cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biocompatibility and stability of disulfide-crosslinked hyaluronan films.

Abstract Hyaluronan (HA) can be chemically modified to engineer robust materials with pre-selected mechanical properties and resorption rates that can be dictated by the intended clinical use. Disulfide-crosslinked HA films were prepared by air oxidation of thiol-modified HA, followed by treatment with 0.3% hydrogen peroxide. The degradation of the disulfide-crosslinked films in vitro was very slow ( t 1/2 =3–5 days) in the presence of hyaluronidase (HAse). The cytocompatibility of the disulfide-crosslinked HA films was determined using two separate conditions: (i) in vitro culture of mouse fibroblasts in indirect contract with the films, and (ii) in vitro culture of fibroblasts directly on films coated with poly d -lysine. Excellent cytocompatibility was observed in murine fibroblasts that were cultured in indirect contact with thiolated HA films. Although cells were unable to attach and spread on thiolated HA films, pre-coating the thiolated HA films with poly D-lysine resulted in attachment and spreading equivalent to that observed on polystyrene. Rates of resorption in vivo were obtained by subcutaneous implantation of disulfide-crosslinked HA films into the backs of Wistar rats. Biocompatibility in vivo was determined in both subcutaneous flank and peritoneal cavity implantation of the films in Wistar rats. The disulfide-crosslinked HA films were less than 30% resorbed after 42 days in vivo, and histochemical and cytochemical analysis indicated that the films were well-tolerated with mild inflammatory response at both sites of implantation.
Growth hormone responses to low-dose physostigmine administration: functional sex differences (sexual diergism) between major depressives and matched controls

Background. Considerable endocrine and non-endocrine evidence supports the hypothesis of increased cholinergic activity relative to noradrenergic activity in major depression. We previously reported functional sex differences (sexual diergism) in hypothalamo- pituitary-adrenal cortical (HPA) hormone responses to the administration of low-dose physostigmine (PHYSO), a cholinesterase inhibitor, in 12 female and eight male unipolar major depressives and 12 female and eight male individually matched control subjects. Because growth hormone (GH) secretion also is influenced by cholinergic mechanisms, we measured GH in the samples from this study. Method. Subjects underwent four test sessions 5-7 days apart: PHYSO (8 μg/kg i.v.), arginine vasopressin (AVP) (0-08 U/kg i.m.), PHYSO + AVP and saline control. The AVP was administered as a second stimulus to HPA axis hormone secretion. PHYSO and AVP produced no side-effects in about half the subjects and predominantly mild side-effects in the other half, with no significant patient-control differences. Point biserial correlations between side-effects (absent or present) after PHYSO and the corresponding GH responses were non-significant in all groups. Results. Afternoon baseline GH was significantly higher in the women than in the men, but it was not significantly different between the female or the male patients and their respective matched controls. AVP administration had no effect on GH. PHYSO administration acutely stimulated GH secretion, to a similar degree in the women and men. The depressed patients as a group had a significantly greater average post-PHYSO GH response than did their controls, with a trend toward a significant sex x diagnosis interaction: The female depressives had a significantly greater GH response than their female controls, whereas the male depressives had a similar GH response as their male controls. Conclusions. These findings suggest sexual diergism (functional sex differences) in baseline and cholinergically stimulated plasma GH measures between major depressives and matched normal controls.
Reflections on the implications of evolutionary psychology for the theory of institutions

In this paper I consider the implications of work in evolutionary psychology for institutional analysis. I respond to Pascal Boyer and Michael Bang Petersen (‘The Naturalness of (Many) Social Institutions: Evolved Cognition as their Foundation’; 2012), who put forward a programmatic statement in this connection. I argue that their discussion overstates the explanatory power of evolutionary psychology and does not take sufficient account of what we already know about institutions. At the same time, I suggest that they, and the empirical work upon which they draw, make an important contribution by helping us to establish more clearly the boundary conditions of institutional analysis. I call for ongoing cooperation and for the establishment of a unified research tradition that brings together both evolutionary psychology and institutionalism.
Frontal Lobe Volume Loss Observed with Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Older Chronic Alcoholics

This study used magnetic resonance imaging to quantify the extent and pattern of tissue volume deficit and cerebrospinal fluid volume enlargement in younger versus older chronic alcoholics relative to normal controls. In the present analysis, we divided our previously reported group of 62 alcoholic men into a younger group (n = 33, age mean = 37.5 +/- 4.5, and range = 26 to 44 years) and an older group (n = 29, age mean = 52.7 +/- 6.0, and range = 45 to 63 years) to examine whether, in addition to extent, the two age groups differed in pattern of tissue type and regional brain volume abnormalities quantified with magnetic resonance imaging. Brain volumes were adjusted for normal variation in head size and age established from a group of healthy controls and were expressed as Z-scores. The younger group had significant cortical gray, but not white, matter volume deficits and sulcal and ventricular enlargement relative to age-matched controls. The older group had volume deficits in both cortical gray and white matter and sulcal and ventricular enlargement that significantly exceeded the younger alcoholic group. An analysis of six cortical regions revealed that, although both age groups had gray matter volume deficits throughout the cortex, the older alcoholic group had a selectively more severe deficit in prefrontal gray matter relative to the younger alcoholic group. Similarly, the cortical white matter volume deficit in the older alcoholics was especially severe in the prefrontal and frontal regions. The differences in brain dysmorphology between the two alcoholic groups cannot easily be attributed to potential alcohol history differences typically related to age because the two groups had similar disease durations and amounts of lifetime alcohol consumption. These results provide in vivo evidence that the frontal lobes are especially vulnerable to chronic alcoholism in older men.
Improved highly efficient synthesis of α,β-acetylenic ketones. Nature of the intermediate from the reaction of lithium acetylide with boron trifluoride etherate

