cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Dynamic Spectrum Access with Heterogeneous Networks: Benefits of Channel Packing Scheme

Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) has the potential to vastly improve spectrum utilizations among heterogeneous networks. We present a continuous-time Markov chain (CT-MC) model to analyze the performance of three co-located cognitive systems with various priority classes and bandwidth requirements. The maximum spectrum utilization and minimum blocking probability are derived in a one-channel band scenario. A channel packing scheme (CPS) is then proposed in a multiple-channel band scenario. This scheme packs users of smaller bandwidth requirements in clusters, in order to alleviate the unnecessary blockage to users of larger bandwidth requirements. Numerical results show that the system can benefit from CPS in terms of blocking probability, spectrum utilization and overall failure probability.
Position-dependent function of a B block promoter element implies a specialized chromatin structure on the S.cerevisiae U6 RNA gene, SNR6

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae U6 RNA gene, SNR6, is transcribed by RNA polymerase III (Pol III), but lacks the intragenic B block promoter element found in most other Pol III transcription units. Rather, the SNR6 B block element is located 120 bp downstream of the terminator. In contrast, the Schizosaccharomyces pombe U6 RNA gene has an intragenic B block sequence in a short intron. We show that the S.pombe U6 intron, when inserted into SNR6, can functionally replace the downstream B block in vitro but not in vivo. The in vivo expression defect is caused by at least three different effects of the insertion: (i) the S.pombe intron is inefficiently spliced in S.cerevisiae due to the short distance between the 5′ splice site and branchpoint; (ii) the S.pombe B block sequence is suboptimal for S.cerevisiae; and (iii) a B block does not function well within the context of the SNR6 intron, especially when the gene is present at its normal chromosomal locus rather than on a plasmid. This last observation suggests that the chromatin structure of the SNR6 locus favors utilization of a downstream B block element. We also provide evidence that splicing of U6 RNA reduces its activity, presumably due to alterations in U6 RNA structure, localization and/or assembly into the spliceosome.
Wetting, Unbinding, and Ultralow Tensions in Amphiphilic Systems

Wetting phenomena in ternary amphiphilic systems is reviewed with a particular emphasis on the effect of fluctuations on the location of the wetting transition, both in balanced and unbalanced systems. A rich prewetting behavior, yet to be observed, is also described. Unbinding transitions of lamellar phases in these systems are related to their wetting counterparts, and the possibility of observing a pre-unbinding transition is discussed. It is shown that were a complete unbinding of a lamellar phase to occur, the interfacial tension between oil and water phases coexisting with it would be identically zero. It is argued that the origin of the ultralow interfacial tensions in strong amphiphilic systems is the proximity to such an unbinding transition, one which is prevented by van der Waals forces. A consequence of this assumption is that the interfacial tension between oil and water phases coexisting with a structured phase of given wavelength should vary as the inverse square of that wavelength, a result confirmed by experiments on microemulsions.
Otto H. Schmitt: an electrocardiographer with multifaceted talents

Otto Herbert Schmitt Born April 6, 1913, in St Louis, Mo. Died anuary 6, 1998, in Minneapolis. Has a PhD egree in zoology and physics, 1937, University f Washington, St Louis. Spent most of his rofessional life as professor of biophysics, iomedical engineering, and electrical engineerg at the University of Minnesota. Major conibutions: formalized operationally the current ipole and transfer impedance concepts [1]; xperimental work to validate the dipole conept [2]; introduced the principle of average ansient computing for noise reduction to lectrocardiography [3]; and invented numerous lectrical engineering devices, including the mous bSchmitt triggerQ [4].
IV. The Use of Visual Aids in Political Science Teaching

Like his colleagues generally in the social sciences, the political scientist has prided himself upon the subject-matter content of his teaching. His responsibility has been to enlarge the understanding of the dynamic process by which men govern and are governed. Teaching and research have been coordinate elements of that responsibility. Constantly seeking to find better techniques for observation and measurement of political phenomena, ever trying to define more exactly the field of interest and knowledge, the political scientist has always focused attention upon the subject-matter of his specialization. He has had little time to devote to the problems of teaching methodology.The very fact that higher education has been selective is another possible explanation for our seeming indifference to improvements in teacher-student communication. From necessity, teachers' colleges and the educational profession have given considerable attention to teaching techniques. Primary and secondary schools are intended for mass education. If they fulfill their purpose, they reach virtually all of the population from six to sixteen years of age. The college teacher has had no such mass obligation. Traditionally, only some ten per cent of our high school population continue with higher education, and they are usually divided among the various fields of learning represented in colleges and universities. Selectivity and a limited audience have encouraged the college instructor to concentrate upon subject-matter and to ignore methodology.Political scientists certainly have no reason to offer any apologies for their primary interest.
Mechanism of 3-Methylanthranilic Acid Derepression of the Tryptophan Operon in Escherichia coli

