cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward low LDPC-code floors: a case study

While LDPC codes have been widely acclaimed in recent years for their near-capacity performance, they have not found their way into many important applications. For some cases, this is due to their increased decoding complexity relative to the classical coding techniques. For other cases, this is due to their inability to reach very low bit error rates (e.g., 10-12) at low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), a consequence of the error rate floor phenomenon associated with iterative LDPC decoders. In the present paper, we make strides in the low-floor problem by identifying the weaknesses of the code under study and applying compensatory counter-measures. These counter-measures include: modifying the code itself, modifying the decoder, or adding a properly designed outer algebraic code. Our results demonstrate that each of these techniques can successfully lower an LDPC code's floor, and that, for the code under study, an outer BCH code appears to be particularly effective. All of our results are based on FPGA decoder simulations and so they are reliable and repeatable.
Cooperation via Trellis Pruning

This paper introduces a new approach to cooperative communications. Consider two partner nodes that cooperate to convey their data to a common destination, each transmitting not only its own "local" data but also acting as a relay for its partner, thereby effecting spatial diversity. In the proposed scheme, each partner multiplexes local data with relayed data and convolutionally encodes the resulting bitstream prior to transmission; the other partner then uses its knowledge of the relayed data to prune edges from the code trellis, thereby decoding at a lower (and more robust) rate. The destination observes two copies of each source's data - one transmitted as local information, the other transmitted as relayed information - and employs iterative decoding to recover the same. The resulting performance is superior to that of cooperation schemes based on time sharing - for example, a gain of 4.1 dB is observed at a frame-error rate of 10-3 with memory M = 3 codes - as well as schemes employing the newer algebraic superposition approach of Xiao et al., with trellis pruning enjoying an advantage of 0.55 dB to 1.04 dB over algebraic superposition, depending on M. The new approach requires some additional decoding complexity at each partner node, but the decoding complexity at the destination node is kept constant.
Comparison between subjective and objective assessments of the cervix before induction of labour.

SummaryThe aim of the study was to compare the pre-induction cervical assessment by Bishop's score with the transvaginal ultrasound cervical length as predictors of the induction-delivery interval (IDI) and the success of induction. This prospective study included 104 women with singleton pregnancies who were booked for induction of labour at term over a period of 3 years. Transvaginal ultrasound measurement of the cervical length and Bishop's Score were performed by different operators. Data were collected on parity, gestational age, methods of induction, Bishop's score, ultrasound cervical length measurements, IDI and mode of delivery. A total of 87 women (83.7%) delivered vaginally and 17 (16.3%) delivered by caesarean section. Linear regression models demonstrated that ultrasound cervical length was a better indicator of IDI than Bishop's score. The adjusted R2 for the regression including ultrasound cervical length was 0.87 compared with a value of 0.67 for the model including Bishop's score. Althoug...
Extraskeletal effects of vitamin D in older adults: Cardiovascular disease, mortality, mood, and cognition

Background: Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent among older adults and may be associated with higher risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease, mortality, depression, and cognitive deficits. Objective: The aim of this article was to review published observational and experimental studies that explored the association between vitamin D insufficiency and CV disease, mortality, mood, and cognition with an emphasis on older adults. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for English-language articles from January 1966 through June 2009 relating to vitamin D, using the following MeSH terms: aged, vitamin D deficiency, physiopathology, drug therapy, cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure, mortality, delirium, dementia, cognitive disorders, depression, depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, mental disorders, and vitamin D/therapeutic use. Publications had to include patients ≥65 years of age who had ≥1 recorded measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) or were receiving vitamin D supplementation. All case-control, cohort, and randomized studies were reviewed. Results: Forty-two case-control, cohort, and randomized trials were identified and included in the review. Based on these publications, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25[OH]D concentration <30 ng/mL) in communitydwelling older adults (≥65 years of age) ranged from 40% to 100%. Epidemiologic data and several small randomized trials found a potential association between vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D concentration <10 ng/mL) and CV disease, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Although subgroup analyses of data from the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Trial (the largest randomized, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D plus calcium therapy) did not find reductions in blood pressure, myocardial infarction, or CV disease-related deaths, intervention contamination limited the findings. Observational studies and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found a mortality benefit associated with higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations or vitamin D2 or D3 supplementation (mean dose, 528 IU/d). Observational and small randomized trials found a potential benefit of sunlight or vitamin D on symptoms of depression and cognition, but the findings were limited by methodologic problems. Conclusions: Vitamin D insufficiency appears to be highly prevalent among older adults. Evidence from epidemiologic studies and small clinical trials suggests an association between 25(OH)D concentrations and systolic blood pressure, risk for CV disease-related deaths, symptoms of depression, cognitive deficits, and mortality. The Women's Health Initiative Randomized Trial did not find a benefit of vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure, myocardial infarction, or mortality in postmenopausal women.
Metal production requirements for rapid photovoltaics deployment

