cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reversed Seasonal Variation in Maternal Vitamin D Levels in Southern Louisiana

Vitamin D is critical in bone and mineral homeostasis, particularly in the prevention of rickets in children. Levels of vitamin D in cord blood were measured in a population from New Orleans as an index of maternal vitamin D status at the time of delivery. Cord blood samples from infants born during the summer and winter showed lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels compared with those from infants born during fall and spring, indicating an unusual pattern of seasonality where vitamin D levels were among the lowest in the season with the greatest sunlight. It is important to establish screening and supplementation guidelines based on observed regional trends and risk factors, in addition to considerations based on global recommendations.
Analysis of Assembly Instructions for Children: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Building toys and models are vital for learning, yet accompanying assembly instructions are often confusing and difficult to use, especially for children. This exploratory study takes the first step toward developing a taxonomy of design variables and identifying features that may have the largest impact on the usability of pictorial assembly instructions. A secondary data analysis is employed comparing product ratings and reviews from an online retailer to the design factors of the corresponding instruction sets. Not surprisingly, results show a tremendous range of design formats and lack of standardization. However, several factors emerged that were associated more often with the instructions of highly rated products including pictures without text, color illustrations, structural and action diagrams, a higher number of instructions per frame, and one or two frames per page.
Improving Efficiency of the Bayesian Approach to Water Distribution Contaminant Source Characterization with Support Vector Regression

AbstractThere are multiple sources of uncertainties in urban water-distribution systems, e.g., nodal water demand and sensor measurement error. All of these uncertainties increase the complexity of contaminant source identification in a sparse sensor network. The large number of attributes (e.g., contaminant source location, magnitude, injection starting time, and duration) of a contaminant event profile cannot be identified given limited sensor data. Instead, the uncertainties in the contaminant event profile need to be characterized. Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods for Bayesian analyses allow for the characterization of the uncertainty in the contamination event profile. To account for stochastic water demands, which has been shown in some circumstances to be necessary if the contaminant event is to be properly characterized, the evaluation of the likelihood function is the most computationally expensive part of the MCMC implementation. Previous work applied Monte Carlo methods for error propaga...
Comparison of results of percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy in patients aged ≥65 years with those in patients aged <65 years

Percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy (PBMC) is now first-line therapy in patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis (MS) and favorable valve morphology. Unfortunately, the outcome of Medicare-aged patients undergoing this procedure has not previously been defined. The results of PBMC in 55 patients > or = 65 years old (71 +/- 6 years) with moderate or severe MS were compared with 268 younger patients (47 +/- 10). Preprocedural New York Heart Association functional class and pulmonary pressures did not differ. The older patients had higher blood pressure, were more likely to be in atrial fibrillation and had higher valve scores (9.9 +/- 2.5 vs 8.6 +/- 2.2, p = 0.001). Procedural success was higher in the younger group (71% vs 55%, p = 0.013), with a greater increase in mitral valve area. Complications were similar in both groups and there were no periprocedural deaths. At 6 months a significant improvement in function class was seen in both groups. Restenosis, as assessed by serial echocardiography, occurred at a rate of 0.06 cm(2)/year in both groups, and functional class remained unchanged over 3 years. Event-free survival was similar at 48 months: 76% in the younger group and 69% in the older group. Our data thus demonstrates that PBMC can be safely performed in the Medicare-aged population. Despite less acute success in the older population, complication rates do not differ and decrement in valve area over time occurs at a similar rate. Functional class remains improved and event-free survival over 4 years appears similar in both groups. PBMC should thus be offered to patients with MS and suitable anatomy regardless of their age.
Pediatric HIV Infection: A Neuropsychological and Educational Challenge

Pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection will soon be the primary infectious cause of perinatally acquired developmental disabilities in the United States. HIV encephalopathy and a variety of opportunistic infections, neoplasms, and vascular changes associated with pediatric HIV infection create a high probability of neuropsychological impairment among preschool and school-age children infected perinatally. Although the use of antiretrovirals may moderate some of the functional difficulties faced by these children, specific neuropathological and neuropsychological deficits are likely to remain. Treatments that prevent the central nervous system (CNS) effects of HIV have yet to be identified. As the epidemic progresses among women of child-bearing age, well-controlled developmental studies are needed to further clarify the relationship between HIV and child development, and to aid professionals in developing appropriate, school-based educational plans.
Landmark Trials in Lipid Reduction

Since the first epidemiological evidence on the benefit of lipid reduction in coronary heart disease (CHD) was gathered, a number of questions have emerged in this field of research. Consistent findings across a number of landmark trials have shown that lipid-lowering therapies significantly reduced major subsequent cardiovascular events in coronary patients with high and moderate low density lipoprotein (LDL) blood cholesterol levels. Although there has been some confusion on the effect of lipid intervention on mortality, recently definite answers have come from several major trials that establish a clear decrease in coronary death for patients after reduction of plasma cholesterol levels. Primary prevention in individuals with high LDL cholesterol levels was shown to be beneficial in terms of cardiovascular event reduction; more data are needed to address this issue for subjects with moderate LDL cholesterol levels. Reduction of LDL cholesterol below normal levels appeared to be beneficial for coronary patients, but again, further research is needed to elucidate this point. To date, major trials have answered some of the many questions pertaining to lipid-lowering therapies; further research will continue to provide information and allow patients to benefit maximally from lipid interventions.
An examination of the relationship between neighborhood income inequality, social resources, and obesity in Los Angeles county.

