cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multisplitting and parallel iterative methods

Abstract Parallel versions of the Gauss-Seidel SOR algorithm will be discussed. Reordering schemes given by coloring and domain decomposition will be described. A third approach is the overlapping block or multisplitting method. Combinations of these methods may be used to numerically solve linear and nonlinear algebraic systems. These ideas can be adopted to obtain parallel versions of some nonlinear algorithms including the nonlinear Gauss-Seidel, the Newton-SOR, and the Gauss-Seidel with projection into a constraint set. Calculations on the Alliant FX/8 will be given for the numerical solution of the steady-state fluid flow in a porous media.
Single‐stage, multi‐product production/inventory systems with lost sales

A production/inventory system consisting of a single processor producing three product types and a warehouse is considered. For each product type, the demand process is assumed to be Poisson and the processing time is phase-type. Excess demand is lost. Products have a priority structure and the processor's attention is shared by all the products according to a switching rule. Production of a product continues until its target level is reached. Then, a switch-over takes place if another product needs the processor's attention. A set-up process takes place every time a switch-over occurs. An (R, r) continuous-review inventory control policy is used to start and stop the production of each product. The underlying Markov chain is studied and its steady-state distribution is obtained recursively. Through the recursive procedure, the steady-state balance equations to be dealt with are significantly reduced to a manageable set. The procedure is implemented on a supercomputer and examples are provided to show its efficiency and stability for a range of model parameters. We analyzed the joint behaviors of the inventory levels of the three products as their demand rates increase. Finally we introduced a cost minimizing objective function to guide design efforts. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Voices of Outreach: The Construction of Identity and Maintenance of Social Ties Among Chabad‐Lubavitch Emissaries

Fundamentalists typically avoid influences from the outside world and form intense social bonds with members of their own group. Yet, active fundamentalists must create relationships with the objects of their missionary action, the Other. In this article I address the connections between the cultural practice of missionary work and the formation and maintenance of social ties among ultra-Orthodox Jewish missionaries belonging to the fundamentalist Hasidic sect Chabad-Lubavitch. These missionaries attempt to bring Jews to the beliefs and practices of Chabad by hosting Jews at Sabbath meals. This missionary act is an utterance that “speaks” with multiple voices, indexing the missionaries as both friendly members of their local Jewish community and ideal Lubavitchers. Through these meals, the missionaries engage not only the local Jews but also other Lubavitchers in dialogue, constructing a community that transcends face-to-face interaction.
Effects of Video Streaming Technology on Public Speaking Students' Communication Apprehension and Competence

This study examines whether video streaming can reduce trait and state communication apprehension, as well as improve communication competence, in public speaking classes. Video streaming technology has been touted as the next generation of video feedback for public speaking students because it is not limited by time or space and allows Internet users to view video content without prior downloading. Seventy-two public speaking students in two treatment classes and two control classes taught by the same instructor participated in a quasi-experiment to test three hypotheses. Although students who had viewed their speeches online reacted positively to their video streaming experience, results revealed no significant differences in communication apprehension and competence between the treatment and control groups.
On symmetric error correcting and all unidirectional error detecting codes

The design of binary block codes that are capable of correcting up to t symmetric errors and detecting all unidirectional errors is discussed. A class of systematic t-symmetric-error-correcting/all-unidirectional-error-detecting (t-SyEC/AUED) codes are proposed. When t=0 the proposed codes become Berger codes. For t=1, the proposed codes are shown to be of asymptotically optimal order. Methods to construct nonsystematic t-SyEC/AUED codes for t=2 and 3 are also presented. >
An improved and rapid HPLC-EC method for the isocratic separation of amino acid neurotransmitters from brain tissue and microdialysis perfusates

An improved, HPLC with electrochemical detection method for the isocratic separation and determination of amino acids from post-mortem brain tissue and from microdialysates of awake-behaving animals is described. Optimal conditions that maximize stability, resolution, and sensitivity were determined for the pre-column derivatization of amino acids using o-phthalaldehyde and B-mercaptoethanol. Ten different amino acids including aspartate, glutamate, taurine, tyrosine and GABA were effectively resolved within 18 min. Tissue measurements from caudate, globus pallidus and substantia nigra showed regional variations in amino acid content. Microdialysis of the striatum yielded significant amounts of all amino acids examined, including GABA, from only 25 microliter of perfusate.
Numerical simulation of mechanical mixing in high solid anaerobic digester

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was employed to study mixing performance in high solid anaerobic digester (HSAD) with A-310 impeller and helical ribbon. A mathematical model was constructed to assess flow fields. Good agreement of the model results with experimental data was obtained for the A-310 impeller. A systematic comparison for the interrelationship of power number, flow number and Reynolds number was simulated in a digester with less than 5% TS and 10% TS (total solids). The simulation results suggested a great potential for using the helical ribbon mixer in the mixing of high solids digester. The results also provided quantitative confirmation for minimum power consumption in HSAD and the effect of share rate on bio-structure.
Subleading logarithms in QCD hard scattering