As global photovoltaics (PV) deployment grows, the required input materials need to be supplied at an increasing rate. In this paper, we quantify the effect of PV deployment levels on the scale of metal production. For example, we find that if cadmium telluride {copper indium gallium diselenide} PV accounts for more than 3% {10%} of electricity generation by 2030, the required growth rates for the production of indium and tellurium would exceed historically-observed production growth rates for a large set of metals. In contrast, even if crystalline silicon PV supplies all electricity in 2030, the required silicon production growth rate would fall within the historical range. More generally, this paper highlights possible constraints to the rate of scaling up of metal production for some PV technologies, and outlines an approach to assess projected metal growth requirements against an ensemble of past growth rates from across the metal production sector. The framework developed in this paper may be useful for evaluating the scalability of a wide range of materials and devices, to inform technology development in the laboratory, as well as public and private research investment.
Lap Held Infants on Commercial Air Carriers: Do the Current Regulations Increase or Decrease the Safety Risks?:

In our nation's skies Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) allow infants less than two years of age to be “lap held,” occupying the same seat as their adult traveling companion. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that people (over age 2), animals and objects be secured during ground movement, takeoff, landing and turbulence, yet it does not require this for infants under age two. Once over age two a child must occupy his own seat in a FAA approved Child Restraint Device (CRD). Since first allowing the use of CRDs in 1982, FAR part 121.311 has been changed numerous times to represent the FAA's policy over the years. In May 1996, 121.311 was changed to disallow previously approved restraint devices (e.g. belly belt, booster seats, and harness devices) on US air carriers segments of flight other than enroute. This paper investigates the current regulations, presenting data on the relative dangers of restrained and unrestrained infants in air and automotive incidents/accidents. Comparative anal...
Nested Analysis as a Mixed-Method Strategy for Comparative Research

Despite repeated calls for the use of “mixed methods” in comparative analysis, political scientists have few systematic guides for carrying out such work. This paper details a unified approach which joins intensive case-study analysis with statistical analysis. Not only are the advantages of each approach combined, but also there is a synergistic value to the nested research design: for example, statistical analyses can guide case selection for in-depth research, provide direction for more focused case studies and comparisons, and be used to provide additional tests of hypotheses generated from small-N research. Small-N analyses can be used to assess the plausibility of observed statistical relationships between variables, to generate theoretical insights from outlier and other cases, and to develop better measurement strategies. This integrated strategy improves the prospects of making valid causal inferences in cross-national and other forms of comparative research by drawing on the distinct strengths of two important approaches.
“You Can't Get a Side of Willpower”: Nutritional Supports and Barriers in The Villages, Florida

Good nutrition in late life is key to the health of older adults and demands the attention of health promoters. To assess how the social lives and community environmental supports and barriers affect older adults' nutritional health, we conducted 29 focus groups with 144 residents of The Villages, Florida. Participants reside in one of the largest retirement communities in the United States. Thematic analysis revealed that the high social connectedness of residents confers both positive and negative influences on the nutritional lives of residents. Neighbors and friends are essential to a resident's ability to access foods in times of need. Conversely, many social functions in the community revolve around the consumption of foods of low nutrient density. Friends and neighbors may provide the best point of entry for nutritional interventions, such as food assistance strategies and health promotion and education. Policy and practice implications are also discussed.
The Theorems of Lusin and Egoroff

A real-valued function f on R is called measurable if f−1(U) is measurable for every open set U in R. f is said to have the property of Baire if f −1 (U) has the property of Baire for every open set U in R. In either definition, U may be restricted to some base, or allowed to run over all Borel sets. The indicator function χ E of a set E ⊂ R is measurable if and only if E is measurable; χ E has the property of Baire if and only if E does.
Multilevel Quantile Function Modeling with Application to Birth Outcomes

Summary: Infants born preterm or small for gestational age have elevated rates of morbidity and mortality. Using birth certicate records in Texas from 2002-2004 and Environmental Protection Agency air pollution estimates, we relate the quantile functions of birth weight and gestational age to ozone exposure and multiple predictors, including parental age, race, and education level. We introduce a semi-parametric Bayesian quantile approach that models the full quantile function rather than just a few quantile levels. Our multilevel quantile function model establishes relationships between birth weight and the predictors separately for each week of gestational age and between gestational age and the predictors separately across Texas Public Health Regions. We permit these relationships to vary nonlinearly across gestational age, spatial domain and quantile level and we unite them in a hierarchical model via a basis expansion on the regression coefficients that preserves interpretability Very low birth weight is a primary concern, so we leverage extreme value theory to supplement our model in the tail of the distribution. Gestational ages are rounded into weekly values, so we present methodology for modeling quantile functions of discrete response data. In a simulation study we show that pooling information across gestational age and quantile level substantially reduces MSE of predictor effects relative to standard frequentist quantile regression. Wend that ozone is negatively associated with the lower tail of gestational age in south Texas and across the distribution of birth weight for high gestational ages. Our methods are available in the R package BSquare.
Scary Scholarship: A Response to Bruce Lincoln’s Gods and Demons, Priests and Scholars

