cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A low-power multi-band ECoG/EEG interface IC

We present a 6.4 µW electrocorticography (ECoG)/electroencephalography (EEG) processing integrated circuit (EPIC) with 0.4 µV rms noise floor intended for emerging brain-computer interface (BCI) applications. This chip conditions the signal and simultaneously extracts energy in four fully-programmable frequency bands. Functionality is demonstrated by tuning the four bands to important frequency bands used by ECoG/EEG applications: α (8–12Hz), β (18–26Hz), low-γ (30–50Hz) and γ (70–100Hz). Measured results from in-vivo ECoG recording from the primary motor cortex of an awake monkey are presented.
Comments on the security of Chen's authenticated encryption scheme

Chen (Computers and Electrical Engineering, vol. 30, 2004) illustrated that Tseng et al.'s authenticated encryption schemes, with message linkages for message flows, do not achieve their claimed integrity and authenticity properties. Furthermore, Chen presented some modified schemes to repair these flaws. In this paper, we show that the modified schemes proposed by Chen are not secure. In particular, we present an attack that allows a dishonest referee, in case of a dispute, to decrypt all the future and past authenticated ciphertext between the contended parties. We also present a simple fix to prevent this attack.
Congruent melting and crystal growth of LiRF4

Abstract Congruent-melting behavior of LiYF 4 and LiRF 4 (R = a mixture of Y, Ho, Er, and Tm) is shown to be dependent on the chemical nature of the atmosphere provided. Under an atmosphere of HF mixed with an inert carrier (He), large, single crystals can be grown from the melt in a congruent manner.
A prototype quest generator based on a structural analysis of quests from four MMORPGs

An analysis of over 750 quests from four popular RPGs (Eve Online, World of Warcraft, Everquest, and Vanguard: Saga of Heroes) reveals that RPG quests appear to share a common structure. We propose a classification of RPG quests based on this structure, and describe a prototype quest generator based on that classification. Our aim is to procedurally generate quests that are complex, multi-leveled, and plausible to players of RPGs. We analyze a nontrivial quest from Everquest and one from our prototype quest generator for comparison.
Stability of quantum concatenated-code Hamiltonians

Protecting quantum information from the detrimental effects of decoherence and lack of precise quantum control is a central challenge that must be overcome if a large robust quantum computer is to be constructed. The traditional approach to achieving this is via active quantum error correction using fault-tolerant techniques. An alternative to this approach is to engineer strongly interacting many-body quantum systems that enact the quantum error correction via the natural dynamics of these systems. Here we present a method for achieving this based on the concept of concatenated quantum error correcting codes. We define a class of Hamiltonians whose ground states are concatenated quantum codes and whose energy landscape naturally causes quantum error correction. We analyze these Hamiltonians for robustness and suggest methods for implementing these highly unnatural Hamiltonians.
Investigating the Electrostatic Role of a Critical Arginine for the Catalysis of E. Coli ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADP-Glc PPase) is the regulatory enzyme of the pathway for starch synthesis in plants and glycogen in mammals and enteric bacteria. It exists as a 200 kDa homotetramer (α4) in enteric bacteria, and as a heterotetramer (α2β2) in plants. In both in vivo and in vitro the substrates (Glucose 1-Phosphate; Glc-1P and Adenosine 5'-Triphosphate; ATP) are converted into a glucose donor ADP-Glucose and a pyrophosphate (PPi) via the ADP-Glc PPase enzyme. It has been noted that some residues are conserved in homotetrameric bacterial ADP-Glc PPases, but are not in some plant forms. One of them is Arginine-32 (R32) in the Escherichia coli ADP-Glc PPase. To explore the overall role of this residue and evaluate the structural and electrostatic importance of the Arginine's guanidinium group, we replaced it with Lysine (K, -amino group), Alanine (A, - methyl group), Cysteine (C, -sulfide group), Glutamic (E, - carboxylate group), Glutamine (Q, -amido group) and Leucine (L, -hydrophobic side chain) via site directed mutagenesis. We over-expressed the enzymes, purified them to homogeneity, and measured their kinetic properties. The Specific Activity (U/mg) for the mutants were as follows: WT (90.56), R32A (1.65), R32C (0.57), R32E (0.04), R32K (5.81), R32L (0.65) and R32Q (1.37). Currently, the properties of the R32H (Histidine, -imidizoleum ring) mutant are being investigated. Our results clearly indicate that this guanidinium group of the Arginine-32 residue is critical for catalysis. Modeling of the E. coli enzyme suggests that the two (2) nitrogen atoms of the guanidinium group may interact with the β and γ phosphates of the ATP, helping in the positioning of the substrates, via electrostatic interactions, and making the PPi product a more stable leaving group.
Further NMR studies of polydimethylsiloxanes: Effects of radiation‐induced crosslinking

