cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Vanishing Mexicana/o: (Dis)Locating the Native in Ruiz de Burton’s 'Who Would Have Thought It?' and 'The Squatter and the Don'

This article complements the existing body of Ruiz de Burton scholarship by providing the first sustained examination of her literary representations of American Indians in both Who Would Have Thought It? (1872) and The Squatter and the Don (1885), and by exploring how these representations serve her broader aims of social and political reform. American Indians’ presence in the novels, however marginal, and Ruiz de Burton’s rendering of them as savage, powerless, and justly shut out from the social and political life of the nation, are critical to the author’s aims. Accounting for the absence and strategic appearance of American Indians in the novels reveals the complexities of Ruiz de Burton’s manipulations of racial hierarchies, as well as the ways in which she connects racial identity to rightful land ownership and social status. This article assesses Ruiz de Burton’s reframing of popular accounts of American Indians— including the captivity narrative and the myth of the Vanishing Indian—as a means of advancing her political aims. Ultimately, attending to the role of American Indians in the two novels allows for a better appreciation of just how interconnected Ruiz de Burton’s two novelistic projects are—each serving her larger vision of social reform. Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton (1835-1895), the first Mexican American to publish fiction in English, crafted her novels as mechanisms for social protest in the wake of the Mexican American War (1846-1848). With waning social and political power, and an eroding land base, Mexican Americans (Ruiz de Burton included) found their position in the newly reconfigured United States to be increasingly precarious. Ruiz de Burton responded by appropriating one of the few vehicles for social protest available to nineteenth-century women, the sentimental novel, and adapting the genre to bear the burden of her frequently harsh and satirical political critiques. Like her Anglo American contemporaries Harriet Beecher Stowe,
The Tombs from San Francisco in Cuéllar: Sacred Images in Digital Reconstructions

AbstractIn The Hispanic Society of America are two of the three monuments that made up the funerary ensemble which Beltran de la Cueva erected in the church of San Francisco in Cuellar. After the monastery was disbanded, the art it once held was dispersed. Although impressive sculptures, the Hispanic Society monuments have not enjoyed the widespread recognition they deserve. Scholars have not been able to establish the ensemble’s attribution and history completely. The focus on style has obscured the tombs’ function, while this emphasis forms part of cultural history whereby such works are considered more as aesthetic objects than part of a religious worldview. By reconstructing the tombs digitally and examining them in terms of the concept of sacred and seriality, I hope to suggest other ways to interpret these works. A greater continuity emerges with Gothic predecessors. The type continues to play the same role, and the stylistic difference we see may not have constituted a major shift for contemporarie...
Intensive insulin therapy reduced morbidity but not mortality in patients in the medical intensive care unit.

Source Citation Van den Berghe G, Wilmer A, Hermans G, et al. Intensive insulin therapy in the medical ICU. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:449-61. 16452557
Task-related hemispheric asymmetry of contingent negative variation.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses task-related hemispheric asymmetry of contingent negative variation (CNV). Functional differentiation of the cerebral hemispheres has been the focus of considerable research in recent years and there has been increasing interest in electrical manifestations of such specialization. For example, slow potential changes of the brain have been studied in relation to cognitive lateralization and speech, but with mixed results. The paradigms involved either a hemispherically relevant cue (e.g., a word) or a relevant post-imperative response (e.g., an utterance) but never both an intrinsically relevant cue (in contrast to tones or flashes with assigned significance) and an imperative stimulus intrinsically related to the cue. It appears that the difficulty in demonstrating cognitively related CNV asymmetries is because of both weak eliciting paradigms and a fundamentally weak phenomenon. The results demonstrate that it is possible to measure CNV differences in the hemispheres without employing overt verbalization in response to S 2 , thus avoiding associated artifacts.
The role of metals in the antitumor action of 1,5-bisthiosemicarbazones.

A recent study of a new series of bisthiosemicarbazones showed that optimal inhibition of DNA synthesis in Leukemia 1210 cells was obtained with derivatives of 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds. In the present study these compounds were highly efficient scavengers of copper. Facilitation of uptake of Cu++ via chelation was associated with drug toxicity. Studies using a 35S-labeled drug, 63Ni++, and 64Cu++ showed that metal chelates readily penetrated L1210 cells, where the metal was tightly bound. The drug then diffused from the cells to shuttle more metal ions inward. Chelation strongly potentiated the lipophilicity of both drug and metal, as shown by water/octanol partition studies. Some drugs were such potent scavengers of copper that drug toxicity was only abolished by addition of EDTA to "copper-free" media. Of the drugs studied, most could chelate both nickel and copper, and a few, only copper. The capacity for inhibiting synthesis of DNA was correlated with copper chelation and facilitation of uptake of Cu++. The bisthiosemicarbazones of 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds were more effective agents for promotion of Cu++ uptake by L1210 cells than the analogous derivatives of α-ketoaldehydes, which have been extensively studied. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The technical assistance of Gwynne Smith, Joanne Blahnik, and Melody Sands is appreciated. We thank Marie Gannon for carrying out organic syntheses.
Coherent Manipulation and Interferometry

