cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The architecture of a database computer - a summary

The motivation for seeking hardware solutions to database management functions traditionally carried out by software has been apparent to data-base designers for sometime now. Firstly, database management software has grown in complexity and size over the years. This growth is prompted by the increase in user requirements, by the formulation of sophisticated models and by the change in data processing mode from an off-line, batched, single user environment to an on-line, concurrent and multi-user environment. Large and complex software systems tend to be failure-prone. Further-more, practical verification methods for software systems are still not in sight. On the other hand, methods for verifying hardware functionality, design and production have long been available. Advanced technology has also overcome some of the problems of the logic complexity and capacity requirements, making the construction of relatively large and complex computers viable. By incorporating basic database management functions into hardware, not only can we provide more reliable basic functions, but we can also improve the software reliability since the software requirements will be less complex and the system software will be smaller in size.
Distance-matrix routing: a scalable ad-hoc wireless IP routing

We present a scalable distance-matrix routing algorithm for clusters of nodes. These clusters are defined by GPS coordinates similar to hierarchical routing and geography based routing. We show that the computation and storage requirement of this distance-matrix routing algorithm is scalable and is substantially reduced for large number of mobile nodes. Optimality of routing is maintained. The effect of geographic proximity is shown to reduce computation, message exchange, and route storage requirements. Also, the reduced number of iterations required also improves on the stability of Bellman-Ford type distributed routing algorithms. We plan to implement an IP routing protocol using existing IP router software such as RIP, allowing such mature software to scale up to much larger number of nodes, to handle node mobility, and to perform many ad-hoc network features.
Interval-based robust statistical techniques for non-negative convex functions, with application to timing analysis of computer chips

In chip design, one of the main objectives is to decrease its clock cycle. On the design stage, this time is usually estimated by using worst-case (interval) techniques, in which we only use the bounds on the parameters that lead to delays. This analysis does not take into account that the probability of the worst-case values is usually very small; thus, the resulting estimates are over-conservative, leading to unnecessary over-design and under-performance of circuits. If we knew the exact probability distributions of the corresponding parameters, then we could use Monte-Carlo simulations (or the corresponding analytical techniques) to get the desired estimates. In practice, however, we only have partial information about the corresponding distributions, and we want to produce estimates that are valid for all distributions which are consistent with this information.In this paper, we develop a general technique that allows us, in particular, to provide such estimates for the clock time.
Seasonal changes in the chemical quality and biodegradability of dissolved organic matter exported from soils to streams in coastal temperate rainforest watersheds

The composition and biodegradability of streamwater dissolved organic matter (DOM) varies with source material and degree of transformation. We combined PARAFAC modeling of fluorescence excitation–emission spectroscopy and biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) incubations to investigate seasonal changes in the lability of DOM along a soil-stream continuum in three soil types: bog, forested wetland and upland forest. The percent BDOC ranged from 7 to 38% across all sites, and was significantly greater in soil compared to streamwater in the bog and forested wetland, but not in the upland forest. The percent BDOC also varied significantly over the entire sampling period in soil and streamwater for the bog and forested wetland, as BDOC peaked during the spring runoff and was lowest during the summer months. Moreover, the chemical quality of DOM in wetland soil and streamwater was similar during the spring runoff and fall wet season, as demonstrated by the similar contribution of protein-like fluorescence (sum of tyrosine and tryptophan fluorescence) in soil water and in streams. These findings suggest that the tight coupling between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is responsible for the delivery of labile DOM from wetland soils to streams. The contribution of protein-like fluorescence was significantly correlated with BDOC (p < 0.001) over the entire sampling period indicating DOM is an important source of C and N for heterotrophic microbes. Taken together, our findings suggest that the production of protein-rich, labile DOM and subsequent loss in stream runoff might be an important loss of labile C and N from coastal temperate watersheds.
Comparison of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Radioimmunoassay for Measurement of Fentanyl and Determination of Pharmacokinetics in Equine Plasma

This study evaluated the validity of measuring fentanyl concentrations in equine plasma using radioimmunoassay (RIA) by comparing it to the established technique of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Equine plasma samples were analyzed using a solid-phase Coat-A-Count fentanyl RIA and a validated LC-MS method. The fentanyl concentrations derived by both methods were compared by linear regression and pharmacokinetic analysis. The cross-reactivity of the primary equine fentanyl metabolite, N-[1-(2-phenethyl-4-piperidinyl)]maloanilinic acid (PMA), with the RIA was determined. The binding potency of fentanyl and PMA were compared at three opioid receptor subtypes in equine cerebral cortex using a radioligand binding technique. Fentanyl concentrations determined by RIA and LC-MS correlated, but the RIA overestimated low fentanyl concentrations and underestimated high fentanyl concentrations. The overestimation of low fentanyl concentrations is most likely due to the 29% cross-reactivity of PMA with the RIA. As a result, pharmacokinetic variables determined from an intravenous fentanyl bolus to four anesthetized horses differed depending on the analytical method. Although fentanyl bound with nanomolar potency to the three receptor subtypes, PMA exhibited no binding activity even at micromolar concentrations. In conclusion, when compared with LC-MS, fentanyl concentrations determined by RIA in equine plasma are misleading, especially for the calculation of fentanyl pharmacokinetics.
Increased expression of NF-κB subunits in human pancreatic cancer cells1,2 ☆

