cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient parallel algorithms for testing k -connectivity and finding disjoint s-t paths in graphs

An efficient parallel algorithm for testing whether a graph G is k-vertex connected is presented. The algorithm runs in $O(k^2 \log n)$ time and uses $(n + k^2 )kC(n,m)$ processors on a CROW PRAM, where n and m are the number of vertices and edges of G, and $C(n,m)$ is the number of processors required to compute the connected components of G in logarithmic time. For fixed k, the algorithm runs in logarithmic time and uses $nC(n,m)$ processors. To develop our algorithm, an efficient parallel algorithm is designed for the following disjoint s-t paths problem. Given a graph G, and two specified vertices s and t, find k vertex disjoint paths between s and t, if they exist. If no such paths exist, find a set of at most $k-1$ vertices whose removal disconnects s and t. The parallel algorithm for this problem runs in $O(k^2 \log n)$ time and uses $kC(n,m)$ processors. The way to modify the algorithm to find k-edge disjoint paths, if they exist, is shown. This yields an efficient parallel algorithm for testing w...
Digital CMOS IC's in 6H-SiC operating on a 5-V power supply

A CMOS technology in 6H-SiC utilizing an implanted p-well process is developed. The p-wells are fabricated by implanting boron ions into an n-type epilayer. PMOS devices are fabricated on an n-type epilayer while the NMOS devices are fabricated on implanted p-wells using a thermally grown gate oxide. The resulting NMOS devices have a threshold voltage of 3.3 V while the PMOS devices have a threshold voltage of -4.2 V at room temperature. The effective channel mobility is around 20 cm/sup 2//Vs for the NMOS devices and around 7.5 cm/sup 2//Vs for the PMOS devices. Several digital circuits, such as inverters, NAND's, NOR's, and 11-stage ring oscillators are fabricated using these devices and exhibited stable operation at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 300/spl deg/C. These digital circuits are the first CMOS circuits in 6H-SiC to operate with a 5-V power supply for temperatures ranging from room temperature up to 300/spl deg/C.
Methodologies for evaluating game theoretic defense against DDoS attacks

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on the Internet are used by attackers to be a nuisance, make a political statement (e.g. the 2009 attack against Estonia), or as a weapon of an Internet extortionist. Effective defense against these is a crucial study area, where advanced simulation techniques play a critical role, because of the enormous number of events involved. This paper considers a methodology for evaluating a game-theoretic defense against DDoS. We first describe a basic form of the defense, note the performance limitations suffered by a naive implementation, and then consider methodologies in which a parallelized approach may accelerate performance.
Design Technology for Improved Performance Retention in Turbofan Engines

Advanced mechanical design programs have been launched to substantially improve the performance retention characteristics of turbofan engines. This paper addresses the general causes of performance loss and presents current programs whose objective is to minimize these losses. Areas addressed are: deterioration of clearances between rotating and static components during a typical engine's life, engine generated and externally applied loads, and operating technique effects. Several advanced mechanical design features which address these conditions with the intent of minimizing or eliminating resultant deterioration of performance are discussed, and evaluation techniques for design verification, including laser optics are described. 1 ref.
Incremental Redundancy Low-Density Parity Check Codes for MIMO V-BLAST Systems

The throughput of an incremental redundancy hybrid forward error correction/automatic retransmission request (IR-hybridARQ) scheme strongly depends on the design of the error correction code. In this paper, we consider ensembles of rate-compatible LDPC codes using an intentional puncturing algorithm in a vertical bell lab layered space-time (V-BLAST) system. We also present an adaptive IR-hybridARQ scheme with a code selection algorithm for reducing the traffic of a feedback channel. With the proposed adaptive code selection algorithm, we can reduce the traffic of the feedback channel for NACK signaling greatly without any significant throughput loss.
Extramacrochaetae functions in dorsal-ventral patterning of Drosophila imaginal discs

One of the seminal events in the history of a tissue is the establishment of the anterior-posterior, dorsal-ventral (D/V) and proximal-distal axes. Axis formation is important for the regional specification of a tissue and allows cells along the different axes to obtain directional and positional information. Within the Drosophila retina, D/V axis formation is essential to ensure that each unit eye first adopts the proper chiral form and then rotates precisely 90° in the correct direction. These two steps are important because the photoreceptor array must be correctly aligned with the neurons of the optic lobe. Defects in chirality and/or ommatidial rotation will lead to disorganization of the photoreceptor array, misalignment of retinal and optic lobe neurons, and loss of visual acuity. Loss of the helix-loop-helix protein Extramacrochaetae (Emc) leads to defects in both ommatidial chirality and rotation. Here, we describe a new role for emc in eye development in patterning the D/V axis. We show that the juxtaposition of dorsal and ventral fated tissue in the eye leads to an enrichment of emc expression at the D/V midline. emc expression at the midline can be eliminated when D/V patterning is disrupted and can be induced in situations in which ectopic boundaries are artificially generated. We also show that emc functions downstream of Notch signaling to maintain the expression of four-jointed along the midline.
Potential Role of a Novel Psychrotolerant Member of the Family Geobacteraceae, Geopsychrobacter electrodiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., in Electricity Production by a Marine Sediment Fuel Cell

