cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Precipitation and Thunderstorm Frequencies. Part II: Diurnal Variations

Abstract Three-hourly present weather reports from ∼15 000 stations around the globe and from the Comprehensive Ocean–Atmosphere Data Set from 1975 to 1997 were analyzed for diurnal variations in the frequency of occurrence for various types of precipitation (drizzle, nondrizzle, showery, nonshowery, and snow) and thunderstorms. Significant diurnal variations with amplitudes exceeding 20% of the daily mean are found over much of the globe, especially over land areas and during summer. Drizzle and nonshowery precipitation occur most frequently in the morning around 0600 local solar time (LST) over most land areas and from midnight to 0400 LST over many oceanic areas. Showery precipitation and thunderstorms occur much more frequently in the late afternoon than other times over most land areas in all seasons, with a diurnal amplitude exceeding 50% of the daily mean frequencies. Over the North Pacific, the North Atlantic, and many other oceanic areas adjacent to continents, showery precipitation is most frequ...
The role of intersensory redundancy in early perceptual, cognitive, and social development

The natural environment provides a flux of concurrent stimulation to all our senses, far more than can be attended to at any given moment in time. Adults are exquisitely skilled at selectively attending to specific features or aspects of objects and events, picking out information that is relevant to their needs, goals, and interests, and ignoring irrelevant stimulation. For example, we easily pick out a friend in a crowd, follow the flow of action in a ball game, and attend to the voice of the speaker at a cocktail party in the context of competing conversations. We long ago learned to pick out human speech from non-speech sounds and parse continuous speech into meaningful words by ignoring variations across speakers, accents, and intonation. Similarly, we have learned to parse the visual array into coherent objects and surfaces despite variation due to lighting and shadow, and interruption of surfaces due to occlusion. These remarkable skills, easily taken for granted by experienced perceivers, develop rapidly across infancy as a result of ongoing experience with objects and events (Kellman and Arterberry 1998 ; Lewkowicz and Lickliter 1994 ). This rapid perceptual development entails improving attentional allocation and economy of information pick-up for relevant aspects of the environment by attending to meaningful variability while ignoring meaningless variability (E.J. Gibson 1969 , 1988 ; E.J. Gibson and Pick 2000 ; Ruff and Rothbart 1996 ). A great deal of research and theory has been devoted to understanding how perception and learning develop across the first years of life. In contrast, little developmental research has focused on the processes that guide selective attention to relevant aspects and levels of stimulation in the first place (see Driver 2001 ; Pashler 1998 ; Spence and Driver 2004 , for useful reviews of adult-based research). Like perceptual development, the progressive honing of selective attention is also the result of ongoing experience with objects and events and provides the basis for further perceptual learning and exploratory activity. In contrast with later development, the early
Initial Stage Processes: Solubility and Rearrangement

The classic treatment of persistent liquid phase sintering breaks the process into three stages. These three stages overlap, with the initial stage being the shortest. The initial stage is often referred to as the rearrangement stage because of the significant densification resulting from particle repacking concurrent with liquid formation. Additionally, considerable densification or swelling is apparent during heating to the liquid formation temperature. In spite of the short duration, the changes induced in the initial stage are often the most significant. Cannon and Lenel (1) were the first to formally study rearrangement. Subsequently, Kingery (2) gave a mathematical treatment of the primary factors. Eremenko et al. (3) have refined and updated these treatments and established the basic theory as being correct.
Probability-Based Optimal Path Planning for Two-Wheeled Mobile Robots

Most dynamic systems show uncertainty in their behavior. Therefore, a deterministic model is not sufficient to predict the stochastic behavior of such systems. Alternatively, a stochastic model can be used for better analysis and simulation. By numerically integrating the stochastic differential equation or solving the Fokker-Planck equation, we can obtain a probability density function of the motion of the system. Based on this probability density function, the path-of-probability (POP) method for path planning has been developed and verified in simulation. However, there are rooms for more improvements and its practical implementation has not been performed yet. This paper concerns formulation, simulation and practical implementation of the path-of-probability for two-wheeled mobile robots. In this framework, we define a new cost function which measures the averaged targeting error using root-mean-square (RMS), and iteratively minimize it to find an optimal path with the lowest targeting error. The proposed algorithm is implemented and tested with a two-wheeled mobile robot for performance verification.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
3D Action Classification Using Sparse Spatio-temporal Feature Representations