Abstract Background Activation of NF-κB-dependent antiapoptotic genes may factor in the chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer. It is not known whether NF-κB subunit composition changes during oncogenesis and regulates overall NF-κB activation. We compared the relative expression of NF-κB subunits with nuclear activation of p65 between variably differentiated pancreatic cancer cells. Materials and methods Proliferating human pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1, BxPC-3) and nonmalignant intestinal cells (FHS 74 Int) were harvested. Baseline expression of NF-κB subunits (p65, p52, p50, c-Rel) and its inhibitor IκB-α were determined by Western blot. Nuclear NF-κB p65 activity was measured by ELISA. Results were analyzed by ANOVA (P Results Constitutive expression of NF-κB subunits was detected in proliferating, intestinal cells (FHS 74 Int). Both cytoplasmic (IκB-α, p50, p52, p65) and nuclear (p50, p52, p65, c-Rel) NF-κB subunits were significantly increased in both PANC-1 and BxPC-3 cells compared to FHS 74 Int. While nuclear p65 subunit levels were similarly elevated, actual p65 activity was only significantly greater in PANC-1 cells compared to either BxPC-3 or FHS 74 Int (P Conclusions Compared to nonmalignant proliferating intestinal cells, these pancreatic cancer cell lines have increased levels of NF-κB subunits. Actual nuclear NF-κB activity, however, appears to correlate more with degree of tumor differentiation than with NF-κB subunit expression.
The ethnobotany of Pluchea carolinensis (Jacq.) G. Don (Asteraceae) in the botánicas of Miami, Florida.

Abstract Botanicas, or herbal shops that cater to ethnic populations, are common in culturally diverse southern Florida. One of the most frequently found plants in these botanicas is Pluchea carolinensis. This small shrub in the Asteraceae is a common species in disturbed sites in the region, especially in back mangrove habitats. The binomial P. symphytifolia has been misapplied to P. carolinensis and is considered a synonym for Neurolaena lobata. Both species have similar uses and common names. Pluchea carolinensis is called salvia in Latino botanicas and la choige in Haitian botanicas in Miami. Interviewees at 17 herbal shops provided information on the uses of the plant. The most frequently mentioned ailments treated with P. carolinensis were sore throats and catarrh. The plant also is employed to alleviate headaches, stomach ailments, flatulence, high blood pressure, rash, toothaches, and it is considered to be an antiseptic, anticoagulant, and antiinflammatory. Teas and compresses were the most commo...
Strengthening Local Governance Through Effective Waste Management: The “Sustainable Environmental Practices and Policies” Program in South Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley

In response to the critical lack of solid waste and wastewater management facilities in towns and cities around Lebanon, the YMCA of Lebanon implemented the Sustainable Environmental Practices and Policies (SEPP) program from 2003 to 2009. The overall goal of the SEPP program was to improve environmental practices and policies for the management of both solid waste and wastewater in rural Lebanon. This included the Ain Baal solid waste treatment plant (SWTP) serving the city of Tyre and nine wastewater treatment plants in municipalities in southern and central areas of the nation. The project built the capacity of local governments, and it ensured the use of reliable, low cost, low maintenance technologies that improve long-term sustainability. The project attests to the hard work of national civil society organizations to improve environmental practices and increase the accountability of local governments. This project has helped reduce tensions between communities and foster more democratic participation at the local level.
Investigating Sensor Emplacement on Vertical Surfaces for a Biologically-Inspired Morphing Design from Bats

Sensor emplacement is a critical task to maintaining situational awareness of complex environments. As such, the ability to place a sensor onto a vertical surface such as a wall or window would present opportunities to collect information from desired locations. This paper considers the application of bat igh t to the design of a micro air vehicle for the specic task of such sensor emplacement. A series of bats are observed to monitor their wing congurations while attaching themselves to vertical surfaces. A micro air vehicle is then designed that incorporates these wing variations along with traditional elements such as a vertical tail. Computational analysis of the aerodynamics indicates the wing morphing is able to generate aerodynamics that are appropriate for rapidly pitching and rolling while maintaining yaw stability.
DEVELOPMENT AND PERFECTION OF DEPTH ACID FRACTURING TECHNOLOGY IN JINGBIAN GAS FIELD OF CHANGQING

