cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Host-feeding patterns of suspected West Nile virus mosquito vectors in Delaware, 2001-2002

ABSTRACT Paucity of data on host-feeding patterns and behavior of 43 mosquito species that are reported as suspected West Nile virus (WN) vectors has limited full evaluation of their vectorial capacity. Recent studies addressing this issue need additional confirmation and should also be expanded to include collections of species or subpopulations attracted to humans. We used 4 types of collection methods to collect mosquitoes, including omnidirectional Fay–Prince traps, Centers for Disease Control–type light traps, gravid traps, and human-landing collections. Mosquitoes were collected during 2 full WN transmission seasons in 2001 and 2002, at 9 different sites across Delaware. We collected from various habitats, including salt marshes, brackish water areas, woodlands, a tire dump, a racetrack, and a mushroom farm. Blood-meal analyses were performed on parous mosquitoes by using a sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We tested primarily for 5 common host species, including rabbits, dogs, deer, ...
Differential and Distributional Effects of Energy Efficiency Surveys: Evidence from Electricity Consumption

Our research investigates the magnitude of the effect of residential energy efficiency audit programs on later household electricity consumption. These programs are designed to increase awareness of household energy consumption with personalized feedback that will eventually lead to behavioral changes. In this type of survey, there is only a one-time interaction between households, which participate voluntarily, and the surveyors. The objective of this study is to determine whether and to what extent such surveys lead to behavioral changes. We argue that the perceived complexity of the survey feedback will determine whether the subsequent behavior is sustainable. Then we analyze how persistent the intervention is over time and whether the effects decay or intensify. However, the main evaluation problem involving these surveys is self-selection bias. To correct for this bias, we propose two non-parametric estimators by using a kernel-based propensity score matching approach. In the first method, we use "difference-indifferences" (DID) estimations. The second estimator is quantile DID, which produces estimates on distributions. The comparison group consists of households who were not yet participating in the survey but participated later. The evidence suggest that the customers who participated in the survey reduced their electricity consumption by 6.7%, compared with customers who had not yet participated in the survey. In addition, as the quantiles of the distribution increase, the effect of the program decreases.
Advances in the surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease.

Purpose of reviewThe principles of surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continue to evolve with advances in medical therapy, surgical technique, and minimally invasive operative technology. The purpose of this review is to highlight such advances in colorectal and anorectal surger
Antitubular basement-membrane antibodies in methicillin-associated interstitial nephritis.

Abstract Antitubular basement-membrane antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in the serum of a patient in whom severe renal failure developed while he was receiving methicillin. A renal biopsy showed a severe mononuclear interstitial infiltrate with focal areas of tubular degeneration. IgG, C3 and a methicillin antigen assumed to be dimethoxyphenylpenicilloyl were present in a linear pattern along the tubular basement membrane but not along the glomerular basement membrane. The dimethoxyphenylpenicilloyl-tubular-basement-membrane "hapten protein conjugate" apparently led to an immune response with antitubular basement-membrane antibodies being involved in the immunopathogenesis of the patient's interstitial nephritis. (N Engl J Med 291:381–384, 1974)
OXIDATION OF 1‐NITROSO‐1‐ALKYLHYDRAZINES

Abstract Oxidation of 1-nitroso-1-alkylhydrazines with a variety of oxidizing agents yields the product of coupling of the radical fragments generated by extrusion of nitrogen from the putative N-Nitrene intermediate.
361 BENIGN AND MALIGNANT PROCESSES OF THE HUMAN LARYNX AS STUDIED BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Purpose Laryngeal pathology occurs in numerous forms, many of which cannot be reliably differentiated with clinical examination alone. As such, proper diagnosis often necessitates biopsy, which is not only technically challenging but also increases patient morbidity, such as by putting the patient at risk for dysphonia when involving the vocal cord. One emerging technology which may prove helpful in the diagnosis of laryngeal pathology is Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). OCT uses the reflection of light waves to create real-time, non-invasive images of tissues at high resolution. The purpose of this study is to determine OCT9s ability to differentiate normal from benign and malignant processes in the human larynx. Methods Our laboratory assembled an OCT system which was adapted to function in the operating room. This system was used during cases that involved direct laryngoscopy to study various anatomical regions of the human upper aero-digestive tract of 40 adult patients. OCT was used to image healthy tissues and tissues displaying benign and malignant processes (as determined by biopsy). Benign laryngeal pathologies imaged included cysts, polyps, nodules, papilloma, fibrosis, follicular hyperplasia, granulation tissue, and tissue post-XRT, whereas malignant processes imaged included squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. Results OCT images of normal larynx displayed regions of various tissue density in accordance with expected boundaries between the epithelium, lamina propria, and various tissue structures such as glands and blood vessels. Moreover, OCT detected changes in tissue architecture which were characteristic for the various benign and malignant processes imaged. Conclusions Given OCT9s remarkable, non-invasive tissue imaging capabilities, it is hoped that this technology may one day serve to aid in the diagnosis of laryngeal disease, thereby reducing the morbidity from and dependence on biopsy.
Utility Experience Performing Probabilistic Risk Assessment for Operational Planning of Electric Power Systems

