cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors Related to Condom Use among Young People in Kenya

Survey questionnaires were provided to a convenience sample of 197 students in four educational settings. When regressing the knowledge score on the independent variables, it was found that the knowledge score increased with years of education, the practice of Islam, getting HIV/AIDS information from a radio, worrying about contracting HIV/AIDS, and receiving AIDS education or family life education in school. The knowledge score was negatively related with age. When regressing condom use on the independent variables, including the knowledge score, the likelihood that a respondent would use a condom significantly increased when the respondent was willing to use a condom, when a sexual partner requested it, when the respondent knew where to purchase condoms, and when the respondent had received education in school on family planning and AIDS education. The likelihood of using condoms was negatively related with age and the statement “real men do not wear condoms.”
Endothelial Trauma From Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke In Vitro Live-Cell Platform With Animal Validation

Background and Purpose—Endovascular thrombectomy has shown promise for the treatment of acute strokes resulting from large-vessel occlusion. Reperfusion-related injury may contribute to the observe...
Human ZP3 restores fertility in Zp3 null mice without affecting order-specific sperm binding

The mammalian zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs mediates sperm binding at fertilization, provides a postfertilization block to polyspermy, and facilitates passage of pre-implantation embryos down the oviduct. Although the three zona proteins (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3) are well conserved, mammalian fertilization is relatively specific and human sperm do not bind to the mouse zona pellucida. There are considerable in vitro data that ZP3 acts as a primary sperm adhesion molecule in mice and, by analogy, a similar role has been postulated for human ZP3. Genetically altered mice lacking ZP3 (Zp3(tm/tm)) do not form a zona pellucida and are infertile. To rescue this phenotype, transgenic mice expressing human ZP3 (67% identical to mouse ZP3) were produced and bred with Zp3(tm/tm) null mice. The resultant human ZP3 rescue females had chimeric zonae pellucidae composed of mouse ZP1, mouse ZP2 and human ZP3. Human ZP3 expressed in mouse oocytes had an apparent mass (64 kDa) indistinguishable from native human ZP3 and distinct from mouse ZP3 (83 kDa). Despite the presence of human ZP3, human sperm did not bind to the chimeric zona pellucida, and notwithstanding the absence of mouse ZP3, mouse sperm bound to ovulated eggs in vitro and fertility was restored in vivo. These data have implications regarding the molecular basis of mouse and human sperm binding to their respective zonae pellucidae.
Proliferation of a Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cell Line in the Presence of Bacterial Virulence Factors

Abstract Effects of bacterial virulence factors on bovine mammary cell structure and function are not well defined. In this study, we evaluated the influence of specific bacterial virulence factors on proliferation of a bovine mammary epithelial cell line. The MAC-T cells were cultured in the presence of medium only, Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin, Staph. aureus s-toxin, Escherichia coli endotoxin, Streptococcus uberis capsule, or hyaluronidase. Cells were cultured in the presence of virulence factors for 48h at 37°C. The MAC-T cell proliferation was inhibited by all concentrations of endotoxin and α-toxin and by most concentrations of hyaluronic acid capsule and hyaluronidase >7.8µg/ml. Staphylococcus aureus s-toxin had no effect on MAC-T cell proliferation. Virulence factors produced by mastitis pathogens may influence mammary epithelial cell proliferation in vivo, which could be important during the periparturient period, when mammary tissue undergoes rapid differentiation and growth.
Time savings – realized and potential – and fair compensation for community health workers in Kenyan health facilities: a mixed-methods approach

Sub-Saharan Africa faces a severe health worker shortage, which community health workers (CHWs) may fill. This study describes tasks shifted from clinicians to CHWs in Kenya, places monetary valuations on CHWs’ efforts, and models effects of further task shifting on time demands of clinicians and CHWs. Mixed methods were used for this study. Interviews were conducted with 28 CHWs and 19 clinicians in 17 health facilities throughout Kenya focusing on task shifting involving CHWs, time savings for clinicians as a result of task shifting, barriers and enabling factors to CHWs’ work, and appropriate CHW compensation. Twenty CHWs completed task diaries over a 14-day period to examine current CHW tasks and the amount of time spent performing them. A modeling exercise was conducted examining a current task-shifting example and another scenario in which additional task shifting to CHWs has occurred. CHWs worked an average of 5.3 hours per day and spent 36% of their time performing tasks shifted from clinicians. We estimated a monthly valuation of US$ 117 per CHW. The modeling exercise demonstrated that further task shifting would reduce the number of clinicians needed while maintaining clinic productivity by significantly increasing the number of CHWs. CHWs are an important component of healthcare delivery in Kenya. Our monetary estimates of current CHW contributions provide starting points for further discussion, research and planning regarding CHW compensation and programs. Additional task shifting to CHWs may further offload overworked clinicians while maintaining overall productivity.
Merriam's Turkey Nest Survival and Factors Affecting Nest Predation by Mammals

