cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness Evaluation of Rabies Knowledge Training in Civil Servants

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of Rabies knowledge training for civil servants.Methods 230civil servants in Hubei were selected randomly.After the training,the Rabies related knowledge awareness rate,the attitude for the Rabies relating behaviors were analyzed with data form questionnaire survey.Results The investigation showed that the awareness rate of Rabies relating knowledge increased significantly and the attitude for the Rabies correlation behaviors were improved after the training.The differences were statistically significant(P0.01).Conclusions The effectiveness of Rabies knowledge training civil servant is satisfying and shou1dapplied widely.
The structure of the DNA of bacteriophage φX174: II. Thermal inactivation†

The rate, temperature, and pH dependence of thermal inactivation of φX174 DNA suggest that this inactivation may be a consequence of depurination. This depurination is not immediately followed by chain scission.
Surgery in chronic lung disease.

Excision of bullous cysts combined with pleural abrasion and tracheostomy appear to be the only surgical procedures available which afford significant improvement. The necessity of preoperative evaluation and meticulous preparation cannot be overemphasized.
Multivariate Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics Research

In bioinformatics research, data sets usually contain tens of thousands of variables, such as different genes and proteins. Statistical methods for analyzing such multivariate data sets are important. In this chapter, multivariate statistical methods will be reviewed, and some challenges in bioinformatic research will be also discussed.
A Novel Role for the Visual Retinoid Cycle in Melanopsin Chromophore Regeneration.

The mammalian retina contains three classes of photoreceptors that convert light information into electrical signals: rods, cones, and intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These photoreceptors are capable of responding to a wide range of light intensities, which can
Steak and Stupor: seizures and E. coli O157 infection

Neurological complications of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) include altered states of consciousness, seizures, ischaemic stroke and encephalopathy. Adult-onset HUS is uncommon, and there is only a limited literature reporting neurological complications in this population. We report an adult with Shiga toxin-associated HUS complicated by focal-onset non-convulsive status epilepticus, who made a full neurological recovery.
New SIGCSE chapter: China

The SIGCSE Board is pleased to announce a fourth SIGCSE Chapter. The China ACM SIGCSE Chapter was approved in late 2016. Ming Zhang of Peking University is the current Chair of the chapter. On November 12, 2016, an Inauguration Ceremony was held along with an Academic Symposium of the China ACM SIGCSE Chapter at Linyi University. Over sixty members attended the ceremony. This group was already quite active before becoming a chapter. In March last year Ming organized a pre-workshop on March 9, the day before SIGCSE 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee, on Computing Principles and Computation in the First Course with Exemplars from China.
Out of the Service, Into the House: Military Experience and Congressional War Oversight

While evidence from international security and civil-military relations shows that elites with military experience have distinct policy preferences from elites who have not served in the armed forc...
Proportionality Lost? The Rise of Enforcement-Based Equity in the Deportation System and Its Limitations

This article briefly explains and critiques the legal framework that has made enforcement discretion the primary means of injecting proportionality and fairness into the modern deportation system. The article provides an overview of shifting approaches to this enforcement discretion under the Obama and Trump administrations, and describes some of the key Supreme Court jurisprudence interpreting this framework.
Regulation of Translation of Stored mRNA of Dicot Seeds

For the past two years we have been trying to determine the mechanisms by which the translation of the stored mRNA of cotton seeds is prevented until the commencement of germination. We have collected data that suggests that the stored mRNA is not completely processed until germination begins. More specifically, it does not appear to become polyadenylated prior to seed germination. Before presenting these data, we would like to summarize briefly the evidence for the existence of stored mRNA in cotton seeds.
An investigation of two dimensions of impulsivity as predictors of loss-of-control eating severity and frequency.

Abstract Loss-of-control (LOC) eating episodes represent one form of dysregulated eating common to full- and sub-threshold eating disorders. Extensive evidence suggests that impulsivity, particularly in the context of negative affect and/or depression, may play an important etiological role in the development and maintenance of LOC eating. However, most prior studies have considered LOC eating as a dichotomous rather than dimensional construct, and few studies have considered the interaction of multiple dimensions of impulsivity while also accounting for the role of depressive symptoms. The present study examined the independent and interacting effects of two facets of impulsivity—response inhibition and negative urgency—on LOC eating episode severity and frequency among college women (N = 102). Depressive symptom severity was included as a covariate. Results indicated that greater negative urgency was associated with greater LOC severity; this effect was moderated by response inhibition, such that the effect of urgency was particularly pronounced for individuals with higher response inhibition capacity. Negative urgency was the only significant predictor of LOC frequency. Depression had no significant effect on either LOC severity or frequency (ps ≥ 0.16). Results support the importance of considering multiple facets of impulsivity in predicting LOC eating behavior, and further indicate that factors influencing subjective severity and frequency of LOC may be distinct.
Fault lines: Seismicity and the fracturing of energy narratives in Oklahoma

