cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Engine Limit Management with Linear Regulators

This chapter describes the min–max logic arrangement used in standard engine control systems to maintain critical variables within the permissible bounds. A thorough analysis of this arrangement is conducted using the concept of positive invariance. The shortcomings of the min–max approach are made evident in simulations. A brief description of an acceleration-limiting approach is also included.
A study on the aging of ultra-thin Palladium films on SAW hydrogen gas sensors

Traditionally, low-powered, room temperature sensing of gaseous hydrogen (H 2 ) is difficult. With renewed interest in H 2 as a source of energy, there is a need for reliable, energy-efficient sensors. A potential solution can be found in using surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices, which have been implemented as passive, wireless RFID tag-sensors. Thus, in concept, it is advantageous to develop a SAW device with H 2 sensing capabilities. Prior experiments have successfully demonstrated a passive SAW-based H 2 gas sensor by placing an ultra-thin Palladium (Pd) film ( 2 gas sensors.
A scaled particle model of a DC sputtering magnetron

A scaled two-dimensional particle-in-cell model of a planar DC sputtering magnetron is developed using the XOOPIC code. The PIC model includes collisions through a Monte Carlo model, and includes the ability to calculate spatial, energy, and angular distribution functions for ions impacting arbitrary surfaces. Due to the large computational expense as well as a physical instability manifesting as asymmetry in the planar discharge associated with the non-reentrant configuration, a half plane model is developed to enforce symmetry. The instability does not exist in cylindrical configurations in which the ExB rotation of the plasma tends to maintain symmetry. The discharge was studied in argon from 5–20 mTorr, with driving currents from 150–600 mA for a 1.6 cm system (assumed 1 m in the ignorable direction). The results compare well with published experimental data though the model is run at 0.1x physical size to reduce computation time. Narrow peaks in the spatial impact distribution of ions at the target correspond well to erosion tracks observed experimentally. Broad ion energy distributions (IEDs) are obtained at the target for the scaled model, narrowing as the dimensions, pressure, and current are increased. The angular distribution remains narrow, with a peak between 5–10 degrees from the normal. As the models are scaled up, the voltage in the current driven cases does not increase much, and the electron mean energy also remains nearly constant. Future work includes coupling the PIC model to include sputtering at the metal target as well as collisional transport of the sputtered metal flux to the substrate.
Probability-density function of a specularly fading signal-plus-noise minus noise

A general expression for the probability-density function of a specularly fading signal-plus-noise minus noise has been obtained. Such an expression is frequently required for the analysis of different types of communication systems such as f.s.k. systems or pulse radar systems.
Enhanced Proatherogenic Responses in Macrophages and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Derived From Diabetic db/db Mice

Diabetes is associated with enhanced inflammatory responses and cardiovascular complications such as atherosclerosis. However, it is unclear whether similar responses are present in cells derived from experimental animal models of diabetes. We examined our hypothesis that macrophages and short-term cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) derived from obese, insulin-resistant, and diabetic db/db mice would exhibit increased proatherogenic responses relative to those from control db/+ mice. We observed that macrophages from db/db mice exhibit significantly increased expression of key inflammatory cytokines and chemokines as well as arachidonic acid-metabolizing enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 and 12/15-lipoxygenase that generate inflammatory lipids. Furthermore, VSMCs derived from db/db mice also showed similar enhanced expression of inflammatory genes. Expression of inflammatory genes was also significantly increased in aortas derived from db/db mice. Both macrophages and VSMCs from db/db mice demonstrated significantly increased oxidant stress, activation of key signaling kinases, and transcription factors cAMP response element-binding protein and nuclear factor-kappaB, involved in the regulation of atherogenic and inflammatory genes. Interestingly, VSMCs from db/db mice displayed enhanced migration as well as adhesion to WEHI mouse monocytes relative to db/+. Thus, the diabetic milieu and a potential hyperglycemic memory can induce aberrant behavior of vascular cells. These new results demonstrate that monocyte/macrophages and VSMCs derived from db/db mice display a "preactivated" and proinflammatory phenotype associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
Optimal control of respiration in exercise

A two-level hierarchical control system is presented to control the respiratory frequency, the dead space and the expiratory reserve volume in exercise. In the first control stage, the criterion of minimum average respiratory work rate is used to determine the optimal values of respiratory frequency. The input to this controller is the ventilatory demand. In the second stage of control, the hypothesis of equalization of maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures is used to determine the lung's midposition. This optimal procedure has been applied by using a rectangular airflow pattern. The theoretical results have been found to be in good agreement with the experimental data in low and moderate exercise.
Neuro-fuzzy approach to mode transitioning in aerospace applications

