cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The biology of the primitive ant Aneuretus simoni (Emery) (Formicidae: Aneuretinae) I distribution, abundance, colony structure, and foraging ecology

A search forAneuretus simoni was carried out in forested regions near Kandy, Matale, Peradeniya, Gilimale, Ratnapura, and Lagumba, Sri Lanka. Colonies were found only in the humid forests of the Gilimale area. The distribution ofA. simoni appears to be correlated with rainfall (200–500 cm/year) and geographic elevation (above 450 meters). A total of 33 queenright and queenless nests were collected. Nest density was 0.017, 0.023, and 0.033 colonies/m2, respectively, in three study plots. Aneuretus colonies contain on average more than one queen and approximately 65 minor workers. Major workers comprise only two to three percent of the colony population. Sexuals are found in nests from mid-July to August. Colonies appear to be polydomous. A. simoni workers observed in the field showed generalized foraging habits. They preyed upon small insects and collected carbohydrate from rotting fruit. Trail systems were used in exploitation of large food sources. A. simoni workers typically avoid contact with workers of sympatric ant genera such asPheidole, Paratrechina, Tetramorium, Odontomachus, andMonomorium. When alien conspecifics are encountered, aggression results, indicating that nestmate recognition and perhaps intraspecific territoriality is well developed.
A Linear-Complexity Finite-Element-Based Eigenvalue Solver for Efficient Analysis of 3-D On-Chip Integrated Circuits

This letter presents a linear-complexity finite-element-based eigenvalue solver for efficient analysis of 3-D on-chip integrated circuits. In this solver, from the original 3-D quadratic eigenvalue problem governing the on-chip circuits, we formulate a new generalized eigenvalue problem to efficiently compute the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of physical interest. We also develop an efficient linear-complexity solution for the matrix equation involved in the solution of the generalized eigenvalue problem. Numerical results demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed eigenvalue solver.
Modular Total Synthesis of Protein Kinase C Activator (-)-Indolactam V

A concise, eight-step total synthesis of (-)-indolactam V, a nanomolar agonist of protein kinase C, is reported. The synthesis relies upon an efficient copper-catalyzed amino acid arylation to establish the indole C4-nitrogen bond. This cross-coupling method is applicable to a range of hydrophobic amino acids, providing a platform for further diversification of indolactam alkaloid scaffolds and studies on their potent biological activity.
Hydrophobicity Evaluation of Silicone Rubber Insulator by Using Dynamic Drop Test Method

Based on dynamic drop test(DDT) method proposed in CIGRE WG D1.14,the discharge characteristics generated by dynamic behavior of water droplet were analyzed to evaluate the hydrophobicity of silicone rubber insulator at different ageing levels.When AC voltage of 5.0 kV was applied on the sample surface,the droplet with the conductivity of 2.0 mS/cm was dropped at rate of 12 drops/min,making the droplet continuously run down from the HV electrode to the grounded electrode.During the whole experimental process,both the dynamic morphology of water droplet and the induced discharge phenomena on the sample surface were captured by using a high-speed camera.The light intensity of surface discharges was measured by using a photo multiplier tube.Through analyzing the distribution and the characteristics of discharges,the relationship among the dynamic behavior of surface discharges,the discharge light distribution,the discharge light brightness,the discharge light intensity,and the hydrophobic levels of insulator surface can be obtained.It is found that,with the decrease of surface hydrophobicity,the discharges become much stronger to cause the increasing tendency in the light distribution,the brightness and the light intensity of discharges.Therefore,the method based on light characteristics of surface discharges is proposed for the hydrophobicity evaluation of silicone rubber insulators.
Surgical management of chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease.

SUMMARY Chronic obstruction of the proximal pulmonary arteries appears to be a rare complication of pulmonary thromboembolus. The syndrome, however, may prove to be more common than previously suspected as general awareness of the syndrome increases prompted by the availability of efficacious therapy. Medical management has been ineffective in providing symptomatic or consistent hemodynamic improvement in patients with this syndrome, but a growing body of literature now suggests that surgical relief of obstruction can be undertaken with acceptable surgical risk and with the expectation of dramatic clinical improvement in a selected group of patients. Although no true control groups exist, one might hypothesize that hemodynamic and clinical improvement may translate into improved survival in these patients as well. The most recent series reported by Daily et al7 is the first to include more than 100 patients, and their reported hospital mortality of less than 13% is very encouraging. Whether these results will be reproducible at other centers remains to be seen. It is hoped that future investigation will refine both patient selection and operative technique such that results continue to improve. Pulmonary physicians should be aware of the syndrome and have a high index of suspicion in patients with unexplained pulmonary hypertension or right-sided heart failure. V/Q scans have proved to be useful screening procedures in these patients and can help identify patients at risk who require further more invasive investigation.
Fragility analysis of a 5-MW NREL wind turbine considering aero-elastic and seismic interaction using finite element method