Abstract Nest success is an important parameter affecting population fluctuations of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Factors influencing mammalian predation on turkey nests are complicated and not well understood. Therefore, we assessed nest hazard risk by testing competing hypotheses of Merriam's turkey (M. g. merriami) nest survival in a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) ecosystem during 2001–2003. We collected nesting information on 83 female Merriam's turkeys; annual nest success averaged 50% for adult females (range = 45–59%) and 83% for yearling females (range = 75–100%). Proportional hazard modeling indicated that precipitation increased the hazard of nest mortality. However, estimated hazard of nest predation was lowered when incubating females had greater shrub cover and visual obstruction around nests. Coyotes (Canis latrans) were the primary predator on turkey nests. We hypothesize that precipitation is the best predictor of nest survival for first nests because coyotes use olfaction effecti...
3-D reconstruction imaging

The authors discuss the reconstruction of contiguous, high-resolution CT scan images from patients with complex deformities of the skeleton using computer graphics techniques. The techniques, originally developed to simplify the interpretation and improve the utility of CT scans of the face and skull, have been extended to disorders of the pelvis and hips, wrist, spine, and cardiovascular system. The accuracy of three-dimensional image assessment is discussed, and problems and pitfalls are examined. Volumetric imaging using PICS-2000 software is considered. A surgical-anatomic image correlation system is described. >
Statistical analysis and modeling of variance in the SA-I mechanoreceptor response to sustained indentation

The slowly-adapting type I mechanoreceptor (SA-I) exhibits variability in its steady-state firing rate both within an afferent upon repeated stimulation and between afferents. Additionally, inter-spike intervals of the SA-I are extremely variable during this steady-state firing. While variability of the SA-I response has been noted previously, the work presented herein provides a finer analysis of the impact of force and fiber on the SA-I response. Specifically, we test two hypotheses, that 1) fiber-to-fiber variation will significantly impact firing rate over the range of applied forces, and that 2) fiber-to-fiber variation will significantly impact the coefficient of variation (CV) of inter-spike intervals over the range of applied forces. Utilizing an ex vivo skin nerve preparation in the mouse, experiments were conducted with six SA-I fibers from five mice, and with compressive stimuli with force magnitudes up to 9.59 mN. We found fiber to significantly impact both firing rate and CV. These findings motivated the construction of a generalized input (force) – output (firing rate) model composed of a baseline response profile and a multiplicative fiber sensitivity factor. This work will inform future efforts to attribute variability to differences in skin, neuron, and receptor properties, and will contribute to the understanding of how much variability is acceptable in systems designed to provide tactile feedback to the nervous system.
IQGAP1 is involved in post-ischemic neovascularization by regulating angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration.

Background Neovascularization is an important repair mechanism in response to ischemic injury and is dependent on inflammation, angiogenesis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). IQGAP1, an actin-binding scaffold protein, is a key regulator for actin cytoskeleton and motility. We previously demonstrated that IQGAP1 mediates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced ROS production and migration of cultured endothelial cells (ECs); however, its role in post-ischemic neovascularization is unknown. Methodology/principal findings Ischemia was induced by left femoral artery ligation, which resulted in increased IQGAP1 expression in Mac3(+) macrophages and CD31(+) capillary-like ECs in ischemic legs. Mice lacking IQGAP1 exhibited a significant reduction in the post-ischemic neovascularization as evaluated by laser Doppler blood flow, capillary density and α-actin positive arterioles. Furthermore, IQGAP1(-/-) mice showed a decrease in macrophage infiltration and ROS production in ischemic muscles, leading to impaired muscle regeneration and increased necrosis and fibrosis. The numbers of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells in the peripheral blood were not affected in these knockout mice. BM transplantation revealed that IQGAP1 expressed in both BM-derived cells and tissue resident cells, such as ECs, is required for post-ischemic neovascularization. Moreover, thioglycollate-induced peritoneal macrophage recruitment and ROS production were inhibited in IQGAP1(-/-) mice. In vitro, IQGAP1(-/-) BM-derived macrophages showed inhibition of migration and adhesion capacity, which may explain the defective macrophage recruitment into the ischemic tissue in IQGAP1(-/-) mice. Conclusions/significance IQGAP1 plays a key role in post-ischemic neovascularization by regulating, not only, ECs-mediated angiogenesis but also macrophage infiltration as well as ROS production. Thus, IQGAP1 is a potential therapeutic target for inflammation- and angiogenesis-dependent ischemic cardiovascular diseases.
Towards a Natural Language Interface for CAD

We propose a natural language interface as part of the solution to the problems posed by the continuing increase in the number and sophistication of CAD tools. The advantages of a natural language interface for CAD are numerous, but the complexity of the CAD domain renders most previous work in natural language interfaces of limited utility. We describe a new approach to natural language understanding which we are implementing in an interface currently under development. This approach is based on flexibility, parallelism, and redundancy. The present status of the interface (named Cleopatra) is described, and some imperative improvements are discussed.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Caused by an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm—A Case Report

