cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scale changes everything

Many systems of the future will be of ultra-large size on one or many dimensions - number of lines of code; number of people employing the system for different purposes; amount of data stored, accessed, manipulated, and refined; number of connections and interdependencies among software components; number of hardware elements to which they interface. They will be ultra-large-scale (ULS) systems. Is the software community ready to tackle ULS systems? Will incremental changes in our current software development and management practices be sufficient? In fact, the characteristics of ULS systems, already evident in some of today's largest systems, imply changes in the fundamental assumptions that underlie today's software engineering approaches. The gaps are strategic, not tactical. Issues that are not significant at smaller scales become significant at ultra-large scales. Our current practices and more fundamentally the way we define our discipline are unlikely to scale to the size and levels of complexity of ULS systems. A new multi-disciplinary perspective and breakthrough research are needed. We must begin to take a more expansive view of software research and include its interactions with associated research in the physical and social sciences. This talk is based on the results of a year-long study on ULS systems, documented in Ultra-Large-Scale Systems: The Software Challenge of the Future (ISBN 0-9786956-0-7).
Validation of three sympatric Thoracophelia species (Annelida: Opheliidae) from Dillon Beach, California using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data

Thoracophelia (Annelida, Opheliidae) are burrowing deposit feeders generally found in the mid- to upper intertidal areas of sandy beaches. Thoracophelia mucronata (Treadwell, 1914) is found along the west coast of North America, including at Dillon Beach, CA. Two additional species, Thoracophelia dillonensis (Hartman, 1938) and T. williamsi (Hartman, 1938) were also described from this beach. These three sympatric species have been primarily distinguished by branchial morphology, and efforts to determine the validity of the species have been based on morphological, reproductive and ecological studies. Here we demonstrate using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data that these three species are valid. Mitochondrial Cytochrome c subunit 1 (COI) sequences show uncorrected interspecific distances of ~9–13%. We found no inter—specific differences in body color or in hemoglobin concentration, but found that reproductive males were pinkish-red in color and had lower hemoglobin concentrations than purplish—red reproductive females.
Energy Storage - Contemporary Inductive Systems

Inductive energy storage systems are reviewed on the basis of efficiency considerations for purely resistive loads and partially or wholly inductive loads. High-energy charging systems, in particular impulsive homopolar generators, are examined. Relative merits of a number of possible switching systems are also considered. In general inductive storage systems are best adapted to loads with a minimum of inductance. High-energy charging systems typically should exhibit efficiencies of the order of 70%. Efficiency on discharge for resistive loads is limited principally by the switch since inherent circuit losses in large systems are small compared with other losses.
Analyzing multivariate neurobehavioral outcomes in occupational studies: A comparison of approaches

Neurobehavioral studies often employ test batteries and confront issues of multiple testing and comparability between batteries. We have organized our battery of 12 tests into areas of neurobehavioral function to reduce the number of reported results, provide greater statistical power, and improve interpretability of the results. We explored several different organizational and statistical methods of creating summary scores including a priori groupings based upon clinical experience and factor analysis. We compared the sensitivity of these summary scores to performance changes associated with exposure to styrene in the manufacture of reinforced plastics. Our results demonstrated dramatic increases in power to detect exposure related changes compared to using individual test scores. Furthermore, the various methods provided generally compatible and comparable results. We encourage other neurobehavioral investigators to pursue and refine this approach.
Local Measured Service Revisited: A Southern Wisconsin Test Case

Pricing local telephone service on a usage-sensitive basis has long been thought to have welfare-enhancing effects over the traditional flat-rate pricing scheme. The authors examine a new data set containing observations of residential and business calling patterns both before and after a switch to measured service. For a rural area of south-central Wisconsin, the data provide a rare opportunity to study the same consumers both before and after such a pricing change is made. Comparing the measured system used in this area to the previous literature shows that, even though the current system does not contain all the elements of a theoretically optimal pricing scheme, significant welfare gains are still achieved.
A climate generator for agricultural planning in southeastern South America

Abstract A method is described for the generation of climate scenarios in a form suitable for driving agricultural models. The scenarios are tailored to the region in southeastern South America bounded by 25–40° S, 45–65° W, denoted here as SESA. SESA has been characterized by increasing summer precipitation, particularly during the late 20th century, which, in the context of favorable market conditions, has enabled increases in agricultural production. Since about year 2000, however, the upward tendency appears to have slowed or possibly stopped, raising questions about future climate inputs to regional agricultural yields. The method is not predictive in the deterministic sense, but rather attempts to characterize uncertainty in near-term future climate, taking into account both forced trends and unforced, natural climate fluctuations. It differs from typical downscaling methods in that GCM information is utilized only at the regional scale, subregional variability being modeled based on the observational record. Output, generated on the monthly time scale, is disaggregated to daily values with a weather generator and used to drive soybean yields in the crop model DSSAT-CSM, for which preliminary results are discussed. The simulations produced permit assessment of the interplay between long-range trends and near-term climate variability in terms of agricultural production.
Speaking of Visions and Visions Being Spoken: An Exploration of the Effects of Content and Delivery on Perceptions of Leader Charisma

