cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-paid account gauge for mobile multimedia systems

Pre-paid subscribers in mobile networks frequently check their account balance. Presently the subscriber is notified regarding the balance by voice or SMS resources, which cannot be billed by the service provider. In this paper authors have presented a novel concept, by which a subscriber is informed his real-time balance without using the above resources. Moreover, the authors have developed a user friendly gui, which looks like the fuel gauge, on the screen of the mobile end point. Furthermore, a subscriber can use various services like voice, video etc. and continue observe the change in his balance on the gauge. The user can also minimize the gauge to the system tray and look for icon changes to indicate changes in the level of the balance. The above ideas have been implemented on a HP iPAQ PDA using Windows Mobile 2005 and tested successfully over a wireless network.
Convicts and conservation: inmate labor, fires and forestry in southernmost Argentina

Abstract The modern penitentiary was rarely a fully closed, insular, or placeless institution. Approaching penology as environmental history can therefore restore connections that have been severed between prison studies, political ecology, and geography. This article uses the Ushuaia penal colony/penitentiary, located in southernmost Argentina, to explore relationships between penology, inmate labor, and forestry. In the early 1900s, inmates erected the prison that would house them, and labored to provide roads, government buildings, and electricity for Ushuaia. Their main activity was felling timber, which brought together the prison and forestry departments, thus linking discipline with deforestation, and blurring the lines between the interior and exterior of the penitentiary. After decades of extensive forest fires, the lack of a self-sustaining economy, and charges of inmate abuse, the prison was closed in 1947. A subsequent campaign to salvage the region by supplanting ominous images of a natural prison with those of a beautiful landscape resulted in the establishment of a national park in 1960. And, in 1997, fifty years after its closure, the defunct prison was converted to a museum. The national park and prison museum now attract thousands of tourists annually, offering two competing — rather than co-constitutive — versions of national history. This juxtaposition of green and dark tourism is not unique to Ushuaia, and thus highlights tensions inherent to when and where sites of punishment, conservation, and memory overlap.
The Pregnancy Environment and Lifestyle Study (PETALS): a population-based longitudinal multi-racial birth cohort.

Abstract Background Increasing recognition has been received regarding the proven and suggested links between multi-level environmental exposures on a broad scale (e.g., chemical, clinical, behavioral, physical and social) and health deficits originated from the critical window of development. However, such prospective human data are limited. In 2016, the National Institutes of Health funded 35 centers comprising 84 extant cohorts for the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) pediatric cohorts program. The Pregnancy Environment and Lifestyle Study (PETALS) is one of the cohorts at the participating centers of Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC). Methods PETALS was originally funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to establish a longitudinal birth cohort of 3,350 mother-infant pairs and conduct a nested case–control study of 300 women with gestational diabetes (GDM) and 600 matched controls to investigate the associations between phenol exposures in first and second trimesters and GDM risk and the related outcome of infant macrosomia. This paper describes the prospective cohort design of PETALS, current research activities, and cohort profile of enrolled women who delivered as of February 2016. Women are enrolled from the KPNC membership. Fasting blood draw, urine collection, anthropometric measurements, and questionnaires on health history and lifestyle are completed at baseline and follow-up clinic visits with targeted windows of 10–13 and 16–19 weeks of gestation, respectively. Further, women’s clinical and health assessments before and after the index pregnancy in addition to their children’s birth outcomes and health information can be abstracted from electronic health records, allowing future follow-up. Study data could also be linked and extended to a myriad of additional observational data including environmental and area-level databases and census data. Discussion In this racially- and ethnically-diverse pregnancy cohort, the generated biospecimen and data repository will establish a comprehensive framework which may provide unique opportunities to address a multitude of research questions on the intrauterine environment and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes in a representative multi-racial/ethnic population with generalizable findings.
Studies in Microminiaturized Digital Controllers

Abstract This paper develops three control algorithms for the standpoint of their implementation in commercial micrologic for sampled-data digital control systems. The algorithms developed and implemented are: 1. Two mode, proportional plus integral, with incrementally augmented integral terms. 2. Two mode, proportional plus integral, with multirate sampling for gain control. 3. Three mode, proportional plus derivative plus integral. The forms of the algorithms were selected on the basis of their simplicity of physical implementation in contemporary micro-logic-elements and modern hybrid digital techniques. Logic structures are presented only in block diagram form to serve to identify the computational tasks which are physically implemented. Detailed logic circuits are presented for a typical accumulator.
Professing Contradictions: Knowledge Work and the Neoliberal Condition of Academic Workers

