cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On-board fault-tolerant SAR processor for spaceborne imaging radar systems

A real-time high-performance and fault-tolerant FPGA-based hardware architecture for the processing of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images has been developed for advanced spaceborne radar imaging systems. In this paper, we present the integrated design approach, from top-level algorithm specifications, system architectures, design methodology, functional verification, performance validation, down to hardware design and implementation.
Identification of Error Types in Preservice Teachers' Attempts to Create Fraction Story Problems for Specified Operations

The purpose of this research was to determine if recognizable error types exist in the work of preservice teachers required to create story problems for specific fraction operations. Students were given a particular single-operation fraction expression and asked to do the calculation and then create a story problem that would require the use of both the expression and calculation to answer the story problem. Distinct error types, determined by mathematical and grammatical characteristics, were identified by the researchers. These error types were then used to analyze an additional set of work samples to determine frequency rates of error types. Future research will involve evaluating the efficacy of specific instructional methods with the goal of reducing the frequency of certain error types.
High resolution tracking of adult horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus in a New Hampshire estuary using fixed array ultrasonic telemetry

While several studies have documented the large-scale, seasonal movements of horseshoe crabs, little is known about their fine-scale, daily movement patterns. In this study we used a fixed array ultrasonic telemetry system to track the movements of 12 male and 16 female horseshoe crabs in the Great Bay estuary, New Hampshire. Data were obtained during the mating sea- son, as well as during the remainder of the summer and fall, in the years 2005-2008. During the mating season animals were often, but not always, active during the high tides when they were approaching and leaving the spawning beaches. On average, both males and females approached mating beaches during 33% of the high tides they experienced and they most often made the tran- sition from being inactive to active during the last two hours of an incoming tide. From April-October horseshoe crabs were sig- nificantly more active during high tide periods vs low tide periods, with no clear preference for diurnal vs nocturnal activity. After the mating season ended horseshoe crabs continued to move into shallower water at high tide and then return to deeper water at low tide. Observations by SCUBA divers suggest that during these excursions into the mudflats horseshoe crabs were digging pits in the sediment while foraging for food. Thus, the tidal rhythm of activity that has been so well documented during the mating season probably persists into the fall, and primarily involves foraging activities (Current Zoology 56 (5): 599-610, 2010).
A graph-based approach to disassembly model for end-of-life product recycling

Manufacturing industries are beginning to face one of the consequences resulting from the rapid development which has occurred during the last decade. The most evident effect is that landfill capacity is being used up. Therefore, a systematic approach to recycling is both urgent and imperative. It has been also recognized that appropriate disassembly of used products is necessary in order to make recycling economically and environmentally viable in the current state of the art reprocessing technology. This paper proposes a graph-based heuristic approach to the disassembly model. The model is embedded on a graph representation and object-oriented modeling, which is obtained by generating disassembly sequences. Information exchange within the disassembly model is done through three phases: (1) disassembly analysis, (2) database and data management, and (3) recycling cost minimization. With graph representation, the problem of identifying the optimal disassembly and recycling strategy is transformed into a graph search problem. By solving the graph search problem, one can determine the termination of disassembly, generate the disassembly sequence, calculate the disassembly cost, select recycling plans, monitor the material flow, and evaluate environmental compatibility of the product. In addition, this paper illustrates the prototype using personal computer disassembly as an example.
Identification of a lineage of multipotent hematopoietic progenitors

All multipotent hematopoietic progenitors in C57BL-Thy-1.1 bone marrow are divided among three subpopulations of Thy-1.1(lo) Sca-1+ Lin(-/lo) c-kit+ cells: long-term reconstituting Mac-1- CD4- c-kit+ cells and transiently reconstituting Mac-1(lo) CD4- or Mac-1(lo) CD4(lo) cells. This study shows that the same populations, with similar functional activities, exist in mice whose hematopoietic systems were reconstituted by hematopoietic stem cells after lethal irradiation. We demonstrate that these populations form a lineage of multipotent progenitors from long-term self-renewing stem cells to the most mature multipotent progenitor population. In reconstituted mice, Mac-1- CD4- c-kit+ cells gave rise to Mac-1(lo) CD4- cells, which gave rise to Mac-1(lo) CD4(lo) cells. Mac-1- CD4- c-kit+ cells had long-term self-renewal potential, with each cell being capable of giving rise to more than 10(4) functionally similar Mac-1- CD4- c-kit+ cells. At least half of Mac-1(lo) CD4- cells had transient self-renewal potential, detected in the spleen 7 days after reconstitution. Mac-1(lo) CD4(lo) cells did not have detectable self-renewal potential. The identification of a lineage of multipotent progenitors provides an important tool for identifying genes that regulate self-renewal and lineage commitment.
Serotonergic innervation of the primate claustrum

