cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Stabilization of Cemented Soil–Fly Ash Mixtures with Recycled Plastic Strips

An experimental investigation was undertaken to evaluate the mechanical behavior of a soil–cement–fly ash composite, reinforced with recycled plastic strips (high-density polyethylene) that were obtained from postconsumer milk and water containers. The primary motivation for the study was to investigate the innovative reuse of several candidate waste materials in geotechnical and pavement applications. The specific objectives of the research were: (1) to evaluate the compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength characteristics of the material, and (2) to determine the effectiveness of recycled plastic strips in enhancing the toughness characteristics of the composite. Since cement-stabilized materials are weak in tension, the main focus of the experimental program was to conduct a series of specially instrumented split tensile and flexural tests on mixes containing various amounts of cement, fly ash, and plastic strips. For a meaningful comparison of test results, all specimens were prepared at a constant dry density. The standard ASTM C496 procedure for split tensile test was slightly modified by attaching two horizontal linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) to measure the diametral deformation of the specimen due to compressive loading in an orthogonal direction. This modification enabled the evaluation of the postpeak toughness behavior of the composite. For some specimens, a strain gauge was attached to the middle of the face perpendicular to the loading plane in order to correlate the results with the one found using the LVDTs. All tests were performed with a 90 kN universal testing machine with deformation control. Experimental data show that the soil–cement matrix stabilized with 4% to 10% by weight of fly ash and reinforced with 0.25% to 0.5% (by weight) plastic strips (having lengths of 19 mm or 38 mm) can achieve a maximum compressive strength of 7000 kPa, a split tensile strength of 1000 kPa, and a flexural strength of 1200 kPa. These ranges in strength values are suitable for a high-quality stabilized base course for a highway pavement. To quantify the reinforcing effects in the postpeak region, a dimensionless toughness index is proposed. It is found that the use of fiber reinforcement significantly increases the postpeak load carrying capacity of the mix and thus the fracture energy. It is concluded that the lean cementitious mix containing recycled materials offer a lot of promise as an alternative material for civil engineering construction.
Channel estimation for MIMO-OFDM wireless communications

Recent research has shown that multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) techniques can be used with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) for wideband transmission to mitigate intersymbol interference and enhance system capacity. In this paper, we present training sequence design and channel estimation for MIMO-OFDM systems. The effectiveness of the developed approaches are demonstrated by computer simulation examples.
Implementation of the ASDBLR straw tube readout ASIC in DMILL technology

The ASDBLR application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) provides eight channels of low-noise low-power high-rate on-detector readout suitable for the ATLAS transition radiation tracker (TRT) at the large hadron collider. The TRT's unprecedented wire chamber readout requirements of a maximum hit rate per wire of 20 MHz and double-pulse resolution of /spl sim/25 ns with position resolution of better than 150 /spl mu/m in a high radiation environment have been addressed in the design of the ASDBLR. A carefully tuned ion tail cancellation stage followed by an output sensing baseline restorer implemented in differential structures provides robust signal-processing combination compatible with the realities of ASIC design. Two comparators track the output of the signal-processing stage to provide tracking information from charged particles and evidence of higher energy transition radiation photons; their outputs are summed as current steps to form a differential ternary output. The ten-year total dose requirement for neutrons of 10/sup 14/ n/cm/sup 2/ and 1.5 MRad of ionizing radiation led to the implementation of this design in the radiation hardened DMILL process.
Life history, distribution, and size structure of Pacific capelin in Prince William Sound and the northern Gulf of Alaska

Seasonal distribution and size structure of larval, juvenile, and adult Pacific capelin, Mallotus villosus (Muller), were determined using data collected opportunistically during studies of larval fish and adult salmon and herring in Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. Larval and mainly juvenile capelin were widely distributed inside and west of Prince William Sound. Schools of adults were observed at the Prince William Sound-Gulf of Alaska interface in June, July, and August. Spawning was in June and July. Abundance of larval capelin offshore (>1 km) peaked in July, declining thereafter. Larvae appeared to move inshore, because nearshore (<1 km) abundance increased steadily from July to October. For part of the year, nursery areas are nearshore as capelin aged 0 and 1 dominated catches; most were caught within 400 m of the shore at bottom depths less than 100 m. Capelin catches were highest during May-June in three of the four years, and seasonal variability probably resulted from distributional changes inside bays and fjords, and/or variable growth and maturation rates. Recruiting events appeared to be annual, but annual catch rates declined from 1994 to 1997 as a consequence of changes in survival or distribution.
Analysis of an LTE waveform for radar applications

Previous research has shown communication waveforms have potential for passive and active radar applications. The potential of a signal is typically characterized using the ambiguity function. This paper seeks to summarize the frequency division duplex (FDD) long term evolution (LTE) downlink (DL) signal structure and illustrate its effect on the signal's self and cross ambiguity functions. In addition, performance limitations resulting from the FDD LTE DL signal structure are predicted. The variability of system performance limitations is considered for variable FDD LTE DL signal parameters. Lastly, simulated range profiles are produced using a simulated FDD LTE DL signal illustrating the derived results.
Intermediated technology use in developing communities

