cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Online statistical process control with NDE and computers

It is shown that, for statistical process control (SPC) using ultrasonic instruments for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) directly interfaced with a computer, a variable in every part can be measured at production line speeds and used in groups, typically of five, to generate points for control charts. The process control computer can then analyze the control chart (held in its memory and updated in real-time) to indicate out-of-control conditions. An indication can be produced in the time to manufacture from 5 to 40 parts, not in hours as with manual SPC. The computerized speed cannot be used directly because the statistics of control charts yields Type I errors (calling good production bad) of 1% probability per control chart point. However, an algorithm has been developed yielding an error probability of three parts in 100000. The algorithm is based on a Monte Carlo study of the statistics of control chart run rules. The Monte Carlo simulation is presented. >
Evaporative cooling of unitary Fermi gas mixtures in optical traps

We measure the scaling laws for the number of atoms and the cloud size as a function of trap depth for evaporative cooling of a unitary Fermi gas in an optical trap. A unitary Fermi gas comprises a trapped mixture of atoms in two hyperfine states which is tuned to a collisional (Feshbach) resonance using a bias magnetic field. Near resonance, the zero energy s-wave scattering length diverges, and the s-wave scattering cross-section is limited by unitarity to be 4?/k2, where k is the relative wavevector of the colliding particles. In this case, the collision cross-section for evaporation scales inversely with the trap depth, enabling runaway evaporation under certain conditions. We demonstrate high evaporation efficiency, which is achieved by maintaining a high ratio ? of trap depth to thermal energy as the trap depth is lowered. We derive and demonstrate a trap lowering curve which maintains ? constant for a unitary gas. This evaporation curve yields a quantum degenerate sample from a classical gas in a fraction of a second, with only a factor of three loss in atom number.
Consortium-based consultation/liaison research: commentary and perspective

Although a consortium approach for clinical trials is a common research strategy which has made important contributions in other disciplines in medicine, to date it has not been employed for research efforts in the consultation/liaison setting. There are several reasons for this: the relative newness of the field, lack of administrative control over patient care, and the unavailability of a standard methodology that could be adapted to multiple sites. Four basic research strategies can be employed within the framework of a research consortium to advance scientific knowledge in consultation/liaison psychiatry: 1) prevalence studies of psychiatric morbidity in medical settings; 2) interrelationship among psychiatric and medical conditions; 3) the outcome of psychiatric interventions within medical milieu; and, 4) cost-benefit evaluation. A field-tested computerized database protocol and a software system usable on an office-based microcomputer were employed to obtain standardized data across multiple training sites. The advantages and disadvantages of consortium studies are described.
Species-specific response to climate reconstruction in upper-elevation mixed-conifer forests of the western Sierra Nevada, California

Dendrochronology climate reconstruction studies often sample dominant, open-grown trees to reduce competition effects and isolate annual climate influences on radial increment growth. However, there has been no examination of how species respond as stand densities increase or which species in mixed-conifer forests provide a better record of past climate. We sampled 579 trees representing five upper montane mixed-conifer species at the Teakettle Experimental Forest in California’s southern Sierra Nevada to determine species-specific responses to annual climatic fluctuations. Using the Kalman filter, we examined the affect of local stand density on growth response and whether the growth–climate relationship improved with a time lag. The Kalman filter iteratively calculates error for predicted versus actual radial growth and accounts for this variation in the corrector equation. Under current high-density conditions, shade-tolerant white fir (Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl.) provided the best model for climate reconstruction. Shade-intolerant Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev. & Balf.) had a lagged response to annual climatic fluctuations, possibly because its roots may tap water reserves in granitic bedrock fissures. Open-grown trees provided more accurate records of climate. Changes in forest density in this forest may have resulted in changes in species-specific response to annual climatic fluctuations.
Effect of preoperative pupil size on quality of vision after wavefront-guided LASIK

Purpose To evaluate the effect of preoperative pupil size on quality of vision after wavefront-guided LASIK. Design Prospective study. Participants One hundred two eyes. Intervention LASIK for mild to moderate myopia or astigmatism (preoperative manifest spherical equivalent, −3.99±1.42 diopters). Main Outcome Measures Questionnaires evaluating specific visual symptoms before and after surgery. Each eye was evaluated before surgery, and 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Pupils were stratified according to size: small (≤5.5 mm), medium (5.6–6.4 mm), or large (≥6.5 mm). Mesopic pupil size and preoperative and postoperative variables were evaluated using an analysis of variance. A regression model was also performed to determine the correlation between mean spherical equivalent and cylinder and visual symptoms. Results In the early postoperative period, there was no difference between the 3 groups with regard to any of the symptoms. At the final 12-month postoperative visit, patients with medium pupils experienced less glare at night than small pupils ( P = 0.02), medium pupils had less halos than small or large pupils ( P = 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively), and medium pupils experienced greater satisfaction in visual improvement than small pupils ( P = 0.014). Conclusions Twelve months after wavefront-guided LASIK surgery, large pupil size does not positively correlate with any postoperative visual symptoms. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
An Enhancer LEF-1/TCF-1 Site is Essential for Insertion Site-Independent Transgene Expression in Thymus