With the improvements and advances made in the field of renewable energy, this alternative method has become competitive with more traditional sources of energy generation techniques, including hydro power or fossil fuels. This has led to construction of wind turbines in areas prone to seismic activity. To increase the power production from wind energy, wind turbines have increased in size and mass, which makes them more vulnerable to lateral loads such as seismic induced forces, wind loads, and in the case of offshore wind turbines, wave loads. For this reason, computational analysis in the field are recently focusing on considering the interaction between lateral loads to present more realistic and cost effective designs. In this paper, the nonlinear dynamic behavior of a 5-MW NREL wind turbine is evaluated considering different earthquake and wind intensities using a newly developed finite element model. The model is first calibrated and verified with simplified models using modal and static pushover analysis. Engineering demand parameters (EDP) and intensity measures (IM) are then obtained from nonlinear incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) and used to assess the probability of exceeding different damage states (DS) using fragility curves. From the findings in this research, it is shown that earthquake loads have considerable effects on the design and analysis of wind turbines. To increase the power production from wind energy, wind turbines have increased in size and mass, which makes them more vulnerable to seismic induced forces, wind loads, and in the case of offshore wind turbines, wave loads.The nonlinear dynamic behavior of a 5-MW NREL wind turbine is evaluated considering different earthquake and wind intensities using a newly developed finite element model.Engineering demand parameters (EDP) and intensity measures (IM) are then obtained from incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) and used to assess the probability of exceeding different damage states (DS).Tower design for the 5-MW turbine was found to be acceptable in the case of simultaneous earthquake and wind loads applied with different intensities.The results of fragility analysis was performed for 4 limit states which are top displacement, top rotation, material yielding, and total collapse (buckling).Fragility analysis showed that probability of failure due to top displacement and top rotation are more likely to occur than failure due to material yielding and total collapse.
Janusian, Homospatial and Sepconic Articulation Processes

Creativity consists of the capacity or state of bringing into being entities that are both new and valuable. Empirical studies have shown that three cognitive functions responsible for creative construction are the janusian, homospatial, and sepconic articulation processes. During the course of creating or creation, these three processes may at times operate singly or in combination with each other. Interactions within and among these processes produce creative integration. The large body of evidence collected indicates that the three conscious and intentional processes are used for creative work and thought in literature, art and science and, by extension, in various degrees in fields such as business, education, and politics as well as general creative problem solving and everyday creative activities.
Intraoperative electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopic localization of small, deep, or subsolid pulmonary nodules.

Abstract Background Localizing small or deep pulmonary nodules or subsolid ground-glass opacities often is difficult during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS). This can result in larger resections or conversion to thoracotomy. The goal of this study is to evaluate the role of electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopic localization (ENBL) as a safe and accurate intraoperative method to localize small, deep, or subsolid nodules. Methods This is a single-institution, single-surgeon retrospective study of all patients (51) who underwent combined ENBL and resection of 54 nodules between May 2013 and August 2015. Localization was performed by intraoperative ENBL-guided transbronchial injection of a liquid marker. The liquid marker used was methylene blue, either alone or in addition to indocyanine green and Isovue. A fiduciary also was added in 2 cases. Immediately after localization, the patients underwent VATS for evaluation before proceeding with RATS for anatomical sublobar resection. Results The mean preoperative largest nodule diameter on computed tomography scan was 13.3 mm (range, 4-44 mm). The mean distance from the surface of the lung to the middle of the nodule was 22 mm (range, 4-38 mm). Thirty-one nodules were solid (57.4%), whereas 23 were ground-glass opacities (42.6%). ENBL successfully localized the nodules for initial sublobar resection in 53 of 54 nodules (98.1%). Minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery was performed successfully in 49 of 51 patients (96.1%), by RATS in 47 (92.2%), and VATS in 2 (3.9%). Two patients required conversion to thoracotomy secondary to extensive adhesions. Of the 54 nodules, final diagnosis was adenocarcinoma in 32 (59.2%), metastatic disease in 7 (13%), squamous cell carcinoma in 2 (3.7%), neuroendocrine tumor in 2 (3.7%), and benign in 11 (20.3%). There were no operative mortalities. Morbidities included acute renal insufficiency in 2 patients and prolonged air leak requiring a Heimlich valve in 3 patients. Mean length of stay was 3.9 days. Conclusions ENBL is a safe and accurate intraoperative modality for targeted sublobar resection of pulmonary nodules that are deemed difficult to localize.
Quantum diffusion of electromagnetic fields of ultrarelativistic spin-half particles

Abstract We compute electromagnetic fields created by a relativistic charged spin-half particle in empty space at distances comparable to the particle Compton wavelength. The particle is described as a wave packet evolving according to the Dirac equation. It produces the electromagnetic field that is essentially different from the Coulomb field due to the quantum diffusion effect.
Understanding Land-Use Feedbacks and Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs in Agriculture

