cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Directed ratchet transport in granular chains.

Directed-ratchet transport (DRT) in a one-dimensional lattice of spherical beads, which serves as a prototype for granular chains, is investigated. We consider a system where the trajectory of the central bead is prescribed by a biharmonic forcing function with broken time-reversal symmetry. By comparing the mean integrated force of beads equidistant from the forcing bead, two distinct types of directed transport can be observed—spatial and temporal DRT. Based on the value of the frequency of the forcing function relative to the cutoff frequency, the system can be categorized by the presence and magnitude of each type of DRT. Furthermore, we investigate and quantify how varying additional parameters such as the biharmonic weight affects DRT velocity and magnitude. Finally, friction is introduced into the system and is found to significantly inhibit spatial DRT. In fact, for sufficiently low forcing frequencies, the friction may even induce a switching of the DRT direction.
Building a Bridge to the Future: Some Points to Ponder

Since 1947 respiratory therapists (RTs) have provided clinical services to tens of millions of patients with pulmonary diseases in North America. In the United States, we, as RTs, evolved as a profession because of external factors, such as the healthcare environment and clinical needs of our
The Senning Procedure as Part of the Double-Switch Operations for Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries

Anatomic correction of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) has brought about the renaissance of the atrial switch. The Senning procedure has become the most widely used variant because of the lower incidence of pathway obstruction, baffle leak, and significant late arrhythmias. It is for this reason the Senning is discussed in detail here. The technical steps of the Senning are both ingenious and unique amongst cardiac surgical procedures. They must be made as safe and reproducible as possible because the procedure is no longer commonly performed and trainee surgeons may have only very limited exposure to these types of operation. In addition to its infrequency, there are additional technical issues regarding the atrial switch in the setting of ccTGA, particularly in relation to associated malposition of the heart and the conduction system. Outcomes for the Senning procedure in ccTGA have been very good, with early complications being extremely rare. Obstruction to the superior vena cava pathway has been recorded in less than 3% of cases and can usually be managed by interventional catheterization. Late problems with atrial arrhythmias have not been widely reported, but this may reflect the relatively short follow-up for these patient cohorts compared with older series in d-TGA.
Analysis and Design of Monolithic Rectangular Coaxial Lines for Minimum Coupling

Coupling through holes etched in a common wall between the neighboring surface micromachined rectangular coaxial lines is studied in this paper. Analytical models for single- and multiple-hole structures are developed using Bethe's small aperture theory, and excellent agreement with finite-element and finite-integration simulations is obtained. These models are used in a circuit-level simulator for efficient optimization of the selected multihole structure. An isolation test structure composed of 200-m center-to-center separated 300-m-tall 50-W rectangular coaxial lines is designed, built, and measured. Coupling levels below 55 dB over 1-cm-long coupling lengths are achieved throughout the -band. It is found that the probe radiation is more than 10 dB higher than the coupling through the common wall holes. This radiation severely affects the accuracy of the measurements and has to be considered when the coupling through the common walls is analyzed.
Determination of Caffeine and Sympathomimetic Alkaloids in Weight Loss Supplements by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography utilizing photodiode array detection is used for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and nine alkaloids from Citrus aurantium (CA) and ephedra (EA) contained in dietary weight loss products. Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban of EA, manufacturers have substituted CA in their weight loss formulations, usually combined with high levels of caffeine. The alkaloids contained in CA have some physiological effects similar to those of the EA alkaloids and are, therefore, cause for concern. Caffeine has been shown to potentiate the toxicity of the EA alkaloids. Recently, a federal judge overturned the absolute ban and allowed marketing of low levels (< 10 mg/day) of total EA alkaloids. To support an absolute ban, the FDA is now compelled to perform dose-dependent toxicology studies to determine the toxic dose(s) of EA. The toxicity of the CA compounds is largely unknown, especially in combination with caffeine. The described method enables quantitation over a wide range of product formulations. Recoveries range from 91% to 100% from a variety of fortified plant matrices.
On the Possibility of a Graphene Based Chemical Sensor

The availability of 2D-nanomaterials such as graphene flakes provides a new technique for chemical sensing in which the conductivity of the graphene film serving as the sensor material can be directly modulated in the presence of chemicals as in chemistors. In this paper we investigate the potential of atomically thin graphene flakes for chemical sensing application using gated field effect response of the material.
THE INACTIVATION OF INSULIN BY LIVER SLICES OF THE RAT

