cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sliding mode control technique for indirect current controlled active filter

This paper deals with a DSP based implementation of a three-phase active filter (AF) to compensate harmonics of a nonlinear load. The AF system suffers from the problems of switching ripples and these ripples contribute considerably to the Total Harmonics Distortion (THD) in the supply current. This investigation proposes a new and simple approach for the elimination of switching ripples. In closed loop control of the AF sliding mode control (SMC) technique is used. A current controlled voltage source inverter (CC-VSI) based configuration is used as an AF. A three-phase diode bridge rectifier with R-L load is considered as a nonlinear load. The prototype model of the AF is tested, steady state and transient results are given and discussed in detail.
Attracting surgical clerks to surgical careers: role models, mentoring, and engagement in the operating room.

Background Declining interest in careers in surgery among medical students has contributed to growing concerns about the surgical workforce. Although the medical student clerkship is likely to play an important role in shaping students' impressions of careers in surgery, little is known about the nature of this process. This study was designed to identify those aspects of the clerkship that are associated with medical students expressing an interest in surgery at the end of the clerkship. Study Design Medical students completed a survey at the end of the surgical clerkship assessing characteristics of the clerkship experience and students' level of interest in pursuing a career in surgery. The survey also included open-ended questions about students' reasons for having increased or decreased interest in surgery, which were systematically analyzed to complement quantitative findings. Results Students who sutured (p = 0.001), drove the camera (p = 0.01), stated that they felt involved in the operating room (p = 0.009), and saw residents (p = 0.03) and attendings (p = 0.0003) as positive role models were more likely to be interested in surgery. After adjusting for covariates, students who sutured in the operating room were 4.8 times as likely to be interested in surgery (95% CI, 1.5 to 14.9) and students who drove the camera were 7.2 times as likely to be interested in surgery (95% CI, 1.1 to 46.8). Conclusions Students who participate actively in the operating room and those who are exposed to positive role models are more likely to be interested in pursuing a career in surgery. To optimize students' clerkship experiences and attract top candidates to the field of surgery, clerkship directors should encourage meaningful engagement of students in the operating room and facilitate mentoring experiences.
Down-regulation of PPARgamma1 suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Background Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and is highly expressed in many human tumors including breast cancer. PPARγ has been identified as a potential target for breast cancer therapy based on the fact that its activation by synthetic ligands affects the differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of cancer cells. However, the controversial nature of current studies and disappointing results from clinical trials raise questions about the contribution of PPARγ signaling in breast cancer development in the absence of stimulation by exogenous ligands. Recent reports from both in vitro and in vivo studies are inconsistent and suggest that endogenous activation of PPARγ plays a much more complex role in initiation and progression of cancer than previously thought.
Two Aspects of Japanese and American Co-Worker Interaction: Giving Instructions and Creating Rapport

This study uses ethnographically contested microanalysis of natural conversation to investigate communication in the bicultural workplace. Audiotapes and videotapes were made of conversations between Japanese and Americans who work together at three firms in Tokyo. Transcriptions of the data are used to help locate misinterpretations that can arise from differing assumptions about the communicative task of giving instructions. The data also provide evidence for how co-workers create rapport despite cultural differences. Some of these group-bonding strategies are joking and teasing, cooperative complaining, conversations in a form of mixed English and Japanese ("code switching "), doing appropriate listening, and producing talk that has an echoing effect. The findings suggest that a context-sensitive, interactional approach to situated talk will enable us to locate pragmatic misunderstandings and other important communicative phenomena that other methods will fail to identify.
Interpersonal violence between 18th century Native Americans and Europeans in Ohio.

During the winter of 1778-1779, a garrison of 176 individuals lived within the walls of a Revolutionary era stronghold named Ft. Laurens on the banks of the Tuscarawas River, near the present-day town of Bolivar, Ohio. At least 21 individuals were buried in the fort's cemetery during its occupation, 13 of whom were supposedly killed and scalped by Native Americans while gathering firewood and foraging horses. The purpose of this study is to build on previous work by Sciulli and Gramly ([1989] Am J. Phys. Anthropol. 80:11-24) by adding a more detailed analysis of the traumatic lesions, in order to better understand what happened to the victims. Lesions were analyzed based on type, location, and dimensions, as well as their overall pattern on the skeleton. Results indicate that multiple blows to the cranium were common. Out of 12 observable crania, the order of blows could be determined in only one case. Eleven of 12 of the observable crania from ambush victims and four of the seven nonambush victims exhibited lesions consistent with scalping. Evidence of postcranial trauma was noted on four individuals: one was an ambush victim, and the other three were killed at other times. No evidence of gunshot wounds was found.
Direct, Rigid Designation and a Posteriori Necessity: A History and Critique