Globally, a burgeoning human population and rise of a middle class are placing greater demands on our planet to produce ecosystem services than ever before. This pressure is particularly acute for current and future demands placed on agricultural land use. Farmers and other land managers are expected to satisfy existing commodity markets (e.g., corn, soybean, forage, livestock), produce options for emerging agricultural markets (e.g., biomass for bioenergy), while protecting water quality, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities. Our global citizenry needs to understand how ecosystems function in relation to the services desired and how land-use choices impact this functionality. Challenges to developing this understanding are multifold, and include complexities in landscape ecological functionality; time lags and spatial mismatches in how land-use decisions manifest ecosystem services; and cumulative impacts of multiple decision makers acting independently. Furthermore, ecosystem services are not always needed or desired by the people who own the lands that produce ecosystem services. As such, the science associated with different ecosystem services, how they interact, and how people value them is not always well understood.
Holomorphic Framings for Projections in A Banach Algebra

Given a complex Banach algebra, we consider the Stiefel bundle relative to the similarity class of a fixed projection. In the holomorphic category the Stiefel bundle is a holomorphic locally trivial principal bundle over a certain Grassmann manifold. Our main application concerns the holomorphic parametrization of framings for projections. In the spatial case this amounts to a holomorphic parametrization of framings for a corresponding complex Banach space. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 46H99, 46H35, 58B25, 32L05.
In situ infrared spectroscopy study of the surface reactions during the atomic layer deposition of TiO2 on GaAs (100) surfaces

Abstract The surface reactions during the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of TiO2 on chemical oxide and hydrogen fluoride etched GaAs (100) surfaces at 100 and 200 °C have been studied by in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Tetrakis (dimethylamino) titanium (TDMAT) and H2O were used as precursors. The adsorption of TDMAT on both GaAs surfaces at 200 °C was self-limiting, while significant contribution from physisorption was confirmed at 100 °C. In addition to the basic ligand substitution mechanism, the presence of parallel/competing reaction pathways was confirmed through the detection of Ti metallacycles and methylmethyleneimine [CH3N CH2] (MMI). Isotope exchange experiments using D2O and H218O were used to confirm the presence of MMI. This product was produced at each H2O exposure step and partially removed during the subsequent TDMAT exposure leading to its accumulation in the growing film.
Sports and the Growing Musculoskeletal System: Sports Imaging Series

Radiologists and other health care professionals who care for pediatric athletes must understand the unique attributes and particular vulnerabilities of the growing musculoskeletal system and be able to recognize the particular injuries to which these athletes are prone.
Ru-Sn/AC for the Aqueous Phase Reduction of Succinic Acid to 1,4-Butanediol under Continuous Process Conditions

Succinic acid is a biomass-derived platform chemical that can be catalytically converted in the aqueous phase to 1,4-butanediol (BDO), a prevalent building block used in the polymer and chemical industries. Despite significant interest, limited work has been reported regarding sustained catalyst performance and stability under continuous aqueous-phase process conditions. As such, this work examines Ru-Sn on activated carbon (AC) for the aqueous-phase conversion of succinic acid to BDO under batch and flow reactor conditions. Initially, powder Ru-Sn catalysts were screened to determine the most effective bimetallic ratio and provide a comparison to other monometallic (Pd, Pt, Ru) and bimetallic (Pt-Sn, Pd-Re) catalysts. Batch reactor tests determined that a ∼1:1 metal weight ratio of Ru to Sn was effective for producing BDO in high yields, with complete conversion resulting in 82% molar yield. Characterization of the fresh Ru-Sn catalyst suggests that the sequential loading method results in Ru sites that ...
Protein kinase D1: gatekeeper of the epithelial phenotype and key regulator of cancer metastasis?

Protein kinase D1: gatekeeper of the epithelial phenotype and key regulator of cancer metastasis?
Genetic deletion of 12/15 lipoxygenase promotes effective resolution of inflammation following myocardial infarction.

