cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histology of the brain and blood in chronic experimental sedation with barbiturates and presidon.

Summary(1) Twelve dogs receiving barbital, phenobarbital or Presidon daily for six months to one year were observed for neurological disturbances and alterations in the histology of the viscera, blood and brain. (2) Dogs receiving barbital for one year developed a mild ataxia. These dogs and one receiving phenobarbital for one year had small splenic tumors at autopsy. All other post mortem findings were negative with respect to histologic changes in the viscera and blood. Small structures similar to amyloid bodies seen in man were found in the brain stem and cortex of all dogs treated one year, but not in dogs treated six months. These structures could not be correlated with neurological changes in behavior, nor is their significance known.
Modeling for Control of a Generic Airbreathing Hypersonic Vehicle

The unique airframe-engine configuration of airbreathing hypersonic flight vehicles (AHFV) pose a significant challenge for design of controllers for these vehicles. The Airframe-engine configuration, the wide range of speed and the extreme flight conditions result in significant coupling among various dynamics and modeling uncertainties. There is almost a complete absence of models that adequately include and quantify the unique attributes for this class of vehicles. This paper describes a high-fidelity CFD-based model of a full scale generic airbreathing hypersonic flight vehicle under development at the Multidisciplinary Flight Dynamics and Control Laboratory (MFDCLab, www.calstatela.edu/centers/mfdclab) at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). The vehicle (CSULA-GHV), which has an integrated airframe-propulsion system configuration, resembles an actual test vehicle. The vehicle is specifically designed to study the challenges associated with modeling and control of airbreathing hypersonic vehicles and to investigate and quantify the couplings between the aerodynamics, the propulsion system, the structural dynamics, and the control system. The configuration of the vehicle and its dimensions are developed based on 2-D compressible flow theory, and a set of mission requirements broadly accepted for a hypersonic cruise vehicle intended for both space access and military applications. Analytical aerodynamic calculations are conducted assuming a cruising condition of Mach 10 at an altitude of 30 km. The 2-D oblique shock theory is used to predict the shock wave angles, the pressure on the frontal surface, and the Mach number at the engine inlet. The scramjet engine is simply modeled by a 1-D compressible flow with heating. The exit flow is modeled using 2-D expansion wave theory to predict the pressure on the rear surface. The unique aspect of this study is the use of coupled simulations using multi-physic software in conjunction with theory enabling quantification of the couplings which are broadly ignored in models used for control system design. Simulation results developed to date are presented.
Risk factors of adverse reactions caused by anti-TB drugs

Objective To study the characteristics of the adverse reactions caused by anti-TB drugs and to analyze its risk factors.Methods 1 368 cases of patients diagnosed as tuberculosis who received standard treatment options were selected from 2005 to,2010 in Yangzhong city.The adverse reactions and its risk factors were analyzed statistcally.Results 12.97% of these patients had adverse reaction.The main adverse reactions were liver dysfunction and gastrointestinal reactions.Univariate analysis showed that age,BMI,monthly income,diagnostic classification and history of hepatitis were the suspected risk factors.Multivariate analysis results showed that age≥60(OR=3.27,95%CI=2.073~5.439,P=0.002),BMI18.5(OR=1.377,95%CI=1.021~3.548,P=0.037) and with history of hepatitis(OR=1.82,95%CI=1.003~6.248,P=0.046)) were the risk factors of adverse reactions.Conclusions The adverse reactions caused by anti-TB drugs are relatively high and if the patient was in advanced age or with poor nutritional status or with history of hepatitis the probability of adverse reactions will increase.
Drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria in lower respiratory tract infection of children

Objective To study the drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria in lower respiratory tract infection in children. Methods From July 2012 to June 2013,6809 sputum samples were collected from children with suspected lower respiratory tract infection in pediatric wards for culture. Bacteria- susceptibility test was operated by Kirby- Bauer method. Extended- spectrum β- lactamases( ESBLs) were detected by phenotypic confirmatory test. Drug resistance was analyzed with WHONET 5. 5 software. Results A total of 621 pathogen strains were isolated from 6809 sputum samples and the detection rate was 9. 1%. The top five bacteria in order were haemophilus influenzae,Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii. β lactamase- producing Haemophilus influenza accounted for 55. 8%,the sensitive rate to ampicillin was 30. 2%. ESBLs- producing Escherichia coli accounted for 67. 6%. All Escherichia coli strains were sensitive to ertapenem and imipenem. ESBLs- producing Klebsiella pneumonia accounted for 56. 3%,the resistant rate to ertapenem was 4. 7%,to imipenem was 1. 6%. βlactamase- producing Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 98. 1%,29 strains were MRSA and the detection rate was 54. 7%. Acinetobacter baumannii were more sensitive to piperacillin / tazobactan,cefepime and imipenem. Conclusion The pathogenic bacteria in children low respiratory infection were highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics. So drug sensitivity monitoring should be strengthened and it is imperative to choose antibiotics according to the results of drug sensitive test.
Profound spatial clustering of polyps in individuals with multiple nonmalignant polyps of the stomach and duodenal bulb: a combined endoscopic and radiographic study.

