cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A 5-bit 10GS/s 65nm flash ADC with feedthrough cancellation track-and-hold circuit

A 10GSamples/second (GS/s) 5-b flash analog-todigital converter (ADC) that includes a feedthrough cancellation track and hold amplifier (THA) is presented. The proposed 10GS/s switched source follower (SSF) THA removes the input feedthrough error during the hold mode, which dramatically improves the settling behavior than previous designs. The proposed track and hold circuit achieves a total harmonic distortion (THD) of −37.3dBc at 10GS/s and an input frequency of 4GHz, which is 4.5dBc lower than the THD of traditional SSF THAs. The THA core only consumes 26mW and this is the minimum power consumption of THA above 10GS/s ever reported. In addition, a proposed comparator array to address the overdrive recovery issue is implemented for very high speed ADC. A reference ladder with source followers is applied to reduce the pre-amplifier feedthrough distortion by 10 times. This design is implemented in IBM 65nm CMOS technology with 1.4V power supply, 1.2V peak-to-peak differential input amplitude, and 1V peak-to-peak clock swing.
Ink Annotations and their Anchoring in Heterogeneous Digital Documents

The analysis, especially the anchoring, of free-form ink annotations on mixed-content digital documents is more difficult than that of documents containing only text. In this paper, first, we present our work on analyzing the common user scenarios of ink annotations and their anchoring in such an environment, and we also present a unified way to define and analyze the anchoring of different types of annotations. Then we describe how our ink parsing system integrates the anchoring of and annotation with the recognition of its type. The method can be used in a real-time heterogeneous document analysis system.
Complex nature of malaria parasite hemoglobin degradation

Hemoglobin degradation is a massive catabolic process that is essential for the intraerythrocytic development of malaria parasites (1, 2). This process takes place in an acidic food vacuole and is mediated by the concerted action of nearly a dozen proteases (3). The by-product of this degradation, free heme, is sequestered in a crystalline lattice called hemozoin (Fig. 1). The process of hemozoin formation has remained somewhat mysterious over the years. Under highly acidic conditions and high temperatures, hemozoin will form spontaneously (4). Using more physiological conditions, various proteins and lipids have been shown to accelerate the formation of hemozoin from heme (5⇓–7). Chugh et al. have now advanced our understanding by linking the degradation and biomineralization processes (8). The authors show that there is a complex comprising many of the proteases and heme detoxification protein (HDP), the most potent of the hemozoin-forming …
Regression from prediabetes to normal glucose regulation is associated with reduction in cardiovascular risk: results from the Diabetes Prevention Program outcomes study.

OBJECTIVE Restoration of normal glucose regulation (NGR) in people with prediabetes significantly decreases the risk of future diabetes. We sought to examine whether regression to NGR is also associated with a long-term decrease in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Framingham (2008) score (as an estimate of the global 10-year CVD risk) and individual CVD risk factors were calculated annually for the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study years 1–10 among those patients who returned to NGR at least once during the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) compared with those who remained with prediabetes or those in whom diabetes developed during DPP ( N = 2,775). RESULTS The Framingham scores by glycemic exposure did not differ among the treatment groups; therefore, pooled estimates were stratified by glycemic status and were adjusted for differences in risk factors at DPP baseline and in the treatment arm. During 10 years of follow-up, the mean Framingham 10-year CVD risk scores were highest in the prediabetes group (16.2%), intermediate in the NGR group (15.5%), and 14.4% in people with diabetes (all pairwise comparisons P < 0.05), but scores decreased over time for those people with prediabetes (18.6% in year 1 vs. 15.9% in year 10, P < 0.01). The lower score in the diabetes group versus other groups, a declining score in the prediabetes group, and favorable changes in each individual risk factor in all groups were explained, in part, by higher or increasing medication use for lipids and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS Prediabetes represents a high-risk state for CVD. Restoration of NGR and/or medical treatment of CVD risk factors can significantly reduce the estimated CVD risk in people with prediabetes.
Status of ozone measurements at New York City

Since the beginning of 1941 measurements of the amount of ozone in the atmosphere have been made almost daily at New York University. The instrument used is a photoelectric spectrophotometer designed and calibrated by Dr. G. M. B. Dobson [see 1 of ”References“ at end of paper[ in England, and obtained by means of a generous grant made by the Research Corporation of New York City for the purpose. The amount of ozone in the atmosphere is determined by comparing absorption by the atmosphere of radiation from the Sun of wave-lengths 3110 A and 3300 A. The shorter wave-length is more strongly absorbed by ozone and thus from measurements of the relative intensities of these wave-lengths received at the Earth's surface the amount of ozone in unit vertical column of the atmosphere may be calculated. This is usually expressed in centimeters of ozone gas at normal temperature and pressure. In the instrument provision has also been made for measurement of the intensity of a third wave-length of 4450 A which, in connection with the other wave-lengths, permits measurements using light from the cloudy zenith-sky, an attribute which is quite valuable during periods of cloudy weather.
Sequential decoding based on an error criterion