3-Methylanthranilic acid (3MA) inhibits growth and causes derepression of the tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes in wild-type strains of Escherichia coli. Previous reports attributed this effect to an inhibition of the conversion of 1-(o-carboxyphenylamino)-1-deoxyribulose 5-phosphate to indole-3-glycerol phosphate and a consequent reduction in the concentration of endogenous tryptophan. Our studies have shown that 3MA-resistant mutants linked to the tryptophan operon have a feedback-resistant anthranilate synthetase; mutants with an altered indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthetase were not found. 3MA or 7-methylindole can be metabolized to 7-methyltryptophan, and 3MA, 7-methylindole, and 7-methyltryptophan lead to derepression of the tryptophan operon. Furthermore, 3MA-resistant mutants are also resistant to 7-methylindole derepression. These results strongly suggest that the primary cause of derepression by 3MA is through its conversion to 7-methyltryptophan, which can inhibit anthranilate synthetase, thereby decreasing the concentration of endogenous tryptophan. Unlike 5- or 6-methyltryptophan, 7-methyltryptophan does not appear to function as an active corepressor.
The evolution of surgery for the treatment of malignant large bowel obstruction

Abstract Large bowel obstruction (LBO) secondary to malignancy is an urgent or emergent surgical condition. Despite recent advances in alternative therapies, surgery remains the primary evidence-based curative, palliative, or temporizing treatment option. Acute presentations of malignant LBO are likely to be associated with advanced age, multiple comorbidities, advanced disease stage, and a poor prognosis. Immediate management should focus on prompt diagnosis, resuscitation, and treatment to relieve the obstruction. The modern operating room should be thought of as the arena where the highest probability for optimal outcomes is achieved. This article outlines the evolving role of malignant LBO surgery, and how newer approaches to operative treatment may improve clinical outcomes.
A design project based approach to teaching automatic control theory to mechanical engineers

Most Mechanical Engineering Programs have an automatic controls course as a required class for juniors or seniors, and most face similar problems. Many students view the class as a large collection of abstract mathematics, and even if they come to enjoy the material and understand how to do the problems, few students walk away from the class feeling confident that they understand how to apply the material to real systems. The most common methods used to alleviate this situation are laboratories and design projects. The author describes how, in Spring 1997, at the University of Wisconsin (USA), he tried a new approach, teaching automatic controls in the same manner he would teach a course centered around design projects. Rather than using a single design project and handing it out in the middle of the semester, he assigned four design projects and handed them out the first day of class. His intention was to provide students with a breadth of design experiences, and also to pet them to think about the design of controllers as an ongoing process for which the theory provides a set of analysis tools. The results were very positive. Students appeared to come away with a better grasp of the material, had more confidence that they could apply the material outside of the classroom and liked the class better than previous groups of students had, despite a significantly increased workload over past semesters.
Bioethics, Raw and Cooked Extraordinary Conflict and Everyday Practice

This article explains the emergence, growth, and institutional anchoring of bioethics in both policy and clinical arenas. Under the heading of principlism, bioethics developed a public language for resolving disputes that allowed it to transform disputes involving sacred matters into profane work routines. At the same time, having principlism as a common language for solving practical disputes allowed “ethics work” in health care to be separated from moral theorizing as a practical activity. Two issues—the right to die and the protection of research subjects—serve to illustrate the process through which bioethics established a large institutional footprint in health care.
The British-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding of 1986: Implications after Warner

This Note argues that the British decision in In re an Inquiry Under the Company Securities (Insider Dealing) Act 1985 (Warner) has impaired British investigatory efforts in securities fraud cases and hampered future American requests for information under the MOU. Part I of this Note discusses the MOU and the events attending its passage. Part II analyzes the Warner decision and discusses relevant British and American regulatory procedures. Part III examines the MOU’s flaws and presents an alternative that would assure the obligation of both British and American Authorities to investigate and to comply with the MOU.
Comparison and design of three coupled inductor structures

A new coupled-inductor structure that achieves zero current ripple without need for turns ratio adjustment is presented. Its residual ripple performance is as good as conventional structures, it is easier to design and has much less radiated noise. Three different gap arrangements of practical interest are considered and closed-form design equations are given for each of them. As a practical example, coupled inductor design for a 50 W Cuk converter is performed with all three gap arrangements and relative circuit performance is compared. >
Amplification/Overexpression of a Mitotic Kinase Gene in Human Bladder Cancer

