cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-objective optimization of slot array antennas using full wave moment method analysis

Summary form only given. Waveguide-fed slot array antennas have been employed in numerous ground and space based systems. Design and analysis techniques developed for such antennas are applicable to slot arrays in substrate integrated waveguides which are finding applications at millimeter wave frequencies and beyond. Slot array designs are generally based on Elliott's equations and variations thereof. Elliott's design procedure enforces the specified aperture distribution of the array elements and an impedance match at the input port at a single design frequency, generally at the center of the frequency band. Elliott's equations are not suitable for design optimizations or multi-objective designs. Previously we have used the moment method solution to the aperture electric field of all slots in a planar array in not only assessing the performance of the array but also for improving its design. Recently we reported the results of an investigation involving genetic algorithm optimization of a planar slot array using the moment method analysis (S. R. Rengarajan, RF and Microwave Computer Aided Engineering, 2013). The directivity and return loss were optimized over 5% frequency band. In this paper we demonstrate multi-objective optimization of a slot array using the genetic algorithm. In particular, for a planar array consisting of four quadrants, the sum pattern, and the azimuth and elevation difference pattern are all optimized. This is a challenging problem since the mutual coupling environment for each of the three patterns is different. A previous work employed an averaging technique to design such an array, thereby making a significant compromise on the performance (J. H. Schaffner, D. Kim, and R. S. Elliott, Alta Frequenza, pp. 312319, Nov. 1981). A novel technique to reduce the computation time used only one entire domain basis function for each slot aperture in the moment method. Subsequently an accurate equivalent solution corresponding to many basis functions was obtained. Numerical solutions validating our theory as well as optimum designs will be presented in the symposium.
Assessing efficacy in early-phase cancer prevention trials: the case of oral premalignancy.

In the current drug development paradigm, regulatory approval requires agent efficacy and safety that is demonstrated in rigorous randomized controlled clinical trials. Given the length of time and intense resource commitment that are required for phase III cancer prevention clinical trials, it is
Retroperitoneoscopy: the Washington University Medical School experience.

Abstract Objective. To describe our initial experience with balloon dilatation of the retroperitoneum. Methods. In 12 patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgery, the retroperitoneum was dilated using the technique of balloon dilatation. This technique is described and the operative procedure performed in each patient is outlined. The postoperative recovery data and complications are also presented. Results. This procedure provided excellent exposure of the anatomic structures within the retroperitoneal space and simplified the surgical dissection by staying out of the abdominal cavity. Conclusions. Access to the retroperitoneal space is easily and quickly performed utilizing the technique of balloon dilation and may minimize the risk of injury to peritoneal organs.
Photophysical studies on melatonin and its receptor agonists

Previous work has demonstrated that melatonin inhibits the growth of both dermal and uveal melanoma cells. Recent clinical trials have found that melatonin is an efficacious treatment for metastatic dermal melanoma. The goal of this study was to provide further insight into the oncostatic mechanism(s) of melatonin. The inhibition of the growth of uveal melanoma cells is dose-dependent (0.1-10 nM) within the range of endogenous melatonin concentrations (2 nM) found in the human aqueous humor. We know that this inhibition of growth is receptor-mediated, at least in part, because uveal melanoma cell growth was also blocked by the agonists of melatonin receptors. There are two known membrane receptors for melatonin (Mel(1a) and Mel(1b)) and one known nuclear receptor (Mel2). To determine if singlet oxygen production and/or quenching contributed to the growth inhibition of melatonin, we examined the photophysical properties of melatonin and its agonists. Using flash photolysis, we determined that melatonin and its membrane receptor agonist 6-chloromelatonin (Mel(1a-b), Lilly, Indianapolis, IN) produced very little singlet oxygen (psidelta = 0.073 and psidelta = 0.01, respectively). There was no detectable singlet oxygen phosphorescence at 1,270 nm for the nuclear receptor agonist CG-52608 (Mel2, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland). In contrast, the agonist of the Mel(1b) receptor, S-20098 (Servier, Paris, France), produced singlet oxygen with a quantum efficiency of psidelta = 0.34. Singlet oxygen was quenched by melatonin and 6-chloromelatonin at approximately the same rate (6.1 x 10(7) M(-1)s(-1) and 6.0 x 10(7) M(-1)s(-1) in CD3OD), while the rate of quenching for the nuclear receptor agonist CG-52608 and membrane receptor agonist S-20098 was less (2.2 x 10(7) M(-1)s(-1) and 1.5 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), respectively). It appears that the production of singlet oxygen by melatonin would not be sufficient to directly block the proliferation of melanoma cells, but may activate gene products that could contribute to the oncostatic effect.
Selective Absorption of Asphalt Binder by Limestone Aggregates in Asphalt Mixtures

