cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurements of the ablation-front trajectory and low-mode nonuniformity in direct-drive implosions using x-ray self-emission shadowgraphy

Self-emission x-ray shadowgraphy provides a method to measure the ablation-front trajectory and low-mode nonuniformity of a target imploded by directly illuminating a fusion capsule with laser beams. The technique uses time-resolved images of soft x-rays (> 1 keV) emitted from the coronal plasma of the target imaged onto an x-ray framing camera to determine the position of the ablation front. Methods used to accurately measure the ablation-front radius ($${\it\delta}R=\pm 1.15~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$$), image-to-image timing ($${\it\delta}({\rm\Delta}t)=\pm 2.5$$ ps) and absolute timing ($${\it\delta}t=\pm 10$$ ps) are presented. Angular averaging of the images provides an average radius measurement of$${\it\delta}(R_{\text{av}})=\pm 0.15~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$$and an error in velocity of$${\it\delta}V/V=\pm 3\%$$. This technique was applied on the Omega Laser Facility and the National Ignition Facility.
Fat Tails and Futures Markets Illiquidity: Theory and Evidence from Crude Oil and Natural Gas

This paper demonstrates how the presence of "fat" tails in the distribution of price innovations for deliverable goods can lead to unwillingness of risk-averse or capital-supervised speculators and loss-averse producers to provide supply in futures markets at longer horizons. In particular, the thickness of the tail must be greater than the order of risk aversion for these markets to fail. Then an empirical section demonstrates how the model's predictions match the empirically observed hump-shaped trading at short horizons and sparse trading at long horizons for NYMEX crude oil and natural gas futures. New mathematical techniques from majorization theory help solve the model in analytic closed form.
Discrepant Fluency in Self-Customization:

Abstract This research demonstrates that during self-customization, consumers use their experiences from prior feature decisions to form expectations about subsequent decisions. When the difficulty experienced during decisions later in the process deviates from that which occurs earlier in the process, consumer preference is affected by the discrepancy between actual and expected difficulty. Specifically, the results show that when the difficulty experienced during feature decisions deviates from expectations, consumers may spend more or less money on product features as a result of discrepant fluency than when they perform the same task and the level of difficulty is expected. the results demonstrate that discrepant fluency effects are not limited to sequential decisions but can influence a single feature decision, which was accomplished by altering consumers' expectations before the decision. these discrepant fluency effects emerge even when the attributes of the alternatives and the composition of the ...
A Contingency Screening and Ranking Method for Power System Static Stability Analysis

A contingency screening and ranking method for static stability analysis of power system is proposed. This method includes two phases, in the first phase a critical contingency set is screened from all of faults by use of sensitivity based load margin pre-estimation and by means of two times of power flow iterations to pre-estimate the voltage drop of system, in the second phase by using improved pre-estimation method of quadric curve the load margins of critical contingencies are pre-estimated and screened. At the same time, the insecure contingencies are identified and ranked by using the contingency parameterized continuation power flow. The successful operation of the power system static stability analysis and control software, which is developed on the basis of the proposed method, in a certain actual power system abroad shows that the proposed method is effective.
Effect of zero-balanced ultrafiltration on intra-operative glucose levels

OBJECTIVE To describe variation in glucose level in infants receiving open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) and to evaluate the effect of zero-balanced ultrafiltration(ZBUF) on intra-operative glucose levels.METHODSThe clinical records of 70 consecutive infants receiving open heart surgery with CPB were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups according to whether the ZBUF technique was used during CPB.Intra-operative glucose levels were monitored at six different time points,as follows: before CPB,after aortic clamping,after rewarming,after aortic declamping,at the end of CPB and at the end of operation.Repeated measured analysis of variance was used to evaluate the effect of ZBUF on intra-operative glucose levels.A P value 0.05 was accepted as significant.RESULTS Glucose levels started to rise after the setup of bypass and peaked after rewarming and stayed unchanged during the rest part of the operation.Intra-operative hyperglycemia was common in infants receiving open heart surgery with CPB.Of the 70 patients,41 experienced hyperglycemia according to the diagnosis criteria of mean glucose above 8.3 mmol/L.The available data did not support that ZBUF had obvious impact on intra-operative glucose levels.CONCLUSION Hyperglycemia was common in infants receiving open heart surgery with CPB.We could not demonstrate that zero-balanced ultrafiltration ZBUF could decrease intra-operative glucose level.
Highly Active Biocatalytic Coatings from Protein-Polymer Diblock Copolymers.

