cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy in children: a randomized prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: In this randomized prospective study, we evaluated postoperative morbidity after use of the Harmonic Scalpel (HS), an ultrasonic dissector coagulator (Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc, Cincinnati, OH), or conventional electrocautery (EC) during tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Pediatric subjects at 2 sites were randomized and underwent tonsillectomy. Intraoperative blood loss and operation duration were recorded. Postoperative parameters and complications were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred seventeen subjects completed the study. For the HS group, mean operative time was significantly longer (P < 0.001), but intraoperative blood loss was equivalent (P = 1.000). HS subjects slept soundly on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 14 (P = 0.041, 0.013, 0.022, and 0.038, respectively, compared with EC group). Mean postoperative pain scores trended lower for HS subjects on postoperative days 2, 3, and 4. CONCLUSION: The use of the HS in pediatric tonsillectomy showed no increase in intraoperative or postoperative blood loss compared with the use of EC, and HS provided possible clinical advantages over EC in patient comfort. SIGNIFICANCE: Tonsillectomy subjects in the HS group showed a statistically significant ability to sleep soundly, suggesting that the subjects experienced less pain. These data correlate with the observed decrease in pain scores.
Fault tolerant FIR adaptive filters with improved convergence behavior

The convergence behavior of a new fault tolerant finite impulse response (FIR) adaptive filter (FTAF) is analyzed in both the fault-tree case and after coefficient faults have occurred. The analysis is based on examining the eigenvalues of the autocorrelation matrix formed from the input signals to the functional adaptive coefficients. The dependence of the post-fault convergence rate on the order of the FTAF, as well as on the choice of the transform matrix, is explained. Two alternative structures are presented which have improved convergence behavior. >
Single/dual band relativistic BWO using electron beam magnetic field decompression

For a relativistic backward wave oscillator (BWO) consisting of two cylindrical sections with sinusoidal profiles where one of them is axially symmetric and the other one has a combined left- and right-single-fold spiral corrugation, we demonstrate the possibility of generating the TE11-mode with linear polarization at a single or dual frequencies using magnetic field decompression. Magnetic field decompression, as shown in Fig. 1, can be used to control the radial gap between the electron beam and the slow wave structure and that leads to controlling the microwave frequency at the output. In addition, using a cutoff neck and resonant cavity reflector improves the efficiency of the device. Using particle-in-cell computer simulations we show that generation with frequency 10 GHz is realized when the symmetric section operates as a BWO with the operating TM01-mode and the combined spiral section operates as a Bragg reflector that converts the backward TM01-mode to a forward TE11-mode with linear polarization. Using the same electron beam parameters, generation with frequency 7 GHz is realized when the combined spiral section operates as a BWO with the operating linear polarized TE11-mode followed by amplification in the next section which behaves as a TWT at this frequency. We also present the possibility to change the relation between the durations of generation at different frequencies within a microwave pulse by changing the electron beam current, and to change output frequencies by changing the value of the guide magnetic field near the region of cyclotron absorption.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases: an opportunity to unify clinical and public health practice.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) constitute an epidemic of tremendous magnitude, with an estimated 15 million persons in the United States acquiring a new STD each year. Effective clinical management of STDs is a strategic common element in efforts to prevent HIV infection and to improve reproductive and sexual health. Sexually transmitted diseases may result in severe, long-term, costly complications, including facilitation of HIV infection, tubal infertility, adverse outcomes of pregnancy, and cervical and other types of anogenital cancer. The publication of national guidelines for the management of STDs, by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been a key component of federal initiatives to improve the health of the U.S. population by preventing and controlling STDs and their sequelae. This paper presents new recommendations from the 2002 CDC Guidelines for the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the context of current disease trends and public health.
An offset reduction technique for use with CMOS integrated comparators and amplifiers

Methods for reducing the input offset voltage of comparators and amplifiers are reviewed. A comparator that adjusts its own offset either at power-up or in response to a control input is presented. The nature of the offset adjustment is such that the comparator is capable of continuous-time operation. Room-temperature offset in the range of -100 to +100 mu V are achievable. Adjusted offsets exhibit a temperature coefficient on the order of -1 mu V/ degrees C. >
Constrained And Simplified Gassmann's Equations

Summary For isotropic, homogeneous porous materials, Gassmann’s (1951) equations are physically constrained by the Voigt and Reuss bounds and critical porosity. . These bounds provide stricter constraints on input parameters and output results of fluid saturation effects on bulk modulus. We recast the Gassmann's relations in terms of a porositydependent normalized modulus Kn, and pore fluid sensitivity in terms of a rock gain function G. These simplified Gassmann’s relations suggest that correct input of grain bulk modulus and fluid modulus is key for accurate estimation of fluid saturation effects. We have developed new empirical relation (Han & Batzle 2000) to calculate fluid properties. Measured data on sandstone suggest that the gain function for reservoir sandstones (porosity of 2030%) is around 2 and increases with increasing clay content. We also empirically estimate grain bulk modulus for clean and shaly sandstone based on measured velocities.
ribbon encodes a novel BTB/POZ protein required for directed cell migration in Drosophila melanogaster