Abstract Oklahoma is an oil and gas state where residents have historically been supportive of the industry. However, a dramatic increase in seismic activity between 2009 and the present, widely attributed to wastewater injection associated with oil and gas production, is a new and highly salient consequence of development. This research engages Oklahoma residents through open-ended interviews on their experience of and reaction to earthquakes. We use these interviews to characterize how energy narratives emerge in response to conflict between environmental outcomes and economic interest associated with a long-standing industry that is personally important to many in the state. We find that seismicity has fractured the dominant narrative of oil and gas development as important for the state into descendant narratives framing seismicity as a minor problem that will be resolved without affecting the oil and gas industry significantly, as a major problem that warrants opposition to the oil and gas industry, or as a problem that needs to be addressed, but not at the cost of all oil and gas development. Trust and a sense of personal efficacy are important in determining people’s reactions, and loss of trust in government is more widely observed than loss of trust in industry.
PERIOD BASED CAUSALITY TEST OF EFFECT OF NIGERIAN BANKING REFORMATION VARIABLES ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH (1986-2015)

This study tried to evaluate and compare the effect of various Banking reformation variables within the reformation periods considered on the economic growth of Nigeria using empirical literature to establish the gap existing in the various research work carried out on the area, granger causality test is used to describe and evaluate the contributions of these various reformation variables within the periods studied on the Economy, specifically considered are different banking repositioning that started from 1892 with free banking era, the regulated period that ended 1985.The deregulated period of 1986 to 1994, the policy reversal period that stated from 1994, Universal Banking (UB) model adopted in 2001, and Consolidation period that started 2004 and Payment Reform period introduced in 2008. There are other reforms in the banking sector that took place in recent period like:- Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) introduced in 2010, introduction of the Non-Interest Banking in Nigeria in 2012, Woman Empowerment in Banking industry introduced in 2012 and many others. Secondary data were sourced from CBN Statistical Bulletin and related research papers. The research design adopted in this study falls within the paradigm of an export fact design type. The data collected from the secondary records were analyzed using Granger Causality Test, while examined the effect of the independent variables on the dependent variables. The study revealed that all the variables studied (DIR, LIR, LQR, CPS ,FID, EXR, NLMMI and NLM2) jointly do not granger cause GDP under Deregulation period, Reversal of Deregulation period, Universal Banking period and they do not significantly related to dependent variable(GDP). But they jointly Granger Cause GDP under Consolidated Banking period and they also jointly have significant relationship with dependent variable (GDP). The researcher, therefore recommend that policymakers should be designing proactive micro and macroeconomic measures for solving emerging economic problems in Nigeria. The regulatory bodies should ensure continuity of policies made, mostly those ones that are effective like bank consolidation policy. Nigerian policy makers should not be copying expatriates and developed economies in promulgation of Nigerian banking laws because they do not succeed here, instead, they should originate our own Banking laws, considering Nigerian economic factors, background and environment.
The gut microbiome and liver cancer: mechanisms and clinical translation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of worldwide cancer mortality. HCC almost exclusively develops in patients with chronic liver disease, driven by a vicious cycle of liver injury, inflammation and regeneration that typically spans decades. Increasing evidence points towards a key role of the bacterial microbiome in promoting the progression of liver disease and the development of HCC. Here, we will review mechanisms by which the gut microbiota promotes hepatocarcinogenesis, focusing on the leaky gut, bacterial dysbiosis, microbe-associated molecular patterns and bacterial metabolites as key pathways that drive cancer-promoting liver inflammation, fibrosis and genotoxicity. On the basis of accumulating evidence from preclinical studies, we propose the intestinal-microbiota-liver axis as a promising target for the simultaneous prevention of chronic liver disease progression and HCC development in patients with advanced liver disease. We will review in detail therapeutic modalities and discuss clinical settings in which targeting the gut-microbiota-liver axis for the prevention of disease progression and HCC development seems promising.
The interaction between critical flicker frequency and acoustic stimulation

In an experiment reported by Ogilvie it was found that binocular CFF was significantly increased when measurements were taken while S was listening to a random noise “fluttering” in-phase with flickering light. A replication using monocular vision and an artificial pupil under the four conditions of Ogilvie’s experiment—no noise, steady noise, in-phase noise and out-of-phase noise—yielded negative results. A second study was carried out involving a comparison of the effect of noise on CFF with monocular vision but with and without the artificial pupil. A partial replication of Ogilvie’s results were obtained without the artificial pupil. These results seem to require caution in theorizing about possible neural mechanisms for the sensory interaction thus demonstrated.
Social support, flexible resources, and health care navigation

