cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Price Determinants of Foreclosed Urban Land

Foreclosure proceedings are the primary cause of real-estate auction sales in the US. Given the added legal constraints and risk associated with foreclosure proceedings, it is an empirical question as to whether the resulting prices are a function of the usual underlying factors of physical characteristics, locational benefits and neighbourhood effects which motivate normal market sale pricing. Using a hedonic pricing model common in the analysis of market sale prices, we find systematically determined price behaviour which replicates market pricing
Using thermal profiling to quantify optical feedback into semiconductor lasers

Thermal profiling is an ideal technique for monitoring optical feedback into semiconductor lasers in photonic integrated circuits. Quantitative measurements of optical output power, optical feedback magnitude, and threshold current shift are obtained without optical measurements.
Client resistance as predicted by therapist behavior : a study of sequential dependence

This study examined the relation of client resistant behavior to therapist directive behavior in a sample of 10 prominent archival therapy sessions. Client and therapist speaking tums were coded, with the behavior being aggregated into 1st-order 2 x 2 sequential frequency matrices for each dyad: one set with therapist behavior as antecedent and another set with client behavior as antecedent. The dependency of client and therapist behavior on the behavior of the other was considered across different dyads. The results indicated an overall trend, with therapist directive behavior slightly increasing the probability of subsequent client resistance. No similar effect of client behavior on subsequent therapist behavior was found. Implications of the findings with respect to research and practice are discussed.
Echocardiography of the prominent Eustachian valve—associations and complications with cyanosis and right heart obstruction

We reviewed the echocardiographic features of 16 children with prominent Eustachian valves, six of whom had associated pathology of the right heart, while eight had other anomalies, primarily atrial and ventricular septal defects. The hearts of two patients were structurally normal. Prolapse of the membrane through the orifice of the tricuspid valve or through the atrial septum was present in seven patients, two of whom were symptomatic. One presented with severe cyanosis which resolved after surgical removal on the basis of the echocardiographic findings. The other presented with atrial arrhythmias which did not improve with removal. The size or behavior of the membrane, including prolapse, did not correlate with either age or presence of pathology of the right heart. The echocardiographic appearance of prominent Eustachian valves is variable. Rarely, when prominent, the valves can cause symptoms associated with obstruction to the right heart, particularly cyanosis or an arrhythmia.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PLANNING-PERFORMANCE CONUNDRUM IN A DYNAMIC MACROENTREPRENEURIAL ENVIRONMENT

While it is intuitively appealing from a theoretical perspective to confirm the relationship between strategic planning and performance as measured by growth and profitability, many unknowns tend to confound the perfect model. The literature is rich with studies attempting to explicate the dynamics of planning and performance, yet there is no closure because of the vagaries of sample and methodology. This paper investigates the planning-performance conundrum in a dynamic macroentrepreneurial environment.The results of this study clearly show that for the present sample of macroentrepreneurs, strategic planning had a deleterious effect on peiformance. This suggests that entrepreneurship researchers may need to reexamine some basic axioms and precepts. For example, perhaps entrepreneurs do employ a rapidly evolving vision to negotiate through dynamic environments rather than operate under the constraints of strategic planning. Clearly, the firms in this sample were all highly successful ventures. Further, they all practiced strategic management. If strategic planning did not contribute to that success, what did? The search for an explanation continues.
Agricultural Economic in the USDA: An Inside View

IT HAS BECOME the practice in the semiannual gatherings of this association to cast a reflective eye on the profession and the institutions under which we work. Last summer, Jim Bonnen gave us his "Crisis in the Agricultural Establishment." Last winter Will Cochrane talked about what he learned in Washington. Before that there were Ted Schultz, Maurice Kelso, Ed Bishop, Ray Bressler, and some others. Most take a critical view of the profession of agricultural economics and where it is headed.
Access-Right: An Inquiry into the Problem of Digital Copyright Law

This is a revised draft introduction to an extended study on copyright law. The draft introduction explains in brief the structure of the study and the main thesis it advances.
Linear Regression with Intercept

Linear regression with an intercept and its solution is considered. First, an augmentation formulation is analyzed. We then consider linear regression with an intercept in a non-augmented form. Comparisons between the two solutions of linear regressions with intercept are discussed. The derived algorithms are then applied to nonlinear parameter estimation problems leading to linear regression problems with an intercept. An intercept is included to address truncation error during linearization, thus improving the accuracy of the estimation algorithm.
Structural and growth patterns of adenoid cystic carcinoma of breast.

The diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma was based on the finding of basal cells forming acini, some of which contained acellular, proteinaceous material. The looseness and loss of polarity in cells more than two cells away from the lumen were used as a third criterion to differentiate this tumor from ductal carcinoma with a cribriform pattern. The development of the original lumen was traced through to the pattern of fibrovascular invasion of the tumor. Three new cases are reported and a 39-year survival of a previously-reported patient is described; in the latter case there was a histologically proven recurrence 22% years following the first excisional biopsy. As an example of quantitation, the geometry in the mastectomy specimen indicated a maximum linear growth rate of 2.4 mm. per year.
A new genus, Leucopholiota, in the Tricholomataceae (Agaricales) to accommodate an unusual taxon

Armillaria subgenus Leucopholiota is elevated to the generic level to accommodate Tricholoma deco- rosum, originally placed in Agaricus tribus Tricholoma and best known as Armillaria decorosa. Included are a
Gaussian Beam Decomposition For Seismic Migration

In reflection seismology, seismic waves are recorded at the surface of the earth and migrated to image the subsurface. In mathematical terms, this is a boundary-value problem for the wave equation, where the boundary data are the recorded seismic wavefields. Gaussian beams, which are localized solutions of the wave equation, can be used for seismic migration. However, before Gaussian beams can be used for a solution of the boundary-value problem, the recorded data have to be represented in a compatible form. We present a new method for decomposing seismic data as a sum of Gaussian beams, based on transforming boundary data to a propagating wavefield. A simple synthetic seismic migration example illustrates our method and shows how different classes of Gaussian-beam parameters (such as curvature and extent) control the accuracy and sparseness of data representation.
Fluorescent Cytochemical Detection of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Breast Fine-Needle Aspirates

Estrogen and progesterone receptors were studied in fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens of 56 patients with primary, recurrent, or metastatic breast carcinoma. The ligands, 17 B-estradiol-6-carboxymethyloxine-bovine serum albumin fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-BSA estradiol) and hydroxyprogesterone hemisuccinate bovine serum albumin tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (TMRITC-BSA progesterone), were used in the fluorescent cytochemical method. The findings obtained from the aspirated cells with the use of the fluorescent cytochemical technique were compared with results obtained from the cell population of the same tumor after removal with the use of both the fluorescent cytochemical technique and the biochemical dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) assay. For the needle aspirates, there was 89% concordance for estrogen receptor and 86% concordance for progesterone receptor between biochemical and cytochemical results. A high degree of correlation was also demonstrated between fine-needle aspirates and imprint preparations with the use of the cytochemical technique. This study suggests that the fluorescent cytochemical technique is an effective tool in assessment of estrogen and progesterone receptor content in fine-needle aspirates of primary and metastatic breast cancer. The fluorescent cytochemical technique can be performed easily at community hospitals and is well suited for specimens of insufficient size for biochemical assay.
The Relationship Between Words and Tone-of-Voice

This study shows that there are normative associations between words and tone-of-voice, and that synchrony and dysynchrony between these two modes of speech communication can be operationally defin...
Design for Sub-module in Modular Multi-level Converter HVDC Power Transmission System

This paper introduces several details of modular multi-level inverter(MMC) high-voltage direct current(HVDC) power transmission system sub-module(SM) design,such as system structure,DC capacitor parameter selection,IGBT components selected and thermal calculations,thermal design.The technology basic architecture of SM is shown.Parameters calculation methods of key devices and design ideas of SM are given.The test results verify the correctness and the reliability of the design method.
A study on mutagenicity and antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidin

Objective To examine the mutagenicity and antioxidant activity of Proanthocyanidin( PC). Methods Three mutagenicity tests including Ames test,bone marrow micronucleus test and sperm malformation test in mice were conducted.According to the level of erythrocyte MDA,11-month-old rats were randomly divided into five groups including blank control,solvent control and 41. 67,83. 33,250. 0 mg /kg test groups. The content of erythrocyte MDA,SOD and GSH-PX activity of each dosage group were then observed after administration of PC to test the antioxidant activity. Results In all three mutagenicity tests,no mutagenic effect was observed in any PC-treated group. Compared with two control groups,the content of erythrocyte MDA was significantly decreased in 83. 33 and 250. 0 mg /kg groups( both P 0. 05)and GSH-Px activity was significantly increased in 250 mg /kg group( P 0. 05). Conclusion PC had no mutagenic effect but showed antioxidant activity under our experimental conditions.
Segmental Renal Artery Infarction: A Case Report With Computerized Tomography Scan and Angiographic Correlation

Abstract Segmental renal artery infarction results in a clinical syndrome that generally involves transient hematuria, leukocytosis, fever and flank or abdominal pain, and generally occurs in patients with a history of atherosclerotic, cardiac or thromboembolic diseases. We present a case that demonstrates the characteristic appearance of this lesion on a computerized tomography scam Angiographic correlation is provided.
National Self-image Demonstrated: Force in Chinese Diplomacy

