cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Double-C loop platform in combination with hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens materials

Purpose To analyze the behavior of a new double-C-loop quadripod symmetrical intraocular lens (IOL) platform combined with a hydrophilic lens material and a new hydrophobic glistening-free acrylic lens material, Ankoris and Podeye, respectively, in silico (computer simulation), in vitro (laboratory investigation), and in vivo (rabbit model). Setting John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, and Physiol S.A., Liege, Belgium. Design Experimental study. Methods An in silico simulation investigation was performed using finite elements software, an in vitro investigation according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO11979-3:2012), and an in vivo implantation in a rabbit model with 4 weeks of follow-up. Postmortem data were collected by Miyake-Apple gross examination and histopathologic analyses. Biocompatibility and IOL centration were tested. Results Both IOLs demonstrated statistically insignificant variations in posterior and anterior capsule opacification and Soemmerring ring formation. They were well biotolerated with no signs of toxicity, inflammation, or neovascularization. Axial and centration stability were noted in vitro and in vivo as a result of significant contact between surrounding tissues and haptics and the posterior portion of the optic. Conclusion The results suggest suitability of the double-C loop IOL platform for the manufacturing of premium (ie, multifocal, toric, and multifocal toric) IOLs. Financial Disclosure Drs. Bozukova, Gobin, and Pagnoulle are employees of Physiol S.A., Liege, Belgium. Dr. Pagnoulle has a proprietary interest in the tested intraocular lenses. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Did the Spirit Withdraw from Israel? An Evaluation of the Earliest Jewish Data

The view that the Holy Spirit as the source of prophecy was believed by Jews during the tannaitic period to have withdrawn from Israel, to return only in the eschatological future, is built upon a pastiche of texts: Ps 74.9; 1 Macc 4.46, 9.27 and 14.41; Josephus's Ap. 1.37—41; 2 Apoc. Bar. 85.3; Pr Azar 15; and t. Soṭa 13.2—4. On the basis of such texts, E. Sjoberg referred to ‘a widespread theological conviction’ about the withdrawal of the Holy Spirit and J. Vos to ‘die verbreitete Tradition’. C. K. Barrett quoted G. F. Moore approvingly: ‘The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of prophecy … The Holy Spirit is so specifically prophetic inspiration that when Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, the last prophets, died, the Holy Spirit departed from Israel.’ W. D. Davies suggested cautiously, after a thorough analysis of the data, ‘… we may now assume that Paul was reared within a Judaism which, to use very moderate language, tended to relegate the activity of the Holy Spirit to the past’. G. W. H. Lampe generalized, ‘In the main, the Spirit continues to be thought of as being, pre-eminently, the Spirit of prophecy, manifested in the distant past in such great figures as Elijah (Ecclus. 48.12) or Isaiah (vs. 24), but which was now no longer present in Israel.’ J. Jeremias subtitled section nine of his New Testament Theology ‘The Return of the Quenched Spirit’, and
5-Fluorouracil and folinic acid: summary of clinical experience.

In summarizing the clinical experience with 5-fluorouracil (FU) and folinic acid (FA) I shall approach it in the context of some critical questions which may be used to determine where we currently stand and where information still needs to be sought with respect to the clinical activity of this modulation. These questions are listed in Table 1.
A Historical Note On The Proof Of The Area Of A Circle

Proofs that the area of a circle is ?r 2 can be found in mathematical literature dating as far back as the time of the Greeks. The early proofs, e.g. Archimedes, involved dividing the circle into wedges and then fitting the wedges together in a way to approximate a rectangle. Later more sophisticated proofs relied on arguments involving infinite sequences and calculus. Generally speaking, both of these approaches are difficult to explain to unsophisticated non-mathematics majors. This paper presents a less known but interesting and intuitive proof that was introduced in the twelfth century. It discusses challenges that were made to the proof and offers simple rebuttals to those challenges.
Variability in anterior pituitary size within members of a family with GH deficiency due to a new splice mutation in the GHRH receptor gene

Objective Mutations in the GHRH receptor (GHRHR) gene (GHRHR) cause autosomal recessive isolated GH deficiency (IGHD), and are usually associated with anterior pituitary hypoplasia (APH) (defined as pituitary height more than 2 SDS below normal). We searched for GHRHR mutations and studied pituitary morphology in three prepubertal sibs with severe IGHD, who were born from consanguineous parents. Design We sequenced the 13 exons and the intron-exon boundaries of the GHRHR of the index patient. After identifying a novel mutation, we sequenced the same area in the other family members. In addition, we performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the pituitary (at age 8, 4 and 3 years) in the three affected subjects. Results The three children were homozygous for a new GHRHR mutation that alters the second base of the invariant 5' splice site (GT) of intron 12 [IVS12 + 2T-->A]. The parents and an unaffected sibling were heterozygous for the same change. MRI did not show frank APH (by height criteria) in any of the subjects: pituitary height was normal (5.6 mm, +1.8 SDS) in the oldest sibling, and it was low but not below 2 SDS by age-adjusted criteria in the second (3 mm, -1.4 SDS), and third sibling (2.8 mm, -1.7 SDS). Calculated pituitary volume was below -2 SDS in the youngest patient. Conclusions These data demonstrate that pituitary height may fall within 2 SDS from the norm in patients with severe IGHD due to a homozygous GHRHR mutation, and that pituitary size may vary within patients with identical mutations who belong to the same family.
LIF detection of methoxy in CH4/O2/NO2N2 flames

