cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
JP-8 Jet Fuel Can Promote Auditory Impairment Resulting From Subsequent Noise Exposure in Rats

We report on the transient and persistent effects of JP-8 jet fuel exposure on auditory function in rats. JP-8 has become the standard jet fuel utilized in the United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries for military use and it is closely related to Jet A fuel, which is used in U.S. domestic aviation. Rats received JP-8 fuel (1000 mg/m(3)) by nose-only inhalation for 4 h and half of them were immediately subjected to an octave band of noise ranging between 97 and 105 dB in different experiments. The noise by itself produces a small, but permanent auditory impairment. The current permissible exposure level for JP-8 is 350 mg/m(3). Additionally, a positive control group received only noise exposure, and a fourth group consisted of untreated control subjects. Exposures occurred either on 1 day or repeatedly on 5 successive days. Impairments in auditory function were assessed using distortion product otoacoustic emissions and compound action potential testing. In other rats, tissues were harvested following JP-8 exposure for assessment of hydrocarbon levels or glutathione (GSH) levels. A single JP-8 exposure by itself at 1000 mg/m(3) did not disrupt auditory function. However, exposure to JP-8 and noise produced an additive disruption in outer hair cell function. Repeated 5-day JP-8 exposure at 1000 mg/m(3) for 4 h produced impairment of outer hair cell function that was most evident at the first postexposure assessment time. Partial though not complete recovery was observed over a 4-week postexposure period. The adverse effects of repeated JP-8 exposures on auditory function were inconsistent, but combined treatment with JP-8 + noise yielded greater impairment of auditory function, and hair cell loss than did noise by itself. Qualitative comparison of outer hair cell loss suggests an increase in outer hair cell death among rats treated with JP-8 + noise for 5 days as compared to noise alone. In most instances, hydrocarbon constituents of the fuel were largely eliminated in all tissues by 1-h postexposure with the exception of fat. Finally, JP-8 exposure did result in a significant depletion of total GSH that was observable in liver with a nonsignificant trend toward depletion in the brain and lung raising the possibility that the promotion of noise-induced hearing loss by JP-8 might have resulted from oxidative stress.
Substernal epicardial echocardiography: review of a new technique

Abstract Background Patients after cardiac operation pose a challenge to the treating physician–these patients may become critically ill and are among the most difficult to image using transthoracic echocardiography. Several factors contribute to this, including difficulties in positioning the patient, inability of the patient to cooperate with instructions, surgical dressings, and hyperinflated lungs. Transesophageal echocardiography may be performed when transthoracic echocardiography is not diagnostic; however, transesophageal echocardiography is semi-invasive and does not lend itself to prolonged or repeated monitoring. Methods Recently, a new approach to echocardiography for use in the patient after operation has been introduced with the modification of the standard mediastinal drainage tube to allow for substernal epicardial echocardiography (SEE). The SEE tube has 2 lumens. The first allows for routine mediastinal drainage and the second has a blind end that permits the insertion of a standard transesophageal echocardiographic probe for high-resolution imaging as often as is desired over the period during which the mediastinal tube is in place. Conclusion This article reviews the technique of SEE including a description of the method of performance of SEE (with representative images), a review of the published literature on this new modality, examples of clinical use, and a discussion of the advantages, indications, and limitations of SEE with an eye toward future directions for research.
Crystal structure of the eukaryotic DNA polymerase processivity factor PCNA

The crystal structure of the processivity factor required by eukaryotic DNA polymerase delta, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) from S. cerevisiae, has been determined at 2.3 A resolution. Three PCNA molecules, each containing two topologically identical domains, are tightly associated to form a closed ring. The dimensions and electrostatic properties of the ring suggest that PCNA encircles duplex DNA, providing a DNA-bound platform for the attachment of the polymerase. The trimeric PCNA ring is strikingly similar to the dimeric ring formed by the beta subunit (processivity factor) of E. coli DNA polymerase III holoenzyme, with which it shares no significant sequence identity. This structural correspondence further substantiates the mechanistic connection between eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA replication that has been suggested on biochemical grounds.
Continuous Path Following Control for Underactuated Systems With Bounded Actuation

There exist many systems in our daily lives which are underactuated, subject to limits in actuation and which must navigate in constrained spatial environments. Furthermore, these systems can be described in uniform relative degree strict feedback form. Foremost among these are wheeled vehicles like passenger cars. Systems which navigate the physical environment often must follow precise geometric paths, but do not need to traverse the path at a specific speed profile. Hence we will utilize a path following approach, whereby path speed is considered an additional control degree of freedom. For such systems we present a control design method which will follow an arbitrary path with bounded error. The path following error itself is controllable. We then investigate conditions under which zero path following error is possible. Finally, we develop path speed limit conditions for a given path which guarantee zero path following error with control actions restricted to feasible values.
Improving Recoverability in Multi-tier Storage Systems

