cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bioluminescence of the insect pathogen Xenorhabdus luminescens.

Luminescence of batch cultures of Xenorhabdus luminescens was maximal when cultures approached stationary phase; the onset of in vivo luminescence coincided with a burst of synthesis of bacterial luciferase, the enzyme responsible for luminescence. Expression of luciferase was aldehyde limited at all stages of growth, although more so during the preinduction phase. Luciferase was purified from cultures of X. luminescens Hm to a specific activity of 4.6 x 10(13) guanta/s per mg of protein and found to be similar to other bacterial luciferases. The Xenorhabdus luciferase consisted of two subunits with approximate molecular masses of 39 and 42 kilodaltons. A third protein with a molecular mass of 24 kilodaltons copurified with luciferase, and in its presence, either NADH or NADPH was effective in stimulating luminescence, indicating that this protein is an NAD(P)H oxidoreductase. Luciferases from two other luminous bacteria, Vibrio harveyii (B392) and Vibrio cholerae (L85), were partially purified, and their subunits were separated in 5 M urea and tested for complementation with the subunits prepared from X. luminescens Hb. Positive complementation was seen with luciferase subunits among all three species. The slow decay kinetics of the Xenorhabdus luciferase were attributed to the alpha subunit. Images
Superframe-based bit allocation algorithms for DMT systems

A superframe-based DMT transceiver system with multiple bit tables (SM-DMT) is proposed. This proposed system can be applied to either a frequency division multiplexed (FDM) DMT system or a time division multiplexed (TDM) DMT system. The latter system is also known as synchronized DMT (SDMT) systems. This paper shows how an SM-DMT system provides optimal performance in situations where either a FDM-based DMT system or a TDM-based DMT system may suffer from performance degradation. A bit allocation algorithm for SM-DMT systems is also presented. Simplified algorithms based on grouping and table-sharing are described to reduce the practical complexity requirement.
Effects of L-arginine on the endogenous angiogenic response in a model of hypercholesterolemia.

Background The angiogenic properties of vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-2 are mediated in part through nitric oxide release, whose availability is decreased in endothelial dysfunction associated with advanced coronary artery disease. We examined the influence of L-arginine supplementation on the endogenous angiogenic response to ischemia in a porcine model of hypercholesterolemia. Methods Eighteen Yucatan pigs were fed either a normal (NORM, n = 6) or a high-cholesterol diet, with (CHOL-ARG, n = 6) or without (CHOL, n = 6) L-arginine (100 mg/kg/day), throughout the experiment. All pigs underwent ameroid constrictor placement on the circumflex artery (LCx). Seven weeks later, endothelium-dependent coronary microvascular responses to fibroblast growth factor-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor were assessed by videomicroscopy. Perfusion was assessed with radioactive microspheres; angiogenesis was evaluated by platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD-31) staining. Regional myocardial function was assessed by sonomicrometry. Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase was measured by Western blot analyses. Results Pigs from the CHOL group showed significant endothelial dysfunction in the LCx territory. The dysfunction was normalized partially by L-arginine supplementation, which restored the response in the LCx territory to the level of the nonischemic anterior wall. L-arginine supplementation resulted in increases of perfusion, density of capillary endothelial, and level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the ischemic region. Despite these findings, no improvement in myocardial regional function was found. Conclusions L-arginine supplementation can partially restore endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and improve myocardial perfusion in a swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia with hypercholesterolemia-induced endothelial dysfunction. These findings suggest a putative role for L-arginine in combination with growth factor therapy for end-stage coronary artery disease.
Gas Dynamic Limits and Optimization of Pulsed Detonation Static Thrust

Pulse detonation engines (PDEs) hold promise to increase the performance of air breathing propulsion systems by taking advantage of the increase in cycle efficiency due to the constant-volume heat addition characteristics of detonative combustion. The performance of a PDE is studied using a onedimensional model originally developed for a combustion wave rotor. The focus is on application to aircraft engine at static and sea level conditions. Detonative combustion of premixed hydrogen and air is ignited by hot gas injection. The design parameters studied are the PDE cycle frequency or cycle time, fuel intake valve timing, and ignition delay timing. The engine performance, measured by thrust per unit area and specific impulse is strongly influenced by the gas wave dynamics.
Exploring the Personal Reality of Disability and Recovery: A Tool for Empowering the Rehabilitation Process

People experiencing disability and chronic disease often feel powerless, relinquishing medical control to "more knowledgeable" professionals. This article presents qualitative and quantitative results from three individual patients experiencing an emerging procedure called Recovery Preference Exploration (RPE). To inspire greater patient involvement, self-direction, and individual choice, we instructed participants to create an imagined recovery path, exposing recovery preferences while learning about clinical rehabilitation concepts. Results uncovered important values and feelings about disability, providing a richer context for patient evaluation and treatment goal modification. Applying mixed methods, RPE is presented as an explanatory process for quantifying recovery preferences in a way that stimulates rich narrative of how people see different types of disabilities. RPE shows promise for increasing depth of discussions among patients, family, and clinicians. RPE may promote greater quality of life through patient empowerment by directed learning, increased communication, and enhanced self-knowledge.
Experimental dry eye stimulates production of inflammatory cytokines and MMP-9 and activates MAPK signaling pathways on the ocular surface.

