cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Tipping Point: Can Walmart's New Animal Welfare Policy End Factory Farming?

Undercover investigations revealing abuse and headlines concerning deadly viruses are increasing awareness regarding how we treat farm animals intended for human consumption. Pictures on food products depicting hens and cows peacefully roaming in the grass outside a barn belie the current reality of factory farming and the suffering animals endure under this system. This policy analysis examines how animal welfare has been regulated in this country and exposes the multitude of exemptions that exist for farm animals. The federal Animal Welfare Act, Twenty-Eight Hour Law, Federal Meat Inspection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughtering Act, and the Poultry Products Inspection Act all fail to adequately regulate the treatment, care, and travel of agricultural animals. If states attempt to take matters into their own hands, they run into a host of preemption problems. Even for the regulations that do reach agricultural animals, not a single one embraces the Five Freedoms that are recommended according to the Farm Animal Welfare Council. These recommendations include that animals be free from hunger, thirst, discomfort, pain, and distress, and that they be able to express their normal behavior. In an unprecedented move, Walmart recently announced that its suppliers will adhere to animal welfare standards embracing the Five Freedoms. However, Walmart's policy has several shortcomings, including a voluntary compliance regime and no deadline for implementation. Nevertheless Walmart's animal welfare policy is likely this country's best hope for shifting current practices away from factory farming in favor of more humane and healthy handling of agricultural animals.
Exploring Data Quality and Measurement in Mixed Mode Data Collection

The research explores issues related to data quality and measurement in mixed mode data collection by examining the benefits posed by offering both web-based surveys and telephone surveys in business-to-business research contexts. The results of three unique business-to-business studies are analyzed to examine issues related to data quality. Discussion and implications are provided to guide researchers in their choice of data collection methods.
T7 RNA Polymerase

The T7 bacteriophage encodes a single-subunit RNA polymerase of 99 kDa that transcribes the phage's genes during its lytic growth in Escherichia coli. The T7 RNA polymerase is structurally similar to DNA polymerases, reverse transcriptases, and RNA-directed RNA polymerases, and these structural similarities define a polymerase superfamily that includes the majority of nucleic acid-synthesizing enzymes. T7 RNA polymerase is structurally unrelated to the more complex, multi-subunit cellular RNA polymerases that have molecular weights of >500 kDa. Its relative structural simplicity has facilitated description of its structure and mechanism to reveal that progression through its transcription reaction is mediated by a concerted series of large conformational changes. The high activity and stringent promoter specificity of T7 RNA polymerase are exploited in technologies for expressing heterologous genes in vivo, and for synthesizing RNAs in vitro.
W-band N-polar GaN MISHEMTs with high power and record 27.8% efficiency at 94 GHz

We report on the W-band power performance of N-polar GaN MISHEMTs demonstrating a record power-added efficiency (PAE) of 27.8% while maintaining an excellent output power density of 3 W/mm and 7.4 dB peak gain at 94 GHz. To enable this performance, a novel device technology is presented that utilizes the advantages of the inverted polarization of N-polar GaN to mitigate dispersion and improve access region conductivity through the addition of a 47.5 nm in-situ GaN cap layer. To obtain these results past work has been extended through pad layout optimization and reduction of lateral dimensions.
Energy-harvesting microsensors: Low-energy task schedule & fast drought-recovery design

The main challenge with microsensors is limited space, because tiny batteries store little energy. Harvesting energy helps, but only when ambient energy is available. And even then, power is low because miniaturized transducers harness little power. This is why managing how and when to schedule functional tasks is so important. This paper proposes a schedule that requires the battery to hold only the energy necessary to sustain single events and allows the battery to drain across harvesting droughts. When input power returns, an inefficient starter charges a temporary supply that bootstraps the system quickly into an efficient state. This way, when harvested input, idle, and peak load power are 10, 0.5, and 1000 μW, a 0.7% efficient starter and an 87% efficient charger can recharge a 1.8-μF battery to 1 V in 220 ms with a 71-pF temporary supply and in 13 s without the temporary supply. The system therefore wakes 59× faster than without a temporary supply and 1880× faster and with 1800× less capacitance than when forcing the battery to survive a 2-hour power outage.
Efficacy of Rapid Fluid Administration Using Various Setups and Devices.

