cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IEE Power Division: Chairman's address. Design for living

The loss of the home market has forced the British switchgear, turbine generator and transformer manufacturers to produce new designs to meet specifications differing appreciably from traditional British practice. A new range of switchgear will meet the high performance requirements of the home market and also provide an economic export product for most of the common internationally agreed voltage, current and fault-breaking ratings. Turbine generators are required that are radically different in speed, rating and steam conditions from the standard UK installations. Special pass-out turbines will be required to meet the growing market requirements for combined electrical generation and water desalination projects. Transformer design is inherently flexible, but there is an increasing need for better understanding between purchaser and manufacturer regarding operational requirements and design philosophy. The total UK research effort must be co-ordinated if we are to compete effectively internationally. The private sector should probably pay more attention to the national as compared to individual interest. The public sector industries must aim for productivity levels as good as, and price inflation no worse than, those of corresponding industries in the main competing countries. If this is not achieved further economic decline is inevitable. Engineering and managerial skills are capable of meeting world competition. If political difficulties can be overcome, and the full national effort deployed, the UK can certainly gain its share of the world export market.
Sol–gel synthesis, characterization and water vapor adsorption properties of 1,1′-(1,6-hexanediyl)- bis (imidazolium)dichloride-silica hybrid material

1,1′-(1,6-hexanediyl)-bis(imidazolium)dichloride-silica hybrid material was prepared in 90 % yield by ammonia catalyzed sol–gel condensation of 1,1′-(1,6-hexanediyl)-bis[3-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-imidazolium]dichloride in aqueous ethanol. This novel ionic liquid-silica hybrid material can adsorp 27 % w/w water vapor in 90 min at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. This is a higher water adsorption capacity and rate than commercial desiccant Drierite which showed only 16 % w/w of water vapor adsorption and required 10 h to reach the maximum adsorption under identical conditions. The new adsorbent could be reused for five cycles without any significant loss in activity after regeneration by heating at 110 °C, for 24 h.
EMG Silent Periods in Immediate Complete Denture Patients: A Longitudinal Study

Jaw muscle silent periods in response to chin taps were recorded from immediate complete denture patients before extraction of a residual anterior dentition, after insertion of the dentures, and three and six months after insertion. After three months' use of the dentures, the mean EMG silent period duration was significantly increased compared to the pre-extraction stage.
Approaches to evaluating the transgenic status of transformed plants

Analysis of transgenic plants is used today to answer the same questions as ten years ago. Since then, a wide variety of new molecular and biochemical technologies, as well as genetic tools, have become available. While there are many technical manuals describing how to use these tools, much less has been written about when they should and should not, be employed. This gap is important, as poor analysis can easily sidetrack or derail a project. This review addresses appropriate and inappropriate applications of several technologies commonly used for molecular and biochemical analysis of transformed plants.
Development of the Internet-Based Safer and Stronger Program for Men With Disabilities

This article describes the development and pilot testing of an Internet-based abuse and safety awareness program, the Men’s Safer and Stronger Program, for men with diverse disabilities and Deaf men (MWD) using a three-phase community-based, qualitative modified Delphi process. In Phase I, MWD participated in individual interviews (n = 46) and nominal discussion groups (n = 37), identifying key messages to be included in the program and providing guidance concerning program structure and content. In Phase II, the project staff developed the program content and structure with the assistance of an advisory board of MWD. Video narratives by nine male survivors with disabilities were recorded and edited. In Phase III, 14 MWD served as expert reviewers, verbalizing their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions as they used the program. In Phase IV, the program was piloted with 31 MWD and qualitative and quantitative feedback was gathered. The resulting user-guided program contains eight modules including definitio...
Fecal Microbiota Transplant to Treat Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infections

The prevalence of recurrent or refractory Clostridium difficile infection has been steadily increasing since 2000. Consequently, alternative treatments to the standard antibiotic therapies are now being considered. One alternative treatment is fecal microbiota transplant. Although fecal microbiota transplant is relatively new--and not appealing to most people--it has been around for many years and has great promise as an inexpensive, safe, and efficient treatment of refractory and recurrent C difficile infection. With a better understanding of the intricacies of the colonic microbiome and its role in colonic physiology and pathophysiology, critical care nurses will recognize that fecal microbiota transplant has the potential to become the standard of care for treatment of recurrent or refractory C difficile infection. The American College of Gastroenterology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America provide the latest treatment guidelines for care of patients with these clostridial infections.
Influence of temperature on crystallization of lactose in ice-cream