Abstract Purpose. This study examines whether local income inequality is associated with an increased likelihood of obesity among Los Angeles County residents and whether collective efficacy mediates the relationship. Design. A cross-sectional study of 2875 adults in 65 neighborhoods that took part in wave 1 of the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey in 2000–2001. Neighborhood measures are taken from the Los Angeles Neighborhood Services and Characteristics Database and decennial census. Measures. Obesity is defined as a body mass index over 30. Income inequality is operationalized with the Gini coefficient. Collective efficacy is a neighborhood-level measure comprised of aggregated responses to items that capture trust, cohesion, and the willingness to intervene for the common good among residents. Controls are included at the individual level for demographics and health characteristics, and at the neighborhood level for median household income. Analysis. Logistic regression models of individuals ...
A Denoising View of Matrix Completion

In matrix completion, we are given a matrix where the values of only some of the entries are present, and we want to reconstruct the missing ones. Much work has focused on the assumption that the data matrix has low rank. We propose a more general assumption based on denoising, so that we expect that the value of a missing entry can be predicted from the values of neighboring points. We propose a nonparametric version of denoising based on local, iterated averaging with mean-shift, possibly constrained to preserve local low-rank manifold structure. The few user parameters required (the denoising scale, number of neighbors and local dimensionality) and the number of iterations can be estimated by cross-validating the reconstruction error. Using our algorithms as a postprocessing step on an initial reconstruction (provided by e.g. a low-rank method), we show consistent improvements with synthetic, image and motion-capture data.
Multiscale modeling of nano/micro systems by a multiscale continuum field theory

This paper presents a multiscale continuum field theory and its application in modeling and simulation of nano/micro systems. The theoretical construction of the continuum field theory will be briefly introduced. In the simulation model, a single crystal can be discretized into finite element mesh as in a continuous medium. However, each node is a representative unit cell, which contains a specified number of discrete and distinctive atoms. Governing differential equations for each atom in all nodes are obtained. Material behaviors of a given system subject to the combination of mechanical loadings and temperature field can be obtained through numerical simulations. In this work, the nanoscale size effect in single crystal bcc iron is studied, the phenomenon of wave propagation is simulated and wave speed is obtained. Also, dynamic crack propagation in a multiscale model is simulated to demonstrate the advantage and applicability of this multiscale continuum field theory.
CONSENSUS STATEMENT BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS AND AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY ON THE COMPREHENSIVE TYPE 2 DIABETES MANAGEMENT ALGORITHM--2016 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.

ABSTRACT Abbreviations: A1C = hemoglobin A1C AACE = American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists ACCORD = Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes ACCORD BP = Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Blood Pressure ACEI = angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitor AGI = alpha-glucosidase inhibitor apo B = apolipoprotein B ARB = angiotensin II receptor blocker ASCVD = atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease BAS = bile acid sequestrant BMI = body mass index BP = blood pressure CHD = coronary heart disease CKD = chronic kidney disease CVD = cardiovascular disease DKA = diabetic ketoacidosis DPP-4 = dipeptidyl peptidase 4 EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid FDA = Food and Drug Administration GLP-1 = glucagon-like peptide 1 HDL-C = high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol LDL-C = low-densitylipoprotein cholesterol LDL-P = low-density-lipoprotein particle Look AHEAD = Look Action for Health in Diabetes NPH = neutral protamine Hagedorn OSA = obstructive sleep apnea SFU = sulfonylurea SGLT-2 = sodium glucose cotransporter-2 SMBG = self-monitoring of blood glucose T2D = type 2 diabetes TZD = thiazolidinedione
Sea turtle nesting patterns in Florida vis-à-vis satellite-derived measures of artificial lighting

