cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and preparation of novel particulate and continuous polymeric macroporous media for the separation of biological and synthetic molecules

Novel approaches to macroporous polymeric separation media with enhanced pore size distributions, controlled surface chemistries, and excellent separation properties have been explored. In the first of these approaches, size-monodisperse spherical polymeric particles containing both large and small pores are prepared with the use of a variety of polymeric porogens. The choice of polymeric porogen as well as its concentration greatly affects the pore size and pore size distribution of the final beads. The polymer beads obtained by this technique have been tested in size exclusion chromatography and in the separation of proteins in reversed-phase mode. Techniques that allow the specific functionalization of pores according to their sizes have been developed. Thus, the surfaces of the large pores of the monodisperse particles can be made hydrophilic or chiral while the smaller pores remain hydrophobic or achiral. Similarly, a novel polymeric separation medium based on a continuous polymer rod incorporating macropores has been prepared by an in situ polymerization within the confines of the tube of a chromatographic column. For example, non-particulate continuous polymer rods with flow-through pores as well as separation pores have been prepared from styrene and divinylbenzene and used in the very fast (30 s) separation of proteins by reversed-phase chromatography. Alternatively, continuous rods prepared from glycidyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate can be transformed into materials that are suitable for ion exchange or other chromatographic modes. A characteristic of the continuous polymeric rod media is their permeability which allows the mobile phase to flow through the medium without causing a high back-pressure. The continuous rod-shaped media can also be modified in pore size-selective fashion to introduce different chemistries in the large and the small pores. These new media are advantageous as they are extremely easy to prepare, durable, require no packing, and can be used for a variety of separations.
Influence of Selected Chelating Admixtures upon Concrete Cracking Due to Embedded Metal Corrosion

It has been considered by the present research that if the solubility limit for embedded metal corrosion products can be increased or the products retained in solution altogether, then development of tensile stresses within the concrete and resultant cracking should be prolonged or eliminated. Consequently, the influence of selected chelating agents, including TEA, EDTA, DPTA, HEDTA, and Chel-138, upon various concrete properties has been evaluated. Specific tests investigated (1) the influence of each agent upon iron solubility as a function of pH, (2) the influence of the various agents as admixtures upon concrete strength, (3) the effect of the chelating agents upon corrosion of steel in aqueous solutions of pH 10 and 12 with 0 and 0.1 percent sodium chloride, and (4) the influence of the agents upon time-to-cracking of reinforced concrete cylinders in an accelerated test. While results of tests in Categories 1 and 3 were encouraging, it was determined that the chelating additions reduced concrete compressive strength. Further, time-to-cracking of admixtured specimens was extended beyond that of standard (no admixture) ones only for HEDTA and Chel-138 and then only under certain test conditions. It is concluded that, while the concept of adding chelating agents to concrete to enhance cracking resistance may be sound, increased time-to-cracking was not generally observed because of reactions between the various admixtures and the concrete.
Transport in semiconductors with low scattering rate and at high frequencies

Abstract A rigorous derivation of the hydrodynamic carrier transport equations is obtained by extending the moment method to include the moment equation of the collision free path which contains both the scattering and the generation-recombination-trapping-tunneling events. This leads to an electron (or hole) current equation with a new inductive term τ j N /∂t which becomes important when the signal frequency becomes comparable with the reciprocal average collision relaxation time, τ −1, and which adds a collision delay inductance to the conduction current lines of the circuit model.
The 152,154Eu(t, α) reactions: Studies of the 112[505] bands in 151Sm and 153Sm

Radioactive targets of 152Eu(13 y) and 154Eu(8.5 y) have been used to study the 152,154 Eu(t, α)151,153Sm reactions at an incident triton energy of 16 MeV. In these studies, we have identified the bandhead and three excited rotational states of the 112[505] neutron orbital in both the 151,153Sm nuclei The angular distributions and relative intensities for states in this band in both 151,153Sm are reproduced reasonably well by using DWBA calculations and by assuming strongly deformed single-particle wave functions. We have used our results and the results of other studies to determine the equilibrium prolate shapes of both 151,153Sm when the odd-neutron quasiparticle occupies the 112[505] orbital. We estimate β2 ~ 0.26 for 151Sm and β2~ 0.3 for 153Sm.
Plant-Derived Sucrose Is a Key Element in the Symbiotic Association between Trichoderma virens and Maize Plants