The claustrum is reciprocally and topographically connected with all functional areas of the cerebral cortex. Different cortical areas differ in the source, density, and laminar distribution of serotonergic innervation, with visual cortex receiving an especially rich serotonergic innervation. We asked if there were likewise differences in serotonergic innervation in different regions of the claustrum. We analyzed 50-μm coronal sections through the claustrum of the macaque monkey processed using standard immunohistochemical techniques and an antibody to serotonin. We found labeled fibers throughout the dorsal-ventral and anterior-posterior extent of the claustrum. A few fibers were relatively straight and lacked varicosities. Most fibers had varicosities; the size, shape, and spacing of varicosities varied among fibers and even along a single fiber. Some stained fibers partially encircled cells, and varicosities were seen in close apposition to the cell bodies. There was a major difference between dorsal and ventral claustrum in the pattern of stained fibers. In the ventral, visual, claustrum, stained segments of axons were short and randomly arranged relative to each other, and there were many stained puncta. In the more dorsal, nonvisual claustrum, many fibers ran in a dorsal-ventral direction, along the long axis of the claustrum, and could be followed for long distances.
TREATMENT OF CHRONIC BACTERIAL PROSTATITIS WITH LEVOFLOXACIN AND CIPROFLOXACIN LOWERS SERUM PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN

Purpose: We compared baseline and post-therapy prostate specific antigen (PSA) in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis who were treated with levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin. Materials and Methods: Subset analysis was done using a randomized, multicenter, doubleblind, active control trial of 500 mg levofloxacin daily for 28 days vs 500 mg ciprofloxacin twice daily in 28 days in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Results: Of the 377 men in the intent to treat population, including 197 treated with levofloxacin and 180 treated with ciprofloxacin, 35 on levofloxacin and 37 on ciprofloxacin with baseline PSA greater than 4 ng/ml were included in this analysis. Excluded from analysis were 2 levofloxacin treated patients with extremely high PSA at baseline (62 and 103 ng/ml, respectively). Mean baseline PSA SD in the patients analyzed was 8.33 4.46 ng/ml, which decreased to 5.36 3.82 ng/ml after therapy. There was no significant difference in the mean change in PSA between the levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin groups. Approximately 42% of patients with increased baseline PSA had a post-therapy PSA of 4 ng/ml or less. Of patients who were microbiologically evaluable and had normalized PSA after therapy levofloxacin eradicated the pathogen in 90.9% (10 of 11). However, of patients in whom post-therapy PSA remained increased the microbiological eradication rate was 69.2% (9 of 13). Similarly 93.3% of the ciprofloxacin group (14 of 15 patients) with normalized post-therapy PSA experienced microbiological eradication compared with 61.5% (8 of 13) with continued increased PSA after therapy. Conclusions: Approximately 20% of patients diagnosed with chronic bacterial prostatitis had increased PSA. A significant decrease in PSA was observed in these patients after treatment with levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin. An association was observed between bacterial persistence and the likelihood that PSA would return to normal.
Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation by a Monomeric Amidate-Ligated Fe(III)–Aqua Complex

The six-coordinate Fe(III)-aqua complex [Fe(III)(dpaq)(H2O)](2+) (1, dpaq is 2-[bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)]amino-N-quinolin-8-yl-acetamido) is an electrocatalyst for water oxidation in propylene carbonate-water mixtures. An electrochemical kinetics study has revealed that water oxidation occurs by oxidation to Fe(V)(O)(2+) followed by a reaction first order in catalyst and added water, respectively, with ko = 0.035(4) M(-1) s(-1) by the single-site mechanism found previously for Ru and Ir water oxidation catalysts. Sustained water oxidation catalysis occurs at a high surface area electrode to give O2 through at least 29 turnovers over an 15 h electrolysis period with a 45% Faradaic yield and no observable decomposition of the catalyst.
When Scale Meets Depth: Integrating Natural Language Processing and Textual Analysis for Studying Digital Corpora

AbstractAs computer-assisted research of voluminous datasets becomes more pervasive, so does the criticism of its epistemological, methodological, and ethical/normative inadequacies. This article proposes a hybrid approach that combines the scale of computational methods with the depth of qualitative analysis. It uses simple natural language processing algorithms to extract purposive samples from large textual corpora, which can then be analyzed using interpretive techniques. This approach helps research become more theoretically grounded and contextually sensitive—two major failings of typical “Big Data” studies. Simultaneously, it allows qualitative scholars to examine datasets that are otherwise too large to study manually and also bring more rigor to the process of sampling. The method is illustrated with two case studies, one looking at the inaugural addresses of U.S. presidents and the other investigating the news coverage of two shootings at an army camp in Texas.
Feasibility of Eradicating Yaws