Enterprise storage systems typically contain multiple storage tiers, each having its own performance, reliability, and recoverability. The primary motivation for this multi-tier organization is cost, as storage tier costs vary considerably. In this paper, we describe a file system called TierFS that stores files at multiple storage tiers while providing high recoverability at all tiers. To achieve this goal, TierFS uses several novel techniques that leverage coupling between multiple tiers to reduce data loss, take consistent snapshots across tiers, provide continuous data protection, and improve recovery time. We evaluate TierFS with analytical models, showing that TierFS can provide better recoverability than a conventional design of similar cost.
Michigan Versus Kevorkian

Our personal reflections on the Michigan versus Kevorkian trial highlight the following issues: 1) the switch from physician-assisted suicide to euthanasia, 2) the television showing of the death, 3) the dropping of the prosecution of the charge of physician-assisted suicide, 4) Kevorkian serving as his own defense attorney, trying to argue that ALS was a secondary cause of Thomas Youk's death, 5) Kevorkian's attempt to employ a logical syllogism to demonstrate that euthanasia need not be murder, 6) Kevorkian's initial reference to the civil rights tradition but sudden change to the medical analogy of Nazi medicine: a final solution, 7) the insistence of Kevorkian on “all or nothing” sentencing, 8) the irony of Kevorkian being finally convicted by a prosector who was elected on a platform of not prosecuting Kevorkian, 9) Kevorkian hiring a lawyer after the verdict is in, and 10) Kevorkian's threat to starve himself to death if sent to prison.
Everyday Problem Solving and Emotion An Adult Developmental Perspective

Despite cognitive declines that occur with aging, older adults solve emotionally salient and interpersonal problems in more effective ways than young adults do. I review evidence suggesting that older adults (a) tailor their strategies to the contextual features of the problem and (b) effectively use a combination of instrumental and emotion-regulation strategies. I identify factors of problem-solving contexts that affect what types of problem-solving strategies will be effective. Finally, I discuss how this identification of factors affects what we know about developmental differences in everyday problem-solving competence.
Applying Research in Reading Comprehension to Social Studies Instruction for Middle and High School Students.

Secondary-level content area teachers face unique challenges in helping their students successfully read, understand, and learn content from complex texts in their discipline. In this article, a se...
A comparison of Malaysian and American groups using a group decision support system

The vast majority of research conducted on Group Decision Support Systems has been based upon groups using the English language. In this paper, we describe a Group Decision Support System developed at the University of Mississippi that supports meetings of groups speaking English, German, French, Malay, or any other language which uses the Roman alphabet (including accent marks). A pilot study was conducted comparing American students using English with Malaysian students using alternatively English and Malay. All groups used a Group Decision Support System to exchange comments or solutions regarding the assigned problem. In general, there were no significant differences between the groups interms of production blocking (ease of communication), evaluation apprehension (fear of peer criticism), and overall meeting satisfaction in either language. These results support our hypothesis that Group Decision Support Systems can be used effectively regardless of a group's nationality or language.
Temporal Discrimination of Modulated Intensity in Music Excerpts and Tones.

This study was designed to investigate listener discrimination of modulated intensity. Synthesizer music, previously recorded music excerpts, and electronic tones with gradual increases, decreases, or no change in intensity were presented to 108 subjects, 54 musicians and 54 nonmusicians. The total amount of stimulus modulation for both increase and decrease conditions was 12 dB(A) at the rate of 1 dB per second, well above the relative threshold level The time (in seconds) necessary for correct judgments of intensity change served as the dependent measure.Musicians did not differ from nonmusician subjects in the number of correct discriminations nor in latency of correct responses. An analysis of response time demonstrated a significant effect of modulation direction. Subjects correctly discriminated intensity modulation decreases sooner than intensity increases. There were, however, significant interactions between stimulus examples and modulation conditions. Results are discussed in relation to a serie...
Revision of Failed Distal Interphalangeal Arthrodesis Complicated by Retained Headless Screw

Arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal joint is a well-accepted treatment for painful arthritis. Although headless screw fixation across the distal interphalangeal joint is an overall effective method for achieving bony union, failures and nonunions still occur. We present a salvage technique to address both the retained headless screw within the medullary canal as well as the persistent nonunion.
Qualitative analysis of the peer-mentoring relationship among individuals with spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To identify salient dimensions and outcomes of the peer-mentoring relationship among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). To understand from the perspective of the mentee how the mentoring relationship differs from other supportive relationships. Study Design: Qualitative. Participants: Convenience sample of 7 mentees from a hospital-based SCI peer-mentoring project. Method: Telephone interviews with mentees were conducted 1– 4 months postdischarge, and results were coanalyzed with grounded theory methodology. Results: Mentees emphasized the impact of the mentor in terms of his or her practical, emotional, and identity-changing influence. Relationship quality was influenced by multiple factors (e.g., age, friendliness). Five components of the relationship (credibility, equitability, mutuality, acceptance, normalization) differentiated mentoring from other supportive relationships. Conclusions: Peer mentors provide a unique combination of supportive elements not replicated by other relationships. Mentoring programs are useful interventions for facilitating adjustment after SCI. Recommendations for implementing a mentoring program are provided on the basis of participant suggestions.
TBI surveillance using the common data elements for traumatic brain injury: a population study

To characterize the patterns of presentation of adults with head injury to the Emergency Department. This is a cohort study that sought to collect injury and outcome variables with the goal of characterizing the very early natural history of traumatic brain injury in adults. This IRB-approved project was conducted in collaboration with our Institution’s Center for Translational Science Institute. Data were entered in REDCap, a secure database. Statistical analyses were performed using JMP 10.0 pro for Windows. The cohort consisted of 2,394 adults, with 40% being women and 79% Caucasian. The most common mechanism was fall (47%) followed by motor vehicle collision (MVC) (36%). Patients sustaining an MVC were significantly younger than those whose head injury was secondary to a fall (P < 0.0001). Ninety-one percent had CT imaging; hemorrhage was significantly more likely with worse severity as measured by the Glasgow Coma Score (chi-square, P < 0.0001). Forty-four percent were admitted to the hospital, with half requiring ICU admission. In-hospital death was observed in 5.4%, while neurosurgical intervention was required in 8%. For all outcomes, worse TBI severity per GCS was significantly associated with worse outcomes (logistic regression, P < 0.0001, adjusted for age). These cohort data highlight the burden of TBI in the Emergency Department and provide important demographic trends for further research.
A softbot-based interface to the Internet

The Internet Softbot (software robot) is a fullyimplemented AI agent developed at the University of Washington (Etzioni, Lcsh, & Segal 1993). The softbot uses a UNIX shell and the World-Wide Web to interact with a wide range of internet resources. The softbot’s effectors include ftp, telnet, mail, and numerous file manipulation commaslds. Its sensors include internet facilities such as archie, gopher, netfind, and many more. The softbot is designed to incorporate new facilities into its repertoirc as they become available. The softbot’s "added value" is three-fold. First, it provides an integrated and expressive interface to the internet. Second, the softbot dynamically chooses which facilities to invoke, and in what sequence. For example, the softbot might use netfind to determine David McAllester’s e-mail address. Since it knows that netfind requires a person’s institution as input, the softbot would first search bibliographic databases for a technical report by McAllester which would reveal his institutkm, and then feed that information to netfind. Third, the softbot fluidly backtracks from one facility to another based on information collected at run time. As a result., the softbot’s behavior changes in response to transient system conditions (e.g., the UUCP gateway is down). In this article, we focus on the ideas underlying the softbot-based interface.
Optimization of in situ bioassays with Hyalella azteca and Chironomus tentans

Uncertainty is always associated with extrapolations of laboratory toxicity test responsesto in situ conditions. Exposing toxicity test organisms in situ reduces uncertainty by removing sampling related artifacts and better simulating natural exposures. The amphipod Hyalella azteca and the midge Chironomus tentans, were enclosed in plastic containers with 149- or 74-mm mesh openings. These chambers were anchored to stream substrates allowing continual water exchange and contact with sediments. Hyallela azteca survival was greater than 80% after 4 weeks of exposure. In situ testing with H. azteca in cold water (<15°C) resulted in survival consistently below 60%, possibly due to limited acclimation periods. Handling stress during laboratory to field transport reduced C. tentans survival. High survival was not consistently achieved until a protective ground paper towel substrate was used. A smaller mesh size (74 mm) on the chambers reduced the occurrence of indigenous organisms inside the chambers, making C. tentans identification unmistakable. In situ testing with C. tentans using refined methods resulted in greater than 80% survival after 2 weeks of exposure. In situ exposures of these two benthic invertebrates can effectively evaluate short- to long-term conditions of water and sediment quality.
Enhancement of Uranium Oxidation Resistance by Molybdenum Implantation

Initial studies of the oxidation resistance imparted to uranium metal through the implantation of Mo ions have shown that a significantly increased resistance can be achieved for doses of 5 x 10/sup 16//cm/sup 2/. No enhancement of oxidation resistance was found for doses below 1 x 10/sup 16//cm/sup 2/. We report results of weight-gain measurements, ion-beam analysis, and x-ray diffraction, as well as observations of the way in which the protective implanted layer fails at long exposure times.
Adaptive control of a class of time-varying and nonlinear plants

A reduced-order adaptive feedback controller with regular or variable structure is developed for a class of time-varying and nonlinear plants. Neither smallness of parameter variations nor parametrizableness of nonlinearity is required for the plant. Global stability and small tracking error in the mean are guaranteed for the closed-loop plant in which the parameter variations may not be small and the nonlinearity only satisfies a relative boundedness condition. The idea of using bounding signals in feedback control schemes is shown to be feasible. >
Using institutional track programs and block scheduling to help students prepare for postgraduate residency training.

