cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in obese patients: outcomes and technical considerations.

Abstract Objectives To review our technique and experience with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in the obese patient population. Obesity has been considered a potential risk factor for poor outcomes in a variety of surgical procedures and has been considered a relative contraindication to laparoscopy. Since 1996, with increased experience and technical modifications, obesity has not been considered a contraindication for laparoscopy at our institution. Methods Retrospective data were obtained for all patients who underwent LRN from January 1997 to December 2000. A body mass index (Quetelet's index) greater than 30 was used to define obese patients. Technical modifications included slightly greater insufflation pressures and a lateral shift in trocar sites. The obese laparoscopic group was compared with the nonobese laparoscopic group. Results Of 101 patients who underwent LRN, 69 were not obese and 32 were obese. No statistically significant differences were observed in any of the analyzed operative data between the nonobese laparoscopic group and obese laparoscopic group, including a mean operative time of 220 and 242 minutes, respectively. Other factors assessed were the time to ambulation, length of hospital stay, conversion rate to an open procedure, and complication rate, which also demonstrated no statistically significant difference. Only one conversion to an open procedure was required in both the obese and the nonobese laparoscopic groups. Conclusions With minor technical modifications, LRN can be safely performed in obese patients. Proper trocar site selection and greater insufflation pressures were critical for success. The differences in the intraoperative and postoperative course of LRN in obese and nonobese patients were not statistically significant. Obesity should not be considered a contraindication to laparoscopic nephrectomy.
VIOLENT CONFLICTS AND GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES IN WEST AFRICA: The Case of the Mano River Basin Area

The Mano River basin area has become a conflict zone, in which state failure and violence in Liberia has spread to Sierra Leone and the forest region of Guinea. This article traces the origins of the conflicts to governance failures in all three states, and analyses their incorporation into a single conflict system, orchestrated especially through the entrepreneurial abilities and ambitions of Charles Taylor. Peace settlements negotiated to end the violence in Liberia and Sierra Leone failed, both because of the misconceived power-sharing formula that they embodied, and because they failed to take account of the complex linkages between conflicts across the basin area. The way forward lies in a multilevel basin-wide approach, which seeks to move beyond the failed formula of attempting to reconstitute state power, in favour of constructing institutions of accountable democratic governance at multiple levels from the local level to the regional level and beyond.
On Desargues Theorem

The usual proofs of Desargues Theorem employ either metrical or analytical methods of projection from a point outside the plane; and if it is attempted to translate the analytical proof by the von Stuadt-Reye methods, the result is very long and there is trouble with coincidences. It is the object of this note to give a short geometrical proof which, in addition to the usual axioms of incidence and extension, uses only the assumption that a projectivity which leaves three points on a line unchanged also leaves all points on it unchanged. Degenerate cases are excluded as having no interest.
A New Hypothesis for the Mechanism of Ice Nucleation on Wetted AgI and AgI·AgCl Particulate Aerosols

Abstract A potential molecular mechanism of ice nucleation on AgI and AgI · AgCl particulates involves rearrangement of ordered water molecule clusters associated with hydrated Ag+ ion patches. This nucleation mechanism is thought to occur rapidly at −5° to −20°C on substrate particles wetted by water. This hypothesis is based on analysis of the rates of ice crystal formation and ice nucleus activities observed in experiments previously conducted in a 1-m3 isothermal cloud chamber using chemical kinetics. These experiments examined the chemistry of wetted AgI colloid particles involving electric charge separations between the particles and adjacent solution. The rate of nucleation is slowed by the presence of alkali and alkaline earth halides in concentrations greater than approximately 10−3 M in the water wetting the particles. Match of the crystal structure of the substrate with that of the ice may have no effect on this mechanism.
Experimental evaluation of feedforward and computed torque control

Trajectory tracking errors resulting from the application of various controllers have been experimentally determined on the MIT Serial Link Direct Drive Arm. The controllers range from simple analog PD (proportional-derivative) control applied independently at each joint to feedforward and computed torque methods incorporating full dynamics. It was found that trajectory tracking errors decreased as more dynamic compensation terms were incorporated. There was no significant difference in trajectory tracking performance between the feedforward controller using independent digital servos and the full computed torque controller. Implementing the model-based controller highlights the need for accurate control of joint torque, accurate joint position and velocity sensing, and adequate sampling rates. >
An improved LSI dimension reduction algorithm based on vector space modal

there is not a good method to find k value when using LSI to reduce dimension of Vector Space Modal. to solve the problem above, an improved LSI dimension reduction algorithm called Dimension Reduction Parameter Produced algorithm (DRPP algorithm), was proposed. it adopts machine learning to find k value,instead of traditional manual set parameter. the k value can be obtained by using fit methods of statistical learning theory to fit the data. Theory analysis and experimental results show that the DRPP algorithm can enhance efficiency of dimension reduction.
BiCMOS analog arbitration circuits

The authors describe a family of BiCMOS circuits for use in the sequence detection electronics of a magnetic recording channel. The discussion focuses on a class of analog BiCMOS circuits that implement the arbitration function. Several BiCMOS analog arbitration circuit topologies were evaluated. General design equations were derived for each topology in terms of power consumption. These equations were used to design circuits. The performance of these circuits was evaluated and compared to the predictions. Simulation and experimental results confirmed the design equations. The end result is a family of BiCMOS metric arbitration circuits for an analog implementation of a maximum likelihood sequence detection (MLSD) algorithm. >
Cell lineage analysis of kynurenine producing organs in Drosophila melanogaster.

