cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aligning Information Processing Capabilities and Gaps in Open Source Software Development

Distributed, high-turnover communities of developers assemble Open Source Software (OSS), each working essentially alone. Despite these characteristics, these communities manage to coordinate effec...
“Political Risk”: Sources That Assess or Advise on Risks in Foreign Country Business or Investment

Business practitioners and academicians investigate and study foreign markets and investments now as readily as they do domestic markets. Business library patrons therefore have an increased need for data on “political risk” or “country risk.” Standard international business information guides do not include very many titles and sources on these subjects. This paper defines political risk and country risk and briefly describes some of the factors and methods used in foreign country risk analysis. It also lists and describes political risk sources in a variety of formats, including paper and electronic resources along with the Internet. Where appropriate the descriptions include costs.
Seismic Site Classifications for the St. Louis Urban Area

Abstract Regional National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) soil class maps have become important input parameters for seismic site characterization and hazard studies. The broad range of shallow shear‐wave velocity ( V S 30 , the average shear‐wave velocity in the upper 30 m) measurements in the St. Louis area results in significant uncertainties between the actual spot values and the averaged values used to assign NEHRP soil classes for regional seismic hazard studies. In the preparation of an NEHRP site classification map of the St. Louis urban area, we analyzed 92 shear‐wave velocity ( V S ) measurements, supplemented by 1400+ standard penetration test (SPT) profiles in areas bereft of V S measurements. SPT blow counts correlated to V S values based on the published correlations. The data were then compiled for respective surficial geologic units and bedrock type. These data suggest that the reciprocal of V S 30 exhibits a fairly linear relationship with depth to bedrock, likely because V S 30 is a function of the thickness of surficial materials exhibiting relatively low V S values. The V S 30 values were interpolated by summing the regressed V S 30 on the depth to bedrock and kriged values of the regression residuals. The resulting NEHRP site classification maps predict that upland areas of the St. Louis area are spatially classified as soil site classes S B to S D , while the low‐lying floodplains are consistently classified as S D to S F .
Dysfunctional Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis: Therapeutic Targets? (PD6.006)

Objective: To investigate circulating regulatory T cell (Treg) numbers and suppressive function in patients with autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG). Background Published studies examining the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of MG have reported conflicting results. In these investigations, isolation of Tregs was based on expression of CD25 alone, which is also expressed on a subset of recently activated and memory T cells. More recently, low expression of the IL-7Rα chain (CD127) combined with high expression of CD25 has allowed for isolation of pure Treg populations with high suppressive functionality. Design/Methods: The expression of surface CD4, CD25, and CD127, and intracellular Foxp3 was analyzed by flow cytometry in 16 MG patients vs. 14 normal control subjects. The function of Tregs (CD4+CD25highCD127low/- cells) was examined by co-culture experiments with CD25-negative autologous responder T cells (Tresp), and their suppressive capacity was determined in T cell proliferation assays. Expression of intracellular Foxp3 was assessed by flow cytometry, and cytokine profiles from the T cell culture supernatants were analyzed. GM-CSF was added to T cell co-cultures and the effects on Tregs investigated. Results: No alteration in the relative numbers of Tregs within the peripheral CD4+ T cell pool was seen in MG patients. A reduced expression of Foxp3 within Tregs, and a defect in the ability of these cells to suppress Tresp cells was demonstrated for both polyclonal and AChR-induced T cell proliferation. Cytokine profiles revealed altered levels of IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ, and IL-10 in MG patients. The demonstrated defects in Treg function/phenotype were partially reversed by in vitro exposure to GM-CSF. Conclusions: The suppressive function of Tregs is impaired in MG patients, likely playing a role in the immunopathogenesis of the disease. Enhancement of Treg function in vitro is feasible, and may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in MG. Supported by: The NIH (National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke, K08NS058800, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) MNM and JRS; and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, RO1 AI 058190, BSP. This project was also supported by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), Award Number UL1RR029879 from the National Center For Research Resources. Disclosure: Dr. Meriggioli has received personal compensation for activities with Athena Diagnostics, Talecris Biotherapeutics, Gliknik, and Celegene Corporation. Dr. Meriggioli receives patent payments for a patent on bispecific antibody coated dendritic cells. Dr. Meriggioli has received research support from the NIH/NINDS and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Dr. Muthusamy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rowin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sheng has nothing to disclose. Dr. Prabhakar has received personal compensation for activities with Gliknik Inc. as a consultant.Dr. Prabhakar has received research support from NIH.
Predictors of a true complete response in colorectal liver metastases that disappear radiographically following chemotherapy

4058 Background: During chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases (LM), some lesions disappear by CT scan. This may represent a true complete response (CR) with eradication of tumor or a reduced...
Application Of Grey System Theory To The Determination Of The Dominant Infectious Diseases And The Forecasting Of The Epidemic Conditions

