cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A closed form solution to the kinematic parameter identification of robot manipulators

A linear method for identifying the unknown kinematic parameters of a manipulator directly from the forward kinematic model is presented. The method requires the use of neither a nominal model nor a linearized error model of the robot. Such a solution is made possible by the use of a special robot kinematic modeling convention known as the complete and parametrically continuous (CPC) model, in which the independent CPC link parameters appear linearly in the system of equations to be solved, and the use of a particular sequence of robot pose measurements. The CPC orientation parameters of the revolute joints are first determined recursively under the condition that the pose measurements of the robot are taken while releasing each revolute joint one at a time and successively. The remaining CPC parameters are then computed in terms of the orientation parameters obtained earlier. Some practical issues related to kinematic parameter identification with the proposed approach are addressed through simulation studies. >
Reproductive failure of a long-lived wetland tree in urban lands and managed forests

Summary 1. Land use (e.g. urbanization, agriculture, natural lands management) may directly affect populations by habitat loss and fragmentation, and indirectly by altering conditions needed for reproductive success. The effects of urbanization are especially pronounced for populations that remain among urbanized areas, but they are difficult to detect in long-lived species. 2. We evaluated the effects of urbanization on the recruitment of cypress (Taxodium distichum), a long-lived coniferous tree that dominates isolated wetlands in Orlando, Florida, USA, a rapidly urbanizing region. Cypress requires saturated but not flooded soils to germinate, and seedlings are easily out-competed in the absence of fire. We hypothesized that urbanization has altered the hydrology and fire regimes, leading to biological inertia and reduced cypress recruitment relative to managed forest and ranchland. 3. We found low cypress recruitment in urban areas, but surprisingly in managed forest as well. Many cypress populations in managed forest were bounded by fire breaks which prevent upland fires from burning into the wetlands. Ranchland had significantly more recruitment than urban and managed forest, and these wetlands did not have fire breaks. 4. In urban lands, the effects of urbanization were delayed. Cypress recruitment initially occurred near the edge of wetlands where hydrological conditions were most favourable, but virtually stopped at 20 years post-urbanization. Cypress recruitment also occurred near the edge of the wetlands in managed forests and ranchlands and was higher in larger wetlands. 5. Synthesis and applications. Urbanization is associated with the eventual reproductive failure of cypress and in the absence of management practice changes, cypress recruitment may cease in many additional wetlands. If past urbanization rates continue, 80–90% of cypress populations in isolated wetlands in the path of urban sprawl could permanently cease recruitment in 100 years. Reducing urban sprawl and introducing prescribed fire in managed-forest cypress domes could mitigate this effect and conserve reproduction of this long-lived, dominant tree species and the diversity of the wetlands they typify.
Comparison of ABF1 and RAP1 in chromatin opening and transactivator potentiation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Autonomously replicating sequence binding factor 1 (ABF1) and repressor/activator protein 1 (RAP1) from budding yeast are multifunctional, site-specific DNA-binding proteins, with roles in gene activation and repression, replication, and telomere structure and function. Previously we have shown that RAP1 can prevent nucleosome positioning in the vicinity of its binding site and have provided evidence that this ability to create a local region of “open” chromatin contributes to RAP1 function at the HIS4 promoter by facilitating binding and activation by GCN4. Here we examine and directly compare to that of RAP1 the ability of ABF1 to create a region of open chromatin near its binding site and to contribute to activated transcription at the HIS4, ADE5,7, and HIS7 promoters. ABF1 behaves similarly to RAP1 in these assays, but it shows some subtle differences from RAP1 in the character of the open chromatin region near its binding site. Furthermore, although the two factors can similarly enhance activated transcription at the promoters tested, RAP1 binding is continuously required for this enhancement, but ABF1 binding is not. These results indicate that ABF1 and RAP1 achieve functional similarity in part via mechanistically distinct pathways.
Mis research: A model for incorporating the international dimension

Abstract Information technology has the potential to play an important role in managerial solutions for multinational corporations operating in an increasingly complex and competitive international business environment. In this study, a two-phase research design was employed to collect data for the purpose of: (1) identifying important intemational/MIS issues, (2) categorizing these identified issues in an international context, and (3) building a conceptual model that reflects these empirical results. The model provides guidelines for educators and practitioners as well as future direction for researchers.
Compatibilization and impact modification of mixed recycled plastics

In order to solve the problems related to the reuse and recycling of polymer materials, approaches must be developed to address the incompatibility of most plastics. In many cases, the complete separation of dissimilar plastics may not be economically feasible or technologically possible, so commingled plastics recycling may be the only option. Our work has concentrated on upgrading the performance of a blend of two incompatible polymers. For this, we have used a model composition of two plastics commonly found in business machine housings. Our approach concentrates on compatibilization of the blend with a tailored copolymer, in addition to impact modification of the different phases. Improvements in mechanical performance of the blends are elucidated through the use of transmission electron microscopy.
Abnormal extremals and optimality in sub-Riemannian manifolds