The interferometric laser cooling and composite pulse schemes explored in this thesis are based on coherent transitions in a two-level atomic system, and we realise this experimentally by inducing stimulated Raman transitions between the ground hyperfine states of rubidium-85. Broadly speaking, a stimulated Raman transition is a two-photon process, whereby two counter-propagating laser beams, far-detuned from resonance with a radiative upper level and with a frequency difference equal typically to the ground hyperfine interval, induce coherent population transfer between (meta)stable states.
The financial impact of clinic no-show rates in an academic pediatric otolaryngology practice

Abstract Purpose To investigate determinants of no-show rates in an academic pediatric otolaryngology practice including appointment time, age, sex, new patient status, payer mix, and median household income by zip code. Materials and methods Retrospective chart review of clinic no-show rates and patient demographics in a free standing children's hospital and affiliated outpatient clinics across eight providers in a one-year period. Results Analysis shows that the overall no-show rate across all providers was 15% with the highest rate of 19% in the zip code with the lowest median income. Highest no-shows are in June, but overall, seasons did not play a significant role in no-show rates. Male gender, morning appointments, and having public insurance appear to significantly predict no-shows. Lost revenue on no-shows range from $191K to $384K per year. The average percentage of the amount billed paid by insurance range from the lowest by out-of-state Medicaid at 16% to the highest by managed care at 54%. Conclusions No-show rates account for a significant portion of lost revenue in the outpatient setting for an academic practice, and can be predicted by lower median income, male gender, morning appointments, and public insurance. Such patients may need different appointment reminders. Future clinic templates should be optimized for no-shows to increase productivity and access to care.
Patterns of Failure After Surgery for Non–Small-cell Lung Cancer Invading the Chest Wall

Abstract Introduction The patterns of failure after resection of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invading the chest wall are not well documented, and the role of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) is unclear, prompting the present analysis. Materials and Methods The present institutional review board–approved study evaluated patients who had undergone surgery from 1995 to 2014 for localized NSCLC invading the chest wall. Patients with superior sulcus tumors were excluded. The clinical outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using a log-rank test. The prognostic factors were assessed using a multivariate analysis, and the patterns of failure were scored. Results Seventy-four patients were evaluated. Most patients had undergone lobectomy or pneumonectomy (85%) with en bloc chest wall resection (80%) and had pathologically node negative findings (81%). The surgical margins were positive in 10 patients (14%) and most commonly involved the chest wall (7 of 10). Adjuvant treatment included RT in 21 (28%) and chemotherapy in 28 (38%). A total of 24 local recurrences developed. The chest wall was a component of local disease recurrence in 19 of 24 cases (79%). The local control rate at 5 years for the entire population was 60% (95% confidence interval, 46%-74%). The local control rate was 74% with adjuvant RT versus 55% without RT ( P = .43). On multivariate analysis, only resection less than lobectomy or pneumonectomy was associated with worse local control. The overall survival rate was 38% with RT versus 34% without RT ( P = .59). Conclusion Positive surgical margins and local disease recurrence were common after resection of NSCLC invading the chest wall. The primary pattern of failure was local recurrence in the chest wall. Adjuvant RT was not associated with improved local control or survival.
How Do System Administrators Resolve Access-Denied Issues in the Real World?

The efficacy of access control largely depends on how system administrators (sysadmins) resolve access-denied issues. A correct resolution should only permit the expected access, while maintaining the protection against illegal access. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that correct resolutions are occasional---sysadmins often grant too much access (known as security misconfigurations) to allow the denied access, posing severe security risks. This paper presents a quantitative study on real-world practices of resolving access-denied issues, with a particular focus on how and why security misconfigurations are introduced during problem solving. We characterize the real-world security misconfigurations introduced in the field, and show that many of these misconfigurations were the results of trial-and-error practices commonly adopted by sysadmins to work around access denials. We argue that the lack of adequate feedback information is one fundamental reason that prevents sysadmins from developing precise understanding and thus induces trial and error. Our study on access-denied messages shows that many of today's software systems miss the opportunities for providing adequate feedback information, imposing unnecessary obstacles to correct resolutions.
Campylobacter multi‐locus sequence types and antimicrobial susceptibility of broiler cecal isolates: A two year study of 143 commercial flocks