In this paper, we will provide an interpretation of the condition of academic labor, which is understood as a particular kind of knowledge work and labor. Our objective is to explore the contradictory condition of academics in terms of class position, production of value and subjectivity, showing both its idiosyncrasies as well as its alignment with the broader experience of working in current post-Fordist capitalism. First, paying particular attention to the US media and communication departments that develop critical cultural scholarship, we reflect on the unresolved impasse deriving from the distinction of mental and manual labor. Second, we describe this profession as being characterized by a contradictory class location and a valorization that relies on a continuous negotiation for better exchange rate between intellectual and financial capital. Third, we consider how such a context subjectively translates in an ever-resolved condition of ‘employability,’ which comprises vocational aspects and the necessity dictated by the hope to reach stability and recognition.
Abrasion Empirical Equations for the Itabirite Mud System

Twenty-eight mud samples were tested in the laboratory to predict abrasion equations that will aid mud engineers for better treatment of itabirite mud systems. Three different ranges of particle size of itabirite were selected for the tests. Particle sizes between 74 and 125 microns, between 44 and 74 microns, and between 37 and 44 microns were used. Thirty-minute abrasion tests were conducted with a modified Hamilton Beach Blender at 9800, 11200, 12750, and 14350 RPM. Rheological properties, filtration properties, and abrasiveness were studied and analyzed. Regression analyses were performed between abrasion and the parameters of size, polymer concentration (Drispac Superlo or Kelzan XCD), and shear rate investigated in this research.
Robust Adaptive Control Using Reduced Order Models

Abstract This paper deals with the problem of adaptively controlling a linear time-invariant plant with unknown parameters based on a reduced order model. It is now well known that when bounded disturbances are present, the global boundedness of all signals in the system can be assured (i) either by modifying the standard adaptive law or (ii) by making the reference input sufficiently persistently exciting. The unmodeled part of the plant introduces a signal which can be considered as a state-dependent disturbance in the analysis of the adaptive system. In this paper it is shown that the above methods can be extended to the problem of adaptive control using reduced order models as well.
Third Order Intersubband Kerr Effect in GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Wells

Over the last decade, an extensive effort has been made to explore the physics of quantum well (QW) structures due to their potential applications for opto-electronic devices. The main catalysts of the rapid development in this field have been the progress of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technology which allows for the fabrication of ultra thin semiconductor epitaxial layers where the thickness and the relative concentration of the layers can be precisely controled. A typical QW structure consists of a GaAs epitaxial layer sandwiched between two wider band gap AlxGa1-xAs layers. In such a structure the carriers are confined to the thin GaAs layer which is typically of the order of 100 A.
A FOUR-CHANNEL CARDIAC DIMENSION GAUGE USING INDUCTIVELY COUPLED COILS

Publisher Summary Measurements of regional and global cardiac dimensions are useful in studying both the hemodynamic and mechanical function of the heart. These dimensions may be difficult to obtain; cineradiography using radiopaque markers involves expensive and complex equipment for obtaining and interpreting the data. Strain gauges introduce a variable degree of mechanical loading which may be undesirable. Currently, the transit time of an ultrasonic pulse transmitted between pairs of small crystals implanted in the myocardium is considered one of the more useful techniques available. However, the equipment is complex and requires electronically sophisticated personnel to operate; additionally, the need to implant the crystals in the myocardium risks impairment of regional muscle function. The mutual inductance between two coils varies proportionately, although in a nonlinear fashion, with the separation between them. This principle has been used successfully to measure ventricular diameters and length. However, the approach has not been as versatile as the ultrasonic technique. Interference between nearby pairs of coils has limited this technique to the monitoring of only one or two areas at a time. This chapter describes the development of a simple device using the mutual inductance principle that allows continuous monitoring of up to four cardiac dimensions simultaneously. The simplicity of calibration and use of this instrument has made it a valuable tool in the studies of left ventricular pathophysiology.
rCBF in Hemorrhagic, Non-Hemorrhagic and Mixed Contusions After Severe Head Injury and its Effect on Perilesional Cerebral Blood Flow

