cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Digital Simulators: A Comprehensive Study on System Overview, Application, and Importance

The multifarious improvements in computational and simulation tools have brought tremendous progress in the field of designing, testing and analyzing technologies. In this paper, the technological aspects and the concept of modern real-time digital simulators are presented. The real-time simulator functions in real time, thus it produces continuous output that realistically represents the conditions of a real system. Also, in a real-time simulator the user can test physical devices. Therefore, it is of great importance to understand the features and roles of the advanced simulator technologies. Also, User-friendly system interface, easy application in system design and testing, and most importantly cost effectiveness are the most desire features for implying these simulator into a research. Therefore, this paper summarizes all significant features by considering the above-mentioned facts of some most popular, globally, and commercially available simulator technologies. Real Time Digital Simulators (RTDS), OPAL-RT, Network Torsion Machine Control (NETOMAC), dSPACE, Real-Time solution by MathWorks (xPC target, Real-Time Windows target), Power_system Online_simulation Unveil Your Analysis (POUYA) Simulator and Typhoon HIL Simulator are discussed in this review paper based on the accessibility of information. A summarization of these simulators’ background, hardware, software and communication protocols are presented. Applications of these above-mentioned simulators are also added to understand the potentials of these simulators.
Taxane-based Combination Therapies for Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

Abstract Context Multiple single-agent therapies improving survival are approved for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), including two chemotherapies, two androgen-signaling axis-targeting agents, an immunotherapeutic vaccine, and a radiopharmaceutical. Combination therapy can target multiple oncogenic pathways simultaneously, while potentially curbing the development of treatment resistance. Objective To provide a succinct overview of taxane-based combination therapies currently being evaluated for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Evidence acquisition We searched MEDLINE/PubMed ® and relevant congress databases for literature focused on taxane-based combination therapies being evaluated for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. In addition, a systematic search of www.clinicaltrials.gov was performed to gather information regarding ongoing taxane-based combination trials in prostate cancer. This search included phase II or III trials starting after January 1, 2010, which included the terms "docetaxel" or "cabazitaxel" and "prostate", and was then manually filtered for combination studies. Evidence synthesis Single-agent therapy yields modest increments in survival. The success of combining docetaxel with androgen deprivation to improve overall survival (OS) for metastatic hormone-sensitive disease suggests the potential of similar approaches in mCRPC. Several classes of biological drugs have previously been combined with docetaxel for mCRPC in clinical trials without improvement in OS. However, combining docetaxel or cabazitaxel with newer agents with established single-agent benefit, such as radium-223, second-generation androgen pathway-targeted agents, or other chemotherapies, has the potential to benefit patients when compared with taxane chemotherapy alone. Our search revealed that the majority of trials currently assessing taxanes are focused on combination therapies: a combination approach is being evaluated in 37 of 47 trials assessing docetaxel and in 18 of 34 trials assessing cabazitaxel. Conclusions Despite prior failures, novel taxane-based combination therapies have the potential to improve outcomes in mCRPC. Challenges include the absence of validated predictive biomarkers for the selection of suitable patients and the potential for enhanced toxicity. Patient summary Patients with metastatic prostate cancer have access to multiple therapies improving survival. Many advanced epithelial cancers are treated with combinations of drugs; however, prostate cancer has remained an exception. A number of clinical studies have shown that combining chemotherapy with other classes of therapy may improve patient outcomes in prostate cancer. Here, we summarize the various combinations that are tested in the clinic and review the results.
Genetic Methods in High-Resolution NMR Studies of Proteins

Many biomolecules have long rotational correlation times and thus give rise to broad NMR resonances in solution. A variety of strategies have been devised to overcome this limitation. Resolution enhancement algorithms have permitted the study of flexible regions of structures as large as Tobacco Mosaic Virus (1–3); one-dimensional and two-dimensional pulse sequences may also be used to selectively observe flexible spin systems (4,5). In addition, the introduction of nuclear spin labels has facilitated the identification of individual residues (6–9). In this paper we describe how the techniques of molecular biology may be employed to facilitate the NMR study of large proteins. Illustrative examples will be taken from our studies of the bacteriophage λ repressor (10–12).
The Structure and Predictive Efficacy of an Empirical Model of the Value-Attitude System as Postulated by Rokeach.

An empirical model was developed to represent the organization of the value-attitude system as postulated by Rokeach, and the model was used to determine the internal consistency of the system, its...
Digit Symbol Substitution Test: The Case for Sensitivity Over Specificity in Neuropsychological Testing.

