cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
URC fuzzy modeling and simulation of gene regulation

Recent technological advances in high-throughput data collection give biologists the ability to study increasingly complex systems. A new methodology is needed to develop and test biological models based on experimental observations and predict the effect of perturbations of the network (e.g. genetic engineering, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy). Diverse modeling approaches have been proposed, in two general categories: modeling a biological pathway as (a) a logical circuit or (b) a chemical reaction network. Boolean logic models can not represent necessary biological details. Chemical kinetics simulations require large numbers of parameters that are very difficult to accurately measure. Based on the way biologists have traditionally thought about systems, we propose that fuzzy logic is a natural language for modeling biology. The Union Rule Configuration (URC) avoids combinatorial explosion in the fuzzy rule base, allowing complex system models. We demonstrate the fuzzy modeling method on the commonly studied lac operon of E. coli. Our goal is to develop a modeling and simulation approach that can be understood and applied by biologists without the need for experts in other fields or "black-box" software.
Extending LaSalle's invariance principle to switched linear systems

In this paper we extend LaSalle's invariance principle to certain classes of switched linear systems. In particular we illustrate how to prove asymptotic stability using multiple Lyapunov functions whose Lie derivatives are only negative semi-definite.
Mechanism and epidemiology of laboratory animal allergy.

Laboratory animal allergy (LAA) is a form of occupational allergic disease. The development of laboratory animal allergy is due to the presence of IgE antibodies directed against animal proteins. The process of sensitization (development of IgE antibodies) is a complex process which involves interaction of antigen presenting cells and lymphocytes of the Th-2 cell type. These cells generate a host of cytokines and other factors which lead to immediate hypersensitivity reactions and other factors which lead to immediate hypersensitivity reactions and the generation of allergic inflammation. Typical symptoms of laboratory animal allergy include nasal symptoms, such as sneezing, watery discharge, and congestion. Skin rashes are also common. Asthma, which produces symptoms of cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, may affect 20-38% of workers who are sensitized to laboratory animal allergens. Rarely a generalized, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may occur. The estimated prevalence of laboratory animal allergy is variable depending on the method used for diagnosis, but nonetheless may affect up to 46% of exposed workers. The presence of pre-existing allergies to non-work place allergens (e.g., dust mite, pollens, molds), exposure to laboratory animal allergens, and possibly tobacco smoking are risk factors for the development of laboratory animal allergy. Progress in the understanding of the mechanism and epidemiology of laboratory animal allergy will lead to improved methods for its prevention.
Signature sequence selection for CDMA systems with multiple receiver antennas

We consider the problem of signature sequence selection for the uplink of CDMA systems with multiple receiver antennas. We consider the sum capacity, the systemwide MSE, and the effective total squared correlation as performance metrics and formulate iterative algorithms that improve these metrics. The convergence analysis of the algorithms is given and the numerical evidence that supports the analysis is presented along with our observations related to the resulting optimum signature sets.
Formation and Maturation of the Calcium Release Apparatus in Developing and Adult Avian Myocardium

Abstract Muscle fibers release large amounts of calcium from an internal compartment, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), during activation. Two proteins are involved in this process and its control: plasma membrane calcium channels, or dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs), and SR calcium release channels, or ryanodine receptors (RyRs). The two proteins form part of a structural complex, perhaps unique to muscle cells, which allows an interaction between plasma membrane and SR, resulting in calcium release from the latter. The surface–SR interaction is a step in the coupling between electrical events in the plasma membrane and contraction (excitation–contraction coupling). The structural complexes have been called calcium release units. One key to further understanding the control of calcium homeostasis in muscle is knowledge of how DHPRs and RyRs assemble into calcium release units. We have studied the development of avian myocardium, using immunocytochemistry to locate DHPRs and RyRs and electron microscopy to follow the formation of calcium release units containing feet (RyRs) and large membrane particles (presumably DHPRs). We find that the initial step is a docking of SR vesicles to the plasma membrane, followed by the appearance of feet in the junctional gap between SR and plasma membrane. Feet aggregate in ordered arrays, and the arrays increase in size until they fill the entire junctional gap. Clustering of membrane particles, presumably DHPRs, is apparently coupled to clustering of feet, since the two junction components assemble within patches of membrane of approximately equal size and containing an approximately constant ratio of particles to feet. Thus, despite the fact that no evidence exists for a direct interaction between DHPRs and RyRs in cardiac muscle, some mechanism exists to ensure that the two molecules are clustered in proximity to each other and in the appropriate proportion.
Association Between Perceived Interpersonal Everyday Discrimination and Waist Circumference Over a 9-Year Period in the Midlife Development in the United States Cohort Study

