cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immune restoration after antiretroviral therapy: the pitfalls of hasty or incomplete repairs

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a life-saving intervention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Immune restoration after ART dramatically reduces the incidence and severity of opportunistic diseases and death. On some occasions, immune restoration may be erratic, leading to acute inflammatory responses (known as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome) shortly after ART initiation, or incomplete, with residual inflammation despite chronic treatment, leading to non-infectious morbidity and mortality. We propose that ART may not always restore the perfect balance of innate and adaptive immunity in strategic milieus, predisposing HIV-infected persons to complications of acute or chronic inflammation. The best current strategy for fully successful immune restoration is early antiretroviral therapy, which can prevent acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated events, restrict cell subset imbalances and dysfunction, while preserving structural integrity of lymphoid tissues. Future HIV research should capitalize on innovative techniques and move beyond the static study of T-cell subsets in peripheral blood or isolated tissues. Improved targeted therapeutic strategies could stem from a better understanding of how HIV perturbs the environmental niches and the mobility and trafficking of cells that affect the dynamic cell-to-cell interactions and determine the outcome of innate and adaptive immune responses.
Outsourcing impact on manufacturing firms’ value: Evidence from Japan

Abstract Previous studies on the effects of outsourcing have relied largely on anecdotal evidence, non-financial metrics or accounting-based measures that ignore intangible value. This study views outsourcing effects from its future revenue-generation potential, using market value. The relation between firms’ market valuation and outsourcing decisions is investigated using a cross-sectional valuation approach. Results based on Japanese manufacturing industries data from 1994 to 2002 indicate that core business-related outsourcing, offshore outsourcing, and shorter-term outsourcing have positive effects on outsourcing firms’ market value. In contrast, non-core business-related outsourcing, domestic outsourcing, and longer-term outsourcing are not found to enhance firm value.
The Influence of Clay Zones on Land Subsidence from Groundwater Pumping

The objective of this article is to analyze the influence of clay zones on subsidence from groundwater pumping. Finite element analyses were conducted on a sand-only aquifer and a sand aquifer with two clay zones located at different distances from the well face. A model that accounts for recoverable and nonrecoverable strains was used to simulate the sand and clay. This model couples the groundwater flow with the stress-deformation response of the aquifer materials. Each aquifer was pumped from a single well for a period of 6 months, and then the groundwater level was lowered gradually to an elevation below the elevation of the clay zones and kept there for 10 years. The groundwater level was then raised gradually back to the original elevation over a period of 10 years. The results of the analyses show that the ground surface subsidence profile is strongly influenced by the presence of the clays zones. The ground surface sags where these clay zones are present resulting in a wavy ground surface profile. Subsidence continued when pumping is stopped, albeit at a much slower rate than during pumping, and when the groundwater level is below the elevation of the clay zones. Clay zones further away from the well face lag the subsidence of clay zones nearer the well face because of lower changes in hydrostatic head. Sags in ground surface subsidence profile from groundwater pumping are indicators of the presence of low hydraulic conductive geological materials.
Optimal Acquisition Quantities in Remanufacturing with Condition Uncertainty

The condition of the used products acquired by remanufacturing firms often varies widely. A firm can manage this variation by acquiring a quantity of used items that exceeds demand, enabling it to remanufacture a subset of the acquired items in the best condition. As more excess items are acquired, the firm can increase its selectivity and lower its remanufacturing costs. In this paper, we examine the tradeoff of acquisition and scrapping costs vs. remanufacturing costs when used product condition is widely varying and uncertain. We derive acquisition quantities that minimize total expected costs for several representations of condition variability and remanufacturing cost structures. We find that, when costs are linear, the optimal acquisition quantity has a closed form and increases with the square root of the degree of condition variability. Our models are based on experience with remanufacturers of cell phones and imaging supplies, and application of our results is illustrated using example data from industry.
Kommerell's aneurysm

A 54-year-old man had sudden onset chest pain with radiation to back 4 years ago. Right-sided aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery, and type B dissection were noted. The symptoms resolved after conservative treatment. One month prior to …
Marginals vs. covariance in joint distribution theory

Cohen (1966, 1995) has proposed a method for constructing joint distributions of arbitrary physical quantities, in direct generalization of joint time-frequency representations. We investigate the covariance properties of this procedure and caution that in its present form it cannot generate all possible distributions. Using group theory, we extend Cohen's construction to a more general form that can be customized to satisfy specific marginal and covariance requirements.
Printing technology to produce living tissue.

