cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Planetary exploration by robotic aerovehicles

Planetary aerobots are a new type of telerobotic science platform that can fly and navigate in a dynamic 3-dimensional atmospheric environment, thus enabling the global in situ exploration of planetary atmospheres and surfaces. Aerobots are enabled by a new concept in planetary balloon altitude control, developed at JPL, which employs reversible-fluid changes to permit repeated excursions in altitude. The essential physics and thermodynamics ofreversible-fluid altitude control have been demonstrated in a series of altitude-control experiments conducted in the Earth's atmosphere, which are described. Aerobot altitude-control technology will be important in the exploration of seven planets and satellites in our solar system. Three of these objects—Venus, Mars, and the Saturnian satellite Titan—have accessible solid surfaces and atmospheres dominated by the dense gases nitrogen or carbon dioxide. They will be explored with aerobots using helium or hydrogen as their primary means of buoyancy. The other four planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—have deep atmospheres that are predominantly hydrogen. It may be possible to explore these atmospheres with aerobots inflated with atmospheric gas that is then radiatively heated from the hotter gaseous depths below. To fulfill their potential, aerobots to explore the planets will need autonomous state estimators to guide their observations and provide information to the altitude-control systems. The techniques of acquiring these data remotely are outlined. Aerobots will also use on board altitude control and navigation systems to execute complex flight paths including descent to the surface and exploiting differential wind velocities to access different latitude belts. Approaches to control of these systems are examined. The application of aerobots to Venus exploration is explored in some detail: The most ambitious mission described, the Venus Flyer Robot (VFR), would have the capability to make repeated short excursions to the high-temperature surface environment of Venus to acquire data and then return to the Earth-like upper atmosphere to communicate and recool its electronic systems. Finally a Planetary Aerobot Testbed is discussed which will conduct Earth atmospheric flights to validate autonomous-state-estimator techniques and flight-path-control techniques needed for future planetary missions.
New Method of Well Test Analysis in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs Based on Elliptical Flow

Up-to-date well test analysis in naturally fractured reservoirs is based on the radial flow model. The radial flow model is only applicable to purely homogeneous systems and is a long-term solution in general. It cannot provide complete formation analysis in reservoirs that exhibit anisotropy. This study, therefore, presents a new method of estimating permeability anisotropy in naturally fractured reservoirs. Maximum and minimum permeability are obtained from a single well test. The maximum permeability is attributed to the large-scale fractures in the system, while the minimum permeability may be caused by the small-scale fractures orthogonal to the large-scale fractures. In a situation where the fractures are oriented in one direction, the minimum permeability will reflect the matrix permeability. The type of flow path developed (narrow or wide flow path) can also be predicted. This is useful in predicting the direction of fluid-flow. Application was made to four field examples, among which was an interference test. The interference test was used as a validation process. The results obtained are in agreement with that of the interference test method of analysis.
A Taxonomy of North American radial distribution feeders

This paper presents a set of radial distribution test feeders that are representative of those found in the various regions of the Continental United States. The purpose of publishing these distribution feeder models is to facilitate the analysis of new smart grid technologies.
Semiparametric estimation in general repeated measures problems

Summary. The paper considers a wide class of semiparametric problems with a parametric part for some covariate effects and repeated evaluations of a nonparametric function. Special cases in our approach include marginal models for longitudinal or clustered data, conditional logistic regression for matched case–control studies, multivariate measurement error models, generalized linear mixed models with a semiparametric component, and many others. We propose profile kernel and backfitting estimation methods for these problems, derive their asymptotic distributions and show that in likelihood problems the methods are semiparametric efficient. Although generally not true, it transpires that with our methods profiling and backfitting are asymptotically equivalent. We also consider pseudolikelihood methods where some nuisance parameters are estimated from a different algorithm. The methods proposed are evaluated by using simulation studies and applied to the Kenya haemoglobin data.
A wavelet solution to the spurious regression of fractionally differenced processes

SUMMARY In this paper we propose to overcome the problem of spurious regression between fractionally differenced processes by applying the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to both processes and then estimating the regression in the wavelet domain. The DWT is known to approximately decorrelate heavily autocorrelated processes and, unlike applying a first difference filter, involves a recursive two-step filtering and downsampling procedure. We prove the asymptotic normality of the proposed estimator and demonstrate via simulation its efficacy in finite samples. Copyright # 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comprehensive and systematic model of user evaluation of web search engines: I. theory and background

