cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Bootstrap Approach to an Affordable Exploration Program

This paper examines the potential to build an affordable sustainable exploration program by adopting an approach that requires investing in technologies that can be used to build a space infrastructure from very modest initial capabilities. Human exploration has had a history of flight programs that have high development and operational costs. Since Apollo, human exploration has had very constrained budgets and they are expected be constrained in the future. Due to their high operations costs it becomes necessary to consider retiring established space facilities in order to move on to the next exploration challenge. This practice may save cost in the near term but it does so by sacrificing part of the program s future architecture. Human exploration also has a history of sacrificing fully functional flight hardware to achieve mission objectives. An affordable exploration program cannot be built when it involves billions of dollars of discarded space flight hardware, instead, the program must emphasize preserving its high value space assets and building a suitable permanent infrastructure. Further this infrastructure must reduce operational and logistics cost. The paper examines the importance of achieving a high level of logistics independence by minimizing resource consumption, minimizing the dependency on external logistics, and maximizing the utility of resources available. The approach involves the development and deployment of a core suite of technologies that have minimum initial needs yet are able expand upon initial capability in an incremental bootstrap fashion. The bootstrap approach incrementally creates an infrastructure that grows and becomes self sustaining and eventually begins producing the energy, products and consumable propellants that support human exploration. The bootstrap technologies involve new methods of delivering and manipulating energy and materials. These technologies will exploit the space environment, minimize dependencies, and minimize the need for imported resources. They will provide the widest range of utility in a resource scarce environment and pave the way to an affordable exploration program.
Angular variation of absorption and thermal emission enhancement from the two dimensional photonic crystals

Photonic crystal structures and their applications are an active growing research area in the scientific community. The photonic crystals can have a complete bandgap for proper choice of the structure and dielectric contrast. Photonic crystal structures are very useful in many areas such as photovoltaic devices, infrared sources and optic fibers. The photonic crystal structures have been used in the thermal photovoltaic devices and as a narrow band infrared emitter. In this thesis we investigate the angular variation of absorption and thermal emission from the two-dimensional metallic and metal-dielectric photonic crystal structures by using rigorous scattering matrix method. We found that the thermal emission of these photonic crystals at different wavelengths is redistributed into different emission angles. The photon emission are partially suppressed at long wavelengths and enhanced at the shorter wavelength range. We utilized the surface plasmon models to describe the angular dependent absorption. The strong spectral variation of the thermal emission with angle should be accounted for the thermo-photovoltaic devices utilizing photonic crystals. We also propose a metallic photonic crystal for incandescent filaments. We simulated the tungsten photonic crystals and found that by using the photonic crystals it is possible to increase the lifetime and brightness of light bulbs. We also present results for metal-dielectric patches at infrared length scales and find absorption peaks can be tuned by the geometry of the patch.
Unique potential of 4-1BB agonist antibody to promote durable regression of HPV+ tumors when combined with an E6/E7 peptide vaccine

Antibody modulation of T-cell coinhibitory (e.g., CTLA-4) or costimulatory (e.g., 4-1BB) receptors promotes clinical responses to a variety of cancers. Therapeutic cancer vaccination, in contrast, has produced limited clinical benefit and no curative therapies. The E6 and E7 oncoproteins of human papilloma virus (HPV) drive the majority of genital cancers, and many oropharyngeal tumors. We discovered 15-19 amino acid peptides from HPV-16 E6/E7 for which induction of T-cell immunity correlates with disease-free survival in patients treated for high-grade cervical neoplasia. We report here that intranasal vaccination with these peptides and the adjuvant alpha-galactosylceramide elicits systemic and mucosal T-cell responses leading to reduced HPV(+) TC-1 tumor growth and prolonged survival in mice. We hypothesized that the inability of these T cells to fully reject established tumors resulted from suppression in the tumor microenvironment which could be ameliorated through checkpoint modulation. Combining this E6/E7 peptide vaccine with checkpoint blockade produced only modest benefit; however, coadministration with a 4-1BB agonist antibody promoted durable regression of established genital TC-1 tumors. Relative to other therapies tested, this combination of vaccine and α4-1BB promoted the highest CD8(+) versus regulatory FoxP3(+) T-cell ratios, elicited 2- to 5-fold higher infiltration by E7-specific CTL, and evoked higher densities of highly cytotoxic TcEO (T cytotoxic Eomesodermin) CD8 (>70-fold) and ThEO (T helper Eomesodermin) CD4 (>17-fold) T cells. These findings have immediate clinical relevance both in terms of the direct clinical utility of the vaccine studied and in illustrating the potential of 4-1BB antibody to convert therapeutic E6/E7 vaccines already in clinical trials into curative therapies.
New modes of X pinch backlighting on cobra