This paper aims to accomplish two interdependent goals, one historical and one philosophical. First, I aim to present a partial history of the theories of direct, causal or rigid reference as they appear in the New Theory of Reference, an account additional to that presented in [Smith, 1995a, 1995b]. Second, I aim to critically assess and further develop these theories.
Optimal Projection for Uncertain Systems (OPUS): A Unified Theory of Reduced-Order, Robust Control Design

OPUS (Optimal Projection for Uncertain Systems) provides new machinery for designing active controllers for suppressing vibration in flexible structures. The purpose of this paper is to review this machinery and demonstrate its practical value in addressing the structural control problem.
Customer Expectation and Perception in Hotels: An Empirical Study

"Customers or guests are always right" - this is the fundamental principle adopted by hoteliers under contemporary marketing. So it is necessary for hotel marketers to fulfill customers' expectations which not only make customers' satisfied but also enhances the market share. In service industry literature, SERVQUAL is the most widely used structure to measure customer expectations and perceptions so this paper is an attempt to identify the difference between expectation & perception of hotel customers with the help of Parasuraman's et al (1988) SERVQUAL model.
Cytokine expression in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle

Recent evidence suggests that diverse endometrial functions may be regulated by cytokines. In this report, the presence of protein and mRNA of cytokines were studied in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. The presence of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) alpha, interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta, interleukin receptor antagonist (IRAP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha proteins were demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining. The IL-1 alpha and TGF-alpha proteins were strongly expressed and IL-1 beta protein was weakly expressed in all the cells in the stroma as well as epithelial cells. IRAP was markedly expressed in the cells with morphological features of macrophages scattered in the stroma, and the expression of IL-6 protein was predominant in the endometrial epithelium. Diffuse cytoplasmic expression of IL-1 alpha in endometrial epithelium during the proliferative phase contrasted markedly with its enhanced luminal expression during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. In addition, the presence of the mRNA of these cytokines in endometrium was established throughout the entire menstrual cycle by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Abundant expression of cytokines in human endometrium emphasizes the significant roles that cytokines play in cell-cell interactions and in regulating endometrial functions.
Spin Coating Planarization Of Integrated Circuit Topography On A Rotating Disk

Polyimide is commonly used in the microelectronic industry for interconnection applications because of its ability to planarize features typically found on an IC chip. A mathematical model is developed to describe fluid flow on a rotating disk based on the principles of mass and momentum conservation. Constitutive relationships necessary for this model are proposed. Experimental data for polyimide precursor solutions are presented which enable the determination of parameters for the constitutive equations. This model is used to describe the film profiles over flat surfaces and near micron-sized features. Attention is focused on the coupling between mass transport and fluid flow as well as the effects of surface tension on film profiles over topographical features.
Weight Sets: Identification and Analysis

Standardized weights and measures play an important role in the economies of complex societies. Traditionally, archaeometrologists have employed individual weights as their basic units of analysis and, as a result, they have been able to address a limited range of questions concerning the economic role of weights. I propose a shift in emphasis from individual weights to sets of weights as the primary units of analysis. Using cases from the Aegean Bronze Age, I present a method for reconstructing sets of weights, offer criteria for their analysis and discuss the implications of this new perspective.
How Fox Squirrels Influence the Invasion of Prairies by Nut-Bearing Trees

The purpose of this study was to gain information on how squirrels respond to nuts buried on prairie-forest ecotones as a means of understanding how squirrels influence the invasions of prairies by nut-bearing trees. Of the three common species of nut-bearing riparian forest trees studied, seedlings of black walnut, Juglans nigra , the species whose nuts are most highly preferred by fox squirrels, Sciurus niger , tended to occur farthest from the forest edge onto the prairie. Squirrels removed walnuts buried in the woods in direct proportion to the density of the nuts buried, rather than in proportion to the distance the nuts were located from a conspecific nut-bearing tree. In contrast, when walnuts were experimentally buried at extremely high densities in prairies next to woods during a good mast year, squirrels removed those nuts more quickly that were nearer to the forest and did not remove nuts buried farther than 9 m from the edge of the canopy. Because walnut seedlings were observed at much greater distances from the forest edge, we speculate that squirrels may bury nuts on open prairies at considerable distances from forest cover in poor mast years, when the benefit of fewer nuts lost to other squirrels outweighs the added risk of predation in the prairie.
Curable Imidazolium Poly(ionic liquid)/Ionic Liquid Coating for Containment and Decontamination of Toxic Industrial Chemical-Contacted Substrates

A curable, imidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) coating system has been developed for the containment and decontamination of toxic industrial chemical-contacted surfaces. The curing times and mechanical properties of this poly(RTIL)/RTIL platform, which is based on alcohol–isocyanate step-growth polymerization chemistry, can be tuned by modifying the structures of the step-growth monomers, the stoichiometric ratio of linear (diol, A2) to cross-linking (triol, A3) RTIL monomers used, and the amount of free RTIL in the formulation. When applied to painted steel and rubber test substrates contacted with o-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) (a polychlorinated biphenyl simulant), a 50:50 (A2:A3) step-growth alcohol-RTIL monomer mixture cross-linked with a stoichiometric amount of a commercial di-isocyanate monomer (B2) and containing 43 wt % free RTIL in the coating, reduced the o-DCB vapor amount by 96–99% compared to the uncoated, o-DCB-contacted control samples. This peelable, flexible, solid coating...
The costs of treating hypertension: What are the long-term realities of cost containment and pharmacoeconomics?

