cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Near-Surface Soil Moisture Assimilation for Quantifying Effective Soil Hydraulic Properties under Different Hydroclimatic Conditions

We conducted a validation study of a newly developed near-surface soil moisture assimilation scheme for estimating effective soil hydraulic properties using soil moisture data from different hydroclimatic regions, including semihumid Oklahoma, humid Iowa and Illinois, and temperate humid China. A genetic algorithm (GA) was used to estimate the effective soil water retention θ( h ) and hydraulic conductivity K ( h ) functions of an effective modeling domain by minimizing errors between observed near-surface soil moisture and values simulated with the Richards-based Soil–Water–Atmosphere–Plant (SWAP) model. The parameter estimation approach considered uncertainties in the initial and bottom boundary conditions, rooting depth, and root density by creating simulation ensembles based on combinations of several modeling conditions and a multipopulation approach in the GA to estimate uncertainties in the derived soil hydraulic properties. The results showed that θ( h ) is not very sensitive to variations in the initial and boundary conditions, rooting depth, and root density applied on the modeling domain. The value of K ( h ) was found to be more sensitive to variations in rooting depth and root density than to variations in the initial and boundary conditions. With the modeling domain better represented, the estimated θ( h ) and K ( h ) functions were found to be satisfactory in most of the locations studied. They were validated using laboratory-measured θ( h ) and K sat , observed soil moisture in the field, and soil hydraulic properties from the UNSODA database. Our study indicates, however, that the homogeneous-medium assumption commonly used to effectively describe a heterogeneous system may fail to closely represent a highly heterogeneous (layered) soil profile if only the near-surface soil moisture data are used to define the subsurface soil hydraulic properties. Additional soil moisture data from deeper depths may be needed to better estimate the effective soil hydraulic properties of highly heterogeneous systems.
Specification test compaction for analog circuits and MEMS [accelerometer and opamp examples]

Testing a non-digital integrated system against all of its specifications can be quite expensive due to the elaborate test application and measurement setup required. We propose to eliminate redundant tests by employing /spl epsi/-SVM based statistical learning. The application of the proposed methodology to an operational amplifier and a MEMS accelerometer reveal that redundant tests can be statistically identified from a complete set of specification-based tests, with negligible error. Specifically, after eliminating five of eleven specification-based tests for an operational amplifier, the defect escape and yield loss is small at 0.6% and 0.9%, respectively. For the accelerometer, defect escape of 0.2% and yield loss of 0.1% occurs when the hot and cold tests are eliminated. For the accelerometer, this level of compaction would reduce test cost by more than half.
Lattice Dynamics of MgO, Al2MgO4 and Mg2SiO4 Spinel

Summary The method of long waves is used to compute the volume dependence of the elastic properties of MgO, γ-Al2MgO4 (spinel), and γ-Mg2SiO4 (spinel structure) from a rigidion, central force model. A comparison of theoretical and experimental elastic constants for the first two compounds shows that the neglect of non-central forces and ionic polarization severely limits the application of the model for oxides and silicates. The Coulombic contributions to the elastic constants for both the 3–2 spinel (γ-Al2MgO4) and the 2–4 spinel (γ-Mg2SiO4) are expressed as dimensionless Madelung-like constants and are computed as a function of the oxygen parameter. The distortion of the two spinels from c.c.p. is shown to be primarily an electrostatic effect. The elastic properties of γ-Mg2SiO4 are predicted using the bond parameters for Mg-O found from data on periclase and for Si-O found from stishovite. Although the rigid-ion model is too restrictive to give geophysically useful predictions, it shows how lattice dynamics may be used as a framework through which laboratory data may be used to interpret seismic velocity and density profiles.
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia in Children With Severe Cyanotic and Pallid Breath-Holding Spells:

In this study we investigated centrally mediated parasympathetic regulation of modulated cardiac vagal tone among children with severe cyanotic and pallid breath-holding spells by examining respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia was evaluated in 41 children; 17 subjects with cyanotic breath-holding spells (6 boys, 11 girls; mean age 37.1 months), 7 subjects with pallid breath-holding spells (2 boys, 5 girls; mean age 33.0 months), and 17 controls (8 boys, 9 girls; mean age 41.2 months). Subjects had recurrent (more than 3) severe breath-holding spells. Each subject's electrocardiogram was recorded in a quiet room and digitized by an 80386 personal computer during five 1-minute periods. R-R intervals within each 1-minute period were converted to heart rate in 120 successive 0.5-second intervals. The resultant heart rate time series was converted to its underlying frequency composition by a fast Fourier transform and averaged across minutes. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia was defined as the variability in the time series over a frequency range (0.096 Hz to 0.48 Hz) corresponding to a range of respiratory rates from 6 to 30 breaths per minute. ANCOVA adjusting for age and sex was conducted with the subject group as the independent measure. There were no significant differences between subjects with cyanotic breath-holding spells and controls. Pallid breath-holding spell subjects had a marked difference in respiratory sinus arrhythmia from either controls or subjects with cyanotic breath-holding spells, demonstrating less variability in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (P < .042) This study supports the hypothesis that there exists autonomic dysregulation in pallid breath-holding spells, caused by a primary central parasympathetic disturbance distinct from the dysregulation found in cyanotic breath-holding spells.
Novel microwave devices and structures based on the transmission line approach of meta-materials