The relation between perceived interpersonal experiences of discrimination and measures of obesity is of great interest to many. This study examined the relation between changes in waist circumference and changes in perceived interpersonal everyday discrimination using the 1995-2004 Midlife Development in the United States cohort study (N = 1,452). After controlling for potential confounding variables that assessed behavioral and sociodemographic characteristics, sex-stratified ordinary least squares regression analyses suggested that the waist circumference of adult males who reported consistently high levels of interpersonal everyday discrimination increased 2.39 cm more than that of adult males who consistently reported low levels of interpersonal everyday discrimination (P < 0.05). Similarly, the waist circumference of adult females who reported an increase in interpersonal everyday discrimination increased 1.88 cm more than that of adult females who reported consistently low levels of interpersonal everyday discrimination (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that perceived interpersonal everyday discrimination may be associated with an increase in waist circumference over time among adults in the United States.
Heat-Transfer Analysis of a Semiconductor Electric Heater for a Continuous Mach 7 True-Temperature Wind Tunnel *

At the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center, a project is under way to develop a continuous Mach 7 true-temperature wind tunnel test capability. The enabling technology for this capability is a new electric resistance heater based on the semiconductor material Yttria-stabilized Zirconia (YsZ), which retains structural integrity at temperatures beyond 2400 K. This paper presents an engineering mathematical model for the envisioned heater. The model is used to accomplish a conceptual design and suggests that a heater design of acceptable YsZ cost (mass) and total pressure loss is feasible.
Limiting and Withdrawing Life Support in the PICU: For Whom Are These Options Discussed?*

Objectives:Most deaths in U.S. PICUs occur after a decision has been made to limitation or withdrawal of life support. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children whose families discussed limitation or withdrawal of life support with clinicians d
Eggshell conductances of avian eggs at different altitudes

Previous studies have documented that the conductance to water vapor (\({G_{{H_2}O}}\) ) of eggs collected at high altitudes from wild and domesticated birds is decreased below sea level values in approximate proportion to the decrease in barometric pressure (PB) at the montane locations. This study tested whether this reduction could result from physiological adjustment of shell structures by the female in response to detection of a change of Ps or a correlate thereof. The effect of a 28% reduction in PB on \({G_{{H_2}O}}\) shell thickness, shell permeability to gases, and egg mass was tested by comparisons of eggs laid by Coturnix quail and Bengalese finches at sea level and after transport to 2900 m. The mean \({G_{{H_2}O}}\) of the eggs laid by the finches and 5 of 7 quail did not differ significantly from averages of eggs laid by the same birds at sea level. The \({G_{{H_2}O}}\) of the two remaining quail either increased above pre-transport levels or fluctuated in a manner that was not correlated with the direction of change of PB. Average egg mass of one finch and several quail increased significantly following transport, but since this effect was also noted in control quail remaining at sea level for the entire period, the change is probably associated with aging. We conclude that the reduction in \({G_{{H_2}O}}\) observed in eggs laid by wild and domesticated birds at high altitudes most likely reflects long-term selection for females which lay genetically fixed shell structures appropriate for that habitat.
Technocracy and Democracy: Conflicts between Models and Participation in Environmental Law and Planning

Many of our environmental laws create an unfortunate paradox. They mandate science-based planning, and that mandate often translates into a practical or legal requirement to use complex simulation models. These laws also contain provisions for public participation. When agencies engage in technical decision-making, however, and particularly when they use complex simulation models, the reasoning and risks underpinning decisions become difficult for public participants to understand and critique. As a result, legal mandates for science-based and participatory planning come into conflict. This conflict is inherent in many environmental statutes, and is acute in the State Implementation Plan (SIP) process required by the Clean Air Act. In this article, we explore the tension between public participation and modeling by focusing on the SIP development process and the limitations and resultant risks associated with decisions based on modeling. Drawing upon literature from the fields of air quality science and modeling, risk assessment and management, planning, law, and science and technology studies, and also upon interviews, we discuss the roots of the problem, exploring the origins of legal requirements for both public participation and modeling. We highlight the ways in which planning depends upon models and in which model use impedes public participation. We provide a retrospective case study of a particular SIP planning processthe 1994 development of the San Joaquin Valley ozone plan for California's SIPto illustrate tensions between model-based planning and public participation. While we conclude that these tensions are somewhat unavoidable, we close with recommendations for ameliorating them without excluding public concerns or compromising the sophistication and integrity of science-led planning.
Trends in American Critical Legal Thought