An analysis of sequential decoding is presented that is based on the requirement that a set probability error P/sub e/ be achieved. The error criterion implies a bounded tree or trellis search region: the shape of this is calculated for the case of a binary symmetric channel with crossover probability P and random tree codes of rate R. Since the search region is finite at all combinations of p and R below capacity, there is no cutoff rate phenomenon for any P/sub e/>0. The decoder delay (search depth), the path storage size, and the number of algorithm steps for several tree search methods are calculated. These include searches without backtracking and backtracking searches that are depth- and metric-first. The search depth of the non-backtracking decoders satisfies the Gallager reliability exponent for block codes. In average paths searched, the backtracking decoders are much more efficient, but all types require the same peak storage allocation. Comparisons are made to well-known algorithms. >
Uncommon Doppler Echocardiographic Findings of Severe Pulmonic Insufficiency

Background Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography are standard methods to assess the severity of pulmonic insufficiency (PI). However, methods to define severity of PI – including the current published guidelines – remain qualitative and unvalidated. Methods We reviewed all the electronic reports of echocardiographic studies performed at our institution since the publication of the 2003 American Society of Echocardiography guidelines on native valvular regurgitation. There were 8,279 instances of severe valvular insufficiency among 100,167 echocardiographic studies (approximately 90% transthoracic and 10% transesophageal). We also searched for uncommon findings of severe PI. Results Of all forms of severe valvular insufficiency, PI was least common. There were 135 instances of severe PI as defined by the existing guidelines; they accounted for only 1.6% of all instances of severe valvular insufficiency. Premature closure of the tricuspid valve was seen in 6.6%, holodiastolic flow reversal in 3.7%, premature opening of the pulmonic valve in 1.5%, PI with laminar retrograde flow in 1.5%, very low peak velocity of the PI jet in 1.5% of patients with severe PI. Conclusions The published criteria do not include in detail the subtle signs of severe PI such as (1) holodiastolic flow reversal in the pulmonary artery, (2) PI with laminar retrograde flow, (3) premature opening of the pulmonic valve, (4) very low peak velocity of the PI jet, and (5) premature closure of the tricuspid valve. These signs should be considered in the grading of PI severity in addition to the existing guidelines criteria.
Micro-scale fluid and odorant transport to antennules of the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii.

A numerical model was developed to determine advective–diffusive transport of odorant molecules to olfactory appendages of the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. We tested the extent of molecule transport to the surfaces of aesthetasc sensilla during an antennule flick and the degree of odorant exchange during subsequent flicks. During the rapid downstroke of a flick, odorant molecules are advected between adjacent aesthetascs, while during the slower return stroke, these odorants are trapped between the sensilla and molecular diffusion occurs over a sufficient time period to transport odorants to aesthetasc surfaces. During subsequent flicks, up to 97.6 % of these odorants are replaced with new odorant molecules. The concentration of molecules captured along aesthetasc surfaces was found to increase with increased gap spacing between aesthetascs, flick speed, and distance from the proximal end of the aesthetasc, but these changes in morphology and flicking kinematics reduce the animal’s ability to take discrete samples of the odorant-laden fluid environment with each flick. Results suggest that antennule flicking allows discrete sampling of the time- and space-varying odorant signal, and high concentration odorant filaments can be distinguished from more diffuse, low concentration filaments through changes in both the timing and the encounter rate of odorant molecules to aesthetasc surfaces.
A distributed formation of orthogonal convex polygons in mesh-connected multicomputer

The rectangular faulty block model is the most commonly used fault model in designing a fault-tolerant and deadlock-free routing algorithm in mesh-connected multicomputers. The convexity of a rectangle facilitates simple and efficient ways to route messages around fault regions using relatively few virtual channels to avoid deadlock. However, such a faulty block may include many nonfaulty nodes which are disabled, i.e. they are not involved in the routing process. Therefore, it is important to define a fault region that is convex, and at the same time, to include a minimum number of nonfaulty nodes. In this paper we propose a simple and efficient distributed algorithm that can quickly construct a set of special convex polygons, called orthogonal convex polygons, from a given set of rectangular faulty blocks in a 2-D mesh (or 2-D torus). The formation of orthogonal convex polygons is done through a labeling scheme based on iterative message exchanges among neighboring nodes.
Mode of delivery in women with class III obesity: planned cesarean compared with induction of labor

