cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-performance liquid chromatography of peptides at reduced temperatures: separation of isomers.

Cholecystokinin analogues containing N-methyl amino acids were studied by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography at reduced temperatures. A reduction in temperature to - 17°C led to lower efficiency, but at the same time separations of cis and tram isomers (and some impurities) were achieved. The velocity constants for cis-tram equilibria were calculated.
Timing of RFID Adoption in a Supply Chain

This paper studies the incentives behind the adoption of radio-frequency identification (RFID) in a supply chain. One prominent feature of RFID technology is that once RFID tags are attached on the items at an upstream site, the same tags can be reused at its downstream sites at lower or zero variable cost. This creates an interesting, one-sided “free-rider” problem, where the downstream would wait to free-ride on the upstream's first move, but not vice versa. Using a stylized game-theoretic model, we characterize the equilibrium strategies of the two firms. Compared to the first-best solution, firms in equilibrium tend to adopt too late. We then study the dual benefits of technology coordination between the two firms and find that it would not only save redundant costs of putting tags, but also speed up the downstream's RFID adoption. We also show that the equal-cost-split arrangement shifts the benefit of free-riding to the upstream, thereby mitigating the negative impacts in many cases. But it may distort the market when it operates in the optimal manner. The general message of the model is that technology coordination and cost-split each contribute to the mitigation of the free-rider problem in RFID adoption.
The Palazzo del Podestà in Bologna: Precision and Tolerance in a Building all’Antica

The Palazzo del Podesta in Bologna offers an important case study for some of the quantitative and numeric features of built architecture of the last quarter of the fifteenth century. It shows, in particular, how imperfections in construction and difficult site conditions could hinder the much-desired ideal of geometrical, mathematical, and proportional exactitude that was already well diffused in both the theory and practice of Renaissance architecture. The Palazzo, a project of the early 1470s, can serve as a model for understanding how the idea of a building conceived on the model of the geometric grid—with precisely calculated, exact, and whole measurements—was the strongest prerogative of the well-educated Renaissance architect. Such characteristics imply a knowledge of precise geometrical and mathematical rules, the ability to render meticulous and accurate drawings, and to execute them in built form. It also reflects the capabilities of stonemasons to create architectural elements of great precision.
Mesoscale Structure in the Megalopolitan Snowstorm of 11–12 February 1983. Part III: A Large-Amplitude Gravity Wave

Abstract A large-amplitude singular gravity wave is studied through the analysis of hourly observations, radar and satellite data and observations of cloud to ground lightning flashes. The wave activity was initiated just ahead of, and to the left of the track of, the major Atlantic Coast cyclone of 11–12 February 1983. The initial wave of depression was followed by a wave of elevation and finally a wake depression. Pressure amplitudes were several millibars. The system propagated northeastward at 15 m s−1 accelerating to more than 25 m s−1 against increasing northeasterly flow in the lower troposphere. Surface northeasterlies increased and became gusty with the approach of the first pressure falls, reaching a maximum at the pressure trough, then abruptly weakening and backing as strong pressure increases were observed. Strong fluctuations in column total condensation rate and radar reflectivity occurred with the passage of the wave. Clustered lightning activity accompanied wave passage, principally near ...
Simulation of Surface Flaw Propagation Associated with the Mechanical Fatigue Wear of Elastomers

Abstract Employing a moving template finite element strategy, a simulation scheme was developed to model the surface flaw propagation process associated with the mechanical fatigue wear of elastomer surfaces. Special emphasis was given to (1) experimentally establish the potential existence of precursor flaws on the surface of unworn and worn molded rubber products; (2) determine the trajectory of propagation of surface cracks and their effects on particle removal; (3) establish the influence of size and orientation of initial flaws; and (4) determine the effects of the various phases of the asperity-flaw passing process. These various issues are described in a series of parametric sensitivity studies.
Myocardial ischemia recruits mechanically insensitive cardiac sympathetic afferents in cats

Chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia is mediated by cardiac sympathetic afferents. Although silent nociceptors exist in somatic structures and some visceral organs, their presence in the heart ...
Natural-Artificial Dualism/An Interdisciplinary Approach: An Imagistic Composition Dedicated to 'The Body in Social Science' Research