Objectives In clinical practice, there are various methods that can be used for the rapid administration of fluid in infants and children. The current study prospectively evaluates gravity, pressure-assisted, and hand-pump methods for the rapid administration of fluid using an in vitro model. Methods Thirty participants were asked to deliver 500 mL of fluid using 1 of 6 setups: (1) standard blood tubing with gravity administration, (2) standard blood tubing with pressure bag maintained at 300 mm Hg, (3) standard blood tubing with pressure bag inflated to 300 mm Hg and left to flow, (4) blood tubing with in-line bulb pump, (5) blood tubing with in-line bulb pump and pressure bag, and (6) standard blood tubing with 20-mL syringe attached to the stopcock for a push-and-pull technique using a 20-mL syringe. Results The blood tubing with an in-line bulb pump to allow manual acceleration of the administration of fluid along with a pressure bag on the intravenous fluid bag achieved the fastest flow rate, requiring an average of 98 seconds to deliver 500 mL of fluid. Conclusions When considering factors that affect fluid administration, Poiseuille's law dictates that the most important variable is the radius of the intravenous cannula, whereas the length of the cannula and the viscosity of the fluid administered are of secondary importance. With these limitations in mind, other factors may be used to speed fluid administration. Our study demonstrates the advantage of using blood tubing with the in-line bulb pump combined with a pressure bag.
Neurological complications during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Lorusso et al . studied 4,988 adult patients who underwent veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) using Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) database to evaluate the incidence of neurological complication (1). They found that the neurological complications rate on VV ECMO was 7.1%. The majorities of these neurological complications were intracranial bleed (42.5%), brain death (23.5%), and ischemic stroke (19.9%). The incidence of neurological complications while on VV ECMO decreased over time from 9.5–14.3% in the 1990s to 6.7–7.9% from the year 2000 forwards. The pre-ECMO risk factors for neurological complications during VV ECMO were reported to be cardiac arrest, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and hyperbilirubinemia. Once neurological complications occurred during VV ECMO, less than 25% of patients survived to discharge (mortality rate 75.8% in patients with neurological injury), while those who without neurological complication had a discharge rate from hospital of 63%.
Canonic Composite Length Real-Valued FFT

This paper presents a novel algorithm to compute real-valued fast Fourier transform (RFFT) that is canonic with respect to the number of signal values. A signal value can correspond to a purely real or purely imaginary value, while a complex signal consists of 2 signal values. For an N-point RFFT, each stage needs not compute more than N signal values, since the degrees of freedom of the input data are N. Any more than N signal values computed at any stage is inherently redundant. In order to reduce the redundant samples, a sample removal lemma, and two types of twiddle factor transformations are proposed: pushing and modulation. We consider 4 different cases for an N = P × Q point canonic RFFT: 1) P is odd, Q is odd; 2) P is odd, Q is even; 3) P is even, Q is odd; and 4) P is even, Q is even. No twiddle factor transformation is required when P is odd. It is shown that the number of twiddle factors can be reduced by performing modulation transformation when P is even and Q is odd, while 2 real twiddle factor operations are pushed to 1 complex twiddle factor operation when P and Q are both even. Canonic RFFT for any composite length can be computed by applying the proposed algorithm recursively. Performances of different RFFTs are also discussed in this paper. The major advantages of the canonic RFFTs are that they require the least number of butterfly operations, lead to more regular sub-blocks in the data-flow, and only involve real datapath when mapped to architectures. However, we also show that canonic RFFTs may not be desirable when taking the cost of twiddle factor operations as the major consideration.
Talking to patients about screening colonoscopy—where conversations fall short

INTRODUCTION A physician's recommendation is a powerful motivator for a patient to undergo colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening, yet little is known about how physicians address this topic. METHODS We recruited 30 primary care physicians and physicians-in-training from 4 practices to counsel a "patient," simulated by a researcher, regarding the need for screening colonoscopy. Audiotapes of the encounters were transcribed. Preserving physician anonymity, we assessed each encounter for key informational points, positive or negative message framing, type of numeracy information, and use of colloquial or technical language. RESULTS Most physicians (>/=80%) discussed the benefits of colorectal cancer screening, its status as a standard exploratory procedure, and the use of sedation. However, few (<20%) addressed the risks of colonoscopy, the nuances of scheduling, or the need for dietary and medication changes. Nearly all physicians (98%) used messages that focused on the positive aspects of screening, and many (67%) also used messages that focused on the risk of not screening. Numeracy information generally was expressed simply, but half of physicians used statistical terms. Half used colloquial terms to describe the prep and procedure. CONCLUSION Though most physicians used positive, simple terms to describe colonoscopy, they often omitted key information. Correcting for the areas of insufficient information found in our study--perhaps with supplementary educational sources--will help ensure that patients are adequately prepared for colonoscopy.
Complexity in the causal pathways of aggression in children

There is general agreement that causal pathways of aggression comprise dynamic, interacting individual and contextual factors resulting in aggressive phenotypes. In children, identification of individual and contextual predictors of aggression is complicated by rapidly changing social, cognitive, and emotional developmental processes. Thus, a coherent classification system for organizing causes of aggressive behaviour for children remains elusive; hindering efforts to prevent and treat aggression in a prescriptive, research-based manner.
Androgen Regulation of the Cell Cycle in Prostate Cancer

