cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Making winners for both education and research: Verification and validation process improvement practice in a software engineering course

An empirical study is provided on teaching Verification & Validation (V&V) process practice in a real-client graduate level software engineering course which makes students and researchers mutual winners. From our observation and experiences during the course, on the education side, several reflection-in-action techniques are used to educate and train students. These include inspections, architecture review boards, grading criteria, monitoring of their quality management plans, student critiques of their project experiences, and client evaluations. On the research side, students' feedback, evaluation, and critiques provide not only previous empirical evidence for the researchers' research proposal, but also great opportunities to refine their research methods from lessons learned from the course, and in turn to improve the course quality.
Prospects of system IC semiconductor industry

The current semiconductor downturn we are witnessing is primarily caused by the downturn of IT industry starting from the later part of year 2000. The semiconductor business performance of year 2000 was exceptionally good, which resulted in an aggressive industry-wide capacity expansion. As both corporate and consumer's demand for PCs and IT infrastructures such as servers and network equipments got softened along with the weak demand for mobile phones in conjunction with the slow-down of the economy, the down-turn cycle of this semiconductor business seemed to have lasted longer into an L-shaped curve rather than a V-shaped one. Looking back last 40 years, it has been a well-known fact that the semiconductor business has a typical cyclic nature. However, the important factor is that it has been a continuously growing industry. In this talk, three areas of topics will be covered. The first is the market prospects. The second is the technology prospects, and the last will be the direction of Korea semiconductor industry in the future.
Characterization of the protrimer intermediate in the folding pathway of the interdigitated β-helix tailspike protein

P22 tailspike is a homotrimeric, thermostable adhesin that recognizes the O-antigen lipopolysaccharide of Salmonella typhimurium. The 70 kDa subunits include long beta-helix domains. After residue 540, the polypeptide chains change their path and wrap around one another, with extensive interchain contacts. Formation of this interdigitated domain intimately couples the chain folding and assembly mechanisms. The earliest detectable trimeric intermediate in the tailspike folding and assembly pathway is the protrimer, suspected to be a precursor of the native trimer structure. We have directly analyzed the kinetics of in vitro protrimer formation and disappearance for wild type and mutant tailspike proteins. The results confirm that the protrimer intermediate is an on-pathway intermediate for tailspike folding. Protrimer was originally resolved during tailspike folding because its migration through nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels was significantly retarded with respect to the migration of the native tailspike trimer. By comparing protein mobility versus acrylamide concentration, we find that the retarded mobility of the protrimer is due exclusively to a larger overall size than the native trimer, rather than an altered net surface charge. Experiments with mutant tailspike proteins indicate that the conformation difference between protrimer and native tailspike trimer is localized toward the C-termini of the tailspike polypeptide chains. These results suggest that the transformation of the protrimer to the native tailspike trimer represents the C-terminal interdigitation of the three polypeptide chains. This late step may confer the detergent-resistance, protease-resistance, and thermostability of the native trimer.
Impact of a computer-assisted education program on factors related to asthma self-management behavior.

Objective: To evaluate Watch, Discover, Think and Act (WDTA), a theory-based application of CD-ROM educational technology for pediatric asthma self-management education. Design: A prospective pretest posttest randomized intervention trial was used to assess the motivational appeal of the computer-assisted instructional program and evaluate the impact of the program in eliciting change in knowledge, self-efficacy, and attributions of children with asthma. Subjects were recruited from large urban asthma clinics, community clinics, and schools. Seventy-six children 9 to 13 years old were recruited for the evaluation. Results: Repeated-measures analysis of covariance showed that knowledge scores increased significantly for both groups, but no between-group differences were found ( P = 0.55); children using the program scored significantly higher ( P < 0.01) on questions about steps of self-regulation, prevention strategies, and treatment strategies. These children also demonstrated greater selfefficacy ( P < 0.05) and more efficacy building attribution classification of asthma self-management behaviors ( P < 0.05) than those children who did not use the program. Conclusion: The WDTA is an intrinsically motivating educational program that has the ability to effect determinants of asthma self-management behavior in 9- to 13-year-old children with asthma. This, coupled with its reported effectiveness in enhancing patient outcomes in clinical settings, indicates that this program has application in pediatric asthma education.
The clinical nurse leader: prepared for an era of healthcare reform

Problem Passage of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will require change in the healthcare systems. The clinical nurse leader must be prepared to lead and shape the changing environment to achieve maximum outcomes for patients and families. Movement toward integrated care delivery across the care continuum, the transition of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to a value-based funding model, and accountability for high-quality, cost-effective care are just some of the drivers of this new integrated healthcare system. Implications Reimbursement models that reward those health systems that are able to meet benchmark performance standards will result in major shifts in how health systems operate. Expertise in care coordination across the healthcare continuum is essential for maximum reimbursement. Payment for value instead of volume delivered is a major reimbursement transition coming to the acute care setting, necessitating increased attention to mining data necessary to capture quality patient outcomes for maximum reimbursement. Conclusions The clinical nurse leader is ideally suited to function within these integrated systems of the future, and possesses the skills needed to assist healthcare systems to meet this challenge.
Immunotoxicology—Regulatory and Risk Assessment Concepts