Previous nuclear magnetic resonance measurements on a polymethylsiloxane gum (MW = 75,000) had been interpreted to indicate the presence of considerable segmental motion in both the amorphous and crystalline components at temperatures above the glass temperature. Further investigation again showed the NMR line to be completely narrowed just above the glass point indicating such motions must extend into the crystalline component. This work was extended by the measurement of NMR absorption line widths for temperatures of 80–300°K. on samples of the same gum subjected to gradually-increased crosslinking by electron doses of 3–600 × 106 rep. Here, no change in the NMR properties of low temperature, rigid states were observed, but the room temperature line width progressively increased from 0.019 gauss to over 0.100 gauss peak-to-peak due to the increase in bulk viscosity of the liquid. The “first-order” activation energy associated with the temperature-dependent line narrowing decreased from 10 to 2 kcal./mole. The NMR data indicate that the primary effects of radiation-induced crosslinking are to reduce the chain rotational energy by the creation of defects and to increase the short-range viscosity by the lowering of translational freedom.
The Legacy of the Siege of Leningrad, 1941–1995: Myth, Memories, and Monuments – By Lisa A. Kirschenbaum

This book is superb. The author explains how the siege of Leningrad during World War-II (September 1941 to January 1944) became and continues to be definitive in the history of the war in the USSR,...
Invertible authentication watermark for JPEG images

We present two new invertible watermarking methods for authentication of digital images in the JPEG format. While virtually all previous authentication watermarking schemes introduced some small amount of non-invertible distortion in the image, the new methods are invertible in the sense that, if the image is deemed authentic, the distortion due to authentication can be completely removed to obtain the original image data. The first technique is based on lossless compression of biased bit-streams derived from the quantized JPEG coefficients. The second technique modifies the quantization matrix to enable lossless embedding of one bit per DCT coefficient. Both techniques are fast and can be used for general distortion-free (invertible) data embedding. The new methods provide new information assurance tools for integrity protection of sensitive imagery, such as medical images or high-importance military images viewed under non-standard conditions when usual criteria for visibility do not apply.
Radio on module (RoM): integrating RF systems on organic substrate

A brief review of the state of the art of module technology, on inexpensive organic substrates, is presented. Key enabling technologies that can make radio on module (RoM) a reality are identified. Although single chip radio is a catchword, the authors believe that RoM is a more likely scenario in the future due to the immense design flexibility it presents.
Protonic and Electronic Conduction in Proton Conductive Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Protons can fit into the perovskite structure because the O-O distance is approximately that of ice. However, to achieve charge balance, -2e charge must be added for every two protons added. If O2- vacancies are introduced, for instance by doping barium cerate with yttrium to obtain $${\it Ba}^{2 + } {\it Ce}_{1 - {\it x}}^{4 + } {\it Y}_{\it x}^{3 + } {\it O}_{3 - {\it x}/2}^{2 - }$$ (BCY), each filled vacancy will add -2e charge. Proton concentration and conductivity can be increased by exposing BCY to steam molecules, which dissociate into 2 protons and an O2- ion. Our impedance spectroscopy measurements and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) work shows that exposure to H2 on the anode side can add protons. This requires addition of O2- ions on the cathode side from O2 in air. Alternatively, electrons could be added because BCY is a weak electronic semiconductor. BCY is a hole conductor, and this conductivity decreases upon exposure to steam or H2. From our analysis of V(i) curves for SOFCs with BCY electrolyte, at low H2 concentration, increasing this concentration decreases electronic conductivity somewhat, consistent with adding electrons and reducing hole carrier concentration. At higher H2 concentrations, electronic conductivity remains constant. Proton transfer in perovskites such as BCY resembles that in usual H‑bonded crystals. Such transfer requires two steps, both needed for dc conductivity. One is intrabond proton transfer, O‑H O→O H-O. The other is a proton jump from one H-bond to an adjacent bond, equivalent to rotation of an O-H unit about the O ion. The main difference from usual H-bonded crystals is that the adjacent O-O pair most likely has no proton between the O ions, so that the Pauling ice rule precluding 2 protons in one bond is not much of a restriction in perovskites because the proton concentration is typically below 0.2 per formula unit. Another difference is that, though protonic semiconductor activation energies are high, in the 0.5 to 1 eV range, the high operating temperatures of SOFCs, 600 to 900 oC, give useful amounts of power per unit area, or in the electrolysis mode, useful amounts of H2 out for steam and electric power input. Two applications for proton-conducting perovskite ceramics are SOFCs and hydrogen separation membranes (HSMs). For SOFCs, we have modeled the V(i) behavior with almost no adjustable parameters, and have succeeded in coming close to the Nernst open‑circuit potential as well as fitting the V(i) curves for a variety of H2/O2 partial pressure combinations. For HSMs, unlike for SOFCs, an electronic conductivity comparable to the protonic conductivity is desirable, to avoid using a cermet which may crack because of differential thermal expansion. In conclusion, many oxides and fluorides have O-O or F-F separations in the H‑bonding range and will provide a stimulating playground for further basic and applied research on proton incorporation and dynamics in solids.
High-order moment computation of gray-level images