Objective To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between planned cesarean delivery and induction of labor in women with class III obesity (body mass index ≥40 kg/m 2 ). Study Design In this retrospective cohort study, we identified all women with a body mass index ≥40 kg/m 2 who delivered a singleton at our institution from January 2007 to February 2013 via planned cesarean or induction of labor (regardless of eventual delivery route) at 37-41 weeks. Patients in spontaneous labor were excluded. The primary outcome was a composite of maternal morbidity including death as well as operative, infection, and thromboembolic complications. The secondary outcome was a neonatal morbidity composite. Additional outcomes included individual components of the composites. Student t , χ 2 , and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. To calculate adjusted odds ratios, covariates were analyzed via multivariable logistic regression. Results There are 661 mother-infant pairs that met enrollment criteria—399 inductions and 262 cesareans. Groups were similar in terms of prepregnancy weight, pregnancy weight gain, and delivery body mass index. Of the 399 inductions, 258 had cervical ripening (64.7%) and 163 (40.9%) had a cesarean delivery. After multivariable adjustments, there was no significant difference in the maternal morbidity composite (adjusted odds ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.55–1.77) or in the neonatal morbidity composite (adjusted odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–1.77) between the induction and cesarean groups. Conclusion In term pregnant women with class III obesity, planned cesarean does not appear to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity compared with induction of labor.
918 SERUM ANTIBODY DECLINE IN SPLENECTOHIZED CHILDREN AFTER PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION

Splenectomized children are at increased risk of overwhelming pneumococcemia. Polyvalent pneumococcal vaccines may prevent these life-threatening infections since these patients have a normal antibody response to pneumococcal vaccination (Giebink, et al, JID 141:404, 1980). To determine the persistence of antibody elevation, serum was obtained from 44 splenectomized children 6 and 12 months after vaccination; 28 children had their spleens removed for traumatic splenic laceration, 11 for hereditary spherocytosis and 5 for Hodgkin's disease staging. Four weeks after vaccination geometric mean antibody concentrations, measured by radioimmunoassay against 12 antigens contained in the vaccine, were 833, 1,113 and 477 ng antibody N/ml for the traumatic, spherocytosis and Hodgkin's patients, respectively. Antibody levels after vaccination of 12 age-matched normal children and 6 children with hereditary spherocytosis with intact spleens were 492 and 954 ng/ml, respectively. Rates of antibody decline in the splenectomized patients were linear, and one year after vaccination were 68.4%, 70.6% and 76.0% of the peak post-vaccination antibody concentration in the three patient groups. None of the traumatic or spherocytosis patients had antibody levels less than 200 ng/ml one year after vaccination. Two Hodgkin's patients had levels below 200 ng/ml. Since protective antibody levels are not known, periodic re-vaccination may be necessary in high-risk patients.
Screen for Inducers of Autolysis in Bacillus subtilis

We describe a primary high-throughput screen that uses the reporter strain Bacillus subtilis BAU-102 to identify antibiotics that induce autolysis. The screen measures autolysis in terms of the incipient release of recombinant Escherichia coli β-galactosidase (β-Gal) from the periplasmic space of B. subtilis owing to a loss of integrity of the cell wall. In a model screen, β-Gal release values for 79 members of a library consisting of antibiotics and related compounds were collected, sorted, and plotted as a function of rank. Inducers of autolysis, which included compounds that inhibit cell wall synthesis and those that do not, were readily differentiated from other members of the library on the basis of their elevated β-galactosidase release responses. The results of the BAU-102 model screen called attention to the antibacterial activity of drugs normally used in other applications, describable as “repurposed.” Thus, the screen independently identified the potential antibacterial properties of the antifungal drug miconazole and of the antileishmaniasis drug miltefosine. Daptomycin-induced release of β-Gal was also detected and occurred in a Ca2+-dependent manner.
the culture of race in middle‐class Kingston, Jamaica

This contribution to the understanding of race as a cultural phenomenon in the Caribbean analyzes the reality created by a racial terminology that has bewildered observers by its many terms and their uses. The analysis shows that race symbolizes mythological time and thereby anchors in the past a belief in the fragmented nature of society.
Global Stage-Specific Gene Regulation during the Developmental Cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis

Distinct morphological changes associated with the complex development cycle of the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis have been historically well characterized by microscopy. A number of temporally regulated genes have been characterized previously, suggesting that the chlamydial developmental cycle is regulated at the transcriptional level. This hypothesis was tested by microarray analysis in which the entire C. trachomatis genome was analyzed, providing a comprehensive assessment of global gene regulation throughout the chlamydial developmental cycle. Seven temporally cohesive gene clusters were identified, with 22% (189 genes) of the genome differentially expressed during the developmental cycle. The correlation of these gene clusters with hallmark morphological events of the chlamydial developmental cycle suggests three global stage-specific networks of gene regulation.
Evidence for Existence of a Serotonin N-Acetyltransferase Inactivating Substance in Rat Pineal Gland

This study provides evidence for the existence of an inactivating substance in pineal glands, which may be responsible for the rapid inactivation of serotonin N-acetyltransferase seen in vivo and in vitro. This serotonin N-acetyltransferase inactivating substance enhances the thermal inactivation of the norepinephrine-stimulated serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity in rat pineal homogenate. Inactivation of serotonin N-acetyltransferase by the inactivating substance and the thermal inactivation of serotonin N-acetyltransferase at 37C exhibit the following identical properties. Both processes affect serotonin N-acetyltransferase without effect on other melatonin-related enzymes; can be blocked by addition of 0.5 mM [3H] acetyl CoA, but not coenzyme A in the preincubation mixture; and were unaffected by 0.1 M NaF or 4 mM β-mercaptoethanol. These data are interpreted to suggest that protein dephosphorylation and disulfide exchange mechanisms are not involved in either inactivation processes. Unlike serotoni...
High resolution 18F-FDG small joint positron emission mammography arthroPET imaging

