cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Flexo-dyspnea": A novel clinical observation in the heart failure syndrome.

Hemodynamic maneuvers, such as the Valsalva, squatting, and handgrip, have been used to distinguish the pathophysiology of auscultatory findings in valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy. In heart failure, the Valsalva maneuver is of particular interest at the bedside as an aid in differentiation of advanced stages of hemodynamic perturbations due to left ventricular dysfunction. Clinically, we often encounter patients with heart failure who complain of breathlessness when flexing forward or bending when they reach for their shoelaces or to pick up objects from the ground. Often, this symptom is not provoked immediately but occurs when the postural flexion is prolonged over several seconds. Hemodynamically, this posture may mimic the maneuver of squatting and increase left ventricular afterload while also increasing pre-load by increasing abdominal pressure. In those patients with limited cardiac reserve in the setting of advanced left ventricular dysfunction and symptomatic heart failure, forward flexion may provoke breathlessness by such hemodynamic mechanisms. To further evaluate this hypothesis, one of us (N.B.) used an in-office echocardiogram to non-invasively assess hemodynamics in the supine and forward flexion (bending) posture in 3 patients with “flexo-dyspnea” and symptomatic heart failure of 3 distinct etiologies and in 5 asymptomatic individuals (office staff and clinical colleagues). Transmitral Doppler flow patterns (E/A) were initially assessed and did not change in asymptomatic individuals, whereas the ratios increased in the heart failure patients with flexo-dyspnea. The estimated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP 1⁄4 1.24 (E/E’) þ 1.9; E/E’ septal was used in all cases), with E/E’ representing the ratio of transmitral Doppler early filling velocity to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity, increased in asymptomatic individuals (mean, þ2.042 mm Hg), but the increase was substantially greater in those with flexo-dyspnea (þ5.25 mm Hg) in the setting of heart failure (Table 1). These preliminary observations provide early insight into the potential hemodynamic patterns of this common postural provocation of breathlessness. However, these findings do not signify cause-and-effect and simply open discussion into this oft-reported symptom by heart failure patients. The general frequency of flexo-dyspnea in heart failure is uncertain (in reduced ejection fraction and preserved ejection fraction distinctively), and its precise pathophysiology is likely more complex than the speculated hemodynamic effects (the mere act of bending alters not just preload and after-load but may alter respiration profiles) and may be influenced by comorbidity, including age, concomitant respiratory disease, and obesity. We hope that this observation will spur further research on the http://www.jhltonline.org
Serine Hydrolase KIAA1363: Toxicological and Structural Features with Emphasis on Organophosphate Interactions

Serine hydrolase KIAA1363 is highly expressed in invasive cancer cells and is the major protein in mouse brain diethylphosphorylated by and hydrolyzing low levels of chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO) (the activated metabolite of a major insecticide). It is also the primary CPO-hydrolyzing enzyme in spinal cord, kidney, heart, lung, testis, and muscle but not liver, a pattern of tissue expression confirmed by fluorophosphonate-rhodamine labeling. KIAA1363 gene deletion using homologous recombination reduces CPO binding, hydrolysis, and metabolism 3-29-fold on incubation with brain membranes and homogenates determined with 1 nM [(3)H-ethyl]CPO and the inhibitory potency for residual CPO with butyrylcholinesterase as a biomarker. Studies with knockout mice further show that KIAA1363 partially protects brain AChE and monoacylglycerol lipase from CPO-induced in vivo inhibition. Surprisingly, mouse brain KIAA1363 and AChE are similar in in vitro sensitivity to seven methyl, ethyl, and propyl but not higher alkyl OP insecticides and analogues, prompting structural comparisons of the active sites of KIAA1363 and AChE relative to OP potency and selectivity. Homology modeling based largely on the Archaeoglobus fulgidus esterase crystal structure indicates that KIAA1363 has a catalytic triad of S191, D348, and H378, a GDSAG motif, and an oxyanion hole of H113, G114, G115, and G116. Excellent selectivity for KIAA1363 is achieved on OP structure optimization with long alkyl chain substituents suggesting that KIAA1363 has larger acyl and leaving group pockets than those of AChE. KIAA1363 reactivates faster than AChE presumably due to differences in the uncoupling of the catalytic triad His upon phosphorylation. The structural modeling of KIAA1363 helps us understand OP structure-activity relationships and the toxicological relevance of this detoxifying enzyme.
Software evolution, volatility and lifecycle maintenance patterns: a longitudinal analysis synopsis

Despite the rapidity of technological change it is still true that many software systems remain productive for decades. To stay current these systems must evolve as they age. How can these lifecycle software changes, i.e. software volatility, be conceptualized and measured? What are the antecedents of software volatility? How do software volatility and lifecycle maintenance patterns affect lifecycle maintenance outcomes? This research defines and evaluates a system-level multi-dimensional measure of software volatility. Longitudinal analyses use a panel dataset built from a 20-year log of software modifications to 23 application systems. Contributions from this work include a multi-dimensional measure of software volatility, identification of antecedents of volatility and evidence that software volatility and lifecycle maintenance patterns can predict future maintenance outcomes.
Performance of a class of parallel spread-spectrum code acquisition schemes in the presence of data modulation

