cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The economic and social benefits of childhood vaccinations in BRICS

PerspectivesThe international community has suc-cessfully promoted childhood vaccina-tion as an essential public health inter-vention. This has been accomplished through efforts such as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Expanded Pro-gramme on Immunization and more recently, the establishment of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI Alliance), a global health part-nership committed to ensuring access to low-cost immunization in developing countries. While such global efforts have resulted in large increases in vaccine coverage worldwide, there is still a large population that remains uncovered. Inadequate immunization coverage is apparent among middle-income coun-tries. As middle-income countries do not receive support from the GAVI Al-liance, lack of funds may account for low coverage, and vaccine delivery in these settings may suffer from inefficiencies that have been resolved in high-income countries.
Behavior Patterns: Bridging Conceptual Models and Agent-Based Simulations in Interactive Learning Environments

We describe a technique that takes conceptual, declarative Structure-Behavior-Function (SBF) models of a complex system, and simulates the behavior of the system in Net Logo, an agent-based simulation environment. Our technique uses a library of behavior patterns, where a behavior pattern is a parameterized generic abstraction over classes of SBF models. Given an SBF model constructed by a student, our technique first recognizes the model as an instance of a behavior pattern, then uses the parameters of the pattern to set up the Net Logo simulation, and finally runs the simulation to produce an animation that acts as feedback on the conceptual model.
High-resolution monopulse piezopolymer sonar sensor

A novel sonar sensor is described which utilizes two coincident, distributed, shaded polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezopolymer sensors to provide high-resolution target bearing estimates. Sensor shading is accomplished by suitably shaping the charge collection electrodes deposited on the sensing layer. When these two sensor shadings are matched via a derivative in space, the ratio of their signal outputs is linearly proportional to the direction cosine of an incident acoustic field; this is an extension of the well-known monopulse concept. A hardware implementation of the sensor is also described. The influence of ambient noise level on bearing resolution is addressed. The sensor concept developed provides a means of obtaining high-spatial-resolution sonar data for applications such as sea floor profiling, sea floor mapping, mine detection, and precision homing. In particular, the concept is pertinent to size- and weight-constrained platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles. >
68-Year-Old Woman With Confusion

A 68-year-old woman with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bipolar disorder presented to our medical center with a 1-month history of confusion. She was fatigued and confused and had poor oral intake. In the past 2 months, she had lost 10 kg. Two weeks before admission, she started to exhibit atypical behaviors, such as walking about her house undressed. The patient denied fever, headaches, seizures, nuchal rigidity, visual changes, weakness, dysarthria, dysphagia, and bowel or bladder incontinence. She was evaluated at another institution for her symptoms about 2 weeks before. Work-up at that time included electroencephalography, which showed generalized slowing consistent with metabolic encephalopathy. The patient received a 7-day course of ciprofloxacin for delirium that was presumed to be secondary to a urinary tract infection. Her symptoms did not improve with antibiotic therapy, so she presented to our institution for further evaluation.
Termination of acute wide QRS complex atrial fibrillation with ibutilide

Ibutilide is a Vaughan-Williams class III antiarrhythmic agent approved for chemical cardioversion of acute onset atrial fibrillation/flutter. Emergency physicians rarely use ibutilide despite its proven clinical value. We report a case of successful chemical cardioversion using ibutilide in a patient with atrial fibrillation and delayed ventricular depolarization (wide QRS complex). We recommend that ibutilide be considered for wider use in the emergency department and that further studies be conducted.
Efficient multivariate Skellam shrinkage for denoising photon-limited image data: An Empirical Bayes approach

In this article we address the issue of denoising photon-limited image data by deriving new and efficient multivariate Bayesian estimators that approximate the conditional expectation of Haar wavelet and filterbank transform coefficients of Poisson data—coefficients that take the so-called Skellam distribution. We show that in this setting, the posterior mean under a Bayesian model forms the solution to a linear differential equation, owing in part to the recursive property of the Skellam distribution. We then propose a practical approach to solve—approximately—this differential equation, and arrive at a near mean-square-optimal Skellam mean estimator that is both computationally efficient and amenable to an Empirical Bayes approach. We then derive three approaches to shrinkage based on smoothing the marginal likelihood of the data, and demonstrate their superior performance relative to state-of-the-art approaches for both natural test images and examples from computed tomography scans.
Synchronizing hypercube networks in the presence of faults

Synchronizing distributed networks allows nodes to share resources efficiently, run synchronous programs and vote on redundant results in fault tolerant systems. Due to the low connectivity of hypercube networks, neither the fault tolerant hardware synchronization schemes, phased locked loops nor multistage synchronizers can be used without adding additional links. We describe a new hardware method developed to synchronize hypercube networks. Our analysis shows that the method can sustain one fault if the connectivity of the hypercube, n, is at least three, and it can tolerate up to m/spl ges/2 Byzantine faults as long as the connectivity of the hypercube, n, is greater than max{2m+1,3m-2). This scheme has been implemented in an ASIC design for a hypercube of dimension five. It will be used in the Proteus parallel computer system to synchronize the circuit switching communication network. >
The Preparation and Reaction of Fluorinated Phenyl Mono- or Bis- Cadmium and Copper Reagents

