cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plenary speech: Microelectronics packaging technologies; Opportunities and challenges for a data driven information and computing industry growth

With the expansive growth of “Big data,” and the pervasive nature of computing, rises a paradigm shift in integrated circuit scaling and microelectronic devices. The pervasive nature of computing drives a need for connecting billions of people and tens of billions of devices/things via cloud computing. Such connectivity effect will generate tremendous amount of data and would require a revolutionary change in the technology infrastructures being used to transmit, store and analyze data. The exponential impact of connectivity represents a data-centric future and drive an accelerated transformation throughout the network fabrics. Additionally, the users' expectations and demand of emerging applications, such as autonomous driving, would not tolerate today's level of latency and computing capacity. All aspects of the computing continuum — silicon, software and computing that are staggered at different levels in the network-would need to be transformed and advanced computing performance would need to be pushed at lower levels of the network delivering an increased speed, capacity and an immediate access. This fundamental shift manifests itself through different device (s) requirements and is defining a third wave of industry drivers with a larger semiconductor footprint. With that comes an increased reliance on microelectronics packaging to deliver far more integrated, complex and advanced systems for different market segments at various levels of the network hierarchy. Heterogeneous integration through package with technologies such as system in package (SIP), on package integration (OPI) and fan-out (WLFO and PLFO) are poised to change the packaging industry and play a disruptive role in enabling next generation devices. The above mentioned move to cloud computing, the transformation of the network and the growth of data analysis are the fundamental growth drivers for the integrated circuit (IC) scaling moving forward. In turn, they represent a tremendous opportunity for microelectronics packaging to deliver, grow and transform into an increasingly influential and enabling role.
Predicting Premorbid Scores on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status and their Validation in an Elderly Sample.

OBJECTIVE Assessing cognitive change during a single visit requires the comparison of estimated premorbid abilities and current neuropsychological functioning. Although premorbid intellect has been widely examined, premorbid expectations for other cognitive abilities have received less attention. The current study sought to develop and validate premorbid estimates for the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). METHOD Using demographic variables and an estimate of premorbid intellect, premorbid performance on the RBANS was predicted in a sample of 143 community-dwelling, cognitively intact older adults. RESULTS On all six Indexes of the RBANS, premorbid intellect was the best predictor of current cognitive functioning, with gender adding to one of the prediction models (R2 = 0.04-0.16, ps < .02). These prediction formulae were then applied to a sample of 122 individuals with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment to look for discrepancies between premorbid and current RBANS scores. Despite minimal differences between premorbid and current RBANS scores in the intact sample, large, and statistically significant differences were observed in the impaired sample, especially on the Immediate Memory Index (discrepancy = -29.00, p < .001), Delayed Memory Index (discrepancy = -32.28, p < .001), and Total Scale score (discrepancy = -25.58, p < .001). CONCLUSION Although validation in larger samples is needed, the current estimates of premorbid RBANS abilities may aid clinicians in determining change across time.
Impact of cannabis legalization on treatment and research priorities for cannabis use disorder

An increasing proportion of the world has legalized cannabis for medicinal or recreational use. The legalization trend appears to be continuing. These changes in the legislative landscape may have important health, treatment, and research implications. This review discusses public health outcomes that may be impacted by increases in cannabis availability and use. It additionally considers potential research and treatment priorities in the face of widespread cannabis legalization.
The strategy of Myxococcus xanthus for group cooperative behavior

New evidence has been presented from our laboratory that the gliding bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus, does not home by chemotaxis toward a nutrient source. Our experiments, those of others, and the theory presented here combine to suggest a model, called the ‘Pied Piper’ model. It hypothesizes a gene that has a high mutation rate forward and back (say something in excess 10-4mutations per cell generation) which leads to switching between two motility states. Occasionally rare organisms become genetically, but reversibly, changed so that they move unidirectionally instead of mostly forward and back as do the bulk of the cells. When such a ‘leader’ cell arises, it continues to move in its original orientation, and causes a cohort of cells to move together away from the bulk of the cells. That is, in the less common mutational state it counteracts the usual tendency to just move forward and backward achieving little net movement. The assumption of a genetic element that mutates in a reversible way is suggested by numerous cases of reversible switches now known in a wide range of bacteria serving a variety of functions. A second aspect of the model is that mechanisms exist that cause cells to move in the same direction as their nearby neighbors. This process results in a regular spacing of bands of cells to form mounds in the absence of a leader. The action of C-factor, a factor secreted by the cells which has been largely studied in the laboratory of Dale Kaiser, and extracellular fibrils, (rod-shaped protein and carbohydrate bodies) largely studied in the laboratory of Martin Dworkin, may be key elements in coordinating (or linking) the movements of neighboring cells. Based on the assumption of the absence of chemotaxis, computer simulations of pattern formation for gliding bacterial swarms and flares are consistent with observed behaviors and thus are additional evidence that chemotactic motility of the type exhibited by Escherichia coli, is not necessary for the group movements of M. xanthus. Some tests for this model are suggested.
Activation of Human Polyomavirus Infection — Detection by Cytologic Technics