AbstractIt has been found that aggregates used in paving asphalt mixtures absorb the asphalt binder into the porous structure of the aggregates. National test methods are available to measure the aggregate absorption. However, most research and measurements on aggregate absorption are limited to the accessible voids at the aggregate surface. This paper presents recent findings on the selective absorption of asphalt binder by aggregate particles in asphalt mixtures. The selective absorption of the binder is visualized on the aggregate surface under natural light and ultraviolet light. Rings with different colors are identified on the cross sections of the aggregates in both hot-mix asphalt and warm-mix asphalt, which indicates different asphalt components at different radial distances from the center of the aggregates. The asphalt components penetrating into aggregates are verified using the laser desorption ionization–ion mobility–mass spectrometer. A significantly higher concentration of asphalt componen...
Comparison between EGSnrc, Geant4, MCNP5 and Penelope for mono-energetic electron beams

A simple geometry is chosen to highlight similarities and differences of current electron transport algorithms implemented in four Monte Carlo codes commonly used in radiation physics. Energy deposited in a water-filled sphere by mono-energetic electron beams was calculated using EGSnrc, Geant4, MCNP5 and Penelope as the radius of the sphere varied from 0.25 cm to 4.5 cm for beam energies of 0.5 MeV, 1.0 MeV and 5.0 MeV. The calculations were performed in single-scattering mode (where applicable) and in condensed history mode. A good agreement is found for the single-scattering calculations except for the in-air case at 0.5 MeV where differences increase with decreasing radius up to 5% between EGSnrc and Penelope. Differences between results calculated with the default user settings when compared to their own single-scattering modes are under 5% for all codes when the sphere is surrounded by vacuum, however, large differences occur for Geant4, MCNP5 and Penelope when air is introduced around the sphere. Finally, the parameters associated with the multiple scattering algorithms were tuned reducing these differences below 10% for these codes at the expense of increased computation time.
Sample-by-sample adaptive space-time processing for multiuser detection in multipath CDMA systems

Multiuser detection and space-time processing are two advanced signal-processing techniques for the mitigation of multiple-access interference and intersymbol interference in wireless CDMA communications. The purpose of this work is to investigate techniques for efficient space-time multiuser detection (ST MUD). A companion paper considered batch iterative methods, which assume knowledge of all signals and channels. In this paper sample-by-sample adaptive methods, both data-aided (with training sequences) and blind, which require only the timing and training sequences (for data-aided) or the spreading codes (for blind) of the desired user(s), are considered. For data aided adaptive methods, a decentralized adaptive minimum-mean-square-error space-time multiuser detector and a centralized adaptive decision-feedback space-time multiuser detector are presented. Then a blind adaptive space-time multiuser receiver based on the linear constrained minimum variance criterion and min-max parameter estimation is developed, which is robustified with norm-constrained techniques in the case of signature waveform mismatch. A least mean square implementation of all these adaptive ST MUD receivers is given.
Comprehensive study of the evolution of an annular edge flame during extinction and reignition of a counterflow diffusion flame perturbed by vortices

The structure of a time-dependent methane/enriched-air flame established in an axisymmetric, laminar counterflow configuration is investigated, as the flame interacts with two counterpropagating toroidal vortices. Computationally, the time-dependent equations are written using a modified vorticity–velocity formulation, with detailed chemistry and transport, and are solved implicitly on a nonstaggered, nonuniform grid. Boundary conditions are chosen to create local extinction and reignition in the vicinity of the axis of symmetry. Experimentally, CO planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), OH PLIF, and an observable proportional to the forward reaction rate (RR) of the reaction CO + OH → CO2 + H are measured. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to characterize the velocity field of the vortical structures and to provide detailed boundary conditions for the simulations. Excellent agreement is found between model and experiments to the minutest morphological details throughout the interaction. The validated model is then used to probe the dynamics of the two-dimensional extinction process with high temporal resolution. During the initial phase of the interaction, the flame is locally extinguished by the two vortices. The resulting edge flame propagates outward as an extinction front, with a structure that does not depart significantly from that of a diffusion flame. The front recedes from the axis of symmetry with a negative propagation speed that reaches a value as large as six times that of the freely propagating laminar flame with the same reactant concentrations found at the stoichiometric surface. As the front propagates outward, it transitions to an ignition front, and it reaches a positive propagation speed comparable to that of the freely propagating laminar flame. During this transition, it develops a characteristic premixed “hook,” with a lean premixed branch, a stoichiometric segment that evolves into the remnant of the original primary diffusion flame, and a much weaker secondary diffusion flame resulting from a secondary peak in heat release in the original unperturbed diffusion flame. No evidence of a distinct rich premixed flame is found. The edge flame stabilizes at a radial location where the local gaseous speed equals the propagation speed of the front. When the local perturbation has decayed below the flame propagation speed, the flame edge starts reigniting the mixing layer as an ignition wave that propagates with an essentially frozen structure along the stoichiometric surface until the original diffusion flame structure is fully recovered. Implications for flamelet modeling of turbulent flames with local extinction are discussed.
People-aware navigation for goal-oriented behavior involving a human partner

