cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modelling planar assembly tasks: representation and recognition

The assembly plan from observation (APO) system observes a human operator perform an assembly task, analyzes the observations, models the task, and generates the programs for the robot to perform the same task. The task model of the observed task is defined as a sequence of contact states of the part being assembled and the motion which causes the transition between the states. The freedom of the assembled part can be represented as a polyhedral convex cone (PCC) in screw space, which can belong to one of a finite number of distinct contact states. These contact states correspond to topologically distinct intersections of PCCs with a linear subspace T in screw space. Any observed assembly task can be represented as a finite sequence of critical contact states and the motion between them. The abstract task model is used to program the robot to execute the observed assembly task. We illustrate the application of the theory by implementing the APO system for assemblies in a plane.
Regulation of parathyroid hormone release by protein kinase-C is dependent on extracellular calcium in bovine parathyroid cells

The purpose of this study was to evaluate regulation of PTH secretion by protein kinase-C (PKC) in adult bovine parathyroid cells. Extracellular calcium (Ca2+e) is the main physiological regulator of PTH secretion. Putative second messengers include intracellular calcium (Ca2+i), cAMP, inositol trisphosphate, and diacylglycerol (DAG). Both DAG and Ca2+i activate PKC. Certain phorbol esters mimic the effect of DAG and cause prolonged stimulation of PKC. The stimulatory phorbol esters 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (1 microM) and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (1 microM) did not affect PTH secretion at low Ca2+e, but increased both individual cell secretion and recruitment of cells to secrete at high Ca2+e. The PKC inhibitors H7 (1 microM), tamoxifen (10 microM), and sphinganine (5 microM) inhibited PTH release at low Ca2+e (0.1 and 0.2 mM) and decreased cell recruitment over the physiological range of Ca2+e. The nonstimulatory phorbol esters 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (1 microM) and phorbol-13-monoacetate (1 microM) had no effect on PTH secretion. To assess the mechanism by which certain phorbol esters stimulated PTH secretion, in situ hybridization for PTH mRNA was performed. Phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (1 microM) qualitatively increased steady state PTH mRNA levels compared to control values. We conclude that 1) PKC stimulation increased PTH secretion at high Ca2+e, but not at low Ca2+e; 2) PKC inhibition decreased PTH secretion at low Ca2+e; and 3) PKC stimulation increased steady state PTH mRNA levels. These data suggest that PKC plays an important regulatory role in the synthesis and secretion of PTH.
Phenobarbital Dosing and Pharmacokinetics in a Neonate Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

OBJECTIVE:To describe the dosing and pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital in a neonate receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).CASE SUMMARY:The treatment of a 2.6 kg, 38-week gestational age boy with congenital diaphragmatic hernia who developed seizures while receiving ECMO support is described. A loading dose of 20 mg/kg resulted in concentrations of 16.4 and 12.9 μg/mL at 3 and 24 hours, respectively. A maintenance dose of 5 mg/kg/d provided a peak concentration of 19.7 μg/mL and trough concentration of 16.7 μg/mL after four doses. The calculated volume of distribution was 1.2 L/kg and the estimated elimination half-life was 92 hours. Serum concentrations decreased after circuit changes unless the new circuit was redosed.DISCUSSION:The reported incidence of seizures in neonates while receiving ECMO support is 18%. Despite this frequency, there are no clinical reports describing anticonvulsant use in this population. This case demonstrates the use of standard phenobarbital doses to achieve low...
The Ilizarov Procedure: Limb Lengthening and Its Implications

The purpose of this article is to provide a historical and clinical perspective on the Ilizarov method of external fixation for limb lengthening and deformity correction of the lower extremity. Though relatively new in the United States, the technique has been applied for orthopedic problems with great success for over three decades in Russia and Europe. Physical therapy management is discussed from the preoperative planning phase to removal of the apparatus.
Epigenetic Effects of Prenatal Stress on 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase-2 in the Placenta and Fetal Brain

Maternal exposure to stress during pregnancy is associated with significant alterations in offspring neurodevelopment and elevated maternal glucocorticoids likely play a central role in mediating these effects. Placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD11B2) buffers the impact of maternal glucocorticoid exposure by converting cortisol/corticosterone into inactive metabolites. However, previous studies indicate that maternal adversity during the prenatal period can lead to a down-regulation of this enzyme. In the current study, we examined the impact of prenatal stress (chronic restraint stress during gestational days 14–20) in Long Evans rats on HSD11B2 mRNA in the placenta and fetal brain (E20) and assessed the role of epigenetic mechanisms in these stress-induced effects. In the placenta, prenatal stress was associated with a significant decrease in HSD11B2 mRNA, increased mRNA levels of the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3a, and increased DNA methylation at specific CpG sites within the HSD11B2 gene promoter. Within the fetal hypothalamus, though we find no stress-induced effects on HSD11B2 mRNA levels, prenatal stress induced decreased CpG methylation within the HSD11B2 promoter and increased methylation at sites within exon 1. Within the fetal cortex, HSD11B2 mRNA and DNA methylation levels were not altered by prenatal stress, though we did find stress-induced elevations in DNMT1 mRNA in this brain region. Within individuals, we identified CpG sites within the HSD11B2 gene promoter and exon 1 at which DNA methylation levels were highly correlated between the placenta and fetal cortex. Overall, our findings implicate DNA methylation as a mechanism by which prenatal stress alters HSD11B2 gene expression. These findings highlight the tissue specificity of epigenetic effects, but also raise the intriguing possibility of using the epigenetic status of placenta to predict corresponding changes in the brain.
Mitigation of experimental radiation nephropathy by renin-equivalent doses of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