Automatic action classification is a challenging task for a wide variety of reasons including unconstrained human motion, background clutter, and view dependencies. The introduction of affordable depth sensors allows opportunities to investigate new approaches for action classification that take advantage of depth information. In this paper, we perform action classification using sparse representations on 3D video sequences of spatio-temporal kinematic joint descriptors and compare the classification accuracy against spatio-temporal raw depth data descriptors. These descriptors are used to create over-complete dictionaries which are used to classify test actions using least squares loss L1-norm minimization with a regularization parameter. We find that the representations of raw depth features are naturally more sparse than kinematic joint features and that our approach is highly effective and efficient at classifying a wide variety of actions from the Microsoft Research 3D Dataset (MSR3D).
Immunoglobulin a Nephropathy as a Manifestation of Vomitoxin (Deoxynivalenol) Immunotoxicity

The trichothecenes, mycotoxins produced by members of the genus Fusarium, are of immense concern because of their frequent presence in agricultural staples such as wheat, corn, barley and oats.19,30,42 These compounds are sesquiterpenoids that are characterized by a trichothecane nucleus and that include some of the most potent inhibitors of protein synthesis known.27,45 Acute exposure to trichothecenes results in severe damage to actively dividing cells in tissues such as bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus and intestinal mucosa. Trichothecenes have been implicated as causative agents in numerous episodes of fatal human and animal toxicoses.5,20,44.
The Value of a Private Education: Differential Returns and Selection on Observables

The academic value of a private education versus a public education is explored. This study first attempts to see whether there are differential returns to a private education based on ability level. It also intends to non-parametrically control for the selection on observables of the decision to attend private school. Using 8th graders from the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988, we find that the there is a positive effect on standardized math test scores using OLS. Based on quantile regression results, average students benefit most from a private education. Low-achieving and high-achieving students do not benefit as much. The particularly low return to a private education for high achievers suggests most of them would succeed at any school. Average treatment effects on the treated (ATET) are twice as large and average treatment effects (ATE) are more than three times as large as ordinary least squares estimates. These results suggest that perhaps private schools are actually not selecting the best students, but rather selecting average students and adding value to them.
Simple, Standardized Culture Medium for Physiological Studies on Entamoeba histolytica.

SummaryThe advantages claimed for the present culture medium for E. histolytica include the greater ease of preparation (and cleaning of used tubes), the prolonged life of cultures, its special suitability for studies on cellular biology, and its equal or superior adaptability for use in clinical diagnosis.
Abstract 14587: Proarrhythmic Effects of Ibrutinib, a Clinically Approved Inhibitor of Bruton’S Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) Used in Cancer Therapy

Introduction: Ibrutinib is a novel and potent BTK inhibitor which has been approved for several types of B-cell malignancies. Our meta-analysis of the published clinical trials finds that atrial fibrillation occurs in ~7% of patients after chronic ibrutinib exposure. Ventricular tachycardia has also been reported. Recently, multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been associated with arrhythmias; one implicated mechanism is increased late sodium current (INa-L) after chronic but not acute drug exposure. This effect appears to be mediated by inhibition of PI3Kinase since it is rescued by intra-pipette PIP3, a PI3K effector. Hypothesis: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic exposure to ibrutinib exerts arrhythmogenic effects by this mechanism. Methods: Isolated adult mouse cardiac atrial/ventricular and rabbit ventricular myocytes as well as KCNH2 (HERG/Kv11.1)- or Kv4.3-transfected CHO cells were used for the electrophysiological studies pre- and post-ibrutinib (0.3 μ or 1 μM) ...
Go Big or Go Home? Positive Emotions and Responses to Wartime Success

Military successes present war leaders with a choice between maintaining their existing aims and strategy and changing one or the other to extend their gains or make the war cheaper. “Staying the course” minimizes the risk of failure but also foregoes possible gains. Making a change increases the risk of failure but leaves nothing on the table. I argue that emotional responses—particularly contentment and joy—account for leaders’ preferences for changing or maintaining their approach to war. Joy, elicited by novel good news, makes change more likely because it leads to the derogation of risks and obstacles. Contentment, elicited by expected good news, tends to produce resistance to change. I substantiate my claims through World War II-era case studies from Japan and the United States.
Thermal Decomposition of HN3

The two-channel thermal decomposition of hydrogen azide, HN3, was studied computationally. The reaction produces triplet or singlet NH and N2. A model of the reaction was created on the basis of the theoretical study of the reaction potential-energy surface and microscopic reaction rates by Besora and Harvey (Besora, M.; Harvey, J. N. J. Chem. Phys. 2008, 129, 044303) and the experimental data on the energy-dependent rate constants reported by Foy et al. (Foy, B. R.; Casassa, M. P.; Stephenson, J. C.; King, D. S. J. Chem. Phys. 1990, 92, 2782) The properties of the model were adjusted to fit the calculated k(E) dependence to the experimental one. The experiments on thermal decomposition of HN3 described in the literature were analyzed via kinetic modeling; the results of the analysis demonstrate that all but one of the existing studies were affected by contributions from secondary kinetics. The model of the reaction was then used in master-equation calculations of the pressure effects and the value of the...
Think Outside the Chest