Purpose The development and implementation of institutional track programs and block scheduling to help students prepare for postgraduate residency training are described. Summary Institutional track and block scheduling models were implemented into advanced pharmacy practice experience rotations to provide students with several of these experiences at the same practice site. Students at Purdue University College of Pharmacy (PUCOP) and Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (BUCOPHS) can apply for an institutional track or block schedule. The application process for the institutional track and block scheduling programs provides students with an opportunity to refine written and oral skills that are necessary for residency applications and interviews, since the process mimics that of the ASHP Resident Matching Program. Students are frequently provided with mentors to assist in the residency or fellowship preparation, curriculum vitae or cover letter design, and career planning. Students at the site may also be paired with pharmacy residents enrolled in blocked rotations to serve as mentors. The top students are matched with a practice site and then assigned to five consecutive patient care rotations. Since 2011, a total of 71 students have participated in institutional tracks at PUCOP or block scheduling at BUCOPHS. Most institutional track students (83%) and block scheduling students (81%) were successful in matching to residency programs or hospital pharmacy positions after graduation. Conclusion Block scheduling and institutional track programs were offered to students at two colleges of pharmacy interested in pursuing postgraduate residency training. Most institutional track students and block scheduling students successfully matched to residency programs or hospital pharmacy positions after graduation.
Five-co-ordinate compounds-II: Studies on β-diketo and β-ketoimino complexes of oxovanadium (IV) ion

Abstract The synthesis and attempted resolution of five-co-ordinate oxovanadium (IV) compounds is described. A compound of the type VOCh, where Ch 2− is a quadridentate β-ketoimine, was partially resolved; the rates of racemization (dextro sample) and mutarotation and racemization (laevo fractions) are reported. Attempts to effect resolution of a representative series of compounds of the type VO(Ch) 2 , where Ch − is a bidentate β-ketoimine, were not successful, probably because of the absence of significant differences in the rate of adsorption of optical enantiomers.
Branching Theory in Sol-Gel Processing

The complex sequence of the hydrolysis/polymerization reaction of certain types of alkoxysilanes is modelled using a novel approach based on the branching theory. Network formation is described, resulting from the reaction of multifunctional oligomers. Expressions are derived for the critical silane conversion at the gel point, the molecular weight, and changes in the sol and gel fractions as a function of time.
Study on Perinatal Fetus Outcome of Severe Pregnancy-induced Hypertension with Fetal Growth Restriction

Objective: To analyze the relationship of perinatal fetus outcome and delivery opportunity in severe PIH with FGR. Methods: We collected 145 cases of severe PIH with FGR, and divided them into six groups according to their gestational week of birth, Group A: 28 weeks to 30 -1 weeks; Group B: 30 weeks to 32 -1 weeks; Group C: 32 weeks to 34 -1 weeks; Group D: 34 weeks to 36 -1 weeks; Group E: 36 weeks to 37 -1 weeks; Group F: 37 weeks to 39 weeks. The results of all perinatal fetus were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The prevalence of asphyxia neonatorum, hyaline membrane disease, and neonatal death was remarkablely higher in group A, B, C (gestational week between 28 to 34 weeks) than that in group D and E (gestational week 34 to 37)(P0.01), but no difference between group D, E(gestational weeks 34 to 37 -1) and group F(gestational weeks 37 to 39) (P 0.05). The incidence of severe meconium and fetal distress in uterus in group F was higher than that of group D and E (P0.01). Conclusions: To terminate pregnancy in time, we will put emphasis upon gravidas who had gestational age 34 weeks to 37 -1weeks in severe PIH with FGR that is important to decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Perioperative treatment for first stage of Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Objectives To summarize experience of perioperative treatment for first stage of Norwood procedure. Methods From July 2004 to March 2006,we carried out Norwood procedure (first stage) for 3 patients who suffered from complex congenital heart diseases. The first diagnosis was SV,IAA and PDA in case 1. TGA/VSD,IAA and hypoplastic aortic arch in case 2. HLHS in case 3. Reconstruction of aorta with main pulmonary artery was performed in all patients. Reconstruction of pulmonary circulation with aortic pulmonary shunt in one patient,RV-PA conduit( Sano shunt) in another two patients. Results One patient died postoperatively. The follow-up was 24 months and 34 months respectively. Two patients received Norwood (second stage) procedure successfully. Cardiac function was rehabilitated to grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ. Conclusions Norwood procedure is the most important method to treat the patients suffering from HLHS or SV with obstruction of left ventricular outflow tract. Proper surgical approach and keeping balance between systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation are the key points for successful operation.
Misinterpretations of United States pharmacopeia chapter .

