cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Caregiver Behavior and Knowledge About Unsafe Sleep Surfaces in Infant Injury Death Cases

Objectives. In the United States, infant deaths due to sleep-related injuries have quadrupled over the past two decades. One of the major risk factors is the placement of an infant to sleep on a surface other than a crib or bassinet. This study examines contextual circumstances and knowledge and behaviors that may contribute to the placement of infants on an unsafe sleep surface in infant injury death cases. Method. This study employed a retrospective review of 255 sleep-related injury death cases in New York City from 2004 to 2010 where an infant was found sleeping on an unsafe sleep surface. Mixed-methods analyses, employing both quantitative analysis of vital statistics data and risk variables extracted from the medical examiner files and qualitative analysis of the narrative content of the files, were conducted. Results. In 48% of cases, a crib or bassinet was identified in the home. Quantitative analysis revealed no significant differences in demographic or risk factor characteristics between infants...
Motivating Students to Learn: Is There a Difference between Traditional Books and e-Books?

Electronic books have been identified as a current trend in education and are being increasingly adopted by students as their textbook format of choice. However, limited studies on electronic books as a learning tool exist. Thus, this pilot study compares the use of e-books and traditional books as a learning tool in an undergraduate classroom on undergraduate students’ motivation. Acknowledgement. A special thanks to Ashley Barnes and Pearson for providing e-book chapters to support
Adaptive deconvolution and identification of nonminimum phase FIR systems using Kalman filter

It is shown how a Kalman filter can be applied to the problem of adaptive deconvolution and system identification for a non-Gaussian white noise driven linear, nonminimum phase finite impulse response (FIR) system. The adaptive scheme is, in fact, a blind equalization (deconvolution) scheme, based on approximating the FIR system by noncausal autoregressive (AR) models and using higher-order cumulants of the system output. Without prior knowledge about the channel, the filter algorithm leads to faster convergence than other methods, its speed of convergence depending only on the number of data. Theoretical results are given and computer simulations are used to corroborate the theory and to compare the algorithm with the classical steepest descent method. >
Determining Placements of Influencing Agents in a Flock

Flocking is a fascinating collective behavior exhibited by many different animals including birds and fish. As understood by biologists, the overall flocking behavior emerges from relatively simple local control rules by which each individual adjusts its own trajectory based on those of its closest neighbors. We consider the possibility of adding a small set of influencing agents, that are under our control, into a flock. Specifically, in this paper we consider where in the flock to place the influencing agents that we add to the flock. Following ad hoc teamwork methodology, we assume that we are given knowledge of, but no direct control over, the rest of the flock. We use the influencing agents to alter the flock's trajectory, for instance to avoid an obstacle. We define several methodologies for placing the influencing agents into the flock, and compare them via detailed experimental results.
Effects of Restricted and Ad Libitum Intakes of Diets Containing Wheat Middlings During the Growing Phase on Performance and Carcass Composition of Early Weaned Steers

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of restricting the intake of 25% wheat middling diets during the growing phase on finishing phase performance and carcass composition of early weaned steers. In Exp. 1, early weaned Wagyu cross steers were used to compare effects of ad libitum (AL) intake vs restricted (RS; 75% AL) intake of a high concentrate diet. In Exp. 2, early weaned Continental cross steers were used to compare effects of AL intake vs RS intake of a high concentrate diet or hay for AL intake during the growing phase on finishing phase performance and carcass composition. In Exp. 3, early weaned Wagyu cross steers were used to evaluate the same treatments as Exp. 2. Steers were fed until they had ca. 1.0-cm subcutaneous fat cover. In Exp. 1, because steers fed for AL intake were leaner than RS-fed steers, backfat was used as a covariate for finishing phase performance and carcass composition. For Exp. 1, 2, and 3, steer performance for the finishing phase was adjusted to a common dressing percentage. In the growing phase of Exp. 1, steers fed AL gained 18.6% more (P<0.05) than RS-fed steers. However, feed efficiencies were similar for steers fed for AL intake and for RS-fed steers. In the finishing phase, ADG was similar for steers fed AL and for RS-fed steers. Steers fed AL tended (P<0.12) to be heavier at time of slaughter. During the growing phase of Exp. 2, steers fed high concentrate diets AL or RS gained more (P<0.01) than steers fed hay AL. Gain to feed ratio was higher (P<0.01) for AL steers than for steers fed hay AL. When growing and finishing phase performances were combined, steers fed AL had higher (P<0.01) daily gains than did steers fed hay AL. Also, feed efficiencies were improved (P<0.01) for steers fed AL and RS-fed steers more than for steers fed hay AL. Dressing percentages were higher (P<0.01) for steers fed AL and RS-fed steers when compared with steers fed hay AL. In Exp. 3, growing phase daily gains (P<0.04) and gain to feed ratio (P<0.03) were higher for steers fed AL and RS-fed steers than for steers fed hay AL. When growing and finishing phase performances were combined, steers fed for AL intake gained faster (P<0.03) than did steers fed hay AL. Feed efficiencies were improved (P<0.02) for steers fed AL and RS-fed steers compared with steers fed hay AL. Yield grades were higher (P<0.01) for AL steers than for steers fed hay AL.
Low loss IGBT with Partially Narrow Mesa Structure (PNM-IGBT)

