cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of secondary esophageal peristalsis.

Ever since the introduction of radiographic methods to study esophageal motility almost a century ago, it has been recognized that peristalsis in the human esophagus can be excited either by swallowing or by reflex, without a swallow. The latter phenomenon has been called, for many decades, secondary peristalsis. Secondary peristalsis is widely accepted as a common phenomenon, but it has not received much study. Fleshler et al described the great similarity between primary and secondary peristalsis in humans. They, and others who studied the phenomenon, such as Creamer and Schlegel, used distention as the stimulus to excite secondary, or reflex, peristalsis. The question of whether other kinds of receptors, receptors to acids, or osmotic pressure can also excite secondary peristalsis remains unexplored. Since it is theory at best that secondary peristalsis in humans commonly occurs after an episode of gastroesophageal reflux, it may well be that acid or osmoreceptors are involved in the initiation of the reflex. Still, since the reflux of gastric contents also probably excites mechanoreceptors, we cannot separate the stimuli to investigate them individually with respect to their relative capacities to excite the reflex, at least in the clinical situation. This brief review article will survey the thinking that bears on the question of the mechanisms involved in secondary esophageal peristalsis, defined as a reflex response to distention alone. If acid receptor and osmoreceptors can also excite the reflex, it is reasonable to suppose that the reflex thus excited uses mechanisms identical to or similar to those that are involved in the reflex response to distention.
Spectral probing, crosstalk and frequency multiplexing in internet paths

We present an end-to-end active probing methodology that creates frequency-domain signals in IP network paths. The signals are generated by periodic packet trains that cause short-lived queueing delay spikes. Different probers can be multiplexed in the frequency-domain on the same path. Further, a signal that is introduced by a "prober" in one path can cause a crosstalk effect, inducing a signal of the same frequency into another path (the "sampler") as long as the two paths share one or more bottleneck queues. Applications of the proposed methodology include the detection of shared store-and-forward devices among two or more paths, the creation of covert channels, and the modulation of voice or video periodic packet streams in less noisy frequencies. In this paper we focus on the first application. Our goal is to detect shared bottleneck(s) between a "sampler" and one or more "prober" paths. We present a spectral probing methodology as well as the corresponding signal processing/detection process. The accuracy of the method has been evaluated with controlled and repeatable simulation experiments, and it has also been tested on some Internet paths.
Teaching Children and Young Adults with Mental Retardation in School Programs: Current Research

This paper reviews the recent behavioural research on instruction of children and young adults with mental retardation in schools settings and community-based school programs. Instructional research in 12 skill areas (motor, self-care, communication, social skills, choice making, school behaviours, health and safety skills, home management, leisure skills, community use, vocational skills, and academics) meeting specified criteria on population (age and disability), location of instruction, functionality of skill, and research integrity was identified in 11 journals from 1990 through 1996. The pool of identified research is discussed by skill category and by intervention method, with critical comments made regarding strengths and weaknesses. Conclusions are drawn for practitioners and future researchers.
Hannah Arendt’s turn to the self and environmental responses to climate change paralysis

AbstractEnvironmentalists have struggled with how to mobilize people to act in the face of widespread and now inevitable consequences of climate change. Significant responses to this challenge, such as incentivizing individual Green choices in the market and avoiding the rhetoric of catastrophe, continue the philosophical and political trends, identified by Hannah Arendt, that contribute to world alienation and the decline of politics. Environmental thinkers are invited to use Arendt’s theories of the turn to the self and political action to think critically about contemporary strategies to address climate change.
Mosaic Brains? A Methodological Critique of Joel et al. (2015)

In this critique, we evaluate the claims made by Joel et al. (2015) by taking a closer look at their methodology.
Hypolipidemic and thyroid hormone effects of sodium dextrotriiodothyronine

Sodium dextrotriiodothyronine (Na-DT3) at a dosage of 1 mg. per day for 24 weeks produced an approximately 75 mg. per cent decrease in serum total cholesterol in hyper-and normolipidemic subjects. Na-DT3 usually lowered the level of serum leva-thyroxine (LT4) to the myxedema range, but the subjects remained euthyroid, suggesting that Na-DT3 was exerting a thyroid hormone-replacement effect. The failure to observe the changes to be expected in the in vitro levo-triiodothyronine (LT3) uptake by blood cells when the serum protein-bound iodine (PBI) had increased indicates that perhaps Na-DT3 occupies binding sites other than those used by LT3 that Na-DT3 is loosely bound to plasma proteins and is readily displaced by LT3, or both. An unexplained rise in urine total protein was observed during the first 6 weeks of Na-DT3 therapy but not at 12 weeks. Serum total globulins were increased in the twenty-fourth week. Minor changes within the normal range were recorded in plasma 11(OH)-corticosteroids and in urine Porter-Silber chromogens. All other indices remained within the pretherapy range.
Can glutamine synthetase activity levels be modulated in transgenic plants by the use of recombinant DNA technology

