cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative pharmacological and clinical activity of 19-nortestosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives in man.

Studies on a comparison of the biological activity of 19-nortestosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives were presented. Pituitary inhibiting androgenic and anabolic effects induced by progestational steroids in parabiotic rats were presented. Initial studies with parabiotic rats showed that these compounds produce hypertrophy of secondary male sex glands and an increase in levator ani muscle weight. The female parabiont underwent marked precocious sexual maturation. In comparing levator ani weights the 17-ethyl and 17-methyl nortestosterones were the only compounds with marked anabolic activity. Progestational steroids were rated as good to excellent in inhibition of human ovulation and in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. It was found that 17-methyl-19-nortestosterone appeared to be undesirably androgenic in many women while 17-ethyl-19-nortestosterone showed good anabolic activity with minimal androgenic effects.
Social Integration and Divorce

Using panel data from a national survey of married persons, the role of social integration in stabilizing marriage is explored. The analysis indicates that social integration does not appear to have a strong uniform negative effect on divorce, as others have proposed. Of the three forms of integration considered (communicative, functional, and normative), we find only two that relate to divorce in a substantive manner. Mechanisms by which integration might deter divorce are examined, and the implications of the findings for a theory of divorce are discussed. As a major sociological concept, social integration has been invoked to help explain suicide (Durkheim 1951), coping with a catastrophic illness (Berkman & Breslow 1983), substance abuse (Umberson 1987), mortality (Blazer 1982), illegitimacy (Goode 1961), mental illness (Hughes & Gove 1981), and longevity (Moen, Dempster-McClain & Williams 1989). Central as the explanation is to sociological theory, its application to explaining divorce has never been clearly delineated and generally has been invoked only on an ex post facto basis. Moreover, research bearing on the topic has largely relied on cross-sectional or ecological data and has employed surrogate or indirect measures of social integration. However, in the face of what is viewed by some as a period of excessive individualism and moral malaise in American culture, understanding the importance of integration in explaining divorce takes on added significance (Bellah et al. 1985). In this article we examine the role that social integration plays in explaining divorce, a phenomenon seen by many as a direct expression of the search for individual fulfillment and a symbol of the current malaise. We begin by examining prior theoretical formulations of social integration and then set forth our own formulation of the problem. Prior empirical work linking social integration and divorce is reviewed. Analysis begins with an examination of the magnitude of the relation between social integration and divorce using longitudinal data
Biological resources within the human body can be used to operate neural implants

Implantable neural devices have many therapeutic, diagnostic, and prosthetic applications. Although there have been exciting developments in constructing these devices, two critical problems, data communication between the implanted device and external computers as well as electrical power to the device, have not yet been solved. We investigate these problems using the volume conduction properties of the human body. A prototype implantable device is constructed equipped with a volume conduction data communication channel. A new power delivery antenna is conceptualized, inspired by a study of the power delivery mechanisms of electric fish. Our investigation indicates that the volume conduction resources within the human body may provide a powerful solution to both problems.
Technical Note-The Stochastic Queue Median Over a Finite Discrete Set

Many practical location decision problems require facility locations to be restricted to a finite set of points. Quite often such restrictions arise from natural constraints that are specific to the application setting. Motivated by such situations, this paper examines the Stochastic Queue Median SQM model of Berman, Larson and Chiu, where potential facility locations are restricted to a finite set of discrete points. An efficient algorithm is presented to solve for the optimal facility location parametrically in the systemwide arrival rate of calls. The complexity of the algorithm and a worst case analysis for the model formulation are also discussed.
Flipping the Composing Process: Collaborative Drafting and Résumé Writing.

This article argues for a flipped learning approach to business and professional communication composing processes. Flipped learning sequences can scaffold more robust engagement with prewriting activities and support opportunities for in-class collaborative and facilitated drafting exercises. These types of learning experiences offer numerous pedagogical benefits, including more conscious control of messaging strategies and the development of more creative, rhetorically informed communication products. The effectiveness of this approach is explored through a case study of a flipped learning sequence and collaborative drafting workshop designed for an employment communication and resume-writing assignment.
Using Latent Semantic Analysis and Word Matching to Enhance Bridging Reading Strategy Identification

The main goal of this study is to identify bridging reading strategy — a strategy that a reader uses to make a connection from the current sentence to previous sentences to help understanding the meaning of the text. For a specific target sentence, there are two types of bridging: local and distal. Benchmarks were created to help represent each type of bridging. The two immediate prior sentences of each target sentence together created a benchmark for the local bridging. The benchmarks for distal bridging were those prior sentences, excluding two immediate prior sentences. There were three ways that distal benchmarks were created: chunks based-on paragraph, chunks based-on target sentence, and entire collection of prior sentences. The results showed that using modified benchmark by removing up to 4 words within a threshold 0.4 has significantly improved the identification of distal bridging reading strategy by 14% from the original benchmark evaluation. On the other hand, to identify local bridging, using modified benchmark by removing 4 words has significantly improved the identification by 19% from the original benchmark evaluation.
Some Comparative Issues in the World History of Science and Technology: Jesuit Learning in Late Imperial China

