cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An In Vivo‐In Vitro Study of Cefepime and Cefazolin Dialytic Clearance During High‐Flux Hemodialysis

Study Objectives. To assess the influence of in vitro and in vivo hemodialysis with a new high-flux dialyzer on the clearance of cefazolin and cefepime; to assess the correlation of in vivo dialytic clearance of these antibiotics with blood flow rate; and to assess the correlation between in vitro and in vivo dialytic clearances of these antibiotics. Design. Prospective, open-label, dialysis clearance study. Setting. A tertiary-care, university health science center. Patients. Five adults who received high-flux hemodialysis 3 times/week. Intervention. For the in vivo experiment, patients received a single intravenous infusion of cefazolin 1 g and cefepime 1 g before dialysis and then underwent a modified hemodialysis session. For the in vitro experiment, a buffered simulated plasma water (SPW) solution containing cefazolin and cefepime was used. Hemodialysis for both experiments was performed with use of a new high-flux polysulfone dialyzer. Measurements and Main Results. Cefazolin and cefepime dialytic clearances were determined at blood and/or SPW flow rates of 100, 200, 300, and 400 ml/minute after a 15-minute equilibration period. The degree of correlation of in vitro and in vivo clearances with blood flow rate was determined. Cefepime dialytic clearance increased proportionally with blood flow rate (p<0.01), reaching a maximum mean ± SD value of 178.9 ± 24.3 ml/minute at a blood flow rate of 400 ml/minute. Cefazolin dialytic clearance ranged from a mean ± SD of 42.3 ± 7.7 to 52.7 ± 16 ml/minute; no significant correlation was noted between blood flow rate and dialytic clearance. In vitro cefazolin and cefepime dialytic clearances increased proportionally with SPW flow rate (p<0.05). After adjusting the in vitro cefazolin and cefepime dialytic clearances based on their degrees of protein binding, the correlation between the in vitro and in vivo cefepime dialytic clearances was significant (r2=0.91, p=0.04), but no significant correlation was noted between the in vitro and in vivo cefazolin clearances (r2=0.61, p=0.22). Conclusion. The in vivo hemodialysis clearances of cefepime and cefazolin with the new high-flux polysulfone dialyzer used in this study are markedly higher than values reported with conventional dialyzers but similar to values observed with other high-flux hemodialyzers. The in vivo dialytic clearance of cefazolin was significantly lower than the in vitro values, most likely due to cefazolin's high degree of protein binding. These results highlight the limitation of directly applying in vitro data to clinical situations.
Temperature‐triggered purification of antibodies

In this article the unique capability of elastin-like protein (ELP) to reversibly precipitate was combined with the high affinity and specificity of antibody-binding domains such as Protein G, Protein L, or Protein LG as a general method for antibody purification that combines in a unique manner the simplicity and robustness of temperature-triggered precipitation with the selectivity of affinity interactions. In a single precipitation step, antibodies derived from different sources (animal sera or hybridoma cell cultures) were selectively recovered by a simple temperature trigger. Due to the versatility of the binding ligands toward different classes of antibodies, we believe that this technology will be useful as an economical, highly efficient, and universal platform for the purification of antibodies.
Observation of near-field coupling in metal nanoparticle chains using far-field polarization spectroscopy

Far-field polarization spectroscopy on chains of Au nanoparticles reveals the existence of longitudinal (L) and transverse (T) plasmon-polariton modes. The experimental results provide support for the validity of a recently published dipole model for electromagnetic energy transfer below the diffraction limit along chains of closely spaced metal nanoparticles. The key parameters that govern the energy transport are determined for various interparticle spacings using measurements of the resonance frequencies of L and T modes, yielding a bandwidth of 1.4×10^14 rad/s and a maximum group velocity of vg=4.0×10^6 m/s for a 75 nm-spacing.
The essential role of balance tests in propensity-matched observational studies: comments on 'A critical appraisal of propensity-score matching in the medical literature between 1996 and 2003' by Peter Austin, Statistics in Medicine.

Peter Austin has made an exacting, timely and eye-opening review of uses of propensity-score matching in medical research. Its Section 2.1 argues that the reports of propensity-matched analyses should include descriptive assessments of matched treatment-control differences on baseline variables. When propensity matching on covariates including BMI, for example, one should report the difference between matched cohorts’ mean BMIs, perhaps after inverse scaling by the pooled s.d. of BMIs prior to matching. The recommendation is a good one: matched differences on prognostic variables, and on variables that track selection into treatment, speak to the credibility of subsequent matched outcome analyses; and although the basic promise of propensity matching is that it should lessen such differences, the extent of the reduction varies greatly from case to case. Furthermore, since successful propensity matches or subclassifications enable comparisons similar to those which randomization would have given—in terms of observed covariates, at least [1], and should those covariates jointly suffice to remove confounding, then also in terms of outcomes [2]—it follows that balance is the basic mark of success of a propensity adjustment. Austin’s review also makes a negative recommendation: When appraising balance, avoid significance tests. Having compared means of BMI and other variables, Austin would not have us go on to calculate either paired/two-sample t-tests or other tests for a treatment-control difference on BMI. His pessimism about the state of reporting in the medical propensity-matching literature stems in large part from this opinion; only 2 of 47 papers reported balance properly, Austin reports, but it turns out that another 33 were disqualified on the basis of having tested balance, rather than reporting it using purely descriptive measures. This dim view of balance testing is driven by two complaints, complaints Austin shares with Imai, King and Stuart [3]:
Fighting World War III: A suggested strategy

