cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative proton MR spectroscopic imaging of the mesial temporal lobe.

Purpose To evaluate variations in regional metabolite concentrations in the anterior mesial temporal lobe (ATL), and compare metabolite concentrations between the allocortex and neocortex using quantitative proton MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). Materials and Methods Metabolite concentrations and ratios were measured in 20 healthy young subjects with the use of a multislice spin-echo (SE) sequence (TR/TE = 2300/280 msec). Quantitation of MRSI data was performed by means of the phantom replacement methodology. Results The highest choline (Cho) concentration (4.1 ± 1.1 mM) was found in the ATL (P = 0.0015 compared to the middle mesial temporal lobe (MTL), and P = 0.0008 compared to the posterior mesial temporal lobe (PTL)). The ATL also had a higher Cho/creatine (Cr) ratio and a lower N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/Cho ratio compared to other examined regions (P < 0.0001 and P ≤ 0.052, respectively). In the allocortical regions, the average Cho concentration (3.5 ± 0.8 mM) was 68% higher, and the NAA concentration (9.5 ± 1.8 mM) was 13% lower than in the neocortex (P < 10−6 and P < 0.008, respectively). Cho/Cr was 64% higher, NAA/Cr 14% lower, and NAA/Cho 47% lower in the allocortex than in the neocortex (P < 10−6, P = 0.013, and P < 10−6, respectively). Conclusion The mesial temporal lobe shows high levels of Cho, which presumably reflect a difference in cellular composition between the allocortex and neocortex. Regional metabolite variations must be considered when pathological conditions involving the mesial temporal lobe are evaluated. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:772–778. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Third-Order Dispersion and Ultrafast-Pulse Propagation in Silicon Wire Waveguides

The dynamics of femtosecond (fs) pulse propagation in dispersion engineered silicon-on-insulator (SOI) photonic wires is investigated numerically. For fs pulses propagating in millimeter-long SOI waveguides, the interplay between nonlinear effects, group velocity dispersion (GVD), and the third-order dispersion (TOD) results in significant pulse reshaping. At the zero-GVD (ZGVD) wavelength, TOD causes strong pulse-shape asymmetry in both the temporal and spectral domains. In addition, in the anomalous GVD region near the ZGVD wavelength, soliton-like pulse dynamics is observed
Defect clustering in GaN irradiated with O+ ions

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study microstructures formed in GaN irradiated with 600-keV O+ ions at room temperature. Three types of defect clusters were identified in the irradiated GaN: (i) basal-plane stacking faults with dimensions ranging from 5 to 30 nm, (ii) pyramidal dislocation loops, and (iii) local regions of highly disordered material. High-resolution TEM imaging clearly revealed that one type of the basal-plane stacking faults corresponded to insertion of one extra Ga–N basal plane in the otherwise perfect GaN lattice. The interpretation of these results indicated that interstitials of both Ga and N preferentially condensed on the basal plane to form a new layer of Ga–N under these irradiation conditions. The formation of these extended defects and their interactions with the point defects produced during irradiation contributed to a dramatic increase in the dynamic recovery of point defects in GaN at room temperature.
GuardRails: a data-centric web application security framework

Modern web application frameworks have made it easy to create powerful web applications. Developing a secure web application, however, still requires a developer to posses a deep understanding of security vulnerabilities and attacks. Even for experienced developers it is tedious, if not impossible, to find and eliminate all vulnerabilities. This paper presents GuardRails, a source-tosource tool for Ruby on Rails that helps developers build secure web applications. GuardRails works by attaching security policies defined using annotations to the data model itself. GuardRails produces a version of the input application that automatically enforces the specified policies. GuardRails helps developers prevent a myriad of security problems including cross-site scripting attacks and access control violations while providing a large degree of flexibility to support a range of policies and development styles.
Phase vs. Gain Stabilization of Structural Feedback Oscillations in Homing Missile Autopilots

This paper describes the application of two fundamental techniques to stabilize structural feedback oscillations in homing missile autopilots. Phase stabilization uses the dynamics of the actuator and rate gyro to stabilize both first and second de instabilities. Gain stabilization is used to attenuate the first and second mode peaks, which stabilizes the system and minimizes the effects of any noise generated in the rate loop by the electronics or by the mechanical component. The trade-offs necessary to accomplish gain stabilization are discussed.
Relation between lung function and RBC distribution width in a population-based study.

