cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Online circuit reliability monitoring

In this work we propose an online reliability tracking framework that utilizes a hybrid network of on-chip temperature and delay sensors together with a circuit reliability macromodel. We are concerned specifically with NBTI-induced transistor aging, which manifests itself as the gradual increase of PMOS threshold voltage and increase of circuit delay over time. The key feature of our work is an explicit macromodel which maps operating temperature to circuit degradation. The macromodel allows for cost-effective reliability tracking. The accuracy of the model is improved by online calibration of model parameters via monitoring the delay degradation of ring oscillators. The number of model parameters is relatively small. For example, in ISCAS'85 benchmark circuits, at most 21 parameters are required for the macromodel. The prediction of circuit degradation using our online monitoring strategy can be up to 20% less conservative compared to the worst-case reliability prediction.
On the Existence of Complete Disjoint NP-Pairs

Disjoint NP-pairs are an interesting model of computation with important applications in cryptography and proof complexity. The question whether there exists a complete disjoint NP-pair was posed by Razborov in 1994 and is one of the most important problems in the field. In this paper we prove that there exists a many-one hard disjoint NP-pair which is computed with access to a very weak oracle (a tally NP-oracle).In addition, we exhibit candidates for complete NP-pairs and apply our results to a recent line of research on the construction of hard tautologies from pseudorandom generators.
Thermal performance of a Direct-Bond-Copper Aluminum Nitride manifold-microchannel cooler

The presence of multiple thermally resistive layers in a standard power electronics package is a hindrance to thermal dissipation. By reducing the thermal stack and incorporating microchannel cold plates into the Aluminum Nitride substrate layer, significant improvement can be made. While parallel microchannel coolers have proved their faculty for single chip cooling, manifold microchannel coolers are explored for projected thermal and fluidic advantages for multi-chip modules aimed towards Hybrid Electric vehicles. This report outlines the fabrication, testing, and experimental results for a four-chip manifold microchannel cooler with water at 25°C and 80°C and three vehicular coolant fluids at 80°C with a maximum allowable pressure drop of 5 psig. Depending on the coolant fluid used, the total thermal stack resistivities ranged from 0.316-0.628 K-cm2/W at the 5 psig pressure limit. Potential for future research and module improvement is briefly discussed.
Frequency Domain Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Robust Stability of Interval Plants

Considered in this paper is the robust stabilization of a special family of single-input single-output, interval plants in which only the denominator polynomial or the plant poles are uncertain. Two frequency domain necessary and sufficient conditions are derived for the robust stability of the closed loop system. The first stability criterion reduces to a question of whether or not a specially constructed polar plot intersects the box [-0.5,0.5] × [-0.5,0.5] in the complex plane and the second reduces to a question of whether or not the polar plot of the nominal loop transfer function intersects a specially constructed frequency dependent domain in the complex plane. Both criteria can be used in synthesizing controllers for the special class of interval plants considered.
Potential–density pairs for flat discs

We simplify Lynden-Bell's extension to non-axisymmetric discs of Mestel's method of flattened spheroids for finding potential-density pairs. It is used to find a large family of potential-density pairs, which is described by a pair of generalized hypergeometric functions. Then, a portion of this family is explored, and some new pairs are found, as well as recovering many already known ones. Among the new pairs found are ones related to non-axisymmetric distortions of the Kuzmin-Toomre, Gaussian, Kalnajs-Mestel, and isochrone discs, and which should be useful for stability analyses of these discs
Hybridization and polymorphic microsatellite markers for two lagomorph species (Genus Sylvilagus): implications for conservation

Eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) are a prolific and popular game species in North America but have declined within the core of their range. Swamp rabbits (S. aquaticus) are sympatric with eastern cottontails and are a species of concern at the northern fringe of their range in Illinois. Although hybridization between these species may be a potential factor affecting their declines, no studies have yet been conducted to address this issue. We examined the potential for hybridization between sympatric eastern cottontails and swamp rabbits in Illinois by sequencing a portion of the mitochondrial 12S gene in 17 individuals of each species. Additionally, we developed six microsatellite markers for the eastern cottontail (7–13 alleles/locus) that also amplify in swamp rabbits (3–5 alleles/locus). We found fixed differences between species with haplotypes forming well-differentiated clades indicating a lack of hybridization. Hybridization between eastern cottontails and swamp rabbits does not appear to be affecting their declines. Misidentification due to ambiguous morphological characteristics of the two species occurred in an earlier study and in our own. We suggest the mitochondrial 12S gene may be a convenient molecular marker for the resolution of species identity questions. Information on microsatellites, occurrence of natural hybridization, and a molecular marker for species resolution will be useful for developing management plans for lagomorphs and focusing further research on factors affecting population status.
A fuzzy logic approach for the estimation of facies from wire-line logs