Abstract Utilizing a rational‐actor policymaker model, this paper presents the necessary and sufficient conditions that must be satisfied for the formation of a transnational antiterrorist institution. Such an institution would tie together nations in their struggle against international terrorism. In particular, these institutions could provide crisis management, preemptive strikes, and retaliatory strikes. After analyzing the obstacles to the formation of such institutions, we present a specific proposal for a transnational commando unit. We chose the parameters of the proposed institution so as to maximize the likelihood of initial formation. In addition, we discuss how the transnational commando unit could, if properly designed, surmount the obstacles to formation. As terrorist groups increase their cooperation and stage incidents of a transnational kind, nations will have to turn to such institutions to increase the effectiveness of commando units, eliminate safe havens, and share intelligence. Altho...
Congenic strains confirm aerobic running capacity quantitative trait loci on rat chromosome 16 and identify possible intermediate phenotypes.

We previously identified two inbred rat strains divergent for treadmill aerobic running capacity (ARC), the low-performing Copenhagen (COP) and the high-performing DA rats, and used an F2(COP×DA) p...
Structure and function of nucleus-vacuole junctions: outer-nuclear-membrane targeting of Nvj1p and a role in tryptophan uptake

Nvj1p resides in the outer nuclear membrane (ONM) and binds the vacuole membrane protein Vac8p to form nucleus-vacuole (NV) junctions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The induction of NVJ1 expression during starvation results in the sequestration of two additional binding partners, Tsc13p and Osh1p. Here, we map the domains of Nvj1p responsible for ONM targeting and partner binding. ONM targeting requires both the N-terminal signal anchor-like sequence and the topogenic membrane-spanning domain of Nvj1p. The N-terminal signal anchor-like sequence may anchor Nvj1p in the ONM by bridging to the inner nuclear membrane. A region encompassing the membrane-spanning domain is sufficient to bind Tsc13p. Osh1p and Vac8p bind to distinct regions in the cytoplasmic tail of Nvj1p. Overexpression of Nvj1p in trp1 cells causes a growth defect in low tryptophan that is rescued by additional copies of TAT1 or TAT2 tryptophan permeases. Conversely, nvj1-Delta trp1 cells grow faster than NVJ1+ trp1 cells in limiting tryptophan. Importantly, deleting the Osh1p-binding domain of Nvj1p abrogates the tryptophan transport-related growth defect of Nvj1p-overexpressing cells. Therefore, the Nvj1p-dependent sequestration of Osh1p negatively regulates tryptophan uptake from the medium, possible by affecting the trafficking of tryptophan permeases to the plasma membrane.
An Interesting Cause of Wide Complex Tachycardia: Ashman’s Phenomenon in Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract Background Ashman’s phenomenon is an aberrant intraventricular conduction abnormality that occurs in response to a change in QRS cycle length. In atrial fibrillation, Ashman’s phenomenon will present as a long RR cycle followed by a short RR cycle, with the subsequent QRS complex manifesting a right bundle branch block morphology. This morphologic variation can create difficulty with electrocardiographic interpretation, and can alter management in patients with this dysrhythmia. Objectives This report presents a case, describes the Ashman’s phenomenon in atrial fibrillation, and discusses interpretation of this electrocardiographic finding. Case Report This is a 27-year-old woman who presented with palpitations and chest pain. The patient was symptomatic with a heart rate >200 beats/min and a wide complex tachycardia on electrocardiogram. Conclusions Ashman’s phenomenon should be suspected in atrial fibrillation when there is a long cycle followed by a short cycle, with the subsequent QRS complex manifesting a right bundle branch block pattern. Emergency physician awareness of this phenomenon may improve diagnostic certainty and have an impact on dysrhythmia management.
80 Gb/s to 10 Gb/s polarization-insensitive demultiplexing with circularly polarized spun fiber in a two-wavelength nonlinear optical loop mirror

We demonstrate the first polarization insensitive demultiplexing of 10-Gb/s channels from 80-Gb/s pseudorandom bit streams using a two-wavelength nonlinear optical loop mirror with circularly polarized spun fiber. The polarization sensitivity of the device is reduced to 90% transmission, and bit-error-rate measurements show that the remaining polarization sensitivity leads to a power penalty difference of 1.5 dB. The nonlinear transmission is 91% for a switching energy of 4 pJ/pulse, and the full-width at half-maximum timing window is 9.6 ps. The circularly polarized spun fiber has a /spl lambda//sub 0/ of 1541 nm, a length of /spl sim/1 km, and /spl sim/4.1 times higher nonlinearity than that of conventional dispersion-shifted fiber. The spin rate is 16 turns/m and the birefringence is /spl Delta/n/spl sim/1/spl times/10/sup -6/, corresponding to 25 turns/beat length.
Web Application Testing with Customized Test Requirements - An Experimental Comparison Study

