cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a microbore high-performance liquid chromatographic system for biological applications.

Abstract Simple and relatively inexpensive modifications are described for conversion of an existing high-performance liquid chromatographic system to a microbore system capable of isocratic or gradient elution. Use of micro guard columns was shown to be a practical method of protecting the microbore analytical columns when chromatographing samples of physiological origin. The microbore chromatograph was successfully integrated with an autoinjector to permit automation of the system. The modified microbore systems was used successfully for the isocratic and gradient separations of standard solutions as well as physiological samples. Evaluation of the system performance was based upon comparison of column efficiency, selectivity, resolution, and sensitivity.
Effects of Relative Humidity, Oxygen, and Carbon Dioxide on Initiation and Early Development of Stolons and Tubers

Russet Burbank potatoes were grown in the greenhouse to explore the effects of soil O2, CO2, and relative humidity on tuberization. The composition of the gas phase surrounding the below ground stem and stolons was controlled at various levels. Prolonged levels of CO2 greater than 5% produced large lenticels and, in combination with high relative humidity suppressed the number of stolons. Oxygen levels of 5% or less in prolonged contact with the stolons and underground portion of the stem were favorable to stem decay by pathogens but did not affect lenticel size. Isolating the stolons in a low relative humidity environment delayed tuber set, but increased the number of tubers per plant. This effect of low humidity suggests that the onset of tuberization involves at least two inductive factors, one of which is not translocated among stolons.
Hemoglobin E Syndromes

Hemoglobin (Hb) E is one of the world's most common and important mutations. It results in a heterogeneous group of disorders whose phenotype range from asymptomatic to severe. Hb E trait and Hb EE are mild disorders. The combination of Hb E and Hb S (Hb SE) results in a sickle cell disease syndrome similar to sickle beta(+) thalassemia. It is important to distinguish Hb E disorders diagnostically because of this marked difference in clinical course among different genotypes. Screening tests, including hemoglobin electrophoresis and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), may suggest other mutations, unless one is familiar with the findings. E beta-thalassemia, the most serious form of E syndromes, affects a million people worldwide and is increasing in North America. Its phenotype ranges from mild anemia to severe transfusion-dependent thalassemia major. Several genetic modifiers affect the phenotype, including the type of beta-thalassemia mutation, Hb F levels, and co-inheritance of alpha-thalassemia. However, the cause of the phenotypic variability is largely unknown. A prospective natural history study of E beta-thalassemia in Sri Lanka suggests that environmental modifiers are prognostically important. The clinical course of E beta-thalassemia is punctuated by acute and chronic complications that may cause serious morbidity and mortality. Recent studies indicate these patients are at high risk for thromboembolism secondary to a hypercoagulable state increased by splenectomy. Morbidity from iron overload in nontransfused patients secondary to increased gastrointestinal iron absorption is common. Cardiopulmonary disease, including pulmonary hypertension, requires ongoing monitoring and is secondary to iron overload, thromboembolism, and hemolysis-induced nitric oxide deficiency. These patients are excellent candidates for Hb F-modulating agents because moderate changes in hemoglobin may result in marked improvement in phenotype. Recent studies with hydroxyurea indicate 40% of patients will clinically improve with hydroxyurea.
A nested spatial window-based approach to target detection for hyperspectral imagery

A great challenge of hyperspectral target detection is to detect subtle targets without prior knowledge, particularly, when the targets of interest are insignificant and occur with low probabilities. This work provides a promising alternative to adaptive hyperspectral target detection. It considers a nested spatial window-based target detection (NSWTD) approach for hyperspectral imagery where a set of different spatial windows are nested and implemented to extract targets whose signatures are spectrally and spatially distinct. The use of nested spatial windows is determined by the image pixel resolution and applications. In order to demonstrate the performance of the proposed NSWTD approach, dual nested windows and three nested windows are implemented for computer simulations and real hyperspectral image experiments. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed NSWTD approach performs effectively and improves a recent adaptive anomaly detector developed by Kwon et al. and the commonly used anomaly detector developed by Reed and Yu, referred to as RX algorithm. Its computation complexity is also very simple.
Meaningfulness and the associative phase of paired-associate learning: A methodological consideration

This study shows that Ss who are attempting to locate a given CVC trigram among 10 other trigrams take significantly longer to do so with trigrams of low than with trigrams of high meaningfulness. The implications of this finding for the use of a multiplechoice paired-associate task in determining the effects of meaningfulness on the associative phase are discussed.
Studies of chemiluminescence in boron atom reactions with epoxides

