cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of high power X-band semiconductor microwave switch for pulse compression systems of future linear colliders

We describe development of semiconductor X-band high-power RF switches. The target applications are high-power RF pulse compression systems for future linear colliders. We describe the design methodology of the architecture of the whole switch systems. We present the scaling law that governs the relation between power handling capability and number of elements. We designed and built several active waveguide windows for the active element. The waveguide window is a silicon wafer with an array of four hundred PIN/NIP diodes covering the surface of the window. This waveguide window is located in an over-moded TE01 circular waveguide. The results of high power RF measurements of the active waveguide window are presented. The experiment is performed at power levels of a few megawatts at X-band.
Treatment of a Class II, division 1 vertical growth pattern with severe anterior crowding

Treatment of a skeletodental Class II vertical growth problem, combined with a severe arch length deficiency in both arches, presents a challenging orthodontic problem. This is the case report of a small-statured, 11-year, 10-month-old boy with a history of juvenile chronic arthritis and marked mandibular retrognathia who was treated with first premolar extractions in both arches. Unexpected favorable growth, with significant decrease of the mandibular plane angle over a long treatment period, provided a very satisfactory result. [This case report was presented to the American Board of Orthodontics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the certification process.]
Radiation-induced off-state leakage current in commercial power MOSFETs

The total dose hardness of several commercial power MOSFET technologies is examined. After exposure to 20 krad(SiO/sub 2/) most of the n- and p-channel devices examined in this work show substantial (2 to 6 orders of magnitude) increases in off-state leakage current. For the n-channel devices, the increase in radiation-induced leakage current follows standard behavior for moderately thick gate oxides, i.e., the increase in leakage current is dominated by large negative threshold voltage shifts, which cause the transistor to be partially on even when no bias is applied to the gate electrode. N-channel devices biased during irradiation show a significantly larger leakage current increase than grounded devices. The increase in leakage current for the p-channel devices, however, was unexpected. For the p-channel devices, it is shown using electrical characterization and simulation that the radiation-induced leakage current increase is related to an increase in the reverse bias leakage characteristics of the gated diode which is formed by the drain epitaxial layer and the body. This mechanism does not significantly contribute to radiation-induced leakage current in typical p-channel MOS transistors. The p-channel leakage current increase is nearly identical for both biased and grounded irradiations and therefore has serious implications for long duration missions since even devices which are usually powered off could show significant degradation and potentially fail.
Comparative diversity and abundance of ammonia monooxygenase genes in mulched and vegetated soils

Abstract Soil microbial habitats are altered by mulching, a common practice in urban areas during which vegetation is removed and soils covered to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Soil microorganisms drive nitrogen-cycling processes in mulched soils, because living plants no longer take up ammonium-N released during decomposition of residual organic matter. Because ammonia oxidizers carry out the first, rate-limiting step of nitrification, we compared ammonia oxidizers in experimental, unfertilized plots of mulched and vegetated soils. We hypothesized that mulched and vegetated soils would support contrasting communities of bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers, as determined by quantitative PCR and primers specific for genes encoding ammonia monooxygenase subunit A ( amo A). Clone libraries of archaeal amoA also were constructed to compare diversity in soil cores, duplicate blocked plots, and treatments (bark-mulched, gravel-mulched, and unmanaged old field vegetation). Gene copies from ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) ranged from 2.2 × 10 6 to 2.7 × 10 7 gene copies per gram dry soil and did not differ across treatments. In contrast, gene copies from ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) ranged from 9.1 × 10 5 to 1.0 × 10 8 copies per gram dry soil, with bark-mulched soils having significantly lower abundance. Community structure of AOA in gravel-mulched soils was distinct from the other two treatments. At 97% amino acid similarity, 22 operational taxonomic units, or OTUs, were identified, with only one OTU found in all 18 clone libraries. This ubiquitous OTU-1, which was highly similar to published amoA sequences recovered from soils, comprised 55% of all 482 translated sequences. Greater variability in OTU richness was observed among cores from mulched soils than from vegetated soils. Our observations supported our hypothesis that AOA communities differ in mulched and vegetated soils, with mulched soils providing altered and variable microniches for these N cycling microorganisms.
The Mechanism of Excimer Laser-Induced Amorphization of Ultra-Thin Si Films