AbstractPurpose/BackgroundDevelopment of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) was initiated over a century ago as an experimental tool to understand human associative learning. Its clinical utility, owing to its brevity and high discriminant validity, was first recognized in the 1940s, and now
A Bakhtinian take on languaging in a dual language immersion classroom

Abstract Language brings a classroom to life and crafts the teaching and learning space. Sociocultural theories of language acquisition and learning focus on the role of language as a mediator for development. While research on languaging and translanguaging practices in English medium and multilingual classrooms is on the rise, less attention has been paid to the languaging work occurring in the translanguaging space of the dual language immersion classroom. To this end, this study explores the languaging choices of a second grade French immersion teacher as he imparts both language learning objectives and his enactment of critical peace education. This article provides a micro-discourse perspective of the speech genres utilized within a single lesson on adjectives conducted in both French and English. Data analysis revealed the ways in which students and their teacher together languaged academic French and peace education in and through different speech genres. This study demonstrates the affordances of a speech genre analysis for researching multilingualism in dual language learning settings. Implications for pedagogy and theory about bi/multilingual discourse are discussed.
Protection against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella Kentucky exhibited in chickens given both probiotics and live Salmonella vaccine.

Abstract Commercial poultry farms are increasingly threatened by bacterial infections from avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and broad-host Salmonella serovars. Recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccines (RASV) elicit cross-reactive immune responses against APEC in chickens; however, assessment of broad protection is lacking. Probiotics boost chicken immunity and improve vaccination responses. The objective of this study was to determine whether the RASV, the probiotics, or their combination had protection against APEC and Salmonella. White Leghorn chicks were randomly placed into 4 groups: no treatment (CON), probiotics (PRO), RASV (VAX), or both prophylactics (P + V). Chicks in the PRO and P + V groups were fed probiotics daily, beginning at the age of 1-day-old. Chicks in the P + V and VAX groups were orally inoculated with RASV at the age of 4 D and boosted 2 wks later. Total and antigen-specific IgY responses to Salmonella (lipolysaccharide [LPS]) and E. coli (IroN and IutA) were measured in serum samples via ELISA. Bactericidal potential of both serum and blood against 42 APEC isolates comprising 25 serotypes was assessed in vitro. In vivo protection against APEC was evaluated by air sac challenge with APEC χ7122 (O78:K80), gross pathological lesions were scored, and bacterial loads were enumerated. In a second similar study, birds were orally challenged with S. Kentucky (CVM29188), and feces were enumerated for Salmonella at multiple time points. Vaccination elicited significant LPS-specific antibodies regardless of probiotics (P
A Reflection of and Charge to Gerontological Social Work: Past Pandemics and the Current COVID-19 Crisis.

Dear Editor-in-Chief, Despite COVID-19 being a novel experience, it is neither the first example of, nor the first instance where, the social work profession has played a significant role. Human hi...
A Comprehensive Proteomics Analysis of the JC Virus (JCV) Large and Small Tumor Antigen Interacting Proteins: Large T Primarily Targets the Host Protein Complexes with V-ATPase and Ubiquitin Ligase Activities While Small t Mostly Associates with Those Having Phosphatase and Chromatin-Remodeling Functions

The oncogenic potential of both the polyomavirus large (LT-Ag) and small (Sm t-Ag) tumor antigens has been previously demonstrated in both tissue culture and animal models. Even the contribution of the MCPyV tumor antigens to the development of an aggressive human skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, has been recently established. To date, the known primary targets of these tumor antigens include several tumor suppressors such as pRb, p53, and PP2A. However, a comprehensive list of the host proteins targeted by these proteins remains largely unknown. Here, we report the first interactome of JCV LT-Ag and Sm t-Ag by employing two independent "affinity purification/mass spectroscopy" (AP/MS) assays. The proteomics data identified novel targets for both tumor antigens while confirming some of the previously reported interactions. LT-Ag was found to primarily target the protein complexes with ATPase (v-ATPase and Smc5/6 complex), phosphatase (PP4 and PP1), and ligase (E3-ubiquitin) activities. In contrast, the major targets of Sm t-Ag were identified as Smarca1/6, AIFM1, SdhA/B, PP2A, and p53. The interactions between "LT-Ag and SdhB", "Sm t-Ag and Smarca5", and "Sm t-Ag and SDH" were further validated by biochemical assays. Interestingly, perturbations in some of the LT-Ag and Sm t-Ag targets identified in this study were previously shown to be associated with oncogenesis, suggesting new roles for both tumor antigens in novel oncogenic pathways. This comprehensive data establishes new foundations to further unravel the new roles for JCV tumor antigens in oncogenesis and the viral life cycle.
Deductible Choice in Flood Insurance: Who Chooses the Maximum?

