cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Absolute Return Mutual Funds Have Absolute Returns

We study the universe of absolute return mutual funds and find no evidence they deliver positive alpha. Additionally, these funds can have significant factor exposures. Compared to ordinary equity funds, absolute return funds have much higher fees and turnover. They perform worse than their hedge fund counterparts. Overall, our results indicate that investors seeking absolute returns using mutual funds are likely to be disappointed.
Characterization of a novel pH-sensitive peptide that enhances drug release from folate-targeted liposomes at endosomal pHs

Abstract Although liposomes have proven useful for the delivery of drugs and gene therapy vectors, their potencies are often compromised by poor unloading following uptake into their target cells. We have consequently explored the properties of a novel 29-residue amphipathic peptide that was designed by arrangement of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues to disrupt liposomes at lower peptide concentrations than previously tested peptides. The peptide was indeed found to promote pH-dependent liposome unloading with improved efficiency. A peptide of the same sequence, but half the length, however, promoted pH-dependent permeabilization only at much higher concentrations. Further characterization of the longer peptide revealed that release of liposome contents (i) occurred at a pH of ∼6, (ii) became less efficient as the size of the encapsulated cargo increased, and (iii) was moderately suppressed in cholesterol-containing liposomes. Use of this peptide to enhance the cytotoxicity of cytosine arabinoside encapsulated in folate-targeted liposomes demonstrated an increase in drug potency of ∼30-fold. Gene expression by a serum-stable folate-targeted liposomal vector was also measurably enhanced by inclusion of the peptide. We conclude that intracellular unloading of liposomal contents can be significantly improved by co-encapsulation of an optimally designed, pH-sensitive peptide.
Yang-Gan-Wan Protects Mice Against Experimental Liver Damage

The hepatoprotective effect of Yang-Gan-Wan (YGW, Pro-Liver pill), a Chinese herbal remedy, was investigated in mice that were treated with allyl alcohol (AlOH), acetaminophen (AA) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Mice were pretreated daily with 200 mg/kg YGW for 10, 14 and 18 days before treatment with 85 mg/kg AlOH, 475 mg/kg AA or 20 microl/kg CCl4, respectively. YGW dramatically abolished the elevated activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and reduced the necrosis induced by AlOH. YGW also decreased the elevated activities of ALT and SDH and reduced the necrosis induced by AA and CCl4. This study demonstrates that YGW has protective effects against liver damage induced by AlOH, AA, and CCl4.
Electron microscopic studies of mitosis in amebae. I. Amoeba proteus.

Individual organisms of Amoeba proteus have been fixed in buffered osmium tetroxide in either 0.9 per cent NaCl or 0.01 per cent CaCl2, sectioned, and studied in the electron microscope in interphase and in several stages of mitosis. The helices typical of interphase nuclei do not coexist with condensed chromatin and thus either represent a DNA configuration unique to interphase or are not DNA at all. The membranes of the complex nuclear envelope are present in all stages observed but are discontinuous in metaphase. The inner, thick, honeycomb layer of the nuclear envelope disappears during prophase, reappearing after telophase when nuclear reconstruction is in progress. Nucleoli decrease in size and number during prophase and re-form during telophase in association with the chromatin network. In the early reconstruction nucleus, the nucleolar material forms into thin, sheet-like configurations which are closely associated with small amounts of chromatin and are closely applied to the inner, partially formed layer of the nuclear envelope. It is proposed that nucleolar material is implicated in the formation of the inner layer of the envelope and that there is a configuration of nucleolar material peculiar to this time. The plasmalemma is partially denuded of its fringe-like material during division.
Testability of Software in Service-Oriented Architecture

Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is a system architecture in which a collection of loosely coupled services communicate with each other using standard interfaces and message-exchanging protocols. As an emerging technology in software development, the SOA presents a new paradigm, and it affects the entire software development cycle including analysis, specification, design, implementation, verification, validation, maintenance and evoluation. This paper proposes several testability evaluation criteria for SOA software, which serves as a reference for both service providers and application builders to evaluate the test support to SOA software. The proposed evaluation criteria are illustrated in a stock-trading case study.
Probabilistic and Monte Carlo risk models for carbon nanomaterial production processes

Given considerable uncertainty surrounding the occupational, consumer, and environmental, health and safety (EHS) risks of various nanomaterial manufacturing processes, modeling their relative risks and benefits is especially important. This paper discusses possible risk assessment methods that might be useful in such applications and explores three probabilistic approaches in greater detail: Monte Carlo (MC) simulation models, Bayesian belief networks, and multi-criteria decision trees. These approaches are illustrated for single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) produced via high pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco) processes to study the impact of inherent uncertainties and early EHS standards decisions on predicting long-term manufacturing costs, occupational health (OH) exposure risks, and associated tradeoffs. Until research progresses on the EHS risks of nanomaterials, these types of analyses can provide useful information for private and regulatory decision-makers and for guiding research priorities.
Keeping It Simple Kinetic Models for the Sodium Pump

