cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atelerix albiventris (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae)

Atelerix albiventris (Wagner, 1841) is an erinaceid with variable common names but is most widely known as the four-toed hedgehog. One of 4 members of the genus Atelerix, A. albiventris is the smallest of the African hedgehogs. These nocturnal insectivores are sexually dimorphic and widespread, and are not a species of special conservation concern. Native to equatorial Africa, they inhabit steppes, savannas, grasslands, and agricultural fields. A. albiventris has been domesticated and is widely used in biomedical research and sold in the exotic pet trade.
Single-machine earliness-tardiness scheduling about a common due date with tolerances

Abstract In this paper the problem of minimizing the mean absolute deviation (MAD) of job completion times about a given common due date with different sizes of tolerance in an n -job, single-machine scheduling environment is considered. We describe some optimality conditions and show that the problem is NP-complete. A heuristic algorithm is proposed to find an approximate solution to the problem. A pseudo-polynomial dynamic programming algorithm is also proposed to optimally solve the problem if the agreement condition defined in the paper holds. The dynamic programming algorithm can also be used to find a lower bound for the problem by adjusting the tolerances of some jobs. An example is provided to illustrate the proposed methods. A computational study on randomly generated test problems is conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed heuristic and the quality of lower bounds generated by the dynamic programming method. Computational results are reported.
Cardiac manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis: Case report and review of the literature

Wegener's granulomatosis, first characterized as a clinical syndrome in 1936, is a rare form of vasculitis of the small- and medium-sized blood vessels affecting mainly the upper and lower respiratory tracts as well as the kidneys. This review article describes the case of a 45-year-old man who developed aortic regurgitation and third degree heart block secondary to Wegener's granulomatosis. He subsequently presented to our institution 3 years later with pulmonary hemorrhage. The ensuing literature review reveals that historically clinical cardiac involvement in Wegener's has been rare, particularly with valvular lesions. However, recent literature has shown an increase in reported cases of cardiac valvular lesions in Wegener's. The presented case report along with recently reported case reports highlight the morbidity and mortality associated with such cardiac lesions. We believe routine cardiovascular supervision including echocardiography and electrocardiograms are important for the screening and monitoring of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.
Kant on the Independence of the Moral Law from Sensibility

There are several senses in which Kant’s moral law is independent of sensibility. This paper is devoted mainly to Kant’s account of ‘physical conditions independence’, or the idea that the moral law can compel us to pursue ends that might be impossible to realize empirically. Since this idea has received little attention from commentators, this paper addresses both its textual basis in Kant’s writings and its overall philosophical viability.
Context Identification for Efficient Multiple-Model State Estimation of Systems With Cyclical Intermittent Dynamics

This paper presents an approach to accurate and scalable multiple-model (MM) state estimation for hybrid systems with intermittent, cyclical, multimodal dynamics. The approach consists of using discrete-state estimation to identify a system's dynamical and behavioral contexts and determine which motion models appropriately represent current dynamics and which individual and MM filters are appropriate for state estimation. Furthermore, the heirarchical structure of the dynamics is explicitly encoded, which enables detection not only of rapid transitions between motion models but of higher level behavioral transitions as well. This improves the accuracy and scalability of conventional MM state estimation, which is demonstrated experimentally on a mobile robot that exhibits fast-switching, multimodal dynamics.
A spline based regression technique on interval valued noisy data

In this paper we present a spline based center and range method (SCRM) to perform regression on interval valued noisy data. The method provides a fast and accurate mechanism to model and predict upper and lower limits of unknown functions in a bounded design space. This technique is superior to previously existing techniques like center and range linear least square regression (CRM). The accurate models may find wide usage in high precision applications. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated through experiments on datasets with various applications.
Identification of SlpB, a Cytotoxic Protease from Serratia marcescens

The Gram-negative bacterium and opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens causes ocular infections in healthy individuals. Secreted protease activity was characterized from 44 ocular clinical isolates, and a higher frequency of protease-positive strains was observed among keratitis isolates than among conjunctivitis isolates. A positive correlation between protease activity and cytotoxicity to human corneal epithelial cells in vitro was determined. Deletion of prtS in clinical keratitis isolate K904 reduced, but did not eliminate, cytotoxicity and secreted protease production. This indicated that PrtS is necessary for full cytotoxicity to ocular cells and implied the existence of another secreted protease(s) and cytotoxic factors. Bioinformatic analysis of the S. marcescens Db11 genome revealed three additional open reading frames predicted to code for serralysin-like proteases noted here as slpB, slpC, and slpD. Induced expression of prtS and slpB, but not slpC and slpD, in strain PIC3611 rendered the strain cytotoxic to a lung carcinoma cell line; however, only prtS induction was sufficient for cytotoxicity to a corneal cell line. Strain K904 with deletion of both prtS and slpB genes was defective in secreted protease activity and cytotoxicity to human cell lines. PAGE analysis suggests that SlpB is produced at lower levels than PrtS. Purified SlpB demonstrated calcium-dependent and AprI-inhibited protease activity and cytotoxicity to airway and ocular cell lines in vitro. Lastly, genetic analysis indicated that the type I secretion system gene, lipD, is required for SlpB secretion. These genetic data introduce SlpB as a new cytotoxic protease from S. marcescens.
Tyler asbestos workers: mortality experience in a cohort exposed to amosite

