cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Facilitating the Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in School-Age Children

Recent special education trends suggest that students with autism spectrum disorders are underrepresented in our schools’ special education programs. The increased awareness and prevalence of autism, together with the clear benefits of early intervention and special education, have created an urgent need for school-based professionals to identify children who may have an autism spectrum disorder. Screening is an important first step for securing the appropriate educational services. The aim of this article is to provide school professionals with a review of five screening instruments that hold promise for identifying school-age children in need of a more in-depth diagnostic assessment.
FAST TCP: motivation, architecture, algorithms, performance

We describe FAST TCP, a new TCP congestion control algorithm for high-speed long-latency networks, from design to implementation. We highlight the approach taken by FAST TCP to address the four difficulties, at both packet and flow levels, which the current TCP implementation has at large windows. We describe the architecture and characterize the equilibrium and stability properties of FAST TCP. We present experimental results comparing our first Linux prototype with TCP Reno, HSTCP, and STCP in terms of throughput, fairness, stability, and responsiveness. FAST TCP aims to rapidly stabilize high-speed long-latency networks into steady, efficient and fair operating points, in dynamic sharing environments, and the preliminary results are promising.
A review of selected thermal management solutions for military electronic systems

Thermal management of electronics is vital to the successful design, manufacture, and tactical operation of a variety of military electronic systems. Designs employ all modes of heat transfer including: conduction, natural and forced convection, aerodynamic heating, radiation, and two-phase heat transfer. A variety of heat sinks and heat exchange devices are employed, including the use of cold plates, electronic chassis coldwalls, compact heat exchangers, air-cycle and vapor-cycle refrigeration systems, phase change materials, thermoelectric devices, and heat pipes. This paper describes several military electronic systems on a variety of platforms and discusses the thermal management issues involved in the design of the thermal control systems. Specific examples are employed in the paper to emphasize the variety of thermal management problems encountered and the solution techniques employed.
Tunable replica bits for dynamic variation tolerance in 8T SRAM

Infrequent dynamic events like V CC droops and temperature changes result in the use of a static V CC guard-band. Measured data on a 16KB 8T array featuring tunable replica bits illustrate the opportunity of eliminating a majority of the static guard-band in memory arrays, resulting in lower operating V CC /power.
Perceptual quality constrained video user capacity of 802.11a WLANs with multipath fading

The fundamental tradeoff in a WLAN with multiple video users is between the number of video users the WLAN can support and the perceptual quality each user experiences. Our previous work has investigated the delivered AVC/H.264 video quality over 802.11a WLANs with multipath fading. In this paper we study two extreme scenarios to formulate the upper and lower boundaries for video user capacity of an 802.11a WLAN operated under the contention based distributed coordination function (DCF): the worst scenario is when all users happen to be sending/receiving their intra-coded (I) frames at the same time and the best scenario is when all users happen to be coordinated in I frame refreshing. To calculate the video user capacity boundaries we study the dependence of coded video data rate on the properties of individual videos as well as the major video coding parameters: group of picture size (GOPS), quantization (QP) and video packet payload size (PS). Two heuristic formulas are proposed to calculate approximately the I frame and inter-coded (P) frame sizes respectively. The video user capacity boundaries are further explored in the context of the delivered video quality constraints investigated in our previous work.
Annotated tin whisker bibliography and anthology

Whisker publications from 1947 through 2004 are summarized and referenced in this document. The bibliography listings are chronological (by publication year) while the anthology section arranges references by topic. Almost all of the referenced documents deal with tin whiskers, but there are few that deal with zinc whiskers.
Effect of surface treatments on microtensile bond strength of repaired aged silorane resin composite.

Clinical Relevance To obtain high repair bond strength on aged silorane composite, aluminum oxide sandblasting should be used as a surface treatment procedure. After aluminum oxide sandblasting, either silorane composite with the LS system adhesive or methacrylate composite with a methacrylate dental adhesive can be used.
Toward new-generation real-time object-oriented computing

In recent years, the market conditions for the real-time computer system (RTCS) technology and the hardware economy have been showing significant changes and thus this author feels that time is ripe for vigorously pursuing new paradigms in designing and structuring RTCSs. Pursuing the new paradigms is called the "new-generation (NG) or second-generation (2G) real-time computing" approach in this paper and this approach has the flavor of an idealistic perfectionist approach. The essence of the NG real-time computing is to realize real-time computing in a general manner not alienating the main-stream computing industry and yet allowing system engineers to confidently produce certifiable RTCSs for safety-critical applications. After a discussion on the new real-time computing paradigms, two examples of technical approaches formulated to realize the NG real-time computing, the RTO.k object structuring scheme and the DREAM kernel model, are reviewed in this paper. Issues for future research in this area are also discussed.
A neural network approach to robot localization using ultrasonic sensors