A real-time adaptation scheme is proposed for the online customization of mode transition controllers designed off-line via blending local mode controllers. It consists of the desired transition trajectory model, the active plant model and the mode transition controller. The active plant model, which incorporates local mode information, is initially trained off-line to capture the desired transition trajectory and controls. Afterwards, the active plant model is adapted online via structure and parameter learning to capture the input/output relationship of the nonlinear system to be controlled. The proposed adaptation scheme is illustrated for a hover to forward flight mode transition control of a helicopter encountering parametric changes and wind disturbances.
Digital Logic Simulation in a Time-Based, Table-Driven Environment

This paper is the first part of a two part sequence describing techniques and implementations for table-driven, time-based, parallel fault simulators for digital logic, Part 1 considers design verification simulation and Part 2 considers parallel fault simulation The major objective of these papers is to introduce basic simulation concepts and developmental considerations and to describe the storage and manipulation of data for these simulation environments. These aspects, from both a theoretical and practical viewpoint, represent the most critical considerations for both accurate and efficient digital logic simulation An adequate coverage of these topics will provide a basic understanding of the underlying consideration, both theoretical and practical, involved in the development of this type of simulator.
Autonomy and the cognitively impaired elder

Abstract Arguably the most common and difficult ethical problem that home care practitioners encounter is the elderly patients who have inadequate support from family or others, are only marginally able to care for themselves, yet insist on remaining at home.
Gene expression signatures of radiation exposure in peripheral white blood cells of smokers and non-smokers

Purpose: The issue of potential confounding factors is critical to the development of any approach to radiation biodosimetry, and has not been fully addressed for gene expression-based approaches.Materials and methods: As a step in this direction, we have investigated the effect of smoking on the global radiation gene expression response in ex vivo-irradiated peripheral blood cells using microarray analysis. We also evaluated the ability of gene expression signatures to predict the radiation exposure level of ex vivo-exposed samples from smokers and non-smokers of both genders.Results: We identified eight genes with a radiation response that was significantly affected by smoking status, and confirmed an effect of smoking on the radiation response of the four and a half LIM domains 2 (FHL2) gene using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The performance of our previously defined 74-gene signature in predicting the radiation dose to samples in this study was unaffected by differences in gender ...
Madrassah Education in Pre-colonial and Colonial South Asia:

This paper traces the history of madrassahs (Islamic seminaries) in South Asia from their inception in the 12th century until the end of colonial rule in 1947. The paper argues that many of the pre...
039 Constitutive TGFβ1 Overexpression in Mouse Keratinocytes Delays Cutaneous Wound Healing

TGFβ1 is a multipotent secreted cytokine that plays a pivotal role in wound healing. Previously, both positive and negative effects of TGFβ1 on cutaneous wound healing have been reported. The mechanisms underlying these effects of TGFβ1 remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we used a mouse model to examine the effects of cutaneous wound healing, wherein the latent form of TGFβ1 is constitutively expressed in basal keratinocytes of the mouse epidermis, targeted by the keratin 5 promoter (K5.TGFβ1). In wild-type mice with 6-mm full thickness excisional cutaneous wounds, TGFβ1 protein levels were elevated immediately after wounding, and reached a peak level on day 3 postwounding, which was 3–5-fold higher than that in the nonwounded skin, and sharply declined afterward. This elevated expression pattern suggests that only transient TGFβ1 overexpression is required for normal wound healing. In contrast, K5.TGFβ1 mice with prolonged TGFβ1 transgene expression at the level equivalent to the above peak level in wild-type mice exhibited a significant delay in healing of 6-mm full thickness excisional wounds when compared to wild-type mice. Histological analysis of wounds revealed delayed reepithelialization, increased inflammation and prolonged granular tissue accumulation in K5.TGFβ1wt mice. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed excessive leukocyte infiltration in transgenic wounds when compared to wild-type wounds. Understandably, the accumulation of leukocytes was also accompanied by increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, angiogenic factors and fibrotic factors as determined by qRT-PCR analysis. Although the above factors override the growth inhibitory effect of TGFβ1 on epidermal proliferation away from the wound edge, proliferation at the leading edge of the migrating keratinocytes was reduced in transgenic skin compared to the nontransgenic skin, evident by PCNA staining. Keratinocyte proliferation was also reduced in vitro when assessed by H3-thymidine incorporation. To assess the direct effect of TGFβ1 on keratinocyte migration, we performed an in vitro migration assay and found that K5.TGFβ1 keratinocytes had delayed migration when compared with wild-type cells. Our study suggests that prolonged TGFβ1 expression in keratinocytes delays cutaneous wound healing by excessive inflammation, coupled to a direct inhibitory effect on keratinocyte proliferation and migration.
Housing in the Urban Age: Inequality and Aspiration in Mumbai