Study objectives Pulmonary function is dependent not only on smoking, but also on nutritional status. Since an increased RBC distribution width (RDW) has been associated with nutritional deficiencies, we postulated that RDW has an inverse relation to pulmonary function. The purpose of this study was to test this hypothesis. Design and setting A cross-sectional study was conducted of a random sample of the general population in western New York. Participants A total of 1,616 subjects of both genders who were aged 35 to 79 years and were free of respiratory disease. Interventions None. Measurements Pulmonary function was assessed from FEV1, FVC, height, body weight, total pack-years of smoking, smoking status, hemoglobin concentration, and hematologic indexes, eosinophil count, education, and blood levels of retinol, β-cryptoxanthin, and vitamin E. Results We found a direct relation between RDW and the number of pack-years of smoking and smoking status, and an inverse relation between FEV1 and FVC with RDW, even when potentially confounding variables such as smoking were taken into account. When the variability of FEV1 due to smoking was used for comparison, an additional 27% of that variability in FEV1 was explained by variations in antioxidant vitamin levels, and another 24% by RDW. Conclusions The results confirmed our hypothesis that there is an inverse relation between RDW and pulmonary function, and raise the possibility that RDW may be a biomarker for as-yet unidentified nutrients that affect pulmonary function.
Speedup OS-EM image reconstruction by PC graphics card technologies for quantitative SPECT with varying focal-length fan-beam collimation

In this paper, we present a new hardware acceleration method to speedup the ordered-subsets expectation-maximization (OS-EM) algorithm for quantitative single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image reconstruction with varying focal-length fan-beam (VFF) collimation. By utilizing the geometrical symmetry of VFF point-spread function (PSF), compensation for object-specific attenuation and system-specific PSF are accelerated using currently available PC video/graphics card technologies. A tenfold acceleration of quantitative SPECT reconstruction is achieved.
Electromagnetic induction fields in the deep ocean off California: oceanic and ionospheric sources

Summary. A 56 day long measurement of seafloor electromagnetic field fluctuations is separated into parts coherent and incoherent with the horizontal magnetic field at a terrestrial observatory 1700 km distant but at the same geomagnetic latitude. Least squares methods show that the M2 and N2 ocean tides are significant in the seafloor data but not on land. Spectra of the remaining data show high seafloor electric to seafloor magnetic field coherences, but markedly lower seafloor to land values, especially for the horizontal electric field. Model studies show that the correlated parts of the seafloor spectra are consistent with induction by broad-scale ionospheric sources, while the uncorrelated parts are explained by a combination of a barotropic long-wave continuum and an internal wave component. The oceanic electromagnetic field is discussed in terms of its modal structure and wavelength dependence, and implications for seafloor magnetotellurics may be profound.
Cell-mediated Adaptive Immune Defense of the Lungs

Cell-mediated adaptive immune responses contribute to defense against all classes of pulmonary pathogens and are essential against viruses, mycobacteria, and fungi, including Pneumocystis carinii. Adaptive responses depend on sequential pairwise interactions between three cell types: T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells (DC). Differential expression of specific adhesion molecules and chemokines regulates the location and timing of these interactions. Primary adaptive responses are triggered by immature myeloid DC, which carry antigen from the lungs to regional lymph nodes. Antigen presentation by these mature DC is required to activate naive CD4 T cells, which are essential to generate polarized type 1 or type 2 effector responses and for robust immunologic memory. Inflammation recruits NK cells and DC that interact in a contact- and tumor necrosis factor-α–dependent fashion within injured tissues to initiate immune response polarization. NK cells exposed to IL-12 favor survival of DC that prime for Th1 responses, whereas NK cells exposed to IL-4 do not exert DC selection, leading to tolerogenic or Th2 responses. Naive αβ T cells, NK cells, and DC also amplify secondary adaptive responses to previously encountered pathogens. However, secondary responses are accelerated because memory T cells can migrate directly to infected tissues where they can be activated without strenuous costimulatory requirements. Additionally, previous pulmonary infections or immune responses increase numbers of lung DC and populate the lungs with clones of memory B cells and T cells that are immediately available to respond to infections.
Surgical and Medical Management of Germ Cell Tumors of the Chest

Germ cell tumors, although uncommon, are important to recognize and treat appropriately because of their high curability. Appropriate multidisciplinary management is essential to achieve this goal.
Pharmacy College Application Service

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) is developing a centralized application service for U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy. The Pharmacy College Application Service, known as PharmCAS, will allow applicants to use a single application and one set of materials to apply to multiple Pharm.D. programs. The purpose of PharmCAS is to benefit AACP member institutions, applicants, and the AACP office in terms of facilitation of the admissions process, student recruitment, and data collection. Other health professions’ education associations have established centralized application services with proven success.
Expansion With vestibular shields: An experimental test of the periosteal-pull hypothesis