A regression-based approach is suggested for solving the task of robot localization using ultrasonic sensing. The regression is performed by using an artificial neural network approach, with the advantage that no explicit regression modeling is required. The use of entropy net methodology to implement neural regression is suggested. The advantage of the entropy net methodology is that it yields the structure of the network through a data-driven process that first obtains a tree structure for the problem. In addition to providing the network structure, the regression tree also provides an insight into the various relationships present in the problem. Details of the localization tasks and experimental results are provided. >
Reduced Susceptibility to Tebufenozide in Populations of the Sugarcane Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Louisiana

Susceptibility of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), to tebufenozide was measured using a feeding bioassay, and values obtained were compared with baselines generated before the use of this insecticide in Louisiana sugarcane, Saccharum spp. Results from our study suggest that susceptibility to tebufenozide is decreasing in field-collected sugarcane borers. Inflections in the log dosage-probit lines were detected for many of the field collections, indicating increased heterogeneity within these populations in response to tebufenozide. Where appropriate, probit transformation was used to estimate susceptibility, and significant differences (1.6–2.7-fold) were measured in LC50 values between some field-collected cohorts and the previously measured baseline. In addition, a discriminating concentration (0.5 ppm) was used to estimate resistance frequencies in cohorts for which probit transformation was not appropriate. Results from these tests suggest that frequencies of resistance were high (49% in one cohort) in populations from some locations. Lighter weight pupae of the survivors from one of the more resistant cohorts suggests that tebufenozide resistance mechanisms may have a biological cost in terms of ecological fitness at early stages of resistance development. As a result of continued resistance monitoring, alternation of management chemistry is expected to help preserve this valuable sugarcane integrated pest management tactic.
UPDATING THE NRC STANDARD REVIEW PLAN - CHAPTER 8 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

The Standard Review Plan (SRP) (Reference 2), provides guidance to the regulatory staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on performing their safety reviews of applications to construct or operate nuclear power plants, and applications to approve standard designs and sites for nuclear power plants. Chapter 8 of the SRP provides guidance related to the review of station electrical distribution systems described by the applicant in its Design Control Document (DCD) or Safety Analysis Report (SAR). As part of the 2006-2007 SAR update, all sections in this Chapter (8.1, 8.2, 8.3.1, 8.3.2, Appendix 8A, and Appendix 8B) were revised to incorporate new analyses, design approaches, and the lessons learned from the review of the AP 1000 design certification and to assure consistency with the draft Regulatory Guide DG-1145, ''Combined License Applications for Nuclear Power Plants (LWR Edition)''.
Sol-Gel Glass-Encapsulated Crown Ethers for the Separation and Preconcentration of Strontium from Acidic Media

Extraction chromatography employing an inert polymeric support impregnated with a crown ether (typically, 4,4’,(5’)-di-(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6)), either neat (i.e., undiluted) or as a solution in 1-octanol, has previously been shown to provide an effective means for the isolation of radiostrontium from a variety of sample types for subsequent determination. In this study, sol-gel chemistry has been employed to prepare sorbents in which DtBuCH18C6 is encapsulated in a silica matrix. The resultant materials have been evaluated for their ability to retain strontium ion and compared to a commercially available extraction chromatographic (EXC) resin. Certain of the new materials are shown to provide uptake efficiencies comparable to those obtained with the commercial resins, although unless a porogen is employed, the kinetics of strontium uptake are significantly slower. In contrast to conventional EXC materials, however, strontium uptake by DtBuCH18C6-loaded glasses does not increase in...
Chance-constrained probabilistic simple temporal problems

Scheduling under uncertainty is essential to many autonomous systems and logistics tasks. Probabilistic methods for solving temporal problems exist which quantify and attempt to minimize the probability of schedule failure. These methods are overly conservative, resulting in a loss in schedule utility. Chance constrained formalism address over-conservatism by imposing bounds on risk, while maximizing utility subject to these risk bounds. In this paper we present the probabilistic Simple Temporal Network (pSTN), a probabilistic formalism for representing temporal problems with bounded risk and a utility over event timing. We introduce a constrained optimisation algorithm for pSTNs that achieves compactness and efficiency through a problem encoding in terms of a parameterised STNU and its reformulation as a parameterised STN. We demonstrate through a car sharing application that our chance-constrained approach runs in the same time as the previous probabilistic approach, yields solutions with utility improvements of at least 5% over previous arts, while guaranteeing operation within the specified risk bound.
Temporal Trends and Hospital Variation in Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Use in Veterans Discharged With Heart Failure

Background Despite concerns about mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist therapies (MRAs) underuse and misuse in patients with heart failure, temporal and institutional variations of MRA prescription have not been reported. Methods and Results We studied a national sample of veterans hospitalized for heart failure between 2003 and 2009 and left ventricular ejection fraction P P 1.2 indicates significant practice‐level variation. Conclusions There was decreasing MRA use between 2003 and 2009 with wide institutional variation in MRA prescription, which suggests opportunities for improvement to stimulate MRA use in ideal candidates while further reducing use in those with contraindications.
Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes after Multi-Ligament Knee Reconstruction.