Abstract We discuss the resummation of corrections from the elastic limit (partonic threshold) in hadronic QCD hard-scattering cross sections, such as heavy quark production. We recall why these corrections can be large even at high orders in perturbation theory, and describe their resummation to arbitrary logarithmic accuracy, generalizing resummation in the Drell-Yan and other electroweak processes. Resummation is based on the factorization of soft gluons, whose dynamics is then generated by gauge field path-ordered exponentials, linked by color-dependent vertices. The renormalization of these composite vertices determines subleading logarithms. We illustrate our results for the case of heavy quark production by light quark annihilation.
Somatization and pain dispersion in chronic temporomandibular disorder pain

We investigated the relationship between somatic and psychological symptoms and pain reported during a clinical examination for 220 patients with chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. The clinical examination involved palpation of the muscles of the face and neck, as well as intraoral sites and non-TMD-related placebo sites. A distinction was drawn between somatization--the tendency to report numerous somatic symptoms--and psychological distress manifested by report of numerous affective and cognitive symptoms. Somatization was assessed with the Somatization scale of the SCL-90-R; cognitive/affective distress was assessed with the non-somatic items of the Anxiety and Depression scales. Heightened somatization and high-intensity pain were strong predictors of widely dispersed muscle palpation pain during the clinical examination. High-somatization patients were 3 times more likely than low-somatization subjects to report having a painful placebo site. Pain dispersion was more closely linked to report of number of somatic symptoms than to report of affective and cognitive symptoms of psychological distress.
A self-determination model of childhood exposure, perceived prevalence, justification, and perpetration of intimate partner violence

The present research was designed to evaluate self-determination theory as a framework for integrating factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. The proposed model suggests that childhood exposure to parental violence may influence global motivational orientations which, in turn, results in greater cognitive biases (overestimating the prevalence of IPV and justification of IPV) which, in turn, contribute to an individual's decision to use abusive behavior. Participants included 124 men who had engaged in abusive behavior toward an intimate partner. Results provided reasonable support for the proposed model and stronger support for a revised model suggesting that controlled orientation, rather than autonomy orientation, appears to play a stronger role in the association between childhood exposure to parental violence and cognitive biases associated with abusive behavior. Language: en
Fermentation of resistant food starches by human and rat intestinal bacteria

Resistant starches prepared from maize and peas were fermented in vitro with rat or human intestinal bacteria. With both inoculum types, degradation of pea starch after 24 h incubation (0 and 47% utilised by rat and human organisms, respectively) was markedly slower than that of maize starch (73 and 85%) and was incomplete even after 7 days' incubation; degradation of both starches was slower than with soluble starch or sucrose. The slow degradation of pea starch was not due to the presence of intact cell walls. Qualitatively, the production of C2-C4 volatile fatty acids was similar for all substrates and both inoculum types but there were some quantitative differences. If resistant food starches are to be regarded as dietary fibre, then, like ‘true’ fibre, any physiological effect in vivo may depend on the type of starch involved.
Dielectric properties of polypropylene containing synthetic and natural organoclays

Fully synthetic tetrasilisic mica from Topy Co., Ltd. and Cloisite® powder of Wyoming natural montmorillonite clay from Southern Clay Products were used to manufacture polypropylene-based nanocomposites with organoclay concentrations up to 8%-wt. Both types of nano-filler increase the AC breakdown strength by approx. 10% over the unfilled material. However, the resistance to partial discharges is significantly improved, with both nano-fillers yielding similar results. Nano-fillers increase dielectric losses of PP over broad frequency and temperature ranges. Specimens containing natural clay show higher losses than the specimens containing synthetic clay, especially at higher frequencies and temperatures.
Bilateral eyelid ecchymosis and subconjunctival hemorrhage associated with coughing paroxysms in pertussis infection.

p ertussis (whooping cough) has been uncommon in the United States during the past 45 years as a result of effective immunization programs. Since the early 1980s, however, a resurgence of the disease has been noted (Figure 1). The incidence of reported cases of pertussis in the United States has cyclically increased for unknown reasons every 3 to 4 years. The last peak was in 1993, in which 6586 cases were reported. 1 Even today whooping cough is responsible for a significant number of childhood deaths worldwide, especially in areas where poor immunization programs exist. Whooping cough is an acute respiratory illness that most often affects infants and young children. Premature infants are at higher risk of contracting the disease. The etiologic agent is usually Bordetella pertussis, occasionally Bordetella parapertussis, and rarely Bordetella bronchioseptica. Whooping cough is typically divided into three stages, each lasting about 14 days. The catarrhal stage begins after an incubation period of 7 to 16 days. Symptoms are initially indistinguishable from a mild upper respiratory infection. Sneezing, mild fever, and nocturnal cough are present. Seven to 14 days later the paroxysmal stage begins. The cough becomes the most prominent feature and is more frequent, diurnal, and paroxysmal during this stage. A typical coughing paroxysm starts with a series of 15 to 20 short coughs, each cough more intense than the last. The paroxysm is then followed by a deep inspiratory effort, producing the characteristic "whoop." A thick mucus plug may be expelled, not uncommonly followed by emesis. The convalescent stage follows 14 days later. Gradually the coughing paroxysms become less frequent and less
Towards framework selection criteria and suitability for an application framework