Transcriptional activation of eukaryotic genes involves assembly of specific multiprotein complexes on the promoters and enhancers of the genes. Recently, it has been proposed that the role of some of the proteins in the complex may be architectural, involving DNA bending, orchestration of protein‐ protein interaction and modulation of nucleosome structure. This role has been proposed for the HMG proteins LEF-1 and TCF-1. We examined the role of a LEF-1/TCF-1 binding site in the human adenosine deaminase (ADA) thymic enhancer. Mutational analysis demonstrated that a functional LEF-1/TCF-1 binding site is not required for enhancer-mediated transcriptional activation in transient transfection studies, but is essential for enhancer function in the in vivo chromatin context of transgenic mice. Mutation of the LEF-1/TCF-1 site destroyed the ability of the ADA enhancer/locus control region to specify high level, insertion site-independent transgene expression in thymus. DNase I and DpnII accessibility experiments indicated dramatic changes in the chromatin organization of the ADA enhancer in transgenic mice with a mutated LEF-1/TCF-1 site. This supports the hypothesis that factors binding the LEF-1/TCF-1 site play an architectural role during the in vivo activation of the ADA enhancer, possibly involving chromatin modification.
A Linear Programming Approach to the Development of Contrail Reduction Strategies Satisfying Operationally Feasible Constraints

A class of strategies has been proposed to reduce contrail formation in the United States airspace. A 3D grid based on weather data is built and the cruising altitude level of aircraft is adjusted to avoid the persistent contrail potential area with the consideration to fuel-eciency. In this paper, the authors introduce a contrail avoidance strategy on 3D grid by considering additional operationally feasible constraints from an air trac controllers aspect. First, shifting too many aircraft to the same cruising level will make the miles-in-trail at this level smaller than the safety separation threshold. Furthermore, the high density of aircraft at one cruising level may exceed the manageable workload for the trac controller. Therefore, in our new model we restrict the number of total aircraft at each level. Second, the aircraft count variation for successive intervals can not be too drastic since the workload to manage climbing/descending aircraft is much larger than managing cruising aircraft. The contrail reduction problem is formulated as integer programming and the problem is shown to have the property of total unimodularity. Solving the corresponding relaxed linear programming with the simplex method provides an optimal and integral solution to the problem. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the methodology.
THE TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF PHYTOCHROME TRANSFORMATIONS

— The kinetics of phytochrome transformation were examined over a 30°C temperature range (+5° to–25°C) in 75% glycerol. Two new intermediate reaction stages are described for the transformation of the red-absorbing form, Pr to the far-red absorbing form, Pfr The free energies, enthalpies and entropies of activation were obtained for five of the six reaction stages observed in the transformation of Pr to Pfr and for the two reaction stages observed in the reverse process. All exhibited positive entropies of activation with the maximum being 25 entropy units. The results suggest that the phototransformations between Pr and Pfr consist of relaxation processes beginning with the intermediate produced immediately upon absorption of a quantum of light and ending with either Pr or Pfr.
The Effects of Evaporation and Condensation on an Absorption Process

Research was conducted to investigate the qualitative effects of evaporation and condensation on an absorption process. Individual droplets of distilled water of known weight and temperature were dropped through a counter-flowing gas mixture that contained a known concentration of ammonia and water vapor. Variations in evaporation and condensation rates were realized by varying droplet temperature and the water vapor content of the gas mixture. The collected droplets were analyzed for ammonia concentration and the qualitative effects established. The experimental results indicate that absorption rates increase with an increase in condensation and decrease with an increase in evaporation rate.
Effects of Strong Electronic Coupling in Chlorin and Bacteriochlorin Dyads.

Achieving tunable, intense near-infrared absorption in molecular architectures with properties suitable for solar light harvesting and biomedical studies is of fundamental interest. Herein, we report the photophysical, redox, and molecular-orbital characteristics of nine hydroporphyrin dyads and associated benchmark monomers that have been designed and synthesized to attain enhanced light harvesting. Each dyad contains two identical hydroporphyrins (chlorin or bacteriochlorin) connected by a linker (ethynyl or butadiynyl) at the macrocycle β-pyrrole (3- or 13-) or meso (15-) positions. The strong electronic communication between constituent chromophores is indicated by the doubling of prominent absorption features, split redox waves, and paired linear combinations of frontier molecular orbitals. Relative to the benchmarks, the chlorin dyads in toluene show substantial bathochromic shifts of the long-wavelength absorption band (17–31 nm), modestly reduced singlet excited-state lifetimes (τS = 3.6–6.2 ns vs...
Recovery of Chlamydia trachomatis from endometrial and fallopian tube biopsies in women with infertility of tubal origin