Abstract A wide variety of α,β-acetylenic ketones were synthesized in very high yields via an exceptionally facile intermolecular reaction of lithium alkynyltrifluoroborates and carboxylic acid anhydrides.
A core problem in psychology: Response to Robiner, Arbisi, and Edwall's “the basis of the doctoral degree for psychology licensure”

Abstract Robiner, Arbisi, and Edwall (1994) present a data-based argument for the doctorate and the degree requirement for practicing psychologists. I support this position, but propose that the profession address the minimal educational requirements for the doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Currently, many academies hold that the curriculum should be determined by the program, i.e., the program fulfills its obligations to the students if the curriculum is honestly presented. They would like the Committee on Accreditation (COA) to adopt this amorphous standard. I believe that this philosophy is self-serving. It assumes that students are sophisticated consumers and are aware of their educational needs as future providers of health services. In addition, no attention is given to assure that graduates are qualified to fulfill their obligations to the public they will serve. Some suggestions are offered to accommodate to the academician's desire for educational freedom while also recognizing a need for professional responsibility.
Expression Level Tuning for Optimal Heterologous Protein Secretion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The relationship between expression level and secretion of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) was determined in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a tunable amplifiable delta integration vector. Optimal secretory productivity of 15 mg of BPTI/g cell dry weight yields 180 mg/L secreted active BPTI in test-tube cultures, an order of magnitude increase over 2 mu plasmid-directed secretion. Maximum productivity is determined by the protein folding capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Unfolded protein accumulates in the ER as synthesis increases, until a physiological instability is reached and secretion decreases precipitously despite high BPTI mRNA levels. Optimal specific productivity of a standard laboratory strain of S. cerevisiae is double that reported for secretion of BPTI by Pichia pastoris, indicating that efficient utilization of S. cerevisiae's available secretory capacity can eliminate apparent differences among yeast species in their capacity for heterologous protein secretion. Although not generally recognized, the existence of an optimum synthesis level for secretion is apparently a general feature of eucaryotic expression systems and could be of substantial significance for maximization of protein secretion in mammalian and insect cell culture.
Mapping discrete and dimensional emotions onto the brain: controversies and consensus

A longstanding controversy in the field of emotion research has concerned whether emotions are better conceptualized in terms of discrete categories, such as fear and anger, or underlying dimensions, such as arousal and valence. In the domain of neuroimaging studies of emotion, the debate has centered on whether neuroimaging findings support characteristic and discriminable neural signatures for basic emotions or whether they favor competing dimensional and psychological construction accounts. This review highlights recent neuroimaging findings in this controversy, assesses what they have contributed to this debate, and offers some preliminary conclusions. Namely, although neuroimaging studies have identified consistent neural correlates associated with basic emotions and other emotion models, they have ruled out simple one-to-one mappings between emotions and brain regions, pointing to the need for more complex, network-based representations of emotion.
Improving the ability of a water market to efficiently manage drought

Some water markets maintain institutional elements that provide allocative advantages to specified water users. In the Lower Rio Grande Valley, water rights are designated as either municipal or agricultural (irrigation), with certain prioritization advantages afforded to municipal accounts. While sales of rights between municipalities and irrigators are allowed, the priority disparity results in a prohibition on leasing between sectors. Concern over meeting future urban demand has led municipalities to purchase rights well in excess of current needs. The inability to lease municipal water to irrigators removes a significant and growing fraction of available water from the market. The additional flexibility provided by leasing provides a valuable tool for managing seasonal drought. In this analysis the justification for prioritized municipal water is investigated. Results indicate that the added security municipalities may derive from higher prioritization during drought is accompanied by economic inefficiencies in regional water allocation. It is argued that eliminating municipal protection and the consequent allowance of intersectoralleasing would contribute to regional well-being at small cost to municipal water users.
Acute Endothelium-Mediated Vasodilation Is Not Impaired at the Onset of Diabetes