This experiment extends previous research by examining empirically the relationship of message delivery and content to perceptions of leader charisma. A 2 (delivery: weak and strong) × 2 (content: ...
Spectrum of ultrastructural patterns of renal cell adenocarcinoma

The ultrastructure of renal cell carcinoma was studied in 6 patients. This study demonstrated a spectrum of ultrastructural patterns ranging from the classic electron microscopic features of granular cell carcinoma at one extreme, to those of clear cell carcinoma at the other extreme. Other tumors demonstrated intermediate features. There was reasonably good correlation between the light microscopy and electron microscopy. Unusual findings of connective tissue banded structures and basement membrane branching were demonstrated.
Observations of the white dwarf in the U Geminorum system with the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope

The Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope was used to obtain an FUV spectrum of U Gem about 10 d after the end of an outburst. Most of the FUV emission from U Gem appears to rise from the white dwarf (WD) in the system. Various possibilities to explain the hot component in the present spectrum are explored. It is most likely due to radiation from the boundary-layer region of the WD surface rather than from the accretion disk which exists in U Gem in quiescence. If the standard picture of boundary-layer emission is correct, then the hot component is not due to ongoing accretion onto the WD because the temperature observed is too low. Delayed emission from a viscously heated, differentially rotating atmosphere is argued to be a more valid explanation.
High Order B-Spline Networks and Its Applications to Learning Feedforward Control

This paper presents a derivation of closed-form expression of an arbitrary high order uniform B-spline. This close-form expression is then applied to the stability analysis of a learning feedforward controller (LFFC) using a B-spline network (BSN) in frequency domain. BSN as a promising tool discussed in the existing literature is mainly limited to the 2nd-order B-splines case. Detailed derivation of high order BSN is still missing from the literature. In this paper, we propose to use a special type of matrix called "B-matrix" to facilitate the analysis and computation of high-order BSN for use with the LFFC scheme. Unlike the common recursive definition, the technique we developed is in "piecewise closed form," which is a nice feature especially suitable for the LFFC analysis and design
Performance measurement and costing system in new enterprise

In this paper, we describe a framework for measuring costs and performance in new forms of business organization that are evolving to meet the competitive challenges of the 21st century. A literature review on cost management and performance measures in advanced manufacturing and service organizations provides the basis for our framework. The framework emphasizes measurement of costs and performance in the virtual enterprise and along the supply chain to enhance competitiveness in global markets. Investing in knowledge capital and information technology plays an important role in improving organizational competitiveness in the 21st century, yet the measurement of performance in these important areas is at best, imprecise. Managing and controlling costs and performance in new forms of organization poses challenges. We hope this article will encourage research that will help practitioners meet the challenges of performance measurement in the 21st century. q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Triangular factorization of inverse data covariance matrices

A novel Cholesky factorization of the inverse covariance matrix is described which can be performed with fully parallel matrix-vector operations, instead of more costly back substitutions. This factorization reformulates the Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury matrix inverse identity as a downdating problem. Givens rotations provide triangularized factors of the inverse data covariance matrix, and the final adaptive solution is obtained after two triangular matrix-vector products. This novel factorization algorithm operates in the voltage (or square root) domain to maintain the numerical robustness of earlier factorization techniques. Simulation results show that this algorithm is highly stable and can yield more accurate results at lower processor precision. >
Keratosis of unknown significance and leukoplakia: a preliminary study.

Objective The objectives were to (1) determine the frequency of specific diagnoses in a series of white lesions, and (2) describe the nature of keratotic lesions that are neither reactive nor dysplastic. Study Design White lesions were analyzed and diagnosed as reactive keratoses, dysplastic/malignant, or keratoses of unknown significance (KUS). Results Of the 1251 specimens that were evaluated, 703 met criteria for inclusion, and approximately 75% were reactive, 10% dysplastic/malignant, and 14% KUS. Excluding reactive keratoses, 43% were dysplastic/malignant and 57% were KUS. Conclusions Reactive keratoses were the most common white lesions followed by lichen planus. Dysplastic/malignant lesions constituted almost 50% of all true leukoplakias. KUS constituted the remaining cases and do not show typical reactive histopathology as well as clear dysplasia. They may represent evolving or devolving reactive keratoses but may also represent the very earliest dysplasia phenotype. Clinical findings may be helpful in differentiating the two.
A dual stage model of anomalous moisture diffusion and desorption in epoxy mold compounds