A theoretical approach upon the Consciousness versus the Body aims at re-defining Mind-Body problem according with an ideal stratum of the nature (as matter and reflection). Information-rational subject, brain-mind-body, nature-consciousness-society would be the main pieces of this stratum, involving both Cognitive Science and Interdisciplinary Sociology. Our real (hypothetical systemic) body comprises both paradoxes and limitations regarding (hypothetical non-systemic) consciousness : * 1: Ancestors-successors images and mental insight upon consciousness (non-personal body); * 2: Face / hands / nude / clothes / sensors acquired shapes (static and dynamic balanced items - as aggregated substancee * 3: Individualc * 4: From dolls toward photos album (a chronological humankind passage); * 5: Equilibrium between: energetic needs, sexual behavior, knowledge eliciting (the convergence of the body mental concept as pattern). In this context two complementary paradigms of mind and society would prove a normality according with a fuzzy/subtle topos: #1 The divergence of the body mental concept is a meta-equilibrium pattern between: "will - must - can" humankind triad; #2 There is a fuzzy/subtle centered topos through the open domain: * 1 -* 5. Focusing upon the sustainable balance: nature and paradigms #1-#2, there is a circular flow: "the intelligence/I stage/ of the body" - "mind-body problem" - "paradigms of mind and society" - "consciousness inputs and emergence" - "the intelligence/II stage/ of the body".
P1-S1.27 Intravaginal practices, lubrication, and bacterial vaginosis among women in Los Angeles

Background Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been associated with HIV acquisition and transmission. Intravaginal practices may affect women9s vulnerability to BV and HIV/STIs, and may influence results of trials of microbicides for HIV prevention through effects on the vaginal environment and on adherence to investigational microbicidal products. We measured the prevalence and frequency of intravaginal hygiene and lubricant use and their association with BV among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. Methods Between October 2008 and June 2009, we recruited women aged 18 years and older in Los Angeles. At the enrolment visit and 12 months later, participants underwent a self-administered, web-based questionnaire covering demographics, sexual behaviours, intravaginal hygiene, and lubricant use. HIV was diagnosed by rapid ELISA, with confirmation by Western blot. BV was diagnosed by Nugent criteria from a self-collected vaginal swab. Here we report data collected at enrolment. Results We enrolled 141 women (34% identified as White, 40% Black, 26% Hispanic; the median age was 33 years (IQR=25–44)). Overall, 56% of women reported intravaginal cleaning and 45% reported douching over the past month. Overall, nearly three-quarters (73.8%) reported intravaginal insertion of a lubricating product over the past month; commercial lubricant (42.6%), lotion (12.1%), petroleum jelly (10.6%), and oil (7.8%) were the most commonly reported lubricants. The prevalence of BV was 21% and HIV was 27%. In multivariable analysis, intravaginal insertion of oil, lotion, or petroleum jelly (aOR=3.4 (95% CI=1.2 to 9.7)) was associated with BV controlling for douching, age, race, HIV status, and multiple sexual partners. Conclusion Use of intravaginal lubricating products not specifically designed for sexual intercourse is common among women. The use of such lubricants and their association with BV is of particular concern and warrants further study; not only in light of the direct association with BV, but also because of the link between BV and HIV infection.
An Improved Technic for Examining Urinary Casts and a Review of their Significance

Casts represent an important, diagnostic component of urinary sediment, and may signal renal parenchymal disease in asymptomatic individuals. Accurate, precise identification of certain casts may be difficult due to poor visualization by current technics. Casts from freshly voided urine specimens, cytocentrifuged and stained by the Papanicolaou method, can be visualized optimally from permanent slide preparations. The genesis of these casts and their diagnostic potential related to renal disease and acute renal allograft rejection are discussed.
Electoral Structures, Venue Selection, and the (New?) Politics of School Desegregation

Are school desegregation proponents more likely to succeed in local political arenas in the South than in federal courtrooms? To raise that question on the fiftieth anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education may seem absurd. Had local politics in the South been receptive to desegregation efforts, there would presumably have been scant need for the litigation leading to that landmark case. However, the legal environment, national political climate, and political situation in southern school districts have changed considerably in fifty years—in ways that make the question relevant. Today, we suggest, the answer may frequently be yes.Stephen Samuel Smith is the author of Boom for Whom? Education, Desegregation, and Development in Charlotte. Karen M. Kedrowski is author of Media Entrepreneurs and the Media Enterprise in the U.S. Congress. Joseph M. Ellis is interested in Soviet and post-Soviet politics. The authors thank Manning B. Shaw III for skilled research assistance; Ted Arrington, William Crotty, Anita Earls, Ken Meier, Jennifer Hochschild, and the anonymous reviewers for valuable comments; and the Spencer Foundation and the Winthrop University Research Council for grants to Smith. The authors bear sole responsibility for any errors.
Multiple Imputation based Clustering Validation (MIV) for Big Longitudinal Trial Data with Missing Values in eHealth

