cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New Associate Editor

It is with pleasure that I welcome Dr. Azita Emami to the editorial board of the Journal of Solid-State Circuits as a new Associate Editor. Dr. Emami is an expert on mixed-signal circuits, high-speed on-chip and chip-to-chip interconnects, and circuits for wearable and implantable devices. I look forward to working with her.
Remote delayed ligation of vena cava in palliative surgery of tricuspid atresia. A Modification of the Glenn procedure.

The Edwards technique of delayed interruption of the azygos vein after superior vena cava-right pulmonary artery anastomosis has been applied to the interruption of the cava itself. The technique appears to extend the usefulness of the Glenn procedure to those infants in whom azygos runoff alone is incapable of lowering caval pressure to a tolerable level.
HIGH TEMPERATURE DEFORMATION OF METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

ABSTRACT Compression tests were performed on as-cast 6061 aluminum with 10 and 20 volume percent silicon carbide particulate over a range of temperatures from 300°C to 550°C and strain rates from 10−3 to 1 sec−1. Deformation behavior was characterized using both a thermodynamic modeling technique and constitutive equations relating the temperature and strain rate dependence of the flow stress. Microstructural analysis was conducted to determine the operative metallurgical processes. Flow softening by the mechanism of dynamic recovery is predominant; however, there is also some evidence of dynamic recrystallization.
Impact of Urologist Density and County Rurality on the Practice of Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection and Cancer-Specific Death in Patients with Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumors.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of rural status and urologist density on the practice of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) and cancer-specific death (CSD) in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). Methods: Urologist density was determined from 2014 to 2015 Area Health Resource File data, and rural residence was determined using the 2003 Rural–Urban Continuum Codes. All cases of NSGCT within Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 18 with known county code were used for analysis (n = 9473). Fisher's exact test, t-tests, and Cox proportional hazard analysis were used to examine the association between variables of interest and study endpoints. Results: Overall, 26.7% of cases lived in a county with less than the mean urologist density, 6.23% lived in counties with no urologists, 9.0% lived in a rural county, and 23.1% (n = 2208) had RPLND performed. RPLND was performed more in cases who lived in a county with a urologist and more in cases with urban residence (p < 0....
The effect of numerical diffusion on gas-solids fluidized beds and the use of deferred correction in a finite volume method to stabilize high order discretization of convection terms

First order methods are commonly used in numerical simulations of gas-solids fluidized beds because they are both stable and affordable. Unfortunately, because of the large amounts of numerical diffusion inherent to these methods higher order methods are recommended to accurately predict bed dynamics e.g., voids or bubbles. The deferred correction method and the downwind factor method are both used for generating linear equations based on a 7-point stencil from higher order discretization formulas. Deferred correction significantly improves the computational speed over the downwind factor method while achieving the same degree of accuracy and under certain conditions allowed computations which the downwind factor method failed.
Comments on a priori and a posteriori evaluations of sub-grid scale models for the Burgers’ equation

Abstract Li and Wang [1] recently evaluated LES models for the Burgers’ equation. They concluded that ILES should be used instead of LES if numerical methods with build-in numerical dissipation are applied. It is shown that evidence for this conclusion was only provided for a specific class of LES: non-realizable LES that do not honor mathematical properties of underlying variables to be modeled.
Molecular and Extracellular Cues in Motor Neuron Specification and Differentiation

Motor neurons (MNs) are a diverse group of cells without which life would not be possible. MNs are responsible for integrating signals from the brain and the sensory systems to control all voluntary and involuntary movement, along with parts of the autonomic nervous system. Here, we focus on the specification and maturation of spinal MNs as they are a key target of disease and injury, as well as regenerative efforts. MNs arise from progenitors in the ventral neural tube and migrate into columns and pools. Notably, these progenitors later generate oligodendrocyte precursor cells. MN axons then travel outside of the central nervous system to reach their targets under guidance cues from the extracellular matrix. These cells are targets of devastating diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, as well as spinal cord injuries. By decoding the major events and players in development, we can better recapitulate them in vitro for cell replacement therapy, or harness the underlying principles for regeneration in the adult.
Feasibility of automated titration of vasopressor infusions using a novel closed-loop controller

