cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Millimeter wave, multigigahertz optical modulation by feedforward phase noise compensation of a beat note generated by photomixing of two laser diodes

A technique is described for high frequency (up to 100 GHz), narrowband ( approximately GHz) optical modulation by encoding the millimeter-wave signal onto a beat note produced by photomixing of radiation from two 1.3 mu m DFB lasers. The phase noise on the beat note is compensated by a feedforward technique, using a low-frequency external optical modulator which simultaneously encodes the information to be transmitted. The modulation band can be tuned by varying the lasing frequency of one or both of the lasers. The fundamental performance limit of this technique is investigated, and the transmission of a pulsed RF signal at 40 GHz is demonstrated. >
Robust detection of selfish misbehavior in wireless networks

The CSMA/CA protocols are designed under the assumption that all participant nodes would abide to the protocol rules. This is of particular importance in distributed protocols such as the IEEE 802.11 distributed coordinating function (DCF), in which nodes control their own backoff parameters. In this work, we propose a method to detect selfish misbehaving terminals that may deliberately modify its backoff window to gain unfair access to the network resources. We develop nonparametric batch and sequential detectors based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) statistics that do not require any modification on the existing CSMA/CA protocols, and we apply it to detect misbehaviors in an IEEE 802.11 DCF network using the ns-2 simulator. We compare the performance of the proposed detectors with the optimum detectors with perfect information about the misbehavior strategy, for both the batch case (based on the Neyman-Pearson test), and the sequential case (based on Wald's sequential probability ratio test). We show that the proposed nonparametric detectors have a performance comparable to the optimum detectors for the majority of misbehaviors (the more severe) without any knowledge of the misbehavior strategies.
Isolated Parotid Acinar Cells from DL-Isoproterenol-treated Rats. A Cellular Model for Cystic Fibrosis

The morphology and composition of isolated acinar cells from the enlarged parotid glands of rats treated chronically with DL-isoproterenol were investigated and compared with isolated acinar cells from parotids of control untreated rats. Changes similar to those observed in parotid acinar cells from patients with cystic fibrosis were demonstrated.
An increase in dietary n-3 fatty acids decreases a marker of bone resorption in humans

Human, animal, and in vitro research indicates a beneficial effect of appropriate amounts of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on bone health. This is the first controlled feeding study in humans to evaluate the effect of dietary plant-derived n-3 PUFA on bone turnover, assessed by serum concentrations of N-telopeptides (NTx) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP). Subjects (n = 23) consumed each diet for 6 weeks in a randomized, 3-period crossover design: 1) Average American Diet (AAD; [34% total fat, 13% saturated fatty acids (SFA), 13% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 9% PUFA (7.7% LA, 0.8% ALA)]), 2) Linoleic Acid Diet (LA; [37% total fat, 9% SFA, 12% MUFA, 16% PUFA (12.6% LA, 3.6% ALA)]), and 3) α-Linolenic Acid Diet (ALA; [38% total fat, 8% SFA, 12% MUFA, 17% PUFA (10.5% LA, 6.5% ALA)]). Walnuts and flaxseed oil were the predominant sources of ALA. NTx levels were significantly lower following the ALA diet (13.20 ± 1.21 nM BCE), relative to the AAD (15.59 ± 1.21 nM BCE) (p < 0.05). Mean NTx level following the LA diet was 13.80 ± 1.21 nM BCE. There was no change in levels of BSAP across the three diets. Concentrations of NTx were positively correlated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα for all three diets. The results indicate that plant sources of dietary n-3 PUFA may have a protective effect on bone metabolism via a decrease in bone resorption in the presence of consistent levels of bone formation.
Single Crystal to Single Crystal Transformation and Hydrogen-Atom Transfer upon Oxidation of a Cerium Coordination Compound

Trivalent and tetravalent cerium compounds of the octamethyltetraazaannulene (H2omtaa) ligand have been synthesized. Electrochemical analysis shows a strong thermodynamic preference for the formal cerium(IV) oxidation state. Oxidation of the cerium(III) congener Ce(Homtaa)(omtaa) occurs by hydrogen-atom transfer that includes a single crystal to single crystal transformation upon exposure to an ambient atmosphere.
Voevodin, A. F., and P. A. Marx, Jr. 2009. Simian Virology. Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, Iowa, 511 pp. ISBN 978-0-81382-423-1, price (hardbound), $199.99

A. F. Voevodin, P. A. Marx Jr. 2009. Simian Virology. Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, Iowa, 511 pp. ISBN 978-0-81382-423-1, price (hardbound), $199.99. First, a few ugly facts: in recent years, populations of gorillas and chimpanzees have been greatly reduced by Ebola viral infections (Leroy et al. 2004); and the infamous human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the 4th highest global cause of premature death in humans (Lopez et al. 2006), is an unwanted gift that we received at least twice from other primates, once from chimps and a 2nd time from macaques (Gao et al. 1999; Hirsh et al. 1989). Thus, no need exists to point out that knowledge of viruses infecting nonhuman primates is relevant to health of all primates including ourselves, and that a book entitled Simian Virology would certainly attract much interest. This book is ambitious because it was written to target a broad audience of researchers with some overlap among their fields, such as virologists, health professionals, evolutionary biologists, and primatologists. Given the background of the authors, it is not surprising that the book does a better job informing virologists than the rest of its likely audience. In particular, parts of this book could be challenging for readers unfamiliar with viruses. Despite this, it is highly meritorious to put together a book like this. Published literature on virology is enormous, so having a volume reviewing available information on viruses …
Identification of First Case of Neonatal Diabetes in Singapore and Successful Conversion from Insulin to Sulphonylurea