Absorption and desorption tests were conducted on five distinct commercial epoxy mold compounds (EMCs) used in electronic packaging. For absorption, the samples were subjected to 85°C /85% relative humidity and 60°C /85% relative humidity soaking. Desorption conditions were above glass transition temperature at 140°C and 160°C. A dual stage model is developed in this paper for both absorption and desorption processes. Both stages in moisture absorption and desorption, i.e., Fickian diffusion and relaxation process, are described mathematically using a combination of Fickian terms. The models generated reasonable results for the diffusive properties and displayed outstanding experimental fits. All five compounds have shown strong non-Fickian diffusion behaviors, which were further demonstrated by experiments with different thicknesses. For absorption, results show Fickian diffusion is significantly faster than non-Fickian diffusion. Saturated moisture concentration associated with Fickian-stage diffusion is independent of temperature if it is below glass transition temperature. Sample thickness played a major role in diffusive behavior in the second stage where non-Fickian diffusion occurs. For desorption, higher temperature corresponds to less percentage of the permanent residual moisture content. At 160°C, 90% of the initial moisture for all samples could be diffused out within 24 hours, following a modified Fickian diffusion process. The dual stage model developed in this paper provides a foundation for modeling anomalous moisture diffusion behavior using commercial finite elemental method software.
Quantitation of midazolam in human plasma by automated chip-based infusion nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

An automated chip-based infusion nanoelectrospray ionization (nanoESI) platform was used to demonstrate reproducible quantitation of drug molecules from biological matrices. Three sample preparation strategies were explored including protein precipitation of plasma with acetonitrile, de-salting of the plasma, and a combination of protein precipitation with subsequent de-salting of the dried and reconstituted extract. The best results were obtained when fortified human plasma samples containing midazolam were precipitated with acetonitrile containing alprazolam as the internal standard (IS). The supernatant was concentrated to dryness, reconstituted in aqueous acid, and de-salted by automated reversed-phase solid-phase extraction (SPE) prior to infusion nanoESI-MS/MS. Analyses employed a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. Each sample was infused for approximately 10 s and the resulting ion current profiles were integrated. Area ratios were used for regression analysis of standard samples (1.5-500 ng/mL). Quality control samples (3, 250, and 400 ng/mL) in five replicates from three different analysis days demonstrated intra-assay precision (< or =16%), inter-assay precision (< or =5%), and overall accuracy (+/-9% deviation). Infusion reproducibility of the assay was established by analyzing extracts after storage for 24 h at ambient temperature. Control plasma samples from six different sources probed the potential utility of this technique for the analysis of clinical samples. At the lower limit of quantitation (LLQ), variability and mean overall accuracy were < or =13% CV and +/-3% deviation, respectively, while at the upper limit of quantitation (ULQ) variability and mean overall accuracy were < or =9% CV and +/-9% deviation, respectively. Inter-chip variability was established by determining standard sample extracts across five different chips (< or =12% CV). Throughput for the assay was 55 s per sample, although this time may be shortened to 40 s per sample with recent improvements in the automated nanoESI system. No contamination or carryover was observed using this promising automated nanoESI-MS/MS platform.
Maxillary control in class II, Division 1 Begg treatment.

E valuation of the results of Begg’s treatment mechanics has been continuing since Dr. Begg first introduced his technique in the mid-1950’s. Orthodontists have become intrigued with the procedures which, with the application of light continuous forces, have been shown to effectively produce and control tipping, bodily, and torquing tooth movements with light, round arch wires. Clinical results of Begg treatment have demonstrated the ability of the technique to align the teeth, to correct anteroposterior relationships, and to treat the overbite. Several studies have indicated that, in most respects, the results obtained by Begg treatment techniques are quite comparable with those of edgewise mechanics. This research was undertaken to provide the orthodontic community with a well-documented investigation of the relative tooth displacements which take place in Begg treatment of the Class II, Division 1 malocclusion. Of specific interest were the movements of the maxillary central incisors and first molars, the locations of the centers of rotation of the maxillary central incisor during the tipping and torquing phases of treatment, and the relationship between maxillary incisor torque production and anchorage loss in Stage III of Begg treatment mechanics.
Factor graphs for universal portfolios

We consider the sequential portfolio investment problem. Building on results in signal processing, machine learning, and other areas, we combine the insights of Cover and Ordentlich's side information portfolio with those of Blum and Kalai's transaction costs algorithm to construct one that performs well under transaction costs while taking advantage of side information. We introduce factor graphs as a computational tool for analysis and design of universal (low regret) algorithms, and develop our algorithm with this insight. Finally, we demonstrate that, in contrast to other algorithms, our portfolio performs well over the full range of costs.
Innate instruction of adaptive immunity revisited: the inflammasome