Blood pressure management is a central concern in critical care patients. For a variety of reasons, titration of vasopressor infusions may be an ideal use-case for computer assistance. Using our previous experience gained in the bench-to-bedside development of a computer-assisted fluid management system, we have developed a novel controller for this purpose. The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the feasibility of using this controller in simulated patients to maintain a target blood pressure in both stable and variable blood-pressure scenarios. We tested the controller in two sets of simulation scenarios: one with stable underlying blood pressure and a second with variable underlying blood pressure. In addition, in the variable phase of the study, we tested infusion-line delays of 8–60 s. The primary outcome for both testing conditions (stable and variable) was % case time in target range. We determined a priori that acceptable performance on the first phase of the protocol would require greater than 95% case-time in-target given the simple nature of the protocol, and for the second phase of the study 80% or greater given the erratic nature of the blood pressure changes taking place. 250 distinct cases for each simulation condition, both managed and unmanaged, were run over 4 days. In the stable hemodynamic conditions, the unmanaged group had an MAP of 57.5 ± 4.6 mmHg and spent only 5.6% of case time in-target. The managed group had an MAP of 70.3 ± 2.6 and spent a total of 99.5% of case time in-target (p < 0.00001 for both comparisons between groups). In the variable hemodynamic conditions, the unmanaged group had an MAP of 53.1 ± 5.0 mmHg and spent 0% of case time in-target. The managed group had an MAP of 70.5 ± 3.2 mmHg (p < 0.00001 compared to unmanaged group) and spent 88.6% of case time in-target (p < 0.00001 compared to unmanaged group), with 6.4% of case time over and 5.1% of case time under target. Increasing infusion lag increased coefficient of variation by about 10% per 15 s of lag (p = 0.001). This study demonstrated that this novel controller for vasopressor administration is able to main a target mean arterial pressure in a simulated physiologic model in the face of random disturbances and infusion-line lag.
Taxonomy of the African large carpenter bees of the genus Xylocopa Latreille, 1802, subgenus Xenoxylocopa Hurd & Moure, 1963 (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

The taxonomy of the genus Xylocopa Latreille, 1802, subgenus Xenoxylocopa Hurd & Moure, 1963, is reviewed. There is a single valid species in this subgenus, Xylocopa (Xenoxylocopa) inconstans Smith, 1874, which is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to northern Republic of South Africa. Synonyms of Xylocopa inconstans include Xylocopa abyssinica Radoszkowski, 1899, proposed for a male specimen from Ethiopia, as well as three names proposed for females with yellow (rather than white) dorsal pubescence: Mesotrichia chiyakensis Cockerell, 1908 (new synonym), Xylocopa inconstans var. flavescens Vachal, 1899, and Xylocopa inconstans var. flavocincta Friese, 1909. Quantitative analyses of body measurements and examination of male reproductive structures support the new synonymy of Mesotrichia chiyakensis with Xylocopa inconstans. Males and females of Xylocopa (Xenoxylocopa) inconstans are illustrated, along with male reproductive structures, and diagnostic characters and keys are provided to separate the males and females of Xylocopa (Xenoxylocopa) inconstans from those of species in other closely-allied African subgenera of the genus Xylocopa.
Recording the Diffraction Pattern

The choice of technique for recording the diffraction pattern depends on what specific type of information is desired, the nature of the sample material, and often what experimental facilities are available. If detailed structural information is desired, a single crystal is imperative in low symmetry systems, but in materials with cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, and, in some cases, orthorhombic symmetry, a polycrystalline or powder sample may suffice. If the structure of a crystal is known, one may wish to use the diffraction pattern to determine the orientation of the crystal for use in measurements of orientation-dependent properties. Often only the precise values of unit cell parameters are desired and these may be most conveniently determined from powder or polycrystalline samples. In all of these records of the diffraction pattern, we must choose a beam of radiation with one wavelength or many wavelengths and a sample and detector orientation such that we satisfy the conditions for diffraction.
“Un poema es una cosa que será”. Visceralidad, metalenguaje y renovación de la ruptura en Juan Gelman

Este articulo propone un acercamiento a la poetica de Juan Gelman desde algunos ejes centrales de su escritura. Considerando la correlacion entre visceralidad y metalenguaje sustentamos que sus textos, al poner en marcha la transformacion de la lengua, renuevan la ruptura bajo la logica dialectica entre destruccion y composicion creativa. Este procedimiento, asi como la contradiccion entre deseo y padecimiento poetico y la autoconsciencia de si mismo a traves de la poesia, conecta su proyecto intelectual con las practicas vanguardistas de Vicente Huidobro y Vladimir Maiakovski a principios del siglo XX. Frente a la recurrente asociacion critica de Juan Gelman a una “poetica del dolor”, nuestro objetivo es reforzar “una toma de partido por la materialidad estetico-linguistica como elemento fundamental y emancipador de la palabra” (Milan) desde la escritura del poeta argentino. Al mismo tiempo, en dialogo con la sociologia del arte, la poesia de Gelman enfatiza que la imbricacion entre vida y lenguaje no solo estimula la circunstancia y condicion de la palabra a traves de lo politico. Refuerza as correspondencias entre el discurso poetico y las demas formas de vivencia asegurando que la percepcion estetica es, inmanentemente social, y que la realidad de la lengua tambien da lugar a nuevas concepciones de mundo.
Agile Project Management and Project Success: A Literature Review