The project proposes and tests a comprehensive and systematic model of user evaluation of Web search engines. The project contains two parts. Part I describes the background and the model including a set of criteria and measures, and a method for implementation. It includes a literature review for two periods. The early period (1995-1996) portrays the settings for developing the model and the later period (1997-2000) places two applications of the model among contemporary evaluation work. Part II presents one of the applications that investigated the evaluation of four major search engines by 36 undergraduates from three academic disciplines. It reports results from statistical analyses of quantitative data for the entire sample and among disciplines, and content analysis of verbal data containing users' reasons for satisfaction. The proposed model aims to provide systematic feedback to engine developers or service providers for system improvement and to generate useful insight for system design and tool choice. The model can be applied to evaluating other compatible information retrieval systems or information retrieval (IR) techniques. It intends to contribute to developing a theory of relevance that goes beyond topicality to include value and usefulness for designing user-oriented information retrieval systems.
The Acinetobacter baumannii 19606 OmpA Protein Plays a Role in Biofilm Formation on Abiotic Surfaces and in the Interaction of This Pathogen with Eukaryotic Cells

The ability of Acinetobacter baumannii to adhere to and persist on surfaces as biofilms could be central to its pathogenicity. The production of pili and a biofilm-associated protein and the expression of antibiotic resistance are needed for robust biofilm formation on abiotic and biotic surfaces. This multistep process also depends on the expression of transcriptional regulatory functions, some of which could sense nutrients available to cells. This report extends previous observations by showing that although outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of A. baumannii 19606 plays a partial role in the development of robust biofilms on plastic, it is essential for bacterial attachment to Candida albicans filaments and A549 human alveolar epithelial cells. In contrast to abiotic surfaces, the interaction with biotic surfaces is independent of the CsuA/BABCDE-mediated pili. The interaction of A. baumannii 19606 with fungal and epithelial cells also results in their apoptotic death, a response that depends on the direct contact of bacteria with these two types of eukaryotic cells. Furthermore, the bacterial adhesion phenotype correlates with the ability of bacteria to invade A549 epithelial cells. Interestingly, the killing activity of cell-free culture supernatants proved to be protease and temperature sensitive, suggesting that its cytotoxic activity is due to secreted proteins, some of which are different from OmpA.
Ipsilateral multi-view CAD system for mass detection in digital mammography

An ipsilateral multi-view computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) scheme is presented for the earlier mass detection in digital mammograms. Tree structured nonlinear filtering (TSF) is used in image noise suppression. Two wavelet-based methods, directional wavelet transform (DWT) and tree structured wavelet transform (TSWT) are employed for image enhancement. Adaptive fuzzy-C means (FCM) algorithm is conducted for segmentation. Concurrent analysis is employed for iterative analysis of ipsilateral multi-view mammograms to raise detection sensitivity and specificity, and a supervised three-layer artificial neural network (ANN) in which the backpropagation (BP) algorithm combined with Kalman filtering is used as training algorithm is developed as a classifier, which has been trained using the training database with biopsy proven truth files. The application of such CAD system in digital mammography is reported in this article. The test database consists of 200 cases in which the distribution of normal, abnormal cases balanced, and free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) analysis method is used to test the performance of the developed unilateral CAD system. The performance comparison has been conducted between the final ipsilateral mufti-view CAD system and current single-view CAD system. The study results have shown that the advantages of ipsilateral mufti-view CAD method over current single-view CAD system express the feasibility of ipsilateral multi-view CAD system combined with concurrent analysis method described in this paper for the improvement of overall performance of CAD system in the early stage mass detection.
Zero path-length difference in fiber-optic interferometers

Techniques to measure and achieve very small path differences in fiber interferometers are described. The noise properties of the small path difference interferometers are briefly described.
Transferrin Receptors in Developing Murine Erythroid Cells

Summary. Techniques of cell separation were used to isolate murine erythroid cells at different stages of maturation. The number of transferrin receptors in these cell populations was assayed by measuring binding of 125I-labelled transferrin. Nearly 23 times as many receptors were found in the least mature cells, chiefly pronormoblasts, as in reticulocytes. Iron transport, determined by measurement of the rate of 59Fe uptake from 59Fe-labelled transferrin, was proportional to the number of receptors at all stages of differentiation. Electron microscope radioautographic studies of the interaction of 125I-labelled transferrin with erythroid precursor cells demonstrated that 15–35% of cell associated transferrin was intracellular in erythroid precursors.
Using the National Information Infrastructure (NII) for monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of operating machinery

