cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abolishing Some More Obsolete Crown Prerogatives

The Crown had many prerogatives (privileges) which other legal and natural persons did not have, due to the pre-eminent role of the sovereign. Some of these the Crown delegated to its subjects. That is, it franchised them, in return for money. In modern times—with the sovereign only having a formal role—it needs to be considered whether these Crown prerogatives should pass to the control of Parliament. Also, where they are obsolete, their abolition. A previous article has argued for the abolition of many obsolete prerogatives relating to the military. This article argues that the prerogatives of the Crown to levy pontage (a toll for the building, and repair, of bridges) and murage (a toll for the building, and repair, of town and city walls for defensive purposes) should be abolished. So too, the right of the Crown to waifs (stolen goods cast away by a thief in flight) and estrays (animals wandering in any manor or lordship whose owner is unknown). Also, that the prerogative of the Crown to unmarked mute swans in open water be restricted to the Thames—where it is only presently exercised. Finally, this article argues for the abolition of the palatinates of Lancaster, Chester and Durham—since the prerogatives once given to them by the Crown have now reverted to the same—and for the abolition of various long obsolete prerogatives given to the Cinque Ports.
Model-based evaluation of clustering validation measures

A cluster operator takes a set of data points and partitions the points into clusters (subsets). As with any scientific model, the scientific content of a cluster operator lies in its ability to predict results. This ability is measured by its error rate relative to cluster formation. To estimate the error of a cluster operator, a sample of point sets is generated, the algorithm is applied to each point set and the clusters evaluated relative to the known partition according to the distributions, and then the errors are averaged over the point sets composing the sample. Many validity measures have been proposed for evaluating clustering results based on a single realization of the random-point-set process. In this paper we consider a number of proposed validity measures and we examine how well they correlate with error rates across a number of clustering algorithms and random-point-set models. Validity measures fall broadly into three classes: internal validation is based on calculating properties of the resulting clusters; relative validation is based on comparisons of partitions generated by the same algorithm with different parameters or different subsets of the data; and external validation compares the partition generated by the clustering algorithm and a given partition of the data. To quantify the degree of similarity between the validation indices and the clustering errors, we use Kendall's rank correlation between their values. Our results indicate that, overall, the performance of validity indices is highly variable. For complex models or when a clustering algorithm yields complex clusters, both the internal and relative indices fail to predict the error of the algorithm. Some external indices appear to perform well, whereas others do not. We conclude that one should not put much faith in a validity score unless there is evidence, either in terms of sufficient data for model estimation or prior model knowledge, that a validity measure is well-correlated to the error rate of the clustering algorithm.
Food expenditure patterns of the Hispanic population in the United States

Food expenditure patterns were analyzed for Hispanic households in the United States. Engel curves for three food categories—total food (TF), food eaten at home (FAH), and food eaten away from home (FAFH)—were estimated using a semilogarithmic functional form. The models for TF and FAH were estimated by OLS, using heteroscedasticity consistent estimators. The equation for FAFH was estimated using a two-part model, with the level equation estimated by least squares with corrections for heteroscedasticity, using only the observations for which a positive amount of expenditures on FAFH was reported. The estimated income elasticity of demand for food for Hispanic households were 0.29 for TF, 0.21 for FAH, and 0.49 for FAFH. Household size elasticities were 0.32, 0.40, and 0.07, respectively. Our analysis indicates that Hispanic households devoted a higher proportion of their budget to FAH, 25.8%, than the average American household, while the proportion spent on FAFH was only 3.6%.[EconLit citations: L610.] © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intrinsically switchable thin film ferroelectric resonators

This paper presents DC voltage dependent thin film bulk acoustic wave resonators (FBARs) based on ferroelectric barium strontium titanate (BST). The electrostrictive effect in BST film that enables the resonances to switch on and off with dc bias is discussed. Composite BST FBARs that consist of BST, platinum (Pt), silicon (Si), and oxide (SiO 2 ) layers are discussed by comparing with the conventional FBAR structure. For composite FBARs, the BST layer is primarily used for transduction while the Si and SiO 2 layers are used to increase the overall quality factor (Q). Measurement results of a composite FBAR show a Q that exceeds 600 at its parallel resonance frequency of 2.169 GHz and an electromechanical coupling coefficient of 0.68%.
Fast Non-Linear Dimension Reduction

We present a fast algorithm for non-linear dimension reduction. The algorithm builds a local linear model of the data by merging PCA with clustering based on a new distortion measure. Experiments with speech and image data indicate that the local linear algorithm produces encodings with lower distortion than those built by five layer auto-associative networks. The local linear algorithm is also more than an order of magnitude faster to train.
Planar Ultra-Wideband Antennas in Ku- and K-Band for Pattern or Polarization Diversity Applications