We describe a prevalent mode of information access in low-income communities of the developing world--intermediated interactions. They enable persons for whom technology is inaccessible due to non-literacy, lack of technology-operation skills, or financial constraints, to benefit from technologies through digitally skilled users--thus, expanding the reach of technologies. Reporting the results of our ethnography in two urban slums of Bangalore, India, we present three distinct intermediated interactions: inputting intent into the device in proximate enabling, interpretation of device output in proximate translation, and both input of intent and interpretation of output in surrogate usage. We present some requirements and challenges in interface design of these interactions and explain how they are different from direct interactions. We then explain the broader effects of these interactions on low-income communities, and present some implications for design.
INTERFERENCE OF SPIRONOLACTONE IN 11-DEOXYCORTICOSTERONE RADIOASSAYS.

Uniformly elevated plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) values are obtained in patients receiving spironolactone. This elevation is shown to be spurious, and is a result of cross-interference of spironolactone and its metabolite, canrenone, in both the DOC radioimmunoassay and competitive protein-binding radioassay.
Population Encoding With Hodgkin–Huxley Neurons

The recovery of (weak) stimuli encoded with a population of Hodgkin-Huxley neurons is investigated. In the absence of a stimulus, the Hodgkin-Huxley neurons are assumed to be tonically spiking. The methodology employed calls for 1) finding an input-output (I/O) equivalent description of the Hodgkin-Huxley neuron and 2) devising a recovery algorithm for stimuli encoded with the I/O equivalent neuron(s). A Hodgkin-Huxley neuron with multiplicative coupling is I/O equivalent with an Integrate-and-Fire neuron with a variable threshold sequence. For bandlimited stimuli a perfect recovery of the stimulus can be achieved provided that a Nyquist-type rate condition is satisfied. A Hodgkin-Huxley neuron with additive coupling and deterministic conductances is first-order I/O equivalent with a Project-Integrate-and-Fire neuron that integrates a projection of the stimulus on the phase response curve. The stimulus recovery is formulated as a spline interpolation problem in the space of finite length bounded energy signals. A Hodgkin-Huxley neuron with additive coupling and stochastic conductances is shown to be first-order I/O equivalent with a Project-Integrate-and-Fire neuron with random thresholds. For stimuli modeled as elements of Sobolev spaces the reconstruction algorithm minimizes a regularized quadratic optimality criterion. Finally, all previous recovery results of stimuli encoded with Hodgkin-Huxley neurons with multiplicative and additive coupling, and deterministic and stochastic conductances are extended to stimuli encoded with a population of Hodgkin-Huxley neurons.
Aerodynamic Positioning and Performance in Wheelchair Racing

The relationship between variations in wheelchair racers’ frontal area in erect, flexed, and rotated upper trunk positions and coasting efficiency was investigated in two experiments. The first involved three male racers with national and international racing experience, and the second involved four men and three women with national or international racing experience. In both experiments, frontal area changed significantly across the three positions. Concurrently, reductions in frontal area coincided predictably with reductions in the percent of initial velocity loss experienced during the coast-down tests across the postural conditions within both experiments. Through ANOVA with repeated measures, the flexed position demonstrated significantly better coasting efficiency than the erect condition in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, the rotated condition demonstrated significantly better coasting efficiency than the erect condition. Generally, the results support the contention that wheelchair coasting effici...
The effect of pertussis toxin on β‐adrenoceptor responses in isolated cardiac myocytes from noradrenaline‐treated guinea‐pigs and patients with cardiac failure

Abstract 1. A decreased responsiveness to the positive inotropic effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists is a characteristic of human heart failure. We have investigated the involvement of inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) in this process using pertussis toxin treatment of isolated cardiac myocytes. 2. Myocytes isolated from failing human myocardium had a reduced maximum contractile response to isoprenaline relative to that for maximally stimulating concentrations of calcium, giving an isoprenaline/calcium ratio of 0.71 +/- 0.06 (n = 7 patients). This was significantly lower than in myocytes from non-failing myocardium, where the isoprenaline/calcium ratio was 1.16 +/- 0.07 (n = 6, P less than 0.001). Responses to high calcium were unchanged. 3. Myocytes were treated with pertussis toxin for 3-5 h at 35 degrees C. Successful inactivation of inhibitory G-proteins by pertussis toxin treatment was indicated by a loss of responsiveness to 10 microM adenosine (in the presence of submaximal isoprenaline). 4. Following pertussis toxin treatment of the myocytes from failing human heart the isoprenaline/calcium ratio increased to 1.43 +/- 0.27 (n = 7, P less than 0.05). Pertussis toxin treatment had no effect upon the maximum calcium contraction. The isoprenaline/calcium ratio in myocytes from non-failing human ventricle was not affected by the toxin treatment (n = 3). These observations support the hypothesis that increased inhibitory G-protein levels or activities contribute to beta-adrenoceptor desensitization in human heart failure. 5. beta-Adrenoceptor desensitization in human heart failure is thought to be secondary to raised noradrenaline levels in these patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The three arousal model: implications of gray's two-factor learning theory for heart rate, electrodermal activity, and psychopathy.