Abstract CH3O is detected by laser-induced flourescence in premixed methane/oxygen flames containing 10%–40% NO2. Spectral features between 290–300 nm can be assigned to the AX 330 and 343 bands in excellent agreement with spectral simulations and previous experiments. Individual rotational lines are only partially resolved in the flame; spectra at reduced temperatures are needed to assign spectral features and facilitate temperature corrections to LIF profiles. No methoxy signal is observed without NO2 present; the reaction of CH3 with NO2 is though to produce CH3O in the CH4/NO2 system. Detection strategies and possible interferences in combustion environments are discussed.
An activity-dependent brain microstimulation SoC with integrated 23nV/rtHz neural recording front-end and 750nW spike discrimination processor

This paper describes an activity-dependent intracortical microstimulation system-on-chip (SoC) that can convert extracellular neural signals recorded from one brain region to electrical stimuli delivered to another brain region in real-time. The system integrates an analog recording front-end with input noise voltage of 2.6µV rms in 10.5kHz bandwidth, 5.5µW 10b SAR ADC, 750nW digital spike discrimination processor, and a charge-balanced constant-current stimulating back-end that can deliver up to 94.5µA with 6b resolution when triggered by neural activity. Electrical performance characterization and biological measurement results from a prototype chip fabricated in 0.35µm 2P/4M CMOS are presented.
Effect of monoamino oxidase inhibitors on audiogenic seizures.

This study attempts to demonstrate that monoamino oxidase inhibitors possess anticonvulsant activity as evaluated by their effects on audiogenic seizures in mice.
Efficient MPI Bcast across different process arrival patterns

A message passing interface (MPI) collective operation such as broadcast involves multiple processes. The process arrival pattern denotes the timing when each process arrives at a collective operation. It can have a profound impact on the performance since it decides the time when each process can start participating in the operation. In this paper, we investigate the broadcast operation with different process arrival patterns. We analyze commonly used broadcast algorithms and show that they cannot guarantee high performance for different process arrival patterns. We develop two process arrival pattern aware algorithms for broadcasting large messages. The performance of proposed algorithms is theoretically within a constant factor of the optimal for any given process arrival pattern. Our experimental evaluation confirms the analytical results: existing broadcast algorithms cannot achieve high performance for many process arrival patterns while the proposed algorithms are robust and efficient across different process arrival patterns.
Intraocular lens power calculation after myopic and hyperopic laser vision correction using optical coherence tomography.

Abstract Purpose To use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure corneal power and calculate intraocular lens (IOL) power in cataract surgeries after myopic and hyperopic laser vision correction (LVC). Methods Patients with previous LVC were enrolled in this prospective study at two centers (Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA and Cullen Eye Institute, Houston, TX, USA). Corneal power was measured with a Fourier-domain OCT system. The intravisit repeatability of OCT corneal power measurement was evaluated by the pooled standard deviation of repeat scans. Axial length, anterior chamber depth, and automated keratometry were measured with the IOLMaster. An OCT-based IOL formula was developed. The mean absolute error (MAE) of refractive prediction for OCT-based IOL formula was calculated. The results were compared with the MAE for Haigis-L formula. Results A total of 31 eyes of 24 subjects who had uncomplicated cataract surgery with monofocal IOL implantation were enrolled in the two sites. Twenty-two eyes of 16 subjects had previous myopic LVC that ranged from −12.46D to −0.88D. Nine eyes of 8 subjects had previous hyperopic LVC that ranged from 0.66D to 5.52D. The intravisit repeatability of OCT corneal power measurement was 0.24D. For the myopic LVC group, the OCT formula had a MAE of 0.57D compared to an MAE of 0.73D for the Haigis-L formula ( p =0.19). For the hyperopic LVC group, the MAE for OCT and Haigis-L formula was 0.26D and 0.54D, respectively ( p >0.05). Conclusions Corneal power can be precisely measured with OCT. The predictive accuracy of OCT-based IOL power calculation is equal to current standards for post-LVC eyes.
The Church and the Tax Law: Keeping Church and State Separate