This paper is composed of two parts. In the first part, the fundamentals of ideal transmission lines (TL) meta-materials (NM) with their physical characteristics and the synthesis of practical artificial TL-MMs with their circuital characteristics are presented. A microstrip implementation of a composite right/left handed (CRLH) TL is shown. In the second part, several novel applications based on the theory of the first part are demonstrated: a backfire-to-endfire leaky wave antenna, a coupled-line coupler with arbitrary coupling, a compact enhanced-bandwidth hybrid ring, a dual-band inharmonic branch-line coupler and a negative reflection/refraction phase-conjugating array interface.
Arsenic concentration variability in public water system wells in Minnesota, USA

Abstract There is significant random and systematic variability in As concentrations in numerous public water system wells in Minnesota. Arsenic concentrations fluctuate above and below the USA’s As drinking water Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 μg/L. The average As concentration is commonly within one standard deviation of the MCL. Results of intensive sampling conducted over the course of approximately 1 year at 3 public water system wells is consistent with the analysis of historic As measurements. In some cases, significant As concentration variability was noted over a short period of time. In these wells, the As concentration was less than 10 μg/L shortly after pumping started, but the As concentration increased over time to a level exceeding 10 μg/L. In these wells, the As concentration decreased to below 10 μg/L again when pumping was briefly restarted after being stopped for 4 h. The As concentration variability is likely due to As adsorption reactions between Fe oxides in the well borehole and in the aquifer near the well borehole during periods when the pump is not in operation. When it is crucial to accurately determine true average As concentrations – for example, at one of the many wells that fluctuate above and below the regulatory As limit of 10 μg/L – it is worthwhile collecting samples frequently during pumping to more accurately determine the average As concentration. Determining a reliable average depends on the standard deviation (SD) of the measurements, with more measurements required if the SD is larger.
Identification of mental retardation by the system of multicultural pluralistic assessment: Nondiscriminatory or nonexistent?

Abstract The effects of applying the dual-criterion classification system for mental retardation in connection with the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment (SOMPA) were investigated by using the SOMPA standardization sample as subjects. Average scaled scores on the Adaptive Behavior Inventory for Children (ABIC) were paired (a) with Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised or (b) with the SOMPA-derived Estimated Learning Potential (ELP). The children performing below the third percentile on either combination of measures were thus classified as “mentally retarded.” By the FSIQ and ELP procedures, 0.6% and 0.2%, respectively, of the children were so classified; the overwhelming majority of the children were of minority background. The implications for the diagnostic category of mild mental retardation and the further use of the SOMPA are discussed.
Characterization of CAX4, an Arabidopsis H+/Cation Antiporter

Ion compartmentalization is essential for plant growth and development. The Arabidopsis open reading frames for CAX1, CAX2, and CAX3 (cation exchangers 1, 2, and 3) were previously identified as transporters that may modulate ion fluxes across the vacuolar membrane. To understand the diversity and role of H + /cation transporters in controlling plant ion levels, another homolog of the CAX genes, CAX4 , was cloned from an Arabidopsis cDNA library. CAX4 is 53% identical to CAX1 at the amino acid level, 42% identical to CAX2, and 54% identical to CAX3. CAX4 transcripts appeared to be expressed at low levels in all tissues and levels of CAX4 RNA increased after Mn 2+ , Na + , and Ni 2+ treatment. An N-terminal CAX4-hemagglutinin fusion appeared to localize to both yeast and plant vacuolar membranes. When expressed in yeast, CAX4, like CAX3, failed to suppress the Ca 2+ sensitivity of yeast strains deficient in vacuolar Ca 2+ transport. Several modifications to CAX4 allowed the protein to transport Ca 2+ . Addition of amino acids to the N terminus of CAX4 and CAX3 caused both transporters to suppress the sensitivity of yeast strains deficient in vacuolar Ca 2+ transport. These findings suggest that CAX transporters may modulate their ion transport properties through alterations at the N terminus.
Nested Markov properties for acyclic directed mixed graphs

Directed acyclic graph (DAG) models may be characterized in four different ways: via a factorization, the d-separation criterion, the moralization criterion, and the local Markov property. As pointed out by Robins [2, 1], Verma and Pearl [6], and Tian and Pearl [5], marginals of DAG models also imply equality constraints that are not conditional independences. The well-known 'Verma constraint' is an example. Constraints of this type were used for testing edges [3], and an efficient variable elimination scheme [4]. Using acyclic directed mixed graphs (ADMGs) we provide a graphical characterization of the constraints given in [5] via a nested Markov property that uses a 'fixing' transformation on graphs. We give four characterizations of our nested model that are analogous to those given for DAGs. We show that marginal distributions of DAG models obey this property.
Lipid Composition of Prepartum, Preterm and Term Milk

The mammary gland undergoes a gradual development in preparation for lactation throughout the 40-week pregnancy period. During this period, the mammary gland is subjected to both maternal and placental hormonal influences. It would be expected that a mother giving birth prematurely would have less developed mammary glandular tissue than a term mother. The mammary glands of preterm mothers might be considered to be immature and this might be of significance for nutrition of the premature infant.
Neuroendoscopic treatment of symptomatic giant Virchow-Robin spaces.