(2003). Printing technology to produce living tissue. Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy: Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 701-704.
Systematic analysis of art therapy research published in Art Therapy: Journal of AATA between 1987 and 2004

This paper presents a systematic analysis of methodologies used in research published in Art Therapy: Journal of AATA between the years 1987 and 2004. The context of epistemological paradigm shifts affecting research in general and art therapy research in particular is examined. Quantitative inquiry supports hypotheses that the number of publications has continued to grow over the years and that author demographics differ from general demographic of art therapists. A qualitative analysis identified eight methods common to art therapy research: clinical case studies, self studies, survey research, interviews, art therapy tests, historiography/anthropological research, behavioral observations, and exploration of clients’ artworks. Thematic exploration of each method and integration of findings suggest indicators of methods’ maturation and shifts in how and when methods are utilized, field-specific challenges, and emergence of art therapy research norms.
Enhancing QoS support for vertical handoffs using implicit/explicit handoff notifications

Vertical handoffs between different wireless technologies usually lead to dramatic changes in the link capacity. A successful QoS solution for vertical handoffs must be able to fast track the capacity changes and agilely adapt the delivery rates and qualities of the ongoing applications. Though traditional AIMD-based source adaptation schemes (as found in TCP, TFRC, etc.) have been well designed for mild, gradual rate adjustments required by load fluctuations and network congestion, their response time is inadequate when the rate must be adjusted to the drastic network capacity changes that are typical in vertical handoff scenarios. To expedite the response to such changes, we propose in this paper two adaptive algorithms, named the fast rate adaptation (FRA) and early rate reduction (ERR), that are launched when the handoff is from low to high capacity (LOW-to-HIGH) or from high to low capacity (HIGH-to-LOW), respectively. We also propose two vertical handoff notification mechanisms to work with FRA and/or ERR, i.e. the implicit handoff notification (IHN) and explicit handoff notification (EHN). We show by simulation that our proposed schemes are able to provide better QoS support than the traditional AIMD based schemes during vertical handoffs
The initiation and growth of filamentous carbon from α-iron in H2, CH4, H2O, CO2, and CO gas mixtures

The initiation and growth mechanisms of filamentous carbon over iron foils were studied at 900 K and 1 bar pressure. Various gas mixtures of CO, CO2, CH4, H2, and H2O were used to fix the solid phase compositions based on nonequilibrium phase diagrams. Solid phase compositions were verified using X-ray and electron diffraction. Gravimetric analysis indicated that in dry gas mixtures the initial rate of fractional weight gain was a direct function of the PCO PH2 product; for water containing experiments it was related to the PH2OP H2PCO ratio. X-Ray diffraction analysis of the solid suggested that the maximum rate of fractional weight gain coincided with complete carbiding of the “surface” layers. Examination of the foils in an electron microscope indicated the surface breaks up into a nodular morphology, and these nodules are comprised of filamentous carbon. An initiation mechanism is proposed which assumes that Fe3C acts to increase over all surface area through surface breakup and also acts as a catalyst for carbon deposition and subsequent filament growth.
Inhibition of Na + /K + -ATPase induces hybrid cell death and enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy in human glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is very difficult to treat with conventional anti-cancer/anti-apoptotic drugs. We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase causes a mixed or hybrid form of concurrent apoptosis and necrosis and therefore should enhance anti-cancer effects of chemotherapy on glioblastoma cells. In human LN229 and drug-resistant T98G glioblastoma cell cultures, cell death and signal pathways were measured using immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Fluorescent dyes were applied to measure intracellular Ca2+, Na+ and K+ changes. The specific Na+/K+-ATPase blocker ouabain (0.1 - 10 μM) induced cell death and disruption of K+ homeostasis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Annexin-V translocation and caspase-3 activation indicated an apoptotic component in ouabain cytoxicity, which was accompanied with reduced Bcl-2 expression and mitochondrial membrane potential. Ouabain-induced cell death was partially attenuated by the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD (100 μM). Consistently, the K+ ionophore valinomycin initiated apoptosis in LN229 cells in a K+ efflux-dependent manner. Ouabain caused an initial cell swell, which was followed by a sustained cell volume decrease. Electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural features of both apoptotic and necrotic alterations in the same cells. Finally, human T98G glioblastoma cells that are resistant to the chemotherapy drug temozolomide (TMZ) showed a unique high expression of the Na+/K+-ATPase α2 and α3 subunits compared to the TMZ-sensitive cell line LN229 and normal human astrocytes. At low concentrations, ouabain selectively killed T98G cells. Knocking down the α3 subunit sensitized T98G cells to TMZ and caused more cell death. This study suggests that inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase triggers hybrid cell death and serves as an underlying mechanism for an enhanced chemotherapy effect on glioblastoma cells.
Evaluation of the perth experience in treating with ionizing radiations and VHF (434 megahertz) radiations

