cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relative utility of the shipley‐hartford scale: Prediction of WAIS‐R IQ

This study examined the utility of the Shipley-Hartford Scale in predicting WAIS-R Full Scale IQs when the test was administered with and without time limits in samples of cases obtained in a general acute care hospital (N = 156). While the correlation between predicted Wetzel IQ Score based on Paulson and Lin's formula and actual Full Scale WAIS-R IQ was nearly the same under both conditions and similar to previously reported values, systematic overestimation of WAIS-R IQ was found. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed slightly more accurate prediction with the speed than the power administration. However, underestimation of above average Full Scale IQs and overestimation of below average Full Scale IQs also was found. Advanced age was associated with low conceptual quotients, which suggests that normal older persons may be identified incorrectly as cognitively impaired. These findings point to significant limitations in the use of this paper-and-pencil estimate of intellectual functioning.
Inflammasome activation and function in liver disease

Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of most acute and chronic liver diseases. Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that can sense danger signals from damaged cells and pathogens and assemble to mediate caspase-1 activation, which proteolytically activates the cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. In contrast to other inflammatory responses, inflammasome activation uniquely requires two signals to induce inflammation, therefore setting an increased threshold. IL-1β, generated upon caspase-1 activation, provides positive feed-forward stimulation for inflammatory cytokines, thereby amplifying inflammation. Inflammasome activation has been studied in different human and experimental liver diseases and has been identified as a major contributor to hepatocyte damage, immune cell activation and amplification of liver inflammation. In this Review, we discuss the different types of inflammasomes, their activation and biological functions in the context of liver injury and disease progression. Specifically, we focus on the triggers of inflammasome activation in alcoholic steatohepatitis and NASH, chronic HCV infection, ischaemia-reperfusion injury and paracetamol-induced liver injury. The application and translation of these discoveries into therapies promises novel approaches in the treatment of inflammation in liver disease.
Immunoreactivity of Canine Epithelial and Nonepithelial Neoplasms with Monoclonal Antibody B72.3

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) B72.3, which binds to a human tumor-associated glycoprotein termed TAG-72, was applied to a wide range of epithelial and nonepithelial neoplasms from dogs. Immunoreactivity was detected by the use of an avidin-biotin complex (ABC) immunoperoxidase method. A variety of epithelial neoplasms, but none of the nonepithelial neoplasms, were positive (I 5% staining) for MAb B72.3. MAb B72.3 stained 100% (4/4) of gastric, 100% (6/6) of intestinal, 50% (2/4) of pancreatic, and 80% (4/5) of rectal ade- nocarcinomas but only 20% (1/5) of squamous cell carcinomas and 20% (1/5) of complex tubular mammary gland adenocarcinomas. None of the hepatocellular carcinomas and perianal and sebaceous gland adenocarci- nomas stained. Most types of benign epithelial neoplasms did not stain, except for 75% (6/8) of rectal adenomas and 25% (1/4) of squamous cell papillomas. Normal gastrointestinal mucosa adjacent to and entrapped in neoplasms did stain with MAb B72.3. None of the benign and malignant nonepithelial neoplasms of mesen- chymal, neuroendocrine, or lymphohematopoietic tissue origin stained. The results of this study demonstrate that MAb B72.3 has selective immunoreactivity for adenocarcinomas, especially those arising from the digestive tract; however, limited immunoreactivity was observed for other types of carcinomas and benign epithelial neoplasms and for normal gastrointestinal mucosa in the dog.
Eigen light-fields and face recognition across pose

In many face recognition tasks, the pose of the probe and gallery images are different. In other cases, multiple gallery or probe images may be available, each captured from a different pose. We propose a face recognition algorithm which can use any number of gallery images per subject, captured at arbitrary poses, and any number of probe images, again captured at arbitrary poses. The algorithm operates by estimating the eigen light-field of the subject's head from the input gallery or probe images. Matching between the probe and gallery is then performed using the eigen light-fields. We present results on the CMU (Carnegie-Mellon University) PIE (Pose, Illumination and Expression) and the FERET (FacE REcocnition Technology) face databases.
Mapping International Film Trade: Network Analysis of International Film Trade Between 1996 and 2004

The international flow of media products has long been 1-way but recent studies have reported a trend of increasing regional and cultural exchanges. This study explores structural changes and continuities in the international film trade during the past decade. It analyzes film trade data obtained from the United Nations database using network analysis. Results suggest that the structure of global film trade has become denser over time, especially due to the increase in film exchanges among English- and Spanish-speaking countries and among countries located in Asia and Europe. Although a few wealthy countries are still responsible for a large proportion of film trade, findings show that both geographical proximity and linguistic commonness are important determinants of international film trade.
Continent Colonic Urinary Reservoir (Florida Pouch): Long-Term Surgical Complications (Greater Than 11 Years)