Intracerebral contusions can lead to regional ischemia caused by extensive release of excitotoxic aminoacids leading to increased cytotoxic brain edema and raised intracranial pressure. rCBF measurements might provide further information about the risk of ischemia within and around contusions. Therefore, the aim of the presented study was to compare the intra- and perilesional rCBF of hemorrhagic, non-hemorrhagic and mixed intracerebral contusions. In 44 patients, 60 stable Xenon-enhanced CT CBF-studies were performed (EtCO2 30 +/- 4 mmHg SD), initially 29 hours (39 studies) and subsequent 95 hours after injury (21 studies). All lesions were classified according to localization and lesion type using CT/MRI scans. The rCBF was calculated within and 1-cm adjacent to each lesion in CT-isodens brain. The rCBF within all contusions (n = 100) of 29 +/- 11 ml/100 g/min was significantly lower (p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U) compared to perilesional rCBF of 44 +/- 12 ml/100 g/min and intra/perilesional correlation was 0.4 (p < 0.0005). Hemorrhagic contusions showed an intra/perilesional rCBF of 31 +/- 11/44 +/- 13 ml/100 g/min (p < 0.005), non-hemorrhagic contusions 35 +/- 13/46 +/- 10 ml/100 g/min (p < 0.01). rCBF in mixed contusions (25 +/- 9/44 +/- 12 ml/100 g/min, p < 0.0001) was significantly lower compared to hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic contusions (p < 0.02). Intracontusional rCBF is significantly reduced to 29 +/- 11 ml/100 g/min but reduced below ischemic levels of 18 ml/100 g/min in only 16% of all contusions. Perilesional CBF in CT normal appearing brain closed to contusions is not critically reduced. Further differentiation of contusions demonstrates significantly lower rCBF in mixed contusions (defined by both hyper- and hypodense areas in the CT-scan) compared to hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic contusions. Mixed contusions may evolve from hemorrhagic contusions with secondary increased perilesional cytotoxic brain edema leading to reduced cerebral blood flow and altered brain metabolism. Therefore, the treatment of ICP might be individually modified by the measurement of intra- and pericontusional cerebral blood.
Neighborhoods and Families

Neighborhoods have a profound impact on children and their families, including health and safety, educational attainment, child maltreatment risk, and many others. Yet, surprisingly little is known about the specific mechanisms through which neighborhood physical and social characteristics features influence child and family outcomes. This chapter looks at current definitions for community and family and reviews research for community effects on parenting, health, safety, academic achievement, and general well-being for children and adults. The chapter concludes with implications for the research findings for policy and practice.
Reactions to Certain of Rhodes' Predictions.

allowed himself 38 years to be proven right or wrong. Rhodes has allowed only 10. Two of Rhodes' mistakes were to underestimate the power of conservative social stability, and to underestimate the social reality on which that stability is based. Rhodes' predictions represent a Utopian view which, perhaps unfortunately, is not likely to become reality in the next 50-100 years, let alone the 10-15 years Rhodes allowed. This does not make his predictions of diminished value. Indeed they represent an alternative future, a goal, which needs to be examined carefully, and which may guide the development of care giving we attempt to provide today and in years to come.
Evolution of the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) into a Data Mining Discovery Engine. II. Current Contents and Future Plans

Recent advances have been made in evolving the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) into a data mining discovery engine. Infrastructure changes and data integration techniques are enabling more than a 10-fold expansion. NED will soon contain over a billion objects with their fundamental attributes (such as names, positions, redshifts, fluxes, and diameters) determined via cross-identifications among the largest sky surveys and over 100,000 smaller but scientifically important catalogs and journal articles. In addition, enhancements to the user interface, including new APIs, VO protocols, and queries involving derived physical quantities, will provide new pathways for multi-wavelength studies of large extragalactic samples.
Correlation diagnosis method for heterogeneous Monte Carlo eigenvalue simulations based on a diffusion approximation

Abstract This paper presents a predictive model of the correlation level present in tally regions of any mesh size without requiring extensive high accuracy discrete tallies. This model provides a quick indication of the accuracy of the variance estimated from uncorrelated statistics. The prediction is developed from the generalization of the Multitype Branching Processes (MBP) model to a continuous space and solving correlation coefficients (and thus variance correction factors) exactly in an equivalent homogeneous problem. The real heterogeneous problem is homogenized in a way that preserves neutron migration area. Correlation coefficients and the asymptotic variance underestimation ratio of the homogenized problem provide a rough estimate of the correlations observed in the real heterogeneous problem for a given tally region size.
Deep Learning for Radio-Frequency Energy Harvesting with Multiple Wireless Transmitters

A radio-frequency (RF) energy harvester collects the radiated energy from nearby wireless information transmitters. Multiple wireless transmitters concentrate their radiation on the RF energy harvester while satisfying the basic requirement of the information links. To achieve this, a deep learning method is proposed for the multiuser transmission. A deep neural network (DNN) is implemented in each wireless transmitter. The DNNs are trained offline with simulated channels and applied online to generate transmit covariance matrices that meet the communication requirement and approach the maximum sum received power at the RF energy harvester.
Thermosensitive hydrogel-based drug delivery system for sustained drug release

