cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular analysis of Arachis interspecific hybrids.

Incorporation of genetic resistance against several biotic stresses that plague cultivated peanut, Arachis hypogaea (2n=4x=40), is an ideal option to develop disease resistant and ecologically safe peanut varieties. The primary gene pool of peanut contains many diploid wild species (2n=2x=20) of Arachis, which have high levels of disease and insect resistances. However, transfer of resistant genes from these species into A. hypogaea is difficult due to ploidy level differences and genomic incompatibilities. This study was conducted to monitor alien germplasm transmission, using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, from two diploid wild species, A. cardenasii and A. batizocoi, into A. hypogaea. Triploid interspecific hybrids were produced by crossing two A. hypogaea cultivars (NC 6 and Argentine) with the two species and by colchicine-treating vegetative meristems, fertility was restored at the hexaploid (Co) level in the four hybrids. Hexaploids were allowed to self-pollinate for four generations, each referred to as a cycle (C1, C2, C3, and C4). At each cycle, a backcross was made with the respective A. hypogaea cultivar as the maternal parent and only lineages tracing back to a single hexaploid hybrid were used for RAPD analysis. Analysis of mapped, species-specific RAPD markers in BC1F1 to BC1F3 hybrids indicated that alien germplasm retention decreased every generation of inbreeding, especially in Argentine and in A. batizocoi crosses. A similar trend was also observed for every cycle in BC1F2 and BC1F3 families, possibly, due to the loss of alien chromosomes following selfing of hexaploids. RAPD marker analysis of 40–chromosome interspecific hybrid derivatives from the four crosses supported previous reports that reciprocal recombination and/or translocations are the predominant mechanisms for exchange of chromosomal segments. No evidence was found for preferential transfer of alien chromosomal regions to specific linkage groups. The implications for developing disease resistant peanut breeding lines are discussed in light of these findings.
Properties of the singular value decomposition for efficient data clustering

We introduce some interesting properties of the singular value decomposition (SVD), and illustrate how they may be used in conjunction with the k-means algorithm for efficiently clustering a set of vectors. Specifically, we use the SVD to preprocess and sort the data vectors, and then use the k-means algorithm on the modified vectors. To illustrate the effectiveness of this approach, we compare it to the k-means algorithm without preprocessing and show that significant gains in clustering speed may be realized.
Efficient Netlist Comparison Using Hierarchy and Randomization

Programs to compare the layout of ICs with their schematics have recently appeared. These programs have limited functionality and require large amounts of CPU time. We discuss the implementation of a fast [O(n(log n) /sup 2/)] logic comparison algorithm which uses hierarchy and randomization. This algorithm handles swappable components without performance degradation and is extremely robust in the presence of input errors. We include experimental data.
The trend of small cell lung cancer among young men

In this report, we investigated the distribution of histologic types of lung cancer by age in Turkey. Among 1354 lung cancer cases diagnosed in Social Security Agency Okmeydani Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, we included 912 male cases with data on age, smoking status, and histopathologic type. We calculated the smoking-adjusted risk for histopathologic types by age. A majority of the cases were between 45 and 64 years of age (70.5%). The smoking-adjusted risk of squamous cell carcinoma increased with advancing age, while the risk of small cell carcinoma decreased with age. The risk of small cell carcinoma was 1.6 times higher among men younger than 45 years of age compared to older men (odds ratios (OR): 1.6, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.1-2.3). In conclusion, we found a significant decreasing trend for small cell carcinoma by increasing age, which resulted with an excess risk among men younger than age 45.
Simulation as a decision-making tool for real-time control of flexible manufacturing systems

Describes the use of discrete event simulation as the decision-making component of a shop floor control system for flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). The control software is the critical component that determines the operational efficiency of an FMS and the decision-making component largely determines the overall flexibility of the system. A methodology for the development, maintenance, and operation of FMS based on this control system is presented and implementation experience in a full-scale FMS laboratory is provided.
Residual activity and population effects of noviflumuron for German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) control.

A benzoylphenyl urea insect growth regulator with the common name noviflumuron was evaluated for efficacy and residual activity on the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). In laboratory studies evaluating residual activity, 0.05% noviflumuron suspension concentrate produced 100% nymphal mortality 120 d after application to steel and masonite substrates. Residual activity of noviflumuron was more variable on painted plywood substrates compared with stainless steel and masonite. In bioassay arenas, population reductions caused by noviflumuron were significantly greater than Archer and the untreated populations. After 16 wk, populations exposed to 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% noviflumuron were reduced by 51.9 ± 19.8, 62.2 ± 6.5, and 62.6 ± 18.4%, respectively. Control cockroach populations and populations exposed to 1.3% pyriproxyfen at labeled rate (Archer, 0.61 g/m2) increased by 1,286.3 ± 125.1 and 937.2 ± 137.1%, respectively, at the end of 16 wk. A field study in multifamily housing complexes showed noviflumuron (0.2 and 0.5%) to provide 73.3 ± 8.0 and 90.6 ± 3.6% trap catch reduction at 4 wk posttreatment, respectively. There were no significant differences in the performance of noviflumuron, Maxforce FC Roach Bait Stations (0.05% [AI] fipronil), and Avert dust bait (0.05% [AI] abamectin B1). Noviflumuron shows excellent potential for use in cockroach management programs.
Taxation Of Mandatory Restitution Received By Victims Of Human Trafficking

