cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Tuning Strategy for Unconstrained SISO Model Predictive Control

This paper presents an easy-to-use and reliable tuning strategy for unconstrained SISO dynamic matrix control (DMC) and lays a foundation for extension to multivariable systems. The tuning strategy achieves set point tracking with minimal overshoot and modest manipulated input move sizes and is applicable to a broad class of open loop stable processes. The derivation of an analytical expression for the move suppression coefficient, λ, and its demonstration in a DMC tuning strategy is one of the significant contributions of this work. The compact form for the analytical expression for λ is achieved by employing a first order plus dead time (FOPDT) model approximation of the process dynamics. With tuning parameters computed, DMC is then implemented in the classical fashion using a dynamic matrix formulated from step response coefficients of the actual process. Just as the FOPDT model approximation has proved a valuable tool in tuning rules such as Cohen−Coon, ITAE, and IAE for PID implementations, the tunin...
The Future of Silicon Photonics: Not So Fast? Insights From 100G Ethernet LAN Transceivers

While many articles have touted Si photonics' potential to bring the bandwidth and power-efficiency benefits of photonics to mainstream semiconductor applications, rigorous economic analysis has been lacking. This paper leverages extensive data from the major electronic and photonic semiconductor manufacturers to model the competitiveness of two Si photonic designs against InP-based alternatives for a 1310 nm, 100 gigabit ethernet LAN transceiver. Our results suggest that silicon photonics may struggle finding low-volume opportunities for early-stage market adoption for the very reasons that silicon photonics is attractive-the existing capital-intensive infrastructure in Si-CMOS. Contrary to popular belief, we demonstrate that InP platforms can, depending on the yields achieved in each technology, have equal to or lower production costs than silicon for all expected production volumes. Silicon photonics does hold great potential to be cost competitive in markets with annual sales volumes above 900 000, including servers, computing, and mobile devices.
Preference Bias and Outsourcing to Market: A Steady-State Analysis

We analyze a model that focuses on the export/outsource decision. Outsourcing has the advantage of providing better information about local preferences. The disadvantage is that producing in the host country also means using the inferior technology embodied in the local capital. The decision of whether to offer an outsourcing contract weighs these two effects against each other. The host country accepts the outsourcing contract if the higher price they pay for the outsourced good is worth the benefit of consuming a manufactured good closer to their ideal variety. These results suggest that as low-income countries develop they become a more attractive destination for outsourcing because their capital grows to meet production needs and the local market is more lucrative. In addition, the developing low-income country finds the outsourcing contract more attractive since their increased demand for the correct variety of the manufactured good increases. This suggests that preference-based outsourcing is more likely to occur with higher-income host countries.
Antibody reactive with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin in early-onset periodontitis patients

The objective of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between antibody reactive with the Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin and the severity of periodontal disease. Serum concentrations of antibody reactive with the leukotoxin were determined for 119 early-onset periodontitis patients and 59 non-periodontitis subjects using limiting dilution analysis on Western blots. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody reactive with the A. actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin ranged from undetectable to 29 micrograms/ml (mean = 3.13 +/- 0.97 micrograms/ml for the generalized early-onset periodontitis and 2.17 +/- 0.86 micrograms/ml for the localized juvenile periodontitis patients vs 0.32 +/- 0.24 ng/ml for 59 non-periodontitis controls), and the dominant subclass was IgG1. Analysis of the relationship between antibody reactive with A. actinomycetemcomitans sonicate, A. actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin and attachment loss patterns indicates that seropositive generalized early-onset periodontitis patients had decreased attachment loss compared with patients lacking this antibody. The statistical relationship appeared to be stronger for the sonicate than the purified leukotoxin. These data suggest that antibody reactive with A. actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin may be protective in early-onset periodontitis, but given that the sonicate appeared better than the leukotoxin alone, it is not likely that leukotoxin is the only antigen of importance to host defense.
Investigation of even systems of nonlinear functional differential equations with restrictions

We establish consistency conditions for even systems of nonlinear functional differential equations with restrictions and substantiate the applicability of an iterative method to these problems.
Role of Lamivudine in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

OBJECTIVE:To examine the evidence regarding the therapeutic effectiveness of lamivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in immunocompetent patients.DATA SOURCES:Using chronic hepatitis B and lamivudine as MeSH headings, MEDLINE was searched from 1966 to September 1998 for all published randomized controlled trials evaluating lamivudine in chronic HBV infection. Relevant articles from selected bibliographies were also retrieved.STUDY SELECTION:Only randomized, single- and double-blind trials in human HBV carriers published in the English language were included.DATA SYNTHESIS:Evidence from the controlled trials suggests that lamivudine has a therapeutic effect in suppressing HBV replication in immunocompetent patients. Lamivudine 100 mg/d appears to suppress HBV replication in as many as 97% of patients within two weeks after the initiation of therapy and is capable of suppressing histologic damages. However, viral suppression is effective only during the therapy; on discontinu...
Diagnosis of Subtropical Humidity Dynamics Using Tracers of Last Saturation

