cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient symbolic simulation-based verification using the parametric form of Boolean expressions

Symbolic simulation has been proposed as a way to formally verify the correct operation of an MOS circuit. By allowing nonground expressions as values, a symbolic simulator avoids the complexity of exhaustive simulation. The symbolic expressions chosen for initializing the state- and input-variables must cover all valid test cases while avoiding those that violate circuit constraints. In this paper, we present a new approach to symbolic simulation-based verification that hinges on the use of parametric forms of Boolean expressions. A parametric form of a Boolean expression E is an equivalent expression in which the variables in E are expressed in terms of expressions over new variables called parametric variables. In our approach, Boolean expressions representing the operating constraints on the circuit node values are first converted into the parametric form, and the resulting parametric expressions are used as initial (symbolic) node values prior to each simulation step. In addition to the proposal to use the parametric form, we make the following additional contributions. We present a new method for generating the parametric form of a Boolean expression that exploits (among other things) the structural recursion involved in defining commonly used arithmetic/relational operators. Our method generates parametric forms that are more compact, as well as more balanced in terms of term-sizes than generated by the following existing methods: Boole's, Lowenheim's, and the generalized cofactor method. We have also developed a variety of example-specific techniques to deal with circuit constraints. All algorithms discussed in this paper have been implemented in a verification prototype system. Experimental results obtained using the COSMOS symbolic simulator are also reported. >
The bHLH-PAS protein Spineless is necessary for the diversification of dendrite morphology of Drosophila dendritic arborization neurons

Dendrites exhibit a wide range of morphological diversity, and their arborization patterns are critical determinants of proper neural connectivity. How different neurons acquire their distinct dendritic branching patterns during development is not well understood. Here we report that Spineless (Ss), the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian aryl hydrocarbon (dioxin) receptor (Ahr), regulates dendrite diversity in the dendritic arborization (da) sensory neurons. In loss-of-function ss mutants, class I and II da neurons, which are normally characterized by their simple dendrite morphologies, elaborate more complex arbors, whereas the normally complex class III and IV da neurons develop simpler dendritic arbors. Consequently, different classes of da neurons elaborate dendrites with similar morphologies. In its control of dendritic diversity among da neurons, ss likely acts independently of its known cofactor tango and through a regulatory program distinct from those involving cut and abrupt. These findings suggest that one evolutionarily conserved role for Ahr in neuronal development concerns the diversification of dendrite morphology.
DAMPING OF COLLECTIVE MODES AND QUASIPARTICLES IN d-WAVE SUPERCONDUCTORS

The two-dimensional d-wave superconducting state of the high temperature superconductors has a number of different elementary excitations: the spin-singlet Cooper pairs, the spin S=1/2 fermionic quasiparticles, and a bosonic S = 1 resonant collective mode, o α, at the antiferromagnetic wavevector. Although the oα quanta are strongly coupled to the gapped quasiparticles near the (Π, 0), (0, Π) wavevectors (the “hot spots”), they are essentially decoupled from the low energy quasiparticles near the nodes of the superconducting gap. Consequently, distinct and independent low energy quantum field theories can be constructed for the o α and nodal quasiparticle excitations. We review recent work introducing a 2+1 dimensional boundary conformai field theory for the damping of the o α excitations by non-magnetic impurities, which is built on the proximity to a magnetic ordering transition at which the o α condense; the results are compared with neutron scattering experiments. Photoemission and THz conductivity measurements indicate that the nodal quasiparticles undergo strong inelastic scattering at low temperatures; we propose that this is due to fluctuations near a quantum phase transition, and critically analyze candidate order parameters and field theories.
Field demonstration of a Mars navigation system utilizing GPS pseudolite transceivers

Tasks envisioned for future generation Mars rovers-sample collection, area survey, resource mining, habitat construction, etc.-will require enhanced navigational capabilities over the Mars Sojourner rover. Many of these tasks will involve cooperative efforts by multiple rovers and other agents, adding further requirements both for accuracy and commonality between users. This paper presents a new navigation system (a self-calibrating pseudolite array) that can provide centimeter-level, drift-free localization to multiple rovers within a local area by utilizing GPS-based transceivers deployed in a ground-based array. Such a system of localized beacons can replace or augment a system based on orbiting satellite transmitters, and is capable of fully autonomous operations and calibration. This paper describes the prototype SCPA that has been developed at Stanford to demonstrate these capabilities and then presents new results from the most recent set of field trials performed at NASA Ames Research Center. These experiments, which utilize the K9 Mars rover research platform, validate both the navigation and self-calibration capabilities of the system.
Nfat1 regulates adult articular chondrocyte function through its age-dependent expression mediated by epigenetic histone methylation.