The Post-Albers reaction scheme of the Na+,K+-ATPase has been remarkably successful, for over a quarter-century, in explaining the biochemical behavior of the isolated enzyme, and is still the backbone of current biophysical models for the various transport modes (electrogenic Na/K exchange;
Physical activity and the risk of Barrett's esophagus

Physical activity either directly or through influencing body fat may affect the risk of Barrett's esophagus (BE). However, the effect of physical activity on the risk of developing BE has not been examined. We conducted a case-control study among consecutive eligible patients either scheduled for elective endoscopy or recruited from primary care clinics to undergo a study endoscopy. Study participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form that measures physical activity during the past 7 days. We categorized level of physical activity by low, moderate, or high and estimated metabolic equivalent minutes per week (MET min/week). We calculated odds ratios (ORs) using logistic regression models and adjusted for age, sex, race, gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms, Helicobacter pylori infection, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio. There were 307 cases with BE and 1724 controls (1262 from endoscopy and 462 from the primary care clinic) with IPAQ information. BE cases were more likely to be in the high-category physical activity category than controls (14.3% vs. 11.5% P = 0.08). However, there were no differences in the overall average MET min/week for walking between BE cases and controls (909 vs. 561; P = 0.16), with similar findings among those with moderate activity (1094 vs. 755, P = 0.18) or vigorous activity (784 vs. 826, P = 0.93). In multivariable logistic regression, physical activity level was not significantly associated with BE (OR = 1.19, 95% confidence interval: 0.82-1.73). Recent amount and intensity of physical activity are not associated with a reduction in the risk of BE. Studies are required to examine the long-term effects of physical activity.
Lipids of Debaryomyces hansenii

Merdinger, Emanuel (Roosevelt University, Chicago, Ill.), and Edward M. Devine, Jr. Lipids of Debaryomyces hansenii. J. Bacteriol. 89:1488–1493. 1965.—The separation of neutral lipids and phospholipids from the lipid extract of Debaryomyces hansenii NRRL Y-1448 was accomplished by using a single column packed with silicic acid. The neutral lipids comprised 67%, and the phospholipids 33%, of the total lipid extract. Qualitative and quantitative characterization of the lipids was effected by various analytical procedures. Gas chromatography of the fatty acid methyl esters showed 11 acids, of which 59.7% were unsaturated. The most abundant among the unsaturated acids was the monounsaturated C18 acid (50.1%). Among the saturated acids, palmitic acid (23.5%) prevailed. Ratios of fatty acid to glycerol, phosphorus to glycerol, and phosphorus to fatty acid were ascertained for combined cuts from the neutral lipids and the phospholipids. The presence of ergosterol, stigmasterol, and an unidentified sterol was established by gas chromatography. Also present were saturated hydrocarbons containing 16 to 39 carbon atoms, C22 being the most prevalent.
Unstructured grid optimization for improved monotonicity of discrete solutions of elliptic equations with highly anisotropic coefficients

Multipoint flux approximation (MPFA) techniques are commonly applied for discretizing the porous media flow equations within the context of finite volume numerical procedures. Although these methods can be applied to heterogeneous, anisotropic systems on generally unstructured grids, the inverse of the resulting linear operator can suffer from a loss of monotonicity at high permeability anisotropy ratios, resulting in spurious oscillations of the pressure solution. The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for optimizing unstructured grids in two and three dimensions such that the monotonicity behavior of the MPFA technique is significantly improved. The method employs anisotropic triangulation and can be readily combined with permeability upscaling procedures. Results are presented for a variety of examples and the technique is shown to perform well on problems involving complex grid point distributions and heterogeneous permeability fields with strong anisotropy ratios (of O(100)). Oscillation free pressure solutions are achieved in all cases considered, even for examples in which the original grid shows large oscillations.
Influence of wildfire severity on riparian plant community heterogeneity in an Idaho, USA wilderness

Abstract Despite the increasing recognition of riparian zones as important ecotones that link terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and of fire as a critical natural disturbance, much remains unknown regarding the influence of fire on stream-riparian ecosystems. To further this understanding, we evaluated the effects of mixed severity wildfire on riparian plant community structure and composition in headwater streams of the Big Creek Watershed of the Frank Church ‘River of No Return’ Wilderness of central Idaho. Five years after a large stand-replacing fire, we conducted riparian vegetation surveys at sixteen reaches across a range of burn types. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) and Multi-Response Permutation Procedure (MRPP) analyses showed an overall shift in community composition and structure between vegetation at unburned and severely burned reaches. Although total plant cover was significantly less at severely burned areas, recovery of the deciduous understory was apparent. Severely burned reaches were characterized by a marked increase in cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Reaches that were exposed to low-severity fire were indistinguishable from unburned reaches relative to vegetation community composition and structure, pointing to a possible disturbance threshold that may need to be crossed in order to alter riparian plant communities.
Assessment of cumulant-based approaches to harmonic retrieval