The innate immune system regulates initial responses to pathogen invasion through a set of conserved pattern recognition receptors (PRR). The best-characterized PRRs are the Toll-like receptors, which regulate not only the initial pathogen defense response, but also adaptive immune responses. Thus, insight into the function of PRRs has major implications for our understanding of the physiology of vaccination and the pathophysiology of human disease. Recent advances in our understanding of a new class of pattern recognition receptors–NOD-like receptors (NLR)–have similarly provided insight into both innate and adaptive immunity. In particular, the NLR Nlrp3 (also known as Nalp3 or Cias1) forms an intracellular multimolecular complex with active caspase-1, called an inflammasome, creating a platform for regulating secretion of interleukin-1 (IL-1) family members. Given the important role of IL-1 in inflammatory diseases, from gout to rheumatoid arthritis, the importance of understanding the regulation of such a cytokine cannot be underestimated. In this review, we address new evidence supporting a role for adaptive immune activation by recently identified NLR agonists, with a particular focus on Nlrp3. Basic questions in our understanding of Nlrp3 inflammasome activation are also presented.
To prevent earthquake triggering, pressure changes due to CO2 injection need to be limited

Vilarrasa and Carrera (1) dissent from our view (2) that pore pressure increases resulting from large-scale CO2 injection could potentially trigger earthquakes that would threaten long-term CO2 storage. Since our article appeared, the National Academy of Sciences (3) has expressed an even greater concern about large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS), that “the large net volumes of injected fluids, may have potential for inducing larger seismic events.”
Multigrid methods for the biharmonic problem discretized by conforming C 1 finite elements on nonnested meshes

We consider multigrid algorithms for the biharmonic problem discretized by conforming C 1 finite elements. Most finite elements for the biharmonic equation are nonnested in the sense that the coarse finite element space is not a subspace of the space of similar elements defined on a refined mesh. To define multigrid methods, certain intergrid transfer operators have to be constructed. We construct intergrid transfer operators that satisfy a certain stable approximation property. The so-called regularity-approximation assumption is established by using this stable approximation property of the intergrid transfer operator. Optimal convergence properties of the W-cycle and a uniform condition number estimate for the variable V-cycle preconditioner are established by applying an abstract result of Bramble, Pasciak and Xu. Our theory covers the cases when the multilevel triangulations are nonnested and the spaces on different levels are defined by different finite elements.
Does the market react differently to domestic and foreign takeover announcements? Evidence from the U.S. chemical and retail industries☆

Abstract This paper examines shareholder wealth gains from domestic and foreign takeover announcements in the U.S. chemical and retail industries. Contrary to results in several recent papers, these data indicate there is no significant difference in within industry mean takeover premia levels. There is evidence, though, that the sensitivity of takeover premia levels to standard transaction characteristics does differ across buyers: Foreign investors do pay more than domestic investors in hostile transactions, but pay less when there are rival bidders. The results indicate the market's reaction to buyer nationality is closely tied to the transaction's characteristics.
Metamaterial-inspired engineering of antenna systems

A number of advances in the use of metamaterials and metamaterial-inspired structures to improve the overall efficiency and bandwidth performance of electrically small antennas (ESAs) in the VHF, UHF and microwave regimes will be reviewed.
CMIC at INEX 2007: Book Search Track

With massive book digitization efforts underway, the need for effective retrieval of books and pages in books is an important problem. This paper describes our submissions to the INEX 2007 Book Search track. We explored using book specific features such as table of content and index pages and headers along with non-book specific features. Our results show that indexing the entire contents of books and headers provided the most effective retrieval strategy.
Contributions to an Arthropod Inventory of Santa Cruz Island, California

Arthropods have been understudied on Santa Cruz Island, resulting in an incomplete understanding of these diverse and ecologically important members of island ecosystems. To enhance the current understanding of Santa Cruz Island biodiversity, we sampled arthropods in 2 native plant habitats: island scrub oak (Quercus pacifica) woodland and patches of island morning glory (Calystegia macrostegia ssp. macrostegia). We used 4 standardized sampling techniques to sample arthropods in 16 Q. pacifica woodland plots. We sampled arthropods associated with C. macrostegia by pan trapping within 1 m of blooming morning glory individuals. In total, we sampled over 18,000 arthropod specimens, sorted the specimens to morphotypes by order, and had taxonomic specialists identify 10 orders to the narrowest possible identification (n = 458 total species or morphotypes). The taxonomic distribution of our identified specimens is as follows: 1 species of Scorpiones, 5 morphospecies of Pseudoscorpiones, 74 species of Araneae, 4 species of Orthoptera, 10 species of Psocodea, 10 species of Hemiptera, 1 species of Neuroptera, 60 species of Coleoptera, 8 species of Lepidoptera, and 42 species of Hymenoptera (Formicidae and Apoidea). Of these, 62 species represent newly recorded arthropod species on Santa Cruz Island. The diversity of our collections within the Quercus pacifica and Calystegia macrostegia habitats, the deficiency of current knowledge of Channel Island arthropods, and the fundamental role of arthropods in island ecosystems emphasize the need for a more comprehensive arthropod inventory across the California Channel Islands.
Phylogeography of co-distributed dune scorpions identifies the Amu Darya River as a long-standing component of Central Asian biogeography