Heart failure in the neonate can be due to extracardiac conditions, with the only features on echocardiogram being a dilated right heart with or without pulmonary hypertension. This should prompt a search for extracardiac left to right shunts due to arteriovenous malformations such as those present in the brain, liver or kidneys.
Deciphering Hackathons and Game Jams through Play

One of the many challenges facing the growth and proliferation of game jam communities is the ambiguity between game jams and allied activities including hackathons and other high intensity events. This research identifies the distinguishing characteristics of games jams and uniquely identifies the technical, cultural and experimental differences that define the game jam practices. The benefit of such understanding not only supports the continued growth of such act activities, it helps to disambiguate game jam activities from other productive practices.
162 CLINICOPATHOLOGIC CORRELATES OF RENAL BIOPSY SPECIMENS IN CENTRAL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA.

Purpose Although several registries collecting data of patients with kidney diseases exist, there are only a few registries that specifically collect data relating to renal biopsy. We set out to gather regional data regarding indications, results, and outcomes of renal biopsies. Methods We retrospectively gathered data of 412 renal biopsy specimen results consecutively performed between 1998 and 2005 in our setting. Results The most common clinical syndrome was renal failure (46%), urinary abnormality (28%). Nephrotic syndrome early in diabetes was an important cause of biopsy. Hispanic was the predominant race. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was the most common overall picture; IgA nephropathy (IgAN) was the commonest cause of nephritic/hematuria picture. IgAN was dominant in nonwhite males; FSGS showed equal sex distribution. Nondiagnostic studies were seen in young acute renal failure specimens. Conclusion These data with regional flavor will give answers to several questions in both prevention and treatment of renal diseases. It would throw more light on the etiologies and prevalence of kidney diseases.
Use of Computational and Experimental Techniques to Predict Susceptibility to Weld Cracking

A range of computational and experimental techniques has been employed to determine relative susceptibility to various types of weld metal cracking. These techniques can be valuable tools that facilitate both filler metal selection and filler metal development. A combination of thermodynamic and kinetic modeling is employed alongside experimental validation. In some cases, a design of experiment can be used to reduce the number of experiments and optimize a filler metal composition. Two examples will be given; one regarding solidification cracking in Ni-base alloys, and the other on local brittle zone formation in dissimilar metal overlay of a Ni-base alloy on carbon steel. High-chromium, Ni-base filler metals are used for construction and repair applications of nuclear power plants based on their exceptional corrosion resistance. Niobium is added to these alloys to improve resistance to ductility dip cracking by formation of NbC. Additions of Nb also cause low melting point eutectics to form at the end of solidification, which increases susceptibility to solidification cracking. Alternative carbide formers have been investigated using a design of experiment methodology along with ThermoCalc-Scheil simulations to determine the potential for solidification cracking based on the magnitude of the solidification temperature range. Compositions were optimized and then verified using a combination of button melting and small scale weldability testing. Dissimilar metal welds are widely used in the petrochemical industry to improve corrosion resistance and facilitate field fabrication of welded structures. For some metal combinations, such as Ni-base alloys to steels, service failure can occur at the fusion boundary. This failure is related to a brittle zone that forms due to carbon diffusion from the steel towards the interface during postweld heat treatment (PWHT). Carbon diffusion during PWHT has been modeled using DICTRA®. Hypothetical alloy combinations have been simulated with this model in order to demonstrate the influence of carbon content and PWHT conditions. Examples will be given of dissimilar combinations that reduce the potential for carbon migration during PWHT that avoid brittle zone formation at the interface.
Observing the magnetosphere through global auroral imaging: 1. Observables

Over the years, it has become clear that there are fundamental limitations in observing magnetospheric processes through their auroral footprints. Most electron auroras are formed in the auroral acceleration region relatively close to the Earth at altitudes (<2Re). There are four distinct auroral types: (1) downward field aligned current (FAC) regions where ion precipitation is dominant, (2) pitch angle diffusion aurora (or briefly “diffusion aurora”) region without significant FAC, (3) upward FAC regions of precipitating electrons and mono-energetic auroral arc formations and (4) Alfvenic auroral regions, where low-energy electrons from the ionosphere are accelerated by incoming Alfven waves. Alfvenic auroras are the footprints of magnetospheric regions where waves are produced by dynamic events such as re-connection, substorm onset initiation and magnetic field di-polarization. Based on the mean energy and density of the precipitating electrons ground based and spacecraft-based optical observations can be used to distinguish between auroras where the source is the plasma sheet (type 1,2 and 3) and Alfvenic auroras , where the source is the ionosphere (type 4). Imaging of the Alfvenic auroral region could be used to map the dynamically active regions of the magnetosphere. . The energy distribution of the most significant precipitating ions, protons, can be measured from the Doppler profile of the Hydrogen emission lines. Mapping of the time dependent global energy distribution of proton precipitation would allow the observation of the associated magnetospheric boundaries.
Assessment of a canopy height model CHM in a vineyard using UAV-based multispectral imaging