Light pollution contributes to the degradation and reduction of habitat for wildlife. Nocturnally nesting and hatching sea turtle species are particularly sensitive to artificial light near nesting beaches. At local scales (0.01–0.1 km), artificial light has been experimentally shown to deter nesting females and disorient hatchlings. This study used satellite-based remote sensing to assess broad scale (~1–100s km) effects of artificial light on nesting patterns of loggerhead (Caretta caretta), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) along the Florida coastline. Annual artificial nightlight data from 1992 to 2012 acquired by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) were compared to an extensive nesting dataset for 368, ~1 km beach segments from this same 21-year period. Relationships between nest densities and artificial lighting were derived using simultaneous autoregressive models to adjust for the presence of spatial autocorrelation. Though coastal urbanization increased in Florida during this period, nearly two-thirds of the surveyed beaches exhibited decreasing light levels (N = 249); only a small fraction of the beaches showed significant increases (N = 52). Nest densities for all three sea turtle species were negatively influenced by artificial light at neighborhood scales (<100 km); however, only loggerhead and green turtle nest densities were influenced by artificial light levels at the individual beach scale (~1 km). Satellite monitoring shows promise for light management of extensive or remote areas. As the spectral, spatial, and temporal resolutions of the satellite data are coarse, ground measurements are suggested to confirm that artificial light levels on beaches during the nesting season correspond to the annual nightlight measures.
Recent advancements in ion concentration polarization

In this minireview, we discuss advancements in ion concentration polarization (ICP)-based preconcentration, separation, desalination, and dielectrophoresis that have been made over the past three years. ICP as a means of controlling the distribution of the ions and electric field in a microfluidic device has rapidly expanded its areas of application. Recent advancements have focused on the development of ion-permselective materials with tunable dimensions and surface chemistry, adaptation to paper microfluidics, higher-throughput device geometries, and coupling ICP with other separation (isotachophoresis and dielectrophoresis) and fluidic (valve and droplet microfluidic) strategies. These studies have made great strides toward solving real-world problems such as low-cost and rapid analysis, accessible desalination technology, and single-cell research tools.
A Review of: “Making American Boys: Boyology and the Feral Tale”: by Kenneth B. Kidd. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2004, 253 pages $25.95 (Hardcover).

What are little boys made of? How do gender-specific behaviors develop and what influences them? Although early psychoanalytic theories focused on internal conflicts and unconscious processes, more...
The Entomological Society of (Communist) China

The Entomological Society of (Communist) China makes its headquarters in Peking. As of 1958, the Society had 22 branches plus 4 in the planning stage. The branches are located in the following cities: Peking, Shanghai, Nanking, Yangchow, Nantung, Hangchow, Anking, Tsinan, Foochow, Chengchow, Wuhan, Nanchang, Changsha, Canton, Nanning, Chungking, Chengtu, Kweiyang, Kunming, Sian, Lanchow, Tientsin, Paoting, Kungchuling, Shengyang, and Harbin (Yueh 1958). Membership of the Society has grown from 861 in 1954 to 1068 in 1958. The minimum requirement for admission is a college diploma or its equivalent plus at least two years of experience in entomological work.
Role of Cu-Ion Doping in Cu-α-MnO2 Nanowire Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The role of Cu-ion doping in α-MnO2 electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline electrolyte was investigated. Cu-doped α-MnO2 nanowires (Cu-α-MnO2) were prepared with varying amounts (up to ∼3%) of Cu2+ using a hydrothermal method. The electrocatalytic data indicate that Cu-α-MnO2 nanowires have up to 74% higher terminal current densities, 2.5 times enhanced kinetic rate constants, and 66% lower charge transfer resistances that trend with Cu content, exceeding values attained by α-MnO2 alone. The observed improvement in catalytic behavior correlates with an increase in Mn3+ content at the surface of the Cu-α-MnO2 nanowires. The Mn3+/Mn4+ couple is the mediator for the rate-limiting redox-driven O2/OH– exchange. O2 adsorbs via an axial site (the eg orbital on the Mn3+ d4 ion) at the surface or at edge defects of the nanowire, and the increase in covalent nature of the nanowire with Cu-ion doping leads to stabilization of O2 adsorbates and faster rates of reduction. A smaller crystallite ...
Laughter as Ethical and Theological Resistance: Leymah Gbowee, Sarah, and the Hidden Transcript

Through an analysis of Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee’s memoir, Mighty Be Our Powers, as well as the story of the biblical Sarah, this essay argues that laughter is a liberating means of ethical and theological resistance, a manifestation of the “hidden transcript” constructed by the marginalized to reclaim hope and dignity in the face of oppression’s radical negation and dehumanization. This essay also argues that laughter helps the suffering faithful resist despair, “Pollyannaism,” evil, either/or dichotomous thought, and the spiritual and social paralysis induced by paradox.
Application analysis of antibacterials during the period of special rectification in our hospital in 2012