The elimination of yaws from large geographic areas provides evidence that global elimination of person-to-person yaws transmission is feasible. The failure to reach that goal to date is the result of managerial rather than technical deficiencies. If the eradication of yaws can be accomplished, it should be done to reduce the suffering that is associated with the disease. In addition, a positive benefit-cost ratio is likely to be realized within a period of decades, and in areas endemic for yaws, its elimination could well provide a basis for the development of a strong system of primary health care. The decision to eliminate yaws must be made deliberately by the World Health Assembly with full knowledge of the implication of not making such a decision. A positive decision would result in enriched lives for countless potential victims of yaws and save the world money in the long term.
Introducing a special issue: Teaching qualitative research and inquiry:

Qualitative Social Work: Research and Practice offers this special issue to highlight the importance of education in developing a strong cadre of knowledgeable, skilled and active qualitative researchers, scholars and teachers. The journal expands upon its ongoing section on teaching to promote extensive discussion of this important part of social work education. Voices from many parts of the world are included in this special issue. These voices highlight different emphases and interests, but also affirm a shared strong commitment to educating students to understand, and to produce, excellent qualitative research. The timing of this special issue is also important. Within developed countries, advocates for expanding the role of empirical knowledge in guiding public policy and for evidence-based practice renew challenges to the worth and place of qualitative research (Cheek, 2011; Denzin and Lincoln, 2011; Drisko and Grady, 2012). While the ‘paradigm wars’ of the 1980s and 1990s led to support for ‘many ways of knowing’ (Hartman, 1994) in social work, contemporary neoliberal administrative models create research hierarchies that actively devalue the contributions of qualitative research in the name of science. Recent calls for a ‘science of social work’ similarly omit or undervalue the contributions of qualitative research to social work knowledge building and practice. In this context, strong economic, political and academic forces are questioning the need for qualitative research education in social work. The voices and views of those supporting the merit and worth of qualitative research in social work must be renewed and heard now. In practice, there is little emphasis on qualitative research in most social work education standards. Both the US Council on Social Work Education (2008, EP 2.1.6) standards and the United Kingdom’s The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) makes only scant reference to research as part of the professional capabilities framework. The International Federation of Social Workers Global Standards (2012) does not list research as a core social work purpose, nor do Qualitative Social Work 2016, Vol. 15(3) 303–306 ! The Author(s) 2016 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1473325016638197 qsw.sagepub.com
Are self-reported neighbourhood characteristics associated with onset of functional limitations in older adults with or without memory impairment?

Background Neighbourhood resources may preserve functional independence in older adults, but little is known about whether benefits differ for individuals with normal and impaired memory. We evaluated the extent to which neighbourhood context was related to onset of instrumental and basic activities of daily living (I/ADL) limitations and whether relationships were modified by memory impairment. Methods Health and Retirement Study participants 50+ years of age without baseline I/ADL limitations (n=8726 for IADL and n=8345 for ADL models) were interviewed biennially for up to 8 years. Self-reported neighbourhood characteristics were scaled from 0 (worst) to 1 (best). Memory, assessed by direct and proxy cognitive assessments, was dichotomised at the 20th centile. We used pooled logistic regression models, adjusted for demographics and individual characteristics. Results Low neighbourhood physical disorder (OR=0.51 (95% CI: 0.37 to 0.69)), high social cohesion (OR=0.46 (0.34 to 0.62)), and high safety (OR=0.59 (0.46 to 0.76)) were associated with reduced incidence of IADL limitations. These neighbourhood characteristics were also associated with lower incidence of ADL limitations (disorder OR=0.59 (0.43 to 0.81)); social cohesion OR=0.60 (0.45 to 0.81)); safety OR=0.74 (0.58 to 0.93)). High social ties were not related to ADLs (OR=1.01(0.80 to 1.28)) or IADLs (OR=0.93(0.74 to 1.17)). The benefits of these neighbourhood characteristics for ADLs were similar among those with and without memory impairment but primarily observed among those without memory impairment for IADLs. Conclusions Older adults living in neighbourhoods with low physical disorder, high social cohesion and high safety experience lower incidence of IADL and ADL limitations. Memory status modified the estimated effects of neighbourhood characteristics on IADL but not ADL limitations.
Clinical analysis of automatic synchronous exchange transfusion in the treatment of severe hemolytic disease of the newborn in 27 cases