A method for fabricating nanostructured biocatalysts using bioconjugate block copolymer self-assembly is demonstrated, yielding very high protein loadings and activity per unit area, compared to more-established enzyme encapsulation methods. Self-assembled heterogeneous biocatalysts are fabricated by flow coating myoglobin-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (myoglobin-PNIPAM) block copolymers onto solid supports, and films are stabilized by lightly cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The conjugates form weakly ordered, nonbirefringent micellar and lamellar assemblies in concentrated solution and disordered but micro-phase-separated structures in thin solid films. The low diffusion resistance in the bioconjugate film imparted by the water-swollen PNIPAM nanostructures, the high enzyme density within the film, and high retention of protein activity results in extremely high catalytic activity: 5–10 times greater than catalysts fabricated using other well-established methods.
Regulation of MUC5 and MUC1 gene expression: correlation with airway mucous differentiation

The purpose of this paper was to obtain probes to study the structure and function of mucins in rat models of airway cell differentiation and disease. We report the isolation and characterization o...
Primary Commodities as an Engine for Export Growth of Latin America

There are three important features of the overall long-term growth of commodity exports from Latin America: (a) the growth rate of commodity exports from this region has been substantially higher than that of other developing regions; (b) commodity exports from the industrialised countries have increased at a substantially higher rate than exports of the same type of goods from Latin America; and (c) exports of manufactured goods from the industrialised countries have expanded at a much faster rate than have commodity exports from Latin America. The objective of this study is to examine the potential for Latin America to reduce or eliminate the disparity between its export growth rate and that of the industrialised countries. The approach is applicable to other developing regions or countries outside Latin America. The possibility of lowering the disparity in growth rates for these regions or countries would also depend upon the particular characteristics confronting the supply and demand for these exports.
Exploring the Effects of Workplace Health Promotions: A Critical Examination of a Familiar Organizational Practice

As workplaces become sites where health issues are addressed, organizations have an ever-increasing presence in the personal lives of workers. The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate how workplace health promotions (WHPs) violate four types of boundaries: (a) cultural, (b) privacy, (c) confidentiality, and (d) ethical, all of which are managed through communication. We apply Petronio’s (2002) communication privacy management theory to frame health-related boundary negotiations between employee and employer. This chapter concludes with a call for more research on WHPs from interpretive, critical, feminist, and postcolonial approaches.
Steroid Regulation of Inflammatory Responses in the Reproductive Tract

Steroid hormones induce profound changes in the function of the uterus, for example estradiol administration produces several responses that can be separated into early changes that occur within six hours of the administration of the hormone and among these are increased vascular permeability, and water imbibition; many of these early changes resemble an inflammatory response and may be regulated by uterine release of mediators of inflammation after estrogen administration. Late responses are considered genomic and include growth and differentiation of the glandular epithelial cells, infiltration by granulocytes of the stroma, and secretion and synthesis of specific proteins or messenger RNA’s (mRNA) by one or more resident uterine cell types (Wheeler et al, 1987).
Long non-coding RNAs: another brick in the wall of normal karyotype acute myeloid leukemia?

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex malignant neoplasm of the hematopoietic system, characterized by multiple somatically (germline mutations occur in ~5% of AML cases) acquired pathologic (driver) mutations and the presence of coexisting competing malignant clones that frequently evolve under
Inverting a radiative transfer model for sediment density retrieval from hyperspectral BRDF data

Approximate radiative transfer model solutions have been developed by Hapke [1][2]. Important geophysical parameters such as density and grain size distribution play an important role in parameterizing these solutions, however the radiative transfer solutions are typically nonlinear functions of these important parameters. We have developed a method which isolates single scattering properties of the radiative transfer solution, and by requiring these properties to be constant under different illumination conditions for hemispherical observations of the angular dependence of the spectral reflectance, we can arrive at an estimate of the surface fill factor [10]. In this paper, we consider details of the calculation with laboratory measurements of hemispherical conical reflectance factor (HCRF) data from two scans at differing illumination geometries, showing that details of the interpolation scheme required play an important role in the quality of the estimate.
Stacks and Queues Using References

This chapter revisits stack and queues. Instead of using arrays as done in Chaps. 2 and 3, it uses references to implement the structures which illustrates the ideas of data and procedural abstraction. The chapter also reinforces the ideas presented in Chaps. 5 and 6. The complete program uses a graphical user interface to implement an undo button using a stack.
Vitamin D Toxicity: A 16-Year Retrospective Study at an Academic Medical Center

Background Interest in vitamin D has increased during the past 2 decades, with a corresponding increase in laboratory testing of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. The vast majority of specimens tested display normal or deficient levels of 25(OH)D; concentrations rarely fall in the potentially toxic range. Methods We performed a retrospective investigation of elevated 25(OH)D levels during a 16-year period at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), a 734-bed tertiary-/quaternary-care academic medical center in the midwestern United States. Detailed medical-record review was performed for patients with serum/plasma 25(OH)D concentrations higher than 120 ng per mL. Results A total of 127,932 serum/plasma 25(OH)D measurements were performed on 73,779 unique patients. Of these patients, 780 (1.05%) had results that exceeded 80 ng per mL and 89 patients (0.12%) had results that exceeded 120 ng per mL. Only 4 patients showed symptoms of vitamin D toxicity. Three of these cases involved inadvertent misdosing of liquid formulations. Conclusions Symptomatic vitamin D toxicity is uncommon, and elevated levels of 25(OH)D do not strongly correlate with clinical symptoms or total serum/plasma calcium levels. Our study highlights the potential risks of the liquid formulation of vitamin D.
40 years of IGF1: Anti-insulin-like growth factor therapy in breast cancer