For over a century, Europeans have heralded the success of Western science and assumed the failure of science elsewhere. Since 1954, Joseph Needham had stressed the unique rise of modern science in Europe, but at the same time he acknowledged the achievements in traditional Chinese science and technology until 1600. In the decades since Needham answered his provocative question, ”why didn't the pre-modern Chinese develop modern science?” we have increasingly acknowledged that our focus on the ”failure” of Chinese science to develop into modern science is heuristically interesting but historiographically misguided. We are now forced to reassess how the history of science globally should be rewritten. This article will focus on why the Chinese never learned about the ”Newtonian Century” in Europe and its analytic style of mathematical reasoning until after the Opium War (1839 - 1842). Some still contend that the Qing state during the Macartney mission in 1793, for example, was too closed-minded to learn about the emerging early modern world. With hindsight, such views appear incontrovertible, but there were many external factors to China, such as the collapse of the Jesuit mission in China and Europe in the middle of the eighteenth century, which help explain why the Newtonian revolution came so late in Asia, and not in the eighteenth century.
Development of a virtual pump water flow meter using power derived from comprehensive energy loss analysis

Water flow rates are key controlled variables in chilled and hot water systems. The water flow rate through a pump can be virtually determined using a measured pump head and input power. Available input power can be either motor input power obtained from the connected variable-frequency drive or variable-frequency drive input power measured by a power meter. The harmonics created by the variable-frequency drive induce additional energy loss in the motor and consequently degrade the motor efficiency. The objective of this article is to evaluate a virtual pump water flow meter using either the variable-frequency drive input power or motor input power with calibrated pump, motor and variable-frequency drive efficiencies along with the consideration of additional harmonic energy loss. First, the water flow correlation with the measured pump head and available power input is discussed, then the calibration procedure is introduced to identify three efficiencies, and finally the experiment is conducted to develo...
Echocardiographic Parameters of Right Ventricular Function Predict Mortality in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Pilot Study:

AbstractRight ventricular (RV) dysfunction in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) contributes to increased mortality. Our aim is to identify reproducible transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) parameters of RV dysfunction that can be used to predict outcomes in ARDS. We performed a retrospective single-center cohort pilot study measuring tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), Tei index, RV-fractional area change (RV-FAC), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and septal shift, reevaluated by an independent blinded cardiologist (JK). Thirty-eight patients were included. Patients were divided on the basis of 30-day survival. Thirty-day mortality was 47%. Survivors were younger than nonsurvivors. Survivors had a higher pH, PaO2∶FiO2 ratio, and TAPSE. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were lower in survivors. TAPSE has the strongest association with increase...
Contested Landscape: The Role of Critical Dialogue for Social Workers in Mental Health Practice

Within the context of managed care, contemporary social work practice in mental health settings often emphasizes DSM IV diagnosis. However, social work needs alternative practice constructions that...
Experimental Study of the Influence of Valve Timing on Hydraulic Motor Efficiency

The timing of the valves of a hydraulic motor plays an important role in determining the throttling energy. To reduce this dominating energy loss, the timing of the valves must allow the fluid in the chamber to be precompressed and decompressed such that there is minimal pressure differential across the transitioning valve. The optimal valve timing to achieve precompression and decompression is a function of the motor displacement, angular velocity, pressure, and air content of the fluid, thus to achieve high efficiency at all conditions, active valve timing is required. The valves in most hydraulic motor architectures are mechanically timed to the piston displacement, rendering it impossible to change the valve timing as a function of operating conditions. This paper presents one novel valve architecture that allows for such processes: a rotary valve that is controlled independently of the piston displacement, enabling active timing control. To validate the concept and test the motor valve at fixed timing and fixed displacement conditions, a prototype valve was installed on a single cylinder 3.5 cc/rev slider-crank piston motor. The nominal timing of the valve was optimized for operation for a pressure of 7 MPa, 2% entrained air by volume, and an angular velocity between 10 and 30 Hz. A model, including the pressure dynamics, leakage, compressibility, check valve dynamics, and geometry dependent parameters is developed, simulated, and compared to the experiment. The experimental system includes instrumentation for measuring the inlet and outlet flow rates, piston position, and pressure in the inlet, outlet, and cylinder. A comparison between the model and experimental data shows good agreement and demonstrate the large impact of valve timing on efficiency.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Germans transition towards renewable energy supply — A systems thinking approach

