cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SALVAGE INTRAVESICAL THERAPY WITH INTERFERON-α2B PLUS LOW DOSE BACILLUS CALMETTE-GUERIN IS EFFECTIVE IN PATIENTS WITH SUPERFICIAL BLADDER CANCER IN WHOM BACILLUS CALMETTE-GUERIN ALONE PREVIOUSLY FAILED

Purpose: We determined whether combining low dose bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) interferon-α2B would be effective for patients in whom previous BCG failed.Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients in whom 1 (19) or more (21) previous induction courses of BCG failed received 6 to 8 weekly treatments of 1/3 dose (27 mg.) BCG plus 50 million units interferon-α2B. Additional 3 week miniseries of further decreased BCG (1/10, 1/30 or 1/100) titrated to symptoms without changing the interferon-α2B dose were given at 5, 11 and 17 months. In 12 patients a second induction course was given with 1/10 BCG plus 100 million units interferon-α2B. There was multifocal disease in 39 patients, previous BCG had failed within 6 months in 34, disease was aggressive (stage T1, grade 3 or carcinoma in situ in 31, there had been 2 or more previous recurrences in 25 and disease history was greater than 4 years in 13.Results: At a median followup of 30 months 63% and 53% of patients were disease-free at 12 and 24 months, resp...
Dust-tolerant mechanism design for lunar & NEO surface systems

NASA has grand goals including exploring extraterrestrial bodies such as near-earth objects (NEOs) in order to better understand our origins as well as protect Earth from space-based threats.1 Robotic precursor missions and eventually manned exploration will require advanced dust-tolerant mechanisms if long-life and low-risk missions are to be attained.
A study of tracking accuracy in monopulse phased arrays

The requirements for high-data rates in modem weapons systems favor the use of phased arrays for monopulse tracking antennas. A discussion is presented of the tracking errors produced by the phase and amplitude errors in the excitation function of a phased array. Both systematic and random phase errors are considered. The effects of both scan and aperture correlation of the random errors is discussed. Even when off-boresight tracking is performed, boresight errors were found to be the predominant tracking error.
The acute effect of adrenal cortical extract, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and desoxycorticosterone acetate on the thiocyanate, bromide, and mannitol spaces; plasma volume and total body water in normal dogs.

It has long been accepted that there are striking shifts of fluid as well as electrolytes between the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments under the influence of the adrenal cortex. The plasma and interstitial spaces—subdivisions of the extracellular compartment—also undergo changes. In Addison’s disease there is an associated loss of sodium and chloride as well as water through the kidney and later the gastro-intestinal tract (Iiarrop et al., 1933). Retention of potassium by the kidney as well as an overall increase in the intracellular and extracellular potassium takes place (Harrison and Darrow, 1938; Buell and Turner, 1941; Hegnauer and Robinson, 1936). There is a fluid depletion of the plasma and interstitial spaces, subdivisions of the extracellular compartment, with a reduction in their volume and at the same time cellular overhydration with an increase in the size of the intracellular (Harrop et al., 1933; Clarke and Cleghorn, 1942). Certain corticosteroids, especially desoxycorticos...
Australian Curriculum implementation in a remote Aboriginal school: A Curriculum Leader’s search for a transformational compromise

This paper examines the trial implementation of the Australian Curriculum in a remote Aboriginal school. It was a school that at the time was beginning to achieve successes with the development of dual-knowledge, transformational outcomes based curriculum that had its justification in the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework. Drawing on the work of van Manen (1990) this paper uses lived experience as the methodology. It deals with an early-career teacher’s struggle to remain faithful to her employer-directed task of introducing the Australian Curriculum while providing space for the Aboriginal world the school had a responsibility to serve. The discussion is placed within the context of national curriculum development and implementation in Australia. In scrutinizing this teacher’s experience, the paper attempts to examine the broad question of the capability of small schools serving Aboriginal communities to implement national curriculum reform. It then details the issue as not simply a question of compatibility and resourcing but also a complex one of ethics. The experience contributes to the field by highlighting the struggle faced by those teachers caught between governmental reforms and the desires of Aboriginal communities for meaningful inclusion of cultural content within the curriculum.
Bridging the Credibility Gap between Transnational Corporations and Human Rights

