tropospheric circulation, causing greater poleward shift of the northern hemisphere tropospheric midlatitude jet.
Comparing Monitoring-Based and Modeling-Based Approaches for Evaluating Black Carbon Contributions from a U.S. Airport

Black carbon (BC) is a key component of fine particulate matter that is emitted from aircraft and other combustion sources at airports. Understanding the contribution of aviation activity to ambient BC is important given the projected growth in aviation transport and decrease in emissions from other anthropogenic sources, but there are limitations in the various approaches conventionally used for source attribution. In this study, we evaluate three contrasting approaches to assess the contribution of aviation activity to BC concentrations near a small regional airport in Rhode Island, USA. First, we apply a previously developed regression model utilizing continuous BC concentrations measured at five monitoring sites and predictors such as real-time flight activity (departures and arrivals) and meteorological data, including mixing height, wind speed and direction. Second, we used AERMOD to model all airport sources of BC. Third, we used the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, a comprehensive chemistry-transport air quality model. We included emissions estimates of all airport activity using an enhanced representation within the lowest 10,000 ft. inclusive of the landing and takeoff (LTO) cycle (the lowest 3,000 ft.) in the modeling system, along with other emissions from all other background sources. Median contribution estimates from the regression model indicate that flight activity contribute to approximately 24–28% of the observed BC concentrations at these five locations. The CMAQ and AERMOD based results show a much smaller contribution, in the range of 2–5% of the observed BC concentrations. We present possible explanations for these discrepancies, using a detailed analysis at different temporal scales at all five locations, and consider possible refinements to each approach. Our findings help to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of various source attribution approaches in the context of aviation emissions and other settings where it is of interest to infer local contributions to ambient concentrations.
Augmented Fairness: An Interpretable Model Augmenting Decision-Makers' Fairness.

We propose a model-agnostic approach for mitigating the prediction bias of a black-box decision-maker, and in particular, a human decision-maker. Our method detects in the feature space where the black-box decision-maker is biased and replaces it with a few short decision rules, acting as a "fair surrogate". The rule-based surrogate model is trained under two objectives, predictive performance and fairness. Our model focuses on a setting that is common in practice but distinct from other literature on fairness. We only have black-box access to the model, and only a limited set of true labels can be queried under a budget constraint. We formulate a multi-objective optimization for building a surrogate model, where we simultaneously optimize for both predictive performance and bias. To train the model, we propose a novel training algorithm that combines a nondominated sorting genetic algorithm with active learning. We test our model on public datasets where we simulate various biased "black-box" classifiers (decision-makers) and apply our approach for interpretable augmented fairness.
Modeling mean relation between peak period and energy period of ocean surface wave systems

Abstract Parametric spectrum models describing a frequency spectrum of ocean surface waves (e.g., Pierson-Moskowitz and JONSWAP (Joint North Sea Wave Project) spectrum) as a function of the significant wave height and peak period ( T p ) have been used to estimate the energy period ( T e ) using a relation, T e = C T p , when the frequency wave spectrum is not available. This approach, however, introduces uncertainties in T e estimation for irregular waves. In the present study, a regression model for defining the coefficient ( C ) is developed to minimize the uncertainty in T e estimation using buoy wave measurements and WaveWatch III® hindcast for coastal waters of the United States. The result shows that the coefficients ( C ) of wind sea, swell, and total sea vary geographically and range from 0.84 to 0.90, 0.92 to 0.98, and 0.79 to 0.85. This approach derives consistent coefficients with different periods of record and results in better agreements in T e estimation compared to those of the approach relying on parametric spectrum models. Frequency distributions of dominant wave systems reaching different coastal regions, e.g., Pacific northwest swell in the Pacific Ocean, nor'easter swell and trade wind swell in the Atlantic Ocean, explain the observed spatial trends in the coefficient.
The E-Cigarette Regulatory Landscape: Policy and Advocacy Approaches

