cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Handheld confocal Raman microspectrometer for in-vivo skin cancer measurement

Several studies have demonstrated Raman spectroscopy to be capable of tissue diagnosis with accuracy rivaling that of histopathologic analysis. This technique obtains biochemical-specific information noninvasively, and can eliminate the pain, time, and cost associated with biopsy and pathological analysis. Furthermore, when used in a confocal arrangement, Raman spectra can be obtained from localized regions of the tissue. Skin cancers are an ideal candidate for this emerging technology, due to their obvious accessibility and presentation at specific depths. However, most commercially available confocal Raman microspectrometers are large, rigid systems ill-suited for clinical application. We developed a bench-top confocal Raman microspectrometer using a portable external-cavity diode laser excitation source. This system was used to study several skin lesions in vitro. Results show the depth-resolved Raman spectra can diagnose in vitro skin lesions with 96% sensitivity, 88% specificity, and 86% pathological classification accuracy. Based on the success of this study, a portable Raman system with a handheld confocal microscope was developed for clinical application. Preliminary in vivo data show several distinct spectral differences between skin pathologies. Diagnostic algorithms are planned for this continuing study to assess the capability of Raman spectroscopy for clinical skin cancer diagnosis.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD: THE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL NEXUS

To establish a sound foundation for sustainable transport, governments need to create the proper institutional framework for competition, set economically efficient charges for the use of publicly provided infrastructure, appraise the allocation of scarce public resources carefully (both as an investor and as a purchaser), and increase community participation in decision making, particularly in those areas where markets work poorly. With few exceptions, even industrialized countries have not embraced all of these requirements to ensure sustainability and good governance in their transport sectors. The experience of the 1990s strongly suggests that some of the reformist developing countries may well achieve a high degree of sustainability in their transport sectors in the new millennium and provide a new paradigm of transport development for industrialized and developing countries alike to emulate.
Structural proteins of Hepatitis C virus induce interleukin 8 production and apoptosis in human endothelial cells.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with inflammation of liver endothelium, which contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis. The mechanism of this endothelitis is not understood, since the virus does not appear to infect endothelial cells productively. Here, an ‘innocent bystander’ mechanism related to HCV proteins was hypothesized and it was investigated whether the binding of HCV particles to human endothelium induced functional changes in the cells. Exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to HCV-like particles (HCV-LPs) resulted in increased interleukin 8 (IL8) production and induction of apoptosis. The IL8 supernatants collected after stimulation of HUVECs with HCV-LPs, BV-GUS (control baculovirus containing β-glucuronidase) and appropriate controls were used to assay the transendothelial migration of neutrophils. This assay confirmed that HCV-LP-induced IL8 was functionally active. Using specific NF-κB inhibitors, it was also shown that HCV-LP-induced NF-κB activity mediated IL8 production in HUVECs. Apoptosis appeared to be mediated by the Fas/Fas-L pathway, as neutralizing antibodies for Fas and Fas-L significantly protected HUVECs against HCV-LP-induced apoptosis. Treatment of HUVECs with HCV-LPs also enhanced cellular Fas-L expression and augmented caspase-3 activation. This was confirmed by using a specific caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone. As shown by blocking of specific chemokine receptors for IL8 on HUVECs, the induction of IL8 did not appear to contribute to HCV-LP-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that HCV proteins can trigger the release of inflammatory chemokines such as IL8 and cause endothelial apoptosis, thereby facilitating endothelitis.
The Body and the Sacred in the Digital Age: Thoughts on Posthuman Sexuality

Considerable scholarly discussion has been given to the idea that we are moving toward a state of "posthumanism." In this essay, I examine some possible implications of a posthuman existence, specifically as it relates to that most basic of human needs—sexuality. More specifically, I am interested in exploring the spiritual aspects of sexuality to see what is lost and what is gained in technologically mediated forms of sexuality. To that end, I consider the interplay between sexual behaviour and our conceptions of the sacred, how technologies are changing our views of—and realities concerning—our bodies, and the potential for a sacred posthuman sexuality.
The Computer Revolution in Engineering Education

The ready availability of high-speed digital computers has wrought a fundamental and unprecented change in engineering education. Described herein are one university's experiences with a small digital computer, on which thousands of undergraduates have been taught to program within the past year. A new approach to the teaching and administration of computers is required, as is a new approach to almost every aspect of the engineering curriculum. The shape of things to come is briefly examined.
Balanced receiver external modulation fiber-optic link architecture with reduced noise figure

The authors describe a fiber-optic link architecture which minimizes noise figure by combining the two complementary outputs of a Y-fed coupler electrooptic modulator in such a way that the optical noise cancels in a balanced receiver module. The demonstration link exhibits 9.5-dB insertion loss and 13.5-dB noise figure at 900 MHz. >
Discovery of non-climacteric and suppressed climacteric bud sport mutations originating from a climacteric Japanese plum cultivar (Prunus salicina Lindl.).

