cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Affective attachments and foreign policy: Israel and the 1993 Oslo Accords

Although the important role of emotions in decision-making has been highlighted in the psychology, neural science, and decision research literatures, this conclusion has not been widely adopted in foreign policy analysis and International Relations (IR). Of the work that has been done, much of it has been focused on public perceptions and the impact on foreign policy, but not on elites and the actual decisions of foreign policy. This article seeks to address this imbalance by examining the role of one element of emotion — affect — on key foreign policy decision-makers. It argues that the greater the emotional attachment a leader has to an object, the less flexible she is in foreign policy toward that object. The model is used to explain a critical puzzle in IR: Israel’s decision to pursue and sign the 1993 Oslo Accords.
A light-trapping solar cell coverglass

A novel method of reducing surface reflectivity which eliminates the need to texturize the surface of the cell is presented. A double light pass is achieved by using a light-trapping coverglass which redirects reflected light back to the cell surface by total internal reflection. This technique allows low-reflectance surfaces to be used on planar solar cells, including GaAs and InP/int, with the benefit of increasing the possible short-circuit current (and hence the efficiency) by 6 to 10% with no additional steps added to the cell manufacturing process. The coverglass design also has applications to reduction of grid shadowing and to light trapping within the cell. >
Adenosine receptor antagonism in acute tacrolimus toxicity

Background. Calcineurin inhibitors induce renal vasoconstriction and oliguria during acute toxicity. We previously demonstrated that the nonspecific adenosine receptor antagonist theophylline improved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow in the setting of acute tacrolimus (TAC) toxicity. This study was undertaken to determine which of the known adenosine receptor subtypes is responsible for the observed effect of theophylline. Methods. The GFR was measured by clearance of 51 Cr-EDTA in anaesthetized, instrumented Sprague– Dawley rats at three time points: at baseline, 60 min after intravenous administration of TAC (0.05 mg/kg) or vehicle (V) and at 100 min after TAC or V. Either DMSO (n ¼ 5) or one of the three available specific adenosine receptor subtype antagonists 1,3-dipropyl-8cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX, 2 mg/kg, n ¼ 5), a selective A1 receptor antagonist, 8-(3-chlorostyryl) caffeine (CSC, 2 mg/kg, n ¼ 4), a selective A2a receptor antagonist and 3-ethyl-5-benzyl-2-methyl-4-phenylethynyl-6-phenyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5 dicarboxylate (MRS1191, 1 mg/kg, n ¼ 5), a selective A3 receptor antagonist, was administered intra-peritoneally prior to the final GFR measurement. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to detect differences between groups (P<0.05). Results. Measured GFR declined by 30% from baseline 60 min after TAC. In DMSO treated animals, GFR decreased 51% from baseline at 100 min after TAC, but increased 45% from baseline at 100 min after TAC þ MRS1191. Conclusions. Only administration of the A3 adenosine antagonist increased GFR following TAC, suggesting that this receptor mediates the effect of theophylline on GFR.
Consultation Skills for Resource Teachers

Although the importance of the resource teacher's consulting role has been widely acknowledged, relatively little information is available on educators' perceptions of that role. This study was und...
PROMIS™ of Improved Tools for Assessing Sleep and Wake Function: Commentary on “Development of Short Forms from the PROMIS™ Sleep Disturbance and Sleep-Related Impairment Item Banks”

Every skilled craftsperson understands the importance of using the right tools to complete a project successfully. For those of us engaged in sleep and circadian research, the integrity of our data...
Detecting targets of alignment moves in multiparty discussions

In analyzing goal-oriented multiparty discussions, one challenge is to determine who is responding to whom when they are supporting or opposing a remark put forward by another participant. This paper looks at algorithms for detecting the target discussant, comparing findings of important features for three genres of text and spoken discussions. Comparing to the common baseline of “previous speaker,” we find gains from considering content and semantic similarity in target detection, but with substantial differences in accuracy and important features across genres.
Maximal flavor violation from new right-handed gauge bosons

Theories of flavor violation beyond the standard model typically suppose that the new contributions must be small, for example, suppressed by Yukawa couplings, as in minimal flavor violation. We show that this need not be true, presenting a case for flavor violation which maximally mixes the first- and third-generation flavors. As an example, we realize this scenario via new right-handed gauge bosons, which couple predominantly to the combinations $(u,b{)}_{R}$ and $(t,d{)}_{R}$. We show that this new flavor violation could be responsible for several anomalies, focusing, in particular, on the ${B}_{d}$, ${B}_{s}$ systems, and the Tevatron top forward-backward asymmetry.
An information-theoretical approach to phylogeography.

