cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrical and Optical Properties of Low Dielectric Constant Planarization Polymer for High-Aperture-Ratio a-Si:H TFT-LCDs

We have evaluated the electrical and the optical properties of a planarization polymer (benzocyclobutene; BCB) having a dielectric constant of 2.65 for the application to high aperture-ratio a-Si:H TFT-LCDs. An average optical transmittance of 96 % was found for the BCB film having a thickness of 3 μm in the visible-light region (400–700 nm) of the absorption spectrum. Experimental results showed that the back-channel etched a-Si:H TFT electrical performance was not significantly affected by the BCB passivation. In addition, the three-dimensional analysis of the coupling capacitances between ITO pixel electrode and metal bus lines have indicated that the low dielectric constant of planarization polymer is necessary for the application of this material to the high-aperture-ratio a-Si:H TFT-LCDs. Finally, we have established that for a given tolerance margin, a certain value of polymer thickness is needed to suppress the feed-through voltage and the vertical cross-talk between pixel electrode and metal bus lines.
Inexpensive covers for large microwave hybrids

A thin, resistance-welded cover provides a cost effective (microwave-box) seal with the following attributes: 1. Covers are lower priced because dimensions are not tightly toleranced. 2. Cover alignment is not critical. 3. Box edges may be irregular or damaged without affecting the seal quality. 4. Rework is fast and simple. S. Seals are hermetic. 6. Internal isolation can be made by welding the cover to baffles. 7. Commercial equipment is available for weld sealing. An electrode change is the only modification required. 8. Operator training is minimal.
Study on Effect of Omeprazole on Therapy and Prophylaxis for Stress Ulcer in Children with Epidemic Type B Encephalitis

Objective To investigate the safety,therapy and prophylactic effect of Omeprazole on stress ulcer in children with epidemic type B encephalitis.Methods Before and after medication,chest X-ray examination was performed.The result of occult blood(OB) was confirm by Colloidal gold assay in stool and/or gastric juice.Based on the result of OB,the patients were divided into therapy group[besides conventional therapy for encephalitis,Cimitidine group and Omeprazole group with positive result OB,was administered with 0.9% normal sodium 100 mL+Cimitidine 20-40 mg/(kg·d),iv,q12 h and normal sodium 100 mL+Omeprazol 0.5-0.8 mg/(kg·d),iv,qd,respectively] and prophylaxis group(Cimitidine group,Omeprazole group and control group,with negative result OB,were administered with same medicines as therapy group,respectively.Except control group being administered only 0.9%NS 100 mL,iv,(q12 h)).The effects of drugs on hemostasis,preventing hemorrhage,and the potential risk of acquired pneumonia result from drugs used were observed.Results In therapy group,the average time of hemostasis in Omeprazole group was obviously shorter than that of in Cimitidine group,there was significant difference between two groups(P0.001).In prophylaxis group,the effect of preventing hemorrhage was showed that Cimitidine group and Omeprazole group was better than control group,and the effect of preventing hemorrhage in Omeprazole group was better than that of in Cimitidine group,statistically,(P0.05).The significant difference of the incidence rate of acquired pneumonia was not found in therapy group and prophylaxis group compared with control group(P0.05).Conclusions Both of the drugs is safety and effect to therapy or prophylaxis for the latent stress ulcer in short term.The effect of Omeprazole is better than those of Cimitidine.Using Cimitidine and Omeprazole,neither therapy nor prophylaxis for stress ulcer increaseds the potential risk of acquired pneumonia in children with epidemic type B encephalitis in this study.
Determination of tetrahydroruran in the air of workplace by gas chromatography

Objective To establish capillary gas chromatography analytical method for tetrahydroruran in the air of workplace. Methods Activated carbon tube adsorption tetrahydrofuran in air, after the sample was desorptioned with aceton, it was determinationed by Capillary column gas chromatography (FID). Results Tetrahydrofuran concentration in the range of 0.06 ～ 250 μg/mL showed a good linear relationship, tetrahydroruran linear equation Y=4.90X+1.14 (r=0.9999). The detection limit was 0.06 μg/mL. If the acquisition of 1.5 L air sample, then the minimum detection concentration of 0.04 mg/m 3 . The average recovery rate was 95.4%-98.7%.The relative standard deviation was 0.30%-0.97%. Desorption efficiency was 87.2%-91.4%. Conclusion The method can be used for concentration of tetrahydroruran in the air of workplace.
STUDY AND EVALUATION OF A NEW POLYMER FRACTURING FLUID

A new water-soluble polymer P(AM/AMPS) has been synthesized by the binary copolymerization of AM(acrylamide )and AMPS (acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid), in which the synthesizing conditions have been investigated. Effects of monomer concentration, temperature, initiator and polymerization time on the intrinsic viscosity number were discussed and a new fracturing fluid formulation was obtained. According to the standard SY5107-86, we evaluate the performance of the fracturing fluid in the lab, results show that the polymer fracturing fluid has good performance on resistance to heat, salt and shearing.
Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation After Atrial Flutter Ablation