Two planar diversity antennas operating in Ku- (12.4-18 GHz) and K-band (18-26.5 GHz) are proposed for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications. Both of them consist of a monopole radiating element and two orthogonal feeding ports. Their ground planes are modified and optimized to improve the isolation as well as to control the radiation. The first one is a pattern diversity antenna with a disc monopole patch. The second one is a polarization diversity antenna based on a square patch which is able to provide both linear and circular polarizations. Different feeding approaches are adopted to obtain a broadband impedance matching. Two wideband couplers are designed to provide the required feeding circuit. Both the simulated and measured results are presented to verify the proposed idea. Good radiation efficiency and isolation between the two ports are achieved. Consistent diversity performance is observed across the whole UWB bandwidth which is demonstrated by their radiation patterns.
DIRECT EFFECTS OF FIRE ON ENDANGERED MOUNT GRAHAM RED SQUIRRELS

Direct mortality of forest wildlife due to fire is rarely documented. In June and July 2004, the Nuttall Complex Fire burned 11,898 ha in the Pinaleno Mountains, southeastern Ari- zona. Portions of these mountains serve as the only habitat of endangered Mount Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis). Survival of radio-collared red squirrels over a pe- riod that included the fire was lower in areas that were burned than on unburned areas; however, the majority of squirrels on our study areas survived the fire. Distance of nests from middens did not differ between pre-fire and post-fire periods for animals in burned or unburned areas, indi- cating that squirrels did not abandon middens immediately after surviving the effects of fire.
The high resolution crystal structure of green abalone sperm lysin: implications for species-specific binding of the egg receptor.

Abstract Abalone sperm lysin is a 16 kDa acrosomal protein used by sperm to create a hole in the egg vitelline envelope. Lysins from seven California abalone exhibit species-specificity in binding to their egg receptor, and range in sequence identity from 63 % to 90 %. The crystal structure of the sperm lysin dimer from Haliotis fulgens (green abalone) has been determined to 1.71 A by multiple isomorphous replacement. Comparisons with the structure of the lysin dimer from Haliotis rufescens (red abalone) reveal a similar overall fold and conservation of features contributing to lysin’s amphipathic character. The two structures do, however, exhibit differences in surface residues and electrostatics. A large clustering of non-conserved surface residues around the waist and clefts of the dimer, and differences in charged residues around these regions, indicate areas of the molecule which may be involved in species-specific egg recognition.
Low-Dissipation Silicon Tuning Fork Gyroscopes for Rate and Whole Angle Measurements

We report a new family of ultra high- Q silicon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) tuning fork gyroscopes demonstrating angular rate and, for the first time, rate integrating (whole angle) operation. The novel mechanical architecture maximizes the Q-factor and minimizes frequency and damping mismatches. We demonstrated the vacuum packaged SOI dual and quadruple mass gyroscopes with Q-factors of 0.64 and 0.86 million at 2 kHz operational frequency, respectively. Due to the stiffness and damping symmetry, the quadruple mass gyroscope was instrumented to measure the angle of rotation directly, eliminating the bandwidth and dynamic range limitations of conventional MEMS vibratory rate gyroscopes. The technology may enable silicon micromachined devices for inertial guidance applications previously limited to precision-machined quartz hemispherical resonator gyroscopes.
Severe Cutaneous and Neurologic Toxicity in Melanoma Patients during Vemurafenib Administration Following Anti-PD-1 Therapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as ipilimumab and targeted BRAF inhibitors have dramatically altered the landscape of melanoma therapeutics over the past few years. Agents targeting the programmed cell death-1/ligand (PD-1/PD-L1) axis are now being developed and appear to be highly active clinically with favorable toxicity profiles. We report two patients with BRAF V600E mutant melanoma who were treated with anti-PD-1 agents as first-line therapy without significant toxicity, followed by vemurafenib at disease progression. Both patients developed severe hypersensitivity drug eruptions with multi-organ injury early in their BRAF inhibitor treatment course. One patient subsequently developed acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and the other developed anaphylaxis upon low-dose vemurafenib rechallenge. Further investigation of the immune response during combination or sequences of melanoma therapeutics is warranted. Furthermore, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for these toxicities when vemurafenib is administered following an anti-PD-1 agent.
How well do commonly used data presentation formats support comparative effectiveness evaluations

Background. Good decisions depend on an accurate understanding of the comparative effectiveness of decision alternatives. The best way to convey data needed to support these comparisons is unknown....
Natural diversity of Frankia strains in actinorhizal root nodules from promiscuous hosts in the family Myricaceae.