In Notice 2012-12, the Internal Revenue Service announced that awards of mandatory restitution received by victims of human trafficking under 18 U.S.C. 1593 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 are excluded from gross income. This article examines the basic provisions of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the calculation of mandatory restitution, publicly available resources involving human trafficking, and the taxability of damages involving physical versus nonphysical injury under civil law.
Petrogenesis of the Holterkollen Plutonic Complex, Norway

The Holterkollen complex contains a biotite granite-quartz porphyry pluton, syenitic ring dikes and hornblende granite dikes. Chemical variations within the pluton show a series of “highs” and “lows” that have no relation to textural zones. The quartz porphyry apparently represents locations that were subject to sudden volatile loss whereas the chemical pattern probably is the result of multiple magma injection. The Holterkollen rock series probably was formed by fractionation of a mantle derived parent magma. However, the granite-quartz porphyry melt may have formed by anatexis.
SPECT Collimation for Medium-High Energy: Influence of Spatial Resolution and Image Contrast within Transverse Plane

SPECT has a potentially important role in radioimmunotherapy, where the measurement of the fractional distribution of the labeled antibody in-vivo is required for absorbed dose calculation (1-3).
The effect of dietary glutamine on the mucosal immunoglobulin response

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is an important therapeutic modality in patients with dysfunctional gastrointestinal physiology. A recognized sequelae of TPN is intestinal mucosal atrophy which presumably occurs from disuse. We have previously established that the use of TPN results in a marked reduction in biliary secretory IgA (s-IgA). The purpose of the present study was to asses the effect of giutamine enhanced TPN solution on biliary Ig A and Ig M concentration and on bacterial translocation to MLN.
Shear Wave Elastography and Cervical Lymph Nodes: Predicting Malignancy

Abstract This prospective study evaluates the accuracy of virtual touch imaging quantification (VTIQ), a non-invasive shear wave elastography method for measuring cervical lymph nodes (LN) stiffness in differentiating benign from malignant LN. The study evaluated 270 LN in 236 patients with both conventional B-mode ultrasound and VTIQ shear wave elastography before fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). LN stiffness was measured as shear wave velocity (SWV) in m/s. Surgical resection was advised for FNAB results that were not clearly benign. Surgical pathology confirmed 54 malignant LN. The receiver operating curve (ROC) identified a single cut-off value of 2.93 m/s as the maximum SWV for predicting a malignant cervical LN. The sensitivity and specificity were 92.59% and 75.46%, respectively. Positive predictive value (PPV) was 48.54% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 97.60%. LN stiffness measured by VTIQ–generated shear wave elastography is an independent predictor of malignancy.
Endothelin Receptors, Mitochondria and Neurogenesis in Cerebral Ischemia.

Background Neurogenesis is most active during pre-natal development, however, it persists throughout the human lifespan. The putative role of mitochondria in neurogenesis and angiogenesis is gaining importance. Since, ETB receptor mediated neurogenesis and angiogenesis has been identified, the role of these receptors with relevance to mitochondrial functions is of interest. Methods In addition to work from our laboratory, we undertook an extensive search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature. Specific technical terms such as endothelin, mitochondria and neurogenesis were used to seek out and critically evaluate literature that was relevant. Results The ET family consists of three isopeptides (ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3) that produce biological actions by acting on two types of receptors (ETA and ETB). In the central nervous system (CNS) ETA receptors are potent constrictors of the cerebral vasculature and appear to contribute in the causation of cerebral ischemia. ETA receptor antagonists have been found to be effective in animal model of cerebral ischemia; however, clinical studies have shown no efficacy. Mitochondrial functions are critically important for several neural development processes such as neurogenesis, axonal and dendritic growth, and synaptic formation. ET appears to impair mitochondrial functions through activation of ETB receptors. On the other hand, blocking ETB receptors has been shown to trigger apoptotic processes by activating intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Mitochondria are important for their role in molecular regulation of neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Stimulation of ETB receptors in the adult ischemic brain has been found to promote angiogenesis and neurogenesis mediated through vascular endothelial growth factor and nerve growth factor. It will be interesting to investigate the effect of ETBreceptor stimulation on mitochondrial functions in the CNS following cerebral ischemia. Conclusion The findings of this review implicate brain ETBreceptors in angiogenesis and neurogenesis following cerebral ischemia, it is possible that the positive effect of stimulating ETB receptors in cerebral ischemia may be mediated through mitochondrial functions.
Development of a hybrid DSMC/Navier-stokes solver with application to the STS-119 boundary layer transition flight experiments