Cost containment is an important force in medicine today, and there is ample reason to believe that it will soon target the No. 1 health problem for which Americans visit physicians--hypertension. The greatly streamlined (and cost-limited) initial evaluation of hypertensive patients suggested by the latest report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure is but one example. Acquisition cost is certainly an important factor in choice of a drug, but it is only one aspect of total cost of care. Limiting pharmacy benefits may produce short-term cost savings but may lead to unanticipated long-term increases in the healthcare budget. Prescribing large numbers of pills or an increased strength to allow pill-splitting and dispensing free medications provided by many pharmaceutical companies are ways some physicians are limiting the cost of antihypertensive drug therapy for patients. More research and sharing of information are necessary before easily generalizable conclusions can be drawn about the long-term pharmacoeconomics of hypertension therapy.
Macrophage secretion heterogeneity in engineered microenvironments revealed using a microwell platform

Secreted proteins play a major role in orchestrating the response of cell populations. However, a quantitative understanding of the dynamic changes in protein secretion in response to microenvironmental cues at the single cell level remains elusive. Measurements taken using traditional molecular techniques typically require bulk cultures, and therefore cannot capture the diversity within cell populations. Recent advances in chip-based technologies have shown that single cell measurements can provide important insights into the temporal dynamics of cellular activation and function, but these tools have had limited control of the adhesive cellular microenvironment. Here, we created a single cell cytokine detection platform that allows for controlled physical and adhesive microenvironment. We validated the platform by examining cytokine secretion of macrophages exposed to varying dosages of soluble stimulation and on different adhesive substrates. We also used the platform to demonstrate that cell shape affects single macrophage cytokine secretion. Together, these results show the ability of the microwell system to detect secreted cytokines from individual macrophages in controlled adhesive environments. This technique may be broadly applied to detect secreted products from any adherent cell type.
Crystallization of the $${\text{Mn}}^{{\text{II}}}[12{\text{-MC}}_{{\text{Mn}}^{{\text{III}}}{\text{(N)shi}}}{\text{-}}4]^{2+}$$ Mn II [ 12 -MC Mn III (N)shi - 4 ] 2 + Structure with 1,2,4-Triazolate from Methanol

The metallacrown (MC) dimer complex {MnII(OAc)(1,2,4-trz) $$[12{\text{-MC}}_{{\text{Mn}}^{{\text{III}}}{\text{(N)shi}}}{\text{-}}4]$$ (CH3OH)4.46(H2O)0.54}2·1.53CH3OH·6.47H2O, 1, where −OAc is acetate, 1,2,4-trz is triazolate, and shi3− is salicylhydroximate, has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 10.9139(17) A, b = 28.319(4) A, c = 15.675(2) A, α = 90.00°, β 93.362(3)°, γ = 90.00°, V = 4836.4(13) A3, and Z = 2. The compound is an example of a $$12{\text{-MC}}_{{\text{Mn}}^{{\text{III}}}{\text{(N)shi}}}{\text{-}}4$$ complex crystallized from methanol in the presence of a basic nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocycle. The dimer formation is a result of the two 1,2,4-triazolate anions being able to form N1, N2, N4-bridges between ring and central cavity manganese ions thus linking two neighboring MCs. An individual MC unit of 1 is nearly planar as evident from the average angle between the axial oxygen or nitrogen atoms, the ring MnIII ion, and the calculated centroid of the oxime oxygen atoms being 90.12° about the MC ring. This manuscript provides a structural description of a manganese-based MC dimer with the composition {MnII(OAc)(1,2,4-trz) $$[12{\text{-MC}}_{{\text{Mn}}^{{\text{III}}}{\text{(N)shi}}}{\text{-}}4]$$ (CH3OH)4.46(H2O)0.54}2 ·1.53CH3OH·6.47H2O, where two 1,2,4-triazolate (trz) anions bind in a N1,N2,N4 fashion and form bridges between two neighboring MCs
PATHOTYPE PROFILE OF Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae ISOLATES FROM THE RICE ECOSYSTEM IN JAVA