Six hundred and ten gynandromorphs were produced in which an X chromosome loss uncovered the vermilion mutation. The mosaic patterns observed indicate that wild type ocelli are incapable of kynurenine production and that, in addition to the eyes, postembryonic kynurenine producing cells originate from two separate regions of the blastoderm. The positions of these regions on the genetic fate map of Drosophila melanogaster correspond to the embryonic precursors which give rise to the kynurenine producing cells of the larval fat body and Malpighian tubes.
Potent Kinetic Stabilizers That Prevent Transthyretin-Mediated Cardiomyocyte Proteotoxicity

A valine-to-isoleucine mutation at position 122 of the serum protein transthyretin (TTR), found in 3 to 4% of African Americans, alters its stability, leading to amyloidogenesis and cardiomyopathy. In addition, 10 to 15% of individuals older than 65 years develop senile systemic amyloidosis and cardiac TTR deposits because of wild-type TTR amyloidogenesis. Although several drugs are in development, no approved therapies for TTR amyloid cardiomyopathy are yet available, so the identification of additional compounds that prevent amyloid-mediated cardiotoxicity is needed. To this aim, we developed a fluorescence polarization-based high-throughput screen and used it to identify several new chemical scaffolds that target TTR. These compounds were potent kinetic stabilizers of TTR and prevented TTR tetramer dissociation, partial unfolding, and aggregation of both wild type and the most common cardiomyopathy-associated TTR mutant, V122I-TTR. High-resolution co-crystal structures and characterization of the binding energetics revealed how these diverse structures bound to tetrameric TTR. These compounds effectively inhibited the proteotoxicity of V122I-TTR toward human cardiomyocytes. Several of these ligands stabilized TTR in human serum more effectively than diflunisal, which is a well-studied inhibitor of TTR aggregation, and may be promising leads for the treatment or prevention of TTR-mediated cardiomyopathy.
One-step polyallylation of phenols

A process for one-step polyallylation of phenols was developed. Phenol is polyallylated in xylene in the presence of 3 moles of finely divided sodium hydroxide. Three moles of allyl chloride are added at such a rate as to maintain the reflux temperature at 110 to 120°C. Water is continuously azeotropically removed. The product contains allyl ethers of mono-, di-, and triallyl phenol. The bulk of the material is allyl ether of dially phenol which can be subjected to Claisen rearrangement followed by glycidyl ether formation and epoxidation of the glycidyl ether of triallyl phenol.
$${{C^m}}$$ C m Positive Eigenvectors for Linear Operators Arising in the Computation of Hausdorff Dimension

We consider a broad class of linear Perron–Frobenius operators $${\Lambda:X \rightarrow X}$$ , where $${X}$$ is a real Banach space of $${C^m}$$ functions. We prove the existence of a strictly positive $${C^m}$$ eigenvector $${v}$$ with eigenvalue $${r=r(\Lambda) =}$$ the spectral radius of $${\Lambda}$$ . We prove (see Theorem 6.5 in Sect. 6 of this paper) that $${r(\Lambda)}$$ is an algebraically simple eigenvalue and that, if $${\sigma(\Lambda)}$$ denotes the spectrum of the complexification of $${\Lambda,\sigma(\Lambda) \backslash \{r(\Lambda)\} \subseteq \{\zeta \in \mathbb{C} \big| |\zeta| \le r_*\}}$$ , where $${r_* < r(\Lambda)}$$ . Furthermore, if $${u \in X}$$ is any strictly positive function, $${(\frac 1r \Lambda)^k(u) \rightarrow s_u v}$$ as $${k \rightarrow \infty}$$ , where $${s_u > 0}$$ and convergence is in the norm topology on $${X}$$ . In applications to the computation of Hausdorff dimension, one is given a parametrized family $${\Lambda_s,s > s_*}$$ , of such operators and one wants to determine the (unique) value $${s_0}$$ such that $${r(\Lambda_{s_0})=1}$$ . In another paper (Falk and Nussbaum in C $${^{\rm m}}$$ Eigenfunctions of Perron–Frobenius operators and a new approach to numerical computation of Hausdorff dimension, submitted) we prove that explicit estimates on the partial derivatives of the positive eigenvector $${v_s}$$ of $${\Lambda_s}$$ can be obtained and that this information can be used to give rigorous, sharp upper and lower bounds for $${s_0}$$ .
Knowledge Systems for Business: Integrating Expert Systems and Mis