Abstract Holt and Nelson's experience in 52 patients with head and neck cancer treated with 434 MHz microwave hyperthermia and ionizing irradiation in Perth, Western Australia was reviewed during the author's visit there in the spring of 1978. The 2 year disease-free survival of 47% for patients with advanced disease (T3, T4 or N2, N3) is promising. This is especially encouraging since these results were obtained with lower than conventional doses of irradiation and normal tissue tolerance was excellent. Phase 1/11 studies in this country appear warranted.
Temperature uniformity in RTP furnaces

The heat transfer to a wafer in a rapid thermal processing (RTP) furnace is simulated by an analytical/numerical model. The model includes radiation heat transfer to the wafer from the lamps, heat conduction within the wafer, and emission of radiation from the wafer. Geometric optics are used to predict the radiant heat flux distribution over the wafer. The predicted wafer surface temperature distribution is compared to measurements made in an RTP furnace for two different reflector geometries. Lamp configurations and the resulting irradiance required to produce a uniform wafer temperature are defined. >
The Gallery Length Filling Function and a Geometric Inequality for Filling Length

We exploit duality considerations in the study of singular combinatorial 2-discs (diagrams) and are led to the following innovations concerning the geometry of the word problem for finite presentations of groups. We define a filling function called gallery length that measures the diameter of the 1-skeleton of the dual of diagrams; we show it to be a group invariant and we give upper bounds on the gallery length of combable groups. We use gallery length to give a new proof of the Double Exponential Theorem. Also we give geometric inequalities relating gallery length to the space-complexity filling function known as filling length.
Use of Large-Animal and Nonhuman Primate Models for Reconstructive Transplantation

The reports of the successful transplantation of vascularized composite allografts (VCA) to restore lost hands and damaged faces demonstrate the clinical impact of the emerging field of reconstructive transplantation. However, the growth of the field is limited by the need to use chronic immunosuppression to maintain these transplants. The development of protocols to induce tolerance to VCA is critical to the future of reconstructive transplantation. The development of the new strategies to reduce or eliminate the need for long-term immunosuppression currently relies on the use of animal models. Small-animal models have been a mainstay of transplantation research and play an important part in the development of a preclinical protocol. These models allow the exploration of multiple variations in a single protocol. However, results derived from small-animal models have not translated directly to the clinic. In fact, these protocols often fail even when applied to large-animal models. In this chapter, we examine the critical results and key limitations of small-animal models in VCA research. We explore the relative strengths and weaknesses of three large-animal models (nonhuman primates, swine, and canines) currently used in VCA research. Finally, we review the recent experimental findings and discuss the importance of the use of large-animal models to develop clinically relevant protocols for VCA transplantation.
Dike emplacement near Parícutin volcano, Mexico in 2006

A major seismic swarm occurred near Paricutin volcano between the end of May and early July 2006. More than 700 earthquakes with magnitude (M L ) exceeding 2.4 were located. Paricutin, located in the Michoacan–Guanajuato volcanic field in western Mexico, is well known as the site of the 1943 eruption in which a new 400 m cinder cone was constructed in what had been farmland. The 2006 swarm exhibits all of the characteristics typically associated with swarms of volcanic origins. The earthquake rate showed the typical ramp up and ramp down over the course of several days. Magnitudes were evenly distributed in time with a notably high b-value of 2.45. The earthquake locations cluster around a northeast-striking trend extending approximately 6 km. Over the first two weeks, hypocenters migrated steadily a few hundred meters per day, rising from 9 to 5 km depth and moving northeast about 5 km. On approximately June 7, the ascent of hypocenters stalled. For the next three weeks, hypocenters held their depth while migrating laterally back to the southwest. Focal mechanisms during the first part of the swarm reflected the increased stress caused by dike inflation. Following June 7, the stress orientation changed and became more consistent with the inflation of horizontal sill-like structures. Though only limited information is available from the seismic swarm preceding the 1943 eruption, several features, including the swarm duration and magnitude relationships, were comparable to those of the 2006 episode. The strong indicators of a magmatic origin to the 2006 swarm suggest that at this location there are few, if any, traditional seismic discriminants that could be used to distinguish which seismic swarms and dike emplacement events might culminate in eruption.
Dipole forces, excitations and dissipation in Bose-Einstein condensates

Summary form only given. A distinguishing feature of Bose-Einstein condensates in trapped atomic gases is the ability to manipulate them with laser light. This is a tool which is not available for the study of liquid helium. In this work, we use the mechanical forces exerted by light on atoms to create and study collective excitations. We can apply either repulsive or attractive forces locally to a Bose-Einstein condensed gas with scanning, focused laser beams tuned to the blue or to the red of the principal atomic resonance, respectively. With spatio-temporal control of the forces, we have studied dissipation in the condensate as well as creating collective excitations with a controllable symmetry and time dependence.
Wage Labor, Bondage, and Citizenship in Nineteenth-Century America

