cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Highly integrated, re-configurable RF front-ends in deep sub-micron CMOS: (with an example of a WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/EDGE receiver without inter-stage SAW filter)

Various RF bands, standards, modulation schemes, duplex mechanisms and signal bandwidths needed for the mobile terminal call for a highly adaptable and reconfigurable RF receiver. The biggest bottleneck in achieving this goal lies with the RF pre-select filter at the antenna, which is band specific and creates a bottleneck in being able to share the hardware. Solving this multi-band programmability is the biggest challenge in achieving a RF Receiver for software defined radio. A few of the possible architectures and their limitations are presented. However, designing a multi-mode RF receiver for a given RF band with highly reconfigurable performance is an achievable goal. A WCDMA/EDGE receiver without inter-stage SAW filter in 90nm digital CMOS is used as an example in illustrating the architecture, circuit and system considerations for such a receiver.
Reaction rates in ultrasonic emulsions of dense carbon dioxide and water

Power ultrasound provides a surfactant-free means of emulsifying dense near-critical carbon dioxide and water. Droplet size distributions and volume fractions of the dispersed phases have been measured for acoustically formed emulsions. Hydrolysis rates were measured for a series of 7 benzoyl halides under both silent, phase-separated conditions and for sonicated, emulsified conditions (30°C, 80 bar, 0.6 W/cm3, 20 kHz). Sonication always accelerated the overall hydrolysis rate, sometimes by as much as 200-fold. Two physical models were developed to describe global kinetics: one for silent and one for sonicated conditions. The model for silent conditions agreed well with the available data set and suggested conditions under which reaction in the carbon dioxide phase (rather than the water phase) might become important. The model for sonicated conditions properly captured the trends in the data set and predicted the experimental results to within a factor of 2 in the worst case. Our analysis strongly suggests that ultrasound accelerates phase-transfer reactions by increasing the water/carbon dioxide interfacial area. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Why I don't have a living will.

For a dozen years, my clinical practice has been largely with dying patients, my academic pursuits have focused on medical ethics, and my public service has been mostly at the interface of medicine and law. One would think that I would have “done the right thing” long ago and signed a living will. I have not. This essay is meant to illuminate my reasons. Some of my reasons may apply to others, and I will also mention some concerns that affect others but not me. However, I do not oppose the growth and development of advance directives. Rather, I hope to open the public and professional discussion of how to make decisions for incompetent adults in order to include more varieties of formal and informal advance directives and to force policy-makers to consider how to make decisions for incompetent adults who have no advance directives. As a physician, I do use advance directives, both formal and informal, with many patients in all of my clinical settings.
Global control of linear systems with saturating actuators

This paper deals with the design of linear systems with saturating actuators where the actuator limitations have to be incorporated a priori into control design. We develop a scheduled low-and-high gain design technique to solve several central control problems for such systems. These problems include: global asymptotic stabilization, global input-additive disturbance rejection, and robust global asymptotic stabilization and robust global disturbance rejection in the presence of matched nonlinear uncertainties.
A learning law for density estimation

Probability density functions are estimated by an exponential family of densities based on multilayer feedforward networks. The role of the multilayer feedforward networks, in the proposed estimator, is to approximate the logarithm of the probability density functions. The method of maximum likelihood is used, as the main contribution, to derive an unsupervised backpropagation learning law to estimate the probability density functions. Computer simulation results demonstrating the use of the derived learning law are presented. >
High Aspect Ratio Carbon Nanotube Membranes Decorated with Pt Nanoparticle Urchins for Micro Underwater Vehicle Propulsion via H2O2 Decomposition.

The utility of unmanned micro underwater vehicles (MUVs) is paramount for exploring confined spaces, but their spatial agility is often impaired when maneuvers require burst-propulsion. Herein we develop high-aspect ratio (150:1), multiwalled carbon nanotube microarray membranes (CNT-MMs) for propulsive, MUV thrust generation by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The CNT-MMs are grown via chemical vapor deposition with diamond shaped pores (nominal diagonal dimensions of 4.5 × 9.0 μm) and subsequently decorated with urchin-like, platinum (Pt) nanoparticles via a facile, electroless, chemical deposition process. The Pt-CNT-MMs display robust, high catalytic ability with an effective activation energy of 26.96 kJ mol–1 capable of producing a thrust of 0.209 ± 0.049 N from 50% [w/w] H2O2 decomposition within a compact reaction chamber of eight Pt-CNT-MMs in series.
Sustained stimulation of vasopressin and oxytocin release by ATP and phenylephrine requires recruitment of desensitization-resistant P2X purinergic receptors

Coexposure of hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system explants to ATP and phenylephrine [PE; an α1-adrenergic receptor (α1-AR) agonist] induces an extended elevation in vasopressin and oxytocin (VP/OT)...
Multiphoton ionization: a Monte Carlo treatment of a classical hydrogen atom in a classical electromagnetic field