Perhaps the central theme of Critical Legal Studies has been that law is political. It is an oddity of this writing that it has excluded the political insights of other critical approaches to law. The Critical Legal Studies (CLS) movement has failed to incorporate "outsider jurisprudence"- particularly that produced by scholars of colour and white feminists. The incorporation may be underway ironically at a time when the influence of CLS itself may be waning. David Kairy (ed.), The Politics of Law: A Progressive Critique. Revised edition, (New York: Pantheon Books, 1990) attempts to reveal "a progressive critique of law with four basic elements." First, the book rejects the idealized model of the legal process and the notion that there exists a mode of reasoning which is distinctively legal. Second, the hook affirms the fundamental importance of democracy and popular decision-making. Third, the authors reject the characterization of law and state as neutral objective, and independent of economic, political, and cultural forces. Fourth, the authors identify the centrality law's legitimation function in shielding dominant social relations from political and ideological challenge. The book also introduces interesting critical approaches to new areas of substantive law, notably the largely untouched doctrines of commercial law. For the most part, the book succeeds, but it sets for itself an ambitious agenda which it ultimately cannot meet. I situate the ten essays within current trends in American critical legal thought. I argue that American critical approaches to law have gone in several interesting new directions and that this represents both the legacy of CLS and the promise of a new critical diversity.
A primate model for studying focal dystonia and repetitive strain injury: effects on the primary somatosensory cortex.

Background and Purpose. Job-related repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are increasing, and current treatment strategies often fail to return injured people to work. This study documented the neural consequences of using two different movement strategies for active, repetitive hand closing and opening. Methods. Two owl monkeys were trained for 20 weeks to repetitively close a handpiece against an 80-g force (3–400 trials per day, training at 80%–90% accuracy). One monkey used a highly articulated hand-squeezing strategy, and the other monkey used a proximal arm-pulling strategy. Changes in motor performance were analyzed, and the electrophysiological maps of the hand representation on the trained primary sensory cortex (area 3b) were compared with those of untrained control animals and the untrained sides of the trained monkeys. Results. The monkey using the articulated hand-squeezing strategy showed motor deterioration and dedifferentiation of the normally sharply segregated areas of the hand representation in area 3b. Mild degradation of the hand representation was measured in the monkey using the proximal arm-pulling strategy, but there was no motor dysfunction. Conclusion and Discussion. Attended, highly articulated, repetitive finger squeezing degrades the hand representation and interferes with motor control. A proximal, more variable repetitive strategy minimized the sensory degradation and preserved motor control. Restoring the hand representation may be a critical part of treatment for patients with chronic RSI and focal hand dystonia.
An experimental study of the cerebral coproporphyrin in rabbits.

Summary and Conclusions1. A method is described for the quantitative determination of coproporphyrin in the brain. 2. The concentration! and total content of the coproporphyrin of normal rabbit brains was compared with that of brains from rabbits, in which acute lead poisoning was induced. No variation was observed.
Case Study: Design May Influence Use of Seclusion and Restraint

Objective:The psychiatric emergency room is a dynamic and sometimes volatile environment. Its design may be an important variable in patient care, but most design decisions are based on models of t...
Effect of estrogen on liver glycogen in adrenalectomized rats.

SummaryAmong 300 force-fed male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain (300 g initial wt.), estrogen increased liver glycogen in the fasting adrenalectomized rat treated with ACE whereas this effect was not observed in the adrenally insufficient animal. The glycogenic effect of estrogen was greater in intact rats than in adrenalectomized rats treated with ACE.
Operating room or angiography suite for hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures

Background:Few patients require angiography and therapeutic embolization for bleeding pelvic fractures, but they are risk for significant morbidity and mortality. In hemodynamically unstable trauma patients with pelvic fractures, the decision to proceed to the operating room (OR) to address intraabd
Translation of Targeted Radiation Sensitizers into Clinical Trials

Over the past century, technologic advances have promoted the evolution of radiation therapy into a precise treatment modality allowing for the maximal administration of dose to tumors while sparing normal tissues. Coinciding with this technological maturation, systemic therapies have been combined with radiation in an effort to improve tumor control. Conventional cytotoxic agents have improved survival in several tumor types but cause increased toxicity due to effects on normal tissues. An increased understanding of tumor biology and the radiation response has led to the nomination of several pathways whose targeted inhibition has the potential to radiosensitize tumor cells with lesser effects on normal tissues. These pathways include those regulating the cell cycle, DNA damage repair, and mitogenic signaling. Few drugs targeting these pathways are in clinical practice, although many are in clinical trials. This review will describe the rationale for combining agents targeting these pathways with radiation, provide an overview of the current landscape in the clinical pipeline and attempt to outline the future steps.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and the Skeleton

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in relation to the skeleton. It begins with an explanation of synthesis of PDGF by skeletal cells. The major source of PDGF is the systemic circulation, and skeletal cells become exposed to PDGF following platelet aggregation. Skeletal cells express the pdgf a, pdgf b, and pdgf c genes, indicating that PDGF isoforms may act as autocrine regulators of skeletal cell function. Following this, the study elucidates the in vitro actions of PDGF on skeletal cells, stating that PDGF stimulates bone cell replication and DNA synthesis, both in intact calvariae and in isolated rat osteoblasts. The primary effect of PDGF in bone is related to its mitogenic activity. As a consequence of this effect, PDGF has the potential to increase a pool of cells of the osteoblastic lineage, which could differentiate and express the osteoblastic phenotype. Subsequently, the in vivo actions of PDGF in skeletal cells are described, suggesting that in vivo, the mitogenic effects of PDGF on preosteoblasts result in an increased number of osteoblasts, which are capable of forming bone. The study concludes with a description of the role of PDGF in skeletal function.
Blockade of NMDA-activated channels by magnesium in the immature rat hippocampus.

1. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor single-channel currents were examined in outside-out patches from thin slices of rat hippocampus to examine possible age dependence in the Mg(2+)-block of NM...
An exploratory study of library website accessibility for visually impaired users

Abstract To extrapolate best practices for accessible library website design, the Web-browsing needs of users with visual impairments were investigated. Selected library websites were tested for usability and accessibility with six visually impaired persons who use screen readers. The results were analyzed in terms of accessible coding standards as well as high-level usability issues. The analysis results indicated that these library websites are not accessible for visually impaired screen reader users. The most common accessibility barriers encountered were issues of information architecture and usable Web design, rather than errors in coding. Suggestions to improve accessibility are proposed.
Assessment of the impact of CFO on RF-DNA fingerprint classification performance

In an effort to augment existing bit-level network security mechanisms, a significant amount of research has been conducted in the area of physical layer device discrimination. One such physical layer device discrimination technique, known as RF-DNA fingerprinting, has successfully demonstrated serial number device discrimination. This work extends the RF-DNA fingerprinting state-of-the-art by investigating the impact the existence of carrier frequency offset or the lack thereof has on RF-DNA fingerprint based device discrimination performance. A comparative assessment was conducted using various cases in which carrier frequency offset values were: 1) removed, 2) unique, 3) random, and 4) combinations thereof. This assessment included the use of RF-DNA fingerprints extracted from collected IEEE 802.11a WiFi preambles in which carrier frequency offset values were present. This work shows that RF-DNA fingerprints associated with devices whose preambles contained carrier frequency offset values which were unique, when compared to the values associated with the other devices, resulted in that device being easily discriminated from the others.
Some Functional Relationships between Hyperventilation and the Endocrine, Cardiovascular, and Nervous Systems

Regardless of specific cause, the effects of disordered breathing typically encountered in behavioral physiology are those of hyperventilation: hypocapnia, low alveolar CO2 (PCO2); hypocarbia, low arterial blood CO2 (PaCO2); and compensated alkalosis. These are integral to psychophysiological, emotional, and affective disorders because they adversely affect cell metabolism and function through a common final pathway: hypoxia (Fried, 1993a).
Occupational Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon of Wildland Firefighters at Prescribed and Wildland Fires

Wildland firefighters suppressing wildland fires or conducting prescribed fires work long shifts during which they are exposed to high levels of wood smoke with no respiratory protection. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hazardous air pollutants formed during incomplete combustion. Exposure to PAHs was measured for 21 wildland firefighters suppressing two wildland fires and 4 wildland firefighters conducting prescribed burns in California. Personal air samples were actively collected using XAD4-coated quartz fiber filters and XAD2 sorbent tubes. Samples were analyzed for 17 individual PAHs through extraction with dichloromethane and gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer analysis. Naphthalene, retene, and phenanthrene were consistently the highest measured PAHs. PAH concentrations were higher at wildland fires compared to prescribed fires and were highest for firefighters during job tasks that involve the most direct contact with smoke near an actively burning wildland fire. Although concentration...
How New York Became American, 1890–1924 by Angela M. Blake

In this monograph Angela M. Blake embeds a fascinating exploration of the ways in which New York was marketed to tourists within a nebulous set of contentions about the meaning of Americanness and the centrality of estab-lishing New York’s status as the “American” metropolis for assuring the United States’ domestic development and international power. Blake’s working definition of “American” is native-born, white, Protestant, middle-class citizen-consumers. By tracing the evolution of strategies that proponents of various views of New York used to expound the city’s meaning, Blake argues in essence that New York became American through the process of being successfully promoted to such consumers as an exciting but still safely familiar place to visit.
Correlation Noise Measurements and Modeling of Nanoscale MOSFETs

A detailed study of low frequency noise drain-gate correlation in the presence of significant gate leakage current will be presented for ultrathin oxide MOSFETs. Measurements and a physical model for the correlation coefficient will be discussed. The correlation coefficient between the drain and the gate is derived on the basis of partition noise theory and the BSIM4 gate leakage current model with source-drain partition, and is in good agreement with correlation noise measurements as a function of the gate to the drain current ratio.
Service-Oriented Enterprises and Architectures: State of the Art and Research Opportunities

