cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Planetary radar imaging with the Deep-Space Network's 34 meter Uplink Array

A coherent Uplink Array consisting of two or three 34-meter antennas of NASA's Deep Space Network has been developed for the primary purpose of increasing EIRP at the spacecraft1. Greater EIRP ensures greater reach, higher uplink data rates for command and configuration control, as well as improved search and recovery capabilities during spacecraft emergencies2. It has been conjectured that Doppler-delay radar imaging of lunar targets can be extended to planetary imaging, where the long baseline of the uplink array can provide greater resolution than a single antenna, as well as potentially higher EIRP. However, due to the well known R4 loss in radar links, imaging of distant planets is a very challenging endeavor, requiring accurate phasing of the Uplink Array antennas, cryogenically cooled low-noise receiver amplifiers, and sophisticated processing of the received data to extract the weak echoes characteristic of planetary radar. This article describes experiments currently under way to image the planets Mercury and Venus, highlights improvements in equipment and techniques, and presents planetary images obtained to date with two 34 meter antennas configured as a coherently phased Uplink Array.
Optical performance of high-aspect LIGA gratings II

The analysis of an IR tunable filter that uses a transmission grating with variable spacing is extended to include incident spherical waves instead of plane waves and to illustrate specifically the effects of finite conductivity in the metal. The model is based on a rigorous vector solution of Maxwell’s equations implemented in a finite elements solver. The modeling results based on tabulated optical properties of nickel are compared with experimental measurements made with filters fabricated in permalloy by the lithographie, galvanoformung, abformung (LIGA) process. The theoretical and experimental results compare quite well and suggest that the resolution of the filter is severely reduced at the shorter wavelengths (less than 4 ?m). At longer wavelengths, the resolution is limited by the aspect ratio of the LIGA structures. A spectral resolution of 0.1 ?m appears to be practical.
Prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and its relationship with cardiovascular disease risk factors in US adolescents, 1999-2000.

Objective. PEDIATRICS (ISSN 0031 4005). Published in the public domain by the American Academy of Pediatrics.Several studies have reported increases in the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in youths. People with prediabetic states such as impaired fasting glucose (IFG) are at increased risk for developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of IFG and its relationship with overweight and CVD risk factors in a nationally representative sample of US adolescents who were aged 12 to 19 years. Methods. We used data from the 1999–2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Adolescents who had fasted for 8 hours or more were included in the study (n = 915). IFG was defined as a fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL. Participants were classified as overweight when their age- and gender-specific BMI was ≥95th percentile and as at-risk for overweight when their BMI was ≥85th and Results. In 1999–2000, the prevalence of IFG in US adolescents was 7.0% and was higher in boys than in girls (10.0% vs 4.0%). Prevalence of IFG was higher in overweight adolescents (17.8%) but was similar in those with normal weight and those who were at risk for overweight (5.4% vs 2.8%). The prevalence of IFG was significantly different across racial/ethnic groups (13.0%, 4.2%, and 7% in Mexican Americans, non-Hispanic black individuals, and non-Hispanic white individuals, respectively). Adolescents with IFG had significantly higher mean hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than those with normal fasting glucose concentrations. Conclusions. These data, representing 27 million US adolescents, reveal a very high prevalence of IFG (1 in 10 boys and 1 in 25 girls) among adolescents; the condition affects 1 in every 6 overweight adolescents. Adolescents with IFG have features of insulin resistance and worsened CVD risk factors. Evidence for prevention is still forthcoming in this age group.
Observations of Gravity Waves with the UARS Microwave Limb Sounder

Geographical and spectral distributions of gravity waves are crucial for large-scale circulation and local mixing in the atmosphere. Lack of global gravity wave (GW) climatology makes it difficulty to quantify the total momentum and energy forcings contributed by the small-scale eddies. Observations of the GW distributions have been provided previously by various techniques such as radar [Meek et al. 1985; Vincent and Fritts 1987; Fukao et al. 1994], lidar [Wilson et al. 1991], balloon [Allen and Vincent 1995], rocket [Hirota 1984], aircraft [Nastrom and Gage 1985] and satellite [Fetzer and Gille 1994]. However, each of these techniques only measures waves of certain spatial and temporal scales. Observations from radar, lidar, balloon and rocket yield good temporal and vertical resolutions usually at one geographical location while aircraft observations provide good horizontal resolution but for a short period of time. It is difficult in general for space-borne sensors to obtain the same resolutions, but observations of GWs at somewhat larger scales are feasible, for example using saturated radiances from the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) [Wu and Waters 1996].
Effects of extracellular pH on the dynorphin A inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Dynorphin A (Dyn A) (1–17), the postulated endogenous ligand for the κ-opioid receptor, inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated currents in neuronal preparations and in Xenopus oocytes expressing recombinant NMDA receptors. Although direct interactions of Dyn A with the NMDA receptor have been reported, the mechanisms mediating the inhibitory actions of Dyn A are unknown. Extracellular pH is a crucial factor regulating NMDA receptor function. To date, however, the influence of pH on the inhibitory actions of Dyn A has not been examined. In the present study we used voltage-clamp recording techniques in Xenopus oocytes expressing recombinant NR1A/2A receptors to address this issue. We report that decreasing the pH of the external solution from 7.5 to 6.7 significantly enhances Dyn A inhibition of NMDA receptor-mediated currents. On the contrary, increasing the pH of the external solution to 9.2 prevents the inhibitory action of Dyn A. The influence of external pH was independent of membrane potential and the potentiation of inhibition with decreasing pH was not associated with alterations in the charge of the Dyn A molecule. These findings demonstrate that Dyn A inhibition of the NMDA receptor current is pH-dependent. They further suggest that the efficacy of neuronally released Dyn A in inhibiting NMDA receptor function may be increased in response to nerve injury and other conditions associated with decreased extracellular pH. Synapse 52:84–88, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Gross and net nitrogen uptake and DON release in the euphotic zone of Monterey Bay, California