One of the most important questions in sub-Riemannian geometry is whether optimal abnormal extremals can exist. This question remained open for several years, and was settled by Montgomery (1993), who exhibited a counterexample. But Montgomery's geometric optimality proof depends heavily on special properties of his example and still leaves open the question whether optimal abnormal extremals are an exceptional phenomenon or a common occurrence. In this paper we study length minimizing arcs in sub-Riemannian manifolds (M, E, G) where the metric G is defined on a rank-two bracket-generating distribution E. We present an analytic technique for proving local optimality of a large class of abnormal extremals that we call "regular". If E satisfies a mild additional restriction-valid in particular for all regular 2-dimensional distributions and for generic 2-dimensional distributions-then regular abnormal extremals are "typical", so our result implies that the abnormal minimizers are ubiquitous rather than exceptional. >
The origin of neutron groups in Be( α, n) sources

Abstract The neutron spectra of an 80 g PuBe source and an 11 Ci PoBe source were measured by differentiation of proton track distributions sampled from nuclear emulsion. Special analysis of the track distributions revealed peaks at 0.54, 0.78, 1.1, 2.3, 3.2, 4.8, 5.6, 7.8 and 9.8 MeV in both spectra. The common features and the differences in the two sources are interpreted by use of a numerical graphical analysis based on published differential and integral cross sections for the 9 Be(α,n) reaction. In contrast to earlier theoretical and semiempirical attempts, this analysis successfully explains the major features of various measured 9 Be(α,n) source neutron spectra. Partial-wave (resonance) theory predictions of the reaction anisotropy of the neutron groups in such spectra are made and discussed.
Global symbolic maps from local navigation

In order to navigate autonomously, most robot systems are provided with some sort of global terrain map. To make storage practical, these maps usually have a high-level symbolic representation of the terrain. The robot's symbolic map is then used to plan a local path. This paper describes a system which uses the reverse (and perhaps more natural) process. This system processes local sensor data in such a way as to allow efficient, reactive local navigation. A byproduct of this navigation process is an abstraction of the terrain information which forms a global symbolic terrain map of the terrain through which the robot has passed. Since this map is in the same format as that used by the local navigation system, the map is easy for the system to use, augment, or correct. Compared with the data from which the maps are created, the maps are very space efficient, and can be modified, or used for navigation in real-time. Experiments with this system, both in simulation, and with a real robot operating in natural terrain, are described.
Quantification of sliding-induced phase transformation in N3FC diamond-like carbon films

Abstract We investigate magnetron-sputtered “N3FC” diamond-like carbon films at the nanoscale using an in situ transmission electron microscopy sliding experiment. We measure the sliding-induced changes in sp 3 - and sp 2 -hybridized carbon using electron energy loss spectroscopy, taking into account the effect of the electron beam. The rate of the phase transformation from sp 3 to sp 2 bonding is quantified as being between 0.009% and 0.018% volume transformed per sliding pass.
Cardiac enzyme elevations after percutaneous coronary intervention: myonecrosis, the coronary microcirculation and mortality.

One of the most controversial issues in interventional cardiology concerns the meaningfulness of elevated cardiac enzymes after percutaneous coronary interventions. Both single-center observational studies [(1–3)][1] and subset analyses from multicenter clinical trials [(4,5)][2] have reported an
Is H2O2 Involved in the Membrane Degradation Mechanism in PEMFC

The involvement of H 2 O 2 in the membrane degradation mechanism in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was investigated. Measurement of fluoride concentration in the effluent water was used as an indicator of the membrane degradation rate. It was found that H 2 O 2 is formed in the fuel cell in small concentrations but is not the main source of harmful species, which degrade the membrane. H 2 O 2 decomposition due to impurities or the catalyst leading to the possible formation of radical species would only account for a small fraction of the membrane degradation rate in a fuel cell.
Mutation and copy number discordance in primary versus metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

3509 Background: Molecular profiling for CRC commonly utilizes formalin-fixed tissue of convenience, which may include tissue obtained from primary or metastatic tumors. While the alterations in KR...
Framing the Market: Representations of Meaning and Value in Law, Markets, and Culture

In this article I discuss the idea of understanding law in a market context. This is not a law and economics piece. It is written for people interested in jurisprudence; law, culture and humanities; and law and society. It is about understanding the way in which people experience the intersection of law, markets, and culture. And it acknowledges that people experience this intersection in ways that vary by such characteristics as race, gender, age, education, class, and geographic location. Consequently, we must account for these variations in seeking to understand law in a market context. Using cultural-interpretation theory, grounded in the work of Charles Sanders Peirce, the piece explores the ambiguity of economic terms and concepts as used in legal reasoning. It explains economic analysis as an interpretive process, and argues that the use of economics in law is subjective and strategic. The article forms a starting point for a forthcoming book that extends the themes and ideas of the piece, and provides a full primer on using economic concepts in legal reasoning. (Robin Paul Malloy, Law in a Market Context: An Introduction to Market Concepts in Legal Reasoning, forthcoming in Dec. 2003 from Cambridge University Press).
Use of Goal Attainment Scaling to Measure Outcomes of Sensory Integration With Preschool-Age Children

