cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A generalized S-D assignment algorithm for multisensor-multitarget state estimation

We develop a new algorithm to associate measurements from multiple sensors to identify the real targets in a surveillance region, and to estimate their states at any given time. The central problem in a multisensor-multitarget state estimation problem is that of data association-the problem of determining from which target, if any, a particular measurement originated. The data association problem is formulated as a generalized S-dimensional (S-D) assignment problem, which is NP-hard for S/spl ges/3 sensor scans (i.e., measurement lists). We present an efficient and recursive generalized S-D assignment algorithm (S/spl ges/3) employing a successive Lagrangian relaxation technique, with application to the localization of an unknown number of emitters using multiple high frequency direction finder sensors (S=3, 5, and 7).
VXI implementation of a millimeter wave measurement system

A measurement system was developed to provide integrated signal generation and noise measurement capability for the W-band frequency range, 75-110 GHz. An architecture conforming to established VXI technology was chosen for the implementation. The implementation consisted of integrating commercially available message-based VXI instruments, developing a unique module to provide W-band signal generation and downconversion capability that conformed to VXI specification, and creating software to access the system functionality and control instrument interactions. The authors address all three aspects of the development, but the central focus is on the unique W-band module. Extensions and benefits of the chosen approach are also discussed. >
Imaging of Abusive Head Trauma: A Review and Update

Abusive head trauma is the leading cause of severe traumatic brain injury in children <2 years of age. Because the clinical presentation of children with abusive head trauma can be nonspecific, CT and MR imaging play an important role in distinguishing these cases from episodes of accidental head trauma. In this article, we review the pathophysiology, imaging appearance, and specificity of patterns of traumatic brain injury associated with abusive head trauma, and highlight recent updates in the understanding of these injuries.
Insensitivity to growth inhibition by TGF-β1 correlates with a lack of inhibition of the CDK2 activity in prostate carcinoma cells

TGF-beta is a potent growth inhibitor of epithelial cells. However, many transformed cells have lost their sensitivity to this growth inhibitory effect. The molecular mechanism of such insensitivity is not yet understood. Here, we have studied the TGF-beta1 effect on normal human prostate and carcinoma cells. Our results showed that normal cells were sensitive to growth inhibition, whereas tumor cells were not or only minimally inhibited regardless of the concentration of TGF-beta1 (20 to 80 pM) or time of exposure (1-5 days). p21WAF1/Cip1/Sdi1 and p15INK4B but not p27KIP1 were detectable by Western blotting in normal and tumor cells. TGF-beta1 treatment increased the association of p21WAF1/Cip1/Sdi1 with the Cdk2/cyclin E complex in both normal and prostate tumor cells. However, there was no increase in the association of p15INK4B nor p27Kip1 with the Cdk/cyclin complexes. In normal cells, the increase in the association of p21WAF1/Cip1/Sdi1. With the Cdk2/cyclin E complex resulted in inhibition of the Cdk2 activity. In contrast, although there was an increase in the association of p21WAF1/Cip1/Sdi1 with the Cdk2/cyclin E complex in tumor cells, there was no inhibition of the Cdk2 activity. These results indicate that a lack of inhibition of the Cdk2 activity correlates with insensitivity to TGF-beta1 in prostate tumor cells.
A Simplified Exponentially Modified Gaussian Function for Modeling Chromatographic Peaks

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a simplified analytical form of the exponentially modified Gaussian (EMG) function. This simplified EMG function is obtained by substituting a modified hyperbolic tangent function for the error function. As a result, the EMG model can be easily used to describe chromatographic peaks. The simplified form of the EMG function is successfully substituted for the original EMG function in the range of τ G /σ G = 0.75-3.
A Methodology of Simulation Credibility Evaluation Based on AHP

This paper presents a methodology of simulation credibility evaluation based on AHP. The concept of credibility is analyzed when it was render to the different Chinese terms——one is a qualitative term the other is quantitative. Then the relation between simulation credibility evaluation and VVA and several vital problems such as how to reduce the subjective effect of SME to the evaluative conclusion and how to measure the qualitative indexes are discussed. Extending this methodology and constructing a expert knowledge base to aid , the HIL simulation credibility of torpedo control system is assessed.
Methods to Generate a Sequence-Defined Transposon Mutant Library in Staphylococcus epidermidis Strain 1457

Transposon mutant libraries are valuable resources to investigators studying bacterial species, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, which are difficult to genetically manipulate. Although sequence-defined transposon mutant libraries have been constructed in Staphylococcus aureus, no such library exists for S. epidermidis. Nevertheless, the study of Tn917-mediated mutations has been paramount in discovering unique aspects of S. epidermidis biology including initial adherence and accumulation during biofilm formation. Herein, we describe modifications to the methodology first described by Bae et al. to utilize the mariner-based transposon bursa aurealis to generate mutants in S. epidermidis strain 1457.
A Fad or a Phenomenon?: The Adoption of Open Innovation Practices in Large Firms