This paper presents a systems thinking approach to deal with the Germans' transition towards renewable energy supply with an emphasis on households. Systems thinking has been used in the paper to understand the main factors that influence the development of the installed capacity of renewable power generation and electricity tariffs for households. By understanding the connections, it is easier to estimate the further development and evaluate the influence of changes in the present system. (5 pages)
Lab-Scale Characterization of a Lighter-Than-Air Wind Energy System - Closing the Loop

Airborne Wind Energy systems (AWEs), which replace conventional systems’ towers with tethers and a lifting body, can provide inexpensive and clean energy to remote locations that have traditionally relied on expensive diesel fuel as their principal fuel source. However, many AWEs have not been implemented because of the lack of flight dynamic characterization that has resulted from the high costs of full-scale models. This paper presents recent developments in a lab-scale, water channel-based test platform for the characterization of AWEs, focusing on the flight dynamics of the Buoyant Airborne Turbine (BAT) of Altaeros Energies, which uses a lighter-than-air shell to elevate a horizontal-axis turbine to altitudes as high as 600 m. Specifically, the paper describes the lab-scale testing framework implemented in the UNC-Charlotte water channel, which includes real-time motion capture, closed-loop control of tethers, and rapid variability over a variety of model parameters (including tether attachment location, center of mass location, and fin geometry), which represent significant advances with respect to the authors’ previous work. The research specifically focused on the impact of center of mass location, trim pitch angle, and horizontal stabilizer pitch angle on flight dynamics, demonstrating the sensitivity of flight dynamic performance on these parameters both in the openand closed-loop setting.
Racial differences in the relationship between clinical prostatitis, presence of inflammation in benign prostate and subsequent risk of prostate cancer.

Racial differences in the relationship between clinical prostatitis, presence of inflammation in benign prostate and subsequent risk of prostate cancer
Oscillating Probe for Dual Detection of 5'PO 4 and 5'OH DNA Breaks in Tissue Sections

Several types of DNA cuts are used as markers of apoptosis for detection of apoptotic cells in situ. We recently introduced a ligase-based in situ assay that is specific for a single type of DNA damage--a double-strand break of DNase I-type, bearing 5'PO4. Here we describe a vaccinia topoisomerase I-based approach to label another type of DNA damage in situ--a double-strand break of DNase II-type, bearing 5'OH. The assay uses a new type of probe, a molecular oscillator. The probe self-assembles in solution out of a dual-hairpin oligonucleotide and vaccinia topoisomerase I. The enzyme continuously separates and religates two fluorescently labeled hairpins, which can participate in energy transfer. We describe the successful combination of topoisomerase-and ligase-based systems into an in situ assay. The assay uses an oscillating probe for simultaneous detection of two types of DNA cuts in tissue sections.
Dynamin Autonomously Regulates Podocyte Focal Adhesion Maturation

Rho family GTPases, the prototypical members of which are Cdc42, Rac1, and RhoA, are molecular switches best known for regulating the actin cytoskeleton. In addition to the canonical small GTPases, the large GTPase dynamin has been implicated in regulating the actin cytoskeleton via direct dynamin-actin interactions. The physiologic role of dynamin in regulating the actin cytoskeleton has been linked to the maintenance of the kidney filtration barrier. Additionally, the small molecule Bis-T-23, which promotes actin-dependent dynamin oligomerization and thus, increases actin polymerization, improved renal health in diverse models of CKD, implicating dynamin as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CKD. Here, we show that treating cultured mouse podocytes with Bis-T-23 promoted stress fiber formation and focal adhesion maturation in a dynamin-dependent manner. Furthermore, Bis-T-23 induced the formation of focal adhesions and stress fibers in cells in which the RhoA signaling pathway was downregulated by multiple experimental approaches. Our study suggests that dynamin regulates focal adhesion maturation by a mechanism parallel to and synergistic with the RhoA signaling pathway. Identification of dynamin as one of the essential and autonomous regulators of focal adhesion maturation suggests a molecular mechanism that underlies the beneficial effect of Bis-T-23 on podocyte physiology.
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to identify H. pylori and its impact on the gastric microbiome.

11070 Background: Although H. pylori is a WHO class I carcinogen for gastric cancer (GC), nearly all infected patients do not develop GC, and H. pylori eradication does not reduce GC risk. We used WGS to examine the hypothesis that changes in the gastric microbiome associated with H. pylori infection may play a role in GC development. Methods: Patients (pts) undergoing upper endoscopy were categorized as follows: (1) active H. pylori infection (H. pylori identified on biopsy or positive CLOtest), (2) prior H. pylori infection (previous H. pylori treatment or ELISA IgG positive), and (3) GC. Endoscopic biopsies from 3 locations in the antrum/body were freshly frozen for WGS (50bp paired-end) on a HiSeq2000 platform at ~10X coverage. We developed a custom computational pipeline algorithm that successively removes human sequences, with remaining un-mapped reads aligned to ~1,400 unique bacteria genomes. Bacterial species were validated by PCR. Results: 15 pts have enrolled: active H. pylori infection (n=6), ...
The Current Experiences of Physical Education Teachers at Schools for Blind Students in the United States.