Abstract: In scholarly and popular texts, Mumbai is invoked as an iconic example of the problem of urban informal settlements in the twenty-first century. While such representations oscillate between tropes of accommodation and marginalization, they often obfuscate the compromised and historical successes of settler politics in the city. In this paper, the authors use an international urbanization conference as a starting point for exploring Mumbai settlers’ housing practices. They examine the processes through which emergent forms of inclusion have been conceptually unhinged from longstanding struggles against inequality. By examining the complex interplay of housing politics, social mobilization, and municipal policy in Mumbai, the paper argues for more careful attention to new regimes of governing that accompany aspirations for “inclusion” in the cities of the urban age.
Radiation Use and Long-Term Survival in Breast Cancer Patients With T1, T2 Primary Tumors and One to Three Positive Axillary Lymph Nodes

Background For patients with Stage II breast cancer with one to three positive lymph nodes, controversy exists about whether radiation as a component of treatment provides a survival benefit. Methods and Materials We analyzed data from patients with Stage II breast cancer with one to three positive lymph nodes diagnosed from 1988–2002 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry and compared the outcome of 12,693 patients treated with breast-conservation therapy with radiation (BCT + XRT) with the 18,902 patients treated with mastectomy without radiation (MRM w/o XRT). Results Patients treated with BCT + XRT were younger, were more likely to be treated in recent years of the study period, more commonly had T1 primary tumors, and had fewer involved nodes compared with those treated with MRM w/o XRT ( p p p p Conclusions Radiation use was independently associated with improved survival for patients with Stage II breast cancer with one to three positive lymph nodes. Because multivariate analyses of retrospective data cannot account for all potential biases, these data require confirmation in randomized clinical trials.
Biosafety Level 2 Model of Pneumonic Plague and Protection Studies with F1 and Psa

Attenuated Yersinia pestis pgm strains, such as KIM5, lack the siderophore yersiniabactin. Strain KIM5 does not induce significant pneumonia when delivered intranasally. In this study, mice were found to develop pneumonia after intranasal challenge with strain KIM5 when they were injected intraperitoneally with iron dextran, though not with iron sulfate. KIM5-infected mice treated daily with 4 mg iron dextran died in 3 days with severe pneumonia. Pneumonia was less severe if 4 mg iron dextran was administered only once before infection. The best-studied experimental vaccine against plague currently consists of the Yersinia pestis capsular antigen F1 and the type 3 secreted protein LcrV. The F1 antigen was shown to be protective against KIM5 infections in mice administered iron dextran doses leading to light or severe pneumonia, supporting the use of an iron dextran-treated model of pneumonic plague. Since F1 has been reported to be incompletely protective in some primates, and bacterial isolates lacking F1 are still virulent, there has been considerable interest in identifying additional protective subunit immunogens. Here we showed that the highly conserved Psa fimbriae of Y. pestis (also called pH 6 antigen) are expressed in murine organs after infection through the respiratory tract. Studies with iron dextran-treated mice showed that vaccination with the Psa fimbrial protein together with an adjuvant afforded incomplete but significant protection in the mouse model described. Therefore, further investigations to fully characterize the protective properties of the Psa fimbriae are warranted.
Foreign Cultures, Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Cross-Delisting

Using a sample of foreign firms delisting shares from the United States over the period 2000 and 2004, this paper studies the impact of Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) on the cross-delisting behavior of foreign firms based on the firm characteristics, legal tradition, overall culture and degree of individualism of the country of domicile. Pre-SOX, the propensity to delist is lower for firms from countries with cultural similarities to the U.S. and higher for firms from individualistic societies. Post-SOX these trends are reversed. Consistent with the existing research we find that the delisting decision of foreign firms cross-listed in the U.S. is based on the potential gains from listing based on the growth opportunities, length of presence in the U.S. and legal regulations of the country of domicile.
Effect of Phosphorus on Cleavage Fracture in Κ-Carbide

To understand the origin of cleavage fracture which dominates in FeMn-Al-C alloys at a high phosphorus concentration, we performed first-principles study of the phosphorus effect on ideal cleavage energy and critical stress in -carbide, Fe3AlC, a precipitate in the austenitic alloys. We find that phosphorus has higher solubility in Fe3AlC than in -Fe and sharply reduces the cleavage characteristics of -carbide. We show that strong anisotropy of the Fe-P bonds in Fe3Al,PC under tensile stress, leads to the appearance of large structural voids and may facilitate crack nucleation.
Analysis of join-the-shortest-queue routing for web server farms

Join the Shortest Queue (JSQ) is a popular routing policy for server farms. However, until now all analysis of JSQ has been limited to First-Come-First-Serve (FCFS) server farms, whereas it is known that web server farms are better modeled as Processor Sharing (PS) server farms. We provide the first approximate analysis of JSQ in the PS server farm model for general job-size distributions, obtaining the distribution of queue length at each queue. To do this, we approximate the queue length of each queue in the server farm by a one-dimensional Markov chain, in a novel fashion. We also discover some interesting insensitivity properties of PS server farms with JSQ routing, and discuss the near-optimality of JSQ.
FPGA-based stochastic neural networks-implementation