(1990). Knowledge Systems for Business: Integrating Expert Systems and MIS. Journal of the Operational Research Society: Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 179-180.
Longevity, Capital Formation and Economic Development

Many researchers have concluded that longer life expectancies prompt increased investment in education, as a prolonged labor supply raises the rate of return on education. Besides explaining the empirical evidence behind this conclusion (at an absolute level), there is another issue to be discussed: does time spent in studying and working increase proportionally with higher longevity? Building on an extended life-cycle model with an assumption on a more realistic distribution of life cycle mortality rates, this article considers dynamic effects of prolonging longevity on economic development by directly introducing changes in longevity into the economy, which is more preferable than comparative static analysis that relies on changes in relevant parameters. It shows that prolonged life expectancy will cause individuals to increase their time in education but may not warrant rises in labor input. Later we show that higher improvement rate of longevity will also promote economic growth, even if we exclude the mechanism of human capital formation and only consider the growth effects of the higher improvement rate of life expectancy from physical capital investment.
Three Mirror Anastigmat Designed with NURBS Freeform Surfaces

Performance of the first three mirror anastigmat designed with NURBS freeform surfaces is presented, and a direct comparison is made with using surface shapes of conventional aspheres or Zernike polynomials.
Large Eddy Simulation of Shear-Free Interaction of Homogeneous Turbulence with a Flat-Plate Cascade

In this paper we are interested in the distortion of homogeneous isotropic turbulence as it passes through a cascade of thin ∞at plates. Spatial large eddy simulation (LES) is conducted for a linear cascade composed of six plates. Because suppression of the normal component of velocity is the main mechanism of distortion, we neglect the presence of mean shear in the boundary layers and wakes, and allow slip velocity on the plate surfaces. We only enforce the zero normal velocity condition on the plates. This boundary condition treatment is motivated by rapid distortion theory (RDT) in which viscous efiects are neglected, however the present LES approach accounts for nonlinear and turbulence difiusion efiects by a sub-grid scale model. The normal Reynolds stresses and velocity spectra are analyzed ahead, within, and downstream of the cascade. Good agreement with predictions of rapid distortion theory in the region of its validity is obtained. Also, the normal Reynolds stress proflles are found to be in qualitative agreement with available experimental data.
The Impacts of Computer Use on Marketing Operations

The study explores which tasks performed using computer technology improve the performance of the marketing organization. The basis of the study is the need for marketers to improve the output in the marketing organization. The model links using computerization and information technologies to exploit opportunities, solve problems, improved work quality and quantity, and improved communications to improved marketing operations. A national mail survey of marketing executive provided the data. The 122 survey responses were used to analyze the model via structural equation modeling. The results indicate that using these technologies to exploit opportunities and improve work quality and quantity have impacts on improving marketing operations.
Metabolic Labeling with an Alkyne-modified Isoprenoid Analog Facilitates Imaging and Quantification of the Prenylome in Cells

Protein prenylation is a post-translational modification that is responsible for membrane association and protein–protein interactions. The oncogenic protein Ras, which is prenylated, has been the subject of intense study in the past 20 years as a therapeutic target. Several studies have shown a correlation between neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease and protein prenylation. Here, a method for imaging and quantification of the prenylome using microscopy and flow cytometry is described. We show that metabolically incorporating an alkyne isoprenoid into mammalian cells, followed by a Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition reaction to a fluorophore, allows for detection of prenylated proteins in several cell lines and that different cell types vary significantly in their levels of prenylated proteins. The addition of a prenyltransferase inhibitor or the precursors to the native isoprenoid substrates lowers the levels of labeled prenylated proteins. Finally, we...
Matrix metalloproteinase activity and prostaglandin E2 are elevated in the synovial fluid of meniscus tear patients