In order to facilitate effective autonomous interaction behavior for human-robot interaction the robot should be able to execute goal-oriented behavior while reacting to sensor feedback related to the people with which it is interacting. Prior work has demonstrated that autonomously sensed distance-based features can be used to correctly detect user state. We wish to demonstrate that such models can also be used to weight action selection as well. This paper considers the problem of moving to a goal along with a partner, demonstrating that a learned model can be used to weight trajectories of a navigation system for autonomous movement. This paper presents a realization of a person-aware navigation system which requires no ad-hoc parameter tuning, and no input other than a small set of training examples. This system is validated using an in-lab demonstration of people-aware navigation using the described system.
Emerging ethical issues in bioengineering practice

Moral and ethical issues in medical technology are discussed. These include allocation of scarce resources, clinical trials of new devices and implants, conflict of interest, and human and animal experimentation. Suggestions for the improvement of ethics in these areas are included. >
A new sigma-delta modulator architecture for testing using digital stimulus

Sigma-delta modulators are commonly used in high-resolution analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Testing this type of modulator requires a high-resolution test stimulus, which is difficult to generate. A new architecture for the modulator is proposed so that its performance can be determined using only digital test stimulus. This architecture does not need analog test stimuli, which is prone to distortion/noise while setting up the high-resolution modulator for testing. Simulation results show that this technique is capable of accurately determining the performance of a second-order sigma-delta modulator ADC.
The skill set of the successful collaborator

In this article, the authors focus on members of the U.S. Senior Executive Service who choose collaboration as a management strategy to increase performance and, in particular, their views of the skill set of a successful collaborator. Based on the current literature on collaboration and networks, these executives might be expected to identify strategic thinking and strategic management as the most important skills. Contrary to expectations, the federal executives most frequently mentioned individual attributes and interpersonal skills as essential for successful collaboration, followed by group process skills, strategic leadership skills, and substantive/technical expertise. The article provides empirical substantiation of the previous literature, with one major difference: the strong reporting of the importance of individual attributes by federal executives (much more than previously reported by other scholars in the field). Strategic leadership skills, strategic management skills, and technical skills matter, but they are not the most important factors behind successful collaborations, according to federal executives.
VARIABLE TIMING OF LARVAL FOOD HAS CONSEQUENCES FOR EARLY JUVENILE PERFORMANCE IN A MARINE MUSSEL

For organisms with complex life cycles, larval history is increasingly being found to influence later juvenile or adult performance; however, most experiments maintain manipulations in the larval environment at a constant level. Here, I assess the effects of constant vs. variable larval food availability on the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. In the laboratory, I raised larvae in four food concentrations: constant high, constant low, initial low switched to high, and initial high switched to low. After settlement, I outplanted juveniles to the field for two weeks. Changes in food availability affected larval size and lipid stores, and covariance between the two. Losses of juveniles were greater, and juvenile growth was lower, for those that had been reared as larvae in constant low food compared to those reared in constant high larval food. For the switched treatments, losses were greater, and growth was lower, for juveniles that had experienced initial low larval food relative to those that had experienced initial high larval food, regardless of average larval size or lipid stores from the different treatments. Thus, the timing of pulses of larval food may impact dynamics of later stages.
High sensitivity cardiac troponin T in patients with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis

Objectives To define whether the high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) assay in patients with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL) improves risk prediction. Background Cardiac involvement is the major cause of death in patients with AL amyloidosis. Risk stratification is facilitated by cardiac biomarkers such as cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Methods Stored serum from patients with newly diagnosed AL was used to measure hs-cTnT, cTnT, and NT-proBNP. Survival modelling was performed. Results The direct numeric result from hs-cTnT measurement cannot merely be substituted for a cTnT measurement in the Mayo AL staging system. The performance of the receiver operator curve derived an hs-cTnT cut-point of 54 ng/L which improves on the value of 35 ng/L validated with the prior iteration of the assay. An alternate staging option using hs-cTnT alone—using the two thresholds 14 ng/L and 54 ng/L—performs as well as either the original Mayo AL staging system or other systems incorporating hs-cTnT. On multivariate analysis, an hs-cTnT alone staging system was independent of period of diagnosis, type of therapy, and NT-proBNP value, the last of which dropped out of the model. Alternate models were explored, but none performed better than the original system or the new hs-cTnT system. Thus, hs-cTnT can be used alone for the staging of disease prognosis. Conclusions A survival model based on hs-cTnT improves the prognostic staging of patients with AL amyloidosis, relegating NT-proBNP to a measure of cardiac response.
On coupled conductive-radiative heat transfer problems in a cylinder