OVERVIEW:We surveyed 125 large firms in Europe and the United States with annual sales in excess of $250 million to examine the extent to which large firms are now practicing open innovation. Our results showed that open innovation is not a passing fad: 78 percent of the firms report practicing open innovation, none have abandoned it, and 82 percent of those practicing open innovation report that it is practiced more intensively today than three years ago. We also asked about specific practices for “outside-in” and “inside-out” open innovation. We found that customer co-creation, informal networking, and university grants were the three leading inbound practices in 2011; crowdsourcing and open innovation intermediary services were rated lowest in importance. Joint ventures, selling market-ready products, and standardization were the three leading outbound practices; donations to commons and spinoffs were least frequently used. We also found that large firms are more likely to receive freely revealed infor...
HOW DO QUANTITY AND QUALITY REALLY INTERACT? PRECISE MODELS INSTEAD OF STRONG OPINIONS

Abstract Two main concerns of all manufacturers are quantity (How much is produced and when is it produced?) and quality (How well is it produced?). There is much existing manufacturing literature on quantity, and there are strategies that emphasize quantity. There is also a large literature on quality, and strategies have been developed to enhance quality. However, these issues should not be considered separately: quantity-oriented strategies affect quality, and quality strategies have an impact on quantity. But there is an important gap: there is little literature that deals with both together, and little that considers quality in a systems context. In this talk, we analyze how production system design, quality, and productivity are inter-related in small production systems. We show how inventory capacity can influence system yield and productivity, sometimes in counter-intuitive ways. We also discuss a variety of other problems that we have recently begun to investigate.
Linking Terrigenous Sediment Delivery to Declines in Coral Reef Ecosystem Services

Worldwide coral reef conditions continue to decline despite the valuable socioeconomic benefits of these ecosystems. There is growing recognition that quantifying reefs in terms reflecting what stakeholders value is vital for comparing inherent tradeoffs among coastal management decisions. Terrestrial sediment runoff ranks high as a stressor to coral reefs and is a key concern in Puerto Rico where reefs are among the most threatened in the Caribbean. This research aimed to identify the degree to which sediment runoff impacts production of coral reef ecosystem services and the potential for watershed management actions to improve these services. Ecosystem service production functions were applied to map and translate metrics of ecological reef condition into ecosystem service production under a gradient of increasing sediment delivery. We found that higher sediment delivery decreased provisioning of most ecosystem services, including ecosystem integrity, bioprospecting discovery, and reef-based recreational opportunities and fisheries production. However, shoreline protection and services with a strong contribution from non-reef habitats (e.g., mangroves, seagrasses) were higher in locations with high sediment delivery, although there was a strong inshore effect suggesting the influence of distance to shore, depth, and inshore habitats. Differences among services may indicate potential tradeoffs and the need to consider habitat connectivity, nursery habitat, accessibility, and sediment buffering. The relationships we have identified can be used to link stakeholder values to decision alternatives to ensure continued provisioning of these services and the well-being of communities.
Lifelong learning for disturbance rejection on mobile robots

No two robots are exactly the same—even for a given model of robot, different units will require slightly different controllers. Furthermore, because robots change and degrade over time, a controller will need to change over time to remain optimal. This paper leverages lifelong learning in order to learn controllers for different robots. In particular, we show that by learning a set of control policies over robots with different (unknown) motion models, we can quickly adapt to changes in the robot, or learn a controller for a new robot with a unique set of disturbances. Furthermore, the approach is completely model-free, allowing us to apply this method to robots that have not, or cannot, be fully modeled.
An Occurrence of Hermaphroditism in Rana Catesbiana

Hermaphroditism is rather uncommon in the bullfrog, Rana catesbiana . A case is described here. Among the features of the unusual urogenital system were male secondary sexual characters (large tympanic membrane, vocal sacs, nuptial pads), testicular tissue with developing and mature male gametes, and accessory ducts (vasa efferentia, seminal vesicles). Mullerian ducts and large ovarian masses containing oocytes and mature ova were also present. Oocytes were observed in the lumina of seminiferous tubules.
Power spectral entropy as an information-theoretic correlate of manner of articulation in American English.