Bruce Lincoln's recent book, Gods and Demons, Priests and Scholars: Critical Explorations in the History of Religions, is a text whose critical offerings threaten analytical engagements that suggest that we answer to those subjects we study. Lincoln, instead, appeals to an uncompromising critical self-reflexiveness that, while potentially uncomfortable--and even scary--forces a vital conversation in the academic study of religion.
Statistical language modeling for information retrieval

Abstract : This chapter reviews research and applications in statistical language modeling for information retrieval (IR) that has emerged within the past several years as a new probabilistic framework for describing information retrieval processes. Generally speaking, statistical language modeling, or more simply, language modeling (LM), refers to the task of estimating a probability distribution that captures statistical regularities of natural language use. Applied to information retrieval, language modeling refers to the problem of estimating the likelihood that a query and a document could have been generated by the same language model, given the language model of the document and with or without a language model of the query.
Kinetics of iodination of hydrogen sulfide by iodine and the heat of formation of the SH radical

The kinetics of the gas-phase thermal iodination of hydrogen sulfide by I2 to yield HSI and HI has been investigated in the temperature range 555–595 K. The reaction was found to proceed through an I atom and radical chain mechanism. Analysis of the kinetic data yields log k (l/mol·sec) = (11.1 ± 0.18) – (20.5 ± 0.44)/θ, where θ = 2.303 RT, in kcal/mol. Combining this result with the assumption E−1 = 1 ± 1 kcal/mol and known values for the heat of formation of H2S, I2, and HI, ΔHf,2980(SH) = 33.6 ± 1.1 kcal/mol is obtained. Then one can calculate the dissociation energy of the HSH bond as 90.5 ± 1.1 kcal/mol with the well-known values for ΔHf,2980 of H and H2S.
An efficient patch antenna with bandwidth enhancement

A patch antenna constructed with supporting posts is described in this paper. A unique feature is the absence of a dielectric layer between the patch and the ground plane. As such, this construction precludes the excitement of surface waves increasing the efficiency of the antenna. It was experimentally discovered metallic supports (as compared to dielectric supports) appreciably increased the bandwidth of the antenna. The placement of the supports assumed a simple cavity model estimation of the currents and was validated by measurements and computer simulations. A probe is used as the mechanism to excite the patch.
Looking at Laughter: Humor, Power, and Transgression in Roman Visual Culture, 100 B.C.–A.D. 250 – By John R. Clarke

The author of this study takes on a big, intractable, and difficult subject in his latest book. What makes people laugh does not translate easily, and the subject of the humor of ancient civilizati...
Quality Assured Ad Hoc Grids

This paper presents an integrated architecture for ad hoc Grids developed within the Java CoG Kit project. It provides an overview of the key component frameworks that collectively build the ad hoc Grid architecture. Further, it outlines a formal model that can be formally evaluated. The paper also presents an enhancement to the Java CoG Kit to address requirements posed by ad hoc Grids. It integrates into the Java CoG Kit commodity technologies such as Jxta, and ClassAds.
Mixing by Barotropic Instability in a Nonlinear Model

A global, nonlinear, equivalent barotropic model is used to study the isentropic mixing of passive tracers by barotropic instability. Basic states are analytical zonal-mean jets representative of the zonal-mean flow in the upper stratosphere, where the observed 4-day wave is thought to be a result of barotropic, and possibly baroclinic, instability. As is known from previous studies, the phase speed and growth rate of the unstable waves is fairly sensitive to the shape of the zonal-mean jet; and the dominant wave mode at saturation is not necessarily the fastest growing mode; but the unstable modes share many features of the observed 4-day wave. Lagrangian trajectories computed from model winds are used to characterize the mixing by the flow. For profiles with both midlatitude and polar modes, mixing is stronger in midlatitude than inside the vortex; but there is little exchange of air across the vortex boundary. There is a minimum in the Lyapunov exponents of the flow and the particle dispersion at the jet maximum. For profiles with only polar unstable modes, there is weak mixing inside the vortex, no mixing outside the vortex, and no exchange of air across the vortex boundary. These results support the theoretical arguments that, whether wave disturbances are generated by local instability or propagate from other regions, the mixing properties of the total flow are determined by the locations of the wave critical lines and that strong gradients of potential vorticity are very resistant to mixing.
AT1-receptor blockade enhances ischemic preconditioning in hypertrophied rat myocardium.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether ischemic preconditioning protects contractile function in hypertrophied rat myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Male salt-sensitive...
Animal Welfare Regulations and Nursery Rearing