Fungal species belonging to the genus Trichoderma colonize the rhizosphere of many plants, resulting in beneficial effects such as increased resistance to pathogens and greater yield and productivity. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern the recognition and association between Trichoderma and their hosts are still largely unknown. In this report, we demonstrate that plant-derived sucrose (Suc) is an important resource provided to Trichoderma cells and is also associated with the control of root colonization. We describe the identification and characterization of an intracellular invertase from Trichoderma virens (TvInv) important for the mechanisms that control the symbiotic association and fungal growth in the presence of Suc. Gene expression studies revealed that the hydrolysis of plant-derived Suc in T. virens is necessary for the up-regulation of Sm1, the Trichoderma-secreted elicitor that systemically activates the defense mechanisms in leaves. We determined that as a result of colonization of maize (Zea mays) roots by T. virens, photosynthetic rate increases in leaves and the functional expression of tvinv is crucial for such effect. In agreement, the steady-state levels of mRNA for Rubisco small subunit and the oxygen-evolving enhancer 3-1 were increased in leaves of plants colonized by wild-type T. virens. We conclude that during the symbiosis, the sucrolytic activity in the fungal cells affects the sink activity of roots, directing carbon partitioning toward roots and increasing the rate of photosynthesis in leaves. A discussion of the role of Suc in controlling the fungal proliferation on roots and its pivotal role in the coordination of plant-microbe associations is provided.
An optimal bandwidth allocation strategy for the delivery of compressed prerecorded video

The transportation of prerecorded, compressed video data without loss of picture quality requires the network and video servers to support large fluctuations in bandwidth requirements. Fully utilizing a client-side buffer for smoothing bandwidth requirements can limit the fluctuations in bandwidth required from the underlying network and the video-on-demand servers. This paper shows that, for a fixed-size buffer constraint, the critical bandwidth allocation technique results in plans for continuous playback of stored video that have (1) the minimum number of bandwidth increases, (2) the smallest peak bandwidth requirements, and (3) the largest minimum bandwidth requirements. In addition, this paper introduces an optimal bandwidth allocation algorithm which, in addition to the three critical bandwidth allocation properties, minimizes the total number of bandwidth changes necessary for continuous playback. A comparison between the optimal bandwidth allocation algorithm and other critical bandwidth-based algorithms using 17 full-length movie videos and 3 seminar videos is also presented.
Control systems experiment: Use of microprocessors in introductory control laboratory

Microprocessors have been extensively used in the design of real time control systems. To familiarize the students with microprocessors, several experiments are introduced in our introductory control laboratory. The purpose of this paper is to give a detailed description of these experiments.
Multimedia instructions in ia-64

We discuss the integer and floating-point multimedia instructions in the IA-64 instruction-set architecture (ISA). These multimedia instructions implement subword parallelism, also called packed parallelism or microSIMD parallelism. They are both a subset and a superset of the multimedia instructions from the predecessor architectures: MMX, SSE and SSE-2 from the IA-32 architecture, and MAX and MAX-2 from the PARISC architecture. We discuss the novel subword permutation instructions that are new in the IA-64, and their effectiveness, in combination with the subword arithmetic instructions, for speeding up multimedia programs. These packed arithmetic and permutation instructions can also be used in media processors and DSPs for very fast and cost-effective multimedia processing.
Citation Analysis of Dissertation, Thesis, and Research Paper References in Workforce Education and Development

Citation analysis of 265 Workforce Education and Development (WED) dissertations, theses, and graduate research papers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) was used to (1) determine core serials in the discipline, (2) provide Morris Library with a guide to serials acquisition and maintenance in the discipline, and (3) provide future WED students with a core list of WED journals. This study has applicability as a specific instance of applied citation analysis as well as for academic librarians faced with acquiring and maintaining serials in WED.
Knowledge management for organisational innovation and change: a cross-functional analysis

This study identifies the role of corporate knowledge management process and how it deals with business innovation and organisational change. A relationship model is created to illustrate the interrelationships among these three components. The implementation processes of Knowledge management, Innovation and Organisational change (K-I-O) and the conclusion and future development are also discussed.
Endothelial Cell-derived Heparan Sulfate Binds Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Protects It from Proteolytic Degradation

Cultured bovine capillary endothelial (BCE) cells were found to synthesize and secrete high molecular mass heparan sulfate proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, which bound basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The secreted heparan sulfate molecules were purified by DEAE cellulose chromatography, followed by Sepharose 4B chromatography and affinity chromatography on immobilized bFGF. Most of the heparinase-sensitive sulfated molecules secreted into the medium by BCE cells bound to immobilized bFGF at low salt concentrations. However, elution from bFGF with increasing salt concentrations demonstrated varying affinities for bFGF among the secreted heparan sulfate molecules, with part of the heparan sulfate requiring NaCl concentrations between 1.0 and 1.5 M for elution. Cell extracts prepared from BCE cells also contained a bFGF-binding heparan sulfate proteoglycan, which could be released from the intact cells by a short proteinase treatment. The purified bFGF-binding heparan sulfate competed with 125I-bFGF for binding to low-affinity binding sites but not to high-affinity sites on the cells. Heparan sulfate did not interfere with bFGF stimulation of plasminogen activator activity in BCE cells in agreement with its lack of effect on binding of 125I-bFGF to high-affinity sites. Soluble bFGF was readily degraded by plasmin, whereas bFGF bound to heparan sulfate was protected from proteolytic degradation. Treatment of the heparan sulfate with heparinase before addition of plasmin abolished the protection and resulted in degradation of bFGF by the added proteinase. The results suggest that heparan sulfate released either directly by cells or through proteolytic degradation of their extracellular milieu may act as carrier for bFGF and facilitate the diffusion of locally produced growth factor by competing with its binding to surrounding matrix structures. Simultaneously, the secreted heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans protect the growth factor from proteolytic degradation by extracellular proteinases, which are abundant at sites of neovascularization or cell invasion.
Algorithms for prediction of viral transmission using analysis of intra-host viral populations