Although some have proposed eliminating the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to reduce government expenditures, other alternatives exist that could reduce the cost of the program and increas...
Social Media Sponsorship: Metrics for Finding the Right Content Creator-Sponsor Matches

Social media video sponsorship, in which a sponsor forms a partnership with a content creator and sponsors video content, has become increasingly popular. Although the extant theoretical literature supports the importance of the congruency between the sponsor and sponsee in forming sponsor-sponsee matches, there has been limited empirical research on the actual construct of sponsor-sponsee congruency. Using rich data on sponsored and non-sponsored videos on Facebook, we build upon the associative link and complex network frameworks to introduce two marketing metrics, Content Similarity and Audience Closeness, which can help marketers to find effective creator-sponsor matches that generate high audience exposure. Content Similarity extends the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model to measure video topic similarity between creators and sponsors. Audience Closeness measures how close two nodes (i.e., creator and sponsor) are in the network via Dijkstra’s algorithm. Content Similarity has positive effects on video views, and Audience Closeness has nonlinear and diminishing effects on video views. The interaction effects between the metrics reveal that the positive effect of Content Similarity on video views is stronger for sponsor-sponsee pairs with low Audience Closeness, and vice versa. The metrics can also be used in combination with other marketing strategies for synergistic interaction effects.
Perioperative complications and outcomes in patients with paraplegia following anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract Background Patients with lower extremity paraplegia utilize their upper extremities for mobilization and propulsion, which can lead to painful shoulder degeneration. Anatomic (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) are utilized for patients with paraplegia in an attempt to decrease pain and increase mobility and function of the shoulder joint. The optimal treatment and associated risks of shoulder arthroplasty surgery in patients with paraplegia are unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perioperative outcomes, length of hospital stay, and readmissions in patients with paraplegia compared to a control group without paraplegia who underwent aTSA and rTSA. Methods The United States Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) was utilized for this study. To ensure that the perioperative outcomes were attributable to the total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), patients were excluded if they had any additional invasive procedure(s) during the same hospitalization as the original TSA as long as the procedure was not an adverse outcome of interest. Seventy-nine patients with paraplegia who underwent a TSA were isolated and matched to controls without paraplegia based on arthroplasty type (aTSA vs. rTSA), sex, age, obesity status, insurance type, and median household income. Comparative differences in patient demographics, comorbidities, perioperative complications, length of stay and readmission rates were analyzed. Results Patients with paraplegia undergoing TSA had an increased prevalence of the following preoperative comorbidities: deficiency anemia (P Conclusion TSA successfully relieves shoulder pain and addresses pathology in patients with paraplegia, however this study demonstrates that patients with paraplegia undergoing a TSA experience higher medical complication rates in the perioperative period, a longer hospital stay, and higher readmission rates following discharge compared to their able-bodied matched controls. These findings highlight the importance of providing special consideration for patients with paraplegia when opting for surgical interventions. Level of Evidence : Level III; Retrospective Cohort; Treatment Study
The Controversy of the Twin Pandemics

This intervention reflects on the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and anti-Black racism in conversation with feminist pedagogies and controversy. To do so, I weave together ideas from the papers in this themed section on Controversy and Anti-Oppression Pedagogies as well as scholarship on feminist pedagogies and practices to argue for revolutionary feminist disruption. I highlight a pedagogy of discomfort and discomfort as a framework for Black feminist and anti-oppression pedagogical engagements and spaces. I argue that doing so yields liberatory possibilities for our classrooms.
Decoherence In Flux Qubits Due to 1/f Noise in Josephson Junctions

There has recently been substantial progress in observing the superposition of charge and flux quantum states [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] in superconducting devices and of quantum states in a current-biased Josephson junctions [6,7]. These experiments are of considerable interest not only from a fundamental point of view but also because such devices may ultimately be used as qubits in a quantum computer [8]. Probably the single largest issue in the eventual exploitation of these devices is decoherence, and it is of key importance to understand the various sources. In addition to extrinsic contributors to decoherence, there are also intrinsic sources, for example, the resistance of the tunnel junction at voltages below 2Δ/e (Δ is the energy gap), the motion of trapped charge, the motion of trapped flux vortices, and the 1/f noise (f is frequency) in the critical current of Josephson junctions.
Eolian Features Shaped by Aerodynamic and Vorticity Processes

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the eolian features shaped by aerodynamic and vorticity processes. Eolian features have a variety of shapes because numerous factors are involved in their formation. One important factor is wind regime, and simpler the wind regime, more likely the streamlined forms develop. The wedge-shaped snow drift, fashioned by concurrent deposition and erosion, is one of the most beautiful shapes in nature. Formed by winds that strip snow from fields, these drifts—which develop by the million—move obliquely across ditches, gutters, and snow banks. These drifts are often formed as resultants between the main wind and that of a deflected flow. It has been observed that once the drifts are formed, their shapes then guide the local flow, which in turn governs subsequent minor changes. Some drifts have inclined crest lines, but on others a considerable portion of the crest line is horizontal, becoming inclined only where the feature narrows leeward in the closure of streamlines over the crest. It is found that closure brings these flow lines closer to the interface, and they begin to create coarse fluting on the sides and across the lee keel.
Decentralized Peer-to-Peer Botnet Architectures