This paper establishes distributed system architectures for electronic delivery of on line equipment monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics (MD&P) services. The MD&P information is used for predicting remaining life, and for real-time constraining of operational parameters for life extension of operating machines. Both technical and economic feasibility issues are examined. Technical feasibility analysis is supported by laboratory experiments and simulations of a reusable rocket propulsion engine and electric power plants. These experiments demonstrate substantial reductions in total accumulated damage by slight adjustments in the process variables to reduce system stress. Furthermore the results lead one to devise life extension methods for operating machinery by constraining the process variables based on load history, operational requirements and total accumulated damage of critical components. Typically, the health and monitoring of equipment is done on site, historic and diagnostic databases are archived, logistics and schedule data are available from plant management, and the dynamic models of damage and operating equipment performance under thermomechanical fatigue, creep, corrosion and wear are often proprietary and available only from vendors of equipment or research organizations. Concepts for utilizing the emerging National Information Infrastructure in meeting the computational and economic challenges of equipment life extension methods are developed. The technical vision supporting these concepts is that of electronic monitoring, diagnostic and prognostic services for electromechanical systems from specialized and generic centers over a ubiquitous information infrastructure. Necessary advances in information technology and an operational concept for supporting such a maintenance infrastructure are presented.
A pessimistic consistency control algorithm for replicated files which achieves high availability

A consistency control algorithm is described for managing replicated files in the face of network partitioning due to node or communication link failures. It adopts a pessimistic approach in that mutual consistency among copies of a file is maintained by permitting files to be accessed only in a single partition at any given time. The algorithm simplifies the Davcev-Burkhard dynamic voting algorithm (1985) and also improves its availability by adding the notion of linearly ordered copies. A proof that any pessimistic algorithm with fresh reads is one-copy serializable is given. >
High-κ dielectrics and advanced channel concepts for Si MOSFET

With scaling of the gate length downward to increase speed and density, the gate dielectric thickness must also be reduced. However, this practice which has been in effect for many decades has reached a fundamental limitation because gate dielectric thicknesses in the range of tunneling have been reached with the SiO2 dielectric layer for MOSFETs. Consequently, the gate dielectrics with higher dielectric constants, dubbed the “high-κ”, which allow scaling with much larger thicknesses have become active research and development topics. In this review technological issues associated with the likely high-κ materials which are under consideration as well as challenges, and solution to them, they bring about in the fabrication of Si MOSFET are discussed. Moreover, in order to squeeze more speed out of CMOS, channels for both n- and p-type MOSFET enhanced with appropriate strain and the concepts behind them are discussed succinctly. Finally, the longer term approach of replacing Si with other channel materials such as GaAs (InGaAs) for n-channel and Ge for p-channel along with technological developments of their preparation on Si and likely gate oxide developments are treated in some detail.
Reconstructing Civic Professionalism in Academic Life: A Response to Mark Wood’s Paper, “From Service to Solidarity”

This paper takes issue with Mark Wood’s political activism approach for pursuing the goals of the engagement movement, suggesting instead an approach that is based on reconstructing an identity and practice of civic professionalism in academic life. Two practice stories of civic professionalism are presented and discussed, illustrating its promise of meeting Barbara Holland’s dual academic and civic standard for defining and assessing the engaged institution.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Dimercapto Chelating Agents for the Treatment of Systemic Organic Arsenic Poisoning in Rabbits

1 The standard drug for the treatment of arsenic poisoning is BAL (dimercaprol). BAL possesses marked side-effects and a low safety ratio, drawbacks which new BAL analogues, DMPS and DMSA, do not possess.2 The efficacy of three chelating agents, BAL, DMPS and DMSA, has been evaluated as a treatment for systemic organic arsenic poisoning, induced by intravenous dichloro(2-chlorovinyl)arsine (lewisite) administration to rabbits. Equimolar dosing schedules were used based upon realistic doses for the most toxic agent, BAL.3 It was concluded that all three dimercapto chelating agents provided signficant protection against the lethal systemic effects of lewisite, and, under the test conditions reported here, there was no significant difference between them in therapeutic efficacy.4 The cause of mortality following intravenous lewisite in treated and untreated rabbits was pulmonary damage.5 It is considered that DMPS and DMSA are worthy of further study as replacements for BAL in the treatment of systemic poiso...
Cervical cancer treatment with a locally insertable controlled release delivery system.

Abstract Local delivery of cancer chemotherapeutics enables sustained drug levels at the site of action thereby reducing systemic side effects. A novel insertable polymeric drug delivery system for cervical cancer treatment is presented. Cisplatin, the first line of therapy employed for cervical cancers, was incorporated in a poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVAc) device that is similar to those currently used for vaginal contraceptive delivery. Cisplatin crystals were uniformly dispersed in the polymeric system without undergoing significant dissolution in the polymer matrix. Cisplatin dissolution from the devices was biphasic, consistent with a matrix-type controlled-release system with an initial rapid release phase followed by a slower, near linear release phase. Depending on the drug loading in the polymeric devices, the near-linear release phase varied in rate according to both empirical, linear curve-fitting (0.38 ± 0.15 μg/day to 46.9 ± 10.0 μg/day) and mechanistic, diffusion analysis based upon diffusion through a porous structure ( D app from 1.3 ± 0.5 × 10 − 9 cm 2 /s to 5.8 ± 0.3 × 10 − 12 cm 2 /s). The devices were tested for in vitro activity and found to be effective against both HPV positive and HPV negative cervical cancer cell lines. Preliminary studies indicate that this delivery system would be a good candidate for investigation as a choice of treatment in cervical cancers.
Field and laboratory evaluation of the influence of copper‐diquat on apple snails in Southern Florida