Summary Sandiness in ice-cream due to lactose crystallization can still be a problem in many circumstances. Lactose crystallization occurs in ice-cream as the unfrozen phase becomes supersaturated. However, the effects of storage temperature and temperature fluctuations on lactose crystallization have not been very well quantified. In this work, an accelerated storage apparatus was used to determine the effects of thermal fluctuations (from ±0.01°C to ±2.0°C), at several mean storage temperatures (from −5.0 to −20.0°C), on the onset of lactose nucleation and subsequent crystal growth in a standard vanilla ice-cream. the induction time for nucleation initially decreased as temperature was lowered (for temperature oscillations of ±1.0°C), until a minimum induction time of 3 h was found between −10.0 and −12.0°C. Further decreases in storage temperature caused the induction time to increase. the induction time for nucleation increased as the extent of temperature fluctuations increased, from 0.01 to 2.0°C, while initial lactose crystal growth rate showed the opposite trend. the initial growth rate increased as temperature decreased between −5.0 and −10.0°C, but then decreased for temperatures below −10.0°C. At −20.0°C lactose crystals grew very slowly. At −10.0°C the rate of growth decreased with increasing amplitude of temperature oscillations.
Genomic stability of La Crosse virus during vertical and horizontal transmission

We have used ribonuclease T 1 oligonucleotide fingerprint analysis to study genomic stability of La Crosse virus (Bunyaviridae) during vertical and horizontal transmission in the laboratory. No RNA genomic changes were detected in vertebrate cell culture-propagated virus isolated (following ingestion and replication) from the natural host,Aedes triseriatus. Genomic changes were not detected during transovarial passage of the virus through two generations of mosquitoes, nor were changes detected in the genomes of virus isolated from suckling mice that had been fed upon by second generation transovarially-infected mosquitoes. These results demonstrate that despite the well-documented phenomena of rapid nucleotide change in RNA virus genomes under various conditions, the La Crosse virus genome can remain stable during transovarial transmission in the insect host and during transfer between the insect and vertebrate hosts. The evolutionary implications of these results are discussed.
Working amid Corporatism and Confusion: Foreign NGOs in China

Foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) face impediments in the People's Republic of China. Many such problems result from the NGOs' lack of stable connections to the government. Academic literature on China is rich with data about links between the state and indigenous "civil" organizations, but relations between the government and foreign development NGOs have received less coverage in public. This article bypasses the widely accepted view of the Chinese state as solely corporatist. It describes Chinese regulation of foreign assistants in development and then offers two case studies of recently established NGOs. It concludes that, rather than demonizing the government for its faults in other areas, foreign development workers in China should be willing to work with government structures whenever possible. Only by understanding the politi- cal climate and regulatory structure, as well as the available options, can foreign NGOs hope to establish a long-term presence in China and effect lasting change.
Early Ambulation after Percutaneous Femoral Access with Use of Closure Devices and Hemostatic Agents

Background Patient satisfaction after percutaneous endovascular procedures is significantly influenced by the amount of time to ambulation postprocedure. The purpose of this study was to assess the complication rates of early ambulation after use of closure devices or topical hemostatic agents for femoral access sites for endovascular procedures. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent an endovascular procedure from a femoral access site between January 2004 and March 2008. The access site was closed with an Angio-Seal, StarClose, or D-Stat Dry with pressure. Patients ambulated 2 hr postprocedure when a closure device was used and 4 hr postprocedure when a D-Stat pad was applied. Access-site bleeding complications were assessed. Sheath size, closure method, patient characteristics, and antiplatelet status were analyzed. Results A total of 245 patients with a mean age of 70 years were identified. Of these, 154 (63%) patients were treated with a D-Stat pad with pressure, Angio-Seal was used on 83 (34%), and StarClose was used on eight (3%). The overall complication rate was 5.7%. Complications increased with increasing age ( p = 0.003) and use of StarClose ( p = 0.0001). The D-Stat pad was associated with a decreased complication rate ( p = 0.03). Sheath size did not influence the incidence of bleeding. There was no significant increase in complications in patients taking an antiplatelet agent. Conclusion With a protocol using closure devices and hemostatic agents, early ambulation after percutaneous femoral access can be achieved safely with an acceptable complication rate in patients with peripheral vascular disease.
Tenoscopic Examination and Proximal Annular Ligament Desmotomy for Treatment of Equine “Complex” Digital Sheath Tenosynovitis