What follows is a study of the use of force in Chinese diplomacy. The use of force is not treated as anything more than a specific mode of foreign policy. It is argued that the Chinese use of force is simply another mechanism that serves to confirm, actualise, and, above all, dramatise China’s national self-image as perceived by the dominant domestic political force.
Toxoplasma infection: Making the best use of laboratory tests

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite found worldwide that commonly causes nonpathologic infections in humans; however, infection may be harmful in certain persons. In the United States, infection occurs mainly from the ingestion of undercooked meat containing the cyst form of the parasite. The serologic diagnosis can be complex. To address this, a panel of antibody tests has been designed to determine whether infection with T gondii is recent or remote. The polymerase chain reaction assay to diagnose infection with Toxoplasma has high utility in specific clinical scenarios, such as prenatal diagnosis and diagnosis in immunocompromised patients.
Impact of Combining Targeted Agents with High-Dose Cytarabine-Based Induction Chemotherapy on Acute Myeloid Leukemia Outcomes: The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Experience

Abstract 1539 Background: Standard AML therapy with cytarabine and an anthracycline produces a complete remission (CR) rate of 60%–70% but cure rates of only 15%–25%. AI (ara-C 1.5g/m2x3d and idarubicin 12mg/m2x3d), the standard induction chemotherapeutic backbone used at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for AML, consists of idarubicin 12 mg/m2/day on days 1–3 and cytarabine 1.5 g/m2 IV over 24 hours daily on days 1–4 (days 1–3 only if age >60 years). In recent years several targeted agents have been combined with IA in an attempt to improve outcomes. Patients & Methods: We reviewed all the AI-based protocols used at our institution over the last decade to identify combinations that may improve outcomes over standard AI. Only trials that enrolled >20 pts (age 15–70 years) were analyzed, including AI alone (n=486) and in combination with sorafenib (BAY; n=56), interleukin-11 (IL-11; n=37), lisofylline (Liso; n=24), vorinostat (SAHA; n=58), tipifarnib (Zarn; n=84), G-CSF+/−ATRA (G+/−ATRA; n=115). Patients with core-binding factor AML or acute promyelocytic leukemia were excluded. Results: The combination of AI with BAY (84%), lisofylline (67%), SAHA (76%) and G+/−ATRA (76%; no difference regardless of the addition of ATRA) produced higher CR rates than IA alone (61%; p=0.0001), which for BAY and SAHA was also accompanied by improved early death (ED; 8-wk mortality) rate and median overall survival (OS) (5%/not reached [NR] & 5%/68wks) compared to AI alone (15%/48wks) (Table 1, Figure 1). AI+Zarn produced similar CR (61%) but improved ED rate & OS (8%/54wks) while AI+G+/−ATRA also rendered a better OS (83wks) than AI. Of note, both BAY (80%) and SAHA (79%) but not G+/−ATRA (57%) included a higher number of pts younger than 60 yrs compared to AI (55%). However, when only pts When the analysis was limited to pts with unfavorable cytogenetics (−5, −7, complex) BAY (75%/NR), SAHA (69%/43wks), G+/−ATRA (80%/23wks) also improved the outcomes produced by AI (50%/21wks) with better ED rates (0%, 5%, 12.5% and 19%, respectively). Of the latter targeted agents, sorafenib and SAHA showed remarkable activity in FLT3-mutated AML. CR/OS rates for pts with FLT3-ITD were 94%/67wks for BAY, 91%/77wks for SAHA (no FLT3 mutational data for G+/−ATRA) and 64%/48wks for AI (AI vs BAY or SAHA, p=0.001 for CR and p=0.001 for OS). Conclusion: Long-term follow-up suggests that IA combined with sorafenib, SAHA, or G+/−ATRA may improve outcomes in pts with AML, including those with adverse karyotypes and those older than 60 years, compared with AI alone. AI+Sorafenib and (surprisingly) AI+SAHA showed remarkable activity against FLT3-mutated AML. Randomized studies are warranted to confirm these observations. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Balancing iron and calcium: Flavin carrier family proteins in Aspergillus fumigatus virulence.