Abstract A technique for diagnosing the mechanisms that control the humidity in a general circulation model (GCM) or observationally derived meteorological analysis dataset is presented. The technique involves defining a large number of tracers, each of which represents air that has last been saturated in a particular region of the atmosphere. The time-mean tracer fields show the typical pathways that air parcels take between one occurrence of saturation and the next. The tracers provide useful information about how different regions of the atmosphere influence the humidity elsewhere. Because saturation vapor pressure is a function only of temperature and assuming mixing ratio is conserved for unsaturated parcels, these tracer fields can also be used together with the temperature field to reconstruct the water vapor field. The technique is first applied to an idealized GCM in which the dynamics are dry and forced using the Held–Suarez thermal relaxation, but the model carries a passive waterlike tracer th...
Vinyl Polymerization of Organometallic Monomers Containing Transition Metals.

In this chapter the reactivity toward vinyl homopolymerization and copolymerization of organic monomers containing transition metals is discussed. Vinylferrocene (1) is an excellent example and the most thoroughly studied member of this unique class of monomers. Other model examples include vinylcyclopentadienylmanganesetricarbonyl (2), styrenetricarbonylchromium (3), and trans-bis(tributylphosphine) (4-styryl)palladium chloride (4). Each of these monomers undergoes vinyl addition polymerization, and each contains a transition metal in the monomer which is retained in the polymer. The first vinyl polymerization of an organometallic derivative was the radical-initiated homopolymerization of vinylferrocene by Arimoto and Haven1,2 in 1955. They also showed that vinylferrocene could be copolymerized with methyl acrylate, styrene, and chloroprene. Despite this success, organometallic vinyl monomers were virtually neglected for the next decade in comparison with the vast attention given to the preparation of condensation polymers3,4 and coordination polymers5 of transition-metal derivatives.
Fermi level tuning and the Kondo resonance in Y1−xUxPd3

Abstract This paper presents a review of the electronic structure of Y1−xUxPd3, along with new data on Fermi level tuning in alloy and in Th1−xUxPd3.
High order finite volume WENO schemes for the shallow water flows through channels with irregular geometry

The shallow water equations are widely used to model flows in rivers and coastal areas. In this paper, we consider the shallow water flows in open channels with irregular geometry and a non-flat bottom topography, and design high order finite volume weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) methods. A special source term approximation is introduced so that the proposed methods can preserve the still water steady state exactly. We also employ a simple positivity-preserving limiter to provide efficient and robust simulations near the wetting and drying front. The proposed methods are well-balanced for the still water steady state solutions, preserve the non-negativity of the wet cross section, and are genuinely high order accurate in smooth regions for general solutions and essentially non-oscillatory for general solutions with discontinuities. Numerical examples are performed at the end to verify these properties.
Alcohol consumption and antitumor immunity: dynamic changes from activation to accelerated deterioration of the immune system

The molecular mechanisms of how alcohol and its metabolites induce cancer have been studied extensively. However, the mechanisms whereby chronic alcohol consumption affects antitumor immunity and host survival have largely been unexplored. We studied the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the immune system and antitumor immunity in mice inoculated with B16BL6 melanoma and found that alcohol consumption activates the immune system leading to an increase in the proportion of IFN-γ-producing NK, NKT, and T cells in mice not injected with tumors. One outcome associated with enhanced IFN-γ activation is inhibition of melanoma lung metastasis. However, the anti-metastatic effects do not translate into increased survival of mice bearing subcutaneous tumors. Continued growth of the subcutaneous tumors and alcohol consumption accelerates the deterioration of the immune system, which is reflected in the following: (1) inhibition in the expansion of memory CD8+ T cells, (2) accelerated decay of Th1 cytokine-producing cells, (3) increased myeloid-derived suppressor cells, (4) compromised circulation of B cells and T cells, and (5) increased NKT cells that exhibit an IL-4 dominant cytokine profile, which is inhibitory to antitumor immunity. Taken together, the dynamic effects of alcohol consumption on antitumor immunity are in two opposing phases: the first phase associated with immune stimulation is tumor inhibitory and the second phase resulting from the interaction between the effects of alcohol and the tumor leads to immune inhibition and resultant tumor progression.
Promoting Educational Opportunities: Long-Run Implications of Affirmative Action in College Admissions

This paper investigates the implications of affirmative action in college admissions for welfare, aggregate output, educational investment decisions and intergenerational persistence of earnings. We construct an overlapping-generations model in which parents choose how much to invest in their child's education, thereby increasing both human capital and likelihood of college admission. Motivated by a recent policy implemented in Brazil, we calibrate the model to quantify affirmative action long-run effects. We find that affirmative action targeting the bottom quintile of the income distribution is a powerful policy to reduce intergenerational persistence of earnings and improve welfare and aggregate output.
Is anti-Müllerian hormone associated with IVF outcomes in young patients with diminished ovarian reserve?