Molecular analysis has become one of the major tools used for viral outbreak investigation and transmission network inference. We present two novel methods for accurate identification of transmission clusters and sources of infection for highly heterogeneous viruses such as HIV and HCV. Validation on data obtained from HCV outbreaks shows that the proposed algorithms outperform the state-of-the-art consensus-based methods both in true and false positive rates for transmission prediction, as well as in accuracy of source identification for outbreaks.
Clearance and urinary excretion of vasopressin in conscious dogs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma arginine vasopressin (PAVP) levels and the urinary clearance rate, the nonurinary plasma clearance rate, and the urinary excretion rate of AVP. Female conscious dogs were given an intravenous infusion of p-aminohippuric acid and inulin, and, after a 90-min control period, the infusion was either continued or AVP was added to the infusate to produce doses of 0, 40, 100, and 200 microU.kg-1.min-1 for the last 90 min of the experiment. The resulting PAVP levels were 1.2, 8.2, 11.4, and 21.6 microU/ml, respectively. The urinary clearance rate of AVP nearly doubled between the infusion rates of 0 and 100 microU.kg-1.min-1. Likewise, the nonurinary plasma clearance rate of AVP also nearly doubled between the infusion rates of 40 and 100 microU.kg-1.min-1. However, at the rate of infusion of 200 microU.kg-1.min-1, both the urinary and nonurinary clearance rates were unchanged compared with the 100-microU.kg-1.min-1 rate. The largest incremental rise in PAVP was observed between the doses of 100 and 200 microU.kg-1.min-1, when the clearance rates were apparently plateaued. The urinary excretion rate of AVP was linearly correlated with PAVP (R = 0.91) under the conditions of this study. The results suggest that the measurement of the urinary excretion rate of AVP is a reliable method of assessing PAVP and that the clearance of AVP increases when PAVP is elevated.
The effectiveness of electron beam irradiation to reduce or eliminate mould in cork stoppers

Summary The objective of this research project was to reduce or eliminate moulds known to cause TCA using electron beam (e-beam) irradiation. Four types of cork were inoculated with Paecilomyces viridis, Penicillium glabrum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Mucor racemosus, Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus oryzae and Cladosporium oxysporum. Cork samples were treated with 5, 10 or 15 kilograys (kGy) of e-beam irradiation, respectively. Sensory evaluation revealed that irradiation had little or no effect on the overall quality of wine with irradiated corks stored for 56 months. Cork samples viewed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed some structural changes compared to control corks. The results suggest that e-beam irradiation can significantly reduce or eliminate the moulds known to cause TCA in cork.
Permissive interfaces

A modular program analysis considers components independently and provides a succinct summary for each component, which is used when checking the rest of the system. Consider a system consisting of a library and a client. A temporal summary, or interface, of the library specifies legal sequences of library calls. The interface is safe if no call sequence violates the library's internal invariants; the interface is permissive if it contains every such sequence. Modular program analysis requires full interfaces, which are both safe and permissive: the client does not cause errors in the library if and only if it makes only sequences of library calls that are allowed by the full interface of the library.Previous interface-based methods have focused on safe interfaces, which may be too restrictive and thus reject good clients. We present an algorithm for automatically synthesizing software interfaces that are both safe and permissive. The algorithm generates interfaces as graphs whose vertices are labeled with predicates over the library's internal state, and whose edges are labeled with library calls. The interface state is refined incrementally until the full interface is constructed. In other words, the algorithm automatically synthesizes a typestate system for the library, against which any client can be checked for compatibility. We present an implementation of the algorithm which is based on the BLAST model checker, and we evaluate some case studies.
Serotonin 5-HT3-receptor antagonist GR 38032F suppresses sleep apneas in rats.