To survive in the global marketplace, organizations need to continually adapt to the changing business environment. Information systems play an ever increasing role in helping organizations achieve this objective. Recently, there has been considerable attention paid to the service orientation and how it could alter the way organizations function and their relationships with business partners such as suppliers. In this research, we focus on service-oriented enterprises and architectures. In doing so, we bring to the fore the current state of the art in the emerging service paradigm. Service-oriented computing is revolutionizing the way corporations manage information so as to enable streamlining the various stages of computing including strategic planning, business process management, operations processing, and information technology services. We demonstrate how the application of service orientation to a supply chain will lead to service-centric supply chains that offer significantly more enterprise agility. We also discuss opportunities for future research in the new paradigm.
Principles of chemotherapy

During World War II, sailors who were accidentally exposed to nitrogen mustard following the explosion of a ship developed marrow and lymphoid hypoplasia. 1 This serendipitous discovery led to the first clinical trial conducted in 1942 using nitrogen mustard in patients with malignant lymphomas at Yale University.2 This marked the beginning of a new era of research in the quest for effective and safe drugs used in cancer chemotherapy.
Detrimental Type I Interferon Signaling Dominates Protective AIM2 Inflammasome Responses during Francisella novicida Infection

Summary Interferons (IFNs) and inflammasomes are essential mediators of anti-microbial immunity. Type I IFN signaling drives activation of the AIM2 inflammasome in macrophages; however, the relative contribution of IFNs and inflammasome responses in host defense is less understood. We report intact AIM2 inflammasome responses in mice lacking type I IFN signaling during infection with F. novicida . Lack of type I IFN signaling conferred protection to F. novicida infection in contrast to the increased susceptibility in AIM2-deficient mice. Mice lacking both AIM2 and IFNAR2 were protected against the infection. The detrimental effects of type I IFN signaling were due to its ability to induce activation of apoptotic caspases and cell death. These results demonstrate the contrasting effects of type I IFN signaling and AIM2 during F. novicida infection in vivo and indicate a dominant role for type I IFNs in mediating detrimental responses despite the protective AIM2 inflammasome responses.
Three Unresolved Issues in Human Morality.

This article discusses three major, but related, controversies surrounding the idea of morality. Is the complete pattern of features defining human morality unique to this species? How context depe...
Assessment of Allelic Variation Among Massasauga Rattlesnake Populations via Microsatellite Analysis

The decline in populations of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) across its range is of concern to conservation managers and the species is currently a candidate for...
Unobtrusive Sensor-Based Occupancy Facing Direction Detection and Tracking Using Advanced Machine Learning Algorithms

Facing direction detection plays a critical role in human–computer interaction and has a wide application in surveillance systems, driving awareness recognition, smart home appliances, computer games, and so on. Current detection methods are mainly focused on extracting specific patterns from user’s optical images, which raises concerns on privacy invasion and these detection techniques do not usually work in a dark environment. To address these concerns, this paper proposes an activity recognition system guided by an unobtrusive sensor (ARGUS). By using a low pixel infrared thermopile array sensor, ARGUS is capable of identifying five facing directions (left 45°/90°, right 45°/90°, and front) through the support vector machine classifier. Also two feature extraction methods are compared. One is manually-defined and the other is based on a pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) model. The facing direction detection accuracy resulting from manually-defined features reaches 85.3%, 90.6%, and 85.2% at detection distance of 0.6, 1.2, and 1.8 m, respectively. The level of accuracy resulted from using pre-trained CNN features demonstrates a much more reliable performance (89.1%, 95.3%, and 95.1% at distance of 0.6, 1.2, and 1.8 m, respectively). In addition, ARGUS has been successfully applied for occupancy tracking with a root mean square error of 0.19 m.
Quality Metrics and Health Care Utilization for Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract Background To date, there are no standardized, well-accepted, quality metrics that guide care for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the quality metrics that are in use at the Adult Sickle Cell Disease Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) and the applicability of the metrics to Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States (KPMAS), an integrated healthcare system with a developing adult sickle cell disease program. Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 146 KPMAS and 308 JHH patients from January 1, 2014–December 31, 2015. Demographics, genotype and data on several key quality metrics (yearly screening labs, documented vaccinations and appropriate hydroxyurea prescriptions) were collected from electronic health records (EPIC Systems). We defined hydroxyurea adherence as having had at least 6 months of refills prescribed during the two years of study by either EHR or patient report. Results Patients at KPMAS were older than those at JHH (median age 44 and 33 respectively) and less likely to have hemoglobin SS disease (29% and 66% respectively). Among KPMAS patients, 85% had documentation of any pneumococcal vaccination compared to 87% at JHH. 21 of 54 eligible patients at KPMAS and 95 of 165 eligible patients at JHH were prescribed hydroxyurea. At both institutions, 62% of patients were adherent to hydroxyurea. There were limitations to diagnosis coding and availability of vaccination and refill documentation. Conclusions Interventions to improve preventative care adherence are needed to improve outcomes in both academic medical centers and integrated health systems.
Fabrication and Analysis of Small Flapping Wings