OBJECTIVES: To examine the causes of death among 1130 former workers of a plant in Tyler, Texas dedicated to the manufacture of asbestos pipe insulation materials. This cohort is important and unusual because it used amosite as the only asbestiform mineral in the production process. High level exposure of such a specific type was documented through industrial hygiene surveys in the plant. METHODS: Deaths were ascertained through various sources including data tapes from the Texas Department of Health and the national death index files. As many death certificates as possible were secured (304/315) and cause of death assigned. After select exclusions, 222 death certificates were used in the analysis. Causes of death were compared with age, race, and sex specific mortalities for the United States population with a commercial software package (OCMAP Version 2.0). RESULTS: There was an excess of deaths from respiratory cancer including the bronchus, trachea, and lung (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 277 with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 193 to 385). Four pleural mesotheliomas and two peritoneal mesotheliomas were identified. The analysis also showed an increasing risk of respiratory malignancy with increased duration of exposure including a significant excess of total deaths from respiratory cancer with less than six months of work at the plant (SMR 268 with 95% CI 172 to 399). CONCLUSIONS: The importance of the cohort lies with the pure amosite exposure which took place in the plant and the extended period of latency which has followed. The death certificate analysis indicates the pathogenicity of amosite, the predominant commercial amphibole used in the United States. These data confirm a link between amosite asbestos and respiratory malignancy as well as mesothelioma.
The Development of Children’s Understanding of Negative Reflexive Social Emotions

In recent years, child development has been placed into a social context, in the sense that the construction of knowledge in the child is viewed as a social process (e.g., Bruner, 1978, 1986; Bruner & Sherwood, 1981; Cole, 1985; Doise & Mackie, 1981; Duveen & Lloyd, 1990; Rogoff & Wertsch, 1984; Wertsch, 1985; inter alia). One major source of the dialectical relationship between the individual and the social, comes from the work of Vygotsky (e.g., Vygotsky, 1962, 1978, 1981a,b). Vygotsky saw development as a cultural product and stressed that the child’s development is the outcome of her/his participation in social interaction with more mature members of the culture. They define and regulate the young child’s activity by using means which are products of sociocultural evolution (e.g., language). The child, by internalising the means by which others used to regulate its activity in earlier stages, masters higher forms of mental functioning.
Pathogenesis and Natural History of Transient Global Amnesia

Fourteen patients aged between 49 and 92 years who had suffered from one or more attacks of transient global amnesia (TGA) have been followed for a mean interval of 30 months. Thirteen patients had one or more risk factors for cerebrovascular disease, such as hypertension, cardiac abnormalities, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Clinical evidence for vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency was demonstrated in 11 cases. EEG examination revealed bitemporal or bioccipital slow wave activity. Four-vessel arteriography showed atherosclerotic, stenotic, or occlusive lesions predominantly in the vertebrobasilar and posterior cerebral arterial systems. Five patients without recurrence of TGA showed no permanent impairment of memory, whereas eight who had recurrent attacks of TGA showed permanent memory impairment as well as mild visual-spatial or visual-motor dyspraxia as judged by neuropsychological tests on follow-up visits. "Amnesic stroke" with permanent and gross memory defect and dyspraxia occurred in two patient...
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Infection a Median of 18 Months before a Diagnostic Western Blot: Evidence from a Cohort of Homosexual Men

STUDY OBJECTIVE To study the natural history of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, we used an in-vitro amplification technique to detect HIV-1 nucleic acid sequences in sequential aliquots of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from homosexual men enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. DESIGN AND PATIENTS Blinded, longitudinal study of 24 homosexual men who were positive for HIV-1 antibodies at a recent follow-up visit. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Coded clinical samples were evaluated using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (whole virus and gp120-gp41 fragment), Western blot, a p24 antigen capture assay, virus cocultivation, and in-vitro amplification of conserved regions from the HIV-1 gag and env open-reading frames. In 20 of the 24 men an HIV-1 enzymatically amplified product was detected before HIV-1 antibody seroconversion: at 42 months before seroconversion in two cases; at 36 months in one case; at 30 months in one case; at 24 months in four cases; at 18 months in eight cases; at 12 months in one case; and at 6 months in three cases (median, 18 months). In the four other men, detection of an HIV-1 enzymatically amplified product was concurrent with confirmation of antibody seroconversion by Western blot. CONCLUSIONS There is a long and variable interval between virus acquisition and a diagnostic serum antibody response, perhaps due to the prolonged, persistent infection characteristic of the lentiviruses (family Retroviridae).
α-Adrenergic Control of Skeletal Muscle Circulation at Rest and During Exercise in Aging Humans