A PNM (Partially Narrow Mesa) -IGBT with a fundamentally new surface is proposed for the first time. The unique gate shape looks like a “vase” and generates an extreme injection enhancement. Its performance approaches the limits of Si-IGBT. Therefore, PNM-IGBT is able to contribute to the saturation voltage reduction and the improvement of Vce(sat)-Eoff trade off. Furthermore, it can be adapted to actual conditions because of its sufficiently rugged structure.
Muscular dystrophy; catheterization studies indicating latent congestive heart failure.

In an attempt to explain the electrocardiographic and other cardiac abnormalities in patients with muscular dystrophy, hemodynamic studies by right heart catheterization were done on 12 patients with muscular dystrophy. The study indicated the presence of latent congestive failure in some patients. An attempt to explain the abnormal QRS complexes and leads from the right side of the precordium in some of those patients is also made.
Minimum User-Perceived Interference Routing in Service Composition

Service Composition is a promising technology for providing on-demand composed services in dynamic and loosely coupled peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. Because of system dynamics, such as the peer leaving from the system, end users may perceive interference from service disruptions. How to minimize the userperceived interference and provide Quality of Service guarantees to the composite services thus becomes important and challenging. In this paper, we take a novel approach to study the problem of minimum interference service composition with QoS guarantees. First, we propose a general analytic framework to model the interference and its intensity to the end users due to system dynamics. Based on this framework, the minimum interference routing problem is formulated. Then, we present an optimal solution to the problem through dynamic programming and investigate some optimization simplifications in special cases. We further propose a heuristic measure for fast interference calculation and design efficient routing algorithms by exploiting the local path recovery and reliable service paths. Our analysis and extensive simulations demonstrate that our model and algorithms can achieve much better performance than the traditional methods in finding service paths, with respect to decreasing the interference to end users, especially in the scenarios of stringent QoS requirement, highly dynamic networks, or the type of impatient users.
A New Southwestern Species of Erioptera Meigen Crane Fly (Diptera: Tipulidae)

A new species of Erioptera Meigen crane fly was discovered from Utah. Erioptera brauni Taber is most closely related to Erioptera villosa Osten Sacken, but the two species can be distinguished by structures of the male genitalia and by the color of the halteres. Adult females and juveniles remain unknown.
Age, Gender and R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometry Score do not Improve the Accuracy of a Risk Stratification Algorithm Based on Biopsy and Mass Size for Assigning Surveillance versus Treatment of Renal Tumors.

Purpose: A previously published risk stratification algorithm based on renal mass biopsy and radiographic mass size was useful to designate surveillance vs the need for immediate treatment of small renal masses. Nonetheless, there were some incorrect assignments, most notably when renal mass biopsy indicated low risk malignancy but final pathology revealed high risk malignancy. We studied other factors that might improve the accuracy of this algorithm.Materials and Methods: For 202 clinically localized small renal masses in a total of 200 patients with available R.E.N.A.L. (radius, exophytic/endophytic, nearness of tumor to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, hilar tumor touching main renal artery or vein and location relative to polar lines) nephrometry score, preoperative renal mass biopsy and final pathology we assessed the accuracy of management assignment (surveillance vs treatment) based on the previously published risk stratification algorithm as confirmed by final pathology. Logistic r...
Insulin binding, internalization, and degradation by a cultured kidney cell line

Proximal tubules are a key site of insulin metabolism, which is in part a receptor-mediated process. To explore the interaction between insulin and the kidney and to evaluate the role of receptors in insulin uptake and processing, a study was carried out with a cultured proximal-like opossum kidney (OK) cell line. 125I-insulin associated with confluent monolayers in a specific manner, and this interaction was competitively inhibited by insulin; unrelated peptides were relatively ineffective. Insulin degradation exhibited time and temperature dependency and up to a concentration of 5 X 10(-8) M was not saturable. Degradation exhibited partial hormone specificity. Separation of plasma membrane bound from internalized insulin was achieved by lowering extracellular pH. At 4 degrees C, 94% of cell-associated radioactivity was membrane bound, whereas at 37 degrees C, in the steady state, 33% was membrane bound and 67% was internalized. There was a significant correlation between membrane-bound insulin and the rate of degradation. These findings reveal that the binding and processing of insulin by the kidney cell line are compatible with the description of the uptake of filtered insulin by the proximal tubule in the intact kidney. Accordingly we conclude that this cell line provides a good model for studying renal epithelial uptake and metabolism of insulin.
Intrinsic GTP hydrolysis is observed for a switch 1 variant of Cdc42 in the presence of a specific GTPase inhibitor

