cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pilot Feasibility Study of Comprehensive Pulmonary Evaluation Following Lung Radiation Therapy.

Background Symptoms of pulmonary injury following lung irradiation may not manifest clinically in childhood. We performed comprehensive pulmonary evaluation of patients who had received lung irradiation for treatment of cancer. Materials and methods Patients underwent a focused history and physical examination, computed tomography of the chest, pulmonary function test, and cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (CPET). Health-related Quality of Life was also measured. Results Fourteen patients were recruited with median age of 16 years (range, 6 to 21 y). Median time from pulmonary radiation to testing was 5 years (range, 2 to 11 y). Five patients reported pulmonary symptoms. Twelve patients (85.7%) had at least 1 pulmonary function test abnormality. Nine patients demonstrated CPET abnormalities; 7 patients had abnormal pulmonary limitation to exercise, and 5 patients had exercise-induced bronchospasm. The pulmonary limitations included abnormal ventilatory response to exercise in 5 patients, and gas exchange abnormalities in 4 patients. Chest computed tomography demonstrated grade 1-2 radiation-induced lung changes in 4 patients, and grade 3 abnormalities in 1 patient. Conclusions Significant pulmonary dysfunction was observed in childhood cancer survivors who had received lung irradiation. CPET is feasible in childhood cancer survivors and can be valuable for assessment of pulmonary function and exercise capacity.
Porous Metal Fabrication

[A final draft of Dr. Bougas’ presentation was not available at the time of the publication of these proceedings. A summary of his presentation is therefore included here—Editors.]
Correlation Trading Strategies: Opportunities and Limitations

This article gives an overview of and analyzes the most popular correlation trading strategies in financial practice. Six correlation strategies are discussed: 1) empirical correlation trading, 2) pairs trading, 3) multiasset options, 4) structured products, 5) correlation swaps, and 6) dispersion trading. Additionally, this article briefly focuses on trading correlation and outlines the risk managing properties of correlation products.
Normal Wound Healing and Tumor Angiogenesis as a Game of Competitive Inhibition

Both normal wound healing and tumor angiogenesis are mitigated by the sequential, carefully orchestrated release of growth stimulators and inhibitors. These regulators are released from platelet clots formed at the sites of activated endothelium in a temporally and spatially controlled manner, and the order of their release depends on their affinity to glycosaminoglycans (GAG) such as heparan sulfate (HS) within the extracellular matrix, and platelet open canallicular system. The formation of vessel sprouts, triggered by angiogenesis regulating factors with lowest affinities for heparan sulfate (e.g. VEGF), is followed by vessel-stabilizing PDGF-B or bFGF with medium affinity for HS, and by inhibitors such as PF-4 and TSP-1 with the highest affinities for HS. The invasive wound-like edge of growing tumors has an overabundance of angiogenesis stimulators, and we propose that their abundance out-competes angiogenesis inhibitors, effectively preventing inhibition of angiogenesis and vessel maturation. We evaluate this hypothesis using an experimentally motivated agent-based model, and propose a general theoretical framework for understanding mechanistic similarities and differences between the processes of normal wound healing and pathological angiogenesis from the point of view of competitive inhibition.
Ultrasound of the Hand and Wrist

Ultrasound evaluation of the hand and wrist may be helpful to the rheumatologist for evaluation of causes of pain and swelling as well as for determination of degree of inflammation and structural damage. Standard views of the hand and wrist are helpful in generating a complete representation of the structures and tissues. These views are based on finding landmark structures such as Lister’s tubercle on the dorsal side, and the pisiform bone and the scaphoid tuberosity on the palmar side to help orient the ultrasound reader. Typical pathology evaluated in the wrist by ultrasound includes wrist and finger joint synovitis, tenosynovitis, carpal, metacarpal, and phalangeal erosions, tendinitis and retinacular pathology such as DeQuervain’s, ligamentous injury, and nerve impingement (especially median nerve impingement). The following chapter will review the standard views of the hand and wrist and the pathology commonly encountered in this region.
How Much Capability Do Electric Vehicles Need to Meet Customer Demands? [Viewpoint]

As EV technology has evolved over the last 20 years, the trend has been toward higher performance. In my opinion, it is reasonable to expect this trend to continue, for several reasons. One of the core strengths of EVs is smooth acceleration and responsive, on-demand power, which is highlighted in higher-performance vehicles. Another characteristic of electric drives is that they have the capability to be efficient at light to moderate loads; therefore, they can be designed to minimize efficiency degradation as peak power capability is increased. Finally, the trends toward increased range and larger battery packs; improvements in battery capability over time; and high-power, fast charging capabilities all result in increased battery power, creating vehicles that are more powerful than their predecessors.
Skylar's Law: memorial crime policy and mediating argument spheres