An integral transformation technique and the spherical harmonics method are used, along with Hermite cubic splines, to define an iterative technique for solving a class of nonlinear radiative transfer problems in a solid cylinder of infinite length. Computational aspects of the technique are discussed, and the method is used to establish numerical results for several test problems.
THE EFFECT OF PEDALING RATE ON COORDINATION IN CYCLING

To further understand lower extremity neuromuscular coordination in cycling, the objectives of this study were to examine the effect of pedaling rate on coordination strategies and interpret any apparent changes. These objectives were achieved by collecting electromyography (EMG) data of eight lower extremity muscles and crank angle data from ten subjects at 250 W across pedaling rates ranging from 45 to 120 RPM. To examine the effect of pedaling rate on coordination, EMG burst onset and offset and integrated EMG (iEMG) were computed. In addition, a phase-controlled functional group (PCFG) analysis was performed to interpret observed changes in the EMG patterns in the context of muscle function. Results showed that the EMG onset and offset systematically advanced as pedaling rate increased except for the soleus which shifted later in the crank cycle. The iEMG results revealed that muscles responded differently to increased pedaling rate. The gastrocnemius, hamstring muscles and vastus medialis systematically increased muscle activity as pedaling rate increased. The gluteus maximus and soleus had significant quadratic trends with minimum values at 90 RPM, while the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris showed no significant association with pedaling rate. The PCFG analysis showed that the primary function of each lower extremity muscle remained the same at all pedaling rates. The PCFG analysis, which accounts for muscle activation dynamics, revealed that the earlier onset of muscle excitation produced muscle activity in the same region of the crank cycle. Also, while most of the muscles were excited for a single functional phase, the soleus and rectus femoris were excited during two functional phases. The soleus was classified as an extensor-bottom transition muscle, while the rectus femoris was classified as a top transition-extensor muscle. Further, the relative emphasis of each function appeared to shift as pedaling rate was increased, although each muscle remained bifunctional.
Developmental Epidemiology of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Epidemiology is both a scientific discipline and a powerful set of investigative methods that have been adopted by other fields, including the fields that study the behavior problems of children and adolescents. The discipline of epidemiology was developed to study the etiology of diseases, and the methods of epidemiology evolved in service of that aim. Because the mental health disciplines also seek to understand the origins of disorders, it has been to our advantage to adopt many of the methods of epidemiology.
Externalizing Identities: An Integration of Narrative Therapy and Queer Theory

Narrative therapists appreciate the importance and power of language. Through language, they give privilege to alternative, life giving stories instead of to dominant stories that create misery for...
A Corrective Justice Account of Disgorgment for Breach of Contract by Analogy with Fiduciary Remedies

A corrective justice account of a private law remedy attempts to the explain the remedy as giving back to the plaintiff something to which the plaintiff had a prior right that was breached by the defendant's receipt of that thing. It has proven challenging to explain how disgorgement for breach of contract is consistent with corrective justice. This remedy gives to the plaintiff any profit that a defendant received from a third party by breaching a contract with the plaintiff. In this paper, I critique two leading attempts to show how disgorgement for breach of contract is consistent with corrective justice. I argue that these attempts fail, and I suggest that a plausible corrective justice account of disgorgement should be based on something other than the nature of the contractual rights borne by a plaintiff. I then develop an alternative account based on an analogy between disgorgement for breach of contract and disgorgement for breach of fiduciary duty. To do so, I draw on recent scholarship on the consistency of disgorgement for breach of fiduciary with corrective justice and analyze the leading judicial decision on disgorgement for breach of contract by the UK House of Lords in Attorney General v. Blake. I argue that the fiduciary-based account can provide a plausible explanation for how disgorgement effectuates corrective justice by giving back to a plaintiff something to which he had an antecedent right that the defendant violated by profiting from a breach of contract.
Computer Crime and Financial Fraud: United States v. Van Dinh

This paper discusses whether currency trading fraud facilitated by computer can constitute a violation the Securities and Exchange Acts.
Optimization of Large Wind Farms Using a Genetic Algorithm