Abstract Chemiluminescence from the electronically excited A 2 H state of BO has been observed in the single-collision reactions of boron atoms with several epoxides. Cross sections for the production of the A 2 H state of BO were measured and the vibrational distributions in that state were determined.
Replication or Monopoly? The Economies of Invention and Discovery in Galileo's Observations of 1610

I propose a revisionist account of the production and reception of Galileo's telescopic observations of 1609–10, an account that focuses on the relationship between credit and disclosure. Galileo, I argue, acted as though the corroboration of his observations were easy, not difficult. His primary worry was not that some people might reject his claims, but rather that those able to replicate them could too easily proceed to make further discoveries on their own and deprive him of credit. Consequently, he tried to slow down potential replicators to prevent them from becoming competitors. He did so by not providing other practitioners access to high-power telescopes and by withholding information about how to build them. This essay looks at the development of Galileo's monopoly on early telescopic astronomy to understand how the relationship between disclosure and credit changed as he moved from being an instrument-maker to becoming a discoverer and, eventually, a court philosopher.
Children's counterfactual inferences about long and short causal chains

Recent findings on counterfactual reasoning in children have led to the claim that children’s developing capacities in the domain of ‘theory of mind’ might reflect the emergence of the ability to engage in counterfactual thinking over the preschool period (e.g. Riggs, Peterson, Robinson & Mitchell, 1998). In the study reported here, groups of 3- and 4-year old children were presented with stories describing causal chains of several events, and asked counterfactual thinking tasks involving changes to different points in the chain. The ability to draw successful counterfactual inferences depended strongly on the inferential length of the problem, and the age of the children; while 3-year-olds performed above chance on short inference counterfactuals, they performed below chance on problems involving longer inference chains. Four-year-old children were above chance on all problems. Moreover, it was found that while success on longer chain inference problems was significantly correlated with the ability to pass tests of standard false belief, there was no such relationship for short inference problems, which were significantly easier than false belief problems. These results are discussed in terms of the developmental relationships between causal knowledge, counterfactual thinking and calculating the contents of mental states.
Broadband absorbing bulk heterojunction photovoltaics using low-bandgap solution-processed quantum dots.

We describe bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells containing blends of colloidal PbS nanocrystal quantum dots with several new donor−acceptor conjugated polymers. Using photoinduced absorption spectroscopy we found that blends of PbS quantum dots with one polymer, poly(2,3-didecyl-quinoxaline-5,8-diyl-alt-N-octyldithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole) (PDTPQx), produce significantly more photoinduced charge than blends of PbS with the other donor−acceptor polymers or with traditionally studied polymers like [2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)-para-phenylene vinylene] (MDMO-PPV) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). Photovoltaic devices made with PDTPQx/PbS blends exhibit power conversion efficiencies 10−100 times larger than previously reported BHJ blends made with IR-absorbing quantum dots.
Evaluation and Medical Therapy of Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a major reason for hospitalization and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis and treatment of this common clinical problem has changed markedly over the past 40 years. The initial approach to patients with gastrointestinal bleeding should be both therapeutic and diagnostic, with close attention to cardiovascular status and clotting parameters. Once the patient is stabilized, clinical history, physical examination, gastric aspirate, and laboratory data should be assessed to determine if the bleeding site is in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. Once that is determined, a more specific diagnosis should be made if possible, as therapy often will depend upon a precise diagnosis. Therapy includes angiographic and pharmacologic techniques, as well as tamponade in the case of esophageal varices. The use of antacids in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is well established, while the role of cimetidine is less clear. Newer modalities of treatment, such as the use of laser coagulation, are currently being evaluated.
Wireless Magnetoelastic Monitoring of Biliary Stents

This paper presents a system for wirelessly monitoring the accumulation of sludge in a biliary stent. Two generations of the system are detailed. The first-generation system utilizes a 2 × 37.5-mm ribbon sensor with a mass of 18 mg, along with 0.8-mm-thick × 1.6-mm-diameter neodymium magnets to bias the sensor. Both components are integrated with a 4-mm-diameter stainless steel stent. The second-generation system comprises a sensor and a magnetic layer [consisting of strontium ferrite particles suspended in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)] that conform to the meshed topology and tubular curvature of a 5-mm-diameter Elgiloy stent. The second-generation sensors have an active area of 7.5 × 29 mm and a mass of 9.1 mg. The sensors in both generations are fabricated from 28-?m -thick foils of magnetoelastic 2826 MB Metglas, an amorphous Ni-Fe alloy. Analytical and finite-element models that predict sensor response in the dynamic biological environment are presented. The response of each system to viscosity changes that precede and accompany biliary sludge accumulation is tested, with resonant frequency changes of 2.8% and 6.5% over a 10-cP range for each respective generation. Sludge accumulation is simulated with successive coatings of either paraffin or an acrylate terpolymer. Resonant frequency response to this mass loading effect is similar for both generations of the system, showing a 40% decrease after applying a mass load of 2.5× the mass of the sensor.
Control Techniques for Multiple Current Source GTO Converters