Abstract Objectives This study was conceived to perform a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the available evidence to compute the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after successful atrial flutter (AFL) catheter ablation, defined by targeting for bidirectional block, using different types of follow-up modalities and durations. Background Cavotricuspid-isthmus dependent AFL is usually initiated by short bursts of AF. The incidence of AF after AFL ablation is variable. We evaluated the variation in the reported incidence of AF depending on the type and duration of follow-up, and AF incidence in patients with prior AF versus no prior AF. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies between January 1996 and April 2015 and abstracts in the last 2 years describing patients who underwent AFL ablation and the subsequent incidence of AF was performed. Results Forty-eight studies were included (n = 8,257, ablation success rate: 96%, 79% male). Incidence of new-onset AF correlated with follow-up duration (29% for a weighted mean follow-up duration of 30 months). New-onset AF incidence with 7 days/year Holter monitoring or by implanted cardiac devices, n = 178). Mean follow-up duration was 15.3 months, 18.5 months, and 16.3 months, respectively. In patients with and without prior AF, the incidence for AF after AFL ablation was 35.3% during mean follow-up duration of 29.7 months. In studies with 2 years follow-up duration, AF incidence was 51.3% in patients with prior AF versus 26.2% without prior AF (odds ratio: 2.93, 95% confidence interval: 2.42 to 3.56; p Conclusions The incidence of AF after AFL ablation is high especially in patients with prior AF when compared to those without prior AF. The detection of AF in patients without prior AF significantly increases with more frequent monitoring and/or longer follow-up duration.
Sputum cytology in pulmonary sarcoidosis

Sputum cytology in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis has been investigated. All cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis with roentgenographic evidence of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and scarring have revealed diagnostically significant cytologic features in their pulmonary material. These include multinucleated epitheloid giant cells, epithelioid cells and lymphoid mononuclear cells in an otherwise noninflammatory, clean specimen. The characteristic cells occur in streaks, either singly or as syncytium. They are dark, cyanophilic with little phagocytic activity. Schaumann and asteroid bodies may be present. Cytologic examination of induced sputum specimens in asymptomatic patients of suspected pulmonary sarcoidosis with interstitial involvement can help in diagnosis and management of these cases.
Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Vorausberechnung von Kavitationsschäden in Kreiselpumpen

Kavitationsschaden an Kreiselpumpen lassen sich quantitativ abschatzen, wenn die Blasenfeldlange aus einer Messung oder Rechnung bekannt ist. Auch aus Flussigkeits-oder Korperschallmessungen konnen die Erosionsrate, Implosionsdruck und Kavitationsschwell-wert in konsistenter Weise- wenn auch mit groser Streuung — vorausberechnet werden. Beobachtet man in kritischen Anwendungsfallen die Blasenfeldlange, mist Flussigkeits- oder Korperschall und untermauert den Befund mit Farberosionsversuchen, last sich das Schadensrisiko recht umfassend beurteilen. An die hundert Messungen in Anlagen aller Art, an den verschiedensten Pumpentypen verschiedener Hersteller, sichern die empirischen Korrelationen fur die Schadensprognose in statistisch relevanter Weise ab. Anhand von drei Anlagemessungen und einem Prufstandsversuch werden die Anwendung der entwickelten Methoden in der Praxis erlautert und deren Grenzen aufgezeigt.
Injury of Salmonella species heated by microwave energy

A pool of five Salmonella strains were heated by microwaves in milk and beef broth, representing low and high sodium concentrations, respectively, and the amount of injury and death incurred after heating was compared. Temperatures were monitored during heating using fluoroptic thermometry, Milk was heated to mean final temperatures ranging from 66 to 74°C, while beef broth was heated to temperatures ranging from 64 to 72°C. The food systems were either immediately stirred to allow equilibration of temperature and sampled, or left unstirred and allowed a standing time of 5 or 10 min. Heated cells were allowed to recover within the heating medium over a 72 h period. Samples were surface plated on both trypticase soy agar (TSA) and MacConkey agar immediately after heating and for 24 h post-heating. When left unstirred during post-heating holding times of 5 or 10 min, viable cells were recovered from food systems heated to any temperature examined. When milk was heated to 68°C and beef broth was heated to 70°C and samples were immediately stirred and plated, no viable cells were recovered over the 72 h recovery period. Eliminating large temperature gradients that develop within microwave-heated foods proved to be an important factor from a microbial-safety standpoint.
Quaternions: The hypercomplex number system

Are there solutions of the equation x 2 + 1 = 0 ? Carl Fredrich Gauss (1777–1855) conjectured that there was a solution and that it was the square root of - 1 . But since the squares of all real numbers, positive or negative, are positive, Gauss introduced a fanciful idea. His solution to this equation was , which he named i. He integrated i with the real numbers to form a set known as , the complex numbers, where each element in that set was of the form a + bi , where a , . Gauss illustrated this on a graph, the horizontal axis became the real axis and represented the real coefficient, while the vertical axis became the imaginary axis and represented the imaginary coefficient.
A Weighted Approximation Approach to the Study of the Empirical Wasserstein Distance