Gray's two-factor learning theory postulates a behavioral activation system (BAS), a behavioral inhibition system (BIS), and a nonspecific arousal system receiving excitatory inputs from both the BAS and the BIS. The BAS initiates behavior in response to conditioned stimuli for reward (approach) or for relieving nonpunishment (active avoidance). The BIS, which is viewed as an anxiety system, inhibits behavior in response to cues for punishment (passive avoidance) or frustrative nonreward (extinction), and its activity is decreased by the anti-anxiety drugs (alcohol, barbiturates, minor tranquilizers). Thus, the BIS is an arousal system which inhibits rather than energizes behavior. A review of the literature suggests that heart rate (HR) is strongly associated with activity of the BAS. This interpretation subsumes the previous findings of cardiac-somatic coupling, incentive effects on HR, and increased HR in connection with active coping in the face of threat. Electrodermal activity (EDA), on the other hand, increases when there is an activation of the BIS. A consideration of these differing effects on HR and EDA permits a specification of conditions in which these two measures will or will not show directional fractionation. With this theoretical model it is possible to relate the clinical features of psychopathy to the psychophysiological data with the single assumption that primary psychopaths have a deficient BIS. As a result, they show normal approach, active avoidance, and HR, but they suffer from poor passive avoidance and extinction with reduced EDA in response to threatening stimuli.
Acanthuroid relationships revisited: a new nuclear gene-based analysis that incorporates tetraodontiform representatives

We revisit acanthuroid relationships based on an increasing body of evidence that tetraodontiforms, lophiiforms, and caproids share a close relationship with the acanthuroid fishes. Phylogenetic relationships among the acanthuroids, tetraodontiforms, lophiiforms, and caproids were reconstructed based on data from portions of five nuclear genes (RAG1, zic1, myh6, plagl2, and ENC1). The data were partitioned according to gene and codon position and analyzed using Bayesian, maximum parsimony, and maximum likelihood criteria. All methods of analysis corroborated a restricted Acanthuroidei comprising Acanthuridae, Zanclidae, and Luvaridae. They failed to corroborate the inclusion of Siganidae, Scatophagidae and Ephippidae. The primary reason for this is that two groups previously hypothesized to be basal within Acanthuroidei (scatophagids and siganids) grouped within a clade comprising Antigonia, Lophiiformes, and Tetraodontiformes, while the other presumed basal relatives (Drepane + Ephippidae) were recovered within a larger clade that also includes Monodactylidae, Emmelichthyidae, Sparoidea, Haemulidae, and Pomacanthidae. While the molecular data presented here appear to contradict the results of previous morphology-based studies, we suggest that such a conclusion is unjustified without first surveying putative morphological synapomorphies for the acanthuroids in a broader range of taxa.
Examining differential responses of youth with and without autism on a measure of everyday activity performance.

This study further investigated items with differential item function (DIF) in the Social/Cognitive domain of a measure of everyday activity performance, the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adapted Test version for Autism “PEDI-CAT (ASD),” to understand possible sources of response variation in a heterogeneous sample of youth with autism compared to the national standardization sample. Cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of parents who identified they had a child between 3 and 21 years (M = 11.9 years, SD = 4.67 years) with autism (n = 365) completed an online survey that included the PEDI-CAT (ASD) and descriptive measures. For 28 items previously identified as having DIF, the PEDI-CAT (ASD) expected item score curves for the autism sample were compared to the original PEDI-CAT standardization sample. The weighted area between expected score curves (wABC) was also calculated; values >0.24 indicate significant DIF. All items had wABC that exceeded the criterion. Compared with peers without disabilities at the same ability level, 11 items were significantly more difficult for the youth with autism and 16 items were significantly easier. One item demonstrated non-uniform DIF. Differential responses could indicate that: (1) children with autism have a different developmental pattern of skill acquisition for everyday activities in the Social/Cognitive domain, or (2) parents of children with autism utilize a unique appraisal process when assessing their children’s functional performance of everyday activities. Further research is required to better understand the factors leading to differential responses on the targeted items. The study illustrates the value of in-depth analysis of DIF to gain insight into the impact of a clinical condition on functional performance.
Inaugurating Understanding or Repackaging Explanation

Recently, several authors have argued that scientific understanding should be a new topic of philosophical research. In this article, I argue that the three most developed accounts of understanding—Grimm’s, de Regt’s, and de Regt and Dieks’s—can be replaced by earlier ideas about scientific explanation without loss. Indeed, in some cases, such replacements have clear benefits.
Differential dynamic programming with temporally decomposed dynamics