This paper presents the control techniques for a multiple current source GTO converter in a high-power environment. The output current space vector diagram for the multiple converter is presented. The important issue of dc current sharing between the two bridges is discussed, and a novel current sharing control scheme based on the use of redundant switch combinations is presented. Harmonic issues are discussed. The ranges of independent control of real and reactive power for different dc power sources are presented.
Hypoeutectic gold-cobalt alloys for dental castings†

Hypoeutectic alloys of the Au-Co system were studied for use in dental castings. Microhardness and tensile data were determined for annealed and aged alloys of compositions from 0.5 to 10 at. % Co in Au. Maxima for this alloy of HK 119, elongation 23% in 10 mm, yield strength of 185 MN/m2 (0.2% offset) and tensile strength of 257 MN/m2 occurred following aging at 350°C for 15 min. The system is considered promising for use as a dental casting gold alloy.
Professional Background of Service Coordinators and Collaboration with Community Agencies

Data from a statewide survey were used to examine the relationship between the professional backgrounds of early intervention service coordinators and their reported knowledge of and interaction with community resources relevant to early intervention services. Early intervention service coordinators with human service backgrounds were more likely to report higher levels of knowledge or interaction with social service agencies, such as community action agencies, family resource centers, and local charities, whereas service coordinators with professional backgrounds in health areas reported higher levels of knowledge or interaction with health-related services, such as Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment, Medicare, and private health insurance. Service coordinators with professional backgrounds in education were more knowledgeable about traditional educational services, including state at-risk preschool programs and private child care. Implications for professional development are discussed.
Iterative demodulation and decoding of coded GMSK

This paper considers iterative demodulation and decoding of the concatenation of a convolutional code and partial response Gaussian-filtered minimum-shift keying (GMSK) modulation. Demodulation is simplified through the approximation of GMSK as a superposition of pulse amplitude modulated signals, leading to a representation as the inner convolutional code of a serially concatenated convolutional code (SCCC). The modulation has both recursive and non-recursive implementations. Iterative decoding of the recursive implementation of GMSK yields a gain over 2 dB for a bit error rate of 10/sup -5/ compared to the nonrecursive implementation. However, modulating a portion of each block with recursive GMSK and the remainder with non-recursive GMSK provides an additional gain of up to 0.7 dB. The partial-block recursive technique may also be adapted to SCCC schemes independent of the modulation.
GENETIC DISSECTION OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS THAT REGULATE CAB GENE EXPRESSION

In developing leaves, photosynthetically competent chloroplasts arise from small, undifferentiated proplastids that are present in meristematic cells. This process, called greening, involves the coordinate regulation of many nuclear and chloroplast genes (Mullet, 1988). The cues for the initiation of this developmental program are both extrinsic and intrinsic.
Physiology properties as predictors of PDT response: Where we stand and where we are going

s / Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy 12 (2015) 325–375 367 Photodynamic field control of malaria vector, schistosomiasis and agricultural pests Mahmoud H. Abdel Kader The German University in Cairo, Egypt In this work, we present the successful field implementation of using the photodynamicmodality to control vector-borne diseases, suchasMalaria, Filaria,Dengue feverandSchistosomiasis, aswell as agro-insects which cause considerable damage to agro-economics. Field trials were performed in infested epidemic swamps in Uganda, Ethiopia and Sudan using chlorophyll derivatives as a photosensitizer which was approved by the FDA as food additives. It was added to the infested swamps to be uptaken by the mosquito larvae. The accumulated chlorophyll derivatives inside the larvae body induce, upon sunlight exposure, oxidative stress, which interrupts the life cycle of theparasite and results in organismdeath. The results revealed85–100%mortality of larvaepopulationat different concentrations of chlorophyll derivatives. The formulated photosensitizerusedachieved target selectivitywhereall otherbiological beneficiary organisms (which were present in the same treated swamps) were not affected. Using the same technique for the snail vector control (intermediate host of Schistosomiasis (Biomphalaria alexandrina), mortality percentage obtained ranges from 80% to 90%. In case of agro-insects, two different types of nano-materials (Graphene-oxide and Silver nanoparticles were conjugated with Magnesium and Copper Chlorophyllin derivatives which are used as photo-insecticide against white-fly, Cotton Worm and fruit-fly. Field results revealed that all nanocomposites achieved high reduction percentages in insects’ population ranging from 75% to 96.5%. The results reveals that this innovative modality against vector borne diseases as well as agro-pests combines both effectiveness and efficiency with the highest levels. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2015.07.163 Physiology properties as predictors of PDT response: Where we stand and where we are going
Selective damage to erythroblasts by 55 Fe