The classical Hamiltonian equation of motion for a hydrogen atom subject to a time-varying intense electromagnetic wave is nonconservative. This allows for absorption of radiation by the atomic electrons and hence for their photoionization. This fact is used to investigate the classical description of the multiphoton ionization process and its dependence on the irradiance and polarization of the electromagnetic radiation. Differences between the classical and quantum-mechanical results are discussed. Differences between the present treatment and previous classical methods are contrasted and emphasized. Above-threshold ionization is seen. Electron angular distributions are given.
De)Composition of Situation Calculus Theories

We show that designing large situation calculus theories can be simplified by using object-oriented techniques and tools together with established solutions to the frame problem. Situation calculus (McCarthy & Hayes 1969) is one of the leading logical representations for action and change, but large situation calculus theories are not easy to design and maintain, nor are they flexible for extension or reuse. However, we wish to use it to represent large, complex domains. To address this problem, we apply our proposed methodology to situation calculus theories and analyze the composition of theories in this light. The object-oriented tools that we use do not change the semantics of situation calculus, so all the original situation calculus results apply in our setting and vice versa. We get two additional results from this approach. First, we offer a new treatment of loosely interacting agents that uses situation calculus without abandoning the result formalism. This treatment allows a theory-builder to construct a theory without considering its potential inclusion in a multiple-agents setup. Second, theories that we build in this way admit specialized reasoning algorithms.
The Critical Role of Mechanical Forces in Blood Vessel Development, Physiology and Pathology

The following extended abstracts were presented at the Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease Conference, Movers and Shakers in the Vascular Tree-Hemodynamic and Biomechanical Factors in Blood Vessel Pathology, sponsored by The Lifeline Foundation and the Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology Research and Educational Foundation; jointly sponsored by the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, North American Chapter, The Society for Vascular Surgery, and The Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology; in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health-National Heart, Lung &Blood Institute on Mar 11-12, 1999, in Bethesda, Md.
Therapeutic occupation: a definition

This article builds on prior work and defines terms basic to the profession of occupational therapy. The prior work defined occupation as the relationship between occupational form and occupational performance and defined related terms, such as meaning, purpose, developmental structure, impact, and adaptation. This article shows how these terms relate to therapeutic occupation, a special type of occupation. Therapeutic occupation through occupational synthesis is the core of occupational therapy. Occupational synthesis is the design of the occupational form by the occupational therapist in collaboration with the recipient of services to advance therapeutic evaluation or achieve a therapeutic goal. Therapeutic occupation, then, is meaningful, purposeful occupational performance leading to assessment, adaptation, and compensation, all in the context of occupational synthesis. Finally, the idea of therapeutic occupation through occupational synthesis is related to frames of reference and models of practice in occupational therapy today.
An evaluation of the American College of Surgeons' ultrasound education program.

Abstract Background Ultrasound has a wide variety of applications in surgery, but until recently few surgeons received any formal training in its’ use. To facilitate incorporation of ultrasound into surgical practice, the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) developed an ultrasound educational program. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the ACoS ultrasound education program. Methods A survey was mailed to all surgeons who had completed at least one of several ultrasound courses offered by the ACoS from 1998 to 2002. Results A total of 1,791 surveys were mailed out and 873 completed surveys were returned. Sixty-five percent (576) of respondents reported using ultrasound in their practices after these educational courses. Of those performing ultrasound examinations, 267 did so in one clinical area and 309 in more than one. The most common examination was breast (369 surgeons); vascular, acute/trauma, abdominal, intraoperative/laparoscopic, and head/neck were utilized fairly equally (100–200 surgeons). The number of examinations performed by surgeons before they felt competent was between 11 and 20 and did not vary by the type of ultrasound examination. Of the 267 surgeons performing ultrasound in one clinical area, 176 performed ultrasound-guided procedures. Most surgeons had access to 2 ultrasound machines, but 386 (67%) were restricted from performing ultrasound in certain locations. Conclusions The ACoS ultrasound courses are extremely popular and have contributed to the increasing use of ultrasound in surgical practice. Surgeons successfully use ultrasound in their practices including performance of ultrasound-guided procedures but are restricted from using ultrasound in certain patient care areas. Since many surgeons received prior and/or additional training outside of the ACoS, there is a need to facilitate export of ACoS courses to other venues and to focus on incorporating ultrasound training into surgical residency programs.
Product development resource allocation with foresight

