cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retrospective cost adaptive control for nonminimum-phase discrete-time systems, part 1: The ideal controller and error system

We present a direct adaptive controller for discrete-time (and thus sampled-data) systems that are possibly nonminimum phase. The adaptive control algorithm requires limited model information, specifically, knowledge of the first nonzero Markov parameter and the nonminimum-phase zeros (if any) of the transfer function from the control to the performance. This adaptive control algorithm is effective for stabilization as well as for command following and disturbance rejection, where the command and disturbance spectra are unknown. The novel aspect of this controller is the use of a retrospective performance, which is minimized using either an instantaneous or cumulative retrospective cost function.
Afterloading with miniaturized 137Cs sources in the treatment of cancer of the uterus

Abstract Miniaturized 137 Cs sources make possible the treatment of cancer of the uterus, both cervical and endometrial, with a high degree of radiation safety by afterloading techniques. The basic unit consists of: a source holder which is a 30 cm long stainless wire tubing, 18 gauge in size, containing the 137 Cs within its lumen at one end, a handle at the other; a "dummy" wire of the same length without the cesium; and a thin, plastic, hollow tube, also of the same length with a lumen fhich accommodates either steel wire. The plastic tube can be incorporated into almost any utero-vaginal applicator. The applicator is used with the dummy wire for handling, sterilization, insertion into the patient, and X-ray studies. Afterloading is accomplished by exchange of the dummy wires for the cesium holders which are stored in a lead safe. The strength of the cesium sources is the equivalent of 10 mg of radium in 1 cm of active length. The miniaturized cesium system can be adapted to most of the well established methods of intracavitary radiation therapy with the radiation safety of afterloading. Furthermore, with the dummy wires in place, the applicators can be adjusted in position in the patient with greater precision to correct errors of dosage revealed by preliminary calculations, and the time for insertion and removal of the sources can be more easily controlled.
Predictors of Unprotected Sex among Young Sexually Active African American, Hispanic, and White MSM: The Importance of Ethnicity and Culture

Despite the recognized need for culturally tailored HIV prevention interventions for gay, bisexual, and questioning youth, few studies have examined if predictors of unprotected sex vary for youth from different ethnic groups. This study reports on a sample of 189 gay, bisexual, and questioning youth (age 15–22) from three racial/ethnic backgrounds (African American, Hispanic, and White) recruited in Chicago, IL and Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Florida. For African American youth, being in a long-term relationship, having been kicked out of the home for having sex with men, and younger age at initiation of sexual behavior were associated with unprotected sex. For Hispanic youth, higher ethnic identification and older age at initiation of sexual behavior were associated with unprotected sex. For White youth, no predictors were associated with unprotected sex. Our findings point to the importance of understanding the varying predictors of unprotected sex and integrating them into tailored prevention interventions.
Cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition attenuates angiotensin II-salt hypertension and neurogenic pressor activity in the rat.

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived prostanoids contribute to angiotensin II (ANG II) hypertension (HTN). However, the specific mechanisms by which prostanoids act are unclear. ANG II-induced HTN is cause...
How the testing techniques for a decision support system changed over eight years

A decision support system has been under development since 1985 to help speech clinicians diagnose small children who have begun to stutter. This paper describes how testing of the system evolved during these nine years. Testing included: 1) having an expert use and evaluate it, 2) running test cases, 3) developing a program to detect redundant rules, 4) using the analytic hierarchy process, 5) running a program that checks a knowledge base for consistency and completeness, 6) having five experts independently critique the system, 7) obtaining diagnoses of stuttering from these five experts derived from reports of children who had been evaluated for possible stuttering problems, 8) using the system to expose missing and ambiguous information in 30 clinical reports, and 9) analyzing the dispersion and bias of six experts and the decision support system in diagnosing stuttering. When using the final system, three clinicians with widely differing backgrounds produced diagnostic opinions that evidence little variability and were indistinguishable from those of a panel of five experienced clinicians.
BT-POD: A parallel and error-controllable wideband model reduction method for frequency-domain simulations