Abstract Two mechanisms are said to be responsible for the expansion commonlyproduced by buccal shields: (1) unbalanced tongue pressure and (2) periosteal pull; that is, periosteal traction on the bone overlying the molar roots. The present study used 44 young albino rats to examine these two alternatives. Half the rats wore buccal shields to produce molar expansion, and half had their maxillary molar crowns ground down to the gingiva to eliminate the effect of the tongue. In the resulting 2 x 2 design, four experimental groups were formed: (1) SM, shields and intact molars; (2) Sm, shields and reduced molars; (3) sM, no shields and intact molars; and (4) sm, no shields and reduced molars. It was hypothesized that if vestibular shields produce expansion through periosteal traction, the presence or absence of molar crowns should make no difference. Conversely, if the expansion is caused by unbalanced tongue pressure, shields should have an effect only in conjunction with intact maxillary molars. Palatal amalgam implants and dorsoventral cephalograms were used to measure the maxillary basal and dental expansion that occurred during the 6 weeks of the experiment. Analysis of variance showed the presence of highly significant interaction between shields and molars: the shields produced an increase in posterior dental expansion, but only when molar crowns were present. In contrast, basal expansion was unaffected by any combination of treatments. At least for the rat, it may be concluded that unbalanced tongue pressure, rather than periosteal traction, is probably responsible for the expansion produced by buccal shields.
Comparison of Classical and Clozapine Treatment on Schizophrenia Using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale of Schizophrenia (PANSS) and SPECT Imaging

Many neuroimaging studies of schizophrenia have shown abnormalities in the frontal cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, temporal and parietal lobes. These findings are not specific or consistent enough to build up a coherent theory of the origin of the brain abnormality in schizophrenia. This paper describes a state-of-the-art approach of SPECT to correlate neuropsychological evaluation. PANSS scores and different brain focal abnormalities of two groups of patients receiving Clozapine and classical antipsychotic treatments were observed. A total of 20 drug-free patients, actively psychotic schizophrenic, were selected according to the DSM-IV criteria. Pre-Post-treatment was designed using PANSS and 99mTc- ECD-SPECT to assess regional Cerebral Blood Flow (rCBF). The results showed that after treatment, differences in PANSS scores were significant in both groups, with superior scores resulting from the Clozapine therapy. Results were supported by SPECT, which showed a greater improvement in the Clozapine group. Both positive and negative symptoms were improved with Clozapine as well. Before treatment, hypofrontality was the most common (85%) finding, whereas after treatment hypofrontality was mostly cleared. However, in some areas like temporal and caudate, hyperfrontality was induced. Negative symptoms showed linkage to hypofrontality in both groups before and after treatment, and both positive and negative symptoms were improved more with Clozapine therapy than with classical treatment.
Variational Monte Carlo Calculations of Few-Body Nuclei

The variational Monte Carlo method is described. Results for the binding energies, density distributions, momentum distributions, and static longitudinal structure functions of the 3H, 3He, and 4He ground states, and for the energies of the low-lying scattering states in 4He are presented.
Calcium Phosphate Transfection of Eukaryotic Cells

[Abstract] Transfection of DNA into cells is an indispensible protocol in molecular biology. While plenty of lipid-based transfection reagents are commercially available nowadays, a quick, simple, efficient and inexpensive method is to transfect eukaryotic cells via calcium phosphate coprecipitation with DNA (Graham and van der Eb, 1973). The insoluble calcium phosphate precipitate with the attached DNA adheres to the cell surface and is brought into the cells by endocytosis. Calcium phosphate transfection has been optimized and widely used with many adherent and nonadherent cell lines (Jordan et al., 1996). Calcium phosphate transfection can result in transient expression of the delivered DNA in the target cell, or establishment of stable cell lines (the latter requires a drug selection process). This protocol is also widely used for coexpression of plasmids for packaging viruses. Efficiency of transfection can be close to 100% depending on the cell lines used. Here, a calcium phosphate transfection protocol is described using a GFP plasmid and the HEK293 cell line.
A Program to Help Identify Victims of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence has been coined an “unacknowledged epidemic.” Nearly 5.3 million women, 18 years and older, are victimized by intimate partners each year. It is estimated that 33% of female emergency room visits are due to domestic violence (DV), yet only 10% are identified as victims. Data indicates that lack of information and unwillingness to question patients has contributed to the deficit of identifying DV victims in the health care setting. Although it may be uncomfortable questioning potential victims, it is a professional responsibility of the dental professional (DP). Being trained, having experience, and feeling comfortable while asking questions may support DP to accept this responsibility. The purpose of these presentations was to inform DP and students about the signs and symptoms of DV so they can comfortably and effectively interact with possible victims. Two programs were presented with the same basic information and pre-assessment and post-assessment questions. The SAFE Question strategy was introduced and opportunities for participants to discuss appropriate questions and discuss referral was provided. A presentation to third year dental students (n=76) in a patient management course and a continuing education course for DP (n= 21) was conducted. The pre-assessment to dental students revealed that more than 60% did not feel comfortable identifying signs and symptoms, documenting/referring, and conversing with possible victims while the post-assessment indicated that 90% felt they would be comfortable questioning the potential DV victim. The pre-assessment to the DP revealed that more than 47% did not feel comfortable and the post assessment revealed that more than 71% would feel comfortable questioning potential DV victims. Although there were positive results from the respondents, it is a goal to include more experience in actually asking questions by role playing or utilizing a standardized patient. Working with a pre-recorded audiotape as the interviewer is also a method being investigated.
Strategic Market Evaluation of Two Retail Electronic Funds Transfer Systems (EFTS)

