cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of a small supernumerary ring chromosome 8 by fluorescent in situ hybridization in a child with developmental delay and minor anomalies

We report a 15-month-old female with developmental delay, hypotonia, and minor anomalies whose karyotype is 47,XX,+r. Due to its small size, the origin of the ring chromosome was indeterminate by standard G-banded karyotyping. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was performed, which indicated that the ring chromosome was derived from the pericentric region of chromosome 8.
Microsatellite Markers for Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia; Elaeagnaceae)

Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the plant species Elaeagnus angustifolia to assist in future investigations of genetic variability in its native and invasive ranges and the precise origins of the United States/Canada invasion. Methods and Results: Eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed. The number of alleles observed for each locus ranged from three to 11. Conclusions: These microsatellites have sufficient potential variability to define population structure and origins of the Russian olive invasion.
Experimental Analysis of the Relationship Between Speaking Rate and Stuttering During Mother–Child Conversation II

This study investigated the relationship between stuttering and speaking rates in a 4 year-old male child who stuttered and the child's mother during conversations. A single-subject experimental time-series design (ABCDA) was used to investigate the effect of decreasing the speaking rates of both the mother and the child on stuttering. Decreasing speaking rates of both the mother and child produced a decrease in the stuttering rate of the child, not accompanied by reductions in either linguistic complexity or frequency of interruption. The diminished stuttering observed during manipulation generalized to other speaking situations.
Evaluating recursive queries in CAD using an extended projection function

Entities such as mechanical assemblies are recursive when they contain other assemblies at a lower level of detail. In this paper we show how recursive CAD entities can be manipulated using an extended projection function. The new function finds nested sub-entities within entities that are modeled as trees of aggregations and generalizations. It allows these sub-entities to be found using expressions that are independent of the complexity of an entity's data structure. We describe the new function, its relationship to the transitive closure function, and its implementation in a CAD database system.
Characterization of Vapor Deposited, NanoStructured Membranes

The vapor deposition methods of planar magnetron sputtering and electron-beam evaporation are used to synthesize materials with nano structured morphological features that have ultra-high surface areas with continuous open porosity at the nano scale. These nano structured membranes are used in a variety of fuel cells to provide electrode and catalytic functions. Specifically, stand alone and composite nickel electrodes for use in thin film solid-oxide, and molten carbonate fuel cells are formed by sputter deposition and electron bean evaporation, respectively. Also, a potentially high-performance catalyst material for the direct reformation of hydrocarbon fuels at low temperatures is deposited as a nano structure by the reactive sputtering of a copper-zinc alloy using a partial pressure of oxygen at an elevated substrate temperature.
Effect of nicotine on negative affect among more impulsive smokers.

In the present study, the authors tested the hypothesis that nicotine would provide greater relief from negative affect for more impulsive smokers than for less impulsive smokers. Euthymic adult smokers (N 70) participated in 2 laboratory sessions, during which they underwent a negative mood induction (music autobiographical memory), then smoked either a nicotinized or de-nicotinized cigarette. Mixed-effects regression yielded a significant Impulsivity Condition (nicotinized vs. de-nicotinized) Time interaction. Simple effects analyses showed that heightened impulsivity predicted greater negative affect relief after smoking a nicotinized cigarette but not after smoking a de-nicotinized cigarette. These data suggest that nicotine may be a disproportionately powerful negative reinforcer for highly impulsive smokers, promoting higher levels of nicotine dependence and inhibiting smoking cessation.
True martingales for upper bounds on Bermudan option prices under jump-diffusion processes

Fast pricing of American-style options has been a difficult problem since it was first introduced to financial markets in 1970s, especially when the underlying stocks' prices follow some jump-diffusion processes. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm to generate tight upper bounds on the Bermudan option price without nested simulation, under the jump-diffusion setting. By exploiting the martingale representation theorem for jump processes on the dual martingale, we are able to construct a martingale approximation that preserves the martingale property. The resulting upper bound estimator avoids the nested Monte Carlo simulation suffered by the original primal-dual algorithm, therefore significantly improves the computational efficiency. Theoretical analysis is provided to guarantee the quality of the martingale approximation. Numerical experiments are conducted to verify the efficiency of our proposed algorithm.
Measurement of atmospheric sesquiterpenes by proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS)