In recent years, frameworks are very popular as they provide reusable solutions to very difficult problems. However, the number of frameworks for a given domain makes it difficult to select the most appropriate framework. Selecting the wrong framework or selecting a framework that has not yet matured can be disastrous for a project. The choice of an application framework can make or break a project. Unfortunately, the lack of formal criteria and metrics to objectively compare/contrast frameworks, assess the framework's capabilities, and determine the framework's suitability to a particular project, make framework selection extremely difficult. Very little research has been conducted on determining the suitability of a framework. This paper defines criteria that can be used at a high-level to understand a framework's overall usefulness and at a low-level to understand the framework's suitability to a particular domain. The defined criteria of our approach are then used to determine the suitability of using an example framework.
Tuning of Graphene Properties via Controlled Exposure to Electron Beams

The controlled modification of graphene properties is essential for its proposed electronic applications. Here, we describe a possibility of tuning electrical properties of graphene via electron-beam (e-beam) irradiation. We show that by controlling the irradiation dose one can change the carrier mobility and increase the resistance at the minimum conduction point in the single layer graphene. The bilayer graphene is less susceptible to the e-beam irradiation. The modification of graphene properties via irradiation can be monitored and quantified by the changes in the disorder D peak in Raman spectrum of graphene. The obtained results may lead to a new method of defect engineering of graphene physical properties. They are also important implications for fabrication of graphene nanodevices, which involve scanning electron microscopy and e-beam lithography.
Open syntaxin docks synaptic vesicles

Synaptic vesicles dock to the plasma membrane at synapses to facilitate rapid exocytosis. Docking was originally proposed to require the soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive fusion attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins; however, perturbation studies suggested that docking was independent of the SNARE proteins. We now find that the SNARE protein syntaxin is required for docking of all vesicles at synapses in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The active zone protein UNC-13, which interacts with syntaxin, is also required for docking in the active zone. The docking defects in unc-13 mutants can be fully rescued by overexpressing a constitutively open form of syntaxin, but not by wild-type syntaxin. These experiments support a model for docking in which UNC-13 converts syntaxin from the closed to the open state, and open syntaxin acts directly in docking vesicles to the plasma membrane. These data provide a molecular basis for synaptic vesicle docking.
Examining the Predictive Validity of a Dynamic Assessment of Decoding to Forecast Response to Tier 2 Intervention

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of a dynamic assessment (DA) of decoding in predicting responsiveness to Tier 2 small-group tutoring in a response-to-intervention model. First grade students (n = 134) who did not show adequate progress in Tier 1 based on 6 weeks of progress monitoring received Tier 2 small-group tutoring in reading for 14 weeks. Student responsiveness to Tier 2 was assessed weekly with word identification fluency (WIF). A series of conditional individual growth curve analyses were completed that modeled the correlates of WIF growth (final level of performance and growth). Its purpose was to examine the predictive validity of DA in the presence of three sets of variables: static decoding measures, Tier 1 responsiveness indicators, and prereading variables (phonemic awareness, rapid letter naming, oral vocabulary, and IQ). DA was a significant predictor of final level and growth, uniquely explaining 3% to 13% of the variance in Tier 2 responsiveness depending on the competing predictors in the model and WIF outcome (final level of performance or growth). Although the additional variances explained uniquely by DA were relatively small, results indicate the potential of DA in identifying Tier 2 nonresponders.
Iterative refinement scheduling

We present a heuristics-based approach to deep space mission scheduling which is modeled on the approach used by expert human schedulers in producing schedules for planetary encounters. New chronological evaluation techniques are used to focus the search by using information gained during the scheduling process to locate, classify, and resolve regions of conflict. Our approach is based on the assumption that during the construction of a schedule there exist several disjunct temporal regions where the demand for one resource type or a single temporal constraint dominates (bottleneck regions). If the scheduler can identify these regions and classify them based on their dominant constraint, then the scheduler can select the scheduling heuristic.
The Cost of Callousness Regulating Compassion Influences the Moral Self-Concept