At present, bacterial leaf blight of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is highly damaging to rice production in Indonesia as most of the existing commercial rice varieties are susceptible to the existing pathotypes of the bacteria. To solve such problems, varietal rotation should be based on information on the existence and dominance of local pathotypes in a particular rice ecosystem. To obtain this information, a total of 117 isolates of X. oryzae pv. oryzae, collected from West Java, Central Java, and Yogyakarta, were evaluated for their pathotype variation on five differential rice varieties during the dry season of 2000. When disease severity was 11%, was susceptible (S). The data indicated that 3.42% of the isolates were pathotype III, 12.82% were pathotype IV, and 83.76% were pathotype VIII. In West Java, the bacterial pathotypes III, IV, and VIII were 4.94%, 14.81%, and 80.25%, respectively. In low elevation areas, 4.94%, 9.88%, and 45.68% were pathotypes III, IV, and VIII, respectively and in medium areas, 4.94% were pathotypes IV and 34.57% were pathotype VIII. In Central Java, no pathotype III was found, while pathotypes IV and VIII were as much as 4.52% and 90.48%, respectively. In low elevation areas, no pathotypes III was recovered, and a total of 9.53% and 76.19% were identified as pathotypes IV and VIII, respectively, and in medium areas only pathotype VIII (14.29%) was identified. In Yogyakarta, pathotypes IV and VIII were found. In low elevation areas, 6.67% and 93.33% were pathotypes IV and VIII, respectively and in medium areas, 14.29% and 85.71% were pathotypes IV and VIII, respectively. The data indicated that variation in pathotype composition over different locations was obvious and locally specific resistant varieties to the disease are needed in the management of this important bacterial disease in rice.
Broadband, high-resolution quantum cascade laser multi-heterodyne spectroscopy for in-situ and remote chemical detection

Recent progress in broadband high-resolution quantum cascade laser multi-heterodyne spectroscopy for in-situ and remote detection of narrow- and broad-band absorbers. Broadband as well as high-resolution spectroscopic sensing capabilities will be presented.
A Robust Electrochemical CO 2 Sensor Utilizing Room Temperature Ionic Liquids

Next generation CO2 gas sensors require an enhancement of sensitivity and invariance with regards to CO 2 detection and environmental factors. For this study, we report and discuss the effective application of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) toward the development of a stable electrochemical CO2 sensor that provides increased valuation toward commercial applications. We have investigated two RTILs on both gold and carbon paste electrodes on printed circuit boards over four different CO2 concentrations. We also have investigated another RTIL on a gold electrode for initial repeatability effects at two CO2 concentrations. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry, we compare and contrast the initial response behaviors for these RTILs for these sensors. This analysis has aided in the identification of robust combinations of RTIL/electrode toward environmental CO2 sensors.
Market Prorates as Restrictions on Internal Trade

My subject involves the view that prorate laws, namely, laws which permit allocation of the available markets to the members of a producer group, are trade barriers which are likely to have effects other than those more obvious effects for which they are imposed. I am thinking not only of the type of law represented by the California Prorate Act, but of the proration features of the United States Marketing Agreements Act of 1937 as well. I am not aware that other states than California have as yet enacted such legislation, but if one law succeeds, others will come. The term "trade barriers" probably brings to the minds of most Americans some such older barriers as quarantines or tariffs. Quarantines have long been used for such laudable purposes as that of preventing the spread of insect pests or diseases. They have doubtless been retained in some cases after the danger was past, to afford protection against outside supplies. At any rate, producers have commonly realized that such quarantines were offering such economic protection when in force. Tariffs have become familiar after a century of discussion, first as developers of infant industries, later as alleged protectors of the American standard of living for labor employed by established industries, etc. Almost always such discussion has involved the thought of protecting "us" against "them." In the case of prorate schemes, the aim is to protect "us" in a particular producer group against "ourselves"; that is, to promote action by "ourselves" similar to that which "we" would take if "we" were "I." Obviously, that would make "us" a monopolist. The use of any monopoly power by a group of competitors in a given area is quite certain to lead to trade adjustments between regions. The older protectionist schemes were designed to keep goods out of the protector's market lying within their own borders. The newer forms under the various surplus control schemes seek to apply the same sort of protection to the individuals in the producing group as regards their own markets, either within their own borders, or outside. Thus, the California lemon growers have long been interested in tariff laws designed to protect their domestic market
Pain control with continuous infusion preperitoneal wound catheters versus continuous epidural analgesia in colon and rectal surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective To compare continuous infusion preperitoneal wound catheters (CPA) versus continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) after elective colorectal surgery. Methods An open-label equivalence trial randomizing patients to CPA or CEA. Primary outcomes were postoperative pain as determined by numeric pain scores and supplemental narcotic analgesia requirements. Secondary outcomes included incidence of complications and patient health status measured with the SF-36 Health Survey (Acute Form). Results 98 patients were randomized [CPA (N = 50, 51.0%); CEA (N = 48, 49.0%)]. 90 patients were included [ CPA 46 (51.1%); CEA 44 (48.9%)]. Pain scores were significantly higher in the CPA group in the PACU (p = 0.04) and on the day of surgery (p Conclusions Continuous epidural analgesia provided superior pain control following colorectal surgery in the PACU and on the day of surgery. The secondary endpoints of return of bowel function, length of stay, and adjusted SF-36 were not affected by choice of peri-operative pain control.
Home, Community-Based, and Specialized Settings