To better understand the involved phase transformation mechanism, we are studying the excimer laser-induced amorphization (ELA) of ultra-thin Si films on oxidized Si substrates. In this paper, we show that the onset of amorphization of hydrogen-free Si films on SiO2 substrates upon increases in the energy density is associated with the onset of complete melting of the film. Once complete melting occurs, further increases in the incident energy density and/or increases in the substrate temperature can lead to incomplete amorphization of the film. Planar view TEM analysis of nearly-amorphized Si films reveals a heterogeneous microstructure, which consists of a mixture of densely dispersed amorphous-like annular regions (~20 to 40 µm−2), embedded within and typically separated by a region containing finegrained small crystals. Such a cellular microstructure strongly suggests that amorphization occurred not via a homogeneous but via a heterogeneous transformation. In particular, the microstructure paints a scenario in which amorphization proceeded via nucleation of solids, which is then followed by interfacial amorphization. The experimental results unambiguously reveal (1) that the previously proposed criteria of the melt duration and the vertical temperature gradient are irrelevant in determining amorphization of supercooled liquid Si films and (2) that the quenching rate, not surprisingly, is the important parameter.
Empirical Method for Determining SOA Gain Based on ASE Characterization

Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are often used in fiber-optic systems in which device gain must be adjusted precisely without disturbing the surrounding system. We have developed an unobtrusive technique for measuring SOA gain based on the peak wavelength of the device's amplified spontaneous emission spectrum. This methodology also expedites gain measurements for systems in which an SOA dynamically switches on and off. We further confirm the reliability and robustness of this methodology
Reduced Age-Related Cataracts Among Elderly Persons Who Reach Age 90 With Preserved Cognition: A Biomarker of Successful Aging?

Tissue damage due to oxidative stress has been implicated in aging, memory loss, and cataract formation. We hypothesized that persons who achieved exceptional longevity with preserved cognition (successful aging [SAG]) would exhibit a lower rate of age-related cataract (ARC) than the general population. The age-specific rates of ARC for a group of 100 (50 male, 50 female) elderly persons who reached at least age 90 years with preserved cognition were compared to the corresponding rates of ARC reported in five population-based studies. The principal finding of this report was that the SAG group manifested a significant reduction in the age-specific rate and lifetime cumulative incidence of ARC compared to the general population. Steroid use, alcohol consumption, gout, and skin lesions resulting from excessive sun exposure emerged as risk factors. Our findings suggest that the progressive development of lens opacities may be reflective of degenerative events occurring more generally throughout the body.
Optimal Design of SVC Damping Controllers with Wide Area Measurements Using Small Population based PSO

Static var compensator (SVC) are employed for providing better voltage regulation and transient stability especially for increased power transfer through the transmission lines. In this paper, two SVC damping controllers with single and dual inputs respectively are designed based on wide area measurements of generator speed deviations. A small population based particle swarm optimization algorithm (SPPSO) is applied to determine the optimal parameters of the damping controllers for small and large disturbances. Simulation results are provided to show that the effectiveness of the optimal damping controllers on the Kundur's two-area benchmark power system. Results show the dual input controller further improves the damping provided by the single input controller.
EFFECT OF THERMAL CONDUCTION ON ACOUSTIC WAVES IN CORONAL LOOPS

The influence of classical (Spitzer) thermal conduction on longitudinal acoustic waves in a coronal loop is determined through an idealized but exactly solvable model. The model consists of an isothermal, stratified (constant gravity) atmosphere in which a monochromatic acoustic wave, traveling in the direction of decreasing density, is imposed throughout the lower half of the atmosphere. Based on the linearized equations of motion, the complete steady state (t → ∞) solution is obtained. In addition to the imposed driving wave, the solution also contains reflected and transmitted acoustic and thermal conduction waves. The mode transformation and mixing occurs in the vicinity of the atmospheric layer where the gas pressure passes through a critical value set by the magnitude of the thermal conduction and other model parameters. For 5 minute waves in a million degree loop, this critical pressure is on the order of 8 × 10-4 in cgs units. Since the apex gas pressure of many coronal loops of current interest is thought to be comfortably in excess of this value, mode mixing and transformation is not likely to be a relevant factor for understanding acoustic waves in these structures. On the other hand, enhanced thermal conductivity as a result of plasma instabilities, for example, could revive the importance of this mechanism for coronal loops. If this mixing layer is present, the calculations show that the pair of thermal conduction waves invariably gains the overwhelming majority of the energy flux of the incoming acoustic wave. This energy is rapidly dissipated in the neighborhood of the mixing layer.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of an MHD Generator

An MHD generator having a uniform rectangular duct is analyzed for a three-dimensional flow. Expressions in closed form are obtained for the fluid velocity, induced electromagnetic fields, open-circuit voltage, power output, power input, efficiency, etc. These quantities are computed for typical values of dimensions, temperature, and velocity at the center of the generator.
Ontogeny of human hepatic cytochromes P450.