We shall demonstrate that weighted approximation technology provides an effective set of tools to study the rate of convergence of the Wasserstein distance between the cumulative distribution function [c.d.f] and the empirical c.d.f.
n-well design for trench DRAM arrays

The effects of n-well doping profile on the characteristics of SPT DRAM (substrate plate trench dynamic random access memory) data retention time are described and characterized. A retrograde n-well is shown to be desirable since it offers decreased well resistance without the modification of surface device characteristics. Retention time can be further improved with an n-well doping concentration that decreases monotically with increasing depth rather than a retrograde profile which has a doping peak below the silicon surface. An n-well with such a doping profile has superior median retention time and a reduced number of bits that fail a data retention test. This improvement has been demonstrated by the fabrication of 4-Mb SPT-cell DRAM arrays and test structures. >
Hacks Against Individuals

Many of the successful cyberattack cases examined by security industry specialists and the media featured social engineering as an integral components of the attack process. In a complex attack that combines technical expertise with social engineering, the latter is especially critical during the reconnaissance phase. In addition to being susceptible to social engineering, individuals often purchase less robust products. Few consumer-grade devices, including home wireless routers, have sufficient security built in. Gartner projects that the number of connected devices will reach 20 billion by 2020. This includes fixed devices (e.g., home appliances) and mobile devices (e.g., fitness trackers and baby cams). The software controlling device operations is frequently not accessible by consumers, so cannot be patched to fix a vulnerability or change a default setting, thus also facilitating the attacker’s quest for access to devices inadequately protected by manufacturers.
Collaborative Software Development Through Reflection and Storytelling

Traditionally, it has been difficult for knowledge workers to share their experiences while working with computer based tools and technologies. This makes learning from experienced, well-informed peers a challenging endeavor. Storyteller is a tool for software developers that permits them to animate and annotate their previous programming sessions. Developers can record their thoughts, insights, and ideas as they relate to how their software evolved. They can use text, pictures, and audio to add contextual elements that are not possible in plain text files. The animated playbacks can be shared among developers on a team and promotes knowledge sharing, teaching, and learning.
Spatial Updating Strategy Affects the Reference Frame in Path Integration.

This study investigated how spatial updating strategies affected the selection of reference frames in path integration. Participants walked an outbound path consisting of three successive waypoints in a featureless environment and then pointed to the first waypoint. We manipulated the alignment of participants’ final heading at the end of the outbound path with their initial heading to examine the adopted reference frame. We assumed that the initial heading defined the principal reference direction in an allocentric reference frame. In Experiment 1, participants were instructed to use a configural updating strategy and to monitor the shape of the outbound path while they walked it. Pointing performance was best when the final heading was aligned with the initial heading, indicating the use of an allocentric reference frame. In Experiment 2, participants were instructed to use a continuous updating strategy and to keep track of the location of the first waypoint while walking the outbound path. Pointing performance was equivalent regardless of the alignment between the final and the initial headings, indicating the use of an egocentric reference frame. These results confirmed that people could employ different spatial updating strategies in path integration (Wiener, Berthoz, & Wolbers Experimental Brain Research 208(1) 61–71, 2011), and suggested that these strategies could affect the selection of the reference frame for path integration.
Behind the 'Lives of Philosophers:' Reading Diogenes Laertius in the Western Middle Ages

The classical learning of medieval readers, especially those fortunate to have access to a good library, could be formidable. But in the Middle Ages knowledge was also a commodity, and there was powerful temptation to satisfy intellectual hunger with compressed, simplified digests and easy fare. One text, De vita et moribus philosophorum , long attributed to Walter Burley, seems to have achieved particular success in satisfying that hunger for an easy version of ancient lore. Its roots reach back to Diogenes Laertius' Greek Lives of the Philosophers . This essay explores the roads of transmission that led to the making of De vita et moribus philosophorum , which fed a popular fascination with ancient philosophy and the lives of ancient philosophers. Through what channels did the 'history' of ancient philosophy find a readership beyond the scholarly academy, and how can we explain the appeal of such classical knowledge?
Soft Tissue Infections

Skin and soft tissue infections are a common cause of hospitalization, disability, and antibiotic therapy. Infections commonly managed by surgeons and intensivists include complicated cellulitis and abscesses, severe necrotizing soft tissue infections, and surgical site infections. This chapter will describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and therapeutic approach to each. Particular attention is given to necrotizing soft tissue infections and the differentiation of necrotizing infections from non-necrotizing infections, as this is a critical requirement for optimal outcome.
Discodermolide: Past, Present, and Future