Recent research has focused attention on the role of patients' and clinicians' cultural skills and values in generating inequalities in health care experiences. Yet, examination of how social structural factors shape people's abilities to build, refine, and leverage strategies for navigating the health care system have received less attention. In this paper I place focus on one such social structural factor, social support, and examine how social support operates as a flexible resource that helps people navigate the health care system. Using the case of families navigating pediatric cancer care this study combines in-depth interviews with parents of pediatric cancer patients (N = 80), direct observation of clinical interactions between families and physicians (N = 73), and in-depth interviews with pediatric oncologists (N = 8). Findings show that physicians assess parental visibility in the hospital, medical vigilance, and adherence to their child's treatment and use these judgments to shape clinical decision-making. Parents who had help from their personal networks had more agility in balancing competing demands, and this allowed parents to more effectively meet institutional expectations for appropriate parental involvement in the child's health care. In this way, social support served as a flexible resource for some families that allowed parents to more quickly adapt to the demands of caring for a child with cancer, foster productive interpersonal relationships with health care providers, and play a more active role in their child's health care.
Impact of adjuvant endocrine therapy related toxicities on treatment cessation in elderly breast cancer.

e21528Background: According to American Cancer Society estimates, 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. in 2017. Elderly breast cancer patients tend to ...
While size matters-advanced "Radiomics" remain promising for the clinical management of ground glass opacities.

The increasing utilization of diagnostic high-resolution chest CT (HRCT) scans in clinical practice and the implementation of low-dose HRCT lung cancer screening are resulting in the identification of a growing number of incidentally and screen-detected pure ground-glass nodules (pGGN) (1-3). Consequently, the notoriously difficult clinical management of persistent (defined present for ≥3 months) sub-solid pulmonary nodules including pGGN, represents an increasingly recognized conundrum.
50 Ways to Enhance Student Career Success in and out of Advertising and Marketing Classrooms

Educators share the responsibility of preparing the next generation of advertising and marketing professionals by teaching state-of-the-art concepts and strategies. The challenge is how to equip students with the relevant skills they need to think critically and creatively while applying the theories and concepts they have learned in their advertising and marketing courses to real-world business scenarios. The objective of this paper is to showcase 50 innovative teaching techniques used in graduate and undergraduate advertising and marketing courses to prepare students for career success and to empower faculty by sharing tips on how to successfully infuse these teaching components into their courses. Each technique is tagged with the appropriate learning objective according to Bloom's Taxonomy. The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges educators face in delivering a relevant education to students in today's world.
Integrated biocircuits: engineering functional multicellular circuits and devices.

Objective Implantable neurotechnologies have revolutionized neuromodulatory medicine for treating the dysfunction of diseased neural circuitry. However, challenges with biocompatibility and lack of full control over neural network communication and function limits the potential to create more stable and robust neuromodulation devices. Thus, we propose a platform technology of implantable and programmable cellular systems, namely Integrated Biocircuits, which use only cells as the functional components of the device. Approach We envision the foundational principles for this concept begins with novel in vitro platforms used for the study and reconstruction of cellular circuitry. Additionally, recent advancements in organoid and 3D culture systems account for microenvironment factors of cytoarchitecture to construct multicellular circuits as they are normally formed in the brain. We explore the current state of the art of these platforms to provide knowledge of their advancements in circuit fabrication and identify the current biological principles that could be applied in designing integrated biocircuit devices. Main results We have highlighted the exemplary methodologies and techniques of in vitro circuit fabrication and propose the integration of selected controllable parameters, which would be required in creating suitable biodevices. Significance We provide our perspective and propose new insights into the future of neuromodulaion devices within the scope of living cellular systems that can be applied in designing more reliable and biocompatible stimulation-based neuroprosthetics.
Moray micro forceps biopsy improves the diagnosis of specific pancreatic cysts.

Background Making a specific diagnosis of pancreatic cysts preoperatively is difficult. The new disposable Moray micro forceps biopsy (MFB) device allows tissue sampling from the pancreatic cyst wall/septum and aims to improve diagnosis. This study compares the diagnostic performance of the MFB with the current conventional analysis of pancreatic cyst fluid (PCF). Methods A total of 48 patients sampled with MFB were identified. Cysts were classified as mucinous on PCF based on extracellular mucin/mucinous epithelium, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels ≥192 ng/mL, or KRAS/GNAS mutation. A diagnosis of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm was supported by GNAS mutation; a diagnosis of serous cystadenoma was supported by Von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL) mutation. A diagnosis of mucinous cystic neoplasm required the presence of subepithelial ovarian-type stroma. A high-risk cyst was defined as a mucinous cyst with high-grade dysplasia or an adenocarcinoma. Comparisons in diagnostic performance between PCF and MFB were made. Results The mean age of the patients was 69.6 years (range, 27-90 years); 25 of 48 patients (52.1%) were female. Cysts were in the pancreatic head (13 patients), neck (2 patients), body (20 patients), and tail (13 patients), averaging 3.1 cm (range, 1.2-6.0 cm). There was concordance with mucinous versus nonmucinous classification (60.4% for PCF vs 58.3% for MFB; P = .949). Three high-risk cysts were detected by PCF and 2 were detected by MFB (P = .670). However, MFB diagnosed significantly more specific cysts compared with PCF (50.0% for MFB vs 18.8% for PCF; P Conclusions PCF analysis and MFB have comparable performance in distinguishing between mucinous and nonmucinous cysts and for detecting high-risk cysts. However, MFB was found to be superior for diagnosing specific cyst subtypes, thus adding significant value to preoperative patient management. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:414-20. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
STING signalling protects against chronic pancreatitis by modulating Th17 response