Objective To determine and find out the dominant infectious diseases,build the Grey Forecasting Models GM(1,1) to analyze the fitting of the models and forecast the epidemic conditions,and provide evidence for the determination of the focus point on the prevention and control of legal infectious diseases and the formulating of the control measures.Methods 8 diseases with the top 8 annual average incidence among the reported 24 legal infectious diseases from 2004 to 2009 in Lujiang were selected as the objects.The dominant infectious diseases were determined and found out using grey correlation analysis,then GM(1,1) of the dominant diseases were built respectively to forecast the epidemic conditions in 2010,and judge the accuracy of the models comprehensively through the ratio of the posterior difference code(C) and the minimum error probability(P).ResultsThe results of grey correlation analysis on the top 8 diseases showed that the grey incident degree of 4 diseases which were pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB),viral hepatitis,infectious diarrhea and dysentery respectively were above 0.60,so they were regarded as the dominant diseases in Lujiang.4 kinds of GM(1,1) had better accuracy in forecasting,and the predict incidence rates of 4 diseases in 2010 were 88.63331/lakh,38.5203/lakh,9.4974/lakh and 6.6482/lakh respectively.ConclusionPTB,viral hepatitis,infectious diarrhea and dysentery were the dominant infectious diseases in Lujiang.The epidemic conditions of PTB and dysentery had been relieved to some degree.The epidemic conditions of viral hepatitis and infectious diarrhea get worse.Gray System Theory can be well applied to determine the dominant diseases and forecast the epidemic conditions.
Converter Technology for Distributed Generation and MicroGrid

This paper introduces distributed generation technology and general construction of microgrid, presents their advantages and the problems to be solved. Converter technology for distributed generation and microgrid is also described.
Isolation of a fibrin-binding fragment from blood coagulation factor XIII capable of cross-linking fibrin(ogen).

Purified platelet Factor XIII was radioiodinated and then partially degraded by thrombin or trypsin, and a fibrin-binding fragment was identified by autoradiography and immunoblotting following separation by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Limited proteolysis of 125I-Factor XIII by thrombin or trypsin produced an 125I-51 kDa fragment and an unlabelled 19 kDa fragment. The 51 kDa fragment was purified by h.p.l.c. on a TSK-125 gel-filtration column. Partial amino acid sequence analysis of the 51 kDa fragment indicated that it was similar in sequence to the Gly38-Lys513 segment in placental Factor XIII a-chain. More than 70% of the 51 kDa fragment bound to fibrin, whereas the 19 kDa fragment did not bind. The active site was localized to the 51 kDa fragment since this fragment expressed transglutaminase activity, cross-linked fibrin and fibrinogen and incorporated iodo[14C]acetamide into the active-site cysteine residue. Isolation of a fibrin-binding fragment expressing transglutaminase activity demonstrates that each a-chain of the dimeric Factor XIIIa could function independently to cross-link fibrin. The fibrin-binding site could play an important role in localizing Factor XIIIa to the fibrin clot.
Endothelin and the Systemic Circulation: A Therapeutic Target Worth Revisiting?

Endothelin (ET)-1, one of the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictors and promoters of vascular growth, is produced by vascular endothelial cells in response to a variety of stimuli ([1,2][1]). The development of ET receptor antagonists ([3][2]) facilitated the exploration of the pathophysiological
Heritability and intraspecific heterochrony in Ordovician bryozoans from environments differing in diversity