This article provides a review of presentations given at the symposium on Immunotoxicology: Regulatory and Risk Assessment Concepts held at the American College of Toxicology meeting in Orlando, Florida, in November, 1998. Immune system alterations have typically been assessed by histopathology of select lymphoid tissue, clinical pathology, clinical chemistry, plaque forming cell assay for humoral immunity, and allergic contact hypersensitivity. Advances in immunology and molecular biology have led to various activities to optimize hazard identification and risk assessment processes and strategies for immunotoxicants. With such advances, regulatory agencies have been either implementing immunotoxicology guidance as part of the safety of medical devices, evaluating environmental chemicals, or considering immunotoxicologic criteria for nonclinical assessments. Reviews of the guidance document provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/Center for Device and Radiological Health and concepts being considered by the FDA/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research are presented. In addition, a review of the process for evaluation of the murine local lymph node assay by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods and the state of risk assessment for chemical-induced autoimmunity are presented.
Insights from Spitzer on massive star formation in the LMC

Spitzer 's sensitive mid-IR photometric surveys of the Magellanic Clouds provide a relatively extinction-free census of star formation activity, and sub-parsec resolution permits the study of individual massive protostars and small clusters. Using the SAGE survey of the LMC, we identify over 1000 massive YSO candidates by their MIR colors. Analysis of their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) constrains the stellar content and evolutionary state, beginning to realize for the first time the unique potential of the Clouds to study an entire galaxy's population of individual protostars. We probe the physics underlying the Schmidt-Kennicutt scaling law by analyzing how it begins to break down at 10–100 pc spatial scales. MIR spectroscopic surveys currently underway like SAGE-SPEC will enable us to couple the circumprotostellar dust distribution (the evolutionary state reflected in the SED) with the physical state of the gas, dust and ice.
GATA4 is a survival factor in adult cardiac myocytes but is not required for α1A-adrenergic receptor survival signaling

Recently, we defined an α1A-adrenergic receptor-ERK (α1A-AR-ERK) survival signaling pathway in adult cardiac myocytes. Previous studies in neonatal cardiac myocytes indicated that the cardiac-specific transcription factor GATA4 is a downstream mediator of α1-ERK signaling and that phosphorylation of GATA4 by ERK increases DNA binding and transcriptional activity. Therefore, we examined GATA4 as a potential downstream effector of α1A-ERK survival signaling in adult cardiac myocytes. We measured norepinephrine (NE)-induced cell death in cultured cardiac myocytes lacking α1-ARs (cultured from α1A/B-AR double-knockout mice, α1ABKO mice) that are susceptible to cell death induced by several proapoptotic stimuli, including NE. Our results show that overexpression of GATA4 is sufficient to protect α1ABKO cardiac myocytes from NE-induced cell death. However, we found that the α1A-subtype did not induce phosphorylation or increase the activity of GATA4 in adult mouse cardiac myocytes in culture or in vivo. Furthermore, we examined the effect of siRNA-mediated knockdown of GATA4 on α1A-survival signaling. In α1B-knockout cardiac myocytes, which express only the α1A-subtype and are protected from NE-induced cell death, GATA4 knockdown did not reverse α1A-survival signaling in response to NE. In summary, we found that GATA4 acted as a survival factor by preventing cell death in α1ABKO cardiac myocytes, but GATA4 was not activated by α1-AR stimulation and was not required for α1A-survival signaling in adult cardiac myocytes. This also identifies an important mechanistic difference in α1-signaling between adult and neonatal cardiac myocytes.
The stability of precepitates and the role of lattice defects in Fe-1at%Cu-1at%Ni-1at%Mn alloy: A phase-field model study

Abstract In the first part of this study, the stability of Cu precipitates, up to 2 nm in diameter, in Fe-1at%Cu-1at%Ni-1at%Mn system was evaluated within the framework of phase-field modeling by utilizing a thermodynamic database. The implanted precipitates either in isolated or in clustered arrangements, were unstable and dissolved into the matrix. The dissolution rate decreases with increasing precipitate size; however, it is strongly influenced by the spatial arrangements of the implants and the overall alloy content. In the second part, the precipitation/segregation behavior at a circular dislocation, and square prismatic loops was parametrically studied. While precipitates formed at the dislocation loop, a significant segregation of Cu was observed at prismatic loops with either vacancy or interstitial character. Although, the both types of prismatic loops provide the spatial evolution of the stress-fields with the same absolute magnitude, the vacancy loops appears to be stronger sinks and their sink strength increases with decreasing loop size. The results clearly show the necessity of inclusion of the underlying lattice defects in the microstructure modeling of materials under the irradiation environments.
MUzECS: Embedded blocks for exploring computer science