Mindfulness and meditation programs for adolescents are sometimes offered in the context of home, community-based, and specialized settings. Home settings may be used to provide meditation training for adolescents who require individualized treatment for conditions such as autism spectrum disorders or behavioral disorders related to genetic conditions. Other programs, such as The Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s programs, are offered in diverse communities in response to traumatic circumstances facing adolescents in those communities. Mindfulness and meditation practices also are used as aspects of treatment in residential centers, juvenile justice centers, and correctional settings. This chapter examines the research emerging from mindfulness and meditation interventions for adolescents in home, community-based, and specialized settings. A case example illustrates the application of a mindfulness-based program for adolescents in a juvenile justice setting.
Data-based Iterative Human-in-the-loop Robot-Learning for Output Tracking

Abstract This article develops a data-based approach for improved iterative robot-learning for output-tracking from novice human-in-the-loop demonstrations. While nominal human-response models can be used to improve iterative learning, the convergence can be slow due to variations in each human operator. The major contribution of this article is to use data acquired during iterative learning to learn the unknown human intent as well as the human-response model, and thereby, improve convergence when learning future trajectories. The proposed method is applied to a robot arm, and results indicate both an increase in the range of frequencies where tracking is achieved (from 0.2 Hz to 0.5 Hz) and an increase of 103% in the tracking error reduction for the same number of iterations.
Single-input-single-output H ∞ control with time domain constraints

Standard H∞ optimization cannot handle specifications or constraints on the time response of a closed loop system exactly. In this paper the problem of H∞ optimization subject to time domain constraints over a finite horizon is considered. Following an idea from Helton and Sideris (1989, IEEE Trans. Aut. Control, AC-34, 427–434) the problem is transformed into a finite dimensional optimization program that is shown to be convex although generically nondifferentiable. The objective function is constructed via state space methods and several properties of the optimal constrained controller are discussed together with a robust algorithm for computation. It is shown how satisfying the constraints over a finite horizon can imply overall good behavior.
Art Education in Colonial India: Implementation and Imposition

Historical inquiry in art education forms the basis of any research undertaken in the field. It is on this path that we discover ignored moments and personalities and clarify challenging ideas, thus approaching history from multiple perspectives. This historical study attempts to reframe the past of colonial Indian art education within the broader context of art education histories. It raises questions about the teaching of drawing and negotiation of teaching practices in between the cultures of the colonizer and the colonized and analyzes the similarities and differences between the art education practices of England and India. The study offers a powerful reference point from which present day practices for teaching of drawing and issues of culturally embedded pedagogy in art schools in India can be examined. By reframing the colonial past, this study invites students, especially South East Asian students, to establish a relationship with their past in the postcolonial context. It is an historical, theor...
Technological disruption in foreign language teaching: The rise of simultaneous machine translation

The fear of technology replacing jobs can be traced back to Aristotle, who, before great technological advances existed, ventured that machines may one day end the need for human labor (Campa 2014). In the current era, there is overwhelming evidence of technological unemployment. This evidence comes in the form of jobs that were once common, but have largely been replaced by technology such as switchboard operators, travel agents, booth cashiers, bank tellers, and typists. These jobs still exist, but their numbers have declined sharply because they were easily replaced by technology. Statistical models indicate future job losses in these areas will continue with booth cashiers at an 84% risk of losing their jobs, travel agents at a 10% risk, and typists at an 81% risk (Frey & Osborne 2013). These, generally, entry level positions do not require specialized training or advanced degrees, which may explain some of the job losses. However, current trends indicate that training and advanced degrees do not necessarily offer protection against technological unemployment, with most analysts predicting that technology will soon replace lawyers (Markoff 2011), pharmacy technicians, and accountants (Frey & Osborne 2013). Unemployment in career sectors such as these will have adverse effects not only on the workers, but also on the systems that support them. When the need for lawyers, pharmacists, and accountants collapses, what will happen to law schools, colleges of pharmacy, and accounting departments that train specialists in these fields? What will happen to the support systems that depend on these jobs or the scholars that move these fields forward through research activities?
Impact of Peppermint Therapy on Dysphagia and Non-cardiac Chest Pain: A Pilot Study