Hydrogels are unique biomaterials that have demonstrated tremendous potential in sustaining drug release. Significant effort has been made to impart stimuli sensitivity and incorporate hydrophilic molecules in a stable hydrogel network. Although, thermosensitive hydrogels have exhibited promising interventions, formulation of a biodegradable, stable thermosensitive hydrogel for sustained drug release remain to be vastly studied. Here, a novel micellarization strategy was exploited to achieve a biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel with improved stability. Two triblock co-polymers, PCL-PEG-PCL (600–2000-600) and PCL-PEG-PCL (1000–2000-1000) with different physical properties were employed to achieve optimal critical gelling concentration and critical solution temperature (LCST) that can form a stable hydrogel network at body temperature. A library of triblock co-polymers were synthesized utilizing e-caprolactone and poly ethylene glycol (PEG) of various chain lengths. The block co-polymers exhibiting desired physical properties were further characterized using NMR and GPC analytical techniques. Release study of diclofenac sodium was examined in presence of the thermosensitive hydrogel. The results indicated that the hydrogel sustained the release of diclofenac sodium by ~100-folds. Kinetic models further suggested a first order release rate, indicating that the release is primarily mediated by diffusion through porous membranes of the hydrogel. Such hydrogel based drug delivery system promises an effective strategy for sustaining drug release for the treatment of diseases.
Abundance, diversity and plant-specific adaptations of plant-associated lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are essential for many fruit, vegetable and grain food and beverage fermentations. However, the numbers, diversity and plant-specific adaptions of LAB found on plant tissues prior to the start of those fermentations are not well understood. When measured, these bacteria have been recovered from the aerial surfaces of plants in a range from <10 CFU g-1 to over 108.5 CFU g-1 of plant tissue and in lower quantities from the soil and rhizosphere. Plant-associated LAB include well-known generalist taxa such as Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides, which are essential for numerous food and beverage fermentations. Other plant-associated LAB encompass specialist taxa such as Lactobacillus florum and Fructobacillus, many of which were discovered relatively recently and their significance on plants and in foods is not yet recognized. LAB recovered from plants possess the capacity to consume plant sugars, detoxify phenolic compounds and tolerate the numerous biotic and abiotic stresses common to plant surfaces. Although most generalist and some specialist LAB grow rapidly in food and beverages fermentations and can cause spoilage of fresh and fermented fruits and vegetables, the importance of living plants as habitats for these bacteria and LAB contributions to plant microbiomes remain to be shown.
Advanced Carotid Vessel Wall Imaging and Future Directions

Carotid atherosclerosis is common in the general population and has been recognized as a major contributor to ischemic stroke. Luminal stenosis on angiography techniques is traditionally used to grade the severity of carotid disease in clinical decision-making, including multiple randomized clinical trials. However, this practice is challenged by histopathological studies that revealed a crucial role of carotid plaque characteristics in the pathogenesis of strokes secondary to carotid atherosclerosis. In the past two decades, the accessibility of carotid endarterectomy specimens has facilitated the development and validation of carotid vessel wall imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, for identification of carotid plaque characteristics, including plaque burden, tissue composition, luminal surface condition, plaque inflammation, and neovasculature. Early work using traditional carotid MRI techniques to identify culprit lesions in symptomatic patients, to select patients at higher risk for stroke for carotid revascularization, to choose between carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting, and to monitor patient response to medical treatment has shown the potential of vessel wall imaging in promoting precision medicine in patients with carotid disease. In the upcoming years, focus should be directed toward validation of new carotid vessel wall imaging techniques that may greatly improve the usability of imaging biomarkers of carotid plaque characteristics as well as multicenter, collaborative studies to collect high-level evidence for guiding clinical management of carotid disease.
Demo: Hands-Free Human Activity Recognition Using Millimeter-Wave Sensors

In this demo, we introduce a hands-free human activity recognition framework leveraging millimeter-wave (mmWave) sensors. Compared to other existing approaches, our network protects user privacy and can remodel a human skeleton performing the activity. Moreover, we show that our network can be achieved in one architecture, and be further optimized to have higher accuracy than those that can only get singular results (i.e. only get pose estimation or activity recognition). To demonstrate the practicality and robustness of our model, we will demonstrate our model in different settings (i.e. facing different backgrounds) and effectively show the accuracy of our network.
Determining the optimal angular range of the x-ray source motion in tomosynthesis using virtual clinical trials

The limited angle and limited number of projections in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) produce under-sampled datasets that may compromise calcification detection. Small breast lesions, such as microcalcifications, may not be discernible without sufficient sampling in the reconstructed DBT images. We propose a virtual clinical trial (VCT) method to evaluate the calcification detection in DBT using computer simulations of breast phantoms, images, and virtual readers. We used multiple-reader multiple-case (MRMC) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses to evaluate the performance of channelized Hotelling observers (CHOs) in calcification detection. The angular motion path of the x-ray source was varied to simulate different DBT acquisition geometries. We simulated continuous and step-and-shoot x-ray source motion and three angular motion paths: ±7.5°, ±15°, and ±25°. The detection of calcifications is affected by the angular motion path, particularly for the ±25° angular range, combined with continuous tube motion, larger detector element sizes (0.14 mm) and larger reconstructed voxel sizes (0.10 mm). When an angular range of ±25° is compared to ±7.5°, the difference in the area under the curve (AUC) is -0.030 (d’ ratio=0.633) and -0.067 (d’ ratio=0.584), for one and two- voxel calcifications (0.1 mm³ and 0.2 mm³), respectively. There is no significant difference in calcification detection using images acquired with ±7.5° and ±15°. The results provide insight on the impact of angular range for calcification detection, an ongoing limitation of tomosynthesis.
Interrater Reliability and Convergent Validity of the Trial-Based Functional Analysis