The effects of administration of GR38032F, a 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist, on spontaneous sleep apneas were studied in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by monitoring sleep, respiration and blood pressure for 6 hours. Intraperitoneal injection of GR38032F (1mg/kg) suppressed spontaneous central apneas during non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) and especially during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. This effect was associated with increased respiratory drive but did not cause cardiovascular changes at the dose tested. The suppressive action of GR38032F on spontaneous sleep apneas is analogous to findings in anesthetized rats in which 5-HT and 2-methyl-5-HT provoked central apneas that were antagonized by GR38032 (Yoshioka et al, JPET 1992; 260:917-924). Our data implicate 5-HT 3 receptor systems in determining sleep-related respiratory drive and apnea expression in rats, effects which are most probably mediated by vagal afferents.
Recovery of Spermatozoa from the Reproductive Tract of Turkey Hens

Abstract INTRODUCTION VARIOUS attempts have been made by several workers using different procedures to recover spermatozoa from the oviduct of chickens. Payne (1914) collected the scrapings from the different parts of the oviduct and recovered tailless sperm from 2 to 56 days after separation of hens from the roosters. Walton and Whetham (1933) were unable to find spermatozoa in the oviduct of the hens from 1 to 15 days after separation from the cocks. Warren and Kilpatrick (1929) placed small amounts of normal saline solution on the mucous membrane of the oviduct and collected a sample with a platinum loop. They recovered sperm from 6 hours to 18 days after natural mating, most of which had lost their flagella. Van Drimmelen (1945) added Ringer’s physiological saline solution on the inner surface of the oviduct with the help of a fine capillary glass tube and collected the material with the same tube… .
Disseminated atypical mycobacterial disease presenting as "leukemia".

A case of disseminated infection with Mycobacterium kansasii is described. The diagnosis was made by demonstrating acid-fast bacilli in a biopsy specimen of the liver and by cultures of the sputum and bone marrow. Although the initial hematologic findings suggested subacute myelogenous leukemia, the clinical course was that of leukemoid reaction secondary to the mycobacterial infection.
Smart Clothing in Practice: Key Design Barriers to Commercialization

For more than forty years, the promise of electronic clothing has excited designers and consumers alike. The last ten years have seen a dramatic increase in academic and industry research, but few ...
Essential tremor: clinical characteristics.

Article abstract-Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder. However, only a small percentage of people affected by this genetically transmitted neurologic disorder seek medical attention. Lack of consensus on the diagnostic criteria for ET is an impediment to accurate diagnosis and leads to difficulty in accessing accurate prevalence data. Although a positive family history, alcohol sensitivity, and propranolol responsiveness are characteristic of ET, these factors should not be considered necessary for the diagnosis of ET. ET can produce substantial physical and psychosocial disabilities. The occasional coexistence of ET and Parkinson's disease (PD) in the same individual may present a diagnostic challenge.
Permeability Effects of the Flood Water in the Ao-nan Low Permeability Oilfield

The water-sensitive factor of the Ao-nan oil field reservoirs is between 0.20—0.50 and the water sensitive is strong. The core tests show that the foold water causes sustained damage to the low permeability core of the Ao-nan oil field and the damage rate is less than 20%.The suspension particle size has effects on the reservoir permeability. When the particle size is less than 2.0 μm,permeability declines less than 10%.
Mutual Penetration of the English Language and Chinese Language in the Information Age

The development of science and technology change people's life custom and language.At the same time,it divides material basis and effectively guarantee.The article takes information age as a clue,cultural development and interactive as key note,studies the English language and Chinese language mutual penetration from the angle of new words and expressions of the information age on simplification,the rise of science and technology and cross-cultural exchanges and interaction.
Persistent Data Staging Services for Data Intensive In-situ Scientific Workflows

Scientific simulation workflows executing on very large scale computing systems are essential modalities for scientific investigation. The increasing scales and resolution of these simulations provide new opportunities for accurately modeling complex natural and engineered phenomena. However, the increasing complexity necessitates managing, transporting, and processing unprecedented amounts of data, and as a result, researchers are increasingly exploring data-staging and in-situ workflows to reduce data movement and data-related overheads. However, as these workflows become more dynamic in their structures and behaviors, data staging and in-situ solutions must evolve to support new requirements.In this paper, we explore how the service-oriented concept can be applied to extreme-scale in-situ workflows. Specifically, we explore persistent data staging as a service and present the design and implementation of DataSpaces as a Service, a service-oriented data staging framework. We use a dynamically coupled fusion simulation workflow to illustrate the capabilities of this framework and evaluate its performance and scalability.
Inverse regulation of two classic Hippo pathway target genes in Drosophila by the dimerization hub protein Ctp