The ability to measure sesquiterpenes (SQT; C15H24) by a Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS) was investigated. SQT calibration standards were prepared by a capillary diffusion method and the PTR-MS- estimated mixing ratios were derived from the counts of product ions and proton transfer reaction constants. These values were compared with mixing ratios determined by a calibrated Gas Chromatograph (GC) coupled to a Flame Ion- ization Detector (GC-FID). Product ion distributions from soft-ionization occurring in a selected ion drift tube via pro- ton transfer were measured as a function of collision ener- gies. Results after the consideration of the mass discrimina- tion of the PTR-MS system suggest that quantitative SQT measurements within 20% accuracy can be achieved with PTR-MS if two major product ions (m/z 149 + and 205 + ), out of seven major product ions (m/z 81 + , 95 + , 109 + , 123 + , 135 + , 149 + and 205 + ), are accounted for. Con- siderable fragmentation of bicyclic sesquiterpenes, i.e. - caryophyllene and -humulene, cause the accuracy to be reduced to 50% if only the parent ion (m/z 205 + ) is con- sidered. These findings were applied to a field dataset collected above a deciduous forest at the PROPHET (Pro- gram for Research on Oxidants: Photochemistry, Emissions, and Transport) research station in 2005. Inferred aver- age daytime ecosystem scale mixing ratios (fluxes) of iso- prene, sum of monoterpenes (MT), and sum of SQT ex- hibited values of 15µg m 3 (4.5 mg m 2 h 1 ), 1.2µg m 3 (0.21 mg m 2 h 1 ), and 0.0016µg m 3 (0.10 mg m 2 h 1 ), respectively. A range of MT and SQT reactivities with re- spect to the OH radical was calculated and compared to an earlier study inferring significantly underestimated OH reac- tivities due to unknown terpenes above this deciduous forest. The results indicate that incorporating these MT and SQT re- sults can resolve 30% of missing OH reactivity reported for this site.
The absorption signature of six Mg II-selected systems over 0.5 ≤ z ≤ 0.9

We present the results of photoionization modeling of six Mg ii–selected absorption systems, at redshift 0:5 � z � 0:9, along lines of sight toward three quasars: PG 1241+176, PG 1248+401, and PG 1317+274. These are part of a larger sample of � 20 Mg ii absorbers at intermediate redshift, which facilitates a survey of the properties of, andprocessesactivein,themultiplephasesofgas,bothinandoutsideofgalaxies.Wepresentnewhigh-resolution ultravioletspectra fromthe Space Telescope ImagingSpectrograph(STIS) ontheHubble Space Telescope(HST), as well as high-resolution optical spectra obtained with Keck HIRES. Together, these spectra allow simultaneous study of a variety of ionization states of different chemical elements, with resolution of the kinematics providing strong constraints on multiphase properties. The six systems presented here include several that are likely to arise from lines of sight through disk and halo structures of spiral galaxies. For these we find that the high-ionization gas, traced by C iv, is consistent with coronal structures that resemble those of the Milky Way, along with highvelocity clouds at 100–200 km s � 1 . Another system has relatively weak C iv, relative to the low-ionization absorption,whichleadstoadiscussionofthecircumstancesinwhichacoronamightbeweakorabsentinagalaxy, i.e., an early-type morphology or low star formation rate. Finally, we present systems that are examples of singlecloud and multiple-cloud weak Mg ii absorbers, which are as a class not likely to be within � 50 kpc of luminous galaxies. Based on the physical conditions inferred from models, we discuss the nature of these types of systems, which may trace outer regions of galaxies, dwarf galaxy satellites, or metal-rich regions of the intergalactic medium. Subject heading gs: galaxies: evolution — galaxies: halos — quasars: absorption lines
Extended Analysis of Resource Assignment in Modern Chip Multiprocessors

Chip Multiprocessors (CMPs) play a central role in current computing platforms. Along with increasing number of cores in CMPs, the optimal allocation of cores and their utilization also deserve our attention. In this work, we present the continuation of our effort towards a better processor allocation process. The Processor Allocator (PA) proposed in our previous work is explored in the context of its best location on the chip. Based on experimental results, the PA's best assignment in a CMP is discussed and presented.
New data on Henneguya pellis (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae), a parasite of blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus.

Abstract The original description of Henneguya pellis, a myxozoan parasitizing blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus, is supplemented with new data on histopathology, spore morphology, and 18S small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence. Plasmodia presented as both internal and external, raised, cyst-like lesions on the body wall of the peritoneal cavity and on the skin. The cysts contained numerous elongate, lanceolate myxospores, flattened parallel to the suture line. The spore body was 14.8 ± 1.1 µm (range 13.0–17.1) long and 4.8 ± 0.8 µm (range 4.0–7.4) wide in frontal view. The caudal appendages were 77.7 ± 8.8 (range 57.4–96.4) in length. There were 2 pyriform polar capsules, unequal in length, with the longer capsule measuring 7.2 ± 0.6 µm (range 6.2–8.4) in length and the shorter capsule measuring 6.5 ± 0.5 µm (range 5.5–8.0). The polar capsules were not significantly different in width, measuring 1.7 ± 0.2 µm (range 1.4–1.9). There were 8 turns in the polar filament coil. The total length of the ...
Testing the prenatal hormone hypothesis of tic-related disorders: Gender identity and gender role behavior