IntroductionIt has been well established that children with visual impairments tend to be less physically active and more delayed in motor skills than their sighted peers. As a result, there has be...
Pelvic floor dynamics during high-impact athletic activities: A computational modeling study

Background Stress urinary incontinence is a significant problem in young female athletes, but the pathophysiology remains unclear because of the limited knowledge of the pelvic floor support function and limited capability of currently available assessment tools. The aim of our study is to develop an advanced computer modeling tool to better understand the dynamics of the internal pelvic floor during highly transient athletic activities.
Generation of Human T/NK Cell Precursors for Adoptive Transfer To Enhance Immune Reconstitution in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with significant post-transplant immunoincompetence which affects in particular the T cell lineage and results in an increased susceptibility to infections. Novel strategies to enhance immune recovery after HSCT could prevent malignant relapse and immune deficiency and improve the overall outcome of this therapy. We have established a serum free culture system using murine bone marrow stroma expressing the Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (DL1) to obtain high numbers of human pre-T cells from CD34+ cells. Human cord blood CD34+ cells were plated on OP9 DL1 stroma transduced with adenovirus expressing thrombopoietin (ad-TPO) at an MOI of 30. Media used was QBSF-60 (Serum free media prepared by Quantity Biologicals) supplemented with Flt-3 ligand and IL-7 (10ng/ml). At 4–5 weeks we obtained a 10 5 –10 7 fold expansions of cultured cells of which about 70–80% were CD5, CD7 positive pre T cells (Fig 1). We then developed an optimal system to study human lymphohematopoiesis using mouse models (NOD/SCID/IL2rϒ null and NOD/SCIDβ2 null ) and established an adequate pre T cell number (4 × 10 6 ) and radiation dose (300 Rads). We injected CD34 and pre-T cells (CD45 +, CD4−, CD5+, CD7+) derived from OP9 DL1 cultures into these mice and achieved ~50%engraftment of NK in the bone marrow and spleen of the mice at 2 weeks following transplant. The thymus from the same mice showed evidence of about 12–15% CD7+ pre T cells. We are currently studying the function of the generated NK and T cells both in vivo and in vitro studies.
A Comparison of Mathematical Models of Mood in Bipolar Disorder

We are far from a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of mood in bipolar disorder. However, a number of models of mood have emerged to describe the pathological fluctuation in mood that is characteristic of this disorder. These models are surprisingly diverse in their dynamical principles, e.g. whether mood is periodic or whether mania and depression are stable points when ignoring external influences. This chapters presents a selective summary of existing models of mood in bipolar disorder and introduces two new models. We focus on a key question: how to differentiate between models when only time courses of mood are available. For each model we consider, time courses are evaluated through data transformations and statistical techniques, including estimating survival functions and spectral density. We then provide guidelines on how to decide whether a certain modeling assumption, e.g. periodicity, is appropriate.
P- and N-type Doping of Non-Polar A-plane GaN Grown by Molecular-Beam Epitaxy on R-plane Sapphire

Non-polar a-plane GaN films doped with Si or Mg were grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy on r-plane sapphire substrates. The ( $$11\bar 20$$ ) orientation of the GaN epilayers was confirmed by x-ray diffraction. The layers were further characterized by atomic force microscopy, Hall effect, and photoluminescence measurements. The Mg-doped layers showed p-type conductivity, with a maximum hole concentration of 6×1017 cm−3 (µ = 2 cm2/Vs). Comparison with Mg-doping of N-polar c-plane GaN suggests the Mg sticking coefficient may be higher on the GaN ( $$11\bar 20$$ ) surface compared to the GaN ( $$000\bar 1$$ ) surface. The electron mobility obtained for a-plane GaN:Si (18 cm2/ Vs for n = 1×1018 cm−3) was low compared to that of typical c-plane epilayers. The lower electron mobility is attributed to the higher density of structural defects in a-plane GaN.
Role of STARD4 in sterol transport between the endocytic recycling compartment and the plasma membrane.

The kinetics of sterol transport between the plasma membrane and the endocytic recycling compartment is measured using fluorescence microscopy. STARD4, a small, soluble sterol transport protein, is...
Implementing "In-Lab" Autograding for Snap! (Abstract Only)

While text based languages have been (relatively) straightforward to grade automatically, visual programming languages have been largely left out of the equation. However, as the demand for introductory CS courses has recently grown, so too has the interest in CS courses that use visual programming languages, and thus the need for a scalable solution to providing student feedback. In this poster we present a system design for an autograder for Snap!, a visual programming language inspired by Scratch. We demonstrate how we integrated our autograder into UC Berkeley's CS10 and compare student success of autograded lab assessments to oral lab check offs. We demonstrate how we offered real-time feedback to a course of 300 students, and how we integrated our tools into an edX MOOC with 15,000 students. Our autograder is a hosted solution which would allow other courses to use our tools with little effort.
Characterization and Evaluation of the State-of-the-Art 3.3-kV 400-A SiC MOSFETs