THE demonstration that extracts of rat liver contain an insulininactivating system (insulina.se) (Mirsky and Broh-Kahn, 1949) and an inhibitor of this system (insulinase-inhibitor (Mirsky, Simkin and Broh-Kahn, 1950) raises the possibility that the rate of insulin inactivation within the intact cell is determined by the balance of activity resulting from the mobilization of either of the two systems. Since the assay of the enzymatic activity of extracts may not represent the “working” activity of the cell prior to disintegration by homogenization, it was deemed essential to investigate the inactivation of insulin by relatively intact cells such as comprise surviving slices of liver. METHODS Fed male rats of from 150 to 200 gm in weight were decapitated and as much blood as possible was drained from the carcass of each animal. The liver was removed and placed in cold phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Slices of approximately 1 cm2 in size were prepared with a Stadie-Riggs apparatus (Studie and Riggs, 1944).
FLEXURAL PERFORMANCE OF CONCRETE BEAMS REINFORCED WITH FRP GRIDS

This paper evaluates the flexural performance of simply supported concrete beams subjected to four-point monotonic loading and reinforced with a 2D fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) grid. The main par...
Developmental changes in expression of genes involved in regulation of apoptosis in the bovine preimplantation embryo.

The early bovine preimplantation embryo is resistant to proapoptotic signals until around the 8- to 16-cell stage. We hypothesized that 2-cell embryos have higher amounts of antiapoptotic proteins and lower amounts of proapoptotic proteins when compared to embryos � 16 cells. Steady-state concentrations of mRNA for the antiapoptotic genes BCL2 and HSPA1A were higher for MII oocytes, 2-cell embryos, and 2-cell embryos treated with alpha-amanitin as compared to � 16-cell embryos. Steady-state concentrations of mRNA for the proapoptotic gene BAD increased in embryos � 16 cells. There was no significant effect of stage of development on steady-state mRNA concentrations of BCL2L1, DFFA ,o rBAX .U sing immunohistochemistry, it was found that BCL2 was present in greater relative concentrations for 2-cell embryos than for embryos � 16 cells. These results were confirmed by Western blotting. Relative amounts of immunoreactive BAX detected by immunofluorescence were lower for 2-cell embryos than for embryos � 16 cells. Using Western blotting, a high molecular weight (46 kDa) form of BAX was highest in � 16-cell embryos, intermediate in 2-cell embryos, and lowest in MII oocytes. There were no effects of stage of development on relative amounts of immunoreactive BCL2L1, HSPA1A, or BAD, as determined by immunofluorescence. Treatment of embryos with alpha-amanitin from Day 0 to Day 5 or Day 4 to Day 5 after insemination reduced activation of group II caspases and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling after treatment with the proapoptotic signal C 2 ceramide at Day 5 after fertilization. Thus, transcription of BAX or other proteins is required for acquisition of the capacity for apoptosis. Results support the idea that changes in amounts of BCL2 family members are important for the inhibition of apoptosis in the 2cell embryo and in the establishment of the capacity for apoptosis later in development. apoptosis, BAD, BAX, BCL2, embryo, HSPAIA, preimplantation embryo
AN ETHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON OPERANT CONDITIONING

Since 1960, American behavioral scientists and clinicians have widely endorsed behavior modification techniques based on learning theory. A large segment of these specialists has been particularly interested in the use of response-focused operant conditioning. Because of its popular acceptance, its nature, its effectiveness, and its rapid application as a clinical method for effecting behavioral change, operant conditioning deserves the ethical scrutiny that some scientists are now giving it. If ethics may be defined as "the systematic study of the nature of value concepts and of the general principles that justify the application of value judgments to human affairs" (L. J. West, p. 229, 1969), some scientists are wondering about this technique which aims to engineer preselected, specific changes in the behavior of human beings. With only rare exceptions it is the psychodynamically oriented scientists who are questioning the values inherent in operant conditioning. They are raising their questions not solely out of ignorance,
Routing linear permutations through the omega network in two passes

The problem of routing permutations through an omega network connecting a set of processors is studied in the framework of linear algebra. The class of linear permutations is defined, and it is shown that any linear permutation can be routed through the omega network in two passes. Furthermore, the address of the intermediary processor for the routing can be found in O(n/sup 4/) time, where n is the size of the address of a processor. The class of linear permutations contains the class of bit permute complement permutations, and the address of the intermediary processor for routing bit permute complement permutations can be found in O(n) time. >
Surgical treatment of intact thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms in the United States: Hospital and surgeon volume-related outcomes

Abstract Objective Surgical treatment of intact thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is crucial to prevent rupture but is associated with high perioperative mortality. We tested the hypothesis that provider volume of surgical treatment of TAAA is an important determinant of operative outcome. Patients and methods Clinical information regarding repair of intact TAAA in 1542 patients from 1988 to 1998 was obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a stratified discharge database of a representative 20% of US hospitals. Demographic data included age, sex, race, nature of admission, and comorbid conditions. Annual hospital volume of TAAA treated was grouped into terciles and defined as low (LVH; 1-3 cases [median, 1]), medium (MVH; 2-9 cases [median, 4]), or high (HVH; 5-31 cases [median, 12]). Annual surgeon volume was defined as low (LVS; 1-2 cases [median, 1]) or high (HVS; 3-18 cases [median, 7]). The primary outcome measure was in-hospital postoperative mortality. Secondary outcome measures included length of stay, and cardiac, pulmonary, and renal complications. Adjusted and unadjusted analyses were conducted. Results Overall mortality was 22.3%. Mortality improved over time. LVH and HVH differed in mortality rates (27.4% vs 15.0%; P P P P P = .004). Conclusions Greater hospital and surgeon TAAA treatment volumes contribute to better outcome. Given the relative high perioperative mortality associated with TAAA repair, regionalization of care to high-volume providers with consistently lower postoperative mortality deserves consideration by patients, physicians, and health care planners.
Porous polyethylene implant for cranioplasty and skull base reconstruction