Human polyomaviruses produce characteristic large basophilic nuclear inclusions in urothelial cells. Cytologic screening of urinary sediment for inclusion-bearing cells permits the identification of persons who are actively excreting these viruses. The human polyomavirus-induced changes may be differentiated from changes induced by other viruses and from cancer by transmission electron microscopy of infected cells. Cytologic evidence of virus infection was detected in five of 37 cancer patients receiving various treatments, two of whom were also diabetic, and in two of 84 adult patients who had diabetes mellitus. The monitoring of 3,648 urine samples sent for routine cytologic examination revealed 12 additional patients to have cytologic changes of human polyomavirus infection. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of polyomavirus particles in seven of the 19 cytologically positive specimens. Previous reports of human polyomavirus excretion have been confined to describing patients whose immunity may have been impaired by drug therapy, congenital disease, or pregnancy. This study indicates that cytologic evidence of active human polyomavirus infection may be found among patients receiving various treatments for a number of medical disorders not usually associated with immunologic defects. Further studies to identify factors concerned in the reactivation of human polyomavirus are indicated.
Photosynthesis and Fast Changes in Light Emission by Green Plants

The present chapter deals with a brief review of the process of green plant photosynthesis and with the fast emission (chlorophyll a fluorescence and delayed light) changes that have been used to probe the process of photosynthesis. In order to appreciate the latter, an understanding of overall photosynthesis is presented so that the reader may be able to place the fast-emission changes described in Sections 2 (fluorescence) and 3 (delayed light) in a broader framework.
Use of a novel chitosan-based dressing on split-thickness skin graft donor sites: a pilot study.

Objective: Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site dressings can play an integral role in reducing donor site morbidity. This study tested a novel, chitosan-based wound dressing, Opticell Ag, as an STSG donor site dressing for wounds <10% total body surface area (TBSA). Method: Between January and December 2016, the chitosan-based dressing was placed on participating patients' donor sites immediately following graft harvest and covered with a transparent occlusive dressing. Pain was evaluated on postoperative day one, before dressing change between days 5–7, and before and after dressing removal between days 10–14 using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The extent of re-epithelialisation was determined between day 10–14 and at one month, and healing quality was also evaluated at one month post-operatively using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Results: A total of 19 patients were recruited, of which 16 completed the study. Patients experienced mild-to-moderate pain in their donor sites when the chitosan-...
Theory Choice, Theory Change, and Inductive Truth-Conduciveness

(I) Synchronic norms of theory choice, a traditional concern in scientific methodology, restrict the theories one can choose in light of given information. (II) Diachronic norms of theory change, as studied in belief revision, restrict how one should change one’s current beliefs in light of new information. (III) Learning norms concern how best to arrive at true beliefs. In this paper, we undertake to forge some rigorous logical relations between the three topics. Concerning (III), we explicate inductive truth conduciveness in terms of optimally direct convergence to the truth, where optimal directness is explicated in terms of reversals and cycles of opinion prior to convergence. Concerning (I), we explicate Ockham’s razor and related principles of choice in terms of the information topology of the empirical problem context and show that the principles are necessary for reversal or cycle optimal convergence to the truth. Concerning (II), we weaken the standard principles of agm belief revision theory in intuitive ways that are also necessary (and in some cases, sufficient) for reversal or cycle optimal convergence. Then we show that some of our weakened principles of change entail corresponding principles of choice, completing the triangle of relations between (I), (II), and (III).
Proactive Personality and Intent to Remain: Is Career Futurea Moderator or Mediator?

Individuals vary in their tendency to take action to control their environment. Proactive individuals actively create environmental change, while less proactive people take a more reactive approach toward their jobs. The extent to which individuals benefit from their own proactivity depends on the context. In the change context career future plays a vital role in affecting a proactive employee’s decision to remain with the organization. The purpose of the present study was to empirically test the mechanism by which proactive personality was related to intent to remain with the organization through career future. The results supported both the mediating and moderating role of career future in retaining proactive individuals. Implications for organizations and future research are discussed.
Weekend Effect in Carotid Endarterectomy

Background and Purpose— Patients undergoing surgery on the weekend may experience worse outcomes, but this weekend effect has not been studied in carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods— We identifie...
Viral Chromosome Conformation Capture (V3C) Assays for Identifying Trans-interaction Sites between Lytic Viruses and the Cellular Genome