We explore a temporal decomposition of dynamics in order to enhance policy learning with unknown dynamics. There are model-free methods and model-based methods for policy learning with unknown dynamics, but both approaches have problems: in general, model-free methods have less generalization ability, while model-based methods are often limited by the assumed model structure or need to gather many samples to make models. We consider a temporal decomposition of dynamics to make learning models easier. To obtain a policy, we apply differential dynamic programming (DDP). A feature of our method is that we consider decomposed dynamics even when there is no action to be taken, which allows us to decompose dynamics more flexibly. Consequently learned dynamics become more accurate. Our DDP is a first-order gradient descent algorithm with a stochastic evaluation function. In DDP with learned models, typically there are many local maxima. In order to avoid them, we consider multiple criteria evaluation functions. In addition to the stochastic evaluation function, we use a reference value function. This method was verified with pouring simulation experiments where we created complicated dynamics. The results show that we can optimize actions with DDP while learning dynamics models.
Book Review: God's Love through the Spirit: The Holy Spirit in Thomas Aquinas and John Wesley

God's Love Through the Spirit: The Holy Spirit in Thomas Aquinas and John Wesley. Kenneth M. Loyer. Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2014. xv + 295 pp. $65.00 (doth).As one might guess from the title, Kenneth Loyer brings together strong strands from Catholic and Methodist traditions relating to the Holy Spirit in this carefully written book. He juxtaposes eighteenth-century Methodist founder John Wesley and thirteenth-century Angelic Doctor of the church Thomas Aquinas on the Holy Spirit for several reasons.Foremost, he finds the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is much overlooked today, a gap that Aquinas and Wesley can fill. In the first chapter, Loyer suggests that in contemporary Christianity, especially Methodism, the Holy Spirit has been replaced by a spirit of "social concern" that reduces the work of the Holy Spirit to political action. He argues that contemporary (mis)construals of the Holy Spirit "may well turn theology into some other pursuit, governed not by the norms of divine revelation through the historically unique person of Jesus Christ . . . but by economics, sociology, or anthropology. For all the insights that can be provided by these and other disciplines, they are no substitute for theology proper" (pp. 12-13).Second, Loyer claims that Methodists do not know the Wesleyan doctrines of Christian perfection and sanctification, which require a sound doctrine of the Holy Spirit. In chapter 2, Loyer discusses Wesleys emblematic thoughts about Christian perfection and sanctification. "Participation in God is a useful motif for interpreting Wesley on perfection . . . because it points to God as the boundless source of all perfection and sanctifies the very concept of love" (p. 27). Such participation in God is "marked by emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit" (p. 45).Third, Loyer brings together Wesley and Aquinas because Wesley was a practical theologian, while Aquinas adds theological depth to thought about the Holy Spirit. Loyer spends chapters 3, 4, and 5 of his book developing Thomas's doctrine of the Trinity from the Summa Theologica. These three chapters demonstrate Loyers deft exploration of Thomas's Summa; he invites the reader to read Thomas with precision and great attention to detail. Reading these chapters is well worth the time and effort.Highlights of these chapters include a description of Aquinas's painstaking discussion of the Spirit's internal procession and relationship with Father and Son, such that the Spirit is "the very love with which the Father and the Son love each other" (p. 100). Loyer also depicts Thomas's account of mutual love, the love by which "the Father loves himself and every creature" (p. …
Influence of Heat Treatments on the Microstructural Evolution and Resultant Mechanical Properties in a Low Carbon Medium Mn Heavy Steel Plate

In this study, the microstructural evolution and resultant mechanical properties in a low carbon medium Mn heavy steel plate were investigated in detail. The results show that the introduction of medium manganese alloy design in the heavy steel plate has been shown to achieve the outstanding combination of strength, ductility, low-temperature impact toughness, and strain hardening capacity. It has been found that the austenite phase mainly displays at martensitic lath boundaries and shows lath shape for the heat treating at 873 K (600 °C) for 1 to 10 hours or 893 K (620 °C) for 2 hours, and not all the austenite phase obeys the K–S or N–W orientation relationship with respect to abutting martensitic lath. Although the microstructure in the steel after heat treating at 873 K (600 °C) for 1 to 10 hours is similar to each other, the resultant mechanical properties are very different because the volume fraction and stability of retained austenite vary with the heat treatments. The best low-temperature impact toughness is achieved after heat treating at 873 K (600 °C) for 2 hours due to the formation of a considerable volume fraction of retained austenite with relatively high stability, but the strain hardening capacity and ductility are disappointing because of insufficient TRIP effect. Based on enhancing TRIP effect, the two methods have been suggested. One is to increase the isothermal holding temperature to 893 K (620 °C), and the other one is to prolong the isothermal holding time to 10 hours at 873 K (600 °C). The two methods can significantly increase strain hardening capacity and ductility nearly without harming low-temperature impact toughness. In addition, the stability of retained austenite has been discussed by the quantitative analysis and it has been demonstrated that the stability of retained austenite is related to the chemical composition, size, and morphology. Moreover, the isothermal holding temperature has a great effect on the stability of retained austenite, while the effect of the isothermal holding time is relatively poor.
The Construction of the Teatro Colón

The Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires stands as one of the few truly great opera houses of the world. Completed in 1908 after two decades of intermittent disasters which threatened to leave it a crumbling ruin before it ever opened, it remains unsurpassed as a building for the presentation of operas on a grand scale in an elegant setting. With one of the largest auditoriums of the world's opera houses, it combines splendid acoustics and a stunning exterior. Over 3,500 spectators can be easily accommodated in a seating arrangement which could make room for more were the chairs in parts of the house not so commodious nor so generously spaced. Nearly all the most renowned singers of the twentieth century have performed there and deemed it a signal honor.
Efficient Prescription Retrieval from PSF Data

Reverse-accumulation automated differentiation is applied to retrieve optical prescription parameters from point spread function data, yielding a 4.6× speed improvement over existing methods.
Microstructural modifications of ceramic waste forms using femtosecond pulse laser

Femtosecond laser of pulse width ~40 fs and 800 nm wavelength with a pulse energy output ~500nJ is used to modify the microstructures of ceramic wasteforms. Different compositions prepared by different processes show surface melting and solidification on exposure to laser irradiation. Structural changes are analyzed using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. SPS processed samples have higher density as compared to the melt-processed counterparts. No new phase is formed in any of the materials upon surface resolidification. Microstructures of the laser-modified area of all samples are similar despite the variation in the original microstructures from one another. XRD phase analysis and comparison of elemental maps show that homogenization and partial amorphisation of the surface occurred with hollandite phase retaining its crystallinity in an amorphous matrix.
Growth performance, ruminal fermentation profiles, and carcass characteristics of beef steers grazing tall fescue without or with nitrogen fertilization1

A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of finishing beef cattle grazed on tall fescue (TF) pastures without or with N fertilization on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, and carcass characteristics. In each grazing season, 18 Angus crossbred steers were arranged in a completely randomized design with repeated measures on the following 2 treatments: TF without N fertilizer (TF–NF) and TF with N fertilizer (TF+NF). Three replicated pastures with 3 steers per replicate were assigned to each treatment. A total of 168 kg/ha N fertilizer was applied in 3 split applications at 56 kg/ha each to the TF+NF in each grazing season. Steers rotationally grazed on 0.47-ha pasture for 7 d with a 28-d rotation interval for a total of 16 wk. Body weight data and pasture forage samples were collected every 4 wk, whereas ruminal fluid was collected at wk 4, 10, and 16. After the completion of 16-wk grazing, ultrasound measurement was performed to assess carcass characteristics. In response to N fertilization, greater CP concentration was detected on TF+NF compared with TF–NF in 2011 (11.9 vs. 10.6% DM, respectively; P < 0.01). Overall ADG was greater in steers that grazed TF+NF pastures (P < 0.05) in the 2-yr grazing seasons, and tended to increase (P = 0.07) overall DMI and G:F in 2010. Regardless of N fertilization, ADG peaked between wk 4 and 8 (1.05 kg/d; P < 0.01), and then declined until wk 16. A gradual decline of G:F was noticed with progression in grazing seasons (P < 0.05). Greater total VFA concentrations were detected in ruminal fluid of steers that grazed TF+NF (P < 0.01), but a minor effect was shown on individual VFA (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) concentrations and acetate-to-propionate ratio. Ruminal ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentration increased (P < 0.01) with N fertilization, whereas NH3-N:total VFA increased (P < 0.01) with the progression of grazing seasons. Backfat thickness, ribeye area, and intramuscular fat concentration did not differ between treatments. Overall results of this study indicate that N fertilization on TF affected ruminal fermentation which positively influenced growth performances, but did not affect carcass characteristics of grazing beef steers. In addition, readily fermentable carbohydrate supplementation is needed to improve utilization of increased dietary CP due to N fertilization and consequently enhance growth performances of grazing steers.
Showing Art Ability in Common LIANG Shi-qiu essay "kite" Appreciating

Liang Shi-qiu prose is hide truth in sample form,true feeling in calm.The characteristics of the article "playing kite"was analysed from aspect of beauty in sample,dense in thin.The life interest,rich feeling were indicted in this prose,it is also reflectes the high art level of Liang Shi-qiu.
Inadvertent parathyroidectomy: incidence, risk factors, and outcomes

