cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heart surgery with a membrane oxygenator in infants.

Laboratory and clinical experience with a variety of membrane oxygenators has shown that the Travenol Modulung appears to be the most practical in performance and cost for infants under 13 pounds. Our experience with a membrane oxygenator with 24 patients, along with criteria for selection and description of the systems used, is reported.
Disorders of the salivary glands.

SUMMARY A careful history and physical examination is essential in diagnosing and treating salivary gland disorders. This alone may identify congenital lesions, trauma, acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, and a variety of other conditions affecting the salivary glands. The most common presenting complaint is that of a lump in a salivary gland, and the onus is on the physician to prove the presence or absence of malignancy. Laboratory and radiographic studies are of minimum value in making this distinction, and biopsy, under general anesthesia, by a competent head and neck surgeon with microscopic evaluation is often necessary. Office biopsy or large or fine-needle aspiration should not be attempted. Fortunately, most neoplasms are benign, and many malignant forms are low grade and have a good prognosis.
Rotational barriers in five related amides

Interest in the low carbonyl IR frequency of 2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)acetamide (2) initially prompted our interest in the amide rotational barrier of this molecule and four related amides ...
Fabrication and characterization of cMUTs for forward looking intravascular ultrasound imaging

We have fabricated ring annular capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) arrays for forward looking IVUS operation in the 10 to 20MHz range with a maximum process temperature of 250/spl deg/C. Our process uses a low stress plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) silicon nitride membrane and provides localized sealing. The process is demonstrated on both silicon and dielectric substrates showing the potential for post-CMOS electronics integration and optical detection techniques while providing test arrays with significantly reduced parasitic capacitance. Arrays of 64 and 32 elements with approximately 1mm diameter have been fabricated. Measured pulse echo response in oil shows that the cMUT has more than 70% fractional bandwidth around 15MHz, which is suitable for IVUS. Initial imaging results of an ultrasound source using a 16 element receive-only array are presented.
Development of 1100 °C Capable Alumina-Forming Austenitic Alloys

Recently developed alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) alloys based on ~12–32 weight % (wt%) Ni offer an attractive combination of oxidation resistance and creep resistance at relatively low alloy cost. However, they exhibit a transition to internal oxidation and nitridation of Al above ~750–950 °C depending on composition and exposure environment. In order to identify AFA compositions capable of higher-temperature operation for applications such as ethylene cracking, the oxidation behavior of a series of developmental, as-cast nominal Fe–(25–45)Ni–(10–25)Cr–(4–5)Al–1Si–0.15Hf–0.07Y–0.01B wt% base alloys with and without Nb, Ti, and C additions was evaluated at 1100 °C in air with 10% water vapor. Protective alumina scale formation was observed at levels of 35Ni, 25Cr, and 4Al with additions of Nb and C, indicating promise for 1100°C capable cast AFA alloys.
Abstract 123: Reciprocal Regulation of Plasma PCSK9 and Cell-surface Low-density Lipoprotein Receptor

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) modulates low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) degradation, thus influencing serum cholesterol levels. On the other hand, LDLR binds to and clears PCSK9 from the circulation, thus modulating its serum levels. To study the global and reciprocal effects of PCSK9 and LDLR on serum cholesterol, we developed transgenic mice expressing human (h) PCSK9 and characterized its activity, serum levels, and tissue distribution. Serum hPCSK9 concentration in transgenic mice was 2181±423 ng/ml, about 10 times higher than normal level in human serum. Although hPCSK9 was expressed mainly in the kidney, LDLR degradation activity was most evident in the liver and small intestine. In contrast, LDLR levels were not affected by hPCSK9 expression in the adrenals and large intestine. On a chow diet, hPCSK9 transgenic mice on either C57BL/6 (wild-type, WT) or LDLR -/- background had higher cholesterol levels than their non-transgenic counterparts. Human PCSK9 transgenic mice had over a 4-fold increase in murine (m) PCSK9 serum levels compared to WT controls. However, transgenic expression of hPCSK9 in LDLR -/- mice did not affect the already elevated levels of mPCSK9. On the other hand, induction of hLDLR expression in transgenic mice caused a dramatic decrease in mPCSK9 levels. In addition hPCSK9 levels were increased by 2 fold in transgenic mice under LDLR -/- compare to WT background. Turnover studies with native PCSK9 showed rapid serum clearance in WT mice (half-life 5.2 min), whereas clearance was much slower in LDLR -/- recipient mice (50.5 min), and faster in hLDLR transgenic mice (2.9 min). In WT mice the injected PCSK9 accumulated in the liver and kidney but not in the adrenal gland. Ultracentrifugation and FLPC analysis showed that approximately one quarter of circulating hPCSK9 is associated with LDL, and that the LDL-associated PCSK9 is mainly in monomeric form. Our results show a reciprocal regulation between LDLR and PCSK9, which determines serum PCSK9 levels, hepatic LDLR expression, and serum LDL levels. Understanding these interactions will increase our knowledge of serum cholesterol homeostasis and should provide the basis for an intelligent design of anti-PCSK9 therapies.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the enantiomers of warfarin in man.