Significant changes in drug-metabolizing enzyme (DME) expression occur during ontogeny. Such changes can have a profound effect on therapeutic efficacy in the fetus and child, as well as the risk for adverse drug reactions. To gain a better understanding of DME ontogeny, enzyme contents for six key cytochromes P450 were measured in 240 human liver samples representing ages from 8 weeks gestation to 18 years. Where possible, both quantitative western blotting and activity assays with probe substrates were performed. Although oversimplified, the DME can be grouped into one of three categories. As typified by CYP3A7, some enzymes are expressed at their highest level during the first trimester and either remain at high concentrations or decrease during gestation and are silenced or expressed at low levels within 1–2 years after birth. These data cause one to query whether these enzymes have an important endogenous function. Representatives of a second group, CYP3A5 and CYP2C19, are expressed at relatively constant levels throughout gestation. Postnatal increases in CYP2C19 are observed within the first year, but not for CYP3A5. CYP2C9, 2E1, and 3A4 are more typical of a third group of enzymes that are not expressed or are expressed at low levels in the fetus with the onset of expression generally in either the second or third trimester. Substantial increases in expression are observed within the first 1–2 years after birth; however, considerable interindividual variability is observed in the immediate postnatal (1–6 months) onset or increase in expression of these enzymes, often resulting in a window of hypervariability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 21:169–175, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20179
Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence XXXIII . The Production of Excited States by Direct Heterogeneous Electron Transfer from Semiconductor Electrodes

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) arising from direct electron transfer from semiconductor electrodes to solution species was examined. The reduction of the oxidized forms of several luminescent species [Ru(bipy)~+, thianthrene, 9,10-diphenylanthracene, and rubrene] on several n-type semiconductor electrodes (CdS, ZnO, TiO2, SiC, GaP) was investigated. Only for reduction of rubrene radical cation on n-ZnO and n-CdS was unequivocal evidence found for production of an excited state (triplet) by direct heterogeneous electron transfer at potentials where homogeneous redox processes producing excited states were not possible. Current interruption techniques were employed to study the emission decay and an unusual emission at open circuit following a cathodic potential step was found. A model for direct triplet generation based on reduction via surface states within the bandgap region and quenching of excited states by the electrode is proposed and constraints on the experimental observation of direct excited state formation are suggested.
Plasma transparency at microwave frequencies

Summary form only given, as follows. It, has recently been predicted that electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), a well-known phenomena in atomic systems, can be created in a classical magnetized plasma. Key features of EIT in a plasma are the propagation of an electromagnetic wave at the cyclotron resonance, slow group velocity of the EM wave in the plasma, and the excitation of a longitudinal plasma oscillation with a low phase velocity.
Training mothers with mental handicaps to understand behavioural and developmental principles

Eight mothers with mental handicaps were trained to understand and apply behavioural and developmental principles. The results of three questionnaires administered showed that where mothers with mental handicaps did significantly more poorly before training than a comparison group of mothers without handicaps from similar backgrounds, after training there were no differences. These results were maintained at a month's follow-up. Suggestions are made for further studies.
The Meandering 45-Year Odyssey of a Clinical Immunologist*

My work on basic and clinical immunology has focused on the regulation of the human immune response and how its dysregulation can lead to immunodeficiency, autoimmune, and malignant disorders. The early focus in our laboratory was on pathogenic mechanisms underlying hypogammaglobulinemia. Our demonstration of active suppression by human suppressor T cells changed thinking about the pathogenesis of certain immunodeficiency disorders. Recently we have focused on the cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-15, which have competitive functions in adaptive immune responses. IL-2 is necessary to destroy self-reactive lymphocytes and thus favors peripheral tolerance to self-antigens, whereas IL-15 favors the persistence of lymphocytes involved in the memory and effector responses to invading pathogens but risks the development of inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Our murine anti-Tac monoclonal antibody exploits these differences, as does a humanized form (daclizumab) now approved for the prevention of renal allograft rejection. New forms of therapy directed at IL-2 and IL-15 receptors may be effective against certain neoplastic diseases and autoimmune disorders and in the prevention of allograft rejection.
Tornado Data Characterization and Windspeed Risk

Tornado data records are analyzed for potential classification error, F-scale windspeed correlation, and tornado intensity variation. This assessment provides quantification of the uncertainties inherent in tornado wind loading specification and risk analysis as a result of the indirect measuring techniques utilized in the current national tornado classification methodology. A data base of over 4,500 tornadoes is analyzed according to three broad geographic regions to demonstrate the methodology and to provide input for tornado loading risk analyses. The results indicate that the potential classification error is significant for the intense tornadoes and tends to underestimate the likelihood of the rare events by several hundred percent. A set of updated windspeed transformations are presented which suggest that the original windspeed ranges are 10% to 20% too high. The maximum tornado windspeeds are suggested as 300 mph, 225 mph, and 200 mph for three identified tornado regions in the United States.
Fathers’ Participation in Parenting and Maternal Parenting Stress: Variation by Relationship Status:

The growing diversity in mother-father relationship status has led to a debate over the role of fathers in parenting. Little is known, however, about how fathers' participation in parenting is linked to maternal well-being across different mother-father relationship statuses. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 2,062), fixed-effects as well as random-effects regression models show that overall fathers' engagement with children and sharing in child-related chores are negatively related to maternal parenting stress. Fathers' cooperative coparenting is negatively related to maternal parenting stress only in the random-effects model, suggesting that the association is driven by selection factors. There is little variation in these associations by mother-father relationship status, once selection factors are controlled for. These findings extend support for the current cultural emphasis on benefits of fathers' active participation in parenting for mothers and children even after the mother-father relationship dissolved.
Material Properties of a Highly Anteverted Vitamin E-Stabilized Polyethylene Liner After Sixteen Months In Vivo: A Case Report.

Highly cross-linked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) implants have produced lower wear rates compared with conventional UHMWPE implants in laboratory testing and in clinical use1. Highly cross-linked UHMWPE has resulted in reduced osteolysis in clinical follow-up studies2. The various formulations of highly cross-linked UHWMPE used today are cross-linked with ionizing radiation and then annealed or melted to reduce or eliminate the resultant free radicals that could lead to oxidation. An alternative approach to stabilizing radiation-induced free radicals while maintaining the mechanical properties of the highly cross-linked UHMWPE is to incorporate vitamin E, an antioxidant. Laboratory studies have shown that after irradiation, vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPE has improved oxidation resistance, equivalent wear, and improved mechanical strength relative to non-vitamin E-stabilized highly cross-linked UHMWPE3-7. Nevertheless, as we describe in this case report, vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPE remains susceptible to rim fracture in a highly anteverted shell, similar to first-generation highly cross-linked UHMWPE8,9 without in vivo material property changes. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and she provided consent. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Twelve years after a fifty-five-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis had undergone primary left total hip arthroplasty, she was referred to us for evaluation of episodic, activity-related left groin pain. Radiographs showed a well-fixed cementless hip arthroplasty with an eccentric femoral head, indicating polyethylene wear and osteolysis (Fig. 1-A and Fig. 2-A). The acetabular component was in approximately 45° of abduction and 44° of anteversion. The infection workup was negative. Fig. 1 Figs. 1-A, 1-B, and 1-C Anteroposterior radiographs of the left hip. Fig. 1-A Preoperative radiograph before the first revision. Fig. 1-B Six-week postoperative radiograph after the first revision. Fig. 1-C Radiograph one year after the first revision. Fig. 2 Figs. 2-A, 2-B, and 2-C …
Acc Reading No. 12: Accounting for Liabilities

This technical note discusses accounting for liabilities, including leases and pensions. Numerous excerpts from corporate annual reports are presented.
Selection of a Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus for Practical Inoculation of Uniola paniculata

(1988). Selection of A Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus for Practical Inoculation of Uniola Paniculata. Mycologia: Vol. 80, No. 4, pp. 565-568.
Pleural changes in malignant pleural effusions: appearance on computed tomography.

BACKGROUND Tumors metastatic to the pleura are a leading cause of pleural effusions. The computed tomographic (CT) appearance of malignant pleural effusions varies from uniformly low attenuation without pleural abnormalities to thickened, irregular, contrast-enhanced pleura with or without discrete masses. There may be associated changes in the subcostal tissues. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of abnormalities observed with CT scanning in patients with malignant pleural effusion. METHODS We analyzed the CT appearance of the pleura in 86 patients with documented malignant pleural effusions. Patients with primary malignancy of the pleura (mesothelioma) were excluded. RESULTS In 98% of the malignant effusions the fluid was homogeneous. Focal tumor masses were identified within the effusion in 10%. CT evidence of fluid loculation was seen in 40%. Pleural thickening, either smooth or irregular, was identified in 62%. CONCLUSIONS The transaxial anatomic display afforded by CT scanning facilitates demonstration of several features that should arouse the suspicion of the radiologist and the clinician to the possibility of malignancy involving the pleura.
Study of Alpha and Beta Units of an Anti-Paratyphoid Bacteriophage.:

Under the influence of a fresh, sewage filtrate we isolated a lytic agent for an old laboratory strain of B. paratyphosus A, in the S cyclostage. This filtrate, which was first active in F3, was enhanced to a high titer by alternate feeding and filtration in series. When tested by the plate method against the homologous culture there first appeared only large plaques. Later (F6), the filtrate gave small plaques in addition to the large. With continued propagation there was a tendency for the large plaques to be replaced by the small.The large lytic areas possessed an average diameter of 6 to 7 mm. when mature. As a rule, there were no areas of intermediate size. A few that measured from 3 to 4 mm. possessed the chief characteristics of the large plaques, and on further propagation they always reproduced the large area type. The small lytic areas were sharp and clearcut, while the large areas were usually surrounded by a hazy zone of imperfectly lysed culture. As a rule the principle determining the large ...
Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Lessons Learned from Many Failures