An individual's simultaneous nonmalignant gastroduodenal polyps were profoundly spatially clustered in a combined endoscopic and radiographic study of 41 consecutive patients. With endoscopic polyp localization, clustering was demonstrated using a nonparametric test of clustering (Kruskal-Wallis statistic with 40 degrees of freedom = 113.35, probability of observing this extreme statistic with no clustering less than 0.0005) and a parametric test of clustering (F test statistic with 40 and 104 degrees of freedom = 17.05, probability of observing this extreme statistic with no clustering less than 0.0005). In the 26 patients with radiographic polyp localization, polyp clustering was confirmed with the same statistical techniques (e.g., Kruskal-Wallis statistic with 25 degrees of freedom = 88.2, probability of observing this extreme statistic with no clustering less than 0.0005). In patients whose largest polyp was in any given region, there was an increased likelihood that their other polyps would be in that same region. For example, at endoscopy, the nine patients whose largest polyp was in the duodenal bulb had 13 of 15, or 87% +/- 9% (SE), of their other polyps in the duodenal bulb. In contrast, the 11 patients who, at endoscopy, had their largest polyp in the proximal stomach had 2 of 30, or 7% +/- 5% (SE), of their other polyps in the duodenal bulb. Polyp clustering was not dependent on the number of gastroduodenal polyps, or patient age or sex. Patients with at least one hyperplastic polyp, one adenomatous polyp, or with both types of polyps also exhibited profound polyp clustering. These findings suggest that local factors may be important in the pathogenesis of multiple polyps of the stomach and duodenal bulb. In particular, these findings suggest a possibly closer relationship between hyperplastic and adenomatous gastroduodenal polyps than previously appreciated.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: A comprehensive review

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has revolutionized treatment of urolithiasis since its introduction in the 1980s. The great majority of renal and ureteral stones can be successfully treated with ESWL. Complications can be minimized with maximal efficacy if patient selection is optimum.
Potentiation of mossy fiber-evoked EPSPs in turtle cerebellar Purkinje cells by the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist 1S,3R-ACPD.

1. The effects of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist 1S,3R-ACPD on excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked by stimulation of mossy fibers (MF) and parallel fibers (PF) we...
Photovoltaic Activity in Thin Polycrystalline GaAs Films Produced by Ion-Assisted Deposition

Ion-assisted deposition has been applied to deposition of polycrystalline GaAs-films for solar cells using a conventional high vacuum system. Intrinsic film quality approaching MOCVD-films regarding electronic properties and photovoltaic effect has been achieved. Epilayers n-doped to 1017 cm−3 show mobilities of 2600 cm2/Vs. Schottky-diodes generated on such films show photocurrents of about 15 mA/cm2. Polycrystalline films show high preferential orientation; polycrystalline Schottky-diodes show short-circuit currents of around 7 mA/cm2 and give potential for higher currents.
Recent trends in disease severity and quality of life instruments for patients with atopic dermatitis: A systematic review

Background A significant number of instruments exist that are aimed at quantifying atopic dermatitis (AD) outcomes. Objective We sought to assess recent trends in the use of disease severity and quality of life (QOL) outcome instruments in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted on patients with AD between July 2010 and July 2015. Methods A total of 540 nonduplicate records were identified through searches of Scopus and Ovid MEDLINE. Included studies were RCTs conducted on humans with AD that were published in English between July 2010 and July 2015 and that reported the results of disease severity or QOL outcome measures. Results All of the 135 included studies assessed disease severity. Only 45 studies assessed QOL. Sixty-two disease severity measures and 28 QOL scales were identified. Limitations This study was limited by its timeframe of 5 years and by the exclusion of non-RCTs and gray literature. Conclusion Disease severity and QOL outcome measures are instrumental in evaluating AD treatment efficacy. The number of such tools used in RCTs on patients with AD continues to rise. Standardization of outcomes instruments is essential for comparability among studies and improved quality of evidence.
Network codes with deadlines

We investigate the effect of decoding deadlines on network coding capacity, specifically, the capacity curve of a network as a function of the allowed delay from the time a set of bits is transmitted by the source to the time it is fully decoded by the sinks. We show that scalar linear codes are not optimal even for multicast when the data has deadlines. In fact, infinite blocklength is required in general in order to achieve the optimal performance of linear block codes in these scenarios. We study the case of two types of data, where the first type has a tighter deadline than the other. We find for an interesting family of networks the optimal linear convolutional codes. We formulate a code design criterion for general networks with two data types. Finally, as an alternative approach, we show that the problem of multicast with deadlines can be transformed into a non-multicast problem without deadlines in an extended network. Using that approach, we find an upper bound on the complexity of checking the feasibility of the problem.
The Disappearance of "Social Capital" in Rural America: Are All Rural Children "at Risk?".

