cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Generalization of the Zig-Zag Graph Product by Means of the Sandwich Product

In this paper we develop a generalization of the zig-zag graph product created by Reingold, Vadhan, and Widgerson[8]. We do this by using a broader definition of directed and undirected graphs in which incidence is determined by functions from the edge set to the vertex set. We introduce the sandwich product of graphs and show how our general zig-zag product is a sandwich product.
Use of the Universal Decimal Classification: A world‐wide survey

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a general overview with up‐to‐date information on the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) use worldwide.Design/methodology/approach – The research combined e‐mail interviews with LIS professionals in 208 countries, literature research and information obtained from UDC distributors/publishers (AENOR, BSI, UDC Consortium). The following categorisation of UDC use was offered: A – dominant system; B – used in some kind of libraries only; or C – rarely used.Findings – The paper finds that, of the 208 countries contacted and researched through the literature in 2004‐2006, the UDC was found to be used in 124 (60 per cent) of these. In 34 (28 per cent) of the countries researched (in Europe, Asia and Africa), UDC is the main classification system used across national information networks. In 45 (36 per cent) of the countries it is used in certain kinds of libraries. In the remaining 45 (36 per cent) of the countries it is used rarely, in only a few libraries or...
Role of reactive oxygen species in gynecologic diseases

Free radicals derived from molecular oxygen and nitrogen are highly reactive metabolites called reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cells continuously produce free radicals and ROS as part of the metabolic process. They are involved in the various functions of the reproductive system. Antioxidants are enzymes or compounds that scavenge and reduce the presence of free radicals. Normally, a balance exists between concentrations of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant scavenging systems. The disruption of the delicate balance between pro- and antioxidants results in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been implicated in embryo fragmentation, DNA damage, apoptosis and poor pregnancy outcome. It has also been implicated in a large number of gynecologic diseases, such as endometriosis, pre-eclampsia and maternal diabetes. The use of antioxidants may be beneficial in combating the harmful effects of oxidative stress in many of these diseases. The present review outlines the importance of these species in the pathology of various gynecologic diseases. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 177 - 199).
Design considerations for integrated continuous-time video filters

An approach is presented that has made possible the reliable integration of high-performance video filters using continuous-time techniques. Both delay equalization and magnitude filtering are discussed. As an example, a seventh-order elliptic filter is designed to meet a certain set of specifications. The chip was fabricated, and the measured results are included. >
Improvement and validation of a model for photovoltaic array performance

Abstract Manufacturers of photovoltaic panels typically provide electrical parameters at only one operating condition. Photovoltaic panels operate over a large range of conditions so the manufacturer’s information is not sufficient to determine their overall performance. Designers need a reliable tool to predict energy production from a photovoltaic panel under all conditions in order to make a sound decision on whether or not to incorporate this technology. A model to predict energy production has been developed by Sandia National Laboratory, but it requires input data that are normally not available from the manufacturer. The five-parameter model described in this paper uses data provided by the manufacturer, absorbed solar radiation and cell temperature together with semi-empirical equations, to predict the current–voltage curve. This paper indicates how the parameters of the five-parameter model are determined and compares predicted current–voltage curves with experimental data from a building integrated photovoltaic facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for four different cell technologies (single crystalline, poly crystalline, silicon thin film, and triple-junction amorphous). The results obtained with the Sandia model are also shown. The predictions from the five-parameter model are shown to agree well with both the Sandia model results and the NIST measurements for all four cell types over a range of operating conditions. The five-parameter model is of interest because it requires only a small amount of input data available from the manufacturer and therefore it provides a valuable tool for energy prediction. The predictive capability could be improved if manufacturer’s data included information at two radiation levels.
Binary Liquid Gels

In a recent paper W.I. Goldburg, D.W. Pohl, M. Lanz and I reported the fabrication of several binary liquid gels, swollen gels whose solvent is a binary liquid mixture near its critical temperature [1]. One might expect novel features for such gels, since the presence of polymer strands spaced on average at something like the gel-pore size should inhibit hydrodynamic degrees of freedom in the liquid’s phase separation, and the polymer strands in turn should have a preference for one of the separated liquid phases. The minimum effect one might expect is a slowing down of the gravitationally-induced late stages of spinodal decomposition by the mechanical presence of the polymer network. Much more dramatic effects would be expected if the polymer plays a more active role, and forms a ternary thermodynamic system with the solvents. Our observation is that the polymer strands interact with the liquid mixture strongly enough to frustrate the phase separation and dramatically alter the light scattering properties of the system in the critical region; howeyer, the interaction is sufficiently weak that light scattering does not resemble that expected of a ternary system.
Queens and Teen Zines: Early Adolescent Females Reading Their Way toward Adulthood