We build on the success of the Exploring Computer Science (ECS) curriculum, which has improved the accessibility of a Computer Science education to students of all backgrounds. While ECS has been well-received by its students and successful in reaching many students of diverse backgrounds, it currently suffers from a final module which is expensive and offers no easy transition to text-based programming. This module, which teaches robotics as an application of computing, rests on the LEGO Mindstorms1 platform. The Mindstorms have a block-based programming language that abstracts too much code to be of any use for making a transition from block-based programming to text-based programming. They are also more expensive than most schools can afford. This paper reports on one aspect of our successful effort to create an alternative curriculum which meets the same curriculum objectives as the current sixth module, but for a reduced price.
Current Concepts in Mucosal Immunity IV. How epithelial transport of IgA antibodies relates to host defense

The humoral arm of the mucosal immune system is principally composed of locally synthesized polymeric IgA, whose Fc portion is adapted for binding to the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor that is expressed on the basolateral surface of mucosal epithelial cells, including enterocytes. This receptor mediates the endocytosis and transcytosis of polymeric IgA, which allows IgA to function in host defense at three anatomic levels in relation to mucosal epithelium: IgA antibodies in the lamina propria can bind antigens and excrete them through the epithelium into the lumen; antiviral IgA antibodies in transit through epithelial cells can inhibit virus production by an intracellular action; and IgA antibodies secreted into the lumen can prevent antigens and microbes from adhering to and penetrating the epithelium. The ways in which IgA antibodies function in mucous membranes provide challenging investigative opportunities for cell physiologists and cell biologists.
A COMPARISON OF A WI-38 VACCINE AND DUCK EMBRYO VACCINE FOR PREEXPOSURE RABIES PROPHYLAXIS

Two types of rabies vaccine, WI-38 vaccine (WRV) and Duck Embryo Vaccine (DEV) were compared in rabies preexposure prophylaxis. Once group of veterinary students received four doses of DEV, a second group received four doses of WRV, and a third group received two doses of WRV. Adverse reactions were found to be similar for all three gorups. The antibody responses, however, differed markedly: the mean neutralizing titer after four doses of DEV was 1:75, after four doses of WRV was 1:1517, but was only 1:164 after two doses of WRV. All students who received three or four doses of WRV developed high titers of rabies antibody, making this vaccine very desirable for preexposure prophylaxis.
The New Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Oral Fluid Cutoffs for Cocaine and Heroin-Related Analytes Applied to an Addiction Medicine Setting: Important, Unanticipated Findings with LC-MS/MS

BACKGROUND: We implemented oral fluid (OF) as an alternative specimen type to urine for detection of cocaine (COC) and opiate abuse in outpatient addiction medicine clinics. METHODS: We implemented a 2-μg/L limit of quantification OF LC-MS/MS assay and compiled and reviewed all findings from a 22-month collection period for COC, benzoylecgonine (BZE), codeine (COD), 6-acetylmorphine (MAM), and morphine (MOR). We also compared the results of our clinical samples at different OF cutoffs and analytes specified in the new 2015 SAMHSA OF guidelines. RESULTS: Of 3608 OF samples, COC and BZE were positive in 593 and 508, respectively. COC or BZE was positive in 662 samples. Importantly and unexpectedly, 154 samples were COC positive and BZE negative, with 125 having COC 2.0–7.9 μg/L. A simulation with the new guideline cutoffs confirmed 65% (430 of 662) of all COC- or BZE-positive data set samples. Similarly, the new guidelines confirmed 44% (263 of 603) of data set samples positive for MOR or COD. Simulation found that the new, lower MAM guideline cutoffs detected 89% of the 382 MAM-positive samples in the data set, 104 of which the new guidelines had identified as negative for MOR and COD. CONCLUSIONS: COC (not BZE) is the dominant low-concentration OF analyte in an addiction medicine setting. This information will aid OF test interpretation. It also illustrates the importance of the 2015 guideline's new immunoassay cross-reactivity requirements and the likely improvement in detection of heroin use stemming from the new, lower MAM cutoffs.
Testing for syphilis.

The diagnosis of syphilis has been complicated by the lack of a simple means to cultivate Treponema pallidum in the clinical laboratory. This has resulted in the dependence on clinical findings and serologic tests and, in early stages, the detection of spirochetes to make the diagnosis. This article reviews the clinical stages of syphilis and the various serologic tests available. The difficulties of diagnosing congenital syphilis and the pitfalls of serodiagnosis in persons infected with HIV are reviewed. Finally, the appropriate tests for each clinical stage or condition are discussed.
Electron capture in small-angle Ar 2 + + Ar collisions

Electron capture in ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{2+}$ + Ar is studied at low keV energies. Using ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{2+}$ + He collisions as an energy reference we show that the dominant single-electron-capture process is endothermic and of the type ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{2+}^{3}P+\mathrm{Ar}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}^{2}P+{\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}3{s}^{2}3{p}^{4}\mathrm{nl}$. Detailed studies at 2.4 keV show $\mathrm{nl}$ to be predominantly $3d$ and $4p$. Weaker exothermic processes are found and due mainly to long-lived, highly excited states of ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{2+}$. The direct scattering and double-electron-capture channels are also studied. The direct scattering occurs with no Ar-target excitation. Differential cross sections are presented for the collision processes. The single-electron-capture results are interpreted with the use of a simple model in which a strongly attractive intermediate state couples the incident and outgoing channels.
Preliminary Results of a Dynamic Systems Model for a Closed-Loop Brayton Cycle System Coupled to a Nuclear Reactor