Abstract Background Parathyroid glands are ≤5 mm, often subcapsular or intrathyroidal, and obscured by lymph nodes, making preservation a challenge. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of inadvertent parathyroidectomy (IP) and whether it contributes to hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy. Materials and methods A retrospective review of all thyroidectomies by a single surgeon from January 2010 to August 2014 was completed to determine the rate of IP and permanent hypoparathyroidism. Medical records were assessed for demographics, extent of thyroidectomy, central compartment neck dissection, thyroid gland weight, parathyroid autotransplantation, reoperation, pathology, postoperative calcium levels, and number of parathyroid glands removed. Results A total of 386 patients underwent thyroidectomy. Mean age was 52 y, and 327 (85%) patients were women. There were 25 (7%) patients who underwent reoperation, 40 (10%) who underwent central compartment neck dissection, and 128 (33%) who underwent parathyroid autotransplantation. IP occurred in 78 (20%) patients. Permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 7 (2.7%) of 258 patients after total or completion thyroidectomy, four (6.7%) with IP compared with three (1.5%) without IP (P = 0.033). Logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender (odds ratio = 2.768, P = 0.040), central compartment neck dissection (odds ratio = 9.584, P = 0.001), and thyroid gland weight (odds ratio = 0.994, P = 0.022) were independent factors associated with IP. Conclusions IP, which occurred in 20% of patients undergoing thyroidectomy, is a potentially remediable factor associated with a higher rate of hypoparathyroidism. Central compartment neck dissection is an independent risk factor for IP.
Duodenal lipid inhibits gastric acid secretion by vagal, capsaicin-sensitive afferent pathways in rats

Neural and endocrine pathways mediate the inhibitory effects of intestinal fat on gastric acid secretion. To study whether vagal and/or spinal afferent nerves contribute to the neural component of the enterogastric reflex, the sensory neurotoxin capsaicin was applied topically either to the vagus nerves bilaterally or to the celiac-superior mesenteric ganglia in rats with chronic gastric and duodenal fistulas. In lightly restrained, awake rats acid secretion was stimulated for 2 h by continuous intragastric perfusion with 8% peptone and was measured by extragastric titration to pH 5.5. Duodenal lipid perfusion (0-20%) during the 2nd h caused inhibition of peptone-stimulated acid output. Acid output was inhibited by 81% during 5% lipid perfusion of the duodenum and was restored after capsaicin treatment of the vagus nerves. In contrast, capsaicin treatment of the celiac ganglion did not alter the acid inhibitory response to any dose of intestinal lipid. Basal and maximum acid outputs were not significantly different among rats treated by either method with capsaicin. The neural component of the enterogastric reflex in awake rats is mediated in part by a capsaicin-sensitive, vagal-afferent neural reflex.
SU-F-E-12: Elective International Rotations in Medical Physics Residency Programs

Purpose: The purpose of this educational program is to motivate talented, intelligent individuals to become stakeholders in the global effort to improve access to radiotherapy. Methods: The need to improve global access to radiotherapy has been clearly established and several organizations are making substantial progress in securing funding and developing plans to achieve this worthwhile goal. The incorporation of elective international rotations in residency programs may provide one possible mechanism to promote and support this future investment. We recently incorporated an elective 1-month international rotation into our CAMPEP accredited Medical Physics residency program, with our first rotation taking place in Vietnam. A unique aspect of this rotation was that it was scheduled collaboratively with our Radiation Oncology residency program such that Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics residents traveled to the same clinic at the same time. Results: We believe the international rotation substantially enhances the educational experience, providing additional benefits to residents by increasing cross-disciplinary learning and offering a shared learning experience. The combined international rotation may also increase benefit to the host institution by modeling positive multidisciplinary working relationships between Radiation Oncologists and Medical Physicists. Our first resident returned with several ideas designed to improve radiotherapy in resource-limited settings – one of which is currently being pursued in collaboration with a vendor. Conclusion: The elective international rotation provides a unique learning experience that has the potential to motivate residents to become stakeholders in the global effort to improve access to radiotherapy. What better way to prepare the next generation of Medical Physicists to meet the challenges of improving global access to radiotherapy than to provide them with training experiences that motivate them to be socially conscious and equip them with the clinical and problem solving skills required to deliver effective treatments in resource limited settings?
Viral DNA Sensors IFI16 and Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase Possess Distinct Functions in Regulating Viral Gene Expression, Immune Defenses, and Apoptotic Responses during Herpesvirus Infection.