Background: The mitotic kinase-encoding gene STK15/BTAK/ AuroraA is associated with aneuploidy and transformation when overexpressed in mammalian cells. STK15 overexpression activates an unknown oncogenic pathway that involves centrosome amplification and results in missegregation of chromosomes. Because clinical prognosis and tumor aneuploidy are tightly linked in human bladder cancer, we examined whether increased STK15 copy number and protein levels are linked to aneuploidy in bladder cancers. Methods: STK15 protein was visualized by immunohistochemistry in 205 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human bladder tumors. STK15 gene copy number was evaluated in 61 tumors by Southern blot hybridization and in 21 of these 61 tumors by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Copy numbers of chromosomes 3, 17, 20, and 21 were evaluated by FISH with chromosome-specific probes. STK15 expression levels were related to histologic grade, stage, and DNA ploidy of the tumors and to the patients’ follow-up data. The chisquare test for association was used to analyze the relationship between STK15 expression and pathologic features. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Tumors with low levels of STK15 amplification (3–4 copies) showed minimal deviation in their chromosome copy number and diploid or near-diploid total nuclear DNA content. Tumors with higher levels of STK15 amplification (>4 copies) had a major increase of chromosome copy number and of their total nuclear DNA content, i.e., exhibited pronounced aneuploidy. Elevated expression of STK15 was strongly associated with parameters of clinical aggressiveness including high histologic grade (P<.001), invasion (P<.001), increased rate of metastasis (P<.001), and decreased metastasis-free (P<.001) and overall (P<.001) survival of patients with bladder cancer. Conclusion: STK15 gene amplification and associated increased expression of the mitotic kinase it encodes are associated with aneuploidy and aggressive clinical behavior in human bladder cancer. [J Natl Cancer Inst 2002;94: 1320–9]
The Composition Of Corporate Boards Of Directors: Does Industry Matter?

The purpose of this study is to identify and examine differences in corporate board characteristics across four industries. Using a sample of 2592 US publicly traded firms, eleven board characteristics were identified and then examined across manufacturing, retail trade, finance/insurance, and services industries. Our analyses revealed significant differences in each of the eleven board characteristics examined. Implications and areas for future research are discussed.
The Critical Competencies of Successful Senior IT Leaders - A Field Study

This research investigates what skills, behaviors and traits characterize an effective senior leader within information technology (IT) organizations. We explore specifically IT executives (a leader of leaders) who report directly to the Chief Information Officer. We conducted a qualitative study by interviewing 36 IT professionals using 360 approach to distill which competencies define an effective IT leader. We draw upon emotional and social competencies index (ESCI) as a means to code for existing social leadership competencies and conduct an open thematic analysis to discover new themes related to technical leadership. Seven well established ESCI competencies and four competencies related to technical domain leadership, Technical Credibility, Relate to Technical People, Guide and Deliver Technology Solutions, and Technical Aptitude, are identified as key factors that promote effective IT leadership. Our analysis suggests that a heretofore unknown blend of competencies forms necessary and sufficient condition for leadership effectiveness within IT domain.
Association of Drinking Problems and Duration of Alcohol Use to Inhibitory Control in Nondependent Young Adult Social Drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Deficits in inhibitory control have been widely implicated in alcohol misuse. However, the literature does not readily distinguish the effects of drinking problems and chronic alcohol use. Here, we examined how years of drinking and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score each influences the cerebral responses to inhibitory control in nondependent drinkers. METHODS: Fifty-seven adult drinkers and 57 age- and gender-matched nondrinkers participated in one 40-minute functional magnetic resonance imaging scan of the stop signal task. Data were preprocessed and modeled using SPM8. In a regression model, we contrasted stop and go success trials for individuals and examined activities of response inhibition each in link with the AUDIT score and years of alcohol use in group analyses. We specified the effects of duration of use by contrasting regional activations of drinkers and age-related changes in nondrinkers. In mediation analyses, we investigated how regional activities mediate the relationship between drinking problems and response inhibition. RESULTS: Higher AUDIT score but not years of drinking was positively correlated with prolonged stop signal reaction time (SSRT) and diminished responses in the cerebellum, thalamus, frontal and parietal regions, independent of years of alcohol use. Further, activity of the thalamus, anterior cingulate cortex, and presupplementary motor area significantly mediates the association, bidirectionally, between the AUDIT score and SSRT. The duration of alcohol use was associated with decreased activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus extending to superior temporal gyrus, which was not observed for age-related changes in nondrinkers. CONCLUSIONS: The results distinguished the association of drinking problems and years of alcohol use to inhibitory control in young adult nondependent drinkers. These new findings extend the imaging literature of alcohol misuse and may have implications for treatment to prevent the escalation from social to dependent drinking. More research is needed to confirm age-independent neural correlates of years of alcohol use. Language: en
Human SR-BI and SR-BII Potentiate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Acute Liver and Kidney Injury in Mice