In order to examine the role of chronic active chlamydial infection in tubal infertility, cultures for Chlamydia trachomatis were performed on endometrial biopsies from 38, and fallopian tube biopsies from all, of 52 women undergoing tubal surgery for infertility. C. trachomatis was recovered from one or both sites in 8 of 52 (15%). Five of 6 women with positive fallopian tube cultures had endometrial cultures performed, and of these, 4 (80%) were positive. Three culture-positive women had been treated with tetracycline or doxycycline. Multiple blind passage in tissue culture was required for recovery of all six fallopian tube and four of the six endometrial isolates. No specific anatomic lesion was associated with documented infection. Chronic active chlamydial infection is frequently associated with tubal infertility, may persist despite therapy, and often can be detected by endometrial biopsy culture.
Invasive mould sinusitis in patients with haematological malignancies: a 10 year single-centre study

OBJECTIVES Invasive mould sinusitis (IMS) is a severe infection in patients with haematological malignancies. Because of a paucity of contemporaneous data about IMS, we sought to evaluate clinical aspects and outcome of IMS in these patients. METHODS The records of adult haematological malignancy patients with proven or probable IMS over a 10 year period were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS We identified 44 patients with IMS. Mucorales were isolated in 13 (35.1%) patients and Fusarium and Aspergillus were isolated in 9 (24.3%) patients each. Patients with IMS owing to Mucorales were more likely to have a history of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.003) and high-dose corticosteroid use (P = 0.03). Thirty-five (80%) patients received antifungal combinations and 36 (82%) underwent surgical debridement. The 12 week IMS-attributable mortality was 36.4% (16 patients). A relapsed and/or refractory haematological malignancy was an independent risk factor for 6 week IMS-attributable (P = 0.038), 12 week all-cause (P = 0.005) and 12 week IMS-attributable (P = 0.0015) mortality. Neutrophil count <100/µL and lymphocyte count <200/µL were associated with increased 12 week IMS-attributable and 6 week all-cause mortality, respectively (P = 0.044 and 0.013). IMS due to Aspergillus was an independent risk factor for both 12 week all-cause (P = 0.011) and IMS-attributable (P = 0.026) mortality. Initial antifungal therapy with a triazole-containing regimen was associated with decreased 6 week all-cause (P = 0.032) and IMS-attributable (P = 0.038) mortality. Surgery was not an independent factor for improved outcome. CONCLUSIONS Despite combined medical and surgical therapy, IMS had high mortality. Mortality risk factors were relapsed and/or refractory malignancy, cytopenia and Aspergillus infection in this study.
Activation of proto-oncogenes by disruption of chromosome neighborhoods

Oncogenes are activated through well-known chromosomal alterations such as gene fusion, translocation, and focal amplification. In light of recent evidence that the control of key genes depends on chromosome structures called insulated neighborhoods, we investigated whether proto-oncogenes occur within these structures and whether oncogene activation can occur via disruption of insulated neighborhood boundaries in cancer cells. We mapped insulated neighborhoods in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and found that tumor cell genomes contain recurrent microdeletions that eliminate the boundary sites of insulated neighborhoods containing prominent T-ALL proto-oncogenes. Perturbation of such boundaries in nonmalignant cells was sufficient to activate proto-oncogenes. Mutations affecting chromosome neighborhood boundaries were found in many types of cancer. Thus, oncogene activation can occur via genetic alterations that disrupt insulated neighborhoods in malignant cells.
Tunable telecom diode laser based mid-IR source at 2.64 microns

We report a new difference frequency mixing optical architecture for the generation of coherent mid-infrared radiation at ~2.64 μm. A fiber pigtailed optically pumped semiconductor laser operating at 981 nm is mixed with an Er/Yb fiber amplified DFB diode laser at 1562 nm in a 19 mm long periodically poled lithium niobate crystal (PPLN). With respective powers of ~450mW by each of these pump lasers, spectrally stable, narrow linewidth mid-IR radiation of 0.25 mW is generated with a near Gaussian beam profile. Wavelength tuning characteristics and the sensitive spectroscopic detection of HF and HDO are reported.
Examination of Responses of Registered Nurses to Manifest Needs Questionnaire

The a priori factor structure, internal consistency reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity of Steers and Braunstein's (1976) Manifest Needs Questionnaire were evaluated for a sample of 96 registered nurses. The questionnaire exhibited generally unsatisfactory psychometric properties. Readers are cautioned against its adoption as a research tool unless future studies yield more favorable results.
Notes on an evolutionary medicine.