The recent decline of apple snail (Pomacea paludosa) populations in canals surrounding Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in southern Florida coincided with the use of copper-diquat for the control of the aquatic weed hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata). Field and laboratory studies were designed to assess the effects of copper-diquat on apple snails, which are the primary food of the endangered snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis (formerly known as the Everglade kite). Acute toxicities (96-h LC50 values) of Cutrine-Plus and Komeen (chelated formulations of copper) to immature apple snails were 22 and 24 μg/L, respectively. Diquat was toxic at a concentration of 1,800 μg/L and did not increase the toxicity of copper when the chemicals were used in combination. Evaluation of field samples indicated that copper concentrations were higher in detritus than in water, plants and mud, and that there was a gradient of copper concentration from the canal to the interior, the highest residues being in samples from the canal. Copper associated with detritus (up to 150 μg/g) had no effect on growth or survival of apple snails in field cage and tank studies. Also, field applications of copper-diquat to hydrilla had no effect on survival of caged adult and immature snails. Copper from field applications was rapidly taken out of solution by plants and organic material in the water and subsequently incorporated into the bottom detritus. Although the effects of repeated applications of copper-diquat and high body burdens of copper (accumulated during exposure to herbicidal treatment) on survival and reproduction of apple snails are not known, the information available indicates that treatment of hydrilla with copper-diquat was probably not responsible for the decline in the apple snail population. Application at recommended rates should pose no threat to these snails in the organically rich waters of southern Florida.
Firm Size, Capital Structure And Earnings Announcement Price Response

The existence of firm size effects is well documented in the accounting and finance literatures. One stream of this research interprets firm size as a proxy for the amount of information available about the firm. This paper extends prior work in this area and demonstrates that the significance of the size effect is increased substantially by considering information demands of both debt and equity investors. A size proxy that includes the book value of outstanding debt is more highly associated with returns surrounding annual and quarterly earnings announcements than a measure based solely on the market value of common equity.
Computational estimation of the acidities of some inorganic nitrogen acids

ABSTRACTThe pKa of a compound is among the compound's most useful properties since it defines the forms of the compound present under different conditions. In a previous report [Seybold, Mol. Phys. 113, 232 (2015)], computational estimates of the pKas of inorganic oxygen acids were presented using linear free energy methods based on quantum chemical descriptors. Like the oxygen acids, inorganic nitrogen acids encompass a diverse set of chemically and commercially important compounds, and this work explores computational modelling of the pKas of inorganic nitrogen acids and related compounds. Computations were performed at the DFT B3LYP/6-31+G** level with the SM8 aqueous solvent model of Marenich et al. [J. Chem. Theory Comput. 3, 2011 (2007)]. The energy difference ∆E(H2O) between the nitrogen cation acid and its neutral conjugate base, as determined within the SM8 aqueous solvent, provided good correlations (R2 = 0.921) with the experimental pKas. As shown also in other studies, it appears that the desc...
TAX TIME ACCOUNT DIRECT MAIL PILOT EVALUATION

Millions of U.S. adults are unbanked and lack access to safe financial accounts. The MyAccountCard pilot program offered low-income adults a prepaid card account that could be used for electronic delivery of their tax refunds and everyday financial transactions. Key findings from the evaluation, designed to test different account features, include (1) the card account appealed most to its target population: likely unbanked individuals were three times more likely to take-up the card; (2) individuals are price sensitive: charging a monthly fee decreased card take-up by roughly 40 percent; and (3) the savings account as designed in this pilot was not perceived as valuable.
Library Safety Through Design: Using a Checklist Approach at the University of Idaho

ABSTRACTLibraries are responsible for the safety, security, and welfare of their patrons, employees, collections, buildings, and property. Well-designed library spaces enhance the overall security and safety of the library building and its users. One potential tool to assist in assessing library spaces and building design is the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) methodology. This article presents a case study in which a CPTED checklist was used to examine safety and security design features in an academic library environment. In conjunction with other safety measures, including dedicated safety committees, expert-led safety trainings, and ongoing conversations about security in the library, the CPTED checklist can help inform library conversations about building security and contribute to a safer, more secure atmosphere in which students can thrive.
Teaching software design principles to undergraduates by creating software inspired by the board game Castle Panic