Test suite reduction uses test requirement coverage to determine if the reduced test suite maintains the original suite?s requirement coverage. Based on observations from our previous experimental studies on test suite reduction, we believe there is a need for customized test requirements for web applications. In this paper, we examine usagebased customized test requirements for the test suite reduction problem in web application testing. We conduct an extensive experimental study to evaluate the tradeoffs between five classes of customized requirements with respect to reduced test suite size, program coverage and fault detection effectiveness. Our results show that the reduced suites? program coverage and fault detection effectiveness increases with the context or data associated with the reduction requirement. Based on our experimental results, we provide guidance to testers on the most useful test requirement for web applications in general and provide intuition on factors testers need to consider when selecting test requirements.
Cotton Mice (Peromyscus Gossypinus) in Southern Illinois: Evidence for Hybridization with White-Footed Mice (Peromyscus Leucopus

Abstract We sampled sixty bottomland forest patches in the six southwestern-most counties in Illinois to determine the current status of the cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus). Identification of Peromyscus was based on a modified allozyme electrophoretic technique with the diagnostic GPI-1* locus. Allozymes were isolated from toe-clip samples, rather than liver, and run on a cellulose acetate medium. One hybrid Peromyscus gossypinus-leucopus and one small Peromyscus, carrying a cotton mouse allele at the GPI-1* locus, were identified from 384 individuals screened with this genetic marker. We suggest that cotton mice are an ephemeral species in southern Illinois, disperse into the area occasionally or only during extreme environmental changes and breed with available white-footed mice because of small population size and reduced mate choice.
The Average Number of Neutrons Emitted in the Spontaneous Fission of Some Even-Even Heavy Nuclides

The values of the average number of prompt neutrons emitted in the spontaneous fission of some recently available even-even heavy nuclides have been determined by separately counting neutrons and s...
Comparative analysis of OpenMP and MPI on multi-core architecture

The trend of processors today is with having multi-core processors. The benefit of having many cores in one processor is a huge performance gain with parallel computing. However, programmers are faced with a difficult decision on which programming model to use. Two major models are commonly used, OpenMP and MPI. Each has its advantages and disadvantages with different system configurations. Comparisons have been done in the past with single shared memory systems, shared memory clusters, and distributed memory clusters. MPI can be more favorable with the scalability of clusters but OpenMP can favor the speed of shared memory. Performance can also be affect by the type of problem that is being solved and the size. This research comparison is performed with a variety set of application problems from the NAS Parallel Benchmark specifications on multi-core architecture systems. The performance is evaluated by investigating the execution times of computation and the effects of communication on a single multi-core processor. In comparing pure MPI to OpenMP, OpenMP outperformed MPI in most cases in execution time. The scalability was also better from expanding the problem across more cores. The effect of communication for MPI shows the main weakness of this programming model.
Organic Chemical Models for Proteinase Inhibitors

The research to be reviewed briefly here began as an attempt to find a way to introduce new nucleophiles at enzyme active sites and to study the chemical behavior of these nucleophiles. Earlier work by Bender [1–4] and Koshland [5–6] seemed to indicate that the prospects for observing effective nucleophilic catalysis by newly introduced nucleophiles at enzyme active sites were not good. Specifically, they had carried out the conversion of the serine hydroxyl present at the active site of the well known proteinase, subtilisin, to a sulfhydryl group. The question which this experiment was designed to answer was whether the newly introduced sulfhydryl group would act as an efficient catalytic participant in the enzymatic hydrolysis of esters and peptides. Certainly, there are numerous proteinases like papain, for instance, where in the native form of the enzyme an active site sulfhydryl group is acylated and deacy-lated in the course of the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of esters and peptides, and the expectation that a synthetically produced active site sulfhydryl group in thiol-subtilisin could play a similar role was reasonable. Nevertheless, Bender and Koshland found that thiolsubtilisin was a poor enzymatic catalyst, reacting primarily with nitrophenyl esters of carboxylic acids and then not particularly effectively. While the observations they made did not appear to augur well for proposals to study newly introduced nucleophiles at enzyme active sites, we decided to try a somewhat different course in our work [7]. We felt that by the investigation of the reactions of appropriate labile substrates with enzyme active sites we might be able to elucidate the properties of newly introduced intramolecular nucleophiles formed by the cleavage of the substrate’s reactive bond accompanying enzyme-substrate covalent bond formation as illustrated inEq.(1)below. Here ZH is the enzyme-bound nucleophile in the native form and YH is the new nucleophile generated in the vicinity of the enzyme’s active site by reaction of the inhibitor’s X-Y bond with ZH.
Clinical Reasoning: A 58-year-old woman with loss of vision in her left eye