43 Vaucheret, H.. Kronenberger. J., Lepingle, A., Vilaine, F., Houtin. J. 1’. and Caboche, M. (1992) Plant J. 2, 559-569 44 Eckes, Schmitt, P., Daub, W. and Wengenmayer, F. (1989) Mol. Gen. Genet. 217.263-268 45 Hirel. H., Marsolier. M. C., Hoarau. A.. Hoarau, J., Hrangeon. J.. Schafer, R. and Verma, D. 1’. S. (1992) Plant Mol. Hiol. 20, 207-2 18 40 Hrears. T., Liu, C., Knight, T. J. and Coruzzi, G. M. (1993) I’lant Physiol. 103, 1285-1290 47 Galtier. N., Foyer, C. H.. Huber, J.? Voelker, T. A. and Huber, S. (1993) Plant Physiol. 101.535-543 48 Foyer, C. H. and Galtier, N. (1994) in I’hotoassimilatr Distribution in Plants and Crops: Source Sink Relationship (Zamski. E. and Schafer, A. A., eds.), Marcel Dekker. Inc., New York, in the press 915
David Oliver: The real world for NHS doctors

Doctors’ working lives, terms, and conditions aren’t generally newsworthy. Most go through their careers miles from the media spotlight or industrial relations. Yet in England, recent stand-offs with the government over proposed new contracts have brought unaccustomed attention. We’ve seen much public support, especially for the junior doctors’ cause—but, among the reportage and the comments below articles, many have called for “these doctors” or “these NHS workers” to join “the real world.” This makes me wonder: in which “real world” don’t we live? We work with people at their most vulnerable, who are ill, injured, or dying. We have many difficult conversations, including breaking bad …
Transforaminal ligaments of the lumbar spine.

This is an anatomical study of the lumbar intervertebral foramina, describing study ligaments which traverse the foramina and diminish the space available for the passage of the nerve root. The clinical significance of these ligaments has not yet been assessed.
The differential impact of discrimination on health among Black and White women.

Abstract Despite a large body of research examining the impact of discrimination on health, the ways in which perceived discrimination may lead to disparate health outcomes through a sense of self and system consciousness is less understood. The current paper is concerned with both mental and physical health consequences of discrimination, as well as mediating pathways among African American and White women. Indirect effects analyses examine mediating paths from discrimination to health outcomes via structural awareness and self-esteem, using data from the Women's Life Path Study (N = 237). Our findings suggest that discrimination is both directly and indirectly associated with health outcomes for both Black and White women, mediated by individual (self-esteem) and group-level (structural awareness) processes. Evidence from this study indicates that discrimination is associated with heightened structural awareness, as well as lower self-esteem – both of which are related to poorer health. Discrimination negatively affected health across three domains, although the mechanisms varied somewhat for Black and White women. Broad implications of this research for interdisciplinary scholarship on the effects of discrimination on health and health disparities are discussed.
The Theory of International Relations: Hans J. Morgenthau and His Critics

The study of international relations has experienced in the last decade a burst of activity "which is unambiguously labelled 'theor? etical' " (Fox, 1959, p. 33). This concern with theory is one aspect of the soul-searching process in which scholars in the field have been engaged for the last twenty years. It is a sign that the field is acquiring a new sophistication. It is a clear reflection of the mood of international relationists who feel the crying need "for more theory, more model-building, more quantification, more integrated study drawing on the resources of all the sciences of life, man, and society" (Boulding, 1958, p. 329).
Modification of Copper Surfaces: Effect on Adhesion at the Copper Polyimide Interface

Copper surfaces were derivatized resulting in the formation of M x [Cu(II)(CN)Fe(II/III)(CN) 5 ] at the interface. Polyimides were spin coated onto the modified metal surfaces and the degree of adhesion measured by the tape pull test. Effects of mechanical interlocking were evident in the case of modified copper samples, due to derivatization by ferricyanide. The chemical bonding and elemental analyses of the interfaces were studied by XPS and SEM.
Vigabatrin: A Novel Approach for Treatment of Super Refractory Status Epilepticus, a Case Study of 2 Patients (P01.079)

Objective: Our objective is to present 2 cases of a potential new treatment for Super Refractory Status Epilepticus. Background Super Refractory Status Epilepticus (SRSE) is defined by continuous seizure activity for 24 hours or more even with treatment including general anesthesia. Approximately 15% of all cases of status epilepticus progress to a super refractory state (Shorvon et al. in the journal Brain). Although there are many algorithms for treatment, most of which include AEDs and anesthesia, there is little to no literature suggesting what to do next after treatment with the major antiepileptic drugs and anesthetic agents fail. Design/Methods: We present two cases where Vigabatrin (GVG), an irreversible binder of GABA transaminase, was successfully used for SRSE after exhausting the use of all the recommended treatment modalities. Results: Case 1 was an 82 yo RHWF with an intracerebral hemorrhage and case 2 was a 24 yo RHBM with presumed viral encephalitis. Both patients were started on regimens including Lorazepam, Levetiracetam, Lacosamide, and Valproic acid along with anesthesia including Propofol and Ketamine. In our second case, even more AEDs were tried, including Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, and Phenobarbital to no effect. In patient 2, cortical resection was done twice in attempt to control the SRSE. Vigabatrin via NG tube lead to cessation of SRSE within 24 hours of the first dose. Continuous EEG monitoring was used to determine outcome. Conclusions: SRSE is an entity that occurs in 15% of cases of status epilepticus, which has a high mortality rate. Treatment is not adequate nor is it standardized. We feel that these case reports reveal Vigabatrin as a potential treatment modality which has infrequently been reported in the literature. This could be a significant new option when conventional measures fail to control SRSE. Disclosure: Dr. McCormick has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jonas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ramsay has received personal compensation for activities with Glaxo-Smith Kline, Lundbeck, Eisai, UCB Pharma DSMB, GSK, and UCB as a speaker and consultant. Dr. Sabharwal has nothing to disclose.
Donor Distal, Recipient Proximal and Other Personal Perspectives on Nerve Transfers