Aim: To investigate whether anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is associated with IVF cycle outcomes in young patients with diminished ovarian reserve. Materials & methods: Retrospective study of patients 1 ng/ml and 0.5 ng/ml. Results: In total, 1005 patients were included. Patients in the >1 ng/ml group required lesser gonadotropins compared with the <1 ng/ml and the <0.5 ng/ml group. More oocytes were retrieved from the same group compared with the latter two (p < 0.001). Despite these differences, the overall rates of clinical pregnancy, spontaneous abortion and live birth were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: In patients with diminished ovarian reserve who have good quality embryos, AMH is not associated with clinical pregnancy, spontaneous miscarriage or live birth rates.
Multilevel developmental approaches to understanding the effects of child maltreatment: Recent advances and future challenges

Recent research in the field of child maltreatment has begun to shed new light on the emergence of health problems in children by emphasizing the responsiveness of developmental processes to children's environmental and biological contexts. Here, I highlight recent trends in the field with an emphasis on the effects of early life stress across multiple levels of developmental domains.
Evaluating Dynamic Fatigue of Adhesion of Tire Cords to Rubber Stocks

Abstract A practical reasonably quick method for evaluating the resistance of the adhesive bond between tire cord and rubber stock to flexural (dynamic) fatigue has been developed. The method employs the Roller-Flex machine, on which the test cords, cured in rubber and under tension, are subjected to rapid cyclic flexure by being passed back and forth around small steel rollers. The resistance of the adhesive bond to dynamic fatigue is evaluated by a measurement of the cord adhesion by the familiar H pull-out test, after the sample has been flexed on the machine for a 10-hour period. There is a continual decline in cord adhesion as the flexing period is prolonged. Ten hours were selected as the flexing period in the standard test. A difference of 6 pounds per inch between samples was found necessary for significance at the 5 per cent level. Dynamic adhesion measurements by this method have been found to correlate reasonably well with adhesion performance in road tire tests.
Quadratic Optical Phase Modulation for RF frequency Down-conversion

In this paper we examine the mechanism behind intense quadratic phase modulation of quantum well phase modulator and determine its feasibility for efficient frequency down-conversion for coherent RF/Photonic links.
Beryllium Biobank 3: considerations for improving chronic beryllium disease screening.

OBJECTIVE To optimize beryllium worker screening. METHODS Beryllium-exposed persons are classified as beryllium-exposed, beryllium-sensitized (BeS), or chronic beryllium disease. Implications of defining BeS by two or more positive lymphocyte proliferation tests (LPTs) were investigated with a simple binomial model. The potential effect of adjusting the interval for repeated intensive testing to detect chronic beryllium disease among persons with BeS was assessed with a Markov model. RESULTS Accuracy of properly identifying BeS is reduced as the number of repeated tests increases. Markov simulation illustrates that adjusting second-stage screening intervals on the basis of personal risk may significantly affect cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS The criteria for classification as BeS should be adjusted depending on the number of LPTs performed. Modifying the interval for repeated intensive testing on the basis of each worker's data can improve cost-effectiveness.
Nanoscale Extracellular Vesicle Analysis in Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis and Therapy.

Diagnostic assays that leverage bloodborne neuron-derived (neuronal) nanoscale extracellular vesicles (nsEVs) as “windows into the brain” can predict incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) many years prior to onset. Beyond diagnostics, bloodborne neuronal nsEVs analysis may have substantial translational impact by revealing mechanisms of AD pathology; such knowledge could enlighten new drug targets and lead to new therapeutic approaches. The potential to establish three-dimensional nsEV analysis methods that characterize highly purified bloodborne nsEV populations in method of enrichment, cell type origin, and protein or RNA abundance dimensions could bring this promise to bear by yielding nsEV “omics” datasets that uncover new AD biomarkers and enable AD therapeutic development. In this review we provide a survey of both the current status of and new developments on the horizon in the field of neuronal nsEV analysis. This survey is supplemented by a discussion of the potential to translate such neuronal nsEV analyses to AD clinical diagnostic applications and drug development.
Red cell surface antigen and its relationship to survival of patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