The objective of this study was to assess genetic diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni and coli from broiler ceca. Ceca from one broiler were collected from a commercial processing plant, once or twice weekly for 2 years (n = 143). Campylobacter were cultured from the cecal contents and analyzed by whole genome sequencing, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Seventy-two of 143 carcasses examined were positive for Campylobacter. A total of 24 MLST sequence-types (ST) were identified belonging to ten Campylobacter clonal complexes (CC). Three MLST clonal complexes, CC-353 (53.2%), CC-828 (17.7%), and CC-48 (11.4%) accounted for the majority of Campylobacter isolates recovered. Compared to all other clonal complexes, a significantly higher percentage (p < .05) of C. coli isolates belonging to CC-828 complex were resistant to azithromycin, clindamycin, erythromycin, and gentamicin. CC-48 was significantly more resistant to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid than other CCs regardless of species. No isolates were resistant to florfenicol. Practical applications Despite high genetic diversity among Campylobacter recovered from broiler ceca during this 2-year study, antimicrobial resistance was significantly linked to MLST clonal complex, specifically C. coli, CC-828 and C. jejuni, CC-48.
Daughters’ Perceptions of Their Relationships With Their Fathers After Parents’ Divorce:

The topic of fathers’ and daughters’ relationships has been explored on many levels. Authors inform readers that fathers are very important figures in their daughters’ life. It suggests that daught...
The direct and indirect effects of word reading and vocabulary on adolescents’ reading comprehension: Comparing struggling and adequate comprehenders

The current study examined statistically significant differences between struggling and adequate readers using a multicomponent model of reading comprehension in 796 sixth through eighth graders, with a primary focus on word reading and vocabulary. Path analyses and Wald tests were used to investigate the direct and indirect relations of word identification, vocabulary, silent reading efficiency, and inference-making on reading comprehension. Comparing struggling versus adequate comprehenders revealed statistically significant differences in path coefficients. In both groups, vocabulary had the largest total effect when considering its direct and indirect effects. Word identification was the strongest direct predictor for struggling comprehenders (β = .18 for struggling vs. β = − .03 for adequate), while vocabulary was the strongest predictor for adequate comprehenders (β = .40 for adequate vs. β = .14 for struggling). Findings reinforce (a) vocabulary knowledge plays a primary role in explaining individual differences in adolescent reading comprehension, (b) the need to differentiate intervention to address underlying difficulties of struggling readers, and (c) the relations of reading component skills (e.g., word reading and silent reading efficiency) to reading comprehension may be different based on reader proficiency.
Using Physical Organic Chemistry To Shape the Course of Electrochemical Reactions.

While organic electrochemistry can look quite different to a chemist not familiar with the technique, the reactions are at their core organic reactions. As such, they are developed and optimized using the same physical organic chemistry principles employed during the development of any other organic reaction. Certainly, the electron transfer that triggers the reactions can require a consideration of new “wrinkles” to those principles, but those considerations are typically minimal relative to the more traditional approaches needed to manipulate the pathways available to the reactive intermediates formed downstream of that electron transfer. In this review, three very different synthetic challenges—the generation and trapping of radical cations, the development of site-selective reactions on microelectrode arrays, and the optimization of current in a paired electrolysis—are used to illustrate this point.
The world, the computer, and the mind: how Andrew Frank helped make human language and cognition cornerstones of geographic information science

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, cognitive science was included as one of the key disciplines in the emerging multidisciplinary field of geographic information science (GIScience). One of the...
Broadband Reflector Antenna With High Isolation Feed for Full-Duplex Applications

A broadband circularly polarized reflector antenna with high isolation between transmitter and receiver channels is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally. The proposed antenna achieves $\vert S_{11}\vert dB, gain > 21 dBic (with a maximum value of 28 dBic) over the 4–8 GHz operating frequency range. A dual-polarized coaxial cavity antenna is designed to serve as the feed for the axis-symmetry reflector antenna. The inner conductor of the coaxial cavity antenna is extended to integrate the feed with the reflector; therefore, avoiding the use of mounting struts. The proposed configuration is used to realize an antenna subsystem for monostatic simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR)/full-duplex applications. The monostatic STAR operation is achieved by the use of a simple, low-loss beamformer network where hybrids and circulators are arranged to cancel any signal leakage from transmitting to receiving paths leading to high isolation. Practically, the proposed system achieves measured isolation >30 dB which is bounded by the amplitude and phase imbalances of the deployed commercial off-the-shelf components.
Rapid Sampling of Hydrogen Bond Networks for Computational Protein Design.

