cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Critique of the Experimental Aerodynamic Data Base for an Oscillating Straked Wing at High Angles

Recent interest in flying at very high angles of attack beyond the static stall conditions has been kindled by proposals to exploit this flow regime to improve fighter aircraft maneuverability [251, 253]. Herbst’s concept to fly into the post-stall regime to achieve quicker turns [251] and the use of unsteady aerodynamics at high incidence discussed by Lang and Francis [253] open a Pandora’s box of new aerodynamic problems. Since these ideas require flying at incidences as high as 90° or beyond, a single maneuver could cover attached flows, vortex and burst vortex flows as well as totally separated flows. In addition, the more highly separated flows are increasingly sensitive to unsteady and time history effects, hence maneuver dynamics become very important under such conditions. The understanding of these flow fields and dynamic effects is needed in order to design aircraft to exploit the concepts, however this represents several quantum jumps over current aerodynamic technology.
Constitution and Variability of Rubber from Individual Trees

Abstract A special procedure of collecting rubber latex directly from the tree by dropping it directly into alcohol to coagulate and preserve it has been described. The color, hardness, solubility in benzene or chloroform and viscosity of the soluble portion of this alcohol-coagulated rubber has been found to vary widely in the case of rubber from 24 individual trees in a Costa Rica rubber estate. While it is shown that rubber from individual trees show wide variations, the results from bulked latex and crepe are close to the average results found for the 24 trees. The results from the present investigation show that rubber direct from the tree contains soluble and insoluble fractions like those found in crepe and smoked sheet. Lower polymers in crepe and smoked sheet are also present in the latex as it emerges from the tree. It was found that some trees yielded a rubber almost completely soluble in benzene or chloroform, while in others, the soluble portion was as low as 61 per cent, with the average bei...
Lithography alternatives meet design style reality: How do they "line" up?

Optical lithography resolution scaling has stalled, giving innovative alternatives a window of opportunity. One important factor that impacts these lithographic approaches is the transition in design style from 2D to 1D for advanced CMOS logic. Just as the transition from 3D circuits to 2D fabrication 50 years ago created an opportunity for a new breed of electronics companies, the transition today presents exciting and challenging time for lithographers. Today, we are looking at a range of non-optical lithography processes. Those considered here can be broadly categorized: self-aligned lithography, self-assembled lithography, deposition lithography, nano-imprint lithography, pixelated e-beam lithography, shot-based e-beam lithography .Do any of these alternatives benefit from or take advantage of 1D layout? Yes, for example SAPD + CL (Self Aligned Pitch Division combined with Complementary Lithography). This is a widely adopted process for CMOS nodes at 22nm and below. Can there be additional design / process co-optimization? In spite of the simple-looking nature of 1D layout, the placement of “cut” in the lines and “holes” for interlayer connections can be tuned for a given process capability. Examples of such optimization have been presented at this conference, typically showing a reduction of at least one in the number of cut or hole patterns needed.[1,2] Can any of the alternatives complement each other or optical lithography? Yes.[3] For example, DSA (Directed Self Assembly) combines optical lithography with self-assembly. CEBL (Complementary e-Beam Lithography) combines optical lithography with SAPD for lines with shot-based e-beam lithography for cuts and holes. Does one (shrinking) size fit all? No, that’s why we have many alternatives. For example NIL (Nano-imprint Lithography) has been introduced for NAND Flash patterning where the (trending lower) defectivity is acceptable for the product. Deposition lithography has been introduced in 3D NAND Flash to set the channel length of select and memory transistors.
Detection, Identification, and Quantification of Selenoproteins in a Candidate Human Plasma Standard Reference Material

To understand the effect of Se supplementation on health, it is critical to accurately assess the Se status in the human body by measuring reliable biomarkers. The preferred biomarkers of the Se status are selenoprotein P (SelP) and glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) along with selenoalbumin (SeAlb), but there is still a real need for reference methods and reference materials to validate their measurements. Therefore, this work presents a systematic approach to provide quality control data in selenoprotein measurements. This approach combines online isotope dilution affinity liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), laser ablation ICPMS, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to identify and quantify SelP, GPx3, and SeAlb in a human plasma reference material SRM 1950. Quantitative determinations of SelP, GPx3, and SeAlb were 50.2 ± 4.3, 23.6 ± 1.3, and 28.2 ± 2.6 ng g–1 as Se, respectively. The subsequent identification of the selenoproteins included nine SelP ...
Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Therapy

Osteoporosis is a common and important public health problem. Many people with osteoporosis have not achieved normal peak bone mass, while others suffer substantial bone loss during life due to various conditions. This article discusses the clinical features, consequences, and treatment of osteoporosis and the risk factors for bone loss and fracture. Evaluation of bone mineral density can establish the diagnosis of osteoporosis in at-risk persons. Decisions about osteoporosis therapy are influenced by the factors that contribute to the disorder in each person.
Synthesis of α-AlH_3 with benzyl chloride and its characterization