The development of disease-modifying pharmacologic therapy for osteoarthritis (OA) currently faces major obstacles largely because the regulatory mechanisms for the function of adult articular chondrocytes remain unclear. We previously demonstrated that lack of Nfat1, one of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors, causes OA-like changes in adult mice. This study aimed to identify whether Nfat1 specifically regulates adult articular chondrocyte function and its age-dependent regulatory mechanism using both Nfat1-deficient and wild-type mice. Deletion of Nfat1 did not induce OA-like articular chondrocyte dysfunction (e.g., overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix-degrading proteinases) until the adult stage. RNAi-mediated Nfat1 knockdown caused dysfunction of wild-type adult articular chondrocytes. Nfat1 expression in wild-type articular chondrocytes was low in the embryonic but high in the adult stage. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that an increase in Nfat1 expression in articular chondrocytes was associated with increased H3K4me2 (a histone modification linked to transcriptional activation), whereas a decrease in Nfat1 expression in articular chondrocytes was correlated with increased H3K9me2 (a histone modification linked to transcriptional repression). Knockdown of lysine-specific demethylase-1 (Lsd1) in embryonic articular chondrocytes upregulated Nfat1 expression concomitant with increased H3K4me2 at the Nfat1 promoter. Knockdown of Jmjc-containing histone demethylase-2a (Jhdm2a) in 6-month articular chondrocytes downregulated Nfat1 expression concomitant with increased H3K9me2 at the Nfat1 promoter. These results suggest that Nfat1 is an essential transcriptional regulator of chondrocyte homeostasis in adult articular cartilage. Age-dependent Nfat1 expression in articular chondrocytes is regulated by dynamic histone methylation, one of the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene transcription. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Cardiac Pacing An Alternative Treatment for Selected Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Adjunctive Therapy for Certain Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Often, the hemodynamicabnormalities associated with heart disease can be modified, atleast for the short term, by altering the timing, sequence, and siteof cardiac electrical activation. In both hypertrophic cardiomy-opathy and dilated cardiomyopathy, dual-chamber pacing hasrelieved symptoms and improved hemodynamics in certainpatients. However, pacing techniques should be used as atherapeutic approach to individual patients rather than as routinetherapy for most patients with cardiomyopathies. Only recentlyhave controlled, randomized studies assessed the usefulness ofdual-chamber (VDD and DDD) pacing in patients with hyper-trophic or dilated cardiomyopathies.
Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Transparent Sol-Gel Glass for Photovoltaic Applications

Room temperature sol-gel synthesis and optical characterization of highly transparent silica glass for photovoltaic (PV) applications is presented in this paper. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), Ethanol, Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and deionized water were used as precursors in the volumetric ratio of 4:4.3:0.1:3.2 ml. Silica glass of thickness in the range of 0.5-1 cm were obtained with an average transmittance of 93% and absorption coefficient (α) of 0.08 cm−1 in a wide wavelength window of 350-1100 nm. Application of the developed sol-gel silica glass on solar ray concentration, anti-reflective coating (ARC) and effect of surface passivation on silicon wafers were examined. Carrier lifetime of the sol-gel silica passivated silicon substrate was 16 s and the calculated surface recombination velocity of the was 2200 cm/sec. Very low value of α, high transparency in a wide spectral window and effective surface passivation on silicon suggest that sol-gel processed silica glass can be a potential cost effective candidate for different PV applications.
Arnold diffusion in the swing equations of a power system

We present an application of the theory of Arnold diffusion to interconnected power systems. Using a Hamiltonian formulation, we show that Arnold diffusion arises on certain energy levels of the swing equations model. The occurrence of Arnold diffusion entails complex nonperiodic dynamics and erratic transfer of energy between the subsystems. Conditions under which Arnold diffusion exists in the dynamics of the swing equations are found by using the vector-Melnikov method. These conditions become analytically explicit in the case when some of the subsystems undergo relatively small oscillations. Perturbation and parameter regions are found for which Arnold diffusion occurs. These regions allow for a class of interesting systems from the point of view of power systems engineering.
Enhanced Antiretroviral Therapy in Rhesus Macaques Improves RT-SHIV Viral Decay Kinetics