Objective To discuss the effect of automatic synchronous exchange transfusion in the treatment of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Methods 27 cases with HDN met the criteria of exchange transfusion were treated via peripheral artery and vein as input and output pathways and by two infusion pumps aiming at realizing automatic synchronous exchange of double peripheral vessels.The levels of bilirubins,blood pressure,blood electrolytes,and blood glucose were tested before and after the therapy. Results The levels of serum total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,and indirect bilirubin after treatment decreased more remarkably compared with those prior treatment (P0.01).After exchange transfusion,the levels of blood glucose and hemoglobin increased significantly in comparison with those before treatment (P 0.05).There was no obvious difference in blood pressure or blood calcium before and after treatment (P0.05).Jaundice in 27 cases was totally subsided ranged from 2-13 days after exchange transfusion at an average of 6 days. Conclusion The automatic synchronous exchange transfusion rapid decreases the levels of birilubins and obtains a remarkable effect on treating HDN without obvious complications.In comparison with the conventional therapy,it reduces the possibility of infection and has little influence on blood pressure,which is worthy of expansion in clinic.
Elements of Graph Theory

IN AN INFORMAL WAY, Chap. 1 began the process of both explaining why networks arise in the study of infrastructure and confirming that the spatial organization of infrastructure most generally takes the form of networks. We saw that these networks are conveniently described by mathematical models that have many common features, regardless of the particular technology and decision environment studied. However, a deeper look at infrastructure network models, which is our goal in the balance of this book, requires that we make more precise the definitions, concepts and notation introduced informally in Chap. 1.
Jim Henry's world revisited--environmental "stress" at the psychophysiological and the molecular levels.

Ever increasing applications of sophisticated technologies in western civilization have placed great and growing demands for the rapid and accurate processing of multi-modal sensory information. These information streams may exceed an individual's performance capabilities. Failure to respond appropriately may have serious consequences, not only for the individual but also for others, as in command situations in the aerospace environment. There are, for example, consistent patterns common to EEG records in a population of astronaut candidates, when exposed to increasing visual information overload, simulating hazardous flight conditions. The records are dominated at the point of "information overload" by sharply and progressively increased theta wave (4-7 Hz) activity in temporal regions, major increments in frontal beta (> 14 Hz) activity, and markedly reduced occipital alpha (8-12 Hz) levels. These responses to a simulated stress raise questions about the brain's ability to distinguish natural reality from the mediated reality in modern life. It has been hypothesized that an individual's reactions with computers, television and new media are fundamentally social and natural, just as in interactions in real life. Also immune responses may here offer valuable benchmarks concerning reactions to mentally stressful stimuli. Another type of environmental influences in modern society is that of electromagnetic fields. Even fairly weak (athermal) electromagnetic fields have proven to be useful tools to study regulatory mechanisms in cells from brain and other tissues. There is growing evidence that nitric oxide may influence normal EEG patterns and that it may also participate in the pathophysiology of oxidative stress disturbances, including influences in e.g. Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, then behaving as a free radical with reactive-oxygen-species or reactive-nitrogen-species. As a free radical, nitric oxide is sensitive to a variety of imposed magnetic fields, with theoretical and experimental evidence that its actions in regulating the rate and amount of product of cerebral biochemical reactions may also be modulated by imposed magnetic fields.
Pre and Post Stimulation Results for Dysphonic Participants on the Multidimensional Voice Program

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare acoustic data for the following vocal parameters to assess vocal noise in dysphonic participant’s pre and post stimulability training: Relative Average Perturbations (RAP), Shimmer, and Noise-Harmonic Ratio (NHR) using the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP) were assessed. The objective was to determine if stimulability training could improve the parameters on the MDVP and corroborate perceptual improvements in vocal quality with the acoustic data. Such data could provide evidence of the MDVP’s value as a measure of parameter changes resulting from stimulability training. There is little research on this instrument’s efficacy for documenting change after stimulability training. Method: The investigator assessed 20 participants (male and female) between the ages of 20 and 30 (mean age=25) who were perceptually rated as dysphonic. The diagnostic team rated the participants upon listening to their monologue, conversational speech, and a reading passage. The participants prolonged the vowel /a/ on the MDVP to obtain acoustic parameters. They were subsequently stimulated to use proper coordination of respiration and phonation and actively engage their abdominal muscles upon phonation of /a/. After stimulation, the participants again phonated /a/ on the MDVP using the stimulation technique. The same parameters were compared before and after stimulability training. Results: Results of the MDVP (before stimulation) revealed aberrant vocal parameters for all the participants, corroborating informal vocal perception of dysphonia by the diagnostic team with the MDVP results. After stimulation training, the participants’ voices were again measured on the MDVP as they used the stimulation technique. Decreased RAP, Shimmer, and NHR levels were observed for all participant, although NHRs were either minimal or within normal limits before stimulation. Perceptual improvements in vocal quality post-stimulation were also reported by the evaluators. Conclusion and implications: The MDVP can measure parameter change with regard to vocal improvement after the present stimulability training. Acoustic improvement corroborated perceptual improvement.
Management of chronic visceral ischemia.