Ultra Wide Band (UWB) electromagnetic (EM) systems are ubiquitous in computing, communication and sensing applications. The design of such systems is often performed with time-domain or model order reduction (MOR) frequency-domain computational EM techniques. This paper will present a new MOR method that will be used in conjunction with the tangential vector finite elements (TVFEM) for the analysis of lossless, lossy, and infinitely periodic EM systems. Among MOR methods the Krylov subspace (or moment matching) techniques [1] have attracted much of the CEM community's attention because they are computationally efficient. Unfortunately, these methods do not offer error controls and indicators, and the inherent orthogonalization of the relatively large basis set often brakes-down and is difficult to parallelize. On the other extreme, the singular value decomposition (SVD) MOR methods [2] are very robust and offer error controls, but are computationally prohibitive since they require the solution of two Lyapunov equations. This paper introduces a hybrid SVD-Krylov technique based on the Balanced Truncation - Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (BT-POD). The method combines the best features of the two categories, namely offers error controls and indicators while preserving the efficiency of Krylov MOR. The most time consuming step related to the POD sampling is embarrassingly parallel, making the method suitable for multi-core computing. The method is related to the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of pattern recognition and machine learning, and shares the same spirit with the low-rank POD of Willcox et.al. [3], Phillips' poor-man's TBR [4]. and the Choleski Factor -Alternating Direction Implicit (CF-ADI) algorithm [5].
Exact solution for two-dimensional flow to a well in an anisotropic domain

Although most current applications of the analytic element method are formulated for isotropic hydraulic conductivity, anisotropic domains can be modeled with analytic elements using the well-known coordinate transformation where one coordinate axis is scaled by the square root of the anisotropy ratio. If the standard analytic solution for steady radial flow to a well is used with this coordinate transformation, the resulting solution correctly models the far field but it does not meet the constant head boundary condition at the well radius. This could be a significant shortcoming if you are interested in the flow field close to the well or want to estimate the head at the pumping well. A new solution for two-dimensional steady flow to a well in an anisotropic domain is presented. This solution satisfies the governing equations exactly and meets the constant head boundary condition at the well radius exactly. It was derived using a conformal mapping.
Constipation prophylaxis reduces length of stay in elderly hospitalized heart failure patients with home laxative use.

Background and Aim Elderly, hospitalized patients suffer disproportionately from constipation; however, little data suggest that constipation prophylaxis reduces length of stay (LOS). We performed a retrospective analysis of elderly patients admitted to our hospital with congestive heart failure (CHF) to determine the effects of constipation prophylaxis on LOS. Methods Patients ≥ 65 years old admitted with the diagnosis of CHF in 2012 were evaluated for home and hospital laxative use on admission. Our primary outcome was LOS. We used linear regression modeling to independently evaluate the impact of constipation prophylaxis on LOS. Results Among 618 patients who were eligible for our study, 201 (32.5%) were using laxatives at home, whereas 254 (41.1%) were started on a prophylactic laxative on admission. There was no significant difference in LOS between patients receiving prophylaxis versus those who did not (P = 0.32). Patients with home laxative use had a 1 day longer LOS compared to those without laxative use (6 vs 5, P = 0.03). Among patients with home laxative use, there were 2 days longer LOS in those who were not given constipation prophylaxis on admission (8 vs 6, P = 0.002). After multivariate adjustment, failure to use constipation prophylaxis in patients with home laxative use was the only independent predictor of increased LOS (P = 0.03). Conclusions Among elderly patients admitted for CHF exacerbations, failure to use constipation prophylaxis in patients with home laxative use is associated with a significantly longer LOS. Our data suggest that routine use of bowel prophylaxis for elderly CHF patients with preexisting constipation may reduce LOS.
Nitrogen and Carbon Cycling in a Model Longleaf Pine Community as Affected by Elevated Atmospheric CO 2

Increasing global atmospheric CO2 concentration has led to concerns regarding its potential effects on terrestrial ecosystem and the long-term storage of C and N in soil. This study examined responses to elevated CO2 in a typical regenerating longleaf pine-wiregrass community. The model community consisted of five plant species: (1) an evergreen conifer (Pinus palustris), (2) a bunch grass (Aristida stricta), (3) a broadleaf tree (Quercus margaretta), (4) a perennial herbaceous legume (Crotalaria rotundifolia), and (5) a herbaceous perennial (Asclepias tuberosa) grown at two CO2 concentrations (ambient and twice ambient). The CO2-enriched plots had greater aboveground biomass than ambient plots, mainly due to increased pine biomass. After 3 years, samples of the soil (Blanton loamy sand: loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Grossarenic Paleudult) were collected from 0- to 5-, 5- to 10-, and 10- to 20-cm depth increments. Microbial respiration, potential C and N mineralization, and C turnover were measured during a 120-day incubation of the soil samples. Elevated CO2 decreased soil C respiration and C turnover, but increased N mineralization. Results indicate that soil C sequestration is likely for soils in this longleaf pine ecosystem.
Towards a Self-Configurable Weather Research and Forecasting System