AbstractPurpose: We tested five different angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) as mitigators of experimental radiation nephropathy at drug doses calibrated to the plasma renin activity (PRA). This was done to determine whether all ACEI had the same efficacy as mitigators of radiation nephropathy when used at drug doses that gave equivalent suppression of the renin angiotensin system.Method: 10 Gy total body irradiation with bone marrow transplantation was used to cause radiation nephropathy in barrier-maintained rats. Equivalent ACEI doses were determined based on their effect to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and raise the PRA in unirradiated animals.Results: PRA-equivalent doses were found for captopril, lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril and fosinopril. These doses overlap the human doses of these drugs on a body surface area basis. All ACE inhibitors, except fosinopril, mitigated radiation nephropathy; captopril was a somewhat better mitigator than lisinopril, enalapril or ramipri...
Health care and health status and outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate access and utilization of medical care, and health status and outcomes that would be influenced by recent medical care, in a representative sample of patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A national sample of 733 adults with type 2 diabetes was studied from 1991 to 1994 in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Structured questionnaires and clinical and laboratory assessments were used to determine the frequencies of physician visits, health insurance coverage, screening for diabetes complications, treatment for hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia; and the proportion of patients who met treatment goals and established criteria for health outcome measures including hyperglycemia, albuminuria, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. RESULTS: Almost all patients had 1 source of primary care (95%), 2 or more physician visits during the past year (88%), and health insurance coverage (91%). Most (76%) were treated with insulin or oral agents for their diabetes, and 45% of those patients taking insulin monitored their blood glucose at least once per day The patients were frequently screened for retinopathy (52%), hypertension (88%), and dyslipidemia (84%). Of those patients with hypertension, 83% were diagnosed and treated with antihypertensive agents and only 17% were undiagnosed or untreated; most of the patients known to have dyslipidemia were treated with medication or diet (89%). Health status and outcomes were less than optimal: 58% had HbA1c >7.0, 45% had BMI >30, 28% had microalbuminuria, and 8% had clinical proteinuria. Of those patients known to have hypertension and dyslipidemia, 60% were not controlled to accepted levels. In addition, 22% of patients smoked cigarettes, 26% had to be hospitalized during the previous year, and 42% assessed their health status as fair or poor. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of health care access and utilization, screening for diabetes complications, and treatment of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes are high; however, health status and outcomes are unsatisfactory. There are likely to be multiple reasons for this discordance, including intractability of diabetes to current therapies, patient self-care practices, physician medical care practices, and characteristics of U.S. health care systems.
Origin and relationships of the tarweed–silversword lineage (Compositae–Madiinae)

Based on results from phylogenetic analyses of nuclear 18S-26S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences, we suggest that the monophyletic tarweed and silversword subtribe (Madiinae) is phylogenetically nested among epaleate, x = 19 species of helenioid Heliantheae. Strong bootstrap support (100%) was obtained for a sister-group relationship between Madiinae and Arnica (including Mallotopus and Whitneya) in an analysis including representatives of recognized genera in a principally Californian clade (Madieae sensu Baldwin) identified from a phylogenetic investigation of Heliantheae s.l. (sensu lato) and Eupatorieae. In all minimum-length trees, the robust lineage comprising Madiinae and Arnica (x = 19) is part of a larger clade that also comprises Eatonella s.s. (sensu stricto), Hulsea, and Venegasia, all with x = 19. The phylogenetic position of Madiinae within a group of genera based uniformly on x = 19 leads us to conclude that the modal numbers of n = 7 and n = 8 (and other numbers, as low as n = 4) in Madiinae are the results of extreme dysploidy. Among the x = 19 "arnicoid" taxa, the near-universal characteristics of perenniality (except in the monotypic Eatonella s.s. and a minority of hulseas) and montane or high-latitudinal occurrence (except in the monotypic Venegasia) lead us to suggest that the most recent common ancestor of the tarweeds (a principally annual group of seasonally dry, low-elevation habitats) was probably a montane, herbaceous perennial resembling the unusual subalpine and alpine tarweeds constituting Raillardella s.s. (x = 17), an arnica-like genus. In Madiinae, Raillardella s.s. may be plesiomorphic in habit, capitular and ecological characteristics, and high base chromosome number. Shifts to an annual habit and to low chromosome numbers in Madiinae have been followed by subsequent episodes of polyploidy and descending dysploidy. We conclude that genome evolution in Madiinae has been marked by wide swings in chromosome number that confuse identification of diploids and polyploids.
Correlation of thermal contact conductance - Experimental results.