This paper describes preliminary results of a dynamic system model for a closed-loop Brayton-cycle that is coupled to a nuclear reactor. The current model assumes direct coupling between the reactor and the Brayton-cycle, however only minor additions are required to couple the Brayton-cycle through a heat exchanger to either a heat pipe reactor or a liquid metal cooled reactor.
Effects of thermotherapy on H446 cell growth and expression of MMP-2 mRNA in combination with paclitaxel

Aim:To investigate the effects of thermotherapy,chemotherapy(with paclitaxel) and thermochemotherapy on cell proliferation and MMP-2 mRNA expression of H446 cells.Methods:Different temperatures(39 ℃,40 ℃,41 ℃,42 ℃,43 ℃ and 44 ℃),different time(30 min,60 min and 90 min) of hyperthermia,and different doses(30 μg/L,60 μg/L,120 μg/L,240 μg/L and 480 μg/L) of paclitaxel were grouped respectively.MMT assay was adopted to measure cell proliferation and the inhibition rates.Semi-quantitive RT-PCR was applied to determine the expression of MMP-2 mRNA.Results and Conclusions:Paclitaxel and thermotherapy both could inhibit the growth of H446 cells and thermotherapy enhanced the inhibitive effects of paclitaxel on the H446 cell proliferation.The best group of temperature,time and paclitaxel concentration is thermotherapy at 43 ℃ for 90 min and 120 μg/L paclitaxel.Thermochemotherapy could evidently decrease the expression of MMP-2 mRNA.
Calcareous microfossil-based orbital cyclostratigraphy in the Arctic Ocean

Abstract Microfaunal and geochemical proxies from marine sediment records from central Arctic Ocean (CAO) submarine ridges suggest a close relationship over the last 550 thousand years (kyr) between orbital-scale climatic oscillations, sea-ice cover, marine biological productivity and other parameters. Multiple paleoclimate proxies record glacial to interglacial cycles. To understand the climate-cryosphere-productivity relationship, we examined the cyclostratigraphy of calcareous microfossils and constructed a composite Arctic Paleoclimate Index (API) “stack” from benthic foraminiferal and ostracode density from 14 sediment cores. Following the hypothesis that API is driven mainly by changes in sea-ice related productivity, the API stack shows the Arctic experienced a series of highly productive interglacials and interstadials every ∼20 kyr. These periods signify minimal ice shelf and sea-ice cover and maximum marine productivity. Rapid transitions in productivity are seen during shifts from interglacial to glacial climate states. Discrepancies between the Arctic API curves and various global climatic, sea-level and ice-volume curves suggest abrupt growth and decay of Arctic ice shelves related to climatic and sea level oscillations.
Long-Range Signaling in MutS and MSH Homologs via Switching of Dynamic Communication Pathways

Allostery is conformation regulation by propagating a signal from one site to another distal site. This study focuses on the long-range communication in DNA mismatch repair proteins MutS and its homologs where intramolecular signaling has to travel over 70 A to couple lesion detection to ATPase activity and eventual downstream repair. Using dynamic network analysis based on extensive molecular dynamics simulations, multiple preserved communication pathways were identified that would allow such long-range signaling. The pathways appear to depend on the nucleotides bound to the ATPase domain as well as the type of DNA substrate consistent with previously proposed functional cycles of mismatch recognition and repair initiation by MutS and homologs. A mechanism is proposed where pathways are switched without major conformational rearrangements allowing for efficient long-range signaling and allostery.
Handover Analysis of Macro-Assisted Small Cell Networks

The concept of macro-assisted small cell networks, or phantom cells, has recently been proposed to tackle the problem of mobility and handover issues in small cell networks. In this paper we analyze the mean handover rate and the mean sojourn time in cellular networks deploying the phantom cell architecture. The random waypoint model is used to describe the user mobility. The locations of base stations are modeled by a Poisson point process (PPP) and the base station serving zones are modeled by Poisson Voronoi tessellations (PVT). The closed-form expressions derived in this paper show that the handover rate and the sojourn time are simply a function of user velocity, transmission probability, and base station density. We further show that by adopting the macro-assisted small cell (phantom cell) architecture, the interruption ratio can be much smaller, and the improvement is equal to the square root of the ratio of densities of macro base stations and small cell base stations. The results thus provide useful design guidelines for phantom cell deployment in 5G.
A prospective randomized, double-dummy trial comparing IV push low dose ketamine to short infusion of low dose ketamine for treatment of pain in the ED