Japanese plums are classified as climacteric; however, some economically important cultivars selected in California produce very little ethylene and require long ripening both ‘on’ and ‘off’ the tree to reach eating-ripe firmness. To unravel the ripening behavior of different Japanese plum cultivars, ripening was examined in the absence (air) or in the presence of ethylene or propylene (an ethylene analogue) following a treatment or not with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, an ethylene action inhibitor). Detailed physiological studies revealed for the first time three distinct ripening types in plum fruit: climacteric, suppressed-climacteric and non-climacteric. Responding to exogenous ethylene or propylene, the slow-softening supressed-climacteric cultivars produced detectable amounts of ethylene, in contrast to the novel non-climacteric cultivar that produced no ethylene and softened extremely slowly. Genetic analysis using microsatellite markers produced identical DNA profiles for the climacteric cultivars ‘Santa Rosa’ and ‘July Santa Rosa’, the suppressed-climacteric cultivars ‘Late Santa Rosa’, ‘Casselman’ and ‘Roysum’ and the novel non-climacteric ‘Sweet Miriam’, as expected since historic records present most of these cultivars as bud-sport mutations derived initially from ‘Santa Rosa’. This present study provides a novel fruit system to address the molecular basis of ripening and to develop markers that assist breeders in providing high-quality stone fruit cultivars that can remain ‘on-tree’, increasing fruit flavor, saving harvesting costs, and potentially reducing the need for low-temperature storage during postharvest handling.
Toddlers infer unobserved causes for spontaneous events

Previous research suggests that children infer the presence of unobserved causes when objects appear to move spontaneously. Are such inferences limited to motion events or do children assume that unexplained physical events have causes more generally? Here we introduce an apparently spontaneous event and ask whether, even in the absence of spatiotemporal and co-variation cues linking the events, toddlers treat a plausible variable as a cause of the event. Toddlers (24 months) saw a toy that appeared to light up either spontaneously or after an experimenter’s action. Toddlers were also introduced to a button but were not shown any predictive relation between the button and the light. Across three different dependent measures of exploration, predictive looking (Study 1), prompted intervention (Study 2), and spontaneous exploration (Study 3), toddlers were more likely to represent the button as a cause of the light when the event appeared to occur spontaneously. In Study 4, we found that even in the absence of a plausible candidate cause, toddlers engaged in selective exploration when the light appeared to activate spontaneously. These results suggest that toddlers’ exploration is guided by the causal explanatory power of events.
Her2 and trastuzumab in breast cancer.

The pace of development of new, clinically relevant information in this area can induce difficulties for clinicians in oncology to become fully aware of and quickly react to these advances. Several recent meetings have reported results that are pertinent to the field of HER2/neu and trastuzumab use in breast cancer. This article summarizes some points on HER2 testing and trastuzumab use that should be of value to treating physicians.
DNA Transfer from Agrobacterium to Plant Cells in Crown Gall Tumor Disease

Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a Gram-negative soil bacterium, causes crown gall tumor disease on most plants (Hooykaas and Beijersbergen, 1994; Zambryski, 1992; Kado, 1991; Ream, 1989; Nester et al., 1984). The bacterium infects plants at a wound site and forms tumors at the site of infection. Virulent strains of Agrobacterium contain a large tumor-inducing (Ti-) plasmid. Upon infection the bacterium donates a segment of the Ti-plasmid DNA, the transferred (T-) DNA, to the plant cell, where it is stably incorporated into the nuclear genome. Encoded within the T-DNA are genes for the biosynthesis of plant hormones auxin and cytokinin. Constitutive expression of these genes in a transformed plant results in an uncontrolled growth of cells, a cancerous phenotype. The related bacterium Agrobacterium rhizogenes causes the hairy-root disease that results from the stable transfer of the root-inducing (Ri-) plasmid DNA to plants. The process of DNA transfer from Agrobacterium to plants represents a naturally occurring gene transfer across a phylogenetic barrier.
Modulation of ACh release from airway cholinergic nerves in horses with recurrent airway obstruction.