The low energy and short range of 55-Fe Auger electrons were utilized in mice to deliver lethal intracellular radiation to iron-incorporating erythropoietic precursors with minimal radiation damage to other bone marrow cells. The ensuing intramedullary, selective erythropoietic death was demonstrated by absolute and differential bone marrow cell counts and by decreased blood uptake of 59-Fe. The decreased number of colony-forming units in spleen colony assay and the decreased ability of tranplanted bone marrow to protect fatally irradiated mice shows that the bone marrow was partially depleted of pluripotent stem cells. These data are interpreted to indicate an increased pluripotent stem cell utilization in response to increased demand for differentiation of stem cells along the erythropoietic pathway.
Variational Representations in Reactor Physics Derived from a Physical Principle

A physical axiom is advanced that relates the density of neutrons and their individual contribution to the operationally determinable behavior of a reactor. The variational principle derived from this axiom is of a general form applicable to systems in which the time dependency of the coefficients of the equations prevents a separation into conventional eigenfunctions and eigenvalues. The physical significance of the independent variation of two field functions is investigated. The treatment of the nonseparable systems and the variational principle to which we are led are both independent of any particular physical model employed to represent the system and appear to be applicable to a variety of nonconservative, continuous, and time-dependent systems in mathematical physics. The more well-known properties of the separable problem are derived from the principle as ""the exception proving the rule"" in an attempt to associate physical meaning with the commnonly . employed forms. Thus a discussion is given of the relation of the Green"s function to both fields and the Joint Error is introduced as a criterion for the completeness of biorthegonal sets. Although the variational principle derived is not applicable to variation of the coefficients of the equations through nonlinearities, it is indicated how themore » present approach may be extended to account for nonlinearities. (auth)« less
Harmonic fluids

Fluid sounds, such as splashing and pouring, are ubiquitous and familiar but we lack physically based algorithms to synthesize them in computer animation or interactive virtual environments. We propose a practical method for automatic procedural synthesis of synchronized harmonic bubble-based sounds from 3D fluid animations. To avoid audio-rate time-stepping of compressible fluids, we acoustically augment existing incompressible fluid solvers with particle-based models for bubble creation, vibration, advection, and radiation. Sound radiation from harmonic fluid vibrations is modeled using a time-varying linear superposition of bubble oscillators. We weight each oscillator by its bubble-to-ear acoustic transfer function, which is modeled as a discrete Green's function of the Helmholtz equation. To solve potentially millions of 3D Helmholtz problems, we propose a fast dual-domain multipole boundary-integral solver, with cost linear in the complexity of the fluid domain's boundary. Enhancements are proposed for robust evaluation, noise elimination, acceleration, and parallelization. Examples are provided for water drops, pouring, babbling, and splashing phenomena, often with thousands of acoustic bubbles, and hundreds of thousands of transfer function solves.
PERIPHERAL ARTERY STENT THROMBOSIS: REPORT FROM THE EXCELLENCE IN PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (XLPAD) REGISTRY

There are limited data on infrainguinal peripheral artery stent thrombosis (ST). We analyzed procedures performed between May 2005-March 2014 enrolled in the XLPAD registry. Occurrence of ST was determined by acute onset of lower limb pain and angiographic evidence of thrombus. ST occurred in 27
Neurocognitive Adverse Effects of Anesthesia in Adults and Children: Gaps in Knowledge

Numerous preclinical and clinical studies investigating the neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive effects of exposure to anesthesia and the combination of anesthesia and surgery have demonstrated histopathological and both temporary and long-term cognitive and behavioral effects at the extremes of the human age spectrum. Increasing coverage in the lay press for both our youngest and oldest patient populations has led to heightened concerns regarding the potential harmful side effects of almost all commonly used anesthetic drug regimens. Although the majority of information regarding anesthetic risks in the developing brain derives from preclinical work in rodents, research involving the aged brain has identified a well-defined postoperative cognitive phenotype in humans. While preclinical and clinical data appear to support some association between anesthesia and surgery and the development of detrimental cognitive changes in both the developing and the aged brain, correlation between anesthesia and surgery and poor neurological outcomes does not imply causation. Given this information, no single anesthetic or group of anesthetics can be recommended over any other in terms of causing or preventing negative neurocognitive outcomes in either population. This review summarizes the growing body of preclinical and clinical literature dedicated to the detrimental effects of anesthesia on both the developing and the aging brain.
High Pressure-Temperature Phase Diagram of 1,1-Diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene (FOX-7).

