cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steroid inhibition with RU486 in a human glucocorticoid receptor isoform that lacks a ligand binding domain

METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study in a single center, patients with severe abdominal sepsis enrolled. Currently recommended treatments, such as early goal directed resuscitation, source control, nutritional support and antibiotics therapy, were implemented in all patients. The baseline levels of complement C3 were used to stratify subjects into two groups. Plasma levels of complement C3/C4, percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and other immunity indexes were monitored at times after admission. The 28-day mortality, length of stay, postoperative complications and other outcomes were compared between two groups.
Ge/SiGe quantum well asymmetric Fabry-Perot modulators on silicon substrates

We demonstrate vertical-incidence Ge/SiGe quantum well modulators, fabricated directly on silicon, for free-space chip-to-chip optical interconnects. The devices exhibit greater than 10 dB extinction ratio, low insertion loss, and 2 Gb/s operation.
Survival of the fittest polymorph: how fast nucleater can lose to fast grower

Controlling the crystallization of a liquid able to yield multiple polymorphs is often assumed to be a matter of controlling the initial nucleation. Recent studies found that this view is flawed because an early nucleating polymorph can nucleate another, faster-growing polymorph. We review how the phenomenon is controlled by thermodynamic and kinetic factors and how it can aid the discovery of new polymorphs. The selective crystallization of a polymorph depends not only on the initial nucleation but also on the cross-nucleation between polymorphs and the relative growth rates of polymorphs.
Gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin is an active and non-toxic chemotherapy regimen in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's disease: a phase II study by the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group

Abstract Background Gemcitabine (difluorodeoxycytidine) is active as a single agent in Hodgkin’s disease and has been used successfully in combination with cisplatin to treat a variety of solid tumors. Patients and methods We evaluated the combination of gemcitabine/dexamethasone/cisplatin (GDP) as salvage chemotherapy in 23 patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin’s disease (median age 36 years, range 19–57). Treatment consisted of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1 and 8, dexamethasone 40 mg orally days 1–4 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1, every 21 days as an outpatient. Response was assessed following two cycles of treatment. Results There were four complete responses and 12 partial responses for a response rate of 69.5% (95% confidence interval 52% to 87%); the remaining seven patients had stable disease and no patient progressed on treatment. All patients had successful stem cell mobilization and underwent transplantation with a median 10.6 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg. Hematological toxicity from GDP was mild (grade 3 neutropenia 8.6%, grade 3 thrombocytopenia 13%). Conclusions In summary, GDP is an active regimen for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin’s disease. The response rate is similar to the rates of other current salvage regimens, it can be given to outpatients with tolerable toxicity and it does not inhibit the mobilization of autologous stem cells.
Incorporating Pathology in the Practice of Infectious Disease: Myths and Reality

The role pathology plays in establishing or excluding infectious diseases has been established. However, as the practice of pathology has become subspecialized, there is not enough infectious disease specimen volume to have a pathologist dedicated full time to this crosscutting subspecialty. So, what are the myths and realities of a practicing infectious disease pathologist in the hospital setting? Infectious disease clinicians tend to consult pathologists when there are questions regarding terminology used in pathology reports; when there is the need to perform additional studies on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues; and when there is an interest in seeing biopsies or resections obtained from patients and in obtaining photographs for presentations. Pathologists consult infectious disease pathologists when there is a need to review diverse inflammatory reactions; for identification of fungi, parasites, or unknown structures; to define the need to use special stains and other techniques in order to identify organisms in tissues that have been formalin fixed; and to help with terminology to be used in reports. This review explores in more detail why and how these consultations occur.
Structuring Objectives for Problems of Public Interest

The analysis of problems of public interest requires a broad range of objectives. This paper outlines and illustrates a procedure to constructively involve stakeholders in the process of identifying these objectives. The illustration concerns the evaluation of alternatives to ship spent nuclear fuel from power plants to a repository. Objectives were developed from group discussions with individuals in the nuclear industry, in state governments, and in environmental and public interest organizations. Using guidelines outlined in the paper, hierarchies of objectives were structured to represent each of these stakeholders. From these, a combined hierarchy was structured that addressed health and safety; economics; equity; environmental, social, and political impacts; flexibility; and scheduling.
Residential combined heat and power (CHP) technologies ’ an overview: Summary of a panel session presentation

Residential combined heat and power (CHP) systems are being developed using a variety of energy conversion technologies. These include conventional piston-engines with heat-recovery systems, Stirling engines, proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) fuel cells and solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems. Examples of selected systems are described. Governmental support for such CHP systems varies widely, from installation cost subsidies to payments per kWh exported out of a home. A basic economic analysis framework has been established, and sensitivity runs have been carried out for various capital, fuel and electricity costs.
Risk factors for intra-abdominal infection after pancreas transplantation.