Early surgical correction of intestinal ischemia either by local endarterectomy or bypass and accurate selection of patients results in long-term correction. If advanced occlusive disease is noted on the preoperative arteriogram of a patient selected for reconstructive surgery of an aortoiliofemoral, renal artery, or aortic aneurysm, it is advisable to concomitantly restore the mesenteric vascular circulation.
Moving Up and Moving On: Mobility and the American Success Myth

At the heart of the American dream and at the center of classic success myth stories lies the promise of mobility and self-making. Americans, these stories tell us, are endowed with the inalienable right to create an adult self out of whole cloth, rather than simply making do with the identity in which we find ourselves clad. We are active subjects rather than compliant objects of our personal destinies. Accidents of birth, rather than being implacable impediments to advancement, are merely challenges to be overcome through hard work. From log cabin to White House, from scruffy music club to arena rock superstardom, from the mailroom to the executive suite, the biographical and fictional heroes of success myth tales accomplish their rise through their single-minded application of the work ethic and their adherence to the individualist credo of competitive advantage. And if they can do it, these stories tell us, anyone and everyone can too if they want to badly enough.
Effects of Amylose-To-Amylopectin Ratios on Binding Capacity of DDGS/Soy-Based Aquafeed Blends

Demands for seafood products are steadily increasing. Alternative protein sources are required to compensate for enormous amounts of fishmeal that is needed for global seafood production. Starch is a food polymer that can be added to fish feed formulations to enhance binding and expanding capabilities of extrudates. Floatability, a key factor for most aqua feeds, can be optimized by the addition of certain starch sources. Six ingredient blends with a similar protein content (~32.5%) containing two starch sources, Hylon VII (containing 70% amylose, 30% amylopectin) or Waxy I (containing 0% amylose, 100% amylopectin), 20% distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS), and 15, 25, and 35% moisture content were used along with appropriate amounts of soybean meal, menhaden fishmeal, whey, vitamin and mineral mix to investigate nutritionally-balanced feeds for Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus L.). The blends were processed using a laboratory single-screw extruder with varying temperature settings (90-90-90°C, 100-120-120°C, and 100-120-140°C), screw speeds (100, 120, and 140 rpm), and length/diameter ratio (3.4, 6.6, 9.2) of the die. Extensive analyses of expansion ratio (ER), unit density (UD), sinking velocity (SV), and pellet durability indices (PDI), water absorption (WAI) and water solubility indices (WSI) were conducted to evaluate the effects of the two starch sources on extrudate binding and floating capacity. By varying process conditions, significant differences (P>0.05) among the blends were detected for all extrudate physical properties. Significantly higher values for ER, UD, and PDI were achieved by using the Waxy I starch source, while values for SV and WAI decreased. For WSI no significant differences were detected. Increasing the moisture content from 15-35% resulted in a significant increase in ER, WAI, and PDI and a significant decrease in UD. WSI showed no clear pattern in changes. The impact of different amylopectin to amylose ratio, temperature and moisture content on extrudate stability, cohesion and physical properties was demonstrated in this study. All formulations yielded viable extrudates while the blends with the amylopectin as the sole source of starch resulted in higher quality extrudates.
A Mobility Management Scheme to Reduce the Impact of Channel Heterogeneity in Cognitive Radio Femtocell Networks

Combining femtocell networks and cognitive radio (CR) technology is one of the most promising solutions to offload emerging traffic from cellular networks. Mobility management is an essential function to support traffic offloading in heterogeneous networks. In traditional femtocell networks, numerous solutions have been proposed to support mobility. However, in CR femtocell networks, the mobility management issue remains unexplored. More importantly, due to the channel heterogeneity in CR femtocell networks, some unique challenges of channel under-utilization and interference are introduced. Although channel heterogeneity is considered for spectrum handoff and spectrum sharing in pure CR networks, the impact of channel heterogeneity on mobility management is never addressed in CR femtocell networks. In this paper, we propose a mobility management scheme for both macro-to-femto and femto-to-macro handoffs while taking channel heterogeneity into account. Additionally, we propose an adaptive HO-threshold selection scheme combined with our proposed mobility management scheme by taking the interference from PUs and neighboring femtocells into account. An analytical model is proposed to calculate the interference. Simulation results show significant performance improvement of the proposed mobility management scheme. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that considers mobility management and channel heterogeneity jointly in CR femtocell networks.
Single-shot beam size measurements using visible-light interferometry at CESR