The hypothesis that prenatal masculinization of the brain increases risk of tic disorders in postnatal life was tested by measuring gender and gender role behavior in 89 children and adults with a clinical diagnosis of Tourette syndrome or obsessive compulsive disorder and 67 healthy, unaffected children and adults. Consistent with this hypothesis, a tic disorder in females was associated with more gender dysphoria, increased masculine play preferences, and a more typically "masculine" pattern of performance on two sex-typed spatial tasks. Males with tic disorders reported increased masculine play preferences, and the strength of these preferences was positively associated with the severity of tic symptoms. In addition, unlike their female counterparts, males with tic disorders showed a relative impairment in mental rotation ability. These behavioral profiles are consistent with those of children who have verifiable elevations in prenatal androgen levels. These findings therefore support the hypothesis that an altered androgen-dependent process of sexual differentiation during prenatal life may contribute to the development of tic-related disorders.
When meritocracies fail

Abstract We contend that a democratically-operated organization is normally unable to sustain a meritocracy (i.e., organization with a reward structure based on academic and/or professional achievement) because of rational behavior on the part of organization members. Briefly, rewards in democratic meritocracies tend to be based on the preferences of the median member rather than the best employees. As a result, these highly productive members either reduce their level of output (“shirk”) — trading work for leisure — or exit the organization. This dynamic process mediocratizes the meritocracy by reducing the supply of highly productive employees, and the incentives to be productive within the confines of the organization.
Frailty and health related quality of life in older Mexican Americans.

Previous research on frailty in older adults has focused on morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to elicit the relationship between being non-frail, pre-frail, or frail and health related quality of life in a representative sample of older Mexican Americans surveyed in 2005–2006. Data were from a representative subsample of the Hispanic Established Populations Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) and included 1008 older adults living in the community (mean (sd) age = 82.3(4.3)). Multiple regression analyses examined the relationship between frailty status and the eight SF-36 health related quality of life subscales and two summary scales. Models also adjusted for the participants' sociodemographic and health status. We found that, after adjusting for sociodemographic and health related covariables, being pre-frail or frail was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with lower scores on all physical and cognitive health related quality of life scales than being non-frail. When compared to persons who are not frail, older Mexican American individuals identified as frail and pre-frail exhibit significantly lower health related quality of life scores. Future research should assess potential mediating factors in an effort to improve quality of life for frail elders in this population.
Sensor node localization using mobile acoustic beacons

We present a mobile acoustic beacon based sensor node localization method. Our technique is passive in that the sensor nodes themselves do not need to generate an acoustic signal for ranging. This saves cost, power and provides stealthy operation. Furthermore, the beacon can generate much more acoustic energy than a severely resource constrained sensor node, thereby significantly increasing the range. The acoustic ranging method uses a linear frequency modulated signal that can be accurately detected by matched filtering. This provides longer range and higher accuracy than the current state-of-the-art. The localization algorithm was especially designed to work in such acoustically reverberant environment, as urban terrain. The algorithm presented handles non-Gaussian ranging errors caused by echoes. Node locations are computed centrally by solving a global non-linear optimization problem in an iterative and incremental fashion
Video Skills Curricula and Simulation: A Synergistic Way to Teach 2-Layered, Hand-Sewn Small Bowel Anastomosis.

Background We sought to determine if general surgery (GS) interns could learn a side-to-side, 2-layered, hand-sewn small bowel anastomosis (HSBA) using an online instructional video and low-fidelity simulation model. Methods A 3-hour HSBA technical skills training session was held among GS interns. Participants were asked to write down the steps for performing a side-to-side, 2-layered HSBA (pretest). An online 13-minute instructional video on HSBA was then viewed. Low-fidelity bowel simulators were then provided for deliberate practice under staff supervision. A posttest (identical to pretest) concluded the session. The maximum test score was 20 points. At 4 months later, a retention test was administered. Trainees were anonymously surveyed to determine the session’s educational value. Pretest, posttest, and retention test scores were compared. Results Participants were 25 GS interns. The mean pretest score was 5 (range: 0-11). Posttest scores improved (mean = 15; range: 11-19, p = 0.016), whereas retention test scores were stable (mean = 14; range: 8-18). Of those who participated in retention testing (24/25), 7 had now performed a 2-layered HSBA, 11 had witnessed HSBA, and 6 had neither performed nor witnessed an HSBA since the educational session. Retention test scores were higher among those who had performed HSBA (mean = 16; range: 13-18) vs those who had not performed nor witnessed an HSBA (mean = 14; range: 8-18, p = 0.04). Mean Likert scores supported the educational value of the session. Conclusion Initial intern performance of HSBA was abysmal. A contemporary online video skills curriculum coupled with low-fidelity bowel simulators improved trainee knowledge of how to perform a 2-layered HSBA. This effect remained stable over 4 months.
Oblivious deadlock-free routing in a faulty hypercube

A central problem in massively parallel computing is efficiently routing data between processors. This problem is complicated by two considerations. First, in any massively parallel system, some processors are bound to fail, disrupting message routing. Second, one must avoid deadlock configurations in which messages permanently block one another. We present an efficient, oblivious, and deadlock-free routing algorithm for the hypercube. The algorithm tolerates a large number of faults in a worst-case configuration.
The Development and Potential of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Imaging for Carotid Artery Plaque Characterization

