cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of cascadable built-in tester for large I/O multichip modules

A cascadable built-in tester (CBIT) for testing multichip modules (MCMs) with large number of I/O pins is introduced. The CBIT can function both as a test pattern generator and as a signature analyzer. CBITs are cascadable to produce a maximal length pseudo-random sequence. This sequence yields high fault coverage due to the small signature aliasing probability and the uniqueness of the test patterns generated. A 'pipelined test' concept is applied, which concurrently shares CBITs between multiple MCMs to reduce overall test time and area overhead. >
Hierarchical fabrication of TiO2 nanotubes on 3-D microstructures for enhanced dye-sensitized solar cell photoanode for seamless microsystems integration

Surface area plays an important factor in the energy conversion performance of solar cells. It has also emerged as a critical factor in the evolution of high-performance micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and multifunctional microstructures most of which will benefit from integrated on-chip solar power. Presented here is the hierarchical fabrication of TiO"2 nanotubes on non-planar 3-dimensional microstructures for enhanced performance of the photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The objective is to increase photoanode performance within a standard 1cm^2 lateral footprint area by increasing the vertical surface area through the formation of TiO"2 nanotubes on 3-D microstructures. In the interest of the seamless integration of DSCs into MEMS applications, careful attention is given to the processing methods of the 3-D surface enhanced photoanode. Bulk micromachining using wet-etching has been employed to fabricate 3-D microstructures in silicon. Anodization was used to form titania nanotubes within sputtered titanium thin films. Film quality, adhesion, and the formation of the nanotubes are discussed. Nanotubes with outer diameter dimensions of 180nm, inner diameter of 75nm, and heights of 340nm on [email protected]^[email protected] micro-wells have been fabricated resulting in more than 7times the increase in surface area over planar surfaces and a 20% reduction in surface spectral reflection.
Connections of the octopus optic lobe: An HRP study

The major visual centers of the octopus central nervous system are the paired optic lobes. Bidirectional transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used to determine connections of the optic lobe. Cells afferent to the optic lobe were identified by retrograde HRP transport in the following lobes of the central ganglia: anterior basal, median basal, dorsal basal, interbasal, subvertical, precommissural, brachial, and magnocellular. Labeled cells were also observed within the contralateral optic lobe, various optic tract lobes bilaterally, and in photoreceptors of the ipsilateral retina. Additionally, individual fibers, in part originating from cells in the posterior subvertical lobe, were labeled within the central neuropil core of various vertical lobules. Differences in results between superficial and deep optic lobe medulla injections indicate that some afferent projections from central sources may terminate on cell populations at specific depths within the lobe. Efferent optic lobe fibers into the superior frontal and lateral basal lobes were labeled by anterograde transport. Other possible optic lobe efferent projections terminated in supraesophageal lobes and the magnocellular lobe. The many inputs to the optic lobe from higher motor and associative centers in the central ganglia emphasize that the medulla region of the optic lobe is an exceptionally complex integrative area.
Perspective: Sustaining the big-data ecosystem

Organizing and accessing biomedical big data will require quite different business models, say Philip E. Bourne, Jon R. Lorsch and Eric D. Green.
Ectoenzymes: Their Modulation and Similarity to Certain Enzymes of Intracellular Membranes

About a decade ago an attempt was made to lay down a definition of ectoenzymes, and to establish criteria by which one might judge whether an enzyme belongs to this category or not (DePierre and Karnovsky 1974a). The statement of definition read “The plasma membrane of cells may contain enzymes whose active sites face the external medium rather than the cytoplasm, and these enzymes are reffered to as ectoenzymes.” The criteria for ectoenzymes given below are slightly altered from the original wording, but they are, in principle, unchanged from those earlier stated (DePierre and Karnovsky 1973, 1974a, b). They may be outlined as follows, and it is realized that not all criteria have been tested for every enzyme considered to be “ecto”: 1) Detection of the enzyme should be possible using intact cells. 2) The question must be answered in the negative as to whether the enzyme under examination was released from the cells into the external medium. 3) The substrate employed should preferably be one that does not enter the cells. However, if criterion 2 above has not been definitively statisfied, one should guard against a circular argument in which an enzymatic activity is revealed with a substrate that is unable to penetrate into the cells, and this fact is then interpreted to indicate an ectoenzyme based solely on the nature of the substrate. 4) When the cells are broken, one should be able to account for any increase in enzymatic activity observed. 5) The products of the enzyme reaction should be localized to the exterior of the cell. 6) One should be able to inhibit the enzyme, selectively, with a nonpenetrating, covalently linking, reagent.
Relativism revisited and revived: Replies to critics

(1989). Relativism revisited and revived: Replies to critics. Social Epistemology: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 39-53.
A framework for knowledge-based team training