Date Presented 4/17/2015 Goal attainment scaling (GAS) was used to identify functional changes following sensory integration therapy (SIT) for 5 preschool-age children seen for occupational therapy in northern California. Results indicate positive outcomes of SIT when measured with GAS for preschool-age children.
Problem-solving set as a function of number of reinforcements

College student Ss were given different amounts of training in solving water-jars problems by a long method; 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 problems. The amount of set produced was measured by 30 two-method test problems, and the number of Ss completely set over the 30 problems increased in a positive growth function with number of training problems.
Structural modulation and phase transition in a Na-rich alkali feldspar

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a commensurate modulated structure in a Na-rich alkali feldspar (Ab660r29Ans) from a basalt from Anhui Province, China. High-resolution TEM images with wavelike (001) lattice fringes directly reveal one-dimensional modulation waves in the crystal. The average modulation period along the b axis is l4dolO (;;;; 180 A), although both larger and smaller spacings have been observed. The modulated structure can be described as periodic stacking of (010) layer domains following the albite twin law. The relationship between the extended cell (supercell) of the modulated structure and the normal alkali feldspar unit cell (subcell) is as follows: a,up ;;;; a,ub, b,up ;;;; l4boub,c,uP ;;;; C,ub,{3,up ;;;; {3,ub (subscripts "sup" and "sub" indicate the supercell and subcell, respectively). A possible space group for the modulated structure is Pm. In situ heating and cooling experiments suggestthat the phase transition in this feldspar thin foil might be a weakly first-order and displacive transformation. The transition temperature is close to 500 DCfor the crystal examined. The modulated structure formed during the phase transition of the feldspar from C2/m symmetry to Cl at a rapid cooling rate. A heuristic nonlinear dynamics model for the arrangement of triclinic domains in the feldspar at the phase transition from monoclinic to triclinic symmetry was developed on the basis of a Landau potential, a damping term accounting for the structural differences among neighboring units, and a periodic force in the crystal along the b axis. Numerical solutions indicate that periodic modulation arises during the monoclinic to triclinic transition only under special conditions relatively far from equilibrium, and a nonperiodic arrangement of triclinic domains along the b axis is the more general case. Therefore, according to this model, the modulated structure is a metastable and intermediate structure between monoclinic (C2/m) and triclinic (Cl) phases. This type of modulated structure in Na-rich alkali feldspars may indicate high-temperature growth as a monoclinic crystal, followed by very rapid cooling into the triclinic stability field.
Research on present situation of rural drinking water in Fogang County of Qingyuan City

[Objective]To know the sanitary and safety conditions of rural drinking water in Fogang County of Qingyuan City,find out and deal with the hidden dangers in drinking water in time.[Methods]The monitoring data of rural drinking water in Fogang County from 2011-2012 were collected,and statistically analyzed.[Results]A total of 248 drinking water samples were monitored from 2011-2012,and 153 samples were qualified,with the total qualified rate of 61.69%.Among 12 unqualified indexes,the qualified rate of residual chlorine was the lowest(70.28%),followed by colony count(88.31%),total coliform group(88.71%),iron(89.52%),thermotolerant coliform(91.94%),pH value and manganese(94.35%),chroma(96.77%),turbidity(97.18%),ammonia nitrogen(98.79%),visible matter(99.19%) and nitrate nitrogen(99.60%).[Conclusion] There has been no sign of high fluorine water and high arsenic water in dinking water in rural area of Fogang County.However,the overall sanitary condition is not satisfying,which will attract attention.
Sediment-Hosted Stratiform Copper (SSC) Deposits

Nomenclature for this class of sediment-hosted, Cu-dominated sulfide deposits is problematic. It has been variously described as, to name a few, sediment-hosted copper deposits (Edwards & Atkinson 1986), stratiform copper deposits (Brown 1978), strata-bound copper deposits (Maiden et al. 1984), sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits (Kirkham 1989), a subclass of stratiform sulfides of marine and marine-volcanic association (Stanton 1972), and examples of sedimentary-type stratiform ore deposits formed in intracratonic basins (Morganti 1981). None of these names is entirely appropriate. The term sediment-hosted stratiform copper (SSC) deposits is considered to be the best compromise as it emphasizes, in addition to the sedimentary host rocks, two other characteristics — the stratiform nature of mineralization and the dominance of copper — that separate this class of deposits from other classes of sediment-hosted deposits. The descriptor ‘stratiform’ is not entirely accurate, because mineralized zones are not always conformable with bedding, but quite adequate if it is allowed to include slightly transgressive morphologies of such zones (Brown 1989). To describe such mineralization as strata-bound would be a greater distortion of the overall picture. The native copper (-native silver) deposits of the Keweenaw district, Michigan (USA), are not considered to be members of this class, because those are volcanic-hosted, flow-top deposits and their configurations are generally too irregular to qualify as stratiform, although the genesis of the two types of deposits have many features in common.
Spectral diversity area relationships for assessing biodiversity in a wildland-agriculture matrix