Early preclinical and population data suggested a role for the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) in the regulation of breast cancer growth and survival. To target this pathway, multiple monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors were developed and tested in clinical trials. While some of the early clinical trials suggested a benefit for these drugs, none of the attempts showed improved outcomes when compared to conventional therapy. This failure of the IGF1R inhibitors was pronounced in breast cancer; multiple trials testing IGF1R inhibition in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer were conducted, none showed benefit. This review will evaluate the rationale for IGF1R inhibition, discuss results of the clinical trials and suggest a path forward.
Ketamine for Refractory Headache: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background and Objectives The burden of chronic headache disorders in the United States is substantial. Some patients are treatment refractory. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, provides potent analgesia in subanesthetic doses in chronic pain, and limited data suggest it may alleviate headache in some patients. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 61 patients admitted over 3 years for 5 days of intravenous therapy that included continuous ketamine to determine responder rate and patient and ketamine infusion characteristics. Pain ratings at 2 follow-up visits were recorded. An immediate responder was a patient with decrease of 2 points or greater in the numerical rating scale (0–10) from start to final pain in the hospital. Sustained response at office visits 1 and 2 was determined based on maintaining the 2-point improvement at those visits. Patients were assessed daily for pain and adverse events (AEs). Results Forty-eight (77%) of the 61 patients were immediate responders. There were no differences regarding demographics, opioid use, or fibromyalgia between immediate responders and nonresponders. Maximum improvement occurred 4.56 days (mean) into treatment. Sustained response occurred in 40% of patients at visit 1 (mean, 38.1 days) and 39% of patients at visit 2 (mean, 101.3 days). The mean maximum ketamine rate was 65.2 ± 2.8 mg/h (0.76 mg/kg per hour). Ketamine rates did not differ between groups. Adverse events occurred equally in responders and nonresponders and were mild. Conclusions Ketamine was associated with short-term analgesia in many refractory headache patients with tolerable adverse events. A prospective study is warranted to confirm this and elucidate responder characteristics.
Temperature Management in Neurosurgical Critical Care

Experimental evidence and clinical experience demonstrate that there are multiple mechanisms involved in cellular damage following neurological insult. Laboratory experiments since the 1950s demonstrated that there are benefits of mild hypothermia. Since that time hypothermia has been proposed as a valid clinical modality for several neurologic conditions.
Transformation of 17a-methyltestosterone in aquatic-sediment systems

Two sediment samples that differed with respect to total organic carbon and texture (â€œsandâ€ and â€œclayâ€) were exposed to radio inert 17a-methyltestosterone (MT) or [14C]-radiolabeled 17a-methyltestosterone (14C-MT), under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, for up to 56 days, to characterize the fate of MT in the aquatic environment. Radio inert MT was quantified by a highly sensitive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LCMS) method and radioactive MT was quantified by HPLC using an in-line flow liquid scintillation counter (LSC). Thedata suggest that MT entering the aquatic environment is converted into metabolites that become tightly associated with the sediment. Half-lives for MT dissipation in the sediment systems ranged from 2-9 days, depending on the sediment type and the presence of oxygen. Sediment type had little effect on MT dissipation. The mineralization of MT under aerobic conditions was low (<9% conversion of MT to CO2).
Methane emissions from rice paddies: a process study summary

Irrigated rice cultivation is one of the largest sources (approximately 15–20% of the annual total) of atmospheric methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This review examines the results of work performed over the past six years in which we have investigated the processes leading to the emission of methane from irrigated rice cultivation. These studies describe the daily and seasonal effects on methane production and emission of different planting dates, water management, organic amendments, soil texture, and cultivar choice. Because rice agriculture is one of the few sources of methane where emission reduction through management is considered possible, it promises to be a critical focus of mitigation efforts. We have identified several potential management practices for rice cultivation that may stabilize or reduce the emission of methane even in the face of future increased grain production necessary to meet the demands of an expanding world population.
Protocolization of Post-Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Pain Control with Elimination of Benzodiazepines and Long-Acting Opioids.