(+)-Discodermolide, a polyhydroxylated lactone isolated from the marine sponge Discodermia dissoluta, is a promising antitumor agent that continues to be the subject of intensive chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical research since its discovery two decades ago. Although structurally distinct from taxol, discodermolide shares a common mechanism of action as a potent tubulin polymerizer, resulting in blockage of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, aberrant microtubule function, and cell death. Following its licensing from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in 1998 by Novartis AG as an antitumor agent, discodermolide was afforded an unprecedented priority status for synthesis on an industrial scale, borrowing and modifying in some cases, academic synthetic schemes to produce quantities sufficient for clinical trial. From a co-discoverer’s viewpoint, the story of discodermolide will be described here, starting with its discovery, its progression through preclinical evaluation, highlights from the synthetic contributions of academia and industry, a brief SAR walk around the molecule, the results of the first clinical trial and the more recent journey from the actual compound, through its various analogs and finally to its evolution to some exciting novel “hybrid” molecules.
Locating Practice Research

Step 2 of the evidence-based practice (EBP) practice decision-making process centers on efficiently locating practice research. This chapter will offer a detailed introduction to the key print and online research information resources available for EBP. It will guide clinical social workers to finding specialized research for clinical practice. We will describe the key types of practice-related resources and identify many specific resources. We will also provide an introduction to effectively searching online resources.
Physiologic measures in men with and without vasectomies.

Blood pressure hematologic and blood chemistry measurements and serologic tests for syphilis were performed on 4385 vasectomized and 13155 age- and race-matched nonvasectomized men who had multiphasic health checkups as members of a large prepaid medical care program in California. The study was carried out from 1977 through 1980. Age distributions of the vasectomized and nonvasectomized men were identical 33% of both groups being 40 years old or younger 33% being 41-50 and 34% being 51 or older. 37% of the vasectomized men had their vasectomies 10 or more years before their examination. Systolic blood pressure was slightly but significantly lower and potassium was slightly but significantly higher in the vasectomized group. All other differences were small and not biologically important. These data agree with other studies of vasectomized humans in which no association of vasectomy with adverse health outcomes including atherosclerosis has been found.
Pharmacokinetics of Aging

Aging is a determinant in the biotransformation of drugs with respect to their therapeutic efficacy and safety. Demographics indicate an aging population with a longer life expectancy. The elderly are the most medicated segment of the population, with the average older person taking three times more drugs compared to the young. Most older adults have at least one chronic disease state. Significant aging physiological changes impact on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, contributing to a higher incidence of adverse events, worsened by polypharmacy. About 10% of all hospital admissions in the elderly relate to drug interactions. Pharmacokinetics refer to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs in the body. Pharmacodynamics relate to the pharmacological mechanism of drug action at its particular targets, including therapeutic effects and adverse effects. Pharmacotherapy is a challenge for the health care practitioner because of the need to dose appropriately to account for age-related changes in older adults.
An experimental investigation of top–down effects of consumer diversity on producer temporal stability

In multitrophic systems, the diversity of consumers can affect the abundances and temporal stability of the species they consume via ‘top‐down’ effects. However, little is known about how variation in consumer functional diversity affects the temporal stability of aggregate producer communities. We use data from a long‐term experiment to determine how variation in rodent granivore functional richness affected the temporal stability of the annual plant communities whose seeds they consume. Experimental plots excluded either all granivorous rodents, just large‐bodied kangaroo rat granivores, or no rodents. Over the 11‐year period studied, reductions in rodent granivory resulted in higher annual plant community abundance and higher abundance of exotic Erodium cicutarium, but lower annual plant species richness and diversity. However, there was no effect of the consumer experimental treatments on annual plant community temporal stability. Synthesis. The loss of consumers from an ecosystem need not necessarily destabilize the producer community, even when loss of consumers results in reduced producer richness and diversity.
Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Lives: Urban Youth Perspectives in an Out-of-School Writers’ Club

This qualitative study documents urban youth participation in a community-based out-of-school youth writing program that cultivated participants’ dialogues, identities, and writings. The study docu...
Acute effects of aerobic exercise duration on blood pressure, pulse wave velocity and cerebral blood flow velocity in middle-aged adults

It is important to understand acute dose-response relationships on cardiovascular health and brain health. Thus, we evaluated the acute effects of 10- and 30-min exercise bout on blood pressure (BP), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv). Fifteen adults (mean age 45.4 ± 8.9 years, 87% female) participated in this randomized crossover study comprised of three acute experimental sessions: a 10-min exercise bout (EX10), a 30-min exercise bout (EX30) and a sitting control (SIT). Exercise consisted of walking on a treadmill at 70–75% of age-predicted maximum heart rate. BP, PWV and CBFv were measured 30 and 60 min after each experimental session. BP was obtained at the brachial artery while PWV was measured at the carotid-femoral and carotid-radial sites. CBFv was measured at the middle cerebral artery using a 2 MHz transcranial Doppler. Compared to SIT, BP was lower following EX10, and even lower following EX30 (P 0.05), EX10 resulted in a higher carotid-femoral PWV vs. EX30 and SIT at 30 min (both P = 0.02) and a lower carotid-radial PWV vs. SIT at 60 min (P = 0.004). CBFv did not differ across conditions (all P > 0.05). Our results suggest that 10- and 30-min aerobic exercise bouts have differential effects on BP and PWV. CBFv did not change in the hour following either bout. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and effects of 10- vs 30-min bouts of exercise.
Student Motivation and Engagement in STEM Courses: Exploring the Potential Impact of Gamification