Optimizing the placement of the wind turbines in a wind farm to achieve optimal performance is an active area of research, with numerous research studies being published every year. Typically, the area available for the wind farm is divided into cells (a cell may/may not contain a wind turbine) and an optimization algorithm is used. In this study, the effect of the cell size on the optimal layout is being investigated by reducing it from five rotor diameter (previous studies) to 1/40 rotor diameter (present study).A code is developed for optimizing the placement of wind turbines in large wind farms. The objective is to minimize the cost per unit power produced from the wind farm. A genetic algorithm is employed for the optimization. The velocity deficits in the wake of the wind turbines are estimated using a simple wake model. The code is verified using the results from the previous studies. Results are obtained for three different wind regimes: (1) Constant wind speed and fixed wind direction, (2) constant wind speed and variable wind direction, and (3) variable wind speed and variable wind direction. Cost per unit power is reduced by 11.7% for Case 1, 11.8% for Case 2, and 15.9% for Case 3 for results obtained in this study. The advantages/benefits of a refined grid spacing of 1/40 rotor diameter (1 m) are evident and are discussed.To get an understanding of the sensitivity of the power produced to the wake model, optimized layout is obtained for the Case 1 using a different wake model.© 2012 ASME
Judging Expertise Gender and the Negotiation of Expert Authority in Courts

This article develops a framework for understanding the role of gender in negotiations of expert authority and tests the new approach with an analysis of legal disputes about expert witness credibi...
Research of the seriation of the engineering goods based on Pro/E

By means of living typical example,seriation products and course of establishing the standard component being realized by utilizing family table of Pro/E directly has been introduced,and a concrete method for solving a number of gradually meeting questions in the course of seriation of the products has been put forward.
When To Hospitalize for Pancreatitis

“An acute attack of pancreatitis should be viewed as life threatening and … managed vigorously, anticipating the worst.” With these words, the author sets the stage for his discussion of the etiology of both acute and chronic pancreatitis, of the complications that often supervene, of the value of such diagnostic procedures as the secretin test and celiac angiography, and of current therapeutic approaches.
Variation in Galactocele Location and Sonographic Appearance

A galactocele is a cyst that forms from the obstruction of a lactiferous duct within the breast. These cysts typically form when a woman is pregnant or lactating and are usually of periareolar loca...
Femtosecond Study of Electron Photodetachment from Complex Anions: Fe(CN)64- and CuBr2- in H20

The ultrafast dynamics of photoelectron detachment from the molecular anions, Fe(CN)6 4- and, for the first time CuBr2 -. are studied in detail by means of pump-multicolor probe spectroscopy and compared to the prototypical I- system.
Additive phase noise measurements of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs using a large signal network analyzer and a tunable monochromatic light source

An additive phase noise measurement system is integrated with a large signal network analyzer (LSNA) and a tunable monochromatic light source. This system is used to measure the additive phase noise characteristics of an unpassivated AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) at 2 GHz under various operating conditions. Illumination with different photon energies, below the AlGaN bandgap, is applied to probe the dependence of the RF additive phase noise on the trap and 2DEG population. Different drain voltages are also used to investigate the bias dependence of the phase noise. From 1 Hz to 10 KHz, an 1/f region is identified in the additive phase noise at 2 GHz, which is indicative of the presence of uniformly distributed traps. Further a decrease in additive phase noise is clearly observed with increasing photon energies below the GaN bandgap. This is due to the decrease of the trap population induced by photon assisted emission of electrons from the trap levels to the conduction band. Further it is found that the additive phase noise at 2 GHz increases at higher drain voltages. Various RF load impedances are also used to further characterize the noise performance of both passivated and unpassivated AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. The larger the drain voltage swing introduced, the more additive phase noise is observed. A degration of additive phase noise is also observed with the unpassivated device compared to the passivated device. Some preliminary results from a physical cyclostationary model are also presented. The observed 1/f noise increase at RF occuring at large bias or in large signal RF operation are attributed to the increase efficiency of the RF upconversion of the trap 1/f occupation fluctuation when the drain resistance increases. This work also demonstrates that the new combined additive phase noise/LSNA testbed developed is a useful tool for characterizing the additive phase noise in transistors/amplifiers under large signal operation.
Global Declines of Amphibians

Abstract Global declines of amphibians refer to the phenomenon of the population declines and even extinctions of amphibian species around the world. Assessments of the world's amphibians found that nearly a third of the known species of amphibians are globally threatened with extinction and that at least 42% of known amphibian species are experiencing population losses. The rapidity and extent of these declines, far more dramatic than those described for birds, mammals, or reptiles, forecast impending extinction of numerous amphibian species during the coming decades. Many of these declines have occurred in protected areas where the causes have remained enigmatic. Other declines are due to obvious reasons, particularly habitat destruction, but the number of species experiencing enigmatic declines is increasing and these have caused the greatest alarm. Although climate change has been invoked as a potential contributing factor, evidence is mounting that epidemics of infectious disease may be primarily responsible for many of these catastrophic declines. The greatest threat is presented by a virulent fungal pathogen that can cause the infectious disease chytridiomycosis, which has decimated entire assemblages of amphibians worldwide. This pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is responsible for what may well be the greatest disease-caused loss of biodiversity in recorded history, having caused population crashes or extinctions (often within a single year) of at least 200 species of frogs, even in relatively undisturbed, remote habitats. Compounding the crisis, amphibians suffer from relatively low levels of conservation effort compared to other vertebrate taxa. Although amphibians have survived a number of mass global extinctions throughout their 200 million year history, the speed and magnitude of this loss in amphibian biodiversity supports the idea that the earth may be now in the midst of a sixth mass extinction, similar to that which wiped out the nonavian dinosaurs.
Automating Guidelines for Clinical Decision Support: Knowledge Engineering and Implementation.