In his April 2008 report entitled “Protect, Respect and Remedy: A Framework for Business and Human Rights” (Framework), the Special Representative of the Secretary General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations (SRSG) John Ruggie concluded the global marketplace as currently structured posed significant risks to society due to the enormous disparity between the marketplace’s power and the reach of the institutions responsible for its regulation. The SRSG characterized this disparity between global economic forces and the capacity of societal institutions to manage such forces through their national governments as “governance gaps.” These gaps were, according to the SRSG, responsible for an increasing number of corporate-related human rights abuses.This work is important, though incomplete. There is also a credibility gap between transnational corporations and human rights. Corporate codes of conduct, vague pronouncements of commitment to socially responsible values and highly-publicized good deeds aside, respecting human rights and avoiding negative impacts through the performance of due diligence presents value opportunities and strategic advantages beneficial to firm performance. Only when this credibility gap is bridged will the Framework and the future efforts have a reasonable chance of succeeding where so many past efforts dating back almost forty years have failed.
Autonomy, Cyborgs, and Sterilization

In this paper I consider the subversive political possibilities of the increasingly common practice of voluntary sterilization through the framework of Donna Haraway's cyborg theory. The paper places the practice in the historical context of forced sterilization and explores the legal and medical dimensions of contemporary voluntary sterilization. I argue that the practice has the potential to disrupt dominant understandings of women as naturally maternal. I also consider whether and to what extent voluntary sterilization as a subversive practice might lead to increased reproductive autonomy. This paper is part of a larger project that develops an account of autonomy that takes the self of autonomy as produced and sees potential for subversive and disruptive practices to increase autonomy.
Paroxysmal Vocal Cord Motion Dysfunction Masquerading as Neuromuscular Disorders (P3.303)

OBJECTIVE: To report paradoxical vocal cord motion dysfunction (PVCD) as a mimic of respiratory compromise in various neuromuscular diseases. BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a serious complication of several neuromuscular disease. PVCD is an involuntary paradoxical movement of the vocal cords resulting in an extrathoracic airway obstruction, stridor and extreme shortness of breath (SOB) that can mimic ARF. PCVD is most common in young females and is often associated with psychological disorders including anxiety and conversion disorders. Therapy of PCVD includes speech therapy and supportive psychotherapy. DESIGN/METHODS: From our neuromuscular database, we identified and reviewed the records of patients with previously undiagnosed PVCD who were initially referred to our center for various neuromuscular diagnoses. RESULTS: Five cases were identified (3 female, 2 male; age 38-65, mean 50 years) referred for myasthenia gravis (n=3), neuropathy (1) or myopathy (1). Patients had carried their neuromuscular diagnoses for 10-20 years) (mean 15) and three patients had been treated aggressively for myasthenia with immnosuppressive therapies, including plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin. All patients presented with recurrent acute SOB and stridor prompting multiple intubations in 3 cases. PVCD was suspected on the basis of hypocapnia during ARF attacks, flattened inspiratory loop on pulmonary function tests, and extremely rapid resolution of ARF without treatment. In all cases videolaryngostroboscopy confirmed PVCD during inspiration. Additional detailed testing for a primary neuromuscular etiology of ventilatory insufficiency in all cases was negative. CONCLUSIONS: PCVD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ARF even in patients previously diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder, especially when the clinical presentation is atypical given the course of the disease. This is crucial to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful therapies and to ensure that appropriate therapy is instituted. Study Supported by: NA Disclosure: Dr. Kassar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Arnold has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hoyle has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kissel has received personal compensation for activities with Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Cytokinetics.
Triplication of the middle cerebral artery associated with fenestration of the anterior cerebral artery.

A case with anomalies of the intracranial arteries, i.e. triplication of the middle cerebral artery associated with fenestration of the anterior cerebral artery, is reported. The terminology, clinical relevance and etiology of these anomalies are discussed.
Terminal formation of urethral plugs in male mice.

SummaryThe terminal formation of urethral plugs of coagulated seminal fluid in male mice depended on the method of killing. Plugs were found when mice were killed by ether inhalation, but not when killed with sodium pentobarbital injected subcutaneously. These plugs were produced by an abnormal ejaculation during a terminal convulsion which occurred in mice killed by ether, but not in sodium pentobarbital-killed mice. High lumbar cord transection prevented plug formation. Normal ejaculation did not produce urethral plugs. It was concluded that such urethral plugs are not a natural cause for urinary obstruction since they form terminally.
Immunologic purging of marrow assessed by PCR before autologous bone marrow transplantation for B-cell lymphoma.