ABSTRACTPurpose: We analyzed the long-term results (greater than 10 years) of a continent cutaneous colonic urinary reservoir (Florida pouch), focusing primarily on the incidence of significant complications.Materials and Methods: Between January 1986 and October 1991, 179 patients underwent continent cutaneous colonic urinary reservoir construction. Of these patients 105 died of primary disease or were lost to followup, leaving 38 males and 36 females with a mean followup of 133 months with adequate data for analysis who are the subject of this report. The surgical technique has been previously reported. Briefly, a detubularized right colonic segment forms the reservoir, a tapered external limb reinforced at the ileocecal valve level allows continent catheterization and the ureters are directly anastomosed to the pouch. The diseases that prompted urinary diversion included bladder cancer in 28 cases, conversion from another diversion in 12, neurogenic bladder in 11, interstitial cystitis in 10, crippling...
Customer flows, countercyclical markups, and the output effects of technology shocks

This paper develops a general equilibrium model in which households face fixed costs associated with searching for a new supplier of consumption goods. These search costs provide firms with some monopoly power over their existing customers and generate the kind of customer flow dynamics first considered by Phelps and Winter. Customer flow dynamics, in turn, cause mark-ups of price over marginal cost to vary countercyclically and amplify the effects of technology shocks on output.
Teaching garbage collection with open source virtual machine

Garbage collection is an integral and fundamental component of every modern memory-managed programming language platform such as Java and Microsoft .Net. Yet, few Computer Science and Information Technology programs offer students a course on garbage collection. High tech companies wish that their new employees knew something about garbage collection as this would help them with decisions concerning languages that are most appropriate for implementing software solutions on behalf of their clients. To address this limitation, we have created a junior level undergraduate garbage collection course that gives students practical experience in exploring, designing, and implementing garbage collection algorithms in the context of an open source virtual machine. We have taught this course twice and on both occasions students were pleased with their learning experience.
The TRIDENT laser at LANL: New “dial-a-contrast” and high-contrast experimental capabilities

The Trident laser facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has served for more than 20 years as an important tool in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and Material Dynamics research. An energy and power upgrade of the short-pulse beam line to 100J / 200 TW was made in 2007 and contrast improvements have been made continually since. The combination of this powerful new short-pulse beamline with the two flexible long pulse beamlines, and a total of three different target areas, makes Trident a highly flexible and versatile research tool for high energy density laboratory plasma (HEDLP) research. The newest “Dial-a-Contrast” (DaC) features are described, along with nominal performance of the laser at the presently available highest contrast.
Additional comments on "Multistage least-squares parameter estimation"

The purpose of this correspondence is to call attention to other solutions to the problem addressed in the above paper,[1] that of adding or deleting parameters or measurements from a given linear model. The solution algorithms proposed in the article are numerically ill-conditioned and are less efficient, in terms of both computational and storage requirements, than the methods described here. Several numerically stable, compact, flexible, and efficient algorithms for analyzing the parameter estimation problem are described and others are referenced.
Impact of topology on the performance of communication networks

This paper investigates the implications of topologies on the average path length of networks, which is the dominant parameter affecting performance. Based on the available literature, classic network topologies are reviewed and analyzed. Furthermore, a new class of communication networks is introduced, and a topology design algorithm is proposed to improve network performance in terms of average path length.
Educational Technology as a Tool for Multicultural Democratic Education: The Case of One US History Teacher in an Underresourced High School

This case study analyzes the pedagogy of one US history teacher as he prepared students for active and effective citizenship through multicultural democratic education in an underresourced alternative public high school. In particular, the paper examines his practice and focuses on his incorporation of educational technology (the Internet, multimedia technology, and word-processing applications) to achieve his pedagogical goals while teaching in a school with significant technology resource constraints. This study found that through the use of technology his practice stressed critical thinking, critical and multiple perspectives, and data manipulation skills that enable his students to work with information both in and out of school. This paper also encourages educators to proceed with caution in incorporating educational technology to promote multicultural democratic education given the continued existence of the “digital divide” and underresourced schools. Addressing current issues in social studies education, this paper illustrates the ways in which educational technology may promote active and effective citizenship among racially and ethnically diverse students in underresourced schools. Applying the multicultural democratic education framework developed e arlier (Marri, in press; Marri, 2003a; Marri, 2003b), this study examined one high school US history teacher’s pedagogy and incorporation of educational technology in a public high school with significant technological resource restraints. (For the purposes of this paper, educational technology is being defined as the Internet, multimedia such as film, and wordprocessing applications such as PowerPoint). This paper suggests that educational technology can, in fact, facilitate two of the three elements in t he multicultural democratic education framework: critical pedagogy and thorough disciplinary content. The author also posits that the potential exists for educational technology to assist in building of community (the third element of the multicultural democratic education framework) in the classroom, provided that sufficient and quality resources are available. Two rationales undergird the study. First, social studies education’s mission of preparing active and effective citizens (National Council for the Social Studies, 1994) may be aided through an incorporation of educational technology in multicultural democratic
Resource competition and community structure in aquatic micro-organisms: experimental studies of algae and bacteria along a gradient of organic carbon to inorganic phosphorus supply