Reconfigurable field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) provide an effective programmable resource for implementing hardware-based artificial neural networks (ANNs). They are low cost, readily available and reconfigurable-all important advantages for ANN applications. However, FPGAs lack the circuit density necessary to implement large parallel ANNs with many thousands of synapses. This paper presents an architecture that makes it feasible to implement large ANNs with FPGAs. The architecture combines stochastic computation techniques with a novel lookup-table-based architecture that fully exploits the lookup-table structure of many FPGAs. This lookup-table-based architecture is extremely efficient: it is capable of supporting up to two synapses per configurable logic block (CLB). In addition, the architecture is simple to implement, self-contained (weights are stored directly in the synapse), and scales easily across multiple chips. >
Quark analysis of multibaryonic systems

Properties of the 3n-quark systems in the spherical-cavity approximation of the MIT bag model are considered. Results concerning the kinematies—colour restrictions, baryon composition—as well as the dynamies—mass formulae, magnetic moments, gluon corrections—of such states are obtained via a group-theoretical treatment. The appearance of «hidden colour» baryonie mixtures in multibaryonic states is emphasized, and the role of the quark-gluon interaction illustrated.
Diagnosis and acute management of perinatal arterial ischemic stroke

Summary Perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) can be an unrecognized cause of short- and long-term neurologic disability. Focal clonic seizure in the newborn period is the most common clinical presentation of PAIS. MRI is optimal in diagnosing PAIS; negative cranial ultrasound or CT does not rule out PAIS. Given the low rate of recurrence in combination with risk factors thought to be isolated to the maternal-fetal unit, anticoagulation or antiplatelet treatment is usually not recommended. The majority of newborns with PAIS do not go on to develop epilepsy, although further research is warranted in this area. Long-term morbidity, including motor, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities, can follow PAIS, necessitating early recognition, diagnosis, and therapy initiation.
Aerobic soil biodegradation of 8:2 fluorotelomer stearate monoester.

A laboratory investigation on the biotransformation of 8:2 fluorotelomer stearate monoester (8:2 FTS) in aerobic soils was conducted by monitoring the loss of 8:2 FTS, production of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (8:2 FTOH) and stearic acid, which would be released by cleavage of the ester linkage, and subsequent degradation products from FTOH for 80 d. Soil microcosms were extracted with ethyl acetate followed by two heated 90/10 v/v acetonitrile/200 mM NaOH extractions. 8:2 FTS was degraded with an observed half-life (t1/2) of 10.3 d. The rate of 8:2 FTS biotransformation substantially decreased after 20 d with 22% of 8:2 FTS still remaining on day 80. No biotransformation of 8:2 FTS occurred in autoclaved soil controls, which remained sterile with 102 ± 6% recovery, through day 20. 8:2 FTOH was generated with cleavage of the ester linkage of 8:2 FTS followed by a rapid decline (t1/2 ∼ 2 d) due to subsequent biodegradation. All the expected 8:2 FTOH degradation products were detected including 8:2 fluorotelo...
Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding canine factor IX

Factor IX (F.IX) is a vitamin K-dependent plasma protein, a deficiency of which results in hemophilia B. A canine model of hemophilia B exists; attempts to use this model for gene transfer experiments or characterization of the hemophilic defect require elucidation of normal canine F.IX structure. We report the isolation and characterization of the coding region for canine F.IX cDNA. Canine F.IX possesses 86% identity at the amino-acid level with human F.IX. The leader peptide, Gla domain, EGF domains, and the carboxy-terminal portion of the heavy chains show extensive sequence conservation between the canine and human. All Glu residues undergoing gamma-carboxylation in humans are conserved in canines. The complete coding sequence for canine F.IX has been determined, and the derived translation product has been analyzed. A similar approach should allow identification of the causative mutation in canine hemophilia B. Furthermore, this clone may prove a valuable resource in gene transfer experiments for this disease.
Behavioral, Affective, and Physiological Monitoring