Disseminated intravascular coagulation occurs in about 2 % of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. Herein, the authors describe a patient who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation as a result of a stable abdominal aortic aneurysm. The coagulation disorder resolved completely within a week after aneurysmectomy.'"
Electrophysiology of the Insect Dorsal Ocellus : II. Mechanisms of generation and inhibition of impulses in the ocellar nerve of dragonflies

Large nerve fibers in the ocellar nerves of dragonflies are spontaneously active. In the absence of inhibitory influence the spontaneous activity is rhythmic. Inhibition occurs in the dark-adapted state and during illumination. Miniature inhibitory postsynaptic potentials occur in the dark-adapted state. These modulate by temporary suppression the otherwise rhythmic discharge of ocellar nerve impulses. The presence of random spontaneous receptor cell excitations is inferred from the presence of the miniature i.p.s.p.'s. Light stimulates many or all the receptor cells simultaneously, masking the random spontaneous activity of individual receptor cells. The result is a sustained hyperpolarizing i.p.s.p. and sustained inhibition of the nerve discharge. Preceding resumption of the spontaneous activity at "off" the i.p.s.p. may oscillate, overshoot the baseline as a negative after-potential, or do both. These phases of the off-effect may generate nerve impulses in an off-burst.
Reengineering a complex application using a scalable data structure compiler

P2 is a scalable compiler for collection data structures. High-level abstractions insulate P2 users from data structure implementation details. By specifying a target data structure as a composition of components from a reuse library, the P2 compiler replaces abstract operations with their concrete implementations.LEAPS is a production system compiler that produces the fastest sequential executables of OPS5 rule sets. LEAPS is a hand-written, highly-tuned, performance-driven application that relies on complex data structures. Reengineering LEAPS using P2 was an acid test to evaluate P2's scalability, productivity benefits, and generated code performance.In this paper, we present some of our experimental results and experience in this reengineering exercise. We show that P2 scaled to this complex application, substantially increased productivity, and provided unexpected performance gains.
Characterization of T4 Mutants That Partially Suppress the Inability of T4rII to Grow in Lambda Lysogens

In the course of isolating viable T4 deletions that affect plaque morphology (Homyk and Weil 1974), two closely linked point mutants, sip1 and sip2, were obtained. They map between genes t and 52, cause a reduction in plaque size and burst size, and partially suppress the lethality of rII mutants for growth in lambda lysogens. These characteristics demonstrate that sip1 and sip2 are similar to mutants previously reported by Freedman and Brenner (1972). In addition, D. Hall (personal communication) has shown that sip1 and sip2 are similar to the mutant farP85, which affects the regulation of a number of early genes ( Chace and Hall 1975).——Sip suppression of rII mutants can be demonstrated in one-step growth experiments, even when both rII genes are completely deleted. This indicates that sip mutants do not simply reduce the level of rII gene products required for growth in a lambda lysogen. Instead, they alter the growth cycle so as to partially circumvent the need for any rII products.——Mutations at two other sites, designated L1 and L2, reverse the poor phage growth caused by sip and, in the one case tested, reverse the rII-suppressing ability of sip.
PlasmoGF : an integrated system for comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis of Plasmodium gene families

Summary: Malaria, one of the world’s most common diseases, is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite known as Plasmodium. Recently, with the arrival of several malaria parasite genomes, we established an integrated system named PlasmoGF for comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis of Plasmodium gene families. Gene families were clustered using the Markov Cluster algorithm implemented in TribeMCL program and could be searched using
Mechanical Control of Tissue Morphogenesis

Mechanical forces participate in morphogenesis from the level of individual cells to whole organism patterning. This article reviews recent research that has identified specific roles for mechanical forces in important developmental events. One well defined example is that dynein-driven cilia create fluid flow that determines left-right patterning in the early mammalian embryo. Fluid flow is also important for vasculogenesis, and evidence suggests that fluid shear stress rather than fluid transport is primarily required for remodeling the early vasculature. Contraction of the actin cytoskeleton, driven by nonmuscle myosins and regulated by the Rho family GTPases, is a recurring mechanism for controlling morphogenesis throughout development, from gastrulation to cardiogenesis. Finally, novel experimental approaches suggest critical roles for the actin cytoskeleton and the mechanical environment in determining differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Insights into the mechanisms linking mechanical forces to cell and tissue differentiation pathways are important for understanding many congenital diseases and for developing regenerative medicine strategies.
Plant geography upon the basis of functional traits: an example from eastern North American trees