Objective: To investigate the clinical application of antibacterials in our hospital during the different periods of special rectification in 2012, so as to provide reference for follow-up management. Methods: The special rectification period was divided to three stages: early stage(May to July 2012), middle stage(August to October 2012) and last stage(November 2012to January 2013). Data such as the consumption sum, the frequency of medication(DDDs) of antibacterials and the antibiotics use density(AUD) were analyzed in different stages retrospectively. Results: DDDs decreased by 19.83% and 15.54%, AUD decreased by 17.54% and 14.15%, and the utilization rate of antibacterials decreased by 17.60% and 8.75% in the last stage and middle stage of special rectification compared with that in the early stage, respectively. The mean expense of antibacterials decreased from 903.52Yuan to 843.65 Yuan(decreasing by 59.87 Yuan). The use of special level antibacterials was improved obviously after classified management and special rectification, the utilization rate of special level antibacterial agents decreased by 49.06% and 40.17%, and AUD decreased by 20.08% and 12.95% in the last stage and middle stage compared with that in the early stage, respectively. The utilization rate of prophylactic use of antibacterials in class Ⅰ incision operation decreased from 22.22% in the early stage to 16.67%in middle stage and 14.58% in last stage, which met with the criteria demand of less than 30%. In the period of special rectification,microbiological samples detection rate had no significant change, and the positive detection rate was low. Conclusion: The special rectification can significantly improve the rational use of antibacterials in our hospital, but long-term management mechanism of antibacterial application should be taken to strengthen the rational use of antibacterials.
Alpha-Defensin 5 Expression is Regulated by microRNAs in the Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Cell Line.

Abstract Background: In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an inappropriate immune response leads to chronic mucosal inflammation. This response may be partly due to dysregulation of defensins, which are endogenously produced antimicrobial peptides. This study determined whether microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate α-defensin 5 (DEFA5), which could further implicate both in IBD pathogenesis. Methods: Induction of DEFA5 mRNA and protein expression was determined in Caco-2 cells. An in silico analysis identified putative miRNA binding sites of DEFA5. Expression of these miRNAs was assessed in Caco-2 cells. Regulation of DEFA5 expression by these miRNAs was measured by luciferase assays. Caco-2 cells were transfected with miR-124 and miR-924 mimics, and DEFA5 mRNA and protein expression was measured. Results: DEFA5 mRNA and protein expression was inducible in Caco-2 cells. Fifteen putative miRNA binding sites were found in DEFA5. The expression of miR-124 and miR-924 decreased following induction. Transfection of a luciferase construct containing the DEFA5 miRNA binding sites resulted in a decrease in luciferase activity compared to transfection of the empty vector. Transfection of a reporter construct containing mismatched miRNA binding sites resulted in restoration of luciferase activities. Transfection of miRNA mimics decreased DEFA5 mRNA expression and protein expression. Conclusions: miR-124 and miR-924 negatively regulate DEFA5 mRNA and protein expression. These data implicate miRNAs in intestinal innate immune regulation and IBD pathogenesis.
Epidemiology of Adrenal Neoplasms

Adrenal neoplasms are common and are most commonly detected incidentally. The prevalence of adrenal neoplasms/incidentaloma ranges from 1 % to up to 8.7 % depending on patient age and the use of anatomic imaging studies. The estimated incidence is 2–8 cases per 100,000 individuals per year. Although the vast majority of adrenal neoplasms discovered incidentally are benign and nonfunctioning, work up to exclude functioning tumors and malignant disease is necessary. Long-term follow up is also important in patients with benign and nonfunctioning tumors as their natural history is not always innocuous. The main risk factor for developing adrenal neoplasms is a family history due to inherited mutations in susceptibility genes. We review the epidemiology of adrenal neoplasms to underscore the important elements that need to be considered when making management decisions regarding patients who have adrenal neoplasms identified on clinical presentation and those that are discovered incidentally.
Predation and Prey Selectivity by Nonnative Catfish on Migrating Alosines in an Atlantic Slope Estuary

AbstractNative to the central USA, the Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus and the Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris have been widely introduced into many Atlantic slope rivers and are now found in several drainages of the Chesapeake Bay. Fisheries managers are concerned that these large, long-lived catfish species may be contributing to observed declines in anadromous species, such as the American Shad Alosa sapidissima, Blueback Herring A. aestivalis, and Alewife A. pseudoharengus, all of which once comprised major U.S. fisheries. We assessed spatiotemporal variability and selectivity in the diets of Blue Catfish and Flathead Catfish during the spawning migration of these alosines. Catfish stomachs were collected during March–May in nontidal freshwater, tidal freshwater, oligohaline, and mesohaline portions of the James River. Diet contents were extracted from 2,495 catfish, 69.86% of which had prey items present in their foreguts (N = 1,743). We used DNA barcoding to identify degraded fish prey; nearly ...
Impact Of Ambulance Diversion: Black Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Had Higher Mortality Than Whites

This study investigated whether emergency department crowding affects blacks more than their white counterparts and the mechanisms behind which this might occur. Using a nonpublic database of patie...
Ideal Characteristics of a Laser-Protected Endotracheal Tube: ABEA and AHNS Member Survey and Biomechanical Testing.