Using an established nonhuman primate model, rhesus macaques were infected intravenously with a chimeric simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) consisting of SIVmac239 with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase from clone HXBc2 (RT-SHIV). The impacts of two enhanced (four- and five-drug) highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) on early viral decay and rebound were determined. The four-drug combination consisted of an integrase inhibitor, L-870-812 (L-812), together with a three-drug regimen comprising emtricitabine [(-)-FTC], tenofovir (TFV), and efavirenz (EFV). The five-drug combination consisted of one analog for each of the four DNA precursors {using TFV, (-)-FTC, (-)-β-D-(2R,4R)-1,3-dioxolane-2,6-diaminopurine (amdoxovir [DAPD]), and zidovudine (AZT)}, together with EFV. A cohort treated with a three-drug combination of (-)-FTC, TFV, and EFV served as treated controls. Daily administration of a three-, four-, or five-drug combination of antiretroviral agents was initiated at week 6 or 8 after inoculation and continued up to week 50, followed by a rebound period. Plasma samples were collected routinely, and drug levels were monitored using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Viral loads were monitored with a standard TaqMan quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. Comprehensive analyses of replication dynamics were performed. RT-SHIV infection in rhesus macaques produced typical viral infection kinetics, with untreated controls establishing persistent viral loads of >10(4) copies of RNA/ml. RT-SHIV loads at the start of treatment (V0) were similar in all treated cohorts (P > 0.5). All antiretroviral drug levels were measureable in plasma. The four-drug and five-drug combination regimens (enhanced HAART) improved suppression of the viral load (within 1 week; P < 0.01) and had overall greater potency (P < 0.02) than the three-drug regimen (HAART). Moreover, rebound viremia occurred rapidly following cessation of any treatment. The enhanced HAART (four- or five-drug combination) showed significant improvement in viral suppression compared to the three-drug combination, but no combination was sufficient to eliminate viral reservoirs.
Thyroid-related orbitopathy: a multidisciplinary perspective

Advances in immunologic and genetic research have revealed a newer understanding of the pathophysiology of thyroid-related orbitopathy. In addition, oxidative stress and its deleterious effects may contribute to the progression of thyroid-related orbitopathy. Yet clear perception of its risk factors and exact etiology have not been fully appreciated. Targeted medical and surgical therapies have allowed for better treatment and rehabilitation from this unremitting disease. However, a universal clinical assessment tool and protocol would greatly improve referral patterns to specialists and aid in clinical study outcome measures. Like other systemic disease processes, a multidisciplinary approach allows optimal care for patients in all stages of thyroid-related orbitopathy.
Effects of scopolamine on immediate postural changes in heart rate and R—R variance in humans

To examine the anticholinergic effects of scopolamine, postural tests were performed in nine healthy male volunteers after they received intravenous infusions of 0.2mg of scopolamine, 0.4 mg of glycopyrrolate, or placebo on separate days under double-blind randomized conditions. Compared to the placebo and glycopyrrolate conditions, scopolamine produced a significantly exaggerated HR response to standing from supine posture. Scopolamine also produced a significant increase in R-R variance during supine deep breathing and standing conditions as compared to glycopyrrolate and placebo conditions. At the same time, scopolamine also produced a significant dry mouth. These findings suggest that the effects of scopolamine in low doses on the above cardiac variables are vagomimetic.
When CPAP is stopped: what are the “on switches” of sleep apnoea?

Adult sleep apnoea is considered a relatively common and chronic disease, with the defining features of sleep disordered breathing (apnoeas, hypopneas and respiratory effort-related arousals) leading to its consequences. The physiological sequelae include a fall in oxygen and rise in carbon dioxide, changes in intrathoracic pressure and cardiac performance, and/or arousals from sleep [1]. Morbidity and mortality occur due to daytime inattention and sleepiness (leading to impaired quality of life with drowsiness, and fall-asleep crashes and accidents), metabolic syndrome [2] and cardiovascular disease (hypertension, stroke, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, etc .) [3, 4], with some recent evidence that apnoeas might confer a greater risk of cancer or cancer progression [5, 6]. Yet it is widely accepted that there is imprecision in the links between events in sleep and these adverse outcomes, so that determining an individual’s prognosis and need for immediate therapy is an uncertain art. Obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) is defined by symptoms of unrefreshing and disturbed sleep, loud snorts and snoring, and a certain number of events (usually more than five per hour) in a summary value called the apnoea–hypopnea index, and is relieved of symptoms when it is treated most directly by tracheostomy [7]. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has replaced tracheostomy as a therapy to reduce sleepiness and improve quality of life [8]. In this issue of the European Respiratory Journal , Rossi et al. [9] report that about a third of CPAP-treated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients do not experience recurrence of oxygen desaturations after four nights and ∼10% do not experience recurrence following 2 weeks of intentional CPAP withdrawal. All had been treated for >2 years. As the authors freely admit, this is a paper …
Along-track interferometry for ground moving target indication

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) along-track interferometry (ATI) has been used extensively to measure ocean surface currents. Given its ability to measure small velocities (-10 cm/s) of relatively radar-dark water surfaces, there is great potential that this technique can be adapted for ground moving target indication (GMTI) applications, particularly as a method for detecting very slow targets with small radar cross-sections. Herein, we describe preliminary results from an ATI GMTI experiment. The SAR data described were collected by the dual-frequency NASA/JPL airborne radar in its standard dual-baseline ATI mode. The radar system imaged a variety of control targets including a pickup truck, sport utility vehicles, passenger cars, a bicycle, and pedestrians over multiple flight passes. The control targets had horizontal velocities of less than 5 m/s. The cross-sections of the targets were not purposely enhanced, although the targets' reflectivities may have been affected by the existence of the GPS equipment used to record the targets' positions. Single-look and multiple-look interferograms processed to the full azimuth resolution were analyzed. In the data processed to date, all of the targets were observed by visual inspection in at least one of the four combinations of dual-frequency, dual-baseline interferometric data. This extremely promising result demonstrates the potential of ATI for GMTI applications.
Using Roles to Characterize Model Families