Introduction:To date Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM) has not been reported in Singapore. Neonatal diabetes is a rare (1 in 100,00–300,000 live births) insulin-requiring form of diabetes with well defined subgroups, permanent neonatal diabetes (PND) and transient neonatal diabetes (TND), each accounting for approximately 50% of patients. Genotyping NDM identifies the exact unique molecular aetiology of very early onset insulin requiring diabetes and has the potential to dramatically alter the management of the patient, who would otherwise be insulin dependent for life.Method:We identified a child who presented at 3 and half months of age with diabetic ketoacidosis and determined the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Blood samples for molecular genetic analysis were sent to Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust, UK. We determined her Continuous Glucose Monitoring profiles after initiation of sulphonylurea therapy.Results:The patient was diagnosed as a heterozygous for a missense mutation R201H, i...
Hotaru: The Lightning Bug Game

The Hotaru game is a collaborative play experience in which two players use costume elements as input devices. The experiential aim for the game is to give players a sense of connection and transformation.
Traffic control algorithm of emergency evacuation based on harmonizing intersection signal control and arterial access management

In order to establish an efficient predetermined plan of emergency evacuation,the adaptabilities of SCOOT and BOTTLENECK algorithms were analyzed,and an optimal algorithm was proposed based on the integrating control of signal intersections and arterial accesses.New algorithm controlled signal intersections with SCOOT algorithm,and controlled entering traffic at arterial accesses with BOTTLENECK algorithm.In order to insure the routing priority of main evacuation direction,the two algorithms were optimized and integrated by controlling target delay strictly,meanwhile,the interference and delay of entering traffic were decreased,and the road net evacuation capacity under emergency state was excavated mostly.Simulation result indicates that with the optimal algorithm under emergency evacuation,the average travel time of vehicle is shorten by about 60%,and average speed is increased by about 1.5 times.So the efficiency of emergency evacuation is improved,and the algorithm is feasible.6 figs,10 refs.
Untangling the Debate Over Genetically Modified Foods

For about 30 years, Genetically Modified (GM) foods have been in the food supply chain – either as feed for animals or directly consumed by humans. To date, there is no evidence of safety issues associated with the ingestion of GM foods; yet, GM plants are highly controversial for a variety of reasons.The techniques to create GM food vary. Older, or more established techniques, include the introduction of a gene into the DNA of the plant. The exogenous gene may encode a protein to allow the plant to be, for example, pest resistant. Newer technologies are based on advances in molecular biology. For example, companies are experimenting with RNAi to silence genes/proteins produced in insects, thus killing the insect. The techniques discovered in molecular biology can be applied to the creation of new GM food strands.The peer-reviewed scientific literature is clear that the GM foods on the market are safe for consumption. This doesn't mean the analysis of GM foods should end; rather, it should focus on environmental and health (not safety) issues; such as, how do we implement GM crops in an environmentally friendly way.Too much emphasis and controversy focuses on non-issues with GM foods, such as safety, while other real issues, such as farming techniques, are being ignored. This article will clear-up the non-issues and address the pressing issues.
Structural response of RC frame under seismic loading by varying inclination angle of cross bracing

Structural performance is greatly affected by the use of concrete bracing in high seismic zone areas. A study representing the structural performance of a five-storey RC braced frame structure, by varying the inclination angle of concrete bracing, has been carried out by the use of numerical modelling for an earthquake load relating to a PGA value of up to 0.24 g. To investigate the problem, hypothetical models have been generated and analysed in SAP 2000 software using 3D modelling. Three models with different angle of bracing (i.e., 45 degree) are studied and compared with frame structure. Design considerations as per 'UBC-97' and 'BCP-2007' were used and response spectrum analysis has been carried out to observe the structural behaviour under dynamic loading. The parameters considered in this study are lateral displacements, inter-storey drifts, time period, base shear forces and axial forces and bending moments in ground floor columns. It has been concluded that the bracing angle affects the overall performance of structure. RC braced frame model with bracing angle less than 45 degree gives better seismic performance in terms of lateral drift and forces in structural members.
Antiepileptic Drugs in the Treatment of Psychiatric Diseases

In the last two decades, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been used for the management of psychiatric disorders. Their greatest use has been in the management of bipolar disorders, although more recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of AEDs in anxiety disorders, unipolar depression, and the process of detoxifying patients from alcohol and cocaine. In this chapter, we briefly review the evidence in support of the use of AEDs in psychiatric disorders.
Geringe Wahrscheinlichkeit weiterer Entführungen durch fremde Lebewesen

Sie haben guten Grund, sich vor einer Entfuhrung durch fremde Lebewesen zu furchten.1 Jacobs2 berichtet uber eine Reihe von ihm durchgefuhrter, detaillierter Interviews wahrend hypnoseinduzierter Regression, in der sich die Probanden an ihre Vergangenheit erinnern. Die Probanden behaupten, von fremden Lebewesen in UFOs (Unidentifizierten Flugobjekten) entfuhrt worden zu sein.
Impact of Cover, Copy, and Compare on Fluency Outcomes for Students with Disabilities and Math Deficits: A Review of the Literature.