AlH3 ether complex was synthesized by reacting LiAlH4 with benzyl chloride,and α-AlH3 was obtained by deremoval of diethyl-ether of AlH3 ether in toluene. The obtained α-AlH3 was characterized by XRD,elemental analysis,SEM and thermal analysis. The crystal presents complete morphology,high particle uniformity,high purity,low chlorine content and high thermal stability.
ICT4Agriculture lessons Learned from Developing Countries. A Systematic Review Protocol

The developing countries are experiencing a phenomenal growth in Information and Communication technology (ICT) provision. Fueled by this ICT explosion, many projects have been initiated to providing agricultural information and advice to farmer communities. These services include agri advisory and information services, market price alerts, weather alerts and systems for mobile-payments and financial services. However, these benefits appear to vary across crops, distance of village from market, road quality and other factors such as competitiveness introduced by wholesale bigger markets. There are a number of knowledge gaps in our understanding of the role of ICTs for agriculture in developing world. This paper aims to fill this gap by proposing a systematic review protocol on key lessons learned from the ICT usage trends and practices for agricultural production in the developing countries, with special focus on small landholder farmers.
Patterns and outcomes of traumatic pancreatic injuries: A retrospective review from a large multi-institutional healthcare system:

IntroductionTraumatic pancreatic injuries are rare, and morbidity and mortality information are often conflicting. To determine the frequency and outcomes of patients presenting with trauma to the ...
Profiles of Long Noncoding RNAs in Human Naive and Memory T Cells

We employed whole-genome RNA-sequencing to profile mRNAs and both annotated and novel long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in human naive, central memory, and effector memory CD4+ T cells. Loci transcribing both lineage-specific annotated and novel lncRNA are adjacent to lineage-specific protein-coding genes in the genome. Lineage-specific novel lncRNA loci are transcribed from lineage-specific typical- and supertranscriptional enhancers and are not multiexonic, thus are more similar to enhancer RNAs. Novel enhancer-associated lncRNAs transcribed from the IFNG locus bind the transcription factor NF-κB and enhance binding of NF-κB to the IFNG genomic locus. Depletion of the annotated lncRNA, IFNG-AS1, or one IFNG enhancer-associated lncRNA abrogates IFNG expression by memory T cells, indicating these lncRNAs have biologic function.
Quantum Field Theory and Generalized Functions

In the following lectures I wish to review the present state of quantum field theory following the approach usually called “asymptotic quantum field theory”. Since certain mathematical developments, especially from the theory of generalized functions, will be an important prerequisit, I shall proceed as follows. In order to avoid interrupting the development of the physical theory by mathematical asides, I shall first present several primarily mathematical topics which will then be used in the second part of these lectures for the development of the physical theory. The outline is therefore as follows:
Cancer vaccines: Enhanced immunogenic modulation through therapeutic combinations

Therapeutic cancer vaccines have gained significant popularity in recent years as new approaches for specific oncologic indications emerge. Three therapeutic cancer vaccines are FDA approved and one is currently approved by the EMA as monotherapy with modest treatment effects. Combining therapeutic cancer vaccines with other treatment modalities like radiotherapy (RT), hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and/or chemotherapy have been investigated as a means to enhance immune response and treatment efficacy. There is growing preclinical and clinical data that combination of checkpoint inhibitors and vaccines can induce immunogenic intensification with favorable outcomes. Additionally, novel methods for identifying targetable neoantigens hold promise for personalized vaccine development. In this article, we review the rationale for various therapeutic combinations, clinical trial experiences, and future directions. We also highlight the most promising developments that could lead to approval of novel therapeutic cancer vaccines.
Annual Oration: Driving Value through Imaging.

This Annual Oration considers the transformation of American health care from a fee-for-service system to a value-based system and how imaging can advance value and enhance the transformation to higher quality, better care, and improved outcomes.
Two Pathways Between the Cortex and the Basal Ganglia Output Nuclei and the Globus Pallidus

Two major pathways connect the cerebral cortex to the basal ganglia output nuclei: the entopeduncular nucleus (EP, homologous to the internal segment of the pallidum of the primate); and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr)(Fig. 1). The output nuclei are referred to as EP/SNr in this paper. One pathway begins with cortico-striatal projections and the other begins with cortico-subthalamic projections. Both the neostriatum and the subthalamic nucleus project heavily to the globus pallidus (GP). This paper summarizes some recent anatomical and physiological findings on the two cortico-EP/SNr pathways and the GP which is located in the middle of the two sets of pathways.
Reconciliatory socialization: Conceptualizing the experiences of Evangelical Christian doctoral students in secular higher education:

Weidman, Twale and Stein’s (2001) model of graduate student socialization has served as a theoretical starting point for understanding the experiences of doctoral students. Although a number of sch...
Applying reliability concepts and data analysis to IGSCC crack initiation in BWR systems

Predicting the life and reliability of boiling water nuclear reactor (BWR) structural components subject to stress corrosion cracking requires high quality data and data analysis for both crack initiation and crack propagation. Laboratory study and prediction of crack propagation rates is more advanced relative to crack initiation studies. This is partially attributed to the probabilistic nature of crack initiation experimentation which requires many test specimens to be statically valid. This paper briefly reviews concepts used in applying reliability methods and data analysis in developing quality data and then applying these concepts to IGSCC crack initiation data. Since the distribution of time to crack initiation tends to be highly skewed, these time to failure data are not well represented by measures of central tendency such as the mean time to failure. Data from creviced and sensitized 304SS are better described by either a lognormal or Weibull distribution. For the Weibull distribution, the shape parameter ({beta}) was found to depend on the applied stress. For sensitized 304 SS under BWR conditions, no tendencies towards infant mortality ({beta} estimated to be 1.6) were observed at a stress of 176 MPa in contrast to specimens under a stress of 292 MPa where {beta} wasmore » estimated to be 0.5, indicating that initial defects are influencing the test population. With these data, crack initiation life test planning can be better determined to assess the life of critical components by determining sample sizes and test conditions that produce meaningful results with optimal resources. Population distribution simulations based on parameters obtained from available crack initiation data were used to show that when the difference in the crack initiation distributions is a factor of 1, over 25 specimens are required per test condition to show a statistical difference with 95% confidence. The number of specimens required decreases as the difference in the percentiles of the distributions increase and as the scatter in the distributions of differences in the 10th percentiles decreases. Simulated results show that only 10 specimens are required when the distributions of differences in the 10th percentiles are expected to be a factor of 2 apart.« less
Health-related quality of life throughout the breast reconstruction process.

10106Background: With rising breast reconstruction rates, questions remain on the impact of shifting modalities of reconstruction on quality-of-life (QoL) and their interaction with concurrent trea...
Regulating G protein-coupled receptors by topological inversion.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a family of proteins containing seven transmembrane helices, with the N- and C-terminus of the protein located at the extracellular space and cytosol, respectively. Here, we report that ceramide or related sphingolipids might invert the topology of many GPCRs that contain a GXXXN motif in their first transmembrane helix. The functional significance of this topological regulation is illustrated by the CCR5 chemokine receptor. In the absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), CCR5 adopts a topology consistent with that of GPCR, allowing mouse peritoneal macrophages to migrate toward its ligand CCL5. LPS stimulation results in increased production of dihydroceramide, which inverts the topology of CCR5, preventing macrophages from migrating toward CCL5. These results suggest that GPCRs may not always adopt the same topology and can be regulated through topological inversion. Editorial note This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that major issues remain unresolved (see decision letter).
The Social Role of Slang

ABSTRACT Slang is a common linguistic behaviour. Despite this it has been collected rather than defined and studied by linguistics. Dumas and Lighter have attempted to establish criteria for defining the concept, but commit the mistake of neglecting slang as a social psychological phenomenon. To place slang in a societal frame a variation of Giles' accommodation theory is used. The use of slang is offered as a major index and signal of alienation and solidarity, remarkable in that the same locution can signal both in the same situation. The development of studies of slang will contribute substantively as a significant component of linguistic and social behaviour and methodologically as a basis for integrating the study of language and society into a unified theoretical framework.
Propensity-matched analysis of stage-specific efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer.

Abstract Background Contemporary randomized controlled trials exploring adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for bladder cancer (BCa) have yielded inconsistent results due to premature termination and/or poor patient accrual. Objective To compare efficacy of AC vs. observation after radical cystectomy stratified by disease stage in a propensity-matched cohort. Design, setting, and participants We performed a retrospective study that included patients who underwent radical cystectomy for any pT, N0-1, M0 BCa from the National Cancer Data Base (2004–2014). Patients who underwent AC were 1:1 propensity matched with patients who received observation only. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Overall survival was assessed with multivariable Cox regression models where adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results and limitations After coarsened exact 1:1 propensity matching, 3,066 patients (AC 1,533; observation 1,533) were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in patient-, facility-, or tumor-level characteristics among cohorts. Compared with patients who underwent observation, recipients of AC had improved overall survival (aHR 0.67; 95% CI 0.61–0.74). Patients with pT2-4, pN1 disease significantly benefited from AC. Among the pN0 cohort, improved survival from AC was observed only in stages pT3 (aHR 0.67; 95% CI 0.55–0.83) and pT4 (aHR 0.70; 95% CI 0.50–0.98). Conclusions AC was associated with improved survival in locally advanced (pT3-4, pN0) and regionally advanced (pT2-4, pN1) chemotherapy-naive BCa.
Parameter-Space Based Robust Gain-Scheduling Design of Automated Vehicle Lateral Control