For long-term exploration and development in Jingbian gas field, the geologic framework of Jingbian gas field is becoming complex day by day, the increasing production in the reservoir is very difficult . In order to improve the individual - well production rate of tight gas reservoir and producing reserves, depth acid fracturing technologyis used in Jingbian gas Geld. According to different reservoir type, the paper researched depth acid fracturing technology of ahead acid and acid with variable viscosity. Pad acid fracturing has become a new way for tight gas reservoir reforming of Jingbian gas field, acid fracturing with variable viscosity is one of the main technique for reforming reservoir with better physical characteristics and good fracturing effect is obtained . It provides good technique basis for development of Jingbian gas field in future.
Application of the Method of Adding Micro Steel Tube Pile to Anchorage and Chotcrete Support in Foundation Pit Support of a Project

Though there are several support schemes,when either the construction site is narrow or the shallow foundation pit is near the buildings around,the best method to choose is adding micro steel tube pile to anchorage and chotcrete support.The utilization of this method applied in narrow site is introduced based on example project,which not only assure the safety of foundation pit,reduce the time,but also obtain the good economic efficiency,and what's more,it solves the problem that large-scale mechanical device is unable to work in so narrow site with the other foundation pit support methods,so the method is worth popularizing in same kind of foundation pit.
Parallel Algorithms for Asymmetric Read-Write Costs

Motivated by the significantly higher cost of writing than reading in emerging memory technologies, we consider parallel algorithm design under such asymmetric read-write costs, with the goal of reducing the number of writes while preserving work-efficiency and low span. We present a nested-parallel model of computation that combines (i) small per-task stack-allocated memories with symmetric read-write costs and (ii) an unbounded heap-allocated shared memory with asymmetric read-write costs, and show how the costs in the model map efficiently onto a more concrete machine model under a work-stealing scheduler. We use the new model to design reduced write, work-efficient, low span parallel algorithms for a number of fundamental problems such as reduce, list contraction, tree contraction, breadth-first search, ordered filter, and planar convex hull. For the latter two problems, our algorithms are output-sensitive in that the work and number of writes decrease with the output size. We also present a reduced write, low span minimum spanning tree algorithm that is nearly work-efficient (off by the inverse Ackermann function). Our algorithms reveal several interesting techniques for significantly reducing shared memory writes in parallel algorithms without asymptotically increasing the number of shared memory reads.
Accelerated hydrazone formation in charged microdroplets.

RATIONALE Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is an emerging tool for reaction monitoring. It can be accompanied by reaction acceleration in charged droplets. METHODS The time course of the bulk reaction of indoline-2,3-dione with phenylhydrazine in methanol to produce 3-(2- phenylhydrazono)indolin-2-one was monitored by ESI. Both nanoESI and electrosonic spray ionization (ESSI) were used for this study as representing two common forms of ionization for reaction monitoring. The effect on product yield of the distance the droplets travel between the source and the MS inlet was varied and product/starting material ratios were examined. RESULTS Product yield is dramatically increased by increasing the distance. At short distances reaction monitoring can be performed without acceleration and at greater distances reaction acceleration occurs. This distance effect over the course of the reaction roughly parallels the time dependence of the bulk-phase reaction. CONCLUSIONS Reaction acceleration in droplets is attributed to solvent evaporation leading to increased surface to volume ratios. An acceleration factor of 10(4) , measured relative to the bulk reaction at short times, is readily achieved by simply increasing the droplet distance of flight showing that the same ionization source can be used to monitor reactions with or without acceleration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New filtered-backprojection-based algorithms for image reconstruction in fan-beam scans

Fan-beam scan is a configuration widely used in clinical computed tomography (CT) because it is easy to implement and control. Filtered-backprojection (FBP)-based algorithms have been developed previously for exact reconstruction of the entire image or an ROI within the image from the data acquired in fan-beam scans. Recently, we have developed a 3D based algorithm for image reconstruction on PI-line segments in a helical cone-beam scan. In this work, we demonstrated that the 3D FBP-based algorithm indeed provided a rather general FBP-based formulation for image reconstruction. Based upon this formulation we derived new FBP-based algorithms for image reconstruction in the fan-beam scans, which can be interpreted as the special case of the helical scan. Existing algorithms corresponding to the new derived algorithms were identified. We also performed a preliminary numerical study to verify our theoretical results. The results in the work can readily be generalized to other non-circular trajectories.
The Body in Pain and the Politics of Culture