To evaluate the functional status of neuronal α2-adrenoceptors (ARs) and β2-ARs on ACh release in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), we examined the effects of the physiological agonis...
Anonymous Blogging and Defamation: Balancing Interests of the Internet

As more and more people create personal websites and blogs, courts are more frequently asked to rule on questions related to the Internet boom. Specifically, an issue has arisen concerning what standard to apply in defamation suits brought against anonymous bloggers. Courts have wrestled with producing an appropriate standard for revealing the identity of an anonymous blogger who posts allegedly defamatory material on a message board or website. Recently, in Doe v. Cahill, the Delaware Supreme Court created a strict standard that makes it extremely difficult for defamation victims to bring suit against anonymous bloggers. The standard created is far too sympathetic to anonymous bloggers and fails to address important issues facing victims of defamation.It is important not to silence communication on the Internet, but it is just as important not to silence victims of defamation. Therefore, this comment argues for the protection of libel plaintiffs facing defamatory comments from anonymous bloggers.
Portfolio Adjustment to Home Equity Accumulation among CRA Borrowers

This paper identifies the financial implications of equity accumulation for low- and moderate-income (LMI) borrowers. The analysis examines whether the accumulation of equity crowds out other inves...
Reduction of Carbonate Electrolytes and the Formation of Solid-Electrolyte Interface (SEI) in Lithium-Ion Batteries. 1. Spectroscopic Observations of Radical Intermediates Generated in One-Electron Reduction of Carbonates

Whereas there are numerous experimental and computational studies of electrochemical reduction leading to the formation of solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) in lithium-ion batteries, so far there have been no direct spectroscopic observations of radical intermediates involved in the SEI formation. In Part 1 of this series, radiolysis and laser photoionization of carbonate electrolytes are used to observe and identify these reaction intermediates using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our study indicates that the suggested scenarios for electrolyte reduction require elaboration. In particular, we establish the occurrence of efficient H abstraction and 1,2-migration involving radicals generated through the reductive ring-opening. Instead of the primary radicals postulated in the current models, secondary and tertiary radicals are generated, biasing the subsequent chemistry to radical disproportionation. The consequences of this bias for radical and anionic polymerization are examined, and it is...
Results of a Ccpr Intercomparison of Spectral Irradiance Measurements by National Laboratories

An intercomparison of spectral irradiance measurements by 12 national laboratories has been carried out between 1987 and 1990. The intercomparison was conducted under the auspices of the Comite Consultatif de Photometrie et Radiometrie (CCPR) of the Comite International des Poids et Mesures, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) served as the pilot laboratory. The spectral range of the intercomparison was 250 to 2400 nm and the transfer standards used were commercial tungsten-halogen lamps of two types. The world-wide consistency of the results (one standard deviation) was on the order of 1% in the visible spectral region and 2 to 4% in the ultraviolet and infrared portions of the spectrum. The intercomparison revealed no statistically significant differences between spectral-irradiance scales based on blackbody physics and absolute detector radiometry.
Spirituality in the Academy

Nature de la spiritualite en elle-meme, par rapport a la theologie, et comme discipline academique. Eglise catholique, avec une ouverture oecumenique
ALTERATION OF SEX CHARACTERISTICS OF TURKEY POULTS WITH DIETHYLSTILBESTROL.

SummaryMale and female turkeys were started on weekly injections of diethylstilbestrol at 6, 8, and 10 weeks of age. Such treatments caused the development of secondary male characteristics consisting of gobbling, strutting, development of thickenings of the neck region, prolapsed rectums, and precocious mating actions. There were also feminizing effects from DES treatments consisting of atrophy of the testes in males and hypertrophy of the oviduct in females. Increased fat deposition and hypercholesterolemia also occurred in treated birds.
Decompensated cirrhotics have slower intestinal transit times as compared with compensated cirrhotics and healthy controls.

Background Altered small intestinal motility in cirrhotics may play a major role in the development of bacterial translocation (BT) by leading to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. BT has been implicated in the development of several complications including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, esophageal variceal hemorrhage, and hepatorenal syndrome. Prior studies using antroduodenal manometry to evaluate intestinal motility have shown discrepancies regarding the relationship between dysmotility and the severity of cirrhosis. Objectives (1) To characterize the frequency of small bowel motility disturbances in cirrhotic patients using a wireless motility capsule (SmartPill); (2) To assess the relationship of intestinal dysmotility with liver disease severity and cirrhosis complications; and (3) To compare intestinal transit times and motility indices among cirrhotics and healthy controls. Methods We conducted a prospective study of 20 patients with cirrhosis (10 compensated, 10 decompensated) who were recruited from Yale New Haven Hospital and Hepatology clinics (February 2011 to July 2011). All patients underwent and completed SmartPill studies. Intestinal transit times were calculated, analyzed, and compared among compensated versus decompensated cirrhotics versus historical, healthy controls. Intestinal transit delays/motility indices were correlated with disease severity and complications. Results Decompensated cirrhotics had significantly longer small bowel transit times (SBTT) as compared with compensated cirrhotics (6.17 vs. 3.56 h, P=0.036). There was a significant correlation (r=0.77, P=0.0003) between SBTT and cirrhosis severity as assessed by Child-Pugh score. There were no statistical differences noted between the groups for gastric or colonic transit times, although there was a trend toward prolonged transit throughout the gut in decompensated. Cirrhotics with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and ascites also had significantly longer SBTT as compared with those without. Conclusions This study demonstrates that decompensated cirrhotics have slower intestinal transit times as compared with compensated cirrhotics and healthy controls. Additional prospective studies are needed to further characterize dysmotility in cirrhotics and its relationship to complications related to BT. This would aid in the identification of patients at risk for developing severe complications and who may benefit from prophylactic prokinetic and/or antimicrobial therapy.
Building energy design and optimization: intelligent computer-aided thermal design