The LC8 family of small ~8 kD proteins are highly conserved and interact with multiple protein partners in eukaryotic cells. LC8-binding modulates target protein activity, often through induced dimerization via LC8:LC8 homodimers. Although many LC8-interactors have roles in signaling cascades, LC8’s role in developing epithelia is poorly understood. Using the Drosophila wing as a developmental model, we find that the LC8 family member Cut up (Ctp) is primarily required to promote epithelial growth, which correlates with effects on the pro-growth factor dMyc and two genes, diap1 and bantam, that are classic targets of the Hippo pathway coactivator Yorkie. Genetic tests confirm that Ctp supports Yorkie-driven tissue overgrowth and indicate that Ctp acts through Yorkie to control bantam (ban) and diap1 transcription. Quite unexpectedly however, Ctp loss has inverse effects on ban and diap1: it elevates ban expression but reduces diap1 expression. In both cases these transcriptional changes map to small segments of these promoters that recruit Yorkie. Although LC8 complexes with Yap1, a Yorkie homolog, in human cells, an orthologous interaction was not detected in Drosophila cells. Collectively these findings reveal that that Drosophila Ctp is a required regulator of Yorkie-target genes in vivo and suggest that Ctp may interact with a Hippo pathway protein(s) to exert inverse transcriptional effects on Yorkie-target genes.
WE‐DE‐BRA‐10: Development of a Novel Scanning Beam Low‐Energy Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (SBIORT) System for Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose: Developing a compact collimator system and validating a 3D surface imaging module for a scanning beam low-energy x-ray radiation therapy (SBIORT) system that enables delivery of non-uniform radiation dose to targets with irregular shapes intraoperatively. Methods: SBIORT consists of a low energy x-ray source, a custom compact collimator module, a robotic arm, and a 3D surface imaging module. The 3D surface imaging system (structure sensor) is utilized for treatment planning and motion monitoring of the surgical cavity. SBIORT can deliver non-uniform dose distributions by dynamically moving the x-ray source assembly along optimal paths with various collimator apertures. The compact collimator utilizes a dynamic shutter mechanism to form a variable square aperture. The accuracy and reproducibility of the collimator were evaluated using a high accuracy encoder and a high resolution camera platform. The dosimetrical characteristics of the collimator prototype were evaluated using EBT3 films with a Pantak Therapax unit. The accuracy and clinical feasibility of the 3D imaging system were evaluated using a phantom and a cadaver cavity. Results: The SBIORT collimator has a compact size: 66 mm diameter and 10 mm thickness with the maximum aperture of 20 mm. The mechanical experiment indicated the average accuracy of leaf position was 0.08 mm with a reproducibility of 0.25 mm at 95% confidence level. The dosimetry study indicated the collimator had a penumbra of 0.35 mm with a leaf transmission of 0.5%. 3D surface scans can be acquired in 5 seconds. The average difference between the acquired 3D surface and the ground truth is 1 mm with a standard deviation of 0.6 mm. Conclusion: This work demonstrates the feasibility of the compact collimator and 3D scanning system for the SBIORT. SBIORT is a way of delivering IORT with a compact system that requires minimum shielding of the procedure room. This research is supported by the University of Iowa Internal Funding Initiatives
Putting evidence into practice: Cancer-related lymphedema evolving evidence for treatment and management from 2009–2014

Cancer-related lymphedema is a progressive and chronic syndrome of abnormal swelling and multiple symptoms resulting from cancer treatment. Even with modern medical advances, lymphedema remains a major health problem affecting thousands of cancer survivors. To provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for lymphedema treatment and management, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate 75 selected articles from 2009-2014 by the Oncology Nursing Society Putting Evidence Into Practice lymphedema team. Findings of the systematic review support complete decongestive therapy, compression bandages, and compression garments with highest evidence for best clinical practice. Weight management, full-body exercise, information provision, prevention, and early intervention protocols are likely to be effective for clinical practice. Historic recommendations for activity restriction and avoidance of aerobic and resistive exercises that limit cancer survivors' daily lives have been challenged with more evidence. Cancer survivors may not need to restrict activities such as resistive or aerobic exercises and weightlifting with gradual exercise progression. Future research should focus on providing high-level evidence using randomized clinical trials with larger samples and studying lymphedema beyond breast cancer.
Simultaneous Characterization of Nanoparticle Size and Particle-Surface Interactions with Three-Dimensional Nanophotonic Force Microscopy

The behavior of a nanoparticle in solution depends strongly on the particle's physical and chemical characteristics, most notably the particle size and the surface properties. Accurately characterizing these properties is critical for quality control in a wide variety of industries. To understand a complex and polydisperse nanoparticle suspension, however, ensemble averaging is not sufficient, and there is a great need for direct measurements of size and surface properties at the individual nanoparticle level. In this work, we present an analysis technique for simultaneous characterization of particle-surface interactions and size using near-field light scattering and verify it using Brownian-dynamics simulations. Using a nanophotonic waveguide, single particles can be stably held near the waveguide's surface by strongly localized optical forces. By tracking the dynamic 3D motion of the particle under the influence of these forces using an optical microscope, it is possible to extract the particle-surface interaction forces, as well as to estimate the size and refractive index of the nanoparticle. Because of the strong light-scattering signal, this method is viable for high-throughput characterization of particles as small as 100 nm in only a few seconds each.
Regulatory Requirements in Acute Heart Failure