The folding mechanisms of the mammalian genome package our genetic material into the nucleus, and in doing so, dictate its appropriate replication and expression. Chromosome conformation capture technology has enabled the dissection of the folding principles of the cellular genome. This has led to a better understanding of the role played by architectural proteins in forming and dissolving 3D-chromatin-structure. These assays are based on the principle of crosslinking distant cellular sites that are proximal to each other in 3D space using formaldehyde followed by digestion of formed hybrid DNA junctions. Invading viruses, such as the lytic parvovirus Minute Virus of Mice (MVM), establish distinct replication centers within the nuclear environment at cellular sites that preferentially undergo DNA damage, but do not integrate into the cellular DNA. We have adapted chromosome conformation capture technology to study the trans-interaction between MVM and the cellular genome, which we have dubbed V3C, which can be extended to a whole-genome analysis we term V3C-seq. This protocol describes the procedure for performing, as well as analyzing V3C-seq assays, and can be adapted for mapping the cellular interaction sites of any non-integrating DNA virus.
Contribution of platelets, the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems to cutaneous wound healing

Wound healing is a complex process that consists of multiple phases, each of which are indispensable for adequate repair. Timely initiation and resolution of each of these phases namely, hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and tissue remodeling, is critical for promoting healing and avoiding excess scar formation. While platelets have long been known to influence the healing process, other components of blood particularly coagulation factors and the fibrinolytic system also contribute to efficient wound repair. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of the role of platelets, the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in cutaneous wound healing, with a focus on how these components communicate with immune and non-immune cells in the wound microenvironment. We also outline current and potential therapeutic strategies to improve the management of chronic, non-healing wounds.
Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) in Autism

This chapter explains evidence-based practices and describes both Comprehensive Treatment Models (CTMs) and Focused Intervention Practices (FIP). Technology-Aided Instruction and Intervention is described along with many other evidence-based practices that are supported by research on autism spectrum disorder. A total of 27 focused intervention practices are listed to provide families, teachers, and service providers with an initial point of reference for initiating research on interventions in autism.
Quantifying the Advantages of Forward Orthogonal Deviations for Long Time Series

Under suitable conditions, generalized method of moments (GMM) estimates can be computed using a comparatively fast computational technique: filtered two-stage least squares (2SLS). This fact is illustrated with a special case of filtered 2SLS—specifically, the forward orthogonal deviations (FOD) transformation. If a restriction on the instruments is satisfied, GMM based on the FOD transformation (FOD-GMM) is identical to GMM based on the more popular first-difference (FD) transformation (FD-GMM). However, the FOD transformation provides significant reductions in computing time when the length of the time series (T) is not small. If the instruments condition is not met, the FD and FOD transformations lead to different GMM estimators. In this case, the computational advantage of the FOD transformation over the FD transformation is not as dramatic. On the other hand, in this case, Monte Carlo evidence provided in the paper indicates that FOD-GMM has better sampling properties—smaller absolute bias and standard deviations. Moreover, if T is not small, the FOD-GMM estimator has better sampling properties than the FD-GMM estimator even when the latter estimator is based on the optimal weighting matrix. Hence, when T is not small, FOD-GMM dominates FD-GMM in terms of both computational efficiency and sampling performance.
Elders with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI)

Abstract With the growing elderly population, service needs for elders with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) will also increase. The current study examines some of the unique challenges and needs faced by the SPMI elderly population. This study describes elders' perceptions of service access, utilization, and satisfaction as well as therapists' perceptions of chronic mental illness among the elderly and their mental health service utilization. The sample consisted of 30 rural-dwelling SPMI elders and their respective service providers (N = 30). Results indicate that elderly participants were utilizing a variety of community and social supports. Further, elderly participants perceived fewer negative effects from their illnesses than did their clinicians. Elderly participants responded more positively than did their clinicians on ratings of interference with functioning, adjustment to living, and social competence suggesting that participants viewed the consequences of their mental illnesses as ...
Error-correcting Codes for Noisy Duplication Channels

Because of its high data density and longevity, DNA is emerging as a promising candidate for satisfying increasing data storage needs. Compared to conventional storage media, however, data stored in DNA is subject to wider range of errors resulting from various processes involved in the data storage pipeline. In this paper, we consider correcting duplication errors for both exact and noisy tandem duplications of a given length $k$. Specifically, we design codes that can correct any number of exact duplication and one noisy duplication errors, where in the noisy duplication case the copy is at Hamming distance 1 from the original. Our constructions rely upon recovering the duplication root of the stored codeword. We characterize the ways in which duplication errors manifest in the root of affected sequences and design efficient codes for correcting these error patterns. We show that the proposed construction is asymptotically optimal.
Comment on Ideas and perspectives: is shale gas a major driver of recent increase in global atmospheric methane? by Robert W. Howarth (2019)