Shortening project duration is critical to product development project success in many industries. As a primary driver of progress and an effective management tool, resource allocation among development activities can strongly influence project duration. Effective allocation is difficult due to the inherent closed loop flow of development work and the dynamic demand patterns of work backlogs. The Resource Allocation Policy Matrix is proposed as a means of describing resource allocation policies in dynamic systems. Simple system dynamics and control theoretic models of resource allocation in a product development context are developed. The control theory model is used to specify a foresighted policy, which is tested with the system dynamics model. The benefits of foresight are found to reduce with increasing complexity. Process concurrence is found to potentially reverse the impact of foresight on project duration. The model structure is used to explain these results and future research topics are discussed. 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Qooqle: search with speech, gesture, and social media

Qooqle is a mobile-based system that frees people from the confines of search boxes by integrating digital information directly into their everyday activities. By allowing casual expressions through speech and gesture with mobile phones, Qooqle's multi-modal user interface enables people to engage with one another while accessing the information world more naturally. Through the analysis of social media data, Qooqle retrieves relevant information to the users based upon the physical world context they are situated in. Combining mobile, cloud computing, and social media, Qooqle draws people closer to computing and makes computers less visible. The Qooqle system uses Speech Recognition and Gesture Recognition to achieve its natural user interface. It uses Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, and other Data Mining techniques to search through people's speech and gestures in the physical world as well as their online social media data for relevant information retrieval.
A new species and conservation status of Schindleria (Phytolaccaceae) from Peru

ABSTRACT Schindleria (Phytolaccaceae) is a small genus of only three species from Peru and Bolivia. Routine identification of recent Peruvian collections has revealed a new species. Schindleria tomentosa Ricketson is described and illustrated, and its conservation status (CRB1D) and phylogenetic relationships are discussed. In addition, three synonyms are lectotypified (Rivina densiflora Kuntze var. flavida Kuntze, S. weberbaueri O. C. Schmidt, and S. glabra H. Walter), and a fourth synonym (Villamilla rosea) is deemed illegitimate.
Transitions Into Food Insecurity Associated With Behavioral Problems And Worse Overall Health Among Children

Children living in food-insecure households face myriad challenges to their well-being. The Great Recession of December 2007-June 2009 increased food insecurity to the highest levels ever measured in the United States. Using nationally representative data from the period 2010-12 for 6,300 children in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-11, with household incomes below 300 percent of the federal poverty level and a dynamic measure of food insecurity transitions, we assessed the impact of transitions into and out of household food insecurity on the academic achievement, behavioral problems, and health status of young children. We found negligible impacts of food insecurity transitions on academic achievement in first grade. However, we found consistent negative impacts of the transitions on teachers' reports of children's externalizing behaviors, self-control, and interpersonal skills and on parents' reports of children's overall health status. Taken together, our findings underline the importance of food security for children's healthy development.
Editorial: Leading People – Managing Organizations: Contemporary Public Health Leadership

Effectively leading people engaged in the practice of public health has never been more critical than in the early years of the twenty-first century. Likewise, effectively managing the organizations in which these individuals practice the various professional disciplines of public health has become increasing important and difficult. Taken together, leading the people and managing public health organizations requires well educated and appropriately trained public health leaders and managers. Although leadership is often viewed as one of the key attributes of management, not every great manager will be a great leader and vice versa. While some leaders may be born with the inherent skills to lead, most effective leaders develop the requisite skills through education, additional training, and practice. Our aim is to focus the attention of public health practitioners on the importance of effectively leading public health organizations. Public health managers should recognize that their most valuable resource is the people they lead. The articles comprising the eBook on Leading People – Managing Organizations is composed of articles expressing the opinion of their authors of the need for effective public health leaders; perspective articles establishing their authors’ understanding of how leadership may be applied in various situations; methods articles that demonstrate how public health leadership may be applied, and original research articles that establish the role of public health leadership research studies.
Motives of Criminal Captive-takers: A Preliminary Investigation

Objective: Captive-taking is a significant problem that faces the law enforcement, military, intelligence, and general population communities. To date no research has been found that focuses specifically on the motives of captive-takers identified by the perpetrators themselves. In addition, a significant problem in the available literature is a lack of standardized research methods applied to these offender investigations. Therefore, rendering comparisons across these studies becomes difficult, and the applicability to other specific offender groups impossible. Method: The sample included seven individuals convicted of captive-taking. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews that were developed using Perpetrator-Motive Research Design. Data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research (CQR). Results: Analyses of the transcripts revealed 59 domains that were further broken into 23 micro-motives that relate to the participants’ cognitions, affect, behavior, and environmental influences on their criminal behaviors. Conclusion: Results support several leading theories of crime, including general strain theory, social control theory, and moral disengagement. Implications for psychologists who consult with and assist government agencies, including those involved with law enforcement and crisis negotiation teams are presented. For example, results have important implications for psychologists engaged with crisis (hostage) negotiation units by providing common themes and motives of captive-takers.
Recent Strategies for Improving the Catalytic Activity of 2D TMD Nanosheets Toward the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanosheets have emerged as a fascinating new class of materials for catalysis. These nanosheets are active for several important catalysis reactions including hydrogen evolution from water. The rich chemistry of TMDs combined with numerous strategies that allow tuning of their electronic properties make these materials very attractive for understanding the fundamental principles of electro- and photocatalysis, as well as for developing highly efficient, renewable, and affordable catalysts for large-scale production of hydrogen. Recent developments are highlighted and important challenges in using TMDs as catalysts are also discussed.
Epitaxis between Stone-Forming Crystals at the Atomic Level

