cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Smart Grid Energy Storage

Generation units based on renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, etc., have rapidly penetrated into the electrical grid. Today, they constitute a significant percentage of the installed generation capacity and are considered to be an important energy storage option for future generation systems. However, the intermittent and fluctuating nature of renewable generation has led to concerns regarding the stability of an electric grid that derives a large fraction of its energy from these sources and the costs associated with integrating renewables at a large scale into an existing grid. Energy storage technologies offer a possible alternative to overcome some of these challenges by balancing the instantaneous mismatch in supply and demand in the electric grid effectively and thereby improving the system performance. The chapter is intended to offer a broad insight into different electrical energy storage technologies, their applications, challenges to widespread deployment, and future trends and outlooks.
Robust Analysis and Design with Quadratic Lyapunov Functions

Abstract This presentation is a subjective account of some of the main results in the use of quadratic form Lyapunov functions in robust analysis and controller design for uncertain systems.
Genome-wide RNAi Screen for Fat Regulatory Genes in C. elegans Identifies a Proteostasis-AMPK Axis Critical for Starvation Survival.

Summary Organisms must execute metabolic defenses to survive nutrient deprivation. We performed a genome-wide RNAi screen in Caenorhabditis elegans to identify fat regulatory genes indispensable for starvation resistance. Here, we show that opposing proteostasis pathways are principal determinants of starvation survival. Reduced function of cytoplasmic aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (ARS genes) increases fat mass and extends starvation survival, whereas reduced proteasomal function reduces fat and starvation survival. These opposing pathways converge on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as the critical effector of starvation defenses. Extended starvation survival in ARS deficiency is dependent upon increased proteasome-mediated activation of AMPK. When the proteasome is inhibited, neither starvation nor ARS deficiency can fully activate AMPK, leading to greatly diminished starvation survival. Thus, activity of the proteasome and AMPK are mechanistically linked and highly correlated with starvation resistance. Conversely, aberrant activation of the proteostasis-AMPK axis during nutritional excess may have implications for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases.
An evaluation of the production effects of video self-modeling

Abstract A multiple baseline across tasks design was used to evaluate the production effects of video self-modeling on three activities of daily living tasks of an adult male with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. Results indicated large increases in task accuracy after the production of a self-modeling video for each task, but before the video was viewed by the participant. Results also indicated small increases when the participant was directed to view the same video self-models before being prompted to complete each task.
On What Does Rationality Hinge

The two main components of Coliva’s view are Moderatism and Extended Rationality. According to Moderatism, a belief about specific material objects is perceptually justified iff, absent defeaters, one has the appropriate course of experience and it is assumed that there is an external world. I grant Moderatism and instead focus on Extended Rationality, according to which it is epistemically rational to believe evidentially warranted propositions and to accept those unwarrantable assumptions that make the acquisition of perceptual warrants possible and are therefore constitutive of ordinary evidential warrants. I suggest that, even though Extended Rationality might be true, it cannot do the work that Coliva wants it to do. Although my objections do not show that it is false, they can serve to clarify what sorts of problem a theory of justification or rationality could possibly address. This provides an alternative to Coliva’s view of the skeptical problem and the question, on what does rationality hinge?
An examination of perceptions of individuals with an intellectual disability, with and without co-morbid schizophrenia: effects of labels on stigma.

Background Research demonstrates negative perceptions of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and individuals with schizophrenia, but no study has examined ID with a co-morbid psychiatric disorder. The present study examined the social distance desired from and perceptions of dangerousness of ID, schizophrenia and co-morbid schizophrenia and ID and examined the impact of providing a label for the behaviours presented in a vignette. Methods A total of 160 participants, all university students, were randomly assigned to one of six vignettes detailing a person with schizophrenia, ID, or a person with both presenting problems. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to read vignettes that had a label provided for the behaviours of the target. Results Participants desired more social distance from the unlabelled than labelled targets. Presence of schizophrenia resulted in increased social distance, but co-morbid ID and schizophrenia elicited less desire for social distance than schizophrenia alone. Schizophrenia resulted in more perceived danger, but labelled co-morbid schizophrenia and ID resulted in little perceived danger. Conclusions Labels resulted in positive outcomes, particularly, when ID was co-morbid with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia stigma appears to be impacted by an ID label, indicating educating the public about the spectrum of co-morbidity may be useful.
The affect of interfacial shear on cavity formation at an elastic inhomogeneity