Abstract Background: This study was designed to determine risk factors for intra-abdominal abscess after pancreas transplantation. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective review of all pancreas transplants from 1994 to 1999. Risk factors studied were donor age, body weight, body mass index, peak serum glucose, peak serum amylase, need for pressor agents, cause of death, cold ischemic preservation time, recipient age, type of dialysis, surgical technique, and peak recipient amylase. Results: The 1-year graft survival rate was 90%. Of the 34 patients studied, there were 4 cases of peripancreatic abscess formation (12%). Elevated donor body weight ( P P P Conclusions: These data suggest that pancreas grafts from obese donors may be more susceptible to ischemia-reperfusion injury resulting in abscess formation.
Energy distribution and lifetime of magnetospherically reflecting whistlers in the plasmasphere

[1] Using ray tracing and Landau damping calculations based on recent data on suprathermal particle fluxes from the HYDRA instrument aboard the POLAR satellite, we estimate the energy distribution and the lifetimes of 0.2–10 kHz whistler mode waves in the plasmasphere. The rays are injected at 1000 km altitude and latitudes of 25°, 35°, 45°, and 55° to represent whistler wave energy originating in lightning discharges occurring in middle to low-latitude thunderstorms. The lifetime is defined as the time at which the wave power is reduced by 10 dB. Results indicate that the lifetime of whistler waves at lower frequencies is dramatically larger than those at higher frequencies and that rays injected at lower latitudes generally persist longer than those injected at higher latitudes in agreement with previous studies. An important characteristic of magnetospherically reflected (MR) whistlers is the strong tendency for whistler wave components at each frequency to eventually migrate to and settle into a multiply reflecting pattern at a specific (determined only by the wave frequency) L-shell, at which the wave energy would persist indefinitely in the absence of Landau damping and other losses. Consideration of this behavior together with the typical power spectrum of a single, vertical, cloud-to-ground lightning stroke, allows the estimation of the relative MR whistler wave energy in the inner magnetosphere as a function of L-shell. Results indicate that MR whistler energy deposition is maximized at the location of the slot region, suggesting that such MR whistlers launched by lightning discharges may be responsible for the enhanced diffusion rates and may play a more significant role than previously assumed in the formation and maintenance of the slot region between the inner and outer radiation belts.
Paracrine communication maximizes cellular response fidelity in wound signaling

Population averaging due to paracrine communication can arbitrarily reduce cellular response variability. Yet, variability is ubiquitously observed, suggesting limits to paracrine averaging. It remains unclear whether and how biological systems may be affected by such limits of paracrine signaling. To address this question, we quantify the signal and noise of Ca(2+) and ERK spatial gradients in response to an in vitro wound within a novel microfluidics-based device. We find that while paracrine communication reduces gradient noise, it also reduces the gradient magnitude. Accordingly we predict the existence of a maximum gradient signal to noise ratio. Direct in vitro measurement of paracrine communication verifies these predictions and reveals that cells utilize optimal levels of paracrine signaling to maximize the accuracy of gradient-based positional information. Our results demonstrate the limits of population averaging and show the inherent tradeoff in utilizing paracrine communication to regulate cellular response fidelity.
Software Obviousness: The Disconnect between Engineers and the Patent System

Software engineers overwhelmingly dislike software patents and consider nearly all of them obvious. Are they correct, or do they simply not understand the law? To answer this, we look at obviousness law in an industry whose practitioners generally accept and value patents: pharmaceuticals, and ask if there are legal principles there which should be applied to software more frequently. The author, a software engineer, argues that "obvious to try," a principle well understood in the context of pharmaceutical patents, is ripe for appropriation in the software patent context. Several cases are explored to illustrate how the concept of "obvious to try" could be applied to fit the reality of how computer science actually works.
Superconducting YBCO Films Prepared by Electrodeposition and Spray Pyrolysis

Biaxially textured YBa2Cu307-δ films were fabricated by non-vacuum electrodeposition and spray pyrolysis techniques. Electrodeposited YBCO was prepared on sputtered copper/single-crystal substrates. Electrodeposition was carried out at constant voltage and the deposition was completed in only few minutes. The thickness of the as-deposited films was in the range of 0.6 to 2 μm. The optimized sputtered copper layer thickness was about 200 A on SrTiO3. In the spray pyrolysis method, the solution is sprayed directly onto SrTiO3 substrates. The substrate temperature is about 100°C. The thickness of the as-deposited films was in the range of 1.2 to 2μm. The electrodeposited and spray-deposited films were annealed at temperatures ranging from 800° to 920°C under various flowing gas mixtures. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that processed electrodeposited and spray-deposited films were biaxially textured, where YBCO grains were well oriented along the c-axis and in the (a,b) plane. Δω, deduced from the rocking curve on the (005) reflection, was as low as 0.46°. Δφ, deduced from the phi-scan on the (103) reflection, was as low as 0.54°. The critical current density for these types of films is about 0.5 MA/cm2at 77 K and 0 T.
Inhibition of XIAP expression sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine

A190 The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) have been linked to conferring chemoresistance in a number of cancers by suppressing apoptosis through the inhibition of caspases. One of the IAPs, the X-linked IAP (XIAP), is recently shown to be upregulated in gemcitabine resistant pancreatic cell lines (Kleeff et al. Anticancer Res. 26: 3265-73, 2006). In this study we sought to explore whether inhibition of XIAP expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) would sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to the treatment of gemcitabine. We first found that gemcitabine induced XIAP expression in pancreatic cancer cells. When treated with 100 nM of gemcitabine for 48 hours, MIA PaCa-2 and AsPC-1 cells exhibited 3.2-fold and.4-fold increase in XIAP mRNA levels, respectively. Combination treatment with gemcitabine and XIAP targeting siRNA oligonucleotides markedly increased the cytotoxicity of gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells. This synergism between gemcitabine and XIAP siRNAs was more prominent at higher gemcitabine concentrations (> 100nM). In addition, the combination of an XIAP-inhibitor, phenoxodiol, and gemcitabine resulted in greater growth inhibition than the gemcitabine alone. In summary, our results indicate agents that target XIAP might sensitize pancreatic cancer patients to the treatment of gemcitabine. (This work was supported by a NCI grant P01CA109552.)
Habitat and community relationships of cliffrose ( Cowania mexicana var. stansburiana ) in central Utah

Cliffrose ( Cowania mexicana var. stansburiana [Torr.] Jepson) community measurements were taken in central Utah. Data revealed a high between-site similarity of 78.5%. Soil analysis for sites showed most macronutrients, and some micronutrients, relatively low. Cover of cliffrose was found to increase with increases in soil magnesium (p ≤ 0.01). Plants growing on the sites have adapted life cycles to exploit moisture and nutrients during seasons of maximum availability. Prevalent species in the community were cheatgrass ( Bromus tectorum ), cliffrose, madwort ( Alyssum alyssoides ), and bluebunch wheatgrass ( Agropyron spicatum ). Annual grasses were the most important life form to community composition; the second was shrubs. Ratios between soil nutrients and cliffrose tissue nutrients indicate active transport of some elements. Data indicated a steady decline in establishment of new cliffrose individuals on the sites since 1957. This lack of reproductive success is most likely due to a combination of factors but appears most influenced by the elevated levels of annual plants (mainly cheatgrass) on the sites. If the cliffrose communities in central Utah are to be maintained, special attention to their management must be considered and implemented.
Dynamic simulation of sediment films of Yukawa-stabilized particles.

The fast lubrication dynamics method is applied to simulate the motion and deposition of charge-stabilized 100-nm-diam particles into sediment films from aqueous dispersions. Colloidal interactions are incorporated with a Yukawa potential and the effects of the screened-Coulomb potential strength and Peclet number (which controls the sedimentation driving force) on particle orientation are quantified with a sixfold bond order parameter. The effect of sediment growth rate on the order parameter is determined and related to a competition between the electrostatic interaction strength and sedimentation driving force. Increasing the electrostatic interaction strength and decreasing the Peclet number lead to lower sediment growth rates and consequently greater sixfold bond order. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of including lubrication interactions in dynamic simulations of sediment films and suggests that these interactions play a central role in the kinetics of film microstructure development and consequently in the degree of order within the film.
Study on Absorption Capacity of Coal Based on Low-temperature Nitrogen Absorption and High-pressure Adsorption

At the temperature of liquid nitrogen the N2 adsorption process and adsorptive volume of coal samples are measured under the gas saturated vapor pressure.Using BET and BJH theoretical models area of coal are calculated Choosing different rank coals(anthracite 、 meager coal 、 lean coal 、 coking coal 、 rich coal and lignite) as well as isothermal adsorption CH4 experiments of coal in this paper.The results showed that these different ranks of coal of low-temperature N2 absorption capacity of the order: anthraciterich coalLean coallignitelean coalcoking coal,high-pressure absorption capacity of methane: lean coalanthracite ligniterich coalLean coalcoking coal.by comparative analysis of the high-pressure conditions,the absorptive capacity of the two kinds of determination is different.
Experiences and Lessons from Post-Disaster Reconstruction in Japan and Taiwan and Inspiration for China

Many domestic and foreign areas have ever suffered from serious earthquakes.In the process of post-disaster reconstruction in these areas,some of the practices are worth to be learned by China.In this paper,we select the Kobe Earthquake in Japan and the "9·21"Earthquake in Taiwan as examples,then sum up some of the experiences and lessons from their post-disaster reconstruction process.By Learning these experiences and lessons and combining them with some specific circumstances of the Wenchuan Earthquake,we put forward some policy-based recommendations for the work of post-disaster reconstruction.
Improvement on Pilot Zero Sequence Directional Protection to Avoid Miss Operation Due to Zero Sequence Weak-infeed and Its Simulation

When ground faults occur on transmission lines,zero sequence currents of both ends will be very different from each other if there is a significant difference between the zero sequence impedance of both ends. Pilot zero sequence directional protection may fail to operate because the zero sequence current on one end does not reach the set value of the protective relay,although zero sequence directional elements on both ends operate correctly. This paper performs a simulation analysis on the phenomenon of zero sequence weak-infeed and an improved scheme of pilot zero sequence directional protection is proposed to address this problem. The result of real-time digital simulation demonstrates that the improved scheme can handle the miss operation problem due to the phenomenon of zero sequence weak-infeed and effectively improve the performance of pilot ground fault protection.
New concepts in pertrochanteric hip fracture treatment.