The authors answer the following questions regarding solving the harmonic retrieval problem using second- or fourth-order statistics: (1) How do cumulant-based results compare against correlation-based results?; (2) How robust are the cumulant-based methods to tones of different local SNRs?; (3) How close can the two tones be brought together before cumulant-based methods break down?; (4) Does one have to use a high-resolution method, such as MUSIC or Minimum Norm, or can the Pisarenko method be used?; and (5) What is the 'footprint' of success for the cumulant-based methods? Extensive simulations are used to provide the answers. >
Easy-First Chinese POS Tagging and Dependency Parsing

The easy-first non-directional dependency parser has demonstrated its ad vantage over transition based dependency parsers which parse sentences from left to right. This work investigates easy-first method on Chinese POS tagging, dependency parsing and j oint tagging and dependency parsing. In particular, we generalize the easy-first dependency parsing algorithm to a general framework and apply this framework to Chinese POS tagging and dependency parsing. We then propose the first joint tagging and dependency parsing algorithm under the easy-first framework. We train the joint model with both supervised objective an d additional loss which only relates to one of the individual tasks (either tagging or parsing). In this way, we can bias the joint model towards the preferred task. Experimental results show that bo th the tagger and the parser achieve state-of-the-art accuracy and runs fast . And our joint model achieves tagging accuracy of 94.27 which is the best result reported so far.
A study on the multidimensional information management capability of knowledge workers

Purpose – Drawing upon the extant literature from information systems (IS), information science, psychology, marketing, management, and IT training, the purpose of this paper is to propose information management capability (IMC) construct and its sub-dimensions. Design/methodology/approach – New instruments were developed and validated to measure the proposed IMC constructs. The proposed model was empirically tested using the data collected from 120 knowledge workers using SPSS and partial least square. Findings – This research proposes and confirms that IMC has formative sub-dimensions such as sensing, collecting, organizing, processing, and maintaining. Originality/value – The study findings provide important insights on enhancing knowledge workers’ information management practices and subsequent knowledge management practices. The new instruments can be used as diagnostic tools for knowledge workers’ recruiting, ongoing assessment, and training.
A segment method of chinese address information

It's a hot issue to eliminate approximately duplicated records in cleansing dirty data of data warehouse.Aiming at processing of Chinese address information,a segment mechanism based on the feature word is proposed.The meta-database of segment rules is established,and the feature word based segment algorithm is presented.The experiment results indicate that the segment time is invariable along with the data set growing.So this method can be used in detecting approximately duplicated records,but the detecting time will not increase.
The Real-Time MJO Monitoring and Prediction Operation in NCC

Based on a popular MJO monitoring method designed by Wheeler and Hendon,a real-time MJO monitoring index and associated computing method were designed,and then,an MJO monitoring and prediction operation system was built up in National Climate Center(NCC).The monitoring results from NCC are much consistent with that from the foreign operational departments(e.g.Australia Bureau of Meteorology).Monitoring results can give a relative good description of the MJO's intensity and propagation. The real-time MJO prediction operation is also set up using two statistical forecast models.Analysis on the prediction skill showed that two statistical methods give a skillful forecast within 15 days.Lag linear regression model(PCL) has better forecast skill than auto-regressive model(ARM).
Oral administration of an ethanolic extract of Hypericum gentianoides attenuates spontaneous colitis in mdr1a-/- mice

Background: Nutraceuticals (i.e., complementary and alternative medicines) are gaining ground as therapeutic modalities for inflammatory and autoimmune disorders due to their low toxicity and high patient compliance. Several species of Hypericum have been shown to possess immunomodulatory capabilities in many disease models; however, the therapeutic potential of the chemically unique Hypericum gentianoides (HG) is largely untested. We investigated the efficacy of an orally administered ethanolic extract of HG (HGEE) to prophylactically inhibit/ameliorate the spontaneous colitis that develops in mdr1a deficient (mdr1a -/- ) mice. Methods: Beginning at six weeks of age, vehicle (5% ethanol), HGEE (4.8 mg/day) or metronidazole (0.75 mg/mL) were orally administered daily to mdr1a -/- or FVB WT mice until they reached 20 weeks of age or had lost ≥ 15 % of their body weight. Macroscopic disease assessment included measurement of weight loss, colon shortening, and combined colonic/cecal macroscopic lesion scores. Colonic/cecal inflammation was also scored histologically. Inflammatory responses were assessed using myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay and analysis of serum cytokines/chemokines. Results: Daily administration of HGEE significantly (p < 0.05) delayed the onset of clinical signs of disease, reduced the associated morbidity and attenuated macroscopic and microscopic disease/inflammatory scores in mdr1a -/- mice. After 14 weeks of treatment, there were no adverse macroscopic or microscopic effects observed following the daily administration of HGEE to wild type FVB mice. Histological evaluation of colonic tissue revealed a decrease in neutrophil infiltration in HGEE treated mdr1a -/- mice, which was substantiated by a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in colonic MPO activity. Compared to vehicle treated mdr1a -/- mice, levels of G-CSF, KC, and TNFα were significantly lower in the serum of mdr1a -/- mice treated with HGEE. Conclusions: Oral administration of HGEE was shown to be safe and effectively ameliorated mucosal inflammation and disease severity in mdr1a -/- mice. The attenuation of mucosal inflammation correlated with a reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the recruitment of inflammatory granulocytes to the intestinal mucosa and suggests that extracts of H. gentianoides has potential to be used as a CAM product for mucosal inflammation. Keywords: Hypericum gentianoides , colitis, IBD, mdr1a deficient mice, botanical
Theoretical Rovibronic Treatment of the X̃ (2)Σ(+) and Ã (2)Π States of C2H and the X̃ (1)Σ(+) State of C2H(-) from Quartic Force Fields