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) entered US markets around 2006. Since then, the e-cigarette industry has strategically circumvented the long-standing ordinances that regulate traditional cigarettes and has been distributing and selling electronic cigarettes in a largely unregulated market. Advocacy and regulatory efforts have been asserted at the federal, state, and local levels; however, the e-cigarette and tobacco industries have met these initiatives with well-funded challenges. Data indicates that federal and state e-cigarette regulations continue to lag behind those of traditional cigarettes. The numerous ongoing delays in regulating electronic cigarettes have contributed to the current youth vaping crisis and associated adverse health consequences. To reverse the e-cigarette epidemic, community leaders and constituents must coordinate with local, state, and national health and tobacco control organizations and advocate for stringent e-cigarette regulations. Previous and ongoing tobacco and e-cigarette control movements demonstrate that local-level campaigns can gain momentum, advance to the state and federal level, and result in effective changes to public health policy. In this chapter, we examine historical, policy-based tobacco control successes and identify the prime targets for ongoing advocacy in the e-cigarette regulatory landscape, including smoke-free zones, excise taxes, characterizing flavors bans, Tobacco 21 legislation, and retail licensure.
Williams Syndrome With Rare Ureteric Abnormality.

Williams syndrome (WS), also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by infantile hypercalcemia, short stature, a varying degree of mental retardation, elfin-like facial features, and cardiovascular abnormalities, including systemic hypertension, aortic hypoplasia, coarctation of the aorta, and valvular heart disease (aortic and pulmonic stenosis, mitral valve prolapsed or bicuspid aortic valve). It is also characterized by friendly and outgoing personality. The majority of WS cases are sporadic, while few are familial. Both sporadic and familial cases are due to deletion of chromosome 7 (7q11.23). Herein, we present an autopsy case of a 16-day-old male infant born to a 25-year-old mother with a history of William syndrome. Prenatal echocardiogram showed supravalvular aortic stenosis and pulmonary stenosis. The postnatal course was complicated by feeding difficulties and desaturation. Gross autopsy findings included generalized edema, macrocephaly with short neck, and multiple facial anomalies (mandibular hypoplasia, depressed nasal bridge, long philtrum, ear malformation, and wide mouth). The heart was hypertrophied with obstructed ventricles and rudimentary, hypoplastic aortic root. An enlarged, dilated, and tortuous left ureter was a unique finding to this case, in addition to variation in the renal arteries' size and an small bowel outpouching located 33 cm from the ileocecal valve. Cytogenetic analysis revealed deletion of chromosome 7 (7q11.23). In conclusion, majority of WS cases are sporadic, and few are familial and are inherited as autosomal dominant.
Microstructure and Deformation Behavior of Additively Manufactured 17–4 Stainless Steel: Laser Powder Bed Fusion vs. Laser Powder Directed Energy Deposition

This study aims to compare the microstructure of 17–4 PH stainless steel (SS) manufactured via laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) and laser powder directed energy deposition (LP-DED) in non-heat treated (NHT) and heat treated conditions. In addition, the room-temperature tensile behavior of heat-treated L-PBF and LP-DED 17–4 PH SS has been investigated and compared with that of the wrought counterpart with the same heat treatment conditions. The results show that the L-PBF specimens have a finer microstructure (ferrite + lath martensite) than the LP-DED ones (massive ferrite + Widmanstatten ferrite) in NHT condition. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis shows that the L-PBF and LP-DED specimens have twin-based substructure lath martensite after heat treatment. Despite the lower tensile strength of the LP-DED specimens compared with the L-PBF ones, the ductility of peak-aged LP-DED specimens was reduced due to the presence of the δ-ferrite phase having a significant plastic deformation incompatibility with the martensite.
Minimally Invasive GERD Therapies

Studies show that although approximately 30–40 % of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) fail to respond symptomatically to aggressive acid suppressive therapy with proton pump inhibitors (PPI), less than 5 % of them undergo fundoplication. Patients who have persistent GERD symptoms despite medical therapy and are not willing to undergo fundoplication fall into what is called the GERD treatment gap. Newer minimally invasive techniques, both endoscopic and laparoscopic, have been introduced to address this gap and include gastric bypass surgery for the obese patient with GERD.
Experience with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2α for abortion

Abstract Intra-amniotic prostaglandin F 2α was utilized for induction of midtrimester abortion in 133 women. A 94.7 per cent incidence of abortion was achieved. Seventy per cent of patients vomited and 13.6 per cent became febrile, but the incidence of other side effects was low. Sepsis, systemic reaction to prostaglandin, and cervical laceration were serious complications. Prostaglandin F 2α effectively induces uterine activity. However, its safety, convenience, and acceptability have not been established.
Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding problems in patients taking warfarin, aspirin, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents. A prospective study.