Both the content and the boundaries of citizenship were contested terrain in the United States throughout the nineteenth century. The claims of working people to active participation in the polity were draped in the rhetoric to which the ardent revolutionary and future attorney general of Massachusetts, James Sullivan, had given vigorous, though commonplace, expression during the turbulent spring of 1776:
Development of Herpes Simplex Virus Stomatitis during Receipt of Cidofovir Therapy

We report 3 children who, after undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant, developed herpes simplex virus (HSV) stomatitis while receiving weekly cidofovir as preemptive treatment for cytomegalovirus infection. All patients responded well to treatment with either acyclovir or ganciclovir. Despite the in vitro susceptibility of HSV to cidofovir, once-weekly treatment with this agent may not be adequate prophylaxis in pediatric patients.
Diastolic dysfunction is associated with cardiac fibrosis in the senescence-accelerated mouse

Diastolic heart failure is a major cause of mortality in the elderly population. It is often preceded by diastolic dysfunction, which is characterized by impaired active relaxation and increased st...
Using a system-on-a-chip implantable device to filter circulating infected cells in blood or lymph

This paper describes a system on a chip (SoC) that makes use of nanoscale cellular adhesion mechanisms in an integrated electronic microsystem to filter infected cells from blood or lymph. An example of a human immunodeficiency virus-specific SoC is explored in depth. Such systems work in vivo, and blood and lymph are filtered on a continuous basis. With the intelligence on the chip, captured cells can be identified and lyzed, expelled, or otherwise acted upon. These types of systems transfer the burden of research from traditional chemotherapy to bioengineering and system design.
Code-timing estimation for CDMA systems with bandlimited chip waveforms

In this paper, we present a novel code-timing estimation for asynchronous direct-sequence (DS) code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems utilizing bandlimited chip waveforms. We start from a maximum likelihood (ML) approach that model the inter-symbol interference (ISI) and multiple-access interference (MAI) as a colored Gaussian process with unknown covariance matrix in the frequency domain. The exact ML estimator is highly nonlinear and requires iterative searches over multidimensional parameter space that is impractical to implement. To deal with this difficulty, we invoke asymptotic approximations of the ML criterion and reparameterization techniques, which lead to an asymptotic ML estimator that yields code-timing and channel estimates via efficient non-iterative quadratic optimizations. To benchmark the proposed estimator, we provide Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) analysis for the code-timing estimation problem. Numerical simulation results are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed code-timing estimator for bandlimited CDMA in multipath fading channels.
Synthesis of Complement Components C5, C6, C7, C8 and C9 in Vitro by Human Monocytes and Assembly of the Terminal Complement Complex

Monocytes cultured under serum-free conditions secreted protein which bound covalently and non-covalently to agarose beads, an activator of the alternative pathway of complement. There was a significantly binding of monoclonal anti-C3c antibodies, polyclonal anti-C5, anti-C6, anti-C7, anti-C8, and anti-C9 antibodies, and of a monoclonal antibody against a neoantigen of polymerized C9 to agarose beads incubated with the monocytes for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h. From these results, we conclude that monocytes produce C5, C6, C7, C8 and C9 that assemble as the terminal complement complex on the surface of the agarose beads. Activation by agarose of the alternative pathway with generation of particle bound C3 and C5 convertases is a prerequisite for the subsequent formation of the terminal complement complex. Whether SC5b-9 or the membrane attack of complement (C5b-9) is formed on the beads will be examined.
A proposal for a flexible service plan that is attractive to users and Internet service providers

The current Internet service provider market does not offer different types of service plans for Internet access. The predominant pricing plan is a flat-rated plan. Since the number of new Internet users is still growing very fast, there is no real competition in the Internet market. Consequently, there is no incentive for Internet service providers (ISPs) to focus on certain user groups by offering more attractive pricing plans in order to differentiate themselves. However, as soon as the number of new Internet users stagnates, ISPs have to specialize on certain market segments. Then, the question raises of what is an attractive service plan that is attractive for users, but allows ISPs to build a sustainable business. Based on empirical results of the INDEX project, we discuss a service plan for Internet access that might be appreciated by Internet users as well as by ISPs. This service plan combines the advantages of flat-rate pricing and usage-based pricing. Using this service plan, users will benefit by receiving a basic service, but are given the choice of higher quality whenever they demand. From the ISP perspective, it will help to focus on certain user groups and limit the peak load on their network.
A parallel curriculum in lifestyle medicine.