534 Objectives Positron emission mammography (PEM) devices are potentially well-suited to imaging small synovial joints. 18-FDG WBPET-CT depicts hypermetabolism in active joint inflammation in arthritides. Digital radiography, widely used for small joint imaging, mostly detects established disease. We evaluated the performance of PEM hand imaging in depicting and quantifying hand osteoarthritis, correlating with clinical signs, x-rays and WB-PETCT. Methods 14 adult participants (64.7 ± 12.8 yrs;7F,7M) referred for FDG WBPETCT were evaluated as part of IRB approved pilot study. Participants completed a questionnaire of clinical symptoms. Standardized 3 view hand x-rays were scored (blinded to PET) for severity of osteoarthritis using a modified OARSI scoring method. 32 hand joints were assessed in each patient. Dedicated hand PETCTs over 2 bed positions, and 10 minute PEM imaging were done for each hand after WBPETCT. Region based quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed. Total joint glycolytic scores using were performed for PETCT. The total maximum uptake value on PEM was calculated for each joint. T-test and Pearson’s correlation were calculated. Results 8 participants had clinical or radiographic evidence of arthritis (mean age 73, 5 females). Mean total joint x-ray score (XRJ), PEM joint score (PMJ), PETCT joint score (PTJ) were 30.9±31.3 (median 22.5), 20.8±4.2 and 22.8±5.38 respectively. The OA group had higher XRJ compared to the control group, (p = .03). A positive correlation was seen between the XRJ/PMJ, XRJ/PTJ, and PMJ/PTJ (r= 0.73, 0.67, and 0.86; with p= 0.039, 0.07 and 0.007 respectively. Conclusions High resolution FDG PEM hand arthroPET imaging is feasible, and performs at least as well as dedicated PET-CT. There is a high correlation between the PEM and radiographic total joint scores in symptomatic OA patients but results are not identical. The role of PEM in metabolic assessment and evaluating treatment response in inflammatory small joint disease warrants further exploration
Imponderables of the Holocaust

Recent literature, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands, has provided insights into some of the most perplexing imponderables of the Nazi annihilation of the Jews. These are, first, the development of consensus among the various German elites for the purposes of the Final Solution; second, an incremental kind of German decision making which led to the efficiently implemented mass annihilation of the Jews; and third, the passive mood toward the disasters befalling the Jews on the part of the entire universe of bystanders. (In the case of the Netherlands, this resulted, in spite of an unusually low degree of anti-Semitism, in an unusually high degree of Jewish victimization—in contrast to the so-called Danish reversal.) Fourth, because of the unimaginable predicament experienced by the victims and their “governments,” the Jewish Councils (such as the Amsterdam Joodsche Raad), they never had a chance to develop workable responses to such a catastrophe.
Abstract C32: Proteome analysis of pancreatic cancer tissue for identification of novel biomarkers

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th largest cancer in US with mortality rate almost equal to incidence. The tumor usually presents at a late stage ruling out any curative surgery. Focus of pancreatic cancer research currently is mainly on early diagnosis and development of novel cancer therapeutics. Identifying sensitive, specific and reliable surrogate markers by genomic and proteomic methods 1 in cancer tissue, blood or other bodily secretions can prove promising to reach this goal. We are applying standard proteomic techniques like gel electrophoresis and MS (mass spectrometry) with a goal to identify potential biomarkers and new drug targets for the design and development of effective therapeutics in serum and pancreatic tissue samples. Pancreatic cytosolic and membrane proteins were extracted from the 4 pairs of cancerous and adjacent normal tissue. Cytosolic protein fractions were run on PF‐2D, traditional 1D and 2D SDS‐PAGE. LC/MS/MS was used to identify differently expressed banding patterns. Multiple proteins were found to be either up (24) or downregulated (11). Compared to cytosolic proteins membrane proteins are priced for its accessibility on tumor tissue making these ideal for diagnosis and therapeutics. Isolating only plasma membrane proteins is very challenging due to low extraction efficiency, extremely low abundancy and poor solubility. Total cellular membrane protein was extracted and analyzed by SDS‐PAGE and LC/MS/MS, and significant banding pattern differences were observed with 35 upregulated and 14 downregulated proteins with annexin 1, annexin A2 and annexin 5, tumor rejection antigen 1, prolyl 4‐hydroxylase, calreticulin precursor, heat shock 70kDa protein 5, chaperonin and alpha 2 actin being the most significantly overexpressed. Findings were confirmed by probing western blots with anti‐annexin 1 and 2 antibodies. Our findings suggest these differently expressed proteins can be explored as potential biomarkers after further validation. In contrast, analysis of serum samples by same techniques was futile due to exceedingly low abundance of protein and peptide fraction containing potential biomarkers due to masking by albumin and globulins as well as enzymatic degradation. At present we are continuing the validation of our preliminary findings on larger sample size by using differential protein profiling technologies, immunohistochemistry and quantitative proteomics. Also we are planning to use affinity bait molecule with nanoparticles 2 which can help overcome the limitations faced with serum samples in identification of de novo biomarkers. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):C32.
Viscous wall region structure in high and low reynolds number turbulent boundary layers