Previous studies have shown that members of the family Geobacteraceae that attach to the anodes of sediment fuel cells are directly involved in harvesting electricity by oxidizing organic compounds to carbon dioxide and transferring the electrons to the anode. In order to learn more about this process, microorganisms from the anode surface of a marine sediment fuel cell were enriched and isolated with Fe(III) oxide. Two unique marine isolates were recovered, strains A1T and A2. They are gram-negative, nonmotile rods, with abundant c-type cytochromes. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, recA, gyrB, fusA, rpoB, and nifD genes indicated that strains A1T and A2 represent a unique phylogenetic cluster within the Geobacteraceae. Both strains were able to grow with an electrode serving as the sole electron acceptor and transferred ca. 90% of the electrons available in their organic electron donors to the electrodes. These organisms are the first psychrotolerant members of the Geobacteraceae reported thus far and can grow at temperatures between 4 and 30°C, with an optimum temperature of 22°C. Strains A1T and A2 can utilize a wide range of traditional electron acceptors, including all forms of soluble and insoluble Fe(III) tested, anthraquinone 2,6-disulfonate, and S0. In addition to acetate, both strains can utilize a number of other organic acids, amino acids, long-chain fatty acids, and aromatic compounds to support growth with Fe(III) nitrilotriacetic acid as an electron acceptor. The metabolism of these organisms differs in that only strain A1T can use acetoin, ethanol, and hydrogen as electron donors, whereas only strain A2 can use lactate, propionate, and butyrate. The name Geopsychrobacter electrodiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed for strains A1T and A2, with strain A1T (ATCC BAA-880T; DSM 16401T; JCM 12469) as the type strain. Strains A1T and A2 (ATCC BAA-770; JCM 12470) represent the first organisms recovered from anodes that can effectively couple the oxidation of organic compounds to an electrode. Thus, they may serve as important model organisms for further elucidation of the mechanisms of microbe-electrode electron transfer in sediment fuel cells.
Interactions of hydrogen with the iron and iron carbide interfaces: a ReaxFF molecular dynamics study

Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a well-known material phenomenon that causes significant loss in the mechanical strength of structural iron and often leads to catastrophic failures. In order to provide a detailed atomistic description of HE we have used a reactive bond order potential to adequately describe the diffusion of hydrogen as well as its chemical interaction with other hydrogen atoms, defects, and the host metal. The currently published ReaxFF force field for Fe/C/H systems was originally developed to describe Fischer–Tropsch (FT) catalysis [C. Zou, A. C. T. van Duin and D. C. Sorescu, Top. Catal., 2012, 55, 391–401], and especially had been trained for surface formation energies, binding energies of small hydrocarbon radicals on different surfaces of iron and the barrier heights of surface reactions. We merged this force field with the latest ReaxFF carbon parameters [S. Goverapet Srinivasan, A. C. T. van Duin and P. Ganesh, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2015, 119, 1089–5639] and used the same training data set to refit the Fe/C interaction parameters. The present work is focused on evaluating the applicability of this reactive force field to describe material characteristics and study the role of defects and impurities in the bulk and at the precipitator interfaces. We study the interactions of hydrogen with pure and defective α-iron (ferrite), Fe3C (cementite), and ferrite–cementite interfaces with a vacancy cluster. We also investigate the growth of nanovoids in α-iron using a grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) scheme. The calculated hydrogen diffusion coefficients for both ferrite and cementite phases predict a decrease in the work of separation with increasing hydrogen concentration at the ferrite–cementite interface, suggesting a hydrogen-induced decohesion behavior. Hydrogen accumulation at the interface was observed during molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which is consistent with experimental findings. These results demonstrate the ability of the ReaxFF potential to elucidate various aspects of hydrogen embrittlement in α-iron and hydrogen interactions at a more complex metal/metal carbide interface.
Quantitative Comparison of Stylet Penetration Behaviors of Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter on Selected Hosts

New Zealand is threatened by invasion of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), an important vector of Xylella fastidiosa, a gram-negative bacterium that causes Pierce's disease in grape (Vitis spp.) and scorch diseases in many other horticultural crops. Therefore, an understanding of the host acceptability, feeding behavior, and potential vector efficiency of glassy-winged sharpshooter on New Zealand crops is important. We tested host plant acceptance and feeding behaviors of glassy-winged sharpshooter on three common horticultural crops grown in New Zealand (apple [Malus spp.], grape, and citrus [Citrus spp.]), and a native plant (Metrosideros excelsa [=tomentosa] Richard, pohutukawa), using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique. Probing (stylet penetration) behaviors varied among the host plants, primarily due to differences in waveform event durations. Apple and grape were the most accepted host plants, on which glassy-winged sharpshooter spent the majority of its time on the plant probing and readily located and accepted a xylem cell for ingestion. This resulted in long durations of sustained xylem fluid ingestion. In contrast, pohutukawa was the least accepted host. On this plant, glassy-winged sharpshooter spent less time probing and engaged in longer and more frequent testing/searching and xylem-testing activities, rejected xylem cells frequently, and spent less time with stylets resting, before accepting a xylem cell and ultimately performing the same amount of sustained ingestion. Citrus plants contaminated with sublethal insecticide residues were intermediate between these extremes, with some acceptance of xylem, but less ingestion, probably due to presumed partial paralysis of the cibarial muscles. Implications of the results in terms of host plant acceptance and the development of a stylet penetration index are discussed.
Increased hydrophobic surface exposure in the cataract-related G18V variant of human γS-crystallin