As utilization of clinical decision support (CDS) increases, it is important to continue the development and refinement of methods to accurately translate the intention of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) into a computable form. In this study, we validate and extend the 13 steps that Shiffman et al.5 identified for translating CPG knowledge for use in CDS. During an implementation project of ATHENA-CDS, we encoded complex CPG recommendations for five common chronic conditions for integration into an existing clinical dashboard. Major decisions made during the implementation process were recorded and categorized according to the 13 steps. During the implementation period, we categorized 119 decisions and identified 8 new categories required to complete the project. We provide details on an updated model that outlines all of the steps used to translate CPG knowledge into a CDS integrated with existing health information technology.
Thoughts on the Postpartum Situation

The event of childbirth carries with it a dominant narrative: that a pregnant woman happily gives birth to a baby. This appears to be quite a simple formulation – as if a natural fact, as if plain and common sense. Yet, the complexities masked by the mythological and whitewashed quality of this narrative, as I have already argued recently in my graphic novel narrative/philosophical analysis, The Pregnancy ≠ Childbearing Project: A Phenomenology of Miscarriage (2017), harms and even kills women. In this paper, I expand on the problem of what I term ‘dismemberment after birth’ as operates invisibly in the ‘postpartum situation.’ The dominant narrative, combined with a pervasive cultural misogynoir as well as medicalized and ableist establishment of care, renders women without resource if they cannot maintain the desires and embodiments required of a contented and successful maternity. The naturalized assumptions about the narrative move from the birth event to ‘having a baby’ are disrupted here with hope of opening up an opportunity to validate and diversify the more non-linear narratives. As an afterthought to these disruptions I present here, I offer an additional challenge to anti-natalist thinking in its limited insight into the postpartum situation.
Biochemical characteristics of extended broad spectrum β-lactamases

Extended broad spectrum β-lactamases such as TEM-3 (CTX-1), TEM-5 (CAZ-1), TEM-10 and RHH-1 were purified and found to have lower specific activities than the TEM-1 or TEM-2 β-lactamases. Total hydrolytic activity in crude extracts was also lower for the extended broad spectrum enzymes. These β-lactamases hydrolyzed not only penicillins such as carbenicillin, cloxacillin and piperacillin, but also cephalosporins and monobactams. The most notable differences in substrate profiles between the extended broad spectrum enzymes and TEM-2 enzymes occurred with oxime-containing antibiotics. Although all the extended broad spectrum enzymes described above hydrolyzed cefotaxime, ceftazidime and aztreonam, the four enzymes could be easily differentiated: TEM-3 hydrolyzed cefotaxime preferentially, TEM-5 and RHH-1 hydrolyzed ceftazidime approximately three times faster than cefotaxime, whereas TEM-10 hydrolyzed ceftazidime 42 times faster than cefotaxime. All the enzymes were inhibited well by clavulanic acid, with I50 values ranging from 4.3 to 12 nM, compared to 130 nM for TEM-2. Inhibition by sulbactam was also better for the extended broad spectrum than for the TEM-2 β-lactamases, with I50 values of 12–940 nM for the extended broad spectrum enzymes, compared to 1600 nM for the TEM-2 β-lactamase.
Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are distinct diseases with potential overlapping metabolic dysfunction upstream of observed cognitive decline

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are highly prevalent aging-related diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Some findings in human and animal models have linked T2DM to AD-type dementia. Despite epidemiological associations between the T2DM and cognitive impairment, the interrelational mechanisms are unclear. The preponderance of evidence in longitudinal studies with autopsy confirmation have indicated that vascular mechanisms, rather than classic AD-type pathologies, underlie the cognitive decline often seen in self-reported T2DM. T2DM is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and is associated with increased risk of infarcts and small vessel disease in the brain and other organs. Neuropathological examinations of post-mortem brains demonstrated evidence of cerebrovascular disease and little to no correlation between T2DM and β-amyloid deposits or neurofibrillary tangles. Nevertheless, the mechanisms upstream of early AD-specific pathology remain obscure. In this regard, there may indeed be overlap between the pathologic mechanisms of T2DM/"metabolic syndrome," and AD. More specifically, cerebral insulin processing, glucose metabolism, mitochondrial function, and/or lipid metabolism could be altered in patients in early AD and directly influence symptomatology and/or neuropathology.
Rapid purification of pig heart fumarase by general ligand chromatography