Since their introduction, the SiC-based semiconductors have been of special interest to the field of power electronics, enabling increase in system efficiency, maximum operating temperature, and power density. In higher voltage range, these semiconductors are at early stage of development and yet are not commercialized. This paper investigates state-of-the-art noncommercialized 3.3-kV 400-A full-SiC MOSFETs where for the first time such MOSFETs are thoroughly characterized and their performance is evaluated and compared against similar rating Si counterparts. Extensive static and dynamic characterizations are done with emphasize on enabling conduction and switching loss calculation in any target application. I–V curves for MOSFET and Shottky-barrier diode (SBD), RDSon, C–V curves and threshold voltages are addressed by measurement at different temperatures. Moreover, the SiC MOSFETs are tested in chopper circuit with an inductive load for measurement of switching losses. This is done at 2-kV bus voltage from 50 up to 400 A load current. Finally, simulations are done in MATLAB/Simulink to evaluate the performance of 3.3-kV 400-A modules in medium-voltage high-power industrial drive application. The case study shows advantages of the 3.3-kV SiC MOSFET technology over 3.3-kV Si IGBTs and 1.7-kV SiC MOSFETs from efficiency, installed die area and power density points of view.
Longitudinal Methods (Cohort Analysis, Life Tables)

This article described the origins of longitudinal methods and the variety of longitudinal models applied in geographic research. Longitudinal models frequently are termed hazard models, duration models, or event-history analysis. Early precursors to event-history analysis are studies of survival based on life tables, and cohort analysis in life course research. Longitudinal methods are applicable for the study of temporal and spatial processes, although the former are developed more extensively. This article explains important terminology used in longitudinal modeling and numerous theoretical time dependencies. Within life course research, longitudinal methods are used to understand multiple time dependencies. These are frequently referred to as parallel events across various careers and trajectories. Next, a variety of longitudinal models are described representing parametric, semiparametric, and nonparametric approaches applied in continuous-time and discrete-time dimensions. These include parametric continuous-time hazard models, Cox's proportional hazards model, discrete-time hazard models, log-rate models, and event-history diffusion analysis that extends longitudinal models to spatial processes. The final section addresses current and future developments in longitudinal modeling in geography.
Studies in Symbolic Interaction: I. Conversion of Controlling Stimuli

Symbolic interactionism hypothesizes that covert acts may be controlling stimuli for self-referent behavior. To determine the transition of controlling stimuli from overt behavior to covert action, 4 groups of subjects predicted their scores on 4 arithmetic tasks under 2 stimulus conditions. One group employed overt stimuli in order to think about their scores, and a second group used covert stimuli to guess their outcomes. Two remaining groups thought for 2 tasks and guessed for 2 others. Thinking subjects predicted their scores more accurately than those who guessed, but practice with overt stimuli also increased accuracy with covert stimuli. The findings are consistent with learning and role theory statements of skill acquisition.
Imaging, microscopic analysis, and modeling of a CdTe module degraded by heat and light

Abstract Photoluminescence (PL), electroluminescence (EL), and dark lock-in thermography are collected during stressing of a CdTe module under one-Sun light at an elevated temperature of 100 °C. The PL imaging system is simple and economical. The PL images show differing degrees of degradation across the module and are less sensitive to effects of shunting and resistance that appear on the EL images. Regions of varying degradation are chosen based on avoiding pre-existing shunt defects. These regions are evaluated using time-of-flight secondary ion-mass spectrometry and Kelvin probe force microscopy. Reduced PL intensity correlates to increased Cu concentration at the front interface. Numerical modeling and measurements agree that the increased Cu concentration at the junction also correlates to a reduced space charge region.
Ambulatory Curriculum Design and Delivery for Internal Medicine Residents

This chapter guides ambulatory educators through the key educational principles, components, and steps needed for a robust ambulatory curriculum with a longitudinal design and a diverse delivery mechanism. Ambulatory medical education for residents is structured into three major curricula designs—ambulatory block rotations, longitudinal continuity clinics, and ambulatory long blocks. Embedded into these curricular designs is a core curricular thread comprised of high-yield ambulatory topics and delivered through various teaching pedagogies. Highlighted in this chapter are specific formal instructional strategies as well as resident-directed learning modalities. The chapter concludes with a step-by-step guide of the essential elements in developing an ambulatory curriculum. Sample implementation tools provide deliverables for educators to utilize in their own ambulatory teaching environment. These include needs assessment tools, mini-CEX forms, and a goal and objective template for resident continuity clinics.
Discovering Point Lights with Intensity Distance Fields