The effects of rarefaction on hypersonic boundary layer flow over a discrete surface roughness element are examined in the context of the STS-119 flight experiment. The purpose of this flight experiment was to acquire data regarding the onset of roughnessinduced boundary layer transition during atmospheric entry of the Orbiter. Transition onset was confirmed at a freestream Mach number M∞ =1 5. 1 Initial estimates indicate that the local Knudsen number (Kn = λ/k) in the region of the roughness was O(10 −3 ) ,s uch that k ∼ 450λ ,w herek is the height of the protuberance and λ is the molecular mean free path. In this regime, the continuum approximations of zero velocity and no thermal slip at the wall begin to break down, and thermal non-equilibrium effects may become more prominent due to a relative increase in time required for thermal equilibration. The aim of this work is to address the significance of rarefaction effects in modeling the disturbance field generated by hypersonic boundary layer flow over surface roughness using a hybrid of the DAC and DPLR numerical simulation codes. A new method for generating DAC particles from a non-equilibrium surface reservoir is presented, and we also outline a method for matching the transport properties between the DAC and DPLR solvers. Studies have been conducted to examine flow over the STS-119 boundary layer trip geometry under flight conditions at M∞ =2 0.3. A comparison of the flowfield quantities between the hybrid and DPLR solutions indicate good agreement in the general shock structure and expansion formed in the region of the roughness, and it was also observed that the disturbances of the flowfield quantities in the wake tend to be more pronounced in the DPLR solution. The heat flux on the surface of the protuberance and the surface downstream of the protuberance is also examined. Both solvers show a significant heating augmentation on the protuberance itself, with a band of high surface heating which originates from the protuberance leading edge and extends downtream. Results from this study indicate that the Navier-Stokes solution predicts a peak heating on the roughness which is 6 times that of the undisturbed surface heating, while the vortex heating in the wake produces an increase in heating which is 3 times greater than the undisturbed surface heating. In contrast, the hybrid solution predicts a peak heating on the protuberance which is 4.5 times that of the undisturbed surface heating, while the vortex heating in the wake increases the surface heating to 1.5 times that of the undisturbed surface heating.
SoundHack: A Brief Overview

SoundHack is a sound-file processing program for the Apple Macintosh. When I started writing it in 1991, there was very little signal-processing software available on the Macintosh. Because my first exposure to computer music was at the Computer Audio Research Lab in San Diego, I wanted to have programs like Mark Dolson's pvoc and convolvesf (Moore, Loy, and Dolson 1983) on a computer that I could afford. By implementing spectral soundprocessing algorithms on the Macintosh, I was able to take advantage of the computer's graphical user interface to make the algorithms easy to use and understand. My intention with SoundHack has been to make sophisticated sound processing available on this inexpensive, intuitive computer and, consequently, to make it accessible to most composers. In the five years since its inception, SoundHack has gone from a simple sound-file filter and format converter to a mature program with a rich set of signal-processing and sound-file utility functions. The processing algorithms now include binaural filtering, sound-file convolution, spectral-dynamics processing, gain scaling, spectral mutation, the phase vocoder, varispeed, spectral extraction, and spectral analysis/resynthesis. Most of these algorithms are based on the well-known windowed FFT/IFFT analysis/resynthesis technique and a simple inputfilter-output signal-flow structure. In this article, I will give a brief tour of my program, showing its unique features and the working environment it presents to the user.
Neurologic complications of systemic lupus erythematosus, sjögren syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Neurologic complications are frequent and often morbid in systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. Although all are systemic inflammatory syndromes, each disease affects the nervous system distinctly, such as peripheral neuropathy in Sjogren syndrome, cerebrovascular disease in lupus, and cervical spine subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis. Some neurologic complications share convergent pathophysiology across diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in both Sjogren syndrome and lupus. Ill-defined cognitive complaints are especially common in lupus and Sjogren syndrome. For the majority of the complications, evidence for treatment efficacy is limited and requires further investigation.
Cold sintering process for ZrO2‐based ceramics: significantly enhanced densification evolution in yttria‐doped ZrO2

We recently developed a novel technique of cold sintering process (CSP) to obtain dense ceramics at extraordinarily low temperatures. In this communication, we demonstrate the feasibility of applying CSP to zirconia-based ceramics. As exemplified by 3Y-TZP ceramics, a significantly enhanced densification evolution is observed. Water is simply utilized as a sintering aid to assist the ceramic densification under an applied external pressure. The low-temperature advantage of CSP outstands in contrast to the densification curves compiled from other sintering techniques. A gradual monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase transformation is revealed in correspondence to the densification development, as well as contributes to the mechanical hardness evolution. A Vickers Hardness reaches ~10.5 GPa after annealing the cold-sintered ceramics at 1100°C, which is comparable to those values reported in the previous studies at higher sintering temperatures. Such a sintering methodology is of significant importance as it provides a roadmap for cost-effective processing of zirconia-based ceramics and composites that enable broad practical applications.
Stereotactic Technique with Visualization of the Intracerebral Landmarks