Cavity formation at an inhomogeneity is examined by analyzing the problem of a plane circular elastic inclusion embedded in an unbounded elastic matrix subject to remote equibiaxial loading. Nonlinear behavior is confined to an interfacial cohesive zone characterized by normal and tangential interface forces which generally depend on interfacial displacement jump components and which require a characteristic length, an interface strength, and a shear stiffness parameter for their prescription. Infinitesimal strain equilibrium solutions for rotationally symmetric and nonsymmetric cavity shapes (and their associated interfacial tractions) are sought by approximation of the governing interfacial integral equations derived from the Boussinesq–Flamant solution to the problem of a normal and tangential point force operative at a point of a boundary. For fixed constitutive parameters and relatively small remote loads only rotationally symmetric cavities will form. For other parameter regions the existence of nonsymmetric cavities is studied by performing a local bifurcation analysis about the rotationally symmetric equilibrium state. A global, post bifurcation analysis is carried out by analyzing the approximate equations computationally. Stability of equilibrium states is assessed according to the Hadamard stability definition. Results indicate that increasing the interfacial shear stiffness can (1) under certain circumstances transform brittle nucleation to ductile nucleation and (2) delay the formation of a nonsymmetrical cavity. However, nonsymmetrical growth cannot be completely suppressed, i.e., ultimately a nonsymmetric cavity will form coincident with the rigid displacement of the inclusion within it.
Orthogonal Lie Algebras

In this and the following two lectures we carry out for the orthogonal Lie algebras what we have already done in the special linear and symplectic cases. As in those cases, we start by working out in general the structure of the orthogonal Lie algebras, describing the roots, root spaces, Weyl group, etc., and then go to work on low-dimensional examples. There is one new phenomenon here: as it turns out, all three of the Lie algebras we deal with in §18.2 are isomorphic to symplectic or special linear Lie algebras we have already analyzed (this will be true of \(\mathfrak{s}{{\mathfrak{o}}_{6}}\mathbb{C} \) as well, but of no other orthogonal Lie algebra). As in the previous cases, the analysis of the Lie algebras and their representation theory will be completely elementary. Algebraic geometry does intrude into the discussion, however: we have described the isomorphisms between the orthogonal Lie algebras discussed and special linear and symplectic ones in terms of projective geometry, since that is what seems to us most natural. This should not be a problem; there are many other ways of describing these isomorphisms, and readers who disagree with our choice can substitute their own.
MULTILUMEN CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS IN CHILDREN: RELATIVE POTENTIAL TO PERFORATE VESSELS. AN IN VITRO STUDY

Objective. Because cardiovascular perforation by a central venouscatheter (CVC) is a serious complication of catheterization in pediatricpatients, we conducted an in vitro study of the relative potential forperforation of a standard material by the tips of multilumen pediatriccatheters. Since we could not simulate vessel tissue, we hypothesized thattesting catheters on a standard material would show whether catheters variedin tendency to perforate such a material and thus indicate a “relativepotential for perforation.” Methods. Each CVC protruding from asupport tube was suspended in a water-filled Plexiglas chamber at a 90°incident angle to a polyethylene film, which was made to bulge 6 mm into theCVC tip 120 times per minute by hydropressure. Perforation of the polyethylenefilm was documented on a time-based, strip-chart recording of pressure changeon the opposite side of the film. We recorded the number of pulsationsrequired for the following catheters to perforate the polyethylene: Arrow flextip, Cook polyurethane, Viggo hydrocath polyurethane, and Cook silicone CVCsof 4- and 5-Fr size with 2 or 3 lumens (n = 5 catheters of each type, eachcatheter being tested 5 times). Results. The number of pulsations toperforation ranged from 1 ± 0.4 SD to > 7000.Conclusions. This in vitro study of the worst-case condition(90° incident angle between CVC tip and polyethylene film) indicates thatpediatric multilumen CVCs vary significantly in their relative potential toperforate a standard material. We suggest that, when central venouscatheterization is contemplated in children, in addition to insertion site,catheter length, and depth of insertion, the type of catheter is anothervariable to consider in order to minimize the chance of cardiovascularperforation by the CVC tip.
Dielectric Steering of a 3-D Printed Microwave Slot Array

A steerable, three-dimensional printed, traveling-wave microwave slot array is presented. Inserted dielectric bars change the guide wavelength in the array, adding a constant phase shift between radiating slots. This in turn achieves a tilt angle of the main lobe away from boresight. The ability to adjust the direction of a beam radiated or received by a high-gain slot array with fixed physical mounting has a practical advantage compared to physically rotating the array: It minimizes the volume required for the mounted array. Mounting volume scales as W tan θ , where W is the array width and θ is the steering angle. The work presented here has W = 186.2 mm and θ = 8.5°, so the change in mounting volume thickness is 27.9 mm. This array is 11.6 mm thick, so the mounting volume is reduced by a factor of 3.4. Opening the center line of the back side of the array waveguides allowed the insertion of dielectric bars along the center of each waveguide. The described device was both simulated and built, and the experimental device achieved 8.5° of continuously adjustable beam steering with a reduction in realized gain of 2.1 dB.
The Shift to “Social”: Social and Commercial Entrepreneurship Must Meld to Meet Changing Consumer Preferences