Species-area relationships have long been used to assess patterns of species diversity across scales. Here, this concept is extended to spectral diversity using hyperspectral data collected by NASA's Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) over western Michigan. This mixture of mesic forest and agricultural lands offers two end-points on the local-scale diversity continuum; one set of well-mixed forest patches and one set of highly homogeneous agricultural patches. Using the sum of the first three principal component values and the principal components' convex hull volume, spectral diversity was compared within and among these plots and to null expectations for perfectly random and perfectly patchy landscapes. Overall, the spectral diversity-area relationship confirms the patterns that would be expected for this landscape, but this application suggests that this approach could be extended to less well-understood landscapes and could reveal key insights about the relative importance of different drivers of community assembly, even in the absence of additional data about plant functional traits or species' identities.
Systems with Infinitesimal Mobility

For a structural engineer, infinitesimal mobility has traditionally been an obscure side issue. In a typical text on structural analysis, systems with infinitesimal mobility are discussed very briefly, labeled geometrically unstable, hence unsuitable for practical applications, and abandoned from further consideration. For a mechanical engineer, infinitesimal mechanisms have been even less interesting, as they lack the quintessential feature of mobility. One of very few applications of such systems has been their use as a “force amplifier”.
Radar in the quantum limit

Deep space tracking radars, such as the Arecibo radar, have Terawatt class EIRP, and are the scale of a small village. As such it seems surprising that one would ask whether their performance is dictated by quantum theory. However in this talk we show that it is, due to the very large losses in link budget. In this talk we discuss the quantum limits of radar performance for deep space tracking and other radars. A radar is said to be a quantum radar if at the detector level we have insufficient RF target photon density to invoke classical physics by means of the Gaussian central limit theorem. We discuss the performance modeling in this regime and in particular look at how quantum theory informs the dish verses array trade.
A Pedestrian Approach to Ray Shooting

We propose a very simple ray-shooting algorithm, whose only data structure is a triangulation. The query algorithm, after locating the triangle containing the origin of the ray, walks along the ray, advancing from one triangle to a neighboring one until the polygon boundary is reached. The key result of the paper is a Steiner triangulation of a simple polygon with the property that a ray can intersect at most O(log n) triangles before reaching the polygon boundary. We are able to compute such a triangulation in linear sequential time, or in O(log n) parallel time using O(n/log n) processors. This gives a simple, yet optimal, ray-shooting algorithm for a simple polygon. Using a well-known technique, we can extend our triangulation procedure to a multiconnected polygon with k components and n vertices, so that a ray intersects at most O(?k log n) triangles.
Radiative corrections for in the standard model

Abstract The partial widths of the fermionic Higgs-boson decays are calculated in the one-loop approximation of the minimal standard model of electroweak interactions. The soft-photon bremsstrahlung is resummed by means of Yennie-Frautschi-Suura exponentiation and the hard-photon spectrum is integrated analytically for a variable maximum photon energy. A general expression for the weak corrections in the modified on-mass-shell scheme is presented. For the charged-lepton and light-quark modes the formulae may be greatly simplified by neglecting the masses of all fermions, except for the top quark. For the b b and t t channels individual approximation formulae are derived assuming that the Higgs boson and the top quark are heavy as compared to the weak gauge bosons. Below the t t production threshold the electroweak corrections are generally at the few-percent level but for a 1 TeV Higgs boson they may become as large as 15%.
Asymmetric Cryo-EM Structure of Anthrax Toxin Protective Antigen Pore with Lethal Factor N-Terminal Domain

The anthrax lethal toxin consists of protective antigen (PA) and lethal factor (LF). Understanding both the PA pore formation and LF translocation through the PA pore is crucial to mitigating and perhaps preventing anthrax disease. To better understand the interactions of the LF-PA engagement complex, the structure of the LFN-bound PA pore solubilized by a lipid nanodisc was examined using cryo-EM. CryoSPARC was used to rapidly sort particle populations of a heterogeneous sample preparation without imposing symmetry, resulting in a refined 17 A PA pore structure with 3 LFN bound. At pH 7.5, the contributions from the three unstructured LFN lysine-rich tail regions do not occlude the Phe clamp opening. The open Phe clamp suggests that, in this translocation-compromised pH environment, the lysine-rich tails remain flexible and do not interact with the pore lumen region.
Influence of Coil Configuration on Flow Characteristics in Electromagnetic Solidification Systems

