cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effects of Glibenclamide on Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator, Swelling-Activated, and Ca2+-Activated Cl− Channels in Mammalian Cardiac Myocytes

Recent studies have provided evidence that sulfonylureas, in addition to blocking ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, also inhibit cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) Cl- channels in epithelial and cardiac cells. The purpose of this study was to test whether the sulfonylurea glibenclamide might also inhibit other types of cardiac Cl- channels. Whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were used to compare the effects of glibenclamide on CFTR Cl- currents in guinea pig ventricular myocytes, swelling-activated Cl- currents in guinea pig atrial myocytes, and Ca(2+)-activated Cl- currents in canine ventricular myocytes. Glibenclamide markedly inhibited CFTR Cl- currents in a voltage-independent manner at 22 degrees C, with estimated IC50 values of 12.5 and 11.0 mumol/L at +50 and -100 mV, respectively. The outwardly rectifying swelling-activated Cl- current in atrial cells was less sensitive to glibenclamide, and the block exhibited voltage dependence. At 22 degrees C, the estimated IC50 values were 193 and 470 mumol/L at +50 and -100 mV, respectively, and block was enhanced at 35 degrees C. Macroscopic Cl- currents activated by a rise in intracellular Ca2+, induced by either Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release or by external application of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, were also markedly inhibited at 22 degrees C by glibenclamide in a voltage-independent manner. The estimated IC50 values were 61.5 and 69.9 mumol/L at +50 and -100 mV, respectively. These results suggest that glibenclamide, an inhibitor of cardiac CFTR Cl- channels, also inhibits swelling-activated and Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels at higher concentrations. The results also suggest that studies attributing the beneficial or deleterious effects of sulfonylurea compounds in the heart solely to blockade of KATP channels should use submicromolar concentrations of these agents to minimize possible secondary interactions with cardiac Cl- channels.
AGGREGATION AND SPREADING VIA THE NEWTONIAN POTENTIAL: THE DYNAMICS OF PATCH SOLUTIONS

This paper considers the multidimensional active scalar problem of motion of a function ρ(x, t) by a velocity field obtained by v = -∇N * ρ, where N is the Newtonian potential. We prove well-posedness of compactly supported L∞ ∩ L1 solutions of possibly mixed sign. These solutions include an important class of solutions that are proportional to characteristic functions on a time-evolving domain. We call these aggregation patches. Whereas positive solutions collapse on themselves in finite time, negative solutions spread and converge toward a self-similar spreading circular patch solution as t → ∞. We give a convergence rate that we prove is sharp in 2D. In the case of positive collapsing solutions, we investigate numerically the geometry of patch solutions in 2D and in 3D (axisymmetric). We show that the time evolving domain on which the patch is supported typically collapses on a complex skeleton of codimension one.
Client-based QoS data selection and modeling using generalized extreme value theorem and linear opinion pool

Assuring Quality-of-Service (QoS) guarantees to mobile clients is still a long-standing problem in today's wireless mobile networks. In this paper, we propose new algorithms that validate the accuracy of service measurements collected from the mobile clients to construct a precise QoS model. The proposed algorithms utilize the Linear Opinion Pool (LOP) approach in conjunction with Generalize Extreme Value theorem (GEV) to converge to a precise QoS model. The main objective of this work is to construct a QoS model that excludes the out-of-profile data that is collected from the Mobile Clients (MCs). Therefore, any MC with unreliable data is considered as un-trusted. The proposed approach is effective in providing service providers with a better assessment tool to evaluate and improve their services. The results show the usefulness of our algorithms and their ability to recognize and exclude the data collected from un-trusted MCs; thus, creating a precise QoS model.
Categorical effects in the perception of faces

These studies suggest categorical perception effects may be much more general than has commonly been believed and can occur in apparently similar ways at dramatically different levels of processing. To test the nature of individual face representations, a linear continuum of "morphed" faces was generated between individual exemplars of familiar faces. In separate categorization, discrimination and "better-likeness" tasks, subjects viewed pairs of faces from these continua. Subjects discriminate most accurately when face-pairs straddle apparent category boundaries; thus individual faces are perceived categorically. A high correlation is found between the familiarity of a face-pair and the magnitude of the categorization effect. Categorical perception therefore is not limited to low-level perceptual continua, but can occur at higher levels and may be acquired through experience as well.
Vinblastine infusion in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: lack of total cross-resistance with vincristine.