In “The Body in Pain and the Politics of Culture,” Eze discusses Warsan Shire’s poetry collection, Teaching my Mother How to Give Birth (2011) and Nnedi Okorafor’s work of magical realism, Who Fears Death (2010) as narratives that demonstrate the ethical stance of writing back to the body on the one hand, and on the other, challenge the (mis)use of culture as a means of legitimizing pain. Eze argues that the writings of these authors lend force to the idea that the body of a woman who has undergone genital mutilation is disabled.
Relationships between school start time, sleep duration, and adolescent behaviors

Abstract Objectives The objectives were 2-fold: (1) to examine how high school start times relate to adolescent sleep duration, and (2) to test associations between sleep duration and mental health– and substance use–related issues and behaviors in teens. Design This study examines selected questions from survey data collected between 2010 and 2013 high school students. Setting Respondents included more than 9000 students in grades 9 to 12 in 8 high schools in 5 school districts across the United States. Measurements The survey instrument is the 97-item Teen Sleep Habits Survey. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Because of clustering within schools and the use of repeated measures, generalized estimating equations were used to account for variance inflation. Results Greater sleep duration was associated with fewer reports of various mental health– and substance use–related issues and behaviors (all P values Conclusions Given that later start times allow for greater sleep duration and that adequate sleep duration is associated with more favorable mental health– and substance use–related issues and behaviors, it is important that school districts prioritize exploring and implementing policies, such as delayed start times, that may increase the amount of sleep of adolescent students, which is needed for their optimal development.
Pediatric ocular nanomedicines: Challenges and opportunities

The eye is a highly complex, yet readily accessible organ within the human body. As such, the eye is an appealing candidate target for a vast array of drug therapies. Despite advances in ocular drug therapy research, the focus on pediatric ocular drug delivery continues to be highly underrepresented due to the limited number of degenerative ocular diseases with childhood onset. In this review, we explore more deeply the reasons underlying the disparity between ocular therapies available for children and for adults by highlighting diseases that most commonly afflict children (with focus on the anterior eye) and existing prognoses, recent developments in ocular drug delivery systems and nanomedicines for children, and barriers to use for pediatric patients.
Vocal traditions: Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method

AbstractThis article attempts to acquaint the reader with some of the basic precepts of Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method and its creator Jeannette LoVetri. Although mastery of its practice tak...
Executive Functioning Predicts Reflective Functioning in Mothers.

Parental reflective functioning (PRF) describes a parent’s capacity for considering both their own and their child’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which can help parents to guide interactions with children. Given the cognitive demands of keeping infants in mind whilst caregiving, we examined the association between aspects of executive function (i.e., working memory and set-shifting) and PRF (employing the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire) in recent mothers. In Study 1 (N = 50), we found that better working memory was associated with higher levels of maternal interest and curiosity in their child’s feelings. In Study 2 (N = 68), we found that visual working memory and set-shifting capacity were also associated with higher levels of maternal interest and curiosity in their child’s thoughts and feelings. Our results provide preliminary support for the association between executive processes and maternal reflective functioning. The implications of these findings and important future directions are discussed, including advancing our understanding of executive processes and PRF to support the broader family system.
The Biochemistry of Sensing: Enteric Pathogens Regulate Type III Secretion in Response to Environmental and Host Cues.

ABSTRACT Enteric pathogens employ sophisticated strategies to colonize and infect mammalian hosts. Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter jejuni, are among the leading causes of gastrointestinal tract infections worldwide. The virulence strategies of many of these Gram-negative pathogens rely on type III secretion systems (T3SSs), which are macromolecular syringes that translocate bacterial effector proteins directly into the host cytosol. However, synthesis of T3SS proteins comes at a cost to the bacterium in terms of growth rate and fitness, both in the environment and within the host. Therefore, expression of the T3SS must be tightly regulated to occur at the appropriate time and place during infection. Enteric pathogens have thus evolved regulatory mechanisms to control expression of their T3SSs in response to specific environmental and host cues. These regulatory cascades integrate multiple physical and chemical signals through complex transcriptional networks. Although the power of bacterial genetics has allowed elucidation of many of these networks, the biochemical interactions between signal and sensor that initiate the signaling cascade are often poorly understood. Here, we review the physical and chemical signals that Gram-negative enteric pathogens use to regulate T3SS expression during infection. We highlight the recent structural and functional studies that have elucidated the biochemical properties governing both the interaction between sensor and signal and the mechanisms of signal transduction from sensor to downstream transcriptional networks.
Low Sodium Intakes are Not Associated with Lower Blood Pressure Levels among Framingham Offspring Study Adults