ABSTRACT The human interferon-inducible protein IFI16 is an important antiviral factor that binds nuclear viral DNA and promotes antiviral responses. Here, we define IFI16 dynamics in space and time and its distinct functions from the DNA sensor cyclic dinucleotide GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS). Live-cell imaging reveals a multiphasic IFI16 redistribution, first to viral entry sites at the nuclear periphery and then to nucleoplasmic puncta upon herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections. Optogenetics and live-cell microscopy establish the IFI16 pyrin domain as required for nuclear periphery localization and oligomerization. Furthermore, using proteomics, we define the signature protein interactions of the IFI16 pyrin and HIN200 domains and demonstrate the necessity of pyrin for IFI16 interactions with antiviral proteins PML and cGAS. We probe signaling pathways engaged by IFI16, cGAS, and PML using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9-mediated knockouts in primary fibroblasts. While IFI16 induces cytokines, only cGAS activates STING/TBK-1/IRF3 and apoptotic responses upon HSV-1 and HCMV infections. cGAS-dependent apoptosis upon DNA stimulation requires both the enzymatic production of cyclic dinucleotides and STING. We show that IFI16, not cGAS or PML, represses HSV-1 gene expression, reducing virus titers. This indicates that regulation of viral gene expression may function as a greater barrier to viral replication than the induction of antiviral cytokines. Altogether, our findings establish coordinated and distinct antiviral functions for IFI16 and cGAS against herpesviruses. IMPORTANCE How mammalian cells detect and respond to DNA viruses that replicate in the nucleus is poorly understood. Here, we decipher the distinct functions of two viral DNA sensors, IFI16 and cGAS, during active immune signaling upon infection with two herpesviruses, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). We show that IFI16 rapidly oligomerizes at incoming herpesvirus genomes at the nuclear periphery to transcriptionally repress viral gene expression and limit viral replicative capacity. We further demonstrate that IFI16 does not initiate upstream activation of the canonical STING/TBK-1/IRF3 signaling pathway but is required for downstream antiviral cytokine expression. In contrast, we find that, upon DNA sensing during herpesvirus infection, cGAS triggers apoptosis in a STING-dependent manner. Our live-cell imaging, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, CRISPR-based cellular assays, and optogenetics underscore the value of integrative approaches to uncover complex cellular responses against pathogens.
Infant outcomes among women with Zika virus infection during pregnancy: results of a large prenatal Zika screening program.

Background Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a known cause of congenital microcephaly and other neurologic morbidities. Objective We present the results of a large-scale prenatal screening program in place at a single-center health care system since March 14, 2016. Our aims were to report the baseline prevalence of travel-associated Zika infection in our pregnant population, determine travel characteristics of women with evidence of Zika infection, and evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes compared to women without evidence of Zika infection. Study Design This is a prospective, observational study of prenatal Zika virus screening in our health care system. We screened all pregnant women for recent travel to a Zika-affected area, and the serum was tested for those considered at risk for infection. We compared maternal demographic and travel characteristics and perinatal outcomes among women with positive and negative Zika virus tests during pregnancy. Comprehensive neurologic evaluation was performed on all infants delivered of women with evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Head circumference percentiles by gestational age were compared for infants delivered of women with positive and negative Zika virus test results. Results From March 14 through Oct. 1, 2016, a total of 14,161 pregnant women were screened for travel to a Zika-affected country. A total of 610 (4.3%) women reported travel, and test results were available in 547. Of these, evidence of possible Zika virus infection was found in 29 (5.3%). In our population, the prevalence of asymptomatic or symptomatic Zika virus infection among pregnant women was 2/1000. Women with evidence of Zika virus infection were more likely to have traveled from Central or South America (97% vs 12%, P Conclusion Based on a large-scale prenatal Zika screening program in an area with a predominantly Hispanic population, we identified that 4% were at risk from reported travel with only 2/1000 infected. Women traveling from heavily affected areas were most at risk for infection. Neonatal head circumference percentiles among infants born to women with evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy were not reduced when compared to infants born to women without infection.
Complex Ventral Hernia Repair with Acellular Dermal Matrices: Clinical and Quality of Life Outcomes.

Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) are used in conjunction with complex hernia repair, but their efficacy is often debated. This study assesses clinical and quality of life (QOL) outcomes in multiply comorbid patients undergoing complex ventral hernia repair using ADMs. After obtaining institutional review board approval, a prospective study was conducted evaluating patients undergoing complex ventral incisional hernia repair with abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) using either human (Flex HD) or porcine ADM (Strattice). Patient accrual occurred over three years. Demographics, comorbid conditions, and operative details were recorded. Postoperative two-week, six-week, six-month, and one-year follow-up occurred. Primary outcomes measures include wound occurrence, QOL parameters using the Short Form-12 health survey, and hernia recurrence. Groups were compared using chi-squared, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney U, or t tests as appropriate. Significance was set at P 50 per cent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wound Class II and above, >50 per cent recurrent hernia repair, and 25 per cent current or previous mesh infection. Twenty patients (57%) experienced surgical site occurrences, 15 (43%) wound infections, and 5 (14%) recurrences with a median follow-up of one year. All Short Form-12 QOL indicators improved at 12 months compared with baseline (NS). Outcomes were similar between mesh types. In conclusion, abdominal wall reconstruction for complex hernias using biologic materials is safe but has significant morbidity. Wound complications occur in over half of all patients and are not impacted by ADM type. There is no decrement in QOL one year after hernia repair despite associated morbidity.
Compressed Sharer Tracking and Relinquishment Coherence for Superior Directory Efficiency of Chip Multiprocessors