Actinorhizal plants invade nitrogen-poor soils because of their ability to form root nodule symbioses with N2-fixing actinomycetes known as Frankia. Frankia strains are difficult to isolate, so the diversity of strains inhabiting nodules in nature is not known. To address this problem, we have used the variability in bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences amplified from root nodules as a means to estimate molecular diversity. Nodules were collected from 96 sites primarily in northeastern North America; each site contained one of three species of the family Myricaceae. Plants in this family are considered to be promiscuous hosts because several species are effectively nodulated by most isolated strains of Frankia in the greenhouse. We found that strain evenness varies greatly between the plant species so that estimating total strain richness of Frankia within myricaceous nodules with the sample size used was problematical. Nevertheless, Myrica pensylvanica, the common bayberry, was found to have sufficient diversity to serve as a reservoir host for Frankia strains that infect plants from other actinorhizal families. Myrica gale, sweet gale, yielded a few dominant sequences, indicating either symbiont specialization or niche selection of particular ecotypes. Strains in Comptonia peregrina nodules had an intermediate level of diversity and were all from a single major group of Frankia.
Optimal Ranging Codes

This paper provides an analysis of a continuous, coded ranging scheme. By the use of a Boolean function, several "component" sequences are encoded into a transmitted signal. The receiver correlates the delayed return signal with different Boolean combinations of delayed replicas of the components to determine separately the time delay of each component sequence. From these delays, the total delay is computed. By proper choice of encoding logic, number and type of components, and the decoding logics and procedure, the range can be found in a relatively short time. Optimal parameters of this ranging device are derived.
Critical heat flux in microchannels: Experimental issues and guidelines for measurement

Proceedings from the first international conference on microchanels and minichannels, April 24-25, 2003. The complete proceedings can be found at www.asme.org .
COMPARATIVE EVOLUTION OF CEREALS.

First, we shall introduce the materials with which we are dealing, and this requires some understanding of formal names and botanical classification. The taxonomy of cultivated plants has long been in a state of confusion. The same array of variation is treated in radically different ways by different taxonomists (see Jirasek, 1966; Jeffrey, 1968). Classifications are cluttered with Latin names that have little or no biological meaning, and some individual taxa are given ranks ranging from variety to genus depending on who is doing the classifying. Inept classifications have probably caused more difficulty in understanding the origin and evolution of cultivated plants than any other factor. We shall use the gene pool classification suggested by Harlan and de Wet (1971) in order to treat the several cereals on a uniform basis. In this system the total array of variation within maximum genetic reach is partitioned into primary, secondary, and tertiary gene pools. The primary gene pool includes all those races that can be crossed with the crop, yielding reasonably fertile hybrids in which the chromosomes pair well and in whose offspring genetic segregation is reasonably normal. The primary gene pool corresponds to the widely accepted concept of the biological species. The secondary gene pool includes all those species that can be crossed with the crop but with restricted gene flow. Genes can be transferred from the secondary to the primary gene pool, but one must struggle with those barriers that separate biological species such as sterility, poor chromosome pairing, lethal or weak hybrids, or poorly adapted hybrid derivatives and so on. The tertiary gene pool includes all those species that can be crossed with the crop, but the hybrids lead essentially nowhere. The hybrids are lethal, completely sterile, or anomalous. If any gene transfer is possible at all, it must be through radical manipulation of some sort such as embryo culture, tissue culture, use of complex hybrid bridges and so on (see Harlan and de Wet, 1971). Polyploid series in cultivated plants pose some special problems. As a general rule, we have suggested (Harlan and de Wet, 1971) that each level be treated as a separate gene pool. The barriers between ploidy levels are not necessarily strong, however, and morphological differences are sometimes minimal and difficult to describe. Each series is different and appropriate treatments must be worked out crop by crop. Separate gene pools for ploidy levels in potato or sugarcane may not be appropriate at all. In the cereals considered here, the only problem of separation by ploidy level occurs in oats where A vena strigosa and A. barbata races are difficult to distinguish morphologically. Our gene pool classification is not intended to be a formal taxonomic system but rather a simple device to bring a genetic focus to bear on the taxonomies already available. The conventional epithets can be used without undue confusion pro-
Self-Assembly of Charged Supramolecular Sandwiches Formed by Corannulene Tetraanions and Lithium Cations

The reduction of corannulene (C20H10) with excess lithium metal in a strong chelating O-donor solvent, diglyme, leads to the formation of the highly reduced C20H104– anion. However, in contrast to the formation of the sandwich-type supramolecular aggregate [Li5(C20H104–)2]3– observed in THF, corannulene tetraanions and lithium counterions in diglyme form only contact ion pairs according to 7Li NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the slow dissociation of the premade sandwich [Li5(C20H104–)2]3– in neat diglyme has been demonstrated by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. In contrast, the [Li5(C20H104–)2]3– sandwich can be crystallized from the THF/diglyme mixture as the new crystalline product [Li(THF)2(diglyme)]+[Li2(THF)(diglyme)//Li5(C20H104–)2]−, showing a complex 1D hybrid architecture according to the single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.
Complementary π–π Interactions Induce Multicomponent Coassembly into Functional Fibrils

Noncovalent self-assembled materials inspired by amyloid architectures are useful for biomedical applications ranging from regenerative medicine to drug delivery. The selective coassembly of complementary monomeric units to provide ordered multicomponent fibrils is a possible strategy for enhancing the sophistication of these noncovalent materials. Herein we report that complementary π–π interactions can be exploited to promote the coassembly of phenylalanine (Phe) derivatives that possess complementary aromatic side-chain functionality. Specifically, equimolar mixtures of Fmoc-Phe and Fmoc-F5-Phe, which possess side-chain groups with complementary quadrupole electronics, readily coassemble to form two-component fibrils and hydrogels under conditions where Fmoc-Phe alone fails to self-assemble. In addition, it was found that equimolar mixtures of Fmoc-Phe with monohalogenated (F, Cl, and Br) Fmoc-Phe derivatives also coassembled into two-component fibrils. These results collectively indicate that face-to-...
Further studies on the histochemical specificity of phosphatases.