Environmental conditions affect both the character and variability of developmental patterns (=astogeny) within each of four species of Ordovician bryozoans. Regressions between pairs of stereological measurements for populations from both high- and low-diversity habitats differ significantly in 79 percent of all comparisons. Deviations from a rigid pattern of development, measured as dispersion from regression, were greater in species populations from low diversity settings in 77 percent of comparisons. Therefore, both developmental patterns and their variability differ intraspecifically along a diversity gradient in representatives of four bryozoan families. Additionally, dispersion values were larger in younger rather than older colonies in two species irrespective of diversity level, thus suggesting an age-related reduction in variation. Changes in developmental trajectories indicate that colonies from low-diversity settings are generally paedomorphic relative to conspecific populations from high-diversity habitats. The heritability of these characters and developmental patterns, estimated using variance partitioning techniques, is greater in high-diversity associations. These findings suggest that character state modifi- cations dependent upon astogeny, or a consequence of astogenetic modifications, are more heritable in high-diversity settings. However, if the environment can cause facultative heterochrony, the possibility of fixing such patterns in subsequent generations is increased, although the mechanism for accomplishing this is presently unknown.
The Impact of Deep Vein Thrombosis on Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background : The clinical consequences of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) have the potential to be serious yet are frequently unrecognized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We hypothesized that both undetected and clinically evident VTE would affect the prognosis of critically ill patients Purpose : To systematically review whether a diagnosis of DVT in critically ill patients affects clinically important outcomes including length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality. Material and Methods : Data sources used were the MEDLINE, EMBASE and PUBMED databases. Studies selected evaluated one or more of the following outcomes: duration of patient stay in hospital and in ICU, hospital and ICU mortality, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Two investigators independently extracted and reviewed data from each study; including study and patient characteristics and outcomes. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the I 2 statistic; Cohen’s Kappa for inter-rater agreement was used to assess inter-rater reliability. Data was pooled using the Mantel-Haenszel method and a random effects model using Review Manager. Results : Five studies were included in the systematic review. Patients diagnosed with DVT compared to those without DVT had increased ICU and hospital stay (7.3 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4 to 13.2; P = 0.02) and 16.5 days (95% CI 1.51 to 30.59; P = 0.03), respectively. Duration of mechanical ventilation was increased by 3.41 days (95 % CI −1.12 to 7.94; P =0.14). Patients diagnosed with DVT also had increased relative risk (RR) for ICU mortality of 9.19 (95% CI 1.07 to 78.65, P =0.04) and a trend towards increased hospital mortality (RR 14.32 [95% CI 0.59 to 347.96, P = 0.10]). Conclusions : A diagnosis of DVT upon ICU admission appears to affect clinically important outcomes including length of ICU and hospital stay and ICU mortality. Further research involving larger prospective study designs are warranted.
Identification of Lynch syndrome cohort in a hospital system.

91Background: Lynch Syndrome (LS) is a genetically inherited autosomal dominant disease that is the result of germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. LS is the most common cause of inherited colorectal cancer (CRC), causes cancer at a younger age, and increases other cancer risk (pancreas, endometrium). Thus, it is important to identify patients who have LS so that patients and affected family members can receive the proper surveillance and care. Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute (HHCCI) has developed a standard of care to screen patients who may have LS by testing CRC specimens for loss of expression of MMR genes, as well as to refer all patients under 50 for counseling. The aim of this research project is to determine how well each of our healthcare system's five hospitals is meeting the standard. Methods: This retrospective study explored all cases of CRC at each of the five HHCCI hospitals from 2014-2015. Patients were identified from the Cancer Registry and data was extracted from patie...
Management of sexuality, intimacy, and menopause symptoms in patients with ovarian cancer.

Issues of sexuality, intimacy, and early menopause significantly impact the quality of life of patients following the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. These are undertreated problems. Successful treatment requires the provider's awareness of the problem, ability to identify it, and willingness to treat it. Unfortunately many providers do not address these issues in the pretreatment or perioperative period. Furthermore, patients do not often alert their providers to their symptoms. While systemic hormone therapy may improve many of the issues, they are not appropriate for all patients given their action on estrogen receptors. However, other nonhormonal treatments exist including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antiepileptics, natural remedies, and pelvic floor physical therapy. In addition psychological care and the involvement of the partner can be helpful in managing the sexual health concerns of these patients. At the time of diagnosis or at initial consultation, women should be informed of the potential physiologic, hormonal, and psychosocial effects of ovarian cancer on sexuality and that there is a multimodal approach to dealing with symptoms.
Quando as mulheres transgridem o espaço: João Guimarães Rosa e Graciliano Ramos em comparação

Este estudo procura ser uma contribuicao para a analise do genero nas obras de dois dos autores mais relevantes da literatura brasileira do seculo XX, Graciliano Ramos e Joao Guimaraes Rosa. Procura-se desmantelar, atraves da teoria do espaco, a ideologia de genero que subjaz a Sao Bernardo e Buriti. Pretende-se igualmente verificar a ocorrencia de dissonâncias no tratamento das personagens femininas nos dois autores. Procura-se, finalmente, contribuir para uma reavaliacao da construcao da feminilidade nas obras, construcao essa que nao e de forma nenhuma independente das visoes que os autores tinham da sociedade da sua epoca.
Link-time Optimization of Multi-Language Programs

Different programming languages have different strengths and weaknesses, and typically are suited for different application domains. Because of this, for many applications, using a single programming language to implement all aspects of the program may not be the best or most effective way to build the application. However, current language implementation technology does not make it easy to construct good multi-language programs: in particular, there is usually a nontrivial performance overhead associated with the use of multiple languages. This article discusses the use of link-time optimizations on machine-executable files to reduce such overheads.
Growth Response of Annual Transplants and Physical and Chemical Properties of Growing Media as Influenced by Composted Sewage Sludge Amended with Organic and Inorganic Materials