N tracer techniques were used to measure rates of NH and NO uptake, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) 12 43 release resulting from both ammonium (NH ) and nitrate (NO ) uptake, and NH regeneration at discrete depths 12 1 434 throughout the euphotic zone in Monterey Bay, California, at a site, H3, outside the plume of direct upwelling influence. In March 1993, 94% of the inorganic nitrogen taken up was NH , and the primary fate of nitrogen 1 4 uptake was particle production. In September 1993, NH and NO uptake were more in balance, and the primary 12 43 fate of nitrogen uptake was DON. We suggest that grazing was an important mechanism resulting in DON release in March and that a combination of grazing and a more physiologically stressed phytoplankton population produced the higher observed rates of DON release in September. During both cruises, the percentage of nitrogen released as DON increased with depth, suggesting that deeper in the water column, a smaller percentage of the nitrogen taken up is incorporated into sinking particles. Based on these data, we suggest that the DON pool acts as an intermediate between DIN assimilation and the net formation of particles for export and will thus affect carbon flow in Monterey Bay.
Package-antenna for wireless sensor network nodes

This paper reports on the design of a package-antenna operating at 2.4 GHz which can be used in wireless sensor network (WSN) nodes. The goal of this study is to reduce the size of WSN nodes by decreasing the antenna dimensions, found as a major contributor in the final node size. As the transceiver is packaged by the antenna, we focused our investigations on the influence of the transceiver size and position on the radiation characteristics of the antenna. Furthermore, the influence of environment where the antenna is placed was done. The optimisation of this 3D antenna is made using an electromagnetic simulator and comparison with measurement shows a good agreement.
Optimal survival time‐related cut‐point with censored data

In biomedical research and practice, continuous biomarkers are often used for diagnosis and prognosis, with a cut-point being established on the measurement to aid binary classification. When survival time is examined for the purposes of disease prognostication and is found to be related to the baseline measure of a biomarker, employing a single cut-point on the biomarker may not be very informative. Using survival time-dependent sensitivity and specificity, we extend a concordance probability-based objective function to select survival time-related cut-points. To estimate the objective function with censored survival data, we adopt a non-parametric procedure for time-dependent receiver operational characteristics curves, which uses nearest neighbor estimation techniques. In a simulation study, the proposed method, when used to select a cut-point to optimally predict survival at a given time within a specified range, yields satisfactory results. We apply the procedure to estimate survival time-dependent cut-point on the prognostic biomarker of serum bilirubin among patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.
Evaluation of sounds for hybrid and electric vehicles operating at low speed

Electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), operated at low speeds may reduce auditory cues used by pedestrians to assess the state of nearby traffic creating a safety issue. This field study compares the auditory detectability of numerous synthetic sounds for hybrid and electric vehicles operating at a low speed. The sample includes pedestrians who are sighted and legally blind, independent travelers, with self-reported normal hearing. The test site has the acoustic characteristic of an urban area with a typical ambient noise level of approximately 58-61 dB (A). Dependent variables include proportion of detection and detection distance. Synthetic sounds tested, that resemble those of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, produce similar detection distances as the actual ICE vehicle tested for a 6 mph constant speed operation. In some instances, synthetic sounds designed according to psychoacoustic principles were detected much sooner than the reference ICE vehicle tested. Synthetic sounds that contain only the fundamental component of combustion noise, but lack the harmonics and other high-frequency characteristics of an actual ICE were relatively ineffective, with their detection distances being only about half of those of an ICE vehicle. Language: en
Efficient single-spatial-mode PPKTP waveguide source for high dimensional entanglement-based QKD

8.9×108/s single-spatial-mode time-energy entangled photon pairs at 1.56 μm are efficiently generated in a PPKTP waveguide, demonstrating Mbps key rates and 93.3% Franson quantum-interference visibility using high speed self-differencing InGaAs detectors.
Sensory-evoked high-frequency (γ-band) oscillating potentials in somatosensory cortex of the unanesthetized rat