A method based on fuzzy logic inference can be used to identify lithological and depositional facies from wire-line logs. Fuzzy logic is inherently well suited to characterizing vague and imperfectly defined knowledge, a situation encountered in most geological data. It can thus yield models that are simpler and more robust than those based on crisp logic. The method is simple, easy to comprehend, and robust. It also generates several confidence measures that can be used to assess the quality of the analysis. Several enhancements, including static and dynamic constraints, are discussed. The technique is tested here by applying it to predict the depositional facies of a cored well in a marine carbonate environment and comparing the output with the facies derived from core analysis. The two show considerable agreement, which indicates that this method can be an effective means of predicting the facies of uncored wells from their logs. The method has advantages when contrasted with other techniques that rely on multivariate statistics and neural networks. Compared to those techniques, this method is simpler, easier to retrain, more reproducible, noniterative, and more computer efficient.
A search for distant satellites of Pluto

Abstract The stability domain for satellite orbits around Pluto extends ≈100 times further than the radius of Charon's orbit. We report here the results of a deep CCD imaging search for faint, distant satellites of Pluto. Our search was made in the region extending from 6 arcsec from Pluto to beyond the edge of Pluto's stability domain, during oppositions in 1990 and 1991. No detections were made, and we conservatively set 90%-confidence upper limits on the absence of potential satellites brighter than 20.6 ± 0.5 m in the region 6 to 10 arcsec from Pluto and brighter than 22.6 ± 0.5 m in the region from 10 arcsec to the edge of Pluto's stability domain. At the 90% confidence level this allows us to rule out the presence of any object with Charon-like albedo ( A = 0.4) with a radius > 58 ± 19 km in the region 6–10 arcsec from Pluto. Objects more than 10 arcsec from Pluto with a radius > 23 ± 8 km and Charon- like albedo can also be virtually excluded. These results provide the strongest constraints yet on distant satellites of Pluto.
Influence of protein in the diet of face fly on the development of its nematode parasite, Heterotylenchus autumnalis.

The development of the nematode, Heterotylenchus autumnalis Nickle (Tylenchida: Allantonematidae), within the face fly, Musca autumnalis De Geer (Diptera: Muscidae), depended upon the presence of protein in the hosts' diet. Nematodes in flies deprived of dietary protein could reproduce, but maturation of gamogenetic male and female nematodes was either delayed or did not occur. Protein-fed flies passed nematodes (“nemaposited”) into cattle dung 9–12 days after the hosts emerged from puparia, whereas flies deprived of protein failed to nemaposit by the 22nd day. Following 13 days on a protein-free diet, the addition of protein to the diet permitted the nematode to resume development and complete its life cycle 5 days later.
INFLUENCING CHILDREN'S PREGAMBLING GAME PLAYING VIA CONDITIONAL DISCRIMINATION TRAINING

Past research has demonstrated a transformation of stimulus functions under similar conditions using gambling tasks and adults (e.g., Zlomke & Dixon, 2006), and the present study attempted to extend this research. Experimenters exposed 7 children (ages 7 to 10 years) to a simulated board game with concurrently available dice differing only by color. Following initial exposure to the game, participants were trained to discriminate between two contextual cues representing the relational frames of more than and less than. Following the training procedure, experimenters reexposed participants to the simulated board game. Six of the 7 participants demonstrated an increased preference toward the die with the color that had been paired with more than during the conditional discrimination training.
Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and the Endocrine Pancreas

The sections in this article are: 1 Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Pancreatic Islet Growth, Development, and Regeneration 2 Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Regulation of Pancreatic Islet Function 3 Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins and The Pancreatic Islet 4 Summary
BXGrid: A Data Repository and Workflow Abstraction for Biometrics Research

Research in the field of biometrics depends on the effective management of large amounts of data and computation. Current research projects in biometrics acquire many terabytes of images and video of subjects in many different modes and situations, annotated with detailed metadata. To study the effectiveness of new algorithms for identifying people, researchers must exhaustively compare large numbers of measurements with a variety of custom functions. The quality of the end results is often dependent upon the sheer amount of data marshalled to support it.To address these challenges, we are constructing BXGrid, an end-to-end computing system for conducting biometrics research. BXGrid assists with the entire research process from data acquisition all the way to generating results for publication. Because the entire chain of research is kept consistently within one system, multiple users may easily share tools and results, building off of each other's work. BXGrid also helps to ensure scientific integrity by automating a variety of consistency checks, external data audits, and reproduction of existing results.
An introduction to on-line circuit design

This paper identifies and introduces in simple terms a broad view of on-line circuit design, which reflects the interrelation and relevance of several diverse areas such as network theory, linguistics, numerical analysis, programming systems, and on-line computation. Discussion is presented in terms of 1) the structure of on-line utlities, 2) requirements imposed by the interactional nature of on-line circuit design, 3) program structures (data structures), and 4) network-analysis considerations. A brief set of conclusions is given.
Internet addiction disorder: prevalence in an Italian student population.