This article documents the reading of teen magazines by middle-class Euro-American seventh-grade girls. Examining the reading of teen zines as a literacy event provides an opportunity to explore how the girls perceive and construct their social roles and relationships as they enter a new cultural scene, the junior high school. Documenting this particular reading practice provides a window onto the complex social negotiations in operation as early adolescent females use literacy to shape emerging social roles. This study holds implications for literacy pedagogy that considers how textual representations serve to define and con-strain social roles.
Evolving Notions of Geometry in String Theory

The unfolding of string theory has led to a successive refinement and generalization of our understanding of geometry and topology. A brief overview of these developments is given.
Modeling the electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave‐induced formation of detached subauroral proton arcs

[1] Detached dayside proton arcs have been recently observed at Earth with the IMAGE FUV instrument as subauroral arcs separated from the main oval and extending over several hours of local time in the afternoon sector. We investigate the mechanisms causing the proton precipitation during two subauroral arc events that occurred on 23 January 2001 and 18 June 2001. We employ our kinetic physics-based model coupled with a dynamic plasmasphere model and calculate the growth rate of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves self-consistently with the evolving ring current H + ,O + , and He + ion distributions. Modeled plasmaspheric densities agree well with in situ observations from geosynchronous LANL satellites and duskside plasmapause observations from IMAGE EUV but overestimate the drainage plume extent toward noon on 18 June. Global images of precipitating H + ions are obtained and compared with IMAGE observations of proton arcs. We find that EMIC waves are preferentially excited, and proton precipitation maximizes, within regions of spatial overlap of energetic ring current protons and dayside plasmaspheric plumes and along steep density gradients at the plasmapause. The model matches very well the temporal and spatial evolution of FUV observations on 23 January. The predicted location of the proton precipitation on 18 June extends a few hours westward of the observations, and an offset of 2 hours in the convection electric field is needed to reproduce well the evolution of the proton arc. This study indicates that cyclotron resonant wave-particle interactions are a viable mechanism for the generation of subauroral proton arcs.
Chemoimmunotherapy of Murine Mammary Adenocarcinomas

Breast cancer is the most common form of noncutaneous malignancy in the United States. Since a plateau seems to have been reached in the efficacy of conventional therapy for this, as well as for other solid tumors, our laboratory has been studying the therapeutic potential of chemoimmunotherapy against the disease. Here we report on attempts to treat autochthonous mammary adenocarcinomas in C3H mice with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and cyclophosphamide (Cy) alone or in combination. Treatment with unfractionated TILs, IL-2 or Cy reduced tumor growth by 60-70%, when used alone. It was necessary to administer TILs and IL-2 by means of intratumor injection for them to be effective. IL-2 coupled with Cy given intraperitoneally (i.p.) reduced tumor growth by 85%. Adherent TILs (A-TILs) given together with Cy reduced tumor growth to the same extent. It can be concluded from this work that the growth of MMTV-induced mammary tumors in C3H mice can be significantly inhibited by chemoimmunotherapy. The two most effective protocols were combining Cy with either A-TILs or IL-2. No adverse side-effects were observed in animals that received IL-2 via intratumor injection.
Expression of vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor in normal rat tissues

Vascular permeability factor (VPF)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a approximately 43-kDa secreted protein that has been shown in bioassays to induce endothelial proliferation, angioge...
Mechanical Work and Energy

Humans and animals spend energy to move. Through diverse metabolic processes, the chemically bound energy is transformed into mechanical work and heat. Examination of the mechanical work and energy in human and animal movements is an important field of research. This research direction benefits from relying on a basic law of nature: the law of conservation of energy. The less energy animals spend for ambulation, the less food they need, and the higher their chances for survival. Movement economy, that is, the ability to move expending smaller amounts of energy, was important in human evolution. In particular, endurance running helped early hominids in predator pursuit to get close enough to their prey; compared to other animals, humans perform remarkably well at endurance running. In the course of evolution, diverse mechanisms improving movement economy have been developed.
Folate-Dependent Purine Nucleotide Biosynthesis in Humans

Purine nucleotide biosynthesis de novo (PNB) requires 2 folate-dependent transformylases-5'-phosphoribosyl-glycinamide (GAR) and 5'-phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICAR) transformylases-to introduce carbon 8 (C8) and carbon 2 (C2) into the purine ring. Both transformylases utilize 10-formyltetrahydrofolate (10-formyl-H4folate), where the formyl-carbon sources include ring-2-C of histidine, 3-C of serine, 2-C of glycine, and formate. Our findings in human studies indicate that glycine provides the carbon for GAR transformylase (exclusively C8), whereas histidine and formate are the predominant carbon sources for AICAR transformylase (C2). Contrary to the previous notion, these carbon sources may not supply a general 10-formyl-H4folate pool, which was believed to equally provide carbons to C8 and C2. To explain these phenomena, we postulate that GAR transformylase is in a complex with the trifunctional folate-metabolizing enzyme (TFM) and serine hydroxymethyltransferase to channel carbons of glycine and serine to C8. There is no evidence for channeling carbons of histidine and formate to AICAR transformylase (C2). GAR transformylase may require the TFM to furnish 10-formyl-H4folate immediately after its production from serine to protect its oxidation to 10-formyldihydrofolate (10-formyl-H2folate), whereas AICAR transformylase can utilize both 10-formyl-H2folate and 10-formyl-H4folate. Human liver may supply AICAR to AICAR transformylase in erythrocytes/erythroblasts. Incorporation of ring-2-C of histidine and formate into C2 of urinary uric acid presented a circadian rhythm with a peak in the morning, which corresponds to the maximum DNA synthesis in the bone marrow, and it may be useful in the timing of the administration of drugs that block PNB for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease.
Groin pain after replacement of the hip: Aetiology, evaluation and treatment