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and long-term disability in the USA. Currently, surgical intervention decisions in asymptomatic patients are based upon the degree of carotid artery stenosis. While there is a clear benefit of endarterectomy for patients with severe (> 70%) stenosis, in those with high/moderate (50-69%) stenosis the evidence is less clear. Evidence suggests ischemic stroke is associated less with calcified and fibrous plaques than with those containing softer tissue, especially when accompanied by a thin fibrous cap. A reliable mechanism for the identification of individuals with atherosclerotic plaques which confer the highest risk for stroke is fundamental to the selection of patients for vascular interventions. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging is a new ultrasonic-based imaging method that characterizes the mechanical properties of tissue by measuring displacement resulting from the application of acoustic radiation force. These displacements provide information about the local stiffness of tissue and can differentiate between soft and hard areas. Because arterial walls, soft tissue, atheromas, and calcifications have a wide range in their stiffness properties, they represent excellent candidates for ARFI imaging. We present information from early phantom experiments and excised human limb studies to in vivo carotid artery scans and provide evidence for the ability of ARFI to provide high-quality images which highlight mechanical differences in tissue stiffness not readily apparent in matched B-mode images. This allows ARFI to identify soft from hard plaques and differentiate characteristics associated with plaque vulnerability or stability.
Partial area under the receiver operating characteristics curves of diversity-enabled energy detectors in generalised fading channels

A known exponential-type integral representation for the generalised Marcum-Q function Qv (a, b) is exploited (which is valid for integer order v but for any ratio of a/b) to unify the performance evaluation of the partial area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (partial AUC) metric of average energy detectors with diversity reception in a myriad of fading environments (including the η − μ, κ − μ, α − μ, K, G and KG generalised fading distributions). This new metric facilitates the comparison of two different energy detectors within a specified detection threshold range and can also be used to compute the total AUC as a special case. The numerical results also show that the partial AUC performance of an average energy detector is superior to that of the classical total energy detector with the increasing sample size owing to the noise averaging effect. The new analytical framework also facilitates the investigation of the effects of dissimilar fading parameters and/or signal strengths, diversity order and diversity combining techniques on the partial AUC performance of energy detectors.
Classification of faults and switching events by inductive reasoning and expert system methodology

Under certain conditions, one electrical parameter (independent variable) is not enough to detect high-impedance faults on certain surface conditions. These faults do not draw sufficient current for detection and may draw less current than similar faults on other soil surfaces. Moreover, because every electrical detection parameter displays characteristics of randomness, it is difficult to assign a probability that a given event is a high-impedance fault, rather than a switching event. It has been shown that detection by induction laws can improve the classification of faults and switching events. The second and third laws of induction are utilized with a minimum entropy method. Setting detection threshold values using induction methods is also proposed. The methods presented are taken from ongoing research in high-impedance fault detection. While the techniques have not been reduced to practice or field-tested, they hold promise for future improvements in the relaying of high-impedance faults. >
Efficient Evaluation of All-Nearest-Neighbor Queries

The All Nearest Neighbor (ANN) operation is a commonly used primitive for analyzing large multi-dimensional datasets. Since computing ANN is very expensive, in previous works R*-tree based methods have been proposed to speed up this computation. These traditional index-based methods use a pruning metric called MAXMAXDIST, which allows the algorithms to prune out nodes in the index that need not be traversed during the ANN computation. In this paper we introduce a new pruning metric called the NXNDIST, and show that this metric is far more effective than the traditional MAXMAXDIST metric. In this paper, we also challenge the common practice of using R*-tree index for speeding up the ANN computation. We propose an enhanced bucket quadtree index structure, called the MBRQT, and using extensive experimental evaluation show that the MBRQT index can significantly speed up the ANN computation. In addition, we also present the MBA algorithm based on a depth-first index traversal and bi-directional node expansion strategy. Furthermore, our method can be easily extended to efficiently answer the more general All-k-Nearest-Neighbor (AkNN) queries.
Systemic Consequences of Incumbency Advantage in the U.S. House

The dramatic increase in the electoral advantage of incumbency has sparked widespread interest among congressional researchers over the last 15 years. Although many scholars have studied the advantages of incumbency for incumbents, few have analyzed its effects on the underlying electoral system. We examine the influence of the incumbency advantage on two features of the electoral system in the U.S. House elections: electoral responsiveness and partisan bias. Using a district-level seats-votes model of House elections, we are able to distinguish systematic changes from unique, election-specific variations. Our results confirm the significant drop in responsiveness, and even steeper decline outside the South, over the past 40 years. Contrary to expectations, we find that increased incumbency advantage explains less than a third of this trend, indicating that some other unknown factor is responsible. Moreover, our analysis also reveals another dramatic pattern, largely overlooked in the congressional literature: in the 1940's and 1950's the electoral system was severely biased in favor of the Republican party. The system shifted incrementally from this severe Republican bias over the next several decades to a moderate Democratic bias by the mid-1980's. Interestingly, changes in incumbency advantage explain virtually all of this trend in partisan bias since the 1940's. By removing incumbency advantage and the existing configuration of incumbents and challengers analytically, our analysis reveals an underlying electoral system that remains consistently biased in favor of the Republican party. Thus, our results indicate that incumbency advantage affects the underlying electoral system, but contrary to conventional wisdom, this changes the trend in partisan bias more than electoral responsiveness.
Diffusion of Plutonium in Compacted, Brine-Saturated Bentonite