SummaryThe pattern of distribution of alkaline phosphatase activity in tissues is, when 5-nucleotide is used as a substrate, different from patterns obtained with any other substrate. The specificity of'5-nucleotidase appears to be an established fact.
Cardiometabolic Health in Bipolar Disorder

Although bipolar disorder is characterized by adverse effects on mood and social functioning, it is also associated with poor physical health. Some of the most prevalent comorbidities affecting individuals with bipolar disorder include those of a cardiometabolic nature, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.1,2 In addition to detracting from physical wellbeing, there is growing awareness that comorbid medical conditions in people with bipolar disorder contribute to poorer psychiatric treatment outcomes and are associated with more severe mood symptoms.3–5 These comorbid conditions may arise from overlapping biological pathways that promote the development of both mood dysregulation and altered metabolism. In this article, the scope of cardiometabolic health concerns in bipolar disorder will be reviewed, including the prevalence of modifiable risk factors, pathophysiological correlates linking metabolic dysregulation and mood, and potential genetic vulnerabilities that contribute to the development of cardiometabolic illness and mood disorders. Novel treatment approaches that target improvement of metabolic health as a means of improving mood, cognition, and other psychiatric symptoms will also be discussed.
Tarsal kinking after hughes flap

A retrospective review of 45 patients undergoing the Hughes tarsoconjuctival flap procedure for lower eyelid reconstruction detected three individuals who developed kinking of the tarsus and upper eyelid margin. This unusual complication became apparent at the time of flap division. A horizontal band of fibrosis at the superior border of the remaining upper eyelid tarsus was appreciated in two of the patients. Excision of the fibrotic tissue resulted in an immediate improvement of the deformity.
Method for accounting for macroscopic heterogeneities in reactor material balance generation in fuel cycle simulations

Abstract This paper describes the addition of spatially dependent power sharing to a methodology used for calculating the input and output isotopics and burnup of nuclear reactors within a nuclear fuel cycle simulator. Neutron balance and depletion calculations are carried out using pre-calculated fluence-based libraries. These libraries track the transmutation and neutron economy evolution of unit masses of nuclides available in input fuel. The work presented in the paper generalizes the method to simulate reactors that contain more than one type of fuel as well as strong spatial and flux heterogeneities, for instance breeders with a driver–blanket configuration. To achieve this, spatial flux calculations are used to determine the fluence-dependent relative average fluxes inside macroscopic spatial regions. These fluxes are then used to determine the average power of macroscopic spatial regions as well as to more accurately calculate region-specific transmutation rates. The paper presents several cases where the fluence based approach alone would not have been sufficient to determine results.
Determination of risk factors for mortality in children with severe community acquired pneumonia in Suzhou from 2008 to 2012

Objective: To determine the risk factors of mortality for severe community acquired pneumonia(CAP) in children in Suzhou. Methods: Data of epidemiological and clinical features, laboratory findings and outcomes from 803 children with severe CAP between Jan. 1st2008 to Dec. 30th2012 in pediatrics intensive care unit(PICU) were analysed. Results: Eighty-two percent of 803 children with severe CAP were less than 1 year old; 31.4%(252/803) of them had co-morbid conditions. The mortality of severe CAP in PICU was 7.5%; respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) was the most common pathogen, which was detected positive in 46.6%(189/406) of children, followed by mycoplasma, 19.7%(80/406); the most common bacterial pathogen were Strptococcus pneumoniae 12.3%(50/406), Haemophilus influenza b 7.9%(32/406) and Moraxella catarrhalis3.0%(12/406). In univariate analysis, PICU admission respiratory rate 70/min, grunting/groaning, head nodding, cyanosis,SaO280% when admitted and anemia were associated with respiratory failure and mortality. In multivariate analysis, presence of congenital heart disease, Trisomy 21, cerebral palsy and immunodeficiency correlated with mortality. Conclusions: Young age and underlying disease are associated factors of severe CAP in Suzhou. Early evaluation and management of co-morbid conditions and severity of CAP is beneficial to reduce the mortality of severe CAP, appropriate vaccination program should be established according to the local pathogen spectrum.
Exchanging Power: Prospects of Nepal-India Cooperation for Hydropower Development