Persistent groin pain after seemingly successful total hip replacement (THR) appears to have become more common. Recent studies have indicated a high incidence after metal-on-polyethylene and metal-on-metal conventional THR and it has been documented in up to 18% of patients after metal-on-metal resurfacing. There are many causes, including acetabular loosening, stress fracture, and iliopsoas tendonitis and impingement. The evaluation of this problem requires a careful history and examination, plain radiographs and an algorithmic approach to special diagnostic imaging and tests. Non-operative treatment is not usually successful. Specific operative treatment depending on the cause of the pain usually involves revision of the acetabular component, iliopsoas tenotomy or other procedures, and is usually successful. Here, an appropriate algorithm is described.
Genetics and the Work Force of the Next Hundred Years

The December 5, 1999 issue of The New York Times Magazine is a special issue devoted to describing the efforts of The New York Times to create a time capsule to be opened in the year 3000. A panel of experts from various fields provided their opinions on, among other things, the location, architecture, contents, and style of the capsule. Besides these immediate issues, some of the experts observe that other likely events of the next thousand years would complicate any long-range planning for the year 3000, including the following: (1) the tectonic plates holding the American and European continents will drift apart by as much as sixty feet; (2) the sea level will rise by about eight feet; (3) the United States will cease to exist as a country by then; and (4) the language spoken by the inhabitants of New York City will be totally different from today's English - even today's English as spoken by the inhabitants of New York City.
Spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy of the room-temperature antiferromagnet c-FeSi

Antiferromagnetic spin ordering has been revealed by room-temperature spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM) in thin epitaxial films of $c$-FeSi on Si(111). Spin polarization of tunneling current for unoccupied states is found to be unusually large ${I}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}\ensuremath{\uparrow}}/{I}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}\ensuremath{\uparrow}}=3.8$. Atomically sharp spin-frustration domain walls, developing on the surfaces of nanoscale islands, have been observed on SP-STM images. Our results suggest that antiferromagnetism in $c$-FeSi is driven by Mott-Hubbard transition, and the atomically narrow domain walls are caused by local insulator-to-metal breakdown.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of Porous Silicon

Porous silicon (PS) was characterized by 1H, 19F and 29Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). On freshly prepared samples, hydrogen contents were between 3 × 1014 and 3 × 1015 per cm2 of PS surface area, while fluorine concentrations were below the detection limit. Cross-polarization (CP) was used to selectively observe the 29Si near the hydrogen passivation. The features of the 29Si NMR spectra are assigned as (O)2(Si)Si-H (-50 ppm), (O)3Si-H (-84 ppm), (Si)3Si-H (-91 ppm), (Si)2Si-H2 (-102 ppm) and (O)4Si (-109 ppm). Changes resulting from low temperature annealing in air and an HF soak were observed by both NMR and infrared spectroscopy. The 29Si NMR line widths for PS fall between those for crystalline silicon and those for amorphous hydrogenated silicon films (a-Si:H), suggesting disorder near the PS surface is intermediate between these extremes. However, comparison of the isotropie chemical shift values shows that the bonding in the disordered regions of PS differs from that found in a-Si:H. In addition, the sharp 29Si NMR resonance observed in the bulk single crystal starting material can not be resolved in the spectra of PS. Thus, well-ordered silicon nanocrystallites in the PS are either several bond-lengths removed from hydrogen or comprise only a small fraction of the PS layer.
Structural and Electrical Characterization of Si-Implanted TiN as a Diffusion Barrier for Cu Metallization

The feasibility of Si-implanted TiN as a diffusion barrier between Cu and Si was investigated. Barrier effectiveness was evaluated via reverse leakage current of Cu/Ti x Si y N z /Si diodes as a function of post-deposition annealing temperature and time, and was found to depend heavily on the film composition and microstructure. TiN implanted with Si 28 , l0keV, 5xl0 16 ions/cm 2 formed an amorphous ternary Ti x Si y N z layer whose performance as a barrier to Cu diffusion exceeded that of unimplanted, polycrystalline TiN. Results from current-voltage, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Auger depth profiling measurements will be presented. The relationship between Si-implantation dose, Ti x Si y N z structure and reverse leakage current of Cu/Ti x Si y N z /Si diodes will be discussed, along with implications as to the suitability of these structures in Cu metallization.
HMGB1 Translocation After Ischemia in the Ovine Fetal Brain.