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to determine whether the cataract-related G18V variant of human γ S-crystallin has increased exposure of hydrophobic residues that could explain its aggregation propensity and/or recognition by α B-crystallin. Methods We used an ANS fluorescence assay and NMR chemical shift perturbation to experimentally probe exposed hydrophobic surfaces. These results were compared to flexible docking simulations of ANS molecules to the proteins, starting with the solution-state NMR structures of γ S-WT and γ S-G18V. Results γ S-G18V exhibits increased ANS fluorescence, suggesting increased exposed hydrophobic surface area. The specific residues involved in ANS binding were mapped by NMR chemical shift perturbation assays, revealing ANS binding sites in γ S-G18V that are not present in γ S-WT. Molecular docking predicts three binding sites that are specific to γ S-G18V corresponding to the exposure of a hydrophobic cavity located at the interdomain interface, as well as two hydrophobic patches near a disordered loop containing solvent-exposed cysteines, all but one of which is buried in γ S-WT. Conclusions Although both proteins display non-specific binding, more residues are involved in ANS binding to γ S-G18V, and the affected residues are localized in the N-terminal domain and the nearby interdomain interface, proximal to the mutation site. General significance Characterization of changes in exposed hydrophobic surface area between wild-type and variant proteins can help elucidate the mechanisms of aggregation propensity and chaperone recognition, presented here in the context of cataract formation. Experimental data and simulations provide complementary views of the interactions between proteins and the small molecule probes commonly used to study aggregation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Crystallin Biochemistry in Health and Disease.
Epitaxial Atomic Layer Deposition of Sn-Doped Indium Oxide

Coherently strained, epitaxial Sn-doped In2O3 (ITO) thin films were fabricated at temperatures as low as 250 °C using atomic layer deposition (ALD) on (001)-, (011)-, and (111)-oriented single-crystal Y-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) substrates. Resultant films possess cube-on-cube epitaxial relationships with the underlying YSZ substrates and are smooth, highly conductive, and optically transparent. This epitaxial ALD approach is favorable compared to many conventional growth techniques as it is a large-scale synthesis method that does not necessitate the use of high temperatures or ultrahigh vacuum. These films may prove valuable as a conductive growth template in areas where high-quality crystalline thin film substrates are important, such as solar energy materials, light-emitting diodes, or wide bandgap semiconductors. Furthermore, we discuss the applicability of this ALD system as an excellent model system for the study of ALD surface chemistry, nucleation, and film growth.
Risk Factors for Seclusion and Restraint in a Pediatric Psychiatry Day Hospital

The use of seclusion and restraints (SR) in acute hospital settings remains a controversial practice. Despite the focus on SR in the psychiatric services literature, data on SR use in pediatric day hospital settings is lacking. A case-control retrospective analysis for children admitted into a pediatric psychiatry day hospital in a 2-year span examined predictors of SR use. Demographic and clinical descriptors were examined in relation to SR events using univariate and multivariate regression models. Significant univariate risk factors for SR use were psychiatric morbidity, history of physical abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, having any anxiety disorder, and younger age. Knowledge of risk factors for SR use in pediatric psychiatric day hospitals can avert use of SR and lead to improved safety in a trauma-informed care model.
Hemodynamics in Childhood Hypertension

Children with elevated systolic blood pressure have a wide range of cardiac output. We investigated the mechanisms regulating resting and exercise blood pressure in 264 children who were selected from the low, middle, and upper quintile of the distribution of blood pressure of an entire school population. We identified patterns of response to exercise that correlated both with resting cardiac output and resting blood pressure. During isometric exercise, systolic blood pressure adjusted for age and body size increased in all groups. The low group mean pressure remained significantly lower than the high group's pressures throughout the entire exercise period. Body size adjusted group systolic and diastolic blood pressure level differences existed during dynamic exercise. The product of the systolic blood pressure times the heart rate in the high blood pressure group was significantly higher throughout dynamic exercise than in the other two groups. Elevated resting resistance was correlated with elevated res...
Rare complication of a common obesity procedure.