Summary form only given. X pinch backlighting is a useful imaging technique whereby two or more wires are crossed at a single point and driven with a high current (300-500 kA). At the crossing point, a micron-scale sub-nanosecond X-ray source is produced that acts as a point source and can be used for point-projection imaging. Three new modes of X pinch imaging on COBRA have been implemented. One of these techniques involves coupling the point-projection imaging with an MCP camera. This method is in development in the hopes that it can be used to take high resolution images of imploding (i.e. strongly radiating) wire-array Z pinches by time-gating out the radiation from the Z pinch. Previous attempts resulted in low contrast, blurry images. Presented here are new results which show an improvement in image quality. Another recent development involves a new large format imaging camera which allows point-projection imaging with high magnification. This new camera can be used to take backlighting images of wire arrays with ~34times magnification. Presented here are recent images of dense wire cores and coronal plasma, both showing significant axial modulation. Finally, for the first time on COBRA, a technique is in development for end-on X pinch backlighting. Preliminary results from this new method will be presented.
Response to the Call to Action: A National Picture of Breastfeeding Support Provided in Neonatal Intensive Care

Paper Presentation Objective To measure the frequency of breastfeeding support by nurses and receipt of human milk by very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which is not known and to determine if the numbers and qualifications of nurses, their professional practice environments, and the availability of lactation consultants increased the number of infants who received this care. Design Cross‐sectional, observational study. Setting One hundred four NICUs. Sample Participants included 6,060 nurse survey respondents, 15,233 infants who were card for by nurses on their last shifts worked, and 7,886 VLBW infants cared for in participating NICUs. Methods Secondary analysis was used to examine nurse survey data collected in 2008 from the parent study and infant hospitalization data from 104 NICUs in the Vermont Oxford Network (VON), an NICU quality collaborative. Analysis was conducted using bivariate and multiple general linear regression models. Results The majority (54%) were discharged on formula only. Few infants (6%) were discharged on exclusive human milk. The remaining infants (42%) received human milk mixed with fortifier or formula. Nurses reported providing breastfeeding support to one in five infants whose parents were present. Sixty percent of infants had parents present for part or the entire shift. Only half of the NICUs had a lactation consultant (51%). Significantly greater numbers of infants received breastfeeding support and human milk ( p Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice National health care agencies including the U.S. Surgeon General and American Academy of Pediatrics have described breastfeeding and human milk as the normative standard for infant feeding and nutrition. However, the country is falling far short of the Surgeon General's recommendation for this high‐risk pediatric population. The findings suggest NICU nurses provide breastfeeding support around the clock, typically without a lactation consultant available. Our results demonstrate that nurses are essential to providing lactation care to NICU infants for whom the receipt of human milk is an issue of patient satisfaction, quality patient care, effectiveness, and survival.
Harmonic effects on synchronous generators voltage regulation

With the increasing concern of the effects of harmonic distortion and the lack of documentation of harmonic problems associated with synchronous machines, it is imperative that work to understand the effects of harmonics on synchronous machines be accelerated. This paper evaluates the voltage regulation of a synchronous generator with sinusoidal and distorted voltage waveform conditions. A motor-generator set is employed as an integral part of the power system simulator to supply power to various loads during the performance of the test. Harmonic distortion is introduced by connecting nonlinear loads to produce distorted voltage and current waveforms. To record the electrical and mechanical quantities, a data acquisition system is used. All data acquired is saved for future use in analysis and reporting. The test results show that the voltage regulation of a synchronous generator under various load conditions is related to the different level of harmonic distortion produced by the load. This research provides useful data to develop harmonic standards with better understanding of the impact of harmonics on equipment operation.
Brain metastases from papillary thyroid carcinomas

Brain metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is extremely rare and carries a poor prognosis. We report nine cases (five females and four males) of brain metastasis of PTC. The age of patients ranged from 46 to 87 years old. The patients presented with nonspecific symptoms such as headaches. Brain metastasis was the first clinical presentation in three of nine patients; two of which had the aggressive tall cell variant of PTC. Six patients had prior history of PTC (four classic, one oncocytic variant, and one columnar cell variant) for 2 to 17 years with a median of 12 years. Gross total resection of brain metastasis was achieved for eight of our patients. Eight patients were treated with radioactive iodine. The median follow-up time was 12 months, ranging from 1 month to 4 years. Three patients died of their disease in 6 months, 21 months and 4 years, respectively after their first presentation of brain metastasis. It seems that these rare aggressive variants of PTC, such as tall cell variant, not only have higher propensity to develop brain metastasis, but also more frequently present with brain metastasis as their first clinical presentation than classic PTC. Furthermore, patients with PTC can develop brain metastasis even after many years.
The interaction between a compliant material and an unstable boundary layer flow

Abstract The response of a compliant coating to pressure fluctuations due to an unsteady boundary layer flow and the effect of the response on the stability of the flow field are examined. A pseudospectral solution of the Navier-Stokes equations is coupled to a finite element calculation of the behavior of the compliant material. In particular, the effect of material response on the growth rate of a Tollmien-Schlichting type instability in an unstable boundary layer is examined. Results are presented for three materials; a soft polyvinylchloride (PVC), a stiffer PVC, and a two-layer material consisting of a thick layer of soft PVC covered by a thin layer of neoprene.
A lightweight awareness service for industrial environments [distributed software]