While all languages differentiate speech sounds by manner of articulation, none of the acoustic correlates proposed to date seem to account for how these contrasts are encoded in the speech signal. The present study describes power spectral entropy (PSE), which quantifies the amount of potential information conveyed in the power spectrum of a given sound. Results of acoustic analyses of speech samples extracted from the Texas Instruments–Massachusetts Institute of Technology database reveal a statistically significant correspondence between PSE and American English major classes of manner of articulation. Thus, PSE accurately captures an acoustic correlate of manner of articulation in American English.
The effects of goal priming on cortisol responses in an ego-involving climate

Abstract Objectives This study examined the potential for a motivational priming session to buffer the psychophysiological stress response to an ego-involving climate in a physical activity setting. Research in Achievement Goal Perspective Theory (AGPT) suggests that creating a caring/task-involving climate can have beneficial effects on participants in physical activity settings, even buffering the physiological response to stress. However, less is known about how individuals might buffer that response when an ego-involving climate is occurring beyond their control. Design Male college students (N = 38) between the ages of 18 and 30 years ( M age = 20.68 , S D = 2.66 ) were randomly assigned to either a control group with no exposure to AGPT or an experimental (i.e., AGPT motivational priming) group, and took part in an ego-involving juggling session. Psychophysiological stress responses (e.g., cortisol) were assessed. Method Prior to juggling, the experimental group received a motivational priming session that briefly reviewed the body of AGPT literature, while the control group received information on the history of Sport Psychology as a professional field. Cortisol was measured at five time points throughout the study via saliva samples. Participants also completed pre- and post-measures of self-reported anxiety and self-confidence (CSAI-2). Results Results showed a marked increase in cortisol (as measured by percent change from baseline) in the control group, but not the experimental group. Psychological responses were stable across groups. Conclusion Providing athletes and exercisers with nothing more than basic information on AGPT can reduce their physiological markers of psychosocial stress in ego-involving climates. Such education may be a beneficial practice for coaches, physical educators, and trainers.
Clinical features and outcomes in patients with thrombotic microangiopathy not associated with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency.

BACKGROUND The a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motifs, member 13 (ADAMTS13) activity assay has become important in distinguishing autoimmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura from other forms of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Although the significance of severe deficiency in ADAMTS13 (activity levels 10% or less) has been well defined, little data are available on the clinical importance of mild to moderate deficiency (activity levels 11%-70%) among patients with TMA. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective study using the Harvard TMA Research Collaborative Registry. Among 254 patients who met the inclusion criteria for TMA, 186 patients with ADAMTS13 activity levels greater than 10% were divided into moderate-deficiency (11%-40%), mild-deficiency (41%-70%), and no-deficiency (greater than 70%). RESULTS Compared with mild or no deficiency, moderate ADAMTS13 deficiency correlated with older age; higher bilirubin and international normalized ratio; and increased frequency of sepsis, shock, or multiorgan failure. Platelet counts, lactate dehydrogenase levels, and the presence of renal or neurologic dysfunction did not vary across the three patient cohorts. While moderate ADAMTS13 deficiency was associated with increased 90-day mortality in univariate analysis, this association was no longer significant in multivariate analysis. Variables that independetly predicted 90-day mortality in this cohort of patients included Charlson comorbidity index, alanine aminotransferase level, platelet count, creatinine, and the presence of sepsis, shock, or multiorgan failure. CONCLUSION Moderately deficient ADAMTS13 activity identifies a cohort of patients with TMA who are at increased risk for 90-day mortality. The ADAMTS13 activity level in this group is not an independent predictor of poor outcomes but instead appears to be a marker of disease acuity.
Towards provably invisible network flow fingerprints

Network traffic analysis reveals important information even when messages are encrypted. We consider active traffic analysis via flow fingerprinting by invisibly embedding information into packet timings of flows. In particular, assume Alice wishes to embed fingerprints into flows of a set of network input links, whose packet timings are modeled by Poisson processes, without being detected by a watchful adversary Willie. Bob, who receives the set of fingerprinted flows after they pass through the network modeled as a collection of independent and parallel M/M/1 queues, wishes to extract Alice's embedded fingerprints to infer the connection between input and output links of the network. We consider two scenarios: 1) Alice embeds fingerprints in all of the flows; 2) Alice embeds fingerprints in each flow independently with probability p. Assuming that the flow rates are equal, we calculate the maximum number of flows in which Alice can invisibly embed fingerprints while having those fingerprints successfully decoded by Bob. Then, we extend the construction and analysis to the case where flow rates are distinct, and discuss the extension of the network model.
An observational and theoretical framework for interpreting the landscape palimpsest through airborne LiDAR

Abstract High resolution airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) has become a commonly used resource on a global scale to study landscapes and associated cultural features, especially in areas covered by dense forest. While LiDAR allows for unprecedented views of the terrain beneath the forest canopy, and of landscapes at broad scales generally, few studies have provided an examination of features within theoretical frameworks used to describe landscapes, or have acknowledged LiDAR data as a palimpsest. Any derivative imagery from LiDAR data depicts a moment in time of a contemporary landscape with topographic traces of cultural and physical elements from a range of time periods within and beyond human history. In order to effectively interpret the landscape as represented through LiDAR, it is critical to supplement this data with multiple contextual sources and a more robust theoretical geographic framework. While the concept of landscape as a palimpsest is well known, for the first time in hyper-realistic form we can see and physically interpret that palimpsest, along with the traces of data processing and visualization that we ourselves add to the digital landscape palimpsest in an effort to interpret it. This study provides a critical examination of the LiDAR landscape as a palimpsest, summarizes studies that have used a combination of LiDAR and supplementary resources, and provides observational examples from the northeastern United States, thus providing a practice-based observational and theoretical framework from which other landscapes and associated cultural features can be studied using LiDAR.
Male Parental Care and Paternity in Birds