Androgens control both growth and differentiation of the normal prostate gland and are the major factors on which prostate cancer cells depend for growth and survival. However, the mechanisms by which androgens act upon the cell cycle machinery to regulate both growth and differentiation are not fully understood. Research over the past decades reveals that expression of several key cell cycle regulators such as SKP2, p27KIP1, E2F1, and EZH2 is regulated by androgens in a biphasic manner, that is, stimulated by low dose of androgens but repressed by higher doses of androgens. Because age is one of the key risk factors for prostate cancer, it is possible that with the decline in the levels of serum testosterone during aging, androgenic regulation of cell cycle genes may shift from the pro-differentiation to pro-proliferative mode. It is also likely that residual levels of androgens produced via intracrine mechanism in castration-resistant prostate cancer may be sufficient to activate androgen-mediated pro-proliferative gene program, but insufficient to initiate anti-proliferative program, thereby favoring castration-resistant progression. Finally, the possibility that the androgen-regulated anti-proliferative gene program may be outlawed by frequently deregulated oncogenic pathways in human prostate cancers is discussed.
Shared decision making about IVF for savior siblings.

Decisions about whether to pursue IVF for savior siblings are difficult to make when probable success rates differ by clinic and evidence is lacking.
Incoherence of the Mind-Dependence of Becoming

In my Tensed Theory of Time, I argued that the B-theorist’s objections to the reality of temporal becoming were not insoluble and that, on the contrary, there were positive advantages to be had from adopting a metaphysics of temporal becoming. Moreover, we have seen in chapter 6 that the B-theoretical assertion of the mind-dependence of becoming had little by way of positive argument to commend itself. Now we may supplement those conclusions by showing that the B-theoretical denial of temporal becoming is in fact incoherent.
Why "Underfiling" by States Can and Should be Used to Enforce Environmental Regulations

"Overfiling" occurs when the federal government files an environmental enforcement action in situations where the state environmental enforcement agency has not sufficiently prosecuted a violator of a federal environmental statute. A recent case from the Tenth Circuit appears to support the idea of overfiling under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and other courts have upheld overfiling actions under the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. This Note argues that the practice of "underfiling," a process in which states file environmental enforcement actions even after the federal government has already overfiled, is also supported by these federal court decisions. This Note also suggests that states may intervene under Rule 24 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in federal environmental enforcement actions in order to seek additional relief from violators of environmental
Probabilistic fatigue life prediction of composite materials

Abstract This chapter discusses the use of probabilistic models to describe the fatigue behavior of composite materials and to quantify the uncertainties in fatigue life prediction. The chapter first reviews existing methods for probabilistic fatigue life prediction and then discusses how to quantify the uncertainties in applied loading and material properties. Following this, a random process approach using the Karhunen-Loeve expansion technique is discussed to quantify the input uncertainties as well as their correlations. Probabilistic methods are presented to solve the time-dependent reliability problem. The probabilistic life prediction method is demonstrated under variable amplitude loading for several example problems.
Physical fitness in survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort.

BACKGROUND There are limited data describing fitness and associated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). PROCEDURE Fitness was evaluated among 336 adult survivors of childhood-onset HL treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and 327 controls who never had childhood cancer. The controls were frequency matched on age, sex, and race. Associations were examined between chronic disease and fitness and between fitness and HRQoL using a multivariable linear and logistic regression. RESULTS Male survivors had lower endurance (6-min walk [6MW] distance 604.4 ± 7.9 m vs 637.0 ± 7.5 m, P < 0.01), and worse neuropathy (modified Total Neuropathy Score [mTNS] 2.7 ± 0.2 vs 1.4 ± 0.2, P < 0.01) compared to controls. Female survivors had lower endurance (6MW distance 564.5 ± 6.9 m vs 590.6 ± 7.0 m, P < 0.01), quadriceps strength (145.7 ± 4.0 vs 163.4 ± 4.0 N·m per kilogram, P < 0.01), and worse neuropathy (mTNS 3.2 ± 0.2 vs 1.4 ± 0.3, P < 0.01) compared to controls. Moderate, severe/disabling, or life-threatening (grades 2-4) neurological conditions were associated with impaired quadriceps strength (odds ratio [OR] 2.94, 99% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-6.96) and impaired endurance (OR 2.96, 99% CI 1.28-6.69). Cardiovascular (OR 2.36, 99% CI 1.00-5.61) and pulmonary (OR 2.78, 99% CI 1.30-5.94) conditions were associated with impaired endurance. Quadriceps strength (β -6.44 ± 2.01, P < 0.01), endurance (β -4.63 ± 1.54, P < 0.01), and neuropathy (β -4.98 ± 1.14, P < 0.01) were associated with a lower physical component summary on the HRQoL. CONCLUSION Survivors of childhood HL, particularly those with neurological, cardiac, and pulmonary chronic conditions, are at risk for impaired fitness and HRQoL.
Rhythm and Timing

