cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A V-band wafer probe using ridge-trough waveguide

A V-band wafer probe was successfully designed and built. A novel waveguide, the ridge-trough waveguide, was used in the transition from rectangular waveguide to coplanar waveguide, and a mathematical model was developed to describe its principal characteristics. A 25X model was built to confirm the mathematical model predictions and to model the performance of the waveguide used in the V-band probe. Reinforced by the 25X model results, a working V-band probe was constructed with bias capability. This probe performed well, and measurements could be easily corrected. Devices were measured at 50-75 GHz to demonstrate that two V-band probes could successfully perform two-port measurements. >
Impaired Associative Learning with Food Rewards in Obese Women

Obesity is a major epidemic in many parts of the world. One of the main factors contributing to obesity is overconsumption of high-fat and high-calorie food, which is driven by the rewarding properties of these types of food. Previous studies have suggested that dysfunction in reward circuits may be associated with overeating and obesity. The nature of this dysfunction, however, is still unknown. Here, we demonstrate impairment in reward-based associative learning specific to food in obese women. Normal-weight and obese participants performed an appetitive reversal learning task in which they had to learn and modify cue-reward associations. To test whether any learning deficits were specific to food reward or were more general, we used a between-subject design in which half of the participants received food reward and the other half received money reward. Our results reveal a marked difference in associative learning between normal-weight and obese women when food was used as reward. Importantly, no learning deficits were observed with money reward. Multiple regression analyses also established a robust negative association between body mass index and learning performance in the food domain in female participants. Interestingly, such impairment was not observed in obese men. These findings suggest that obesity may be linked to impaired reward-based associative learning and that this impairment may be specific to the food domain.
Comprehensive Stroke Centers Eliminating an Apparent Disparity in Stroke Care on Weekends Versus Weekdays

See related article, pages 2403–2409. A growing body of literature has highlighted a significant discrepancy in outcomes for patients admitted on weekends versus weekdays for a number of diseases such as acute myocardial infarction,1 congestive heart failure,2 gastrointestinal hemorrhage,3 pulmonary embolism,4 and intracerebral hemorrhage.5 For acute ischemic stroke, the results have been variable with some studies demonstrating a significant difference in outcomes for patients admitted on weekends compared with weekdays6,7 whereas others,8 including a recent study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database,9 failed to demonstrate a difference. Up to this point, much of this work has focused on early or in-hospital mortality and there is a paucity of data concerning longer-term outcomes examining a potential weekend effect. Additionally, previous work has noted that this weekend effect may have diminished over time10; this observation has been ascribed to a potential improvement in stroke care over time. Finally, there have been some data demonstrating that patients admitted to comprehensive stroke centers on the weekends have similar outcomes compared with weekday admissions.11 In the present study, McKinney and colleagues have provided an additional contribution attempting to examine disparities in stroke care dependent on the time of the week admitted. Furthermore, they sought to examine if this potential difference has been mitigated over time through modifications in the organization and delivery of stroke care. The authors have used a database that has several inherent advantages well suited to the aims of their study. They used the Myocardial Infarction Data Acquisition System (MIDAS) administrative database containing demographic and clinical data on patients discharged with a primary diagnosis of cerebral infarction from all nonfederal acute care hospitals in New Jersey. The authors obtained data on out-of-hospital deaths by matching MIDAS records with …
Cooperative Education in a Physical Therapy Curriculum

Cooperative education is an educational strategy in which students alternate academic periods with periods of paid employment in their field of study. Research involving students in various majors shows that students, faculty, and employers benefit from cooperative education. Graduates of cooperative education programs have higher levels of interpersonal skills, clearer career goals, and more realistic job expectations than their counterparts without cooperative education experience. This article describes cooperative education and its goals, objectives, and benefits; presents one model of cooperative education; and suggests how cooperative education may benefit a physical therapy curriculum.
Experimental Tests of the Function and Flexibility of Song Consistency in a Wild Bird

Measures of bird song that capture aspects of motor performance, such as consistency, have become a major focus in understanding sexual selection on song. Despite accumulating evidence that consistency is related to reproductive success in many species, the relative importance of male–male interactions and female–male interactions is still unclear. We studied the function and flexibility of song consistency and song rate in common yellowthroat warblers (Geothlypis trichas). A previous study of this population found that song consistency—measured as the amount of variability within a bout of songs—was positively correlated with the likelihood of siring extrapair young. In this study, we conducted two experiments aimed at testing (1) the role of song consistency and rate in mediating male–male and male–female interactions and (2) whether song effort is flexibly adjusted to changes in social context. In the first experiment, we simulated a male territorial intrusion with song playbacks that varied in consistency and rate; focal males responded aggressively to playbacks, but their response did not differ with playback consistency or rate. In the second experiment, we presented focal males with a taxidermic female mount and female vocalizations; focal males approached the speaker, but continued to sing and did not perform the aggressive rattle vocalization observed during male encounters. Immediately after the simulated female encounter, focal males increased in song consistency. Taken together, our results are most consistent with the hypothesis that song consistency in common yellowthroats is primarily a female-directed signal that is actively adjusted in response to rapidly changing social conditions.
Actionlets and Activity Prediction