Objective To determine the outcome of horses with “complex” digital tenosynovitis treated by tenoscopic proximal annular ligament desmotomy and resection of synovial masses or adhesions, or both, within the digital sheath. Study Design Retrospective evaluation. Animals or Sample Population Twenty-five horses with a clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of palmar or plantar proximal annular ligament constriction and ultrasonographic evidence of synovial masses or adhesions within the digital tendon sheath. Methods Each horse had tenoscopic surgery for annular ligament desmotomy combined with adhesiolysis and/or synovial mass resection. Mean follow-up time was 3.4 years. Spearman's rank correlation was used to assess the relationship between functional outcome or cosmetic results and preoperative variables including duration of clinical signs, digital sheath synovial fluid total protein concentration and nucleated cell count, thickness of the palmar or plantar proximal annular ligament (PAL), severity of adhesions, severity of synovial masses, degree of synovial distention, or limb affected. Results A total of 18 (72%) horses returned to athletic soundness, 4 were improved but not sound, and 3 were not improved. Cosmetic outcome was normal in 10 horses, improved but not normal in 12, and not improved in 3 horses. Cosmetic and functional outcome were significantly adversely affected by the duration of clinical signs and the severity of synovial masses. Conclusions With appropriate tenoscopic surgical attention, horses with complex tenosynovitis syndrome characterized by synovial masses, adhesions, or both adhesions and masses, and PAL constriction, have a good prognosis for return to athletic soundness. Clinical Relevance Horses with PAL constriction and additional digital tendon sheath pathology such as adhesions and synovial masses have a 72% chance of returning to sound athletic performance, however 60% of horses retain some degree of cosmetic blemish in the affected limb. There is an inverse relationship between the duration of clinical signs and outcome, and therefore, prompt surgical attention is advised.
ASIC design of a progressive vector quantizer

The authors describe the architecture of a real-time progressive full-search vector quantizer (VQ) suitable for VLSI implementation. Because of the large memory and ALU requirements of a single VQ, the compression is performed in stages. Each stage generates a codebook index, a difference vector, and total pixel error squared. The encoder chip is partitioned into master/slave portions dividing the codebooks and computational requirements between the two ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). Because the system is modular, several encoder stages can be cascaded to achieve a higher-quality reconstruction. The VQ is progressive in the sense that each additional stage of encoding produces better visual quality. The authors also describe the architecture of a completion chip which can be used in conjunction with several encoders to realize a single VQ. >
Adaptive designs for power and thermal optimization

A processor designed to continuously monitor environmental conditions, such as its own power consumption, temperature, and operating frequency, has the potential to dynamically optimize its operating point for maximal power efficiency in real time. The implementation of Montecito's power and thermal control system (Foxton), which is nearing production, provides a basis for discussing opportunities for increasing power efficiency and robustness.
Design plastic stress concentration factors using Ramberg-Osgood stress-strain parameters

References 1 MacNeal, R. H., ed., "NASTRAN Theoretical Manual," NASA, 1972, pp. 3.5-6. Guyan, R. J., "Reduction of Stiffness and Mass Matrices," A/AA Journal, Vol..3, Feb. 1965, p. 380. J Kaufman, S. and Hall, D. B., "Reduction of Mass and Loading Matrices," A/AA Journal, Vol. 6, March 1968, p. 550. Ramsden, J. N. and Stoker, J. R., "Mass Condensation: A SemiAutomatic Method for Reducing the Size of Vibration Problems," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 1, Jan. 1969, pp. 333-349.
MODELING FOR ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN MINNESOTA PINE FORESTS

Abstract Ecosystem management implies a concern over time periods of tens to hundreds of years for sites on a scale of tens to hundreds of hectares. Decision makers need to be able to model the likely consequences of alternative management strategies at these temporal and spatial scales. They therefore require models that can be constructed quickly and cheaply, that capture the key components of the ecosystem, that respond plausibly to management actions, and are easy to explain, modify and understand. This paper presents the frame-based modeling paradigm as a response to these needs. Frame-based modeling is used to examine the effects of soil, weather, fire and deer population density on management of the white pine ecosystem in northern Minnesota. The management objective is to maintain white pine forest. The paper describes how current understanding of seedling establishment, tree growth, competition, herbivory and the effects of fire and high winds, can be captured at a consistent level of resolution in a model that can be presented, completely, in a few pages of text. The paper goes on to describe how the model was tested at three sites in northern Minnesota, and was then used to explore alternative management strategies. Our results confirm that it is comparatively easy to maintain a forest in early successional stages by burning or clear-cutting, and in late stages by suppression of fires and control of cutting. Establishment and maintenance of mid-successional stages, such as red and white pine, is much more difficult and requires a finely-tuned balance between natural disturbance and management action. For example, the pine forest was only maintained on average for 117 years out of 1000 years (average among 1000 simulated stands) on poor soil with high fire frequency and high deer density. When the deer population was low, when all wild fires were suppressed, and when prescribed ground fires were used to promote pine establishment, years in pine was 804 out of 1000 years. The model provides guidance for management decisions to maintain the desired conditions. The paper draws some conclusions from this particular modeling exercise that are likely to be generally applicable. For example, the modeling exercise illustrates limits to what management can hope to achieve, the importance of maintaining strategies over long time periods, and the difficulties of predicting and measuring success when the time horizon is hundreds of years.
A Comparison of Inferential Methods in Partially Identified Models in Terms of Error in the Coverage Probability