Abstract A new primary mirror for a visible-light beam size monitor (vBSM) was designed and installed in the Cornell Electron-Positron Storage Ring (CESR). The vertical angular acceptance of the mirror was doubled to allow double-slit interferometry with large slit separation (>12 mm). In addition, the diffraction associated with the first generation mirror has been eliminated. The resolution of the vertical beam size measurements has been dramatically improved but is ultimately limited by the beam motion. Two fast-response detectors, a Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) array and a gated camera, were employed to study the beam motion. The advantages and limitations of both devices are discussed in this paper. The gated camera was also used to measure single-shot beam width and motion of each bunch in a multi-bunch train. We measured significantly more horizontal motion of electron as compared to positron bunch trains in otherwise identical machine condition. This difference may be a signature for the difference between electron cloud build-up for positron bunch trains versus ions effects characteristic of electron bunch trains.
Current-Mode Hysteretic Buck Converter With Spur-Free Control for Variable Switching Noise Mitigation

This paper proposes a current-mode hysteretic buck converter with a spur-free constant-cycle frequency-hopping controller that fully eliminates spurs from the switching noise spectrum irrespective of variations in the switching frequency and operating conditions. As a result, the need for frequency regulation loops to ensure nonvarying switching frequency (i.e., fixed spurs location) in hysteretic controllers is eliminated. Moreover, compared to frequency regulation loops, the proposed converter offers the advantage of eliminating mixing and interference altogether due to its spur-free operation, and thus, it can be used to power, or to be integrated within noise-sensitive systems while benefiting from the superior dynamic performance of its hysteretic operation. The proposed converter uses dual-sided hysteretic band modulation to eliminate the inductor current imbalance that results from frequency hopping along with the output voltage transients and low-frequency noise floor peaking associated with it. Moreover, a feedforward adaptive hysteretic band controller is proposed to reduce variations in the switching frequency with the input voltage, and an all-digital soft-startup circuit is proposed to control the in-rush current without requiring any off-chip components. The converter is implemented in a 0.35- μ m standard CMOS technology and it achieves 92% peak efficiency.
A Comparison of the Financial Characteristics of U.S. and European Manufacturing Firms

Comparing the financial characteristics of firms in different countries and regions has been a popular research topic in finance. In this paper, we compare the financial characteristics of U.S. and European manufacturing firms with the MANOVA (Multivariate Analysis of Variance) method and financial ratios. Our findings indicate that the overall financial characteristics of U.S. and European manufacturing firms are significantly different. We find that U.S. manufacturing firms are more profitable and they have less liquidity and bankruptcy risks compared with European manufacturing firms. European manufacturing firms are more efficient in managing their fixed assets. However, U.S. manufacturing firms are more efficient in managing their accounts receivable and total assets. U.S. manufacturing firms are able to achieve significantly higher sales and total assets growth rates compared with European manufacturing firms.
Sex Differences in Health Care Utilization, End-Stage Renal Disease, and Mortality Among Medicaid Beneficiaries With Incident Lupus Nephritis.

OBJECTIVE While systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis (LN) disproportionately affect females, previous studies suggest that males may experience poorer outcomes. We undertook this study to investigate sex differences in health care utilization, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and mortality among patients with LN receiving Medicaid, public insurance for low-income individuals. METHODS Within the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) from 29 states (from 2000 to 2010), we used billing claims to identify individuals ages 5-65 years with incident LN (positive predictive value 80%). MAX data were linked to the US Renal Data System to determine ESRD and to Social Security Death Index files to determine death. We estimated adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) by sex for health care utilization using Poisson regression, and we used multivariable proportional hazards models to compare risks of ESRD and death by sex. RESULTS Of 2,750 patients with incident LN, 283 (10%) were male. The mean ± SD follow-up period for both sexes was 3.1 ± 2.3 years. The mean ± SD age was 29.6 ± 13.9 years among females and 24.7 ± 14.1 years among males (P < 0.01). Males had fewer outpatient visits (IRR 0.88 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.80-0.97]) and fewer emergency department visits (IRR 0.75 [95% CI 0.63-0.90]). The 5-year cumulative incidence of ESRD was 22.3% in males and 21.2% in females. The 5-year cumulative incidence of death was 9.4% in males and 9.8% in females. Comparing males to females, there were no sex differences in ESRD (subdistribution hazard ratio [HR] 1.05 [95% CI 0.76-1.45]) or death (HR 0.81 [95% CI 0.47-1.35]). CONCLUSION In this cohort of patients with incident LN, ESRD and mortality were extremely high overall but were not increased among males compared to females. In this vulnerable population, biologic and health care utilization differences by sex may not significantly affect outcomes.
Optical nanostructures design, fabrication, and applications for solar/thermal energy conversion