Due to its smooth muscle relaxing properties, peppermint oil (PO) may relieve dysphagia and chest pain due to esophageal motility disorders. To explore the impact of PO on dysphagia and/or chest pain in patients referred for motility testing. Patients initiated on PO for dysphagia and/or chest pain from 2013 to 2016 were identified. We excluded patients with obstructing esophageal lesions, patients lost to follow-up, and those with preexisting cardiac conditions. Concentrated PO was given as commercially available dissolvable peppermint tablets; two tablets before meals were prescribed to patients with dysphagia and on an as-needed basis for patients with chest pain. Patient-reported symptom response was assessed using a modified five-point Likert scale. Thirty-eight patients were included. Twenty-four patients (63%) reported improvement; 12 were much better and 12 were slightly better. Fourteen experienced no change and none reported feeling worse. Based on pre-treatment HRM, patients with distal esophageal spasm (DES) (n = 10) and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) (n = 8) appeared to demonstrate the best subjective improvement (83% and 100%, respectively) (P < 0.05). PO appears to provide symptomatic relief in some patients with dysphagia and CP. Presence of a well-defined manometric disorder, particularly DES or EGJOO, appeared to predict response.
Perceptions of changes in clinical, informational, and supportive relationships after end of treatment among parents of young childhood cancer survivors.

Background Parents of childhood cancer patients experience changes in relationships with their health-care team as the child transitions from treatment to long-term survivorship (LTS). These changes may affect parent receptivity of survivorship-health-related programs, yet little is known about the experience of changing clinical relationships for parents as treatment ends and children transition into LTS. Methods In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 English-speaking parents of childhood cancer survivors less than 13 years old who were greater than 1-year posttreatment. Audiotaped, transcribed interview content was analyzed using emergent themes grouped and refined in a process of multistaged constant comparison. Results There was a consensus among parents regarding the emotional stressors of the period immediately after the end of treatment. Regardless of positive or negative recollection of treatment, parents commonly viewed their health-care team with affection and this period as one of stability and security. Transitioning off treatment was viewed as a severe disruption of the security of weekly, treatment-related contact with nurses, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and physicians. LTS was generally viewed as presenting lower levels, but new types of stress as new, psychosocial late effects were seen to emerge. Clinical needs shifted to prevention and late-effect management. Conclusion Parents of young childhood cancer survivors experience a similar emotional trajectory from treatment to transitioning off treatment and into LTS. This period is seen by parents as uniquely distressing because it represents a disruption of the hard-won safety represented by regular clinical relationships.
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting anti-Echinostoma trivolvis (Trematoda) IgG in experimentally infected ICR mice: cross-reactivity with E. caproni

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) utilizing surface glycocalyx-membrane crude antigen of adultEchinostoma trivolvis was developed for the detection of circulating anti-E. trivolvis IgG in experimentally infected ICR mice. An antigen concentration of 10.0 μg/ml was used, and it was possible to detect anti-E. trivolvis IgG at a dilution of 1/3,200. On day 10 postinfection (p.i.), all infected mice had anti-E. trivolvis IgG reactive with the surface glycocalyx antigen. The IgG level varied over a 40-day period, showing a timedependent pattern with a peak on day 16 p.i. The results concerning reciprocal cross-reactivity indicate that adultE. trivolvis andE. caproni share at least some of the surface antigens and express species-specific antigenic determinants in ICR mice at similar, nonsignificantly (P=0.76) different levels.
Hemodynamic consequences of a multilayer flow modulator in aortic dissection

Aortic dissections are challenging for it remains perplexing to determine when surgical, endovascular, or medical therapies are optimal. We studied the effect of the multilayer flow modulator (MFM) device in patients with different forms of type-B aortic dissections. CT scans were performed pre-, immediately post-MFM implantation, and multiple times within a 24-month follow-up. Three-dimensional reconstructions were created from these scans and the multilayer or single-layer mesh device placed virtually into the true lumen. We observed that MFM device can sufficiently restore flow perfusion, reduce the false lumen, eliminate local flow recirculation, and reduce wall shear stress distribution globally. Single-layer devices can reduce false lumen dimensions; however, they generate local disturbance and recirculation zones in selected areas at specific time points. Moreover, in polar extremes of dissection, the MFM device restored flow to vital organs perfusing vessels independent of effects on luminal patency. Management of aortic dissections should focus on modulation of blood flow, suppression of local recirculation, and restoration of vital organ perfusion rather than primarily restoring vascular lumen morphology. While the latter restores the geometry of the true lumen, only the former restores homeostasis. Graphical abstract.
Data-Driven Edge Intelligence for Robust Network Anomaly Detection

The advancement of networking platforms for assured online services requires robust and effective network intelligence systems against anomalous events and malicious threats. With the rapid development of modern communication technologies, artificial intelligence, and the revolution of computing devices, cloud computing empowered network intelligence will inevitably become a core platform for various smart applications. While cloud computing provides strong and powerful computation, storage, and networking services to detect and defend cyber threats, edge computing on the other hand will deliver more benefits in specific yet potential critical areas. In this paper, we present a study on the data-driven edge intelligence for robust network anomaly detection. We first highlight the main motivations for edge intelligence, and then propose an intelligence system empowered by edge computing for network anomaly detection. We further propose a scheme on the data-driven robust network anomaly detection. In the proposed scheme, four phases are designed to incorporate with data-driven approaches to train a learning model which is able to detect and identify a network anomaly in a robust way. In the performance evaluations with data experiments, we demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves the robustness of trained model and the efficiency on the detection of specific anomalies.
Beyond the Valve and into the Muscle: A Review of Coexisting Aortic Stenosis and Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis

The concurrence of transthyretic cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) and severe aortic stenosis (AS) is being increasingly identified, however the long-term trajectory of these patients remains unclear. ...
Near-Infrared Array Receiver for Real-Time 3D Imaging Application

In this paper, a near-infrared array receiver consisting of two 16-element linear-arrays InGaAs reach-through avalanche photodiodes and readout circuit assembled by system-level integrated package was developed for 3D realtime imaging. The readout circuit includes 32 transimpedance amplifiers, double-threshold comparators and time-to-digital converters (TDC). With transimpedance amplifier based on closed-loop structure of inverter-like amplifier circuit, and post-stage differential output amplifier, the readout circuit can achieve high gain, large bandwidth and low noise. The double threshold comparator was used to solve walking error. With two-step architecture combining 8-bit coarse counting and 6-bit fine counting, the dynamic range of the receiver is increased by coarse counting while its resolution is improved by combining fine counting. When the system emits a laser pulse, the receiver starts timing and converts the echo signal to a voltage signal. When a stop timing signal is generated, the system quantifies the time of flight to 14-bit digital signal. The developed receiver demonstrates the pulse responsivity of $\mathbf{5.4}\times 10^{5}\ \mathbf{V}/\mathbf{W}$ , the 3dB bandwidth of 142.9 MHz, the minimum detectable optical power of about 26.7 nW $(\mathbf{SNR}=10)$ , and the time resolution of 200 ps. When the receiver is applied to a lidar system, where a 1550 nm semiconductor laser illuminates the target scene with pulse width shorter than 10 ns and repetition frequency more than 20 kHz, combining timing control with software algorithm, we get a clear environmental 3D image in real time.
Search for CME in U+U and Au+Au collisions in STAR with different approaches of handling backgrounds

Abstract The chiral magnetic effect (CME) refers to charge separation along a strong magnetic field between left- and right-handed quarks, caused by interactions with topological gluon fields from QCD vacuum fluctuations. We present two approaches to handle the dominant elliptic flow (v2) background in the three-particle correlator (Δγ112), sensitive to CME. In the first approach, we present the Δγ112 and Δγ123 measurements in U+U and Au+Au collisions. While hydrodynamic simulations including resonance decays and local charge conservation predict that Δγ112 scaled by Npart/ν2 will be similar in U+U and Au+Au collisions, the projected B-field exhibits a distinct difference between the two systems and with varying Npart. Therefore, U+U and Au+Au collisions provide configurations with different expectations for both CME signal and background. Moreover, the three-particle observable Δγ123 scaled by Npart/ν3 provide baseline measurement for only the background. In the second approach, we handle the ν2 background by measuring Δγ112 with respect to the planes of spectators measured by Zero Degree Calorimeters and participants measured by Time Projection Chamber. These measurements contain different amounts of contributions from CME signal (along B-field, due to spectators) and ν2 background (determined by the participant geometry). With the two Δγ112 measurements, the possible CME signal and the background contribution can be determined. We report such a measurement in Au+Au collisions at s N N = 27 GeV with the newly installed event plane detector, and report the new findings in U+U system where the spectator-participant plane correlations are expected to differ from those in Au+Au collisions.
Toward an Understanding of the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the Recidivism of Serious Juvenile Offenders

Research has indicated juvenile delinquents with more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are more likely to be recidivate. However, much of this research has relied upon limited samples, such as those serving a community-based sentence. The current study examined the impact of exposure to ACEs on recidivism among a cohort of serious state incarcerated juvenile offenders. The result indicate ACEs failed to predict post-release recidivism, measured as either any rearrest or felony rearrest. Instead, measures indicative of juvenile justice history, such as prior adjudications, length of incarceration, and the rate of disciplinary misconduct while incarcerated were most relevant in an explanation of post-release recidivism. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
Biasing Neurotensin Receptor Signaling to Arrest Psychostimulant Abuse

Biasing G protein-coupled receptor signaling with ligands that promote select pathways is emerging as a powerful approach for therapeutic drug discovery. In this issue of Cell, Slosky et al. report a β-arrestin-biased neurotensin receptor ligand that may curtail drug abuse without the side effects induced by G protein signaling.
A Spatial Life Cycle Cost Comparison of Residential Greywater and Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Decentralized, household water systems have been increasingly integrated into the centralized urban water networks to address challenges related to water stress and shortage, sustainable water prod...
Problems: First-Order Circuits