Laparoscopic gastric banding has been widely used to treat obesity. Aspiration pneumonia has not been reported as a complication of bariatric surgery. We present a patient who had bariatric surgery and presented with aspiration pneumonia. A 64-year-old woman with a medical history of obesity and laparoscopic gastric banding presented to urgent care with 1 month of dry, continuous cough. A chest CT scan demonstrated a large opacity in the left upper lobe peripherally containing an air bronchogram, and the oesophagus was significantly enlarged and fluid filled. The patient was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. She received antibiotics and the gastric band was deflated. A repeat CT scan showed resolution of the pneumonia. To our knowledge, aspiration pneumonia is an unreported complication of gastric banding. Not recognising this complication may cause delay in the correct diagnosis and leads to invasive procedures with increased morbidity.
Assignment of Functional Relevance to Genes at Type 2 Diabetes-Associated Loci Through Investigation of β-Cell Mass Deficits

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been associated with a large number of genomic loci, many of which encompass multiple genes without a definitive causal gene. This complexity has hindered efforts to clearly identify functional candidate genes and interpret their role in mediating susceptibility to disease. Here we examined the relevance of individual genes found at T2D-associated loci by assessing their potential contribution to a phenotype relevant to the disease state: production and maintenance of β-cell mass. Using transgenic zebrafish in which β-cell mass could be rapidly visualized in vivo, we systematically suppressed the expression of orthologs of genes found at T2D-associated genomic loci. Overall, we tested 67 orthologs, many of which had no known relevance to β-cell mass, at 62 human T2D-associated loci, including eight loci with multiple candidate genes. In total we identified 25 genes that were necessary for proper β-cell mass, providing functional evidence for their role in a physiological phenotype directly related to T2D. Of these, 16 had not previously been implicated in the regulation of β-cell mass. Strikingly, we identified single functional candidate genes at the majority of the loci for which multiple genes were analyzed. Further investigation into the contribution of the 25 genes to the adaptive capacity of β-cells suggested that the majority of genes were not required for glucose-induced expansion of β-cell mass but were significantly necessary for the regeneration of β-cells. These findings suggest that genetically programmed deficiencies in β-cell mass may be related to impaired maintenance. Finally, we investigated the relevance of our findings to human T2D onset in diabetic individuals from the Old Order Amish and found that risk alleles in β-cell mass genes were associated with significantly younger age of onset and lower body mass index. Taken together, our study offers a functional approach to assign relevance to genes at T2D-associated loci and offers experimental evidence for the defining role of β-cell mass maintenance in genetic susceptibility to T2D onset.
Bio-Inspired Adaptive Cooperative Control of Heterogeneous Robotic Networks

We introduce a new adaptive cooperative control strategy for robotic networks comprised of heterogeneous members. The proposed feedback synchronization exploits an active parameter adaptation strategy as opposed to adaptive parameter estimation of adaptive control theory. Multiple heterogeneous robots or vehicles can coordinate their motions by parameter adaptation analogous to bio-genetic mutation and adaptation. In contrast with fixed gains used by consensus theory, both the tracking control and diffusive coupling gains are automatically computed based on the adaptation law, the synchronization errors, and the tracking errors of heterogeneous robots. The optimality of the proposed adaptive cooperative control is studied via inverse optimal control theory. The proposed adaptive cooperative control can be applied to any network structure. The stability proof, by using a relatively new nonlinear stability tool, contraction theory, shows globally asymptotically synchronized motion of a heterogeneous robotic network. This adaptive cooperative control can be widely applied to cooperative control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), formation flying spacecraft, and multi-robot systems. Results of the simulation show the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive cooperative control laws especially for a network comprised of heterogeneous members.
Imaging studies in the assessment of low back pain.

This article discusses the use of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomographic (CT) scans, plain radiographs, myelography, lumbar spine CT, CT myelography, and other imaging studies for evaluation of the spine.
“I Don’t Know Why They Make It So Hard Here”: Institutional Factors and Undergraduate Women’s STEM Participation

Large-scale, aggregate analyses have produced important insights about the relationship between gender and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) participation at the undergraduate level, but they potentially eclipse the impact of institution-specific elements on women’s STEM participation. On the other hand, intra-institutional analyses have been small in scale. Through unique access to multi-year data from a highly diverse single-institution sample (n=374), follow-up surveys (n=90), and focus groups, we examine the patterning of students’ STEM major selection and persistence among a freshmen cohort at a women’s residential college (“WRC”) within a larger co-educational university in the United States. Results support the findings of previous research regarding women in STEM but also extend that scholarship by highlighting three types of institutional factors that played a role in WRC students’ STEM participation: class size, course content, and resources designed to support women in STEM. These factors work in specific ways within this context to discourage or encourage women’s STEM participation as well as potentially reinforcing inequalities related to other student characteristics, such as race. We discuss the importance of these results for future research and intervention efforts in this area.
Initial Identification of a Mouse Human Factor IX-Specific CD8+ T-Cell Epitope.