Objectives: Although dislocation of the knee is rare, the high-energy nature of most injuries often results in high morbidity and sometimes limb-threatening injury. Literature regarding knee dislocations tends to focus upon management. There is a lack of research investigating quality of life for patients having undergone multi-ligament knee reconstruction. The purpose of our study was to review quality of life and functional outcomes as well as examine preoperative variables that may affect these outcomes for patients having undergone multi-ligament knee reconstruction.
Development of Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Artificial and Citrus Root Substrates

Measurement of head capsule widths showed that larvae of D. abbreviatus generally have 10 or 11 instars when reared on artificial diet. The growth ratio for head capsules was j:reater during stadia for the I-5th instars and declined after the 6th. Head capsule widths and larval growth increased steadily for 71 d, at which time, all larvae were 7-10th instar. Larval growth reached a plateau at 114 d during stadia at 9-11th instar and remained unchanged to 188 d. The mean time for development of 1st to 7th instars was less compared with instars >7th. A frequency distribution based on head capsule size for greenhouse- and field-collected larvae fed citrus roots over time had similar stadia peaks to larvae reared on artificial diet in the laboratory. Weight of larvae with head capsule widths >1.0 mm increased slowly within stadia, whereas a greater increase in larval weight was observed for larvae with capsule widths >1.0 mm. Variation in larval weight for each stadium was also greater for larvae with head capsule widths >1.0 mm. Most larval weight gain occurred during stadia at 6-8th instar, suggesting higher food consumption at these developmental stages. Larval weight increased steadily within the initial 71 d but declined slowly thereafter. The mean weight for instars reared on artificial diet was greater than for either greenhouse- or field-collected larvae. The mean weight for larvae fed citrus roots in the greenhouse was smaller than for larvae feeding on roots in the field. On artificial diet, only a few larvae developed to pupae. Approximately 70% of the larvae pupated at the 10th instar, whereas others pupated at the 11th instar. The mean time ± SEM required for larval development to pupae, larvae to adult, and pupae to adult was 153.3 ±28.0 d, 158.3 ± 20.7 d, and 17 ± 3.8 d, respectively. Mean larval weight before pupation was 480.4 ± 102.5 mg, mean pupal weight 378.2 ± 66.1 mg, and mean adult weight 276.0 ± 51.6 mg. Larvae lost 20.3% of their live weight during metamorphosis to pupae and pupae lost 24.7% of their live weight in becoming adults.
Simulation of NoC power-gating

The static power consumption of networks-on-chip (NoCs) has been increasing across each technology generation. Power-gating is a very promising approach that can dramatically reduce NoC static power but may potentially cause substantial performance penalty. Significant research is needed to explore effective ways of applying power-gating to NoC routers. To enable further research advancement, cycle-accurate NoC power-gating simulation infrastructure is much needed. In this work, we identify key requirements for NoC power-gating simulation and discuss three important optimizations that can enable such simulators to handle router pipeline draining and handshaking correctly and efficiently. We also propose Agate, an effective NoC power-gating simulator that satisfies the key requirements and optimizations. It can be integrated into Gem5 for closed-loop, full-system simulation of NoC-based many-core computing systems. We demonstrate the capability of Agate by simulating and evaluating several power-gating schemes, including the recently proposed Power Punch power-gating scheme. Key requirements of NoC power-gating simulation regarding accuracy, efficiency, full-system compatibility, extensibility and flexibility are identified.Insights on the problems, solutions and optimizations generally applicable to NoC power-gating simulation platforms are provided.A cycle-accurate simulator that facilitates research on NoC router power-gating is proposed.
A Case of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in the Setting of Romiplostim Use (P02.226)