A tremendous amount of research has been devoted to developing methods and technologies for assessing biological, psychological, and social factors associated with psychological well-being and dysfunction. The biopsychosocial model (Engel, 1977), which has been the prevailing conceptual model of psychological disorders since its introduction in the late 1970s, suggests that psychological disorders are best understood as a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Thus, the ability to efficiently and reliably measure components of these three factors has long been a top priority for researchers and clinicians alike. There are well-established methods for assessing numerous components of each of these factors in research settings, but, thus far, there has been a lag in the development of methods and technologies for assessing similar biological, psychological, and social factors in applied settings. Recent technological developments are beginning to correct this imbalance, making it ever more practical and feasible to reliably and efficiently measure biological, psychological, and social factors in real world settings; and to do so in a way that integrates components and examines the interplay between them. This chapter provides an introduction to these recent technological and methodological advances with a specific focus on the assessment of enacted behavior, affective expression, and physiological activity. The chapter begins with a brief review of established laboratory-based methods, and describes recent and ongoing technological developments for collecting similar data outside of the research laboratory. The chapter closes with a discussion of how these technologies could help inform clinical practices and presents a research agenda for future technological development and implementation.
Association of ovarian tumor β2-adrenergic receptor status with ovarian cancer risk factors and survival

Background: The β2-adrenergic signaling pathway mediates the effects of chronic stress on ovarian cancer progression in mouse models. The relevance of this pathway to human ovarian cancer remains unknown. Methods: We assessed tumor expression of β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) using tissue microarrays in 237 ovarian cancer cases from the Nurses' Health Studies (NHS/NHSII). Competing risks Cox regression was used to evaluate whether associations of reproductive, hormonal, and psychosocial factors with ovarian cancer risk differed by ADRB2. We also examined the association between tumor ADRB2 expression and ovarian cancer survival. Results: Forty-five (19%) cases were positive for ADRB2 staining. High levels of anxiety symptoms were positively associated with ADRB2-positive tumors (HR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.15, 5.84) but not with ADRB2-negative tumors (HR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.66; Pheterogeneity=0.07). We observed similar results for depression. No associations were observed for job strain, caregiving stress or widowhood for either positive or negative ADRB2 status. Lifetime ovulatory years were more strongly associated with ADRB2-positive tumors (HR per 5 years: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.21) compared to ADRB2-negative tumors (HR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.27; Pheterogeneity=0.04). Significant heterogeneity by ADRB2 was also observed for parity (Pheterogeneity=0.01), oral contraceptive use (Pheterogeneity=0.03) and age at menopause (p-heterogeneity=0.04). Tumor expression of ADRB2 was not associated with ovarian cancer mortality (HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.69, 1.59). Conclusions: Several stress- and ovulation-related factors were differentially associated with ovarian tumors responsive to β2-adrenergic signaling. Impact: Replication in larger studies is warranted to confirm the role of β2-adrenergic signaling in ovarian cancer etiology.
Exuberant mitral annular calcification.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a chronic, progressive process characterized by calcium deposition on the mitral valve annulus. There is no current grading system to relay the severity of MAC. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the extreme end of the severity spectrum in order to describe “exuberant mitral annular calcification”, and a retrospective chart review of all patients with exuberant mitral annulus calcification evaluated at Mayo Clinic Rochester between January 1996 and December 2014 was performed. This is the first study to define criteria of “exuberant mitral annular calcification”, emphasizing the importance of identifying the extreme degree of mitral annular calcification.
Experimental demonstration of retrodirective beamforming from a fully wireless distributed array

We report on recent results from our ongoing work on demonstrating retrodirective transmission from distributed arrays. Specifically, we describe a successful experimental demonstration of retrodirective beamforming to a non-cooperating receiver from an array of three distributed transceivers using (mostly) off-the-shelf hardware and simple and standard signal processing techniques. We build on our recently reported work that describes a synchronization procedure that allows the array nodes to estimate and compensate for the combined effects of frequency offsets and drifts in the oscillators as well as nonreciprocal elements in the transceiver hardware. We show how the array nodes that have performed the above synchronization process can then use an opportunistic incoming transmission from an external target to perform retrodirective beamforming back to that target without any coordination with that target. Our experimental results show beamforming gains greater than 90%. A key distinguishing feature of our work is that our procedure requires no wired links between the array nodes, no GPS, nor any other shared signal. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever demonstration of retrodirective beamforming from a fully wireless distributed array.
Fruittree Leafroller, Archips argyrospila (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Performance as Influenced by Host Foliage Type

Performance of early and late instars of the fruittree leafroller, Archips argyrospila (Walker), was quantified from bioassays using previously uninfested foliage of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum L.) and two other potential hosts. Initial survival and host preference tests indicated that open morphology baldcypress foliage was more suitable for first instars than either appressed morphology baldcypress or pondcypress. Growth, development, and host utilization indices, based on rearing of late instars, revealed that open morphology baldcypress foliage was most susceptible to defoliation. Late-instar bioassays also indicated that pondcypress foliage was the least susceptible cypress foliage type tested, due to mechanism(s) triggering early termination of larval development. The appressed morphology baldcypress foliage was of moderate susceptibility, apparently because of foliage characteristics deterring its consumption. Shumard oak, Quercus shumardii Buckl., and sweet citrus, Citrus siniensis (L.), did n...
Exposure to perchlorate, nitrate and thiocyanate, and prevalence of diabetes mellitus