ABSTRACTCrime policy is often created as a reaction to victimization, influenced by personal sphere arguments, and without much consultation with or assessment by technical experts. This is especially true for “memorial crime” policies such as the AMBER Alert expansion, “Skylar's Law” in West Virginia. By analyzing the Judiciary Committee Meeting for Skylar's Law, we show how personal sphere arguments and parental testimony framed and transformed deliberation of the bill's merits into an epideictic moment to honor Skylar. Laws influenced by epideictic norms are problematic as costs and consequences are not addressed. We argue better criminal justice policy requires balancing personal and technical argument spheres, and that legislators should employ phronesis—enacting expertise to mediate public deliberation to address both normative and factual arguments related to the policy.
The detritus-based microbial-invertebrate food web contributes disproportionately to carbon and nitrogen cycling in the Arctic

The Arctic is the world’s largest reservoir of soil organic carbon and understanding biogeochemical cycling in this region is critical due to the potential feedbacks on climate. However, our knowledge of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling in the Arctic is incomplete, as studies have focused on plants, detritus, and microbes but largely ignored their consumers. Here we construct a comprehensive Arctic food web based on functional groups of microbes (e.g., bacteria and fungi), protozoa, and invertebrates (community hereafter referred to as the invertebrate food web) residing in the soil, on the soil surface and within the plant canopy from an area of moist acidic tundra in northern Alaska. We used an energetic food web modeling framework to estimate C flow through the food web and group-specific rates of C and N cycling. We found that 99.6% of C processed by the invertebrate food web is derived from detrital resources (aka ‘brown’ energy channel), while 0.06% comes from the consumption of live plants (aka ‘green’ energy channel). This pattern is primarily driven by fungi, fungivorous invertebrates, and their predators within the soil and surface-dwelling communities (aka the fungal energy channel). Similarly, >99% of direct invertebrate contributions to C and N cycling originate from soil- and surface-dwelling microbes and their immediate consumers. Our findings demonstrate that invertebrates from within the fungal energy channel are major drivers of C and N cycling and that changes to their structure and composition are likely to impact nutrient dynamics within tundra ecosystems.
Why Diets Make Us Fat, edited by Sandra Aamodt, New York, NY, Current, 2016

Sandra Aamodt’s 2016 book Why Diets Make Us Fat delivers exactly what the title promises: a comprehensive overview of the science behind why deliberate attempts to become thinner strongly predict w...
Nonlinear verification of a linear critical gradient model for energetic particle transport by Alfvén eigenmodes

A “stiff transport” critical gradient model of energetic particle (EP) transport by EP-driven Alfven eigenmodes (AEs) is verified against local nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations of a well-studied beam-heated DIII-D discharge 146102. A greatly simplifying linear “recipe” for the limiting EP-density gradient (critical gradient) is considered here. In this recipe, the critical gradient occurs when the local AE linear growth rate, driven mainly by the EP gradient, exceeds the ion temperature gradient (ITG) or the trapped electron mode (TEM) growth rate, driven by the thermal plasma gradient, at the same toroidal mode number (n) as the AE peak growth, well below the ITG/TEM peak n. This linear recipe for the critical gradient is validated against the critical gradient determined from far more expensive local nonlinear simulations in the gyrokinetic code GYRO, as identified by the point of transport runaway when all driving gradients are held fixed. The reduced linear model is extended to include the stabilizat...
Militarism as a Racial Project

This paper argues that militarism is a “racial project” central to the social construction of race and the perpetuation of unequal race relations. Typical sociological research on race in the military is largely demographic in nature—reifying race as a social fact and often assuming the military decreases overt racial animus. In place of this perspective, I claim that the military should be seen as both benefiting from unequal race relations in the wider society and reinforcing those relations through military policy. Ultimately, scholars should focus on how the military influences broader patterns of racial inequality.
Guidelines and Best Practices for Appropriate Use of Dalfampridine in Managed Care Populations

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex chronic, progressing disease that contributes to poor quality of life (QOL) for patients and high costs for managed care organizations. Currently, disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) constitute the platform pharmacotherapy for MS patients. Despite their efficacy, for many patients taking DMTs there is little evidence of their effect on QOL in general or symptom management. Impaired mobility contributes to direct and indirect costs. Annual direct medical costs for MS with gait impairment average nearly $21,000 per patient. Decreased mobility is also associated with higher absenteeism rates, thus raising indirect costs. Dalfampridine has been shown to improve walking in patients with MS. The effects of dalfampridine can complement those of DMTs by improving walking ability as a key component of overall mobility and a primary concern among many MS patients. Improved walking could potentially help contain some of the direct and indirect costs associated with MS care.
On defining and measuring store image

We review the concept of store image and question whether researchers consistently define and measure this important retailing construct. We pose three questions that researchers must answer before they can uniformly define and measure store image: (1) Is store image "in the mind" of the consumer, or a property of a store? (2) At what retailing level (e.g., chain, store, department, product class) is the concept of store image most relevant to the consumer? (3) Are aggregate measures or disaggregate measures the most suitable measures of store image? Where possible, we propose answers to these questions or address the consequences of accepting alternative approaches.
Flow Channeling in Unsaturated Porous Media of Strong Heterogeneity