Thermal comfort is an essential consideration in building design. Due to the mathematical nature of evaluating and optimizing thermal comfort in buildings, architects tend to avoid energy design simulation. The issues of evaluation and criticism regarding energy optimization in building design are seldom considered during the design process. These issues depend on interpretation of the complex figures that rely on a thorough understanding of the nature of load generation and building configuration of a particular site. The scope of this study is to propose a theory for a rigorous design oriented method to evaluate, critique and optimize energy use and design in buildings. The focus is on the relationship between detailed thermal analysis and advice and criticism for case sensitive energy design optimization. The method is based on a hierarchical representation of building elements in the simulation mode to establish a well-defined output taking into consideration possible element interactions and conflicts. This output is designed to provide changeable factual knowledge of the proposed design and is used to build associations with the inference process and related knowledge sources. The inference process is used to optimize the building energy design by providing criticism and advice. The criticism and advice are conducted based on problem detection and their locations using Artificial Intelligence uncertain reasoning, heuristics and search methods. Their framework utilizes the Blackboard model to facilitate dynamic multi-knowledge interaction and conflict avoidance within problem solving. The proposed method is tested by developing an intelligent computational model that simulates, evaluates and aids in thermal design decisions. The system critiques designs, gives advice and provides guidance and justification for its optimal solution recommendations.
On the Physiology and Psychology of Swearing

(1942). On the Physiology and Psychology of Swearing. Psychiatry: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 189-201.
Reconstructing Byronic Time, or Temporality and Memory in The Giaour

John Bender and David Wellbery, in their introductory comment to Chronotypes, propose that ‘[t]ime belongs to a handful of categories (like form, symbol, cause) that prompt universal concern’: Time touches every dimension of our being, every object of our attention — including our attention itself. It permeates simple everyday experience no less than the most abstractly theoretical speculation. Time therefore can belong to no single field of study. (Bender and Wellbery 1)
A revised gyro-age for M67 from Kepler/K2-Campaign-5 light curves

We revisit the photometric variability of stars in the M 67 field using Kepler/K2-Campaign-5 light curves. In our previous work, we limited the search area around M\,67 to that of a recent ground-based study. In the present work, we expand the search area and apply a more rigorous period-finding algorithm to determine the rotation periods of 98 main sequence cluster members from the same data. In addition, we derive periods of 40 stars from the K2SC detrended light curves. We determine the mean period of single sun-like main sequence cluster members to be $29.6 \pm 0.6$ d. Assuming the periods correspond to stellar rotation, the corresponding mean gyro-age is $5.4 \pm 0.2$ Gyr.
Fibrin-mediated integrin signaling plays a critical role in hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice.

The Background. regenerative capacity of the liver is critical for proper responses to injury. Fibrin extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition is a common response to insult and contributes to inflammatory liver injury. However, the role of this matrix in hepatic regeneration has not been determined. Objective. Objective. The Objective. purpose of this study was first to determine the role of fibrin ECM in hepatic regeneration followed by the role of the fibrin-binding αv β3 integrin in mediating this effect. Material and methods. Material and methods. C57Bl/6J Material and methods. (WT) or PAI-1 knockout (KO) mice underwent 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx); plasma and histologic indices of regeneration were determined, as well as expression of key genes involved in hepatic regeneration. Results. Results. PHx promoted transient fibrin deposition Results. by activating coagulation and concomitantly decreasing fibrinolysis. Inhibiting fibrin deposition, either by blocking thrombin (hirudin) in WT mice or by knocking out PAI-1, was associated with a decrease in hepatocyte proliferation after PHx. This strongly suggested a role for fibrin ECM in liver regeneration. To investigate if αv β3 integrin mediates this action, we tested the effects of the anti-αv β3 cyclic peptide RGDfV in animals after PHx. As was observed with inhibition of fibrin deposition, competitive inhibition of αv β3 integrin delayed regeneration after PHx, while not affecting fibrin deposition. These effects of RGDfV correlated with impaired angiogenesis and STAT3 signaling, as well as transient endothelial dysfunction. In conclusion, these data suggest that αv β3 integrin plays an important role in coordinating hepatocyte division during liver regeneration after PHx via crosstalk with fibrin ECM
Potential Role of Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis in Atopic Dermatitis: Evidence from Human Studies and Lessons from an Animal Model of Human Disease