Describes an efficient approach to calculate geometric moments of a 2-D gray-level image. It is shown both theoretically and experimentally that the new method compares favorably with previous techniques, especially for high-order moments. >
System Utilization Benchmark on the Cray T3E and IBM SP

Obtaining maximum utilization of parallel systems continues to be an active area of research and development. This article outlines a new benchmark, called the Effective System Performance (ESP) test, designed to provide a utilization metric that is transferable between systems and illuminate the effects of various scheduling parameters. Results with discussion are presented for the Cray T3E and IBM SP systems together with insights obtained from simulation.
Role of reaction kinetics and mass transport in glucose sensing with nanopillar array electrodes

The use of nanopillar array electrodes (NAEs) for biosensor applications was explored using a combined experimental and simulation approach to characterize the role of reaction kinetics and mass transport in glucose detection with NAEs. Thin gold electrodes with arrays of vertically standing gold nanopillars were fabricated and their amperometric current responses were measured under bare and functionalized conditions. Results show that the sensing performances of both the bare and functionalized NAEs were affected not only by the presence and variation of the nanoscale structures on the electrodes but also by the reaction kinetics and mass transport of the analyte species involved. These results will shed new light for enhancing the performance of nanostructure based biosensors.
Neural network learning control of robot manipulators using gradually increasing task difficulty

Trajectory extension learning is an incremental method for training an artificial neural network to approximate the inverse dynamics of a robot manipulator. Training data near a desired trajectory is obtained by slowly varying a parameter of the trajectory from a region of easy solvability of the inverse dynamics toward the desired behavior. The parameter can be average speed, path shape, feedback gain, or any other controllable variable. As learning proceeds, an approximate solution to the local inverse dynamics for each value of the parameter is used to guide learning for the next value of the parameter. Convergence conditions are given for two variations on the algorithm. Examples are shown of application to a real 2-joint direct drive robot arm and a simulated 3-joint redundant arm, both using simulated equilibrium point control. >
Determining posture from physiological tremor

The measurement of body and limb posture is important to many clinical and research studies. Current approaches either directly measure posture (e.g., using optical or magnetic methods) or more indirectly measure it by integrating changes over time (e.g., using gyroscopes and/or accelerometers). Here, we introduce a way of estimating posture from movements without requiring integration over time and the resulting complications. We show how the almost imperceptible tremor of the hand is affected by posture in an intuitive way and therefore can be used to estimate the posture of the arm. We recorded postures and tremor of the arms of volunteers. By using only the minor axis in the covariance of hand tremor, we could estimate the angle of the forearm with a standard deviation of about 4° when the subject’s elbow is resting on a table and about 10° when it is off the table. This technique can also be applied as a post hoc analysis on other hand-position data sets to extract posture. This new method allows the estimation of body posture from tremor, is complementary to other techniques, and so can become a useful tool for future research and clinical applications.
Hematology Grants Workshop

In this yearly update on grant writing, we attempt to provide the attendee/reader with advice from "senior" investigators concerning the application process for external grant funds. While focused particularly on federal (National Institutes of Health, NIH) grants, the advice is generally applicable to any competitive grant-funding mechanism. Drs. Stephanie Lee and Jeffrey Molldrem have provided very thorough advice on clinical and basic grant applications and tips for those early in their careers. The session will include ample time for questions and answers, with key staffers from NIH in attendance.
EVOLUTIONARY ASPECTS OF WIND POLLINATION IN THE GENUS PLANTAGO (PLANTAGINACEAE)

SUMMARY The selective forces acting to maintain a copious production of uniformly sized pollen grains in wind-pollinated plants were investigated among species in the genus Plantago and at the population level in P. lanceolata. The species with cleistogamous (closed) flowers produce far less pollen of more variable average diameters than the species with chasmogamous (open) flowers. Pollen grains of P. lanceolata captured by stigmas of female plants were smaller than a general sample of pollen collected from the anthers of perfect plants, indicating that large pollen grains are not as effective as small grains in wind dispersal. The rapid decrease in pollen density on the stigmas of P. lanceolata with increasing distances from the pollen sources suggests that plants of this self-incompatible species must produce great amounts of pollen in order to pollinate nearby plants. The cost of this high pollen production associated with wind pollination can be seen in P. lanceolata in the increased production of reproductive tissue and larger seeds in female plants when compared with normal plants.
The boundaries of the internalizing and externalizing genetic spectra in men and women.