Abstract Tetrafluorodibromobenzenes react readily with acid-washed cadmium inDMF at temperatures ranging from 25°C to 60°C to give bromotetrafluorophenylcadmiumreagents in excellent yields. Treatment of the mono- cadmiumreagent solution with excess cadmium at 100°C affords the tetrafluorophenylbiscadmiumreagents. The mono- and bis- copper reagents are obtained via metathesis of the corresponding cadmium reagents with cuprous bromideat room temperature. Allylation and acylation of the biscopper reagents givethe corresponding allylated and acylated tetrafluoro-benzenes, respectively.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Induces Serum Amyloid A3 in Mouse Granulosa Cells

TNF-alpha has significant inhibitory effects on steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis and is associated with several inflammatory responses. Because ovulation is an inflammatory reaction, the effects of TNF on the family of acute-phase proteins in granulosa cells were investigated. Granulosa cells from immature mice at 28 d of age were cultured in the presence of 10 ng TNF/ml for 24 h. Serum amyloid A3 (SAA3), a main acute-phase protein, was induced by TNF in granulosa cells. The other isoforms of serum amyloid proteins SAA1, SAA2, and SAA4 were neither expressed in granulosa cells nor induced by TNF. TNF did not induce SAA3 mRNA in granulosa cells from TNF receptor type 1 (TNFR1) knockout mice, although SAA3 mRNA was induced within 3 h after TNF treatment in wild-type cells. Two SAA3 promoters, -617/+73 and -198/+73, were responsive to TNF and to p65, a component of the TNF signaling molecule nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB. The -106/+73 promoter of SAA3 lacking a NF-kappaB-like site was not responsive to TNF or p65. In granulosa cells from TNFR1 knockout mice, the SAA3 promoter (-198/+73) was responsive to transfection with the p65 component of NF-kappaB, but neither TNF treatment nor overexpression of the p50 component of NF-kappaB increased promoter activity. Similar results were observed in the murine ovarian granulosa tumor cell line (OV3121-1). Overexpression of the inhibitor of NF-kappaB (called IkappaB) blocked SAA3 promoter activity induced by TNF and by p65 in OV3121-1 cells. Closer analysis of deletion mutants of the SAA3 promoter revealed the necessity of a NF-kappaB like site for responsiveness to TNF in the OV3121-1 cells. TNF rapidly increased p65 in OV3121-1 nuclei when compared with controls not treated with TNF. TNF also increased phospho-IkB and SAA3 in whole-cell homogenates as determined by Western blots. Thus, TNF likely increased SAA3 promoter activity and protein by activating NF-kappaB signaling via TNFR1 in mouse granulosa cells. SAA3 is a novel gene in granulosa cells with yet unknown functions in the ovary.
Section Review—Oncologic, Endocrine & Metabolic: Haematopoietic Growth Factors in Cancer Chemotherapy

As recombinant haematopoietic growth factors have become recognised as valuable adjuncts to traditional chemotherapeutic regimens, new chemotherapeutic approaches made possible by growth factors have become a major area of clinical research. Use of growth factors to mobilise peripheral blood progenitor cells for both allogeneic and autologous transplantation and ex vivo expansion of progenitor celis are the newest areas of cancer research with haematopoietic growth factors. Probably the most important development has been the identification of a platelet growth factor, megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) or thrombopoietin (TPO). As thrombocytopenia following bone-marrow transplantation or myeloablative chemo- or radiotherapy is a major concern, the importance of a platelet growth factor is enormous. Data have indicated that the use of growth factors in many clinical settings is cost effective, in spite of the high price of biotechnology products, as reduction in the number of infections, us...
Soil—foundation interaction and differential ground motions

Differential ground motions due to horizontally propagating surface waves are of importance in determining the stresses and displacements developed in extended structures such as large mat foundations for nuclear power stations, dams, bridges and pipe-lines. A general method is developed for determining the motion of a large rigid mat foundation subjected to travelling surface waves and observations made on the relative displacements of individual foundations and their importance in bridge failure.
Evolution of the Microstructure During Laser-Induced Amorphization of Si

The interface growth dynamics of Si leading to laser-induced amorphization have been studied as a function of incident energy density and crystallographic orientation using tran-smission electron microscopy (TEM). Using lithographic and dry etching techniques, cross sectional TEM specimens across the entire melt region were produced. These samples allowed observation of the evolution of the amorphous thickness and crystal defect structure from shallow anmorphous Si (a-Si) formation near the melt threshold energy density to crystallized material (c-Si) at higher energy densities. For surfaces near [111] orientations, marked differences in the solidification behavior were observed as compared to [001] or [110] orientations. The transition to a-Si growth at the moving liquid/crystal interface is discussed in terms of interface response function kinetics and crystallization models. A growth instability model, arising from the shape of the interface response function, is proposed to explain the observed nmicrostructure.
Spectroscopy of x-ray lasers