The increasing ubiquitousness of multimedia information in today's world has positioned video as a favored information vehicle, and given rise to an astonishing generation of social media and surveillance footage. One important problem that will significantly enhance semantic-level video analysis is activity understanding, which aims at accurately describing video contents using key semantic elements, especially activities. We notice that in case a time-critical decision is needed, there is a potential to utilize the temporal structure of videos for early prediction of ongoing human activity.
Some Techniques for the Preparation, Study, and Storage in Microvials of Insect Genitalia

Sodium hydroxide in the form of household flake lye is a substitute which is more gentle on delicate tissues than potassium hydroxide. Several types of small dishes and cavity plates are convenient containers in which to study genitalic preparations. Suggestions are made for the storage of genitalia in glycerine within microvials, especially the avoidance of too much glycerine and the need to slant the vials to keep the corks dry when they are pinned. Plastic microvials and synthetic rubber stoppers are suggested as substitutes for glass microvials and cork stoppers.
Acceptance of the Mineralogical Society of America Award for 2013

Thank you so much, Gordon, for those kind words. Mr. President, members of the society, and guests: It is a great honor to be receiving the MSA award and also to share the stage with the Roebling Medalist Frank Hawthorne and Distinguished Public Service Awardee Pierrette Tremblay. Reading over the citations and acceptance speeches of the previous MSA award recipients was really fascinating. I know I sound like a broken record saying that I feel humbled looking at the list of previous awardees, but I would be remiss not to. It is a really impressive group, and frankly I feel a lot of pressure recognizing how much the previous recipients have accomplished. On paper it probably looks like I was born into mineralogy since as a child some of my most vivid memories are of playing on the weekends in the old Geophysical Laboratory building, but I actually came to mineral physics in a bit of a roundabout manner. My older sisters and I were all convinced that we had no interest in doing what our father did. My …
The incidence of luteal phase defect in normal, fertile women, determined by serial endometrial biopsies.

Abstract Five regularly menstruating women of proven fertility, with normal prolactin and thyroid function studies, underwent a total of 39 endometrial biopsies (EMBs). The slides were dated in blinded fashion, and the cycle date determined by considering the date of the next menstrual period as day 28 and counting backward. Using a 2-day or greater lag in endometrial maturity to define a luteal phase defect (LPD), the incidence of single and sequential out-of-phase EMBs was 51.4% and 26.7%, respectively. Using a 3-day or greater lag to define a LPD, the incidence of single and sequential out-of-phase EMBs was 31.4% and 6.6%, respectively. These incidences in normal, fertile women are as high as the rates quoted for infertile populations, and call into question the standard criteria for defining this condition and evaluating therapies to correct it.
3D object representation and matching with B-splines and surface patches

An approach to 3D object representation and matching, which employs cubic B-spline curves and Coons surface patches is described. 3D objects are represented as structured collections of surface patches whose boundary curves are approximated by cubic II-splines. Both curved and polyhedral objects may be represented. A variety of 3D and 2D shape fetures are defined which are easily computed for this representation. Many of the 3D leatures have 2D analogues, thus providing access paths from 2D to 3D. It is anticipated that this approach will prove useful for matching 3D object models against 2D object descriptions. The representations our approaches to the problems of indexing and matching. the state of the implementation. and our experience with the implementation are briefly discussed.
Neurophysiological Foundations of Reflexive Physical Medicine

Relevant data are reviewed, and the convergence modulation theory is formulated on the basis of the same. The sensory nervous system detects any damage done to the body, from both outside and inside, and sends the information to the decision-making centers of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS cannot simultaneously process all available information that originates internally and externally due to limited capacity. Therefore, the necessity to eliminate less immediately important information created a specific converging structure of the sensory nervous system. An accidental side effect of this structure is that signals sent from internal organs to the CNS can also reach certain skin areas (OPAs/AP s ) and influence their electrical characteristics. The neurophysiological mechanism in question filters information directed to the CNS and gives priority to more important signals originating from the sensory organs, including the skin; this is why painful sensations generated by internal organs can be blocked by mild stimulation of the relevant OPAs/AP s . In addition, by breaking the relevant reflex arcs, muscle spasms can be relaxed and local blood circulation improved. Also, adequate changes can be induced in hormonal levels. This explains why physical medicine can be used not only for pain management but also for treatment of various disorders (for example, bronchospasm, esophagospasm, spastic colon, or atonic bladder or uterus) and accelerated healing of damaged tissues (wounds, chronic inflammations, or neuropathies). In general, reflexive physical medicine seems to function by controlling the flow of information in the nervous system and thereby reprogramming the body’s powerful self-defense mechanisms and systems according to actual needs.
Analysis of twelve-month degradation in three polycrystalline photovoltaic modules

Polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules have the advantage of lower manufacturing cost as compared to their monocrystalline counterparts, but generally exhibit both lower initial module efficiencies and more significant early-stage efficiency degradation than do similar monocrystalline PV modules. For both technologies, noticeable deterioration in power conversion efficiency typically occurs over the first two years of usage. Estimating PV lifetime by examining the performance degradation behavior under given environmental conditions is, therefore, one of continual goals for experimental research and economic analysis. In the present work, accelerated lifecycle testing (ALT) on three polycrystalline PV technologies was performed in a full-scale, industrial-standard environmental chamber equipped with single-sun irradiance capability, providing an illumination uniformity of 98% over a 2 x 1.6m area. In order to investigate environmental aging effects, timedependent PV performance (I-V characteristic) was evaluated over a recurring, compressed day-night cycle, which simulated local daily solar insolation for the southwestern United States, followed by dark (night) periods. During a total test time of just under 4 months that corresponded to a year equivalent exposure on a fielded module, the temperature and humidity varied in ranges from 3°C to 40°C and 5% to 85% based on annual weather profiles for Tucson, AZ. Removing the temperature de-rating effect that was clearly seen in the data enabled the computation of normalized efficiency degradation with time and environmental exposure. Results confirm the impact of environmental conditions on the module long-term performance. Overall, more than 2% efficiency degradation in the first year of usage was observed for all thee polycrystalline Si solar modules. The average 5-year degradation of each PV technology was estimated based on their determined degradation rates.
Relative Oral Bioequivalence of Two 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) Liquid Formulations in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Introduction: Oral 6-MP remains a key drug for acute and maintenance treatment of ALL. Maintaining adequate systemic exposure so as to prevent disease relapse is challenging given variability in the pharmacokinetics (PK). Historically, pharmacies have prepared extemporaneous formulations of 6-MP to permit more individualized (i.e. mg/kg) and accurate dosing in small children which is difficult when using fixed dose tablets. We performed a preliminary investigation of the relative bioequivalence (rBE) of two extemporaneous oral liquid formulations of 6-MP. Methods: Children with ALL participated in a randomized, 2-sequence, 2-period crossover study conducted at a single site. In study arm A, patients received a 5 mg/ml oral, liquid formulation of 6-MP prepared in 1:1 Ora-Plus®:Ora-Sweet and a marketed 50 mg tablet (Roxane Laboratories). Study arm B evaluated a 50 mg/ml liquid formulation prepared in methylcellulose and simple syrup against the 50 mg tablet. Participants were administered their prescribed 6-MP dose following an overnight fast. Serial blood samples (n=14) were collected prior to and over 8 hours post-dose. Plasma 6-MP concentrations were quantitated under GLP conditions using a validated, LC-MS/MS method. 6-MP PK was determined using a standard noncompartmental approach. The relative oral bioavailability of 6-MP was determined by generating 90% confidence intervals for log transformed ratios (test/reference) of Cmax, AUC0-n, and AUC0-inf. Results: Twenty four participants (6-17 yrs) enrolled in this study. Eleven subjects (6 female) were in the 5 mg/ml study arm and 13 (8 female) were in the 50 mg/ml study arm.The inverse log of the 90% confidence interval generated by the ratio of thedifferences in exposures between the respective oral liquid formulations versus the tablet were as follows: All estimates of exposure for the 5 mg/ml liquid exceeded the accepted range of bioequivalence (i.e. 0.80-1.25) per FDA criteria. Cmax for the 50 mg/ml liquid similarly exceeded theaccepted range. In contrast, AUC0-n and AUC0-inf for this particular formulation were within the accepted range based on FDA criteria. Conclusions: While both liquid formulations exhibited comparable bioavailability, neither formulation was bioequivalent to the tablet formulation for both Cmax and AUC. The systemic exposure to 6-MP (as reflected by AUC) from the 50 mg/ml oral liquid was bioequivalent to the tablet. Our data demonstrate that not all liquid formulations of 6-MP are equivalent with respect to bioavailability of the active ingredient. Differences in formulation constituents (e.g., suspending agents, vehicles), viscosity and potentially, 6-MP concentration likely contribute to the variability observed in systemic drug availability from liquid formulations and must be considered. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Parallelism in Lisp

This paper examines Lisp from the point of view of parallel computation. It attempts to identify exactly where the potential for parallel execution really exists in LISP and what constructs are useful in realizing that potential. Case studies of three attempts at augmenting Lisp with parallel constructs are examined and critiqued.
Reactions to Transgender Women and Men in Public Restrooms: Correlates and Gender Differences.