An acquisition procedure for data-modulated direct-sequence spread-spectrum systems is investigated. The correlation time is partitioned into subintervals, and the integration results in these subintervals are noncoherently combined for detection. The tradeoff between noncoherent combining loss and data modulation degradation guides the optimum choice of the number of subintervals. Two forms of data modulation are considered, namely, the alternate-data and random-data cases. The parallel acquisition schemes discussed allow multiple code-phase offsets to be examined at each test. The circular state diagram approach is used to analyze the performances of these schemes. The theory presented is valid for a class of such parallel schemes. >
Neurogenesis in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

The nervous system represents the most complex tissue of C. elegans both in terms of numbers (302 neurons and 56 glial cells = 37% of the somatic cells in a hermaphrodite) and diversity (118 morphologically distinct neuron classes). The lineage and morphology of each neuron type has been described in detail and neuronal fate markers exists for virtually all neurons in the form of fluorescent reporter genes. The ability to “phenotype” neurons at high resolution combined with the amenability of C. elegans to genetic mutant analysis make the C. elegans nervous system a prime model system to elucidate the nature of the gene regulatory programs that build a nervous system—a central question of developmental neurobiology. Discussing a number of regulatory genes involved in neuronal
Being suicidal and elderly in changing times: a case history

Mr. Andrew A, at age 67, is a physically well and mentally active man who is involved in business failures and marital conflicts, which brought him dangerously close to precipitating his own demise. He is different from my other elderly suicidal patients, most of whom were ill, disabled, and in decline. They were grieving for many reasons, such as the loss of a spouse or-frequently-themselves as they had been. Andrew's story has hopeful implications for the changing nature of aging and suicide that extend beyond himself as an individual or my interventions as a therapist.
On pauli’s transformation

It is shown that Pauli’s transformation which mixes particle with antiparticle states is canonical but not unitary. It leads from one representation of the field operators to a new inequivalent one.
"It Didn’t Seem Like Race Mattered": Exploring the Implications of Service-learning Pedagogy for Reproducing or Challenging Color-blind Racism

Prior research measuring service-learning program successes reveals the approach can positively affect students’ attitudes toward community service, can increase students’ motivation to learn and ability to internalize class material, and can change their view of social issues. Studies also suggest that college students sometimes enter and leave a field site in ways that contribute to the reproduction of inequality. In this paper, we draw on three years of data from a service-learning project that involves sending college-age students (most of whom are white and materially privileged) into local, predominantly black, high-poverty neighborhoods to participate in community gardening. Using data generated by student assignments, we draw on service-learning research and critical race/whiteness scholarship to explore whether altering service-learning pedagogical tactics influences how students conceptualize and talk about race or if status factors, such as a student’s own race, gender, and/or class, intersect to have greater impact on the racial logics they employ.
Hardware assistance for trustworthy systems through 3-D integration

Hardware resources are abundant; state-of-the-art processors have over one billion transistors. Yet for a variety of reasons, specialized hardware functions for high assurance processing are seldom (i.e., a couple of features per vendor over twenty years) integrated into these commodity processors, despite a small flurry of late (e.g., ARM TrustZone, Intel VT-x/VT-d and AMD-V/AMD-Vi, Intel TXT and AMD SVM, and Intel AES-NI). Furthermore, as chips increase in complexity, trustworthy processing of sensitive information can become increasingly difficult to achieve due to extensive on-chip resource sharing and the lack of corresponding protection mechanisms. In this paper, we introduce a method to enhance the security of commodity integrated circuits, using minor modifications, in conjunction with a separate integrated circuit that can provide monitoring, access control, and other useful security functions. We introduce a new architecture using a separate control plane, stacked using 3D integration, that allows for the function and economics of specialized security mechanisms, not available from a co-processor alone, to be integrated with the underlying commodity computing hardware. We first describe a general methodology to modify the host computation plane by attaching an optional control plane using 3-D integration. In a developed example we show how this approach can increase system trustworthiness, through mitigating the cache-based side channel problem by routing signals from the computation plane through a cache monitor in the 3-D control plane. We show that the overhead of our example application, in terms of area, delay and performance impact, is negligible.
Patterns of intravenous contrast material use and corticosteroid premedication in children--a survey of Society of Chairs of Radiology in Children's Hospitals (SCORCH) member institutions.