AbstractHistorically, vinblastine given by intravenous bolus injection has not been an effective treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas; vincristine has displayed greater activity. Also, vinblastine has generally been considered to be cross-resistant with vincristine in such patients. In an attempt to overcome these obstacles, a protracted infusion of vinblastine was administered (0.5–1.5 mg/m2 per day for 5 days) and repeated every 3 weeks. Partial responses were observed in 4 of 29 (14%) patients with a variety of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma lasting 2.4, 2.4, 5.5, and 9.0 months. Just prior to treatment the responding patients had received and eventually become refractory to vincristine. These data show a lack of total cross-resistance between vinblastine and vincristine which might have important therapeutic implications in this disease.
All-optical RF filter using amplitude inversion in a semiconductor optical amplifier

We present an all optical delay-line radio-frequency (RF) notch filter. The filter exploits cross-gain modulation in a homogeneously broadened laser medium to obtain a negative tap in an optically incoherent system. Applications including moving-target indication (MTI) in optically controlled radars are discussed.
Simplified Demonstration of Cavotricuspid Isthmus Block After Catheter Ablation in Patients After Mustard's Operation

Background: The Mustard operation is a complex atrial rerouting performed in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent atrial flutter (AFL) is an important problem in these patients. While catheter ablation (CA) is successful, three-dimensional (3D) mapping is necessary to prove block at the CTI. 3D mapping, however, requires baffle puncture. We tested a simplified concept to prove isthmus block after CA for AFL in Mustard patients. Methods: During electrophysiology study, catheters were placed in the high and low systemic venous atrium (HSVA and LSVA) and in the low pulmonary venous atrium (LPVA). LPVA and then LSVA were paced while recording in the HSVA and the alternate site. While pacing from one low site, the time taken to activate the other low site and the HSVA was compared before and after successful ablation. Results: Three patients with Mustard operation and AFL underwent successful CA. Involvement of the CTI in AFL was proved by entrainment mapping. AFL was terminated during ablation and no longer inducible after ablation in all. LSVA pacing showed LPVA activation preceded HSVA activation preablation and activation pattern reversal after ablation. Likewise, LPVA pacing showed LSVA activation preceding HSVA preablation with reversal after ablation. Conclusion: This study provides a simple method to demonstrate bidirectional block at the CTI in patients with CTI-based AFL after Mustard operation for TGA.
National Survey on Implementation of Peer Specialists in the VA: Implications for Training and Facilitation

OBJECTIVES Peer support is fundamental to the promotion of recovery as indicated in the President's New Freedom Commission Report. Five years into the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) initiative to hire Peer Specialists (PSs)-individuals with serious mental illnesses assigned to clinical teams to support others with serious mental illnesses-this study explored challenges, facilitators, and progress of PS implementation from a stakeholder group involved in their management. METHODS Ninety-two VA Local Recovery Coordinators (LRCs) from across the nationwide VA mental health system were surveyed about their perceptions about PS hiring, status of implementation, impact, barriers and facilitators to successful employment of PSs, and willingness to support implementation. RESULTS The data suggest that PS implementation is going well overall, but challenges remain such as hiring delays, lack of understanding about the PS role, and lack of funding. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Implementation challenges can undermine the employment of PSs. The VA and other organizations using PSs could improve implementation by monitoring the challenges and proactively facilitating the process on an ongoing basis.
Importance of Density in the Design of New Adsorbents for Technological Applications

There are new and interesting adsorbents that show very high levels of adsorption on a mass basis. As one looks for viable new materials that can be moved from the bench to a pilot and then to full-scale units, a gap in adsorption results of these adsorbents immediately emerges. There has been a lack of consideration given to adsorbent density. When the transition is made from science to technology, density is critical because this variable will control the volume of the adsorbent bed and the size of the unit, both of which determine capital outlay.
An adaptation of finite linear viscoelasticity theory for rubber-like viscoelasticity by use of a generalized strain measure

In this paper a simplified three-dimensional constitutive equation for viscoelastic rubber-like solids is derived by employing a generalized strain measure and an asymptotic expansion similar to that used by Coleman and Noll (1961) in their derivation of finite linear viscoelasticity (FLV) theory. The first term of the expansion represents exactly the time and strain separability relaxation behavior exhibited by certain soft polymers in the rubbery state and in the transition zone between the glassy and rubbery states. The relaxation spectra of such polymers are said to be deformation independent. Retention of higher order terms of the asymptotic expansion is recommended for treating deformation dependent spectra.
Study on relativity of level in serum of MPO and hs-CRP in patients with coronary disease

Objective:To understand the significance of the level in serum of MPO and hs-CRP in the patients with coronary disease.Methods:The level of myeloperoxidase(MPO) was detected by ELISA,the level of hs-C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) was detected by Array 360 analyzer.Results:For 73 patients with coronary disease and 30 collators,The levels in serum of MPO and hs-CRP in patiens is heigher than that one in the collators(P0.05).In collators,there were 5.37±0.71 U/ml and 3.84±0.59 mg/L(n=30),in the patients with single-branch coronary disease,there were 7.54±01.35 U/ml and 13.59±3.02 mg/L(n=28);for two-branches,there were 8.91±2.12 U/ml and 15.45±3.16 mg/L(n=24);for three-branches,there were 10.06±2.06 U/ml and 17.06±3.31 mg/L(n=21);There was low relativity between the level of MPO and the level of hs-CRP in the serum.Conclusion:The more severity of coronary disease,the heigher level of MPO and hs-CRP in the serum.The MPO maybe is an independence index to estimate the risk factor of coronary disease.
Building a Formal Model of a Human-Interactive System: Insights into the Integration of Formal Methods and Human Factors Engineering