Agile project management (APM) has recently emerged as a new and different way of managing projects. Some experts are already voicing the opinion that APM will become the project management of the 21st century. However, so far APM has not impacted project management as much as it should have. Its focus was mainly on IT projects. The literature on APM is still in its early stages, and more research needs to be done in areas other than software development. Therefore, the present paper provides a review of the existing literature in the agile project management domain. It compares traditional to modern project management, specifically APM, and discusses the influence of project complexity factors. Further, it reviews different frameworks of project success and critical success factors. Finally, it recommends APM dimensions irrespective of project types, which potentially could impact the success of a project.
The Many Paths to Covenantal Leadership: Traditional Resources for Contemporary Business

Many corporate managers are increasingly looking to the covenant model for inspiration, guidance, and most of all, practical business wisdom. While some managers seemingly exploit the religiously inspired language of covenant for purely self-interested reasons, other managers and executives like Tom Chappell of Tom's of Maine, Max De Pree of Herman Miller, Aaron Feurstein of Malden Mills, and C. William Pollard of ServiceMaster, express an authentic attachment to the idea. While these executives have been the most articulate and the most extreme spokesmen for the application of the covenant model for business, other companies have attempted to benefit from the concept, albeit in less explicitly religious terms.
Screening of Antineoplastic Agents with Neurospora Crassa

The author of this presentation has not participated in the screening program of biological beers. He has, however, analyzed chemically defined compounds and microbial systems employed in the testing of both potential and established Chemotherapeutic agents.
Stampeding toward the Exit

From 1977 to 1982 the number of United States companies that became signatories of the Sullivan Principles continued to expand rapidly, reaching a high point of 146 companies in 1982.1 There was a perceptible decline from 1983 to 1986, and the decline was precipitous from 1987 onwards. In 1993, the last year before South Africa freed itself from apartheid and its White-minority government, there were only 50 signatory companies left in South Africa. Clearly, during this period there were forces at work whose combined effect was to erode the arguments in support both of the Sullivan Principles and of United States companies’ continuing their operations in South Africa.
A Reaction to Dolliver's Review of the Occ-U-Sort

(1982). A Reaction to Dolliver's Review of the Occ-U-Sort. Measurement and Evaluation in Guidance: Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 169-169.
Strength through Organization: Classifying Antibody Activity against EBOV.

In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe and in a related Cell paper, works by Gunn et al. (2018) and Saphire et al. (2018) describe a large number of monoclonal antibodies against Ebola virus (EBOV) and correlate their activity with in vivo protection.
Numerical analysis of a new piezoelectric-based energy harvesting pavement system: Lessons from laboratory-based and field-based simulations

Abstract This study focuses on numerical investigation and optimization of one piezoelectric-based energy harvesting pavement system (PZ-EHPS), which consists of a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between two conductive asphalt layers. Novel piezoelectric element designs inside the piezoelectric layer, such as piezo ball and piezo roof, were proposed to explore the energy harvesting potential of the system. Considering the large scale of the system, finite element models were built not only to analyze the performance of PZ-EHPS specimens fabricated in the laboratory, but also to simulate the PZ-EHPS operation under real traffic conditions. Results from the laboratory-based finite element models, which were verified by experimental study, determined that a thin piezoelectric layer with piezo ball elements and a low stiffness insulative filler had the significant advantage of producing up to 85 V electricity. Compared to piezo ball elements, piezo cylinder elements may fit a thick and stiff piezoelectric layer better and lead to a high voltage output up to 50 V. As a result of the field-based finite element models, the PZ-EHPS with a rigid piezoelectric layer produces more electricity than that with a flexible piezoelectric layer. For a single-vehicle scenario, if each PZ-EHPS segment length equals the vehicle wheelbase length, consecutive PZ-EHPS segments may constantly supply high electricity as the vehicle moves at a high speed over the segments. For a multiple-vehicle scenario, however, the voltage output generated by a second vehicle will be reduced if the first vehicle is still on the same PZ-EHPS segment. This study provides optimal design features of the PZ-EHPS to lead this energy harvesting system significantly closer to the field application.
Therapeutic Genome Editing in Cardiovascular Diseases

Summary A variety of genetic cardiovascular diseases may one day be curable using gene editing technology. Germline genome editing and correction promises to permanently remove monogenic cardiovascular disorders from the offspring and subsequent generations of affected families. Although technically feasible and likely to be ready for implementation in humans in the near future, this approach remains ethically controversial. Although currently beset by several technical challenges, and not yet past small animal models, somatic genome editing may also be useful for a variety of cardiovascular disorders. It potentially avoids ethical concerns about permanent editing of the germline and allows treatment of already diseased individuals. If technical challenges of Cas9-gRNA delivery (viral vector immune response, nonviral vector delivery) can be worked out, then CRISPR-Cas9 may have a significant place in the treatment of a wide variety of disorders in which partial or complete gene knockout is desired. However, CRISPR may not work for gene correction in the human heart because of low rates of homology directed repair. Off-target effects also remain a concern, although, thus far, small animal studies have been reassuring. Some of the therapies mentioned in this review may be ready for small clinical trials in the near future.
Islam and sectarian violence in Pakistan: the terror within