OBJECTIVES To determine the characteristics of laser-protected endotracheal tubes (LPETs) valued by otolaryngologists performing transoral laser surgery in the head and neck and to measure LPET stiffness. METHODS An online questionnaire was completed by American Broncho-Esophagological Association (ABEA) and American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) members. LPET distal end compliance was measured in a biomechanics laboratory. RESULTS A total of 228 out of 2109 combined ABEA and AHNS members completed the survey. The following LPET characteristics, which were properties of the Medtronic Laser-Shield II tube (MLST), were highly valued: softness and flexibility, surface smoothness, and a tight-to-shaft balloon (all P < .01). Prior to industry-driven discontinuation of the MLST, 52% of surgeons (78% of fellowship-trained laryngologists [FTLs]) reported using it; afterward, 58% reported using the stainless steel, Mallinckrodt Laser-Flex tube (MLFT). Forty-six percent of all respondents (69% of FTLs) did not consider cost being a factor in LPET choice. Biomechanical testing revealed the distal end of the MLST to be 3.45 times more compliant than the MLFT ( P < .01). CONCLUSION Members of the ABEA and AHNS, particularly FTLs, highly value distinguishing properties of the now discontinued MLST. Manufacturers should consider this in the design of new LPETs.
Necessary Considerations for Selecting a Polymeric Material for Implantation with Emphasis on Polyurethanes

It is best to begin this paper by stating that its content is intended primarily for those in the medical or medically related professions and for those who have a general need to understand or be aware of design problems concerned with polymeric implant materials. The word “design” is meant to be broad in meaning for this context in that the actual design considerations should begin with the chemistry used in producing the individual polymer chains and extend through the clinical testing of the fabricated device or implant.
Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung insights into the pathogenesis utilizing quantitative analysis of vascular marker CD34 (QBEND-10) and cell proliferation marker MIB-1

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) encompasses a spectrum of variably cystic developmental anomalies of the lung histologically characterized by immature lung tissue. The pathogenesis is uncertain, but many investigators favor a maturation arrest in bronchopulmonary development. To investigate this hypothesis, the vascular development and proliferation capacity of lung tissue with CCAM type I from nine infants ranging in age from 20 weeks gestation to 42 days old were studied immunohistochemically utilizing CD34 for the former and MIB-1 for the latter. Both markers were quantitated on an image analysis system. CCAM was hypovascular with a mean vascular index of 20.05% +/- 6.58 compared to 40.06% +/- 4.19 for the age-matched controls (P < 0.000001). The proliferation index of both epithelial and mesenchymal components was higher in CCAM (10.46 +/- 3.48) than in control tissue (7.14 +/- 1.88; P < 0.012). In contrast to the control lung tissue which showed a remarkable synchrony between the vascular development and proliferation throughout the parenchyma, focal asynchrony between the proliferation of the epithelial and stromal components was noted in CCAM. The vascularity in CCAM corresponds to that seen in early gestation. The cellular proliferation in CCAM is higher than in full-term infants and corresponds to late second trimester or early third trimester fetuses. These findings support the proposed pathogenesis of a maturation defect in lung embryogenesis.
Mining Structures of Factual Knowledge from Text: An Effort-Light Approach

Abstract Real-world data, though massive, is largely unstructured in the form of natural-language text. It is challenging but highly desirable to mine structures from massive text data, without ext...
Review of Modern Data Science

Modern Data Science with R (MDSR) is one of the first textbooks to provide a comprehensive introduction to data science for students at the undergraduate level (it is also suitable for graduate students and professionals in other fields). The authors follow the approach taken by Garrett Grolemund and Hadley Wickham in their book, R for Data Science7, and David Robinson in Teach the Tidyverse to Beginners, which emphasizes the teaching of data visualization and the tidyverse (using dplyr and chained pipes) before covering base R, along with using real-world data and modern data science methods.The textbook includes end of chapter exercises (an instructor's solution manual is available), and a series of lab activities is also under development. The result is an excellent textbook that provides a solid foundation in data science for students and professionals alike.
Advancement of LANSCE accelerator facility as a 1-MW Fusion Prototypic Neutron Source

Abstract The Fusion Prototypic Neutron Source (FPNS) is considered to be a testbed for scientific understanding of material degradation in future nuclear fusion reactors (Zinkle and Moeslang, 2013; Summary Report on the FPNS Workshop, 2018; Pitcher et al., 2019). The primary mission of FPNS is to provide a damage rate in iron samples of 8-11 dpa/calendar year with He/dpa ratio of ∼ 10 appm in irradiation volume of 50 cm3 or larger with irradiation temperature 300–1000 °C and flux gradient less than 20%/cm in the plane of the sample. The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) is an attractive candidate for the FPNS project. The Accelerator Facility was designed and operated for an extended period as a 0.8-MW Meson Factory. The existing setup of the LANSCE accelerator complex can nearly fulfill requirements of the fusion neutron source station. The primary function of the upgraded accelerator systems is the safe and reliable delivery of a 1.25-mA continuous proton beam current at 800-MeV beam energy from the switchyard to the target assembly to create 1 MW power of proton beam interacting with a solid tungsten target. The present study describes existing accelerator setup and further development required to meet the needs of FPNS project.
Commercial Applications, Projections of Water Collection, and Design of Water Harvesting Towers