PURPOSE. To evaluate whether experimentally induced dry eye in mice activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular-regulated kinases (ERK), and p38 and stimulates ocular surface inflammation. METHODS. 129SvEv/CD-1 mixed mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were treated with systemic scopolamine and exposure to an air draft for different lengths of time, from 4 hours to 10 days. Untreated mice were used as the control. The concentrations of IL-1 and TNF- in tear fluid washings and in corneal and conjunctival epithelia were measured by ELISA. MMP-9 in tear washings was evaluated by zymography, and gelatinase activity in the cornea and conjunctiva was determined by in situ zymography. Corneal and conjunctival epithelia were lysed in RIPA buffer for Western blot with MAPK antibodies, or they were lysed in 4 M guanidium thiocyanate solution for extraction of total RNA, which was used to determine gene expression by semiquantitative RT-PCR, real-time PCR, and gene array. RESULTS. Compared with those in age-matched control subjects, the concentrations of IL-1 and MMP-9 in tear fluid washings and the concentrations of IL-1 and TNF- and gelatinolytic activity in the corneal and conjunctival epithelia were significantly increased in mice receiving treatments to induce dry eye after 5 or 10 days. The expression of IL-1, TNF-, and MMP-9 mRNA by the corneal and conjunctival epithelia was also stimulated in mice treated for 5 or 10 days. The levels of phosphorylated JNK1/2, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPKs in the corneal and conjunctival epithelia were markedly increased as early as 4 hours after treatment, and they remained elevated up to 5 days. CONCLUSIONS. Experimental dry eye stimulates expression and production of IL-1, TNF-, and MMP-9 and activates MAPK signaling pathways on the ocular surface. MAPKs are known to stimulate the production of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs, and they could play an important role in the induction of these factors that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of dry eye disease. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004;45:4293‐4301) DOI:10.1167/iovs.03-1145
An internal regulatory element controls troponin I gene expression.

During skeletal myogenesis, approximately 20 contractile proteins and related gene products temporally accumulate as the cells fuse to form multinucleated muscle fibers. In most instances, the contractile protein genes are regulated transcriptionally, which suggests that a common molecular mechanism may coordinate the expression of this diverse and evolutionarily unrelated gene set. Recent studies have examined the muscle-specific cis-acting elements associated with numerous contractile protein genes. All of the identified regulatory elements are positioned in the 5'-flanking regions, usually within 1,500 base pairs of the transcription start site. Surprisingly, a DNA consensus sequence that is common to each contractile protein gene has not been identified. In contrast to the results of these earlier studies, the authors have found that the 5'-flanking region of the quail troponin I (TnI) gene is not sufficient to permit the normal myofiber transcriptional activation of the gene. Instead, the TnI gene utilizes a unique internal regulatory element that is responsible for the correct myofiber-specific expression pattern associated with the TnI gene. This is the first example in which a contractile protein gene has been shown to rely primarily on an internal regulatory element to elicit transcriptional activation during myogenesis. The diversity of regulatory elements associated withmore » the contractile protein genes suggests that the temporal expression of the genes may involve individual cis-trans regulatory components specific for each gene.« less
Comparison of Micro-Pin-Fin and Microchannel Heat Sinks Considering Thermal-Hydraulic Performance and Manufacturability

This paper explores the potential of micro-pin-fin heat sinks as an effective alternative to microchannel heat sinks for dissipating high heat fluxes from small areas. The overall goal is to compare microchannel and micro-pin-fin heat sinks based on three metrics: thermal performance, hydraulic performance, and cost of manufacturing. The channels and pins of the microchannel and micro-pin-fin heat sinks, respectively, have a width of 200 ?m and a height of 670 ?m. A comparison of the thermal-hydraulic performance shows that the micro-pin-fin heat sink has a lower convection thermal resistance at liquid flow rates above approximately 60 g/min, though this is accompanied by a higher pressure drop. Methods that could feasibly fabricate the two heat sinks are reviewed, with references outlining current capabilities and limitations. A case study on micro-end-milling of the heat sinks is included. This paper includes equations that separate the fabrication cost into the independent variables that contribute to material cost, machining cost, and machining time. It is concluded that, with micro-end-milling, the machining time is the primary factor in determining cost, and, due to the additional machining time required, the micro-pin-fin heat sinks are roughly three times as expensive to make. It is also noted that improvements in the fabrication process, including spindle speed and tool coatings, will decrease the difference in cost.
Analysis of slit‐distorted small‐angle X‐ray scattering intensities without desmearing