This article presents a personal overview of nerve transfers and emphasizes the various factors that contribute to outcome following these surgeries. There is no "one result" for all nerve transfers. The results will vary depending on factors relating to the donor nerve and the recipient nerve, the degree of the surgical difficulty of the specific procedure, and issues relating to preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation. The general issues that influence all nerve injury and recovery, such as age of the patient, comorbidities, and time since injury, pertain to nerve transfers as well.
Overvoltage of Shunt Reactor Caused by Prebreakdown of SF_6 Breaker and Protection Measures

To ensure the safety of substation expanding and new shunt reactor operation,we researched the overvoltage of shunt reactor during switching-on process by theoretical analysis,tests and simulations,and theoretically analyzed the reasons of the overvoltage from two aspects,namely,mechanism of transient prebreakdown of SF6 breaker and reflection and refraction of wave.Moreover,we established a SF6 breaker prebreakdown model in ATP-EMTP to simulate the field tests.Tests and simulation results showed that the specific overvoltage on the reactor during process of switching-on could reach 4.0.However,simulation results showed that,with resistance and capacitance absorption equipment,the specific overvoltage could be decreased to 1.68 in the same condition.Simulation results indicated that the absorption equipment could be an effective measure for overvoltage limitation,which not only decreased the systematic overvoltage but also restrained systematic harmonics.The pre-breakdown phenomenon introduced in this paper could be referred for protection of shunt reactor operation in substations.
CONTACT STRESS ANALYSIS ON THE BEARING OF SINGLE-CONE BITS

The contact stress of the bearing of single-cone bit were studied and analyzed with the software Pro/M and the method FEM. The bearing stress distribution, the relations between axial load and radial load, the relations between the structure parameter of the bit, WOB and contact stress, as well as the contact area were discussed in detail. The distributing curve of the contact stress on the bearing was obtained, some suggestions to design the bearing of the bit was presented.
Vascular Integrity of the Distal Ureter following Combined Tapering and Cross Trigonal Reimplantation

Abstract Massive unilateral hydroureteronephrosis was created in 20 female dogs by ligating the urographically normal prevesical ureter. Over a 14-day period the obstructed ureter dilated to an average of 15.3 mm. A ureteral tapering procedure was performed by lateral darting and posterior folding of the resultant flap, followed by a cross-trigonal reimplantation. One anastomotic stricture resulted; in the remaining 19 animals, ureteral peristalsis was restored, the ureteral diameter was reduced 61.9 per cent and hydronephrosis was resolved. Histological studies on the tapered segments of these 19 animals showed that the subadventitial blood supply was preserved with fibrotic occlusion of the folded flaps. These results demonstrate that no significant vascular compromise after ureteral tapering and cross-trigonal reimplantation occurs. Success rates comparable to those of conventional ureteral tailoring can be achieved by this technically simplified form of reconstructive surgery.
Measuring Responses of Female Birds to Male Song

It has long been realised that bird song has two principal functions, one in male-male competition, usually for territories and one in attracting and stimulating females (Howard 1920). It follows that investigations of communication via song have two principal audiences to consider, conspecific adult males and conspecific adult females. In particular species, song may be directed especially at one or the other of these audiences, but across all songbirds the two audiences and functions seem to be of similar overall importance.
An experimental technique for investigating certain linguistic and psycholinguistic phenomena.

The apparatus consists of a console with inserted circular array of 35 lighted buttons in three concentric circles of 5, 10 and 20 buttons each. Each button has a letter printed on its surface. The experimenter has control of a tape recorder on which are recorded the instructions, a switch which automatically raises the shield covering the button array, and the button lights. Moreover, he records the latency of response from the raising of the shield to the subject's depressing of a button with automatic timers. The subject is singly presented with instructional sentences of the basic form: "Press the X button ". By varying combinations of the labelled buttons and instructional sentences, one can test such linguistic independent variables as ambiguity, vagueness, and opacity, and such psycholinguistic variables as those specified for the double-bind hypothesis and other conflict models. Although the basic dependent variable is latency of response, others on observational categories can also be measured. P...
Genome Sequences of Gordonia terrae Phages Benczkowski14 and Katyusha.