Bioinspired large water harvesting towers and portable water harvesting towers are of commercial interest. Large water harvesting towers can be used to supply water to a community in arid regions. Portable units can be used to supply a home or a camper (Fig. 6.1) (adapted from image provided by Getty images) (Bhushan in Phil Trans R Soc. 378:20190440, 2020). Unlike in desalination, these units can be operated inland. Manufacturing and maintenance costs and energy consumption will be an important consideration for economic viability in these applications.
A recursive algorithm for calculating the longest flow path and its iterative implementation

Abstract The longest flow path is widely used for studying hydrology. Traditionally, both or either of upstream and downstream flow length rasters are required to calculate the longest flow path. When processing multiple subwatersheds, this approach requires separate calculations of the downstream flow length raster for all the subwatersheds. However, raster computation involves a lot of disk input/output and can be slow. By defining the longest flow path recursively and introducing a branching strategy based on Hack's law, this study proposes a new longest flow path algorithm that computes as few rasters as possible to reduce computational time and improve efficiency. To avoid stack overflows by excessive recursion, its iterative counterpart algorithm was also proposed. The proposed algorithms were implemented as a GRASS GIS module. Benchmark experiments proved that the new module outperforms an existing tool for a commercial GIS.
Local Resistance Measurement for Degradation of c-Si Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin Layer (HIT) Solar Modules

Silicon heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (or HIT) modules typically degrade at a rate of less than 1% annually in solar fields with dominant degradation in open-circuit voltage and some degradation in series resistance. However, detailed mechanisms can differ from module to module. Here, we study increases in local series resistance that occur over long-term field deployment, indicated by cell areas where the photoluminescence intensity does not degrade but the electroluminescence degrades significantly. To directly measure the local series resistance, we have cored out the local electroluminescence-degraded area, and we measured the sheet resistance by 4-point-probe and local nm-scale resistance using scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM). The results by 4-point-probe show scattered sheet resistance that can be caused, for example, by nonuniform current paths through the transparent conductive oxide layer, the a-Si:H emitter, or the near-junction c-Si inversion layer. In contrast, the SSRM results indicate a relatively uniform and non-degraded resistivity on smaller nanometer spatial scales. SSRM is an atomic force microscopy-based two-terminal resistance mapping technique that measures the local resistance in nm-volume beneath the probe. The consistent resistances measured on the control and degraded samples can exclude the degradation of transparent conductive oxide resistance.
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography for Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer in Women With Breast Augmentation: Preliminary Findings.

In 17 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who underwent contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) and MRI, both modalities were found to be concordant for the index cancer. In six of the 17 women, C...
An Overview of Metallization Technologies for High Voltage and Smart-Power Applications

Recent advances in high-voltage device technologies have resulted in stringent metallization requirements because of reduced feature size, and improved high-frequency switching and power-handling requirements. The emergence of smart-power applications demonstrate a critical need for processing compatibility of signal and power devices. This paper reviews the current status and future trends in metallization of silicon device technologies for high-voltage and smart-power applications.
Marketing’s Role in Construction Firms

Construction firms that survive and prosper in the more competitive and dynamic market now developing will need more effective marketing practices to supplement innovative construction management, and to continuously adapt their outputs of construction services to changing customer needs. The seller's market for construction services is being replaced by a buyer's market in which customers are more discriminating about the services they purchase and the firms that perform them. Now management must focus on customers' needs, and developed service capabilities for selected customers plus communications and pricing strategies that are mutually beneficial. This marketing planning process is enhanced if management perceives its firm as a marketing system in which the firm inputs knowledge about changing environmental factors and market needs as a basis for making strategic marketing mix decisions that adapt the firm's service outputs to dynamic market forces. /ASCE/
Insights into the Pathogenesis of Autism

Genetic analysis of inbred families reveals genes associated with susceptibility to autism.
A Survey of Field Instructors' Perceptions of the Liaison Role

Abstract A survey of 64 field instructors was conducted regarding their perceptions of the role of the faculty field liaison. Information was solicited regarding: (a) Field instructors' descriptions of the liaison role, and (b) their perceptions of the liaison's role performance. Although the role of the faculty field liaison was generally viewed in a positive light, field instructors' perceptions and expectations for the liaison were extremely diverse. The findings raise certain questions about faculty field liaisons, the adequacy of training, and the extent to which poor role performance constitutes a problem.
Approximately Efficient Cost-Sharing Mechanisms