Background: Internet addiction is one of the latest forms of addiction that has attracted the attention of popular media and researchers in these last few years. Several authors think Internet addiction is a separate disorder that merits inclusion in DSM-V. There is considerable controversy about this opinion. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Internet addiction in a representative sample of high school students attending secondary institutions in the district of Cremona and to assess any difference concerning variables such as gender, age, place of residence and kind of school attended. Methods: The Italian version of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) has been administered to a sample of 2533 students from different kinds of school. The survey also required social and demographic data. Results: The majority of respondents were classified as normal users of the Internet (n = 2386, 94.19%), with 127 (5.01%) moderately addicted and 20 (0.79%) seriously addicted. Significant differe...
Brief measures of anxiety in non-treatment-seeking youth with autism spectrum disorder:

This study investigated the accuracy of brief anxiety scales for non-treatment-seeking youth with autism spectrum disorder. In all, 54 youth (7–17 years; IQ: 67–158) with autism spectrum disorder and their parents completed (a) an expanded version of the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule—Child/Parent designed to capture typical and atypical fears and (b) brief scales of anxiety symptoms (Behavior Assessment Schedule for Children, Second Edition; Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders; Negative Affective Self-Statement Questionnaire; Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale). The results indicate that measures lacked adequate sensitivity and specificity, and the detection of atypical fears was particularly poor. Revised cut scores are offered, but refined and/or revised instruments are likely needed for research on youth with autism spectrum disorder.
Political Interest, Political Information Search, and Ideological Homogeneity as a Function of Sociopolitical Ideology: A Tale of Three Theories

The relative plausibilities of three theories concerning the relationship between sociopolitical ideology and certain personality variables were examined using 783 Swedish high school students: authoritarian personality theory, extremism theory, and context theory. The three theories were compared by examining degree of information search and interest in politics as a function of sociopolitical ideology and ideological homogeneity as a function of parental educational level. The main results showed that: (1) The relationships between degree of information search and political interest on the one hand, and sociopolitical ideology on the other, were primarily curvilinear indicating greater interest in politics and greater information search for both “left” and “right extremists” as compared to moderates on a number of ideological dimensions. (2) Subjects with well-educated parents were more ideologically heterogeneous than subjects with poorly educated parents. These differences were more marked for males t...
Amorphous IGZO TFTs and Circuits on Highly Flexible and Dimensionally Stable Kovar (Ni-Fe alloy) Metal Foils

We have fabricated high performance amorphous IGZO TFTs and integrated circuits on flexible kovar (Ni-Fe 42 alloy) foils. Excellent dimensional stability on kovar foils is obtained by a pre-anneal process at 800°C that limits the thermal run-out to within 100ppm. After substrate annealing, Ni-Fe 42 alloy retains high yield strength and good flexibility with the re-crystallized structure containing large isotropic grains between 20–50μm. Amorphous IGZO TFTs and circuits with a staggered, bottom-gate architecture are fabricated and tested. Non-flexed TFTs have field effect mobility of 12 cm2/V.s, threshold voltage around 2 V and sub-threshold swing of 0.6 V/decade and ON/OFF current ratio exceeding 107. Under prolonged uniaxial tensile strain upto 0.8%, TFTs exhibited minimal change in performance which augers well for use of Ni-Fe foil as flexible substrates. To demonstrate the viability of oxide-based device integration, n-type pseudo logic ring oscillator circuits are also evaluated. Sub 300 ns propagation delay is confirmed at a rail-rail supply voltage of 40 V. The results suggest that device integration on such a highly flexible substrate is amenable to roll-to-roll processing of future electronics.
Comparison of Partially Measured Latent Traits across Nominal Subgroups

Abstract This article presents a method for estimating the subgroup distributions of a latent trait measured as a normal variate in the population. This problem occurs in large-scale assessments, such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the National Adult Literacy Survey, and other programs where proficiencies are estimated via marginal maximum likelihood through a model based on item-response theory. Heretofore, estimates of subgroup means were often estimated using ad hoc assumptions about within-group distributions, which conflicted with concurrent assumptions about normality of the population distributions. The method presented here removes the conflict, using consistent distributional assumptions for population and subgroup estimates.
Redo laparoscopic repair of benign esophageal disease

Laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease has been associated with excellent symptom control. Compared with medical treatment, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication has shown favorable control of typical reflux symptoms. However, in approximately 2% to 17% of patients, surgical treatment fails. The role of reoperative repair for reflux disease and the factors that contribute to it are examined.
Regeneration of plantlets through isolated scutellum culture of durum wheat