ABSTRACTThe Ras-related protein Cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) is important in cell-signaling processes. Protein interactions involving Cdc42 occur primarily in flexible “Switch” regions that help regulate effector binding. We studied the kinetics of intrinsic GTP hydrolysis reaction in the absence and presence of a biologically active peptide derivative of a p21-activated kinase effector (PBD46) for wt Cdc42 and compared it to the Switch 1 variant Cdc42(T35A). While the binding of PBD46 to wt Cdc42 results in complete inhibition of GTP hydrolysis, this interaction in Cdc42(T35A) does not. Comparison of the crystal structure of wt Cdc42 in the absence of effector (1AN0.pdb), as well as the NMR structure of wt Cdc42 bound to an effector in the Switch 1 region (1CF4.pdb) (www.rcsb.org) suggests that the orientation of T35 with bound Mg2+ changes in the presence of effector, resulting in movement of GTP away from the catalytic box leading to the inhibition of GTP hydrolysis. For Cdc42(T35A), molecular dynami...
How well do subjective Hospital Compare metrics reflect objective outcomes in spine surgery

OBJECTIVE The accuracy of public reporting in health care is an issue of debate. The authors investigated the association of patient satisfaction measures from a public reporting platform with objective outcomes for patients undergoing spine surgery. METHODS The authors performed a cohort study involving patients undergoing elective spine surgery from 2009 to 2013 who were registered in the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database. This cohort was merged with publicly available data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare website. A mixed-effects regression analysis, controlling for clustering at the hospital level, was used to investigate the association of patient satisfaction metrics with outcomes. RESULTS During the study period, 160,235 patients underwent spine surgery. Using a mixed-effects multivariable regression analysis, the authors demonstrated that undergoing elective spine surgery in hospitals with a higher percentage of patient-assigned high satisfaction scores was not associated with a decreased rate of discharge to rehabilitation (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.57-1.06), mortality (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90-1.01), or hospitalization charges (β 0.04, 95% CI -0.16 to 0.23). However, it was associated with decreased length of stay (LOS; β -0.19, 95% CI -0.33 to -0.05). Similar associations were identified for hospitals with a higher percentage of patients who claimed they would recommend these institutions to others. CONCLUSIONS Merging a comprehensive all-payer cohort of spine surgery patients in New York state with data from the CMS Hospital Compare website, the authors were not able to demonstrate an association of improved performance in patient satisfaction measures with decreased mortality, rate of discharge to rehabilitation, and hospitalization charges. Increased patient satisfaction was associated with decreased LOS.
Alterations in Multi‐Scale Cardiac Architecture in Association With Phosphorylation of Myosin Binding Protein‐C

Background The geometric organization of myocytes in the ventricular wall comprises the structural underpinnings of cardiac mechanical function. Cardiac myosin binding protein‐C (MYBPC3) is a sarcomeric protein, for which phosphorylation modulates myofilament binding, sarcomere morphology, and myocyte alignment in the ventricular wall. To elucidate the mechanisms by which MYBPC3 phospho‐regulation affects cardiac tissue organization, we studied ventricular myoarchitecture using generalized Q‐space imaging (GQI). GQI assessed geometric phenotype in excised hearts that had undergone transgenic (TG) modification of phospho‐regulatory serine sites to nonphosphorylatable alanines (MYBPC3 AllP−/(t/t) ) or phospho‐mimetic aspartic acids (MYBPC3 AllP+/(t/t) ). Methods and Results Myoarchitecture in the wild‐type (MYBPC3 WT ) left‐ventricle (LV) varied with transmural position, with helix angles ranging from −90/+90 degrees and contiguous circular orientation from the LV mid‐myocardium to the right ventricle (RV). Whereas MYBPC3 AllP+/(t/t) hearts were not architecturally distinct from MYBPC3 WT , MYBPC3 AllP−/(t/t) hearts demonstrated a significant reduction in LV transmural helicity. Null MYBPC3 (t/t) hearts, as constituted by a truncated MYBPC3 protein, demonstrated global architectural disarray and loss in helicity. Electron microscopy was performed to correlate the observed macroscopic architectural changes with sarcomere ultrastructure and demonstrated that impaired phosphorylation of MYBPC3 resulted in modifications of the sarcomere aspect ratio and shear angle. The mechanical effect of helicity loss was assessed through a geometric model relating cardiac work to ejection fraction, confirming the mechanical impairments observed with echocardiography. Conclusions We conclude that phosphorylation of MYBPC3 contributes to the genesis of ventricular wall geometry, linking myofilament biology with multiscale cardiac mechanics and myoarchitecture.
Rabies direct fluorescent antibody test does not inactivate rabies or eastern equine encephalitis viruses

An examination using the routine rabies direct fluorescent antibody test was performed on rabies or Eastern equine encephalitis positive mammalian brain tissue to assess inactivation of the virus. Neither virus was inactivated with acetone fixation nor the routine test, thus laboratory employees should treat all samples as rabies and when appropriate Eastern equine encephalitis positive throughout the whole procedure.
T cells to go

The adoptive transfer of T cells specific for viral or tumor-associated antigens has been shown to be a promising form of immunotherapy in animal models and several “proof of principal” clinical studies. The major difficulties identified to date relate to limitations in the widespread ability to
Needle-track reference marks of India ink for right-left orientation of brain sections.