BACKGROUND: Virchow-Robin spaces (VRS) or perivascular spaces are interstitial cystic spaces surrounding the vasculature of brain parenchyma and course from the subarachnoid space. Small VRS (<2 mm) appear in all age groups, but can enlarge and be confused with other lesions like cystic neoplasms. These enlarged VRS are termed giant tumefactive perivascular spaces (GRPVS). CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 50-year-old male who presents with right eye pain, blurred vision, headache, and gait imbalance. He was diagnosed with GRPVS and underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and cyst fenestration. Postoperative imaging showed a decrease in size of the ventricular system with evidence of flow through the aqueduct and ventriculostomy. Brainstem VRS cysts decreased in size. CONCLUSION: Unlike the other small number of case reports, this patient is unique in his age of presentation and successful endoscopic method of treatment. The endoscopic approach provided great exposure and adequate access to the lesions. Clinically, symptoms improved, cyst size decreased, and need for permanent shunt placement was averted.
HFOSS: humanitarian open source software in the college classroom: pre-conference workshop

"Working in an OSS environment has helped teach me the importance of documentation and how development outside of college works.... I finally got a feel for what is expected of me as a software engineer.... I appreciate the lessons learned in this class because it was a real-life experience in the work field as opposed to studying theoretical approaches and practicing writing programs which will never be used again." Senior student, Western New England College, December, 2010.
Summary of Findings and Conclusions

Water is essential to human life. The living patterns and institutional structures of many societies have been affected by the accessibility of their freshwater supplies. The United States and many other areas of the world are now in a transitional period in terms of water. Gone are the days when water resources were considered to be unlimited and each increasing demand for water was met by a new water project. The availability of untapped water sources has declined as demand for water has increased over time. Changing water conditions require new approaches in policies and institutions. The emphasis may shift from development of new water sources towards better management and utilization of existing water sources. Similarly, growing concern for environmental quality problems and the limited capacity of the environment to absorb drainage residuals have substantially increased the need for more efficient management of agricultural drainage and runoff.
IMPS-20COMBINATION THERAPY WITH ANTI-PD-1, ANTI-TIM-3, AND FOCAL RADIATION RESULTS IN REGRESSION OF MURINE GLIOMAS

INTRODUCTION: Checkpoint molecules like programmed death-1 (PD-1) and T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (TIM-3) act as negative regulators of the immune system and can be upregulated in the setting of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Combined PD-1 blockade and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) have been shown to improve antitumor immunity and produces long-term survivors in a murine glioma model.1 However, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes can express multiple checkpoints (including TIM-3), and expression of ≥2 checkpoints corresponds to a more exhausted T cell phenotype.2 It was therefore hypothesized that the addition of a second checkpoint-blocking antibody could achieve additive or synergistic antitumor effects. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were implanted with mouse glioma cell line GL261 transfected with luciferase and randomized into 8 treatment arms: (1) control, (2) SRS, (3) anti-PD-1 antibody, (4) anti-TIM-3 antibody, (5) anti-PD-1 + SRS, (6) anti-TIM-3 + SRS, (7) anti-PD-1 + anti-TIM-3, and (8) anti-PD-1 + anti-TIM-3 + SRS. Overall survival was measured. Brain, cervical lymph nodes, and peripheral blood were harvested on day 21 to assess immune activation. RESULTS: Survival benefits were observed with combined anti-TIM-3 antibody + SRS compared to anti-TIM-3 antibody alone with a median survival (MS) of 69 vs. 25 days and overall survival (OS) of 50% vs. 0%, respectively (p < 0.001 by log-rank Mantel-Cox). Dual blockade with anti-TIM-3 + anti-PD-1 antibody also improved survival compared to TIM-3 blockade alone, (MS of 100 vs. 25 days, OS 60% vs. 0%, respectively, p < 0.05). Notably, OS in the triple therapy group (anti-PD-1 + anti-TIM-3 + SRS) was 100% by day 100 (p < 0.05), a significant improvement compared to all other treatment arms. Flow cytometry of organs harvested on day 21 showed that compared to the dual therapy groups, mice treated with triple therapy had increased tumor infiltration by interferon-gamma+ (IFNg) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha+ (TNFa)-producing CD4+ T cells, as well as IFNg+ CD8+ lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Combining anti-TIM-3 with anti-PD-1 and radiation was synergistic and conferred a significant survival benefit.
Design and Fabrication of Safe, Light-Weight, Flying Robots