The subject of this chapter is U.S. animal welfare regulations as they pertain to infant nonhuman primates, along with possible changes that have been discussed in the past few years. The goal is to summarize administrative considertions and daily operations that are necessary to comply with existing animal welfare regulations, and to prepare for anticipated changes that may impact nursery rearing of nonhuman primates. The intent is not to regurgitate all of the regulations but to provide an overview of those that apply to nonhuman primates in general, and to identify those rules that especially pertain to infants, whether or not they are nursery reared.
Minimum Weight Plastic Design of Continuous Frames

A method by which typical frames may be designed for minimum weight to resist ultimate loads on a collapse basis is presented. Simple plastic theory is assumed to apply, although the procedure is such that members subject to axial loads are included. There is no attempt to define an optimum design, except in the sense of minimum weight. Factors such as fabrication costs and deflection limitations have been subordinated to the requirements of minimum weight, although it is realized that minimum weight is not always the most important factor. The proposed method is unique, in that it is a procedure leading directly to the correct minimum weight design without recourse to trial mechanisms, load interaction curves, or design charts that characterize existing procedures.
Abundance and distribution of Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) and other pelagic fishes over the U.S. Continental Shelf of the Northern Bering and Chukchi Seas

Abstract We conducted acoustic-trawl (AT) surveys of the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas during ice-free periods in 2012 and 2013. The mixed species assemblages in the study area required refinement of standard AT survey methods, and adjustment of trawl catches for the effects of trawl selectivity. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the AT abundance estimates are relatively robust to the assumptions of the analysis. These surveys indicate that midwater fishes are dominated by age-0 Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), age-0 saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis), capelin (Mallotus villosus), and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii). In both years, age-0 Arctic cod were distributed principally ≥69.5 °N, age-0 saffron cod were abundant in coastal areas between 66.5 and 69.5 °N, and Pacific herring were distributed south of 67 °N. These three fishes exhibited consistent associations with temperature, salinity and bottom depth: e.g., age-0 Arctic cod were abundant at lower mean water column temperatures than saffron cod. In contrast, capelin were distributed throughout the study area, and were not consistently associated with environmental measures. There was a geographic trend in body length, with smaller Arctic cod, saffron cod and capelin in northern areas, but smaller herring in the south. Arctic cod, saffron cod, herring and capelin were all >2 times more abundant in 2013 than 2012. Sizeable populations of age-0 Arctic cod were observed in the northern Chukchi Sea, which suggests that this area is an important nursery ground. However, relatively few older Arctic cod were observed in this and other surveys of the area, which suggests that either overwinter mortality of age-0 Arctic cod is high, and/or these fish are not retained on the Chukchi shelf.
Do footfall patterns in forefoot runners change over an exhaustive run

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate possible footfall pattern changes in habitual forefoot runners over a prolonged, exhaustive run. A prolonged run was performed to exhaustion in 14 habitual forefoot runners. Vertical ground reaction forces (VGRFs) and kinematics were collected at the beginning and end of the run. Ankle plantar flexor torque and triceps surae electromyographic activity were measured during pre- and post-run isometric contractions. By run’s end, there was an increase in VGRF loading rate and impact peak magnitude, greater dorsiflexion at foot contact and greater knee flexion angle throughout stance. Ankle plantar flexor torque decreased significantly from pre- to post-run tests. This was accompanied by a decrease in the integrated electromyographic activity (iEMG) output for the lateral and medial gastrocnemius. There were significant changes in landing mechanics for forefoot runners that indicate a transition towards more midfoot footfall patterns. A contributing factor ...
Fast Computation of Blood Flows in Arterial Models

The computation of the blood flow in arterial models requires the solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations [1,2]. The geometry of these models is characterized by complex branching tubular domains. The main challenge with this kind of geometries is that the convergence rate of the pressure Poisson solver is dominated by the graph depth of the computational grid. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel technique (deflated conjugate gradients algorithm) for accelerating the solution of the pressure Poisson equation that is especially suited for elongated domains.© 2009 ASME
Spectroscopic Compositional Analysis of Electrolyte during Initial SEI Layer Formation

The energy density of an electrochemical capacitor can be significantly improved by utilizing a lithiated negative electrode and a high surface area positive electrode. During lithiation of the negative carbon electrode, the electrolyte reacts with the electrode surface and undergoes decomposition to form a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that passivates the surface of the carbon electrode from further reactions between Li and the electrolyte. The reduction reactions that the solvent undergoes not only form insoluble and gaseous byproducts but also electrolyte-soluble products. In this work, those liquid-phase products generated by reductive decomposition of a carbonate-based electrolyte, 1.2 M LiPF6 in EC/PC/DEC (3:1:4), were analyzed at different stages during the lithiation process of an amorphous carbon electrode. An LCMS analysis of the electrolyte during the initial lithiation process was correlated to a DRIFTS analysis of the carbon electrode surface and the results from the EIS and gas-ph...
Repeat-proteins films exhibit hierarchical anisotropic mechanical properties.