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin condition characterized by chronic inflammatory cell infiltration and skin pruritus. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are key features in the development of AD because blood and lymphatic vessels provide pathways for immune cell transport. Crucial interactions among selectins, integrins, cytokines, chemokines, and various growth factors promote the growth of the vasculature resulting in exacerbation of the AD condition. Although research on angiogenesis and lymphangiogensis in relation to human AD is limited in scope and depth, we explain the role of vasculature in AD as a foundation to introduce our evidence of neovascularization in an animal model of the disease. In this review, we attempt to delineate the potential roles of angiogenesis and lymphoangiogenesis in AD to target new areas of therapeutic intervention.
Nurses Are as Specific and Are Earlier in Calling In-Hospital Stroke Alerts Compared to Physicians

Introduction In-hospital stroke alerts are typically activated by nurses or physicians when a patient's neurological status acutely changes from baseline. It is unclear if knowledge of stroke symptoms translates to accurate activation of the acute stroke team. We hypothesized that nurses who activate the stroke alert system would correctly identify as great a proportion of acute strokes as physicians. We also investigated the time to activation of these in-hospital stroke alerts. Methods We retrospectively reviewed consecutive inpatient stroke team calls over a 12-month period at a single, tertiary care center. Calls and exact times were identified from the acute stroke pager log. The type of provider who called the stroke alert, patient characteristics, last known well time, and acute stroke symptoms was prospectively collected and retrospectively verified through electronic medical record review. Patients with definite stroke then were retrospectively identified by World Health Organization Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (WHO MONICA) criterion. Results A total of 93 calls were analyzed. Nurses and physicians/midlevel providers activated the in-hospital stroke alert with a similar percentage of correct stroke diagnosis (62.7% versus 58.8%, P = .82). Nurses activated stroke alerts significantly earlier than physicians/midlevel providers (median 2 hours [IQR .5-6 hours] versus 4.9 hours [IQR 1.3-21.3 hours], P = .0096) from last known well time. Conclusions Nurses identify in-hospital ischemic events with a similar percentage as physicians, and they activate the stroke alerts significantly earlier. The median nursing activation time fell within a 3-hour window for potential systemic thrombolytic or early endovascular therapy. An intensive, focused, collaborative education of nursing staff may further improve inpatient stroke outcomes.
Factors related to Secchi depths and their stability over time as determined from a probability sample of US lakes

A probabilistic sample of lakes in the 48 coterminous US lakes was made by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in the 2007 National Lakes Assessment. Because of the statistical design, the results of our analyses of Secchi depths (SD) apply to a population of 45,265 lakes. We found statistically significant differences in mean Secchi depths between natural (1.57 m) and man-made lakes (1.18 m). The most important variable correlated with SD was turbidity, an optical measure related to suspended particles in the water column. For most lakes, chlorophyll a was highly correlated with both turbidity and SD, but several lakes had more turbidity and lower SD than expected based on chlorophyll a alone, indicating that non-algal suspended solids were an important factor. On an ecoregion basis, the non-algal suspended solids in the lake waters were related to the average levels of suspended solids in streams located in that ecoregion, and the non-algal suspended solids were more important in man-made than natural lakes. Phosphorus and nitrogen were directly correlated with chlorophyll a and turbidity and inversely correlated with SD. Based on diatom-inferred Secchi depths for the tops and bottoms of sediment cores from lakes in Ecoregions VIII and VII (excluding lakes in Minnesota) representing 40% of the natural lakes in the US, there has been no decrease in water transparency in that population of lakes in the past 70 or more years when the US population increased by 134%. We do not have information to determine if the other 60% of lakes have or have not changed.
Role of Anterolateral Thigh Flaps in Distal Lower Extremity Reconstruction: Assessment of Functionality, Aesthetics, and Patient Satisfaction

Background Distal lower extremity reconstruction presents many challenges due to the suboptimal vascular supply, the weight-bearing necessity, movement, and multiple tissue types that can be easily damaged by trauma, from bones, tendons, ligaments, muscle, and soft tissue loss. The anterolateral thigh flap provides a reconstructive option for large defects with good coverage and minimal donor-site morbidity. Methods After a chart review of all anterolateral thigh flaps, the patients were contacted to take a survey regarding their satisfaction and functional ability and to meet for measurements of their feet after debulking procedures. Results A total of 13 patients were included in the study, with traumatic injuries comprising 84% of cases. There was a significant difference in sizes of the midfoot (mean: 10.27 vs. 9.53, p = 0.004) and the hindfoot (mean: 12.92 vs. 12.2, p = 0.023) when comparing the affected side to the unaffected side. The majority, 77%, of our patients underwent debulking procedures. Overall, 75% of traumatic injury patients had > 90% maximum functionality score. All posttraumatic reconstruction results were rated satisfied to very satisfied by the patients. All posttraumatic patients were able to walk after their procedures, although three patients did require custom-made shoes with inserts or braces. Conclusion The anterolateral thigh flap is a versatile reconstructive option that can be used in the distal lower extremity and is especially useful after a traumatic injury as it allows for functional recovery and high patient satisfaction after debulking.
The Popularization of Science