During development, directed cell migration is crucial for achieving proper shape and function of organs. One well-studied example is the embryonic development of the larval tracheal system of Drosophila, in which at least four signaling pathways coordinate cell migration to form an elaborate branched network essential for oxygen delivery throughout the larva. FGF signaling is required for guided migration of all tracheal branches, whereas the DPP, EGF receptor, and Wingless/WNT signaling pathways each mediate the formation of specific subsets of branches. Here, we characterize ribbon, which encodes a BTB/POZ-containing protein required for specific tracheal branch migration. In ribbon mutant tracheae, the dorsal trunk fails to form, and ventral branches are stunted; however, directed migrations of the dorsal and visceral branches are largely unaffected. The dorsal trunk also fails to form when FGF or Wingless/WNT signaling is lost, and we show that ribbon functions downstream of, or parallel to, these pathways to promote anterior-posterior migration. Directed cell migration of the salivary gland and dorsal epidermis are also affected in ribbon mutants, suggesting that conserved mechanisms may be employed to orient cell migrations in multiple tissues during development.
How Nonprofit Leaders Evaluate Funding Sources: An Exploratory Study of Nonprofit Leaders

Intensive interviews were conducted with CEOs and board chairs (n = 18) to explore the criteria they use to compare and contrast funding sources common to nonprofit organizations. The interview protocol used in the study is distinctive for: (1) the amount of data it generates from relatively few interviews, and (2) its power in eliciting the underlying values and assumptions of interviewees rather than imposing the researcher’s frame of reference as is the case with traditional forced-choice questionnaires and interview protocols. The nonprofit leaders who were interviewed in this exploratory study seem to employ a strategic perspective in their evaluation of funding sources, asserting to the researchers that they use evaluative criteria such as the extent to which the funding source can catalyze other resources, the alignment of the funding source with the mission of the organization, and the sustainability of the funding source over time.
Optimal SVM switching for a multilevel multi-phase machine using modified discrete PSO

This paper searches for the best possible switching sequence in a multilevel multi-phase inverter that gives the lowest amount of voltage harmonics. A modified discrete particle swarm (MDPSO) algorithm is used in an attempt to find the optimal space vector modulation switching sequence that results in the lowest voltage THD. As with typical PSO cognitive and social parameters are used to guide the search, but an additional mutation term is added to broaden the amount of area searched. The search space is the feasible solutions for the predetermined vectors at a given modulation index. Comparison of the MDPSO algorithm to an integer particle swarm optimization (IPSO) is presented for all three modulation indices tested. The resulting switching sequences found show that the MDPSO algorithm is capable of finding a minimal THD solution for all modulations indices tested. The MDPSO algorithm performed better overall than the IPSO in terms of converging to the best solution with significantly lower iterations.
Dual Toxin-Producing Strain of Clostridium botulinum Type Bf Isolated from a California Patient with Infant Botulism

A retrospective study of Clostridium botulinum strains isolated from patients from California with infant botulism identified the fourth known C. botulinum strain that produces both type B and type F botulinum toxins. This unique strain represented 0.12% of the California infant botulism case isolates from 1976 to 2003. The relative concentrations of type B and F toxins produced were temperature dependent.
Overcoming Preexisting Humoral Immunity to AAV Using Capsid Decoys

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors delivered through the systemic circulation successfully transduce various target tissues in animal models. However, similar attempts in humans have been hampered by the high prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to AAV, which completely block vector transduction. We show in both mouse and nonhuman primate models that addition of empty capsid to the final vector formulation can, in a dose-dependent manner, adsorb these antibodies, even at high titers, thus overcoming their inhibitory effect. To further enhance the safety of the approach, we mutated the receptor binding site of AAV2 to generate an empty capsid mutant that can adsorb antibodies but cannot enter a target cell. Our work suggests that optimizing the ratio of full/empty capsids in the final formulation of vector, based on a patient's anti-AAV titers, will maximize the efficacy of gene transfer after systemic vector delivery.
Automatic pyrolysis mass loss modeling from thermo-gravimetric analysis data using genetic programming

Modeling to predict flame spread and fire growth is an active area of research in Fire Safety Engineering. A significant limitation to current approaches has been the lack of thermophysical material properties necessary for the simplified pyrolysis models embedded within the models. Researchers have worked to derive physical properties such as density, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity from data obtained using bench-scale fire tests such as Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). While Genetic Algorithms (GA) have been successfully used to solve for constants in empirical models, it has been shown that the resulting parameters are not valid individually as material properties, especially for complex materials such as wood. This paper describes an alternate approach using Genetic Programming (GP) to automatically derive a mass loss model directly from TGA data.
Short and long-term safe operating area considerations in LDMOS transistors