Reference marking for orientation and mounting of serial sections by producing a unilateral mechanical artifact in an unsectioned tissue block is often necessary in anatomical studies. The artifact should be as small as possible, but large enough to be easily identified while mounting frozen sections.
An unusual cause of a difficult extubation.

We report an unusual cause of difficult tracheal extubation due to occlusion of the endotracheal tube (ETT) pilot balloon tubing by a bite block. A 73-year-old man recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft and mitral valve repair at our institution. Fourteen days after discharge, he presented to his local emergency room with epigastric pain, and a Stanford type A aortic dissection extending from just distal to the aortic valve to the iliac arteries was found. He underwent emergency aortic valve resuspension and replacement of the ascending aorta with a dacron tubular graft, which was complicated by substantial bleeding and required massive fluid resuscitation. Approximately 36 hours after arriving in the intensive care unit, the intensive care unit staff reported difficulty in removing the ETT. The original 9.0-mm cuffed ETT (Hudson Respiratory Care, Temecula, California) was in place and a Bite Proof Bite Block (B&B Medical Technologies, Orangevale, California) had been positioned around the ETT to prevent occlusion by the patient’s teeth. Fiberoptic examination through the ETT showed no apparent abnormalities. Only 2 mL of air could be withdrawn from the pilot balloon, which resulted in no leak around the ETT. We considered that, given the patient’s massive fluid resuscitation, there might have been substantial tracheal edema trapping the ETT against the tracheal wall. However, on examination, the patient only had trace peripheral edema and had been aggressively diuresed. The ETT was then removed with a moderate amount of force. Upon removal, the ETT cuff was found to be fully inflated and the ETT balloon tubing was wrapped and kinked inside the bite block apparatus (Fig. 1). The patient’s airway remained patent and there was no apparent laryngeal damage. Though reports of difficult endotracheal intubation are common, a substantial portion of adverse respiratory events have been attributed to complications with tracheal extubation.1 Three etiologies may be responsible for a difficult extubation, including failure to deflate the ETT balloon, a large ETT balloon caught on the vocal cords, or adhesion of the ETT to the tracheal wall due to insufficient lubricant.2,3 The majority of difficult extubations are attributed to failure to deflate the ETT balloon.3 This case illustrates a unique complication during extubation. Readers are encouraged to verify that the ETT balloon tubing and inflation port are free of any additional equipment to allow full deflation and prevent complications with extubation. Commercially designed bite blocks may be of substantial importance in this regard. Stephen J Gleich Medical Student Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Rochester, Minnesota
Heterogeneity in Customization of Recommender Systems By Users with Homogenous Preferences

Recommender systems must find items that match the heterogeneous preferences of its users. Customizable recommenders allow users to directly manipulate the system's algorithm in order to help it match those preferences. However, customizing may demand a certain degree of skill and new users particularly may struggle to effectively customize the system. In user studies of two different systems, I show that there is considerable heterogeneity in the way that new users will try to customize a recommender, even within groups of users with similar underlying preferences. Furthermore, I show that this heterogeneity persists beyond the first few interactions with the recommender. System designs should consider this heterogeneity so that new users can both receive good recommendations in their early interactions as well as learn how to effectively customize the system for their preferences.
The Role of H-2 Gene Complex in Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Susceptibility to experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) was linked to the H-2 complex in 1971 by the use of inbred strains of independent haplotypes on different backgrounds1,2. For example, mice of the k or s haplotype are susceptible (good responder); they develop severe thyroiditis, in addition to autoantibodies to MTg, after immunization with mouse thyroglobulin (MTg) in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). In contrast, mice of the b or d haplotype are resistant (poor responder), with little, if any, cellular infiltration in the thyroid, despite the presence of MTg autoantibodies. In the past 10 years, the influence of various H-2 genes on EAT induction and development has been examined in detail. These studies may be grouped into three sections.
Spatial Distribution of Acoustic Radiation Force for Non-Contact Modal Excitation