Effective gap thickness and gap number relation determined from correlation of parameters of thermal contact conductance
The expression of the genes for entactin, laminin A, laminin B1 and laminin B2 in murine lens morphogenesis and eye development.

Abstract The temporal expression of the genes for the excellular matrix proteins entactin and the A, B1, and B2 chains of laminin was examined in the eye of the developing mouse embryo by in situ hybridization of their messenger RNAs. Entactin messenger RNA was found in abundance in specific cells. In the 25 somite embryo entactin message was synthesized by mesenchymal cells and, at later stages, by hyalocytes and lens cells in addition. The message was not detectable in corneal epithelium at embryonic stages E15 and E18.5 and at birth but was present in adjacent stromal cells. At the 28 and 38 somite stages, before pigment granules interfered with the detection of silver grains, no entactin message was detected in pigmented epithelial cells, in contrast to the messages for laminin B1 and B2. Entactin was not found in the neural epithelium at any time during development. The distribution of the laminin B1, B2 and A chain messenger RNAs was distinctly different from that of entactin. In particular, during the early stages of development B1 and B2 messages were synthesized by ectodermal, lens, corneal, pigment epithelial and hyaloid cells. In the older embryos cells in the ganglion layer of the retina synthesized B1 and B2 messages but undetectable amounts of entactin or the A chain messages. In general the A chain message was in lower abundance throughout development. The distribution of laminin and entactin messages suggested that the extracellular matrices, which contained both proteins, can be derived either from a single cell type or from the contributions of multiple cell types. The data demonstrate the complexity of extracellular matrix synthesis and assembly in the diverse structures of the developing eye where the temporal expression of specific molecules are tailored to the specific developmental requirements of particular structures.
Calibration of Rogowski coils at frequencies up to 10 kHz using digital sampling

A new system for calibration of Rogowski coils at frequencies up to 10 kHz, based on a reference current transformer, a reference ac shunt, and a digital sampling system, is described in the paper. The calibration system has been automated, and its performance has been evaluated. At the frequency of 10 kHz, the calibration system is capable of generating currents up to 100 A. At power frequencies, it is capable of generating currents up to 2000 A. The best uncertainties (k = 2) of the calibration system are estimated to be less than 500 ?A/A for magnitude and 500 ?rad for phase at 10 kHz and an order of magnitude better at power frequencies.
Discussion of “Competing Theories of Financial Anomalies”

[Efficient markets and asset pricing] research ... did not begin with the development of a theory of price formation which was then subjected to empirical tests. Rather, the impetus ... came from the accumulation of evidence ... that the behavior ... of speculative prices could be well approximated by a random walk ... Faced with the evidence, economists felt compelled to offer some rationalization .... In short, there existed a large body of empirical results in search of a rigorous theory.
Pass transistor and isolation design methodology and its implementation for improved manufacturability for 256-Mbit DRAM and beyond

With the active area pitch being pushed to the limit of LOCOS isolation, manufacturability of the array transistor is increasingly affected by the isolation design. In this paper we have enhanced our design for manufacturability methodology to include the effects of isolation design in addition to those of transistor design. We apply this methodology to 256 Mbit DRAM and demonstrate a margin of 0.06 micrometers for both nitride width (W) and poly gate length (Lg) variations for an isolation pitch of 0.6 micrometers and target Lg of 0.25 micrometers . This margin is obtained with Sidewall-Sealed MSL SSMSL process without edge oxide and using a heavy dose of channel stop implant. The diode leakage and gate oxide integrity are shown to be within acceptable limits. In terms of transistor design, pocket implanted transistors are shown to be marginally better than conventional transistors due to larger margin for Lg variation and comparable diode leakage.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Electronic spectrum of crystalline lithium fluoride.