Abstract Study objective Compare adverse effects and analgesic efficacy of low-dose ketamine for acute pain in the ED administered either by single intravenous push (IVP) or short infusion (SI). Methods Patients 18–65, presenting to ED with acute abdominal, flank, or musculoskeletal pain with initial pain score≥5, were randomized to ketamine 0.3mg/kg by either IVP or SI with placebo double-dummy. Adverse effects were evaluated by Side Effects Rating Scale for Dissociative Anesthetics (SERSDA) and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) at 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120min post-administration; analgesic efficacy was evaluated by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Results 48 patients enrolled in the study. IVP group had higher overall rates of feeling of unreality on SERSDA scale: 92% versus 54% (difference 37.5%; p =0.008; 95% CI 9.3–59.5%). At 5min median severity of feeling of unreality was 3.0 for IVP versus 0.0 for SI ( p =0.001). IVP also showed greater rates of sedation on RASS scale at 5min: median RASS −2.0 versus 0.0 ( p =0.01). Decrease in mean pain scores from baseline to 15min was similar across groups: 5.2±3.53 (95% CI 3.7–6.7) for IVP; 5.75±3.48 (95% CI 4.3–7.2) for SI. There were no statistically significant differences with respect to changes in vital signs and need for rescue medication. Conclusion Low-dose ketamine given as a short infusion is associated with significantly lower rates of feeling of unreality and sedation with no difference in analgesic efficacy in comparison to intravenous push.
Bedside identification of patients at risk for PVC‐induced cardiomyopathy: Is ECG useful?

BACKGROUND Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are an underrecognized cause of cardiomyopathy. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has potential to direct attention toward at-risk patients. METHODS We performed a single-center, retrospective chart review of 1,240 patients who completed ECG and Holter monitoring at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013 to investigate the relationship of PVC frequency on ECG with burden on Holter. Primary outcome measures included PVC quantity on ECG, mean PVC quantity on Holter, and percentage of total beats on Holter recorded as PVCs. High PVC burden was defined as ≥10% of total beats. RESULTS Weighted mean percentages of total beats on Holter monitor recorded as PVCs were calculated for 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 PVCs on ECG and found to be 1.4% (n = 1,128), 3.5% (n = 32), 4.3% (n = 25), and 16.6% (n = 55), respectively, which represent statistically significant differences (P < 0.001). The positive predictive value of at least three PVCs on ECG for ≥10% PVC Holter burden was 58%. Negative predictive value for 0 PVCs on ECG was 98%. The sensitivity and specificity of ECG to identify high PVC burden on Holter was 72% and 93.6%, respectively, when utilizing a positive ECG result as one PVC or more, and 44% and 98.9%, respectively, with ≥3 PVCs on ECG. The positive likelihood ratio corresponding to ≥3 PVCs on ECG was 40. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that the number of PVCs on ECG can be utilized for quick bedside estimation of high PVC burden.
New Horizons in Intraoperative Diagnostics of Cancer in Image and Spectroscopy Guided Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

Objectives Currently, the primary treatment for solid tumors is the surgical resection. In the surgery, the complete surgical resection of the cancer tissues is essential to the prognosis of cancer patients. However, even in US, 40% of the cancer patients have the local recurrence in 5 years from the initial surgery, due to the failure to detect all the cancer tissues intraoperatively since cancers are highly heterogeneous in surface morphology and anatomical structures. We designed a novel visible/near-infrared (VIS/NIR) quantitative imaging method to help surgeons improve pancreatic cancer resection by providing quantitative intraoperative cancer diagnosis. Method All the clinical studies were performed according to an approved protocol by the Emory Institutional Review Board (protocol #: IRB00053609). Before the surgery, the patient receives an intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG). After 3-8 hours, the tissues of interest, are inspected intraoperatively with our lab-developed VIS/NIR imaging system. The VIS/NIR imaging system consists of two parts: a) a portable VIS/NIR camera imaging system for quick detection of potential cancers; b) a hand-held spectroscopic device for quantitative tissue assessment. Two IEEE 1394 cameras were assembled into an optical tube platform (Thorlabs, USA) to record VIS and NIR signals simultaneously. Results We have conducted dozens of clinical trials on human pancreatic cancer in Emory University Hospital and Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, GA, USA. Over two hundred sample tissues from various pancreatic cancer surgeries, including distal pancreatectomy, Whipple procedure, and total pancreatectomy, were inspected with our imaging system. Within 1 sec, our device can quantitatively differentiate cancerous tissues from non-cancerous tissues intraoperatively: primary tumor and positive margins showed more than 200% stronger ICG fluorescence than normal tissues and negative margins did. The overall diagnosis accuracy of pancreatic cancer by our system is 93.7%. Conclusions In summary, we developed a comprehensive imaging system to provide surgeons with instantaneous (
Maize-legume intercropping in central Malawi: determinants of practice

In Malawi, population growth has reduced opportunities for farmers to expand and cultivate new land. The country's primary farming population is comprised of smallholders, many who cultivate monocultures of maize (Zea mays). To reduce negative outcomes from this practice, intercropping maize with legumes has been promoted. The sustainable intensification (SI) practice was once widely used, but has declined in recent decades. Little is known about the determinants of intercropping or its role in agricultural development. The objective of this study was to examine the drivers of intercropping among smallholders. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the determinants of intercropping based on a survey of 324 households. Smallholders who sold legumes were more likely to intercrop, contrary to literature positing intercropping as a practice primarily intended to enhance food security. In addition, complementary SI practices such as fertilizer, manure and compost application were mor...
Experimental Evidence for Noncanonical Thymine Cation Radicals in the Gas Phase