Both the human factors engineering (HFE) and formal methods communities are concerned with finding and eliminating problems with safety-critical systems. This work discusses a modeling effort that leveraged methods from both fields to use model checking with HFE practices to perform formal verification of a human-interactive system. Despite the use of a seemingly simple target system, a patient controlled analgesia pump, the initial model proved to be difficult for the model checker to verify in a reasonable amount of time. This resulted in a number of model revisions that affected the HFE architectural, representativeness, and understandability goals of the effort. If formal methods are to meet the needs of the HFE community, additional modeling tools and technological developments are necessary.
Quantitative modeling of gene expression using DNA shape features of binding sites

Prediction of gene expression levels driven by regulatory sequences is pivotal in genomic biology. A major focus in transcriptional regulation is sequence-to-expression modeling, which interprets the enhancer sequence based on transcription factor concentrations and DNA binding specificities and predicts precise gene expression levels in varying cellular contexts. Such models largely rely on the position weight matrix (PWM) model for DNA binding, and the effect of alternative models based on DNA shape remains unexplored. Here, we propose a statistical thermodynamics model of gene expression using DNA shape features of binding sites. We used rigorous methods to evaluate the fits of expression readouts of 37 enhancers regulating spatial gene expression patterns in Drosophila embryo, and show that DNA shape-based models perform arguably better than PWM-based models. We also observed DNA shape captures information complimentary to the PWM, in a way that is useful for expression modeling. Furthermore, we tested if combining shape and PWM-based features provides better predictions than using either binding model alone. Our work demonstrates that the increasingly popular DNA-binding models based on local DNA shape can be useful in sequence-to-expression modeling. It also provides a framework for future studies to predict gene expression better than with PWM models alone.
High Spatial Resolution Near-Ir Tip/Tilt Imaging Of “Warm” Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies

We present results from high spatial resolution (FWHM ≈ 0.3–0.5 ″) near-IR (1.6 and 2.1μm) imaging of a complete sample of ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIGs) chosen to have “warm” mid-IR colors (f 25/f 60 > 0.2) characteristic of AGN. In conjunction with our WFPC2 imaging program (Surace et al. 1998), we have found that nearly all of these systems are advanced mergers with complex nuclear morphologies. The extended underlying galaxies are detected in each system at H and K′, and are found to have luminosities of a few L*, similar to quasars (McLeod & Rieke 1994). Many of the circumnuclear star-forming knots seen at optical wavelengths have been detected. Based on model SEDs, their bolometric luminosities appear similar to those of the extended nuclear starbursts seen in other, less-luminous interacting systems (i.e. NGC 4038/9). Each ULIG is increasingly dominated at long wavelengths by a compact source which we identify as a putative active nucleus. The optical/near-IR colors of these putative nuclei are more extreme than the most infrared-active starburst galaxies, yet are identical to “far-IR loud” quasars which are in turn similar to optical quasars with significant hot (800 K) dust emission. Half of the ULIGs have dereddened nuclear near-IR luminosities comparable to those of QSOs, while the others resemble Seyferts; this may be an effect of patchy extinction and scattering. Similarities between the putative ULIG nuclei and QSO nuclei, the underlying host galaxies, and the apparent young age of the ULIGs (as evidenced by their compact star-forming knots) support the evolution of “warm” ULIGs into optical QSOs.
Uterus Didelphys: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Impact on Fertility and Reproduction

Uterus didelphys results from failure of fusion of the paired Mullerian ducts. Uterus didelphys is defined as this anomaly occurs in approximately 1 in 3000 women and accounts for 8–10 % of all Mullerian anomalies. A longitudinal septum is found in 75 % of cases of uterine didelphys. The majority of patients with uterus didelphys are asymptomatic. Fertility is not affected in women with uterus didelphys, but those who are pregnant are at risk for preterm delivery and malpresentation needing cesarean section for delivery.
‘To Set Free the Idea of the Self’: Bosanquet’s Relational Individual

A common charge against Bosanquet holds that he depreciates the value of the social individual because of its ultimate absorption in the metaphysical Absolute. In this paper it is argued that, although not wholly without foundation, such criticism obscures, and deflects from the proper appreciation of, a conception of selfhood that merits our closer attention, a conception we can refer to as the relational individual. It is argued that the same idea of a ‘confluence of selves’ that so worries his critics in fact forms the basis for Bosanquet’s concept of the relational self. By focusing on the active, energetic and self-governing capacities of such relational individuals, it is shown that this need not be thought of as the concept of something fundamentally lacking in value.
Asymptotic Mean-Square Optimality of Belief Propagation for Sparse Linear Systems