LiF freshly cleaved crystal reflectance spectrum between UV and 28 ev, computing dielectric response function and measuring gamma exciton band
Tidal Effects on Ground Water Discharge Through a Sandy Marine Beach

Tidal fluctuations along the salt water boundary of a sandy beach affect the magnitude, location, timing, and salinity of both subaerial and submarine ground water discharge. Detailed studies of shoreline discharge from an unconfined aquifer at two sites in an embayment on the Cape Cod, Massachusetts, coastline provide insight into the highly dynamic spatial and temporal nature of discharge along sandy beaches affected by the tide. The constantly moving tidal boundary over a sloping beach results in a shoreline-perpendicular discharge zone of 10 to 20 m, with ~35% to 55% of the discharge being submarine discharge. The distribution of fresh ground water through a beach face varies greatly, depending primarily on the tidal cycle and range, the heterogeneous characteristics of the beach sediments, and the beach geometry. The estimated relative volume of discharge varies temporally with tidal fluctuations, with the greatest discharge occurring during early to mid ebbing tide and location of greatest estimated discharge moving seaward during ebbing tide. This is determined using net hydraulic head calculations in monitoring wells set in a shoreline-perpendicular transect in the beach. The salinity of discharge varies temporally from near fresh water values of 1 part per thousand (ppt) to near coastal salt water values of 30 ppt, being saltiest at the start of discharge as the tide ebbs and freshest during a low tide period of ~2 h. Of the discharge volume, ~65% to 85% is estimated to be from salt water that infiltrates during high tide episodes. This study highlights the complexity of the dynamic coastal ground water discharge phenomenon and provides insight into the hydraulic mechanisms involved. While there is a general pattern to sandy beach discharge, comparison of results from beaches studied at Cape Cod indicates that the temporal and spatial details of the discharge is very site-specific.
Evaluation of Two Least Toxic Integrated Pest Management Programs for Managing Bed Bugs (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) With Discussion of a Bed Bug Intercepting Device

The cost and effectiveness of two bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) integrated pest management (IPM) programs were evaluated for 10 wk. Sixteen bed bug-infested apartments were chosen from a high-rise low-income apartment building. The apartments were randomly divided into two treatment groups: diatomaceous earth dust-based IPM (D-IPM) and chlorfenapyr spray-based IPM (S-IPM). The initial median (minimum, maximum) bed bug counts (by visual inspection) of the two treatment groups were 73.5 (10, 352) and 77 (18, 3025), respectively. A seminar and an educational brochure were delivered to residents and staff. It was followed by installing encasements on mattresses and box springs and applying hot steam to bed bug-infested areas in all 16 apartments. Diatomaceous earth dust (Mother Earth-D) was applied in the D-IPM group 2 d after steaming. In addition, bed bug-intercepting devices were installed under legs of infested beds or sofas or chairs to intercept bed bugs. The S-IPM group only received 0.5% chlorfenapyr spray (Phantom) after the nonchemical treatments. All apartments were monitored bi-weekly and retreated when necessary. After 10 wk, bed bugs were eradicated from 50% of the apartments in each group. Bed bug count reduction (mean +/- SEM) was 97.6 +/- 1.6 and 89.7 +/- 7.3% in the D-IPM and S-IPM groups, respectively. Mean treatment costs in the 10-wk period were $463 and $482 per apartment in the D-IPM and S-IPM groups, respectively. Bed bug interceptors trapped an average of 219 +/- 135 bed bugs per apartment in 10 wk. The interceptors contributed to the IPM program efficacy and were much more effective than visual inspections in estimating bed bug numbers and determining the existence of bed bug infestations.
Strength Asymmetry and Landing Mechanics at Return to Sport after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Purpose Evidence-based quadriceps femoris muscle (QF) strength guidelines for return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are lacking. This study investigated the impact of QF strength asymmetry on knee landing biomechanics at the time of return to sport following ACL reconstruction.
Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy for Treatment of Chronic Post-Stroke Aphasia: A Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Pilot Trial.

Background To provide a preliminary estimate of efficacy of constraint-induced aphasia therapy (CIAT) when compared to no-intervention in patients with chronic (>1 year) post-stroke aphasia in order to plan an appropriately powered randomized controlled trial (RCT). Material and methods We conducted a pilot single-blinded RCT. 24 patients were randomized: 14 to CIAT and 10 to no-intervention. CIAT groups received up to 4 hours/day of intervention for 10 consecutive business days (40 hours or therapy). Outcomes were assessed within 1 week of intervention and at 1 and 12 weeks after intervention and included several linguistic measures and a measure of overall subjective communication abilities (mini-Communicative Abilities Log (mini-CAL)). Clinicians treating patients (CIAT group) did not communicate with other team members to maintain blinding and the testing team members were blinded to treatment group assignment. Results Overall, the results of this pilot RCT support the results of previous observational studies that CIAT may lead to improvements in linguistic abilities. At 12 weeks, the treatment group reported better subjective communication abilities (mini-CAL) than the no-intervention group (p=0.019). Other measures trended towards better performance in the CIAT group. Conclusions In this pilot RCT intensive language therapy led to an improvement in subjective language abilities. The effects demonstrated allow the design of a definitive trial of CIAT in patients with a variety of post-stroke aphasia types. In addition, our experiences have identified important considerations for designing subsequent trial(s) of CIAT or other interventions for post-stroke aphasia.
Amputation and prosthesis as definitive treatment in congenital absence of the fibula