Numerous treatises have been published on the common components of renal calculi and on the most frequent combinations of those crystalline materials in multicomponent stones. These studies have utilized the techniques of optical microscopy, electron microscopy, chemical analysis, and x-ray crystallography. The most common stone components are summarized in Table I. Renal calculi are frequently composed of more than one crystalline component, and, as shown in Table II, there is a higher degree of incidence for some admixtures than others1. When these multicomponent stones are sectioned, the different crystalline entities are seen to lie in distinct layers, and each distinct layer is, in general, homogenous in crystalline composition.
Crisis Management Policy and Hierarchical Networks

The contemporary public management literature portrays a world where the traditional functions of government are increasingly being coordinated by networks rather than hierarchies. Networks have particular characteristics that make them distinct from hierarchies and provide them with operational advantages. This paper suggests that in crisis situations a combination of the virtues of both networks and hierarchies are required. For most types of complex emergencies a network is necessary, because no single organization can comprehensively meet the challenge. However, the actors in this network must coordinate to act quickly, collectively and decisively, traits not normally associated with newly-created networks. The solution practiced in crisis management is to overlay a hierarchical structure on the network of actors involved. Network characteristics such as mutual trust remain important for the success of the response, but the actors find themselves operating within a clear chain of command that emphasizes authority and standard operating procedures. I illustrate the operation of one of these hierarchical networks in dealing with an exotic animal disease outbreak in California.
Effect of Multi-Tube Fuel Injector Design on Flame Stability and NOx Pollutant Emissions from Syngas Flames

This paper presents a study on the blowout characteristics of syngas mixtures emitted from a novel multi-tube injector. Compositions are varied for syngas from 10% to 20% hydrogen concentration in carbon monoxide (CO). Two different conditions were tested for these compositions: 1) where jet velocity was greater than the laminar flame speed and 2) where the jet velocity was equal to the flame speed. Results were used to also model the blowout behavior of the designed injector. The critical velocity gradient gB which was defined as the ratio of laminar burning velocity to blow-off distance was used to make a correlation between blowout behavior of different syngas compositions. A dimensionless parameter, Peclet number, was used to capture the blowout characteristics of the injector. Results showed that the degree of blowout tendencies decreased with increasing hydrogen concentration for this multi-tube injector. The Peclet model developed showed a good agreement yielding approximately similar correlation constants for different syngas compositions at two different conditions. Also presented in this paper is a numerical simulation of NOx emission. The models used for syngas fuel combustion consist of the k-e model for turbulent flow, mixture fractions/PDF model for partially premixed premixed gas combustion, and P-1 radiation model. Numerical results revealed the flame location and maximum NOx emission values of 52 ppm measured at an equivalence ratio of 1.
Nitrosocarbonyl Hetero-Diels–Alder Cycloaddition: A New Tool for Conjugation

It is demonstrated that nitrosocarbonyl hetero-Diels–Alder chemistry is an efficient and versatile reaction that can be applied in macromolecular synthesis. Polyethylene glycol functionalized with a hydroxamic acid moiety undergoes facile coupling with cyclopentadiene-terminated polystyrene, through a copper-catalyzed as well as thermal hetero-Diels–Alder reaction. The mild and orthogonal methods used to carry out this reaction make it an attractive method for the synthesis of block copolymers. The resulting block copolymers were analyzed and characterized using GPC and NMR. The product materials could be subjected to thermal retro [4 + 2] cycloaddition, allowing for the liberation of the individual polymer chains and subsequent recycling of the diene-terminated polymers.
Preventive alcohol interventions based on a stages of acquisition model.