This study examined reactions to transgender people in public restrooms. Participants (n = 158) completed measures of essentialism and trait aggression and read scenarios where they imagined sharin...
When the Therapist is in Crisis: Personal and Professional Implications for Small Community Psychotherapy Practices

Nine years ago our son was seriously injured; our lives, previously so private, suddenly became very exposed. As a therapist in a small community, I do not have the luxury of much privacy or anonym...
Multi-Parametric Classification of Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: The Impact of Diverse Cerebrovascular Injury Biomarkers

Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) is a diagnostic term applied to cognitively impaired individuals with heterogeneous cerebrovascular conditions affecting large and/or small vessels. Individual biomarkers have been identified as instrumental in relating VCID to specific underlying pathologies to better characterize this syndrome. Emerging research to refine panels of biomarkers will increase classification sensitivity and specificity. Refined VCID clustering based on the severity and pathology of vascular injury will permit the development of optimal prevention and treatment strategies. Here, we review recently reported data concerning the diversity of VCID-related pathology and attempts for VCID clustering based on biomarkers obtained from different sets of measurements. We discuss three major sets of biomarkers: 1) neuroimaging biomarkers, 2) neuropsychological performance measures, and 3) biochemical markers in current VCID clustering. Finally, we highlight the effect of blood-brain barrier health on cerebrovascular disease trajectory.
Associations between Diet Quality Scores and Risk of Postmenopausal Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Background Estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer tends to have poorer prognosis than estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. A number of studies have examined the association between diet quality as measured by various diet quality scores and the risk of ER- breast cancer. Objective This systematic review aimed to summarize existing evidence on this topic. Methods Medline and Embase searches were conducted until 2 April 2017 for cohort and case-control studies on diet quality scores and ER- breast cancer. Results We included 6 prospective cohort studies and 1 case-control study on postmenopausal ER- breast cancer: 4 from Europe and 3 from the United States. There were 12 different diet quality scores: 2 versions of the Dietary Inflammatory Index, 4 versions of the Mediterranean diet score, the Healthy Eating Index, the Alternate Healthy Eating Index, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score, and 3 versions of low-carbohydrate diet scores that differentiate between different sources of protein and fat. Of the 4 studies on Mediterranean diet scores, 3 showed a significant inverse association with postmenopausal ER- breast cancer, whereas no consistent association was observed with the other diet quality scores. Although most diet quality scores in this review share similar food components, most of the non-Mediterranean diet scores were represented by only 1 study each, and the associations with postmenopausal ER- breast cancer were mixed. All studies were adjusted for multiple covariates. Conclusion This systematic review shows mixed results for an association between a variety of diet quality scores and postmenopausal ER- cancer. However, results from different versions of the Mediterranean diet scores are more consistent and suggest an inverse relation with ER- breast cancer.
Firefighting Turnout Boots: How a Human Factors Approach Can Improve Performance

For firefighters, turnout boots must insulate, resist water/chemicals, carry heavy loads, climb variable terrain, push and plant; to enable the wearer to perform in dangerous conditions and save lives. In 2016, the National Fire Protection Association estimated that 62,085 injuries occurred in the line of duty [1]. Many of these injuries can be attributed to poor fitting and functioning turnout gear, especially boots. In order to understand this challenge, a human factors approach, through a human centered design lens was used to investigate directly from firefighters how turnout boots function during performance. The researchers conducted a pilot study, through a web survey and SWOT analysis of state-of-the-art turnout boots available domestically, to understand design opportunities. The results helped define future research goals and initial design insights, for the development of new turnout boots; including partnership identification, component needs, sizing, materials and manufacturing processes.
Mutual Adjustment of Mass Flux and Stratification Profiles

Observations indicate that deep convective heating profiles tend to oppose temperature perturbations in the environment. As a result, convection adjusts the stratification toward a preferred moist adiabat. A buoyancy-sorting model of precipitating convection, coupled with a linearized hydrostatic dry dynamics model, illustrates the processes at work. The preferred stratification established by the model convection depends on the treatment of precipitation and ice processes, and especially on the poorly-understood processes that determine mass flux in downdrafts associated with the evaporation of precipitation. These results suggest that observations of mean stratification in convecting regions may contain useful, highly averaged information on hard-to-observe bulk parameters characterizing the ensemble of real convective clouds. Temperature perturbations of < 1 C are quite important in this buoyancy-sorting model, suggesting that such stratification observations should be scrutinized to this precision.
APPLICATION OF ADVANCED STUDIES IN SAFETY ANALYSIS TO OFFSHORE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: APPLICATION TO A RISER AND TO A MANIFOLD