Current weather forecast and visualization systems lack the scalability to support numerous customized requests for weather research and forecasting, especially at the time of natural disasters such as a hurricane landfall. Most of these systems provide somewhat generic forecasts for different types of users including meteorologists, business owners and emergency management officials. Such forecast while may be relevant to some specific group of users; to others it may not provide any useful information apart from the prediction of impending weather hazards. In other words, one size does not fit all. Weather data and its visualization indicating inclement weather conditions such as snow or ice storm, tornadoes and hurricanes need to be customized for the different type of users using such systems; thus, assisting them in ensuring effective preparatory and meticulous recovery plans. In this paper, we propose a self-configurable, user specific on-demand weather research and forecasting system that utilizes grid computing to facilitate scalable weather forecast data analysis and prediction.
Industry Differences in the Level of Discrimination Against Women

I. Employer-generated discrimination, 216. — II. Discrimination as a functional element in the hierarchical work system, 220. — III. Conclusion, 228.
Human T cell cytokine responses are dependent on multidrug resistance protein-1

Multidrug resistance protein-1 (MRP1) belongs to subfamily C of the ATP-binding cassette transporters, and exports leukotriene C4 and organic anions including the fluorescent calcium indicator indo-1. The observation that leukocytes from patients with an autoimmune disease exported indo-1 at a higher rate than controls prompted the hypothesis that MRP1 contributes to the function of activated cells. To test this, we defined the expression of MRP1 on resting and activated human T cells, and determined whether T cell activation is dependent upon MRP1 function. MRP1 is expressed on resting memory but not on naive CD4 and CD8 T cells. After activation through the TCR, cord blood CD4 T cells express high levels of MRP1. Blockade of MRP1 with the specific inhibitor MK-571 abrogated superantigen-induced expression of IFN-c, tumor necrosis factor-a, IL-10, IL-2, IL-4 and CD69 by T cells without affecting their viability, and was reversible upon removal of MK-571 from the culture media. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrate that MRP1 blockade with MK-571 induces activation of the transcriptional repressor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-c in CD4 T cells, thus providing insight into the potential mechanism by which their responses are abrogated.
Interactive Distance Learning in Orthodontic Residency Programs: Problems and Potential Solutions

Sharing resources through distance education has been proposed as one way to deal with a lack of full-time faculty members and maintain high-quality content in orthodontic residency programs. To keep distance education for orthodontic residents cost-effective while retaining interaction, a blended approach was developed that combines observation of web-based seminars with live post-seminar discussions. To evaluate this approach, a grant from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) opened free access during the 2009–10 academic year to twenty-five recorded seminars in four instructional sequences to all sixty-three orthodontic programs in the United States and Canada. The only requirement was to also participate in the evaluation. Just over half (52 percent) of the U.S. programs chose to participate; the primary reason for participating was because faculty members wanted their residents to have exposure to other faculty members and ideas. The non-participating programs cited technical and logistical problems and their own ability to teach these subjects satisfactorily as reasons. Although participating distant faculty members and residents were generally pleased with the experience, problems in both educational and technical aspects were observed. Educationally, the biggest problem was lack of distant resident preparation and expectation of a lecture rather than a seminar. Technically, the logistics of scheduling distant seminars and uneven quality of the audio and video recordings were the major concerns of both residents and faculty members. Proposed solutions to these educational and technical problems are discussed.
Methodology and Implications of Spatial Equilibrium Solutions in the Pork Sector of the Livestock-Meat Economy

A S THE linear programming literature of the 1940's reflected the growth of the transportation model, so the decade of the 1950's witnessed the development of spatial equilibrium models from theoretical exposition to empirical application. Both models seek to determine optimum shipment patterns for trade of a product among three or more market places within a rather perfectly competitive market area where the amount of the commodity produced is equal to the amount consumed. When the solution is derived with a transportation model, an optimum shipment pattern is reached when all destination requirements have been satisfied and total transportation costs have been minimized. The solution yields the total transportation bill and discloses the direction and volume of trade between each possible pair of regions. When the more penertating spatial equilibrium approach is employed, the equilibrium relationship discloses not only volume, direction and cost of shipment, but also per capita consumption and price per unit in each region. An optimum pattern is attained when all destination requirements have been fulfilled, total transportation cost has been minimized, and product value-added, therefore, has been maximized. This paper constitutes a progress report on current investigations at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station into the interregional nature of the hog-pork sector of the livestock-meat economy. Five, 27-region U. S. models for 1960 and five, 29-region models for 1975 attempted to incorporate variations which would yield insights that might otherwise remain unquantified: (1) Liveweight transportation rates were incorporated independently of volume but not of direction of shipment. (2) Implications of slaughter location were examined on the basis of both procurement and distribution patterns provided by optimum shipment solutions for live animals to slaughter together with shipment patterns of meat from slaughter to consumption. (3) Regional boundaries were
Evaluation of Steinernematid Nematodes Against Popillia Japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Larvae: Species, Strains, and Rinse After Application