Social entrepreneurship has been defined in contrast to commercial entrepreneurship. This suggests thatthe expectations placed on a social entrepreneur are outside of the usual set of requirements for an entrepreneur. However, changes in consumer preferences suggest that this is not the case. A growing segment of consumers want to make purchases from companies that uphold values that are consistent with their own (Gerzema & D’Antonio, 2011; Ki & Kim, 2016; Noble, Haytko, & Phillips, 2009). Thus, it is important for entrepreneurs to move in the direction of “social” entrepreneurs.
Celiac Plexus Block and Superior Hypogastric Plexus Block

Blockade of the celiac and superior hypogastric plexus is the mainstay of treatment for intractable pain of the abdominal and pelvic structures. These structures are accessible percutaneously using image guidance. Abdominal malignancies, both primary and due to metastasis, remain the most common indication. Superior hypogastric blockade (SHB) is a versatile nerve block for pain of the lower abdominal and pelvic viscera. While the efficacy of SHB is not as well studied as celiac plexus blockade, it remains a viable treatment when utilized appropriately.
Hepatitis C Elimination in People With HIV Is Contingent on Closing Gaps in the HIV Continuum.

Background Bolstered by the high efficacy of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, the World Health Organization has called for HCV elimination by 2030. People with HIV (PWH) have been identified as a population in which elimination should be prioritized. Methods We examined progress in HCV elimination through the HCV care continuum among patients infected with HIV/HCV receiving HIV care at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Patients with HIV care visits in at least 2 consecutive years were followed through December 15, 2018, for referral to HCV care, treatment initiation, and cure. Results Among 593 HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals, 547 (92%) were referred for HCV care, 517 (87%) were evaluated for HCV treatment, 457 (77%) were prescribed HCV treatment, 426 (72%) initiated treatment, and 370 (62%) achieved HCV cure. In multivariable analysis, advanced liver disease (hazard ratio [HR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.88) remained significantly positively associated with HCV treatment initiation. Conversely, being insured by state Medicaid (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-0.92), having an HIV RNA >400 copies/mL (HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.18-0.49), and having missed 1%-24% (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54-0.97), 25%-49% (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.89), and ≥50% of HIV care visits (HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.25-0.60) were significantly negatively associated with HCV treatment initiation. Conclusions HCV infection can be eliminated in PWH. However, HCV elimination requires unrestricted access to HCV treatment and improved methods of retaining people in medical care.
In-vitro evaluation of a ciprofloxacin and azithromycin sinus stent for Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.

BACKGROUND Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent inflammation and bacterial infection. Ciprofloxacin and azithromycin are commonly prescribed antibiotics for CRS, but the ability to provide targeted release in the sinuses could mitigate side effects and improve drug concentrations at the infected site. This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the novel ciprofloxacin-azithromycin sinus stent (CASS) in vitro. METHODS The CASS was created by coating ciprofloxacin (hydrophilic, inner layer) and azithromycin (hydrophobic, outer layer) onto a biodegradable poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) stent. In-vitro evaluation included: (1) assessment of drug-coating stability within the stent using scanning electron microscopy (SEM); (2) determination of ciprofloxacin and azithromycin release kinetics; and (3) assessment of anti-biofilm activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. RESULTS The ciprofloxacin nanoparticle suspension in the inner layer was confirmed by zeta potential. Both ciprofloxacin (60 µg) and azithromycin (3 mg) were uniformly coated on the surface of the PLLA stents. The CASS showed ciprofloxacin/azithromycin sustained release patterns, with 80.55 ± 11.61% of ciprofloxacin and 93.85 ± 6.9% of azithromycin released by 28 days. The CASS also significantly reduced P aeruginosa biofilm mass compared with bare stents and controls (relative optical density units at 590-nm optical density: CASS, 0.037 ± 0.006; bare stent, 0.911 ± 0.015; control, 1.000 ± 0.000; p < 0.001; n = 3). CONCLUSION The CASS maintains a uniform coating and sustained delivery of ciprofloxacin and azithromycin, providing anti-biofilm activities against P aeruginosa. Further studies evaluating the efficacy of CASS in a preclinical model are planned.
The Emergence of a Food-Waste-Based Commodity Frontier in the United States

The article documents the emergence of a food-waste-based commodity frontier in the United States that completes a process of food commodification from cradle to grave. Evidence is drawn from two c...
Tenderness and Juiciness of Beef Steaks from Varying Hot Carcass Weights