Two microbial communities were grown in chemostats receiving a low supply of inorganic Phosphorus (P) (10 µM) and different supplies of organic carbon (OC), ranging from 0 to 600 µM, either as glucose or a mixture of organic substrates. One community was a natural assemblage of lake plankton and the other was a model community composed of cultured organisms. As the supply ratio of OC to inorganic P increased, concentrations of dissolved OC increased, concentrations of dissolved P decreased and abundances of phototrophic algae decreased. Abundances of bacteria and phago- trophic organisms did not consistently change with the OC:P supply ratio. The model community was first established with a phototroph (Scenedesmus quadricauda) and bacteria; the steady states of this community were invasible by the mixotroph Ochromonas danica under all OC:P supply ratios used. When OC supply was high, both microbial communities persisted with higher concentrations of dissolved OC when mixed substrates, rather than glucose, were supplied. Otherwise, the effects of organic substrate composition appeared to be secondary to those of the OC:P supply ratio. These experiments confirm some elements of published theory on resource-based interactions among heterotrophic bacteria and phototrophic algae.
High-voltage thin-film supercapacitor with nano-structured electrodes and novel architecture

With increasing interest in wearable sensors and electronics, there is an increasing need for thin-film electrical energy storage devices such as flexible solid state supercapacitors. A thin solid state multi-cell supercapacitor of high operating voltage and high areal energy density that utilizes a graphene and carbon nanotube (CNT) composite for electrodes is presented. The supercapacitor can be fabricated with just wet coating and laser reduction processes which can be easily scaled to make larger devices.
The Changing Lung Transplant Candidate in the Post-LAS Era

The South Australian Lung Transplant Unit Outcomes From a Satellite Centre M.X. Wong ,1 A. Yeo,1 L. Sultani,1 M. Kelly,1 G. Snell,2 A.R. Glanville,3 M. Holmes,1 C. Holmes-Liew.1 1South Australian Lung Transplant Unit, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia; 2Lung Transplant Service, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; 3Lung Transplant Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, Australia.
When Smaller Governments Open the Window: A Study of Web Site Creation, Adoption, and Presence among Smaller Local Governments in Northeast Ohio

The vast majority of local governments in the United States have populations with less 5,000. Local government research, particular in the area of e-government, has focused on larger cities. This article addresses the gap in the research but examining empirically the factors that influence the adoption and development of Web sites by smaller local governments.
Existing Problems in Automobile Traffic Insurance and Countermeasures

Present automobile traffic insurance system plays an important role in protecting the rights of victims and road and traffic security. However,there are still some disadvantages in it mainly including limitation of "producing receipt and policy upon payment" system,defects in factory insurance and insurance entrusted by logistics companies,and claim settlement disputes caused by the differences in the examination standards of factory and the loss setting of insurance companies. Therefore,this paper puts forward such countermeasures as signing open-end contract in view of experimental automobile to remedy the defects in "producing receipt and policy upon payment" system; comprehensive management to reduce risk of insurance; and specifying loss setting standards to settle disputes over claim settlement.
10 THE EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM OVERFEEDING ON NEURONAL ACTIVATION IN THIN AND REDUCED-OBESE INDIVIDUALS.