Abstract —Vascular injury and impaired vascular function are central to the increased mortality associated with diabetes. Hyperglycemia in diabetes has been suggested to play a role in this process, in part by impairing the function of the vascular endothelium. It has been difficult, however, to isolate the direct effect of glucose in both humans and in animal models of diabetes. This was evaluated in the present study in 7 rats that were chronically instrumented with a Transonic flow probe at the iliac bifurcation of the abdominal aorta, a nonoccluding catheter inserted immediately anterior to the flow probe, and a femoral vein catheter. Acute infusions of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside (1 and 10 μg/min IA) increased hindquarter blood flow significantly by approximately 27 and 10 mL/min over baseline, respectively, at the high dose. Streptozotocin (70 mg/kg IV) was administered, but normoglycemia was maintained with continuous intravenous insulin infusion to control for potential streptozotocin side effects. Diabetes was induced 5 to 7 days later by stopping the insulin infusion. Hindlimb blood flow (measured 24 hours per day) decreased during the diabetic period and was accompanied by an increase in mean arterial pressure, suggesting a vasoconstrictor response. However, the responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were not altered significantly on either day 2 or day 6 of the diabetic period. This suggests that neither endothelium-mediated vasorelaxation nor responsiveness to nitric oxide is impaired during the initial phase of diabetes and that diabetic hyperglycemia does not have a significant, direct effect to impair endothelium-mediated relaxation in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The mechanism for the change in baseline blood flow and its potential influence on endothelial function, however, are not known.
Effect of Salt Reduction on the Yield, Breaking Force, and Sensory Characteristics of Emulsion-Coated Chunked and Formed Ham

The effect of a modified processing procedure (emulsion coating) on the characteristics of ham with reduced sodium chloride (salt) content was investigated. Emulsion coated (EC) and conventionally processed (CP) chunked and formed hams were prepared with 0.5, 1 and 2% added salt. When compared to CP hams, EC hams had increased cooking yield, breaking force, moisture retention, juiciness, texture, tenderness, and taste panel acceptability. The EC 1.0% salt treatment closely resembled the CP 2.0% salt treatment. The EC 0.5% salt product had many similarities to the CP 1.0% salt treatment but was significantly different in many attributes from the CP 2% salt product. Reducing salt in chunked and formed ham from 2.0% added salt addition to levels as low as 1.0% appears possible when combined with emulsion coating to minimize the effects of salt reduction.
A Review of: “Ronald C. White, Jr., The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words”

Ronald White's interest in the political rhetoric of Abraham Lincoln represents a relatively new and productive turn in his career. White's training as a religious historian and exegete equipped hi...
Reputation Effects of Disclosure: An Experimental Investigation

This paper examines experimentally the sequential equilibrium theory of reputation and disclosure developed in Lunawat, 2009. It provides experimental evidence in support of the sequential equilibrium play and of the reputation building role played by disclosure. The said paper predicts higher investment in economies with disclosure as compared to those without. In testing this prediction, this paper introduces a two-stage experimental design which turns out also to be a contribution to experimental methodology. The two-stage design allows for construction of subject samples with uniform prior beliefs about a manager’s trustworthiness but different disclosure institutions. Data collected using this design provides support for the said prediction. This paper also sheds light on a related question of the reputation building role played by incremental disclosure. It introduces a multi-period setting that allows reinvestment of capital and provides for definition of incremental disclosure in an economy. It is shown that incremental disclosure results in even higher investment.
Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Collapse, by David W. Orr

Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Collapse, by David W. Orr. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2012, 304 pages. ISBN-10: 0199829365 ($15.95, paperback) ISBN-13: 978-0199829361; ISBN-10: 01...
Fabrication of Ultra-Shallow P+-N and N+-P Junctions by Diffusion From Selectively Deposited, Ion-Implanted and In-Situ Doped Si0.7Ge0.3

Selectively deposited Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 has been investigated as a potential diffusion source for fabricating ultra-shallow junctions in Si. Rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RTCVD) was used to selectively deposit Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 on Si using SiH 2 C1 2 , GeH 4 , and H 2 . Both ionimplanted and in-situ doped Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 were considered as a diffusion source for fabricating ultra-shallow junctions. In-situ doping was achieved with B 2 H 6 and PH 3 for p-type and n-type doping, respectively. Boron and phosphorus diffusion in ion-implanted Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 was investigated and modeled using SSUPREM4. Diffusion from implanted and in-situ doped Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 in Si was also studied and modeled. Boron diffusivities in Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 were found to be approximately 10 times greater than in Si, while phosphorus diffusivities were over 100 times greater in Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 . The faster dopant diffusivities in Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 allow high surface concentration, abrupt diffusion profiles to be formed in Si. Gated, p-n junction diodes with junction depths as shallow as 140A were fabricated and tested to study the quality of the diffusions from Si 0.7 Ge 0.3 .
Atomic-Layer-Deposited Al2O3 as Gate Dielectrics for Graphene-Based Devices