Numerical simulations have been performed to study unsaturated/saturated flow in a two-dimensional vertical column of strongly heterogeneous soil. Different saturation scenarios were applied varying from fully saturated conditions to low saturations, corresponding to different infiltration rates into the soil. After solving the flow field, a particle tracking procedure was performed to model the transport of contaminants throughout the model region. It was found that particles (or solutes) travel along preferred flow paths, which are called channels. This is the case in saturated as well as in unsaturated media. The grade of channeling and the location of channels is dependant on the overall saturation. Strong channeling effects were obtained in the saturated case and in cases of low saturation. Within intermediate saturation ranges, however, the system exhibits a more homogeneous flow pattern; channeling effects are less significant.
Symptom experiences of children and adolescents with cancer.

This paper examines nursing research focused on the symptom experiences of children and adolescents with cancer, and the extent to which the perspective and methods of developmental science have been used in this research. CINALH, MEDLINE, and PSYCHLIT were searched for publications between 1990 and 2002. The researcher or research team had to include a nurse or developmentally oriented researchers from other disciplines. Studies focused exclusively on pain were excluded because of recent published reviews. While nurse researchers have contributed influential knowledge related to symptom experiences and symptom distress in children and adolescents with cancer, this research is still in a formative but exciting stage. Two nurse researchers and their teams laid the foundation for this research through their individual studies and collaborative multisite studies. In general, children and adolescents from 10 through 18 years of age were primarily studied; few studies focused on preschool children. Given the fact that these are rare populations, sample sizes were generally small, limiting power and generalizability. Gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status were rarely considered in analyses. Most studies used cross-sectional designs, although several included short-term longitudinal or repeated measure designs. To date, longitudinal designs focused on long-term outcomes have not been conducted. There were only a few qualitative studies. There was limited use of conceptual models or theories, and inadequate attention was paid to broader ecological perspectives in the children's lives. Studies included a focus on global symptoms and on individual symptoms, particularly pain and fatigue. Few focused on nausea and vomiting. Operationalization of symptom distress generally involved adapting instruments designed for adults. A more explicit employment of a developmental science perspective in future studies would call for more longitudinal designs that conceptualize the symptom experience from the perspective of the child and that view their responses as complex and multidimensional in nature. This would necessitate measuring clusters of symptoms at multiple levels (e.g., emotional, behavioral, and biophysiological) using developmental data collection methods. Furthermore, attention needs to be paid in conceptualizing studies to ecological factors related to families, social networks, communities, and ethnicity, as well as to the ecology of the health care system, which likely influences the symptom experience of children.
Emergence of human language: a DEVS-based systems approach

Active-passive compositions provide a class of systems from which we can draw intuition and examples for generalizations about system emergence at the fundamental level. In this paper, we will employ the modeling and simulation framework based on system theory focusing on its concepts of iterative specification and the Discrete Event Systems Specification (DEVS) formalism. Our approach to emergence of human language formulates the problem as an instance of a set of components that must be coupled to form a system with innovative inter-component information exchange. We show that passive/active alternation interaction of a cross-coupled pair can satisfy the conditions required for well-defined systems.
Forest passerines as a novel dispersal vector of viable bryophyte propagules

Animal dispersal influences the community structure and diversity of a wide variety of plant taxa, yet the potential effects of animal dispersal in bryophytes (hornworts, liverworts, and mosses) is...
Mechanically Q-switched and gain switched Fe:ZnSe lasers tunable over 3.60-5.15 µm (Conference Presentation)

Iron-doped binary and ternary chalcogenide crystals are very promising for tunable solid-state lasers operating over the 3-6 μm spectral range. The most significant results have been reported for iron doped ZnSe crystals with 9.6 W output power in CW at 77K when pumped by radiation of Cr:ZnSe laser, and 1.4 J at ~150 ns pulse duration at room temperature (RT) when pumped by the radiation of HF laser. The lifetime of the upper laser level 5T2 of the Fe2+ ion in a ZnSe matrix falls with temperature from 52µs at 77 K to 370 ns at RT due to the increase of nonradiative relaxation. It allows effective laser oscillation in the gain-switched regime at RT and operation in Q-switched regime at low temperature. We report on RT gain-switched Fe:ZnSe lasers tunable over 3.60-5.15 µm pumped by radiation of mechanically Q-switched Er:YAG laser operating at 2.94 µm. The maximum output energy was measured to be 5 mJ under 15mJ of pump energy. The long upper level lifetime of Fe:ZnSe gain medium is sufficient for energy storage with pumping by radiation of free running Er:YAG lasers. We demonstrated that Q-switched regime of oscillation could be effectively utilized for Fe:ZnSe lasers. The rotating back mirror was used as a mechanical Q-switcher of a Fe:ZnSe laser. The maximum output energy in single 150 ns pulse was measured to be 3mJ which is ~25% from the theoretical limit. This approach could be attractive for development of high-energy short-pulse solid-state mid-IR systems operating over 3.6-5.0 µm spectral range
Modeling of plane progressive waves in media that exhibit slow dynamics and dissipative nonlinearity