Objective Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease with progressive fibrosis leading to exocrine and endocrine dysfunction. Currently, there are no approved effective therapies for CP. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signalling is a key innate immune sensor of DNA. In this study, we evaluated the role of STING signalling in CP. Design We used an experimental model of CP to test the effect of STING signalling in STING wild-type and knockout mice as well as bone marrow chimaeras (BMCs). STING was activated using a pharmacological agent. Since we found changes in Th17 cells, we used neutralising and control antibodies to determine the role of IL-17A. The effect of STING signalling was further explored in IL-17A generation and we examined the effect of IL-17A on pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Human pancreas from patients with CP and without CP were also stained for IL-17A. Results STING activation decreased CP-associated pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis, whereas absence of STING led to worsening of the disease. BMCs showed that leucocytes play an important role in STING signalling–mediated amelioration of experimental CP. STING deletion was associated with increased Th17 cell infiltration in the pancreas, whereas STING agonist limited this Th17 response. Importantly, anti-IL-17A antibody treatment mitigated the severity of CP in the absence of STING signalling. STING deficiency promoted Th17 polarisation and PSCs express functional IL-17 receptor by upregulating fibrosis genes. Compared with tumour margins, pancreas from patients with CP had significant increase in IL-17A+ cells. Conclusion Unlike acute pancreatitis, STING activation is protective in CP. STING signalling is important in regulating adaptive immune responses by diminishing generation of IL-17A during CP and presents a novel therapeutic target for CP.
S30 studied with the S32(p,t)S30 reaction and the P29(p,γ)S30 reaction rate

The {sup 29}P(p,{gamma}){sup 30}S reaction rate affects the interpretation of nova Si abundances, which have been precisely measured in presolar grains. The rate is thought to be dominated by previously unobserved 3{sup +} and 2{sup +} resonances above the {sup 30}S proton threshold at 4399 keV. To better understand the {sup 29}P(p,{gamma}){sup 30}S rate, we have studied the {sup 30}S nucleus with the {sup 32}S(p,t){sup 30}S reaction. We have observed 13 {sup 30}S levels, nine of which are above the proton threshold, including a level at 4704 keV that is a candidate to be the important 3{sup +} resonance. We also resolve a significant discrepancy between previously published excitation energies. From the observed triton angular distributions, we constrain the spins of several levels, ruling out several previous hypotheses and constraining some for the first time. Using our updated information, we estimate the {sup 29}P(p,{gamma}){sup 30}S reaction rate is approximately six times larger at nova temperatures than previously thought.
Constructing 3D Elliptical Gaussians for Irregular Data

Volumetric datasets obtained from scientific simulation and partial differential equation solvers are typically given in the form of non-rectilinear grids. The splatting tech- nique is a popular direct volume rendering algorithm, which can provide high quality ren- dering results, but has been mainly described for rectilinear grids. In splatting, each voxel is represented by a 3D kernel weighted by the discrete voxel value. While the 3D reconstruc- tion kernels for rectilinear grids can be easily constructed based on the distance among the aligned voxels, for irregular grids the kernel construction is significantly more complicated. In this paper, we propose a novel method based on a 3D Delaunay triangulation to create 3D elliptical Gaussian kernels, which then can be used by a splatting algorithm for the rendering of irregular grids. Our method does not require a resampling of the irregular grid. Instead, we use a weighted least squares method to fit a 3D elliptical Gaussian centered at each grid point, approximating its Voronoi cell. The resulting 3D elliptical Gaussians are represented using a convenient matrix representation, which allows them to be seamlessly incorporated into our elliptical splatting rendering system.
Autoregulation of the EEG Alpha Rhythm: A Program for the Study of Consciousness

In keeping with the functionalist outlook of contemporary Western psychological research, most studies of the behavior of organisms employ procedures that require the behavior to be externally directed so as to involve the organism in gross interaction with the environment. In contrast, the new studies in trained autoregulation or “biofeedback training” require the organism to produce an internal effect. The methods of experimental control are external, as before, but the goal-directed behavior specified by the experimenter is an internal physiological effect.
Three-membered Rings with One Selenium or Tellurium Atom