Objective: To describe a case of CVT in the setting of Romiplostim (Nplate®) use. Background Thrombopoietin receptor agonists are currently recommended in patients with chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Thromboembolic events have been reported in less than 5% of individuals treated with romiplostim, and usually in the presence of known risk factors for thrombosis. Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has been rarely reported in association with romiplostim use. Design/Methods: We report the case of a 40-year-old Caucasian woman with refractory ITP who had failed medical therapy as well as splenectomy and presented with headache and visual blurring. She was transferred to our institution due to concerns for idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Romiplostim was first administered in 2007 as part of a clinical trial and then weekly upon FDA approval in late 2008. Results: Her course while on therapy was complicated by wide fluctuations in her platelet count ranging from severe thrombocytopenia to thrombocytosis and was associated with clinically-significant bleeding and thromboembolic phenomena. A hypercoagulable work up had been unrevealing. On admission, magnetic resonance venogram (MRV) revealed extensive sagittal sinus and bilateral transverse sinus thrombosis. Her platelet count was 165 x109/L. She was initially managed with intravenous heparin, but given subsequent clinical worsening, mechanical thrombectomy and local alteplase administration was undertaken. Unfortunately, she developed refractory cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure. Conclusions: The association between romiplostim use and CVT is not well understood. Headache is the most commonly reported side-effect to romiplostim therapy, a fact that can mask the presence of CVT. We hypothesize that significant fluctuation in platelet count with rebound thrombocytosis while receiving thrombopoietin receptor agonists can increase the risk of thromboembolic events. Disclosure: Dr. George has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ahrens has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gomes has nothing to disclose.
Synthesis and structural characterization of ruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes containing platinum with a bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligand.

The reaction of Ru3(CO)12 with Pt(IMes)2 in benzene solvent at room temperature afforded the monoplatinum–triruthenium cluster complex Ru3Pt(IMes)2(CO)11, 1, in 21% yield and the trigonal bipyramidal cluster complex Ru3Pt2(IMes)2(CO)12, 2, in 26% yield. The reaction of Ru(CO)5 with Pt(IMes)2 in benzene solvent at 0 °C yielded two trinuclear cluster complexes, the monoplatinum–diruthenium Ru2Pt(IMes)(CO)9, 3, and the monoruthenium–diplatinum cluster complex RuPt2(IMes)2(CO)6, 4. The reaction of 2 with hydrogen at 80 °C afforded the tetrahydrido–tetraruthenium complex Ru4(IMes)(CO)11(μ-H)4, 5, and the dihydrido–diruthenium–diplatinum complex Ru2Pt2(IMes)2(CO)8(μ-H)2, 6. All six compounds were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.
Control of Walnut Scale in Walnuts, 2014

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of reduced-risk insecticides for control of WS. This study was conducted in a mature walnut orchard spaced with 9.1 m between trees and 9.1 m between rows near near Marysville, CA. Nine treatments were replicated four times in a RCB design. Each replicate was a single tree and there was an untreated buffer tree between each replicate. Materials were applied with a hand-held orchard sprayer operating at 1,723.7 kPa with a finished spray volume of 1,870.8 liters/ha. Treatments were applied on 8 Apr 2014 (post delayed dormant) …
Molecular Basis of Hemostatic and Thrombotic Diseases

Summary The coagulation system, composed of cells and soluble protein elements, leads to hemostasis (physiologic blood clotting) at the site of blood vessel injury. Thrombosis refers to the process of excessive clotting that results in adverse cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, thrombotic stroke, and venous thromboembolism. Hemostasis is normally regulated by antithrombotic mechanisms that serve to prevent excess clot formation. Disorders of hemostasis or thrombosis can occur when components of the coagulation system are missing or dysfunctional. Hemostatic defects may lead to bleeding via the following mechanisms: (1) Deficient thrombin generation on the proper cellular surface due to deficiencies of factor VIII or IX (hemophilia A and B) required for the propagation phase of thrombin generation, deficiencies of factors in the final common pathway of thrombin generation (factors II, V, and X), deficiency of factor XI (required for ‘over-drive’ of coagulation), defect in fibrin polymerization via either deficiencies or abnormalities of fibrinogen, or deficiency of Factor XIII (required for cross linking fibrin); (2) Defect in primary hemostasis due to Von Willebrand disease or platelet dysfunction or (3) Abnormal fibrinolysis. Defects in the anticoagulant system lead to thrombosis via the following mechanisms: (1) Unopposed or excess generation of thrombin via antithrombin deficiency or prothrombin G20210A mutation and (2) Insufficient inactivation of procoagulant proteins via activated protein C resistance (including that due to the factor V Leiden mutation) and deficiencies of Protein C or Protein S.
Processing of word-level stress by Mandarin-speaking second language learners of English

This study investigates whether second language learners’ processing of stress can be explained by the degree to which suprasegmental cues contribute to lexical identity in the native language. It focuses on Standard Mandarin, Taiwan Mandarin, and American English listeners’ processing of stress in English nonwords. In Mandarin, fundamental frequency contributes to lexical identity by signaling lexical tones, but only in Standard Mandarin does duration distinguish stressed–unstressed and stressed–stressed words. Participants completed sequence-recall tasks containing English disyllabic nonwords contrasting in stress. Experiment 1 used natural stimuli; Experiment 2 used resynthesized stimuli that isolated fundamental frequency and duration cues. Experiment 1 revealed no difference among the groups; in Experiment 2, Standard Mandarin listeners used duration more than Taiwan Mandarin listeners did. These results are interpreted within a cue-weighting theory of speech perception.
Persistent Laser-Induced Leakage in a 20 nm Charge-Pump Phase-Locked Loop (PLL)