Object. Cranial reconstruction after skull base surgery is important for restoration of function and cosmesis. The authors describe their experience with the Medpor porous polyethylene implant for cosmetic cranioplasty and reconstruction after skull base surgery. Methods. Medpor, a biocompatible implant, is flexible and can be contoured to facilitate surgical reconstruction of small to medium ( 8 cm) convexity or cranial base defects resulting from a variety of skull base approaches. This method provides similar cosmetic results to standard alloplast cranioplasty while decreasing operating time. The porous nature of the material allows ingrowth of soft tissue and bone to increase implant strength and decrease the risk of infection. This material can also be used safely in reconstructio n of the cranium and skull base adjacent to the paranasal sinuses. Conclusions. The authors have used the Medpor porous polyethylene implant in 611 standard cranial and skull base procedures and have achieved excellent cosmetic results and no implant-relat ed complications
Max Rubner and the Biopolitics of Rational Nutrition

Eager to move on after the divisive Sonderweg debates of the 1980s, historians of modern Germany have been busily elaborating a new central narrative around the notion of biopolitics. Aimed at producing a more powerful and productive society by regulating, optimizing, and even exterminating specific human populations, biopolitics has encompassed everything from housing reform, anti-smoking campaigns, and child vaccination programs to pro- and anti-natalist tax policies, national census taking, and the science of industrial hygiene. Identified by Michel Foucault and others as a general feature of all Western modernities, biopolitics has been a particularly fruitful concept for German historians, who have used it to trace the evolution of racial hygiene—the Nazi variant of eugenics and Germany's most infamous application of biopolitical principles—from a politically diverse group of Wilhelmine and Weimar social reformers. The very normality of these reformers, given the international context, has in turn allowed scholars to avoid labeling German modernity as deviant while at the same time framing the murderous dynamic of the Nazi years as a potential latent in modernity more generally. As Edward Ross Dickinson put it in an excellent review article recently, Germany has emerged from this reevaluation “not as a nation having trouble modernizing, but as a nation of troubling modernity.”
On the Auger Recombination Process in P-Type Lpe HgCdTe

Minority carrier lifetime measurements at 77K were carried out in ptype liquid phase epitaxial (LPE) Hg 1-x Cd x Te/CdTe (x = 0.22) using the photoconductive decay technique. Lifetimes of 20 to 7000 ns were obtained in samples with hole concentrations, p, in the range 10 14 to 10 16 cm -3 . The hole concentrations were determineg by analyzing the Hall data using a double-layer model. It was found that the minority carrier lifetime is inversely proportional to p 0 1.86 . This result demonstrates that the Auger mechanism may be the dominant recombination process in p-type LPE Hg 0.78 Cd 0.22 Te/CdTe. The temperature dependence of minority carrier lifetime was also measured between 10 and 200K for several samples.
Laissez-faire governance and the archetype laissez-faire city in the USA: exploring Houston

This article explores the governance of Houston, the archetype laissez‐faire city in the USA. The research examines the complexity of Houston's minimal government intervention rhetoric, which in pr...
Elastic finite‐difference modelling and imaging for earthquake sources

Summary 2-D modelling and imaging of line double-couple and spatially extended earthquake sources is demonstrated. Extrapolation of two-component (elastic) wavefields is implemented using finite differences. Running the extrapolatioin forward in time produces synthetic seismograms; running it backward in time produces an image of the source. Provided that the recording aperture is adequate, the source location, extent, orientation and radiation pattern may be recovered from the data. Synthetic examples include a normal fault at the edge of a rift, a reverse fault in a subduction zone and a line double couple in a cylindrical, whole-earth model.
A Career Interrupted

