cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Virus-Induced Human Cancer

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) is the first polyomavirus directly linked to human cancer, and its recent discovery helps to explain many of the enigmatic features of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). MCV is clonally integrated into MCC tumor cells, which then require continued MCV oncoprotein expression to survive. The integrated viral genomes have a tumor-specific pattern of tumor antigen gene mutation that incapacitates viral DNA replication. This human cancer virus provides a new model in which a common, mostly harmless member of the human viral flora can initiate cancer if it acquires a precise set of mutations in a host with specific susceptibility factors, such as age and immune suppression. Identification of this tumor virus has led to new opportunities for early diagnosis and targeted treatment of MCC.
Unsupervised Integration of Multiple Protein Disorder Predictors: The Method and Evaluation on CASP7, CASP8 and CASP9 Data

Background: Studies of intrinsically disordered proteins that lack a stable tertiary structure but still have important biological functions critically rely on computational methods that predict this property based on sequence information. Although a number of fairly successful models for prediction of protein disorder have been developed over the last decade, the quality of their predictions is limited by available cases of confirmed disorders. Results: To more reliably estimate protein disorder from protein sequences, an iterative algorithm is proposed that integrates predictions of multiple disorder models without relying on any protein sequences with confirmed disorder annotation. The iterative method alternately provides the maximum a posterior (MAP) estimation of disorder prediction and the maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation of quality of multiple disorder predictors. Experiments on data used at CASP7, CASP8, and CASP9 have shown the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Conclusions: The proposed algorithm can potentially be used to predict protein disorder and provide helpful suggestions on choosing suitable disorder predictors for unknown protein sequences.
Investigation of Gate Oscillation of Power MOSFETs Induced by Avalanche Mode Operation

Serious gate oscillation of power MOSFETs under avalanche condition has been observed, degrading an avalanche withstanding capability. Using experiments as well as numerical simulation, it is shown that this gate oscillation in avalanche mode results from the impact ionized hole carrier accumulation on the surface under the gate oxide and the associated reciprocation between the gate of each unit cell with parasitic elements, which comes from a different phase of a gate capacitance according to a local avalanche breakdown. Experimental results also show that the devices with a poly-cut gate structure and a smaller chip size demonstrate strong immunity against the gate oscillation, which also verifies the new gate oscillation mechanism.
Giant paraesophageal hernia repair: Technical pearls

The optimal operative management of giant paraesophageal hiatal hernias continues to evolve, with recent series reporting promising results with minimally invasive approaches. The laparoscopic repair of a giant paraesophageal hernia is one of the more challenging cases a minimally invasive surgeon may perform. Our technical approach to this procedure involves a consistent emphasis on several key operative points: circumferential sac dissection with maintenance of crural integrity; extensive mediastinal esophageal dissection; crural closure with pledgeted sutures; wedge Collis gastroplasty for shortened esophagus; 3-stitch fundoplication incorporating esophageal tissue with each bite; additional sutures securing the top of the fundoplication to the crura; and biologic mesh buttressing. We believe that diligence paid toward these key steps permits laparoscopic giant paraesophageal hiatal hernia repair to be performed with similar outcomes as the open approach while avoiding the morbidity of thoracotomy or laparotomy.
DEFECTIVE NEUTROPHIL FUNCTION IN AN INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENT. A CASE REPORT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function in a poorly controlled adult insulin-dependent diabetic patient (IDDM) with severe recurrent periodontitis, while describing the microbiological and clinical findings. Chemotaxis, superoxide production, and phagocytosis and killing of Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis by the IDDM PMN were evaluated 1 week before treatment relative to a healthy, matched control. These analyses revealed a significant (P less than .05) depression in the number of IDDM PMNs migrating along an FMLP gradient (Boyden chamber assay). In addition, a significant (P less than .05) enhancement of IDDM PMN superoxide production in response to opsonized zymosan (cytochrome C reduction) was observed. Phagocytosis and killing (fluorochrome phagocytosis assay) by IDDM PMN of two P. gingivalis strains was also impaired significantly (P less than .05). The subgingival microflora contained significant levels of P. gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Eikenella corrodens, and Peptostreptococcus micros. Periodontal treatment consisted of extraction of hopeless teeth, scaling and root planing and 3 weeks of Augmentin therapy. The antibiotic therapy resulted in unrecoverable numbers of the putative pathogens and a reduction in both gingival inflammation and disease progression. The IDDM healing response to previous surgical treatment and extractions was poor, presumably due to a marked thrombocytopenia (91 x 10(3) platelets/mm3).
Interactions between cytokinin signalling and abiotic stress responses