There are few data available concerning the use of intravenous contrast materials in children. To assess patterns of intravenous iodinated/gadolinium-based contrast material (ICM/GBCM) use in children. Society of Chairs of Radiology in Children’s Hospitals (SCORCH) members were invited to complete a Web-based survey regarding intravenous contrast material use at their institutions. Sixty-six percent (42/64) of SCORCH member institutions responded, 76% of which are academic hospitals. Ioversol and gadopentetate dimeglumine are the most commonly used ICMs and GBCMs (52% and 81%, respectively). Premedication policies to mitigate risk of allergic-like contrast reactions are more common for ICMs than GBCMs (71% vs. 32%). For both ICMs and GBCMs, most institutions premedicate or avoid contrast material in the setting of a prior allergic-like contrast reaction of any severity. Policies regarding ICM and GBCM use in children with renal insufficiency are in place at 74% and 88% of institutions, respectively, but are variable. Policies concerning premedication for prevention of allergic-like contrast agent reactions and administration of contrast materials in children with renal insufficiency are variable and not consistently present at all pediatric institutions. This highlights the need for standardization of practice patterns and pediatric-specific research on these topics.
System for mechanical measurements during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in humans

A computer-based mobile data acquisition system that was designed and built for measurement of the mechanical properties of the human chest and the resultant vascular pressures are discussed. During manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a short cylindrical module was placed between the rescuer's hands and the patient's chest. This module, which was attached to an easily manipulated position-sensing arm, measured force and acceleration at the sternum. Three-dimensional position and orientation of the module were measured, as well as the component of the applied force which was perpendicular to the sternum. The central venous and aortic pressures were measured by high-fidelity pressure transducers. All transducer signals were recorded by digital computer. Real-time feedback of sternal force and displacement and vascular pressures was provided to the rescue team via chart recordings. An audible signal was produced as an aid in maintaining the desired compression rate and duration. The system's mobility permitted rapid implementation at any hospital location. >
On a semilinear equation in ℝ2 involving bounded measures

We study the semilinear equation –Δu + β(u) = f in ℝ2, where β is a continuous increasing real function with β(0) = 0 and f is a bounded Radon measure. We show the existence of a solution, which is unique in the appropriate class, provided that each of the point masses contained in f does not exceed some critical value denned in terms of the growth of (β at ∞ This condition is shown to be necessary for the existence of solutions, even locally. The one-dimensional situation is also discussed.
Attraction of non-target insects to three male fruit fly lures in California

The attraction of non-target insects to the male fruit fly lures methyl eugenol (1,2-Dimethoxy-4-prop-2-en-1-ylbenzene), cue-lure (4-[4-(acetyloxy)pheny1]-2-butanone), and trimedlure (t-Buty1-2-methy1-4-chlorocyclohexanecarboxylate) was examined in the main plant communities in California, except the desert, in 2012 and 2013. A total of 39,166 non-target insects were trapped during the study. Of these, 27 species or morphospecies in five orders and 20 families were deemed as attracted to one of the male lures. The most common of these were in the Syrphidae (Diptera) genera: Platycheirus Le Peletier & Serville, 1828, Melanostoma Schiner, 1860, Meliscaeva Zetterstadt, 1843, Ferdinandea Latreille, 1802, Hadromyia Verrall, 1901, Blera Billberg, 1820, and Melangyna Williston, 1882, as well as the genus Empis Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera: Empididae) and the genus Orchesia Latreille, 1807 (Coleoptera: Melandryidae). The low capture rate of these non-target insects (<4/day maximum), combined with the discrete nature of the California Department of Food and Agriculture's trapping and fruit fly eradication programs using the lures, indicates that the use of these lures will not have a significant impact on non-target insects attracted to them.
THE PROTEINS OF WASHED, MINCED FISH MUSCLE HAVE SIGNIFICANT SOLUBILITY IN WATER

After washing the minced muscle tissue of 5 species of white-fleshed fish twice with water and a third time with 0.15% (26 mM) NaCl solution, a considerable, portion of the remaining protein was soluble when extracted with water at a 1:20 ratio. The amount of protein extracted was 20–36% of the protein extracted by buffered 1 M Lid solution, a good protein extractant. This amount of protein indicates that the extracted proteins were primarily myofibrillar. When soluble protein was plotted versus the logarithm of the NaCl concentration in the extracting solution, an inverse linear relationship was observed. The moisture content of the fish paste was related linearly to the log of the water-soluble protein with a correlation coefficient of 0.945. The solubility of the proteins of washed, minced Atlantic mackerel was much less than that of the five white-fleshed species tested.
Theory of probing a photonic crystal with transmission near-field optical microscopy