ABSTRACT Bacteriophages Katyusha and Benczkowski14 are newly isolated phages that infect Gordonia terrae 3612. Both have siphoviral morphologies with isometric heads and long tails (500 nm). The genomes are 75,380 bp long and closely related, and the tape measure genes (9 kbp) are among the largest to be identified.
Hope and Grief: The Introduction of an Emotional Language

While I have described how ageism and the fear of illness or death on the part of therapists may explain the hesitation of some clinicians in addressing the needs of some medically ill and older patients, the challenges that many patients bring to the therapeutic setting in talking about their internal and emotional experiences create unique difficulties for working with this population. In this chapter, I will revisit the concept of alexithymia; I will suggest that this idea can be expanded and applied to our work as clinicians, but without the pejorative connotations that are often associated with the dilemma of lacking the right words to describe feelings, or the assumption that illness is psychosomatic. I will challenge the idea that people with illness are unconsciously recruiting their disease, which is an idea espoused in some psychoanalytic writing. One of the most remarkable things about many of us as we age and/or become ill is that we constantly adapt. I think of people I have met who tell me they will definitely end their lives if they live to be 90 and are still in emotional or physical pain. Yet these women and men have greeted 90 and gone on to live for several more years. Keep in mind that the average life expectancy in 1920 was around 54 years of age. As I have described elsewhere, there is a sense of shock for many, and disappointment for some, about living such a long life and then having the last part of it be with a compromised body (Greenberg, 2012). Most people I have treated figure out ways to adapt to the inherent shock and at times dismay of living such a long life. I will discuss the research on posttraumatic growth and how this body of evidence shows us that some people can fight through the frightening and traumatic aspects of illness and go on to lead better, more gratifying lives. I will contextualize the hope and grief our patients face, with a focus on the resilience of the elderly and medical patients, as these individuals often want to learn ways they can expand their emotional landscape towards a more nuanced and developed internal dialogue. And indeed, it is rarely the case that I meet an elder person, even who is severely depressed, who does not eventually see the benefit of how better relationships can make life more meaningful. The quest for meaning, closeness, and insight in these patients implores us to continue to find ways to connect with and help this growing population.
A study case of bioluminescence potential dynamics in the Delaware Bay with observations and modeling

Results from first observational program of bioluminescence (BL) potential in the Delaware Bay area are presented. During the field program July 30–August 1, 2015, the satellite Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) imagery shows the development of the submesoscale filament with elevated chlorophyll-a in the area of interaction of lighter water masses of the Bay outflow with denser upwelled water. We have shown that ageostrophic secondary circulation (ASC) cells contributed to the development of this filament. Analysis of BL potential observations have shown elevated values of BL potential in the area of the submesoscale filament. Analysis of observed temperature, salinity, sigma-t, and BL potential along the stations crossing the Bay mouth have shown a presence of a strong frontal structure separating colder, more saline, denser offshore water from the bay water masses. Over 3 days of sampling, this frontal structure moved onshore to the entrance of the bay, and brought offshore BL plankton communities with higher values of BL potential. We compared two surveys (at the end of July and in the middle of August) of water masses located in the area where the buoyant outflow of the Delaware Coastal Current is turned around and taken to the north up the shelf by upwelling favorable winds. Analysis of observations shows that the survey at the end of July has fresher water masses (due to higher river runoff before and during survey) and higher values of BL potential in comparison to the survey at the middle of August.
A comprehensive comparative analysis of treatment modalities for sinonasal malignancies.

BACKGROUND Sinonasal malignancies are a rare and heterogeneous group of tumors for which there is a paucity of robust data with which to guide management decisions. The authors used the National Cancer Data Base to better understand the presenting characteristics of these tumors and to compare outcomes by treatment modality. METHODS The National Cancer Data Base was queried for sinonasal malignancies diagnosed between 2004 and 2012. Overall survival was assessed using multivariate analyses and propensity score matching. RESULTS A total of 11,160 patients were identified for the initial analysis. The majority were male, aged 40 to 69 years, with tumors of the nasal cavity or maxillary sinus. Squamous cell histology was most common. The majority of patients presented with advanced tumor stage but without locoregional lymph node or distant metastases. Treatment modalities were compared for squamous cell carcinomas. In multivariate analysis, compared with surgery alone, patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.658 [P<.001]), adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (HR, 0.696 [P = .002]), or neoadjuvant therapy (HR, 0.656 [P = .007]) had improved overall survival. Patients who received radiotherapy alone (HR, 1.294 [P = .001]) or chemotherapy alone (HR, 1.834 [P<.001]) had worse outcomes. These findings were validated in propensity score matching. It is important to note that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was associated with achieving a negative surgical margin (odds ratio, 2.641 [P = .045]). CONCLUSIONS Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for patients with sinonasal malignancies, but multimodality therapy is associated with improved overall survival. Cancer 2017;123:3040–49. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
PECAN: library-free peptide detection for data-independent acquisition tandem mass spectrometry data