This paper studies the estimation of a high-dimensional vector signal where the observation is a known "sparse" linear transformation of the signal corrupted by additive Gaussian noise. A paradigm of such a linear system is code-division multiple access (CDMA) channel with sparse spreading matrix. Assuming a "semi-regular" ensemble of sparse matrix linear transformations, where the bi-partite graph describing the system is asymptotically cycle-free, it is shown that belief propagation (BP) achieves the minimum mean-square error (MMSE) in estimating the transformation of the input vector in the large-system limit. The result holds regardless of the the distribution and power of the input symbols. Furthermore, the mean squared error of estimating each symbol of the input vector using BP is proved to be equal to the MMSE of estimating the same symbol through a scalar Gaussian channel with some degradation in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The degradation, called the efficiency, is determined from a fixed-point equation due to Guo and Verdu, which is a generalization of Tanaka's formula to arbitrary prior distributions.
Rodent Brain Imaging with SPECT and CT

We describe in vivo single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) techniques to image perfusion and vasculature structures within rodent brains using a combined SPECT-CT scanner dedicated to small animal imaging. A highly-focusing pinhole SPECT with 99mTc-exametazime (HMPAO) was acquired to image brain perfusion in rat models of stroke. We used a well-established middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model to induce stroke in rat brains. Validation of the animal model was performed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and histologic analyses. The in vivo imaging results from successful MCAO models were compared against ex vivo autoradiography. A CT with a constant infusion of iodinated contrast media was acquired to image the vasculature around a rat brain including carotid arteries and the Circle of Willis. A visual comparison of image contrast to identify vascular structure in rat brains was made between contrast-enhanced and noncontrast CT images. This CT technique is useful to investigate rat models of intracranial aneurysm. We could identify the region of perfusion deficit indicating infarction through 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed the vascular structure of carotid arteries and the Circle of Willis, which were invisible by noncontrast CT. We have demonstrated SPECT and contrast-enhanced CT capabilities to investigate cerebrovascular disease identification and treatment studies involving rodent models.
Aflatoxin Residues in Milk of Dairy Cows after Ingestion of Naturally Contaminated Grain

Thirty-two lactating Holstein cows, blocked according to level of milk production, were fed cottonseed meal contaminated with aflatoxin B1, (AFB1) (0, 94, 241 and 500 μg/kg) as 20% of their ration (equivalent to 0, 20, 48 and 104 μg/kg in complete feed). Within 12 h, aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) appeared in the milk of all cows receiving contaminated feed. The mean AFM1 concentrations in the milk approached steady-state conditions (0.35, 0.63 and 1.61 μg/L for treatments of 20, 48 and 104 μg AFB1/kg, respectively) at 24 h and returned to the Food and Drug Administration action level of 0.5 μg/L or lower within 24 h after removal of the contaminated feed. The ratio of AFB1 in the feed to AFM1 in the milk averaged 66:1. The mean percent of daily AFB1 intake that was transferred to AFM1 was 1.74. This value was unaffected by the concentration of AFB1 in the feed (1.89, 1.55 and 1.81% transferred for treatments of 20, 48 and 104 μg AFB1/kg, respectively). Although increased milk production had no effect on the concentration of AFM1 in the milk, it had a positive effect (P ≤ 0.01) on the percent of AFB1 intake transferred to AFM1 (2.14 vs 1.35%). In a second trial, 16 additional cows were fed either naturally contaminated cottonseed meal or corn (44 and 49 μg/kg, respectively, on a complete feed basis). The percent of AFB1 intake secreted as AFM1 was affected (P ≤ 0.02) by the source of contamination (1.73 vs. 1.32% for the cottonseed meal and corn treatments, respectively). The AFM1 concentrations in the milk were not significantly different (P>0.05).
Abstract 18669: A Novel Association Between GATA4 and Left Ventricular Noncompaction

Background: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is characterized by a heavily trabeculated left ventricle and often systolic dysfunction. In contrast to other inherited cardiomyopathies, only in ...
Bar None? SQIID Observations of IC 342 Reveal Non-axisymmetric Stellar Distribution

IC 342 is a large, nearby spiral galaxy which is undergoing a moderate nuclear star-burst. IC 342 is at low galactic latitude and has a low surface brightness, so there have been few optical studies. Our near-IR observations penetrate the dust to reveal a non-axisymmetric stellar distribution — IC 342 is a barred spiral galaxy!
A C5 Benchmark Problem with the Discrete Ordinates Radiation Transport Code Denovo

The C5 benchmark problem proposed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency was modeled to examine the capabilities of Denovo, a three-dimensional (3-D) parallel discrete ordinates (S{sub N}) radiation transport code, for problems with no spatial homogenization. Denovo uses state-of-the-art numerical methods to obtain accurate solutions to the Boltzmann transport equation. Problems were run in parallel on Jaguar, a high-performance supercomputer located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Both the two-dimensional (2-D) and 3-D configurations were analyzed, and the results were compared with the reference MCNP Monte Carlo calculations. For an additional comparison, SCALE/KENO-V.a Monte Carlo solutions were also included. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed for the optimal angular quadrature and mesh resolution for both the 2-D and 3-D infinite lattices of UO{sub 2} fuel pin cells. Denovo was verified with the C5 problem. The effective multiplication factors, pin powers, and assembly powers were found to be in good agreement with the reference MCNP and SCALE/KENO-V.a Monte Carlo calculations.
Risk factors for mortality and mortality rates in interstitial lung disease patients in the intensive care unit.