OBJECTIVE To examine the promise and pitfalls of using multi-component motivational stages framework for tailoring alcohol prevention programs. METHODS Review empirical research examining intra-drug-use stages of acquisition and testing the efficacy of stage-tailored interventions. RESULTS Seven cross-sectional studies suggest that youth exist within a range of stages of alcohol acquisition. Five randomized trials showed that stage-based preventive interventions resulted in significant alcohol reductions. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations for future stage-related prevention research and practice are discussed.
Time Course and Mechanisms of the Acute Effects of Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia on Vascular Resistance

SummaryThe acute vascular effects of elevating and reducing arterial plasma [K+] in the canine gracilis muscle and forelimb have been compared with calculated changes in the resting membrane potential of a vascular smooth muscle cell. The direction, time course, and pattern of the changes in vascular resistance and calculated resting membrane potential agree very closely. Changes in calculated membrane potential are determined primarily by the effects of changes in [K+]e and [Na+]i on the rate of active transport by the electrogenic Na-K pump. This suggests that changes in arterial plasma [K+] alter vascular resistance via the direct effect of [K+]e on the contribution of the electrogenic pump to resting membrane potential and secondarily by the effects of changes in [Na+]i. Further, the data indicate that K+ does not play a role in maintaining exercise hyperemia.
Chlorprocaine for epidural anesthesia in pediatrics

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and reliability of domestic chlorprocaine hydrochloride for epidural anesthesia in pediatrics. To find a suitable concentration and dosage of chlorprocaine in different age groups. To supply some experimental evidences for its clinical use. Methods Fourty children ,aged 1-9 years, hospitalized because of appendicitis and inguinal hernia, were divided randomly into two groups (n=20).Chlorprocaine or lidocaine was given to test group or control group with the same speed and volume, respectively. Each group was divided into three subgroups as follows: 0-1y,1-3y,4-6y and 6-9y.The onset time, pain free time, pain recovery time and motion recovery time were recorded. Moreover, the changes of vital signs and side-effects were observed in both groups. Results The onset time,pain free time of epidural anesthesia in test group were longer than those in control group. But pain recovery time and motion recovery time in test group were shorter than those in control group. Chlorprocaine can lead some changes of respiration and circulation and allergic reaction. Conclusion Domestic chlorprocaine hydrochloride can not effect well in epidural anesthesia of pediatrc surgery.
Severe allergy to chicken meat.

INTRODUCTION: While allergic reactions to poultry products in the form of feathers and eggs are common, allergic reactions to chicken meat are rare. Despite the popularity of chicken in today's healthy diet, severe reactions after ingesting chicken meat are rarely described. This report describes a patient who developed chicken meat anaphylaxis without experiencing allergy to eggs or feathers. METHODS: A carefully obtained history from a 41-year-old male suggested chicken meat as the cause of his symptoms. He developed abdominal cramping, generalized urticaria, and chest tightness after ingestion of chicken meat. Percutaneous allergy skin testing with commercial chicken and turkey extract and freshly cooked chicken utilizing the prick-prick test was performed. RESULTS: Skin testing was positive with all extracts of chicken and turkey in the patient, and negative in 4 healthy adult controls. Skin tests with feather and egg extract were negative. CONCLUSION: This is the third report of severe allergy to chicken meat in the absence of egg allergy. Physicians should be aware of the presence of chicken allergy without concomitant feather or egg allergy, particularly in adults.
High-Order Mass-Conservative Semi-Lagrangian Methods for Transport Problems

Abstract Semi-Lagrangian methods have been under great development over the past few decades with many applications in fluid and kinetic simulations, weather forecasting, interface tracking, etc. They are designed based on a fixed set of computational mesh with information propagating along characteristic curves, taking advantages of high spatial resolution in an Eulerian approach and computational efficiency with large time-stepping in a Lagrangian method for transport problems. In this chapter, we first give an overview of high-order mass-conservative semi-Lagrangian methods with various spatial discretization techniques. We present two formulations of semi-Lagrangian schemes: one is the semi-Lagrangian finite difference weighted essentially nonoscillatory scheme and the other is the semi-Lagrangian discontinuous Galerkin method. Both methods preserve the mass conservation and can be naturally designed to be of high-order spatial accuracy for high-dimensional problems via dimensional splitting. We briefly discuss limiting techniques for preserving positivity and maximum principle when such properties are desired. Extensions of high-order mass-conservative schemes to 2-D without dimensional splitting are still considered an open research topic. We discuss possible strategies and the associated difficulties in numerical stability or efficient implementation. Finally, we present several standard linear test examples and nonlinear applications (e.g. the Vlasov–Poisson system and incompressible Euler system) to showcase performance of semi-Lagrangian methods.
Aspartame and Brain Tumor Risk

The potential link of aspartame to rising brain tumor rates was analyzed using 1975 to 1992 data from the US National Cancer Institute in a study at the Departments of Psychiatry and Biostistics, Washington University Medical School, St Louis, MO.
Sartre, The Condemned of Altona and the Critique of Dialectical Reason-to-come: Insanity or Bad Faith Running Away with Itself?