I t’s a great honor to receive a lifetime achievement award from the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) for contributions to management accounting. Thank you to Joe Fisher and his committee for nominating, and Teresa Libby for presenting this award here today. Thank you to the section president, Naomi Soderstrom, who called me from Australia to inform me that I had won this award. And thank you to the AICPA for its generous support and making this award possible. Thank you to my colleagues at the University of California, Davis; among them are Paul Griffin, Brad Barber, Don Palmer, Chih-Ling Tsai, and, especially, to Dan Weiss and Shannon Anderson. I am especially thankful to my friends in accounting, Peter Easton, Tom Stober, Bill Lanen, Jake Thomas, and John Lyon. Thank you to my wife, Kathleen Donelan-Maher, who was an incredible source of support and inspiration. I had a stroke approximately three years ago. My left brain was pretty much wiped out. I couldn’t speak, read, or write. I was blind in my right eye and my right arm curled up into a claw. But I learned many lessons from that experience. First, don’t have a stroke! If you do, or someone else has a stroke, get to the hospital immediately. For certain types of stroke, they can administer the drug called TPA (rhymes with CPA) if you get to the hospital within three hours. I didn’t make it, so I was on my own to recover. I have been recovering for three years. I had the wonderful support of my wife, Kathleen, who took a year off her career as a tax attorney. She carted me off to speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, and physical therapy. She helped me to negotiate the insurance stuff and university stuff. If you ever have a need to access the healthcare system, you need an advocate. Kathy was my advocate. Getting back to the lessons I learned from having a stroke, I learned to be more empathetic, particularly to people having healthcare problems or people having disabilities, like me. Going to the hospital once a week for language therapy, I saw all sorts of people in the hospital; 90 percent of them were worse than I ever was. I learned the value of forgiveness. And in particular, I forgive all those of you in the room and around who wrote harsh reviews of my work. Come to think of it, I probably deserved the harsh reviews.
Nirodha and the Nirodhalaksana of VallabhĀcĀrya

Cet article fait la critique du concept de nirodha tel qu'il est interprete par Vallabhācārya (1479-1531), le fondateur de la secte de la devotion a Krishna. Cette investigation s'appuie sur le traite de ce meme Vallabhācārya, le Nirodhalaksana (NL), dont une traduction annotee est donnee ici. Avant de s'aventurer dans les idees de Vallabhācārya, l'A. examine brievement l'histoire du mot nirodha tel qu'il est utilise dans les textes philosophiques indiens. Puis, au fil des idees et des mots du NL, il presente la philosophie et la terminologie de cette secte peu etudiee, et qui sont souvent bien differentes de celles des autres branches du Vedānta.
Explaining the Revenue Potential of VAT

An early empirical analysis of VAT revenue performance using data from countries that adopted the single-rate VAT.
Improved estimation of canonical vectors in canonical correlation analysis

Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) is a multidimensional algorithm for two datasets that finds linear transformations, called canonical vectors, that maximize the correlation between the transformed datasets. However, in the low-sample high-dimension regime these canonical vector estimates are extremely inaccurate. We use insights from random matrix theory to propose a new algorithm that can reliably estimate canonical vectors in the sample deficient regime. Through numerical simulations we showcase that our new algorithm is robust to both limited training data and overestimating the dimension of the signal subspaces.
Fear Becomes the Unintended Consequence of Creativity/Innovation

Creativity and innovation are essential elements for growth in organizations to achieve a competitive advantage. Transformational leaders often exhibit traits reflective of being creative and innovative, thus creating a cultural climate that fosters, embraces, and produces effective change. That productive organizational atmosphere can become toxic and initiate unintended behavioral consequences. People are psychologically and physiologically attracted to stability. The continual burden to develop effective creativity and innovation outcomes creates organizational and individual stress. Stress, which unconsciously produces fear, develops from the initial pressure to create ideas and subsequent effective innovations. Next, anxiety is heightened relative to performance expectations. Finally, a successful innovation becomes an expectancy barometer, adding supplemental stress and anxiety about future ideas and initiatives. The unintended consequence of fear can manifest into resistance and an unconscious inhibitor in producing creativity and innovation.
The Model Health Information Disclosure Act

The Model Health Information Disclosure Act about to be published in the upcoming December issue of the Journal of Corporation Law, is a model act that imposes a general duty upon all persons in possession of health care information not to disclose that information if disclosure would readily identify the subject of that information. While the Act applies to all persons (health care providers, employers, insurers, it incorporates a number of important exceptions to this general duty of nondisclosure. In some cases, the Act reflects a policy decision that the benefits of disclosure always outweigh the subject's privacy interest in the information. In those cases, disclosure is mandatory. In other cases, custodians are granted discretion whether to disclose information without the subject's consent. This, for all practical purposes, leaves the custodian to determine the appropriate balance between the benefits and burdens of disclosure.
Legionella: virulence factors and host response

Purpose of reviewLegionella pneumophila is a facultative intracellular pathogen and an important cause of community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. This review focuses on the latest literature examining Legionella's virulence strategies and the mammalian host response.Recent findingsRecent studie
Southeast Asia Library Conference: CONSAL

An important regional international conference that occurs every 3 years is CONSAL: the Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians. This conference brings together library and library-related professio...
Molecular dynamics computer simulations of calcium-alumino-silicate intergranular films between the basal and prism planes of α-Al2O3