Presents the design and implementation of a lightweight awareness service and its application to example scenarios of distributed software environments. Due to the complexity of distributed systems, the behavior of software for distributed systems is hard to predict. Even examining the behavior of existing software is difficult, due to the lack of central control and state. Awareness denotes the ability of a (distributed) system to report about and to assess its own status and behavior. Awareness is helpful for important steps of the distributed software engineering process, e.g. for gathering state information, for online observation, for debugging and for performance management of each development cycle. The basic purpose of the lightweight awareness service is to visualize online information in powerful, flexible presentation views. To be useful for industrial environments, the awareness service is designed to be easy-to-use: it is a fully distribution-transparent client/server architecture which does not require manual configuration. This is achieved by the introduction two new concepts: (1) a view request broker that is responsible for launching, locating and binding views to clients, and (2) the concept of auto-configuring views, i.e. views that adapt their outline automatically to the data being presented. Both concepts can be accessed as ready-to-use components via a simple object-based procedural client interface.
Defining a US Architecture for Environmental Monitoring from Space

The U.S. lacks a coherent integrated architecture, organization, and strategy for planning capabilities and investments in space-based environmental monitoring. In order to clarify the underlying problem, this paper contributes a new way to conceptualize the capability development process in terms of a two dimensional value stream – within project development and between project developments. Using this framework, the nature of the observed inconsistent service delivery – often attributed to a “gap” in the research to operations handoff - is investigated through an analysis of several historical projects. It is found that the issues are deeper than “poor coordination;” further, that programs do not progress, as expected, from research to operations. Even when the progression is expanded to separate science maturity from technology maturity, many programs experience maturity cycles as major new generations are initiated. By way of solution, four architectural alternatives are proposed and evaluated. However, until a coordinated vision for remote sensing is agreed to, taking steps to refine alter or clarify agency roles may be of limited value.
Trophic factor modulation of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide expression in explant cultured guinea-pig cardiac neurons.

Abstract The present study investigated the influence of trophic factors on the expression of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CARTp) in guinea-pig cardiac ganglia maintained in explant culture. In acutely isolated cardiac ganglia preparations, 25% of the cardiac neurons after 72 h in explant culture. This increase in the number of CARTp neurons in cultured cardiac ganglia explants was accompanied by an increase in CARTp transcript levels as assessed by real time polymerase chain reaction. Treatment of cardiac ganglia cultures with neurturin or glial-derived trophic factor (both at 10 ng/ml) for 72 h prevented the increase in neurons that exhibited CARTp immunoreactivity. In contrast, treatment with ciliary neurotrophic factor (50 ng/ml) for 72 h produced a small significant increase in the percentage of CARTp-immunoreactive cardiac neurons and treatment with nerve growth factor (100 ng/ml) had no effect. Neurturin treatment also decreased cardiac neuron CARTp levels after 72 h in explant culture. Cardiac neurons exhibited immunoreactivity to the neurturin receptor GFRα2 whereas non-neural cells preferentially exhibited immunoreactivity to the glial-derived neurotrophic factor receptor GFRα1 and neurturin transcripts were detected in cardiac tissue extracts. We hypothesize that a target-derived inhibitory factor, very likely neurturin, is a critical factor suppressing the expression of CARTp in guinea-pig cardiac neurons. These observations contrast with those reported in sympathetic neurons that suggest up-regulation of trophic factors after axotomy or during explant culture is a key factor contributing to the up-regulation of many neuropeptides.
A study of the roughness propagation effects in waveguides with the mode matching technique combined with the method of moments

In this paper, we study the electromagnetic wave propagation in a parallel plate waveguide with rough surface walls, using a mode matching technique in combination with the method of moments (MoM). In the formulation, a line source in the smooth section of the waveguide excites a summation of modal fields. For each waveguide modal excitation, the modal response fields in the rough surface section of the waveguide are obtained by the solution of the governing surface integral equations through MoM. The total field distribution in the rough surface waveguide is a linear combination of the modal response fields. The coefficients are obtained by enforcing the continuity of tangential electric and magnetic fields at the junctions between smooth and rough surface waveguide sections. Results are illustrated for a variety of roughness spectra based on the parametric generalized power spectral density. The results are compared with the previously developed small perturbation method of second order (SPM2) results for the plane wave and waveguide models. With the numerical validation, the SPM2 waveguide model is proved to be able to capture the waveguide thickness effect especially for very rough surface profiles.
A BIOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF MORAL SYSTEMS