Background It is known that perchlorate, nitrate and thiocyanate have the property of inhibiting sodium iodide symporter. Animal studies have suggested that these compounds, especially perchlorate, might also interfere with insulin secretion. However, the association between their exposure and diabetes risk is largely unknown in humans. Methods Among 11 443 participants (mean age 42.3 years) from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2001-14, urinary perchlorate, nitrate and thiocyanate were measured by using ion chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Diabetes was defined as self-reported doctor diagnosis, use of oral hypoglycaemic medication or insulin, fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl or glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5%. Results The median (interquartile range) levels of urinary perchlorate, nitrate and thiocyanate were 3.32 (1.84, 5.70) μg/l, 46.4 (27.9, 72.0) mg/l and 1.23 (0.59, 2.78) mg/l, respectively. Higher levels of urinary perchlorate were associated with elevated levels of fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (all Ptrend < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment including urinary creatinine, smoking status and body mass index (BMI), higher urinary perchlorate, but not nitrate or thiocyanate, was associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Comparing extreme quintiles, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of diabetes was 1.53 (1.21, 1.93; Ptrend < 0.001) for perchlorate, 1.01 (0.77, 1.32; Ptrend = 0.44) for nitrate and 0.98 (0.73, 1.31; Ptrend = 0.64) for thiocyanate. When urinary perchlorate, nitrate and thiocyanate were further mutually adjusted, the results did not materially change. Similar results were observed when analyses were stratified by smoking status, as well as by age, gender, kidney function and BMI. Conclusions Higher urinary perchlorate levels are associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus, independent of traditional risk factors. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Development of temperature zone map for mechanistic empirical (ME) pavement design

Abstract This study performed a sensitivity analysis to see the effects of different climates of New Mexico on pavement performance using the mechanistic empirical (ME) pavement design analysis. Results show that the predicted distresses vary significantly for different climate conditions. However, there were only 13 weather stations available in New Mexico for the ME design climate database. These limited number of stations might not cover the complete territorial diversities of this large state. Furthermore, the existing data were outdated, and limited in length by year. To this end, this study updated the existing 13 weather stations to 2015 using the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) database. In addition, 11 new stations within the state, and 13 weather stations from surrounding states were included in climate database. Later, a comparative study was performed to see the effects of the climate change on predicted distresses in New Mexico. Results show that the climate change for a 10 years period have insignificant effects on pavement distresses. Then, the effectiveness of interpolation method for generating virtual station was investigated. Results show that the interpolation method is not effective enough to reflect the actual climate conditions for many sites. To solve this problem, a temperature zone map was developed using the NCDC database. The objective of this map is to select appropriate weather stations during interpolation. It is found that the temperature zone map reduces the error significantly. Therefore, this study suggests developing a temperature zone map when the number of the weather station is limited.
The Paradox of Safety in Medication Management

The reduction of medication errors is largely dependent upon the structure of the medication management system and the role of the pharmacist in the acute care setting. The significance of this claim became evident in an ethnographic study of nurses' work in which data were generated from extensive observations, formal interviews, and document reviews. Each step of medication management-from ordering to administering-was microanalyzed, and spaces and places for error emerged. Results revealed medication errors defined by proximity to the patient. Pharmacists became a surprising "stop-gap" between the physicians and patients in the recognition and interception of medication errors occurring far removed from the bedside and did not formally support the reporting of these errors. Understanding the complexity of this process and the roles of involved personnel reminds us that there is presently no fool-proof plan for the reduction of medication errors and implies a culture of safety remains elusive.
Retrolental Fibroplasia: Experience Over Two Decades in One Institution

Abstract We examined 1,849 consecutively admitted premature infants weighing 2000 gm or less at birth for retrolental fibroplasia (RLF). Proliferative RLF was diagnosed frequently in low birth weight infants who were more likely to survive with modern neonatal intensive care. Cicatricial RLF was more likely to result from proliferative RLF and to be more severe in lower birth weight infants, but most affected eyes retained useful vision. Comparison of eases diagnosed over the 20 years of this study suggest that cicatricial RLF in recent years is less likely to result in severe visual disability. Improving survival rates for lower birth weight infants mandate continued surveillance for RLF and study of improved oxygen monitoring techniques.
Complement-Mediated Glomerular Diseases

The complement system plays a major role in microbial killing, but it has other key functions, such as regulation of inflammatory reactions and development of proficient antibody-mediated response. While in normal situation the complement system serves as a part of the host defense mechanism, its prolonged or inappropriate activation may lead to the undesirable cellular injury; therefore, there are a number of regulators of the complement cascade that protect the host from untoward tissue damage. This article describes several disease processes that result from either acquired or genetic dysregulation of the complement pathway, including membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), dense deposit disease, C3 glomerulonephritis, C1q nephropathy, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and discusses a recently proposed classification that separates MPGN cases into two groups: immunoglobulin and non-immunoglobulin-mediated diseases. The improved understanding of the role of complement in MPGN led to a paradigm shift in the classification of this disease and to the emergence of a new group of diseases called the C3 glomerulopathies.
Bio-inspired counter-current multiplier for enrichment of solutes.