Many are aware that the religion of Islam has simplistically been employed as an explanation for why terrorism occurs, with little critical reflection. Few would take the next step and interrogate ...
Anaerobic digestion, solid-liquid separation, and drying of dairy manure: Measuring constituents and modeling emission

Abstract Anaerobic digestion (AD) and solid-liquid separation (SLS) can increase operational flexibility at livestock facilities, but they can also affect environmental impacts during downstream manure handling. In this study, manure was characterized before and after AD, SLS, and drying. The measured data were used as inputs to models to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions during manure storage and land application. Nine dairy farms were sampled between each processing component to evaluate total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK). AD systems with co-digestion have higher VS reduction than AD systems processing only dairy manure. SLS data indicate that both screw presses and centrifuges achieve higher separation efficiencies (mass in the solids) for TS and VS than for the other manure constituents. The farm with centrifugation achieves the highest separation efficiency for TP. TAN and TK are not well concentrated in the solids fraction for any processing system. TAN remains entirely within the liquid fraction, showing that each constituent has its own separation profile. Drying manure results in moisture, VS, and TAN losses. Since TAN stays with the liquids, these losses are negligible. When analyzing modeling results, most GHGs are emitted during storage as methane. However, land application is the major emitter of nitrous oxide and NH3. Both AD and SLS can reduce GHG emissions, with the combined AD and SLS scenario achieving the highest reduction (41%). AD increases NH3 emissions during storage due to the mineralization process during digestion. SLS alone can achieve significant GHG emission reductions (38%) even greater than AD when using actual performance data from operating systems. Both AD and SLS have the potential to reach higher GHG and NH3 emission reductions with improved technology efficiencies and management.
Prevalence of Pre-existing Conditions Among Community Health Center Patients Before and After the Affordable Care Act.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of pre-existing conditions for community health center (CHC) patients who gained insurance coverage post-Affordable Care Act (ACA). Methods: We analyzed electronic health record data from 78,059 patients aged 19 to 64 uninsured at their last visit pre-ACA from 386 CHCs in 19 states. We compared the prevalence and types of pre-existing conditions pre-ACA (2012 to 2013) and post-ACA (2014 to 2015), by insurance status and race/ethnicity. Results: Pre-ACA, >50% of patients in the cohort had ≥1 Pre-existing condition. Post-ACA, >70% of those who gained insurance coverage had ≥1 condition. Post-ACA, all racial/ethnic subgroups showed an increase in the number of pre-existing conditions, with non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients experiencing the largest increases (adjusted prevalence difference, 18.9; 95% CI, 18.2 to 19.6 and 18.3; 95% CI, 17.8 to 18.7, respectively). The most common conditions post-ACA were mental health disorders with the highest prevalence among patients who gained Medicaid (45.6%) and lowest among those who gained private coverage (30.5%). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the high prevalence of pre-existing conditions among CHC patients and the large increase in the proportion of patients with at least 1 of these diagnoses post-ACA. Given how common these conditions are, repealing pre-existing condition protections could be extremely harmful to millions of patients and would likely exacerbate health care and health disparities.
Retrospective Study of Fire Setting Among Boys in a Child Welfare Sample

This study aimed to assess fire-setting behaviors within a child welfare sample. The youth were divided into four groups based on their fire-setting behavior (e.g., no incidents, one incident, mult...
Process and Clinical Outcomes of a Biosimilar Adoption Program with Infliximab-Dyyb.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, the FDA approved infliximab-dyyb (IFX-dyyb) as a biosimilar to infliximab (IFX). Deemed to have comparable efficacy and safety to IFX, IFX-dyyb is 20%-30% less expensive, allow...
Chapter 5 – Hearing

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the anatomical and physiological bases for discrimination of sounds and the basis for the high sensitivity of the ear. It provides the anatomy and function of the auditory system. The ear consists of three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the cochlea. The outer ear and the middle ear conducts sound to the cochlea, where the sensory epithelium that contains the sensory cells is located. The cochlea is fluid filled and enclosed by a bony capsule, which has two openings: the round window that is covered by a membrane and the oval window in which the footplate of the stapes rests. Conduction of the stimulus to the receptors in the ear is more complex than in other sensory systems. The two main steps are transformation of sounds in air to vibrations of the cochlear fluid; and conduction of the vibrations of the cochlear fluid to the hair cells.
Purchasing Power Parity and Degree of Openness in Latin America: A Panel Analysis