Abstract Background. The use of autologous bone marrow transplantation is increasing in the management of advanced cancers. Many investigators have attempted to "purge" autologous marrow of residual tumor cells because of concern that reinfused tumor cells might contribute to relapse. The efficacy of purging remains unproved. Methods. We performed clonogenic assays in a tumor cell line in culture to determine the efficiency of immunologic purging. Amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect residual lymphoma cells before and after purging of bone marrow from 114 patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in whom a translocation (t(14;18)) that could be amplified by PCR was detected at the time of their initial evaluation. Results. Immunologic purging in vitro resulted in a 3-to-6-log destruction of cells in the tumor cell line. Residual lymphoma cells were detected by PCR in the bone marrow of all patients before purging. No lymphoma cells could be detected in the marrow of 57...
Synthesis and Unimolecular Micelles of Amphiphilic Dendrimer-like Star Polymer with Various Functional Surface Groups

We report the synthesis and functionalization of amphiphilic dendrimer-like star polymers (DLSPs) with a hydrophobic star-shaped poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) core and a hydrophilic poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendron shell. First, carboxylic acid-functionalized PLLA star polymer was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide followed by functionalization with succinic anhydride. Second, 1-, 2-, and 3-generation PAMAM dendrons with a primary amine at the dendron root and benzyl ester protections at the periphery were prepared via a divergent method. By amide coupling between the carboxylic acid-terminated PLLA star polymer and six PAMAM dendrons, amphiphilic DLSPs were successfully synthesized. To enhance bioactivity and bioconjugation capability, the benzyl ester surface groups in these DLSPs were converted to carboxylic acid, primary amine, and triethylene glycol functional groups, respectively. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and size-exclusion chromatography were used to confirm quantitativ...
Improving the Childhood Training System is the Fundamentality of Advancing the Whole Level of Chinese Speed Skating

The competitive sports of speed skating in China has the limitation of training management system and development strategy, which results in some obvious problems such as the child skaters' premature performance and overtraining, low eligible proportion, advantage in short distance event, disadvantage in long distance event, low level as a whole. The article thinks that the various departments of functional service should severally put forward the work project after starting with fostering the teachers and coaches, establishing the general training outline, bringing up the childhood training system, and in conclusion integrate an effective training management system. It indicates the systemic training is the only approach to bring up some eligible skaters and suggests the coaches of child skaters to have an in-depth cognition and carry out in daily training.
Rainfall-triggered slope instabilities under a changing climate: comparative study using historical and projected precipitation extremes

This study aims to quantitatively assess the impact of extreme precipitation events under current and future climate scenarios on landslides. Rainfall-triggered landslides are analyzed primarily us...
The Neil A. Armstrong Library and Archives: That’s One Small Step for a Virtual World Library, One Giant Leap for Education!

Migration of library services has moved increasingly toward 2D web services and social interactivity and 3D virtual reference services. Patron satisfaction with reference services is a key tenant for determining a successful reference interaction. The study examines the roles of user identity, educational learning modalities, institutional sustainability, and credibility in achieving overall user satisfaction in reference social interactions within NASA JPL’s STEM education-focused library and other more generalized libraries within the virtual world Second Life.
Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Impact of family history on outcome

15044 Background: The objective of the current study was to examine the impact of a family history of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PCA) on the outcome of patients receiving adjuvant chemoradiation th...
Paratesticular desmoplastic small round cell tumors: A case report and review of the literature

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSCRT) is a rare malignancy most often seen in the abdomen or pelvis of young men. Unfortunately, this disease is usually metastatic at diagnosis and has dismal outcomes. We describe a case of isolated paratesticular DSCRT in a 14-year-old male successfully treated with surgical resection, chemotherapy, and adjuvant radiation, and we present a review of the relevant literature. It appears that isolated, paratesticular DSCRTs have a markedly better outcome than the classic abdominal or pelvic location. We hypothesize that this is due to earlier detection and the relative ease of surgical resection.
Games on linear deterministic channels with eavesdroppers

We consider adding secrecy constraints to a model of information theoretic games introduced in earlier works. In these games, each user autonomously selects their encoding and decoding strategy with the objective of maximizing their own secure rate in the presence of a single eavesdropper. We study the Nash equilibrium regions for such games when the users are communicating over linear deterministic models of a multiple access channel and an interference channel. In particular, we show that for interference channels, the presence of an eavesdropper results in significantly different equilibrium properties when an eavesdropper is not present.
Application of a genomics-based diagnostic test for disease in the mammalian system

We have previously shown that simple, clinically relevant tests based on the ratios of select gene expression levels can be useful in cancer diagnosis (Cancer Res, 62:4963–7, 2002) and prognosis (J...
An expectation maximization based method for subcellular particle tracking using multi-angle TIRF microscopy