Background The distribution and co-morbidity of common psychiatric disorders can be largely explained as manifestations of two broad psychopathological spectra of internalizing and externalizing disorders. Twin studies suggest that these spectra arise from genetic factors. Method Structural equation twin modeling was applied to interview and questionnaire data on personality traits and lifetime psychiatric disorders on more than 5300 members of male–male (MM) and female–female (FF) twin pairs. Results The best-fitting models for both the externalizing and internalizing spectra differed significantly in males and females. In males, the externalizing genetic common factor was best indexed by four disorders in the following order: antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), drug abuse/dependence (DAD), alcohol abuse dependence (AAD) and conduct disorder (CD). In females, the four disorders most closely related to the externalizing common factor were, in order: DAD, AAD, nicotine dependence (ND) and ASPD. Personality traits of novelty seeking (NS) and extraversion (E) better indexed the genetic externalizing spectrum in females than in males. In both males and females, major depression (MD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) best indexed the genetic internalizing common factor. Panic disorder (PD) and agoraphobia (AgP) better reflected the internalizing genetic common factor in women, and neuroticism (N) in men. Genetic correlations between the two spectra were estimated at + 0.53 in males and + 0.52 in females. Conclusions The disorders that optimally index the genetic liability to externalizing and internalizing disorders in the general population differ meaningfully in men and women. In both sexes, these genetic spectra are better assessed by psychiatric disorders than by personality traits.
Stress, Coping, and Mental Health Differences among Homeless People

People who are chronically homeless are assumed to have higher rates of mental health problems than episodically or new-entry homeless individuals. It is unclear to what extent early-life and current stressors account for this disadvantage. Guided by cumulative disadvantage theory and stress research, we analyze data from a national study of the US homeless population to examine how stressors and coping resources throughout the life course are implicated in differences among homeless people in psychiatric disorders and alcohol or other drug abuse disorders. Logistic regression analysis reveals that new-entry homeless persons are less likely than their chronically and episodically homeless counterparts to have current psychiatric disorders. This is explained by stressors and coping resources experienced in childhood and during adult homeless spells. Alcohol and other drug abuse is common but comparable across the three homeless types and shares an association with selected stress and coping measures. Findings lend credibility to an accumulation of risks perspective, highlighting how past as well as contemporaneous stressors are related to the mental health of homeless people.
Does cache sharing on modern CMP matter to the performance of contemporary multithreaded programs

Most modern Chip Multiprocessors (CMP) feature shared cache on chip. For multithreaded applications, the sharing reduces communication latency among co-running threads, but also results in cache contention.A number of studies have examined the influence of cache sharing on multithreaded applications, but most of them have concentrated on the design or management of shared cache, rather than a systematic measurement of the influence. Consequently, prior measurements have been constrained by the reliance on simulators, the use of out-of-date benchmarks, and the limited coverage of deciding factors. The influence of CMP cache sharing on contemporary multithreaded applications remains preliminarily understood.In this work, we conduct a systematic measurement of the influence on two kinds of commodity CMP machines, using a recently released CMP benchmark suite, PARSEC, with a number of potentially important factors on program, OS, and architecture levels considered. The measurement shows some surprising results. Contrary to commonly perceived importance of cache sharing, neither positive nor negative effects from the cache sharing are significant for most of the program executions, regardless of the types of parallelism, input datasets, architectures, numbers of threads, and assignments of threads to cores. After a detailed analysis, we find that the main reason is the mismatch of current development and compilation of multithreaded applications and CMP architectures. By transforming the programs in a cache-sharing-aware manner, we observe up to 36% performance increase when the threads are placed on cores appropriately.
Minimum sampling rates for linear shift-variant discrete-time systems

The required sampling rate is an important consideration in digital implementation of analog linear shift-variant systems. Sufficient sampling rates have been previously derived. In this paper we derive the necessary rate and illustrate the method for its computation.
Using a Goodness Measurement for Domain Adaptation: A Case Study on Chinese Word Segmentation

Domain adaptation is an important topic for natural language processing. There has been extensive research on the topic and various methods have been explored, including training data selection, model combination, semi-supervised learning. In this study, we propose to use a goodness measure, namely, description length gain (DLG), for domain adaptation for Chinese word segmentation. We demonstrate that DLG can help domain adaptation in two ways: as additional features for supervised segmenters to improve system performance, and also as a similarity measure for selecting training data to better match a test set. We evaluated our systems on the Chinese Penn Treebank version 7.0, which has 1.2 million words from five different genres, and the Chinese Word Segmentation Bakeoff-3 data.
Survival Benefit of NovoTTF Therapy Plus Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Recurrent Malignant Gliomas

Local control after upfront SRS 156 86.7 Distant brain failure after upfront SRS 93 51.7 Additional brain-directed radiation therapy after upfront SRS None Salvage WBRT Median time since upfront SRS, months (range) Salvage SRS Median time since upfront SRS, months (range) Median no. of total salvage SRS sessions (range) Median no. of isocenters treated per salvage SRS session (range) Both salvage WBRT and salvage SRS 99 48 5.6 (1.2-23.6) 54 6.1 (0.9-36.1) 1 (1-5) 1 (1-4) 21 55.0 26.7 30.0 11.7
Combining rTMS and CIMT A “one-size-fits-all” therapy for congenital hemiparesis?