Sixty-two instances of congenital absence of the fibula occurring in forty-eight patients are reported. The transition of treatment from the conservative approach of correction of deformity, using plaster casts, bracing, platform braces, and built-up shoes, to the more radical approach of amputation and prosthesis is presented. End-bearing stumps are recommended for both boys and girls because of the utility of the stump, with or without the prosthesis; the more stable prosthetic gait with end-bearing; and the minimum prosthetic upkeep of these prostheses with few moving parts. Absence of complications in the stump is an important feature in these end-bearing amputations, with no revisions reported to date. The procedure of earlier amputation and fitting of a prosthesis is recommended.
Doing Complex Reform Through PDIA: Judicial Sector Change in Mozambique

Summary Many public sector reforms change governmental forms without improving functionality. Recent work suggests this is because countries adopt mechanisms that do not fit their contexts, without an effective adaptation strategy. The work posits that reforms could be more effective if they were introduced through more adaptive processes, like problem-driven iterative adaptation (PDIA). This approach has deep roots in various literatures but many observers still ask how it actually works in practice. This paper responds to such question by describing an action research study where PDIA was used to facilitate process reform in Mozambique's judicial sector. It shows how the approach (i) revealed contextual factors that often limit reform success and (ii) fostered adaptive progress around these factors, towards a functional solution. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rational ab initio modeling for low energy hydrogen-bonded phyllosilicate polytypes

In a series of recent papers implementing ab initio DFT modeling with VASP, we have explored the kaolin system at zero pressure, kaolinite under pressure up to 60 GPa and the known kaolin phases under moderate pressure at 10 GPa. We summarize here the concepts, conclusions and falsifiable predictions printed in this series of papers, stressing independent and recent experimental results. A new rationalization of the kaolin system results, clarifying its stability diagram, its diagenesis and its solid-state phase transformations. The existence at moderate pressure of two new translations −a/3 and (a + b)/3, not possible at zero or low pressure, leading to five-fold coordination for Si was correctly predicted. Two newly and independently observed kaolinite polytypes (kaolinite II and III) were also correctly predicted. The existence of a still unobserved (SU) kaolinite IV phase is predicted at a pressure not higher than 60 GPa. Finally, transformations of dickite II into SU dickite III and nacrite into SU nacrite II are predicted to occur around 10 GPa. Optimized crystal structures predicted by ab initio modeling for the most likely low enthalpy polytypes are printed, which should simplify their identification when they will be observed, as they did for kaolinite II and III. Concepts developed here for kaolin minerals are generally applicable to hydrogen-bonded phyllosilicate polytypes or other hydrogen-bonded layered systems. This series of papers then implements a new way of expanding knowledge about experimentally difficult systems: inexpensive and relatively fast quantum computations can bring support to experimental results when conflicting reports exist in the literature, as well as produce predictions that are easily falsifiable experimentally, thus pointing to fruitful directions for new experiments. This loop of quantum computation followed by critical experiments results in faster and cheaper scientific progress as seen here on the kaolin system.
Pronouns and Pro Sports: The Linguistics Behind Social Media Marketing

Effective sports marketing must convey information to fans. The marketer has only some control over events, and the manager must work with each day’s developments, but subtle cues in the marketing message may result in different interpretations and have strong ties to psychological processes. Social media share characteristics such as instantaneous communication, interactivity, and democracy of content (often without editors), which allows some flexibility for the marketer but also the potential for different cues to be passed on to fans. The paper reviews the effects of pronouns within the context of the messages and shows the differences in pronoun and article usage, and potential effects on behavior, among various sports organizations.
Research on cascading invulnerability of community structure networks under intentional-attack

In order to investigate the effects of community structure on cascading invulnerability, in the frame of a community structure network, the initial load of the node was defined by its betweenness, and the load on the broken node was redistributed to its neighboring nodes according to the preferential probability. When the node with the largest load being intentionally attacked in the network, the relation of load exponent, coupling-strength in a community, coupling-strength between communities, modularity function and the network's invulnerability were studied. The results show that the network's cascading invulnerability is positively related with coupling-strength in a community, coupling-strength between communities and modularity function, negatively related with load exponent. With comparison to BA( Barabasi-Albert) scale-free network and WS( Watts-Strogatz) small-world networks, the result indicates that community structure lowers the network's cascading invulnerability, thus the more homogeneous betweenness distribution is, the stronger network's cascading invulnerability is.
Process independent gain measurement with low overhead via BIST/DUT co-design