In many organisms both male and female appear to cooperate to raise a family. However, parents may have conflicts of interest over how much care each should provide to their young. Differences arise because parents often vary in the benefits they gain from investing in the current young (parental effort) and the benefits they may gain from alternative activities, such as attracting additional mates (mating effort) or improving their own prospects for survival (somatic effort). The tradeoff between parental and mating effort has received much attention because it is the theoretical basis for most models of sexual selection and mating systems (reviewed by Parker and Simmons, 1996; Clutton-Brock, 1991).
Supercapacity (>1000 fJF/cm 2 ) charge release in a CVD-grown WSe2 FET incorporating a PEO: CsCI04 side gate

We report extraordinarily high capacitance density in tungsten diselenide (WSe2) field-effect transistors (FETs) capped with polyethylene oxide (PEO) and ion doped with cesium perchlorate (CsCI04). The FETs have 3–4 monolayer WSe2 channels grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using W(CO) 6 and H2Se at 800 °C for 30 minutes [1]. A stepper-based process was used to fabricate the transistors and an 11 nm Al 2 O 3 atomic layer deposited (ALD) gate dielectric was formed on the WSe2 with a low temperature nucleation layer, 1 nm Ah03, deposited at 110 °C to facilitate nucleation followed by a 10 nm Ah03 deposited at 200 °C, after Kwak [2]. The n-FET achieves an ON/OFF ratio of 106 with noise-floor-limited gate current. Most prior studies of WSe2 FETs have been on exfoliated materials and to our knowledge there is only one prior report of a top-gated CVD WSe2 p-FET [3]. Following FET characterization PEO: CsCI04 was drop-cast and annealed at 90 °C for 3 minutes in Ar after Xu [4], yielding a layer thickness of 400 nm as measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ion gating using a side gate ( $6\ \mu\mathrm{m}$ from the WSe2 mesa edge) produces ambipolar transfer characteristics with approximately equal ON-currents of $2\ \mu\mathrm{A}/\mu\mathrm{m}$ attributed to the multi-work-function source/drain contacts [5]. ON/OFF current ratio exceeds 106 with field-effect electron and hole mobilities of 10 and 25 cm2/Vs respectively and subthreshold swings of 260 and 180 mY/decade respectively. Atomic force microscope images show that the WSe2 nucleates in triangles which are apparent in Fig. 1; FET characteristics after testing of the transistor are shown in Fig. 2 along with TEM.
Giving "All" Babies a Great Start, Nutrition Matters.

Abstract Breast milk (human milk) is the recommended standard for nutrition for infants. There are strategies to increase breastfeeding for people of color due in part to health disparities experie...
Integrative organizational case study analysis: Building name change at Towson University

This integrative analysis will assess the case study of Towson University and the renaming of campus buildings that do not align with the institution's mission regarding its "commitment to diversity and inclusion" ("Mission & Strategic Plan," 2017). The case study will be analyzed using the following organizational theories: Structural/Bureaucratic, Collegial/Human Resource, Political, and Cultural/Symbolic perspectives. The authors have provided recommendations on how to resolve the issue of the renaming of buildings at Towson University.
Neither Science Nor Shamans: Globalization of Markets and Health in the Developing World

An important aspect of the economic gap between developed and developing countries is the huge disparity in the health conditions experienced in the rich and poor parts of the world. The physical and economic burdens of diseases affect peoples in the developing world more significantly than they do those in developed countries. In its 1999 World Health Report, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that "[d]espite the long list of success in health achieved globally during the 20th century, the balance sheet is indelibly stained by the avoidable burden of disease and malnutrition that the world's disadvantaged populations continue to bear."1 While WHO and other international organizations have tried to reduce the "health gap" between developed and developing countries,2 experts point to much evidence that the health gap still remains of daunting and, in some cases, worsening proportions. WHO argues that populations in developing countries now face not only continued threats from infectious diseases but also growing epidemics of non-communicable diseases, such as lung and heart disease.3 The continued presence of the global health gap becomes more worrisome when arguments that the processes of globalization are increasing, rather than narrowing, the gap are considered. The claim that the globalization of markets, laws, and culture adversely affect the health of peoples in developing countries deserves specific attention when analyzing perspectives on globalization from developing States because the health area provides excellent material for evaluating the differential
Reconstructing full and partial STR profiles from severely burned human remains using comparative ancient and forensic DNA extraction techniques