Inflammation contributes to the evolution of hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein that is translocated from the nucleus and released after ischemia in adult rodents and thereby initiates inflammatory responses. However, there is very little information regarding the effects of HI on HMGB1 in immature brains. To investigate the effects of HI on HMGB1 in the term-equivalent fetal brain, ovine fetuses at 127 days gestation were studied after 30 minutes of carotid occlusion. Groups were sham-control and ischemia with 48 hours and ischemia with 72 hours of reperfusion. By immunohistochemistry, HMGB1 was found to be localized primarily in cell nuclei and partially in cytoplasmic compartments in the cerebral cortex of controls. Ischemia increased the area fraction of neuronal cells with cytoplasmic HMGB1 staining, and Western immunoblot revealed that cytosolic HMGB1 expression increased after ischemia (p < 0.05) and decreased in nuclei in ischemic versus the sham-control brains (p < 0.05). These data indicate that HMGB1 translocates from the nuclear to cytosolic compartments after ischemic brain injury in fetal sheep. This translocation may enable the action of HMGB1 as a proinflammatory cytokine that contributes to HI injury in the developing brain.
Mitochondrial Protein Synthesis: Inhibition by Emetine Hydrochloride

Emetine hydrochloride has previously been described as an inhibitor of ribosomal protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells but not in bacteria [A. P. Grollman, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 56, 1867 (1966)]. I wish to report that this ipecac alkaloid inhibits protein synthesis in mitochondrial systems derived from mouse liver. Structural relatives of emetine, such as isoemetine hydrobromide and O-methylpsychotrine oxylate, which are relatively ineffective as inhibitors of ribosomal protein synthesis, also inhibit mitochondrial protein synthesis but at concentrations that are about an order of magnitude greater than those required for inhibition by emetine hydrochloride. Anisomycin, which also inhibits ribosomal protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells but not in bacteria, fails to inhibit mitochondrial protein synthesis. These findings reveal new structural and conformational subtleties with respect to the susceptibility of various protein-synthesizing systems to ipecac alkaloids and their conformational analogues, the glutarimide antibiotics.
Toward Evidenced-Based Assessment and Treatment of Pediatric Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures

Objective Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures are common among children and adolescents, but evidenced-based assessment and treatment guidelines are lacking. This review aimed to evaluate the current status of the pediatric literature on psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). Method A review of the relevant pediatric literature was performed. A case example was constructed to further elucidate assessment and treatment of pediatric PNES in a clinical context. Results The most common manifestation of PNES in children and adolescents is motionless unresponsiveness. Youth typically experience psychological dysfunction, including somatization, history of trauma, depression, anxiety, and school problems. Simultaneous video and 24-hour electroencephalogram recordings are gold standards of PNES assessment, but neuropsychological evaluation offers an additional tool for diagnosing PNES. Rigorous research on the effectiveness of psychotherapy for pediatric PNES patients is lacking. Conclusion In addition to electrophysiological characteristics, there are several core clinical features that distinguish epileptic from nonepileptic events, including higher rates of somatization among youth with PNES. Psychoeducation combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be beneficial for reducing symptom burden.
Articulatory-acoustic vowel space: Associations between acoustic and perceptual measures of clear speech

AbstractPurpose: The current investigation examined the relationship between perceptual ratings of speech clarity and acoustic measures of speech production. Included among the acoustic measures was the Articulatory-Acoustic Vowel Space (AAVS), which provides a measure of working formant space derived from continuously sampled formant trajectories in connected speech.Method: Acoustic measures of articulation and listener ratings of speech clarity were obtained from habitual and clear speech samples produced by 10 neurologically healthy adults. Perceptual ratings of speech clarity were obtained from visual-analogue scale ratings and acoustic measures included the AAVS measure, articulation rate and percentage pause.Result: Clear speech was characterised by a higher perceptual clarity rating, slower articulation rate, greater percentage pause and larger AAVS compared to habitual speech. Additionally, correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the perceptual clear speech effect and the ...
The rich somatic life of Wolbachia

Wolbachia is an intracellular endosymbiont infecting most arthropod and some filarial nematode species that is vertically transmitted through the maternal lineage. Due to this primary mechanism of transmission, most studies have focused on Wolbachia interactions with the host germline. However, over the last decade many studies have emerged highlighting the prominence of Wolbachia in somatic tissues, implicating somatic tissue tropism as an important aspect of the life history of this endosymbiont. Here, we review our current understanding of Wolbachia-host interactions at both the cellular and organismal level, with a focus on Wolbachia in somatic tissues.
Algorithmen der Ganzzahligen Optimierung