While near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) can provide optical images with resolution much better than the diffraction limit, analysis and interpretation of these images is often difficult. We present a theory of probing with transmission NSOM that includes the effects of tip field, tip/sample coupling, light propagation through the sample, and light collection. We apply this theory to analyze experimental NSOM images of a nanochannel glass (NCG) array obtained in transmission mode. The NCG is a triangular array of dielectric rods in a dielectric glass matrix with a two-dimensional photonic band structure. We determine the modes for the NCG photonic crystal and simulate the observed data. The calculations show large contrast at low numerical aperture (NA) of the collection optics and detailed structure at high NA consistent with the observed images. We present calculations as a function of NA to identify how the NCG photonic modes contribute to and determine the spatial structure in these images. Calculations are presented as a function of tip/sample position, sample index contrast and geometry, and aperture size to identify the factors that determine image formation with transmission NSOM in this experiment.
Labor outcome at extremely advanced maternal age

Background Women of advanced maternal age (AMA) are at increased risk for cesarean delivery compared to non-AMA women. However, it is unclear whether this association is altered by parity and the presence or absence of a trial of labor. Objective We sought to examine modes of delivery and maternal outcomes among AMA women stratified by parity and the presence or absence of a trial of labor. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of all women delivering singletons births at ≥20 weeks’ gestation in the state of California from 2007 through 2011. Data were extracted from maternal discharge data linked to infant birth certificate records. We compared non-AMA women (age 20-34 years, reference group) to AMA women who were classified as follows: age 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, and ≥50 years). The primary outcome was route of delivery (cesarean vs vaginal) stratified by parity and whether a trial of labor occurred (prelabor vs intrapartum cesarean delivery). The association between a trial of labor and perinatal morbidity was also studied. Results There were 1,346,889 women who met inclusion criteria, which included 181 (0.01%) women who were age ≥50 years at the time of delivery. Overall, 34.7% underwent a cesarean delivery and this risk differed significantly by age group (30.5%, 20-34 years; 40.5%, 35-39 years; 47.3%, 40-44 years; 55.6%, 45-49 years; 62.4%, >50 years). Nulliparous women age ≥50 years were significantly less likely to undergo a trial of labor compared to the reference group (relative risk [RR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32–0.62). Furthermore, nulliparous women age ≥50 years were significantly more likely to experience an intrapartum cesarean delivery (RR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.31–5.20), however the majority (74%) who underwent a trial of labor experienced a vaginal delivery. Compared to the reference group, women age ≥50 years were 5 times more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity (1.7% vs 0.3%; RR, 5.08; 95% CI, 1.65–15.61) and their infants 3 times more likely to require neonatal intensive care unit admission (14.9% vs 5.2%; RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.2–4.4), however these outcomes were not associated significantly with having undergone a trial of labor, a cesarean delivery following labor, or a prelabor cesarean delivery. Similar trends were observed among multiparous women. Conclusion Compared to non-AMA women, women age ≥50 years with a singleton pregnancy experience significantly higher rates of cesarean delivery. However the majority of those who undergo a trial of labor will have a vaginal delivery. Neither a trial of labor nor a prelabor cesarean delivery is significantly associated with maternal or neonatal morbidity. These data support either approach in women of extremely AMA.
The Exchange Value Concept in Marketing

The concept of exchange value in marketing is a useful tool to position product and service offerings. Consumers use value to evaluate the worth of the offerings as compared to competitive offerings. From the seller’s perspective, buyer oriented pricing involves understanding consumers’ benefit needs and setting a price consistent with this value. This paper suggests that the exchange value concept is a medium for achieving a more balanced relationship between buyer and seller in the market place. Recommendations are made to move toward marketing terminology that embraces the interaction between buyer and seller as moderated by the exchange value concept.
On the Inverse of Some Sign Matrices and on the Moments Sliding Vector Field on the Intersection of Several Manifolds: Nodally Attractive Case

In this paper, we consider selection of a sliding vector field of Filippov type on a discontinuity manifold $$\Sigma $$ of co-dimension 3 (intersection of three co-dimension 1 manifolds). We propose an extension of the moments vector field to this case, and—under the assumption that $$\Sigma $$ is nodally attractive—we prove that our extension delivers a uniquely defined Filippov vector field. As it turns out, the justification of our proposed extension requires establishing invertibility of certain sign matrices. Finally, we also propose the extension of the moments vector field to discontinuity manifolds of co-dimension 4 and higher.
Oxidation Resistance of Gas Turbine Combustion Materials

The oxidation behavior of five different gas turbine combustor alloy materials has been characterized in both combustion burner rig environments and in flowing air. The alloys are compared in terms of resistance to weight loss, or thinning, and also in terms of resistance to subsurface internal attack. Burner rig exposures were performed at 1095°C (2000°F) for 100, 200 and 300 hours under combustion conditions involving an air to fuel ratio of about 50:1. Results are also presented for similar exposures where the burner rig air lines were unintentionally plugged-up, yielding a low air:fuel ratio and severe carbon deposition on the samples. In addition to the burner rig studies, results are presented for 1008 hour flowing-air oxidation exposures over the temperature range from 980°C (1800°F) to 1205°C (2200°F).Copyright © 1985 by ASME
The Attraction of Visual Attention to Texts in Real-World Scenes: Are Chinese Texts Attractive to Non-Chinese Speakers?