We move beyond the all or nothing purchasing power parity (PPP) proposition that has been the norm in previous literature. We test whether inflation, nominal exchange rate volatility, and trade and financial openness influence the stationarity of real exchange rates on a sample of Latin American and Caribbean countries plus Canada during the post Bretton-Woods era. Countries with high inflation and high exchange rate volatility are more likely to support PPP. Classifying the countries by traditional trade openness is not possible to find stationarity consistent with the findings of Alba and Papell (2007) that more open countries are more likely to support PPP. However, when trade openness is parameterized by “relative weight trade intensity” (RWTI), which provides a bi-dimensional approach to international trade weight, we find that higher trade openness leads to higher support of PPP. Westerlund (2007) cointegration error correction model (ECM) tests in panels indicate that financial openness supports PPP only when national debt is not considered. Financially open countries and those that open their borders to trade are more likely to have a mean reversion of exchange rates. These outcomes are relevant to emphasize the benefits of trade and financial openness in economies close to the United States.
IMAGE ENHANCEMENT OF CONVENTIONAL TRANSVERSE-AXIAL TOMOGRAMS

This paper describes the authors' attempts at improving the diagnostic utility of conventional transverse-axial tomograms using digital image processing techniques. Conventional tomography attempts to image a single cross-sectional plane of the patient by focusing on this plane and blurring all adjacent planes to varying degrees. The end result is an image badly degraded with unwanted blur. Prominent features of interest such as bone-tissue boundaries are often not clear and are difficult to interpret. Therefore, digital processing techniques were used to determine 1) if the desired information has been irretrievably lost and 2) if not, can it be enhanced. Representative tomograms were digitized and placed on magnetic tape. These digitized images were then processed using several spatial filtering algorithms and the results written back onto a magnetic tape. The contents of this tape were then displayed on a video monitor. It was found that linear filtering techniques improved the perceived information within the conventional tomograms used in this study. The limits to linear enhancement filtering arise from the noise level in the image.
Item Response Models in Psychometrika and Psychometric Textbooks

Item response theory modeling articles from 83 years of Psychometrika are sorted based on the taxonomy by Thissen and Steinberg (1986). Results from 377 research and review articles indicate that the usual unidimensional parametric item response theory models for dichotomous items were employed in 51 per cent of the articles. The usual unidimensional parametric item response theory models for polytomous items were employed in 21 per cent of the articles. The multidimensional item response theory models were employed in 11 per cent of the articles. Item response theory models from the selected psychometric textbooks are also reviewed and contrasted with those from Psychometrika to explore the instructional use of various item response models. A new classification based on data types is proposed and discussed.
Biomechanical analysis of the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test in healthy young adults

Abstract Objectives To compare kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) patterns between the dominant and non-dominant limbs in males and females conducting the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test (CKCUEST). Design Descriptive. Setting Biomechanics laboratory. Participants Sixteen male and sixteen female healthy and physically active young adults. Main outcome measures Hand contact and flight times, peak and average vertical (vGRF) and medial-lateral (mlGRF) ground reaction forces, medial-lateral (ML) distance and ML velocity per repetition, three-dimensional (3D) distance and 3D velocity per repetition, and average number of touches per trial during the CKCUEST. Results Only peak and average mlGRF were statistically different between limbs. Males and females were statistically different across every measured variable. ML and 3D velocities were the only variables strongly correlated to the number of touches achieved. Conclusions Both sexes were symmetrical between limbs in all but mlGRF; however, there were distinct differences in both kinematics and GRF patterns between sexes that may be attributed to differences in the testing position between males and females.
Inter/Transnational Feminist Literature of the Cold War

This chapter argues that the Cold War was a hot war when seen from the perspective of women and feminist writers across the world. It presents the convergences and divergences between ‘women’ and ‘feminist’ as well as between ‘international’ and ‘transnational’ before analysing the key themes in the literature of the period. It showcases a variety of genres, a range of continents and countries and a diversity of approaches to experiences, ranging from military conflict and material destruction to human survival. This chapter presents the literature of the period as bearing the legacies of the two World Wars and as prelude to current conditions in which the threat of ecological disaster, state surveillance and armed truce persist in new forms.
Numerical Calabi-Yau metrics from holomorphic networks.

We propose machine learning inspired methods for computing numerical Calabi-Yau (Ricci flat Kahler) metrics, and implement them using Tensorflow/Keras. We compare them with previous work, and find that they are far more accurate for manifolds with little or no symmetry. We also discuss issues such as overparameterization and choice of optimization methods.
After War Ends: A Philosophical Perspective

1. Introduction: normative principles of jus post bellum Part I. Retribution: 2. Grotius, sovereignty, and the indictment of Al Bashir 3. Transitional justice and the Just War tradition 4. War crimes trials during and after war Part II. Reconciliation: 5. Reconciliation of warring parties 6. Reconciliation and the rule of law 7. Conflicting responsibilities to protect human rights Part III. Rebuilding: 8. Responsibility to rebuild and collective responsibility 9. Responsibility to rebuild as a limitation on initiating war Part IV. Restitution and Reparation: 10. Restitution and restoration in jus post bellum 11. A Grotian account of reparations Part V. Proportionality and the End of War: 12. Proportionality and the fog of war.
The Role of Minerals in Events That Led to the Origin of Life.