The rate of elimination, apparent volume of distribution, plasma clearance, and relative anticoagulant potency of the enantiomers of warfarin have been determined in man. In 9 subjects the plasma half-life (T½) of R warfarin after a single oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg ranged from 19.9 to 69.S hours, and was significantly longer than that of S warfarin, which ranged from 18.0 to 34.1 hours. There was no significant difference in the apparent volume of distribution of the enantiomers, and thus the plasma clearance of R warfarin was significantly less than that of S warfarin. After multiple dosing to steady state, the plasma T% of R warfarin in 8 subjects ranged from 37.4 to 88.6 hours and was significantly longer than that of S warfarin, which ranged from 21.2 to 42.6 hours. The apparent volume of distribution of the enantiomers was the same, and thus the plasma clearance of R was again significantly less than that of S warfarin. The plasma T½ of R but not of S was significantly longer after multiple dosing than after a single dose. The ratio of the steady-state plasma concentration of R to S warfarin was 3.80 : 1 in 4 patients with the same degree of anticoagulant control. The relative dose requirements of R to S warfarin were 1.5.9 : 1 in these sub;ects. S warfarin is a more potent anticoagulant than R warfarin in man.
Enzymatic-Isotopic Assay of Histamine, Histidine, Histidine Decarboxylase, and Histamine Methyltransferase

Histamine in the brain shows many neurochemical characteristics resembling the catecholamines and serotonin (Snyder and Taylor, 1972). It is distributed unevenly throughout the brain with the highest concentration occurring in selected hypothalamic nuclei. Subcellular fractionation studies reveal that a major portion of the histamine content in adult rat brain is localized to nerve terminals. Specific enzymes are present in the brain for the synthesis and metabolism of histamine, and its release upon depolarization of brain slices has been demonstrated (Snyder and Taylor, 1972). However, the role of histamine in the brain is still controversial. This is due mainly to the methodological difficulties in the study of histamine in brain tissue.
On $\gamma$-vectors satisfying the Kruskal-Katona inequalities

We present examples of flag homology spheres whose $\gamma$-vectors satisfy the Kruskal-Katona inequalities. This includes several families of well-studied simplicial complexes, including Coxeter complexes and the simplicial complexes dual to the associahedron and to the cyclohedron. In these cases, we construct explicit flag simplicial complexes whose $f$-vectors are the $\gamma$-vectors in question, and so a result of Frohmader shows that the $\gamma$-vectors satisfy not only the Kruskal-Katona inequalities but also the stronger Frankl-Furedi-Kalai inequalities. In another direction, we show that if a flag $(d-1)$-sphere has at most $2d+3$ vertices its $\gamma$-vector satisfies the Frankl-Furedi-Kalai inequalities. We conjecture that if $\Delta$ is a flag homology sphere then $\gamma (\Delta)$ satisfies the Kruskal-Katona, and further, the Frankl-Furedi-Kalai inequalities. This conjecture is a significant refinement of Gal's conjecture, which asserts that such $\gamma$-vectors are nonnegative.
Single-docking robotic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch technique.

Multiquadrant robotic surgery with single docking is a new feature that became available since the introduction of da Vinci XI® robotic platform. Laparoscopic Robotic assisted Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) was first described by Sudan et al in 2007. Robotic surgery advancement increased the interest in complex surgeries due to various advantages such as stable visualization, dexterity, ergonomic benefits and precise suturing. Described here is our technique of a total Robotic BPD/DS using single docking da Vinci XI® robotic platform, integrated table motion pairing, robotic stapling and robotic energy device.
Impact of personality pathology on psychosocial functioning

Personality disorders impair social, occupational, leisure, and global functioning more than a significant disorder such as major depressive disorder. Impairment is found in clinical and community populations. Impairment is independent of co-occurring other mental disorders. Impairment is more stable over time than are the diagnoses themselves. Personality traits are also impairing and may be more predictive of outcomes over time, but a hybrid of personality disorder features and normal range personality traits may be the most predictive model. A general, 'transdiagnostic,' self-other severity factor may be important for understanding the relationship of personality pathology and psychosocial functioning over time. The Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders may be useful for the study of psychosocial functioning in individuals with personality pathology.
Low-Rank tensor regression: Scalability and applications

With the development of sensor and satellite technologies, massive amount of multiway data emerges in many applications. Low-rank tensor regression, as a powerful technique for analyzing tensor data, attracted significant interest from the machine learning community. In this paper, we discuss a series of fast algorithms for solving low-rank tensor regression in different learning scenarios, including (a) a greedy algorithm for batch learning; (b) Accelerated Low-rank Tensor Online Learning (ALTO) algorithm for online learning; (c) subsampled tensor projected gradient for memory efficient learning.
Internet of Things in health care using fog computing