Gamification in education still lacks systematic studies assessing its impact on learning. This poster will present the design of our empirical studies on the effect of various combination of game elements on student motivation and engagement in CS courses.
Pre-Litigation Compulsory Mediation: A Concept Worth Negotiating

Since its inception, mediation has steadily grown into a viable dispute resolution mechanism. Indeed, it has grown from a seldom understood concept - frequently confused with meditation - to a common platform that has risen so high in popularity that the USA Network has even based a sit-com on it! Anthony M. Lanzone, who has contributed to many ADR panels, defines the mediation process as “a non-binding, confidential dispute resolution process before one or more third party neutrals. Individuals and entities generally participate in mediation in order to resolve their dispute through non-binding negotiations.” From humble beginnings, mediation is now a staple of the administrative charge and litigation process. Many governmental agencies have implemented mediation into their charge handling process. For instance, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offers mediation to charging parties and respondents both at the onset of a discrimination charge filing and later in the process if a “probable cause” finding is made and the case is set for a trial before an administrative law judge. The process has been so successful for the EEOC that they now boast a 70% settlement success rate. Similar success rates have been stated in other mediation settings as well. Regardless of the actual settlement percentages touted, it cannot be denied that mediation is an extremely valuable and viable dispute resolution mechanism.The growth and acceptance of mediation in the court system has been clearly evident in the past decade. It is common to see courts employ a team of both staff and volunteer mediators to help resolve disputes and ease an overly congested court docket. But while the concept of voluntary mediation has been readily accepted by the legal community and the parties that they represent, the acceptance has been largely due to the fact that there is little cost to participate, the process has an advantageous confidentiality component, and - most importantly - the decision regarding participation in mediation is just as voluntary as the option to enter into a negotiated resolution. Everyone has a choice to walk away from the concept of mediation just as they have the option to walk away from a potential resolution at the table. No harm, no foul. But what if parties were forced to mediate their disputes? What if no case could proceed to trial unless there was first an attempt at mediation? Better yet, what if virtually all civil lawsuits/complaints could not be filed in court without first presenting evidence that the parties have attempted to mediate their dispute? Is this a crazy concept? Perhaps it is, but as we will see, the concept is not unheard of, and it is definitely plausible!
From one to point zero one part per million: The first 25 years

The benefits of pesticides have become so much a part of agricultural economics that world-wide food and fiber production would be drastically reduced without some form of chemical assistance and protection.
Approximate Direct Inverse For Embedded Domain Decomposition Method

The embedded domain decomposition method (DDM) is a powerful tool for analyzing complex electromagnetic applications. It can decompose a computational domain into non-conformal subdomains and provide great flexibility in modeling and optimizing add-on components. However, convergence issues are found for embedded DDM, particularly at low frequencies. To overcome the problem, we propose approximate direct inverse (ADI) based on the principle component analysis (PCA) of the system equations. The ADI is utilized as an effective preconditioner ensuring robust convergence of the embedded DDM system.
Biogeography. 5th Edition

Mark V. Lomolino, Brett R. Riddle, & Robert J. Whittaker. 2017. Biogeography. 5th Edition. (ISBN-13: 978-1-60535-472-9, hbk). Sinauer Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 407, Sunderland, Massachusetts 01375, U.S.A. (Orders: www.sinauer.com). $107.96 US, 759 pp., 462 illustr., 9" × 11.25".
Access to the 340B Drug Pricing Program: is there evidence of strategic hospital behavior?

The 340B Drug Pricing Program allows hospitals to purchase covered drugs at a discount and potentially generate profit if they are reimbursed at rates that exceed 340B acquisition prices. Disproportionate share hospitals (DSH) are eligible to participate in 340B if their DSH adjustment–a measure that identifies hospitals that treat a disproportionate share of low income Medicare or Medicaid patients–is above 11.75%. To assess whether hospitals behave strategically to gain access to the program, we examined data on the number of hospitals just above versus below the DSH adjustment threshold for 340B eligibility and conducted McCrary density tests to assess statistical significance. In 2014–2016, the number of hospitals increases by 41% just above the 340B eligibility threshold. McCrary density tests found this increase to be statistically significant across a range of bandwidths in 2014–2016 (p < 0.01). From 2011–2013, the findings are sensitive to the bandwidth around the threshold, but insignificant in 2008–2010. We found no comparable change among hospitals ineligible for the 340B program. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that some hospitals adjust their DSH to gain 340B eligibility. Our findings support recent calls from the Government Accountability Office to improve oversight of the 340B program.
Nanoparticles for Delivering Natural Product Chemotherapeutics to Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract Natural products, such as curcumin and artemisinin, have shown clinical improvement in breast cancer patients. However, the beneficial effects can be enhanced by delivering the compounds to tumors through nanocarriers. For example, encapsulation in nanoparticles overcomes the low water solubility of these natural products, alters biodistribution, targets the cancer cells, and leads to higher accumulation in the malignant tissues. Exosomes, liposomes, polymersomes, magnetic nanoparticles, and protein-based nanoparticles have been tested for carrying the natural products for the treatment of breast cancer. This chapter discusses the major advantages, disadvantages, and future translational potential of these nanoparticles for delivering curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol, and artemisinin.
Native plant establishment on a custom modular living wall system in a humid subtropical climate