Throughout the twentieth century, continuous waves of school reform in America proceeded under the assumption that the science of teaching and learning, under the control of teachers and administra...
Human Centered Development of Information Systems and Decision Aids in Advanced Air Traffic Management Systems

Human performances are central in Advanced Air Traffic Management systems. Information systems and decision aids in these advanced systems will be simultaneously driven by technical and human capabilities coupled with operational requirements. Current ATM information technologies are reviewed and issues of human operation of automated systems are discussed. An Integrated Human Centered Systems Approach which considers the human controller as a functional component of the closed loop information system, is suggested.
Einsatz virtueller Werkzeuge zur ergonomischen Montagegestaltung im Produktentstehungsprozess am Beispiel der Automobilindustrie

Im Spannungsfeld von demografischem Wandel und steigendem Produktivitatsdruck werden bei Volkswagen neue Konzepte zur fruhzeitigen Ergonomieabsicherung der Produktion erarbeitet. Mit dem Ziel, ergonomische Risiken in der Arbeitsgestaltung fruhzeitig zu identifizieren, mussen detaillierte Informationen zu Montageablaufen der Mitarbeiter mit den Randbedingungen des neuen Fahrzeuges verknupft werden. Werkzeuge zur Menschmodell-Simulation, wie der „Editor menschlicher Arbeit“ (ema), ermoglichen es, ergonomische Aspekte der Arbeitsplatzbewertung in einem virtuellen Montageprozess in den fruhen Planungsphasen zu bewerten. Seit 2011 wurden bei Volkswagen bereits mehr als 100 Simulationen in verschiedenen Fahrzeugprojekten durchgefuhrt. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen kurzen Einblick uber die Erfahrungen und Ergebnisse in diesem Zeitraum. Anhand eines Montageprozesses werden die unterschiedlichen Simulationsalternativen beispielhaft erortert und die Potenziale der Simulationsbewertung aufgezeigt. Ergonomisch kritische Einbauvorgange konnen so fruhzeitig und in der digitalen Planungsumgebung von Volkswagen abgesichert werden.
Findings from the Initial Use of the Healthy Homes Rating System (HHRS) in Three American Cities

HUD’s Healthy Homes Rating System (HHRS) is a modification of the English version, using scoring values developed in England. The goal of the HUD Three-City Healthy Homes Rating System (HHRS) study was to create a baseline of the prevalence and severity of 29 home health hazards in three cities—Detroit, MI; Greensboro, NC; and Alameda County, CA—and to compare the results to the prevalence and severity found in England. We analyzed 978 housing assessments over 3 years. Hygrothermal hazards (e.g., excess cold) were the most prevalent across the sites. However, significant differences in the type and severity of hazards across communities were found and were more severe in US sample homes than in their English counterparts. The results suggest that the tool shows promise in its ability to identify home health hazards.
How coupling affects closely packed rectenna arrays used for wireless power transmission

The development of power transmission by microwave beam power harvesting attracts manufactures for use of wireless power transmission. Optimizing maximum conversion efficiency is affected by many design parameters, and has been mainly focused previously. Combining several rectennas in one array potentially aides in the amount of microwave energy that can be harvested for energy conversion. Closely packed rectenna arrays is the result of the demand to minimize size and weight for flexibility. This paper specifically focuses on the coupling effects on power; mutual coupling, comparing sparameters and gain total while varying effective parameters. This paper investigates how coupling between each dipole positively and negatively affects the microwave energy, harvesting, and the design limitations.
Using Simulation to Improve Systems.

Attempts to understand and improve health care delivery often focus on the characteristics of the patient and the characteristics of the health care providers, but larger systems surround and integrate with patients and providers. Components of health care delivery systems can support or interfere with efforts to provide optimal health care. Simulation in situ, involving real teams participating in simulations in real care settings, can be used to identify latent safety threats and improve the work environment while simultaneously supporting participant learning. Thoughtful planning and skilled debriefing are essential.
“Optimal” Control of Systems with Uncertain Parameters

Abstract The concept of optimality is extended to systems with uncertain parameters and it is shown that as the uncertainty approaches zero, the extended optimality is reduced to the conventionally accepted definition of optimality. With system uncertainty, Bellman's principle of optimality does not always hold and depends on observation. Sufficient conditions for the principles of optimality are given. Synthesis methods for “optimal” and “approximately optimal” systems are discussed.
Pairing Increases Activation of V1aR, but not OTR, in Auditory Regions of Zebra Finches: The Importance of Signal Modality in Nonapeptide-Social Behavior Relationships