When we look at real-world scenes, attention seems disproportionately attracted by texts. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis and examined the underlying factors. In Experiment 1, texts in real-world scenes were compared with paired control regions of similar size, eccentricity, and low-level visual saliency. The greater fixation probability and shorter minimum fixation distance of texts showed their higher attractiveness, possibly caused by prominent locations or special visual features of text. In Experiment 2, texts were removed from the scenes, and the results indicated that the locations that used to contain texts still drew more attention than controls. In Experiment 3, texts were placed in unexpected positions in front of homogeneous and inhomogeneous backgrounds. These unconstrained texts were found more attractive than controls, with background noise reducing this difference, which indicates that the attraction by specific visual features of text was superior to typical saliency. In E...
Swift BAT Loop Heat Pipe #0 Temperature Droop Problem and Solution After Its Primary Heater Controller Failure

The primary heater controller for Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) loop heat pipe (LHP) #0 failed on March 31, 2010. It has been disabled. The secondary heater circuit is operational. However the set point tolerance of the secondary heater controller is significantly out of specifications. A novel variable conductance heat pipe (VCHP) is used to pre-condition the LHP propylene liquid before it returns to the compensation chamber (CC). Due to the limit on the quantity of power switches, the LHP and VCHP temperatures are controlled by different channels of the same heater controller. For this reason, the VCHP heater controller channel is also out of specification. It caused larger tolerances in the temperature of the propylene liquid returning to the CC. As a result, there were intermittent temperature droops every 10-14 days at the coldest attitude during the eclipse. After the set point of the secondary heater controller was gradually increased from 8°C to 8.7°C, there was no temperature droop for over four months.
Output Sector Munificence Effects on the Internal Political Economy of Marketing Channels

Like any system, a marketing channel will thrive only to the extent it can secure critical resources from the environment. Using a resource dependence perspective, the authors hypothesize that a we...
Recurrent Seizures in a Neonate after Lidocaine Administration

OBJECTIVE We report recurrent seizures in a neonate after intravenous lidocaine administration at the recommended dose for intubation and supplementation of general anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN Further evaluation of this case included determination of serum lidocaine level, serum electrolyte levels, and arterial blood gas values; cerebral spinal fluid analysis; an electroencephalogram; head ultrasonography; brain stem auditory evoked response testing; and a complete developmental evaluation. Previously published literature discussing lidocaine toxicity and pharmacokinetics is reviewed. RESULTS The lidocaine level in the patient was 0.3 mg/L 2 hours after the last dose was administered. Results of the remaining studies were within normal limits, and the patient had no additional seizures several months after birth. CONCLUSION We caution that lidocaine administration to newborn infants at previously accepted doses may result in life-threatening side effects, including prolonged seizures.
Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Single Particles in Electron Microscopy

Three-dimensional electron microscopy of single macromolecular assemblies has made large strides forward over the last decade. A large number of image processing techniques have been developed and many have found general distribution. For the proper usage of the wide range of available techniques, a clear concept of all processing steps is essential. This chapter provides step-by-step instruction for the three-dimensional reconstruction of an unknown macromolecule. Where possible, the limitations of the techniques are explained. The chapter attempts to be sufficiently general such so as not to adhere to a single image processing system. Described are alignment techniques for two and three dimensions, classification procedures, and the usage of three-dimensional reconstruction algorithms.
Health and Sickness in Europe, 1600–1870

La mort ne pourra etre apprehendee de maniere satisfaisante que par l’etude globale de la morbidite.l [Death can only be satisfactorily understood by the comprehensive study of morbidity.]
A Method for Distinguishing between Prehistoric and Recent Water and Soil Control Features

ABSTRACTRock alignments built for controlling the flow of water and its effects on soil, and known by a number of terms including check dams, terraces, linear borders, and trincheras, have troubled Southwestern archaeologists for years. Especially problematical are attempts to determine the ages of such features; recently built rock alignments can be easily confused with prehistoric ones. This paper identifies 13 morphological elements of rock alignments and discusses their value in determining age. It offers a method for distinguishing between prehistoric and recent water and soil control features when no other evidence is available.
Measurement Techniques for Capacitively-Transduced VHF-to-UHF Micromechanical Resonators

An electromechanical mixing technique has been demonstrated for accurately measuring the performance of sub-optimal (e.g., insufficiently small capacitive gap, limited dc-bias), high-frequency, high-Q micromechanical resonators under conditions where parasitic effects could otherwise mask motional output currents. The technique employs the nonlinear voltage-to-force transfer function inherent in capacitive transducers, allowing an off-resonance input signal to mix down to a force at the resonance frequency and drive a resonator into vibration. Using this technique, a Q of 9,400 was measured for a non-optimal 156MHz disk resonator—3X higher than the false 3,090 obtained when parasitic feed-through is allowed to influence the frequency response.
Fast charging method based on estimation of ion concentrations using a reduced order of Electrochemical Thermal Model for lithium ion polymer battery