Plants have evolved elaborate mechanisms for sensing and responding to sub-optimal environmental conditions. Abiotic stresses caused by these conditions trigger a wide range of local and long-distance signals which must be co-ordinated and integrated into whole-plant processes, such as development, in order for the plant to respond properly and survive. Several hormones function as key regulators of stress tolerance, connecting local stimuli to systemic responses. Cytokinin is a hormone well known for its role in numerous aspects of growth and development, although abundant evidence also indicates that cytokinin functions in stress responses as well. At present, a full understanding of the effects of cytokinin on plant resistance to stress is lacking, possibly as a result of the complex interactions between cytokinin and stress signalling. Current knowledge of the physiological relationship between cytokinin and abiotic stress, based on measurements of cytokinin levels under stress conditions and the effects of cytokinin treatment on stress tolerance, has been examined here. A pattern of transcriptional regulation of stress-related genes by cytokinin in different plant species has also been identified. In addition, research regarding the role of specific cytokinin signalling components in a variety of stress responses is presented. We discuss what this body of research collectively implies with regard to cross-talk between cytokinin and abiotic stress tolerance.
Cyclic Algebras for Noncoherent Differential Space–Time Coding

We investigate cyclic algebras for coding over the differential noncoherent channel. Cyclic algebras are an algebraic object that became popular for coherent space-time coding, since it naturally yields linear families of matrices with full diversity. Coding for the differential noncoherent channel has a similar flavor in the sense that it asks for matrices that achieve full diversity, except that these matrices furthermore have to be unitary. In this work, we give a systematic way to find infinitely many unitary matrices inside cyclic algebras, which holds for all dimensions. We show how cyclic algebras generalize previous families of unitary matrices obtained using the representation of fixed-point-free groups. As an application of our technique, we present families of codes for three and four antennas that achieve high coding gain.
Asymptotic Inference of Autocovariances of Stationary Processes

The paper presents a systematic theory for asymptotic inference of autocovariances of stationary processes. We consider nonparametric tests for serial correlations based on the maximum (or ${\cal L}^\infty$) and the quadratic (or ${\cal L}^2$) deviations. For these two cases, with proper centering and rescaling, the asymptotic distributions of the deviations are Gumbel and Gaussian, respectively. To establish such an asymptotic theory, as byproducts, we develop a normal comparison principle and propose a sufficient condition for summability of joint cumulants of stationary processes. We adopt a simulation-based block of blocks bootstrapping procedure that improves the finite-sample performance.
‘The Early Nationalization of Political News in America’: Comment

This is the beginning of a journey that promises to be eventful for students of American political development. Samuel Kernell is on to some-thing. The speculative and substantive implications of his findings, especially if they can be expanded and replicated, seem to be very great indeed.
Magnetoresistance in Elemental Boron

The magnetoresistance of crystalline, beta-rhombohedral boron and amorphous boron film was studied as a function of the magnetic field, the temperature, the specimen purity, and the crystal orientation. The monocrystals exhibited anomalous negative magnetoresistance for fields up to 5 kG, and a positive magnetoresistance for higher fields. The polycrystals showed positive magnetoresistance, with complete saturation for fields of 2 kG. The resistance did not exceed 3 • 10–3 at room temperature, and depends upon the type of boron, the temperature, and the magnetic field. In the range from 200 to 400°K, Δρ/ρ is proportional to T - 5•6 for the polycrystalline samples, and to T -3 for the monocrystalline. The magnetoresistance decreased with increasing specimen purity for the polycrystalline samples. The negative magnetoresistance in the monocrystals, the positive effect in the polycrystals, and the negative effect in the film are isotropic with respect to the angle between the directions of the electric current and the magnetic field. The positive effect in the single crystals, however, is anisotropic and may be described by the empirical formula Δρ/ρ = a + b cos2 θ’ where the coefficients depend on the specimen temperature, and θ’ is the angle between the magnetic field and the [111] rhombohedral axis.
Minimum Protective Serum Concentrations of Pneumococcal Anti-Capsular Antibodies in Infant Rats

Infant rats were passively immunized to determine the protective capacity of pneumococcal anticapsular antibodies. Animal-passaged strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 4, 5, 6b, 7f, 9v, 14, 18c, 19f, and 23f were used as challenge inocula (1-1500 cfu) in a model of pulmonary infection that resulted in bacteremia, meningitis, and death. From untreated control animals, histologic sections of lung demonstrated infiltrative pneumonia and lung homogenate cultures grew S. pneumoniae at concentrations of 10(3)-10(8) cfu per gram of lung tissue. A type-specific anti-capsular antibody serum concentration of 0.1-1.15 microg/mL resulted in a statistically significant reduction in mortality compared with the reduction in untreated controls, except for serotype 14, which required 2.32 microg/mL for a significant reduction in mortality. The serum antibody level that provided 50% reduction in mortality ranged from 0.1-3.5 microg/mL for all serotypes.
Nebular thermal evolution and the properties of primitive planetary materials