Newer concepts may change the general understanding of unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures and possibly improve the ability to restore function to patients.
Perceiving God, World-Views and Faith: Meeting the Problem of Religious Pluralism

Not so long ago, analytic philosophy of religion had largely relegated itself to a few relatively restricted topics, such as arguments for and against God’s existence. Happily the field is now burgeoning with diverse issues — new and old. William Alston has been a seminal force behind this sea-change in the field. He is not only the father of modern American analytic philosophy of religion; he has brought an incisive and persistent approach to formerly dismissed or unrecognized topics, illuminating their importance and bringing them to the forefront of the contemporary discussion. In particular, he has been a driving force behind the recent resurgence of epistemology of religion.
Efficacy of misoprostol for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: Current knowledge and implications for health care planning

Background A myriad of interventions exist to treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), ranging from uterotonics and hemostatics to surgical and aortic compression devices. Nonetheless, PPH remains the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The purpose of this article is to review the available evidence on the efficacy of misoprostol for the treatment of primary PPH and discuss implications for health care planning.
Driven to the IMF, September–November 1976: ‘The Market’s Verdicts are Merciless and Effective’

During the winter and spring of 1976, the value of the pound against the US dollar fell by approximately 12 per cent, from above $2 to around $1.77. Commenting on the selling pressures on sterling, the Bank of England acknowledged that ‘it is unlikely that events would have run the course they did had there not emerged a widespread view that sterling was overvalued’ (Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin September 1976, p. 308). But despite a 12 per cent depreciation, sterling’s weakness persisted into the autumn. In late October, the pound fell into the mid-$1.50s, and it was apparent that the roots of the Government’s confidence problem ran deep.
An analytical method for evaluating the power density of multilevel converters

Multilevel converter topologies have shown greal potential in high power converters with advantages including high efficiency and low distortion, and could provide the high power density necessary in new space and weight-constrained applications. A comparison of the passive component requirements, in terms of stored energy, of both flying capacitor multilevel converters (FCMCs) and modular multilevel converters (MMCs) is presented. The two topologies have different advantages, and their respective power densities. For low switching/modulation frequency ratios the MMC is favorable whereas the FCMC can yield higher power density in applications where the ratio can be large, e.g. in dc-dc, line-frequency converters and variable speed drives.
To Secure her Freedom: “Dorcas ye blackmore,” Race, Redemption, and the Dorchester First Church

Abstract This essay considers the intersection of race and religion in seventeenth-century puritan New England by reconstructing the life of a young enslaved African woman identified in church records as “Dorcas ye blackmore” and by examining the efforts of the brethren of the Dorchester First Church to secure her legal freedom.
Preserved Blood versus Patient Data for Quality Control— Bull’s Algorithm Revisited

A comparison of the Bull’s algorithm (XB) for quality control with a system based on analysis of preserved blood suggested that the preserved blood approach was the more sensitive method. However, the procedures compared were not equivalent. Four control blood samples analyzed by a multirule Shewhart approach were compared with a single XB result. Consequently, a reexamination of the relative sensitivities of the two methods was undertaken with a multirule Shewhart approach applied to both methods. On this basis, both methods have equivalent sensitivity. Once the XB mean reflects the shifted mean (and at all times with a drifting mean), either the XB algorithm or the analysis of preserved blood will detect systematic errors with similar probability using similar control rules.
Measuring Joint Flexibility in Hallux Rigidus Using a Novel Flexibility Jig.

Background:The flexibility of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in patients with hallux rigidus (HR) has not been studied. Compared to measuring range of motion alone, measures of joint flexibility provide additional information that may prove useful in the assessment of HR. The purpose of this study was to assess the flexibility of the hallux MTP joint in patients with HR compared to controls using a novel flexibility device.Methods:Fifteen patients with Coughlin stage II or III HR and 20 healthy controls were recruited prospectively. Using a custom flexibility jig, each of 2 raters performed a series of seated and standing tests on each subject. Dorsiflexion angle and applied torque were plotted against each other to generate 5 different parameters of flexibility. Differences between (1) HR patients and controls and (2) the sitting and standing testing positions were assessed with t tests. Intrarater test-retest reliability, remove-replace reliability, and interrater reliability were assessed wi...
Liver Imaging for Colorectal Cancer Metastases