Data analysis in phylogeographic investigations is typically conducted in either a qualitative manner, or alternatively via the testing of null hypotheses. The former, where inferences about population processes are derived from geographical patterns of genetic variation, may be subject to confirmation bias and prone to overinterpretation. Testing the predictions of null hypotheses is arguably less prone to bias than qualitative approaches, but only if the tested hypotheses are biologically meaningful. As it is difficult to know a priori if this is the case, there is the general need for additional methodological approaches in phylogeographic research. Here, we explore an alternative method for analysing phylogeographic data that utilizes information theory to quantify the probability of multiple hypotheses given the data. We accomplish this by augmenting the model-selection procedure implemented in IMAwith calculations of Akaike Information Criterion scores and model probabilities. We generate a ranking of 17 models each representing a set of historical evolutionary processes that may have contributed to the evolution ofPlethodon idahoensis, and then quantify the relative strength of support for each hypothesis given the data using metrics borrowed from information theory. Our results suggest that two models have high probability given the data. Each of these models includes population divergence and estimates of ancestralh that differ from estimates of descendenth, inferences consistent with prior work in this system. However, the models disagree in that one includes migration as a parameter and one does not, suggesting that there are two regions of parameter space that produce model likelihoods that are similar in magnitude given our data. Results of a simulation study suggest that when data are simulated with migration, most of the optimal models include migration as a parameter, and further that when all of the shared polymorphism results from incomplete lineage sorting, most of the optimal models do not. The results could also indicate a lack of precision, which may be a product of the amount of data that we have collected. In any case, the information-theoretic metrics that we have applied to the analysis of our data are statistically rigorous, as are hypothesis-testing approaches, but move beyond the ‘reject⁄fail to reject’ dichotomy of conventional hypothesis testing in a manner that provides considerably more flexibility to researchers.
Multi-input/multi-output sensitivity-points tuning

An extension of sensitivity point tuning concepts to the self-tuning of multi-input/multi-output (MIMO) systems is presented, and implementation issues are discussed. The means of generating the sensitivities needed for tuning are developed in a matrix transfer function form. A block diagram interpretation is presented to illustrate the conceptual clarity of using MIMO sensitivity points. A self-tuning example is included to demonstrate the tuning characteristics of the technique. >
On factorization of a subclass of 2-D digital FIR lossless matrices for 2-D QMF bank applications

The role of one-dimensional (1-D) digital finite impulse response (FIR) lossless matrices in the design of FIR perfect reconstruction quadrature mirror filter (QMF) banks has been explored previously. Structures which can realize the complete family of FIR lossless transfer matrices, have also been developed, with QMF application in mind. For the case of 2-D QMF banks, the same concept of lossless polyphase matrix has been used to obtain perfect reconstruction. However, the problem of finding a structure to cover all 2-D FIR lossless matrices of a given degree has not been solved. Progress in this direction is reported. A structure which completely covers a well-defined subclass of 2-D digital FIR lossless matrices is obtained. >
Analysis of nighttime activity and daytime pain in patients with chronic back pain using a self-organizing map neural network.

There may be a relationship between sleep and pain in patients with chronic back pain. We collected day-time pain and nighttime activity data from 18 patients diagnosed with chronic back pain. The patients were followed for 6 days and 5 nights. Pain levels were collected every 90 min between 0800 hours and 2200 hours using a computerized electronic diary. Activity levels were collected using a wrist accelerometer (Actiwatch AW-64). The Actiwatch sampled activity counts every 1 min. Patients were asked to wear the Actiwatch on their non-dominant arm.
An automated high-resolution, rapidly relocatable meteorological nowcasting and prediction system

Abstract An automated, rapidly relocatable nowcasting and prediction system, whose cornerstone is the full-physics, nested-grid, nonhydrostatic fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5), has been under development at the Pennsylvania State University since the late 1990s. In the applications presented in this paper, the Rapidly Relocatable Nowcast-Prediction System (RRNPS) provides a continuous stream of highly detailed nowcasts, defined here as gridded meteorological fields produced by a high-resolution mesoscale model assimilating available observations and staying just ahead of the clock to provide immediately available current meteorological conditions. The RRNPS, configured to use 36-, 12-, and 4-km nested domains, is applied over the Great Plains for 18 case days in August 2001, over the East Coast region for 8 case days in April 2002, and for 12 case days during the winter and summer of 2003. The performance of the RRNPS...
Ovarian Choriocarcinoma in the Mouse

Choriocarcinoma is one of the rarest ovarian tumors in any animal species. This paper describes the gross and microscopic appearance of seven such neoplasms in B6C3F1 mice. Mean age at death was 47 weeks. Tumors were described at necropsy as dark or hemorrhagic cystic lesions. On microscopic examination tumors were composed of hematocysts, intercellular hemorrhage, and cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and/or trophoblastic giant cells. Cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and occasional giant cells were present in three cases while the other four tumors contained only trophoblastic giant cells.
Neutron Reflection Studies of Swelling of Chemically End-Grafted Polymer Chains