This chapter updates prior reviews on seleniranes, telluriranes, seleniranes, and tellurirenes and considers some additional aspects. Although these heterocycles are, with rare exception, unisolated, they, or related species, are presumptive intermediates in a number of important reactions. These reactions are discussed in this review as well as the advantageous exploitation of these reactions in synthesis. Numbered among these applications are the following: synthesis of alkynes as well as that of sterically hindered alkenes. In addition, neighboring group participation by β-substituted chalcogenides enables facile synthesis of cyclic ethers, lactones, S- and N-heterocycles and carbocycles. Use of chiral selenium reagents provides asymmetric synthesis of these compounds as well. Of interest also is the use of this methodology to provide stereoselective glycosylation and preparation of 2′,3′-dideoxy and 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy nucleosides.
A Combined RBF and ASR System for Providing Drinking Water in Water Scarce Areas

A novel combination of riverbank filtration (RBF) and aquifer storage recovery (ASR) in the Albany region of Georgia (USA) was investigated in order to study possible changes in water quality. In areas where there are seasonal changes in water availability, seasonal excesses can be stored underground to meet shortterm demands. Using RBF as a source water, rather than obtaining water directly from the surface water, would reduce treatment costs. The RBF site taps the Flint River through the Upper Floridan Aquifer producing water that can be injected into the deeper Clayton Aquifer for storage and subsequent recovery. This study tests the conceptual framework of having such RBF and ASR schemes coupled together and, more importantly, looks at the hydrogeochemical changes that are likely to occur. It was seen, in the scenarios considered, through numerical modeling, that acceptable water can be obtained from such coupled systems. Injection of the RBF water in an aquifer with arseniferous pyrite did not mobilize any significant arsenics.
TICNN: A Hierarchical Deep Learning Framework for Still Image Action Recognition Using Temporal Image Prediction

Lack of temporal information in still images is a major obstacle in still image action recognition. Here, we propose TICNN, a novel deep learning framework, addressing this challenge. We first introduce the concept of a Temporal Image, a compact representation of hypothetical sequence of images. We then take advantage of this concept to architect TICNN, composed of two convolutional neural networks. The first CNN learns a novel model to predict temporal images using transfer learning. Our second CNN extracts temporal image features to classify human actions in still images. Unlike previous efforts, TICNN learns temporal information, the missing cue, in a still image rather than merely focusing on spatial features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to predict temporal images, dynamic patterns of a still image, to alleviate the lack of motion information in still images. Extensive experiments on four benchmarks demonstrate the positive effect of temporal image prediction on the accuracy of still image action recognition, outperforming the state-of-the-art methods in the literature.
Opioid Analgesics and Other Controlled Substances

Opioid drugs (e.g., morphine) and opioid combinations (e.g., acetaminophen with codeine or hydrocodone) were the analgesics of choice for the management of both acute and chronic pain in dentistry until the first decade of the twenty-first century. Recently, however, widespread opioid prescribing and the current opioid epidemic have significantly increased governmental scrutiny of healthcare providers who prescribe controlled substances, and it appears that reductions in legitimate opioid prescribing are linked to increases in heroin and illicit fentanyl use. The rationale for using opioids for dental pain was not entirely evidence-based and included the perception that “controlled substances” should be more efficacious than nonaddictive agents. However, concerns over increasing abuse and diversion of opioids, as well as increasingly strong scientific evidence for superior pain relief provided by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), have combined to fundamentally change the contemporary approach to the management of acute dental pain. Benzodiazepines and certain neuromuscular relaxants (e.g., carisoprodol) are also controlled substances with increasing significance as drugs of diversion and abuse. This chapter focuses upon controlled substances used as analgesics, sedatives, and muscle relaxants.
The Structural Determinants Accounting for the Broad Substrate Specificity of the Quorum Quenching Lactonase GcL

Quorum quenching lactonases are enzymes capable of hydrolyzing lactones, including N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). AHLs are molecules known as signals in bacterial communication dubbed quorum sensing. Bacterial signal disruption by lactonases was previously reported to inhibit behavior regulated by quorum sensing, such as the expression of virulence factors and the formation of biofilms. Herein, we report the enzymatic and structural characterization of a novel lactonase representative from the metallo-β-lactamase superfamily, dubbed GcL. GcL is a broad spectrum and highly proficient lactonase, with kcat /KM values in the range of 104 to 106 m-1 s-1 . Analysis of free GcL structures and in complex with AHL substrates of different acyl chain length, namely, C4-AHL and 3-oxo-C12-AHL, allowed their respective binding modes to be elucidated. Structures reveal three subsites in the binding crevice: 1) the small subsite where chemistry is performed on the lactone ring; 2) a hydrophobic ring that accommodates the amide group of AHLs and small acyl chains; and 3) the outer, hydrophilic subsite that extends to the protein surface. Unexpectedly, the absence of structural accommodation for long substrate acyl chains seems to relate to the broad substrate specificity of the enzyme.
Hydra image processor: 5-D GPU image analysis library with MATLAB and python wrappers.