Summary Background Less than 50 per cent of US primary care doctors routinely provide guidance to their patients on lifestyle behaviours such as diet, physical activity or weight control, despite the prediction by the World Health Organization that by 2020, two-thirds of disease worldwide will be the result of poor lifestyle choices. This gap in patient–clinician dialogue is perhaps the result of a lack of structured training in medical school surrounding the components of lifestyle medicine. Context Although Harvard Medical School does have a required course in nutrition, there are no requirements for the other components of lifestyle medicine, including physical activity, behaviour change and self-care. Innovation Since 2009 Harvard Medical School has addressed this absence in the curriculum by developing a student-led, faculty member-advised, parallel curriculum in lifestyle medicine. Medical student participants were invited to take part in anonymous questionnaires between 2009 and 2013, which gathered data about personal ability and attitude in counselling patients on lifestyle behaviours, as well as subjective data on the curriculum content and applications to effective medical practice. Less than 50 per cent of US primary care doctors routinely provide guidance to their patients on lifestyle behaviours Implication Each year, students have pointed to a lack of lifestyle medicine knowledge because of a gap in the traditional curriculum surrounding topics such as physical activity, nutrition and behaviour-change strategies, and indicated that the inclusion of this knowledge and these skills was an important component of medical education. Although participation is currently voluntary, this is the first such curriculum of this type and addresses a critical gap in undergraduate medical education.
Photonic Neural Interfaces: Current State and Future Challenges

I will present an overview of the concepts and applications of optical nerve stimulation and inhibition with a focus on characterization of this technique, mechanistic studies as well as on several applications and device development.
Sliding mode control of systems with delayed states and controls

A sliding mode control (SMC) design method is proposed for a class of point-delayed systems. A linear transformation is applied to convert the delayed system to delay-free system whose spectra embed all the unstable poles of the original system with given stability margin. It is proved that the delayed system is asymptotically stable with SMC based on the delay-free system. The method is applied to internal combustion (IC) engine idle speed control, not for stabilization, but for compensation with the effects of the time delay in the system states.
A survey of current practice of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease patients in the United States.

Background:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at an increased risk of thrombosis, particularly when hospitalized. Several clinical practice guidelines now recommend pharmacologic prophylaxis for hospitalized ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients. It is unclear to what extent gas
Effect of Divalent Metals on Hg(II) Uptake and Methylation by Bacteria

The production of methylmercury by some bacteria is a key first step in the accumulation and biomagnification of this toxic substance in aquatic food webs, a major human health concern. By direct m...
The application of sevoflurane in the anaesthesia of abdominoscope pyloric ring myotomy in infants

【Objective】 To observe the application of 7% sevoflurane combined with ketamine in the induction of abdominoscope pyloric ring myotomy in infants,compared with the total intravenous anaesthesia,evaluate the advantages and disadvantages.【Methods】 30 congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis newborn infants who conformed to the selected standard were performed Abdominoscope Pyloric Ring Myotomy under general anaesthesia with intubation,divided randomly into 2 groups.Group A were recieved 7% sevoflurane combined with ketamine for induction.Group B were recieved total intravenous anaesthesia.Monitored and recorded the blood pressure,heart rate,saturation of blood oxygen,induction time,palinesthesia time and adverse reaction occurrence during the anaesthesia.【Results】 Compared with Group B,the differences of blood pressure,heart rate,induction time,palinesthesia time and adverse reaction occurrence were not statistically significant in Group A(P 0.05).The newborn infants in Group A had shorter palinesthesia time(P 0.05).【Conclusion】 The application of 7% sevoflurane combined with ketamine in the induction of abdominoscope pyloric ring myotomy in newborn infants have stable circulation and shorter palinesthesia time compared with Group B.
Crossing the threshold.

Bostons Beth Israel Hospital and the Harvard Medical School assisted with the creation of a womens health center in Yerevan Armenia where the need is great. Anna a woman n her mid-30s presents an example of womens health conditions in Armenia. Anna walked several miles to visit the clinic in hopes that the Boston physicians could treat her 6 year infertility. She became a wife at 16 and had 2 children within 1 year. She had conceived 25 times over a 15-year period. Contraceptives were hard to come by and she could not afford more children so she underwent abortions generally under septic conditions without analgesia or screening or treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. An entire monthly salary (300 rubles) was the cost for each abortion. She had likely had an unrecognized pelvic infection that scarred her tubes but even if an infection had been diagnosed there would have been no antibiotics to treat it. The Armenian government is committed to the womens health center. Between 1958 and 1991 the population growth rate fell from 33 to 15/1000 likely because more than 66% of pregnancies were aborted and abortions equalled 75% of all live births. Infertility occurred in 60-80% of abortion cases. Infant mortality and maternal mortality rates are high (20.4/1000) and 34.6/1000). Respiratory distress and congenital anomalies are the main causes of infant deaths. Hemorrhage and infections are the main causes of maternal deaths. The major contribution of Boston physicians to the center is provision of updated education. For example they conduct workshops on womens health care ranging from clinical management to good physician-patient relations. As of early 1994 23 physicians from the Boston institutions have gone to Yerevan to help with the womens health center.
What Do We Know About Chagas Disease in the United States

Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects more than 5 million people worldwide leading to serious heart and gastrointestinal disease in a proportion of chronically infected patients. Important modes of transmission include vector-borne, congenital, and via blood transfusion or organ transplant from an infected donor. Vector-borne transmission of Chagas disease occurs in the Americas, including the southern half of North America, where the specific vector insects (triatomines), T. cruzi, and infected reservoir mammalian hosts are found. In the United States, there are estimated to be at least 300,000 cases of chronic Chagas disease among people originally from countries of Latin America where Chagas disease is endemic. Fewer than 30 cases of locally acquired infection have been documented in the United States, although a sylvatic transmission cycle has been known to exist in this country for at least a century. Studies defining risks for locally acquired infection and effective prevention strategies are needed to help prevent domestic transmission of T. cruzi To help address Chagas disease in the United States, improved health-care provider awareness and knowledge, better tools for screening and diagnosing patients, and wider availability of treatment drugs are needed.
Bile Salt Aggregation in Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Media

The distribution of four bile salts: sodium cholate (I), sodium deoxycholate (II), sodium chenodeoxycholate (III) and sodium ursodeoxycholate (IV) between aqueous buffer and 1-octanol has been measured as a function of temperature between 25° C and 55° C and as a function of bile salt concentration at concentrations below 0.1 mole/liter in the aqueous phase. The distribution isotherms obtained have been explained on the basis of reversible association in the aqueous phase. The treatment assumes that the bile acid exists as a monomer in the organic phase, which is verified by vapor pressure osmometry. A graphical method has been employed to estimate the association constants in the aqueous phase for the various equilibria encountered. An aggregation number of four for IV and twelve for I, II and III has been estimated. From the results, thermodynamic functions associated with the transfer of each of the bile salts from water to octanol and those related to association processes in the aqueous phase were calculated. These results are consistent with our previous findings that the premicellar association of bile salts occurs by hydrophobic interaction. The value of the thermodynamic parameters for the transfer of bile salts from aqueous buffer to octanol revealed that there is an unfavorable enthalpic and favorable entropic contribution for all four bile salts. However, for IV, which is an epimer of III, both enthalpic and entropic contributions are reduced, compared to III, suggesting that there is a pronounced effect of stereochemical orientation on the hydrophobic interaction.
A study of stasis and change in two species lineages from the Middle Devonian of New York State

More than 5000 measurements were taken on over 1000 specimens of two species of brachiopods, Mediospirifer audaculus and Athyris spiriferoides, from the Middle Devonian Hamilton Group of New York state. Statistical analyses were performed on these data, with specimens partitioned by their occurrence in one of many paleoenvironments and stratigraphic horizons. Neither species showed substantial morphological departures between first appearance and extinction (the range of the Hamilton Group, roughly 5 m.y.). However, oscillations in morphology were discovered in both taxa. For the two species we studied, groups of organisms occurring in a single paleoenvironment undergo moderate morphological change through time; however, the net sum of changes through time in all paleoenvironments in which these species occur is essentially zero. Therefore, stasis may be partly a property of the organization of species into different environmental populations. Different “environmental populations” may evolve, but they will typically do so in several different “directions,” generally producing no net change. The difference between the morphology of species in different environments over the whole interval of the Hamilton Group is also nil, thereby ruling out any major role that ecophenotypic effects could play in the patterns recognized herein.
The Glass Transition of a Single Macromolecule

We employ molecular simulations to show that a generic isolated macromolecule behaves as a glass-forming liquid in an extreme state of nanoconfinement. Specifically, its glass transition temperature Tg is strongly suppressed with respect to a corresponding bulk-state polymer, but adsorption onto an attractive substrate can reverse this effect. Results indicate that observations of bulklike Tg in individual nanoconfined systems can result from a “compensation point” between Tg enhancement and Tg suppression. In addition to their implications for the understanding of nanostructured synthetic materials, these results are also likely relevant to the dynamics of globular and adsorbed biological macromolecules.
1,4-Dihydropyridines as Alkyl Radical Precursors: Introducing the Aldehyde Feedstock to Nickel/Photoredox Dual Catalysis