The air-borne opportunistic fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus, is a critically important human pathogen and the major cause of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA).1,2 IPA is a severe disease in immu...
A Non-natural Protein Rescues Cells Deleted for a Key Enzyme in Central Metabolism

An important goal of synthetic biology is to create novel proteins that provide life-sustaining functions in living organisms. Recent attempts to produce novel proteins have focused largely on rational design involving significant computational efforts. In contrast, nature does not design sequences a priori. Instead, nature relies on Darwinian evolution to select biologically functional sequences from nondesigned sequence space. To mimic natural selection in the laboratory, we combed through libraries of novel sequences and selected proteins that rescue E. coli cells deleted for conditionally essential genes. One such gene, gltA, encodes citrate synthase, the enzyme responsible for metabolic entry into the citric acid cycle. The de novo protein SynGltA was isolated as a rescuer of ΔgltA. However, SynGltA is not an enzyme. Instead, SynGltA allows cells to recover from a defect in central carbon and energy metabolism by altering the regulation of an alternative metabolic pathway. Specifically, SynGltA drama...
Staphylococcal Decolonization in Surgery Patients

Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal skin bacterium that most commonly colonizes the anterior nares. Patients colonized with S. aureus carry an increased risk of nosocomial and surgical site infections with the same organism. Carriage of methicillin-resistant S. aureus is more difficult to eradicate, further increases the risk of infection, and makes treatment of infection more difficult. However, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus also causes serious infections. Preoperative S. aureus decolonization with topical or systemic treatments may present an opportunity to decrease the rates of surgical site infections. High-quality randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have supported the benefit of decolonization in cardiothoracic and orthopedic surgery patients; however studies of general surgery patients have been limited by small sample size and low overall incidence of S. aureus surgical site infection. Because of the low risk of decontamination compared to the significant burden of surgical site infection, S. aureus decolonization is cost-effective and likely to benefit all surgical patients.
Long term anchor holding capacity in satured clays

The results of a laboratory model study investigating the behavior of deeply embedded anchors are presented. The primary purpose of the tests is to study the behavior of the anchor-soil system under long-term loading in saturated, normally consolidated clay.The tests were conducted in soil of two different shearing strengths. For each soil strength, three different long-term load tests were performed. Long-term loads applied were at stress levels equivalent to 25%, 50% and 75% of the short-term (undrained) anchor break-out capacity. Pore pressure responses around the anchor, including the negative pore pressure (suction) beneath the anchor, were monitored using miniature piezometric probes. The test results provided functional relationship between anchor displacement, anchor load and pore pressure responses associated with consolidation process.
Nonimplant Arthroplasty for the Treatment of End-Stage Hallux Rigidus.

Abstract Surgical management of end-stage hallux rigidus involves joint-sparing techniques, including cheilectomy and decompression osteotomies, and joint-destructive procedures, including arthroplasty (resection, interpositional, implant, Valenti) and arthrodesis. Joint-destructive procedures have traditionally been reserved for the end stages of hallux rigidus involving grade 3 and 4. We present a modification of the previously reported Valenti arthroplasty with short-term patient outcomes. We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 96 patients who had undergone the nonimplant arthroplasty procedure for treatment of end-stage hallux rigidus with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. The preoperative and postoperative dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joints and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared. Of the 96 medical records, 27 (28%) met the inclusion criteria. The mean patient age was 60.2 (range 48 to 73) years, and the mean follow-up period was 12 (range 6 to 23) months. The mean preoperative range of motion for first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion was 4.69° (range −3° to 10°), and the mean postoperative dorsiflexion was 48.23° (range 30° to 65°), with a mean difference of 43.54° (range 25° to 60°). The preoperative VAS score averaged 6.46° (range 4° to 10°), and the postoperative VAS score averaged 0.69° (range 0° to 3°). Nonimplant arthroplasty was found to increase first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion and significantly decrease patient pain. Thus, it is a viable option for the treatment of end-stage hallux rigidus.
Vascularized dermal autograft for the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Background Irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs) are a challenging problem with diverse treatment modalities. We propose a technique for the treatment of IRCTs in which a vascularized dermal autograft is transferred to the posterosuperior region of the rotator cuff using the supraclavicular artery (SCA) island flap. Materials and methods Dissection of 11 fresh cadavers (19 shoulders) was performed, and the SCA island flap was harvested in all specimens. A full-thickness posterosuperior rotator cuff defect was created, and the flap was tunneled under the acromion and secured into position over the defect using multiple suture anchors. Simulated flap perfusion was then assessed, and flap measurements were recorded. Results There were 4 male and 7 female cadavers (19 shoulders). Flap perfusion was assessed in 10 shoulders. On average, the flap thickness was 4.7 mm (range, 3.5-7.1 mm); width, 32.6 mm (range, 25.5-38.0 mm); and length, 169.2 mm (range, 132.0-235.0 mm). The average distance from the flap tip to the Neviaser portal was 76.2 mm (range, 48.0-99.6 mm), and that from the flap tip to the anterolateral acromial edge was 54.1 mm (range, 29.5-75.1 mm). The pedicle-to-footprint distance was 113.7 mm (range, 88.5-147.0 mm). The average flap length exceeded the pedicle-to-footprint distance by 55.5 mm (range, 43.5-88.0 mm), indicating adequate excursion of the flap. All flaps demonstrated adequate simulated perfusion after fixation. Conclusion The SCA island flap may be an option for a vascularized dermal autograft for IRCTs, as shown in this cadaveric study. This illustrates a possible technique with vascular viability.
Stable response in the plastic range with local instability