We evaluated the efficacy of Steinernema glaseri Steiner (strains NC, NJ-43, and a strain genetically selected for improved efficacy, SI-12), Steinernema anomali Kozodai (Ryazan strain), and Steinernema sp. (RGV strain) for the control of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, larvae in the laboratory and field. Virulence of nematodes was assessed by the mortality of the host larvae and by the number of nematodes established per host. In laboratory tests, NJ-43 and SI-12 strains of S. glaseri were significantly more virulent to larvae than the NC strain, S. anomaly or Steinernema sp. Similar results were obtained in field tests, where the NJ-43 and 51-12 strains produced 66 and 65% reductions of Japanese beetle larval population as compared with the NC strain that produced a 44% reduction. Steinernema anomali and Steinernema sp. were as effective as the NC strain of S. glaseri . Nematodes could be successfully applied during midday, if washed from the grass surface with a rinse after application. We conclude that the choice of nematode strain and rinsing of nematodes after application are important factors in obtaining control of Japanese beetle populations in turfgrass.
The Rising Regressivity of State Taxes

The authors point out that state tax systems have become more regressive in the past decade. Taxes in many states have become relatively more burdensome to low- and moderate-income families and relatively less burdensome on the affluent than they were before the last recession, the authors say. When states began cutting taxes, they focused those cuts overwhelmingly on personal income taxes and other progressive taxes, with minimal cuts in consumption taxes.
Antineoplastic admixture service in a tertiary-care hospital

The rationale and decision-making processes involved in the development and implementation of an antineoplastic admixture service in a 1027-bed teaching hospital are described. Because of concerns expressed by nurses about the potential health hazards of handling antineoplastic drug products, the department of pharmacy was asked to prepare all injectable antineoplastic agents within the institution. At the time of the request, the pharmacy department operated 12 decentralized pharmacies and one central pharmacy; no i.v. admixture services were provided, except for total parenteral nutrient solutions. In developing the service, the pharmacy department considered the advantages and disadvantages of (1) a centralized versus decentralized organization, (2) various physical facilities, and (3) various staffing patterns. An ad hoc committee of the P & T committee was formed to develop multidisciplinary guidelines for the appropriate handling of these products. A centralized service open from 0800 to 1600 daily was established. A supervisor was hired to train and manage the rotation of the entire pharmacy staff through the area. A vertical laminar-airflow biologic safety cabinet and exhaust adapter were purchased, and policies and procedures for handling the antineoplastic agents were developed for all involved personnel. Since opening in July 1983, the antineoplastic admixture service has been positively received by health-care providers in this institution, and no major problems have been associated with the program.
Where should preappraised evidence summaries and guidelines place in a pyramid

The letter by Kaufmann1 is quite reassuring as it demonstrates that policy researchers have intuitively and astutely questioned simple evidence hierarchies and were sceptical about using study design or study label as a surrogate for validity. This was the impetus for proposing our revised pyramid. The letter also reminds us that there are higher order scientific publications (guidelines and …
An Atypical Withdrawal Syndrome in Neonates Prenatally Exposed to Gabapentin and Opioids

We report a retrospective case series of 19 infants exposed to both opioids and gabapentin prenatally. We describe a unique behavioral phenotype in 15 of these infants and report a treatment strategy.
Victimization and depressive symptomology in transgender adults: the mediating role of avoidant coping

Victimization and depressive distress symptoms represent serious and interconnected public health problems facing transgender communities. Avoidant coping is hypothesized to temporarily alleviate the stress of victimization, but has potential long-term mental and behavioral health costs, such as increasing the probability of depressive symptoms. A community sample of 412 transgender adults (M age = 32.7, SD = 12.8) completed a one-time survey capturing multiple forms of victimization (i.e., everyday discrimination, bullying, physical assault by family, verbal harassment by family, childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence), avoidant coping, and past-week depressive symptomology. Structural equation modeling examined the mediating role of avoidant coping in the association between victimization and depressive symptomology. A latent victimization variable comprised of 6 measures of victimization was positively associated with avoidant coping, which in turn was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Victimization was also positively associated with depressive symptomology both directly and indirectly through avoidant coping. Avoidant coping represents a potentially useful intervention target for clinicians aiming to reduce the mental health sequelae of victimization in this highly stigmatized and vulnerable population. (PsycINFO Database Record
Deficiency of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase in human leukemic cells in vivo