ABSTRACT As industrial units grew increasingly complicated, the need of systems analyses became evident. In particular, advanced studies on the safety of systems were worked out. These safety analyses were initially used in industries, such as aeronautics or the nuclear industry where hazards have to be identified and, accordingly, minimized. Compagnie Francaise des Petroles is now utilizing them to assess the safety of deep sea systems. The main safety methods are briefly reviewed : Preliminary Risk Analysis, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, Fault Tree Analysis. Commentaries are also included. The methods used by TOTAL-CFP are described. An application to a production and to a manifold is given. Quantitative analysis was performed according to values gathered from ship's and platform's logs. Main results are discussed.
The development of teacher identity, emotions and practice: Before and after graduation from an MA TESOL program

Abstract The study explored how an ESL teacher's identity and emotions interacted with her classroom practice over time at a large US university. Multiple data sources including interviews, observations and lesson plans were collected when the participant had just started an MA TESOL program and when she had graduated from the program. Drawing on a sociocultural framework, data analysis was conducted at the three levels of microgenesis (moment-to-moment interaction), ontogenesis (teaching career over time) and sociocultural history (culture and educational context). The findings suggest that the participant saw herself as enacting critical pedagogy and exhibited an emotional attachment to this identity. This attachment was traced back to the participant's perezhivanie, that is, the emotional experience of her previous teaching context. In addition, the participant continued to identify herself as a teacher promoting critical pedagogy but the meaning of critical pedagogy developed significantly as informed by what she had learnt from the MA TESOL program. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of supporting teacher emotions and identities in teacher education programs with pedagogical concepts to develop more effective classroom practice. It suggests that while pedagogical knowledge is important, without corresponding teacher emotions and identities, it does not necessarily produce desired teaching outcomes.
Estrogen receptor alpha is required for macrophage iron sequestration and homeostasis in female mice (INM1P.438)

Sexual dimorphisms in immunity are known to confer protection against infections at the cost of heightened risk for autoimmunity in women. The female sex hormone, estradiol, can modulate both pro/anti-inflammatory macrophage signals and the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Iron sequestration by macrophages is fundamentally important to limit bacterial infection, and since estradiol is thought to influence iron metabolism in females, we asked whether ERα impacts the innate immune response by regulating macrophage iron metabolism. To address this question, we crossed floxed Esr1 (fl/fl control) and LysM-Cre transgenic animals to generate myeloid-specific ERα knockout (MACER) mice. We studied the effect of ERα deletion on iron homeostasis upon endotoxin treatment in female MACER and fl/fl conrols. MACER mice had increased serum iron (92%; p=0.01) compared to fl/fl under basal conditions. As expected, endotoxin treatment reduced serum iron levels in fl/fl controls (41%, p=.008), however there was no change in serum iron in MACER mice. Consistent with impaired macrophage iron homeostasis, expression of genes associated with iron absorption ( TfR, Slc11a2, Cybrd1 ), efflux ( Fpn ), and storage ( Ftl ) were significantly altered in female MACER mice compared to fl/fl controls. Together, these data suggest that ERα regulates macrophage iron metabolism in females, is required for systemic iron homeostasis, and may play a previously unrecognized role in female innate immunity.
Adaptive Backstepping Control for an Underwater Vehicle Manipulator System Using Fuzzy Logic

An adaptive backstepping controller based on fuzzy logic is designed for an underwater vehicle manipulator system (UVMS) to track desired joint trajectories. Firstly, the dynamic model of a UVMS with hydrodynamic effects is developed. Then, the adaptive backstepping control method is introduced and the stability is analyzed in detail. A fuzzy logic controller is utilized to estimate system parameters. Simulation results show that this adaptive backstepping controller is able to follow desired joint trajectory and has better performance than the classical proportional-differential (PD) controller.
Success and Failure of Percutaneous Minimally Invasive Direct Pars Repair: Analysis of Fracture Morphology.

Background Spondylolysis is a defect in the pars interarticularis that typically presents with axial back pain. Recently, minimally invasive spine techniques have increased in popularity and have been applied to the Buck technique of direct pars repair. Case Description In our series, 2 patients underwent minimally invasive direct pars repair by the percutaneous insertion of a cannulated lag screw across the pars defect with compression against the lamina. The defect was then decorticated and packed with bone grafting material through a tubular retractor. The clinical records, including preoperative imaging characteristics and intraoperative variables, were collected. The first patient was a 22-year-old woman with bilateral pars defects, and the second was a 21-year-old woman with a left-sided pars defect. They underwent minimally invasive direct pars repair without complications and were discharged home within 24–48 hours. In the first patient, the fusion was successful; however, the second experienced screw back out and required subsequent revision. The follow-up period was 25 months for patient 1 and 21 months for patient 2. The fracture morphology differed. The successfully repaired fractures were linear with smooth cortical edges and oriented perpendicular to the screw trajectory. The failed repair involved a unilateral, curved defect with comminuted cortical edges. Conclusion Minimally invasive direct pars repair can be performed safely and effectively with shortened hospital stays and reduced morbidity. Fracture morphology and orientation could be important predictors of the success of surgery.
A Wirelessly Powered Injection-Locked Oscillator With On-Chip Antennas in 180-nm SOI CMOS for Spectroscopy Application