EPRI has developed a Probabilistic Risk/Reliability Assessment (PRA) method under Power Delivery Reliability Initiative, which has been successfully implemented by various energy companies in planning studies of growing complexity. Unlike the traditional deterministic contingency analysis, PRA combines a probabilistic measure of the likelihood of undesirable events with a measure of the consequence of the events (that is, the impact) into a single reliability index – Probabilistic Reliability Index (PRI). EPRI internally developed the PRI program that uses contingency analysis results as well as the transmission facility outage information as the input to compute and graphically display the reliability indices. This paper presents an application of PRI program to study the transmission network of New York Power Authority (NYPA), demonstrating that the PRA method significantly improves the ability of conducting effective transmission operational planning.
Using Single-Case Design in a Response to Intervention Model

The purpose of this chapter is to describe a response-to-intervention (RTI) evaluation framework for improving the reliability and defensibility of identifying students with academic or behavioral problems that require more intensive support than the typical student gets. The framework advocated for in this chapter is based on single-case research methodology, which is a widely used experimental approach for validating educational, behavioral, and psychological interventions. The methodological principles underlying single-case research make it ideally suited for evaluating intervention effects and making data-based decisions in applied settings such as schools and classrooms. This chapter focuses on the advantages, methods, and additional considerations that are needed to establish a successful formative evaluation approach based on single-case research methodology.
Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors : a second site of action for benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are among the most widely used therapeutic drugs because of their sedative and anxiolytic effects mediated through modulation of GABAA receptors. Another recognition site for these drugs, termed the peripheral-type (or mitochondrial) benzodiazepine receptor, is much more prevalent throughout the body for which a physiologic and pharmacologic role has just been found. This drug receptor plays a central role in the regulation of steroidogenesis by mediating the rate-limiting step in this biosynthetic pathway, which is transport of cholesterol to inner mitochondrial membranes. Although once considered by many to be an insignificant drug-binding site because a specific function remained elusive for many years, peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors are now viewed with renewed interest because certain benzodiazepines such as diazepam may exert secondary effects on steroid production under appropriate physiologic conditions. Elucidation of this receptorial role should initiate new studies to examine in more detail the pharmacologic profile of drugs that bind to these sites and provides a novel target for the treatment of certain types of endocrine disorders.
Calciphylaxis: pathogenesis and therapy.

Antecedents: La calciphylaxie est une maladie rare, douloureuse et invalidante caracterisee par une calcification de la peau et des tissus sous-cutanes ou des organes internes pouvant mener a une necrose, a une decoloration et a d'autres lesions cutanees. Le patient type souffre d'insuffisance renale chronique au stade ultime End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) et d'hyperparathyroidie. Selye a initialement caracterise ce syndrome chez les rats et l'a distingue des autres syndromes de calcification anormale par les sequences suivantes : sensibilisants, periodes de latence et provocateurs. On a recemment mis en cause le diagnostic errone et l'impossibilite a differencier cette categorie de patients, meme par les etudes cliniques. Objectifs: Decrire les manifestations cliniques de la calciphylaxie, expliquer l'importance de distinguer cet etat des autres syndromes de calcification, passer en revue les facteurs de risque, les sensibilisants et les provocateurs, presenter les meilleurs traitements et evaluer les merites de la parathyroidectomie. Conclusion: Le diagnostic differentiel des syndromes de calcification et le traitement des patients souffrant d'ESRD et d'hyperparathyroidie doivent tenir compte de la calciphylaxie, car un diagnostic et un traitement rapides peuvent interrompre la progression de la maladie. La maladie est douloureuse et invalidante et un traitement inopportun comme l'administration de corticosteroides peut aggraver l'etat du patient. Une biopsie cutanee est un outil diagnostique important si l'on soupconne la presence de cette maladie. La parathyroidectomie peut se justifier du fait que, non traitee, la maladie entraine un taux tres eleve de morbidite et de mortalite et que ce traitement donne lieu a une amelioration considerable.
Sustainable Disaster Recovery: Multiagent-Based Model for Integrating Environmental Vulnerability into Decision-Making Processes of the Associated Stakeholders

AbstractThe goal of sustainable disaster recovery is to regain the built environment’s functionality while decreasing the vulnerability of the society to future perturbations. This requires a new generation of decision support tools that integrate the host community’s vulnerability assessment while taking into account the stakeholders’ interactions, needs, and preferences. The available disaster recovery research focuses on the optimization and reconstruction of isolated projects rather than taking into account the host community’s overall vulnerability and welfare. Moreover, the available research did not simultaneously take into account the stakeholders’ preferences and needs. To this effect, this paper presents an agent-based model that integrates an environmental vulnerability indicator to better guide the decision-making process of the associated stakeholders. Such an approach will aid urban planners to redevelop societies into a more resilient status. This paper implements a five-step research metho...
Aftermath: Reactive Sequences and Institutional Legacies