A 58-year-old woman developed painless visual loss in her left eye over several days. She described the vision in her left eye as “similar to looking through a dirty screen door.” She denied double vision and eye pain but reported frontal throbbing headaches associated with nausea over the preceding months. Two weeks before presentation, she had several days of nausea and vomiting that had been attributed to viral gastroenteritis.
Respiratory volume monitoring in an obese surgical population and the prediction of postoperative respiratory depression by the STOP-bang OSA risk score

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate use of a respiratory volume monitor (RVM; ExSpiron, Respiratory Motion, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA) that provides minute ventilation (MV), tidal volume (TV) and respiratory rate (RR) measurements in obese surgical patients, hitherto undescribed. Design Prospective, IRB-approved observational study of RVM parameter accuracy in obese surgical patients, designed to test the ability of the RVM to detect predefined postoperative respiratory depression (PORD) and apneic events (POA) and to correlate STOP-Bang scores with PORD and POA. Setting Pre-, intra-, and post-op patient-care areas, including the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) in 2 academic centers with bariatric populations. Patients 80 patients (47±12 years), BMI of 43±7 kg/m 2 undergoing elective surgery were enrolled. Interventions Data collected included patient characteristics, STOP-Bang scores and RVM data from immediately preoperatively through PACU completion without effecting standard clinical care. Measurements Low minute ventilation (LMV) was defined as 40% of predicted MV, and PORD was defined as sustained LMV for 5 minutes. Appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses were performed, P Main Results In 56 patients with complete intraoperative ventilator data, correlation between RVM and ventilator MV measurements was r=0.89 (measurement bias 1.5%, accuracy 11%). Measurement error was 0.13 L/min (95% confidence interval−0.93 L/min - 1.20 L/min). In PACU, 16.3% and 31% of patients had PORD and POA respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of PORD and POA in 3 STOP-Bang risk categories (P>.2). Conclusions There was excellent correlation and accuracy between the RVM and ventilator volumes in obese surgical patients. A considerable number of patients exhibited PORD and POA in the PACU. The STOP-Bang risk scores correlated poorly with PORD and POA which suggests that obese surgical patients remain at risk for early post-operative respiratory events irrespective of the STOP-Bang score.
Access to Justice: The Readability of Legal Services Corporation Legal Aid Internet Services

ABSTRACTReadability of existing legal-aid websites exceeds Federal standards and the reading ability of most Americans. Legal Services Corporation supported the development of online legal content to mitigate access barriers to civil legal-aid. A t-test analysis, using Flesch-Kincaid readability analyses of 407 text passages in LSC-sponsored websites, showed that websites that claim to follow federal readability standards are easier to read than websites that do not make this claim. The websites are still beyond the comprehension of many poor Americans with limited education and literacy skills. In general, these findings underscore a need to develop appropriate readability levels in legal aid websites to improve access for vulnerable populations.
Policing Gangs in America: The Gang Unit Officer

Joining the gang squad and becoming immersed and expert in street gang affairs soon bec[omes] very serious business and the core of [a gang unit officer's] existence. There are peculiarities about elite units like a gang squad that can create caricatures of its members. – Malcolm W. Klein, Gang Cop , Alta Mira Press, 2004: 91 We were interested in how the individuals who policed gangs had influenced their agencies' responses to the gang problem. We approached this by focusing first on gang unit officers' personal characteristics and on their prior assignments and experiences within their police departments. Next, we examined how they became gang unit officers – the selection process and how that process affected the types of officers who were assigned to gang units. Third, we looked at the training that officers received, both training that was specific to their assignments and any other gang-related training or education they might have attended. Related, we examined the problems that the gang unit officer faced after they initially became a gang unit officer. Finally, we focused on the status of being a gang unit officer and explicate the perceived roles that gang unit officers play in their department and community. OFFICER CHARACTERISTICS The ethnic or racial characteristics of the officers in the police gang units that we studied varied across units, but reflected the composition of their parent departments and not necessarily their community.
How Can Public Policy Help

The most important strategy for ameliorating student debt problems is preventing people from borrowing for programs they are unlikely to complete and institutions that won’t serve them well. There should also be stricter limits on borrowing for graduate students, parents, and some undergraduates. Major steps for dealing with existing debt include an improved income-driven payment system that appropriately supports borrowers while expecting most to repay their debts in full and improving the structures surrounding the repayment and collection processes—but not forgiving all or most debt. Other promising policy changes include easing the restrictions on discharging student debt in bankruptcy, eliminating the privileged category of private student loans, and making it easier for students to borrow less than the maximum allowed.
The Art of Breaking and Making: How Being Curious and Confident (Even If Unwarranted) Led to Amazing Opportunities for Almost 60 Years