High blood pressure (HBP) is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. To reduce blood pressure, current U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting sodium intake to 2.3 g/day for healthy individuals under the age of 50, while adults over age 50 as well as all African-Americans, and anyone with HBP, diabetes or chronic kidney disease is advised to limit sodium intake to 1.5 g/day. Very limited evidence is available to support these recommendations. Recent studies have called these guidelines into question and identified the need to consider the intakes of other minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium in addition to sodium in relation to BP regulation. We used data from 2,632 normotensive subjects, ages 30–64 years, in the Framingham Offspring Study. Detailed dietary records were collected over six days and used in these analyses to address the question of the long-term effect of dietary sodium in particular on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) over 16 years of f...
Is all morality or just prosociality externalized

It is more likely that externalized morality that facilitated cooperation (externalized prosociality) was selected for versus other types of moral impulses. Recent research suggests that those other moral impulses may actually be at root prosocial, in that judgments about them are indirectly about avoidance of harm. Externalized prosociality may help explain why prosocial behavior benefits individuals.
High-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract: A retrospective study.

e15152 Background: HGNEC are rare malignancies with very poor prognosis. We performed a retrospective review of HGNEC evaluated at the Mayo Clinic, emphasizing clinical and treatment characteristic...
The Individuality of Humic Substances in Diverse Environments

1 ABSTRACT Measured differences among different humic components (e.g. humic acid, fulvic acid, and humin) isolated from the same environment are often diminished to some degree by contamination of the humic samples with nonhumic materials. Characteristic differences among samples of a given humic component (e.g. humic acid) from environment to environment are frequently obscured for this same reason. Careful isolation of humic materials and separation from the nonhumic components by XAD-8 resin techniques eliminates these problems, and allows the individuality of various humic isolates to be recognized. Data are presented to show that each humic component in each environment possess an individuality that distinguishes it from other components in the same environment, and from the “same” component in different environments. The data presented in this chapter supporting these conclusions consist of amino acid and sugar contents, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Additional data from 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, carbon isotopic measurements (δ13C and 14C), and pyrolysis/mass spectrometry, in referenced literature support these conclusions. Environments investigated for this chapter are soil, stream water, and ocean water, humic components investigated are humic acid, fulvic acid, and humin. In the case of soil, fulvic acid extracted from the bulk or solid soil, as well as fulvic acid isolated from the interstitial soil water are included in the study. It is concluded that each humic component in each environment is unique and possesses an individuality that is characteristic of the particular component of the particular environment.
Impact of inorganic contaminants on microalgal biofuel production through multiple conversion pathways

Abstract Commercial scale production of microalgal based biofuels will likely require co-location with a carbon dioxide point source such as coal-fired power plants. Inorganic contaminants innate in coal will ultimately be introduced to the culture system with the potential to impact growth, conversion, and adversely impact the quality of biofuel and other microalgal derived products. Microalgae biomass (Nannochloropsis salina) cultivated in the presence of the inorganic contaminants As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V and Zn was processed into biofuel through one of two different in-situ transesterification methods, 1) acid-catalyzed or 2) supercritical methanol transesterification. The acid catalyzed transesterification resulted in a recovery efficiency increase from 80.5 ± 6.7% for the control biofuel (uncontaminated biomass conversion) to 88.9 ± 6.9% for the biofuel containing inorganic contaminants. Supercritical methanol conversion displayed a similar trend corresponding to the recovery efficiency increasing from 98.5 ± 8.3% for the control biofuel to 100.3 ± 2.6% for the biofuel containing inorganic contaminants. Inorganic contaminant analysis was performed on all biofuel conversion products and co-products of both transesterification types. Results indicated minimal contamination was found in the biofuel resulting from acid catalyzed transesterification, while substantial contamination was found in the biofuel resulting from supercritical methanol transesterification. Significant amounts of contamination were found in the lipid extracted algae resulting from both types of transesterification. Results show coal flue gas integration with algal production could have negative impacts on yields from standard biofuel conversion processes and limit the end use of bio-based products.
Integrating Active Learning and Transfer Learning for Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Video Interpretation