Thermal degeneration of the DNA molecule presents a special challenge to medico-legal investigations since low DNA yields, fragmented DNA molecules, and damaged nucleotide bases hinder accurate STR genotyping. As a consequence, fragments of severely burned human remains are often not amenable to standard DNA recovery. However, current ancient DNA (aDNA) extraction methods have proven highly effective at obtaining ultrashort DNA fragments (∼50 bp) from degraded palaeontological and archaeological specimens. In this study, we compare DNA yields and STR results obtained from two established aDNA and forensic DNA extraction protocols by sampling multiple skeletal elements recovered from victims (n = 23) involved in fire-related incidents. DNA yields and STR results suggest an inverse correlation between DNA yield and STR quality and increasing temperature. Despite the rapid thermal destruction of DNA at high temperatures, we generated higher quality full and partial STR profiles using the aDNA extraction protocol across all burn categories than the forensic total bone demineralization extraction method. Our analysis suggests adopting aDNA extraction methods as an alternative to current forensic practices to improve DNA yields from challenging human remains.
Part I – Development Planning

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the theory and basis of development planning. Advocates of growth-oriented strategies have assumed that increased income would be shared by the poor as well as the rich. One of the apparent conflicts between growth and distribution centers is on saving. Much of the saving is done by the wealthier members of the community, whose incomes are large enough to permit saving and whose enterprises earn profits that are reinvested, and whose incomes and expenditures account for a substantial share of the taxes upon which government saving depends. If the poor save a much smaller fraction of their incomes than the rich, and if growth is constrained by a lack of saving, then one way to spur growth is to put more income at the disposal of the wealthy. The concern for redistribution has renewed and intensified interest in rural development. The greatest disparity within most developing countries is between rural and urban populations. Industrialization strategies worsen this disparity for long periods. Agriculture itself has growth potential and if small farms receive inputs, credit, and supporting infrastructure investment, agriculture may help stimulate growth without worsening income distribution.
Cervical and lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathies

Abstract There are many causes for brachial and lumbosacral plexopathies including stretch, compression, traumatic, lymphomatous, tumor infiltration, radiation, necrotizing vasculitis, and inflammatory damage, among others. Cervical and lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathies (CRPN and LSRPN) refer to inflammatory neurologic disorders affecting predominantly the brachial and lumbosacral plexus, respectively. As cervical and lumbosacral roots, the plexus proper and the peripheral nerves coming from the plexus are often involved; the terms CRPN and LSRPN are used to describe these conditions. These illnesses usually present with abrupt onset of pain, followed by weakness and numbness that has unilateral or asymmetrical bilateral involvement often associated with weight loss. The pathogenesis of CRPN and LSRPN usually is ischemic nerve injury from microvasculitis. The clinical symptoms and signs depend on the anatomy of the plexus involved. The best treatment for the inflammatory plexopathies is unclear due to few controlled trials, but given that the pathogenesis is likely inflammatory/microvasculitis, immunotherapy seems desirable. The prognosis is usually good with most patients having spontaneous improvement or recovery, although residual deficits can occur. In this chapter, we discuss CRPN and LSRPN as well as the other causes of brachial and lumbosacral plexopathies.
Talk about children's viral infectious diseases from the virological basis

Different virus infect different tissues of the children's body, arousing the immune system to respond, resulting in tissue damage and different diseases.Virus infections have different types and different mechanisms.Viral diseases need to choose the corresponding treatment of antiviral drugs.Clinicians need to be familiar with the mechanism of antiviral drugs, to avoid improper use of drugs.This paper briefly describes the molecular ecology of virus, including structure, classification, characteristics of virus and their replication. Key words: Virus; Infection; Child; Antiviral drug; Antiviral mechanism
Surgical treatment for infra-cardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and early to mid follow up results In 17 cases