Data on interstitial lung disease (ILD) outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU) is of limited value due to population heterogeneity. The aim of this study was to examine risk factors for mortality and ILD mortality rates in the ICU. We performed a systematic review using five databases. 50 studies were identified and 34 were included: 17 studies on various aetiologies of ILD (mixed-ILD) and 17 on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In mixed-ILD, elevated APACHE score, hypoxaemia and mechanical ventilation are risk factors for mortality. No increased mortality was found with steroid use. Evidence is inconclusive on advanced age. In IPF, evidence is inconclusive for all factors except mechanical ventilation and hypoxaemia. The overall in-hospital mortality was available in 15 studies on mixed-ILD (62% in 2001–2009 and 48% in 2010–2017) and 15 studies on IPF (79% in 1993–2004 and 65% in 2005–2017). Follow-up mortality rate at 1 year ranged between 53% and 100%. Irrespective of ILD aetiology, mechanical ventilation is associated with increased mortality. For mixed-ILD, hypoxaemia and APACHE scores are also associated with increased mortality. IPF has the highest mortality rate among ILDs, but since 1993 the rate appears to be declining. Despite improving in-hospital survival, overall mortality remains high.
Electrified Powertrain SiC Inverter Loss Sensitivity to Design and Operation Parameter Assumptions

Silicon-Carbide (SiC) power semiconductors have not yet deeply penetrated into electrified powertrain applications due to the challenges in achieving cost competitiveness and in answering reliability questions. It has, however, already been shown by numerous studies that SiC devices can offer advantages, for example, significantly lower inverter power losses than Si devices. This paper attempts, then, not to make SiC vs. Si comparison, but to estimate how sensitive electrified powertrain SiC inverter losses are to the design and operation parameter assumptions. Various parameters, including device voltage rating, switching frequency, total active die-size, junction temperature, with-and-without external Schottky barrier diodes, are considered. The SiC inverter loss landscapes were generated and observations were made with those landscapes, including loss maps over the motor torque-speed plane.
Ideal Point Modeling of Non-cognitive Constructs: Review and Recommendations for Research.

Most psychological measurement models assume a monotonically increasing relation between the latent trait and the probability of responding. These models have historically been based on the measurement of abilities (e.g., cognitive), which have dominance properties. However, they are less appropriate for the measurement of non-cognitive constructs, or self-reported typical behaviors (e.g., attitudes, emotions, interests, personality), which have historically been assumed to have ideal point properties, or a non-monotonic relation between the latent trait and the probability of responding. In this paper, we review the literature on ideal point modeling of non-cognitive constructs to present a theoretical framework that can help guide researchers on pertinent factors that may influence ideal point responding when assessing non-cognitive constructs. We also review the practical implications of not using ideal point response models for non-cognitive constructs and propose areas for research in non-cognitive construct assessment.
Differential eligibility for paid leave benefits in OECD countries: the impact of tenure requirements for young workers

ABSTRACTResearch has shown health and economic benefits to having access to paid family and medical leave, yet eligibility requirements restrict coverage. The impact and variation of these requirem...
Strategies for Robust Image Classification

In this work we evaluate the impact of digitally altered images on the performance of artificial neural networks. We explore factors that negatively affect the ability of an image classification model to produce consistent and accurate results. A model's ability to classify is negatively influenced by alterations to images as a result of digital abnormalities or changes in the physical environment. The focus of this paper is to discover and replicate scenarios that modify the appearance of an image and evaluate them on state-of-the-art machine learning models. Our contributions present various training techniques that enhance a model's ability to generalize and improve robustness against these alterations.
Access to prominent political events on the World Wide Web: the case of the final 2016 US presidential debate

The final presidential debate in the U.S. was one of the most widely followed programs of 2016. The main broadcasters aired it live on television and streamed it through social media with closed captioning so that all Americans could access this highly awaited political event. After the debate night, most networks uploaded the full program or fragments of it to their websites in order to make it available to viewers who had missed the original transmission. This paper focuses on the closed captioning provided in the videos of the final debate available on the websites and YouTube channels of the most prominent networks that televised the event. Drawing on literature from Media Accessibility, Communication and Internet Studies, an analysis of the availability and functionality of the online captions in those clips was performed, which proved that the accessibility services offered after the debate night to audiences with hearing loss could be substantially improved.
It would be simpler to see success without dominating discourse of ability