Hydrogen bond networks play a critical role in determining the stability and specificity of biomolecular complexes, and the ability to design such networks is important for engineering novel structures, interactions, and enzymes. One key feature of hydrogen bond networks that makes them difficult to rationally engineer is that they are highly cooperative and are not energetically favorable until the hydrogen bonding potential has been satisfied for all buried polar groups in the network. Existing computational methods for protein design are ill-equipped for creating these highly cooperative networks because they rely on energy functions and sampling strategies that are focused on pairwise interactions. To enable the design of complex hydrogen bond networks, we have developed a new sampling protocol in the molecular modeling program Rosetta that explicitly searches for sets of amino acid mutations that can form self-contained hydrogen bond networks. For a given set of designable residues, the protocol ofte...
Canopy-understory interaction effects on forest population structure

A sequence of 49 small stands of increasing mean diameter from Menominee Forest in northern Wisconsin illustrates the development of stand structure. Density-diameter distributions of natural old-growth stands of small area or uniform structure are of a rotated sigmoid form rather than the previously reported negative exponential form. The negative exponential form seems characteristic of large forest tracts having localized patches of even-aged trees. In smaller stands where interactions between canopy and understory are important, the typical stand structure curve shows an understory phase of slow growth and high mortality, a vigorous canopy phase of relatively rapid growth and low mortality, and an older canopy phase of reduced growth and increasing mortality. (auth)
Case Study of Nicaragua

Similarly to Chap. 2, this chapter considers the role of medical technology in Nicaragua (Central America). It begins with an overview of the decentralized Nicaraguan health system and the political history that has contributed to the distribution of health services in Nicaragua. An example of a Medical Technology Score (MTS) calculation is provided for two public hospitals in Nicaragua. The agricultural sector of Nicaragua, which is less crop-focus than its counterpart in Ghana, is discussed in the context of crop availability for a biomaterials industry. Given the unique geographic and economic position of Nicaragua, a regional (rather than national) biomaterials industry may be a possibility.
Creating Engaging Student to Student Engagement in an Online Class

Online classrooms present a challenge in offering student to student engagement. The traditional mean for this has been discussion threads, however levels of participation and quality of responses are frequent issues. Another issue, is the amount of time on the part of the instructor to review and grade discussion threads. This paper describes and simple and innovative way to use quizzes as peer reviews that allows for student response tracking, anonymous and names responses, and automatically tabulate responses.
Development of ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitors.

The mTOR mediated signaling transduction pathway has been observed to be deregulated in a wide variety of cancer and metabolic diseases. Despite extensive clinical development efforts, the well-known allosteric mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and structurally related rapalogs have failed to show significant single-agent anti-tumor efficacy in most types of cancer. This limited clinical success maybe due to the inability of the rapalogs to maintain a complete blockade mTOR mediated signaling. Therefore numerous efforts have been initiated to develop ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitors that would block both mTORC1 and mTORC2 complex activity. Here we describe our experimental approaches to develop Torin1 using a medium throughput cell-based screening assay and structure-guided drug design.
Regional bone mineral density differences measured by quantitative computed tomography: does the standard clinically used L1-L2 average correlate with the entire lumbosacral spine?

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) of the lumbar spine is used as an alternative to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in assessing bone mineral density (BMD). The average BMD of L1-L2 is the standard reportable metric used for diagnostic purposes according to current recommendations. The density of L1 and L2 has also been proposed as a reference value for the remaining lumbosacral vertebrae and is commonly used as a surrogate marker for overall bone health. Since regional BMD differences within the spine have been proposed, it is unclear if the L1-L2 average correlates with the remainder of the lumbosacral spine. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine possible BMD variations throughout the lumbosacral spine in patients undergoing lumbar fusion and to assess the correlation between the clinically used L1-L2 average and the remaining lumbosacral vertebral levels. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This is a retrospective case series. PATIENT SAMPLE Patients undergoing posterior lumbar spinal fusion from 2014 to 2017 at a single, academic institution with available preoperative CT imaging were included in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES The outcome measure was BMD measured by QCT. METHODS Standard QCT measurements at the L1 and L2 vertebra and additional experimental measurements of L3, L4, L5, and S1 were performed. Subjects with missing preoperative lumbar spine CT imaging were excluded. The correlations between the L1-L2 average and the other vertebral bodies of the lumbosacral spine (L3, L4, L5, S1) were evaluated. RESULTS In total, 296 consecutive patients (55.4% female, mean age of 63.1 years) with available preoperative CT were included. The vertebral BMD values showed a gradual decrease from L1 to L3 and increase from L4 to S1 (L1=118.8 mg/cm3, L2=116.6 mg/cm3, L3=112.5 mg/cm3, L4=122.4 mg/cm3, L5=135.3 mg/cm3, S1=157.4 mg/cm3). There was strong correlation between the L1-L2 average and the average of the other lumbosacral vertebrae (L3-S1) with a Pearson's correlation coefficient (r=0.85). We also analyzed the correlation between the L1-L2 average and each individual lumbosacral vertebra. Similar relationships were observed (r value, 0.67–0.87), with the strongest correlation between the L1-L2 average and L3 (r=0.87). CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate regional BMD differences throughout the lumbosacral spine. Nevertheless, there is high correlation between the clinically used L1-L2 average and the BMD values in the other lumbosacral vertebrae. We, therefore, conclude the standard clinically used L1-L2 BMD average is a useful bone quantity measure of the entire lumbosacral spine in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion.
Polyphenol Consumption on Human Bile Acids Metabolism: Preliminary Data of Bile Acid Profiles in Human Biological Samples (P06-131-19)