A significant complication associated with treatment of inherited protein deficiencies, such as hemophilia B, by gene replacement therapy is the potential for the activation of transgene specific B and T cells to the therapeutic protein, coagulation factor IX (F.IX). In addition to the potential for inhibitor formation as a result of MHC class II antigen presentation (CD4+ T cell-dependent activation of B cells, which may also be observed in conventional protein-based therapy), gene expression may lead to MHC class I presentation of F.IX-derived peptides to CD8+ T cells. Upon in vivo gene transfer, such immune responses to may elicit a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response capable of destroying target cells that express the F.IX transgene product. Therefore, to better understand the role of F.IX-specific CD8+ T-cell responses, it is essential that MHC I-restricted CD8 T-cell epitopes be identified. Here, we used a peptide library consisting of 82 individual 15-mer peptides overlapping by ten residues that spans the complete human F.IX (hF.IX) protein to preliminarily identify a specific immunodominate CD8+ T-cell epitope. The peptides were pooled into groups, each containing 8–11 peptides to create a matrix of 18 pools, with each peptide represented in two pools. C3H/HeJ were immunized with 5×10 10 vector genomes of E1/E3-deleted adenovirus expressing hF.IX (Ad-hF.IX) via intramuscular injection into the quadriceps. Nine days later, the harvested spleen and popliteal lymph node cells were pooled and evaluated for CD8+ T-cell responses by intracellular cytokine staining for IFN-γ after being stimulated for 5h with peptides or controls. The frequency of IFN-γ producing hF.IX-specific CD8+ T-cells was determined by flow cytometry. While 16 pools from Ad-hF.IX immunized C3H/HeJ mice showed no response above the frequency of mock-stimulated cells, lymphocytes from two overlapping pools demonstrated a ~2.5-fold increase in frequency of CD8+ IFN-γ+ cells. From these results we can conclude that peptide 74 (SGGPHVTEVEGTSFL) contains a CD8+ T cell epitope for C3H/HeJ mice (H-2 k haplotype). Furthermore, splenocytes from naive mice failed to respond to any of the peptide pools. The amino acid sequence corresponding to peptide 74 is located within the catalytic domain of hF.IX. This finding is of particular interest, in that, we previously reported a peptide containing the immunodominate CD4+ T-cell epitope in C3H/HeJ is also located within the catalytic domain of hF.IX (Blood 108:408). The definitive identification of hF.IX-specific CD8+ epitopes will facilitate the evaluation of experimental gene therapy strategies in murine models by providing a reagent for in vitro stimulation of F.IX specific CD8+ lymphocytes. For example, we can now determine the efficiency of CD8+ T cell activation as a function of vector, route, and dose following in vivo gene transfer.
Building bridges to regenerate axons

After traumatic spinal cord injury, local damage responses have an important effect on regenerating axons. In lower organisms (i.e., zebrafish and newt), glial cells and other non-neuronal cell types proliferate, migrate, and differentiate to form a bridge between the two ends of a transected spinal cord. This glial bridge supports axon regeneration across the lesion site, enabling functional recovery. However, in mammals, a glial scar composed of mixed cell types and extracellular matrix forms to seal such a wound. Although early studies emphasized the inhibitory nature of this scar, recent studies have revealed that in mammals, as in lower organisms, it can also serve as a bridge to facilitate axon regeneration ( 1 – 3 ). Yet, how this glial reaction is regulated remains largely unknown. On page 630 of this issue, Mokalled et al. ( 4 ) report that connective tissue growth factor a (CTGFa) is crucial for directing glial bridging and subsequent axon regeneration in a zebrafish model of spinal cord injury. Although it remains to be determined whether this is the case in mammals, this finding could inform the design of neural repair strategies.
Hippogriff: Efficiently moving data in heterogeneous computing systems

Data movement between the compute and the storage (e.g., GPU and SSD) has been a long-neglected problem in heterogeneous systems, while the inefficiency in existing systems does cause significant loss in both performance and energy efficiency. This paper presents Hippogriff to provide a high-level programming model to simplify data movement between the compute and the storage, and to dynamically schedule data transfers based on system load. By eliminating unnecessary data movement, Hippogriff can speedup single program workloads by 1.17×, and save 17% energy. For multi-program workloads, Hippogriff shows 1.25× speedup. Hippogriff also improves the performance of a GPU-based MapReduce framework by 27%.
Media Agenda Setting Regarding Gun Violence before and after a Mass Shooting

Gun violence is related to substantial morbidity and mortality with surrounding discussions framed and shaped by the media. This study’s objective was to explore national news media’s reporting of gun violence around a mass shooting. National news pieces were coded according to categories of gun violence, media frames, entities held responsible, responses, and reporting of the public heath approach. Individuals were held responsible for gun violence in 63% of pieces before and 32% after the shooting. Lawmakers were held responsible in 30% of pieces before and 66% after. Background checks were a proposed gun violence prevention method in 18% of pieces before and 55% after Sandy Hook, and lethality reduction of firearms was in 9% before and 57% after. Following a mass shooting, the media tended to hold government, not individuals, primarily responsible. The media often misrepresented the real picture of gun violence and key public health roles.
A History of the Chronic Leukemias

The chronic leukemias are a group of malignant hematologic disorders that vary in biology and natural history according to the character of the malignant cell in question. Chronic myeloid leukemia has been well defined as passing through a number of stages, from a chronic well-differentiated proliferative stage through an acceleration phase to a terminal blastic transformation. Much of the natural history has been transformed by progress in targeted therapeutics. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can have an even more chronic natural history but also one that is influenced by the genomic character of the individual case. The rate of new molecular and pharmacologic development in the last few years has indeed transformed the survival aspects of these disorders.
Assessing the effectiveness of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy after cholecystectomy in patients with gallbladder cancer.