Abstract. The ideas and perspectives presented by Howarth (2019) on shale gas being a major cause of recent increases in global atmospheric methane are based on his notion that stable carbon isotopes of methane (δ13C1) of shale gas are lighter than that of conventional gas based on a meager and unrepresentative data set. A plethora of publicly available data show that the δ13C1 values of shale gas are typically heavier than those of conventional gas. This contradiction renders his ideas, perspectives, and calculations on methane emissions from shale gas invalid.
National Trends in the United States Eye Care Workforce from 1995 to 2017

Purpose To describe temporal and geographic trends in the US eye care workforce. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods We obtained data from the 2017 Area Health Resources File. The main outcomes were ophthalmologist and optometrist density, as defined as the number of providers per 100,000 individuals, the ratio of ophthalmologists ≥55 years of age to those Results From 1995 to 2017, the national ophthalmologist density decreased from 6.30 to 5.68 ophthalmologists per 100,000 individuals. Although rural counties experienced a mean annual increase in ophthalmologist density by 2.26%, they still had a lower mean ophthalmologist density (0.58/100,000 individuals) compared with nonmetropolitan (2.19/100,000 individuals) and metropolitan counties (6.29/100,000 individuals) in 2017. The ratio of older to younger ophthalmologists increased from 0.37 in 1995 to 0.82 in 2017, with the greatest ratio increase occurring in rural counties (0.29 to 1.90). The presence of an ophthalmologist was significantly associated with a greater proportion of individuals with a college degree and health insurance, and more developed health care infrastructure. From 1990 to 2017, the density of optometrists increased from 11.06 to 16.16 optometrists per 100,000 individuals. Conclusions Over the last 2 decades, the national density of ophthalmologists has decreased and the workforce has aged. In contrast, the density of optometrists has increased. Rural counties continue to have a disproportionately lower supply of eye care providers, although some growth has occurred. Given the rising ratio of optometrists to ophthalmologists, it is of interest for future work to determine how the optometrist workforce can best complement potential shortages of ophthalmologists.
Variance estimation in tests of clustered categorical data with informative cluster size.

In the analysis of clustered data, inverse cluster size weighting has been shown to be resistant to the potentially biasing effects of informative cluster size, where the number of observations wit...
Some Like It Sweet: Dendritic Cells Add Sugar to Their T(ea).

In this issue of Cell, Liu et al. present FucoID, a glycosyltransferase-mediated tagging platform, to biochemically label and capture antigen-specific T cells. With this technology, the authors isolate and characterize tumor-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in murine tumor models. FucoID shows promise as a tool to enhance the understanding of anti-tumor immune responses.
Continuity of Mental Health Care at Community Health Centers and Reduced Emergency Department Visits for Suicidal Ideation/Self-Harm.

We examined whether county-level increases in continuity of mental health care (i.e., mental health visits per mental health patient) at Community Health Centers (CHCs) correspond with a decline in Emergency Department (ED) visits for suicidal ideation and self-harm (1) overall, and (2) among specific race/ethnicities across 211 counties from 10 US states, from 2006 to 2015 (sample size = 1412 county-years). We used fixed effects linear regression analyses with county-level socioeconomic covariates and year indicators. In the full sample, continuity of mental health care at CHCs varies inversely with ED visits for suicidal ideation/self-harm (coefficient: −0.04, p < 0.1). Race-specific analyses show that a one unit increase in continuity of mental health care at CHCs corresponds with a 5% decline in ED visits for suicidal ideation/self-harm among whites (p < 0.05). Expansion of mental health care services at CHCs may serve as a key point of prevention for suicidal behavior.
Pantoprazole-induced acute hepatocellular and cholestatic hepatitis.

Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) widely used to manage acid-related disorders. It is well tolerated with an excellent safety profile.1 Mild, transient asymptomatic elevations in serum aminotransferases is common with pantoprazole use. They typically resolve without dose modification.1 Pantoprazole-induced clinically apparent liver injury, however, is exceedingly rare. We demonstrate a case of acute, severe symptomatic liver injury from pantoprazole use that reversed on its discontinuation. A 47-year-old Caucasian woman with no history of liver disease was admitted to the hospital with elevated aminotransferases. She was prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg/day 2 months previously for gastritis, at which point liver function tests were normal. Two weeks after initiation of pantoprazole, she began developing nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice. Pantoprazole was subsequently discontinued a week prior to her presentation. Additional medications included levothyroxine 88 mcg/day, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg/day, enalapril 10 mg/day and aspirin 81 mg/day. She denied using herbal supplements. She reported drinking …
Why Measure Patient Experience in Physical Therapy