Abstract Optical nanostructures can control the optical absorption and emission properties of surfaces and are therefore being investigated for solar thermophotovoltaics, thermophotovoltaics, solar thermal, infrared sensing, infrared sources, incandescent light sources, and thermal imaging applications, among many others. This review article describes various modeling methods available for design of optical nanostructures to control light absorption and emission properties of surfaces, as well as various methods available for the fabrication of large area nanostructured surfaces. Throughout the review, we provide examples of state of the art energy generation devices using such optical nanostructures. A discussion of outstanding obstacles for the achievement of high efficiency solar thermophotovoltaics systems is provided along with examples of systems showing exceptional promise.
ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS FOR THE PROGRESSION OF CORONARY ARTERY CALCIFICATION IN ASYMPTOMATIC SUBJECTS: RESULTS FROM THE KOREA INITIATIVES ON CORONARY ARTERY CALCIFICATION (KOICA) REGISTRY

The association of cardiovascular risk factors (RFs) with coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression has not been well established, especially in non-Western populations. From a 6-center, single ethnicity observational registry, a total 10,033 asymptomatic Korean adults (mean age: 51±9 years, 85%
Age-Associated Differences in Infection of Human Skin in the SCID Mouse Model of Varicella-Zoster Virus Pathogenesis

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the skin-tropic human alphaherpesvirus responsible for both varicella-zoster and herpes zoster. Varicella-zoster and herpes zoster skin lesions have similar morphologies, but herpes zoster occurs disproportionally in older individuals and is often associated with a more extensive local rash and severe zoster-related neuralgia. We hypothesized that skin aging could also influence the outcome of the anterograde axonal transport of VZV to skin. We utilized human skin xenografts maintained in immunodeficient (SCID) mice to study VZV-induced skin pathology in vivo in fetal and adult skin xenografts. Here we found that VZV replication is enhanced in skin from older compared to younger adults, correlating with clinical observations. In addition to measures of VZV infection, we examined the expression of type I interferon (IFN) pathway components in adult skin and investigated elements of the cutaneous proliferative and inflammatory response to VZV infection in vivo Our results demonstrated that VZV infection of adult skin triggers intrinsic IFN-mediated responses such as we have described in VZV-infected fetal skin xenografts, including MxA as well as promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), in skin cells surrounding lesions. Further, we observed that VZV elicited altered cell signaling and proliferative and inflammatory responses that are involved in wound healing, driven by follicular stem cells. These cellular changes are consistent with VZV-induced activation of STAT3 and suggest that VZV exploits the wound healing process to ensure efficient delivery of the virus to keratinocytes. Adult skin xenografts offer an approach to further investigate VZV-induced skin pathologies in vivoIMPORTANCE Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the agent responsible for both varicella-zoster and herpes zoster. Herpes zoster occurs disproportionally in older individuals and is often associated with a more extensive local rash and severe zoster-related neuralgia. To examine the effect of skin aging on VZV skin lesions, we utilized fetal and adult human skin xenografts maintained in immunodeficient (SCID) mice. We measured VZV-induced skin pathology, examined the expression of type I interferon (IFN) pathway components in adult skin, and investigated elements of the cutaneous proliferative and inflammatory response to VZV infection in vivo Our results demonstrate that characteristics of aging skin are preserved in xenografts; that VZV replication is enhanced in skin from older compared to younger adults, correlating with clinical observations; and that VZV infection elicits altered cell signaling and inflammatory responses. Adult skin xenografts offer an approach to further investigate VZV-induced skin pathologies in vivo.
The Culture of Classroom Science: Discourse, Dialog, and Language Practices

In this chapter, science is examined as a set of cultural practices using a discourse approach, wherein a culture is described through studying the various ways its members communicate within the group and to outgroup individuals. The methods by which the scientific community disseminates information within the community, comes to conclusions, and publicizes these conclusions will be examined, and contrasted to those methods by which these processes are performed by other communities and American society at large. The importance of dialog as a linguistic and cultural tool of the scientific community will be explored, with detail as to what dialog is, the particular constraints of dialog in the culture of science, and the ways in which these differ from common practice outside the culture of science. Finally, the ways in which the language practices of the science classroom differ from those of practicing scientists and the larger scientific culture will be examined.
Increasing Delivery of Preventive Services to Adolescents and Young Adults: Does the Preventive Visit Help?

Abstract Purpose Despite decades of emphasizing the delivery of adolescent preventive care visits and evidence that many preventive services reduce risk, little evidence links preventive visits to increased preventive service delivery. This study examined whether a preventive healthcare visit versus any nonpreventive healthcare visit was associated with higher rates of adolescent and young adult preventive services. Methods Analyzed Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2013–2015) to determine whether those with a preventive versus nonpreventive healthcare visit had higher rates of past-year preventive services receipt; adolescents (N = 8,474, ages 10–17) and young adults (N = 5,732, ages 18–25). Bivariable and multivariable analyses adjusting for personal/sociodemographic covariates tested for differences in preventive services rates between preventive versus nonpreventive care groups. Adolescent services were blood pressure, height and weight measured, and all three measured; and guidance given regarding healthy eating, physical activity, seatbelts and helmets, secondhand smoke, dental care, all six topics received, and time alone with provider. Young adult services were blood pressure and cholesterol checked, received influenza immunization, and all three services received. Results All preventive services rates were significantly higher in those attending preventive visits versus those with nonpreventive visits. Adolescent services increase ranged from 7% to 19% and young adults increase from 9% to 14% (all bivariable and multivariable analyses, p Conclusions Higher rates of preventive services associated with preventive visits support its clinical care value. However, low preventive services rates overall highlight necessary increased efforts to promote preventive care and improve the provider delivery of prevention for both age groups.
Do Changes in Women’s Rights Change Women’s Moral Judgments?