The present study explores Reynolds number dependence in the viscous wall region of turbulent boundary layers. Low Reynolds number experiments (Rθ=2,000) were conducted in the boundary layer wind tunnel at the University of Utah. High Reynolds number experiments (Rθ≈4,000,000) were conducted in the atmospheric surface layer which flows over the salt flats of the Great Salt Lake Desert in western Utah. Velocity measurements are derived from a five element vertical rake of wires spanning the region 2<y+<40. For some of the experiments, the high frequency surface pressure fluctuations were simultaneously acquired with a microphone flush mounted immediately upstream of the hot-wire array. In addition, visualizations of the viscous sublayer were performed using dual slit, tangential smoke injection. To facilitate reliable comparisons, both the laboratory and field experiments employed the same instrumentation. The results presented include longtime statistical profiles, space and space-time correlations, and length scale and flow structure correlation information from the visual data. Comparisons between the high and low Rθ results indicate that even in the immediate vicinity of the surface there are strong influences produced by the low frequency motions at high Rθ. These influences are pronounced in the axial velocity and wall pressure statistics.
Looking Beyond Fossil Fuel Divestment: Combating Climate Change in Higher Education

The fossil fuel divestment movement is altering the landscape of climate activism on US campuses. Student-run divestment campaigns are now pushing for college Boards of Trustees to withdraw investments from the top 100 public coal companies and top 100 public oil and gas companies. Despite student fervor, however, divestment has remained a controversial tactic. Why has the movement not enjoyed widespread success, despite heavy student pressure? This chapter examines the hypothesis that pushing for divestment alone will not achieve broad success because it does not appeal to a wide enough range of motives that may persuade people to engage in pro-environment behavior. This chapter will study the stated motives for why a selection of colleges have agreed or declined to divest. A detailed analysis of how these stated motives fall into a theoretical framework of motives for pro-environment behavior reveals the motives to which divestment successfully appeals, as well as the motives to which it fails to appeal. The purpose of detecting gaps where divestment fails to appeal is to identify areas that can be better addressed by a multi-pronged approach to climate activism. This chapter concludes with a brief suggestion of other actions that might be included in a holistic climate action plan.
Regulation of the Ras-MAPK pathway at the level of Ras and Raf.

Cells use a variety of intracellular signaling pathways to interpret extracellular signals and translate them into cellular responses. The Ras-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a commonly-used intracellular signaling pathway used by eukaryotic cells to regulate such processes as cell growth, differentiation and survival (1,2). At the apex of the pathway is the small GTPase Ras whose activation state regulates a hierarchical three-kinase module comprised of the MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK), Raf, which phosphorylates and activates the MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK), MEK, which in turn phosphorylates and activates the MAP kinase (MAPK), ERK. How Ras activates Raf is the most complicated and contentious step in the pathway and has not been fully understood. Current findings suggest that activated Ras binds and recruits Raf to the plasma membrane where a coordinated series of phosphorylation events, protein-protein interactions and conformational changes occur to induce full activity. The past few years have led to the identification of new Raf phosphorylation sites that positively and negatively regulate Raf activity. In addition, genetic experiments in Drosophila and C.elegans have identified new proteins that modulate signaling at the level of Ras and Raf.
Pipelining for dual supply voltages

Power is one of the most important metrics in the modern integrated circuit design. We optimize the circuit power using a dual-supply voltage (dual-V dd ) approach. In order to achieve an improved power efficiency, we have applied a new type of pipelining to reduce the number of gates need to be assigned to the high supply voltage given a target delay. Compared to the standard pipelining and the standard dual-V dd assignment, our design achieves the best of the two approaches without compromising any performance. Our overall design is tested on a set of standard ISCAS-85 benchmark circuits using an industrial cell library. Significant power savings (Avg. 10.4%) under a specified target delay are observed.
Quantizer noise equalization between electro-optical transfer functions

We consider the problem of equalizing the quantization noise between two video encoders operating with video stored using different transfer function. Here, a transfer function is the mapping between linear light and the quantized code words and includes, for example, the well-known “gamma curve” used for most video applications. Our motivation for studying this problem is that the solution enables the direct conversation of a quantization strategy developed for a legacy, standard dynamic range transfer function to be easily mapped to a quantization strategy for a new, high dynamic range transfer function. This is especially timely given the beginning deployment of high dynamic range services throughout the world that use the BT-2020/SMPTE ST 2084 transfer function and not the BT.709/BT.1886 transfer function historically employed for coding high definition digital video. The paper derives a model for the needed relationship. Results show the benefit of the approach.
EVALUATION OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS. IV. GRANULATING AGENTS FOR COMPRESSED TABLETS.