Auditory and visual rhythmic organization seems easy, but Handel argues that our ability to tap a song at different tempos and perceive a scene at different spatial resolutions suggests that rhythms are due to the hierarchic organization of levels that operate at different temporal and spatial scales. For example, the perception of the meter of auditory rhythms comes from the sum of beats at the different levels. Handel suggests that the ability to hear or see at the different levels allows us to hear the syncopation of polyrhythms, to detect if two rhythms played at different tempos are identical or to see if visual patterns repeat at different sizes. Overall, the timing between events controls our perception, as found for saltation, the Ternus illusion, and other multisensory presentations.
Once Bitten Twice Not So Shy: Outcomes of Left Ventricular Assist Device Pump Exchange

Purpose Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) failure can present as an acute complication requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment with pump exchange (PE). We thought to characterize indication and outcomes of LVAD PE in our institution. Methods A total of 240 continuous flow LVAD were implanted between 2011 and July 2018. We performed a retrospective analysis of 24 LVAD PE performed on 20 patients, including indication for LVAD PE, time on support to first and second pump exchange, pump type, surgical approach, and operative outcomes. Results Of 240 CF LVAD implants performed over 7 years, 24 (10%) represented pump exchange. Patient age was 47 (17-86) years at time of first implant, and all patients were male. A total of 24 LVAD PE were performed on 20 patients. Time on support until first LVAD PE was 548.3 days (41-1345), and to second LVAD PE was 225 days (13-456).Indications included pump thrombosis in 18 (90%) patients, and pump malfunction in 2 (10%) patients.Type of LVAD PE included 15 / 169 Heart Mate II (HMII)(8.8%), and 9 / 69 HeartWare (HW) (13%) (p Conclusion LVAD PE is a safe and effective therapy for patients presenting pump thrombosis or device malfunction. About 20% of patients will require a second LVAD PE within a year.
Deficiency in the phosphatase PHLPP1 suppresses osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and enhances bone formation in mice

Enhanced osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and diminished formation may promote bone loss. Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain and leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (Phlpp1) regulates protein kinase C (PKC) and other proteins in the control of bone mass. Germline Phlpp1 deficiency reduces bone volume, but the mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we found that conditional Phlpp1 deletion in murine osteoclasts increases their numbers, but also enhances bone mass. Despite elevating osteoclasts, Phlpp1 deficiency did not increase serum markers of bone resorption, but elevated serum markers of bone formation. These results suggest that Phlpp1 suppresses osteoclast formation and production of paracrine factors controlling osteoblast activity. Phlpp1 deficiency elevated osteoclast numbers and size in ex vivo osteoclastogenesis assays, accompanied by enhanced expression of proto-oncogene C-Fms (C-Fms) and hyper-responsiveness to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in bone marrow macrophages. Although Phlpp1 deficiency increased TRAP+ cell numbers, it suppressed actin-ring formation and bone resorption in these assays. We observed that Phlpp1 deficiency increases activity of PKCζ, a PKC isoform controlling cell polarity, and that addition of a PKCζ pseudosubstrate restores osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption of Phlpp1-deficient osteoclasts. Moreover, Phlpp1 deficiency increased expression of the bone-coupling factor collagen triple helix repeat-containing 1 (Cthrc1). Conditioned growth medium derived from Phlpp1-deficient osteoclasts enhanced mineralization of ex vivo osteoblast cultures, an effect that was abrogated by Cthrc1 knockdown. In summary, Phlpp1 critically regulates osteoclast numbers, and Phlpp1 deficiency enhances bone mass despite higher osteoclast numbers because it apparently disrupts PKCζ activity, cell polarity, and bone resorption and increases secretion of bone-forming Cthrc1.
Correlative Fluorescence Microscopy and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy of Quantum-Dot-Labeled Proteins in Whole Cells in Liquid

Correlative fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a state-of-the-art microscopy methodology to study cellular function, combining the functionality of light microscopy with the high resolution of electron microscopy. However, this technique involves complex sample preparation procedures due to its need for either thin sections or frozen samples for TEM imaging. Here, we introduce a novel correlative approach capable of imaging whole eukaryotic cells in liquid with fluorescence microscopy and with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM); there is no additional sample preparation necessary for the electron microscopy. Quantum dots (QDs) were bound to epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors of COS7 fibroblast cells. Fixed whole cells in saline water were imaged with fluorescence microscopy and subsequently with STEM. The STEM images were correlated with fluorescence images of the same cellular regions. QDs of dimensions 7 × 12 nm were visible in a 5 μm thick layer of ...
Deformation mechanisms and ductile fracture characteristics of a friction stir processed transformative high entropy alloy