A persistent loss-of-lock error was experimentally observed in a 20 nm charge-pump phase-locked loop (PLL). Through circuit modeling and simulation, the observed error was attributed to a non-recoverable off-state leakage increase resulted from two-photon absorption (TPA) laser-induced damage. The laser-induced damage is consistent with results from 28 nm bulk transistors.
Value chains in renewable and sustainable food systems

Globalization of food trade in agricultural commodities is in some senses the antithesis of key concepts of sustainable agriculture. Global trade in food products distances the depletion of resources and environmental impacts of food production from the economic and social processes that drive consumption and increases the global risks from introduction of species that become pests. However, both supply and market value chains have emerged as major sub-systems in the larger global agro-food trade system that exert enormous importance over the potential for change in agricultural production at the farm level. This special issue presents studies of seven value chains that exhibit the breadth of research about value chains and their potential contributions to sustainable agriculture. They address value chains at different scales and dealing in various products. These studies contribute to the body of knowledge with a focus on lesser researched regions and products. Most important, they demonstrate the potential for value chains to enhance agricultural sustainability for rural populations and reduce food insecurity and inequities.
Large Scale Field Inoculation and Scoring of Maize Southern Leaf Blight and Other Maize Foliar Fungal Diseases

Field-grown maize is inoculated with Cochliobolus heterostrophus, causal agent of southern leaf blight disease, by dropping sorghum grains infested with the fungus into the whorl of each maize plant at an early stage of growth. The initial lesions produce secondary inoculum that is dispersed by wind and rain, causing multiple cycles of infection that assures a high uniform disease pressure over the entire field by the time of disease scoring, which occurs after anthesis. This method, with slight modifications, can also be used to study the maize fungal diseases northern leaf blight (caused by Exserohilum turcicum) and gray leaf spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis).
DNA Markers and Plant Breeding Programs

Publisher Summary On a worldwide basis, plant breeding has been one of the most successful technologies developed in modern agriculture: its methods are opportunistic and adaptable to myriad production schemes, they require relatively inexpensive input, and their products have pervasive social benefits. DNA markers have become established as another tool for many phases of crop improvement, but the utility of this technology varies considerably with the application and context of the crop and culture. The world of DNA technology is changing rapidly, whereas plant breeding methodology has remained relatively stagnant. An awareness of genetic diversity and management of crop genetic resources have been important components of plant improvement programs. This chapter attempts to survey the status of selected applications of DNA fingerprinting for activities of common interest to plant breeding programs. There are a number of ways in which DNA markers could improve the management of plant genetic resources for the benefit of plant breeding programs and, ultimately, crop improvement. DNA markers have provided unprecedented opportunities for genetic resolution, and their use will expand, not as a panacea, but as a complement to the existing methods and their inherent limitations. The chapter presents data from several crops to illustrate the use of maps to reveal the features of crop genomes with implications for crop improvement. .
Preference Aware Travel Route Recommendation with Temporal Influence

There have been vast advances and rapid growth in Location based social networking (LBSN) services in recent years. Travel route recommendation is one of the most important applications in the LBSN services. Travel route recommendation provides users a sequence of POIs (Point of Interests) as a route to visit. In this paper, we propose to recommend time-aware and preference-aware travel routes consisting of a sequence of POI locations with corresponding time information. It helps users not only to explore interesting locations in a new city, but also it will help to plan the entire trip with those locations with the approximated time information under specific time constraints. First, we find the interesting POI locations that considers the following factors: User's categorical preferences, temporal activities and popularity of location. Then, we propose an efficient solution to generate travel routes with those locations including time to visit each location. These travel routes will inform users where to visit and when to visit. We evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of our solution on a real life LBSN dataset.
Managerial Leadership and Motivation in an International Context

Effective managers lead and motivate their followers to perform their jobs successfully. The ability of a manager to lead and motivate affects his/her ability to manage. Organizational performance is based on the collective contribution of all members. Organizations could suffer without an effective leader to increase and combine these contributions. To attain an organization’s goals, managers must be able to guide and direct its members to perform to the best of their abilities.
Session-Based Path Prediction by Combining Local and Global Content Preferences

Session-based future page prediction is important for online web experiences to understand user behavior, pre-fetching future content, and for creating future experiences for users. While webpages visited by the user in the current session capture the users’ local preferences, in this work, we show how the global content preferences at the given instant can assist in this task. We present DRS-LaG, a Deep Reinforcement Learning System, based on Local and Global preferences. We capture these global content preferences by tracking a key analytics KPI, the number of views. The problem is formulated using an agent which predicts the next page to be visited by the user, based on the historic webpage content and analytics. In an offline setting, we show how the model can be used for predicting the next webpage that the user visits. The online evaluation shows how this framework can be deployed on a website for dynamic adaptation of web experiences, based on both local and global preferences.
Avidin-biotin technology to synthesize multi-arm nano-construct for drug delivery