ABSTRACT: In a democracy characterized by the separation of church and state, what role does the federal government play in regulating the activities and the financial transactions of churches and other religious nonprofit organizations? What are the current federal requirements regarding tax exemption for churches, tax deductibility of donations to churches, and political activity by churches, and are these requirements justified? Rather than interfering with the free exercise of religion, does the federal government actually come closer to violating the establishment clause of the First Amendment by providing inappropriate tax benefits to churches and clergy? This paper discusses tax laws and federal court decisions relating to these and other issues.
Application research of finite automaton in distance education

The internet-based distance education is one of the important ways to establish Lifelong Learning System; the design of network course is an important research topic of it. Based on analyzing present situation and existing problems of network course in China, this paper introduces the finite automata theory, and in order to guarantee the security of information, puts forward a method of using the finite automaton to monitor and filter the text information inputted by using the synchronous or asynchronous communication tools provide by network course. The results show that our method is effective.
Synthesis of silica supported AuCu nanoparticle catalysts and the effects of pretreatment conditions for the CO oxidation reaction

Supported gold nanoparticles have generated an immense interest in the field of catalysis due to their extremely high reactivity and selectivity. Recently, alloy nanoparticles of gold have received a lot of attention due to their enhanced catalytic properties. Here we report the synthesis of silica supported AuCu nanoparticles through the conversion of supported Au nanoparticles in a solution of Cu(C2H3O2)2 at 300 °C. The AuCu alloy structure was confirmed through powder XRD (which indicated a weakly ordered alloy phase), XANES, and EXAFS. It was also shown that heating the AuCu/SiO2 in an O2 atmosphere segregated the catalyst into a Au–CuOx heterostructure between 150 °C to 240 °C. Heating the catalyst in H2 at 300 °C reduced the CuOx back to Cu0 to reform the AuCu alloy phase. It was found that the AuCu/SiO2 catalysts were inactive for CO oxidation. However, various pretreatment conditions were required to form a highly active and stable Au–CuOx/SiO2 catalyst to achieve 100% CO conversion below room-temperature. This is explained by the in situFTIR result, which shows that CO molecules can be chemisorbed and activated only on the Au–CuOx/SiO2 catalyst but not on the AuCu/SiO2 catalyst.
The 1991 George edelstyn memorial lecture: Needles, wires and chips — Advances in brachytherapy

Abstract The majority of quantitative data on the effects of dose-rate come from experiments with cultured cells in vitro. These data are reviewed, and it is concluded that results obtained from the in vitro experience may be carried over, in a quantitative manner, to guide clinical ratiotherapeutic design. As an example, there are contradictory guidelines suggested to compensate for changes in dose-rate in interstitial wire-implant brachytherapy. The Paris group has suggested no dose correction is required for implant times from 3 to 8 days, whilst the Paterson/Ellis school suggests a significant correction. It is shown that, based on known radiobiological principles, this controversy can be resolved. These same radiobiological notions, as well as advances in computer technology, have led to the technique of pulsed brachytherapy, which allows the average dose-rate to be maintained at a constant rate, even when the wire activities have decayed.
Microstructural aspects of failure in semicrystalline polymers

Caracteristiques de la microstructure des polymeres semi-cristallins. Role des differents parametres (proprietes des chaines et histoire thermique). Relations empiriques sur les relations entre la microstructure et la rupture. Generalisations de ces relations. Cartes de la rupture (144 references)
Space to think: large high-resolution displays for sensemaking

Space supports human cognitive abilities in a myriad of ways. The note attached to the side of the monitor, the papers spread out on the desk, diagrams scrawled on a whiteboard, and even the keys left out on the counter are all examples of using space to recall, reveal relationships, and think. Technological advances have made it possible to construct large display environments in which space has real meaning. This paper examines how increased space affects the way displays are regarded and used within the context of the cognitively demanding task of sensemaking. A pair of studies were conducted demonstrating how the spatial environment supports sensemaking by becoming part of the distributed cognitive process, providing both external memory and a semantic layer.
"Antihomorganicity" in Apinayé and Hayu: Evidence for Closure Duration as a Phonotactic Variable

UC Berkeley Phonology Lab Annual Report (2008) “Antihomorganicity” in Apinaye and Hayu: Evidence for closure duration as a phonotactic variable Ian Coffman Undergraduate Honors Thesis University of California, Berkeley April 2008 Committee: Larry Hyman (advisor) Keith Johnson (2 nd reader)
RECENT EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS ON THE BEAM-BEAM EFFECTS IN STORAGE RINGS AND AN ATTEMPT OF THEIR INTERPRETATION*

The latest available experimental results on the luminosity, the space charge parameters, and the beam blowup as functions of particle energy and beam current are reviewed. The comparison with the phenomenological diffusion theory are done and useful scaling law are derived.
First Report of Beet pseudo yellows virus in Strawberry in the United States: A Second Crinivirus Able to Cause Pallidosis Disease