ABSTRACTFluency, a combination of response accuracy and speed, enables students to work efficiently through academic tasks. Students with disabilities and math deficits often struggle to learn math facts fluently. Although issues with fluency frequently coexist with a disability, problems gaining fluency also stem from a lack of practice and appropriate rehearsal activities routinely included in curricula. Absence of math fact fluency leads to future problems with higher level math curricula and tasks necessary for successful living and employment. Cover, Copy, and Compare (CCC), a self-managed intervention, has demonstrated promise toward increasing math facts fluency. The present literature review examines the implementation of CCC as a fluency intervention for students who have disabilities or who demonstrate skill deficits in math facts and its subsequent impact on such students' fluency outcomes. Results from the literature review indicate CCC increased fluency levels for all of the participants. The...
Nuclear Physics: SPIRAL debuts to mixed fortunes

France's newest nuclear physics facility-the SPIRAL facility for radioactive nuclear beams in Caen – has accelerated its first beams. However; this good news comes at a time when the budget for nuclear physics is shrinking, and more cutbacks to accelerator facilities are likely in the future. The Saturne accelerator in Saclay has already been closed, with the majority of users taking their experiments to Germany.
Quality of Life at the End of Life

The quality of life at the end of life and the quality of death are dependent on many physical and spiritual issues. How aggressive to be in addressing the problems is complex and dependent on cultural and personal beliefs.
EGFR targeted delivery of paclitaxel and parthenolide co-loaded in PEG-Phospholipid micelles enhance cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Abstract The objective of this study was to formulate, characterize and evaluate the biological efficacy of EGF-conjugated mixed micelles of PEG2000-DSPE and vitamin E-TPGS loaded with paclitaxel and parthenolide against paclitaxel resistant and sensitive NSCLC cell lines. Micelles were prepared by the film casting method and characterized for particle size, encapsulation efficiency, zeta potential, and EGF binding efficiency onto the micellar surface. The encapsulation efficiency of paclitaxel and parthenolide was 97 ± 3% and 95 ± 3%, respectively with average particle size of 15 ± 3 nm and zeta potential of −34 mV. Binding efficiency of EGF to micelles was about 60%. The cell viability studies showed that EGF targeted micelles were more effective in cancer cell killing than non-targeted micelles. Cellular uptake study revealed that EGF-targeted micelles afford higher intracellular delivery of paclitaxel as compared to non-targeted micelles in both resistant and sensitive cell lines. Confocal microscopy confirmed the efficacy of EGF-targeted micelles in delivering higher payloads of drugs to the cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the EGF–micelles have the potential to be further pursued as a versatile nanotechnology platform for targeted delivery of a wide range of chemotherapeutic agents as a combination therapy for the treatment of EGFR-over expressing cancers.
Evidence for improved pathologic complete response (PCR) rate after preoperative chemoradiotherapy with 5-FU/oxaliplatin (5FU/OX) for rectal cancer

3567 Background: The use of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (chemo/RT) with 5-FU for locally advanced rectal cancer has increased dramatically. The addition of oxaliplatin (OX) to preoperative 5-FU ...
A phase II study of tivozanib in patients with metastatic and nonresectable soft-tissue sarcomas.

ABSTRACT Background Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) overexpress vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and VEGF-receptors (VEGFR) activation have been associated with tumor aggressiveness. Tivozanib is a potent small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor against VEGFR1-3, with activity against PDGFRα/β and cKIT. The primary endpoint of this study was progression free survival (PFS) rate at 16 weeks. Secondary end points were overall survival (OS), response rate, safety and correlative studies. Patients and methods A Simon two-stage phase II trial was performed using tivozanib given orally at 1.5 mg daily, 3 week on 1 week off on a 28 day cycle until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Results Fifty-eight patients were enrolled and treated with tivozanib. Leiomyosarcoma was the most common STS histological type in our cohort (47%) and 27 patients (46%) had received at least 3 lines of therapy prior to study entry. Up to 24 patients (41%) had prior VEGF targeted therapies. Partial response and stable disease were observed in 2 (3.6%) and 30 (54.5%) patients. The 16 week PFS rate was 36.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 23.7–49.1] and a median PFS of 3.5 months (95% CI 1.8–3). Median OS observed was 12.2 months (95% CI 8.1–16.8). The most frequent all grade toxicities were fatigue (48.3%), hypertension (43.1%), nausea (31%) and diarrhea (27.6%). The most common grade three toxicity was hypertension (22.4%). Correlative studies demonstrate no correlation between the expression of VEGFR 1, 2 or 3, PDGFRα/β or FGF, and activity of tivozanib. Conclusion Tivozanib was well tolerated and showed antitumor activity with a promising median PFS and PFS rate at 4 months in a heavily pretreated population of metastatic STSs. Our results support further studies to assess the clinical efficacy of tivozanib in STS. Clinical Trial Number NCT01782313
Modified synthesis of NOP receptor antagonist SB612111.