Lateral DMOS transistors are widely used in mixed-signal IC circuit designs, particularly where power handling is important. This paper views the LDMOS from a power-handling perspective, considering both design and characterization aspects. The complex nature of the LDMOS safe operating area (SOA) can be dealt with by considering long-term and short-term operating conditions. Long-term conditions are covered by a hot carrier SOA, and short-term conditions are further sub-divided into electrical SOA and thermal SOA. Characterization examples of the various kinds of SOA are given.
Hepatic lipase promotes the selective uptake of high density lipoprotein-cholesteryl esters via the scavenger receptor B1.

Hepatic lipase (HL) plays a major role in high- density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism both as a lipolytic enzyme and as a ligand. To investigate whether HL en- hances the uptake of HDL-cholesteryl ester (CE) via the newly described scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI), we mea- sured the effects of expressing HL and SR-BI on HDL-cell association as well as uptake of 125 I-labeled apoA-I and ( 3 H)CE-HDL, by embryonal kidney 293 cells. As expected, HDL cell association and CE selective uptake were in- creased in SR-BI transfected cells by 2- and 4-fold, respec- tively, compared to controls ( P , 0.001). Cells transfected with HL alone or in combination with SR-BI expressed simi- lar amounts of HL, 20% of which was bound to cell surface proteoglycans. HL alone increased HDL cell association by 2-fold but had no effect on HDL-CE uptake in 293 cells. However, in cells expressing SR-BI, HL further enhanced the selective uptake of CE from HDL by 3-fold ( P , 0.001). To determine whether the lipolytic and/or ligand function of HL are required in this process, we generated a catalyti- cally inactive form of HL (HL-145G). Cells co-transfected with HL-145G and SR-BI increased their HDL cell associa- tion and HDL-CE selective uptake by 1.4-fold compared to cells expressing SR-BI only ( P , 0.03). Heparin abolished the effect of HL-145G on SR-BI-mediated HDL-CE selec- tive uptake. Thus, the enhanced uptake of HDL-CE by HL is mediated by both its ligand role, which requires inter- action with proteoglycans, and by lipolysis with subsequent HDL particle remodeling. These results establish HL as a major modulator of SR-BI mediated selective uptake of HDL-CE. —Lambert, G., M. B. Chase, K. Dugi, A. Bensa- doun, H. B. Brewer, Jr., and S. Santamarina-Fojo. Hepatic lipase promotes the selective uptake of high density lipo- protein-cholesteryl esters via the scavenger receptor B1. J. Lipid Res. 1999. 40: 1294-1303.
13 – Direct Learning by Reinforcement*

This chapter is an introduction to a learning control scheme that can be implemented in real time. It is viewed as a model independent approach to the adaptive critic designs. The chapter demonstrates the implementation details and learning results using two illustrative examples. Systematic treatment for developing a generic online learning control system based on the fundamental principle of reinforcement learning or, more specifically, neural dynamic programming is focused in this chapter. This online learning system improves its performance over time in two aspects. First, it learns from its own mistakes through the reinforcement signal from the external environment and tries to reinforce its action to improve future performance. Second, system states associated with the positive reinforcement are memorized through a network learning process where in the future, similar states are positively associated with a control action leading to a positive reinforcement. This discussion also introduces a successful candidate of online learning control design.
Felt and enacted stigma in elderly persons with epilepsy: A qualitative approach

Stigma is a common psychological consequence of chronic diseases, including epilepsy; however, little research has been done to determine the effect of stigma on persons with epilepsy, especially the elderly. We interviewed 57 older adults with epilepsy to discover the extent and consequences of, and reasons for, epilepsy-related stigma in their lives. Felt stigma was more frequently reported than enacted stigma, with over 70% having experienced this form of stigma. Participants described ignorance and fear of the disease as the foundation of epilepsy-related stigma. The most common response to stigmatizing events was a decrease in epilepsy disclosure to family or friends. Results from this study could inform interventions designed for elderly persons with epilepsy and their support networks, as well as educational campaigns for the general public.
NONSENSE MOTILITY MUTANTS IN SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM

Of 313 motility-deficient mutants isolated from an LT2 his(amber) strain fixed in phase 1 by gene vh2-, 25 regained motility when amber or ochre suppressors were introduced, in F' factors or by transduction. The fla mutants (23 amber, 1 ochre) fell in complementation groups A, B, C, F, K, a new group, M, and at least one further new group; the hypothesis of a fla gene which specifies only an RNA structural component of a flagellum-synthesizing basal apparatus is disproven for the corresponding genes. Hfr and transductional crosses confirmed gene assignments from complementation and indicated that flaM and another new fla locus map near H1. A small minority of motile bacteria were detectable in many of the amber fla mutants. In groups A and F some pairs of amber fla mutants complemented each other, and perhaps each of these groups corresponds to more than one structural gene. The suppressed derivatives of a mutant with an amber mutation in H1 made flagella morphologically and serologically indistinguishable from wild-type flagella. A slow-spreading but flagellate mutant showed mainly non-translational motility in broth, and in a viscous medium the bacteria reversed very frequently; its amber mutation, probably near H1, is inferred to cause a defect in chemotaxis, so that the bacteria give the avoidance reaction continuously.
Dorsal Disks of Adult Male Greenhouse Whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

A histological study was made of dorsal disks (discoidal pores) and associated epidermal cells located on the dorsal surface of abdomens of males of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood). A mean of ≈145 dorsal disks occurred on each abdomen. Externally each disk appeared as a circular cuticular tubercle with a diameter of ≈3.5 μm. Internally, there was a lumen that extended downward and laterally beneath the cuticle. A cuticular network partially subdivided the lumen into 2 parts. Each tubercle and lumen was associated with a single epidermal cell having approximately the same thickness as adjacent epidermal cells. Secretory granules, formed in sequestered portions of cytoplasm, were released into the lumen and eventually to the exterior through pores at each of several pits on the surface of each tubercle. Membrane whorls were characteristic features of the secretory granules as they moved to the apices of the cells. Histochemical tests indicated the presence of proteinaceous and lipid material in the lumen. These results correlated well with the membrane whorls and associated material seen with the transmission electron microscope. Other considerations, such as the presence of only small amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggested that the secretion was primarily lipid. No direct evidence was found concerning the function of the secretory material from the dorsal disks. A reproductive role, such as male recognition by the female, would be one possibility.
Toward a Network Science of Digital Data in Organizations

The aim of this symposium is to move toward an agenda for future organizational research using digital network data, focusing on the key characteristics of digital data: scope, granularity and long...
Enhancing Tetrazolium-Based Histochemical Stains by Exposure to Light

In the histochemical determination of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, with nitro blue tetrazolium used as the electron receptor, cold neutral formalin-fixed or fresh-frozen microtome sections were incubated for 1 hr at 37 C in the appropriate substrate. Following a brief formalin fixation of frozen sections, mounting on slides, and application of a cover glass with 50% glycerol, the sections were exposed to the light from a mercury-quartz lamp at a distance of 10 cm for 30 min. The pale pattern of the reaction product seen immediately after mounting was decidedly intensified and was more easily interpreted after irradiation. Tetrazolium itself was not affected by irradiation. The method was tested on bond paper models, on frozen-sectioned brain tissue, and on substrate-perfused inner-ear structures in temporal bones of guinea pigs.
A Case Report on Brugada Syndrome and Anesthesia Considerations

Brugada Syndrome (BrS) is a rare autosomal disease caused by a genetic mutation affecting the ion channels of the cardiac conduction system. The administration of some routinely used anesthetic agents have shown to trigger spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias on BrS patients leading to sudden cardiac arrest. This is a case report on a 20year-old male patient with a history of cocaine abuse presenting to the emergency room (ER) with palpitations, chest discomfort, and syncope. Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes led to the diagnosis of BrS. The patient underwent an automatic implantable cardioverterdefibrillator (AICD) under general anesthesia without any complications, however routine anesthetic agents may induce lethal arrhythmias in BrS. This case report focuses on increasing the safety awareness for anesthesia care of patients with BrS.
On Xiang Ziyin's Jiubianci

Jiubianci by Xiang Ziyin includes Jiangnanxinci and Jiangbeijiuci.The former is a collection of works before his crossing the river southward,which reflects the reality more profoundly with poems as lyrics in an unrestrained style,and with a more vigorous style of artistic manifestation.The latter is a collection of works before his crossing the river southward with contents focusing on friendship among girls,love with an artistic style inherited from Ou's and Yan's.These works were then paid great attention to by the compiler for their simple style.However,they lack the edge of innovation.
The Relationships between Organizational Justice and Organizational Effectiveness of Subdistrict Good Schools in Eastern Region of Thailand