Internet of Things has seeded in many areas of humanoid lifestyle, of which the health care is the most crucial area on which the focus is to be induced. Goal of the scientists and the researchers is to further provide a hint of technology to the human life in order to make it simpler. With this being the focus, this paper will describe the use of smartphones as a sensor to keep the track of the health of the patients. Considering the various disadvantages of using cloud computing, this paper will be talking about the use of fog computing for faster analysis of data. With this aim in hand, we tend to come up and introduce the concept of Fog Computing which is the better system comparative to Cloud Computing. Fog Computing will emphasize on three types of patients and those would include the ones who are critically Injured or just generally hospitalized or the ones who might in future need occasional monitoring since they were discharged depending upon their current health status. The various unique characteristics like “Possessing Edge Location”, “Location Awareness”, “geographically distributed”, “real-time interactions”, “heterogeneity” and “Latency-Sensitivity” makes it more solitary, advance and distinctive in comparison to cloud computing.
Sources of resistance to Verticillium wilt in Capsicum

A total of 125 novel accessions of Capsicum annuum L. and Capsicum baccatum L. were screened for sources of resistance to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb). A soil infestation method with 2000 microsclerotia of V. dahliae per gram of planting medium, and a soil temperature of 25±3°C, identified 27 Capsicum accessions with resistance to Verticillium wilt. P.I. 215699 (a mixture of Capsicum baccatum var. microcarpum and Capsicum annuum), P.I. 535616 (Capsicum annuum), and P.I. 555614 (Capsicum annuum), had the lowest disease severity and the highest percentage of resistant plants.
Resource Competition and World Politics in the Twenty-First Century

Competition and conflict over access to major sources of valuable and essential materials—water, land, gold, gems, spices, and timber—have long been a significant feature of international affairs. The initial outward burst of European exploration in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries was largely driven by the quest for precious resources, as was the period of colonization that followed. The onset of industrialization in the nineteenth century sparked another worldwide race for vital materials, culminating in the global pursuit of petroleum. Only with the outbreak of the cold war at the end of World War II did resource issues lose their preeminent role as the strategic and ideological concerns of the superpowers occupying center stage. Now, with the cold war over and a new era beginning, resource competition will again play a critical role in world affairs.
Sentinel lymph node mapping in lung cancer: a step forward?

Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) currently has a recurrence rate of 20% to 30%, which remains for at least four years after complete resection (1). Patients with occult nodal disease are at high risk of recurrence. Moreover, inaccurate staging in patients with early-stage lung cancer may result in failure to administer appropriate adjuvant treatment.
Neutrophilic figurate erythema of infancy: A diagnostic challenge.

Neutrophilic figurate erythema of infancy (NFEI) is a rare variant of annular erythema of infancy. It is characterized by annular erythematous plaques, occasionally with a polycyclic configuration. The main challenge is to differentiate this rare entity from other figurate erythemas associated with serious diseases such as neonatal lupus erythematosus. We present the case of a 9-month-old female admitted with a skin rash of unclear etiology. The rash started on her face at the age of 3 months and gradually spread to her extremities. She had no constitutional symptoms, and her health and development were otherwise unremarkable since birth. This persistent skin eruption consisted of many ill-defined erythematous papules and annular plaques. Histologic examination revealed perivascular neutrophils and eosinophils with abundant nuclear dust without signs of vasculitis. NFEI is a diagnostic enigma both clinically and histologically. Absence of an underlying cause, dermal neutrophilic infiltrate with leukocytoclasis, and lack of vascular damage are the keys to diagnosis.
An implicit block ILU smoother for preconditioning of Newton–Krylov solvers with application in high-order stabilized finite-element methods

Abstract This paper presents an efficient and highly-parallelizable preconditioning technique for Newton–Krylov solvers. The proposed method can be viewed as a generalization of the implicit line smoothing technique by extending the groups of implicitly-solved unknowns from lines to blocks. The blocks are formed by partitioning the computational domain such that the strong connections between unknowns are not broken by the partition boundaries. The ILU algorithm is used to obtain an approximate (or exact) factorization for each block. Then, a block-Jacobi iteration is formulated in which the degrees of freedom within the blocks are solved implicitly. To stabilize the iterations for high-CFL systems, a dual-CFL strategy, with a lower CFL in the preconditioner matrix, is developed. The performance of the proposed method as a linear preconditioner is demonstrated for second- and third-order steady-state solutions of Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations on the NASA Common Research Model (CRM), including the high-lift configuration. For the studied test cases, it is shown that in comparison with the traditional ILU(k) method, the proposed preconditioner requires significantly less memory and it can result in notably faster solutions.
Improving the Phenotype Risk Score as a Scalable Approach to Identifying Patients With Mendelian Disease