Here we describe methods for synthesizing a cationic, multi-arm Avidin (mAv) nano-construct that has a wide range of applications in drug delivery and imaging of negatively charged tissues. We use Avidin-biotin technology that gives the flexibility for conjugating biotinylated Dexamethasone to mAv by simple mixing at room temperature. We also describe methods to control hydrolysis rates of ester linkers to enable sustained (and tunable) drug release rates in therapeutic doses.•Multi-arm structure provides multiple sites for covalent conjugation of drugs•Use of Avidin-biotin reaction gives multi-arm nano-construct a modular design enabling conjugation and delivery of similar sized biotinylated drugs.
Fracture of the Neck of a Modern Cementless, Titanium Femoral Stem

Intraprosthetic fracture of a femoral component is a rare but devastating complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). We present the case of a 68-year-old man who presented with acute hip pain approximately 8 years after a left THA with a modern cementless, titanium femoral component. Radiographs revealed a fracture of the midportion of the neck of the stem, below the level of the trunnion. The patient underwent an isolated 1-component revision THA with a modular exchange. To our knowledge, this is the only reported case of a catastrophic failure fracture of this particular prosthesis.
Acceptability and feasibility of recruiting women to collect a self-administered vaginal swab at a pharmacy clinic for sexually transmissible infection screening

Willingness to self-collect vaginal swabs at a pharmacy clinic is of interest as a venue to increase sexually transmissible infections (STIs) screening for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomonas. Women self-collected vaginal swabs at the pharmacy, completed questionnaires and received STI results within 2 h. Women with STIs were offered free treatment. A total of 313 of 777 (40.3%) women consented and prevalence for any STI was 3.9%. Questionnaires demonstrated acceptability for self-collection at the pharmacy, with 63% (95% CI 57.3–68) and 32.3% (95% CI 27.4–37.8) indicating they ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that they felt comfortable with pharmacy collection, respectively. Self-collected vaginal swabs for STI testing for women who were at a pharmacy were feasible and acceptable to women.
Effects of Email Performance Feedback on Teachers’ Use of Play Expansions

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of email-delivered performance feedback to teachers working in inclusive early childhood classrooms. A concurrent multiple probe across-pa...
Strained Polymer Thermal Conductivity Enhancement Counteracted by Additional Off-Axis Strain

Thin-film (5–20 μm) polymer dielectrics are a critical component in high energy density capacitors. Understanding thermal transport in these materials is critical to addressing thermally enabled di...
Stochastic modeling of the Fermi/LAT γ-ray blazar variability

We study the γ-ray variability of 13 blazars observed with the Fermi/Large Area Telescope (LAT). These blazars have the most complete light curves collected during the first four years of the Fermi sky survey. We model them with the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) process or a mixture of the OU processes. The OU process has power spectral density (PSD) proportional to 1/f {sup α} with α changing at a characteristic timescale, τ{sub 0}, from 0 (τ >> τ{sub 0}) to 2 (τ << τ{sub 0}). The PSD of the mixed OU process has two characteristic timescales and an additional intermediate region with 0 < α < 2. We show that the OU model provides a good description of the Fermi/LAT light curves of three blazars in our sample. For the first time, we constrain a characteristic γ-ray timescale of variability in two BL Lac sources, 3C 66A and PKS 2155-304 (τ{sub 0} ≅ 25 days and τ{sub 0} ≅ 43 days, respectively, in the observer's frame), which are longer than the soft X-ray timescales detected in blazars and Seyfert galaxies. We find that the mixed OU process approximates the light curves of the remaining 10 blazars better than the OU process. Wemore » derive limits on their long and short characteristic timescales, and infer that their Fermi/LAT PSD resemble power-law functions. We constrain the PSD slopes for all but one source in the sample. We find hints for sub-hour Fermi/LAT variability in four flat spectrum radio quasars. We discuss the implications of our results for theoretical models of blazar variability.« less
Evaluation of Machine Learning Architectures in Healthcare

Machine Learning (ML) is now influencing every part of the industry. From detecting objects from an image to recommending different items while doing online shopping based on someone's recent browsing history. Now, the ML is touching the healthcare sector. It is now an area of interest for more doctors and scientists to implement different techniques and harvest the power of ML. Over the past few years, there is a race to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ML in this sector. Multiple scholars have presented their approach. Currently, the proposed models are nowhere near the actual implementation of these models in the real world. However, these models are laying down the path to do so in the future. Here is a review of some of the papers discussing different techniques for targeting various diseases using AI/ML. Each paper introduces a method developed based on the separate datasets created from organically collected data.
Analysis of American Medical Students’ Knowledge of Physical Activity Recommendations