In the USA, it is common for acute decompensated heart failure to present for emergency care, observational care, or inpatient care hospitalization for stabilization. Postdischarge, patients who diagnosed with acute heart failure are more likely to have increased morbidity and mortality. In an effort to decrease adverse outcomes, regulatory requirements are becoming more pervasive and include reimbursement coverage determination and performance management. This chapter provides details of coverage requirements for drug and cardiac device use and monitoring that may apply in acute heart failure care when patients are treated by an observation (outpatient) or hospital service and hospital performance management expectations that may affect reimbursement.
Locoregional Anesthesia Offers Improved Outcomes after Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Background General anesthesia (GA) and locoregional anesthesia (LA) are two anesthetic options for endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (REVAR). Studies on elective endovascular repair of nonruptured aneurysms have indicated that in select patients, LA may provide improved outcomes compared with GA. We aimed to examine the 30-day outcomes in patients undergoing REVAR using GA and LA in a contemporary nationwide cohort of patients presenting with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods Patients who underwent REVAR using GA and LA from January 2011 through December 2015, inclusively, were studied in the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP)–targeted EVAR database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare preoperative demographics, operation-specific variables, and 30-day postoperative outcomes between the two groups. Results Six-hundred ninety patients were identified to have undergone REVAR from 2011 to 2015, of which 12.5% (86) were performed under LA. For the entire cohort, the mean age was 74.3 years, and 80% were male. Mean aneurysm size was 7.6 cm and did not differ between the two anesthetic groups. Major comorbidities were similar between both groups, except a slightly higher rate of congestive heart failure in the LA group (7.0% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.02). Proximal or distal aneurysm extent also did not differ between the two groups. There was a significantly higher rate of bilateral percutaneous access in the LA group (59.3% vs. 25.2%, P Conclusions The ACS NSQIP–targeted EVAR database shows that LA is used in only 12.5% of patients undergoing REVAR in this nationwide cohort. This rate does not change when examining the subset of patients who are hemodynamically unstable. Other benefits include shorter ICU lengths of stay and lower rates of pneumonia. These data suggest that LA should be considered in patients undergoing REVAR, regardless of hemodynamic instability.
State Prescription Contraception Insurance Mandates: Effects on Unintended Births.

OBJECTIVE To test the effects of state prescription contraception insurance mandates on unintended, mistimed, and unwanted births in a sample of privately insured recent mothers. DATA We pooled Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data from 1997 to 2012 to study 209,964 privately insured recent mothers in 24 states, 11 of which implemented prescription contraception coverage mandates between 2000 and 2008. STUDY DESIGN Individual-level difference-in-differences models compare the probability of unintended birth among privately insured recent mothers in state-years with mandates to those in state-years without mandates. Additional models use aggregate data to estimate the effect of mandates on states' number of unintended births. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS State mandates are associated with decreased probability of unintended birth (1.58 percentage points) among privately insured women in the second year of implementation, driven by decreased probability of mistimed birth (1.37 percentage points or 614 births per state-year) in the second year of implementation. We find no effects in the first year of implementation or on the probability of unwanted birth. Unexpectedly, recent mothers without private insurance experienced declines in unintended birth, but among unwanted, rather than mistimed, births. CONCLUSIONS State prescription contraception insurance mandates are associated with reduced probability of unintended and mistimed births among privately insured women.
The Model of Thailand Higher Education Quality Assessment Fourth Round

This research is to study the model of external quality assessment and the guidelines to upgrades the quality of Thailand’s higher education, in order to be in line with the development of the quality of higher education at the international levels. The study was done from the document, in-depth interviews with 30 administrators and those concerned in the development of system and educational quality assessment of higher education level with the Office of National Standard and Quality Assessment. There are 19 main informants. From the study it is found that the model of higher education external quality assessment fourth round consisted of 3 components as followed: system of external quality assessment, standard framework of external quality assessment, and the report on the result of the guidelines in upgrading Thailand’s educational levels of higher education, in line with the development of the quality of higher education to be at the international levels. This is by using the 4 classifications of driving force model in the competition: Equal support of budget in education management, achieving the goals according to the positioning strategy group of the institution, capability to continuity of development, and being responsible in using academic autonomy of the institution.
The Role of User Privacy Concerns in Shaping Competition Among Platforms