Nonclassical nonlinearity refers to amplitude-dependent effects that are irreversible, for example slow dynamics and dissipative nonlinearity, both phenomena that are commonly observed in materials such as sand-stone. Analyses of progressive waves in such media have been few, and have relied on hysteresis models that are difficult to implement, especially for transient or strongly nonlinear pulses. In this work, an evolution equation for plane progressive waves in a nonclassically nonlinear material is derived using two phe-nomenological models: the internal variable model of Berjamin et al. for slow dynamics [Proc. Roy. Soc. A 473, 20170024 (2017)], and a simple model for dissipative nonlinearity [Zaitsev and Nazarov, Acoust. Phys. 44, 362 (1998)]. The evolution equation is solved numerically given an arbitrary initial waveform. An initially narrowband signal exhibits pulse lengthening, amplitude-dependent attenuation, and nonclassical waveform steepening during propagation. Experimental observation of the same phenomena was reported recently by Remillieux et al. [J. Geophys. Res. 122, 8892 (2017)]. Their experiment is simulated mathematically in this study using the new evolution equation, demonstrating good agreement between our model and their measurements.
Exploring the Associated Factors for Multiple-Threats and Near-Miss Incidents at Signalized Midblock Crosswalks

This study explores the associated factors for multiple-threats and near-miss incidents resulting from drivers yielding right-of-way at signalized midblock crosswalks. It utilized observational sur...
VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENTATION FOR POST-OPERATIVE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PROPHYLAXIS

Vitamin C supplement is an option in preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery. However, studies yielded conflicting results regarding the efficacy of vitamin C in this context. Hence, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of vitamin
Carotid Stenting for Symptomatic Carotid Restenosis Secondary to Myointimal Hyperplasia

Symptomatic carotid restenosis secondary to myointimal hyperplasia was treated with carotid stenting. The role of redo carotid endarterectomy, carotid stenting, and best medical management is discussed.
Novel Molten Salt Assisted Autocombustion Method for the Synthesis of Aluminum-Doped SrFe12-xAlxO19 Hexaferrite Nanoparticles.

The study presents a novel molten salt assisted autocombustion synthesis of SrFe12-xAlxO19 particles. The extrinsic magnetic properties such as coercivity and the remanence of sintered M-type ferrites are highly dependent on the microstructure viz. morphology and size, of the ferrite particles. The control of the microstructures of ferrite particles is usually achieved via control nucleation and grain growth process. In this study, NaCl salt was used to control the crystal shape and size of Al3+ doped SrFe12-xAlxO19 particles. The presented novel method couples advantage of deriving homogenized particles via auctocombustion first and later sintering in the presence of NaCl salt. Highly dispersed, homogeneous, and hexagonal shaped SrFe12-xAlxO19 ferrite particles were achieved with this method. The particles derived via the molten salt assisted method presented a high coercivity and squareness ratio (>0.5) as compared to that obtained via autocombustion method only.
Did the Euro Change the Effect of Fundamentals on Growth and Uncertainty

We present empirical evidence on whether the introduction of the euro has changed the effect of economic fundamentals on the growth rates of euro countries' GDPpc and GDPpc volatility. We find that there is a statistically sig- nificant structural break in the impact of increments in government debt on both economic growth and uncertainty. In particular, after adoption of the euro incre- ments in government debt decreased growth and increased uncertainty. These results are robust to a battery of checks, including exclusion of the recent finan- cial crisis period, comparison with non-euro European countries, and controlling for different debt/GDP ratios.
Evaluating Students' Course Evaluations: A Retrospective Study

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investi- gate the influence of several factors on students' course evaluation scores. Scores from the past five years were collected from all the professors in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, and then examined with respect to differences between graduating classes, the percentage of A and B grades given, average grade given, and differ- ence between professors co-teaching in the same course. The results of this study indicate that students' evaluation scores are not influenced significantly by any one of these factors, but rather are influenced primarily by the students' perception about the professor.
Two-color-driven enhanced high-order harmonic generation in solids

We theoretically investigate the emission of high-harmonic (HH) radiation in model crystals by bichromatic few-cycle driving pulses that are composed as the phase-coherent superposition of a mid-infrared fundamental pulse and its second harmonic. Adjusting the model-crystal parameters to reproduce the lowest band gap of MgO, we examine the extent to which distinct domains of the HH spectrum can be controlled and enhanced by tuning the temporal profile of the bichromatic driving laser electric field. We change the driving-pulse shape by varying its fundamental-versus-second-harmonic pulse amplitude ratio and delay, while keeping the energy of the driving laser pulse fixed. For suitable amplitude ratios and delays, we find an up to fivefold enhancement of the spectral HH yield and significant shifts of the HH cutoff frequency.
Anatomic all-epiphyseal ACL reconstruction with "inside-out" femoral tunnel placement in immature patients yields high return to sport rates and functional outcome scores a minimum of 24 months after reconstruction.