The prognosis of colorectal carcinoma with liver metastases (CRLM) is driven largely by the resectability of hepatic metastatic disease. An increasing number of systemic and hepatic-directed therapies are being applied in the neoadjuvant setting to downstage patients for surgical eligibility. The goal of this review is to describe the use of imaging techniques in the management of CRLM with an emphasis on staging, pretreatment planning, and response assessment. While CT has an established role in screening for hepatic metastatic disease, MRI with hepatobiliary contrast has emerged as the workhorse technique in patients with CRLM in whom surgical intervention is being considered. Multiphasic CT and/or contrast-enhanced ultrasound are useful adjunctive tools, particularly when MRI is contraindicated. PET/CT provides added value in candidates for surgical resection or hepatic-directed therapy, primarily in its ability to exclude extra-hepatic metastatic disease. Accurate staging and detailed presurgical anatomic assessment including volumetry, guide management in patients with CRLM, particularly in selecting for resection and hepatic-directed therapies.
Excerpts from Cracked Within the Ring: “The Wading Woman” and “Le Passé Simple”

My title is a pun, and a bad one.No matter: it suits me, my mistress.Her brother would not weep for her:“Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia.”As if withholding one drop could stop the flood. ...
How Pensions Contribute to the Premium Paid to Experienced Public School Teachers

Many argue that public school systems should stop linking teachers’ salaries so closely to their years of experience. However, the effect of deferred retirement compensation on the premium paid to ...
Relations between accountability and improvement strategies in New York City’s Children First Networks

Federal school accountability policies like No Child Left Behind were based on a logic that measuring school performance and making the results public through tools like school report cards would incentivize educators to create strategies for improving school quality. Yet, most schools needed more than incentives to be able to design improvement strategies that would lead to all students becoming proficient in standard subjects like math and ELA. As a result, states and school districts implemented an infrastructure of supports. To date, there is little research that considers how support providers use accountability tools to diagnose problems and design targeted improvement strategies. Without better knowledge of how schools and providers commit to particular improvement strategies, it is difficult to determine whether we need better school report cards or strategies, or both to improve school quality. This study aims to address this gap by examining how four Children First Networks in New York City used accountability metrics to develop targeted improvement strategies, which led to distinctly different improvement strategies. The article closes with implications for policy.
A semiautomatic algorithm for three-dimensional segmentation of the prostate on CT images using shape and local texture characteristics

Prostate segmentation in computed tomography (CT) images is useful for planning and guidance of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. However, the low soft-tissue contrast of CT images makes the manual prostate segmentation a time-consuming task with high inter-observer variation. We developed a semi-automatic, three-dimensional (3D) prostate segmentation algorithm using shape and texture analysis and have evaluated the method against manual reference segmentations. In a training data set we defined an inter-subject correspondence between surface points in the spherical coordinate system. We applied this correspondence to model the globular and smoothly curved shape of the prostate with 86, well-distributed surface points using a point distribution model that captures prostate shape variation. We also studied the local texture difference between prostate and non-prostate tissues close to the prostate surface. For segmentation, we used the learned shape and texture characteristics of the prostate in CT images and we used a set of user inputs for prostate localization. We trained our algorithm using 23 CT images and tested it on 10 images. We evaluated the results compared with those of two experts' manual reference segmentations using different error metrics. The average measured Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean absolute distance (MAD) were 88 ± 2% and 1.9 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. The averaged inter-expert difference measured on the same dataset was 91 ± 4% (DSC) and 1.3 ± 0.6 mm (MAD). With no prior intra-patient information, the proposed algorithm showed a fast, robust and accurate performance for 3D CT segmentation.
Analysis and Modeling of Lithium Flows in Porous Materials

One of the primary conditions necessary for the success of magnetic fusion reactors is the ability to mitigate damage to the first wall during ELMs and plasma disruptions. A potential solution involves the use of flowing liquid metals such as lithium as a first wall, but ensuring its stability under the extreme environments in the reactor would be imperative. The conditions leading to instabilities on the free surface of flowing liquid lithium (LL) layers on a substrate and in a porous material are investigated using both analytical methods and computational modeling, with consideration for the effects of LL velocity, LL layer thickness, substrate porosity, LL permeability, and hydrogen (H) plasma velocity. Linear stability analysis is used to predict the critical velocity and wavelength-dependence of wave growth, as well as the onset of instability. The modeling of LL flows is performed on a flat substrate and in a porous material for various LL thicknesses, LL and H plasma velocities to analyze the conditions leading to droplet formation and ejection.
Novel pMUT-Based Acoustic Duplexer for Underwater and Intrabody Communication

