cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluxless wafer-to-wafer bonding in vacuum using electroplated Sn-rich Sn-Ag dual-layer structure

We report a wafer-to-wafer bonding technique with solder as the bonding layer but without the use of any flux. This fluxless or flux-free feature makes void-free and uniform bonding layer possible. If flux were used as in the case of typical soldering processes, the flux or flux residues could be easily trapped in the joint, resulting in voids and uneven solder layer. Flux residues, if not completely removed, could also cause potential reliability problem. The bonding process is performed in a developed vacuum chamber to inhibit solder oxidation. To prevent oxidation during solder manufacturing, 20/spl mu/m of Sn is electroplated over the entire 2-inch silicon wafer, followed immediately by a thin capping layer of Ag. This outer Ag layer prevents the inner tin from oxidation when the wafer is removed from the plating bath and exposed to air. To evaluate the joint quality and study the microstructure and composition, scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) are used. The success of this development shows that it is indeed possible to bond entire wafers together with a thin metallic joint of high quality. This fluxless bonding technique can be extended to bonding wafers of different materials for new device and packaging applications.
CD4+ T Cells Promote the Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia

We postulated that the activation of proinflammatory signaling by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain USA300 is a major factor in the pathogenesis of severe pneumonia and a target for immunomodulation. Local activation of T cells in the lung was a conserved feature of multiple strains of S. aureus, in addition to USA300. The pattern of Vβ chain activation was consistent with known superantigens, but deletion of SelX or SEK and SEQ was not sufficient to prevent T-cell activation, indicating the participation of multiple genes. Using Rag2(-/-), Cd4(-/-), and Cd28(-/-) mice, we observed significantly improved clearance of MRSA from the airways and decreased lung pathology, compared with findings for wild-type controls. The improved outcome correlated with decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, KC, interleukin 6, and interleukin 1β). Our data suggest that T-cell-mediated hypercytokinemia induced by infection with MRSA strain USA300 contributes to pathogenesis and may be a therapeutic target for improving outcomes of this common infection in a clinical setting.
Design of the steering controller of a supertanker using linear quadratic control theory: A feasibility study

Linear quadratic (LQ) optimal control theory is applied to the design of the steering controller of a supertanker. A form of performance criterion commonly thought to be representative of propulsion losses related to steering is used as a basis for the design of controllers for course-keeping in the open-seas, for the ship in the full-load and ballast conditions at normal operating speed. The dynamics of the system are based on the use of locally linear models of the ship/steering system around an operating condition, deriving from hydrodynamic data from scale model tests. The effect of variation of the relative weightings in the performance criterion on controller performance when subjected to the seaway environment is examined using sensitivity analyses and simulation studies. The results suggest that it is possible to effect substantial propulsion savings without sacrifice in controllability using LQ techniques. It appears that linear regulator design offers a strong option to existing autopilots and more recently proposed adaptive control systems for ships of this type.
The effect of temperature on mitochondria in liver cells of fish

Fundulus and goldfish were subjected to varying degrees of temperature from 0° to 60°C. Heat rigor and lethal temperatures (37° to 40°C.) cause mitochondria to vesiculate, fragment, globulate and dissolve. The Golgi apparatus becomes swollen, breaks into small dictyosomes which migrate to the peripheral cytoplasm, and dissolves. Osmicated fat increases in amount. The vacuoles (vacuome) increase in number. Evidence is presented to show that dissolution of mitochondria takes place by three distinct methods; namely, (1) vesiculation, (2) fragmentation, (3) globulation. The mixochondriome hypothesis is proposed. This is based on the idea that the mitochondria differ in their chemical constitution, an idea which is supported by the fact that each kind of mitochondrion shows a characteristic manner of dissolution. It is believed that the semi-lunar vesicles of goldfish liver cells are not of mitochondrial origin, and that they and the Golgi apparatus are concerned in fat formation.
The ASCO Quality Training Program: Designing and Implementing a Medical Specialty Society-Based Quality Improvement Training Program

The mission of ASCO”s Quality Training Program is “to teach oncology providers to engage in successful quality improvement activities in their practice settings and to train oncologists to assume quality leadership positions and champion quality initiatives.”
Dual Trajectories of Gang Affiliation and Delinquent Peer Association During Adolescence: An Examination of Long-Term Offending Outcomes

Prior research has demonstrated that both adolescent gang affiliation and perceived delinquent peer association are important predictors of individual offending. A crucial question is whether and how youth gang affiliation contributes to a spectrum of criminal acts above and beyond the influence of associating with delinquent peers. Using 14 waves of data from the Rochester Youth Developmental Study, an ongoing longitudinal panel study aimed at understanding the causes and consequences of delinquency and drug use in an urban sample of adolescents, the current study employs a relatively new modeling technique-dual trajectory analysis-to illustrate the dynamic relationship between these two measures among 666 male youth. The results suggest that the two measures, while overlapping, may constitute distinct concepts that operate in different ways. The most convincing evidence of gang effects, above and beyond the influence of perceived peer delinquency, is for violent behavior and by extension police arrest. Our findings contribute to developmental research and provide information that informs future gang control efforts.
Grades of Explanation in Cognitive Science