In der Regel ist der Losungsbereich eines linearen Optimierungsproblems eingeschrankt. Legt man den Wert einer Variablen x i irgendwie fest, dann wird der Bereich im Allgemeinen noch kleiner und uberschaubarer. Dieses Prinzip wollen wir uns jetzt nutzbar machen und durch Losen von vielen vereinfachten Unterproblemen an die Losung des Gesamtproblems herankommen.
Citywide management of media facades: case study of Seoul City

Due to the evolution of LED lighting and information technology, the application of media facades has expanded rapidly. Despite the positive aspects of media facades, the growth of them can cause light pollution and add to the confusion of the city. This study analyzes the Seoul case which implements citywide management with a master plan for media facades. Through this, the study aims to investigate the meaning of citywide management of media facades installed on individual buildings. Firstly, it investigates the conditions of media facades in Seoul City. The identified problems prove the necessity of the citywide management for media facades. Secondly, it analyzed the progress of media facades regulation of Seoul City. Management target has changed from the indiscreet installation for the individual media facades to further inducing the attractive media facade for overall Seoul City. For this, the 'Seoul Media Facade Management MasterPlan' was drafted to establish citywide management by the Seoul government. Thirdly, it analyzed the MasterPlan. The management tools in the MasterPlan are classified into regional management, elemental management, and specialization plans, each having detailed approaches. Finally, the study discussed the meaning of citywide management in the aspect that media facades are the cultural asset to the city, that the regional differentiation is adopted, and that the continuous maintenance for both of the hardware and content) is important. Media facades utilizing the facade of buildings are recognized as an element of urban landscapes securing the publicness, contributing to the vitalization of the area, and finally providing pleasure to the citizens.
Radially varying air gap for near-ideal low cost passive heat spreaders

This paper presents a method to optimize surface temperature of a mobile device by varying the thickness of an air gap as a function of distance from a heat source. It is demonstrated that this type of design offers a higher power budget when compared to a uniform air gap. The paper provides: ● A derivation of the equation used to calculate a radially varying air gap. It is based on the equation for radial fin efficiency which has been used extensively in electronics cooling but has not yet been applied to this problem. ● A description of how to manufacture a curved heat spreader used to maintain the varying air gap for both an ideal circular shape and a realistic phablet. ● A comparison of performance to a flat plate in both cases (ideal and phablet). In the case of a phablet with a partial heat spreader, the curved heat spreader can increase system power budget by 13% and the SoC power budget by as much as 25% when compared to a flat version. ● A discussion of the next steps
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

In sharp distinction to organ-specific autoimmune diseases such as thyroiditis, diabetes, or myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a constellation of signs and symptoms classified as one nosologic entity. Indeed, it is the diversity of presentation, accumulation of manifestations over time, and undulating disease course that challenge the most astute of clinicians. With rare exception, the unifying laboratory abnormality is the presence of circulating antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Acknowledging the complexity of this disease, its broad differential diagnosis, and the need to develop better and more specific therapies, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has designated 11 diagnostic criteria (presented in Table 15A-1) (1,2). These criteria reflect the major clinical features of the disease (mucocutaneous, articular, serosal, renal, neurologic) and incorporate the associated laboratory findings (hematologic and immunologic). The presence of four or more criteria is required for diagnosis. They need not necessarily present simultaneously: a single criterion such as arthritis or thrombocytopenia may recur over months or years before the diagnosis can be confirmed by the appearance of additional features. While there is incomplete agreement among rheumatologists as to whether these criteria need to be strictly applied in a practice setting, or reserved only for formal academic studies, they do facilitate a methodologic approach to evaluate a patient.
Pharmacologic treatment of child and adolescent depression.

The use of antidepressants in the treatment of child and adolescent depression has become common despite the lack of data establishing their efficacy for this indication. Reasons for the prior inconclusive findings and reasons supporting the current clinical use of antidepressants for child and adolescent depression are reviewed. The evidence on the possible associations between antidepressant use and mania induction and between desipramine use and sudden death in children and adolescents suffering from depression is reviewed.
Multimodality imaging in prenatal diagnosis and management of aortic arch anomalies