— Models of the solar nebula are constructed to investigate the hypothesis that surviving planetary objects began to form as the nebula cooled from an early, hot epoch. The imprint of such an epoch might be retained in the spatial distribution of planetary material, the systematic deviations of its elemental composition from that of the Sun, chemical indicators of primordial oxidation state, and variations in oxygen and other isotopic compositions. Our method of investigation is to calculate the time-dependent, two-dimensional temperature distributions within model nebulas of prescribed dynamical evolution, and to deduce the consequences of the calculated thermal histories for coagulated solid material. The models are defined by parameters which characterize nebular initial states (mass and angular momentum), mass accretion histories, and coagulation rates and efficiencies. It is demonstrated that coagulation during the cooling of the nebula from a hot state is expected to produce systematic heterogeneities which affect the chemical and isotopic compositions of planetary material. The radial thermal gradient at the midplane results in delayed coagulation of the more volatile elements. Vertical thermal gradients isolate the most refractory material and concentrate evaporated heavy elements in the gas phase. It is concluded that these effects could be responsible for the distribution of terrestrial planetary masses, the systematic depletion patterns of the moderately volatile elements in chondritic meteorites and the Earth, the range of oxygen isotopic compositions exhibited by calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) and other refractory inclusions, and some geochemical evidence for a moderately enhanced oxidation state. However, nebular fractionations on a global scale are unlikely to account for the more oxidizing conditions inferred for some CAIs and chondritic silicates, which require dust enhancements greater than a few hundred. This conclusion, along with the well-established evidence from studies of chondrules and CAIs for thermal excursions of short duration, make it likely that local environments, unrelated to nebular thermal evolution, were also important.
MODSIM II - An Object Oriented Simulation Language For Sequential And Parallel Processors

MODSIM II is an object-oriented general purpose and simulation language designed to work with both sequential and parallel processors. Its objects have both single and multiple inheritance. It has a single syntax that works across a variety of systems including main frames, work stations and PC's. A parallel version is currently under development on the BBN Butterfly parallel computer under the Time Warp operating system. MODSIM II is based on the syntax of Modula-2. The majority of statements are identical with those in Modula-2. It has a few additional constructs that let the user write discrete process simulations. MODSIM II has built-in object oriented constructs, including single and multiple inheritance, data abstraction and information hiding. In addition, it supports separate compilation. This makes it useful for large projects. It contains interactive dynamic graphics to improve input and output.
Salmonella enterica Serovars Enteritidis Infection Alters the Indigenous Microbiota Diversity in Young Layer Chicks.

Avian gastrointestinal tracts are highly populated with a diverse array of microorganisms that share a symbiotic relationship with their hosts and contribute to the overall health and disease state of the intestinal tract. The microbiome of the young chick is easily prone to alteration in its composition by both exogenous and endogenous factors especially during the early post-hatch period. The genetic background of the host and exposure to pathogens can impact the diversity of the microbial profile that consequently contributes to the disease progression in the host. The objective of this study was to profile the composition and structure of the gut microbiota in young chickens from two genetically distinct highly inbred lines. Furthermore, the effect of the Salmonella Enteritidis infection on altering the composition makeup of the chicken microbiome was evaluated through the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. One-day-old layer chicks were challenged with S. Enteritidis and the host cecal microbiota profile as well as the degree of susceptibility to Salmonella infection was examined at 2 and 7 days post-infection. Our result indicated that host genotype had a limited effect on resistance to S. Enteritidis infection. Alpha diversity, beta diversity, and overall microbiota composition were analyzed for four factors: host genotype, age, treatment, and post-infection time-points. S. Enteritidis infection in young chicks was found to significantly reduce the overall diversity of the microbiota population with expansion of Enterobacteriaceae family. These changes indicated that Salmonella colonization in the gastrointestinal tract of the chickens has a direct effect on altering the natural development of the gastrointestinal microbiota. The impact of S. Enteritidis infection on microbial communities was also more substantial in late stage of infection. Significant inverse correlation between Enterobacteriaceae and Lachnospiraceae family in both non-infected and infected groups, suggested possible antagonistic interaction between members of these two taxa, which could potentially influences the overall microbial population in the gut. Our results also revealed that genetic difference between two lines had minimal effect on the establishment of microbiota population. Overall, this study provided preliminary insights into the contributing role of S. Enteritidis in influencing the overall makeup of chicken's gut microbiota.
A Fish’s Eye View of Habitat Change