To understand if anatomic physeal-sparing ACL reconstruction in the immature host preserves range of motion, permits a return to sports, and avoids limb length discrepancy and accelerated intra-articular degeneration with a cross-sectional radiographic, physical examination and patient-reported outcomes analysis. A cross-sectional recall study included 38 patients aged 7–15 who underwent all-epiphyseal ACL reconstruction with hamstring allograft performed by a single surgeon at a large academic medical center. All-epiphyseal reconstructions were performed using a modified Anderson physeal-sparing technique, with the femoral tunnel placed using an “inside-out” technique. Assessments consisted of a physical exam, long leg cassette radiographs, KT-1000 measurements, subjective patient metrics, and magnetic resonance imaging. Thirty-eight (56.7%) of 66 eligible patients returned for in-person clinical and radiographic exams. Patients were 11.4 ± 1.8 years at the time of surgery. Five patients were females (13.2%). Mean follow-up was 5.5 ± 2.4 years. ACL re-injuries occurred in four patients (10.5%), all of whom underwent revision reconstructions. Thirty-three of the remaining 34 (97.1%) patients returned to sports following their reconstruction, and 24 (70.6%) returned to their baseline level of competition. Mean limb length discrepancy (LLD) was 0.2 ± 1.4 cm. Nine patients had an LLD of > 1 cm (26.5%), which occurred at an equivalent age as those with < 1 cm LLD (10.8 ± 2.0 vs. 11.7 ± 1.7, n.s.). Pre-operative Marx scores (13.1 ± 3.5) were not significantly different from post-operative values (12.3 ± 5.1, n.s.). Patients who required ACL revisions had significantly lower Marx scores than those with intact primary grafts (8.3 ± 7.1 vs. 13.4 ± 4.5, p = 0.047). Cohort mean International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 89.7 ± 12.7. Anatomic all-epiphyseal anatomic ACL reconstruction appears to be useful in patients with significant projected remaining growth, with good return-to-sport outcomes and minimal risk of clinically significant physeal complications. However, given the limited patient recall possible in the present study, further large sample size, high-quality works are necessary to validate our findings. Level IV.
Effect of fenfluramine on convulsive seizures in CDKL5 deficiency disorder.

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an X-linked pharmacoresistant neurogenetic disorder characterized by global developmental delays and uncontrolled seizures. Fenfluramine (FFA), an antiseizure medication (ASM) indicated for treating convulsive seizures in Dravet syndrome, was assessed in six patients (five female; 83%) with CDD whose seizures had failed 5-12 ASMs or therapies. Median age at enrollment was 6.5 years (range: 2-26 years). Mean FFA treatment duration was 5.3 months (range: 2-9 months) at 0.4 mg/kg/day (n = 2) or 0.7 mg/kg/day (n = 4; maximum: 26 mg/day). One patient had valproate added for myoclonic seizures. The ASM regimens of all other patients were stable. Among five patients with tonic-clonic seizures, FFA treatment resulted in a median 90% reduction in frequency (range: 86%-100%). Tonic seizure frequency was reduced by 50%-60% in two patients with this seizure type. One patient experienced fewer myoclonic seizures; one patient first developed myoclonic seizures on FFA, which were controlled with valproate. Adverse events were reported in two patients. The patient with added valproate experienced lethargy; one patient had decreased appetite and flatus. No patient developed valvular heart disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension. Our preliminary results suggest that FFA may be a promising ASM for CDD. Randomized clinical trials are warranted.
Vulnerable patients forgo health care during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, access to health care was limited, and patients encountered important delays for scheduled appointments and care. Empirical data relying on patients' reports of forgoing health care are scarce. This study investigated Covid-19-related self-reports of forgoing health care in a sample of vulnerable outpatients in Geneva, Switzerland. We collected data from 1167 adult outpatients, including clinically vulnerable patients (with chronic diseases), geriatric patients (involved in a health care network for people aged 60 or older), and socially vulnerable patients (involved in a migrant health program or a mobile outpatient community care center) in June 2020. Data on sociodemographic factors, forgoing health care, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were collected. Of the patients, 38.5% reported forgoing health care. Forgoing health care was more frequent for younger patients, women, patients with a low level of education, and patients with a chronic disease (p < .001). There was no significant association between the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and forgoing health care (p = .983). As the decrease in routine management of patients might have important and unpredictable adverse health consequences, avoiding delayed health care is crucial.
Optimization Design Method of Impulse Current Generation Using MATLAB/SIMULINK