BACKGROUNDMany patients, who undergo cutaneous surgery take medications that can affect bleeding. The role of these medications in postoperative bleeding complications is unclear. Dermatologists have no clear guidelines regarding the need to discontinue these medications preoperatively.OBJECTIVEWe d
PYRIDINE NUCLEOTIDE-LINKED REACTIONS OF PSEUDOMONAS NATRIEGENS.

Eagon, R. G. (University of Georgia, Athens). Pyridine nucleotide-linked reactions of Pseudomonas natriegens. J. Bacteriol. 84:819–821. 1962—The observation that Pseudomonas natriegens utilizes the Embden-Meyerhof pathway and the hexose monophosphate-pentose cycle only very slightly, even though the necessary enzymes are present, was explained by the existence of a sluggish system for the oxidation of reduced triphosphopyridine nucleotide (TPNH). Pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase could not be detected in cell-free extracts. A very active system for the oxidation of reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH) was observed. Thus, since lactic acid is a major end product of glucose dissimilation and since the lactic dehydrogenase of P. natriegens does not utilize DPNH as cofactor, the Embden-Meyerhof pathway apparently operates aerobically by direct oxidation of DPNH, presumably by coupling with the terminal oxidase system rather than by coupling to synthetic reactions requiring DPNH as cofactor. A TPNH-specific glutathione reductase was detected which was inhibited by adenosine-2′-monophosphate.
A brief review of the process domain concept and its application to quantifying sediment dynamics in bedrock canyons

Terra Nova, 00, 000–000, 2010 Abstract Bedrock canyons are most likely to be present in the upper and middle portions of river systems. Process domains, which are spatially identifiable areas characterized by distinct suites of geomorphic processes that govern sediment dynamics, provide a conceptual framework for understanding the input, storage and transport of unconsolidated material along rivers in bedrock canyons. This article introduces and briefly illustrates how process domains can be used to develop a first-order categorization of spatial variation in sediment dynamics at the catchment scale using topographic maps or digital elevation models. Process domains distinguished using parameters of valley geometry readily obtainable from topographic data (e.g. gradient, ratio of channel width to valley-bottom width) effectively delineate steep, narrow canyon segments closely coupled to adjacent hillslopes and shallower, wider canyon segments with greater alluvial storage. The Poudre River in Colorado, USA, provides an example of the delineation of process domains and of the implications of these delineations for understanding sediment dynamics.
Should we still use motor vehicle intrusion as a sole triage criterion for the use of trauma center resources

BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle intrusion (MVI) is one of the field triage criteria recommended by the American College of Surgeons Committee of Trauma (ACS-COT) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the evidence supporting its validity is scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of this criterion and assess its impact on overtriage or undertriage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on the Los Angeles County Trauma and Emergency Medicine Information System (TEMIS) Trauma database. Included in the analysis were patients with MVI as the sole criterion for trauma center triage. Physiological characteristics, severity of injury, and outcomes of the MVI patients were compared between different age groups. Further, a logistic regression model was used to identify factors significantly associated with the need for trauma center resources. RESULTS: During the period 2002-2012, a total of 10,554 trauma patients involved in motor vehicle crashes had documentation of MVI. A subgroup of 3998 patients (37.9%) did not meet any other criteria that require immediate transportation to a designated trauma center. Only 0.7% of these patients had hypotension and 0.1% had deterioration of the Glasgow Coma Scale on admission to the emergency room. Overall, 18.8% of patients required trauma center resources defined as intubation in the emergency room, certain surgical procedures, in-hospital death, or intensive care unit admission. Age ≥65 years, male gender, prehospital heart rate >100/min, and systolic blood pressure CONCLUSIONS: The MVI itself did not appear to be a strong indicator for the use of trauma center resources and is associated with excessive overtriage. However, age >65 years, systolic blood pressure 100/min were significant predictors for the need of trauma center resources. The MVI criterion should be refined for better utilization of trauma center resources. Language: en
Edge Effects on Local Statistics in Lattice Dimers: A Study of the Aztec Diamond (Finite Case)

We compute the probability of any local pattern at an arbitrary position in a random dimer configuration in a square grid with an Aztec-diamond boundary.
Influence of proinflammatory cytokines on Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans specific IgG responses.