Complex hierarchical structures provide beneficial structure–property relationships that can be exploited for a variety of applications in engineering and biomedical fields. Here we report on molecular organization and resulting mechanical properties of self-assembled designed repeat-protein films. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction indicates the designed 18-repeat concensus tetratricopeptide repeat protein (CTPR18) orients normal to the casting surface, while small-angle measurements and electron microscopy show a through-plane transversely aligned laminar sheet-like morphology. Self-assembly is driven by the combination of CTPRs head-to-tail stacking and weak dipole–dipole interactions. We highlight the effect that this hierarchical structure has on the material’s mechanical properties. We use nanoindentation and dynamic mechanical analysis to test the mechanical properties over multiple length scales, from the molecular level to the bulk. We find that morphology predictably affects the film’s mechanics from ...
The Outcomes of Abuse and Neglect in the Lives of Children with Disabilities

The negative outcomes of abuse and neglect in the lives of children with and without disabilities are immeasurable. These outcomes are observable in negative physical, emotional, and psychological short- and long-term effects. Child fatality is the result of abuse and neglect in the lives of some children with and without disabilities. In this chapter we examine the data on the outcomes of abuse and neglect (CAN) and abuse and neglect of children with disabilities (ANCD) provided by the U.S. DHHS. We analyze the literature in this area and present the findings of a study on the newspaper coverage that focused specifically on abuse and neglect in the lives of children with disabilities. We present stories from the Chicago Tribune from 2004 to 2010 that illustrate the prevailing trends in these data. We conclude this chapter with a set of recommendations for researchers and practitioners. Throughout the chapter we provide reflections and critical thinking exercises.
Design of two-stage belt conveyor electric control system based on CC-Link bus

Since there was no field bus communication function for multiple belt conveyors in the colliery, the paper designed a two-stage belt conveyor electric control system based on field bus. The fault protection was realized by PLC programming, and CC-Link bus technology was applied to realize the data share and cooperative control between host station and slave station. In addition, the real-time monitoring was achieved by the touch screen program. Practical application showed that the system ensured the production and improved the automatic operation level of transportation equipments in the colliery.
AS-CAST MICROSTRUCTURES AND THE SOLIDIFYING MECHANISM OF 7075 ALUNMINUM ALLOY CAST BY LSC

The observations of microstructures of 7075 alloy cast by liquidus semi-continuous casting (LSC) revealed that the border of billet cast from the normal temperature (720℃) consists of coarse dendritics, and the center microstructure is very inhomogeneous. When the billet was cast from the temperature (642℃) upside liquidus and the alloy melt was held for 30 min, the border and the center microstructures are good and the difference between them is small. When the billet was cast from the temperature (638℃) closely near liquidus and the alloy melt was held for 30 min, the border and the center microstructures are the best and all consist of fine, uniform and globular grains. Decreasing the first cooling and the casting velocity and increasing the second cooling are helpful to the formation of fine, uniform and globular grains. The formation of the globular microstructures is related to a lot of nucleus produced form the inner alloy melt and reduction of the undercooling at solid/liquid interface. The results show that LSC is an efficient way for making semi-solid slurries.
Impairment of cardiopulmonary baroreflexes during the newborn period.

The present study was designed to characterize the maturation of cardiopulmonary reflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) independent of influences from the arterial baroreflex. Studies were conducted in conscious newborn lambs (3- to 7-days-old) (n = 16) and older lambs (6- to 8-wk-old) (n = 18). All animals underwent either sinoaortic denervation (SAD) or a sham procedure. Hemodynamic, humoral, neural, and renal responses to volume expansion (6% Dextran 70, 0.7 ml.kg-1.min-1 x 60 min) were recorded. Volume expansion resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in RSNA in intact newborn (-28.1 +/- 5.3% change from control) and older lambs (-19.4 +/- 10.1%). SAD totally abolished the sympathetic inhibition seen with volume expansion in newborn lambs (-3.6 +/- 5.7%) but not in older lambs (-25.6 +/- 8.4%). Right atrial pressure increased in a similar fashion in both newborn (intact: 5.6 +/- 0.5 mmHg; SAD: 6.1 +/- 0.8 mmHg) and older lambs (intact: 5.2 +/- 0.9 mmHg; SAD: 5.3 +/- 0.9 mmHg) and was not altered by SAD. The reflex bradycardia seen with volume expansion in newborn lambs was blocked by SAD. The present study demonstrates that, during the newborn period, the RSNA and heart rate responses to volume expansion are dependent mainly on the integrity of the arterial baroreflex. Furthermore, these studies suggest that cardiopulmonary reflex control of RSNA in response to volume expansion is impaired early in life and increases with maturation.
Large Bowel Obstruction