A time-independent loaded system in equilibrium is stable, in the usual sense of being stable against infinitesimal or small perturbations applied by any external agency, if and only if the external agency must do positive work to produce each such perturbation. The scalar product of each rate or infinitesimal increment of load and the corresponding rate or increment of displacement must be positive. Similarly, a time-independent material under stress is in stable equilibrium if and only if the scalar product of any possible rate or increment of stress and corresponding rate or increment of total strain, elastic plus plastic, is positive for all possible perturbations.
Traffic Safety as a Health Issue

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an agency of the United States Department of Transportation, was established approximately 30 years ago to reduce deaths, injuries and costs due to motor vehicle crashes. The first director of the National Highway Safety Bureau (predecessor to NHTSA) was Dr. William Haddon, a physician from the New York State Health Department. Over the years, NHTSA has employed a scientific, data-based approach to address the traffic and motor-vehicle safety problem. The approach employed is similar to the public health approach in (1) using data to identify the magnitude of the problem; (2) identifying the causes of the problem (what are the risk factors?); (3) developing and testing interventions/countermeas-ures to reduce the problem; and (4) implementing the interven-tions/countermeasures, monitoring and measuring their effectiveness in addressing the problem (Centers for Disease Control, 1994).
Nutrition-related cardiovascular risk factors in older people: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

SETTING: In view of the recognized potential benefits of nutritional therapy in older persons, Congress is evaluating the coverage of nutritional services for Medicare beneficiaries. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the number of older persons in the US who have one or more cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, increased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus), for which nutritional therapy is recommended. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of adults, aged ≥65, participating in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). MAIN OUTCOMES: The authors estimated the proportion of adults, aged ≥65, with diabetes mellitus, increased LDL cholesterol, and/or hypertension. Efforts were made to assess whether obesity status, gender, race, and/or socioeconomic factors were associated with the prevalence of any or all three conditions. RESULTS: Approximately 86% (20 million persons) in the US, aged ≥65, have at least one of the index conditions. Whereas a higher body mass index (BMI) increased the likelihood of having any or all three conditions, 81% of persons of average body weight (BMI <25 kg/m 2 ) had at least one condition. After adjusting for age, gender, BMI, marital status, and poverty index, blacks were more likely than whites to have any one condition (odds ratio (OR) = 3.0, P < .01) or all three conditions (OR = 2.3, P =.05). CONCLUSIONS: Almost 90% of Americans aged ≥65 have one or more nutrition-related cardiovascular risk factors. Improved nutritional interventions may be valuable especially for blacks, who have a higher prevalence of conditions requiring nutritional therapy.
Using Fuzzy Logic in Virus-Mediated Gene Therapy

The increasing complexity of scientific procedure has led to the use of linguistic expressions, based on subjective judgment, for assessing different aspects of the process, especially uncertainties. For instance, in gene therapy, there are uncertainties associated with errors that can be incurred during the actual insertion process of the gene, although these are seldom addressed in overall process performance. Furthermore, one often finds inadequacies in traditional methods used to quantify these uncertainties. Therefore, an approach has been developed that uses fuzzy set concepts to attain the goal of appraising the overall efficacy of a certain method of virus-mediated gene therapy. The analysis was done through the mathematical and graphical interpretation of linguistic terms for these appraisals. This method can be used to further reduce the possibility of errors in the generation of viral vectors for use in this field of research.
Feature Modeling for Service Variability Management in Service-Oriented Architectures.

Abstract – Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) has emerged as a model for distributed software development that promotes flexible deployment and reuse. Software product lines (SPL) promote reusable application development for product families. Service oriented systems change to respond to changing clients’ requirements. As they change, service oriented systems can be modeled as service families similar to the SPL concept. Some SPL development techniques rely on feature models to describe the commonality and variability of member applications. We use SPL feature modeling techniques to model the variability of service families. In this paper, we introduce a platform independent approach to model SOA variability based on feature modeling. We develop a UML meta-model to describe features. Then, we describe SOA variability scenarios using the newly released OMG standard SoaML. Finally, we develop a meta-model that maps features into SoaML. We believe that such an approach facilitates variability management of service families in a systematic and platform independent way.
Statistical comparison of field height correction by Z-stage movement versus height-correction hardware in a modern electron-beam lithography tool