Abstract There is a growing body of knowledge regarding the integration of multiple imaging modalities into the care of fetuses with aortic arch anomalies. This study aims to present our experience and fetal cardiac output data from a cohort of patients with discrete aortic coarctation and aortic arch hypoplasia. Methods/Results Retrospective review identified 25 fetuses with discrete aortic coarctation ( n = 8) or aortic arch hypoplasia ( n = 17) (with mean gestational age at diagnosis, 27.2 weeks; at birth 37.6 weeks). Mean combined ventricular output in all fetuses with normal ventriculo-arterial concordance was 383 ml/min/kg (median 362) with mean R:L cardiac output ratio of 2.83 (median 2.13). Of 23 neonates with primary surgical arch repair, all 7 with discrete coarctation underwent lateral thoracotomy without re-intervention. Of 16 with arch hypoplasia, 10 underwent primary lateral thoracotomy (3 with re-intervention) and 6 underwent primary sternotomy (1 with re-intervention). Of 2 with mild coarctation without primary repair, one with coexistent severe LV dysfunction underwent stenting and dilatation; the other is followed in the context of transposition of the great arteries status post arterial switch. Pre-op CT and 3D cardiac printing were obtained in 19 neonates. During follow-up, five (20%) had systemic hypertension. Conclusion Fetal R:L cardiac output ratio may provide complementary hemodynamic information in prenatal diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies. As expected, characterization of arch conformation remains critical for surgical planning. Pre-operative cardiac CT remains a useful adjunct to delineate arch anatomy for surgical planning purposes but may not reduce re-intervention by itself. Benefit of 3D cardiac printing remains difficult to quantify but has become an invaluable tool for family education. Based on our data, neonates with arch hypoplasia may benefit from midline sternotomy for more extensive surgical exposure and potentially reduced re-intervention rate.
High prevalence of subclinical cerebral infarction in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Aims Undetected atrial fibrillation (AF) may be common in the heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) population, and failure to detect this may lead to the missing of opportunities to prevent associated subclinical cerebral infarctions (SCIs) and cognitive decline. Methods and results We studied 1527 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, who underwent echocardiography, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and detailed cognitive assessment during 2011–13. Prevalences of SCI as detected by brain MRI were compared among the following groups: participants with no HFpEF/no AF; those with no HFpEF/AF; those with HFpEF/no AF, and those with HFpEF/AF. Cognitive scores were also compared. Prevalences of HFpEF and AF in this sample were 13.2% and 5.7%, respectively. Participants with HFpEF but no prior diagnosis of AF had a high prevalence of SCI by brain MRI (29.3%), which was similar to those in the no HFpEF/AF (24.5%) and HFpEF/AF (23.5%) groups, but higher than that in the no HFpEF/no AF subjects (17.3%). The odds of having SCI were higher in participants with HFpEF/no AF than in the no HFpEF/no AF group even after adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.06–2.30). Individuals with HFpEF and SCI had lower cognitive scores than the reference (no HFpEF/no SCI) and HFpEF/no SCI groups. Conclusions Subclinical cerebral infarctions were prevalent in subjects in the ARIC cohort with HFpEF and no prior AF diagnosis and are associated with measurable cognitive deficits. Although other sources of emboli may be possible, these data suggest that paroxysmal AF may be underdiagnosed in this population. There may be a role for earlier anticoagulation in patients with HFpEF.
Technical and Economic Aspects of Designing an Efficient Room Air-Conditioner Program in India

Author(s): Abhyankar, N; Shah, N; Phadke, A; Park, W | Abstract: Several studies have projected a massive increase in the demand for air conditioners (ACs) over the next two decades in India. By 2030, room ACs could add 140 GW to the peak load, equivalent to over 30% of the total projected peak load. Therefore, there is significant interest among policymakers, regulators, and utilities in managing room AC demand by enhancing energy efficiency. Building on the historical success of the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s star-labeling program, Energy Efficiency Services Limited recently announced a program to accelerate the sale of efficient room ACs using bulk procurement, similar to their successful UJALA light-emitting diode (LED) bulk procurement program. This report discusses some of the key considerations in designing a bulk procurement or financial incentive program for enhancing room AC efficiency in India. We draw upon our previous research to demonstrate the overall technical potential and price impact of room AC efficiency improvement and its technical feasibility in India. We also discuss the importance of using low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and smart AC equipment that is demand response (DR) ready.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Acute Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

Abstract There has been no major advancement in a quarter of a century for the treatment of acute severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This review summarizes 40 years of clinical and pre-clinical research on the treatment of acute TBI with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) in the context of an impending National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke–funded, multi-center, randomized, adaptive Phase II clinical trial —the Hyperbaric Oxygen Brain Injury Treatment (HOBIT) trial. Thirty studies (eight clinical and 22 pre-clinical) that administered HBO2 within 30 days of a TBI were identified from PubMed searches. The pre-clinical studies consistently reported positive treatment effects across a variety of outcome measures with almost no safety concerns, thus providing strong proof-of-concept evidence for treating severe TBI in the acute setting. Of the eight clinical studies reviewed, four were based on the senior author's (GR) investigation of HBO2 as a treatment for acute severe TBI. These studies pro...
Optical property uncertainty estimates for spatial frequency domain imaging.

Spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) is a wide-field diffuse optical imaging modality that has attracted considerable interest in recent years. Typically, diffuse reflectance measurements of spatially modulated light are used to quantify the optical absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of tissue, and with these, chromophore concentrations are extracted. However, uncertainties in estimated absorption and reduced scattering coefficients are rarely reported, and we know of no method capable of providing these when look-up table (LUT) algorithms are used to recover the optical properties. We present a method to generate optical property uncertainty estimates from knowledge of diffuse reflectance measurement errors. By employing the Cramer-Rao bound, we can quickly and efficiently explore theoretical SFDI performance as a function of spatial frequencies and sample optical properties, allowing us to optimize spatial frequency selection for a given application. In practice, we can also obtain useful uncertainty estimates for optical properties recovered with a two-frequency LUT algorithm, as we demonstrate with tissue-simulating phantom and in vivo experiments. Finally, we illustrate how absorption coefficient uncertainties can be propagated forward to yield uncertainties for chromophore concentrations, which could significantly impact the interpretation of experimental results.
How LO Can You GO? Using the Dice-Based Golf Game GOLO to Illustrate Inferences on Proportions and Discrete Probability Distributions.

This paper describes an interactive activity that revolves around the dice-based golf game GOLO.The GOLO game can be purchased at various retail locations or online at igolo.com. In addition, the g...
Adapting routines to improve task coordination

Human agents typically evolve a set of standard routines for carrying out often-repeated tasks. These routines effectively compile knowledge about how to carry out sets of interacting tasks without causing harmful interference. By modifying its routines in response to observed failures, an agent can refine enlarge and refine its planning repertoire over time. We are constructing a software agent, RAFTER, that applies this incremental improvement strategy to the management of planning routines for use in the Truckworld simulator. Currently, we are building in the capacity to make a variety of repairs to the method used in a routine to coordinate constituent tasks; in the future, RAPTER will be extended to include methods for coordinating tasks from different routines.
Pliocene History of South Saharan/Sahelian Aridity: Record of Freshwater Diatoms (Genus Melosira) and Opal Phytoliths, ODP Sites 662 and 664

The record of windblown, siliceous microfossils transported from North Africa to the tropical Atlantic provides evidence for times of increased aridity and intensified eolian transport during the Pliocene. Data from ODP Sites 662 and 664, which record climatic changes in the southern Sahara and Sahel, are presented here. These results indicate that cyclical aridification of North Africa began at least 3.8 Ma ago. The data are also consistent with an increase in the severity of arid events approximately 2.3–2.5 Ma ago, although such a change cannot be proved solely on the basis of data presented here.
From general to language-specific capacities: the WRAPSA Model of how speech perception develops

A model is proposed to account for the way in which infant speech perception capacities evolve to support word recognition in fluent speech. The model assumes that the early proficiencies displayed in many speech perception tasks with infants under six months old are the result of general auditory analyzers. However, familiarity with the sound structure of the native language develops rapidly during the second half of the first year of life. Infants come to weight the information available through the auditory analyzers so as to emphasize the critical dimensions needed for distinguishing among words in the native language. The model also suggests that sensitivity to prosodic cues is an important factor in segmenting words from fluent speech. The representations of the sound structure of the input which are derived are structured into prosodically marked syllable-sized segments which contain loosely organized featural information. Word recognition is achieved when the representations, which serve as probes to secondary memory, are matched to traces of previously encountered utterances.
The Impact of a Standards-Based Mathematics Curriculum on Classroom Instruction and Student Performance: The Case of Mathematics in Context

As standards-based mathematics curricula were introduced in the 1990s, various stakeholders expressed concern about whether these curricula would result in improved student performance. The summative evaluation of one of the middle-school curricula, Mathematics in Context, directly addressed this concern using quantitative and qualitative methodologies in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Beyond the importance of prior achievement, the results show that the ways in which instructional units were taught and the opportunities that students were given to learn from the units influence student achievement. The findings suggest that when implemented well, student achievement does improve in significant ways as a consequence of studying Mathematics in Context over two or three academic years.
Distribution of locoweed toxin swainsonine in populations of Oxytropis lambertii.

Oxytropis lambertii has been considered to be one of the major locoweeds responsible for livestock poisoning on rangelands, but there has been much confusion as to its taxonomic identity. The objective of this study was to conduct a field survey of several populations of each of the three varieties [var. lambertii Pursh; var bigelovii A. Gray; var. articulata (E. Greene) Barneby] to document the presence or absence of the locoweed toxin, swainsonine. Swainsonine was found at detectable levels (>0.001% dry weight) in only five populations of var. bigelovii in the southwest portion of its distribution in southern Utah, Arizona, and southwestern New Mexico, USA. No swainsonine was detected in populations in the northeast areas of its distribution (eastern Utah, Colorado, northeastern New Mexico, USA). The other varieties, articulata and lambertii, also did not contain swainsonine. It is suspected that a plant fungal endophyte may be responsible for the high variability in swainsonine content in populations of O. lambertii.
Quantum scattering theory for two- and three-body systems with potentials of short and long range

We give a full proof of asymptotic completeness for Schrodinger operators of two- and three-particle quantum systems. The interaction is given by pair potentials which may be of short and of long range, including Coulomb forces. We apply geometrical time-dependent methods where propagation of scattering states in phase space and in configuration space is essential. The main new results are the inclusion of long-range potentials of the two-body estimates in Section VI and for three-particle systems. But also where we recover known results some of our methods are new. Where possible we have chosen the methods which admit generalization to higher particle numbers.
The cinema of the Soviet thaw: space, materiality, movement

Lida Oukaderova’s innovative look at Thaw cinema is unexpected in its approach, even as it examines films that are relatively well known and available to cineastes in the West. She argues that icon...
Transient O2 pulses direct Fe crystallinity and Fe(III)-reducer gene expression within a soil microbiome.