Comparably long charging time for battery of electric and hybrid vehicles is one of barriers for massive commercialization of the vehicles. Typical charging methods are by a constant current (CC) with constant voltage (CV), pulsed or tapered current. Theoretically, the charging time can be reduced by increased amplitude of the charging current, which, however, accelerate degradation of cells and reduces the lifespan. The relationship between the charging current and the degradation has not been well understood. Studies on ion transport and chemical reactions using a computational model developed in our laboratory reveal that a high charging current causes excessive ions at the surface of electrode particles because of slow diffusion process of ions in the solid electrodes. The excessive lithium ions react with electrons and form a thin layer, called Lithium plating that is irreversible. The Lithium plating not only reduces ion conductivities, but also contributes growth of dendrites and potentially internal short circuit. In this paper, a new charging algorithm is proposed that is based on an electrochemical and thermal model, which order is drastically reduced in order to facilitate a real time operation. The model, called Reduced Order of Electrochemical Thermal Model (ROM), is completely validated with a pouch type of Lithium polymer battery and used to dynamically estimate ion concentration at the surface of particles. Based on the estimated ion concentration, a new control algorithm is derived that allows for determination of amplitude and duration of the charging current. The ROM performs at least ten fold faster in calculations than the original full order model. The simulation and experimental results show that the charging time can be reduced to 60-70% of that of the classical CC/CV charging by preventing excessive ions and slowing down degradation of cell capacity losses.
Full-spherical radiation pattern evaluation of low frequency antennas using a novel very-near-field electro-optical system

An efficient 3-D radiation pattern and gain measurement technique for low frequency antennas using very-near-field mapping is presented. The tangential electric fields of an antenna under test (AUT) at surfaces enclosing the antenna are accurately measured by a unique measurement system with a non-intrusive electro-optical (EO) probe, eliminating the need for costly large anechoic chamber facilities. We also develop a simple near-field to far-field transformation method to derive exact far-field quantities of the AUT. This method can provide the full spherical radiation pattern and gain of all types of antennas without any truncation errors. To demonstrate the proposed approach, a low-VHF folded dipole [1] is employed. The measured results agree very well with simulation results and those obtained from far-field measurement performed in an outdoor range.
Contributions of rapid neuromuscular transmission to the fine control of acoustic parameters of birdsong

It is largely unknown how fine motor control of acoustic parameters is achieved in vocal organs. Subtle manipulation of syringeal muscle function was used to test how active motor control influence...
Application of a Prognostic Gleason Grade Grouping System to Assess Distant Prostate Cancer Outcomes

Abstract Background There is growing enthusiasm for the adoption of a novel grade grouping system to better represent Gleason scores. Objective To evaluate the ability of prognostic Gleason grade groups to predict prostate cancer (PCa)–specific mortality (PCSM) and bone metastatic progression. Design, setting, and participants We identified patients with PCa enrolled in the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor (CaPSURE) registry across treatment strategies, including conservative and nondefinitive therapy. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis We examined the prognostic ability of Gleason grade groups to predict risk of PCSM and bone metastasis using the Kaplan-Meier method and unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Results and limitations We identified 10529 men with PCa followed for a median of 81 mo (interquartile range 40–127), including 64% in group I ( p Conclusions The prognostic grade grouping system is associated with risk of PCSM and metastasis across management strategies, including definitive therapy, conservative management, and primary androgen deprivation. Patient summary A five-level reporting system for prostate cancer pathology is associated with the risk of late prostate cancer endpoints.
Incidence, determinants and outcomes of pregnancy-associated hepatitis B flares: A regional hospital-based cohort study.

Background & aims There is limited knowledge about hepatitis B virus (HBV) flare among pregnant women. We evaluated the incidence, determinants and outcomes of HBV flare in a multicultural cohort of pregnant HBV-infected women in the United States. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of pregnant hepatitis B surface antigen-positive women cared for at hospital-based clinics of 4 medical centres in Southeastern Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2015. The main outcome was incident HBV flare (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] ≥2 times upper limit of normal) during pregnancy or within 6 months after delivery. Among patients with flare, we determined development of jaundice (total bilirubin ≥2.5 mg/dL) and hepatic decompensation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of HBV flare for risk factors of interest, including timing of flare (during pregnancy versus post-delivery), nulliparity, younger age, HBV e antigen (HBeAg) status, and lack of anti-HBV therapy. Results Among 310 pregnant predominantly African HBV-infected women with 388 pregnancies, the incidence of HBV flare was 14% (95% CI, 10-18%) during pregnancy and 16% (95% CI, 11-24%) post-delivery. Jaundice developed in 12% and hepatic decompensation in 2%. Positive HBeAg was associated with HBV flare (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.04-6.20). HBV DNA was measured in 55% of patients, and only 50% were referred for HBV specialty care. Conclusions Pregnancy-associated hepatitis B flare occurred in 14% during pregnancy and 16% post-delivery and rarely led to hepatic decompensation. Positive HBeAg was the main risk factor identified. Women did not have adequate HBV monitoring or follow-up during pregnancy.
Voluntary muscle activation and evoked volitional-wave responses as a function of torque.