The role of minerals in the events that led to the origin of life is discussed with regard to (1) their catalytic role for the formation of RNA-like oligomers from their monomers and (2) their prot...
Immoderate Couplings: Transformations and Genders in John Chamberlain's Work

By tracking John Chamberlain’s tactics of coupling, conjunction, and parataxis in his artistic practice and in his statements about it, I argue that he offers an articulation, in spite of his intentions, of genders as successive, temporal, and transformable. Specifically, I discuss his recurring analogy — that of sexual activity — for his otherwise non-figural works made from crushed automobiles. I follow the implications of this overlapping of bodily metaphor onto his non-mimetic sculptures. Drawing on transgender theory, I argue that gender is located in the works not as simple iconography but rather manifests as the result of material transformations and recombinations in the processes of conceptualization and realization of the art works. This method allows for a richer articulation of Chamberlain's conceptual and artistic practices while also extrapolating from them a case for the transgender capacity of abstract art.
O potrzebie uchwalenia nowej ustawy o Policji – uwagi na marginesie kilku projektów

The legal basis for the Police’s functioning is invariably the Act of April 6, 1990. Thus, it is over 30 years passed. During such a period, this formation had to take actions, inter alia tending towards its adjustments to far-reaching changes resulting from political reforms, as well as Poland's accession to the European Union. In consequence, this allowed joining not only the Europol but also to undertake some further activities, aimed at correcting the structure in response to the new threats and needs. Both these changes and also many others which were not so significant, but necessary had to have their legal basis by subsequent amendments. However, the legislator despite the initiatives proposed did not undertake the efforts to prepare a new law on the Police. The article deals with such changes and initiatives. In conclusion, the author maintains that undertaking the works on the new law on the Police are advisable.
Development of Interdisciplinary STEM Impact Measures of Student Attitudes and Reasoning

The integration of STEM programs is a national trend. The goal of implementing STEM in schools is to prepare students for the demands of the 21st century, while addressing future workforce needs. The Real STEM project focused on the development of interdisciplinary STEM experiences for students. The project was characterized by sustained professional development which was job-embedded, competency-based, and focused on the development of five STEM reasoning abilities within real-world contexts. The project promoted inclusion of tasks that drew on multiple STEM disciplines, embraced the use of authentic teaching strategies, and supported development of collaboration through interdisciplinary STEM professional learning communities and engaging STEM experts from the community. The four tenets of the project are presented and research on developing and characterizing measures of student impact are provided. Key outcomes include the construction and evaluation of measures supporting interdisciplinary STEM to assess both the impact of intervention on student attitudes towards STEM and students’ STEM reasoning abilities. Findings include reliability and validity evidence supporting attitude measurement and reasoning measurement as well as exploratory results that highlight a disconnection between STEM attitudes and STEM reasoning with the interdisciplinary STEM intervention examined.
SECURITY ISSUES IN USING IOT ENABLED DEVICES AND THEIR IMPACT

With rapid growth of science and information technology, Internet of things (IoT) becomes as an integral part of daily life. The applications of IoT are expanded starting from connected cars, wearables, connected health, smart retail and healthcare. However, security issues are increasing with the increase of its use. Lack of compliances on the part of IoT manufacturers, lack of user knowledge and awareness, device update and management, lack of physical hardening and botnet attacks are considered as the major reasons for security issues in IoT based applications. In this aspect, it becomes important to analyze security issues involved with IoT and its impact on the users that has been performed in the present study.
Spectroscopic Signatures of MQ-Resins in Silicone Elastomers

Polysiloxane elastomers have a large application space due to their versatile cross-linking chemistry and highly tunable physical and mechanical properties. One approach for improving the mechanical integrity of commercial polysiloxane “silicone” elastomers while maintaining their optical transparency is the addition of small, silicone-resin molecules to the network. However, both the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) network and the silicone-resin particles have an amorphous structure and complex chemistry, which makes the characterization of their structural properties and segmental network dynamics difficult. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of model silicone networks modified with a specific class of silicone-resin known as MQ-resin using Raman and advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy methods. Raman spectroscopy was successfully used to quantify the contribution of the MQ-resin to the network, to determine the type of MQ-resin present in the network, and to investigate the completeness of the network cross-linking reaction. Solid-state and ¹H double-quantum (DQ) NMR spectroscopies were used not only as a detection method for the MQ-resins but also to quantify changes in the segmental dynamics of the network as a function of MQ-resin concentration. The combination of Raman and NMR spectroscopies describes a series of samples where the MQ-resin particles and PDMS chains maintain their independent segmental dynamics up to high concentrations of MQ-resins (40–50% MQ), where the physical properties of the resin dominate the physical properties of the overall network. The results from our spectroscopic analyses are consistent with the results from macroscopic characterization techniques such as solvent uptake and mechanical testing. The spectroscopic insights into the structure–property relationships of PDMS-MQ composites presented in this study are a valuable tool not only for the synthesis and reverse engineering of future generations of commercial silicone elastomers but also for understanding the mechanisms of aging and degradation over the material lifetime.
Fertility-sparing surgery for patients with stage IC2 or IC3 epithelial ovarian carcinoma: any evidence of safety?