A 64-channel epipial electrode array was used to investigate high-frequency (gamma-band) oscillations in somatosensory cortex of the unanesthetized and unrestrained rat. Oscillations were evoked by manual stimulation of the vibrissae and mystacial pad. Stimulation of the contralateral vibrissae resulted in a significant increase in gamma-power during 128-ms epochs taken just following stimulus onset compared to the prestimulus baseline. Stimulation of the ipsilateral vibrissae was completely ineffective in evoking gamma-oscillations in any animals. Sensory evoked gamma-oscillations were constrained to primary (SI) and secondary (SII) somatosensory cortex. When averaged to an arbitrary reference of peak times in one of the channels, these oscillations exhibited a systematic temporal organization, propagating from the rostral portion of SI to the barrel field proper, and finally to SII. These spatiotemporal characteristics were probably produced by intracortical pathways within rodent somatosensory cortex. The rostrocaudal propagation of gamma-oscillations within the barrel field may also reflect whisking patterns observed when the vibrissae are used as a sensory array, suggesting that synchronized gamma-oscillations may play a role in assembling punctate afferent information provided by the vibrissae into a coherent representation of a somatosensory stimulus.
Leyline: provenance-based search using a graphical sketchpad

The most effective strategy for finding files is to carefully arrange them into folders. This strategy breaks down for teams, where organizational schemes often differ between team members. It also breaks down when information is copied and reused as it becomes harder to track versions. As storage continues to grow and costs decline, the incentives to carefully archive old versions of files diminish. It is therefore important to explore new and improved search tools. The most common approach is keyword search, though recalling effective keywords can be challenging, especially as repositories grow and information flows across projects. A less common alternative is to use provenance --information about the creation, use and sharing of documents and their context, including collaborators. This paper presents a limited user study showing that provenance data is useful and desirable in search, and that an interface based on a graphical sketchpad is not only feasible, but efficient.
Correlation energy of deep level traps in a-Si:H

We report the first realistic calculation of the effective electronic correlation energy of the dangling bond in amorphous hydrogenated silicon. Total energies obtained using ab-initio pseudopotential density functional theory yield a full configuration coordinate diagram. When host distortions of the amorphous material are included by use of a simple model, both the effective electronic correlation energy and the position of the electronic states in the gap are affected. We obtain a distribution of effective electronic correlation energies, and a distribution of electronic transition energies in the gap.
Spinal Orthotics: Selective Use in Rehabilitation of Vertebral Osteoporosis

Symptomatic involutional osteoporosis is a significant clinical problem. The prevalence of radiographic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) reached 26% in a rigorous population study of men and women more than 50 years old.1 However, only an estimated 8% of the total affected population actually seek medical attention.2-4 Investigations of effective medical therapy have been extensive, while sound studies of the physical therapeutic measures have been relatively few.5-10Pain and loss of functional mobility result from this disorder. Kyphosis, with or without vertebral compression fracture, is the major structural culprit that produces these disabling clinical problems. Spinal orthoses are used clinically for mechanical support and pain relief of osteoporosis.5,11-13 However, little research exists on the efficacy of orthotics in osteoporosis. This article provides a practical approach to guide the practitioner in orthotic selection for selected patients. New concepts presented may stimulate further research interest and more appropriate orthosis prescription. By focusing on level of fracture, biomechanical deficits, and physiatric team mangement, the end product can better satisfy the patient.
How Much of the Corporate Image is Stereotype

This article discusses the possibility that the public attitude toward any business is largely influenced by a stereotype. If indicates that language factors located by communications research prob...
Regioselective Borylation of the C–H Bonds in Alkylamines and Alkyl Ethers. Observation and Origin of High Reactivity of Primary C–H Bonds Beta to Nitrogen and Oxygen

Borylation of aliphatic C–H bonds in alkylamines and alkyl ethers to form primary aminoalkyl and alkoxyalkyl boronate esters and studies on the origin of the regioselectivity of these reactions are reported. The products of these reactions can be used directly in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions or isolated as air-stable potassium trifluoroborate salts. Selective borylation of the terminal C–H bond at the positions β to oxygen and nitrogen occurs in preference to borylation of the other terminal C–H bonds. Experimental studies and computational results show that C–H bond cleavage is the rate-determining step of the current borylation reactions. The observed higher reactivity of C–H bonds at the terminal position of ethylamines and ethers results from a combination of attractive Lewis acid–base and hydrogen-bonding interactions, as well as typical repulsive steric interactions, in the transition state. In this transition state, the heteroatom lies directly above the boron atom of one boryl ligand, c...
The examination of a teacher candidate assessment rubric: A confirmatory factor analysis