Flapping winged micro air vehicles (MAVs) have been of interest due to their unique flying characteristics. Wing design is an essential aspect of making a robust flapping device. The more popular approach to obtaining an optimized wing is to completely mimic natural species. Rather, our study is only inspired by these biological flyers, suggesting that the optimum design for an active one degree of freedom flapping motion may differ. Error reduction is crucial to the experimental optimization approach, building confidence that variations in thrust are attributed to wing topology. To allow for consistency among replicate wings, the fabrication process must be controlled and accurate along with data acquisition and experimental setup. Digital image correlation and slow motion photography was used to find subtle differences and gain more knowledge of the physics behind flapping. Hovering MAVs serve as the primary application of the optimized wing.
The Cefoperazone–Sulbactam Combination: In Vitro Qualities Including Beta-Lactamase Stability, Antimicrobial Activity, and Interpretive Criteria for Disk Diffusion Tests

Three concentrations of the penicillanic acid sulfone, sulbactam were tested in combination with cefoperazone against 632 recent clinical bacterial isolates. Cefoperazone was effective alone (less than or equal to 16 micrograms/mL) against 95% of Enterobacteriaceae and combined with 4 micrograms/mL sulbactam inhibited 99.5% of strains. This coverage of enteric bacilli was superior to timentin (99.1%), ceftazidime (98.2%), and tobramycin (90.9%). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefoperazone-susceptible strains also were markedly decreased by sulbactam (overall MIC90s, 8.0 micrograms/mL for cefoperazone and 1.0 microgram/mL for cefoperazone and 4.0 micrograms/mL for sulbactam). Sulbactam also expanded the spectrum of cefoperazone against Acinetobacter species, some rare Pseudomonas species, and Bacteroides fragilis group species. Sulbactam had direct antimicrobial activity against the acinetobacters and Pseudomonas acidovorans, but the increased activity of cefoperazone-sulbactam against some other Pseudomonas species and anaerobes was attributed to beta-lactamase inhibition. The cefoperazone MICs against beta-lactamase producing Staphylococcus species also were lowered to the level of enzyme-deficient strains. Cefoperazone bactericidal activity was improved by 4.0 micrograms/mL sulbactam, and no antagonism was observed. beta-lactamase hydrolysis studies confirmed a slow hydrolysis of cefoperazone only by TEM beta-lactamases and a high-grade resistance to enzyme breakdown by sulbactam. Differential beta-lactamase affinity studies for cefoperazone and sulbactam showed potential efficacy and applications to plasmid-mediated TEM and OXA enzymes and only marginal effective sulbactam inhibition of Pseudomonas and Klebsiella species enzymes. Disk diffusion studies on 556 strains confirmed the applicability of the cefoperazone 75-micrograms disk to testing routine isolates other than enterococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The addition of 4.0 micrograms sulbactam/mL in a fixed concentration to dilution test systems and 15 micrograms sulbactam to the 75 micrograms cefoperazone disk were recommended for in vitro tests. Susceptibility and resistant interpretive criteria for the disk and dilution tests can be applied with confidence. Only 0.4% false-susceptibility errors and a 97.5% absolute interpretive agreement were achieved using the 75 micrograms cefoperazone/15 micrograms sulbactam disk.
Bodies, Brawn, Brains and Noses: Human Ancestors and Human Predation

It has long been assumed that many of the unique biological and behavioral characteristics of modern humans evolved in response to the selective pressures of a predominantly predatory existence. In this scenario, for which Ardrey’s prose provides but one example, the habitual pursuit, capture and dispatch of large vertebrate prey emerged early in hominid evolution. It appeared, perhaps at the time of the evolutionary split of the hominids from the lineage leading to the extant African apes, perhaps at the time of the emergence of the genus Homo. Regardless of the exact time of its emergence, it is frequently assumed or inferred from prehistoric data that relatively early in the existence of the genus Homo, and certainly by the Middle Pleistocene, humans were acting out versions of “Rambo meets the megafauna”. If such a scenario is an accurate reflection of human adaptive evolution, it may be appropriate to view systematic predation an as importantfactor in the evolution of many of the biological features that distinguish us from our primate relatives, and perhaps as having a role in extant human behavior. If not, it may be more appropriate to see predation, to the extent that it occurs among living peoples, as but one aspect of our eclectic means of exploiting the environment.
Understanding cancer care coordination: Opening the black box.

e18310Background: Cancer care is complex, requiring multidisciplinary care over time and settings. Our implementation strategy for participation in CMS’ Oncology Care Model included the development...
Examining the Intersection of Race and Athletics for Latino Male Student-Athletes