Thymine cation radicals were generated in the gas phase by collision-induced intramolecular electron transfer in [Cu(2,2′:6,2″-terpyridine)(thymine)]2+• complexes and characterized by ion–molecule reactions, UV–vis photodissociation action spectroscopy, and ab initio and density functional theory calculations. The experimental results indicated the formation of a tautomer mixture consisting chiefly (77%) of noncanonical tautomers with a C-7-H2 group. The canonical 2,4-dioxo-N-1,N-3-H isomer was formed as a minor component at ca. 23%. Ab initio CCSD(T) calculations indicated that the canonical [thymine]+• ion was not the lowest-energy isomer. This contrasts with neutral thymine, for which the canonical isomer is the lowest-energy structure. Exothermic unimolecular isomerization by a methyl hydrogen migration in the canonical [thymine]+• ion required a low energy barrier, forming a C-7-H2,O-4-H isomer. Noncanonical thymine tautomers with a C-7-H2 group were also identified by calculations as low-energy isom...
A Comment on Servaas Storm’s “The New Normal”

Accepting Professor Storm’s demolition of total factor productivity growth and production function-based reasoning, this article argues that to understand the great financial crisis and its afterma...
The relationship of travel distance with cystectomy access and outcomes.

Abstract Purpose Regionalization of care and travel distance may result in unintended consequences for complex surgery such as cystectomy. Our objective was to evaluate effect of differential distance on cystectomy receipt among patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and investigate the association between travel distance and cystectomy outcomes such as readmission. Methods Using a linked data resource combining the NC Central Cancer Registry with claims data from Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans, we included 736 patients with MIBC and 1,082 who underwent cystectomy. To evaluate access, differential distance was calculated as the difference between the nearest urologist and nearest cystectomy provider. To assess outcomes, logistic regression was used to evaluate rehospitalization and major complications, and Cox proportional hazards model for survival analysis. Results To evaluate access and outcomes, 736 patients with MIBC and 1,082 patients undergoing cystectomy were evaluated, respectively. Overall, 29% (211 of 736) with MIBC underwent cystectomy. Differential distance was not a predictor of cystectomy receipt (odds ratio = 1.0; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.01). Among patients undergoing cystectomy, travel distance from cystectomy provider was not a significant predictor of 30- or 31 to 90 day readmissions (odds ratio = 1.0; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.00) although patients who lived further from their cystectomy provider were more likely to be readmitted to a nonindex hospital (P Conclusions The additional distance needed to reach a cystectomy provider did not predict receipt of surgery for MIBC. Furthermore, travel distance from cystectomy provider was not a significant predictor for subsequent readmission after cystectomy and did not affect overall survival.
Synchronization of second-mode instability waves for high-enthalpy hypersonic boundary layers

The stability of a hypersonic boundary layer for a half-angle cone at the Caltech T5 high-enthalpy flow conditions was investigated using direct numerical simulations. For the ‘linear’ stability investigations, the boundary layer was perturbed by small axisymmetric disturbances with very small amplitudes, and for the nonlinear regime, three-dimensional pulse disturbances with larger amplitudes were introduced. The surprising result from these investigations was that the 3D wave packet undergoes strong spatial modulations, which we have not observed for other experimental conditions (e.g. the Purdue BAM6QT). This modulation was found to be directly due to the synchronization between second-mode wave components and vorticity/entropy modes. Furthermore, it was found that a synchronization with slow acoustic waves leads to a sudden and strong emission of acoustic waves deep into the free stream, which was observed for both a linear wave train and a 3D nonlinear wave packet. Therefore, it can be concluded that this is a linear mechanism that is not suppressed by nonlinear effects.
Sodium-glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors: The Impact on Development and Progression of Heart Failure.

Background Available hypoglycemic-agents enable physicians to achieve consistent glycemic-control, but effects on cardiovascular-outcomes have been marginal or questionable. SGLT-2 inhibitors emerged as a novel antidiabetic drug class with remarkable cardiovascular benefits, and significant improvement in the prevention and progression of HF. Objective The purpose of this article is to critically review the effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors on HFoutcomes and the potential underlying mechanisms. Method We conducted a thorough review of the literature. The studies addressing the impact of SGLT-2 inhibitors on HF and potential underlying mechanisms were identified. Additionally, we reviewed the references of the identified original papers. Results The EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial was the first cardiovascular safety study of this drug class that assessed among other outcomes, the impact of SGLT-2 inhibition on HF. Empagliflozin was associated with significant reductions of the risks for hospitalization or death from HF in patients with- and without-HF. Similar benefits were noted from a large-cohort study assessing the effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors on HF-outcomes in real-life. Potential mechanisms include the SGLT-2 inhibitors-induced lowering of blood pressure, the decrease in visceral obesity and the amelioration of arterial stiffness. Improvements of left ventricular mass and diastolic dysfunction may also be implicated in the manifestation of HF-benefits. Lastly, the SGLT-2 inhibitors-related higher ketones bioavailability might offer a better "fuel" to the myocardium. Conclusion The pleiotropic effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors seem to be translated in significant improvement of HF-related outcomes. On-going trials will provide further information on the impact of these agents in various high- and low-risk populations.
Theory of Image Formation