Improving the efficiency of gas separation technology is a challenge facing modern industry, since existing methods for gas separation, including hollow-fiber membrane contactors, vacuum swing adsorption, and cryogenic distillation, represents a significant portion of the world’s energy consumption. Here, we report an enhancement in the release rate of carbon dioxide and oxygen of a thermal swing gas desorption unit using a counter-current amplification method inspired by fish. Differing from a conventional counter-current extraction system, counter-current amplification makes use of parallel capture fluid channels separated by a semipermeable membrane in addition to the semipermeable membrane separating the capture fluid channel and the gas release channel. The membrane separating the incoming and outgoing fluid channels allows gas that would normally exit the system to remain in the desorption unit. We demonstrate the system using both resistive heating and photothermal heating. With resistive heating, an increase in release rate of 240% was observed compared to an equivalent counter-current extraction system. Improving the efficiency of gas separation technology is needed, since existing methods represent a significant portion of the world’s energy consumption. Here, the authors report an enhancement in the release rate of carbon dioxide and oxygen using a counter-current amplification method inspired by fish.
Dissociation in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Objective The authors' goal was to determine if women with chronic pelvic pain are significantly more likely to use dissociation as a coping mechanism than women without pain. Method The subjects were recruited from women who attended a university women's clinic during a 1-month period. Twenty-two women who reported that they had at any time in their lives experienced pelvic pain nearly every day for a period of at least 6 months were included in the study, along with 21 randomly selected women without a history of chronic pelvic pain. The 43 women were given structured sexual assault interviews and completed psychological self-report measures. Results The women with chronic pain were significantly more likely to use dissociation as a coping mechanism, to show current psychological distress, to see themselves as medically disabled, to experience vocational and social decrements in function, and to amplify physical symptoms. They were also significantly more likely to have experienced severe childhood sexual abuse. In the total study group, women with a childhood history of sexual abuse had significantly higher scores on measures of psychological distress, somatization, and dissociation and viewed their physical health and functioning as more impaired. Conclusions The authors discuss a model for the development of somatization, dissociation, and pain symptoms in victims of early sexual abuse.
Convective Storm Initiation and Organization

The conditions necessary for the development of deep moist convection are discussed. This material is followed by an overview of the ways in which convective storms may be organized, with emphasis on the environmental characteristics favoring the various organizational modes.
Strain Rate History Effects and Dislocation Substructure at High Strain Rates

A brief review is presented of strain rate history and temperature history effects during the high strain rate deformation of metals with special emphasis on the BCC metals. Possible explanations to account for history effects are reviewed. Experiments are described in which single crystals of aluminum are deformed at various strain rates. Observations by transmission electron microscopy are used to relate microscopic to macroscopic behavior. Results show that cell size influences the strain rate sensitivity and may be a cause of history effects.
Tympanostomy Tubes for Otitis Media: Quality-of-Life Improvement for Children and Parents:

We measured quality of life issues for both children and their parents on the premise that parental quality of life should be an aspect of cost-effectiveness in otitis media treatment. The patients...
Blending and Characterization of Pharmaceutical Powders

Blending is a critical part of pharmaceutical manufacturing. It consists of two parts, the actual mixing of powdered ingredients to a desired degree of homogeneity and the analytical testing to confirm the same. Blending equipment and formulation considerations are discussed, along with potential mechanisms for a loss of quality of blends. A general description of the role of blending and its impact on the quality of finished dosage forms is presented. Traditional and on-line methods for assessing the quality of blends are described. Though widely accepted, traditional blend uniformity testing (thief sampling) has a number of potential weaknesses. On-line techniques such as near-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and light-induced fluorescence are considered as alternatives to traditional testing. The characteristics of the technology and potential challenges of analysis and implementation are discussed for these on-line methods.
Responding (appropriately) to religious patients: a response to Greenblum and Hubbard’s ‘Public Reason’ argument

Jake Greenblum and Ryan K Hubbard argue that physicians, nurses, clinical ethicists and ethics committee members should not cite religious considerations when helping patients (or their proxies) make medical decisions.i They provide two arguments for this position: The Public Reason Argument and the Fiduciary Argument. In this essay, I show that the Public Reason Argument fails. Greenblum and Hubbard may provide good reason to think that physicians should not invoke their own religious commitments as reasons for a particular medical decision. But they fail to show that it is wrong for physicians to cite the patient’s own religious commitments as reasons for a particular decision. As such, if Greenblum and Hubbard’s thesis is to survive, the Fiduciary Argument (or some unmentioned argument) will have to do the bulk of the work.
Sirt3 mediated by lentiviral vector in the periaqueductal gray suppresses morphine withdrawal in rats: A preliminary study