The objectives of the study is to relationships between Organizational justice and Organizational Effectiveness of Subdistrict Good Schools in Eastern Region of Thailand are to study the level of the Organizational Justice and the level of Organizational Effectiveness and compare the level of Organizational Justice and Organizational Effectiveness distinguish by genders, educational level and teacher’s numbers of year in teaching and including to find the relationships between Organizational Justice and Organizational Effectiveness of subdistrict good schools in the Eastern region of Thailand. Sampling groups are the total of 364 teachers from subdistrict good schools in Eastern region of Thailand. Tool used in research is questionnaire. Meanwhile, statistics used are means, t-test, Pearson’s Simple Correlation Moment Product. Thus, the study results found that both Organizational Justice and Organizational Effectiveness of teachers in subdistrict good schools are in high levels. And the comparison level of Organizational Justice that distinguish by genders and educational levels are different in the statistical significant level of .01. However, when distinguish by teacher’s numbers of year in teaching, it has no different. Thus, the comparison level of Organizational Effectiveness when distinguish by genders is different in the statistical significant level of .05, but when distinguish by educational levels and teacher’s numbers of year in teaching are different in the statistical significant levels of .01., and also found that Organizational Justice of the subdistrict good schools in Eastern region of Thailand, in overall view, has moderate level of relationships in the statistical significant level of .01 and with correlation coefficient values of .644.
Differential mRNA Stability: A Regulatory Strategy for Hsp70 Synthesis

Many organisms face the challenge of a changing environment. Individual cells in a multicellular organism face similar challenges. To cope with this, cells and organisms have developed the ability to mount transient responses in which subsets of genes appropriate to current conditions are activated for an appropriate time. One particularly well studied example of a transient response is provided by the heat-shock response (for general reviews see Lindquist, 1986; Lindquist and Craig, 1988). This induction of a small number of highly conserved proteins (known as the heat shock proteins or hsps) occurs when cultured cells or whole organisms are exposed to temperatures above their normal growth range. When the cells or organisms are returned to normal temperatures normal patterns of synthesis are restored.
Practical interactive scheme for extremum computation in distributed networks

Several users observing independent random variables exchange error-free messages with one another and a central receiver, the central estimation officer (CEO), with the aim of enabling the CEO to compute either the maximum across users (the max), or a a user attaining this maximum (the arg max) for each element of their local observation sequences. The fundamental lower bound on the information exchange rate required over all quantization schemes, both scalar and vector, is computed for this interactive problem with a known iterative convex geometric method. Next, an optimal dynamic program achieving the minimum expected rate and expected rate delay tradeoff over all scalar quantization schemes is presented, and the benefits of enabling users to overhear each others' messages is assessed. Finally, a series of substantially reduced complexity dynamic programs are shown, both theoretically and empirically, to obtain performance close to the fundamental limits, and to scale favorably as the number of users grow.
Analytical blocking model for anycast RWA in optical WDM networks

In anycast communication, connection requests from a source can be routed to one of multiple candidate destinations, thus helping to improve the overall acceptance of service requests in the network when compared with a traditional unicast. In this paper, we develop a new analytical model to compute the network-wide blocking performance for anycast routing and wavelength assignment (ARWA) in wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical networks. Specifically, we calculate the blocking using the reduced-load fixed-point approximation analysis on full wavelength convertible and wavelength continuity constrained optical networks. This model is based on conventional queuing theory for loss systems combined with a conditional probability analysis. Performance results show that our model is accurate and is verified by extensive simulation results.
A CoII complex for 19F MRI-based detection of reactive oxygen species

A fluorinated, air-stable cobalt(II) complex serves as a turn-on 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracer for reactive oxygen species including H2O2. Upon oxidation with H2O2, the complex converts from paramagnetic high spin CoII to diamagnetic low spin CoIII resulting in a chemical shift change and enhancement in 19F NMR signal. Further, the oxidation can be reversed in the presence of reductant Na2S2O4. The turn-on response is demonstrated by 19F MRI, characterized by a ∼2–3 fold enhancement in signal.
Antigenic characterization of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein precursor incorporated into nanodiscs

The entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) into host cells is mediated by the viral envelope glycoproteins (Envs), which are derived by the proteolytic cleavage of a trimeric gp160 Env precursor. The mature Env trimer is a major target for entry inhibitors and vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies. Env interstrain variability, conformational flexibility and heavy glycosylation contribute to evasion of the host immune response, and create challenges for structural characterization and vaccine development. Here we investigate variables associated with reconstitution of the HIV-1 Env precursor into nanodiscs, nanoscale lipid bilayer discs enclosed by membrane scaffolding proteins. We identified detergents, as well as lipids similar in composition to the viral lipidome, that allowed efficient formation of Env-nanodiscs (Env-NDs). Env-NDs were created with the full-length Env precursor and with an Env precursor with the majority of the cytoplasmic tail intact. The self-association of Env-NDs was decreased by glutaraldehyde crosslinking. The Env-NDs exhibited an antigenic profile expected for the HIV-1 Env precursor. Env-NDs were recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies. Of note, neutralizing antibody epitopes in the gp41 membrane-proximal external region and in the gp120:gp41 interface were well exposed on Env-NDs compared with Env expressed on cell surfaces. Most Env epitopes recognized by non-neutralizing antibodies were masked on the Env-NDs. This antigenic profile was stable for several days, exhibiting a considerably longer half-life than that of Env solubilized in detergents. Negative selection with weak neutralizing antibodies could be used to improve the antigenic profile of the Env-NDs. Finally, we show that lipid adjuvants can be incorporated into Env-NDs. These results indicate that Env-NDs represent a potentially useful platform for investigating the structural, functional and antigenic properties of the HIV-1 Env trimer in a membrane context.
The Pragmatic Partnerships of Plays Pleasant