ABSTRACTWhat for Sartre happens when bad faith goes so deep that one is no longer master of it? In The Condemned of Altona, Franz Gerlach, after an initial show of resistance, joins the Nazi cause and tortures prisoners of war in his charge. Fleeing home from Russia at the war’s end, he sequesters himself in the attic of the family mansion and attempts to absorb the guilt of the twentieth century by frantically arguing his case before a tribunal of scuttling crabs.What does Sartre’s portrayal of hallucination tell us about the human condition and is it the result of insanity? As a harbinger for the Critique of Dialectical Reason (CDR), Sartre’s ontology has shifted away from an emphasis on human isolation and absolute freedom to a concern with how behaviour, even of an irrational kind, is a profound reflection of one’s place in a social hierarchy. Also a reflection of a CDR-type approach, Sartre’s views change regarding the status of truth and interpersonal relations. For while someone like Nausea’s Roque...
SciSpark: Highly interactive in-memory science data analytics

We present further work on SciSpark, a Big Data framework that extends Apache Spark's inmemory parallel computing to scale scientific computations. SciSpark's current architecture and design includes: time and space partitioning of highresolution geo-grids from NetCDF3/4; a sciDataset class providing N-dimensional array operations in Scala/Java and CF-style variable attributes (an update of our prior sciTensor class); parallel computation of time-series statistical metrics; and an interactive front-end using science (code & visualization) Notebooks. We demonstrate how SciSpark achieves parallel ingest and time/space partitioning of Earth science satellite and model datasets. We illustrate the usability, extensibility, and early performance of SciSpark using several Earth science Use cases, here presenting benchmarks for sciDataset Readers and parallel time-series analytics. A three-hour SciSpark tutorial was taught at an ESIP Federation meeting using a dozen “live” Notebooks.
Vendor Process Contamination Checklist: A Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Tool

Yield and reliability considerations have resulted in an increased emphasis on particulate and chemical contamination control for vended parts in the disk drive industry as well as in other microelectronics and precision manufacturing industries. A vendor process contamination checklist (VPCC) intended primarily to assist the responsible engineer in identifying potential sources of contamination within the vendor process is discussed. Appropriate remedial action may then be initiated in consultation with a cleaning/contamination control specialist. The questionnaire is slanted toward machining houses because these environments are notoriously difficult to diagnose and control with respect to contamination. It has been used with considerable success at IBM San Jose for vendor process investigation and rectification and has often resulted in greatly enhanced cleanliness of incoming components. The description of the checklist is followed by a discussion section where the reasons for some of the less obvious...
Cosmic rays from supernova remnants and superbubbles

Abstract Recent high energy gamma-ray observations of both single supernova remnants and superbubbles, together with observations of supernovae, star formation regions, and local cosmic ray composition, now provide an integrated framework tying together the sources, injection, acceleration, and propagation of the cosmic rays, so that it is possible to determine their relative contributions to cosmic ray acceleration for all but the very highest energies.
Effect of Surface Crowding and Surface Hydrophilicity on the Activity, Stability and Molecular Orientation of a Covalently Tethered Enzyme

We have investigated two surface properties that are generally thought to have an important influence of enzyme activity and stability: surface hydrophobicity and surface crowding. Here two variants of an engineered bacterial nitro-reductase were covalently tethered to orient the protein’s pseudo-2-fold symmetry axis either parallel or perpendicular to the surface. The surface hydrophobicity was systematically varied by changing the ratio of methyl- to hydroxyl-groups displayed on the SAM surface, and the effects on enzyme activity, thermal stability, and structure investigated. Increasing surface hydrophobicity progressively decreased enzyme activity, but had no effect on thermal stability. Surface-sensitive sum frequency generation and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform IR spectroscopies indicated that the enzyme is not denatured by the more hydrophobic surface, but is more likely trapped in less active conformations by transient hydrophobic interactions. In contrast, increasing enzyme surfa...
Salivary duct stenosis: Short‐term symptom outcomes after sialendoscopy‐assisted salivary duct surgery

Objectives To prospectively assess short-term symptom change after sialendoscopy-assisted salivary duct surgery (SASDS) for salivary duct stenosis. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Patients with obstructive sialadenitis from duct stenosis completed the 20-item Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Symptoms (COSS) Questionnaire (scored 0–100) prior to SASDS and 3 months postoperatively. Results Thirty glands in 19 patients with endoscopically confirmed salivary duct stenosis showed overall symptom improvement, with a mean COSS score reduction of 12.9 points (standard deviation [SD] 13.1) to a mean postoperative score of 25.1 (range 0–75.5) (P < 0.001) with six (20%) glands (5 patients) achieving complete symptom resolution. Symptoms improved significantly for parotid glands (n = 20) by 16.6 points (SD 15.9) (P < 0.0001). For distal duct stenoses (n = 25), significant symptom improvement was seen in cases treated with dilation only (n = 17; partial stenoses) with a mean 20.6 point COSS reduction (SD 19.0) (P < 0.0005) and in cases treated with sialodochoplasty (n = 5; 4 complete, 1 partial stenosis) with a mean 13.8 point reduction (SD 4.7) (P < 0.005). Symptom scores did not improve after SASDS in proximal stenoses (n = 3) and distal stenoses cases not amenable to treatment (n = 3). Conclusion SASDS for salivary duct stenosis often can improve obstructive salivary symptoms; however, many patients report persistent symptoms after surgery. Partial duct stenoses or distal duct stenoses are associated with the greatest improvements in COSS scores after SASDS. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2017
Racial (vs. self) affirmation as a protective mechanism against the effects of racial exclusion on negative affect and substance use vulnerability among black young adults