To lower on-chip SRAM area overhead for chip multiprocessors (CMPs), this work treats a novel directory design which compresses p resent-bit v ectors (PVs) by dropping “runs of zeros” commonly existing and lets PVs be transformed to their variations after sharer relinquishment for hashing alternative table sets to lift table utilization. Featured with re linquishment c oherence and co mpressed s harer t racking (ReCoST), the proposed design attains superior directory efficiency and maintains “exact” directory representations, as a result of dropping abound long runs of zeros present in PVs. According to full-system simulation using gem5 for a range of core counts under PARSEC benchmarks, ReCoST is found to enjoy 3.21 $\times$ (or 2.64 $\times$ ) more efficiency in directory storage than conventional bit-tracking directories (or the best directory known so far, called SCD) for a 64-core CMP under monotasking (or multitasking) workloads while ensuring execution slowdowns to stay within 2.4 percent (or 3.3 percent).
Conditioning, learning and psychopathology

The total of all conditioning and learning may be summed up as part of the adaptive patterns for survival. Adaptive learning is the person's way of discovering how to live successfully. He is not just sick or well. In one fashion or another, he learnshow to be sick orhow to be well within a certain milieu. Personality function signifies the integrant of this learning as the individual tries to realize his potentials, live effectively, and achieve gratification. Should his learning be deficient or distorted in any area proportionate difficulties in his total function will afflict him. Such areas of insufficiency or distress expose the psychopathologic process.
Financing Mechanisms for Reducing Adversity and Enhancing Resilience Through Implementation of Primary Prevention

The experience of adversity and toxic stress in childhood is associated with the development of chronic health and behavioral health problems. These problems contribute substantially to health care expenditures and the overall burden of disease. Although a strong scientific literature documents the effectiveness of primary prevention in reducing childhood adversity, promoting well-being and lessening the incidence of negative outcomes, funding for these interventions is highly fragmented across multiple government agencies as well as private and philanthropic sectors. It is becoming increasingly clear that improving population health will require a concentrated public health effort to improve access to and the accountability of these interventions as well as the development of novel financing schemes. In this perspective we review existing financing mechanisms for funding interventions known to reduce adverse childhood experiences and discuss innovative financing approaches that use insurance as well as pay-for-success funding mechanisms. The latter require that cost savings associated with primary prevention be quantified and that these savings be used to offset program costs, sometimes with a return on investment for private investors. We provide a series of recommendations regarding better coordination and strategic oversight of existing resources as well as the need to further develop and validate methodologies for estimating the societal costs and benefits associated with the varying social policies that are designed to ameliorate the effects of adversity and to build resilience.
PBS Pro: Grid computing and scheduling attributes

The PBS Pro software is a full-featured workload management and job scheduling system with capabilities that cover the entire Grid computing space: security, information, compute, and data. The security infrastructure includes user authentication, access control lists, X.509 certificate support, and cross-site user mapping facilities. Detailed status and usage information is maintained and available both programmatically and via a graphical interface. Compute Grids can be built to support advance reservations, harvest idle desktop compute cycles, and peer schedule work (automatically moving jobs across the room or across the globe). Data management in PBS Pro is handled via automatic stage-in and stage-out of files. The PBS Pro system has numerous site-tunable parameters and can provide access to available scheduling information, information about requesting resources, allocation properties, and information about how an allocation execution can be manipulated.
The Lamé and Stokes Operators

The material here is centered around two basic systems: the Lame operator arising in the theory of elasticity, and the Stokes operator arising in hydrodynamics. Among other things, all of their fundamental solutions that are tempered distributions are identified, and the well-posedness of the Poisson problem for the Lame system is established.
Discussing the Alternatives

In this chapter, I compare the semantic theory described in chapter 3 with other theories. In chapter 1, I argued that we should not construe eventualities as a type of proposition, and I based my arguments on semantic differences among various kinds of nominals and that-clauses. However, I did not discuss specific theories that construe eventualities as propositional entities. I discuss them in the first part of this chapter. In the second part, I examine theories that, like mine, treat eventualities and propositions as entities of different types.
Atrial Fibrillation: Stroke Prevention in Older Adults

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an increasingly prevalent disease in the elderly. Patients with AF are at increased risk of ischemic stroke, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Warfarin is highly effective at reducing stroke risk, with a net clinical benefit favoring treatment in older individuals. The advent of newer oral anticoagulants provides promising alternatives to warfarin. Appropriate risk stratification for stroke should be performed for all patients with AF to guide antithrombotic therapy. For patients at lower stroke risk, bleeding risk stratification tools can also be used when the benefit of anticoagulant therapy is unclear.
Monte Carlo Simulation-Based Benefit-Cost Analysis Combined with Analytical Hierarchy Process to Support ITS Investment with Consideration of Connected Vehicle Technology:

Decisions to invest in alternative intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies are expected to increase in complexity, particularly with the introduction of connected vehicles (CV) and aut...