This paper deals with research that was used to develop a strategic plan for the evaluation of two off-site electronic funds transfer systems (EFTS). Faced with a choice between automatic teller machines (ATM) or an in-store banking system (ISB), management must determine which approach will provide them with the greatest opportunity to penetrate selected target markets. Mapping the attitudinal and personal characteristics of four consumer segments by means of discriminant analysis contributed significantly to the assessment of the two systems with respect to the bank’s marketing objectives.
Basic Inferences and Bivariate Association

In this chapter, we begin to use inferential statistics and bivariate statistics. In Chap. 4, we were content simply to characterize the properties of a single variable in the sample at hand. Usually in Political Science, though, our motivation as researchers will be to argue whether a claim can be generalized. Hence, inferential statistics are designed to draw inferences about a broader population. Further, we frequently want to measure the level of association between variables, and bivariate statistics serve as measures of the degree to which two variables are associated with each other.
A Representation Theorem for Distributive l-Monoids

In this note the Holland representation theorem for l-groups is extended to l-monoids by the following theorem: an l-monoid is distributive if and only if it may be embedded into the l-monoid of order-preserving functions on some totally ordered set. A corollary of this representation theorem is that a monoid is right orderable if and only if it is a subsemigroup of a distributive l-monoid; this result is analogous to the group theory case.
Optical Beam Deflection in Semiconductors with Electron Beam Excitation

Optical beam deflection experiments performed in a scanning electron microscope are used to investigate electron-beam-specimen interactions and thermal and electronic diffusion in semiconductors.
The Current Understanding of Sarcopenia: Emerging Tools and Interventional Possibilities

The purpose of this review is to provide health practitioners and physicians the most current state of the research on sarcopenia, its consequences, and to offer a summary of consensus guidelines for identification based on the most recent and compelling investigations and analyses. To accomplish this, the causes and consequences of sarcopenia will be described, and definitions and screening methods are updated. Importantly, interventional recommendations for sarcopenia will be discussed with a special emphasis on the effects of resistance training on sarcopenia-related outcomes. Furthermore, due to the increasing usage of hormone treatment as a strategy to combat sarcopenia, special consideration on the effects of hormone changes with aging and as interventions will be briefly reviewed.
Assessing the Public Health Impact and Effectiveness of Interventions To Prevent Salmonella Contamination of Sprouts

Sprouts have been a recurring public health challenge due to microbiological contamination, and Salmonella has been the major cause of sprout-associated outbreaks. Although seed treatment and microbiological testing have been applied as risk reduction measures during sprout production, the extent to which their effectiveness in reducing the public health risks associated with sprouts has not been well investigated. We conducted a quantitative risk assessment to measure the risk posed by Salmonella contamination in sprouts and to determine whether and how mitigation strategies can achieve a satisfactory risk reduction based on the assumption that the risk reduction achieved by a microbiological sampling and testing program at a given sensitivity is equivalent to that achieved by direct inactivation of pathogens. Our results indicated that if the sprouts were produced without any risk interventions, the health impact caused by sprouts contaminated with Salmonella would be very high, with a median annual estimated loss of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of 691,412. Seed treatment (with 20,000 ppm of calcium hypochlorite) or microbiological sampling and testing of spent irrigation water (SIW) alone could reduce the median annual impact to 734 or 4,856 DALYs, respectively. Combining seed treatment with testing of the SIW would further decrease the risk to 58 DALYs. This number could be dramatically lowered to 3.99 DALYs if sprouts were produced under conditions that included treating seeds with 20,000 ppm of calcium hypochlorite plus microbiological testing of seeds, SIW, and finished products. Our analysis shows that the public health impact due to Salmonella contamination in sprouts could be controlled if seeds are treated to reduce pathogens and microbiological sampling and testing is implemented. Future advances in intervention strategies would be important to improve sprout safety further.
Revolution as restoration or foundation? Frantz Fanon’s politics of world building

This article claims that the political theory of Martinican-born psychiatrist Frantz Fanon offers important resources for working through current problems in democratic theory. Political theorists investigating questions of revolution often place paradoxes of constituent and constituted power at the center of their research. Fanon, on the other hand, interrogates whether the proper object of revolution is the restoration of a prior form of life or the foundation of a new political world. Arguing against the tendency to bifurcate Fanon’s work into discontinuous stages, I advance the claim that worldliness operates as the central concept that establishes the continuity of Fanon’s oeuvre and that anchors his conception of colonization. This interpretive claim is crucial since Fanon’s theorization of colonialism as worldlessness authorizes his ultimate rejection of negritude as a politics of restoration and his embrace of revolution as a foundational project of world building.
N-terminal Prion Protein Peptides (PrP(120–144)) Form Parallel In-register β-Sheets via Multiple Nucleation-dependent Pathways