In the introduction to her most famous work Conversations on Chemistry (1806), Jane Marcet explained she had been frustrated upon attending public experimental lectures, finding it difficult to follow the experiments because she lacked necessary background knowledge. But she found that
Productivity in the Small Business Sector, 1965-1976:

Recent concern regarding the performance of the U.S. economy has generated actions on a national level to encourage increases in productivity in the private sector. The private sector is not, however, monolithic. Policies designed to increase the productivity of large corporations may have a neutral or even negative impact on small businesses. This article describes a data base that has recently been developed for national economic analysis and reports differential productivity findings among businesses when they are examined by size on an industry by industry basis.
Prefabricated and Prelaminated Flaps

Flap prefabrication and prelamination are complex procedures reserved for cases in which conventional, simpler flaps will not achieve the desired goal or are unavailable [3, 6, 8, 9, 11]. The term prefabrication was first introduced by Shen [14] in 1982 and describes the implantation of a vascular pedicle into a new territory, followed by a period of maturation and neovascularization, and then the subsequent transfer of tissue based on its implanted pedicle [11]. Prefabrication allows any defined tissue volume to be transferred to any specified recipient site, greatly expanding the armamentarium of reconstructive options. Flap prelamination, first coined by Pribaz and Fine in 1994 [8], describes a process in which tissues or other devices are implanted into a vascular territory before it is transferred; the blood supply is not manipulated [9, 12]. Prelamination transforms a native axial flap into a multilayered flap by adding the appropriate support and lining structures for composite reconstruction.
Can a totally different approach to soft tissue computer aided detection CADE result in affecting radiologists' decisions?

We tested whether a case based CADe scheme, developed only on negatively interpreted screening mammograms, has predictive value for cancer detection during subsequent screening and how this approach may affect radiologists’ performances when alerting them to a small subset (~15%) of exams on which radiologists tend to miss cancers. A series of six parameters case based CADe schemes, using 200 negative mammograms (800 images 100 women with breast cancer at subsequent screening and 100 women who remained negative), carefully matched by age and breast density, were optimized. CADe alone schemes performed at AUC=0.68 (+/- 0.01). Five radiologists and 4 residents interpreted the same cases and performed at AUC =0.71 (experienced radiologists) and AUC= 0.61 (residents). With the “CADe warnings” shown to the interpreters only if they did not recall one of 24 highest CADe scoring cases, assisted performance of radiologists and residents respectively, were 0.71 and 0.63 (p>0.05). However, when the CADe alone performance was raised to an AUC=0.78, by artificially increasing the number of possible warnings from 16 to 24, radiologists’ performances significantly improved from an AUC of 0.68 to 0.72 (p<0.05). In conclusion, the use case based information other than breast density could highlight a small fraction of women whose cancers are more likely to be missed by radiologists and later detected during subsequent mammograms, thereby, leading to an assisted approach that improves radiologists’ performances. However, to be effective, the performance of the CADe alone should be substantially higher (e.g. ΔAUC ≥0.07) than that of the un-assisted radiologist.
Analysing the impact of a discussion-oriented curriculum on first-year general chemistry students' conceptions of relative acidity

Instructional strategies that support meaningful student learning of complex chemical topics are an important aspect of improving chemistry education. Adequately assessing the success of these approaches can be supported with the use of aligned instruments with established psychometrics. Here, we report the implementation and assessment of one such curriculum, Chemical Thinking, on first-year general chemistry students' conceptions of relative acidity using the recently-developed concept inventory, ACIDI. Our results reveal that, overall, students performed significantly better on ACIDI following instruction, with scores consistent with those previously reported for students who had completed one semester of organic chemistry. Students performed equally well on a delayed post-test administered ten weeks after final instruction, which suggests that instruction promoted a stable conceptual reprioritisation. Item analysis of ACIDI revealed that students generally made conceptual gains on items where inductive effects were the primary determinants of conjugate base stability and relative acidity. However, students overwhelmingly struggled on items where resonance was the primary determinant. Analysis of student–student arguments in active learning settings provided evidence for how the quality of student arguments impacted their conceptions. Overall, these findings suggest that students were able to avoid several superficial misconceptions cited in the literature about relative acidity, and that this topic, traditionally taught exclusively in organic chemistry, may be introduced earlier in the sequence of curricular topics. Implications for future studies on the role of argumentational aspects of student–student conversations and facilitation strategies in promoting or hindering meaningful learning are discussed.
Balancing the learning ability and memory demand of a perceptron-based dynamically trainable neural network

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have become a popular means of solving complex problems in prediction-based applications such as image and natural language processing. Two challenges prominent in the neural network domain are the practicality of hardware implementation and dynamically training the network. In this study, we address these challenges with a development methodology that balances the hardware footprint and the quality of the ANN. We use the well-known perceptron-based branch prediction problem as a case study for demonstrating this methodology. This problem is perfect to analyze dynamic hardware implementations of ANNs because it exists in hardware and trains dynamically. Using our hierarchical configuration search space exploration, we show that we can decrease the memory footprint of a standard perceptron-based branch predictor by 2.3$$\times $$? with only a 0.6% decrease in prediction accuracy.
Differences in Pressure Within the Sac of Human Ruptured and Nonruptured Cerebral Aneurysms.