The pressure–temperature (P–T) phase diagram of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene (FOX-7) was determined by in situ synchrotron infrared radiation spectroscopy with the resistively heated diamond anvil cell (DAC) technique. The stability of high-P–T FOX-7 polymorphs is established from ambient pressure up to 10 GPa and temperatures until decomposition. The phase diagram indicates two near isobaric phase boundaries at ∼2 GPa (α → I) and ∼5 GPa (I → II) that persists from 25 °C until the onset of decomposition at ∼300 °C. In addition, the ambient pressure, high-temperature α → β phase transition (∼111 °C) lies along a steep boundary (∼100 °C/GPa) with a α–β–δ triple point at ∼1 GPa and 300 °C. A 0.9 GPa isobaric temperature ramping measurement indicates a limited stability range for the γ-phase between 0.5 and 0.9 GPa and 180 and 260 °C, terminating in a β–γ–δ triple point. With increasing pressure, the δ-phase exhibited a small negative dT/dP slope (up to ∼0.2 GPa) before turning over to a positive 70 °C/GPa...
Correlation Among Cystometry, Urethral Pressure Profilometry and Pelvic Floor Electromyography in the Evaluation of Female Patients with Voiding Dysfunction Symptoms

AbstractWe herein evaluate the correlation among cystometry, urethral pressure profilometry and pelvic floor electromyography in 137 female patients. The predominant symptom was frequency in 40 patients, urge incontinence in 31 and stress incontinence in 66. There appeared to be a correlation between urge incontinence and a hyperreflexic cystometrogram but no correlation was noted between either frequency or stress incontinence and the cystometrogram profile. The urethral pressure profile showed a correlation between stress incontinence and the lowest profile measurements. Frequency and urge incontinence had similar profile measurements except for maximum urethral planimetry. Electromyography showed that the external urethral sphincter had a different finding than the levator ani or the external anal sphincters in all 3 groups of female patients. The external urethral sphincter had a higher percentage of denervation than the other 2 muscles, especially in the stress incontinence group.
The Chemistry of Photography: Still a Terrific Laboratory Course for Nonscience Majors

Examination of photographic processes from the 19th century to the present digital age is an effective means to intellectually engage nonscience majors with science. A laboratory course for nonscience majors exploring these processes is described in this article. Ionic and covalent compounds, oxidation–reduction reactions, precipitation reactions, and complex ion formation are major themes of the course. Other important themes are light and color and the generation of color in photographic images. Of the 11 experiments that comprise the laboratory component, nine involve making photographic prints, and nearly all of them involve hand-coated paper. Nearly all required supplies are found in an ordinary general chemistry laboratory. The experiments keep the chemistry of the processes in the foreground while letting students exercise their creativity. Figures in the article exemplify the quality of images that students can achieve. The course is enriched by the intertwined histories of chemistry and photograp...
NORTHEAST MILKING EQUIPMENT STANDARDS1

Minimum standards for milking equipment have been prepared for the northeastern United States. The purpose of these standards is to act as guidelines for the manufacturer, installer, dairy farmer and industry and regulatory sanitarian. The objectives are to eliminate duplication of farm inspections as a result of common market requirements and to have good quality and flavor by having well designed equipment, properly installed, properly operated and cleaned after each use. A committee of 50 persons representing industry, regulatory and university interests developed “Minimum Standards for the Design, Construction and Installation of Milking and Milk Handling Equipment.” Major areas of concern were the design and construction of equipment which was cleanable in the hands of the average dairy farmer and did not contribute to flavor or quality problems. Specific recommendations concern the installation of vacuum systems and pipeline milkers. A table of minimum vacuum pump capacities for conventional systems...
The Electronic Digital Computer

For most people, arithmetic is not an exciting thing to do. Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing have no intrinsic interest and are dull mental exercises. The only ability a digital computer has is to perform these basic arithmetic operations and to execute elementary logic by comparing numbers. And yet, computers have totally altered the nature of modern society. Mathematics, the sciences, education, war, manufacturing, transportation, insurance, publishing, finance, engineering design, agriculture, mining, entertainment; indeed every field of human activity has been, and continues to be, profoundly altered by computers. The changes attending the computerization of the world are not merely quantitative or incremental in the sense that we simply do what we did before more rapidly or more efficiently. The changes are also qualitative, in the sense that totally new capabilities are opened up and the way we think is being transformed. This is clear to everyone, and there is no point in providing a detailed exposition here, but two general developments must be mentioned that illustrate the power of computer technology in reshaping our world. The first is that instantaneous worldwide transmission of information and large-scale data processing capacity, coupled with cheap and rapid transport, is creating the first truly worldwide interdependent economy. The implications of this are just beginning to be appreciated, and the way political and social institutions respond to such widespread integration in a world of nation states will affect the welfare of all. The second general development is that computers give us the capacity to deal with complexity to a much greater degree than ever before. This capacity affects everything we do. Complex scientific problems that could not be addressed before are no longer intractable. Manufacturing, inventories, process control, and industrial optimization can be dealt with at an unprecedented level of complexity and sophistication. Computers make it possible to adopt the systems mode of thought, in which there are many related functions among interacting parts. We are no longer restricted to a linear, Newtonian approach in which there is a simple chain of causes and effects.
Abnormalities of blood gas exchange in COPD.