Abstract Four durum wheat cultivars, viz. ‘Renville’, ‘Medora’, ‘Monroe’ and ‘Vic’, were selected for studies on rapid regeneration of plantlets through in vitro culture of isolated immature scutella. Effects of two concentrations of sucrose (either 2% or 3%) and three gelling agents, viz. agar (0.8%), agarose (0.8%), and phytagel (0.4%), were studied for callus induction. All cultivars responded to the MS induction medium supplemented with 2 mg/l, 2,4-D, 3% sucrose and 0.8% agar, and initiation of somatic embryogenesis was evident within 2–3 days of culture. The embryogenic calli developed into clusters of small, dense globular somatic embryos within 3–4 weeks of culture and subsequently developed into distinct somatic embryos and plantlets after transfer to the regeneration medium. An average of up to 16 plantlets per cultured scutellum were recovered from two regeneration media studied, i.e. half-strength hormone-free MS medium (for cultivar ‘Monroe’) and MS medium with BA and IAA (for cultivars ‘Renville’, ‘Medora’ and ‘Vic’). The plantlets were then transferred to pots in the greenhouse, where they developed into mature, fertile plants.
The Optical Transient Detector (OTD): Instrument Characteristics and Cross-Sensor Validation

Abstract Lightning data from the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) are used to perform preliminary validation of the satellite-based Optical Transient Detector (OTD). Sensor precision, accuracy, detection efficiency, and biases of the deployed instrument are considered. The sensor is estimated to have, on average, about 20–40-km spatial and better than 100-ms temporal accuracy. The detection efficiency for cloud-to-ground lightning is about 46%–69%. It is most likely slightly higher for intracloud lightning. There are only marginal day/night biases in the dataset, although 55- or 110-day averaging is required to remove the sampling-based diurnal lightning cycle bias.
Electronic journals redux

When academic journals in electronic format were introduced, librarians eagerly anticipated a drop in wildly escalating journal prices. After all, publishers incur no paper costs, no mailing costs, and no significant additional production costs in distributing an electronic equivalent to their paper journals. However, to date, the crisis in rising serial costs has not been alleviated by the availability of electronic journals. Seven years after his first column discussing libraries' struggles with serial prices, the author revisits the topic of electronic journals and summarizes what we have learned about using journals in this format.
Dominant sensitization variants of human O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase obtained by a mutational screen of surface residues

Abstract A scanning mutagenesis experiment was performed on human O 6 -methylguanine methyltransferase (hMGMT), directed largely at non-conserved surface residues that have not previously been studied. Variants typically contained two or more substitutions. Two of the 16 variants characterized in detail are inactive for methyltransfer, but increase the cytotoxicity and mutagenic effects of methylating agents. This phenotype is reminiscent of a variant (C145A) that has a mutation in the methyl-accepting cysteine. C145A is inactive, but reportedly binds methylated DNA and confers sensitivity to methylating agents. The sensitization phenotype of the two new variants is more striking in strains that are wild-type for DNA repair than in strains that are deficient for repair, suggesting that these proteins inhibit functional DNA repair proteins by competitively binding to methylated DNA. Both variants have multiple substitutions in the last helix of the protein. These results suggest that the C-terminal helix is necessary for methyltransfer activity, but not for methylguanine-specific binding.
DPD epitope-specific glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)65 autoantibodies in children with Type 1 diabetes

Aim To study whether DPD epitope-specific glutamate decarboxylase autoantibodies are found more frequently in children with milder forms of Type 1 diabetes. Methods We prospectively evaluated 75 children with new-onset autoimmune Type 1 diabetes, in whom we collected demographic, anthropometric and clinical data and measured islet autoantibodies. Glutamate decarboxylase 65 autoantibody-positive samples were analysed for epitope specificities using recombinant Fab against the DPD-defined epitope of glutamate decarboxylase 65. Results After adjustment for age, positive DPD epitope recognition was significantly associated with higher C-peptide levels at onset (P = 0.02, r2=0.21, n = 35), and high DPD recognition in the highest quartile tended to be associated with HbA1c ≤ 53 mmol/mol (7%) at the last follow-up [mean (sd) follow-up 1.3 (0.4) years; P = 0.07; for the model, P = 0.044, n = 30)]. Age- and sex-adjusted BMI percentile was significantly correlated with recognition of the DPD-defined epitope (P < 0.03, r2=0.14, n = 34), but this correlation was driven by the older age group (age ≥ 10 years; P = 0.016, r2=0.27, n = 21) and was not significant in younger children (P = 0.93, n = 13). There were no independent associations with sex, race/ethnicity, diabetic ketoacidosis, HbA1c, HLA DR3-DQ2/DR4-DQ8 or autoantibody number. Conclusions Our findings suggest that recognition of the DPD-defined glutamate decarboxylase 65 autoantibody epitope at Type 1 diabetes onset is directly associated with β-cell function, BMI and age, which supports the hypothesis that immunological factors contribute to the clinical heterogeneity of Type 1 diabetes. Larger studies relating epitope-specific glutamate decarboxylase 65 autoantibody to clinical phenotype in children with Type 1 diabetes are warranted.
First demonstration of single-mode distributed feedback type-I GaSb cascade diode laser emitting near 2.9 μm