This paper considers the problem of coverage of the elements of the identified set in a class of partially identified econometric models with a prespecified probability. In order to conduct inference in partially identified econometric models defined by moment (in)equalities, the literature has proposed three methods: the bootstrap, subsampling, and an asymptotic approximation. The objective of this paper is to compare these methods in terms of the rate at which they achieve the desired coverage level, i.e., in terms of the rate at which the error in the coverage probability (ECP) converges to zero.Under certain conditions, we show that the ECP of the bootstrap and the ECP of the asymptotic approximation converge to zero at the same rate, which is a faster rate than the rate of the ECP of subsampling methods. As a consequence, under these conditions, the bootstrap and the asymptotic approximation produce inference that is more precise than subsampling. A Monte Carlo simulation study confirms that these results are relevant in nite samples.
Sacred Objects and Sacred Places: Preserving Tribal Traditions

Sacred Objects and Sacred Places: Preserving Tribal Traditions. Andrew Gulliford. Niwot: University Press of Colorado, 2000. 285 pp.
Performance evaluation facility for ladars

The use and scope of LADAR (laser detection and ranging) applications continues to expand as the technology matures. This growth is reflected in the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) experience with research into the applications of LADARs for construction, manufacturing, and autonomous vehicle navigation. However, standard protocols or procedures for calibrating and testing LADARs have yet to be developed. Currently, selections of LADAR instruments are generally based on the manufacturer's specifications, the availability of standard test procedures would promote more uniform definitions of these specifications and provide a basis for a better informed differentiation between LADAR instruments. Consequently, NIST's Construction Metrology and Automation Group (CMAG) has conducted exploratory experiments to characterize the performance of a LADAR instrument. The experiences gained in these efforts are summarized in this paper. These experiences also pointed to the need for an internal calibration/evaluation facility at NIST, as well as to the need for the development of uniform specifications and test procedures for characterizing LADARs. As a result, NIST convened a workshop on the establishment of a LADAR calibration facility. Discussions of some issues relating to the performance evaluation of LADARs, facility requirements, and similar efforts are presented in this paper.
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Analysis of Copper Oxide Thin Films Prepared by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD)

FTIR results from cuprous oxide (Cu2O) and cupric oxide (CuO) films prepared by MOCVDtechnique were presented. According to FTIR and XRD results, Cu2O films can be prepared by MOCVD using 0.20 tort of copper acetylacetonate (Cu(acac)2) vapor and 150 torn of oxygen, at a deposition temperature of 340°C. The strong reductive tendency of Cu(acac)2 vapor in the MOCVD process is noted, as the oxidation state of copper was reduced from 2+ in Cu(acac)2 to 1+ in the Cu2O film. Cu2O films have a strong IR absorption band at 610 cm−1. CuO films were prepared at 0.20 tort of Cu(acac)2 vapor and 190 torr of oxygen, at a deposition temperature of 420°C. The IR bands of CuO films located at 440 cm−1, 480cm−1, and 540cm−1. The XRD results indicated that Cu2O films have a preferential orientation at (111) plane. From IR study, it appears that the MOCVD processing condition has an impact on the film microstructure, which in term influenced the band position and band shape of corresponding IR bands.
Low cost DC to 3.6 GHz silicon broadband amplifier

A low cost silicon RF wideband amplifier housed in a SOT-363 package is described. A 3 dB bandwidth of 3.6 GHz, nominal gain of 21.5 dB, a noise figure of 3.5 dB and output 1 dB compression point, P1dB of 12.7 dBm with input VSWR of 1.1:1 and output VSWR of 1.2:1 at 2 GHz has been achieved with a 5 volt supply. The device is stable under all bias conditions. This broadband amplifier chip is miniature in size, 0.465 mm/spl times/0.555 mm making it suitable for high-volume low-cost commercial applications. It is suitable for a wide range of IF and buffer stages in DBS LNBs, cable television distribution and cable modems, GSM/CDMA radio cards, microwave links, fiber optic systems and many other communications applications.
A study of geomagnetic storms

The interplanetary energy flux is estimated on the basis of the Poynting flux and its variations with the rate of energy dissipation in terms of: (1) the ring-current particle injection, (2) Joule dissipation in the ionosphere, and (3) auroral particle injection for 15 major geomagnetic storms. A relationship, in terms of the angle between the interplanetary magnetic field vector and the magnetospheric field vector, is defined by which the growth of geomagnetic storms is closely associated with the Poynting flux. It is found that the energy flux that enters the magnetosphere is dissipated through intramagnetospheric substorm processes. Geomagnetic storm phenomena represent the combined influence of such effects.
ARTHROPOD RESOURCE PARTITIONING AMONG OMNIVOROUS TANAGERS (TANGARA SPP.) IN WESTERN ECUADOR