A library-free, peptide-centric search tool, PECAN, robustly identifies peptides from data-independent acquisition mass-spectrometry-based proteomics data. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) is an emerging mass spectrometry (MS)-based technique for unbiased and reproducible measurement of protein mixtures. DIA tandem mass spectrometry spectra are often highly multiplexed, containing product ions from multiple cofragmenting precursors. Detecting peptides directly from DIA data is therefore challenging; most DIA data analyses require spectral libraries. Here we present PECAN ( http://pecan.maccosslab.org ), a library-free, peptide-centric tool that robustly and accurately detects peptides directly from DIA data. PECAN reports evidence of detection based on product ion scoring, which enables detection of low-abundance analytes with poor precursor ion signal. We demonstrate the chromatographic peak picking accuracy and peptide detection capability of PECAN, and we further validate its detection with data-dependent acquisition and targeted analyses. Lastly, we used PECAN to build a plasma proteome library from DIA data and to query known sequence variants.
Reconstruction 3D des micro-outils curvilignes en neuroradiologie interventionnelle

L'analyse de la pratique therapeutique des traitements endovasculaires intra-crâniens guides par systeme d'imagerie biplan nous a permis d'identifier, deux situations pour lesquelles une alternative a la tomographie qui soit significativement plus rapide et moins irradiante est possible : le suivi 3D de la progression d'un guide dans les circonvolutions vasculaires, et l'evaluation de la position et de la configuration 3D d'un coil dans un anevrisme. Ces outils de forme curviligne que nous cherchons a reconstruire peuvent etre bien discernables dans l’espace 3D (guide) ou bien plus resserrees (coils) en forme de pelote. Nous proposons une methode de reconstruction stereoscopique basee segmentation pour reconstruire le guide a partir des deux projections orthogonales fournies par le systeme biplan. Le probleme de segmentation du guide dans les images fluoroscopique est reformule comme la succession d'une etape de debruitage, d'un simple seuillage et d'une squelettisation. Nous proposons un unique filtre original concu a partir de filtres de diffusion standards, optimise pour le debruitage d'un micro-guide modelise comme une structure curviligne 2D apparaissant peu contrastee sur un fond uniforme bruite. La phase de reconstruction repose sur la generation d’hypotheses 3D exprimees sous la forme de fragments de courbes 3D obtenus par la mise en correspondance de fragments 2D facilement parametrables a partir du squelette fourni. Certaines hypotheses pouvant correspondre a des realisations geometriques sans realite physique, une recherche dans un graphe modelisant hypotheses (noeuds) et contraintes (aretes) nous permet d'identifier le sous-ensemble d'hypotheses qui, mises bout-a-bout, decrivent le support d'une courbe 3D lisse correspondant effectivement a la reconstruction guide. Une structure curviligne aussi complexe qu'un coil ne peut cependant pas etre reconstruite precisement par stereoscopie. Nous proposons donc une methode de reconstruction tomographique necessitant 6 vues reparties uniformement sur 180$^{\circ}$. Nous tirons parti de la parcimonie du coil liee a sa nature curviligne 3D pour contraindre le probleme de reconstruction. Il en resulte un algorithme iteratif alternant seuillage doux et filtrage directionnel 3D (par extension du filtre de diffusion precedemment developpe en 2D) permettant de reduire efficacement les artefacts lies au sous-echantillonnage angulaire des vues. Ces deux methodes de reconstructions ont ete validees entre autre sur donnees cliniques en collaboration proche avec des neuroradiologues experimentes.
Delayed Presentation of Submucosal Retained Toothbrush from Self-Inflicted Injury in Patient with Schizophrenia

Foreign body ingestion occurs in not only children but also adults, particularly those with history of neurologic disease, alcohol use, or psychiatric disease. We present the case of a 40-year-old male with schizophrenia who presented to the emergency room with a long history of pharyngeal foreign body sensation which had recently progressed to include trismus, odynophagia, and dyspnea. Flexible laryngoscopy demonstrated fullness of the right posterior pharyngeal wall and computed tomography (CT) showed a linear opaque foreign body extending from the level of the oropharynx to the thyroid ala. Further history elicited that he stabbed himself in the pharynx two years prior with a toothbrush following a command hallucination. The toothbrush was removed uneventfully via an external approach. The patient was discharged with psychiatry follow-up. This case is unusual due to the submucosal location of the foreign body and the length of retention. It demonstrates the atypical nature which patients with comorbid psychiatric illness may present following foreign body injury and the use of an external surgical approach for the removal of a retained foreign body based on CT reconstruction.
Steady-State Analysis of Resonant Cross-Commutated Buck Converter Under Continuous Voltage Mode

Resonant current generated in one phase of two interleaved buck converters is injected into the switched node of the other phase to turn on the active switch at zero voltage over wide load range, and to turn off the synchronous switch at near-zero current at rated load. This idea was introduced in a recent letter and applied to an interleaved two-phase buck converter with output voltage regulated by extended duty ratio. This paper focuses on modeling its steady state when capacitor voltages are continuous. Closed-form formulas of inductor current and capacitor voltage were derived during each switched stage. The complex fourth-order circuit mode was solved by decomposing it to two second-order modes. The current to discharge the parasitic capacitor of mosfet was calculated by using state-plane trajectory. The method of state-space representation was employed to calculate inductor RMS current, mosfet turn- off current, and voltage stresses. The expectations were validated by three resonant cross-commutated (rcc) converters switched at 2 MHz with 12-V input, 3.3 V at 20-A output, and peak efficiencies of 93.6%, 93.6%, and 93.3%. The discrepancy between measured and modeled instantaneous state variables was less than 2%.
A New Strategy to Control and Eradicate "Undruggable" Oncogenic K-RAS-Driven Pancreatic Cancer: Molecular Insights and Core Principles Learned from Developmental and Evolutionary Biology.