Multiple varied etiologies exist as causes for large bowel obstruction. The more common causes faced by the acute care surgeon include Ogilvie’s syndrome, cecal and sigmoid volvulus, diverticular stricture, and colorectal cancer. Although the etiologies are varied, patients with large bowel obstruction often present with similar complaints. These include mild, generalized abdominal pain, distention, and obstipation. The evaluation of the patient with large bowel obstruction should seek to evaluate for signs of ischemia, necrosis, or perforation, which require urgent laparotomy. In the absence of these symptoms, further imaging modalities should be employed to determine the nature of the obstruction, thereby directing the acute care surgeon to the appropriate surgical and non-operative treatment strategies.
Surgical Technique and Difficult Situations from Sumeet K. Mittal

Intrathoracic stomach represents herniation of greater than 75 % of the stomach through the esophageal hiatus into the thoracic cavity. The most common symptoms include intermittent dysphagia for solids, abdominal and chest pain secondary to visceral torsion, gastrointestinal bleeding from mucosal ischemia resulting in iron deficiency anemia, and heartburn. A high incidence of acute volvulus with possible gangrene, perforation, or hemorrhage requiring emergent surgery has been reported, and elective repair has been recommended [1] though not universally accepted for asymptomatic patients. All symptomatic PEH should be repaired especially if they have symptoms suggesting incarceration. The operative repair was traditionally via left thoracotomy and subsequently via laparotomy though laparoscopic repair is feasible in nearly all patients. Cuscheri first reported laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia in 1992 [2]. Operative strategy includes sac and hernia reduction with hiatus closure along with or without fundoplication.
Synthesis of Cyclic Enones by Allyl-Palladium-Catalyzed α,β-Dehydrogenation

The use of allyl-palladium catalysis for the one-step α,β-dehydrogenation of ketones via their zinc enolates is reported. The optimized protocol utilizes commercially available Zn(TMP)2 as base and diethyl allyl phosphate as oxidant. Notably, this transformation operates under salt-free conditions and tolerates a diverse scope of cycloalkanones.
Safety and efficacy of desonide hydrogel 0.05% in pediatric subjects with atopic dermatitis

Low to mid potency corticosteroids remain a cornerstone of therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). Since AD is most prevalent in the younger pediatric population and is chronic in nature, safety is of particular concern especially for children under 2 years of age. A novel desonide (0.05%) formulation was developed in a nonirritating and moisturizing aqueous gel (hydrogel) that is free of alcohol and surfactants. The safety and efficacy of this new class VI low potency topical steroid was substantiated in 2 phase III clinical trials in mild to moderate AD subjects aged 3 months to 18 years (mean age 6.7 years and 30% under 3 years). A total of 425 subjects were treated with desonide hydrogel and 157 subjects with the hydrogel vehicle. Desonide hydrogel 0.05% was extremely well-tolerated and provided statistically significant improvements in all primary (P < .001) and secondary (P < .006) efficacy endpoints in both studies. This novel desonide formulation represents an advancement in the treatment of AD.
Medical-grade buccal swabs versus drugstore cotton swabs: No difference in DNA yield.

Abstract We tested three types of medical-grade buccal swabs against standard cotton swabs for differences in DNA yield. A panel of swab types – one drugstore (Q-tips®) and three medical-grade – was used for buccal cell collection from three different individuals. DNA was extracted from all swabs using a QIAcube robot; quantitation values were measured by an Alu-based qPCR assay; and differences were compared through a 2-way ANOVA. Our results demonstrate that cotton swabs recover as much DNA as medical-grade swabs, but at a tremendously lower cost. Cotton swabs also display the greatest consistency of DNA yield, as indicated by the lowest coefficient of variation among the four tested swab types. These findings suggest that the use of standard cotton swabs for buccal cell collection offers not only a significant cost savings, but a more consistent method compared to the use of medical-grade swabs.
Optical Processing of SAR Data

The concept of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is usually credited to Carl Wiley of the Goodyear Aircraft Corporation for his work in the early 1950’s. Groups at both Goodyear and the University of Illinois were pursuing Doppler beam sharpening techniques around this time and an experimental verification of the concept using electronic circuitry was performed by the Illinois group in 1953. The amount of data and the type of processing required for implementing the beam sharpening taxed the capabilities of existing electronic hardware which inspired extensive research into alternate processing techniques. In 1953, a summer group at the University of Michigan (known as project Wolverine) began studying the possibility of using coherent optics for reconstruction of SAR imagery. For the nest three decades, the coherent optics approach was the primary SAR processing technique. Even with todays fast digital processors, optical systems compress a large portion of the collected SAR data. In addition, photographic film provides a reasonably compact medium for storing the immense amount of raw and processed SAR data.
Regeneration in an Indian earthwormPerionyx millardi Stephenson 1915