The century marked by the Radcliffe centennial is spanned roughly by the publication of two novels, both written by women and posing the same moral dilemma: a heroine in love with her cousin Lucy’s man. In their parallel triangles, these novels provide a historical frame in which to consider current research on women’s moral judgments and offer a way of addressing the centennial question as to what has changed and what has stayed the same.
Have compatibilists solved the luck problem for libertarians

A pair of compatibilists, John Fischer (2012: ch. 6; n.d.) and Manuel Vargas (2012) have responded to a problem about luck that Alfred Mele (2005, 2006) posed for incompatibilist believers in free will and moral responsibility. They offer assistance to libertarians – at least on this front. In this paper, we assess their responses and explain why what they offer is inadequate for libertarian purposes.
Measuring Fairness, Inequality, and Big Data: Social Choice Since Arrow

Kenneth J. Arrow was one of the most important intellectuals of the twentieth century, and his “impossibility theorem” is arguably the starting point of modern, axiomatic social choice theory. In t...
Determining Presence of Rare Amphibian Species: Testing and Combining Novel Survey Methods

Data deficiencies exist for ∼20–25% of amphibian and reptile species worldwide, typically excluding them from conservation consideration and funding opportunities. Current species status is often unknown at historic locations or previously unsurveyed areas. We present an iterative study to assess and optimize novel survey methods for a declining amphibian species (Boreal Toad, Anaxyrus boreas boreas) using a combination of methods. We found that if toads are present in a drainage, searching riparian areas multiple times during the active season is an efficient way of detecting the occurrence of previously unknown breeding populations. Once a breeding population has been located, traditional visual encounter surveys yield high probabilities of species detection for monitoring efforts (vis ≈ 0.80). Supplementing streamside surveys when toads are not detected with other survey methods (e.g., environmental DNA [eDNA] samples) at suitable breeding locations can help confirm the species is absent, provided ≥10 eDNA samples are collected. Moreover, employing both visual surveys and eDNA samples can simultaneously yield distributional information on amphibian species and target pathogens, if pathogen presence is evaluated for all captured amphibian species and environmental samples are tested for both amphibian and pathogen DNA. Our iterative process of designing, testing, optimizing, and combining sampling methods to determine current species distribution should serve as a model for other rare amphibian and reptile species and provide managers better information with which to plan mitigation and conservation efforts.
Gains from domestic versus international trade: Evidence from the US

Using varieties of a rich model that considers sectoral heterogeneity and input-output linkages, this paper shows that the overall welfare gains of a region within a country can be decomposed into ...
NUMERICAL MODELS | Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Models: Physical Processes

This article describes the concepts and parameterization methodologies of the major sources and sinks of heat, momentum, and constitutes in the coupled ocean–atmosphere models, along with their limitations and uncertainties. The article also gives examples of the current performances of these models and discusses their major common biases.
Transform Techniques in Chemistry: Past, Present, and Future

Although the use of transform techniques in analytical chemistry and applied spectroscopy has only become widespread in the past five years, the history of this subject can be traced back to the middle of the nineteenth century when the effect of the interference of light was first used to derive spectroscopic information. In 1862, Fizeau(1) used Newton’s rings to show that the yellow sodium radiation was a doublet whose separation was 1/980 of their average wavelength. At the end of the century Michelson designed the interferometer, which now bears his name.(2,3) The initial uses of this instrument for spectroscopic purposes concerned the determination of spectral profiles through the use of the visibility technique,(4) which is essentially a study of the envelope of what we now call the interferogram. Rayleigh(5) pointed out that a unique spectral distribution cannot be found from the visibility curve itself, and the Fourier transform of the interferogram is needed to calculate the spectrum unequivocally.
Enteric bacteria induce IFNγ and Granzyme B from human colonic Group 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells.

Group 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells (which include Natural Killer cells and ILC1s) aid in gut anti-bacterial defense through the production of IFNγ, which is critical for mobilizing protective responses ...
Not swinging together: Partisan defection in the age of political polarization

Traditional studies of swing voters in American politics typically focus on general attributes of a monolithic group. More recent analyses of “partisan defection,” address the partisan direction of...