Certain individuals appear to be resistant to weight gain in an obesigenic environment, yet the mechanisms for this adaptation are unclear. These individuals may sense positive energy balance more appropriately leading to changes in intake. Preliminary studies have shown that thin individuals are very sensitive to overfeeding with significant changes in eating behaviors as compared to reduced-obese individuals. Sixteen thin ‘obese-resistant’ individuals (9 women and 7 men) and eight reduced-obese (RO) individuals (4 women and 4 men) were studied on two occasions in a randomized crossover design. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in the morning after an overnight fast following 2 days of eucaloric feeding and following 2 days of overfeeding by 30% over basal needs. fMRI was performed with visual stimuli of three different categories: objects (O), utilitarian foods (U), and hedonic foods (H). BOLD echo-planar data (TR = 2000, TE = 30, 64 2 matrix, 240 mm 2 FOV, 28 axial slices angled parallel to the planum sphenoidale, 4 mm thick, 0 mm gap, 3 T) were motion corrected, normalized to standard space, spatially smoothed, and assessed using the general linear model in SPM2. In the eucaloric state, visual stimuli of U as compared to O (U > O) resulted in greater activation of insula and inferior temporal visual cortex in RO as compared to thin individuals, while H > U resulted in frontal cortex activation in RO but not thin individuals. Overfeeding resulted in attenuation of visual and parietal cortex in both groups but also resulted in activation of posterior cingulate cortex in RO individuals and hypothalamic ‘deactivation’ in thin individuals (H > U). In summary, there appears to be a phenotypic difference in the neuronal activation in response to external food-related cues. Overfeeding appears to have a greater impact on neural structures important in processing of emotions in RO individuals while having a greater impact on neural structures involved with the homeostatic regulation of food intake in thin individuals.
Ethnic culture and social mobility among second-generation Asian Americans

ABSTRACTThis review engages with Jennifer Lee and Min Zhou’s The Asian American Achievement Paradox to consider how ethnic culture matters for social mobility among the immigrant second generation. It describes the strengths and contributions of the book, connects it to broader debates on culture, poverty, and mobility, and draws on my own research on the second generation in New York City. It highlights three additional cultural mechanisms that underlie the Chinese (or Asian) second-generation advantage: social class heterogeneity in the co-ethnic community, intergenerational support in the immigrant family, and the belief in achievements as redemption for parental sacrifice. While pointing out the similarities and differences between Los Angeles and New York, it also suggests possible applications of these cultural mechanisms in explaining second-generation achievements.
Action of Calcium Slow Channel Inhibitors on Cardiac and Vascular Smooth Muscle Membranes

Cardiac and most vascular smooth muscle cells depend on extracellular Ca2+ for contraction. The influx of Ca2+ in these cells is known to occur through Ca2+-selective slow channels during the phase 2 of the action potential when these channels are presumably “open.” A number of organic compounds classified as calcium antagonists (1) were found to antagonize the extracellular Ca2+-dependent contraction. These compounds are also referred to as “calcium slow channel inhibitors,” “calcium channel blockers,” or “calcium entry blockers.” While they differ in chemical structures (Fig. 1), they do exert at least one common effect, viz., inhibition of contraction or relaxation in cardiac and vascular smooth muscles. They are much more potent in vascular smooth muscle than in cardiac muscle, producing vasodilation at low concentrations and negative inotropy at much higher concentrations. By virtue of this differential effect, some of these calcium antagonists have been found to be useful in the treatment of angina pectoris.
Incisional hernias after laparoscopic and robotic right colectomy

Incisional hernia (IH) is a common complication after colectomy, with impacts on both health care utilization and quality of life. The true incidence of IH after minimally invasive colectomy is not well described. The purpose of this study was to examine IH incidence after minimally invasive right colectomies (RC) and to compare the IH rates after laparoscopic (L-RC) and robotic (R-RC) colectomies. This is a retrospective review of patients undergoing minimally invasive RC at a single institution from 2009 to 2014. Only patients undergoing RC for colonic neoplasia were included. Patients with previous colectomy or intraperitoneal chemotherapy were excluded. Three L-RC patients were included for each R-RC patient. The primary outcome was IH rate based on clinical examination or computed tomography (CT). Univariate and multivariate time-to-event analyses were used to assess predictors of IH. 276 patients where included, of which 69 had undergone R-RC and 207 L-RC. Patient and tumor characteristics were similar between the groups, except for higher tumor stage in L-RC patients. Both the median time to diagnosis (9.2 months) and the overall IH rate were similar between the groups (17.4 % for R-RC and 22.2 % for L-RC), as were all other postoperative complications. In multivariable analyses, the only significant predictor of IH was former or current tobacco use (hazard raio 3.0, p = 0.03). This study suggests that the incidence of IH is high after minimally invasive colectomy and that this rate is equivalent after R-RC and L-RC. Reducing the IH rate represents an important opportunity for improving quality of life and reducing health care utilization after minimally invasive colectomy.
Defining Stories in Organizations: Characteristics and Functions

Stories arc an important and influential aspect of an o-gani nation’s discourse. This essay explores the characteristics and functions of stories in the organizational selling. In this examination, definitional criteria are established for the identification of organizational slories as a conversational unit. Stories must exhibit (a) a ring of truth, (b) relevance for the membership, (c) a story grammar, and (d) a sense of temporality. In addition, stories in organizations perform a variety of functions that work toward shaping organizational reality fur members. These functions include (a) uncertainty reduction, (b) management of meaning, and (c) bonding and identification. Sample itories drawn from a county jail are used throughout the chapter to illustrate the points being established. In addition, two major areas for research examining organizational stories are outlined: (a) story circumstances and (b) story applications.
Tetrahydrobiopterin oral therapy recouples eNOS and ameliorates chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in newborn pigs