This paper engages with and reflects the college experiences of three college students/graduates who type to communicate, chronicled through ongoing conversations with one another and a group of co-inquirers, focused on understanding experiences in higher education. Grounded in a disability studies in education framework, this work draws on narrative inquiry and collaborative qualitative analysis of discussions over three years in a co-constructed digital interspace. Key findings include: the role of mentorship and connection; navigating the system; controlling the narrative; and traversing new methodological and relational landscapes. Together, these conversations about neurodivergent communicative experiences in higher education tell stories of agency, friendship, affiliation, and advocacy against a backdrop of ableism. Through illustrative dialogic moments, we grapple with the complexities of presence as resistance in higher educational spaces. This work highlights collaborative research methods that center communicative diversity and relationality in inquiry, as well as how process can inform dialogue in and about the academy.
A proof of Lin's conjecture on inversion sequences avoiding patterns of relation triples

Abstract A sequence e = e 1 e 2 ⋯ e n of natural numbers is called an inversion sequence if 0 ≤ e i ≤ i − 1 for all i ∈ { 1 , 2 , … , n } . Recently, Martinez and Savage initiated an investigation of inversion sequences that avoid patterns of relation triples. Let ρ 1 , ρ 2 and ρ 3 be among the binary relations { , > , ≤ , ≥ , = , ≠ , − } . Martinez and Savage defined I n ( ρ 1 , ρ 2 , ρ 3 ) as the set of inversion sequences of length n such that there are no indices 1 ≤ i j k ≤ n with e i ρ 1 e j , e j ρ 2 e k and e i ρ 3 e k . In this paper, we will prove a curious identity concerning the ascent statistic over the sets I n ( > , ≠ , ≥ ) and I n ( ≥ , ≠ , > ) . This confirms a recent conjecture of Zhicong Lin.
Polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotubes filled biopolymer based flexible substrate electrodes for supercapacitor applications

Abstract Implementation of green energy storage system via integrating natural materials has become an indispensable requirement for a sustainable future. In this study, polyaniline (PANI) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) filled flexible porous mixed matrix membrane (MMM) were developed from chitosan (CS) and cellulose acetate (CA) for supercapacitor applications. The results reflect that the unique membrane morphology of the MMM electrode aid for the better areal capacitance of 30.69 mF/cm2 at a scan rate of 25 mV/s when compared with CA/CS (CC) paper based electrode having same compositions of PANI and MWCNT (15.71 mF/cm2 at a scan rate of 25 mV/s). The present strategy paved way to biopolymer based mixed matrix membrane (MMM) having facile fabrication, high porosity and flexibility as sustainable electrode materials for energy storage applications.
Towards Functionally Robust AI Accelerators

Recent advances in deep learning can be attributed to the continued performance improvement of hardware processors and artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators. In addition to conventional CMOS accelerators based on Von Neumann architecture, emerging technologies such as silicon photonics, memristors, and monolithic 3D (M3D) integration are being explored as post-Moore’s law alternatives. However, the energy efficiency and performance of emerging AI accelerators can be catastrophically impacted by faults due to fabrication-process variations, thermal crosstalk, and aging. In this paper, we analyze the performance of several emerging AI accelerators in the presence of different uncertainties, and present low-cost methods to assess the significance of faults and mitigate their effects. We show that across all technologies, the impact of uncertainties on the performance can vary significantly based on the fault type and the parameters of the affected component. Therefore, the fault criticality-assessment techniques presented in this paper are necessary for yield improvement.
Spacetime b -boundaries

It is shown that Schmidt'sb-boundary for a spacetime can be analyzed using a submanifold of the tangent bundle, rather than the principal bundle or the bundle of orthogonal frames.
Students' satisfaction with electrical handpieces in an educational setting.

Objective: This article presents the evaluation and outcome of improvements carried out at Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine (CWRU) based on feedback provided by students during implementation of electrical handpieces technology in the school. Methodology: Students were surveyed in February 2010 (first survey) regarding their satisfaction with the existing clinical set-up for electrical handpieces. Following a change in clinical setting and integration of the control box into the dental unit in November 2010, students were administered the same survey as in February 2010 (second survey). Results: There was an increased level of satisfaction with electric handpieces in the new clinical setting; these levels were significant regarding the ergonomics of the handpiece and clinical setting, operation of the handpiece, and technical maintenance. There was a significant shift from those who were categorically against using electrical handpieces after graduation towards those were ‘not sure’ regarding the adoption of electric technology in their practice. Conclusions: Specifically improving the clinical setting of a control box for electrical handpieces can influence overall student perception regarding the quality of handpieces and their operation.
Can the thymus win the battle against drug-resistant HIV?