Between summer monsoons and Himalayan snowmelt, Nepal is endowed with an abundance of freshwater resources. Just as Nepal’s rivers have carved the gorges of the world’s highest mountain range, these rivers carve international politics within the region. More than 200 billion cubic meters of water crosses the Indo-Nepal border each year, feeding into the Ganges watershed. The benefits derived from water management include hydropower, irrigation, and flood control to name a few; hence the "multipurpose" namesake attributed to a series of water development projects. The political geology of any river intervention divides stakeholders into "upstream" and "downstream" beneficiaries. In the case of trans-boundary rivers, these two categories of stakeholders are applied among separate nations. The management of such rivers is negotiated through bilateral treaties, thus carrying implications on national sovereignty. The purpose of this paper is to examine several challenges of bilateral hydropower development. Although multipurpose projects promise an array of benefits, the prospect of hydropower is what attracts these two countries to engage in bilateral water agreements.
Contribution of Serine Residues to Constitutive and Agonist-Induced Signaling via the D2SDopamine Receptor: Evidence for Multiple, Agonist-Specific Active Conformations

Dopamine D2 receptors contain a cluster of serine residues in the fifth transmembrane domain that contribute to activation of the receptor as well as to the binding of agonists. We used rat D2S dopamine receptor mutants, each containing a serine-to-alanine substitution (S193A, S194A, S197A), to investigate the mechanism through which these residues affect activation of the receptor. Activation of the mutant receptor S194A was abolished in an agonist-dependent manner, such that dopamine no longer inhibited cAMP accumulation in C6 glioma cells or activated G protein-regulated K+ channels in Xenopus laevis oocytes, whereas the efficacy of several other agonists was unaffected. Dihydrexidine did not inhibit cAMP accumulation at either S193A or S194A. The decreased efficacy of dihydrexidine at S193A and S194A and dopamine at S194A was associated with a decreased ability to detect a GTP-sensitive high affinity binding state for these agonists. The ability of dopamine to stimulate [35S]guanosine-5′-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding via S194A also was decreased by ∼50%. Finally, constitutive stimulation of [35S]guanosine-5′-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding and inhibition of adenylate cyclase by the D2Sreceptor was reduced by mutation of either S193 or S194. These data support the existence of multiple active receptor conformations that are differentially sensitive to mutation of serine residues in the fifth-transmembrane domain.
Nephrogenic Adenoma In A Bladder Diverticulum

AbstractNephrogenic adenoma is a rare proliferative response of urothelium to chronic irritation or infection. It has been reported to occur in various locations in the urinary tract, including the renal pelvis, ureter, bladder and urethra, and within an ileal conduit. We report our experience with this lesion occurring in a bladder diverticulum.
A Proficiency Test for LA-ICP-MS Laboratories Analyzing Ancient Glass

LA-ICP-MS is now one of the most common methods used for glass analysis in archaeology, and has the potential to build large databases for comparison. However, the actual comparability of measurements generated in different laboratories has not yet been addressed systemically. Here, the results of a round-robin comparison test on two modern glass samples with compositions comparable to ancient glasses is presented. The test involved nine laboratories using a diversity of mass spectrometers and lasers, as well as different calibration protocols and standard reference materials. Measured values differ significantly between labs for some elements, reflecting differences in calibration and instrumentation. However, these differences do not cause overlap between the glass samples that might confuse provenance in archaeological studies, but are significant enough to make finer-grained assignments to individual glass batches difficult or impossible when comparing across different laboratories.
Can Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Be Spared in Papillary Carcinoma of the Breast

Abstract Background Papillary carcinoma (PC) of the breast represents ∼0.5% of all newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer and usually has an indolent course. The current data suggest lack of a consensus in the surgical management of this disease. Because patients can occasionally develop metastatic disease, sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is often performed during surgery. Materials and Methods In the present study, we retrospectively evaluated the histologic characteristics of 99 cases of PC with or without associated frank invasive carcinoma, including 43 encapsulated or intracystic PCs, 24 solid PCs, and 32 intraductal PCs, and correlated these with the incidence of nodal metastasis. Results Of the 99 cases, 64 were tumor stage Tis (noninvasive), 5 were T1 microinvasive, 17 T1a, 5 T1b, 5 T1c, and 3 were T2. A total of 37 patients (37%) underwent axillary staging, including 31 SLN biopsies and 6 axillary dissections. Only 1 patient (2.7%) with noninvasive solid PC had evidence of nodal metastasis. Follow-up information was available for 81 patients, with a mean follow-up period of 4.9 years (range, 1-13 years). Two local recurrences, no distant metastases, and no disease-related deaths were recorded. Conclusion PC rarely involves the lymph nodes even in tumors with an associated frank invasive component, and the overall prognosis and long-term survival is excellent. We propose that evaluation of the SLN should not be routinely indicated for patients with PC treated by local control lumpectomy.
Polistes major major and Polistes apachus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Georgia, USA

Summary We report a likely range expansion of the introduced social wasp Polistes major major Palisot de Beauvois (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) from Florida into southern Georgia, USA, as well as the first records of Polistes apachus de Saussure from Georgia. We also review what is known of the history of these species in the southeastern United States.
Declamped Piezoelectric Coefficients in Patterned 70/30 Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate Thin Films