This paper examines the role of new coil configurations on the stirring of an aluminum alloy in electromagnetic solidification processes. The model presented describing the fluid flow phenomena is based on a dual-zone description of the solidifying region, with coherency occurring at very low solid fraction, and accounts for damping of turbulence due to phase change within the control volume. Calculations were performed for Al 3104 alloy placed within a six-turn coil of various turn configurations. In comparison to previous work, it was found that the turn configurations do not have as strong of an effect as that of coil translation along the long axis of the casting. The implications with regards to solidification behavior will be discussed.
Values and Limitations of Targeting lncRNAs in Diabetic Nephropathy.

Deep RNA sequencing of mammalian transcriptomes during the past two decades has unveiled more than 100,000 different RNAs, far more than the estimated 20,000 protein-coding genes, suggesting that the protein-coding potential of the mammalian genome is very limited and the majority of these RNA sequences are indeed noncoding (1–3). Although once considered “evolutionary junk” or “transcriptional noise,” more recent observations have shown that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) participate in diverse biological activities of the cell by interacting with RNA, DNA, or proteins to modulate the expression of protein-coding genes. Generally, ncRNAs are divided into two major subclasses (long or short), depending on their size. The long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) are arbitrarily defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that are produced by RNA polymerase II and lack protein-coding potential, thus separating them from the other subclass of small ncRNAs that range from a few to 200 nucleotides and include microRNAs (miRNAs), small nuclear RNAs, circular RNAs, and small nucleolar RNAs (4). Compared with messenger RNAs (mRNAs), lncRNAs are usually less evolutionarily conserved, less abundant, and more tissue specific (5). Cumulative research has revealed that lncRNAs exert a wide variety of biological functions and their aberrant expression has been associated with diverse pathologies including cancer and cardiac, neurological, and metabolic diseases (6–8). Mechanisms underlying the broad functions of lncRNAs are still emerging. It has recently …
Capacitor-less Low-Dropout Regulator (LDO) with Improved PSRR and Enhanced Slew-Rate

Low-dropout (LDO) regulators have become integral parts of on-chip power management schemes. This paper presents a capacitor-less LDO regulator, which incorporates a Class AB input stage cross-coupled differential amplifier to improve slew-rate and a passive low-pass RC filter to improve the power supply rejection ratio (PSRR). The high DC gain of the class AB input operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) improves the PSRR of the LDO to about 45 dB @ 100 kHz. In addition, a PMOS pass transistor is cascaded with an NMOS device to improve the PSRR and the concept of miller capacitance is used to stabilize the LDO with small load capacitor of 10pF. From the initial simulation results, it has been observed that the proposed LDO can operate from a supply voltage of 3.3–3.5 V with a minimum dropout voltage of 0.5 V at a maximum 50-mA load and quiescent current of 50 μA.
A Note on Direct Selling in Developing Economies

Informal and formal direct selling play a particularly important role in developing countries characterized by markets with limited retail sectors. This note explores the practice of direct selling for the company, the sales person and the consumer, as well as the potential of direct selling as a means of reaching the base of the pyramid for both commercial and social purposes.Learning Objective:Explore the potential of direct selling as a means of reaching otherwise inaccessible markets and populations, including the challenges and opportunities associated with developing and sustaining such a channel.
Medial septum activation produces opposite effects on dopamine neuron activity in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra in MAM vs. normal rats.

The medial septum (MS) differentially impacts midbrain dopamine (DA) neuron activity via the ventral hippocampus, a region implicated in DA-related disorders. However, whether MS regulation of ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is disrupted in a developmental disruption model of schizophrenia is unknown. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed at gestational day 17 to methylazoxymethanol (MAM) or saline. As adults, NMDA (0.75 µg/0.2 µL) was infused into the MS, and either DA neuron activity in the VTA and SNc (7–9 anesthetized rats per group) or amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (AIH, 11-13 rats per group) was measured. MS activation produced a 58% increase in the number of spontaneously active DA neurons in VTA and a 37% decrease in SNc in saline rats. However, MS activation produced opposite effects on DA population activity in MAM rats, decreasing VTA DA activity by 51% and increasing SNc DA activity by 47%. MS activation also increased AIH by 113% in MAM rats, opposite of what is seen in intact rats. The effect in behavioral output may be due to disrupted GABAergic regulation of SNc as bicuculline infusion into vSub, which selectively prevented the MS activation-induced decrease in SNc DA activity in intact rats, prevented the increase in AIH and SNc DA activity in MAM rats. These findings demonstrate that the regulation of midbrain DA neurons by the MS is disrupted in this well-validated animal model, suggesting that it could be a potential locus for pharmacological intervention in disorders such as schizophrenia.
High-harmonic generation from solids