We demonstrate GaSb-based laterally-coupled distributed-feedback type-I cascade diode lasers emitting near 2.9 μm as potential sources for OH measurements. The laser heterostructures consist of two GaInAsSb quantum well stages in series separated by GaSb/AlSb/InAs tunnel junction and InAs/AlSb electron injectors. Single-mode emission is generated using second order lateral Bragg grating etched alongside narrow ridge waveguides. The lasers were fabricated into 2-mm-long devices, solder-mounted epi-up on copper submounts, and operate at room temperature. With an anti-reflection coating at the emission facet, the lasers exhibit a typical current threshold of 110 mA at 20 °C and emit more than 14 mW of output power. The Bragg wavelength temperature tuning rate was 0.29 nm/°C.
Effects of Successmaker Computerized Curriculum on the Behavior of Disruptive Students

This study investigated the effects of the SuccessMaker computerized curriculum upon the psychosocial and academic outcomes of students identified as chronically disruptive. Ninety-four subjects, ages ten to seventeen, assigned to an Alternative Placement Program for a period of 90 to 180 days were included in the study. Results of a t-test analysis revealed a significant difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment outcomes of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Instrument applied to measure the psychosocial variable, self-esteem. The increase in student self-esteem can be explained by success in two areas comprising the SuccessMaker, “Readers Workshop” and “Reading Network.”
The therapeutic significance of concomitant antitumor immunity. II. Passive transfer of concomitant immunity with Ly-1+2- T cells primes established tumors in T cell-deficient recipients for endotoxin-induced regression.

Intravenous injection of 50 μg bacterial endotoxin can cause complete regression of an established SA1 sarcoma, but not if the tumor ir growing in mice that are incapable of generating concomitant immunity because they have been made T cell-deficient by thymectomy and γ-radiation (TXB mice). It also was shown that endotoxin fails to cause complete regression of a tumor that is either too large or too small. Only when administered on day 9 of tumor growth, at the time of peak concomitant immunity, did endotoxin cause the tumor to undergo complete regression. Direct evidence that the antitumor effect of endotoxin is dependent on concomitant immunity consisted in the demonstration that an SA1 sarcoma growing in TXB recipients can be primed for endotoxin-induced regression by IV infusion of splenic T cells from concomitantly immune donors bearing an endotoxin-susceptible 9-day tumor. Surprisingly, the donor T cells that primed the recipient tumor for endotoxin-induced regression were of the Ly-1+2− phenotype, as evidenced by their susceptibility to treatment with anti-Ly-1 antibody and complement, and their complete resistance to treatment with anti-Ly-2 antibody and complement. They were different, therefore, from the T cells that cause the regression of smaller tumors in γ-irradiated recipients without the aid of endotoxin. It is suggested that the antitumor function of endotoxin depends on its ability to cause intratumor macrophages to acquire and express tumoricidal function, but only after the macrophages have been activated by Ly-1+2− tumor-sensitized T cells.
Developmental patterns defining morphological characters in spores of four species in Glomus

Spore differentiation sequences are de- fined and compared in different geographic isolates of four Glomus species to better define species-level morphological characters and to integrate these se- quences into a model of spore ontogenesis in Glom- ales. Phenotypically discrete characters in spores of all four species originated as component parts of a spore wall. This spore wall differentiated in a linear sequence of new layers that formed concurrently in the wall of the subtending hypha. Species were sep- arated into two groups that differed in structure of the spore and hyphal wall in the most juvenile stage: (i) a single mucilaginous layer in G. etunicatum and G. clarum and (ii) a mucilaginous layer together with a semiflexible hyaline layer in G. intraradices and G. claroideum. Differentiation in all species then is fol- lowed by synthesis of a laminate layer in the spore wall. It begins as a thin sublayer that increases in thickness with synthesis of additional sublayers. Spores of G. clarum diverge by forming a second pig- mented laminate layer in the spore wall. Spores of G. claroideum form an additional thin flexible layer re- sembling those found in spores of Acaulospora, En- trophospora, and Scutellospora species except that it originates as an attachment of the subtending hyphal wall and thus is interpreted as another component of the spore wall. Stages of differentiation in Glomus are similar to those documented for Gigaspora (Gi- gasporaceae), except that number and diversity of layers are greater in both spore and subtending hy- phal walls of the former. Character differences in de- velopment support the separation of Glomaceae and Gigasporaceae into separate suborders and further suggest the order Glomales may be polyphyletic.
CA19-9 Normalization During Pre-operative Treatment Predicts Longer Survival for Patients with Locally Progressed Pancreatic Cancer.