Multi-angle total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (MA-TIRFM) is a new generation of TIRF microscopy to study cellular processes near dorsal cell membrane in 4 dimensions (3D+t). To perform quantitative analysis using MA-TIRFM, it is necessary to track subcellular particles in these processes. In this paper, we propose a method based on a MAP framework for automatic particle tracking and apply it to track clathrin coated pits (CCPs). The expectation maximization (EM) algorithm is employed to solve the MAP problem. To provide the initial estimations for the EM algorithm, we develop a forward filter based on the most probable trajectory (MPT) filter. Multiple linear models are used to model particle dynamics. For CCP tracking, we use two linear models to describe constrained Brownian motion and fluorophore variation according to CCP properties. The tracking method is evaluated on synthetic data and results show that it has high accuracy. The result on real data confirmed by human expert cell biologists is also presented.
70 – Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer has a detectable preclinical phase that can be identified before women are symptomatic. Survival is over 90% when small breast tumors (less than 10 mm) are identified and treated before women become symptomatic. Mammography, clinical breast exam, and breast self-examination are the three screening tests that have been evaluated for early detection of breast cancer. The randomized controlled trial is the most unbiased means to assess whether a screening test reduces the likelihood of death in a person who has the disease and is considered the gold standard when evaluating the efficacy of screening tests. There have been ten randomized controlled trials conducted to determine whether undergoing screening mammography decreases the probability of death from breast cancer. For a screening to be cost-effective, early detection must not only reduce the rate of death from breast cancer but the number of false positive screening tests should be relatively low and the screening test inexpensive.
Strategies for Designing Transgenic DNA Constructs

Generation and characterization of transgenic mice are important elements of biomedical research. In recent years, transgenic technology has become more versatile and sophisticated, mainly because of the incorporation of recombinase-mediated conditional expression and targeted insertion, site-specific endonuclease-mediated genome editing, siRNA-mediated gene knockdown, various inducible gene expression systems, and fluorescent protein marking and tracking techniques. Site-specific recombinases (such as PhiC31) and engineered endonucleases (such as ZFN and Talen) have significantly enhanced our ability to target transgenes into specific genomic loci, but currently a great majority of transgenic mouse lines are continuingly being created using the conventional random insertion method. A major challenge for using this conventional method is that the genomic environment at the integration site has a substantial influence on the expression of the transgene. Although our understanding of such chromosomal position effects and our means to combat them are still primitive, adhering to some general guidelines can significantly increase the odds of successful transgene expression. This chapter first discusses the major problems associated with transgene expression, and then describes some of the principles for using plasmid and bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) for generating transgenic constructs. Finally, the strategies for conducting each of the major types of transgenic research are discussed, including gene overexpression, promoter characterization, cell-lineage tracing, mutant complementation, expression of double or multiple transgenes, siRNA knockdown, and conditional and inducible systems.
Testicular histopathology after immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma.

e15114Background: Ipilimumab, Pembrolizumab, and Nivolumab are immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) used in the setting of metastatic melanoma and their effect on male fertility is largely unknown. B...
Do asset transfers build household resilience

Abstract We estimate the impact of an asset transfer program on household resilience. We measure resilience as the probability that a household will sustain at least the threshold asset level required to support consumption above the poverty line. Using six rounds of data collected over 42 months in rural Zambia, we construct a measure of resilience based on households' conditional welfare distributions to estimate program impacts. We find that the program increased household resilience; beneficiaries' likelihood of being non-poor in future periods increased by 44%. The program both increased mean assets and decreased variance, signaling an upward shift in households’ conditional asset distributions. Our method demonstrates the added value of the resilience estimation compared with a conventional impact assessment; numerous households classified as non-poor are unlikely to remain non-poor over time and the relationship between wealth and resilience is driven by changes in both the conditional mean and the conditional variance.
AtSPX1-mediated transcriptional regulation during leaf senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Abstract Leaf senescence is the final stage of leaf growth, a highly coordinated and complicated process. Phosphorus as an essential macronutrient for plant growth is remobilized from senescing leaves to other vigorous parts of the plant. In this study, through data mining, we found some phosphate starvation induced genes such as AtSPX1, were significantly induced in aging leaves in Arabidopsis. We applied a reverse genetics approach to investigate the phenotypes of transgenic plants and mutant plants, and the results showed that the overexpression of AtSPX1 accelerated leaf senescence, suppressed Pi accumulation, promoted SA production and H2O2 levels in leaves, while the mutant lines of AtSPX1 showed slightly delayed leaf senescence. We conducted RNA-seq-based transcriptome analysis together with GO and GSEA enrichment analyses for transgenic vs. wild-type plants to elucidate the possible underlying regulatory mechanism. The 558 genes that were up-regulated in the overexpression plants 35S::AtSPX1/WT, were significantly enriched in the process of leaf senescence, Pi starvation responses and SA signaling pathways, as were the target genes of some transcription factors such as WRKYs and NACs. In a word, we characterized AtSPX1 as a key regulator, which mediated the crosstalks among leaf senescence, Pi starvation and SA signaling pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Divergent Reactions of Indoles with Aminobenzaldehydes: Indole Ring‐Opening vs. Annulation and Facile Synthesis of Neocryptolepine.