Abstract Deformation mechanisms of a friction stir processed Fe40Mn20Co20Cr15Si5 transformative high entropy alloy using three different process parameters were studied to explain the microstructural dependence of tensile response in these specimens. The relative strain hardening contribution due to transformation and twinning effects was different for the three different microstructural conditions and thus resulted in different magnitude of work hardening. Crystal plasticity simulations confirmed that synergistic activity of face centered cubic and hexagonal close packed slip and twin mechanisms resulted in sustained work hardening and enhanced uniform elongation. The non-uniform ductility and extent of void nucleation and growth in these specimens were limited. Nevertheless, fractography and X-ray microscopy of fractured tensile specimens verified that microstructural flexibility induced different propensities for void growth and ductile fracture mode. Thus, alloy design induced phase stability, adaptive phase evolution due to friction stir processing, extent and kinetics of martensitic transformation and related work hardening capability of the individual phases combined together to determine the overall tensile response. The crystallographic orientation dependence of deformation induced phase transformation was also thoroughly studied. This study included quantitative determination of the crystallographic orientation where resolved shear stress on leading and trailing partial dislocations favored separation of the partials to cause transformation at a critical value of applied stress.
Developing a Communications Plan for Library Screencasts

Encouraged to explore and implement technology, many librarians create screencasts to supplement library instruction. Without a structured creation process, a number of communications issues can result, including: duplication of topics; absence of library branding; and lack of centralized availability to all screencasts. To create a more cohesive online presence, establishing a communications plan is recommended. This article is an account of the University Libraries within the State University of New York at Buffaloâs early experiences with screencasting, assessment of screencasting services, and the consequent development of a coherent communications plan and best practices document regarding video and screencast production. Â
Behavior of stabilizers in acidified solutions and their effect on the textural, rheological, and sensory properties of cream cheese

Stabilizers are routinely added during cream cheese manufacture to help prevent syneresis during storage. We investigated how different types of stabilizers affected the texture, rheology, and sensory properties of cream cheese. Cream cheeses were manufactured with 0.33% xanthan gum (XG), locust bean gum (LBG), guar gum (GG), or a combination (CBN) of these 3 stabilizers (0.11% of each). Rheological properties of solutions of the individual stabilizers and their combination (equal amounts) were also determined under conditions similar to the aqueous phase of cream cheese (0.6% gum, 1.8% NaCl, and pH 5). Dynamic small amplitude rheological properties of the cream cheeses were measured during heating from 5 to 80°C at the rate of 1°C/min and cooling at the same rate (because most cream cheese is hot packed/filled before cooling). Measured rheological parameters included storage modulus (G') and loss tangent. Hardness of cream cheeses was determined by texture profile analysis. Quantitative spectrum descriptive sensory analysis was also performed. Distinct differences were observed between the rheological properties of solutions of the individual stabilizers and the CBN containing all the stabilizers. Results showed that CBN solution formed a strong, thermally reversible gel due to synergistic interaction between stabilizers, whereas XG solution formed a weak gel that was not greatly affected by temperature. Solutions of LBG and GG behaved rheologically as entangled polymer solutions. In the high-temperature (>35°C) region, cream cheeses made with XG and CBN showed higher G' values compared with other cream cheeses. The G' values were higher for XG- and CBN-stabilized cream cheeses than LBG- and GG-stabilized cream cheeses at several temperature regions during the cooling cycle. The CBN-stabilized cream cheeses had higher hardness values than the cream cheeses manufactured with the individual stabilizers. Differences were observed between the sensory attributes of cream cheeses stabilized with CBN and those made with individual stabilizers. At low temperatures, the higher hardness and G' values of CBN-stabilized cream cheeses could be due to synergistic interaction between XG and galactomannans. The higher elasticity of XG-stabilized cream cheeses at high temperatures could be due to its higher thermal stability. This study showed that the stabilizers added during manufacture of cream cheese affected its texture, rheological, and sensory properties.
Chemical Mechanical Surface Nano-Structuring (CMNS) Implementation on Titanium Based Implants to Enhance Corrosion Resistance and Control Biocompatibility

Titanium is the metal of choice for many implantable devices including dental prostheses, orthopaedic devices and cardiac pacemakers. Titanium and its alloys are favoured for hard tissue replacement because of their high strength to density ratio providing excellent mechanical properties and biocompatible surface characteristics promoting in-vivo passivation due to spontaneous formation of a native protective oxide layer in the presence of an oxidizer. This study focuses on the development of a three-dimensional chemical, mechanical, surface nano-structuring (CMNS) process to induce smoothness or controlled nano-roughness on the bio-implant surfaces, particularly for applications in dental implants. CMNS is an extension of the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. CMP is utilized in microelectronics manufacturing for planarizing the wafer surfaces to enable photolithography and multilayer metallization. In biomaterials applications, the same approach can be utilized to induce controlled surface nanostructure on three-dimensional implantable objects to promote or demote cell attachment. As a synergistic method of nano-structuring on the implant surfaces, CMNS also makes the titanium surface more adaptable for the bio-compatible coatings as well as the cell and tissue growth as demonstrated by the electrochemical and surface wettability evaluations on implants prepared by DI-water machining versus oil based machining.
NSAID–Gut Microbiota Interactions