Molecular dynamics computer simulations using a robust multibody potential were used to study the structure of the intergranular films (IGFs) formed between two different crystallographic orientations of α-Al 2 O 3 crystals. The simulations show a localized ordering of the IGF at the interface of both the basal and prism planes caused by preferential adsorption of specific ions from the IGF onto the crystal planes. However, the results of the adsorption have significantly different effects on crystal growth of the specific orientations. The preferential adsorption of Ca ions from the IGF onto the (0001) surface inhibit growth in the direction. However, Ca does not affect adsorption of O and Al from the IGF onto the (11 2 0) surface and potential growth of this orientation in the 2 0> direction. The results are consistent with experimental data regarding anisotropic grain growth in this system and provide an atomistic view of this behavior.
Helping Protect Software Distribution with PSWD

The success of new technologies depends on whether proper usage models can be found to support them. In this paper we present such a model for Intel's Software Guard Extensions (SGX) -- the leveraging of the technology to provide copy protection to software. We describe the system that we architected, designed and implemented, which transforms, in a fully automated manner, off-the-shelve applications into secured versions that run on top of the enclaves. Our system can be delivered as stand-alone, but also as a layer in existing software copy protection stacks.
Iron mineralogy and uranium-binding environment in the rhizosphere of a wetland soil.

Wetlands mitigate the migration of groundwater contaminants through a series of biogeochemical gradients that enhance multiple contaminant-binding processes. The hypothesis of this study was that wetland plant roots contribute organic carbon and release O2 within the rhizosphere (plant-impact soil zone) that promote the formation of Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxides. In turn, these Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxides stabilize organic matter that together contribute to contaminant immobilization. Mineralogy and U binding environments of the rhizosphere were evaluated in samples collected from contaminated and non-contaminated areas of a wetland on the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Based on Mossbauer spectroscopy, rhizosphere soil was greatly enriched with nanogoethite, ferrihydrite-like nanoparticulates, and hematite, with negligible Fe(II) present. X-ray computed tomography and various microscopy techniques showed that root plaques were tens-of-microns thick and consisted of highly oriented Fe-nanoparticles, suggesting that the roots were involved in creating the biogeochemical conditions conducive to the nanoparticle formation. XAS showed that a majority of the U in the bulk wetland soil was in the +6 oxidation state and was not well correlated spatially to Fe concentrations. SEM/EDS confirm that U was enriched on root plaques, where it was always found in association with P. Together these findings support our hypothesis and suggest that plants can alter mineralogical conditions that may be conducive to contaminant immobilization in wetlands.
NCBI prokaryotic genome annotation pipeline

Recent technological advances have opened unprecedented opportunities for large-scale sequencing and analysis of populations of pathogenic species in disease outbreaks, as well as for large-scale diversity studies aimed at expanding our knowledge across the whole domain of prokaryotes. To meet the challenge of timely interpretation of structure, function and meaning of this vast genetic information, a comprehensive approach to automatic genome annotation is critically needed. In collaboration with Georgia Tech, NCBI has developed a new approach to genome annotation that combines alignment based methods with methods of predicting protein-coding and RNA genes and other functional elements directly from sequence. A new gene finding tool, GeneMarkS+, uses the combined evidence of protein and RNA placement by homology as an initial map of annotation to generate and modify ab initio gene predictions across the whole genome. Thus, the new NCBI's Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline (PGAP) relies more on sequence similarity when confident comparative data are available, while it relies more on statistical predictions in the absence of external evidence. The pipeline provides a framework for generation and analysis of annotation on the full breadth of prokaryotic taxonomy. For additional information on PGAP see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/annotation_prok/ and the NCBI Handbook, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK174280/.
Abstract 171: The Role Of A Novel Measure Of Socioeconomic Status Using Individual Housing Data In Cardiovascular Research

Background: We recently developed an index of socioeconomic status (SES) termed HOUSES ( HOU sing-based index of S ocio E conomic S tatus) to overcome the absence of SES measures in common data sources. HOUSES has been associated with various childhood health outcomes to a similar extent as other measures of SES. Whether it is associated with outcomes in adults is unknown. To address this question, we assessed whether HOUSES was associated with mortality after MI. Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study among all Olmsted County, MN residents with MI who were prospectively identified using predetermined criteria from November 1, 2002 to May 31, 2006. HOUSES was formulated based on a z-score for housing value, actual square footage, and numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms and categorized into quartiles. The 1-year mortality rate post MI was compared among subjects with different SES by HOUSES based on a log-rank test. Results: Among 696 patients with MI; 623 (90%) were successfully geo-coded to address and real property data. Of these 623 subjects, 594 (95%) were white and 263 (42%) female; the mean age was 68±15 years. Spearman correlation coefficient between HOUSES and education level was 0.23 (p<0.001). Mortality rates at 1 year following MI were 20% (95%CI: 13 - 26), 18% (11 - 24), 14% (8 - 19), and 16% (10 - 21) for patients in the first (lowest SES), second, third, and fourth quartiles (highest SES) of the HOUSES index, respectively (p=0.032). This association between HOUSES and mortality after MI was primarily explained by age and comorbid conditions which were associated with HOUSES. Cardioprotective drugs such as aspirin, beta-blocker, and statins were not associated with HOUSES nor accounted for the association between HOUSES and mortality after MI. Conclusions: Despite the lack of a strong correlation with other SES measure (i.e. no redundancy), HOUSES may be useful for overcoming the paucity of conventional SES measures in commonly used datasets in epidemiological research concerning cardiovascular disease among adults.
Towards memory-optimized data shuffling patterns for big data analytics