Regeneration by anterior and posterior substrates (having a single transection each), indicated presence along anteroposterior axis of three morphogenetic regions. (1) A region of unipotential capacity from 16/17 anteriorly, in which all morphologically determined regenerates were cephalic, with a section from 6/7 anteriorly in which regeneration was obtained only anteriorly. (2) A region of bipotential capacity in which morphologically determined regenerates were cephalic or caudal. Apparent directional limitations of bipotentiality enabled recognition of three sections: 17/18 to 22/23 (→ 27/28?) in which regenerates at anterior transections were all cephalic but at posterior transections were cephalic or caudal or cephalocaudal; a long middle section in which all anterior regenerates were cephalic and all posterior regenerates were caudal; a posterior section in which regenerates at anterior transections were cephalic or caudal or cephalocaudal but at posterior transections were all caudal, tentatively bounded by 176/177 and 200/201. (3) A region of unipotential capacity in which all morphologically determined regenerates were caudal. Experiments were not extended to permit recognition of a terminal section in which regeneration would only take place posteriorly. The pattern of regenerative capacity thus indicated is complicated, inP. millardi, by induction of posterior heteromorphosis by a simultaneous anterior regeneration, with heteromorphic cephalic regeneration possible at least as far back as 88/89 and by various types of regulation. Induction of homomorphosis in a heteromorphic anterior regenerate. Induction of heteromorphosis in a homomorphic posterior regenerate. Induction of substrate orientation of nephridia in proximal segments of heteromorphic regenerates. Reorganization of substrate metameres into two or three segments with characteristics of regenerate metameres. Structure of inhibited buds and cephalic monstrosities indicates brain ofP. millardi does not have an important role as an organizer in early stages of regenerative growth.
Medicaid/CHIP Participation Reached 93.7 Percent Among Eligible Children In 2016

Children’s participation in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) rose by 5 percentage points between 2013 and 2016. As a result, 1.7 million fewer Medicaid/CHIP-eligible chil...
Microbotanical Assessment of Anthropogenic Impacts in the Ngotto Forest, Central African Republic During the Last Millennium AD

Scientific understanding of past human-environment interactions in tropical Central Africa is limited by two primary problems. First, paleoenvironmental studies often focus on records that lack spatial and chronological association with documented archaeological records. Second, the range of potential human impacts on past environments is typically conflated within models of agricultural production while the other socioeconomic dimensions of human impacts linked with social complexity and specialization are poorly understood. Riparian swamps immediately adjacent to archaeological sites dating to the last five hundred years in the Central African Republic (CAR) yielded well preserved pollen and microscopic charcoal remains that document multiple phases of human settlement of the forest zone and their impacts on local vegetation. This record from the Ngotto Forest is spatially associated with a unique iron smelting center and the deposits cover major cultural transitions from the Late Iron Age through the post-Colonial era in great detail. As such, it sheds light on how intensive iron metallurgy, expanding trade networks, and, eventually, the collapse of local socioeconomic structures during French colonial rule shaped the modern composition and structure of Guineo-Congolian rain forests in CAR.
Gaseous chlorine dioxide maintained the sensory and nutritional quality of grape tomatoes and reduced populations of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Abstract There have been numerous reports on the effectiveness of gaseous chlorine dioxide (gClO2) in inactivating various human pathogens associated with fresh produce. However, studies dealing with both microbial reduction and impact on quality and nutrients of tomatoes are scarce. In the present study, gaseous chlorine dioxide was evaluated for its effectiveness on populations of Salmonella and native microorganisms on grape tomatoes, and impacts on sensory and nutritional quality. Grape tomatoes, dip inoculated with a cocktail of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, were treated with three different levels of gClO2 generated by sachets containing sodium chlorite and reducing acids for up to 5 h in 20-L chambers. For the quality study, non-inoculated fruits were treated similarly with the gClO2, and stored for 21 d at 10 °C. Sensory and nutritional quality, and native microflora were measured at 1, 7, 14 and 21 d of storage. Headspace gClO2 concentrations and humidity in the chambers were measured during the treatments. Concentrations of gClO2 in the chamber were relatively stable during the 2.5 and 5 h treatment times. Gaseous ClO2 at 1.9 mg/L for 5 h and 4.3 mg/L for 2.5 and 5 h reduced Salmonella populations from 5.4 log CFU/fruit to a non-detectable level (detection limit 1.70 log CFU/fruit). However, populations of native microflora were not consistently affected by the gClO2 treatments. Furthermore, the treatments did not have any significant effect on appearance, off-odor, firmness, color, or lycopene, and vitamin C contents of grape tomatoes during the 21-d storage. Overall, gClO2 treatments that achieved more than 4 log reductions of Salmonella did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect sensory or nutritional quality of grape tomatoes.
Hydraulic diversity of forests regulates ecosystem resilience during drought