ObjectivesOur objectives were to determine how hot carcass weights affected temperature decline and pH decline of carcasses, and subsequently shear force, juiciness and color of steaks.Materials and MethodsCarcasses (n = 59) were selected at a commercial abattoir over five collection days at approximately 45 min after exsanguination and sorted by hot carcass weight. Carcasses were separated into light ( 408 kg) weight groups. Temperature decline was monitored with a data logger for 24 h with one probe inserted into the longissimus muscle at approximately the sixth rib and one probe inserted directly into the center of the semimembranosus muscle. Muscle pH was measured in the longissimus and semimembranosus muscle at 0, 4, and 24 h after carcasses were moved into chill coolers. After approximately 24 h of chilling, ribeye area, 12th rib fat, KPH, and USDA Quality and Yield Grades were collected. Ribeye rolls (IMPS 112A) and inside rounds (IMPS 160A) were transported to the North Dakota State University Meat Laboratory and aged in vacuum packaging for 14 d. Ribeye and rounds steaks were fabricated for Warner-Bratzler shear force and color analysis. Color analysis was determined on each steak using a Minolta colorimeter after a 30-min bloom time. A 50-g sample was collected for drip loss analysis. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS.ResultsLongissimus muscle temperature at 4 h was less (P = 0.02) in light carcasses compared with heavy weight carcasses and semimembranosus muscle temperature was less (P < 0.0001) in light and medium weight carcasses compared with heavy weight carcasses. There were no differences in pH decline (P ≥ 0.16) among hot carcass weight groups. There were no differences in fat thickness, KPH or marbling score (P ≥ 0.12) among hot carcass weight groups. Longissimus area (P = 0.0002) was larger and USDA final yield grade was greater (P = 0.04) among hot carcass weight groups. There were no differences in drip loss, cook loss or WBSF in either longissimus or semimembranosus muscles (P ≥ 0.10) among carcass groups. Color data indicated that ribeye and round steaks from heavy weight carcasses were redder than steaks from light weight carcasses (P ≤ 0.02).ConclusionHot carcass weight did not have an influence on objective measures of meat palatability traits; however, carcass weight did have an effect on color.
Factors Impacting Differential Outcomes in the Definitive Radiation Treatment of Anal Cancer Between HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Patients

Background Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is uncommon, yet seen more frequently in the setting of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Chemoradiotherapy is the definitive modality of treatment for patients with ASCC; this study examines factors impacting clinical outcomes in a large cohort of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of patients treated for nonmetastatic ASCC at a single institution between 2005 and 2018. Freedom from local recurrence (FFLR), freedom from distant metastasis, and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results During the study period, 111 patients initiated definitive treatment for ASCC. Median age of the entire cohort was 56.7 years (interquartile range, 51.5-63.5), with 52 patients (46.8%) being HIV-positive. At median follow-up of 28.0 months, the 2- and 5-year FFLR were 78.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.4-87.0) and 74.6% (95% CI, 65.8-84.5), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed time from diagnosis to treatment initiation (median, 8 weeks; hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10) to be significantly associated with worse FFLR and OS. HIV-positive patients had a trend toward worse FFLR (log-ranked p = .06). For HIV-positive patients with post-treatment CD4 less than 150 cells per mm3 , there was significantly worse OS (log-ranked p = .015). Conclusion A trend toward worse FFLR was seen in HIV-positive patients, despite similar baseline disease characteristics as HIV-negative patients. Worse FFLR and OS was significantly associated with increased time from diagnosis to treatment initiation. Poorer OS was seen in HIV-positive patients with a post-treatment CD4 count less than 150 cells per mm3 . Implications for practice Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma can represent a difficult clinical scenario. Definitive radiation with concurrent chemotherapy is highly effective but can result in significant toxicity and a decrease in CD4 count that could predispose to HIV-related complications. As HIV-positive patients have largely been excluded from prospective clinical trials, this study seeks to provide greater understanding of their outcomes with radiation therapy, potential predictors of worse local control and overall survival, and those most at risk after completion of treatment.
Late side effects of radiation treatment for head and neck cancer

Patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) experience significant early and long-term side effects. The likelihood and severity of complications depends on a number of factors, including the total dose of radiation delivered, over what time it was delivered and what parts of the head and neck received radiation. Late side effects include: permanent loss of saliva; osteoradionecrosis; radiation recall myositis, pharyngoesophageal stenosis; dental caries; oral cavity necrosis; fibrosis; impaired wound healing; skin changes and skin cancer; lymphedema; hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, lightheadedness, dizziness and headaches; secondary cancer; and eye, ear, neurological and neck structures damage. Patients who undergo radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma tend to suffer from chronic sinusitis. These side effects present difficult challenges to the patients and their caregivers and require life-long strategies to alleviate their deleterious effect on basic life functions and on the quality of life. This review presents these side effects and their management.
Emergent Dimensions of Community-Oriented Policing:

Community-oriented policing (COP) is arguably the most popular and most misunderstood policing philosophy. Definitional ambiguity contributes to this problem, hampering theoretical development, cre...
Targets for Intervention? Preoperative Predictors of Postoperative Ileus After Colorectal Surgery in an Enhanced Recovery Protocol