Neutron reflection is used to compare the swelling of two chemically end-grafted polystyrene brushes having different grafting densities exposed to a theta solvent cyclohexane and to a good solvent toluene. The relative swelling of the brushes with a variation of solvent quality becomes smaller and the temperature dependence becomes weaker with an increase of grafting density. This type of swelling is very similar to polymer networks where an increase of cross-linking density leads to a decreased range of swelling and diminished dependence of the swelling. The model density profile fits to the body of both brushes is parabolic in a good solvent so that some fluctuation effects, as found generally in lower density brushes, are obtained as the brush expands.
Balancing nurses' workload to enhance the quality of care in an outpatient cancer clinic

Nurses are critical resources as they maintain communication with patients, providers, and all other departments. Therefore, nurse unavailability creates a gap in the care delivery process and contributes to patients' wait time. This paper presents a methodology aimed at balancing nursing workload and increasing nurse availability at a workstation through an equitable redistribution of activities taking into consideration nurse utilisation and mental demand as well as required cognitive skills. A work-sampling study was performed to determine the proportion of time nurses spent on each task and the availability of nurses at the workstation. Subsequently, NASA-TLX and a cognitive survey were administered to understand the nature of activities and estimated task demands and requirements of nurses. Based on the results, recommendations were proposed and verified through a pilot study which resulted in an increase of nurses' availability by 19% while balancing their workload.
Anabolic responses to acute and chronic resistance exercise are enhanced when combined with aquatic treadmill exercise.

Aquatic treadmill (ATM) running may simultaneously promote aerobic fitness and enhance muscle growth when combined with resistance training (RT) compared with land-treadmill (LTM) running. Therefor...
How Can Automatic Feedback Help Students Construct Automata

In computer-aided education, the goal of automatic feedback is to provide a meaningful explanation of students' mistakes. We focus on providing feedback for constructing a deterministic finite automaton that accepts strings that match a described pattern. Natural choices for feedback are binary feedback (correct/wrong) and a counterexample of a string that is processed incorrectly. Such feedback is easy to compute but might not provide the student enough help. Our first contribution is a novel way to automatically compute alternative conceptual hints. Our second contribution is a rigorous evaluation of feedback with 377 students. We find that providing either counterexamples or hints is judged as helpful, increases student perseverance, and can improve problem completion time. However, both strategies have particular strengths and weaknesses. Since our feedback is completely automatic, it can be deployed at scale and integrated into existing massive open online courses.
Atresia coli in calves: 26 cases (1977-1987).

Abstract Atresia coli was identified in 26 calves. In calves with abdominal distension, progressive depression, and the absence of feces since birth, atresia coli should be suspected. Surgery was performed on 24 calves, involving decompression of the distended large intestine followed by colonic anastomosis. Nine calves were subsequently discharged; 3 of those calves reached breeding age. As an adult, 1 of the calves produced 5 offspring unaffected by atresia coli. Early postoperative mortality was associated with hypothermia, peritonitis, and ischemic necrosis of the large intestine. Calves with visible signs of peritonitis at surgery had a poor prognosis. Four calves had motility disturbances of the colon after surgery. These were characteristic of a functional obstruction and were unresponsive to treatment. Surgery was most successful in calves that were bright, alert, and ambulatory.
South Korea's Rise: South Korea and the developing world: Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia

South Korea’s economic development has had a strong impact on its relations with the major powers in the international community. Equally transformative has been the effect on Seoul’s relations with the developing world. South Korea was once a member of this group, but through its policies, hard work, and ability to adapt, it has been able to climb into the ranks of the developed OECD member states. As a rising middle power with few natural resources, South Korea has sought closer ties with the resource-rich countries of the developing world, along with increased market access for its manufactured goods and world-class high-tech products. South Korea has also done much to assist developing countries in working toward sustainable development by expanding its foreign aid programs while organizing and participating in various regional forums to help promote development. The developing world has looked to South Korea as an economic role model to help chart a course for further growth. Indeed, many in the region view South Korea as less predatory and a force to balance the big outside economic players – China, the United States, and Japan – that seek market access and influence. Having once been a poor country that struggled to develop, South Korea is now an important player and sought-after economic and security partner in the developing world.
Some more similarities between Peirce and Skinner.