We present a facile route to deposit a uniform Al2O3 layer on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Al2O3 layers deposited from TMA (trimethylaluminum)/ H2O chemistry showed selective deposition only on step edges. However, TMA/O3 chemistry resulted in the deposition of Al2O3 layers on basal planes of HOPG, which has a chemically inert surface. An O3-pretreatement followed by Al2O3 deposition using TMA/O3 chemistry produced conformal and uniform Al2O3 dielectric layers with a small RMS roughness of ~ 0.2 nm. This suggests that O3-pretreatement prior to ALD deposition makes the chemically inert HOPG surface reactive toward ALD precursors, which leads to the desired two-dimensional growth mode. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and Raman spectroscopy revealed that this O3 process used for Al2O3 deposition does not introduce a significant defect concentration to the top graphene layer. The dielectric constant of the deposited Al2O3 film on top of the HOPG surface was found to be ~ 9 from C-V measurements.
Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy Studies of a Fluorophore-Labeled Dirhodium Compound: Visualizing Metal–Metal Bonded Molecules in Lung Cancer (A549) Cells

The new dirhodium compound [Rh2(μ-O2CCH3)2(η1-O2CCH3)(phenbodipy)(H2O)3][O2CCH3] (1), which incorporates a bodipy fluorescent tag, was prepared and studied by confocal fluorescence microscopy in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. It was determined that 1 localizes mainly in lysosomes and mitochondria with no apparent nuclear localization in the 1–100 μM range. These results support the conclusion that cellular organelles rather than the nucleus can be targeted by modification of the ligands bound to the Rh24+ core. This is the first study of a fluorophore-labeled metal–metal bonded compound, work that opens up new venues for the study of intracellular distribution of dinuclear transition metal anticancer complexes.
Metallopanstimulin as a novel tumor marker in sera of patients with various types of common cancers: implications for prevention and therapy.

Metallopanstimulin (MPS) is a 9.5-kDal subunit zinc finger protein which is expressed in a wide variety of actively proliferating cells and tumor tissues (J. Biol. Chem. 268 :21198-21204, 1993 ; Cell Growth & diff. 5 :811-825, 1994). A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed to measure circulating levels of MPS and MPS-like proteins. The RIA was evaluated for its ability to detect accurately elevations of MPS-immunoreactive material in the blood of patients with various types of neoplastic diseases. MPS concentration were determined in the blood of 147 healthy subjects having no evidence of neoplastic disease, in 260 patients with nonmalignant diseases, and in 225 patients diagnosed with various types of cancer such as prostate, colorectal, lung, head and neck (epithelial malignancies), neuroendocrine, central nervous system, etc. Elevated MPS levels identified patients with neoplasias with greater than 90% confidence. In patients, not having neoplastic disease the MPS levels were lower than 10 ng/mL (82% of the population). In untreated patients with cancer, the MPS level range was 20-50 ng/mL and in stage M1b (metastasis to the bones) the MPS levels were extremely high (100 to /1000 ng/mL). In M1b patients that did not respond to therapy, the MPS levels remained very high (> 100 ng/mL). In M1b patients that went into remission after treatment, the MPS levels were reduced. The MPS test may be useful as an aid in : 1) the early detection of a wide variety of neoplastic conditions and 2) the prognosis and management of cancer patients by following the changes in the concentrations of MPS in sera. Moreover, the results suggest that the combined use of the MPS test with other currently available tumor maker tests may significantly improve the chances of identifying a large proportion of active oncogenic processes by serodiagnosis.
Uranyl Coordination Polymers Incorporating η5-Cyclopentadienyliron-Functionalized η6-Phthalate Metalloligands: Syntheses, Structures and Photophysical Properties

The reaction of two η5-cyclopentadienyliron(II)-functionalized terephthalate and phthalate metalloligands, namely [(η5-C5H5)FeII(η6-1,4-HO2CC6H4CO2H)][(η5-C5H5)FeII(η6-1,4-HO2CC6H4CO2)][PF6] and [(η5-C5H5)FeII(η6-1,2-HO2CC6H4CO2H)][(η5-C5H5)FeII(η6-1,2-HO2CC6H4CO2)][PF6]—hereafter [H2 CpFeTP][HCpFeTP][PF6] and [H2 CpFeP][HCpFeP][PF6], respectively—with [UO2(NO3)2]·6H2O under hydrothermal conditions yielded four new coordination polymers; (1) [(UO2)F(HCpFeTP)(PO4H2)]·2H2O, (2) [(UO2)2(CpFeTP)4]·5H2O, (3) [(UO2)2F3(H2O)(CpFeP)], and (4) [H2 CpFeP][UO2F3]. The use of metalloligands has proven to be a viable route towards the incorporation of a secondary metal center into uranyl bearing materials. Depending upon the protonation state, the iron sandwich metalloligands may vary from zwitterionic neutral or monoanionic coordinating species as observed in compounds 1–3, or a positively charged species that hydrogen bonds with anionic [UO2F3]− chains as observed in 4. Further, the hydrolysis of the charge balancing PF6 − anion increases the diversity of UO2 2+ coordinating species by contributing both F− and PO4 3− anions (1, 3, 4). The luminescent properties of 1–4 were also studied and revealed the absence of uranyl emission, suggestive of a possible energy transfer from the uranyl cation to the iron(II) metal center.
Variation in plant‐mediated intra‐ and interspecific interactions among insect herbivores: effects of host genotype