Big data analytics is an indispensable tool in transforming science, engineering, medicine, healthcare, finance and ultimately business itself. With the explosion of data sizes and need for shorter time-to-solution, in-memory platforms such as Apache Spark gain increasing popularity. However, this introduces important challenges, among which data shuffling is particularly difficult: on one hand it is a key part of the computation that has a major impact on the overall performance and scalability so its efficiency is paramount, while on the other hand it needs to operate with scarce memory in order to leave as much memory available for data caching. In this context, efficient scheduling of data transfers such that it addresses both dimensions of the problem simultaneously is non-trivial. State-of-the-art solutions often rely on simple approaches that yield sub optimal performance and resource usage. This paper contributes a novel shuffle data transfer strategy that dynamically adapts to the computation with minimal memory utilization, which we briefly underline as a series of design principles.
Diagnosis treatment of cornual obstruction using a flexible tip guidewire

Proximal tubal obstruction, either unilateral or bilateral, is a frequent finding on hysterosalpingogram (HSG). Approximately two-thirds of the fallopian tubes resected for proximal tubal obstruction reveal an absence of luminal occlusion. The distinction between true pathologic occlusion and either spasm or plugging is crucial in determining therapy. We combined hysteroscopic cannulation of the proximal fallopian tube with laparoscopy in 11 patients with proximal tubal obstruction diagnosed by HSG and confirmed at laparoscopy. Hysteroscopic cannulation was able to be performed in 72% of the fallopian tubes attempted, and there was a postcannulation patency rate by HSG of 73%. Six of the 11 patients became pregnant after tubal cannulation and adjunctive distal tubal surgery. Hysteroscopic cannulation of the fallopian tube is a safe diagnostic procedure that can be used to identify those patients with true proximal occlusion, and may also serve as a therapeutic procedure in some of these patients.
Novel catch projection model for a commercial groundfish catch shares fishery

Abstract Fishery catch projection models play a central role in fishery management, yet are underrepresented in the literature. A wide range of statistical approaches are employed for the task, including multiple regression models, autoregressive methods, different classes of generalized linear models, mixed model approaches and many others. However, the applicability of these statistical approaches can be limited in specific cases of complex fisheries. We developed a new catch projection model for quota-based fisheries on the West Coast of the U.S. to forecast annual catch and landings for a variety of groundfish species in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. The model projects total and landed catch of each species by individual vessel and for the entire fishing fleet, using a combination of weighted mean vessel attainment rates and historical catch rates, and generates uncertainty intervals. It demonstrated an ability to produce highly accurate predictions at both fleet (R 2 = 0.9847) and vessel levels (R 2 = 0.8447). The model framework contains much built-in versatility, is generalizable enough to serve a variety of quota based applications, and the approach can be tailored to other fisheries around the world. With the proliferation of quota based management of commercial fisheries, tools such as this one are increasingly useful for sustainable management of fishery resources.
National spherical torus experiment (NSTX) engineering overview & research results 1999-2000

The NSTX is a new US facility for the study of plasma confinement, heating, and current drive in a low aspect ratio, spherical torus (ST) configuration. The ST configuration is an alternate magnetic confinement concept which is characterized by high beta (ratio plasma pressure to magnetic field pressure) and low toroidal field compared to conventional tokamaks, and could provide a pathway to the realization of a practical fusion power source. NSTX achieved first plasma in February 1999, and since that time has completed and commissioned all components and systems within the machine proper. Routine operation with inductively driven plasma current less than or equal to 1MA and flat top less than or equal to 0.3 seconds has been established, and the ohmic characterization phase of the research program is underway. Radio Frequency (RF) and Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) systems have been installed and are presently being commissioned. This paper describes the NSTX mission, gives an overview of the engineering design, and summarizes the research results obtained thus far.
Awake Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Aortic Rupture: A Case Series

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been proven to be the optimal therapy for patients with a ruptured descending thoracic aortic pathology. In these emergent settings, TEVAR provides a rapid delivery of treatment to an unstable patient with a lethal disease. Typically, the greatest challenge is maintaining hemodynamic stability until the time of graft deployment. In this report, we describe our technique of performing awake TEVAR for ruptured descending thoracic aortic disease.
Erik Ching, Stories of civil war in El Salvador: a battle over memory

Historian Erik Ching offers a unique and timely contribution with Stories of Civil War in El Salvador: A Battle Over Memory. Ching’s primary source base is the great number of memoirs, testimonials...
Severe traumatic brain injuries in children: Does the type of trauma center matter?