OBJECTIVE The Phenotype Risk Score (PheRS) is a method to detect Mendelian disease patterns using phenotypes from the electronic health record (EHR). We compared the performance of different approaches mapping EHR phenotypes to Mendelian disease features. MATERIALS AND METHODS PheRS utilizes Mendelian diseases descriptions annotated with Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) terms. In previous work, we presented a map linking phecodes (based on International Classification of Diseases [ICD]-Ninth Revision) to HPO terms. For this study, we integrated ICD-Tenth Revision codes and lab data. We also created a new map between HPO terms using customized groupings of ICD codes. We compared the performance with cases and controls for 16 Mendelian diseases using 2.5 million de-identified medical records. RESULTS PheRS effectively distinguished cases from controls for all 15 positive controls and all approaches tested (P < 4 × 1016). Adding lab data led to a statistically significant improvement for 4 of 14 diseases. The custom ICD groupings improved specificity, leading to an average 8% increase for precision at 100 (-2% to 22%). Eight of 10 adults with cystic fibrosis tested had PheRS in the 95th percentile prio to diagnosis. DISCUSSION Both phecodes and custom ICD groupings were able to detect differences between affected cases and controls at the population level. The ICD map showed better precision for the highest scoring individuals. Adding lab data improved performance at detecting population-level differences. CONCLUSIONS PheRS is a scalable method to study Mendelian disease at the population level using electronic health record data and can potentially be used to find patients with undiagnosed Mendelian disease.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Vancomycin Powder in Lumbar Laminectomy:

Study Design:Break-even cost analysis.Objective:The goal of this study is to examine the cost-effectiveness of vancomycin powder for preventing infection following lumbar laminectomy.Methods:The pr...
Single-shot EPI for ASL-CMR.

Purpose To evaluate single-shot echo planar imaging (SS-EPI), as an alternative to snapshot balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP) imaging, for arterial-spin-labeled cardiac MR (ASL-CMR). This study presents a practical implementation SS-EPI tailored to the needs of ASL-CMR at 3T and demonstrates sequential multi-slice ASL with no increase in scan time. Methods Reduced field of view SS-EPI was performed using a 2DRF pulse. A spin-echo was used with crushers optimized to maximize blood suppression and minimize myocardial signal loss, based on experiments in 4 healthy volunteers. SS-EPI was evaluated against the widely used bSSFP reference method in single-slice ASL-CMR in 4 healthy volunteers, during both systole and diastole. Sequential multi-slice ASL-CMR with SS-EPI was demonstrated during diastole (3 slices: basal, mid, and apical short-axis) and during systole (2 slices: mid and apical short-axis), in 3 volunteers. Results Global myocardial perfusion for diastolic SS-EPI (1.66 ± 0.73 mL/g/min) and systolic SS-EPI (1.50 ± 0.36 mL/g/min) were found to be statistically equivalent (2 one-sided test with a difference of 0.4 mL/g/min) to diastolic bSSFP (duration of 1 cardiac cycle, 1.60 ± 0.80 mL/g/min) with P-values of 0.022 and 0.031, respectively. Global myocardial perfusion for sequential multi-slice experiments was 1.64 ± 0.47, 1.34 ± 0.29, and 1.88 ± 0.58 for basal, mid, and apical SAX slices during diastole and was 1.61 ± 0.35, and 1.66 ± 0.49 for mid and apical slice during systole. These values are comparable to published ASL-CMR and positron emission tomography studies. Conclusion SS-EPI is a promising alternative to bSSFP imaging for ASL-CMR and can potentially improve the spatial coverage of ASL-CMR by 3-fold during diastole and 2-fold during systole, without increasing scan time.
Implementing Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) in Clinical Practice

Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) has become a recommended clinical practice. Evidence for the positive effects of monitoring client treatment response is presented, along with those aspects of monitoring that are needed to make it feasible and effective. The monitoring of the outcome of therapy can easily be implemented into private practice routines as well as agency procedures.
Organic Field-Effect Transistors as Flexible, Tissue-Equivalent Radiation Dosimeters in Medical Applications

Radiation therapy is one of the most prevalent procedures for cancer treatment, but the risks of malignancies induced by peripheral beam in healthy tissues surrounding the target is high. Therefore, being able to accurately measure the exposure dose is a critical aspect of patient care. Here a radiation detector based on an organic field-effect transistor (RAD-OFET) is introduced, an in vivo dosimeter that can be placed directly on a patient's skin to validate in real time the dose being delivered and ensure that for nearby regions an acceptable level of low dose is being received. This device reduces the errors faced by current technologies in approximating the dose profile in a patient's body, is sensitive for doses relevant to radiation treatment procedures, and robust when incorporated into conformal large-area electronics. A model is proposed to describe the operation of RAD-OFETs, based on the interplay between charge photogeneration and trapping.
Relationships between density, transit, and household expenditures in small urban areas