Many studies show that indirect interactions between insect herbivores via shared host plants are common and often mediated by plant-induced responses to damage. However, we lack some types of data that will be needed to model how plant-mediated interactions on individual plants contribute to the population dynamics of interacting herbivores. Specifically, there are few simultaneous characterizations of both the intra- and interspecific effects that are mediated by the host plant, as well as host plant constitutive resistance. Additionally, as herbivores are likely to move among plants that differ in quality, we must consider how this set of intra- and interspecific effects differs among plant genotypes—that is, how plant-mediated effects genetically vary or covary. We examined how the set of intra- and interspecific indirect effects involving the insect folivores Leptinotarsa juncta and Manduca sexta varies across different genotypes of a shared host plant, Solanum carolinense. We damaged 12 plant genotypes using both herbivore species, then measured effects on the growth of both con- and heterospecifics, as well as constitutive resistance to each herbivore. We then tested for genetic variation and covariation in plant-mediated effects and constitutive resistance among plant genotypes. We found that on average, there were significant negative intraspecific plant-mediated effects on the growth rate of both herbivores, as well as asymmetric negative interspecific effects of M. sexta on L. juncta. Both intra- and interspecific effects varied across plant genotypes. For example, the interspecific effect of M. sexta on L. juncta ranged from significantly negative to significantly positive. Additionally, there were strong correlations among the individual effects mediated by S. carolinense, particularly between constitutive resistance and both intra- and interspecific effects. We find that these genetic correlations might limit the types and strength of interactions that take place across multiple genotypes of the same plant species. Our results suggest that future models of plant-mediated interactions between herbivores should account for patterns of genetic variation and covariation when scaling from individual interactions to population-level processes.
Multi-drive road map generation on standardized high-velocity roads using low-cost sensor data

Highly accurate digital road maps are the status quo for advanced driver assistance systems and automated driving functions. To achieve high map accuracies, recent approaches deployed high-cost and high-precision sensor systems. This paper proposes a novel automated map generation framework for standardized high-velocity roads using a low-cost sensor system composed of a monocular camera and a low-precision GNSS receiver. To compensate for the lower precision, the map is generated from multiple measurement drives.
Social network perspective on alcohol consumption among African American women: a longitudinal analysis.

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim of the study was to examine alcohol use in African American women’s social networks.Design: This was a longitudinal study of African American women and their social networks in Baltimore, MD. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews at a community-based research clinic. Alcohol consumption frequency was assessed by a single question ‘How often do you drink alcohol?’ with a four-point ordinal rating scale ‘never,’ ‘monthly or less,’ ‘2–4 times a month’ and ‘>2 times a week.’ A longitudinal ordinal logistic model was conducted to use 317 African American women’s alcohol consumption frequency as a predictor of their social networks’ alcohol consumption frequency.Results: Results show that African American women’s alcohol consumption frequency was a statistically significant predictor of their social network members’ alcohol consumption frequency.Conclusion: Findings suggest the merit of social network-based approaches to address alcohol use among urban minority populations.
A preoperative window study of metformin for the treatment of endometrial cancer.

5519 Background: Obesity and diabetes have been linked to poorer survival and increased recurrence rates in endometrial cancer. The anti-diabetic medication, metformin, has been shown to have anti-...
High-Strength Aluminum Alloys

The room temperature properties of commercial, high-strength aluminum alloys are reviewed. In addition, the properties of experimental aluminum alloys of the —T6 type are discussed with respect to tensile, tear, and fracture toughness properties. Both the commercial and experimental aluminum alloys are compared with a maraged 18Ni-7Co-5Mo steel alloy and a beta-titanium (Ti-3Al-13V-llCr) cold-rolled alloy.
Studies on the Pathogenesis of Onchocerciasis

Last winter it was my privilege to participate in a clinical investigation with the geographic epidemiology unit of Johns Hopkins University to study further the pathogenesis of onchocerciasis. The study took place in the Republic of Chad—formerly a part of French Equatorial Africa.
2D-EFET — A novel beyond Boltzmann transistor

The unprecedented technological success of the electronics industry over the last five decades have been driven by Silicon (Si) technology at the center of which resides the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). Relentless scaling of MOSFET dimensions ensured faster and cheaper computing since more and more transistor could be packed into the same chip area.1 At the same time scaling of supply voltage (VDD) kept the power density practically constant. This golden era of MOSFET scaling often referred to as the Dennard Scaling era had continued for almost three decades. However, around 2005, the voltage scaling ended owing to the fact that further reduction in supply voltage (VDD) resulted in exponential increase in the OFF state current (IOFF) and hence the static power dissipation of the MOSFET. This was a direct consequence of non-scalability of the subthreshold slope (SS) to below 60mV/decade. Note, subthreshold slope is defined as the amount of gate voltage required to change the source to drain current of a MOSFET by one order of magnitude. The non-scalability of SS is the outcome of Boltzmann statistics, the governing physical principle for top of the barrier devices like MOSFETs. Although voltage scaling stopped, length scaling still continued for another decade albeit with new challenges like increasing power density, short channel effects and increasing parasitic. Unfortunately, even for the most advanced FinFET technology length scaling seems extremely challenging. Therefore, it is imminent that both aspects of MOSFET scaling will end very shortly. In order to sustain the growth of the semiconductor industry, it is necessary that novel low power beyond Boltzmann device concepts based on aggressively scalable materials be conceived immediately.
Towards learning efficient intervention policies for wearable devices