In modal testing, a common excitation method is a transducer in mechanical contact with the object under test. However, for some structures it is desirable to excite vibrations without physical contact. One promising excitation technique is the acoustic radiation force. However, a challenge in using this technique is that the acoustic radiation force is spread out over a finite-diameter focal region. We describe a method to directly measure the spatial distribution of this force. An ultrasound transducer emitted sine waves with frequencies of, for example f1 = 600.610 kHz and f2 = 600 kHz; the resulting radiation force had a component at the difference frequency f1-f2 = 610 Hz. A MicroAcoustic Instruments BAT6 ultrasound transducer was focused to an approximately 2 mm diameter spot on a 19.6 by 8.1 by 0.37 mm clamped-free brass cantilever with a 610 Hz fundamental frequency. A vibrometer measured the response as this focus spot traversed the edge of the cantilever. This enabled determination of the distribution of the acoustic radiation force being delivered by the transducer. This may be helpful in future studies that involve modeling the force applied to a structure using the acoustic radiation force.
A New Family of Shape Functions

Abstract A new family of finite-element shape functions is presented as constructed by using sine and cosine functions. They have the desirable property of sustaining an infinite order of derivatives. The lagrangian family of shape functions requires the addition of new nodes as the order of derivatives to be represented grows. Present family is indifferent to this requirement and consequently is restricted -for the one-dimensional (1-D) subset to two members, for sake of simplicity and computational economy. By obtaining products of 1-D functions, the two- and three- dimensional (2-D and 3-D) subsets are immediately obtained, in the same way corresponding lagrangian functions are built. Although second derivatives appearing in the viscous terms in the Navier-Stokes equations can be reduced to first order derivatives through integration by parts, certain useful techniques like the Dendy version of Petrov-Galerkin weighting functions and the Taylor-Galerkin procedure, avoid the need for computing second derivatives. A quadratic lagrangian function renders constant second derivatives, not allowing enough flexibility to efficiently represent the actual gradients involved. The new functions totally overcome this kind of deficiencies and possess greater generality. Possible economic disadvantages for lower-order derivative cases are easily overcome by tabulating the function values at fixed local abscissas -like gaussian abscissas used in numerical integration. An application to the simple problem of a depth-integrated inviscid-fluid flow is presented. The solution obtained for this inviscid-fluid case is indistinguishable with that resultinq from using the lagrangian family. Three-dimensional and depth-integrated turbulent flow problems are currently being solved and are to be reported in the near future. Nevertheless the family is suited for any kind of engineering problems.
Bacillus anthracis toxins

The three proteins produced by Bacillus anthracis that together constitute anthrax toxin bind to the receptors CMG2 and TEM8, which are present on nearly all cell types. An essential proteolytic activation of the protective antigen (PA) allows assembly to heptamers and octamers that can bind the two effector proteins, lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). The complexes internalize to endosomes, where the PA oligomer forms a protein-conducting membrane channel by which LFs and EFs are delivered to the cytosol. LF is a metalloprotease that cleaves mitogen-activated protein kinases (MEKs) and the NLRP1 component of inflammasomes, leading to immune dysfunction. EF is a calmodulin- and calcium-dependent adenylate cyclase that produces high concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), thereby disrupting many essential pathways. These toxins suppress myeloid cells to enable establishment of an infection, and subsequently they are produced in high amounts, damaging the cardiovascular system and the liver and causing death.
Evaluating the Efficacy of a Special Education Advocacy Training Program

Increasingly, parents are relying on advocates to ensure that children with disabilities receive appropriate educational services. As agencies begin to train advocates to work with families, it is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of such advocacy training programs. This study evaluated the efficacy of the Volunteer Advocacy Project (VAP), a 40-h training workshop that has been delivered since 2008 to six cohorts live and via webcasts. The aim of the study was to determine whether the VAP increased the knowledge and advocacy skills of its trainees and how trainee and training characteristics related to the effectiveness of the training. This study examined changes from pretest to posttest knowledge and advocacy skills of 90 trainees of the VAP. We also examined interactions between pre/post change and trainee and training characteristics. Participants demonstrated significant gains from pre- to posttests in their knowledge of special education and in their advocacy skills. Those participants who partook of the training in latter cohorts and at distance sites showed more progress in special education knowledge. Increases in advocacy skills differed by type of participant: compared to parent participants, professionals demonstrated significantly greater pre/post test increases in advocacy skills. This study has important implications for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
The Benefits of High-Intensity Functional Training Fitness Programs for Military Personnel

ABSTRACTIntroduction. High intensity functional training (HIFT) programs are designed to address multiple fitness domains, potentially providing improved physical and mental readiness in a changing operational environment. Programs consistent with HIFT principals such as CrossFit, SEALFIT and the US Marine Corps' High Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) are increasingly popular among military personnel. The goal of HIFT programs is to produce high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, endurance and strength that exceed those achieved by following current physical activity recommendations. Materials and Methods. Given the investment in and popularity of HIFT in the military, it is important to consider the potential impact of this approach to fitness training for the health of military personnel and their risk of training injury. In a previous report in this journal, we addressed the question of whether HIFT was associated with higher injury rates compared to other exercise programs. We argued that concerns ...
Analysis of Competitive Situations