Diffusivities were measured for plutonium in brine-saturated compacted Wyoming bentonite. Complexities of the solution chemistry and retardation of transuranics necessitate diffusion studies under conditions that are specific for repository host rock types in this case salt. Diffusivity values in the range of 10−15 to 10−14 m2/s were obtained for bentonite at a packing density of 1800 kg/m3. That density was obtained by compaction at 15 i0Pa, a typical lithostatic pressure in a repository in salt at 650 m depth. Even a 0.05 m (2 inch) thick bentonite-containing engineered barrier could decrease radionuclide release rates by approximately 4 orders-of-magnitude if the diffusivity for that radionuclide were in the observed range of 10−15 to 10−14 m2/s. These results confirm the effectiveness of uncompacted bentonite-containing materials as engineered barriers for radioactive waste isolation.
Tuning and optimizing properties of ferroelectric films grown on a single substrate: A first-principles-based study

A first-principles-based effective Hamiltonian is used to reveal the effects of the growth direction on properties of films made of the prototype of ferroelectric materials (namely, ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$) and grown on one of the most common and available substrates (that is, ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$). Continuously varying the growth direction from the pseudocubic [001] to [110] direction, via the high-symmetry [111] direction, results in (i) an original temperature-versus-growth angle phase diagram possessing different structural states, (ii) a tuning of the Curie temperature ${T}_{c}$ by more than 450 K, (iii) a minimal value of ${T}_{c}$ being near room temperature, and (iv) optimization of important physical responses at room temperature, such as dielectric and piezoelectric coefficients, for some specific growth directions. The origins of these features are also revealed, including the finding of a law correlating ${T}_{c}$ with the growth direction.
Political Activism and Feminist Spirituality

This research continues the discourse on the role of religion in sociopolitical change. Focusing on one of the new religious movements that has attracted feminists, Dianic Wicca, the conditions under which religion promotes rather than inhibits political activism are analyzed. Rates of political participation are high among this group and appear linked to the mediating variable of "personal efficacy." The interpretation is that new religious movements oriented toward transformation of self have the potential for change-oriented politics if they challenge the systemic link of self-evaluations and power.
H_∞ control of inverted pendulum with input time delay

H∞ control problem of single linear inverted pendulum with input time delay is studied.It is of great significance to regard input delays as factors influencing inverted pendulum control because of its ineluctability.In this paper,H∞ feedback controller of the system has been obtained by using Lyapunov function combined with linear matrix inequality method.And the uncertainties are also considered.The simulation results show the availability of the proposed method.
A new look at old acne.

A patient seeking treatment for acne is too often confronted by a physician eager to use the latest in topical antibiotics, abrasive scrubs, and facial masques, without first prescribing proven standard therapy. The subject of acne is critically reviewed, with emphasis on theories of etiology and principles of therapy.
A.V. Kidder and the Andover Town Dump

ABSTRACTAlfred Vincent Kidder observed historic artifacts in stratigraphic deposits in the town dump of Andover, Massachusetts in 1921, made comparisons with his excavations at Pecos, New Mexico, and included the results in a public lecture explaining archaeological stratigraphy.
Discussion of “The Effects of Vertical Pay Dispersion: Experimental Evidence in a Budget Setting”†

Guo, Libby, and Liu (2017) (hereafter GLL), examine how pairs of experimental subjects interact in a game framed as a funding request from a privately informed subordinate to a superior. When the superior's pay is higher than the subordinate's, subordinates display more self-serving dishonesty and superiors are more tolerant of it than when their pay is the same. In this discussion, I compare GLL's design with an ultimatum game, consider additional tensions that arise in pay-level comparisons, address the applicability of their results, and suggest some extensions. I conclude by calling for new theory that regularizes GLL's surprising findings.
Activation of autonomic thermoeffectors preceding the decision to behaviourally thermoregulate in resting humans