Web-delivered trials are an important component in eHealth services. These trials, mostly behavior-based, generate big heterogeneous data that are longitudinal, high dimensional with missing values. Unsupervised learning methods have been widely applied in this area, however, validating the optimal number of clusters has been challenging. Built upon our multiple imputation (MI) based fuzzy clustering, MIfuzzy, we proposed a new multiple imputation based validation (MIV) framework and corresponding MIV algorithms for clustering big longitudinal eHealth data with missing values, more generally for fuzzy-logic based clustering methods. Specifically, we detect the optimal number of clusters by auto-searching and -synthesizing a suite of MI-based validation methods and indices, including conventional (bootstrap or cross-validation based) and emerging (modularity-based) validation indices for general clustering methods as well as the specific one (Xie and Beni) for fuzzy clustering. The MIV performance was demonstrated on a big longitudinal dataset from a real web-delivered trial and using simulation. The results indicate MI-based Xie and Beni index for fuzzy-clustering are more appropriate for detecting the optimal number of clusters for such complex data. The MIV concept and algorithms could be easily adapted to different types of clustering that could process big incomplete longitudinal trial data in eHealth services.
The Redirection of Science

In his provocative 1984 paper, “The 1984 Global System,” Stevan Dedijer has suggested that “humanity is not yet an entity with a problem-solving capability including the necessary will and commitment.” I think Stevan would agree that one of the major potential sources of this problem-solving capability will be science and the scientific and technological knowledge-generating system that man has been developing since the Enlightenment. The question is whether this enormously powerful engine should and can be redirected to better solve the global problems facing contemporary mankind. If the “will and commitment” which is now lacking were to be exercised, in what ways would it recast the agenda of science, and to what extent would such redirection be compatible with the social system which is responsible for the creativity and dynamism of science? There is a prior question of why we should wish to redirect science, and if so, in what directions would we wish to direct it, and on whose authority?
Hygrosensation: Feeling Wet and Cold

Identification of ionotropic receptors required for hygrosensation in Drosophila supports the notion that hygrosensory neurons across insects share common morphological and anatomical features. This further advances the field by uncovering central circuits that respond to both humidity and temperature.
Anticardiolipin Antibody Associated Arterial Thrombosis following Fibula Fracture

A case is described of a 20-year-old college student in whom open reduction and internal fixation of a Weber B fibula fracture was complicated by arterial thrombosis and gangrene of the foot. The patient subsequently required a below-knee amputation. A hypercoagulability workup revealed the presence of an anticardiolipin antibody. Although this is an extremely unusual complication, young female patients with a positive personal or family history of early thrombotic events, such as DVT, multiple pregnancy loss, or early myocardial infarction, should be viewed as being at increased risk. Additional risk factors such as oral contraceptive use, should be sought during the initial history.
Germinants and their receptors in clostridia

Many anaerobic spore-forming clostridial species are pathogenic, and some are industrially useful. Although many are strict anaerobes, the bacteria persist under aerobic and growth-limiting conditions as multilayered metabolically dormant spores. For many pathogens, the spore form is what most commonly transmits the organism between hosts. After the spores are introduced into the host, certain proteins (germinant receptors) recognize specific signals (germinants), inducing spores to germinate and subsequently grow into metabolically active cells. Upon germination of the spore into the metabolically active vegetative form, the resulting bacteria can colonize the host and cause disease due to the secretion of toxins from the cell. Spores are resistant to many environmental stressors, which make them challenging to remove from clinical environments. Identifying the conditions and the mechanisms of germination in toxin-producing species could help develop affordable remedies for some infections by inhibiting germination of the spore form. Unrelated to infectious disease, spore formation in species used in the industrial production of chemicals hinders the optimum production of the chemicals due to the depletion of the vegetative cells from the population. Understanding spore germination in acetone-butanol-ethanol-producing species can help boost the production of chemicals, leading to cheaper ethanol-based fuels. Until recently, clostridial spore germination is assumed to be similar to that of Bacillus subtilis However, recent studies in Clostridium difficile shed light on a mechanism of spore germination that has not been observed in any endospore-forming organisms to date. In this review, we focus on the germinants and the receptors recognizing these germinants in various clostridial species.
An Investigational Novel Orally Bioavailable Proteasome Inhibitor MLN9708/MLN2238 Triggers Cytotoxicity In Multiple Myeloma Cells Via p21- and Caspase-8-Dependent Signaling Pathway