Objective Medicine does not have a comprehensive theory of health, ill-health, and disease. Its explanations of disease are firmly rooted in pathological anatomy brought about by infection, intoxication, trauma, and mutations in genes. Because medical concepts have been influenced mainly by classical physics, it is mechanistic, materialistic, deterministic, reductionistic, linear-causal, and strongly biased toward proximate explanations of disease. Of late, many thoughtful persons have attempted to provide medicine with a more comprehensive theory that integrates the documented roles of physical, social, environmental, and psychological factors in the etiology and pathogenesis of ill-health and disease (eg, Refs. 1-3). Method Until very recently (4), no one has clearly pointed out that such a comprehensive theory should be guided by the concepts of evolutionary and organismic biology. Darwin's great theory states that evolution is "driven," but not exclusively so, by natural and sexual selection. Natural selection acts on variants that differ in adaptive capacities. Those capable of adaptation survive to reproduce. Failure to adapt reduces reproductive fitness and success, and leads to injury or death. But this formulation could be expanded to regard ill-health and disease as adaptive failures, whereas health usually may be conceived of as equivalent to adaptive success. Adaptations are determined by many factors-genetic, morphological, physiological, and behavioral. Selective pressures are many and varied. However, social primates are at a selective advantage, and are among the most successful species and varieties. Social behavior (eg, support) seems to enhance the chances of survival and reproductive fitness. Physiological (immunological, metabolic, cardiovascular) and behavioral adaptations are geared specifically for interactions with the environment. Emotions have evolved as ways of matching physiological responses with environmental demands and signaling the organism's state. Results This study will review aspects of evolutionary theory that would lead to a unified, integrated theory of health, illness, and disease, and to a clearer taxonomy in medicine.
MOURNING AND MORAL PSYCHOLOGY

This article investigates what it would be to complete the project of ancient Greek ethics and provide a robust moral psychology. It considers Hans Loewald’s interpretation of the psychoanalytic conception of mourning; and argues that this provides a paradigm of what an adequate moral psychology might look like.
Efficient Time-Marching of Fluid-Thermal-Structural Interactions

This study focuses on the development of a subiteration free, loosely coupled partitioned time marching procedure for fluid-thermal-structural analysis using time-accurate thermal and structural solvers combined with surrogate fluid models. The scheme is specifically formulated to maintain global second-order temporal accuracy using implicit solvers. This is achieved by using second-order solvers for the thermal and structural domains combined with second-order accurate extrapolations to estimate the quasi-static heat flux and quasi-steady pressure. Furthermore, the scheme is designed to exploit disparities in time scales between the submodels through the use of structural subcycling, in which multiple structural time steps are taken between each thermal step. Here, second order global accuracy is maintained using a second-order accurate interpolation of temperature. The scheme is evaluated on a simple panel in hypersonic flow, and is found to yield second order accuracy both with and without subcycling of the structural solver. A comparable conventional scheme is found to yield only first order accuracy, to produce spurious structural oscillations for certain time step sizes, and to require significantly smaller time steps for comparable time accuracy. In regards to the latter, the time marching scheme developed in this work is found to reduce the computational expense over the conventional scheme by more than 80 percent.
THE INFLUENCE OF DEFICIENT RETRO-AORTIC RIM ON TECHNICAL SUCCESS AND EARLY ADVERSE EVENTS FOLLOWING DEVICE CLOSURE OF SECUNDUM ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT® REGISTRY

Concern regarding aortic erosion has focused attention on deficient retro-aortic rim in patients undergoing device closure of atrial septal defects (ASD). However, whether retro-aortic rim size is a risk factor for technical failure and early adverse outcomes has not been delineated. A multi-center
The blast path: theoretical basis, experimental data and clinical application

AbstractUse of the “blast path” may be helpful in patients where positioning for ESWL treatments is difficult. Good pressures are maintained along the blast path and an alternate fracture mechanism may be in effect. The rate of fragmentation, assessed using model material, decreases with distance beyond F2.
Belief-based argumentation and golden rule for decision making with soft and hard information

This paper describes a reasoning approach to decision making with uncertain heterogeneous (soft and hard) information of variable reliability based on belief-based argumentation. Arguments are built to support or refute a set of hypotheses about the situation of interest. Beliefs in the arguments are fused and used for decision making. The fusion process is complicated by different models used for representing uncertainty characterizing soft and hard data. The paper addresses this problem by utilizing a unified framework of credibility representation within the Transferable Belief Model. The paper also presents an adaptation of the Golden rule designed for Atanassov type intuitionistic membership grades for decision making based on belief functions. Utilization of the Golden rule representative values allows for dealing with the problem of decision making with not completely ordered intervals created by beliefs and plausibility while taking into account decision maker's subjectivity on the dimension optimism/pessimism.
Preventing Ventilator-Associated Infections