A rapid method for the purification of fumarase from pig heart muscle has been developed using general ligand chromatography with adenosine triphosphate as ligand. Fumarase exhibited distinctive elution patterns from several types of nucleotide-agarose matrices, which may prove of value in distinguishing putative isozymic forms. Fumarase purified from both soluble and particulate fractions of cardiac tissue appeared to be identical in terms of subunit molecular weight, electrophoretic mobility on cellulose acetate, substrate kinetics, and inactivation by several inhibitors. When fresh cardiac tissue was suspended in sucrose medium, both fumarase and citrate synthase were released from the mitochondria to about the same extent (10%). However, fumarase release was increased approximately three-fold, while the release of titrate synthase increased only slightly, when tissue which had been frozen and thawed was suspended in sucrose medium.
Sequential deposition of organic films with eco-compatible solvents enables high-efficiency nonfullerene solar cells (Conference Presentation)

Casting of a donor:acceptor bulk-heterojunction structure from a single ink has been the predominant fabrication method of solution-processed organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Despite the success of such bulk-heterojunction, the task of controlling its microstructure in a single casting process has been challenging and arduous and alternative approaches are desired. To achieve and even improve OPVs with a desirable microstructure, a facile and eco-compatible sequential deposition approach is demonstrated for nonfullerene polymer/small molecule pairs. Using a known weakly crystalline polymer FTAZ as the model material, we show the profound influence of casting solvent on the molecular ordering of the film, and thus the device performance and mesoscale morphology of sequentially deposited OPVs can be tuned[1]. Static and in-situ X-ray scattering indicate that applying the green solvent limonene is able to greatly promote the molecular order of FTAZ and form the largest domain spacing exclusively, which correlate well with the best efficiency in sequentially deposited devices. The sequentially cast device generally outperforms its control device[2] based on traditional single-ink bulk-heterojunction structure. Investigations of distinct material systems suggest that our approach be applicable to many conjugated polymers and nonfullerene acceptors, which yield consistently higher fill factors than traditional bulk-heterojunction devices. Moreover, the relationships between polymer:solvent interactions, thin-film microstructure, and device performance are discussed for these sequentially deposited devices. It is noted that polymer:solvent interaction parameter χ positively correlates with domain spacing in the devices. Our findings shed light on innovative approaches to rationally create ink-stable, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient nonfullerene solar cells. Reference [1] Ye, L.; Xiong, Y.; Chen, Z.; Zhang, Q.; Fei, Z.; Henry, R.; Heeney, M.; O’Connor, B.; You, W.; Ade, H. Adv. Mater. 2019, under review. [2] Ye, L.; Xiong, Y.; Zhang, Q.; Li, S.; Wang, C.; Jiang, Z.; Hou, J.; You, W.; Ade, H. Adv. Mater. 2018, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201705485.
The effectiveness of animations in an undergraduate operating systems course

This project studied the instructional effectiveness of using animations to teach thirty-two learning objectives in an undergraduate operating systems course. The animations were created using Macromedia Flash™ and were employed as primary pedagogical tools during classroom instruction. Furthermore, a website for each animation was constructed to allow student accessibility to the animations outside the classroom. Statistical analysis using a paired t-test indicated that inclusion of animations in an undergraduate operating systems course yielded significant overall student achievement gains as measured by pretest and posttest scores. The inclusion of animations also was determined to be effective for approximately one-half of the thirty-two learning objectives when considered individually.
Challenges for Enriching the Curriculum: Arithmetic and Number Theory.

"Mathematics is the queen of the sci ences and arithmetic the queen of math ematics," proclaimed Carl F. Gauss, one of the world's greatest mathematicians, in 1856. In fact, number theory?the study of numbers?has been pursued both by famous mathematicians and by enthusiastic amateurs for centuries. The reason for the attraction to number theory is simple?it is a source rich in opportunity for personal discovery and achievement. All students, and especially creative students, should be exposed to the variety of problems that number theory affords. We present a series of two types of problems here?those that focus on certain kinds of numbers and those that emphasize a specific concept of number theory. Several of the problems are appropriate for extensive investigation with a computer. dromic numbers that have this sum. Are there any combinations of two-, three-, or four-digit palindromic numbers whose sum is the given number? 2. Starting with 1, there are nine one-digit palindromic numbers. How many two digit, three-digit, four-digit, n-digit palindromic numbers are there? Solution: The solution appears in table 1. Extensions: How many palindromic numbers are less than one billion? One trillion?
Videogames and guns in adolescents: T ests of a bipartite theory.