Composted sewage sludge was combined with several other organic and inorganic components to form 19 growing media. Increasing the proportion of sludge compost in media from 25 to 50% increased media pH, electrical conductivity (EC), airfilled pore space (AS), and nutrient levels, and usually increased growth of pansy, snapdragon, and cabbage plants. Of the other organic components, sawdust-based media had the highest pH, EC, and AS; sphagnum peat-based media the highest water holding capacity. Plant fresh weights were highest with bark, which produced media with highest retention of K, Ca, Mg, and Na. Of the inorganic components, pumice produced media with lower AS and lower yields of each crop than did perlite or vermiculite. Inorganic components had no effect on media pH or EC. Yields of all crops were usually higher in media containing compost than in 5 commercial potting mixes but less than in a fertilizer-amended bark medium. High yields appeared to be associated with higher medium AS and higher init...
Outcomes in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap and Implant-Based Reconstruction: Does Age Really Matter?

Despite the growing elderly population, there is limited research specific to this demographic concerning breast reconstruction (BR). Lack of evidence-based BR recommendations in older populations ...
Embeddedness, Pro-Sociality, and Social Influence: Evidence from Online Crowdfunding

This paper examines how i) a crowdfunding campaign's pro-sociality (the production of a public versus private good), ii) the social network structure (embeddedness) among individuals advocating for the campaign on social media, and iii) the volume of social media activity around a campaign, jointly determine fundraising from the crowd. Integrating the emerging literature on social media and crowdfunding with the literature on social networks and public goods, we theorize that pro-socially, public-oriented crowdfunding campaigns will benefit disproportionately from social media activity when advocates' social media networks exhibit greater levels of embeddedness. Drawing on a panel dataset that combines campaign fundraising activity associated with more than 1,000 campaigns on Kickstarter, with campaign-related social media activity on Twitter, we construct network-level measures of embeddedness between and amongst individuals initiating the latter, in terms of transitivity and topological overlap. We demonstrate that Twitter activity drives a disproportionate increase in fundraising for pro-socially oriented crowdfunding campaigns when posting users' networks exhibit greater embeddedness. We discuss the theoretical implications of our findings, highlighting how our work extends prior research on the role of embeddedness in peer influence by demonstrating the joint roles of message features and network structure in the peer influence process. Our work suggests that when a transmitter's message is pro-social or cause-oriented, embeddedness will play a stronger role in determining influence. We also discuss the broader theoretical implications for the literatures on social media, crowdfunding, crowdsourcing and private contributions to public goods. Finally, we highlight the practical implications for marketers, campaign organizers, and crowdfunding platform operators.
Treatment of root sensitivity after periodontal therapy.

PURPOSE To compare the effectiveness of an agent that promotes deposition of amorphous calcium phosphate (Quell Desensitizer) to a commonly used product, sodium fluoride solution (Nupro Neutral), in the reduction of root sensitivity after periodontal therapy, in a prospective, convenient sample, double-blind clinical trial. METHODS Thirty patients were enrolled and treated, resulting in 40 teeth treated with the test product and 40 teeth treated with the control product. The clinical parameters tested at baseline and in the follow-up visits (1, 2, and 4 weeks after treatment) were the following: plaque index, gingival index, gingival recession, and response to mechanical and cold stimulation with airblast and ice. Patients were also asked to report the grade of pain response on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on the same schedule as the clinical parameters. RESULTS Plaque index and gingival index were not significantly different between test and control groups throughout the study. Most recession was observed on midbuccal surfaces. Buccal surfaces evoked higher pain response compared to lingual surfaces. It was concluded that both control and test treatments reduced root sensitivity response reported with mechanical or cold stimulation. No statistically significant differences were observed when the data of both groups were compared by a Student's t-test at the 0.05 level of significance.
Is Nautilus a Living Fossil

The two quotes above are representative of the controversy concerning the age of Nautilus, the last externally shelled cephalopod. If we accept the first age estimate, we would have to include Nautilus as a living fossil, the end member of a clade that has survived for a long time and undergone little morphologic change.
Mechanical behavior of shark vertebral centra at biologically relevant strains

ABSTRACT Cartilaginous shark skeletons experience axial deformation at the intervertebral joints, but also within the mineralized cartilaginous centrum, which can compress to between 3% and 8% of its original length in a free-swimming shark. Previous studies have focused on shark centra mechanical properties when loaded to failure; our goal was to determine properties when compressed to a biologically relevant strain. We selected vertebrae from six shark species and from the anterior and posterior regions of the vertebral column. Centra were X-radiographed to measure double cone proportion and apex angles, and were mechanically tested at three displacement rates to 4% strain. We determined the variation in toughness and stiffness of vertebral centra among shark species and ontogenetic stages, testing strain rates, and compared anterior and posterior regions of the vertebral column. Our results suggest that toughness and stiffness, which are positively correlated, may be operating in concert to support lateral body undulations, while providing efficient energy transmission and return in these swift-swimming apex predators. We analyzed the contribution of double cone proportion and apex angle to centra mechanical behavior. We found that the greatest stiffness and toughness were in the youngest sharks and from the posterior body, and there was significant interspecific variation. Significant inverse correlations were found between mechanical properties and double cone apex angle suggesting that properties can be partially attributed to the angle forming the double cone apex. These comparative data highlight the importance of understanding cartilaginous skeleton mechanics under a wide variety of loading conditions representative of swimming behaviors seen in the wild.
GaN/AlN Heterostrucutre Micromechanical Self-Sustained Oscillator for Middle Ultraviolet (MUV) Light Detection