The development of reusable requirements and design artifacts often requires one to characterize families of problem and solution models. This paper presents a metamodeling approach to characterizing a family of models. A characterization is expressed as a Role Model that consists of roles that can be played by UML model elemets. In this paper we describe how a family of UML static structural diagrams that have the structural properties defined by a pattern can be characterized by a Static Role Model (SRM). The Abstract Factory pattern is used to illustrate how SRMs can be used to specify reusable designs expressed as patterns.
Exposing digital forgeries in color filter array interpolated images

With the advent of low-cost and high-resolution digital cameras, and sophisticated photo editing software, digital images can be easily manipulated and altered. Although good forgeries may leave no visual clues of having been tampered with, they may, nevertheless, alter the underlying statistics of an image. Most digital cameras, for example, employ a single sensor in conjunction with a color filter array (CFA), and then interpolate the missing color samples to obtain a three channel color image. This interpolation introduces specific correlations which are likely to be destroyed when tampering with an image. We quantify the specific correlations introduced by CFA interpolation, and describe how these correlations, or lack thereof, can be automatically detected in any portion of an image. We show the efficacy of this approach in revealing traces of digital tampering in lossless and lossy compressed color images interpolated with several different CFA algorithms.
Rapid extraction of doubly-curved scattering centers for automobile detection in the presence of clutter

This paper presents an algorithm for low-order automobile detection based on doubly-curved surface scattering phenomenon. As reported in recent works, detection based on doubly-curved scattering features is possible because automobiles consist of scattering centers that are characteristic of canonical shapes. Using a basis consisting of frequency dependent functions from well-known shapes, the proposed algorithm exploits frequency invariance of doubly-curved scattering centers to locate possible automobile scatterers in wideband radar data. The algorithm compares the magnitudes of two coarse images constructed from a single set of wideband data. Details of the basis, size of the partitions, and a demonstration with measured radar data are presented. While more work remains, the results begin to establish a performance baseline for rapidly detecting automobiles in time-sensitive applications.
Managing the Human-Milk-Fed, Preterm, VLBW Infant at NICU Discharge A Simpler Algorithm?

Feeding prematurely born infants after their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) remains problematic. Growth in the NICU is almost always well below the intrauterine rate, and extrauterine growth restriction is common. Breastfeeding is difficult in the NICU, and human milk alone may not always provide adequate protein or minerals for optimal growth. At the time of NICU discharge, a regimen is needed that is supportive of both ongoing lactation and optimal nutrition. However, there is no one regimen that suits all babies and families. We propose a simplified algorithm to help guide the clinical team in deciding what dietary regimen is best suited for their patients.
A Generalized Additional Boundary Condition for Mushroom-Type and Bed-of-Nails-Type Wire Media

An additional boundary condition (ABC) for mushroom or bed-of-nails metamaterials is generalized for thin 3-D or 2-D material patches or ground planes. It is shown that the usual ABC necessary for the homogenization of these wire-medium metamaterials fails for thin imperfect conductors, and a generalization is presented based on charge conservation. The new ABC leads to results that are in good agreement with full-wave simulations.
Selecting wheat varieties for tortilla production

Wheat tortilla consumption and manufacturing in the U.S. is increasing. However, industry formulates tortillas with hard wheat flour selected for bread making and make formula adjustments such as the addition of reducing agents to promote viscosity in during the pressing stage. The problem with the current selection of flour is that it is costly to adjust the formula to achieve the desired performance.
The GCC States and the Shifting Balance of Global Power

CIRS publishes original research on a variety of topics of relevance to the Middle East in general and to the Gulf region in particular.
Exploring the Performance of the iRobot Create for Object Relocation in Outer Space.

This research explores the performance of the iRobot Create machine for optimizing object relocation in an outer space environment. It is an ultimate goal to have it become a symbol of innovation for robots that are sent into outer space. Functioning as a tool-bot, and an active assistant, this robot aims to assist in small duties and respond to commands. With its arm and color blob recognition capabilities, this robot has the potential to receive a request, register and associate it with existing objects in its line of sight, and maneuver the arm to act accordingly, grabbing the correct object and giving it to a worker or engineer. This poster and presentation explains current progress and implementation of the iRobot Create for this purpose.
The Functional Design of Depression's Influence on Attention: A Preliminary Test of Alternative Control-Process Mechanisms

Substantial evidence indicates that depression focuses attention on the problems that caused the episode, so much that it interferes with the ability to focus on other things. We hypothesized that depression evolved as a response to important, complex problems that could only be solved, if they could be solved at all, with an attentional state that was highly focused for sustained periods. Under this hypothesis, depression promotes analysis and problem-solving by focusing attention on the problem and reducing distractibility. This predicts that attentionally demanding problems will elicit depressed affect in subjects. We also propose two control-process mechanisms by which depression could focus attention and reduce distractibility. Under these mechanisms, depression exerts a force on attention like that of a spring when it is pulled or like a magnet on a steel ball. These mechanisms make different predictions about how depressed people respond emotionally to a task that pulls attention away from their pr...
Case report. Amanita virosa acute hepatic necrosis: treatment with thioctic acid.