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) serves as the primary governing organization for college athletics. The NCAA is now responsible for representing a growing proportion of student-...
Transversus Abdominis Plane (Tap) Block With Liposomal Bupivacaine for Laparoscopic Hysterectomy With Umbilical Contained Tissue Extraction: A Retrospective Study

Study Objective To determine if liposomal bupivacaine TAP blocks affected perioperative opioid requirements and self-reported pain scores. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic tertiary care hospital. Patients or Participants Women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for uteri >250g with contained tissue extraction via a 3-to 4cm umbilical incision. Interventions 70 laparoscopic hysterectomies over 250g were identified between July 1,2017 and February 15,2019; 30 were excluded. 40 were analyzed for outcomes (21control, 19 liposomal bupivacaine TAP). Measurements and Main Results Demographics including age, race, body mass index, preoperative diagnosis, procedure, complication rate, and pathology were similar between groups. Median estimated blood loss was 250cc for the control group and 300cc for the TAP group (p=0.85). Median uterine weight was 881g versus 781g (p=0.33). More than 50% of patients were discharged on day of surgery (13control, 9TAP). All opioids were converted to intravenous milligram morphine equivalents (MME). Median intraoperative opioid requirements were 24.02MME for the control group and 20.36MME for the TAP group (p=0.24). Median post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) requirements were 4.67MME versus 5.5MME (p=0.28). Among admitted patients, median inpatient requirements were 10.43MME versus 15MME (p=0.35), and median total hospital requirements were 40.7MME versus 37.95MME (p=0.93). Median opioids prescribed were 46.67MME versus 60MME (p=0.12), and zero patients in either group required a refill prescription. No difference was seen in pain scores between groups (maximum PACU, first inpatient, maximum inpatient, average inpatient, and last prior to discharge). Conclusion Conflicting evidence exists regarding efficacy of short acting anesthetic TAPs at laparoscopic hysterectomy. To the authors’ knowledge, only one prior study examined liposomal bupivacaine TAPs and no prior study assessed TAPs for contained tissue extraction via an extended umbilical incision. Liposomal bupivacaine TAPs do not appear to reduce perioperative opioid consumption nor improve postoperative pain scores. Its use should be weighed against operative time and increased cost.
Connectivity, Community, and Kinship as Strategies to Foster Queer and Trans College Student Retention:

Given that multiple forms of oppression are endemic to higher education, strategies intended to retain queer and trans college students should mirror the strategies of survival and thriving found w...
Lawyer Views on Mandatory Arbitration

This article summarizes some of the key findings from a survey of Arizona lawyers regarding Arizona's court-connected arbitration system. Most lawyers who had represented clients in arbitration thought the process and award were fair. Their ratings of the arbitrators’ level of preparation and knowledge of the law and arbitration procedures, however, were less favorable. A majority of lawyers thought either that arbitration should remain mandatory for cases below the current jurisdictional limit or that a different ADR process should be made mandatory. A majority of lawyers favored retaining most of the basic components of the current arbitration system. But a majority favored changes in arbitrator service, assignment, and compensation. The lawyers appeared to be skeptical about court-connected arbitration's ability to provide a more efficient and effective dispute resolution process for smaller cases.
Biosynthesis of the phosphatidyl diglucosyl diglyceride of Streptococcus,faecalis (ATCC 9790) from diglucosyl diglyceride and phosphatidyl glycerol or diphosphatidyl glycerol

Abstract A phosphatidyl-group from either phosphatidyl glycerol or diphosphatidyl glycerol is covalently bonded to diglucosyl diglyceride to form phosphatidyl diglucosyl diglyceride in a reaction readily catalyzed by a disrupted membrane enzyme preparation from Streptococcus , faecalis .
Transformations in Early Muslim Prophetology: From Typology to Teleology in Narratives of Jonah and the Ninevites

Qur'anic and post-Qur'anic accounts about Jonah and the Ninevites encode traces of ideological transformations in the early Muslim community. This article explores how the story of a prophet's angu...
Long-term survival after palliative argon plasma coagulation for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the bile duct.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is an epithelial tumor that can cause obstructive jaundice and cholangitis due to mucin production. Although the effectiveness of argon plasma coagulation in IPNB treatment has been demonstrated, the long-term effect of the therapy is largely unknown. Here, we have presented a patient with IPNB who underwent argon plasma coagulation with a follow-up period of more than 2 years. A 74-year-old woman was referred to our department for treatment of obstructive jaundice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed marked dilation of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and thick mucin drainage from the ampulla of Vater. IPNB was diagnosed pathologically from biopsy specimens. Surgery was not recommended because of the extensive intrahepatic spread of the lesion. Endoscopic sphincterotomy, endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation, and insertion of a metallic stent could not resolve the obstructive jaundice. Finally, argon plasma coagulation with percutaneous cholangioscopy was performed 3 times over 1 month. After treatment, obstructive jaundice was resolved and the patient’s clinical condition has been stable for more than 2 years, except for a single episode of transient cholangitis. In conclusion, argon plasma coagulation may be an alternative to surgery for the palliation of jaundice with IPNB.
Cache-aided Interference Management using Hypercube Combinatorial Cache Design with Reduced Subpacketizations and Order Optimal Sum-Degrees of Freedom.