ABSTRACTPurpose: Meniscus tears are a common knee injury and are associated with the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study is to evaluate potential OA mediators in the synovial fluid and serum of meniscus tear subjects compared to those in the synovial fluid of radiographic non-OA control knees. Materials and methods: Sixteen subjects with an isolated unilateral meniscus injury and six subjects who served as reference controls (knee Kellgren-Lawrence grade 0-1) were recruited. Twenty-one biomarkers were measured in serum from meniscus tear subjects and in synovial fluid from both groups. Meniscus tear subjects were further stratified by tear type to assess differences in biomarker levels. Results: Synovial fluid total matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were increased 25-fold and 290-fold, respectively, in meniscus tear subjects as compared to reference controls (p < 0.05). Synovial fluid MMP activity and PGE2 concentrations were posit...
Investigating the Impact of Cognitive Load and Motivation on Response Control in Relation to Delay Discounting in Children with ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by deficits in impulse control across a range of behaviors, from simple actions to those involving complex decision-making (e.g., preference for smaller-sooner versus larger later rewards). This study investigated whether changes in motor response control with increased cognitive load and motivational contingencies are associated with decision-making in the form of delay discounting among 8-12 year old children with and without ADHD. Children with ADHD (n = 26; 8 girls) and typically developing controls (n = 40; 11 girls) completed a standard go/no-go (GNG) task, a GNG task with motivational contingencies, a GNG task with increased cognitive load, and two measures of delay discounting: a real-time task in which the delays and immediately consumable rewards are experienced in real-time, and a classic task involving choices about money at longer delays. Children with ADHD, particularly girls, exhibited greater delay discounting than controls during the real-time discounting task, whereas diagnostic groups did not significantly differ on the classic discounting task. The effect of cognitive load on response control was uniquely associated with greater discounting on the real-time task for children with ADHD, but not for control children. The effect of motivational contingencies on response control was not significantly associated with delay discounting for either diagnostic group. The findings from this study help to inform our understanding of the factors that influence deficient self-control in ADHD, suggesting that impairments in cognitive control may contribute to greater delay discounting in ADHD.
Immunization Against Viral Diseases

This chapter provides a review of the current viral vaccine practices and concepts, and indicates future directions for vaccine research and development. ‘‘Active immunization’’ to a virus can be induced through natural infection or by vaccination. ‘‘Passive immunization’’ refers to a transfer of temporary immunity to the host, and provides transient immune-mediated protection from infection or disease. Immunization can influence antibody-mediated immunity in many ways. First, by increasing the repertoire and the frequency of immunoglobulin receptors on memory B cells capable of recognizing a particular antigen, the kinetics of antibody production on subsequent exposure will be more rapid. Second, somatic hypermutation and B-cell selection result in antibodies of successively higher affinities, so repeated virus infection or immunization will cause affinity maturation. Third, immunization with a vaccine formulation that promotes IFN-γ production will increase the production of the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG3 subclasses. Finally, repeated immunization can improve the breadth of antibody responses to a particular virus by recruiting new responses to different antigenic regions. Many killed or inactivated and subunit viral vaccines have also been licensed for the prevention of viral diseases. The major advantage of inactivated vaccines is that there is no risk of infection in the vaccinated patient or of transmission of live virus to potentially immunocompromised close contacts of vaccinees. In general, the most effective way of protecting people with immunodeficiencies from vaccine-preventable diseases is to make sure the people around them are well vaccinated and are not transmitters of infection.
Median filtering the temporal probability distribution in histogram mapping for robust continuous speech recognition

The nonlinear distortion in the cepstral coefficients domain introduced by additive noise in the speech signal, results in high degradation performance in systems of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). For this reason, we propose a median filter which smooths the probability distribution functions of degraded features, thus reducing the mismatch between training data and test. The new proposal uses a histogram mapping to obtain the PDFs (probability distribution functions) of each feature vector and applies a nonlinear median filtering before mapping to the reference PDF. The algorithm efficiency is analyzed and compared to a recently proposed linear mean filtering technique on the PDFs. From the experimental results it can be concluded that the histogram smoothing through the median nonlinear filtering reduces the mismatch between training data and test, improving the system performance under adverse conditions.
Variational Dropout and the Local Reparameterization Trick.

We explore an as yet unexploited opportunity for drastically improving the efficiency of stochastic gradient variational Bayes (SGVB) with global model parameters. Regular SGVB estimators rely on sampling of parameters once per minibatch of data, and have variance that is constant w.r.t. the minibatch size. The efficiency of such estimators can be drastically improved upon by translating uncertainty about global parameters into local noise that is independent across datapoints in the minibatch. Such reparameterizations with local noise can be trivially parallelized and have variance that is inversely proportional to the minibatch size, generally leading to much faster convergence.We find an important connection with regularization by dropout: the original Gaussian dropout objective corresponds to SGVB with local noise, a scale-invariant prior and proportionally fixed posterior variance. Our method allows inference of more flexibly parameterized posteriors; specifically, we propose \emph{variational dropout}, a generalization of Gaussian dropout, but with a more flexibly parameterized posterior, often leading to better generalization. The method is demonstrated through several experiments.
Decentralized fault tolerant control of a class of nonlinear interconnected systems