The prion diseases are a family of fatal neurodegenerative diseases associated with the misfolding and accumulation of normal prion protein (PrPC) into its pathogenic scrapie form (PrPSc). Understanding the fundamentals of prion protein aggregation and the molecular architecture of PrPSc is key to unraveling the pathology of prion diseases. Our work investigates the early-stage aggregation of three prion protein peptides, corresponding to residues 120–144 of human (Hu), bank vole (BV), and Syrian hamster (SHa) prion protein, from disordered monomers to β-sheet-rich fibrillar structures. Using 12 μs discontinuous molecular dynamics simulations combined with the PRIME20 force field, we find that the Hu-, BV-, and SHaPrP(120–144) aggregate via multiple nucleation-dependent pathways to form U-shaped, S-shaped, and Ω-shaped protofilaments. The S-shaped HuPrP(120–144) protofilament is similar to the amyloid core structure of HuPrP(112–141) predicted by Zweckstetter. HuPrP(120–144) has a shorter aggregation lag phase than BVPrP(120–144) followed by SHaPrP(120–144), consistent with experimental findings. Two amino acid substitutions I138M and I139M retard the formation of parallel in-register β-sheet dimers during the nucleation stage by increasing side chain-side chain association and reducing side chain interaction specificity. On average, HuPrP(120–144) aggregates contain more parallel β-sheet content than those formed by BV- and SHaPrP(120–144). Deletion of the C-terminal residues 138–144 prevents formation of fibrillar structures in agreement with the experiment. This work sheds light on the amyloid core structures underlying prion strains and how I138M, I139M, and S143N affect prion protein aggregation kinetics.
Bladder augmentation in anuric/defunctioned microbladders and a novel antireflux mechanism for Mitrofanoff anastomosis to the ileal patch

Abstract Background/Purpose Reconstruction of microbladders is a difficult surgical challenge: How can a neobladder be recreated when >90% of the new bladder is augmented patch, and how can a Mitrofanoff conduit be anastomosed when the native bladder is so tiny? This series describes microbladders secondary to anuria and/or diversion that required augmentation. This was done using a de-tubularized ileal segment, and because of the small size of the native bladder, Mitrofanoff anastomosis was performed to the bowel patch (using a novel "Keel Procedure"). Methods Our surgical experience in reconstruction of microbladders was reviewed: pre and post augmentation capacity, compliance and maximum detrusor pressure were compared. The success of the Mitrofanoff anti-reflux technique is described. Data are given as median (interquartile range) and compared by Wilcoxon paired rank test. Results 10 patients, median bladder capacity pre-op 10 (9–20) mls were reconstructed. The follow up time is 2.7years (2.2–4.2). Post-op bladder capacity increased 16-fold to 167 (114–281) mls, P 2 O, P 2 O, (N.S. P=0.3). Videourodynamics confirmed a leak in 2 patients, leading to incorporation into the technique of a non-absorbable seromuscular suture to provide long-term robustness to the antireflux procedure. Conclusion Bladder augmentation in microbladders is possible, and a functional Mitrofanoff procedure with a continent anti-reflux procedure can be created using the "Birmingham keel technique" implanting the Mitrofanoff into the augment patch, with 80% success (similar to published results for conventional anastomosis to native bladders). Level of evidence Level IV.
Grouping and Conforming

Many social and economic situations can be viewed, as we have done in previous chapters, as bilateral interactions between two individuals. However, other social phenomena can be better described in terms of interactions between an individual and a group of other people. (We are not discussing so-called group-level interactions between clusters of people but rather interactions between an individual and two or more other individuals). In this chapter, we look at several phenomena that result from this sort of individual¨Cgroup interaction, including neighborhood formation which can lead to voluntary segregation and local conformism which can result in the development of social norms and the spread of fads and fashions.
How Did You Like This Course? The Advantages and Limitations of Reaction Criteria in Ethics Education

Ethics courses are most commonly evaluated using reaction measures. However, little is known about the specific types of reaction data being collected (e.g., content relevance, course satisfaction) and how these reaction data relate to improvements in trainee performance (e.g., knowledge, moral reasoning). Using a sample of 381 ethics training sessions, major reaction data categories were identified. Content and course satisfaction were the most frequently collected types of reaction criteria. Furthermore, content relevance (r = .84) and course satisfaction (r = .79) showed strong, positive relationships with performance criteria, whereas content satisfaction demonstrated a moderate, negative relationship (r = –.28). These results and future directions for ethics training evaluation are discussed.
Loving the ‘Stranger’: The Key to Prosperity