Abstract Although only distantly related, Anomalobuthus and Liobuthus are monotypic and sympatric scorpion genera with psammophilic phenotypes well-suited to the dune communities of the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts of Central Asia. We predicted that this unique combination of phenotypic convergence and sympatry should have resulted in shared phylogeographic histories. We tested this hypothesis by using mitochondrial DNA data and molecular dating techniques to reconstruct the matrilineal genealogies of A. rickmersi and L. kessleri. We also developed current and late-glacial species distribution models and landscape interpolations of genetic distances to assess the influence of historical barriers and Pleistocene climates on the phylogeography of each species. Both genera exhibited signals of restricted gene flow across the Amu Darya River, supporting our prediction of mutual histories. Levels of initial genetic differentiation within each genus date to the Late Miocene to late Pliocene. Distribution models...
Regulation of ovarian cholesterol esters: Evidence for the enzymatic sites of prostaglandin-induced loss of corpus luteum function

The regulation of cholesterol ester synthetase and cholesterol esterase by prostaglandins and gonadotrophins in luteinized ovaries of the rat was studied. Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) depressed ovarian cholesterol esters by 75% (p<.025) within 48 hr. Hypophysectomy (APX) produced a similar effect; prolactin administration to this group maintained cholesterol esters at a higher level than in the APX group but the trophic effect of prolactin was abolished by simultaneous PGF2α treatment. Progesterone output in incubated ovarian slices was reduced 50% by PGF2α treatment in vivo (p<.005), an effect similar to that produced by APX. Prolactin administration in vivo maintained the ability of the incubated tissue to synthesize progesterone at an elevated rate in APX rats but simultaneous PGF2α treatment abolished this action of prolactin. Cholesterol ester synthetase activity was severely depressed (p<.005) by PGF2α treatment to animals with intact pituitaries, a decrease similar to that produced by APX alone. The effect of APX on synthetase activity was reversed by prolactin treatment but not when PGF2α was administered with prolactin. Esterase activity, also maintained by prolactin in APX animals (p<.005), was not affected to the same extent by PGF2α although a decrease in activity was produced in both the intact and the APX+ prolactin group by PGF2α (p<.10). However simultaneous administration of luteinizing hormone (LH) reversed the effect of PGF2α in the APX+ prolactin +PGF2α group on esterase activity. These data indicate that the luteolytic action of PGF2α is directly on the corpus luteum and this action appears to be mediated by a neutralization of prolactin activity. The loss in synthetase activity and to some extent in esterase activity, induced by PGF2α depressed ovarian cholesterol ester turnover and the availability of cholesterol for conversion to progesterone.
Taxonomic and Biological Observations on the Genus Hornia (Coleoptera: Meloidae)

Limited biological observations on several species of Hornia are reported from California, New Mexico, and the State of Chiapas in southern Mexico. Restudy of available adults and larvae of H. minutipennis Riley indicates that the subspecific name H. m. occidentalis should be applied only to populations from central and coastal California. The relationship of H. mexicana Duges, from central Mexico, to H. neomexicana (Cockerell), from the southwestern United States, is not definitely known due to lack of specimens and to incomplete and inconsistent descriptions of the former. A previously unknown population from Chiapas is variable in the characters used to separate these species, and therefore H. neomexicana is considered to be a subspecies of H. mexicana. The Chiapas population is described as H. mexicana blomi, since its pattern of variation is distinctive.
When to use chemotherapy for chronic hematopoietic neoplasms.

Generally, chemotherapeutic agents are effective at some time in the course of such chronic diseases as granulocytic leukemia, polycythemia vera and lymphocytic leukemia. This is particularly true for chronic granulocytic leukemia, in which busulfan is the drug of choice. Physicians must be prepared to cope not only with the disease itself but also with such complications as hyperuricemia, infections and anemia.
Performance analysis of liquid flooded compression with regeneration for cold climate heat pumps