This paper presents a robust gain-scheduling controller design based on the parameter-space approach. The gain-scheduling control is of interest for systems with varying dynamics at different operating conditions. Requirements of robustness of stability and performance are also necessary if the system is subject to other parametric or model uncertainties. The parameter space approach is capable of projecting these requirements to the space of design parameters and facilitate the design of robust gain-scheduling control. This method is applied to automated vehicle lateral control to ensure its tracking accuracy and stability subject to uncertainties in vehicle load, speed and tire saturation. The proportional feedback gain and look-ahead distance are scheduled with respect to speed while sustaining robust stability, mixed sensitivity bound constraint and satisfaction of performance indices. Realistic hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation with a validated vehicle model and road tests are conducted to demonstrate the robust performance of the designed gain-scheduling control in the presence of model uncertainty and disturbances. Another general robust gain-scheduling approach, the linear-matrix-inequality- (LMI-) design is also conducted for benchmarking purposes and the comparisons are discussed.
Optimizing infrastructure resilience under budgetary constraint

Abstract Communities located in regions prone to natural and man-made disasters endure hardship and financial loss in the face of these events. Investment to enhance infrastructure resilience is vital to reduce the consequences of these low probability high-impact events. Budget and resources are limited, and they must be allocated wisely to infrastructure components to build a resilient community. The complexity of infrastructure makes it difficult to show the effects of component enhancements on system resilience. This paper proposes a mathematical programming model aimed at optimizing infrastructure resilience against a set of adverse events by optimally allocating budget to the infrastructure components. Investment, component enhancement, and corresponding functionality are combined with the resilience-based component importance to tackle the system complexity. Three utility functions are presented to determine the possible component enhancement alternatives for an allocated budget and to choose the optimal alternative. A resilience-based component importance metric is introduced, which is used in the budget allocation optimization problem. This approach establishes a relationship between amount allocated to a component and changes in its absorption and recovery, and the aggregate of all such changes on the components on the system functionality. The results show that the utility function of a component impacts the resilience enhancement of the system.
The long term effect of low calcium dialysate on calcium-phosphate metabolism in hemodialysis patients

Objective To observer the long term effect of 1.25 mmol/L calcium concentrate dialysate (LCaD)on calcium-phosphate metabolism in hemodialysis patients.Methods This study included 38 patients.They were maintained hemodialysis with 1.75 mm01/L calcium concentrate dialysate(HCaD)more than 1 years,and then changed to LCaD for 2 years.Albumin-adjusted seFum calcium,phosphate,calcium x phosphate(Ca×P)product.and intact parathyroid hormone(iPTH)before and after application of LCaD were compared.Results Serum calcium decreased[HCaD(2.32±0.23)mmoL/L,LCaD(2.21±0.24)mmol/L;t=2.286,P=0.028]and iPTH increased[HCaD(20.92±16.04)pmol/,L,LCaD(40.02±30.55)pmol/L;t=-4.029,P=0.000],the phosphate and Ca×P product did not changed obviously.In the low iPTH group(iPTH＜11.Opmol/L),the levels of calcium[HCaD(2.46±0.19)mmol/L,LCaD(2.11±0.23)mmol/L;t=4.047,P=0.002]and Ca×P product [HCaD(4.75 ±1.66)mmol2/L2,LCaD(3.54±0.77)mmol2/L2;t=3.784,P=0.004]decreased,the iPTH increased moderately[HCaD(5.67±2.84)pmol/L;LCaD(27.72±27.79)pmol/L;t=-2.490,P=0.032],the serum phosphate keept stable.In the high iPTH group(iPTH≥11.0 pmol/L),the levers of calcium,phosphate and Ca×P product did not changed obviously,but the iPTH lever increased significantly[HCaD(27.15±15.43)pmol/L.LCaD(45.03±30.68)pmol/L; t=-3.138,P=0.004].Observer according the serum calcium at the baseline.the levers of calcium,phosphate and Ca×P product kept stable in the low(Ca＜2.10 mmol/L)and normal calcium(Ca:2.10～2.37 mmol/L)patients.But in the high calcium(Ca＞2.37 mmol/L)patients,the levers of ca]cium[HCaD(2.52±0.12)mmol/L,LCaD(2.25±0.20)mmol/L;t=4.153,P=0.001]and Ca×P product [HCaD(4.94±1.19)mmol2/L2.LCaD(4.10±0.80)mmol2/L2;t=2.587,P=0.012]decreased.The iPTH level kept stable in the low calcium patients,but jncreased in the normal[HCaD(20.18±11.00)pmol/L;LCaD(37.45±32.61)pmol/L;t=-2.351,P=0.032]and high calcium[HCaD(14.68±12.98)pmol/L,LCaD(40.19±33.20)pmol/L;t=-3.432,P=0.004]patients.Conclusion The LCaD could decreased the serum calcium levers and stimulated the PTH secretion.that may reduce the risks of adynamic bone diseases and soft tissue calcifications,but increased the risk of second hyperparathyroidism. Key words: Hemodialysis; Low calcium dialysate; Calcium-phosphate metabolism
Common Auditors in Mergers and Acquisitions: The Impact on Post-Acquisition Financial Reporting Quality