Details of the stereotactic technique on experimental animals (cats and monkeys) with the use of ventriculographic landmarks and the intracerebral coordinate system have been described in detail earlier (Ilinsky et al., 1978; 1980; Ilinsky and KultasIlinsky, 1982). Below is a brief summary of the method that consists of three stages.
Natural philanthropy: A new evolutionary framework explaining diverse experimental results and informing fundraising practice

Philanthropic decision-making is important both for its potential to provide insight into human behaviour and for its economic significance. In recent years, investigations of charitable-giving behaviour have expanded substantially, including explorations from a variety of disciplinary perspectives such as economics, marketing, sociology, public administration, anthropology, evolutionary biology, political science and psychology. These investigations have resulted in a wealth of experimental results with each investigation accompanied by a discussion of potential theoretical implications. Most commonly, the various theories employed are helpful with regard to the narrow result of the investigation, but are not always useful in explaining the wider universe of results. Taking a comprehensive view of charitable-giving behaviour is thus limited to either employing a wide assortment of overlapping theoretical models, selectively applying each to fit individual phenomena, or merely referencing an ad hoc assortment of potential motivations. This circumstance suggests the value of a more unified, comprehensive approach to understanding the complete range of experimental and empirical results in charitable giving. This article proposes a comprehensive framework for philanthropic decision-making using a simple evolutionary approach incorporating interrelated fitness-enhancing strategies. The framework is then used in an extensive review of experimental and other empirical results in philanthropic decision-making. This review supports the framework proposition that giving depends on the tangibility of a gift’s impact on altruism (direct or code), reciprocity (transactional or friendship) and possessions relative to its alternatives. Five example principles of fundraising practice demonstrate the practical applicability of this proposition: advance the donor hero story (tangibility of direct or code altruism); make the charity like family (friendship reciprocity); provide compatible publicity and benefits (transactional reciprocity); minimize perceived loss (possessions); and manage decision avoidance (relative to its alternatives). Understanding philanthropic behaviour from this perspective provides explanation and guidance for a wide range of charitable-giving behaviours and fundraising practices even in areas less amenable to traditional experimental investigation, such as charitable bequests and major gifts.
Strategies for preservation of rare plants and animals

Human preservation of endangered species apparently commenced prior to recorded history with Ginks biloba , in China, a tree now known only under cultivation. A number of species have become extinct because man either failed to recognize their value or did not act quickly enough to preserve them even when their value was appreciated. A philosophy of conservation must be based upon cooperation with others looking to the future. Appropriate strategies that could be adapted from the military to achieve the objectives of species conservation include: (1) Know your enemy, his strengths and weaknesses, and the tactics he is likely to employ. (2) Inferior forces cannot hope to annihilate or completely neutralize an enemy, but can deflect him from his course. (3) If you have limited manpower, don't try to do too many things at once; concentrate on primary objectives. (4) Seek the most powerful allies you can find and learn to cooperate with them as nearly on their own terms as is compatible with your objectives. (5) Soften the enemy by harrassment, when possible, before beginning the final attack. (6) Make use of all the time that is available; do not risk defeat by premature attack. (7) Never give in as long as there is hope. (8) The most important principle of all, never underestimate what you are doing.
Hypothalamic control of anterior pituitary hormone secretion--characterized hypothalamic-hypophysiotropic peptides.

Publisher Summary The central nervous system has a directing role over the anterior pituitary–peripheral hormone system. The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary functions by means of peptide hormones secreted, on signal, into the portal blood system that connects them. The peptides either stimulate or inhibit the release of the stored pituitary hormone, apparently, via their interaction with extracellular membrane receptors. Five peptides with hypothalamic extract activities have been reported to have been isolated and chemically synthesized. The chapter discusses the various identified releasing factors with respect to their effects upon the anterior pituitary, the structure activity relationships of each, and their interrelation with the feedback control exhibited by the peripheral endocrine hormones. Hypothalamic peptides regulating the hormone secretion of the anterior pituitary has expanded dramatically in the past few years. The clinical experimentation and application of the hypothalamic peptides to physiological and pathological conditions is only in its infancy but shows satisfying promise.
Design of wide bandgap (1.7 eV-1.9 eV) III-V dilute nitride quantum-engineered solar cells for tandem application with silicon