It has often been argued that compassion is fundamental to morality. Yet people often suppress compassion for self-interested reasons. We provide evidence that suppressing compassion is not cost free, as it creates dissonance between a person's moral identity and his or her moral principles. We instructed separate groups of participants to regulate their compassion, regulate their feelings of distress, or freely experience emotions toward compassion--inducing images. Participants then reported how central morality was to their identities and how much they believed that moral rules should always be followed. Participants who regulated compassion-but not those who regulated distress or experienced emotions--showed a dissonance-based trade-off. If they reported higher levels of moral identity, they had a greater belief that moral rules could be broken. If they maintained their belief that moral rules should always be followed, they sacrificed their moral identity. Regulating compassion thus has a cost of its own: It forces trade-offs within a person's moral self-concept.
Topological Nonrigidity of Nonuniform Lattices

We say that an arbitrary manifold (M, ∂M) is topologically rigid relative to its ends if it satisfies the following condition: If (N , ∂N ) is any other manifold with a compact subset C ⊂ N for which a proper homotopy equivalence h : (N , ∂N ) → (M, ∂M) is a homeomorphism on ∂N∪(N\C), then there is a compact subset K ⊂ N and a proper homotopy ht : (N , ∂N ) → (M, ∂M) from h to a homeomorphism such that ht and h agree on ∂N∪(N\K ) for all t ∈ [0, 1]. We say that a manifold M without boundary is properly rigid or absolutely topologically rigid if we eliminate the requirements that h be a homeomorphism on ∂N ∪ (N\C) and agree with ht on ∂N ∪ (N\K ) for all t ∈ [0, 1]. Along the lines of the classical Borel conjecture that all closed aspherical manifolds are topologically rigid, Farrell and Jones [8] provide the following important theorem:
Prevalence of undiagnosed dysglycemia in an emergency department observation unit

Background The proposed 2015 US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend diabetes screening for individuals ≥45 years or demonstrating other risk factors for dysglycemia. Still, many patients with dysglycemia remain undiagnosed, and opportunities for early intervention are lost. Methods To test novel approaches for diagnosis using the haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test, we screened adult patients who were admitted to an observation unit from the emergency department with no known history of pre-diabetes or diabetes. Results Of 256 subjects, 9% were newly diagnosed with diabetes and 52% were newly diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Of those aged 18–29 years, 33% were newly diagnosed with dysglycemia, while 55% of those aged 30–44 years and 70% of those aged ≥45 years were newly diagnosed with dysglycemia. Conclusions Our results suggest that regardless of age, a large proportion of patients in the emergency department observation unit have undiagnosed dysglycemia, an important finding given the large number of observation admissions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late Outcomes for Surgical Repair of Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis

Background We reviewed our experience with the surgical management of supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) to determine long-term outcomes and factors related to late reoperation. Methods Between August 1956 and May 2009, 78 patients (50 males) underwent surgical correction of SVAS. Median age was 10.4 years (range, 16 days to 55.2 years). Mean preoperative gradient was 57.2 ± 21.9 mm Hg with a mean peak gradient of 99.5 ± 34.8 mm Hg. Supravalvar aortic stenosis was discrete in 51 patients (64%) and diffuse in 27 patients (35%). Aortic valve stenosis was present in 22 patients (29%). Williams-Beuren syndrome was present in 32 patients (41%). Results Surgery was either a diamond-shaped patch in 67 patients (85.9%) or a pantaloons-shaped patch in 11 patients (14.1%). Aortic valve intervention was required in 20 patients (25.64%). Mean gradient immediately after repair was 25 ± 25 mm Hg, with 13 patients (16.7%) having a residual gradient. A high residual gradient was more likely in the diffuse group (odds ratio, 3.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 12.98). There were 2 (2.6%) early deaths, both with diffuse SVAS. Median follow-up was 19.8 years; maximum was 48.5 years. The mean gradient across the left ventricular outflow tract at late follow-up was 8.8 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 3.7 to 14.01). Overall survival was estimated at 90% ± 7%, 84% ± 9%, and 8%2 ± 10% at 5, 10, and 20 years, respectively. Predictors of mortality were age younger than 2 years ( p = 0.021), diffuse SVAS ( p = 0.045), aortic valve stenosis ( p = 0.032), and high postoperative gradient ( p = 0.023). Presence of Williams-Beuren syndrome did not affect survival ( p = 0.305). Freedom from late reoperation was 97% ± 4%, 93% ± 7%, and 86% ± 10% at 5, 10, and 20 years, respectively. Significant aortic valve disease ( p p = 0.009) were risk factors for late reoperation. Conclusions Surgical repair for SVAS can be performed with a single-patch technique with good long-term outcome. Late mortality and need for reoperation are more likely with diffuse SVAS or the presence of aortic valve stenosis.
Membrane Estrogen Receptors Acting Through Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors: An Emerging Mechanism of Estrogen Action in Brain