Aging is associated with many changes in autonomic nervous system function that often lead to impairments in the normal ability to respond to physiological stressors commonly encountered in daily life. In addition, many of these chronic age-related changes in autonomic-circulatory function can potentially predispose the older adult to elevated risk for acute and chronic cardiovascular complications. One of the most pronounced and repeatable findings with respect to changes in the autonomic nervous system with human aging is the progressive increase in basal muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) directed to skeletal muscle vascular beds. Although the mechanism(s) underlying this sustained age-associated increase in MSNA are not completely understood, several changes in sympathetic a-adrenergic function occur with age. In this review, the authors discuss how aging affects (1) a-adrenergic control of skeletal muscle vascular tone under resting conditions and the differences that exist in this control of the upper and lower limbs (forearm vs leg circulation); (2) vasoconstrictor responsiveness to endogenous norepinephrine release, as well as the specific responsiveness of postjunctional a(1)- and a(2)-adrenergic receptors; and (3) sympathetic a-adrenergic control of muscle blood flow and vascular tone during exercise in humans. Further, they discuss how these changes in sympathetic a-adrenergic control of skeletal muscle blood vessels have important physiological and clinical implications for the aging human.
Energetically unfavorable amide conformations for N6-acetyllysine side chains in refined protein structures†

The reversible acetylation of lysine to form N6-acetyllysine in the regulation of protein function is a hallmark of epigenetics. Acetylation of the positively charged amino group of the lysine side chain generates a neutral N-alkylacetamide moiety that serves as a molecular “switch” for the modulation of protein function and protein–protein interactions. We now report the analysis of 381 N6-acetyllysine side chain amide conformations as found in 79 protein crystal structures and 11 protein NMR structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) of the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics. We find that only 74.3% of N6-acetyllysine residues in protein crystal structures and 46.5% in protein NMR structures contain amide groups with energetically preferred trans or generously trans conformations. Surprisingly, 17.6% of N6-acetyllysine residues in protein crystal structures and 5.3% in protein NMR structures contain amide groups with energetically unfavorable cis or generously cis conformations. Even more surprisingly, 8.1% of N6-acetyllysine residues in protein crystal structures and 48.2% in NMR structures contain amide groups with energetically prohibitive twisted conformations that approach the transition state structure for cis-trans isomerization. In contrast, 109 unique N-alkylacetamide groups contained in 84 highly accurate small molecule crystal structures retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database exclusively adopt energetically preferred trans conformations. Therefore, we conclude that cis and twisted N6-acetyllysine amides in protein structures deposited in the PDB are erroneously modeled due to their energetically unfavorable or prohibitive conformations. Proteins 2013; © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multichannel FSK and DPSK Reception with Three-Component Multipath

The multichannel bit error probability for noncoherent FSK and differentially coherent PSK systems is obtained for a slow nonselective-fading multipath as a function of the multipath parameters and the order of diversity. The muitipath model involves three components consisting of two specular components and one scatter (diffuse) component. For diversity combining the multichannel noncoherent FSK receiver model employs square-law envelope addition and for DPSK employs linear baseband, postproduct-detection addition. These two diversity combining techniques are shown to be equivalent in terms of a DPSK noncoherent detector model that matches over two adjacent bits of the transmitted signal. As with Single-channel systems, the muitichannel DPSK performance is improved 3 dB over the multichannel FSK performance but otherwise equivalent. Results are given for muiltipath situations corresponding to a variety of differential path delays ranging from small to large delays and for mixed delays. Performance curves are presented for these multipath models and for several special cases representing simplified models.
Enhancing the security of El Gamal's signature scheme

J. He and T. Kiesler (1994) proposed a digital signature scheme to embed both the discrete logarithm problem and the factorisation problem in the processing of signing to enhance the security of the original El Gamal signature scheme (1985). The purpose of this comment is to show that the security of the signature scheme is not as secure as they have claimed. >
Length-scale dependence of variability in epoxy modulus extracted from composite prepreg