Quartic force fields (QFFs) have been shown to be an effective ab initio tool for the generation of highly accurate anharmonic spectroscopic data but have only recently been extended to the description of electronically excited states using equation-of-motion (EOM) coupled cluster theory. In this study, rovibrational data are provided for the X (2)Σ(+) ground state of the ethynyl radical as well as the X (1)Σ(+) ground state of the acetylide anion using traditional QFF methods in conjunction with the new EOM-based QFF method to describe the ethynyl radical's A (2)Π excited state. These data sets include fundamental vibrational frequencies, rotational constants, and vibrationally averaged structures in addition to other spectroscopic constants. An anticipated theoretical correction (ATC) is shown to be an effective way of improving the accuracy of the fundamental modes of the ethynyl radical's A (2)Π electronically excited state, lowering the frequencies from 2 to 9%. The anharmonic fundamental vibrational frequencies of A (2)Π C2H are reported to be ν2 = 538.0 cm(-1) (bend), ν3 = 1832.2 cm(-1) (C-C stretch), and ν1 = 3008.1 cm(-1) (C-H stretch). These A (2)Π frequencies match closely to predicted transitions from previous theoretical work as well as observed transitions from matrix isolation results. Electron binding energies for the X (2)Σ(+) C2H ← X (1)Σ(+) C2H(-) and A (2)Π C2H ← X (1)Σ(+) C2H(-) transitions are found to be 2.975 and 3.4 eV, respectively. Spectroscopic data are also provided for the (13)C and deuterated isotopologues of X (2)Σ(+) C2H, A (2)Π C2H, and X (1)Σ(+) C2H(-).
A Probable Chiricahua Apache Burial from Southeastern Arizona

ABSTRACTA human skeleton, a metal knife, gourd vessel, yucca cordage and a small fragment of cloth from a rock shelter in the Chiricahua Mountains are carefully described. In light of archaeological, historical and ethnographic data, cultural and temporal affinities are posited for each of the objects, and the assemblage as a whole is tentatively identified as a Chiricahua Apache burial dating about A.D. 1800.
Millimeter-sized graphene quantum hall devices for resistance standards

We present a repeatable process to produce millimeter-sized graphene device for quantum Hall resistance (QHR) standard. Our large-area, homogeneous monolayer graphene is grown on silicon carbide (SiC) substrate at high temperature by an optimized epitaxial method. Well-developed quantum Hall plateaus have been observed in devices fabricated from samples annealed at 1900 oC by a clean lithography process. Metrological accuracy of better than 5 × 10−9 has been observed in a 27 mm2, octagonal device at a record current level of 0.72 mA for temperatures between 1.6 K and 3.1 K.
Solvent effects in the development of a drug delivery system for 5-fluorouracil using magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Abstract 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer drug, was loaded into magnetic iron oxide/mesoporous silica nanocomposites (m-MCM-41) with and without aminopropyl functionalization using three different solvents (water, water/acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide). The parent and the drug-loaded samples were characterized using physicochemical techniques, such as powder X-Ray diffraction (pXRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy techniques were used to obtain molecular level insights into the loading of 5-FU into m-MCM-41 with different solvents and surface functionalization. The loading and release characteristics of 5-FU from m-MCM-41 depended on the solvent polarity and the surface functionalization of the host. The chemical insights provided by this study can be used in the future design and development of magnetic mesoporous silica nanocomposites for theranostic applications.
Energy cost optimization for geographically distributed heterogeneous data centers