Moral systems are described as systems of indirect reci- procity, existing because of histories of conflicts of interest and arising as outcomes of the complexity of social interactions in groups of long-lived individuals with varying conflicts and conflu- ences of interest and indefinitely iterated social interactions. Al- though morality is commonly defined as involving justice for all people, or consistency in the social treatment of all humans, it may have arisen for immoral reasons, as a force leading to cohesiveness within human groups but specifically excluding and directed against other human groups with different interests.
The role of advertiser motives in consumer evaluations of ‘responsibility’ messages from the alcohol industry

In response to social problems associated with alcohol consumption, several alcohol industry participants have produced ad campaigns urging consumers to use their products appropriately. Although many of these campaigns have directed consumers to use ‘moderation’ and/or ‘drink responsibly’, consumer interpretations of the messages has not been extensively researched. This study was undertaken to better understand how alcohol advertisements with socially responsible messages are discerned by consumers, and how this discernment may affect well‐known advertising outcomes. Results indicate that alcohol moderation advertisements are perceived as being more ambiguous than product advertisements and that consumer's may perceive the advertiser's motive as self‐serving. Together, these results suggest that using strategically ambiguous ‘responsibility’ messages may potentially negatively impact both the alcohol manufacturer's corporate credibility and consumer purchase intention.
Fabrication of hollow waveguides with sacrificial aluminum cores

We have developed a process to fabricate dielectric waveguide structures with long hollow cores formed by etching a sacrificial core material. The process is compatible with other planar silicon fabrication techniques. Using aluminum as the sacrificial material, we have investigated fabrication limits and design parameters that determine mechanical integrity of the waveguides. Internal pressure due to the production of gaseous compounds during the core removal process was identified as the yield-limiting factor. A mechanical model based on finite element analysis and confirmed by experiment, predicts ultimate pressures sustainable by these structures. Waveguides less than 10 /spl mu/m wide with 2-/spl mu/m-thick coatings should sustain 50 MPa of internal pressure. Low-loss guided-mode propagation in optical waveguides based on these hollow cores is demonstrated.
Substance P inhibits natural killer cell cytotoxicity through the neurokinin-1 receptor

SP is a potent neuroimmunomodulator that functions through ligating members of the neurokinin receptor family, one of which, NK1R, is widely expressed in immune cells. As in humans, circulating SP levels are increased in pathologic states associated with impairment of NK cell functions, such as depression and HIV infection, we hypothesized that SP has a direct, inhibitory effect upon NK cells. We have studied a clonal human NK cell line (YTS) as well as ex vivo human NK cells and have determined that truncated and full-length NK1R isoforms are expressed in and SP bound by ex vivo NK cells and the YTS NK cell line. Incubation of YTS cells with 10⁻⁶ M SP and ex vivo NK cells with 10⁻⁵ M SP inhibited cytotoxic ability by ∼20% and reduced degranulation. This inhibitory effect upon cytotoxicity was partially prevented by the NK1R antagonist CP96,345. The treatment of YTS or ex vivo NK cells with SP neither down-modulated NCR expression nor affected triggering receptor-induced NF-κB activation. Preincubation of YTS cells with SP, however, did abbreviate the typically prolonged intracellular calcium increase induced by target cell engagement and reduced triggering receptor-induced pERK. Thus, SP has the potential to regulate NK cell functions and acts downstream from neurokinin receptors to modulate NK cell activation signaling. This mechanism may contribute to impairment of NK cell function in certain disease states associated with increased circulating SP. Antagonism of this system may present an opportunity to augment NK cell function therapeutically in selected human diseases.
Determinants of Adaptive Evolution at the Molecular Level: the Extended Complexity Hypothesis

To explain why informational genes (i.e., those involved in transcription, translation, and related processes) are less likely than housekeeping genes to be horizontally transferred, Jain and coworkers proposed the complexity hypothesis. The underlying idea is that informational genes belong to large, complex systems of coevolving genes. Consequently, the likelihood of the successful horizontal transfer of a single gene from such an integrated system is expected to be low. Here, this hypothesis is extended to explain some of the determinants of the mode of evolution of coding sequences. It is proposed that genes belonging to complex systems are relatively less likely to be under adaptive evolution. To evaluate this "extended complexity hypothesis," 2,428 families and protein domains were analyzed. This analysis found that genes whose products are highly connected, located in intracellular components, and involved in complex processes and functions were more conserved and less likely to be under adaptive evolution than are other gene products. The extended complexity hypothesis suggests that both the mode and the rate of evolution of a protein are influenced by its gene ontology (localization, biological process, and molecular function) and by its connectivity.
IQC robustness analysis for time‐delay systems

Stability robustness of systems with uncertain time delays is considered. A new delay-dependent state-space stability criterion is formulated in the form of an easily checked LMI condition. Two applications of the main result are presented, one with only time-delay uncertainty and one with both delay and parametric uncertainty. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Note on Eosinophilic Cytoplasmic Bodies in the Liver of a Rabbit