Biomass is one of the most important parameters in order for the farmer to choose the best canopy management within the field and it can be estimated using plant canopy height. In combination with a non-vegetation ground model, plant height can be obtained by quantifying the height of a canopy using crop surface models CSMs. A modified Mikrokopter Okto unmanned aerial vehicle UAV acquired high-resolution multispectral images 4 cm and a processing chain was developed to construct a 3D digital surface model DSM for the creation of precise digital terrain models DTMs based on Structure from Motion SfM computer vision algorithms. The DTM was then subtracted from the DSM to obtain a canopy height model CHM of a vineyard. The results show a good separation of ground pixels from vine rows, but their elevations were not quite in accordance with the actual height of the vines due to a smoothing effect of the reconstructed CHM. A further comparison between CHM and a vigour map obtained from normalized difference vegetation index NDVI values showed a good correlation. A preliminary assessment of biomass volume was made using the average canopy height and vine row width for three different homogeneous classes. This is a preliminary study on how a 3D model developed by UAV images can be useful for a simple and prompt biomass evaluation.
Current status of the phase change memory and its future

With the increasing challenge of scaling floating gate nonvolatile memory technology to beyond 65 nm, alternative memory technologies are being investigated. Chalcogenide based phase change memory (R. Neale et al, Electronics, p56-60, 1970) is one of the alternative memory candidates. In this review, the physics and operation of phase change memory are first presented, followed by a discussion of the current status of development. Finally, the scaling capability of the technology is presented. The scaling projection shows that there is no physical limit to scaling down to the 22 nm node, with a number of technical challenges being identified.
Intergenerational ambivalence among Mexican American families

ABSTRACTThis study examined correlates of Mexican American older parents’ ambivalent feelings toward each of their child. Especially we investigated how children’s characteristics including their gender, social achievements measured by education and marital status, as well as intergenerational solidarity measured by contact and financial exchanges with their older parents, were associated with intergenerational ambivalence. The sample included 341 parent–child pairs nested within 94 older parents. Two-level mixed-effects models were used to examine the research questions. We found that although children’s education did not have a main effect on intergenerational ambivalence, parents felt stronger ambivalence toward a son when he had a lower level of education. Parents also had higher levels of ambivalence toward those children who were unmarried and who had lower levels of contact with parents. The greater the financial support to adult children, the greater the intergenerational ambivalence older parents...
ROMP- and RAFT-Based Guanidinium-Containing Polymers as Scaffolds for Protein Mimic Synthesis.

Cell-penetrating peptides are an important class of molecules with promising applications in bioactive cargo delivery. A diverse series of guanidinium-containing polymeric cell-penetrating peptide mimics (CPPMs) with varying backbone chemistries was synthesized and assessed for delivery of both GFP and fluorescently tagged siRNA. Specifically, we examined CPPMs based on norbornene, methacrylate, and styrene backbones to determine how backbone structure impacted internalization of these two cargoes. Either charge content or degree of polymerization was held constant at 20, with diguanidinium norbornene molecules being polymerized to both 10 and 20 repeat units. Generally, homopolymer CPPMs delivered low amounts of siRNA into Jurkat T cells, with no apparent backbone dependence; however, by adding a short hydrophobic methyl methacrylate block to the guanidinium-rich methacrylate polymer, siRNA delivery to nearly the entire cell population was achieved. Protein internalization yielded similar results for most of the CPPMs, though the block polymer was unable to deliver proteins. In contrast, the styrene-based CPPM yielded the highest internalization for GFP (≈40 % of cells affected), showing that indeed backbone chemistry impacts protein delivery, specifically through the incorporation of an aromatic group. These results demonstrate that an understanding of how polymer structure affects cargo-dependent internalization is critical to designing new, more effective CPPMs.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) Is Required for Meibomian Gland Homeostasis in the Adult Mouse.