Objectives: For young patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC), stage IC2 or IC3 disease is regarded as a relative contra-indication for fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) due to data suggesting a higher relapse rate compared to patients with stage IA or IC1 disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the oncologic outcomes of patients with stage IC2/3 EOC who underwent FSS utilizing a large database and perform a systematic review of the literature. Methods: Patients aged ≤45 years without a history of another tumor diagnosed between 2004-2015 with EOC, who underwent surgical staging with lymphadenectomy and had tumor involving the ovarian surface (IC2), malignant ascites or positive cytology (IC3) were identified in the National Cancer Database. FSS group included patients who had preservation of the uterus and the contralateral ovary while radical surgery group included patients who had hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Overall survival (OS) was compared following generation of Kaplan-Meier curves with the log-rank test while a Cox model was constructed to control for tumor histology, grade and substage. A systematic review of the literature (Medline and EMBASE databases) was performed and cumulative relapse rate among patients with IC2/3 disease who underwent FSS was calculated. Results: A total of 135 patients with stage IC2/3 disease who met the inclusion criteria were identified; 69 (51.1%) and 66 (48.9%) with stage IC2 and IC3 respectively. FSS was performed for 42 patients (31.1%). Patients who underwent FSS were younger (median 29 vs 41 years, p Conclusions: In a large cohort of young patients with stage IC2/3 EOC, FSS was not associated with worse overall survival. However, based on a systematic review of literature approximately 1 in 5 patients experienced a relapse.
Using Fay–Herriot Models and Variable Radius Plot Data to Develop a Stand-Level Inventory and Update a Prior Inventory in the Western Cascades, OR, United States

Stands are the primary unit for tactical and operational forest planning. Forest managers can use remote-sensing-based forest inventories to precisely estimate attributes of interest at the stand scale. However, remote-sensing-based inventories typically rely on models relating remote-sensing information to forest attributes for fixed area plots with accurate coordinates. The collection of that kind of ground data is expensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, remote-sensing-based inventories provide precise descriptions of the forest when the remote-sensing data were collected, but they inevitably become outdated. Fay-Herriot, FH, models can be used with ground information from variable radius plots even if the plot coordinates are unknown. Thus, they provide an efficient way to update old remote-sensing-based inventories or develop new ones when fixed radius plots are unavailable. In addition, FH models are well described in the small-area estimation literature and allow reporting estimation uncertainties, which is key to incorporating quality controls to remote-sensing inventories. We compared two scenarios developed in the Willamette National Forest, Oregon, USA, to produce stand-level estimates of above-ground biomass, AGB, and Volume, V for natural and managed stands. The first, Case 1, was developed using auxiliary data from a recent LIDAR acquisition. The second, Case 2, was developed to update an old remote-sensing-based inventory. Results showed that, for both case scenarios and both typologies of stands, FH models allowed for improvements in efficiency with respect to direct stand-level estimates obtained using only field data. Average improvements in efficiency in natural stands were 37.36% for AGB and 33.10% for Volume for FH models from Case 1 and 20.19% for AGB and 19.25 for V for Case 2. For managed stands, average improvements for Case 1 were 2.29% and 19.92% for AGB and V, respectively, and for Case 2, improvements were 15.55% for AGB and 16.05% for V.
A Dyadic Investigation of Depressed Affect and Interspousal Behavior in Couples With Chronic Back Pain.

BACKGROUND Depression and marital discord are characteristic not only of individuals with chronic low back pain (ICPs) but also of their spouses. PURPOSE We examined actor-partner interdependence models to evaluate associations among depressed affect and criticism and support of partners at the same time point (concurrent effects) and 3 hr later (lagged effects). Fully dyadic models were used to account for both within-person and cross-spouse associations among depressed affect, criticism, and support for ICPs and spouses. We also examined the direction of the relationships (depressed affect predicting behavior and behavior predicting depressed affect) all while controlling for pain intensity, pain behavior, and the prior dependent variable. METHODS ICPs (n = 105) and their spouses completed electronic diary measures of depressed affect and behavior (criticism and support) five times a day for 2 weeks. Hierarchical linear modeling with person-mean centering was used for data analysis. RESULTS Within the same 3 hr epoch, more depressed affect was related to higher criticism and generally less support. Lagged analyses suggested bidirectional relationships between spouse's own depressed affect and spouse's own criticism of ICPs. Spouse depressed affect was also associated with decreased support received from ICPs. Pain behavior and pain intensity were also related to depressed affect, criticism, and support especially concurrently. CONCLUSIONS Theories and interventions need to address not only ICP depressed affect but also spouse depressed affect, as spouse depressed affect may be a stress generating precursor to criticism and support.
Symmetry Groups of Differential Equations