Postoperative ileus occurs in up to 30% of colorectal surgery patients and is associated with increased length of stay, costs, and morbidity. While Enhanced Recovery Protocols seek to accelerate postoperative recovery, data on modifiable preoperative factors associated with postoperative ileus in this setting are limited. We aimed to identify preoperative predictors of postoperative ileus following colorectal surgery in Enhanced Recovery Protocols, to determine new intervention targets. We performed a retrospective single-center cohort study of patients ≥ 18 years old who underwent colorectal surgery via Enhanced Recovery Protocols (7/2015–7/2017). Postoperative ileus was defined as nasogastric tube insertion postoperatively or nil-per-os by postoperative day 4. Preoperative risk factors including comorbidities and medication use were identified using multivariable stepwise logistic regression. Of 530 patients, 14.9% developed postoperative ileus. On univariate analysis of perioperative and postoperative factors, postoperative ileus patients had increased psychiatric illness, antidepressant and antipsychotic use, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, ileostomy creation, postoperative opioid use, complications, surgery duration, and length of stay (p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression model for preoperative factors identified psychiatric illness, preoperative antipsychotic use, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥ 3 as significant predictors of postoperative ileus (p < 0.05). Postoperative ileus remains a common complication following colorectal surgery under Enhanced Recovery Protocols. Patients with pre-existing psychiatric comorbidities and preoperative antipsychotic use may be a previously overlooked cohort at increased risk for postoperative ileus. Additional research and preoperative interventions within Enhanced Recovery Protocols to reduce postoperative ileus for this higher-risk population are needed.
Multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program (IM-FIT) for cancer survivors: implementation of a reimbursable model in a cancer hospital.

We examined the initial effects of a real-world application of a multimodal, reimbursable program to improve lifestyle and promote healthy weight loss in cancer survivors as part of their care. The lifestyle program (Integrative Medicine Fitness Program; IM-FIT) focusing on increasing physical activity and strength training, improving nutrition, and facilitating stress management and behavior change was delivered in a group format over 12 weeks. Patients met weekly with a physical therapist, dietitian, and psychologist. Body composition and behavioral data were collected at the start and end of 12 weeks, as well as fitness, nutrition, and psychological data. The first cohort started in September 2017, and the last cohort ended in August 2019. Twenty-six patients (92% female; mean age = 62.7, SD = 9) completed the program, which was pre-approved and covered as in-network by their health insurance. Patients lost an average of 3.9% of their body weight (SD = − 2.2). There was a significant reduction in white bread and desserts and increase in legumes and non-dairy milk. Time spent in vigorous exercise (p < .001), strength training (p < .001), and total exercise (p < .001) significantly increased. Patients reported reduction in depression (7.76 to 4.29; p = .01), anxiety (6.14 to 3.29; p < .01), and overall distress (4.70 to 3.40; p < .01). We demonstrated that a multi-disciplinary weight loss program can be tailored to cancer survivors leading to weight reduction and improvements in lifestyle factors and mental health. This program showed successful real-world implementation with insurance reimbursement.
Artificial intelligence predicts disk re-herniation following lumbar microdiscectomy: development of the “RAD” risk profile

Surgical treatment of herniated lumbar intervertebral disks is a common procedure worldwide. However, recurrent herniated nucleus pulposus (re-HNP) may develop, complicating outcomes and patient management. The purpose of this study was to utilize machine-learning (ML) analytics to predict lumbar re-HNP, whereby a personalized risk prediction can be developed as a clinical tool. A retrospective, single center study was conducted of 2630 consecutive patients that underwent lumbar microdiscectomy (mean follow-up: 22-months). Various preoperative patient pain/disability/functional profiles, imaging parameters, and anthropomorphic/demographic metrics were noted. An Extreme Gradient Boost (XGBoost) classifier was implemented to develop a predictive model identifying patients at risk for re-HNP. The model was exported to a web application software for clinical utility. There were 1608 males and 1022 females, 114 of whom experienced re-HNP. Primary herniations were central (65.8%), paracentral (17.6%), and far lateral (17.1%). The XGBoost algorithm identified multiple re-HNP predictors and was incorporated into an open-access web application software, identifying patients at low or high risk for re-HNP. Preoperative VAS leg, disability, alignment parameters, elevated body mass index, symptom duration, and age were the strongest predictors. Our predictive modeling via an ML approach of our large-scale cohort is the first study, to our knowledge, that has identified significant risk factors for the development of re-HNP after initial lumbar decompression. We developed the re-herniation after decompression (RAD) profile index that has been translated into an online screening tool to identify low–high risk patients for re-HNP. Additional validation is needed for potential global implementation.
Impact of tobacco and illicit drug use in the care of adolescent and young adults with sarcoma.

e18657Background: Despite adolescent and young adults (AYAs) representing the patient population most likely to initiate and use tobacco and illicit drugs, studies of their impact have thus far foc...
Dynamic Aspects of Phospholipids during Protein Secretion