Abstract 12/15 lipoxygenase (LOX) directs inflammation and lipid remodeling. However, the role of 12/15LOX in post-myocardial infarction (MI) left ventricular remodeling is unclear. To determine the role of 12/15LOX, 8–12 week-old C57BL/6 J wild-type (WT; n = 93) and 12/15LOX−/− (n = 97) mice were subjected to permanent coronary artery ligation and monitored at day (d)1 and d5 post-operatively. Post-MI d28 survival was measured in male and female mice. No-MI surgery mice were maintained as d0 naive controls. 12/15LOX−/− mice exhibited higher survival rates with lower cardiac rupture and improved LV function as compared with WT post-MI. Compared to WT, neutrophils and macrophages in 12/15LOX−/− mice were polarized towards N2 and M2 phenotypes, respectively, with increased of expression mrc-1, ym-1, and arg-1 post-MI. 12/15LOX−/− mice exhibited lower levels of pro-inflammatory 12-(S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) and higher CYP2J-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) levels. CYP2J-derived 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-EETs activated macrophage-specific hemeoxygenase (HO)-1 marked with increases in F4/80+/Ly6Clow and F4/80+/CD206high cells at d5 post-MI in 12/15LOX−/− mice. In contrast, inhibition of HO-1 led to total mortality in 12/15LOX−/− mice by post-MI d5. 12/15LOX−/− mice exhibited reduced collagen density and lower α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression at d5 post-MI, indicating delayed or limited fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. In conclusion, genetic deletion of 12/15LOX reduces 12(S)-HETE and activates CYP2J-derived EETs to promote effective resolution of inflammation post-MI leading to reduced cardiac rupture, improved LV function, and better survival.
On the Ability of Space-Based Passive and Active Remote Sensing Observations of CO2 to Detect Flux Perturbations to the Carbon Cycle

Space-borne observations of CO2 are vital to gaining understanding of the carbon cycle in regions of the world that are difficult to measure directly, such as the tropical terrestrial biosphere, the high northern and southern latitudes, and in developing nations such as China. Measurements from passive instruments such as GOSAT (Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite) and OCO-2 (Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2), however, are constrained by solar zenith angle limitations as well as sensitivity to the presence of clouds and aerosols. Active measurements such as those in development for the Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days and Seasons (ASCENDS) mission show strong potential for making measurements in the high-latitude winter and in cloudy regions. In this work we examine the enhanced flux constraint provided by the improved coverage from an active measurement such as ASCENDS. The simulation studies presented here show that with sufficient precision, ASCENDS will detect permafrost thaw and fossil fuel emissions shifts at annual and seasonal time scales, even in the presence of transport errors, representativeness errors, and biogenic flux errors. While OCO-2 can detect some of these perturbations at the annual scale, the seasonal sampling provided by ASCENDS provides the stronger constraint. Plain Language Summary: Active and passive remote sensors show the potential to provide unprecedented information on the carbon cycle. With the all-season sampling, active remote sensors are more capable of constraining high-latitude emissions. The reduced sensitivity to cloud and aerosol also makes active sensors more capable of providing information in cloudy and polluted scenes with sufficient accuracy. These experiments account for errors that are fundamental to the top-down approach for constraining emissions, and even including these sources of error, we show that satellite remote sensors are critical for understanding the carbon cycle.
El abrazo de la serpiente o la re-escritura del Amazonas dentro de una ética ecológica y poscolonial

A primera vista la pelicula colombiana El abrazo de la serpiente (2015) trata del encuentro de dos culturas y dos visiones divergentes del mundo: la de los indigenas del Amazonas y la de los cienti...
Towards a Unified Theory of Rhythmic and Discrete Movements — Behavioral, Modeling and Imaging Results

Since the seminal paper on phase transitions in bimanual rhythmic movements, research from the dynamical systems perspective has given primacy to rhythmic coordination. While rhythmic movements are a ubiquitous and fundamental expression in biological behavior, non-rhythmic or discrete movements are of similar importance. In fact, rhythmic and discrete movements are commonly intertwined in complex actions. This review traces our strategy of extending a dynamic systems account from rhythmic to non-rhythmic behavior. Behavioral and modeling work on uni- and bimanual, single- and multijoint coordination increasingly investigated more complex movement tasks consisting of rhythmic and discrete elements. The modeling work suggested a three-tiered architecture consisting of a biomechanical, internal and parameter level with different responsibilities for different components of movement generation. A core question raised in the modeling is what are the fundamental units and principles that are tuned to make up complex behavior. Are rhythmic pattern generators the primitives for generating both rhythmic and non-rhythmic behaviors? Alternatively, are discrete pattern generators fundamental, or are there two primitives of action? fMRI experiments compared brain activation in continuously rhythmic and discrete movements. Significantly more activation in discrete movements suggested that discrete movements have higher control demands and may be distinct primitives, different from rhythmic movements. This result corresponds to the modeling work that highlighted that discrete movements require more parameterization.
Fluorescence Studies of Membrane Dynamics and Heterogeneity

The cellular morphology of lipid bilayer membranes acting as dynamic boundaries is well established. Their biological function, however, is determined at the molecular level. Thus, techniques sensitive to molecular conformation are required to understand how membranes work.
Thyroidectomy for Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis: Mayo Clinic Experience.