Compared to the widely adopted 2–4 months of pre-operative therapy for patients with borderline resectable (BR) or locally advanced (LA) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), our institution tends to administer a longer duration before considering surgical resection. Using this unique approach, the aim of this study was to determine pre-operative variables associated with survival. Records from patients with BR/LA PDAC who underwent attempt at surgical resection from 1992–2014 were reviewed. After a median duration of 6 months of pre-operative treatment, 109 patients with BR/LA PDAC (BR 63, LA 46) were explored; 93 (85.3 %) underwent pancreatectomy. Those who received at least 6 months of pre-operative treatment had longer median overall survival (OS) than those who received less (52.8 vs. 32.1 months, P = 0.044). On multivariate analysis, pre-operative treatment duration was the strongest predictor of survival (hazard ratio (HR) 4.79, P = 0.043). However, OS was similar in those whose CA19-9 normalized regardless of whether they received more or less than 6 months of chemotherapy (71.4 vs. 101.8 months, P = 0.930). Pre-operative CA19-9 decline can guide treatment duration in patients with BR/LA PDAC. We endorse 6 months of therapy except in those patients whose values normalize, where surgery can be considered after a shorter course.
Coronary ostial stenosis following aortic valve replacement without continuous coronary perfusion

The development of coronary ostial stenosis following aortic valve replacement has been attributed to intraoperative trauma to the coronary vessels during continuous coronary perfusion. We describe two patients with this lesion in whom continuous coronary perfusion was not used during aortic valve replacement. Both patients were successfully treated with saphenous vein bypass grafting. Intraoperative observation of the aortic root at the time of the bypass operation in one case revealed the left coronary ostium to be pinpoint in size and involved in a dense fibrous reaction extending up from the sewing ring of the prosthesis. The findings in these cases support the hypothesis that coronary ostial stenosis following aortic valve replacement may be due to a fibrous reaction in the aortic root secondary to turbulent flow through the aortic prosthesis.
Protein-observed 19F-NMR for fragment screening, affinity quantification and druggability assessment

Labeling of proteins with fluorinated amino acids and using fluorine-19 NMR greatly simplifies the NMR spectrum. Changes in the spectrum on interaction with ligands makes protein-observed fragment-based drug screening possible. NMR spectroscopy can be used to quantify the binding affinity between proteins and low-complexity molecules, termed 'fragments'; this versatile screening approach allows researchers to assess the druggability of new protein targets. Protein-observed 19F-NMR (PrOF NMR) using 19F-labeled amino acids generates relatively simple spectra that are able to provide dynamic structural information toward understanding protein folding and function. Changes in these spectra upon the addition of fragment molecules can be observed and quantified. This protocol describes the sequence-selective labeling of three proteins (the first bromodomains of Brd4 and BrdT, and the KIX domain of the CREB-binding protein) using commercially available fluorinated aromatic amino acids and fluorinated precursors as example applications of the method developed by our research group. Fragment-screening approaches are discussed, as well as Kd determination, ligand-efficiency calculations and druggability assessment, i.e., the ability to target these proteins using small-molecule ligands. Experiment times on the order of a few minutes and the simplicity of the NMR spectra obtained make this approach well-suited to the investigation of small- to medium-sized proteins, as well as the screening of multiple proteins in the same experiment.
The Cost of Money

Traditionally, the cost of money is the interest rate paid for deposits and loans. The payment of interest has been at the core of the capitalistic system, because as a store of value money mobilizes wealth for productive purposes, luring savings into new ventures that can multiply economic rewards. Higher interest rates attract savers, and the savings rate is a multiplier of wealth. But governments and other big spenders are penalized from high interest rates because they increase the cost of their debt. In short, Debtors gain from low interest rates, and Savers as well as institutional investors, like pension funds, lose.
Paclitaxel pre-medication: A comparison of two steroid pre-medication protocols

Purpose To evaluate and compare the rate of hypersensitivity reactions between two low-dose steroid pre-medication regimens for paclitaxel-based treatments. Methods This was a single-center, retrospective, descriptive study, comparing the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions in two different dexamethasone pre-medication regimens that took place between July 2013 to December 2014. Patients who were paclitaxel-naive with a diagnosis of breast or gynecological cancers were included. Patients in the early termination protocol were pre-medicated with a standard pre-medication regimen and if tolerated with no hypersensitivity reaction occurrence, all pre-medications were discontinued after the first two infusions. Patients in the low-dose steroid continuation protocol were pre-medicated with lower doses of dexamethasone, and if the infusion was tolerated with no hypersensitivity reaction, dexamethasone doses were further reduced after the first two infusions. Results A total of 120 patients were included for data analysis. The hypersensitivity reaction rate in the early termination protocol group was 7% (4 out of 60 patients). The hypersensitivity reaction rate in the low-dose continuation protocol group was 5% (3 out of 60 patients). All hypersensitivity reactions occurred during the first infusion, with no hypersensitivity reactions occurring once the dexamethasone pre-medications were discontinued or dose-reduced. All of the patients who experienced a hypersensitivity reaction were successfully re-challenged with paclitaxel and were able to continue their therapy uninterrupted. Conclusion Discontinuing dexamethasone pre-medication altogether after two uneventful infusions or decreasing the dose of dexamethasone paclitaxel pre-medication are both safe alternatives to high-dose steroid pre-medications recommended in product labeling.
The role of characterization and modeling techniques in fostering the era of computer-based catalyst and reactor design