Patient experience is an important component of quality and patient centered health care not fully explored in physical therapy. This article addresses (1) concept of patient experience, (2) importance of capturing the patient experience, (3) measures to capture patient experience and whether these measures exhibit psychometrically sound measurement properties, (4) relationship between patient experience and clinical effectiveness outcomes, and (5) clinical applications of patient experience measures in the outpatient physical therapy setting, including suggestions for future studies. Employing patient experience measures into physical therapy practice may be an important key to improve clinical effectiveness outcomes and provide excellent patient-centered care delivery. An area of continued research should be focused on demonstrating the generalizability and measurement properties of patient reported experience measures for the musculoskeletal outpatient physical therapy population focusing first on the most common musculoskeletal conditions such as cervical, low back, and shoulder pain.
Heart Failure and the Prognostic Impact and Incidence of New-Onset of Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Prevalent diabetes at the time of heart failure (HF) diagnosis is associated with a higher risk of death, but the incidence and prognostic importance of new-onset diabetes in patients with established HF remains unknown. Patients with a first hospitalization for HF in the period 2003–2014 were included and stratified according to history of diabetes. Annual incidence rates of new-onset diabetes were calculated and time-dependent multivariable Cox regression models were used to compare the risk of death in patients with prevalent and new-onset diabetes with patients without diabetes as reference. The model was adjusted for age, sex, duration of HF, educational level and comorbidity. Covariates were continuously updated throughout follow-up. A total of 104,522 HF patients were included in the study, of which 21,216 (19%) patients had diabetes at baseline, and 8164 (10%) developed new-onset diabetes during a mean follow-up of 3.9 years. Patients with new-onset diabetes and prevalent diabetes were slightly younger than patients without diabetes (70 vs. 74 and 77, respectively), more likely to be men (62% vs. 60% and 54%), and had more comorbidities expect for ischemic heart disease, hypertension and chronic kidney disease which were more prevalent among patients with prevalent diabetes. Incidence rates of new-onset diabetes increased from around 2 per 100 person-years in the first years following HF hospitalization up to 3 per 100 person-years after 5 years of follow-up. A total of 61,424 (59%) patients died during the study period with event rates per 100 person-years of 21.5 for new-onset diabetes, 17.9 for prevalent diabetes and 13.9 for patients without diabetes. Compared to patients without diabetes, new-onset diabetes was associated with a higher risk of death (adjusted HR 1.47; 95% CI 1.42–1.52) and prevalent diabetes was associated with an intermediate risk (HR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.16–1.21). Following the first HF hospitalization, the incidence of new-onset diabetes was around 2% per year, rising to 3% after 5 years of follow-up. New-onset diabetes was associated with an increased risk of death, compared to HF patients with prevalent diabetes (intermediate risk) and HF patients without diabetes.
Arabic: A Linguistic Introduction

This lively introduction to the linguistics of Arabic provides students with a concise overview of the language's structure and its various components: its phonology, morphology and syntax. Through exercises, discussion points and assignments built into every chapter, the book presents the Arabic language in vivid and engaging terms, encouraging students to grasp the complexity of its linguistic situation. It presents key linguistic concepts and theories related to Arabic in a coherent way, helping to build students' analytical and critical skills. Key features:Study questions, exercises, and discussion topics in every chapter encourage students to engage with the material and undertake specific assignments Suggestions for further reading in every chapter allow readers to engage in more extensive research on relevant topicsTechnical terminology is explained in a helpful glossary
Reducing Damage Assessment Latency in Survivable Databases

Traditional recovery mechanisms are not adequate in protecting databases from malicious attacks. A malicious transaction by virtue of writing on to the database can corrupt one or more data items; benign transactions reading these data items and writing on other data items can help spread the damage. To prevent the damage from spreading, it is important to assess the damage and confine it as quickly as possible. Algorithms providing fast damage assessment are needed. In this paper we look at two existing techniques for damage assessment and analyze their complexity. We also propose a new technique that improves upon the existing techniques by reducing the time required for damage assessment.
Isolation of Monoferric Phytate from Wheat Bran and its Biological Value as an Iron Source to the Rat