Context Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a difficult diagnostic and management challenge, especially during severe thyrotoxicosis accompanied by cardiovascular compromise. Objective To evaluate thyroidectomy for the management of AIT. Design Retrospective cohort study of adults with noncongenital heart disease with AIT after >3 months of amiodarone who underwent thyroidectomy from 1 November 2002 to 31 December 2016. Setting Referral center. Patients The group was comprised of 17 patients. Main outcome measures Thyroid function, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and surgical complications were the main outcome measures. Results Patients had median age of 60 years, 82.4% were male, and 47% had systolic heart failure. At diagnosis, median TSH was 0.005 mIU/L, median free T4 was 3.25 ng/dL, and total T3 was 198.5 ng/dL. We classified five patients as type 1 and type 2 and two patients as mixed; five patients remained undefined. The most common surgical indications were medically refractory disease, worsening cardiac status, and severe thyrotoxicosis requiring prompt resolution. Within 1 week post-thyroidectomy, median TSH was 0.565 mIU/L, and free T4 was 1.8 ng/dL. Median LVEF improved by 8% in patients with systolic heart failure. Seven patients had a complication within 30 days postsurgery (rehospitalization, n = 4; cervical hematoma, n = 2; recurrent arrhythmia, n = 2; symptomatic hypocalcemia, n = 1; death, n = 1). A larger thyroid gland was a risk factor for complications. Conclusions Thyroidectomy resulted in rapid resolution of thyrotoxicosis. Its complication rate was higher than for non-AIT indications but lower than previously reported in a similar population of high-risk surgical patients.
Improved peak-calling with MACS2

The computational analyses of genome-enrichment assays, such as ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq, are typically concluded with a peak-calling program that identifies genomic regions that are significantly enriched. The most popular peak-caller, MACS2, assumes that the input alignment files are for single-end sequence reads by default, yet those with paired-end Illumina sequence data frequently use this default setting. This leads to erroneous coverage values and suboptimal peak identification. However, using the correct paired-end mode can introduce another set of artifacts. After thoroughly reviewing the MACS2 source code, we have modified it to limit these and other problems. Our updated version is freely available (https://github.com/jsh58/MACS).
Estimating the Distribution of Random Parameters in a Diffusion Equation Forward Model for a Transdermal Alcohol Biosensor.

We estimate the distribution of random parameters in a distributed parameter model with unbounded input and output for the transdermal transport of ethanol. The underlying model is a diffusion equation with input: blood alcohol concentration and output: transdermal alcohol concentration. We reformulate the dynamical system so that the random parameters are treated as additional space variables. When the distribution to be estimated is absolutely continuous with a joint density, estimating the distribution is equivalent to estimating the diffusivity in a multi-dimensional diffusion equation. Well-established finite dimensional approximation schemes, functional analytic based convergence arguments, optimization techniques, and computational methods may be employed. We use our technique to estimate a bivariate normal distribution based on data for multiple drinking episodes from a single subject.
Low Order Riemann–Liouville Fractional Inequalities with Absent Initial Conditions

Here we present low order Riemann–Liouville left and right fractional inequalities without any initial conditions. These are of Opial, Poincare, Sobolev and Hilbert–Pachpatte types. See also [3].
P95 Reliability of the Food Literacy Assessment Tool (FLAT) in Low-Income Adults

Background Food literacy is defined as the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to plan and manage, select, prepare, and eat in support of health within cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental context. Low-income populations show disproportionately higher prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases compared to their counterparts. Nutrition plays a key role in prevention of these chronic diseases. There is no valid and reliable tool to assess food literacy in low-income populations. The Food Literacy Assessment Tool was developed to assess knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior related to food literacy, and was previously tested for face validity and content validity. Objective To evaluate the reliability of the Food Literacy Assessment Tool (FLAT). Study Design, Setting, Participants A convenience sample of low-income adults were recruited at a non-profit organization providing emergency aid through a food pantry, charitable pharmacy, and social services to clients in need. Ninety-eight adults completed the FLAT, and 75 of the 98 adults returned and completed the same survey a second time 1-3 weeks after their initial survey. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Internal consistency reliability was evaluated using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) for knowledge (dichotomous variable) and Cronbach's α for self-efficacy and behavior (measured using Likert scales). Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The FLAT was found to have acceptable internal consistency in self-efficacy (Cronbach's α = .921) and behavior (Cronbach's α = .899), but not in knowledge (KR-20 = .510). The FLAT also showed acceptable test-retest reliability for knowledge (ICC = .839), self-efficacy (ICC = .703), and behavior (ICC = .930). Conclusions Overall, the FLAT is considered to be appropriate to assess food literacy in low-income adults in the United States.
An evolutionary system of mineralogy. Part II: Interstellar and solar nebula primary condensation mineralogy (>4.565 Ga).