Abstract 2992 Background and Rationale: Therapeutic targeting of Ubiquitin-Proteasome Signaling (UPS) is exemplified by the FDA approval of dipeptidyl boronic acid bortezomib first-in-class proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of relapsed/refractory, relapsed, and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). As with other agents, however, dose-limiting toxicities and the development of resistance limit its long-term utility. MLN9708 (Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA) is a selective, orally bioavailable proteasome inhibitor currently in phase I clinical development. Upon exposure to aqueous solutions or plasma, MLN9708 rapidly hydrolyzes to MLN2238, the biologically active form. Similar to bortezomib, MLN2238 is a boronic acid analog; however, it is distinct from bortezomib since preclinical data demonstrates it has a shorter proteasome dissociation half-life, as well as improved pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity in xenograft models versus bortezomib. In the present study, we examined the anti-tumor activity of MLN2238 in MM cells using in vitro model systems. Methods and Model: We utilized MM.1S, MM.1R, RPMI-8226, U266, KMS12BM, OPM2, H929, LP1, and INA-6 (an IL-6 dependent) human MM cell lines, as well as purified tumor cells from patients with MM relapsing after prior therapies including lenalidomide or bortezomib. Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis assays were performed using Trypan blue, MTT, CellTiter-Glo, thymidine incorporation, and Annexin V staining. Signal transduction pathways were evaluated using immunoblot analysis, ELISA, and enzymology assays. Statistical significance of data was determined using a Student t test. Results: We first confirmed the functional specificity of MLN2238 using different experimental strategies: 1) Examination of the proteasome activity using human erythrocyte 20S proteasomes and fluorogenic substrates showed that MLN2238, like bortezomib, primarily inhibits chymotrypsin-like proteasome activity (EC50 = 9 ± 2.3 nM versus bortezomib: 5.5 ± 1.5 nM); 2) Treatment of MM.1S MM cells with MLN2238 induces a time- and dose-dependent accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins; and 3) Washout experiments showed that MLN2238 is a reversible proteasome inhibitor (P Conclusions: Our preclinical study supports further clinical evaluation of MLN9708, either alone or in combination, as a potential MM therapy. Disclosures: Munshi:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Richardson:Celgene: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Anderson:Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.
The Milky Way: May-June

We are now starting to leave those constellations which are the sole domain of the southern hemisphere, and are slowly beginning to visit areas of the sky that can be enjoyed, if not by all amateurs, then most. In addition, we will be looking at not only what some would say are the most spectacular regions of the Milky Way, but also towards the central regions of our own Galaxy (see Star Chart 4).
Evaluation of oscillatory integrals for analytical groundwater flow and mass transport models

Abstract Modeling of transient dynamics of an interface between fluids of identical density and viscosity, but different otherwise, is of great interest in aquifer hydraulic, and advective contaminant transport, and has broad application. Closed-form solutions are often available for problems with simple, practically important geometry, but the integrals that appear in such solutions often have integrands with two or more oscillatory factors. Such integrals pose difficulties for numerical evaluation because the positive and negative contributions of the integrand largely cancel and the integrands decay very slowly in the integration domain. Some problems with integrands with a single oscillatory factor were tackled in the past with an integration/summation/extrapolation (ISE) method: breaking the integrand at consecutive zeros to obtain an alternating series and then using the Shanks algorithm to accelerate convergence of the series. However, this technique is ineffective for problems with multiple oscillatory factors. We present a comprehensive strategy for evaluation of such integrals that includes a better ISE method, an interval truncation method, and long-time asymptotics; this strategy is applicable to a large class of integrals with either single or multiple oscillatory factors that arise in modeling of groundwater flow and transport. The effectiveness of this methodology is illustrated by examples of integrals used in well hydraulics, groundwater recharge design, and particle tracking.
Subdiffraction Confinement in All-Semiconductor Hyperbolic Metamaterial Resonators

The strong optical anisotropy of hyperbolic metamaterials has enabled remarkable optical behavior such as negative refraction, enhancement of the photonic density of states, anomalous scaling of resonators, and super-resolution imaging. Resonators fashioned from these optical metamaterials support the confinement of light to dimensions much smaller than the diffraction limit. These ultrasmall resonators can be used to increase light–matter interactions for new applications in photonics. Here, we present subdiffraction mid-infrared resonators based on all-semiconductor hyperbolic metamaterials. Importantly, these resonators are fully compatible with epitaxial growth techniques and can be engineered to incorporate quantum well intersubband transitions that are degenerate with the mode of the resonators, enabling an entirely new generation of quantum optoelectronic devices. The strongest optical confinement achieved is λ/33 for a free-space wavelength of 10 μm, and the measured Q-factors are in the range of ...
Runge-Kutta schemes and numerical instabilities: The logistic equation

We consider the Logistic differential equation and several finite difference schemes that can be used to numerically integrate the equation. We show that linear stability analysis about the fixed points of the finite difference schemes allow an understanding of how and when instabilities can occur. Some rules for modeling differential equations by finite difference schemes are presented.
The acute effects of a multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement on resting energy expenditure and exercise performance in recreationally active females