SB612111 [(5S,7S)-7-{[4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl}-1-methyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulen-5-ol] is a potent and selective antagonist of the nociception/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor. In the process of synthesizing cis-SB612111 to support ongoing animal studies, several key steps of the published syntheses in the patent literature proceeded in low yields in our hands, particularly in the route to the key intermediate 4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)piperidine, the reduction of 7-[4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl]-1-methyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulen-5-one, the formation of (±)-6-methyl-12-oxatricyclo[8.2.1.02,7]trideca-2,4,6-trien-11-one, and the final reductive amination between (±)-6-methyl-12-oxatricyclo[8.2.1.02,7]trideca-2,4,6-trien-11-ol and 4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)piperidine in the diastereoselective synthesis. We have thus explored various reaction conditions and successfully improved the yields for the necessary synthetic steps. We herein report our modified synthesis of SB612111 as the cis-diastereomers.
Effect of metal and semiconducting nanoparticles on the optical properties of Dy3+ ions in lead borate glasses

Abstract The effect of glass composition and the influence of Ag, CdSe and ZnSe nanoparticles on the optical absorption and fluorescence of Dy-doped lead borate glasses are studied. Optical absorption and fluorescence spectra of Dy3+ ions show significant changes with glass composition, and the presence of semiconducting nanoparticles. We analyzed the hypersensitive transition, intensity parameters, radiative transition probability, stimulated emission cross section (σp), and the area ratio of the yellow to blue peak of Dy3+ ions. Fluorescence spectra of the glass containing CdSe nanoparticles show a well pronounced, characteristic broad emission. Deconvolution of these broad peaks yields average particle sizes that agree with the transmission electron microscope images. σp shows significant increase for the glass containing CdSe nanoparticle of size 8–18 nm. Incorporating CdSe nanoparticles into lead borate glasses can produce significant electronic alterations to the local environment of Dy3+ ions to produce favorable enhancements to its optical properties.
Rotational Magnetization Lag-Angle Plots Using the Anisotropic Stoner–Wohlfarth Model

A numerical implementation of the classical Stoner–Wohlfarth (SW) model to simulate the magnetization angle of an assembly of SW particles with an effective axis of anisotropy under a rotating applied field is presented. Using an angular distribution for the angle each SW particle is making with the medium’s reference axis, the proposed model successfully simulated lag-angle plots exhibiting the same rotational magnetization behavior measured for different ellipsoidally magnetizable media in the literature. The developed algorithm provides a simple tool for rotational-energy-loss calculations, preserves the physical intuition of the classical SW model, and is computationally faster compared to the Preisach–Stoner–Wohlfarth models. The effect of the angular distribution parameters on the switching transition angle and the algorithm’s potential for modeling additional anisotropies through using different angular distributions are discussed.
Trends in Pap test practices and results: An 11-year review of the annual ACHA Pap Test and STI Survey

ABSTRACTObjective: To conduct a trend analysis of Pap test practices, Pap test results and related women's services and guidelines of college health centers. Participants: College health centers who participated in the annual ACHA Pap Test and STI (sexually transmitted infection) Survey years 2004–2014 (n ranged from 127 to 181 depending on year). Methods: Descriptive analyses are presented with ANOVAs (Analysis of Variance) and chi-square tests calculated to examine trends over time. Results: The number of Pap tests significantly decreased over time; however, the percentage of normal and HSIL (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) results did not vary. Availability of conventional cytology slides and cryotherapy were significantly associated with year. Over time, college health centers' guidelines related to initiation of Pap testing evolved to consistently conform to national recommendations for cervical screening. Conclusions: The results indicate most college health centers are following the cur...
Combined Discrete-Continuous Simulation Modeling of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

In this study, we develop a combined discrete-continuous simulation model for the trajectory control of an autonomous underwater vehicle. The differential equations governing the movements of the autonomous underwater vehicle are integrated numerically and the results are used to simulate the trajectory control of the vehicle. The developed model is to be used in the design of the command and control software and the internal communication interface architecture for the vehicle. The model may also be used to assess the effects of random message delivery variation and sensor inaccuracies.
Combined activity of dasatinib (BMS-354825) and oxaliplatin in an orthotopic model of metastatic colorectal carcinoma