Jennifer Buckley writes about the Plays Pleasant, and contends that the dividing line between them and the Plays Unpleasant is not always sharp. She theorizes that Shaw’s turn toward commercial theatre was for purposes of cultural permeation, arguing that, after setting up some definite obstacles to marriage , Shaw skirts the central issue by allowing the Life Force to propel the couple down the aisle.
Parallel Dynamic Data Driven Approaches for Synthetic Aperture Radar

Hybrid multicore processors (HMPs) are poised to dominate the landscape of the next generation of computing on the desktop as well as on exascale systems. HMPs consist of general purpose CPU cores along with specialized co-processors and can provide high performance for a wide spectrum of applications at significantly lower energy requirements per FLOP. In this paper, we develop parallel algorithms and software for constructing multi-resolution SAR images on HMPs. We develop several load balancing algorithms for optimizing time performance and energy on HMPs. We also present a systematic approach for deriving the energy-time performance trade-offs on HMPs in the presence of Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling. Pareto-optimal curves are presented on a system consisting of 24 traditional cores and a GPU.
Purine Synthesis Inhibitors, 6-thioguanine and Azathioprine: Forgotten Treatment Options in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis:

BackgroundThe thiopurine drugs azathioprine and 6-thioguanine have been shown to induce significant clinical improvement in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis.Obj...
ELECTRONIC ADVOCACY IN POLICY PRACTICE: A FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING TECHNOLOGICALLY BASED PRACTICE

The 1990s have not been easy times for social welfare advocates and their clients. Not only must advocacy efforts contend with repressive new legislation, but the creation of a new, diffuse policy environment makes many traditional advocacy techniques either ineffective or difficult to use. This article examines the forces that confront today's advocate, suggests ways to address these issues with new technologically based advocacy techniques, and suggests ways to incorporate these techniques into the social welfare policy curriculum. Techniques discussed include database applications, e-mail, Internet publishing, and Internet-based research.
Structuring of Nanoparticles Between Modified Solid Surfaces

In order to investigate the effect of confining surfaces on the structuring of nanoparticles in between, confining surface is modified by either attaching a mica sheet on the silica substrate or physically adsorbing polyelectrolytes on silica surfaces with layer-by-layer technique. In the first case, only the surface potential (or surface charge) is tuned. AFM force measurements show an enhanced amplitude in oscillatory forces while the wavelength and correlation length remain constant with increasing confining surface potential. This is an outcome of reduced particle-wall interaction range, due to the fact that the charged walls release additional counterions accumulated in a thin layer at the wall surfaces and contributed to the Debye length of particle-wall interaction. As a consequence, more particles can be accumulated inside the slit. In the second case, the effect of layer-by-layer modification on the surface potential and the surface roughness are also studied. Experimental findings reveal that the layer-by-layer technique modifies the surface roughness without changing the surface potential of a multilayer with the same outermost layer, by increasing number of constituent layers, ionic strength of the polyelectrolyte solutions, and by selecting an appropriate pair of polyelectrolytes. Wavelength and decay length are not affected by the surface roughness. The corresponding reduction in the oscillatory amplitude and the shift in the phase correlate with the increase in surface roughness. Increasing surface roughness further induces a vanishing of the oscillations and both confining surfaces contribute to the effect of surface roughness on the force reduction. In order to show an oscillatory force, the particles have to show positional correlation over a reasonably long range perpendicular to the surface and the correlation function should be the same over a larger lateral area. This requires that both the particles and the surfaces have a high degree of order or symmetry, otherwise the oscillation does not occur. A roughness of a few nanometers on a single surface, which corresponds to about 10 % of the nanoparticle diameter, is sufficient to eliminate the oscillatory force.
Transform-data-by-example (TDE): an extensible search engine for data transformations