By now, all compounding pharmacists should be aware that United States Pharmacopeia Chapter has been revised. However, the revisions are tedious to read and may be misinterpreted. This article discusses some of the misinterpreted revisions of United States Pharmacopeia Chapter and clarifies the revisions on the topics of Terminology, The Compounder, Facilities and Environment, Personnel Cleansing and Garbing, Assigning Beyond-use Dates, and Testing. Compounders need to take a firm stand with these misinterpretations of United States Pharmacopeia Chapter and educate those who are not thoroughly familiar with the document. Compounders need to be diligent in following these standards to prevent harm to the patients.
Cholesterol Promotes the Peripheral Binding of Retroviral Proteins to Lipid Bilayers

Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) serves as a model retrovirus to study interactions of the structural protein, Gag, of enveloped viruses such as HIV, with the plasma membrane (PM). Gag-PM interactions are a critical step in the viral lifecycle and understanding their mechanisms is important for facilitating the development of retroviral therapies. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments have provided important insights into Gag's binding behavior but a much needed molecular picture of the protein-bilayer interactions is missing. It is known that the protein binds peripherally to the membrane via its 104 amino-acids-long membrane-binding domain (MBD). This interaction is primarily driven by electrostatics but multiple experiments have reported an additional enhancement of binding in the presence of cholesterol. This effect has been observed in both the myristoylated MBD of HIV, and the non-myristoylated MBD of RSV. To learn the mechanism of this effect we have examined the interactions of RSV MBD with cholesterol-rich and cholesterol-depleted bilayers composed of the charged and neutral lipids POPC and POPS with all-atom MD simulations. The results are consistent with the reported experimental findings, showing that the structure of the protein remains mostly intact, but its position with respect to the membrane changes depending on the lipid composition. Thus, residue-based analysis of protein-lipid interactions identifies up to 20% increase in Lys-POPS contacts in the cholesterol containing bilayer, whose area per lipid is more than 25% lower than that of the POPC/POPS bilayer without cholesterol. We have analyzed the effect of MBD on the lipids interacting directly with it in the two systems, and report on potential cholesterol-mediated bilayer properties (including lipid headgroup tilt, acyl chain order and surface charge density) that contribute to the enhanced binding.
Pediatric Liver Disease

This chapter covers diseases encountered more or less exclusively in the pediatric population. Liver samples from children, especially neonates, should be approached with these conditions in mind.
An Empirical Analysis of Litigation with Discovery

We conduct an experimental analysis of discovery in both the signaling and screening games, where in both games an uninformed defendant may engage in costly discovery. Under the theory, the defendant should invoke the costly discovery procedure in the screening game, but not in the signaling game. In the later part of the screening game, discovery is invoked in 73% of all negotiations, which is strongly in the direction implied by theory. However, rather than lower the defendant’s expected cost, discovery is approximately a breakeven proposition. The reasons are that the defendant cannot, as implied by theory, extract the entire surplus from settlement with his offer and because there are excess disputes not predicted by the theory. In the signaling game we find, contra the theory, that discovery is invoked about 61% percent of the time, and this behavior persists into the later rounds of the experiment. While invoking discovery is predicted to reduce his payoff, the effect on the defendant’s cost is not statistically different from zero. The offers the defendant receives after invoking discovery contain surplus not predicted under the theory. There is mixed evidence regarding whether discovery reduces the societal cost of disputes.
Causes of Mental Retardation

The mechanisms of mental retardation with relative prevalence in a hospital referral experience are reported from the Developmental Evaluation Clinic, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.
M-, L-, and R-Estimators

In this chapter we shall introduce the three basic types of robust estimators, M-, L-, and R-estimators, and shall study properties of the corresponding statistical functionals. The results established here will later be used to show that the functionals induced on D[0,1] by these estimators are Hadamard differentiable. As we have seen in the previous chapter, the Hadamard differentiability of the induced functionals on D[0,1] is sufficient to imply the asymptotic normality of the estimators.
Geometric Analysis for Concurrent Process Optimization of AM