Lateral subdivision of blanket piezoelectric thin films increases the functional properties through both increased domain wall mobility and declamping of the intrinsic response. This work presents the local effects of substrate declamping on the piezoelectric coefficient d33,f of 300 nm thick, rhombohedral, {001}-oriented lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate thin films at the 70/30 composition (70PMN–30PT). Films grown by chemical solution deposition on platinized Si substrates are patterned into strip structures ranging from 0.75 to 9 µm in width. The longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient, d33,f, is interrogated as a function of position across the patterned structures by three approaches: finite element modeling, piezoresponse force microscopy, and nanoprobe synchrotron X-ray diffraction. It is found that d33,f increases from the clamped value of 40–50 to ≈160 pm V−1 at the free sidewall under 200 kV cm−1 excitation. The sidewalls partially declamp the piezoelectric response 500–600 nm into the patterned structure, raising the piezoelectric response at the center of features with lateral dimensions less than 1 µm (3:1 width to thickness aspect ratio). The normalized data from all three methods are in excellent agreement, with quantitative differences providing insight to the field dependence of the piezoelectric coefficient and its declamping behavior.
Civil Conflicts Abroad, Foreign Fighters, and Terrorism at Home

Terrorist attacks in Brussels (May 2014) and Paris (January and November 2015) highlight the threat related to the arrival of foreign fighters (FFs) from civil wars elsewhere. We develop an argumen...
Scaling exponent of sparse random linear codes over binary erasure channels

The problem of analyzing the finite-length scaling behavior of sparse random linear codes is considered. Random linear codes with random generator matrices whose entries are picked according to i.i.d. Bernoulli distribution with parameter q = o(1) are called sparse. The parameter q is referred to as the sparsity of the random linear code. We develop a methodology to show the optimality of the scaling exponent of uniform random linear codes, i.e., q = 1/2, with high probability. The results are then extended to sparse random linear codes with sparsity q = Θ(n−1/2), where n is the code block length. The encoding complexity of such sparse random linear codes is reduced from O(n2), in uniform random linear codes, to O(n 3/2). It is also conjectured that q = log n/n is the lowest sparsity of random linear codes with optimal scaling exponent. The connection of these results to an open problem regarding finding binary polar codes with optimal scaling exponent are also discussed. In particular, we point out that as the size of the polarization kernel increases it can be used as the generator matrix for a code with optimal scaling exponent, without the need to do further polarization.
Deep brain stimulation for monogenic dystonia.

Purpose of review Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has recently emerged as an important management option in children with medically refractory dystonia. DBS is most commonly used, best studied, and thought to be most efficacious for a select group of childhood or adolescent onset monogenic dystonias (designated with a standard 'DYT' prefix). We review how to clinically recognize these types of dystonia and the relative efficacy of DBS for key monogenic dystonias. Recent findings Though used for dystonia in adults for several years, DBS has only lately been used in children. Recent evidence shows that patients with shorter duration of dystonia often experience greater benefit following DBS. This suggests that early recognition of the appropriate dystonic phenotypes and consideration of DBS in these patients may improve the management of dystonia. Summary DBS should be considered early in patients who have medically refractory dystonia, especially for the monogenic dystonias that have a high response rate to DBS. It is important to differentiate between these monogenic dystonias and dystonias of other causes to properly prognosticate for these patients and to determine whether DBS is an appropriate management option.
HEMOGLOBIN INTERACTIONS AND WHOLE BLOOD OXYGEN EQUILIBRIUM CURVES IN SICKLING DISORDERS

Continuous and discontinuous, ascending and descending whole blood oxygen equilibrium curves (OEC) have been measured in whole blood from subjects with a variety of sickling disorders and in cells fractionated by density. Aberrations in the shapes of these curves are interpreted as manifestations of intracellular HbS interactions, and the influence of Hbs A, C, and F can be inferred. The pH gradient across red cell membranes of irreversibly sickled cells (ISCs) and, to a slightly less extent, non-ISCs, is greater than for normal cells. This widened pH gradient, and increased 2,3-DPG content of non-ISCs, can account for their reduced oxygen affinity. In ISCs, HbS aggregation appears to be the major mediator of oxygen affinity. Prior oxygenation or deoxygenation has a strong influence on the whole blood OEC, the former shifting it to the left, the latter to the right. The in vivo OEC probably lies between the two curves but its measurement by available methods is an approximation, at best.
Necrotizing soft tissue infections: obstacles in diagnosis.

Background This study was done to identify obstacles in the early diagnosis and treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections. Study design A ten-year retrospective case series was analyzed. Results Data from 29 patients were analyzed. Among patients undergoing early operation within 24 hours of admission (n = 17) there was one death (6 percent mortality rate); survivors averaged 2.9 operations per patient. By comparison, of patients with delayed operation (n = 12) three died (25 percent mortality rate) and there were 3.6 operations per patients. Positive fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of suspicious lesions, demonstrating either pus or bacteria by Gram's stain, led to early operation in 80 percent of patients tested. Patients with soft tissue gas on radiographs were more likely to undergo early operation (58 percent). Delayed operation was more common in the absence of radiographic findings. All patients admitted to nonsurgical services had delayed operations. Conclusions Suspected necrotizing soft tissue infections require prompt surgical evaluation and early operative exploration. Early operation with definitive surgical therapy initiated within 24 hours of admission is associated with decreased mortality rates. Negative FNA findings, nondiagnostic radiographs, and admission to a nonsurgical service correlate with delay in definitive operative intervention.
Current keratoconus detection methods compared with a neural network approach.