Abstract This article examines the review and revision process of the Model of Appropriate Practice (MAP), a locally developed pre-service teacher candidate assessment rubric based on Danielson's Framework for Teaching. The purpose was to confirm the quality of the rubric. As such, factor analysis was used to examine internal consistency and construct validity. The analysis yielded a 16-item rubric that showed strong estimates of reliability and validity across four teaching domains-planning and preparation, the classroom environment, instruction, and professional responsibilities. The importance of this process for improving teaching and teacher preparation is discussed.
Numerical Modeling of Industrial Scale Transport Membrane Condenser Based Heat Exchangers for Flue Gas Waste Heat and Water Recovery

In this paper, the effects of different working conditions on the performance of Transport Membrane Condenser (TMC) based heat exchangers are studied numerically. The effects of non-condensable gases on the condensation rate along with the number and distances of the TMC tubes in longitudinal and transversal directions were investigated. The numerical simulations have been conducted using the commercial software Ansys Fluent 14.5 and the condensation and heat and mass transfer are implemented using User Defined Functions (UDFs) in the numerical setup. The RNG two-equation turbulence model is used to handle heat, mass and momentum transfer across the TMC bundle tubes. The results are depicted in terms of volume fraction of water vapor and averaged outlet temperature of cooling water and flue gas. The results revealed that increase of the number of TMC tubes, when the inlet flow rate is constant, increases both the condensing surface area and average surface temperature which have opposite effects on the condensation rate, hence both of these parameters should be considered in industrial applications.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
IMAGING WATER AND HOT ROCK BENEATH A VOLCANO USING CONTROLLED-SOURCE AUDIO-FREQUENCY MAGNETOTELLURICS

We have observed several new features in recent Controlled-Source Audio-Frequency Magnetotelluric (CSAMT) soundings on and around Mount St. Helens. We have identified the approximate location of a strong conductor at the edges of and beneath the 2004–08 dome. We interpret this conductor to be hot brine at the hot-intrusive-cold-rock interface, and it can be found within 50 meters of the surface on Spine 5. We have also mapped separate regional and glacier-dome aquifers.
Interleukin-1α As a Factor in Occlusive Vascular Disease

The purpose of this study was to examine the recognized ability of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) to alter the functional properties of endothelial cells and to induce replication of smooth muscle and fibroblasts. Such changes could potentially link IL-1 alpha pathogenetically to the myointimal proliferation of vascular sclerosis. Using a peroxidase-immunoperoxidase immunohistochemical method, saphenous veins and internal mammary arteries were examined for the presence of IL-1 alpha before their implantation as aortocoronary bypass grafts. Occluded saphenous vein grafts requiring replacement because of recurrent angina pectoris also were similarly examined. Interleukin-1 alpha, deposited as a scarlet immunoprecipitate, was seen on the luminal surface, in the subintima, and on the spindle cells and infiltrating macrophages in the media of 13 phlebosclerotic veins before surgical insertion. The remaining 30 unchanged veins did not contain IL-1 alpha. Similarly, IL-1 alpha was not identified in any of the 43 sampled internal mammary arteries that were all considered structurally intact. All the 55 bypass grafts, which were examined by biopsy during revascularization and demonstrated diverse histopathologic abnormalities consisting of reduced luminal patency, myointimal proliferation, mononuclear cell infiltration, mural collagenization, and luminal-mural hemorrhage, also contained widely distributed IL-1 alpha. The observation that IL-1 alpha was absent in all of the internal mammary arteries concomitant with maintenance of normal microanatomic structure may help explain, in part, their recognized resistance to reduction in luminal patency and their improved clinical survival when used as coronary artery bypass grafts. Alternatively, the consistent presence of IL-1 alpha in all vessels with sclerotic histopathologic changes suggests that this cytokine may be an important in situ indicator of and a potential participant in vascular injury. Interleukin-1 alpha may be a pathogenetic factor in the complex processes leading to vascular occlusion.
Traces of Thaumaturgic Technique in the Miracles

It has long been known that familiar features of the ordinary wonder-worker's manner of operation can be detected here and there in the stories of the miracles of Jesus. Nothing is more natural. Miracle stories had been current in the ancient world for centuries before the Christian era, and their number did not lessen thereafter. A type of popular story was developed, varying as to time and scene and as to the persons concerned in the action, but in spite of those variations carrying certain marks which, through their frequent recurrence, came to be expected as a matter of course. For example, the narrator makes much of the difficulty of the miracle and of the thoroughness of its success; and he shows a vivid interest in the behavior of the miracle-worker, carefully noting the various acts and gestures by which the wonder is brought to pass.
Unraveling Base Stacking Driving Forces in DNA