Abstract Build orientation and deposition direction are two important AM process parameters which are determined at the pre-processing stage of AM. Carefully determined build direction and deposition direction can significantly improve the process and fabrication attributes. Either build direction or deposition direction is usually optimized independently considering one or multiple attributes. Such approach undermines the hierarchical relationship in the AM process plan and may produce sub-optimal solution. Besides, both build direction and deposition direction alter the layer topology and tool-path pattern which eventually determine the process and part attributes. But, the geometry is not taken into consideration while determining the build and deposition orientation. In this paper, an integrated framework is proposed to concurrently determine the optimum build orientation and tool-path/deposition direction using Genetic Algorithm (GA). The proposed methodology is designed on the basis of the layer geometries and the resulting part attributes to ensure manufacturability and minimize fabrication complexity for parts in AM processes. The proposed algorithm is implemented on two free form shaped objects and the process converges within a reasonable number of iterations.
Cross-finger flap

This chapter details essential steps of a cross-finger flap to repair volar defect of finger or thumb. The flap is harvested from the adjacent finger and inset into the palmar wound defect; a full-thickness skin graft is harvested from the antecubital fossa and sutured at the flap donor site. Indications, possible complications, essential steps, postoperative care, and operative dictation are included.
The Expanded Very Large Array

The Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA) is an international project to improve the scientific capabilities of the Very Large Array (VLA), an aperture synthesis radio telescope consisting of 27, 25-meter diameter antennas distributed in a Y-shaped configuration on the Plains of San Augustin in west-central New Mexico. The EVLA's major science themes include measuring the strength and topology of magnetic fields, enabling unbiased surveys and imaging of dust-shrouded objects that are obscured at other wavelengths, enabling rapid response to and imaging of rapidly evolving transient sources, and tracking the formation and evolution of objects in the universe. The EVLA's primary technical elements include new or upgraded receivers for continuous frequency coverage from 1 to 50 GHz, new local oscillator, intermediate frequency, and wide bandwidth data transmission systems to carry signals with 16 GHz total bandwidth from each antenna, and a new digital correlator with the capability to process this bandwidth with an unprecedented number of frequency channels for an imaging array. The project also includes a new monitor and control system and new software that will provide telescope ease of use. The project was started in 2001 and is on schedule and within budget. Scientific observations with the new correlator started in March 2010. The structural modifications that convert the VLA antennas to the EVLA design were completed in May 2010. The project will be complete in December 2012 when the last receiver will be installed on an antenna.
Routine airway surveillance in pediatric tracheostomy patients

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to review airway findings in children with tracheostomies who underwent surveillance direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy (DLB) to determine the yield of routine airway evaluation in these patients. Study design Retrospective chart review at tertiary referral children's hospital. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of all of the children with tracheostomies who underwent DLB after tracheostomy between 1984 and 2015. Results A total of 303 patients met inclusion criteria. The median time interval between tracheostomy and first follow-up DLB was 12.0 months (IQR 4.8–28.9 months). There was no significant difference in the incidence of airway lesions between patients who underwent endoscopy Conclusions The high incidence of airway lesions noted during surveillance DLB support the utility of routine airway endoscopy in pediatric tracheostomy patients. Symptomatic patients, those with ventilator dependence, or cardiopulmonary or trauma indications for tracheostomy are more likely to have airway lesions and should be monitored closely. The ideal time interval between surveillance endoscopies needs to be examined further.
Synthesis and Design of a Distributed Inductor

A “distributed inductor” comprises a core containing multiple winding windows carrying prescribed Ampere-turns. Its magnetic field can be shaped to vary by less than a distribution factor υ . The positions, dimensions, and Ampere-turns of the windings are synthesized to improve the energy density. A design procedure is formulated to accentuate the impact of υ on the tradeoffs between inductance and losses. It is validated by a prototype having half the height of the commercial counterpart for a 30 W converter.
Simulations of lunar exospheric water events from meteoroid impacts

Abstract We simulate the evolution of water in the vapor plume produced by the impact of meteoroids on the Moon. The temporal and spatial evolutions of the particles are converted into observable column density and flux into an in situ particle detector. Thus the observed density depends on the timing of the observation, the viewing geometry, and the amount of water released. The probability of observing a given density as a function of the potential timings and viewing geometries is presented for a single water release. We fold in the expected distribution of impacting meteoroids to predict an expected observation rate for a given sensitivity, field of view, and resolution. This information is extended to investigate whether observations of water released by meteoroids can inform on the source of water to the Moon and whether they can used to probe the local water content of regions of interest on the surface of the Moon. These predictions can be used to formulate measurement requirements for future instrumentation that would be deployed in lunar orbit to investigate the role of meteoroids in the delivery and retention of water on the Moon, and to detect lunar surfaces containing enhanced water ice.
Threshold voltage dynamics of chaotic RS flip-Flops