Modern electron-beam lithography tools are expected to operate within very tight specifications [S. Babin, S. Borisov, V. Militsin, T. Komagata, and T. Wakatsuki, Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. 9984, 998406 (2016)], in order to meet lithographic requirements for today’s and tomorrow’s cutting-edge electronic and photonic device fabrication. Specifications for linewidth fidelity, field stitching, and absolute feature placement accuracy demand the highest levels of performance. In this work, the performance of the hardware height compensation mechanism in a modern Gaussian-beam, vector-scan lithography tool is statistically compared with the use of the Z stage to correct for height on a field-by-field basis, in order to determine the method most likely to yield the best writing performance on a nonflat substrate. A test sample is prepared by writing an array of square marks on a 4 in. Si wafer. Four marks per field are written, using the four corners of the writing field. After development, the wafer is coated with metal and the resulting marker array is formed via lift-off. The test wafer is then reloaded into the lithography tool. For each writing field, the positions of each of the four marks are found, with respect to the center of the field. The fields are visited in a spiral-out order, beginning near the center of the wafer. Location of the marks can be performed under two different conditions: fixed Z position with normal height compensation active or with Z position adjusted to bring the substrate to reference the height before locating marks in each field. No height compensation is used in the latter case. Subsequent statistical and graphical analysis of the collected data provides insight into the dynamics of the tool’s height correction capabilities and helps to inform the choice of Z-drive motion versus hardware height correction. In addition, should anomalies be observed, the analysis provides useful diagnostic information.
Risk-Based Optimization of Resource Provisioning in Mobile Edge Computing

In this paper, we propose a risked-based optimization approach to resource provisioning in MEC systems with the aim of taking into account the risk of overloading of edge servers when making allocation decisions. Assuming that resource requirements of mobile applications are stochastic parameters, we formulate the problem as a chance-constrained stochastic program. In order to solve the problem in reasonable amount of time, we employ the Sample Average Approximation (SAA) method. We evaluate the efficiency of the proposed approach by conducting an experimental analysis on instances with different problem settings.
Persistence, Discontinuation, and Switching Patterns of Newly Initiated TNF Inhibitor Therapy in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients in the United States

The primary goals of treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients are to maximize long-term health-related quality of life through control of symptoms and inflammation, prevention of progressive structural damage, and preservation of function. The objective of this study was to describe treatment patterns (persistence, discontinuations, and switch) in the 2 years following the initiation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) therapy in AS patients. Adult patients with ≥ 2 AS diagnostic codes (ICD-9: 720.0 and/or ICD-10:M45.x) by a healthcare provider were included in this retrospective analysis of data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims database. Patients who newly initiated a TNFi from 01/01/2009 to 12/31/2013 were indexed on their first TNFi. Patients were required to have a 1-year pre-index period free of TNFi and continuous enrollment 1-year pre-index and 2-year post-index. Patients were excluded if they had ≥ 2 diagnostic codes for any of the following conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, or uveitis. Demographic, clinical, and treatment patterns were analyzed. Treatment patterns included switching to a new TNFi, discontinuation (≥ 90-day gap in therapy without starting a new TNFi), or persistence (no gaps in therapy ≥ 90 days) during the 2-year follow-up period. Logistic regression analyses predicting persistent vs. non-persistent and switching vs. discontinuation were conducted. A total of 1372 AS patients (846 males/526 females) met the inclusion criteria for this study. Males had a mean age of 44.3 years, while females had a mean age of 42.3 years. Adalimumab was the first biologic for the majority of patients (44.6% males/43.3% females), followed by etanercept (40.4% males/41.6% females), infliximab (10.4% males/10.8% females), golimumab (4.6% males/3.8% females), and certolizumab pegol (0.0% males/0.4% females). During the follow-up period, 33.1% of patients (n = 454) were persistent on their index TNFi, 40.7% (n = 559) discontinued their index TNFi and did not restart a TNFi, and 26.1% (n = 359) switched to a second TNFi. Patients prescribed cDMARDs were more likely to be persistent, while females and opioid users were less likely to be persistent on their first TNFi. Among those that discontinued their first TNFi, 32.8% (n = 187) of males and 43.6% (n = 177) of females switched to a second TNFi. This study suggests that approximately 67% of male AS patients and 77% of female AS patients newly initiating a TNFi do not remain on the index therapy 2 year post initiation. Eli Lilly and Company.
DRINKING AND DRIVING: THE EFFECT OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION ON BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION

The drunk driving legislation in Zimbabwe has a blood alcohol level concentration of 80 mg/100 ml. In addition the law has a second higher limit of 150 mg/100 ml and exceeding this level carries more severe penalties. This paper examines the factors that affect the rate of absorption and elimination of alcohol in the body and therefore influence the final blood alcohol concentration: (1) Quantity of alcohol consumed; (2) Rate of consumption; (3) Time of sampling; and (4) Individual variation. Data is currently being amassed in an attempt to correlate blood alcohol concentration and alcohol consumption for local beverages and the results are reported.
Impact of a New Consumer Form on the Quantity and Quality of Adverse Event Reports Submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration

STUDY OBJECTIVE Consumers and healthcare professionals can voluntarily report adverse experiences associated with drug products to the United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Consumers and healthcare professionals used the same general voluntary reporting form (GVR) until mid-2013, when a consumer voluntary reporting form (ConVR), written in plain language, was implemented. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the ConVR on the quality and quantity of consumer reports submitted directly to FAERS. DESIGN Descriptive; quasi-experimental. DATA SOURCE FAERS database. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We identified all consumer and healthcare professional reports received directly by the FDA from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2015. Report quality was defined by the completeness of 15 individual data fields and a structured tool measuring clinical documentation. An interrupted time series design was used to evaluate the impact on the quantity of consumer reports. Consumer reports submitted on the ConVR generally included more patient, product, and event data in the structured data fields than those submitted on the GVR. Fields with the greatest absolute percentage difference after the ConVR was introduced included race/ethnicity (+77.2%), product start and stop dates (+43% and +40.3%, respectively), dechallenge and rechallenge information (+19.1% and +29.4%, respectively), and medical history (+27%). Our structured assessment also classified more reports received on the ConVR as well documented relative to the GVR consumer reports (64.9% vs 37.8%, p<0.01). The time series model demonstrated an immediate increase of 499 consumer reports in the month following the ConVR's implementation (p<0.01). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the ConVR has contributed positively to both the quality and quantity of consumer reports in FAERS.
Combined off-pump coronary bypass grafting without heparin and liver transplantation: A novel approach to a complex dilemma.

Cardiac disease is a leading cause of early mortality for patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT), and severe coronary artery disease (CAD) is usually considered a contraindication for LT in patients with cirrhosis. Incidence of CAD in LT candidates has increased in recent years. While stable patients might be candidates for percutaneous interventions, patients with decompensated liver failure, or critical coronary lesions present a therapeutic challenge, and are often not considered candidates for LT. We present the case of a 60 year old male patient with decompensated liver failure, and critical CAD, who received successful combined off-pump coronary bypass grafting without heparin and LT using ex vivo normothermic liver perfusion machine. This approach represents a novel strategy to offer LT to this very selective group of patients.
Prioritized Unit Propagation with Periodic Resetting is (Almost) All You Need for Random SAT Solving.

We propose prioritized unit propagation with periodic resetting, which is a simple but surprisingly effective algorithm for solving random SAT instances that are meant to be hard. In particular, an evaluation on the Random Track of the 2017 and 2018 SAT competitions shows that a basic prototype of this simple idea already ranks at second place in both years. We share this observation in the hope that it helps the SAT community better understand the hardness of random instances used in competitions and inspire other interesting ideas on SAT solving.
Dynamin 2 interacts with α-actinin 4 to drive tumor cell invasion.

Dyn2 and α-actinin 4 interact directly to regulate invasive cell migration and the stabilization of invadopodia. Intriguingly, this is specific for α-actinin 4, and not the highly related protein α...
PERSISTENT REVERSED FLOW AND ANTEGRADE SLOW FLOW OF THE RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY WITH ANOMALOUS ORIGIN FROM THE LEFT SINUS ARE THE MECHANISMS FOR CHEST PAIN AND SUDDEN DEATH

Patients with right coronary artery (RCA) originated from the left sinus can have chest pain and sudden death. How to identify these patients in the prevention of such complications? Patients with the RCA originated from the left sinus were selected, interviewed for history of chest pain, and
Eleven biosynthetic genes explain the majority of natural variation for carotenoid levels in maize grain

ABSTRACT Vitamin A deficiency remains prevalent in parts of Asia, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa where maize is a food staple. Extensive natural variation exists for carotenoids in maize grain; to understand its genetic basis, we conducted a joint linkage and genome-wide association study in the U.S. maize nested association mapping panel. Eleven of the 44 detected quantitative trait loci (QTL) were resolved to individual genes. Six of these were expression QTL (eQTL), showing strong correlations between RNA-seq expression abundances and QTL allelic effect estimates across six stages of grain development. These six eQTL also had the largest percent phenotypic variance explained, and in major part comprised the three to five loci capturing the bulk of genetic variation for each trait. Most of these eQTL had highly correlated QTL allelic effect estimates across multiple traits, suggesting that pleiotropy within this pathway is largely regulated at the expression level. Significant pairwise epistatic interactions were also detected. These findings provide the most comprehensive genome-level understanding of the genetic and molecular control of carotenoids in any plant system, and a roadmap to accelerate breeding for provitamin A and other priority carotenoid traits in maize grain that should be readily extensible to other cereals.
Correlates of Formal Support Service Use among Dementia Caregivers.