We study the effect of user privacy concerns on competition between online advertising platforms. Online platforms attract advertisers by offering capabilities to reach audiences likely to be receptive to their ads in a timely and accurate manner. However, the collection and processing of user information required for targeting of ads may lead to privacy concerns. We model the competition between two platforms as a two-stage game where platforms announce their targeting capabilities in the first stage and advertising fees in the second stage. The presence of heterogeneity in the user and the advertiser populations with respect to their preferences for targeting leads to differentiation between platforms. While one platform offers the minimum level of targeting feasible, the other platform offers a strictly higher level of targeting. The extent of differentiation in targeting levels depends on the intensity of competition between the platforms on the user side. When competition on the user side is relatively low, the extent of differentiation is higher. Such competition for users may decline, when users are less concerned about loss of privacy or when they choose to double home. Higher targeting differentiation allows platforms to charge higher advertising fees and earn higher profits. We also consider the case where platforms can reduce the privacy concerns of users by offering them greater control over their personal information. We demonstrate that awarding user control leads to reduced targeting differentiation between platforms and lower advertising fees. Last, we derive the equilibrium targeting levels for platforms that use a subscription-based business model instead of an advertising-based business model. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2017.0730 .
Uniform metal-ion flux through interface-modified membrane for highly stable metal batteries

Abstract Lithium (Li) metal has received huge attention as a promising anode candidate due to its high theoretical capacity, the lowest negative potential, and its potential as next-generation energy storage devices (such as Li-S and Li-O2 batteries), where Li metal electrode is indispensable for the system. However, systemic issues, which are mainly associated with Li dendritic growth, result in poor electrochemical performances and safety problems (e.g. short-circuit). This article describes a unique design of multifunctional membrane, comprising of nanoporous inorganic (SiO2) nanosheet layer, in order to uniformly distribute metal-ion flux and delay the penetration of Li dendrites through the separator. When a designed membrane was employed, the propagation of Li dendrites against the separator was dramatically restrained and suppressed by structural and materialistic benefits of nanoporous inorganic (SiO2) nanosheets, thus leading to the significant enhancement of electrochemical performances of Li metal batteries. Similar to Li metal batteries, it showed analogous promising results and possibilities in achieving high electrochemical stabilities and cycle performances of Na metal batteries. Moreover, Li-S prototype cell coupled with a designed membrane delivered stable cycle retention (over 400 cycles) with high Coulombic efficiency by selectively allowing Li ions to pass through membrane but suppressing the migration of polysulfides.
Teaching CS 1: object-first or algorithmic

Before object-oriented techniques were developed, procedural programming languages such as Pascal and C were taught in CS 1 courses. By virtue of the procedural paradigm, the focus of programming was on algorithms. Consequently, teaching methods concentrated on how to develop functions or methods that implement efficient algorithms using the various syntactic structures in the language. When object-oriented approach was brought into the curriculum, teaching methods still maintained the algorithmic focus but within the context of the object-oriented paradigm. The objects-first movement emerged and encouraged instructors to emphasize object modeling as an early focus of instruction. That is, students will start writing code with objects and their behaviors from the beginning of the curriculum.
Neighboring-Group Participation in Sugars

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a substantial proportion of the antibiotics that contain carbohydrate moieties, which covers a wide range of structures. Many of the syntheses involve changes as the conversion of a trans-1,2-glycol into a cis-1 ,2-glycol, a trans-1-2-amino alcohol into a cis-1, 2-amino alcohol, or replacement of a hydroxyl group by some other functional group; in classical aliphatic or alicyclic chemistry, these changes are accomplished by conventional, nucleophilic-displacement reactions of the S N 2 type2 on a sulfonic ester of a hydroxyl group. The secondary sulfonates on sugar rings are, however, very unreactive toward S N 2 displacements; when most of this synthetic work on rare sugars is initiated, the only useful reaction of this type that had been reported of 1, 2: 5, 6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α-D-glucofuranose. This chapter considers all of the intramolecular displacements in sugars, except for the three general classes of reaction.
Hierarchial Command, Control and Coupled Bilinear Systems

Abstract Models of a coupled bilinear structure are studied here. Included are applications to immunology and generalized defense processes. In some cases. coupled bilinear systems arise naturally and in others they represent val id approximations to more highly nonl inear systems. A basis is developed for multi-level command and control. Finally. hierarchical pursuit-evasion strategies are introduced. and plans are presented for more detailed studies.
Human genome sequencing.

The human genome contains 3 billion base pairs of DNA, sufficient to encode 100,000 to 300,000 genes. Since the number of genes that make up a human being is not known, this estimate is based upon a national average size for a mammalian gene. If the average gene is 30,000 bases long, there will be about 100,000 genes. Many of these genes will not be simple structures. More and more genes appear to have alternate ways of being read from the DNA, so that several different protein products can be made from a single gene. The total complexity of the human being then is about 100,000 to 500,000 processes.
Optimization of femtosecond lasers using porcine and human donor corneas before in vivo use.