4745 The non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase, SRC has been implicated as a key regulator of tumor progression and metastasis in a variety of human malignancies, and is overactivated in a number of tumor types. Specifically, colorectal hepatic metastases exhibit markedly elevated SRC kinase activity as compared with normal colonic mucosa and primary tumors, and increased activity is predictive of poor prognosis. Thus, SRC inhibitors represent an attractive therapeutic target and, as such, will be entering clinical trial as single agents for metastatic colon cancer. In the current study, we investigated whether dasatinib (BMS-354825), a novel, oral, potent, multi-targeted kinase inhibitor of SRC and BCR-ABL, when combined with oxaliplatin, could inhibit growth of established hepatic colorectal tumors. Dasatinib monotherpay has already shown efficacy, and was well tolerated, in Philidelphia-chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a Phase I trial of patients who were imatinib-resistant/-intolerant; Phase II studies are ongoing in these patients. Phase I evaluation of dasatinib monotherapy in solid tumors is also ongoing. For the studies described herein, HT29 human colorectal carcinoma cells were injected directly into the liver, and treatment (dasatinib daily by oral gavage and oxaliplatin twice weekly via IP injection) was initiated 14 days later. Treatment with dasatinib alone (15mg/kg) or oxaliplatin (5mg/kg) alone reduced hepatic tumor volume by 31% and 35%, respectively. In contrast, treatment with the inhibitors combined at the same concentrations reduced hepatic tumor volume by 75%. Furthermore, treatment with dasatinib in combination with Oxaliplatin was associated with markedly decreased microvessel density, relative to either inhibitor alone. Whereas increased necrosis was evident relative to either agent alone, there was no increase in apoptosis as determined by TUNEL staining of tumor sections. Treatment with dasatinib but not oxaliplatin decreased expression of phospho SRC419, indicative of efficacy on activated SRC, demonstrating that dasatinib effectively inhibited SRC by the above-described regimen. In conclusion, the combination of oxaliplatin, currently in clinical trials for metastatic colon cancers, and a SRC inhibitor, also in clinical trials for a variety of solid tumors, could prove less toxic and more efficacious than current therapeutic regimens.
Searching for a new ionomer for 3D printable ionic polymer–metal composites: Aquivion as a candidate

The work presented in this paper introduces Aquivion as a potential candidate for additive manufacturing of ionomeric polymers for the application of IPMCs. First, Aquivion was characterized and compared with Nafion to show that it has the similar qualities, with the major difference being the ionic conductivity. Ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMCs) were fabricated using off-the-shelf membranes of Nafion and Aquivion. The actuation tests showed improved performance for an IPMC with Aquivion as the base compared to an IPMC with a Nafion base. With these results in mind, additive manufacturing of unique shapes using Aquivion filament was studied. A 3D printer was modified to work with Aquivion filament and the polymer was printed into various shapes. Using the printed membranes, IPMCs were fabricated using an electroless plating process. Nafion-based and printed Aquivion-based IPMCs were tested for their performance in back relaxation, frequency driven actuation, blocking force, and mechano-electric sensing. The printed Aquivion-based IPMCs performed comparably to Nafion-based IPMC in back relaxation and showed significantly improved performance in frequency driven actuation, blocking force generation, and mechano-electric sensing.
An Electrostatic Discharge Protection Circuit Technique for the Mitigation of Single-Event Transients in SiGe BiCMOS Technology

The impact of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits on the single-event transients (SETs) of RF building blocks in a 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS (8HP) platform is investigated. For proof-of-concept that SET mitigation can be accomplished through the use of an ESD protection circuit, a single-pole single-throw (SPST) switch was implemented using triple-well nFETs. For substrate noise coupling suppression, a P+, P− substrate (Psub) and N-well guard ring structures were applied. According to two-photon absorption laser experiment results, the SPST switch with ESD protection exhibits the smallest transient peaks at the RF input/output and $\text{V}_{\mathrm {\mathbf {DD}}}$ ESD terminals. Based on these results, an SET mitigation strategy is proposed while maintaining the optimal circuit performance.
Erasure and Renewal in (Post)Socialist China: My Mother’s Long Journey

Through autoethnographic accounts, this chapter explores Mother’s long journey in China’s Cultural Revolution and present-day market reform to examine the fraught relations between the party-state and its youth, between education and political socialization, between public values and authoritarian limits that continue to tug the social fabric of today’s China. I argue that the state works as a powerful pedagogical node shaping people’s sense of self, social change, and their own place in the midst of it. Nevertheless, life is a performative space of self-making, where one receives whatever comes and gropes to make better meanings out of it. Mother’s narratives highlight the state’s shifting modalities of power and illustrate that post-socialist conditions are mediated by the continual assertion of political authority alongside people’s creative agency.
Thank you to Dr. Robert L. Sainburg

The editors, editorial board and publisher (Taylor & Francis Group, LLC) would like to express our sincere admiration and gratitude to Robert (Bob) L. Sainburg for his long and dedicated service to...
Single-Strand Annealing

Single-strand annealing (SSA) repairs DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by annealing tandem repeat sequences flanking the DSB, thereby deleting one of the repeats and the intervening sequence. The precise steps of SSA are not fully defined yet, but the basic framework and genetic requirements are described in budding yeast. Here, I will summarize the genetics and molecular mechanisms of SSA in yeast and higher eukaryotes.
Whiteboard Use in Labor and Delivery: A Tool to Improve Patient Knowledge of the Name of the Delivery Provider and Satisfaction with Care.