Background The opioid epidemic continues to worsen with a concomitant increase in opioid-related mortality. In response, the Department of Defense and Veterans Health Agency recommended against the use of long-acting opioids (LAOs) and concurrent use of opioids with benzodiazepines. Subsequently, we eliminated benzodiazepines and LAOs from our postoperative pain control regimen. Objective To evaluate the impact of removing benzodiazepines and LAOs on postoperative pain in single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study of single-level TLIF patients from February 2016-March 2018 was performed. Postoperative pain control in the + benzodiazepine cohort included scheduled diazepam with or without LAOs. These medications were replaced with nonbenzodiazepine, opioid-sparing adjuncts in the -benzodiazepine cohort. Pain scores, length of hospitalization, trigger medication use, and opioid use and duration were compared. Results Among 77 patients, there was no difference between inpatient pain scores, but the -benzodiazepine cohort experienced a faster rate of morphine equivalent reduction (-18.7%, 95% CI [-1.22%, -36.10%]), used less trigger medications (-1.55, 95% CI [-0.43, -2.67]), and discharged earlier (0.6 d; 95% CI [0.01, 1.11 d]). As outpatients, the -benzodiazepine cohort was less likely to receive opioid refills at 2 wk (29.2% vs 55.8%, P = .021) and 6 mo postoperatively (0% vs 13.2%, P = .039), and was less likely to be using opioids by 3 mo postoperatively (13.3% vs 34.2%, P = .048). Conclusion Replacement of benzodiazepines and LAOs in the pain control regimen for single-level TLIFs did not affect pain scores and was associated with decreased opioid use, a reduction in trigger medications, and shorter hospitalizations.
Web-based Attacks to Discover and Control Local IoT Devices

In this paper, we present two web-based attacks against local IoT devices that any malicious web page or third-party script can perform, even when the devices are behind NATs. In our attack scenario, a victim visits the attacker's website, which contains a malicious script that communicates with IoT devices on the local network that have open HTTP servers. We show how the malicious script can circumvent the same-origin policy by exploiting error messages on the HTML5 MediaError interface or by carrying out DNS rebinding attacks. We demonstrate that the attacker can gather sensitive information from the devices (e.g., unique device identifiers and precise geolocation), track and profile the owners to serve ads, or control the devices by playing arbitrary videos and rebooting. We propose potential countermeasures to our attacks that users, browsers, DNS providers, and IoT vendors can implement.
Association of weight discrimination during pregnancy and postpartum with maternal postpartum health.

Author(s): Incollingo Rodriguez, Angela C; Tomiyama, A Janet; Guardino, Christine M; Dunkel Schetter, Christine | Abstract: ObjectiveWeight stigma adversely affects the health of the general population, but almost no studies have examined possible negative consequences of weight stigma in the context of pregnancy. The present study tested whether experiencing weight stigma in pregnancy is inversely related to mental and physical health in mothers during the first postpartum year.MethodThis study examined associations between weight-related experiences of discrimination in everyday life, measured at 1 month after the birth of a child, and physical and mental health outcomes measured concurrently and at 6 months and 1 year postpartum in a sample of 214 women in the Community Child Health Network study. Outcomes of interest were postpartum depressive symptoms, pregnancy weight gain, postpartum weight retention, and two biomarkers of maternal stress (blood pressure and salivary cortisol).ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates including race/ethnicity and prepregnancy body mass index, weight-related everyday discrimination was associated with greater postpartum depressive symptoms at 1 month postpartum. Weight-related everyday discrimination was also associated with greater pregnancy weight gain and greater weight gain in excess of the recommendations set by the Institute of Medicine. Additionally, weight-related discrimination prospectively predicted greater postpartum depressive symptoms and weight retention at 1 year postpartum. Weight-related everyday discrimination was not associated with blood pressure or cortisol.ConclusionsThese findings offer novel evidence that experiencing weight stigma during pregnancy and in the early postpartum period is prospectively associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes for women after birth, implicating weight stigma as a potential maternal health threat. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Cymbidium shidianense (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae), a new species from China: evidence from morphology and molecular data

A new orchid species, Cymbidium shidianense (Orchidaceae; Cymbidieae), from Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular analyses. This new species is similar in morphology to C. cyperifolium, but it differs in its larger pseudobulbs, rigid leaves, broader pale green sepals, petals with darkly coloured veins and set of V-shaped blotches on the lip midlobe. A phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid (matK, rbcL) DNA sequence data support C. shidianense as related to C. cyperifolium.
Coordinated control and dynamic optimization in DC microgrid systems

Abstract It is challenging to continuously maintain an optimal operation in microgrids, especially with intermittent renewable energy resources and dynamic load profile. Proper coordination between hardware-based control and software-based optimization is required to improve the overall system performance in these conditions. A novel methodology is introduced here to control voltage and current simultaneously in real time, as well as optimally reconfigure a DC microgrid system as the operating conditions change. To do so, a dual-layer control hierarchy is designed to facilitate autonomous control and its optimization. The primary layer is implemented using an adaptive voltage droop scheme to achieve optimal load sharing. The secondary layer performs dynamic optimization to compute optimal droop gains based on a disturbance driven control process. The simulations and experimental validations for the proposed scheme demonstrated successful performance.
Stuck in the middle: examination of long-term English learners

Using student-level longitudinal data from one large urban school district, I examine Long-term English Learners’ (LTELs) characteristics and their linguistic and academic performance in comparison...
Cell-by-cell deciphering of T cells in allergic inflammation.