Critical junctures have lasting effects, but their institutional outcomes vary in their resiliency. That is especially true of critical junctures in party system development, where any given set of parties, or any competitive equilibrium among them, is at least potentially susceptible to the disruptive effects of elite and mass political behavior. Whether motivated by policy or office-seeking goals, the strategic behavior of political elites can destabilize a party system by altering its “supply side” through decisions to split, merge, or form new parties. Likewise, voters are free to alter their partisan preferences in response to changing conditions, preferences, issue saliencies, or performance records. A disillusioned electorate can always “throw the bums out” if it so chooses. To reproduce a competitive equilibrium thus requires that political entrepreneurs have incentives to join and remain in established party organizations, and that citizens be motivated to vote for them in relatively stable proportions. Why, then, are the institutional outcomes and competitive equilibriums produced by some critical junctures more stable and resilient than others? Stability is not simply a function of institutional strength, as the divergent trajectories of party systems in Brazil and Venezuela amply demonstrate; it also matters how a critical juncture aligns competing political actors and positions them to respond to evolving societal pressures. Such alignments may even condition – in a path-dependent manner – the types and intensities of societal pressures that emerge, as well as their mode of political expression within or against established institutions. Reactive sequences in the aftermath period are thus likely to vary in their capacity to disrupt, transform, or reproduce the institutional outcomes of critical junctures themselves. Some outcomes may be reinforced or “locked in” by reactive sequences that they effectively channel, producing path-dependent institutional legacies; others may be transformed by reactive sequences that disrupt initial outcomes and produce longer-term institutional legacies that diverge sharply from them.
The association between pre-operative variables, including blood pressure, and postoperative kidney function

We used multivariate analyses to assess the association of pre-operative variables with kidney function in 41,523 adults after scheduled surgery in a single large academic hospital. Eight variables were independently associated with a reduction in postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate: pre-operative renal function; age; ASA physical status; cardiac failure; anaemia; cancer; type of surgery; and the lowest quartile of pre-operative mean arterial blood pressure (< 71 mmHg). The estimated glomerular filtration rate fell by a mean (95% CI) of 2.7 (0.04-5.40) ml.min-1 .1.73 m-2 for patients with a pre-operative mean arterial pressure < 71 mmHg, p = 0.047. The same variables and male sex were associated with postoperative acute kidney injury. The odds ratio (95% CI) for acute postoperative kidney injury was 1.9 (1.2-2.9) for patients with a pre-operative mean arterial blood pressure < 71 mmHg, p = 0.005.
Pain-Related Rumination, But Not Magnification or Helplessness, Mediates Race and Sex Differences in Experimental Pain

Abstract Compared with white individuals and men, black individuals and women show a lower tolerance for experimental pain stimuli. Previous studies suggest that pain catastrophizing is important in this context, but little is known about which components of catastrophizing contribute to these race and sex differences. The purpose of the current study was to examine the individual components of catastrophizing (rumination, magnification, and helplessness) as candidate mediators of race and sex differences in experimental pain tolerance. Healthy undergraduates (N = 172, 74% female, 43.2% black) participated in a cold pressor task and completed a situation-specific version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Black and female participants showed a lower pain tolerance than white ( P P Perspective This study suggests that differences in pain-related rumination, but not magnification or helplessness, are important contributors to race and sex differences in the pain experience. Interventions that target this maladaptive cognitive style may help reduce disparities in pain.
An On-Screen Trial: Resistance to Corruption or Audience Manipulation in Ciutat Morta?

In this essay I argue that Ciutat Morta , a 2013 film directed by Xavier Artigas and Xapo Ortega based on the case “4F,” is turned into a fiction of a court of justice and puts forth an aesthetics aimed at recreating the conditions for a new sentence. This aesthetics, in itself a fiction, is however constructed in all its aspects to become a powerful tool of denunciation of the actual trial. Witnesses from all institutional spheres dismantle the arguments that the judges had used to write the sentence and imprison the defendants . In this regard, then, the documentary, as a fictional medium, is however given the status of a document empowered as a tool for a new narrative of the events. Yet to do so, the documentary manipulates the development of the case to present evidence in its particular narrative, sometimes forgetting how the law actually operates: this subtle and notwithstanding alteration of the narrative provides a fascinating insight into how the creation of an on-screen trial can have social repercussions, up to forming webs of solidarity and acts of resistance in the public sphere.
On a Game Theoretical Methodology for Data Replication in Ad Hoc Networks.