Base stacking is a key determinant of nucleic acid structures, but the precise origin of the thermodynamic driving force behind the stacking of nucleobases remains open. The rather mild stacking free energy measured experimentally, roughly a kcal/mol depending on the identity of the bases, is physiologically significant because while base stacking confers stability to the genome in its double helix form, the duplex also has to be unwound in order to be replicated or transcribed. A stacking free energy that is either too high or too low will over- or understabilize the genome, impacting the storage of genetic information and also its retrieval. While the molecular origin of stacking driving force has been attributed to many different sources including dispersion, electrostatics, and solvent hydrogen bonding, here we show via a systematic decomposition of the stacking free energy using large-scale computer simulations that the dominant driving force stabilizing base stacking is nonhydrophobic solvent entrop...
Furan-induced transcriptomic and gene-specific DNA methylation changes in the livers of Fischer 344 rats in a 2-year carcinogenicity study

Furan is a significant food contaminant and a potent hepatotoxicant and rodent liver carcinogen. The carcinogenic effect of furan has been attributed to genotoxic and non-genotoxic, including epigenetic, changes in the liver; however, the mechanisms of the furan-induced liver tumorigenicity are still unclear. The goal of the present study was to investigate the role of transcriptomic and epigenetic events in the development of hepatic lesions in Fischer (F344) rats induced by furan treatment in a classic 2-year rodent tumorigenicity bioassay. High-throughput whole-genome transcriptomic analysis demonstrated distinct alterations in gene expression in liver lesions induced in male F344 rats treated with 0.92 or 2.0 mg furan/kg body weight (bw)/day for 104 weeks. Compared to normal liver tissue, 1336 and 1541 genes were found to be differentially expressed in liver lesions in rats treated with 0.92 and 2.0 mg furan/kg bw/day, respectively, among which 1001 transcripts were differentially expressed at both doses. Pairing transcriptomic and next-generation bisulfite sequencing analyses of the common differentially expressed genes identified 42 CpG island-containing genes in which the methylation level was correlated inversely with gene expression. Forty-eight percent of these genes (20 genes, including Areg, Jag1, and Foxe1) that exhibited the most significant methylation and gene expression changes were involved in key pathways associated with different aspects of liver pathology. Our findings illustrate that gene-specific DNA methylation changes have functional consequences and may be an important component of furan hepatotoxicity and hepatocarcinogenicity.
Development of a comprehensive measure of spatial access to HIV provider services, with application to Atlanta, Georgia

No existing measures of HIV care access consider both spatial proximity to services and provider-related characteristics in a single measure. We developed and applied a tool to: (1) quantify spatial access to HIV care services (supply) and (2) identify underserved areas with respect to HIV cases (demand), by travel mode, in Atlanta. Building on a study of HIV care engagement, data from an HIV care provider database, and HIV case counts by zip code tabulation area (ZCTA) from AIDSVu.org, we fit a discrete choice model to estimate practice characteristics most salient in defining patient care access. Modified spatial gravity modeling quantified supply access based on discrete choice model results separately for travel by car and by public transportation. Relative access scores were calculated by ZCTA, and underserved areas (defined as having low supply access and high HIV case count) were identified for each travel mode. Characteristics retained in the final model included: travel distance, available provider-hours, availability of ancillary services, and whether Ryan White patients were accepted. HIV provider supply was higher in urban versus suburban/rural areas for both travel modes, with lower supply access if traveling by public transportation. Underserved areas were concentrated in south and east Atlanta if traveling by public transportation, overlapping with many areas of high poverty. Approximately 7.7 %, if traveling by car, and 64.3 %, if traveling by public transportation, of Atlanta-based persons with diagnosed HIV infection resided in underserved areas. These findings highlight underserved areas in south and east Atlanta if traveling by public transit. Conceptualizing access to medical services spatially and by travel mode may help bridge gaps between patient needs and service availability and improve HIV outcomes.
Longitudinal Control Model

A simple yet efficient traffic flow model, in particular one that describes vehicle longitudinal operational control and further characterizes the traffic flow fundamental diagram, is always desirable. Though many models have been proposed in the past, with each having its merits, research in this area is far from conclusive. This chapter introduces a new model—that is, the longitudinal control model (LCM)—with a unique set of properties to the arsenal. The model is suited for a variety of transportation applications, among which a concrete example is provided.
The Shifting Balance of Political Power: Hearts, Minds and Policies

There is a reciprocal relationship between economic power - the ability to capture markets; play off raw material, capital and component suppliers against each other to extract the lowest possible price; and technologically leapfrog, financially outspend, undersell and eventually bankrupt rivals — and political power. Money buys access to political power which can then be used to promote policies favoring the buyer, which allows even greater resources with which to buy more political power.
On a Partially Sequential Ranked Set Sampling Paradigm