Acid-promoted reaction of indoles (II) with secondary o-aminobenzaldehydes (I) proceeds via an annulation pathway to give tetracyclic neocryptolepine derivatives (III).
Camara Laye et J. M. G Le Clézio dans la quête épistémologique de la nature par le mythe d’origine:

« Ecrire, c’est rever. La-bas, quand on arriverait a Onitsha, tout serait different, tout serait facile. Il y aurait les grandes plaines d’herbes que Geoffroy avait decrites, les arbres si hauts, e...
Using Convolutional Neural Networks for Streamflow Projection in California

In this study, a novel temporal convolutional neural network model is developed for long-term streamflow projection in California within the CAMELS watershed regions. The ensemble performance of the model is first compared with other machine learning models for streamflow prediction. The model is further assessed through comparison with reduced models and using different hyperparameters, with results suggesting that this model correctly ascertains the physical relationship between input variables and streamflow. The stability of the model and its behavior in the extrapolated regime is assessed through an idealized extreme test with quadruple precipitation and 5 C higher temperature. Future streamflow projections are then developed using daily high-resolution LOCA statistically downscaled input products. To understand the importance of the nonlinear machine learning approach, we estimate the degree of nonlinearity in the streamflow response among input variables. Our work shows the ability and potential for TCNNs to perform future hydrology projections.
Sentinel bowel loop as a marker for primary segmental intestinal volvulus in extreme low birth weight neonates

Primary segmental intestinal volvulus is a rare condition that may affect neonates. This condition occurs when a loop of bowel torses around the axis of its mesentery without any other abnormality or malrotation. In the earlier stages, the diagnosis can be challenging due to the lack of specific clinical and radiographic signs. Prompt surgical management is critical as a delay in diagnosis may result in bowel loss or death. We present a series of three cases of extremely low birth weight infants with primary segmental volvulus. A sentinel bowel loop was critical in guiding each patient's surgical management as there were no other clinical markers concerning a pending intra-abdominal catastrophe. This case series suggests that a sentinel bowel loop may be a radiographic marker for primary segmental intestinal volvulus in extremely low birth weight infants.
Behaviors and Creativity

Sport employees engage in behaviors at their workplace every day that impact the organization’s overall success. Those behaviors can be defined as in-role or extra-role behaviors. Extra-role behaviors include organizational citizenship behaviors, as well as creative behaviors. Employee creativity is influenced by domain-relevant skills, intrinsic task motivation, and engagement in creativity-related processes. Those processes can be broken up into three stages: problem identification, information searching and encoding, and idea generation. Other influential mechanisms for managers to encourage creative behaviors include autonomy, time and space, rest, and specific idea generation activities, including juxtapositioning and divergent thinking.
Skeletal muscle metastases: Role of FDG PET/CT imaging and CECT.

1900 Learning Objectives Demonstrate the utility of PET/CT and CECT in detecting SMM in different malignancies. INTRODUCTION: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and Computed Tomography (CT) imaging has become the principal imaging modality for evaluation of metastatic disease. Skeletal Muscle Metastases (SMM) are uncommon despite the fact that skeletal muscle comprises greater than 50% of total body mass.(1) The apparent rarity of SMM has previously been attributed to the complex resistance of the musculature to metastatic invasion by hematogenous spread.(2) Furthermore, most SMM are asymptomatic and often discovered incidentally on imaging.(1) Physiological skeletal muscle activity can also mask metastatic disease. OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study is to summarize PET/CT findings in multiple cases of SMM in different malignancies and demonstrate the utility of Contrast Enhanced CT (CECT) in evaluation of those lesions. METHODS: PET/CT of 25 patients with 10 different confirmed malignancies and suspected SMM were retrospectively evaluated and examined for enhancement on CECT. RESULTS: 25 cases of either biopsy-confirmed or presumed cases of SMM included lung, breast, lymphoma, melanoma, thyroid, gastrointestinal, multiple myeloma, chordoma, endometrial, and leiomyosarcoma. On CT, 10 cases were enhancing while the remainder were either non-enhancing or without available CT scans for comparison. 11 cases of SMM had corresponding biopsies for pathological examination. 1 case was possibly a peripheral nerve sheath tumor. 14 cases were unconfirmed and presumed to be SMM based on FDG PET/CT and CECT imaging. CONCLUSION: SMM are relatively uncommon and most patients are asymptomatic. Only 11 cases of SMM were biopsied in our study, which is likely because biopsying such lesions would not have changed clinical management. Furthermore, SMM were only incidentally detected in the setting of known metastatic disease and other sites such as lymph nodes were preferentially biopsied. Enhancement of these lesions on CECT should be carefully reviewed, as it could be subtle.
El Gaucho Indómito. De Martín Fierro a Perón, el Emblema Imposible de Una Nación Desgarrada.: EZEQUIEL ADAMOVSKY. Buenos Aires: Siglo XXI, 2019. 264 pp.