Purpose. Four videokeratographic methods for keratoconus detection were compared with a neural network approach. Methods. A classification neural network for keratoconus screening was designed to detect the presence of keratoconus (KC) or keratoconus suspects (KCS); a separate cone severity network graded the severity of conelike topography patterns consistent with KC or KCS. Three hundred TMS-1 examinations (Tomey) were randomly divided into training and test sets. Ten topographic indexes were network inputs. Nine categories were used: normal, astigmatism, KC, KCS, contact lens-induced warpage, pellucid marginal degeneration, photorefractive keratectomy, radial keratotomy, and penetrating keratoplasty. KC was subdivided into KC1 (mild), KC2 (moderate), and KC3 (advanced). There were three outputs for the classification network (KC, KCS, and OTHER); target output values of 0 = OTHER, 0.25 = KCS, 0.5 = KC1, 0.75 = KC2, and 1.0 = KC3 were used for the severity network. Results. The best-trained classification network had 100% accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity for the test set. The severity network had mean outputs (±standard deviation) of OTHER = 0.02 ± 0.02, KCS = 0.21 ± 0.05, KC1 = 0.52 ± 0.17, KC2 = 0.74 ± 0.12, and KC3 = 0.91 ± 0.15. The severity network output for all categories was well correlated to the keratoconus prediction index (R = 0.892, P < 0.0001). The classification network had an overall accuracy and specificity significandy better (P^ 0.005) than the Klyce/Maeda keratoconus index (KCI) test, the Rabinowitz test (K & I-S), and simulated keratometry (average Sim K). However, there were no significant differences in keratoconus sensitivity between the classification network, KCI, and K & I-S. The sensitivity and specificity of average Sim K were significantly worse than those of the other tests. The classification network had significantly better sensitivity (P < 0.001) and specificity (P = 0.025) for KCS detection than the K & I-S. Conclusions. The neural networks completely distinguished KC from KCS and from topographies that resembled KC. The network approach equaled the sensitivity of currendy used tests for keratoconus detection and outperformed them in terms of accuracy and specificity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1997;38:2290-2299. IV eratoconus is a disease characterized by a noninflammatory cone-shaped protrusion of the corneal surface (ectasia), stromal thinning in the region of the cone apex, irregular corneal astigmatism, and a number of other clinical signs and symptoms arising from structural and biochemical changes in the cornea.
Ontogeny of Anatomical Mechanical Advantage of the Biceps Brachii Muscle in Macaques

Compared to adults, young primates experience a unique set of social and ecological pressures. Specifi cally, young primates tend to be slower, weaker, and less agile than adults due to smaller muscle mass and lack of complete integration between their central nervous and motor systems (Bradley and Bekoff 1989 ; Thelen 1989 ; Stehouwer 1992 ; Assaiante and Amblard 1993 ; Carrier 1996 ). These limitations can increase juvenile risk, defi ned as the ecological risk of death in individuals between weaning and sexual maturity (Janson and van Schaik 1993 ). Such risk can occur from predators which target younger weaker animals and adult conspecifi cs that displace juveniles from or more quickly secure prime feeding locals.
Unstable Angina is a syndrome correlated to Th17 inflammatory disorder

Purpose: Unstable angina is common clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis. However, the detailed pathogenesis of unstable angina is still not known. Here, I propose that unstable angina is a TH17 dominant inflammatory disorder. Methods: Microarray dataset from unstable angina patients from Gene Expression Omnibus publicly available website is used for further analysis compared to healthy control. Results: I find out that TH17 related cytokine, cytokine receptor, chemokines, complement, immune-related transcription factors, anti-bacterial genes, Toll-like receptors, and heat shock proteins are all up-regulated in peripheral leukocytes of unstable angina. In addition, H+-ATPase, glycolytic genes, platelet and RBC related genes are also up-regulated in peripheral leukocytes of during unstable angina. Pathway analysis also supports that TH17 immunological pathway is over-represented in the unstable angina dataset. Conclusions: This finding implies that atherosclerosis is correlated to TH17 inflammatory disease. If we know the etiology of unstable angina as well as atherosclerosis better, we can have better methods to control and prevent this detrimental illness.
The Equity Impact of Proactive Outreach to Smokers: Analysis of a Randomized Trial.