C. S. Peirce is noted for pioneering a variety of views, and the case is made here for the similarities and parallels between his views and B. F. Skinner’s radical behaviorism. In addition to parallels previously noted, these similarities include an advancement of experimental science, a behavioral psychology, a shift from nominalism to realism, an opposition to positivism, a selectionist account for strengthening behavior, the importance of a community of selves, a recursive approach to method, and the probabilistic nature of truth. Questions are raised as to the extent to which Skinner’s radical behaviorism, as distinguished from his S-R positivism, may be seen as an extension of Peirce’s pragmatism.
Hourly Response of Laboratory-Reared and Native Male Pink Bollworms to Traps Baited with Hexalure

A test was conducted for 22 Aug. to 4 Sept., 1969, at Borrego Springs, Calif., to determine if pink bollworm males reared in the laboratory (Mangum et al. 1969) with no attempt to duplicate natural photoperiod would show the same pattern of response toward sex pheromones as the native moths. Nineteen modified Frick traps were distributed through a 5-acre plot of cotton where irradiated (25 krad) laboratory-reared pink bollworms were being released each day. These moths were reared on diet containing Calco Oil Red dye to mark them (Graham and Mangum 1971) and irradiated as adults at Brownsville, Tex., and shipped via air mail to Indio, Calif. The traps were baited each week with 10 mg of the synthetic sex attractant hexalure (Keller et al. 1969) on a filter-paper dispenser. On 6 nights during the trapping period, collections of the released and native males were recorded each hour from sunset to sunrise. Wind direction and velocity at plant height and temperatures beneath the canopy also were recorded.
Atomic Layered Coating Enabling Ultrafast Surface Kinetics at Silicon Electrodes in Lithium Ion Batteries

The interfacial charge-transfer kinetics plays an important role in the rate capabilities of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The control of the charge-transfer kinetics, by engineering the surface coating so as to provide an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), can facilitate the lithiation/delithiation processes; however, unwanted interfacial resistance can be generated if the surface coating is too thick. Here, we provide an experimental study of the interfacial kinetics of a model LIB electrode system, silicon electrodes with alumina coatings by atomic layer deposition (ALD). A modified potentiostatic intermittent titration technique (PITT) is used to characterize the electrode operation and extract physicochemical parameters, including the lithium diffusion coefficient within silicon, the interfacial exchange current density, and the reaction rate constant. For the alumina–Si system, an optimum coating thickness exists in terms of delivering maximum charge-transfer rate. This work provides new...
Carbaryl Control of Maple Leafcutter in Vermont Sugarbushes

The efficacy of applying 1.12 kg AI/ha of carbaryl to control Paraclemensia acerifoliella (Fitch) was determined. The 3 formulations tested killed significant numbers of the pest and protected maple leaves. Sevin 4-Oil had a longer residual and caused the highest % mortality. Sevimol and Sevin 80-Sprayable resulted in fewer maple leafcutter holes in the foliage.
The Foraging Ecology of Parus Atricapillus and P. Rufescens in the Breeding Season, with Comparisons with Other Species of Parus

Situations in which morphologically similar, closely related species coexist in the same geographical area have stimulated interest and investigation by ecologists for several decades. These cases of "peaceful coexistence" are relatively common in the animal world, and offer us an opportunity to learn the mechanisms responsible for them. Studies of these cases have demonstrated the numerous behavioral and ecological adaptations that have been of selective advantage for species in competition with a close relative. Such a situation exists in western Washington where the Chestnut-backed (Parus rufescens) and Black-capped (P. atricapillus) Chickadees occur as common, permanent residents in the lowlands. Because these two species are similar in so many respects-holenesting, insectivorous gleaners of mid-latitude forests and groves-they are potential competitors. A study of these two species was undertaken in an effort to discover the extent and character of their coexistence and to determine the ecological and behavioral characters that adapt each species to the part of the environment that it occupies in the breeding season. The breeding habitats of the two species overlap very little. A description and analysis of their habitat occupancy is presented elsewhere (Sturman 1968). Aspects of the species' foraging ecology are presented in this paper. Species of the genus Parus have drawn the scrutiny of ecologists because they are conspicuous, in many places common, and are important insect predators in forest communities (Kluyver and Tinbergen 1953). European and American workers have described the reproductive behavior (Odum 1941, 1942; Hinde 1952; Gibb 1956; Brewer 1961; Stefanski 1967), habitats (Snow 1954a; Dixon 1961; Sturman 1968), population dynamics (Kluyver and Tinbergen 1953; Lack 1958, 1966; Perrins 1965), and foraging pattern (Hartley 1953; Dixon 1954, 1955; Gibb 1954, 1960; Colquhoun and Morley 1943; Brewer 1963; Root 1964; Smith 1967) of many of the most abundant species.
Advanced In-Pile Instrumentation for Materials Testing Reactors