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the dynamic aspects of phospholipids in exocrine cells which secrete organic molecules, in particular the exocrine pancreas, which secretes protein. Some interpretations of the possible physiological role of the phospholipid effect in the overall process of protein secretion are also presented. This role seems to center on the mechanism of membrane relocation, which is part and parcel of the process of membrane circulation which appears to occur during protein secretion. The prominent constituents of all cell membranes, such as phospholipids, serve more than one role in membrane function. Phosphatides also play a dynamic role in nervous tissue, and the available evidence suggests that this function is closely related to that in glands which secrete organic molecules. Dynamic functions discussed in the chapter involve changes in metabolism as detected by isotopic tracers. There are no doubt functions of phospholipids which do not involve metabolic changes.
Solid Phase Reagents in Radiosynthesis

Radiochemists rely heavily upon functionalized polymers and chromatographic supports for rapid isolation of radiochemicals and labeled intermediates. Extending the use of solid phase reagents from separation steps to radiolabeling reactions and organic transformations has many potential benefits; solid phase methods can shorten overall synthesis times, simplify chemical apparatus, and minimize use of hazardous solvents and reagents. The ability to localize reactions in small columns of functional polymers can also permit easy monitoring and shielding of radiochemical steps.
Overcoming the local-minimum problem in training multilayer perceptrons with the NRAE-MSE training method

A method of training multilayer perceptrons (MLPs) to reach a global or nearly global minimum of the standard mean squared error (MSE) criterion is proposed. It has been found that the region in the weight space that does not have a local minimum of the normalized risk-averting error (NRAE) criterion expands strictly to the entire weight space as the risk-sensitivity index increases to infinity. If the MLP under training has enough hidden neurons, the MSE and NRAE criteria are both equal to nearly zero at a global or nearly global minimum. Training the MLP with the NRAE at a sufficiently large risk-sensitivity index can therefore effectively avoid non-global local minima. Numerical experiments show consistently successful convergence from different initial guesses of the weights of the MLP at a risk-sensitivity index over 106. The experiments are conducted on examples with non-global local minima of the MSE criterion that are difficult to escape from by training directly with the MSE criterion.
Sensor and information fusion for enhanced detection, classification, and localization

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) has recently concluded a research experiment to study the benefits of multimodal sensor fusion for improved hostile-fire-defeat (HFD) in an urban setting. This joint effort was led by ARL in partnership with other R&D centers and private industry. The primary goals were to detect hostile fire events (small arms, mortars, rockets, IEDs) and hostile human activities by providing solutions before, during, and after the events to improve sensor networking technologies; to develop multimodal sensor data fusion; and to determine effective dissemination techniques for the resultant actionable intelligence. Technologies included ultraviolet, infrared, retroreflection, visible, glint, Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR), radar, acoustic, seismic, E-field, magnetic, and narrowband emission technologies; all were found to provide useful performance. The experiment demonstrated that combing data and information from diverse sensor modalities can significantly improve the accuracy of threat detections and the effectiveness of the threat response. It also demonstrated that dispersing sensors over a wide range of platforms (fixed site, ground vehicles, unmanned ground and aerial vehicles, aerostat, Soldier-worn) added flexibility and agility in tracking hostile actions. In all, the experiment demonstrated that multimodal fusion will improve hostile event responses, strike force efficiency, and force protection effectiveness.
An MSB-first monotonic switched capacitor serial DAC

A monotonic DAC using switched capacitor integrator is presented. For an N-bit digital input sequence, the proposed DAC starts conversion with the MSB and takes N cycles to finish conversion. The DAC samples the reference voltage only once and transfers appropriate charge to an output capacitor. Some issues relevant to the design and their possible solutions are presented.
Switched memory architectures - moving beyond systolic arrays

Although current ASIC, FPGA and reconfigurable computing technologies support on-chip memories and hardware reconfiguration, these features are not exploited by systolic arrays and their associated synthesis methods. We propose a new architectural model called switched memory architecture (SMA) to overcome these limitations. SMAS are (strictly) more powerful than systolic arrays, are suitable for a wide range of target technologies, and can be derived through the well developed design methodology of the polyhedral model. We illustrate the power of SMAs by showing how any SARE with a one dimensional schedule can be implemented as an SMA without any slowdown. We formally characterize the class of allocation functions that are suitable for SMAs and also describe a systematic procedure for deriving SMAs from SAREs.
Sensorless control of induction motor using natural variables with loss minimization

This paper presents an approach to sensorless speed control an efficiency-optimized induction motor using natural and reference frame independent quantities as state variables - the square of the magnitude of rotor flux linkage, active and reactive torques and rotor speed. Utilization of the nonlinear geometric control methodology of input-output linearization with decoupling permits the implementation of the control in the stationary reference frame. This approach eliminates the use of synchronous reference transformation and flux alignment required in classical vector control schemes. The proposed sensorless speed method uses both the rotor voltage equations, which are shown to provide good rotor speed estimation. The efficiency of the induction motor is realized by choosing the optimal: reference rotor flux linkage using an efficiency optimizing formulation. The proposed scheme and their advantages are demonstrated both by computer simulations and some experimental results for motor speed control
AT/RT in Association with Germ Cell Tumor