Abstract Introduction: This study employed a unique stimulation paradigm which allowed for the simultaneous assessment of voluntary activation levels (VA) via twitch-interpolation, and the evoked V-wave responses of the plantar flexors during submaximal and maximal contractions. Test-retest reliability was also examined. Methods: Fourteen participants repeated a stimulation protocol over four visits to assess VA and evoked V-wave amplitude across torque levels ranging from 20% to 100% MVC. MVC torque and EMG amplitude were also measured. Results: VA increased nonlinearly with torque production and plateaued by 80% MVC. V-wave amplitude increased linearly from 20% to 100% MVC. There were no differences in any dependent variable across visits (p > 0.05). VA demonstrated moderate to substantial reliability across all torque levels (ICC = 0.76–0.91) while V-wave amplitude exhibited fair to moderate reliability from 40% to 100% (ICC = 0.48–0.74). Discussion: We were able to reliably collect VA and the V-wave simultaneously in the plantar flexors. Collection of VA and V-wave during the same contraction provides distinct information regarding the contribution of motor-unit recruitment and descending cortico-spinal drive/excitability to force production.
Childhood obesity: why is this happening to our children?

Obesity among children is epidemic in the U.S. Although a serious problem because of the rising incidence of Type II diabetes as well as heart disease, it is preventable. Unfortunately, it is difficult to prevent because of the problem of getting people to change dietary habits and increase their physical activity. However, it is a serious enough health issue to require the attention and actions of physicians.
Information content of biological survival curves arising in aging experiments: some further thoughts.

The biology of aging can be investigated at a variety of complexity levels; from the molecular level of organization to the population( demographic) level of organization. At the demographic level of organization, one of the easiest measurements (or observations) to make is the number of individuals N(t) that are alive at a given time t (Observe that this is equivalent to knowing a lifespan distribution). If the population is closed to the outside world(no migration, etc.), then the only force for change, in the population, is birth and death. Further, given that the population is unisexual, we may eliminate population changes due to reproduction. Thus, we end up with death as the only force for change in our population under observation. Such populations, as I have just described, are standard in most aging experiments, such as diet restiction experiments.
The Island Model Genetic Algorithm: On Separability, Population Size and Convergence

Parallel Genetic Algorithms have often been reported to yield better performance than Genetic Algorithms which use a single large panmictic population. In the case of the Island Model genetic algorithm, it has been informally argued that having multiple subpopulations helps to preserve genetic diversity, since each island can potentially follow a different search trajectory through the search space. It is also possible that since linearly separable problems are often used to test Genetic Algorithms, that Island Models may simply be particularly well suited to exploiting the separable nature of the test problems. We explore this possibility by using the infinite population models of simple genetic algorithms to study how Island Models can track multiple search trajectories. We also introduce a simple model for better understanding when Island Model genetic algorithms may have an advantage when processing some test problems. We provide empirical results for both linearly separable and nonseparable parameter optimization functions.
The Paleobiology of South Asian Miocene Hominoids

Our knowledge of hominoid paleobiology has expanded dramatically in the past 10 years. Many new hominoid fossils have been recovered, principally from middle and late Miocene deposits in Europe and Asia. They are between 17 and 5 million years old. Comparative molecular studies on living hominoids have established a clear pattern of similarities and differences that almost certainly reflects a branching sequence. Broader “historical geological” research in many areas has enriched our knowledge of paleogeography, paleoclimates, and past faunas and floras considerably.
Factors impeding efficient functionality of community operated urban water schemes: the experience of Kisumu, Kenya

Numerous studies have measured the benefits of community participation in promoting equity and efficiency in the water service-provisioning sector. However, few have focused on factors which affect functionality in community operated water schemes in urban centers. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap in knowledge. Using qualitative data gathered through focus group discussions and employing constant comparative analytic techniques this study identify four unique factors which affect functionality in community operated water schemes in Kisumu, an urban area in Kenya. The following factors seem to influence this process: (1) clannism; (2) colonial planning/zoning laws; (3) physical/geographical constraints; and (4) population increase/community fatigue. Three policy suggestions are made which can be adopted to address these impediments. One, feasibility studies should precede the execution of most future urban-based community operated water schemes in the developing world. Two, funding agencies should focus on developing strategies to collaborate with the communities upon the completion of the projects. Third, managing community urban water systems requires adequate integration and coordination between the beneficiary community and city planners on issues of land use.
Residential Mobility and Flourishing Among United States School-Age Children, 2011/2012 National Survey of Children’s Health