During efforts to characterize strawberry pallidosis disease, we identified a single strawberry plant that indexed positive for pallidosis disease by grafting but it was not infected with the Strawberry pallidosis associated virus (SPaV) based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (1). Leaves of this plant were grafted onto Fragaria vesca UC-4 and UC-5 and F. virginiana UC-10 and UC-11 indicator plants. The F. vesca plants remained asymptomatic, while the F. virginiana plants gave typical pallidosis symptoms that included marginal leaf chlorosis and epinasty. The combination of these symptoms on F. virginiana and lack of symptoms on F. vesca is used to define pallidosis disease (1). We extracted dsRNA from the original plant, and synthesized and cloned cDNA as previously described (2). Sequence analysis revealed several clones that corresponded to the published sequence of the Beet pseudo yellows virus (BPYV) heat shock protein 70 homolog gene (HSP70h). We transferred the isolate to Nicotiana...
A Mixed Finite Element Formulation for Contact Analysis with Friction

Many engineering problems of practical interest involve contact between two solids whereby friction plays an important role in modeling the interfacial behavior. Friction not only affects the deformation state of the contacting solids, but also is closely related to the wearing phenomenon of the material in question. In this paper, a consistent approach based on a mixed finite element formulation is presented. The formulation is derived from a Hellinger-Reissner variational principle, in which both displacement and traction fields in the contact region are simultaneously assumed. To model the interfacial friction phenomenon, a regularized Coulomb law is assumed. The constitutive relations for the interface behavior consists of a slip surface and a flow rule, anologous to the elastic-perfectly plastic theory. One example is given to demonstrate the proposed methodology.
Farmers' production of timber trees in the cacao-coffee region of coastal Ecuador

The coastal region of Ecuador is an important producer of cacao and coffee. Increasingly, farms and ranches in the region also provide industrial wood for sawmills and other wood processing plants. Most of this wood derives from shade trees and pasture trees. Because little is known of wood supply from farm sources in coastal Ecuador, a survey was conducted of 122 farmers in the subregions of Ventanas, La Troncal, and Babahoyo. The survey indicates an abundance of land for the growing of farm trees, and excellent regeneration of many species on the majority of farms. However, current stocking of farm trees seems well below potential, and fewer than half of interviewed owners deliberately manage farm trees for eventual sale as timber. Only 2.2 percent of gross farm revenue derives from tree sales, even though over half of surveyed farmers have sold trees to industrial buyers at least once. Constraints on production and sales of farm trees for timber include risks of damage to coffee and cacao; perceived incompatibilities with current farming practices; inadequate methods of classification and pricing of farm trees; and insufficient knowledge of the industrial uses of farm trees by agricultural extensionists. These limitations need to be addressed through a strategy of research, development, and information diffusion on selected demonstration farms.
Control of coherent information via traveling-wave photon-phonon interactions

Through a new class hybrid photonic-phononic waveguide structures we show that artificial Brillouin nonlinearities can be created and manipulated in silicon. Exploiting the nonlocal nature of such hybrid interactions, we demonstrate sophisticated phonon emit-receive functionalities.
RELIABILITY-BASED ROBUST DESIGN

The fact that inherent uncertainties or variabilities exist in loads, materials and manufacturing quality has long been recognized in design practice. The traditional deterministic design uses safety factors to offset the influence of these uncertainties. More recently, robust design and reliability-based design philosophies have drawn widespread interest in the design community due to their promising potential in dealing with variability in the life cycle of a product. Robust design attempts to make design insensitive to input variations, and reliability-based design utilizes reliability theory to deal with uncertainties. These two design philosophies are briefly reviewed in the paper and a new design philosophy called reliabilitybased robust design is introduced, which combines the theoretical soundness of reliability theory and the conceptual simplicity of robust design. It applies to cases where input uncertainties cannot be well defined due to lack of data. Two examples, a cantilever beam and a two column truss, are used to demonstrate the concepts and formulations of this new design methodology. Several important conclusions are obtained in this study.
An In-Line Reusable Launch Vehicle Concept Using Confined Load-Bearing Frozen Propellants

This paper addresses the problem of the high cost of space vehicles evidenced by actual program lifetime-averaged costs of ~$1.5B per flight (Space Shuttle). Launch vehicles are complex and require high performance engineering design driven significantly by vehicle mass; a large fraction being propellant mass. The work described here investigates a novel concept towards more affordable launch vehicles and is primarily theoretical along with development of computational analyses. The concept involves the storage of propellant as a frozen monolithic mass, phase change to fluid during flight and fluid delivery to a rocket engine; i.e., solid-storage/fluid-delivery (SSFD). The approach is applicable to all propulsion systems (bipropellant, monopropellant, chemical, electric, nuclear, solar, beamed) and a variety of missions. We focus on a launch mission from Earth-surface to Earth-orbit and we focus on chemical bi-propellant propulsion in this paper. A reduction of operational cost is expected for such a vehicle concept from: increased functionality per unit mass, reduced complexity, and engine reusability. Frozen propellants can serve load-bearing/heat-sink roles prior to consumption. Innovative storage and delivery concepts reduce complexity and offer engine reusability. Improvements can be realized with existing rocket engine technology. Further improvements can be realized with development of a novel rocket engine. These will be discussed. We investigate feasibility and show results in terms of design: balance of heat rate necessary for melting with required propellant consumption for thrust and mechanical load-bearing capability with frozen propellant material yield strength and ultimate strength. We also investigate overall vehicle operation and show results in terms of propulsion performance, discuss costs, discuss technical challenges that remain and future research direction.
Next-Generation Sequencing in the Understanding of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) Biology