We study cost-sharing mechanisms for several fundamental NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems. A cost-sharing mechanism is a protocol that, given bids for a service, determines which bidders to serve and what prices to charge. The mechanism incurs a subset-dependent cost that is implicitly defined by an instance of a combinatorial optimizat ion problem. Three desirable but mutually incompatible properties of a cost-sharing mechanism are: incentive-compatibility, meaning that players are motivated to bid their true private value for receivi ng the service; budget-balance, meaning that the mechanism recovers its incurred cost with the prices charged; and efficiency, meaning that the cost incurred and the valuations of the players served are traded off in an optimal way. Our work is motivated by the following fundamental question: for which cost functions, and in what senses, are incentive-compatible mechanisms with good approximate budget-balance and efficiency possible? We make three different types of contributions to this question. • We identify several new classes of combinatorial cost functions that admit incentive-compatible mechanisms achieving both a constant-factor approximation of budget-balance and a polylogarithmic approximation of the social cost formulation of effi ciency. In particular, we exhibit such mechanisms for the classes of facility location and single- sink rent-or-buy cost functions, with approximate efficiency O(log k) and O(log 2 k), respectively. (Here k denotes the number of players served in an efficient solution.) The mechanisms belong to th e class of Moulin mechanisms, and therefore satisfy a strong version of incentive-compatibi lity known as groupstrategyproofness. • We prove a new, optimal lower bound of(log 2 k) on the approximate efficiency of every O(1)budget-balanced Moulin mechanism for Steiner tree or SSRoB cost functions. This lower bound exposes a latent approximation hierarchy among different cost-sharing problems. • We show that weakening the definition of incentive-compatib ility to strategyproofness can permit exponentially more efficient approximately budget-bal anced mechanisms, in particular for set cover cost-sharing problems.
Multi-server generalized processor sharing

End-hosts are increasingly equipped with multiple network interfaces, ranging from smartphones with multiple radios to servers with multi-homing. These interfaces are diverse; some are expensive to use (e.g. 4G), some are free (e.g WiFi) and they have different rates and reliability. On the other hand, end-hosts now run diverse applications with different priorities, from relatively less important web browsing to higher priority VoIP and video calls. Finally, users may have policies that constrain interface use (e.g. use 4G only for high priority flows). This paper tackles the question of how different applications can use different subsets of the available network interfaces, while ensuring a fair resource allocation among flows, while satisfying policy constraints. We generalize prior classical work on processor sharing (GPS) to the case of flows sharing different subsets of the available interfaces. We show a simple scheduling scheme for packet-by-packet GPS over multiple interfaces, and prove that it can provide bounded delay and rate guarantees.
Dirty dancing--the FDA stumbles with the Chevron two-step: a response to professor Noah.

Professor Lars Noah deserves much credit for exposing some of the myriad ways in which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has consistently sought to expand its authority through questionable, and perhaps in some cases abusive, legal practices. 1 As Professor Noah observes, there are signs that the federal courts’ century-long honeymoon with the FDA may be ending 2 —and perhaps the FDA never deserved the solicitude that it has traditionally received from both the judiciary and Congress. 3 If Professor Noah can hasten the onset of a more realistic legal and public attitude toward the FDA, he will have performed a great service. The purpose of this Response is to highlight two gaps in Professor Noah’s commendable survey of questionable FDA practices, one of which invites a sequel to Professor Noah’s article, and the other I hope to fill here. First, Professor Noah’s article does not provide the comparative context necessary to evaluate the FDA’s behavior in the broader regulatory order. If the FDA’s dismal record of compliance with legal norms is actually better than the even more dismal records of other agencies, then perhaps the FDA is, as Churchill might have said, the worst federal agency except all the others. A critique of the FDA would be more effective if the FDA were compared to other federal agencies. Second, although Professor Noah does not address it in his survey, 4 the FDA appears to lead other federal agencies in misusing the Chevron doctrine. 5 The Chevron doctrine instructs reviewing courts † Professor, Boston University School of Law. I am grateful to the Abraham and Lillian Benton Fund for support and to Professor Noah and the Cornell Law Review for giving me the opportunity to contribute this Response.
An analysis of the weekend effect within the monthly effect

This study analyzes the weekend effect in the first half and the second half of the month and finds a weekend effect: Friday's returns are significantly greater than Monday's returns. However, the spread between Monday's and Friday's returns shifts between the first half and the second half of the month. Consequently, a plausible explanation for the weekend effect should consider the shifting of Monday-Friday returns across the month. In addition, the 1982–1992 period does not exhibit a monthly effect or a weekend effect for the value-weighted index.
The world of cryogenics. III: Cryogenics at the national bureau of standards boulder laboratories