Two promising methods of pumping plasma x-ray lasers, namely, matched-line photoexcitation and electron-collisional excitation, are reviewed from a spectroscopic viewpoint. For the former, numerous possible elements are listed, and a recently obtained experimental spectrum for a most promising sodium–neon test case is presented. For the second, progress in electron-collisional excitation pumping of Δn = 0 laser transitions is reviewed along with electron-recombination pumping of Δn = 1 laser transitions, and a novel synergistic system is proposed for enhanced recombination pumping in 1s22s22pq sequence ions. The accumulation of consistent data and the availability of the necessary supporting atomic and spectroscopic information result in continued optimism that, with a truly dedicated effort, useful gain can be achieved on a reasonable time scale.
Differentiating Low Achieving Students and Students with Learning Disabilities An Examination of Performances on the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery

While a large body of literature exists regarding the characteristics of students with learning disabilities (LD), there is still confusion and controversy regarding conceptual issues, even as to which variables are most important in defining LD. This study attempted to isolate which cognitive ability and academic achievement variables from the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery (W-J) (Woodcock & Johnson, 1977) maximally separate students with LD (152) and low achieving (LA) (93) elementary and middle-school-age students. Significant differences were found between the LD and LA students on all but one W.J subtest, and certain academic achievement variables emerged as most critical in separating the two groups. Ability-achievement discrepancy scores (a) differed significantly between the two groups, but not to the extent that some of the academic achievement variables did, and (b) were applied inconsistently in the multidisciplinary team process. Implications for special education practitioners an...
Notes on the Breeding Biology of the White-Throated Swift in Southern California

Abstract Reproductive activities of White-throated Swifts (Aeronautes saxatalis) were examined from 1997 to 2006 at two nest sites in a human-made structure in southern California. The start of egg-laying was from 27 April to 30 May and hatching of the first chick ranged from 21 May to 23 June; all chicks had fledged by late July, 42–43 days after hatching. The annual molt of adults began in early June and broadly overlapped with the chick-rearing period. Year to year adult survival was minimally 73.9% and nesting pairs showed strong mate and nest site fidelity; pairs reused nests up to five consecutive years. The composition of the arthropod food (insects and spiders) brought to nestlings was different in the periods 1997–2000 and 2001–2004 but prey size was similar in both periods. The onset of breeding was more varied from year to year than the start of the primary feather molt suggesting differing environmental stimuli for these important components of the annual cycle.
Overexpression of c-Ras in hyperplasia and adenomas of the feline thyroid gland: an immunohistochemical analysis of 34 cases.

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded thyroid glands from 18 cats diagnosed with hyperthyroidism were evaluated immunohistochemically for overexpression of the products of oncogenes c-ras and bcl2 and the tumor suppressor gene p53. Fourteen thyroid glands from euthyroid cats without histologically detectable thyroid lesions were examined similarly as controls. Results from these investigations showed that all cases of nodular follicular hyperplasia/adenomas stained positively for overexpression of c-Ras protein using a mouse monoclo- nal anti-human pan-Ras antibody. The most intensely positively staining regions were in luminal cells surround- ing abortive follicles. Subjacent thyroid and parathyroid glands from euthyroid cats did not stain immunohis- tochemically for pan-Ras. There was no detectable staining for either Bcl2 or p53 in any of the cats. These results indicated that overexpression of c-ras was highly associated with areas of nodular follicular hyperplasia/ adenomas of feline thyroid glands, and mutations in this oncogene may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of hyperthyroidism in cats.
Emergency Neurological Life Support: Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a subset of stroke resulting from bleeding within the brain parenchyma of the brain. It is potentially lethal, and survival depends on ensuring an adequate airway, reversal of coagulopathy, and proper diagnosis. ICH was chosen as an emergency neurological life support (ENLS) protocol because intervention within the first critical hour may improve outcome, and it is helpful to have a protocol to drive care quickly and efficiently.
Importance of emergency physicians as referral sources for academic medical centers

Study objective: To identify physician referral patterns and factors involved in the patient referral process. Design: A telephone survey conducted on a systematic sample of physicians who referred at least one patient a month to a tertiary care center. Setting: A major southeastern tertiary care academic medical center. Type of participants: Self-identified emergency physicians, family physicians, general surgeons, internists, obstetrician-gynecologists and pediatricians. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: Emergency physicians comprised 6% of the surveyed sample. Emergency physicians referred the largest number of patients each month to a tertiary care center (40 patients per month) compared with the other target specialists, who referred an average of 16 patients per month ( P Conclusion: Emergency physicians refer more patients to academic medical centers than any other specialty. Academic medical centers should target emergency physicians if they wish to increase their patient referral base.
Diseases and parasites of cattle in Vanuatu.