Experimental small-angle X-ray scattering intensities, generated from a primary beam of known intensity profile, are often `desmeared' to obtain point-collimated intensities. A much simpler way is shown of using the known beam intensity profile to derive, from the experimental scattering intensity, the quantities required for calculation of surface areas.
Estimation of probability densities by empirical density functions

The empirical density function, a simple modification and improvement of the usual histogram, is defined and its properties are studied. An analysis is presented which enables the interval width to be chosen. The estimators are modified for the important practical case of bounded random variables. Finally, the problems of writing a programme to compute the functions are considered along with some Monte Carlo examples and a practical example from the National Uranium Resource Evaluation study conducted by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration. It is recommended that these techniques be introduced at all levels of statistical courses so that they will become more widely utilized. † Copyright U.S. Government. This work was carried out under the auspices of the United States Energy Research and Development Administration under contract W–
Low complexity decoding of BICM STBC

It was shown earlier that the combination of bit interleaved coded modulation (BICM) with space time block codes (STBC) for OFDM systems leads to the maximum diversity order in space and frequency. In this paper we present low complexity decoding of BICM-STBC systems. First, the maximum likelihood (ML) bit metric calculations are simplified from a distance on the complex plane to a distance on the real line. Furthermore, we present log-likelihood-ratio (LLR) approximations to maximum likelihood (ML) decoding metrics to achieve easier to implement soft decision bit metrics with the same high performance. The LLR bit metrics are specifically calculated for M-ary QAM signal constellations used in IEEE 802.11a/g networks. Simulation results also show that while achieving a substantial improvement in decoder complexity, the proposed bit metrics achieve the same high performance.
Microcrack‐induced versus intrinsic elastic anisotropy in mature HC‐source shales

Recent experimental studies of ultrasonic velocity anisotropy in kerogen‐rich shales indicate that these rocks are characterized by a very strong anisotropic response related to a very fine, bedding‐parallel lamination of organic matter and preferred orientation of clay particles in the rock matrix (Vernik and Nur, 1992). This intrinsic anisotropy is further enhanced in thermally mature shales by bedding‐parallel microcracks caused by the processes of hydrocarbon generation (Vernik, paper in preparation). However, the potential of recognizing mature source‐rocks in situ using downhole sonic, crosshole seismic, or VSP data clearly depends on our ability to discriminate between these two major causes of elastic anisotropy, remove the effect of the intrinsic anisotropy, and estimate crack density and crack porosity from velocity measurements.
Quadratic-type Lyapunov functions for singularly perturbed systems

Asymptotic and exponential stability of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems are investigated via Lyapunov stability techniques. A quadratic-type Lyapunov function for a singularly perturbed system is obtained as a weighted sum of quadratic-type Lyapunov functions of two lower order systems. Estimates of domain of attraction, of upper bound on perturbation parameter, and of degree of exponential stability are obtained. The method is illustrated by studying the stability of a synchronous generator connected to an infinite bus.
Neighborhood Poverty and Allostatic Load in African American Youth

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine whether living in a neighborhood in which poverty levels increase across adolescence is associated with heightened levels of allostatic load (AL), a biological composite reflecting cardiometabolic risk. The researchers also sought to determine whether receipt of emotional support could ameliorate the effects of increases in neighborhood poverty on AL. METHODS: Neighborhood concentrations of poverty were obtained from the Census Bureau for 420 African American youth living in rural Georgia when they were 11 and 19 years of age. AL was measured at age 19 by using established protocols for children and adolescents. When youth were 18, caregivers reported parental emotional support and youth assessed receipt of peer and mentor emotional support. Covariates included family poverty status at ages 11 and 19, family financial stress, parental employment status, youth stress, and youths’ unhealthful behaviors. RESULTS: Youth who lived in neighborhoods in which poverty levels increased from ages 11 to 19 evinced the highest levels of AL even after accounting for the individual-level covariates. The association of increasing neighborhood poverty across adolescence with AL was not significant for youth who received high emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to show an association between AL and residence in a neighborhood that increases in poverty. It also highlights the benefits of supportive relationships in ameliorating this association.
An abstract content-based image retrieval system based on activity theory

Traditional methods of image retrieval require that meta-data is associated with the image, commonly known as keywords. These methods power many World Wide Web search engines and accomplish reasonable amounts of search accuracy. Though some content based image retrieval (CBIR) systems use both semantic and primitive attributes to match search criteria, history has proven that it is difficult to extract linguistic information from a 2D image. In this research, activity theory is used as a base to demonstrate how semantic information can be retrieved from objects identified in an image. Using an image segmentation technique by The Berkeley Digital Library Project (Blobworld), and combining it with object-to-community relationships, a high-level understanding of the image can be demonstrated.
Anticarcinogenesis in fish.