It has been over 60years since the first studies have been published describing the effects of steroid hormones on brain function. For over 30years, estrogen has been presumed to directly affect gene expression and protein synthesis through a specific receptor. More than 20years ago, the first estrogen receptor was cloned and identified as a transcription factor. Yet, throughout their course of study, estrogens have also been observed to affect nervous system function via mechanisms independent of intracellular receptor regulation of gene expression. Up until recently, the membrane estrogen receptors responsible for these rapid actions have remained elusive. Recent studies have demonstrated that a large number of these rapid, membrane-initiated actions of estradiol are due to surface expression of classical estrogen receptors. This review focuses on the importance of membrane estrogen receptor interactions with metabotropic glutamate receptors for understanding rapid estradiol signaling mechanisms and downstream effectors, as well as their significance in a variety of physiological processes.
The PPR-SMR protein PPR53 enhances the stability and translation of specific chloroplast RNAs in maize

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are helical repeat proteins that bind RNA and influence gene expression in mitochondria and chloroplasts. Several PPR proteins in plants harbor a carboxy-terminal small-MutS-related (SMR) domain, but the functions of the SMR appendage are unknown. To address this issue, we studied a maize PPR-SMR protein denoted PPR53 (GRMZM2G438524), which is orthologous to the Arabidopsis protein SOT1 (AT5G46580). Null ppr53 alleles condition a chlorotic, seedling-lethal phenotype and a reduction in plastid ribosome content. Plastome-wide transcriptome and translatome analyses revealed strong defects in the expression of the ndhA and rrn23 genes, which were superimposed on secondary effects resulting from a decrease in plastid ribosome content. Transcripts with processed 5'-ends mapping approximately 70 nucleotides upstream of rrn23 and ndhA are absent in ppr53 mutants, and the translational efficiency of the residual ndhA mRNAs is reduced. Recombinant PPR53 binds with high affinity and specificity to the 5' proximal region of the PPR53-dependent 23S rRNA, suggesting that PPR53 protects this RNA via a barrier mechanism similar to that described for several PPR proteins lacking SMR motifs. However, recombinant PPR53 did not bind with high affinity to the ndhA 5' untranslated region, suggesting that PPR53's RNA-stabilization and translation-enhancing effects at the ndhA locus involve the participation of other factors.
Realist Methodology in Contemporary Genetics

The present paper is intended to support three main claims. All three, I believe, represent minority views among historians and philosophers of science; they are, therefore, probably of general interest. Boldly stated, the claims to be defended are: 1. Neighboring subdisciplines within a single science need not be methodologically uniform, at least not with respect to realist vs. non-realist methodology. 2. There is an important distinction between realist methodology on the one hand and ontological (semantic) realism and epistemic realism on the other. One piece of evidence for this claim is the fact that, among working scientists, there is no simple correlation between the use or rejection of realist methodology and the acceptance or non-acceptance of ontological or epistemic realism with respect to the leading entities or theories of concern to them in their (sub)discipline. 3. In some very weak sense, methodological realism (which is allied to what Laudan has called ‘axiological realism’1) is prior to semantic or epistemic realism. The reason is that it is not possible to ground either epistemic or semantic realism adequately without working through the concrete ways in which putative theoretical (or deep sub-structural) entities might enter into concrete experimental and natural situations. Thus one’s way of working (methodology) must presuppose the existence of the very entities about whose existence one is uncertain if one is to accumulate and assimilate the evidence that might establish their existence.
NESTLING GROWTH AND THERMOREGULATORY DEVELOPMENT IN SUBALPINE DUSKY FLYCATCHERS

Abstract The Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri), a small, open-nesting Neotropical migrant, is a relatively common summer inhabitant of subalpine environments in the western and southwestern United States. Nestling growth and development of thermoregulation were studied in a population at Tioga Pass (3,000 m) in the eastern Sierra Nevada of California. Despite the selective advantages that might be expected from accelerating rates of growth and thermoregulatory development, in an environment where the season was relatively short and cold temperatures and inclement weather were common, there was little evidence of adaptive modification in either of those parameters; growth rates were comparable to those of other tyrant flycatchers. Feather eruption began around day 5, brushing in dorsal and ventral tracts began two days later, and brushing of the flight feathers around day 9. Asymptotic body masses were attained around day 12, but nestlings did not fledge for another 4 to 5 days. The physiological de...
Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation and Prophylaxis During Solid Tumor Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Solid tumor chemotherapy regimens pose a risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, but screening and antiviral prophylaxis remains controversial because of insufficient evidence. Purpose To determine the risk for HBV reactivation with and without antiviral prophylaxis and the effectiveness of prophylaxis in adults with solid tumors and chronic or resolved HBV infection. Data sources MEDLINE through 1 July 2015 and Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, TOXNET, and Scopus through 1 March 2015. Study selection 26 English-language observational studies and randomized, controlled trials in patients with chronic or resolved HBV receiving chemotherapy for solid tumors. Data extraction Study characteristics, quality, and risk of bias were assessed by 1 researcher and verified by another independent researcher. Data synthesis Random-effects model meta-analyses were used to estimate the risk and odds ratio (OR) of reactivation with versus without antiviral prophylaxis. Reactivation in chronic HBV without prophylaxis ranged from 4% to 68% (median, 25%) with substantial heterogeneity. Prophylaxis reduced the risk for HBV reactivation (OR, 0.12 [95% CI, 0.06 to 0.22]), HBV-related hepatitis (OR, 0.18 [CI, 0.10 to 0.32]), and chemotherapy interruption (OR, 0.10 [CI, 0.04 to 0.27]). In 3 studies of patients with resolved HBV infection, none received HBV prophylaxis and reactivation risk ranged from 0.3% to 9.0%. Limitations Significant heterogeneity in underlying study populations and treatment regimens, incomplete baseline data, possibility of publication bias, and limited study quality. Most studies were observational and from Asia. Conclusion In patients with chronic HBV receiving solid tumor chemotherapy, the risk for HBV reactivation is similar to the risk with other types of immunosuppressive therapy. Results support HBV screening and antiviral prophylaxis before initiation of chemotherapy for solid tumors. Primary funding source National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and National Institutes of Health.
Supersaturation Potential of Salt, Co-Crystal, and Amorphous Forms of a Model Weak Base