As a kid I was considered somewhat of a terror. But not in the usual way you would imagine for a little boy. Outwardly I was polite, mild mannered, and rarely fought with anyone. But on the inside, I was hyper-curious. I had to know how everything worked. What's inside that? What would happen if I did this? These experiments often used force, which broke most of the objects I explored. Some of the items were mine, and that was ok since I was able to see inside and could still play with parts and the box the toy came in. Unfortunately, some of the items belonged to others, and they didn't appreciate their toys being broken, which led to my reputation.
An Osteopontin/CD44 Axis in RhoGDI2-Mediated Metastasis Suppression

RhoGDI2 specifically suppresses bladder cancer metastasis but not primary tumor growth, which involves tumor-associated macrophages. We report that macrophage-secreted osteopontin binds to CD44s on the tumor cells and promotes invasion and clonal growth. These effects are RhoGDI2-sensitive and require CD44s binding to the Rac GEF TIAM1. Osteopontin expression correlates with tumor aggressiveness and poor clinical outcome in patients. Inhibiting this pathway potently blocked lung and lymph node metastasis; however, primary tumors and established metastasis were less sensitive. Osteopontin-CD44s-TIAM1 promotes clonal growth in vitro but not at high cell density. These data identify osteopontin-CD44-TIAM1-Rac1 axis as a RhoGDI2-sensitive pathway and potential therapeutic target in bladder cancer metastasis. They also elucidate the mechanism behind RhoGDI2 specificity for metastasis over established tumors.
Characterization of Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 Te single crystals for radiation detectors

Large volume single crystals of Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 Te (CZT) have been grown by vertical Bridgman technique using in-house zone refined precursor materials (Cd, Zn, and Te). The grown semi-insulating CZT crystals have shown high promise for high-resolution room-temperature radiation detectors due to their high dark resistivity (∼4×1010 Ω-cm), good charge transport properties [(μτ)„ = (6−8) × 10−3 cm2/V], and relatively low cost. The grown CZT single crystals (∼2.8 cm diameter and >10 cm long) have demonstrated a very low radial Zn concentration deviation, low dislocation densities and Te precipitate/inclusions, and high infrared transmission. Details of the CZT single crystal growth, their physical and chemical analysis, surface processing, nuclear radiation detector fabrication, and testing of these devices are presented.
Limited Knowledge of Acetaminophen in Patients with Liver Disease

Background and Aims: Unintentional acetaminophen overdose remains the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Patients with underlying liver disease are at higher risk of poor outcomes from acetaminophen overdose. Limited knowledge of acetaminophen may be a preventable contributor to elevated rates of overdose and thus acute liver failure. The purpose of this study is to assess knowledge of acetaminophen dosing and presence of acetaminophen in common combination products in patients with liver disease. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of patients with liver disease at the Pfleger Liver Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles between June 2015 and August 2016. Patients completed a demographic questionnaire and an acetaminophen knowledge survey. Additional information was obtained from the medical record. Results: Of 401 patients with liver disease, 30 (15.7%) were able to correctly identify that people without liver disease can safely take up to 4 g/day of acetaminophen. The majority of patients (79.9%-86.8%) did not know that Norco® (hydrocone/acetaminophen), Vicodin® (hydrocone/acetaminophen) and Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) contained acetaminophen. Only 45.3% of the patients knew that Tylenol® #3 contained acetaminophen. Conclusions: We conclude that patients with liver disease have critically low levels of knowledge of acetaminophen, putting them at risk both of acetaminophen overdose, as well as undermedication, and inadequate management of chronic pain. We recommend an increase in education efforts regarding acetaminophen dosage and its safety in the setting of liver disease. Increasing education for those at risk of low acetaminophen knowledge is essential to minimizing acetaminophen overdose rates and optimizing pain management.
Final results for gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel in neoadjuvant treatment of resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma: GAIN-1 study.

e15201 Background: Survival after pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PCa) resection is only 20% despite adjuvant therapy. Neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) is cost effective, may improve R0 resection rates and m...
An Experimental Investigation of Managing Quality Through Monetary and Relational Incentives

We investigate the efficacy of monetary and relational incentives for managing the quality of a product in a two-tier supply chain. In our setting, a retailer offers a supplier contract terms for a...
Localized Corrosion Growth Kinetics in AA7178

Abstract The growth kinetics of exfoliation corrosion (EFC) and sharp intergranular corrosion (IGC) fissures in high strength AA7178 were determined and the effects of several factors on the growth kinetics have been studied: alloy, temper, relative humidity (RH), orientation, and stress. Samples were cut in specific orientations relative to the plate rolling direction and were pretreated electrochemically to initiate the attack and generate localized corrosion environments. They were then placed in constant humidity chambers with controlled humidity in the range of 50-96%. The attack proceeded either as IGC or EFC depending on the sample configuration. The growth of EFC depended strongly on RH, and EFC was not found at RH values below about 60%. On the other hand, the growth rate of sharp IGC fissures was independent of RH for test times of up to 1000 h. The difference is likely that sharp IGC fissure growth occurs inside the material with much less connection to the environment than EFC, which pries open the microstructure. Interestingly, the average sharp fissure growth rate was constant with time over this period. Some observations indicate that the sharp fissures propagate as a result of hydrogen embrittlement, and then the crack is filled with electrolyte from the prior IGC region, allowing subsequent corrosion of the crack flanks.
Quantification in American Sign Language