This work demonstrates for the first time an acoustic duplexer based on Aluminum Nitride pMUTs as radiating elements. The duplexer has the function of efficiently separating independent data-streams coming from the transmit and receive modules while minimizing the noise injected in the channel through the achievement of large out-of-band rejections. As a result, this permits to reach levels of Bit-Error-Rates (BER)that are comparable to those achieved through the use of commercial Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT)transducers. Furthermore, the simultaneous use of two communication bands allows much higher data-rates than traditional resonant approaches, thus enabling much larger data throughput.
Geometric Properties of Unilateral Contact Constraints

A majority of available solutions to the unilateral contact problem implicitly consider small or moderate slip between a set of deformable bodies. Such contact problems are often solved using the Finite Element Method, in which the contacting surfaces are discretized into contact elements typically consisting of a striker node interacting with a target node or a linear facet. The most recent formulations treat the contact problem by using continuum-based finite element formulations, i.e. checking contact conditions and integrating contact forces at Gauss points instead of considering them at nodal points (Laursen and Simo, 1993; Wriggers and Imhof, 1993). However, these new approaches still include piecewise linear geometries to describe the contacting bodies boundary, introducing kinematics discontinuities when large slip occur.
Highly accurate and efficient numerical methods for a problem of heat conduction

In this work, we present a theoretical basis for the Steklov series expansion methods to reduce and estimate the error of numerical solutions for heat conduction. The meshless spectral method is ap...
Declarations of Dependence: Money, Aesthetics, and the Politics of Care: by Scott Ferguson, Lincoln NE, University of Nebraska Press, 2018, 207 pp., US$20.00 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-496-20192-8

The handshake is one of the most recognized images associated with business and deal making. In consecrating a business deal or creating money through the granting of a new loan, the handshake is a...
Failure to Launch: Oklahoma's Academic Standards in Mathematics.

Teachers’ perceptions of written curriculum influence the way in which they use the curriculum. As multiple states begin to implement state specific standards, understanding the perceptions teacher...
Characteristics of a cohort of high-risk men who have sex with men on pre-exposure prophylaxis reporting transgender sexual partners.

Transgender people continue to be at high-risk for HIV acquisition, but little is known about the characteristics of their sexual partners. To address this gap, we examined sociodemographic and sexual characteristics of cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reporting transgender sexual partners.A cohort of 392 MSM in southern California in a randomized clinical trial for PrEP adherence were followed from 2013 to 2016. Multivariable generalized estimating equation and logistic models identified characteristics of MSM reporting transgender sexual partners and PrEP adherence.Only 14 (4%) MSM reported having transgender sexual partners. MSM were more likely to report transgender partners if they were African American, had incident chlamydia, reported injection drug-using sexual partners, or received items for sex. Most associations remained significant in the multivariable model: African American (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 11.20, P = .01), incident chlamydia (AOR 3.71, P = .04), and receiving items for sex (AOR 5.29, P = .04). There were no significant differences in PrEP adherence between MSM reporting transgender partners and their counterpart.MSM who report transgender sexual partners share characteristics associated with individuals with high HIV prevalence. Identifying this group distinct from larger cohorts of MSM could offer new HIV prevention opportunities for this group of MSM and the transgender community.
Socioeconomic Status Inequalities Partially Mediate Racial and Ethnic Differences in Children's Amygdala Volume.

Background: While race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) impact brain structures such as the amygdala, less is known on whether or not family SES partially explains why amygdala volume is smaller for racial and ethnic minority groups. Purpose: This study tested the mediating effects of family SES on racial and ethnic differences in right and left amygdala volume. Methods: We borrowed the structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (sMRI) data of the Children Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, a brain imaging investigation of childhood brain development in the US. The total sample was 8977, 9-10-year-old children. The independent variables were race and ethnicity. The primary outcomes were right and left amygdala volume. Age, sex, household size, and marital status were the covariates. Multiple SES indicators such as family income, subjective family SES, parental employment, parental education, and neighborhood income were the mediators. To analyze the data, we used regression models without and with our mediators. Sobel test was used to test if these mediational paths are statistically significant. Results: Black and Latino children had smaller amygdala sizes than non-Latino White children. The effects of race and ethnicity on amygdala volume were partially mediated by SES indicators, suggesting that one of the many reasons Black and Latino children have smaller volumes of right and left amygdala is their lower SES. Conclusions: For American children, lower family and neighborhood SES indicators partially, but not fully, explain smaller amygdala sizes of Black and Latino children compared to non- Latino White children.
Ligation of the inferior vena cava in penetrating pediatric trauma

Abstract Penetrating trauma in children is on the rise in the United States, often leading to severe injuries. Destructive injuries to the inferior vena cava (IVC) are rare in children, and outcomes of ligation are not well-described. This is a retrospective chart review of the cases and outcomes of two young children who required IVC ligation following abdominal gunshot wounds. The children's ages ranged from 3 to 6 years old. They both had concomitant duodenal injuries and additional intestinal injuries. The first patient also had a spinal cord injury. Their course was complicated by profound shock, breakdown of intestinal repairs, renal failure, and a necrotizing groin soft tissue infection, but they ultimately made a near-complete recovery. The second patient had a smooth postoperative course. Neither patient developed significant lower extremity edema. Ligation of the IVC in pediatric penetrating trauma patients is a viable and life-saving option but can be associated with complications.
Association of gastrointestinal parasite burden, serum cytokines and hormones concentrations, and pregnancy in Angus-cross beef cows