This chapter helps both groups of underprepared and knowledgeable undergraduate students taking courses in electrical circuit analysis. In this chapter, the basic and advanced problems of capacitive and inductive first-order circuits are presented. Each type of the first-order circuit comprises one or one equivalent energy-saving component (a capacitor or inductor) and a combination of other components including resistors, independent voltage and current sources, and dependent voltage and current sources. Like the other chapters of this textbook, the problems are categorized in different levels based on their difficulty levels (easy, normal, or hard) and calculation amounts (small, normal, or large). Additionally, the problems are ordered from the easiest problem with the smallest calculations to the most difficult problems with the largest calculations.
Syndromic Epithelial Polyps of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Clinical and histological findings of non-syndromic epithelial polyps of the GI tract are reviewed in this chapter, focusing on key diagnostic features for esophageal squamous papilloma, glycogenic acanthosis, gastric hyperplastic and fundic gland polyps, subtypes of gastric adenoma including pyloric gland adenoma and oxyntic gland adenoma, gastritis/colitis cystica profunda/polyposa, and inflammatory polyp. Key morphological features and clinical significance are discussed for sessile serrated lesion with and without cytologic dysplasia, subtypes of colonic hyperplastic polyp, subtypes of adenomatous polyp, and high-grade dysplasia arising in an adenomatous polyp. Other topics discussed in this chapter include “pseudoinvasion” versus true invasion, key histologic features to be reported for an adenomatous polyp with invasive adenocarcinoma, and stratification of colonic polyps for risk of progression to adenocarcinoma, as well as surveillance recommendations.
Marine microbial Mn(II) oxidation mediates Cr(III) oxidation and isotope fractionation

Abstract The stable chromium (Cr) isotope system has been used extensively over the past decade as a paleoredox proxy. The prevailing view has been that Cr oxidation is essentially limited to terrestrial settings and that the Cr isotope system is thus ideally suited to track atmospheric oxygenation. Further, although manganese(III,IV) oxide minerals (MnOx) are generally accepted to be the primary naturally occurring oxidants for the oxidation of insoluble Cr(III) to Cr(VI) and may fractionate Cr isotopes, there are conflicting reports in the literature regarding the direction and magnitude of Cr isotope fractionation by MnOx. We investigated Cr isotope fractionation during coupled Mn(II) and Cr(III) oxidation by laboratory cultures of marine Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria and by natural microbial communities in seawater samples collected from the seasonally low-oxygen zone of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA. We found evidence for rapid marine Cr(III) oxidation linked to microbial Mn(II) oxidation. We also show that the initial partial oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) can produce an isotope fractionation of 0.8 ± 0.1‰. Further, given that Cr(VI) reduction and sequestration into marine sediments can lead to large isotopic fractionations (>1‰), evidence for rapid Cr oxidation in marine environments contradicts the idea that Cr isotope variations in the sedimentary record must be linked to subaerial oxidative weathering. As oxygen can accumulate in the surface ocean even under an anoxic atmosphere, these results call for a reevaluation of how we can link Cr isotope values to atmospheric oxygenation.
Fuel Additive and Blending Approaches to Reducing Nox Emissions from Biodiesel

Blending of 20% biodiesel with petroleum diesel is well known to cause a significant reduction in PM emissions but also can cause NOx emissions to increase by 1 to 3 percent. This study has examined a number of approaches for NOx reduction for 20% biodiesel/petroleum diesel blends (B20). These approaches included blending with a nominally 10% aromatic diesel, zero aromatic Fisher-Tropsch (FT) diesel, and use of fuel additives. Biodiesel produced from soybean oil and from yellow grease was examined. Testing was conducted in at 1991 DDC Series 60 truck engine using the U.S. heavy-duty FTP. Emissions of NOx, PM, CO, and THC are reported. Relative to certification diesel the B20 fuels exhibited 20% lower PM emissions but 3.3 and 1% higher NOx emissions for soy and yellow grease based blends, respectively. The 10% aromatic fuel exhibited 12% lower PM and 6% lower NOx. FT diesel had the lowest emissions with a 33% reduction in PM and 16% lower NOx. For B20 (soy+cert fuel), lowering of the base fuel aromatic content from 31.9 to 7.5% lowered NOx by 6.5%. Linear interpolation between data points for B20 produced using cert fuel and produced using 10% aromatic fuel suggests that, if all other factors are equal, a base fuel having 25.8 aromatics should provide a NOx neutral B20 (relative to certification diesel having 31.9% aromatic content). Note that the cetane numbers of the certification diesel and the 10% aromatic diesel are essentially the same. Blending of FT diesel may produce a NOx neutral fuel at biodiesel content as high as 55%. The cetane enhancers di-tert-butyl peroxide and 2-ethyl-hexyl nitrate are both effective at reducing NOx from B20 blends in this engine, while retaining the PM emission benefits of biodiesel. Ferrocene was also examined but demonstrated no emission benefits.