Abstract The distribution and abundance of food are primary factors affecting resource-use patterns in birds. Many bird species eat several food types, which may differ in their distribution and overall abundance. I studied foraging ecology of seven sympatric species of Tangara at Mindo, Ecuador, to determine whether the patterns of resource use differed between two food types: arthropods and fruits. Interspecific differences in arthropod-foraging were manifested in the fine segregation of microhabitat preference combined with different habitat use. By contrast, interspecific differences in fruit-foraging were manifested in preferences for different plant genera, often associated with different habitats. No evidence was found for spatial partitioning of the same fruit species. Interspecific overlap in fruit-for- aging was 3× higher than that in arthropod-foraging, and species of Tangara that frequently joined the same mixed-species flocks differed largely in arthropod-foraging but overlapped greatly in fr...
Distributed energy cooperation for energy harvesting nodes using reinforcement learning

Wireless communication with nodes capable of harvesting energy emerges as a new technology challenge. In this paper, we investigate the problem of utilizing energy cooperation among energy-harvesting transmitters to maximize the data rate performance. We consider a general framework which can be applied to either cellular networks with base station energy cooperation through wired power grid or sensor networks with transmitting node energy cooperation through wireless power transfer. We model this energy cooperation problem as an infinite horizon Markov decision process (MDP), which can be optimally solved by the value iteration algorithm. Since the optimal value iteration algorithm has high complexity and requires non-causal information, we propose a distributed algorithm by using reinforcement learning and splitting the MDP into several small MDPs, each associated with a transmitter. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed distributed energy cooperation algorithm.
Parameter Estimation and Model Testing

When the causal ordering, functional form, and lag structure are believed known, all that needs to be done is to estimate the model. Nonetheless, any assumptions underlying a model should be tested. In what follows, our discussion is primarily on a conceptual level. Technical details can be found in most leading econometric texts; Judge et al. (1985) is especially helpful in providing guidance for applied work.1
Shared decision making and medication therapy management with the use of an interactive template.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the preliminary efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of a template-based intervention to facilitate shared decision making (SDM) in medication therapy management (MTM) consultations; and to examine the type and number of drug therapy problems (DTPs) discussed and how resolution was communicated to patients' primary care providers (PCPs). Setting An internal medicine clinic at a large safety-net hospital. Practice description Hennepin County Medical Center is an urban safety net hospital serving an ethnically-diverse population with about 50 percent of patients enrolled in Medicaid. Within its internal medicine clinic, the study setting, over 100 clinicians participate in the primary care of approximately 25,000 discrete patients. Practice innovation This is the first study to use a template format to facilitate SDM with pharmacists in MTM consultations. The template approach is more flexible than the use of decision aids, facilitating discussion around various issues. Interventions Patients completed template-guided interventions with pharmacists trained in SDM. Evaluation We analyzed the electronic health record used during the intervention, as well as post-appointment surveys administered to patients and pharmacists, for indications of SDM efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability. Results Twenty patients and four pharmacists participated in the study. Free-text comments demonstrated that both patients and pharmacists appreciated the intervention, although some pharmacists had concerns including consultation length and SDM applicability. On average, two DTPs were identified per consultation and were most commonly related to appropriate compliance (30% of DTPs), appropriate indication (26%), medication effectiveness (23%), and safety (21%). Conclusion Using a template to facilitate SDM within MTM consultations appears to be effective, feasible, and acceptable. DTP identification exemplifies a potential application of template-guided SDM. These results will be used to inform future work refining the intervention and developing robust comparative analyses.
Managing the threat of terrorism in abortion facilities

Acts of violence by anti-abortion terrorists are a growing threat to healthcare facilities and clinics. This article provides advice on deterring bomb threats, developing a bomb incident plan, ensuring the physical security of a facility, handling a bomb threat phone call or a suspicious object, and dealing with the media. Security plays a vital role in any anti-terrorist plan, says the author. Language: en
Prospective Validation of Rapid Plasma Genotyping for the Detection of EGFR and KRAS Mutations in Advanced Lung Cancer