In aquatic ecosystems, visually mediated predator-prey interactions are highly dependent on the environmental light regime; however, the wavelengths of ambient light and thresholds of light intensity vary as a function of water depth and dissolved organic matter. Light is also scattered by water molecules creating polarized light and by silts and clays creating turbid conditions. As a result of these changes in the visual environment, the visual systems of fishes have developed many adaptations, and are finely tuned to the spectrum and intensity of light in the microhabitat.
Targeted Disruption of the β2-Microglobulin Gene Minimizes the Immunogenicity of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a promising source of cells for tissue regeneration, yet histoincompatibility remains a major challenge to their clinical application. Because the human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) molecules are the primary mediators of immune rejection, we hypothesized that cells derived from a hESC line lacking HLA-I expression could be transplanted without evoking a robust immune response from allogeneic recipients. In the present study, we used the replacement targeting strategy to delete exons 2 and 3 of β2-microglobulin on both gene alleles in hESCs. Because β2-microglobulin serves as the HLA-I light chain, disruption of the β2-microglobulin gene led to complete HLA-I deficiency on the cell surface of hESCs and their derivatives. Therefore, these cells were resistant to CD8+ T-cell-mediated destruction. Although interferon-γ (IFN-γ) treatment significantly induced β2-microglobulin expression, promoting CD8+ T cell-mediated killing of control hESCs and their derivatives, CD8+ T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity was barely observed with β2-microglobulin-null hESCs and their derivatives treated with IFN-γ. This genetic manipulation to disrupt HLA-I expression did not affect the self-renewal capacity, genomic stability, or pluripotency of hESCs. Despite being relatively sensitive to natural killer (NK) cell-mediated killing due to the lack of HLA-I expression, when transplanted into NK cell-depleted immunocompetent mice, β2-microglobulin-null hESCs developed into tumors resembling those derived from control hESCs in severe combined immunodeficiency mice. These results demonstrate that β2-microglobulin-null hESCs significantly reduce immunogenicity to CD8+ T cells and might provide a renewable source of cells for tissue regeneration without the need for HLA matching in the future.
A modified Polanyi-based model for mechanistic understanding of adsorption of phenolic compounds onto polymeric adsorbents.

To obtain mechanistic insight into adsorption of phenolic compounds by two representative polymeric adsorbents, XAD-4 (polystyrene) and XAD-7 (polymethacrylate), a modified Polanyi-based Dubinin-Ashtakhov (D–A) model was developed based on a unique combination of the Polanyi theory, polyparameter linear energy relationships and infinitely dilute solution in n-hexadecane as the reference state. The adsorption potential in the D–A model e = –RTln(Cw/Cwsat) was redefined by replacing the term (Cw/Cwsat) with the normalized equivalent concentration in n-hexadecane (CHD), where Cw is the aqueous equilibrium concentration and Cwsat is the aqueous solubility of the solute. Using the new reference state allows quantitative comparison among various solutes. By fitting adsorption isotherms to the modified model using eHD = –RTln(CHD/10 000), a new normalizing factor (Em) was obtained to quantify the contributions of specific interactions (i.e., H-bonding, dipolar/polarizability, etc.) to the overall adsorption ener...
Oviposition of the American Dog Tick (Acarina: Ixodidae)

Female American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), were engorged on bovines and were held at 27°C and > 80% relative humidity under a photocycle of 12 hours light: 12 hours dark. The average weight (0.398 g), length of preoviposition period (5.3 days), and number of eggs laid per female (3276.8) did not differ significantly for groups of females disturbed daily by removal of eggs and groups of females allowed to oviposit undisturbed. The weight of a newly laid egg averaged 77 µg; the average weight of an egg weighed after oviposition ceased but before hatch began averaged 66 µg. With all females, the number of eggs per female was highly significantly correlated with the weight of the female. With undisturbed females, the length of the preoviposition period was negatively correlated with weight; this was not true of the disturbed females. The Index of Reproduction Efficiency (number of eggs per weight of female) and the Index of Conversion Efficiency (weight of eggs per weight of female) were correlated with the weight of the undisturbed females but not the disturbed females. Peak daily oviposition, an average 381.5 eggs per female, occurred on the 3rd day of oviposition. An average > 300 eggs per female was laid on days 2–5; thereafter the rate of oviposition gradually declined. The length of the oviposition period (average 20 days) was highly significantly correlated with the weight of the female and with the number of eggs laid. The average minimum incubation period was 20 days.
Paul Broca and French Brains Portraits From the Life of an Eminent Neuroscientist

Pierre Paul Broca is one of the most legendary neuroscientists of the last few centuries. His name graces a region of the brain, and his work is richly associated with human communication and its disorders. This article traces the contributions of this man and the historical context of his remarkable discoveries. After approval to visit and access material in the Paris museums that house the still-preserved brains of Broca’s two most famous patients as well as cabinets of Broca’s work and records, the author interlaces this portrait of the man, the historical context of his early education and research, and the relevance of his insight into contemporary understanding of the brain and human communication.
Effect of 2-4 Dinitrophenol on Rat Brain Respiration at 25, and 37.5°C.∗:

ConclusionsThe optimum concentration of DNP for the stimulation of oxygen consumption in excised rat cerebral cortex is approximately the same at 37.5°C and 25°C. However, the maximum value of the stimulation ratio and the minimum inhibitory concentration of DNP are considerably greater at 25° than at 37.5°C.
Research on foundation of transmission line tower in mined-out areas

The influences and destruction rules of different mining methods on transmission lines located in coal mined-out area are summarized and analyzed.Through the finite element method,the engineering properties of the board style foundation and the pile foundation under the influence of mining are researched.The feasibility of different foundation schemes are compared and suggested.Measures for improving the stability of transmission line tower foundation are proposed.The research results can provide technical reference for the construction of transmission lines of 1 000 kV demonstration project crossing the mined-out area.
E-144 use of the pipeline flex for treatment of a pediatric giant intracranial aneurysm

Introduction Flow diversion with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) provides a dramatic new tool for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, though its use has been marked by technical nuances and challenges, particularly related to the delivery system. The Pipeline Flex provides a new delivery system, allowing more precise deployment. Here we report the use of the new PED Flex system in a child with a giant, symptomatic intracranial aneurysm. Materials and methods A 7 year-old boy with right eye vision loss was discovered to have a giant aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) extending from the cavernous segment to the carotid terminus (Figure 1). The aneurysm was fusiform and measured 3.5 cm. He was treated with aspirin and clopidogrel and doses were adjusted based on VerifyNow assays. A 3D model of the aneurysm and parent vessel was created, and several Pipeline configurations were rehearsed prior to the procedure. A 6 French Shuttle Sheath (Cook) was used as the guide catheter. A multi-PED construct was created across the aneurysm, using a total of six devices (Figure 1). All devices were deployed without difficulty, and occasional device distortions were easily corrected with resheathing and redeployment. After the construct was complete, partial coil embolization of the aneurysm was performed. Results The patient awoke without new symptoms, but did have some vision loss of the contralateral eye over the ensuing three months related to aneurysmal thrombosis and inflammation. He was treated with multiple courses of steroids and his vision improved in the contralateral eye. Platelet inhibition was monitored and required frequent clopidogrel dose adjustments. Follow up angiography was performed at 6 months, and will be presented. Conclusion Flow diversion is a powerful tool for the treatment of large and giant aneurysms, and may also be used in children. This case demonstrates the utility of the PED Flex in creating a complex, multi-device construct in a 7-year-old child with a giant aneurysm, and provides a number of useful observations: a 6 French sheath may be used in a 7-year-old child if needed; the Pipeline Flex offers additional precision in deployment; rehearsal of comple procedures using a 3D model can be very useful; and clopidogrel dosing in children is often a moving target, and requires frequent laboratory monitoring of platelet inhibition and dose adjustment. Disclosures M. Froehler: None.
Prostaglandin and thromboxane mediation of cardiopulmonary failure.

The derivatives of arachidonic acid such as PGI 2 , thromboxane A 2 , and 5-HT affect platelet aggregation, fibrinolysis, and permeability edema. How these agents interact when trauma occurs and their effect on cardiac output are clearly presented in this article.
Race, Liberalism, and Economics

(2005). Race, Liberalism, and Economics. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 291-294.
CO2 Adsorption and Reactivity on Rutile TiO2(110) in Water: An Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study

Atomic-scale understanding of CO2 adsorption and reactivity on TiO2 is important for the development of new catalysts for CO2 conversion with improved efficiency and selectivity. Here, we employ Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics combined with metadynamics simulations to explore the interaction dynamics of CO2 and rutile TiO2(110) surface explicitly treating water solution at 300 K. We focus on understanding the competitive adsorption of CO2 and H2O, as well as the kinetics of CO and bicarbonate (HCO3–) formation. Our results show that adsorption configurations and possible reaction pathways are greatly affected by proper description of the water environment. We find that in aqueous solution, CO2 preferentially adsorbs at the bridging oxygen atom Ob, while Ti5c sites are saturated by H2O molecules that are difficult to displace. Our calculations predict that further conversion reactions include spontaneous protonation of adsorbed CO2 and detachment of OH– to form a CO molecule that is significantly facilit...
Malaria and malaria-like disease in the early Middle Ages

Malaria impairs human reproduction, augments excess mortality, and lowers productivity. It can exercise a debilitating effect so profound that it defines regions. The disease is an essential element in histories of places and periods in which it was endemic. Although many European regions are thought to have had a long association with malaria, evidence for the disease, the parasites that cause it, and the mosquitoes that transmit it, is thin before 1900. Malaria's early medieval history is opaque. This paper clears up contours of malaria's occurrence in Frankish Europe. It surveys sources relevant to its study and establishes guidelines for retrospectively diagnosing the disease. It argues that malaria was plentiful north of the Alps before 1000 and that it influenced demographic trends where it was endemic.
Machine learning techniques in cancer prognostic modeling and performance assessment