We consider a cache-aided interference network which consists of a library of $N$ files, $K_T$ transmitters and $K_R$ receivers (users), each equipped with a local cache of size $M_T$ and $M_R$ files respectively, and connected via a discrete-time additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. Each receiver requests an arbitrary file from the library. The objective is to design a cache placement without knowing the receivers' requests and a communication scheme such that the sum Degrees of Freedom (sum-DoF) of the delivery is maximized. This network model with one-shot transmission was firstly investigated by Naderializadeh {\em et al.}, who proposed a scheme that achieves a one-shot sum-DoF of $\min\{\frac{M_TK_T+K_RM_R}{N}, K_R\}$, which is optimal within a constant of $2$. One of the biggest limitations of this scheme is the requirement of high subpacketization level. This paper attempts to design new algorithms to reduce the file subpacketization in such a network without hurting the sum-DoF. In particular, we propose a new approach for both prefetching and linearly coded delivery based on a combinatorial design called {\em hypercube}. The proposed approach reduces the subpacketization exponentially in terms of $K_R M/N$ and achieves the identical one-shot sum DoF when $\frac{M_TK_T+K_RM_R}{N} \leq K_R$.
Simultaneously Interrogating Thermally Induced Structural and Microstructural Transformations of Calcium Silicate Gels to Crystalline Phases Using Multi-scale X-ray Scattering Measurements

Sol-gel processing pathways allow us to develop materials with specific chemical compositions, structures, and microstructures starting from small molecule precursors in the solution phase. In thes...
Improving the Efficiency of Maxwell’s Equations FDTD Modeling for Space Weather Applications by Scaling the Speed of Light

Space weather can affect the Earth over time spans of hours and days. However, time-stepping increments for FDTD models are typically on the order of a fraction of a second. This paper introduces a means of increasing the time stepping increment’s upper limit by artificially slowing down the speed of light. Numerically slowing down the speed of light is achieved by appropriately modifying the permittivity, permeability, and conductivity values in the model. Proof-of-concept results are provided to show that the method works well for homogeneous media.
Mogollon Settlement Patterns in the Middle San Francisco River Drainage, West-Central New Mexico

ABSTRACTDuring the summer of 1979 a site reconnaissance of 12 2.6 km2 sections within the middle San Francisco River drainage region, west-central New Mexico, was conducted in association with the ongoing WS Ranch Site Project excavations near Alma. Research was divided between river valley and mountain environments. A total of 101 sites was located and recorded, 47 along and 54 away from major river valleys. Diachronic settlement pattern trends show gradual movement from high hills and mesa bluffs onto the river terrace areas with subsequent expansion into upland areas by A.D. 900–1000. A large Reserve phase (ca. A.D. 1000–1150) sample allowed the delimitation of three topographically defined communities in the region. Post Reserve phase occupation was concentrated into a few large sites in the San Francisco River Valley; no post A.D. 1250–1300 sites were found.
Electronic Journal Literature: Implications for Scholars

The nature of the study journal literature in the academic work of scholars the scholars' requirements of an electronic journal system.
A FPGA-based Library for On-Line Signal Processing

A library of on-line arithmetic structures is presented. Their ability to produce and consume the most significant digit first allows subsequent computations to begin earlier, shortens the execution time of variable precision and composite operations, and simplifies interconnection networks which can help preserve high clock rates in large digit-serial designs. More importantly, designers can interconnect individual units without designing intermediate structures to reformat data, a luxury that is currently unavailable to FPGA designers wishing to use bit-serial arithmetic. The on-line structures introduced are small, and can be easily combined to yield more powerful blocks. The library's applicability to signal processing applications is demonstrated with the DFT, DCT, and FIR filter. Results indicate high area efficiency and rapid execution speed.
Science Satellites – Landers and Rovers

Since the dawn of space exploration more than 50 years ago, bold attempts to land rovers and landers on other celestial objects were undertaken. While initial exploration focused on the Moon and the neighboring planets - Venus and Mars, more recent exploration included the surfaces of asteroids, comets, and some of the outer planets and its moons. This chapter surveys past, present, and potential future surface missions, discusses some of the engineering considerations applicable to landers and rovers, and closes with case studies of missions to the Moon, Venus, and Mars. Keywords: rovers; landers; entry; descent; landing; surface; sample acquisition; planetary protection