Summary Light microscopes can now capture data in five dimensions at very high frame rates producing terabytes of data per experiment. Five-dimensional data has three spatial dimensions (x, y, z), multiple channels (λ) and time (t). Current tools are prohibitively time consuming and do not efficiently utilize available hardware. The hydra image processor (HIP) is a new library providing hardware-accelerated image processing accessible from interpreted languages including MATLAB and Python. HIP automatically distributes data/computation across system and video RAM allowing hardware-accelerated processing of arbitrarily large images. HIP also partitions compute tasks optimally across multiple GPUs. HIP includes a new kernel renormalization reducing boundary effects associated with widely used padding approaches. Availability and implementation HIP is free and open source software released under the BSD 3-Clause License. Source code and compiled binary files will be maintained on http://www.hydraimageprocessor.com. A comprehensive description of all MATLAB and Python interfaces and user documents are provided. HIP includes GPU-accelerated support for most common image processing operations in 2-D and 3-D and is easily extensible. HIP uses the NVIDIA CUDA interface to access the GPU. CUDA is well supported on Windows and Linux with macOS support in the future.
Bayesian coherent and incoherent matched-field localization and detection in the ocean

Matched-field processing is applied to source localization and detection of sound sources in the ocean. The source spectrum is included in the set of unknown parameters and is estimated in the localization/detection process. Bayesian broadband (multi-tonal) incoherent and coherent processors are developed, integrating the source spectrum estimation using a Gibbs sampler and are first evaluated in source localization via point estimates and probability density functions obtained from synthetic signals. The coherent performance is superior to the incoherent one both in terms of source location estimates and density spread. The two processors are also applied to real data from the Hudson Canyon experiment. Subsequently, using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, the two processors are evaluated and compared in the task of joint detection and localization. The coherent detector/localization processor is superior to the incoherent one, especially as the number of frequencies increases. Joint detection and localization performance is evaluated with Localization-ROC curves.
Monopolistic supply management in world metals markets: How large was Mount Isa?

Abstract Standard arguments suggest that mining companies lack sufficient market share to allow profitable exercise of monopoly power. However, low production and consumption elasticities can lead to prices being very sensitive to small supply disruptions. Metals are durable commodities. Supply from stock can offset the impacts of low elasticities in the short run but stocks also prolong the impact of any supply restriction. The interaction between storage and low elasticities can confer pricing power on a producer with a modest market share. I illustrate by looking at Glencore’s “disciplined” supply response when, in October 2015, the company announced a 30% cutback in zinc production. The zinc price more than doubled over the two subsequent years.
Towards Optimal Synchronization Scheduling in Internet of (Heterogeneous) Things

In this paper, the problem of optimal scheduling of network synchronization in the Internet of Things is studied. The optimal scheduling problem is transformed into a stochastic optimization problem by modeling clock skew and offset process as virtual queues. Synchronization is therefore achieved by controlling the virtual queue backlog sizes to satisfy constraints on synchronization errors. Accordingly, an optimal synchronization scheduling algorithm (OSSA) is designed to optimize network utility functions. Optimal policies are considered to minimize the energy cost and the age of information using OSSA, and it is proven that the performance can be controlled to be arbitrarily close to optimal. The performance of OSSA is compared against periodic and on-demand synchronization algorithms.
Poverty as a Social Relation

This chapter argues that there are theoretical benefits to understanding poverty as a kind of social relation: that is, a social position defined by the character of the interpersonal relationships a person is susceptible to losing or falling into in virtue of occupying that position. I begin with a methodological question: how, if at all, can philosophers as such make a valuable contribution to theoretical work on poverty? After sketching an answer to this question, I outline and motivate the general proposal that poverty can be understood as a social relation. In doing so, I draw an analogy to Sally Haslanger’s analysis of gender as a social position. Then I illustrate this proposal with two examples of the kinds of interpersonal relationships that figure in the content of poverty as a social relation: one positive (social networks) and one negative (invidious stereotyping). Finally, I conclude by considering an objection and sketching a few practical proposals.
User-Programmable Short-Circuit Capability Enhancement for 1.2 kV Si IGBTs using a 40 V Si Enhancement-Mode MOSFET connected in Series with the Emitter

Commercially available Si IGBTs are designed in two forms – i) optimized for low VCE,SAT but with poor SC ruggedness, and ii) optimized to achieve good short-circuit withstand capability but with high VCE,SAT. A new method is proposed to achieve good short circuit withstand capability for IGBTs designed with low VCE,SAT. A user programmable short circuit withstand capability is achieved using a low voltage Si enhancement mode power MOSFET (EMM) connected in series with the emitter. The proposed concept enables the applications engineer to achieve a desired short-circuit withstand time with minimal impact on on-state and switching performance. Experimental demonstration is provided with commercially available 1.2 kV Si IGBTs. A 2.3x improvement in tSC is achieved with a 24% increase in on-state voltage drop and less than 5% increase in switching losses. The proposed concept also provides a sense node at the drain of the EMM which can be used to monitor on-state currents and detect short circuit events.
Performative Remembering of Hiroshima’s and My Father’s Silence