In this paper, a mathematical model for data object replication in ad hoc networks is formulated. The derived model is general, flexible and adaptable to cater for various applications in ad hoc networks. We propose a game theoretical technique in which players (mobile hosts) continuously compete in a non-cooperative environment to improve data accessibility by replicating data objects. The technique incorporates the access frequency from mobile hosts to each data object, the status of the network connectivity, and communication costs. The proposed technique is extensively evaluated against four well-known ad hoc network replica allocation methods. The experimental results reveal that the proposed approach outperforms the four techniques in both the execution time and solution quality.
Pediatric providers and radiology examinations: knowledge and comfort levels regarding ionizing radiation and potential complications of imaging

Pediatric providers should understand the basic risks of the diagnostic imaging tests they order and comfortably discuss those risks with parents. Appreciating providers’ level of understanding is important to guide discussions and enhance relationships between radiologists and pediatric referrers. To assess pediatric provider knowledge of diagnostic imaging modalities that use ionizing radiation and to understand provider concerns about risks of imaging. A 6-question survey was sent via email to 390 pediatric providers (faculty, trainees and midlevel providers) from a single academic institution. A knowledge-based question asked providers to identify which radiology modalities use ionizing radiation. Subjective questions asked providers about discussions with parents, consultations with radiologists, and complications of imaging studies. One hundred sixty-nine pediatric providers (43.3% response rate) completed the survey. Greater than 90% of responding providers correctly identified computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy and radiography as modalities that use ionizing radiation, and ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as modalities that do not. Fewer (66.9% correct, P<0.001) knew that nuclear medicine utilizes ionizing radiation. A majority of providers (82.2%) believed that discussions with radiologists regarding ionizing radiation were helpful, but 39.6% said they rarely had time to do so. Providers were more concerned with complications of sedation and cost than they were with radiation-induced cancer, renal failure or anaphylaxis. Providers at our academic referral center have a high level of basic knowledge regarding modalities that use ionizing radiation, but they are less aware of ionizing radiation use in nuclear medicine studies. They find discussions with radiologists helpful and are concerned about complications of sedation and cost.
Hospice Admission and Survival After 18F-Fluoride PET Performed for Evaluation of Osseous Metastatic Disease in the National Oncologic PET Registry

We have previously reported that PET using 18F-fluoride (NaF PET) for assessment of osseous metastatic disease was associated with substantial changes in intended management in Medicare beneficiaries participating in the National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR). Here, we use Medicare administrative data to examine the association between NaF PET results and hospice claims within 180 d and 1-y survival. Methods: We classified NOPR NaF PET results linked to Medicare claims by imaging indication (initial staging [IS]; detection of suspected first osseous metastasis [FOM]; suspected progression of osseous metastasis [POM]; or treatment monitoring [TM]) and type of cancer (prostate, lung, breast, or other). Results were classified as definitely positive scan findings versus probably positive scan findings versus negative scan findings for osseous metastasis for IS and FOM; more extensive disease versus no change or less extensive disease for POM; and worse prognosis versus no change or better prognosis for TM, based on the postscan assessment. Our study included 21,167 scans obtained from 2011 to 2014 of consenting NOPR participants aged 65 y or older. Results: The relative risk of hospice claims within 180 d of a NaF PET scan was 2.0–7.5 times higher for patients with evidence of new or progressing osseous metastasis than for those without, depending on indication and cancer type (all P
Catalytic upgrading of bio-oil produced from hydrothermal liquefaction of Nannochloropsis sp.

Abstract Upgrading of bio-oil obtained from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of algae is necessary for it to be used as a fuel. In this study, bio-oil obtained from HTL of Nannochloropsis sp. was upgraded using five different catalysts (Ni/C, ZSM-5, Ni/ZSM-5, Ru/C and Pt/C) at 300 °C and 350 °C. The upgraded bio-oil yields were higher at 300 °C; however, higher quality upgraded bio-oils were obtained at 350 °C. Ni/C gave the maximum upgraded bio-oil yield (61 wt%) at 350 °C. However, noble metal catalysts (Ru/C and Pt/C) gave the better upgraded bio-oils in terms of acidity, heating values, and nitrogen values. The higher heating value of the upgraded bio-oils ranged from 40 to 44 MJ/kg, and the nitrogen content decreased from 5.37 to 1.29 wt%. Most of the upgraded bio-oils (35–40 wt%) were in the diesel range. The major components present in the gaseous products were CH4, CO, CO2 and lower alkanes.
Human iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in PEGDA hydrogels mature into valve interstitial-like cells.