Abstract Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death among injured children. Depending on geographic location, and trauma resources, pediatric patients may be treated at pediatric (PTC), adult (ATC), or mixed trauma centers (MTC). The effect of the type of trauma center on outcomes in severe TBI is not known. Methods NTDB study (2007–2014), level 1 trauma centers, patients ≤14years with severe isolated TBI (head AIS≥3 and extracranial AIS≤2). Demographic, clinical and injury characteristics were abstracted. Logistic regression was used to compare outcomes between the three types of trauma centers. Results 10,402 patients met inclusion criteria. 4430 (42.6%) were admitted in PTC, 4044 (38.9%) in ATC and 1928 (18.5%) in MTC. Overall, 39.9% of patients had head AIS 3, 55.5% had AIS 4 and 4.6% AIS 5. Mortality was 3.2% (2.0% in PTC, 4.5% in ATC and 3.3% in MTC). On logistic regression, treatment at ATC was associated with significantly higher mortality than PTC (OR 1.55, p=0.011). There was no significant difference between PTC and MTC (p=0.394). There was no significant difference in mortality between the 3 types of trauma centers in the subgroups of patients with head AIS 3 or 5. However, patients with head AIS 4 treated at MTC had significantly lower mortality (OR 0.163, 95% CI 0.053–0.501, p=0.002). Conclusion Patients with isolated severe TBI treated at PTC have significantly better survival than patients treated at ATC, but not MTC. In the subgroup of patients with isolated TBI and a head AIS score of 4, patients treated at MTC have improved survival than those treated at PTC. Level of evidence III.
The Exile’s Epic Path to Healing: Authorial Intrusion in Purgatorio and Omeros

This paper explores why two seemingly dissimilar poets , Dante Alighieri and Derek Walcott , writing from different time periods and places, both utilized authorial intrusion and became secondary characters in their respective epic poems, the Purgatorio and Omeros . I propose that by inserting themselves into their stories as minor characters, they were able to address their keen sense of exile. Exile granted these poets a freedom not only in what they could write , but also in how they could write, by allowing them to merge the personal and the political. As minor characters in the larger dramas they created on the page, Dante and Walcott used their character personae to reclaim both their lost homeland and history; as secondary characters they were better able to challenge the sins and injustices of larger institutions and establishments of the time, namely the crisis of Church and State in Christendom for Dante, and colonialism and its lingering aftereffects for Walcott.
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF LIPID COMPONENTS TO THIOCARBAMATES AND ANTIDOTES

Thiocarbamate herbicide symptomology is consistent with a chronic loss of vital metabolic components on increasing toxicant concentration but not with acute blockage of a central reaction. S -Ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC) activity is representative of the thiocarbamate herbicides. EPTC inhibits epicuticular wax synthesis, chloroplast fatty acid synthesis (FAS), “aged” tissue FAS and olelyl desaturase (DE) activity. These EPTC inhibitions of FAS and DE are reversed by 1, 8-naphthalic anhydride (N) and N , N -diallyl-2, 2-dichloroacetamide (R). Protein synthesis is not involved. EPTC-induced betacyanin efflux from “aged” red beet discs is time, temperature and concentration dependent and is reversed by N and R. Wheat root phospholipid content is decreased by EPTC and soybean leaf complex lipid class fatty acid contents are quantitatively and qualitatively altered by μM EPTC. The major response is a drastic decrease in linolenic acid (18:3) content. At high light intensities, wheat and corn growth is inhibited by EPTC. In darkness, neither crop is susceptible to EPTC at the same concentrations which induce growth reductions in the light. Differential penetration is not involved. EPTC inhibits wheat growth more than chlorophyll and carote-noid synthesis. Variation in wheat chloroplast electron carrier ratios indicates inhibition of epoxidation. Inhibition of polyphenol oxidase by EPTC is reversed by N and R. Thus, only the FAS portion of the total plant lipid synthesis is inhibited by the thiocarbamate herbicides. Mitochondrial phospholipid requirements for respiratory control and oxidative phosphorylation indicate that FAS inhibition is sufficient to explain thiocarbamate herbicide toxicity. However, the light intensity influence on plant responses to EPTC indicates the existence of more than one thiocarbamate herbicide mode of activity.
Stabilizing Stochastic Decomposition

The principles developed in Chapter 3 lay the foundation for Stochastic Decomposition (SD) algorithms. We note that although the objective function approximations developed by an SD algorithm are considerably less accurate than the sample mean function, the SD approximations are sufficiently accurate to ensure asymptotic optimality for a subsequence of iterates. Moreover, the manner in which the objective function approximation is updated as additional observations of \( \bar{\omega } \) are obtained streamlines the computational requirements of the method. Example 3.2, which is depicted in Figure 3.4, illustrates the impact of the procedure for updating the cutting planes. Specifically, while this mechanism ensures that the objective function approximation is asymptotically accurate near the iterates, it also ensures that any given cutting plane will eventually become redundant.
Spent cellulose casings as potential feed ingredients for ruminants.