We report on the first experimental demonstration of micromechanical feedback oscillators based on vibrating gallium nitride/aluminum nitride (GaN/AlN) heterostructure doubly-clamped string resonators (∼0.4–4 MHz) for real-time detection of middle ultraviolet (MUV) light. By exploiting the wide bandgap GaN/AlN hetero-structure and an optical-electrical feedback mechanism, the GaN/AlN string resonator-referenced oscillator exhibits frequency redshifts due to strong UV light absorption, with a measured responsivity of $\mathfrak{R}=-24\ \text{Hz}/\text{nW}$ and a minimum detectable power of $\delta P_{\min}=6.7\ \text{nW}$ . Such GaN/AlN heterostructure micromechanical feedback oscillators, together with the appealing GaN/AlN electromechanical and optical properties, hold promise for real-time UV photon sensing and radiation effects studies.
Tech-Hub-Index: deutsche Städte im Vergleich

Digitalunternehmen siedeln sich haufi g konzentriert in Stadten an. Solche Technologie-Cluster oder Tech-Hubs spielen eine entscheidende Rolle fur digitale Innovationen und ziehen Fachkrafte, Unternehmen und Investitionen an. Der hier vorgestellte Index ermittelt die wichtigsten Tech-Hubs anhand der raumlichen Konzentration von Technologiebeschaftigung und kunftiger technologischer Wettbewerbsfahigkeit. Munchen fuhrt den Tech-Hub-Index an, gefolgt von Berlin. Der Tech-Hub-Index zeigt aber auch, dass die Grose der Stadt kein entscheidendes Kriterium ist. Zu den zehn wichtigsten Technologiestandorten zahlen mit Darmstadt, Erlangen, Karlsruhe und Aachen auch vier kleinere Stadte.
Memes as means for understanding interpersonal communication: A formative assignment

Courses: Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Communication.Objectives: Students will be able to explain complex theoretical concepts in interpersonal communication through the use of Inter...
Comparison of Short- And Long-Term Variability in Standard Perimetry and Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Glaucoma.

Purpose To assess short- and long-term variability on standard automated perimetry (SAP) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in glaucoma. Design Prospective cohort. Methods Ordinary least squares linear regression of SAP mean deviation (MD) and SD-OCT global retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were fitted over time for sequential tests conducted within 5 weeks (short-term testing) and annually (long-term testing). Residuals were obtained by subtracting the predicted and observed values, and each patient's standard deviation (SD) of the residuals was used as a measure of variability. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to test the hypothesis of equality between short- and long-term variability. Results A total of 43 eyes of 43 glaucoma subjects were included. Subjects had a mean 4.5 ± 0.8 SAP and OCT tests for short-term variability assessment. For long-term variability, the same number of tests were performed and results annually collected over an average of 4.0 ± 0.8 years. The average SD of the residuals was significantly higher in the long-term than in the short-term period for both tests: 1.05 ± 0.70 dB vs. 0.61 ± 0.34 dB, respectively (P Conclusions Long-term variability was higher than short-term variability on SD-OCT and SAP. Because current event-based algorithms for detection of glaucoma progression on SAP and SD-OCT have relied on short-term variability data to establish their normative databases, these algorithms may be underestimating the variability in the long-term and thus may overestimate progression over time.
A Clear and Consistent Focus on Students: Principals’ Perceptions of the Role of School Counselors:

As greater emphasis is placed on addressing critical school issues such as school-based mental health, violence prevention, and the effects of trauma, the utilization of school counselors should be...
Correlation of Country Characteristics and Government Response Measures With COVID-19 Mortality During the First Phase of the Global COVID-19 Pandemic: A Worldwide Ecological Study.