The class B scavenger receptors BI (SR-BI) and BII (SR-BII) are high-density lipoprotein receptors that recognize various pathogens, including bacteria and their products. It has been reported that SR-BI/II null mice are more sensitive than normal mice to endotoxin-induced inflammation and sepsis. Because the SR-BI/II knockout model demonstrates multiple immune and metabolic disorders, we investigated the role of each receptor in the LPS-induced inflammatory response and tissue damage using transgenic mice with pLiv-11-directed expression of human SR-BI (hSR-BI) or human SR-BII (hSR-BII). At 6 h after i.p. LPS injection, transgenic hSR-BI and hSR-BII mice demonstrated markedly higher serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and 2- to 3-fold increased expression levels of inflammatory mediators in the liver and kidney, compared with wild-type (WT) mice. LPS-stimulated inducible NO synthase expression was 3- to 6-fold higher in the liver and kidney of both transgenic strains, although serum NO levels were similar in all mice. Despite the lower high-density lipoprotein plasma levels, both transgenic strains responded to LPS by a 5-fold increase of plasma corticosterone levels, which were only moderately lower than in WT animals. LPS treatment resulted in MAPK activation in tissues of all mice; however, the strongest response was detected for hepatic extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 and kidney JNK of both transgenic mice. Histological examination of hepatic and renal tissue from LPS-challenged mice revealed more injury in hSR-BII, but not hSR-BI, transgenic mice versus WT controls. Our findings demonstrate that hSR-BII, and to a lesser extent hSR-BI, significantly increase LPS-induced inflammation and contribute to LPS-induced tissue injury in the liver and kidney, two major organs susceptible to LPS toxicity.
Concepts of community in the pursuit of an inclusive archaeology.

Community is a key concept that shapes how we approach our relationships with other individuals and groups. In this article, the author reviews how scholars and laypeople alike use the concept of ‘community’ in both theoretical and applied contexts. What do heritage professionals expect from the communities with whom they work? How do these communities define and constitute themselves? The answers to such questions have broad implications for the way that scholars interact and collaborate with stakeholders. Examples are presented from the author’s archaeological projects at sites associated with communities in the African diaspora that illustrate the importance of an explicit and critical approach to the idea of ‘community’. The discussion concludes with preliminary findings from an investigation of the meanings of community among black Chicagoans in the twentieth and twenty‐first centuries.
Identification of Possible Bonding Sites for Post Deposition Oxygen Absorption in Microcrystalline Silicon

Using infrared (IR) spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction, the nature of the grain boundaries in two μc-Si films deposited by hot wire CVD, displaying similar crystalline volume fractions but very different behavior upon exposure to atmospheric contaminants, is analyzed. For the film exhibiting significant post deposition oxidation, the IR spectrum in the 2100 cm−1 Si-H stretch mode region contains two sharp and very narrow peaks, suggesting that the crystallites have been incorporated into the μc-Si films with their hydrogenated surfaces relatively intact. By comparing these peak frequencies to those in the literature for Si-H bonding on c-Si surfaces, we identify certain crystallite orientations which, when comprising the μc-Si grain boundaries, are particularly susceptible to oxidation. We further suggest that the distribution of H in this grain boundary/crystallite surface region is crucial for depositing μc-Si films with good electronic properties and minimal post deposition oxidation.
Site investigation and analysis of an tuberculosis outbreak in a high school

Objective:To investigate and deal with school tuberculosis outbreak promptly,and to control the spread of the epidemic.Methods:Tuberculin test,chest x-ray examination and sputum laboratory tests were conducted on close contacts.Results:16 patients were found through field survey,of which there were three smear-positive cases.Prevalence rate of active tuberculosis was 2160/10 million,overall positive rate of tuberculin was 28.14%,strong positive rate was 14.34%.Strongly positive rate and prevalence rate of third-year students were significantly higher than other grades.Conclusions:School health education of tuberculosis should be strengthened,timely and effectively screening and preventive treatment was very important after the outbreak of tuberculosis.
Cooperative functioning between phenylalanine ammonia lyase and isochorismate synthase activities contributes to salicylic acid biosynthesis in soybean.

Summary Salicylic acid (SA), an essential regulator of plant defense, is derived from chorismate via either the phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) or the isochorismate synthase (ICS) catalyzed steps. The ICS pathway is thought to be the primary contributor of defense-related SA, at least in Arabidopsis. We investigated the relative contributions of PAL and ICS to defense-related SA accumulation in soybean (Glycine max). Soybean plants silenced for five PAL isoforms or two ICS isoforms were analyzed for SA concentrations and SA-derived defense responses to the hemibiotrophic pathogens Pseudomonas syringae and Phytophthora sojae. We show that, unlike in Arabidopsis, PAL and ICS pathways are equally important for pathogen-induced SA biosynthesis in soybean. Knock-down of either pathway shuts down SA biosynthesis and abrogates pathogen resistance. Moreover, unlike in Arabidopsis, pathogen infection is associated with the suppression of ICS gene expression. Pathogen-induced biosynthesis of SA via the PAL pathway correlates inversely with phenylalanine concentrations. Although infections with either virulent or avirulent strains of the pathogens increase SA concentrations, resistance protein-mediated response to avirulent P. sojae strains may function in an SA-independent manner. These results show that PAL- and ICS-catalyzed reactions function cooperatively in soybean defense and highlight the importance of PAL in pathogen-induced SA biosynthesis.
Reading the Tea Leaves: Where Will Cardiology Be in 2050?