Abstract Rainbow trout respond to a range of natural and synthetic dietary tumor modulators. Observed modulations of final tumor incidence include inhibition, promotion and cocarcinogenesis, depending on modulator, carcinogen, target organ, and relative order of carcinogen and modulator exposure. Despite several obvious limitations (e.g. lung, colon, mammary gland, bladder are not available as target organs), the trout model possesses several important features that have made it valuable for tumor modulation studies. 1. (1) The comparative advantage . Since rodents are not perfect human surrogates, studies with alternative vertebrates such as trout have provided important comparative mechanism information for confident extrapolation of animal studies to humans. For example, β-naphthoflavone appears to inhibit aflatoxin B1 hepatocarcinogenicity by species-independent mechanisms that readily extrapolate to humans. By contrast other modulators, including butylated hydroxyanisole, inhibit aflatoxin B1 hepatocarcinogenesis in rats by an enabling mechanism shown to be absent in trout, namely the induction of an aflatoxin B1-specific glutathione S -transferase isozyme. Interestingly, evidence is presently lacking that this determinant mechanism would be operative in humans. 2. (2) The sensitivity advantage . Trout sensitivity and small body size at exposure have permitted tumor studies with carcinogens and HPLC-purified anticarcinogen intermediates too scarce to study in rodents. 3. (3) The low cost advantage . The very low cost of trout tumor studies has enabled statistically challenging issues in molecular dosimetry, dose-response, and risk-benefit analysis to be addressed using as many as 9600 animals per tumor study at modest budget. In particular, these designs provide modulator-mediated alteaations in precisely determined carcinogen TD 50 values, rather than changes in simple tumor incidence, to quantify more rigorously modulator potencies for tumor inhibition or promotion as a function of dietary concentrations.
Immunochemistry of DNA

Since the first reports of anti-DNA antibodies in sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 1957, studies of nucleic acid immunochemistry have grown in two directions. One has been the analysis of the specificity, the nature and the origins of these autoantibodies. The second has been exploration of anti-nucleic acid antibodies that can be induced experimentally, their specificities, and their application as biochemical reagents. Although the properties of autoantibodies and experimentally induced antibodies differ in certain respects, these two lines of research are complementary and provide important information for each other. For example, the production of autoantibodies by adjuvant-stimulated B cells yields a background that has to be considered in evaluating the specificity of weak responses to experimental nucleic acid immunogens: in turn, the possibilities and limitations of experimental immunization should be considered in evaluating possible stimuli for autoantibody production. Several aspects of nucleic acid immunochemistry have been described and evaluated in previous reviews. Following some general statements of historical perspective, this review will emphasize questions addressed and findings of about the last five years.
Rational design and physiological selection of a RAF pathway inhibitor that disrupts angiogenesis and tumor growth

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 2490 Identification of therapeutic kinase inhibitors via high throughput screening using recombinant catalytic kinase domains at low ATP concentration often yields high affinity ATP mimetics that lack specificity, thereby producing unwanted side effects. We identified an inhibitor of endothelial cell RAF signaling by applying a rational design approach using a novel amino-triazole scaffold designed to stabilize B-RAF in the inactive state. We selected RAF pathway inhibitors in an endothelial cell-based model followed by further selection in a Tg( fli1-EGFP) zebrafish embryogenesis model, allowing us to identify potent anti-angiogenic compounds. Our lead compound, KG5, disrupts the association of B- and C-RAF in endothelial cells and prevents endothelial cell lumen formation during angiogenesis. In addition to RAF, KG5 inhibited PDGFRbeta in smooth muscle cells but failed to interfere with a wide variety of other kinases. While structurally similar to the multikinase inhibitor Sorafenib, KG5 does not compete for ATP yet it readily disrupts RAF signaling in tumor cells and endothelial cells. Evidence is provided that KG5 is an orally-active RAF pathway inhibitor that blocks angiogenesis and tumor growth in orthotopic models of pancreatic carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma, as well as a V600E BRAF expressing melanoma.
Thrombocytopenia in MDS: epidemiology, mechanisms, clinical consequences and novel therapeutic strategies

Thrombocytopenia is commonly seen in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients, and bleeding complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Thrombocytopenia is an independent factor for decreased survival and has been incorporated in newer prognostic scoring systems. The mechanisms of thrombocytopenia are multifactorial and involve a differentiation block of megakaryocytic progenitor cells, leading to dysplastic, hypolobated and microscopic appearing megakaryocytes or increased apoptosis of megakaryocytes and their precursors. Dysregulated thrombopoietin (TPO) signaling and increased platelet destruction through immune or nonimmune mechanisms are frequently observed in MDS. The clinical management of patients with low platelet counts remains challenging and approved chemotherapeutic agents such as lenalidomide and azacytidine can also lead to a transient worsening of thrombocytopenia. Platelet transfusion is the only supportive treatment option currently available for clinically significant thrombocytopenia. The TPO receptor agonists romiplostim and eltrombopag have shown clinical activity in clinical trials in MDS. In addition to thrombopoietic effects, eltrombopag can inhibit leukemic cell proliferation via TPO receptor-independent effects. Other approaches such as treatment with cytokines, immunomodulating drugs and signal transduction inhibitors have shown limited activity in selected groups of MDS patients. Combination trials of approved agents with TPO agonists are ongoing and hold promise for this important clinical problem.
Constitution-Making, Democracy and the Civilizing of Unreconcilable Conflict: What Might We Learn from the South African Miracle?