The use of dietary supplements to improve performance is becoming increasingly popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Unfortunately, there is a tremendous lack of research being done regarding female athletes and the use of sport supplements. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement (MIPS) ingestion on resting metabolism and exercise performance in recreationally-active females. Fifteen recreationally-active females participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Subjects completed baseline, and two experimental testing sessions in a cross-over design fashion. Experimental testing included assessment of resting energy expenditure (REE), heart rate, and blood pressure following the ingestion of a MIPS or placebo. Subjects also completed a repetition to failure test for the back squat (BS) and bench press (BP) at 85% of their 5-repetition maximum followed by the assessment of anaerobic power using a counter-movement vertical jump test and a sprint test on a force-treadmill. Subjective measurements of energy, focus, and fatigue were also assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Separate repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to assess differences in REE, cardiovascular responses, and subjective markers between conditions. Performance data were analyzed using paired Student’s T-tests. A significant main effect for condition was observed for REE (p = 0.021) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.011) following ingestion of the MIPS. The supplement condition resulted in a greater number of BP repetitions to failure and total work completed during treadmill test (p = 0.039) compared to placebo (p = 0.037). A significant condition x time interaction for focus was observed with the supplement treatment exhibiting improved focus at 80-min post ingestion (p = 0.046). Consumption of a MIPS increased resting metabolism following a single dose accompanied by an increase in diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, acute MIPS ingestion improved upper body muscular endurance and anaerobic capacity while improving feelings of focus following high-intensity exercise in recreationally active females.
Enhanced transmission algorithm for dynamic device-to-device direct discovery

In order to support the increasing demand for capacity in cellular networks, Long Term Evolution (LTE) introduced Proximity Services (ProSe) enabling Device-to-Device (D2D) communications, defining several services to support such networks. We are interested in the performance in out-of-coverage scenarios of one of these services: direct discovery. As defined in the standard, network and configuration parameters for direct discovery are predefined and do not change over time, which creates an inability to adjust to variations in topologies, number of operating devices, and/or users' mobility during the discovery process. In this paper we propose an enhanced discovery algorithm that, building on previous works, allows users to adapt to potential variations in the discovery group, using optimized transmission probabilities and transmission success probabilities. The performance of this algorithm is evaluated, and we demonstrate gains in the accuracy of the discovery information, and in the time required for discovery.
Abstract P373: Trends in Cardiovascular Risk Factors by Clinical Definitions of Prediabetes

Introduction: There are five different definitions of prediabetes currently used in clinical practice. How cardiovascular risk may differ by these different definitions of prediabetes and whether trends in cardiovascular risk in persons with prediabetes have changed over time is largely uncharacterized. Hypothesis: We expect the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors will vary by prediabetes definition and will be highest among those who meet clinical definitions with higher cutoff values. We hypothesize awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia have increased over time among those with prediabetes. Methods: We analyzed data for adults ages ≥ 20 years from the 1999-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We used calibrated HbA1c and FPG values to estimate prediabetes prevalence. We examined the prevalence and trends of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia among those who met each clinical definition of prediabetes, as well as awareness, treatment, and control. Results: The prevalence of prediabetes by each definitions remained stable across survey years. The prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia by clinical definition modestly increased over time. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was higher among individuals who met HbA1c-based definitions of prediabetes than other measures and was highest when more restrictive criteria for prediabetes were used. Awareness, treatment, and control of cardiovascular risk factors increased over time by any definition, but the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors highlights the need for improvement in risk factor management in people with prediabetes.
Visual dictionary learning for joint object categorization and segmentation

Representing objects using elements from a visual dictionary is widely used in object detection and categorization. Prior work on dictionary learning has shown improvements in the accuracy of object detection and categorization by learning discriminative dictionaries. However none of these dictionaries are learnt for joint object categorization and segmentation. Moreover, dictionary learning is often done separately from classifier training, which reduces the discriminative power of the model. In this paper, we formulate the semantic segmentation problem as a joint categorization, segmentation and dictionary learning problem. To that end, we propose a latent conditional random field (CRF) model in which the observed variables are pixel category labels and the latent variables are visual word assignments. The CRF energy consists of a bottom-up segmentation cost, a top-down bag of (latent) words categorization cost, and a dictionary learning cost. Together, these costs capture relationships between image features and visual words, relationships between visual words and object categories, and spatial relationships among visual words. The segmentation, categorization, and dictionary learning parameters are learnt jointly using latent structural SVMs, and the segmentation and visual words assignments are inferred jointly using energy minimization techniques. Experiments on the Graz02 and CamVid datasets demonstrate the performance of our approach.
Technology Assessment for the Future Aeronautical Communications System

To address emerging saturation in the VHF aeronautical bands allocated internationally for air traffic management communications, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has requested development of a common global solution through its Aeronautical Communications Panel (ACP). In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Eurocontrol initiated a joint study, with the support of NASA and U.S. and European contractors, to provide major findings on alternatives and recommendations to the ICAO ACP Working Group C (WG-C). Under an FAA/Eurocontrol cooperative research and development agreement, ACP WG-C Action Plan 17 (AP-17), commonly referred to as the Future Communications Study (FCS), NASA Glenn Research Center is responsible for the investigation of potential communications technologies that support the long-term mobile communication operational concepts of the FCS. This report documents the results of the first phase of the technology assessment and recommendations referred to in the Technology Pre-Screening Task 3.1 of AP-17. The prescreening identifies potential technologies that are under development in the industry and provides an initial assessment against a harmonized set of evaluation criteria that address high level capabilities, projected maturity for the time frame for usage in aviation, and potential applicability to aviation. A wide variety of candidate technologies were evaluated from several communications service categories including: cellular telephony; IEEE-802.xx standards; public safety radio; satellite and over-the-horizon communications; custom narrowband VHF; custom wideband; and military communications.
Robust Photoacoustic Beamforming Using Dense Convolutional Neural Networks