Summary A study of cattle diseases was carried out in Vanuatu from 1971 to 1981. Tuberculosis was discovered in 4 herds and eradication was completed by 1981. The number of farms with brucellosis reactors increased from 2 in 1976 to 7 in 1978 despite eradication measures. Antibodies to serovars Leptospira icterohaemorrhaglae, australis, sejroe and canicola were demonstrated by the microscopic agglutination test. Antibodies were demonstrated against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis and bovine virus diarrhoea/mucosal disease complexes. Of the 18 parasites identified, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemonchus, sp, Oesophagostomum phlebotomum and Neoascaris vitulorum were the most prevalent. As brucelossis is the only serious disease present, Vanuatu is in a favourable situation with regard to cattle diseases.
Completely Specified Displacements of a Rigid Body and Their Application in the Direct Kinematics of In-Parallel Mechanisms

In this paper we study the type of completely specified displacements of a rigid body where the distances of six points on the body, between their final and initial positions, have been specified. A method is presented to calculate the screws associated with these displacements. It is shown that there are 24 different screws at the most that will bring the rigid body from the initial to its final position to satisfy the six distances. If the six points are co-planar or symmetrical with respect to a plane then the number of screws reduces to 16. The method to calculate the screws associated with these completely specified displacements, is used to obtain a simple algebraic solution to the direct kinematics problem of a special type of in-parallel mechanisms: the mechanisms where the moving and the fixed platforms are the same.
The Design and Implementation of the Complex Network Three-Dimensional Genetic Topology Generator

Concerning the study of Internet the complex network modeling is of important theoretical value and practical meaning. Topology structure model is the foundation of establishing the Internet system model. This thesis provides natural language description and effect pictures about the four complex network three-dimensional topology generator modules, and uses Java3D programming language instrument to implement the four modules in triple dimension space.
Genetic Testing for Warfarin Therapy Initiation

ObjectiveTo review the literature regarding the efficacy of genetic testing for determining the appropriate initial dose of warfarin and the effect that this testing has on the safety and efficacy of therapy.Data Sources:Searches of MEDLINE (1966–May 2008) and Cochrane Database (1993–May 2008) were conducted using the search terms warfarin, anticoagulation, pharmacogenomics, pharmacogenetics, CYP2C9, VKORC1, and interindividual variability. Limits included articles written in English with human subjects. Additional data were identified through bibliographic reviews.Study Selection And Data Extraction:All English-language articles identified from the data sources were evaluated. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they evaluated the efficacy of pharmacogenomic testing to improve outcomes with initiation of warfarin therapy.Data Synthesis:The use of warfarin presents numerous challenges in clinical practice. Four studies (N = 38, 48, 200, 297) evaluating the efficacy of genetic testing for determining th...
Wives of Transvestites

Several reports describe the wives of transvestites (Beigel, 1963; Feinbloom, 1976; Prince, 1973; Stoller, 1967; Talamini, 1982; Wise, Dupkin, & Meyer, 1981) but most of these are based on very few cases. The wives were seen by Stoller (1967) as inadequate women, inclined to either succor their husbands through overindulgence or to humiliate them by dressing them as women, thereby threatening their masculinity. We did not see these personality features in the 21 wives we have interviewed and followed for 4 years, nor does this group seem to lack self-esteem as suggested by Feinbloom (1976). Both Prince and Talamini expressed a more positive view of the wives of TVs.
COLLABORATIVE STUDY OF A SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF FERRIC, FERROUS, AND TOTAL IRON IN DRUGS BY REACTION WITH ALPHA, ALPHA-DIPYRIDYL

A spectrophotometric method for determining Fe2+, Fe3+, and total Fe in drugs has been developed, using alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl as the colorimetric reagent. The method is applicable to tablets elixirs, injectables, and bulk powder. Eight collaborates analyzed a synthetic iron preparation and 7 commercial samples. For the synthetic iron preparation, the average recovery was 100.3% and the coefficient of variation was 1.02%. For 7 commercial samples, the average coefficient of variation was 1.44%. The method has been adopted as official first action.
Laboratory Development and Description of Immature Stages of Scoloposcelis mississippensis Drake and Harris and Lyctocoris elongatus (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) Predators of Southern Pine Bark Beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Mean developmental times (days) in the laboratory (26°C) for Scoloposcelis mississippensis Drake and Harris were: egg 6.4; first stadium 3.8; second stadium 2.7; third stadium 3.4; fourth stadium 4.1; fifth stadium 5.5; and adult 30.9. For Lyctocoris elongatus (Reuter) the mean developmental times were: egg 6.1; first stadium 3.4; second stadium 2.9; third stadium 3.4; fourth stadium 6.3; fifth stadium 12.3; and adult 35.1. The developmental time of S. mississippensis was significantly longer at fluctuating temperatures of 16°C night and 26°C day. Female S. mississippensis have a mean adult life span of 37.7 days and laid a mean of 38 eggs each. Female L. elongatus, with a mean adult life span of 33.3 days, laid a mean of 98 eggs each. Seventy-four percent of L. elongatus and 68 percent of S. mississippensis eggs were viable under laboratory conditions. Instars and eggs were measured, described, and illustrated.
Critical Behavior in the Ultrasonic Properties of Suspensions