In the past decade, we have experienced dramatic progress in the treatment of children with congenital hemiparesis.1 One important step was the introduction of intensive rehabilitation approaches based on principles of motor learning and neuroplasticity, such as constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and intensive bimanual training. Often these approaches are implemented in socially stimulating “camp” environments.
Serum thrombotic accelerator (STA) activity: its relation to the first phase of clotting.

SummarySerum thrombotic accelerator (STA) activity requires for its elaboration activation of HF, PTA, and Factor IX, but does not depend on platelets or any other recognized coagulation factor with the possible exception of Ca++. Although essential in the donor serum for formatioln of this thrombotic moiety, HF, PTA, and Factor IX need not be present in the recipient animal for thrombus formation to occur. STA activity is distinct from Ca++, HE, and PTA, and may not be identical with Factor IX; however, activatioln of HF appears to be the initial reaction required in the elaboration of this potent thrombotic agent that is distinct from thrombin and tissue thromboplastin.
The Investigation about the Reaction of Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compound

The reaction of naturally occurring alkaloid were investigated.Treatment atropine with Nail gave 3 and 4 and reaction mechanism was presumed.
Establishment of University Archives Safety Management System

The University Archives systems are historical witness the development, which have been recoding teaching faculty works and the scholastic life of students. It is also a valuable reference of university development and establishment. Universities have been paying more attention on the establishment of archival work, meanwhile the safety of University Archive systems are one of the most important part of the works. This paper will mainly discuss on the security issues of university integrated file, which are including physical files and digital files safety management.
CONTEMPORARY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE KNEE: The Orthopedic Surgeon’s Perspective

This article discusses the current applications of MR imaging in the practice of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. When is MR imaging helpful to the treating surgeon, and when is it not? In what specific areas will future improvements in technical acquisition and interpretation be helpful in determining appropriate treatment? This article explores these questions.
Kidney Function Evaluation According to Percentage of Technetium-99m Capture With Addition of Correcting Factor for Technetium-99mm Decay.

OBJECTIVES Assess the safety and accuracy of renal static scintigraphy with introduction of the amendment coefficient for decay of 99m metastable (Tc-99m) at the calculation formula of capture percent Technemec 99m. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study analyzes retrospectively the results of renal static scanning of 44 patients. Of this group of patients, 21 are Chornobyl Nuclear Power Station accident liquid ators who have arterial hypertension and chronic pyelonephritis. Renal scanning was carried out with Genesys EPIC single-photon emission computed tomography system. Calculation of the capture percent of the radiopharmaceutical Technemec 99m was executed in the standard way with introduction of the amendment coefficient Tc-99m to decay at the calculation formula of capture percentage Technemec. RESULTS Significant differences by standard calculation method took place in the both the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Station accident liquidators and persons who were not subjected to the influence of a small radiation dosage (P .05) with introduction of the amendment coefficient for decay of technetium 99m; therefore, static scintigraphy is a safe method for assessing kidney structure and morphology. Introduction of amendment for decay of Tc-99m allowed false positive results in 11.9% of renal function assessments for patients with arterial hypertension and kidney dysfunction (P < .05). Calculation of the specific capture percent of radiopharmaceutical on 1 cm2 of visualization of renal parenchyma enabled a 29% increase in renal function identification accuracy.
Physicians' perspectives on cholesterol and heart disease.

In early spring of 1988, questionnaires were mailed to 4,000 Midwestern physicians to survey their attitudes and practices regarding elevated serum cholesterol and their use of referrals for nutrition counseling; 633 physicians responded. Sixty-eight percent of the physicians thought that reducing high serum cholesterol levels would substantially affect heart disease; however, physicians attributed considerably less preventive value to reducing the cholesterol level than to reducing blood pressure (80.3%) or ceasing smoking (90.0%). The range of serum cholesterol for which diet therapy was most frequently initiated was 5.70 to 6.20 mmol/L. The most frequent range for initiation of drug therapy was 7.80 to 8.25 mmol/L. The physicians reported that although their medical school training did not prepare them adequately for providing diet counseling, they did feel prepared to provide, and were successful in, counseling on diet modifications for reducing serum cholesterol. Few (10%) of the total sample reported having registered dietitians available for dietary counseling, and most (88.8%) believed that it is the physician’s responsibility to provide such counseling. Although the low response rate limits the conclusions of the survey, it is likely that those physicians most interested in the topic responded. We conclude that registered dietitians should explore the need for their special services further. More aggressive marketing of dietetic services could benefit both physicians and patients in the campaign to reduce serum cholesterol.
Deceleration of probe beam by stage bias potential improves resolution of serial block-face scanning electron microscopic images

Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM) is quickly becoming an important imaging tool to explore three-dimensional biological structure across spatial scales. At probe-beam-electron energies of 2.0 keV or lower, the axial resolution should improve, because there is less primary electron penetration into the block face. More specifically, at these lower energies, the interaction volume is much smaller, and therefore, surface detail is more highly resolved. However, the backscattered electron yield for metal contrast agents and the backscattered electron detector sensitivity are both sub-optimal at these lower energies, thus negating the gain in axial resolution. We found that the application of a negative voltage (reversal potential) applied to a modified SBEM stage creates a tunable electric field at the sample. This field can be used to decrease the probe-beam-landing energy and, at the same time, alter the trajectory of the signal to increase the signal collected by the detector. With decelerated low landing-energy electrons, we observed that the probe-beam-electron-penetration depth was reduced to less than 30 nm in epoxy-embedded biological specimens. Concurrently, a large increase in recorded signal occurred due to the re-acceleration of BSEs in the bias field towards the objective pole piece where the detector is located. By tuning the bias field, we were able to manipulate the trajectories of the primary and secondary electrons, enabling the spatial discrimination of these signals using an advanced ring-type BSE detector configuration or a standard monolithic BSE detector coupled with a blocking aperture.
The role of implantable cardioverter defibrillators in patients bridged to transplantation with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device: A propensity score matched analysis.

Background Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) provide a significant mortality benefit for appropriately selected patients with advanced heart failure. ICDs are associated with a mortality benefit when used in patients with a pulsatile left ventricular assist device (LVAD). It is unclear whether patients with a continuous-flow LVAD (CF-LVAD) derive the same benefit. We sought to determine if the presence of an ICD provided a mortality benefit during CF-LVAD support as a bridge to transplantation. Methods Patients were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry who underwent LVAD implantation as bridge to transplantation between May 2004 and April 2014, with follow-up through June 2014. Primary outcome was freedom from death while on CF-LVAD support with adjustment for complications requiring UNOS listing status upgrade. Secondary end-points included freedom from delisting while on CF-LVAD support and incidence of transplantation. Results The study cohort comprised 2,990 patients, and propensity score matching identified 1,012 patients with similar propensity scores. There was no difference in survival during device support between patients with and without an ICD (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66–2.17; p = 0.55). Adjusting for device complications requiring a UNOS listing status upgrade had minimal influence (HR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.60–2.05; p = 0.74). There was no increased risk of delisting owing to being too sick for patients with an ICD (HR = 1.08; 95% CI, 0.63–1.86; p = 0.78). Likewise, the probability of transplantation was similar (HR = 1.05; 95% CI, 0.87–1.27; p = 0.62). Conclusions Among patients bridged to transplantation with a CF-LVAD, the presence of an ICD did not reduce mortality.
Clinical pharmacokinetics of magnesium sulfate in the treatment of children with severe acute asthma.

Intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is used as adjunct therapy to treat acute asthma exacerbations. Despite its clinical use, there is a limited understanding of the disposition of magnesium in children. To explore the pharmacokinetics (PK) of IV MgSO4 in this population, we collected retrospective data from 54 children who received IV MgSO4 for treatment of an acute asthma exacerbation at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. These data were analyzed using population PK modeling techniques in NONMEM® to determine sources of variability affecting the disposition of magnesium, as well as to predict the dose of IV MgSO4 needed to achieve clinical benefit. The covariate analysis found that only weight was a significant predictor of magnesium concentrations in children. Estimated model parameters suggested that magnesium exhibits a short serum half-life (2.7 h) in children. The average endogenous magnesium concentration (prior to administration of IV MgSO4) was estimated to be 21 mg/L. Simulated data suggested that doses between 50 and 75 mg/kg are required to achieve concentration-time profiles within a hypothesized target therapeutic range between 25 and 40 mg/L. These results provide new insight into the disposition of IV MgSO4 in children and provide dosing guidelines for future prospective studies of IV MgSO4 in children with acute asthma.
GaSb on GaAs solar cells Grown using interfacial misfit arrays (Conference Presentation)

State of the art InGaP2/GaAs/In0.28Ga0.72As inverted metamorphic (IMM) solar cells have achieved impressive results, however, the thick metamorphic buffer needed between the lattice matched GaAs and lattice mismatched InGaAs requires significant effort and time to grow and retains a fairly high defect density. One approach to this problem is to replace the bottom InGaAs junction with an Sb-based material such as 0.73 eV GaSb or ~1.0 eV Al0.2Ga0.8Sb. By using interfacial misfit (IMF) arrays, the high degree of strain (7.8%) between GaAs and GaSb can be relaxed solely by laterally propagating 90° misfit dislocations that are confined to the GaAs-GaSb interface layer. We have used molecular beam epitaxy to grow GaSb single junction solar cells homoepitaxially on GaSb and heteroepitaxially on GaAs using IMF. Under 15-sun AM1.5 illumination, the control cell achieved 5% efficiency with a WOC of 366 mV, while the IMF cell was able to reach 2.1% with WOC of 546 mV. Shunting and high non-radiative dark current were main cause of FF and efficiency loss in the IMF devices. Threading dislocations or point defects were the expected source behind the losses, leading to minority carrier lifetimes less than 1ns. Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) was used to search for defects electrically and two traps were found in IMF material that were not detected in the homoepitaxial GaSb device. One of these traps had a trap density of 7 × 1015 cm-3, about one order of magnitude higher than the control cell defect at 4 × 1016 cm-3.
Living both well and sustainably: a review of the literature, with some reflections on future research, interventions and policy