Teamwork is crucial to many disciplines, from activities such as organized sports to economic and military organizations. Team training is difficult and as yet there are few automated tools to assist in the training task. As with the training of individuals, effective training depends upon practice and proper training protocols. In this research, we defined a team training framework for constructing team training systems in domains involving command and control teams. This team training framework provides an underlying model of teamwork and programming interfaces to provide services that ease the construction of team training systems. Also, the framework enables experimentation with training protocols and coaching to be conducted more readily, as team training systems incorporating new protocols or coaching capabilities can be more easily built. For this framework (called CAST-ITT) we developed an underlying intelligent agent architecture known as CAST (Collaborative Agents Simulating Teamwork). CAST provides the underlying model of teamwork and agents to simulate virtual team members. CAST-ITT (Intelligent Team Trainer) uses CAST to also monitor trainees, and support performance assessment and coaching for the purposes of evaluating the performance of a trainee as a member of a team. CAST includes a language for describing teamwork called MALLET (Multi-Agent Logic Language for Encoding Teamwork). MALLET allows us to codify the behaviors of team members (both as virtual agents and as trainees) for use by CAST. In demonstrating CAST-ITT through an implemented team training system called TWP-DDD we have shown that a team training system can be built that uses the framework (CAST-ITT) and has good performance and can be used for achieving real world training objectives.
The pro-inflammatory effects of miR-155 promote liver fibrosis and alcohol-induced steatohepatitis

Background & Aims Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) ranges from fatty liver to inflammation and cirrhosis. miRNA-155 is an important regulator of inflammation. In this study, we describe the in vivo role of miR-155 in ALD. Methods Wild-type (WT) (C57/BL6J) or miR-155 knockout (KO) and TLR4 KO mice received Lieber DeCarli diet for 5weeks. Some mice received corn oil or CCl 4 for 2 or 9weeks. Results We found that miR-155 KO mice are protected from alcohol-induced steatosis and inflammation. The reduction in alcohol-induced fat accumulation in miR-155 KO mice was associated with increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor response element (PPRE) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)α (miR-155 target) binding and decreased MCP1 production. Treatment with a miR-155 inhibitor increased PPARγ expression in naive and alcohol treated RAW macrophages. Alcohol increased lipid metabolism gene expression ( FABP4 , LXRα , ACC1 and LDLR ) in WT mice and this was prevented in KO mice. Alcohol diet caused an increase in the number of CD163 + CD206 + infiltrating macrophages and neutrophils in WT mice, which was prevented in miR-155 KO mice. Kupffer cells isolated from miR-155 KO mice exhibited predominance of M2 phenotype when exposed to M1 polarized signals and this was due to increased C/EBPβ. Pro-fibrotic genes were attenuated in miR-155 KO mice after alcohol diet or CCl 4 treatment. Compared to WT mice, attenuation in CCl 4 induced hydroxyproline and α-SMA was observed in KO mice. Finally, we show TLR4 signaling regulates miR-155 as TLR4 KO mice showed no induction of miR-155 after alcohol diet. Conclusions Collectively our results demonstrated the role of miR-155 in alcohol-induced steatohepatitis and fibrosis in vivo .
Small Enterprise in Dhaka: Obstacles and Support Service Status

Small enterprises are the core of industrial sector in Bangladesh. This study aims at identifying the key factors that creates obstacles for small industry in Dhaka. Other purposes of this study are to understand the need for support service, to find out the awareness level and the status of the assisted firms. This study includes the face to face interview of 330 small enterprises from different parts of Dhaka city. Both assisted and unassisted firms were there. Factor analysis (Principal Component Analysis) has been carried out by taking twelve variables and the result indicates that three factors are creating obstacles for the small enterprises. These are Business Support Factor, Policy & Regulatory Factor, and Production & Competition Factor. The Business Support Factor explains 18.5 percent variance and these three factors collectively explain about 50 percent variance. Among the respondents 60% are aware about the SME support services but only 30 are getting any kind of assistance. Mainly they were getting financial supports from different organizations. Financial, marketing and networking and technological support are the most needed services. Though different organizations were working for small enterprises, a gap still remains between the need of the business and the availability of facilities. By adding different dimensions in support services and by taking proactive initiative, this gap can be reduced.
Future research in mouse radiation genetics

From thirteenth international congress of genetics; Berkeley, Ca1ifornia, USA (20 Aug 1973). The specific-locus method was used to investigate the effect of various biological and physical factors on radioinduced mutation frequency at a sample of seven gene loci of mice. The biological factors include sex, cell stage, and the interval between irradiation and fertilization. The physical factors include radiation dose, dose rate, dose fractionation, and radiation quality. It is suggested that the studies be extended to determine the effects of the various biological and physical factors on mutation frequency at low radiation dose rates in mouse spermatogonia and dictyate oocytes; investigations on the actual nature and effect of the individual mutations induced by radiation; and studies on the nature, extent, and persistence of the actual anatomical and physiologica1 damage expressed in the descendents of irradiated populations. (CH)
Dual infection of dogs with distemper virus and virus of infectious canine hepatitis.