The concept of poorly ventilated lung spaces, known collectively as the slow space, is central to an understanding of the disturbance in blood gas exchange in CORD. An admixture of poorly oxygenated blood from the slow space causes hypoxemia in both the “pink puffer” and the “blue bloater,” but the mechanism differs.
‘White trash’ in the ‘basket of deplorables’: Continued crisis of men in America

The ‘post-truth’ society has produced a compound of two sets of new revolutionaries: We have known about the ‘white trash’ for about 400 years. The ‘deplorables’ represent the new Hillbillies left out by the ravages of globalized economy; ‘basement dwellers’ are reluctant liberals unable to confront the new realities of a hopelessly divided nation.
Concession period of public private partnership projects: industry–academia gap analysis

ABSTRACTWith increasing global adoption, various critical aspects of public–private partnership (PPP) concessions are highlighted. One such aspect is the way academia and industry perceive and weigh different critical success factors (CSFs) of PPP concession. Due to difference of perception, considerable temporal as well as opinion gap exists between the two knowledge streams, leading to improper resource allocation and inadequate decision-making. This study identifies CSFs and quantifies the gap between the two streams using a detailed methodology of identifying CSFs from extensive literature review published during period 2005–2015, and ranking those CSFs separately through questionnaire surveys from 60 industrial and 56 academic experts having thorough experience of various types of PPP. Based upon responses, 8–9 years’ gap between both streams is found. For 18% CSFs, opinion difference is greater than 50% pointing to a weaker collaboration. Decision-makers can understand the gap between both streams a...
Post-exercise blood flow restriction attenuates hyperemia similarly in males and females

Our laboratory recently demonstrated that post-exercise blood flow restriction attenuated muscle hypertrophy only in females, which we hypothesized may be due to alterations in post-exercise blood flow. The aim of this study is to test our previous hypothesis that sex differences in blood flow would exist when employing the same protocol. Twenty-two untrained individuals (12 females; 10 males) performed two exercise sessions, each involving one set of elbow flexion exercise to volitional failure on the right arm. The experimental condition had blood flow restriction applied for a 3 min post-exercise period, whereas the control condition did not. Blood flow was measured using an ultrasound at the brachial artery and was taken 1 and 4 min post-exercise. This corresponded to 1 min post inflation and 1 min post deflation in the experimental condition. There were no differences in the alterations in blood flow between the control and experimental conditions when examined across sex. Increases in blood flow [mean (standard deviation)] were as follows: males 1 min [control 764 (577) %; experimental 113 (108) %], males 4 min [control 346 (313) %; experimental 449 (371) %], females 1 min [control 558 (367) %; experimental 87 (105) %], and females 4 min [control 191 (183) %; experimental 328 (223) %]. It does not appear that the sex-specific attenuation of muscle hypertrophy we observed previously can be attributed to different alterations in post-exercise blood flow. Future studies may wish to replicate our previous training study, or examine alternative mechanisms which may be sex specific.
Comparison of two methods in estimating standard error of the method of simulated moments estimators for generalized linear mixed models

The likelihood of a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) often involves high-dimensional integrals, which in general cannot be computed explicitly. When direct computation is not available, method...
Characteristics of food processing wastes and their use in sustainable alcohol production

Abstract Food processing operations produce large amounts of waste that are rich in nutrients, and although these wastes are utilized to produce value-added products to some extent, the majority of the waste is discarded. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the characteristics of food processing waste for micro- and macro-nutrient composition, and utilization of these materials in alcohol production. The feasibility of producing alcohols, mainly ethanol and butanol, was investigated while identifying the research gaps and suggesting future directions for food processing waste utilization. Ethanol and 1-butanol are the most studied alcohols produced by fermentation of food processing wastes. Methanol is used to a much lesser extent as fuel and produced using chemical conversion methods. Propanol and isobutanol from fermentation of food processing waste are gaining interest more recently, and there are fewer published articles on these products. Alcohols have high market demand as fuels and industrial solvents. Effective utilization of food processing wastes in alcohol production can significantly affect the production economics by not having a need to grow crops for raw materials or acquiring biomass at a high cost. Although theoretically alcohol production from food processing waste appears to be feasible, the technology still has to overcome several constraints.
Symbolic conditioning of arrays in probabilistic programs