Plant geographers have sought for decades to describe and predict the geographic distribution of vegetation types on the basis of plant function and its relationship with the abiotic environment. Traditionally this has been accomplished using categorical representations such as plant functional types. Increasingly, plant functional ecologists have sought to refine categorical functional types via quantitative functional traits in order to understand the ecological implications of trade-offs in plant form and function. Fewer works have focused upon testing whether commonly measured functional traits enhance our understanding of plant biogeography broadly and the geographic distribution of vegetation types in particular. Here we combine a continental-scale forest inventory data set containing 18 111 plots with a plant functional trait data set to ask: (1) Is there a strong relationship between the abiotic environment and the distribution of functional trait values in forest inventory plots? And (2) can different Holdridge life zones be distinguished upon the basis of their functional trait distributions? The results show geographic patterns of functional trait distributions that are often strongly correlated with climate and also show that the Holdridge life zones in the study area can be differentiated using a combination of functional traits.
Effects of Dopamine in man.

Dopamine, the biochemical precursor of norepinephrine, was infused intravenously into 11 normal subjects and 2 patients. Results of hemodynamic studies in 6 normal subjects indicated that dopamine increased cardiac output and stroke volume in all subjects. Arterial pressure also increased in all subjects with a predominant systolic pressure increment. Calculated vascular resistance decreased in 5 subjects and did not change in the other subject. Changes in heart rate were of small magnitude and were inconstant in direction. Left atrial pressure did not change in 2 patients at a time when substantial increments in cardiac output were produced by dopamine. Comparison of the doses of dopamine and norepinephrine calculated to produce equivalent increments in systolic pressure indicated that dopamine was 1/25 to 1/56 as potent as norepinephrine in this respect. Infusions of dopamine produced relatively small but consistent increments in blood glucose levels. It is concluded that the pharmacological actions of dopamine in man are different from those of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Because of its distinctive properties, dopamine may be useful in the treatment of patients with inadequate cardiac output.
High blood pressure and visual sensitivity

The study had two main purposes: (1) to determine whether the foveal visual sensitivities of people treated for high blood pressure (vascular hypertension) differ from the sensitivities of people who have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure and (2) to understand how visual adaptation is related to standard measures of systemic cardiovascular function. Two groups of middle-aged subjects--hypertensive and normotensive--were examined with a series of test/background stimulus combinations. All subjects met rigorous inclusion criteria for excellent ocular health. Although the visual sensitivities of the two subject groups overlapped extensively, the age-related rate of sensitivity loss was, for some measures, greater for the hypertensive subjects, possibly because of adaptation differences between the two groups. Overall, the degree of steady-state sensitivity loss resulting from an increase of background illuminance (for 580-nm backgrounds) was slightly less for the hypertensive subjects. Among normotensive subjects, the ability of a bright (3.8-log-td), long-wavelength (640-nm) adapting background to selectively suppress the flicker response of long-wavelength-sensitive (LWS) cones was related inversely to the ratio of mean arterial blood pressure to heart rate. The degree of selective suppression was also related to heart rate alone, and there was evidence that short-term changes of cardiovascular response were important. The results suggest that (1) vascular hypertension, or possibly its treatment, subtly affects visual function even in the absence of eye disease and (2) changes in blood flow affect retinal light-adaptation processes involved in the selective suppression of the flicker response from LWS cones caused by bright, long-wavelength backgrounds.
Further Development on Area Measurement Using Sinusoidal Image Perturbation

A more thorough examination of an area-measurement system employing chemical arrays is presented. An improvement in area-measurement accuracy is obtained when the amplitude of the sinusoidal perturbation signal is increased beyond the array-connector separation. The measurement error for various images in different positions on the receptor-connector matrix is considered.
Spoiling of transverse magnetization in steady-state sequences

A detailed analysis is presented of a method to eliminate transverse magnetization prior to each rf excitation in pulse sequences with TR < T2. It is shown that artifact-free images with high T1 contrast can be obtained only if a phase shift that is incremented during each TR interval is applied to the transverse magnetization. Computer simulations are used to show that when this phase increment is 117°, the steady-state transverse magnetization prior to each rf pulse is nulled over a wide range of T1, T2, and rf tip angles, resulting in optimal T1, contrast. Such nulling of steady-state transverse magnetization cannot be obtained by using large gradient pulses, or gradients of random or linearly incremented amplitude. Images of phantoms and human subjects confirm the theoretical predictions. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.
Pleural disease in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Although progressive depletion of CD4 lymphocytes is an immunologic hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, multiple impairments in host defense occur in the lungs of HIV-infected individuals. 42 Because the host defense functions of lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils are impaired, HIV-infected individuals are susceptible to a variety of infectious and neoplastic pulmonary processes. Few investigations have focused on host defense in the pleural space during HIV infection, but the pleural diseases that occur in HIV-infected individuals indicate that pleural host defenses are also impaired. The recent introduction of protease inhibitors, in addition to previously developed antiretroviral therapies, has already increased survival of HIV-infected individuals. That enhanced survival, however, continues to require diagnosis and treatment of the pleural complications of HIV infection. 23 As expected, the incidence of pleural disease in HIV-infected individuals closely follows the incidence of underlying pulmonary infections and neoplasms, and series reported from developed countries differ markedly from series reported from developing countries. This review considers the common causes of pleural disease in HIV-infected individuals, focusing on recently published clinical series and selected case reports. Using the information presented here, the clinician can plan a rational approach to diagnostic tests and therapies for HIV-related pleural effusions and pneumothoraces.
Effects of tooth crack on vibration responses of a profile shifted gear rotor system