The standard functional analysis (FA) has been regarded as the gold standard to identify the function of challenging behavior. The trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) is an alternative FA that takes less time to complete than the standard FA. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate interrater reliability and convergent validity of the TBFA by comparing it with the standard FA. First, TBFA and standard FA were conducted on three young adults with neurodevelopmental disorders who displayed problem behavior. Then, three expert panelists analyzed and compared graphs depicting TBFA with 5, 10, 15, and 20 trials and standard FA graphs. Panelists reported that they were able to identify a behavior function using the TBFA; however, interrater reliability was substantially lower with 5 trials than for 10, 15, or 20 trials, and was highest with 10 trials. Results suggest that reliability of the TBFA may be improved by including more than five trials in the analysis. Results of the TBFA and standard FA converged for only one of the three participants. Lack of convergence may have been due, in part, to differences in presentation of establishing operations between the two assessments. Although preliminary, it is possible that clinicians should consider using more than 5 trials when interpreting the function of problem behavior using the TBFA. Limitations and future research are discussed.
COVID-19 and Distance Learning: Effects on Georgia State University School of Public Health Students

On March 11, 2020, the World Health organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Following the speed with which COVID-19 spread to all parts of the world, and to contain the spread of the disease, most governments around the world, including the US, authorized unprecedented social containment measures to stem the tide. These measures among others required social distancing and the temporary physical closure of educational institutions. The Georgia State University School of Public Health, like all other institutions of higher learning, had to create distance-learning opportunities to enable students to complete the 2019-2020 academic year. The unplanned, rapid, and uncertain duration of the approach presented challenges at all academic levels. Not much information on best practices was available to guide such abrupt transitions to college education. The purpose of the study was to collect data on how the transition to distance learning impacted undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in public health at GSU. The goal was to identify student academic challenges and the unforeseen benefits of distance learning, and to use that information to inform practices that can be implemented during crises that impact university education.
Society's Role in Tolstoy's Anna Karenina

Although many critics argue that Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina was a critique on faith, morals, or love, each of these topics takes place against the backdrop of society, which ultimately forms Tolstoy's greatest concern in the novel. Society, and how Anna is shaped and affected by it, is the driving force throughout this story of individual fates. The fickle nature of society in the novel is demonstrated through Anna's emotionally honest actions throughout, as well as Vronsky's relation to them. Her death was ultimately detrimental to her message: even though Tolstoy made Anna a powerful protagonist, a 19th-century woman constantly strivingtoward her personal goals, Anna's argument of valuing honesty and action is muddled by her fate. However, if readers understand that it was the silent observer of society that caused Anna's death, the themes in Tolstoy's novel and the message he meant to convey with her death become clear. A real life, one honestly progressing along an imperfect path - as all natural lives - should never be something controlled by society.
Respiratory coinfections with COVID-19 in veterans health administration (VA), 2020

Background: The first US cases occurred in the COVID-19 pandemic in Jan 2020 Initially, some states required patients be screened for other respiratory pathogens before COVID-19 Information on COVID-19 coinfections with other respiratory pathogens is limited We investigated prevalence of COVID-19 coinfections with other respiratory pathogens in VA Methods: Molecular and viral culture test results from 9/29/2019-5/31/2020 for respiratory pathogens (Adenovirus, Bordetella pertussis/parapertussis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, COVID-19 and other Coronaviruses, Influenza, human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), human parainfluenza viruses (HPIV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Rhino-Enterovirus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)) were identified from VA data sources COVID-19 tested patients were evaluated within 7 days for respiratory pathogen coinfections from 2/1/2020-5/31/2020 Patient demographics were obtained for patients with coinfections Results: A total of 825,282 respiratory pathogen tests (including COVID-19) were performed from Sept 2019 with percent positive shown in Figure 1 Of these, 617,541 tests were performed starting in Feb 2020 (Table 1) There were 14,839 (6 5%) positive COVID-19 tests (10,223 unique patients) of 227,111 tests performed (174,747 unique patients) 30,066/174,747 (17%) of patients with COVID-19 were tested for another respiratory pathogen Fifty-six (0 55%) unique COVID-19 patients were detected with coinfection including 3 COVID-19 positive patients with > 1 other respiratory pathogen (2 with Coronavirus and Adenovirus and 1 with Coronavirus and Rhino-Enterovirus) Other coinfections included 18 Rhino-Enterovirus, 15 Influenza, 10 with another Coronavirus, 4 RSV, 3 hMPV, 2 HPIV, and 1 C pneumoniae Demographics of coinfected patients are shown in Table 2 Conclusion: In VA, coinfection with COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens was rare Detection was limited since not all COVID-19 patients were tested for other respiratory pathogens and respiratory pathogens were declining when COVID- 19 emerged Coinfections were detected with different respiratory pathogens Further comparisons of coinfected vs non-coinfected patients to assess outcome or actionable results will be important as we enter the next influenza season
Evaluation of Severity of Cardiac Ischemia Using In Silico ECG Computed From 2D Reaction Diffusion Model