Cellulose casings are used to contain and form meat and poultry emulsions during the smoking and cooking process. Casings then are stripped from the cooked product and traditionally disposed of in landfills. Because of the bulk of the spent cellulose casings (SCC), rapid composting technology may be used to reduce bulkiness. The following SCC were evaluated in vitro and in vivo : fibrous ground (FG), fibrous composted (FC), NOJAX® ground (NG), and NOJAX® composted (NC). In vitro digestibility was determined by incubating SCC with mixed ruminal bacteria for 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h. In vivo data were collected using four ruminally cannulated Holstein steers in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Diets consisted of a 50 :50 ratio of alfalfa hay-wheat middlings with 5% corn-steep liquor. Diets contained no SCC (CON) or 25% (DM basis) of the FC, FG, or NC SCC substrate. Casings were high in structural carbohydrate and salt content but low in CP, ether extract, and lignin concentrations. In vitro OM digestibility at 24 h was highest (P <.05) for FC and lowest (P <.05) for NG ; FG and NC were intermediate. Composting tended to reduce fiber content and increase digestion. In vivo intakes and digestibilities were not adversely affected by inclusion of SCC in the diet. Thus, SCC have the ability to partially replace more traditional forages, such as alfalfa hay and wheat middlings, in high-fiber diets for growing beef cattle. Limitations in the use of SCC as a partial replacement of traditional feedstuffs will likely be because of high salt concentrations in the casings resulting from product brine chilling.
Massive Rectal Bleeding

“Massive bleeding” is defined as ‘exanguinating’ and/or hemodynamically significant bleeding, which persists and requires 4 to 6 units of blood over a period of 24 hours. Fortunately, truly massive bleeding from the colon and rectum is unusual. The vast majority of episodes of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding are self-limited and not hemodynamically significant. As with all types of GI bleeding, never neglect it or think it is trivial until a period of vigilant observation tells you whether the bleeding is minor or major, whether it is likely to have ceased or is protracted.
The deep biology of cognition: Moving toward a comprehensive neurodevelopmental model of Turner syndrome

Individuals with Turner syndrome (TS) often exhibit specific deficits in visual-spatial functions, arithmetical abilities, social cognition, and executive functions with preserved general intelligence and preserved or enhanced verbal skills. This unique pattern of cognitive strengths and weaknesses is accompanied by a well-described neuroanatomical phenotype characterized by decreased gray matter volumes in premotor, somatosensory, and parietal-occipital cortex, and increased volumes of the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. Why the absence of the second sex chromosome should produce these effects remains poorly understood. In this article, we propose that the TS research community leverage recent advances in neuroimaging, large-scale data-rich biology (omics), and patient-powered research registries to build a comprehensive neurodevelopmental model of TS.
18.4 A 0.55nW/0.5V 32kHz Crystal Oscillator Based on a DC-Only Sustaining Amplifier for IoT

An always-ON, stable, 32kHz crystal oscillator (XO) provides key time-keeping, synchronization, and sleep-timer functions in most electronic systems. Ultra-low power (ULP) consumption of the XO is critical in highly duty-cycled, energy-constrained systems such as Internet-of-things (IoT). Conventional XOs, typically implemented in the Pierce configuration, consume 10 to 100nW: a large enough transconductance, $g_{m}\, \gt \omega _{O}^{2} {\cdot C}_{L}^{2} {\cdot R}_{m}$, is needed to compensate for loss in the crystal’s motional resistance, $R_{m}$, and sustain oscillations at frequency $\omega _{O}$, across load capacitors $(C_{L}\, \gt 15$ pF in Fig. 18.4.1) that are inevitably large to ensure frequency stability over process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations. Recent 32kHz XO designs report sub-10nW power consumption [1] –[4] by either duty-cycling the sustaining amplifier [4] or by providing energy to compensate the crystal losses only via narrow pulses at the peaks of the XO waveform [1]–[3]. However, they require high-power components [2], complicated designs with multiple power domains [1]–[2] to properly time the pulses, or significant calibration and off-chip components [4] to reduce PVT sensitivity.
Eliminating S-Kink To Maximize the Performance of MgZnO/CdTe Solar Cells

Comparing to the traditional CdS buffer layer, zinc magnesium oxide (ZMO) offers the following advantages for CdTe-based thin-film solar cells: it introduces a spike to conduction band offset, whic...