The proliferation of distributed data centers has recently motivated researchers to study energy cost minimization at the geo-distributed level. Researchers have been using models for time-of-use (TOU) electricity pricing and renewable energy sources to help reduce energy costs when performing geographical workload distribution, but have made oversimplifying assumptions at the data center level. Important considerations such as the thermal, power, and co-location interference effects within each data center have a large impact on the performance of workload management techniques. By designing three techniques that possess varying amounts of knowledge of such information, we compare and quantify the benefits of considering detailed models at the data center level, and demonstrate that our best heuristic can on average achieve a cost reduction of 37% compared to state of the art prior work.
Health-related quality of life in patients receiving long-term opioid therapy: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Over 25 million Americans reported having daily pain and between 5 and 8 million Americans used opioids to treat chronic pain in 2012. This is the first systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the effects of long-term opioid use on the Physical Component Summary (PCS) score and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores of a Health-Related Quality of Life instrument in adults without opioid use disorder. The a priori eligibility criteria for the PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and PsyINFO searches were (1) randomized controlled trial, (2) at least one opioid intervention group, (3) minimum of 4-week duration of opioid use, (4) comparative control group, and (5) adults ≥18 years that do not have dominant disease. The unit of analysis was the standardized mean difference effect size (Hedges’s g). All results were pooled using random-effects models. Of the 340 non-duplicate citations screened, 19 articles comprising 26 treatment comparisons and 6168 individuals (treatment n = 3160; comparators n = 3008 with duplicates removed) met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Thirteen treatment comparisons were available for the meta-analysis. Across all PCS analyses, small, statistically significant improvements were observed (opioid versus opioid only: g = 0.27, 95% CI 0.05–0.50, opioid versus placebo only: g = 0.18, 95% CI 0.08–0.28, and all studies combined: g = 0.22, 95% CI 0.11–0.32). There were small but not statistically significant changes on the MCS scores. Overall, high heterogeneity was present. PCS scores improve with no change in MCS scores. However, long-term opioid trials are rare and only two trials included lasted longer than 1 year.
Emotional processes in risky and multiattribute health decisions.

Objective: Here, we develop an integrative account of the roles of emotion in decision-making. In Part I, we illustrate how emotional inputs into decisions may rely on physiological signals from emotions experienced while making the decision, and we review evidence suggesting that the failure to represent the emotional meaning of options can often reduce decision quality. We propose that health-related decrements in the ability to generate emotional reactions lead people to inaccurately represent emotional responses and compromise decisions, particularly about risk. Part II explores complex decisions in which choice options involve trade-offs between positive and negative attributes. We first review evidence showing that difficult trade-off decisions generate negative affect and physiological arousal. Next, we propose that medical decision-making will be linked to short- and long-term stress and health outcomes.Conclusion: In sum, this article proposes and reviews initial evidence supporting the effective...
Disidentification and Ingenuity in the Sex Lives of Disabled Men

Masculine authority is so inextricably linked to phallic sexual prowess that disability and masculinity seem oxymoronic. Despite the appearance of incongruity, there are many ways in which masculinity and disability work together in a patriarchal context. Managing disability can be constructed as a badge of courage, aligned with Western hegemonic masculinity that emphasise toughness and strength. In addition, receiving care from a partner is not necessarily a violation of patriarchal norms. Drawing on autobiography, autoethnography, and interviews with disabled men, this chapter explores ways disabled men negotiate patriarchal masculinity in intimate relationships. I argue that disabled men’s awareness and active interrogation of masculinity—even as they perform many aspects of hegemonic masculinity—enacts what Jose Esteban Munoz calls 'disidentification,' a mode of identity expression that simultaneously works with and against dominant ideology. Disabled men create new understandings of pleasure for themselves and their partners when available options are too narrow.
Mitigating IoT-based Cyberattacks on the Smart Grid

The impact of cybersecurity attacks on the Smart Grid may cause cyber as well as physical damages, as clearly shown in the recent attacks on the power grid in Ukraine where consumers were left without power. A set of recent successful Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks on the Internet, facilitated by the proliferation of the Internet-of-Things powered botnets, shows that it is just a matter of time before the Smart Grid, as one of the most attractive critical infrastructure systems, becomes the target and likely victim of similar attacks, potentially leaving catastrophic disruption of power service to millions of people. It is in this context that we propose a scalable mitigation approach, referred to as Minimally Invasive Attack Mitigation via Detection Isolation and Localization (MIAMI-DIL), under a hierarchical data collection infrastructure. We provide a proofof- concept by means of simulations which show the efficacy and scalability of the proposed approach.
Experimental results on the elevated temperature tensile response of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix notched composites

Abstract Results from a series of experimental studies on the elevated temperature response of notched SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites are presented. SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite notched specimens were subjected to quasi-static monotonic tensile loading at room and, 1093 ∘ C , 1204 ∘ C , and 1316 ∘ C temperature. Full field digital image correlation was employed to investigate failure of the specimens, most likely emanating from the notch. The effectiveness of a novel DIC technique at temperatures of up to 1316 ∘ C is also demonstrated. Strength measurements and differences in crack initiation and propagation are discussed.
Mechanisms of power dissipation in piezoelectric fans and their correlation with convective heat transfer performance