Mechanical ventilator use is fraught with risk of complications. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common complication that prolongs stays on the ventilator and increases mortality and costs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the use of the term, ventilator-associated event. Prevention and/or interruption of cycle of inflammation, colonization of respiratory tract, and ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis are key to managing VAP. Modifying risk factors using a ventilator bundle is considered standard of care. The contentious factors and the lack of support for early tracheotomy, parenteral nutrition, and monitoring of gastric residuals are also addressed. Finally, the role of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis in VAP is discussed.
Manganese Porphyrin, MnTE-2-PyP5+, Enhances Chemotherapeutic Response in Hematological Malignancies

The prognosis for multiple myeloma (MM) and the activated B-cell subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (ABC DLBCL) are poor. Gene expression profiling studies have revealed that nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB), a critical survival protein, is constitutively active in MM and ABC DLBCL, and contributes to the poor prognosis. Use of agents that target NF-kB have the potential to improve patient outcome. Our laboratory, previously demonstrated that Mn(III) meso-tetrakis (N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl) porphyrin (MnTE-2-PyP5+), a redox cycling agent, acts as a pro-oxidant to enhance glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in WEHI7.2 murine lymphoma cells. An increase in H2O2 and the presence of GSH are critical for the porphyrin’s ability to cause this effect. Alone, MnTE-2-PyP5+ was neither able to increase oxidative stress nor induce apoptosis. In the presence of dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, MnTE-2-PyP5+ redox cycles with GSH, glutathionylates the p65 NF-kB subunit, and inhibits NF-kB activity in WEHI7.2 cells. Collectively these studies suggest that MnTE-2-PyP5+ is likely to enhance apoptosis in oxidized environments or in combination with other agents that increase H2O2 levels and in cells that overexpress NF-kB. In this study we found that MnTE-2-PyP5+ synergized with the drugs that are standard of care for DLBCL (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and glucocorticoids) to enhance cell death in DLBCL human cell lines. The ABC DLBCL cells were also sensitive to MnTE-2-PyP5+ alone. In addition, DLBCL cells with increased C-MYC and BCL-2, which models a DLBCL patient population that also has a poor prognosis, were sensitive to MnTE-2-PyP5+ alone. In MM cells, MnTE-2-PyP5+ synergized with glucocorticoids and bortezomib to enhance cell death. Both drugs increase H2O2 and are used for the treatment of MM. These findings suggest that the addition of MnTE-2-PyP5+ to the standard therapy for DLBCL and MM may overcome NF-kB-mediated survival, enhance cell death, and ultimately improve patient survival.
A Coming Singularity in Media Regulation: The American Case

The singularity identified in this article is the prospect that the cable-based Internet service provider could potentially become the sole vendor capable of providing truly high-speed residential broadband connectivity in the United States. The premise is that broadband Internet replaces virtually all of its legacy competitors such as analog telephony and terrestrial broadcasting. This prospectively unchallenged chokepoint for political communication, advertising, entertainment, and economic transactions could extract monopoly rents and distort otherwise open political processes. As minimally acceptable broadband data rates escalate, the physical limitations of copper-wire technologies increasingly limit the incumbent telephone carrier as a meaningful competitor. Satellite-based Internet service providers face equally if not even more daunting technical challenges in providing true broadband connectivity at scale. To avoid a return to the inflexibility of full tariff-based common carrier regulation of an inadvertent, but potentially de facto monopolist, there remains one potential for meaningful competitive technology for provision of broadband Internet—fixed terrestrial wireless Internet based on fifth-generation and successor cellular technologies with competitive monthly fees for unlimited data.
Beta Band Corticomuscular Drive Reflects Muscle Coordination Strategies

During force production, hand muscle activity is known to be coherent with activity in primary motor cortex, specifically in the beta-band (15-30 Hz) frequency range. It is not clear, however, if this coherence reflects the control strategy selected by the nervous system for a given task, or if it instead reflects an intrinsic property of cortico-spinal communication. Here, we measured corticomuscular and intermuscular coherence between muscles of index finger and thumb while a two-finger pinch grip of identical net force was applied to objects which were either stable (allowing synergistic activation of finger muscles) or unstable (requiring individuated finger control). We found that beta-band corticomuscular coherence with the FDI and APB muscles, as well as their beta-band coherence with each other, was significantly reduced when individuated control of the thumb and index finger was required. We interpret these findings to show that beta-band coherence is reflective of a synergistic control strategy in which the cortex binds task-related motor neurons into functional units.
Transformer Aging due to High Penetrations of PV, EV Charging, and Energy Storage Applications