Cells from 20 patients with leukemia and 9 with solid tumors were assayed for the enzyme methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, which function in both purine and polyamine metabolism in rapidly dividing cells. As determined by autoradiography of viable cells, and by direct enzymatic analysis, samples from one individual with pre-T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and one with common acute lymphoblastic leukemia were methylthioadenosine phosphorylase deficient. In contrast, other leukemias of similar antigenic phenotype, as well as normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, thymic lymphocytes, and normal bone marrow cells, had substantial methylthioadenosine phosphorylase activity. This evidence suggests that the complete absence of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase distinguishes some leukemic cells in vivo from their nonmalignant counterparts.
A small bandgap semiconductor, p-type MnV2O6, active for photocatalytic hydrogen and oxygen production

Extensive research has been conducted with the goal to find a single bandgap material that can absorb visible light and efficiently drive the catalysis of water to both hydrogen and oxygen. The p-type MnV2O6 (C2/m, Z = 2, a = 9.289 A, b = 3.535 A, and c = 6.763 A, β = 112.64°), synthesized via solid-state techniques, was investigated for its potential use in the visible-light photocatalysis of water. Mott-Schottky analysis was used to experimentally determine the energetic positions of the valence and conduction bands as +0.985 V and -0.464 V, respectively, at pH 5.68 vs. RHE. These are found to be suitable potentials to drive the reduction and oxidation of water under irradiation. The bandgap transitions, probed using spin-polarized density functional calculations, consist of the excitation of electrons from the half-filled Mn 3d5 orbitals to the empty V 3d0 orbitals. Both hydrogen and oxygen gas were observed as products during suspended-particle photocatalysis experiments under visible-light irradiation. The rate and total moles of gas produced were found to increase with the reaction temperature. As the temperature was raised from 30 °C to 37 °C and 44 °C, the moles of hydrogen produced over 6 hours increased by ∼1.5 and ∼2.5 times. Only oxygen is produced in pure water, showing that methanol is needed to drive hydrogen production.
Leaving Home, Finding Home: Narrative Practice with Immigrant Populations

This chapter presents a narrative perspective on the nature of immigration and the implications of this for clinical social work practice with immigrant populations. The phases of the immigration experience are explored along with the meaning of these for the evolving narrative of immigrant individuals and communities, including the nature of identity loss and renegotiation. Competing social, cultural, and political narratives of immigration are examined. Clinical case illustrations are provided.
Association between Financial Stress and Depression Stronger for African Americans than Whites

Background Despite the well-established link between the socioeconomic status (SES) and mental health, the associations between certain SES resources and health outcomes may differ across social and demographic groups. Aim Using a national sample of American adults, this study tested whether the link between perceived financial stress and depression differs for African Americans and Whites. Methods National Survey of American Life (NSAL), 2003, enrolled 3,570 African American and 891 Non-Hispanic White American adults. Sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors (age, gender, education, employment, marital status, and income), perceived financial stress, and major depressive episode (MDE; lifetime, 12-month, and 30-day) were measured. Logistic and linear regressions were used for data analysis. Results In the pooled sample, perceived financial stress was associated with risk of MDE (lifetime, 12-month, or 30-day) net of covariates. In the pooled sample, lifetime, 12-month, and 30-day MDE were also associated with higher perceived financial stress net of covariates. We found significant interactions that suggest stronger associations between perceived financial stress and MDE among the African Americans compared to Whites. Conclusion The link between financial insecurity and MDE depends on race. It is unclear whether African Americans are more vulnerable to the effects of financial insecurity on MDE, or their MDD results in larger financial insecurity. Financial issues may be an important aspect of mental health evaluation of African Americans.
The National Resident Matching Program All-In Policy: Potential Consequences and Ethical Questions

While the all-in policy strives to make the match program more equal for all participants, it is not clear that all-in makes the recruitment process more just for all programs involved.
Scenario-based design

Publisher Summary Opening up the design process to the intended users and descriptions of their projected use entail many technical issues. People need to develop new vocabularies for discussing and characterizing designs in terms of the projected activities of the intended users. These vocabularies should be accessible to the users, so that they can help define the technology they will use. People also need to be able to integrate and coordinate such use-oriented design representations with other representations produced in the course of system development. Further, people need to be able to assess design alternatives with use-oriented criteria and to integrate and coordinate such assessments with those that they make on traditional grounds, like correctness, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability. People need to develop new sorts of tools and techniques to support the development and use of use-oriented representations and methods in design. People also need to produce education to help system developers understand the need for use oriented approaches and adopt such methods in their work. This is a lot to ask for, but to do anything less is to risk losing sight of the line among human beings using and controlling their technology and its antithesis.
Nonverbal Assessment of Academic Achievement with Special Populations