SummaryFollowing inoculation of distemper virus and infectious canine hepatitis virus singly and mixed, it was found that the mixture of viruses produced a more severe type of illness than either virus alone. In the same dog, both viruses were present in the blood during the acute phase of illness, inclusion bodies of both viruses were found and immunity against both viruses developed.
Molecular imaging at the sub-cellular level by extreme ultraviolet single-shot laser nano-ablation

Laser ablation mass spectrometry imaging is demonstrated with sub-cellular spatial resolution using Extreme Ultraviolet laser pulses. The technique has the potential to yield 3D maps of cell composition with 100nm lateral and 20nm depth resolution.
The Rivalrous Consonance Framework for Oligopoly Analysis

Oligopoly theory occupies a peculiar position in economic analysis. On the one hand, lavish theoretical attention is bestowed upon it in the form of game-theoretic and bargaining models, entry-barrier theory, and core theory.1 Yet the ghosts of Cournot, Bertrand, Edgeworth, and Stackelberg process and equilibrium analysis continue to parade through the pages of textbooks, frequently updated to relate them to Nash or core equilibrium concepts.
Abstract 3834: Validation of potential methylation biomarkers in HPV-associated HNSCC

Epidemiological and laboratory evidence indicate the human papilloma virus (HPV) as a causative agent for some squamous head and neck cancer (HNSCC). The biologic significance of HPV as independent risk factor is also underscored by the improved prognosis for patients with HPV positive HNSCC relative to HPV negative HNSCC, due in part to a better therapeutic response to chemoradiotherapy. The mechanism for this improved prognosis remains underexplored. To assess the potential of HPV specific methylation biomarkers, we evaluated the status of 10 genes (CDH8, CRMP1, HTRE1, ELMO1, MEI1, MSX2, PCDH10, PCDHB11, C14orf162, and PITX2) in a cohort of 18 HPV positive and 14 HPV negative HNSCC using targeted sequencing (Illumina MiSeq). The genes were previously reported as significantly differentially methylated between HPV positive and HPV negative HNSCC using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (Lechner et al., 2013). In our sample, of the 10 genes, targeted sequencing confirmed significant differential methylation between HPV positive and negative for C14orf162 (p = 0.007), MEI1(p = 0.004), MSX2 (p = 0.002), and PCDHB11(p = 0.002). PCDHB11 and MSX2 were hypermethylated; MEI1 and C14orf162 were hypomethylated, concordant with the Lechner et al., study. In this independent sample set, confirmation of 4 of the 10 genes as differentially methylated in HPV positive vs HPV negative HNSCC with concordance of methylation direction (hypo- vs hypermethylated), validates their potential for differentiating HPV positive and HPV negative HNSCC. Cadherins are implicated in tumor progression and metastasis and are targets of the Polycomb group (PcG) proteins, which form chromatin-modifying complexes that are essential for embryonic development and stem cell renewal and are commonly deregulated in cancer. Our study further supports cadherin PCDHB11, together with C14orf162, MEI1, and MSX2 as likely biomarkers in HPV-associated HNSCC. Support: Komen KG110218 Citation Format: Kang Mei Chen, Josena K. Stephen, George Divine, Dhananjay Chitale, Tamer Ghanem, Steven Chang, Maria J. Worsham. Validation of potential methylation biomarkers in HPV-associated HNSCC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3834. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3834
Blood Proteomic Profiling in Inherited (ATTRm) and Acquired (ATTRwt) Forms of Transthyretin-Associated Cardiac Amyloidosis

Transthyretin-associated forms of cardiac amyloidosis are fatal protein misfolding diseases that can be inherited (ATTRm) or acquired (ATTRwt). An accurate diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis can be challenging as biopsy evidence, usually from the affected organ, is required. Precise biomarkers for ATTR disease identification and monitoring are undiscovered, disease-specific therapeutic options are needed, and the current understanding of ATTR molecular pathogenesis is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the serum proteomes in ATTRm and ATTRwt cardiac amyloidosis to identify differentially expressed blood proteins that were disease-specific. Using multiple-reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM-MS), the concentrations of 160 proteins were analyzed in serum samples from ATTRm and ATTRwt patients, and a healthy control group. Patient and control sera were matched to age (≥60 years), gender (male), and race (Caucasian). The circulating concentrations of 123/160 proteins were significa...
Catalytic Dehydrogenative C–C Coupling by a Pincer-Ligated Iridium Complex