The gaucho has been a ubiquitous figure in the political and cultural history of Argentina. Of the numerous social groups that inhabited the Pampas since colonial times, it was the gaucho who becam...
MEASURING THE IMPACT OF THE APPLICATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENTS ON THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF SOME PROJECTS OF PROCESSING AND DRYING AGRICULTURAL CROPS

The study aimed to measure the impact of the application of Total QualityManagement (TQM) on the economic efficiency of some projects of processing and dryingagricultural crops in Fayoum and Beni-Suef governorates using Data Envelopment AnalysisProgram. The study reached some of the most important results: The rate of economicefficiency in the model of change in return on capacity for the cost of raw material 100% inboth fennel and mint. The projects that implement the quality system and the economicefficiency of the fennel product are about 77% in projects that do not apply the qualitysystem. The yield is increasing, there is a need to increase costs by 23%. The percentage ofmint production is about 80% in projects that do not apply the quality system. The yield isincreasing, there is a need to increase costs by 20%, in order to reach the optimal size. Aswell as the economic efficiency in the model of change in return on a capacity for the costof raw material is 100% in all fennels, mint, hibiscus and parsley. The projects implementthe quality system. The projects that do not apply the quality system, the rate of economicefficiency in the model of change in return on capacity for the cost of the raw material of thefennel product is about 79%. Consequently, full efficiency was not achieved. Therefore,there is inefficiency of 21%, and its percentage in the product of mint about 80%. Thus, fullefficiency is not achieved because (the efficiency index is less than 1). So there is aninefficiency of 20%. The rate of economic efficiency in the stability of return on capacityfor other costs 100% in the fennel, the projects that applied the quality system. Theeconomic efficiency of the fennel product is about 76% in projects that do not apply thequality system. The yield is increasing, there is a need to increase costs by 24%, in order toreach the optimal size. The economic efficiency in the model of change in return on acapacity for the other cost is 100% in the fennels. The projects that are applied the qualitysystem. The rate of economic efficiency in the model of change in return on capacity for theother costs of the fennel product is represented 99%. The projects that do not apply thequality system, consequently, full efficiency were not achieved. Therefore, there isinefficiency of 1%. The economic efficiency in the model of change in return on capacityfor the other costs is 100% in the product of the hibiscus, in the projects that apply and donot apply the quality system.
Development of Lean Approaching Sustainability Tools (LAST) Matrix for Achieving Integrated Lean and Sustainable Construction

Challenges exist across the three dimensions of construction sustainability (economic; social and environmental) due to low productivity, waste, safety, and environmental hazards attributed to existing construction management practices. Lean construction (LC) has been widely accepted as a robust philosophy to enable sustainable construction (SC) practices. However, the existing literature is more inclined toward defining the integration between LC and sustainability through LC practices and techniques. Little research tackles the challenges of achieving sustainable goals within the current practices. Therefore, this paper aims to present a strategy that can help the construction industry overcome the challenges of SC in the traditional construction management practice by using LC. The challenges of SC are identified through a systematic literature review approach with metadata analysis. Compared with LC principles, tools and techniques, the strategy focused on identifying (1) the power and potential of LC principles and (2) the best LC practices/techniques that help in overcoming these SC challenges. The study results showed 20 out of 32 challenges identified can be overcome by using LC integrated with SC. Finally, a Lean Approaching Sustainability Tools (LAST) matrix is developed to provide guidelines to the construction stakeholders for the selection of LC practices/tools/techniques in overcoming the top 15 most important challenges.
Channel Estimation Using Deep Learning on an FPGA for 5G Millimeter-Wave Communication Systems

5G millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication systems enable exciting new applications by significantly reducing the latency and increasing the data rate. However, this comes at a large computational cost, which results in long latency and large energy consumption. In this work, we aim to address this challenge in the problem of channel estimation of such systems through a set of algorithm-hardware co-optimizations. First of all, we employed a model-based neural network to improve the rate of convergence. We also optimized the neural network and achieved improved loss while using approximately the same number of operations. Furthermore, we were able to reduce the computational complexity through the use of sparsity inherent in mmWave channels. The proposed neural network for the channel estimation scales the computational complexity by more than two orders. Based on these innovations, we implemented a channel estimation subsystem on Zynq 7020 FPGA. The subsystem obtains an improvement in latency of up to ~10X and an improvement in energy consumption of up to ~300X over CPU and GPU based systems.
Leveraging survey and claims data to identify high-need Medicare beneficiaries in the National Health and Aging Trends Study.