To love the stranger is a core biblical imperative. This paper examines the meaning and implications of this unusual precept. It demonstrates that the prosperity of all nations is contingent on their embracing and their institutionalization of this principle. As history testifies, hatred of strangers lay at the heart of countless wars and the demise of numerous ancient and modern nations and empires.
A 4μW, ADPLL-based implantable amperometric biosensor in 65nm CMOS

This paper presents a fully implantable, wirelessly powered subcutaneous amperometric biosensor. We propose a novel ultra-low power all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) based potentiostat architecture for electrochemical sensing. The system is wirelessly powered by near-field RF coupling of an on-chip antenna to an external coil at 915 MHz. Bi-directional wireless telemetry supports data transmission from the sensor to the external reader (uplink) via backscattering, and reconfiguration of the sensor chip over the RF downlink. The 1.2×1.2 mm2 prototype is fabricated in TSMC 65nm CMOS process. The potentiostat achieves a 100pA sensitivity over a full scale current range of 0–350nA. The total power consumption of the system is 4μW.
Fast-paced development of a smart campus IoT platform

In this paper, we present our fast-paced development experience of a Smart Campus IoT platform built upon Commercial-Off-The-Shelf devices and Microsoft Azure cloud services. Different from a traditional, long development cycle of IoT platform, the design, implementation, and deployment of this Smart Campus IoT platform was completed within three months of time, with only four junior undergraduate students who had no prior knowledge about IoT. In addition to the fast development cycle, this platform is also made generic to enable the aggregation and open distribution of campus IoT data pertaining to student-life and academic activities. Two communities of campus data users, the data contributors who interact and control the IoT network to generate meaningful data and the application developers who utilize collected data to create innovative applications, can collaborate via such a virtual marketplace to harness the true power of IoT — the Open IoT Data.
V4PCS: Volumetric 4PCS Algorithm for Global Registration

With the advances in three-dimensional (3D) scanning and sensing technologies, massive human-related data are now available and create many applications in data-driven design. Similarity identification is one of basic problems in data-driven design and can facilitate many engineering applications and product paradigm such as quality control and mass customization. Therefore, reusing information can create unprecedented opportunities in advancing the theory, method, and practice of product design. To enable information reuse, different models have to be aligned so that their similarity can be identified. This alignment is commonly known as the global registration that finds an optimal rigid transformation to align two 3D shapes (scene and model) without any assumptions on their initial positions. The Super 4-Points Congruent Sets (S4PCS) is a popular algorithm used for this shape registration. While S4PCS performs the registration using a set of 4 coplanar points, we find that incorporating the volumetric information of the models can improve the robustness and the efficiency of the algorithm, which are particularly important for mass customization. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm, Volumetric 4PCS (V4PCS), to extend the 4 coplanar points to non-coplanar ones for global registration, and theoretically demonstrate the computational complexity is significantly reduced. Experimental tests are conducted on a number of models such as tooth aligner and hearing aid to compare with S4PCS. The experimental results show that the proposed V4PCS can achieve a maximum of 20 times speedup and can successfully compute the valid transformation with very limited number of sample points. An application of the proposed method in mass customization is also investigated.
Robotic Radical Nephrectomy

Robotic radical nephrectomy is now an established procedure with evolving indications. While early controversy regarding whether or not robotics is appropriate for nephrectomy may have obstructed its adoption, the procedure is gaining traction particularly for complex tumors and challenging patient anatomy (Weinberg et al., Urol Pract 3:187–193, 2016). Some advocates of laparoscopic surgery for straight forward nephrectomies and open surgery for very complex nephrectomies still challenge whether robotic radical nephrectomy is a reasonable procedure to perform either selectively or routinely.
Love Affairs and Differential Equations

(1988). Love Affairs and Differential Equations. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 61, No. 1, pp. 35-35.
DE Lag Operators GLSEM and Time Series

In this chapter we deal with econometric applications of (vector) difference equations with constant coefficients, as well as with aspects of the statistical theory of time series and their application in econometrics.
FIV vaccine development and its importance to veterinary and human medicine: a review FIV vaccine 2002 update and review.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a natural infection of domestic cats that results in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome resembling human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in humans. The worldwide prevalence of FIV infection in domestic cats has been reported to range from 1 to 28%. Hence, an effective FIV vaccine will have an important impact on veterinary medicine in addition to being used as a small animal AIDS model for humans. Since the discovery of FIV reported in 1987, FIV vaccine research has pursued both molecular and conventional vaccine approaches toward the development of a commercial product. Published FIV vaccine trial results from 1998 to the present have been compiled to update the veterinary clinical and research communities on the immunologic and experimental efficacy status of these vaccines. A brief report is included on the outcome of the 10 years of collaborative work between industry and academia which led to recent USDA approval of the first animal lentivirus vaccine, the dual-subtype FIV vaccine. The immunogenicity and efficacy of the experimental prototype, dual-subtype FIV vaccine and the efficacy of the currently approved commercial, dual-subtype FIV vaccine (Fel-O-Vax FIV) are discussed. Potential cross-reactivity complications between commercial FIV diagnostic tests, Idexx Snap Combo Test and Western blot assays, and sera from previously vaccinated cats are also discussed. Finally, recommendations are made for unbiased critical testing of new FIV vaccines, the currently USDA approved vaccine, and future vaccines in development.
Enhancing the learning and teaching of functions through programming in ML