Social relationships are complex, involving the production and comprehension of signals, individual recognition, and close coordination of behavior between two or more individuals. The nonapeptides oxytocin and vasopressin are widely believed to regulate social relationships. These findings come largely from prairie voles, in which nonapeptide receptors in olfactory neural circuits drive pair bonding. This research is assumed to apply to all species. Previous reviews have offered two competing hypotheses. The work of Sarah Newman has implicated a common neural network across species, the Social Behavior Network. In contrast, others have suggested that there are signal modality-specific networks that regulate social behavior. Our research focuses on evaluating these two competing hypotheses in the zebra finch, a species that relies heavily on vocal/auditory signals for communication, specifically the neural circuits underlying singing in males and song perception in females. We have demonstrated that the quality of vocal interactions is highly important for the formation of long-term monogamous bonds in zebra finches. Qualitative evidence at first suggests that nonapeptide receptor distributions are very different between monogamous rodents (olfactory species) and monogamous birds (vocal/auditory species). However, we have demonstrated that social bonding behaviors are not only correlated with activation of nonapeptide receptors in vocal and auditory circuits, but also involve regions of the common Social Behavior Network. Here, we show increased Vasopressin 1a receptor, but not oxytocin receptor, activation in two auditory regions following formation of a pair bond. To our knowledge, this is the first study to suggest a role of nonapeptides in the auditory circuit in pair bonding. Thus, we highlight converging mechanisms of social relationships and also point to the importance of studying multiple species to understand mechanisms of behavior.
Cardiovascular Safety of Antidiabetic Drugs in the Hospital Setting

Patients with diabetes and/or stress hyperglycemia requires good glycemic control in the hospital setting, often requiring the use of glucose-lowering therapy. Standard-of-care dictates that non-insulin therapy be discontinued, with insulin therapy initiated using a basal-bolus approach. However, insulin is associated with a high risk for hypoglycemia and medical errors. Alternatives to insulin are needed in the inpatient setting, but the cardiovascular (CV) safety of non-insulin therapy is a concern. Most studies of antidiabetic drugs have been performed in the outpatient setting, and except for insulin therapy, trials in the inpatient setting have been insufficient to establish CV safety. Randomized controlled trials support the safety of insulin with more moderate glycemic control in the hospital, when hypoglycemia is minimized. Two recent multicenter randomized controlled clinical trials support the safety of sitagliptin, a dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i), in hospitalized patients, although the sample sizes were likely too small to detect CV events. Small trials suggest a possible CV benefit of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist therapy. A paucity of evidence and presence of side effects and cautions with insulin secretagogues, sodium glucose-co-transporter-2 inhibitors, and metformin preclude their routine use in the hospital setting. Available evidence is inadequate to evaluate the CV safety of most antidiabetic drug classes in the hospital setting. However, preliminary data from randomized clinical trials suggest the potential safety of the DPP4i sitagliptin.
Postponement and Pooling: Problems

These problems are designed to help students grasp the benefits of risk pooling and postponement of product assembly in adjusting inventory levels. Excerpt UVA-OM-1496 Rev. Apr. 7, 2014 Postponement and Pooling: PROBLEMs 1. Made-to-Order DVDs Chris Lochte was the operations manager of Discopress, Inc., a contract manufacturer of digital optical media (DVDs and Blu-ray discs) for companies that licensed, marketed, and distributed film assets created by other entities. Lochte needed to select one of two manufacturing processes. In a make-to-stock process, Discopress would stock each individual title. In a manufacturing-on-demand (MOD) process, only blank discs would be stocked; as each order was received, the requested film would be burned to a disc, and its label would be printed. The latter required a machine that Discopress was considering for purchase. . . .
One Station Assembly

One station assembly is described in the context of a shoe manufacturing plant where one worker is assigned a set of shoes by style and size to assemble all alone. The worker is given a batch of the items to produce, and is provided all the parts and components needed to complete the task. Multiple pairs are assigned to the worker; typically six to twelve pair at one time. The worker completes all the pairs in the batch prior to starting the next assignment. This is an example of one-station assembly. In other situations, the workers are assigned one unit at a time, as in engine assembly.
Heavy quark symmetry in B→D(∗)ℓν̄ spectra

Abstract We calculate heavy quark symmetry breaking in the slopes and curvatures of the B→D (∗) l ν spectra at zero recoil, including the order αs2β0 corrections. We point out that the theoretical uncertainties in the differences between B→D and B→D ∗ slopes and curvatures are smaller than in the deviations of the slopes and curvatures themselves from their infinite mass limits. We find that the central values of the current experimental results for the difference of the slopes differ from our calculations when QCD sum rules are used to estimate subleading Isgur–Wise functions. A better understanding of the shapes of the B→D (∗) l ν spectra may also help to reduce the error of |Vcb| extracted from the zero recoil limit of B→D ∗ l ν . We argue that heavy quark symmetry requires that the same fitting procedure be used in the experimental determinations of the shape parameters and |Vcb| from the B→Dl ν and B→D ∗ l ν spectra.
Wavefront rerouting with super-grating metasurfaces