Technical advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) render it possible to examine the transcriptomes of single cells in patients with allergic inflammation with high resolution in the context of their specific microenvironment, treatment, and disease status. Using a recently published scRNA-seq study of tissue T cells as an example, we introduce the major pipeline steps, illustrate the options of scRNA-seq platforms, summarize new knowledge gained from this study, and provide directions for future research. The presented scRNA-seq study elucidated the T-cell heterogeneity present in an allergic inflammatory tissue focused on eosinophilic esophagitis, a prototypic, chronic, allergic disease, which provided a unique opportunity to probe the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation at the tissue level through readily available endoscopically procured biopsy specimens. scRNA-seq analysis identified 8 populations of CD3+ T cells and defined 2 disease-specific populations of CD3+CD4+ T cells, including a markedly activated type 2 cytokine–producing pathogenic cell population distinguished by expression of the short-chain fatty acid receptor free fatty acid receptor 3 and a population of regulatory T cells. In addition to presenting and interpreting new findings within the prior literature, we postulate about future single-cell next-generation sequencing platforms in this burgeoning field.
Poultry processing and the application of microbiome mapping

Chicken is globally one of the most popular food animals. However, it is also one of the major reservoirs for foodborne pathogens, annually resulting in continued morbidity and mortality incidences worldwide. In an effort to reduce the threat of foodborne disease, the poultry industry has implemented a multifaceted antimicrobial program that incorporates not only chemical compounds, but also extensive amounts of water application and pathogen monitoring. Unfortunately, the pathogen detection methods currently used by the poultry industry lack speed, relying on microbiological plate methods and molecular detection systems that take time and lack precision. In many cases, the time to data acquisition can take 12 to 24 h. This is problematic if shorter-term answers are required which is becoming more likely as the public demand for chicken meat is only increasing, leading to new pressures to increase line speed. Therefore, new innovations in detection methods must occur to mitigate the risk of foodborne pathogens that could result from faster slaughter and processing speeds. Future technology will have 2 tracks: rapid methods that are meant to detect pathogens and indicator organisms within a few hours, and long-term methods that use microbiome mapping to evaluate sanitation and antimicrobial efficacy. Together, these methods will provide rapid, comprehensive data capable of being applied in both risk-assessment algorithms and used by management to safeguard the public.
Identifying Opportunities to Improve Patient Experience With Sacral Neuromodulation: A Human Factors Approach.

Abstract OBJECTIVES To use a human factors approach to conduct a needs assessment of patient preparedness, education, device usability, and satisfaction regarding all stages of sacral neuromodulation therapy and identify opportunities for improvement. Sacral neuromodulation, though minimally invasive, involves an initial testing phase that requires active patient participation. This process is relatively complex and, if a patient does not receive adequate preprocedure education, can be difficult to conceptualize. MATERIALS AND METHODS Candidates were recruited to participate before undergoing staged sacral neuromodulation. Ten patients were observed, and their experiences were evaluated at 4 phases: (1) date of test implant (Stage I), (2) 5 days following Stage I, (3) date of permanent implant (Stage II), and (4) 3 months following Stage II. Administered questionnaires focused on preoperative preparedness, postoperative satisfaction, and usability. RESULTS While every patient reported that their symptoms were at least “a little better” postoperatively, they generally had difficulty understanding the risks of the planned procedure, did not know what to expect postoperatively and were unsatisfied with the preoperative materials. Patients struggled with adjusting the settings for their implant devices and usability was considered “below average.” Despite overall objective success, 30% of patients indicated that they would not recommend this treatment to friends/family. CONCLUSION This pilot needs analysis demonstrates several opportunities for improvement in the experience of patients undergoing sacral neuromodulation. These findings highlight the opportunities for a multifaceted intervention to improve patient understanding through the testing phase.
Reducing the Noise Impact of Small Aircraft through Indirect Trajectory Optimization

This research examined the feasibility of incorporating an acoustic metric into the optimization of an aircraft trajectory to reduce the noise experienced by an observer. The method investigated a perturbed path of an unmanned aerial system with specified boundary conditions on position and velocity while maintaining a nominal flight speed. An acoustic model based on Gutin’s work was developed to estimate propeller noise as a function of flight parameters, propulsion characteristics, and spatial location. A trajectory was then optimized a priori to reduce the noise experienced by an observer. Multiple simulations were performed and results showed that integrating an acoustic metric into the path planning process could be used to reduce the noise impact on an observer with no perturbation to the nominal flight speed.
Overlapping B cell pathways in severe COVID-19 and lupus.