In a two-sample setting it is important to design statistical procedures that can take advantage of additional information to minimize the sample sizes required to reach reliable inferences about possible differences between the two populations. This is particularly true when it is difficult and/or costly to obtain sample observations from one or both of the populations. One class of procedures designed with this goal in mind uses the partially sequential sampling (PS) approach, first introduced by Wolfe (Journal of the American Statistical Association 72:202–205, 1977a). The use of ranked set sampling (RSS), first introduced by McIntyre (Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 3:385–390, 1952, reprinted in 2005), offers another approach for minimizing required sample sizes through the mechanism of obtaining more representative samples than can be achieved using simple random samples. In this paper we provide a review of these two sampling techniques and discuss options for melding the two methodologies to obtain partially sequential ranked set sample (PSRSS) two-sample test procedures that take advantage of the sample saving properties of both the PS and RSS approaches. To illustrate this combination, we consider PSRSS procedures where the fixed (control) sample is obtained via simple random sampling and the sequential (treatment) sample is obtained via ranked set sampling. Properties of the associated tests are discussed, including the limiting distributions as the fixed sample size tends to infinity.
Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Traditional versus Technology-based Instruction on Reading Comprehension of EFL Students

Reading is an essential skill for language acquisition, especially for learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Reading comprehension is essential for academic success, thus teachers and researchers are consistently testing new strategies and resources to assist EFL students. Given the growing technological infrastructure many schools are forgoing traditional strategies for digital reading resources. Thus, the purpose of this meta-analysis investigates the effects of using strategy instruction versus technology-based instruction on the reading comprehension of EFL learners. A Meta-analysis of 17 studies (20 effect sizes) published between the years 2007 and 2016 was conducted. A three level inclusion and exclusion process was used to select studies based on the a priori criteria. The overall combined effect size for traditional strategies and technology-based strategies was (d=1.176), which is considered a large effect size. The findings of the moderator analysis suggest that the use of traditional reading strategy instruction or technology-based reading instruction is equally effective for supporting the reading comprehension of EFL students. Recommendations for enhanced teaching and learning are provided to support EFL student reading comprehension.
Investigating the feasibility of classifying breast microcalcifications using photon-counting spectral mammography: A simulation study.

PURPOSE A dual-energy material decomposition method using photon-counting spectral mammography was investigated as a non-invasive diagnostic approach to differentiate between Type I calcifications, consisting of calcium oxalate dihydrate or weddellite compounds that are more often associated with benign lesions, and Type II calcifications containing hydroxyapatite that are predominantly associated with malignant tumors. METHODS The study was carried out by numerical simulation to assess the feasibility of the proposed approach. A pencil-beam geometry was modeled, and the total number of x-rays transported through a breast embedded with microcalcifications of different types and sizes were simulated by a one-pixel detector. Material decomposition using two energy bins was then applied to characterize the simulated calcifications into hydroxyapatite and weddellite using maximum-likelihood estimation, taking into account the polychromatic source, and the energy dependent attenuation. Simulation tests were carried out for different dose levels, energy windows and calcification sizes for multiple noise realizations. RESULTS The results were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Classification between Type I and Type II calcifications achieved by analyzing a single microcalcification showed moderate accuracy. However, simultaneously analyzing several calcifications within the cluster provided area under the ROC curve of greater than 99% for radiation dose greater than 4.8 mGy mean glandular dose. CONCLUSION Simulation results indicated that photon-counting spectral mammography with dual energy material decomposition has the potential to be used as a non-invasive method for discrimination between Type I and Type II microcalcifications that can potentially improve early breast cancer diagnosis and reduce the number of negative breast biopsies. Additional studies using breast specimens and clinical data should be performed to further explore the feasibility of this approach.
Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders

The relationship between movement disorders and substance abuse can be examined from two approaches: first, assessment of the movements which occur secondary to substance abuse, and second, review of the movement disorders that might increase the propensity for substance abuse. This chapter will first address the myriad of hyperkinetic movements that can be seen in drug abusers, followed by a discussion of alcohol and two movement disorders (myoclonus-dystonia and essential tremor) in which patients may be at increased risk of alcohol abuse and dependence due to self-treatment of the disorders with alcohol. Hyperkinetic movement disorders include tremor, myoclonus, dystonia, chorea, athetosis, tics, akathisia, and stereotypies. Amphetamines have been associated with dystonia, chorea, tics, and tremors, and may exacerbate underlying movement disorders. In addition to worsening pre-existing movements, cocaine may cause tics, dystonia, chorea, myoclonus, and tremor. Movements associated with opioid use usually occur in the setting of medically ill patients, and include myoclonus and chorea. Alcohol, in contrast, may dampen some hyperkinetic movement disorders, and people with essential tremor and myoclonus-dystonia may use alcohol to self-treat symptoms. In some situations this has led to abuse which has been more damaging to the lives of the affected individuals than the underlying movement disorders.
Proline oxidase (dehydrogenase) generates switchable bioenergetics for cancer cell survival or programmed cell death