Abstract A 55-year-old woman suffered acute hepatic necrosis following ingestion of Amanita virosa mushrooms. Successful treatment included the use of thioctic acid. A discussion of Amanita poisoning and the therapeutic modalities available is presented.
CFD Predictions of the Frequency Dependence of Pulsed Film Cooling Heat Flux on a Turbine Blade Leading Edge

Unsteadiness in film cooling jets may arise due to inherent unsteadiness of the blade-vane interaction or may be induced as a means of flow control. A computational study was conducted to determine how leading edge film cooling performance is affected by pulsing the coolant flow at high frequency such that F ≈ 1 and F > 1. Time resolved adiabatic effectiveness and heat transfer coefficient are used to calculate the temporally averaged, spatially resolved net heat flux reduction for several pulsing scenarios. The net heat flux reduction with pulsed film cooling is compared to the steady jet with matched average mass flow rate. A cylindrical leading edge with a flat afterbody is used to simulate the turbine blade leading edge region. A single coolant hole was located 21.5° from the leading edge, angled 20° to the surface and 90° from the streamwise direction. The leading edge diameter to hole diameter ratio is D/d = 18.7. High frequency pulsed jet cases are compared to low frequency pulsed jets as well as steady jets at matched averaged blowing ratios, M = 0.25 and 0.50. Simulations were performed at ReD = 60000. A simple technique is shown that can effectively predict pulsed film cooling performance at low frequency, but the fluid dynamics becomes more complex at higher frequencies yielding frequency dependent results at F > 3.
Spreadsheet-Based Design Tool for the Analysis of Thermal Shock

Elastic and inelastic thermal shock analysis for simple shapes subject to convective heat transfer and the use of spreadsheets to automate this analysis is described. The completed spreadsheet application serves as a design tool to quickly calculate the elastic thermal stress distribution at peak loading or the residual stress distribution for inelastic regime. Spreadsheets were developed for the heating and cooling of a flat plate or wall, a beam, solid cylinder, and disc. The design tool results for elastic behavior are in good agreement with numerical methods over a wide range of Biot number. Inelastic analysis assumes elastic perfectly plastic behavior, and an approximate method is used to model it. Design tool results for inelastic analysis are also in good agreement with the literature for moderate values of Biot number with constant yield strength. The inclusion of temperature dependent yield stress and comparison with numerical methods is shown to give fair agreement.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Anatomic Variations in Pituitary Endocrinopathies: Implications for the Surgical Corridor

Objectives/Hypotheses Functioning pituitary adenomas may produce endocrinopathies such as acromegaly and Cushing syndrome. Both conditions lead to characteristic anatomic variations as a result of hormonally induced abnormal soft tissue deposition. We evaluate the anatomic differences between acromegalics and Cushing disease patients and compare these dimensions to controls. Design Radiographic review of preoperative magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the pituitary gland. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Participants Patients who underwent transnasal, transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas found to have acromegaly or pituitary Cushing between January 1, 2007 and September 1, 2015. A total of 15 patients with similar MRIs and no history of pituitary or sinonasal disease were selected as controls. Main Outcome Measures Dimensions assessed were intercarotid distance; carotid canal width; piriform aperture width; distance from the piriform aperture to the anterior face of the sphenoid; sphenoid sinus height, width, and length; angle from anterior nasal spine to anteroinferior face of sphenoid sinus; choanal height; and nasal cavity height at the level of the vertical segment of the middle turbinate. Sphenoid sinus pneumatization patterns were recorded. Results There were 30 acromegalics and 31 Cushing disease patients. When compared with controls, both acromegalics and Cushing disease patients had significantly wider piriform apertures and a longer distance from the piriform aperture to the anterior face of the sphenoid sinus ( p p p Conclusions As acromegalics and Cushing disease patients have known anatomic variations, the skull base surgeon should be aware of these differences and adapt their techniques and approaches as needed.
Intestinal Nematodiasis Situation in Sichuan Province in 2005 and 2006

Objective To understand the epidemic dynamics of intestinal nematodiasis in Sichuan Province so as to provide scientific basis for control strategy.Method According to "Surveillance Program of Intestinal Nematodiasis in Sichuan Province"issued by Health Department of Sichuan Province in 2005,sampling surveys(2005 persons in 2005 and 2 011 persons in 2006) were made in 4 surreillance counties.Results In 2005 and 2006,the infection rates of total nematodiasis were 35.01% and 34.51%,of hookworm 14.51% and 17.01%,of roundworm 20.55% and 16.61%,of whipworm 8.88% and 9.10%,of clonorchiasis 0.10% and 0.10% and of pinworm in children below 12 years old 17.04%(23/135) and 16.36%(44/269).Conclusion The infection rates of intestinal nematodiasis are still serious in Sichuan Province and control strategy on hookworm,whipworm and pinworm infections should be stressed.
Evaluation System for the Impact of Wind Farm Terrains on the Performance of Wind Turbine Generators