Probabilistic programming systems make machine learning more modular by automating inference. Recent work by Shan and Ramsey makes inference more modular by automating conditioning. Their technique uses a symbolic program transformation that treats conditioning generally via the measure-theoretic notion of disintegration. This technique, however, is limited to conditioning a single scalar variable. As a step towards modular inference for realistic machine learning applications, we have extended the disintegration algorithm to symbolically condition arrays in probabilistic programs. The extended algorithm implements lifted disintegration, where repetition is treated symbolically and without unrolling loops. The technique uses a language of index variables for tracking expressions at various array levels. We find that the method works well for arbitrarily-sized arrays of independent random choices, with the conditioning step taking time linear in the number of indices needed to select an element.
Assessment of interstitial lung disease using lung ultrasound surface wave elastography

We have developed a noninvasive lung ultrasound surface wave elastography (LUSWE) technique for measuring superficial lung tissue stiffness. The purpose of this paper was to demonstrate the clinical use of LUSWE for assessing patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). In LUSWE, a local 0.1s harmonic vibration is generated on the chest wall of a subject using a handheld vibrator. An ultrasound probe is aligned with the indenter of vibrator in the same intercostal space to measure the generated surface wave propagation on the lung. The Verasonics ultrasound system with an L11–4 ultrasound probe with a central frequency of 6.4 MHz is used. Subjects are examined in a sitting position. The lung testing is performed with full inspiration breath hold. The surface wave speeds of lung were measured at 100 Hz, 150 Hz, and 200 Hz. In a prospective clinical study, we measured both lungs through six intercostal spaces for patients and controls. Significant differences in wave speed between healthy subjects and ILD patients were found. For example, the surface wave speeds of the lung were 1.98 ± 0.07 m/s at 100 Hz, 2.63 ± 0.46 m/s at 150 Hz, and 3.18 ± 0.58 m/s at 200 Hz for a healthy subject, and the surface wave speeds of the lung were 3.30 ± 0.37 m/s at 100 Hz, 4.38 ± 0.33 m/s at 150 Hz, and 5.24 ± 0.44 m/s at 200 Hz for an age matched ILD patient in the same intercostal space. LUSWE is a safe and noninvasive technique for generating and measuring surface wave propagation on the lung.
From the Black-Market to the Gray-Market: Accounting's Role in the Budding Cannabis Industry

We examine accounting’s role in the development of the cannabis industry within the U.S., where formal accounting has historically been strongly discouraged. Employing an inductive approach, we conduct in-depth interviews to examine the current landscape of the cannabis industry and the ways in which accounting is used within the industry. Unique to the development of the cannabis industry is that, prior to state legalization, cannabis operations existed within a black-market, with no formal guiding rules or regulations, opposition to formal accounting records, and long-standing operational norms that were challenged once state regulation passed. Regulation, therefore, was the impetus for the dissolution of the black-market and the prerequisite for the development of an innovative industry within the gray-market. Our findings suggest that current cannabis participants face a unique set of challenges not experienced by other developing industries in modern times, including federal illegality of the primary product, limited access to and higher cost of peripheral services, punitive tax provisions that severely limit deductions of ordinary and necessary business expenses, and operations restricted to cash transactions. This set of obstacles, in addition to pervasive negative stigma, has created a path toward industry development that is not supported by theory. Therefore, we re-theorize industry evolution to recognize the unique nature of the cannabis industry, which will provide insight to other semi-legal, stigmatized industries. We also provide evidence of the use of accounting toward normalizing the dirty work associated with the cannabis industry and discover the development of new forms of accounting in response to the unique needs of industry participants.
Optimizing signal output: effects of viscoelasticity and difference frequency on vibroacoustic radiation of tissue-mimicking phantoms