Considering the effects of profile shift and tooth crack, Time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS) is determined based on an analytical model and the result accuracy is also verified by Finite element (FE) model. Then, by introducing TVMS into the FE model of a gear rotor system, the combined effects of profile shifted gear pair under positive, negative and zero gear transmission conditions and tooth crack on the system vibration responses are analyzed. The time-domain waveform, frequency spectrum and instantaneous energy at a constant rotational speed are used to indicate the crack feature, and the amplitude frequency response is adopted to display the crack-induced response change. The results show that different modification conditions have great influences on the TVMS due to the change of contact ratio and tooth thickness. The sideband frequency and instantaneous energy both can be adopted to diagnose the tooth crack and evaluate crack levels, and the latter is more sensitive than the former. The amplitude frequency responses of profile shifted gear under small crack condition show slight change compared with those of normal gear, and the change of acceleration is more obvious than that of displacement.
Sonographic Depiction of Intratumoral Vascularity With 2- and 3-Dimensional Color Doppler Techniques

Objective The purpose of this study was to describe patterns seen on 2- and 3-dimensional color Doppler sonographic depiction of intratumoral vessels and to correlate these patterns to histopathologic findings in an attempt to assess their clinical importance. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 26 patients with ovarian masses and intratumoral abnormalities in whom standard 2- and 3-dimensional color Doppler sonography was performed. Results Two- and 3-dimensional color Doppler sonography depicted several patterns of vascularity within ovarian masses. These included masses with vascularity confined to the wall or loculus and those with central versus peripheral vascularity. The presence of central intratumoral vascularity had a high positive predictive value (90%) for malignancy. Conversely, the absence of intratumoral vascularity had a high negative predictive value (96%). Conclusions Three-dimensional color Doppler sonography is helpful in depicting overall vessel density and branching patterns within an intratumoral abnormality. This technique seems to be useful in distinguishing benign from malignant ovarian masses.
Strong convergence in the weighted setting of operator-valued Fourier series defined by the Marcinkiewicz multipliers

Suppose that 1<p<∞ and let w be a bilateral weight sequence satisfying the discrete Muckenhoupt Ap weight condition. We show that every Marcinkiewicz multiplier ψ:T→C has an associated operator-valued Fourier series which serves as an analogue in B(lp(w)) of the usual Fourier series of ψ, and this operator-valued Fourier series is everywhere convergent in the strong operator topology. In particular, we deduce that the partial sums of the usual Fourier series of ψ are uniformly bounded in the Banach algebra of Fourier multipliers for lp(w). These results transfer to the framework of invertible, modulus mean-bounded operators acting on Lp spaces of sigma-finite measures.
A Two-Way Street: Regulatory Interplay between RNA Polymerase and Nascent RNA Structure

The vectorial (5′-to-3′ at varying velocity) synthesis of RNA by cellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs) creates a rugged kinetic landscape, demarcated by frequent, sometimes long-lived, pauses. In addition to myriad gene-regulatory roles, these pauses temporally and spatially program the co-transcriptional, hierarchical folding of biologically active RNAs. Conversely, these RNA structures, which form inside or near the RNA exit channel, interact with the polymerase and adjacent protein factors to influence RNA synthesis by modulating pausing, termination, antitermination, and slippage. Here, we review the evolutionary origin, mechanistic underpinnings, and regulatory consequences of this interplay between RNAP and nascent RNA structure. We categorize and rationalize the extensive linkage between the transcriptional machinery and its product, and provide a framework for future studies.
Modeling the weekly cycle of NOx and CO emissions and their impacts on O3 in the Los Angeles-South Coast Air Basin during the CalNex 2010 field campaign