I sketch an explanatory framework that fits a variety of contemporary research programs in cognitive science. I then investigate the scope and the implications of this framework. The framework emphasizes (a) the explanatory role played by the semantic content of cognitive representations, and (b) the important “mechanistic”, non-intentional dimension of cognitive explanations. I show how both of these features are present simultaneously in certain varieties of cognitive explanation. I also consider the explanatory role played by grounded representational content, that is, content evaluated by appeal to its truth, falsity, accuracy, inaccuracy and other relational properties.
World literature, postcolonial studies, and coolie odysseys: J.-M.G. le Clézio's and Amitav Ghosh's Indian ocean novels

Comparative Literature FRANCOISE LIONNET World Literature, Postcolonial Studies, and Coolie Odysseys: J.-M.G. Le Clezio’s and Amitav Ghosh’s Indian Ocean Novels How are we to conceive of, precisely, a world where we only find a globe, an astral universe, or an earth without a sky (or to cite Rimbaud and reversing him, a sea without a sun)? The unity of a world is not one: it is made of diversity, including disparity and opposition. . . . The unity of a world is nothing other than its diversity, and its diversity is, in turn, a diversity of worlds. A world is a multiplicity of worlds, the world is a multiplicity of worlds, and its unity is the sharing out [partage] and the mutual exposure in this world of all its worlds. —Jean-Luc Nancy, The Creation of the World or Globalization 47, 109 Celui qui connait bien le ciel ne peut rien craindre de la mer (He who knows the sky has nothing to fear from the sea, 40; trans. modified) —Le Clezio, Le chercheur d’or 48 It was impossible to think of this as water at all — ​for water surely needed a boundary, a rim, a shore, to give it shape and hold it in place? This was a firmament, like the night sky, holding the vessel aloft as if it were a planet or a star. —Amitav Ghosh, Sea of Poppies 363 I N THE INDIAN OCEAN, an ancient region of multipolar exchanges, bound- aries are always being blurred. Landmasses dissolve into archipelagoes. Rivers flow into saltwater marshes. Islands are hyphens between continents, and identi- ties are not what they seem. Africa meets Asia across the Arabian Sea. Europe and the Middle East come down the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to the Seychelles and the Mascarenes. The labyrinth of the Sundarbans forms the seaward fringe of the Ganges. Currents in the Bay of Bengal link the Subcontinent to Indonesia, Comparative Literature 67:3 DOI 10.1215/00104124-3137225 © 2015 by University of Oregon Published by Duke University Press
The use and development of physical simulators

This paper describes the development and use of a physical simulator involving a single server queuing process. The process simulated is analogous to the marking of pallet loads going into an AR/RS warehouse. The physical simulation process will be compared to a digital model using GASP IV. The objective of the study is to expose students to problems of real world data collection and control methods as well as teach principles of simulation.
"A True Human Interaction": Comparison of Family Caregiver and Hospice Nurse Perspectives On Needs of Family Hospice Caregivers.

Context Home hospice providers are concerned with family caregiver perceptions about the quality of care and support offered. More research is needed to understand experiences of family caregivers and what "support" means to these family members. Objective We compared perceptions of caregiver needs from the family caregiver and the nurse case manager. Methods Former family caregivers and hospice nurses participated in focus groups. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, inductively coded and qualitatively analyzed to describe patterns and themes. Results Both groups described information, honesty, trust, respect, and control as important to caregivers feeling supported, and to the development of positive relationships between hospice and family. Caregivers and nurses, however, talked about the concepts of caregiver needs, relationship building, and effective support differently, which suggested two themes that captured these contrasts while highlighting the importance of relationship-building to both groups: "Breaking it down to build it up" and "Doing to, doing for, doing with". Conclusion Caregivers and nurses cited similar elements necessary for successful relationships between caregivers and the hospice team, but how they described them differed and these differences shape perceptions of support. Greater understanding of similarities and differences could inform and improve training and education programs for hospice teams.
SINGLE- AND MULTIPLE-LOCUS GENOTYPES AND LIFE-HISTORY RESPONSES OF GAMBUSIA HOLBROOKI REARED AT TWO TEMPERATURES.

Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) were reared from birth to 10 wk of age at 25°C and 32°C. Relationships of growth, time to maturity, and developmental stability to isozyme genotype were used to examine the hypothesis that more heterozygous individuals should exhibit superior performances, especially under thermally stressful (32°C) conditions. More heterozygous fish grew faster than homozygous individuals, especially at 32°C. Significant differences in time to maturity were detected among allozyme genotypes but not with heterozygosity. Multiple-locus heterozygosity was negatively related to fluctuating asymmetry. Thus, life-history traits were affected by both multiple-locus heterozygosity and single-locus genotype.
The Platform-Independent Aircraft Simulation Environment at Manned Flight Simulator

The Manned Flight Simulator (MFS) was created to provide high fidelity simulation capability and support for the Navy's fleet of aircraft. The facility contains five simulation stations, which share a common interface to the computer networks, visual image generators and actual aircraft flight hardware. Any cockpit at MFS can be used in these simulation stations using a "roll-in, roll-out" concept to easily transfer a cockpit from one simulation station to the next. With this interface, a simulation executive was required to run the multiple simulations at any simulation station. The Controls Analysis and Simulation Test Loop Environment (CASTLE) was developed to meet this requirement. Since this initial requirement, CASTLE has greatly expanded and includes many tools for use during a real-time piloted session or for desktop development and analysis use. With new development, popularity and increased performance of computers, CASTLE now operates on a variety of platforms and operating systems using the same source code and graphical user interface (GUI). These operating systems include SGI-UNIX, HP-UX, DEC VMS and Windows95/NT. Background
The meaning and importance of employment to people in recovery from serious mental illness: results of a qualitative study.

Objective Given the high rates of unemployment and underemployment among individuals with psychiatric disabilities, only a small number of studies have investigated the role work has in the lives of people who have been successful vocationally during their recovery from serious mental illness. This study sought to add to existing literature by determining how individuals perceive work and its effect on their recovery. Methods We purposefully recruited self-referred participants at moderate to advanced levels of recovery and qualitatively analyzed semi-structured interviews conducted with 23 individuals to identify themes related to work in the context of recovery from serious mental illness. Results Participants described myriad positive benefits associated with paid employment, which conceptually fell across two main domains: work has personal meaning and work promotes recovery. Participants discussed the ways in which work fostered pride and self-esteem, offered financial benefits, provided coping strategies for psychiatric symptoms, and ultimately facilitated the process of recovery. Participants also discussed the importance and benefits associated with working in a helper-role and as consumer providers. Conclusions Overall, individuals reported that employment conferred significant benefits in their process of recovery from mental illness and that work played a central role in their lives and identities. The themes from this study should be considered when developing employment or other recovery-oriented programs for people with serious mental illness.
Intraoperative sonographic localization of breast masses: success with specimen sonography and surgical bed sonography to confirm excision.

Objective. To assess the use of intraoperative sonography for localization of breast masses at excisional biopsy, with specimen and surgical bed sonography to confirm excision. Methods. A computer search of the 5-year period from January 1993 through January 1998 revealed 138 consecutive women referred for sonographically guided excisional biopsy of 148 masses; 35 masses were excluded because they had no postoperative mammograms. One hundred thirteen masses constituted the study group. Specimen sonography (n = 60) or surgical bed sonography (n = 53) was performed as the initial evaluation to confirm excision, but ultimately, surgical bed sonography may have been necessary after specimen sonography, and specimen sonography may have been necessary after surgical bed sonography. The miss rates determined by postoperative imaging were calculated for each group and compared with those of mammographically guided needle localization series from the literature. Results. Follow-up physical examination and mammography showed no residual mass in the region of surgery in any patient. However, follow-up sonography had 1 miss in the initial specimen sonogram group (1 [1.7%] of 60) and 1 miss in the initial surgical bed group (1 [1.9%] of 53). As shown by the Fisher exact test, there was no significant difference between the miss rates of the 2 initial methods of confirming lesion excision or between the miss rates of these initial methods, both groups combined, and 6 mammographic localization series from the literature. Conclusion. Intraoperative breast sonography, using specimen sonography and scanning the surgical bed, has miss rates comparable with those of mammographic needle localization. Follow-up sonography must be performed if there is any doubt of complete excision.
Study on soliton source based on regeneratively mode -locked fiber laser (RMLFL)

The start process and stable operation condition of regeneratively mode - locked fiber laser (RM-LFL) are discussed. We present and test the method of introducing polarization stable mechanism to improve system stability other than using polarization maintaining fibers ( PMF) , which is achieved by coiling the fiber round a small radius plate.
How Local Elections Can Transform National Politics: Evidence from Mozambique

We examine the impact of elected local government on national politics, a subject that has been largely neglected in the decentralization literature. We theorize that the creation of locally elected government has the potential to alter contestation at the national level. It can do so, we argue, in four ways: (i) by incentivizing more democratic structures within existing national parties, (ii) by leading to the creation of new parties with more local power bases, (iii) by helping shift political discourse toward “bread and butter” governance issues, and (iv) by encouraging cooperation among parties that must now share power. A preliminary, fieldwork-based test of the theory in Mozambique provides support for the first three of our arguments. If these effects appear in other cases, they have the potential to transform our understanding of how decentralization influences political outcomes, showing that its potential impact extends far beyond the local level.
Looking Beyond the Pieces: An Interdisciplinary, Intergenerational, Cultural Project, Resulting in Artistic, Visually-Rich Quilts