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)s relieve pain, inflammation, and fever by inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase isozymes (COX-1 and COX-2). Despite their clinical efficacy, NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal (GI) and cardiovascular (CV) complications. Moreover, NSAID use is characterized by a remarkable individual variability in the extent of COX isozyme inhibition, therapeutic efficacy, and incidence of adverse effects. The interaction between the gut microbiota and host has emerged as a key player in modulating host physiology, gut microbiota-related disorders, and metabolism of xenobiotics. Indeed, host-gut microbiota dynamic interactions influence NSAID disposition, therapeutic efficacy, and toxicity. The gut microbiota can directly cause chemical modifications of the NSAID or can indirectly influence its absorption or metabolism by regulating host metabolic enzymes or processes, which may have consequences for drug pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. NSAID itself can directly impact the composition and function of the gut microbiota or indirectly alter the physiological properties or functions of the host which may, in turn, precipitate in dysbiosis. Thus, the complex interconnectedness between host-gut microbiota and drug may contribute to the variability in NSAID response and ultimately influence the outcome of NSAID therapy. Herein, we review the interplay between host-gut microbiota and NSAID and its consequences for both drug efficacy and toxicity, mainly in the GI tract. In addition, we highlight progress towards microbiota-based intervention to reduce NSAID-induced enteropathy.
Toward a Negotiation Framework for Self-Integration

Self-integrating systems dynamically seek out external systems to help meet their local and global goals. To perform the integration, the systems must alter their behavior given their current state and environment, along with their static and situational requirements. Situational requirements express functionality that the system cannot perform independently and may be needed to operate in certain states and environments. Assuming that the integrating systems provide metrics for how well they comply with their requirements, self-integration can introduce new functionality and evidence to support compliance with situational requirements. In domains such as IoT architectures, employing self-integration to build a dynamic network of IoT devices means the system may not have its full functionality as a standalone entity. New negotiation technologies are needed to promote the flexible integration of systems at the task and process levels. In this paper, we examine how runtime assurances of situational requirements can be supported by facilitating self-integration using contract theory. To illustrate the approach, we extend a trust negotiation protocol for IoT devices to create an assume-guarantee contract that includes a set of composable assessment procedures. The contract yields additional assurances for dynamic integration from a shared, historical record of adaptation assessment. We demonstrate the approach with a use case involving rescue drones and wearable (IoT) devices.
Cultural Competency in Voice Evaluation: Considerations of Normative Standards for Sociolinguistically Diverse Voices.

Summary Aim Significant differences exist in anatomical, acoustic, and aerodynamic parameters for nonspeech tasks between culturally and linguistically diverse sample populations. There is a need for expansion of the normative acoustic data to include sociolinguistically diverse groups to ensure that clinical objective measurements are accurately classifying the voice quality of all individuals. This study examined objective measures of voice quality assessment of monolingual speakers of Standard American English (SAE) with sequential bilingual, native (L1) French and Spanish speakers on perturbation, noise, spectral/cepstral analyses, and compared ratings on auditory-perceptual assessment with acoustic data secondary to degree of accentedness. Method Thirty speakers with normal voice quality were rated on the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice scale. Voice quality measures were analyzed using the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program and Analysis of Dysphonia in Speech and Voice. A measure of accentedness of SAE was calculated using an informal task by two evaluators. Results Objective acoustic measures of jitter and all-voiced cepstral peak prominence were statistically significant between SAE speakers and L1 Spanish and French speakers. SAE speakers demonstrated significantly higher group mean cepstral peak prominence for the all-voiced sentence (“We were away a year ago.”) than native French and Spanish speakers. There were no significant differences in perception of voice quality and acoustic measures secondary to degree of accentedness of the non-native SAE speakers. Conclusion It is important to engage and strengthen voice diagnostic measures to support culturally competent service delivery for the diversifying clinical population. Normative databases established on SAE speakers should reflect the statistically significant differences evidenced between diverse sociolinguistic populations in anatomical, auditory-perceptual, aerodynamic, and acoustical parameters.
A Primal Approach to Constrained Policy Optimization: Global Optimality and Finite-Time Analysis