Purpose Little is known about the signaling mechanisms controlling meibomian gland (MG) homeostasis and the pathogenic processes leading to MG atrophy and dysfunction in dry eye disease (DED). We investigated the role of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in the MG homeostasis of adult mice. Methods A triple transgenic mouse strain (Krt14-rtTA; tetO-Cre; Fgfr2flox/flox), referred to as Fgfr2CKO mice, was generated in which the Fgfr2 gene is ablated by Cre recombinase in keratin 14 (Krt14)-expressing epithelial cells on doxycycline (Dox) induction. FGFR2 expression in normal human and mouse MGs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Pathologic MG changes in transgenic mice with conditional deletion of FGFR2 were examined by lipid staining, histology, and immunostaining. Results FGFR2 was highly expressed in normal human MGs and adult mouse MGs. Two-month-old Fgfr2CKO mice fed Dox-containing chow for 2 weeks developed severe MG atrophy. MG acinar atrophy in the Fgfr2CKO mice was associated with reduced lipid (meibum) production and the development of clinical findings similar to those in humans with evaporative DED related to MG dysfunction (MGD). Immunohistochemical analyses showed that FGFR2 deletion severely affected proliferation and differentiation of MG acinar cells but affected MG ductal cells to a lesser extent. Conclusions FGFR2 deletion results in significant MG acinar atrophy and clinical manifestations of MGD in Fgfr2CKO mice, suggesting that MG homeostasis is FGFR2 dependent. The Fgfr2CKO mice with inducible MG atrophy can serve as a valuable animal model for investigating the pathogenesis of MGD and developing novel therapeutic strategies for MGD-related DED.
No apparent benefit of preemptive sorafenib therapy in liver transplant recipients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma on explant.

Background Sorafenib has shown survival benefits in patients with advanced HCC; however, limited data are available on its role in OLT recipients with advanced HCC in the explant. Aim Evaluate the role of preemptive sorafenib therapy on HCC recurrence and survival after OLT with advanced HCC on explant pathology. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the outcome after OLT of all HCC recipients with advanced HCC in the explant pathology from 04/2006 to 12/2012 based on preemptive treatment with sorafenib. Results During the observation period, 217 HCC recipients underwent OLT; 50 explants revealed advanced HCC. After exclusion of 5 patients who were lost to follow-up, 45 LT recipients were finally included for analysis. Recipients were grouped as sorafenib Gr (N = 25) and nonsorafenib Gr (N = 20). Both recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P = .67) and overall survival were similar between groups (P = .53) on Kaplan-Meier analysis. Additionally, sorafenib use was neither associated with HCC recurrence-free survival (HR 0.74, 95% CI [0.32-1.70]; P = .48) nor overall survival (HR 0.92, 95% CI [0.39-2.15], P = .84) on multivariate Cox proportional hazard model with sorafenib use as time-varying covariates. Conclusion Preemptive treatment with sorafenib in OLT recipients with high-risk features in explant does not improve HCC recurrence-free or overall survival.
A measure of the creativity of a nation is how well it works with those beyond its borders.

The author discusses collaboration between scientists across international boundaries, presents graphs depicting international and domestic scientific collaboration in countries including Canada, Spain, and South Korea in 2011, and argues that science collaboration represents the next stage of globalization. Topics include social media, immigration policies, science funding, the Russian nuclear physicist Andrei Sakharov, engineering education in China, and global research projects involving food security and climate change.
Solitons in non-homogeneous medium

UNISYS builds a number of fiber optic products: high speed optical data bus systems, optical switches, fiber optic to compute interface subsystems and fiber optic detectors.
Enabling Effective Data Interaction for Domain Experts

The growth of electronic health records (EHRs) and digital devices has lead to an increase in availability of data which require interaction from domain experts i.e., healthcare practitioners such as nurses and physicians. This introduces two key challenges, for which we outline approaches here: interface usability and expert interaction with data.
Non-renal-Related Mechanisms of FGF23 Pathophysiology

We will review non-renal-related mechanisms of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) pathophysiology. FGF23 production and metabolism may be affected by many bone, mineral, and kidney factors. However, it has recently been demonstrated that other factors, such as iron status, erythropoietin, and inflammation, also affect FGF23 production and metabolism. As these non-mineral factors are especially relevant in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD), they may represent emerging determinants of CKD-associated elevated FGF23 levels. Moreover, FGF23 itself may promote anemia and inflammation, thus contributing to the multifactorial etiologies of these CKD-associated comorbidities. CKD-relevant, non-mineral-related, bidirectional relationships exist between FGF23 and anemia, and between FGF23 and inflammation. Iron deficiency, anemia, and inflammation affect FGF23 production and metabolism, and FGF23 itself may contribute to anemia and inflammation, highlighting complex interactions that may affect aspects of CKD pathogenesis and treatment.
The Heavy Burden of Thin Regulation: Lessons Learned from the SEC’s Regulation of Cryptocurrencies