Gradient metasurfaces have received significant attention in the past few years, due to their potential for advanced wave manipulation over a thin surface. Following the first, largely inefficient proposals to pattern the impinging wavefront by nanostructuring a plasmonic metasurface, to date there are several elegant approaches to design metasurfaces that can imprint a pattern of choice to the impinging wavefront with large resolution. These approaches typically consist of discrete implementations of the continuous surface impedance profile ideally required to convert a certain wavefront into the desired one, and they all appear to provide a trade-off between efficiency and complexity. Here, on the contrary, we introduce the concept of super-grating metasurfaces, based on which one can arbitrarily steer an impinging beam with unitary efficiency by relying on specifically tailored asymmetric resonances within each unit cell of a suitably designed periodic grating. Our theory shows that broadband anomalous reflection and transmission does not necessarily require the use of continuous spatial gradients of surface impedance, but they can be achieved by suitably designed periodic arrays of resonant particles with specifically tailored asymmetric responses. In addition to their theoretical importance, these results can be important for the design of efficient metasurfaces based on simple and realizable principles.
Repeat lactate level predicts mortality better than rate of clearance

Abstract Background Lactate clearance has been developed into a marker of resuscitation in trauma, but no study has compared the predictive power of the various clearance calculations. Our objective was to determine which method of calculating lactate clearance best predicted 24-hour and in-hospital mortality after injury. Study design Retrospective chart review of patients admitted to a Level-1 trauma center directly from the scene of injury from 2010 to 2013 who survived >15 min, had an elevated lactate at admission (≥3 mmol/L), followed by another measurement within 24 h of admission. Lactate clearance was calculated using five models: actual value of the repeat level, absolute clearance, relative clearance, absolute rate, and relative rate. Models were compared using the areas under the respective receiver operating curves (AUCs), with an endpoint of death at 24 h and in-hospital mortality. Results 3910 patients had an elevated admission lactate concentration on admission (mean = 5.6 ± 3.0 mmol/L) followed by a second measurement (2.7 ± 1.8 mmol/L). Repeat absolute measurement best predicted 24-hour (AUC = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.84–0.86) and in-hospital death (AUC = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.76–0.78). Relative clearance was the best model of lactate clearance (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.75–0.78 and AUC = 0.705, 95% CI: 0.69–72, respectively) (p Conclusions The absolute value of the repeat lactate measurement had the greatest ability to predict mortality in injured patients undergoing resuscitation.
Visual semantics: extracting visual information from text accompanying pictures

This research explores the interaction of textual and photographic information in document understanding. The problem of performing general-purpose vision without a priori knowledge is difficult at best. The use of collateral information in scene understanding has been explored in computer vision systems that use scene context in the task of object identification. The work described here extends this notion by defining visual semantics, a theory of systematically extracting picture-specific information from text accompanying a photograph. Specifically, this paper discusses the multi-stage processing of textual captions with the following objectives: (i) predicting which objects (implicitly or explicitly mentioned in the caption) are present in the picture and (ii) generating constraints useful in locating/identifying these objects. The implementation and use of a lexicon specifically designed for the integration of linguistic and visual information is discussed. Finally, the research described here has been successfully incorporated into PICTION, a caption-based face identification system.
Regulation of Feequency of Pedal Laceration in a Sea Anemone

Many acontiate sea anemones (Subtribe Acontiaria) undergo pedal laceration as a primary method of asexual reproduction (Stephenson, 1920 and 1929). Pedal laceration consists of a radial spreading of the pedal disc followed by the separation of a more or less complete ring of tissue derived from the peripheral margin of the disc. This ring subsequently fragments into two to eight pieces of tissue, each of which develops in about two weeks into a small anemone capable of feeding.
Approximate dynamic programming strategy for dual adaptive control

Abstract An approximate dynamic programming (ADP) strategy for a dual adaptive control problem is presented. An optimal control policy of a dual adaptive control problem can be derived by solving a stochastic dynamic programming problem, which is computationally intractable using conventional solution methods that involve sampling of a complete hyperstate space. To solve the problem in a computationally amenable manner, we perform closed-loop simulations with different control policies to generate a data set that defines a subset of a hyperstate within which the Bellman equation is iterated. A local approximator with a penalty function is designed for estimation of cost-to-go values over the continuous hyperstate space. An integrating process with an unknown gain is used for illustration.
Suffering on a Global Scale

This project helps locate suffering and its severity around the world, showing how public policy could more effectively reduce suffering and increase societal well-being. The research in this chapter creates and validates indicators for both subjective and objective suffering on a global scale. A life satisfaction measure adapted from the Gallup-Healthways surveys of well-being in 123 countries is used as a social indicator of subjective suffering, while indictors of the prevalence of social traumas like HIV illness, hunger, infant deaths, and poverty function as measures of objective suffering. With this objective measure of suffering, it is now possible to estimate that at least one billion people—a seventh of the worldwide population are in major physical pain at any one time. Gender inequality appears in this analysis as a significant predictor of objective suffering, which implies that gender inequality is a significant cultural barrier to the reduction of suffering. Satisfactory social support networks also were found to help explain variation in national suffering. One interesting finding was that subjective suffering tends to be substantially lower than objective suffering in Latin American countries and a few African countries, and it appears to be related to social solidarity, especially in the family and community.
A Brief Mandarin Grammar