The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) National Scientific User Facility (NSUF) program to promote U.S. research in nuclear science and technology. By attracting new research users - universities, laboratories, and industry - the ATR NSUF facilitates basic and applied nuclear research and development, advancing U.S. energy security needs. A key component of the ATR NSUF effort is to design, develop, and deploy new in-pile instrumentation techniques that are capable of providing real-time measurements of key parameters during irradiation. This paper describes the strategy developed by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for identifying instrumentation needed for ATR irradiation tests and the program initiated to obtain these sensors. New sensors developed from this effort are identified, and the progress of other development efforts is summarized. As reported in this paper, INL researchers are currently involved in several tasks to deploy real-time length and flux detection sensors, and efforts have been initiated to develop a crack growth test rig. Tasks evaluating `advanced' technologies, such as fiber-optics based length detection and ultrasonic thermometers, are also underway. In addition, specialized sensors for real-time detection of temperature and thermal conductivity are not only being provided to NSUF reactors, but are also being provided to several international test reactors.
Making Input Comprehensible: Do Interactional Modifications Help?

In view of the evidence that comprehensible input is necessary for language acquisition (Krashen 1980, 1982, Long 1981, 1983, 1985), this study compared the listening comprehension of NNSs' of English on directions to an assembly task given by a NS under two input conditions : (1) Syntactically and semantically premodified input without interaction and (2) Unmodified input with interaction. Two hypotheses were tested in the study. First, it was predicted that interaction in Condition (2) would lead to even greater syntactic and semantic modification of input than was built in a priori in Condition (1) and second, that NNSs' comprehension of input in Condition (2) would exceed that in Condition (1). Both hypotheses were supported. Analysis of the data indicated that the most significant aids to comprehension brought about by interaction were increased quantity and redundancy of input. Several specific interactional modifications, such as confirmation and comprehension checks and clarification requests were also shown to be critical factors in input comprehension. However, a reduction in the syntactic complexity of the input was observed to play no significant role in its comprehension.
Organizational Dimensions and Organizational Complexity

The rise of self-organization theory or modern complexity science is deconstructing the concepts of organization and its management that are based on the idea of the simple world.A research paradigm should be established to analyze and understand organizational complexity systems.An analytic tool,the organizational dimension,is formulated by using scientific philosophical methods,together with the organizational cybermetics,the dissipative structure,the synergetics,the hypercycle,the fractal theory,the dimensions theory,the chaos theory and so on.Organizational complexity is also analyzed in this paper.
Current Status of Radiation Safety Management in Medical Industry of Panzhihua City

[Objective]To understand the current status of radiation safety management in medical industry of Panzhihua City.[Methods]Under the unified quality control conditions,uniform methods and requirements were adopted to carry out questionnaire survey on hospitals with radiation applications.[Results]Rank difference of radiation safety management existed in hospitals of different levels in Panzhihua City.[Conclusion]The management of radiation safety is generally in good level in Panzhihua City,but there are obvious differences between hospitals with different level.The main reason for the existing differences of radiation safety and safety culture is the attention degree attached by the hospital decision-making and department management officials as well as staff personal.
The Safety Policy System

The issue of workplace safety in the United States is crucially linked to two public policies intended to reduce worker injury and disease incidence: (1) state workers’ compensation insurance (WC) and (2) the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA). In general, economists have studied OSHA and WC separately.1 Feldstein (1977) and others, however, have argued that researchers need to devote more attention to examining and describing public policy interactions given the potential for subtle and not so subtle counterbalancing effects. Using the numerical simulation framework described in the previous chapter, we now examine how mandatory insurance (WC) and the direct regulation of transaction characteristics (OSHA) interact in the labor market to affect long-term equilibrium outcomes with a view toward identifying straightforward safety enhancing refinements in the safety policy package.
Factors Influencing Safety Belt Use

Publisher Summary Today, safety belts are standard equipment for every seating position in every vehicle produced for sale. Since their early development, researchers have continued to assess the effectiveness of safety belts and make design improvements. Early safety belt designs reduced injuries compared to riding unbelted, but they also had some serious weaknesses. For example, the first designs typically included only one belt strap. Designs with a strap that only went across the waist left a motorist's upper torso vulnerable to injury, and designs with only a sash sometimes resulted in motorists sliding forward under the sash belt during a collision. A more effective design combined the two into one belt, a variation of which is still used in the most modern vehicles. The modern three-point belt is a very effective safety device. Given a crash, these belts are estimated to reduce the likelihood of a fatality by approximately 40–45% and reduce the likelihood of an injury by as much as 80%, depending on the type of crash and vehicle. Most cars today also include many other safety features as standard equipment, as well as optional safety equipment. However, there is an important key difference between safety belts and other safety features such as air bags and third brake lights: Motorists must use safety belts in order for them to be effective. The effectiveness of safety belts, and of mandatory use laws, has resulted in enormous public health savings in terms of both injuries and fatalities, in addition to medical costs. However, there remains room for improvement, .
Passive Sampling for Indoor and Outdoor Exposures to Chlorpyrifos, Azinphos-Methyl, and Oxygen Analogs in a Rural Agricultural Community.