Much of what transpires in the day-to-day activities of schools and classrooms involves the understanding and expression of ideas transmitted through the medium of spoken and written language. Academic instruction in nearly all content areas is often delivered orally or in a written format, and learners must communicate skills and competencies in the same manner. In order to be academically successful, students must demonstrate the ability to understand concepts through the medium of listening and reading, and must produce acceptable products using verbal and writing skills.
Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics at Livermore and Los Alamos

The early development, overall accomplishments, and near-term future of nonequilibrium molecular dynamics are described. The perspective here is personal and emphasizes developments in the western United States.
Understanding quantum phenomena and quantum theories

Abstract In this paper I examine the extent to which recent work in information-theoretic foundations of quantum mechanics can be thought to facilitate understanding, either of quantum phenomena or quantum theory. To do so I utilize the modal view of understanding phenomena. I extend this view to develop an analysis of understanding of theories. The extended modal view of understanding provides a unified view of recent work in information-theoretic foundations of quantum mechanics and explains how it facilitates understanding.
Exact NMF on Single Images via Reordering of Pixel Entries Using Patches

Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) has been shown to be effective in providing low-rank, parts-based approximations to canonical datasets comprised of non-negative matrices. The approach involves the factorization of the non-negative matrix A into the product of two non-negative matrices W and H, where the columns of W serve as a set of dictionary vectors for approximating the matrix A. One drawback to this approach is the lack of an exact solution since the problem is not convex in both W and H simultaneously. Previous authors have shown that an exact solution can be achieved by using datasets with specified properties. In this paper we propose a factorial dataset for the use of NMF on patches of a single image. We show that when the multiplicative update is applied to a single image, we are successful in achieving a set of standard basis vectors for the image. We show that by reordering the patches of a specified dataset, the algorithm is successful in achieving exact approximations of single images while preserving the number of standard basis vectors. We use Mean Squared Error (MSE), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Mean Structured Similarity Index (MSSIM) as measures of the quality of the low rank approximations for a given rank k.
ALPHA PARTICLE STUDY OF MADAGASCAR MONAZITE FOR SUPERHEAVY ELEMENTS

ABSTRACT The energy distributions of the alpha particles emitted from two Madagascar monazite specimen were measured. In one of the specimen, the thorium and uranium abundances were measured chemically. The alpha particle energy distribution was in accordance with the thorium and uranium abundances. No alpha particles above 10.6 Mev were observed; even though there were 2.2 × 106 alpha counts between 5.45 and 8. 78 Mev from 232Th daughters. An upper limit of 10−8 is obtained from these data for the superheavy element abundance associated with a decay chain having a 14 Mev alpha emitter. Thoron, 220Rn, diffusion out of the monazite was so rapid that sharp lines appeared in the alpha energy distribution. This thoron diffusing into the mica or along fine cracks in the mica would produce giant halos.
Application of Bioreactors in Dental and Oral Tissue Engineering

Increased rate of craniofacial trauma necessitates development of novel procedures for oral and dental tissue regeneration. Bioreactors are systems designed to prepare biologically active environments, homogenous distribution of cells, and chemical factors, recapitulating the mechanical and electrical stimulation to make the fully functional engineered tissues according to biological cues of each kind of tissue.
Risk of postoperative thromboembolic complication after major digestive surgery in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy: Lessons from more than 3,000 operations in a single tertiary referral hospital.

Abstract Background Although recent studies have suggested that the continuation of preoperative antiplatelet therapy with aspirin does not affect intraoperative or postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing digestive surgery, its preventive effect against thromboembolic complication remains largely unknown. Methods A total of 3,072 patients who underwent major digestive surgery (esophago-gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary-pancreatic resection for malignancy) between 2005 and 2018 at our institution were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into 3 groups: patients continuing to receive preoperative antiplatelet therapy with aspirin (continued-antiplatelet therapy group, n = 425), those discontinuing preoperative antiplatelet therapy (discontinued-antiplatelet therapy group, n = 549), and those who were not receiving antiplatelet therapy (non-antiplatelet therapy group, n = 2,117). The CHADS2 and the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system were used to assess potential thromboembolic risk. Surgical outcomes were compared between the groups and the risk factors for thromboembolic complication, bleeding complication, and operative mortality were determined by multivariate analysis. Results There was no difference between the discontinued-antiplatelet therapy and continued-antiplatelet therapy groups in the rate of high risk patients categorized by CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores; however, the occurrence of thromboembolic complication in the discontinued-antiplatelet therapy group was significantly higher compared with the continued-antiplatelet therapy group (2.8% vs 0.5%; P = .006). In a multivariate analysis using the whole cohort, discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy (odds ratio = 4.39; P Conclusion Discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy during major digestive surgery is the most significant risk factor for thromboembolic complication, and the continuation of preoperative aspirin therapy significantly reduces the occurrence of thromboembolic complication in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy. It is suggested that the preoperative continuation of aspirin monotherapy is one of the preferred options to prevent severe thromboembolic events during major digestive surgery in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy.
Metals and trace elements in relation to body mass index in a prospective study of US women.