We introduce the light localization problem. A scene is illuminated by a set of unobserved isotropic point lights. Given the geometry, materials, and illuminated, appearance of the scene, the light localization problem is to completely recover the number, positions, and intensities of the lights. We first present a scene transform that identifies likely light positions. Based on this transform, we develop an iterative algorithm to locate remaining lights and determine all light intensities. We demonstrate the success of this method in a large set of 2D synthetic scenes, and show that it extends to 3D, in both synthetic scenes and real-world scenes.
Further Properties of Vector Spaces

This chapter discusses the derivation of properties on the basis of vector space. The initial group of properties is independent of the dimension of the space. The concepts of homomorphism and isomorphism for vector spaces are also discussed in the chapter. The chapter presents the computational procedures that are applicable to finite-dimensional spaces. A subset of vector space is called linearly independent if and only if it is not linearly dependent. A linearly independent subset of vectors of a vector space is called a maximal linearly independent set of vector space if and only if subset is not properly included in any linearly independent subset of vector space. In other words, a maximal linearly independent set is a maximal element in the collection of all linearly independent subsets of V, partially ordered by inclusion. The most important properties of vectors and vector spaces are those that are independent of bases.
A Unified Approach to Yield Analysis of Defect Tolerant Circuits

The dependence of the yield of defect tolerant VLSI circuits on the size of defect clusters (relative to the chip size) has been recently recognized. Consequently, models for yield analysis have been proposed for “large area clustering” and “small area clustering”. By adding a new parameter, the block size, to the existing parameters of the defect distribution we unify the analysis of the existing models and at the same time add a whole range of “medium size clustering” models, thus increasing the flexibility in choosing the appropriate yield model. We illustrate our approach through several numerical examples and propose methods for estimating the newly defined block size.
Cardioplegia practice in paediatric cardiac surgery: a UK & Ireland survey.

Introduction:Many techniques are available for cardioplegic arrest in children, but there is a lack of late phase clinical trials to guide practice. We surveyed paediatric cardiac surgeons and perf...
Prevalence of voice disturbances in pediatric airway patients: Are we missing anything?

Abstract Objective To report on the prevalence of voice disturbances in pediatric airway patients. Methods Consecutive patients seen in a specialized Center for Airway Disorders at a tertiary children's hospital from February 2017 to September 2017 were included. Patients' families were invited to complete a pediatric voice health handicap index (pVHI) questionnaire. Patients underwent evaluation including flexible laryngoscopy and/or direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. Results 146 patients were included. Of these children, 73 patients (50.3%) presented with swallowing difficulty and 44 patients (30.3%) presented with respiratory complaints. Only 9 patients (6.2%) reported hoarseness initially. The median age at referral was 2.7 years of age (interquartile range: 1.4-4.3). The mean total pVHI score was 9.5 (± 12.9). Sixty-seven patients (45.9%) had abnormal pVHI findings of score > 4. Six patients (4.1%) had pVHI > 40. The mean pVHI score was 26.0 (± 21.1) among 12 patients with a history of tracheostomy, 12.0 (± 14.3) among 30 patients with laryngeal cleft, and 9.0 (± 9.9) among 19 patients with laryngomalacia. Conclusion Voice disturbances are not uncommon in pediatric patients evaluated for airway disorders. Although patients may present with primary concerns for breathing or swallowing difficulties, many of these patients may need further work-up and treatment for dysphonia.
Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries among US Air Force Special Tactics Operators: an economic cost perspective.

Objectives Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) are an important concern in military populations. The purpose of this study was to describe the burden of MSI and associated financial cost, in a sample of US Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Operators. Methods In this cross-sectional study, medical records of the Operators were reviewed during the years 2014–2015. MSI that occurred during a 1-year period prior to the date of review were described. MSI attributes described included incidence, anatomic location, cause, activity when MSI occurred, type and lifetime cost of MSI estimated using the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System. Results A total of 130 Operators participated in the study (age: 29.1±5.2 years). The 1-year cumulative incidence of MSI was 49.2 injured Operators/100 Operators/year. The most frequent anatomic location and sublocation for MSI were the lower extremity (40.9% of MSI) and shoulder (20.9%), respectively. Lifting was a common cause of MSI (21.8%). A large per cent of MSI (55.5%) occurred while Operators were engaged in either physical or tactical training. Common MSI types were pain/spasm/ache (44.5%). Many MSI (41.8%) were classified as potentially preventable by an injury prevention training programme. The total lifetime cost of these MSI was estimated to be approximately US$1.2 million. Conclusion MSI are an important cause of morbidity and financial cost in this sample of Air Force Special Tactics Operators. There is a need to develop a customised injury prevention programme to reduce the burden and cost of MSI in this population.
Outliers Analysis of RI Long-Term Data in Fair Weather From 1000 kV UHV AC Power Lines