Introduction The impact of whiteboard use in labor rooms has not previously been studied. This quality improvement study aimed to evaluate patient knowledge of their delivering physician’s name and the change in patient satisfaction after the implementation of a whiteboard in labor rooms. Methods A multidisciplinary team designed a dry-erase whiteboard prompting care providers to record their names, roles and patient care information. A questionnaire was administered to patients before and after the whiteboard implementation. Patients who had a planned cesarean or vaginal birth within 1 h of admission were excluded. Categorical variables were compared using Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to control for confounders. Results 191 patients completed the questionnaires. Although patients were not randomized, the pre-and post-intervention groups were similar. Post-intervention, we found a significant increase in recalling the delivery resident’s name [21/101 (20.8%) vs. 33/90 (36.7%), p = 0.016] and a non-significant increase in recalling the name of the attending and nurse [19/101 (18.8%) vs. 23/90 (25.6%), p = 0.296; 46/101 (45.5%) vs. 53/90 (58.9%), p = 0.082]. Post-intervention, patient satisfaction with care was significantly higher [83/101 (82.2%) vs. 83/89 (93.3%), p = 0.028]. Knowledge of the delivery resident’s name was associated with higher patient satisfaction [115/137 (84%) vs. 51/53 (96%), p = 0.03] and attendance of the postpartum care visit [50.4% (69/137) vs. 64.8% (35/54), p = 0.049]. Discussion The use of a well-designed whiteboard increases laboring patients’ knowledge of their delivery physician’s name and may improve patient satisfaction with care on Labor and Delivery.
Repurposing and repositioning neurosteroids in the treatment of traumatic brain injury: A report from the trenches.

Abstract The field of neuroprotection after brain injuries has been littered with failed clinical trials. Finding a safe and effective treatment for acute traumatic brain injury remains a serious unmet medical need. Repurposing drugs that have been in use for other disorders is receiving increasing attention as a strategy to move candidate drugs more quickly to trial while reducing the very high cost of new drug development. This paper describes our own serendipitous discovery of progesterone's neuroprotective potential, and the strategies we are using in repurposing and developing this hormone for use in brain injuries—applications very different from its classical uses in treating disorders of the reproductive system. We have been screening and testing a novel analog that maintains progesterone's therapeutic properties while overcoming its physiochemical challenges, and testing progesterone in combination treatment with another pleiotropic hormone, vitamin D. Finally, our paper, in the context of the problems and pitfalls we have encountered, surveys some of the factors we found to be critical in the clinical translation of repurposed drugs. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Drug Repurposing: old molecules, new ways to fast track drug discovery and development for CNS disorders’.
Analysis of histologic follow-up and risk of malignancy for salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential proposed by the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology.

Background The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology is a tiered classification scheme that includes 6 diagnostic categories. Neoplasm, which is 1 of the 6 proposed categories, consists of benign neoplasm and neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (NUMP). NUMP is reserved for a salivary gland neoplasm without clear distinction between benign and malignant. The objective of this study was to assess the risk of malignancy (ROM) of NUMP. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 656 salivary gland fine-needle aspiration specimens from 2010 to 2016. Cases that qualified as NUMP and had follow-up surgical resections were reviewed and reclassified into basaloid neoplasm (BN) and salivary gland neoplasm with predominant oncocytic cell (SGNOC) groups. The ROM for each group was calculated. Fifty-four salivary gland fine-needle aspirations of NUMP that had surgical follow-up were identified, which included 29 BNs and 25 SGNOCs. Results Histologic follow-up for the BN group identified 14 cellular pleomorphic adenomas, 5 basal cell adenomas, 2 benign cystadenomas, 3 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 3 epithelial and myoepithelial carcinomas, 1 basal cell adenocarcinoma, and 1 myoepithelial carcinoma. Histologic follow-up for the SGNOC group revealed 7 nodular oncocytoses, 6 Warthin tumors, 5 oncocytomas, 1 sebaceous adenoma, 1 mucinous cystadenoma, 2 acinic cell carcinomas, 2 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, and 1 mammary analog secretory carcinoma. The ROM was calculated at 24.1% for the NUMP category overall (27.6% for BNs and 20.0% for SGNOCs). Conclusions The ROM of the SGNOC group is similar to that of the BN group but lower than the ROM (35%) proposed by the Milan system. Cancer Cytopathol 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) progenitor and stem cell biology and therapy

Abstract: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) collected from the umbilical cord of a healthy newborn is well known as a rich source of both stem and progenitor cells. In recent years a greater interest has grown rapidly in use of UCB as an alternate source of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSCs) for transplantation. With recent advances in biology and the development of new practices and procedures it is now possible to manipulate and modulate UCB stem-progenitor proliferation, self-renewal and differentiation. UCB stem/progenitor cell biology could lead to many exciting cellular therapies for diseases affecting millions of people.
Sarcoidosis in the national veteran population: Association of ocular inflammation and mortality