Background Hemodynamics plays a critical role in the development, growth, and rupture of intracranial aneurysms. This data could be vital in determining individual aneurysm rupture risk and could facilitate our understanding of aneurysms. Objective To present the largest prospective cross-sectional cohort study of intrasaccular pressure recordings of ruptured and nonruptured intracranial aneurysms and describe the hemodynamic differences that exist between ruptured and nonruptured aneurysms. Methods During endovascular treatment, a standard 1.8-Fr 200 m length microcatheter was navigated into the dome of the aneurysm prior to coil embolization. With the microcatheter centralized within the dome of the aneurysm, an arterial pressure transducer was attached to the proximal end of the microcatheter to measure the stump pressure inside the aneurysm dome. Results In 68 aneurysms (28 ruptured, 40 nonruptured), we observed that ruptured cerebral aneurysms had a lower systolic and mean arterial pressure compared to nonruptured cohort (P = .0008). Additionally, the pulse pressures within the dome of ruptured aneurysms were significantly more narrow than that of unruptured aneurysms (P = .0001). These findings suggest that there may be an inherent difference between ruptured and nonruptured aneurysms and such recordings obtained during routine digital subtraction angiography could potentially become a widely applied technique to augment risk stratification of aneurysms. Conclusion Our preliminary data present new evidence distinguishing ruptured from unruptured aneurysms that may have a critical role as a predictive parameter to stratify the natural history of nonruptured intracranial aneurysms and as a new avenue for future investigation.
Do Mono-oxo Sites Exist in Silica-Supported Cr(VI) Materials? Reassessment of the Resonance Raman Spectra

The monomeric, single-atom oxochromium species present on the surface of silica-supported Cr(VI) catalysts was characterized in detail using resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy over a range of excitation wavelengths corresponding to the primary electronic transitions of Cr(VI)/SiO2. The findings resolve a long-standing controversy regarding the possible contribution of mono-oxoCr(VI) sites, (SiO)4Cr═O, postulated to coexist with the well-established dioxoCr(VI) sites, (SiO)2Cr(═O)2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and a normal coordinate analysis conducted using a chromasiloxane model cluster confirm prior assignments of bands in the nonresonant Raman spectrum at 986 and 1001 cm–1 to the symmetric and antisymmetric stretching modes, respectively, of the dioxoCr(VI) sites. For all excitation energies, the symmetric stretch shows apparent resonant enhancement. Since all of the electronic transitions are strongly allowed, this finding is consistent with A-term enhancement. UV excitation at 257 nm ...
Legal and technological infrastructures for electronic payment systems

Cet article traite des infrastructures legales et technologiques mises au point pour les systemes de paiement electroniques notamment sur Internet. Apres une presentation du role que l'argent, sous forme de traveler's cheks, de mandats poste, de cartes de credit, joue dans les systemes de paiements conventionnels, notamment la connection entre le controle bancaire et leur assurance monetaire ; les relations commerciales entre les cartes de credit et les systemes cybercash sur Internet sont expliquees. Et enfin, cet article insiste sur la necessite des changements qui doivent s'effectuer pour les infrastructures techniques et legales, ceci pour mieux proteger les consommateurs et les fournisseurs contre les risques d'impaye et de contrefacon
Is Truth Ineffable

In this paper, I shall discuss one singularly important problem. It is a generalization of the question I am using as the title of the paper. It has probably played a more important role in the philosophy of language and philosophical analysis in general in the last hundred-odd years than any other single issue. It is a problem which would have delighted Hegel. For it has remained almost completely implicit in the actual philosophical literature. Its general significance still is virtually unacknowledged. Only now, in the evening twilight of its career, has this problem followed the example of Minerva’s owl and begun to rise to the consciousness of philosophers. One does not have to be a Hegelian, however, to believe that this tacit role of my theme problem testifies to its fundamental significance for twentieth-century philosophy. Another variety of idealistic philosophers might, for instance, compare it to a Collingwoodian “absolute presupposition” characteristic of the period in philosophy which began with Frege — or perhaps with Kant — and which is only now ending.1 Or perhaps the philosophy of this period is, rather, returning to its own ultimate sources in Kant’s transcendental method.
Metabolic barriers underlie interferon gamma-mediated restriction of intracellular bacterial pathogenesis