AbstractCultural heritage ami art were integrated with various curricular topics to teach children about art, women, culture, community, intergenerational sharing, and various school and life skills. As a result. 22 children, ages 3 through 9,designed and createdfriendship quilts. Throughout the protest the children worked together in a meaningful way, and were encouraged to investigate, question, and Itmk at things creatively. Clearly, the children exercised their cognitive skills in a way that challenged their visual, intellectual, and affective thinking. This in turn, carried over into artistic self expression and through cooperative efforts, each child created a uniquely personal and visually rich, keepsake quilt.
A virtual reality-based system for hand diagnosis and rehabilitation

This article describes a new and unified approach to computerized hand diagnosis and rehabilitation. The system uses a workstation to automate diagnosis data collection and analysis and to assess the rehabilitation progress. A new diagnosis glove was developed and tested. This device measures grasping forces applied to 16 regions of the hand. A physician using this system can also utilize modern diagnosis devices such as electronic dynamometer, pinchmeter, and goniometer. Additionally, three VR rehabilitation exercises were created using WorldToolKit graphics library and run on the same workstation. These exercises were modeled after standard hand rehabilitation procedures and involve manipulation of virtual objects and transparent real-time data gathering. Grasping forces were modeled and fed back using the Rutgers Master worn on the patient's hand. An Oracle database was used to store, analyze, and integrate the patient's diagnosis and rehabilitation data. The system is presently undergoing clinical trials.
Effects of a Contextualized Instructional Package on the Mathematics Performance of Secondary Students with EBD

This article describes a single-subject study of the effects of a contextualized instructional package on the area and perimeter performance of middle school students with emotional and behavioral ...
Humanism, Biocentrism, and the Problem of Justification

Curren and Metzger’s work makes a bold, normative claim: The moral goal of sustainability is human flourishing. Their eudaimonic theory has as its summum bonum ‘living well’ according to the fundam...
Psychological strategies of Veterans and service members who participate in organized sports

Introduction: The study sought to examine the performance strategies of wounded, ill, and injured service members and Veterans who participate in the Warrior Games. Methods: The Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) was completed by 23 men and 5 women participants on the first and last days of the Warrior Games. The participants were separated into 2 groups: those who had participated in organized sporting events for more than 1 year (experienced; n=14) and those who had less than 1 year of experience (novice; n=14). A mixed-model ANOVA was used to assess pre–post changes and the effect of experience on total TOPS scores. Results: Overall participation in the Warrior Games did not change the performance strategies used by the participants. However, experienced participants had higher post-competition sub-scale scores than novice participants in the categories of self-talk, goal setting, and activation (p<0.05). Discussion: While participation in a single Warrior Games event did not appear to change partic...
The People Periodic Table: A Framework for Engaging Introductory Chemistry Students

Understanding the organizational framework and predictive powers of the periodic table is paramount in preparing students for success in chemistry. An interactive classroom activity was developed to engage students as they analyzed and evaluated the repeating trends in physical and chemical properties of elements displayed on the periodic table. This activity transforms the class into a “representative” periodic table, with each student portraying a unique element as they analyze their relation to their elemental neighbors, evaluate statements regarding their periodic peers, and explore of the power of periodicity present within the periodic table. Prior to this activity, the students correctly answered just over 10% of the questions asking them to evaluate periodic trends, while after the activity the students correctly answered over 50% of the questions covering the same content. Student feedback was positive and highlighted the interactive and engaging qualities of the activity. The People Periodic Tab...
Schröder, Cayley and Newton’s Method

The body of work on the iteration of complex analytic functions which culminated in the major studies of Fatou and Julia has its origins in two detailed examinations of Newton’s method. The first was a remarkable paper by the German mathematician Ernst Schroder (1841–1902), published in two parts in 1870 and 1871, and the second, written by the British mathematician Arthur Cayley (1821–1895), appeared in 1879.
Structure-activity relationship for nucleoside analogs as inhibitors or substrates of adenosine kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. I. Modifications to the adenine moiety.