Prognostic models for disease occurrence, tumor progression and survival are abundant for most types of cancers. Physicians and cancer patients are utilizing these models to make informed treatment decisions and corresponding arrangements. However, not all cancer prognostic models are built and validated rigorously. Some are more useful and reliable than others. In this chapter, we briefly introduce some popular machine learning methods for constructing cancer prognostic models, and discuss pros and cons of each. We also introduce the commonly used discrimination and calibration metrics for assessing predictive performance and validating the prognostic models. In the end, we outline several challenges of using prognostic models in the real world for clinical decision-making support, and propose related suggestions.
Automated mask and wafer defect classification using a novel method for generalized CD variation measurements

Over the years, mask and wafers defects dispositioning has become an increasingly challenging and time consuming task. With design rules getting smaller, OPC getting complex and scanner illumination taking on free-form shapes - the probability of a user to perform accurate and repeatable classification of defects detected by mask inspection tools into pass/fail bins is reducing. The critical challenging of mask defect metrology for small nodes ( < 30 nm) was reviewed in [1]. While Critical Dimension (CD) variation measurement is still the method of choice for determining a mask defect future impact on wafer, the high complexity of OPCs combined with high variability in pattern shapes poses a challenge for any automated CD variation measurement method. In this study, a novel approach for measurement generalization is presented. CD variation assessment performance is evaluated on multiple different complex shape patterns, and is benchmarked against an existing qualified measurement methodology.
Climate change as a polarizing cue: Framing effects on public support for low-carbon energy policies

Abstract This study examines how public support for four specific low-carbon energy policies (renewable energy investment, revenue-neutral carbon tax, fuel efficiency regulations, expansion of nuclear power) varies when these policies are framed as a way to reduce either climate change, air pollution, or energy dependence. A survey question wording experiment with a nationally representative U.S. sample is utilized. We find framing effects only among Republicans, whose policy support was lower in response to the climate change frame versus the air pollution and energy security frames for all policies except nuclear power. This suggests that framing effects are conditional on political partisanship and policy content. When testing the processing mechanism behind these effects, we find no evidence that the climate change frame functions as a simple heuristic; rather, the findings are consistent with motivated reasoning, whereby the framing effects on policy support are mediated by the policy’s perceived relative benefits and costs.
Das Achtzehnte Jahrhundert

Im achtzehnten Jahrhundert konzentrierte sich die mathematische Produktivitat auf die Differential- und Integralrechnung und ihre Anwendung auf die Mechanik. Die bedeutendsten Namen konnen in der Art eines Stammbaumes angeordnet werden, um ihre geistige Verwandtschaft anzudeuten.
APPLICATIONS OF STATIONARY SETS IN TOPOLOGY

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the applications of stationary sets in topology. The application of techniques from set theory to general topology has grown into a discipline in its own right. There are many useful techniques and notions of set theoretic topology—ramification arguments, partition relations, cardinal functions, large cardinals, forcing, Martin's Axiom, Jensen's combinatorial principles, and more. The chapter highlights the notion of stationary set and its associated combinatorics. A linearly ordered topological space is hereditarily paracompact if it does not contain a subset homeomorphic to a stationary subset of an uncountable regular cardinal. A regular limit cardinal is called weakly inaccessible. A weakly inaccessible cardinal is called weakly Mahlo. The classical descriptive set theory of separable metric spaces is a well-developed theory.
Stochastic Models of Climate Extremes: Theory and Observations

One very important topic in climatology, meteorology, and related fields is the detailed understanding of extremes in a changing climate. There is broad consensus that the most hazardous effects of climate change are due to a potential increase (in frequency and/or intensity) of extreme weather and climate events. Extreme events are by definition rare, but they can have a significant impact on people and countries in the affected regions. Here an extreme event is defined in terms of the non-Gaussian tail (occasionally also called a weather or climate regime) of the data’s probability density function (PDF), as opposed to the definition in extreme value theory, where the statistics of time series maxima (and minima) in a given time interval are studied. The non-Gaussian approach used here allows for a dynamical view of extreme events in weather and climate, going beyond the solely mathematical arguments of extreme value theory. Because weather and climate risk assessment depends on knowing the tails of PDFs, understanding the statistics and dynamics of extremes has become an important objective in climate research. Traditionally, stochastic models are extensively used to study climate variability because they link vastly different time and spatial scales (multi-scale interactions). However, in the past the focus of stochastic climate modeling hasn’t been on extremes. Only in recent years new tools that make use of advanced stochastic theory have evolved to evaluate the statistics and dynamics of extreme events. One theory attributes extreme anomalies to stochastically forced dynamics, where, to model nonlinear interactions, the strength of the stochastic forcing depends on the flow itself (multiplicative noise). This closure assumption follows naturally from the general form of the equations of motion. Because stochastic theory makes clear and testable predictions about non-Gaussian variability, the multiplicative noise hypothesis can be verified by analyzing the detailed non-Gaussian statistics of atmospheric and oceanic variability. This chapter discusses the theoretical framework, observational evidence, and related developments in stochastic modeling of weather and climate extremes.
On the Significance of Systolic Flow Waveform on Aortic Valve Energy Loss.