In this paper, a novel decentralized fault tolerant controller (DFTC) is proposed for interconnected nonlinear continuous-time systems by using local subsystem state vector alone in contrast with traditional distributed fault tolerant controllers or fault accommodation schemes where the measured or the estimated state vector of the overall system is needed. The proposed decentralized controller uses local state and input vectors and minimizes the fault effects on all the subsystems. The DFTC in each subsystem includes a traditional controller term and a neural network based online approximator term which is used to deal with the unknown parts of the system dynamics, such as fault and interconnection terms. The stability of the overall system with the proposed DFTC is investigated by using Lyapunov approach and the boundedness of all signals is guaranteed in the presence of a fault. Therefore, the proposed controller enables the system to continue its normal operation after the occurrence of a fault, as long as it does not cause failure or break down of a component. Although the decentralized fault tolerant controller is designed mainly for large-scale systems where continuous transmissions between subsystems is not possible, it can also be applied to small-scale systems where sensor measurements are available for use in all subsystems. Finally the proposed methods are verified and compared in simulation environment.
Topology and Psychoanalysis: Rhe-torically Restructuring the Subject

Although a topological account of the psychoanalytic subject had been of interest to Jacques Lacan since the early 1950s, it was not until the late 1970s that Lacan fully embraced knot theory. Following the genealogy of this topological turn, this chapter suggests that Lacan’s development of topology is simultaneously a pivot toward a psychoanalytic praxis of rhetoric. Lacanian knot theory enables rhetorician and analyst alike to articulate the various situations and discourses the subject is caught up within without diminishing their multiplicity. Thus, clinical and pedagogical topology opens up novel means of rhetorical invention. If in his turn toward topology Lacan suggests new ways of writing the subject, then this chapter shows how the intersection of topology and psychoanalysis creates a (rhe)torical praxis that remains open to the Other in its discordant diversity.
Changes in EEG spectrum and mutual information during power mobility training

EEG PSD is often used as a measure of cognitive function and emotional state while MI is a reflection of functional connectivity in the brain. Analysis of both quantities in a child with severe disabilities suggests that PMT may be associated with an increase in cognitive performance, as well as connectivity between the frontal and parietal lobes.
Graph theoretical approaches towards understanding differences in frontoparietal and default mode networks in Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder affecting 1 in 68 children in the United States. While the prevalence may be on the rise, we currently lack a firm understanding of the etiology of the disease, and diagnosis is made purely on behavioral observation and informant report. As one potential method for improving our understanding of ASD, the current study took a network-level approach by assessing the causal interactions among the frontoparietal and default mode networks using volumetric structural covariance of a large Autism dataset. Although preliminary, we report diffuse yet subtle changes throughout these networks when comparing age and sex matched controls to ASD patients.
Anger and Declining Trust in Government in the American Electorate

Partisanship in the United States in the contemporary era is largely characterized by feelings of anger and negativity. While the behavioral consequences of this new style of partisanship have been explored at some length, less is known about how the anger that is at the root of this growing partisan antipathy affects Americans’ views of the national government. In this paper, I utilize data from the 2012 American National Election Studies to show that higher levels of anger are associated with a greater level of distrust in government across a variety of metrics. I then present evidence from a survey experiment on a national sample of registered voters to show that anger has a causal effect in reducing citizens’ trust in government. Importantly, I find that anger is able to affect an individual’s views of the national government even when it is aroused through apolitical means. I also find that merely prompting individuals to think about politics is sufficient to arouse angry emotions. In total, the results suggest that anger and politics are closely intertwined, and that anger plays a broad and powerful role in shaping how Americans view their governing institutions.
Real-time Adaptive Tolling Scheme for Optimized Social Welfare in Traffic Networks

Connected and autonomous vehicle technology has advanced rapidly in recent years. These technologies create possibilities for advanced AI-based traffic management techniques. Developing such techniques is an important challenge and opportunity for the AI community as it requires synergy between experts in game theory, multiagent systems, behavioral science, and flow optimization. This paper takes a step in this direction by considering traffic flow optimization through setting and broadcasting of dynamic and adaptive tolls. Previous tolling schemes either were not adaptive in realtime, not scalable to large networks, or did not optimize traffic flow over an entire network. Moreover, previous schemes made strong assumptions on observable demands, road capacities and users homogeneity. This paper introduces △-tolling, a novel tolling scheme that is adaptive in real-time and able to scale to large networks. We provide theoretical evidence showing that under certain assumptions △-tolling is equal to Marginal-Cost Tolling, which provably leads to system-optimal, and empirical evidence showing that △-tolling increases social welfare (by up to 33%) in two traffic simulators with markedly different modeling assumptions.
Championing Triple Bottom Line Improvement: Middle Managers and Social Intrapreneurship

In the present manuscript, we develop and extend theory with respect to social intrapreneurship by examining the “how” of intrapreneurial championing. More specifically, we integrate the natural-re...
Low-Resource Named Entity Recognition with Cross-lingual, Character-Level Neural Conditional Random Fields