High penetrations of photovoltaic (PV) systems, energy storage (ES) devices, and electric vehicle (EV) charging may significantly affect the operational constraints of substation power transformers. In high penetrations these applications can flatten a transformer's daily load profile, which minimizes the cooling down period for the unit's paper insulation. Also, because these applications rely upon power electronics to interface with the electric grid, high penetrations can increase the volume of harmonic currents propagating through the distribution system, which can also impact transformer aging. Although the initial impact of PV and ES applications may reduce a unit's peak energy demand, long-term system planning and emergency operating conditions may require derating of existing capacity limits to prevent aging that impacts overall life expectancy. To identify transformer aging characteristics as a function of load profile and harmonic content, the authors developed a transformer transient model based upon the tested attributes of a 50MVA SPX Waukesha transformer and the modeling methods described in IEEE Std. C57.90 and IEEE Std. C57.110. Utilizing the model, the authors identified the relationship between aging, harmonic distortion, and load profile characteristics associated with high penetrations of PV, ES applications, and EV charging.
An Empirical Investigation of the Financial Value of a College Degree.

We generate selection-adjusted NPV and IRR estimates for a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. which account for time-to-graduation, debt financing and tuition levels. We find that a college degree is ge...
The cartulary of Binham Priory

The cartulary of Binham Priory provides a rich glimpse into the life and workings of a medieval religious institution and its archives. This edited volume opens up an important source of informatio...
The role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in preventing relapse of major depressive disorder

The objective of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and SSRIs compared with other treatment modalities in preventing relapse after an episod...
An Experimental Study of the Internal Consistency of Judgments Made in Bookmark Standard Setting

Validating performance standards is challenging and complex. Because of the difficulties associated with collecting evidence related to external criteria, validity arguments rely heavily on evidence related to internal criteria—especially evidence that expert judgments are internally consistent. Given its importance, it is somewhat surprising that evidence of this kind has rarely been published in the context of the widely used bookmark standard-setting procedure. In this article we examined the effect of ordered item booklet difficulty on content experts’ bookmark judgments. If panelists make internally consistent judgments, their resultant cut scores should be unaffected by the difficulty of their respective booklets. This internal consistency was not observed: the results suggest that substantial systematic differences in the resultant cut scores can arise when the difficulty of the ordered item booklets varies. These findings raise questions about the ability of content experts to make the judgments required by the bookmark procedure.
Pharmaceutical solvate formation for the incorporation of the antimicrobial agent hydrogen peroxide

Antimicrobial functionality is introduced into a pharmaceutical formulation of miconazole while improving solubility. The work leverages hydrate formation propensity in order to produce hydrogen peroxide solvates. The ubiquity of hydrate formation suggests that hydrogen peroxide can be broadly deployed in pharmaceuticals, rendering a liquid excipient suitable for solid pharmaceutical formulations.
Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disease

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic herpesvirus with a worldwide seroprevalence of >90%. Like all members of the herpesvirus family, EBV establishes infection that persists for the lifetime of the host. In most healthy patients, both primary EBV infection and lifelong latent infection are benign. However, in an immunocompromised host, such as a transplant recipient, either primary infection or reactivation of latent infection can lead to severe disease. The most significant EBV-associated illness that occurs following solid-organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). In this chapter, we provide an overview of the virus, its life cycle, host immune control, diagnostic testing, and efforts at vaccine development. Particular focus is given to the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of EBV-associated PTLD.
Evaluation of Antifactor-Xa Heparin Assay and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Values in Patients on Therapeutic Continuous Infusion Unfractionated Heparin Therapy:

Clinical uncertainty exists regarding which assay should be designated as the standard monitoring coagulation test for intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH). Several studies have compared the use of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and antifactor-Xa (anti-Xa) and have come out with varying results. The correlation between these 2 tests varied, markedly from strong to weak. Some have demonstrated that monitoring with anti-Xa heparin assay leads to fewer dose adjustments, resulting in fewer laboratory tests, while others have not. In the current study, we evaluated the correlation between aPTT and anti-Xa values to guide clinical management of UFH, with the intention to develop a new correlation nomogram.
Store-Operated Calcium Channels: From Function to Structure and Back Again

Store-operated calcium (Ca2+) entry (SOCE) occurs through a widely distributed family of ion channels activated by the loss of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The best understood of these is the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel, which is notable for its unique activation mechanism as well as its many essential physiological functions and the diverse pathologies that result from dysregulation. In response to ER Ca2+ depletion, CRAC channels are formed through a diffusion trap mechanism at ER-plasma membrane (PM) junctions, where the ER Ca2+-sensing stromal interaction molecule (STIM) proteins bind and activate hexamers of Orai pore-forming proteins to trigger Ca2+ entry. Cell biological studies are clarifying the architecture of ER-PM junctions, their roles in Ca2+ and lipid transport, and functional interactions with cytoskeletal proteins. Molecular structures of STIM and Orai have inspired a multitude of mutagenesis and electrophysiological studies that reveal potential mechanisms for how STIM is toggled between inactive and active states, how it binds and activates Orai, and the importance of STIM-binding stoichiometry for opening the channel and establishing its signature characteristics of extremely high Ca2+ selectivity and low Ca2+ conductance.
Public Deliberation and Co-Production in the Political and Electoral Arena: A Citizens’ Jury Approach