Non-Sanger-based novel nucleic acid sequencing techniques, referred to as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), provide a rapid, reliable, high-throughput, and massively parallel sequencing methodology that has improved our understanding of human cancers and cancer-related viruses. NGS has become a quintessential research tool for more effective characterization of complex viral and host genomes through its ever-expanding repertoire, which consists of whole-genome sequencing, whole-transcriptome sequencing, and whole-epigenome sequencing. These new NGS platforms provide a comprehensive and systematic genome-wide analysis of genomic sequences and a full transcriptional profile at a single nucleotide resolution. When combined, these techniques help unlock the function of novel genes and the related pathways that contribute to the overall viral pathogenesis. Ongoing research in the field of virology endeavors to identify the role of various underlying mechanisms that control the regulation of the herpesvirus biphasic lifecycle in order to discover potential therapeutic targets and treatment strategies. In this review, we have complied the most recent findings about the application of NGS in Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) biology, including identification of novel genomic features and whole-genome KSHV diversities, global gene regulatory network profiling for intricate transcriptome analyses, and surveying of epigenetic marks (DNA methylation, modified histones, and chromatin remodelers) during de novo, latent, and productive KSHV infections.
Kinases: positive and negative regulators of apoptosis

Cells sense and respond to extracellular factors via receptors on the cell surface that trigger intracellular signaling pathways. The signals received by the receptors on hematopoietic cells often determine if the cell proliferates, survives or undergoes apoptosis. Apoptosis can be induced by almost any cytotoxic stimuli. These stimuli may be an absence of signals arising from cellular receptors, stimulation of specific ligand receptors on the cell surface, chemotherapeutic agents, and ionizing radiation or oxygen radicals, as well as a number of other factors. Cellular kinases and phosphatases participate in signaling cascades that influence this process. We review the ability of the calmodulin-dependent-kinases, I-kappaB kinases, PI3-kinases, Jakkinases, PKC, PKA, and MAP kinase signaling pathways (Erk, Jnk, and p38), to influence the apoptotic process. In addition, we discuss the cross-talk that exists between signaling cascades that are pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic.
Effects of Biomass Inorganics on Rhodium Catalysts: II. Autothermal Reforming of Ethanol

Biomass contains inorganic elements, such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, Si, S, and P, which vary in concentration depending upon the source of biomass and can influence the chemistry in biomass-processing techniques. The effect of these inorganic constituents in biomass on Rh catalysts for catalytic gasification by ethanol autothermal reforming has been studied. The same concentration of each inorganic element (0.05% atoms of inorganic/mol of ethanol) was added through a precursor to ethanol, a model compound for biomass reforming, in which the precursors were soluble. Reactor performance during doping and regeneration was used to analyze effects of inorganics on the Rh catalyst and to test the ability for regeneration. Of these elements, K-, P-, and Mg-doped ethanol operated autothermally over the 6 h test period, whereas Si, S, Na, and Ca quenched the reaction. The ability of the catalyst to be regenerated after doping was investigated by switching to inorganic-free fuel. Regeneration was possible for each of the i...
If it Feels Like the Flu, it Must be Time to go to the Bank: Consumer Perceptions About Alternative Health Care Providers

Urgent care centers and hospital satellite clinics have emerged as competition for traditional providers of primary health care in recent years. Sears and other financially integrated consumer firms will pose an even greater challenge to traditional practitioners as economic forces in health care shift profitability from service delivery to financial integration. Exploratory analysis of consumer reactions to receiving primary health care from retail firms suggests potential market shares and marketing strengths.
Clinical analysis of severe viral encephslitis with central respiratory failure

Objective:To explore the incidence of hypoxemia,organ malfunction,multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and treatment of pediatric patients with severe viral encephslitis (SVE) which combined with central respiratory failure.Methods:In our hospital,52 cases of pediatric patients with SVE and central respiratory failure were collected in the PICU and department of neurology,and divided into two groups,treatment group (24 cases) and control group (28 cases).We recorded the correct time of reversing hypoxemia,organ malfunction,and the incidence and mortality rate of MODS.Results:The correct time of reversing hypoxemia,organ malfunction,the incidence and mortality rate of MODS of treatment group had lower incidence rate than those of the control group;the two group were significant difference on the mortality rate (P0.05).There was no significant difference in the malfunction of liver,kidney and cardiac muscle between of the two groups (P0.05).Conclusion:Mechanical ventilation in time is effective in treatment of severe viral encephslitis with central respiratory failure.It could reverse hypoxemia,and decrease the incidence rate or mortality rate of gastroenteric malfunction and MODS.
Implementation of a pharmacist career ladder program