The possible role of video gaming in imprinting aggressive and specifically gun-related behaviors has been elusive, and findings regarding these associations have been inconsistent. I address this gap by proposing and testing a bipartite theory that can explain inconsistent results regarding the previously assumed linear association between videogames and gun-related behaviors. The theory suggests that this association follows a U-shape. It posits that at low levels of video gaming time, video gaming displaces gun-related behaviors and shelters adolescents by keeping them occupied and by reducing opportunities and motivation to acquire guns. However, at some level of gaming time (because most popular games adolescents play include violent aspects), the assumed imprinting of aggressive behaviors overpowers the positive displacement force, and this can trivialize and naturalize gun-carrying behaviors, and ultimately increase motivation to obtain and carry guns. I tested this theory with two national samples of American adolescents (n1 = 24,779 and n2 = 26,543, out of which 403 and 378, respectively, reported bringing a gun to school in the last month). Multiple analyses supported the proposed U-shaped association. These findings show that the moral panic over video games is largely unsubstantiated, especially among light to moderate gamers.
Love You to pIeCEs

This chapter discusses how the loss of a mentee and friend to an unexpected suicide resulted in an ability to find strength and hope through a guilt filled grieving process. The notion that grief is a negative emotion is reexamined through a storytelling lens to demonstrate how the nonlinear process can be positive. The story will articulate how one individual found hope in unimaginable moments resulting in their own personal commitment to make meaningful life changes in themselves and others. Lastly, this chapter will discuss the importance of faculty and staff focusing on their own mental health and using their voices and stories to support their students and address the stigma of mental health and suicide.
Effect of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens culture on the growth and yield of off-season potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

A study was carried out in order to investigate the effect of microbial fertilizer application on off-season potato ( Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Universia) under field conditions in early spring and late autumn in 2016. The experiment included Control (C, no application), Standard Fertilizer Application (SFA), Microbial Fertilizer Application (MFA ) and SFA+MFA treatments. An equal mixture of three strains of Bacillus subtilis VKPM B-10641(DSM 24613), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens VKPM B-10642 (DSM 24614) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens В-10643 (DSM 24615) was applied at 1x10 9 cfu/ml to tubers before planting and to plants at flowering stage in MFA and SFA+MFA plots. Treatments affected the plant growth parameters. SFA plots produced the highest tuber yields in both seasons. MFA plots had earlier emergence time (40 days), higher number of stems per plant (3), higher number of leaves per plant (37.2), thicker stem diameter (10.15 mm), higher above ground biomass yields (5.42 t/ha), higher single tuber weight (104.21 g) and higher tuber yields (22.06 t/ha) compared with control plots (42 days, 2.2, 31.2, 9.15 mm, 4.40 t/ha, 90.88 g and 20.14 t/ha respectively). Tuber yield in MFA plots (26.56 t/ha) was equal to SFA plots (26.81 t/ha) in warmer autumn planting. Combination of SFA and MFA produced lower tuber yields (21.72 t/ha) than SFA treatment (26.81 t/ha). In conclusion, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens gave comparable tuber yields to chemical fertilizer application in warmer autumn plantings, but lower tuber yields in colder spring conditions warranting further experiments with cold tolerant psychrophilic bacterial strains for off-season potato production.
Fulvic acid increases iron bioavailability in aquaponic systems: Theoretical designs and practical considerations to prevent iron deficiency in plants

Abstract Plants grown in aquaponics frequently develop iron deficiency, which is generally corrected via supplementation with iron chelates. However, the solid waste excreted by fish contains considerable amounts iron, which are lost in the system by precipitation of insoluble iron oxides. Thus, the present study proposed the use of fulvic acid (FA), a humic substance with metal complexing capacity, to prevent iron precipitation and enhance its bioavailability in the aquaculture wastewater. An aquaponic solution was added with levels of fulvic acid (0, 69, 138, 345, and 690 mg L−1), and analyzed for dissolved iron after incubation and centrifugation. Visual MINTEQ was used to characterize and quantify the effect of fulvic acid levels on iron precipitation, species of possible solid forms, and concentration of dissolved bioavailable iron forms. Dissolved iron concentration increased with the inclusion of fulvic acid in the nutrient solution, and the highest iron concentration (22.4 μM) was obtained by treating the solution with 690 mg L−1 of fulvic acid. Visual MINTEQ simulations demonstrated that, in the absence of fulvic acid, iron precipitated in the form of αFe2O3, and the concentration of available iron increased with the inclusion of FA due to its complexing properties. Solution pH had no effect on iron availability with the absence of fulvic acid; in its presence, the effect of pH was only significant at values below 4.5. This study shows that fulvic acid seems to play an important role in transporting low-soluble iron from fish tanks to plant roots in aquaponic systems.