Different forms of the Chinese language are spoken throughout China, ranging from the Mandarin common in the north to the Cantonese spoken in the south. Although linguistically they may be considered different languages rather than dialects (because they are mutually unintelligible), they are usually referred to as ‘dialects’ dialects because they are historically related, share a common script and exist within one unified political entity. The Mandarin dialect is the lingua franca of China, since it is nearly universally understood and spoken throughout the country. Mandarin itself has many local varieties, or ‘subdialects’, with the major differences being in phonology and lexicon. The four patients in this study (presented in Chapter 3) are speakers of different subdialects of Mandarin. Where their speech differs from the description of standard Mandarin presented in this chapter, those differences will be pointed out and explained if they are relevant to the analysis.
Acoustic Nonlinearity Parameters Due to Microstructural Defects

This study presents a general approach to derive the acoustic nonlinearity parameters induced by various types of dislocation configurations including dislocation strings (monopoles), dislocation dipoles, dislocation pileups and extended dislocations. It is found that expressions of the acoustic nonlinearity parameter induced by such a variety of dislocation configurations share a common mathematical form. They are all scaled with $$\left( {L_{\mathrm{ch}} /b} \right) ^{n}$$ , where $$L_{\mathrm{ch}} $$ is a characteristic length of the dislocation configuration, b is the magnitude of the Burgers vector, and n is either 3 or 4. Semiquantitative analysis is presented to compare the magnitudes of the acoustic nonlinearity parameters among different types of dislocation configurations.
Control Conditions That Are Neither Usual Care Nor No Treatment in Randomized Trials of Psychoeducational Palliative Care Interventions: A Systematic Review.

Background:Determining intervention efficacy depends as much on the control group as on the intervention, but little attention has been given to the control condition in psychoeducational trials in...
Should Overall Survival Remain an Endpoint for Multiple Myeloma Trials

While the traditional gold standard for demonstrating clinical benefit of a therapy has been to show prolongation of overall survival (OS), there are multiple factors which can hinder the use of OS as a primary endpoint in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Here, we analyze recent myeloma RCTs and evaluate the issues relevant to current and future myeloma RCT design. A review of recent phase III RCTs that led to approval of new agents/combinations reveals that none were designed with OS as the primary endpoint, but instead utilized time to progression (TTP) or progression-free survival (PFS). These studies illuminate the inherent difficulties of designing trials with the primary endpoint of OS/PFS in a disease characterized by increasingly prolonged survival times, availability of effective salvage therapies, and competing events such as co-morbid conditions. Alternative primary endpoints other than OS or PFS need to be developed for future myeloma RCTs. Validated surrogate endpoints with novel clinical trial designs will help improve the feasibility of conducting comparative clinical trials in a timely manner.
Rifaximin for Treatment of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is often secondary to intestinal dysmotility and several other predisposing conditions. Treatment of SIBO typically includes antibiotics and treatment of underlying etiology. Identification and treatment of the underlying modifiable causes is critical for management of refractory and recurrent SIBO. We report here a case of scleroderma with small bowel dysmotility and bacterial overgrowth, on different occasions the patient failed to respond to Rifaximin. We showed that restoring small bowel motility is critical in maintaining the effectiveness of Rifaximin in the treatment of SIBO. Rifaximin resistance may also develop following prolonged use of antibiotics. Rotation of antibiotic regimen is important to prevent drug resistance.
A 2 nd -Order Model of the Vertical Impedance of the Locomotor System During Human Walking

Objective: To design better shock absorbing prosthetic components, walking machines, or bionic legs, values and properties of the mechanical impedance of the locomotor system of able-bodied ambulators need to be determined. Methods: The representation of a simple 2nd-order shock absorption component (i.e., effective body mass, $M_{e}$ , supported by a stiffness, ${k}$ , and damping, ${B}$ , in parallel) was incorporated into a previously proposed rocker-based inverted pendulum model of walking to more accurately model the impedance associated with human walking, including the effects of shock absorption. Using system identification techniques and quantitative gait analysis data from able-bodied subjects ( ${n}\,\,=$ 7), the properties and values of the mechanical impedance for each subject’s trial were determined. Results: It was determined that stiffness, ${k}$ , increased linearly with walking speed while damping, ${B}$ , increased with the square root of walking speed. Furthermore, the locomotor system behaves like an optimal underdamped mechanical system (i.e., damping ratio $\zeta $ of approximately 0.5–0.7). Conclusion: The locomotor system seems to behave like an optimal and adaptive low-pass filter in which the cutoff frequency is adjusted based on the locomotor’s cadence. It could be hypothesized that this occurs due to the principle of conservation of the passenger’s well-being: the fact that one of the locomotor’s functional responsibilities is to prevent higher frequency vibrations that are harmful for the musculoskeletal system of the passenger. Significance: This is a holistic, simplified, and accurate model of the vertical leg mechanical impedance (locomotor system) that establishes parameters during walking over a range of speeds. These results can be used for the scientific design of better shock absorption prosthetic components and lower-limb prostheses, management of shock absorption related gait pathologies, or the design of human-like walking machines and rehabilitation robots.
A NEW LEFT ATRIAL MASS AFTER SURGICAL REMOVAL OF MULTIPLE CARDIAC MYXOMAS? ANOTHER MYXOMA!