This review briefly summarizes how the CRE field is contributing to better and faster catalyst design, and identifies some areas for growth in the next decade. While we are still falling woefully short of the ultimate goal of ‘computer designed catalysts’, innovations in feed and catalyst characterization tools can enable the concept of molecule management, and when combined with computational chemistry, are crucial for understanding the complex phenomena at the catalyst surface required for developing breakthrough catalysts. Finally, CFD and coldflow experimentation can be synergistically combined to largely eliminate the scale up risk associated with developing process equipment.
Achievable information rates for nonlinear satellite channels in unidirectional and bidirectional relaying

With an eye toward coded transmission of high-level modulation on satellite links, we study the information-theoretic potential of nonlinear satellite channels, for both single-user per transponder operation and simultaneous two-way, on-frequency relaying to improve spectrum efficiency as much as 100%. We develop an analytic nonlinear model with finite memory for these two scenarios, and compute achievable rate regions, i.e. information rates that are arbitrarily reliable, as a function of link SNR's and input backoff of the nonlinear amplifier. This provides guidance on required SNR and desired amplifier operating point for advanced coded modulation schemes.
Effect of three-body interactions on the zero-temperature equation of state of HCP solid 4He

Previous studies have pointed to the importance of three-body interactions in high density 4He solids. However the computational cost often makes it unfeasible to incorporate these interactions into the simulation of large systems. We report the implementation and evaluation of a computationally efficient perturbative treatment of three-body interactions in hexagonal close packed solid 4He utilizing the recently developed nonadditive three-body potential of Cencek et al. This study represents the first application of the Cencek three-body potential to condensed phase 4He systems. Ground state energies from quantum Monte Carlo simulations, with either fully incorporated or perturbatively treated three-body interactions, are calculated in systems with molar volumes ranging from 21.3 cm3/mol down to 2.5 cm3/mol. These energies are used to derive the zero-temperature equation of state for comparison against existing experimental and theoretical data. The equations of state derived from both perturbative and f...
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus nucleocapsid protein has dual RNA binding modes

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, a zoonotic viral disease, has high mortality rate in humans. There is currently no vaccine for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and chemical interventions are limited. The three negative sense genomic RNA segments of CCHFV are specifically encapsidated by the nucleocapsid protein into three ribonucleocapsids, which serve as templates for the viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase. Here we demonstrate that CCHFV nucleocapsid protein has two distinct binding modes for double and single strand RNA. In the double strand RNA binding mode, the nucleocapsid protein preferentially binds to the vRNA panhandle formed by the base pairing of complementary nucleotides at the 5' and 3' termini of viral genome. The CCHFV nucleocapsid protein does not have RNA helix unwinding activity and hence does not melt the duplex vRNA panhandle after binding. In the single strand RNA binding mode, the nucleocapsid protein does not discriminate between viral and non-viral RNA molecules. Binding of both vRNA panhandle and single strand RNA induce a conformational change in the nucleocapsid protein. Nucleocapsid protein remains in a unique conformational state due to simultaneously binding of structurally distinct vRNA panhandle and single strand RNA substrates. Although the role of dual RNA binding modes in the virus replication cycle is unknown, their involvement in the packaging of viral genome and regulation of CCHFV replication in conjunction with RdRp and host derived RNA regulators is highly likely.
Monte Carlo Eigenvalue Calculations

The Monte Carlo method can be used to estimate the multiplication factor, and other eigenvalues, for a nuclear system. In this chapter we present two methods for estimate the eigenvalues of a nuclear system and give implementations for slab geometry. The fission cycle approach uses the definition of the multiplication factor as the ratio of neutrons in successive generations to derive an estimate. This method requires tracking the birth of neutrons from fission and the sites where new fissions take place. The initial neutron distribution is random. The other method is the fission matrix method which constructs a discrete version of the fission multiplication operator. The eigenvalues of this matrix are the k -eigenvalues of the system. The fission matrix method readily gives the multiplication factor, the fundamental mode, and higher-order modes for the system. The solutions from both of these methods are compared with analytic results and the discrete ordinates method.
High-temperature calorimetric measurements of thermodynamic properties of uranyl arsenates of the meta-autunite group