Building a democracy encompasses a far broader range of issues than drafting and adopting a new constitution, yet constitution-making has become a key element in the political transitions that have followed the end of the cold war. At the same time these political transitions have involved a range of processes particular to each context and beyond the simple negotiation and drafting of a new constitutional text. While there is often a reliance on models adopted from prior processes, this essay argues that it is important to contextualize these experiences in order to learn the broader lessons that might enable participants in a political transition to engage in a constitution-making process as a means to civilize their unreconcilable conflicts. This might be achieved by employing legally-constituted institutional arrangements and common principles that provide degrees of certainty and ambiguity that allows for a political engagement that might provide the mutual respect and confidence essential to the building of a democratic order.
Tuning amidoximate to enhance uranyl binding: a density functional theory study.

Amidoxime functionalized sorbents have shown great promise in extracting uranium from seawater, though the rationale for this affinity is not apparent. To enhance binding by amidoxime and to develo...
Comment on "Difference between e + and e − deep-inelastic scattering"

On the basis of a parton model, Fishbane and Kingsley have investigated the difference between ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ and ${e}^{+}p$ deep-inelastic scattering in the backward direction and found it to be of relative order $\ensuremath{\alpha}{\mathrm{ln}}^{2}(\frac{{Q}^{2}}{{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{2}})$, where $\ensuremath{\mu}$ is a typical hadronic mass. We have reexamined this problem in the more general kinematic region ${E}_{1}\ensuremath{\gg}{E}_{3}$ (${E}_{1}$ and ${E}_{3}$ are the initial and final electron energies, respectively) and have taken care to distinguish between hard- and soft-photon radiative corrections. The noninfrared part of the virtual photon correction has been found to be of relative order $\ensuremath{\alpha}{\mathrm{ln}}^{2}(\frac{{E}_{1}}{{E}_{3}})$. It is hard to conceive of a situation where such a contribution to the cross section would be observable.
Making Trouble: Mindfulness as a Care Ethic

In this chapter we interrogate the epistemic authority established by the coloniality of power over the notion of care in techno-science. We emphasize that in matters of care, enactive and embodied perspectives are required to comprehend discourses on morality in moral psychology, cognitive science, and ethics. In analyzing the moral mind in ‘thinking with’ the body, the Umwelt, and in terms of decoloniality, we make possible a ‘gutsier’ approach to study moral behavior and ethical reasoning in techno-scientific contexts, because they enable an inquiry into subjectivities. The concepts that we adopt diffractively are, therefore, meaning, practice, relations, and bodies not as a reduction but as a starting point for discussions of subjectivities.
An Open-Source ACASI Design for Social Collaborative mHealth

Trivial access to vast amounts of medical data, together with recent advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs), have collectively made it straightforward to help improve overall patient well-being. This in turn, can provide new and unique opportunities for social collaborative healthcare solutions using mobile devices (mHealth). One prominent example is Audio-Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI) technology, allowing respondents to listen to pre-recorded audio questions, while simultaneously reading survey questions, and providing responses using a tablet touchscreen or keypad. Although several ACASI alternatives exist for mHealth, they are proprietary, limited in features, and are not available on the popular Android platform. In this paper, we discuss alternatives for implementing an open-source ACASI solution on Android, and identify key features of ACASI systems for social collaborative Internet, and also outline a model for implementation with four particular alternatives.
A STUDY TO EVALUATE USERS’ SATISFACTION OF BLACKBOARD LEARN

This study summarizes and reports first-time users’ satisfaction of a Blackboard Learn user interface that had been adopted as an online/blended teaching-learning management tool. Users’ satisfaction was measured in terms of the overall consistency, ease of use, universability, positive aspects, and problems/limitations of the Blackboard Learn user interface. Data were collected through a number of 5-point Likert scale type items using an online survey. The survey also gathered participants’ gender and major area of study to determine if there exists any significant difference in their satisfaction, among the possible groups in these measures. Results revealed that first-time Blackboard Learn users are most likely overall satisfied in using it without any significant difference among male vs. female; and engineering vs. non-engineering major users. Blackboard users are satisfied with a number of its advanced features, although they have reported some noticeable problems, limitations, and recommendations. Keywords : Blackboard Learn, Shneiderman’s golden rules of user interface design, User interface evaluation
Sound propagation in a continuously stratified laboratory ocean model

The propagation of sound in a density-stratified fluid is examined in an experiment with a tank of salty water whose density increases continuously from the fluid surface to the tank bottom. Measurements of the height dependence of the fluid density are used to calculate the height dependence of the fluid salinity and sound speed. The height-dependent sound speed is then used to calculate the refraction of sound rays. Sound propagation in the fluid is measured in three dimensions and compared with the ray analysis. This study provides a basis for laboratory modeling of underwater sound propagation in the fluctuating stratified oceans.
Data Mining Student Choices: A New Approach to Business Curriculum Planning.

