cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teachers and tolerance: Discriminating diversity dispositions

Abstract Prevailing values of equity and social justice are increasingly espoused in the mission and policy statements of public institutions, organizations, and agencies. In higher education, teacher preparation programs are considered to be key contributors to the cultivation of mores of inclusiveness, where diversity is embraced and appreciated in its multitude of forms. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the diversity dispositions of a group of preservice and inservice teachers participating in a multicultural education course at a university in the deep southern region of the United States. Data were collected in the following ways: (a) autobiographical accounts that participants compiled and shared; (b) responses to abbreviated biographies in an online discussion forum; (c) face‐to‐face discussions of issues related to goals of equity, tolerance, and social justice in schools; and (d) instructor observations of participants' interactions with each other. The research revealed that ...
Special care needs and risk for child maltreatment reports among babies that graduated from the Neonatal Intensive Care.

Abstract Newborns discharged from intensive care are at elevated risk for child welfare reports, especially for child neglect. This study investigates the role of caregiving burden as a risk predictor among the NICU graduate population. Discharge data were captured for 2,463 infants graduating from a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) during 2005–2008, then linked to child welfare reports at a median 3.2 year follow-up. Survival analyses were used to examine child welfare report outcomes conditional on caregiving burden and its moderating relationships with other family risk factors. Caregiving burden was associated primarily with an increased risk of child welfare reporting during the first few months to first year of life, after which risk was similar to NICU graduates without caregiving burden. Caregiving burden effects were potentiated by having three or more siblings in the family. A history of prior child welfare reports predicted very high risk, regardless of caregiving burden. Young maternal age increased risk. The findings suggest that the immediate months after NICU discharge may be an important window of child neglect prevention opportunity among newborns with special caregiving needs. This may be a key time to provide caregiver support and monitoring, particularly when caregivers have multiple children.
Utilization of Accident Databases and Fuzzy Sets to Estimate Frequency of HazMat Transport Accidents

Risk assessment and management of transportation of hazardous materials (HazMat) require the estimation of accident frequency. This paper presents a methodology to estimate hazardous materials transportation accident frequency by utilizing publicly available databases and expert knowledge. The estimation process addresses route-dependent and route-independent variables. Negative binomial regression is applied to an analysis of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) accident database to derive basic accident frequency as a function of route-dependent variables, while the effects of route-independent variables are modeled by fuzzy logic. The integrated methodology provides the basis for an overall transportation risk analysis, which can be used later to develop a decision support system.
Use of physiological parameters as fast tools to screen for drought tolerance in sugarcane

Drought is one of the major limitations to plant productivity worldwide. Identifying suitable screening tools and quantifiable traits would facilitate the crop improvement process for drought tolerance. In the present study, we evaluated the ability of four relatively physiological parameters (variable-to-maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence ratio, F v/F m; estimated leaf chlorophyll content via SPAD index; leaf temperature, LT; and, leaf relative water content, RWC) to distinguish between drought tolerant and susceptible sugarcane genotypes subjected to a 90-d drought cycle. Eight field-grown genotypes were studied. By 45 d after the onset of treatments, the F v/F m, SPAD index and RWC of drought-stressed plants had declined significantly in all genotypes compared to values at the onset of well-watered treatments. However, the reductions were more severe in leaves of susceptible genotypes. Under drought stress, the tolerant genotypes as a group, maintained higher F v/F m (8%), SPAD index (15%), and RWC (16%) than susceptible genotypes. In general, LT of drought-stressed plants was higher (~4oC) than that of well-watered plants but the relative increase was greater among drought susceptible genotypes. Under drought stress, LT of tolerant genotypes was on average 2.2oC lower than that of susceptible genotypes. The results are consistent with the tolerant-susceptible classification of these genotypes and indicate that these tools can be reliable in screening for drought tolerance, with F v/F m, SPAD index and LT having the added advantage of being nondestructive and easily and quickly assessed.
Pramipexole versus Levodopa in Patients with Early Parkinson's Disease: Effect on Generic and Disease-Specific Quality of Life