AbstractWe studied 73 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder seen from 1967 to 1973. The red cell antigen test was done in a controlled blind study to determine if tumor behavior can be predicted by this test. Our results do not substantiate the findings of other investigators who have reported excellent correlation. We did not find statistical evidence that loss of antigen could be equated to a poor prognosis. We noted that patients in group O gave the weakest reaction and that this test had to be done in a modified fashion in tumors from these patients. It also was noted that as individuals age they tend to lose the red cell antigen.There is no doubt that this test, as reported in the literature, is a great advance in the study of bladder cancer. Further refinement in technique and more data are needed to substantiate its accuracy in predicting the behavior of bladder cancer.
Does superior caval vein pressure impact head growth in Fontan circulation

Background Patients with bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis have unphysiologically high superior caval vein pressure as it equals pulmonary artery pressure. Elevated superior caval vein pressure may cause communicating hydrocephalus and macrocephaly. This study analysed whether there exists an association between head circumference and superior caval vein pressure in patients with single ventricle physiology. Methods We carried out a retrospective analysis of infants undergoing Fontan completion at our institution from 2007 to 2013. Superior caval vein pressures were measured during routine catheterisation before bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and Fontan completion as well as head circumference, adjusted to longitudinal age-dependent percentiles. Results We included 74 infants in our study. Median ages at bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and Fontan were 4.8 (1.6-12) and 27.9 (7-40.6) months, respectively. Head circumference showed significant growth from bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis until Fontan completion (7th (0-100th) versus 20th (0-100th) percentile). There was no correlation between superior caval vein pressure and head circumference before Fontan (R2=0.001). Children with lower differences in superior caval vein pressures between pre-bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and pre-Fontan catheterisations showed increased growth of head circumference (R2=0.19). Conclusions Patients with moderately elevated superior caval vein pressure associated with single ventricle physiology did not have a tendency to develop macrocephaly. There is no correlation between superior caval vein pressure before Fontan and head circumference, but between bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and Fontan head circumference increases significantly. This may be explained by catch-up growth of head circumference in patients with more favourable haemodynamics and concomitant venous pressures in the lower range. Further studies with focus on high superior caval vein pressures are needed to exclude or prove a correlation.
The Coriolis Effect

The Coriolis Force, or Coriolis Effect, is in many ways the most mysterious thing about living on a rotating globe. It has even been termed a “fictional force.”
Ford Finds Its Connection

Ford Motor had a problem. Workers at its state of the art assembly plant were taking too long to produce each vehicle. Top management came up with a radical innovation by rethinking the standard automotive manufacturing process. Productivity soared, with the average time to produce each vehicle speeding up from over 12 h to just 90 min. With further process improvements, Ford accelerated the pace of global production to under a minute per vehicle. This was an unprecedented level of efficiency, a change that allowed the company to reduce car prices dramatically. Lower prices meant that millions of Americans could buy their first automobile. The advantages of Ford’s manufacturing innovations were so enormous that they revolutionized the entire automotive industry. The process efficiencies were quickly copied by other manufacturing sectors generating similar productivity advances. The radical improvement that Ford pioneered back in 1913 was the moving assembly line, an invention that established Ford’s early reputation as an architect of transformation.
An Adaptive Mutation in Enterococcus faecium LiaR Associated with Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance Mimics Phosphorylation and Stabilizes LiaR in an Activated State.

The cyclic antimicrobial lipopeptide daptomycin (DAP) triggers the LiaFSR membrane stress response pathway in enterococci and many other Gram-positive organisms. LiaR is the response regulator that, upon phosphorylation, binds in a sequence-specific manner to DNA to regulate transcription in response to membrane stress. In clinical settings, non-susceptibility to DAP by Enterococcus faecium is correlated frequently with a mutation in LiaR of Trp73 to Cys (LiaRW73C). We have determined the structure of the activated E. faecium LiaR protein at 3.2 A resolution and, in combination with solution studies, show that the activation of LiaR induces the formation of a LiaR dimer that increases LiaR affinity at least 40-fold for the extended regulatory regions upstream of the liaFSR and liaXYZ operons. In vitro, LiaRW73C induces phosphorylation-independent dimerization of LiaR and provides a biochemical basis for non-susceptibility to DAP by the upregulation of the LiaFSR regulon. A comparison of the E. faecalis LiaR, E. faecium LiaR, and the LiaR homolog from Staphylococcus aureus (VraR) and the mutations associated with DAP resistance suggests that physicochemical properties such as oligomerization state and DNA specificity, although tuned to the biology of each organism, share some features that could be targeted for new antimicrobials.
Perspectives of a Fourth Year Student

Many articles describe the dos and don’ts of interviewing for residency. While these tips are helpful for all residency applicants, there are nuances to consider when applying for surgery residencies that prioritize academic surgery. This chapter will focus on helping residency applicants stand out from the crowd and present themselves as exceptional candidates for top-tier academic surgery program.
Using Recruitment Source Timing and Diagnosticity to Enhance Applicants' Occupation-Specific Human Capital.