Introduction The benefits of physical activity (PA) are widely recognized; American medical schools have begun to emphasize PA, but the effectiveness of these changes is unclear. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of medical students enrolled in US osteopathic and allopathic medical schools between August 2019 and May 2020. All participants completed an electronic survey about PA instruction across the 4 years of medical school. Objective information including hours and format of PA instruction was collected. Subjectively, participants reported their relative comfort discussing various aspects of PA education with patients. Results A total of 480 medical students completed the survey, representing 82 of the 192 US medical schools (69 allopathic, 13 osteopathic). Students are more comfortable discussing overall exercise benefits than exercise testing, exercise prescription, and exercise physiology (P<.0001). They also report more exposure to general PA guidelines related to overall PA duration than strength training (P<.0001). Students at allopathic and osteopathic schools reported similar outcomes regarding PA education, while students with class sizes under 200 reported increased familiarity with National Physical Activity Guidelines regarding PA duration (P<.0001) and strength training (P=.01). Conclusion Despite recent efforts to improve PA education in medical school, students feel unprepared to apply their knowledge in a clinical setting and remain unaware of national PA guidelines. Future studies should determine how to practically integrate PA education longitudinally into curricula to change PA education from an afterthought to an essential component of medical school education.
A Neural Lyapunov Approach to Transient Stability Assessment of Power Electronics-interfaced Networked Microgrids

This paper proposes a novel Neural Lyapunov method-based transient stability assessment framework for power electronics-interfaced networked microgrids. The assessment framework aims to determine the large-signal stability of the networked microgrids and to characterize the disturbances that can be tolerated by the networked microgrids. The challenge of such assessment is how to construct a behavior-summary function for the nonlinear networked microgrids. By leveraging strong representation power of neural network, the behavior-summary function, i.e., a Neural Lyapunov function, is learned in the state space. A stability region is estimated based on the learned Neural Lyapunov function, and it is used for characterizing disturbances that the networked microgrids can tolerate. The proposed method is tested and validated in a grid-connected microgrid, three networked microgrids with mixed interface dynamics, and the IEEE 123-node feeder. Case studies suggest that the proposed method can address networked microgrids with heterogeneous interface dynamics, and in comparison with conventional methods that are based on quadratic Lyapunov functions, it can characterize the stability regions with much less conservativeness.
A linear second-order in time unconditionally energy stable finite element scheme for a Cahn–Hilliard phase-field model for two-phase incompressible flow of variable densities

Abstract We propose a novel second-order BDF time stepping method of variable time step sizes combined with a classical residual-based stabilized finite element spatial discretization using the Streameline-Upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG)/pressure stabilization Petrov–Galerkin (PSPG)/grad-div stabilization for solving the phase–field model for two-phase incompressible flow of different densities and viscosities in the advection dominated regime . In the case of uniform time step size and without extra stabilization, the scheme is shown to satisfy a discrete energy law. Benchmark test of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability under high Reynolds number and Peclect number demonstrates that the scheme captures details of the instability comparable to results in the literature by schemes based on sharp-interface models.
Structural Variants Are a Major Component of the Missing Heritability of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract The heritability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), based on 680,000 families and five countries, is estimated to be nearly 80%, yet we lack genetic markers that adequately explain it. It is increasingly clear that genomic structural variants (SVs) are a major component of the “missing heritability” for many complex phenotypes. Here we use a novel method to identify SVs based on non-Mendelian inheritance patterns in pedigrees using parent-child genotypes from ASD families and demonstrate that the genes that the ASD-specific SVs overlap recapitulate the known molecular biology of ASD including dendritic spinogenesis, axon guidance, and chromatin modification. We further define fine-grained biological pathways that strongly implicate aberrant early development of the cerebellum. Importantly, using these previously excluded variants, we identify the ACMSD gene in the kynurenine pathway as significantly associated with non-verbal cases of ASD and we then use an explainable artificial intelligence approach to define subgroups for future diagnosis and deployment of personalized medicine.
Netrins and receptors control Drosophila optic lobe organization and transmedullary neuron axon targeting