Abstract Adenosine kinase (Ado kinase, EC 2.7.1.20) is a purine salvage enzyme that phosphorylates adenosine (Ado) to AMP. Ado kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis also catalyzes an essential step in the conversion of 2-methyl-Ado to a compound with selective antimycobacterial activity. In order to aid in the design of more potent and selective Ado analogs, eighty nucleoside analogs with modifications to the adenine (Ade) moiety of Ado were evaluated as both substrates and inhibitors of Ado kinase from M. tuberculosis, and a subset was further tested with human Ado kinase for the sake of comparison. The best substrates were 2-aza-Ado, 8-aza-9-deaza-Ado, and 2-fluoro-Ado and the most potent inhibitors were N1-benzyl-Ado (Ki = 0.19 μM), 2-fluoro-Ado (Ki = 0.5 μM), 6-cyclopentyloxy-purine riboside (Ki = 0.15 μM), and 7-iodo-7-deaza-Ado (Ki = 0.21 μM). These studies revealed the presence of a hydrophobic pocket near the N6- and N1-positions that can accommodate substitutions at least as large as a benzyl group. The ability to fit into this pocket increased the likelihood that a compound would be an inhibitor and not a substrate. The 2-position was able to accommodate exocyclic substitutions as large as a methoxy group, although substrate activity was low. Similarly, the 7-position could bind an exocyclic group as large as a carboxamido moiety. However, all of the compounds tested with modifications at the 7-position were much better inhibitors than substrates. MIC studies performed with selected compounds have yielded several Ado analogs with promising antitubercular activity. Future studies will utilize this information for the design of new analogs that may be selective antitubercular agents.
Hot-Tub Folliculitis

Hot-tub folliculitis is also known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) folliculitis. It is characterized by pruritic maculopapular and pustular lesions that have follicular accentuation and can manifest anywhere from 1 to 4 days after bathing in a hot tub, whirlpool, or public swimming pool [1–6]. Hot-tub folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles that occurs after coming into contact the bacteria P. aeruginosa, which thrives in a warm, wet environment. Diving suits have also been implicated in causing this form of folliculitis as the suits themselves have the potential to become colonized with P. aeruginosa [7].
De novo human genome assemblies reveal spectrum of alternative haplotypes in diverse populations

The human reference genome is used extensively in modern biological research. However, a single consensus representation is inadequate to provide a universal reference structure because it is a haplotype among many in the human population. Using 10× Genomics (10×G) "Linked-Read" technology, we perform whole genome sequencing (WGS) and de novo assembly on 17 individuals across five populations. We identify 1842 breakpoint-resolved non-reference unique insertions (NUIs) that, in aggregate, add up to 2.1 Mb of so far undescribed genomic content. Among these, 64% are considered ancestral to humans since they are found in non-human primate genomes. Furthermore, 37% of the NUIs can be found in the human transcriptome and 14% likely arose from Alu-recombination-mediated deletion. Our results underline the need of a set of human reference genomes that includes a comprehensive list of alternative haplotypes to depict the complete spectrum of genetic diversity across populations.
Electron decoupling with cross polarization and dynamic nuclear polarization below 6 K.

Abstract Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) can improve nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensitivity by orders of magnitude. Polarizing agents containing unpaired electrons required for DNP can broaden nuclear resonances in the presence of appreciable hyperfine couplings. Here we present the first cross polarization experiments implemented with electron decoupling, which attenuates detrimental hyperfine couplings. We also demonstrate magic angle spinning (MAS) DNP experiments below 6 K, producing unprecedented nuclear spin polarization in rotating solids. 13C correlation spectra were collected with MAS DNP below 6 K for the first time. Polarization build-up times with MAS DNP (T1DNP, 1H) of urea in a frozen glassy matrix below 6 K were measured for both the solid effect and the cross effect. Trityl radicals exhibit a T1DNP (1H) of 18.7 s and the T1DNP (1H) of samples doped with 20 mM AMUPol is only 1.3 s. MAS below 6 K with DNP and electron decoupling is an effective strategy to increase NMR signal-to-noise ratios per transient while retaining short polarization periods.
Highlighting edTPA Academic Language in Physical Education

The purpose of this article is to highlight the components of edTPA's academic language requirement, and specifically how that language is used in physical education. Examples of academic language ...
Repair of upper-GI fistulas and anastomotic leakage by the use of endoluminal vacuum-assisted closure.

Background and Aims GI perforations, leaks, and fistulas are types of full-thickness mural defects that frequently occur as adverse events from GI surgeries such as esophagectomy for malignancy and bariatric surgery. Historically, treatment has entailed a combination of reoperation, percutaneous drainage, and bowel rest. Recently, there has been a changing paradigm in the management of these defects. Endoscopic interventions, including endoclipping and placement of self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs), have been increasingly used with good success. Despite this, some defects remain refractory to these techniques. Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (EVAC) is a new, promising endoscopic approach to repairing these defects. EVAC works through applying continuous, controlled negative pressure at the defect with the use of an endoscopically placed polyurethane sponge connected to an electronic vacuum device. EVAC has been shown to be feasible, safe, and effective. Methods We present a video series of 3 cases demonstrating the successful application of EVAC for the treatment of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy and of fistula formation after bariatric surgery. Results Two patients experienced anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy for esophageal adenocarcinoma, and 1 patient experienced a chronic gastric fistula after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The gastric bypass patient’s fistula failed to resolve with over-the-scope-clip placement, and all 3 patients’ defects did not heal despite SEMS placement; therefore, EVAC was performed. The bariatric surgery patient required 9 sponge exchanges over 35 days, and the 2 esophagectomy patients each required 3 sponge exchanges over 13 days. All 3 patients had resolution of their defects with EVAC. No adverse events occurred, and all patients have had no recurrence for several months. Conclusions These cases help to highlight the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of EVAC for the closure of full-thickness GI defects. On the basis of our experience, the use of EVAC should be considered for these complex and refractory cases.
Loss of Endothelial Laminin α5 Exacerbates Hemorrhagic Brain Injury