This study proposes that reaching applicants through more diagnostic recruitment sources earlier in their educational development (e.g., in high school) can lead them to invest more in their occupation-specific human capital (OSHC), thereby making them higher quality candidates. Using a sample of 78
Development of large-scale functional networks from birth to adulthood: A guide to the neuroimaging literature

The development of human cognition results from the emergence of coordinated activity between distant brain areas. Network science, combined with non-invasive functional imaging, has generated unprecedented insights regarding the adult brain's functional organization, and promises to help elucidate the development of functional architectures supporting complex behavior. Here we review what is known about functional network development from birth until adulthood, particularly as understood through the use of resting-state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI). We attempt to synthesize rs-fcMRI findings with other functional imaging techniques, with macro-scale structural connectivity, and with knowledge regarding the development of micro-scale structure. We highlight a number of outstanding conceptual and technical barriers that need to be addressed, as well as previous developmental findings that may need to be revisited. Finally, we discuss key areas ripe for future research in order to (1) better characterize normative developmental trajectories, (2) link these trajectories to biologic mechanistic events, as well as component behaviors and (3) better understand the clinical implications and pathophysiological basis of aberrant network development.
Assessing Families (Not Just Individuals) for Missionary Service

The assessment of missionaries tends to focus on the adult members of the family unit being approved for service. Yet, the family is the one consistent relational network that missionaries are conn...
Assessing the Climate of the Playground and Lunchroom: Implications for Bullying Prevention Programming.

A considerable number of bullying prevention and intervention programs are being implemented in elementary schools across the United States and worldwide. However, although the majority of aggressi...
Small is as Small Does

Most of the great discoveries of the astronomical past were made with telescopes now thought of as small, though they were not at the time. This chapter presents an overview of some of these past triumphs (with details relegated to appendices), followed by a consideration of what can and cannot be done with small telescopes at present and looking into the future. The discussion is centered on an assortment of outstanding questions and problems in the field selected by several people (including, of course, the author).
Adaptive Monte Carlo analysis for strongly nonlinear stochastic systems

Abstract This paper compares space-filling and importance sampling (IS)-based Monte Carlo sample designs with those derived for optimality in the error of stratified statistical estimators. Space-filling designs are shown to be optimal for systems whose response depends linearly on the input random variables. They are, however, shown to be far from optimal when the system is nonlinear. To achieve optimality, it is shown that samples should be placed densely in regions of large variation (sparsely in regions of small variation). This notion is shown to be subtly, but importantly, different from other non-space-filling designs, particularly IS. To achieve near-optimal sample designs, the adaptive Gradient Enhanced Refined Stratified Sampling (GE-RSS) is proposed that sequentially refines the probability space in accordance with stratified sampling. The space is refined according to the estimated local variance of the system computed from gradients using a surrogate model. The method significantly reduces the error in stratified Monte Carlo estimators for strongly nonlinear systems, outperforms both space-filling methods and IS-based methods, and is simple to implement. Numerical examples on strongly nonlinear systems illustrate the improvement over space-filling and IS designs. The method is applied to study the probability of shear band formation in a bulk metallic glass.
Threading Dislocations in InGaAs/GaAs (001) Buffer Layers for Metamorphic High Electron Mobility Transistors

In order to evaluate various buffer layers for metamorphic devices, threading dislocation densities have been calculated for uniform composition In x Ga1−xAs device layers deposited on GaAs (001) substrates with an intermediate graded buffer layer using the LMD model, where LMD is the average length of misfit dislocations. On this basis, we compare the relative effectiveness of buffer layers with linear, exponential, and S-graded compositional profiles. In the case of a 2 μm thick buffer layer linear grading results in higher threading dislocation densities in the device layer compared to either exponential or S-grading. When exponential grading is used, lower threading dislocation densities are obtained with a smaller length constant. In the S-graded case, lower threading dislocation densities result when a smaller standard deviation parameter is used. As the buffer layer thickness is decreased from 2 μm to 0.1 μm all of the above effects are diminished, and the absolute threading dislocation densities increase.
Elementary Particle Physics: The Quest for Elementarity