An exaggerated extrafollicular B cell response characteristic of active systemic lupus erythematosus also characterizes the B cell response to SARS-CoV-2 in those with severe COVID-19.
A Rare, Unusual Presentation of Newberyite Urolithiasis in Adolescent Female -A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract We report a rare case of newberyite (magnesium monohydrate phosphate trihydrate) urolithiasis in a young female with a past medical history significant for longstanding autoimmune hepatitis. She presented to the emergency department with newly diagnosed nephrolithiasis. Over the next 2 years, she had recurrent renal calculi and 3 urologic procedures. Notably, she did not have any history of urinary tract infections or genitourinary abnormalities. Her last stone analysis revealed the unusual combination of newberyite and ammonium acid urate. The pathophysiology of ammonium acid urate and newberyite stone formation as well as risk factors of development are discussed in this report.
Racial and socioeconomic disparities in lung cancer screening in the United States: A systematic review

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Lung cancer screening (LCS) reduces NSCLC mortality; however, a lack of diversity in LCS studies may limit the generalizability of the results to marginalized groups who face higher risk for and worse outcomes from NSCLC. Identifying sources of inequity in the LCS pipeline is essential to reduce disparities in NSCLC outcomes. The authors searched 3 major databases for studies published from January 1, 2010 to February 27, 2020 that met the following criteria: 1) included screenees between ages 45 and 80 years who were current or former smokers, 2) written in English, 3) conducted in the United States, and 4) discussed socioeconomic and race-based LCS outcomes. Eligible studies were assessed for risk of bias. Of 3721 studies screened, 21 were eligible. Eligible studies were evaluated, and their findings were categorized into 3 themes related to LCS disparities faced by Black and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals: 1) eligibility; 2) utilization, perception, and utility; and 3) postscreening behavior and care. Disparities in LCS exist along racial and socioeconomic lines. There are several steps along the LCS pipeline in which Black and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals miss the potential benefits of LCS, resulting in increased mortality. This study identified potential sources of inequity that require further investigation. The authors recommend the implementation of prospective trials that evaluate eligibility criteria for underserved groups and the creation of interventions focused on improving utilization and follow-up care to decrease LCS disparities.
Resisting Epistemic Oppression

In order to address questions about how to conceptualize and resist epistemic oppression most effectively, this essay develops a critical engagement with Kristie Dotson’s (2014) “Conceptualizing Epistemic Oppression.” Relying on a conceptual clarification of what is meant by “shared epistemic resources,” I argue against Dotson’s distinction which finds some instances of epistemic oppression to be “reducible” to the unequal distribution of social and political power, and some to be distinctively epistemic, and thus “irreducible” to these factors. Rather, I maintain the most effective conceptualization of the phenomenon will find that all of its forms have a distinctive epistemic dimension that must be contended with; they are thus irreducible in Dotson’s sense. In other words, the critical interrogation of governing norms will be necessary for resistance in all three cases. I briefly consider the import of my view by looking at epistemic oppression amidst the presidency of Barack Obama.
Analysis of the Influence of Anti-Corrosive Coating on the Heat Dissipation of Distribution Transformer

When the distribution transformer works, the loss formed in the winding and iron core will spread to the surrounding air after the transmission of transformer oil and transformer tank, and cause temperature rising. With the growth of power demand, the overheating problem of distribution transformer becomes worse and worse, which reduces operation economy and brings potential safety hazard. In this paper, the transformer tank is subdivided into a composite structure of metal material and anti-corrosive coating material. Starting from the heat transmission process of transformer, the influence of anti-corrosive coating on the heat dissipation of distribution transformer is analyzed in detail. By experiments the effect of high thermal conductivity anti-corrosive coating on the heat dissipation efficiency of distribution transformer is verified. The conclusion shows that improving the heat transfer performance of anti-corrosive coating material will effectively improve the overall heat dissipation efficiency of distribution transformer. It will provide a new idea to study the temperature rise of distribution transformer.
Transport in Neurospora.

Publisher Summary Neurospora is a valuable experimental organism for studying transport processes as its growth medium is simple, requiring only inorganic salts, a carbon source, and biotin. Many nutrilite transport systems in Neurospora have been characterized with respect to kinetic properties and genetic regulation. This chapter describes the growth cycle of Neurospora and discusses the several developmental stages that have been used for transport studies. The chapter discusses the properties of a variety of transport systems characterized in Neurospora . Proposed mechanisms of transport energy coupling in higher organisms are divided into two major classes: direct energy coupling via ATP hydrolysis and indirect energy coupling via a sodium ion gradient that is maintained by a Na+ pump. Several recent lines of investigations with Neurospora , which contribute to the understanding of the actual molecular events underlying the transport of ions and molecules through biological membranes, are also discussed in the chapter.
A high-performance 0.08 /spl mu/m CMOS