Abstract Property variability in conjunction with morphological variability are important sources of uncertainty in composite modeling. While image processing of experimental microstructures has enabled accurate quantification of morphological variability, the characterization of material variability is not as well established. In this study, the local material properties of epoxy extracted from a prepreg sheet was determined using nanoindentation with a spherical indenter tip with a radius of 50 μm. Indentations were carried out at four different indentation depths to evaluate the change in the variability of epoxy modulus with the sampling volume. For each length scale studied, 40 indentations were carried out to determine the variability in epoxy modulus. A significant decrease was observed in the coefficient of variation as the indentation depth increased. The corresponding modulus distributions were quantified. The results suggest that, similar to morphological variability, material variability is length-scale dependent and the appropriate variability associated with the selected length scale must be considered for stochastic modeling of composite structures.
How to Develop Leadership in Elementary Schools

(1959). How to Develop Leadership in Elementary Schools. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 43-62.
Unraveling the Role of Metal–Support Interactions in Heterogeneous Catalysis: Oxygenate Selectivity in Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

We examine the role of the metal–support interaction in modulating the activity and selectivity of oxide-supported metal nanoparticles, focusing specifically on the Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis of ethanol (EtOH). Although it is well-known that oxide supports can play a noninnocent role in heterogeneous catalysis, a comprehensive and predictive picture of the role of such supports remains elusive. Using realistic computational models of supported nanoparticles, we decouple the electronic and geometric aspects of the metal–support interaction, and we show that the former can be largely understood in terms of charge transfer between support and nanoparticle. The resulting metal–support interactions induce significant changes in adsorbate binding energies, and thus significantly influence reaction thermodynamics and kinetics. For the specific case of FT, we show how our model can be used to understand the observed increase in EtOH selectivity when switching from silica to titania supports. More generally, w...
Hallucal rotation: a method of measurement and relationship to bunion deformity.

A method for measuring hallucal rotation on weightbearing tangential radiographs is described. Under controlled conditions using cadaver specimens, 10° changes in hallucal rotation were associated ...
Movements of Harvest Mice Tagged with Gold-198

Four eastern harvest mice, Reithrodontomys h. humulis , were tagged with gold-198 wires and traced in the field by the use of a Geiger counter. This method is superior to live-trapping because multiple-handling of animals is eliminated, animal movements are unrestricted, and more information about an individual can be obtained in a shorter length of time. When mice were released from live-traps their movements during the following several hours were suggestive of meandering, indicating that they may have been confused, frightened, or hungry from overnight trap confinement. Small globular-shaped grass nests located in or under the herbaceous layer of vegetation were used as den sites. The nests were situated on the periphery of the range and varied from 2 to 4 per animal. Harvest mice movements were mostly limited to night, but during winter occasional short diurnal movements from nests were recorded. Certain areas within the range of each tagged mouse were avoided completely. The behavior and movements of the tagged mice presented a complex picture of spatial relationships. Calculation of range size was not undertaken because presently used methods and concepts were difficult to apply to the data.
CAR models: next-generation CAR modifications for enhanced T-cell function

T cells genetically targeted with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to B-cell malignancies have demonstrated tremendous clinical outcomes. With the proof in principle for CAR T cells as a therapy for B-cell malignancies being established, current and future research is being focused on adapting CAR technology to other cancers, as well as enhancing its efficacy and/or safety. The modular nature of the CAR, extracellular antigen-binding domain fused to a transmembrane domain and intracellular T-cell signaling domains, allows for optimization by replacement of the various components. These modifications are creating a whole new class of therapeutic CARs. In this review, we discuss the recent major advances in CAR design and how these modifications will impact its clinical application.
Ovarian hyperstimulation augments adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate secretion.

Objective To determine if factor(s) secreted by the ovaries during hyperstimulation potentiate basal and ACTH-stimulated adrenal androgen secretion. Design Retrospective and prospective clinical study. Setting University tertiary care center infertility clinic. Participants Two hundred thirteen hyperstimulation cycles in endocrinologically normal women were identified from 92 patients with ovulatory infertility, aged 25 to 45 years. Further, seven endocrinologically normal infertile women, aged 22 to 37 years, who were undergoing empiric ovarian hyperstimulation for infertility were identified and studied. Interventions In the previously performed cycles, basal and peak serum DHEAS and cortisol (F) levels were assayed and compared with each other and to the extant E 2 levels. Additionally, at the baseline and the peak of ovarian hyperstimulation cycles, a standard ACTH test was performed and serum was assayed for DHEAS, DHEA, and F. Main Outcome Measure Basal and ACTH-stimulated serum DHEAS, DHEA (prospective part only), and F concentrations. Where applicable, mean peak values were generated and compared between the baseline and the peak of stimulation with or without a correction for intrapatient variability in F secretion. Results Basal serum DHEAS levels rose with ovarian hyperstimulation independent of F. Post-ACTH mean peak value concentrations rose with ovarian hyperstimulation for DHEAS but not DHEA or F. Conclusions Ovarian hyperstimulation potentiates basal and ACTH perturbed adrenal DHEAS secretion. This implies the existence of a humoral ovarian factor(s) that mediate this ovarian-adrenal cross-talk.
Vaccine administration: making the process more efficient in your practice.