Abstract Piezoelectric fans offer an intriguing alternative to conventional rotary fans for thermal management of portable and wearable electronics due to their scalability, low power consumption and simple mechanical construct. We report a combined experimental and modeling study to help elucidate power dissipation mechanisms in piezoelectric fans. To analyze contributions from these different mechanisms, mathematical models that account for mechanical hysteresis, dielectric loss and viscous damping from generated air flows are used in conjunction with vibration amplitudes and power consumption data obtained experimentally from piezoelectric fans of different blade lengths, thicknesses and mass distributions. In parallel, we perform experiments on convective heat transfer coefficients and aerodynamic forces acting on surfaces that are oriented perpendicular with respect to fan-induced air flows. These experiments establish that the portion of power dissipation ascribed to air flows correlates well with the heat transfer performance and aerodynamic force. A power ratio, defined as the fraction of the air flow power to the total power dissipation, is then proposed as a useful indicator of the power efficiency of the piezoelectric fans. We show that the power efficiency exhibits a peak at a particular bias voltage amplitude, and provide a guideline to determine this optimum voltage. Lastly, we relate the air flow power to the blade’s geometrical parameters to facilitate systematic optimization of the blades for both cooling performance and power efficiency.
Evaluation of MITF, SOX10, MART-1, and R21 Immunostaining for the Diagnosis of Residual Melanoma In Situ on Chronically Sun-Damaged Skin.

BACKGROUNDMelanocytic immunostains can assist in margin evaluation of melanoma in situ (MIS) excisions; however, their accuracy and reliability relative to hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) is yet to be determined.OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and concord
Analytical error bars and RSD for neutron multiplicity counting

Abstract This paper derives the standard deviation of the moments of neutron multiplicity distributions for both random and (shift register) triggered counting gates by propagating the multinomial distribution of errors in the counting distribution. Exact and approximate analytical formulas for the singles, doubles, and triples error bars are given along with the corresponding RSD (relative standard deviation). These analytical formulas provide a simple way to analyze and predict error bars without needing empirical data or simulations. The comparison of these analytical error bars to actual measurement errors can reveal systematic errors that are not being accounted for in the modeling of the data.
The consequences for Argentina of alternative US and Argentine trade and agricultural policies

Argentine farmers operate in a complex, unstable and generally adverse policy environment. The study develops a model that reflects the policy and world market environment faced by Argentine agricultural producers. The model is used to investigate the effects of the U.S. Food Security Act of 1985 on Argentine agriculture, as well as the consequences of possible policy responses by the Artentine government;Argentine commodity prices are linked to U.S. prices via a multi-tiered price transmission process. Export tax rates are endogenized, and are shown to be positively related to world market prices and Argentine inflation rates. Domestic marketing margins are also positively related to world commodity prices, so that the price transmission elasticity between U.S. prices and Argentine producer prices is less than one;For four major crops, total area harvested is related to real returns to crop production and the size of the cattle herd. Crop area shares are determined by relative real rates of return. Short-run own-price supply elasticities range from 0.39 to 0.71, while long-run elasticities are much larger. For the major crop commodities, the model also determines domestic use, ending stocks, and net trade. The model incorporates a simplified livestock sector, and computes a variety of sectoral aggregates;Model results indicate that the lower world prices resulting from the U.S. Food Security Act of 1985 resulted in significant reductions in crop production and reduced export revenue by more than 1.0 billion per year. Devaluing the Argentine currency and eliminating export taxes are two possible policy responses that would offset some of the effects of the U.S. legislation on the agricultural sector. However, a devaluation would likely spur domestic inflation, and eliminating export taxes would reduce government revenues.
Role of contact and soluble factors in the growth and differentiation of B cells by helper T cells.

Antigen-specific, class II-restricted interactions have been repeatedly shown to be essential in the initiation of humoral immunity. In addition to TCR, and CD4, other Th molecules, like CD28, ICAM-I, LFA-I and B7 subserve co-stimulatory functions (Fig. I).
Observation of strong spin valve effect in bulk Ca3(Ru1-xCrx)2O7.