Experimental granulations were produced using aqueous and alcoholic solutions of polymeric celluloses, vinyls, acrylamides, pyrrolidones, oxazolidinones, and ethylene oxide condensation products. Products were compared to control formulations granulated with starch paste. Dextroamphetamine sulfate was employed in a preliminary dialysis and dissolution study in the presence of the polymers shown to be of value. The experimental products exhibited gloss equal or superior to coated tablets in many instances, and no drug binding or inhibition of release occurred. The polymer-bound granulations displayed excellent flow properties, were easily compressed into tablets of various degrees of hardness, were generally more resistant to friabilation than the control; some of the polymers produced tablets which had equal or superior disintegration times compared to the control.
Effect of misoprostol on patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease undergoing aspirin challenge and desensitization.

Abstract Background Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) is an anti-inflammatory compound that inhibits 5-lipoxygenase activity. Diminished PGE 2 regulation in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) leads to respiratory reactions on cyclooxygenase 1 inhibition. In vitro studies have found that exogenous PGE 2 stabilizes inflammatory mediator release. Objective To examine whether misoprostol (oral prostaglandin E 1 analogue) use during aspirin challenge and desensitization might decrease the severity of aspirin-induced symptoms and make desensitization safer for patients with AERD. Methods Forty-five patients undergoing aspirin challenge and/or desensitization were randomized to misoprostol (n = 30) or placebo (n = 15) and compared with a group of historical controls (n = 31). Misoprostol (200 μg) was administered at 30 minutes, 90 minutes, and 4 hours after the first dose of nasal ketorolac. Measured end points included change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), peak nasal inspiratory flow rate (PNIF), number of treatments received for induced reactions, and adverse gastrointestinal effects. Results A difference in FEV 1 and PNIF reduction was detected between misoprostol and placebo ( P = .03) and misoprostol and historical controls ( P = .01), respectively, during nasal ketorolac challenge. No difference was detected among aspirin reactors. Among all reactors, no difference in magnitude was found for FEV 1 ( P = .13) or PNIF ( P = .07) reduction across all 3 groups. Total treatment requirement was similar ( P = .14). Patients receiving misoprostol were more likely to report adverse gastrointestinal effects ( P = .02). Conclusion The addition of misoprostol to current aspirin challenge and/or desensitization protocols reveals no protective effect in reducing the intensity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug–induced symptoms and is not recommended based on the findings in this study.
Teaching Evolution: Criticism of Common Justifications and the Proposal of a More Warranted Set

Science educators and policy makers have long justified science education and science literacy on the basis of its utility/usefulness in daily life outside the classroom. The purpose of this article is to analyze utility justifications for science education in general and evolution understanding in particular, focusing on whether or not situations that require science/evolution understanding are common in everyday life and how likely citizens are to apply their classroom-acquired knowledge to the problem at hand. In response to this analysis, I maintain that efforts to convince students of the practical utility of evolution in their daily lives are often misguided and largely irrelevant to individual students. I propose a small set of justifications that might be more relevant, interesting, and convincing to young people, then close with some educational implications of my position. This chapter is meant to initiate a wider conversation among evolution educators about what student-centered justifications for evolution education might be, including expansion and criticism of the list presented here.
Data-Fusion for a Vision-Aided Radiological Detection System: Sensor dependence and Source Tracking

The University of Florida is taking a multidisciplinary approach to fuse the data between 3D vision sensors and radiological sensors in hopes of creating a system capable of not only detecting the presence of a radiological threat, but also tracking it. The key to developing such a vision-aided radiological detection system, lies in the count rate being inversely dependent on the square of the distance. Presented in this paper are the results of the calibration algorithm used to predict the location of the radiological detectors based on 3D distance from the source to the detector (vision data) and the detectors count rate (radiological data). Also presented are the results of two correlation methods used to explore source tracking.
HARNESSING USER POWER

Cowan describes how Aetna Life Insurance Company built a major computer system for its UK insurance operations from scratch within ten months with a average of only four full-time data processing staff.
Asset pricing factors and bank CDS spreads

Abstract This study compares the explanatory power of various asset pricing and macroeconomic risk factors in their ability to explain changes in the CDS spreads of global systemically important banks (G-SIBs). The factors include higher moment equity risks along with systematic sources of risk, such as investor uncertainty, interbank risk and foreign exchange volatility. For comparison, the five-factor asset pricing model by Fama and French (2017) is also implemented as a possible tool for explaining CDS spread changes. Estimation results from the quantile regression framework used herein show that heterogeneity in the explanatory power of the factors across low credit risk periods and high credit risk periods, such as during the 2008–09 financial crisis and 2011–13 European debt crisis, are a likely reason why extant time series regression models of CDS spreads yield instability in coefficient estimates and varying degrees of statistical significance across sample periods and time.
Role of Vitamin D and Its Analogues in Diabetic Nephropathy: A Meta-analysis