Here we study photovoltaic properties of GaInPNAs based quantum well and superlattice solar cells, that are either strainbalanced or lattice matched to silicon and evaluate their potential towards the development of high-efficiency tandem operating in conjunction with a silicon bottom cell. Quaternary dilute nitride compound semiconductors like GaAs y P 1-x-y N x and Ga 1-z In z P 1-x N x are lattice matched with silicon at y=4.7*x-0.1, z=2.2*x-0.044 and have direct bandgap (with N<0.6%); thus, allowing monolithic integration of III-V optoelectronics with silicon technology and IIIV/Si tandem solar cells. Applying eight band k.p strained Hamiltonian, for both tensile and compressive strain, and Band Anti-crossing (BAC) model to the conduction band, in order to account for small amounts of nitrogen impurities, the electronic band structure and dispersion relation of these alloys can be determined. With small amount of nitrogen (<5%), bandgaps of these alloys lattice matching with silicon fulfil the optimum bandgap (1.7-1.9) eV requirement for III-V/Si tandem solar cell. Confinement energies in quantum structures can be computed using the transfer matrix approach. Optical absorption is evaluated by taking into account the inter-band transitions in the quantum well and barrier region, including excitonic transitions, using the fermi golden rule for both TE and TM polarization of incident light. Using these properties, we can determine whether the possible integration of p-i-n MQWs (or SL) solar cell on silicon is favorable by evaluating the predicted quantum efficiency and photo-current. The designs for a tandem III-V-N/Si represent an opportunity for achieving practical efficiencies of more than 30% under AM 1.5G spectrum.
‘More Hateful because of its Hypocrisy’: Indians, Britain and Canadian Law in the Komagata Maru Incident of 1914

Recent remembrance and memorialisation of the Komagata Maru incident of 1914 has neglected the global and imperial implications of the incident, as well as the role that direct actions by the India...
Effects of a Group-Mediated Exercise and Dietary Intervention in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy: Results From the IDEA-P Trial

Background Although androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is the foundation of treatment for prostate cancer, the physiological impacts of ADT result in functional decline and enhanced risk of chronic disease and metabolic syndrome. Purpose The Individualized Diet and Exercise Adherence Pilot Trial (IDEA-P) is a single-blind, randomized, pilot trial comparing the effects of a group-mediated, cognitive-behavioral (GMCB) exercise and dietary intervention (EX+D) with those of a standard-of-care (SC) control during the treatment of prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT. Methods A total of 32 prostate cancer patients (M age = 66.28, SD = 7.79) undergoing ADT were randomly assigned to the 12-week EX+D intervention (n = 16) or control (n = 16). The primary outcome in IDEA-P was change in mobility performance with secondary outcomes including body composition and muscular strength. Blinded assessment of outcomes were obtained at baseline and at 2- and 3-month follow-ups. Results Favorable adherence and retention rates were observed, and no serious intervention-related adverse events were documented. Intent-to-treat ANCOVA controlling for baseline value and ADT duration demonstrated that EX+D resulted in significantly greater improvements in mobility performance (p < .02), muscular strength (p < .01), body fat percentage (p < .05), and fat mass (p < .03) at 3-month follow-up, relative to control. Conclusion Findings from the IDEA-P trial suggest that a GMCB-based EX+D intervention resulted in significant, clinically meaningful improvements in mobility performance, muscular strength, and body composition, relative to controls. Collectively, these results suggest that the EX+D was a safe and well-tolerated intervention for prostate cancer patients on ADT. The utility of implementing this approach in the treatment of prostate cancer patients on ADT should be evaluated in future large-scale efficacy trials. Clinical Trial information NCT02050906.
Racial disparities in guideline-concordant cancer care and mortality in the United States.

Abstract Purpose We identified the frequency of racial disparities in guideline-concordant cancer care for select common disease sites in the United States and the impact of guideline concordance on mortality disparities. Methods and materials Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare data, we evaluated patients age >65 years of black or non-Hispanic white race who were diagnosed with stage III breast (n = 3607), stage I (n = 14,605) or III (n = 15,609) non-small cell lung, or stage III prostate (n = 3548) cancer between 2006 and 2011. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy (RT) treatments were identified using claims data. Pearson χ2 was used to test the associations between race and guideline concordance on the basis of National Comprehensive Cancer Network curative treatment guidelines. Mortality risks were modeled using Cox proportional hazards. Results Black patients were less likely to receive guideline-concordant curative treatment than non-Hispanic white patients for stage III breast cancer postmastectomy RT (53% black, 61% white; P = .0014), stage I non-small cell lung cancer stereotactic radiation or surgery (61% black, 75% white; P Conclusions Racial disparities in the receipt of curative cancer therapy impacted racial mortality disparities across multiple cancer sites. Benchmarking adherence to guideline-concordant care could represent an opportunity to stimulate improvements in disparities in cancer treatment and survival.
Rapid response systems