We previously showed that newborn piglets who develop pulmonary hypertension during exposure to chronic hypoxia have diminished pulmonary vascular nitric oxide (NO) production and evidence of endot...
Molecular Testing in Inherited Cardiomyopathies

Abstract Inherited cardiomyopathies are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the disruption of normal structure and/or function of the myocardium. This chapter will review the clinical features of the major inherited cardiomyopathies, outline the molecular mechanisms of disease associated with each disorder, and explore the clinical utility and limitations of the current genetic testing modalities.
An entertainment‐education colorectal cancer screening decision aid for African American patients: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer screening rates for African American patients remain suboptimal. Patient decision aids designed with an entertainment-education approach have been shown to improve saliency and foster informed decision making. The purpose of this study was to assess whether an entertainment-education decision aid tailored for African American patients improved patients' decision making, attitudes, intentions, or colorectal cancer screening behavior. METHODS Eighty-nine participants were randomized to view 1) a patient decision aid video containing culturally tailored information about colorectal cancer screening options and theory-based support in decision making presented in an entertainment–education format or 2) an attention control video about hypertension that contained similarly detailed information. Participants met with their clinician and then completed follow-up questionnaires assessing their knowledge, decisional conflict, self-advocacy, attitudes, perceived social norms, and intentions. At 3 months, completion of screening was assessed by chart review. RESULTS Viewing the culturally tailored decision aid significantly increased African American patients' knowledge of colorectal cancer screening recommendations and options. It also significantly reduced their decisional conflict and improved their self-advocacy. No significant differences were observed in participants' attitudes, norms, or intentions. At three months, 23% of all patients had completed a colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS Designing targeted, engaging patient decision aids for groups that receive suboptimal screening holds promise for improving patient decision making and self-advocacy. Additional research is warranted to investigate the effectiveness of such aids in clinical practices with suboptimal screening rates and on downstream behaviors (such as repeat testing). Cancer 2017;123:1401–1408. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Abstract 217: Reliable Exclusion of Acute Coronary Syndrome Among Hospitalized Patients With Elevated Troponin

Background: Elevated cardiac troponin-I (cTn) occurs in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) as well as a variety of non-ACS settings with oxygen supply - demand mismatch. This study sought to test the ability to reliably exclude ACS using simple clinical data in the setting of elevated cTn. Methods: Records for patients hospitalized January - April 2011 with elevated cTn (>0.29ng/dl) and an echocardiogram were retrospectively reviewed. STEMI was excluded. Patients were classified as having ACS (NSTEMI) versus Non-ACS (demand). Delta cTn was defined as the absolute difference between the highest and initial cTn values. Results: Of 266 records meeting inclusion criteria, 82 (31%) had ACS and 184 (69%) had Non-ACS. Clinical variables that were significantly associated with ACS vs. Non-ACS are shown in the table. Echocardiographic wall motion abnormality (WMA) had a negative predictive value of 80% and positive predictive value of 63%. In multivariable analysis, odds ratios for Non-ACS were 7.6 (95% CI 3.8-15.2) for peak cTn less than 2ng/dl, 6.3 (95% CI 3.1-13.1) for absent WMA, and 4.4 (95% CI 2.2-8.7) for no prior coronary artery disease (CAD) history. The area under the receiver operating curve for a model using these 3 variables was 0.86, with a 98% negative predictive value. Conclusion: Among hospitalized patients with elevated cTn, no history of CAD, peak troponin less than 2ng/dl, and no new echocardiographic WMA reliably identifies patients at very low likelihood for ACS.
Risk of Venous Thromboembolism with Thalidomide in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract Background: Thalidomide, an oral angiogenesis inhibitor with immunomodulatory activity, is effective in the treatment of multiple myeloma, and also undergoing evaluation for other malignancies. The use of thalidomide is associated with significant side effects, including venous thromboembolism (VTE). Currently the overall risk of VTE with thalidomide is not well-defined. Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCT) to determine the risk of VTE with thalidomide in cancer patients, and assess whether it is affected by anti-thrombosis prophylaxis. Methods: We searched databases including PUBMED, the Web of Science (January, 1966–July, 2008), and abstracts presented at recent American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society of Hematology conferences to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies included prospective RCT in which a standard anti-cancer therapy or placebo was employed with or without thalidomide with available data on VTE for analysis. The summary incidence, relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random- or fixed-effects model based on the heterogeneity of the included studies. Results: From 17 RCTs, a total of 3977 patients with multiple myeloma and a variety of solid tumors (prostate, breast, renal cell, melanoma, ovarian) were included for analysis. The overall incidence of VTE was 11.7% (95% CI: 8.1–16.5%). Patients treated with thalidomide had a significantly increased risk of VTE with a RR of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.9–3.0, p Conclusion: Thalidomide therapy is associated with a significantly increased risk of VTE in cancer patients. The risk varies with anti-thrombosis prophylaxis and tumor type. It is strongly recommended to have surveillance for VTE in all patients receiving thalidomide, and prophylaxis to reduce the risk in patients with multiple myeloma.
Efficient facial recognition using vector quantization of 2D DWT features