Abstract Chaotic Set/Reset (RS) flip-flop circuits are investigated once again in the context of discrete planar dynamical system models of the threshold voltages, but this time starting with simple bilinear (minimal) component models derived from first principles. The dynamics of the minimal model is described in detail, and shown to exhibit some of the expected properties, but not the chaotic regimes typically found in simulations of physical realizations of chaotic flip-flop circuits. Any electronic physical realization of a chaotic logical circuit must necessarily involve small perturbations from the ideal - usually with large or even nonexistent derivatives in small diameter subsets of the phase space. Therefore, perturbed forms of the minimal model are also analyzed in considerable detail. It is proved that very slightly perturbed minimal models can exhibit chaotic regimes, sometimes associated with chaotic strange attractors, as well as some of the bifurcations present in most of the differential equations models for similar physical circuit realizations. In essence, this work is a mathematical exploration of simple models that reproduce the qualitative behavior of threshold control units of a chaotic RS flip-flop design. It is also shown that this method can be extended to other similar circuits. Validation of the approach developed is provided by some comparisons with (mainly simulated) dynamical results obtained from more traditional investigations.
American wasteland: How America throws away nearly half of its food (and what we can do about it)

Using a triple bottom line approach, journalist Jonathan Bloom provides a sobering look at food waste in the US and offers solutions to reduce waste through the supply chain. According to USDA’s Ec...
Associations between the peer support relationship, service satisfaction and recovery-oriented outcomes: a correlational study.

Background: The working alliance between non-peer providers and mental health consumers is associated with positive outcomes. It is hypothesized that this factor, in addition to other active suppor...
Clinical Assessment and Treatment of Suicidal Risk: A Critique of Contemporary Care and CAMS as a Possible Remedy

There is a significant need to improve clinical practices related to suicidal patients within contemporary mental health practice. It is argued that there is a general over-reliance on psychotropic medications and the use of inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations for suicidal risk. This reliance is
The Developing Mental Number Line: Does Its Directionality Relate to 5- to 7-Year-Old Children's Mathematical Abilities?

Spatial representations of number, such as a left-to-right oriented mental number line, are well documented in Western culture. Yet the functional significance of such a representation remains unclear. To test the prominent hypothesis that a mental number line may support mathematical development, we examined the relation between spatial-numerical associations (SNAs) and math proficiency in 5- to 7-year-old children. We found evidence of SNAs with two tasksparadigms: a non-symbolic magnitude comparison task, and a symbolic ‘Where was The Number?’ (WTN) task. Further, we found a significant correlation between these two tasks, demonstrating convergent validity of the directional mental number line across numerical format. Although there were no significant correlations between children’s SNAs on the WTN task and math ability, children’s SNAs on the magnitude comparison task were negatively correlated with their performance on a measure of cross-modal arithmetic, suggesting that children with a stronger left-to-right oriented mental number line were less competent at cross-modal arithmetic, an effect that held when controlling for age and a set of general cognitive abilities. Despite some evidence for a negative relation between SNAs and math ability in adulthood, we argue that the effect here may reflect task demands specific to the magnitude comparison task, not necessarily an impediment of the mental number line to math performance. We conclude with a discussion of the different properties that characterize a mental number line and how these different properties may relate to mathematical ability.
Idiotype Vaccination Using Dendritic Cells After Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma—A Feasibility Study

The idiotype (Id) determinant on the multiple myeloma (MM) protein can be regarded as a tumor-specific marker. Immunotherapy directed at the MM Id may stem the progression of this disease. We report here on the first 12 MM patients treated at our institution with high-dose therapy and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) followed by Id immunizations. MM patients received PBSCT to eradicate the majority of the disease. PBSCT produced a complete response in 2 patients, a partial response in 9 patients and stable disease in 1 patient. Three to 7 months after high-dose therapy, patients received a series of monthly immunizations that consisted of two intravenous infusions of Id-pulsed autologous dendritic cells (DC) followed by five subcutaneous boosts of Id/keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) administered with adjuvant. Between 1 and 11 × 106 DC were obtained by leukapheresis in all patients even after PBSCT. The administration of Id-pulsed DC and Id/KLH vaccines were well tolerated with patients experiencing only minor and transient side effects. Two of 12 patients developed an Id-specific, cellular proliferative immune response and one of three patients studied developed a transient but Id-specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) response. Eleven of the 12 patients generated strong KLH-specific cellular proliferative immune responses showing the patients’ immunocompetence at the time of vaccination. The two patients who developed a cellular Id-specific immune response remain in complete remission. Of the 12 treated patients, 9 are currently alive after autologous transplantation with a minimum follow-up of 16 months, 2 patients died because of recurrent MM and 1 patient succumbed to acute leukemia. These studies show that patients make strong anti-KLH responses despite recent high-dose therapy and that DC-based Id vaccination is feasible after PBSCT and can induce Id-specific T-cell responses. Further vaccine development is necessary to increase the proportion of patients that make Id-specific immune responses. The clinical benefits of Id vaccination in MM remain to be determined.
Thesaural Relations in Information Retrieval