This work presents the design, fabrication, and testing of a novel lightweight yet sturdy cage for micro aerial vehicles. Fabricated from a polymer infused 12k carbon-fiber using a smart liquid silicone rubber (LSR) molding process, the cage weighs only 3g and is capable of sustaining impacts at speeds up to 6m/s. We also quantitatively and qualitatively characterize the rigidity and stiffness of the cage using a universal testing machine.This paper subsequently describes the fabrication methodology employed for designing the cage to achieve the high strength-weight ratio. This involves 3D printing, silicon rubber molding, plaster mold rotocasting, wet layup of carbon fiber and finally autoclaving. Finally we demonstrate a 23g autonomous, pico quadrotor capable of sustaining stable flight with collisions with the environment.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Transport of Ions and Molecules in Nanofluidic Devices

Interesting transport phenomena arise when fluids are confined to nanoscale dimensions in the range of 1–100 nm. We examine three distinct effects that influence ionic and molecular transport as the size of fluidic channels is decreased to the nanoscale. First, the length scale of electrostatic interactions in aqueous solutions becomes comparable to nanochannel size and the number of surface charges becomes comparable to the number of ions in the channel. Second, the size of the channel becomes comparable to the size of biomolecules such as proteins and DNA. Third, large surface area-to-volume ratios result in rapid rates of surface reactions and can dramatically affect transport of molecules through the channel. These phenomena enable us to control transport of ions and molecules in unique ways that are not possible in larger channels. Electrostatic interactions enable local control of ionic concentrations and transport inside nanochannels through field effect in a nanofluidic transistor, which is analogous to the metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor. Furthermore, by controlling surface charge in nanochannels, it is possible to create a nanofluidic diode that rectifies ionic transport through the channel. Biological binding events result in partial blockage of the channel, and can thus be sensed by a decrease in nanochannel conductance. At low ionic concentrations, the effect of biomolecular charge is dominant and it can lead to an increase in conductance. Surface reactions can also be used to control transport of molecules though the channel due to the large surface area-to-volume ratios. Rapid surface reactions enable a new technique of diffusion-limited patterning (DLP), which is useful for patterning of biomolecules and surface charge in nanochannels. These examples illustrate how electrostatic interactions, biomolecular size, and surface reactions can be used for controlling ionic and molecular transport through nanochannels. These phenomena may be useful for operations such as analyte focusing, pH and ionic concentration control, and biosensing in micro- and nanofluidic devices.© 2008 ASME
CRT-200.19 Prevalence and Characteristics of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Fractional Flow Reserve-Determined Functionally Non-significant Coronary Lesions

Although fractional flow reserve (FFR) value >0.8 can reliably identify lesions that are at a low risk of future coronary events, discrepancies between FFR values and results of other stress testing or severity of patients’ symptoms are occasionally encountered in daily practice. Percutaneous
Effect of physical activity on age-related glucose intolerance.

Glucose tolerance tends to deteriorate with age, because of decreases in insulin action. Most of this deterioration can be explained by changes in age-related variables rather than aging per se. Maintenance of physical activity during aging can have a powerful effect on glucose tolerance and the preservation of insulin action. Because the metabolic abnormalities associated with glucose intolerance increase the risk of both diabetes and cardiovascular disease, prevention of glucose intolerance will have a beneficial effect on the health of aging Americans.
The Challenges of Migration and the Construction of Religious Identities: The Case of Muslims in America

This chapter examines the ways religion and religious identity are interpreted and adapted in facilitating the transition of American Muslim migrants to cultural, political, social, and religious landscapes that are often vastly different from those in their countries and regions of origin. It asks: how are Muslim migrants and faith-based groups interpreting and reinterpreting their religion to face the challenges presented by their new locales in the USA, especially in a post-9/11 context? How are they drawing on their faith to meet their social, economic, cultural, and personal needs in an Islamophobic context? This chapter argues that religious identity is in a continual process of construction and reconstruction that takes place in response to, and through interaction with, the broader public sphere. An in-depth focus on the understudied category of Muslim migration to the USA allows for the exploration of the formulation and expression of religious identity.
Buffered Versus Non-Buffered Lidocaine With Epinephrine for Mandibular Nerve Block: Clinical Outcomes.