Built-in Self-Test (BIST) is essential, particularly for radio frequency (RF) devices where off-chip RF signal analysis is costly or in some cases, infeasible. Two major problems have made RF BIST elusive. First, process variations make the BIST circuit behavior hard to predict, limiting accuracy of measurements. Second, the overhead, particularly in terms of performance degradation, make RF BIST undesirable. In this paper, we address these two issues for RF BIST gain measurement. First, we show that by setting up relative gain measurements and carefully crafting the BIST methodology and the matching BIST circuit, the effect of process variations on measurement accuracy can be suppressed. Second, by co-designing the BIST circuit together with the device under test (DUT), performance impact can be eliminated or significantly reduced. To demonstrate the proposed approach, we design a low noise amplifier (LNA) as the DUT together with the BIST circuit. We also design a stand-alone LNA with the same specifications and manufacture these two circuits on the same die. We show that the LNA gain can be determined very accurately, using only DC measurements, and the performance impact of the BIST circuit is negligible.
Right Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor) is a rare fatal disease that originates from biliary epithelium. This tumor may arise anywhere within the biliary tree, intrahepatic bile ducts, or ...
Prudent vs Pragmatic Solutions: In Defense of State Intervention Against Discrimination

This paper addresses the issue of available strategies for intervening in problems of discrimination as presented in the lead article in this Special Issue. First, it is argued here that the issue of discrimination is a moral issue and that all four models presented are ways of addressing this inherently moral issue. The question, therefore, is, Who is most likely to succeed in dealing with this issue of public morality? It is suggested here that while all four modes of intervention are necessary, they can be successful only in conjunction with the pragmatic and unequivocal intervention of the state, which (at least in principle) is not only the most justifiable summation of the public's morality but also commands the most available resources and overall mandate in dealing with public matters.
A data-aided timing acquisition for pulse position modulated UWB signals

Detecting the ultra-short pulses in ultra-wideband radios requires rapid and accurate timing acquisition. An optimal data-aided timing acquisition algorithm based on minimum probability of error criterion is proposed. The estimation of timing offset parameter is derived in closed form. The cross-modulation interference (CMI) due to multipath components during the transmission of pulse position modulated (PPM) signal is introduced. A suboptimal data-aided timing acquisition algorithm is derived from the optimal algorithm for practical implementations. The BER performances of the proposed and conventional algorithms are simulated. The results show that optimal algorithm performs better than suboptimal algorithm in CMl channel whereas the suboptimal algorithm performs as good as the optimal algorithm in CM4 channel. Both proposed algorithms outperform the conventional algorithm in both channels.
Concomitant Presence of EGFR and ALK Fusion Gene Mutation in Adenocarcinoma of Lung: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Empirical evidence has long suggested that oncogenic driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer are mutually independent. However, recent studies reported in pertinent literature reveal that concomitant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement can occur in a subset of patients with NSCLC. In order to shed further light on this issue, we report a case of adenocarcinoma of lung harboring both EGFR mutation in exon 21 (L861Q) and ALK rearrangement. This allows us to speculate on likely molecular mechanisms underlying this uncommon phenomenon, while also offering some practical guidelines on the therapeutic options that could benefit patients diagnosed with this dual-positive tumor.
Ni de aquÃ­, ni de allÃ¡: Latin@1 Youth Crossing Linguistic And Cultural Borders

Although decades ago the U.S. Census Bureau began forecasting that Latin@s would become the largest minority group in the United States of America, in 2005 ordinary citizens were surprised to learn this projection had become a reality. For some, the reality that Latin@s comprised 13% of the U.S. population (Pew Hispanic Center, 2005) was a hard fact to swallow. The additional prediction from the U.S. Census Bureau that by the year 2050, Latin@s will comprise approximately 25% of the U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2004) presents an even more difficult fact for intake. As researchers it is baffling to note that many school districts ignore these demographic changes until families come knocking on school office doors. The realization of Latin@s becoming a significant student population in urban, suburban and rural U.S. schools is a demographic change mandating that legislators, policy makers, educators and ordinary citizens examine stereotypic information regarding how to best educate a social group who, by all accounts, will continue its very rapid rate of growth (Chapa & De La Rosa, 2004).
Genetically encoded calcium indicators for fluorescence imaging in the moss Physcomitrella: GCaMP3 provides a bright new look.

The moss Physcomitrella patens is emerging as a model organism due to the availability of established protocols for precise genome engineering by homologous recombination and a high-quality genome sequence (Rensing et al., 2008). Physcomitrella is an attractive system for cell biology and live cell imaging and has been used to investigate fundamental cellular processes such as tip growth, vesicle trafficking, and cytoskeletal dynamics (e.g., Furt et al., 2012). In each of these processes, calcium (Ca2+) acts as an important signal to relay developmental and environmental cues. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Antenna Arrays for Physical Layer-Based Directional Networking Technology

Due to the terrain (mountains, ridges, forest, and vast areas) challenges in the rural areas, it is difficult and costly to implement broadband and affordable coverage with currently available wireless technologies. To overcome communication networking challenges in rural areas, an advanced directional networking technology has been proposed. The approach is based on enhancing intelligence and logic capabilities in the physical layer without causing changes in the other OSI layers of the communication network. Low-cost and low-profile circularly polarized antenna arrays and beam-switching feed networks are fundamental building blocks in this approach. A broadband long-slot antenna array fed by simplified microstrip structures was designed to cover the frequency band of 4–6 GHz. For lower profile, a narrower band (4.4–5.1 GHz) high-gain stacked-patch-antenna array with annular gap was also developed. For low cost and fast beam switching, a compact broadband microstrip-based 8 × 8 Butler matrix was realized with a compact crossover. The antenna arrays and the Butler matrix were fabricated and experimentally characterized. Simulation results were verified with the measured results, as well as the beam-switching capability of the antenna arrays and the Butler matrix.
General Insurance Deductible Ratemaking