Photoacoustic (PA) is a promising technology for imaging of endogenous tissue chromophores and exogenous contrast agents in a wide range of clinical applications. The imaging technique is based on excitation of a tissue sample using short light pulse, followed by acquisition of the resultant acoustic signal using an ultrasound (US) transducer. To reconstruct an image of the tissue from the received US signals, the most common approach is to use the delay-and-sum (DAS) beamforming technique that assumes a wave propagation with a constant speed of sound. Unfortunately, such assumption often leads to artifacts such as sidelobes and tissue aberration; in addition, the image resolution is degraded. With an aim to improve the PA image reconstruction, in this work, we propose a deep convolutional neural networks-based beamforming approach that uses a set of densely connected convolutional layers with dilated convolution at higher layers. To train the network, we use simulated images with various sizes and contrasts of target objects, and subsequently simulating the PA effect to obtain the raw US signals at an US transducer. We test the network on an independent set of 1,500 simulated images and we achieve a mean peak-to-signal-ratio of 38.7 dB between the estimated and reference images. In addition, a comparison of our approach with the DAS beamforming technique indicates a statistical significant improvement of the proposed technique.
Efficient 6-DoF Tracking of Handheld Objects from an Egocentric Viewpoint

Virtual and augmented reality technologies have seen significant growth in the past few years. A key component of such systems is the ability to track the pose of head mounted displays and controllers in 3D space. We tackle the problem of efficient 6-DoF tracking of a handheld controller from egocentric camera perspectives. We collected the HMD Controller dataset which consist of over 540,000 stereo image pairs labelled with the full 6-DoF pose of the handheld controller. Our proposed SSD-AF-Stereo3D model achieves a mean average error of 33.5 mm in 3D keypoint prediction and is used in conjunction with an IMU sensor on the controller to enable 6-DoF tracking. We also present results on approaches for model based full 6-DoF tracking. All our models operate under the strict constraints of real time mobile CPU inference.
Not “Real” Science Education Research: The Systematic Silencing of Critical Science Education Scholarship

This chapter shares my experience as a Latina doctoral student and assistant professor in Science Education, mostly dominated by white and middle/upper class academics. As a Latina from a working class background, I often find myself out of sync with and ostracized by the culture of academia in general and science education academia specifically. I have had to learn how to survive the systematic racist, sexist, classist, ethnocentric, and elitist structures inherent in these worlds, even as members of these structures label me and my scholarship as unscholarly and try to domesticate me to fit the standard of what “real science education research” looks like. This meant erasing and belittling what I am, what I believe, and what I dedicate my life’s work toward. I share my struggles through my poem “Unos Cuantos Piquetitos,” after the Frida Kahlo piece Unos Cuantos Piquetitos (Apasionadamente Enamorado), to illustrate how science education academia works to render me invisible while bleeding me dry.
Pt-catalyzed O-silylation of oximes by tri-substituted organosilanes

Abstract Silylated derivatives of oximes are important intermediates in organic synthesis, and have found application in the preparation of various nitrogen containing compounds including nitriles, amines, nitrones, and hydroxylamines. An efficient method for the O-silylation of aldoximes and ketoximes through a platinum-catalyzed reaction using trisubstituted-hydrosilanes is described. The reaction works well with a range of aliphatic and aromatic oximes when using triethylsilane as a silylating agent. Furthermore, a number of tri-substituted organosilanes including triisopropylsilane, diethoxymethylsilane, triphenylsilane, and triethoxysilane were also explored.
Psychological correlates of reasons for nonbelief: tolerance of ambiguity, intellectual humility, and attachment

ABSTRACTThe process of acquiring beliefs – including the belief that there is no God–is largely implicit. We propose that psychological factors that function largely outside of conscious awareness ...
Anti-angiogenic Effects of Metformin in 2-Deoxyglucose Treated Microvascular Endothelial Cells: Role of Thrombospondin-1

Background & objectiveThe biguanide metformin, which is widely used in the management of type 2 diabetes, has received considerable interest as a potential anti-cancer agent in many forms of cancer...
Effects of Transport on Oral Temperature of Postsurgical Patients Transported from PACU to Nursing Units.