Purpose To describe the distribution of ocular sarcoidosis in the veteran population and to determine the association between ocular disease and all-cause mortality. Design Retrospective review. Methods The Veterans Health Administration National Patient Care Database information on medical diagnoses, date of diagnosis, age, race, gender, and Veterans Administration medical center station number for site-specific calculations for fiscal years 2010 through 2012 was collected. Mortality data were obtained from the Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem. The patient cohort was identified with a primary diagnosis of sarcoidosis using International Classification of Disease, ninth edition, code of 135 in outpatient treatment files for the study period. The sarcoidosis patients were divided into those with uveitis or orbital inflammation (defined as ocular inflammation for this study) and those without uveitis or orbital inflammation. Survival analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard method. Main Outcome Measure Association between ocular inflammation and 1-year mortality. Results Of 15 130 subjects with sarcoidosis, 3364 (22.2%) were evaluated in an eye clinic within a Veterans Administration Medical Center. Most patients were diagnosed with anterior uveitis (n = 1013; 80.7% of ocular inflammation), and the least common diagnosis was orbital granuloma (n = 28; 2.2% of ocular inflammation). Male gender was protective to the development of uveitis (estimate, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.88; P = 0.0005). The overall 1-year all-cause mortality for all patients with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis was 2.0%. Ocular inflammation was associated with a decrease in 1-year all-cause mortality (simple model: hazard ratio, 0.36; P = 0.0015; complex model: hazard ratio, 0.35; P = 0.013). Conclusions Veterans with ocular inflammation had significantly lower 1-year all-cause mortality than those without documented ocular inflammation. The reason for this finding remains to be established.
Alert override reasons: a failure to communicate.

In 2007, the Leapfrog CPOE standard required that all clinical alert overrides be accompanied by an override reason. We wanted to know how many of the free text comments left by clinicians were actually override reasons, and how many were other types of communication. We reviewed 3583 free text comments left voluntarily by clinicians while responding to an alert in a CPOE system. Of the comments received, 58% were override reasons, 28% were acknowledgement of the alert, 9% were content free and over 5% were misdirected communication, written with intent to reach someone who did not receive the alert comments. This is particularly concerning because much of the misdirected communication contained clinical instructions. Those clinical instructions were stored with the alert rather than with any clinical orders, and thus were not viewed by anyone receiving the orders. Our results show that free text alert comments may cause communication failures.
Compatability of U-Pu-Fz Fuel Alloys with Potential Cladding Materials

The cladding materials tested against uranium-plutonium-fizzium alloy can be arranged in order of decreasing compatibility at 650°C as follows: V-20wt%TiV-10wt%Timolybdenum304 stainless steelHastel...
Is asthma curable

The information reviewed here supports the concept that asthma is potentially curable. Reports of complete, durable remission of asthma can no longer be regarded as fortuitous occurrences, unrepresentative of asthma in general. Systematic studies of anti-inflammatory drug therapy designed to explore possible induction or remission of asthma clearly are warranted. Studies of aggressive anti-inflammatory drug therapy of asthma at the onset, to avoid establishment of chronic asthma, also are desirable. The current goals of therapy of asthma have been revised to include reduction of airway hyperreactivity with topical anti-inflammatory drugs, in addition to relief of current symptoms. This approach may provide valuable resistance to exacerbations in response to antigen exposures, infections, exercise, or irritants. Pathophysiologic mechanisms apparently essential to the establishment and perpetuation of chronic asthma have been identified. These processes may be vulnerable to eradication by combination therapy with existing pharmacologic agents such as cyclosporin A or FK-506 (to suppress cytokine production), gold, methotrexate, and other anti-inflammatory drugs, alone or in combination. Equally important, the vigorous anti-inflammatory therapy may be necessary only long enough to achieve a resolution of the chronic pulmonary inflammation. Systematic studies of the use of these agents to induce partial, or complete, stable remissions of asthma should be performed. In the past, remissions of asthma in children with neoplasia and the other patients presented herein were complete, durable, and welcome, but they were largely unexpected and unpredictable. For the future, there is increasing reason to believe that predictable pharmacologically induced remission of asthma will be feasible.
The Simplex Algorithm

Designed in 1947 by G. Dantzig, the Simplex Algorithm was the method of choice used to solve linear programs for decades. Though not a polynomial-time algorithm in the worst case, the Simplex Algorithm is remarkably fast in practice. Problems with thousands of variables and constraints are routinely solved by the Simplex Algorithm. Only since the appearance of Karmarkar’s Algorithm in 1984 and the more recent interior-point methods have contenders for “best practical linear programming algorithm” existed.
What Clinicians Should Consider When Evaluating the Cancer Patient with Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain in the patient with malignancy can range from common benign etiologies to life- threatening complications of their underlying disease. Emergency providers (EP) must perform a detailed history and physical exam while thoroughly exploring past and current treatments for malignancy in order to generate a comprehensive differential diagnosis. This chapter will focus on etiologies that are directly related to the malignancy and those secondary to treatment of the malignancy.
Exploitation of hybrid anechoic wind tunnels for aeroacoustic and aerodynamic measurements