Safe reinforcement learning (SRL) problems are typically modeled as constrained Markov Decision Process (CMDP), in which an agent explores the environment to maximize the expected total reward and meanwhile avoids violating certain constraints on a number of expected total costs. In general, such SRL problems have nonconvex objective functions subject to multiple nonconvex constraints, and hence are very challenging to solve, particularly to provide a globally optimal policy. Many popular SRL algorithms adopt a primal-dual structure which utilizes the updating of dual variables for satisfying the constraints. In contrast, we propose a primal approach, called constraint-rectified policy optimization (CRPO), which updates the policy alternatingly between objective improvement and constraint satisfaction. CRPO provides a primal-type algorithmic framework to solve SRL problems, where each policy update can take any variant of policy optimization step. To demonstrate the theoretical performance of CRPO, we adopt natural policy gradient (NPG) for each policy update step and show that CRPO achieves an O(1/T) convergence rate to the global optimal policy in the constrained policy set and an O(1/T) error bound on constraint satisfaction. This is the first finite-time analysis of SRL algorithms with global optimality guarantee. Our empirical results demonstrate that CRPO can outperform the existing primal-dual baseline algorithms significantly.
Time Optimal Operation of Flexural Ultrasonic Transducers For Enhanced Ranging

Flexural Ultrasonic Transducers (FUTs) exhibit sustained residual vibrations after their excitation has ceased. This results in a long decaying tail in the FUT’s terminal voltage affecting the Time of Flight estimation and ranging capability for reflectors situated near the FUT. Time optimal control principles are applied to design the excitations to accelerate damping, improve ToF estimation, and improve ranging near the FUT without compromise in the strength of the transmitted pressure wave. Numerical solutions for the control problem are obtained using Nonlinear Programming. An algorithm is described to operate Pulse Width Modulation peripherals found on commercial off-the-shelf microcontroller units to realize the excitation signals at the output of H-Bridge modules. Experimental results show an improvement of 15% in the minimum range with the designed time optimal excitations.
Three-Axis Attitude Control for a Geostationary Satellite

The Applications Technology Satellite-6 was successfully launched into a geostationary orbit in May, 1974. Since that time, its attitude control subsystem has routinely demonstrated its ability to perform precision pointing and precision closed loop maneuvers. This paper describes the ATS-6 attitude control subsystem. The requirements imposed by the spacecraft mission objectives are outlined, and functional descriptions of the principal attitude control subsystem components and control laws are presented. The paper concludes with a summary comparison of in-orbit performance relative to its specified performance requirements.
Computer Design and Architecture

Introduction - computer system organization combinational logic synchronous sequential circuits memory and storage a simple computer - organization and programming a simple computer -hardware design input/output processor and system structures memory system enhancement control unit enhancement arithmetic/logic unit enhancement advanced architectures. Appendices: number systems and codes minimization of Boolean functions stack implementation.
Feature Clustering for Data Steering in Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems

In this paper, we describe how feature clustering on real-world cell-phone data can be used to locate the impact area of emergency events. We first examine the effect of two emergency events on the call activity in the areas surrounding the events. We then investigate how the time series of the affected areas behave relative to the time series of their respective neighboring areas. Finally, we examine the differences in hierarchical clusterings of the time series of the affected areas and neighboring areas.
DIESEL ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS IN THE NORTH AMERICAN HEAVY DUTY TRUCK MARKET

Commande electronique des moteurs diesel de poids lourds. Etude generale pour l'Amerique du Nord
Effect of reduced bronchial circulation on the lung fluid flux in the case of combined burn and smoke inhalation injury in sheep

We reported that the bronchial circulation contributes to pulmonary function after acute lung injury with smoke inhalation. But the observation period was 24 hours. We hypothesize that the bronchial circulation plays a major role in the lung injury seen with the combination of burn and smoke inhalation injury.
Cervical priming prior to dilatation and evacuation: A comparison of methods

Abstract Vaginal administration of prostaglandin analogues resulted in cervical changes that facilitated dilatation and evacuation in 80 patients in the late first trimester and the second trimester of pregnancy. When 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg of 15(S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin F 2α (15-ME-PGF 2α ) was compared to 30 and 60 mg of 9-deoxo-16, 16-dimethyl-9 methylene prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 analogue), the PGE 2 analogue appeared to have more cervical ripening effect than did the 15-ME-PGF 2α . Overall, the 30 mg PGE 2 vaginal suppository seemed to offer the most optimal combination of effectiveness, sufficient cervical dilatation, and minimal side effects. With the prostaglandins, maximal cervical effect was observed at 4 to 5 hours; this rapid effectiveness allows administration of the prostaglandin to accommodate a 1-day stay for surgical evacuation. The preoperative cervical priming results with the prostaglandins were compared to those obtained with the use of laminaria tents. Although the number of patients who needed further dilatation at the time of operation was less with the laminaria, the incidence of complications and the time for adequate dilatation were higher in that group.
Ramping up the heat on nitrogenase

A heat-tolerating archaeon from a deep-sea vent can convert Ninto molecules usable by other organisms. This finding of nitrogenfixing ability has implications from ecology to biotechnology.
Charged Particle Acceleration