The idea that human well-being (WB) can be supported and even enhanced by using, producing, buying, selling and consuming less 'stuff' is anathema to many living under consumer capitalism. Yet a growing research literature actually finds that frequent engagement in pro-ecological behaviours (PEBs) is positively correlated with personal WB. This paper reviews data relevant to three possible explanations for the apparent compatibility of PEBs and WB: (i) engaging in PEBs leads to psychological need satisfaction, which in turn causes WB; (ii) being in a good mood causes people to engage in more prosocial behaviours, including PEBs; and (iii) personal characteristics and lifestyles such as intrinsic values, mindfulness and voluntary simplicity cause both PEBs and WB. Because each explanation has some empirical support, I close by reflecting on some relevant interventions and policies that could strengthen each of these three pathways and thereby promote living both well and sustainably.This article is part of the themed issue 'Material demand reduction'.
Live Imaging of Shoot Meristems on an Inverted Confocal Microscope Using an Objective Lens Inverter Attachment

Live imaging of above ground meristems can lead to new insights in plant development not possible from static imaging of fixed tissue. The use of an upright confocal microscope offers several technical and biological advantages for live imaging floral or shoot meristems. However many departments and core facilities possess only inverted confocal microscopes and lack the funding for an additional upright confocal microscope. Here we show that imaging of living apical meristems can be performed on existing inverted confocal microscopes with the use of an affordable and detachable InverterScope accessory.
Yesterday’s Virtue Ethicists Meet Tomorrow’s High Tech: A Critical Response to Technology and the Virtues by Shannon Vallor

Vallor lists and describes seven complex features of moral self-cultivation shared by Aristotelian, Confucian, and Buddhist traditions, a dozen virtues which technology renders particularly important, and seven threats to these virtues. Responding to one of Vallor’s challenges, I offer eight ways in which these virtues must be transformed in light of our technology. Finally, I list four further challenges to virtue ethics posed by technology.
Prismatic Village: The Margin at the Center in the Nepali Maoist Revolution:

While the influence of peasant politics and agrarian struggles is growing extraordinarily in Nepal’s political landscape, their historical centrality and leadership in social transformation are undermined. This article demonstrates how the subaltern peasant politics of the 1970s and the subsequent Nepali Maoist revolution of the 1990s inversed the orthodox political imagination of peasants as primitive and pre-political, and argues that villages have always been a locus of political change in Nepal. By exploring the political history of Thabang Village in western Nepal, this article argues for a prismatic approach of studying peasant politics to understand how the structural changes of a particular village can instigate national political transformation. The main argument is that the internal dynamics of a village can enter into an articulated relationship with national political processes, which can swiftly transform the structural importance of the village and its nature of connections to other wider so...
Targeting the gut barrier for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease

Abstract Alcohol consumption remains one of the predominant causes of liver disease and liver-related death worldwide. Intriguingly, dysregulation of the gut barrier is a key factor promoting the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). A functional gut barrier, which consists of a mucus layer, an intact epithelial monolayer and mucosal immune cells, supports nutrient absorption and prevents bacterial penetration. Compromised gut barrier function is associated with the progression of ALD. Indeed, alcohol consumption disrupts the gut barrier, increases gut permeability, and induces bacterial translocation both in ALD patients and in experimental models with ALD. Moreover, alcohol consumption also causes enteric dysbiosis with both numerical and proportional perturbations. Here, we review and discuss mechanisms of alcohol-induced gut barrier dysfunction to better understand the contribution of the gut-liver axis to the pathogenesis of ALD. Unfortunately, there is no effectual Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for any stage of ALD. Therefore, we conclude with a discussion of potential strategies aimed at restoring the gut barrier in ALD. The principle behind antibiotics, prebiotics, probiotics and fecal microbiota transplants is to restore microbial symbiosis and subsequently gut barrier function. Nutrient-based treatments, such as dietary supplementation with zinc, niacin or fatty acids, have been shown to regulate tight junction expression, reduce intestinal inflammation, and prevent endotoxemia as well as liver injury caused by alcohol in experimental settings. Interestingly, saturated fatty acids may also directly control the gut microbiome. In summary, clinical and experimental studies highlight the significance and efficacy of the gut barrier in treating ALD.
Arms Trade and Conflict Resolution: A Trade-Theoretic Analysis