![Figure][1] During a period of rapid change, all of us are trying to emulate “The Great One” in “skating to the puck” [(1)][2]. Few areas of life are likely to change as much as medicine in general—and cardiovascular medicine in particular. The ability to identify meaningful
Single-seed oxygen consumption measurements and population-based threshold models link respiration and germination rates under diverse conditions

Seed germination is responsive to diverse environmental, hormonal and chemical signals. Germination rates (i.e. speed and distribution in time) reveal information about timing, uniformity and extent of germination in seed populations and are sensitive indicators of seed vigour and stress tolerance. Population-based threshold (PBT) models have been applied to describe germination responses to temperature, water potential, hormones, ageing and oxygen. However, obtaining detailed data on germination rates of seed populations requires repeated observations at frequent times to construct germination time courses, which is labour intensive and often impractical. Recently, instruments have been developed to measure repeatedly the respiration (oxygen consumption) of individual seeds following imbibition, providing complete respiratory time courses for populations of individual seeds in an automated manner. In this study, we demonstrate a new approach that enables the use of single-seed respiratory data, rather than germination data, to characterize the responses of seed populations to diverse conditions. We applied PBT models to single-seed respiratory data and compared the results to similar analyses of germination time courses. We found consistent and quantitatively comparable relationships between seed respiratory and germination patterns in response to temperature, water potential, abscisic acid, gibberellin, respiratory inhibitors, ageing and priming. This close correspondence between seed respiration and germination time courses enables the use of semi-automated respiratory measurements to assess seed vigour and quality parameters. It also raises intriguing questions about the fundamental relationship between the respiratory capacities of seeds and the rates at which they proceed toward completion of germination.
A Prospective Study of Iron Overload in Patients Undergoing Ablative Stem Cell Transplantation.

Abstract 3332 Poster Board III-220 Introduction Iron overload is a recently recognized problem for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Hyperferritinemia is common and is associated with significantly increased treatment-related mortality (TRM) and poorer overall survival after HSCT. However, serum ferritin may be a poor surrogate for total body iron burden, and no prospective study of parenchymal iron overload has yet been reported. We initiated a prospective study of adult patients with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) undergoing myeloablative HSCT, in order to estimate the prevalence of iron overload in this population. We measured pre-HSCT serum ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), iron, total iron binding capacity, and genotyped patients for HFE mutations. All patients also underwent liver and cardiac MRI with measurement of T2*, from which liver iron content (LIC) and cardiac iron loading were inferred. Results 41 of 45 planned patients have been enrolled to date. Median age was 46 years (range, 18-63). 24 patients had AML, 11 had ALL, and 6 had MDS. They had received a median of 2 prior chemotherapy courses (range, 0-6). Among the 39 patients with available transfusion history, the median number of prior RBC transfusions was 19 (range, 0-59). 88% of patients had a pre-HSCT serum ferritin above normal; the median value was 1432 (range, 20-6989). Higher ferritin values were associated with more advanced disease stage, number of prior chemotherapy regimens, and number of transfusions. The median LIC was 3 g/g dry weight (g/gdw) (range, 0.6-12.9). 85% of patients had an LIC above the upper limit of normal (1.8 g/gdw), and 17% had an LIC above 7 g/gdw. Only 1 patient had cardiac iron overload (cardiac T2*<20 msec). Pre-HSCT LIC correlated best with serum ferritin (r=0.7), although it also correlated with transfusion history (r=0.56) and with transferrin saturation (r=0.50). The correlation improved further (r=0.76) when ferritin was divided by log(CRP), when CRP was above normal (see Figure). ![][1] Median follow-up after HSCT is 4.5 months (range, 0.2-13.5), precluding full analysis of clinical outcomes at this point. Conclusion Hepatic iron overload is very common in patients with acute leukemia or MDS undergoing HSCT, and is strongly correlated with transfusion history. Cardiac iron overload is rare. Pre-HSCT serum ferritin, adjusted for CRP, is a good surrogate marker for hepatic iron overload. This close relationship lends support to prior studies that used serum ferritin to assess the impact of pre-HSCT iron overload on transplantation outcome. Moreover, it provides the basis for the assessment of iron chelation strategies to reduce TRM. Disclosures Armand: Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. [1]: pending:yes
Thinking about predation — A personal diary

Even after making allowance for the fact that the Court’s polling expert was probably a refugee from the Literary Digest (those of you who do not grasp the historical allusion have the consolation of youth) he failed to interview Scherer, Dirlam, Shepherd, Greer, Williamson or Salop I think Joel and I would still have been surprised by the widespread skepticism that prevails today even within our profession about what we regarded as a self-evident proposition, that
Improving care for ground-level falls in assisted living

Williams and colleagues' prospective cohort study examined an intervention to avoid unnecessary transport to the emergency department for residents in assisted living facilities who fall. The edito...
Applications of Transference: The Lp Version of von Neumann’s Inequality and the Littlewood-Paley-Stein Theory

The following extension of von Neumann’s inequality is discussed: $$ {\left\| {\sum\limits_{0}^{N} {{a_{k}}{T^{k}}} } \right\|_{p}} \leqslant {N_{p}}\left\{ {{a_{k}}} \right\} $$ where T is a subpositive contraction on LP(X) and Np{ak} is the lp operator norm of convolution with the sequence {ak} on 𝕫. This result is then used to study operators of the form \( \int_{0}^{\infty } {a\left( t \right)} {P_{t}}dt \) where Pt is a subpositive contraction semigroup on Lp. The use of Hilbert space valued kernels a enable us to obtain a new approach to some of Stein’s Littlewood-Paley estimates.
National beef tenderness survey.