Low-resource named entity recognition is still an open problem in NLP. Most state-of-the-art systems require tens of thousands of annotated sentences in order to obtain high performance. However, for most of the world’s languages it is unfeasible to obtain such annotation. In this paper, we present a transfer learning scheme, whereby we train character-level neural CRFs to predict named entities for both high-resource languages and low-resource languages jointly. Learning character representations for multiple related languages allows knowledge transfer from the high-resource languages to the low-resource ones, improving F1 by up to 9.8 points.
Negative differential resistance in GaN homojunction tunnel diodes and low voltage loss tunnel contacts

The current-voltage characteristics and metastability in GaN p++/n++ homojunction tunnel diodes and n++/p++/i/n tunnel-contacted diodes grown via metal modulated epitaxy have been investigated. The room temperature negative differential resistance (NDR) beginning at ∼1.35 V is reported for GaN homojunction devices grown on sapphire. The NDR vanishes, and the conductivity increases as multiple I-V sweeps are performed, thus suggesting that charge trapping states with long trap lifetimes exist at defect sites, and these traps play a crucial role in the tunneling mechanism. Additionally, the use of extremely high n-type (ND ∼ 4.6 × 1020 cm−3) and p-type (NA ∼ 7.7× 1020 cm−3) doping results in a near linear characteristic with minimal rectification at current densities less than 200 A/cm2 and soft rectification above this current density. Forward-bias tunneling and NDR are still present at 77 K. The highest silicon-doped n++/p++/i/n tunnel-contacted pin diode demonstrates a turn-on voltage of 3.12 V, only 0.14 V higher than that of the pin control diode, and an improved specific on-resistance of 3.24 × 10−4 Ω cm2, which is 13% lower than that of the control pin diode.
Nonlinear Forecasting of Energy Futures

This paper proposes the use of the Brownian distance correlation for feature selection and for conducting a lead-lag analysis of energy time series. Brownian distance correlation determines relationships similar to those identified by the linear Granger causality test, and it also uncovers additional non-linear relationships among the log return of oil, coal, and natural gas. When these linear and non-linear relationships are used to forecast the direction of energy futures log return with a non-linear classification method such as support vector machine, the forecast of energy futures log return improve when compared to a forecast based only on Granger causality.
Scheler’s Theory of Values Reconsidered

I have been arguing recently that a phenomenology of values such as we find in the work of Max Scheler1 may be much less vulnerable to the Heideggerian critique and much more promising, despite its neglect, than has been generally supposed.2 I have stressed, however, that this does not mean that theories such as Scheler’s will not continue to face challenging difficulties, not the least of which may be precisely the ontological difficulty of articulating the mode in which values exist. In this essay, I wish to examine some of these difficulties and then to offer a number of suggestions as to how these might be resolved.
Controlling cesium in the coolant of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II

Carbon has been shown to be an effective getter for cesium in liquid sodium. A cesium trap containing reticulated vitreous carbon and operating at 190°C has been used at the Experimental Breeder Re...
Assessment in Schools – Secondary Science

Science assessment in secondary schools requires instruments and techniques that reveal the depth and complexity of students' science understandings and capabilities. Because students' knowledge, reasoning, and skills vary across science domains and contexts, assessments must encompass a range of tasks, formats, and techniques. This article focuses on six types of assessment: question–demonstration assessments, performance assessments, information technologies, conceptual inventories and item clusters, concept maps, and student notebooks. For each of these, distinctive features are outlined; example items are provided; and formative and summative uses are described where applicable.
Friction Dependence on Surface Roughness for Castor Oil Lubricated NiTi Alloy Sliding on Steel

AbstractNiTi alloys are highly resistant to corrosion with hardness and elasticity properties suitable for bearing applications. However, lubrication of this material is still being explored since many commercial lubricants are designed to function through chemical and physical interactions with steel surfaces. Previous studies suggested castor oil as a natural lubricant for NiTi and reported friction coefficients less than 0.01, i.e. superlubricity, when sliding steel against 60NiTi (60wt.% Ni, 40 wt.% Ti). Here we explore the robustness of those findings by characterizing the change in friction coefficient as a function of contact pressure and surface roughness. It is found that friction is extremely sensitive to surface roughness, such that ultra-low friction could only be achieved with surfaces having roughness less than tens of nanometers, conditions which may not be achievable in some practical bearing applications.
An intelligent virtual agent-based commentary system for small-scale cyber security competitions

In this paper, we developed an animated agent to serves as a commentator in small-scale cyber security competitions. The overarching aim of the system is to educate and engage novice spectators and serve as practicum for novice security analysts. In much the same way that sports commentators describe plays and moves of the game, the virtual commentator will play the same role in cyber challenge events. By providing an environment to educate those without prior expertise, we make the knowledge more accessible via system cues and interface design. To build a system to behave like its human counterpart, we observed and identified specific verbal and nonverbal behaviors of different professional commentator working with spectators. Based on the observed behaviors, we created tags to embed in text-based agent scripts. This allows the virtual commentator to interact with audiences with facial expressions and the corresponding hand gestures. Preliminary studies conducted at Bowie State University, we see that with the virtual commentator imbued with the same capabilities as its human counterparts, it has the same effect of educating novice level spectators to the cyber security dangers they may face in their daily lives. In addition, there is the added benefit of this system raising awareness in cyber security field.
Reconsidering the Analysis of Refractive-Index-Matched Polymer/Polymer/Solvent Tracer Diffusion Experiments