We construct a trade-theoretic model for three open economies two of which are in conflict with each other and the third exports arms to the two warring countries. War efforts — which involve the use of soldiers and military hardware — and the price of arms are determined endogenously. The purpose of war is the capture of land, but the costs are that lives are lost and production sacrificed. We examine the effect of foreign aid and a tax on arms exports on war efforts.Whereas foreign aid to the warring countries is likely to increase war efforts, a tax on arms exports is likely to have just the opposite effect. The endogeneity of arms price helps to derive the optimal level of such a tax.
An efficiency analysis of Veterans Health Administration hospitals.

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the efficiency of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals using a variable-returns to scale, input-oriented, data envelopment analysis method. Hospital executives, health care policymakers, taxpayers, and ultimately the veteran patient population benefit from studies that look to improve the efficiency of the VHA. Data for 131 VHA hospitals in 1998 and 121 in 2001 were analyzed by using data envelopment analysis to measure hospital efficiency. The results indicated that efficiency in VHA hospitals improved from 85% in 1998 to 86% in 2001. Although this level of efficiency is commendable, the study documents potential savings through more efficient use of resources. From a management perspective, this study shows opportunities for improved management and the realignment of resources to better meet demand. From a policy perspective, the study highlights the political problems associated with improving efficiency and providing access to critical health care services.
Can We See Facts

We have discussed at length the concepts of seeing and observing. The intellectual and linguistic character of seeing was remarked in such a way that we could at least detect some justice in the assertion that our two astronomers, the thirteenth century man and the twentieth century man, do not see the same thing in the east at dawn. In just this way two doctors may not see the same thing when looking at an x-ray photograph. Nor will two microbiologists necessarily see the same thing when looking at a protozoon, particularly if one calls it a one-celled organism and the other calls it a non-celled organism.
Staatliche und parastaatliche Repression

Im Mittelpunkt der folgenden Ausfuhrungen stehen staatliche Gewaltakteure als Urheber illegaler Gewalt (Militar, Polizei, Geheimdienst), sei es in offizieller Funktion, sei es als inoffizielle (parastaatliche) Einheiten. Dabei gilt es von vornherein die irrtumliche Vorstellung auszuraumen, illegale Gewaltanwendung von seiten des Staates sei in Lateinamerika auf die Phasen von Militarregierungen beschrankt. Es trifft zwar zu, das die Gewaltexzesse der Sicherheitskrafte gegen die eigenen Burger unter den Militardiktaturen im Cono Sur in den 70er Jahren einen traurigen Hohepunkt erreichten. Doch nach der Ablosung der Streitkrafte an der Staatsspitze durch demokratisch gewahlte Zivilregierungen in den 80er Jahren kann das Problem keineswegs als erledigt betrachtet werden, zumal Polizei, Militar und die Geheimdienste weitgehend dieselben geblieben sind. Eine Reihe von seit langem etablierten Zivilregierungen wie die in Kolumbien, El Salvador und Guatemala, die sich die chronische massive Verletzung elementarer Menschenrechte vorwerfen lassen mussen, beweisen, das sich auch in formal demokratischen Regimen Militar und Polizei nicht davon abhalten lassen, Sympathisanten der Opposition mit Zwangsmethoden einzuschuchtern und zu verfolgen.
A holistic model of human touch

The peripheral mechanoreceptive system in the skin consists of several functional components: the mechanical response of the skin, the mechanical response of the end organ, the creation of the generator potential, the initiation of an action potential, and (for some units) the branching structure of the afferent fibers5. Experimentally, only the stimulus applied to the surface of the skin and the final afferent nerve fiber response (as the signal propagates toward the central nervous system) can be measured. The system must therefore be treated as a series of black boxes for which we only have access to the first input and the last output. Previous research has focused on one or another of these boxes and related them to the final output, despite the fact that the components act together to produce the response and cannot be treated in isolation. Here we examine the system as a whole, with the goal of attributing different aspects of the final nerve fiber response to the various components of the system. Our approach is to determine the components which are necessary and sufficient to describe this overall system response.
A Rationale for Using Synthetic Designs in Medical Education Research.

The extent to which the results of a study can be attributed to the intervention under investigation (i.e., internal validity) is an important consideration in interpreting study findings. There are many threats to the internal validity of designs frequently used in medical education research. Synthetic designs, which involve the integration of two or more weak designs, or the addition of design elements, may afford investigators greater control over confounding variables in medical education research. A rationale for using synthetic designs is presented and two examples of their use in medical education settings are examined. The concluding proposition is that synthetic designs allow investigators flexibility in planning research that is feasible in medical education settings. In addition, they may permit stronger causal inferences between interventions and results than traditional research designs.