Background:Recent studies have highlighted the increased potency of oxygen analogs of organophosphorus pesticides. These pesticides and oxygen analogs have previously been identified in the atmosph...
Highly Selective and Sensitive Self-Powered Glucose Sensor Based on Capacitor Circuit

Enzymatic glucose biosensors are being developed to incorporate nanoscale materials with the biological recognition elements to assist in the rapid and sensitive detection of glucose. Here we present a highly sensitive and selective glucose sensor based on capacitor circuit that is capable of selectively sensing glucose while simultaneously powering a small microelectronic device. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is chemically modified with pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD) at anode and cathode, respectively, in the biofuel cell arrangement. The input voltage (as low as 0.25 V) from the biofuel cell is converted to a stepped-up power and charged to the capacitor to the voltage of 1.8 V. The frequency of the charge/discharge cycle of the capacitor corresponded to the oxidation of glucose. The biofuel cell structure-based glucose sensor synergizes the advantages of both the glucose biosensor and biofuel cell. In addition, this glucose sensor favored a very high selectivity towards glucose in the presence of competing and non-competing analytes. It exhibited unprecedented sensitivity of 37.66 Hz/mM.cm2 and a linear range of 1 to 20 mM. This innovative self-powered glucose sensor opens new doors for implementation of biofuel cells and capacitor circuits for medical diagnosis and powering therapeutic devices.
Nonsingular terminal sliding mode control with unknown control direction

This paper considers a nonsingular sliding mode controller for a second order system without a priori knowledge of the control direction. A novel nonsingular terminal sliding hypersurface is presented to adapt to the challenges of unknown control direction and avoid singularity issues at the origin. In contrast to the Nussbaum gain, where the equilibrium point is reached asymptotically, or the classical linear hypersurface, where the states are reached exponentially, the control structure in this paper guarantees that the states are reached in finite time. Additionally, the control algorithm is bounded and globally finite time stable in the presence of input matrix uncertainty and exogenous disturbance. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the robustness of the developed control algorithm.
Discourse measurement in aphasia research

Dietz and Boyle ask if we have reached a tipping point in regard to systematizing discourse measurement in aphasia research. We agree that research into aphasia and discourse has reached a tipping ...
Optical control of MESFET and HEMT millimeter/microwave circuits

A variety of MESFET oscillator and amplifier circuits have been fabricated and tested under optical illumination by a CW semiconductor laser. In the oscillator circuits, frequency and amplitude modulation has been observed. Response times of the devices have been characterized with the aid of a colliding pulse mode-locked dye laser.
A Soft Robotic Gripper With Gecko-Inspired Adhesive

Previous work has demonstrated the versatility of soft robotic grippers using simple control inputs. However, these grippers still face challenges in grasping large objects and in achieving high-strength grasps. This work investigates the combination of fluidic elastomer actuators and gecko-inspired adhesives to both enhance existing soft gripper properties and generate new capabilities. On rocky or dirty surfaces where adhesion is limited, the gripper retains the functionality of a pneumatically actuated elastomer gripper with no measured loss in performance. Design strategies for using the unique properties of the gecko-inspired adhesives are presented. By modeling fluidic elastomer actuators as a series of joints with associated joint torques, we designed an actuator that takes advantage of the unique properties of the gecko-inspired adhesive. Experiments showed higher strength grasps at lower pressures compared to nongecko actuators, in many cases enabling the gripper to actuate more quickly and use less energy. The gripper weighs 48.7 g, uses $7.25 of raw materials, and can support loads of over 50 N. A second gripper, using three fingers for a larger adhesive surface, demonstrated a grasping force of 111 N (25 lbf) when actuated at an internal pressure of 40 kPa.
Parametric emittance measurements of electron beams produced by a laser plasma accelerator