Thesaural relations have long been used in information retrieval to enrich queries; they have sometimes been used to cluster documents as well. Sometimes the first query to an information retrieval system yields no results at all, or, what can be even more disconcerting, many thousands of hits. One solution is to rephrase the query, improving the choice of query terms by using related terms of different types. A collection of related terms is often called a thesaurus. This chapter describes the lexical-semantic relations that have been used in building thesauri and summarizes some of the effects of using these relational thesauri in information retrieval experiments.
MLP+NeuroSimV3.0: Improving On-chip Learning Performance with Device to Algorithm Optimizations

On-chip learning with compute-in-memory (CIM) paradigm has become popular in machine learning hardware design in the recent years. However, it is hard to achieve high on-chip learning accuracy due to the high nonlinearity in the weight update curve of emerging nonvolatile memory (eNVM) based analog synapse devices. Although digital synapse devices offer good learning accuracy, the row-by-row partial sum accumulation leads to high latency. In this paper, the methods to solve the aforementioned issues are presented with a device-to-algorithm level optimization. For analog synapses, novel hybrid precision synapses with good linearity and more advanced training algorithms are introduced to increase the on-chip learning accuracy. The latency issue for digital synapses can be solved by using parallel partial sum read-out scheme. All these features are included into the recently released MLP + NeuroSimV3.0, which is an in-house developed device-to-system evaluation framework for neuro-inspired accelerators based on CIM paradigm.
Influence of context and rate of speech on stop–consonant recognition

Abstract: The effects of speaking rate and of contextual (with carrier phrase) and “isolated” (carrier phrase eliminated) methods of stimulus presentation on word-initial stop-consonant recognition were studied for 30 young adult listeners. Meaningful words and electronically modified subsegments were used to assess their relative contributions to consonant recognition as a function of varying speaking rate and context conditions. Generally, listener performance was exceptionally high for all conditions. However, subject’s performance indicated that the presence of a carrier phrase significantly facilitated target-word identification. Rate of speech had no significant main effect on recognition performance even though considerable change in transition length was evidenced for both non-moderate rate speaking conditions. But, for the target word “omit” condition, rate of speech was observed to influence the stability of the across-word boundary VC transitional cue more so than the within-word CV transition cue. It was also found that within-word CV transitional information was more perceptually potent than across-word boundary transitions. The findings suggest that the cue strengths of phonetic segments associated with consonant perception change as a function of context–rate interaction.
James Madison and

On April 8, 1787, James Madison wrote to Governor Edmund Randolph of Virginia: “My Dear Friend, I am glad to find that you are turning your thoughts towards the business of May next.” Madison was referring to the Federal Convention scheduled to begin the next month in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. Madison's project was for an entirely new form of government—although the upcoming gathering had made clear its aim of merely improving the existing government under the Articles of Confederation. This case explores the extraordinary leadership of James Madison who had few stereotypical qualities of a leader. Excerpt UVA-OB-0968 February 3, 2009 James MADISON AND “the business of May next” (A) On April 8, 1787, James Madison wrote to Governor Edmund Randolph of Virginia: “My Dear Friend, I am glad to find that you are turning your thoughts towards the business of May next.” Madison was referring to the Federal Convention scheduled to begin the next month in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. At the time, the United States of America was just 11 years old. “I am afraid you will think this project, if not extravagant, absolutely unattainable and unworthy of being attempted,” Madison wrote in the concluding paragraph in his letter to Randolph. Madison's project was for an entirely new form of government—although the upcoming gathering had made clear its aim of merely improving the existing government under the articles. The states had last gathered for such an auspicious task at the same place in July 1776. Madison was intensely focused on the “business of May next”—and how he could persuade the Federal Convention to draft what seemed unattainable. At the time, Madison was 36 years old; only 14 of the 55 delegates who would ultimately gather were younger. Slight in stature, just 5' 4” tall and weighing about 130 pounds, Madison was not a commanding presence. He lacked the oratorical skills of Governor Randolph and the prestige and stature of George Washington, who would be selected president of the convention at its first session. He was not a negotiator like Benjamin Franklin—the oldest delegate (at 81). And he sorely lacked the eloquence and flair of Thomas Jefferson, who was now in Paris serving as minister to France. It was Jefferson's Declaration of Independence that had served as the vision statement for this new nation that Madison thought now should have a better form of government. . . .
Clearing the Air — A Conservative Option for Spontaneous Pneumothorax

For the patient who presents with a large primary pneumothorax (i.e., a pneumothorax with no clear underlying lung disease), there is little evidence to guide management.1 There is general agreemen...