Endothelial cells make laminin-411 and laminin-511. Although laminin-411 is well studied, the role of laminin-511 remains largely unknown due to the embryonic lethality of lama5-/- mutants. In this study, we generated endothelium-specific lama5 conditional knockout (α5-TKO) mice and investigated the biological functions of endothelial lama5 in blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintenance under homeostatic conditions and the pathogenesis of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). First, the BBB integrity of α5-TKO mice was measured under homeostatic conditions. Next, ICH was induced in α5-TKO mice and their littermate controls using the collagenase model. Various parameters, including injury volume, neuronal death, neurological score, brain edema, BBB integrity, inflammatory cell infiltration, and gliosis, were examined at various time points after injury. Under homeostatic conditions, comparable levels of IgG or exogenous tracers were detected in α5-TKO and control mice. Additionally, no differences in tight junction expression, pericyte coverage, and astrocyte polarity were found in these mice. After ICH, α5-TKO mice displayed enlarged injury volume, increased neuronal death, elevated BBB permeability, exacerbated infiltration of inflammatory cells (leukocytes, neutrophils, and mononuclear cells), aggravated gliosis, unchanged brain edema, and worse neurological function, compared to the controls. These findings suggest that endothelial lama5 is dispensable for BBB maintenance under homeostatic conditions but plays a beneficial role in ICH.
Effects of water network dependency on the electric network for post-earthquake fire suppression

This article provides insights to the community-level evaluation of post-earthquake fire suppression capability considering the performance of a water network and its dependence on the electric net...
DLA-PUF: deep learning attacks on hardware security primitives

Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) act as functions encoded in hardware, which produce a unique output, being referred to as a response, for a specific input, being called a challenge. PUFs provide a varying level of security, and can, therefore, be used in different applications, depending on the number of their available inputoutput pairs, which are referred to as Challenge-Response Pairs (CRPs). For example, a PUF with only a single challenge-response pair can be used for identification, while a PUF with multiple CRPs can be used to provide multiple different session keys for authentication.1, 2 In the first case, the response needs to be secret, while, in the second one, responses can be also used without any secrecy, as long as the related CRPs are not used again. Generally, PUFs are vulnerable to modeling and machine learning attacks. In this paper we investigate and show the resiliency of DRAM-based PUFs against Machine Learning (Naive Bayes (NB), Logistic Regression (LR) and Support Vector machine (SVM)) and also Deep Learning (in particular convolutional neural network (CNN) attacks. We are the first to provide a detailed analysis of on-board DRAM startup values for the purpose of generating unique IDs and their vulnerabilities to attacks. We performed our experiments on the Digilent Atlys board (Xilinx Spartan 6 FPGA); using the on-board DRAM memories (MIRA P3R1GE3EGF G8E DDR2). Our results indicates that the 3 startup value-based DRAM PUFs (DRAM1, DRAM2, and DRAM3) are robust against machine learning attacks.
Hospital Performance in the First Six Years of Medicare's Value Based Purchasing Program

The Medicare Value Based Purchasing (VBP) program, ongoing since 2013, uses the promise of financial bonuses and penalties to incentivize hospital quality improvements. Although previous research, ...
Self-service media: Public radio personalities, reality podcasting, and entrepreneurial culture

This paper analyzes the initial seasons of two reality podcasts, Gimlet Media’s StartUp and Stable Genius’ ZigZag in relation to neoliberalism and entrepreneurialism of the self. It demonstrates ho...
Nuclear Transit and HIV LTR Binding of NF-κB Subunits Held by IκB Proteins: Implications for HIV-1 Activation.