Author(s): Barber, SK; Van Tilborg, J; Schroeder, CB; Lehe, R; Tsai, HE; Swanson, KK; Steinke, S; Nakamura, K; Geddes, CGR; Benedetti, C; Esarey, E; Leemans, WP | Abstract: Laser plasma accelerators (LPA) offer an exciting possibility to deliver high energy, high brightness electrons beams in drastically smaller distance scales than is typical for conventional accelerators. As such, LPAs draw considerable attention as potential drivers for next generation light sources and for a compact linear collider. In order to asses the viability of an LPA source for a particular application, the brightness of the source should be properly characterized. In this paper, we present charge dependent transverse emittance measurements of LPA sources using both ionization injection and shock induced density down ramp injection, with the latter delivering smaller transverse emittances by a factor of two when controlling for charge density. The single shot emittance method is described in detail with a discussion on limitations related to second order transport effects. The direct role of space charge is explored through a series of simulations and found to be consistent with experimental observations.
Rehabilitation robotic unloading system: Effects of unloading on electromyography and energy cost during overground walking in able-bodied individuals

Body weight unloading (BWU) systems for gait training and fall prevention have become popular and are commonly used in various rehabilitation settings. However, the neuromuscular performance and energy cost responding to various amounts of BWU remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of BWU on muscle activation, and energy cost, during overground walk in able-bodied individuals. Three healthy adults performed 6 minute walk tests (6MWT) at 0%, 20%, and 40% of BWU. Muscle activity and oxygen consumption (averaged V0 2 max) were collected and measured during the 6MWT. Compared to 0% BWU, EMG amplitude decreased approximately 15% or more in the Medial Gastrocnemius, Bicep Femoris, Semitendinosus muscles at 20% and 40% BWU. All subjects experienced approximately 18.7% and 25% increase in averaged VO 2 max with increase in 20% and 40% BWU, respectively. BWU induces changes in the EMG amplitude and oxygen consumption during overground walking.
Discharge aspirin dose and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with prasugrel versus clopidogrel: an analysis from the TRITON-TIMI 38 study (trial to assess improvement in therapeutic outcomes by optimizing platelet inhibition with prasugrel-thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 38).

Objectives The goal of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between aspirin dose and the potent antiplatelet agent prasugrel in the TRITON–TIMI 38 (Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With Prasugrel–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 38) study. Background Optimal aspirin dosing after acute coronary syndromes remains uncertain. Previous studies have raised questions regarding an interaction between high-dose aspirin and the potent antiplatelet agent ticagrelor. Methods In TRITON–TIMI 38, we classified 12,674 patients into low-dose ( Results There was significant geographical variation in aspirin dosing, with North American patients receiving high-dose aspirin more frequently than other countries (66% vs. 28%; p Conclusions In TRITON–TIMI 38, the safety and efficacy outcomes of prasugrel compared with those of clopidogrel were directionally consistent regardless of aspirin dose, although only the primary efficacy endpoint achieved statistical significance. There was no clinically meaningful interaction of aspirin with prasugrel, suggesting that previous observations with potent antiplatelet agents indicating differential results are not universal. (A Comparison of Prasugrel [CS-747] and Clopidogrel in Acute Coronary Syndrome Subjects Who Are to Undergo Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; NCT00097591)
Role of Reactive Oxygen Species Formation from Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein in Bone Marrow Stem Cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a group of small molecules that regulate tissue redox status and oxidative stress. Redox regulation is an important determinant for cell development, activities, and function. ROS and oxidative stress also have a significant impact on the regulation of stem cells including bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) and bone marrow-derived progenitor cells. ROS could regulate the self-renewal or proliferation of BMSCs, their mobilization, homing, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis or senescence. The effects of ROS and oxidative stress on BMSCs are complex and closely related to the ROS levels in the intracellular compartment and in the extracellular micro-environment. Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), a key contributor to the development of atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic state, produces a significant amount of ROS spontaneously in vitro at clinically relevant concentrations. In the present review, the effects of ROS and oxidative stress on BMSCs and bone marrow-derived progenitor cells and related mechanisms are highlighted and discussed especially on the expression of stem cell marker Oct-4, self-renewal, mobilization, and differentiation. Specific efforts are made to discuss the role of ROS generated from ox-LDL in mediating the actions of ox-LDL on BMSCs and the potential impact on cell therapy with BMSCs.
Lactose Operator–Repressor Interaction

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the lactose operator–repressor interaction. Any method for quantitatively studying the operator–repressor interaction requires either the operator or the repressor species to be labeled. After the interaction has taken place, the method must be able to separate the unreacted labeled material from the bound, labeled material. Two different methods have been used to study the operator–repressor interaction. Gilbert and Muller-Hill used 35 S-labeled lac repressor. The operator–repressor complex was separated from the unreacted lac repressor by zonal centrifugation on a 5–30% glycerol gradient. The method requiring labeled operator DNA is the one most commonly used. A convenient and accurate method has been developed and extensively used by Riggs and Bourgeois for studying various properties of the operator–repressor complex. In this method, the DNA–protein complex is separated from the unbound labeled DNA by passing the reaction mixture through a nitrocellulose membrane filter. The DNA–protein complex is retained on the filter, whereas the unbound DNA passes through. The chapter also discusses the lac operator interaction with a wild-type repressor.
San Francisco Voters End the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products Despite Strong Industry Opposition.