Abstract Objective Although health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been included in multiple Parkinson's disease (PD) clinical trials, little is known about how HRQOL responds to treatments over time. Here we assess the effect of therapy on HRQOL and explore factors that influence the HRQOL profiles and subdomains. Method A total of 301 subjects with early PD were randomized to either initial pramipexole or initial levodopa and followed every 3 months over a 4-year period. To estimate health outcomes, we used EQ-5D and PDQUALIF. We calculated the incremental effectiveness as the accumulated difference in the total HRQOL over time between treatments. The subgroup analyses (by sex, race, age, baseline patient characteristics, and occurrence of adverse events) were conducted using the same approach. Sensitivity analysis was performed to test the effect of missing data imputation on the results. Results All three HRQOL measures resulted in similar profiles over time characterized by initial improvement over the first 3 to 6 months and followed by a gradual decline in years 2, 3, and 4. The difference in HRQOL between the treatment arms widened in favor of pramipexole in years 3 and 4 for all HRQOL measures used (EQ-5D: Y3 0.048, P = 0.03; Y4 0.071, P = 0.04). Our analyses suggested that the effect of pramipexole on HRQOL was mediated through nonmotor functions, whereas levodopa improved primarily motor domains of HRQOL. Conclusion Our results suggest that pramipexole and levodopa affect patient HRQOL via improvement on different domains of well-being: nonmotor effect for pramipexole and mobility improvement for levodopa.
The Rayleigh–Taylor instability of a viscous liquid layer resting on a plane wall

The nonlinear Rayleigh-Taylor instability of a liquid layer resting on a plane wall below a second liquid of higher density is considered. Under the assumption of creeping flow, the motion is studied as a function of surface tension and the ratio of the viscosities of the two fluids. The flow induced by the deformation of the layer is represented by an interfacial distribution of Green's functions
Priapism: new concepts in medical and surgical management.

References to priapism as a trivial erection problem misrepresent its importance as a true clinical disorder of male sexual function. The presumably limited frequency and population extent of this disorder largely influences this misconception, although its pathophysiologic obscurity, the dearth of remedies for it, and its self-remitting tendency also are contributing factors in this regard. Unlike the widespread emphasis placed on male erectile dysfunction (ED), less attention has historically been given to priapism despite this erectile disorder also carrying adverse health risks. It is therefore heartening to observe that, at this time when recent advances have been made in the scientific understanding and clinical practice of male ED, a similar aim toward establishing effective, evidence-based therapeutics for priapism is gaining momentum. This article reviews recent clinical developments in the medical and surgical management of priapism and surveys scientific research activity in this rapidly evolving field of study that conceivably will pave the way for further innovations in its treatment. In addition, the relevance of health care administration and policy to this field is evaluated, particularly as this area relates to the sickle cell disease population, and some health care programmatic areas are proposed for improving health outcomes of individuals with priapism.
Generalized Eulerian sums

In this note, we derive a number of symmetrical sums involving Eulerian numbers and some of their generalizations. These extend earlier identities of Don Knuth and the authors, and also include several q-nomial sums inspired by recent work of Shareshian and Wachs on the joint distribution of various permutation statistics, such as the number of excedances, the major index and the number of fixed points of a permutation. We also produce symmetrical sums involving “restricted” Eulerian numbers which count permutations π on {1, 2, . . . , n} with a given number of descents and which, in addition, have the value of π−1(n) specified.
Modulatory effects of [Met5]-enkephalin on interleukin-1β secretion from microglia in mixed brain cell cultures

Abstract In the present study, functional interactions between [Met 5 ]-enkephalin (ME), naloxone and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on interleukin-1β (IL-1β) immunostaining and secretion have been assessed in mixed brain cell cultures from embryonic day 17 mice. Adding ME alone or together with LPS to the culture increased the release of IL-1β after 48 h in a concentration-dependent fashion. In situ hybridization studies showed that LPS, but not ME, increased the abundance of IL-1β mRNA. The enhanced release of IL-1β caused by ME or LPS was partially blocked by naloxone. LPS induced concentration-dependent morphological changes in microglia in mixed brain cell cultures, identified by a monoclonal antibody F4/80 which is specific for macrophages/microglia. Despite increasing IL-1β release into the media, ME (10 −8 M) did not induce morphological changes in microglia. Naloxone alone also had no effect on glial morphology; however, the LPS-induced morphological changes were blocked by naloxone. Our data indicate that both exogenous and endogenous opioids regulate IL-1β production by microglial cells in the mixed brain cell cultures.
Research issues for clinical designs

Summary The purpose of this paper is to raise the consciousness of researchers in the complementary medical community to the question of appropriateness of research design and some of the questions that must be asked before choices are made. The goal of any experimental design should be to increase primary variance, decrease secondary variance, and avoid confounding. Research questions should be asked based on thorough reviews of the current literature and the research design built around this information and the practicality issues that are salient for clinical research. For example, randomization should not always be chosen as the mechanism for achieving group equivalence in multigroup designs. If the sample size is very small —
Algorithm for direct numerical simulation of emulsion flow through a granular material