Vibroacoustography (VA) is an imaging technology that utilizes the acoustic response of tissues to a localized, low frequency radiation force to generate a spatially resolved, high contrast image. Previous studies have demonstrated the utility of VA for tissue identification and margin delineation in cancer tissues. However, the relationship between specimen viscoelasticity and vibroacoustic emission remains to be fully quantified. This work utilizes the effects of variable acoustic wave profiles on unique tissue-mimicking phantoms (TMPs) to maximize VA signal power according to tissue mechanical properties, particularly elasticity. A micro-indentation method was utilized to provide measurements of the elastic modulus for each biological replica. An inverse relationship was found between elastic modulus (E) and VA signal amplitude among homogeneous TMPs. Additionally, the difference frequency (Δf ) required to reach maximum VA signal correlated with specimen elastic modulus. Peak signal diminished with increasing Δf among the polyvinyl alcohol specimen, suggesting an inefficient vibroacoustic response by the specimen beyond a threshold of resonant Δf. Comparison of these measurements may provide additional information to improve tissue modeling, system characterization, as well as insights into the unique tissue composition of tumors in head and neck cancer patients.
Ants: Ecology and Impacts in Dead Wood

Although rarely considered as a saproxylic insect group, ants are an important, highly abundant insect taxon in dead wood environments worldwide. Ants directly impact the dead wood environment primarily through nesting in standing dead trees, logs, stumps, and coarse and fine woody materials, contributing to the physical breakdown of woody materials. Ants indirectly impact the dead wood environment through predation of a wide variety of arthropods, particularly termites, and by serving as a food source for other animals, particularly birds (woodpeckers) and bears that physically break down dead wood to prey upon ant colonies. The known impacts of ant nesting and predation in dead wood are reviewed with a case study that provides new information on the role of abiotic factors affecting nesting site location in dead wood in the eastern temperate US forests. Results showed horizontal and vertical nest stratification of ant nests that shifted with spatial scale. At broad scales, climate determines disparate ranges among species across a latitudinal gradient. At the scale of a forest floor, however, microsite temperature, moisture, and biotic interactions affect nesting locations in downed logs. Future research aimed at better understanding the interactions between ants and other organisms in dead wood environments is necessary to improve our understanding of the importance of ants in shaping dead wood communities and ecosystem processes like decomposition.
Abstract WP6: Predictors of Acute Neurological Worsening in Ischemic Stroke After Endovascular Thrombectomy

Background: EVT is effective in AIS with LVO. Successful reperfusion is an integral factor that correlates strongly with good outcome. However, radiographic reperfusion does not always translate in...
Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in US States and the District of Columbia, 2013 to 2016.

Importance Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, and incidence has increased rapidly in recent years, likely owing to increased injection drug use. Current estimates of prevalence at the state level are needed to guide prevention and care efforts but are not available through existing disease surveillance systems. Objective To estimate the prevalence of current HCV infection among adults in each US state and the District of Columbia during the years 2013 to 2016. Design, Setting, and Participants This survey study used a statistical model to allocate nationally representative HCV prevalence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) according to the spatial demographics and distributions of HCV mortality and narcotic overdose mortality in all National Vital Statistics System death records from 1999 to 2016. Additional literature review and analyses estimated state-level HCV infections among populations not included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey sampling frame. Exposures State, accounting for birth cohort, biological sex, race/ethnicity, federal poverty level, and year. Main Outcomes and Measures State-level prevalence estimates of current HCV RNA. Results In this study, the estimated national prevalence of HCV from 2013 to 2016 was 0.84% (95% CI, 0.75%-0.96%) among adults in the noninstitutionalized US population represented in the NHANES sampling frame, corresponding to 2 035 100 (95% CI, 1 803 600-2 318 000) persons with current infection; accounting for populations not included in NHANES, there were 231 600 additional persons with HCV, adjusting prevalence to 0.93%. Nine states contained 51.9% of all persons living with HCV infection (California [318 900], Texas [202 500], Florida [151 000], New York [116 000], Pennsylvania [93 900], Ohio [89 600], Michigan [69 100], Tennessee [69 100], and North Carolina [66 400]); 5 of these states were in Appalachia. Jurisdiction-level median (range) HCV RNA prevalence was 0.88% (0.45%-2.34%). Of 13 states in the western United States, 10 were above this median. Three of 10 states with the highest HCV prevalence were in Appalachia. Conclusions and Relevance Using extensive national survey and vital statistics data from an 18-year period, this study found higher prevalence of HCV in the West and Appalachian states for 2013 to 2016 compared with other areas. These estimates can guide state prevention and treatment efforts.
Estimation of uncertainty of percentile values in particle size distribution analysis as a function of number of particles

Abstract In the analysis of particle size distribution (PSD), evaluation of the uncertainty of the percentile values is often required. Both theoretical and data processing methods are applicable to estimate standard deviations of percentile values. In this paper, a theory, applicable both in paramedic and non-parametric ways, is introduced. As a practical example, theoretical results based on a lognormal distribution are compared to those obtained by bootstrap method. Excellent agreement is demonstrated between the theory and the direct data processing method.