We present a wirelessly powered millimeter-sized injection-locked oscillator with on-chip antennas for material spectroscopy application. The main challenge is to design an efficient and sensitive wireless energy-harvesting front-end with integration of an on-chip antenna and a wide locking range oscillator. The on-chip antenna receives electromagnetic energy from a continuous-wave source in the X-band frequency. A superharmonic injection-locking oscillator locks to the frequency of the input and produces a synchronized signal at half the frequency of the input. This new signal is then radiated back using an on-chip dipole antenna, which resolves the conventional self-interference issue in radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensors. In addition, the locking mechanism improves the phase noise of the on-chip oscillator to -93 dBc/Hz at 100 Hz offset. The large locking range of the transmitting signal shows promising results for spectroscopy applications, which can be used for material detection and analysis.
Risk-averse Offer Strategy of a Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant with Virtual Bidding in Electricity Markets

Photovoltaic (PV) solar power is a kind of renewable energy source that is developing rapidly in modern power systems. PV solar power producers need to generate efficient trading strategies to participate in the competitive electricity markets. In this paper, a kind of pure financial instrument called virtual bidding, which is available in the U.S. electricity markets, is used to help PV solar power producers improve profits and manage risk. A stochastic optimization model is established to co-optimize the profits of solar power offering and virtual bidding, where seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model is used for scenario generation and Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) is used as risk measure. The proposed model is a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem which can be solved by existing commercial solvers to obtain the stepwise curves for solar power offering and virtual bidding simultaneously. Finally, case studies are carried out for a 62 MW distributed PV solar power plant to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model and analyze the impact of virtual bidding on the profitability and risk management of the PV solar power producer.
Insights on electronic cigarette products from reviews on theReddit forum

INTRODUCTION E-cigarette devices and their component parts are continuously evolving. Little is known about the product design features that may increase the appeal of e-cigarette use, ultimately affecting continuation of use. Product reviews have been described as useful in helping to forecast the popularity of products, and online reviews have become an important channel of product information. This study analyzed e-cigarette product reviews to attempt to arrive at a greater understanding of the features of e-cigarette products that may make them appealing to current users. METHODS Data included 248 product reviews found on a popular e-cigarette-related discussion site of Reddit from 10 April 2017 to 12 November 2018. For this study, we examined the sub-sections relating to the positive features (PFs) and negative features (NFs) of the product, found in each review. Common themes were identified and coded. RESULTS There were 2929 comments on PFs (average 12 per product), and 1003 on NFs (average 4 per product). Commonly found in the reviews were the ten themes: build quality, color, tip model, battery quality, price, screw quality, power mode performance, coil performance, temperature control performance, and tank quality. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest e-cigarette users expect well-made devices and have developed ways to discriminate between products that perform well from those that do not. Findings suggest that the control of price and design features of e-cigarette products (e.g. color, size, voltage, wattage, coils) warrants consideration for future research and policies addressing e-cigarette use.
Distance From Freestanding Emergency Departments to Nearby Emergency Care.

Study objective The number of freestanding emergency departments (EDs) has increased rapidly in the United States, and there is concern that such entities are located near existing EDs rather than in areas lacking emergency care. In 2018, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommended a reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates to freestanding EDs located within 6 miles of the nearest hospital-based ED. We aim to assess the potential effect of this proposal. Methods Using the 2016 National Emergency Department Inventory–USA database, we identified the locations and visit volumes of all US freestanding EDs. Using QGIS, we mapped the distances from all freestanding EDs to both the nearest hospital-based ED and to the nearest ED (either hospital-based or freestanding ED). Results We collected location information for all 5,375 EDs open in 2016. Of these EDs, 609 (11%) were freestanding. Few freestanding EDs (1.4%) were located in rural areas and only 11% were located in areas with a median household income of less than $43,000. Overall, 460 freestanding EDs (76%) were within 6 miles of the nearest hospital-based ED, and these had 5.3 million total patient visits, whereas those greater than 6 miles away had 2.6 million visits. Conclusion We found that most freestanding EDs (76%) are within 6 miles of the nearest hospital-based ED, and most visits (67%) to freestanding EDs are to those within that proximity, indicating that many freestanding EDs would be affected by this Medicare Payment Advisory Commission proposal, if implemented.
Jigsaw Group-Based Learning in Difficult Airway Management: An Alternative Way to Teach Surgical Didactics.