HIV isolates resistant to protease inhibitor treatment have an impaired ability to replicate in thymocytes, allowing T-cell production to continue despite the peripheral T-cell decline. Understanding the basis for cellular differences in HIV replication might teach us new ways to protect the immune system from highly pathogenic strains of HIV-1 (pages 712−718).
Algorithms for optimizing leveled commitment contracts

In automated negotiation systems consisting of self-interested agents, contracts have traditionally been binding. Leveled commitment contracts-i.e. contracts where each party can decommit by paying a predetermined penalty were recently shown to improve Pareto efficiency even if agents rationally decommit in Nash equilibrium using inflated thresholds on how good their outside offers must be before they decommit. This paper operationalizes the four leveled commitment contracting protocols by presenting algorithms for using them. Algorithms are presented for computing the Nash equilibrium decommitting thresholds and decommitting probabilities given the contract price and the penalties. Existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium are analyzed. Algorithms are also presented for optimizing the contract itself (price and penalties). Existence and uniqueness of the optimum are analyzed. Using the algorithms we offer a contract optimization service on the web as part of Mediator, our next generation electronic commerce server. Finally, the algorithms are generalized to contracts involving more than two agents.
Forty Years after Title Vii: Creating an Atmosphere Condusive to Diversity in the Corporate Boardroom

In 1964, when the Congress passed Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, proponents expressed hope that the legislation would provide an impetus to reduce discrimination and increase workplace opportunities for women and minorities. The forty years of Title VII's history demonstrates considerable progress in accomplishing the goals of greater workplace inclusion, a reduction in employment discrimination, and greater opportunities for women and minorities. However, the anticipated goal of greater opportunities for women and minorities in other areas of the economythose not specifically covered by Title VIIhas not been realized. The Article examines a two specific areasappointment of federal appellate judges and selection and election of directors of publicly held corporationsto determine if the climate for greater inclusion of women and minorities has improved during the tenure of Title VII. The Articles argues that women, in particular, and minorities, have not been selected for these positions at rates or levels that are consistent with the promise of Title VII. The Article then draws into analysis the underlying goals of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 to argue that the fundamental policy of Sarbanes Oxleythat independent directors are necessary to advance legislative goals of competence, integrity and objectivity in the management of publicly held companiesis advanced by the promotion of an underlying goal of Title VII--that the legislation creates an atmosphere conducive to greater employment opportunities for women and racial and ethnic minorities. The confluence of these dual legislative goals suggests that greater attention must be provided to the creation of leadership opportunities for women and minorities in American corporations.
Two-dimensional acoustic field in a nonuniform duct carrying compressible flow

An analytical/numerical linear acoustic solution in a nonuniform two-dimensional duct carrying a compressible mean flow is developed. A quasi-one-dimensional mean flow model is employed together with a consistent expression for the cross-flow velocity. The acoustic solution is obtained using the wave envelope method. Numerical results are compared with those of an existing wave envelope solution which uses a more general mean flow model that includes a thin boundary layer. The results suggest that a thin boundary layer in the flow model may be of minor influence on the sound field in many cases of practical interest.
No More Scandals: A Simple Model For Valuing Employee Stock Options

The escalating size of compensation packages to senior managers and investor disillusionment have resulted in growing calls for the expensing of employee stock options (ESO). While initially slow to respond, the FASB has now mandated the expensing of ESO. The two primary methods used to value ESO, the Black-Scholes closed form equation and the lattice model, suffer from several deficiencies .A Simple model for valuing ESO that marks the option expense to market in succeeding financial statement dates and allows for the staggered exercise dates of option holders is available. The model is easy to understand, would have a low cost of implementation, and offers a superior estimate of the true cash flow effects associated with the opportunity cost to shareholders of ESO exercise.
Reconfıgurable and selectively-adaptive signal processing for multi-mode wireless communication

A selectively-adaptive and configurable 8–72 tap distributed arithmetic FIR filter consuming 0.016mm2 total area in 22nm CMOS with a companion RLS-based adaptation hardware accelerator for large scale signal processing in communication systems is presented. Overhead of duplicate LUTs in partial-parallel implementations is avoided by using multi-port memories to achieve required application throughputs and memory footprint is optimally reduced by systematically trading logic for memory. The first SoC implementation of a serialized RLS-based adaptation hardware accelerator that adapts the filter coefficients on an as-needed basis consumes 0.089mm2 total area at an estimated total power of 12.5mW at 0.8V supply.
Ibuprofen ameliorates fatigue- and depressive-like behavior in tumor-bearing mice

Abstract Aims Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is often accompanied by depressed mood, both of which reduce functional status and quality of life. Research suggests that increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines is associated with skeletal muscle wasting and depressive- and fatigue-like behaviors in rodents and cancer patients. We have previously shown that treatment with ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, preserved muscle mass in tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the behavioral effects of ibuprofen in a mouse model of CRF. Main methods Mice were injected with colon-26 adenocarcinoma cells and treated with ibuprofen (10 mg/kg) in the drinking water. Depressive-like behavior was determined using the forced swim test (FST). Fatigue-like behaviors were determined using voluntary wheel running activity (VWRA) and grip strength. The hippocampus, gastrocnemius muscle, and serum were collected for cytokine analysis. Key findings Tumor-bearing mice showed depressive-like behavior in the FST, which was not observed in mice treated with ibuprofen. VWRA and grip strength declined in tumor-bearing mice, and ibuprofen attenuated this decline. Tumor-bearing mice had decreased gastrocnemius muscle mass and increased expression of IL-6, MAFBx and MuRF mRNA, biomarkers of protein degradation, in the muscle. Expression of IL-1β and IL-6 was also increased in the hippocampus. Treatment with ibuprofen improved muscle mass and reduced cytokine expression in both the muscle and hippocampus of tumor-bearing mice. Significance Ibuprofen treatment reduced skeletal muscle wasting, inflammation in the brain, and fatigue- and depressive-like behavior in tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, ibuprofen warrants evaluation as an adjuvant treatment for CRF.
Relative sensitivity of different biological responses to thyroxine.