No effective therapy to eliminate the HIV latently infected cell reservoir has been developed. One approach, "shock and kill", employs agents that activate HIV, subsequently killing the activated infected cells and/or virus. Shock and kill requires agents that safely and effectively activate HIV. One class of activation agents works through classical NF-κB pathways, but global NF-κB activators are non-specific and toxic. There exist two major IκBs: IκBα, and IκBe, which hold activating NF-κB subunits in the cytoplasm, releasing them for nuclear transit upon cell stimulation. IκBα was considered the main IκB responsible for gene expression regulation, including HIV activation. IκBe is expressed in cells constituting much of the latent HIV reservoir, and IκBe knockout mice have a minimal phenotype, suggesting that IκBe could be a valuable target for HIV activation and reservoir depletion. We previously showed that targeting IκBe yields substantial increases in HIV expression. Here, we show that IκBe holds c-Rel and p65 activating NF-κB subunits in the cytoplasm, and that targeting IκBe with siRNA produces a strong increase in HIV expression associated with enhanced c-Rel and p65 transit to the nucleus and binding to the HIV LTR of the activating NF-κBs, demonstrating a mechanism through which targeting IκBe increases HIV expression. The findings suggest that it may be helpful to develop HIV activation approaches, acting specifically to target IκBe and its interactions with the NF-κBs.
Fertilizer placement effects on eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) growth and competition with container-grown ornamentals

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fertilizer placement on the growth of eclipta [Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.] and evaluate its interference with container-grown ornamental plants, including Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla Siebold & Zucc.) and ligustrum (Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton). Results indicated that subdressing reduced E. prostrata shoot weight by 28%, 42%, and 46% at depths of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 cm, respectively, in comparison with a topdressed fertilizer treatment (a standard industry practice). Presence of E. prostrata reduced the growth of both ornamental species. Ligustrum shoot weight decreased as subdressing depth increased, while boxwood growth was most notably reduced at the 7.5-cm depth in comparison with topdressed containers. Overall, results indicated that subdressing may be an effective weed management strategy, but subdressing depth needs to be based on initial liner size to prevent possibly delays in production time.
An Evidence-Based Guide for Medical Students: How to Optimize the Use of Expanded-Retrieval Platforms.

Recommendations have been made for improving medical education based on the available evidence regarding learning. Traditional learning methods in medical education (e.g. reading from textbooks) do not ensure long-term retention. However, expanded-retrieval studying methods have been shown to improve studying efficiency. Using evidence-based practices to optimize an expanded-retrieval platform has the potential to greatly benefit knowledge acquisition and retention for medical students. This literature review was conducted to identify the best practices of expanded-retrieval platforms. Themes within learning that promote knowledge gain and retention include presentation of related categorical information, schema formation, dual-coding, concrete examples, elaboration, changes in text appearance, and interleaving. Presentation of related categorical material together may mitigate retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). Spaced retrieval helps to reinforce schema formation by solidifying the framework the individual students form when learning the material. Dual-coding improves learning by creating more neural pathways. Multiple concrete examples can be compared by students to see their respective differences, highlighting the true underlying principle. Variation in text appearance is most useful during the initial, short-term inter-study intervals. Interleaving is a theme where different topics are combined in the same study session and is unpopular with students but shown to be successful. Students' subjective competency ratings of new material are largely inaccurate. More in-depth processing and learning methods that give off a sense of lower competency are actually associated with improved long-term retention. Expanded-retrieval platforms should utilize these evidence-based components of learning to increase knowledge gain and retention within all fields of medical education.
Transformer-based Broadband mm-Wave InP PA across 42-62 GHz with Enhanced Linearity and Second Harmonic Engineering

InP HBTs with $f_{max}$ crossing 600 GHz can enable high-efficiency and broadband power amplifiers at mm-Wave frequencies for applications in communication, sensing and imaging. InP PA design has traditionally relied on a classical microwave approach with transmission-line based impedance matching and power combining. On the other hand, silicon-based PAs, at RF and mm-Wave frequencies, have evolved tremendously over the last two decades, employing passive transformer and inductor-based impedance matching and power combining, allowing such topologies to be compact and efficient. In this paper, we present for the first time InP topologies incorporating the following 1) efficient and compact transformer-based power combining, 2) linearity enhancement technique to reduce AM-PM distortion and 3) second harmonic load pull impedance exploiting the common mode impedance synthesis at the transformer. This work presents a transformer-based push-pull InP power amplifier in 0.25 µm technology across 42–62 GHz demonstrating a peak PAE of 39.5% and peak P sat of 20.6 dBm. The PA supports QPSK signals with 4 GHz bandwidth (data rate of 8 Gb/s) at 55 GHz with superior linearity and adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of -31.84 dBc. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this work presents one of the highest efficiency and highest linearity mmWave PAs in InP technology.
An Autonomous Approach to Measure Social Distances and Hygienic Practices during COVID-19 Pandemic in Public Open Spaces.