This study presents an empirical evaluation of the co-production of a “Statement to the Candidates” and a “Voters Guide” for a key U.S. Congressional race. Citizens produced these materials during an intensive process called “Reclaim November Ohio,” which used the Citizen Jury method of public deliberation. We use a series of pre- and post-test surveys to evaluate this unique application of co-production. Specifically, we assess whether this deliberative approach to co-production in the political and electoral arena improved participants’ perceptions of politics and government and made citizens more interested in and knowledgeable about policy issues. We also assess whether participants believed the Reclaim November Ohio process would help the candidates better understand citizens’ concerns and whether participants were satisfied with the event. The results suggest that co-production in the political and electoral arena can have positive effects on citizens’ agency, voice, and perceptions of politics and government. The results are mixed for both the perceived influence of the event and issue interest and knowledge. Nevertheless, participants were extremely satisfied with the event and its various components.
Lamin A/C Deficiency Enables Increased Myosin2 Bipolar Filament Ensembles Which Promote Divergent Actomyosin Network Anomalies Through Self Organization

Nuclear envelope proteins influence cell cytoarchitecure by poorly understood mechanisms. Here we show that siRNA-mediated silencing of lamin A/C (LMNA) promotes contrasting stress fiber assembly and disassembly in individual cells and within cell populations. We show that LMNA deficient cells have elevated myosin-II bipolar filament accumulations, irregular formation of actin comet tails and podosome-like adhesions, increased steady state nuclear localization of the mechanosensitive transcription factors MKL1 and YAP, and induced expression of some MKL1/Serum Response Factor (SRF) regulated genes such as that encoding myosin-IIA (MYH9). Our studies utilizing live cell imaging and pharmacological inhibition of myosin-II, support a mechanism of deregulated myosin-II self-organizing activity at the nexus of divergent actin cytoskeletal aberrations resultant from LMNA loss. In light of our results, we propose a model of how the nucleus, via linkage to the cytoplasmic actomyosin network, may act to control myosin-II contractile behavior through both mechanical and transcriptional feedback mechanisms.
Machine Learning-Based Interpretation and Visualization of Nonlinear Interactions in Prostate Cancer Survival.

PURPOSEShapley additive explanation (SHAP) values represent a unified approach to interpreting predictions made by complex machine learning (ML) models, with superior consistency and accuracy compa...
Flow control in fully enclosed microfluidics paper based analytical devices using plasma processes

Abstract Microfluidic paper based analytical devices (μ-PADs) have shown promising results for disease diagnostics in resource limited settings but they often lack effective fluid flow control in the hydrophilic channels. Flow control in μ-PADs is necessary to conduct multiple step assays with minimum user interference. Using fluorocarbon (pentafluoroethane) plasma deposition followed by O2 plasma etching with a metal mask, flow control functionality in fully enclosed channels was achieved. Channels with up to a 10-fold difference in wicking rate were fabricated by changing the O2 plasma etch time. Metal meshes were used to locally vary the O2 plasma etch rate and therefore fabricate channels with different wettability inside a single paper substrate in a single etch step. The channels in fully enclosed devices are isolated, thereby preventing contamination due to handling and environmental exposure. To gain additional reliability, channels were covered with non-porous adhesive tape to minimize the effect of evaporation on fluid flow to eliminate variation in device operation under different humidity conditions. Proof of concept was demonstrated by fabricating and operating a device with three channels that converged to a single reaction zone. Solutions of different pH values were sequentially transported to and reacted with an indicator deposited at the reaction zone. μ-PADs fabricated by this method are suitable for field use when conducting complex low-cost diagnostic tests.
The Relation Between Teachers’ Positive Behavior Support and Language Support:

The goal of this study was to extend what is known about factors that contribute to the language-learning environment in early childhood classrooms. Two primary research questions were addressed: (...
Surgical Management of Esophageal Strictures After Caustic Ingestion

According to the annual report of the American Association of Poison Control, in the United States there were 195,715 cases (7.54%) of human exposure to cleaning substances (household) in 2016, which constitutes the second most common substance category that is involved in human poisoning. Twenty-nine of these cases resulted in death, whereas seventeen were suicide attempts. There is a bimodal distribution of the age of occurrence with the first peak presented in the pediatric (≤5-year-old) age group and the second peak in the adolescent and young adult (≥21-year-old) age group. More specifically, the vast majority of pediatric cases presenting with exposures to cleaning substances in the household was reported to reach 115,701. Children are more likely to ingest caustic substances accidentally, whereas adolescent/young adults frequently attempt intentional suicide that can result in more extensive injury.
A Cancelable Multi-Modal Biometric Based Encryption Scheme for Medical Images