Abstract The objective was to elucidate the relationships among gastrointestinal (GI) parasite load, serum cytokines (Th 1 – Interleukin (IL) 2, Interferon (IFN) γ and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α; Th 2- IL4, IL6, and IL10) levels, hormones (progesterone, cortisol, 8-epi-prostaglandin F2 alpha (isoprostane), prolactin, substance-p, and prostaglandin F metabolites) concentrations, and pregnancy in beef cattle. Angus-cross beef cows (n = 700; age, 3–8 y) were blocked by age and body condition score (BCS, 1–9), and were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 350, TRT, 50 mg of eprinomectin/50 kg BW, im) or control (n = 350, CON, no treatment) on Day -30. Cows were synchronized using Controlled Internal Drug Release insert (CIDR) + CO-Synch protocol and artificially inseminated at a fixed time on Day 0 (66 h after CIDR removal). Fecal samples were collected to determine fecal egg count per gram (FEG, McMaster method) on Days -30, -23, -16, -7, 7, 0, 16 and 23, and blood samples were collected on Days -7, 0, 7, 16 and 23. Serum cytokines were determined on Days -7, 0, 7, 16 and 23, and circulating hormones were measured on Day 16. BCS were recorded on Day 16 following artificial insemination (AI), and pregnancy status was diagnosed on Day 30 and 60. Pregnancy/AI varied among treatment groups on Day 30 [TRT, 62.0% (217/350); CON, 54.9% (192/350) (P = 0.05)] and Day 60 [TRT, 60.9% (213/350); CON, 51.7% (181/350) (P 0.1). Four groups of 40 cows were selected based on their pregnancy status and treatment: pregnant, TRT; non-pregnant, TRT; pregnant, CON; and non-pregnant, CON to compare the mean FEG, cytokines, and hormones levels. The FEG and cytokine concentrations were significantly (P 0.1), it was lower in treated, pregnant cows compared with cows in other three groups from Day -23 onwards (P
Identifying Clinically Relevant Functional Strata to Direct Mobility Preservation Among Patients Hospitalized With Medical Conditions.

Abstract Objective To develop a system to guide interpretation of scores generated from the newly developed item response theory (IRT)-based Functional Assessment in Acute Care Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Test (FAMCAT), which assesses 3 important domains of function: Mobility, Daily Activities, and Applied Cognition. Design Cross-sectional data was used to inform a modified Delphi approach to establish FAMCAT cutpoints delineating various functional ability levels. Setting Large midwestern academic teaching hospital. Participants Patients hospitalized to an inpatient medical service (N=2049). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures FAMCAT Basic Mobility, Daily Activity, and Applied Cognition scores. Results IRT-based score estimation data was successfully integrated with expert clinical feedback using a modified Delphi process to arrive at consensus yielding 4 functional level strata (ranging from bed-based mobility to independent mobility) for both the FAMCAT Mobility and Daily Activity scales; 1 cutpoint was supported to delineate 2 functional strata for Applied Cognition. Conclusions Meaningful cutpoints were established for each FAMCAT domain using a data-informed, modified Delphi process for achieving consensus. The resulting FAMCAT interpretation guide may be used to develop an ability-matched mobility preservation program and identify patients who may require a higher level of supervision based on the resulting FAMCAT scores.
Monitoring the Neurotransmitter Response to Glycemic Changes Using an Advanced Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Protocol at 7T.

The primary excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are thought to be involved in the response of the brain to changes in glycemia. Therefore, their reliable measurement is critical for understanding the dynamics of these responses. The concentrations of Glu and GABA, as well as glucose (Glc) in brain tissue, can be measured in vivo using proton (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Advanced MRS methodology at ultrahigh field allows reliable monitoring of these metabolites under changing metabolic states. However, the long acquisition times needed for these experiments while maintaining blood Glc levels at predetermined targets present many challenges. We present an advanced MRS acquisition protocol that combines commercial 7T hardware (Siemens Scanner and Nova Medical head coil), BaTiO3 dielectric padding, optical motion tracking, and dynamic frequency and B0 shim updates to ensure the acquisition of reproducibly high-quality data. Data were acquired with a semi-LASER sequence [repetition time/echo time (TR/TE) = 5,000/26 ms] from volumes of interest (VOIs) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hypothalamus (HTL). Five healthy volunteers were scanned to evaluate the effect of the BaTiO3 pads on B 1 + distribution. Use of BaTiO3 padding resulted in a 60% gain in signal-to-noise ratio in the PFC VOI over the acquisition without the pad. The protocol was tested in six patients with type 1 diabetes during a clamp study where euglycemic (~100 mg/dL) and hypoglycemic (~50 mg/dL) blood Glc levels were maintained in the scanner. The new protocol allowed retention of all HTL data compared with our prior experience of having to exclude approximately half of the HTL data in similar clamp experiments in the 7T scanner due to subject motion. The advanced MRS protocol showed excellent data quality (reliable quantification of 11-12 metabolites) and stability (p > 0.05 for both signal-to-noise ratio and water linewidths) between euglycemia and hypoglycemia. Decreased brain Glc levels under hypoglycemia were reliably detected in both VOIs. In addition, mean Glu level trended lower at hypoglycemia than euglycemia for both VOIs, consistent with prior observations in the occipital cortex. This protocol will allow robust mechanistic investigations of the primary neurotransmitters, Glu and GABA, under changing glycemic conditions.
Design Optimization Of N-shaped Roof Trusses