Oncogenic K-RAS mutations are found in virtually all pancreatic cancers, making K-RAS one of the most targeted oncoproteins for drug development in cancer therapies. Despite intense research efforts over the past three decades, oncogenic K-RAS has remained largely “undruggable”. Rather than targeting an upstream component of the RAS signaling pathway (i.e., EGFR/HER2) and/or the midstream effector kinases (i.e., RAF/MEK/ERK/PI3K/mTOR), we propose an alternative strategy to control oncogenic K-RAS signal by targeting its most downstream signaling module, Seven-In-Absentia Homolog (SIAH). SIAH E3 ligase controls the signal output of oncogenic K-RAS hyperactivation that drives unchecked cell proliferation, uncontrolled tumor growth, and rapid cancer cell dissemination in human pancreatic cancer. Therefore, SIAH is an ideal therapeutic target as it is an extraordinarily conserved downstream signaling gatekeeper indispensable for proper RAS signaling. Guided by molecular insights and core principles obtained from developmental and evolutionary biology, we propose an anti-SIAH-centered anti-K-RAS strategy as a logical and alternative anticancer strategy to dampen uncontrolled K-RAS hyperactivation and halt tumor growth and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. The clinical utility of developing SIAH as both a tumor-specific and therapy-responsive biomarker, as well as a viable anti-K-RAS drug target, is logically simple and conceptually innovative. SIAH clearly constitutes a major tumor vulnerability and K-RAS signaling bottleneck in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Given the high degree of evolutionary conservation in the K-RAS/SIAH signaling pathway, an anti-SIAH-based anti-PDAC therapy will synergize with covalent K-RAS inhibitors and direct K-RAS targeted initiatives to control and eradicate pancreatic cancer in the future.
Electrical conductivity of unidirectional carbon fiber composites with epoxy-graphene matrix

Abstract This paper aims at establishing connections between electrical resistivity and stresses in carbon fiber reinforced epoxy-graphene composites. To avoid the interconnection of multiple parameters, we examined composite specimens consisting of a single strand or tow (12,000 carbon fiber filaments) embedded in an epoxy matrix containing up to 1.0 wt% of graphene (TG679) particles. The specimens show resistance increase with the tensile stress. The characteristic of the dependence varies with the content of graphene particles, tending to be linear as the percentage of graphene content increases. We did not observe any significant changes in the ultimate strength of the composite with an increase of the graphene particles concentration.
Destruction of the spin-density-wave phase by magnetic field in a quasi-one-dimensional conductor

It is known that, in a pure one-dimensional case, the charge-density-wave phase is destroyed by a magnetic field, whereas the spin-density-wave (SDW) phase does not ``feel'' the field. In reality, the SDW phase is often observed in quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) conductors due to the so-called ``nesting'' property of their electron spectra. We show that, in the latter case, a high magnetic field generates some ``antinesting'' term in a Q1D electron spectrum, which destroys the SDW phase. We suggest performing the corresponding experiments in SDW phases of the real Q1D organic conductors with chemical formula ${(\mathrm{TMTSF})}_{2}X$ ($X={\mathrm{PF}}_{6}$, ${\mathrm{ClO}}_{4}$, etc.).
Sensorimotor Impairment of Speech and Hand Movement Timing Processing in Parkinson's Disease

Models of motor control have highlighted the role of temporal predictive mechanisms in sensorimotor processing of speech and limb movement timing. We investigated how these mechanisms are affected in Parkinson's disease (PD) while patients performed speech and hand motor reaction time tasks in response to sensory stimuli with predictable and unpredictable temporal dynamics. Results showed slower motor reaction times in PD vs. control in response to temporally predictable, but not unpredictable stimuli. This effect was driven by faster motor responses to predictable stimuli in control subjects; however, no such effect was observed in the PD group. These findings indicated the relationship between PD pathology and sensorimotor deficits in temporal predictive mechanisms of timing processing during speech production and hand movement.
Teaching Competence in Residential Group Care: Cognitive Problem Solving and Interpersonal Skills Training with Emotionally Disturbed Preadolescents

ABSTRACT A residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed preadolescents hosted an evaluation of cognitive and behavioral social competence training. Participants were 45 young men of 51 enrolled at the center. Post-test measurement showed boys in the problem solving and interpersonal skill training conditions had better conceptual abilities and overt comportment than boys in the problem solving only or discussion and test only conditions. No significant differences were found on locus of control scores or on ratings of videotaped performance tests. Study findings have implications for future research and treatment with emotionally disturbed youth.
Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Comprehensive Institutional Experience.