To serve large user populations, autonomous intervention systems (i.e. intelligent agents) are being developed to play more active roles such as fitness coaches and clinical disease prevention aids. Although generic user models have been developed, users may require extensive individualization to meet their personal needs. Machine learning techniques may be applied to learn tailored intervention policies for users. However, traditional machine learning requires significant amounts of data to learn an optimal policy. For wearable technology, this may mean probing the user to perform some activity and gauging user response. This paper presents a feasible intervention system model and discusses learners for tailoring user intervention policies. We examine how similar the general user model has to be with respect to the tailored model in order for our learner to perform well.
Widespread legacy brine contamination from oil production reduces survival of chorus frog larvae

Abstract Advances in drilling techniques have facilitated a rapid increase in hydrocarbon extraction from energy shales, including the Williston Basin in central North America. This area overlaps with the Prairie Pothole Region, a region densely populated with wetlands that provide numerous ecosystem services. Historical (legacy) disposal practices often released saline co-produced waters (brines) with high chloride concentrations, affecting wetland water quality directly or persisting in sediments. Despite the potential threat of brine contamination to aquatic habitats, there has been little research into its ecological effects. We capitalized on a gradient of legacy brine-contaminated wetlands in northeast Montana to conduct laboratory experiments to assess variation in survival of larval Boreal Chorus Frogs ( Pseudacris maculata ) reared on sediments from 3 local wetlands and a control source. To help provide environmental context for the experiment, we also measured chloride concentrations in 6 brine-contaminated wetlands in our study area, including the 2 contaminated sites used for sediment exposures. Survival of frog larvae during 46- and 55-day experiments differed by up to 88% among sediment sources (Site Model) and was negatively correlated with potential chloride exposure (Chloride Model). Five of the 6 contaminated wetlands exceeded the U.S. EPA acute benchmark for chloride in freshwater (860 mg/L) and all exceeded the chronic benchmark (230 mg/L). However, the Wetland Site model explained more variation in survival than the Chloride Model, suggesting that chloride concentration alone does not fully reflect the threat of contamination to aquatic species. Because the profiles of brine-contaminated sediments are complex, further surveys and experiments are needed across a broad range of conditions, especially where restoration or remediation actions have reduced brine-contamination. Information provided by this study can help quantify potential ecological threats and help land managers prioritize conservation strategies as part of responsible and sustainable energy development.
GP-SUM. Gaussian Processes Filtering of non-Gaussian Beliefs

This work studies the problem of stochastic dynamic filtering and state propagation with complex beliefs. The main contribution is GP-SUM, a filtering algorithm tailored to dynamic systems and observation models expressed as Gaussian Processes (GP), and to states represented as a weighted sum of Gaussians. The key attribute of GP-SUM is that it does not rely on linearizations of the dynamic or observation models, or on unimodal Gaussian approximations of the belief, hence enables tracking complex state distributions. The algorithm can be seen as a combination of a sampling-based filter with a probabilistic Bayes filter. On the one hand, GP-SUM operates by sampling the state distribution and propagating each sample through the dynamic system and observation models. On the other hand, it achieves effective sampling and accurate probabilistic propagation by relying on the GP form of the system, and the sum-of-Gaussian form of the belief. We show that GP-SUM outperforms several GP-Bayes and Particle Filters on a standard benchmark. We also demonstrate its use in a pushing task, predicting with experimental accuracy the naturally occurring non-Gaussian distributions.
Distributed Cognition and Embodiment in Text Planning: A Situated Study of Collaborative Writing in the Workplace:

Through a study of collaborative writing at a student advocacy nonprofit, this article explores how writers distribute their text planning across tools, artifacts, and gestures, with a particular f...
Safety and feasibility of same-day discharge for uncomplicated appendicitis: A prospective cohort study.