Abstract Purpose To determine the impact of transport from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to inpatient nursing units on postsurgical patient temperature. Design Exploratory correlational study. Methods PACU discharge oral temperatures of postsurgical adult patients were compared with oral temperature at unit transfer. Findings Temperatures on PACU discharge ranged from 97.3°F to 100.0°F (mean [M], 98.1 [0.5]), whereas those on unit arrival ranged from 97.3°F to 99.8°F (M, 98.0 [0.5]). Temperature differences between arrival and discharge ranged from −1.5°F to 0.9°F (M, −0.05 [0.34]); most showed decreases (n = 49; 52.7%). Correlations between temperature change and other variables (transport time, age, and gender) were less than 0.10 and nonsignificant. Conclusions Transfers from the PACU to other hospital units may not clinically impact oral temperatures in postsurgical patients. However, post-transfer temperature should be monitored to assure that hypothermia does not occur.
A Dysbiotic Gut Microbiome Suppresses Antibody Mediated-Protection Against Vibrio cholerae

Abstract Vibrio cholerae is the etiologic agent of cholera, a severe diarrheal disease that represents a significant burden on global health and productivity. Despite the pressing need, available preventative measures such as oral cholera vaccines exhibit highly variable protective efficacy. We hypothesized that one contributor to vaccine efficacy variability across geographical regions may be due to differences in gut microbiome, which in cholera-endemic areas is strongly and repeatedly modulated by malnutrition, cholera, and non-cholera infectious diarrhea. Here, we assemble representative model communities of either human gut microbes resembling those of healthy individuals or those of individuals recovering from diarrhea or malnutrition. We establish these communities in a murine immunization model, and show that the dysbiotic gut microbiome, commonly present in areas where malnutrition and diarrhea are common, suppresses the immune response against Vibrio cholerae through the action of CD4+ cells. Our findings suggest that the composition of the gut microbiome at time of immunization may be pivotal for providing robust immunity from oral cholera vaccines, and highlight the importance of the gut microbiome on mucosal immunization responses and vaccine development strategies. Importance Diarrhea caused by enteric bacterial pathogens is a recurring and important issue for worldwide health. Cholera, the severe watery diarrhea caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, affects millions of people annually. Currently, there is a lack of effective preventative measures for cholera, due to the uneven performance of oral cholera vaccines. Thus, it is essential to better understand the factors that may affect vaccine efficacy. One aspect may be variations in the resident community of gut microbes, the gut microbiome, across populations living in developed versus developing regions as a function of host genetics, diet, and infection. Our findings suggest that specific structures of the gut microbiome are involved in disrupting the immune responses to V. cholerae vaccination.
Prevalence of serious injuries in low risk trauma patients

Abstract Objectives Computed tomography (CT) utilization is widespread in contemporary Emergency Departments (EDs). CT overuse leads to radiation exposure, contrast toxicity, overdiagnosis, and incidental findings. This study explores the prevalence of clinically significant injuries in patients identified as low-risk trauma patients (LRTPs) using newly created criteria that account for the patient's age, trauma mechanism, assessability (which relies on level of consciousness, intoxication, and neurologic deficits), vital signs and other evidence of hypoperfusion, bleeding risk, and past medical history. Methods This was a 6-month retrospective chart review of all LRTPs presenting to a level 1 trauma center in Queens, New York. Data abstraction was performed independently by two abstractors and discrepancies adjudicated by the senior author. Patients were identified using the hospital trauma registry and two reports, created by the researchers, identifying selected chief complaints and discharge diagnoses. Results 750 patients were identified of which 352 (46.93%) received one or more CT scans. There were a total of 790 CT scans ordered, of which 731 (92.53%) were negative for acute injury. There were 13 clinically significant injuries of which only one (0.13%) required immediate intervention. There were no mortalities in this LRTP group. Conclusion The prevalence of clinically significant injuries in this population is very low and injuries requiring immediate intervention are even lower. CT utilization in LRTPs should be guided by an explicit consideration of benefit and harm for each patient.
Artificial intelligence: the societal responsibility to inform, educate, and regulate