Abstract During the formative years, the work of N.B.S. Cryogenics Laboratory consisted largely of engineering research to fill the needs of various United States Government Agencies, such as the Atomic Energy Commission, the Department of Defence, and, more recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Currently, as the foregoing descriptions illustrate, the programme is oriented towards more fundamental research on such topics as the measurement and understanding of properties of materials, the study of fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena, and the establishment of standards. The last decade has seen the emphasis placed upon research to support an advancing hydrogen technology. Although it is likely that there will be a steady evolution in the technology of producing and applying liquefied atmospheric gases and liquid methane, it is my belief that the next decade will see the more sophisticated research effort applied to supporting the technology advance in the liquid helium temperature range. Many applications are developing in the United States which will use helium as a refrigerant, either directly in the liquid form or as a dense low temperature gas. An example is the use by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of dense low temperature helium gas as a refrigerant to precool the hydrogen-oxygen rocket engines on the Centaur vehicle. A trend is evident in the United States towards central helium liquefying facilities. Facilities having capacities up to 100 l./hr now exist on both the east and west coasts as well as in Texas, Arizona, and Ohio. Dewar shipments by commercial carrier are now commonplace. A 700 l./hr liquefier will be completed early in 1965 in Kansas. This liquefier will also supply helium in liquid form; however, its main use is expected to be the supply of liquid helium for shipment and ultimate use as a compressed gas. Dewar vessels of 10,000 gal (U.S.) capacity (approximately 1,000,000 ft 3 at ambient temperature and pressure) are planned for this application. This concept should make possible great efficiencies in helium handling and conceivably could result in a lower cost for compressed helium in certain areas of the United States; this could possibly be reflected in the European market. Much needs to be done in materials research, physical measurement, and engineering to support properly the many aspects of our future liquid helium technology.
Time course of recovery of extracellular dopamine following partial damage to the nigrostriatal dopamine system

Partial damage to the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) system can produce severe behavioral deficits, from which animals gradually recover. Although the compensatory neuroadaptations that contribute to recovery of function have received considerable attention, the exact role of presynaptic versus postsynaptic contributions remains unclear. For example, it has been suggested that presynaptic adaptations may not be sufficient to account for recovery of function, because compensatory increases in DA biosynthesis, metabolism, and release are maximal within 3 d following a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion, before behavioral recovery is complete. The purpose of this study was to examine another presynaptic adaptation, the normalization of extracellular DA. If this is also complete within 3 d postlesion, it, too, would be insufficient to account for the protracted time course of behavioral recovery. But if the normalization of extracellular DA proceeds more gradually, it could potentially account for the time course behavioral recovery. To address this issue, the extracellular concentration of striatal DA ipsilateral and contralateral to a unilateral 6-OHDA lesion was estimated with microdialysis, either 4 d or 3–4 weeks following the lesion. After estimating the basal extracellular concentration of DA, the ability to increase DA release further was assessed by administering an amphetamine challenge. It was found that in animals with a 6-OHDA lesion, the concentration of DA in dialysate was higher than would be predicted by the extent of DA denervation. Furthermore, in groups matched for lesion size, extracellular DA was significantly higher 3–4 weeks following a 6-OHDA lesion than 4 d following the lesion. These findings suggest that the normalization of extracellular DA may be a relatively gradual process, and therefore may be sufficient to account for the protracted time course of behavioral recovery.
Self-organizing Nanophases on a Solid Surface

A two-phase epilayer on a substrate may exhibit intriguing behaviors. The phases may select stable sizes, say on the order of 10 nm. The phases sometimes order into a periodic pattern, such as alternating stripes or a lattice of disks. The patterns may be stable on annealing. This paper describes an irreversible thermodynamic model that accounts for these behaviors. The phase boundary energy drives phase coarsening. The concentration-dependent surface stress drives phase refining. Their competition may stabilize nanoscopic phases and periodic patterns.
Phenylation with Diphenyliodonium Chloride: 1‐Phenyl‐2,4‐Pentanedione

Phenylation with diphenyliodonium chloride: 1-phenyl-2,4-pentanedione reactant: 40.0 g. (0.400 mole) of 2,4-pentanedione product: 1-phenyl-2,4-pentanedione byproduct: iodobenzene product: 1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione product: 2,4-heptanedione product: 2,4-nonanedione product: 2,4-tridecanedione product: 3,5-heptanedione product: 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,4-pentanedione product: 4-(4-methylphenyl)-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione product: 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2,4-nonanedione Keywords: arylation; 2,4-pentanedione; sodium amide, preparation of; ammonia
Work stress and depression among direct support professionals: the role of work support and locus of control

Background Although work stress can impede the capacity of direct support professionals and contribute to mental health challenges, external (i.e. work social support) and internal resources (i.e. an internal locus of control) have been shown to help DSPs cope more actively. We examined how work stress was associated with depression, with a particular focus on the role of resources. Method Direct support professionals (n = 323) who serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from five community-based organisations completed a cross-sectional, self-administered survey which measured work stress, work support, locus of control, and depression. Results Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that work stress was positively associated with depression, while resources were negatively associated with depression. In particular, work support moderated the effects of client disability stress, supervisory support lessened the effects of role conflict, and locus of control moderated the effects of workload. Conclusions Such findings suggest the importance of external and internal resources for staff mental health. This research underscores the need for strong work social support systems and interventions to help staff manage work stressors.