Abstract Background Appendicitis is the most common gastrointestinal pediatric surgical emergency. With the introduction of laparoscopic techniques in the 1990s, recovery, pain, and hospital stay after laparoscopic procedures have been significantly reduced. While many laparoscopic procedures are performed as outpatient surgeries, pediatric appendectomy patients continue to be hospitalized for postoperative observation. Our goal was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of same day discharge after laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis. Methods After IRB approval, all pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy during 2016 for noncomplicated appendicitis were eligible for the study. Decision for same day discharge was based on surgeon preference and parental agreement. Data regarding demographics, admission and discharge times, outcomes of complications, readmissions, return to the ED, and nonscheduled clinic visits were collected. Results A total of 1321 appendectomies were performed during the study period, of which 849 were uncomplicated and 382 were discharged same day. There were 2 readmissions, 4 superficial surgical site infections, 10 patients with nausea or vomiting, and 33 patients with pain control issues, 9 of whom presented to the ED. Conclusions Same day discharge for laparoscopic noncomplicated appendectomy is a safe and feasible alternative to postoperative admission and observation. This has the potential to yield significant healthcare cost savings. Level of Evidence Level II, Prospective Cohort Study.
Enhanced dielectric properties of three phase dielectric MWCNTs/BaTiO3/PVDF nanocomposites for energy storage using fused deposition modeling 3D printing

Abstract This research studied the effect of fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing on three phase dielectric nanocomposites using poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF), BaTiO3 (BT), and multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs). PVDF polymer and BT ceramics are piezo-, pyro- and di-electric materials extensively used for sensor and energy storage/harvesting applications due to their unique characteristic of dipole polarization. To increase dielectric property, CNTs have been recently utilized for uniform dispersion of BT nanoparticles, ultrahigh polarization density, and local micro-capacitor among matrix. It was proved that 3D printing process provides homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles, alleviating agglomeration of nanoparticles and reducing micro-crack/voids in matrix which can potentially enhance their dielectric property than traditional methods. In this research, these three-phase nanocomposites are fabricated through FDM 3D printing process and characterized for dielectric property. Increasing both BT and CNT nanoparticles improves dielectric properties, while CNTs have a percolation threshold near 1.7 wt%. The most desirable combination of dielectric constant and loss properties (118 and 0.11 at 1 kHz) is achieved with nanocomposites containing 1.7 wt%-CNT/45 wt%-BT/PVDF. These results provide not only a technique to 3D print dielectric nanocomposites with improved dielectric property but also large-scale electronic device manufacturing possibility with freedom of design, low cost, and faster process.
Compiler-Assisted Code Randomization

Despite decades of research on software diversification, only address space layout randomization has seen widespread adoption. Code randomization, an effective defense against return-oriented programming exploits, has remained an academic exercise mainly due to i) the lack of a transparent and streamlined deployment model that does not disrupt existing software distribution norms, and ii) the inherent incompatibility of program variants with error reporting, whitelisting, patching, and other operations that rely on code uniformity. In this work we present compiler-assisted code randomization (CCR), a hybrid approach that relies on compiler–rewriter cooperation to enable fast and robust fine-grained code randomization on end-user systems, while maintaining compatibility with existing software distribution models. The main concept behind CCR is to augment binaries with a minimal set of transformation-assisting metadata, which i) facilitate rapid fine-grained code transformation at installation or load time, and ii) form the basis for reversing any applied code transformation when needed, to maintain compatibility with existing mechanisms that rely on referencing the original code. We have implemented a prototype of this approach by extending the LLVM compiler toolchain, and developing a simple binary rewriter that leverages the embedded metadata to generate randomized variants using basic block reordering. The results of our experimental evaluation demonstrate the feasibility and practicality of CCR, as on average it incurs a modest file size increase of 11.46% and a negligible runtime overhead of 0.28%, while it is compatible with link-time optimization and control flow integrity.
Personalized Menu Optimization with Preference Updater: A Boston Case Study:

This paper presents a personalized menu optimization model with preference updater in the context of an innovative Smart Mobility system that offers a personalized menu of travel options with incen...
Faith in Humanity: Philanthropists in the Colonial Clergy

The Catholic religieux promoted liberty and equality in revolutionary Saint-Domingue. Scholars have suggested that after the colonial government expelled the Jesuits for being sympathetic to slaves in 1763, other members of the Catholic religieux did not advocate for people of African descent. However, the Capuchin order, whose province extended over two-thirds of the island, was active before 1789 in promoting slave well-being and religious instruction. After the revolution erupted, the Capuchins first called for equal rights for free people of color and then emancipation. The humanitarianism of the colonial religious contributed to the development of an alliance with the revolutionaries, allowing the Catholic religieux to take an active part in the political and social upheaval during the Haitian Revolution.
The Pteromorphic Angelology of the Apocalypse of Abraham

In the Apocalypse of Abraham, a Jewish work composed in the early centuries of the Common Era, God invites Abraham on the celestial journey to receive heavenly and eschatological secrets. This chapter explores the anti-anthropomorphic features of the angelological developments in the Apocalypse of Abraham. One of the possible clues to understanding the mysteries of the text's angelology might lie in the rather cryptic conceptual developments surrounding the figure of Abraham's celestial guide, Yahoel. Another important feature in the text's angelology providing further support for the hypothesis about the pteromorphic, eagle-like body of Yahoel and for the general polemical tendency of the text against anthropomorphic portrayals of celestial beings is that the negative angelic protagonist in the text, the fallen angel Azazel-an impure bird. The anti-anthropomorphic thrust of the pseudepigraphon's angelology seems also to be reflected in the text's insistence on the invisibility of certain classes of angelic beings.Keywords: Apocalypse of Abraham; fallen angel Azazel; invisible angels; pteromorphic angelology; Yahoel
Conditions associated with rain field size for tropical cyclones landfalling over the Eastern United States