Affirming one’s racial identity may help protect against the harmful effects of racial exclusion on substance use cognitions. This study examined whether racial versus self-affirmation (vs. no affirmation) buffers against the effects of racial exclusion on substance use willingness and substance use word associations in Black young adults. It also examined anger as a potential mediator of these effects. After being included, or racially excluded by White peers, participants were assigned to a writing task: self-affirmation, racial-affirmation, or describing their sleep routine (neutral). Racial exclusion predicted greater perceived discrimination and anger. Excluded participants who engaged in racial-affirmation reported reduced perceived discrimination, anger, and fewer substance use cognitions compared to the neutral writing group. This relation between racial-affirmation and lower substance use willingness was mediated by reduced perceived discrimination and anger. Findings suggest racial-affirmation is protective against racial exclusion and, more generally, that ethnic based approaches to minority substance use prevention may have particular potential.
Children and Health Care Decisionmaking: A Reply to Angela Holder

The question of whether children should be given a role in decision-making concerning their own medical care is part of a broader question of how children should be treated in general. And for answering that we lack a clear and coherent framework. Falling as they do somewhere between adult humans and animals in terms of their capacities, but normally having from the moment of conception the potential to become adults, children constitute a category of living things unlike any other from the standpoint of the moral and conceptual problems their treatment raises. Improperly cared for, they tend to grow up incapable of relating normally and happily to other adults; overly cared for and kept dependent, they tend to grow up incapable of relating normally and happily to other adults. Few can agree what constitutes just the right kind and quality of care.
Factors Affecting Phosphorus Production Rate in NTD Silicon

We will discuss the many factors which determine the overall experimentally observed phosphorus production rate in NTD-Si. This production rate can vary considerably for experiments run in various reactors. The errors associated with the determination of this production rate are the result of our inexact knowledge of the thermal neutron capture cross section, the epi-thermal resonance integral, the thermal and epi-thermal fluences and the phosphorus concentration in both the starting and final NTD material. Other possible errors include mis-typing of starting material, contamination during both irradiation and annealing, and incomplete annealing. It is important for both the silicon manufacturer and the reactor service engineer to understand these factors if the accuracy of doping inherent in the NTD process is to be realized.
Adaptive Systems in Biology

This chapter is devoted to a brief discussion of systems which exhibit adaptive behaviour, i.e. systems which can modify their activity, if necessary, to bring this activity to a preferred (or optimal) state with respect to particular environmental situations. With this crude characterization of adaptive systems, it is seen that the input-output error-actuated devices discussed in Chapter 8 are adaptive systems, as are the abstract dynamical systems with prescribed cost functional considered in Chapter 10.
Effect of Edge Charges on Stability and Aggregation of Ti3C2Tz MXene Colloidal Suspensions

Herein, the stabilities of aqueous Ti3C2Tz (MXene) colloidal suspensions were studied as a function of pH and sodium chloride concentrations using ς-potential and dynamic light scattering measureme...
Minimal Matrix Representations of Decomposable Lie Algebras of Dimension Less Than or Equal to Five

We obtain minimal dimension matrix representations for each decomposable fivedimensional Lie algebra over R and justify in each case that they are minimal.
A Case Report of Slug Ingestion Causing Eosinophilic Meningitis, Papilledema, and Pronounced Motor Weakness in a US Marine

Angiostrongyliasis is the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide and is primarily characterized by eosinophilic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, or myelitis. It is caused by ingestion of the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm (or apple snail). The most common route of infection is by ingestion of parts of the intermediate hosts like mollusks or food contaminated with infective third stage larvae. Following ingestion, the larvae migrate through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream and further into the central nervous system where they cause meningo-encephalo-myelitis and can have a variety of ocular manifestations. We present a case of a Caucasian United States Marine who suffered severe meningo-encephalo-myelitis with papilledema following ingestion of a raw Giant African Snail (Lissachatina lutica) while stationed in Japan. He developed eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, polyneuropathy, motor weakness, and papilledema. We describe the unique clinical features of this disease in our patient.
The impact of relocation stress on cognitively impaired and cognitively unimpaired long-term care residents

Objectives: The current aims were to explore the effects of relocation stress on depression and anxiety in long-term care residents and to investigate the moderating effect of cognitive status.Meth...
Classical creativity: A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigation of pianist and improviser Gabriela Montero