Botnets have historically used centralized architectures for their command and control systems.While deployment and logical construction of these systems is simplistic and efficient, a critical weak-point exists in the central server used to coordinate messages and route traffic. Recently, the introduction of decentralized architectures with peer-to-peer (P2P) routing has provided malware authors with increased resilience and location obfuscation for command distribution points. To date, botnets with these topologies have been difficult for the defenders to accurately enumerate and effectively remediate. In this chapter, we describe the architectures, capabilities, functional behaviors, and current mitigation efforts for the Nugache, Storm, and Mayday botnets.
Magma Oceans and Primordial Mantle Differentiation

Crystallization and chemical differentiation of the early Earth were governed by a combination of various processes. Within the uncertainties of physical parameters, the two end-member models, equilibrium crystallization and fractional crystallization, are both possible. In terms of crystal size, the boundary between these models is ~ 1 mm. Analysis of nucleation and crystal growth in the convecting magma ocean suggests that the crystals in the magma ocean are approximately this size. The equilibrium model is preferred because it seems to satisfy better the geochemical constraints. According to this model, at the early stages, crystallization proceeds from bottom up without any substantial crystal–melt segregation. In a vigorously convecting magma ocean, the thermal profile is approximately adiabatic and the crystal fraction decreases gradually with depth. The basic physical reason for equilibrium crystallization is a fast convective cooling during which the solid and the liquid phases had a very limited time window for crystal–melt segregation, about 1000 years. Chemical differentiation due to crystal–melt segregation is more significant at low pressures corresponding – with large uncertainties – to the upper mantle. It is caused by several factors. When the temperature drops below liquidus everywhere, the nucleation–growth–dissolution cycle of crystals changes to continuous crystal growth. This increases the crystal size to ~ 1 cm indicating the beginning of crystal–melt segregation. When the crystal fraction increases to about 60% near the surface, the convective heat transport is controlled by solid-state creep, which is many orders of magnitude slower. Crystal–melt segregation occurs via melt percolation, which is consistent with the geochemical constraints. Crystallization of the remaining partially molten layers takes about 10 7 –10 9 years. This stage merges with the subsequent planetary evolution controlled by mantle convection and radiogenic heating. The long lifetime of the shallow magma ocean suggests that this might be the place where liquid iron equilibrates with the mantle before it sinks down to the core.
Quality of Life, Hegemony, and Social Change in Rural Ireland: W. Bence Jones, 'A Landlord Who Tried to do His Duty'

Numerical indexes of quality of lifeprovide a date-specific representation of society, and a time series extends our grasp of events. However, the social processesundergirding date-specific indexes and therelated intervals in time fail to convey therealities of the human experience. Indicesabstract meaning from events and the people whoparticipate in them.
The Morphological Approach to Discovery, Invention, Research and Construction

The morphological approach to discovery, invention, research and construction has been conceived and developed for the purpose of dealing with all situations in life more reasonably and more effectively than hitherto. This is achieved through the study of all relevant interrelations among objects, phenomena and concepts by means of methods which are based on the utmost detachment from prejudice and carefully refrain from all prevaluations. Applications of the morphological methods of the total field coverage, of negation and construction, of the morphological box and others to technical problems in particular and to human problems in general are described. These not only illustrate how discovery, invention and research can be conducted most effectively but also how the morphological approach makes possible the clear recognition of those fatal aberrations of the human mind which must be overcome if we are ever to build a sound world.
ECG Diagnosis: Hypothermia.

An Osborn wave (also referred to as the J wave) is a characteristic ECG finding for hypothermia consisting of an extra deflection on the ECG at the terminal junction of the QRS complex and the beginning of the ST-segment takeoff.1 Osborn waves usually occur when the core body temperature falls below 90°F (32°C), and are believed to result from an exaggerated outward potassium current leading to repolarization abnormality.2 They can also be found in other conditions such as hypercalcemia.3 Other ECG findings in patients with hypothermia can include prolongation of the PR, QRS and QT intervals, T wave inversions, and various dysrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, sinus bradycardia, atrioventricular block, and ventricular fibrillation. Fatal ventricular fibrillation or asystole can occur in hypothermic patients when core body temperature falls below 82.4°F (28°C).1 Figure 1 12-lead ECG from a man, age 38 years, with somnolence, altered mental status and core body temperature of 86°F (30°C) Figure 2 12-lead ECG from same patient following rewarming to a core body temperature of 92°F (33.3°C)
Introduction to Plant Oils

Plant oils can be classified into two broad classes based on their biosynthetic origins. Fatty acids- and glycerides-based oils are important for bulk materials synthesis industry while isoprenoid-based oils are important in the perfume and fragrance industry. Understanding their biosynthetic origin, reactivity, and market potential, can motivate the utility of both classes of plant oils in materials synthesis. This chapter reviews the biosynthesis, reactivity, characterization, processing (both small-scale and large-scale) and offers a future outlook of the potential of plant oils.
Digital signal processing and digital system design using discrete cosine transform [student course]