When we look at a forest from a distance, it looks like a unified whole. But as you approach it, you find that it is made up of individual units. The philosophers of ancient Greece found this intriguing. Is it possible, they argued, that matter is also like this? If we look close enough at an object, perhaps its wholeness will disappear and the object will be found to be made up of elementary particles, just as the forest is made up of individual trees. Among the Greek philosophers, the most outspoken proponent of this “atomic” view of matter was Democritus: matter is composed of “indestructible” units called “atomos” he said. (As you can guess, the word atom originated from this Greek word.)
What do we really know about patient satisfaction

A review of the literature reveals practical ways to improve patient satisfaction and compelling reasons to do so.
Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination Technique in Small Ruminants-A Procedure Review

Laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) is an intrauterine method of insemination, especially utilized in the small ruminant species to bypass their unique anatomically tortuous cervix. There are several advantages of LAI that include efficient use of processed semen leading to higher pregnancy rates. Success of LAI programs depends on proper implementation of estrus synchronization programs, patient selection and thorough knowledge of the reproductive physiology. In addition, proper equipment and surgical expertise help in reducing patient morbidity and mortality rates. LAI can be associated with several complications as a result of inadequate patient preparation, poor technique or equipment failure. Hence, a thorough planning is essential to carry out the procedure safely and with consistent success rates. Addition of LAI to a small ruminant/food animal practice can be quite profitable and professionally fulfilling, as long as an appropriate investment in equipment and adequate training of veterinarians and technical staff is implemented. Though the technique for performing LAI has been mentioned briefly through various research articles, this article serves as the first comprehensive review of the technique, equipment used, associated complications and useful practical tips that could serve as a guideline for clinicians interested in adding this service to their practice. The article also contains some novel research supported ideas to provide laparoscopic insufflation that have been recently developed.
Load-discharge relationships reveal the efficacy of manure application practices on phosphorus and total solids losses from agricultural fields

Abstract Eutrophication and sedimentation are pervasive challenges in many agricultural watersheds. Recent research has promoted shallow-disk manure injection as a means of mitigating phosphorus (P) losses in runoff while maintaining the water quality benefits of no-till, such as reduced particulate P and sediment losses. However, the precision and accuracy of field studies seeking to quantify the effectiveness of shallow-disk injection as a P mitigation strategy are substantially constrained by hydrologic variability across spatial and temporal scales. In this study, overland and subsurface flow from twelve plots in central Pennsylvania (PA) were measured and sampled for all P constituents and total solids (TS) from January 2013 to May 2017. We regressed loads of total P (TP), dissolved P (DP), particulate P (PP), and TS against flow depths to evaluate how P and TS losses changed with increasing flow. The results revealed dilution of all P constituents and near-chemostatic behavior (little change in concentration with change in flow) for TS for both application methods. Shallow-disk injection was found to be more effective than broadcasting in promoting dilution of DP, and to a lesser extent, TP. In contrast, the broadcast plots showed stronger dilution patterns than did the injection plots for PP, and there was no difference between application methods for TS. Variability among plots within each manure application practice was largely dependent on relative contributions of overland and subsurface flow due to increased dilution of P by subsurface flow. Overall, shallow-disk injection appears to be an effective practice to reduce DP and TP losses without negating the erosion-reducing benefits of no-till.
Successful heart-lung transplant for a patient on continuous flow left ventricular assist device support complicated with amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis

In this case report, we present a successful case of en bloc heart-lung transplant in a patient with advanced cardiopulmonary respiratory failure from amiodarone-associated pulmonary fibrosis that occurred post-left ventricular assist device implantation.
Risk Judgment and the Communication of Hazard Information: Toward a New Look in the Study of Risk Perception

During the years immediately following World War II, a group of American psychologists developed a body of work in the study of perception which became known as the “New Look” (Bruner and Goodman. 1947; Krech and Crutchfield, 1948; Bruner and Klein, 1960). The New Look was part of a larger movement at that time which aimed “to bring psychology out of the laboratory and into the area of improving human society” (Hochberg. 1964. p. 101). While the New Look was predated by related work in perception (the work of Brunswik discussed in Hammond, 1966) and social psychology (Sherif. 1935) what was new was the sharp focus on the effects of social factors such as economic status on the perception of certain attributes of objects.
Exome sequencing of family trios from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study: Tapping into a rich resource of genetic and environmental data