Abstract This study developed three models to estimate the relationships between density, transit ridership, and household expenditures, with a focus on small urban areas. First, a regression model was developed that estimated transit ridership in small urban areas as a function of service quantity, service characteristics, the unemployment rate, demographic characteristics, and population density. A three-stage least squares estimation model was used to account for the simultaneity between ridership and service quantity. A second model, using American Community Survey data at the Census block group level, estimated the relationships between density and use of transit for commuting, as well as the impacts of living or working in the metro area’s principal city on commuting behavior. Lastly, data from the U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey were used to model relationships between dwelling type and age with household transportation expenditures. Density was shown to be positively associated with transit ridership. The estimated elasticity is 0.09. The use of transit for commuting was found to increase with block group density, total metro population, if the area is within the principal city, and if a large percentage of workers commute to the principal city. Household transportation expenditures were found to be greater for those living in single-family detached structures and lowest for those living in high rises. Among households living in single-family detached structures, those in older homes were found to spend less on transportation. Older homes tend to be in neighborhoods that are more accessible by walking, biking, and transit.
Intercultural Connections: Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart in Language Classrooms

The teaching and learning of foreign languages includes the teaching and learning of both the linguistic and cultural aspects of such languages. Approaches to incorporating language and culture in foreign language classrooms continue to be discussed and developed in the field of second language acquisition. The benefits of using authentic texts in these classrooms cannot be underestimated, since authentic materials have been credited as one way of developing intercultural and cross-cultural awareness. This paper utilizes the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and Project-Based Learning (PBL) concepts when using Chinua Achebe’s (1994. Things Fall Apart. Heinemann Educational Publishers). Things Fall Apart in Swahili classrooms. Although the setting of Achebe’s writings is in West Africa, Nigeria in particular, some of the cultural components, such as folktales, sayings, similes, and proverbs from the texts, not only inform the intercultural connections between students’ own culture, the target culture and the Igbo culture in this case, but they also create cross-cultural learning among these cultures. Using Achebe’s texts, as authentic resources in African language classrooms, promotes global understanding of cultural similarities and differences, and provides another exciting and interesting lens in understanding a different part of Africa. It also motivates learners in their process of cultural and language acquisition as they interpret their learning experiences in the target language. This chapter will therefore examine pedagogical approaches to Things Fall Apart as it has been used in our Swahili classrooms.
Determining Level of Service of California Highways

A notable industry that is constantly evolving through time is the Transportation Industry. In this paper, we analyze data provided by California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 6 to look for recurring patterns within State Highway 99. We produce a testing method to calculate the Level of Service (LOS) to determine the quality of traffic flow on a roadway. This method would make it more efficient for transportation engineers by creating a system to accurately initiate where projects are truly needed. Using a k-Nearest Neighbor predictive model, we are also able to forecast future LOS changes to see a more realistic view on how California Highways are evolving. Predictive analytics depicted a decline in traffic flow of highways with respect to the current data given during this study. Moreover, we are able to conclude that this method will only be viable as time passes by collecting more data in order to accurately represent each location with a Level of Service variable.
Salamanders: The molecular basis of tissue regeneration and its relevance to human disease.

Abstract Salamanders are recognized for their ability to regenerate a broad range of tissues. They have also have been used for hundreds of years for classical developmental biology studies because of their large accessible embryos. The range of tissues these animals can regenerate is fascinating, from full limbs to parts of the brain or heart, a potential that is missing in humans. Many promising research efforts are working to decipher the molecular blueprints shared across the organisms that naturally have the capacity to regenerate different tissues and organs. Salamanders are an excellent example of a vertebrate that can functionally regenerate a wide range of tissue types. In this review, we outline some of the significant insights that have been made that are aiding in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration in salamanders and discuss why salamanders are a worthy model in which to study regenerative biology and how this may benefit research fields like regenerative medicine to develop therapies for humans in the future.
Myosin's powerstroke occurs prior to the release of phosphate from the active site

Myosins are a family of motor proteins responsible for various forms of cellular motility, including muscle contraction and vesicular transport. The most fundamental aspect of myosin is its ability to transduce the chemical energy from the hydrolysis of ATP into mechanical work, in the form of force and/or motion. A key unanswered question of the transduction process is the timing of the force-generating powerstroke relative to the release of phosphate (Pi ) from the active site. We examined the ability of single-headed myosin Va to generate a powerstroke in a single molecule laser trap assay while maintaining Pi in its active site, by either elevating Pi in solution or by introducing a mutation in myosin's active site (S217A) to slow Pi -release from the active site. Upon binding to the actin filament, WT myosin generated a powerstoke rapidly (≥500 s-1 ) and without a detectable delay, both in the absence and presence of 30 mM Pi . The elevated levels of Pi did, however, affect event lifetime, eliminating the longest 25% of binding events, confirming that Pi rebound to myosin's active site and accelerated detachment. The S217A construct also generated a powerstroke similar in size and rate upon binding to actin despite the slower Pi release rate. These findings provide direct evidence that myosin Va generates a powerstroke with Pi still in its active site. Therefore, the findings are most consistent with a model in which the powerstroke occurs prior to the release of Pi from the active site.
Redefining the Uyghur Identity While Living Under the Chinese State