Objectives Bile acids (BAs) play a critical role in regulating human health through the activation of BAs receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and membrane G protein coupled bile acid receptor-1 (TGR5). We aimed to develop methods to characterize BAs and their metabolites in human biological samples and characterize changes in BAs profile after chronic polyphenol consumption to help guide investigations on the potential health effects of polyphenols via BAs metabolism.
Nonreciprocal Radio System Calibration for Propagation-Based Key Generation

Propagation-based secret key generation (SKG) is a physical layer method for establishing encryption keys based on two radios observing a reciprocal propagation channel. However, nonreciprocal contributions to the channel introduced by the radio circuitry significantly degrade the ability to reliably generate keys using such methods, necessitating the development of calibration methods for removing the impact of channel nonreciprocity. This paper uses a total least squares (TLS) algorithm coupled with a detailed model of the multiple-input multiple-output radio frequency circuitry and propagation for the radio system to achieve such a calibration. Simulations show that the method is highly effective in removing the impact of nonreciprocal circuit contributions over a range of operational parameters.
Lane Width Estimation in Work Zones Using LiDAR-Based Mobile Mapping Systems

Lane width evaluation is one of the crucial aspects in road safety inspection, especially in work zones where a narrow lane width can result in a reduced roadway capacity and also, increase the probability of severe accidents. Using mobile mapping systems (MMS) equipped with laser scanners is a safe and cost-effective method for rapidly collecting detailed information along road surface. This paper presents an approach to derive lane width estimates using point clouds acquired from a geometrically-calibrated mobile mapping system. Starting from an accurate LiDAR point cloud, the road surface is extracted with the assistance of trajectory elevation data. Lane markings are identified based on the intensity data. Next, the lane marking centerline is derived and clustered to identify areas with ambiguous or missing lane markings and finally, use the normal (or, unambiguous) lane markings to estimate the lane width. The derived lane width estimates are used to develop a reporting mechanism for areas with narrow lanes, ambiguous lane markings, missing lane markings, and/or wide lanes.
Molecular Testing in Ovarian Cancer: Recommendations and Treatment Considerations

Ovarian cancer is a heterogeneous disease that encompasses a number of different histologic subtypes, including high-grade serous carcinomas (the most frequent), endometrioid, and clear cell, mucinous, and low-grade serous carcinomas. Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene TP53, BRCA mutations, and abnormalities of DNA repair genes are found primarily in high-grade serous carcinomas, while mutations in other key molecular pathways such as Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and the ErbB family are present in the less common ovarian histologies. Three PARP inhibitors have been FDA approved for the treatment of recurrent OC or for use as maintenance therapy after platinum-based chemotherapy.
Classroom Engagement Evaluation Using Multi-sensor Fusion with a \(180^{\circ }\) Camera View

Classroom engagement is a challenging task in modern days due to a lot of digital distractions, but keeping students engaged is one important factor that determines whether students learn from lectures. Globally, many schools and colleges force students not to bring any digital devices to the class. Even though they force them to listen but professors could not get the insights of the student’s engagement due to daydreaming and they cannot monitor the students if the classroom size is larger. In this paper, we focus on classroom engagement with all digital devices and observe their level of attention in the class. We recorded the facial gestures of the students during the lecture from the front end (180\(^\circ \) view of the camera). Most of the traditional classroom assessment tools are based on summary judgments of students in the form of student surveys filled out in class or online once a semester. Such ratings are often biased and do not capture the real-time teaching of professors. In addition, they fail for the most part to capture the locus of teaching and learning difficulties. They cannot differentiate whether the ongoing poor performance of students is a function of the instructor’s lack of teaching skill or the student’s lack of engagement in the class. So, in order to streamline and improve the evaluation of classroom engagement, we introduce human gestures as an additional tool to improve teaching evaluation along with other techniques. In this paper, we report the results of using a novel technique that uses a semi-automatic computer vision-based approach to obtain an accurate prediction of classroom engagement in classes where students can have digital devices like laptops and, cellphones during lectures. We conducted our experiment in various classroom sizes at different times of the day.
The Overlooked Costs of the Permanent War Economy: A Market Process Approach

How does the permanent war economy interact, and subsume, the private, non-military economy? Can the two remain at a distance while sharing resource pools? This paper argues that they cannot. Once the U.S. embarked upon the path of permanent war, starting with World War II, the result was a permanent war economy. The permanent war economy continuously draws resources into the military sector at the expense of the private economy, even in times of peace. We explore the overlooked costs of this process. The permanent war economy does not just transfer resources from the private economy, but also distorts and undermines the market process which is ultimately responsible for improvements in standards of living.
Telomere length is associated with HIV infection, methamphetamine use, inflammation, and comorbid disease risk.