This chapter presents an analysis of competitive situations. An important class of problems in the domain of modern mathematics and system theory involves selecting a combination of variables that maximizes or minimizes some predefined variable or function of the problem. This problem, called the optimization problem, becomes formidable when a number of combinations in which the variables can be combined are large. With the development of modern computers, the computational difficulties are no longer insurmountable. The chapter describes linear programming. The general problem of finding the maximum or minimum value of a function of one or many variables—when the function might be linear or non-linear, discrete valued or continuous, constrained or unconstrained—is a difficult problem to solve. The twin concepts maximum and minimum have been distinguished. Mathematically, the minimum value that is attained by a function f(x) is the same as the maximum value attained by the function - f(x). It is possible to talk about maximization or minimization, interchangeably, without a loss of generality.
Modeling and analysis of package PDN for computing system based on cavity model

Recent computing systems consume more than several hundred watts of power and a robust PDN design is critical to minimize power/ground (P/G) voltage fluctuation and get stable performance. In most cases, the IC package (PKG) PDN determines mid-frequency P/G noise characteristics. The PDN of our target IC package consists of more than ten thousands staggered microvias and tens of layers, representing a significant modeling challenge. Commercial tools can estimate the PKG PDN impedance via full-wave simulations, but it has several limitations at pre-layout stage. Whole simulation should be run for every small geometry changes and it takes much time. It can give circuit model seen at port, but does not provide physics-based circuit models corresponding to whole current path. In this paper we apply the cavity model, which has been previously largely used for PCB modeling, to a complex organic package structure. We here describe the assumptions used to get an equivalent circuit model for this type of geometry and the comparison of its loop inductances with commercial tools. The cavity model gives about 10 % error compared to commercial tool and the reason of error is analyzed. In addition, a study of the PKG decoupling capacitors location is performed with the goal of a minimal loop inductance. In the final paragraph, several unique features of the PKG PDN compared to PCB PDN modeling are described.
Mitigating the Effects of Transport Infrastructure Development on Ecosystems

Transport infrastructure is one of the most important ways to help a country drive economic growth and alleviate poverty, but it can also have devastating effects on the surrounding ecosystems and wildlife. Habitat fragmentation and degradation, vehicle-wildlife collisions, population and genetic isolation, and loss of ecosystem services are just some of the effects roads can have on ecosystems and wildlife. This synthesis paper seeks to explore these effects and look at different ways to mitigate them to help restore ecosystems and the services they provide. Some ways to mitigate these effects include green infrastructure, corridors, and wildlife crossings. Green infrastructure provides more natural or semi-natural space for various ecosystem services, wildlife, and humans. Corridors connect the natural spaces created by green infrastructure and protected areas and allow movement of wildlife between these areas. Wildlife crossings can be overpasses or underpasses that lessen the barrier effects of transport infrastructure. Collaboration between multiple sectors, including governments, policy makers, transport infrastructure planners, ecologists, and geographers, is needed to create successful and both sustainable transportation networks and green infrastructure that support ecosystem services and functions.
FETAL ASSESSMENT OF A RIGHT AORTIC ARCH: IMPACT ON OUTCOMES

Prenatal counseling and detailed evaluation is important in patients with arch anomalies 30 yo woman presents for fetal echo- IVF gestation -revealed a right aortic arch (RAA), a right posterior patent ductus arteriosus (RDA) and membranous VSD. Postnatal echo confirmed these findings, although
Positive Outcomes of a Discipleship Process

Biblical Christianity should be a powerful, life-forming, paradigm-shifting experience leading to increasing levels of Christlikeness. Unfortunately, the experience of many Christians today is far ...
Dbx1 pre-Bötzinger complex interneurons comprise the core inspiratory oscillator for breathing in adult mice

The brainstem pre-Botzinger complex (preBotC) generates inspiratory breathing rhythms, but which neurons comprise its rhythmogenic core? Dbx1-derived neurons may play the preeminent role in rhythm generation, an idea well founded at perinatal stages of development but not in adulthood. We expressed archaerhodopsin or channelrhodopsin in Dbx1 preBotC neurons in intact adult mice to interrogate their function. Prolonged photoinhibition slowed down or stopped breathing, whereas prolonged photostimulation sped up breathing. Brief inspiratory-phase photoinhibition evoked the next breath earlier than expected, whereas brief expiratory-phase photoinhibition delayed the subsequent breath. Conversely, brief inspiratory-phase photostimulation increased inspiratory duration and delayed the subsequent breath, whereas brief expiratory-phase photostimulation evoked the next breath earlier than expected. Because they govern the frequency and precise timing of breaths in awake adult mice with sensorimotor feedback intact, Dbx1 preBotC neurons constitute an essential core component of the inspiratory oscillator, knowledge directly relevant to human health and physiology.
Recurrent low-dose chemotherapy to inhibit and oxygenate head and neck tumors.