A method for analyzing quasielastic light-scattering (QELS) data from compatible polymer–polymer–solvent systems, in which the refractive index increment for one polymer species relative to the solvent is close to zero while the other is present in dilute quantities, is explained. Specifically, the technique makes use of the fact that for such systems the scattered intensity at wave vector q can be equally well expressed in terms of the tracer polymer’s molecular-weight distribution or in terms of a distribution of decay rates obtained from the inverse Laplace transform of the autocorrelation function. Appropriate integrations over these two distributions result in one-to-one mappings of individual tracer molecular weights in the tracer’s molecular-weight distribution to individual decay rates (and thus, tracer diffusivities) in the decay rate/tracer diffusivity distribution. Thus polydispersity in the molecular-weight distribution of the tracer polymer becomes advantageous. Employing this technique, a s...
Proceedings of the 2007 workshop on Declarative aspects of multicore programming

DAMP 2007 is an open workshop following on from a by-invitation-only workshop DPLMA 2006: Declarative Programming Languages for Multicore Architectures held on 15 January 2006 in Charleston, SC, USA. Both seek to explore ideas in programming language design that will greatly simplify programming for multicore architectures, and more generally for tightly coupled parallel architectures. The emphasis is on functional and logic programming, but includes ideas that aim to raise the level of abstraction. The goal was to gather together researchers in declarative approaches to parallel programming and to foster cross fertilization across different approaches.
Potent imidazole and triazole CB1 receptor antagonists related to SR141716

Diarylimidazolecarboxamides and diaryltriazolecarboxamides related to SR141716 were synthesized and tested for binding to the human CB 1 receptor. Suitably substituted imidazoles are comparably potent to the clinical candidate, whereas the analogous triazoles are less so due to the absence of an additional substituent on the azole ring.
Freeform inverse design in photonics by re-thinking the question

Recent developments in computational freeform inverse design have provided a fertile landscape of structures and topologies for nanophotonics. However, simply dumping millions of parameters into a simulation can easily lead to intractable computational problems. Fortunately, a given engineering problem often admits many different mathematical formulations, and by carefully matching the formulation to the available electromagnetic solvers and optimization algorithms one can set the stage for extraordinarily flexible automated design. In this talk, we will show that, with careful consideration and reformulation of the design problem, powerful inverse design techniques can be successfully applied to a multitude of interesting problems with rich physical behavior, ranging from light confinement in nonlinear multi-resonant cavities, robust bandgap maximization in 3D photonic crystals to beam-forming and manipulation through multi-layered metasurfaces.
O-035 Ignore the Core: Does Recent Administration of Intravenous Iodinated Contrast Render Core Infarct Estimation Inaccurate Utilizing the Automated CT Perfusion RAPID Software?

Background and Purpose Automated computed tomography perfusion (CTP) software is increasingly utilized to aid in treatment decisions in emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO), particularly in extended window stroke patients. Neurointerventionalists must be cognizant of pitfalls of these software packages in predicting ischemic core and penumbra. This study aims to assess whether RAPID post-processing software underestimates core infarct in patients who have recently received intravenous iodinated contrast, a common scenario in stroke transfer patients who undergo CTA at an outside hospital to confirm ELVO prior to transfer. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 271 consecutive patients at our institution who underwent CTA ± CTP for symptoms of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from May 2018 through January 2019. Patient exclusion was predominantly on the basis of lack of anterior circulation ELVO on CTA or lack of performance of CTP with RAPID post-processing. Two blinded raters independently assessed CT Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) on the non-enhanced head CT (NECT) at the time of CTP and also collected clinical as well imaging data, including time from last known well (LKW) to CTP, collaterals grade, and core infarct (mL) as predicted by RAPID software. Patients were dichotomized into those who received recent intravenous contrast (within 12 hours of CTP) and contrast naive patients. Correlation between ASPECTS and core infarct (mL) on RAPID software were analyzed for the two cohorts. Results A total of 48 patients with a mean age of 74.1 years (SD 16.4) were included. The two cohorts comprised 24 patients each. There were baseline differences in mean ASPECTS (8.5 vs 5.6, p Conclusion Patients that previously received contrast had a much higher likelihood of underestimation of ischemic core using RAPID than contrast naive patients. Those involved in the care of ELVO patients should avoid overreliance on RAPID post-processing for treatment disposition, particularly if the patient has received recent intravenous contrast. Disclosures A. Copelan: None. G. Drocton: None. E. Smith: None. R. Khangura: None. D. Murph: None. C. Dowd: None. V. Halbach: None. R. Higashida: None. S. Hetts: None. D. Cooke: None. M. Amans: None.
Increasing Globalization and the Movement of Antimicrobial Resistance between Countries