The evolutionary system of mineralogy relies on varied physical and chemical attributes, including trace elements, isotopes, solid and fluid inclusions, and other information-rich characteristics, to understand processes of mineral formation and to place natural condensed phases in the deep-time context of planetary evolution. Part I of this system reviewed the earliest refractory phases that condense at T > 1000 K within the turbulent expanding and cooling atmospheres of highly evolved stars. Part II considers the subsequent formation of primary crystalline and amorphous phases by condensation in three distinct mineral-forming environments, each of which increased mineralogical diversity and distribution prior to the accretion of planetesimals >4.5 billion years ago. Interstellar molecular solids (1)Varied crystalline and amorphous molecular solids containing primarily H, C, O, and N are observed to condense in cold, dense molecular clouds in the interstellar medium (10 < T < 20 K; P < 10-13 atm). With the possible exception of some nanoscale organic condensates preserved in carbonaceous meteorites, the existence of these phases is documented primarily by telescopic observations of absorption and emission spectra of interstellar molecules in radio, microwave, or infrared wavelengths. Nebular and circumstellar ice (2)Evidence from infrared observations and laboratory experiments suggest that cubic H2O ("cubic ice") condenses as thin crystalline mantles on oxide and silicate dust grains in cool, distant nebular and circumstellar regions where T ~100 K. Primary condensed phases of the inner solar nebula (3)The earliest phase of nebular mineralogy saw the formation of primary refractory minerals that solidified through high-temperature condensation (1100 < T < 1800 K; 10-6 < P < 10-2 atm) in the solar nebula more than 4.565 billion years ago. These earliest mineral phases originating in our solar system formed prior to the accretion of planetesimals and are preserved in calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions, ultra-refractory inclusions, and amoeboid olivine aggregates.
Glomangiopericytoma of the sphenoethmoid complex

Sinonasal glomangiopericytoma is a rare sinonasal tumour accounting for less than. 5% of all sinonasal tumours. This tumour often presents as another, more common type of vascular lesion and is similarly prone to haemorrhage. The optimal treatment includes complete surgical resection. We, herein, present two such cases adding to the world literature of this rare tumour.
Exploring the 3-micron mid-infrared laser potential of Dy:BaF2

In the pursuit of new mid-IR laser gain materials, dysprosium-doped barium fluoride was evaluated for its potential laser emission in the 3-μm spectral region. Comprehensive spectroscopic characterization was performed, including absorption, fluorescence, and decay-time measurements. Efforts to determine the discrete Stark splittings of various Dy3+ manifolds in this host material were hampered by apparent multisite behavior of the RE dopant. Laser-relevant parameters such as absorption and stimulated-emission cross sections, quantum-efficiencies, and radiative lifetimes were determined for room temperature (300 K) and cryogenic temperature (77 K). The gain cross sections, which predict overall laser performance, were also calculated. Room-temperature laser operation of the 3-μm transition would suffer from low quantum efficiency and would require a high population inversion of approximately 40%. The parameters at 77 K show improvement across the board with multiple-times-higher cross-section intensities, nearly 4× higher quantum efficiency, and a positive gain cross section requiring less than 20% population inversion.
Preventing overdose using information and data from the environment (PROVIDENT): Protocol for a randomised, population-based, community intervention trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS In light of the accelerating drug overdose epidemic in North America, new strategies are needed to identify communities most at risk to prioritize geographically the existing public health resources (e.g. street outreach, naloxone distribution efforts). We aimed to develop PROVIDENT (Preventing Overdose using Information and Data from the Environment), a machine learning-based forecasting tool to predict future overdose deaths at the census block group (i.e. neighbourhood) level. DESIGN Randomized, population-based, community intervention trial. SETTING Rhode Island, USA. PARTICIPANTS All people who reside in Rhode Island during the study period may contribute data to either the model or the trial outcomes. INTERVENTION Each of the state's 39 municipalities will be randomized to the intervention (PROVIDENT) or comparator condition. An interactive, web-based tool will be developed to visualize the PROVIDENT model predictions. Municipalities assigned to the treatment arm will receive neighbourhood risk predictions from the PROVIDENT model, and state agencies and community-based organizations will direct resources to neighbourhoods identified as high risk. Municipalities assigned to the control arm will continue to receive surveillance information and overdose prevention resources, but they will not receive neighbourhood risk predictions. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome is the municipal-level rate of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses. Fatal overdoses will be defined as unintentional drug-related death; non-fatal overdoses will be defined as an emergency department visit for a suspected overdose reported through the state's syndromic surveillance system. Intervention efficacy will be assessed using Poisson or negative binomial regression to estimate incidence rate ratios comparing fatal and non-fatal overdose rates in treatment vs. control municipalities. COMMENTS The findings will inform the utility of predictive modelling as a tool to improve public health decision-making and inform resource allocation to communities that should be prioritized for prevention, treatment, recovery and overdose rescue services.
The Riemann Theta Function