Introduction It is valuable to know if country demographic, educational, healthcare and other socioeconomic factors were correlated with the COVID-19 mortality rate during the initial phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide pandemic (January 1st - August 31st, 2020). Similarly, it is worthwhile understanding whether a country's geographic location or the measures instituted by governments, such as lockdowns and mask-wearing, were associated with an increased or decreased mortality rate. Materials and methods To assess these correlations, we conducted an ecologic study of 178 countries using time-matched data from the Social Progress Index (www.socialprogress.org, produced by the Social Progress Imperative), population data from the World Bank (data.worldbank.org), government response indices from Our World In Data (ourworldindata.org/policy-responses-covid), and COVID-19 mortality data from the Johns Hopkins University CSSE COVID-19 Data repository (github.com/CSSEGISandData/COVID-19), accessed on November 22nd, 2020. Pearson correlation coefficients were derived between potential predictors and countries' COVID-19 population-adjusted crude mortality rates. Select variables were entered in a multivariable regression model. Countries with no data in the social progress index database or those with no COVID-19 cases were excluded (20 in total). Results The highest positive correlations were found between the proportion of the population older than 75 (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.321), country distance from the equator (0.267), gross domestic product per capita (0.218), health and wellness score (0.388), water and sanitation score (0.384), environmental quality (0.237), and the days between the first reported COVID-19 case and the initial government response (0.238). A previously unreported and unexpected negative correlation was found between gender parity in secondary education attainment and COVID-19 mortality (-0.290). Peak mask-wearing ranging from 'recommended' to 'required outside the home at all times was extremely weakly correlated with lower COVID-19 mortality (-0.046). Conclusions Crude COVID-19 mortality rates during the first phase of the pandemic in 2020, during which no vaccine or specific treatment was available, were higher in wealthier countries that were further away from the equator and had a higher health and wellness score according to the Social Progress Imperative. They were also higher the longer governments delayed their initial response. Gender parity in secondary education and stringency of mask-wearing guidelines were correlated with lower mortality, though the latter correlation was extremely weak. Our findings are consistent with previously published correlations. The correlation between crude COVID-19 mortality rates and gender parity in secondary education has not been previously reported.
Applied Aspects and Applications

This chapter explores where and how the microwave auditory effect or microwave induced thermoelastic wave phenomenon may be applied for practical purposes in life science, medicine, and other realms of human endeavors. An interesting and potentially significant diagnostic imaging applications of the microwave thermoelastic pressure wave interaction and some applied aspects of the microwave auditory effects are described. They include a discussion on early and current investigations of microwave thermoacoustic tomography (MTT) imaging and some applied aspects of the microwave auditory effects such as the recently reported covert personnel attacks at some diplomatic missions and the startle reaction from a sudden unexpected microwave auditory stimulus potentially causing the aircraft pilot to experience spatial disorientation during flight.
Attach importance to prevention and effective interventions on child injury

Injury is a threat to children globally and appears as the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 17 years in China. Child injury prevention is a public health measure with a high cost-benefit ratio. Many years of research and practices have proved the effectiveness of specific child injury interventions. It is recommended that China should strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination mechanism on child injury prevention, including the clear clarification of responsibility and ensuring the necessary financial support. It is also essential to widely implement various effective interventions to ensure the healthy development of children.
Second-line interventions for migraine in the emergency department: A narrative review.

Objective Millions of patients present to US emergency departments (ED) annually for the treatment of migraine. First-line treatments, including metoclopramide, prochlorperazine, and sumatriptan, fail to provide sufficient relief in up to one-third of treated patients. In this narrative review, we discuss the evidence supporting the use of injectable (intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous) medications for patients in the ED who fail to improve sufficiently after treatment with first-line medication. Methods We used the American Headache Society's guideline, "Management of Adults with Acute Migraine in the Emergency Department: The American Headache Society Evidence Assessment of Parenteral Pharmacotherapies," published in 2016, to identify first-line medications for migraine. We then conducted a PubMed search to determine whether any evidence supported the use of these medications as second-line therapy and whether any evidence existed to support the use of injectable therapies not discussed in the guideline as second-line therapy. Results We identified only scant high-quality randomized data of second-line therapy. Therefore, we based our recommendations on medications that have reliably demonstrated efficacy as first-line treatment of migraine. These medications include injectable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. Dihydroergotamine and valproic acid have some data supporting efficacy. More recently, greater occipital nerve blocks (GONBs) have been shown to be efficacious. With the exception of meperidine, opioids have been shown to be not efficacious. Most data published to date demonstrate no role for propofol and ketamine. Conclusions There are no evidence-based second-line treatments of migraine in the ED setting. For patients with migraine, who fail to improve after treatment with a first-line medication, it is reasonable to use an intravenous NSAID or intravenous acetaminophen. Alternatively, clinicians adept at performing a GONB may offer this treatment.
Small ice caps in climate models