A multipole-accelerated 3D boundary-integral algorithm capable of modelling an emulsion flow through a granular material by direct multiparticle-multidrop simulations in a periodic box is developed and tested. The particles form a random arrangement at high volume fraction rigidly held in space (including the case of an equilibrium packing in mechanical contact). Deformable drops (with non-deformed diameter comparable with the particle size) squeeze between the particles under a specified average pressure gradient. The algorithm includes recent boundary-integral desingularization tools especially important for drop-solid and drop-drop interactions, the Hebeker representation for solid particle contributions, and unstructured surface triangulations with fixed topology. Multipole acceleration, with two levels of mesh node decomposition (entire drop/solid surfaces and ''patches''), is a significant improvement over schemes used in previous, purely multidrop simulations; it remains efficient at very high resolutions (10^4-10^5 triangular elements per surface) and has no lower limitation on the number of particles or drops. Such resolutions are necessary in the problem to alleviate lubrication difficulties, especially for near-critical squeezing conditions, as well as using ~10^4 time steps and an iterative solution at each step, both for contrast and matching viscosities. Examples are shown for squeezing of 25-40 drops through an array of 9-14 solids, with the total volume fraction of 70% for particles and drops. The flow rates for the drop and continuous phases are calculated. Extensive convergence testing with respect to program parameters (triangulation, multipole truncation, etc.) is made.
Current perspectives in immunotherapy

Since the declaration of the war on cancer in 1971, our ability to effectively treat cancer has been less successful than anticipated. Surgery and radiation therapy remain our most effective treatment modalities, with chemotherapy proving beneficial in only a limited number of tumor types. The reality of this poor response to conventional therapy has prompted a search for other potentially beneficial therapies. The idea of using the immune system to eradicate tumor is not new. Over 100 years ago, William Coley (in 1893) first reported on the ability to induce tumor regressions by nonspecific activation of the immune system in response to bacterial toxins. Despite this early beginning, efforts to reliably manipulate the immune system to promote tumor regression has been universally disappointing. With recent advances in our understanding of the immune system, and the identification and availability of numerous growth promoting and growth-suppression cytokines, the concept of immunotherapy being a useful therapeutic intervention for the treatment of cancer is becoming a reality. Immunology in general, and tumor immunology specifically, are fields foreign to the practicing tumor surgeon. As progress in these fields are made, it will become important for the surgical oncologist to have a better understanding of tumor immunology as it relates to therapy. This paper reviews our current understanding of the immune system as it relates to cancer immunotherapy (using primary intracranial glioma as the tumor model), and then relates this knowledge to recent work in the development of tumor-specific vaccines.
A simple, fast, and sensitive method for the measurement of serum nicotine, cotinine, and nornicotine by LC-MS/MS

The measurement of nicotine and its metabolites has been used to monitor tobacco use. A high-sensitivity method (<1 ng/mL) is necessary for the measurement in serum or plasma to differentiate nonsmokers from passive smokers. Here, we report a novel LC-MS/MS method to quantify nicotine, cotinine, and nornicotine in serum with high sensitivity. Sample preparation involved only protein precipitation, followed by online turbulent flow extraction and analysis on a porous graphitic carbon column in alkaline conditions. The chromatography time was 4 min. No significant matrix effects or interference were observed. The lower limit of quantification was 0.36, 0.32, and 0.38 ng/mL for nicotine, cotinine, and nornicotine, respectively, while accuracy was 91.6-117.1%. No carryover was observed up to a concentration of 48 , 550, and 48 ng/mL for nicotine, cotinine, and nornicotine, respectively. Total CV was <6.5%. The measurement of nicotine and cotinine was compared with an independent LC-MS/MS method and concordant results were obtained. In conclusion, this new method was simple, fast, sensitive, and accurate. It was validated to measure nicotine, cotinine, and nornicotine in serum for monitoring tobacco use.
Core and Periphery in Free/Libre and Open Source Software Team Communications

The concept of the core group of developers is important and often discussed in empirical studies of FLOSS projects. This paper examines the question, "how does one empirically distinguish the core?" Being able to identify the core members of a FLOSS development project is important because many of the processes necessary for successful projects likely involve core members differently than peripheral members, so analyses that mix the two groups will likely yield invalid results. We compare 3 analysis approaches to identify the core: the named list of developers, a Bradfords law analysis that takes as the core the most frequent contributors and a social network analysis of the interaction pattern that identifies the core in a core-and-periphery structure. We apply these measures to the interactions around bug fixing for 116 SourceForge projects. The 3 techniques identify different individuals as core members; examination of which individuals are identified leads to suggestions for refining the measures. All 3 measures though suggest that the core of FLOSS projects is a small fraction of the total number of contributors.
Geodetic applications of GPS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) has become a widely used tool in geodetic studies of Earth. We review the principles of the applications of GPS to geodetic problems and discuss its applications to problems of global and regional geodesy. A global network of dual-frequency GPS receivers continuously tracks the GPS satellites and the data are distributed to globally accessible on-line archives with delays from a few hours to a few days. Analysis of these data occurs within a few days and the results are made available in the form of satellite ephemerides accurate to a few centimeters and receiver position estimates accurate to a few millimeters for weekly averaged positions. The collection and analysis of these data occurs under the auspices of the International GPS Service for Geodynamics (IGS) which maintains Internet-accessible archives in the United States and Europe. The data and analyzed results are used to study problems of global geodynamics with direct application to global plate tectonics and postglacial rebound and to studies of the the excitation of variations in Earth's rotation. When the global data are combined with data collected in a local region they can be used to study the deformation processes in that region. In the long run, analysis of these regional data will lend to improved dynamical models and to a better understanding of earthquakes and other deformation processes.
Family Business in the Middle East: An Eexploratory Study of Retail Management in Kuwait and Lebanon:

The Middle East is a growing, lucrative marketplace that has recently captured the interest of the world for political as well as economic reasons due to the War in Iraq, which began in 2003. This exploratory study examines the relationship between retail small/medium enterprises (SMEs) that are family business owned, organizational commitment, and management and employee perceptions of customer service on a number of dimensions. The results suggest that managers and employees of family-owned businesses in the Middle East behave in ways similar to those in Western countries; however, there are differences, probably related to cultural characteristics. The Middle East is a richly diverse region, a myriad of unique cultures. As the market becomes more sophisticated, the importance of service quality increases. Global retailers can benefit from this study by better understanding the managers and employees in the region and the pivotal role of the family on business. Implications for practice are discussed.
The evolution of layered protocol stacks leads to an hourglass-shaped architecture

The Internet protocol stack has a layered architecture that resembles an hourglass. The lower and higher layers tend to see frequent innovations, while the protocols at the waist of the hourglass appear to be "ossified". We propose EvoArch, an abstract model for studying protocol stacks and their evolution. EvoArch is based on a few principles about layered network architectures and their evolution in a competitive environment where protocols acquire value based on their higher layer applications and compete with other protocols at the same layer. EvoArch produces an hourglass structure that is similar to the Internet architecture from general initial conditions and in a robust manner. It also suggests a plausible explanation why some protocols, such as TCP or IP, managed to survive much longer than most other protocols at the same layers. Furthermore, it suggests ways to design more competitive new protocols and more evolvable future Internet architectures.
TDP-43 and FUS/TLS: emerging roles in RNA processing and neurodegeneration

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are neurodegenerative diseases with clinical and pathological overlap. Landmark discoveries of mutations in the transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) and fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS) as causative of ALS and FTLD, combined with the abnormal aggregation of these proteins, have initiated a shifting paradigm for the underlying pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. TDP-43 and FUS/TLS are both RNA/DNA-binding proteins with striking structural and functional similarities. Their association with ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases is redirecting research efforts toward understanding the role of RNA processing regulation in neurodegeneration.
Ruminal In Vitro Degradability of Protein in Alfalfa Harvested as Standing Forage or Baled Hay

Eighty-nine samples, 45 of standing forage and 44 of baled hay, were collected from alfalfa harvested at various maturities over three cuttings each during 2 yr. Alfalfa was cut and conditioned mechanically; samples of standing forage were collected by removing bunches of forage from windrows and freeze-drying them. Forage was allowed to field cure and was harvested at an average 80% DM as small rectangular bales; samples of baled hay were collected by coring bales after storing for 3 to 6 mo. Samples were analyzed for DM, ADF, total N, fractions of total N present as ADIN, N degraded at 0 h, and potentially degradable protein N. Ruminal protein degradation rates and escapes were estimated using an inhibitor in vitro system, assuming that ADIN was unavailable and that ruminal passage rate was .06/h. Standing forage contained smaller fractions of ADIN and N degraded at 0 h, contained a larger fraction of potentially degradable N, and had more rapid degradation rates and lower estimated protein escapes than baled hay. Mean degradation rates and estimated escapes were .171/h and 24% for standing forage and .075/h and 40% for baled hay. There were no differences in degradation rate or estimated escape because of harvest year, and neither was significantly related to maturity or to ADF concentration. Results indicate a significant advantage in ruminal protein escape, compared with grazed alfalfa, for alfalfa harvested and stored as hay.
Canine and Feline Parvoviruses Can Use Human or Feline Transferrin Receptors To Bind, Enter, and Infect Cells