The pincer-iridium fragment (iPrPCP)Ir (RPCP = κ3-2,6-C6H3(CH2PR2)2) has been found to catalyze the dehydrogenative coupling of vinyl arenes to afford predominantly (E,E)-1,4-diaryl-1,3-butadienes. The eliminated hydrogen can undergo addition to another molecule of vinyl arene, resulting in an overall disproportionation reaction with 1 equiv of ethyl arene formed for each equivalent of diarylbutadiene produced. Alternatively, sacrificial hydrogen acceptors (e.g., tert-butylethylene) can be added to the solution for this purpose. Diarylbutadienes are isolated in moderate to good yields, up to ca. 90% based on the disproportionation reaction. The results of DFT calculations and experiments with substituted styrenes indicate that the coupling proceeds via double C–H addition of a styrene molecule, at β-vinyl and ortho-aryl positions, to give an iridium(III) metalloindene intermediate; this intermediate then adds a β-vinyl C–H bond of a second styrene molecule before reductively eliminating product. Several m...
Recurrent deep stacking networks for supervised speech separation

Supervised speech separation algorithms seldom utilize output patterns. This study proposes a novel recurrent deep stacking approach for time-frequency masking based speech separation, where the output context is explicitly employed to improve the accuracy of mask estimation. The key idea is to incorporate the estimated masks of several previous frames as additional inputs to better estimate the mask of the current frame. Rather than formulating it as a recurrent neural network (RNN), which is potentially much harder to train, we propose to train a deep neural network (DNN) with implicit deep stacking. The estimated masks of the previous frames are updated only at the end of each DNN training epoch, and then the updated estimated masks provide additional inputs to train the DNN in the next epoch. At the test stage, the DNN makes predictions sequentially in a recurrent fashion. In addition, we propose to use the L 1 loss for training. Experiments on the CHiME-2 (task-2) dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
The Design and Implementation of the ASTA Mentor Program: Perceptions of Program Developers and Mentor Preparation Workshop Participants:

The purpose of this research was to examine the development and implementation of the ASTA Mentor Program. Research questions included: (a) How did ASTA staff, leadership, and Mentor Preparation Wo...
Long-Term Outcomes After Mechanical Ventilation

Twenty-five years ago, the standard measure for outcomes after critical illness was the 28-day all-cause mortality. Long-term outcomes were a nascent field of investigation; the first organized report of 1-year outcomes after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was published in the year 2003 [1]. In the past decade, the expanding armamentarium of therapies for critical illness and refinements in understanding its pathophysiology have led to improved survival rates but have created an increasing number of survivors that suffer from the long-term sequelae of critical illness. Manifestations of these long-term outcomes span a constellation of physical, cognitive, and mental domains and are collectively termed post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Caregivers of survivors may be overwhelmed with this drastic life-changing event and can become affected with mood disorders, a phenomenon known as PICS-Family (PICS-F) [2, 3].
Side Chain Interactions can Impede Amyloid Fibril Growth:Replica Exchange Simulations of Abeta Peptide Mutant

Aggregation of Aβ peptides is related to the onset of Alzheimer's disease, but the molecular mechanism of the Aβ fibril formation is still poorly understood. Recently, we have studied the thermodynamics and free energy landscape of Aβ fibril growth using a hexamer system of Aβ10-40 peptides by replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations and atomistic implicit solvent model. The system consisted of four peptides forming a fibril fragment and two incoming peptides binding to the fibril edge. We have demonstrated that deposition of the peptides onto the fibril follows the “dock-lock” mechanism. In the docking stage, disordered peptides dock to the fibril without their incorporation into the ordered fibril structure. In the locking stage, the incoming peptides form parallel β-sheets with the fibril. In this presentation, we report the effect of D23Y mutation in Aβ10-40 peptides focusing on the changes in the deposition free energy landscape and in the interactions between incoming peptides and the fibril. We found that although D23Y mutation has a weak impact on the docking stage, it induces strong stabilizing effect on the locking stage of fibril growth. We explain these findings by elimination of off-registry side-chain interactions formed by Asp23 in the wild-type Aβ sequence. We conclude that strong off-registry side chain interactions have a capacity to impede fibril growth.
Correcting TG 119 confidence limits

Purpose Task Group 119 (TG-119) has been adopted for evaluating the adequacy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) commissioning and for establishing patient-specific IMRT quality assurance (QA) passing criteria in clinical practice. TG-119 establishes 95% confidence limits (CLs), which help clinics identify systematic IMRT QA errors and identify outliers. In TG-119, the 95% CLs are established by fitting the Gamma Γ analysis passing rate results to an assumed distribution, then calculating the limit in which 95% of the data fall. CLs for a given dataset will depend greatly on the type of distribution used, and those determined by following the TG-119 guidelines are only valid if the underlying data follows a Gaussian distribution. Gaussian distributions assume symmetry about the mean, which would imply the possibility of negative Γ analysis failing rates. This study demonstrates that the gamma distribution is a more reasonable assumption for establishing CLs than the Gaussian distribution used in TG-119. Thus, the gamma distribution is suggested as a replacement to the conventional Gaussian statistical model used in TG-119. Materials and methods The moments estimator (ME) for the gamma family is used to obtain the CLs of the failing rates for all Γ analysis criteria. To demonstrate the congruence of the gamma distribution, the root mean squared error and the CL values for the MEs of the gamma and the Gaussian families were compared. Results In this study, the empirical 95% CLs generated using 302 plans represent the ground truth, which resulted in a 91.83% passing rate using 3%/3 mm error local criteria. The gamma distribution underestimates the 95% CL by 0.09%, while the Gaussian distribution overestimates the 95% CL by 4.12%. Conclusions Although IMRT QA equipment may vary between clinics, the mathematical formalism presented in this study applies to any combination of planning and delivery systems. This study has demonstrated that a gamma distribution should be favored over a Gaussian distribution when establishing CLs for IMRT QA.
Biophysical characterization of Aptenodytes forsteri cytochrome P450 aromatase.