The presence of ice or snow at the surface of the Earth changes the reflectivity of the system to sunlight. When the planet is made colder by changing some control parameter such as the solar constant, ice caps grow; moreover, the increased reflectivity (albedo) of the ice-covered surface causes an enhancement of the cooling. The effect of the ice-cap growth is to amplify the effects of an externally induced climate change. The ice-clbedo mechanism is a positive feedback in the climate system. The climate system has many feedbacks, positive and negative. They play various roles in forced climate change. This lecture will concentrate on the effects of that one isolated feedback, since in this simplified form the problem becomes tractable and quasi analytical solutions can be found.
A Metaobject Protocol for Controlling File Cache Management

This paper presents the design of a metaobject protocol (MOP) for controlling file buffer caches in operating systems. The MOP exposes an abstraction of the file cache machinery that is an inherent part of every file system implementation, and thereby allows applications to control cache management decisions for the files that they use. Safety and protection are preserved by carefully designing the MOP so that the operating system retains control both over which applications may access data for each file, and how global resource allocation decisions are made.
Light-Cone Quantisation of Matrix Models at c > 1

The technique of (discretised) light-cone quantisation, as applied to matrix models of relativistic strings, is reviewed. The case of the c = 2 non-critical bosonic string is discussed in some detail to clarify the nature of the continuum limit. Further applications for the technique are then outlined.
COMPOUND NEVUS OF THE PALATE; REPORT OF A CASE.

Abstract 1. 1. A case of compound nevus of the palate has been presented. 2. 2. Excision and histologic examination of all pigmented lesions that are subject to irritation are advised.
Chapter 24 Design of regulatory mechanisms and institutions

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the design of regulatory policies that take into account the opportunities for strategic behavior provided by incomplete information and limited observability on the part of the regulator. The design of regulatory mechanisms is straightforward, albeit complex, in such a case where the regulator or mechanism designer has the same information as the regulated firm, observes the actions taken by the firm and has the authority to exercise control. The chapter presents the design of regulatory mechanisms and institutions in settings in which the regulator has incomplete information and limited ability to observe the actions of the firms under its jurisdiction. Incomplete information and limited observability create opportunities for strategic behavior on the part of both the regulator and the regulated. The mechanisms considered are reflections of that strategic behavior and are characterized as equilibria of a game whose structure corresponds to the authority granted to the regulator. Regulatory policies are, thus, viewed as endogenous responses to informational asymmetries and limited observability rather than as exogenously specified mechanisms descriptive of actual regulatory arrangements. Although the mechanisms are weak in their descriptive power, they reflect the incentives present in regulatory relationships and take into account the way the parties involved respond to those incentives.
Circuit Design for CMOS VLSI

The field of CMOS integrated circuits has reached a level of maturity where it is now a mainstream technology for high-density digital system designs. This volume deals with circuit design in an integrated CMOS environment. Emphasis is placed on understanding the operation, performance, and design o
An 8-year review of operation enduring freedom and operation iraqi freedom resuscitative thoracotomies.

ABSTRACTBackground: Appropriate indications for resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) in an austere environment continue to evolve; the aim of this study was to determine survival and to analyze demographics of survivors within U.S. military personnel undergoing RT. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all U.S. soldiers who underwent thoracotomy in theater during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After individualized review, patients in extremis or who lost pulses and had their thoracotomy performed within 10 minutes of arrival to the emergency department were included. The primary outcome was survival at final hospital discharge, and secondary outcomes included demographics associated with survival. Results: Between January 2003 and May 2010, 81 U.S. military personnel met inclusion criteria for RT in theater. As low as 6.7% (3/45) of patients receiving prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation were alive at final hospital discharge. Survival from RT after explosive/blast injur...
Control of Microcoaxial Helicopter Based on a Reduced-Order Observer

AbstractMiniature aerial vehicles (MAVs) are finding applications in a number of civilian domains in which their autonomous operations are desirable. Applications of miniature aerial vehicles in different areas are growing exponentially due to technological advancement in areas such as computing, sensing, and communication, and due to advantages offered by these vehicles in terms of safe and economic operations. Due to the drive to keep cost of MAVs low, or lack of available technology and accurate sensors, exact measurement of pertinent signals and states of these kinds of nonlinear systems is not always possible. This necessitates the development of algorithmic tools such as observers that can be used to enhance the performance of sensors and measurement devices. The more complex a control system becomes, the more difficult it becomes to measure the states of the system accurately, which inherently makes the development of observers more challenging. In this paper, state observer and control system desi...
Identification of a novel compound (β-sesquiphellandrene) from turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) with anticancer potential: comparison with curcumin