Prior research documents improvements in pre-acquisition outcomes when acquirer and target firms engage the same audit firm to perform their financial statement audits. We examine whether the advantages of engaging a common auditor prior to an acquisition translate into improved post-acquisition outcomes. We find that common auditors improve post-acquisition financial reporting quality as evidenced by a decreased likelihood of misstatement and of missed internal control material weaknesses following an acquisition. These benefits are attributable to same-office common auditors rather than common auditors from different audit offices. We also find that the effects of common auditors are more pronounced when the acquisition is more material to the acquirer and when the time between acquisition completion and the combined entity’s year-end is shorter. Finally, we find that common auditors are associated with lower non-audit service fees. Our findings suggest that common auditors, especially same-office common auditors, provide important post-acquisition benefits.
Outcomes After Converted Minimally Invasive to Open Esophagectomy in Patients With Esophageal Cancer.

Background The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of unplanned conversion to open esophagectomy during minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) on postoperative morbidity and mortality for patients with esophageal cancer, as well as to evaluate the variables that influence the need for conversion. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of patients with esophageal cancer who underwent open esophagectomy or MIE by either a laparothoracoscopic approach or a robotic approach from 2016 to 2018 by using the esophagectomy-specific American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Poisson regression models were used to analyze 30-day outcomes and risk factors for conversion to open esophagectomy during attempted MIE. Results A total of 2616 patients were identified. The overall conversion rate for MIE was 6.3%. Compared with completed MIE, patients requiring conversion to open esophagectomy had a significantly increased risk of 30-day mortality (risk ratio, 2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 6.69) and experienced a variety of other postoperative complications. Patients requiring conversion to open esophagectomy during MIE also experienced worse perioperative outcomes when compared to patients who underwent planned open esophagectomy. Estimated surgical risk on the basis of the ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator was the only variable found to be independently associated with conversion from minimally invasive to open esophagectomy (risk ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.04, for each 10% increase in risk score). Conclusions Unplanned conversion to open esophagectomy during MIE is associated with significantly greater morbidity and a 2.6-fold increased risk of death when compared with both completed MIE and planned open esophagectomy. The ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator may help identify patients preoperatively who are at higher risk for conversion to open esophagectomy during MIE.
Is Dependency in Human Reliability Analysis a Real Phenomenon? Refining the Dependency Concept Through Research

Dependency, specifically defined as the degree to which one erroneous action can impact subsequent actions, has been a fixture in many human reliability analysis (HRA) methods for the better part of forty years. Its incipience in the Technique for Human Error-Rate Prediction (THERP) was supported, seemingly, by examination of observed phenomena, but the documented evidence and link to proven psychological theories were absent. While HRA is typically a quantitative effort with qualitative inputs, we should be careful to ensure that HRA methods respect their psychological foundations lest the models constructed fail to measure the characteristics of human error accurately and sufficiently for the assessment of safety critical applications. This paper seeks to refocus attention on a foundational question in HRA—is dependence in a chain of human erroneous actions such that ‘error begets error’ a real phenomenon? Research is still needed to validate the construct and quantification of dependency.
Lymphedema techniques to manage edema after SCI: a retrospective analysis.

Retrospective analysis of treatment data for a cohort of clients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who received therapy for management of edema. To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and benefit of a modified lymphedema treatment approach for treatment of chronic lower extremity edema in persons with SCI. A specialty rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, GA, USA. Certified lymphedema therapists with experience in SCI rehabilitation modified standard complete decongestive therapy (CDT) techniques to accommodate sensory and motor impairments and ensure skin safety. Therapists applied the modified CDT (mCDT) approach as part of treatment in 59 adults with SCI and lower extremity edema. Limb volume was measured using standardized volumetric measurement, pitting was scored using a standardized scale (range 0–4), and edema characteristics were determined to be present or absent. Outcomes of the mCDT intervention were analyzed for 105 lower extremities. Outcomes indicated that mCDT was associated with significant reduction in limb volumes, with a mean decrease of 11 ± 7.6%. Significant decreases were also observed in pitting edema and edema-specific characteristics, mean pitting scale score was reduced from a 3/4 to a 1/4. Minor adverse events were identified in a small number of patients. We found the mCDT approach to be safe and well-tolerated by the patients with SCI. The intervention was associated with decreased edema, and was feasible for use in a clinical setting. We recommend considering this mCDT approach for management of edema in individuals with SCI, while remaining vigilant about skin inspection.
Adult-Onset Fulminant Necrotizing Encephalitis: A Rare Variant of Neurosarcoidosis (P1.2-067)