Purpose To demonstrate a safe and effective method of optimizing a femtosecond laser upon installation or for a new procedure before use on patients. In this case, specifically for optimizing settings for intrastromal corneal pocket creation for the presbyopic small-aperture corneal inlay (Kamra) and deep laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flaps for the presbyopic hydrogel corneal inlay (Raindrop). Setting Keil LASIK Vision Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Design Experimental study. Methods Human donor corneas were used to optimize femtosecond laser settings after initial optimization with porcine corneas. The laser used was the Femto LDV Z4. Results Pocket settings optimized for porcine corneas were 12.0 mm/s pocket and tunnel at 105% energy; whereas, settings optimized with human donor corneas were 13.0 mm/s pocket and tunnel at 110% energy. Settings optimized with human donor corneas were subsequently applied in vivo to create pockets for the small-aperture corneal inlay. Further adjustment of settings to 14.0 mm/s pocket at 110% energy was still necessary to optimize pockets. No change in settings was necessary when creating deeper corneal LASIK flaps (ie, the same settings could be used for flaps of 110 μm or 180 μm). Conclusions After settings were optimized for porcine corneas, further optimization was necessary before successful corneal incisions could be created in vivo for corneal pockets. No further optimization was required when creating deeper corneal flaps for the hydrogel inlay. It is important to emphasize that settings obtained and reported here are not applicable to other femtosecond lasers.
Indigenous Representation at the Eurovision Song Contest: A Quintessentially Australian Identity

The inclusion of Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2015 is both novel and geographically controversial. Even more striking is the predominance of Indigenous performers, Jessica Mauboy and Isaiah Firebrace, among Australia’s first representatives. The choice of performers by Australia’s multicultural broadcaster, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), can be perceived as an attempt to present Australia as a modern, multicultural, and postcolonial nation that has achieved the European goal of “unity through diversity”. However, this chapter argues that a perception of Indigenous marginality from a predominantly non-indigenous white mainstream Australian viewpoint may not be an accurate perception of how the European audience view an Indigenous identity. Furthermore, Indigenous representation cannot help but reference the ancient lineage of Indigenous Australians, and their historic and ongoing struggles to overcome the legacy of colonialism.
From Combahee resistance to the Confederate: Black feminist temporalities and white supremacy:

In the weeks preceding the white supremacist riots in Charlottesville, VA on 12 August 2017, HBO responded to criticism of Game of Thrones’ whiteness by announcing a new series from its producers c...
Racial Discrimination in the U.S. Housing and Mortgage Lending Markets: A Quantitative Review of Trends, 1976–2016

We examine trends in racial and ethnic discrimination in U.S. housing and mortgage lending markets through a quantitative review of studies. We code and analyze as a time series results from 16 field experiments of housing discrimination and 19 observational studies of mortgage lending discrimination. Consistent with prior research, we find evidence of a decline in housing discrimination from the late 1970s to the present. Our results show that this trend holds in both the national audits sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and in non-HUD studies. The decline in discrimination is strongest for discrimination that involves direct denial of housing availability, for which discrimination has declined to low levels. The downward trend in discrimination is weaker for measures reflecting the number of units recommended and inspected, and significant discrimination remains for these outcomes. In the mortgage market, we find that racial gaps in loan denial have declined only slightly, and racial gaps in mortgage cost have not declined at all, suggesting persistent racial discrimination. We discuss the implications of these trends for housing inequality, racial segregation, and racial disparities in household wealth.
8.14 – Nitrogen Activation

The inorganic chemistry of dinitrogen activation is described. The discussion includes sections on how N2 is activated by bonding to a metal; examples of N2 coordinated to a metal; reactions of activated dinitrogen that yield ammonia and other products from the reduction of N2; and finally, a discussion of how activated dinitrogen can be directly incorporated into organic molecules, bypassing the intermediate formation of ammonia.
Multifocal and Accommodating Intraocular Lenses

The loss of accommodation that accompanies pediatric cataract extraction presents several unique challenges not encountered in the management of presbyopia typical in adult cataract surgery. However, many adult techniques and technologies are useful to consider in the pediatric age group. Any implantation of intraocular lenses, regardless of design, is done in an off-label fashion, as randomized, controlled trials have not been performed in this age group. Much controversy and research exist on this subject; benefits and risks are present with each viewpoint, and each patient’s case requires unique considerations. This chapter will examine a systematic thought process for approaching loss of accommodation, techniques and tools that can be utilized in management, and a look to the frontier of emerging technology for continuous improvement in this field.
LITT for Spine Tumors

Spine laser interstitial thermal therapy (sLITT) is a novel minimally invasive therapeutic modality for the treatment of metastatic epidural spinal cord tumors. When used in conjunction with spinal stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS), it can provide effective and durable local control with minimal morbidity. This approach is ideally suited for patients who are poor candidates for larger-scale oncologic spinal surgery and can act synergistically with SSRS to maximize local control and palliate pain.