Wind farm terrains are one of the major factors affecting the performance of wind turbine generators.For the sake of a better understanding of the relationship between the terrains and the generator performance,an evaluation system is developed.With a given wind farm as the test site,the functionalities of the evaluation system,such as primary data interpretation and calculation,terrain surveying and mapping,are demonstrated.Through the analysis of the test data,the impacts of the terrain on the performance of the wind turbine generators mounted are evaluated,which could provide an important reference for post-evaluation of wind farm planning as well as accurate operation scheduling of wind turbine generators.
Determination of Regional Renewable Energy Planning Scheme for Urban Power Grid Containing Wind Farm and Its Important Impacting Factors

Taking CO2 emission reduction as main constraint and optimal economy as objective function,based on the platform of hybrid optimization model for electric renewables(HOMER) a renewable energy planning scheme for a certain urban power grid containing wind farm is proposed.The sensitivity analysis on factors impacting energy planning,such as pool purchase price,cost of wind power,prices of coal and electricity and electricity quantity sent to power grid,is performed and valuable analysis results are given.Results of the research show that when the cost of wind power is comparable with the cost of thermal power,under the constraint of CO2 emission reduction leading in wind power can effectively reduce both pollution emissions and fuel consumption while the electricity quantity transmitted to power network in higher voltage grade;the proportion increase of wind power will be saturated with the increase of the number of wind power generators and the cost of power production will rapidly raise due to immoderate installation of wind power generators.For the specified objective of CO2 emission reduction,under the condition of not adding energy storage device the increase of pool purchase price and coal price will directly lead to rapid deterioration of the power supply economy of regional power grid;the cost of power production of regional power grid can be effectively reduced by selling electric energy to power network in higher voltage grade,besides,the stronger the large-scale power grid's accommodating ability of wind power transmitted from regional power grid,the lower the cost of power production of regional power grid could be reduced.
Coordinated regulation of biosynthetic and regulatory genes coincides with anthocyanin accumulation in developing eggplant fruit

Violet to black pigmentation of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) fruit is caused by anthocyanin accumulation. Model systems demonstrate the role of regulatory genes in the control of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Anthocyanin structural gene transcription requires the expression of at least one member of each of three transcription factor families: MYB, MYC, and WD. To determine the molecular genetic basis for anthocyanin pigmentation in eggplant fruit, we used real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate the expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic (Chs, Dfr, Ans) and regulatory (Myc, MybB, MybC, Wd) genes in S. melongena genotypes that produce fruit with dark violet (‘Classic’) or white (‘Ghostbuster’) coloration, respectively. Transcript levels and anthocyanin content were evaluated in fruit at various stages of development ranging from small post-anthesis fruit to full-sized marketable fruit. Anthocyanin content increased 9-fold in developing violet-colored ‘Classic’ fruit, whereas low but detectable concentrations were found in white ‘Ghostbuster’ fruit. Chs, Dfr, and Ans as well as MybC and Myc transcript levels were significantly higher in ‘Classic’ in comparison with ‘Ghostbuster’ fruit at comparable stages of fruit development with greatest differences observed for Ans transcript levels. MybC and Myc transcript levels increased in developing ‘Classic’ fruit coincident with increasing anthocyanin content. MybB and Wd transcript levels were not coordinated with changes in biosynthetic transcript levels or anthocyanin concentration.
Abstract 3295: Microbiome profiling and immunological characterization on gastrointestinal tract tumors