Appointing a vaccine champion and understanding the documentation rules are key steps toward improving your immunization process.
Validating Quality Indicators for Hospital Care

Article-at-a-Glance Background Many of the indicators used to monitor the quality of hospital care are resource intensive and ineffective. Furthermore, current efforts to develop new indicators for report cards are generally directed at the evaluation of health plans and are not constructed to help providers (physician groups, hospitals, and health plans that contract to provide care to patients) find and fix problems with the quality of care at their organizations. Four questions Before using an indicator, four questions should be posed: (1) When cases identified by the indicator are examined, can one find a set of definable and preventable processes of care known to lead to a bad outcome? (2) Can a review instrument be created that will allow providers to identify which process problems are present? (3) Are there substantially more process problems in those cases identified by the indicator than in those cases not identified by the indicator, and can the sensitivity and specificity of the indicator be defined? and (4) Is the indicator primarily useful for quality improvement efforts by a provider, or is it also useful as an external measure of quality across providers? A four-step framework Four corresponding steps comprise an efficient validation method to produce indicators that detect deficiencies in an important process–outcome continuum, help produce the tools to find the deficiencies, document the efficiency of using the indicator to search for process problems, and define the appropriate use of the indicator. Use of such validated indicators, and the information about their utility, would allow providers to optimize the impact of money spent on quality improvement efforts.
Silane–Allyl Coupling Reactions of Cp*(iPr2MeP)Fe(η3-C3H5) and Synthetic Access to the Hydrido–Dinitrogen Complex Cp*(iPr2MeP)FeH(N2)

Herein we report reactions of the iron allyl complex Cp*(iPr2MeP)Fe(η3-C3H5) with sterically demanding silanes. These reactions lead to stoichiometric hydrosilation of the allyl ligand and dehydrocoupling reactions between the silane and the allyl group. Furthermore, this system has allowed access to a novel Si–H oxidative addition–reductive elimination equilibrium involving Cp*(iPr2MeP)FeH2(SiH2DMP) and Cp*(iPr2MeP)FeH(N2), which was independently synthesized.
The challenges of participation in doing community-based participatory action research: Lessons from the Kwithu Project

The Kwithu project started when a volunteer who joined Kwithu, a community-based organization in Mzuzu, Malawi (Africa), to teach English gave a diagnostic test to a random group of forty 7th and 8...
An Interview With the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling Leaders: Craig S. Cashwell and J. Scott Young

American Counseling Association Fellows, past presidents of the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC), and close friends, Drs. Craig S. Cashwell and J. Scott Young have made a significant impact on the field of spirituality counseling over the past 20 years. This interview emphasizes their involvement in ASERVIC and the spirituality counseling field over the course of their careers and in the present, as well as the wisdom they have gained from their experiences.
Comparison of tungstate and tetrathiotungstate adsorption onto pyrite

Abstract Adsorption of tungstate (WO 4 2 − ) and tetrathiotungstate (WS 4 2 − ) onto pyrite was investigated as a function of W species concentrations, pH, and ionic strength. Additional experiments examined the adsorption of these W species onto goethite. The adsorption experiments indicate that pyrite is a strong scavenger of W in aquatic environments. Specifically, results showed that WO 4 2 − and WS 4 2 − adsorption onto pyrite increased with decreasing pH. The greatest amounts of WO 4 2 − and WS 4 2 − adsorbed onto pyrite occurred at pH 4.95 and 5.2, respectively. Kinetic experiments indicate that WO 4 2 − adsorption onto pyrite occurs more rapidly than WS 4 2 − . The kinetic behavior of the adsorption of both W species onto pyrite is well described with a pseudo-second-order model. More specifically, rapid external adsorption followed by intraparticle diffusion were the rate-controlling steps during both WO 4 2 − and WS 4 2 − adsorption onto pyrite, and intraparticle diffusion of both W species onto pyrite took up > 99% of time, suggesting that it was the major rate-limiting step. The mono-surface Langmuir model provided the best fit to the adsorption data indicating that WO 4 2 − and WS 4 2 − were mainly adsorbed onto one specific site on the pyrite surface. Our model calculations suggest that the specific adsorption of WO 4 2 − onto pyrite was greater than the corresponding adsorption of WS 4 2 − onto pyrite in all cases. The difference of specific adsorption between WO 4 2 − and WS 4 2 − may be attributed to their different inner-sphere complexation on the pyrite surface. The adsorption experiments also showed that W species were less adsorbed onto pyrite than goethite. The results of the adsorption experiments demonstrate that pyrite plays an important role in determining the fate and transport of WO 4 2 − and WS 4 2 − in natural waters. Furthermore, comparison of our results with previous studies of Mo indicates that WS 4 2 − is less particle reactive with respect to pyrite than MoS 4 2 − , which we propose can explain, in part, the apparent stability of W in sulfidic waters compared to Mo as well as the elevated Mo/W ratios in Black Sea sapropels.
Silicon-on-Insulator for VLSI and VHSIC

Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the application of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structures to very large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits based on micro-structures whose dimensions are in the neighborhood of one micron and less. This class of integrated circuits also includes those circuits planned in the very high-speed integrated circuit (VHSIC) program. The chapter also discusses the various considerations and motivation for the application of the SOI structure to VLSI and VHSI circuits, and describes the more promising new approaches to the realization of an SOI technology for VLSI and VHSI. The two basic SOI structures differ primarily in the substrate type. The most desirable or ideal structure consists of defect-free single-crystal silicon on the insulating substrate or film. In addition, the desired silicon-insulator interface is one possessing minimum mechanical stress and minimum electrical surface states, and allowing the realization of defect-free single-crystal silicon throughout the silicon film up to the silicon-insulator interface. The trends in silicon MOS integrated circuits are well-known: greater complexity, higher speed, lower power per function, greater functional versatility, and improved reliability. This trend has been supported primarily by the parallel trend of rapidly decreasing feature size in the circuits. The trend of increasing device and circuit densities must and will persist to allow the cost per function to continue to decrease, to provide more capability per chip, and to improve performance.
DNA methylation in candidate genes as a biomarker for transgenerational risk of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE), characterized by global fetal undernutrition due to placental insufficiency, affects over 100,000 women annually in the US. Gene-environment interactions resulting from placental...
Failure to rescue and mortality after reoperation for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Objectives Complications after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair resulting in reintervention increase mortality risk, but have not been well studied. Mortality after reintervention is termed failure to rescue and may reflect differences related to quality management of the complication. This study describes the relationship between reoperation and mortality and examines the effect of physician speciality on reintervention rates and failure to rescue after AAA repair. Methods Data were extracted for 2616 patients who underwent intact AAA repair in 2005 to 2006 from a standard 5% random sample of all Medicare beneficiaries. Patient demographics, comorbidities, hospital characteristics, repair type, and speciality of operating surgeon were collected. Primary outcomes were 30-day reoperation and 30-day mortality. Logistic regression analysis identified characteristics predicting reoperation. Results A total of 156 reoperations were required in 142 (4.2%) patients. Early mortality was far more likely for patients requiring reintervention than for those who did not (22.5% vs 1.5%; P P = .0007). Despite equivalent reoperation rates between specialities (vascular surgeons, 5.2%; others, 5.6%, P = .67), the mortality after reoperation was nearly half for vascular surgeons compared with other specialities (16.2% vs 32.3%; P = .04). The most common reason for reoperation was arterial complications (35.8%) accounting for the largest difference in mortality between vascular surgeons (30.7%) and other specialities (52.0%). Conclusions Postoperative complications requiring reoperation dramatically increase mortality after AAA repair. Despite similar complication rates, vascular surgeons showed lower mortality rates after reoperation.
WRF simulations for a heavy rainfall event in southern Italy: Verification and sensitivity tests

Abstract In this paper we study the sensitivity of the quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) to different physical parameterization schemes and configuration settings of WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model for a catastrophic event occurred in Calabria, Southern Italy. The event lasted four days, from 30 October 2015 to 2 November 2015, and affected mostly the eastern side of the peninsula. Several raingauges measured >500 mm for the whole event, with the maximum recorded in Chiaravalle (739 mm for the whole event, which is about half of the yearly rainfall). Damages to railway, roads and properties were extensive. To show the sensitivity of the QPF to the model settings and physical parameterization schemes, twelve configurations of WRF are considered, in addition to the control run ( CC ), which is the configuration used for the operational forecast at ISAC-CNR in Lamezia Terme. In particular, we tested the sensitivity of the QPF to four different microphysical schemes, three Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) schemes (non-local and local), two cumulus parameterization schemes, two different horizontal resolutions (1 km vs 3 km), and different initial and boundary conditions. The QPF is verified both by quantitative measures and qualitative scores, using the observations of 156 raingauges quite uniformly distributed over Calabria. The analysis refers to 12 h and 24 h rainfall, but some details are given also for shorter time scales. Results show that most of the WRF configurations are able to predict most of the features of the precipitation field. However, there are differences at the local scale (few tens of kilometers) that are important for several purposes, including civil protection. In particular, using a non-local PBL closure scheme was fundamental to correctly simulate the heavy precipitation close to the sea for this case, while other configurations predicted the rainfall more anchored to mountain peaks. The good performance of non-local PBL scheme confirms the findings of a previous study over Calabria. The results of this paper show the sensitivity of the QPF at the local scale for different WRF configurations and an ensemble approach is envisaged to improve the prediction of such catastrophic events.
The Interplay of Regulatory Focus and Temporal Distance on Consumer Evaluation of Online Reviews