The spin-valve effect is a quantum phenomenon so far only realized in multilayer thin films or heterostructures. Here we report a strong spin-valve effect existing in bulk single crystals of ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{3}({\mathrm{Ru}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{x}{)}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ having an anisotropic, bilayered crystal structure. This discovery opens new avenues to understand the underlying physics of spin valves, and fully realize its potential in practical devices.
Oxalate, glycolate, glycerate, sulfate, and citrate

Measurement of oxalate in urine is important for diagnosis of primary hyperoxaluria and the secondary forms resulting from excessive intake or abnormal intestinal absorption of oxalate. Determination of glycolic acid is essential for diagnosis of primary hyperoxaluria type I (PH I), caused by low or absent activity of the liver-specific peroxisomal alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase. Primary hyperoxaluria type II (PH II) is caused by low or absent activity D-glycerate dehydrogenase and hydroxypyruvate reductase activity, leading to elevated urinary excretion of both oxalate and L-glyceric acid. Ion chromatography HPLC is the method of choice the quantification of oxalate, glycolate, and glycerate and use of urinary filter spots is a practical alternative approach for the collection and safe transport of samples to be analyzed for many metabolic disorders.
The Supernatural In Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights

This essay explores the supernatural themes in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. It includes a brief overview of spiritualism, a popular movement at the time when the Bronte's were publishing, and through literary analysis discusses how spiritualism might have affected the Bronte's writing.
Neuromuscular Blocking Agents and Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Abstract The Side Effects of Drugs is an yearly update in which the adverse effects of drugs and adverse reactions to them are surveyed. The series supplements the contents of Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs: The International Encyclopedia of Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions. Adverse effects are associated with all medications. This review includes reports from January 2015 to December 2017 publications. The following literature reflects adverse effects associated with neuromuscular blockers and skeletal muscle relaxants. This report is an update from previous volumes of Side Effects of Drug Annual.
Publishing Economic History

Most scientific texts are written for the purpose of publication, and most authors prefer publication in prestigious peer-reviewed outlets. Written by the editor of a leading journal in economic history, this chapter discusses how a compelling question, clear analysis and description, original and persuasive insights, and efforts to relate the findings to existing and future research form the key elements of successful studies that are published well.
Implementing Recommended Long Term Follow up Screening and Preventive Practices in an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Survivorship Clinic

The number of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors is projected to increase and guidelines for screening and management of late effects have been established. Although the value of a systematic process for the long-term care of HCT survivors and screening of late effects is increasingly recognized, best practices for the implementation of survivorship care delivery has not been well described. In October 2016, we established a Survivorship Clinic for allogeneic HCT recipients in our Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program. A consultative model aimed to augment care provided by the patient's primary transplant and primary care physician was felt to best fit our program's needs. Patients (pts) are seen by a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and social worker (SW) at day 100 and 1 year visits. Visits include a comprehensive history and physical, symptom assessment, and graft-versus-host disease evaluation, as well as review and provision of a treatment summary and care plan. 1-year recommended assessments include: bone density scan, vitamin D, TSH, lipid panel, HbA1c, Ferritin, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), ophthalmic exam, and mammogram and pelvic exam (women). We performed a formal review of follow up with recommended screening guidelines among pts seen in our Survivorship Clinic from 2016-2018. Since its establishment, 161 pts received allogeneic HCT in our Program, of whom 131 pts have been seen at day 100 and 42 have been seen at 1-year. Patients not seen at day 100 were due to relapse, death or acute illness where they were not able to attend the clinic visit. Among pts seen at day 100 but not at 1 year, 7 were international, 2 were deferred due to relapse, 12 died prior to one year follow up, one transferred care to another facility and 67 have not reached their 1-year follow up. Of 42 pts seen at 1 year, all have received a complete treatment summary and care plan at both day 100 and 1 year. 35 pts had an evaluation and follow up with their transplant SW for psychosocial assessment. 41 pts had a bone density scan completed. All 42 pts completed a screening TSH, vitamin D, lipid panel, HbA1c, Ferritin, and PFTs. 36 saw ophthalmology for a yearly exam. Of the 20 women seen at 1 year, all 20 had mammograms done and 19 had gynecologic exams. In summary, this review of our NP run BMT survivorship clinic demonstrates feasibility and a high rate of adherence to recommended late effects screening practices for HCT survivors. As the survivorship program continues to grow, further integration of patient-reported outcomes and interventional research on late effects to improve the well-being of long-term survivors is planned.
Mixed-Layer Growth in Stratified Fluids

An experimental study of the growth of a shear-free turbulent mixed layer in a density-stratified fluid is described. Investigations included both linearly stratified and two-fluid systems and the results show an entrainment law (i.e., the relationship between the entrainment coefficient E and the Richardson number Ri) of the form E ~ Ri−7/4. The results also were in agreement with an earlier theoretical formulation of Long (1978a).
Digoxin effect in mortality associated to right ventricular dysfunction in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Background and Introduction: the use of digoxin in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension is limited. Some studies show slight increases in cardiac output, but others do not find any benefit on survival. Purpose: to determine if the use of digoxin in pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with right ventricular dysfunction is associated with a reduction in mortality. Methods: this was a retrospective cohort study of patients who attended our department between 1984 and 2016. Survival analysis was made with Kaplan Meier curves and significance with logarithmic range test. Multivariate analysis was based on Cox proportional hazard model. Results: a total of 275 patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension were analyzed. Monotherapy (63.66%) was predominantly with sildenafil in 40.36% (111 patients) followed by digoxin in 75 patients (24%). There was a follow up of 37 years. Mean survival was 24.27 years (IC: 14.7-26.9), with a total of 64 deaths. The use of digoxin did not showed any benefit on survival. Mortality rate was 44.6 deaths /1000 patients without significant statistics (Log-Rank, p = 0.08 and Wilcoxon, p = 0.08) even in patients with heart failure (p = 0.87) Conclusions: there is no benefit on survival with the long term use of digoxin, except for rehospitalization and functional class.
Full Bottom Dielectric Isolation to Enable Stacked Nanosheet Transistor for Low Power and High Performance Applications