This study focuses on the analysis of the bioelectrical activity of the left ventricle using a 2D Bueno-Orovio-Fenton-Cherry monodomain reaction diffusion model. ECGs signals are simulated for normal and ischemic conditions of varying severity. Changes in ischemia are examined in a single precordial lead as the size of the ischemic area increases in various locations. Analyzing this single lead ECG, we determine the ratio between ST deviation and T-wave amplitude and establish a threshold sufficient for monitoring acute ischemic event. This method may be potentially implemented to predict sudden cardiac death.
Measles, Chickenpox, and Other Preventable Diseases: Why Stricter Vaccine Exemptions Are a Must-Proposed Legislation For Stricter Vaccine Exemption Standards

The outbreak of measles in 2019 was the largest measles outbreak since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared it eliminated in 2000. With measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases on the rise, there is growing concern that vulnerable populations will be exposed to these diseases, which can lead to death. One major factor in this increase is the lackadaisical vaccine exemption policies that are implemented in the United States. If vaccine exemption policies were more like those of states that have lower exemption rates and included some inquiry into the sincerity and genuineness of the requesting parent’s religious beliefs, then it is likely vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks would decline. This Note looks to how different states through their state statutes implement vaccine exemption policies and then analyzes each state’s vaccination statistics. By using this empirical data and comparing state statutes, this Note determines which state vaccine exemption policies are the most effective in ensuring the health of the public. This Note advocates for a model state statute that incorporates the most effective state policies and includes inquiries into vaccine exemption requests, thus creating a more stringent standard in order to make vaccine exemptions less obtainable for those who do not truly need them. In implementing said policy, the population of the United States would achieve herd immunity and thus decrease or eliminate any outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Pyloroplasty, Heineke-Mikulicz

This operation is generally performed for the surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer in the poor-risk patient, especially one undergoing emergency surgery for massive hemorrhage (see Chap. 18) .
Evaluating Tsunami Hazards From Debris Flows

Characteristics of water waves caused by subaerially generated debris flows vary with distance from the debris-flow entry point. Three hydrodynamically distinct regions (splash zone, near field, and far field) may be identified. Experiments demonstrate that characteristics of the near-field water wave-the only coherent wave to emerge from the splash zone-depend primarily on submerged volume and submerged travel time of the debris flow and on water depth where debris-flow motion stops. Near-field wave characteristics commonly may be used as a proxy source for computational tsunami propagation. An example application explores hazards associated with potential debris flows entering a reservoir.
Optical study of charge transfer in stage-2 K(NH 3 ) 4.5 C 36

Ammonia intercalation of stage-3 ${\mathrm{KC}}_{36}$ is found to produce a predominantly single-phase stage-2 graphite intercalation compound with stoichiometry K(${\mathrm{NH}}_{3}$${)}_{4.5}$${\mathrm{C}}_{36}$. As a result of the ammonia intercalation, the free-carrier plasma frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$ is observed to decrease by 0.28 eV to a value of ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$=3.12 eV. This downshift in ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$ is consistent with the backdonation of 30% of the carbon ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ electrons to states in the intercalate layer. This result demonstrates an interesting stage dependence for this backdonation, as previous NMR and optical studies of the stage-1 K(${\mathrm{NH}}_{3}$${)}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{C}}_{24}$ (x=4.1,4.4) compounds reported values in the range 15--20 %, about one-half the value found in the present study for the stage-2 compound. A narrow absorption band is observed near 1.7 eV, similar to that observed at 1.85 eV in the stage-1 K(${\mathrm{NH}}_{3}$) GIC's, and identified with the presence of solvated electrons in the K(${\mathrm{NH}}_{3}$${)}_{4.5}$ intercalate layers.
Problems with problem-solving consultation: A re-analysis of assumptions, methods, and goals.