Canine parvovirus (CPV) enters and infects cells by a dynamin-dependent, clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway, and viral capsids colocalize with transferrin in perinuclear vesicles of cells shortly after entry (J. S. L. Parker and C. R. Parrish, J. Virol. 74:1919–1930, 2000). Here we report that CPV and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), a closely related parvovirus, bind to the human and feline transferrin receptors (TfRs) and use these receptors to enter and infect cells. Capsids did not detectably bind or enter quail QT35 cells or a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-derived cell line that lacks any TfR (TRVb cells). However, capsids bound and were endocytosed into QT35 cells and CHO-derived TRVb-1 cells that expressed the human TfR. TRVb-1 cells or TRVb cells transiently expressing the feline TfR were susceptible to infection by CPV and FPV, but the parental TRVb cells were not. We screened a panel of feline-mouse hybrid cells for susceptibility to FPV infection and found that only those cells that possessed feline chromosome C2 were susceptible. The feline TfR gene (TRFC) also mapped to feline chromosome C2. These data indicate that cell susceptibility for these viruses is determined by the TfR.
The use of orthogonal transforms for improving performance of adaptive filters

It has been previously shown that a real-time decomposition of the incoming signal into a set of partially uncorrelated components via an orthogonal transform, and a subsequent adaptation on these individual components, leads to faster convergence rates. Here, transform domain processing is characterized by the effect of the transform on the shape of the mean-square error surface. It is shown that the effect of an ideal transform is to convert equal error contours that are initially hyperellipses in the parameter space into hyperspheres. Five specific real-valued orthogonal transforms are compared in terms of learning characteristics and computational complexity. Since the Karhunen-Loeve transform (KLT) is the ideal transform for this application, and since the KLT is defined in terms of the statistics of the input signal, it is certain that no fixed-parameter transform can deliver optimal learning characteristics for all input signals. However, the simulations suggest that transforms can be found which give much improved performance in a given situation. >
Charge ratio of ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray muons

We describe the data analysis and report the results of the final charge- ratio experiment using the Utah cosmic-ray muon detector. Values for the charge ratio were obtained from least-squares fits to the observed bending-angle distributions. The fitting function was the result of folding the noise scattering distribution into the ideal local-spectrum bending distribution, with the charge ratio as a parameter of the fit. This method permitted a greater precision while circumventing the main causes of charge-ratio dilution. We obtain the average value 1.378 plus-or-minus 0.015 for muon momentum at production between 1 and 8 TeV/c, corresponding to a median primary cosmic-ray momentum range 8--61 TeV/c. With the results of this experiment the charge ratio is precisely known over about three decades of muon energy beginning around 10 GeV. Thus, we believe the charge ratio can serve as a touchstone in determining the hadronic interaction dynamics and composition of the primary cosmic rays. Already approximate agreement has been obtained with experimental results from predictions utilizing the scaling-limiting-fragmentation hypothesis and constant composition of the primary cosmic rays.
Dexamethasone and postoperative bleeding after tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy in children: A meta‐analysis of prospective studies

Objectives/Hypothesis: Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy are common pediatric surgical procedures. Although perioperative administration of dexamethasone is common, recent data indicate a possible association between dexamethasone and increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage. Study Design: Meta-analysis of prospective studies. Methods: Meta-analysis using MEDLINE and EMBASE, including all placebo-controlled prospective studies with perioperative dexamethasone as the intervention and postoperative bleeding as the outcome, in children age <18 years undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. The association between any dexamethasone dose and bleeding outcomes was quantified. Dexamethasone dose analyses were performed using meta-regression and stratified dose analysis models. Individuals were pooled using the random effects model, and Mantel Haenszel odds ratios (OR) were used to assess the associations. All P values were two-sided. Results: Twelve studies with 1,180 total participants were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant association between dexamethasone at any dose and odds of bleeding compared to placebo (OR = 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58-1.98; P = .82). There was no significant association between increasing dexamethasone dose and bleeding (regression slope = −1.47, P = .10). Stratifying by dose ranges, studies comparing dexamethasone doses in 0.4 to 0.6 mg/kg range to placebo showed significantly increased odds of bleeding (OR = 3.14; 95% CI, 1.14-8.65; P = .03). Higher or lower doses were not associated with a difference in bleeding. Conclusions: There was no overall association between dexamethasone administration and postoperative bleeding in children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. However, this study cannot exclude the possibility of an association between specific dexamethasone doses and increased odds of bleeding. The results underscore the need for more dedicated prospective studies of this very common intervention.
Performance, Behavior, Plasma Corticosterone, and Economic Returns of Laying Hens in Several Management Alternatives