Consider an ordinary differential equation f(x, u, u′) = 0 and assume that the set f(x, u, p) = 0 is a smooth submanifold of ℝ3. A solution of the differential equation is a curve (x, u(x), p(x)) on the surface f = 0 such that p(x) = u′(x). We wish to know what transformations of the x-u plane leave the set of solutions invariant.
The Relationships Between Serum Testosterone and Prolactin Levels and Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) in Impotent Men

Serum testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL) levels, nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), penile and brachial blood pressure, and bulbocavernosus reflex latency (BCR) were assessed in 172 impotent men ranging in age between 19 and 60 years. Patients were also examined for Peyronie's disease. Patients who were taking drugs that are known to affect T or PRL levels, and those with overt primary or secondary testicular failure, liver disease or renal disease, were excluded from the study. Androgen deficiency (T 15 ng/ml) was observed in 22% of the patients, and 62% had abnormal NPT. We found that NPT was abnormal in 11 of the 12 men (91.7%) with T levels below 251 ng/dl or with PRL levels above 25 ng/ml (P <.001), and in 81.0% to 93.8% of men with other detectable and relevant medical abnormalities. Eight of the 12 patients with T levels below 251 ng/dl or PRL levels above 25 ng/ml had other detectable abnormalities. In contrast, NPT was abnormal in only 10 of 34 men (29.4%) who had no apparent medical abnormality or disease. These studies indicate that in impotent men, T deficiency and/or hyperprolactinemia, alone or with other conditions, are associated with abnormal NPT sufficiently frequently to warrant routine measurement of both T and PRL, particularly if it can be demonstrated that correction of these abnormalities restores potency.
Self electrical breakdown in biodegradable oil

The fundamental breakdown physics of biodegradable oil is investigated with high-speed electrical and optical diagnostics with temporal resolution down to several 100 ps. The set up employs a cable discharge into a coaxial system with axial discharge and load line to simulate matched terminating impedance. A unique feed-through design creates no discontinuities in the system lines through the discharge chamber. The impedance of the system is matched at 50 ohms including a novel design for impedance matching transitions from discharge cable to coaxial system to load line allowing for a sub-nanosecond response. This paper presents results on self-breakdown with voltages of up to 60 kV. Self-breakdown is achieved by charging the discharge cable and load line to +/-30 kV respectively. Transmission line type current sensors and a capacitive voltage divider with fast amplifiers/attenuators are used in order to obtain a complete range of information from amplitudes of 0.1 mA to 1 kA with temporal resolutions of 300 ps. Optical measurements include high speed photography and shadowgraphy. Detailed optical diagnostics along with high-speed electrical diagnostics will address the mechanism initiating/assisting biodegradable oil volume breakdown.
Control of Carbamyl Phosphate Synthesis in Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract Carbamyl phosphate synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium LT-2 has been purified 320-fold; the modulation of enzyme activity by substrate concentration, effectors, and the effect of temperature on this modulation have been studied. Uridine phosphate inhibits the enzymic reaction; ornithine reverses this inhibition and also activates the enzyme in the absence of UMP by decreasing the apparent Km for ATP. The stimulation by ornithine is greater at low temperature, whereas the inhibitory effect of UMP is equal at high and low temperatures. Studies with various strains blocked by mutation in steps which interconvert cytosineand uracil-containing compounds have established that the pyrimidine repressor of the synthesis of carbamyl phosphate synthetase is a cytosine-containing compound.
ACH Double Pull Issues: Designing with Client Constraints

The Customer Service Center of a large Midwestern insurance company requested training to research and prevent double payments from being deducted from their customers’ bank accounts. This issue was costing the customer service center between $9,000 and $13,000 per month and resulted in dissatisfied customers. The instructional designer was assigned to this project and faced challenges such as corporate politics, tight timeframes for development, and lack of content knowledge. This design case describes the project history, the design process, the design challenges, and the resulting design decisions.
High-energy nucleon-nucleon charge exchange scattering in a weak-cut model

Including a high-lying isoscalar pole trajectory X (closely related to the fixed-pole pomeron) in an absorption model with exchange-degenerateρ and A2 poles, we compute differential cross-sections and polarizations at −t≳0.2 GeV/c2 for np and p-bp charge exchange reactions. We take functional forms, trajectories and relative sizes of theρ residues from previous work by Arnold, Blackmon and Goldstein. The strength of the pomeron and X residue is estimated from high-energy pp elastic scattering data. The sign, magnitude and general shape of the np→pn polarization found are reasonable in light of the available data. The predicted p-bp→n-bn differential cross-section, at least for −t≳0.2 GeV/c2, is in reasonable agreement with experiment when the model is fitted only to pn→np.