The discrete cosine transform (DCT) is an important functional block for image processing applications. The implementation of a DCT has been viewed as a specialized research task. We apply a micro-architecture based methodology to the hardware implementation of an efficient DCT algorithm in a digital design course. Several circuit optimization and design space exploration techniques at the register-transfer and logic levels are introduced in class for generating the final design. The students not only learn how the algorithm can be implemented, but also receive insights about how other signal processing algorithms can be translated into a hardware implementation. Since signal processing has very broad applications, the study and implementation of an extensively used signal processing algorithm in a digital design course significantly enhances the learning experience in both digital signal processing and digital design areas for the students.
Declining and rebounding unhealthy alcohol consumption during the first year of HIV care in rural Uganda, using phosphatidylethanol to augment self-report

© 2016 Society for the Study of Addiction. Aims: We examined whether unhealthy alcohol consumption, which negatively impacts HIV outcomes, changes after HIV care entry overall and by several factors. We also compared using phosphatidylethanol (PEth, an alcohol biomarker) to augment self-report to using self-report alone. Design: A prospective 1-year observational cohort study with quarterly visits. Setting: Large rural HIV clinic in Mbarara, Uganda. Participants: A total of 208 adults (89 women and 119 men) entering HIV care, reporting any prior year alcohol consumption. Measurements: Unhealthy drinking was PEth+ (≥50ng/ml) or Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption+ (AUDIT-C+, over 3 months, women ≥3; men ≥4). We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for unhealthy drinking per month since baseline, and interactions of month since baseline with perceived health, number of HIV symptoms, antiretroviral therapy (ART), gender and self-reported prior unhealthy alcohol use. Findings: The majority of participants (64%) were unhealthy drinkers (PEth+ or AUDIT-C+) at baseline. There was no significant trend in unhealthy drinking overall [per-month AOR: 1.01; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.94-1.07], while the per-month AORs were 0.91 (95% CI=0.83-1.00) and 1.11 (95% CI=1.01-1.22) when participants were not yet on ART and on ART, respectively (interaction P-value <0.01). In contrast, 44% were AUDIT-C+; the per-month AORs for being AUDIT-C+ were 0.89 (95% CI=0.85-0.95) overall, and 0.84 (95% CI=0.78-0.91) and 0.97 (95% CI=0.89-1.05) when participants were not on and were on ART, respectively. Conclusions: Unhealthy alcohol use among Ugandan adults entering HIV care declines prior to the start of anti-retroviral therapy but rebounds with time. Augmenting self-reported alcohol use with biomarkers increases the ability of current alcohol use measurements to detect unhealthy alcohol use.
Necitumumab in Metastatic Squamous Cell Lung Cancer: Establishing a Value-Based Cost

Importance The SQUIRE trial demonstrated that adding necitumumab to chemotherapy for patients with metastatic squamous cell lung cancer (mSqCLC) increased median overall survival by 1.6 months (hazard ratio, 0.84). However, the costs and value associated with this intervention remains unclear. Value-based pricing links the price of a drug to the benefit that it provides and is a novel method to establish prices for new treatments. Objective To evaluate the range of drug costs for which adding necitumumab to chemotherapy could be considered cost-effective. Design, Setting, and Participants We developed a Markov model using data from multiple sources, including the SQUIRE trial, which compared standard chemotherapy with and without necitumumab as first-line treatment of mSqCLC, to evaluate the costs and patient life expectancies associated with each regimen. In the analysis, patients were modeled to receive gemcitabine and cisplatin for 6 cycles or gemcitabine, cisplatin, and necitumumab for 6 cycles followed by maintenance necitumumab. Our model’s clinical inputs were the survival estimates and frequency of adverse events (AEs) described in the SQUIRE trial. Log-logistic models were fitted to the survival distributions in the SQUIRE trial. The cost inputs included drug costs, based on the Medicare average sale prices, and costs for drug administration and management of AEs, based on Medicare reimbursement rates (all in 2014 US dollars). Main Outcomes and Measures We evaluated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for the use of necitumumab across a range of values for its cost. Model robustness was assessed by probabilistic sensitivity analyses, based on 10 000 Monte Carlo simulations, sampling values from the distributions of all model parameters. Results In the base case analysis, the addition of necitumumab to the treatment regimen produced an incremental survival benefit of 0.15 life-years and 0.11 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The probabilistic sensitivity analyses established that when necitumumab cost less than $563 and less than $1309 per cycle, there was 90% confidence that the ICER for adding necitumumab would be less than $100 000 per QALY and less than $200 000 per QALY, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance These findings provide a value-based range for the cost of necitumumab from $563 to $1309 per cycle. This study provides a framework for establishing value-based pricing for new oncology drugs entering the US marketplace.
Human-Computer Interface Quality: Part 1–Process or Product?