Full understanding of image formation requires the understanding of not only the resolution, discussed in Chap. 3 in terms of geometrical optics, but also the contrast. This is achieved in the wave-optical treatment of image formation, in which both aspects are intimately connected in the contrast transfer function formalism, a formalism which is applied in this chapter not only to the information transfer from the object to the detection system but also to its conversion in the detection system into the final image.
The Formation of Islam: The non-Muslims of early Islam

Of course non-Muslims constituted the vast majority of the inhabitants of those lands ruled or fought over by the early caliphs. Popular stereotypes about Islam spreading by the sword, and older scholarly assumptions that most of the inhabitants of the Near East converted fairly quickly to the new faith in order to escape the onerous personal and agricultural taxes levied on non-Muslims, both radically misrepresent the complex situation faced by Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians and others in the century or two following the initial Arab conquests. In fact, what came to be known as the dhimmi communities, those monotheists who lived under a pact of protection ( dhimma ) with the Muslim state, survived and in many cases thrived for many generations. Eventually, of course, most regions did emerge with Muslim majorities, but the process of conversion took some time, and was uneven, the actual pace varying according to local circumstance and the specific character of relations between the particular faiths and the Muslim polity. At the beginning, relations between the Arab conquerors and the inhabitants of the lands they occupied were, if not entirely amiable, likely free of the pervasive tension which sometimes characterized them in later centuries. In a famous passage, the ninth-century historian al-Baladhuri records the people of the Syrian city of Hims, both Christians and Jews, proclaiming their preference for Muslim rather than Byzantine rule, begging the Arab soldiers to stay when the emperor Heraclius threatened to retake the city, and, upon the defeat of the Roman army, welcoming the Muslims back from battle with music and dance.
A molecular diagnostic panel for thyroid cancer disease management.

5510 Background: In 2009, the American Thyroid Association revised its guidelines for patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancers, recommending BRAF, RAS, RET/PTC, and PAX8-PPA...
I.V. Amiodarone: What Do We Really Know About It?

The mechanism of amiodarone’s antiarrhythmic action is not known. In vitro and clinical studies have demonstrated that it has multiple actions that could potentially contribute to an antiarrhythmic response. These include block of ion channels (sodium, potassium and calcium), receptors (alpha adrenergic, beta adrenergic and muscarinic) and intracellular transduction pathways (phospholipase and thyroid hormone). It is generally speculated that the drug’s large number of actions is responsible for the broad spectrum of arrhythmias that respond to orally administered amiodarone. However, all of these actions may not e operative during i.v. therapy. Numerous studies have demonstrated the electrophysiologic differences between acute and chronically administered amiodarone. Comparison of i.v and oral amiodarone is complicated by the slow tissue accumulation of amiodarone, the possible effects of its active desethyl metabolite, potential anti-thyroid effects and the potential action of the diluent in the intravenous formulation, polysorbate 80 (Tween-80). Although most comparisons of acute and chronically administered amiodarone found greater effects with chronic administration, a recent report found amiodarone to clock L-type calcium channels acutely in cell culture but not in cells harvested from chronically treated animals [1]. The potential importance of this action is supported by a report by Kojima, et al [2] in which they concluded that amiodarone’s anti~brillatory action in isolated perfused rat hearts was due to a reduction in intracellular calcium. Some, but not all, of the known actions of amiodarone can be observed clincally. In some cases the action is not temporally correlated with antiarrhythmic response. For example, QT prolongation (a marker of Class III antiarrhythmic action or potassium channel block) is not seen after acute intravenous administration. High intravenous dosages, $300 mg, have been observed to cause hypotension, heart block or excessive bradycardia but these reactions may be due to Tween-80. The bradycardia that is seen during chronic therapy is most likely due to non-competitive inhibition of beta adrenergic receptors. The electrophysiological actions of amiodarone in humans depend on the route of administration and the duration of therapy. Following acute intravenous amiodarone administration, prolongation of the AH interval and an increase in the refractory periods of the AV node and bypass tracts are seen, but again this may be due to the effects of the Tween-80. No acute changes occur in either sinus rate or atrial or ventricular repolarization or refractoriness, whereas these are prolonged during chronic oral therapy.
Two Stage Hybrid Cryocooler Development

Raytheon has demonstrated a two-stage hybrid Stirling/pulse tube cryocooler for long life space infrared (IR) sensor applications. The first expander stage is a conventional Oxford-class Stirling expander. The second expander stage is a U-turn pulse tube mechanically and thermodynamically extended from the first stage Stirling cold end.
Tour-guiding as a pious place-making practice: The case of the Sehitlik Mosque, Berlin