Importance Plasma genotyping of cell-free DNA has the potential to allow for rapid noninvasive genotyping while avoiding the inherent shortcomings of tissue genotyping and repeat biopsies. Objective To prospectively validate plasma droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for the rapid detection of common epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) and KRAS mutations, as well as the EGFR T790M acquired resistance mutation. Design, Setting, and Participants Patients with advanced nonsquamous non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who either (1) had a new diagnosis and were planned for initial therapy or (2) had developed acquired resistance to an EGFR kinase inhibitor and were planned for rebiopsy underwent initial blood sampling and immediate plasma ddPCR for EGFR exon 19 del, L858R, T790M, and/or KRAS G12X between July 3, 2014, and June 30, 2015, at a National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer center. All patients underwent biopsy for tissue genotyping, which was used as the reference standard for comparison; rebiopsy was required for patients with acquired resistance to EGFR kinase inhibitors. Test turnaround time (TAT) was measured in business days from blood sampling until test reporting. Main Outcomes and Measures Plasma ddPCR assay sensitivity, specificity, and TAT. Results Of 180 patients with advanced NSCLC (62% female; median [range] age, 62 [37-93] years), 120 cases were newly diagnosed; 60 had acquired resistance. Tumor genotype included 80 EGFR exon 19/L858R mutants, 35 EGFR T790M, and 25 KRAS G12X mutants. Median (range) TAT for plasma ddPCR was 3 (1-7) days. Tissue genotyping median (range) TAT was 12 (1-54) days for patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC and 27 (1-146) days for patients with acquired resistance. Plasma ddPCR exhibited a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI, 91%-100%) for EGFR 19 del, 100% (95% CI, 85%-100%) for L858R, and 100% (95% CI, 79%-100%) for KRAS , but lower for T790M at 79% (95% CI, 62%-91%). The sensitivity of plasma ddPCR was 82% (95% CI, 69%-91%) for EGFR 19 del, 74% (95% CI, 55%-88%) for L858R, and 77% (95% CI, 60%-90%) for T790M, but lower for KRAS at 64% (95% CI, 43%-82%). Sensitivity for EGFR or KRAS was higher in patients with multiple metastatic sites and those with hepatic or bone metastases, specifically. Conclusions and Relevance Plasma ddPCR detected EGFR and KRAS mutations rapidly with the high specificity needed to select therapy and avoid repeat biopsies. This assay may also detect EGFR T790M missed by tissue genotyping due to tumor heterogeneity in resistant disease.
Rethinking Contractual Choice of Law: An Analysis of Relation Syndrome

The doctrine of contractual choice of law provides the parties with the power to select the law that governs their business or other private activities crossing jurisdictional boundaries. An issue facing the choice is whether the law chosen by the parties must bear certain relation between the enacting state or country and the parties, transactions or disputes. In the United States, such relation is required in order for the chosen law to become enforceable, but elsewhere in the world, the relation is not essential to the choice of law by the parties. In 2001, as part of their initiative to have a broader reform, the American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioner on Uniform State Laws attempted to replace U.C.C. §1-105 with §1-301. The major change was the deletion of the “reasonable relation” requirement for contractual choice of law. The replacement was considered as a necessary step in the reform, and it was also deemed as an effort to align the U.C.C. with the established international commercial practices. Unfortunately, however, the attempt failed. As a result, the contractual choice of law in the United States remains significantly at odds with the international trends. This article argues that it is conceptually problematic to insist on the relation requirement for the contractual choice of law because such requirement is not only rooted in the misunderstanding of the very nature of the parties’ autonomy in choice of law, but also derived from the undue concerns about state interests. Also as a practical matter, the relation requirement often situates American businesses in a dilemma when they deal with their international counterparts on the choice of law. The failure of the U.C.C. §1-301 revision reflects the persisting hostility in the U. S. towards the power of the parties to select governing law, and also evidences the gap between the U.S. and many other countries in the conflict of laws. The article concludes that both the parties and the states involved would be better off without relation requirement in contractual choice of law.
Consequences of IM on Presence Awareness and Interruptions

Technology has changed the way we communicate in the workplace; new and improved computer-mediated communication tools are available for our use, and media choice has become an issue (Cameron & Webster, 2005). Nowadays it is hard to decide what communication tool to use or how we convey messages when using certain media (Trevino, Daft, & Lengel, 1990). Instant messaging (IM) is a computer-mediated tool that is used to send and receive text messages in a synchronous manner using the Internet. IM has become a common channel of communication between family members and friends (Goldsborough, 2001); almost 53 million adult Americans trade instant messages, and 24% of them swap IM more frequently than e-mail (Shiu & Lenhart, 2004). After seeing this tool’s usefulness, managers are beginning to introduce it in the workplace as an informal way to communicate; at the same time, IM seems to bring unintended (though not necessarily negative) consequences like presence awareness (Cameron & Webster, 2005) and interruptions (Rennecker & Godwin, 2005). Various theoretical frameworks have been used to study IM, mostly in the fields of communications and electronic monitoring (Cameron & Webster, 2005), many of which utilize qualitative methods. Very few empirical studies are published in this area, and those available are written by IM vendors or IM developers using colleagues as their main subjects of study (Cameron & Webster, 2005). This article studies IM’s effects on interruptions and presence awareness, as well as the effect presence awareness has on interruptions. For the statistical analysis a subset of 111 elements of the February 2004 PEW Internet and American Life surveys dataset was used as a sample. PLS Graph software was used to create the structural model and test the relationships between the constructs Interruptions (INT), Presence Awareness (AWA), and use of IM in the workplace (IMW). Background and hYPothEsEs
Head injuries in athletes