In the assault on Uyghur identity and the project of homogenization of the ethnic makeup of the region, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has employed a myriad of tried-and-true policies and methods to impose linguistic imperialism and all forms of biopolitics to render the region ideal for purposes of state-building. As policies and international focus on the region have ramped up in the last two decades, reports grow on the affected Uyghur voices within and abroad. This chapter discusses the historical influences of China’s policies on Uyghur identity expression as well as common coping strategies that are used in response to the varying forms of surveillance, “re-education camps”, and modes of governmentality that the CCP enacts in the region. The importance of artistic expression, friendship, storytelling, and oblique references to religion are discussed as avenues for subtle forms of resistance and identity preservation.
Big Bad Data: Law, Public Policy, and Biomedical Databases

Very large biomedical research databases, containing electronic health records (EHR) and genomic data from perhaps millions of patients, have been heralded recently for their potential to accelerate scientific discovery and produce dramatic improvements in medical treatments. Research enabled by these databases may also lead to profound changes in law, regulation, social policy, and even litigation strategies. Yet, is “big data” necessarily better data? This paper makes an original contribution to the legal literature by focusing on what can go wrong in the process of biomedical database research and what precautions must be taken to avoid critical mistakes. We address three reasons for a cautious approach to such research and to relying on its outcomes for purposes of public policy or litigation. First, the data contained in databases is surprisingly likely to be incorrect or incomplete. Second, systematic bias, arising from both the nature of the data and the preconceptions of investigators, are serious threats to the validity of biomedical database research, especially in answering causal questions. Third, individuals with political, social, or economic agendas may produce or disseminate dubious research outcomes for the sole purpose of manipulating public opinion and swaying policy makers. In short, this paper sheds much-needed light on the problems of credulous and uninformed use of biomedical databases, which are likely to become increasingly common and serious in the near future. It also recommends technical, methodological, and educational interventions to combat the dangers of database research mistakes and abuses.
RELATIONSHIP OF SELECTED BIOPHYSICAL VARIABLES TO SOIL MOISTURE AND SOIL TEMPERATURE VARIABILITY

Soil moisture and soil temperature at 15, 61, and 91 cm depths were measured through use of a neutron probe and thermocouple/psychrometers, respectively, at 12 sample sites distributed along a 200 km east-west transect in west-central Oklahoma. The data were collected weekly from May 7 to August 13, 1985. Multiple regression analysis was used to explain soil moisture and soil temperature variability at the three sample depths through a combination of selected biophysical variables representing temporal and spatial site characteristics, meteorologic inputs, energy variables, and soil conditions. The multiple regression analysis showed that 83, 91, and 82% of the variation in soil moisture, and 79, 91, and 92% of the variation in soil temperature for the three depths sampled could be explained by a combination of the selected biophysical variables.
Short- and mid-term results after transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement in nonagenarians.

BACKGROUND Recent reports have suggested that advanced age may preclude favorable outcomes in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), particularly when performed via transapical (TA) access. However, detailed examinations of TA-TAVR in nonagenarian patients are lacking in the contemporary literature. We therefore describe our experience with 25 consecutive nonagenarians who underwent TA-TAVR and report their short- and mid-term outcomes. METHODS We identified all patients 90 years old or greater who underwent TA-TAVR between 2009-2014 at our institution. Demographic, comorbidity and echocardiographic data were obtained for all patients as were their in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year outcomes. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons' predicted risk of mortality was 10.2% (SD±3.4). Twenty-four nonagenarians received TA-TAVR secondary to severe aortic stenosis while 1 had a valve-in-valve procedure for a regurgitant bioprosthetic valve. There were no conversions to open surgery, no aborted procedures, and no in-hospital deaths or strokes; 44% of patients (N.=11) were discharged to home. Five patients required cardiac rehospitalization within the first 30 days and 2 experienced strokes during the first year. Overall 30-day and 1-year survival were 100% and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS TA-TAVR can safely be performed on nonagenarians subjected to otherwise standard selection criteria. Chronology should not stand as a routine contraindication to this procedure; rather, comorbidities and functional status should define patient eligibility for TA-TAVR.
Judicial Minimalism and the NationalDialogue on Immigration: The ConstitutionalAvoidance Doctrine in Zadvydas v. Davis