Abstract Background Diabetic nephropathy remains one of the most common causes of chronic kidney disease in the United States and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recently, there have been emerging data highlighting the role of vitamin D and its analogue in chronic kidney disease especially diabetic nephropathy independent of its effect on bone metabolism. Methods This study aimed to evaluate effect of supplementing vitamin D and its analogues on halting or slowing progression of diabetic nephropathy. Electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar) were searched and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of vitamin D and its analogs for diabetic nephropathy were studied. This meta-analysis of RCTs performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-analysis statement. Results This meta-analysis included 9 RCTs and suggested a favorable trend with respect to an effect of vitamin D and its analogues on albuminuria though this did not reach statistical significance (MD, −0.17; 95% CI, −0.34-0.01; P = 0.06]. Serum calcium was unaffected suggesting safe use of these agents. Conclusions Use of vitamin D and its analogues may have potential as an adjuvant therapy for reducing albuminuria and slowing progression of diabetic nephropathy but further studies are needed.
Sensitivity and specificity of fine needle aspiration for the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of mediastinal masses allows for rapid on-site evaluation and the triaging of material for ancillary studies. However, surgical pathology is often considered to be the gold standard for diagnosis. This study examines the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC compared to a concurrent or subsequent surgical pathology specimen in 77 mediastinal lesions. The overall sensitivity for mediastinal mass FNAC was 78% and the overall specificity was 98%. For individual categories the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC was respectively as follows: inflammatory/infectious (33%, 99%), metastatic carcinoma (93%, 100%), lymphoma (84%, 97%), cysts (25%, 100%), soft tissue tumors (100%, 100%), paraganglioma (50%, 100%), germ cell tumor (100%, 99%), thymoma (87%, 94%), thymic carcinoma (60%, 100%), benign thymus (0%, 100%), and indeterminate (100%, 90%). For different locations within the mediastinum the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC was respectively as follows: anterosuperior mediastinum (80%, 98%), posterior mediastinum (33%, 95%), middle mediastinum (100%, 100%), and mediastinum, NOS (79%, 99%). Thus, mediastinal FNAC is fairly sensitive, very specific, and is a valuable technique in the diagnosis of mediastinal masses.
5-(Chloromethyl)furfural (CMF): A Platform for Transforming Cellulose into Commercial Products

5-(Chloromethyl)furfural (CMF) is a carbohydrate-derived platform molecule that is gaining traction as a more practical alternative to 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF). This perspective introduces the chemocatalytic approach to biorefining as the driving force behind the development of multifunctional chemical platforms. The main advantage of CMF over HMF is that it can be produced in high yield under mild conditions directly from raw biomass. Its stability and hydrophobicity markedly facilitate isolation. CMF is also a precursor to levulinic acid (LA), another versatile biobased intermediate. The logistics of CMF production are discussed, including reactor materials, HCl handling and management, byproducts, and the fate of collateral biomass components (hemicellulose, lipids, proteins, lignin). Examples of commercial markets that can be unlocked by synthetic manipulation of CMF are broken out into two derivative manifolds, furanic and levulinic, which are distributed over three product family trees: renew...
Lateral Ankle Sprain and Chronic Ankle Instability

A select 10-30% of patients with recurrent lateral ankle sprains develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). Patients with chronic ankle instability describe a history of the ankle “giving way” with o...
Seven Types of Uncertainty When Clinicians Care for Pediatric Patients With Advanced Cancer.

Abstract Context Clinicians deciding whether to refer a patient or family to specialty palliative care report facing high levels of uncertainty. Most research on medical uncertainty has focused on prognostic uncertainty. As part of a pediatric palliative referral intervention for oncology teams we explored how uncertainty might influence palliative care referrals. Objectives To describe distinct meanings of the term “uncertainty” that emerged during the qualitative evaluation of the development and implementation of an intervention to help oncologists overcome barriers to palliative care referrals. Methods We conducted a phenomenological qualitative analysis of “uncertainty” as experienced and described by interdisciplinary pediatric oncology team members in discussions, group activities and semistructured interviews regarding the introduction of palliative care. Results We found that clinicians caring for patients with advanced cancer confront seven broad categories of uncertainty: prognostic, informational, individual, communication, relational, collegial, and inter-institutional. Each of these kinds of uncertainty can contribute to delays in referring patients to palliative care. Conclusion Various types of uncertainty arise in the care of pediatric patients with advanced cancer. To manage these forms of uncertainty, providers need to develop strategies and techniques to handle professionally challenging situations, communicate bad news, manage difficult interactions with families and colleagues, and collaborate with other organizations.
Global Solutions to the Generalized Leray-\alpha System with Non-L(2({\mathbb) {R}}(n)) Initial Data