Insurance claims have deductibles, which must be considered when pricing for insurance premium. The deductible may cause censoring and truncation to the insurance claims. However, modeling the unobserved response variable using maximum likelihood in this setting may be a challenge in practice. For this reason, a practitioner may perform a regression using the observed response, in order to calculate the deductible rates using the regression coefficients. A natural question is how well this approach performs, and how it compares to the theoretically correct approach to rating the deductibles. Also, a practitioner would be interested in a systematic review of the approaches to modeling the deductible rates. In this article, an overview of deductible ratemaking is provided, and the pros and cons of two deductible ratemaking approaches are compared: the regression approach and the maximum likelihood approach. The regression approach turns out to have an advantage in predicting aggregate claims, whereas the ma...
Complex Neural Dynamics

Brains are large-scale networks consisting of millions of neuronal elements that are interconnected in characteristic patterns. These patterns of anatomical connections are critical for determining which neurons and brain areas can functionally interact. The activation of interconnected neuronal populations gives rise to global dynamical states that are associated with perception and cognition (Bressler, 1995; Frackowiak et al., 1997; Tononi and Edelman, 1998; Mesulam, 1998; McIntosh, 1999; Varela et al., 2001; Jirsa and Kelso, 2003; Ward; 2003). Given the importance of anatomical connections for generating structured neuronal dynamics, we need a deeper understanding of how anatomical connectivity and neuronal dynamics are interrelated. This chapter provides a brief overview of current concepts and models of how structured brain connectivity gives rise to complex neural dynamics. Our discussion will focus on recent results and simulations of the mammalian cerebral cortex.
RESEARCH UPDATE OF BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION: THE ROLE OF COGNITIVE FACTORS

Although mortality from heart disease in the United States has been declining in the past decade, it still accounts for more deaths than all other diseases combined (U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, 1979). Elevated blood pressure is the single biggest contributory cause in the form of strokes, heart attacks, and renal failure (National Institutes of Health, 1979). It is estimated that 60 million people suffer from elevated blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or greater). Of these 60 million people, 35 million have definite hypertension (160/95 mmHg or greater) and another 25 million have borderline hypertension (140/90 to 159/94 mmHg). Epidemiological findings from the Fra-mingham study (Kannel, 1977) confirmed that hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). In over 90% of the cases of hypertension, classified as “primary” or “essential” hypertension, the etiology is unknown. In such cases, symptoms (elevated blood pressure) are treated with diuretics, alpha and beta blockers, vasodilators, and/or combinations of the above in a stepped-care approach. Behavioral interventions as either alternatives or adjuncts to medical treatment are increasingly being utilized in efforts to prevent sustained high blood pressures which increase morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and renal complications.
Injective quotient rings of commutative rings

INTRODUCTION In the broadest sense, this is a study of commutative rings which satisfy the (finitely) pseudo-Froben[us (or (F)PF) condition: All (finitely generated) faithful modules generate the category mod-R of all R-modules. These rings include: Pr[[fer rings, almost maximal valuation rings, self-injective rings, e.g. , quasi-Frobenius (QF) and pseudo-Frobenius (PF) rings, and finite products of these. (In fact, any product of commutative FPF rings is FPF [34]; hence, any product of commutative PF rings is FPF (cf. §9).) If R is FPF, so is its (classical)ring of quotients Qc~(R) and its maximal quotient ring Qmax(R). All known FPF rings are (classically) quotientinjective in the sense that Qcf is injective. 2 We conjecture that all FIDF rings are quot[ent-injective, and prove this in the three cases: (i) local rings (Proposition 7 and Theorem 9B): (2) Noether[an rings (Theorem ii; Endo' s Theorem [25J~ (3) reduced rings (Proposition 3B and Theorem 4). Moreover, any FPF commutative ring R splits, R = R 1 X R2, where R 1 is semihered[tary, and R 2 has essential nilradical. (If R is semilocal or Noetherian, then R 2 is injective. ) Thus any reduced FPF ring has regular [njective Qc~' and conversely any quotient-injective sem[hered[tary ring is FPF (Theorem 4). A ring iS pre-(l~PF iff all(finitely generated)faithful ideals are generators, and we
Tomato Bunchy Top

The tomato bunchy-top disease is known to occur naturally only in South Africa (McClean, 1931). Characteristic symptoms are severe stunting of the entire plant, in particular the production of small leaves, a necrosis of the leaves and stems, and various forms of leaflet distortion, such as curling and an abnormal unevenness of the surface (McClean, 1931). Chlorosis or mottling are not features of the disease.
Randomized controlled trials 2: Analysis.