Table of Contents I. Introduction The constitutional avoidance doctrine is a canon of construction dictating that "where a statute is susceptible of two constructions, by one of which grave and doubtful constitutional questions arise and by the other of which such questions are avoided, [a court's] duty is to adopt the latter."1 Although the avoidance doctrine is nearly a century old, the Supreme Court's recent reliance on it to avoid making unnecessary constitutional rulings suggests its revival in American courts.2 In its recent decision in Zadvydas v. Davis,3 the Supreme Court relied on the avoidance doctrine in interpreting an immigration statute involving the Attorney General's power to detain immigrants that the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) had ordered deported.4 According to the Government's reading of the statute, the statute allowed for indefinate detention - an interpretation that set off constitutional alarm bells for the Court's majority, for they believed that indefinite detention of aliens might violate the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause.5 But rather than address that concern directly, the Court interpreted the statute to contain a reasonable time limitation, which permitted the Court to avoid deciding the constitutionality of detaining undeportable aliens indefinitely.6 Justice Anthony Kennedy responded to the majority's reliance on the doctrine by saying that the Court "commit[ted] its own grave constitutional error" and had written "a statutory amendment of its own" that was in "obvious disregard of congressional intent."7 Justice Kennedy's dissent also suggested that the Court's interpretation was particularly noxious in a case involving immigration matters because Congress enjoys "considerable authority over immigration matters."8 According to Justice Kennedy, the Court's ruling amounted to a "systematic dislocation of the balance of powers."9 The Court's interpretation of the immigration statute at issue in Zadvydas10 is now especially timely, given the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on American soil and the congressional response to those attacks.11 Many groups, especially the media and various civil rights organizations, have criticized the laws passed by Congress that give the government broad power to pursue terrorists through surveillance, search warrants, and detention.12 Furthermore, Attorney General John Ashcroft's approval of an agency rule that allows the govern to monitor conversations be suspected terrorists and their attorneys13 has ink the same groups, which will likely challenge the rule as a violation of the Sixth Amendment right to assistance of counsel. …
'Our Ancient Faith': A Translation of the Declaration of Independence

Anti-slavery, feminist, and civil rights movements in American history have shaped the interpretation, reception, and application of the Declaration of Independence. This tradition heightens our sense of joy and wonder that "all men are created equal." At the same time, the tradition deepens our sorrow and shame as we accept responsibility for systemic failures to understand "created equal" and to embody that truth in our lives and conduct. Through a verse translation of the Declaration of Independence, reflecting the glosses that history has written on that text, I aim to express both the joy and the sorrow. Notes to the poem, and an accompanying essay, explain the Declaration's reception tradition and relate it to the text as written by Jefferson and the drafting committee, and edited and approved by the Continental Congress. The tradition is seen as exposing, unfolding, and (to a degree) resolving ambiguities (such as pagan v. Biblical senses of "created equal" and "nature's god") which were latent within the Declaration as it emerged within the eighteenth-century intellectual horizon.
Investigation of Bi/sub 0.5/Na/sub 0.5/TiO/sub 3/-PbTiO/sub 3/ system for high temperature dielectrics

Bismuth Sodium Titanate (BNT) has been investigated widely in terms of phase transitions, dielectric, piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. The first transition temperature of this material is about 220/spl deg/C. However, doped with Pb this material gives a higher dielectric constant and a lower phase transition temperature. The dielectric properties and structure of xPbTiO/sub 3/-(1-x) Bi/sub 0.5/Na/sub 0.5/TiO/sub 3/ solid solution are investigated. The phase boundary of this system is between 15-17%Pb. Pb also decreases the broadness of BNT dielectric response. Modifications with cations such as K/sup +/ and La/sup 3+/ in 10%Pb doped BNT were studied in terms of dielectric properties and broadened phase transitions.
Demonstration of the first monolithically integrated self-rolled-up tube based vertical photonic coupler

We demonstrated the first monolithically integrated self-rolled-up SiN x tube based vertical photonic coupler on top of a planar ridge waveguide. The coupling efficiency between the elements is >10 times higher than similar non-integrated device.
Visioning a Certification Exam for Graduating Software Engineers

Since 2002, the IEEE Computer Society has offered a Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) examination for people who have had at least 9,000 hours of experience working as a software professional. Now, IEEE-CS is considering the development of an examination targeted towards students graduating with a baccalaureate degree in software engineering or the equivalent. Nicknamed "CSDP Junior", a certification title such as "Certified Software Development Associate" (CSDA) is more likely.
Exact conditions for countable inclusion-exclusion identity and extensions

We give simple necessary and sufficient conditions for the inclusion-exclusion identity to hold for an infinite countable number of sets. In terms of a random variable, whose range are nonnegative integers, this condition is equivalent to the convergence to zero of binomial moments. Some standard extensions of the countable inclusion-exclusion identity are also given.
Significance of cornified cells in the vaginal smear of postmenopausal women