Abstract Despite recent advances in tissue engineered heart valves (TEHV), a major challenge is identifying a cell source for seeding TEHV scaffolds. Native heart valves are durable because valve interstitial cells (VICs) maintain tissue homeostasis by synthesizing and remodeling the extracellular matrix. This study demonstrates that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) can be derived from iPSCs using a feeder-free protocol and then further matured into VICs by encapsulation within 3D hydrogels. The differentiation efficiency was characterized using flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry staining, and trilineage differentiation. Using our feeder-free differentiation protocol, iMSCs were differentiated from iPSCs and had CD90+, CD44+, CD71+, αSMA+, and CD45− expression. Furthermore, iMSCs underwent trilineage differentiation when cultured in induction media for 21 days. iMSCs were then encapsulated in poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels grafted with adhesion peptide (RGDS) to promote remodeling and further maturation into VIC-like cells. VIC phenotype was assessed by the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), vimentin, and collagen production after 28 days. When MSC-derived cells were encapsulated in PEGDA hydrogels that mimic the leaflet modulus, a decrease in αSMA expression and increase in vimentin was observed. In addition, iMSCs synthesized collagen type I after 28 days in 3D hydrogel culture. Thus, the results from this study suggest that iMSCs may be a promising cell source for TEHV. Statement of Significance Developing a suitable cell source is a critical component for the success and durability of tissue engineered heart valves. The significance of this study is the generation of iPSCs-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) that have the capacity to mature into valve interstitial-like cells when introduced into a 3D cell culture designed to mimic the layers of the valve leaflet. iMSCs were generated using a feeder-free protocol, which is one major advantage over other methods, as it is more clinically relevant. In addition to generating a potential new cell source for heart valve tissue engineering, this study also highlights the importance of a 3D culture environment to influence cell phenotype and function.
Adaptation, Adaptiveness, and Creativity

Adaptation, commonly defined as the fit or adjustment of the individual to external conditions, can hinder or support creativity. Tight conformity to confining environment can stifle. The creator must be aware of cultural values and not overstep these boundaries for work to be accepted. But adaptation can also mean forcing the environment to change in response to creative efforts, or individuals can move from one environment to another better suited to their needs. A developmental continuum of adaptive, creative behaviors suggests a shift from individual adaptation to the environment to adaptation by the world to the individual.
Sex-related disparities in obstructive coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention, and mortality in adults with cardiac arrest

Abstract Objectives Despite numerous advances in the delivery of resuscitative care, cardiac arrest (CA) continues to be associated with high morbidity and mortality. We sought to examine the association between sex and presence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and mortality in adults with CA. Methods The study population included 208 consecutive patients hospitalized with CA who underwent resuscitation and subsequent coronary angiogram at an academic tertiary medical center. The primary outcome of interest was presence of obstructive CAD, defined as >1 coronary artery with >70% stenosis or >1 coronary bypass graft with >70% stenosis. Results Of the study population, 150 patients (72%) were men and 58 (28%) were women. Women had a trend toward lower rates of obstructive CAD (69% vs 80%, p = 0.09) and lower rates of multivessel CAD compared to their male counterparts, but no significant difference in rates of PCI (62% vs 53%, p = 0.26). While rates of therapeutic hypothermia and vasopressor requirement were similar in men and women, women were less likely to require percutaneous left ventricular support. In-hospital mortality rates were similar in men and women (23% vs 21%, p = 0.68). In multivariate analysis, sex was not independently associated with obstructive CAD or mortality. Conclusions In this observational contemporary study of adults with CA undergoing coronary angiogram, although women had a trend toward lower rates of obstructive CAD, no significant difference in rates of PCI and in-hospital mortality were noted between men and women.
Beacon: Designing a Portable Device for Self-Administering a Measure of Critical Flicker Frequency

Critical flicker frequency (CFF) is the minimum frequency at which a flickering light source appears fused to an observer. Measuring CFF can support early diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), a condition affecting up to 80% of people with cirrhosis of the liver. However, adoption of CFF measurement in clinical practice has been hampered by the cost of a device for measuring CFF and the need for specialized training to administer the test. This paper presents Beacon, a portable, inexpensive device that enables people to measure their own critical flicker frequency. We adopt a mixed-methods approach to informing and evaluating the design of and potential opportunities for Beacon. We first report on a two-part formative study with 10 participants to evaluate the choice of certain parameters in the design of Beacon. We then report on a study of 41 healthy adults ranging from 18 to 99 years of age, finding that Beacon performs on par with Lafayette Flicker Fusion System, an established medical device, achieving a pearson correlation coefficient of 0.88. We finally report on a focus group with five hepatoligists who work with patients with cirrhosis of the liver, using our initial prototype development to examine their perspectives on potential opportunities and challenges in adoption of a device like Beacon. We discuss Beacon as an exploration of reframing critical flicker frequency measurement from a clinical screening tool into a self-administered self-tracking measure, thereby drawing upon and contributing to research in the health and personal informatics.
Priority Neuron: A Resource-Aware Neural Network for Cyber-Physical Systems