Velocity and attenuation measurements of compressional waves at 3 and 5 MHz are presented for suspensions made of 1 μm size particles of kaolinite or glass beads in water or light oil. At a critical concentration of 40%, the attenuation shows a sharp peak in attenuation as well as a sudden change in velocity. This behavior is observed in all suspensions and is independent of frequency or particle geometry. The observed behavior is consistent, with the excess attenuation induced by the fluid-shearing between particles. This behavior is the first experimental evidence for the existance of the freezing point, predicted by computer simulations.
Time-Resolved and Nicrostructural Studies of Solidification in Undercooled Liquid Silicon

Nanosecond resolution visible (633 nm) and near-infrared (1152 nm) reflectivity measurements have been used, together with transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM), to study pulsed KrF (248 nm) laser melting and subsequent solidification of thick (190–410 nm) amorphous (a) silicon layers. The measurements cover the entire laser energy density (El) range between the onset of melting (∼ 0.12 J/cm2) and the completion of epitaxial crystallization (∼1.1 J/cm2). Four distinct El-regimes of melting and solidification are found for the 410-nm thick a-Si layers. For El > 0.25 J/cm2, the time of formation, velocity and final depth of “explosively” propagating undercooled liquid layers were measured in specimens that had been uniformly implanted with Si, Ge, or Cu. TEM shows that the “fine-grained polycrystalline Si” produced by explosive crystallization (XC) actually contains large numbers of disk-shaped Si flakes that have largely amorphous centers and are visible only in plan view. The optical and TEM measurements suggest (1) that flakes are the crystallization events that initiate XC, and (2) that lateral heat flow (parallel to the sample surface) must be taken into account in order to understand flake formation. Results of new two-dimensional (2-D) model calculations of heat flow and solidification are presented. These calculations confirm the importance of 2-D heat flow and crystallite growth early in the solidification process. For 0.3 4 1.0 J/cm2, pronounced changes in both the shape and the duration of the reflectivity signals provide information about the growth of polycrystalline grains; this information can be correlated with post-irradiation plan and cross-section view TEM microstructural measurements.
Assessing the Impact of Transit Marketing Changes

This study’s main focus in on the inability of the transit industry to assess the impact of marketing changes. A two-stage process was required to address this problem. First, appropriate performance measures that will be sensitive to changes in the transit system were obtained. Secondly, a research design was developed to isolate the role the marketing program had in shifting those measures. This study illustrates how a technique – intervention analysis – can be used to measure the impact of changes to a transit system.
Measurement of Vibration Based on Bridge Well-being Conditions

This paper discusses some principle contents about the vibration based on measurement of bridges and analyzes the measurement problems of the vibration measurement,which is a reference for the technology research.
Trichomoniasis: What’s new?

Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted disease in the world. Recent research has elucidated several virulence factors that allow T. vaginalis to adhere to extracellular host proteins and evade the host immune system. Further investigation is needed to determine the mechanisms responsible for the perinatal morbidity associated with trichomoniasis and to evaluate the interactions between trichomoniasis and HIV infection. An effort to decrease T. vaginalis associated with perinatal morbidity by metronidazole treatment in pregnancy was unsuccessful. However, more sensitive tools for diagnosis such as polymerase chain reaction may further facilitate future understanding of the epidemiology and risk factors of disease and improve approaches to control this widespread infection. Treatment has remained highly efficacious with single-dose metronidazole, although concern regarding drug resistance has led to more systematic evaluations of the prevalence of metronidazole resistance and alternatives to metronidazole treatment.
The Impact of Health Education and Promotion on the Visit Time of TB Patients in Mianzhu

Objective To understand the impact of health education and promotion on the visit time of TB patients in Mianzhu,so as to evaluate the effect of the activity.Methods Based on the data of first visit and diagnosed patients before and after the activity,the impact was evaluated on aspect of visit time and diagnosed time.Results There was a 19.04% rise in the number of patients to go to see a doctor within two weeks on the appearance of the symptoms after the activities,and the number of those who delayed visiting the doctor for over 3 months decreased by 51.94%.The difference of visit time between male patients and female had no statistical meaning.The timely visit rate in the urban areas was higher than that in the countryside.Conclusion The health education and promotion activity is effective,and further work should be put particular emphasis on rural areas.
Controversies in antimicrobial therapy: critical analysis of clinical trials.