4934 Cancer cells survive by surmounting temporal and spatial gauntlets of stress. Identifying and targeting these stress responders may lead to novel regimens for cancer prevention and treatment. With proline mobilized in the tumor microenvironment from matrix metalloprotein-ases-dependent collagen degradation, cancer cells can activate proline oxidase (dehydrogenase) as a stress responder for either bioenergetics or to produce mediators of programmed cell death. Bound to mitochondrial inner membranes, proline oxidase (POX) is encoded by a p53-induced gene, and it generates mitochondrial superoxide. Overexpression of POX in DLD-tet-off-POX colorectal cancer cells initiated apoptosis by both intrinsic (mitochondrial) and extrinsic (death receptor) pathways. Co-expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in mitiochondria blocked these effects. POX is also induced by PPARγ and its pharmacologic ligands, the thiazolidinediones. The PPARγ-dependent ROS in cancer cells is markedly decreased by knockdown of POX with antisense or siRNAs in colorectal cancer cells and non-small-cell lung cancer cells. The linkage to genotoxic and inflammatory stress suggested that POX may also be important during nutrient stress as invading cancer cells become isolated from their blood supply. Indeed, this was the case as glucose depletion downregulated mTOR-mediated phosphorylation of S6 kinase but upregulated POX more than 5-fold. The mediation by mTOR was established by showing that Rapamycin or AICAR upregulated POX.more than 10-fold. Under these conditions, Rapamycin modulated bioenergetics to maintain ATP levels in the cell, and POX was involved since the Rapamycin effect was decreased by inhibition of POX catalytic activity with dehydroproline. These findings show that POX is a critical responder to genotoxic, inflammatory and nutrient stress. Recent structural biology characterization by others suggested that POX contains a “switching” mechanism for production of ATP for bioenergetics as well as ROS for programmed cell death. Depending on the specific stress, POX can use proline-derived electrons to reduce oxygen generating superoxide for programmed cell death or donate electrons to the electron transport chain yielding ATP.
Laparoscopic transdiaphragmatic chest surgery: Early experience.

Abstract Objective We describe laparoscopic transdiaphragmatic (LTD) chest surgery without intercostal incisions and focus on technique and safety. The goal of LTD is to minimize postoperative pain. Methods We reviewed all patients undergoing LTD chest surgery (September 8, 2010-April 4, 2017). We place 4 abdominal ports with the patient in semilateral decubitus, make 2 diaphragmatic openings, and advance 2 ports into the chest. The intrathoracic operation is standard video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and diaphragmatic openings are closed at the end. We compared narcotic use (morphine equivalents) between patients undergoing LTD lung resection with historical controls undergoing conventional VATS. Results We performed 28 LTD chest procedures (wedge, 19; lobectomy, 3; segmentectomy, 3; other, 3; right sided, 20). Indications were lung nodule (14), lung cancer (5), interstitial lung disease (6), and other (3). Median operative times were 138 minutes (96-240 minutes) for wedge resection and 296 minutes (255-356 minutes, including transcervical mediastinal lymphadenectomy) for anatomic resections. Respiratory complications occurred in 3 patients and other complications in 5 (total 8; 28.6%). Computed tomography in 22 patients (79%) at median 13 months (3-47 months) after surgery showed no diaphragmatic hernia. LTD chest surgery patients used less narcotics than conventional VATS without paravertebral block 24 to 48 hours postoperatively ( P = .039). Conclusions Early experience suggests that LTD chest surgery is feasible and safe on short- to midterm follow-up. The specific role of LTD chest surgery will require definition of patient selection criteria, further experience to reduce operative time, long-term follow-up, and prospective comparison with conventional VATS.
Lactic dehydrogenase in normal and leukemia lymphocyte subpopulations: evidence for the presence of abnormal T cells and B cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was quantitated and the isozyme pattern studied in lymphocyte subpopulations from normal people and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Normal T lymphocytes differed from normal B lymphocytes in having greater total LDH activity (597.2 versus 252.1). Total LDH activity in CLL T cells (347.1) was lower than normal T cells., but not significantly different than normal B cells. Total LDH activity in CLL B cells (124.6) was lower then normal B cells and normal T cells. The isozyme pattern of normal T lymphocytes showed a higher activity in the LDH-1 band (26.7% versus 5.4%) but showed a lower activity in LDH-5 band (4.3% versus 16.3%) compared to normal B cells. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia T cells could be distinguished from CLL B cells by a high LDH-5 band (22.3% versus 7.6%) and from normal T cells by a high LDH-5 band (22.3% versus 4.3%) and a low LDH-1 band (7.3% versus 26.7%). CLL B cells could be distinguished from normal B cells by a low LDH-5 band (7.6% versus 16.3%). Thus, the LDH isozyme pattern distinguishes normal T lymphocytes from normal B lymphocytes, and normal T and B lymphocytes from CLL T and B lymphocytes.
Role of phosphate sensing in bone and mineral metabolism