What is the central question of this study? Do increases in metabolic heat production and sweat rate precede the initiation of thermoregulatory behaviour in resting humans exposed to cool and warm environments? What is the main finding and its importance? Thermoregulatory behaviour at rest in cool and warm environments is preceded by changes in vasomotor tone in glabrous and non-glabrous skin, but not by acute increases in metabolic heat production or sweat rate. These findings suggest that sweating and shivering are not obligatory for thermal behaviour to be initiated in humans. We tested the hypothesis that acute increases in metabolic heat production and sweating precede the initiation of thermoregulatory behaviour in resting humans exposed to cool and warm environments. Twelve healthy young subjects passively moved between 17 and 40°C rooms when they felt 'too cool' (C→W) or 'too warm' (W→C). Skin and internal (intestinal) temperatures, metabolic heat production, local sweat rate (forearm and chest) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC; forearm and fingertip) were measured continually. Compared with pretest baseline (31.8 ± 0.3°C), skin temperature was higher at C→W (32.0 ± 0.7°C; P = 0.01) and W→C (34.5 ± 0.5°C; P < 0.01). Internal temperature did not differ (P = 0.12) between baseline (37.2 ± 0.3°C), C→W (37.2 ± 0.3°C) and W→C (37.0 ± 0.3°C). Metabolic heat production was not different from baseline (40 ± 9 W m-2 ) at C→W (39 ± 7 W m-2 ; P = 0.50). Forearm (0.06 ± 0.01 mg cm-2 min-1 ) and chest (0.04 ± 0.02 mg cm-2 min-1 ) sweat rate at W→C did not differ from baseline (forearm, 0.05 ± 0.02 mg cm-2 min-1 and chest, 0.04 ± 0.02 mg cm-2 min-1 ; P ≥ 0.23). Forearm CVC was not different from baseline (0.30 ± 0.21 perfusion units (PU) mmHg-1 ) at C→W (0.24 ± 0.11 PU mmHg-1 ; P = 0.17), but was higher at W→C (0.65 ± 0.33 PU mmHg-1 ; P < 0.01). Fingertip CVC was different from baseline (2.6 ± 2.0 PU mmHg-1 ) at C→W (0.70 ± 0.42 PU mmHg-1 ; P < 0.01) and W→C (4.49 ± 1.66 PU mmHg-1 ; P < 0.01). Thermoregulatory behaviour at rest in cool and warm environments is preceded by changes in vasomotor tone in glabrous and non-glabrous skin, but not by acute increases in metabolic heat production or sweat rate.
Interest Rates, Terms of Trade, and Currency Crises: Are We on the Verge of a New Crisis in the Periphery?

In this chapter we develop a simple model of currency crises, which emphasizes the role of currency mismatches and the balance of payments constraint. In our model, crises are driven by external shocks, particularly foreign interest rate and terms of trade shocks, which drive payments imbalances. In a reversal of conventional causality, we show how a currency crisis can then produce a domestic fiscal crisis. We then discuss the historical relevance of the model, tracing the major waves of currency and fiscal crises. The chapter concludes with an assessment of the current situation of the peripheral countries in light of our model and argues that concerns of a renewed wave of currency crises may be overstated.
The Role of Patient Participation in Drug Approvals: Lessons from the Accelerated Approval of Eteplirsen

In September 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controversially approved Exondys 51 (eteplirsen) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Submitted under the FDA’s Accelerated Approval pathway, eterplirsen is the first drug approved to treat DMD, a rare and fatal genetic disorder characterized by progressive loss of muscle function. Just five months earlier, the FDA’s scientific advisory committee had voted against approval over the objections of a crowd of more than one thousand patients and advocates who had arrived to observe and provide testimony during the committee’s public hearing. Despite anecdotal accounts from patients and their caregivers of the drug’s benefits, the committee determined that Sarepta’s twelve-person trial had failed to present substantial evidence of the drug’s effectiveness. FDA’s internal scientific review team agreed. Yet, in the face of significant pressure from patients and their advocates, FDA reversed the negative recommendations of the advisory committee and its internal review team in approving the drug. This Article presents an account and critical appraisal of the role that patients and their advocates played in securing eteplirsen’s approval, using the case to understand FDA’s attempts to meet congressional demands over the past few decades for greater patient involvement and expanded expedited review programs. In light of the 21st Century Cures Act’s recent directive to FDA to significantly develop both its patient involvement and expedited approval programs, the lessons of the eteplirsen approval are particularly timely.
Current and potential decommissioning scenarios for end-of-life composite wind blades