Head injury is a common consequence of athletic participation. Athletes, parents, coaches, trainers, and tem physicians must remain aware that there are potentially significant immediate and long-term effects from both serious and minor head injuries. The recognition of severe and minor head injuries, their immediate management, and guidelines for allowing athletes to return to competition provide the focus for this article.
Control Effect Evaluation of Occupational Hazards in A Chlor-alkali Plant

[Objective]To identify and evaluate the potential occupational hazards in the construction project of a Chlor-alkali plant.[Methods]A comprehensive evaluation was conducted by using on-site hygienic investigation,on-site laboratory sample analysis and checklist,according to relevant laws and regulations.[Results]The assessment included 9 main items and 78 branches.The 9 main item accorded with the requirements of laws,76 out of the 78 branches completely or partly met the relative requirements,the rest 2 items needed to be improved.The selection of site,overall layout,arrangement,technology and equipment distribution,occupational disease prevention,occupational health management accorded with the requirements of national relative laws.While in the PVC production,the 5-point monitoring of vinyl chloride concentration were over standard.[Conclusion]The construction project is basically feasible according to requirements of occupational hygiene standards.
The internal mammary artery as a graft material for coronary artery bypass surgery. Histopathologic and biochemical studies of its atherosclerotic changes

To evaluate the usefulness of the internal mammary artery (IMA) as a graft material for coronary artery bypass surgery, 1) the whole length of 26 bilateral IMAs and 13 left anterior descending coronary arteries (LADs) harvested at autopsies were comparatively examined on atherosclerosis from the histological point of view, and 2) the lipid (total cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid) contents of 12 IMA segments and 11 LAD segments excised at other autopsies were also comparatively examined from the biochemical standpoint. 1) The histologic index of atherosclerotic involvement was expressed as intima-to-media ratio (R) representing the severity of the intimal thickening. The severity of atherosclerosis was graded from I to IV according to the R value. Of all 274 IMA sections grade IV (R greater than or equal to 3.0) atherosclerosis was found in only one section (1/26 IMAs, 3.8%). The mean R value of all IMAs (0.30 +/- 0.36) was approximately one tenth of that of all LADs (3.01 +/- 2.05) (p less than 0.01). The histologic examination for whole segments of the IMAs revealed that atherosclerosis of the IMA was equally slight in every part of the IMA with no laterality. On the other hand, atherosclerosis of the LAD was characteristically severer in the proximal segment of the artery than the distal segment. 2) The contents of total cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid of the IMA and the LAD were 5.5 +/- 1.8 (IMA) vs 17.8 +/- 13.6 (LAD) micro g/mg wet wt. (p less than 0.05), 90.4 +/- 90.3 (IMA) vs 114.4 +/- 117.2 (LAD) micro g/mg wet wt. and 7.4 +/- 3.9 (IMA) vs 11.2 +/- 3.9 (LAD) micro g/mg wet wt. (p less than 0.05) respectively. The lipid content of the IMA was significantly smaller than that of the LAD. 3) The low incidence of atherosclerosis of the IMA in contrast to frequent atherosclerosis of the LAD was proven histologically as well as biochemically in the present study. This is the first report to describe the histologic examination of atherosclerosis on the whole length of the IMA and the biochemical analysis for the lipid content of the IMA in Japanese population.
Beyond the Ebola Battle — Winning the War against Future Epidemics

The battle to contain and defeat the recent Ebola epidemic was won at immense cost. It would be a huge mistake to turn away and declare the war over; West Africa remains vulnerable to a resurgence, and there will undoubtedly be outbreaks of other infectious diseases.
RACE-CONSCIOUS BUT RACE-NEUTRAL: THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF DISPARATE IMPACT IN THE ROBERTS COURT