Purpose The implementation and outcomes of a pharmacist career ladder program (PCLP) at a tertiary care, academic medical center are described. Summary A PCLP was developed at Yale-New Haven Hospital to guide career development, motivate staff to perform beyond their daily tasks and responsibilities, and recognize and retain high performers through professional advancement. The PCLP advancement criteria include specific requirements for excellence in five categories: level of training and experience, pharmacy practice, drug information, education and scholarship, and leadership. The PCLP is designed with four distinct tiers: clinical pharmacist, clinical pharmacist II, clinical pharmacy specialist, and clinical pharmacy specialist II. The specific criteria are increasingly challenging to achieve when moving up the ladder. Pharmacists may apply voluntarily each year for advancement. A PCLP review committee consisting of pharmacist peers and managers meets annually to discuss and vote on career advancement decisions. Since PCLP implementation, we have observed an increasing success rate for advancement (50% in 2013, 85% in 2014, and 100% in 2015) and a considerable increase in pharmacist participation in clinical and process improvement projects, as well as intervention and medication-use variance documentation. Conclusion The implementation of a PCLP at a tertiary care, academic medical center provided an opportunity for frontline pharmacists to advance professionally and increased their participation and leadership in clinical and process improvement projects and drug-use policy and medication safety initiatives; the program also increased the number of pharmacists with specialty board certification and peer-reviewed publications.
Current State of mp/me = μ Measurements Versus Cosmic Time

This article reviews the current state of measurement of μ = M P ∕ M e the ratio of the proton to electron mass in the early universe. Unlike the contribution in this volume by Webb et al. on the value of the fine structure constant α there is no current evidence for a different value of μ in the early universe at the one part in 105 level Astronomical observations provide a determination of this ratio in the early universe through observations of molecular absorption and emission lines in distant objects. Observations of molecular hydrogen in distant damped Lyman Alpha clouds provide a measurement of μ at a time when the universe was only 20% of its present age. The limit of Δμ ∕ μ ≤ 10 − 5 produces a significant observational constraint on quintessence theories for the evolution of the universe and Super Symmetric theories of elementary particles. It is expected that future work will improve this limit even further. It would be very difficult to reconcile a constant value of μ with a varying value of α.
Socio-economic status and computer use: Designing software that supports low-income users

Does socioeconomic status (SES) affect the way that end users use software? Previous work in inclusiveness, such as the recent work on gender-inclusiveness in software development, suggests that differences between populations can impact software use.
Caregiver Abuse of Chicago Chinese Older Adults in a Community-Dwelling Population.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of elder abuse reported by adult children among U.S Chinese populations. METHOD A community-based participatory research approach was implemented. A total of 548 Chinese adult children aged 21 years and over participated in this study. Elder abuse reported by adult children was assessed using Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE). RESULTS This study found a prevalence of 59.8%for elder abuse among 548 adult children. Younger age (r = -0.10, p < .05), higher level of education (r = 0.20, p < .001), higher income (r = 0.14, p < .01), more years in the U.S. (r = 0.12, p < .05), not born in Mainland China (r = -0.13, p < .01), and English-speaking (r = 0.16, p < .001) were positively correlated with elder abuse reported by adult children. DISCUSSION Elder abuse by adult children is prevalent among U.S. Chinese populations. It is necessary for researchers, health care providers and policy makers to put more attention on elder abuse by adult children. Longitudinal research is needed to explore the risk factors associated with elder abuse by adult children. Health care providers should improve detection of elder abuse and support at-risk caregivers. Policy makers may consider cultural sensitive approaches to address elder abuse.
Follow-up of Positive Fecal Test Results Sooner Is Better, but How Much Better?

A large body of research demonstrates that colorectal cancer screening is an effective method for reducing colorectal cancer mortality.1 Screening can detect cancer at an earlier stage, before it becomes symptomatic, and the detection and removal of adenomas can prevent cancer. Rates of colorectal cancer screening had increased until 2010, at which time approximately 60% of eligible US adults participated in colorectal cancer screening; however, screening has not increased since that time.2 Colonoscopy is the most commonly used colorectal cancer screening test, but it is an invasive procedure and can be both costly and inconvenient for patients. Many patients prefer less-invasive tests.3 Increased use of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) has the potential to expand the use of colorectal cancer screening to a broader range of patients. However, the effectiveness of FIT depends on several layers of adherence including the initial screening test, repeated annual screening among those with negative test results, and follow-up colonoscopy among patients with positive test results.
Mitral annuloplasty ring suture forces: Impact of surgeon, ring, and use conditions