High-harmonic generation in atomic gases has been studied for decades, and has formed the basis of attosecond science. Observation of high-order harmonics from bulk crystals was, however, reported much more recently, in 2010. This Review surveys the subsequent efforts aimed at understanding the microscopic mechanism of solid-state harmonics in terms of what it can tell us about the electronic structure of the source materials, how it can be used to probe driven ultrafast dynamics and its prospects for novel, compact short-wavelength light sources. Although most of this work has focused on bulk materials as the source, recent experiments have investigated high-harmonic generation from engineered structures, which could form flexible platforms for attosecond photonics. This Review surveys recent efforts at understanding and characterizing generation of high harmonics from solid-state materials.
Do Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts Increase Complications After Laparoscopic Gastrostomy in Children

Abstract Background In patients requiring gastrostomies, ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are a frequently encountered comorbidity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the postoperative management of children with VP shunts that undergo laparoscopic gastrostomy placement and determine their incidence of complications. Materials and methods Children 18 y old or younger who underwent laparoscopic gastrostomy placement at a freestanding academic children's hospital between January 2014 and October 2016 were reviewed. Data collected included demographics, management, and outcomes. Patients were compared based on their presence of a VP shunt before laparoscopic gastrostomy. Statistical analysis was performed using chi square, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results We reviewed the medical records of 270 children that underwent laparoscopic gastrostomy placement by 15 pediatric surgeons. Of these, 9% (25) had a previously placed VP shunt. In comparing patients with a VP shunt with those without a VP shunt, there was no significant difference in median age (4 versus 3 y, P = 0.92), gender (48% versus 51% males, P = 0.80), body mass index (15 versus 16, P = 0.69), preoperative diet (48% versus 47% nasogastric tube dependent, P = 0.60), or procedure time (43 versus 42 min, P = 0.37). The postoperative management of these children was similar: day of initiation of postoperative feeds (84% versus 73% on postoperative day #1, P = 0.70), method of initiation of feeds (60% versus 55% continuous, P = 0.25), and type of initial feeds (83% versus 71% Pedialyte, P = 0.24). Similarly, there was no difference in hospital length of stay, return to the emergency department, or postoperative complications within 90 d (P > 0.05). Conclusions Children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts do not have a higher rate of immediate complications after laparoscopic gastrostomy placement and may be managed similar to other children in the postoperative period.
Adolescent access to and utilisation of health services in two regions of Côte d'Ivoire: A qualitative study.

Adolescence is a critical time for physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, yet adolescents are prone to unique barriers and unmet needs for receiving proper health care services and ...
Two-Phase Flow Modeling to Evaluate Effectiveness of Different Leachate Injection Systems for Bioreactor Landfills

Leachate injection in bioreactor landfills increases the moisture content within the municipal solid waste and facilitates rapid waste decomposition, thereby leading to early waste stabilization. Three types of leachate injection systems (LIS), namely, horizontal trenches (HT), vertical wells (VW), and drainage blankets (DB), are commonly used for leachate injection in bioreactor landfills. This study compares the performance of the three LIS to distribute a specific amount of injected leachate into a typical bioreactor landfill configuration considering the effects of waste characteristics, the rate of leachate injection, the mode of leachate injection, and saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity parameters. A numerical two-phase flow model is used to predict evolution of saturation levels, pore-fluid pressures, when subjected to the same volume of leachate injection. Based on the results, the relative effectiveness of each LIS for achieving maximum uniform moisture distribution without inducing excessive pore-fluid pressures is determined. The results showed that the DB is effective in uniformly distributing the leachate and increasing the moisture levels across the landfill than the HT and VW for the same leachate injection rates. Intermittent mode of leachate injection was found to induce lower pore-water pressures in the waste while maintaining required saturation levels. The unsaturated hydraulic properties of waste were found to have considerable impact on moisture distribution by affecting the hydraulic conductivity of waste.
Evidence of Culiseta mosquitoes as vectors for Plasmodium parasites in Alaska

Mosquito vectors play a crucial role in the distribution of avian Plasmodium parasites worldwide. At northern latitudes, where climate warming is most pronounced, there are questions about possible changes in the abundance and distribution of Plasmodium parasites, their vectors, and their impacts to avian hosts. To better understand the transmission of Plasmodium among local birds and to gather baseline data on potential vectors, we sampled a total of 3,909 mosquitoes from three locations in south-central Alaska during the summer of 2016. We screened mosquitoes for the presence of Plasmodium parasites using molecular techniques and estimated Plasmodium infection rates per 1,000 mosquitoes using maximum likelihood methods. We found low estimated infection rates across all mosquitoes (1.28 per 1,000), with significantly higher rates in Culiseta mosquitoes (7.91 per 1,000) than in Aedes mosquitoes (0.57 per 1,000). We detected Plasmodium in a single head/thorax sample of Culiseta, indicating potential for transmission of these parasites by mosquitoes of this genus. Plasmodium parasite DNA isolated from mosquitoes showed a 100% identity match to the BT7 Plasmodium lineage that has been detected in numerous avian species worldwide. Additionally, microscopic analysis of blood smears collected from black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) at the same locations revealed infection by parasites preliminarily identified as Plasmodium circumflexum. Results from our study provide the first information on Plasmodium infection rates in Alaskan mosquitoes and evidence that Culiseta species may play a role in the transmission and maintenance of Plasmodium parasites in this region.
A Study of Synchronous, Online Professional Development Workshops for Graduate Students and Postdocs Reveals the Value of Reflection and Community Building