Design optimization of a class of plane trusses called the N-Shaped Truss (NST) is addressed. The parametric model of NST presented is intended for real-world application, avoiding simplifications of the design details that compromise the applicability. The model, which includes twenty-seven discrete variables concerning topology, configuration and sizing of the truss, presents a challenging optimization problem. Aspects of such challenge include large search space dimensionality, absence of a closed-form objective function and constraints, multi-modal objective function and costly CPU time per objective function evaluation. Three implementations of general-purpose genetic algorithms (GA) are tested for this problem, along with a version of taboo search called reactive taboo search (RTS). The RTS exhibited better performance than the tested versions of GA. Performance study of the algorithms provides some good insight to some weaknesses in GA and RTS as well as future prospective combination of them to gain better performance.
A theory of hygienic macros

Hygienic macro systems, such as Scheme's, automatically rename variables to prevent unintentional variable capture--in short, they "just work." Yet hygiene has never been formally presented as a specification rather than an algorithm. According to folklore, the definition of hygienicmacro expansion hinges on the preservation of alpha-equivalence. But the only known notion of alpha-equivalence for programs with macros depends on the results of macro expansion! We break this circularity by introducing explicit binding specifications into the syntax of macro definitions, permitting a definition of alpha-equivalence independent of expansion. We define a semantics for a first-order subset of Scheme-like macros and prove hygiene as a consequence of confluence.
Electrical simulation on the localized NVM failed cell by AFP nanoproing

As semiconductor technology advance, NVM memory structure find more and more application in the IC product. Majority part of NVM is charge-based where charge can be injected into or removed from a critical region of a device. This storage cell is normally floating and cannot be accessed directly. So the analysis on this floating structure is quite challenge, especially on the specific cell of the prime die. In this paper, a kind of NVM structure, OTP, was analyzed by the AFP nanoprobing. Combined with layout physical structure analysis an d electrical simulation on the failed cell by AFP, the failure mechanism was built up. Based on the electrical and circuit analysis, physical analysis, TEM cut, on the specific location was performed. Physical defect was observed, and the electrical analysis was proven.
Enable abrupt junction and advanced salicide formation with dynamic surface annealing

3D MOSFET technology, such as FinFETs, is the central semiconductor inflection that brings new challenges and opportunities to the semiconductor industry. Dynamic surface annealing (DSA) enables the IC manufactures to solve many of the challenges. In this paper, we demonstrate DSA can form abrupt source/drain extension, which is essential to minimize the device's parasitic resistance. DSA also improves salicide morphology, minimize salicide piping defects, and reduce junction leakage. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the Parametric Resonance of Tumblehome Hullforms in a Longitudinal Seaway

This work presents a numerical study of the influence of topside shape on parametric roll in longitudinal seas. The ONR 3 Topsides hulls are used to compare the single degree-of-freedom rolling response of a destroyer-sized vessel with flared (model 5613), tumblehome (model 5613-1), and wallsided (model 5613-2) shapes above the waterline. Through this relative comparison, the key aspects of parametric resonance of a tumblehome hull form are highlighted, namely the reduction in head seas forward speed required to encounter parametric roll. A variant on the Mathieu equation is used to simulate roll motions.
A theory of (relative) discounting

Abstract We derive a representation theorem for time preferences (on the prize-time space) which identifies a novel notion of relative discounting as the key ingredient. This representation covers a variety of time preference models, including the standard exponential and hyperbolic discounting models and certain non-transitive time preferences, such as the similarity-based and subadditive discounting models. Our axiomatic work thus unifies a number of seemingly disparate time preference structures, thereby providing a tractable mathematical format that allows for investigating certain economic environments without subscribing to a particular time preference model. This point is illustrated by means of an application to sequential bargaining theory.
The Many Lives of Whales

Exploring the course and consequences of cetacean research through the 20th century, Burnett charts the interplay of science, conservation, and politics that substantially remade relationships between humans and whales.