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine if local or regional native plants might be suitable for use on a custom living wall system (LWS) located in a humid subtropical climate. Nineteen taxa of plants native to the ecoregion or adjacent ecoregions were installed into 297 custom-designed modules fabricated from galvanized sheet metal by-products. This study reports plant survival and health ratings of 75 plants installed in May 2018 and 240 in May 2019. Evaluations taken in September and December of 2019 report that mean health ratings of all plants ranged from 1 to 5 with mean values of 3.6 to 3.68. Survivability rates ranged from 79 % to 100 % for 7 species of succulents, 53 %–186 % for the 11 species of herbaceous perennials, and 100 % for the one species of grass. Planting by location of the upper wall or lower had some, but minimal effect on plant survival. Through this study, we observed that plant selection should correspond with LWS goals regarding maintenance requirements, wall appearance, and the watering needs of plants. This study reports baseline data for the establishment of native plant taxa and plant diversity on a living wall system in a humid subtropical climate.
Tensor Recursive Least Squares Filters for Multichannel Interrelational Signals

It is well known that recursive least squares (RLS) filter is a prevalent adaptive filter that recursively updates the filter-coefficients to minimize a weighted cost function related to an input signal. Conventionally, such an input signal is a sequence of scaler numbers. Multichannel signals generated from one or more sources are often encountered nowadays. Therefore, there emerges a urgent demand to generalize the conventional RLS filter to accommodate multichannel signals with implicit interrelations. The key issue of this new generalization is to convert the correlation matrix involved in the conventional RLS filter for one-dimensional input to the correlation tensor required by the new RLS filter for multi-dimensional input. Due to lack of the sufficient mathematical framework of the required tensor operations, here we make the first attempt to established the new tensor recursive least squares filter (TRLS) theory based on our newly derived Woodbury tensor identity. We apply the Woodbury tensor identity to design a recursive algorithm for updating the weight-tensor. Furthermore, the performance analysis of the proposed new TRLS algorithm, including mean-squared deviation and misadjustment, are facilitated using the established tensor calculus theory. Numerical experiments are also presented to investigate the convergence speed, mean-squared deviation, and misadjustment for input signals with various statistical characteristics and different dimensions.
Review of Health Insurance Policy Inclusivity of Gender Nonconforming and Nonbinary Individuals Seeking Gender-Affirming Health Care

Background: An increasing number of individuals who present to health care professionals identify as transgender, gender nonconforming (GNC), and gender nonbinary (NB). GNC/NB individuals experienc...
Resilience: Conceptual Foundations

Resilience is a conceptual framework used more and more often to study how communities cope with hardship, including war and violence. This chapter explains how resilience is conceptualized in different literatures—psychology, ecology, engineering—and settles on the lens of systems resilience for studying how human social systems absorb large shocks. The component parts of a social system (its “regime” Community Resilience) consist of prevailing institutional arrangements, the characteristics of which provide the resources and rules that characterize adaptive capacity. The Chapter concludes by introducing an analytical framework for analyzing regime characteristics according to their configurations of social capital, economic resources, and information and communication enablers.
Determination of Primary Amino Compounds with Ninhydrin

Ninhydrin reacts with substances containing primary amino groups, such as amino acids, amino sugars, aliphatic amines, etc. Moore and Stein (1954) developed a ninhydrin reagent which can be used for quantitative determination of these compounds in neutralized hydrolysates and other solutions. The Exercise described here is based on their procedure.
Grade Retention Rates among Students with Learning Disabilities

This study investigated the grade retention of students with learning disabilities. Data were collected on 689 students referred and identified as having learning disabilities during the 1987-88 school year in Indiana. Of these students, 58% had been retained before identification. The results of this investigation suggest that retention is being used as a remediation before labeling a student. Implications of this practice and alternatives to grade retention as a method to address the academic needs of students are discussed.
Acute Drop in Blood Monocyte Count Differentiates NEC from Other Causes of Feeding Intolerance

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is characterized by macrophage infiltration into affected tissues. Because intestinal macrophages are derived from recruitment and in situ differentiation of blood monocytes in the gut mucosa, we hypothesized that increased recruitment of monocytes to the intestine during NEC reduces the blood monocyte concentration and that this fall in blood monocytes can be a useful biomarker for NEC. We reviewed medical records of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants treated for NEC and compared them with a matched control group comprised of infants with feeding intolerance but no signs of NEC. Clinical characteristics and absolute monocyte counts (AMCs) were recorded. Diagnostic accuracy of AMC values was tested using receiver–operator characteristics (ROC). We compared 69 cases and 257 controls (median 27 weeks, range 26 to 29 in both the groups). In stage II NEC, AMCs decreased from median 1.7 × 109 l−1 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.98 to 2.4) to 0.8 (IQR 0.62 to 2.1); P 20% indicated NEC with sensitivity of 0.70 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 0.81) and specificity of 0.71 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.77). We have identified a fall in blood monocyte concentration as a novel biomarker for NEC in VLBW infants.
Graft polymerization of polyvinylpyrrolidone onto silica