Cardiac myxoma is the most common primary tumor of the heart. The only curative treatment is surgical removal; however, there is a rare chance of recurrence after excision. A 39-year-old woman with a history of vasculitis on immunosuppression complicated with 9 cardiac myxomas that were surgically
Using perceived direction information for anchorless relative indoor localization

Abstract Identifying the positions of mobile devices within indoor environments allows for the development of advanced context-based applications and general environmental awareness. Classic localization methods require GPS; an expensive, high power consuming and inaccurate solution for indoor scenarios. Relative positioning instead allows nodes to recognize location in relation to neighboring nodes without the requirement of GPS. To triangulate their own position however, indoor localization methods either use Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) retrieved from neighboring devices to determine distance or simple binary contact information denoting whether two nodes are in communication range of one another. RSSI however is plagued by many sources of noise, thus decreasing distance prediction accuracy as well as being unreliable for networks of heterogeneous devices. Further, using only binary contacts provides a limited information for localization. In our work, we first demonstrate the unreliable nature of RSSI in heterogeneous networks. We then demonstrate our intermediate solution between unreliable RSSI and oversimplified binary classifications by introducing Perceived Direction Information (PDI) composed of three states: approaching, retreating and invisible. Through real world experiments, we demonstrate that PDI can be predicted using a Dense Neural Network with more than 95% accuracy even on devices not used during training. We then describe an anchorless Monte Carlo Localization (MCL) algorithm which uses PDI to achieve higher accuracy and a reduction of communication over the state-of-the-art MCL based methods.
Exploration of the Complex Relationships Among Multilevel Predictors of PrEP Use Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States.

To explore the relationships among individual-, social-, and contextual- (state-level characteristics, including LBGTQ + and racial inequality) level factors and PrEP use. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2015–2016 among a geographically diverse group of men who have sex with men (MSM). Survey data was linked to publicly available state-level data based on participant zip code. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression was used to explore the association between multilevel variables and PrEP use. Of 4165 HIV-negative MSM, 13.4% were taking PrEP. In the regression analysis, several demographic and behavioral factors were associated with higher odds of PrEP use. Importantly, after adjusting for individual- and social-level factors, residents of states with high LGBTQ + equality had significantly higher odds of taking PrEP (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.119, 2.023) compared to low equality states. LGBTQ + inequality between states may hinder PrEP use. States may need to take proactive measures to reduce LGBTQ + inequality as this may negatively impact the ability to reach the federal administration’s stated goal to end the HIV epidemic in the US.
The Impact of Exercise and Athletic Training on Vascular Structure and Function

Myocardial adaptation to athletics and exercise training is a well-described process that has garnered much interest over the past decades. By contrast, our understanding of how the vascular system adapts in the trained athlete remains limited. The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the impact of exercise on structure and function of the extra-cardiac vascular system. While structural changes in the size of the aorta are rare in young athletes, emerging data suggest that long-term athletic participation may be a risk factor for aortic dilation in middle-age and beyond. In addition, new findings show that even modest amounts of athletic training such as participation in an individual’s first marathon can have important salutary effects on vascular health. Vascular adaptations represent an important part of the athletic phenotype and likely play an important role in the overall cardiovascular health of the trained athlete.
Battery-operated integrated frequency comb generator.