This ongoing project seeks to teach software design principles to undergraduate participants by designing and implementing multi-user software inspired by the board game Castle Panic. This long-term team project spans several fields of computer science, including object oriented software engineering with UML diagrams for design documentation, computer graphics, user interface design, and artificial intelligence. Written in Java with the Swing library for the user interface, the project leverages object oriented design principles, such as inheritance and data encapsulation through Java interfaces. The software is also designed to be easily extensible, with ongoing iterative addition of new features.
A THREE-ZONE PARTITION FOR PULMONARY ARTERY DIMENSIONS MEASURED BY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY TO “RULE IN” AND “RULE OUT” PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

d Results: • Table 1 shows the baseline demographics. • 137 (57%) patients (54% derivation, 60% validation) were diagnosed with PH. • Table 2 shows the diagnostic accuracy for the three-zone partition of mPA and rPA for detecting PH. • For mPA, a lower threshold with FHS sex-specific cutpoints and an upper threshold of 34 mm yielded a cstatistic of 0.88 (Figure 2A). Validation c-statistic 0.82. • For rPA, a lower threshold with FHS cut-point of 0.9 and an upper threshold of 1.1 yielded a c-statistic of 0.85 (Figure 2B). Validation c-statistic 0.81.
Oxygen Activation and Reaction on Pd–Au Bimetallic Surfaces

Pd–Au bimetallic catalysts have shown promising performance for a number of oxidative reactions. The present study utilizes reactive molecular beam scattering (RMBS), reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and density functional theory (DFT) techniques in an attempt to enhance the fundamental understanding of oxygen activation and reaction with CO on Pd–Au surfaces. Our results reveal that the presence of contiguous Pd sites is crucial for adsorption of oxygen molecules on Pd/Au(111) surfaces at 77 K. Upon heating, oxygen admolecules desorbed molecularly without detectable dissociation in O2-TPD measurements. CO-RMBS experiments indicate that at lower temperatures (77–150 K) oxygen admolecules were readily displaced by CO due to competitive adsorption. Oxygen admolecules can be thermally activated at higher temperatures (180–250 K) to react with CO to form CO2. DFT calculations show that the Pd–Au surface containing larger Pd ensembles favors dissocia...
The Influence of Diet upon the Adult Life Span of Two Species of Bracon

The life span of adult females of Bracon serinopae Cherian (= Habrobracon serinopae ) and Bracon hebetor Say (= Habrobracon juglandis Ashmead) was determined when fed a daily diet consisting either of Anagasta larvae or a honey-water mixture. Anagasta -fed females are fertile while honey-fed females are sterile. For the two stocks of B. serinopae honey-fed females lived more than twice as long as Anagasta -fed females. For B. hebetor , there was no difference in life span for stock No. 1, a small difference in life span for stock No. 33, and a large difference for stock No. 25+/c between the honey-fed and Anagasta -fed groups. In Bracon , the life span of the females seems to be independent of their fecundity. The genotype of the organism is a determining factor in the role of nutrition in relation to longevity.
Assessing the Dependability of Drinking Motives via Generalizability Theory

This study assessed the score reliability of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire–Revised (DMQ-R) via generalizability theory. Participants (n = 367 college students) completed the DMQ-R at three tim...
Effects of Desliming and Hydroacoustic Cavitation Treatment on the Flotation of Ultrafine Bituminous Coal

ABSTRACTTesting was conducted to evaluate the effects of desliming in combination with hydroacoustic cavitation (HAC) treatment on flotation when processing nominal -150 μm Illinois-basin bituminous coal, which was obtained from a refuse stream at an operating coal-cleaning plant. Cavitation was produced either by flow through an ultrasonic resonator chamber or enhanced cavitation by initial flow through a cavitation chamber followed by flow through the ultrasonic unit. Desliming was carried out using a 102 mm diameter hydrocyclone. Flotation tests were conducted using a laboratory flotation cell for different reagent amounts and flotation times. The results indicated that desliming improved flotation substantially. Moreover, in some cases, HAC treatment provided an additional benefit by liberating ultrafine inorganic material prior to desliming.
The global carbon cycle and the atmospheric record: “The problem definition”

The abundance of C02 in the atmosphere has increased from ~315 ppmv in 1958 to ~350 ppmv in the 1990s. The increase in the decade of the 1980s is ~55% of the C02 release from fossil fuel combustion, estimated at 5.5 Pg C yr-1, or ~40% of the total anthropogenic source, from fossil fuel combustion plus land use modification (estimated at 1.6 Pg C yr-1). Thus, mass balance requires the removal of ~60% of the anthropogenic C02 by the surface. The partitioning of the C02 sink between the ocean and land is a subject of intense debate and research. As the residence time of C02 in the terrestrial biosphere is much shorter than that in the ocean, C02 sequestered now in the terrestrial biosphere may be returned to the atmosphere in the next 50-100 years to accelerate greenhouse warming (see Woodwell 1995). Therefore, understanding the mechanisms responsible for the C02 uptake is crucial for projections of future C02 levels in the atmosphere.
Electrical noise around accelerators