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field; one that is mysterious to the general public. The mention of the word AI fills the imaginations of many with thoughts of talking robots, jobs being replaced, and possibly even the destruction of mankind. Perhaps imaginations are running wild due to, perhaps driven by the loose definition of AI as systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence that allows Hollywood to take some creative license. The experts in the field tend to work directly with AI and often for large companies, allowing for the imagination and news headlines to be where the public gets their information. Many wonder if this new technology is going to be an overall benefit to society or if it will bring unmitigated disaster. When the imagination runs wild, instead of understanding, news stories can perpetuate concerns and anxieties rather than hope and optimism.
Subtle Motor Signs as a Biomarker for Mindful Movement Intervention in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Objective Previous studies of Tai Chi or mindfulness-based interventions in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have relied on self- or parent-reported outcome measures; however, there is a critical need for the validation of objective biomarkers of treatment. Therefore, we implemented a mindful movement intervention for children with ADHD, hypothesizing that an ADHD-relevant motor control measure could serve as a predictive biomarker of treatment-related improvement. Methods Thirty-four participants were included, 8 to 12 year olds diagnosed with DSM-5 ADHD. Participants engaged in the mindful movement treatment, an 8-week program with 2 classes a week for 60 minutes. At pre- and post-treatment, ADHD symptoms and associated impairment and motor control via the Physical and Neurological Examination for Subtle Signs (PANESS) were assessed. Results The results showed a significant reduction for PANESS Gaits and Station (p ≤ 0.001), total overflow (p = 0.009), and total score (p = 0.001) after treatment, with the largest effect for Gaits and Stations. The results also showed a significant reduction in symptoms of inattention (p ≤ 0.001), hyperactivity/impulsivity (p ≤ 0.001), oppositional defiant disorder (p = 0.001), and executive dysfunction (p ≤ 0.001). There were significant positive correlations between change in PANESS Gaits and Stations and change in both inattentive (p = 0.02) and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (p = 0.02). There was also a significant positive correlation between change in the PANESS total score and change in inattentive (p = 0.007) and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (p = 0.042). The change in the PANESS total score (β = 0.295, p = 0.002) predicted post-treatment ADHD severity above the change in inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Conclusion The results suggest the effectiveness of a mindful movement treatment on ADHD symptoms and suggest the PANESS as a candidate motor biomarker for future mindful movement trials. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02234557, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02234557.
Intramolecular hydrogen bond stabilized conformation of 3-aminopropanol

Abstract Rotational spectra of the most abundant, three 13C, and the 15N isotopologues of 3-aminopropanol have been recorded in natural abundance using a Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. For the most abundant isotopologue, 54 hyperfine components from the thirteen a- and b-type transitions measured were fit to the quadupole coupling constants, χaa = −2.551(1) MHz, χbb = 1.248(1) MHz. Rotational and centrifugal distortion constants determined from fits of the resulting unsplit line centers to the Watson A-reduction Hamiltonian are A = 7405.303(1) MHz, B = 3868.1925(5) MHz, C = 2829.2615(7) MHz, ΔJ = 1.90(3) kHz, ΔJK = −0.5(3) kHz, ΔK = 2.7(3) kHz, δJ = 0.5(4) kHz, and δK = 4.0(4) kHz. Five to six transitions were measured for each of the 13C and 15N isotopologues and rotational constants were determined by fixing the distortion constants to the values found for the normal isotope. The five sets of moments of inertia were used to determine the 3-aminopropanol substitution structure as well to perform a least-squares fit. The heavy atom coordinates determined from these two methods are in good agreement. The newly measured moments of inertia of the heavy atoms has allowed for a refinement of the structure determined by an earlier microwave study. The conformation of 3-aminopropanol is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond from the alcohol proton to amino nitrogen. The experimental structure is consistent with the lowest energy ab initio [MP2/6-311++G(d,p)] structure.
Chapter 7 – Congenital Defects of Thyroid Hormone Synthesis

With a prevalence of one in 3000–4000 newborns, congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common inborn endocrine disorder and one of the most common preventable causes of mental retardation. While most cases are sporadic and associated with abnormalities of thyroid gland development and migration (thyroid dysgenesis), approximately 15–20% are caused by inherited defects in one of the steps of thyroid hormone synthesis (thyroid dyshormonogenesis). When the synthesis defect results in reduced hormone secretion, the ensuing diminished negative feedback on the anterior pituitary thyrotrophs leads to an increase in thyrotropin (TSH) secretion stimulating the thyroid gland. Consequently, patients are born with an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) or develop goiter postnatally, especially when diagnosis and treatment with levothyroxine (L-T4) are delayed.
Octanol–Water Partition Coefficients of Aristolochic Acids and Implications to the Etiology of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy

The octanol–water partition coefficients (Kow) of the aristolochic acids, AA I and AA II, were determined using the traditional shake-flask method as a function of pH and ionic strength. These compounds have been implicated in the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy, but evidence of a plausible exposure pathway remains elusive, and research is constrained by the absence of critical physical–chemical parameters on these compounds. Apparent Kow values were determined across a range of pH and ionic strength conditions. The results show that the apparent Kow decreased by approximately four orders of magnitude as pH increased from 2 to 9. The pH dependence was well described by a simple model that calculated the apparent Kow based on the ionization fractions and intrinsic Kow values for the neutral and ionized species. Higher ionic strength solutions resulted in higher Kow values at high pH, but had no effect at low pH. These results suggest that transport of aristolochic acids will be highly dependent on pH and ionic strength, with significant aqueous-phase transport at neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, with the highest mobility occurring under low ionic strength conditions, and the possibility of significant partitioning to nonpolar phases, such as soil organic matter or plant material, at low pH. Much of the region where BEN is prevalent is a karst environment, and pH values are generally above 8, thus leaching and groundwater transport are favored, which can suggest possible exposure routes.