The impulse current generator is widely used in the electrical power system, and the design method of the impulse current generator is mainly based on the classical theory. In view of this, this paper proposes new method of optimum design for the impulse current generator based on the MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation technology and the PSO intelligence optimization algorithm. This method can quickly and accurately determine the impulse current generator capacitance value $C$ , _, the resistance value $R$ , inductance $R_{L}$ and the initial DC voltage $U_{0}$ according to the front time $T_{\mathrm{f}}$ , wave tail time $T_{\mathrm{t}}$ , peak current $I_{\mathrm{m}}$ and the time of current reaches maximum time. PSO-Simulink optimization design method is fit to the design of the linear and the nonlinear impulse current generator, however, the solution of the traditional analytical method is complicated and does not apply to limitation of nonlinear resistance. The research results of this paper have the certain reference value for the design and operation of the impulse current generator.
Caregiver Perspectives on Schooling From Home During the Spring 2020 COVID-19 Closures

The abrupt onset of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an unprecedented shift to remote schooling for students across the United States and required many caregivers to take a primary or secondary r...
Chronic Kidney Disease and Pregnancy

Normal pregnancy is associated with renal anatomic and physiologic adaptations that make the diagnosis and management of renal dysfunction and hypertension challenging. Pregnancy in women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a unique and complex situation. Moreover, women with CKD have a higher risk of pregnancy-associated complications, including progression to renal function loss. The risk for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes is high, even at the early stages of CKD, and the risk increases depending on the severity of renal dysfunction, degree of proteinuria, and coexistence of hypertension. To optimize maternal and fetal outcomes, women with pregnancy and advanced CKD or end-stage renal disease on dialysis or post-kidney transplantation require multi-disciplinary care involving a nephrologist, high-risk obstetrician, and maternal–fetal medicine specialist. Pre-pregnancy counseling and risk stratification for pregnancy-associated complications are needed. Crucial aspects of care include the management of hypertension or any proteinuria, prevention of preeclampsia, avoidance of nephrotoxic or teratogenic medications, and renal dosing of all medications.
Analysis of Quasi-Two-Level Modulation for Neutral-Point-Clamped Three-level Converter with 10 kV SiC MOSFETs

To increase the blocking voltage level of switching device to improve the voltage class of power converters, series-connection of power semiconductor devices is an attractive solution. But it suffers voltage unbalance problem leading to reliability concerns. To avoid the direct series-connection, this paper presents an alternative solution for two series-connected SiC MOSFETs: quasi-two-level(Q2L) modulation based on the neutral-point-clamped (NPC) three-level (3L) converter. The proposed solution is very attractive for the recent 10 kV SiC MOSFETs due to several reasons: 1) the blocking voltage could be increased to 20 kV, suitable for most medium voltage applications; 2) with NPC 3L structure, the voltage balancing of series-connected devices is avoided; 3) with Q2L modulation, the total loss on clamping diodes is significantly reduced so the clamping diodes don’t significantly increase converter volume. In this paper, the basic modulation strategy and its impact on the voltage balancing of dc bus capacitors will be discussed. With Q2L modulation, series-connected 3.3 kV SiC diodes with much smaller volume are chosen as an example as the clamping diodes to showcase the benefit of Q2L modulation. Meanwhile, the detail comparison of Q2L modulation is presented between NPC 3L converter and flying capacitor (FC) 3L converter. Single-phase pump-back test is conducted to demonstrate the Q2L modulation and its impact on clamping diode loss.
Surgical Residency Program Directors and Trainees

Residency program directors learn methods that foster surgical training. These include: how to provide objective assessments of trainees skills at surgical performances, provide objective feedback and remediation for clinical surgery and simulation skills, trainee preparations for surgery as general knowledge of the surgical procedure as a CEVi, creating simulation practice exercises, identifying basic surgical skills to learn as simulations, how to create a “storyboard” of the surgical procedure, OR room layout and adjust OR table, and medication suite. This training also discusses how trainees may work with different attendings to perform the same surgical case and presents basic endoscopic skills, such as how to assemble and use an endoscope. Portable briefcases for trainees after leaving residency may be created.
Barbitone-induced tolerance to the effects of sedative-hypnotics and related compounds on operant behaviour in the rat.

Abstract 1 Pretreatment doses of barbitone, pentobarbitone, ethanol, and phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin) in non-tolerant rats produced increases in operant responding at low doses and at higher doses resulted in decreases in responding. 2 Daily barbitone injections (100 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in the development of functional tolerance to both the stimulant and depressant effects of barbitone on responding. 3 Barbitone tolerance development did not result in any change in the brain or plasma pharmacokinetics of barbitone. 4 Barbitone-tolerant rats were cross-tolerant to the behavioural effects of pentobarbitone, ethanol, and phenytoin. The dose-effect curves for all of these drugs were shifted to the right in tolerant rats, compared to non-tolerant rats. 5 Comparison of the brain and plasma levels of these drugs in non-tolerant and tolerant rats provided a means of separating functional cross-tolerance from dispositional cross-tolerance. Barbitone-tolerant rats appeared to be functionally cross-tolerant to ethanol in that there was no change in the brain and blood ethanol levels at times when the degree of behavioural impairment was substantially reduced. In contrast to ethanol, cross-tolerance to phenytoin appeared to be due to a decrease in the brain and plasma levels (dispositional tolerance). Cross-tolerance to pentobarbitone appeared to be comprised of both functional and dispositional cross-tolerance. 6 The usefulness of a multidisciplinary approach in the analysis of sedative hypnotic tolerance and cross-tolerance is discussed. It is concluded that without the concurrent determination of both brain and plasma drug levels it would not be possible to distinguish between functional and dispositional tolerance.
Neighborhood Organization and Local Social Action