Electrical noise around accelerators covers a wide range of frequency and amplitude, sometimes creating problems for sensitive instrumentation. This article mentions some sources, as well as describing cases where solutions were found.
Student Retention: Application of the Customer Equity Model

This study provides an evaluation of the marketing-based customer equity model applied to student retention using measures of student equity and goal orientation. Data gathered from students, combi...
Improving clerkship preparedness: a hospital medicine elective for pre-clerkship students

ABSTRACTBackground: Medical students often struggle to apply their nascent clinical skills in clerkships. While transitional clerkships can orient students to new roles and logistics, students may benefit from developing clinical skills in inpatient environments earlier in their curriculum to improve readiness for clerkships.Intervention: Our four- to six-session elective provides pre-clerkship students with individualized learning in the inpatient setting with the aim of improving clerkship preparedness. Students work one-on-one with faculty who facilitate individualized learning through mentoring, deliberate practice, and directed feedback.Second-year medical students are placed on an attending-only, traditionally ‘non-teaching’ service in the hospital medicine division of a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital for half-day sessions. Most students self-select into the elective following a class-wide advertisement. The elective also accepts students who are referred for remediation of their clinical skills.Out...
Semantic Technologies and Bio-Ontologies

As information available through data repositories constantly grows, the need for automated mechanisms for linking, querying, and sharing data has become a relevant factor both in research and industry. This situation is more evident in research fields such as the life sciences, where new experiments by different research groups are constantly generating new information regarding a wide variety of related study objects. However, current methods for representing information and knowledge are not suited for machine processing. The Semantic Technologies are a set of standards and protocols that intend to provide methods for representing and handling data that encourages reusability of information and is machine-readable. In this chapter, we will provide a brief introduction to Semantic Technologies, and how these protocols and standards have been incorporated into the life sciences to facilitate dissemination and access to information.
Systemic Embolization from an Unusual Intracardiac Mass in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract.

Endocarditis can affect any endocardial surface; in the vast majority of cases, the cardiac valves are involved. It is exceedingly rare to develop infective endocarditis on the endocardium of the left ventricular outflow tract due to the high velocity of blood that traverses this area. Herein, we present a rare case of left ventricular outflow tract endocarditis that likely occurred secondary to damage to the aortic valve leaflets (from healed prior aortic valve endocarditis) causing a high velocity aortic valve regurgitant jet that impinged upon the interventricular septum which damaged the endocardium and resulted in a fibrotic “jet lesion.” This fibrous jet lesion served as a nidus for bacterial proliferation and vegetation formation. The high shear stress (due to high blood flow velocity through the left ventricular outflow tract) likely promoted the multiple embolic events observed in this case. Our patient was successfully treated with aortic valve replacement, vegetation resection, and antibiotics.
Monolithic optical phased arrays in silicon

This paper covers a summary of recent developments, architectural choices, building blocks, and selected challenges in the area of monolithic silicon optical phased arrays with emphasis on imaging applications.
MIMO channel estimation and evaluation for airborne traffic surveillance in cellular networks

A channel estimation (CE) procedure based on compressed sensing is proposed to estimate the multiple-input multiple-output sparse channel for traffic data transmission from drones to ground stations. The proposed procedure consists of an offline phase and a real-time phase. In the offline phase, a pilot arrangement method, which considers the interblock and block mutual coherence simultaneously, is proposed. The real-time phase contains three steps. At the first step, it obtains the priori estimate of the channel by block orthogonal matching pursuit; afterward, it utilizes that estimated channel to calculate the linear minimum mean square error of the received pilots. Finally, the block compressive sampling matching pursuit utilizes the enhanced received pilots to estimate the channel more accurately. The performance of the CE procedure is evaluated by simulating the transmission of traffic data through the communication channel and evaluating its fidelity for car detection after demodulation. Simulation results indicate that the proposed CE technique enhances the performance of the car detection in a traffic image considerably.
A preoperative prediction model for risk of multiple admissions after colon cancer surgery