Abstract Introduction Rapid response systems are commonly employed by hospitals to identify and respond to deteriorating patients outside of the intensive care unit. Controversy exists about the benefits of rapid response systems. Aims We aimed to review the current state of the rapid response literature, including evolving aspects of afferent (risk detection) and efferent (intervention) arms, outcome measurement, process improvement, and implementation. Data sources Articles written in English and published in PubMed. Results Rapid response systems are heterogeneous, with important differences among afferent and efferent arms. Clinically meaningful outcomes may include unexpected mortality, in-hospital cardiac arrest, length of stay, cost, and processes of care at end of life. Both positive and negative interventional studies have been published, although the two largest randomized trials involving rapid response systems – the Medical Early Response and Intervention Trial (MERIT) and the Effect of a Pediatric Early Warning System on All-Cause Mortality in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients (EPOCH) trial – did not find a mortality benefit with these systems, albeit with important limitations. Advances in monitoring technologies, risk assessment strategies, and behavioral ergonomics may offer opportunities for improvement. Conclusions Rapid responses may improve some meaningful outcomes, although these findings remain controversial. These systems may also improve care for patients at the end of life. Rapid response systems are expected to continue evolving with novel developments in monitoring technologies, risk prediction informatics, and work in human factors.
Effects of tylosin feeding on the antibiotic resistance of selected gram-positive bacteria in pigs

The effect of tylosin on macrolide resistance of gram-positive bacteria of pigs was determined. After an initial base-line period during which the pigs were given antibiotic-free feed, 1 group of 8 pigs was given tylosin feed (100 g/US ton of feed), and a 2nd group of 7 was given antibiotic-free feed. Samples were taken at 2- to 3-week intervals. For each pig, rectal, skin, and nasal swab samples were collected for enumeration of fecal streptococci and skin and nasal staphylococci. Percentages of macrolide resistant organisms of each group were tabulated on the basis of colony counts from antibiotic free and erythromycin-containing plates. After the introduction of tylosin into the feed of 1 group, a clear difference between the 2 groups with respect to the macrolide resistance of their gram-positive microflora was observed. The data indicate that tylosin feeding results in an increase in macrolide resistance of the bacterial flora of pigs.
Creating New Models

For some watershed simulation modeling purposes, simulation models must be created and not merely adapted and/or parameterized. This is particularly true for ecological simulation modeling. Instead of adopting a simulation model that is parameterized for a local watershed, simulation model development environments are used to develop a locally explicit model. Figure 7.1 compares modeling environments and models. Software models, such as those discussed previously in Chapter 5, offer the user a complete mathematical formalization of a set of watershed processes. Associated with the model are data import and export, data storage and retrieval, and model execution interfaces. Various types of data output and data visualization capabilities are often provided for internal and/or external output analysis. Through visualization and analysis of output, decisionmakers become better informed with respect to potential consequences of alternative watershed management decisions. Modeling environments exist to allow the efficient development and use of models. They typically provide user interface, data storage and retrieval, libraries of submodels, and simulation modeling primitives to which the user adds the actual modeling equations and the initializing system state information. In this chapter we explicitly look at software options targeted for each of these purposes.
Instrumentation Use in a Comprehensive Description of Plant- Environment Interactions

The definition of the word instrument is stretched to include use of a leaf-environment model to aid in monitoring leaf status in the field. A set of equations that couple photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, the leaf energy balance, and leaf and soil water status are briefly described for a typical C3 plant. The Basic language code for these equations, which was developed on a Radio Shack, Model 100 microcomputer, is included with documentation including input and output values of all important variables along with a sample session. Some representative output from the model is discussed along with limitations of the equations.
A systematic review of interventions and outcomes in lung cancer metastases to the spine.

Abstract Seventy percent of cancer patients will have metastatic bone disease, most commonly in the vertebra. Prognosis of metastatic lung cancer is poor and treatment is mostly palliative. To-date, there is no systematic review on the ideal treatment for lung cancer with spinal metastases in regards to mortality. Literature searches were performed based on PRISMA guidelines for systematic review. Thirty-nine studies comprising 1925 patients treated for spinal metastases of lung cancer met inclusion criteria. All analyses were performed using SAS and SPSS. Data were analyzed for meaningful comparisons of baseline patient characteristics, primary cancer type, metastatic lesion characteristics, treatment modality, and clinical and radiologic outcomes. Significantly greater mean survival length was seen in the non-surgical group (8.5 months, SD 6.6, SEM 0.17) compared to the surgical group (7.5 months, SD 4.5, SEM 0.25; p = 0.013). There was no statistically significant survival difference between different types of primary lung cancer: NSCLC (8.3 months, SD 13.8, SEM 0.91) and SCLC (7.0 months, SD 4.6, SEM 0.46; p = 0.36). Number of vertebral levels involved per lesion also did not exhibit significant difference: single lesion (11.3 months, SD 6.8, SEM 2.2) and multiple lesions (13.8 months, SD 15.7, SEM 3.6; p = 0.64). For patients with symptomatic spinal metastases from lung cancer, non-operative approaches experience significantly better survival outcomes (p = 0.013). Future clinical studies are needed to determine the best treatment algorithm to help maximize outcomes and minimize mortality in metastatic lung cancer.
Association between food insecurity and emotional eating in Latinos and the mediating role of perceived stress.