Abstract In the vaginal exfoliative cytology of postmenopausal women who are diabetic or receiving digitalis therapy cornified cells are frequently noted. The vaginal cytology of 3 groups of patients has been studied, viz., 3,019 newly admitted geriatric patients, 90 patients receiving digitalis therapy, and 50 diabetic patients. The incidence of cornification in the vaginal smears of the 3.019 patients was approximately 4 per cent. Statistical evaluation of 124 individuals displaying high, moderate, or mild cornification patterns showed that digitalis therapy has been received in a degree much greater than would be expected. Follow-up of these 124 patients through an adequate time interval of 3 to 7 years revealed that only one patient developed endometrial carcinoma. In the group of 90 patients receiving digitalis therapy 50 per cent of the individuals exhibited cornified cells in the vaginal smear, while in the group of 50 diabetic patients 54 per cent exhibited mature cellular patterns. It is concluded that cornified cells in the vaginal smear of postmenopausal women may be more frequently associated with medical complications and drugs than with endometrial carcinoma.
Energization of O + ions in the Earth's inner magnetosphere and the effects on ring current buildup: A review of previous observations and possible mechanisms

[1] In situ observations and modeling work have confirmed that singly charged oxygen ions, O+, which are of Earth's ionospheric origin, are heated/accelerated up to >100 keV in the magnetosphere. The energetic O+ population makes a significant contribution to the plasma pressure in the Earth's inner magnetosphere during magnetic storms, although under quiet conditions, H+ dominates the plasma pressure. The pressure enhancements, which we term energization, are caused by adiabatic heating through earthward transport of source population in the plasma sheet, local acceleration in the inner magnetosphere and near-Earth plasma sheet, and enhanced ion supply from the topside ionosphere. The key issues regarding stronger O+ energization than H+ are nonadiabatic local acceleration, responsible for increase in O+ temperature, and more significant O+ supply than H+, responsible for the increase in O+ density. Although several acceleration mechanisms and O+ supply processes have been proposed, it remains an open question what mechanism(s)/process(es) play the dominant role in stronger O+ energization. This review paper summarizes important previous spacecraft observations, introduces the proposed mechanisms/processes that generate O+-rich energetic plasma population, and outlines possible scenarios of O+ pressure abundance in the Earth's inner magnetosphere.
Elucidating the Crack Resistance of Alkali‐Activated Slag Mortars Using Coupled Fracture Tests and Image Correlation

The resistance of alkali silicate-activated slag mortars to crack propagation is explored. With increasing SiO2-to-alkali oxide ratio (Ms) of the activating solution (between 1.0 and 2.0), the flexural strengths, fracture energies, and the strain energy release rates (crack resistance, GR) are noted to increase. The GR values, especially of the systems with Ms of 1.5 and 2.0, are higher than that of ordinary portland cement (OPC) mortar. In contrast, the fracture process zone (FPZ) was observed to be smaller for the alkali-activated slag mortars, with higher localized strains. Similarly, the FPZs also shrink with increasing Ms. These responses are related to the differences in the reaction products in these systems. The fundamental differences in the fracture response of these binder systems are elucidated through tracking the FPZ development. The crack extension-crack tip opening displacement relations and its relationship with the inelastic strain energy release rates are also used to bring out the differences between the binder systems.
Probable Identity of a Group D Hemolysin with a Bacteriocine.

Brock, Thomas D. (Indiana University, Bloomington) and Joseph M. Davie. Probable identity of a group D hemolysin with a bacteriocine. J. Bacteriol. 86:708–712. 1963.—All strains of Streptococcus zymogenes (S. faecalis var. zymogenes) produce a bacteriocine which is active against lactic acid bacteria and most other grampositive bacteria. Mutants which have lost the hemolytic characteristic lose at the same time their bacteriocine-producing ability. A strain which was resistant to the bacteriocine but which was nonhemolytic and nonbacteriocinogenic was irradiated, and two hemolytic mutants were isolated from it. These mutants were also bacteriocinogenic. Thus, the two activities are gained or lost together by mutation. Both activities are destroyed by chloroform vapors and are antagonized by lecithin. Both activities are destroyed at the same rate by treatment at 45 C under mildly acid conditions, and both activities are stable when heated in agar. The two activities are produced in parallel during the growth cycle, and disappear in parallel. The possible ecological role of a substance which is both a hemolysin and a bacteriocine is discussed.
Forecasting visibility impairment: A test of regression estimates

Abstract The expected accuracy of visibility forecasts made from linear regression equations is examined. The regression equations were determined by multivariate linear least-squares fits based on simulations of visual air quality as projected by a validated model for light extinction by airborne aerosols. The response of visual air quality to a change in sulfate concentration, the sulfate light-scattering efficiency, is calculated exactly and compared with that predicted by regression estimates. In this simulation study, the regression estimates of the sulfate light-scattering efficiency deviate substantially from the average true value above 70% RH. This finding applies to a wide range of popular linear regression models. Furthermore, this finding applies to regression equations developed from observational or, field-type aerosol measurements or from controlled experimental data.