Ricci v. DeStefano, the New Haven firefighters case, raised questions about the constitutionality of the disparate impact provisions of federal employment discrimination law. This Article draws on the Court’s subsequent decision in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin to clarify disparate impact’s constitutionality. In Fisher, no Justice expressed concern about Texas’s decision to promote diversity at the state university by admitting the top percent of the state’s high school graduates — state action that is race-conscious in purpose, but race-neutral in form. Approval of the percent plan in Fisher shows that under equal protection law of the Roberts Court disparate impact law is not unconstitutional in purpose, as Justice Scalia suggested in Ricci. In Fisher, the Court has demonstrated that government may change the selection standards in competitive processes without triggering strict scrutiny if the government acts (1) with a race-conscious goal of promoting equal opportunity; (2) the government requires a selection standard that is appropriate for the context; and (3) the standard does not classify individuals by race. These principles are satisfied in the ordinary case of voluntary disparate impact compliance in which an employer specifies conditions for employment in advance of evaluating applicants for the job in question, as well as in prospective remedies that courts ordinarily order for violations of Title VII.Fisher clarifies that the problem in Ricci was New Haven’s procedurally irregular means of complying with disparate impact law: the government discarded the test results of a group of applicants who had invested significant time in studying for a promotion exam, and explained this decision in terms which left the disappointed applicants with the impression that government was discarding their scores to advance the interests of another racially defined group. By avoiding a constitutional judgment and finding New Haven’s manner of complying with the statute unlawful disparate treatment, Justice Kennedy warns that interventions designed to heal social division should be implemented in ways that endeavor not to aggravate social division.Disparate impact law can promote equal opportunity, increase employee confidence in the fairness of selection criteria, and so reduce racial balkanization; but for disparate impact law to do so, Justice Kennedy seems to be saying in Ricci, disparate impact law needs to be enforced with attention to all employees’ expectations of fair dealing.
Climate Science, Social Justice, and Science Communication: An Interview with Dr. Alan Wanamaker

Dr. Alan Wanamaker’s research is largely focused on documenting and understanding past climates and ecosystems, especially in the high latitudes of the Arctic and North Atlantic region. He is interested in developing new geochemical tools and proxy records for paleoclimatic applications. For his research, he primarily utilizes light stable isotopes in both biogenic and inorganic carbonates. He directs the Stable Isotope Laboratory in the Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences at Iowa State University. In this interview, he explains how climate change is a human right issue and what are some ways of communicating climate science to the public.
Assessing DNA recovery from chewing gum

The purpose of this study was to evaluate which DNA extraction method yields the highest quantity of DNA from chewing gum. In this study, several popular extraction methods were tested, including C...
Results from a pragmatic prospective cohort study: Shared decision making improves outcomes for children with asthma

ABSTRACTObjective: Patient/provider shared decision making (SDM) improves asthma control in a pragmatic clinical trial setting. This study evaluated the impact of an evidence-based SDM toolkit on outcomes for patients with asthma implemented by providers in a real world setting. We hypothesized that these patients with asthma would demonstrate improved outcomes such as reduced emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and oral steroid use in the 12 months following a SDM visit compared to those who did not receive the intervention. Methods: Patients with asthma were identified within six primary care practices that serve vulnerable populations in Charlotte, NC (746 children; 718 adult patients). Propensity scores were used to match 200 children and 206 adults for analysis. The primary outcome variable was asthma exacerbation defined as an ED visit or hospitalization for asthma or outpatient prescription of an oral steroid. Patients were monitored at 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention dat...
Who's the main attraction? Star power as a determinant of Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-view demand

ABSTRACTResearch Question: In recent years, global mixed martial arts organization Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has experienced ups and downs with respect to North American pay-per-view (PPV) sales. A prevailing belief suggests the volatility of demand for the league's primary revenue stream is largely attributable to the organizational presence and loss of star fighters. Extant research indicates that star athletes are those individuals who display both great skills and are popular in the media. With respect to the primary two facets of star power and the growth of UFC, the purpose of this research was to quantitatively operationalize the variable and assess its influence utilizing a longitudinal, comprehensive data set.RQ: What impact does star power have on UFC PPV demand?Methods: The sampling frame consists of 102 observations, UFC numbered events 72–183 (2007–2015). A generalized linear model using maximum likelihood estimation was developed to examine the impact of star power on PPV demand, ...
Socio-demographic determinants of physical activity (PA): A working class perspective

Physical activity (PA) has been confirmed by a dozen of studies to be an effective treatment for many diseases. Unfortunately, the habit of regularly engaging in it is rare among Africans, especially those caught in the web of time-consuming sedentary jobs. To contribute to a remedy of this problem, this study identifies relevant socio-demographic factors that determine engagement in PA by workers. A cross-sectional quantitative research technique was employed in this study. Participants were workers in Koforidua Township in Ghana. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from 686 volunteer participants. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis was used to present results. Findings show that education, gender, marital status, alternative employment, whether or not one currently has or previously had a chronic disease, and the sector of a person’s employment are some of the determinants of PA. All socio-demographic determinants account for 96.3% of the total variation, indicat...
Outdoor Pursuits in Physical Education: Lessons from the Trenches

Most agree that school-based physical education is one of the few settings responsible for promoting lifetime physical activity for all children. However, physical education teachers' reliance on traditional team sports does not match adult activity habits and therefore may not increase the chances that children will pursue a lifetime of physical activity participation. This article offers insights and lessons from 10 teachers who offer outdoor pursuits (OP). These teachers found OP activities to be beneficial for students and believe they have more realistic connections to lifetime activity habits than traditional team sport. They also find teaching OP to be both personally and professionally rewarding. That said, this article also presents some of the challenges these teachers face when delivering an OP curriculum.