Functions are one of the most fundamentally important notions in (discrete) mathematics, formal methods, and computer science. Unfortunately, the grasp of a true and deep understanding of functions may not seem to be as easy as most students perceive, and the teaching technique for functions has been largely limited to the traditional mathematics practice, and remains inadequate in this matter. Towards finding a solution to this problem, in this paper, we propose functional programming as a means to enhance this learning-teaching activity. We first identify some common difficulties in students' learning of functions; then, we present another way to study functions --- λ-calculus on which (functional) programming languages are based; next, we show how those difficulties can be resolved by constructing relevant programs in the functional language ML; and finally, we summarize the contributions of this paper.
Multi-party talk in the medical encounter: Socio-pragmatic functions of family members' contributions in the treatment advice phase

Abstract Discourse analytic treatments of medical communication have traditionally centered on dyadic interactions, occurring between a physician and a patient. However, given the increasing complexity of healthcare systems, contemporary medical encounters often involve additional participants, including patients' family members. The present study builds on previous research investigating triadic and multi-party medical encounters – primarily in pediatric and geriatric contexts – and extends it to other specialties (i.e., neurology and rheumatology), which include patients with a wider range of ages – in medical contexts where patients are capable of speaking for themselves. Focusing on audio-recordings of naturally-occurring medical discourse, we explore the ways in which family members establish legitimacy as co-collaborators, drawing on strategies that display knowledge, assume authority, and share responsibility within the interaction. In this way, their contributions help to construct an understanding of the patient's condition and, in many cases, affect the treatment decision-making process.
Educational Globalization and the Creation of Split Identities

Media of instruction may value the other culture to the detriment of the local culture and develop identification processes that have consequences on various stakeholders in terms of cultural and identity capital. This comparative and international Education study focuses on three cases that illustrate how multilingual settings impacted the sense of identity of language teachers in Asian contexts. It also explores how phenomena such as cultural inclusion, immersion, and the transcultural are enmeshed in the creation of global identities. They may create a split between the first language and culture and global culture. Internationalization has a deep effect on people of the upper middle class who tend to situate their sense of belonging in an imaginary that projects their future outside their country. The emphasis on English as the world dominant language tends even to modify local identities and places the source of economic attraction, pride and the sense of worth outside the Nation-State. The exception may be in bilingual settings where both linguacultures are welcome and respected, taught, and integrated.
“Being a mom = having all the feels”: social support in a postpartum depression online support group

ABSTRACTPostpartum depression represents one of the most common complications associated with childbirth, with current estimates placing its prevalence between 13% and 19% among recent mothers. Lit...
Comparative Analysis on Minimum Output Impedance of Fixed-Ratio Hybrid Switched Capacitor Converters

Hybrid switched capacitor (SC) converters have gained popularity as they showcase promising performance in high- and fixed-ratio applications. Hybrid SCs are able to achieve minimum output impedance at lower switching frequency compared to conventional SC converters; yet, the minimum achievable output impedance of hybrid SCs operating under resonant or soft-charging conditions may be higher than. This work evaluates and analyzes the performance of conventional SC and hybrid converters through the output impedance. Hence, the output impedance of various SC topologies are characterized with different inductors placement, i.e single inductor at the output v.s. distributed inductors in series with each flying capacitor, for performance comparison. It is found that the deviation of duty ratio from 50% yields differences in minimum output impedance between conventional SCs and those hybrid SCs with a single inductor at their outputs. In order to compare between topologies, three types of optimization approaches that result in minimum output impedance are evaluated with the design constraints of switch rated voltage and conductance. If both constraints are available for fully customization on switches, the Dickson topology would have the lowest minimum output impedance. In contrast, if only switch conductance or minimal number of switches is considered (in low-voltage applications where voltage rating is no longer a constraint), other topologies showcase promising performances.
Assessing the Association of Formulary Copayment Changes with Real-World Treatment Patterns in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis on Etanercept

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment to improve or maintain stable disease activity. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), a class of biol...
Introduction—Desire Lines: The Spiritual Paths of Virginia Woolf