Abstract In regions with sub-freezing winter temperatures, the performance of conventional air-source vapor compression heat pumps drop drastically during extended periods of low outdoor ambient temperatures. Modifying the basic cycle configuration with liquid flooded compression and regeneration reduces the thermodynamic inefficiencies associated with the heat pump equipment and increases energy efficiency with less degradation in heating capacity especially at low ambient temperatures. Flooding non-volatile liquid along with refrigerant vapor stream into the compressor leads to a near isothermal compression process and thereby reduces desuperheating losses in the condenser. Regeneration improves the system performance by reducing throttling losses in the expansion device. The performance of a heat pump operating with flooded compression and regeneration has been analyzed for three sub-freezing outdoor ambient climatic regions: Boston, Indianapolis and Minneapolis. The results indicate that at −10 °C ambient temperature, COP (heating) of the flooded compression with regeneration cycle was approximately 13% higher than the standard vapor compression cycle. The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of a flooded compression with regeneration cycle for Boston, Indianapolis and Minneapolis was approximately estimated to be 9%, 10% and 13% higher than the standard vapor compression cycle respectively.
Evaluation of safety of haemophilus influenza type b(Hib) conjugate vaccine in postmarketing based on the immunization information management system

To analyze the occurrence feature of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) of Hib conjugate vaccine (HibCV) and to evaluate the safety of HibCV in postmarketing.2008-2013 HibCV AEFI data were collected through national AEFI information management system, which were downloaded in March 18, 2014.The demographic information and inoculation quantity of HibCV were from Immunization information management system in Jiangsu province. The incidence rate and 95% CI value of AEFI, common vaccine reaction and rare vaccine reaction following immunization of HibCV were calculated. The differences in the incidence rate of common vaccine reaction and rare vaccine reaction among sex, months of age, and number of injections were compared by means of (χ² tests.A total of 6.16 million doses of vaccine were administered in Jiangsu province during 2008-2013, and 4 718 vaccinees reported having adverse event, for a rate of 76.60/100 000 (95% CI: 74.42/100 000-78.79/100 000). The incidence rate of common vaccine reaction and rare vaccine reaction was 71.10/100 000 (95% CI: 68.99/100 000-73.20/100 000) and 5.16/100 000 (95% CI: 4.60/100 000-5.73/100 000), respectively. The main symptoms of common vaccine reactions were fever, swelling, indurations and gastrointestinal reactions. The incidence rates of them were 40.54/100 000, 35.09/100 000, 12.94/100 000 and 0.36/100 000 in turn. The main symptoms of rare vaccine reactions were anaphylactic rashes and angioedema, the incidence rates of which were 4.77/100 000 and 0.15/100 000 respectively. 91.39% (4 002/4 379) of common vaccine reactions and 88.36% (281/318) of rare vaccine reactions happened within 1 d after vaccination. Anaphylactic shock (3 cases) and laryngeal edema (1 case) all happened within 1 d after vaccination. The incidence rate of common vaccine reactions among boys (79.72/100 000, 2 641/3 313 071) was higher than that of girls (61.07/100 000, 1 738/2 846 001) (χ² = 74.92, P < 0.001). The incidence rate of common vaccine reactions among children aged ≥ 12 month-old (86.82/100 000, 2 200/2 533 949) was higher than that among children aged 2-11 month-old (60.11/100 000, 2 179/3 625 123) (χ² = 149.79, P < 0.001). The incidence rate of common vaccine reactions in children vaccinated the first dose (78.93/100 000, 2 666/3 377 614) was higher than that in children vaccinated the second or third or fourth dose (61.59/100 000, 1 713/2 781 458) (χ² = 64.59, P < 0.001). The incidence rate of rare vaccine reactions in children vaccinated the first dose (6.69/100 000, 226/3 377 614) was higher than that in children vaccinated the second or third or fourth dose (3.31/100 000, 92/2 781 458) (χ² = 33.82, P < 0.001).The safety of HibCV among children was relative good. However, the surveillance should still focus on the anaphylactoid reactions of anaphylactic shock and laryngeal edema after HibCV immunization.
Pyloric sphincter incompetence in man. A physiological variant.

Thirty-six consecutive cholecystectomizecl patients with indwelling T-tubes were examined for pyloric sphincter competence by a cineradiographic technique. Fifty per cent sodium diatrozoate was passed through a T-tube to fill the duodenum. Twelve patients (33 1/3 %) demonstrated pyloric insufficiency with regurgitation of the of the contrast material through the sphincter into the stomach. None of the patients with regurgitation were symptomatic or had roentgen or direct observation disease of the stomach or duodenum. Pyloric sphincter incompetence appears to be a physiological variant in some individuals.
Leaks in the Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle

Abstract: The TCA cycle is an amphibolic pathway. Anaplerotic reactions replenish TCA cycle intermediates when they leak away from the cycle. Oxaloacetate leaks away from the TCA cycle to form pyrimidines and glucose. Succinyl-CoA leaks away from the TCA cycle to form the porphyrins (including heme). Several intermediates may leak away from the TCA cycle to form proteins. Citrate may leak away from the TCA cycle to reform acetyl-CoA and OAA in the cytoplasm, with the former entering into lipid biosynthesis. Leaks in the TCA cycle of skeletal muscle fibers are largely replenished through glucose oxidation. Amino acids may be used to replenish leaks in the TCA cycle.
Treatment of Febrile Seizures