Abstract The Sehitlik Mosque in Berlin, led by the second and third generations of ethnically Turkish Germans, has risen as an exemplar of public engagement through its tourist enterprise. Drawing from ethnographic research in this mosque, driven by questions on the potential social impacts of piety, I analyze how the tour becomes itself a pious place-making practice: an innovative way of “doing religion” for the post-migrant generations in Berlin. I center on how two key aspects of religious place-making in diaspora are accomplished through the tour: the management of difference and belonging, and the embodiment of faith. This research demonstrates the ways in which tourism in sacred spaces provides unique opportunities for tour guides to have agentive and transformative experiences.
Design and numerical simulations of W-diamond transmission target for distributed x-ray sources

Distributed x-ray sources enable novel designs of x-ray imaging systems. However, the x-ray power of such sources is limited by the focal spot power density of the fixed anode. To further improve x-ray output, we have designed and evaluated a diamond-W transmission target for multi-pixel x-ray sources. The target features a thin layer of tungsten deposited on a diamond substrate. The thickness of tungsten layer was optimized for maximum fluence through Monte Carlo simulations. Finite element thermal simulations were performed to evaluate focal spot temperature in the target under different power loadings and dwell duration. The results showed that the optimal thickness of the tungsten layer in the W-diamond transmission target is linearly proportional to the electron energy. A 5-6 μm tungsten thickness is suitable for the kVps ranges from 60 kVp to 140 kVp. A W-diamond transmission target produces up to 20% more x-ray fluence than a traditional W reflection target in the beam center depending on the kVp settings. The x-ray spectrum of the transmission target shows less characteristic x-rays than that of reflection target. The thermal performance of W-diamond targets for peak power is significantly better than that of reflection targets. The maximum focal spot power densities of W-diamond transmission and W reflection targets are both strongly dependent on the dwell duration. For longer pulse durations, the W-diamond target allows as much as a four-fold increase in power and an eight-fold increase in power density in comparison to a traditional W reflection target for the same temperature spikes. The stability of the W-diamond bond needs to be tested experimentally. Nevertheless, the W-diamond transmission target is an appealing target that can significantly simplify the design and improve the performance of distributed x-ray sources.
Jejunal response to secretin is independent of the pancreatic response in secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

Abstract Purpose To investigate whether jejunal secretions are independent of the pancreatic response to secretin in secretin-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (s-MRCP) examination of subjects with and without chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods Patients were identified through a search of s-MRCP examinations performed between 2014–2016 (n = 513) as well as the multidisciplinary pancreatitis clinic registry (n = 586). Fifty cases with CP (based on M-ANNHEIM criteria) and 50 matched controls were selected. Signal intensity changes after secretin administration (˜1–5 min’ post-secretin response) in three locations were assessed: second portion of the duodenum (D2), third/fourth portions of the duodenum (D3-4), and the jejunum. The post-secretin response was compared between (cases vs. controls) and within the study groups. Results There was a significantly lower 1–5 min’ post-secretin response among CP patients in D2 (all p-values Conclusions Early post-secretin response at jejunum is independent of the pancreatic response that can be detected at D2, and should not be misinterpreted as a rapid pancreatic response. Therefore, pancreatic function on s-MRCP should be assessed by the presence of fluid in D2 and not jejunum.
The management of large-angle esotropia in Graves ophthalmopathy with combined medial rectus recession and lateral rectus resection.

Purpose To describe surgical management and outcomes for large-angle esotropia of ≥50Δ secondary to Graves ophthalmopathy using combined initial nonadjustable medial rectus recessions and lateral rectus resections. Methods The medical records of consecutive patients undergoing strabismus surgery for large-angle esotropia secondary to Graves ophthalmopathy from 1995 to 2012 by a single surgeon at each of two institutions was performed. Patient characteristics, surgical technique, and pre- and postoperative measurements of ocular alignment were analyzed. A modified Gorman diplopia scale was used to assess outcome. Results Of 38 patients, 36 had bilateral nonadjustable medial rectus recessions and lateral rectus resections as initial treatment for esotropia, and 6 patients underwent simultaneous vertical muscle surgery. Mean preoperative horizontal deviation was 60Δ and mean preoperative vertical deviation was 10Δ. Of the 38 patients, 19 (50%) reached the primary outcome, including 5 of 6 (85%) who had no preoperative vertical strabismus. The indications for reoperation were vertical strabismus in 13 of 21 patients (62%), residual esotropia in 7 of 21 (33%), and consecutive exotropia in 1 of 21 (5%). With a median follow-up of 13.2 months after first surgery, 32 of 38 patients (84%) reached the secondary outcome. Conclusions Combining nonadjustable medial rectus recessions with lateral rectus resections can be a beneficial primary treatment for large-angle esotropia in patients with Graves ophthalmopathy, especially in those patients with small or no associated vertical strabismus.