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare, highly malignant embryonal tumor of the CNS. The tumor is found almost exclusively in children less than three years of age, with only a handful of reported adult cases. Because of the considerable morphologic overlap with other primary CNS primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs), AT/RT can be viewed as an extension to the spectrum of CNS PNETs. Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are unique in their ability to differentiate along multiple lineages and are known to give rise to a potpourri of benign and malignant neoplasms. We have recently shown that most PNETs arising in the setting of testicular GCT resemble pediatric-type CNS embryonal tumors (Ulbright et al). Herein, we describe a case of AT/RT occurring in an adult with a history of GCT. The patient was diagnosed with disseminated mediastinal GCT at the age of 18 and received chemotherapy at this time. He soon developed brain metastases and underwent whole brain radiation. Eighteen years after his initial diagnosis of primary mediastinal GCT, the patient developed a new right temporal lobe mass. He underwent gross total resection twice, once after the original presentation and another following a recurrence five months later. Pathology was consistent with AT/RT. We hypothesized that AT/RT was related to this patient’s GCT and sat out to establish a molecular link between the two. We performed FISH for 12p abnormalities, which are commonly seen in GCTs but not in AT/RTs, on both the GCT and AT/RT specimens. Interestingly, isochromosome 12p was identified in both samples, essentially establishing a GCT origin for the AT/RT. This is the first report of an AT/RT arising in the context of GCT. We suggest that AT/RT be added to the short list of highly malignant tumors that may arise in the setting of disseminated germ cell tumors.
Fungal pathogen species richness: why do some plant species have more pathogens than others?

AbstractVariation among plant species in the number of associated herbivore and pathogen species is predicted to fit a species-area relationship in which the area or biomass embodied by a plant species is a function of individual size and geographic range size. This hypothesis is tested using published estimates of geographic range, individual size, and species richness of fungal pathogens for 490 plant species occurring in the United States and controlling for sampling intensity and phylogenetic effects. The number of pathogens found on a plant species increases with the metrics of area and/or habitat diversity of plant species, and their effects are similar between gymnosperm and angiosperm lineages. The strength of this pattern across a diverse set of plant lineages suggests that accumulation and persistence of pathogen species on plant species are governed by similar processes among temperate plants.
A librarian's guide to providing resources for pet owners

JAVMA, Vol 232, No. 10, May 15, 2008 T consumers are exposed to a great amount of new information both digitally and in print. Pets and their care are popular topics, and a large amount of information is published in these fields. Therefore, clients arrive at their veterinary clinic with greater expectations, ask more difficult questions, and crave more in-depth health-related information. Because owners are active participants in their pet’s medical treatment, they need credible information to make informed decisions. In general, there is growing interest in health care information among the public, many of whom are expanding their access to health information via the Internet. At the same time, the health care community is becoming aware of the realities of low health literacy and the difficulty that complex medical information poses to the public. This creates challenges and opportunities for veterinary professionals. In the librarian community, there is an emphasis on critical assessment of potential resources and their use for various kinds of patrons. In the medical field, health care providers are placing greater value and trust in patient education materials that have been prepared with health literacy principles in mind. For veterinarians, a similar emphasis on client education is leading to a growing interest in what materials make the best resources for pet care. Research done by librarians has led to suggested techniques to help determine clients’ informational needs and an understanding of what makes a resource a quality source of information for pet owners.
Distribution of Sr and Ba between natural feldspar and igneous melt

Abstract Interpretation of available modal and chemical data on porphyritic volcanic rocks and their constituent phases using a simple ideal fractional crystallization (Rayleigh) model yields the following approximate plagioclase-liquid distribution coefficients for Sr: An30, 7.0; An45, 5.4; An60, 3.8; An75, 2.3; An90, 1.5. Plagioclase-liquid distribution coefficients for Ba vary linearly from about 0.42 at An30 to about 0.16 at An90. The Sr/Ca ratio of sodic plagioclase appears to be slightly greater than that of the associated melt, whereas that of calcic plagioclase is somewhat less. The Ba/Ca ratio of plagioclase is about 0.07 that of the associated melt. Distribution coefficients for Sr and Ba between sodic alkali feldspar and salic melt appear to be about 3 to 4 and 3 to 5, respectively. The Sr/Ca ratio of alkali feldspar is at least several times that of coexisting melt.
A unique chromosome translocation, t(7;15), in a pediatric patient with pre-B-cell lymphoma presenting as a primary tumor of bone