Production, physiological, and behavioral data were collected simultaneously on commercial hens housed for 10 months of lay in housing alternatives of cages, deep litter floor pens, and outside range pens. Treatments consisted of housing 1, 2, or 3 hens in small cages 3, 4, 5, or 6 hens in large cages, floor pens housing 51 hens each at three densities, and range pens with 50 hens at .74 m2 (8 ft2) per hen. Egg production rates were greater for all caged hen treatments than for any floor or range groups. Egg numbers favored 2 hens per cage, but economic benefits favored 5 hens per cage. Viability was highest for 1 hen per cage and range pen groups. Feed efficiency was poorer in floor and range groups; however, body weight was generally greater for caged hens. Plasma corticosterone levels did not differ among any cage or range groups, but floor pen hens had significantly elevated levels. Behavioral data for walking and object pecking showed clear differences between cage and floor management alternatives. Preening, standing, and drinking activities were different between some treatments but not clearly different between management alternatives. Feeding activity did not differ among any groups. Although correlations between stress and well-being have not been well elucidated, the sum of the stressors of cage confinement appeared to be less than those from floor pens. Therefore, it was concluded that the well-being of hens in cages was equal to or better than that for free ranging hens or those in floor pens.
On the generalized Hamming weight enumerators and coset weight distributions of even isodual codes

We address the problem of computing the generalized Hamming weight enumerators (GHWE) of even isodual codes. We also demonstrate that the GHWE and coset weight enumerators (CWE) of even isodual codes are closely connected and that in certain cases one set of these enumerators can provide sufficient information for determining the other.
Effects of substrate resistances on LNA performance and a bondpad structure for reducing the effects in a silicon bipolar technology

The effects of substrate resistances on the performance of 5.8-GHz low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) have been evaluated through a combination of experimental and simulation studies. The substrate resistive network for the LNA has been constructed by fabricating and measuring a test structure. The substrate resistances can be significantly affected by the die area and thickness, which raises a serious concern for on-wafer testing and optimization of circuits using the test results. The substrate resistances reduce the simulated gain by more than 10 dB and increase the noise figure by 2.7 dB. The simulation study has shown that the dominant substrate resistances are those associated with the bondpads. To reduce the effects of the substrate resistances, a ground-shielded bondpad structure, which consists of a Metal 2 pad and an n/sup +/ plug grounded shield separated by a composite oxide layer, has been developed. It reduces the resistance to ground to almost zero by conducting the signal away from the substrate to ground through the low-resistivity n/sup +/ plug layer. The pad structure in addition improves the interpad isolation by as much as 35 dB. However, to harness this isolation improvement, the inductance between the IC and PC board ground should be made small by using a low ground inductance package. Using this ground-shielded bondpad, the measured gain and noise figure of a 4.5-GHz tuned amplifier were improved by 10 and 2 dB, respectively, over the same circuit implemented using the conventional bondpad.
Contact Electroanatomic Mapping Derived Voltage Criteria for Characterizing Left Atrial Scar in Patients Undergoing Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Voltage Criteria for Left Atrial ScarBackground Criteria have not been established for identifying LA scar using electroanatomic mapping (EAM). It is also unclear if voltage criteria using EAM may assist in identifying areas of pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection in patients undergoing repeat AF ablation. Objectives To characterize left atrial (LA) voltage in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Methods An LA shell was created and bipolar voltage amplitude (in mV) at each point was measured. The shell was divided into 8 regions. Bipolar voltage values lower than the amplitude of 95% of sampled points was used as the upper cutoff value. Delayed enhancement (DE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) sequences were performed to validate voltage cutoffs. Results Twenty patients participated. A mean of 141 ± 12 points constituted the LA map that was created during sinus rhythm (SR). In patients undergoing initial AF ablation, mean bipolar LA voltage was 1.44 ± 1.27 mV. In patients undergoing repeat AF ablation, scar along the posterior wall and LA–PV junction was identified using a voltage cutoff <0.2 mV, whereas a cutoff <0.45 mV best identified scar at other locations. This voltage range (0.2–0.45 mV) was useful to identify areas of reconnection around the PVs. On DE CMRI, a bipolar voltage cutoff of 0.27 mV performed best for delineating scar (sensitivity: 90%, specificity: 83%). Conclusions In patients undergoing AF ablation, EAM derived LA bipolar voltage shows regional variation. For maps acquired during SR, a voltage range of 0.2–0.45 mV can accurately demarcate LA scar distribution. This can be helpful in identifying PV reconnection in patients undergoing repeat AF ablation.
A fast near-to-far-field transformation in body of revolution finite-difference time-domain method

We present an efficient near-to-far-field transformation technique to be used in conjunction with the body of revolution finite-difference time-domain (BOR/FDTD) algorithm. The efficiency is gained by factoring out the azimuthal angle /spl phi/ from the two-dimensional (2D) far-field integration using an analytical approach, thereby reducing the 2D integral on the surface of the Huygens' box to a 1D version in the process. To illustrate the application of the proposed algorithm, the Potter horn is analyzed. The numerical results show good agreement with those obtained by using either analytical (where possible), or 2D integration schemes.
Machine learning approaches for elastic localization linkages in high-contrast composite materials