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of urgent surgical correction for infra-cardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (TAPVD) in infants and children. Methods From July 2000 to April 2009, seventeen patients with infra-cardiac type of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection received surgical correction in our department. The age of patients ranged from 15 days to 3.7 months at admission, 9 patients ( 52.9 % ) were younger than 1 month of age. The mean body weight was (4.10 ±0.95) kg and was less than 5 kg in 15 patients (88.2%). Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) without cerebral perfusion was used in 13 patients (76%), and continuous hypothermic low-flow perfusion was used in4 (24%). Incisions on the left atrium and pulmonary veins were sutured without tension, and the width of the anastomosis was 2.5 to 4.0 cm. Results Urgent operations were performed in all patients and no early death occurred during surgery.Mean bypass time was 121.9 minutes ( ranging from 70 to 277 minutes) and mean aortic cross-clamp time was 44 minutes ( ranging from 30 to 74 minutes). 6 neonates had delayed wound closure after surgery and 4 had obvious pulmonary edema. Inhalation of nitric oxide was given to 5 cases for the management of significant postoperative pulmonary hypertension, while peritoneal dialysis was performed in 2 cases with temporary renal failure. Transient atrioventricular block of grade 3 occurred in 2patients and acute renal failure occurred in 2 cases. All patients were uneventfully discharged. The mean ventilation time was 45 h (ranging from 12 to 430 h). Mean duration in ICUs and hospitals were 15 days ( ranging from 4 to 40 days) and 22. 5days ( ranging from 10 to 42 days), respectively. During the period of follow up, one patient presented with pulmonary venous obstruction and recurrent pulmonary infection with increased flow speed at the site of anastomosis, pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid regurgitation on echocardiogram. No improvement was observed in the patient spite of medical treatment and he was lost during follow up one year after operation. 16 patients received postoperative follow up for 1 month to 9 years, mean (51.8 ± 35.0) months. Echocardiography, chest radiography, and ECG were performed during this period. As a result, most children had good cardiac function, with sinus rhythm on ECG and apparently reduced pulmonary congestion on radiography.No obstructive pulmonary venous return was observed on echocardiography. Most patients had good cardiac functions. Conclusion Corrective operation for infra-cardiac TAPVC on urgent basis may provide favorite outcomes. The prognosis is associated with the size of anastomosis between the pulmonary vein and left atrium, as large anastomosis may prevent the obstruction of pulmonary venous retum. Key words: Pulmonary veins; Heart defects, congenital; Cardiac surgical procedures
Establishment of spatial and temporal program for mammalian chromosome replication

It has been 55 years since the elucidation of the structure of DNA, suggesting an elegantly simple means for its self-replication. Who would have dreamed in 1953 that it would take longer for us to understand DNA replication than it would for us to uncover the basic rules of animal development? Without question, the mechanisms regulating where and when DNA replication initiates in the cells of our own body is the greatest remaining fundamental mystery in molecular biology. Cis-acting sequences that function as replication origins in mammalian cells have not been identified and the mechanisms that regulate where and when origins will fire during S-phase remain elusive. Indeed, the problem has been so difficult that most researchers move on to more lucrative fields. In this essay, I will summarize my laboratory's humble attempts to make some progress in this area. In doing so, I hope that I can inspire a few young scientists to breath fresh energy into this challenging field.
Three-Dimensional Printing of Poly(glycerol sebacate) Acrylate Scaffolds via Digital Light Processing

Digital light processing (DLP)-based three-dimensional (3D) printing offers large improvements in fabrication throughput and spatial resolution when compared to various other additive manufacturing...
Techno-Economic Analysis of Recycled Ionic Liquid Solvent Used in a Model Colloidal Platinum Nanoparticle Synthesis

Ionic liquids have garnered significant attention over the past 20 years as alternatives to conventional volatile organic solvents because they are non-flammable, have negligible vapor pressures, p...
College Ready or Not?: Engaging and Supporting English Language Learners in Higher Education

In recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on ensuring that high schools across the United States focus on college readiness standards and skills, with the goal that more students will persist and find greater success in college. Despite this focus, there are still significant gaps among the students who are deemed “ready” and are actually persisting and finding that success, specifically for English language learners (ELLs). In this article, we illustrate the landscape of ELLs enrolled in institutions of higher education. We then explore how ELL students are classified and how these different profiles intersect with the limited range and types of English as a Second Language (ESL) support available at the institutional level. Finally, we contribute to the very limited practical knowledge base on ELLs in the college setting, with a summary of promising best practices for college faculty across disciplines to consider in their instruction.
To What Extent Does Wonton (Dumpling Soup) Market in Binhu District, Wuxi Fulfill the Characteristics of Monopolistic Competition?

“Wonton” is one of the traditional Chinese food, especially popular in the south-east region such as the city Wuxi. There are numerous Wonton retailers around Wuxi, making it hard to analyze such abundant retailers. Consequently, I decide to highlight a specific area in Wuxi city, Binhu District, one of Wuxi’s biggest districts and then initiate research and paper. The purpose of this research is to investigate the extent to which the Wonton (dumpling soup) in Wuxi fulfills the characteristics of monopolistic competition. Individual retailers do not have significant market power, having a slight ability to fluctuating prices. The price is particularly of great significance in the Wonton market. Since there are no large-sized firms dominating the market, ample small retailers compete with each other. While some characteristics of monopolistic competition are present—different types of shops with various prices such as chain retailers and individual retailers—most of Wonton retailers in Binhu District have very similar prices. Secondary data have been polled through the internet, mostly from the official website for the local shop information section. To make sure the availability and accuracy of data, I went to each random-selected Wonton retailers’ stores and interviewed two owners and some consumers in the shops. To achieve a further understanding of consumers’ behaviors, 75 people were asked to complete two questionnaires (APPENDIX I II). After analyzing the information from the sample surveys, it provided me with insights into how consumer decisions influence the market.
Found in Translation: Novel Insights Into Type 1 Diabetes and β-Cell Biology.