Due to the intractability of the Navier–Stokes equation, it is common to study approximating equations. Two of the most common of these are the Leray- $$\alpha $$ equation (which replaces the solution u with $$(1-\alpha ^2{\mathcal {L}}_2)u$$ for a Fourier Multiplier $${\mathcal {L}}_2$$ ) and the generalized Navier–Stokes equation (which replaces the viscosity term $$\nu \triangle $$ with $$\nu {\mathcal {L}}_1$$ ). In this paper, we use an interpolation based method to prove the existence of global solutions to the generalized Leray- $$\alpha $$ system with initial data in $$L^q({\mathbb {R}}^n)$$ for $$2<q<\frac{2n}{n-2}$$ with multipliers are of the form $$m_i(\xi )=\frac{|\xi |^{\gamma _i}}{g_i(|\xi |)}$$ , where g is (essentially) a logarithm.
The efficacy of antimicrobial interventions on Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) surrogate populations inoculated on beef striploins prior to blade tenderization

Abstract The US meat industry actively seeks antimicrobials to eliminate Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in non-intact products. To facilitate this, the anterior end (10.2 cm) of beef striploins (30.5 cm) were inoculated (lean side) with a ca. 8.00 log CFU/mL cocktail containing non-pathogenic rifampicin resistant surrogate E. coli. The inoculated striploins were passed through a spray cabinet and treated with either 50 mL/L levulinic acid +5 g/L sodium dodecyl sulfate (LVA+SDS), peroxyacetic acid (2 mL/L; PAA), acidified sodium chlorite (1.2 g/L; ASC), lactic acid (45 mL/L; LA), or no antimicrobial application (CON) and then blade tenderized. A non-inoculated beef striploin immediately followed the first striploin through the spray cabinet and blade tenderizer. Surface and subsurface samples were collected from the anterior, middle, and posterior sections of each striploin. PAA was the most effective in reducing surrogate E. coli (P ≤ 0.05) on the surface compared to all other treatment groups, followed by LVA+SDS and ASC, respectively. PAA had the lowest (P ≤ 0.05) amount of recovered subsurface E. coli. Lactic acid treated striploins were similar to untreated controls for surface and subsurface E. coli recovery. Using PAA, LVA+SDS, or ASC can improve the safety of blade tenderized striploins.
Online Sales: A Direct Marketing Opportunity for Rural Farms?

Online marketplaces could help direct-to-consumer (DTC) farms compete for customers making grocery purchases on the internet by reducing the search and transportation costs of in-person DTC transactions. While in-person DTC marketplaces have been conducive for metropolitan farms historically, we explore whether rural DTC farms, with distance-based challenges accessing customers, are more likely to have online platforms. We find that rural farms distant from metropolitan counties that are new to DTC marketing are 7% more likely to have online marketplaces than more experienced rural farms, while new metropolitan farms are less likely to have them.
Preliminary study on detecting corynebacteria in pus of granulomatous mastitis patients

Objective To explore the detection method of corynebacteria in pus samples from granulomatous mastitis patients. Methods The 37 pus samples from 37 patients who were diagnosed with granulomatous mastitis in the Breast Disease Center, Guangdong Women and Children’s Hospital from June 2016 to February 2017 were prospectively analyzed. The common blood plate and high-fat blood plate were used for bacterial culture and PCR to detect the bacteria in pus. The positive rate of corynebacteria and the consistency of different detection methods were analyzed. Rates were compared using the paired χ2 test (McNemar) and the Kappa consistency test. Results In 37 pus samples that were simultaneously subjected to high-fat blood plate culture and PCR, the positive rate of corynebacteria was 35.1% (13/37) in high-fat blood plate culture, and 48.6% (18/37) in PCR, indicating no significant difference (P=0.063). The two methods presented a high consistency (Kappa =0.728, P<0.001). In 24 pus samples that were simultaneously subjected to common blood plate culture, high-fat blood plate culture and PCR, the positive rate of corynebacteria in high-fat blood plate culture was 50.0% (12/24), significantly higher than 16.7% (4/24) in common blood plate culture (P=0.008). The positive rate of corynebacteria was 66.6% (16/24) in PCR, indicating no significant difference compared with the rate in high-fat blood plate culture (P=0.125). The two methods presented a high consistency (Kappa =0.667, P=0.001). The diagnostic competence between common blood plate culture and PCR was significantly different (P<0.001). Conclusions It is easier to culture corynebacteria in high-fat blood plate, which can be easily prepared. This new culture method is worthy of clinical application. Key words: Granuloma; Mastitis; Corynebacterium; Bacteriology
Towards Separation of Powers Realism

Many wonder if the separation of powers is going to be reinvigorated by the new appointees to the federal judiciary. But that doctrine in practice means that occasionally alarming, but exceedingly rare, doctrinal innovations—finding venerable parts of the administrative state or portions of high-profile congressional statutes to be unconstitutional, for example—make no real-world difference because of the modest remedies paired with those innovations. This Article shows how weak the separation of powers doctrines have become; explains how, in the rare case that the doctrines require a remedy, the remedy is almost never what the plaintiff seeks or a constraint on the administrative state; and analyzes why judges of every ideological stripe have turned away from the doctrine. It adds a comprehensive study of the past two decades of practice by the Supreme Court and D.C. Circuit to the existing literature and argues that we would be better off abandoning efforts to reinvigorate the functional versions of the doctrines.