Objective: To report a case of necrotizing encephalitis resistant to immunotherapy in an adult immunocompetent patient. Background: Neurosarcoidosis is an inflammatory granulomatous disease of the nervous system. Usually it is a manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis, but a small percentage can be isolated to the nervous system. Necrotizing form of neurosarcoidosis is a rare reported subtype, but is not well understood. Acute necrotizing encephalitis has mainly been described as a parainfectious encephalitis in children, but it is rarely reported in adults and not known to be associated with neurosarcoidosis. Design/Methods: Not applicable Results: A 61-year old healthy Caucasian male presented with a 6 week history of transient left facial tingling and weakness, then confusion, personality change, and 65 pound unintentional weight loss, with a viral prodrome. His initial neurologic exam revealed disorientation and transcortical sensory aphasia. MRI brain demonstrated multifocal bilateral small cortical, subcortical and deep gray T2 hyperintensities, some with enhancement and restricted diffusion. CSF showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and mildly elevated protein An extensive infectious, autoimmune, hypercoagulable, and malignancy evaluation was unremarkable. Serum and CSF paraneoplastic profile returned negative. An EEG was negative for epileptic discharges or seizures. He was treated with high dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) with partial improvement. His immunotherapy was interrupted for a brain biopsy at another institution, which suggested evidence of necrotizing encephalitis with acute inflammation and giant cells and no vasculitis. Upon follow up at our institution, he had worsened cognitive impairment and evidence of radiological progression. Cyclophosphamide was initiated, however despite this he continued to decline. He did not respond to repeat course of IVMP and plasma exchange. He transitioned to comfort measures and passed away. An autopsy was not obtained. Conclusions: We present this biopsy-proven, fulminant case of necrotizing encephalitis as a rare variant of neurosarcoidosis that should be considered in the spectrum of this disease. Disclosure: Dr. Thuringer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jassam has nothing to disclose.
Sensitivity Analysis of Models with Higher-Order Differential Equations

All models considered in previous chapters are based on differential equations of first order. There exists a wide variety of models however, that are based on higher-order differential equations, such as the Poisson equation or wave equation. While application of the linearization approach to forward problems with these equations poses no substantial problems application of the adjoint approach, which needs formulation of corresponding adjoint problems, becomes more and more sophisticated with increasing the order of equations. In a nutshell, one has to apply the Lagrange identity rule as many times, as the order of the equations dictates, and this procedure becomes increasingly complicated [see, e.g., (Marchuk 1995)]. In this chapter we present an alternative approach based on the standard techniques using the reduction of the higher-order differential equation to a system of differential equations of first order. Further on, this system is represented in the form of a matrix differential equation of first order complemented by corresponding matrix initial-value conditions (IVCs) and/or boundary conditions (BCs). We present the general principles of application of this matrix approach and the results of its application to a set of problems based on selected stationary and non-stationary equations of mathematical physics.
Software Reliability Model Considering Time-delay Fault Removal

Software reliability has proven to be one of the most useful indices in evaluating software applications quantitatively. Among many different methodologies for constructing software reliability models, the software reliability growth models (SRGMs) based on the non-homogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) has been widely used in practical software reliability engineering and, has attracted many engineers and researchers who assess software systems.
Power-constrained device and technology design for the end of scaling

This paper argues that the end of scaling is full technology optimization, and shows how application-dependent power dissipation constraints can be incorporated into system-level analyses to yield optimal device and technology design parameters. A new optimization criteria, ROI (Return on Investment), is introduced, and dependencies on underlying assumptions are investigated.
A combined SVM and LDA approach for classification

This paper describes a new large margin classifier, named SVM/LDA. This classifier can be viewed as an extension of support vector machine (SVM) by incorporating some global information about the data. The SVM/LDA classifier can be also seen as a generalization of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) by incorporating the idea of (local) margin maximization into standard LDA formulation. We show that existing SVM software can be used to solve the SVM/LDA formulation. We also present empirical comparisons of the proposed algorithm with SVM and LDA using both synthetic and real world benchmark data.
Paediatric organophosphate poisoning - a rural hospital experience