The objectives of the study were to isolate and chemically characterize the iron in wheat and to determine the biological availability to the rat of the iron as the purified complex(es). Hard wheat bran contained no butanol extractable or water extractable iron, but approximately 60% of the iron was extracted by 1 to 1.2 M NaCl or ammonium acetate solution. This salt extractable iron complex was purified and identified as monoferric phytate. The purified monoferric phytate was soluble in water. Synthetic monoferric phytate was prepared from sodium phytate and ferric chloride and determined to have spectral characteristics and gel filtration chromatography behavior identical to the complex isolated from wheat bran. The butanol-water-salt extracted bran residue contained no detectable phytate and an as yet uncharacterized form of iron. The biological availability of the iron to the rat was determined by a hemoglobin depletion-repletion bioassay. The relative biological value of the iron as monoferric phytate, either isolated from wheat bran or the synthetic product, was equal to the reference compound, ferrous ammonium sulfate. In contrast, the biological availability of the iron in the bran residue was significantly lower and the low biological availability of an insoluble form of ferric phytate was confirmed. It is concluded that the major portion of the iron in wheat is monoferric phytate and has a high biological availability to the rat. Monoferric phytate in bran may be bound to cationic sites of proteins or other cellular components and utilization of the iron may be through solubilization of the monoferric phytate by ion exchange type mechanism rather than by hydrolysis of the phytate as has been postulated.
Nonionic surface-active agents: II. Time dependence of micellar breakdown☆

Abstract The existence of nonequilibrium states in micellar solutions, described by Nash, has been confirmed in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions of nonionic surface-active agents by a light-scattering method.
Performance-oriented privacy-preserving data integration

Current solutions to integrating private data with public data have provided useful privacy metrics, such as relative information gain, that can be used to evaluate alternative approaches. Unfortunately, they have not addressed critical performance issues, especially when the public database is very large. The use of hashes and noise yields better performance than existing techniques, while still making it difficult for unauthorized entities to distinguish which data items truly exist in the private database. As we show here, the uncertainty introduced by collisions caused by hashing and the injection of noise can be leveraged to perform a privacy-preserving relational join operation between a massive public table and a relatively smaller private one.
The metabolic functions of vitamin B12: II. Participation of vitamin B12 in the biosynthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid and its acid-soluble precursors

Abstract Addition of excess vitamin B12 to previously limited cultures of Lactobacillus leichmannii increased the concentration of DNA, the ratios DNA/RNA and DNA/ protein, and the concentration per milligram of protein of acid-soluble deoxyribosides dexoyribonucleotides and unidentified compounds containing deoxyribosyl moieties in combined form. Time-course studies of the appearances of the acid-soluble deoxyriboysl compounds favor the hypothesis that they are DNA precursors and that vitamin B12 functions primarily in their biosynthesis. The results also provide additional information on the unbalanced growth state resulting from vitamin B12 or deoxyriboside deprivation. If nutritional repletion takes place after more than 2 h of unbalanced growth in deficient media, filamentous growth is not fully reversed despite extensive replacement of DNA.
Regulation of the vir genes of Agrobacterium tumefaciens plasmid pTiC58.

The virulence (vir) region of pTiC58 was screened for promoter activities by using gene fusions to a promoterless lux operon in the broad-host-range vector pUCD615. Active vir fragments contained the strongly acetosyringone-inducible promoters of virB, virC, virD, and virE and the weakly inducible promoters of virA and virG. Identical induction patterns were obtained with freshly sliced carrot disks, suggesting that an inducer is released after plant tissue is wounded. Optimal conditions for vir gene induction were pH 5.7 for 50 microM acetosyringone or sinapic acid. The induction of virB and virE by acetosyringone was strictly dependent on intact virA and virG loci. An increase in the copy number of virG resulted in a proportional, acetosyringone-independent increase in vir gene expression, and a further increase occurred only if an inducing compound and virA were present. Images
The Early Development of the Otic Vesicle in Staged Human Embryos

Ever since Huschke first recorded, in 1831, that the membranous labyrinth develops from the surface ectoderm (Streeter, 1918), a number of studies of otic development have been made (as reviewed by Altmann, 1950). The introduction during the present century, however, of embryonic staging in all vertebrate classes, and its use especially during the past two decades, have enabled precise correlations of morphogenesis and histogenesis with external embryonic appearances to be made. In the opinion of the present writer, the term ‘stage’ should not be utilized unless a staging system has been employed, and particularly not where mere time or measurements have been used. Expressions such as ‘the 39-day stage’ or ‘the 18-mm. stage’ are thus to be deprecated. In the present study of the otic vesicle, particular attention has been directed to the basement membranes, which have been almost totally ignored in previous accounts both of the developing, and indeed even of the adult, labyrinth.
Foliage Clutter Modeling Using the UWB Radar

In this paper, we propose that the foliage clutter follows log-logistic model using maximum likelihood (ML) parameter estimation as well as the root mean square error (RMSE) on PDF curves between original clutter and statistical model data. The measured clutter data is provided by Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). In addition to investigating the log-logistic model, we also compare it with other popular clutter models, namely log-normal, Weibull and Nakagami. We show that the log-logistic model not only achieves the smallest standard deviation (STD) error on estimated model parameters, but also has the best goodness-of-fit and smallest RMSE. Further, the performance of detection at presence of foliage clutter is theoretically analyzed.
Chandra, XMM-Newton and HST observations of a transient in M31 with a possible asymmetric, precessing disc