When analyzing the results of a trial, the primary outcome variable must be kept in clear focus. In the analysis plan, consideration must be given to comparing the characteristics of the subjects, taking account of differences in these characteristics, intention-to-treat analysis, interim analyses and stopping rules, mortality comparisons, composite outcomes, research design including run-in periods, factorial, stratified and crossover designs, number needed to treat, power issues, multivariate modeling, subgroup analysis, competing risks, and hypothesis-generating analyses.
Physiology and pathophysiology of the blood-brain barrier: P-glycoprotein and occludin trafficking as therapeutic targets to optimize central nervous system drug delivery

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a physical and metabolic barrier that separates the central nervous system from the peripheral circulation. Central nervous system drug delivery across the BBB is challenging, primarily because of the physical restriction of paracellular diffusion between the endothelial cells that comprise the microvessels of the BBB and the activity of efflux transporters that quickly expel back into the capillary lumen a wide variety of xenobiotics. Therapeutic manipulation of protein trafficking is emerging as a novel means of modulating protein function, and in this minireview, the targeting of the trafficking of 2 key BBB proteins, P-glycoprotein and occludin, is presented as a novel, reversible means of optimizing central nervous system drug delivery.
15-OR : VIRTUAL CROSSMATCH VERSUS FINAL FLOW CYTOMETRIC CROSSMATCH – REVIEW OF 2000 CROSSMATCHES PERFORMED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS

Aim Solid phase immunoassays enable us to identify unacceptable donor HLA specific antigens (DSA) which allows for the prediction of compatible donor/recipient combinations. This process is referred to as the virtual crossmatch (vXM). The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of the vXM against the final flow cytometric crossmatch (FCXM). Methods All FCXM performed in the past three years were included in this study. Flow cytometry antibody screening and Luminex single antigen bead assay (LSA) were performed to determine the presence of HLA antibodies and their specificities. MFI = 1000 was used as cutoff for LSA. A final FCXM either prospective or retrospective for the transplant recipients was performed with potential donors selected upon the vXM. Donor cells used for final crossmatch were treated with pronase. Results Total 2070 FCMX were recorded and analyzed in the study. Among these crossmatches, 1891 were vXM negative, 768 crossmatches were performed for HLA sensitized recipients with 179 positive vXM due to presence of DSA. There were total 297 positive final FCXM, of them 123 were expected and 174 (9%) were unexpected compared with the vXM results. The overall prediction rate of the final negative FCXM was 91%. The overall unexpected positive final FCXM was 8%. The majority of the unexpected final T cell positive and B cell negative FCXM became negative when the FCXM repeated with non-pronase treated donor cells. Conclusions Our vXM practice provided a >90% correct predication of negative FCXM. We could expected that the unexpected positive final FCXM mainly caused by non-HLA reactivity, for example, the pronase treatment and/or presence of antibodies not directed to HLA because the current LSA could finely define the specificities of HLA antibodies. However, it could not be excluded that the presence of anti-DP and/or DQA1 antibodies could trigger a positive B cell FCXM in cases where donors’ DP and DQA1 were not typed. This will be further investigated.
EVEN THOUGH IT ISN’T ME, IT’S STILL ME, SHE’S MY SISTER—BREAST CANCER AND CAREGIVING SISTERS.

AbstractThe occurrence of cancer is an event of significant import to family functioning. Sisters of breast cancer patients, an understudied group, are profoundly affected by this health event. As part of a mixed methods study of breast cancer survivors and their family caregivers, caregiving sisters (mean age 50.20, SD 10.65) completed a survey and participated in an in-depth interview (n=15). Data collection was conducted in English or Spanish. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and subjected to content analysis. Analyses of the caregiving sisters’ accounts elucidated the complex psychosocial reactions to their sibling’s (mean age 51.27, SD 7.29) cancer diagnosis and treatment. Almost all caregiving sisters, 97%, reported that their sister’s diagnosis made them feel more at risk for developing breast cancer, with 67% endorsing that their chances of getting breast cancer were higher than other women their age. As indicated by their mean scores on the Impact of Event Scale (Fear of Cancer Scale 25.67, SD 19.48; Intrusion Subscale 12.80, SD 10.52; Avoidance Subscale 12.87), worries about breast cancer impaired these caregivers’ daily functioning. Their narratives documented that their sister’s diagnosis precipitated a broad range of intense emotional responses. This significant event also impacted their attitudes, beliefs and personal health practices. Their accounts further revealed that their care-provision was propelled by intense feelings of personal responsibility and occurred in the context of complex family relationships and multigenerational care demands. Family-centered care in oncology is warranted. These findings inform the content of educational and supportive services for this vulnerable population--caregiving sisters.