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a significant clinical and social problem, inducing dependence/addiction and over-dose death. Opioid dependence/withdrawal contributes to the addiction vulnerability. Limited understanding of the exact mechanisms of morphine withdrawal leads to failure to adequately manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. Determining new molecular mechanisms of morphine withdrawal (MW) may allow development of novel therapeutic strategies for treating this disorder. Chronic morphine with naloxone precipitation induces MW behavioral response. Sirt3 (one member of sirtuins family) as a mitochondrial fidelity, plays an important role in mitochondrial homeostasis through the direct regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism, ATP synthesis, detoxification of mitochondrial ROS, etc. In the pilot study, we found that (1) cultured neurons infected with lentiviral vector expressing Sirt3 induced over-expression of Sirt3, (2) microinjection of LV-Sirt3 into the vlPAG increased Sirt3 protein expression in rats, (3) MW lowered the expression of Sirt3 in the vlPAG, and (4) microinjection of LV-Sirt3 into the vlPAG decreased the MW behavioral response. Current preliminary study demonstrates that complement of Sirt3 in the PAG suppressed MW, providing a novel therapeutic approach to morphine physical withdrawal symptoms. The exact up-and/or down-stream factors of Sirt3 in the model are under the investigation.
Resection of a posterior fossa arteriovenous malformation complicated by leaked Onyx: a case report and review of literature.

Extravasation of Onyx is a rare complication during embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVM). We present a case of embolization that was complicated by leakage of Onyx into the cerebellum which was later encountered during surgical excision of the AVM. Our goal is to report this rare event and to outline successful treatment of this complication. The patient’s records were reviewed for medical history, laboratory and radiologic workup, and outpatient clinical follow-up. A 62-year-old female presented with Hunt Hess grade 2 and modified Fisher grade 2 subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) secondary to ruptured left posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm associated with a superior cerebellar vermian AVM. Following endovascular intervention, the aneurysm was completely embolized; however, only 75% of the AVM could be safely obliterated. Extravasation of Onyx from the ruptured aneurysm was noted on her initial angiogram. Elective suboccipital craniectomy was subsequently planned for resection of the residual AVM where the extravasated Onyx posed an operative nuisance during resection. Post-op angiogram confirmed complete resection of the AVM, as well as the bulk of the extravasated Onyx. Patient did well post-operatively, remaining neurologically intact throughout her hospital course. Although infrequently reported in the literature, Onyx extravasation is a potential complication that neurosurgeons should be ready to face. Adherence of Onyx to surrounding parenchyma could hinder optimal surgical resection of AVM and increase complications. Therefore, careful surgical dissection should be performed with special care to delicate neurovasculature. In this case, complete resection of the AVM and Onyx mass was safely achieved.
Exploring Readiness for Teleprecepting in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Training.

OBJECTIVE:Telehealth offers a solution to many challenges in health care, including the shortage of psychiatric providers. Recently the need to limit patient and provider exposure to coronavirus di...
Genetic Mutations that Drive Evolutionary Rescue to Lethal Temperature in Escherichia coli

Evolutionary rescue occurs when adaptation restores population growth against a lethal stressor. Here we studied evolutionary rescue by conducting experiments with Escherichia coli at the lethal temperature of 43.0 °C, to determine the adaptive mutations that drive rescue and to investigate their effects on fitness and gene expression. From hundreds of populations, we observed that ∼9% were rescued by genetic adaptations. We sequenced 26 populations and identified 29 distinct mutations. Of these populations, 21 had a mutation in the hslVU or rpoBC operon, suggesting that mutations in either operon could drive rescue. We isolated seven strains of E. coli carrying a putative rescue mutation in either the hslVU or rpoBC operon to investigate the mutations' effects. The single rescue mutations increased E. coli's relative fitness by an average of 24% at 42.2 °C, but they decreased fitness by 3% at 37.0 °C, illustrating that antagonistic pleiotropy likely affected the establishment of rescue in our system. Gene expression analysis revealed only 40 genes were upregulated across all seven mutations, and these were enriched for functions in translational and flagellar production. As with previous experiments with high temperature adaptation, the rescue mutations tended to restore gene expression towards the unstressed state, but they also caused a higher proportion of novel gene expression patterns. Overall, we find that rescue is infrequent, that it is facilitated by a limited number of mutational targets, and that rescue mutations may have qualitatively different effects than mutations that arise from evolution to non-lethal stressors.