Although essential features in the natural history of type 1 diabetes are generally understood (1), many key questions remain. In particular, despite decades of research, the precise events that cause immune tolerance mechanisms to fail, triggering autoimmunity, remain unclear (2). One theory that has attracted considerable recent attention is that β-cell “stress” can trigger or potentiate autoimmunity by generating neoantigens (3–5), for example, by posttranslational modifications, hybrid peptide formation, or protein splicing (6). In this issue, Thomaidou et al. (7) significantly expand our knowledge of two other potential sources of “neo-antigens,” namely, the products of translation from noncanonical start sites, and alternatively spliced transcripts. Using a combination of ribosomal profiling (8) and long read RNA sequencing, they show that β-cells can use at least 15,014 unique translation start sites within transcripts from the 5,529 genes whose expression they detected. Ribosome profiling was initially developed by Ingolia, Weissman, and colleagues (8) and is based on next-generation sequencing of the ∼30 base pairs fragments of mRNA that are protected from nuclease digestion by bound ribosomes. Combining this approach with pharmacological treatment to accumulate ribosomes at the sites of initiation allows accurate inference of translational reading frames. This powerful technique is now widely used to study many aspects of translation but had not previously been applied to human β-cells. Surprisingly, only 17% of the …
Poliovirus Receptors and Cell Entry

Poliovirus is an ideal model for understanding how non-enveloped viruses enter cells and initiate infection. The study of entry of a wide variety of viruses reveals common themes that are the consequence of a central problem faced by all viruses in the passage from cell to cell or from host to host. The final stage of assembly for many viruses involves proteolytic processing of a virion protein. The replication cycle is initiated when poliovirus encounters the poliovirus receptor (Pvr), a transmembrane glycoprotein with three extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)- like domains. Although there is still considerable controversy concerning the role of the two particles, the A particle may be an intermediate in the cell entry pathway, and the 80S empty particle may be the final protein product that accumulates after the RNA is released into the cytoplasm to initiate translation and replication. An attempt has been made to obtain structural “snapshots” of stable intermediates in the poliovirus cell entry pathway and to couple the structural information with the results of genetic, biophysical, and biochemical observations to fill in the gaps in the pathway. On the basis of structural, genetic, and biochemical evidence available to date, a working model for the cell entry of poliovirus, related enteroviruses, and major group rhinoviruses is proposed. An alternative model is proposed in which the transition from the initial binding complex to the tight-binding complex is characterized by movements of VP1, VP2, and VP3 that mimic the umbrella-like movements of the virion to A particle transition.
Bacterial Evasion of Host-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides on Mucosal Surfaces

The small antimicrobial peptides found in phagocytic cells, epithelial cells, and on mucosal surfaces and their mechanisms of antimicrobial killing have been reviewed recently. The chapter summarizes them as background for discussing the numerous strategies that microorganisms use to avoid being killed by them. This is an exciting area of research. Identification of mechanisms for resistance to antimicrobial peptides can provide insight as to how microorganisms interact with the innate immune system to either produce progressive infection or enter into commensal, latency, or carrier states. In the early 1980s, Hans Boman and Robert Lehrer independently isolated and purified the first families of insect cecropins and mammalian defensins, respectively. Larger antimicrobial proteins have been fragmented experimentally into smaller peptides to search for the smallest sequence representing the antimicrobial domain. Many pathogenic organisms are susceptible in vitro to antimicrobial peptides, but in vivo can exist in environments containing the same concentrations of antimicrobial peptides. Rapid penetration of epithelial cells reduces the time of contact between microorganisms and antimicrobial peptides in mucosal secretions. Direct adaptation by gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms to become resistant in an environment containing antimicrobial peptides is the most characterized strategy. A variety of nonimmune and immune mechanisms have evolved at mucosal surfaces to prevent microbial invasion and damage. Predominant among the nonimmune mechanisms is the presence of a multiple peptide-containing constitutive and inducible antimicrobial barrier in the granules of phagocytes and mucosal fluids.
Angiotensin II contributes to sympathetically-mediated hypertension in autonomic failure (875.4)

Angiotensin (Ang) II contributes to hypertension by direct vasoconstriction, and indirectly by promoting sympathetic activation. The importance of the latter to blood pressure regulation remains controversial, particularly in clinical populations. As a novel approach to test the hypothesis that Ang II promotes sympathetically-mediated hypertension, we compared depressor responses to the Ang II AT1 receptor antagonist losartan in central autonomic failure (AF) patients in whom supine hypertension is driven by residual sympathetic tone to peripheral AF patients with noradrenergic denervation and sympathetic-independent hypertension. Single dose losartan (50 mg, PO) was administered at bedtime to 10 peripheral and 7 central AF patients, with supine blood pressure measured q2 hours for 12 hours in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. There were no differences in plasma Ang II levels between groups (42±3 central vs. 43±5 pg/ml peripheral AF; p=0.734); however, peak depressor responses to losar...
Monte Carlo electron/photon transport