Objective We describe the effectiveness of the Jigsaw method in the instruction of residents in difficulty airway management. Design The residents were given a pre-Jigsaw instruction test and a self-assessment of their skills for bag-mask ventilation, Intubation, cricothyrotomy, and tracheostomy. After the completing the pre-test, they were randomly assigned tasks from A-D, with each letter corresponding to a section of reading from Cumming's Otolaryngology and related questions. The residents were given ten minutes to read their portion of the article, and then another ten minutes to discuss their section with others assigned the same responsibilities, thereby becoming “experts.” Then, the “experts” were assigned to a second group where they had ten minutes to teach their peers their designated material and learned from their peers the other designated material. A skill simulation lab was then performed involving intubation, cricothyrotomy, and tracheotomy. The residents were then given a post-Jigsaw instruction test and post simulation lab selfassessment of their skills for bag-mask ventilation, intubation, cricothyrotomy and tracheotomy. Setting Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. Participants General surgery, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and oral and maxillofacial surgery residents. Results Post-Jigsaw tests scores a statistically significant increase in the number of correctly answered questions (P Conclusions The Jigsaw method of learning is an effective alternative to tradition lecture-based methods.
Are Low-Income, Diverse Mothers Able to Meet Breastfeeding Intentions after 2 Months of Breastfeeding?

Background: Little is known about intended breastfeeding duration of women who initiate breastfeeding. We describe the association between intended and actual breastfeeding duration among low-incom...
The Many Disguises of Gerrymandering

Democracy is a form of government under the control of the people it governs. A representative democracy is one in which the people express their will and act through their elected representatives.
Kill two birds with one stone: Analysis of [11C]choline and [13N]ammonia with a single HPIC method

1001 Introduction: [11C]Choline and [13N]ammonia are widely used drugs for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of recurrent prostate cancer and cardiac sarcoid/myocardial perfusion, respectively. Given their short half-lives and requirements for current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) compliance, a robust and facile analysis is required for quality control. Both European and US pharmacopeias suggest using distinct methods for [11C]choline and [13N]ammonia analysis, which requires two separate analytical systems with routine [11C]choline and [13N]ammonia productions. In this study, we developed a single high pressure ion chromatography (HPIC) method for both [11C]choline and [13N]ammonia analysis. Methods: HPIC setup with shared column, mobile phase, suppressor, and conductivity and radioactivity detectors was employed for the analysis of both [11C]choline and [13N]ammonia. HPIC method validation, including specificity and selectivity, linearity, precision, and accuracy, was determined by analysis of serially diluted choline, dimethylethanolamine (DMAE) and ammonia reference standard solutions. The HPIC system suitability tests were performed by collecting data from three consecutive injections of reference standard solutions. [11C]Choline and [13N]ammonia were produced and tested to confirm the performance on this HPIC method. Results: The HPIC setup and method provides qualitative and quantitative analyses information of [11C]choline and [13N]ammonia. The HPIC peak and resolution results showed desired specificity and selectivity for choline, DMAE, and ammonia. HPIC validation data demonstrated a linear conductivity in the concentration ranges of 0.05-100 µg/mL for choline, and 1.56-100 µg/mL for DMAE and ammonia. The precision, shown as coefficient of variation of three repeated injections, was 1.7% ± 1.7%, 1.1% ± 0.9%, and 0.6% ± 0.5% for choline, DMAE and ammonia, respectively. The accuracy detection limit was 0.39 µg/mL, 6.25 µg/mL, and 6.25 µg/mL for choline, DMAE and ammonia, respectively. System suitability results of this HPIC method exhibited great resolution, plate number, and tailing factor for analysis of choline and ammonia reference standard. HPIC analysis of [11C]choline and [13N]ammonia showed >99% radiochemical purity with retention times of 8.26 and 5.05 min, and <5% deviation of radioactive peak from the corresponding reference standard. The residual DMAE concentration in [11C]choline product was 9-18 µg/mL. All the parameters meet European and US pharmacopeias requirements for PET drug release. Conclusions: A single HPIC method was developed for the analysis of both [11C]choline and [13N]ammonia with the same setup. The data suggested this HPIC system and method is validated for determining radiochemical/chemical purity and radiochemical identity of [11C]choline and [13N]ammonia products in cGMP compliant manufacturing process.
Idiopathic fourth ventricular outlet obstruction misdiagnosed as normal pressure hydrocephalus: A cautionary case.