The present article provides a critical reexamination of problem-solving through client-centered case consultation. In so doing, characteristics of case-centered consultation as it is described in ...
Norepinephrine and Learning-Induced Plasticity in Infant Rat Olfactory System

Postnatal olfactory learning produces both a conditioned behavioral response and a modified olfactory bulb neural response to the learned odor. The present report describes the role of norepinephrine (NE) on both of these learned responses in neonatal rat pups. Pups received olfactory classical conditioning training from postnatal days (PN) 1– 18. Training consisted of 18 trials with an intertrial interval of 24 hr. For the experimental group, a trial consisted of a pairing of unconditioned stimulus (UCS, stroking/tactile stimulation) and the conditioned stimulus (CS, odor). Control groups received either only the CS (Odor only) or only the UCS (Stroke only). Within each training condition, pups were injected with either the NE beta-receptor agonist isoproterenol (1, 20, or 4 mg/kg), the NE beta-receptor antagonist propranolol (10, 20, 40 mg/kg), or saline 30 min prior to training. On day 20, pups received one of the following tests: (1) behavioral conditioned responding, (2) injection with 14C-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) and exposed to the CS odor, or (3) tested for olfactory bulb mitral/tufted cell single-unit responses to the CS odor. The results indicated that training with either: (1) Odor-Stroke-Saline, (2) Odor- Stroke-Isoproterenol-Propranolol, or (3) Odor only-Isoproterenol (2 mg/kg) was sufficient to produce a learned behavioral odor preference, enhanced uptake of 14C-2-DG in the odor-specific foci within the bulb, and a modified output signal from the bulb as measured by single-cell recordings of mitral/tufted cells. Moreover, propranolol injected prior to Odor-Stroke training blocked the acquisition of both the learned behavior and olfactory bulb responses. Thus, NE is sufficient and may be necessary for the acquisition of both learned olfactory behavior and olfactory bulb responses.
cAMP and Regulation of Carbohydrate Metabolism

Cyclic nucleotides including cAMP and cGMP are found in many procaryotes. Table I provides a representative selection of bacteria from which cAMP has been identified and quantitated. With only a few exceptions, the mechanism of action of these nucleotides and the physiological consequences of variations in the intracellular levels are not known, cGMP has also been found in a variety of bacteria (Table II), it is usually present in amounts at least an order of magnitude smaller than those observed for cAMP. Intracellular concentrations of cGMP of 3–35 nM have been reported for Escherichia coli (3). 30 nM cGMP is equivalent to 18 molecules per cell if the volume of a cell is assumed to be 10-15 1. It has been proposed that cGMP in E. coli is an artifact of adenylate cyclase activity (70). However, a guanylate cyclase activity distinct from adenylate cyclase by several criteria has been purified and partially characterized from E. coli (40). In animal cells, it was originally proposed that cAMP and cGMP act in opposition, the “Yin Yang Effect.” This hypothesis has received less support as more evidence has accumulated (59).
Personalized Peripheral Information Awareness Through Information Art

This article describes development of the concept of Information Art, a type of ambient or peripheral display involving user-specified electronic paintings in which resident objects change appearance and position to foster awareness of personally relevant information. Our approach differs from others, however, in emphasizing end-user control and flexibility in monitored information and its resultant representation. The article provides an overview of the system’s capabilities and describes an initial pilot study in which displays were given to four people to use for an extended period of time. Reactions were quite favorable and the trial use provided suggestions for system improvements.
Interactive Car Owner's Manual User Study

We present results of a user study with a prototype of an interactive speech-enabled car owner's user manual assistant. Its purpose is to help the driver learn about various car features and related procedures. The study focused on two scenarios -- when parked and while driving. We also used the Leap Motion gesture recognizer as an alternative to buttons. During the experiment we collected both objective driving data and subjective feedback. Results indicate that the users preferred the electronic user manual to the paper form, although they proposed numerous improvements. One particular concern was discoverability of content. The acceptance of Leap Motion gestures was low when driving, possibly impacted by short time allowed for practicing. Driver's distraction caused by interacting with the multimodal user manual was similar to that of receiving and reading text messages.
Min-max theory for the Yang-Mills-Higgs equations

In each monopole sector there exist an infinite number of finite energy solutions to the Prasad-Sommerfield limit of the SU(2) Yang-Mills-Higgs equations on ℝ3 whose energy is greater than any finite number.
Integrating job safety analysis into process hazard analysis

In this article, the author will present and explain in some detail how the job safety analysis (JSA) technique can be integrated into and used in conjunction with any of the six process hazard analysis (PHA) techniques required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration process safety management Standard for highly hazardous chemicals. The goal of this effort is to produce a rigorous and unified approach to performing a PHA for either a batch chemical process or a continuous chemical process with significant batch elements (i.e., startup and shutdown). This approach combines the typical approach to performing a PHA with representative operating, emergency, and maintenance procedures to allow PHA teams to evaluate process risks within the environment of specific modes of operation for the process equipment and PHA nodes. When this approach is used, the PHA team is less likely to miss something important. As a result, the PHA produces a set of preventive actions that, when implemented, will produce the best and safest way to operate the system reviewed. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2010
Determining information system usage: some issues and examples

Abstract While the utilization of an information system (IS) is widely regarded as an indicator of its success, effectiveness, or acceptance, past research has found inconsistent associations between usage and other measures of system success. There are a number of potential factors that could influence the usage of an IS and there are unique problems in its measurement; these make validation of the measures difficult. One area in particular has apparently been neglected: establishing the relevance of the way of measuring usage to the task or study. Data obtained from a laboratory experiment on user expectations illustrate the necessity of choosing a utilization measure that is relevant to the task involved. The data also indicate that behavioral and perceptual variables of IS evaluation ought to be considered separately when determining the level of IS success.
Removal of locked volar plates after distal radius fractures.