A new technique is reported for the surface grafting of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to hydroxylated solid surfaces. Free radical graft polymerization of vinylpyrrolidone onto vinylsilane–modified impermeable silica particles was carried out in an aqueous slurry reactor. The graft yield and the monomer conversion were determined by thermogravimetric analysis and UV spectroscopy, respectively. The graft yield was shown to increase by increasing the initial monomer concentration. A comparison of the graft polymerization reaction with the adsorption of polyvinylpyrrolidone onto untreated, vinylsilane-modified, and PVP-grafted silica was performed.
Neonatal hemodialysis: Effective therapy for the encephalopathy of inborn errors of metabolism

Maple syrup urine disease and argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency are two of many inborn errors of metabolism that may result in neonatal encephalopathy. Early treatment is designed to suppress endogenous proteolysis and amino acid catabolism with the infusion of glucose, and to remove presumed toxic metabolites. The latter goal has been accomplished with exchange transfusion, 13 peritoneal dialysis, 24 and hemodialysis. 2, 3 We present the cases of two neonates, one with M S U D and the other with argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency. The infants were treated with hemodialysis, during which the clearances of amino acids and ammonium were measured. We examined the hypothesis that hemodialysis is more effective then peritoneal dialysis or exchange transfusion in removing putative toxic metabolites,
Survival after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in infants and children with heart disease

Objective We investigated survival and predictors of mortality for infants and children with heart disease treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as an aid to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Methods Children ( Results Four hundred ninety-two patients were eligible for analysis, and 279 (57%) were assigned a Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery-1 category. Overall survival was 42%. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, significant pre-extracorporeal predictors for mortality included single-ventricle physiology (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–2.4), a history of a stage 1–type procedure (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–6.2), and extreme acidosis (arterial blood gas pH Conclusion Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as an adjunct to cardiopulmonary resuscitation resulted in hospital survival in 42% of infants and children with heart disease. Underlying cardiac physiology and associated cardiac surgical procedures influenced mortality, as did pre-extracorporeal resuscitation status and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation–associated complications.
Bacterial expression of an active tyrosine kinase from a protein A/truncated c-src fusion protein

The carboxy-terminal half of the c-src protein fused to the protein A moiety was expressed in bacteria. The protein A/truncated c-src fusion protein, which does not have SH2 and SH3 domains, is found in the periplasmic space allowing for a simple one-step purification and demonstrated high efficiency in autophosphorylation and exogeneous substrate phosphorylation. The missense mutation at codon 294 (Ile → Thr), which is located in the ATP-binding domain of the c-src, resulted in dramatic reduction of tyrosine kinase activity of the fusion protein. Using the fusion protein. we also revealed that staurosporin, a well-known kinase inhibitor, directly affects autophosphorylation of the C-terminal half of the c-src protein. This truncated c-src expression system provides a good source of enzyme for diverse experiments and is an ideal model for understanding the implication of structural alterations in the catalytic activity of the c-src kinase by site-directed mutagenesis experiments.
Laboratory measurements of NO and NO2 depositions onto soil and cement surfaces

Abstract Laboratory measurements have been made of the deposition of NO and NO2 onto selected soil and cement surfaces. Experimental results yielded deposition velocities of ~ 0.1–0.2 cm s−1 for NO and ~ 0.3–0.8 cm s−1 for NO2 over freshly prepared surfaces. Deposition was largely irreversible and decreased with time (exposure to NO or NO2). The latter observations indicate a finite capacity of these surfaces for removal of the gaseous species. However, additional experiments carried out in this study suggest that surface activity in the environment can be regenerated, in the case of NO2, but not NO, by interaction with atmospheric ammonia. The results further suggest, that for both NO and NO2, surfaces can be reactivated by precipitation washing away soluble surface reaction products. The lower deposition rates and capacities, and more limited regeneration of surface activity observed for NO, relative to NO2, suggest that uptake of NO by ground level surfaces in the environment will be considerably less important than that of NO2.
The use of conspecific and heterospecific alarm cues by virile crayfish (Orconectes virilis) from an exotic population

The successful establishment of a population of introduced animals is dependent upon a number of variables, including the ability to respond adaptively to novel stimuli indicating predation risk. Previous studies have suggested that exotic crayfish have an advantage over native species, in that the former respond to alarm cues released from both injured conspecifics and injured heterospecifics and the latter typically respond only to injured conspecifics. This pattern could be a result of learning in the new environment or a predisposition of certain species to respond to a broader range of alarm stimuli. We tested between these possibilities using individuals from an exotic population of the virile crayfish (Orconectes virilis). The crayfish responded similarly to alarm cues from conspecifics, sympatric heterospecifics, and novel heterospecifics. The results suggest that these animals enter a new habitat with the ability to respond adaptively to a wide range of predation risk cues, but more work is neede...
CINPA1 Is an Inhibitor of Constitutive Androstane Receptor That Does Not Activate Pregnane X Receptor