Objectives : To document the presentation and course of organophosphate poisoning (OPP) in children and to record the frequency of atropine toxicity during treatment. Design : A retrospective observational study was conducted of all recorded paediatric cases of OPP admitted to a regional hospital over a 5-year period from 1 June 1996 to 31 May 2001. Setting : The study was conducted at Eben Donges Hospital, a regional hospital in the Boland / Overberg area of the Western Cape, where pesticide-intensive fruit farming remains the largest revenue generator. Subjects : The study included all children aged 12 years or less (as per health services classification) with confirmed OPP. Results : There were 23 patients. Most of the cases came from the De Doorns area (35%), with poisoning by ingestion accounting for 61% of cases. A distinct seasonal predominance was found that coincided with the summer harvest. Mode of presentation was variable and was not related to the initial pseudocholinesterase level. Evidence of atropine toxicity occurred in 8 of the 18 cases treated with atropine. No statistically significant risk factor was found for atropine toxicity. The average duration of hospitalisation was 5.05 days, with 2 children requiring transfer to tertiary facilities. Conclusions : The high number of referrals from a specific geographical area, combined with a 61% accidental ingestion rate, illustrates an area where legislation has failed to limit unnecessary exposure. Awareness of the seasonal predominance could prove pivotal to the success of future preventive strategies. Initial presentation and serum pseudocholinesterase levels did not correlate with duration of stay. The decision to transfer to a tertiary facility should only be explored once the patient has been stabilised with atropine. Atropine treatment is effective but carries a risk of toxicity. Glycopyrrolate may constitute an alternative treatment option. South African Medical Journal Vol. 95(9) 2005: 678-681
The professionalisation of newsworkers in a global communication community

Today it is well nigh unthinkable to view a newspaper as a dialogic medium, as a common carrier open to all, engaging readers and political leaders in a common discussion. And yet this, or something very close to is, was once the dominant press ideology in our country. With the emergence of the professional communicator, the journalist is no longer an independent interpreter of events, but rather an instrument in a routinised, industrial system of news transmission. The professional communicator writes thoughts that are not his own, conveys information she knows or believes to be false. In short, the professional communicator is alienated from her labour, and from the ideas and information she disseminates. One can graft codes of ethics onto this alienated process, one can develop professional associations - or, more appropriately, unions - to elevate communicators' social status or establish some minimal protections. But how can one render such a process - whereby communicators are by definition instrume...
Popular culture as an ideological mask: Mass-produced popular culture and the remaking of criminal justice-related imagery

Abstract This article examines the ability of modern forms of popular culture to capture and remake images of crime. This examination contrasts the role of the production and consumption of popular culture in two broad periods in the “long history” of popular culture: popular culture produced by the masses and mass-produced popular culture. This distinction is used to examine: (1) the association between popular culture and violence; (2) the transformation from the historical period dominated by popular culture produced by the masses to the mass-produced popular culture era; and (3) an application of these arguments demonstrating the ability of mass-produced popular culture to remake modern forms of popular culture produced by the masses. This latter process is illustrated using images generated by rap music and gang movies.
Zebra mussels invade Lake Erie muds

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) originated in western Russia but have now become widespread in Europe and North America. They are widely known for their conspicuous invasion of rocks and other hard substrates in North American and European watersheds1. We have found beds of zebra mussels (Fig. 1) directly colonizing sand and mud sediments each year across hundreds of square kilometres of North America's Lake Erie. This transformation of sedimentary habitats into mussel beds represents an unforeseen change in the invasive capacity of this species.
From PCP to MXE: a comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs.

PCP or phencyclidine was discovered in 1956 and soon became a popular street drug. Dissociatives including PCP, ketamine, and dextromethorphan have been used non-medically for their mind-altering effects for over 60 years. Many of these compounds have also been used clinically and in legitimate research. At least 14 derivatives of PCP were sold for non-medical and illict use from the late 1960s until the 1990s. With the advent of the Internet, the drug market underwent a dramatic evolution. While initially gray-market chemical vendors offering dextromethorphan and ketamine thrived, most recently the market has shifted to legal high and online-based research chemical vendors. Starting with the first dissociative research chemical, 4-MeO-PCP in 2008, the dissociative research chemical market has rapidly evolved and currently comprises at least 12 dissociatives, almost half of which were unknown in the scientific literature prior to their introduction. Several of these, including methoxetamine, have reached widespread use internationally. A historical account of non-medical use of over 30 dissociative compounds was compiled from a diverse collection of sources. The first complete portrait of this underground market is presented along with the relevant legal, technological, and scientific developments which have driven its evolution.
Multiscale geophysical imaging of the critical zone