In June 2018, voters in San Francisco supported implementation of a law prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vaping liquids, despite a $12 mi...
Achieving Sustainability in Reducing Unplanned Extubations in a Pediatric Cardiac ICU

OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of unplanned extubations in a pediatric cardiac ICU in order to prove sustainability of our previously implemented quality improvement initiative. Additionally, we sought to identify risk factors associated with unplanned extubations as well as review the overall outcome of this patient population. DESIGN Retrospective chart review. SETTING Pediatric cardiac ICU at Children's Hospital of Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Center of the University of Colorado. PATIENTS Intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in the cardiac ICU from July 2011 to December 2017. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 2,612 hospitalizations for 2,067 patients were supported with mechanical ventilation. Forty-five patients had 49 episodes of unplanned extubations (four patients > 1 unplanned extubation). The average unplanned extubation rate per 100 ventilator days was 0.4. Patients who had an unplanned extubation were younger (0.09 vs 5.45 mo; p < 0.001), weighed less (unplanned extubation median weight of 3.0 kg [interquartile range, 2.5-4.5 kg] vs control median weight of 6.0 kg [interquartile range, 3.5-13.9 kg]) (p < 0.001), and had a longer length of mechanical ventilation (8 vs 2 d; p < 0.001). Patients who had an unplanned extubation were more likely to require cardiopulmonary resuscitation during their hospital stay (54% vs 18%; p < 0.001) and had a higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality (15% vs 7%; p = 0.001). There was a significant difference in surgical acuity as denoted by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery score and patients with an unplanned extubation had a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery category (p = 0.019). Contributing factors associated with unplanned extubation were poor endotracheal tube tape integrity, inadequate tube securement, and/or inadequate sedation. A low rate of unplanned extubation was maintained even in the setting of increasing patient complexity and an increase in patient volume. CONCLUSIONS A low rate of unplanned extubation is sustainable even in the setting of increased patient volume and acuity. Additionally, early identification of patients at higher risk of unplanned extubation may also contribute to decreasing the incidence of unplanned extubation.
Achieving exceptional radiation tolerance with crystalline-amorphous nanocrystalline structures

Abstract Nanostructured materials with amorphous intergranular films (AIFs) have demonstrated superior strength and ductility. Their radiation tolerance is expected to be high as the large fraction of interfacial volume efficiently sinks radiation-induced defects. Here we demonstrate how a crystalline-amorphous system (nanocrystalline Cu with Zr-doped AIFs) responds to continuous irradiation with molecular dynamics simulations. We propose a diffusion model that well characterizes the cascade-driven mixing process, and reveal that the spread of Zr distribution scales linearly with the damage level. The exceptional radiation resistance is attributed to the interfaces acting as sustainable defect sinks, Zr mixing into the bulk to enhance local defect annihilation due to solute-interstitial dragging, and Zr impeding radiation-enhanced grain growth by restraining AIFs from migration and maintaining interface stiffness. These findings suggest that AIF-engineered systems hold promise as highly radiation-tolerant materials with strong structural stability and self-healing capability under radiation damage.
Survival Outcomes in Sinonasal Poorly Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is rare with no consensus on treatment regimen. Our goal is to analyze treatment outcomes in poorly differentiated SCC (PDSCC) using a large national database. Study design Retrospective database study. Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for sinonasal invasive SCC, grade 3 (poorly differentiated) from 2004 to 2014. Patient demographics and tumor and treatment characteristics were tabulated. Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis was performed to compare overall survival (OS) between histology subtype and primary site. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was performed for statistical analysis of treatment regimen on OS. Results A total of 1,074 patients were identified. The maxillary sinus was the most common site (45%). T4 tumors were observed in 50% of patients, with most patients treated at high-volume facilities (77%). In KM analysis, spindle cell SCC histological subtype, primary tumors of the maxillary sinus, and poorly differentiated grade had worse OS. In our Cox-PH model, higher T stage and age were associated with worse OS. Those treated at a high-volume facility and those who underwent surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiation had improved OS. Chemotherapy within the treatment regimen did not confer survival benefit except in surgical patients when positive margins were present, and surgery with adjuvant chemoradiation trended toward improved survival. Conclusions Sinonasal PDSCC appears to be best treated at high-volume centers with surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiation. Poorly differentiated grade has worse OS compared to more differentiated tumors. Chemotherapy along with adjuvant radiation may have a role in patients with positive surgical margins. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1040-E1048, 2021.