To determine the average tenderness and sensory ratings of beef subprimal cuts sold in retail cases across the United States, retail cuts were purchased through typical retail outlets in 14 metropolitan cities and transported to Texas A&M University for sensory and Warner-Bratzler shear analysis. The overall mean shear force for all cuts was 3.65 kg, and the mean shear force values for chuck, rib, loin, and round cuts were 3.72, 3.36, 3.17, and 4.31 kg, respectively. No difference (P greater than .05) in tenderness was detected among the cuts from the rib. Mean palatability ratings and shear force values of top loin steaks were similar to those of rib cuts. Top sirloin steaks were tougher (P less than .05) and received the lowest sensory ratings compared with other loin cuts. Approximately two to three times as many round and chuck steaks had shear force values in excess of 4.6 kg compared with their roast counterparts. In all cases, roasts tended to be more tender than steaks from the same subprimal source. USDA Choice chuck retail cuts, compared to Select and No-roll chuck cuts, had approximately 10% fewer cuts with shear force values in excess of 4.0 kg. More work is needed to improve meat tenderness, primarily for retail cuts from the round and chuck primals. Future research must investigate the interaction of antemortem and postmortem factors associated with variation in beef tenderness.
Asymptotic properties of sequences iteratively generated by point-to-set maps

In this paper, we examine the relationships between the fixed point set of a point-to-set map A(·), and the asymptotic properties of the sequences which may be iteratively generated by using the map A(·). Let L be the set of all limit points, and Q be the set of all cluster points of all sequences which may be iteratively generated by A(·). The consequences of various assumptions on the map A(·) and the sequences generated by A(·) on lower-bounds and upper-bounds for L and Q are discussed.
Oscillations and hysteresis during hydrocarbon oxidation on a diesel oxidation catalyst: Predictive model

Abstract Dodecane oxidation on zeolite beta (BEA) was studied on a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) comprising Pt-Pd/Al2O3. Oscillatory CO2 formation under steady-state and transient conditions was studied by spatially-resolved mass spectrometry (SpaciMS) and coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (c-OFDR) (Peng et al., 2018). The CO2 oscillations were accompanied by local temperature fluctuations during the steady state and temperature-programmed oxidation. The coupling between hydrocarbon sorption and oxidation, the proposed underlying mechanism for the oscillatory behavior, is investigated using a monolith reactor model. Using independently measured dodecane oxidation and sorption kinetics, the model predicts most of the experimental features, including the existence and amplitude of the oscillations. The model also correctly predicts the existence of an observed hysteresis during temperature ramp-up/ramp-down experiments. A non-dimensional map provides a predictive guide for the existence of oscillations. In addition to providing understanding and prediction of the spatiotemporal phenomena, the model analysis suggests a way to decrease the hydrocarbon slip (emissions) during temperature ramp-down.
Using clinical and genetic data to predict pulmonary hypertension in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

AIM Pulmonary hypertension significantly increases morbidity and mortality in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms in arginase-1 (ARG1 rs2781666) and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH1 rs480414) genes has been found to differ in a cohort of bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients with pulmonary hypertension (cases) and without pulmonary hypertension (controls). Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that combining these genotypes with phenotypic data would better predict pulmonary hypertension in bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients. METHODS Bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients (n = 79) born at <35 weeks gestation were studied. Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed by echocardiographic criteria (n = 20). ROC curves to predict pulmonary hypertension in bronchopulmonary dysplasia were generated from genotype and/or clinical data. RESULTS Cases were born at an earlier gestation and weighed less at birth than did controls. ROC curves for rs2781666 had an AUC of 0.61, while rs480414 had an AUC of 0.66. Together, the AUC was 0.70. When clinical data were added to the genetic model, AUC was 0.73. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that ROC predictive modelling of pulmonary hypertension in bronchopulmonary dysplasia improves with inclusion of both genotypic and phenotypic data. Further refinement of these types of models could facilitate the implementation of precision medicine approaches to pulmonary hypertension in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Embedded Systems for Intelligent Vehicle Research

Connected and automated vehicles are becoming more and more popular. Research and development in these fields will require new and unique test environments and strategies. Several things can be learned from prior history with specialized vehicle data bus applications. Data bus development and testing techniques for three real-world car and heavy truck vehicle data bus projects are presented in this paper, with an emphasis on hardware-in-the-loop system integration testing.
The expression of i-region gene products on lymphocytes. I. Demonstration of mlr determinants on t cells.

Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) stimulation by purified T and B lymphocytes and thymocytes was studied. The MLR gene products involved were localized to theH-2 complex by the use of congenic mice differing atH-2, and to loci within theH-2 complex through the use of congenic mice bearing recombinant chromosome 17. Stimulation by T cells was investigated in detail. The role of small amounts of contaminating B lymphocytes, and that of “backstimulation”, was found to be of minor importance. T cells and thymocytes stimulated as well as or better than B cells in combinations differing in theI, S, and possibly parts of theD end, thus suggesting that these genetic regions control cell-surface products expressed on both T and B lymphocyte populations.
Using the Start | Stop | Continue Framework to Improve Library Operations

The Start|Stop|Continue Framework is a powerful tool for structuring conversations to elicit honest input from library personnel at all levels. Adapting this framework for team discussions rather than individual feedback enables libraries to create opportunities for meaningful engagement and meaningful improvement to library operations.
Absence of Evidence Is Not Evidence of Absence.

There is a high degree of variability in the definition of social support. Within both the medical and psychological literature, the term is often used to refer to the domains of emotional encourag...
Normal Lacrimal Gland Volumes by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Relationship of Lacrimal Gland Volume to Orbital Size.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to measure volumes of normal lacrimal glands (LGs) using magnetic resonance imaging in African-Americans (AAs) and whites and to evaluate relationships of LG volumes to demographic factors. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed searching for "optic neuropathy" and "optic neuritis," cross-referencing patients who had orbital MRI with and without contrast. Cases were excluded with known history of orbital trauma or surgery, previous diagnoses known to affect LG size, and poor image quality. LGs were outlined in consecutive axial and coronal slices, and volumes were generated using OsiriX software; cross-sectional area of the orbit was measured by outlining the bony orbit in largest axial section. RESULTS One hundred orbits from 50 patients were included (26 AAs, 24 whites). Mean LG volumes as measured in coronal and axial section were 0.714 and 0.671 cm, respectively; mean orbital area was 10.42 cm. Axial orbital size was found to be highly correlated (P < 0.01) with LG volume. No significant correlation was found with LG volume and age, sex, race, or laterality. CONCLUSIONS This article presents normal values for LG volumes by MRI of AAs and whites. LG volumes were highly correlated with orbital size, a relationship which has not been explored in the recent literature. Such an assessment of LG size relative to patients' orbital dimensions may be more clinically useful than comparison to population-based measures of normal LG volume alone. We found no statistically significant relationship between LG volume and race, sex, age, or laterality.
Occiput-to-Pelvis Spinal Arthrodesis: A Case Series

Abstract Study Design Retrospective case series. Objectives To describe the indications, operative course, and outcomes in eight pediatric patients who underwent occiput-to-pelvis (O-P) spinal arthrodesis. Summary Spinal arthrodesis from the occiput to pelvis is needed for some children with extensive spine deformity. There are few reports of patients with O-P arthrodesis. Methods We reviewed records of pediatric patients who underwent spinal arthrodesis to treat spine deformity between 1987 and 2017 at one institution. Eight patients (six girls) who underwent staged O-P arthrodesis were identified. Underlying conditions, indications for surgery, medical comorbidities, operative courses, complications, and imaging of these patients were recorded. Results Diagnoses were neuromuscular disorders in five patients and syndromic disorders in three patients. Mean ages were 9.7 ± 4.1 years at index surgery and 16.8 ± 4.6 years at completion of O-P arthrodesis. Patients underwent a mean of three operations (range, two to five). Occipitocervical arthrodesis was the final operation in six of eight patients (all but the two patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome). Mean follow-up after the last procedure was 8.5 ± 7.1 years. Two patients underwent revision for protruding occipital implants, and one patient underwent revision for thoracic pseudarthrosis. No patients developed postoperative infections or new neurologic deficits. At final follow-up, Scoliosis Research Society–22r questionnaire scores were lowest for Function (2.6 ± 1.0 of 5 possible points) and highest for Satisfaction (4.1 ± 1.4). Conclusions O-P arthrodesis can benefit patients with extensive spine deformity from neuromuscular or syndromic causes. Patients were young at first operation, which may suggest that younger patients are at higher risk than older patients of major progression of deformity in other spinal regions after deformity correction. Health-related quality of life and radiographic outcomes suggest that patients who underwent O-P arthrodesis had satisfactory outcomes and maintenance of correction during a mean of 8.5 years of follow-up. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study.
Chapter 2 – Data Encryption