Background Fourth ventricular outlet obstruction is an infrequent but well-established cause of tetraventricular hydrocephalus characterized by marked dilatation of the ventricular system with ballooning of the foramina of Monro, Magendie, and Luschka. Multiple processes including inflammation, infection, hemorrhage, neoplasms, or congenital malformations are known to cause this pathological obstruction. However, true idiopathic fourth ventricular outlet obstruction is a rare phenomenon with only a limited number of cases reported in the literature. Case description A 61-year-old female presented with several months of unsteady gait, intermittent headaches, confusion, and episodes of urinary incontinence. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated tetraventricular hydrocephalus without transependymal flow, but with ventral displacement of the brainstem and dorsal displacement of the cerebellum without an obvious obstructive lesion on pre- or post-contrast imaging prompting a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. However, constructive interference in steady state (CISS) and half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) sequences followed by fluoroscopic dynamic cisternography suggested encystment of the fourth ventricle with thin margins of arachnoid membrane extending through the foramina of Luschka bilaterally into the pontocerebellar cistern. Operative intervention was pursued with resection of an identified arachnoid web. Postoperative imaging demonstrated marked reduction in the size of ventricular system, especially of the fourth ventricle. The patient's symptomatology resolved a few days after the procedure. Conclusion Here, we describe an idiopathic case initially misdiagnosed as normal pressure hydrocephalus. The present case emphasizes the necessity of CISS sequences and fluoroscopic dynamic cisternography for suspected cases of fourth ventricular outlet obstruction as these diagnostic tests may guide surgical management and lead to superior patient outcomes.
Is it the Program or the Interpreter? Modeling the Influence of Program Characteristics and Interpreter Attributes on Visitor Outcomes:

This study modeled the relative influence of program characteristics and interpreter attributes on three visitor outcomes (satisfaction, visitor experience and appreciation, and behavioral intentio...
Regulation of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids - Deafening Silence from the FDA.

Regulation of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids In August 2020, the FDA missed a statutory deadline to release rules governing over-the-counter hearing aids. It’s unclear when the agency will fulfill i...
Psychotic Like Experiences are Associated with Suicide Ideation and Behavior in 9 to 10 Year Old Children in the United States

Those experiencing psychotic like experiences (PLEs) are at higher risk for suicide ideation and behavior. However, it is unclear if PLEs are related to suicide ideation and behavior in children, and whether other factors such as impulsivity or emotion dysregulation might moderate the relationship. We hypothesize that PLEs are associated with suicide ideation and behavior, with impulsivity and emotion dysregulation moderating this relationship, in middle childhood. History of PLEs, suicide ideation and behavior, depression, emotion dysregulation, and impulsivity were assessed for 10,624 children aged 9 to 10.9 years (47.8% female, 34.4% minority race, 20.0% Hispanic) as part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development℠ study. Hypotheses about associations between variables were assessed using hierarchical linear modeling. PLEs were associated with suicide ideation and suicide behavior even when controlling for depression severity. Emotion dysregulation and impulsivity were also associated with suicide ideation and moderated the relationship between PLEs and suicide ideation. Variation in suicide ideation due to impulsivity and emotion dysregulation appears to be strongest when people are experiencing low levels to no PLEs. Only impulsivity and PLEs were associated with suicide behavior. Depression was associated with suicide ideation, but not suicide behavior. PLEs may be an important risk factor for suicide ideation and behavior in 9 to 10-year-old children, comparable to adult and adolescent populations. When considering prevention of suicidality, these data suggest that considering the relations between PLEs, impulsivity and emotion dysregulation may be important.
Consumer Expectations and Consumer Protection

Regulators go to considerable lengths to shape specific product choices — the homes we buy, which college we attend, how we save for retirement. Yet the primary governmental mechanism shaping consumer choice may be our general expectations — our reasons for purchasing a home or higher education at all. This is consumer law’s duality: consumers have great expectations, forged in part by the very same governmental actors that fashion legal mandates to protect them. Divorced from conventional financial understandings, these great expectations are often premised on ideologies such as “property as masculinity” and “higher education as equal opportunity.” This Article describes how the administration of these expectations — in higher education, home-ownership, and retirement savings — limits the efficacy of consumer protection law’s already problematic focus on disclosure.
Designing Tools for High-Quality Alt Text Authoring

Alternative (alt) text provides access to descriptions of digital images for people who use screen readers. While prior work studied screen reader users’ (SRUs’) preferences about alt text and automatic alt text (i.e., alt text generated by artificial intelligence), little work examined the alt text author’s experience composing or editing these descriptions. We built two types of prototype interfaces for two tasks: authoring alt text and providing feedback on automatic alt text. Through combined interview-usability testing sessions with alt text authors and interviews with SRUs, we tested the effectiveness of our prototypes in the context of Microsoft PowerPoint. Our results suggest that authoring interfaces that support authors in choosing what to include in their descriptions result in higher quality alt text. The feedback interfaces highlighted considerable differences in the perceptions of authors and SRUs regarding “high-quality” alt text. Finally, authors crafted significantly lower quality alt text when starting from the automatic alt text compared to starting from a blank box. We discuss the implications of these results on applications that support alt text.