Objective:To examine the association between food insecurity and emotional eating (EE) in US Latinxs and explore the mediating role of perceived stress.Design:Cross-sectional analysis. Food insecurity was measured with the six-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Scale; EE with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2; and perceived stress with Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale-10. Covariates included age, sex, education, marital status, household size and country of birth. Mediation was tested using the Baron and Kenny method and the mediated proportion was calculated. Analyses included multivariable linear regression and multinomial logistic regression.Setting:A largely Latinx city in Massachusetts, USA. Participants were recruited from a community health centre serving a large portion of this Latinx community.Participants:Latinx individuals (n 580), aged 21–84 years.Results:Overall, 34·4 % were food insecure and 33·8 % experienced High EE. Food insecurity was associated (adjusted OR; 95 % CI) with higher odds of High EE (1·96; 1·28, 3·02) but not Low EE (1·27; 0·82, 1·99). Food insecurity was associated (β; 95 % CI) with higher perceived stress (5·69; 4·20, 7·19). Perceived stress was associated (adjusted OR; 95 % CI) with High EE (1·09; 1·06, 1·12) but not Low EE (1·00; CI 0·97, 1·02). When perceived stress was added in the main effects model, food insecurity was no longer associated (OR; 95 % CI) with High EE (1·31; 0·83, 2·07) and explained 69·9 % of the association between food insecurity and High EE.Conclusions:The association between food insecurity and high EE among Latinxs may be largely mediated by perceived stress. Longitudinal studies are needed.
Copper impact on enzymatic cascade and extracellular sequestration via distinctive pathways of nitrogen removal in green sorption media at varying stormwater field conditions

Nutrient removal efficiency in green sorption media such as biosorption activated media (BAM) for treating stormwater runoff can be heavily influenced either on a short- or long-term basis by varying field conditions of linear ditches due to the presence of copper in stormwater runoff. It is also noticeable that the linear ditch undergoes physical or mechanical impacts from the traffic compaction, chemical impact of carbon sources from the nearby farmland, and biological impact from potential animal activities (such as gopher tortoises, moles, and ants). In the nitrogen cycle, two denitrification pathways, the dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia and common denitrification, are deemed critical for such assessment. A fixed-bed column study was set up to mimic different linear ditch field conditions for BAM applications and measure the effect of short-and long-term copper addition on microbial dynamics given the varying decomposition of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). The findings confirm that, as the denitrifiers (in the second pathway) were the dominant species, their population continued to grow and maintain small-sized cells for extracellular sequestration under long-term copper impact. Furthermore, the study indicated that the ammonia oxidizer comammox was found in higher quantities than ammonia oxidizing bacteria or archaea. An enormous amount of DON was released during this process to bind the copper ion and reduce its toxicity as the enzymatic cascade effect appeared. In addition, the long-term copper exposure posed salient inhibitory effects on the microbial community regardless of varying field conditions in BAM. Short-term copper toxicity exerted an important but varying role in the enzymatic cascade effect over different linear ditch field conditions in BAM.
Evaluation of methodology for the survey analysis of solid wastes

This paper presents the results of an experimental program of evaluation of analytical methods for "total content" (survey analysis) of residual wastes. Candidate methods were first studied and modified, and then evaluated with the analysis of a variety of residual waste specimens and determination of a broad range of organic compounds and metals. The methods depend on extraction, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) cleanup, preconcentration, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis for identification and quantitation of semivolatile organics; purge-and-trap and GC/MS for purgeable organics; and acid digestion combined with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP) determinations for metals. The results of the study are presented in terms of observed accuracy and precision and are based on statistical analysis of over 10 000 data points.
Population-based Large-scale longitudinal analysis of relationship between asthma and neoplasia

Abstract Background A relationship between asthma and the development of cancer has been reported, but remains controversial because of contradictory results from population studies. Methods Two large-scale observational, all payers claim datasets from the US-based Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) were used for discovery and validation. Associations between asthma and neoplasms were discovered using Causal Inference Using Composition of Transitions (CICT) in data from the State of Florida. Validation was completed in eight case-control cohorts for patients exposed to subtypes of asthma and COPD using data from the State of California. Control groups were matched on gender, age, race and history of tobacco abuse. Odds ratio analysis with Bonferroni-Holm correction measured the association of asthma and COPD with 26 different neoplasms. ICD9CM codes were used to identify exposures and outcomes. Findings CICT identified 17 association between asthma and neoplasms in the discovery datasets. In the validation dataset, 208 case-control, analyses were conducted between subtypes of Asthma (N= 999,370, male= 33%, age= 50) and COPD (N=715,971, male = 50%, age=69) with the corresponding matched control groups (N=8,400,004, male= 42%, age= 47). Allergic asthma was associated with benign neoplasms of the meninges, salivary, pituitary, parathyroid, and thyroid glands (OR:1.52 to 2.52), and primary malignant neoplasms of breast, hematopoietic, and lymphatic system (OR: 1.45 to 2.05). COPD was associated with neoplasms in the lung, bladder and hematopoietic system. Interpretation The combination of machine learning for the discovery of associations with epidemiological methods for validation shows that allergic asthma is associated with neoplastic transformation of common structures of secretory organs. Funding None.
The “untouchable” who touched millions: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Navayana Buddhism, and complexity in social work scholarship on religion