After presenting some basic genetic, historical and typological information about American Sign Language, this chapter outlines the quantification patterns it expresses. It illustrates various semantic types of quantifiers, such as generalized existential, generalized universal, proportional, definite and partitive which are defined in the Quantifier Questionnaire in chapter “ The Quantifier Questionnaire”. It partitions the expression of the semantic types into morpho-syntactic classes: Adverbial type quantifiers and Nominal (or Determiner) type quantifiers. For the various semantic and morpho-syntactic types of quantifiers it also distinguishes syntactically simple and syntactically complex quantifiers, as well as issues of distributivity and scope interaction, classifiers and measure expressions, and existential constructions. The chapter describes structural properties of determiners and quantified noun phrases in American Sign Language, both in terms of internal structure (morphological or syntactic) and distribution.
Developments in international criminal justice in Africa during 2011

Africa experienced seismic political shifts in 2011 that had a significant effect on the development of international criminal justice on the continent. The year 2011 saw the finalisation of several noteworthy cases before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the conclusion of the case against Charles Taylor before the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The International Criminal Court was also in the spotlight, because of new events - the second referral by the Security Council of a head of state before the ICC; the transfer of the former head of state of Cote d'Ivoire to the ICC; as well as existing events - a co-operation request in the ICC situation in Kenya against the background of an upcoming general election; the ongoing proceedings in the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and continuing complexities in the situation in Darfur. The article reviews the developments in these courts as well as the international community's response aimed at combating piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Iron and copper production at Iron Age Ashkelon: Implications for the organization of Levantine metal production

Abstract Understanding the spatial distribution of different craft production activities is an essential part of any investigation into the organization of production. In the Iron Age southern Levant, discussions of the rise of iron often revolve around the relative organization of bronze and iron production. For these reasons, identifying where different stages of metal production occurred is essential for testing models of technological change during this period. This study reviews the challenges of identifying different stages of metal production from often-ephemeral residues found at settlement sites, with particular emphasis on the question of urban iron smelting in the early Iron Age southern Levant. These considerations are applied to the analysis of a small but significant assemblage of metal production remains from Iron IIB Ashkelon (c. 8th century BCE), using macroscopic observations, chemical analysis, and microscopy. The results of these analyses support the conclusion that multiple iron production processes—likely including both smelting and smithing—took place in or near a domestic quarter at Ashkelon. With one or two exceptions, copper production residues are restricted to secondary refining and casting residues. Copper smelting was carried out elsewhere. If this pattern holds as more urban production debris is recognized and analyzed, such differences in the relative organization of iron and copper-alloy production may provide clues as to why iron production expanded dramatically in the early 1st millennium BCE.
Does Treatment of the Tibia Matter in Bipolar Chondral Defects of the Knee? Clinical Outcomes with Greater Than 2 Years Follow-up.

Purpose To compare the osteochondral allograft (OCA) outcomes of bipolar defects with isolated femoral defects and to investigate the optimal treatment of bipolar defects by comparing femoral OCA with tibial debridement to femoral OCA and tibial microfracture. Methods A series of patients with 2-year follow-up from March 2004 to September 2015 after femoral OCA for bipolar chondral defects was identified. Group 1 contained patients with tibial defects treated with debridement and group 2 contained patients with microfractured tibial defects. A third group (group 3) with isolated femoral defects treated with OCA was identified and matched by gender, body mass index (BMI), laterality, and OCA size to groups 1 and 2. Patient-specific, defect-specific, intraoperative, and postoperative data including patient-reported outcomes were collected on all patients. The study groups were compared using analyses of variance, paired sample t tests, and χ-square analyses. Results Thirty-six patients who had femoral OCA for bipolar lesions were identified with 20 patients in group 1 and 16 patients in group 2. Group 3 had 20 patients. There were no differences between the 3 groups in terms of gender ( P = .616), BMI ( P = .271), number of previous surgeries ( P = .451), femoral or tibial defect size ( P = .296), and OCA size ( P = .981). Preoperative to postoperative patient-reported clinical outcomes (PROs) revealed statistical and clinically meaningful improvement in all 3 groups, but did not differ between groups. Patient-specific and defect-specific factors did not correlate with PROs. The graft survivorship for group 1 was 85% at 4.5 years, 100% for group 2 at 2.5 years, and 95% for group 3 at 3.8 years. Conclusions Regardless of tibial treatment, patients with bipolar defects treated with femoral OCA have clinically meaningful improvements in PROs and excellent graft survivorship comparable to isolated femoral OCAs at more than 2 years. Level of Evidence Level III, case-control study.
Velocities of Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, from ERS-1 SAR images