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer in the USA, yet it is largely preventable (World Health Organization 2011). To prevent CVD, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) imaging, a noninvasive ultrasonography method, has proven to be clinically valuable in identifying at-risk persons before adverse events. Researchers are developing systems to automate CIMT video interpretation based on deep learning, but such efforts are impeded by the lack of large annotated CIMT video datasets. CIMT video annotation is not only tedious, laborious, and time consuming, but also demanding of costly, specialty-oriented knowledge and skills, which are not easily accessible. To dramatically reduce the cost of CIMT video annotation, this paper makes three main contributions. Our first contribution is a new concept, called Annotation Unit (AU), which simplifies the entire CIMT video annotation process down to six simple mouse clicks. Our second contribution is a new algorithm, called AFT (active fine-tuning), which naturally integrates active learning and transfer learning (fine-tuning) into a single framework. AFT starts directly with a pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN), focuses on selecting the most informative and representative AU s from the unannotated pool for annotation, and then fine-tunes the CNN by incorporating newly annotated AU s in each iteration to enhance the CNN’s performance gradually. Our third contribution is a systematic evaluation, which shows that, in comparison with the state-of-the-art method (Tajbakhsh et al., IEEE Trans Med Imaging 35(5):1299–1312, 2016), our method can cut the annotation cost by >81% relative to their training from scratch and >50% relative to their random selection. This performance is attributed to the several advantages derived from the advanced active, continuous learning capability of our AFT method.
Does overlapping surgery result in worse surgical outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Background The practice of overlapping surgery impacts patients, providers, and policy-makers. While several studies have examined the relationship between overlapping surgery and clinical outcomes, a combined analysis of all available data has not been performed. We aimed to evaluate the impact of overlapping surgery on 30-day mortality, morbidity, and length of surgery. Methods A systematic literature review revealed all relevant studies examining outcomes of overlapping versus non-overlapping surgery as of March 2018. A pooled meta-analysis with stratification by study quality grade was performed, and heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed. Results A total of 14 sets of analyses met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in 30-day mortality (OR = 0.84; p = 0.277) or overall morbidity (OR = 0.96; p = 0.632) between patients who underwent overlapping versus non-overlapping surgery. The standardized mean difference for length of surgery between the groups indicated a small statistically significant increase in length of surgery for the overlapping surgery group (SMD = 0.079, p Conclusion While further study is warranted, current literature suggests that overlapping surgery is not associated with increased risk of mortality or morbidity.
Non-Resonant Enhancement of Second-Harmonic Generation in a Dielectric Particle with a Nanostructured Nonlinear Metamaterial Shell

We demonstrate a new principle for realizing a miniaturized and scalable platform for nonlinear optics using dielectric particles with nanostructured nonlinear metamaterial shells. We show numerical and experimental results of enhanced second-harmonic generation in them. © 2019 The Author(s)
Frequencies and Types of Questions in the Language of Visually Impaired Children.

The study examined question frequencies and types in language samples from 36 sighted and visually impaired children. Blind, low vision, and sighted groups between the ages of 4 and 10 produced spo...
Finite-size effects and switching times for Moran process with mutation

We consider the Moran process with two populations competing under an iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma in the presence of mutation, and concentrate on the case where there are multiple evolutionarily stable strategies. We perform a complete bifurcation analysis of the deterministic system which arises in the infinite population size. We also study the Master equation and obtain asymptotics for the invariant distribution and metastable switching times for the stochastic process in the case of large but finite population. We also show that the stochastic system has asymmetries in the form of a skew for parameter values where the deterministic limit is symmetric.
Reentrant melting of sodium, magnesium, and aluminum: General trend

Reentrant melting (in which a substance's melting point starts to decrease beyond a certain pressure) is believed to be an unusual phenomenon. Among the elements, it has so far only been observed in a very limited number of species, e.g., the alkali metals. Our density functional theory calculations reveal that this behavior actually extends beyond alkali metals to include magnesium, which also undergoes reentrant melting, though at the much higher pressure of $\ensuremath{\sim}300$ GPa. We find that the origin of reentrant melting is the faster softening of interatomic interactions in the liquid phase than in the solid, as pressure rises. We propose a simple approach to estimate pressure-volume relations and show that this characteristic softening pattern is widely observed in metallic elements. We verify this prediction in the case of aluminum by finding reentrant melting at $\ensuremath{\sim}4000$ GPa. These results suggest that reentrant melting may be a more universal feature than previously thought.
Increased DMT1 and FPN1 Expression With Enhanced Iron Absorption in Ulcerative Colitis Human Colon

Iron deficiency anemia is a common complication of ulcerative colitis (UC) that can profoundly impact quality of life. Most iron absorption occurs in the duodenum via divalent metal transporter 1 (...
Use of medical cannabis in treating anorexia and nausea in elderly cancer patients.

124Background: The use of medical cannabis (MC) in cancer symptom treatment has been increasing. Since its legalization is limited to select states, there are few clinical trials that have studied ...
Vector Flow Velocity Estimation from Beamsummed Data Using Deep Neural Networks

Vector flow imaging (VFI) is a novel velocity measurement technique that provides flow velocity information in both azimuth and axial dimensions. Compared to conventional color Doppler imaging, VFI provides velocity estimation that is independent of flow directions. Previous VFI techniques utilize either multiple transmit or receive beams or angles, or speckle tracking. This creates a trade-off between computational intensity and estimate quality or equipment cost. In this work, we present a vector flow velocity estimation technique based on deep neural networks using only beamsummed radio-frequency (RF) data. The deep neural network extracts features from the RF data, and performs flow velocity estimation on the features, and maps the estimates back to the spatial domain. The structure and training of the neural network model is presented. The performance of the technique is demonstrated and evaluated using simulations and flow phantom experiments.
Cruce et Aratro: Fascism, Missionary Schools, and Labor in 1920s Italian Somalia