Abstract Cytochrome P450 19 (CYP19, aromatase) catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens in a sequence of three reactions that each depend on NADPH and O2. Aromatase is a phylogenetically-ancient enzyme and its breadth of expression in other species has highlighted distinct physiological functions. In songbirds, estrogen production is required for programming the neural circuits controlling song and in the determination of sex in fish and reptiles. This work describes the expression, purification, and biophysical characterization of Aptenodytes forsteri (Emperor penguin, af) aromatase. Using human cytochrome P450 reductase as a redox partner, afCYP19 displayed similar substrate turnover and LC/MS/MS confirmed that afCYP19 catalyzes the transformations through the intermediates 19-hydroxy- and 19-oxo-androstenedione. Androstenedione and anastrozole had the highest affinity for the enzyme and were followed closely by 19-hydroxyandrostenedione and testosterone. The affinity of 19-oxo-androstenedione for afCYP19 was ten-fold lower. The time-dependent changes in the Soret bands observed in stopped-flow mixing experiments of the steroidal ligands and the inhibitor anastrozole with afCYP19 were best described by a two-step binding mechanism. In summary, these studies describe the first biophysical characterization of an avian aromatase that displays strikingly similar enzyme kinetics and ligand binding properties to the human enzyme and could serve as a convenient model system for studies of the enigmatic transformation of androgens to estrogens.
Endocrine disruption in sexual differentiation and puberty. What do pseudohermaphroditic polar bears have to do with the practice of pediatrics

What do pseudohermaphroditic polar bears and girls with premature breast development have in common? Hormones. Sexual differentiation and the initiation of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast growth, are under the control of sex hormones, estrogen and androgen. Abnormal differentiation of the internal or external genitalia in bears and early onset of breast development in girls also may have a common element—exposure to environmental hormones. It has been shown that many common pesticides and environmental contaminants can act as estrogens or antiandrogens. Although there may be many factors contributing to sex-reversed animals or early pubescent girls, environmental hormone exposure is certainly one of the possible contributors. Four years ago, Herman-Giddens et al 53 published a provocative article in which they reassessed onset of puberty in US girls and found that thelarche (Tanner stage 2B) occurs much earlier than the previously established norms and that menarche also occurs somewhat earlier, although the difference is not as drastic for this measure. Moreover, the percentage of girls less than 8 years of age with one or more secondary sexual characteristics (27.2% of black girls and 6.7% of white girls) is much higher than previously reported. This information is being viewed by some as a redefinition of normal, but others are calling it precocious puberty and sounding alarms about possible unnatural causes. This study has caused a great deal of debate and led to a joint statement issued by the Endocrine Society and Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society in March 2001 calling for further research to define precocious puberty (www.endo-society.org/pubrelations/pressReleases/puberty.cfm) to determine whether girls really are reaching puberty earlier and, if so, to determine the cause. This reassessment in what is considered normal for hormonally associated physiologic change has many pediatricians searching for an answer: is it real? Some think that it is related to obesity, whereas others believe that a genetic component is primarily responsible. A recent preliminary report 57 on puberty and genes demonstrates a possible link. Within the context of an individual's genetic predisposition in conjunction with factors such as diet and obesity, what role does exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals have on the normal physiologic process during puberty and reproductive development? In addition to reports of possible increases in precocious puberty, other epidemiologic studies have described early isolated thelarche, globally decreasing sperm counts, and increased rates of congenital malformations of the male reproductive system (reviewed by Safe et al 79 ). Information from studies on wildlife and in the laboratory is sufficient to associate endocrine disruption with the epidemiologic trends described in further detail later, but attributing causation remains difficult.
Structure at the Top and Bottom of the Mantle

Beginning about a decade ago [1], the appreciation of the need for broadband data with a high dynamic range from globally distributed stations has led the seismological community to undertake several initiatives. Examples are the GEOSCOPE, IRIS/IDA, IRIS/USGS, MedNet and GEOFON networks, complemented by national efforts, such as in China, Canada or Mexico. All these groups co-operate in co-ordinating station deployment and data exchange within the framework of the Federation of Digital Seismographic Networks (FDSN; [2]). There are now 80–100 operational stations with the very-broad-band response (0.2-360 seconds) and dynamic range up to 140 db that meet the FDSN Network requirements. Their geographical distribution is yet far from the optimal, with only 25% of the stations located in the Sorthern Hemisphere and with the vast unoccupied oceanic areas.
Measuring Multiple Stakeholder Costs and Benefits for Improved Decision-Making