The transient X-ray source CXOM31 004205.77+411330.43 exhibited several outbursts during our long-term monitoring campaign of ~monthly observations of the M31 center with Chandra. However, the decay profile appears to be unlike those observed from Galactic transients. We followed up the 2011 outburst with two ~B band HST/ACS observations, one in outburst and the other in quiescence, and used difference imaging to search for a counterpart; this would be dominated by re-processed X-ray emission from the disk. We found a counterpart with B = 28.21+/-0.16. An XMM-Newton observation from a previous outburst yielded a spectrum that is well described by an absorbed power law with absorption equivalent to ~2.6 E+21 H atom cm^(-2) and photon index ~1.8; the highest quality Chandra spectrum yielded only $\sim$130 counts, and best fits consistent with the XMM-Newton results. We calculated an absolute V magnitude of +1.9 during outburst for a typical disk spectrum. An empirical relation between the ratio of X-ray to optical flux and orbital period suggests a period < ~4 hr for a black hole accretor. Such a short period is expected to yield an asymmetric, precessing disk, and we propose that the observed decay lightcurve is due to modulation of the mass transfer rate due to the disk precession.
Impact of start-up support through guided preparation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine if and how entrepreneurial assistance programs, through guided preparation, affect start-up success. Design/methodology/approach –This study uses Heckman's two-stage sample selection model to predict the effect of contact and interactions with entrepreneurial support programs on start-up outcomes while taking into account the entrepreneur's self-selection into obtaining support from these programs. Findings – The results indicate that, after controlling for individual characteristics, activities undertaken during the start-up process, organizational characteristics and external factors, guided preparation contributes to a greater likelihood of achieving positive start-up outcome. This finding holds even after controlling for the entrepreneur's self-selection into contacting and using outside assistance. Research limitations/implications – Results suggest that self-selection bias remains a concern when studying the impact of assistance programs on start-up ...
Effect of approach span condition on vehicle-induced dynamic response of slab-on-girder road bridges

Abstract The present study investigates the effect of approach span conditions on a bridge’s dynamic response induced by moving vehicles. After developing a 3D bridge–vehicle interaction model for numerical prediction, a dynamic test on a full scale slab-on-girder bridge is conducted with dump trucks to validate the developed numerical methodology. A wooden plank is used to simulate the large faulting between the bridge deck and the approach slab. With consideration of the road surface profile and approach span condition, the predicted dynamic response of the bridge is compared to the experimental results, and they show a satisfactory agreement. The numerical model is also applied to investigate the effect of the approach span condition on the dynamic behavior of the bridge induced by the AASHTO HS20 truck. A parametric study is eventually conducted by changing the road surface condition and the faulting value. The faulting condition of the approach span is found to cause significant dynamic responses for the slab-on-girder bridges and to have a considerable effect on the distribution of impact factors along the transverse and longitudinal directions. Furthermore, impact factors obtained from the numerical analyses are compared with those values specified in the AASHTO codes.
Maternal feeding behavior and child acceptance of food during diarrhea, convalescence, and health in the central Sierra of Peru.

Feeding patterns by mothers and child acceptance of food were measured in a Peruvian village to determine changes on days when children had diarrhea as compared to days of convalescence and health. Morbidity surveillance identified 40 children, aged 4-36 months, with diarrhea. Children were followed using twelve-hour in-home structured observations during two to four days each of diarrhea, convalescence, and health. Using scales of maternal encouragement to eat and child acceptance of food and cumulative logistic regression analyses, maternal encouragement to eat decreased significantly during convalescence compared to diarrheal days (OR: 0.54, 90% CI: 0.35, 0.82) and health compared to diarrhea (OR: 0.65, 90% CI: 0.46, 0.93). In contrast, child acceptance of food increased during health compared to diarrhea (OR: 1.55, 90% CI: 1.02, 2.35). Results illustrate the importance of carefully examining the behavioral aspects of nutritional intake. Decreases in intake during diarrhea are due to anorexia and not w...
Ionizing radiation and orthopaedic prostheses

Abstract Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) materials have been used successfully as one half of the bearing couple (against metallic alloys or ceramics) in total hip and total knee joint replacements for four decades. This review describes the impact of ionizing radiation (used for sterilization and for microstructural modification via crosslinking) on the performance of UHMWPE total joint replacement components. Gamma radiation sterilization in air leads to oxidative degradation of UHMWPE joint components that occurs during shelf-aging and also during in vivo use. Efforts to mitigate oxidative degradation of UHMWPE joint components include gamma radiation sterilization in inert barrier-packaging and processing treatments to reduce free radicals. Ionizing radiation (both gamma and electron-beam) has recently been used to form highly crosslinked UHMWPEs that have better adhesive and abrasive wear resistance than non-crosslinked UHMWPE, thereby potentially improving the long-term performance of total joint replacements. Along with increased wear resistance, however, there are deleterious changes to ductility and fracture resistance of UHMWPE, and an increased risk of fracture of these components remains a clinical concern.
Protecting renal function in the hypertensive patient: Clinical guidelines