455Background: The study was conducted to compare the overall survival for patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) versus radiotherapy (RT) or chemotherapy (CT) alone after cholecyst...
Response of consumer and research grade indoor air quality monitors to residential sources of fine particles.

The ability to inexpensively monitor PM2.5 to identify sources and enable controls would advance residential indoor air quality (IAQ) management. Consumer IAQ monitors incorporating low-cost optical particle sensors and connections with smart home platforms could provide this service if they reliably detect PM2.5 in homes. In this study, particles from typical residential sources were generated in a 120 m3 laboratory and time-concentration profiles were measured with 7 consumer monitors (2-3 units each), 2 research monitors (Thermo pDR-1500, MetOne BT-645), a Grimm Mini Wide-Range Aerosol Spectrometer (GRM), and a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance with Filter Dynamic Measurement System (FDMS), a Federal Equivalent Method for PM2.5 . Sources included recreational combustion (candles, cigarettes, incense), cooking activities, an unfiltered ultrasonic humidifier, and dust. FDMS measurements, filter samples, and known densities were used to adjust the GRM to obtain time-resolved mass concentrations. Data from the research monitors and 4 of the consumer monitors-AirBeam, AirVisual, Foobot, Purple Air-were time correlated and within a factor of 2 of the estimated mass concentrations for most sources. All 7 of the consumer and both research monitors substantially under-reported or missed events for which the emitted mass was comprised of particles smaller than 0.3 μm diameter.
Adsorption Isotherm Studies on Titanium Carbide Powders

We have used adsorption isotherms to perform a comparative study of the substrate quality of five groups of titanium carbide powder, manufactured following different procedures. The isotherms were measured in an automated setup at 77.3 K using methane and argon as the adsorbates. We determined the specific surface area of each of the powders studied. We also determined whether or not there was evidence of steps (indicative of layer-by-layer adsorption) in each set of adsorption data. The isothermal compressibilities of the adsorbed films were determined from the data measured for each sample. Adsorption measurements were also conducted to determine the effect that heating the powders under vacuum had on the resulting substrate quality.
Enteric conversion after bladder‐drained pancreas transplantation is not associated with worse allograft survival

In the early experience of pancreas transplantation, bladder drainage was favored, but it often caused urologic, metabolic, and infectious complications that necessitated conversion to enteric drainage. Long-term graft survival after enteric conversion and the impact of time interval from transplantation to enteric conversion on graft survival is poorly understood. We studied all bladder-drained first-time pancreas transplantations performed at the University of Wisconsin from 1985 to 2000. Time to conversion was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier technique, whereas risk factors associated with conversion were estimated via a time-varying Cox proportional hazards model. Of 386 bladder-drained pancreata, 162 (41.9%) eventually required enteric conversion, 29 (17.9%) within the first year. Median time to conversion varied by indication: 0.68 years for surgical, 3.1 years for urologic, and 2.7 years for metabolic disorders. In a time-varying Cox model adjusting for donor and recipient factors, enteric conversion did not affect the risk of pancreas graft loss (hazard ratio [HR] 0.86, P = .26). Kidney survival was not associated with enteric conversion. When necessary due to symptoms or complications, enteric conversion of bladder-drained pancreata is safe and does not affect overall graft survival. This relationship appears to be true no matter when the conversion is performed.
Feasibility Study of a Wind Farm in El Golea Region in the Algerian Sahara

El Golea region, which previous studies have revealed to have a good wind potential, is chosen for a technical and economic study of a wind farm. This work aims to calculate the kWh cost of electricity produced by four types of wind turbines. The wind climate of the region is determined using WAsP software, based on wind speed and direction measurements at 10 m a.g.l. over a period of 10 years, from 2007 to 2016. The annual characteristics of the wind are calculated and their respective values are: 5.3 m/s for the average speed, 6 m/s and 2.04 for the Weibull parameters A and k and 169 W/m2 for the power density. The wind speed at 10 m is mapped over the entire study area and an optimal site is chosen for the installation of a wind farm. Four turbine models are chosen and the annual energy produced by each of them at the site is calculated as well as the cost per unit (CPU). The minimum cost of electricity generated is $0.0144 / kWh for an Annual Energy Production of 10.616 GWh and is given by the VESTAS V90 rated power of 2MW turbine. Finally, the annual energy produced by a wind farm consisting of five (05) VestasV90–2MW, is estimated to be about 51 GWh with wake losses of the order of it%.
Abstract TP266: Ischemic Stroke Induces Striking Heterogeneity in the Inflammatory Leukocyte Infiltrate Across the Core and Penumbra