The essays in this collection take up a challenge posed by Virginia Woolf herself: how to understand her persistent use of religious language, her representation of deeply mysterious human experiences, and her recurrent questions about life’s meaning in light of her sharply critical attitude toward religion. These interdisciplinary essays examine Woolf’s work as she reframes and reclaims the spiritual in unexpected forms, striving to find new language for those numinous experiences that remain after the death of God has been pronounced.
Model Uncertainty in Operational Risk Modeling

Recently researchers, practitioners, and regulators had intense debates about how to treat the data collection threshold in operational risk modeling. There are several approaches under consideration—the empirical approach, the "naive" approach, the shifted approach, and the truncated approach—for fitting the loss severity distribution. Since each approach is based on a different set of assumptions, different probability models emerge. Thus, model uncertainty arises. When possible we investigate such model uncertainty an- alytically, otherwise we use Monte Carlo simulations. For specific parametric examples we consider exponential and Lomax distributions which are special cases of the generalized Pareto family. Our primary goal is to quantify the effect of model uncertainty on risk mea- surements. This is accomplished by evaluating the probability of each approach producing conservative capital allocations based on the value-at-risk measure. These explorations are further illustrated using a real data set for legal losses in a business unit (Cruz, 2002).
An implementation of error localization algorithms for model calibration of dynamical systems

The paper discusses the implementation of three Error Localization Algorithms (ELA), test assessment metrics, and an example of model calibration. During model calibration, users routinely perform sensitivity studies to determine critical parameters for model adjustments. Although this makes engineering sense, sensitivity information only reflects parameter importance and not necessarily model deficiencies. Instead, the task of identifying model deficiencies is best suited for ELA in which measured data is used directly to identify potential problem areas in the model. Three ELA methods are applied in this work: (1) Coordinate Modal Assurance Criterion (CoMAC), (2) Robust Model Error, and (3) Analytical Dynamic Model Improvement (ADMI). To establish credibility of the ELA approaches, data from two analytical examples are used with ELA to identify known problem areas. Of the three ELA approaches implemented, only ADMI correctly identified known problem areas in the model. An example application of the ADMI algorithm is presented to identify problem areas of an isogrid-panel model from experimental data. These identified areas are then used to calibrate a model.
The blood volume of infants: I. The full-term infant in the first year of life

Summary The subjects of this study were 126normal full-term infants on whom 223 plasma volume determinations were made using a T-1824 dye dilution technique. Of these infants, 2 observations were made on 47, and 3 or more serial observations were made on 20. Total blood and erythrocyte volumesand total circulating hemoglobin mass values were calculated from the plasma volume, venous hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration. No reliable average blood volume could be observed in either the neonatal period or during the succeeding 11 months of life, owing to a wide range of values throughout the year. The average erythrocyte volume, circulating hemoglobin mass, and total hemoglobin iron values did not return to neonatal levels until 16 weeks after birth. Assessment of anemia in the infant from blood loss, iron deficiency, or other causes can be aided by the determination of the erythrocyte volume and hemoglobin mass. We believe that more reliance can be placed on these values than on those of the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit because of the considerable number of infants who demonstrate hypo- or hypervolemia. In these states paradoxical values of hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit are frequently encountered which yield misleading information.
The Operation of Manufacturing Systems

The operation of a manufacturing system is the complex task of planning the material and information flows in the system. Proper material flow is what enables a manufacturing system to produce products on time and in sufficient quantity. It is a direct consequence of the system’s information flows: command information from human planners or from planning software presribes the material flow in the system, while sensory information about the status of the system’s resources is used to decide on the appropriate commands. The fundamental activity in the operation of a manufacturing system is thus determining the commands which prescribe the material flow in the system.
Energy conversion systems and Energy storage systems

Abstract Buildings are responsible for around 36% of the final energy consumption worldwide, and about 40% of the global carbon emissions. For the past decades, an increased emphasis has been put on reducing the building energy consumption as well as decreasing the share of greenhouse gas emissions, and the importance of energy services has been widely recognized to achieve energy- and environment-saving goals. Understanding of the fundamentals and concepts of energy systems used in buildings is critical to provide/receive energy services in an impactful, yet cost-effective manner. This chapter presents an introduction to conventional energy systems used in building applications. These energy systems can be generally classified into three types: energy generation systems, energy conversion systems, and energy storage systems. Common energy generation systems used in buildings include combined heat and power, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, organic Rankine cycle, geothermal, and wind turbine systems. Energy conversion systems are generally the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems, including various components such as air cooling and heating devices, water cooling and heating devices, refrigeration equipment, and heat exchangers. Energy storage systems typically used in buildings are battery storage and thermal energy storage systems. The focus of this chapter is to review and survey the application of the aforementioned building energy systems with the aims of providing fundamental information on energy systems in buildings for providers and clients of energy services.