High energy solids, such as salts, co-crystals, or amorphous solid dispersions, have been widely used to generate supersaturated aqueous solutions and improve drug bioavailability. However, most research on solubility enhancing strategies has focused on the kinetics of dissolution, and there is relatively little comparison of the different degrees of supersaturation achieved by using different solid state forms of the same compound. Recent studies from our group have demonstrated that the maximum achievable supersaturation is dictated by the aqueous solubility of the amorphous form of the drug. Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) occurs at concentrations above this value. Herein, it was hypothesized that the upper limit of supersaturation that can be achieved from dissolution of various high energy solids is also governed by the amorphous solubility. To test this hypothesis, the dissolution and supersaturation behavior of different solid forms of a model compound, CRH1, were investigated using a variety...
Supercritical Fluid Extrusion — A New Process

A new hybrid process which combines the attributes of supercritical fluids with extrusion processes is described. Based on the commonality of high pressure operation for both processes, supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) offers numerous added advantages over the conventional process. Major features and unique system configurations for the process along with microstructures of resulting products are presented.
The Harnack inequality for second-order parabolic equations with divergence-free drifts of low regularity

ABSTRACTWe establish the Harnack inequality for advection-diffusion equations with divergence-free drifts by adapting the classical Moser technique to parabolic equations with drifts with regularity lower than the scale invariant spaces.
Stormwater Databases: NURP, USGS, International BMP Database and NSQD

During the past 30 years government agencies, universities and private companies have invested millions of dollars trying to understand the factors that affect…
Synthesis of Cyclododeciptycene Quinones

Cycloiptycenes are elusive and synthetically challenging molecules. We report the first synthesis of two substituted cyclododeciptycene tetraquinones via a sequence of intermolecular and intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions from cis,cis-heptiptycene tetraquinone 2 and substituted 7,16-dihydro-7,16-(o-benzeno)heptacenes 3. Heptiptycene tetraquinone 2 was made from triptycene bisquinone 4 and 1,4-dimethoxyanthracene in three steps, and 6,8,15,17-tetramethoxy-7,16-dihydro-7,16-(o-benzeno)heptacene (3a) was synthesized from triptycene bisquinone 4 and 1,4-dihydro-2,3-benzoxathiin-3-oxide in four steps. The structure of a cyclododeciptycene, 1a, was determined by a single-crystal X-ray analysis. The synthetic sequence is general and should allow the incorporation of various alkoxy and acetoxy substituents appended to the cycloiptycene framework.
Effects of hormone administration on collagen biosynthesis in the rat.

SummaryGrowth hormone, methyl testosterone or stilbestrol, when given alone or in combination were not able to counteract the inhibitory effects of 6-methyl prednisolone on body weight gain and collagen synthesis at the site of subcutaneously implanted poly-vinyl sponges. This experiment emphasizes the importance of dosage, since at lower concentration (0.2 mg/day) growth hormone had been found to be of benefit in this respect. The rate of uptake of radioglycine by skin collagen was depressed by the hormonal administration and the only significant increase of protein synthesis among the tissues investigated occurred at the perineal muscle of the androgen treated rats. This again points to the unique behavior of the muscles of the perineal complex and to its unsuitability for serving as an estimate of anabolic non-androgenic activity.
The Complement Fixation Reaction in Toxoplasmic Infection

SummaryA frozen and thawed extract of toxoplasma-infected rabbit brain (but not similar extracts of certain other heavily parasitized tissues) yielded an antigen which fixed complement specifically in the presence of immune sera from experimentally infected rhesus monkeys but not rabbits, dogs, and cats. This complement fixing antibody appeared within 1 to 4 weeks after inoculation, but unlike the neutralizing antibody disappeared again in most monkeys, sometimes as early as 2 months. A certain number of human beings who were known or suspected to have experienced toxoplasmic infection also gave positive complement fixation reactions. However, twenty selected individuals whose sera had neutralizing antibodies against toxo-plasma gave negative complement fixation reactions, but in none of these was there evidence of recent or active infection. While a positive complement fixation reaction does not in all cases indicate active or even recent infection, it is believed that this test may have its greatest use...
Optogenetic pacing in Drosophila melanogaster(Conference Presentation)