Purpose Outcomes for peak blood levels were assessed for buffered 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine compared with non-buffered 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine. Patients and Methods In this institutional review board–approved prospective, randomized, double-blinded, crossover trial, the clinical impact of buffered 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (Anutra Medical, Research Triangle Park, Cary, NC) was compared with the non-buffered drug. Venous blood samples for lidocaine were obtained 30 minutes after a mandibular nerve block with 80 mg of the buffered or unbuffered drug. Two weeks later, the same subjects were tested with the alternate drug combinations. Subjects also reported on pain on injection with a 10-point Likert-type scale and time to lower lip numbness. The explanatory variable was the drug formulation. Outcome variables were subjects' peak blood lidocaine levels, subjective responses to pain on injection, and time to lower lip numbness. Serum lidocaine levels were analyzed with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Statistical analyses were performed using Proc TTEST (SAS 9.3; SAS Institute, Cary, NC), with the crossover option for a 2-period crossover design, to analyze the normally distributed outcome for pain. For non-normally distributed outcomes of blood lidocaine levels and time to lower lip numbness, an assessment of treatment difference was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests with Proc NPAR1WAY (SAS 9.3). Statistical significance was set at a P value less than .05 for all outcomes. Results Forty-eight percent of subjects were women, half were Caucasian, 22% were African American, and 13% were Asian. Median age was 21 years (interquartile range [IQR], 20-22 yr), and median body weight was 147 lb (IQR, 130-170 lb). Median blood levels (44 blood samples) at 30 minutes were 1.19 μg/L per kilogram of body weight. Mean blood level differences of lidocaine for each patient were significantly lower after nerve block with the buffered drug compared with the non-buffered agent (P < .01). Mean score for pain on injection for nerve block (n = 46 scores) was 3.3 (standard deviation, 0.9). Seventy-eight percent of subjects reported lower or the same pain scores with the buffered drug; 61% of subjects reported a shorter time to lower lip numbness with the buffered drug. Conclusions Buffering 2% lidocaine with epinephrine can produce clinical outcomes favorable for subjects and clinicians without clinically detrimental peak blood lidocaine levels.
THE STUDENT–TEACHER RELATIONSHIP QUALITY OF ABUSED CHILDREN

Considering the association between children's quality of relationships with teachers and their academic adjustment, information pertaining to how abused children are functioning in their relationships with teachers could be useful in promoting their academic success- yet there has been limited research in this area. The purpose of this study was to use cluster analyses to explore within-group differences in relational schemas and quality of student-teacher relationships for 70 abused children. Two clusters of abused children emerged, and as hypothesized, there were significant differences in student-teacher relationships for the two clusters. The cluster with more positive relational schemas had less conflict and less dependency reported by their teachers compared to the cluster with negative relational schemas. However, there were no differences between the clusters in terms of closeness with teachers. Implications for practice in schools is discussed.
A randomized controlled trial of The Body Project: More Than Muscles for men with body dissatisfaction.

Objective Pressures for men to conform to a lean, muscular ideal have, in part, contributed to eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia symptoms, yet few programs have been developed and empirically evaluated to help men. This study investigated the acceptability and efficacy of a cognitive dissonance-based (DB) intervention in reducing eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia risk factors in men with body dissatisfaction. Method Men were randomized to a two-session DB intervention (n = 52) or a waitlist control condition (n = 60). Participants completed validated measures assessing eating disorder risk factors preintervention, postintervention, and at 1-month follow-up. Results Program ratings indicated high acceptability. The DB condition demonstrated greater decreases in body-ideal internalization, dietary restraint, bulimic symptoms, drive for muscularity, and muscle dysmorphia symptoms compared with controls (p values < .02; between-condition Cohen's d = .30–1.11) from pre- to postintervention. At one-month follow-up, the DB condition demonstrated significantly lower scores for all variables (p values < .03; between-condition d = .29–1.16). Body-ideal internalization mediated intervention outcomes on bulimic and muscle dysmorphia symptoms. Discussion Results support the acceptability and efficacy of The Body Project: More Than Muscles up to 1-month postintervention and should be examined against active control conditions.
Computer Simulation of Mass Aggregate Assembly

Abstract An example of an ideal automated assembly process would be as follows: Place all the components in a bag and shake it vigorously until the assembled product is obtained. Such a process requires a minimum amount of input infonnation. The shapes of the individual parts would have a significant bearing on the effectiveness of the process. One of the ways of visualising the process would be to numerically simulate its dynamics. What we would ideally like to have is a realistic animation of the individual parts physically interacting with each other. A realistic animation would enable us to iteratively “tweak” the designs of the individual components until we arrive at the optimal set of part designs. In this article we discuss relevant simulation techniques, review existing work and introduce some of our own ideas.
Federal Financing of Rural Utilities

IHE PROVISION of electric and telephone service to the rural areas of the United States has presented problems of financing for more than 50 years. The extent to which rural utility services are economically feasible has been a matter of continuing controversy. Demands for service have consistently been ahead of the availability of private capital to finance rural expansion. The comparatively higher costs of rural service and the lack of appreciation for the potential use of electric power and communication services by farmers sharply retarded early development. Many small companies, self-service organizations, and municipal systems developed to fill some of the demands. The financing of most of the early rural telephone service was done by local subscription and small stock companies. Organizations were crudely established, few were incorporated, and little attention was given to longterm needs. Depreciation reserves, bookkeeping, and other requisites of good management were practically nonexistent. Although some educational assistance was offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,1 the depression of the 1930's, obsolescence, and the lack of maintenance led to the rapid deterioration of many rural telephone systems and farmer lines. Central station rural electric service was slower to develop than rural telephony. Technical progress did not make long distance transmission and rural distribution of electric energy feasible until after the turn of the century. Except for irrigation pumping in certain localities and occasional rural industries, it was felt that farmers would use electricity only for lighting. Consumption was not expected to justify the cost. Industry leaders apparently were prone to judge the potentials of rural service too much in terms of urban costs and returns. As has been noted in more recent years, they failed to anticipate the potential utilization of power on farms; they were too fearful of farm depressions that would ruin their investments, and construction standards were too rigid to permit lowering costs. As a result, the capital contributions required for the provision of service stymied any substantial expansion. Although a few small rural companies and cooperatives were organized, only minor progress was made toward farm electrification. The result was that only
Treatment of bacterial prostatitis: Theoretical and clinical problems