A lack of strategy to counteract hypoxia (pO2 < 10–15 mmHg) and technique to repeatedly measure tumor pO2 has restricted therapeutic optimization. We report the results obtained with an innovative anti-angiogenic strategy of recurrent low-dose (metronomic) chemotherapy to modulate hypoxia and growth of the Head and Neck tumor xenografts.
Metastates, Translation Ergodicity, and Simplicity of Thermodynamic States in Disordered Systems: an Illustration

In the context of short-range Edwards-Anderson spin glasses, we propose an approach to obtaining rigorous results based on combining the use of metastates, translation-ergodicity and the dependence of certain quantities on small changes of one or more couplings (or fields). This seems especially suited to showing that the structure of thermodynamic states cannot be too complex. As an illustration, we use this approach to prove that thermodynamic states appearing in (e.g.) the periodic boundary condition metastate cannot decompose into a number of pure state pairs strictly between one and infinity.
Key Features of Memory-Based Computing

In this chapter, we highlight the key features of the memory-based computing (MBC) framework. We differentiate the proposed computing model from previously proposed in-memory computing architectures. We describe the application scenarios for which MBC is likely to offer benefit over conventional hardware and software programmable frameworks. Lastly we summarize the key features of the proposed MBC model.
Chemoprevention in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in American men. It will be diagnosed in an estimated 180,400 Americans in 2000, causing death in approximately 31,900 (1). World wide, these numbers are much higher (1). Even in those who do not die from disease, treatment is associated with significant morbidity (2). There are a number of features particular to prostate cancer which make it an ideal disease model for the development and implementation of effective chemopreventive approaches. It is a disease characterized by a long latency period. Stages within this latency period are relatively well characterized, and can be detected clinically. In addition to the high incidence of prostate cancer in Western countries, its clinical course is very consistent. Finally, data from epidemiologic studies is consistent with the notion that pharmacologic intervention can in fact favorably affect the incidence of prostate cancer. The ability to effectively prevent the occurrence and/or the progression of prostate cancer would have a significant clinical impact. This chapter first provides a review of chemoprevention strategies, and then goes on to discuss relevant biochemistry, epidemiology and specific chemopreventive agents, and their associated mechanisms of action, as they relate to prostate cancer.
The Nature and Functions of Experimental Questions

Perhaps the most significant fact about experimental questions is that they do not exist independently of experimenters. Even saying that experimental questions are created by experimenters misses the mark by implying that something is being constructed that, like a house, is therefore separate from its creator.
Meeting brain–computer interface user performance expectations using a deep neural network decoding framework

Brain-computer interface (BCI) neurotechnology has the potential to reduce disability associated with paralysis by translating neural activity into control of assistive devices1-9. Surveys of potential end-users have identified key BCI system features10-14, including high accuracy, minimal daily setup, rapid response times, and multifunctionality. These performance characteristics are primarily influenced by the BCI's neural decoding algorithm1,15, which is trained to associate neural activation patterns with intended user actions. Here, we introduce a new deep neural network16 decoding framework for BCI systems enabling discrete movements that addresses these four key performance characteristics. Using intracortical data from a participant with tetraplegia, we provide offline results demonstrating that our decoder is highly accurate, sustains this performance beyond a year without explicit daily retraining by combining it with an unsupervised updating procedure3,17-20, responds faster than competing methods8, and can increase functionality with minimal retraining by using a technique known as transfer learning21. We then show that our participant can use the decoder in real-time to reanimate his paralyzed forearm with functional electrical stimulation (FES), enabling accurate manipulation of three objects from the grasp and release test (GRT)22. These results demonstrate that deep neural network decoders can advance the clinical translation of BCI technology.
Reprint of: History of anal fistulas

Abstract The recorded history of anal fistulas dates back to the Ancient Greeks, but no fistula in history has been as well or interestingly documented as that of Louis XIV, the Sun King of France. His story illustrates not only the state (or lack thereof) of medicine at the time, but also the first recorded use of the fistulotomy. This narrative provides a unique perspective for the role of the surgeon in 17th century France as well as cementing the place of cryptoglandular fistula disease in history.
Coupled Hydrocarbon Desorption in Zeolite Beta-Containing Monolithic Catalyst

The 3-D, large-pore zeolite beta (BEA) is effective in trapping large hydrocarbons (HCs). We conducted temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) experiments of a BEA-containing monolithic catalyst prestored with various mixtures of propylene, hexane, and toluene. The addition of propylene to a hexane + toluene mixture results in an unusual interaction during TPD. A rather small concentration of propylene increases the desorption temperature of the hexane from a weakly held into a stronger bound component. A variation in the propylene concentration leads to the nonmonotonic dependence of a high temperature hexane desorption peak. The data suggest that the blockage of hexane desorption by propylene depends on the uptake time. The findings complicate the analysis and design of HC traps used in applications such as vehicle aftertreatment systems.
Abstract WP477: ICH in a Mid-South Mobile Stroke Unit Sample: Demographics, Clinical Findings, and Geospatial Distribution