The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against regulation. This includes not only ratcheting down the level of regulation and enforcement in general, but it also entails a strong dislike of the absolute number of regulations in existence. For example, within two weeks of taking office, President Trump issued his Executive Order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, which provides in part: “Unless prohibited by law, whenever an executive department or agency... publicly proposes for notice and comment or otherwise promulgates a new regulation, it shall identify at least two existing regulations to be repealed.” In a certain regard, this policy of reducing the absolute number of regulations is laudable. The administrative state and the regulation associated with it have expanded massively since the first half of last century. A reduced volume of regulation means that lawyers and society at large can be better versed in their legal obligations and potentially be less encumbered in their activities. With that said, “thin regulation,” as it will be termed, does have its downsides, including potential gaps in regulation, improper regulatory coverage, due process issues relating to notice, legitimacy concerns, and increased risk of market collapse relating to the regulated subject matter. To understand the problems with thin regulation, the best place to begin is with an emerging issue and to explore how President Trump’s policy of thin regulation interfaces with it. To that end, the recent advent of cryptocurrencies offers an excellent case study of the dangers of thin regulation. Although the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has undertaken efforts to act in this area, the gaps that exist illustrate the problems with thin regulation. Essentially, the SEC has tried to force cryptocurrencies into an existing regulatory structure that does not sufficiently mitigate the dangers that cryptocurrencies create. This essay explores the problems created by the lack of cohesive regulation in this area and demonstrates that the value of a thin regulatory approach is outweighed by the value of a well-reasoned, narrowly tailored approach — which I will term “bespoke regulation.”
Accurate Hemodynamic Sensing using Video Plethysmography with High Quality Cameras

Facial video plethysmography provides non-contact monitoring of heart activity based on blood volume pulsations in facial tissue. Traditionally, the video is captured using a simple camera followed by sophisticated signal processing methods. This approach provides accurate average heart rate but falls short in providing accurate beat to beat detection and irregular heartbeats. In this work, we explore the possibility of accurately sensing beat to beat plethysmography signals using a high-quality image sensor camera coupled with conversion to color spaces where the cardiac pulse is most pronounced. We evaluate our approach in a clinical study by gathering data from 60 subjects in a hospital setting using an array of sensors. We use the data to assess accuracy of inter beat interval detection and heart rate variability estimation compared to those obtained from an earlobe photoplethysmography sensor and from an electrocardiogram sensor. In addition, we investigate the possibility of identifying irregular cardiac activity such as individual ectopic beats. For additional comparison, we also apply blind source separation to the data. Our results demonstrate that coupling a high-quality camera with the appropriate color conversion senses a beat to beat signal equivalent to that obtained from a skin photoplethysmography sensor. This signal provides accurate estimation of inter-beat intervals, heart rate variability parameters and identification of irregular cardiac activity. These results demonstrate how combining a high quality camera with the appropriate color conversion provides a complete hemodynamic sensor.
Parametric study of 3D printed microneedle (MN) holders for interstitial fluid (ISF) extraction

The need for novel, minimally invasive diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomedical devices has garnered increased interest in recent years. Microneedle (MN) technology has stood out as a promising new method for drug delivery, as well as extraction of interstitial fluid (ISF). ISF comprises a large portion of the extracellular fluid in living organisms yet remains inadequately characterized for clinical applications. Current MN research has focused on the fabrication of needles with different materials like silicone, carbon, and metals. However, little effort has been put forth into improving MN holders and patches that can be used with low cost MNs, which could effectively change how MNs are attached to the human body. Here, we describe different 3D-printed MN holders, printed using an MJP Pro 2500 3D printer, and compare the ISF extraction efficiencies in CD Hairless rats. We varied design parameters that may affect the skin-holder interface, such as throat thickness, tip curvature, and throat diameter. MN arrays, with insertion depths of 1500 μm, had extraction efficiencies of 0.44 ± 0.35, 0.85 ± 0.64, 0.32 ± 0.21, or 0.44 ± 0.46 µl/min when designed with flat, concave, convex, or bevel profile geometries, respectively. Our results suggest ISF extraction is influenced by MN holder design parameters and that a concave tip design is optimal for extracting ISF from animals. The future direction of this research aims to enable a paradigm in MN design that maximizes its efficiency and engineering performance in terms of volume, pressure, and wearability, thereby automatizing usage and reducing patient intervention to ultimately benefit remote telemedicine.
Nietzsche’s philosophy of education: rethinking ethics, equality and the good life in a democratic age

This book provides a thought-provoking and carefully argued exposition and defense of Nietzsche’s philosophy of education. The authors argue that if educators followed Nietzsche’s approach to educa...
Successful transforaminal epidural blood patch in a patient with multilevel spinal fusion