Designers of professional development activities and programs within higher education generally believe workshop learning outcomes and learner-created materials are what graduate students and postdoctoral scholars value from participating in these activities. We created a new structure for online synchronous workshops that integrates active learning, participant reflection, and skill development. Our design was informed by the hypothesis that participants value the work that they do and the materials they create during our online workshops. In our evaluations we examined students’ self-reported behavioral and attitudinal changes and perspectives on professional development. We learned that participants considered their sense of community and opportunities for reflection to be valued elements of the workshops. We found that these workshops added to students’ self-reflective practices and skill-building processes. Participants suggested that workshops should integrate active learning and skills application with deliberate reflection and community building to increase the potential for long-term change.
Trend on dietary structure among residents in Sichuan Province from 2002 to 2012

OBJECTIVE To understand the food intake and analyze the dietary pattern and its change among urban and rural residents in Sichuan from 2002 to 2012. METHODS Based on the results data from on the " 2002 National Nutrition and Health Surveillance Survey" and " 2010-2012 National Nutrition and Health Surveillancey", data of average food intake per reference man per day in Sichuan was compared. The 3-consecutive day-24-hour dietary recall was used to collect information on food intake, but the condiment intake was collected by weighting method. RESULTS From 2002 to 2012, the average food intake of soybeans and nuts, vegetables, eggs, meats and oil showed a upward trend. During 2002-2012, the intake of soybeans and nuts increased during 2002-2012 from7. 00 g to 9. 46 g, vegetables intake increased from 259. 90 g to 265. 34 g, eggs intake increased from 15. 30 g to 17. 26 g, but soybeans and nuts, vegetables, eggs were still insufficient. The intake of meats and edible oil were still much higher than recommended, the intake of meats increased from 91. 60 g to 137. 21 g during 2002-2012, the intake of edible oil increased from 41. 20 g to 48. 34 g during ten years. The average food intake of cereals and potatoes, fruits, milk aquatic products and salt showed a downward trend. For example, the average intake of cereals and potatoes decreased during 2002-2012 from426. 60 g to 256. 26 g, fruits intake decreased from 37. 60 g to 16. 88 g, milk intake decreased from 37. 60 g to 30. 04 g, aquatic products intake decreased from 9. 10 g to 7. 45 g, salt intake decreased from 10. 00 g to 7. 84 g. But the average intake of salt was still high. The intake of fat also showed a upward trend that it increases during 2002-2012 from77. 20 g to 95. 87 g, and the proportion of the energy supplied by fat( 44. 87%) was too high. CONCLUSION The dietary status of urban and rural residents in Sichuan have gradually improved, but the dietary pattern is unbalanced. The residents' intakes of milk, fruits, soybeans and nuts, aquatic products are still at a low level and the intakes of meats, oil and fat are excessive. The proportion of the energy supplied by fat is too high.
Donor-Acceptor-Acceptor 1,3-Bisdiazo Compounds: An Exploration of Synthesis and Stepwise Reactivity.

Metal carbenes, derived from the decomposition of diazo compounds, are valued for their capacity to perform a variety of transformations. A unique class of acyclic, bis-diazo compounds, the donor–a...
Comparison of Peak Demand Shaving Potential of Demand Response and Distributed Energy Storage in Residential Buildings

Due to a growing power demand and cyclic energy consumption patterns, thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) in residential buildings have become major candidates for residential demand response (DR) programs. However, in recent times, there has been an increased interest in the usage of distributed energy storage, such as batteries, for grid support and energy management applications including peak shaving and frequency regulation, which overlaps with typical objectives of TCL-centric residential DR programs. In this paper, we present a comparison between peak shaving using TCLs and distributed battery energy storage. A detailed model of 100 residential homes, developed using GridLAB-D, is used to simulate demand response strategies for the TCLs as well as battery charging and discharging algorithms to achieve peak load reduction while maintaining predefined customer comfort levels. Different customer enrolment scenarios are also considered for more realistic results. An economic analysis of both solutions is also presented. The results obtained show that while TCLs alone may not be able to realistically eliminate the most expensive peaking plants, they can still provide cheaper peak load reductions when compared with distributed battery energy storage units, with the reductions increasing as more customers are enrolled.
The Demandingness of Virtue