Let Λ be a lattice in ℂg, i.e. a subgroup of ℂg which is discrete and of rank 2g; the quotient M = ℂg/Λ is a compact complex manifold, called a complex torus. Let L be a holomorphic line bundle on M, and π: ℂg → M the projection. A well-known theorem in complex analysis asserts that any holomorphic line (or even vector) bundle on ℂg is holomorphically trivial. Let \(h:{\pi ^*}(L) \to {{\Bbb C}^9} \times {\Bbb C}\) be a trivialisation. If λ ∈ Λ and z ∈ ℂg, then the isomorphisms \({\pi ^*}{(L)_z} \to {\Bbb C}{\text{and }}{\pi ^*}{(L)_{z + \lambda }} \to {\Bbb C}\) differ by multiplication by a constant since \({\pi ^*}{(L)_z} = {\pi ^*}{(L)_{z + \lambda }} = {L_{\pi (z)}};\) if we denote this constant by φλ(z), then for λ ∈ Λ, z →φλ(z) is a holomorphic function without zeros, and we have, for λ, μ ∈ Λ, $$ {\varphi _\mu }\left( {z + \lambda } \right){\varphi _\lambda }\left( z \right) = {\varphi _{\lambda + \mu }}\left( z \right), z \in {\mathbb{C}^9}. $$
Pericardial tamponade caused by pneumococcus in a 6-month-old child

With the widespread use of antibiotics, cases of pneumococcal pericarditis in infants and children have decreased significantly. Since the implementation of routine heptavalent pneumococcal immunization in 2000, these cases have become even rarer. While rare and life threatening, patients with invasive pneumococcal infections usually have a good outcome if diagnosed early and treated adequately. Since 1980, we found reports of only 13 children with pneumococcal pericarditis in PubMed. We describe another case of invasive pneumococcal infection in an infant with purulent pericarditis leading to tamponade and constrictive pericarditis.
A Goodness-of-Fit Test for the Negative Binomial Distribution Applicable to Large Sets of Small Samples

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a goodness-of-fit test for the negative binomial distribution applicable to large sets of small samples. It considers an example of coliform counts (MF) obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A.E. McDoniels. The data consists of several series of replicate counts obtained from a study on samples that were collected from a chlorinated municipal distribution system. The samples were split, held at 4° and 20°C, and analyzed by the standard total coliform method at 0, 2, 6, 24, 30, 48, and 72 hours. Most analyses were made in triplicate, but there are also a good many sets of six replicates. One set of 12 samples was analyzed for naturally occurring coliforms. Another set of 12 samples was dosed with a pure coliform culture. In the study described in the chapter, Poisson goodness-of-fit test on 4 sets of data was performed—(1) coliform count for natural samples for n = 6 and n = 3 and (2) coliform count for dosed samples for n = 6 and n = 3.
Design aspects of multi-phase interleaved resonant switched-capacitor converters with mm-scale air-core inductors

This work explores design aspects of resonant switched-capacitor converters with respect to multi-phase interleaving and inductor design. In high-density or silicon-integrated ReSC converters, interleaving can not only significantly improve output voltage ripple but also efficiency and power density by reducing bypass capacitance requirements and thus providing more area for flying capacitance. An analytical approach to analyze voltage ripple in multi-phase designs is presented. Moreover, a design methodology for miniature air-core inductors for a multiphase ReSC converter is described and design trade-offs are discussed. Results of the ripple analysis and inductor design are compared with measurement results from a three phase ReSC prototype IC in 180 nm CMOS.
Geoinformatic surveillance of hotspot detection, prioritization and early warning

A Geoinformatic Hotspot Surveillance System (GHS) will be demonstrated. This system is comprised of an upper level set scan statistic system for hotspot delineation, and a poset prioritization and ranking system for hotspot prioritization. Surveillance geoinformatics partnership consists of several interested cross-disciplinary scientists from academia, agencies and private sector.
Response monitoring during typical development

This study was conducted to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the normative development of response monitoring. We examined response monitoring under both relatively simple and more cognitively demanding conditions by measuring behavioral modifications that occurred in the presence of error and conflict. Eighty-nine participants between 4 and 24 years of age were administered two tasks (i.e., Simon and go/no-go). Data were analyzed using t-tests and hierarchical regression. We found that children (4–10 years of age), adolescents (11–17 years of age), and young adults (18–24 years of age) demonstrated significant reaction time slowing in the presence of either error or conflict, and that the magnitude of the slowing in these relatively simple conditions decreased with age. Under more cognitively demanding task conditions, adolescents and young adults demonstrated additional slowing beyond what they exhibited when task conditions were relatively simple. In contrast, children did not show any additional slowing in response to more cognitively demanding task conditions. The findings suggest that older individuals more efficiently modify their behavior in response to subtle changes in task demands.
RFID Changing Gates