OBJECTIVE High levels of serum anti-Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans immunoglobulin G (IgG) correlate with reduced extent and severity of periodontal disease and the present study was undertaken to begin testing the hypothesis that proinflammatory cytokines are important in the induction of optimal anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans IgG responses. BACKGROUND Studies with pokeweed mitogen indicate that interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and IL-1beta are necessary for optimal IgG1 and IgG2 production and that prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) selectively promote IgG2, which is a major component of the anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans response in vivo. The pokeweed mitogen results suggest that these proinflammatory cytokines would also be necessary for optimal production of IgG specific for A. actinomycetemcomitans. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from A. actinomycetemcomitans-seropositive subjects with localized aggressive periodontitis were stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans in immune complexes capable of binding follicular dendritic cells that participate in the induction of recall responses in vivo. Cultures were manipulated with anti-IL-1alpha, anti-IL-1beta, anti-IFN-gamma, anti-IL-12, anti-CD21, indomethacin, and PGE(2). Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans specific IgG production was monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Addition of follicular dendritic cells to peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultures resulted in follicular dendritic cell-lymphocyte clusters and increased anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans IgG responses (3-40-fold increases) compared with controls lacking follicular dendritic cells. Anti-IL-1alpha, anti-IL-1beta, anti-IFN-gamma, anti-IL-12, anti-CD21 and indomethacin suppressed anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans IgG production by half or more. PGE(2) restored IgG responses suppressed by indomethacin. CONCLUSIONS The cytokines IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, IL-12, and PGE(2) were all necessary for optimal production of human anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans and the need for proinflammatory cytokines including the T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines is consistent with a response with a significant IgG2 component.
Social Characteristics of Visually Impaired Infants' Play

This cross-sectional study explores the extent to which the visually impaired infant and mother are able to use play to facilitate rewarding social interactions. Mother-child interactions were observed in 21 visually impaired infants and 16 nonhandicapped infants. From videotape ratings of five child behaviors and five maternal behaviors, significant differences were found in several variables. Visually impaired infants demonstrated fewer periods of positive vocalization and positive responses to the mother, fewer social initiations to the mother, more negative vocalizations, more periods of negative affect, and more ignoring of the mother than did the controls. Mothers of visually impaired infants demonstrated less en-facing positioning, fewer positive vocalizations, and more periods of neutral vocalizations than did the mothers of nonhandicapped children.
3D SAR imaging using a hybrid decomposition superresolution technique

A technique to form super-resolved 3D Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images from a limited number of elevation passes is presented in this paper. This technique models the environment as containing a finite number of isotropically radiating, frequency independent point scatterers in Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN), and applies a hybrid super-resolution method that yields the Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimates of scatterer strengths and resolves their locations in the data deficient dimension well beyond the Fourier resolution limit.
Kinetics of selected di-n-butyl phthalate metabolites and fetal testosterone following repeated and single administration in pregnant rats.

Abstract Human exposure to phthalic acid diesters occurs through a variety of pathways as a result of their widespread use in consumer products and plastics. Repeated doses of di- n -butyl phthalate (DBP) from gestation day (GD) 12 to 19 disrupt testosterone synthesis and male sexual development in the fetal rat. Currently little is known about the disposition of DBP metabolites, such as monobutyl phthalate (MBP) and its glucuronide conjugate (MBP-G), during gestation after repeated exposure to DBP. In order to gain a better understanding of the effect of repeated dosing on maternal and fetal metabolism and distribution, pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were given a single dose of 500 mg/kg DBP on GD 19 or daily doses of 50, 100, and 500 mg/(kg day) from GD 12 to 19 via corn oil gavage. Dose–response evaluation revealed a non-linear increase in maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of MBP. Maternal and fetal MBP levels were slightly lower in animals after 8 days of dosing at 500 mg/(kg day). Fetal plasma MBP levels closely followed maternal plasma, while the appearance and elimination of MBP-G in fetal plasma were significantly delayed. MBP-G accumulated over time in the amniotic fluid. Inhibition of testosterone was rapid in fetal testes when exposed to DBP (500 mg/(kg day)) on GD 19. Within 24 h, the level of inhibition in the fetus was similar between animals exposed to a single or multiple daily doses of 500 mg/(kg day). Examination of testosterone time-course data indicates a rapid recovery to normal levels within 24 h post-dosing at DBP doses of 50 and 100 mg/(kg day), with a rebound to higher than normal concentrations at later time-points. MBP kinetics in fetal testes allows direct comparison of active metabolite concentrations and testosterone response in the fetal testes.