There has been a growing recognition of the opportunities afforded by advanced data science and informatics approaches in addressing the computational demands of modeling and simulation of multiscale materials science phenomena. More specifically, the mining of microstructure–property relationships by various methods in machine learning and data mining opens exciting new opportunities that can potentially result in a fast and efficient material design. This work explores and presents multiple viable approaches for computationally efficient predictions of the microscale elastic strain fields in a three-dimensional (3-D) voxel-based microstructure volume element (MVE). Advanced concepts in machine learning and data mining, including feature extraction, feature ranking and selection, and regression modeling, are explored as data experiments. Improvements are demonstrated in a gradually escalated fashion achieved by (1) feature descriptors introduced to represent voxel neighborhood characteristics, (2) a reduced set of descriptors with top importance, and (3) an ensemble-based regression technique.
When players quit (playing scrabble)

What features contribute to player enjoyment and player retention has been a popular research topic in video games research; however, the question of what causes players to quit a game has received little attention by comparison. In this paper, we examine 5 quantitative features of the game Scrabblesque in order to determine what behaviors are predictors of a player prematurely ending a game session. We identified a feature transformation that notably improves prediction accuracy. We used a naive Bayes model to determine that there are several transformed feature sequences that are accurate predictors of players terminating game sessions before the end of the game. We also identify several trends that exist in these sequences to give a more general idea as to what behaviors are characteristic early indicators of players quitting.
Power Curve Estimation: Functional Estimation Imposing the Regular Ultra Passum Law

Imposing economic relationships such as the Regular Ultra Passum (RUP) law improves the statistical efficiency of nonparametric estimators in finite samples. RUP law bears relevance in engineering applications such as power curve estimation in the wind energy industry. Unfortunately, the few estimators known to satisfy the RUP law are based on deterministic assumptions that do not allow noise in the modeling. In most engineering applications, however, data are inevitably noisy, due to equipment calibration, natural variations, or other issues. Thus, we propose an estimator that satisfies the RUP law while also capable of handling noisy data. We use Monte Carlo simulations to show that the proposed estimator outperforms existing deterministic estimators, particularly when the scale of noise is large. We use the proposed method to estimate a power curve considering approximately 13,000 observations of a wind turbine. The results demonstrate that the proposed estimator is well suited for engineering applications with a high degree of noise.
Chief Technology Officer

This paper explores the role of the chief technical officer (CTO) in orchestrating the large manufacturing corporation's product, process and information technologies. The data comes from a mail questionnaire survey of the 25 CTOs we identified among the ranks of Fortune 100 companies, and telephone interviews with 22 of these 25 executives. We discuss reporting relationships, personal backgrounds, the motivations for the formation of new corporate role.
Community Trust and the Ebola Endgame

In May, Ebola resurfaced in parts of Guinea thought to be free from the virus. Some infections in known hot spots arise from unknown transmission chains, which suggests that other cases may be hidden. Only by building community trust can we bring the epidemic to an end.
Role of hemoconcentration in production of gastric and duodenal ulcer following experimental burns.

ConclusionsEvidence is presented to show that increased concentration of the blood following burns is an important factor in the occurrence of gastro-duodenal ulcer after experimental burns. (The occurrence of gastro-intestinal congestion, erosion and/or ulcer in burns is directly related to the occurrence of hemoconcentration).Moreover, gastro-intestinal abnormality following burns, even when accompanied by histamine administration, may be prevented by avoidance of the hemoconcentration of burns by proper therapy.The incidence of gastric and/or duodenal ulceration provoked by hemoconcentration in burns is markedly increased when histamine-in-beeswax administration accompanies the burn.
Further observations on the somatic chromosome cytology of some mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae).

The morphology of mitotic chromosomes from brain tissues of young fourth-instar larvae was studied in 6 mosquito species: Eretmapodites chrysogaster Graham, Aedes (Ochlerotatus) sierrensis (Ludlow), A. (Stegomyia) mascarensis MacGregor, A. (S.) polynesiensis Marks, A. (S.) simpsoni (Theobald), and A. (S.) vittatus (Bigot). As with other mosquito species (particularly culicines), differences between individual karyotypes were rather small. In all of these the diploid chromosome number was 6, the complement consisting of 2 relatively large pairs and 1 slightly shorter pair. In several species, prophase chromosomes were frequently polarized; these may possess distinctive, and therefore mappable, chromomere patterns in some species. Among the chromosomal aberrations observed in A. simposoni were a trisomic cell, probably resulting from mitotic nondisjunction, and a rather pronounced heteromorphism of the smallest chromosome in 1 cell. As aedine mosquitoes have more-or-less similar karyotypes, and as their salivary gland chromosomes have not been mapped thus far, examination of the chromosomes of intra- and interspecific hybrids is greatly needed.
A Benchmark Distribution System for the Study of Power Quality Problems and their Compensation