ABSTRACTThe authors used a clustering technique to analyze business course choices made by students who completed an individualized degree in a large, urban, public university. They looked for patterns to answer the research question, “What can we learn from students' choices to inform the curricular redesign process in business programs?” The authors found five well-defined clusters; two clusters (marketing-management and marketing-management economics) did not correspond to academic paths in the university's business school. These clusters illuminate trends to be considered in business curricular design. This is the first known study to data mine students' courses choices for curricular design purposes.
Distinguishing primary and metastatic conventional renal cell carcinoma from other malignant neoplasms in fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens.

Abstract Context.—Differentiation of conventional renal cell carcinoma from other malignant neoplasms can be difficult, particularly with the limited sampling in fine-needle aspiration biopsies. Many studies have discussed the features of renal cell carcinoma in fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens, but the significance of the cytologic features is not known. Objective.—To define the significant cytologic findings that aid in differentiating renal cell carcinoma from other malignant neoplasms in fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens. Design.—Fine-needle aspiration biopsies from 35 patients with proven primary or metastatic conventional renal cell carcinoma and from 145 patients with proven primary or metastatic non–renal cell carcinoma malignant neoplasms were assessed for the presence or absence of the following cytologic features: the heterogeneous cell population, hemosiderin deposits, small cytoplasmic vacuoles, large cytoplasmic vacuoles, low nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, prominent nucleoli, intran...
Assessment of sexual health services at US colleges and universities, 2001 and 2014.

Background Approximately 19million students attend post-secondary institutions in the US. With rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at unprecedented highs, the college and university setting can provide the opportunity to engage young adults in their sexual health and deliver recommended services. The purpose of this study was to compare the provision of sexual health services at US college and university health centres across studies conducted in 2001 and 2014. Methods: We compared data from nationally representative surveys administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2001, n=736 schools; 2014, n=482 schools), assessing the provision of services, including STI diagnosis and treatment, contraception, STI education, condom distribution and availability of health insurance. Results: Compared with 2001, statistically significant increases were observed in 2014, including in the provision of contraceptive services (56.1% vs 65.0%), HIV testing (81.5% vs 92.3%) and gonorrhoea testing (90.7% vs 95.8%). Significant decreases were found in the number of schools offering health plans (65.5% vs 49.4%) and specific modes of offering STI education, such as health fairs (82.3% vs 69.9%) and orientation presentations (46.5% vs 29.8%; all P<0.001). Conclusions: From 2001 to 2014, there have been some improvements in sexual health services at colleges and universities, but there are areas that require additional access to services. Schools may consider regular assessments of service provision in order to further promote sexual health services on college campuses.
Impact of 100 keV proton irradiation on electronic and optical properties of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs)

Proton irradiation-induced effects on AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) were studied by emulating a certain space radiation environment (upstream of the earth's bow shock) using a relatively low energy (100 keV) proton beam with fluences of 1 × 1010, 1 × 1012, and 1 × 1014 protons/cm2. In order to isolate radiation-induced effects produced by the modification of the epi-layer from the effects produced by the change in the device structure (such as contacts), the epi-layers were irradiated prior to device fabrication, followed by material/device characterization. Proton irradiation-induced sub-gap traps were detected by spectroscopic photo current-voltage measurement. Raman study revealed that the proton irradiation had induced strain relaxation on the AlGaN/GaN HEMTs epi-layer. No substantial change in the crystal quality of the epi-layer was indicated by Raman and PL studies. With increasing proton fluences, increasing charge carrier density was observed, which was estimated via Raman spectroscopy and the charge-control model analysis. The magnitude and direction of the transistor threshold voltage shift were also dependent on proton fluence. Overall, degradation of transistor output characteristics of the fabricated HEMTs was observed with increasing proton fluence. However, based on the observed performance and the level of influence on material/device characteristics by 100 keV protons, it can be suggested that the AlGaN/GaN HEMTs have high endurance for exposure to relatively high fluences of the low-energy proton beam.
Real or Fake News: Who Knows?