This case study examines the history, structure and social, economic, and political changes of an urban neighborhood in Ohio, and how local social actors and organizations affect those changes. The data are based on personal interviews, meeting minutes, newsletters, newspaper articles, and other documentation and materials. The analysis shows that (1) individual social actors are the most important factors in bringing about change consistent with the local social action system, (2) there is a significant and positive relationship between the economic condition of the neighborhood and the success of the changes in the neighborhood, (3) changes consistent with the local social action system are most effectively induced when various organizations and social groups are organized independently of each other but at the same time associated through coalition activities, and (4) the larger urban system (both political and economic systems) in which the neighborhood is located can have strong influence on the neig...
Dynamics-driven adaptive abstraction for reactive high-level mission and motion planning

We present a new framework for reactive synthesis that considers the dynamics of the robot when synthesizing correct-by-construction controllers for nonlinear systems. Many high-level synthesis approaches employ discrete abstractions to reason about the dynamics of the continuous system in a simplified manner. Often, these abstractions are expensive to compute. We circumvent the need to have detailed abstractions for nonlinear systems by proposing a framework for adapting abstractions based on partial solutions to the low-level controller synthesis problem. The contribution of this paper is a reactive synthesis algorithm that makes use of our adaptation procedure to update the high-level strategy each time the non-deterministic discrete abstraction is modified. We combine this with a verified low-level controller synthesis scheme capable of automatically synthesizing controllers for a wide class of nonlinear systems. This novel synthesis framework is demonstrated on a dynamical robot executing an autonomous inspection task.
Trends in infant mortality in United States: a brief study of the southeastern States from 2005-2009

While overall infant mortality rates have declined over the past several decades, the Southeastern states have remained the leading states in high infant death in the United States. In this study, we studied the differences in infant mortality in the southeastern United States from 2005 through 2009 according to mother's characteristics (age of mother, marital status, maternal race, maternal education), birth characteristics (month when maternal prenatal care began, birth weight), and infant's characteristics (age of infant at death). This paper illustrates the significance level of each characteristic of mothers and infants, as well as socioeconomic factors that contribute to significant infant mortality that impacts subgroups within the US population. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance studies were performed and presented. Statistical analysis of the contribution of causes of infant death to infant mortality at the national and state level was elaborated. Data suggest that mothers with no prenatal care had a very high overall infant death rate (5281.83 and 4262.16 deaths per 100,000 births in Mississippi and Louisiana, respectively, whereas the US average was 3074.82 deaths (p < 0.01)). It is suggested that better education and living quality should be available and improved for the residents in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Differences in human and porcine platelet oligosaccharides may influence phagocytosis by liver sinusoidal cells in vitro

Acute thrombocytopenia observed during liverxenotransplantation is mediated partially by liversinusoidal cells. Both the asialoglycoprotein recep-tor-1 (ASGR1) and macrophage antigen complex-1 (Mac-1) participate in this process as knockdownof these proteins using siRNA resulted in adecrease in human platelet phagocytosis by porcineliver sinusoidal cells in vitro [1,2]. ASGR1, acomponent of the Ashwell receptor expressed onliver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), has acarbohydrate-binding site that recognizes exposedgalactose b1-4 N-acetyl glucosamine (Gal ) [1].Kupﬀer cells (KC) express Mac-1, which contains acarbohydrate-binding site for N-acetyl glucosa-mine b1-4 N-acetyl glucosamine ( GlcNAc) oligo-saccharides [3–5]. Human platelet binding toporcine liver sinusoidal cells partially depends onParis LL, Chihara RK, Sidner RA, Tector AJ, Burlak C. Differences inhuman and porcine platelet oligosaccharides may inﬂuence phagocytosisby liver sinusoidal cells in vitro. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 31–39. 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Background: Acute thrombocytopenia was revealed as alimiting factor to porcine liver xenotransplantation from in vitro and invivo studies using porcine liver in human and baboon transplant models.The asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGR1) on liver sinusoidal endo-thelial cells (LSEC) and macrophage antigen complex-1 (Mac-1) onKupﬀer cells (KC) mediate platelet phagocytosis and have carbohy-drate-binding sites that recognize galactose and N-acetyl glucosamine inthe beta conformation. Analysis of these receptor carbohydrate-bindingdomains and surface carbohydrates on human and porcine platelets mayshed light on the mechanism of xenotransplantation-induced thrombo-cytopenia.Methods: An amino acid sequence comparison of human and porcineASGR1 lectin-binding domains was performed. Using ﬂuorescentlabeled-lectins, human platelets, domestic and a1,3 galactosyltransferaseknockout/human decay accelerating factor, porcine platelets werecharacterized by ﬂow cytometry and lectin blot analyses. After desial-ylation, human and porcine platelets were examined by ﬂow cytometryto determine whether sialic acid capping of galactose and N-acetylglucosamine oligosaccharides in the beta conformation was a factor.Further, desialylated human platelets were studied on primary porcineliver sinusoidal cells with regard to binding and phagocytosis.Results: Human platelets have four times more exposed galactose b1-4N-acetyl glucosamine (Galb) and N-acetyl glucosamine b1-4 N-acetylglucosamine (bGlcNAc) than fresh porcine platelets. Galb and bGlc-NAc moieties on porcine platelets were not masked by sialic acid.Removal of sialic acid from human platelets increased binding andphagocytosis by LSEC and KC.Conclusions: Diﬀerences between human and porcine ASGR1 andMac-1, in combination with a signiﬁcantly higher number of galactoseand N-acetyl glucosamine-containing oligosaccharides on humanplatelets contribute, in part, to platelet loss seen in porcine liver xeno-transplantation.
Dentitions of Late Palaeozoic Orthacanthus species and new species of ?Xenacanthus (Chondrichthyes: Xenacanthiformes) from North America