Background The National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) is a multisite, population-based, case-control study of genetic and nongenetic risk factors for major structural birth defects. Eligible women had a pregnancy affected by a birth defect or a liveborn child without a birth defect between 1997 and 2011. They were invited to complete a telephone interview to collect pregnancy exposure data and were mailed buccal cell collection kits to collect specimens from themselves, their child (if living), and their child's father. Over 23,000 families representing more than 30 major structural birth defects provided DNA specimens. Methods To evaluate their utility for exome sequencing (ES), specimens from 20 children with colonic atresia were studied. Evaluations were conducted on specimens collected using cytobrushes stored and transported in open versus closed packaging, on native genomic DNA (gDNA) versus whole genome amplified (WGA) products and on a library preparation protocol adapted to low amounts of DNA. Results The DNA extracted from brushes in open packaging yielded higher quality sequence data than DNA from brushes in closed packaging. Quality metrics of sequenced gDNA were consistently higher than metrics from corresponding WGA products and were consistently high when using a low input protocol. Conclusions This proof-of-principle study established conditions under which ES can be applied to NBDPS specimens. Successful sequencing of exomes from well-characterized NBDPS families indicated that this unique collection can be used to investigate the roles of genetic variation and gene-environment interaction effects in birth defect etiologies, providing a valuable resource for birth defect researchers.
Agricultural market intelligence center - a case study of chilli crop price forecasting in Telangana.

Indian is an agriculture based country, where more than 50 per cent of population is depend on agriculture. This structures the main source of income. The commitment of agribusiness in the national income in India is all the more, subsequently, it is said that agriculture in India is a backbone for Indian Economy. The majority of the rural producers are unable to understand and interpret the market and price behaviour to their advantages. Hence, market information and intelligence are crucial to enable farmers and traders to make informed decisions about what to grow, when to sell, and where to sell. The price forecasts are made by analyzing the prices of agricultural commodities concerned over 17 years using advanced statistical tools like ARIMA, ARCH, GARCH models, comparing the same with prices of futures markets and national and international reports of trade surveys besides conducting state level trade surveys. Under the project price forecasts were made for chilli twice once during Kharif season for 2 years fromKharif 2017-18 and 2018-19. Thus, out of total 4 price forecasts 3 price forecasts with more than 90 per cent precision were developed and disseminated through various means like university website, university magazine “Vyavasayam”, SMS to contact farmers, All India radio, farmers’ trainings and meetings, etc.
Association Between Inhaled Corticosteroids and Tracheobronchomalacia

Objective The aim of this study was to assess any association between use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and tracheobronchomalacia (TBM). Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of patients with asthma and COPD, with and without TBM. Patients were diagnosed with TBM on the basis of CT imaging, flexible bronchoscopy, or both. Patients were deemed to be on ICS if they had been receiving treatment for at least 3 months. Simple logistic regression models were used to assess the association between TBM status and each proposed factor. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the association between TBM and steroid dose. Results A total of 463 patients with COPD (n = 153) and asthma (n = 310) were studied. In multivariate analysis, the odds of TBM were 3.5 times higher in patients on high-dose steroids compared with patients not on steroids (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.4-8.5; P = .007). Age (P Conclusions There was a significant association between ICS use in higher doses for a longer duration of time with TBM. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to show causality of this observed association.
Thermoelastic contact of layered materials with interfacial imperfection

Abstract This paper reports an investigation of the thermoelastic frictional contact responses of an elastic sphere sliding on an elastic layer-substrate system involving imperfect interfaces. The theoretical solution and numerical modeling of the thermoelastic contact of such material systems include: (1) the mathematical derivation of the closed-form frequency response functions (FRFs) of the thermoelastic field in terms of temperature, thermoelastic displacements and stresses in the layer and the substrate, (2) the numerical contact pressure determination and heat partition evaluation by employing the conjugate gradient method (CGM), and (3) stress and temperature calculations by utilizing the discrete convolution-fast Fourier transform algorithm (DC-FFT). Numerical results from the proposed model indicate that, a stronger discontinuity of interface displacements causes the contact pressure, temperature, and in-plane compressive stress to decrease, but the in-plane tensile stress, out-of-plane (compressive and tensile) stress, and von Mises stress to increase. The results also reveal the behavior transition of the out-of-plane shear stress state due to the change of the interface discontinuity status.
Ophthalmic adverse effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors: the Mayo Clinic experience