Abstract Background Epidemiologic studies on the association between metals and body mass index (BMI) have been cross-sectional and have demonstrated inconsistent associations. Our study prospectively examined whether metals measured at baseline were associated with later BMI. We considered metals individually and as joint exposure to pre-defined metal groupings. Methods We measured concentrations of 16 metals in toenails collected at baseline (2003–2009) in a subset of 1221 women from the Sister Study. We calculated BMI from height and weight reported on a follow-up questionnaire an average of 5.2 years (range = 3.5–8.3) after baseline. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate β coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between BMI and individual metals (with estimates given per interquartile range (IQR) increase or in quartiles). Quantile g-computation was used to examine joint associations between groups of metals and BMI. Groups considered were (1) all metals combined, and metals classified as (2) non-essential or (3) essential. Results In individual metal models we found that, with the exception of cobalt, no single metal was strongly related to BMI. In our mixture analyses, a quartile increase in all non-essential metals was associated with higher BMI (β = 0.32; 95%CI: 0.00, 0.63 kg/m2), whereas essential metals were suggestively associated with lower BMI (β = −0.25; 95%CI: −0.58, 0.07 kg/m2). Conclusions In this population of women who were, on average, overweight, essential metals were jointly associated with slightly healthier, lower BMI whereas non-essential metals were jointly associated with slightly higher, unhealthier BMI, after controlling for other health indicators and predictors of metals exposures.
Marxist and Structural Marxist Perspectives of Hunter-Gatherers

The entirely unnecessary confusion regarding the differences between middle-range and optimal foraging theory reviewed in Chapter 4 indicates the kinds of problems that arise when research is conducted in the absence of a firm understanding of how it relates to general theory. Middle-range theorists to the contrary, like any other scientific enterprise, hunter-gatherer research requires a decent body of general theory. In the sense I intend here, to be viable that general theory must present, minimally, a coherent explanatory matrix in which materialist explanation and a concern for evolutionary processes figure prominently. I assume, further, that just as these features will characterize any modern theory of hunter-gatherers, so must they characterize any modern general theory of anthropology. These stipulations reflect my own theoretical perspective and assumptions regarding the quintessential role of hunter-gatherers in anthropology. Note further still that by invoking these stipulations and the body of theory underlying them, I am denying deliberately any possible role here for what has been called “post-processual archaeology” (Hodder 1982a, b, 1983). As Yengoyan (1985) notes, that approach effectively precludes any chance of doing comparative or generalizing research, which is assumed to be the principal purpose of all the theories, limited and general, in question here (see later discussion).
Civility and Shared Fate: Social Studies Teaching as Teaching for Belonging

In response to the violence of our era and the vast movement of people around the globe, the author argues that effective social studies education should include an understanding ourselves within communities of shared fate collectively building strategies of civility. Through conceptual analysis, the paper supports arguments that citizenship education should be grounded in communities of fate, rather than a sense of shared identity as a member of a particular country. Shared fate is the idea that our lives are intertwined with others in ways we perceive and ways we cannot. Civility is elaborated as concrete strategies that support or make possible broad participation in the demos. Looking at citizenship through the lens of communities of shared fate changes how we think about belonging and our responsibilities to one another in our shared world. The author provides examples of early career educators’ moral commitment to teaching from a perspective of shared fate and as well as their concerns to link the conceptual work to concrete practices within elementary school classrooms.
Copper-zirconia interfaces in UiO-66 enable selective catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol.

Molecular interactions with both oxides and metals are essential for heterogenous catalysis, leading to remarkable synergistic impacts on activity and selectivity. Here, we show that the direct link between the two phases (and not merely being together) is required to selectively hydrogenate CO2 to methanol on catalysts containing Cu and ZrO2. Materials consisting of isolated Cu particles or atomically dispersed Cu–O–Zr sites only catalyze the reverse water-gas shift reaction. In contrast, a metal organic framework structure (UiO-66) with Cu nanoparticles occupying missing-linker defects maximizes the fraction of metallic Cu interfaced to ZrO2 nodes leading to a material with high adsorption capacity for CO2 and high activity and selectivity for low-temperature methanol synthesis. Molecular interactions with both oxides and metals are essential for heterogenous catalysis, leading to remarkable impacts on activity. Here the authors show that a direct link between Cu and ZrO2 in a metal organic framework is required to hydrogenate CO2 to methanol.
Mechanisms of Soft Tissue Injury and Repair from Ballistics