A benchmark, three-bus, radial distribution system is proposed for the study of power quality problems (PQP) and their compensation. The availability of such a system would allow for: 1) the ability to produce single or multiple PQP (voltage sags and swells, flicker, imbalances, transients, interruptions, harmonics, etc.); 2) the inclusion of several loads of diverse characteristics for the study of the impact on them by power quality problems; 3) the investigation of the effectiveness of different algorithms for the control of custom power system (CUPS) devices (DVR, DSTATCOM, UPQC, etc.) in the mitigation of PQP ; 4) the study of the most effective locations of CUPS devices for compensating PQP. A model of the proposed benchmark system, developed with MATLAB/Simulink©, is presented together with some illustrative examples of its use. Keywords-Benchmark distribution system, power quality problems, custom power systems, voltage sag/swell, harmonics, imbalances, DVR, D-STATCOM, UPQC, PID controllers
Universal fiber for both short-reach VCSEL transmission at 850 nm and single-mode transmission at 1310 nm

We proposed a universal fiber and demonstrated its use in 850nm VCSEL based multimode transmission at 10Gb/s and 25Gb/s over 100/50m and 1310 nm single mode 25 Gb/s NRZ and 44Gb/s PAM4 transmission over 2km.
Relationship between Vitamin A and Diarrhea in Children

Objective To explore the relationship between the level of serum Vit A(Vit A) and diarrhea in children.Methods The determination of the serum Vit A contents:at the scotopia condition,peripheral blood was taken from diarrhea children(that in the first hospital-day and in the seventh hospital-day)and healthy children,and was separated by the centrifuge at 3 000 r/min,and was be stored-20 ℃ refrigerator and avoid light.Level variance of serum Vit A and the correlation factors were analyzed by RF-540 spectrophotofluorometer(SHIMADZU.Japan),the Vit A standard serum(Sigma.USA) as reference.At exciting light wavelength standards 330 nm,transmit light wavelength standards 480 nm,the serum Vit A was determined.Mean recovery ratio was 102.4%,coefficient of variability was 2.0%.The healthy children from the department of health were chosen as control group.Diagnosis standard of subclinical Vit A deficiency(SVAD) was the serum Vit A 0.35-0.70 μmol/L.Results The level of Vit A of diarrhea children[(0.70±0.40) μmol/L] was obviously lower than that in healthy children[(1.90±0.60) μmol/L](P0.01).SVAD(54.10%) was obviously higher than that in healthy children(1.0%)(P0.05).The level of Vit A of diarrhea children was obviously higher than that in hospital after the seventh day,and also the Vit A level was lower in the patients of high fever,dehydration and high-frequency diarrhea.The level of Vit A of diarrhea children was lower with temperature ≥39 ℃ and dehydration and stool ≥ 10 times/day.The SVAD was more often found in the high-fever(temperature ≥39 ℃ and dehydration patients in diarrhea.Short period of intervention treatment didn′t influence the course of diseases,but it was correlated with the incidence rate of infectious diseases within 3 months.Conclusions The deficiency of Vit A may result in diarrhea,diarrhea can diminish the level of Vit A,the diarrhea children should be supplied with Vit A.
Abstract B08: Altering cellular differentiation and energy metabolism by the mTORC1 inhibitor NPRL2

Nitrogen permease regulator-like 2 (NPRL2) is a component of an evolutionarily conserved complex that inhibits mTORC1 (mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1) in response to amino acid insufficiency. The NPRL2 complex functions as a GTPase activating protein against the RAG proteins, which are located on the lysosomal surface and stimulate mTORC1 activity when bound to GTP. Since the loss of NPRL2 expression is frequently associated with different types of cancers, including renal and lung, our aim is to investigate the biological function of NPRL2 in vivo and determine how this pathway can contribute to cancer growth. Previous data from our lab show that NPRL2 is required for mouse viability and that its absence significantly compromises fetal liver hematopoiesis in embryos with defective lysosomal processing of vitamin B12 and methionine/SAM homeostasis contributing to the phenotype. Here we show that loss of NPRL2 in muscle alters the differentiation of fiber-types, leading to increased size and number of glycolytic muscle fibers in the mice. Consistent with this phenotype, the NPRL2 muscle specific knockout mice show a sprinting phenotype and increased glucose utilization. These findings demonstrate that NPRL2 is able to regulate cellular differentiation patterns potentially by altering cellular methylation and represents a genetic link between amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate utilization, two hallmarks that are frequently altered in cancer. Citation Format: Paul A. Dutchak, SandiJo Terpack, Benjamin P. Tu. Altering cellular differentiation and energy metabolism by the mTORC1 inhibitor NPRL2. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Developmental Biology and Cancer; Nov 30-Dec 3, 2015; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(4_Suppl):Abstract nr B08.