Background/Aims To investigate immune-related ophthalmic side effects of systemic checkpoint inhibitors and compare side effect frequency and requirement for cessation of immunotherapy by checkpoint target. Methods Patients taking immune checkpoint inhibitors at a single centre from January 1, 2010 to February 29, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed for clinical characteristics, treatments and concurrent systemic adverse effects. Results Of 996 patients, 28 (2.8%) experienced an ophthalmic side effect that came to the attention of an eye care provider. Mean age at presentation of the side effect was 63 years (median 64, range 25–88). The checkpoint inhibitor most often preceding side effects was pembrolizumab in 12 (43%). The most common side effect was dry eye in 16 (57%), followed by uveitis in 4 (14%) patients, and singular cases of ptosis and binocular diplopia, among others. Ocular surface adverse effects occurred more frequently with programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) targeting therapy. There were no significant differences in the frequency of orbit/ocular adnexa and uveitis or retinal side effects based on checkpoint targets. Follow-up was available in 13 (46%) patients, with mean duration of 20 months (median 16, range 2–52 months). Of these patients, the ophthalmic side effects were controlled without discontinuing therapy in 12 (92%). Checkpoint inhibitor cessation was required in one patient with panuveitis. Conclusion Ophthalmic immune-related adverse events are rare but could be more common than previously estimated. PD-L1-directed checkpoint inhibitors may have a slight predilection for ocular surface adverse effects. Most ophthalmic events can be treated with targeted therapy without discontinuation of life-prolonging immunotherapy.
ALGORITHM xxx: MINRES-QLP for Singular Symmetric and Hermitian Linear Equations and Least-Squares Problems

We describe algorithm MINRES-QLP and its FORTRAN 90 implementation for solving symmetric or Hermitian linear systems or least-squares problems. If the system is singular, MINRES-QLP computes the unique minimum-length solution (also known as the pseudoinverse solution), which generally eludes MINRES. In all cases, it overcomes a potential instability in the original MINRES algorithm. A positive-definite preconditioner may be supplied. Our FORTRAN 90 implementation illustrates a design pattern that allows users to make problem data known to the solver but hidden and secure from other program units. In particular, we circumvent the need for reverse communication. While we focus here on a FORTRAN 90 implementation, we also provide and maintain MATLAB versions of MINRES and MINRES-QLP.
Characterization of Paramagnetic Iron-Sulfur Clusters Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Continuous-wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a powerful ally in characterizing the multitude of redox-active iron-sulfur cluster-containing ([Fe-S]) species present in biological samples. The technique detects only those clusters that are paramagnetic-having a nonzero total electron spin (S > 0)-thus, it can discriminate between clusters in different oxidation states. The low-temperature CW-EPR spectrum of an [Fe-S] yields the three magnetic g-values that serve as a fingerprint of its electronic structure. This chapter briefly describes the underlying theory that defines this electronic structure and provides a recipe for the acquisition and analysis of EPR spectra of [Fe-S] proteins.
Using a human factors-centric approach to development and testing of a face shield designed for healthcare workers: A COVID-19 case study for process and outcomes.

ABSTRACT Background: Face shields are a critical piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) and their comfort impacts compliant use and thus protectiveness. Optimal design criteria for face shield use in healthcare environments are limited. We attempt to identify factors affecting face shield usability and to test and optimize a face shield for comfort and function in healthcare settings. Methods: A broad range of workers in a large healthcare system were surveyed regarding face shield features and usability. Quantitative and qualitative analysis informed the development of iterative prototypes which were tested against existing shields. Iterative testing and redesign utilized expert insight and feedback from participant focus groups to inform subsequent prototype designs. Results: From 1648 responses, six key elements were identified: ability to adjust tension, shifting load bearing from the temples, anti-fogging, ventilation, freedom of movement, and durability. Iterative prototypes received consistently excellent feedback based on use in the clinical environment, demonstrating incremental improvement. Conclusion: We defined elements of face shield design necessary for usability in healthcare and produced a highly functional face shield that satisfies frontline provider criteria and Emergency Use Authorization standards set by the Food and Drug Administration. Integrating human factors principles into rapid-cycle prototyping for PPE is feasible and valuable.
Restart-Oriented Locking Methods

Restart-oriented locking methods combine blocking and aborts (followed by restarts) to cope with the performance limits of standard locking. A subset of restart-oriented locking methods limit the wait depth of blocked transactions, where the wait depth is the distance of a blocked transaction from active transactions in the waits-for graph (it is shown below that this directed graph is acyclic). Wait depth limited methods are a subset of restart-oriented locking methods which limit d to a small value, d = 0 in the case of the no-waiting method and d = 1 in the case of some other methods discussed in this chapter. The wait depth limited WDL method [FrRT92] is a subset of wait depth limited methods, which in selecting the transaction to be aborted takes into account the progress made by conflicting transactions.
How Will We Know It When We See It? Conceptualizing the Ethical Organization

How might one conceptualize the ethical organization? The argument presented here is that the truly ethical organization accentuates three main components. First it must be law-abiding in its basic execution of its organizational ethical responsibility. Second, the organization must exercise strong ethical leadership in its day-to-day operations and policies. Finally, at the organizational level, there must be ongoing monitoring processes ensuring compliance of the organization. Specific techniques for consistent, ongoing monitoring and enforcement of ethical compliance by an objective party are described.