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is essential for signal transduction and cell metabolism, and is also an essential structural component of the extracellular matrix of the skeleton. Pi is sensed in bacteria and yeast at the plasma membrane, which activates intracellular signal transduction to control the expression of Pi transporters and other genes that control intracellular Pi levels. In multicellular organisms, Pi homeostasis must be maintained in the organism and at the cellular level, requiring an endocrine and metabolic Pi-sensing mechanism, about which little is currently known. This Review will discuss the metabolic effects of Pi, which are mediated by Pi transporters, inositol pyrophosphates and SYG1–Pho81–XPR1 (SPX)-domain proteins to maintain cellular phosphate homeostasis in the musculoskeletal system. In addition, we will discuss how Pi is sensed by the human body to regulate the production of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), parathyroid hormone and calcitriol to maintain serum levels of Pi in a narrow range. New findings on the crosstalk between iron and Pi homeostasis in the regulation of FGF23 expression will also be outlined. Mutations in components of these metabolic and endocrine phosphate sensors result in genetic disorders of phosphate homeostasis, cardiomyopathy and familial basal ganglial calcifications, highlighting the importance of this newly emerging area of research. Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is a vital component of cellular metabolism and the extracellular matrix of the skeleton. In this Review, Sampada Chande and Clemens Bergwitz discuss the metabolic effects of Pi and the consequences of its dysregulation.
Fuzzy Based Control Approach for Three-Phase Single-Stage Grid-Connected Boost Inverter

In this paper, a novel control method based on fuzzy logic is developed to control the active and reactive power of a three-phase current source boost inverter. The proposed procedure utilizes the SVPWM switching pattern for its advantages of simple implementation and decent DC-bus utilization. Additionally, by controlling the current source inverter, it is capable of boosting the low DC voltage to a higher level in just one stage. In previous studies, the controller could not respond efficiently and accurately to simultaneous active and reactive power step changes. Using the proposed technique, both the active and reactive power can be changed at the same time which will have a better system response under fault conditions. The simulation analysis of the proposed control technique is conducted using MATLAB and shows that the proposed controller is able to track the active and reactive power accurately while they change simultaneously. As a result, the system is more robust under fault conditions compared with traditional control approaches.
Comparative resistomic analyses of Lysobacter species with high intrinsic multidrug resistance.

Abstract Objectives Ubiquitous Gram-negative Lysobacter species are known to confer intrinsic antibiotic resistance and are being considered as new sources for novel anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) antibiotics. This study aimed to determine the intrinsic antibiotic resistance profiles of Lysobacter enzymogenes strain C3 (LeC3) and Lysobacter antibioticus strain ATCC29479 (LaATCC29479), and to in silico identify their intrinsic resistomes and compare with Xanthomonas campestris, a close relative and plant pathogen. Methods The intrinsic resistant profiles of LeC3 and LaATCC29479 were determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion assays. Resistance Gene Identifier (RGI) in the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) was used to predict resistomes. Selected resistance genes were mutated and their roles in resistance to antibiotics were determined by spot dilution assays. Results MIC and disk diffusion assays revealed that both LeC3 and LaATCC29479 exhibited high levels of multidrug resistance to 12 common antibiotics. Comparative resistomic analyses using the RGI revealed possible antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) related to the antibiotic resistance profiles in LeC3 and LaATCC29479, and the core resistome of Lysobacter spp. Functional studies confirmed that three ARGs (bla, aac and sph) conferred antibiotic resistance in LeC3, and also in X. campestris when expressed in trans. Conclusion The findings show that LeC3 and LaATCC29479 exhibited multidrug resistance at very high levels and the resistomes of Lysobacter strains were more abundant than those of X. campestris, which might provide novel targets for studies in the intrinsic antibiotic resistance of Lysobacter and other environmental bacterial species.
Perrin’s Experiment Handed Ostwald “Avogadro’s Constant”: He Lauded the Results but Did Not Move to Associate the Number with the Mole Definition

Wilhelm Ostwald was a notable holdout against the acceptance of the reality of atoms. He steadfastly maintained a positivist perspective, that the empirical facts of chemistry implied no underlying meaning about the nature of matter. The amount of substance definition of the mole aligned with this view. He was moved to accept the reality of atoms based on the results of experimental work on Brownian motion by Jean Perrin, that gave a name to, and a value for, Avogadro’s constant. Ostwald could have modified the definition of the mole, making use of the constant to incorporate the atomic nature of matter into the concept. If he had, difficulties with the definition that persist today might have been avoided.
Patient and Clinician Impressions of Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease

We investigated patient and clinician impressions of cognitive impairment and whether they correlated with objective measures of cognitive impairment. Cognitive categorization, neuropsychological assessment scores, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores were documented at baseline, 3 years, and 7 years for 388 PD patients in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). We found that both patient and clinician impressions of cognitive decline were significantly associated with gold-standard criteria for cognitive impairment to a similar degree. Both patient and clinician perspectives should be considered in determining cognitive status and should be followed up with diagnostic testing.