Abstract Objective The study objective was to quantify the effect of ring type, ring-annulus sizing, suture position, and surgeon on the forces required to tie down and constrain a mitral annuloplasty ring to a beating heart. Methods Physio (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif) or Profile 3D (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) annuloplasty rings were instrumented with suture force transducers and implanted in ovine subjects (N = 23). Tie-down forces and cyclic contractile forces were recorded and analyzed at 10 suture positions and at 3 levels of increasing peak left ventricular pressure. Results Across all conditions, tie-down force was 2.7 ± 1.4 N and cyclic contractile force was 2.0 ± 1.2 N. Tie-down force was not meaningfully affected by any factor except surgeon. Significant differences in overall and individual tie-down forces were observed between the 2 primary implanting surgeons. No other factors were observed to significantly affect tie-down force. Contractile suture forces were significantly reduced by ring-annulus true sizing. This was driven almost exclusively by Physio cases and by reduction along the anterior aspect, where dehiscence is less common clinically. Contractile suture forces did not differ significantly between ring types. However, when undersizing, Profile 3D forces were significantly more uniform around the annular circumference. A suture's tie-down force did not correlate to its eventual contractile force. Conclusions Mitral annuloplasty suture loading is influenced by ring type, ring-annulus sizing, suture position, and surgeon, suggesting that reports of dehiscence may not be merely a series of isolated errors. When compared with forces known to cause suture dehiscence, these in vivo suture loading data aid in establishing potential targets for reducing the occurrence of ring dehiscence.
Disaggregating the Developing Welfare State: Provincial Social Policy Regimes in China

Summary Local variation in social welfare provision appears in myriad contexts around the world. And yet, our attempts at conceptualizing welfare regimes focus on the national level. In China, local authorities have shaped social policy implementation since economic reforms. In this paper, I answer three questions about subnational variation in social policy provision in China: (1) Have Chinese provinces diverged in their social policy provision?; (2) How do provincial social policy regimes differ from one another?; (3) What explains variation in provincial social policy spending? To answer the first question, I conduct a cluster analysis of provincial social policy spending data. I find that provinces systematically diverge in their social policy priorities. While some provinces invest in education to develop human capital and promote economic growth, others emphasize poverty alleviation. I propose a typology to conceptualize these tendencies. I then test for these divergent approaches using between-effects regression models of provincial social policy spending. Although provincial wealth and needs sometimes play a role in allocations for social policy, I find that economic development strategy and social instability are associated with distinct approaches to social welfare spending. These distinct provincial welfare regimes have implications for the adoption, implementation, and ultimately, effectiveness of social policy in China.
Stochastic Modeling of Contaminant Transport in Field-Scale Heterogeneous Soils

This study addresses the development of probability distributions of contaminant (solute) concentrations as contaminants migrate in field-scale soils under various pollution loadings at the soil surface (boundary conditions) and/or under initial pollution plumes existing in the soil medium prior to the beginning of surface loadings. Due to application of irrigation waters on agricultural lands with not much consideration for drainage, there is a consequent increase in toxic pollutant levels in the root zones of the soils and in the receiving groundwater aquifers. Quantification of risks due to solute concentrations can best be accomplished by the development of the probability distributions of solute concentrations as solute plumes evolve in time and space within field-scale soils.
Abstract 283: Predominance of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockade Over Angiotensin-(1-7) Mechanisms in the Regulation of Blood Pressure and Renin Angiotensin System in mRen.Lewis Rats

We investigated the angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] mediated effects of Ang II receptor (AT 1 -R) blocker -olmesartan medoxomil-on blood pressure, plasma, renal, and cardiac Ang II as well as activities of the enzymes involved in peptide formation or metabolism in mRen2.Lewis congenic hypertensive rats, a model of Ang II tissue-dependent hypertension. mRen2.Lewis rats were treated with either vehicle (n=14) or olmesartan (0.5 mg/kg/day; n=14) by osmotic minipumps. After 2 weeks rats from both groups were further randomized to receive either the mas receptor antagonist A-779 (0.5 mg/kg/day; n=7 per group) or its vehicle (n=7 per group) for the next 4 weeks. Antihypertensive effect of olmesartan monitored by telemetry (Figure) was associated with an increase in plasma renin concentration (PRC), plasma Ang II (513 ± 115 vs. 31 ± 5 fmol/mL; p . Concomitant administration of A-779 increased PRC but had no effect on blood pressure or other RAS components. Our study highlights the independent regulation of RAS among plasma, heart, and kidney tissue in response to AT 1 -R blockade. Ang-(1-7) through mas-receptor does not mediate long-term effects of olmesartan besides counterbalancing renal renin release in response to AT 1 -R blockade.
Optimization and Design Principles of a Minimal-Weight, Wearable Hydraulic Power Supply