Abstract This study analyzes the relationships between the size of tropical cyclone (TC) rainfall fields and storm attributes and surrounding environmental conditions. A Geographic Information System analysis is employed to measure the area and averaged-quadrant extent of rain fields associated with 70 U.S. landfalling TCs as detected by satellites at a three-hour resolution during 1998–2015. Statistical models are developed to predict the area and extent of TC rainfall fields before and after landfall. The conditions examined include storm intensity, motion, storm location, total precipitable water (TPW), upper-tropospheric divergence, and deep-layer wind shear. The spatial pattern of the area and the quadrant-averaged extent exhibits large variability. The total area and rear extents are much larger over the southeastern Gulf, especially for the right-rear extent, which is approximately 300 km away from the center. As the area and rear extents quickly decay, rainfall in the forward quadrants can still extend farther than 200–300 km from the storm center during and after landfall. The average rainfall duration is 30 (22) hours on the right (left) side of the storm track. The statistical models reveal that TPW within 400 km of the storm center and upper-tropospheric divergence are the strongest predictors of both overall coverage and extent in all quadrants. A deep-layer vertical wind shear with a strong westerly component correlates well with a larger extent in the forward quadrants of the storm. Storm intensity has more influence on rainfall over the ocean, while the distance to the coastline has more influence over land.
Costs and values of nivolumab in second-line cancer.

e20629Background: Nivolumab (Nivo) has been approved in 2nd-line treatment of melanoma, squamous (sq) and non-sq- non-small cell-lung (NSCLC), renal cell, and sq-cell of head and neck (SCCHC). Our ...
AIR DISPERSION MODELLING FOR VEHICULAR EMISSION IN VADODARA CITY

Vehicular exhaust is one of the important sources of air pollution. As per study 70% air pollution caused by vehicular activity, in India. Vadodara city is a Tehsil, having more than 1.9 million populations. In last decades the vehicular density has dramatically increase, with the increase of populations. In this situation traffic is one of the big problems in this fast generation. Air pollutants from vehicle exhaust like HC, CO, NOx, and PM will cause lots of dieses in human being, like stroke, chronic pulmonary dieses, heart dieses, lung cancer, respiratory infection, etc. & in the city every year more than lacks of vehicles are registered in regional transportation office. This study involves estimation of the vehicular air pollutants in the city by doing traffic survey and air quality modelling using AERMOD (USEPA) software. The result of the study is Isopleths of the various pollutants, which represent the pollution level in the traffic zone and various area of city based on 24 hour maximum ground level concentration µg/m3 in ambient air quality of Vadodara city.
The interface of aging and the circadian clock

Abstract The circadian clock drives a number of internal processes and relies primarily on external environmental cues to align the master clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, responsible for temporal synchronization of peripheral oscillators in various organ systems. This review examines recent evidence for a bidirectional relationship between aging and the circadian system. Recent evidence shows that the aging process can have a direct influence on how the circadian network responds to external stimuli, including altered responsiveness of both central and peripheral oscillators to light stimuli or to changes in the light/dark cycle. Conversely, chronic irregular light/dark exposure can be a detriment to health downstream of the circadian network. Interactions between aging and circadian regulation of cognition, Alzheimer's disease, and metabolism are discussed.
Randomized Trial of 42-Day Compared with 9-Day Courses of Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Evolving Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Extremely Preterm Infants.

Objective To compare pulmonary and neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely preterm infants with evolving bronchopulmonary dysplasia treated with either a 42-day course of dexamethasone or 9-day course(s) of dexamethasone. Study design This was a prospective, randomized study in 59 infants ≤27 weeks of gestation born between October 2006 and December 2010, who at day 10-21 of life had ventilatory support with mean airway pressure ≥8 cm H2O and FiO2 ≥60%. Infants received dexamethasone 0.5 mg/k/day × 3 days followed by a slow taper (42-day group, n = 30) or dexamethasone 0.5 mg/k/day followed by a rapid taper (9-day group, n = 29). Infants in the 9-day group received additional 9-day courses if they again required entry support. The primary outcome was intact survival (normal neurologic examination, IQ >70, and functioning in school without supplemental educational support) at 7 years of age. Results The 42-day and 9-day groups were similar for mean gestational age (25 weeks) and all baseline characteristics. Nineteen of 29 infants (66%) in the 9-day group received only 1 course of dexamethasone; therefore, the total steroid dose for the 42-day group (7.56 mg/kg) was significantly greater than that for the 9-day group (4.04 mg/kg), P Conclusion A 42-day tapering course of dexamethasone in extremely preterm infants at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia decreased hospital morbidities and increased rate of survival without handicap compared with a treatment protocol that attempted to minimize steroid exposure.