Introduction Epidural blood patch (EBP) is a vital tool in treating postdural puncture headache (PDPH). Traditional interlaminar epidural needle insertion into the epidural space, however, may be challenging due to anatomical variations. As an alternative method, we successfully performed an EBP via transforaminal approach. Case report A mid-50-year-old male patient with multilevel spinal fusion developed PDPH after a failed spinal cord stimulator electrode placement. A transforaminal EBP was carried out by injecting a total of 8 mL of autologous blood into the neuroforamen at the L1–L2 level bilaterally. Our patient’s positional headache resolved immediately after the procedure. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of a transforaminal EBP in a patient with diffuse epidural adhesive fibrosis secondary to multilevel laminectomies and spinal fusion. This case report highlights potential risks and benefits of this novel technique and also discusses its therapeutic mechanism of action. We believe that a transforaminal EBP should be considered in patients who are poor candidates for the traditional interlaminar EBP.
Changes to the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program mapping production procedures and data products

The Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS) program has been providing the fire science community with large fire perimeter and burn severity data for the past 14 years. As of October 2019, 22 969 fires have been mapped by the MTBS program and are available on the MTBS website (https://www.mtbs.gov). These data have been widely used by researchers to examine a variety of fire and climate science topics. However, MTBS has undergone significant changes to its fire mapping methodology, the remotely sensed imagery used to map fires, and the subsequent fire occurrence, burned boundary, and severity databases. To gather a better understanding of these changes and the potential impacts that they may have on the user community, we examined the changes to the MTBS burn mapping protocols and whether remapped burned area boundary and severity products differ significantly from the original MTBS products. As MTBS data have been used over the course of many years and for many disparate applications, users should be aware that the MTBS burned area and severity products have been actively reviewed and revised to benefit from more robust satellite image availability and to address any observed quality issues. In a sample of 123 remapped fires, we found no significant change in the burned area boundary products when compared to the original mapped fires; however, significant changes did exist in the distribution of unburned, low, and moderate burn severity pixels within the thematic product. Analysis of these remapped fires provides a look into how the MTBS fire mapping methods have evolved over time. In the future, additional changes to the MTBS data record may impact data users’ downstream applications. The MTBS program has an established continuous improvement approach to the MTBS methodology and products, and subsequently encourages users to confirm that they are using the most recent data.
Asymmetrical expression of toxins between the left and right venom glands of an individual prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis).

Abstract It is assumed that toxin expression is equivalent between left and right glands of a single snake. In the current study, we report venoms that differ in enzyme functionality and overall composition between the left and right gland of a single snake. The right gland produced venom of comparable composition to venom previously extracted from the same individual; however, the left gland produced venom with overall lower protein content and considerably less enzyme activity.
Magnetic field induced phase transitions of the triangular spin model

Motivated by a recent inelastic neutron scattering experiment on ${\mathrm{YbMgGaO}}_{4}$, I study the homogeneous spin model on the triangular lattice using the cluster mean-field theory and exact diagonalization. Phase diagrams with and without magnetic field are computed. The results show that the magnetic field can induce the phase transition from the spin liquid state (or the stripe state) to the ${120}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ antiferromagnetic state. These phase transitions are suppressed by the next-nearest-neighbor exchange interaction ${J}_{2}/{J}_{1}$ and vanish as ${J}_{2}/{J}_{1}g0.11$. I analyze a parameter space at ${J}_{2}/{J}_{1}=0.1$, where a field induced phase transition can occur, and find that the deviation of the theoretical spin excitation energy from the experimental data is only about 0.054. These results imply that an effective homogeneous spin model still applies to ${\mathrm{YbMgGaO}}_{4}$.
Polarizabilities of neutral atoms and atomic ions with a noble gas electron configuration

Atomic polarizabilities play an important role in the development of force fields for molecular simulations, as well as for the development of qualitative concepts of atomic and molecular behavior. Coupled cluster theory at the coupled cluster singles doubles triples level with very large correlation-consistent basis sets with extended diffuse functions has been used to predict the polarizabilities of the atomic neutrals, mono-cations and mono-anions with a noble gas configuration. Additional corrections for scalar relativistic and spin–orbit effects were also included for the electron configurations of Kr, Xe, and Rn. The results are in excellent agreement with experiment or with other high level calculations where available. The current results for most of these species represent the best available values for the polarizabilities. The results show that the polarizability of H− is very difficult to calculate without extremely diffuse functions. The polarizability of H− is the largest value, 34.05 A3, calculated for all species in the current study. The polarizabilities of the remaining halogen anions are also the best available values. The polarizabilities of the halogen anions (excluding F−) and H− have a linear correlation with the electron affinity of the neutral atom. Spin–orbit effects, even for closed shell species, cannot be ignored for quantitative accuracy, and the inclusion of spin–orbit effects for Fr+, Rn, and At− increases the polarizability by 4%, 6%, and 15%, respectively.
Controlled Adaptive Flight of a Convertiplane Type Tricopter in Conditions of Uncertainty for Monitoring Water Areas