Objectives To investigate the association of residential mobility with flourishing among school-age children. Methods Data from the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children’s Health were used to examine parent/caregiver-reported information on flourishing and residential mobility for children age 6–17 (N = 63,333). Residential mobility was the number of times the child moved categorized as: none, 1–2, and 3+. Children who were reported to show interest/curiosity, finish tasks, stay calm/in control, care about doing well in school, and do all homework were coded as flourishing. Sex-specific multivariable models were used to model the relative risk of mobility on flourishing. Interactions of mobility with age and poverty were tested. Results Among US school-age children, 22% had no moves, 39% had 1–2 moves and 39% had 3+ moves in their lifetime. Nearly half (45%) were flourishing. Both boys and girls who moved 3+ times were less likely to flourish compared to children with no moves. Among poor boys moving 3+ times was associated with less flourishing (aRR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71, 0.98) with no association for non-poor boy. Among girls the pattern was reversed (aRR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81, 0.95 for non-poor girls and no association for poor girls). Conclusions for Practice Residential mobility may lead to lower rates of flourishing. The patterns, when stratified by age or poverty, are different for boys and girls.
Development of high performance hybrid capacitors

Electrochemical capacitors are viable energy storage solution but their low energy density restricts their widespread deployment in many electronic devices. The motivation behind hybrid capacitor is the desire to improve the energy density output of electrochemical capacitors by combining electrodes capable of storing charges by surface adsorption with redox active electrodes. The overall performance output of the energy storage device are governed by the intrinsic characteristics of electrodes employed and their preparation techniques. In this paper, we discuss different hybrid capacitor devices employing binder-free electrodes based on electrostatic spray deposition or electrophoretic deposition techniques.
A phase II multi-arm study of durvalumab and tremelimumab for advanced or metastatic sarcomas.

11509Background: The combination of durvalumab (D), (anti- PD-L1) and tremelimumab (T), (anti-CTLA-4), was evaluated to determine activity in specific sarcoma subtypes (NCT02815995). We report fina...
The Upside Down: A New Reality for Science at the E.P.A. and its Impact on Environmental Justice.

Because of changes to EPA that began under the leadership of former Administrator Pruitt, many career scientists are arguing that science is increasingly under attack. These changes have resulted in increased secrecy within the agency, the systematic removal of academic scientists from key advisory roles, and a 60 percent reduction in enforcement. Many are wondering what the Agency has become and whether it can still fulfill its primary mission, which is to protect environmental and human health, particularly since Andrew Wheeler has followed in Scott Pruitt’s footsteps as the Acting Administrator of EPA. This article examines the significance of this policy shift at EPA, discussing how we can expect a diminished role of science in environmental decision-making to impact environmental justice. This Article hypothesizes that we will witness a dramatic increase in environmental harms to vulnerable populations that will likely go unchecked, and further, explores how to address these issues when science is largely becoming beholden to a politically divisive culture of distrust and mistruths.
Comorbid Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms Among Children with ADHD: The Influence of Parental Distress, Parenting Practices, and Child Routines

Emotional/behavioral concerns are common among children with ADHD. Familial factors (e.g., parental adjustment, parenting behaviors) are linked to the presence of comorbid internalizing/externalizing symptoms among children with ADHD. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a model that includes multiple familial variables and their direct and indirect effects on child emotional and behavioral problems among children with ADHD. Participants included parents of children (6–12 years of age; M = 8.87, SD = 1.92) with a diagnosis of ADHD (N = 300). Participants completed measures of child emotional/behavioral concerns, parental distress, routines, and parenting behaviors. Path analyses revealed direct effects for parental distress, parent behavior and routines on child adjustment, after controlling for the other variables. A significant indirect relation between parental distress, routines, and externalizing behavior was observed. These findings highlight one specific path through which parental distress appears to influence specific behavioral concerns that are commonly observed in children with ADHD.
A new global dataset of bioclimatic indicators

This study presents a new global gridded dataset of bioclimatic indicators at 0.5° by 0.5° resolution for historical and future conditions. The dataset, called CMCC-BioClimInd, provides a set of 35 bioclimatic indices, expressed as mean values over each time interval, derived from post-processing both climate reanalysis for historical period (1960-1999) and an ensemble of 11 bias corrected CMIP5 simulations under two greenhouse gas concentration scenarios for future climate projections along two periods (2040-2079 and 2060-2099). This new dataset complements the availability of spatialized bioclimatic information, crucial aspect in many ecological and environmental wide scale applications and for several disciplines, including forestry, biodiversity conservation, plant and landscape ecology. The data of individual indicators are publicly available for download in the commonly used Network Common Data Form 4 (NetCDF4) format.