A non-invasive, contact-less cardiac pacing technology can be a powerful tool in basic cardiac research and in clinics. Currently, electrical pacing is the gold standard for cardiac pacing. Although highly effective in controlling the cardiac function, the invasive nature, non-specificity to cardiac tissues and possible tissue damage limits its capabilities. Optical pacing of heart is a promising alternative, which is non-invasive and more specific, has high spatial and temporal precision, and avoids shortcomings in electrical stimulation. Optical coherence tomography has been proved to be an effective technique in non-invasive imaging in vivo with ultrahigh resolution and imaging speed. In the last several years, non-invasive specific optical pacing in animal hearts has been reported in quail, zebrafish, and rabbit models. However， Drosophila Melanogaster, which is a significant model with orthologs of 75% of human disease genes, has rarely been studied concerning their optical pacing in heart. Here, we combined optogenetic control of Drosophila heartbeat with optical coherence microscopy (OCM) technique for the first time. The light-gated cation channel, channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) was specifically expressed by transgene as a pacemaker in drosophila heart. By stimulating the pacemaker with 472 nm pulsed laser light at different frequencies, we achieved non-invasive and more specific optical control of the Drosophila heart rhythm, which demonstrates the wide potential of optical pacing for studying cardiac dynamics and development. Imaging capability of our customized OCM system was also involved to observe the pacing effect visually. No tissue damage was found after long exposure to laser pulses, which proved the safety of optogenetic control of Drosophila heart.
Rethinking how to address the world's largest infectious killer in the world's largest country.

India has the largest number of people suffering from tuberculosis (TB) of any country in the world. Analysis of the increasing Multi-Drug Resistant TB problem has revealed multiple challenges to the health system that must be addressed in order to control the TB epidemic there.
An Unusual Case of Testicular Ectopia

AbstractWe report a case of testicular ectopia, which represents the first instance of an ectopic testicle located cranial and lateral to the internal ring between the external and internal oblique musculature.
Necessity and Proportionality in the Law of War

International law constrains both the resort to military force and the conduct of hostilities. In both contexts, principles of necessity and proportionality limit the lawful use of lethal violence. The content of these principles remains controversial, both within each context and across contexts. This chapter aims to illuminate these controversies and to suggest how they should be resolved. With respect to the law of force (the jus ad bellum), this chapter argues that necessity requires that states seeking to target non-state actors on the territory of another state must first seek the consent of the territorial state. Proportionality does not always permit states to use as much force as necessary to prevent or repel armed attacks, but instead requires that states balance the harm they expect to inflict against the harm they expect to prevent. With respect to the law of armed conflict (the jus in bello), this chapter argues that military necessity does not authorize, justify, or otherwise provide a legal basis for acts of violence. Conversely, attackers must take precautions to avoid unnecessarily harming civilians, even at significant risk to themselves. Finally, an attack is proportionate only if it is reasonable to expect that it will prevent substantially more harm to attacking forces or to civilians than it will inflict on civilians.
An English language and literacy acquisition validation randomized controlled trial: Study protocol

Abstract This paper presents a research protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to determine the degree of impact that the ELLA-V intervention has across 75 randomly-assigned urban, suburban, and rural schools with a total of 14,400 students and 600 teachers at each of four grades, K-3, on ELLs’ English oral language, reading, and literacy skills. Secondly, ELLA-V will examine the impact of high quality professional development (PD) provided for treatment teachers through virtual PD using Blackboard, Tegrity, Citrix GotoMeeting, and ThereNow classroom cameras versus typical PD provided by the districts to the control group teachers. An additional implementation study will examine treatment teachers’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the virtual and face-to-face PD and mentoring feedback.
A 16Gb/s 14.7mW tri-band cognitive serial link transmitter with forwarded clock to enable PAM-16 / 256-QAM and channel response detection in 28 nm CMOS

A cognitive tri-band transmitter with forwarded clock using multi-band signaling and high-level digital signal modulations is presented for serial link application. The transmitter features learning an arbitrary channel response by sending a sweep of continuous wave, detecting power level, and accordingly adapts modulation scheme, data bandwidth and carrier frequency. The modulation scheme ranges from NRZ/QPSK to PAM-16/256-QAM. The highly re-configurable transmitter is capable of dealing with low-cost serial link cables/connectors or multi-drop buses with deep and narrow notches in frequency domain (e.g. 40dB loss at notches). The adaptive multi-band scheme mitigates equalization requirement and enhances the energy efficiency by avoiding frequency notches and utilizing the maximum available signal-to-noise ratio and channel bandwidth. The implemented transmitter consumes 14.7mW power and occupies 0.016mm2 in 28nm CMOS. It achieves a maximum data rate of 16Gb/s per differential pair and the most energy-efficient FoM (defined in Fig. 8) of 20.4 µW/Gb/s/dB considering channel condition.
Methodology Challenges and Cutting Edge Designs for Rural Education Research