We demonstrate a 0.08 /spl mu/m CMOS suitable for high-performance (V/sub dd/=1.8 V) and low-power applications (V/sub dd/<1.5 V) with the best current drive at a given off-current reported in the literature to date. Excellent short-channel effects were obtained for L/sub eff/ down to 0.06 /spl mu/m in the NFET and 0.08 /spl mu/m in the PFET. Aggressive lateral and vertical dopant engineering allow the VT to be reduced with no degradation in short-channel effects resulting in a 50% improvement in delay at V/sub dd/=1 V over the regular-V/sub T/ process.
On the theory of brownian motion

The spectrum of the Fokker-Planck operator for weakly coupled gases is considered. The operator is decomposed into operators acting on functions whose angular dependence is given by spherical harmonics. It is shown that the operator corresponding to l = 0 has zero for a point eigenvalue (the eigenfunction is the Maxwell distribution). There are no other point eigenvalues and the continuous spectrum of all of the operators is the entire negative real axis. Some consequences are briefly discussed.
Value of forecasts in planning under uncertainty

In environments with increasing uncertainty, such as smart grid applications based on renewable energy, planning can benefit from incorporating forecasts about the uncertainty and from systematically evaluating the utility of the forecast information. We consider these issues in a planning framework in which forecasts are interpreted as constraints on the possible probability distributions that the uncertain quantity of interest may have. The planning goal is to robustly maximize the expected value of a given utility function, integrated with respect to the worst-case distribution consistent with the forecasts. Under mild technical assumptions we show that the problem can be reformulated into convex optimization. We exploit this reformulation to evaluate how informative the forecasts are in determining the optimal planning decision, as well as to guide how forecasts can be appropriately refined to obtain higher utility values. A numerical example of wind energy trading in electricity markets illustrates our results.
Freedom, Servitude and Voluntary Labor

We present an economic framework to revisit and reframe some important debates over the nature of free versus unfree labor and the economic consequences of emancipation. We use a simple general equilibrium model in which labor can be either free or coerced and where land and labor will be exchanged on markets that can be competitive or manipulated or via other non-market collusive arrangements. By working with variants of the same basic model under different assumptions about initial economy-wide factor endowments and asset ownership we can compare equilibrium distributional outcomes under different institutional and contractual arrangements including markets with free labor and free tenancy, slavery, and tenancy arrangements with tied labor-service obligations. Analysis of these different contractual and organizational forms yields insights that accord with common sense, but that are often overlooked or downplayed in academic debates, particularly amongst economists.
Service Learning: A Valuable Experience

In this paper, we describe how our department recently incorporated a major service learning component into the curriculum. Specifically, we employed participation in the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program as an effective means of experiential and service learning for the past two years for Masters of Accountancy students. We designed a course devoted entirely to serving in a VITA program operated on a local Air Force base. Our experience confirms that service learning can be a powerful tool in teaching. It has enhanced our students’ academic and professional development. It has given significance to our mission and it has strengthened community relationships. However, recent developments have made it difficult for us to maintain this service learning project in its present form. It appears that we, like many other programs, must consider again how to implement service learning as part of our curriculum, but we will do so now with a greater appreciation and enthusiasm for its unique contributions to learning.
Selective Incentives in an Apex Game: An Experiment in Coalition Formation

The effect of a selective incentive system on the likelihood of collective action is tested using an experiment with an Apex Game, a power-imbalanced game in which the weak players choose between competing against each other to form an alliance with the strong player or cooperating with each other in a unanimous alliance of weak players (excluding the strong player). A theoretical introduction analyzes the nature and importance of selective incentives for collective action and demonstrates the relevance of Apex Game experiments for studies of collective action. Results confirm the predictions: Formation of the coalition of weak players rises from 20% in the control condition to 62% when a negative selective incentive system is added.
Raman microprobe scattering of solid silicon and germanium at the melting temperature.

Un couplage de phonons optiques a deux et trois phonons est necessaire pour expliquer les largeurs des raies Raman mesurees a la temperature de fusion et celles mesurees a des temperatures inferieures. Le couplage a deux phonons est important pour determiner les corrections anharmoniques au deplacement d'energie Raman. L'analyse de la polarisation du spectre Raman est utilisee pour determiner les contributions des regions fondus partiellement et non fondus
Analysis of developing ependymal and choroidal surfaces in rat brains using scanning electron microscopy