Contrary to other wind turbine components such as steel towers, concrete foundations and the high value metals used in generator linings, whose end-of-life is properly described in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies, composite blades have proven to be the sustainability blind spot of wind energy systems. The reason for this is that end-of-life management of composite wind blades is a complex engineering problem which depends on the actual design of the blade, its material composition, the availability of recycling technology, legislation and requisite infrastructure, as well as the economics of the process itself—including the logistics of transportation, dismantling, etc. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of current and potential decommissioning scenarios for end-of-life composite wind blades. Based on 40, in depth, semi-structured interviews with North American and European wind energy experts and a meta-analysis of 52 LCAs of wind energy this paper argues that over approximately the next 5 years, the wind industry will face a significant challenge: as the focus on sustainability engineering and product stewardship shifts the waste disposal responsibility to original equipment and component manufacturers, wind system LCAs may include—and may increasingly become more important in determining—end-of-life scenarios for composite blade waste. It is still too early to ascertain whether LCA will determine the future of composite wind blade recycling by either promoting or legitimizing a certain scenario over another. Nevertheless, as LCAs becoming increasingly more popular in both wind energy and composite recycling, a likely conclusion is that as more economically viable recycling options become available, LCAs will examine the decommissioning phase of used and damaged blades in more detail.
Conversion to central cannulation following azygous vein cannulation in right congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract Right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (R-CDH) can be associated with variations in anatomy that make extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation challenging. We report a case of azygous vein cannulation in a R-CDH patient requiring ECMO. The venous cannula passed directly from the right internal jugular vein into the azygous vein and failed to provide adequate venous return. Cannula repositioning was unsuccessful which led to an urgent planned conversion to central cannulation with a successful outcome. The risk of azygous vein cannulation is increased in patients with R-CDH due to the anatomic distortions that are unique to this subset. Azygous vein cannulation should be considered when inadequate venous return on the ECMO circuit occurs, especially in a R-CDH patient. Central cannulation should be available if the venous cannula cannot be repositioned into the superior vena cava (SVC).
Effects of Body Armor Fit on Warfighter Mobility as Measured by Range of Motion (ROM)

This study focuses on the effect of body armor fit on Warfighter mobility as measured by range of motion. Forty male active duty military personnel participated in the study with four different body armor configurations: Baseline, Initial Fit, Increased and Decreased sizes. The results indicated that the degradations in the Decreased and Initial Fit sizes were always statistically equivalent to each other, however, mobility in the Increased size were further degraded; 5° for the extension and rotation movements on average and up to 1 inch for flexion and reach. More importantly, across all the movements while wearing an Increased size further degraded mobility by 2.4% on average relative to the Decreased or Initial fit size. Therefore, when evaluated by ROM measurements, there was no benefit to wearing a smaller body armor size to improve mobility relative to the Initial Fit size, but there was a penalty wearing an Increased size.
INTERACTION BETWEEN MORPHINE AND PHENCYCLIDINE: INTOXICATION AND CROSS-TOLERANCE

The LD50s of PCP were estimated to be 74.0 mg/kg, 8.5 mg/kg and 70.0 mg/kg in control, acute morphine (30 mg/kg, s.c.) and tolerant groups, respectively. Acute morphine administration potentiated the PCP induced motor incoordination in a dose dependent fashion; the degree of suppression of ambulation and rearing also was enhanced. In contrast, PCP induced motor incoordination was attenuated in morphine tolerant animals, as evidenced by shortening of the recovery time and a decrease in duration of motor incoordination. A similar attenuation of the effect of PCP on ambulation and rearing also was observed. On the other hand, in PCP tolerant mice, the ED50 of morphine sulfate in tail flick test or acetic acid-induced writhing test was higher than that of the controls. Morphine-induced ambulation was attenuated in PCP tolerant group. These results suggest that acute morphine administration enhances PCP effects and toxicity and there is cross-tolerance development between PCP and morphine.
Reachability and Controllability for Time-Invariant Continuous-Time Systems

It is worthwhile at this point to look back at the six previous sections and determine the roles they play in our study of state space linear systems. In §6, we presented a formal definition of state space linear system; such a system is a composite mathematical object with various components: the space U of m -vector input functions, the spaces $${Y_{{t_o}}}$$ of p -vector output functions, the (finite-dimensional) state space X, the state transition mapping φ, and the readout mapping ρ. Fundamental examples of linear systems were given in Examples 6.5 and 6.6; in §7, it was shown that an understanding of these examples leads in an essential way to a deep understanding of “almost all” finite-dimensional state space linear systems. The principle underlying the development in §7 is that realizations may be constructed for “most” continuous-time systems and all discrete-time systems; the crucial step in the realization process is a choice of basis for the state space X
Home field advantage? Exploring credibility of British and American announcers covering United States soccer

The United States has held a ‘special relationship’ with Great Britain, including economic, societal, and cultural ties. That relationship has extended to sport – as American soccer teams and leagu...
Evaluation of a Commercial Surface Vorticity Flow Solver for the Modeling of Propeller-Wing Interaction

A commercially available surface vorticity flow solver’s ability to model propeller-wing interaction effects was evaluated. First, a study was conducted to determine solution sensitivity to simulation parameters. Then, a deflected slipstream experiment was replicated with an actuator disk and wing model. Comparison with experimental data showed that predictions of lift and longitudinal force coefficients matched well at low flap deflections, but experienced offsets in magnitude with increasing flap deflection. Predictions of pitching moment differed significantly from experimental data largely due to the simple actuator disk model being insufficient for capturing the effects of non-zero flow incidence and non-uniform inflow.
Tvorba tabuľky a zobrazenie grafu funkcie F(X,Y) v prostredí MS EXCEL