Optical frequency combs are broadband sources that offer mutually coherent, equidistant spectral lines with unprecedented precision in frequency and timing for an array of applications1. Frequency combs generated in microresonators through the Kerr nonlinearity require a single-frequency pump laser and have the potential to provide highly compact, scalable and power-efficient devices2,3. Here we demonstrate a device—a laser-integrated Kerr frequency comb generator—that fulfils this potential through use of extremely low-loss silicon nitride waveguides that form both the microresonator and an integrated laser cavity. Our device generates low-noise soliton-mode-locked combs with a repetition rate of 194 gigahertz at wavelengths near 1,550 nanometres using only 98 milliwatts of electrical pump power. The dual-cavity configuration that we use combines the laser and microresonator, demonstrating the flexibility afforded by close integration of these components, and together with the ultra low power consumption should enable production of highly portable and robust frequency and timing references, sensors and signal sources. This chip-based integration of microresonators and lasers should also provide tools with which to investigate the dynamics of comb and soliton generation. Integrating an optical Kerr frequency comb source with an electronically excited laser pump produces a battery-powered comb generator that does not require external lasers, moveable optics or laboratory set-ups.
Macular Xanthophylls and Markers of the Anterior Visual Pathway among Persons with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause retinal thinning among persons with MS with optic neuritis (MS-ON). Macular xanthophylls are carotenoids that comprise the macular pigment, filtering blue light and countering photo-oxidation. However, macular xanthophyll status and its implications for markers of neuroaxonal degeneration have not been examined in MS. OBJECTIVES This study characterized differences in macular and serum xanthophylls, and retinal morphometry [retinal nerve fiber layer thickness at the macular (mRNFL) and optic disc (odRNFL) and total macular volume (TMV)] in individuals with MS and healthy controls (HC). Associations between macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and retinal morphometry were also examined. METHODS Adults aged 45-64 y (HC, n = 42; MS, n = 40) participated in a cross-sectional study. MPOD was measured via heterochromatic flicker photometry. Retinal morphometry was measured via optical coherence tomography (OCT). Serum carotenoids were quantified using HPLC. Dietary carotenoids were collected using 7-d records. One-factor ANOVA was conducted to determine group effects on macular, serum, and dietary carotenoids. Partial correlations examined the relations between MPOD, retinal morphometry, diet, and serum carotenoids. RESULTS Relative to HC, persons with MS-ON had lower MPOD (Cohen's d = 0.84, P = 0.014), lower odRNFL (Cohen's d = 2.16, P <0.001), lower mRNFL (Cohen's d = 0.57, P = 0.028), and lower TMV (Cohen's d = 0.95, P = 0.011). MS without ON (MS) had lower odRNFL (Cohen's d = 0.93, P = 0.001) than HC and lower serum lutein than MS-ON subjects (Cohen's d = 0.65, P = 0.014). Among MS, MPOD was positively correlated with odRNFL thickness (ρ = 0.43, P = 0.049) and TMV (ρ = 0.45, P = 0.039), whereas odRNFL was negatively correlated with serum lutein (ρ = -0.68, P = 0.016) and zeaxanthin (ρ = -0.62, P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS Persons with MS-ON exhibited poorer xanthophyll status in the macula and serum. MPOD was associated with beneficial anatomical features in the MS group. These findings warrant confirmation with larger cohorts and prospective trials to evaluate xanthophyll effects on the anterior visual pathway in MS.
Panniculectomy Outcomes by Body Mass Index: an Analysis of 12,732 Cases.

With an increasing rate of obesity in the USA, bariatric surgery has become widespread, resulting in a greater number of patients seeking panniculectomy. The authors aim to determine the complication profile of panniculectomies by body mass index (BMI). The 2012–2018 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all panniculectomy cases. Patients were assigned to a category by their calculated BMI. Rates of complications were compared across BMI ranges. Demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative factors were compared between those with and without complications. Multivariable analyses were performed to analyze the associations between BMI ranges and post-surgical complications. Twelve thousand seven hundred thirty-two cases were analyzed, of which 1759 (13.8%) had at least one postoperative complication. As BMI increased, patients were more likely to experience postoperative complications (p<0.001). Patients experiencing complications were more likely to be male, older, of a higher BMI group, have a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists Personal Status classification, be an inpatient, have various comorbidities, or be undergoing a concurrent procedure. On multivariable analysis, patients who were overweight (OR=1.24, p=0.039), with class 1 (OR=1.72, p<0.001), class 2 (OR=2.10, p<0.001), or class 3 (OR=3.01, p<0.001) obesity were more likely to have a postoperative complication. Wound complications were particularly prevalent in patients who were overweight (OR=1.77, p=0.001) or with class 1 (OR=2.59, p<0.001), class 2 (OR=4.05, p<0.001), or class 3 (p=5.84, p<0.001) obesity compared to non-overweight patients. A higher BMI is associated with more postoperative complications, particularly wound healing complications, following panniculectomy in a dose-dependent manner.
Quantitative Measures of Populism: A Survey

In the past decade, debates over the definition of populism have coalesced into a minimal working definition. Qualitative studies seeking to define parties as dichotomously populist or not have minimal use in a comparative context. While studies were able to examine the conditions under which “populist” parties were successful, what defined “populist” was left to country and topic experts. Operationalizing these definitions of populism allows for empirical measurement, quantitative scaling, and ultimately cross-national and diachronic comparisons. Scales have been developed to measure how much populism is present in a party, among their representatives, in the public, and captured in political discourse. Such objective measures allow for confirmation or refutation of the presence of populism and the shedding of normative biases associated with this analytical term. This research note captures the current breadth of research using quantitative measures.