Considering that as many as 80% of the anticancer drugs have their roots in natural products derived from traditional medicine, we examined compounds other than curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) that could exhibit anticancer potential. Present study describes the isolation and characterization of another turmeric-derived compound, β-sesquiphellandrene (SQP) that exhibits anticancer potential comparable to that of curcumin. We isolated several compounds from turmeric, including SQP, α-curcumene, ar-turmerone, α-turmerone, β-turmerone, and γ-turmerone, only SQP was found to have antiproliferative effects comparable to those of curcumin in human leukemia, multiple myeloma, and colorectal cancer cells. While lack of the NF-κB-p65 protein had no effect on the activity of SQP, lung cancer cells that expressed p53 were more susceptible to the cytotoxic effect of SQP than were cells that lacked p53 expression. SQP was also found to be highly effective in suppressing cancer cell colony formation and inducing apoptosis, as shown by assays of intracellular esterase activity, plasma membrane integrity, and cell-cycle phase. SQP was found to induce cytochrome c release and activate caspases that lead to poly ADP ribose polymerase cleavage. SQP exposure was associated with downregulation of cell survival proteins such cFLIP, Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, c-IAP1, and survivin. Furthermore, SQP was found to be synergistic with the chemotherapeutic agents velcade, thalidomide and capecitabine. Overall, our results indicate that SQP has anticancer potential comparable to that of curcumin.
Mechanisms of neutrophil accumulation in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract Neutrophils are a characteristic feature of the alveolitis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). a chronic disorder limited to lung. One mechanism by which neutrophils may be selectively attracted to lung and not other tissues is via the secretion of the neutrophil-specific chemotactic factor by alveolar macrophages. To evaluate the role of alveolar macrophages in modulating the migration of neutrophils to he lung in IPF, alveolar macrophages, obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with IPF, were evaluated for their ability to release a chemotactic factor for neutrophils. Unstimulated alveolar macrophages from normal individuals did not release the factor. In patients with IPF, there was a significant correlation between the proportions of neutrophils in lavage fluid and the release of a chemotactic factor for neutrophils by alveolar macrophages (p less than 0.001). The chemotactic factor released by IPF alveolar macrophages was of low molecular weight (400-600), at least partially lipid in nature, and preferentially attracted neutrophils compared with monocytes. Several lines of evidence suggested that immune complexes in the lung stimulated alveolar macrophages of patients with IPF to release the chemotactic factor. First, immune complexes stimulated normal macrophages to release the factor.Second, there was a significant correlation between the release of the chemotactic factor by IPF alveolar macrophages and the levels of immune complexes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Third, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid containing immune complexes stimulated normal macrophages to release the factor. Fourth, IPF alveolar macrophages that released large amounts of the chemotactic factor had an apparent suppression of their immunoglobulin (Ig)G Fc receptor function, suggesting that immune complexes were bound to their surface. In contrast, the IgG Fc receptor function of IPF alveolar macrophages that released only small amounts of the factor was similar to that of normal macrophages. These studies suggest that neutrophils are attracted to the lung in patients with IPF by a potent chemotactic factor released by alveolar macrophages that have been stimulated, in vivo, via their IgG Fc receptor by immune complexes.
A Simple Model for Fatigue Crack Growth Near Stress Concentrations

Fatigue crack growth rates are often difficult to predict for short cracks growing near stress concentrations. This paper presents a simple model to predict those growth rates which incorporates the phenomenon of crack closure. Crack opening stresses are shown to change significantly as cracks grow away from notches, and the simple model is designed to describe those changes. The effective stress range ratio, U , is assumed to be dependent on the local stress at the crack tip location in a corresponding uncracked body. The value of U changes with the normalized maximum stress in unnotched bodies, and this dependence can be quantified with elastic-plastic finite element models or simpler modified-Dugdale crack analyses. The local stress distribution is estimated with a Neuber analysis. A semi-empirical stress intensity factor solution is constructed and calibrated with known exact solutions. The crack growth rate is then calculated with the modified Paris law, taking crack growth constants from long crack data. The model is illustrated with a specific case study, the growth of cracks from center notches in an SAE 1026 steel. Experimental crack growth data for notches of different sizes and shapes compare favorably with the calculations. The scheme is contrasted with previous models for notch fatigue cracks. The implications of the simple model for other fatigue design problems are explored, highlighting the simplicity and generality of the model.
Acquisition of F-100(3) High Pressure Compressor Entrance Profiles

A transportable automatic data acquisition system to obtain high pressure compressor entrance profiles in an F-100 Series 3 gas turbine engine is described. The system was developed, assembled, and tested at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and transported to a remote location for implementation in a sea level engine test. Acquisition of data was controlled through a Hewlett Packard Model 9825T desktop calculator, preprogrammed to display airflow data in engineering units during the test. Entrance profiles of total and static pressure, temperature, and flow angle for two axial locations are presented. A wedge probe sensing element was positioned at 12 radial locations by remote traversing mechanisms to obtain these profiles. For a total pressure range of 18 to 46 psia (0.13 to 0.32 MPa), acquisition uncertainties in static and total pressure were reduced to below ± percent of measured values by optimizing data system component uncertainties.Copyright © 1982 by ASME