Radio interference (RI) measurement data had been recorded by establishing long-term measurement stations close to the Chinese first 1000 kV UHV ac double-circuit and single-circuit transmission line. Due to the randomness and variation of RI data in fair weather, it is necessary to detect the outliers from measurement data. Two methods have been tried for analyzing the outliers by using two samples from both 1000 kV UHV AC double-circuit and single-circuit line in this letter. With nonparametric method, the outlier detection algorithm based on β ( g, h ) distribution has been proved to be more reasonable than normality assumption method.
Monocytes from Older Adults Maintain Capacity for Metabolic Compensation during Glucose Deprivation and Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation

ABSTRACT Inflammaging is the chronic low-grade inflammation that occurs with age that contributes to the pathology of age-related diseases. Monocytes are innate immune cells that become dysregulated with age and which can contribute to inflammaging. Metabolism plays a key role in determining immune cell functions, with anti-inflammatory cells primarily relying on fatty acid oxidation and pro-inflammatory cells primarily relying on glycolysis. It was recently shown that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytes can compensate for a lack of glucose by utilizing fatty acid oxidation. Given that mitochondrial function decreases with age, we hypothesized that monocytes taken from aged individuals would have an impaired ability to upregulate oxidative metabolism along with impaired effector functions. Aging did not impair LPS-induced oxygen consumption rate during glucose deprivation as measured on a Seahorse XFp system. Additionally, aged monocytes maintained inflammatory gene expression responses and phagocytic capacity during LPS stimulation in the absence of glucose. In conclusion, aged monocytes maintain effector and metabolic functions during glucose deprivation, at least in an ex vivo context.
Persistent Intravascular Volume Expansion is Compensatory, Not Detrimental, in Post-Hospital Chronic Heart Failure Patients and Associated with Better Clinical Outcomes

Background Intravascular volume is largely regulated by the kidneys but how the relative extent of volume expansion impacts outcomes in post-hospital chronic heart failure (HF) patients has not been assessed. Our hypothesis was that greater rather than lesser volume expansion is compensatory and associated with better HF-related outcomes. Methods Blood volume (BV) was prospectively measured in 87 HF patients at the time of hospital discharge (post-diuretic therapy) using a standardized nuclear medicine radiolabeled albumin indicator-dilution technique (Daxor Corp., NY, NY). A volume cut-point of ≥+25% above normal BV defined greater from lesser volume expansion. The cohort was analyzed for 1-year composite outcome of HF-related mortality or 1st re-hospitalization. Results BV expansion ≥+25% was present in 53% of the cohort with RBC mass excess (polycythemia) being the predominant contributor (74% of this subgroup). In this volume expanded subgroup (N=46) the risk for the composite endpoint was significantly lower than in the subgroup with less volume expansion (N=41; 56% with normal BV, 44% with mild-moderate BV expansion) [Fig. 1, p=0.017, RR 0.41 (0.20-0.84)]. Further, the evaluation of RBC mass as a component of intravascular volume informs the higher risk associated with true anemia [p=0.006, RR 2.78 (1.37-5.55)], but also importantly the significant reduction in risk associated with RBC polycythemia [p Conclusions The findings of this analysis indicate that persistent intravascular volume expansion (≥+25% above normal volume) is common at the time of hospital discharge despite diuretic intervention in chronic HF patients, and importantly that in post-hospital follow up the greater extent of BV expansion (compared to normal volume or mild-moderate expansion) driven mainly by RBC polycythemia is compensatory, not detrimental, and associated with better HF-related outcomes including reduced mortality. These findings provide additional insight into the pathophysiology of chronic HF and also have implications for a more individualized approach to volume assessment and management in HF patients.
Dot-Com Design: How do we tell a Web History?

Megan Sapnar Ankerson's Dot-Com Design explores how digital design confers meaning, and reflects macro trends in internet technologies and the wider economy from the 1990s onwards. Dot-Com Design i...
Gender Differences in Earnings of Early- and Midcareer Pediatricians

BACKGROUND: The US physician workforce includes an increasing number of women, with pediatrics having the highest percentage. In recent research on physicians, it is indicated that men earn more than women. It is unclear how this finding extends to pediatricians. METHODS: We examined cross-sectional 2016 data on earnings from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study, a longitudinal study of early- and midcareer pediatricians. To estimate adjusted differences in pediatrician earnings between men and women, we conducted 4 ordinary least squares regression models. Model 1 examined gender, unadjusted; model 2 controlled for labor force characteristics; model 3 controlled for both labor force and physician-specific job characteristics; and model 4 controlled for labor force, physician-specific job, and work-family characteristics. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study participants completed the 2016 surveys (1213 out of 1801). The analytic sample was restricted to participants who completed training and worked in general pediatrics, hospitalist care, or subspecialty care (n = 998). Overall pediatrician-reported mean annual income was $189 804. Before any adjustment, women earned ∼76% of what men earned, or ∼$51 000 less. Adjusting for common labor force characteristics such as demographics, work hours, and specialty, women earned ∼87% of what men earned, or ∼$26 000 less. Adjusting for a comprehensive set of labor force, physician-specific job, and work-family characteristics, women earned ∼94% of what men earned, or ∼$8000 less. CONCLUSIONS: Early- to midcareer female pediatricians earned less than male pediatricians. This difference persisted after adjustment for important labor force, physician-specific job, and work-family characteristics. In future work, researchers should use longitudinal analyses and further explore family obligations and choices.
Self-reported history of concussions is associated with risk factors for suicide completion among high school students.