We developed a new nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) emission inventory for the Los Angeles-South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) expanding the Fuel-based Inventory for motor-Vehicle Emissions and applied it in regional chemical transport modeling focused on the California Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change (CalNex) 2010 field campaign. The weekday NOx emission over the SoCAB in 2010 is 620 t d−1, while the weekend emission is 410 t d−1. The NOx emission decrease on weekends is caused by reduced diesel truck activities. Weekday and weekend CO emissions over this region are similar: 2340 and 2180 t d−1, respectively. Previous studies reported large discrepancies between the airborne observations of NOx and CO mixing ratios and the model simulations for CalNex based on the available bottom-up emission inventories. Utilizing the newly developed emission inventory in this study, the simulated NOx and CO mixing ratios agree with the observations from the airborne and the ground-based in situ and remote sensing instruments during the field study. The simulations also reproduce the weekly cycles of these chemical species. Both the observations and the model simulations indicate that decreased NOx on weekends leads to enhanced photochemistry and increase of O3 and Ox (=O3 + NO2) in the basin. The emission inventory developed in this study can be extended to different years and other urban regions in the U.S. to study the long-term trends in O3 and its precursors with regional chemical transport models.
Ensemble Algorithms for Unsupervised Anomaly Detection

Many anomaly detection algorithms have been proposed in recent years, including density-based and rank-based algorithms. In this paper, we propose ensemble methods to improve the performance of these individual algorithms. We evaluate approaches that use score and rank aggregation for these algorithms. We also consider sequential methods in which one detection method is followed by the other. We use several datasets to evaluate the performance of the proposed ensemble methods. Our results show that sequential methods significantly improve the ability to detect anomalous data points.
Equicontinuity in measure spaces and von Neumann algebras

An announcement of the results presented here formed a portion of a talk given at the 2003 Positivity Conference dedicated to Y. A. Abramovich and A. C. Zaanen. In this note we shall present a few aspects of equicontinuity, uniform absolute continuity and weak compactness in measure space (the commutative setting) and von Neumann algebras (the non-commutative setting). Recall that a family K of finitely-additive Banach-valued set functions defined on a ring of sets is equicontinuous if limm(Ri) = 0, uniformly for m ∈ K, whenever (Ri) is a disjoint sequence of sets from the ring. The C∗-algebra notion of equicontinuity deals with K as a subset of the dual space of a C∗-algebra A, and (Ri) is an orthogonal sequence of self-adjoint elements in the unit ball of A. The relationship between equicontinuity and uniform absolute continuity is the author’s main theorem in [4], which states that if each element in K is absolutely continuous with respect to a finitely additive measure, then if K (not assumed to be bounded) is equicontinuous, the absolute continuity is uniform. The non-commutative counterpart has been established by the author, K. Saito and J. D. M. Wright in [10], under the assumption of boundedness for K. The unbounded case has not yet been resolved. The techniques in proving this result are completely different from the commutative arguments. A Biting Lemma for vector measures is given in Section 2. The scalar version [5,6] is the following. If (fn) is an L1(μ)-bounded sequence, then there exists a subsequence (fni ) and a sequence of ‘bites’ Bk ↘ B, μ(B) = 0, such that (fni ) is weakly convergent outside Bk for each k. Thus, bounded L 1
Age-Related Differences in a Kinematic Analysis of Precued Movements

An experiment is reported that examines kinematic measures, reaction time and response preparation differences between young and older adults, and movement response parameters in a precueing paradigm. Ten young and ten older adults performed 5 cm or 10 cm horizontal movements to the left or right with an electronic pen on a digitizing tablet. The precue (advance information) provided information about direction, extent, or both parameters. Dependent measures of reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), peak velocity, peak acceleration, peak deceleration, and their respective time values were analysed. The results indicate that young adults were significantly different on all dependent measures. Advance precue information was advantageous for all subjects as RT was faster when advance information was provided. In addition, both groups of subjects produced higher peak velocities when provided advance information about both direction and extent. Examination of the kinematics indicate that older adults produce movement patterns which display different response characteristics such as accelerating less rapidly and displaying a prolonged deceleration phase. Finally, older adults are less efficient than young adults at scaling velocity and acceleration over time between long and short movements when spatial accuracy constraints are minimal.
Review on Mathematic Modeling of Underwater Motion Process of Closuring Dam-Breach Relevant Weights

To be familiar with and understand the relevant cirumstances in the National Postgraduate Mathematical Modeling contest for readers,this paper,taking the problem B of 2010 as an example,introduced the overall situation of the problem from three aspects,such as the background and the process,problem solving and reviews and existing problems.
Design and management of public health outreach using interoperable mobile multimedia: an analysis of a national winter weather preparedness campaign.

The Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR) in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts outreach for public preparedness for natural and manmade incidents. In 2011, OPHPR conducted a nationwide mobile public health (m-Health) campaign that pushed brief videos on preparing for severe winter weather onto cell phones, with the objective of evaluating the interoperability of multimedia m-Health outreach with diverse cell phones (including handsets without Internet capability), carriers, and user preferences. Existing OPHPR outreach material on winter weather preparedness was converted into mobile-ready multimedia using mobile marketing best practices to improve audiovisual quality and relevance. Middleware complying with opt-in requirements was developed to push nine bi-weekly multimedia broadcasts onto subscribers’ cell phones, and OPHPR promoted the campaign on its web site and to subscribers on its govdelivery.com notification platform. Multimedia, text, and voice messaging activity to/from the middleware was logged and analyzed. Adapting existing media into mobile video was straightforward using open source and commercial software, including web pages, PDF documents, and public service announcements. The middleware successfully delivered all outreach videos to all participants (a total of 504 videos) regardless of the participant’s device. 54 % of videos were viewed on cell phones, 32 % on computers, and 14 % were retrieved by search engine web crawlers. 21 % of participating cell phones did not have Internet access, yet still received and displayed all videos. The time from media push to media viewing on cell phones was half that of push to viewing on computers. Video delivered through multimedia messaging can be as interoperable as text messages, while providing much richer information. This may be the only multimedia mechanism available to outreach campaigns targeting vulnerable populations impacted by the digital divide. Anti-spam laws preserve the integrity of mobile messaging, but complicate campaign promotion. Person-to-person messages may boost enrollment.
Failure of Collagen Plugs to Predict Epiphora After Permanent Punctal Occlusion

In two patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, epiphora did not occur after temporary canalicular occlusion with collagen implants, but did occur after subsequent permanent punctal occlusion. This suggests that collagen implants may not always produce total occlusion. Patients should be warned of this possibility.
Effect of CS(2) occupational exposure on personality and intelligence

Objective To investigate the effects of CS_2 occupational exposure on thumbprint and intelligence.Methods According to the monitoring results of CS_2 concentration,which were got at various workplace in chymic fiber factory,the workers were divided into three groups including the low-concentration group(TWA＜5 mg/m~3),the high-concentration group(TWA≥5 mg/m~3) and the control group.The method of cluster sampling was used respectively.139,129 and 327 people were taken at random from three groups and they were given thumbprint and intelligence examinations through following three methods,including MMPI,SCL-90 and SPM.Results MMPI test showed that Hy,Pa,Pt,Sc positive rates in the low-concentration group were 7.19%,2.16%,26.62% and 10.07%,Hs,D,Hy,Pa,Pt,Sc,Ma,Si positive rates in the high-concentration group were 32.56%,8.53%,9.30%,24.81%,2.33%,42.64%,15.50%,5.43% and 6.20%.There was a significant difference with the control group (Hs,D,Hy,Pd,Pa,Pt,Sc,Ma,Si was 14.07%,2.14%,2.14%,14.07%,0.00%,17.74%,3.67%,1.22%,1.22% respectively).The differences of Hs,Pt positive rates between high-concentration and low-concentration group were significant.SCL-90 showed that the total positive rate in the low concentration and the high concentration groups was 15.8% and 20.2%.The positive rate of the basic factors were significantly different among the low-concentration group,the high concentration group and the control group while there was no significant difference in the positive rate between the high concentration and low concentration group.SPM test found that the positive rates of the intelligence in the low concentration group and the high concentration group were 35.1% and 35.7% respectively and the control group (15.1%) was significantly different from low-concentration and high concentration group.Moreover,there was no obvious difference between high-concentration and the low-concentration group.The intelligence damage was associated with the length of CS_2 occupational exposure and the correlation coefficient had statistical significance.Conclusion The lowconcentration CS_2 occupational exposure could affect personality and intelligence,and the degree of this influence is associated with the length of CS_2 occupational exposure. Key words: Carbon disulfide; Individuality; Intelligence
Advances in the development of intralesional therapies for melanoma.

Advances in immune therapy have changed the landscape of advanced melanoma treatment. Intralesional therapy is an important type of immune therapy due to its efficacy and safety, especially in the setting of locoregional metastases. These therapies induce frequent responses in injected lesions as well as distant nontreated lesions through a ‘bystander’ effect of priming an antitumor immune response. The culmination of nearly a century of innovation has led to the approval of the first US FDA approved intralesional therapy for melanoma in talimogene laherparepvec. Numerous efforts to combine intralesional therapies with systemic immune checkpoint inhibitors are ongoing, whereby a synergistic effect may continue to improve outcomes for patients.
Prognostic significance of early changes in the apparent diffusion coefficient that occurs after treatment of patients with glioblastoma multiforme with bevacizumab

2058 Background: To determine the prognostic significance of changes in parameters derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) that occur in response to combination chemotherapy with the antiangiogenesis agent bevacizumab (BEV) in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Methods: 16 patients (10 men, 6 women; age range 38–62 years) with recurrent GBM underwent serial 1.5T MR imaging. Axial single-shot echo planar DTI (TR/TE 6000/100; flip angle 90 degrees; voxel: 1.72 x 1.72 x 5mm; b value of 1000 sec/mm2; 12 directions) was obtained on scans performed 3 days and 1 day prior to and 1 day after initiation of therapy with BEV and irinotecan (CPT-11). Clinical follow-up and survival status was documented up to 20 months after the date of initial MR imaging. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were aligned to whole brain contrast-enhanced 3D FLASH and 3D FLAIR image volumes (1 mm isotropic voxels) using a rigid body normalized mutual information algorithm. Ba...
Smiling and Keeping Busy Near the Entrance of the Store? What Works for Hailers and What Doesn’t: An Extended Abstract

The notion that retail salespeople play a crucial role in customers’ reactions and other important consequences for business success (Mittal and Lassar 1996) is widely accepted.
Relationship of shoulder activity and skin intrinsic fluorescence with low level shoulder pain and disability in people with type 2 diabetes.