A review of nonplasma coupled electron/photon transport using the Monte Carlo method is presented. Remarks are mainly restricted to linerarized formalisms at electron energies from 1 keV to 1000 MeV. Applications involving pulse-height estimation, transport in external magnetic fields, and optical Cerenkov production are discussed to underscore the importance of this branch of computational physics. Advances in electron multigroup cross-section generation is reported, and its impact on future code development assessed. Progress toward the transformation of MCNP into a generalized neutral/charged-particle Monte Carlo code is described.
The Façade of Accountability: Disappearances in Sri Lanka

The current ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam marks a watershed moment for the government to finally implement effective policies to halt the disappearance phenomenon and address issues of reconciliation. Despite the recognition of a range of institutional initiatives to combat and document disappearances, such efforts have been largely ineffective. This Note provides some concrete strategies to help limit the disappearance phenomenon within the Sri Lankan context. An arrest has the trappings of legality and the rule of law; a kidnapping is at the whim of an individual,!
Current image diffraction patterns of metal single-crystal surfaces

Diffraction patterns in the specimen current images at low electron beam energies of the (100), (110), and (111) surfaces of aluminum and the (100) surface of copper are presented along with theoretical computations for the aluminum (100) surface. With the use of computer imaging techniques, a two-dimensional diffraction pattern for the (100) face of aluminum is generated based on a dynamical calculation of the reflectivity, as a function of the polar and azimuthal angles of the incident electron beam, due to the elastically backscattered electrons. This pattern reproduces the overall experimental features leading to the conclusion that the diffraction patterns are due to the elastically backscattered electrons.
Exterior Differential Systems with Symmetry

The symmetry group of an exterior differential system is used to simplify finding integral manifolds in the case of Pfaffian systems. This leads to the definition of a moment map for Pfaffian systems.
Beam Response to Longitudinal Impact by a Pole

The linear response of a flexible longitudinal pole hitting a column or beam is investigated. Based on Timoshenko beam theory, an efficient analytical solution method using mode superposition for the coupled beam-pole system is presented. Any physical set of boundary conditions can be accommodated, such as a free pole impacting a column with arbitrary boundary conditions or a free-free beam hitting a pole that is either pinned or free at the opposite end. For the case of the free-free beam, it can have arbitrary initial translational and rotational velocities. Impact can occur anywhere within the beam span, although the contact is frictionless. It is shown that, when the beam response governs, the initial impact is likely governed by shear, and therefore, Euler-Bernoulli beam theory is not a good modeling choice in general. Results based on a wood log hitting concrete, steel, and wood columns reveal the behavior governing the impact force time history. A simple design formula for the initial maximum impact force is shown to be quite accurate. The impact duration is governed by either the longitudinal wave speed in the pole or the shear wave speed in the column. In addition, the energy transfer between translational and rotational kinetic energies and strain energies is used to analyze the impact vibrational motion; this analysis reveals both the initial dependence on shear deformation and the transfer of the associated energy to bending energy. The significance of including rotary inertia is also demonstrated.
Defining learning management system skills for faculty: an instructional design workshop for faculty technology trainers

For many classroom teachers, using a Learning Management System is a new experience that requires new skills. To help insure effective, efficient faculty training, it's recommended that technology trainers, faculty developers, and instructional technologists use a recognized instructional design method to develop training activities. Applying instructional design will make it simpler to define the needed skills, focus training on learners, and develop effective training.
Aggregation Supportive Authentication in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Watermark Based Approach

In-network processing presents a critical challenge for data authentication in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Current schemes relying on message authentication code (MAC) cannot provide natural support for this operation since even a slight modification to the data invalidates the MAC. In this paper, based on digital watermarking, we propose an end-to-end approach for data authentication in WSNs that provides inherent support for in-network processing. In this scheme, authentication information is modulated as watermark and superposed to the sensory data at the sensor nodes. The watermarked data can be aggregated by the intermediate nodes without incurring any en-route checking. Upon reception of the sensory data, possibly distorted by the operations along the route, the data sink is able to authenticate the data by validating the watermark, detecting whether the data has been altered and where it has occurred. In this way, the aggregation-survivable authentication information is only added at the sources and checked by the data sink, without any involvement of intermediate nodes. Furthermore, the simple operation of watermark embedding and complex operation of watermark detection provide a natural solution of function partitioning between the resource limited sensor nodes and resource abundant data sink. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme can successfully authenticate the sensory data with high confidence.