Until the 1920s, the Catholic missionary presence in Italian Somalia was weak due to both the lack of resources and the colonial state’s anti-clerical attitude. Things changed under the first fascist governor Cesare Maria De Vecchi (1923–1928) and the work of Consolata Fathers (1924–1930). Then, church and state cooperated in the active expansion of missionary-run education, especially catechism and the teaching of practical arts among the local youth. Governmental, Vatican, and missionary sources suggest that the very motor of colonial school building was the need for local skilled labor and that, while De Vecchi promoted assimilationist teaching, his successor Guido Corni (1928–1931) switched to curriculum adaptation and discouraged evangelization. Such a change reflects broader trends in the history of global education as well as racial thinking and religious policy in Italian colonies.
The Nazi Beast at the Warsaw Zoo: Animal Studies, the Holocaust, The Zookeeper’s Wife, and See Under: Love

During the Holocaust, Polish zookeepers Jan and Antonina Żabinski aided some 300 Jews in escaping from the Warsaw Ghetto. Diane Ackerman’s best-selling account of these events, The Zookeeper’s Wife, appeared in 2007. In 2017, a film adapted from her book was released to great success. Israeli author David Grossman’s attention to this topic preceded the film and the book by many years. In his novel See Under: Love, Grossman introduces a series of anecdotes built around the Warsaw Zoo as a site of rescue and refuge for persecuted Jews. A comparative analysis of Grossman’s fiction, Ackerman’s creative non-fiction, and the recent cinematic version of The Zookeeper’s Wife demonstrates how these different artistic responses to the Holocaust, in different genres, wrestle with concepts of humanity and humaneness.
A Monolithic Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian Finite Element Analysis for a Stokes/Parabolic Moving Interface Problem

In this paper, an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE)—finite element method (FEM) is developed within the monolithic approach for a moving-interface model problem of a transient Stokes/parabolic coupling with jump coefficients—a linearized fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problem. A new $$H^1$$-projection is defined for this problem for the first time to account for the mesh motion due to the moving interface. The well-posedness and optimal convergence properties in both the energy norm and $$L^2$$ norm are analyzed for this mixed-type $$H^1$$-projection, with which the stability and optimal error estimate in the energy norm are derived for both semi- and fully discrete mixed finite element approximations to the Stokes/parabolic interface problem. Numerical experiments are carried out to validate all theoretical results. The developed analytical approach can be extended to a general FSI problem.
Bayesian neural networks for fast SUSY predictions

Abstract One of the goals of current particle physics research is to obtain evidence for new physics, that is, physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM), at accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The searches for new physics are often guided by BSM theories that depend on many unknown parameters, which, in some cases, makes testing their predictions difficult. In this paper, machine learning is used to model the mapping from the parameter space of the phenomenological Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (pMSSM), a BSM theory with 19 free parameters, to some of its predictions. Bayesian neural networks are used to predict cross sections for arbitrary pMSSM parameter points, the mass of the associated lightest neutral Higgs boson, and the theoretical viability of the parameter points. All three quantities are modeled with average percent errors of 3.34% or less and in a time significantly shorter than is possible with the supersymmetry codes from which the results are derived. These results are a further demonstration of the potential for machine learning to model accurately the mapping from the high dimensional spaces of BSM theories to their predictions.
Outcomes of tissue versus mechanical aortic valve replacement in patients 50 to 70 years of age

BACKGROUND Societal guidelines suggest that aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients age 50 to 70 years can be performed with either bioprosthetic or mechanical valves. This study reviewed outcomes between these valve types among patients aged 50 to 70 years undergoing AVR. METHODS We examined adult patients 50 to 70 years undergoing isolated AVR with a mechanical or bioprosthetic valve at a single institution between 2010 and 2018. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate longitudinal survival and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used for risk adjustment. A propensity-matched analysis was performed as well. RESULTS A total of 723 patients underwent isolated AVR with 467 (64.6%) receiving a bioprosthetic valve. At baseline, patients undergoing bioprosthetic AVR were older (median 65 vs 60 years; P < .001). One-year survival was comparable, however, survival at 5 years was significantly higher among patients undergoing mechanical AVR (95.5% vs 82.6%; P = .010). Among the 196 matched pairs, bioprosthetic AVR was associated with an increased adjusted hazard for death (hazards ratio, 3.29; P < .001). Additionally, 5-year freedom from stroke and bleeding were similar following matching, though mechanical AVR was associated with a greater freedom from repeat valve intervention (97.5% vs 92.9%; P = .020). CONCLUSION In patients age 50 to 70, mechanical AVR is associated with improved long-term survival and freedom from repeat aortic valve intervention. Further large cohort studies should be performed to explore the potential benefits of mechanical valve replacement in this age range.
Investigating Ferroelectric Minor Loop Dynamics and History Effect—Part II: Physical Modeling and Impact on Neural Network Training