Background: Current therapies for ischemic stroke focus on reperfusion but do not address the acute inflammatory response. Previous clinical trials aimed at modulating the inflammatory milieu by di...
Why Special Economic Zones? Using Trade Policy to Discriminate across Importers

Tariffs are generally assumed to depend on the product, not the identity of the importer. However, special economic zones are a common, economically important policy used worldwide to lower tariffs on selected goods for selected manufacturers. I show this is motivated by policymakers' desire to discriminate across buyers when a tax is intended to raise prices for sellers, through a mechanism distinct from existing theories of optimal taxation. Using a new dataset compiled from public records and exogenous changes in imports of intermediate goods, I find the form, composition, and size of US zones are consistent with the theory.
The Commensurability Presupposition

Ten years ago, it was commonplace for economists to calculate the value of human life as the lost economic productivity associated with a shortened life span.1 As is well known, such a view has been shown to be grossly inadequate. Most obviously, it leads to counterintuitive results, such that the value of the life of a 65-year-old laborer is equal to the sum of his remaining earnings until retirement or that the value of the life of a small child is near zero, since her future earnings are discounted at a market rate of interest.
Gendered Innovation: Female Patent Activity and Market Development in Brazil, 1876–1906

Zimmerman offers one of the few examinations of female entrepreneurship and patent activity in nineteenth-century Brazil. Analysing patent applications and business contracts registered by women in Rio de Janeiro between 1876 and 1906, this chapter considers the role of gender and legal tradition in national plans for economic modernity. Although the Brazilian government enacted policies that encouraged female entrepreneurship and innovation, women faced strong social expectations to privilege their domestic responsibilities over any commercial obligation or interest. Comparing legal code and social prescription with female patent activity, Zimmerman calls into question traditional conclusions on the role of female property rights, business innovation and gender in Brazilian economic development.
Are U.S. Exports Influenced by Stronger IPR Protection Measures in Recipient Markets

U.S. exporters have choices when it comes to determining in which markets to sell their firms’ products and services. These choices depend on several factors, including market size, income levels, price sensitivity, competition, consumer preferences, and other demand conditions in the recipient markets. Cost considerations also play an important role in determining to which markets firms export, especially those associated with transportation, tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, legal and translations services, and logistics support for vertically integrated supply and distribution channels. However, the inclusion of intellectual property rights (IPR) considerations has not been integral to the well-established literature on firms’ export determinants. Using a comparative indicator of IPR protection measures in various countries, this article isolates the effects of IPR protection as a determinant to U.S. export activity. The results show that growth in U.S. exports has been correlated with improvements in IPR protection in foreign markets over the considered period and that the magnitude of this correlation has varied markedly by sector and country. High-technology sectors, such as semiconductors as well as synthetic rubbers and fibers, exhibited the greatest sensitivity to improvements in IPR protection mechanisms in the considered period while improvements in IPR protection in markets like Mexico, China, and Japan were correlated with disproportionately high positive effects on U.S. export performance.
Critique of Present and Future Problems in the Far Infrared

The coherent radiation history of the far IR began around 1960-62 with the extension of the Compagnie Generale de Telegraphie sans Fils 0 type Carcinotrons down to 500 μm wavelength and the extension of the He-Ne laser by Bell Telephone Laboratories first to 28 and later to 133 μm wavelength [1,2]. Less than a year later, the British Services Electronics Research Laboratory announced the first far IR molecular lasers (H 2 O and HCN) operating at 78 and 337 μm wavelength [3].
Change in opioid and analgesic use for headaches after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage over time.

Abstract Background Severe headache, a hallmark of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), affects up to 90% of patients during hospitalization. Opioids remain the guideline recommended mainstay of acute therapy despite their significant side effects and potential for tolerance and addiction. We evaluated time trends in opioid prescriptions, hypothesizing a decline with increasing recognition of the opioid crisis. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients with aSAH admitted to a single tertiary care center between 2012 and 2019 and included patients with Hunt-Hess-Grade ≤ 3 who were able to verbalize pain scores. Collected variables included mean and maximum daily headache scores, aneurysm treatment modality, and daily analgesic medication doses. Results Of 340 patients with aSAH, 114 (86 from 2012–2016 and 28 from 2017–2019) were included. Of the included patients, 86/114 (75.4%) were female. Patients in the 2012–2016 had a median age of 55 compared to 63 in the 2017–2019 group (P = 0.02). Otherwise, there was no significant difference in demographic data including time in hospital, treatment option utilized, or aneurysm characteristics. Maximal daily headache score ranged from 6 to 8 for 2012–2016 and 5 to 8 for 2017–2019 cohorts. Average oral morphine equivalents (in mg) administered during hospitalization were similar between groups (2012–2016: 251 ± 345 95% CI [178,323]; 2017–2019: 207 ± 237 95% CI [119,295]; P = 0.319). When prescribed, doses of opioids provided at discharge were less in the more recent group (2012–2016: 84.4 ± 78.9 95% CI [57.5, 111]; 2017–2019: 38.1 ± 20.2 95% CI [33.7, 42.5]; P = 0.004) Conclusion Despite recognition of important drawbacks of opioid use for headache control, and efforts to reduce opioid use during hospitalization, we found that utilization during hospitalization for SAH did not decrease over time. Maximal headache scores remained similar in the studied time periods, indicative of insufficient pain relief. This points out a pressing need to further investigate alternative opioid and narcotic sparing strategies for patients with SAH.
Overcoming Barriers to Cooperation: Territorial and Issue Neutralization as Tools of Conflict Management