Different groups of female rats surgically thyroidectomized at 28 clays of age were injected with doses of L-thyroxine varying from 0.25 to 5 µg. daily for 96 days. A dose of 0.5 µg. was required to a maintain body growth while doses greater than 1 and less than 5 were required to maintain metabolic rates at levels normal for the age. Red cell volume was normal at 1 and 5 µg. but at the lower doses there was no prevention of the anemia which follows thyroidectomy. Pituitary acidophils were normal at 1 µg. whereas the basophils required between 1 and 5 µg. for prevention of hyperplasia and hypertrophy. The ovaries were normal in structure and weight at 1 µg. The adrenals were normal only after the administration of the higher doses needed for maintenance of calorigenesis. These findings rcemphasize the differential in biological effectiveness of thyroxine.
Making help desk training interactive and interesting for student technicians

The "Dashboard" solution is one way to address the need to make the student staff at the C&IT Help Desk self sufficient so that full-time employees are able to concentrate on other mission critical projects. The frequency of questions asked by student technicians when a customer calls is in direct correlation with hold time and interrupts full-time staff throughout their work day.Initially charged with creating a technical platform for the "Dashboard", I began to solicit input from my peers in an effort to keep from reinventing the wheel. While providing the student staff with continuous support on frequently asked questions, the "Dashboard" will also serve as a support tool for training on institutional knowledge and subjects on computing services external to the Help Desk. The best proposed solution for this will be to create a Blackboard course which is not term specific.With the current economic climate, this solution needed to be developed using a tool with low maintenance and support for the initial implementation. Training needs will be addressed by adding topics on maintenance and support for WSU computing systems. This format allows training that would be dynamic and continuous on the Blackboard platform.Help Desk full-time personnel who provide direction are given a charge to add to the skill set of veteran student staff, as well as conducting initial training for new hires. With the Blackboard solution, we are able to do more with less. With content added by students on the "Dashboard," there is a self-serve element added to the training for our student staff. Students will be allowed to interact by posting to discussion forums and adding discussion threads on support issues.
Preimplantation sex selection demand and preferences among infertility patients in Midwestern United States

Purpose To determine the demand and preferences of infertility patients for sex selection for nonmedical reasons, and to investigate the relation between these choices and their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.
Changes in Managerial Work Tech Managers at Dotcom

This article seeks to examine how recent structural and organizational changes could have had an impact on the role and work of managers in contemporary organizations with support of empirical data gathered from a case study undertaken in India. The article basically looks at issues like effects of recession, new work of managers, their managerial style and types of skills required to effectively fulfil the functions of managers.
Leftward Shift of Frontal Plane QRS Axis as a Frequent Manifestation of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Analysis of the frontal plane QRS axis was made in 115 patients with acute pulmonary embolism studied at this medical center. A leftward shift of axis was twice as frequent as a rightward shift, and left axis deviation was twice as common as right axis deviation at the time of the acute embolism. It is concluded that a leftward shift of the frontal plane electrical axis in acute pulmonary embolism may be considered one of the electrocardiographic manifestations of the disorder.
Axially Symmetric Zero-Mass Meson Solutions of Einstein Equations

The field equations for the coupled zero-mass scalar field and gravitational fields are solved in the axially symmetric static case. It is found that the scalar field obeys a flat-space Laplace's equation such that a large class of solutions exists. The spherically symmetric limiting solution is shown to be a simplified version of the solution due to Jains et al.
Microtubule disassembly and morphologic alterations induced by 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, a substrate for glutathione S-transferase

1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), a potent substrate for glutathione S-transferase, is known to rapidly deplete cellular glutathione (GSH) via conjugate formation. Treatment of quiescent 3T3 cells with 5 uM CDNB results in disassembly of microtubules (MT) within 1 hr as revealed by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. In addition, CDNB treatment also induces dramatic morphologic alterations similar to those mediated by colchicine. Furthermore, taxol prevents both MT disassembly and morphologic changes normally occurring in CDNB as well as colchicine-treated cells. The mechanism of CDNB-mediated MT disassembly in vivo and its possible relationship to cellular GSH metabolism are under current studies.
Pathogenesis of cerebral air embolism during neodymium-YAG laser photoresection.

We describe a case of air embolism complicating neodymium-YAG laser resection of an endobronchial carcinoid tumor. A 27-year-old man experienced an acute neurologic syndrome during laser photoresection which responded to acute hyperbaric therapy. (Chest 1988; 94:660-62)