A new approach for facial recognition employing Two Dimensional Discrete Wavelet Transform (2D DWT) and Vector Quantization (VQ) is proposed. preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification are the three main phases in this paper. A cropping technique and appropriate dimensions selection are employed in the preprocessing step. In the feature extraction step, 2D DWT is applied to the processed facial images for dimensionality reduction and feature extraction. Then the VQ algorithm using Kekre Fast Codebook Generation (KFCG) for codebook initialization is implemented to the resultant DWT features for further feature compression and better facial representation. The proposed algorithm is evaluated using four databases, namely, ORL, YALE, FERET, and FEI that have different facial variations, such as facial expressions, illumination, rotations, etc. Then the experimental results are analyzed using K-fold Cross Validation (CV). The results show that the proposed approach improves the recognition rates and reduces the storage requirements compared with existing methods.
Acceptability of a mobile health intervention to enhance HIV care coordination for patients with substance use disorders

Persons living with HIV and substance use disorders face barriers to sustained engagement in medical care, leading to suboptimal antiretroviral treatment outcomes. Innovative mobile technology tools such as customizable smartphone applications have the potential to enhance existing care coordination programs, but have not been rigorously studied. We developed and implemented a two-component intervention consisting of peer health navigation supported by a smartphone application conducting ecologic momentary assessment (EMA) of barriers to care and medication adherence. Patients with a history of antiretroviral treatment failure and substance use were recruited to participate in the 9-month pilot intervention. Three peer health navigators were trained to provide social and logistical support while participants re-engaged in HIV care. We assessed the acceptability of the intervention components using qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with study participants and peer navigators. Of 19 patients enrolled in the study, 17 participated for at least 2 months and 15 completed the entire 9-month study protocol. The acceptability of the peer navigation intervention was rated favorably by all participants interviewed, who felt that peer support was instrumental in helping them re-engage in HIV care. Participants also responded favorably to the smartphone application, but described its usefulness mostly as providing reminders to take medications and attend appointments, rather than as a facilitator of patient navigation. Peer health navigation and smartphone-based EMA are acceptable approaches to facilitating engagement in HIV care for drug using populations. Future studies to evaluate the efficacy of this approach for improving long-term retention in care and antiretroviral treatment outcomes are warranted. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01941108; registered on September 4, 2013
IC placement optimization for RF interference based on dipole moment sources and reciprocity

A method to optimize the IC placement in mobile devices from RF interference perspective is proposed. The coupling from the IC to an antenna is estimated by combining the equivalent dipole moment source and reciprocity, which facilitates understanding of coupling physics and design insight for the mobile devices. Based on the proposed method, optimal place for the noisy ICs can be quantitatively determined for each frequency of interest.
Effects of sea lamprey substrate modification and carcass nutrients on macroinvertebrate assemblages in a small Atlantic coastal stream

ABSTRACTAquatic macroinvertebrates respond to patch dynamics arising from interactions of physical and chemical disturbances across space and time. Anadromous fish, such as sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, migrate from the ocean and alter physical and chemical properties of recipient spawning streams. Sea lamprey disturb stream benthos physically through nest construction and spawning, and enrich food webs through nutrient deposition from decomposing carcasses. Sea lamprey spawning nests support greater macroinvertebrate abundance than adjacent reference areas, but concurrent effects of stream bed modification and nutrient supplementation have not been examined sequentially. We added carcasses and cleared substrate experimentally to mimic the physical disturbance and nutrient enrichment associated with lamprey spawning, and characterized effects on macroinvertebrate assemblage structure. We found that areas receiving cleared substrate and carcass nutrients were colonized largely by Simuliidae compared to ...
Direct Synthesis of α-Thio Aromatic Acids from Aromatic Amino Acids.