This article investigates how states can begin to cooperate and form bilateral relationships given severe barriers to cooperation. Certain issues can prevent cooperation from occurring despite strategic interests in doing so by both states. However, if states agree to use the institutional design feature of territorial or issue neutralization, then conflict can be averted even if some of the major hindrances to cooperation remains unresolved. I examine in greater detail how both territorial and issue neutralization are used as institutional designs feature in building a cooperative bilateral relationship. Through two major case studies, the self-imposed territorial neutralization of Finland in its relations with the Soviet Union as well as issue neutralization in the relationship between Russia and Ukraine following the collapse of the Soviet Union, I am able to show that territorial and issue neutralization may be effective tools for resolving conflict in the post-Soviet space and could create cooperative relationships instead of conflictual ones.
Influence of the Natural Law Theology of the Declaration of Independence on the Establishment of Personhood in the United States Constitution

Often it is emphasized that the United States Constitution is not a theological document, and so any claims of a Christian orientation to American government are unwarranted, and basic concerns of human personhood in such matters as fetal right to life are not protected by the Constitution. Any human rights claims are only protected within the Amendments to the United States Constitution, it is said, especially the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. It is the contention of this Article that the Declaration of Independence is the rightfulpreamble to the United States Constitution, and its recognition of the laws of nature and of God is the basis ofproviding for the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Government secures these rights granted by the Creator for all persons, and the United States Constitution is the means by which the founders sought to achieve this theological goal. Consequently, the Declaration provides the necessary theological underpinning of the national compact, apart from which there would be no philosophical and theological bases to provide for the safeguard ofpersons in United States Constitution. The theological basis, however, is not explicitly biblical in nature, though possibly implicitly, but comes from the natural law theology passed downfrom the apostle Paul in the Scriptures, the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas, and into American law through John Locke and Sir William Blackstone, among others. t Distinguished Research Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Faith Evangelical Seminary (Tacoma, WA) and Adjunct Professor of Law, Trinity Law School of Trinity International University. Dr. House is the New Testament editor of the Nelson Study Bible and Nelson Illustrated Bible Commentary, and the General Editor of Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (44 vols.), Israel: the Land and the People, and Charts of Bible Prophecy, among the 30 books that he has authored, co-authored, or edited. Dr. House has received a Certificate in International Human Rights, Institut International des Droits de I'Homme, Strasbourg, France; J.D., Regent University School of Law; Th.D., Concordia Seminary; M.A., Abilene Christian University; M.A., M.Div, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary; B.A. Hardin-Simmons University. Copyright © 2008 H. Wayne House. All Rights Reserved. Liberty University School of Law has permission to publish this article. HeinOnline -2 Liberty U. L. Rev. 725 2007-2008 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY LA W REVIEW
Abstract 19452: Cost-Effectiveness of Single-Chamber Compared with Dual-Chamber and Single-Lead with Atrial Sensing Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Introduction: In patients receiving primary or secondary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) without pacing indications, dual-chamber devices may increase perioperative risks compared with single-chamber devices, yet they may also detect atrial fibrillation (AF) and prevent inappropriate shocks. Hypothesis: Dual-chamber and single-lead with atrial sensing ICDs may be a cost-effective alternative to single-chamber ICDs. Methods: We used a Markov decision model to evaluate the costs, quality adjusted life expectancy and incremental cost-effectiveness of single-chamber, dual-chamber, and single-lead with atrial sensing ICDs. Our base case was a 65 year-old patient receiving a primary or secondary prevention ICD without pacing indications. The model included perioperative adverse events and long-term inappropriate shocks, AF detection, AF treatment, and stroke. Results: When compared to the single-chamber ICD, the dual-chamber ICD had an incremental-cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $44,087 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained (Table). When the new single-lead ICD with atrial sensing was added as an alternative therapy, it had an ICER of $23,904 per QALY compared to the single-chamber device. These results were sensitive to the patient’s age, and the ability of the atrial sensing devices to detect atrial fibrillation and avoid inappropriate shocks. Conclusions: For patients receiving primary or secondary prevention ICDs without pacing indications, dual-chamber ICDs may be cost-effective relative to single-chamber devices and a new single-lead with atrial sensing ICD is likely a very cost-effective alternative.