How demanding is the virtuous life? Can virtue exist alongside hints of vice? Is it possible to be virtuous within a vicious society? A line of thinking running through Diogenes and the Stoics is that even a hint of corruption is inimical to virtue, that participating in a vicious society makes it impossible for a person to be virtuous. One response to this difficulty is to claim that virtue is a threshold concept, that context sets a threshold for what is considered virtuous. On this way of thinking, what counts as virtuous in one society may be more demanding than what passes for virtuous in another. This response seems plausible when considering that virtue-theoretic terms like `honest' are gradable adjectives. Many gradable adjectives, like `tall' and `expensive,' have contextual thresholds that shift depending on the situation, and so is tenable that virtue-theoretic adjectives might function with contextual thresholds as well. A major difficulty for this response, however, is that virtue terms are absolute gradable adjectives, a variety of gradable adjectives that do not require a contextual threshold. Absolute gradable adjectives instead draw their truth conditions from their maximal degree, suggesting that Diogenes and the Stoics were correct to think that virtue is incompatible with even a small degree of vice.
Embedded Mobile ROS Platform for SLAM Application with RGB-D Cameras

Mapping and localization are essential for various robotic applications. Without a GPS signal, indoor navigation remains a challenging task. With recent progress in machine learning, embedded systems, and sensor technologies it has become practical to use computer vision algorithms to perform localization and mapping tasks on low power, portable robots. The focus of this project was to create a tracked vehicle with autonomous navigation capabilities for use in traversing difficult terrain. Such an unpredictable environment posing additional challenges to our navigation system. Navigation is achieved via processing source stereo image provided by an Intel RealSense D435i depth camera using the NVidia Jetson Nano, a CUDA-enabled single-board computer. The design heavily relies on the usage of the Robot Operating System (ROS) and Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms to enable flexibility in future feature expansion and ease of communication.
Experimental investigation on selenium ion-implanted gallium oxide

Material characterizations were carried out to investigate the optical properties and surface morphology of Ga2O3:Se wafer obtained through ion implantation. Se concentration in Ga2O3 varies by adjusting the implant dosage up to 1⨉10^16 ions/cm2. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) were conducted to reveal the surface morphology, which shows the surface quality of the samples is likely to be improved with Se-implantation. Optical absorption measurement was also carried out to determine the effect of Se on the properties of Ga2O3. The results indicate the potential use of Ga2O3:Se in ultraviolet photodetector or electronic device applications.
Rickettsia-host interaction: strategies of intracytosolic host colonization

Bacterial infection is a highly complex biological process involving a dynamic interaction between the invading microorganism and the host. Specifically, intracellular pathogens seize control over the host cellular processes including membrane dynamics, actin cytoskeleton, phosphoinositide metabolism, intracellular trafficking and immune defense mechanisms to promote their host colonization. To accomplish such challenging tasks, virulent bacteria deploy unique species-specific secreted effectors to evade and/or subvert cellular defense surveillance mechanisms to establish a replication niche. However, despite superficially similar infection strategies, diverse Rickettsia species utilize different effector repertoires to promote host colonization. This review will discuss our current understandings on how different Rickettsia species deploy their effector arsenal to manipulate host cellular processes to promote their intracytosolic life within the mammalian host.
Adjuvant Systemic Therapy in Young Women

About a third of all newly diagnosed breast cancers occur in women under the age of 50 [1,2]. Young women face many of the same adjuvant treatment issues that their postmenopausal counterparts encounter. Unfortunately, they also experience issues that are unique to their age, their hormonal status, and their longer life expectancy. We will examine the issues regarding cytotoxic and biologic therapy as well as the controversies regarding optimal endocrine and chemoendocrine therapy in the premenopausal woman, and we will explore some of the survivorship issues faced by young women after breast cancer therapy.
Dialogue on Progress and Issues in Stability and Transition Research

The authors have carried on a dialogue on the nature of transition for over thirty-three years. This paper emphasizes observations and views (positions) on transition issues focusing principally on developments since the First IUTAM Symposium on Laminar-Turbulent Transition of 1979.
Towers: Schemes, Strategies, and Arguments

In the previous chapter, we examined the representations, strategies, andproblem-solving schemes used by four second- and third-grade students to build their solution to the shirts and jean problem (which was to determine how many outfits could be formed from three different shirts and two different pairs of jeans and to provide a convincing argument of the solution). In their effort to make sense of the components of the problem and to monitor their work, the students developed various notations to represent the data and illustrated the use of certain strategies. In this chapter, we examine how those students and others in the longitudinal study build on those representations and strategies in their work on some towers problems. (A towers problem involves determining how many towers can be built of a given height from a specified number of colors of Unifix cubes, small plastic cubes that can be stacked together.