This paper describes an on-going project to study and improve human-computer interface quality. The purpose of the project is to identify and acquire the tools and job aids needed to support high-quality human-computer interface (HCI) design. The objective is to integrate these tools in a cohesive, formal design process. The design process, supported by a suite of integrated tools, will create a design environment that promotes designer effectiveness and productivity and ensures the design of high-quality user interfaces. Formalizing the HCI design process and integrating the support tools are necessary tasks because user interface quality is not yet directly quantifiable. Quality of process is the best predictor of quality of product.This paper specifically describes efforts to define and measure human-computer interface quality. This paper also presents the results of a survey of human factors specialists to identify and prioritize the tools and job aids needed to be more effective and more productive i...
Low-threshold integrated microlaser emitting in the blue formed from thulium doped silica

While there are several methods for creating a blue microlaser, most have very high lasing thresholds and are not integrated on a silicon substrate. The present work demonstrates a blue laser based on the upconversion of thulium in a doped silica sol-gel microtoroid resonant cavity integrated on a silicon wafer. The thulium is pumped at 1060nm, and emission occurs near 780nm and 450nm. The high intensity of the circulating optical field in the microcavity increases the photon interaction pathlength and interaction time with the thulium atoms, enabling sub-mW thresholds at both blue and near-IR lasing emissions.
Kinetic Precipitation of Solution-Phase Polyoxomolybdate Followed by Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Window to Solution-Phase Nanostructure

This study aimed to elucidate the structural nature of the polydisperse, nanoscopic components in the solution and the solid states of partially reduced polyoxomolybdate derived from the [Mo132] keplerate, [(Mo)Mo5]12-[Mo2 acetate]30. Designer tripodal hexamine-tris-crown ethers and nanoscopic molybdate coprecipitated from aqueous solution. These microcrystalline solids distributed particle radii between 2-30 nm as assayed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The solid materials and their particle size distributions were snap shots of the solution phase. The mother liquor of the preparation of the [Mo132] keplerate after three days revealed large species (r=20-30 nm) in the coprecipitate, whereas [Mo132] keplerate redissolved in water revealed small species (3-7 nm) in the coprecipitate. Nanoparticles of coprecipitate were more stable than solids derived solely from partially reduced molybdate. The TEM features of all material analyzed lacked facets on the nanometer length scale; however, the structures diffracted electrons and appeared to be defect-free as evidenced by Moire patterns in the TEM images. Moire patterns and size-invariant optical densities of the features in the micrographs suggested that the molybdate nanoparticles were vesicular.
Factors that affect response to chemotherapy and survival of patients with advanced head and neck cancer

A review of 164 patients with far advanced head and neck cancer, treated by a cytotoxic chemotherapy over a ten year period, at WAyne State University, Detroit, Michigan, was done in an attempt to determine factors that may influence the response to chemotherapy and subsequent survival. Response rate to methotrexate was 28%, 5-FU 31%, and porfiromycin 13%. Improved responses were noted with combination chemotherapy. Patients who failed to first line therapy rarely responded to other single agent or combination chemotherapy. Those who did not have prior surgery and/or radiotherapy had better results from drug therapy. Patients with good performance status at the time of initial chemotherapy, had better response to treatment (32% vs. 13% PR & CR) and longer survival (28 weeks vs. 9 weeks, p = 0.01) when compared to those with poor status. Patients who responded to chemotherapy have better survival compared to nonresponders (29 weeks vs. 16 weeks, p = 0.002). This information may prove helpful in future planning of multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.
Tuberculosis: Drug discovery goes au naturel.

In a study that showcases the potential of semisynthetic drug design, structural modification of an existing antibiotic with little activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis has generated a new class of effective antitubercular lead.
The adrenal gland of stranded whales (Kogia breviceps and Mesoplodon europaeus): in vitro modulation of mitochondrial steroid enzyme activities.

The effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cyclic AMP (cAMP), NADPH, Krebs cycle intermediates (KCI), and metyrapone on the two key mitochondrial reactions in the biosynthesis of glucocorticoids—11β-hydroxylation and cholesterol cleavage—were studied in preparations from the adrenal glands of stranded whales (Kogia breviceps and Mesoplodon europaeus) and some terrestrial mammals. ACTH (30 pM) and cAMP (1.0 mM) enhanced the 11β-hydroxylation of [11-3H]deoxycorticosterone ([3H]DOC) in monolayer cultures of whale adrenal cells during a 4-hr incubation period. Mitochondria from whale and beef adrenals responded in a similar dose-related fashion to NADPH generated by the addition of increasing amounts of NADP (0–0.6 mM) to the in vitro system; at each level of NADPH, 11β-hydroxylation of [14C]DOC was several-fold greater than the cleavage of [14C]cholesterol. Metyrapone interfered in a dose-related manner with both the 11β-hydroxylation of [14C]DOC and the cleavage of [14C]cholesterol by mitochondria from whale and beef adrenals; inhibition of 11β-hydroxylation exceeded 60% at 0.1 mM metyrapone and was virtually complete at 1.0 mM in both species, while inhibition of [14C]cholesterol cleavage averaged 25% at 0.1 mM metyrapone and 50% at 1.0 mM. The effect of exogenous NADPH in supporting the 11β-hydroxylation of [14C]DOC could be maintained in beef and rat adrenal mitochondria to the extent of 70–100% by substitution with any of the KCI. This phenomenon was not found in similar whale studies where the KCI were all ineffective. This finding represents the major biochemical difference between adrenal steroidogenesis in whales and in terrestrial mammals, but it is not clear whether this distinction represents a physiologic adaptation to the aquatic environment or an effect of the unknown pathologic process associated with the stranding of these marine mammals.
SugarMap: location-less coverage for micro-aerial sensing swarms