Projectile injuries to the face deserve particular attention to evaluate for involvement of critical structures and functional elements and treat the devastating effects on facial aesthetics. Ballistic trauma to the maxillofacial region often has significant soft tissue and bony defects, creating a greater challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. The main goals of treatment of projectile injuries to the face are decreasing the amount of contaminants and nonviable tissue at the site, ensuring functionality, and restoring aesthetic appearance. There exists a lack of robust research on the subject. Soft tissue injuries from high-velocity projectiles have changed the perspective on treating acute injuries to the face and neck. Injuries encountered during both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom give the author pause to reflect upon a different wounding pattern than that encountered in stateside trauma centers. Given the dissemination of high-velocity weaponry by enemy combatants such as the improvised explosive device, mortar round, and high-velocity rifles, a higher incidence of facial wounds has been reported. The mechanism of injury and a stepwise approach for surgical repair are discussed incorporating advanced trauma life support principles and a reconstructive ladder of repair.
Crimes Against the Unborn: Protecting and Respecting the Potentiality of Human Life

Although the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade limits the states' ability to regulate consensual abortions, it recognizes a state interest in the potential life of the unborn and does not limit the states' power to act in situations where a mother's privacy right is not implicated. The states nonetheless provide only limited protection for the unborn under current criminal and civil laws. As Professor Parness illustrates, even in those states with strong public policy and social sentiment in favor of treating the unborn with respect and dignity, the failure to set forth this purpose clearly in a comprehensive statutory scheme leads to inadequate protection. Professor Parness advocates strengthening criminal, tort, family, and regulatory law in order to vindicate general and individual interests in the existence of the unborn. According to Professor Parness, however, the linchpin of this effort must be the criminal law, because it provides the clearest signal of legislative intent and the strongest deterrence of harmful acts. He argues that initial efforts should focus on the drafting and passage of "Crimes against the Fetus" laws. If greater scientific knowledge of the effects of current acts on future generations helps generate a consensus in favor of protection of the potential life of the unconceived, then the statutory scheme should be expanded to cover "Crimes against the Unborn."
A call for civic engagement.

As witnesses to the health consequences of social discrimination, clinicians are uniquely positioned to build coalitions of stakeholders to address inequities and drive change. Such civic engagement is needed to ensure that all populations are given the opportunity to thrive.
Challenges and opportunities in biological funneling of heterogeneous and toxic substrates beyond lignin

Significant developments in the understanding and manipulation of microbial metabolism have enabled the use of engineered biological systems toward a more sustainable energy and materials economy. While developments in metabolic engineering have primarily focused on the conversion of carbohydrates, substantial opportunities exist for using these same principles to extract value from more heterogeneous and toxic waste streams, such as those derived from lignin, biomass pyrolysis, or industrial waste. Funneling heterogeneous substrates from these streams toward valuable products, termed biological funneling, presents new challenges in balancing multiple catabolic pathways competing for shared cellular resources and engineering against perturbation from toxic substrates. Solutions to many of these challenges have been explored within the field of lignin valorization. This perspective aims to extend beyond lignin to highlight the challenges and discuss opportunities for use of biological systems to upgrade previously inaccessible waste streams.
Indocyanine Green–Guided Pediatric Tumor Resection: Approach, Utility, and Challenges

Incomplete tumor resection increases the risk of local recurrence. However, the standard of care approach to distinguishing tumor tissue is less than optimal, as it depends on a conglomeration of preoperative imaging and visual and tactile indicators in real time. This approach is associated with a significant risk of inadequate resection; therefore, a novel approach that delineates the accurate intraoperative definition of pediatric tumors is urgently needed. To date, there is no reliable method for the intraoperative assessment of tumor extent and real-time differentiation between tumor- involved tissues and tumor-free tissues. Use of intraoperative frozen sections is challenging, time consuming, and covers a small surface area. Increased vascular permeability and impaired lymphatic drainage in the tumor microenvironment leads to an enhanced permeability and retention effect of small molecules. ICG is a fluorescent dye that when administered intravenously accumulates passively in the tumor because of EPR, thereby providing some tumor contrast for intraoperative real-time tumor recognition. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that the tumor-to-background fluorescence ratio is optimized when imaging is obtained 24 h after dye injection, and many studies suggest using a high dose of ICG to optimize dye retention in the tumor tissue. However, in childhood cancers, little is known about the ideal dosing, applications, and challenges of ICG-guided tumor resection. This retrospective study examines the feasibility of ICG-guided tumor resection in common childhood solid tumors such as neuroblastoma, sarcomas, hepatic tumors, pulmonary metastases, and other rare tumors. Pediatric dosing and challenges related to the optimization of tumor-to-background ratio are also examined.