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most complex neurodegenerative diseases, involving both cortical and spinal components of motor neuron circuitry and non-neuronal cells that support the motor neurons. There is no effective therapeutic for ALS, and compounds that have extended the lifespan of ALS mouse models have failed in clinical trials. This viewpoint discusses current information regarding the changing views about ALS and what the failures in clinical trials can teach us in the search for an effective treatment. Previous challenges and roadblocks in drug discovery for ALS are noted, and solutions to current limitations are discussed. Learning from the past and moving forward with a new mindset can translate into successful and effective treatment strategies in ALS and other related diseases.
Melanoma cell–derived exosomes promote epithelial–mesenchymal transition in primary melanocytes through paracrine/autocrine signaling in the tumor microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment is abundant with exosomes that are secreted by the cancer cells themselves. Exosomes are nanosized, organelle-like membranous structures that are increasingly being recognized as major contributors in the progression of malignant neoplasms. A critical element in melanoma progression is its propensity to metastasize, but little is known about how melanoma cell-derived exosomes modulate the microenvironment to optimize conditions for tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we provide evidence that melanoma cell-derived exosomes promote phenotype switching in primary melanocytes through paracrine/autocrine signaling. We found that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was activated during the exosome-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-resembling process, which promotes metastasis. Let-7i, an miRNA modulator of EMT, was also involved in this process. We further defined two other miRNA modulators of EMT (miR-191 and let-7a) in serum exosomes for differentiating stage I melanoma patients from non-melanoma subjects. These results provide the first strong molecular evidence that melanoma cell-derived exosomes promote the EMT-resembling process in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, novel strategies targeting EMT and modulating the tumor microenvironment may emerge as important approaches for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
First field trial using novel two-stage remotely-pumped EDF/distributedRaman hybrid inline amplifiers with 1.28-Tbit/s (32 x 43 Gbit/s) capacity over528-km (6 x 88 km) DSF in the L-band

The first field trial using novel 1.48-µm pumped hybrid (remote two-stage and double-pass type EDF + distributed Raman) inline-type amplifiers is demonstrated; it offers 1.28-Tbit/s capacity and 100-GHz spacing over a record 528-km (6x88 km) of terrestrial installed-DSF in a straight line.
A pantheist in spite of himself: Craig, Hegel, and divine infinity

In his 2006 paper `Pantheists in Spite of Themselves: God and Infinity in Contemporary Theology,’ William Lane Craig examines the work of Wolfhart Pannenberg, Philip Clayton, and F. LeRon Shults, whose conceptions of God are influenced by Hegel. Craig shows that these thinkers’ Hegelian formulations lead to monism, despite their attempts to avoid it. He then attempts to refute Hegelian thinking by appealing to Cantor. I argue that that this refutation fails because Cantor and Hegel are far more amicable than Craig realizes, as Small’s and Drozdek’s work shows.
Digital pathology and anatomic pathology laboratory information system integration to support digital pathology sign-out

Background: The adoption of digital pathology offers benefits over labor-intensive, time-consuming, and error-prone manual processes. However, because most workflow and laboratory transactions are centered around the anatomical pathology laboratory information system (APLIS), adoption of digital pathology ideally requires integration with the APLIS. A digital pathology system (DPS) integrated with the APLIS was recently implemented at our institution for diagnostic use. We demonstrate how such integration supports digital workflow to sign-out anatomical pathology cases. Methods: Workflow begins when pathology cases get accessioned into the APLIS (CoPathPlus). Glass slides from these cases are then digitized (Omnyx VL120 scanner) and automatically uploaded into the DPS (Omnyx; Integrated Digital Pathology (IDP) software v.1.3). The APLIS transmits case data to the DPS via a publishing web service. The DPS associates scanned images with the correct case using barcode labels on slides and information received from the APLIS. When pathologists remotely open a case in the DPS, additional information (e.g. gross pathology details, prior cases) gets retrieved from the APLIS through a query web service. Results: Following validation of this integration, pathologists at our institution have signed out more than 1000 surgical pathology cases in a production environment. Integration between the APLIS and DPS enabled pathologists to review digital slides while simultaneously having access to pertinent case metadata. The introduction of a digital workflow eliminated costly manual tasks involving matching of glass slides and avoided delays waiting for glass slides to be delivered. Conclusion: Integrating the DPS and APLIS were instrumental for successfully implementing a digital solution at our institution for pathology sign-out. The integration streamlined our digital sign-out workflow, diminished the potential for human error related to matching slides, and improved the sign-out experience for pathologists.
A New Catheter to Measure Urethral Compliance in Females: Normal Values