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was a twentieth century socio-political and religious reformer whose activities impacted millions of lives, especially among India’s Dalit community. This article illustrates his...
A Resilient Control Against Time-Delay Switch and Denial of Service Cyber Attacks on Load Frequency Control of Distributed Power Systems

A time-delay switch (TDS) cyber attack is a deliberate attempt by malicious adversaries aiming at destabilizing a power system by impeding the communication signals to/from the centralized controller from/to the network sensors and generating stations that participate in the load frequency control (LFC). A TDS cyber attack can be targeting the sensing loops (transmitting network measurements to the centralized controller) or the control signals dispatched from the centralized controller to the governor valves of the generating stations. A resilient TDS control strategy is proposed and developed in this work that thwarts network instabilities that are caused by delays in the sensing loops, and control commands, and guarantees normal operation of the LFC mechanism. This will be achieved by augmenting the telemetered control commands with locally generated feedback control laws (i.e., “decentralized” control commands) taking measurements that are available and accessible at the power generating stations (locally) independent from all the telemetered signals to/from the centralized controller. Our objective is to devise a controller that is capable of circumventing all types of TDS and DoS (Denial of Service) cyber attacks as well as a broad class of False Data Injection (FDI) cyber attacks.
Toxicity effects of Cubic Cu2O nanoparticles on defecation rate and length in C. Elegans

Introduction: The increased presence of radiation and toxins in the atmosphere has given rise to fuel cells and nanoparticle technology with the ability to catalyze reactions at favorable energy levels. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the lasting effects of a synthesized catalyst on a model organism, Caenorhabditis (C.) elegans. Methods: Copper sulfate was tested alongside copper(I) oxide (i.e. Cu2O) to dissociate the copper composition effects from those of the nanoparticles themselves. The prospect of testing both defecation rate and size differences allowed for C. elegans to be utilized due to their low maintenance costs, mapped neuronal pathways, and short-generation times. Results: The results indicated significant toxicity effects in wild-type worms as witnessed by the decreases in nematode defecation rate and length by copper sulfate, with similar results in SMF-1 and PCS-1 mutants by Cu2O catalysts in cubic synthesized form. Conclusion: These outcomes reinforce the known effects of metal oxides on pollutants and highlight the need for further testing with additional variables such as varying pH and temperature.
The Brown measure of unbounded variables with free semicircular imaginary part

Let $x_0$ be a possibly-unbounded self-adjoint random variable, $\tilde\sigma_\alpha$ and $\sigma_\beta$ are semicircular variables with variances $\alpha\geq 0$ and $\beta>0$ respectively (when $\alpha = 0$, $\tilde\sigma_\alpha = 0$). Suppose $x_0$, $\sigma_\alpha$, and $\tilde\sigma_\beta$ are all freely independent. We compute the Brown measure of $x_0+\tilde\sigma_\alpha+i\sigma_\beta$, extending the previous computations which only work for bounded self-adjoint random variable $x_0$. The Brown measure in this unbounded case has the same structure as in the bounded case; it has connections to the free convolution $x_0+\sigma_{\alpha+\beta}$. We also compute the example where $x_0$ is Cauchy-distributed.
Celiac Disease in Children: An Association With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

Abstract Background Neurological manifestations are commonly reported in patients with celiac disease (CD). We aimed to characterize epilepsy features in a pediatric population with CD and the effect of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on seizure burden. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on pediatric patients treated at the University of Utah and Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, with both epilepsy and CD and compared with a control group with epilepsy only. Results We identified 56 patients with epilepsy and biopsy-confirmed CD (n = 36, 64%) or elevated tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG-Ab) without biopsy-confirmed CD (n = 20, 36%). Age- and gender-matched controls were selected from patients with epilepsy only (n = 168). Patients with biopsy-proven CD or positive tTG-Ab had high percentage of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) compared with the control group (P Conclusions DRE was more prevalent in pediatric patients with biopsy-confirmed CD and positive tTG-Ab compared with the control group (which included childhood epilepsy syndromes), but comparable with the prevalence of DRE in the general population. Adherence to a GFD in combination with antiseizure medications appears to reduce seizure burden for those with CD and DRE.