The researchers investigated how the temporal distance of purchase (i.e., near or distant future) affects consumers’ attitude and behavioral intention contingent upon regulatory-focused online revi...
Indikationen und Kontraindikationen

Proteintherapie bietet ein starkes, vielleicht das starkste Mittel, das uns zur Verfugung steht, um den Verlauf der cellularen Tatigkeit in zwei diametral entgegengesetzten Richtungen zu verandern: Beschleunigung der Funktion und Abschwachung der Funktion. Falls das Mittel, das wir injizieren, sehr toxisch und die Dosis gros ist, macht die Beschleunigung bald einer Ermudung, dann der vollkommenen Erschopfung und endlich dem Tode Platz. Wenn verhaltnismasig grose Dosen wiederholt gegeben werden, kann der Zustand einer Proteinkachexie, der bei vielen Versuchstieren beobachtet wurde (Proteingene Kachexie Schittenhelm, Weichardt), hinzukommen Durch geeignete Dosierung andererseits kommt eine vorubergehende, aber wohl ausgepragte Anregung ohne klinisch augenscheinliche Leistungsminderung zustande, und wenn dies eine Zeitlang fortgesetzt wird, zeigt sich die Veranderung der Stoffwechselvorgange klinisch deutlich an Gewichtszunahme und erhohtem allgemeinem Wohlbefinden.
The Chain and the Arrow: From the History of Mathematics Assessment

The problem of assessing the mathematics pupils have learned has inevitably been intertwined with the questions of who should receive additional mathematics instruction and how that instruction should be managed. Scholars appear to have begun the empirical inquiry into these questions from the perspective of psychology during the Renaissance, asking what mental abilities are, how they develop, and how they are differentially disposed across people and across the requirements of various disciplines.
What’s the purpose? Educators’ perceptions and use of a state-mandated kindergarten entry assessment

Educator’s perceptions and use of a state-mandated kindergarten entry assessment (KEA), the Alaska Developmental Profile (ADP), were investigated using a mixed-methods approach with 233 educators representing 23 districts in the state of Alaska. Educators reported inconsistencies in the administration, implementation, perceptions, and use of the ADP. These inconsistencies were connected to an unclear understanding of the purpose for the ADP, a finding that most likely reflects the compliance model of those administering state-mandated assessments instead of educators seeing these tools as useful for instructional decision-making. Results suggest policy makers should strive to ensure all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the purpose for a state-mandated KEA and that systems are in place to ensure reliability and validity of the data. Teachers are urged to become familiar in using formative, observation-based assessment approaches and consider how data gathered from a KEA can provide meaningful information for instructional planning. Administrators are encouraged to provide the professional development and support needed to engage in data-driven decision making. And finally, researchers are reminded of their role in helping conduct research that examines the processes and impact of state-mandated assessments.
Internationalizing Education: A Personal and Professional Journey

We all have a personal history of social studies, history, and geography, learning it in schools, applying it in society; regardless, a rethinking of how we approach this is necessary for the 21st century. What we do to ensure meaningful local to global civic education and engagement is vital today. Allowing for voice, critique, controversy, and debate are vital to enhancing sustained global civic engagement; thus a Global / International Education/ Internationalizing framing. This article discusses a personal journal and analyzes the need to address local to global contexts in internationalizing, hopefully leading to critical consciousness and agency.
Continuity in the Observed Properties of QSOs, High-Redshift Emission-Line Radio Galaxies, BL Lac Objects, N Systems and Seyfert Galaxies, and Possible Interpretations

The evidence for continuity between the observed properties of QSOs and the active nuclei of galaxies of various types is reviewed. It is concluded that the continuity argument is compatible with many of the observations, provided (i) that the idea of directed bulk relativistic motions in many objects which show apparent superlight velocities or very large rapid flux variations is accepted, and (ii) that all of the evidence for the physical associations of QSOs and galaxies, and pairs of QSOs, with very different redshifts, is ignored. Since bulk motions with v ⩾ 0.99c are very difficult to maintain in the presence of any appreciable amounts of diffuse gas, and since much of the evidence for non-cosmological redshifts is compelling, a new approach is outlined. It is proposed that many QSOs and BL Lac objects are gravitationally stable coherent objects which are ejected from galaxies comparatively closeby. They radiate assymetrically, in a cone directed away from their direction of motion. They must he ejected from galaxies with velocities which range from very small values for QSOs with low redshifts which appear to lie in galaxies, to values in the range 0.1c–0.9c for the higher redshift QSOs. Some BL Lac objects may be embedded in galaxies, while some may be coming towards us.
On the dynamic instability of Arctic sea ice