Improvisation is sometimes described as instant composition and offers a glimpse into real-time musical creativity. Over the last decade, researchers have built up our understanding of the core neural activity patterns associated with musical improvisation by investigating cohorts of professional musicians. However, since creative behavior calls on the unique individuality of an artist, averaging data across musicians may dilute important aspects of the creative process. By performing case study investigations of world-class artists, we may gain insight into their unique creative abilities and achieve a deeper understanding of the biological basis of musical creativity. In this experiment, functional magnetic resonance imaging and functional connectivity were used to study the neural correlates of improvisation in famed Classical music performer and improviser, Gabriela Montero. GM completed two control tasks of varying musical complexity; for the Scale condition she repeatedly played a chromatic scale and for the Memory condition she performed a given composition by memory. For the experimental improvisation condition, she performed improvisations. Thus, we were able to compare the neural activity that underlies a generative musical task like improvisation to 'rote' musical tasks of playing pre-learned and pre-memorized music. In GM, improvisation was largely associated with activation of auditory, frontal/cognitive, motor, parietal, occipital, and limbic areas, suggesting that improvisation is a multimodal activity for her. Functional connectivity analysis suggests that the visual network, default mode network, and subcortical networks are involved in improvisation as well. While these findings should not be generalized to other samples or populations, results here shed insight into the brain activity that underlies GM's unique abilities to perform Classical-style musical improvisations.
A 28nm fully digital voltage monitor with 16.5uV/°C accuracy and 0.8mV quantized error from -40 to 160°C for ISO26262 ASIL-D capable MCU

A fully digital voltage monitoring system has been developed for automotive ISO26262 ASIL-D capable MCUs to detect internal under-voltage fault at IR-drop hotspots and to mitigate large Vmin margin due to voltage detection variation. Proposed oscillators employing temperature coefficient tuners enable digitized voltage detection with small temperature drift and quantized error. A digital voltage monitor fabricated in 28nm shows temperature drift of 16. SuV/°C and 0.8mV quantized error. The total voltage detection variation of 4.1mV is the smallest and the temperature range from -40 to 160°C is the largest compared with previous works
Lessons from ABO-Incompatible Cardiac Allotransplantation in the Newborn

Successes associated with cardiac transplantation in newborn infants, especially ABO-incompatible transplantation, may offer lessons pertinent for the transplantation of organs and tissues from animals into man, that is, xenotransplantation. For example, the scarcity of hearts of suitable size and condition for transplantation in newborn infants with severe cardiac failure, which motivated the use of ABO-incompatible hearts, also motivates consideration of using hearts from animals in lieu of hearts from humans, i.e., xenotransplantation, for this purpose. Clearly, xenotransplantation could address this problem, but the various biological barriers to xenotransplantation, especially the immune barrier, may preclude application of this approach. Because several components of the immune barrier to xenotransplantation are modeled by ABO-incompatible allografts, insights drawn from the successful transplantation of ABO-incompatible hearts in newborn infants might be pertinent to the application of xenotransplantation in infants or, indeed, in all human recipients. Here, we review those insights and discuss the potential relevance for xenotransplantation.
The HD-Domain Metalloprotein Superfamily: An Apparent Common Protein Scaffold with Diverse Chemistries

The histidine-aspartate (HD)-domain protein superfamily contains metalloproteins that share common structural features but catalyze vastly different reactions ranging from oxygenation to hydrolysis. This chemical diversion is afforded by (i) their ability to coordinate most biologically relevant transition metals in mono-, di-, and trinuclear configurations, (ii) sequence insertions or the addition of supernumerary ligands to their active sites, (iii) auxiliary substrate specificity residues vicinal to the catalytic site, (iv) additional protein domains that allosterically regulate their activities or have catalytic and sensory roles, and (v) their ability to work with protein partners. More than 500 structures of HD-domain proteins are available to date that lay out unique structural features which may be indicative of function. In this respect, we describe the three known classes of HD-domain proteins (hydrolases, oxygenases, and lyases) and identify their apparent traits with the aim to portray differences in the molecular details responsible for their functional divergence and reconcile existing notions that will help assign functions to yet-to-be characterized proteins. The present review collects data that exemplify how nature tinkers with the HD-domain scaffold to afford different chemistries and provides insight into the factors that can selectively modulate catalysis.
Algorithms and Statistical Models for Scientific Discovery in the Petabyte Era

This white paper offers guidance and ideas for how we can evolve our technical and collaborative frameworks to promote efficient algorithmic development and take advantage of opportunities for scientific discovery in the petabyte era.
Transcatheter Valve Devices in Congenital Heart Disease

This chapter provides a basic overview of currently available and investigational transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement devices.