It is well-accepted that organizations must consider multiple stakeholders and their objectives when deciding on organizational actions. But research provides little guidance regarding how managers can identify stakeholders, measure, and use information to facilitate this type of decision-making. The broad objective of this study is to provide insights that improve decision-making. More specifically, we provide evidence on how to identify, measure, and integrate information into managerial decision-making. We do this by studying, in its natural and complex environment, a decision that involves a trade-off between energy development and protection of wildlife. We collect five types of data and present both qualitative and quantitative analyses of sustainability performance (i.e., social, environmental, and economic impacts) and stakeholder reactions. We document that the model we test provides information useful for managerial decision-making and demonstrate the applicability of existing measurement techniques to these management challenges. We advance theory by providing a critical discussion of how three primary stakeholder groups are likely to integrate sustainability information into decision-making and develop several testable research propositions. We conclude with a discussion of implications for both practice and theory.
Advancing Regulatory Science With Computational Modeling for Medical Devices at the FDA's Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories

Protecting and promoting public health is the mission of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), which regulates medical devices marketed in the U.S., envisions itself as the world's leader in medical device innovation and regulatory science-the development of new methods, standards, and approaches to assess the safety, efficacy, quality, and performance of medical devices. Traditionally, bench testing, animal studies, and clinical trials have been the main sources of evidence for getting medical devices on the market in the U.S. In recent years, however, computational modeling has become an increasingly powerful tool for evaluating medical devices, complementing bench, animal and clinical methods. Moreover, computational modeling methods are increasingly being used within software platforms, serving as clinical decision support tools, and are being embedded in medical devices. Because of its reach and huge potential, computational modeling has been identified as a priority by CDRH, and indeed by FDA's leadership. Therefore, the Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories (OSEL)-the research arm of CDRH-has committed significant resources to transforming computational modeling from a valuable scientific tool to a valuable regulatory tool, and developing mechanisms to rely more on digital evidence in place of other evidence. This article introduces the role of computational modeling for medical devices, describes OSEL's ongoing research, and overviews how evidence from computational modeling (i.e., digital evidence) has been used in regulatory submissions by industry to CDRH in recent years. It concludes by discussing the potential future role for computational modeling and digital evidence in medical devices.
Novel mechanism for estrogen receptor alpha modulation of murine lupus

Abstract Female sex is a risk factor for lupus. Sex hormones, sex chromosomes and hormone receptors are implicated in the pathogenic pathways in lupus. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) knockout (KO) mice are used for defining hormone receptor effects in lupus. Prior studies of ERα KO in lupus have conflicting results, likely due to sex hormone levels, different lupus strains and different ERα KO constructs. Our objective was to compare a complete KO of ERα vs. the original functional KO of ERα (expressing a short ERα) on disease expression and immune phenotype, while controlling sex hormone levels. We studied female lupus prone NZM2410 WT and ERα mutant mice. All mice (n = 44) were ovariectomized (OVX) for hormonal control. Groups of each genotype were estrogen (E2)-repleted after OVX. We found that OVXed NZM mice expressing the truncated ERα (ERα short) had significantly reduced nephritis and prolonged survival compared to both wildtype and the complete ERαKO (ERα null) mice, but surprisingly only if E2-repleted. ERα null mice were not protected regardless of E2 status. We observed significant differences in splenic B cells and dendritic cells and a decrease in cDC2 (CD11b+CD8−) dendritic cells, without a concomitant decrease in cDC1 (CD11b-CD8a+) cells comparing ERα short to ERα null or WT mice. Our data support a protective role for the ERα short protein. ERα short is similar to an endogenously expressed ERα variant (ERα46). Modulating its expression/activity represents a potential approach for treating female-predominant autoimmune diseases.
Phase contrast MRI of creeping flows using stimulated echo.

Abstract Creeping flows govern many important physiological phenomena such as elevated interstitial fluid flows in tumors, glymphatic flows in the brain, among other applications. However, few methods exist to measure such slow flows non-invasively in optically opaque biological tissues in vivo. Phase-contrast MRI is a velocimetry technique routinely used in the clinic to measure fast flows in biological tissues, such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in the order of cm/s. Use of this technique to encode slower flows is hampered by diffusion weighting and phase error introduced by gradient hardware imperfections. In this study, a new PC-MRI technique is developed using stimulated echo preparation to overcome these challenges. Flows as slow as 1 μm/s are measured and validated using controlled water flow through a pipe at 4.7 T. The error in measured flow rate obtained by integrating the measured velocity over the cross-sectional area of the pipe is less than 10%. The developed method was also able to capture slow natural convection flows appearing in liquids placed inside a horizontal bore magnet. Monitoring the 4D velocity vector field revealed that the natural convection flows decay exponentially with time. This method could be applied in future to study creeping flows, e.g. in tissue.
Scientific Framework for National Transformation