Coronavirus has been spreading around the world since the end of 2019. The virus can cause acute respiratory syndrome, which can be lethal, and is easily transmitted between hosts. Most states have issued state-at-home executive orders, however, parks and other public open spaces have largely remained open and are seeing sharp increases in public use. Therefore, in order to ensure public safety, it is imperative for patrons of public open spaces to practice safe hygiene and take preventative measures. This work provides a scalable sensing approach to detect physical activities within public open spaces and monitor adherence to social distancing guidelines suggested by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A deep learning-based computer vision sensing framework is designed to investigate the careful and proper utilization of parks and park facilities with hard surfaces (e.g. benches, fence poles, and trash cans) using video feeds from a pre-installed surveillance camera network. The sensing framework consists of a CNN-based object detector, a multi-target tracker, a mapping module, and a group reasoning module. The experiments are carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and May 2020 across several key locations at the Detroit Riverfront Parks in Detroit, Michigan. The sensing framework is validated by comparing automatic sensing results with manually labeled ground-truth results. The proposed approach significantly improves the efficiency of providing spatial and temporal statistics of users in public open spaces by creating straightforward data visualizations for federal and state agencies. The results can also provide on-time triggering information for an alarming or actuator system which can later be added to intervene inappropriate behavior during this pandemic.
Patterns of testosterone in male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): Seasonal and lifetime variation.

Testosterone is strongly associated with the annual development of antlers in cervids, but endocrine research on wild, freely breeding ungulates is often done without repeated capture of known-aged individuals. As a result, our knowledge on how testosterone fluctuates over the course of a lifetime and variation in lifetime patterns among individuals is limited. We investigated patterns of testosterone in a freely breeding population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Alabama, USA, that breeds in January. Testosterone peaked during the height of the breeding season, despite this period occurring approximately 2 months later than in most temperate-region white-tailed deer populations. Age-related differences in testosterone were only prevalent during the breeding season, with bucks ≥3.5 years old having greater testosterone (853 ng/dl ± 96 SE; p = 0.012) than bucks 1.5-2.5 years old (364 ng/dl ± 100 SE). Additionally, an individual's testosterone level as a yearling was not positively associated with their lifetime maximum testosterone level (p = 0.583), and an individual's mean testosterone level was positively associated with lifetime testosterone variation (p < 0.001). To our knowledge, our study is one of the first to assess how testosterone early in life might relate to individual testosterone later in life. We believe these data provide insight into lifetime hormonal patterns in cervids, and that these patterns may indicate intraspecific variation of lifetime reproductive strategies.
An evaluation of tri-valent oxide (Cr2O3) as a grain enlarging dopant for UO2 nuclear fuels fabricated under reducing environment

Abstract A study was performed to evaluate the microstructure and crystallography of nominally 500–2000 Cr2O3-doped UO2 fabricated in a temperature range of 1150–1750°C under reducing experimental conditions. An increase in grain size of the samples was observed with the increase in heat treating temperature as expected. For a given sintering temperature (1700–1750°C), an increase in the grain size was also observed with the increase in Cr2O3 concentration up to a value of ~1000–1200 wppm. A decrease in fission gas release as a function of grain size was estimated for the Cr2O3-doped UO2 samples assuming specified post-irradiation annealing conditions. A nearly linear decrease was obtained in the lattice parameter of the Cr2O3-doped UO2 fcc phase with the increase in Cr2O3 concentration, especially up to a nominal value of 1000 wppm. The lattice parameter decrease was also persistent with the increase in the average grain size as a result of addition of Cr2O3 into the UO2 lattice. An increase in the crystallite size and a decrease in the microstrain of the fcc phase were observed with the increase in the average grain size of the samples, indicating a higher crystallinity of the Cr2O3-doped samples than that of the undoped UO2 sample.
Exponential contraction of switching jump diffusions with a hidden Markov chain

Abstract This paper is concerned with the exponential contraction of Markovian switching jump diffusions that involve a partially observed Markov chain. For such partially observed problems, we use a Wonham filter to estimate the Markov chain from the observable evolution of the given process, and convert the original system to a completely observable one. We then establish sufficient conditions of feedback controls for exponential contraction in mean square and almost sure exponential contraction.
Helical CT of Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis

It is generally accepted that computed tomography (CT) is the best single imaging modality for the initial evaluation of patients with acute pancreatitis. It can accurately detect the disease, depict complications, assess or stage severity, and guide interventional techniques (Balthazar et al. 1994). The exact role of CT in chronic pancreatitis is less well defined, and competing modalities of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and transabdominal and endoscopic sonography also are considered to be important modalities both for diagnosis of the disease and for detection of complications, morphologic staging, and precise definition of ductal anatomy.
Parties and Electoral Performance in the Market for Political Consultants

We investigate whether the hiring relationships of candidates and political consulting firms better resembles the predictions of the “adversarial” or “allied” models of consultant-party interaction. We find that the highest-quality consultants are not allocated to the most competitive races, consultant-candidate relationships persist even as candidates' electoral prospects change, and firms who work for challengers face a higher risk of market exit than firms working for incumbents. The market focuses entirely on win-loss records and ignores the information on consultant performance available in candidates' vote shares. These findings depict a market driven by individual candidate, rather than aggregate party, goals.