In this essay, I explore critical peace education that labours through historical memory. Pulling together various professional and personal experiences, I offer my provisional understanding of cri...
The Government of Evil Machines: an Application of Romano Guardini’s Thought on Technology

In this article I propose a theological reflection on the philosophical assumptions behind the idea that intelligent machine can be governed through ethical protocols, which may apply either to the people who develop the machines or to the machines themselves, or both. This idea is particularly relevant in the case of machines’ extreme wrongdoing, a wrongdoing that becomes an existential risk for humankind. I call this extreme wrong-doing, ‘evil.’ Thus, this article is a theological account on the philosophical assumptions behind the possibility of evil machines, machines that can create an existential risk for humankind, and the ethical remedies that limit that risk. After discussing these assumptions, I argue for the ineffectiveness of these ethical remedies to prevent the possibility of evil machines. The article is an application of Romano Guardini’s thought on technology to evil machines.
BLOCKSET (Block-Aligned Serialized Trees): Reducing Inference Latency for Tree ensemble Deployment

We present methods to serialize and deserialize gradient-boosted trees and random forests that optimize inference latency when models are not loaded into memory. This arises when models are larger than memory, but also systematically when models are deployed on low-resource devices in the Internet of Things or run as cloud microservices where resources are allocated on demand. Block-Aligned Serialized Trees (BLOCKSET) introduce the concept of selective access for random forests and gradient boosted trees in which only the parts of the model needed for inference are deserialized and loaded into memory. %BLOCKSET combines concepts from external memory algorithms and data-parallel %layouts of random forests that maximize I/O-density for in-memory models. Using principles from external memory algorithms, we block-align the serialization format in order to minimize the number of I/Os. For gradient boosted trees, this results in a more than five time reduction in inference latency over layouts that do not perform selective access and a 2 times latency reduction over techniques that are selective, but do not encode I/O block boundaries in the layout.
A systematic review of the treatment of residual below the knee venous reflux after endovenous thermal ablation of the great saphenous vein

Abstract Background Great saphenous vein (GSV) antireflux procedures have evolved during the past few decades to reduce elevated venous pressure. Untreated reflux in the below knee (BK) GSV (BK-GSV) can lead to persistent venous hypertension and deterioration of the venous circulation. The purpose of the present systematic review was to study the influence of BK-GSV intervention on venous disease progression. Methods A search was conducted, adhering to the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched and cross-referenced. Studies were included if they had met the inclusion criterion of BK-GSV disease as a primary or secondary outcome. Two of the authors independently determined the eligibility and extracted the relevant data. RevMan, version 5.3 (Cochrane Training, London, UK), and SPSS (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) were used for statistical computation. Results Fifteen studies that had assessed BK-GSV reflux recurrence after ablative intervention were included in our analysis. Of the 15 studies, 6 had assessed patients after above knee (AK) high ligation and stripping (HLS), 7 after AK endovenous laser ablation (AK-EVLA), and 2 after AK- and BK-EVLA (AK+BK EVLA). In total, 525 limbs had undergone HLS, 696 AK-EVLA, and 147 AK+BK EVLA. AK+BK EVLA was associated with significantly lower odds of BK-GSV reflux recurrence compared with AK-EVLA only (odds ratio [OR], 0.1857; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.076-0.4734; P Conclusions Axial hydrostatic reflux from the groin to ankle is best controlled with AK+BK-GSV ablation. However, GSV ablation can result in saphenous nerve injury. For C4 to C6 disease, more aggressive treatment of the AK+BK-GSV is justified if the duplex ultrasound findings demonstrate groin to ankle reflux. Thermal ablation of the BK-GSV has a lower incidence of saphenous nerve injury than does BK saphenous stripping. More randomized controlled trials are needed to answer questions involving disease recurrence and the best techniques to mitigate these recurrences.
Factors Contributing to Bladder Filling Variability in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Prostate cancer patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) are treated with full bladders to minimize bladder dose and displace bowel from the treatment field. While limitations in controlling bladder filling reproducibility during RT have been shown to affect bladder and bowel dosimetry, the factors affecting bladder volume variability have not been elucidated. We herein evaluate the impact of prostate cancer risk group, bladder volume (BV) at the beginning of treatment, and pre-treatment International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) on metrics quantifying BV changes during RT. MATERIALS/METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 78 prostate cancer patients treated from 2016-19 with definitive RT 8,100 cGy in 45 fractions (n = 32), definitive stereotactic body RT 3625 cGy in 5 fractions over 2.5 weeks (n = 24), and adjuvant or salvage RT 7020 cGy in 39 fractions (n = 22). Thirty-six patients with high or unfavorable intermediate risk disease received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) prior to RT, while 29 patients with high risk disease received pelvic nodal RT in addition to prostate or prostate bed RT. Each patient completed a pre-treatment IPSS survey and received daily cone-beam CT (CBCT) scans for positioning during treatment. The BV at beginning of treatment was defined as the patient's first attempt to fully fill his bladder without assistance. BVs were contoured on the CT simulation scan and CBCT images from the first and last days of radiotherapy. Age, risk group, IPSS and initial BV were compared with change in BV (ΔBV), change in BV relative to initial BV (%Δ) and absolute change in BV (|ΔBV|) between first and last day of RT. RESULTS Median age and IPSS were 69 (range 50-84) years and 8 (0-30), respectively. Mean and standard deviation initial BV, ΔBV, %ΔBV and |ΔBV| were 314 ± 152 cc, -59 ± 123 cc, -8 ± 40%, 106 ± 85 cc, respectively. On multivariable analysis, initial BV was negatively correlated with ΔBV and %ΔBV independent of age, prostate cancer risk group, ADT, pelvic nodal RT, and duration of treatment (P < 0.05). Initial BV and prostate cancer risk group were positively, while IPSS was negatively, correlated with |ΔBV| (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Prostate cancer patients with large initial BV experienced larger total and relative declines in BV during RT. High initial BV, increasing prostate cancer risk group, and low IPSS correlated with greater absolute changes in BV (|ΔBV|) over the course of treatment. Hence, maximizing bladder volume during simulation appears to negatively impact reproducibility, which must be taken into consideration when optimizing bladder volume reproducibility using a non-invasive approach during prostate radiotherapy. We have already implemented these findings into our simulation and treatment protocols and look forward to reporting our clinical outcomes in the near future.
Impact of Underlying Congestive Heart Failure on In-Hospital Outcomes in Patients with Septic Shock.