Accelerator physics is primarily the study of the interaction of charged particles with electromagnetic fields. In previous chapters we have concentrated the discussion on the interaction of transverse electrical and magnetic fields with charged particles and have derived appropriate formalisms to apply this interaction to the design of beam transport systems. The characteristics of these transverse fields is that they allow to guide charged particles along a prescribed path but do not contribute directly to the energy of the particles through acceleration. For particle acceleration we must generate fields with nonvanishing force components in the direction of the desired acceleration. Such fields are called longitudinal fields or accelerating fields. In a very general way we describe in this section the interaction of longitudinal electric fields with charged particles to derive the process of particle acceleration, its scaling laws, and its stability limits.
Predictors of glycemic control on insulin pump therapy in children and adolescents with type I diabetes

Abstract Objective To determine variables predictive of glycemic control in a large population of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Methods Charts of patients on CSII for ≥1 year were reviewed. “Good” control was a priori defined as HbA1c ≤9% in patients under 12 years of age, and ≤8% in patients over 12 years. Results Ninety-three patients were identified (57 girls and 36 boys). Their mean age at pump start was 11.6 ± 3.1 years with duration of diabetes of 4.7 ± 3.1 years. Average time on pump therapy was 2.4 ± 0.8 years. HbA1C decreased from 8.7 ± 0.9% prior to pump therapy to 8.3 ± 0.6% while on CSII (p Conclusion Only younger age and use of more basal rates were predictive of good diabetes control in children using CSII. Decisions regarding which pediatric patients are most appropriate for CSII must continue to be individualized.
Potential absence of prognostic implications of severe preoperative hypercalcitoninemia in medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate preoperative hypercalcitonine-mia further as a marker of prognosis in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods: We reviewed the clinical and laboratory data in six patients (four men and two women, 39 to 76 years old)--three with sporadic MTC, one with familial MTC, and two with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A--who had preoperative basal serum calcitonin levels of 400 to 16,000 pg/mL (normal, 0 to 19). Pentagastrin stimulation was performed in patients who had preoperative basal calcitonin levels less than 1,000 pg/mL, and responses ranged from 2,600 to 8,500 pg/mL. Thyroidectomy revealed intrathyroidal MTC in four patients; MTC and nodal metastatic lesions were present in two. The tumor cells were immunoreactive with anti-calcitonin immunoperoxidase staining. Results: Serum calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were normal postoperatively. In serial postoperative evaluation during a follow-up period of 2 to 9 years, stimulated peak plasma calcitonin le...
Uniqueness in law for pure jump Markov processes

Let A be the operator defined on C2 functions by $$Af\left( x \right) = \smallint \left[ {f\left( {x + h} \right) - f\left( x \right) - f'\left( x \right)h 1_{([ - 1, 1])} \left( h \right)} \right]v\left( {x,dh} \right).$$ Sufficient conditions are given for existence and uniqueness for the martingale problem associated with A. In the case of stable-like processes, where v(x, dh) is equal to the Levy measure for the stable symmetric process of index α(x) for each x, the conditions reduce to α(x) continuous for existence and α(x) Dini continuous for uniqueness.
Clinical use of the knee height measuring device to detect growth deficiency.

Assessment of growth deficiency cannot usually be carried out until after 6 months of observation because errors associated with height measurement preclude use of shorter periods. In an effort to shorten this time period, the Knee Height Measuring Device (KHMD), a highly precise and reliable instrument and method for measuring child growth, was compared with height in detecting and clasifying growth in a group of healthy school children, and in a small group of children with Crohn disease known to be experiencing growth failure. Children were measured at 28 day intervals. Measurement error (me) (the standard deviation of the replicates for knee height, and technical error of measurement for height) was used as the basis for detection and classification of growth. To estimate an error that might be typical in a clinical setting, the me from this study was doubled. Then to account for errors associated with both the first and second measurements used to compute growth rates, this value was doubled again. The me for knee height was 0.33 mm (SD = 0.22), yielding a minimum detectable growth of 1.32 mm, and the me for height was 2.7 mm, yielding a minimum detectable growth of 10.8 mm. Using 56 day knee height growth (mean 3.77 mm SD 1.43) more than 95% of growth rates for healthy children exceeded the minimum criterion, whereas for 56 day height growth (mean 8.7 mm, SD = 5.3), only about 28% of the growth rates for healthy children were greater than the criterion. Sensitivity and specificity for 56 day growth knee height and height growth were compared for classifying growth rates of the healthy children and children with Crohn disease using the me criteria. For knee height, a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 96% were achieved, whereas the sensitivity and specificity for 56 day height growth were 75% and 30% respectively. Parallel analyses comparing 56 day knee height with 6 month height velocity could not be carried including the children with Crohn disease. However, using the 5th centile from age and sex specific height velocity from Baumgartner et al. [Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 43:711–722, 1986], the expected number of healthy children in this sample (5.7%) were less than 5th centile. This would yield a specificity for 6 month height growth (94.2%) which is similar to that for 56 day knee height. It is concluded that measurement of knee height over 56 days may potentially be useful in shortening the time for clinical detection of growth deficiency. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.