Abstract Background HIV infection and methamphetamine dependence (METH) are each associated with inflammation and premature aging, but their impact on biological aging is difficult to measure. Here we examined the impact of HIV and METH on leukocyte telomere lengths (LTL), and the correlations between LTL and other aging biomarkers. Methods The study was a cross-sectional analysis of 161 individuals categorized by HIV and methamphetamine (METH) dependence status into four groups: HIV-METH- (n = 50), HIV-METH+ (n = 29), HIV + METH- (n = 40), and HIV + METH+ (n = 42). We analyzed the relationships of leukocyte telomere length (telomere to single copy gene [T/S] ratio) with demographic and clinical data as well as a panel of biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial activation measured in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Results HIV and METH were independently associated with shorter T/S ratio, even after adjusting for demographics and leukocyte count (R2 = 0·59, p Conclusions HIV and METH dependence were each associated with shorter telomeres. After adjusting for demographics, HIV, and METH, T/S ratio remained associated with aging-related outcomes including neurocognitive impairment, neurodegeneration, risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke. While not establishing causality, this study supports using the T/S ratio as a biomarker for estimating the impact of HIV and comorbidities on long-term health.
Novel fluorescent staining protocol for thick sections of human osteochondral tissues to facilitate correlation with MRI and CT.

To describe a novel fluorescent histochemical protocol to visualize osteoclasts, vasculature, and nerves in thick sections of human osteochondral tissues and to demonstrate its feasibility for use in radiologic-pathologic research correlation studies. Consecutive patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty surgeries underwent pre-operative MRI. CT imaging was performed after tissue collection, and abnormal osteochondral regions were sectioned to 1–2 mm in thickness and decalcified. Fluorescent labeling of osteoclasts was performed by staining for tartrate-resistant alkaline phosphatase activity with a fluorescent substrate. Vascular structure was visualized with fluorescently labeled lectin Ulex europaeus Agglutinin I (UEA-I). Immunostaining was performed for proteins including smooth muscle actin expressed in smooth muscle cells surrounding arterioles and fibrotic myofibroblasts, as well as for neuropeptide Y expressed in sympathetic nerves. Sections were then recut at 5 μm and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Edema-like and cyst-like regions identified with MRI and CT were easily located in fluorescent images and appeared to have increased osteoclast activity. Fibrotic regions were identified with thickened arterioles and increased myofibroblasts. Sympathetic nerve fibers traveled alongside arborizing blood vessels. Stained sections became transparent in a water-based refractive index-matched medium, permitting deep 3D visualization of the elaborate neurovascular network in bone. Sequential staining procedures were successfully performed with the same sections, demonstrating the potential to compare multiple cellular markers from the same locations. Routine H&E staining could be performed after the fluorescent staining protocol. We have developed a multimodal framework to facilitate comparisons between histology and clinical MRI and CT.
A High-Efficiency Charge-Pump Gate Drive Power Delivery Technique for Flying Capacitor Multi-Level Converters with Wide Operating Range

In this work, we present a robust gate drive power delivery approach well-suited for converter topologies, such as the flying-capacitor multi-level (FCML) converter, that contain several series-connected switching elements. The proposed power delivery network leverages internal voltages inherent to the FCML topology in combination with a charge-pump mechanism to provide gate drive power with high efficiency. The charge-pump design operates independently of the primary switching devices, allowing the converter to operate at very low duty ratios without suffering from significant degradation of the floating supplies. The concept is validated in a hardware prototype, demonstrating an estimated 38% reduction in gate drive power delivery losses compared to competing techniques. Moreover, the robustness of the technique is validated through incorporation into a 400V, 2kW 6-level FCML DC-DC converter, achieving a 99.07% peak conversion efficiency and 2.05kW/in3 power density.
Classification of Insecticides

The development of new insecticides in the past three decades has been so rapid that no single book can adequately cover all the insecticidal derivatives without the risk of being outdated as soon as it is published. It is not, therefore, the purpose of this chapter to describe all the details of insecticidal compounds. Rather, the intention is to classify these chemicals according to the chemical properties which make them insecticidal. Other descriptions are added when it is felt that such explanation would assist the reader in understanding the historic, economic, or chemical importance of the compounds.
National agenda, politics, and macroeconomic performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between China's macroeconomic performance and cyclic political events.Design/methodology/approach – The research is hypothesis‐derived and empirically driven.Findings – In China, economic growth has been largely consistent under different leaderships, and inflation and unemployment tend to be low during the year in which the Communist Party of China convenes its Congress.Research limitations/implications – Further multivariate, time‐series analysis is expected.Practical implications – Periodic adjustments in monetary and fiscal policies will benefit sustainable economic growth and social stability.Originality/value – This is the first empirical work to explore a systematic relationship between cyclic political changes or events and macroeconomic performance in China.
Neuro-muscular specification of linguistic units.