BACKGROUND Multiple algorithms have been developed to identify and characterize the high-need (HN) Medicare population. However, they vary in components and yield different populations, and were developed for varying purposes. We compared the performance of existing survey and claims-based definitions in identifying HN beneficiaries and predicting poor outcomes among a community-dwelling population. METHODS A retrospective cohort study using Round 5 (2015) of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) linked with Medicare claims. We applied HN definitions from previous studies to our cohort of community-dwelling, fee-for-service beneficiaries (n = 4201) using sampling weights to obtain nationally representative estimates. The Belanger et al. (2019) definition defines HN as individuals with complex conditions, multi-morbidity, acute and post-acute healthcare utilization, dependency in activities of daily living, and frailty. The Hayes et al. (2016) definition defines HN as individuals with 3+ chronic conditions and a functional limitation. We applied each definition to survey and claims data. Outcomes were hospitalization or mortality in the subsequent year. RESULTS The proportion of NHATS respondents classified as HN varied greatly across definitions, ranging from 3.1% using the claims-based Hayes definition to 32.9% using the survey-based Belanger definition. HN respondents had significantly higher mortality and hospitalization rates in 2016. Although all definitions had good specificity, none were able to predict outcomes in the following year with good accuracy. CONCLUSIONS While mortality and hospitalization rates were significantly higher among respondents classified as HN, existing claims and survey-based HN definitions were not able to accurately predict future outcomes in a community-dwelling, nationally representative sample measured by the area under the curve.
Extracting 3D Objects from Volume Data Using Digital Morse Theory

Algorithms that tile isovalued surfaces should produce “correctly” tiled orientable manifold surfaces. Rigorous evaluation of different algorithms or case tables has been impossible up to now because of the lack of a clear and comprehensive theoretical framework. We propose and develop an extension of continuous Morse theory, called Digital Morse Theory. In contrast to applications of Morse theory for a single isovalued surface, we seek to apprehend the data as a whole, independent of isovalue. DMT provides a heuristic to correctly disambiguate tiling decisions. DMT gives insight into topologically correct simplification of a volume data set independent of isovalue. We discuss our preliminary implementation of these ideas, with applications to imaging, segmentation, and navigation of a volume while dynamically changing resolution scale and/or isovalue.
Numerical Investigations on the Use of Multi-Element Airfoils for Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Configurations

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) have a relatively simple, rugged construction compared to HAWTs. However, vertical-axis wind turbines have numerous challenges that may hinder their performance. For instance they are strongly affected by dynamic stall at low tip speed ratios. A significant part of the kinetic energy contained in the oncoming wind is lost in swirl and vortices. As a result, VAWTs have a lower power production and efficiency compared to HAWTs. In an effort to alleviate the adverse effects of dynamic stall phenomena, the present study explores the use of two-element airfoils. A comparative study of single element and dual element VAWT configurations for representative VAWT turbines is given. The benefits of dual-element configurations are analyzed through a detailed flow visualization study of the single and two-element VAWT configurations at various azimuthal locations for a representative tip speed ratio. Analysis of these qualitative phenomena is complemented by a discussion on quantitative data for torque, surface pressure distributions, and airloads.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A micromechanics approach to predict strength & stiffness of polymer matrix composites

Abstract The strength of unidirectional polymer matrix composites has been predicted using Pagano's axisymmetric damage model (ADM) in conjunction with Batdorf s statistical strength model. In order to utilize the axisymmetric model, hexagonally arranged fibers were converted to fiber rings. Then, the stress concentration and ineffective lengths at fibers adjacent to broken fibers could be calculated using ADM. These, quantities plus the Weibull parameters of carbon fibers were used to predict the tensile strength. Through the stress analysis, it was also shown that for large ratios of E f /E m there is local load sharing due to fiber breakage. The advantage of the analysis is that one can incorporate other geometric damage modes, such as interfacial debonding or matrix cracks, to investigate their effect on strength. The results of the analysis showed good comparison to experimental results for carbon fiber based systems. Finally, some stiffness predictions on fragmented and short fiber composites will be presented.
Eliminating Proximate Cause as an Element of the Prima Facie Case for Strict Products Liability

Section 402A of the Restatement (Second) of Torts articulates the basic principles of the strict products liability cause of action. It is a significant section; perhaps more than any other section ever drafted, it has come to be regarded as critical black letter law. At the time this article was published, the occasion of the proposed revision of Section 402A had provided the opportunity for a broad and often bitter debate over the exact form of the strict products liability cause of action. Critical to this debate was the underlying theory-of-liability issue, i.e., whether the cause of action for products liability ought to lie in strict liability or negligence. The resolution of this theory-of-liability issue hinges upon two major sub-issues: (1) the extent to which the risk-benefit test is used as a means of determining whether a product is unreasonably dangerous; and (2) the relationship between strict liability and proximate cause. This Article focuses on the second issue.It is the thesis of this Article that proximate cause should not be included as an element of a strict products liability cause of action. At first, this thesis may appear contrary to the fundamental doctrine that liability must be limited to foreseeable harm. Further explanation, however, demonstrates that other elements of the products liability cause of action already limit liability. The strict products liability cause of action necessarily excludes proximate cause as a separate element of proof. This Article first discusses the background surrounding the efforts to redraft section 402A. Next, this Article discusses historical and theoretical points about proximate cause that illustrate the difficulty of including the doctrine as an element of the strict products liability cause of action. Then, this Article analyzes how the courts, legislatures, and section 402A have dealt with proximate cause in the strict products liability context. Finally, this Article suggests that the exclusion of the proximate cause requirement is the only viable way of preserving a products liability cause of action grounded in strict liability.
Selection by Committee