Motivation: Conservative estimates are that around 20% of all malignancies may be attributed to microbiota. Especially in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, infection can cause chronic inflammation and further influence immune response to create a proinflammatory microenvironment for cancer development. This can account in part for the reason that the immunotherapy in colon cancer is less efficacious than in non-GI tract cancers. We proposed a systematic computational study to profile the microbiome from next generation sequencing of gastric biopsy samples, and evaluate the relationships among microbiome composition, host immune response and genomic characterization. Method: Patients undergoing upper endoscopy without chronic inflammatory disease or chronic NSAID use were eligible for participation, including cancer/non-cancer, Helicobacter pylori positive and negative patients. In total, 62 endoscopic biopsies from 3 locations in the gastric antrum/body were freshly frozen for whole genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis. In addition, TCGA whole genome sequencing (WGS) data from 37 gastric cancer, 102 colon cancer, and 46 rectal cancer samples were analyzed for microbiome composition. Results: H. pylori was detected in all positive infection gastric biopsy samples by our pipeline, and the results were successfully validated by qPCR. Comparing to other traditional bacterial identification methods, our pipeline shows a strong capacity for profiling microbiome from low bacterial content biopsy samples. We observed a high positive correlation between the H. pylori content and total non-H. pylori bacteria content. And we also identified significantly differentially expressed immune-related genes between active H. pylori infection and negative samples. Finally, we analyzed collected TCGA WGS data, and identified the dominant species from the different cancer studies, such as Bacteroides fragilis in rectum adenocarcinoma, and Fusobacterium nucleatum in colon adenocarcinoma. The correlation among microbiome composition, the expression of immune-related genes and cancer genomic characterization were also demonstrated in this study. Citation Format: Chao Zhang, Kyle Cleveland, Felice Schnoll-Sussman, Bridget McClure, Michelle Bigg, Nikolaus Schultz, Manish A. Shah, Doron Betel. Microbiome profiling and immunological characterization on gastrointestinal tract tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3295.
Bootstrap embedding: An internally consistent fragment-based method.

Strong correlation poses a difficult problem for electronic structure theory, with computational cost scaling quickly with system size. Fragment embedding is an attractive approach to this problem. By dividing a large complicated system into smaller manageable fragments “embedded” in an approximate description of the rest of the system, we can hope to ameliorate the steep cost of correlated calculations. While appealing, these methods often converge slowly with fragment size because of small errors at the boundary between fragment and bath. We describe a new electronic embedding method, dubbed “Bootstrap Embedding,” a self-consistent wavefunction-in-wavefunction embedding theory that uses overlapping fragments to improve the description of fragment edges. We apply this method to the one dimensional Hubbard model and a translationally asymmetric variant, and find that it performs very well for energies and populations. We find Bootstrap Embedding converges rapidly with embedded fragment size, overcoming the surface-area-to-volume-ratio error typical of many embedding methods. We anticipate that this method may lead to a low-scaling, high accuracy treatment of electron correlation in large molecular systems.
Response-Derived Input Function Estimation for Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI Demonstrated by Anti-DLL4 Treatment in a Murine U87 Xenograft Model

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) is an accepted method to evaluate tumor perfusion and permeability and anti-vascular cancer therapies. However, there is no consensus on the vascular input function estimation method, which is critical to kinetic modeling and K trans estimation. This work proposes a response-derived input function (RDIF) estimated from the response of the tumor, modeled as a linear, time-invariant (LTI) system. In an LTI system, an unknown input can be estimated from the system response. If applied to DCE MRI, this method would eliminate need of distal image-derived inputs, model inputs, or reference regions. The RDIF method first determines each tumor pixel’s best-fit input function, and then combines the individual fits into a single input function for the entire tumor. The method was tested with simulations and a xenograft study with anti-vascular drug treatment. Simulations showed successful estimation of input function expected values and good performance in the presence of noise. In vivo, significant reductions in K trans and AUC occurred 2 days following anti-delta-like ligand 4 treatment. The in vivo study results yielded K trans consistent with published data in xenograft models. The RDIF method for DCE analysis offers an alternative, easy-to-implement method for estimating the input function in tumors. The method assumes that during the DCE experiment, the changes observed by MRI result solely from vascular perfusion and permeability kinetics, and that information can be used to model the input function. Importantly, the method is demonstrated in a murine xenograft study to yield K trans results consistent with literature values and suitable for compound studies.
Temporal and Demographic Trends in Glomerular Disease Epidemiology in the Southeastern United States, 1986–2015

Background and objectives Large-scale, contemporary studies exploring glomerular disease epidemiology in the United States are lacking. We aimed to determine 30-year temporal and demographic trends in renal biopsy glomerular disease diagnosis frequencies in the southeastern United States. Design, setting, participants, & measurements In this cross-sectional, observational study, we identified all patients with a native kidney biopsy specimen showing one of 18 widely recognized glomerular disease diagnoses referred to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Division of Nephropathology between 1986 and 2015. Biopsy era (1986–1995, 1996–2005, and 2006–2015) and demographics (age, sex, and race) were our primary and secondary predictors, respectively, and the relative frequency of each glomerular disease diagnosis was our primary outcome. Results Among 21,374 patients (mean age =48.3±18.3 years old; 50.8% men; 56.8% white; 38.3% black; 2.8% Latino; 1.4% Asian; 0.8% other), the frequency of diabetic glomerulosclerosis in renal biopsy specimens increased dramatically over the three decades (5.5%, 11.4%, and 19.1% of diagnoses, respectively; P for trend Conclusions We identified significant changes in relative renal biopsy frequencies of many glomerular disease subtypes over three decades. Temporal trends were consistently observed within all major demographic groups, although relative predominance of individual glomerular disease subtypes differed according to patient age, sex, and race. We propose that exploration of behavioral and environmental exposures that likely underlie these findings should be the focus of future hypothesis-driven research.
Cleft Septorhinoplasty: Form and Function