Both the incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasing in the United States and worldwide. Patients with both diabetes and hypertension have a dramatically increased risk of cardiovascular and renal events, particularly if both conditions are not effectively controlled. Failure to achieve the goals for blood glucose, blood pressure (BP), and lipids is associated with high morbidity from cardiovascular and renal events as well as the high costs of treating these morbid events. There is increasing evidence that cardiovascular events, renal failure, and premature death can be prevented or delayed by earlier identification and treatment of CKD, as well as by taking measures to prevent its onset. A large subgroup of hypertensive patients may be at increased risk for developing CKD and should be targeted for appropriate monitoring and treatment. Not all antihypertensive regimens are equally effective at preserving renal function. Clinical trials indicate that the primary clinical goal in the treatment of patients with CKD is to lower BP to the recommended goal as well as to reduce albuminuria and proteinuria to the lowest levels possible. This is achieved optimally by using agents that block the renin-angiotensin system in concert with other agents that reduce proteinuria and BP.
Plant Volatiles: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Volatile compounds act as a language that plants use for their communication and interaction with the surrounding environment. To date, a total of 1700 volatile compounds have been isolated from more than 90 plant families. These volatiles, released from leaves, flowers, and fruits into the atmosphere and from roots into the soil, defend plants against herbivores and pathogens or provide a reproductive advantage by attracting pollinators and seed dispersers. Plant volatiles constitute about 1% of plant secondary metabolites and are mainly represented by terpenoids, phenylpropanoids/benzenoids, fatty acid derivatives, and amino acid derivatives. In this review we focus on the functions of plant volatiles, their biosynthesis and regulation, and the metabolic engineering of the volatile spectrum, which results in plant defense improvement and changes of scent and aroma properties of flowers and fruits.
Double Layer Capacitance of Iron and Corrosion Inhibition with Polymethylene Diamines

The effect of α,ω‐polymethylenediamines on the corrosion of iron in deaerated was investigated by polarization measurements and colorimetric analysis of solution. The adsorption of these inhibitors at the metal/solution interface was monitored by measurement of the double layer capacitance using the single pulse method. 1,3‐propanediamine was found to be a better inhibitor than ethylenediamine, but no further improvement in per cent inhibition resulted upon increasing the chain length from . Increased inhibitor efficiency for hydrocarbon chains longer than eight carbon atoms was attributed to the concomitant decreased solubility. On a relative solubility basis, the C6‐diamine was more efficient than the C12‐diamine, although both inhibitors produced 90% inhibition at a reduced concentration of 0.1. The double layer capacitance was approximately constant at 21 µF/cm2 for the C2‐ through C8‐diamines, and alternated between 6 and 14 µF/cm2 for the C9‐ through C12‐diamines. The constancy at 21 µF/cm2 suggets that diamines with up to 8 carbon atoms are adsorbed in the same configuration, probably the flat position. The subsequent reduction and alternation in capacitance is believed due to a structuring of the adsorbate similar to that in the bulk where certain physical properties oscillate with carbon number. Colorimetric analysis of solutions with and without additions showed the dissolution rates to be higher than those measured by the polarization technique, possibly due to the "chunk" effect, in which dislodged grains of metal contribute to the total but not faradaic corrosion.
Survey and Classification of Publisled Data on the Surge Performance of Transformers and Rotating Machines

Many theoretical and experimental studies have been made since the beginning of this century on the problem of the surge performance of transformers, rotating machines, air coils, current-limiting reactors, etc. This work has led to a clear understanding of the effect of lightning, switching surges, and impulse voltages on stations and substations and on the apparatus included in them. It has also led to the introduction in all countries of insulation co-ordination, standard impulse tests, and rational protective practices. This, in turn, has achieved the result that properly designed and properly protected apparatus are now practically immune to the abnormal voltages arising during service conditions. Despite these achievements, certain aspects of the problem, both theoretical and experimental, yet remain to be solved, and work is actively progressing in this field in many countries. This paper presents a historical survey of the problem, the solutions which have been devised, and the present status of the art. It analyzes the work done in various areas through a comprehensive review of significant contributions to literature. It is hoped that this review will enable interested engineers to gain a full understanding of the problem, to be used as a basis for future original contributions in this important and fascinating field of electrical engineering. (All superscripts refer to the references listed in reference 1. The first two digits refer to the year of publication, with 19 omitted.)