A Ni/photoredox dual catalytic cross-coupling is disclosed in which a diverse range of (hetero)aryl bromides are used as electrophiles, with 1,4-dihydropyridines serving as precursors to Csp3-centered alkyl radical coupling partners. The reported method is characterized by its extremely mild reaction conditions, enabling access to underexplored cores.
Decentralized energy scheduling of distributed resources using Lagrangian relaxation

The development of a Lagrangian Relaxation approach to scheduling distributed energy resources is presented. Relaxing both energy constraints and network constraints we demonstrate a price-based algorithm that can be implemented in a decentralized manner with communication only between each node and its incident branches. Example schedules for a system consisting of conventional and renewable generation, controllable demand, and energy storage demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.
Dynamic Electronic Junctions in Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Perovskites

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites have shown great potential as building blocks for low-cost optoelectronics for their exceptional optical and electrical properties. Despite the remarkable progress in device demonstration, fundamental understanding of the physical processes in halide perovskites remains limited, especially the unusual electronic behaviors such as the current–voltage hysteresis and the switchable photovoltaic effect. These phenomena are of particular interests for being closely related to device functionalities and performance. In this work, a microscopic picture of electric fields in halide perovskite thin films was obtained using scanning laser microscopy. Unlike conventional semiconductors, distribution of the built-in electric fields in the halide perovskite evolves dynamically under the stimulation of external biases. The observations can be well explained using a model based on field-assisted ion migration, indicating that the mechanism responsible for the evolving charge transpor...
No Magic Number: an Examination of the Herd-Size Threshold in Pastoral Systems Using Agent-Based Modeling

Pastoralists who depend on their herds for their livelihoods need a minimum number of animals to support their household. Due to the dynamics of herd growth, pastoralists may find themselves at times below that minimum number. Previous studies have shown that there is a herd-size threshold below which households are unlikely to escape poverty. We explore the concept of a herd-size threshold using an agent-based model to examine the role of scale and stochasticity in family herd dynamics. The model was parametrized with data from the literature. The results from the computer simulations show (1) that offtake rates significantly limit herd growth; and (2) that herd-size threshold is better understood as a range of probabilities. We discuss the methodological and conceptual advantages of using agent-based modeling to examine demographic dynamics, including the possibility of conducting multiple experiments in silico to examine the dynamics of herd growth.
Adult youth workers’ conceptions of their work in an under-resourced community in the United States

This study examined adult workers’ conceptions of their work with youth in a large, underserved, urban region in the northeastern United States. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 18 youth work...
Random Sequences and Linear Complexity

Stream ciphers utilize deterministically generated “random” sequences to encipher the message stream. Since the running key generator is a finite state machine, the key stream necessarily is (ultimately) periodic. Thus the best one can hope for is to make the first period of a periodic key stream resemble the output of a binary symmetric source (BSS). A BSS is a device which puts out with equal probability a zero or a one independently of the previous output bits, or in other words, a BSS realizes a fair coin tossing experiment. (Note that we have tacitly assumed the sequences under investigation to be defined over GF(2)). The period of the key stream necessarily is a finite quantity. Thus we are confronted with the problem of characterizing the randomness of a finite sequence. But how can this be done in light of the fact that every finite output sequence of a BSS is equally likely? It seems difficult to define adequately the concept of randomness (in a mathematical sense) for finite sequences. Still, nearly everyone would agree that something like a “typical” output sequence of a BSS exists. A finite coin tossing sequence, for example, would “typically” exhibit a balanced distribution of single bits, pairs, triples, etc. of bits, and long runs of one symbol would be very rare. This in contrast to infinite coin tossing sequences, where local nonrandomness is sure to occur.
Full-Band Modeling of Magnetic Semiconductors

In this work we extended our Cellular Monte Carlo (CMC) device modeling code to include the computation of the energy states in dilute magnetic semiconductors using an ab-initio code based on the Korringa, Kohn and Rostoker coherent potential approximation method (KKR-CPA). The CMC simulator was modified to explicitly model spin transport in bulk materials using a full-band representation of the electronic structure. The last part of this work was devoted to the implementation of the major scattering mechanisms responsible for spin flip in III-V semiconductors for which results are presented.
Some Problems with the Use of Regression Analysis in Geography