Cieľom clanku nie je navrhnuť metodu upresňovania predstavy o grafe funkcie dvoch realnych premenných, ale predovsetkým poskytnuť strucný, nazorný a praktický manual na tvorbu tabuľky a zobrazenie grafu funkcie f : z = f (x, y) a poukazať na trojrozmerne graficke zobrazovacie schopnosti (možnosti) prostredia MS Excel, ako ucebnej pomocky vo výucbe. THE TABLE CREATION AND GRAPHING F(X,Y) FUNCTIONS IN MS EXCEL Abstract: The aim of this article is not to refuse the classical method about the graph of two real variable functions trough contour lines, but above all offer brief, visual and practical manual for table creation and graphing f(x,y) function and demonstrate the advanced treedimensional graphics abilities (decisions) in MS Excel as a teaching aid in education. Key words: MS Excel. Table creation. Graphing. Contour lines. Graph of f(x,y) function.
Evaluation of surgical models for training veterinary students to perform enterotomies.

Objective To compare surgical models for teaching enterotomies to students. Study design Prospective, randomized study. Sample population Second-year veterinary students (n = 59) and faculty surgeons/surgery residents (n = 19). Methods Participants performed an enterotomy on each of 3 models (equine cadaver intestine, SurgiReal small intestine simulator, and SynDaver canine bowel) and completed a survey comparing them to either an enterotomy on an anesthetized pig (students) or intestinal surgery experience (faculty/residents). Surveys results were compiled and analyzed. Results Both student and faculty/resident groups rated cadaver intestine as more similar to live intestine compared with the synthetic models for incision, tissue handling, mucosal eversion, needle passage, knot tying, and best preparing for live intestine. Students rated SynDaver as more similar to live intestine than SurgiReal for incision and ranked SurgiReal as more similar to live intestine than SynDaver for mucosal eversion. There was no difference between the ranks assigned to SurgiReal and SynDaver for faculty/residents. Faculty/residents responded most often that cadaver intestine would be the model they recommend for training students. Conclusion Cadaver intestine was the model most similar to live intestine for all variables tested. SurgiReal and SynDaver models were comparable to each other but did not simulate live intestine as well as cadaver intestine. Clinical significance Cadaver intestine more closely approximated live intestine compared with either synthetic model. SurgiReal and SynDaver may be adequate alternatives if cadaver intestine is unavailable.
Technology trends, requirements and challenges for ubiquitous self-powered IOT systems deployment

Always ON always sensing small form factor edge systems for internet of things (IOT) are becoming ubiquitous. Many applications require these tiny devices to be self-powered and maintenance-free. Hence, they should be able to harvest energy from available ambient sources and should have low manufacturing cost. Millimeter-scale form factor systems have been developed in academia for the past few years. Small form factor edge systems are becoming commercially available. These systems are essential in today’s cyber physical world. We will introduce the available market and the trends driving this growth in IOT system deployments. That will be followed by typical system requirements for a typical self-powered IOT system. Challenges to realize such a dream IOT system will be discussed. We will present two approaches to system design, namely bottom-up and top-down. An X86-based tiny microcontroller unit (MCU) was designed to enable multiple IOT usages. This MCU followed a bottom-up approach – ultra-low power low cost MCU was designed first and then applied to IOT systems such as smart sensor tag for package tracking. The discussion will introduce another IOT system that followed a top-down usage-driven approach. In this case, an agricultural usage was chosen that required energy harvesting, X86-class edge computing, visual recognition on the edge, secure storage, secure wireless communication and ultra-low power maintenance free operation. An IOT system was architected for this usage and later demonstrated. We will conclude the presentation with comparison of these two distinct approaches to IOT system design.
Wyzysk w upadłości konsumenckiej

The article is concerned with the analysis of the new regulation of consumer bankruptcy. The author draws attention to the relationship betweenbankruptcy proceedings and the exploitation of insolvent consumers. Thelegal analysis indicates that the new regulation of consumer bankruptcy allows effective improvement in the situation of insolvent consumers. The article is summarised with theoretical consideration of useful methods of debtcancellation
Computer Science Intersects Humanities: Visualization Projects for Liberal Arts Undergraduate Students Through an Interdisciplinary Approach Using Software Development Skills and Japanese Cultural Knowledge

This paper demonstrates how computer science can intersect with the humanities and the arts in a way that is tangible for students. Specifically, we provide four examples of interdisciplinary student projects that sit at the intersection of software design, Japanese culture, and art. Steve Jobs once said “—technology alone is not enough—it’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the results that make our heart sing” [1]. The projects we report demonstrate how students can experience this synergy first-hand.
An Analysis Of Self: The Development And Assessment Of A Measure Of Selfobject Needs

Based on the psychoanalysis of adults with borderline and narcissistic personality disorder symptoms, Kohut (1971, 1977, 1980, 1984) formulated a theory of self psychology that emphasized the impor...