Today, business analysts and data scientists increasingly need to clean, standardize and transform diverse data sets, such as name, address, date time, and phone number, before they can perform analysis. This process of data transformation is an important part of data preparation, and is known to be difficult and time-consuming for end-users.Traditionally, developers have dealt with these longstanding transformation problems using custom code libraries. They have built vast varieties of custom logic for name parsing and address standardization, etc., and shared their source code in places like GitHub. Data transformation would be a lot easier for end-users if they can discover and reuse such existing transformation logic.We developed Transform-Data-by-Example (TDE), which works like a search engine for data transformations. TDE "indexes" vast varieties of transformation logic in source code, DLLs, web services and mapping tables, so that users only need to provide a few input/output examples to demonstrate a desired transformation, and TDE can interactively find relevant functions to synthesize new programs consistent with all examples. Using an index of 50K functions crawled from GitHub and Stackoverflow, TDE can already handle many common transformations not currently supported by existing systems. On a benchmark with over 200 transformation tasks, TDE generates correct transformations for 72% tasks, which is considerably better than other systems evaluated. A beta version of TDE for Microsoft Excel is available via Office store1. Part of the TDE technology also ships in Microsoft Power BI.
Circulating tumor cell subsets and macrophage polarization to predict efficacy of cabozantinib in advanced prostate cancer with visceral metastases.

5031Background: The presence of VM in metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) predicts poor survival. Cabozantinib (cabo) is a multi-kinase inhibitor that has clinical activity tha...
An uncertain future: climate resilience of first-generation ranchers.

Policymakers and scholars agree that the aging and declining number of ranchers is a serious problem for the future of ranching and range management. Studies show that recruiting and retaining new ranchers is difficult due to a complex mix of start-up costs, knowledge and skill requirements, and regulatory barriers. While research suggests that first-generation farmers are different demographically and require individualised information, there is limited research on first-generation ranchers (FGRs); at best they are generalised as beginning farmers in research and outreach programs. This is surprising given ranchers’ unique knowledge requirements relating to the production of food and fibre, and the management of vast areas of public and private land. Based on a rangeland decision-making survey of 507 California Cattlemen’s Association members, this paper examines similarities and divergences in socioeconomic factors, management practices, drought adaptation strategies, information needs, and values between FGRs and multigenerational ranchers (MGRs). Survey results indicate FGRs and MGRs are not statistically different demographically and have similar values; however, key differences include FGRs using fewer information sources about ranching, fewer general management practices, and fewer drought adaptation practices. FGRs are also more susceptible to drought, and are underserved by organisations. Their vulnerability is particularly concerning, as many have limited drought experience, are more likely to take risks, and are less likely to find value and/or participate in ranching organisations. The future of rangelands requires that organisations interested in conserving rangelands and supporting ranchers re-evaluate assumptions about why FGRs and MGRs have different information needs beyond simplistic demographic identity, and instead focus on their affinity as FGRs in order to understand the complexity of the processes underlying these differences. We end with suggestions for a research agenda to support the climate resiliency of FGRs and increase the efficacy of support organisations.
Chapter 39 – The Clinical Approach to Disorders of Platelet Number and Function

Abstract This chapter discusses the clinical approach to patients with disorders of platelet number and/or function. As in all of clinical medicine, the history and physical examination are the keys to unlocking the diagnosis. The characteristic clinical features that differentiate primary hemostatic disorders (thrombocytopenia, platelet function defects, and von Willebrand disease) from coagulation disorders (e.g., hemophilia) are discussed. Three of these clinical features are particularly helpful. First, petechiae are a very strong pointer towards a primary hemostatic disorder and away from a coagulation disorder. Second, hemarthroses are a very strong pointer towards a coagulation disorder and away from a primary hemostatic disorder. Third, in the setting of an injury, immediate excessive bleeding suggests a primary hemostatic disorder (because the initial platelet plug does not form correctly), whereas delayed bleeding suggests a coagulation disorder (because the lack of a well-formed fibrin clot results in gradual breakdown of the initial platelet plug).
Controlling metal oxide nanoparticle size and shape with supercritical fluid synthesis

Metal oxide nanoparticles are emerging as important contributors in a variety of applications including water treatment, catalytic transformations, and energy generation and storage, among others. Controlling size and shape is of significant interest in the nanotechnology community as these are critical in determining nanoparticle performance, impacting properties such as reactivity, conductivity, and magnetic behavior. In addition to employing green solvents, supercritical fluid nanoparticle synthesis is a robust and facile method to meet the need to control size and shape for a variety of metal oxide nanoparticles. Supercritical water, supercritical ethanol, and supercritical carbon dioxide solvent systems offer tunable properties that allow for control of nanoparticle size and shape. This review investigates the synthesis routes, the mechanisms for size and shape control, and unique characteristics particular to each green solvent. Finally, a decision tree is developed to facilitate synthetic route design for the intended nano metal oxide composition, size, and shape that highlights the need for consideration of energy and life cycle impacts.
Localizing radioimmunotherapy via nanochannel device for sustained intratumoral drug delivery for solid tumor treatment.