Abstract We describe a new probe made of several F5 Vinyl tubes glued and staggered together in such a way that the catheter progressively increases in size (from F5 to F30), as more tubes are joined. At each size, pressure is recorded through a single side hole in one of the tubes. Pressure within the urethra is thus successively recorded from F5 to F30 as the catheter is further introduced. A single pressure transducer is used since the lines of the probe are separately and successively connected to the transducer through a 6-channel manifold, as one proceeds to the next diameter. Pressure diameter curves are obtained and reported on a graph. The data are analyzed by fitting the graphs with a one exponential equation P = P0eaD; 2 parameters are computed: P0, the initial pressure when the urethra is catheter free, and a, the rate of exponential increase in pressure as higher diameters are introduced to measure urethral wall stiffness. This catheter was used to measure the maximum urethral pressure in 10 young nulliparous volunteers, at each level of stretch. The values of P0 and a were found to be respectively 74.4 ± 7.7 cm. H20 and 0.08 ± 0.02. The quantitative measurement of urethral compliance constitutes for us an integral part in the urodynamics assessment of female patients presenting with lower urinary tract dysfunction.
A COGNITIVE APPROACH TO TEACHING A GRADUATE-LEVEL GEOBIA COURSE

Remote sensing image analysis training occurs both in the classroom and the research lab. Education in the classroom for traditional pixel-based image analysis has been standardized across college curriculums. However, with the increasing interest in Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA), there is a need to develop classroom instruction for this method of image analysis. While traditional remote sensing courses emphasize the expansion of skills and knowledge related to the use of computer-based analysis, GEOBIA courses should examine the cognitive factors underlying visual interpretation. This current paper provides an initial analysis of the development, implementation, and outcomes of a GEOBIA course that considers not only the computational methods of GEOBIA, but also the cognitive factors of expertise, that such software attempts to replicate. Finally, a reflection on the first instantiation of this course is presented, in addition to plans for development of an open-source repository for course materials.
A case study of a grassroots truth and reconciliation commission from a community practice perspective

SummaryTruth and Reconciliation Commissions represent an innovative model for social work practice. The Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission was a community-based intervention that sought to address lingering social trauma and tension from a 1979 incident of racial violence in North Carolina. This case study analyzes the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission from a community practice perspective by highlighting relevant aspects of the intervention for social work practice. The intervention is examined along the community practice dimensions of context, theoretical basis, practice model, framing, strategy, and tactics. Each dimension is presented and related to a specific aspect of the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission case.FindingsThe historical context of the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission includes legacies racism, labor exploitation, and violence that was pervasive in the U.S. south, as well as traditions of resistance to oppression. The theoretical underp...
San Xavier del Bac: Portrait of a Desert Church

This review recalls for me a happy concurrence. In 1961, then University of Arizona Field Historian Bernard “Bunny” L. Fontana published Biography of a Desert Church: The Story of Mission San Xavie...
Multi-objective design and optimization of inductors: A generalized software-driven approach

This paper presents a generalized method which can facilitate the design and optimization of an inductor regardless of its application scenarios (DC inductors or AC inductors). It is a software-driven approach and also applicable to both entry level and experienced designer. User inputs just require the voltage/current waveform data across the inductor, desired inductance, and the design optimum goal along with the constraints. A user-friendly front panel (graphical user interface) is designed to reduce the difficulty of inductor design. The software analyzes inductor using magnetic equivalent circuit and explores the pareto-optimal designs by means of multi-objective evolutionary algorithm such as NSGA-II. Buck converter filter inductor is designed to illustrate the software workflow.
MALDI/MS Comparison of Fe-NTA Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography and Commercially-Available Metal Oxide Affinity Resins for Phosphopeptide Enrichment

Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry has been used to determine the extent of phosphorylation and the specific sites of phosphorylation on proteins. There are several advantages to this combined approach. Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography is the use of resins with metal constituents and metal oxides to enrich and isolate phosphopeptides. By selectively enriching phosphopeptides on media prior to MS analyses, suppression effects can be greatly reduced. In this report, we have investigated several resins from various sources to assess the phosphopeptide enrichment capabilities of each prior to mass spectrometric analyses. The phosphopeptide enrichment capabilities of six different resins, Glygen TiO2, ZrO2, and mixed ZrO2 and TiO2 NuTips, Titansphere TiO2 resin, PhosTrap magnetic titanium beads, and a Fe-NTA resin, are compared.
A Bayesian Approach for Summarizing and Modeling Time-Series Exposure Data with Left Censoring.