Informal caregivers for persons with dementia frequently report needing assistance, yet formal support service use has been low. To better understand factors associated with service use, correlates...
“The innovation governance dilemma: Alternatives to the precautionary principle”

Abstract This article reviews the four innovation governance approaches (the precautionary principle, responsible innovation, permissionless innovation, and the innovation principle), including definitions, important attributes, and weaknesses found in each approach, and when utilizing an affinity diagram as a tool of analysis, identifies their distinctive characteristics and common relationships. A discussion section summarizes the paper’s findings and offers insights into where there is common relationships for further possible convergence between two innovation governance approaches – responsible innovation and permissionless innovation – that conceptually share substantially more in common than they contrast with each other. For addressing this challenge, the study recommends the following policy proposals: embrace artificial intelligence/machine learning/data analytics for risk management and regulatory adaptability; consider “soft law”as an option to public regulation; and substitute corporate citizenship for corporate social responsibility.
Ethics of Legal Astuteness: Barring Class Actions Through Arbitration Clauses

Recent Supreme Court cases empower firms to effectively bar class action lawsuits through mandatory arbitration clauses included in consumer adhesion and employment contracts. This article reviews these legal changes and argues for economic self-restraint among both corporate executives and corporate lawyers who advise them. Arbitration has many virtues as it promises to reduce transaction costs and to streamline economic exchange. Yet, the ethics of implementing a legal strategy often requires self-restraint when one is in a position of power, and always requires respect for due process when issues of human health, safety, and dignity are in play.
Ethical Aspects of the Use of Photography in Clinical Medicine

Clinical photography is an integral tool in patient care and as such is subject to the medico-ethical principles that are the pillars of moral patient care. These principles include beneficence (provide the best care possible), nonmaleficence (do the least harm possible), autonomy (an individual’s right to independent decision-making without coercion), justice, confidentiality, dignity, and honesty. Some principles are enforced through law, such as confidentiality of medical records, while others are not strictly required and open to interpretation. Recognizing the benefit of photography in documenting and monitoring clinical progress is straightforward; however, there is no one standardized approach to performing ethical photography. Therefore, the application of photography in clinical practice varies widely, making it difficult to ensure that ethics are upheld to the greatest ability. Furthermore, ethical principles in photography can conflict, adding complexity to the routine use of patient photographs. Recognition, discussion, and education of ethics in medial photography may encourage standardized approaches for enhanced patient care, especially when difficult ethical dilemmas arise.
Do Some People Work Harder Than Others? Evidence from Real Estate Brokerage

The decision to work and its levels of intensity are estimated for the real estate brokerage industry where workers can set their own hours. A three-stage model of the brokerage labor market is presented with decisions made recursively between full- and part-time status, wage offers and hours worked. The application is to data from a cross-sectional survey of 6,842 real estate licensees in the United States for 1999. Conditional on self-selection, an expected wage for real estate licensees is estimated given skills and personal characteristics. That expected wage enters the supply-side equation for the number of hours worked. The findings indicate the skills such as education, experience and licensee status are related to higher wages, but there is a negative self-selection in wages: part-time workers have higher unmeasured skills. Schooling and experience decreases hours worked, consistent with increasing efficiency. The resulting labor supply elasticity with respect to the wage is 0.24.
Clean energy transitions and human well-being outcomes in Lower and Middle Income Countries: A systematic review

Abstract Clean energy promises a wide range of individual and collective benefits. Though there is substantial research on the benefits of clean energy for specific populations, systematic assessments on household level outcomes resulting from clean energy adoption remain limited, especially for Lower and Middle Income Countries (L&MICs). Limited systematic knowledge about clean energy transitions hinders conceptual development and effective policies for improved access to, and more widespread adoption of, clean energy. In this research, we review 107 peer-reviewed articles to examine systematically household energy transitions in L&MICs. We consider factors that have a potential causal impact and identify associations between clean energy adoption and household well-being. We find substantial variation in energy transition pathways across L&MICs. Higher levels of household education, incomes, asset holdings, and the presence of credit and subsidy programs are associated with clean energy adoption, and such adoption likely facilitates a suite of socioeconomic benefits. Our review thus advances knowledge about the mechanisms for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 and promoting greater human well-being through clean energy adoption.