Several thousand years ago, an Indian sage proclaimed that all cultures, no matter how great, rise and eventually decline, only to rise again, and India itself cannot be an exception to this natural law. In the early nineties, the author predicted the imminent rise of China and India in that order. Two decades later, evidence is mounting that the predictions were correct. The question this article poses is, how to accelerate the rise of India. As the paper explains, a scientific framework for external and internal excellence is the pathway for national transformation. The ideas and concepts may appear India-centric but they apply to all nations in the various stages of rise and decline.
Repatriation of War Orphans in Bosnia: Narratives of Nationhood and Care in Refugee Crises

This study highlights the plight of children in state orphanages during conditions of war and its aftermath, in order to explore how state narratives trap children between contested notions of the best interests of the child, national belonging, and familial rights. This longitudinal study focuses on international media narratives covering a group of Bosnian orphans who were removed from the Bjelave orphanage in Sarajevo through a controversial German rescue mission in 1992. The orphans were provided temporary protection in Germany for five years but were repatriated to Bosnia in 1997 upon the Bosnian government’s request. In Bosnia, they were reintroduced into the national orphanage system, and eventually to the care of international NGOs. Their plight shows that narratives of care, national belonging and family rights are fundamental tools used to sustain state identities in the process of repatriation of refugees, leaving no voice or choice to the resilient children in question.
Part 11: Learning Strategies

Educational psychologists have investigated which learning strategies are most effective at promoting long-term learning. The best strategies involve students generating knowledge through sustained...
Humanoid Robot as a Companion for the Senior Citizens

In this paper, we describe our experiment related to using a humanoid robot as a companion for the elderly people. We have analyzed the needs of elderly people and mapped our use cases in accordance with those needs. We have implemented the functionality using IBM Watson and other libraries and performed an experiment at an old age home. Our humanoid robot can detect the user’s mood and engage in a friendly conversation. The experiment also indicates that social acceptance ratio of humanoid robot among elderly people is high.
Examining Outcome Expectancies for Smoking vs. Abstinence Among Adult Daily Smokers

Abstract In a motivational interviewing (MI) framework of decision-making, we consider potential outcomes for both a primary choice and an alternative choice (DiClemente & Velazquez, 2002). Thus, we would expect that motivation to quit smoking is related to expectancies for quitting smoking and expectancies for continuing to smoke. While smoking expectancies have been frequently studied, less attention has been paid to abstinence expectancies. The present study sought to clarify the predictive utility of smoking and abstinence expectancies together for smoking motivation and behavior, versus measuring smoking expectancies alone. Expectancies were measured at baseline; outcomes were measured at baseline and one-month follow-up. Smoking expectancies were assessed via the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Adult (Copeland, Brandon, & Quinn, 1995), and abstinence expectancies were assessed via the Perceived Risks and Benefits of Quitting scale (McKee, O’Malley, Salovey, Krishnan-Sarin, & Mazure, 2005). Outcomes included motivation to quit (Contemplation Ladder, Biener & Abrams, 1991; Stage of Change, DiClemente et al., 1991), and average daily smoking rate. Data was analyzed for 183 smokers at baseline and 166 at follow-up. Baseline smoking expectancies and abstinence expectancies were each uniquely associated with concurrent motivation to quit, but not concurrent smoking rate. Abstinence expectancies uniquely predicted changes in smoking rate over time. Smoking and abstinence outcome expectancies may relate differently to smoking behavior, motivation to quit, and changes in these constructs over time.
Cardiac anomalies in microtia patients at a tertiary pediatric care center

Abstract Objective Microtia is a congenital condition that is known to be associated with cardiac abnormalities. Current guidelines suggest performing an echocardiogram or other cardiac work-up in the presence of ear anomalies with dysmorphic features but not isolated microtia. We report on the prevalence and characteristics of cardiac anomalies among microtia patients at a tertiary pediatric center. Methods A review of 428 children with microtia was conducted. Patients were identified as syndromic or non-syndromic. Data included echocardiograms performed, anomalies detected, need for cardiology follow-up, and need for surgical intervention. Results In the 428 patients with microtia, 77 patients (18%) were syndromic, the most common being Goldenhar (26%). 23.5% (101) of patients overall had documented echocardiograms, with structural anomalies found in 75.9% of patients screened and 18.5% overall, including disorders ranging from minor septal defects to Tetralogy of Fallot. The most common anomalies were left-right shunts in 77.2% of anomalies. Syndromic patients had a greater percentage of echocardiograms performed, cardiac anomalies, and cardiology follow-up compared to non-syndromic microtia patients. Conclusion Children with microtia are at significant risk for cardiac abnormalities. Many patients with lesions required treatment and cardiology follow-up. Anomalies may have been missed in those who did not receive an echocardiogram. Given the risk of cardiac anomalies going unnoticed at the time of birth, we recommend a thorough cardiac physical exam for each microtia patient and the consideration of screening echocardiogram in syndromic children born with microtia.
Disparities in Sources of Added Sugars and High Glycemic Index Foods in Diets of US Children, 2011-2016.