Objective Direct reading instruments are valuable tools for measuring exposure as they provide real-time measurements for rapid decision making. However, their use is limited to general survey applications in part due to issues related to their performance. Moreover, statistical analysis of real-time data is complicated by autocorrelation among successive measurements, non-stationary time series, and the presence of left-censoring due to limit-of-detection (LOD). A Bayesian framework is proposed that accounts for non-stationary autocorrelation and LOD issues in exposure time-series data in order to model workplace factors that affect exposure and estimate summary statistics for tasks or other covariates of interest. Method A spline-based approach is used to model non-stationary autocorrelation with relatively few assumptions about autocorrelation structure. Left-censoring is addressed by integrating over the left tail of the distribution. The model is fit using Markov-Chain Monte Carlo within a Bayesian paradigm. The method can flexibly account for hierarchical relationships, random effects and fixed effects of covariates. The method is implemented using the rjags package in R, and is illustrated by applying it to real-time exposure data. Estimates for task means and covariates from the Bayesian model are compared to those from conventional frequentist models including linear regression, mixed-effects, and time-series models with different autocorrelation structures. Simulations studies are also conducted to evaluate method performance. Results Simulation studies with percent of measurements below the LOD ranging from 0 to 50% showed lowest root mean squared errors for task means and the least biased standard deviations from the Bayesian model compared to the frequentist models across all levels of LOD. In the application, task means from the Bayesian model were similar to means from the frequentist models, while the standard deviations were different. Parameter estimates for covariates were significant in some frequentist models, but in the Bayesian model their credible intervals contained zero; such discrepancies were observed in multiple datasets. Variance components from the Bayesian model reflected substantial autocorrelation, consistent with the frequentist models, except for the auto-regressive moving average model. Plots of means from the Bayesian model showed good fit to the observed data. Conclusion The proposed Bayesian model provides an approach for modeling non-stationary autocorrelation in a hierarchical modeling framework to estimate task means, standard deviations, quantiles, and parameter estimates for covariates that are less biased and have better performance characteristics than some of the contemporary methods.
Retention intervals enhance associative competition produced by a preexposed CS

Abstract Earlier studies have shown that a latent inhibitor is poor at competing for learning with another conditioned stimulus on a compound conditioning trial. Previous research also has shown that the poor conditioned response produced to a latent inhibitor can be reversed by a retention interval placed after conditioning and prior to testing the conditioned response. In the present conditioned taste aversion experiments, a CS flavor (“A”) was given CS-alone preexposures prior to a pairing of the CS with the US. A serial compound conditioning phase then occurred in which this CS was able to compete with an added novel CS (“B”) when the two CSs were paired with the US. However, prior to the compound conditioning phase, a retention interval occurred lasting either one day or many days (15 days in one experiment and 21 days in another experiment). It was found that the lengthy retention interval enhanced the competitive potential of the pretrained CS. These results show that treatments that enhance the expression of a CS-US association can also enhance the competitive ability of the CS.
Cook, Blanche Wiesen. Eleanor Roosevelt: The War Years and After, 1939–1962. Volume 3: New York, NY: Viking, 2016. 670 pages. $40 (hardcover); $20 (softcover).

This book represents the third and final installment in Blanche Wiesen Cook's widely acclaimed multivolume biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. Similar to those earlier works, this book is distinguished...
Natural History of Mood Disorders

The literature on the natural history of mood disorders and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents is reviewed. There is considerable specificity in the continuity of depressive disorders between childhood and adulthood. The limited evidence indicates that the unipolar depressive disorders are differentiated by their age at onset and rate of recovery. Clinical factors predict a bipolar course in adolescents with major depression. Suicidal ideations and attempts, but not suicide completion, are relatively common in depressed children. Suicidal thoughts in adolescents are often associated with depressive symptoms, conduct problems, alcohol or drug abuse, life stresses, and suicidal behavior.
Characterization of a Monoclonal Antibody which Reacts with the 49 kDa Polypeptide of Photosystem II from Spinach

In our laboratory we are primarily interested in elucidating the structural arrangement of proteins functioning on the oxidizing side of Photosystem II (PS II). in this communication we report the isolation and preliminary characterization of a monoclonal antibody (MAb), FAC2, which recognizes an antigenic determinant on the 49 kDa protein of PS II.
Boosting the Accuracy of Differentially-Private Queries Through Consistency