The risk of febrile seizure recurrence was studied in 186 consecutive children aged between 6 and 72 months admitted to the Booth Hall and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospitals, Pendlebury, Manchester, England.
Evaluating 'Imminence' of a Cyber Attack for Purposes of Anticipatory Defense

In order for a state to lawfully use force in anticipation of a cyber attack, the prospective attack must rise to the level of an “armed attack” under United Nations Charter Article 51, and it must be “imminent.” While there is broad agreement that some cyber attacks will satisfy Article 51’s “armed attack” requirement, the question of how to evaluate whether such an attack is “imminent” — based on an analysis of the technology of cyber weapons — has received little attention. This Note applies existing theories of imminence to the technological aspects of how cyber weapons are developed and launched, providing considerations for determining when the “last possible window” to stop a prospective cyber attack is likely to close — or whether it has already passed. In making this argument, this Note also demonstrates that, contrary to a not-uncommon assumption, prospective cyber attacks may be detectable well in advance of an adversary executing the code. Indeed, the more likely a cyber attack is to constitute an “armed attack,” the more likely it is that the attack can and will be detected in advance. For a decision maker — in the U.S., the President — who must authorize force in anticipation of such a cyber attack, correctly determining when the “last possible window” will close may be a decision between peace, legal war, or illegal war.
Archetypes of material use and disuse: An art and ecology primer

AbstractMaterialism is occupying the forefront of intellection discourse in fields as diverse as anthropology, architecture, social science, cultural theory, feminist studies, philosophy, psychology, and theology. These disciplines are both defining and redefining humanity’s interactions with the materials of the planet. Their shared impulse can be traced to mounting evidence that humanity’s unprecedented abilities to manipulate substances, from nanoparticles to global weather, are undermining Earth’s ability to support diverse forms of life. The following text contributes to this urgent discourse by applying these considerations to individual behaviors. In order to facilitate personal scrutiny of the environmental consequences of one’s material behaviors, it identifies seven archetypes of material interaction: pet, sacred object, hazard, merchandise, specimen, resource, and sensual stimulus. In this essay, each archetype is presented from three vantage points. First, patterns of human engagement with eac...
Accessing octave-spanning soliton microcomb states in a thermally stable way

We report the demonstration of octave-spanning soliton microcomb states in high-Q Si 3 N 4 microresonators. These states are shown to be thermally stable and therefore can be accessed with slow frequency tuning of the pump laser.
Validation of the 2015 prostate cancer grade groups for predicting long-term oncologic outcomes in a shared equal-access health system

BACKGROUND A 5-tier prognostic grade group (GG) system was enacted to simplify the risk stratification of patients with prostate cancer in which Gleason scores of ≤6, 3 + 4, 4 + 3, 8, and 9 or 10 are considered GG 1 through 5, respectively. The authors investigated the utility of biopsy GG for predicting long-term oncologic outcomes after radical prostatectomy in an equal-access health system. METHODS Men who underwent prostatectomy at 1 of 6 Veterans Affairs hospitals in the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital database between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed. The prognostic ability of biopsy GG was examined using Cox models. Interactions between GG and race also were tested. RESULTS In total, 2509 men were identified who had data available on biopsy Gleason scores, covariates, and follow-up. The cohort included men with GG 1 (909 patients; 36.2%), GG 2 (813 patients; 32.4%), GG 3 (398 patients; 15.9%), GG 4 (279 patients; 11.1%), and GG 5 (110 patients; 4.4%) prostate cancer. The cohort included 1002 African American men (41%). The median follow-up was 60 months (interquartile range, 33-90 months). Higher GG was associated with higher clinical stage, older age, more recent surgery, and surgical center (P < .001) as well as increased biochemical recurrence, secondary therapy, castration-resistant prostate cancer, metastases, and prostate cancer-specific mortality (all P < .001). There were no significant interactions with race in predicting measured outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The 5-tier GG system predicted multiple long-term endpoints after radical prostatectomy in an equal-access health system. The predictive value was consistent across races. Cancer 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Synthetic beta cells for fusion-mediated dynamic insulin secretion