Abstract Modified amino acids are useful synthetic components in both chemistry and biology. Here we describe a simple, scalable two-step procedure to generate α-thio aromatic acids from aromatic amino acids with yields of up to 96%. Diazotization and α-lactone mediated bromination efficiently form the α-bromo acid with retention of configuration. Thiol substitution with mild reagents such as sodium hydrosulfide or sodium trithiocarbonate provides the inverted, free α-thio acid. The mildly acidic soft nucleophile can then be utilized in many synthetic applications.
MXenes for Plasmonic and Metamaterial Devices

We explore the applications of MXenes, a new material class of growing interest, in the area of nanophotonics and plasmonics. A broadband plasmonic metamaterial absorber and a random laser device have thus been demonstrated.
Autonomy or Disavowal of Socioeconomic Context

In the context of late capitalism, cultural producers have contributed to the process of precarisation by embracing ideas of autonomy, concomitantly contributing to neoliberal policies and political-economy. I scrutinise the claim for the autonomy of the arts in Eastern Europe, a context that exemplifies the transition from socialism to the neoliberal era. The analysis foregrounds the precarious working conditions of cultural producers during the transition from self-managed socialism to the independent nation-state of Slovenia. In Slovenia, the precarisation of artists had already begun in the 1980s when the socialist government implemented the Law for the Independent Cultural Workers, still in place today. I demonstrate that cultural producers address their working conditions in ideological terms (autonomy), instead of approaching them in terms of class relations that govern cultural production (labour issues). Hence, the claim for autonomy is a strategically misguided response to the dismantling of the welfare state.
Comparisons of Modern U.S. and Canadian Malting Barley Cultivars with Those from Pre-Prohibition: II. Amylolytic Enzyme Activities and Thermostabilities

ABSTRACTAmylolytic enzyme activities and thermostabilities in North American pre-Prohibition and modern malting barley cultivars were compared throughout Congress mashing. The mean α-amylase activity was significantly higher in modern cultivars throughout mashing than in pre-Prohibition varieties, although the reverse was observed for mean thermostabilities, expressed as percent of initial activity. The mean limit dextrinase activity in modern cultivars was higher early in mashing than in pre-Prohibition varieties, but modern cultivar mean thermostability was less than in pre-Prohibition varieties at the end of mashing. There were no significant differences in population means for β-amylase or α-glucosidase activities during mashing although mean thermostabilities for both enzymes were greater in pre-Prohibition cultivars than in modern cultivars. A comparison of individual genotypes showed the four highest α-amylase activities were in modern cultivars, with Charles having the most thermostable (116%) and...
A Psychosomatic Approach to the Treatment of the Difficult Chronic Pain Patient

For the opioid-dependent chronic pain patient, opioids are typically ineffective with chronic opioid intake actually enhancing pain sensitivity. Opioid treatment is very seductive, however, in that each dose helps momentarily, even when the long-term course involves deterioration. For the patient, it is difficult to resist the immediate relative increase in comfort. For the doctor, providing opioids seems to offer a fast, simple solution to what may be a very complex problem. In the long-term, however, chronic opioid treatment of pain is associated with substantial risks, including accident proneness, unnecessary invasive procedures and tests, adverse health consequences, impaired judgment and cognitive function [53], decline in occupational and social functioning, and strained family relationships. If the opioid-dependent patient does not seek outside sources of opioids, a biopsychosocial approach that eliminates the opioids can result in gratifying improvements in pain and function.
Malignant Hyperthermia in Animals Other Than Swine

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) has been reported in several species other than man and swine. In particular, the dog and horse may provide useful information about the relation of MH to muscle abnormalities that occur with exertion. Practitioners of veterinary anaesthesia should be aware of the manifestations and treatment of MH.
Human antibody induction to the idiotypic and anti-idiotypic determinants of a monoclonal antibody against a gastrointestinal carcinoma antigen.

Murine monoclonal antibodies (Mab) generated against human tumor antigens (Koprowski and Steplewski 1982) have renewed scientific and clinical interest in passive immunotherapy of human cancer (Kennett et aL 1980). Treatment of B cell leukemias with Mab, for instance, results in immediate reduction of leukemic cells in circulation (Levy and Miller 1983; Ritz et al. 1981). A Mab (17–1A) against an antigen of gastrointestinal cancers (Herlyn et al. 1979) was found to suppress the growth of human tumors in nude mice (Herlyn et al. 1980) and produced significant improvement in the clinical status of a number of patients with metastatic disease (Koprowski 1984a; Sears etal. 1984). As expected, most patients injected with this Mab produced antibody against the murine immunoglobulin (Ig) but, more germaine to this forum, a significant proportion of this antibody was directed against the antigen binding or idiotypic (Id) portion of the molecule (anti-Id) (Koprowski et al. 1984).
Public Health Measures: Food Defense: Prevention of Sabotage and Bioterrorism