Advances in sensing, computation, storage, and actuation technologies have entered cyber-physical systems (CPSs) into the smart era where complex control applications requiring high performance are supported. Neural networks (NNs) models are proposed as a predictive model to be used in model predictive control (MPC) applications. However, the ability to efficiently exploit resource hungry NNs in embedded resource-bound settings is a major challenge. In this paper, we propose priority neuron network (PNN), a resource-aware NNs model that can be reconfigured into smaller subnetworks at runtime. This approach enables a tradeoff between the model’s computation time and accuracy based on available resources. The PNN model is memory efficient since it stores only one set of parameters to account for various subnetwork sizes. We propose a training algorithm that applies regularization techniques to constrain the activation value of neurons and assigns a priority to each one. We consider the neuron’s ordinal number as our priority criteria in that the priority of the neuron is inversely proportional to its ordinal number in the layer. This imposes a relatively sorted order on the activation values. We conduct experiments to employ our PNN as the predictive model of a vehicle in MPC for path tracking. To corroborate the effectiveness of our proposed methodology, we compare it with two state-of-the-art methods for resource-aware NN design. Compared to state-of-the-art work, our approach can cut down the training time by 87% and reduce the memory storage by 75% while achieving similar accuracy. Moreover, we decrease the computation overhead for the model reduction process that searches for neurons below a threshold, from $ {O(n)}$ to $ {O}$ (log $ {n}$ ).
Uterine Proteins and Embryonic Development

Summary The proteins found in uterine fluids of 5-day pregnant rabbits can be separated into six different fractions on the basis of their molecular weights. Three of these are synthesized by the uterus, the other three are probably of serum origin, one is definitely albumin. Fluids from the oviduct and vagina of these rabbits show a different pattern of proteins from that found in the uterus. Uterine proteins from other mammals differ from those of the rabbit in varying degree. The growth and/or differentiation promoting qualities of each of the different molecular-weight fractions of rabbit uterine fluids were determined using embryo-culture techniques. All three of the proteins of uterine origin, including the 27,000 molecular weight glycoprotein heretofore named blastokinin, and the albumin fraction supported good growth of rabbit blastocysts in vitro. In preliminary studies of human uterine secretions, collected about two days before and seven days after ovulation, we have not found a protein comparable to rabbit blastokinin. By the use of isoelectrofocusing, nine different protein fractions can be isolated from 5-day rabbit uterine fluids.
Changes in UK Crack and Heroin Markets and Challenges to the Ways We Think About Them

The chapter argues that there has been recent significant changes in the distribution methods of crack and heroin in the UK involving English Gangs. These changes in local distribution mechanisms known as “County lines” prompts questions regarding the degree of organisation and the divisions of labour involved in new distribution networks in UK crack and heroin markets. The findings from recent empirical studies appear to conflict with previous ideas of “social supply” and indicate some weaknesses in current policy responses. The chapter analyses recent developments utilising a critical realist framework and a move away from previous policy classifications which separate agency efforts via “taxonomic categories” of crime towards an analysis which understands “relational and structured groups”.
Devaney's chaos and eventual sensitivity

We give an equivalent definition of Devaney chaotic semiflow in terms of eventual sensitivity, the notion recently introduced by C.~Good, R.~Leek, and J.~Mitchell. As a consequence, we prove a version of Auslander-Yorke dichotomy for the case of not necessarily compact phase spaces. Finally, we raise some questions about the relation between Devaney chaoticity and the notion of topological sensitivity, which was recently introduced by C.~Good and C.~Macias.
Diagnostic Overview Presented at Dry Eye University

Diagnostics have changed our practice patterns and are a part of our standard of care for nearly every patient. Depending on what type of dry eye practice you wish to be, (referral only, shared care or full service) will determine which and how many of different diagnostics you will choose to provide in your clinic.
Effect of cognitive-behavioral interactive group therapy on job burnout of pediatric nurses

Objective To explore the intervening effect of group therapy on job burnout of pediatric nurses.Methods 40 pediatric nurses were randomly divided into intervention group and control group, 20 persons in each group.Nurses in intervention group were taken to attend group therapy for 8 sessions in 8 weeks, while no intervention was did in control group.Job burnout between the two groups was compared.Results Compared with the sample of Maslach, the nurses have higher scores of emotional exhaustion [(29.80 ± 6.52) vs (22.19 ± 9.53), t =2.47, P ＜ 0.01] and lower scores of depersonalization and personal accomplishment (P ＜ 0.05).Emotional exhaustion score difference in intervention group was different from those in control group [(- 4.21 ± 2.37) vs(-0.64±1.76), t =5.21, P ＜0.01].Emotional alienation, low personal accomplishment were reduced (P＜0.01).Conclusions Group therapy can reduce the job burnout of pediatric nurses. Key words: Cognitive-behavioral interactive group therapy; Pediatric nurses; Job burnout
Models of Cardiac Disease in the Mouse

Over the past decade the use of genetically engineered mouse models has led to considerable progress in understanding the pathophysiology of a variety of human diseases. Ability to manipulate the genome has allowed analysis of effects not only of gain or loss of the target gene function, but also actions of mutant alleles identified in human diseases. With regard to the cardiovascular system, although the mouse exhibits differences from humans in physiological variables and intracellular structure and function (e.g. isoforms of myosin heavy chain, relative contribution of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) to intracellular calcium regulation), a variety of approaches have been miniaturized for physiological studies in the mouse heart along with application to the mouse of methods for studying isolated cardiac muscle and cardiomyocytes. These approaches are listed in Table 19-1.
Live cell reporters reveal bidirectional acceleration of nucleocytoplasmic transport by O-GlcNAc modification of the nuclear pore complex