We report here the clinical and cytogenetic findings in a 3-year-old girl with pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting as a primary tumor of bone. A unique translocation t(7;15)(q22;q14-15) is described.
Quantum chemical studies of semiconductor surface chemistry using cluster models

Modern quantum chemical methods can be used to investigate many properties of novel molecules and materials with predictive power. We have carried out accurate quantum chemical calculations with cluster models to investigate chemical reactions on semiconductor surfaces. The structure–property relationships that emerge from these studies are illustrated with particular emphasis on silicon as well as indium phosphide surface chemistry. Some new strategies that we have developed to provide a proper balance between covalent and dative bonding in compound semiconductors are discussed. Embedded cluster models have been used in some cases to include the effects of the surroundings on the active region. The structural and mechanistic understanding that emerges from our studies is illustrated by selected results on atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 on silicon and hydrogenation of P-rich and In-rich indium phosphide surfaces.
One sketch for all: fast algorithms for compressed sensing

Compressed Sensing is a new paradigm for acquiring the compressible signals that arise in many applications. These signals can be approximated using an amount of information much smaller than the nominal dimension of the signal. Traditional approaches acquire the entire signal and process it to extract the information. The new approach acquires a small number of nonadaptive linear measurements of the signal and uses sophisticated algorithms to determine its information content. Emerging technologies can compute these general linear measurements of a signal at unit cost per measurement.This paper exhibits a randomized measurement ensemble and a signal reconstruction algorithm that satisfy four requirements: 1. The measurement ensemble succeeds for all signals, with high probability over the random choices in its construction. 2. The number of measurements of the signal is optimal, except for a factor polylogarithmic in the signal length. 3. The running time of the algorithm is polynomial in the amount of information in the signal and polylogarithmic in the signal length. 4. The recovery algorithm offers the strongest possible type of error guarantee. Moreover, it is a fully polynomial approximation scheme with respect to this type of error bound.Emerging applications demand this level of performance. Yet no otheralgorithm in the literature simultaneously achieves all four of these desiderata.
Effects of a thermal discharge on the mortality of copepods in a subtropical estuary

Abstract Experimental field treatments were employed to examine the thermal mortalities of copepods exposed to the heated effluents of a power generating plant located on a subtropical estuary. Significant lethal effects were observed for all species studied, with mass mortalities occurring during the warmest months of the year. Of the seven species examined, the copepods identified as estuarine species had steeper mortality curves and higher upper lethal thermal limits than the more neritic forms. The estuarine species have apparently evolved the ability to live in subtropical areas under temperature conditions very close to their upper thermal limits. Coastal species, on the other hand, exhibit a greater variation in temperature sensitivity so thermal additions in subtropical estuaries could be very significant in limiting their distribution and abundance.
Child sexual abuse and attachment theory:are we rushing headlong into another controversy?

ABSTRACT The child sexual abuse knowledge base has developed within a highly charged political and social context. As such, early theories of sexual abuse were susceptible to biases that reflected the larger sociocultural context. The purpose of this paper is to consider whether attachment theory as it is applied to child sexual abuse might also be susceptible to such biases. Although this paper concludes that attachment theory can potentially add an important dimension to the conceptualization of child sexual abuse and its dynamics, it is also suggested that attachment theory may remain at risk for becoming a vehicle for transmitting political and ideological agendas.
Pharmacology of Gentamicin in Man

Dosage of gentamicin based upon the weight of the patient (1.5-8 mg/kg per day) produced a wide range of concentrations of the drug in serum. In 10% of patients, the level is potentially toxic, but in 30% it is inadequate for therapy. Concentrations of gentamicin in urine are high, in cerebrospinal fluid low, and in bile, pleural, and pericardial fluid one-half to one-fourth that in the serum. Renal insufficiency requires an altered maintenance dosage. Hemodialysis clears gentamicin at a rate equal to 60% of that at which creatinine is cleared. Individual patterns in the response to dose were observed to be accelerated, typical, or dampened, giving brief high, average, or low levels of drug in serum. A significant inverse relation exists between the level of gentamicin in serum and hematocrit. Studies with radioactive gentamicin (100 ztg/ml) showed that 10% was associated with erythrocytes, 30% with plasma proteins, and 60% in solution. The individual dose-responses emphasize the value of monitoring gentamicin levels in serum during treatment. The optimal clinical benefit from treatment of infections caused by organisms sensitive to gentamicin can be obtained only if the dose used provides a therapeutic, but not a toxic, level in the blood. To achieve this goal, it is essential to have information concerning the factors and conditions that influence the concentration of drug in the plasma and the penetration of the drug into various compartments of body fluids. Because gentamicin is not appreciably metabolized or inactivated in the body, the principal determinants of the level in plasma attained with any given dose are the absorption, binding, distribution, and excretion of the drug. The major, if not the exclusive route of elimination of gentamicin from the body is through the kidneys by glomerular fil