Abstract Background Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents. While research has found concussions to be a risk factor for suicide in adults, this relationship is not well studied in nationally representative samples of youth. This study examines the relationship between self-reported history of sports-related concussion and five risk factors for suicide completion. Methods Data were obtained from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (n=13,353). Multivariate logistic regression models assessed the relationship between self-reported, sports-related concussion and five risk factors for suicide completion. Analyses controlled for sex, race/ethnicity, grade, bullying victimization, and sexual orientation. Subsample analyses were conducted stratified by sex. Interaction models examined biological sex as a possible effect modifier. Results Overall, 15.0% of high school students reported a sports-related concussion in the past 12-months. Self-reported, sports-related concussion was significantly associated with greater odds of feeling sad/hopeless (Adj OR: 1.20; 95% CI:1.02–1.42), suicidal ideations (Adj OR: 1.25; 95% CI:1.02–1.55), suicide attempt (Adj OR: 1.60; 95% CI:1.31–1.96), and suicide attempt treated by a doctor/nurse (Adj OR: 2.35; 95% CI:1.68–3.29), adjusting for covariates. Stratified analyses demonstrated differences by sex, however, no direct evidence of effect modification was observed in interaction models. Limitations Data are cross-sectional, prohibiting causal inferences. Measures were assessed via self-report. No pre-concussion measures of mental health. Conclusion Self-reported sports-related concussion was associated with risk factors for suicide completion. No direct evidence of effect modification was observed but stratified analyses suggest biological sex may impact the observed relationship.
4.22 – The Role of Fault Zone Drilling

The objective of fault-zone drilling projects is to directly study the physical and chemical processes that control deformation and earthquake generation within active fault zones. An enormous amount of field, laboratory, and theoretical work has been directed toward the mechanical and hydrological behavior of faults over the past several decades. Nonetheless, it is currently impossible to differentiate between – or even adequately constrain – the numerous conceptual models of active faults proposed over the years. For this reason, the Earth science community is left in the untenable position of having no generally accepted paradigm for the mechanical behavior of faults at depth. One of the primary causes for this dilemma is the difficulty of either directly observing or inferring physical properties and deformation mechanisms along faults at depth, as well as the need to observe directly key parameters such as the state of stress acting on faults at depth, pore fluid pressure (and its possible variation in space and time), and processes associated with earthquake nucleation and rupture. Today, we know very little about the composition of active faults at depth, their constitutive properties, the state of in situ stress or pore pressure within fault zones, the origin of fault-zone pore fluids, or the nature and significance of time-dependent fault-zone processes.
Nickel(II) Bisporphyrin-Fused Pentacenes Exhibiting Abnormal High Stability

A series of largely π-extended multichromophoric molecules including cross-conjugated, half cross-conjugated, conjugation-interrupted and linearly conjugated systems were synthesized and characterized. These multichromophoric molecular systems revealed interesting structural-property relationships. Bisporphyrin-fused pentacenes Pen-1 b and Pen-2 a showed rich redox chemistry with 7 and 8 observable redox states, respectively. The linearly-conjugated bisporphyrin-fused pentacenes (Pen-1 b and Pen-2 a) possess much narrower HOMO-LUMO gaps (1.65 and 1.42 eV redox, respectively) and higher HOMO energy levels than those of their pentacene analogues (2.23 and 2.01 eV redox, respectively), similar to those of much less stable hexacenes and heptacenes. An estimated half-life of >945 h was obtained for bisporphyrin-fused pentacene Pen-2 a, which is much longer than that of its pentacene analogue (BPE-P, half-life, 33 h).
‘Warming Up’ to Sustainable Procurement

Procurement professionals will play a critical role in the belated but necessary effort to slow the pace of climate change. That critical, evolved role will lie in sustainable procurement, which, if effectively implemented, will dramatically alter markets and fundamentally change purchasing behaviors. To be effective, procurement professionals will need to rethink how we define our profession, assess our outcomes, and bring value to our government customers. Successfully establishing a sustainable procurement regime will require dramatic change, including, among other things, overcoming the persistent tyranny of low price, understanding and adopting lifecycle costing, considering externalities in the value proposition, and, of course, specifying and identifying truly sustainable solutions.