In this paper, full bottom dielectric isolation (BDI) is first demonstrated on horizontally stacked Nanosheet device structures with Lmetal 12 nm. The comparison of full BDI scheme vs punch through stopper (PTS) scheme has been systematically studied. By comparing off-state leakage current, short channel behavior and effective capacitance (Ceff) for both schemes, we show that BDI could potentially provide: 1) good immunity of sub-channel leakage due to process variation (from parasitic "fat-Fin" which is unique in Nanosheet structure); 2) power-performance co-optimization.
Depth-dependent soil mixing persists across climate zones

Soil mixing over long (>102 y) timescales enhances nutrient fluxes that support soil ecology, contributes to dispersion of sediment and contaminated material, and modulates fluxes of carbon through Earth's largest terrestrial carbon reservoir. Despite its foundational importance, we lack robust understanding of the rates and patterns of soil mixing, largely due to a lack of long-timescale data. Here we demonstrate that luminescence, a light-sensitive property of minerals used for geologic dating, can be used as a long-timescale sediment tracer in soils to reveal the structure of soil mixing. We develop a probabilistic model of transport and mixing of tracer particles and associated luminescence in soils and compare with a global compilation of luminescence versus depth in various locations. The model-data comparison reveals that soil mixing rate varies over the soil depth, with this depth dependency persisting across climate and ecological zones. The depth dependency is consistent with a model in which mixing intensity decreases linearly or exponentially with depth, although our data do not resolve between these cases. Our findings support the long-suspected idea that depth-dependent mixing is a spatially and temporally persistent feature of soils. Evidence for a climate control on the patterns and intensities of soil mixing with depth remains elusive and requires the further study of soil mixing processes.
Taper fretting corrosion with Stryker Anato stem after hip replacement.

Abstract We report a case of head-neck taper fretting corrosion in a patient who had a total hip replacement with a noncemented Stryker Anato femoral stem and a V40 metal head with a Stryker Tritanium hemispherical socket with a highly cross-linked polyethylene liner (metal on polyethylene) (Stryker, Mahwah, NJ, USA). A 57-year-old man presented with early-onset hip pain after right total hip arthroplasty. Workup was negative for infection. Metal artifact reduction sequence MRI revealed an encapsulated fluid mass. Metal ion cobalt level was elevated at 6 ppb. The patient underwent right revision total hip arthroplasty with excellent results at 1-year follow-up.
Actin and an unconventional myosin motor, TgMyoF, control the organization and dynamics of the endomembrane network in Toxoplasma gondii.

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that relies on three distinct secretory organelles, the micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules, for parasite survival and disease pathogenesis. Secretory proteins destined for these organelles are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and sequentially trafficked through a highly polarized endomembrane network that consists of the Golgi and multiple post-Golgi compartments. Currently, little is known about how the parasite cytoskeleton controls the positioning of the organelles in this pathway, or how vesicular cargo is trafficked between organelles. Here we show that F-actin and an unconventional myosin motor, TgMyoF, control the dynamics and organization of the organelles in the secretory pathway, specifically ER tubule movement, apical positioning of the Golgi and post-Golgi compartments, apical positioning of the rhoptries and finally, the directed transport of Rab6-positive and Rop1-positive vesicles. Thus, this study identifies TgMyoF and actin as the key cytoskeletal components that organize the endomembrane system in T. gondii. Author Summary Endomembrane trafficking is a vital cellular process in all eukaryotic cells. In most cases the molecular motors myosin, kinesin and dynein transport cargo including vesicles, organelles and transcripts along actin and microtubule filaments in a manner analogous to a train moving on its tracks. For the unicellular eukaryote Toxoplasma gondii, the accurate trafficking of proteins through the endomembrane system is vital for parasite survival and pathogenicity. However, the mechanisms of cargo transport in this parasite are poorly understood. In this study, we fluorescently labeled multiple endomembrane organelles and imaged their movements using live cell microscopy. We demonstrate that filamentous actin and an unconventional myosin motor named TgMyoF control both the positioning of organelles in this pathway and the movement of transport vesicles throughout the parasite cytosol. This data provides new insight into the mechanisms of cargo transport in this important pathogen and expands are understanding of the biological roles of actin in the intracellular phase of the parasite’s growth cycle.