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) plays a critical role in controlling Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) infection in vivo and in vitro . IFNγ and IFNγ receptor-deficient mice fail to clear L. pneumophila and eventually succumb to infection. In vitro , L. pneumophila replication is restricted in IFNγ-stimulated macrophages; however, the mechanism of IFNγ-dependent restriction of L. pneumophila remains mysterious and does not require most known IFNγ-driven antimicrobial pathways, including induction of autophagy and production of reactive nitrogen. As enhanced glycolysis is a notable metabolic characteristic of IFNγ and toll-like receptor-stimulated macrophages, we hypothesized that changes in macrophage metabolism are required for IFNγ-mediated restriction of L. pneumophila. Using a strain of L. pneumophila that is resistant to the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), we were able to rescue bacterial growth in IFNγ-stimulated macrophages treated with 2DG. Interestingly, we observed that 2DG-mediated induction of the unfolded protein response appears to be more important than glycolysis inhibition in terms of interfering with IFNγ-mediated restriction of L. pneumophila . Our data suggest that metabolic shifts in IFNγ-stimulated macrophages could play a role in restriction of intracellular bacterial pathogen replication by altering the pool of available intracellular metabolites.
Benchmarking and process diagnostics of land models.

AbstractWe propose a conceptual and theoretical foundation for information-based model benchmarking and process diagnostics that provides diagnostic insight into model performance and model realism...
Optimization of Delay Time between Gate Signals for Si/SiC Hybrid Switch

Si and SiC paralleled hybrid switch has been considered to take the advantages of both Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET for high-power applications. The Si/SiC hybrid switch consists of an Si IGBT for better conduction performance and an SiC MOSFET for better switching performance. With the separated gate control signals, the switching moments of the two devices can be controlled independently to ensure Si IGBT under zero-voltage switching (ZVS) conditions to potentially reduce the switching loss of Si IGBT. However, the delay time between two gate signals significantly influences loss reduction of the hybrid switch, which has never been investigated in detail. In this paper, the impact of the delay time on switching characteristics and efficiency improvement of the hybrid switch is investigated. Based on the simulation and experimental results, the optimal delay time is identified to achieve minimum switching loss. By applying the optimal delay time for controlling the gate signals of the hybrid switch, the total switching energy of the hybrid switch is reduced by 35% comparing to the selected IGBT switch.
Criticism, commitment, and the growth of human sociobiology

The fundamental unit of assessment in the sociobiology debate is neither a field nor a theory, but a framework of group commitments. Recourse to the framework concept is motivated, in general, by post-Kuhnian philosophy of scientific change and, in particular, by the dispute between E. O. Wilson and R. C. Lewontin. The framework concept is explicated in terms of commitments about problems, domain, disciplinary relations, exemplars, and performance evaluations. One upshot is that debate over such charges as genetic determinism, reductionism, adaptationism, and the biologization of human nature has been vexed. It has lost sight of human sociobiology's central problem, namely to help show that the modern synthesis is complete.
A compilation of and typology for abundance-, phylogenetic- and functional-based diversity metrics

Abstract Ecologists are faced with an over-abundance of ways to measure biodiversity. In this paper, I provide a compilation of and guide through this ticket of diversity metrics. I present a typology for diversity metrics that encompasses the three commonly considered categories of information: abundance, phylogenetic relationships, and traits (i.e., function). I update and expand previous summaries of diversity metrics. The formulas of those 117 metrics are presented in a standard notation and format that makes it easy to see the mathematical similarities and differences among the metrics. Finally, I propose a standard set of symbols for many of the metrics that makes their properties immediately obvious. This compilation will make it easier for researchers to identify the metric(s) most suited to their needs and will help guide future metric development. Disclaimer This manuscript is based on work done while serving at (and furloughed from) the U.S. National Science Foundation. The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of the National Science Foundation or the United States Government.
Developing a Deep Learning Model to Implement Rosenblatt’s Experiential Memory Brain Model

This paper describes initial work to develop a Deep Learning model for long-term sequential memory storage to implement Rosenblatt’s experiential memory Perceptron architecture brain model. In recent years, deep learning techniques have solved many problems in the area of computer vision, language modeling, speech recognition, and audio/video processing. Further, CNN based models are considered state-of-the-art algorithms to solve perceptron related problems. However, can Deep Learning models store the learned knowledge representation to make better use of classifying and recognizing images and other patterns? The Deep Learning models explored here include CNNs pre-trained models (ResNet50, VGG16, InceptionV3, and MobileNet) on ImageNet datasets and trained model on MNIST datasets.
Issues of Explanation

Very likely every aspect of the Reality has an explanation for being as is. But all too often this explanation is not securely accessible to us.