Introduction Population-based smoking-cessation services tend to preferentially benefit high-SES smokers, potentially exacerbating disparities. Interventions that include proactive outreach, telephone counseling, and free or low-cost cessation medications may be more likely to help low-SES smokers quit. This analysis evaluated the role of SES in smokers’ response to a population-based proactive smoking-cessation intervention. Methods This study, conducted in 2016 and 2017, was a secondary analysis of the Veterans Victory Over Tobacco Study, a multicenter pragmatic RCT of a proactive smoking-cessation intervention conducted from 2009 to 2011. Logistic regression modeling was used to test the effect of income or education level on 6-month prolonged abstinence at 1-year follow-up. Results Of the 5,123 eligible, randomized participants, 2,565 (50%) reported their education level and 2,430 (47%) reported their income level. The interactions between education (p=0.07) or income (p=0.74) X treatment arm were not statistically significant at the 0.05 level. The largest effect sizes for the intervention were found among smokers in the lowest education category (≤11th grade), with a quit rate of 17.3% as compared with 5.7% in usual care (OR=3.5, 95% CI=1.4, 8.6) and in the lowest income range ( Conclusions In a large, multicenter smoking-cessation trial, proactive outreach was associated with higher rates of prolonged abstinence among smokers at all SES levels. Proactive outreach interventions that integrate telephone-based care and facilitated cessation medication access have the potential to reduce socioeconomic disparities in quitting. Trial registration This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00608426.
The effect of IMRT on acute toxicity in patients with gastric cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiation.

153Background: Two trials are currently investigating preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) for localized gastric adenocarcinoma. However, radiation therapy (RT) can be associated with relatively high ...
Design and Performance of a GPS Constellation Power Monitor System for Improved CYGNSS L1B Calibration

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) uses a bistatic radar configuration with the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation as the active sources and the CYGNSS satellites as the passive receivers. The GPS effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP), defined as the product of transmit power and antenna gain pattern, is of great importance to the accurate Level 1B calibration of the CYGNSS mission. To address the uncertainties in EIRP, a ground-based GPS constellation power monitor (GCPM) system has been built to accurately and precisely measure the direct GPS signals. A PID thermal controller successfully stabilizes the system temperature over the long term. Radiometric calibration is performed to determine the system dynamic range and to calibrate GCPM gain. Single PRN calibration using a GPS signal simulator is used to compute the scale factor to convert the received counts into power in watts. The GCPM received power is highly repeatable and has been verified with DLR/GSOC's independent measurements. The transmit power (L1 C/A) of the full GPS constellation is estimated using an optimal search algorithm. Updated values for transmit power have been successfully applied to CYGNSS L1B calibration and found to significantly reduce the PRN dependence of CYGNSS L1 and L2 data products.
Shape-Selective Recognition of Quaternary Ammonium Chloride Ion Pairs.

Synthetic receptors that recognize ion pairs are potentially useful for many technical applications, but to date there has been little work on selective recognition of quaternary ammonium (Q+) ion ...
Performance of a New Fan Silencer Prototype for Auxiliary Ventilation

Mechanized underground mines suffer from noise overexposure. Noise levels are often above the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) where underground fans are used. Sound levels in active workings can reach up to 121 A-weighted decibels (dB(A)), especially when fans are not equipped with silencers. Use of silencers seldom ensures PEL. Overexposure of noise induces permanent hearing loss among mine workers. A NIOSH-funded research project and field studies at six coal and non-coal mines revalidated the findings. The University of Utah undertook laboratory studies to reduce fan noise at the source. A new silencer prototype with varying noise dampening material was designed and tested. The silencer and associated extension can be repacked with different dampening materials. The silencer and the extension were used in various configurations. Attempts were also made to simulate field conditions. The tests demonstrated a maximum sound level attenuation of about 14 dB(A) at the fan discharge. A properly designed silencer offers lesser resistance and thereby better fan performance and lower energy cost. The re-packable silencer is more likely to be maintained properly. Lowering of noise level happens in audible frequencies (4000 to 8000 Hz) which are important in A-weighting.
Progressive Back Pain due to Aspergillus nidulans Vertebral Osteomyelitis in an Immunocompetent Patient: Surgical and Antifungal Management.

Case Report. Aspergillus osteomyelitis is a destructive and progressive infection that has been described both in immunosuppressed and in immunocompetent hosts. We describe a case of lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis in a 61-year-old immunocompetent patient due to Aspergillus nidulans that was successfully treated with a combination of extensive surgical debridement, spinal stabilization, and a prolonged course of antifungal therapy. Imaging demonstrated findings consistent with L3 discitis. The biopsy grew Aspergillus fungus and was treated with vorconizole. Imaging showed progressive destructive osteomyelitis at L3-L4. Patient underwent anterior L3 and L4 partial corpectomies, anterior interbody fusion L3-L5, and posterior T11-S2 pedicle screw and rod fixation. Antifungal treatment resulted in resolution of infection. Aspergillus markers remain negative. One year following definitive treatment, the patient’s back pain remains resolved. Conclusion. Definitive surgical resection of the infection, spinal stabilization, and aggressive antifungal therapy were required to eradicate the infection.
Towards optimal path computation in a simplicial complex

Computing optimal path in a configuration space is fundamental to solving motion planning problems in robotics and autonomy. Graph-based search algorithms have been widely used to that end, but the...