Introduction Added sugars and high glycemic index (GI) foods might play a role in cardiometabolic pathogenesis. Our study aimed to describe the top sources of added sugars and types of high GI foods in diets of children by race/ethnicity. Methods We examined data for 3,112 children, aged 6 to 11 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2011 to 2016. Mean intake was estimated and linear regression models tested for differences by race/ethnicity. Population proportions for food sources were created and ranked, accounting for survey weighting when appropriate. Results Asian American and Mexican American children had the lowest reported added sugar intake. Cereals were observed to contribute highly to added sugar intake. Soft drinks did not contribute as much added sugar intake for Asian American children as it did for children of other races/ethnicities. Asian American children consumed significantly more high GI foods than other groups. Types of high GI foods differed meaningfully across racial/ethnic groups (ie, Mexican American: burritos/tacos; other Hispanic, White, and Black: pizza; Asian American: rice). Rice accounted for 37% of total high GI foods consumed by Asian American children. Conclusions Sources of added sugars and types of high GI foods in children's diets vary across racial/ethnic groups. Targeting foods identified as top sources of added sugars for all race/ethnicities and focusing on substitution of whole grains may reduce obesity, diabetes, and related cardiometabolic risk more equitably.
Igrejas, António M. A. Empenho e arte: Os grão-capitães—uma sequência de contos de Jorge de Sena. Colibri, 2018.

A mais recente publicacao de Antonio Igrejas concentra-se na avaliacao genologica desta celebre coletânea de Jorge de Sena como uma sequencia de contos, ou seja, como um genero literario em que os contos se sobrepoem, se complementam e dialogam entre si para formarem uma obra integral e coesa.
Heart Failure Hospitalization Risk associated with Iron Status in Veterans with CKD

Background and objectives CKD is an independent risk factor for heart failure. Iron dysmetabolism potentially contributes to heart failure, but this relationship has not been well characterized in CKD. Design, setting, participants, & measurements We performed a historical cohort study using data from the Veterans Affairs Corporate Data Warehouse to evaluate the relationship between iron status and heart failure hospitalization. We identified a CKD cohort with at least one set of iron indices between 2006 and 2015. The first available date of serum iron indices was identified as the study index date. The cohort was divided into four iron groups on the basis of the joint quartiles of serum transferrin saturation (shown in percent) and ferritin (shown in nanograms per milliliter): reference (16%–28%, 55–205 ng/ml), low iron (0.4%–16%, 0.9–55 ng/ml), high iron (28%–99.5%, 205–4941 ng/ml), and function iron deficiency (0.8%–16%, 109–2783 ng/ml). We compared 1-year heart failure hospitalization risk between the iron groups using matching weights derived from multinomial propensity score models and Poisson rate-based regression. Results A total of 78,551 veterans met the eligibility criteria. The covariates were well balanced among the iron groups after applying the propensity score weights (n=31,819). One-year adjusted relative rate for heart failure hospitalization in the iron deficiency groups were higher compared with the reference group (low iron: 1.29 [95% confidence interval, 1.19 to 1.41]; functional iron deficiency: 1.25 [95% confidence interval, 1.13 to 1.37]). The high-iron group was associated with lower 1-year relative rate of heart failure hospitalization (0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.72 to 0.92). Furthermore, the association between iron deficiency and heart failure hospitalization risk remained consistent regardless of the diabetes status or heart failure history at baseline. Conclusions Iron deficiency, regardless of cause, was associated with higher heart failure hospitalization risk in CKD. Higher iron status was associated with lower heart failure hospitalization risks.
On the performance of Low Computational Complexity DSI Suppression Techniques Using Satellite Transmitters

Direct Signal Interference (DSI) suppression is a necessary step in any passive bistatic radar system. The ground-based bistatic radar suffers significantly from the direct signal interference because of the short baseline distance between the transmitter and the receiver. But, many other bistatic radar geometries minimize the impact of this physical constraint. Each configuration has its degree of difficulties and requires less or more complicated suppression algorithms for a successful implementation. In some configurations, the power level difference between the target signals versus the direct path is not as large, therefore it is possible to use less complicated DSI techniques to pull the target signal from interference plus noise. One such bistatic geometry uses the satellite-based bistatic radar concept to perform surveillance in an area of interest close to the ground. This paper investigates the performance of a DVB-S signal using a class of iterative algorithms Normalized Least Mean Squares (NLMS), Wiener, Recursive Least Squares (RLS), and Fast Block Least Mean Squares (FBLMS) to suppress the direct signal using a satellite-based transmitter and a ground-based receiver to perform surveillance.
Missing diagnoses of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in electronic health records for infants with laboratory-confirmed infection.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disabilities in children born in the United States, and is associated with a 7-f...