The treatment of bacterial prostatitis is difficult, with a cure rate of only about 30% in various studies. The reason for the failure is the lack of diffusion of acidic and non lipid soluble antibacterials into the prostate. This possibly explains the poor effect of penicillin and sulfa compounds. The failure of sulfa to diffuse into the prostate may also explain the poor results from the use of trimethoprim-sulfa combinations. Basic fat soluble antibacterials with a high pKa concentrate well in the normal prostate but less well in the infected prostate where pH increases in the prostatic fluid have been observed. This may explain the poor effect of these substances (trimethoprim, erythromycin). Indanyl carbenicillin sodium yields higher concentrations in the prostate interstitial fluid of dogs than other penicillins, possibly due to its fat solubility, which may explain the relatively good clinical results with this compound. The finding of bacterial growth in 17% of removed prostate tissue specimens is of uncertain importance. Prostatic calculi (often present in prostatitis) contain bacteria and these may be hard, if not impossible, to eradicate.
Canonical Bases in Certain Tensor Products

24.1.1. Let M,M ∈ C be such that either ωM ∈ C hi or M ∈ C hi (see 3.4.7). We regard M ⊗ M naturally as a U ⊗ U-module and we define a linear map \(\Theta \) : M ⊗ M →M ⊗ M by \(\Theta \)
The Surface Roughness Parameterization

The momentum roughness, z 0 m , is an important parameter, not only for the wind profile, but it is also essential in the calculation of z 0 υ , for water vapor, z0 h for heat and the roughness parameters for other scalars.
Laryngeal chondroma : A benign process with long-term clinical implications

Chondroma of the laryngeal cartilage is a rare, benign neoplasm which can manifest as a neck mass or, if situated within the airway, as slowly progressive obstruction, hoarseness or dyspnea. The most common location for chondroma is the posterior lamina of the cricoid cartilage; the next most common locations are the thyroid, arytenoid and epiglottic cartilages. Chondroma and low-grade chondrosarcoma are difficult to distinguish from one another histologically. Although chondrosarcoma reportedly recurs, local surgical excision without radical margins and with long-term clinical follow-up is recommended. We report one case of thyroid cartilage chondroma and include a review of radiologic studies and histopathologic analysis results. We also report a second case with severe airway obstruction caused by a large cricoid chondroma. A review of the English language biomedical literature on laryngeal chondroma is included.
Impact of Live, Scientific Annual Meetings in Today’s Cardiovascular World

AbstractAnnual live meetings are a focus for many organizations and professional societies and have long been considered an essential part of lifelong learning. Live meetings offer a venue for a wi...
Foley Catheter Use and Infection in Non-Intubated Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients (P2.269)

Objective: We sought to determine if longer duration of Foley catheter exposure influences the risk of infection and patient outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage patients. Background: Foley catheter use is common among intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients and has been associated with higher rates of infection and worse functional outcomes. Previous studies have examined the association between Foley catheter placement and outcomes but have not explored duration of Foley exposure. Design/Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive ICH patients in a single center stroke registry between September 2014 and November 2015. Intubated patients were excluded. Patient demographics and clinical information including hemorrhage characteristics and Foley catheter utilization were collected. Outcomes of interest included length of stay (LOS), discharge mRS, and any infectious complication. Multivariate logistical regression was used to determine the association between Foley exposure and infections. Results: We identified 117 ICH patients of whom 47 were exposed to Foley catheters. Compared to those without Foleys, these patients did not differ by age, sex, race, medical comorbidities or presenting ICH volume. Patients with Foleys more frequently presented with altered mental status, had higher ICH scores, developed intraventricular extension and had longer LOS (8 vs 3 days, p Conclusions: Increased duration of Foley catheter exposure among non-intubated ICH patients is associated with higher odds of infectious complications. Efforts should be made to minimize the duration of Foley catheter use among these patients. Disclosure: Dr. Gibson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Albright has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gupta has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boehme has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shapshak has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lyerly has nothing to disclose.
Attenuated Cardiovascular Responses to the Cold Pressor Test in Concussed Collegiate Athletes