Gates are all over the place. Years ago, I had a company called Gates Are Everywhere. I meant that. Industrial complexes have gates for parking, to enter the plant, to get to tools, to protect projects. Trucking companies use them to enter their terminals, to park trailers both empty and loaded, and even to drop and hook trailers in remote areas. Gated communities have multiple entries/exits to protect their residents, which may be manned by a guard. Such gates have to accommodate the members of the communities, the vendors that serve them, and visitors that arrive. Many parking lots have special requirements for employees, members, and visitors.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with low bone mineral density in obese children.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 35: 248–254 Summary Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children. Liver disease can be a cause of low bone mineral density. Whether or not NAFLD influences bone health is not known. Aim To evaluate bone mineral density in obese children with and without NAFLD. Methods Thirty-eight children with biopsy-proven NAFLD were matched for age, gender, race, ethnicity, height and weight to children without evidence of liver disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Age and gender-specific bone mineral density Z-scores were calculated and compared between children with and without NAFLD. After controlling for age, gender, race, ethnicity and total per cent body fat, the relationship between bone mineral density and the severity of histology was analysed in children with NAFLD. Results Obese children with NAFLD had significantly (P < 0.0001) lower bone mineral density Z-scores (−1.98) than obese children without NAFLD (0.48). Forty-five per cent of children with NAFLD had low-bone mineral density for age, compared to none of the children without NAFLD (P < 0.0001). Among those children with NAFLD, children with NASH had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower bone mineral density Z-score (−2.37) than children with NAFLD who did not have NASH (−1.58). Conclusions The NAFLD was associated with poor bone health in obese children. More severe disease was associated with lower bone mineralisation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms and consequences of poor bone mineralisation in children with NAFLD.
Stability of delta distributary networks and their bifurcations

[1] Delta distributary networks are created by bifurcating channels that commonly split their discharges unequally. The origin and stability of these asymmetrical fine-grained cohesive bifurcations are investigated here using Delft3D, a morphodynamic flow and sediment transport model. Results are compared to bifurcations on the Mossy delta, Saskatchewan, Canada, that have remained stable for decades. Over a range of channel aspect ratios, friction factors, and Shields numbers, we find three equilibrium functions relating the discharge ratio of the bifurcate arms at equilibrium to the Shields number. One function defines symmetrical configurations (equal partitioning of discharge), while the other two define asymmetrical configurations (unequal partitioning of discharge). Discharge asymmetries and morphologies of Mossy delta bifurcations are consistent with these predictions. Among the equilibrium bifurcations, only the asymmetrical type is stable to perturbations, such as a partial closing of one throat. This possibly explains why asymmetrical bifurcations are more common in nature.
A Study of Persistence of Price Movement Using High Frequency Financial Data

We present a methodology to discover how often the price deviates from established levels without sound reason. We look at the distribution of these so called “rare events” during the trading day and analyze the speed of the price bouncing back to the levels established before the rare events. We provide methods to calibrate trading rules based on the detection of these events and we exemplify for a particular trading rule. In order to draw comprehensive conclusions we group the equity into classes depending on the volume of daily trades. We find the behavior these classes to be very different. We also find possible evidence of algorithmic trading related to these events. ______________________________________________________________________________________
Getting more for less in optimized MapReduce workflows

Many companies are piloting the use of Hadoop for advanced data analytics over large datasets. Typically, such MapReduce programs represent workflows of MapReduce jobs. Currently, a user must specify the number of reduce tasks for each MapReduce job. The choice of the right number of reduce tasks is non-trivial and depends on the cluster size, input dataset of the job, and the amount of resources available for processing this job. In the workflow of MapReduce jobs, the output of one job becomes the input of the next job, and therefore the number of reduce tasks in the previous job may impact the performance and processing efficiency of the next job. In this work,1 we offer a novel performance evaluation framework for easing the user efforts of tuning the reduce task settings while achieving performance objectives. The proposed framework is based on two performance models: a platform performance model and a workflow performance model. A platform performance model characterizes the execution time of each generic phase in the MapReduce processing pipeline as a function of processed data. The complementary workflow performance model evaluates the completion time of a given workflow as a function of i) input dataset size(s) and ii) the reduce tasks' settings in the jobs that comprise a given workflow. We validate the accuracy, effectiveness, and performance benefits of the proposed framework using a set of realistic MapReduce applications and queries from the TPC-H benchmark.
Magnetostatic modulation of nonlinear refractive index and absorption in quantum wires

Abstract The magnetic-field dependence of the nonlinear differential refractive index Δ n and absorption Δα in quantum wires—measured by non-degenerate pump and probe spectroscopy—is investigated theoretically. The nonlinearities arise from population saturation of the excitonic state under optical pumping and the formation of biexcitons (excitonic molecules). Both Δ n and Δ α exhibit positive and negative peaks at certain pump and probe detuning frequencies associated with the formation of biexcitons and bleaching of excitons, respectively. The amplitude, lineshape and the frequency at which these peaks occur can be modulated by a magnetic field which opens up the possibility of realizing novel magneto-optical devices. Additionally, the magnetic field may allow us to realize a relatively large variation in the differential refractive index over a range of frequencies without significant accompanying absorption, thereby allowing the observation of optical bistability.