The modern developed world enjoys an abundant supply of food in which safety is assumed. A rapidly expanding human population, combined with a complex food supply chain, has created new challenges which must be considered in the context of the global food system. For much of the world, ‘food security,’ or access to sufficient calories, is the most dominant issue. Once one has achieved food security, then the problems of assuring food quality and safety become the dominant issues. ‘Food defense’ refers to the intentional contamination of food to cause harm.
Maternal Behavior among the Nonprimate Mammals

The aims of this chapter are to present an overview of the research on maternal behavior among the nonprimate mammals, the theoretical issues that exist in this field of study, and the problems that are currently being investigated. Our emphasis is on the causal mechanisms underlying the various phases of maternal behavior rather than on the adaptive radiations in this principal line of evolutionary specialization (Eisenberg, 1981). Although the problems that are being investigated in this area are drawn from whatever knowledge we have of the natural history of species, in order to gain adequate control over the many factors that contribute to the regulation of maternal behavior, it has been found necessary to study laboratory species and domesticated animals. This necessity is determined by our need for precise descriptions of mother—young interactions, on the basis of which analysis of these interactions can proceed, and for accurate measurements of circulating levels of hormones during pregnancy and lactation, which enable us to remove and introduce hormones in order to study their effects on maternal behavior. Fortunately, whatever studies exist comparing laboratory and domesticated species with wild representatives of the same species suggest that maternal behavior has not been substantially altered by these more constrained living conditions. This suggestion holds out hope that our studies will be relevant to natural populations not only of the species that are being studied but also to populations that have not yet come under laboratory study.
Transesophageal echocardiographic study of decompression-induced venous gas emboli.

Transesophageal echo-cardiography was used to evaluate venous bubbles produced in nine anesthetized dogs following decompression from 2.84 bar after 120 min at pressure. In five dogs a pulsed Doppler cuff probe was placed around the inferior vena cava for bubble grade determination. The transesophageal echo images demonstrated several novel or less defined events. In each case where the pulmonary artery was clearly visualized, the venous bubbles were seen to oscillate back and forth several times, bringing into question the effect of coincidental counting in routine bubble grade analysis using precordial Doppler. A second finding was that in all cases, extensive bubbling occurred in the portal veins with complete extraction by the liver sinusoids, with one exception where a portal-to-hepatic venous anastomosis was observed. Compression of the bowel released copious numbers of bubbles into the portal veins, sometimes more than were released into the inferior vena cava. Finally, large masses of foam were routinely observed in the non-dependent regions of the inferior vena cava that not only delayed the appearance of bubbles in the pulmonary artery but also allowed additional opportunity for further reaction with blood products and for coalescence to occur before reaching the pulmonary microcirculation. These novel observations are discussed in relation to the decompression process.
Molecular Biology of Cannabinoid Receptors: Mutational Analyses of the CB Receptors

Two cannabinoid receptors have been isolated by molecular cloning; there is also evidence for additional cannabinoid receptor subtypes. The CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are members of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily that can be activated by plant-derived, synthetic, and endogenous cannabinoid ligands, which fall into five structurally diverse classes. Studies using mutagenesis and molecular modeling have identified key amino acid residues involved in the selective recognition, activation, desensitization, and internalization of these ligands. The CB1 and CB2 receptors genetic structures indicate polymorphisms and multiple exons that may be involved in tissue- and species-specific regulation of these genes. Polymorphisms in the CB1 and CB2 receptors are associated with drug abuse and disease. Finally, the identification of GPR55 as another GPCR that responds to a diverse set of cannabinoids may herald a new era of molecular biology of cannabinoid receptors.
The Architecture of Biological Networks

An ambitious goal of contemporary biological research is the elucidation of the structure and functions of networks that constitute cells and organisms. In biological systems, networks appear in many different disguises, ranging from protein interactions to metabolic networks. The emergence of these networks is driven by self-organizing processes that are governed by simple but generic laws. While unraveling the complex and interwoven systems of different interacting units, it has become clear that the topology of networks of different biological origin share the same characteristics on the large scale. In this chapter, we survey the most prominent characteristics of biological networks, focusing on the emergence of the scale-free architecture and the hierarchical arrangement of modules.
Forest Resources, Family Networks and the Municipal Disconnect: Examining Recurrent Underdevelopment in the Amazon Estuary

There has been a widespread assumption that a strong market for locally managed, sustainable production systems provides the key for regional development and conservation in the Amazon. During the past decades, a variety of factors has allowed for the first part of this equation to happen throughout the Amazon estuary. The region has experienced significant growth, intensification of production, and wide participation in the market economy of forest fruits and products. The expected outcome, however, has yet to be realized and seems far from certain.