Abstract Background A subset of patients who undergo colon cancer surgery may be at a high risk of multiple subsequent admissions. We developed a simplified model to predict the preoperative risk of multiple postoperative admissions (MuAdm) among patients undergoing colon resection to aid in preoperative planning. Methods Patients aged ≥18 y with colon cancer who underwent elective surgical resection identified in discharge claims from California and New York (2008-2011) were included. The primary outcome, MuAdm, was defined as 2 or more admissions in the year following resection. Logistic regression models were developed to identify factors predictive of MuAdm. A weighted point system was developed using beta-coefficients (P Results A total of 14,780 patients underwent colon resection for cancer. Almost 30% had an admission in the year after index surgery and 9.8% had MuAdm. The significant predictors of MuAdm were higher Elixhauser comorbidity index score, metastatic disease, payer system, and the number of admissions in the year before surgery. Scores ranged from 0 to 8. Scores ≤1 had a 7% risk of MuAdm, and scores ≥6 had a >30% risk of MuAdm. Conclusions In the year following discharge after resection of colon cancer, nearly 10% of patients are admitted 2 or more times. A simple, preoperative clinical model can prospectively predict the likelihood of multiple admissions in patients anticipating resection. This model can be used for preoperative planning and setting postoperative expectations more accurately.
Climate Change, Heavy Precipitation and Flood Risk in the Western United States

Current flood management, including flood control structures, land use regulations, and insurance markets, is adapted to historic flood risks, often using data from the past 100 years. In places where climate change will increase the flood risk outside the historic exposure, current management practices may not be adequate and losses could become increasingly catastrophic. For planning purposes, communities require scenarios of likely future flood inundation, which requires modeling the combined effects of sea level rise and changing peak flows along the relevant rivers, which in turn are derived from climate models and downscaling methods. In many regions, including the western United States, extreme precipitation is projected to increase with climate change, and these changes would have substantial impacts on flood risk. Simulating the effects of climate change on extreme precipitation presents substantial modeling challenges due to the complex weather dynamics of these events. Downscaling methods are critical to adequately incorporate the effects of climate change on extreme events and to simulate the response of local flood risk to these changes at the spatial and temporal scales most relevant to assessing community-scale risks from flooding. Statistical and dynamical downscaling is discussed and the implications of these methods for flood risk projections is evaluated. A case study is presented that illustrates three primary pathways for climate change impacts on a flood plain (sea level rise, reduced snowpack and higher intensity precipitation extremes) and illustrates the importance of methodological choices.
Optoacoustic Measurement of Isotope Effects in the H 2 -Cl 2 Reaction

The progress of photochemical chain reactions can be monitored with the chemically amplified optoacoustic effect. Measurement of the acoustic amplitude as a function of time in H 2 — Cl 2 and D 2 — Cl 2 mixtures irradiated with the 488nm output of an Ar ion laser gives a profile of reaction rate versus time. Measurement of the relative rates of reaction for H 2 and D 2 with Cl 2 obtained from the optoacoustic data along with thermochemical data permits relative rate parameters for these two reactions to be determined.
Appendix to the Paper of Scholl

Let X/Q be a smooth projective (but not necessariy geometrically irreducible) variety, and let χ be a flat proper model of X over Z. Then the image of the map $${{K'}_{*}}(\chi ) \otimes Q \to {{K'}_{*}}(X) \otimes Q = {{K}_{*}}(X) \otimes Q $$ (1) is independent of the model χ.
Two isoforms of Pepck in Sarcophaga bullata and their distinct expression profiles through development, diapause, and in response to stresses of cold and starvation.

Abstract Pepck is a metabolic enzyme that participates in gluconeogenesis through the conversion of oxaloacetate into phosphoenol pyruvate. Numerous transcriptomic studies have identified Pepck as a potential key player during diapause and various stresses responses. Here, we describe expression patterns of both cytosolic and mitochondrial isoforms of Pepck throughout development, during diapause, and in response to starvation and cold shock in the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata. We cloned full-length transcripts for both Pepck isoforms and observed that expression of both genes varied throughout development. Diapausing pupae have the highest relative expression of both isoforms, suggesting participation in the anticipatory production of sugars and sugar alcohols that occurs during this overwintering stage. In response to acute stress, the cytosolic isoform was upregulated whereas the mitochondrial variant remained unchanged. Cytosolic Pepck was strongly upregulated after 2 h recovery from cold shock and returned to baseline levels within 8 h. In response to 24 h of starvation, the cytosolic isoform was similarly upregulated and returned to control levels after 24 h of recovery. Acute stress is known to incur a metabolic cost, and Pepck could be a key player in this response. Although it remains unclear why there is such a dramatic divergence in the expression of the two isoforms, the distinction suggests specific roles for the two isoforms that depend on the developmental status of the fly and the stress conditions to which it is exposed.
Effect of propensity of seeking medical care on the bias of the estimated effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines from studies using a test-negative case-control design.