Aim People with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have a high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders thought to be influenced by high non-enzymatic advanced glycated end-products (AGEs). The goals of this study were to determine differences in shoulder activity level and AGEs in people with T2DM compared to matched controls, and to determine factors associated with shoulder pain and disability.
Predictive Control of Switched Nonlinear Processes With Scheduled Mode Transitions 1

Abstract A predictive control framework is proposed for the constrained stabilization of switched nonlinear processes. The problem of stabilization of a switched process, transiting between its constituent modes at prescribed transition times, is considered. The main idea is to design Lyapunov-based predictive controllers for each of the constituent modes in which the switched process oPerates, and incorporate constraints in the predictive controller design of the individual modes which ensure that transitions between the modes at pre-deterrnined switching times occur in a way so as to guarantee stabilization of the switched closed-loop process. This is achieved as follows: For each constituent mode, a Lyapunov-based predictive controller (MPC) is designed. Then, constraints are incorporated in the MPC design which ensure that: (1) the states of the closed-loop process, at the time of the transition, reside in the stability region of the mode that the process switches into, and (2) the value of the Lyapunov function of the process for each of the modes is nonincreasing whenever the mode is active, thereby guaranteeing stabilization. The proposed control method is demonstrated through application to a chemical process example.
Active and adaptive ensemble learning for online activity recognition from data streams

Abstract Activity recognition is one of the emerging trends in the domain of mining ubiquitous environments. It assumes that we can recognize the current action undertaken by the monitored subject on the basis of outputs of a set of associated sensors. Often different combinations of smart devices are being used, thus creating an Internet of Things. Such data will arrive continuously during the operation time of sensors and require an online processing in order to keep a real-time track of the current activity being undertaken. This forms a natural data stream problem with the potential presence of changes in the arriving data. Therefore, we require an efficient online machine learning system that can offer high recognition rates and adapt to drifts and shifts in the stream. In this paper we propose an efficient and lightweight adaptive ensemble learning system for real-time activity recognition. We use a weighted modification of Naive Bayes classifier that can swiftly adapt itself to the current state of the stream without a need for an external concept drift detector. To tackle the multi-class nature of activity recognition problem we propose to use an one-vs-one decomposition to form a committee of simpler and diverse learners. We introduce a novel weighted combination for one-vs-one decomposition that can adapt itself over time. Additionally, to limit the cost of supervision we propose to enhance our classification system with active learning paradigm to select only the most important objects for labeling and work under constrained budget. Experiments carried out on six data streams gathered from ubiquitous environments show that the proposed active and adaptive ensemble offer excellent classification accuracy with low requirement for access to true class labels.
High-dose steroids as a therapeutic option in the management of spur cell haemolytic anaemia

Spur cell haemolytic anaemia (SCA) is a form of anaemia that can be seen in patients with severely impaired liver function or advanced cirrhosis. It is associated with high mortality. The treatment options for SCA secondary to cirrhosis are limited. Our patient is a middle-aged man who developed SCA and was not a candidate for liver transplantation or splenectomy. High-dose steroids helped ameliorate haemolysis and improve anaemia and general condition of our patient.
Non-invasive tissue oximetry: current and prospective applications

Monitoring of tissue perfusion is necessary to timely recognise a lack of oxygen and to prevent tissue and organ damage. This dissertation shows that non-invasive tissue oximetry is a useful alternative during short-term and long-term use of heart-lung machines. Non-invasive tissue oximetry is also useful in monitoring transplant viability. However, the different applications of tissue oximetry require different interpretation strategies due to the presence or absence of vascular autoregulation. For instance, cerebral autoregulation has a direct effect on the oxygen supply to the brain. Therefore, it is important to take all available clinical data into account when applying tissue oximetry.
Reoperative Surgery for Failed Antireflux Procedures

Approximately 5–10% of patients who have antireflux surgery will undergo reoperative surgery. Failure can be due to persistent or recurrence of original symptoms or development of new symptoms after the antireflux surgery. Risk factors include inadequate response to acid suppression medical therapy, atypical symptoms, and patients with normal preoperative pH study. The etiology for failure of an antireflux procedure ranges from misdiagnosis to functional problems and anatomic failure. Reoperative antireflux surgery is a complex procedure and is best performed at high-volume centers and by surgeons with significant experience to obtain an optimal outcome. Reoperative surgery can have success rates as high as 81%.