After it became one of the most discussed issues during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, this study analyses how often college students are able to tell real from fake news, by applying concepts of news credibility research, using real and fake news stories previously published online. The study looks into respondents’ research and news consumption behavior, as well as comparing results to respondents’ personal characteristics. Results show that the amount of information provided matters, while most personal traits do not, and although most are aware of fake news, they do not act as they should.
Performance Comparison of Detailed and Averaging Model of a Grid Connected 401-Level MMC System Under System Fault Conditions

The development of fully controlled power semiconductor devices has paved way the path for Voltage Source Converters (VSC) based High Voltage Direct Voltage (HVDC) transmission systems. For these high voltage applications, Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is a good candidate which utilizes interconnection of several Sub-Modules (SM). Furthermore, it provides several advantages including flexibility, scalability, better voltage quality etc. However, the MMC can be vulnerable to the DC short circuit faults. Different Sub-Module (SM) topology based MMCs exists which can suppress the DC short circuit current. The MMCs can be modelled with different modelling technics. This paper presents a comparative study of a point to point (PTP) MMC based HVDC system with feed-forward current control based on detailed and averaging modelling technics. Furthermore, the DC short circuit handling capabilities of Half Bridge SM (HBSM) and Full Bridge SM (FBSM) topologies are examined. Real time simulation results are provided to demonstrate the results of the study on FPGA based MMC support unit from Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS).
Telemedicine utilization by providers in accountable care organizations.

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) aim to improve healthcare quality and reduce spending. Telemedicine, or the remote delivery of healthcare services using a variety of telecommunications devices, offers the potential to advance these goals by expanding patients’ timely access to care, reducing costs, and enabling better coordination of care among providers and care settings (1). Recognizing the potential value telemedicine offers to ACOs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provided fraud and abuse waivers protecting ACO participants who share in the costs of telemedicine services. CMS is now proposing additional changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program to further accelerate telemedicine use (2). While Medicare policy to promote telemedicine has largely focused on ACOs, the current use of telemedicine by ACO providers is unknown.
ICSI: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Over the past 20 years, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has become a staple technique in the human-assisted reproduction laboratory and helped facilitate the birth of millions of healthy children for couples who in many cases had no other reproductive options. We will examine the history behind the development of the technique from animal research and early human-assisted fertilization protocols. ICSI application has exhibited great expansion in laboratory practices and modalities and now provides successful treatment options for essentially every aspect of male factor infertility. Meanwhile, the application of ICSI has expanded outside of the clinical treatment of male factor patients. This has been subject to some criticism which will be discussed along with a long history of general follow-up studies on ICSI offspring. Finally, the technique will no doubt see changes in the future including improvements and expanded utility in non-fertilization-related aspects.
Metaphorical Conceptualization of Food in Jordanian Arabic

This article studies the different food conceptual metaphors in Jordanian Arabic through the study of different food-related idioms and proverbs. A corpus was built by collecting the largest possible number of food-related idioms and proverbs used in Jordanian Arabic, regardless of the dialect, using a survey containing open-ended questions. The collected food-related idioms and proverbs were categorized according to the target domain into which the metaphors are mapped. Food in Jordanian Arabic food as a source domain can be mapped into the following target domains: IDEAS, EXPERIENCE, TEMPERAMENT, GAINING MONEY UNLAWFULLY, WINNING , DECEIVING, COOPERATION, SCHEMING and TALKING NONESENSE. These target domains form the following Conceptual Metaphors: IDEAS ARE FOOD, GOING THROUGH AN EXPEREINCE IS EATING IT, TEMPERAMENT IS FOOD, GAINING MONEY UNLAWFULLY IS EATING IT, WINNING IS EATING , DECEIVING IS MIXING INGREDIENTS, COOPERATION IS SHARING FOOD, SCHEMING IS COOKING TOGETHER and TALKING NONESENSE IS KNEADING.
Coccygectomy a novel and definitive approach to surgical treatment of a tailgut cyst

Abstract Coccygectomy is a simple and safe procedure often used to treat coccydynia. Here we describe this unique approach to access a rare case of tailgut cyst presenting as a phlegmonous pelvic mass fistulized to the sacrum and multiple pelvic organs and complicated by pelvic actinomycosis.
Single Stage PLL-less Decoupled Active and Reactive Power Control for Weak Grid Interactive Inverters

Abstract This paper presents a single stage phase locked loop-less (PLL-less) active and reactive power (PQ) control for single-phase weak grid interactive inverters. The absence of the PLL requirement in the proposed PQ control enhances the stability margin comparing to conventional current control approaches in both the stationary or the synchronous reference frame. Additionally, the proposed control scheme enables direct PQ control with a single loop control structure. This paper demonstrates that the proposed PLL-less PQ control scheme is asymptotically stable if the controller gains are positive. The necessary conditions for supplying the rated active power into the weak grid are derived. The provided analysis shows that certain amount of reactive power injection is necessary to avoid point of common coupling (PCC) voltage collapse when the rated active power is injected into the weak grid. Several case studies are provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed PLL-less PQ control scheme under weak grid condition.
Comparaison entre une réparation partielle et une réparation complète des ruptures massives de la coiffe des rotateurs. Un suivi de cinq ans minimum