The last 10 years have seen the establishment of the hybrid anechoic wind tunnel as a significant tool for experimental aeroacoustics research. The hybrid anechoic wind tunnel features a test section which is effectively closed in the aerodynamic sense but open in the acoustic sense, this unique behavior being achieved by stretching fabric of high strength-to-weight ratio (such as Kevlar) over windows in the test section walls which open to anechoic chambers. The hybrid anechoic arrangement offers a number of advantages over the traditional open-jet test section, including low interference corrections that allow for testing of large models at higher Reynolds numbers—advantages well suited to aircraft noise source research. In this article, we review recent applications of hybrid anechoic tunnels for aircraft noise source studies. We discuss the established practice for acoustic and aerodynamic correction of measurements performed in these facilities, and assess some of the latest findings in aerodynamic behavior of hybrid anechoic tests sections.
Correction to: Study of Static Steam Explosion of Citrus sinensis Juice Processing Waste for the Isolation of Sugars, Pectic Hydrocolloids, Flavonoids, and Peel Oil

In this work, citrus juice processing waste (CPW) from a local Florida processor was subjected to steam explosion using a static bench scale reactor at 130, 150, and 170 °C for 1, 2, 4, and 8 min hold times with the aim of identifying conditions necessary for maximizing the recovery of sugars, pectic hydrocolloids, flavonoids, and peel oil. Sugars in steam-exploded CPW, from two harvests each of Hamlin and Valencia oranges, were extracted using water or enzymatic hydrolysis. Hydrolysis resulted in a 32–39% increase in total sugars. While hydrolysis increased the amount of glucose or fructose, it did not necessarily reduce the temperatures and or hold times at which the maximum amounts of sugar were recovered. Peel oil in raw CPW was reduced by as much as 94% using steam explosion and has the potential to be recovered by condensation. More galacturonic acid was recovered at 150 and 170 °C and 1 min treatment time for both Hamlin and Valencia CPW but led to increased molecular weight, suspected to be caused by aggregation, and decreased intrinsic viscosity. The higher temperatures and hold times also allowed vastly improved recoveries of the otherwise insoluble flavanone glycoside, hesperidin, with a maximum yield of 64,611 ppm dw CPW. Other potential value-added materials such as hydroxycinnamates and the health-benefiting polymethoxylated flavones are also recoverable in high percent yields in the water washes after steam explosion. Estimates are provided of the value of these recoverable products in the CPW of the 2016–17 Florida citrus season.
Urban expansion modeling using an enhanced decision tree algorithm

Decision tree (DT) algorithms have been applied for classification and change detection in various geospatial studies and more recently, for urban expansion and land use/land cover (LULC) change modeling. However, these studies have not elaborated on specification of DT algorithms regarding data sampling, predictor variables, model configuration, and model evaluation. The focus of this study is to explore several balanced and unbalanced sampling methods, various predictor variables, different configurations of stopping rules, and reliable evaluation metrics to enhance the performance of classification and regression tree (CART), one of the most efficacious DT algorithms, for urban expansion modeling. The implementation of the model in the Triangle Region, North Carolina (NC) State, over the period of 2001 to 2011 demonstrates a striking performance with the training accuracy of 97%, the testing accuracy of 94%, and the Kappa value of 0.80. This performance was achieved using a training dataset containing all changed land cells and three times of that randomly selected from unchanged land cells and regulating the minimum number of records in a leaf node equal to 1, the minimum number of records in a parent node equal to 2, and the value of 10,000 for the maximum number of splits. The CART DT algorithm indicates that proximity to built areas, proximity to highways, current LULC type, elevation, and distance to water bodies are the most significant predictor variables for the urban expansion prediction in the study area.
Theoretic derivations of scan detection operating on darknet traffic

Abstract Cyber space continues to be threatened by various debilitating attacks. In this context, executing passive measurements by analyzing Internet-scale, one-way darknet traffic has proven to be an effective approach to shed light on Internet-wide maliciousness. While typically such measurements are solely conducted from the empirical perspective on already deployed darknet IP spaces using off-the-shelf Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), their multidimensional theoretical foundations, relations and implications continue to be obscured. In this article, we take a first step towards comprehending the relation between attackers’ behaviors, the width of the darknet vantage points, the probability of detection and the minimum detection time. We perform stochastic modeling, derivation, validation, inter-correlation and analysis of such parameters to provide numerous insightful inferences, such as the most effective IDS and the most suitable darknet IP space, given various attackers’ activities in the presence of detection time/probability constraints. One of the outcomes suggests that the detection strategy employed by the widely-deployed Bro IDS is ideal for inferring slow, stealthy probing activities by leveraging passive measurements. Further, the results do not recommend deploying the strategy utilized by the Snort IDS when the available darknet IP space is relatively small, which is a typical scenario when darknets are operated and employed on organizational networks. In addition, we provide an optimization problem set that identifies a new botnet early infection strategy, which can be leveraged by evolving stealthy bots to circumvent a certain IDS strategy as it operates on the darknet IP space. The implications of this formal derivation are especially factual with the advent of evolving paradigms such as IPv6 deployments, and the proliferation of highly-distributed, orchestrated, large-scale and stealthy probing botnets.