Micro-aerial vehicle (MAV) swarms are emerging as a new class of mobile sensor networks with many potential applications such as urban surveillance, disaster response, radiation monitoring, etc., where the swarm is tasked with collaboratively covering a hazardous unknown environment. However, efficient collaborative coverage is challenging due to limited individual sensing, computing and communication resources of MAV sensor nodes, and lack of location infrastructure in the unknown application environment. We present SugarMap, a novel system that enables such resource-constrained MAV nodes to achieve efficient sensing coverage. The self-establishing system uses approximate motion models of mobile nodes in conjunction with radio signatures from self-deployed stationary anchor nodes to create a common coverage map. Consequently, the system coordinates node movements to reduce sensing overlap and increase the speed and efficiency of coverage. The system uses particle filters to account for uncertainty in sensors and actuation of MAV nodes, and incorporates redundancy to guarantee coverage. Through large-scale simulations and a real implementation on the SensorFly MAV sensing platform, we show that SugarMap provides better coverage than the existing coverage approaches for MAV swarms.
The forgotten ureteric JJ stent and its prevention: a prospective audit of the value of a ureteric stent logbook.

Background Temporary ureteric stent insertion is an integral part of modern endo-urological practice. Delayed stent removal or forgotten stents are associated with increased patient morbidity and complications which are often difficult to manage.
Wading Bird Predation at Tropical Aquaculture Facilities in Central Florida

Abstract In 1995 and 1996, fish loss due to bird predation was documented at 18 ponds at seven aquaculture facilities in central Florida. Losses in ponds from which birds were excluded with netting averaged 11.1%, whereas losses in unnetted ponds averaged 37.6%. Populations of wading birds varied among facilities, but the snowy egret Egretta thula, green-backed heron Butorides striatus, tricolored heron E. tricolor, and little blue heron E. caerulea were the principal depredating species. Field observations revealed feeding rates by little blue herons as high as 4 fish/min. Estimated monetary losses at unnetted study ponds averaged US$1,360/pond compared with average losses of $589 at netted ponds. Currently, exclusion is the only technique that is consistently reliable, and it appears that netting ponds to control bird depredations is economically feasible, particularly with high-value fish.
On the existence of Zn2 in zinc amalgams

Summary Neither by double-potential-step chronoamperometry with mercury electrodes in solutions containing zinc(II) nor by isopiestic measurements with zinc amalgams was it possible to confirm the reported existence of a dimeric form of zinc in such amalgams.
Response of Pullets to Androgens

Abstract THE injection of androgens into the baby cockerel has proved to be of considerable value for the assay of male hormones—Frank and Klempner (1937–38), Emmens (1939a)—and for a study of male endocrine physiology, Breneman (1938a). Similar studies of the pullet are more incomplete and the problems less well understood. There is also some confusion regarding the relative responsiveness of male and female chicks to male hormone treatment. Burrows, Byerly, and Evans (1936) reported that the pullet is superior to the cockerel as a test animal, but Darby (1938) was unable to detect any difference in response between the two. Frank and Klempner, and Emmens are agreed that the cockerel gives a more marked reaction to male hormone treatment, but the latter suggests that the pullet is more satisfactory for assay purposes because the comb response is less variable. Two problems seem to be clearly indicated: first, what . . .
Equilibrium Theory of a Partially Ionized Plasma

A detailed study is made of the use of the Debye potential as the effective interaction between the electron and proton of a hydrogen atom in a partially ionized plasma. The chemical potentials of the constituents are calculated and examined in the light of the requirement that they be consistent with a single free-energy function. On this basis a Saha equation is derived which is consistent and correct up to terms of the order of the Debye-H\"uckel energy. It is further shown that the next order, obtained by expanding the effective potential in powers of the Bohr radius divided by the Debye length, is incorrect.
Neighbors' Perceptions of Group Homes