The unique contexts and features of rural education systems lead to the need for unique and innovative solutions. In particular, rural research is commonly perceived to face major logistical research hurdles such as small populations, low densities, poor access, and geographic isolation. These limitations make the rural setting a challenging context within which to conduct education research. This chapter presents considerations for overcoming such challenges while still striving towards employing rigorous methodologies, achieving desired generalizability, and reaching causal inferences when relevant. To accomplish this, a number of interdisciplinary statistical and design-based solutions can be translated to rural education research. In particular, this chapter discusses: (a) using advanced statistical modeling to preserve and feature the uniqueness of rural settings, (b) alternatives to traditional simple random assignment, (c) measurement paradigms to reduce the amount of data required, and (d) innovations for working with small samples and complex models. Most of these topics and approaches can be combined to accommodate the complexities and realities of conducting rural research. The fundamental message is that all research contexts present their own unique challenges, but as researchers, we can look outside of our disciplines to find solutions that can help us pursue our necessary research agendas.
The social housing burden: comparing households at the periphery and the centre of cities in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico

This article considers how housing location impacts the housing burden of low-income residents. Specifically, it assesses the impact of distance to city centre on: (1) market price of the housing u...
Immunomodulatory Effects of Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells Promote Alternative Activation Macrophages to Repair Tissue Damage

The pathogenesis of many diseases is driven by the interactions between helper T (TH ) cells and macrophages. The phenotypes of these cells are functional dichotomies that are persuaded according to the surrounding milieu. In both multiple sclerosis and the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, TH 1 and TH 17 cells propagate autoimmune signaling and inflammation in the peripheral lymphoid tissues. In turn, this proinflammatory repertoire promotes the classical activation, formerly the M1-type, macrophages. Together, these cells infiltrate into the central nervous system (CNS) tissues and generate inflammatory and demyelinating lesions. Our most recent report demonstrated the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) that led to functional, immunological, and pathological improvements in the EAE model. Here, a deeper investigation revealed the induction of regulatory T cells and alternative activation, or M2-type, macrophages in the periphery followed by the presence of alternative activation macrophages, reduced cellular infiltrates, and attenuation of neuroinflammation in CNS tissues following intraperitoneal administration of these treatments. Spleens from treated EAE mice revealed diminished TH 1 and TH 17 cell activities and were markedly higher in the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. Interestingly, SVF cells were more effective than ASCs at mediating these beneficial changes, which were attributed to their localization to the spleens after administration. Together, SVF cells rapidly and robustly attenuated the propagation of autoimmune signaling in the periphery that provided a permissive milieu in the CNS for repair and possibly regeneration. Stem Cells 2017;35:2198-2207.
Real-Time Depth-Camera Based Hand Tracking for ASL Recognition

Accurate real-time depth camera-based tracking of limbs, fingers and faces would be of great use to the field of Sign Language Recognition (SLR). While aspects of depth-based tracking have been applied to SLR, technological limitations have previously forced trade-offs between the resolution necessary to track finger positions and the field of view necessary to track the signer's body. Only recently, with improvements in cameras and computing power, have algorithms been developed which boast the capability of maintaining accurate finger tracking over an appropriately sized volume of space. In this paper, we employ the publicly available Sphere-Mesh [1] hand tracking algorithm to collect and recognize ASL handshapes. In doing so, we demonstrate recognition rates comparable to other state of the art handshape classifiers using simple naive Bayesian classifiers that can run in real-time.
Encapsulation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with copolymer to disperse in aqueous media

An emulsion-like polymerization technique called admicellar polymerization (AP) was used to encapsulate a thin film of copolymer on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A water-soluble component sodium acrylate and a non-water soluble component methyl methacrylate were used to form thin films of copolymer on multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Various ratios of polymer combinations were formulated on MWCNT’s to understand the stability of polymer composition and surface heterogeneity on MWCNT’s. Encapsulated MWCNTs were characterized using SEM, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), thermal analysis and FT-IR. Analytical studies indicate the formation of copolymer on MWCNTs. Monomer conversion rate and copolymer reactivity ratios were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos methods. The copolymer combination showed an alternating tendency and azeotropic composition at 0.6 acrylate monomer. The encapsulated MWCNTs were stable in aqueous media with onset of aggregate formation beginning at 40 days for the copolymer.
Plains Indian Motifs in Contemporary Cherokee Culture

(1962). Plains Indian Motifs in Contemporary Cherokee Culture. Plains Anthropologist: Vol. 7, No. 16, pp. 136-137.