Absrract. Eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies observed in the liver of a rabbit were round to oval with a clear halo and measured from 4 to 10 pni in diameter. They were nonglycogenic (PAS-positive after diastase treatment) and stained with burnt Sudan black, indicating bound lipid. The inclusion bodies, when examined by electron microscopy, were composed of a uniform amorphous material. They varied in size and density. It is suggested that the bodies were enlarged lysosomes and were nonviral. Eosinophilic inclusion-like bodies have been reported to occur in the cytoplasm of liver cells in man [6], dog [3, 51, rat [I, 3,6], sheep [2] and cattle [4]. These inclusions appeared in the liver after hepatic injury and occasionally were concurrent with a viral disease. Similar eosinophilic cytoplasmic bodies were found in the liver of an adult, female Dutch Belt rabbit from a breeding colony. At necropsy, the liver was pale, soft, and friable. Many scattered white foci about 1 mm in diameter were evident on the capsular surface. The other organs appeared to be normal. Microscopically, there was a centrilobular (fig. 1) to midzonal degeneration and necrosis in the liver. In some places, the necrosis surrounded the central vein whereas in others it extended from one edge of the vein to the periphery of the lobule. The cytoplasm of the hepatocytes was granular and acidophilic in the necrotic areas. In many cells there were vacuoles that contained granular material. Eosinophilic cytoplasmic bodies were seen in degenerated hepatocytes (fig. 2), especially at the junction of the necrotic areas and normal parenchyma. They were round to oval and were homogeneous pink with a clear halo. They were single to multiple within the cytoplasm and ranged from 4 to 10 pni in diameter with the majority at 7 pm. With hematoxylin and
The synthesis of some lipophilic tetra-arylborates for use in membrane electrode preparation

Synthetic methods for preparing four lipophilic tetra-arylborates considered suitable candidates for use in membrane electrodes are described. Qualitative precipitation tests were performed with several cations. The sodium salts of the four tetra-arylborates were found to have limited stability but the cesium salts were relatively stable.
A study of thermodynamic behavior of polystyrene solutions in benzene at moderate concentrations by sedimentation equilibrium

The method of sedimentation equilibrium was used to obtain values of the thermodynamic interaction coefficient χ as a function of concentration. Five samples of polystyrene with molecular weights ranging from 36,000 to 1,750,000 were studied in benzene over the concentration range up to the volume fraction equal to 0.03. The experimental data were used to test the theory of Koningsveld et al. (Macromolecules, 7, 73, 1974). This theory predicts that the interaction term in the free enthalpy of mixing may be split into one term common for all molecular weights and another term, which depends on molecular weight and vanishes exponentially at high concentrations. It is concluded that the functional form proposed by the theory gives a fair description of experimental data. However, the phenomenological coefficients obtained from the experiment differ significantly from the values predicted by the theory.
Uniform Potential Vorticity Flow: Part I. Theory of Wave Interactions and Two-Dimensional Turbulence

Abstract Uniform potential vorticity flows are examined. In the quasi-geostrophic system, conservation of total energy and conservation of available potential energy on plane rigid horizontal boundaries imply a restriction on energy exchanges as a result of scale interactions. It is shown that for the Eady problem instability is always associated with energy transfer both up and down the vertical wavenumber spectrum although energy transfer from small to large three-dimensional wavenumbers may occur over a finite range of the spectrum. An inertial theory of two-dimensional turbulence is also presented. The formal analysis, based on Leith's diffusion approximation, predicts two inertial subranges: −5/3 and −1 power dependences on the horizontal wavenumber for available potential energy on horizontal boundaries. In the former range, available potential energy on horizontal boundaries cascades at a constant rate toward higher wavenumbers; in the latter range, the depth-integrated total energy cascades at a c...
Psychotherapy Integration and Alliance: Use of Cognitive- Behavioral Techniques Within a Short-Term Psychodynamic Treatment Model

This study examined the relationship between Psychodynamic-Interpersonal (PI) and Cognitive-Behavioral (CB) techniques used in a Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with the therapeutic alliance early in treatment. Ninety-one outpatient participants rated their alliances, and independent videotape ratings of technique were made. Our findings did not support the primary hypothesis of a relationship between technique integration and overall patient-rated alliance. However, our findings did demonstrate a significant association between the integration of PI and CB techniques with the two alliance subscales Goals & Task Agreement and Confident Collaboration. In addition, specific PI and CB techniques were significantly correlated with higher patient alliance scores on these two subscales. Psychodynamic therapists who are more collaborative in identifying specific goals and explicitly defining the focus of the treatment with their patients, as well as providing a clear rationale for their model, may facilitate a stronger therapeutic alliance specific to patient confidence in, and agreement with, the treatment process.
Atomoxetine Open-Label Trial in ADHD