Many of the fundamental questions in science concern relations among two or more variables. “Are these variables related?” “What is the nature of the relationship?” “Can the value of one variable be predicted, given the values of some others?” “Does the relationship conform to some theoretically-derived one?” “Do two samples conform to the same relationship?” Geographers have at times used regression analysis to provide answers to all of these questions, often with little realization of the assumptions of the technique or of alternative statistical procedures for addressing these questions.
Evaluation of a culturally appropriate peer coaching program for smoking cessation.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer coaching smoking cessation program in a high-risk Medicaid population. Design and sample In this manuscript, we present an evaluation of a pilot program. Participants (N = 138) were recruited out of a larger smoking cessation program administered statewide and funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The participant sample was diverse, with 52% self-identifying as White, 39% as Black, and 56% Latino ethnicity (any race). Methods Motivational interviewing techniques were utilized by peer coaches in clinical and community settings to achieve smoking cessation using face-to-face, telephone, and text/email encounters over a period of 6 months. Results There was a statistically significant increase in the number of participants who had quit smoking from program enrollment to discharge (5.1%-18.5%, p = 0.02). Number of peer coaching encounters predicted quitting in program participants. Conclusions This study adds to the literature that community-based smoking cessation services led by peer coaches can be effective in a diverse, high-risk population.
No Strings Attached: When do Firms Benefit from Loosely Coupled Research Partnerships?

We examine whether, when and why accessing external knowledge via loosely coupled research partnerships, which predominantly rely on an exchange of knowledge for money (e.g. licensing, R&D contract...
Energy Efficient Convolutional Neural Networks for EEG Artifact Detection

This paper proposes an energy efficient Convolutional Neural Network based architecture for detecting different types of artifacts in multi-channel EEG signals. Our method achieves an average artifact detection accuracy of 74% and precision of 92% across seven different artifact types which outperforms existing techniques in terms of classification accuracy as well as the more common ICA based solution in terms of computational complexity and memory requirements. We designed a minimal neural network processor whose Verilog HDL is configurable for implementing 2n processing engines (PEs). We deployed our CNN on the processor, placed and routed on Artix-7 FPGA and examined different number of PEs at different operating frequencies. Our experiments indicate that utilizing 4 PEs operating at a clock frequency of 11.1 MHz is the optimal configuration for our hardware to yield the least classification energy consumption of 32 mJ accomplished in the maximum allowed prediction time of 1 Sec. We also implemented our CNN on TX2 NVIDIA platform and, by tweaking the CPU and the GPU frequencies, explored a least power configuration and another least energy consuming configuration. Our FPGA results indicate that the 4-PE implementation outperforms the low power config. of TX2 by 65× in terms of power, and the low energy config. of TX2 by 2× in terms of energy per classification. Our CNN-based FPGA implementation method also outperforms the ICA method by 11× in terms of energy consumption per classification.
Nursing Research at Seattle Children's: Grassroots Inquiry.

Abstract Increasing clinically based nursing pediatric research is a critical need. Efforts to promote relevant research conducted by practicing nurses addresses this gap. An overview of the nursing research program at Seattle Children's is presented and emphasizes focus on questions derived from practice.
Thinking Film: Cinefied Materiality in Slobodan Šijan’s Fanzine Film Leaflet (1976-1979)

Die Studie fokussiert auf Slobodan Sijans einseitigem, doppelseitig bedruckten Fanzine namens Film Leaflet, das zwischen 1976 und 1979 monatlich im sozialistischen Jugoslawien hergestellt und distribuiert wurde, und untersucht dessen Funktion als alternative Plattform zur Verbreitung von neuen kritischen experimentellen Filmpraktiken und von interdisziplinaren Erkundungen des Mediums. Als eine Plattform fur den freien Gebrauch von Filmgeschichte, Massenmedien und Popularkultur konzeptualisiert, hat sich Sijans Fanzine Inhalte unterschiedlicher Medien angeeignet, um eine neue Praxis des ‚Film-Denkens‘ zu formulieren, eine Re-Signifikation, Re-Kombination und Re-produktion. Ich argumentiere, dass Sijans Fanzine, als masgebliches cineastisches Medium fur das ‚Film-Denken‘, bestimmend ist fur das „Schema, ein dynamisches Spiel von Relationen“, das Diskurse und Praktiken ihrer drei grundlegenden Elemente miteinander verknupft: Zuschauer, Darstellung und Materialitat des Mediums. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung werden die wechselseitigen Beziehungen zwischen diesen drei Elementen analysiert, um die beabsichtigten Effekte, die Sijans Film Leaflet bewirken wollte, zu erhellen und kritisch zu beleuchten. Eine derartige alternative Praxis des ‚Film-Denkens‘ stellt nicht nur eine Untersuchung der materiellen Ontologie verschiedener reproduzierender Medien dar, sondern erweitert zudem die Bedeutung von Fiktion, da untersucht wird, wo die unterschiedlichen ontologischen Ebenen medialer reproduktiver Kraft und des menschlichen Korpers (unsere physio-psycho-soziologischer Aktionen) letztlich zusammentreten.