Abstract Background Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea among children worldwide, and vaccines can reduce morbidity and mortality by 50–98%. The test-negative control (TNC) study design is increasingly used for evaluating the effectiveness of vaccines against rotavirus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. In this study design, symptomatic patients who seek medical care are tested for the pathogen of interest. Those who test positive (negative) are classified as cases (controls). Methods We use a probability model to evaluate the bias of estimates of rotavirus vaccine effectiveness (VE) against rotavirus diarrhea resulting in hospitalization in the presence of possible confounding and selection biases due to differences in the propensity of seeking medical care (PSMC) between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Results The TNC-based VE estimate corrects for confounding bias when the confounder’s effects on the probabilities of rotavirus and non-rotavirus related hospitalizations are equal. If this condition is not met, then the estimated VE may be substantially biased. The bias is more severe in low-income countries, where VE is known to be lower. Under our model, differences in PSMC between vaccinated and unvaccinated children do not result in selection bias when the TNC study design is used. Conclusions In practice, one can expect the association of PSMC (or other potential confounders) with the probabilities of rotavirus and non-rotavirus related hospitalization to be similar, in which case the confounding effects will only result in small bias in the VE estimate from TNC studies. The results of this work, along with those of our previous paper, confirm the TNC design can be expected to provide reliable estimates of rotavirus VE in both high- and low-income countries.
Motor Control Simulation Of Time Optimal Fast Movement in Man

In the fastest human movements, three pulses of activation can be recorded from the agonist and antagonist muscles in the form of bursts of the electromyogram, (EMG). Our detailed simulation of the muscles and load enabled quantitative determination of the Action, Braking, and Clamping roles of the first agonist, antagonist, and second agonist bursts respectively. These results are obtained by varying EMG based control signal inputs to a fixed sixth order non-linear model of horizontal head rotation. In an additional simulation experiment it is shown that a three pulse control signal is required for optimal movement when the movement is constrained to a small target window beginning soon after movement start. Similarly, experimental variations in time optimal movements obtained by application of external loads, or alteration of proprioception by tendon vibration can be accurately simulated with the same unchanged model but with changed experimental conditions and an input control signal which is changed by the same amount as observed EMG changes.
Evaluating Leadership Competency in DNP Clinical Practice.

Background Evaluating the growth of leadership competencies of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students in academic and organizational settings has been a challenge. Objective The purpose of developing a method of evaluating DNP student leadership focused on a strategy to assess DNP student growth in the areas associated with leadership and change. Methods Competencies of leadership that were evidenced based and effective in healthcare environments were employed as a basis for the leadership narrative. The resulting tool served both as structure for the student's development and as a method of instruction and evaluation in the academic setting. Results Using a descriptive and experiential leadership narrative as one method of evaluation is an effective strategy for fostering DNP student leadership development in both the direct patient and system-focused settings. Moreover, the leadership narrative is easily generalizable and transferable in environments where growth in leadership and competency development is valued. Conclusions The process of developing leadership narratives is a transformational experience for the doctoral student and future nursing leader. Implications for nursing Easily incorporated into the DNP practicum structure and beyond, the leadership narrative is an effective method for formative and summative evaluation of DNP student leadership development. Moreover, consistent with the accrediting body for DNP education, the leadership narrative can be used as one method of demonstrating program effectiveness.
Utilizing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty for More than One Compartment

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty can involve any of the three knee compartments, namely, the medial, lateral, or patellofemoral, and is an excellent option for patients with relative preservation of the remaining two compartments. Traditionally, total knee arthroplasty has been the surgical treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic arthritis involving more than one compartment. There is evidence that modular bicompartmental knee arthroplasty, replacing two compartments with two separate unicompartmental implants and preserving the natural anatomy of the third compartment is a reasonable alternative to total knee arthroplasty in these patients. The purpose of the current discussion is to present the available evidence regarding bicompartmental knee arthroplasty.
Modeling ion effects for the Argonne Advanced Photon Source upgrade

Ions are produced in an accelerator when the beam ionizes residual gas inside the vacuum chamber. If the beam is negatively charged, ions can become trapped in the beams potential, and their density will increase over time. Trapped ions can cause a variety of undesirable effects, including instability and emittance growth. This paper will discuss the possibility of ion trapping and instability in the APS-Upgrade storage ring. The question of where ions will be trapped is addressed using simple analytical calculations, while the instability is modeled with computer simulations. A scheme is proposed for mitigating the ion instability, by using train gaps with a high charge bunch before and after the gap to minimize rf transients. The reduction in ion density due to nonevaporable getter coating is also discussed.
What About the Children

Children were not always deemed as “special.” Up until 1800, many European and American parents loved their children in different ways than do modern parents. As families struggled for survival, parents expected children to work at much younger ages than today. European and American teenagers began using their earnings from their after-school job for their own consumption, instead of contributing to their families’ upkeep; entrepreneurs quickly catered to children’s desires. What duties producers and employers owed young consumers and workers became pressing questions?