Problems with design and statistical evaluation of clinical efficacy trials of antimicrobial agents are reviewed. Of the three major criteria used for evaluating antimicrobial agents (efficacy, toxicity, cost), the most important is efficacy. Clinical efficacy can be evaluated in uncontrolled or controlled clinical trials. Uncontrolled trials are often conducted to satisfy Food and Drug Administration requirements during premarketing testing; the response rate is typically high because only patients with susceptible infections may be treated and large doses are given. Controlled antibiotic trials should be randomized, blinded, parallel comparisons of an investigational agent versus the best available agent at an accepted dose. However, interpretation of these studies is frequently clouded by poor study design, small sample sizes, and heterogeneous patient populations. Controlled trials are usually centered around a null hypothesis (i.e., that no difference will be found between the agents being compared). All conclusions (to reject or not reject the null hypothesis) should be carefully evaluated by clinicians seeking to apply the available data to patient care. Researchers can incorrectly conclude that two therapies have equal efficacy because of insufficient statistical power (i.e., small sample size) or poor study design. Likewise, researchers may incorrectly conclude that there is a statistical difference between two therapies because of poor design or improper sample selection. For the clinician, clinical relevance takes precedence over statistical significance. Before the results of a study are allowed to affect drug use in an institution, strong similarities between subjects and methods in the study and patients and care in the institution should be demonstrated.
Diffusion kinetics of lutetium in diopside and the effect of thermal metamorphism on Lu–Hf systematics in clinopyroxene

Abstract We report new experimental data for Lu diffusion in diopside from 1150 to 1250 °C at 1 bar pressure and oxygen fugacity corresponding to the iron–wustite buffer. The primary experimental dataset defines the following Arrhenius relation for Lu diffusion parallel to the b-crystallographic axis: D Lu / / b = 1.37 ( ± 1.2 ) × 10 - 13 exp [ 208.7 ( ± 15.2 ) kJ mol - 1 / RT ] m 2 / s, where T is in kelvin. We find that Lu diffusion in diopside is significantly faster than that of Hf, which could lead to spurious Lu–Hf ages via decoupling of 176Lu from 176Hf if the system was subjected to protracted periods of high temperature. The extent to which Lu–Hf ages are compromised during initial cooling depends on the peak temperature, grain size, cooling rate and the nature of Lu partitioning between clinopyroxene and its surrounding phase(s); however, in geologically realistic scenarios the effects of diffusion on Lu–Hf ages during initial cooling do not produce Lu–Hf ages that differ from the age corresponding to the closure temperature of Hf by more than a few million years. Lu–Hf systematics in clinopyroxene are far more susceptible to diffusion during reheating events that occur after radiogenic 176Hf has already accumulated in the host phase. For a given thermal pulse, the Lu–Hf age varies as a function of grain size, temperature, the timing and duration of reheating and the partitioning of Lu between clinopyroxene and its surrounding phase(s). The data collected and numerical model developed in this study have been used to simulate the effect of thermal metamorphism on the internal Lu–Hf systematics of the eucrites Millbillillie and Piplia Kalan. Although our model results do not offer a comprehensive solution to the apparent pre-solar Lu–Hf ages observed in many ancient meteorites, we argue that the ∼4.9 Ga pyroxene-whole-rock Lu–Hf ages of these specific samples are at least partially, if not primarily, due to diffusive loss of Lu from the constituent minerals to a partial melt phase during high-temperature metamorphism.
Black Ice detection system using Kinect

An ice detection system is designed using an imaging sensor which has a forward field of a view direction. The proposed system solves the problem of detecting the Black Ice on various surfaces using a depth imaging sensor based on Kinect device. In some places where ice cannot be seen easily from a distance, especially in low visibility, by a human eye, it would be highly dangerous and causes slip. The designed system can detect the forming ice at a distance from 82cm up to 1.52m from the camera. Ice detection system has been tested in five different backgrounds: wood, glass, ceramic, plastic and concrete, and indeed it showed high proficiency.
Nitrite improves Zebrafish Cardiac Regeneration Potentially by Cytoglobin 1

Treatment with nitrite (NO2‒) has been shown to have a beneficial effect on ischemia/reperfusion injury via the production of nitric oxide (NO) and modulation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). Nitrite can be converted to NO through the action of heme globins via a nitrite reductase reaction. The role of NO2‒ and globins has not yet been investigated in the context of heart regeneration. Zebrafish can fully regenerate their hearts following ventricular amputation and were used a model to study the effects of hypoxia and NO2‒ treatment on heart regeneration. We hypothesize that treatment with hypoxia/ NO2‒ will improve cardiac regeneration through increased production of NO or signaling ROS/RNS. We have found that NO2‒ /hypoxia treatment improves the rate of cardiomyocyte proliferation and improves neovascularization compared to hypoxia alone five days post amputation (dpa). Preceding these events, we observe an increase in thrombocytes (1 dpa) and neutrophils (3 dpa) migration to the injured area and a decrease in the blood clot size, suggesting that NO2‒ treatment is able to modulate the immune response to improve healing following injury. Zebrafish Cytoglobin 1 (Cygb1) is a globin that may mediate the cardiac regenerative response to NO2‒. Our data show that Cygb1 is expressed in the epicardium (a tissue that is known to drive the regeneration process) and its expression is increased following cardiac injury. Cygb1 may be mediating this response via its fast nitrite reductase rate (28.6 ± 3.1 M (-1) s(-1)) in its deoxy state or oxy-Cygb1 may react with NO2- to produce RNS, modulating the immune response via ROS/RNS signaling. Given the extremely low Cygb1 oxygen P50 (0.277 torr), we hypothesize that it is the latter, even in the context of the hypoxic heart. Our current research aims to identify the mechanism by which nitrite treatment modulates the immune response in the healing heart and determine if Cygb1 expression is necessary and/or sufficient for cardiac regeneration.
Cellular distribution of secretory pathway markers in the haploid synergid cells of Arabidopsis thaliana