Doped HfO2-based ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FeFET) is being actively explored as an emerging nonvolatile memory device with the potential for in-memory computing. In this work, we identify a new challenge of ferroelectric partial switching, namely “history effect” in minor loop dynamics. We experimentally demonstrate the minor loop dynamics in both ferroelectric capacitor (FeCap) and 28-nm FeFET in Part I. In this article, a physics-based phase-field multidomain switching model is used to understand the origin. Even though the device may have the same polarization state that is externally observable, its internal domain configuration varies depending on its history. We model such history effect into the FeFET-based neural network simulation and analyze its negative impact on the training accuracy and then propose a possible mitigation strategy.
Self-regulation in college: The influence of self-efficacy, need satisfaction, and stress on GPA, persistence, and satisfaction

Recently, management scholars have applied the transactional theory of stress to distinguish between challenging and hindering stressors, and established their differential relationships with an assortment of key outcomes. Additionally, needs-based motivational theories (e.g., self-determination theory) have been increasingly applied to studies of work and school motivation. This study integrates the challenge-hindrance distinction with need satisfaction and self-efficacy in a model predicting important academic outcomes in a representative sample of college students (N = 383). The hypothesized model demonstrated excellent fit with the data, and although not all structural relationships were statistically significant, meaningful effect sizes were estimated in the expected direction for nearly all relationships. Collectively, predictors accounted for substantial portions of variance in end-of-semester GPA (19%), school satisfaction (65%), hours withdrawn (6%), and transfer intentions (11%). Further, need satisfaction predicted students’ intention to persist beyond the effects of academic self-efficacy and stress perceptions. Taken together, these results support the relevance of self-regulatory theories to academic functioning, and argue for their inclusion in educational policy and work/school design research.
Assessing the influence of curcumin in sex-specific oxidative stress, survival and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster.

Oxidative stress, which occurs from an imbalance of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and both endogenous and exogenous antioxidants, promotes aging and underlies sex-specific differences in longevity and susceptibility to age-related neurodegeneration. Recent evidence suggests that curcumin, a yellow pigment derived from turmeric and shown to exhibit antioxidant properties as an RONS scavenger, influences the regulation of genetic elements in endogenous antioxidant pathways. To investigate the role of curcumin in sex-specific in vivo responses to oxidative stress, Drosophila were reared on media supplemented with 0.25 mM, 2.5 mM, or 25 mM curcuminoids (consisting of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin) and resistance to oxidative stress and neural parameters were assessed. High levels of curcuminoids exhibited two sex-specific effects; protection from hydrogen peroxide as an oxidative stressor and alterations in turning rate in an open field. Taken together, these results suggest that the influence of curcuminoids as antioxidants likely relies on changes in gene expression and that sexual dimorphism exists in the in vivo response to curcuminoids.
COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With Neurodegenerative Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract: Background: COVID-19 outcomes in patients with neurodegenerative disorders are not well understood, and we hypothesize there may be increased morbidity and mortality in this group. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study performed at three hospitals in the Chicagoland area. All patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection with neurodegenerative disorder (ND) during a 3-month period (March 15-June 15, 2020) were included and compared with age-matched controls (CL) at 1:1 ratio. Primary outcomes were death, ICU admission and invasive ventilation. Secondary outcomes included presenting COVID-19 symptoms, development of encephalopathy, supplementary oxygen use, discharge disposition, and risk factors for mortality. Results: The study included 132 neurodegenerative patients and 132 age-matched controls. 90-day mortality (ND 19.7% vs CL 23.5%, p=0.45) and ICU admission (ND 31.5% vs CL 35.9%, p=0.43) rates were not significantly different between the two groups. ND patients had lower rate of invasive ventilation (ND 11.4% vs CL 23.2%, p=0.0075) and supplementary oxygen use (ND 83.2% vs CL 95.1%, p=0.0012). ND patients were also more likely to have “altered mental status or confusion” as their presenting COVID-19 symptom, and less likely to present with respiratory symptoms. ND patients were discharged to nursing home or hospice at higher rates compared to CL. Conclusion: We found there was no difference in short-term mortality of ND patients hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to controls, but they may have higher rates of neurologic complications and disability. Future studies should address long-term outcomes.
Trauma-informed design for permanent supportive housing: four case studies from Seattle and Denver

Single-site, permanent supportive housing (PSH) buildings with a Housing First approach have become an increasingly common solution to homelessness in many North American cities. Because people who...