Context Cardiovascular responses to the cold pressor test (CPT) provide information regarding sympathetic function. Objective To determine if recently concussed collegiate athletes had blunted card...
Detecting modeling inconsistencies in SNOMED CT using a machine learning technique

SNOMED CT is a comprehensive and evolving clinical reference terminology that has been widely adopted as a common vocabulary to promote interoperability between Electronic Health Records. Owing to its importance in healthcare, quality assurance becomes an integral part of the lifecycle of SNOMED CT. While, manual auditing of every concept in SNOMED CT is difficult and labor intensive, identifying inconsistencies in the modeling of concepts without any context can be challenging. Algorithmic techniques are needed to identify modeling inconsistencies, if any, in SNOMED CT. This study proposes a context-based, machine learning quality assurance technique to identify concepts in SNOMED CT that may be in need of auditing. The Clinical Finding and the Procedure hierarchies are used as a testbed to check the efficacy of the method. Results of auditing show that the method identified inconsistencies in 72% of the concept pairs that were deemed inconsistent by the algorithm. The method is shown to be effective in both maximizing the yield of correction, as well as providing a context to identify the inconsistencies. Such methods, along with SNOMED International's own efforts, can greatly help reduce inconsistencies in SNOMED CT.
Gas-rich Dwarf Galaxies from the Second Palomar Sky Survey. II. Optical Properties

We describe the optical properties of a sample of 101 gas-rich field dwarf galaxies found on Second Palomar Sky Survey plates, most newly discovered as part of a survey to investigate the clustering properties of dwarf galaxies relative to giants. These galaxies have low surface brightnesses and are relatively distant, with recession velocities ranging up to 104 km s-1. They have bluer V-I colors (median value of 0.75) than either actively star-forming giant galaxies or low-metallicity globular clusters, implying that these dwarfs have both low metallicities and little past star formation. These galaxies are also extremely gas-rich, with a median H I mass-to-V luminosity ratio of approximately 2 in solar units. We divide the sample into two groups: true dwarfs with diameters (at 25 I mag arcsec-2) less than 7.5 kpc and Magellanic dwarfs with diameters greater than that value. The true dwarfs have greater H I mass-to-V luminosity ratios and slightly bluer V-I colors than the Magellanic dwarfs. Overall, the optical properties of our sample of dwarf galaxies point toward their being quiescent objects that have undergone little star formation over the age of the universe. They are not faded objects but instead may be going through one of their first periods of weak star formation.
A Pastoral Theology of Dwelling: Political Belonging in the Face of a Pandemic, Racism, and the Anthropocene Age

The recent pandemic has accompanied a surge of protests against racial injustice in the United States and around the world, which together are occurring during a growing recognition that the world ...
Agricultural Rents, Landholding Inequality, and Authoritarian Regime Durability

In this chaper, I examine the relationship between landholding inequality, interventions in agricultural markets, and the stability of authoritarian regimes. I construct measures of the size of rents that are generated by agricultural market distortions. I show that both forms of agricultural rents are much smaller than those originating from oil revenues. I then go on to estimate a series of models of authoritarian regime durability. I test whether landed elites are threatening to authoritarian regimes, and concentrations of landholdings are associated with a greater risk of regime collapse. I find a weak positive relationship between landholding inequality and the likelihood of collapse. I look at the relationship between agricultural rents and regime durability. I find that rents that accrue to the state have no effect on the probability of regime collapse. Rents accruing to agricultural producers, however, do have a significant interactive effect on regime stability. Where landholding inequality is high, regimes that distribute greater rents to the agricultural sector are significantly less likely to break down.
Stitching and registering highly multiplexed whole slide images of tissues and tumors using ASHLAR software

Widespread use of highly multiplexed microscopy to study normal and diseased tissues at a single-cell level is complicated by underdevelopment of the necessary software. This is particularly true of high resolution whole-slide imaging (WSI), which involves gigapixel datasets of specimens as large as 5 cm2. WSI is necessary for accurate spatial analysis and a diagnostic necessity. High resolution WSI requires collection of successive image tiles; multiplexing commonly involves successive data acquisition cycles, each with a subset of dyes, antibodies or oligonucleotides. We describe a new Python tool, ASHLAR (Alignment by Simultaneous Harmonization of Layer/Adjacency Registration), that coordinates stitching and registration and scales to 103 or more image tiles over many imaging cycles to generate accurate, high-plex image mosaics, the key type of data for downstream visualization and computational analysis. ASHLAR is more robust and accurate than existing methods and compatible with any scanner or microscope conforming to Open Microscopy Environment standards.
Parametric Cortical Representations of Complexity and Preference for Artistic and Computer-Generated Fractal Patterns Revealed by Single-Trial EEG Power Spectral Analysis.