Background: The threat of antimicrobial resistance continues to grow worldwide, exacerbated by poor antibiotic stewardship practices, limited development of new antimicrobial agents, and increasing globalization. Methods: This review covers previously published studies examining how human movement contributes to the global spread of antimicrobial resistance, including between low- and middle-income and high-income countries. Results: The emergence of resistance in one country or part of the world can become a worldwide event quickly. Human movement, including travel, medical tourism, military service, and migration, results in the globalization of resistant bacterial strains. Conclusions: Increased surveillance, whole-genome sequencing, focused infection control, and effective stewardship practices are needed to maintain the efficacy of antibiotics.
Complete spinal cord injury following computed tomography–guided biopsy of the thoracic spine: A case report:

Computed tomography-guided spine biopsy is a routine procedure in diagnosing vertebral infection or tumor. Following a thoracic intervertebral disc biopsy for presumed osteodiscitis, a patient immediately presented with flaccid paralysis and loss of temperature and pinprick sensation below biopsy level, followed rapidly by complete sensation loss. There was no evidence of direct injury during the biopsy, and emergent post-biopsy magnetic resonance imaging revealed no cord signal abnormality or compression. Later magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated corresponding-level cord edema, presumed secondary to transient cord ischemia during the procedures. Despite frequent utility, authors recommend caution in utilization of computed tomography-guided spine biopsy.
Fragments from a notebook on novelty and constraint

Abstract To respond to any problem, we select some procedure from a space of possible solutions. When the problem is routine, the search space is very narrow. When the problem is novel or recalcitrant to standard solutions, we need to broaden the search space. The broader the search space, the more likely it is that we will consider innovative solutions and the more likely it is that the search space will contain apt solutions; however, the search is likely to become more time-consuming. Creativity, then, involves neither routine procedures nor free simulation, but nonroutine constraints. There are different ways in which the constraints may be set. Focusing on literary creativity, the chapter considers creative story developments and metaphors, particularly in Hamlet. To illustrate these points, the essay draws on Hamlet and other literary works, not only as targets of analysis but also as models for the formal presentation of the analysis. (Like a montage of earlier scenes at the end of a film, the chapter also sets out to recall and celebrate the other chapters in the volume, principally through the weaving of brief, allusive references into the scholarly fabric of the imaginary appendix.)
Occurrence of Brucella ceti in stranded bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus coincides with calving season

Brucellosis is a disease caused by the Gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium Brucella spp. In terrestrial species, this zoonotic bacterium is a global public health risk, but there is also concern over the zoonotic potential of marine forms, such as B. ceti, which affects cetaceans. Due to the detection of B. ceti in samples from bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus during the 2010-2014 Gulf of Mexico Unusual Mortality Event, a long-term study of the prevalence of Brucella in stranded bottlenose dolphins from South Carolina, USA, was conducted. From 2012 through 2017, 282 stranded bottlenose dolphins were tested for B. ceti via real-time PCR. Nearly 32% of the dolphins tested positive in at least one sample (brain, lung, blowhole swab). Very little information exists in the literature on the occurrence of Brucella spp. in marine mammals, though in terrestrial species, such as cattle and elk, higher prevalence is often reported in spring. Similar results were found in this study with the peak occurrence being between March and June, a known period of calving in South Carolina. Results from this study provide important insights into the occurrence of the marine bacterium B. ceti.
A Novel Framework for Capacity Analysis of Diffusion-Based Molecular Communication Incorporating Chemical Reactions

In recent years, molecular communication (MC) is considered as a transformative paradigm in the communication theory and a promising solution to future nanoscale communication networks. In this article, a novel framework is introduced for diffusion-based MC and is shown how its capacity is impacted by the effects of chemical reactions which were neglected in the existing literature. Particularly, the chemical reactions corresponding to complex balanced chemical reaction networks are studied in this work. With an information-theoretic approach, the capacity is introduced where the effects of chemical reactions are taken into account. Then, the individual entropy derivations are addressed where the chemical reactions at the transmitter are considered with the chemical reaction network theory. Finally, the mutual information is derived based on these entropy derivations and the analytical capacity expressions are introduced accordingly. Numerical results exhibit the interactions between different parameters and show that the capacity actually decreases when the effects of chemical reactions are considered, implying that the capacity derived without chemical reactions was overestimated in previous studies. Consequently, the proposed framework analyzes the fundamental limits of diffusion-based MC and provides a more realistic capacity derivation comprising limitations imposed by chemical reactions, hence applicable to various more realistic MC scenarios.