Orthacanthus lateral teeth have paired, variably divergent, smooth, usually carinated labio-lingually compressed principal cusps separated by a central foramen; one or more intermediate cusps; and an apical button on the base isolated from the cusps. Several thousand isolated teeth from Texas Artinskian bulk samples are used to define the heterodont dentitions of O. texensis and O. platypternus . The O. texensis tooth base has a labio-lingual width greater than the anteromedial-posterolateral length, the basal tubercle is restricted to the thick labial margin, the principal cusps are serrated to varying degrees, and the posterior cusp is larger. The O. platypternus tooth base is longer than wide, its basal tubercle extends to the center, the labial margin is thin, serrations are absent on the principal cusps, the anterior cusp is larger, and a single intermediate cusp is present. More than two hundred isolated teeth from Nebrasca (Gzhelian) and Pennsylvania (Asselian) provide apreliminary description of the heterodont dentition of O. compressus . The principal cusps are similar to O. texensis but usually(?) are not serrated, and the base is usually wider than long but has a thin or sometimes thick labial margin beneath a single intermediate cusp. A few dozen very small isolated teeth define two ? Xenacanthus dentitions . ? X. ossiani sp. nov. (Gzhelian, Nebrasca) teeth have a thin, longer than wide base with a flange at one end, an isolated apical button, a centrally extended basal tubercle, and a central foramen; the principal and intermediate cusps are recumbent, divergent, highly compressed, smooth and lack serrations. ? X. slaughteri sp. nov. (Artinskian, Texas) teeth have nearly parallel, smooth, carinated, nonserrated, compressed principal cusps and intermediate cusp; the base is thin, longer than wide, with the apical button often in contact with the principal cusps, present or absent central foramen, and basal tubercle restricted to the labial margin. The new species of ? Xenacanthus , as well as O. platypternus and other xenacanth species, appear to be endemic to North America. Other upper Palaeozoic species are endemic to Europe. However, O. compressus and possibly O. texensis are similar to some European species. Despite the Appalachian-Hercynian barrier, dispersal may have occurred in coastal marine waters during a migration phase of the reproductive cycle of some Orthacanthus species.
On the shape and stability of a conducting fluid drop rotating in an electric field

The equilibrium and stability of an isolated, inviscid, incompressible, neutral conducting fluid drop whose axis of uniform rotation coincides with the direction of a uniform applied electric field are examined by using an appropriate extension of the virial method developed byChandrasekhar. Rotating spherical, spheroidal, and ellipsoidal equilibrium shapes are shown to satisfy the first twelve moment equations. A linear, one-parameter (the elongation) family of equilibrium curves relates the electrostatic energy,x, to the square of the angular momentum,y, of a given spheroidal shape. Conditions for the onset of instability, obtained from a linearized normal-mode analysis associated with second-harmonic deformations, restrict stable spheroidal configurations to a closed region of thisx−y configuration plane. Genuine triaxial configurations are shown to bifurcate from these axisymmetric configurations in the same manner as the classical, self-gravitating Jacobi ellipsoids bifurcate from the Maclaurin spheroids.
Learning with Hazy Beliefs

Consider a game that is played infinitely often by a set of boundedly rational players. At the beginning of each period, each agent has a belief about the strategies that his opponents will use in that period. These beliefs are derived by observing the play of the game so far, that is, they are conditioned on the information contained in the history of play together with initial conditions such as prior beliefs. We need not assume, however, that the posterior beliefs are derived via Bayes’ rule (though they might be). We consider a much more general framework in which beliefs are determined by an arbitrary function that maps initial information and past history to present beliefs (as in Jordan, 1992). We suppose further that players are myopically rational in the sense that they choose a best reply given their beliefs in each period.