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) are xenobiotic sensors that enhance the detoxification and elimination of xenobiotics and endobiotics by modulating the expression of genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. Elevated levels of drug-metabolizing enzymes and efflux transporters, resulting from CAR activation in various cancers, promote the elimination of chemotherapeutic agents, leading to reduced therapeutic effectiveness and acquired drug resistance. CAR inhibitors, in combination with existing chemotherapeutics, could therefore be used to attenuate multidrug resistance in cancers. Interestingly, all previously reported CAR inverse-agonists are also activators of PXR, rendering them mechanistically counterproductive in tissues where both these xenobiotic receptors are present and active. We used a directed high-throughput screening approach, followed by subsequent mechanistic studies, to identify novel, potent, and specific small-molecule CAR inhibitors that do not activate PXR. We describe here one such inhibitor, CINPA1 (CAR inhibitor not PXR activator 1), capable of reducing CAR-mediated transcription with an IC50 of ∼70 nM. CINPA1 1) is a specific xenobiotic receptor inhibitor and has no cytotoxic effects up to 30 µM; 2) inhibits CAR-mediated gene expression in primary human hepatocytes, where CAR is endogenously expressed; 3) does not alter the protein levels or subcellular localization of CAR; 4) increases corepressor and reduces coactivator interaction with the CAR ligand-binding domain in mammalian two-hybrid assays; and 5) disrupts CAR binding to the promoter regions of target genes in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. CINPA1 could be used as a novel molecular tool for understanding CAR function.
Observations of nucleation catalysis effects during solidification of SnAgCuX solder joints

While modification of a strong (high Cu) Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) solder alloy with a substitutional alloy addition (X=Co, Fe, Zn, and Ni) for Cu has been demonstrated to enhance solder joint strength and ductility after aging at 150°C for 1,000 h, control of the as-solidified SAC+X solder joint microstructure is also needed to inhibit under cooling and nucleation of brittle pro-eutectic phases (e.g., Ag3Sn). Bulk undercooling measurements of SAC+X alloys and microstructural analysis of SAC+X solder joints were used to rank the effectiveness and consistency of low-level (X < 0.15 wt.%) substitutional additions to a base SAC composition, Sn-3.5Ag-0.95Cu (wt.%). This SAC composition was selected to favor thermodynamically the nucleation of pro-eutectic Cu6Sn5 over that of Ag3Sn and the formation of an enhanced ternary eutectic fraction in the joint microstructure, while retaining a pasty range that is only 3°C. Using differential scanning calorimetry with sample pans that serve as either inert (aluminum) or actively wetting (copper) substrates, reflow cycles were studied that simulated surface mount (1.5°C/s) and ball-grid array (0.17°C/s) cooling rates. Of the SAC+X solders tested with copper pans, X = Zn appeared to be most effective and consistent, providing catalytic enhancement of the nucleation temperature for even the minimum concentration (0.05 wt.%) and lowest cooling rate.
Extracellular 2',3'-cAMP is a source of adenosine

We discovered that renal injury releases 2′,3′-cAMP (positional isomer of 3′,5′-cAMP) into the interstitium. This finding motivated a novel hypothesis: renal injury leads to activation of an extracellular 2′,3′-cAMP-adenosine pathway (i.e. metabolism of extracellular 2′,3′-cAMP to 3′-AMP and 2′-AMP, which are metabolized to adenosine, a retaliatory metabolite). In isolated rat kidneys, arterial infusions of 2′,3′-cAMP (30 μmol/liter) increased the mean venous secretion of 3′-AMP (3,400-fold), 2′-AMP (26,000-fold), adenosine (53-fold), and inosine (adenosine metabolite, 30-fold). Renal injury with metabolic inhibitors increased the mean secretion of 2′,3′-cAMP (29-fold), 3′-AMP (16-fold), 2′-AMP (10-fold), adenosine (4.2-fold), and inosine (6.1-fold) while slightly increasing 5′-AMP (2.4-fold). Arterial infusions of 2′-AMP and 3′-AMP increased secretion of adenosine and inosine similar to that achieved by 5′-AMP. Renal artery infusions of 2′,3′-cAMP in vivo increased urinary excretion of 2′-AMP, 3′-AMP and adenosine, and infusions of 2′-AMP and 3′-AMP increased urinary excretion of adenosine as efficiently as 5′-AMP. The implications are that 1) in intact organs, 2′-AMP and 3′-AMP are converted to adenosine as efficiently as 5′-AMP (previously considered the most important adenosine precursor) and 2) because 2′,3′-cAMP opens mitochondrial permeability transition pores, a pro-apoptotic/pro-necrotic process, conversion of 2′,3′-cAMP to adenosine by the extracellular 2′,3′-cAMP-adenosine pathway would protect tissues by reducing a pro-death factor (2′,3′-cAMP) while increasing a retaliatory metabolite (adenosine).