37Background: Immune related adverse events still occur in up to 91% of patients receiving immunotherapy. Intratumoral administration is a potential solution to limit these events by reducing syste...
Fiber Supplemented Droplet Diving Into Two Liquid Layers

In an exploratory experiment, utilizing a flow visualization technique, a droplet of water was supplemented with fiber and released into a container of liquid. The liquid inside container consisted of a thin layer of oil laid on top of the water, in which a small amount of bromothymol-blue indicator was added. The liquid droplet also contained a dilute solution of NaOH along with the small amount of fiber supplement. Thus, as the droplet dived through the two immiscible layers, the path of the diffused droplet exhibited a dark blue color due to its greater pH.It was found that due to the weight of the added fiber, the drop began to form an inverted mushroom. Then, the weight continues to pull the droplet to the bottom of the container where the fiber-enhanced liquid rotates in a circular path. A portion of fiber remains latched onto the oil layer, which sustains the diffusing fiber stretching into a single, straight line filament. Yet, over time the straight filament began to buckle and bend. Over time, the droplet became increasingly unstable prior returning to a single filament once more. This transformation was evidenced until the deep blue faded as the pH level diffused. An additional experiment was carried out using a larger droplet. The droplet with a larger surface area reacted similarly, but passed the oil/ water interface at multiple contact points, as opposed to a sole point. Subsequently, multiple bending filaments appeared in the liquid. In time these filaments combined into a distinct, deformed, filament. After which, the continued instability of the filament broke into two segments, that with time became orderly. In the end, a pair of filaments was formed from the larger fiber-laced droplet.The idea of controlling drug delivery has been studied from a plethora of angles, however, how a drug diffuses with the addition of fiber has not often been visualized. This visual investigation will establish the fundamental physics that is a critical first step in the ability to understand, predict and control the motion of a fiber enriched liquid droplet releasing into another liquid. It is of fundamental importance to the medical field and beyond if the addition of a fiber solution can influence medicine, or a solution, to reach a particular location.Further research on this topic would involve the effect of fluid viscosity and surface tension to improve drug delivery.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
First-Generation College Students as Academic Learners: A Systematic Review:

The literature on first-generation college students largely focuses on the challenges and barriers they may experience in college. Yet, we do not have a clear understanding of who these students ar...
Large hydrogen isotope fractionations distinguish nitrogenase-derived methane from other sources

Nitrogenase is the main source of natural fixed nitrogen for the biosphere. Two forms of this metalloenzyme, the vanadium (V) and iron (Fe)-only nitrogenases, were recently found to reduce small amounts of carbon dioxide into the potent greenhouse gas methane. Here we report carbon and hydrogen stable isotopic compositions and fractionations of methane generated by V- and Fe-only nitrogenases in the metabolically versatile nitrogen fixer Rhodopseudomonas palustris. The stable carbon isotope fractionation imparted by both forms of alternative nitrogenase are within the range observed for hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis (13αCO2/CH4= 1.051 ± 0.002 for V-nitrogenase and 1.055 ± 0.001 for Fe-only nitrogenase, mean ± SE). In contrast, the hydrogen isotope fractionations (2αH2O/CH4 = 2.071 ± 0.014 for V-nitrogenase and 2.078 ± 0.018 for Fe-only nitrogenase) are the largest of any known biogenic or geogenic pathway. The large 2αH2O/CH4 shows that the reaction pathway nitrogenases use to form methane strongly discriminates against 2H, and that 2αH2O/CH4 distinguishes nitrogenase-derived methane from all other known biotic and abiotic sources. These findings on nitrogenase-derived methane will help constrain carbon and nitrogen flows in microbial communities and the role of the alternative nitrogenases in global biogeochemical cycles.
A 170μW Image Signal Processor Enabling Hierarchical Image Recognition for Intelligence at the Edge

We propose an ultra-low power (ULP) Image Signal Processor (ISP) that performs on-the-fly in-processing frame (de)compression and hierarchical event recognition to exploit the temporal and spatial sparsity in an image sequence to achieve a 16× imaging system energy gain. The ISP is fabricated in 40nm CMOS and consumes only 170 μW at 5 fps for neural network-based intruder detection and 192× compressed image recording.
A comparison of PV resource modeling for sizing microgrid components

Abstract Microgrid systems are being deployed with increased frequency to meet critical building loads during unplanned power outages. Determining the appropriate type and size of components that make up a microgrid can greatly affect its ability to meet this need. This paper presents a new tool to appropriately size PV, battery, and generator capacities to meet all site loads, given a resilience goal. It uses a statistical model to simulate microgrid behavior under a large range of solar resource conditions, providing resilience planners with confidence that critical loads will be met even under extreme weather conditions. We compare this model with one that uses typical weather data for sizing microgrids, and quantify the resilience effects of using these different methods. Our method produces more conservative generator capacities and fuel requirements in an outage, predicting up to 30% more fuel required in the most extreme case. Microgrid systems that are designed using more conservative estimates are more likely to continue to serve load during emergency outages under a large range of conditions.