Pine Island Glacier is one of the major ice streams draining West Antarctica. We calculated average velocities for both its grounded and floating parts by tracking crevasses and other patterns moving with the ice on two sequential images acquired in February and December 1992 by ERS-1 SAR (European Remote-Sensing Satellite, Synthetic Aperture Radar). Velocities in the fast-moving central parts of the glacier range from about 1.3 km a−1 on the grounded part to about 2.6 km a−1 on the floating part. Velocity increases rapidly just below the grounding line. For the floating part, velocities are approximately 0.3 km a−1 faster than previously established from Landsat images by other workers. This observation suggests that the discharge is larger and, therefore, the mass balance less positive than previously thought; however, our study also shows that current information is insufficient to allow for precise mass-balance calculations. Images of the glacier front show that a calving event released an iceberg about 5 km wide between February and December 1992. The position of the glacier front has not changed substantially between 1973 (Landsat image) and 1992 (ERS-1 images).
Closed-loop control of a capacitive-link universal converter with minimum number of voltage sensors

In this paper, a new control method for capacitive link universal power converters is proposed to eliminate the need for measuring the output and input voltages. Capacitive link universal converters are a new class of power converters that offer high power density and reliability, and are capable of transferring power between any type of source and load, dc or ac, with any number of phases, emerges. The high frequency ac link of this type of converters allows electrolytic capacitors to be substituted by small film capacitors. Unlike dc link converters that typically use a bulky three phase low frequency transformer for providing galvanic isolation, in this converter a compact single phase high frequency transformer can be used. A precise closed loop control is needed for operation of this type of converters, and considering the limitations of voltage sensors, analog to digital converters, and processors, the maximum switching frequency is confined. The control method proposed in this paper can address these shortcomings and allows exploiting promising features of the capacitive link universal converters. This control method can be implemented both in analog and digital. Moreover, a simple voltage divider, instead of an isolated voltage sensor, meets the requirement for link voltage measurement, which is the only required measurement. Therefore, using the proposed control method will increase the maximum feasible switching frequency; and, at the same time, dismisses the need for costly voltage sensing at the output and input in a closed loop control. The proposed control method is presented in this paper, and its effectiveness is evaluated through simulations and experimental results.
Mutant Huntingtin Secretion in Neuro2A Cells and Rat Primary Cortical Neurons

Quantitative analysis of proteins secreted from the cells poses a challenge due to their low abundance and the interfering presence of a large amount of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the cell culture media. We established assays for detection of mutant huntingtin (mHtt) secreted from Neuro2A cell line stably expressing mHtt and rat primary cortical neurons by Western blotting. Our protocol is based on reducing the amounts of BSA in the media while maintaining cell viability and secretory potential, and concentrating the media prior to analysis by means of ultrafiltration.
Comparison of measured and simulated concentrations of 133Xe in the shallow subsurface.

Abstract Radioactive isotopes of the noble gases xenon and argon are considered primary indicators of an underground nuclear explosion. However, high atmospheric concentrations from other anthropogenic sources may lead to an elevation in the underground levels of these gases, particularly in times of increasing atmospheric pressure. In 2014, a week long sampling campaign near Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in the Ottawa River Valley resulted in first of their kind measurements of atmospheric 133Xe that had been pressed into the subsurface. In an effort to better understand this imprinting process, a second follow-up sampling campaign was conducted in the same location in 2016. The results of the second sampling campaign, where samples were collected at depths of 1 m and 2 m over a 14 day period and measured for their 133Xe concentration, are presented here. Gas transport and sample concentrations were predicted using the Subsurface Transport over Multiple Phases (STOMP) simulator. These results are examined and compared to the corresponding experimental results.
The Use of Domain-Dependent Descriptions in Tree Searching

This paper proposes a set of new techniques for tree searching. Existing methods make use of domain-dependent 1 information only when calculating evaluation functions. The scalar value that is the result of such an evaluation is then used for all future decisions that control the search. Our technique provides a method for using domain-dependent descriptions to rule out the searching of subtrees, based upon notions such as causality, purpose, consistency, and problem invariance. Descriptions are inherently much richer than scalar quantities, and we develop a theoretical framework for this. The techniques discussed were developed using computer chess as a domain, but they appear to be widely applicable.
Role of EDTA in a simple method for determining toxicity using a bacterial indicator organism