Abstract Macromolecular transport across the nuclear envelope is fundamental to eukaryotic cells and depends on facilitated diffusion through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). The interior of NPCs contains a permeability barrier made of phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeat domains that selectively facilitates the permeation of cargoes bound to nuclear transport receptors (NTRs)1,2. The NPC is enriched in O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification3-8, but its functional role in nucleocytoplasmic transport is unclear. We developed high-throughput assays based on optogenetic probes to quantify the kinetics of nuclear import and export in living human cells and showed that the O-GlcNAc modification of the NPC accelerates the nucleocytoplasmic transport in both directions. Super-resolution imaging of O-GlcNAc revealed strong enrichment at the FG barrier of the NPC channel. O-GlcNAc modification also promoted the passive permeation of a small, inert protein through NPCs. Our results suggest that O-GlcNAc modification accelerates nucleocytoplasmic transport by enhancing the non-specific permeability the FG-repeat barrier.
New Roles for Fusobacterium nucleatum in Cancer: Target the Bacteria, Host, or Both?

Fusobacterium nucleatum is an oral bacterium associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) proliferation, chemoresistance, inflammation, metastasis, and now DNA damage. While controlling F. nucleatum through antibiotics could reduce cancer severity, this article proposes additional strategies to block Fusobacterium–host interactions, as well as treatment of activated host immune and oncogenic signaling pathways in CRC.
Techno-Economic Analysis Methods for Nuclear Power Plants

This paper focuses on critically reviewing the prevailing techno-economic analysis methods used for traditional and new nuclear power plants (NPPs). The organizations whose methods are compared here are – International Atomic Energy Agency; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; University of Chicago, U.S. Department of Energy / Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and International Energy Agency – Nuclear Energy Agency. We identify technology and market factors that changed in the past few years that have a direct impact on the economic feasibility of nuclear power. Based on the review, we identify areas in which the traditional methods could be improved to better fit the changed global scenario, so as to give a more realistic picture of the feasibility of NPPs. We found that there are many similarities across organizations in terms of methodology. The differences were mainly regarding the terminology and the levels of aggregation. We identified a costing method which combines the salient features of other methods to better fit the changed global scenario, so as to give a more realistic picture of the feasibility of NPPs.
High conductivity in thin, flexible, and stretchable interconnect with polymer composite in a sandwich structure

Flexible conducting materials have been in the forefront of a rapidly transforming electronics industry, focusing on wearable devices for a variety of applications in recent times. Over the past few decades, bulky, rigid devices have been replaced with a surging demand for thin, flexible, light weight, ultra-portable yet high-performance electronics. The interconnects available in the market today only satisfy a few of the desirable characteristics, making it necessary to compromise one feature over another. In this paper, a method to prepare a thin, flexible, and stretchable interconnect is presented with improved conductivity compared to previous achievements. It satisfies most mechanical and electrical conditions desired in the wearable electronics industry. The conducting composite, prepared with the widely available, low-cost silicon-based organic polymer-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silver (Ag), is sandwiched between two cured PDMS layers. These protective layers improve the mechanical stability of the interconnect. The structure can be stretched up to 120% of its original length without compromising its electrical stability. The interconnect, around 300 µm thick, can be integrated into thin electronic packaging. The synthesis process of the composite material, along with its electrical and mechanical and properties, is presented in detail. Testing methods and results for mechanical and electrical stability are also illustrated over extensive flexing and stretching cycles.
Rotational and Lateral Diffusion of Membrane Proteins and Lipids: Phenomena and Function

Publisher Summary Motion of cell membrane components occurs over a wide range of time and distance scales. This chapter discusses the rotational and translational diffusion of membrane lipids and proteins and motions over a part of the time and distance scales. The short-range and rapid motions, especially of membrane lipids are summed up in terms of viscosity or fluidity. The chapter describes rotational motions in the range of 106 to 103 sec-1 and with lateral movements in the range of 10-12 to 10-7 cm2 sec-1. Methods for measuring diffusion and some of the results obtained with these methods are described. It discusses the biological functions of diffusion in membranes. All the techniques for measuring diffusion depend upon some aspects of the spectra of selected probes. These probes may be roughly divided into optical probes and magnetic resonance probes. The methods used for measuring rotational diffusion are optical method and saturation-transfer electron-spin resonance (ESR) (S-T ESR). Rotation of erythrocyte band 3, bacterio- and vertebrate rhodopsin, calcium ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum, cytochromes and cytochrome oxidases, and acetylcholine receptor have been measured in native and synthetic membranes. These measurements yield information on protein–protein association as a function of membrane protein concentration, on coupling of integral membrane proteins with the cell cytoskeleton, and on coupling of enzymatically interacting components. All methods for lateral diffusion take one of the two approaches: measurement of the frequencies of molecular encounter or measurement of the time required for marked molecules to fill a defined area of membrane.
Gender, Democratic Citizenship v. Patriarchy: A Feminist Perspective on Rawls