Purpose We present our experience with removal of locked volar distal radius plates and screws and note the indications for removal, types of plates removed, completeness of hardware removal, and complications occurring during plate removal. Methods We reviewed all distal radial volar locking plates removed at our institution from 2004 to 2009. A total of 28 patients operated on by 5 hand surgeons were identified. We gathered information regarding the incidence of successful removal of hardware and operative findings in cases of difficult removal of hardware. Results A total of 28 patients (16 women, 12 men) underwent removal of locked volar distal radius plates from 2004 to 2009. The mean length of implantation was 63 weeks (range, 3–223 wk). Reasons for removal of hardware included tenosynovitis, tendon rupture, pain, and prominent or intra-articular hardware. Of 28 cases of locked volar plate removal, 2 had complications. In the first case, a screw was cross-threaded in an earlier generation DVR Hand Innovations plate implanted in 2003. The plate and screw were removed by rotating them out as 1 unit. In the second case, in which the current generation DVR Hand Innovations plate was implanted in 2007, the recess in the screw head had been stripped on insertion. The plate was cut and the remaining fragment of plate and screw were removed together. Despite these difficulties, hardware was successfully removed completely in 28 patients. Conclusions This case series highlights the result that all removals of locked volar plates were successful. There were 2 complications, and strategies for removal are described. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
A review of state regulations to promote infant physical activity in child care

The purpose of this study was to review state regulations promoting increased physical activity and decreased sedentary behaviors in infants in child care and to assess consistency with recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations. We compared existing state and territory licensing and administrative regulations to recent IOM recommendations to promote physical activity and decrease sedentary time in very young children attending out-of-home child care (both child care centers and family child care homes). Three independent reviewers searched two sources (a publicly available website and WestlawNext™) and compared regulations with five IOM recommendations: 1) providing daily opportunities for infants to move, 2) engaging with infants on the ground, 3) providing daily tummy time for infants less than six months of age, 4) using cribs, car seats and high chairs for their primary purpose, and 5) limiting the use of restrictive equipment for holding infants while they are awake. We used Pearson chi-square tests to assess associations between geographic region, year of last update, and number of state regulations consistent with the IOM recommendations. The mean (SD) number of regulations for states was 1.9 (1.3) for centers and 1.6 (1.2) for homes out of a possible 5.0. Two states had regulations for all five recommendations, Arizona for centers and Virginia for homes. Six states and territories had zero regulations for child care centers and seven states and territories had zero regulations for family child care homes. There were no significant associations between geographic region and number of regulations consistent with IOM recommendations. Out-of-home child care settings are important targets for optimal early child health interventions. While most states had some regulations related to the promotion of physical activity among infants, few states had regulations for more than three of the five IOM recommendations. Enhancing state regulations in child care facilities could aid in early childhood obesity prevention efforts.
Automation for creating and configuring security manifests for hardware containers

Hardware containers provide fine-grained memory access control to isolate memory regions and sandbox memory references between components of an application. A hardware reference monitor enforces a security manifest of memory access permissions for the currently executing component. In this paper we discuss how automation tools can help software developers to create the security manifest that configures hardware containers. The goal of this work is to foster discussion about our proposals for automation tools: to date we know of no solutions for extracting the metadata (permissions) required for fine-grained memory access control.
Power Flow Analysis in Parallel Force/Velocity Actuators (PFVA): Theory and Simulations

We introduce a dual input Parallel Force/Velocity Actuation (PFVA) concept in this paper to enable variable response manipulation. The objective of this paper is to develop an analytical model for power flow in PFVA systems. We studied the functional dependence of external and internal power flow phenomena on two dimensionless parameters we define in this paper, namely Relative Scale Factor (ρ) and Velocity Mixing Ratio (λ). We observed that overall mechanical efficiency of the PFVA decreases approximately 16% from the basic efficiency when the RSF was increased 5x and the VMR was increased 10x. For a specified load torque of −100 Nm at the output of a positive-ratio PFVA and a fixed VA angular velocity of 150 RPM, the Futile Power Ratio (FPR) was observed to increase by approximately 40% when the RSF was increased by 5x and the FA velocity was increased from 0–80 RPM. Based on our analytical development we suggest some design and operational guidelines for PFVA based systems.Copyright © 2008 by ASME