Neighbors often presume that group homes (GHs) have negative effects on their neighborhoods, but it is unclear how often GHs actually have adverse effects. Neighbors of GHs and a matched set of people who did not live near a GH were interviewed. Neighbors of GHs were asked about their experiences with the specific GH near them, while “non-neighbors” were asked similar questions about their expectations of what it would be like to live near a GH. For both negative (e.g., noise, traffic) and positive effects (e.g., learning about disabilities) of GHs, non-neighbors expected GHs would have a much greater impact on them than what was actually reported by neighbors. This research supports prior findings that expectations of negative effects are much greater than what is actually experienced by neighbors. It also suggests that GH operators might wish to capitalize on the positive expectations that may be overshadowed by the more commonly voiced negative expectations.
State-space design of low-order stabilizers

An algorithm is presented for stabilizing a linear multivariable system with a controller of fixed dynamic order. This is an output feedback stabilization problem. The algorithm attempts to solve this by a sequence of approximate pole assignment problems. The approximation is driven by the optimization of an objective function consisting of a weighted sum of the condition number of the closed-loop eigenvectors and the norm of the difference between the computed and actual equivalent state-feedback controls. >
Temporal photoreception for adaptive dynamic range image sensing and encoding

Abstract We have implemented two analog VLSI computational sensors for sensing and encoding high dynamic range images by exploiting temporal dimension of photoreception. The first sensor is a multi-integration time photoreceptor that automatically adapts to use different integration periods depending on light intensity. It exhibits a dynamic range 128 times larger than that of a single integration period photoreceptor, approximately 1:128 000. The second sensor is an intensity-to-time processing paradigm that is based on the notion that stronger stimuli elicit responses before weaker ones. The paradigm sorts pixels of sensed images by their intensities, thus achieving information-theoretic optimal encoding of images. It handles dynamic range of approximately 1:1 000 000. Both implementations can operate at standard video rate of 30 frames s −1 .
Steady states and oscillations in homogeneous—heterogeneous reaction systems☆

Abstract The multiplicity and stability of steady states and the oscillatory behavior of a simple homogeneous—heterogeneous (HH) reaction model are considered: the heterogeneous reaction occurs at a planar surface and a homogeneous reaction in a stagnant boundary layer above it. Such a system is described by two nonlinear parabolic differential equations with homogeneous or heterogeneous reaction only, and of HH reactions, is discussed and classified in parameter space. In the coupled situation (HH), up to five steady states have been found even for two first-order reactions while only three steady states are found for uncoupled cases. It is shown that the Lewis number, the ratio of the mass transport time constant to the thermal transport time constant, plays a crucial role in the Hopf bifurcation and the oscillatory behavior for all the cases, and that the coupled case can have larger parameter regions.
Modeling challenges in ceramic materials innovations

Abstract Advances in the modeling of modern ceramics have been made in the areas of ferroelectric oxides, interfaces, solid solutions, fracture, and microstructures. The more difficult problems lie in areas where local bonding changes are encountered, high energy excitations are generated, nonlocal interactions in heterogeneous media are demanded, and when integrations of very wide time and length scales are required.
Sentinel lymph node metastasis in anal melanoma: a case report.

Anal melanoma represents only 1% of all melanomas. Owing to delayed diagnosis and early metastasis, the prognosis is uniformly poor. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has become the preferred method of nodal staging method for cutaneous melanoma. The role of SLN biopsy for staging of anal melanoma remains unclear. We report a 39-yr-old Caucasian woman who presented with a history of chronic hemorrhoidal pain. She noted a pedunculated peri-anal mass associated with bleeding. Upon bipsy, the lesion was found to be a 6-mm thick primary anal melanoma. There was no evidence of metastatic disease on preoperative imaging studies. She underwent wide local excision of the peri-anal site of the primary melanoma and intraoperative lymphatic mapping with both isosulfan blue and filtered technetium sulfur colloid. With the guidance a lymphoscintigram, ipsilateral inguinal sentinel lymphadenectomy identified five nodes, all of which were both “hot” and blue. One node was found to have a 1-mm metastatic deposit. Subsequently, the patient was treated with adjuvant radiation therapy to the primary site as well as to the superficial and deep inguinal nodal basins. She also received four cycles of biochemotherapy. SLN biopsy appears feasible for staging the superficial inguinal lymph nodes in patients with anal melanoma. However, the impact of SLN biopsy, early detection of occult metastasis, and adjuvant systemic and radiation therapy on the long-term survival of patients with anal melanoma is uncertain.
The Endogenous Sequential Probit model: An application to the demand for hospital utilization

Abstract This paper develops the Endogenous Sequential Probit model to analyze the effect of managed care on hospital utilization by adult married US population and finds that managed care gives disincentives to utilize hospital care relative to the standard indemnity plans.
Turbulence-plankton interactions: A new cartoon

Author Posting. © John Wiley & Sons, 2009. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of John Wiley & Sons for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Marine Ecology 30 (2009): 133-150, doi:10.1111/j.1439-0485.2009.00288.x.