The many-player game of selling an asset, introduced by Sakaguchi and extended to monotone voting procedures by Yasuda, Nakagami and Kurano, is reviewed. Conditions for a unique equilibrium among stationary threshold strategies are given.
Ontology-Based Link Prediction in the LiveJournal Social Network

LiveJournal is a social network journal service with focus on user interactions. As for many other online social networks, predicting potential friendships in the LiveJournal network is a problem of great practical interest. Previous work has shown that graph features extracted from the graph associated with the network are good predictors for friendship links. However, contrary to the intuition, user data (e.g., interests shared by two users) does not always improve the predictions obtained with graph features alone. This could be due to the fact that features constructed from a large number of user declared interests cannot capture the implicit semantic of the interests. To test this hypothesis, we use a clustering approach to build an interest ontology, and explore the ability of the ontology to improve the performance of learning algorithms at predicting friendship links, when interest-based features are used alone or in combination with graph-based features. The results show that ontology-based features can help improve the performance of several machine learning classifiers (in particular, random forest classifiers) at the task of predicting links in the LiveJournal social network.
Hydrodynamic models of the plasmasphere

A brief history of the application of hydrodynamic models to the understanding of the plasmaspheric density distribution is presented. Then results from recent modeling are discussed in more detail and areas of agreement between theory and measurement are established. Finally, some calculations are presented which indicate important discrepancies between theory and measurement.
Extracellular Calcium Modulates Chondrogenic and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: A Novel Approach for Osteochondral Tissue Engineering Using a Single Stem Cell Source

We have previously shown that elevating extracellular calcium from a concentration of 1.8 to 8 mM accelerates and increases human adipose-derived stem cell (hASC) osteogenic differentiation and cell-mediated calcium accretion, even in the absence of any other soluble osteogenic factors in the culture medium. However, the effects of elevated calcium on hASC chondrogenic differentiation have not been reported. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of varied calcium concentrations on chondrogenic differentiation of hASC. We hypothesized that exposure to elevated extracellular calcium (8 mM concentration) in a chondrogenic differentiation medium (CDM) would inhibit chondrogenesis of hASC when compared to basal calcium (1.8 mM concentration) controls. We further hypothesized that a full osteochondral construct could be engineered by controlling local release of calcium to induce site-specific chondrogenesis and osteogenesis using only hASC as the cell source. Human ASC was cultured as micromass p...
From Diversity to Volatility: Probability of Daily Precipitation Extremes

A sensible stochastic model is required to correctly estimate the risk associated with daily precipitation extremes. The same requirement holds for studying high-frequency precipitation extremes in the context of climate variability and change. Results derived from probability theory were used to develop an efficient automated scheme to distinguish between heavy and exponential precipitation probability density function (PDF) tails in hundreds of daily station records spanning five decades over the North American continent. These results suggest that, at a vast majority of the stations, daily extreme precipitation probabilities do not decay exponentially, but more closely follow a power law. This means that statistical distributions traditionally used to model daily rainfall (e.g. exponential, Weibull, Gamma, lognormal) generally underestimate the probabilities of extremes. The degree of this distortion, i.e. volatility, depends on regional and seasonal climatic peculiarities. By examining geographical and seasonal patterns in extreme precipitation behavior, the authors show that the degree of volatility is determined regionally by the diversity in precipitation-producing mechanisms, or storm type diversity. Exponential tails are geographically limited to regions where precipitation falls almost exclusively from similar meteorological systems and where light probability tails are observed in all seasons. Topography plays an important role in flattening or fattening PDF tails by limiting the spatial extent of certain systems while orographically altering their precipitation amounts. Results presented here represent the first logical step towards choosing appropriate PDFs at various locations by specifying their regionally relevant family. Heavy tailed models are generally superior to those from the exponential family and can lead to more realistic estimates of extreme event probabilities, return periods, n-year events, and design limits. The correct choice of PDF is essential to safe engineering design, hazard assessment and other applications, as well as for fostering further investigations of hydrologic weather extremes and climate.