During development, integration of temporal patterning and spatial patterning of neural progenitors as well as Notch-dependent binary fate choice between sister neurons contribute to generation of neural diversity. How these upstream neural fate specification programs regulate downstream effector genes to control axon targeting and neuropil assembly remains less well-understood. Here we show that Notch-dependent binary fate choice in Drosophila medulla neurons regulates the expression of Netrin, and that Netrin pathway controls axon guidance of transmedullary (Tm) neurons and contributes to the organization of optic lobe neuropils. Netrins are enriched in the lobula where Tm axons target, and the attractive receptor Frazzled is expressed broadly in medulla neurons, while the repulsive receptor Unc-5 is excluded from Tm neurons and this is necessary for their correct targeting to the lobula. Frazzled is required collectively in a group of early-born Tm neurons to establish the inner optic chiasm (IOC) through which Tm axons target lobula. In addition, Frazzled acts in the layer-specific targeting step of Tm3 and Tm4 cell-autonomously, and is also required for the formation of the lobula branch of TmY3. Moreover, we show that the diffusibility of Netrins is necessary for Netrin enrichment in the lobula, the IOC formation and layer-specific targeting of Tm3 and Tm4. Netrin enrichment in the lobula is promoted by Frazzled expressed in Tm neurons, while Unc-5 appears to have an opposite role in Netrin distribution. Furthermore, we show that Netrin B is expressed in the Notch-on hemilineage of medulla neurons including most Tm and TmY neurons that target lobula, and loss of Su(H) abolished NetB expression in the medulla. Without medulla-originated NetB, Tm axons from late-born medulla columns cannot join the IOC. Therefore, the Notch-dependent binary fate choice regulates the assembly of the optic lobe neuropils by controlling the expression of Netrin.
The Primacy of Political Actors in Accommodation of Religion

This article focuses on the relationship between freedom of religion and the norm against non-establishment of religion in the context of government efforts to accommodate religious practices. It analyzes First Amendment doctrine in this area, and concludes that the Supreme Court has consistently been generous in permitting accommodations of religion when they are the product of judicial decisions; in other words, at least until recently the Court has been open to mandatory accommodations so long as they are ordered by judges. By contrast, the Court has long been suspicious of - and far from generous in permitting - accommodations as the result of the political process. The article argues that the Court`s approach has gotten things backwards, and that political actors should be given primacy in drawing the community`s balance between accommodation and non-preferential treatment of religious practices.
Pedagogy of second order homogeneous differential equations: A holistic approach using a Matlab workbook

A Matlab workbook is developed to facilitate a better understanding of the multiple approaches available to solve homogeneous second order differential equations with constant coefficients. With minimal input consisting of the coefficients and initial conditions, the workbook displays all aspects of the differential equation such the phase plane plot, state of the equilibrium, solutions based on roots of the characteristic equation, Laplace transforms and Runge-Kutta methods. The workbook format is such that it displays results as if the instructor is solving the differential equation on a blackboard with definitions, explanations, solution of unknown constants and comparison of solutions from multiple approaches. Several examples are provided which demonstrate the potential of the workbook in enhancing the pedagogy by letting instructors and students observe all aspects, thereby providing a holistic approach. The workbook (with examples and the Matlab script as a .p file) is available to all from the author's university website. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 9999:1–8,2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21677
Isomerization studies—I

Abstract The transformation of linear saturated carboxylic acid chlorides (i.e., stearoyl chloride) into mixtures of isomeric, highly branched acids, each having the same molecular weight as the starting material, was investigated. The fatty acid backbone was modified in either a two or three step process generally with excellent overall yield. In both procedures, the first step was catalytic decarbonylation of the acid chloride, which yielded a hydrocarbon monoene mixture having one less carbon atom than the starting acid. The monoene mixtures were reconverted to the branched acid derivatives by either the Koch reaction or the hydroformylation oxidative procedure. Products were designated as either dior trisubstituted carboxylic acids, on the basis of mass spectroscopic and GLC data.
Characterization of Biological Systems via Relaxometric and Diffusimetric NMR

NMR techniques have seen widespread use in the characterization of biological systems. Due to the different environments experienced by spins, the T1 and T2 relaxation behavior can differ significantly. Furthermore, the local environment can be altered by the introduction of paramagnetic agents that alter the bulk magnetic susceptibility of a sample, causing drastic changes in the relaxation behavior of spins. For spins situated in restricted spaces, the diffusion characteristics as well as the relaxation properties of these spins can differ from system to system.Normally, the relaxation (T1 and T2) and diffusion measurements are performed independently and system parameters are determined solely on the basis of the independent behavior of the relaxation or diffusion. In the following experiments, these parameters (T1, T2, and apparent diffusion coefficient) were used to characterize biological systems. Furthermore, multi-dimensional analysis was performed on a system where combined relaxometry and diffusimetry were used to characterize the system as a function of both parameters.
Simultaneous tuning and signal processing in integrated continuous-time filters: the correlated turning loop

A new tuning loop configuration for integrated continuous-time filters, the correlated tuning loop (CTL), is presented. This configuration derives tuning signals by calculating autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions of the filter input and output signals. The CTL provides a major improvement over other onchip filter tuning schemes: it allows simultaneous signal processing within, and tuning of, a given filter. Analytical expressions for the tuning voltages are given. Simulated results show that the resonance frequency of a second-order bandpass filter can be tuned to its ideal value, even when the input signal consists of broadband noise. >