The Internet evolved over the years as a means for users to access information and exchange emails. Later, once the bandwidth became available, businesses exploited the Internet’s popularity to reach customers online. In the past few years it has been reported that organizations that store and maintain customers’ private and confidential records were compromised on many occasions by hackers breaking into the data networks and stealing the records from storage media. More recently we have come across headline-grabbing security breaches regarding laptops with sensitive data being lost or stolen, and most recently the Feds have encrypted around 1 million laptops with encryption software loaded to secure data such as names and Social Security numbers. This chapter is about security and the role played by cryptographic technology in data security. Securing data while it is in storage or in transition from an unauthorized access is a critical function of information technology. All forms of ecommerce activities such as online credit card processing, purchasing stocks, and banking data processing would, if compromised, lead to businesses losing billions of dollars in revenues, as well as customer confidence lost in ecommerce.
Hyperk\"ahler Isometries Of K3 Surfaces

We consider symmetries of K3 manifolds. Holomorphic symplectic automorphisms of K3 surfaces have been classified, and observed to be subgroups of the Mathieu group $M_{23}$. More recently, automorphisms of K3 sigma models commuting with $SU(2)\times SU(2)$ $R$-symmetry have been classified by Gaberdiel, Hohenegger, and Volpato. These groups are all subgroups of the Conway group. We fill in a small gap in the literature and classify the possible hyperkahler isometry groups of K3 manifolds. There is an explicit list of $40$ possible groups, all of which are realized in the moduli space. The groups are all subgroups of $M_{23}$.
Effects of recycling agents (RAs) on rutting resistance and moisture susceptibility of mixtures with high RAP/RAS content

Abstract Increasing the content of Recycled Asphalt Materials (RAM) in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) requires a comprehensive understanding of the effects of RAM on pavement performance. While there is a significant focus on the benefits of adding the Recycling Agents (RAs) in terms of cracking resistance of high RAM mixtures, limited research is published on the rutting and moisture damage of high RAM mixtures containing significant amounts of Recycling Agents. This study investigates the effects of RAs on the rutting resistance and moisture susceptibility of high RAM mixtures through analysis of analyzing the Hamburg Wheel-Track Test (HWTT) data with current AASHTO method and a modified analysis method separating the dry from the wet behavior. The RAM employed in this study includes Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements (RAP) and Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS). Two levels of high RAP mixtures (30% and 50%) and one combination of RAP and RAS (30% + 5%) were used to fabricate test asphalt mixtures and compared to a control mixture with no RAM. One petroleum-based RA (REOB) and two bio-based RAs were used to soften these mixtures using pre-determined dosages. In total thirteen-three mixture combinations were prepared and measured in this study. The HWTT test parameters recommended in the current AASHTO method were calculated and compared with the parameters determined by using a modified analysis method, in which the deformation due to the visco-plastic flow is separated from the deformation induced by moisture in the wet HWTT. The results illustrate that in general high RAM improved the rutting resistance and moisture susceptibility as compared to the virgin mixture, but some of the RAs used, show an alarming increase in the moisture susceptibility potential of the high RAM mixtures. It is therefore concluded that caution should be used in analysis of the HWTT rutting behavior of high RAM mixes as the RA used could result in inferior rutting behavior under wet conditions.
The dynamic nature of children's strategy use after receiving accuracy feedback in decimal comparisons.

Abstract When students start learning decimals, they may incorrectly apply features of their prior numerical knowledge (e.g., whole-number or fraction rules). However, because whole numbers, fractions, and decimals all have their own unique features, these whole-number and fraction strategies do not always lead to correct solutions. We examined whether receiving immediate accuracy feedback while comparing decimal pairs that were either congruent with whole-number rules (e.g., decimals with more digits were larger in magnitude) or incongruent with whole-number rules (e.g., decimals with fewer digits were larger in magnitude) would lead students to change their decimal comparison strategies. We also examined whether students’ potential improvement after feedback would generalize to decimal comparisons involving different numbers of digits. We found that sixth- to eighth-grade students’ use of the whole-number strategy declined and their use of the normative decimal strategy increased over the course of receiving feedback, whereas no significant strategy change was observed among students who did not receive any feedback. Students who received feedback were also less likely to use a whole-number strategy and more likely to use a decimal strategy in different decimal comparisons in an immediate posttest and a 2-week delayed posttest. Our exploratory analyses found that students’ improvement on decimal comparisons did not transfer to decimal arithmetic. Moreover, students’ inhibitory control also predicted strategy use in immediate and delayed posttests. Our study provides insights into the mechanisms of rapid strategy change and has implications for designing interventions to improve children’s understanding of decimal magnitudes.
Association of Socioeconomic Disadvantage With Mortality and Readmissions Among Older Adults Hospitalized for Pulmonary Embolism in the United States.

Background In the United States, hospitalizations for pulmonary embolism (PE) are increasing among older adults insured by Medicare. Although efforts to reduce health disparities have intensified, ...
To See Is to Believe

It has been said that humans learned to stand and walk upright in order to see things faraway in the plains of Africa. We are blessed with an amazing sense of sight which allows us to perceive what is happening around us. As all new parents know, a newborn baby starts noticing them and the world. We can segment out objects in our visual field, recognize them, and infer their attributes. We can detect motion and are able to predict what is likely going to happen next.