Background It is unclear whether the enhanced dexterity and visualization of the surgical robot lessens morbidity and influences staging or survival. We compared outcomes of robotic-assisted lobectomy (RAL) with thoracoscopic video-assisted lobectomy (VAL) or open lobectomy (OL) of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods Using a prospective surgical database, perioperative and cancer-related outcomes of patients who received a lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer from 2011 to 2017 were analyzed. Outcomes between each surgical approach were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting generated from the inverse of the propensity score. Results There were 831 patients: 106 RAL, 301 VAL, and 424 OL. More RAL patients than VAL received neoadjuvant therapy (16% vs 6%, P = .001), but less than OL (28% vs 16%, P = .014). After adjustment, RAL was associated with longer operative times, less blood loss, and improved nodal harvest (all P Conclusions Robotic-assisted lobectomy was associated with improved nodal harvest and less blood loss as compared with VAL or OL. Length of stay was shorter with RAL as opposed to OL. Unexpectedly, cost was not higher with RAL. The profile of patients who received RAL more closely approximated OL, suggesting RAL may allow typical thoracotomy patients to receive minimally invasive surgery after adequate training and experience.
Gröbner bases of neural ideals

The brain processes information about the environment via neural codes. The neural ideal was introduced recently as an algebraic object that can be used to better understand the combinatorial struc...
Acute Exacerbations in Recurrent Acute Rhinosinusitis: Differences in Quality of Life and Endoscopy

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Research surrounding outcome differences for patients with recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) is scarce. This investigation explored quality of life (QOL) and sinonasal attributes in patients during acute episodes (AEs) and in-between AEs of RARS. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective outcomes research. METHODS Data from patients with RARS were collected from two academic institutions between 2009 and 2017 using prospective and retrospective methodology. During clinical presentation, subjects were classified as with or without an AEs using guideline definitions of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS). Between-group differences in 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) survey and Lund-Kennedy (LK) endoscopy scores were assessed. RESULTS Four hundred twenty-three clinical visits from 202 patients were included. Visits during an AE (168/423, 40%) were associated with significantly worse SNOT-22 total scores compared to between AEs (255/423, 60%; median = 53.0 [interquartile range (IQR) = 24.0] vs. 34.0 [IQR = 29.5]) and all SNOT-22 subdomain scores (all P < .001). LK scores were available for 167 visits, with 56 (34%) completed during an AE. Compared to visits without an AE, endoscopy findings associated with an AE were less frequently normal (LK score = 0, 45% vs. 62%, P = .031) with worse median LK scores (2.0 [IQR = 4.0] vs. 0.0 [IQR = 2.0], P = .005). CONCLUSIONS AEs are associated with significantly worse QOL and mildly worse endoscopic findings. Almost half of visits during AEs had negative endoscopy, identifying a disparity between patient symptoms and objective findings and calling into question alternative or concomitant diagnoses. Diagnostic criteria for ABRS or AEs in RARS do not require objective confirmation of inflammation, presenting a conundrum for clinicians. The potential for overdiagnosis of ABRS and AEs should be considered when determining the risk/benefit ratio of treatments for RARS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2c Laryngoscope, 2019.
IJTAG-Based Fault Recovery and Robust Microelectrode-Cell Design for MEDA Biochips

A digital microfluidic biochip (DMFB) is an attractive platform for immunoassays, point-of-care clinical diagnostics, DNA sequencing, and other laboratory procedures in biochemistry. A recent generation of biochips uses a micro-electrode-dot-array (MEDA) architecture, which provides fine-grained controllability of droplets and seamlessly integrates microelectronics and microfluidics using CMOS technology. In order to ensure robust fluidic operations and high confidence in the outcome of biochemical experiments, chip testing, fault diagnosis, and fault recovery are critical for MEDA biochips. In this article, we present an effective fault-recovery solution based on the homogeneous structure of MEDA. Since the microelectrode cells (MCs) in an MEDA biochip are identical, we add multiplexers for reconfigurability, whereby an MC with faulty components can use the hardware resources in a neighboring MC. In addition, we use the IEEE 1687 (also known as IJTAG) network to reduce the number of control signals needed for the multiplexers, and to provide flexible subscan chain access for the fault-recovery control flow. A comprehensive set of simulation results demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed fault-recovery solution for MEDA biochips.
Neuromotor Regulation of Ankle Stiffness is Comparable to Regulation of Joint Position and Torque at Moderate Levels.