In this paper, a novel multi-modal biometric based encryption scheme for medical images is proposed. It is based upon the ever-secure Advanced Encryption Standard Cipher Block Chaining (AES-CBC) mode of encryption and Indexing-First One (IFO) hashing for the generation of the secret keys. The proposed system utilizes two biometrics of the user, the iris and the fingerprint, but instead of using the features of the biometrics directly, they are hashed through the IFO process to create a secret key that can be revoked and regenerated in case of a compromise ensuring the security of the users biometrics. The IFO hashes obtained from the biometric feature vectors are then used as two different secret keys in a two round AES-CBC system to encrypt the medical image. The medical image can be decrypted by performing the AES-CBC rounds in reverse with the correct keys, meaning that with high probability, only the correct user will be able to decrypt the image. This encryption technique improves upon many existing medical encryption schemes based on biometrics, which do not take the protection of the biometric template into account. We were able to perform one full key generation, encryption and decryption in.027 seconds. In addition, this processes is lossless, meaning that there is no change in the pixels of the medical image during the encryption or decryption process, which is necessary of a medical image encryption system.
Information-Theoretic Interactive Sensing and Inference for Autonomous Systems

This paper addresses an autonomous exploration problem in which a mobile sensor, placed in a previously unseen search area, utilizes an information-theoretic navigation cost function to dynamically select the next sensing action, i.e., location from which to take a measurement, to efficiently detect and classify objects of interest within the area. The information-theoretic cost function proposed in this paper consist of two information gain terms, one for detection and localization of objects and the other for sequential classification of the detected objects. We present a novel closed-form representation for the cost function, derived from the definition of mutual information. We evaluate three different policies for choosing the next sensing action: lawn mower, greedy, and non-greedy. For these three policies, we compare the results from our information-theoretic cost functions to the results of other information-theoretic inspired cost functions. Our simulation results show that search efficiency is greater using the proposed cost functions compared to those of the other methods.
Grey Literature Searching for Systematic Reviews in the Health Sciences

The growing volume of scholarly information makes it difficult for professionals to keep up with pertinent research literature. In the health sciences, standard bibliographic databases like PubMed ...
Acupuncture Improves Multiple Treatment-Related Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Acupuncture has demonstrated effectiveness for symptom management among breast cancer survivors. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on treatment-related sym...
International Real Estate Review

This study examines the long memory properties of composite, equity, mortgage, and hybrid real estate investment trust (REIT) returns by using semi-parametric and wavelet estimators. In particular, this paper applies the GPH semi-parametric estimator, the Haar and the Daubechies wavelet procedures to investigate the long memory properties of REIT returns. The results from the various procedures reveal that composite, equity, mortgage, and hybrid REIT returns are long memory processes with anti-persistence. The existence of long memory suggests that the dynamics which govern the four return series contain predictable components. This finding indicates that the markets for composite, equity, mortgage, and hybrid REITs are inefficient. The fact that these markets are inefficient suggests that investors can devise profitable strategies by using historical data or past information.
Characterization of the type a flagellin gene from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAK.

Abstract Flagella in procaryotes are complex structures requiring the coordinate expression of over 50 genes, including flagellin, the major repeating structural protein. We have previously shown that a functional RpoN gene product is required for expression of flagellin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAK (P. A. Totten and S. Lory, J. Bacteriol. 172:389-396, 1990) and have now cloned, sequenced, and determined the transcriptional start site of the structural gene for this flagellin. The clones containing this gene produced a protein that reacted on Western immunoblots with polyclonal and four different monoclonal antibodies to purified flagella. However, this flagellin protein in Escherichia coli was slightly smaller (41 kDa) than flagellin protein produced in P. aeruginosa PAK (45 kDa), indicating degradation in E. coli or modification in P. aeruginosa. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of this gene with the amino acid sequences of other flagellins revealed a conservation in the N- and C-terminal domains, suggesting conservation of secretion or assembly signals between these organisms. The sequence 5' of the structural gene contained potential RpoN-specific promoters as well as a promoter sequence recognized by RpoF (sigma 28), the alternative sigma factor required for expression of flagellin genes in E. coli (and Bacillus subtilis). Deletion analysis of the promoter region as well as transcriptional start site mapping implicated the RpoF, and not the RpoN, consensus sequences as the functional promoter for the flagellin gene. Models for the involvement of both RpoN and RpoF in the expression of flagellin in P. aeruginosa are presented.