Atomoxetine (originally named tomoxetine), a new therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) marketed by Eli Lilly, was compared to methylphenidate in a prospective, randomized, open-label study for 10 weeks duration, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Carolinas Medical Center, and Lilly Research Laboratories.
Effects of CYP-Induced Cystitis on Growth Factors and Associated Receptor Expression in Micturition Pathways in Mice with Chronic Overexpression of NGF in Urothelium

We have determined if cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis produces additional changes in growth factor/receptors expression in the urinary bladder (urothelium, detrusor) and lumbosacral (L6-S1) dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in a transgenic mouse model with chronic urothelial overexpression of NGF (NGF-OE). Functionally, NGF-OE mice treated with CYP exhibit significant increases in voiding frequency above that observed in control NGF-OE mice (no CYP). Quantitative PCR was used to determine NGF, BDNF, VEGF, and receptors (TrkA, TrkB, p75NTR) transcripts expression in tissues from NGF-OE and wild-type (WT) mice with CYP-induced cystitis of varying duration (4 h, 48 h, 8 days). In urothelium of control NGF-OE mice, NGF mRNA was significantly (p ≤ 0.001) increased. Urothelial expression of NGF mRNA in NGF-OE mice treated with CYP (4 h, 48 h, 8 days) was not further increased but maintained with all durations of CYP treatment evaluated. In contrast, CYP-induced cystitis (4 h, 48 h, 8 days) in NGF-OE mice demonstrated significant (p ≤ 0.05) regulation in BDNF, VEGF, TrkA, TrkB, and P75NTR mRNA in urothelium and detrusor smooth muscle. Similarly, CYP-induced cystitis (4 h, 48 h, 8 days) in NGF-OE mice resulted in significant (p ≤ 0.05), differential changes in transcript expression for NGF, BDNF, and receptors (TrkA, TrkB, p75NTR) in S1 DRG that was dependent on the duration-of CYP-induced cystitis. In general, NGF, BDNF, TrkA, and TrkB protein content in the urinary bladder increased in WT and NGF-OE mice with CYP-induced cystitis (4 h). Changes in NGF, TrkA and TrkB expression in the urinary bladder were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater in NGF-OE mice with CYP-induced cystitis (4 h) compared to WT mice with cystitis (4 h). However, the magnitude of change between WT and NGF-OE mice was only significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different for TrkB expression in urinary bladder of NGF-OE mice treated with CYP. These studies are consistent with target-derived NGF and other inflammatory mediators affecting neurochemical plasticity with potential contributions to reflex function of micturition pathways.
For Whom to Tweet? Evidence from a Large-Scale Social Media Platform

We study the effects of peer-group sizes on content generating and sharing in a large-scale and influential social media platform. User-generated content, particularly tweets in social media, disseminates information and exerts social influence. However, 50% of the users in this platform post less than 6 tweets per month and contribute to less than 15% of the total tweets in stock, while the top 10% post on average 40 tweets a month and contribute to more than half of the tweets in stock. We attribute the highly unbalanced contribution to a user's conflicting incentives of free-riding and maximizing social influence. We exploit the asymmetry of a user's peer groups (followers and followees, groups of people following and being followed by the user respectively) to disentangle these incentives, and devise empirical strategies to deal with the endogenous formation of one's networks. We find asymmetric effects, both in signs and sizes, of followers and followees on content generating and sharing. A larger group of followers leads a user to tweet more, while a larger group of followees leads a user to tweet less. As the follower effects dominate the followee effects in size, our simulations indicate that the platform could increase the number of total tweets by 25% if it randomly adds 1% new links to existing links. Targeting occasional tweeters is even more effective in promoting the activeness of this social media platform.
A 4 M bit NVRAM technology using a novel stacked capacitor on selectively self-aligned FLOTOX cell structure

Summary form only given. A novel stacked capacitor on selective self-aligned FLOTOX (SSSF) cell technology for 4-Mb nonvolatile DRAM (NV-DRAM) is described which enables a nondestructive flash store/recall (DRAM to EEPROM/EEPROM to DRAM) operation that does not disturb the original data in DRAM or EEPROM. The newly developed SSSF cell is fabricated by a triple polysilicon technology and consists of three transistors and one storage capacitor stacked on these transistors. A novel technology for the formation of a self-aligned tunnel region using selective oxide growth on the implanted region is shown together with a new self-aligned DRAM technology for storage node contact to the source. The timing diagrams in store/recall operations are also shown along with the DRAM to EEPROM data transfer characteristics. >
Hardware implementation of Hierarchical Temporal Memory algorithm

In this paper, a hardware ASIC implementation of the Numenta Hierarchical Temporal Memory (HTM) algorithm is presented. Each column in the neural network is implemented as a processing element (PE). Neuron cells in columns are built as identical cell modules. Dedicated register files for each module cell are employed to replace the conventional centralized memory organization. A complete neural network is built as a matrix of PEs connected in the mesh network. Both first order and high order network are successfully performed on a 20×20 PE matrix using images from MNIST dataset as input patterns. The power and area of a single PE including 2 cell modules are 1.29 mW and 17511 µm2 respectively. The average processing time in the proposed implementation is 4.52 µs in learning mode and 4.39 µs in inference mode. Compared to the performance of a software implementation on the 4 threads CPU, the ASIC version provides a 329.6× speedup in learning mode.
Elastic constants and calculated lattice vibration frequencies of Mg2Sn