In flowering plants, cell-cell communication plays a key role in reproductive success, as both pollination and fertilization require pathways that regulate interactions between many different cell types. Some of the most critical of these interactions are those between the pollen tube (PT) and the embryo sac, which ensure the delivery of sperm cells required for double fertilization. Synergid cells function to attract the PT through secretion of small peptides and in PT reception via membrane-bound proteins associated with the endomembrane system and the cell surface. While many synergid-expressed components regulating PT attraction and reception have been identified, few tools exist to study the localization of membrane-bound proteins and the components of the endomembrane system in this cell type. In this study, we describe the localization and distribution of seven fluorescent markers that labelled components of the secretory pathway in synergid cells of Arabidopsis thaliana. These markers were used in co-localization experiments to investigate the subcellular distribution of the two PT reception components LORELEI, a GPI-anchored surface protein, and NORTIA, a MILDEW RESISTANCE LOCUS O protein, both found within the endomembrane system of the synergid cell. These secretory markers are useful tools for both reproductive and cell biologists, enabling the analysis of membrane-associated trafficking within a haploid cell actively involved in polar transport.
Cultural hitchhiking and competition between patrilineal kin groups explain the post-Neolithic Y-chromosome bottleneck

In human populations, changes in genetic variation are driven not only by genetic processes, but can also arise from cultural or social changes. An abrupt population bottleneck specific to human males has been inferred across several Old World (Africa, Europe, Asia) populations 5000-7000 BP. Here, bringing together anthropological theory, recent population genomic studies and mathematical models, we propose a sociocultural hypothesis, involving the formation of patrilineal kin groups and intergroup competition among these groups. Our analysis shows that this sociocultural hypothesis can explain the inference of a population bottleneck. We also show that our hypothesis is consistent with current findings from the archaeogenetics of Old World Eurasia, and is important for conceptions of cultural and social evolution in prehistory.
Effects of Electronic Excitation and Dimerization of Metals on Product State Distributions

Enhancement of electronic chemiluminescence by the introduction of dimers or metastable states of main-group metals in molecular beam reactions with halogen and oxygen containing molecules is surveyed. Reactions of metals in groups 2, 14, and 15 are considered. The importance of symmetry and collisional lifetime in controlling the reaction pathway and energy disposal in products is discussed. New experimental results are reported on alkaline earth atom reactions with hydrogen peroxide in which metastable atoms form exclusively metal hydroxide products, unlike ground state atoms which form metal monoxide and hydroxide products. Chemiluminescent mechanisms involving reactions of bismuth and antimony dimers with fluorine are also described.
The Nature of Interhemispheric Communication

The human brain is organized so that two potentially independent mental systems exist side by side. When separated by the slice of a surgeon’s knife, each resulting half-brain possesses its own capacities for learning, emoting, thinking, and acting. Yet, with the forebrain commissures intact, these potentially independent neural spheres work together to maintain mental unity.
Serum total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels as associated with copper and zinc intake in physically active and sedentary elderly men and women.

The relationship of copper and zinc intake with serum total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol was studied in physically active and sedentary elderly men and women (N=63). Three-day diet records over a period of twelve months and fasting blood samples were collected from each subject. Physical activity was associated with higher copper and zinc intakes, lower serum total cholesterol and higher serum copper levels. Higher copper intakes were associated with lower serum total cholesterol. Higher zinc intakes were associated with lower HDL-cholesterol levels. Higher copper serum levels were associated with lower serum total cholesterol. These results appeared inconsistent with the reports from animal studies. However, with it should be noted that the subjects in this study had copper and zinc intakes below the recommended dietary allowances and the calculated zinc to copper ratios were within the desired ranges.
Weakly Supervised Learning of Multiple-Scale Dictionaries