University of Minnesota M.S.M.E. thesis.December 2017. Major: Mechanical Engineering. Advisor: William Durfee. 1 computer file (PDF) i, 54 pages.
Reducing subspaces of non-analytic Toeplitz operators on weighted Hardy and Dirichlet spaces of the bidisk

Abstract We characterize reducing subspaces of a class of non-analytic Toeplitz operators on Hilbert spaces of holomorphic functions on the bidisk including the Hardy space and the Dirichlet space of the bidisk. These results compliment a recent characterization of the reducing subspaces for this class of non-analytic Toeplitz operators on the Bergman space of the bidisk.
Light-induced evolution of microaggregates: transformation to vesicles, cyclic growth and collapse and vesicle fusion

A kind of microaggregates was synthesized in one pot via polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). By illuminating with visible light in the absence or presence of fluorescent molecules, these self-assembled dynamic microaggregates underwent intriguing evolution behaviors, including transformation to vesicles, cyclic growth and collapse and vesicle fusion. This work offers a new perspective of the facile and versatile PISA technology, and these self-organized micro-object materials with specific evolution behaviors provide a promising platform that can be used as tools to mimic the origin and evolution of protocells.
The Dynamics of International Trade Finance Regulation: The Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credit

The Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits (the Arrangement) is an informal, "gentlemen's agreement" among industrialized countries' export credit agencies (ECAs). ECAs are officially supported governmental institutions that provide financing in support of nationals' exports. The Arrangement sets specific, highly technical parameters on the type of financing packages that ECAs may offer to promote national exports, with the goal of eliminating competition among ECAs and thereby "leveling the playing field" for exporters. Although the Arrangement is a non-binding, international agreement, it nonetheless engenders unswerving compliance. This Article unfolds by empirically establishing sustained and pervasive compliance among industrialized ECAs. Having documented compliance, the Article then explores why the Arrangement breeds such compliance, focusing on three categories of compliance factors: state interests, international systemic linkages, and the Arrangement's architecture. While all factors are undoubtedly part of the compliance puzzle, the Arrangement itself - the nitty gritty of its substantive and procedural rules - emerges as the integral piece. The Arrangement is elastic (its soft form permits experimentation and easy revision), pragmatic (its processes redefine compliance in a way that accommodates ECA practice within the Arrangement's rubric), measured (it embraces consensus decision-making without diluting its rules with generalities and platitudes), and dialogic (the camaraderie of the Participants group and the Arrangement's unique processes assure that the Arrangement remains a vibrant and progressive discussion). In short, the Arrangement must be considered at a detailed and technical level to explain documented ECA compliance. By design, this Article is an empirical portrait of compliance that links compliance to the Arrangement's rules, form and history. Yet the example of the Arrangement also touches upon some of the most current, and heated, debates in international compliance theory. Thus, the Article also examines how the Arrangement fits into existing compliance theory, focusing on institutionalism and managerialism, and concludes that neither of these theories is sufficiently robust to explain the Arrangement's entire compliance story. Thus, this Article uses the Arrangement as a vehicle to raise some of the questions that must be asked and answered in contemplation of a newer, more inclusive theory of compliance.
How Large is Walmart? A Comparison of Walmart Sales to Nations’ GDP

Various pundits over the years have compared Walmart’s size to that of various nations. This paper ranks Walmart, comparing Walmart’s sales to the GDP of the world’s 50 largest nations.
Premature Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus in an Otherwise Healthy Fetus

Premature closure of the ductus arteriosus is a rare phenomenon. It is thought to be caused by one of three things: abnormal levels of produced and circulating prostaglandin, maternal ingestion of ...
80 GS/s 5.5 ENOB time-interleaved inverter-based CMOS track-and-hold

An inverter-based track-and-hold circuit that merges the functions of buffering and sampling is proposed, simultaneously improving linearity, bandwidth and power efficiency when compared to state-of-the-art designs. The circuit operation and its governing equations are presented, and simulation results of an 80 GS/s, 5.5 ENOB time-interleaved prototype consuming 25 mW from a 0.7 V supply demonstrate the advantages of the proposed topology using a predictive 7 nm FinFET CMOS technology.
Nigro-Thalamic Projection Controls Timing of Action Initiation

SUMMARY The nigro-thalamic pathway is one of the main outputs from the basal ganglia and provides a critical link in the brain circuitry involved in motor decision making and movement planning. However, the detailed function of this pathway remains unclear, and it could be involved in selecting specific action plans, and/or control the timing of action initiation. Using a combination of in vivo electrophysiological recordings from motor thalamic neurons and optogenetic activation of nigral inputs, we determined that this pathway is primarily involved in the proper timing of the release of goal directed actions.
Second Amici Curiae Brief of Law Professors et al., Pine Mountain Preserve, LLP v. Commissioner, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Second Amici Curiae Brief of Law Professors et al., filed in support of the government in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Pine Mountain Preserve, LLP v. Commissioner, on appeal from U.S Tax Court No. 8956-13, 151 T.C. 247 (2018).