Nasal deformity associated with typical cleft lip can cause aesthetic and functional issues that are difficult to address. The degree of secondary nasal deformity is based on the extent of the original cleft deformity, growth over time, and any prior surgical correction to the nose or lip. Repair and reconstruction of these deformities require comprehensive understanding of embryologic growth, the cleft anatomy, as well as meticulous surgical technique and using a spectrum of structural grafting. This article reviews cleft lip nasal deformity, presurgical care, primary cleft rhinoplasty, and definitive cleft septorhinoplasty with a focus on aesthetics and function.
A General Design Framework for Sparse Parallel Prefix Adders

This paper proposes a design framework for a family of Parallel Prefix Adders (PPA), based on the concept of sparsity. The proposed design is achieved via a generalization on the specific property of Group Segregation presented in Kogge-Stone Adders (KSA). Here the computations of even and odd bits (forming two groups) are mutually disjoint. Furthermore, the two disjoint groups can produce the computations of each other with a reasonable hardware and performance overhead. This opens up the potential of (a sparse version) using only one group and extending its computation to cover all the bits. In this paper, we generalize the formation of Group Segregation beyond the special case of KSA, and propose a framework to design a plethora of sparse PPA designs. These new sparse PPA's can be formed based on two dimensions of choices: an original type of PPA and group number. As a result, the proposed design framework provides significant boost in the PPA design trade-off space.
Complexity Aversion when Seeking Alpha

Does textual complexity affect attention and market outcomes? I conduct a global field experiment with Seeking Alpha that randomly assigns to investors different titles for the same news article. Investors are less likely to open the articles when titles are more complex---scored quantitatively and by humans. For example, a one-standard-deviation increase in length leads to 10% fewer views. Complexity is more off-putting for less-sophisticated investors, when investors are more distracted, and when news is likely less surprising. Exploiting an arbitrary tie-breaking rule, I find that complexity impacts markets---lowering announcement turnover and volatility and resulting in temporary price underreactions.
The Empirical Examinability of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: A Reply to Hoffart and Johnson:

This commentary serves as a reply to Hoffart and Johnson’s article contending that psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDT) models cannot be examined with regard to mechanism of change or represent within...
Extensions to the Period 2002–2004

Generally, I expect a negative sign on the coefficient of state tax rates due to the deductibility of the latter (see also the discussion in DGW) and a positive sign on Federal/State tax rates given that their dominant role has a positive association with reported income taxes due. As tax rates increase, holding personal income constant, tax revenues rise. This effect explains the pattern of lower taxes due in 2001 through 2004.
Safety in Sosa

What is the relationship between virtue and safety? This paper argues that Sosa’s positions in A Virtue Epistemology and in Judgment and Agency regarding this question are, despite appearances to the contrary, in fact consistent. Moreover, Sosa’s position there is well motivated—his Virtue Epistemology explains why knowledge should require apt belief, and why aptness should imply safety. Finally, the paper shows how two kinds of safety are importantly related to Sosa’s response to the Pyrrhonian Problematic. Specifically, reflections on the modal profiles of first-order and second-order safety allow us to answer two prominent objections to Sosa’s position.
Utility of applying white blood cell cutoffs to non-diagnostic MRI and ultrasound studies for suspected pediatric appendicitis.

Abstract Background Non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound studies in pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis are often non-diagnostic. The primary objective of this investigation was to determine if combining these non-diagnostic imaging results with white blood cell (WBC) cutoffs improves their negative predictive values (NPVs). Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted including patients ≤18 years old with suspected appendicitis who had MRI performed with or without a preceding ultrasound study in a pediatric emergency department. Imaging results were sorted into 2 diagnostic and 5 non-diagnostic categories. NPVs were calculated for the non-diagnostic MRI and ultrasound categories with and without combining them with WBC cutoffs of Results Of the 612 patients with MRI studies included, 402 had ultrasound studies performed. MRI with incomplete visualization of a normal appendix without secondary signs of appendicitis had an NPV of 97.9% that changed to 98.1% and 98.2% when combined with WBC cutoffs of Conclusions In pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis, MRI studies with incomplete visualization of a normal appendix without secondary signs have a high NPV that does not significantly change with the use of these WBC cutoffs. In contrast, combining WBC cutoffs with ultrasound studies with the same interpretation identifies low-risk groups.
Rigid Origami based Reconfigurable Conical Spiral Antenna

In this paper, we present a reconfigurable two-arm origami conical spiral antenna. The antenna is designed based on the rigid origami flasher model. The supporting frame is built using FR4 substrate. The antenna can morph from a dipole to a directional circularly polarized broadband conical spiral antenna, thereby providing reconfigurable antenna performance.
Using miniature brain implants in rodents for novel drug discovery

Introduction: There continues to be a need to create an artificial human blood-brain barrier for pharmacological testing and modeling of diseases. Our group has recently vascularized human brain or...