Purpose: Septic shock (SS) manifests with profound circulatory and cellular metabolism abnormalities and has a high in-hospital mortality (25%-50%). Congestive heart failure (CHF) patients have underlying circulatory dysfunction and compromised cardiac reserve that may place them at increased risk if they develop sepsis. Outcomes in patients with CHF who are admitted with SS have not been well studied. Materials and Method: Retrospective cross sectional secondary analysis of the Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) for 2016 and 2017. ICD-10 codes were used to identify patients with SS during hospitalization, and then the cohort was dichotomized into those with and without an underlying diagnosis of CHF. Results: Propensity match analyses were performed to evaluate in-hospital mortality and clinical cardiovascular outcomes in the 2 groups. Cardiogenic shock patients were excluded from the study. A total of 578,629 patients with hospitalization for SS were identified, of whom 19.1% had a coexisting diagnosis of CHF. After propensity matching, 81,699 individuals were included in the comparative groups of SS with CHF and SS with no CHF. In-hospital mortality (35.28% vs 32.50%, P < .001), incidence of ischemic stroke (2.71% vs 2.53%, P = .0032), and acute kidney injury (69.9% vs 63.9%, P = .001) were significantly higher in patients with SS and CHF when compared to those with SS and no CHF. Conclusions: This study identified CHF as a strong adverse prognosticator for inpatient mortality and several major adverse clinical outcomes. Study findings suggest the need for further investigation into these findings' mechanisms to improve outcomes in patients with SS and underlying CHF.
French: A Linguistic Introduction

1. Defining the object of study 2. Phonetics and phonology 3. Topics in morphology and syntax 4. Lexicology and derivational morphology 5. Pragmatics 6. Historical perspectives.
More Ethical than Not: Sanctions as Surgical Tools

Joy Gordon has made a major contribution to both the ethical analysis and the policy evaluation of economic sanctions. But her claims against sanctions should be understood as critique rather than condemnation and rejection of sanctions on ethical grounds. Through a series of arguments and examples, this response points out that Gordon may be too narrow in defining sanctions' success, and that, where sanctions have gone awry, it is because they were unimaginatively formulated and poorly implemented, not because sanctions are categorically unethical. Multilateral sanctions in the late 1990s are simply more finely tuned than a few years ago. As a technique of coercive diplomacy, sanctions are meant to change dramatically the costs and benefits that leaders of a nation calculate operate in their favor as they pursue policies that the majority of the international community have declared abhorrent. We can, with the help of Gordon's critical claims, accomplish this goal in a more ethical manner, and by so doing, increase the likely success of sanctions in the future.
Comment on the possibility of narrow structure in σ tot ( pp ) at medium energy

The possibility that dibaryon resonant states, of the type proposed recently by MacGregor, might be detected as narrow peaks in the pp total cross section is discussed.