The technique of electromyography was utilized to investigate the relationship which exists between linguistic units and muscular activity. Muscle action potentials of the orbicularis oris muscle were recorded from three subjects. A LINC computer was used to sum and average the EMG signals of 20 tokens of 54 CVC monosyllables. The results showed that no simple correspondence exists between phonemes and motor commands. Different gestures produce /b/ and /p/ in initial and final position of an utterance. It was also shown that electromyography can be used to test linguistic hypotheses regarding particular languages. Two alternative inferences are suggested from the fact that the neural muscular correlate of a given phoneme is different in different phonetic contexts : (1) the minimal linguistic unit corresponding to the motor commands which produce speech is larger than the phoneme, perhaps more of the order of a syllable ; (2) motor commands related to phoneme production are altered, i.e. context restricte...
Methodology for Delivering Feedback to Neurology House Staff on Communication Skills Using AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank You) (P1.328)

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted as a pilot to measure the effectiveness of a new AIDET tool in assessing physicians’ communication behaviors. BACKGROUND The quality of physicians’ communication skills is intricately tied to the patient experience, with implications for patient satisfaction, as measured by HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) and Press Ganey surveys, and various health-related outcomes. The AIDET mnemonic was developed by Studer Group as a template for improving physician communication with patients. DESIGN/METHODS Ten neurology residents at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) were observed by a single recorder during 20 individual clinic visits. They were rated using an instrument which consists of 18 items, differentially weighted (either 1 or 2 points, with 2-point items more directly tied to AIDET behaviors). The instrument yields five domain scores and an overall total score (on a 0-27 scale). It is rescaled to a 0-100%. Physicians received scores based on which specific behaviors were performed (e.g. acknowledged others in the patient room, introduced self, etc.). RESULTS Total scores (range 26-14) and percentage of all items that were addressed (range 51.9-96.3%) were rated for each physician-patient interaction. Eight observations were conducted prior to, and in 2 cases after, a hospital-wide communication skills training program for house staff at TJUH. The training employed AIDET as the primary communication tool. The average percentage points for each AIDET category were Acknowledge 86%; Introduce 43%; Duration 99%; Explanation 78%; and Thank you 58%. The most improvement was noted in the Introduce category (pre-training 29% to post-training 75%). CONCLUSIONS The data showed that physicians had the most difficulty with introducing themselves to patients properly (including specialty, role in patient’s care), and in thanking patients (or ending on a gracious note) at the end of the visit. These findings were used to deliver feedback to residents and to adapt and direct the emphasis of the communication skills training to address those areas of opportunity. Disclosure: Dr. Katona has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kunkel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Arfaa has nothing to disclose. Dr. Weinstein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Skidmore has received personal compensation for activities with Upsher-Smith Laboratories Inc. Dr. Skidmore has received research support from Neuropace.
Providing quality of service in wide-area publish/subscribe systems: poster

In recent years, the industry has witnessed an increasing trend of exploiting the publish/subscribe paradigm for integrating and expanding enterprise application domains over large geographic areas. The quality of the publish/subscribe service plays a critical role in the overall system performance as perceived by the end users. In this work, we present an overlay-based publish/subscribe system, called Harmony, that can manage the end-to-end QoS in latency, throughput and availability, based on the application requirements. This is achieved through a holistic set of overlay routing mechanisms that actively exploit the diversity in the network paths and direct the traffic over links with high quality, based on the feedback from a distributed network monitoring component. Harmony also provides highly available services with minimal traffic overhead, through carefully establishing multiple paths and backup brokers. We have validated these capabilities in the context of a national airspace surveillance system, where a large volume of real-time aircraft tracking data from different sources is transported among various federal agencies located throughout the US continent.
Grid frequency regulation by recycling electrical energy in flywheels

Grid frequency regulation function addresses the balance between the network's load and power generated. The system operator generates a signal, area control error (ACE) signal at PJM, based on the difference between these two parameters. The expected goal is to keep the system near nominal 60 or 50 Hz. Traditionally, frequency regulation is managed by varying the output of fossil fuel or hydro generators connected to the electric grid. The authors present a new method in which electric energy is recycled. First, absorbing energy when it is in abundance, then discharging the same for the desired frequency regulation effect. The proposed system is based on kinetic energy storage technology in high-speed flywheels. Performance modeling results, based on actual ACE signals, indicate that a modular flywheel system matrix is effective in providing frequency regulation. The cost of this system is attractive compared with today's generator-based approach. The controlled injection or absorption of reactive power, inherent to the system, extents its capability to provide voltage support. Further, fast acting control electronics allow for the damping of grid oscillations. All the above functions, once deployed in moderate numbers, could help prevent frequency and voltage shifts that have been linked to significant blackouts in recent history
Dentists and sub-bachelor's degree allied health manpower.