Joint mechanical impedance, which describes the instantaneous relationship between kinematic perturbations and the resulting torque response, plays an important role in the way humans ambulate, interact with the environment, and respond to disturbances. Recent studies have quantified how the stiffness component of mechanical impedance varies during walking. However, the extent to which humans can voluntarily regulate leg joint stiffness is not yet known. Our study sought to quantify the accuracy and precision of the neuromotor system to voluntarily regulate ankle joint stiffness while seated, and compare these data to the well-known abilities to regulate ankle joint torque and position. We tested individuals’ ability to to regulate these quantities at three different magnitudes: 20%, 40%, and 60% of a maximum value. Our results showed that subjects were able to voluntarily regulate ankle joint stiffness, and that the normalized accuracy and precision of stiffness regulation were not different than those of position or torque for targets at magnitudes of 20% of a maximum value. However, the accuracy and precision of stiffness regulation were statistically different than those of position and torque for targets at magnitudes of 40% of the maximum values. At moderate targets, the similarity of the ability to regulate ankle joint stiffness when compared to the abilities to regulate joint torque and position highlights the importance of a comprehensive description of lower-limb biomechanics that includes consideration of joint mechanical impedance, in addition to the common descriptions of joint torque and position.
Nursing home performance in a trial to reduce hospitalizations: Implications for future trials

BACKGROUND Experience in trials of implementing quality improvement (QI) programs in nursing homes (NHs) has been variable. Understanding the characteristics of NHs that demonstrate improvements during these trials is critical to improving NH care. DESIGN Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of implementation of a QI program to reduce hospital transfers. PARTICIPANTS Seventy-one NHs that completed the 12-month trial INTERVENTION: Implementation included distance-learning strategies, involvement of a champion, regular submission of data on hospitalizations and root cause analyses of transfers, and training, feedback and support. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcomes included all-cause and potentially avoidable hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits per 1000 NH resident days, and the percentage of residents readmitted in 30-days. We compared multiple other variables that could influence effective program implementation in NHs in the highest versus lowest quartile of changes in the primary outcomes. RESULTS The 18 high-performing NHs had significant reductions in hospitalization and ED visits, whereas the 18 NHs in the low-performing group had increases. The difference in changes in each outcome varied between a reduction of 0.75 and 2.30 events relative to a NH with a census of 100; the absolute difference in 30-day readmissions was 19%. None of the variables we examined reached significance after adjustment for multiple comparisons between the groups. There was no consistent pattern of differences in nonprofit status, nursing staffing, and quality ratings. CONCLUSION Our experience and reviews of other NH trials suggest that key factors contributing to successful implementation QI programs in NHs remain unclear. To improve NH care, implementation trials should account for intervention fidelity and factors that have not been examined in detail, such as degree and nature of leadership support, financial and regulatory incentives, quality measures, resident and family perspectives, and the availability of onsite high-quality medical care and support of the medical director.
The Birth of Poetry from the Spirit of Flamenco: Federico García Lorca and José F. A. "Oliver’s Ballade vom Duende"

EnglishOliver is considered one of the main representatives of German-language writers with a migration background. Thus, research has hitherto focused on topics related to so-called »migrant literature«, such as the xenophobic violence against minorities, or the feasibility of a hybrid identity or a transcultural »third space«. This essay differs from these content-based readings in that it foregrounds Oliver’s innovative poetics. Apart from Celan, Mayrocker, and Domin, the richest inspiration for Oliver’s poetics is Lorca, above all Lorca’s works Romancero gitano and Poema del cante jondo, and his two extensive lectures on »Duende«, the creative spirit that, according to Lorca, animates the performance of flamenco. Transcending Lorca, in his Ballad of Duende, Oliver embarks on a quest for a Duende which blends the »Andalusian« and the »German«, relying on poetic means, including a variety of prosodic, metaphoric, and rhetoric modes of expression. Furthermore, his striking use of neologism, syllabification, punctuation, and syntax engenders an associative expansion of meaning. Oliver thereby creates a language that is fundamentally ambiguous. His Duende empowers a kind of performative speaking that allows for multiple readings – roughly, from myth to Marx – and that is, importantly, an expression of resistance. DeutschOliver gilt als einer der Hauptvertreter deutschschreibender Autoren mit Migrationshintergrund. Die bisherige Forschung konzentriert sich deshalb vor allem auf Themen der sogenannten »Migrantenliteratur«, wie etwa die xenophobische Gewalt gegen Minoritaten, oder die Realisierbarkeit einer hybriden Identitat oder eines transkulturellen »dritten Raumes«. Im Gegensatz zu diesen inhaltsbezogenen Untersuchungen stellt dieser Essay Olivers innovative Poetik in den Vordergrund. Neben Celan, Mayrocker und Domin ist Lorca die wohl ergiebigste Quelle fur diese Poetik, vor allem die Gedichtbande Romancero gitano und Poema del cante jondo und zwei umfangreiche Vortrage uber »Duende«, den schopferischen Geist, der laut Lorca die Flamenco-Auffuhrung beseelt. Uber Lorca hinausgehend begibt sich Oliver in seiner Ballade vom Duende auf die Suche nach einem Duende, der das »Andalusische« mit dem »Deutschen« verquickt und sich dabei vorab poetischer Mittel bedient, insbesondere einer Vielfalt prosodischer, metaphorischer und rhetorischer Ausdrucksweisen. Hinzu kommen assoziative Sinnerweiterungen durch frappierende Wortschopfung, Silbentrennung, Zeichensetzung und Syntax. Auf diese Weise schafft sich Oliver eine Sprache, die grundsatzlich mehrdeutig ist. Sein Duende verwirklicht sich in einem performativen Sprechen, das unterschiedliche Lesarten zulasst – grosso modo, von Mythos bis Marx – und nicht zuletzt auch ein Ausdruck von Widerstand ist.