Details of Earth's shallow subsurface—a key component of the critical zone (CZ)—are largely obscured because making direct observations with sufficient density to capture natural characteristic spatial variability in physical properties is difficult. Yet this inaccessible region of the CZ is fundamental to processes that support ecosystems, society, and the environment. Geophysical methods provide a means for remotely examining CZ form and function over length scales that span centimeters to kilometers. Here we present a review highlighting the application of geophysical methods to CZ science research questions. In particular, we consider the application of geophysical methods to map the geometry of structural features such as regolith thickness, lithological boundaries, permafrost extent, snow thickness, or shallow root zones. Combined with knowledge of structure, we discuss how geophysical observations are used to understand CZ processes. Fluxes between snow, surface water, and groundwater affect weathering, groundwater resources, and chemical and nutrient exports to rivers. The exchange of gas between soil and the atmosphere have been studied using geophysical methods in wetland areas. Indirect geophysical methods are a natural and necessary complement to direct observations obtained by drilling or field mapping. Direct measurements should be used to calibrate geophysical estimates, which can then be used to extrapolate interpretations over larger areas or to monitor changing processes over time. Advances in geophysical instrumentation and computational approaches for integrating different types of data have great potential to fill gaps in our understanding of the shallow subsurface portion of the CZ and should be integrated where possible in future CZ research.
A novel separable backward-central finite difference time domain (FDTD) method

In this paper, we present a novel, separable, backward-central FDTD (SBC-FDTD) method in which both the backward and central differencing are employed to discretize the time and spatial derivatives of the Maxwell's equations. For the type of problems in which the FDTD cell size in one direction is much smaller than those along the other directions, the time step in the proposed SBC-FDTD technique can be determined by the largest cell size instead of the smallest one in the conventional Yee-FDTD. Though not as unconditionally stable as the alternating-direction implicit FDTD (ADI-FDTD), it has the advantage of being implicit in only one direction along which the time step is increased beyond the Courant condition. Both the numerical experiments and stability property have demonstrated that the proposed scheme is stable and accurate. A two dimensional cavity has been used to validate the proposed technique.
AHP PRIORITIES AND MARKOV-CHAPMAN-KOLMOGOROV STEADY-STATES PROBABILITIES

An AHP matrix of the quotients of the pair comparison priorities is transformed to a matrix of shares of the preferences which can be used in Markov stochastic modeling via the Chapman-Kolmogorov system of equations for the discrete states. It yields a general solution and the steady-state probabilities. The AHP priority vector can be interpreted as these probabilities belonging to the discrete states corresponding to the compared items. The results of stochastic modeling correspond to robust estimations of priority vectors not prone to influence of possible errors among the elements of a pairwise comparison matrix.Â
A fiber optic hypermesh for SIMD/MIMD machines

A fiber-optic multidimensional mesh-based network for SIMD (single-instruction, multiple-data) and MIMD (multiple-instruction, multiple data) multiprocessors is proposed. A novel optical switch design which uses 50% fewer lasers/receivers than previously proposed optical WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) switches is proposed. A novel random-access scheme which supports prioritized traffic and which should be easier to implement in GaAs than the FOX/HYPASS schemes is described. An approximate analysis and extensive simulations both indicate that the optical switch can operate at a peak bandwidth very near the maximum of about 0.586. In addition, a novel network called the hypermesh is proposed. A distributed optical (or electronic) crossbar links d nodes along each dimension in an n-dimensional base-d hypermesh. >
Collective excitations in liquid water at low frequency and large wave vector

We study the collective modes of water using molecular dynamics with the ST2 model potential, by calculating the dynamic structure factor S(q,ω). We identify the previously reported ‘‘first’’ sound mode to be due to the wave vector independent oxygen bending mode.
Indicators of acute pain and fly avoidance behaviors in Holstein calves following tail-docking.

Abstract Previous work showed that the banding process of docking minimally affected mature cows' behavior and physiology, but cutting off the necrotic tail increased haptoglobin. Additionally the docked cows had more flies on the rear legs and exhibited more fly avoidance behaviors. Because many producers dock young calves while they are in hutches where fly problems are more pronounced, we investigated changes in behavior and physiology of young calves following docking by banding. Twenty calves (3 to 5wk of age) were assigned to a docked or control group, at each of two locations (Indiana and Wisconsin). After applying a band to dock the tail, calves were tested every 15min for sensitivity to heat below the band at the Indiana location. Calf behavior was recorded for 2h postbanding and analyzed continuously for that period. After 3wk, tails were removed and then 1wk later, fly counts and fly avoidance behaviors were observed at both locations. Tails were sensitive to heat below the banding site, for 60 to 120min postbanding (mean 87min). Banded calves were more active than control calves during the 2h following banding. Percentage of time spent lying was greater for control calves, and the percentage of time spent walking was greater for docked than control calves. More importantly, movements of the head to touch the tail were increased for banded calves (eight-fold more movements). Fly avoidance behaviors directed toward the rear of the calf were evident at noon or in the afternoon. Ear twitches were more frequent for the docked calves and less frequent in the morning for all calves. Licking was more frequent for the docked calves at 1200 and 1600h. Tail swings were most frequent at 1200 and more frequent for control calves. Two acute phase proteins, haptoglobin and α 1 acid-glycoprotein, were not different at any time. In this study, calves that were banded at 3-wk-of-age showed behaviors indicative of discomfort for 2h, were attacked by more flies, and showed increased fly avoidance behaviors when docked.