Abstract The ultrastructural surface features of normal differentiating ventricles in prenatal rat brains, days 13–21 of pregnancy, were examined with a Cambridge “Stereoscan” scanning electron microscope (SEM) (40-30,000 ×). All tissues were fixed in 3% buffered glutaraldehyde, glycerinated (16%), dehydrated in graded ethanol, infiltrated with amyl acetate, and critical-point dried in CO2. Specimens were plated with approximately 50–100 A of gold and palladium prior to viewing with the SEM (5–20 kV). Ependyma and choroid plexuses showed early, consistent differences in their respective morphology and relative rates of differentiation. Within the telencephalic and myelencephalic ventricles distinct regional variations in cellular projections were observed along the ependyma as early as day 13 of gestation. Choroid plexuses in day 14 embryos were densely covered with microvilli and short cilia. By day 16 of pregnancy, embryonic ventricular surfaces revealed tufts of cilia and numerous, varied microvilli, reminiscent of the adult picture. The results demonstrate the early development of a variety of surface features previously thought to arise later in organogenesis. Based on information received from the SEM, it appears early rat embryos definitely possess the morphological differentiation commensurate with early cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) functioning, e.g., fluid movement, removal of debris, and secretion and absorption of CSF.
Polar cap emission model of Uranian kilometric radiation

Theoretical radiation patterns of Uranian kilometric radiation, consisting of a planet-wide hollow emission cone whose axis of symmetry is along the dipole axis, have been constructed for several frequencies. A comparison of model results with planetary radio astronomy data shows that the pulse profile is influenced by the geometry of the spacecraft relative to the magnetic field. The introduction of a small longitudinal variation of the emitting L-shell is found to eliminate the 10-deg phase discrepancy noted between theory and observations.
Cost-Effective Design of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Trials To Detect Changes in Right Ventricular Size and Function: 3D Echocardiography Versus Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Purpose Both cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and 3D transthoracic echocardiography (3DE) can quantify right ventricular (RV) end diastolic volume (EDV) and ejection fraction (EF) accurately. This study was designed to estimate sample sizes and imaging costs to detect changes in RV EDV and EF using 3DE and CMR for future pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) drug trials. Methods and Materials Same day CMR and 3DE were performed on 20 PAH patients (age: 53±13 yrs, 19 females) at 0 and 6 months. Consecutive short axis cines spanning the entire RV (Philips 1.5-T scanner) and full-volume acquisitions of the RV (Philips iE33+TomTec 4D RV-Function software) were used to measure EDV and EF. Sample size calculations using two-sample repeated measures to account for changes over time were performed modeling a placebo-controlled trial (Stata v12.1). Cost estimates were made using the 2012 Medicare physician fee schedule. Results No significant differences were noted between 0- and 6-month RV EF and EDV measurements with either CMR or 3DE, but the relatively large SDs reflected variable progression of disease in individual patients on standard therapy. Sample sizes required for 3DE were roughly 3 times greater than CMR. Although the per-study cost of CMR (~$400) is approximately double that of 3DE (~$200), the total cost of a trial using CMR is considerably lower. Conclusions Both CMR and 3DE can be used to detect the effects of new PAH therapies on RV EDV and EF, but CMR is more cost-effective. Population characteristics (average ± SD) Baseline 6 months CMR 3DE CMR 3DE RV EF (%) 34 ± 15 32 ± 12 36 ± 11 33 ± 9 RV EDV (mL) 245 ± 58 195 ± 59 244 ± 71 199 ± 48 Estimated per-group sample sizes (placebo-controlled trial - 90% power) Estimated cost (US$) CMR 3DE CMR 3DE EF: 3% change 54 169 89,000 143,000 EF: 5% change 20 61 33,000 52,000 RVEDV: 20 mL change 44 138 73,000 117,000 RVEDV: 30 mL change 20 61 33,000 52,000
Transport of Amino Acids to the Maize Root

When 5-mm maize root tips were excised and placed in an inorganic salts solution for 6 hours, there was a loss of alcohol-insoluble nitrogen. The levels of threonine, proline, valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and lysine in the alcohol soluble fraction were severely reduced, whereas those of glutamate, aspartate, ornithine, and alanine were scarcely affected. There was a 4-fold increase in the level of γ-aminobutyrate. Those amino acids whose synthesis appeared to be deficient in excised root tips also showed poor incorporation of acetate carbon. In addition, the results show that asparagine and the amino acids of the neutral and basic fraction were preferentially transported to the root tip region. The results therefore suggest that the synthesis of certain amino acids in the root tip region is restricted, and that this requirement for amino acids in the growing region could regulate the flow of amino acids to the root tip.
The systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of synthetic bradykinin.

Abstract 1. The systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of bradykinin have been studied during its infusion into anesthetized dogs. 2. The administration of bradykinin is associated with decreased peripheral, pulmonary, and coronary vascular resistance, accompanied by systemic arterial hypotension. 3. Cardiac output increased, and coronary blood flow increased in those animals with a normal or low resting coronary flow and decreased in those with high resting coronary blood flow. 4. The depletion of catecholamine, through the administration of reserpine, does not change the response basically, although it is modified slightly.