Abstract The longitudinal and shear sound velocities of Mg2Sn in the [100], [110] and [111] directions have been measured between 80 and 300°K by a resonance technique. The elastic constants were computed from these velocities. Lattice vibration frequencies have been calculated for two point ion models and a shell model. Best agreement with the experimental specific heat data was obtained for the shell model, which reproduced quite accurately the sharp minimum in the Debye temperature near 20°K.
Relationship between wave frequency and elasticity for non-contact acoustic micro-tapping (Conference Presentation)

Recently we used ultrasound from an air-coupled transducer for non-contact excitation of broadband mechanical waves in soft tissue such as cornea. The transient displacement, generated by “Acoustic Micro-Tapping” (AuT), was then measured using phase-sensitive spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT). In addition traditional surface wave speed measurement, we investigated complementary methods to characterize the mechanical properties of the target material. We note that the maximum frequency, as well as the group velocity, of the surface wave is related to both the phase velocity of the material and the spatial width of the acoustic pulse. If the spatial and temporal profile of the excitation is well defined, it may be possible to infer elastic modulus from the frequency profile of a propagating mechanical wave. To assess the effect of the spatial profiles of the AuT excitation on frequency profiles of resulting mechanical waves, acoustic pulses with different spatial width (from 0.1 to 1 mm) were applied to agar phantoms with different shear modulus (from 1 to 100 kPa) to generate mechanical waves, and a SD-OCT system with a functional frame rate of 47 kHz was used to track wave propagation. For validation, simulations with the same acoustic and mechanical properties were performed using a finite element method (FEM) to analyze induced wave propagation. The phantom experiment and simulation exhibited similar increase in the maximum frequency with decreasing excitation width. Both estimates also agreed well with previous theoretical results.
Small molecules in cellular reprogramming and differentiation.

Recent advances in somatic cell reprogramming and directed differentiation make it possible to generate patient-specific pluripotent cells and further derive functional tissue-specific cells for biomedical research and future therapies. Chemical compounds targeting enzymes or signaling proteins are powerful tools to regulate and reveal complex cellular processes and have been identified and applied to controlling cell fate and function, including stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and reprogramming. Not only are small molecules useful in generating desired cell types in vitro for various applications, but also such small molecules could be further developed as conventional therapeutics to target patient’s own cells residing in different tissues/organs for treating degenerative diseases, injuries, and cancer. Here, we will review recent studies of small molecules in controlling cell fate.
The Impact of the Calculated Panel Reactive Antibody Value on Wait List Outcomes for Lung Transplant Candidates

Purpose We conducted a retrospective cohort study using United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) data to determine the impact of the calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA) value on wait list outcomes for lung transplant candidates. Methods A dataset of candidates listed for lung transplant from 2005-2017 was obtained from UNOS. We divided the candidates into groups based on their cPRA value at the time of wait list activation (0-25%, 25.1-50%, 50.1-75%, 75.1-100%) and compared each group to the lowest quartile (or minimally sensitized, MS) group using a competing risk regression model. The primary outcome was lung transplant. The secondary outcome was death/delisting for clinical deterioration. Results Figure 1 shows the frequency of wait list outcomes by cPRA value at the time of wait list activation. Candidates with a cPRA value of 25.1-50% at the time of wait list activation did not have a significantly different likelihood of lung transplant or death/delisting for clinical deterioration than the MS group. Candidates with a cPRA value of 50.1-75% were 25% less likely to undergo lung transplant and were 44% more likely to die/be delisted for clinical deterioration than the MS group. Candidates with a cPRA value of 75.1-100% were 52% less likely to undergo lung transplant and were 92% more likely to die/be delisted for clinical deterioration than the MS group. Figure 2 shows the cumulative incidence of lung transplant (A) and death/delisting for clinical deterioration (B) by cPRA value. Conclusion CPRA values of greater than 50% are associated with a significantly lower rate of lung transplant and higher wait list mortality.
Leap Motion- and Mouse-Based Target Selection: Productivity, Perceived Comfort and Fatigue, User Preference, and Perceived Usability

Remote pointing is an input method that involves in-air gesticulation. Target selection via Leap Motion-based remote pointing and mouse-based pointing were compared while addressing methodological ...
Estradiol Enables Chronic Corticosterone to Inhibit Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone Secretion and Suppress Kiss1 Neuronal Activation in Female Mice.