Many environments contain redox transition zones, where transient oxygenation events can modulate anaerobic reactions that influence the cycling of iron (Fe) and carbon (C) on a global scale. In predominantly anoxic soils, this biogeochemical cycling depends on Fe mineral composition and the activity of mixed Fe(III)-reducer populations that may be altered by periodic pulses of molecular oxygen (O2). We repeatedly exposed anoxic (4% H2:96% N2) suspensions of soil from the Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory to 1.05 × 102, 1.05 × 103, and 1.05 × 104 mmol O2 kg−1 soil h−1 during pulsed oxygenation treatments. Metatranscriptomic analysis and 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy were used to investigate changes in Fe(III)-reducer gene expression and Fe(III) crystallinity, respectively. Slow oxygenation resulted in soil Fe-(oxyhydr)oxides of higher crystallinity (38.1 ± 1.1% of total Fe) compared to fast oxygenation (30.6 ± 1.5%, P < 0.001). Transcripts binning to the genomes of Fe(III)-reducers Anaeromyxobacter, Geobacter, and Pelosinus indicated significant differences in extracellular electron transport (e.g., multiheme cytochrome c, multicopper oxidase, and type-IV pilin gene expression), adhesion/contact (e.g., S-layer, adhesin, and flagellin gene expression), and selective microbial competition (e.g., bacteriocin gene expression) between the slow and fast oxygenation treatments during microbial Fe(III) reduction. These data also suggest that diverse Fe(III)-reducer functions, including cytochrome-dependent extracellular electron transport, are associated with type-III fibronectin domains. Additionally, the metatranscriptomic data indicate that Methanobacterium was significantly more active in the reduction of CO2 to CH4 and in the expression of class(III) signal peptide/type-IV pilin genes following repeated fast oxygenation compared to slow oxygenation. This study demonstrates that specific Fe(III)-reduction mechanisms in mixed Fe(III)-reducer populations are uniquely sensitive to the rate of O2 influx, likely mediated by shifts in soil Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxide crystallinity. Overall, we provide evidence that transient oxygenation events play an important role in directing anaerobic pathways within soil microbiomes, which is expected to alter Fe and C cycling in redox-dynamic environments.
Public Health Impact of Asbestos Worldwide: What Is the Current Public Health Impact?

The health impact of the industrial use of asbestos has become a multifaceted problem affecting people all over the world. It was estimated that by the year 2010, there would be a sharp decline in the number of individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers; however, this has not been the case. The steady diagnosis of individuals with mesothelioma has reignited the conversation around asbestos exposure and the public health impact. This chapter explores the use of asbestos and the unintended consequences.
Impact of evaluation in interventional radiology clinic prior to uterine artery embolization: changes in management.

To assess the impact of pre-procedural evaluation of patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids and adenomyosis in interventional radiology (IR) clinic. In this IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective study, consecutive patients evaluated in the IR clinic in a tertiary academic hospital between 1/1/2015 and 9/30/2018 by a single board-certified interventional radiologist were included. Medical records were reviewed to obtain medical history, imaging and endometrial biopsies results. Impact of IR clinic assessment of clinical, imaging, and pathological findings on patient’s clinical course was assessed. Descriptive statistics were used. 208 consecutive patients were evaluated in clinic for uterine fibroids 176/208 (85%), adenomyosis 8/208 (4%) or both 24/208 (11%) with age of 44.4 ± 5.8 years and BMI of 30.1 ± 8.6 kg/m2. Leading presenting symptom was menorrhagia in 172/208 (80%) patients, pelvic pain in 91/208 (44%), and urinary symptoms in 88/208 (42%) patients. 159/208 (76%) patients underwent UAE, 12/208 (6%) patients underwent surgery, and 37/208 (18%) patients chose conservative management. 189/208 (91%) patients had pelvic MRI that altered management course in 7/189 (4%) patients due to intracavitary fibroids in two patients, endometrial polyps in two patients, non-enhancing fibroids in two patients, and adnexal mass in one patient. 166/208 (80%) underwent endometrial biopsy that altered management course in one patient (0.6%) due to endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia. Endometrial biopsy and pelvic MRI are helpful to detect cases of non-enhancing fibroids, intracavitary fibroids, and ovarian and endometrial malignancies and thus altered management of five percent of patients with symptomatic fibroids and adenomyosis.