This study aims to quantitatively and qualitatively assess energy dissipation in the aortic valve as a function of systolic aortic flow waveform representing pathologies where flow time-to-peak is delayed. A bioprosthetic valve was tested in the aortic position of a left-heart simulator under physiological pressure and flow conditions. The flow loop piston pump was programmed to generate three different flow waveforms each with a different peak time annotated as early peak (EP) with a rapid acceleration, mid peak (MP) and late peak (LP) with a rapid deceleration. Energy dissipation was calculated from flow and pressure measurements while sinus vorticity dynamics were evaluated using time-resolved planar particle image velocimetry. Average pressure gradients during systole are found 30.2 ± 0.19, 30.7 ± 0.25 and 32.9 ± 0.29 mmHg and average dissipation over systole is found 0.95 ± 0.026, 1.05 ± 0.034 and 1.25 ± 0.043 W for EP, MP and LP respectively. As systole’s acceleration phase is slower, sinus vortices are more likely to form, necessitating more energy exchange from shear layers inducing more viscous dissipation. EP found in healthy individuals is superior in terms of reducing energy dissipation and increasing aortic valve efficiency. In the context of possible left ventricular dysfunction and aortic stenosis, this means that delayed time-to-peak in the aortic flow waveform seen is not compensatory.
Abstract WMP74: Resuscitation Fluid With Drag Reducing Additive Reduces Microthrombosis and Oxidative Stress After Traumatic Brain Injury Complicated by Hemorrhagic Shock

Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently accompanied by hemorrhagic shock (HS) significantly worsening morbidity and mortality. Existing colloid or crystalloid resuscitation fluids (RF...
Organizational Structure from Interaction: Evidence from Corporate Sustainability Efforts:

We advance interactionist perspectives on how organizational structures emerge in new issue domains. Our study is grounded in field data collected over 18 months at a large biomedical company that ...
Software tool for internal standard based normalization of lipids, and effect of data-processing strategies on resulting values

Lipidomics, the comprehensive measurement of lipids within a biological system or substrate, is an emerging field with significant potential for improving clinical diagnosis and our understanding of health and disease. While lipids diverse biological roles contribute to their clinical utility, the diversity of lipid structure and concentrations prove to make lipidomics analytically challenging. Without internal standards to match each lipid species, researchers often apply individual internal standards to a broad range of related lipids. To aid in standardizing and automating this relative quantitation process, we developed LipidMatch Normalizer (LMN) http://secim.ufl.edu/secim-tools/ which can be used in most open source lipidomics workflows. LMN uses a ranking system (1–3) to assign lipid standards to target analytes. A ranking of 1 signifies that both the lipid class and adduct of the internal standard and target analyte match, while a ranking of 3 signifies that neither the adduct or class match. If multiple internal standards are provided for a lipid class, standards with the closest retention time to the target analyte will be chosen. The user can also signify which lipid classes an internal standard represents, for example indicating that ether-linked phosphatidylcholine can be semi-quantified using phosphatidylcholine. LMN is designed to work with any lipid identification software and feature finding software, and in this study is used to quantify lipids in NIST SRM 1950 human plasma annotated using LipidMatch and MZmine. LMN can be integrated into an open source workflow which completes all data processing steps including feature finding, annotation, and quantification for LC-MS/MS studies. Using LMN we determined that in certain cases the use of peak height versus peak area, certain adducts, and negative versus positive polarity data can have major effects on the final concentration obtained.
Gandalf: An Intelligent, {End-To-End} Analytics Service for Safe Deployment in {Large-Scale} Cloud Infrastructure

Modern cloud systems have a vast number of components that continuously undergo changes. Deploying these frequent updates quickly without breaking the system is challenging. In this paper, we present Gandalf, an end-to-end analytics service for safe deployment in a large-scale system infrastructure. Gandalf enables rapid and robust impact assessment of software rollouts to catch bad rollouts before they cause widespread outages. Gandalf monitors and analyzes various fault signals and correlates each signal against all the ongoing rollouts using a spatial and temporal correlation algorithm. Its core decision logic includes an ensemble ranking algorithm that determines which rollout caused the fault signals and a binary classifier that assesses the impact of the fault signals. The analysis result determines whether a rollout is safe to proceed or should be stopped. By using a lambda architecture, Gandalf provides both real-time and long-term deployment monitoring with automated decisions and notifications. Gandalf has been running in production in Microsoft Azure for more than 18 months, serving both data-plane and control-plane components. It achieves 92.4% precision and 100% recall (no high-impact service outages in Azure Compute were caused by bad rollouts) for data-plane rollouts. For control-plane rollouts, Gandalf achieves 94.87% precision and 99.84% recall.
Excessive Costimulation Leads to Dysfunction of Adoptively Transferred T Cells