INTRODUCTION Two common responses to stress include elevated circulating glucocorticoids and impaired luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. We have previously shown that a chronic stress level of corticosterone can impair ovarian cyclicity in intact mice by preventing follicular-phase endocrine events. OBJECTIVE This study is aimed at investigating if corticosterone can disrupt LH pulses and whether estradiol is necessary for this inhibition. METHODS Our approach was to measure LH pulses prior to and following the administration of chronic corticosterone or cholesterol in ovariectomized (OVX) mice treated with or without estradiol, as well as assess changes in arcuate kisspeptin (Kiss1) neuronal activation, as determined by co-expression with c-Fos. RESULTS In OVX mice, a chronic 48 h elevation in corticosterone did not alter the pulsatile pattern of LH. In contrast, corticosterone induced a robust suppression of pulsatile LH secretion in mice treated with estradiol. This suppression represented a decrease in pulse frequency without a change in amplitude. We show that the majority of arcuate Kiss1 neurons contain glucocorticoid receptor, revealing a potential site of corticosterone action. Although arcuate Kiss1 and Tac2 gene expression did not change in response to corticosterone, arcuate Kiss1 neuronal activation was significantly reduced by chronic corticosterone, but only in mice treated with estradiol. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these data demonstrate that chronic corticosterone inhibits LH pulse frequency and reduces Kiss1 neuronal activation in female mice, both in an estradiol-dependent manner. Our findings support the possibility that enhanced sensitivity to glucocorticoids, due to ovarian steroid milieu, may contribute to reproductive impairment associated with stress or pathophysiologic conditions of elevated glucocorticoids.
Risk Factors for the Development of Post-Traumatic Hydrocephalus in Children.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the national impact of demographic, hospital, and inpatient risk factors on posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) development in pediatric patients who presented to the emergency department after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database 2010–2014 was queried. Patients ( Results We identified 1,244,087 patients who sustained TBI, of whom 930 (0.07%) developed PTH. The rates of subdural hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage were both significantly higher for the PTH cohort. On multivariate regression, age 6–10 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38–0.93; P = 0.022), 11–15 years (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.21–0.48; P Conclusions Our study using the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database shows that various demographic, hospital, and clinical risk factors are associated with the development of hydrocephalus after traumatic brain injury.
Multi-spectral oscillatory dynamics serving directed and divided attention

Abstract Attention-related amplification of neural representations of external stimuli has been well documented in the visual domain, however, research concerning the oscillatory dynamics of such directed attention is relatively sparse in humans. Specifically, it is unknown which spectrally-specific neural responses are mainly impacted by the direction and division of attention, as well as whether the effects of attention on these oscillations are spatially disparate. In this study, we use magnetoencephalography and a visual-somatosensory oddball task to investigate the whole-brain oscillatory dynamics of directed (Experiment 1; N ​= ​26) and divided (Experiment 2; N ​= ​34) visual attention. Sensor-level data were transformed into the time-frequency domain and significant responses from baseline were imaged using a frequency-resolved beamformer. We found that multi-spectral cortical oscillations were stronger when attention was sustained in the visual space and that these effects exhibited informative spatial distributions that differed by frequency. More specifically, we found stronger frontal theta (4–8 ​Hz), frontal and occipital alpha (8–14 ​Hz), occipital beta (16–22 ​Hz), and frontal gamma (74–84 ​Hz) responses when visual attention was sustained than when it was directed away from the visual domain. Similarly, in the divided attention condition, we observed stronger fronto-parietal theta activity and temporo-parietal alpha and beta oscillations when visual attention was sustained toward the visual stimuli than divided between the visual and somatosensory domains. Investigating how attentional gain is implemented in the human brain is essential for better understanding how this process is degraded in disease, and may provide useful targets for future therapies.
Major Components of Preimplantation Genetic Testing: Adjustment of Available Genetic Technology to PGT Practice

Because PGT is based on genetic analysis of a single or few cells, PGT accuracy depends heavily on limitations of single-cell DNA analysis – potential cause of misdiagnosis. So the emphasis of this chapter is on the application and adjustment of special protocols to ensure avoiding misdiagnosis. This became even more important with the application of the whole genome amplification (WGA), required for next-generation sequencing, which is presently the accepted standard, allowing a combined PGT-M and PGT for aneuploidies (PGT-A). Different NGS platforms are described with their resolution for detection of single-gene disorders, copy number variations, and structural rearrangements.
Neurological Outcomes of Patients With Mycotic Aneurysms in Infective Endocarditis

Background and Purpose:Mycotic aneurysms (MA) are rare neurovascular complications of infective endocarditis (IE). The natural history and outcomes of MA under contemporary medical therapy have not...
Disability in Counselor Education: Perspectives from the United States

This manuscript examines the US counseling profession’s long-standing curricular and institutional commitments around diversity and clinical excellence that pertain to disability as a multicultural identity. Specifically, the author situates training paucities, multidisciplinary contributions, and the recent emergence of disability-related counseling competencies to illuminate curricular and programmatic implications for counselor training in the US context.