sense, we could not make sense of the idea that we can check to see how equitably they are distributed across society."'62 Third, even though Rawls claims that his views about individuals in the Original Position are neutral with respect to the metaphysical nature of persons, he does assume an "individualistic social ontology"63 by virtue of both his account of the primary goods as containing "only goods that individuals can possess, exercise, or enjoy, including individual rights and liberties, income, and wealth,"' and his insistence that individuals' identification in the Original Position with various groups be understood as either "voluntarily formed or politically irrelevant."65 Not surprisingly, this latter insistence becomes particularly important to anyone concerned about the importance of cultural and racial identity to moral agency and personal integrity. For it treats as irrelevant that which may be necessary to both moral agency and personal integrity in the case of racial and cultural minorities. Rawls does not, of course, dismiss the importance of these identifications in general. Instead, he removes them from any definition of the "public, or institutional, identity" with which he is concerned.66 According to Rawls, while a person's "noninstitutional or moral identity"67 depends on voluntary associations, affections, and loyalties to others with whom an individual chooses to ally herselfon the particularities of her life-her public identity depends only on her having the two moral powers that he cites-a capacity for a sense of justice and for a conception of the good-as well as a determinate conception of that good.68 Rawls makes clear that only an individual's public identity is
Adenosine 5'-tetraphosphate is synthesized by the histidine alpha 142----asparagine mutant of Escherichia coli succinyl-CoA synthetase.

Recently, we described the properties of a mutant (H142N) of Escherichia coli succinyl coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase in which His-142 of the alpha-subunit was changed to Asn (Luo, G.-X., and Nishimura, J.S. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 20781-20785). The mutant enzyme was practically devoid of ability to catalyze the overall reaction but was able to catalyze half-reactions at significant rates. Thus, phosphorylation by ATP and dephosphorylation by ADP of the mutant enzyme occurred at rates that were at least 10 times greater than those with wild type enzyme, and dephosphorylation by succinate plus CoA (succinyl-CoA formation) proceeded with a Vmax of 10% that of wild type, with no change in Km for succinate and very little change in Km for CoA. In the present work, it has been shown that incubation of 32P-labeled H142N with ATP caused a rapid depletion of label from the enzyme and incorporation of radioactivity into a nucleotide species that was neither ATP nor ADP. This reaction was catalyzed at comparatively negligible rates by wild type enzyme. Analysis of the labeled product by high pressure liquid chromatography and 31P NMR revealed that it was adenosine 5'-tetraphosphate (AP4). Incubation of labeled H142N with the ATP analog beta,gamma-methylene adenosine triphosphate also gave a product that appeared to be the corresponding tetraphosphate. The reaction in which AP4 was formed was greatly stimulated by the addition of phosphoenolpyruvate plus pyruvate kinase and strongly inhibited by ADP and by CoA plus succinate. The results are consistent with binding of ATP to, and reaction with, phosphorylated succinyl-CoA synthetase to form AP4. In this reaction, it was determined that the Km for ATP and the turnover number of phosphorylated enzyme were 14.5 microM and 0.024 s-1, respectively.
Impatt Diodes and Circuits

The sections in this article are 1 Impatt Diode Overview 2 Impedance Matching of a Negative Resistance Device 3 Parametric Oscillation 4 Types of Impatt Circuits 5 Impatt Circuit Characterization 6 Transmitters Using a Combiner Plate 7 Conclusions and Future Directions
Polarization dependent gain simulation in dual-order Raman fiber amplifiers

We model the effect of the degree of polarization of the pumps on the signal polarization dependent gain (PDG) in dual-order Raman amplifiers. The primary source of PDG is found to be the first-order pump.
Transversally Elliptic Operators

We construct certain spectral triples in the sense of A. ~Connes and H. \~Moscovici (``The local index formula in noncommutative geometry'' {\it Geom. Funct. Anal.}, 5(2):174--243, 1995) that is transversally elliptic but not necessarily elliptic. We prove that these spectral triples satisfie the conditions which ensure the Connes-Moscovici local index formula applies. We show that such a spectral triple has discrete dimensional spectrum. A notable feature of the spectral triple is that its corresponding zeta functions have multiple poles, while in the classical elliptic cases only simple poles appear for the zeta functions. We show that the multiplicities of the poles of the zeta functions have an upper bound, which is the sum of dimensions of the base manifold and the acting compact Lie group. Moreover for our spectral triple the Connes-Moscovici local index formula involves only local transverse symbol of the operator.