An evaluation of dentists' attitudes toward allied health workers is given. A look at the attitudes and perceptions of dentists toward the utilization and training of dental auxiliaries indicated that many seem willing to delegate to the auxiliary personnel some duties that are usually performed by dentists.
Chemically deposited nanocrystalline lead sulfide thin films with tunable properties for use in photovoltaics

Abstract A refurbished chemical bath deposition technique was developed for growing thin film semiconducting nanocrystalline lead sulphide (PbS) for use in photovoltaics. The goal of this work was to produce good quality crystals, with the high mobility of holes and electrons required for effective carrier separation in photovoltaic applications, and to control other electro-physical properties. Tightly attached, densely compacted, nanocrystalline PbS films with tunable electrical, physical, and optical properties were deposited. Adherence to the substrate was attained by establishing firmly attached kernels on the substrate from which crystallization occurred. Nanocrystalline structures were precipitated unto the substrate by controlling the deposition temperatures, time, concentration of the chemical constituents and ionic products. Using this approach nanocrystalline thin film PbS layers with controllable thicknesses were proliferated. SEM images show rigid crystalline structure, and low impurity concentrations in the film. Hall Effect and spectroscopy measurements illustrate tunable electrical, physical, and optical properties. Carrier concentrations were achieved between 6 × 1016 /cm3−8 × 1018/cm3 and mobility ranged between 3.4 cm2/Vs–33 cm2/Vs. Photoconductivity was measured using 980 nm laser and blackbody at temperature of 450 °C and 800 °C. Results indicate low recombination rates on the surface. Prolonged exposure to air confirms resistance to oxidation, and stability of the optical and electro-physical parameters.
The nitrosation of aniline with Zn(py)2(ONO)2

Abstract Diazoaminobenzene (DAAB) formed slowly when aniline was reacted with Zn(py)2(ONO)2 in dichloroethane at 60°. The rate of reaction was followed by measuring the DAAB concentration spectrophotometrically at 353 nm. Complex concentrations ranged from 5 to 30 mM, while those of aniline were from 100 to 900 mM. The kinetic data were explained by a mechanism involving a pre-equilibrium, wherein aniline displaced a nitrite ion from the zinc complex. This was followed by a slow reaction of the free nitrite ion with the solvent, forming a highly reactive nitrosating species.
Sensitivity Measurements of a Transition-Edge Hot-Electron Microbolometer for Millimeter-Wave Astrophysical Observations

Future experiments to probe the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization will need arrays of 1000s of sensitive bolometers. We are developing a Transition-edge Hot-electron Microbolometer (THM) to fill this need. This small-volume bolometer consists of a superconducting bilayer Transition-Edge Sensor (TES) with a thin-film absorber. Unlike traditional monolithic bolometers which make use of micromachined structures, the THM employs the decoupling between electrons and phonons at milliKelvin temperatures to provide thermal isolation. The devices are fabricated photolithographically and are easily integrated with antennas via microstrip transmission lines, and with SQUID readouts. We present the results of noise, responsivity, and thermal conductance measurements in which electrical power is dissipated in the absorber, and confirm a thermal model for a test THM with a Mo/Au TES and Bi/Au absorber.
High-precision biological event extraction with a concept recognizer

We approached the problems of event detection, argument identification, and negation and speculation detection as one of concept recognition and analysis. Our methodology involved using the OpenDMAP semantic parser with manually-written rules. We achieved state-of-the-art precision for two of the three tasks, scoring the highest of 24 teams at precision of 71.81 on Task 1 and the highest of 6 teams at precision of 70.97 on Task 2. The OpenDMAP system and the rule set are available at bionlp.sourceforge.net.
Stability of openings in jointed rock

The slide line approach is combined with the finite element method to represent the action of a removable block on a lined tunnel. The present paper examines the strength and ductility required of the tunnel liner to resist the forces imposed by a block when the surrounding rock mass is subjected to explosive loading. Key block theory developed by Goodman and Shi provides the conceptual framework for simplifying a general jointed domain to a manageable size for analysis with finite element models.