Recent differentially private query mechanisms offer strong privacy guarantees by adding noise to the query answer. For a single counting query, the technique is simple, accurate, and provides optimal utility. However, analysts typically wish to ask multiple queries. In this case, the optimal strategy is not apparent, and alternative query strategies can involve difficult trade-offs in accuracy, and may produce inconsistent answers. In this work we show that it is possible to significantly improve accuracy for a general class of histogram queries. Our approach carefully chooses a set of queries to evaluate, and then exploits consistency constraints that should hold over the noisy output. In a post-processing phase, we compute the consistent input most likely to have produced the noisy output. The final output is both private and consistent, but in addition, it is often much more accurate. We apply our techniques to real datasets and show they can be used for estimating the degree sequence of a graph with extreme precision, and for computing a histogram that can support arbitrary range queries accurately.
Using Flash Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Primary Practice

IN BRIEF Obstacles to realizing the clinical benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for daily diabetes management are being overcome with more affordable, user-friendly technologies. This article describes a novel category of CGM known as "flash" that may allow more routine use of continuous data for greater numbers of patients treated in primary care.
“I am now confident”: academic service-learning as a context for addressing math anxiety in preservice teachers

Children’s early numeracy knowledge predicts later academic performance, yet many children do not experience optimal math instruction. This study investigated the impact of academic service-learnin...
Regulation of cardiomyocyte maturation during critical perinatal window

A primary limitation in the use of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (PSC-CMs) for both patient health and scientific investigation is the failure of these cells to achieve full functional maturity. In vivo, cardiomyocytes undergo numerous adaptive structural, functional and metabolic changes during maturation. By contrast, PSC-CMs fail to fully undergo these developmental processes, instead remaining arrested at an embryonic stage of maturation. There is thus a significant need to understand the biological processes underlying proper CM maturation in vivo. Here, we discuss what is known regarding the initiation and coordination of CM maturation. We postulate that there is a critical perinatal window, ranging from embryonic day 18.5 to postnatal day 14 in mice, in which the maturation process is exquisitely sensitive to perturbation. While the initiation mechanisms of this process are unknown, it is increasingly clear that maturation proceeds through interconnected regulatory circuits that feed into one another to coordinate concomitant structural, functional and metabolic CM maturation. We highlight PGC1α, SRF and the MEF2 family as transcription factors that may potentially mediate this cross-talk. We lastly discuss several emerging technologies that will facilitate future studies into the mechanisms of CM maturation. Further study will not only produce a better understanding of its key processes, but provide practical insights into developing a robust strategy to produce mature PSC-CMs.
Pathology results of architectural distortion on detected with digital breast tomosynthesis without definite sonographic correlate.

Abstract Background Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a mammographic technique which improves the detection of breast cancer. Architectural distortion of malignancy may be occult on 2D mammography and ultrasound but detected by DBT. Methods 110 patients who underwent 116 DBT-guided needle biopsies for architectural distortion were identified between June 2014 and August 2017 and underwent review of medical records. Results 59 of 116 biopsies (51%) revealed lesions warranting further consideration or excision. These included 21 specimens with invasive carcinoma, 2 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 5 atypical ductal hyperplasia, 4 atypical lobular hyperplasia, and 2 other lesions. 46 lesions were excised. Surgical pathology demonstrated 22 malignant lesions (20 invasive carcinomas and 2 DCIS). 11 patients continued surveillance and two patients were lost to follow up. 94 lesions (87%) were not visible on ultrasonography. Conclusions DBT-guided biopsy for architectural distortion detected a malignancy in 19% of lesions, demonstrating the importance of pathologic diagnosis for lesions without correlating ultrasound findings.
University of Vermont Medical Laboratory Science: Public Health Laboratory Science Concentration

Public Health Laboratories are critical to the US Public Health system, providing surveillance and response to promote better population health outcomes. There has been a long-standing shortage of public health laboratorians and current demographic data indicate this trend will continue. Undergraduate public health laboratory education would prepare competent entry level professionals to enter into the public health workforce. To address this need, in 2006, the University of Vermont9s Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree program developed a track for students interested in pursuing careers in public health laboratory settings. Students enrolled in the Public Health Laboratory Science (PHLS) concentration complete a modified MLS curriculum with coursework in biostatistics, clinical microbiology, food microbiology, epidemiology and molecular biology. PHLS students apply their learning through a project based, hands-on practicum in a public health laboratory at one of our affiliate sites throughout the Northeast. Projects span a wide array of topics from the development of molecular assays to public health laboratory education related to the identification and prevention of infectious microorganisms. The curriculum meets the requirements for the MLS major with a concentration in PHLS emphasizing microbiology. Students who also complete a clinical microbiology practicum are eligible for the ASCP technologist in microbiology certification exam. Approximately 10% of our MLS students complete the MLS PHLS concentration. Alumni surveys indicate graduates were very satisfied with the program and all are either employed in the field of public health or continuing their education.