A method to determine toxicity using a bacterium as the indicator organism previously developed (Botsford 1998) perceives most divalent cations as being toxic. Mercury is perceived as the most toxic, followed by cadmium, zinc and copper. It was found that adding 2.5 μm EDTA to the reaction would relieve the toxicity of the 15 divalent cations tested. This effect does not appear to be simple chelation. One micromolar EDTA eliminated the toxicity of 1.6 μm calcium or 0.006 μm mercury. Thirty-six chemicals were tested for their toxicity in the presence and absence of 2.5 μm EDTA and 25 ppm calcium. Twenty-one were less toxic and two of these, p-aminobenzoic acid and tetrachloroethylene would no longer appear to be toxic according to the assay when these additions were present. Six chemicals had the same toxicity with and without the additions. Nine chemicals were more toxic when the EDTA and calcium were present. This experiment was repeated with six chemicals and ten times the EDTA concentration and ten times the calcium concentration. The toxicity with 10× was compared with the toxicity with 1× the additions. The toxicity of 4 of the six chemicals changed with the higher concentration of EDTA and calcium when the absorbancy values observed in samples with the lower levels were compared with samples with the higher levels. Obviously before EDTA can be added to mitigate the toxicity of divalent cations, it must be determined how much EDTA is required to eliminate the toxicity by the ions present in the sample. Alternatively, if the nature of the contaminating organic chemical is known, it can be determined what the effect of EDTA and the divalent cation present is on the apparent toxicity of the compound.
CHAPTER 11 – Combining Molecular and Morphological Data in Fish Systematics: Examples from the Cyprinodontiformes

The two objectives met in this chapter are revision of current theoretical perspectives on the appropriate means of integrating molecular and morphological data and application of some of these techniques in the analysis of molecular and morphological data sets for two groups of killifishes. It provides an analysis of the combined results of the molecular and morphological data along with the justifications. The two sets of molecular and morphological characters assembled and reanalyzed illustrate two very different outcomes of data combination. Both analyses, however, provide useful perspectives on methods of data combination and the justifications offered for their use. The Cyprinodontoidei data is an excellent example of the desired outcome: each data set provides some information largely lacking in the other and the final result is a highly resolved and well supported phylogenetic hypothesis. Combinability tests of molecular and morphological data partitions also differ greatly in their outcomes. Initial bootstrap tests reject the combinability of Cyprinodontoidei data partitions based on the distribution of the symmetric difference of components (SD c ) for morphological characters, but not for molecular data
Design with Your Team, Not for Your Team

There are two popular creation myths about software architectures: the Solitary Architect and the Emergent Architecture. These myths need to be replaced with new ones: the Architect as Coach and the Architect as Player-Coach.
Third-Order Intermodulation Effects and System Sensitivity Degradation in Receive-Mode 5G Phased Arrays in the Presence of Multiple Interferers

Electronically scanned phased-array antennas need to function in an interference-rich environment as an integral part of millimeter-wave 5G networks. In these scenarios, multiple interferers’ incident from different directions can create intermodulation products that can severely degrade the system sensitivity. This paper first presents the theoretical analysis of intermodulation effects in a receive-mode phased array and then shows the detailed experimental verification of multiple interferer effects on a 28-GHz 5G phased array. It is shown that the third-order intermodulation products generated by the interferers peak at certain predictable scan angles depending on the interferer directions of arrival and can limit the sensitivity of the phased array. The interferers degrade the system sensitivity even if incident in the direction of pattern nulls. Two scan-angle-dependent third-order input intercept point (IIP3) definitions are given for a phased array and their implications are discussed. It is shown that while a phased array does result in an input P1dB improvement as the number of elements increases (handles more incident power than a single channel), it does not result in an IIP3 improvement over a single channel as the number of elements increases. Theoretical predictions are also verified by extensive numerical simulations and measurement results for multiple interferers from different directions. Finally, the IIP3 degradation in mechanically scanned antennas is analyzed and it is shown that such antennas are much more robust than phased arrays for wide angle interferers.
Process based quality improvement using a continuous renal replacement therapy dashboard

The prevalence of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) utilization in critically ill patients with acute kidney is increasing. In comparison to published and on-going trials attempting to answer questions surrounding the optimal timing of CRRT initiation, anticoagulation, and modality, a paucity of literature describes the quality of the therapy delivered. We conducted a single-center process improvement project to determine if a methodology to assess the quality of CRRT delivery could lead to improvement in CRRT delivery outcomes. We developed three broad categories of objective CRRT metrics to assess longitudinally, enabling creation of a CRRT Dashboard. Following the objective categories of “filter”, “prescription”, and “fluid balance” over time allowed us to perform quarterly analyses, target provider based CRRT education, and address variation from our standard of care. From 2012 to 2017, 184 critically ill patients received CRRT. We report a mean filter life of 56 + 28.4 h, a 60-h filter life of 62%, and unplanned filter changes of 15%. Compared to a minimum target prescription of 2000 ml/1.73 m2/hour, we report the mean prescribed dose (2300 ml/1.73 m2/hour) and the rate of patients receiving at least the minimum prescription (98%). Finally, using a 10% deviation in the acceptable range of desired daily patient fluid balance, we report 83% CRRT patient days achieving an acceptable stipulated fluid goal. We report the implementation of a quality dashboard and adopting quality improvement strategies provided a platform for measuring adherence to our institutional standards and the delivery of CRRT, specifically on the process of the care.