Abstract Five uranyl arsenates of the meta-autunite group with mono (Li, K, Cs) and divalent (Sr and Cu) cations were synthesized at room temperature and characterized. Their thermodynamic properties were measured using high-temperature oxide melt calorimetry in a molten 3Na2O·4MoO3 solvent at 976 K. Measured enthalpies of drop solution of each compound were used to calculate their respective enthalpies of formation from oxides and elements. Calculated standard state enthalpies of formation from the elements are −3301 ± 14 kJ/mol for LiUAs, −3089 ± 14 kJ/mol for KUAs, −5607 ± 15 kJ/mol for CsUAs, −6638 ± 21 kJ/mol for SrUAs, and −6161 ± 24 kJ/mol for CuUAs. These values are evaluated relative to acid-base interactions using oxide acidity expressed on Smith's scale, as well as the normalized charge deficiency per anion (NCDA), which probes relationships between structural units and interstitial complexes. Linear relationships exist between the heats of formation, acidity of binary oxides, and bond requirements within these meta-autunite type structures. The new thermodynamic data combined with published results yield insights into the thermodynamic behavior of uranyl arsenates. Thermodynamic properties presented here are important for understanding the genesis of uranium deposits and uranium mobility in the subsurface.
Neurochemical Aspects of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic event resulting in the loss of motor and sensory functions of the body innervated by the spinal cord below the injury site. Trauma to the spinal cord induces autodestructive changes that lead to varying degrees of tissue necrosis and paralysis, depending on the severity of the injury, which consists of two broadly defined events: a primary event, attributable to the mechanical insult itself, and a secondary event, attributable to the series of systemic and local neurochemical and pathophysiological changes that occur in spinal cord after the initial traumatic insult (Klussmann and Martin-Villalba, 2005). Unlike the primary event, which is instantaneous and beyond therapeutic management, the secondary event develops over the hours and days after SCI, causing behavioral and functional impairments.
Pursuit-evasion of an Evader by Multiple Pursuers

In this paper, we extend the well-studied results of the two-pursuer, single-evader differential game to any number of pursuers. The main objective of this investigation is to exploit the benefits of cooperation amongst the pursuers in order to reduce the capture time of the evader. Computational complexity is a chief concern as this problem would need to be solved in an online fashion, e.g., in the case of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles. A new geometric approach to solving the game is introduced and analyzed, which changes the problem of optimizing over continuous domains to a discrete combinatoric optimization. While past efforts at solving multiple pursuer problems have suffered from the curse of dimensionality, the geometric algorithms put forth here are shown to be scalable. Categorization and removal of redundant pursuers is the primary means by which scalability is achieved. The solution of this problem serves as a stepping stone to more complex problems such as the M-pursuer N-evader differential game.
Differentiation of Roles: Instructional Designers and Faculty in the Creation of Online Courses

Instructional design has continued to change and undergo metamorphosis. A key component of this process in higher education is the collaboration between an instructional designer and one or more faculty members to create a robust, quality online course. In this collaborative process, instructional designers are clearly the design expert, while the faculty member is the content expert. However, problems occur when roles are not clearly delineated. Conflict is often reported by instructional designers who feel they are not respected by faculty. Conflict can also occur when instructional designers cross the line and try to influence content instead of providing guidance on content delivery. In order to decrease conflict, the roles of instructional designers and the faculty they collaborate with must be clearly defined. Both the instructional designer and the faculty member should clearly articulate their expected roles in the collaborative course creation process. In addition, written policies and procedures for the instructional design process are crucial to the success of these collaborative relationships.
Self-similarly expanding regions of phase change yield cavitational instabilities and model deep earthquakes

Abstract The dynamical fields that emanate from self-similarly expanding ellipsoidal regions undergoing phase change (change in density, i.e., volume collapse, and change in moduli) under pre-stress, constitute the dynamic generalization of the seminal Eshelby inhomogeneity problem (as an equivalent inclusion problem), and they consist of pressure, shear, and M waves emitted by the surface of the expanding ellipsoid and yielding Rayleigh waves in the crack limit. They may constitute the model of Deep Focus Earthquakes (DFEs) occurring under very high pressures and due to phase change. Two fundamental theorems of physics govern the phenomenon: the Cauchy-Kowalewskaya theorem, which, based on dimensional analysis and analytic properties alone, dictates that there is zero particle velocity in the interior, and Noether's theorem, that extremizes (minimizes for stability) the energy spent to move the phase boundary so that it does not become a sink (or source) of energy, and which determines the self-similar shape (axes expansion speeds). The expression from Noether's theorem indicates that the expanding region can be planar, thus breaking the symmetry of the input and the phenomenon manifests itself as a newly discovered one of a “dynamic collapse/ cavitation instability”, where very large strain energy condensed in the very thin region can escape out. In the presence of shear, the flattened very thin ellipsoid (or band) will be oriented in space so that the energy due to phase change under pre-stress is able to escape out at minimum loss condensed in the core of dislocations gliding out on the planes where the maximum configurational force (Peach-Koehler) is applied on them. Phase change occurring planarly produces in a flattened expanding ellipdoid, a new defect present in the DFEs. The radiation patterns are obtained in terms of the equivalent to the phase change six eigenstrain components, which also contain effects due to planarity through the Dynamic Eshelby Tensor for the flattened ellipsoid. Some models in the literature of DFEs are evaluated and excluded on the basis of not having the energy to move the boundary of phase discontinuity. Noether's theorem is valid in anisotropy and nonlinear elasticity, and the phenomenon is independent of scales, valid from the nano to the very large ones, and applicable in general to other dynamic phenomena of stress induced martensitic transformations, shear banding, and amorphization.
Sexual and Physical Abuse among Adolescents with Behavioral Disorders: Profiles and Implications.

Sexual and physical abuse can have chronic and debilitating effects on adolescents. Very little is known about the prevalence and frequency of sexual and physical abuse among adolescents with behav...