Background: Clinical and geospatial differences in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients within stroke belt region mobile stroke units (MSU) have not been describe...
HIV risk behavior and drug use among heterosexual male crack users by prostitution involvement

Crack and prostitution, or sex exchange, have been linked to the heterosexual spread of HIV (e.g. Inciardi 1993, 1995). Previous studies have found that among female crack users there are subgroups who do and do not become involved in prostitution (e.g. Logan, Farabee & Leukefeld 1998; Logan & Leukefeld 1998). However, there has been little focus in the literature on subgroups of male heterosexual crack users who are or are not involved in prostitution. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in male heterosexual crack users who reported no involvement in prostitution as clients (n = 4,208), males who reported involvement in prostitution as clients but not in the month preceding the interview (n = 2,774), and males who reported involvement in prostitution as clients the month preceding the interview (n = 2,283) from a multi-site sample of male crack users who participated in the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) AIDS Cooperative Agreement Project from 20 sites across the nation. Results of the logistic regression indicated that having an STD three or more times and using drugs during sex were associated with ever being involved in prostitution as clients, while using drugs during sex and having 5 or more sexual partners the month preceding the interview were significantly associated with being involved in prostitution as clients at the time of the interview. Implications for interventions are discussed.
Genomic Association Analysis Reveals Variants Associated With Blood Pressure Response to Beta-Blockers in European Americans.

European Americans (EA) have a better antihypertensive response to β-blockers when compared with African Americans, albeit with some variability. We undertook a genomewide association study to elucidate the underlying genetic determinants in EA contributing to this variability in blood pressure (BP) response. A discovery genomewide association study of change in BP post-metoprolol treatment was performed in EA participants (n = 201) from the Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses-2 (PEAR-2) study and tested for replication in the atenolol-treated EA from the PEAR study (n = 233). Rs294610 in the FGD5, which encodes for FYVE, RhoGEF and PH Domain Containing 5, (expression quantitative trait loci for FGD5 in the small intestine) was significantly associated with increased diastolic BP response to β-blockers in the PEAR-2 study (P = 3.41 × 10-6 , β = -2.70) and replicated (P = 0.01, β = -1.17) in the PEAR study. Post-meta-analysis of these studies, an additional single nucleotide polymorphism rs45545233 in the SLC4A1, encoding for Solute Carrier Family 4 Member 1, (expression quantitative trait loci for dual specificity phosphatase 3 in the artery tibial) was identified that was significantly associated with a poor response to β-blockers (P = 3.43 × 10-6 , β = 4.57) and was replicated in the atenolol add-on cohort (P = 0.007, β = 4.97). We identified variants in FGD5 and SLC4A1, which have been previously cited as candidate genes for hypertension, to be associated with a β-blocker BP response in EA. Further elucidation is warranted of the underlying mechanisms of these variants and genes by which they influence the BP response to β-blockers.
Hearing from the Voices Behind the Variables: Community College Students Speak Out on School and Work

Community colleges provide an affordable pathway for students to gain a valuable credential that can be leveraged for work or continuing on a postsecondary pathway. Black and Latinx students are enrolling in community colleges at unprecedented rates; however, persistence and degree attainment numbers are still alarmingly low for these populations. Often, community college students are working while they are in school, along with juggling personal and family obligations. In ignoring this reality, these programs do a disservice to their students and fail to provide the resources needed to support persistence and completion. With the inclusion of student voices and experiences in policy conversations, community colleges can build services that bolster greater outcomes, for first-generation college goers, immigrants, and students of color.
An Update on Solar Energy and Sun Tracker Technology with a Dual Axis Sun Tracker Application

This paper presents a brief history and an update on solar energy and Sun tracker technology. Absorption of the Sun light by a photovoltaic solar panel (PV) depends on its position with respect to the Sun. To increase the energy efficiency of a solar array and maximize its output power, its position with respect to the sun must be adjusted daily and seasonally. To increase the received solar power, one traditional approach has been the adjustment of solar array daily and seasonally through solar tracking. Another approach, CPV technology, is the use of cost-efficient concentrating optics that drastically change the cell area with an overall efficiency of about 49%, [2]. In general, there are three major approaches for maximizing the power delivered to a load from a solar array. They are sun tracking, Concentrator Photovoltaic technology, and maximum power point (MPPT) tracking or a combination of both. This paper focuses on the design of a sun tracker system using four LDRs sensors and electronic control circuits. Two LDR sensors adjust the array inclination angle during the day (East-West) while the other two LDR sensors adjust the tilt angle of the solar array seasonally (North- South). The solar array assembly uses two actuators (dual-axis) to track the sun daily and seasonally. MPPT algorithm is employed to guarantee the maximum power transferred from the solar array to a load. The DC output voltage of the solar array is converted to an AC voltage through an inverter. To enhance the overall performance of the system, a PID controller was included in the feedback loop. MATLAB software is used to simulate the composite system. Finally, the designed circuits are implemented in laboratory and the overall performance of the composite system are evaluated.