Currently, monitoring of water areas is one of the most important fields of study in terms of environmental protection aimed at guaranteeing the health of the citizens of different regions of the world. Monitoring data process makes possible to efficiently identify and accurately determine the coordinates of dangerous zones, as well as to track and predict the state of the water areas in study. In order to solve such kind of problems, in this paper we propose the use of a Flying Laboratory (FL) equipped with a water intake device and a software and hardware complex to control, receive, store and display the telemetric information from the FL. This paper is devoted to the mathematical modeling and research of the movement of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) type convertiplane-tricopter in the vertical longitudinal plane, taking into account the uncertainties of external wind parameters. To reduce the impact of these parameters on the control quality and compensate the lack of information at the design stage, an adaptive control method with a reference model represented by a first-order transfer function has been introduced. The use of an adapter allowed to minimize the tracking error, i.e. the difference between the output signal and the reference model. The use of an adaptive control method has minimized the tracking error. The introduced algorithms in the adaptive control system have become possible to provide the fastest suppression of external disturbances in comparison with the traditional PID control strategy for the case of linear description of the control object.
Digitalization and the Writing Classroom: A Reflection on Classroom Practices

This paper outlines the educational benefits of creating digital stories for a variety of academic purposes as well as the professional need for students to develop and showcase digital proficiency. Digital stories fall under the category of multimodal composition and new media studies, and they encourage students to expand their digital literacy skills while reconceptualizing ways in which traditional writing projects can appeal to a broader audience. The article also addresses some of the classroom challenges teachers may face when trying to implement the practice and some practical resources that might assist teachers to integrate digital stories into their classrooms.
Ischemic ECG Pattern Recognition to Facilitate Interpretation While Task Switching: A Parallel Curriculum.

Introduction Interruptions are an inevitable part of working as an emergency physician, yet these can increase cognitive load and precipitate medical error. Emergency physicians learn to balance th...
Characterizing Differences in Thymic Function in Women With and Without Vulvodynia: A Community-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between vulvodynia and thymic function. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this case-control study of 200 clinically confirmed cases of vulvodynia and 205 general population controls residing in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area, we used DNA extracted from whole blood to measure levels of signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles (sjTRECs), a measure of thymic output. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between vulvodynia and thymic function. RESULTS In 405 participants (aged 18-40 years), we observed an association between decreasing thymic function and increasing age. Women with vulvodynia had a steeper decline in sjTREC values across age categories compared with women without vulvodynia. In addition, at younger ages, women with vulvodynia had higher sjTREC values compared with women without vulvodynia. In older women, those with vulvodynia had lower sjTREC than those without vulvodynia. When accounting for recency of vulvar pain onset, women with a shorter time since pain onset had higher thymic function compared with women with a longer time since vulvar pain onset. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that at younger ages, women with vulvodynia have higher thymic output and a more precipitous decline of thymic function than those without vulvodynia. It also seems that a strong immune inflammatory response is present proximate to the onset of vulvar pain and may wane subsequently over time.
Regular Aspirin Use and Mortality in Multiple Myeloma Patients.

BACKGROUND Inflammation is important in multiple myeloma (MM) pathogenesis, and regular aspirin use has been shown to confer a reduced risk of MM. The influence of aspirin on survival after MM diagnosis is unknown. METHODS We identified 436 men and women diagnosed with MM between 1980 and 2016 in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) and the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) who reported aspirin intake biennially on follow-up questionnaires. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models, we estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with aspirin use on MM-specific and overall mortality. RESULTS Compared with nonusers, participants who used aspirin after diagnosis had a multivariable HR for MM-specific mortality of 0·61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0·46, 0·79) and for overall mortality of 0·63 (95% CI, 0·49, 0·80), after adjustment for age at diagnosis, year of diagnosis, sex, body mass index, pre-diagnosis aspirin use, and number of comorbidities. For post-diagnosis aspirin quantity, we observed a modest trend of reduction in MM-specific and all-cause mortality with increasing number of 325 mg tablets of aspirin per week, although the confidence intervals for 1 to <6 and {greater than or equal to}6 tablets overlapped. Results were not materially different before or after the availability of novel therapies (before vs. after the year 2000). Pre-diagnosis frequency or duration of aspirin use was not significantly associated with MM-specific or overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS Findings support the use of aspirin as a complementary strategy to enhance MM survival. IMPACT Confirmation in samples that have comprehensive clinical information is encouraged.