Generating artificial pancreatic beta cells by using synthetic materials to mimic glucose-responsive insulin secretion in a robust manner holds promise for improving clinical outcomes in people with diabetes. Here, we describe the construction of artificial beta cells (AβCs) with a multicompartmental 'vesicles-in-vesicle' superstructure equipped with a glucose-metabolism system and membrane-fusion machinery. Through a sequential cascade of glucose uptake, enzymatic oxidation and proton efflux, the AβCs can effectively distinguish between high and normal glucose levels. Under hyperglycemic conditions, high glucose uptake and oxidation generate a low pH (<5.6), which then induces steric deshielding of peptides tethered to the insulin-loaded inner small liposomal vesicles. The peptides on the small vesicles then form coiled coils with the complementary peptides anchored on the inner surfaces of large vesicles, thus bringing the membranes of the inner and outer vesicles together and triggering their fusion and insulin 'exocytosis'.
Powered and controlled T-cell production

T cells can be efficiently and controllably expanded for adoptive cell therapy in a culture system consisting of lipid bilayers bearing membrane-bound cues for the stimulation of T-cell receptors and of supporting silica microrods that release a T-cell proliferation factor.
Evaluating environmental enrichment as a method to alleviate pain after castration and tail docking in pigs

Abstract Castration and tail docking are common management practices performed on commercial swine farms in the US and around the world to reduce adverse behaviors and the occurrence of boar taint. However, these practices themselves are a welfare concern for the piglet because they cause acute pain. The provisions of environmental enrichment (EE) may reduce anxiety, protect from stressors, influence pain sensitivity, and improve the overall welfare of animals. Our objective was to determine if EE can reduce the physiological and behavioral stress response caused by castration and tail docking in piglets over time. Sows were randomly assigned to control farrowing stalls (CON; n = 9) or stalls enriched (ENRICH; n = 9) with newspaper, soil, ball and rope, so that EE was available to piglets upon birth. At 5 days old, ENRICH and CON piglets (n = 54 per treatment) were allocated to one of six piglet husbandry treatments; four boar piglets were randomly allocated to one of four treatments: 1) control handled (SHAM B), 2) tail docked (TAIL B), 3) castrated (CAST), or 4) castrated and tail docked (BOTH); and two gilt piglets were randomly allocated to one of two treatments: 5) control handled (SHAM G), or 6) tail docked (TAIL G). Live weight tended (P
Experimental investigations of internal energy dissipation during fracture of fiber-reinforced ultra-high-performance concrete

Split-cylinder fracture of fiber-reinforced ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) was examined using two complementary techniques: X-ray computed tomography (CT) and acoustic emission (AE). Fifty-mm-diameter specimens of two different fiber types were scanned both before and after load testing. From the CT images, fiber orientation was evaluated to establish optimum and pessimum specimen orientations, at which fibers would have maximum and minimum effect, respectively. As expected, fiber orientation affected both the peak load and the toughness of the specimen, with the optimum toughness being between 20% and 30% higher than the pessimum. Cumulative AE energy was also affected commensurately. Posttest CT scans of the specimens were used to measure internal damage. Damage was quantified in terms of internal energy dissipation due to both matrix cracking and fiber pullout by using calibration measurements for each. The results showed that fiber pullout was the dominant energy dissipation mechanism; however, the sum of the internal energy dissipation measured amounted to only 60% of the total energy dissipated by the specimens as measured by the net work of load. It is postulated that localized compaction of the UHPC matrix as well as internal friction between fractured fragments makes up the balance of internal energy dissipation.
Towards Reduced Latency in Saccade Landing Position Prediction Using Velocity Profile Methods

Saccade landing position prediction algorithms are a promising approach for improving the performance of gaze-contingent rendering systems. Amongst the various techniques considered in the literature, velocity profile methods operate by first fitting a window of velocity data obtained at the initiation of the saccadic event to a model profile known to resemble the empirical dynamics of the gaze trajectory. The research described herein proposes an alternative approach to velocity profile-based prediction aimed at reducing latency. Namely, third-order statistical features computed during a finite window at the saccade onset are mapped to the duration and characteristic parameters of the previously proposed scaled Gaussian profile function using a linear support vector machine regression model using an offline fitting process over the entire saccade duration. Prediction performance is investigated for a variety of window sizes for a data set consisting of 9,109 horizontal saccades of a minimum mandated data quality induced by a 30-degree step stimulus. An RMS saccade amplitude prediction error of 1.5169° is observed for window durations of one-quarter of the saccade duration using the newly proposed method. Moreover, the method is demonstrated to reduce prediction execution time by three orders of magnitude versus techniques mandating online fitting.
Managing in the Informal Economy: The Informal Financial Sector in Tanzania

To a certain extent, the informal economy flourishes by filling the gap left by formal institutions. This is most vividly illustrated where practical management of informal financial service delive...
Traditional and New Media: A Comparative Analysis of News Outlets' News Feeds on Snapchat

Using an affordances approach, this study examines how U.S. media outlets use Snapchat to reach young audiences. Results of a content analysis and interviews reveal publishers on Discover adopt Sna...