Plants influence the atmosphere through fluxes of carbon, water and energy1, and can intensify drought through land–atmosphere feedback effects2–4. The diversity of plant functional traits in forests, especially physiological traits related to water (hydraulic) transport, may have a critical role in land–atmosphere feedback, particularly during drought. Here we combine 352 site-years of eddy covariance measurements from 40 forest sites, remote-sensing observations of plant water content and plant functional-trait data to test whether the diversity in plant traits affects the response of the ecosystem to drought. We find evidence that higher hydraulic diversity buffers variation in ecosystem flux during dry periods across temperate and boreal forests. Hydraulic traits were the predominant significant predictors of cross-site patterns in drought response. By contrast, standard leaf and wood traits, such as specific leaf area and wood density, had little explanatory power. Our results demonstrate that diversity in the hydraulic traits of trees mediates ecosystem resilience to drought and is likely to have an important role in future ecosystem–atmosphere feedback effects in a changing climate.
Development of immersed boundary computational aeroacoustic prediction capabilities for open-rotor noise

Abstract A sharp immersed boundary computational aeroacoustic simulation approach for open-rotor direct noise predictions is presented. A specific feature of the finite-difference based immersed boundary method is that the stencil coefficients in the vicinity of the immersed boundary are determined in such a way that the stability of the numerical scheme is improved. The characteristics of this immersed boundary method are discussed for acoustic scattering and the treatment of moving boundaries, such as accounting for freshly cleared and dead cells, efficient geometry queries and efficient computation of irregular boundary stencils and point clouds in the vicinity of the immersed boundary. It is shown that the numerical error when considering moving boundary problems consistently scales with the order of accuracy of the boundary discretization. Finally, the method is applied to simulate the flow around a contra-rotating open rotor at take-off and cruise conditions where experimental data is available for comparison. Excellent agreement for the noise predictions of the contra-rotating open rotor system are obtained between the numerical simulations and the experimental noise measurement.
The Philosophy of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

The philosophical considerations that have driven the evolution of rotator cuff surgery toward the arthroscopic approach have included the following: maximizing visualization, minimizing iatrogenic tissue damage, recognizing pathoanatomy correctly, and optimizing repair constructs. The arthroscope has allowed the surgeon to demonstrate rather than speculate about the reparability of radiographically intimidating tears and strive toward shoulder joint preservation over sacrifice in the absence of glenohumeral arthritis. These tenets have spurred a technical revolution over the last 25 years with great benefits for patients and surgeons. Alternatively, for surgeons who accept the burden of the craft of rotator cuff surgery, the arthroscope brings significant challenges in gaining mastery of novel and advanced techniques.
An investigation into wayside hot-box detector efficacy and optimization

Wayside hot-box detectors (HBDs) are devices used to assess the health of railcar components including bearings, axles, and brakes by monitoring their temperatures. HBDs use infrared (IR) sensors t...
On oxidation kinetics of burning metal nanoparticles

Abstract This paper is the next step to resolve long-standing puzzles related to metal particle combustion. Based on the recently developed model on the metal particle burn time, we are able to explain the burn time dependence on the oxygen concentration. This dependence is weaker than the inverse proportion described by a classical law. We show that the effect appears due to a significant contribution of the atomic oxygen to the effective enthalpy of reaction, which is crucial for the combustion model we had suggested.
Intermediate states during photodegradation in MEH-PPV solutions and thin films

The dynamics of photoluminescent response during optical degradation of MEH-PPV in films and chloroform solutions were investigated using various spectroscopic techniques (PL, UV-Vis, FTIR, and XRF). A significant blue shift in photoluminescence (PL) from MEH-PPV films during degradation indicated strong interchain exciton migration and a different photochemical reaction from that of solution. Two distinct wavelength-dependent dynamic PL responses were observed in MEH-PPV, and were attributed to photoactivation in the long side chain and polymer backbone. It was verified by a control experiment with BDMO-PPV which has symmetric side chains. The dynamic PL results indicate that the degradation process involves at least two-step photochemical reactions in the side chain and backbone. We also found that chlorine showed no effect on the optical degradation process.
Training in Bariatric Surgery

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is responsible for establishing the training requirements for bariatric surgery fellowships. In order to obtain an ASMBS Certificate in Bariatric Surgery, a fellow has to meet the requirements set by the ASMBS. The fellowship was traditionally based on the applicant’s fellowship case log and index case numbers. Competency-based medical education (CBME) is a newer educational model where, rather than case number being a surrogate for quality and competence, learners are evaluated for observed competence in specific skills or procedures. The mandatory skills are defined as Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), the core skills of the profession. Competency is reached when the learner can be trusted to perform an activity independently. In bariatric surgery, these include such items as patient evaluation for surgical candidacy or performance of a primary weight loss operation. Bariatric surgery is the first surgical subspecialty to alter their curriculum to CBME, and it is currently using EPAs to pilot this educational model.