In this work, we present a multi-scale analysis dictionary learning framework in the presence of weak supervision. The motivation for using multiple scales on the dictionary atoms is that data has patterns that are best captured at different scales in many cases. As such, uniscale dictionary learning will have difficulty in capturing different patterns of interest, especially for convolutive modeling of the data. We propose a probabilistic graphical model with a multi-scale dictionary and develop an inference framework for the proposed model. To evaluate our proposed approach, we conduct experiments on both synthetic and real-world data. The results show that the proposed multi-scale dictionary learning outperforms the uni-scale approach when data contains multi-scale patterns, and the performances are comparable when the data is uni-scale.
Model Predictive Automatic Control of Sucker Rod Pump System with Simulation Case Study

Abstract This work enables accelerated fluid recovery in oil and gas reservoirs by automatically controlling fluid height and bottomhole pressure in wells. Several literature studies show significant increase in recovered oil by determining a target bottomhole pressure but rarely consider how to control to that value. This work enables those benefits by maintaining bottomhole pressure or fluid height. Moving Horizon Estimation (MHE) determines uncertain well parameters using only common surface measurements. A Model Predictive Controller (MPC) adjusts the stroking speed of a sucker rod pump to maintain fluid height. Pump boundary conditions are simulated with Mathematical Programs with Complementarity Constraints (MPCCs) and a nonlinear programming solver finds a solution in near real-time. A combined rod string, well, and reservoir model simulate dynamic well conditions, and are formulated for simultaneous optimization by large-scale solvers. MPC increases cumulative oil production vs. conventional pump off control by maintaining an optimal fluid level height.
Understanding Charge Transport in Carbon Nitride for Enhanced Photocatalytic Solar Fuel Production

ConspectusPhotocatalytic solar fuel production, for example, production of hydrogen via water-splitting, is an effective means of chemical storage of solar energy and provides a potential option for achieving a zero-emissions energy system. Conveniently, hydrogen can be converted back to electricity either via fuel cells or through combustion in gas turbines, or it can be mixed in low concentrations with natural gas or biogas for combustion in existing power plants. The cornerstone of a practical solar fuel production process is a stable, efficient, and scalable photocatalyst (a semiconductor material that accommodates photon absorption, charge carrier generation and transport, and catalytic reactions). Therefore, the quest for suitable photocatalyst materials is an ongoing process.Recently, carbon nitride (CN) has attracted widespread interest as a metal-free, earth-abundant, and highly stable photocatalyst. However, the catalytic efficiency of CN is not satisfactory because of its poor charge transport ...
Evaluation and Disposition of Fetal Myelomeningocele Repair Candidates: A Large Referral Center Experience.

BACKGROUND Fetal myelomeningocele (fMMC) repair yields superior outcomes to postnatal repair and is increasingly offered at select fetal centers. OBJECTIVES To report the fMMC referral process from initial referral to evaluation and surgical intervention in a large fetal referral center. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients referred to Texas Children's Fetal Center for fMMC between September 2013 and January 2018, reviewing the process from referral to final disposition. The stepwise evaluation included a phone interview followed by multidisciplinary consultation at our fetal center. We modified the Management of Myelomeningocele Study inclusion and exclusion criteria to allow a maternal body mass index of 35-40 on an individual basis. RESULTS A total of 204 referrals were contacted for a phone interview; 175 (86%) pursued outpatient evaluation, and 80 (46%) of them qualified for repair. Among the eligible patients, 37 (46%) underwent fetoscopic repair, 20 (25%) underwent open repair, and 17 (21%) declined prenatal surgery. Of the 89 noneligible patients (53%) excluded upon outpatient evaluation, 64 (72%) were excluded for fetal and 17 (19%) for maternal reasons. No hindbrain herniation (16%) and maternal BMI and/or hypertension (5%) were the most common reasons for fetal and maternal exclusion, respectively. A total of 31% of our referral population underwent fetal surgery. CONCLUSIONS A small percentage of fMMC referrals ultimately undergo prenatal surgery. Stepwise evaluation and multidisciplinary teams are key to the success of large referral programs.
Surface roughness of polyamide 12 parts manufactured using selective laser sintering

Abstract Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing technique that has become increasingly prevalent in today's rapidly advancing production industries. SLS utilizes a layer-by-layer processing technique that allows for complex geometries to be produced without expensive tooling or molding. Because of the technology's widespread use in fulfilling functional demands, parts produced by SLS should have a good surface quality. However, parts manufactured via SLS have a comparatively higher surface roughness than alternative manufacturing methods. To better understand the various factors that affect surface roughness, a design of experiments was implemented which investigated the effects of four process parameters using a Sinterstation 2500, a commercial SLS printer: laser power, roller speed, powder type, and scan spacing. To draw a comparison with other SLS systems, two process parameters were investigated on a Sinterit Lisa, a desktop SLS printer: power ratio and powder type. These effects were studied across the entire powder bed, a study of which has not been previously conducted. Since many other factors play a role such as layer height, this study concentrated on the top surface of the SLS printed part. The surface roughness of the produced parts was studied using Focus Variation (FV) technology. Conditional formatting was used to show the surface roughness and area ratio of the powder bed, and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) is performed on the data collected from the Sinterstation.