The last few decades have seen a significant decline in Arctic sea ice, generating concerns about both its causes and its longer-term implications. In this paper, we introduce an empirical technique to examine the dynamics of Arctic sea ice extent. Using quantile autoregression, we find that the negative effect of atmospheric CO2 is stronger in the upper tail of the ice distribution. We also document that Arctic sea ice dynamics have become more unstable over the last three decades, especially during the summer. The rising summer instability occurs across quantiles, indicating that it is due to the joint effects of rising atmospheric CO2 and nonlinear feedbacks (and not due to outside shocks). While we do not find evidence of “critical slowing”, we see the increasing instability as a cause for concern. We also use the model to predict the evolution of Arctic sea ice extent under alternative CO2 concentration scenarios. Arctic sea ice has undergone significant decline over the last four decades, yet future predictions of Arctic sea ice stability remain uncertain. Jean-Paul Chavas and Corbett Grainger, from the University of Wisconsin, have used numerical simulations to predict Arctic sea ice stability under several atmospheric CO2 concentration scenarios. Between 1981 to 2017, the authors found that the difference between Arctic sea ice extent during summer and winter periods has reduced by 11% due to rising atmospheric CO2 levels. For predicted future scenarios, their results suggest that there is a 20% chance that the Arctic sea would be ice-free in summer months by 2060 if CO2 levels rose by +1%, and an 80% chance of no summer sea ice if CO2 levels rose by +1.5%. Future studies should take seasonal instability of Arctic sea ice into account.
A Simulation Study of the Relative Efficiency of the Minimized Integrated Square Error Estimator (L2E) For Phase I Control Charting

Parameter estimates used in control charting, the sample mean and variance, are based on maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). Unfortunately, MLEs are not robust to contaminated data and can lead to improper conclusions regarding parameter values. This article proposes a more robust estimation technique; the minimized integrated square error estimator (L2E).
Covalent functionalization of cellulose in cotton and a nylon-cotton blend with phytic acid for flame retardant properties

A new and versatile method to covalently functionalize cellulose in cotton and Nylon/cotton (Nyco) blends with plant-based renewable material, phytic acid to impart flame retardant characteristics that is durable is presented. This involves functionalization of 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole to the cellulose structure of cotton followed by the attachment of diamine and phytic acid through carbamate bonds. In the vertical flame test, phytic acid functionalized cotton and Nyco fabrics exhibit self-extinguishing behavior, whereas control samples burned completely. Pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry confirmed that phytic acid functionalized cotton and Nyco fabrics showed a reduction in the heat release capacity and the total heat release. In this short communication, we present synthesis, chemical characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Scanning electron spectroscopy, Energy dispersive spectroscopy and study of thermal and flame retardant properties using thermogravimetric analysis, Pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry and Vertical flame test of phytic acid functionalized cotton and Nyco fabrics.
Histopathological examination of products of conception after first-trimester miscarriage

Introduction This study is aimed to determine the value of histopathological examination of tissues obtained from evacuation of retained products of conception (ERPC) procedure. In addition, it is also aimed to determine the correlation between ultrasonically suspected Hydaditiform mole (H Mole) with histopathologically proven H Mole. Methodology In this retrospective study, clinical records of 140 patients who underwent surgical management for early pregnancy loss, from January 2012 to June 2017 were analysed. Their histopathology reports and relevant clinical profiles were collected from medical records. Results The age distribution of studied population ranges from 14 to 52 years. The majority of patients (43.6%) were within 21-30 years. The Molar pregnancy was confirmed in 32.8% samples and the majority (78.3%) were dominated by complete mole. There were 66 patients ultrasonically suspected to have H Mole. Among them 46 patients had either complete or partial mole. Further, this study showed no molar pregnancies were identified from specimens obtained following evacuation of ultrasonically diagnosed missed or incomplete miscarriage where no H Mole was suspected. Conclusion It can be recommended that histopathological examination should be performed in selected instances. Further, it is a hospital-based study and its findings increase the importance of a country wide study to guide the revision of current practice of routine histopathological examination of specimens from miscarriages in this middle-income country.
Pregabalin-Induced Myopathy in a Double Lung Transplant Recipient

Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivative that was commercially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004. It is commonly used in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and spinal cord injury. We present the case of a 36-year-old Caucasian male double lung transplant recipient who presented with an 18-month history of fatigue and muscle weakness. He had elevated creatinine kinase level and his muscle biopsy showed evidence of drug-induced myopathy that improved after the cessation of pregabalin. We present a case of drug-induced myopathy as a rare complication of pregabalin therapy in a double lung transplant recipient.