Abstract Background Massive rotator cuff surgical management can be challenging. Controversy exists in the literature regarding the potential benefit of full head coverage for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to compare re-tear rate and clinical outcome of arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears in relation to the achievement of full humeral head footprint coverage or not. Hypothesis We hypothesized that there will be no difference in re-tear rate and clinical outcomes between full and partial coverage rotator cuff repairs. Patients and Methods A retrospective analysis of all adult patients with a massive rotator cuff tear who underwent arthroscopic repair with a minimum five years follow-up was performed. Outcomes analyzed included re-tear rate, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Score, and the Penn Shoulder Score. Correlation and subgroup analyses were performed in order to evaluate whether age, symptom duration, tear size, coverage percentage, and fatty infiltration had any effect in outcome. Results The average ASES score was 76.3 ± 25.2, and average Penn Shoulder Score was 75.8 ± 23.1 at 7.9 years mean follow-up in 27 patients analyzed. Re-tear rate was similar between full and partial footprint coverage repair with 2 versus 4 failures, respectively (p = 0.64). ASES and Penn Shoulder scores were 84.2 and 83.7 for full rotator cuff repair versus 70.6 and 71.1, for partial coverage repair (p = 0.20 and p = 0.22, respectively). The percentage of head coverage and the tear size were both found to be significantly correlated with outcome, with coefficient of determination R2 of 0.40 and 0.217, respectively, while a global fatty degeneration index GFDI Discussion No difference in failure rate and functional outcome was detected between full and partial coverage rotator cuff repair. The size of the tear and fatty infiltration were inversely correlated with functional score while the percentage of coverage achieved was positively correlated with favorable outcome. Level of evidence III; retrospective comparative study.
Novel deep learning techniques for photonics

We present a few novel deep learning techniques for applications in photonics. Of particular interest are few-shot techniques which minimize the amount of needed training data.
Ureteral stenting after routine ureteroscopy: Is earlier stent removal feasible?

INTRODUCTION Ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy is a common treatment option for upper urinary tract calculi. Currently, ureteral stents are placed after uncomplicated ureteroscopy for up to 1 week, but the optimal length of placement is not well defined. Ureteral stents are associated with significant morbidity, particularly stent discomfort. This study aims to determine differences in postoperative unplanned clinic or ED visits based on duration of stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a single-institution, IRB-approved, retrospective cohort study of 559 ureteroscopy cases with laser lithotripsy for urinary tract calculi performed from 2016 to 2018. The primary outcome was unplanned ED or clinic visits within 30 days following surgery and there. The patients were separated into three groups based on stent duration: 1 (0-3 days), 2 (4-6 days), and 3 (> 6 days). RESULTS Fifty-eight (10.31%) patients experienced an unplanned visit within 30 days of the procedure. There was no significant difference in unplanned visits among groups for stent duration (p = 0.45). A Clavien grade analysis showed no difference in grades between groups (p = 0.59). A Cox regression model showed no difference in risk of unplanned visit comparing those in groups 2 and 3 to group 1 (p = 0.157 and 0.374, respectively). This also remains to be the case after adjusting for age, sex, and surgeon (p = 0.166 and 0.376, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We found no difference in unplanned visits in patients based on the duration of stent placement following routine ureteroscopy. Stent removal within 3 days of surgery appears to be sufficient to minimize morbidity after uncomplicated ureteroscopy.
Songs of Innocence and Experience: Dominance Feminism in the University

Feminists have had notorious difficulty handling challenges from within our ranks. The "sex wars"' struggle, in which opponents of pornography and advocates of sexual expression tarred each other with claims of false consciousness, produced lingering hostilities. Mainstream feminists first decried the race critique as freighting their efforts with "extra baggage," and only slowly recognized that it exposed a dynamic of erasure within feminism itself. In the wake of the antagonism and wasted effort produced by these failures, some feminists have voiced an unsteady resolve: to give ear to the unorthodox in feminism, to attempt to reconceive feminist efforts along pluralist lines. This resolve has been challenged by the emerging controversy over "date rape" on university campuses. Camille Paglia fired the first shot, charging that
Adaptation of Thermotolerance in Cowpea Suspension Cultures

Cell cultures of a heat sensitive genotype of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) were adapted to tolerate moderate levels of heat by maintaining cells at 32, 36, and 38°C over many cell generations. Cells adapted to 32 and to 36°C did not produce the typical heat shock proteins (HSP). Cells adapted to 38°C synthesized as many as nine proteins, most of which appear to be a subset of the HSP. In many temperature sensitive organisms it is thought that HSP confer thermotolerance. However, we hypothesize that specific proteins are associated with heat tolerance in cowpea, other heat tolerant plants (species such as sorghum and millet), and adapted cells which provide them with enhanced heat tolerance. From present data we suggest some proteins (a 30, a 70 and an 80 kDa) are strongly associated with heat tolerance and heat adaptation.