Although clinical responses with CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell treatment have been observed in patients with certain hematologic malignancies, high rates of disease relapse highlight the necessity to understand and improve mechanisms of CAR T-cell failure. Because T-cell dysfunction is thought to contribute to CAR T-cell treatment failure, understanding what mechanisms drive T cells into this dysfunctional state may aid optimal design of efficacious CAR T cells. Dysfunctional CAR T cells have been characterized as having upregulated inhibitory receptors and decreased cytolytic capabilities. Previous studies have identified a role for sustained CAR CD3ζ signaling in CAR T-cell dysfunction. Here, we demonstrate a mechanism that drives dysfunction in CAR T cells through excessive costimulation. Fully activated CD19-targeted CAR T cells were rendered dysfunctional upon stimulation with both endogenous CD28 stimulation and CAR-mediated CD28 costimulation. Costimulation-driven dysfunction of CAR T cells was demonstrated in a syngeneic immunocompetent mouse model, in which CAR T cells were activated with signals 1 (CD3ζ), 2 (CD28), and 3 (IL12). Thus, we show that CAR T-cell dysfunction can be driven through excessive CD28 and 4-1BB costimulation.See related article by Drakes et al., p. 743.
Editorial 42.2

South Asian Review is honored to present this special issue, “Participation Anxiety,” guest edited by Professor R. Radhakrishnan. The issue grew out of an article that Dr. Radhakrishnan contributed...
Your Professional Brand: Creating a Brand Essence Statement for Your Internship

Although not all MBA students end up working in a marketing function and/or on a brand per se, all students will develop a professional brand, whether it is proactively built or created through happenstance. This exercise helps guide students through a process to think strategically about how to develop their professional brand in an internship setting. It is used in conjunction with a technical note that details how to build brands using a tool called the Brand Essence Statement. In this exercise, students are asked to use the tool to create their own Brand Essence Statement, focused primarily on the brand image that the students wish to achieve during the internship period. This exercise is appropriate in a general marketing, brand management, or strategic marketing course at the undergraduate or graduate levels during a module focused on branding. It should be used in conjunction with the technical tool and a discussion on Brand Essence Statements. Excerpt UVA-M-0881 Rev. Aug. 13, 2018 Your Professional Brand: Creating a Brand Essence Statement for Your Internship It's this simple: You are a brand. You are in charge of your brand. There is no single path to success. And there is no one right way to create the brand called You. Except this: Start today. Or else. —Tom Peters . . .
The use of differential privacy for census data and its impact on redistricting: The case of the 2020 U.S. Census.

Census statistics play a key role in public policy decisions and social science research. However, given the risk of revealing individual information, many statistical agencies are considering disc...
Perceived discrimination in healthcare settings among Latinos with limited English proficiency in South Carolina.

Objectives Perceived discrimination in healthcare settings is reported frequently by Latino adults and is associated with reductions in healthcare utilization and having a usual source of care. Little is known about discrimination perceived by Latino adults with limited English proficiency (LEP) who also frequently experience difficulties with healthcare access and utilization. The objective of this pilot study was to examine perceived discrimination in healthcare settings among Latino adults with LEP living in South Carolina. Methods Sixty-two Latino adults with LEP were surveyed to examine perceived discrimination in healthcare settings using the 10-question Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Reactions to Race Module. Results Seventy percent of the sample reported thinking about race/ethnicity on a daily basis. Twenty-one percent reported experiencing physical symptoms and 26% reported feeling emotionally upset in the past 30 days based on how they were treated by others because of their race. When seeking healthcare services, only 11.5% perceived discrimination in healthcare settings. Conclusions Although a significant percentage of the sample reported thinking about race/ethnicity daily, only approximately 25% reported experiencing health symptoms based on how they were treated as a result of their race and few perceived discrimination in healthcare settings.
Life Cycle Concept

The concept of the life cycle is as old as the concept of life. Early references in the literature make clear that the concept was well understood as early as in Classical Greece. For example, Aristotle wrote of the birth and decay of living things and likened the events to the changes in the weather and the perceived motion in the heavens. In every case, the cycle begins when life begins and ends when life ends, at which time the cycle is repeated. For engineered systems, life begins when the need for the system is first addressed and ends when the system is recycled. The stages of the engineering life cycle are discussed showing how it is modeled and applied.
Erratum for "Denjoy Minimal Sets are Far from Affine"

Theorem 2 of A. Kercheval, "Denjoy minimal sets are far from affine", Ergodic Theory and Dynamical Systems 22 (2002), 1803-1812 is corrected by adding a C^2 bound to the hypotheses.