Abstract Fractals are self-similar patterns that repeat at different scales, the complexity of which are expressed as a fractional Euclidean dimension D between 0 (a point) and 2 (a filled plane). The drip paintings of American painter Jackson Pollock (JP) are fractal in nature, and Pollock's most illustrious works are of the high-D (~1.7) category. This would imply that people prefer more complex fractal patterns, but some research has instead suggested people prefer lower-D fractals. Furthermore, research has suggested that parietal and frontal brain activity tracks the complexity of fractal patterns, but previous research has artificially binned fractals depending on fractal dimension, rather than treating fractal dimension as a parametrically varying value. We used white layers extracted from JP artwork as stimuli, and constructed statistically matched 2-dimensional random Cantor sets as control stimuli. We recorded the electroencephalogram (EEG) while participants viewed the JP and matched random Cantor fractal patterns. Participants then rated their subjective preference for each pattern. We used a single-trial analysis to construct within-subject models relating subjective preference to fractal dimension D, as well as relating D and subjective preference to single-trial EEG power spectra. Results indicated that participants preferred higher-D images for both JP and Cantor stimuli. Power spectral analysis showed that, for artistic fractal images, parietal alpha and beta power parametrically tracked complexity of fractal patterns, while for matched mathematical fractals, parietal power tracked complexity of patterns over a range of frequencies, but most prominently in alpha band. Furthermore, parietal alpha power parametrically tracked aesthetic preference for both artistic and matched Cantor patterns. Overall, our results suggest that perception of complexity for artistic and computer-generated fractal images is reflected in parietal-occipital alpha and beta activity, and neural substrates of preference for complex stimuli are reflected in parietal alpha band activity.
Differential Spectroscopy of Atomic Clocks for Improved Measurement Instability

Using frequency comb mediated phase-coherent and synchronous clock comparisons we demonstrate close to a factor of 10 improvement in short-term measurement instability, σ y (τ) < 2 x 10-16 @ 1s averaging, between 171Yb and 27Al+ optical clocks.
Vague Analysis

It might be thought that vagueness precludes the possibility of classical conceptual analysis and, thus, that the classical or definitional view of the nature of complex concepts is incorrect. The present paper argues that classical analysis can be had for concepts expressed by vague language since (1) all of the general theories of vagueness are compatible with the thesis that all complex concepts have classical analyses and also that (2) the meaning of vague expressions can be analyzed by having the degree of vagueness of a given analysandum be “mapped” onto the vagueness of an analysans.
Electron Drift Velocities in Fast Dielectric Liquids and Their Vapors

Excess electron drift velocities, w, as a function of the applied electric field, E, have been measured in liquid 2,2—dimethylpropane (ТMС), tetramethylsilane (TMS), tetramethylgermanium (TMG), tetramethyltin (ТMТ), 2,2,4,4—tetramethyypentane (ТMР), mixtures of TMS with TMP and n—pentane and in TMC, TMS, and ТMР vapors. Our findings on the electron transport and the electrical properties of these liquids/vapors are discussed.
Market Reaction to Health Care Law: An Event Study

We investigate the effect of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Obama’s health care reform (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), and other reform-related events, on the stocks of impacted firms. More specifically, we use an event study methodology to compute cumulative average abnormal returns (CAARs) for health insurance companies, hospitals, brand-name drug makers, and generic drug makers. Overall, we find that the law has a negative effect on health insurance companies, and on generic drug makers. On the other hand, it has a positive effect on hospitals and on brand-name drug makers.
Kinetics of Anaerobic Treatment

A review of the kinetics of anaerobic treatment and the reported values of such kinetic parameters as the maximum specific substrate utilization rate (k), the half-saturation constant (K s ), the microbial growth yield (Y), and the microorganism decay rate constant (b) are presented. The available kinetic information is presented for each subprocess: (a) hydrolysis of complex, paniculate organic materials; (b) fermentation of amino acids and sugars; (c) anaerobic oxidation of long-chain fatty acids and alcohols; (d) anaerobic oxidation of intermediary products (such as short-chain fatty acids); (e) homoacetogenesis; and (f) methanogenesis. The intrinsic rates of each step as well as mass transfer limitations and their effect on the intrinsic kinetics are discussed and areas requiring further research are also identified. Substantial variation exists in the reported values of the kinetic coefficients. This variation is due in part to the variability in mode of operation, environmental and operational conditions in the various studies as well as to the lack of a widely accepted standard procedure for measuring and expressing the biokinetic coefficients. The hydrolysis step is usually assumed to follow first-order kinetics. Whenever the kinetics of the hydrolysis step were studied, they were generally found to be the limiting-step in the overall conversion of complex substrates to methane. With the exception of the hydrolysis step, all other subprocesses of anaerobic treatment have been successfully modeled by following Monod kinetics. The Contois and Chen & Hashimoto model has also been used quite extensively to account for the effect of influent substrate concentration on effluent quality. Based on a brief overview of the observed phenomena related to the kinetics of mass transfer in methanogenesis, it is concluded that with but few exceptions, the evidence for the significance of mass transfer effects in the different reactor configurations is circumstantial and, in some cases, contradictory. Our understanding of the kinetics of paniculate substrate removal in biofilms is still incomplete for engineering applications, and more research is necessary.