cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accelerated focused ultrasound imaging

One of the most basic trade-offs in ultrasound imaging involves frame rate, depth, and number of lines. Achieving good spatial resolution and coverage requires a large number of lines, leading to decreases in frame rate. An even more serious imaging challenge occurs with imaging modes involving spatial compounding and 3-D/4-D imaging, which are severely limited by the slow speed of sound in tissue. The present work can overcome these traditional limitations, making ultrasound imaging many-fold faster. By emitting several beams at once, and by separating the resulting overlapped signals through spatial and temporal processing, spatial resolution and/or coverage can be increased by many-fold while leaving frame rates unaffected. The proposed approach can also be extended to imaging strategies that do not involve transmit beamforming, such as synthetic aperture imaging. Simulated and experimental results are presented where imaging speed is improved by up to 32-fold, with little impact on image quality. Object complexity has little impact on the method's performance, and data from biological systems can readily be handled. The present work may open the door to novel multiplexed and/or multidimensional protocols considered impractical today.
Stilbene-Based Fluorescent Sensor for Detection of Organophosphorus Warfare Nerve Agents

In this paper, we report the synthesis of stilbene-based fluorophore, 3,4-dihydroxy-4′-aminostilbene (DHAS) for the detection of chemical warfare agents such as organophosphorus nerve gases. DHAS was characterized by various spectroscopic methods and grafted on to electrospun nanofibers. The interaction of DHAS with nerve agents simulant, diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP) was investigated in solution and vapor phase by fluorescence spectroscopy.
Commoditization and oppression A systems approach to understanding the economic dynamics of modes of oppression

Commoditization is a generalized Darwinian selection pressure in economic evolution driven by profit- and efficiency-seeking in the investment of key resources. By winnowing noncommodity opportunities to satisfy human needs, commoditization distorts development in ways that intensify negative social outcomes experienced by oppressed groups and undermines the possibility for sustainable development. When market logic dominates the investment of financial capital, energy, raw materials, human attention, labor, and creativity, market goods with traits associated with commodities are fully developed while nonmarket goods lacking those traits are systematically underdeveloped. Analysis of the traits of commodities explains the unsustainable development or maldevelopment that disproportionately affects those who are dependent on or who highly value important nonmarket relationships. Oppression theory is addressed with specific examples. A generalized form of oppression is theorized that systematically stunts the imagination and creativity required to meet contemporary environmental crises.
Locomotion controller for a crab-like robot

A rough terrain locomotion controller for an eight-legged demining robot built by K/sup 2/T, Inc. is presented. The method takes inspiration from the behavior of biological organisms to create a robust yet computationally simple controller. Included is a brief description of mechanism based gait control and insect-inspired reflexes for rough terrain locomotion which were previously used to control a hexapod robot with great success. This method is then applied to develop a locomotion controller for the K/sup 2/T crab-like demining robot. In simulation, the resulting controller causes the robot to display successful rough terrain navigation ability including walking over irregular terrain, traversing obstacles on the order of half the tibia length, traversing sparse terrain, and crossing ditches, all without complex sensing or terrain mapping.
Duality of Antidepressants and Neuroprotectants

The co-morbidity of neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD) with neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Parkinson's disease (PD) is now well recognized. Indeed, it is suggested that depressive disorders, especially in late life, may be an indication of latent neurodegeneration. Thus, it is not unreasonable to expect that deterrents of MDD may also deter the onset and/or progression of the neurodegenerative diseases including PD. In this review, examples of neuroprotective efficacy of established as well as prospective antidepressants are provided. Conversely, mood-regulating effects of some neuroprotective drugs are also presented. Thus, in addition to currently used antidepressants, ketamine, nicotine, curcumin, and resveratrol are discussed for their dual efficacy. In addition, potential neurobiological substrates for their actions are presented. It is concluded that pharmacological developments of mood-regulating or neuroprotective drugs can have cross benefit in co-morbid conditions of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and that inflammatory and neurotrophic factors play important roles in both conditions.
Othello Error: Facial Profiling, Privacy, and the Suppression of Dissent

In this article, Professor Herbert challenges the US. Transportation Security Administration's post-September 11, 2001, use of Paul Elanan and Wallace Friesen's Facial Action Coding System (FACS) to identify potential terrorists in American airports. Professor Herbert asserts that invasive visual examination of travelers' faces and facial expressions for law enforcement purposes under the auspices of protective administrative searches ineffectively protects national and airport security and violates reasonable expectations of privacy. FACS improperly provides unreasonable governmental activity with a legitimizing scientific imprimatur that conceals governmental agents' race- and ethnicity-based prejudices, which leads to targeting minorities' faces as portents of danger. Professor Herbert assesses the concept of facial privacy in public, and in doing so, rejects the Supreme Court's Katz v. United States test and argues in support of constitutional protection of public privacy.
Catheter-Based Intraluminal Sonography

With the development of interventional and minimally invasive surgical techniques in the last decade, a strong interest in intraluminal sonography has arisen because of the need for better imaging information and management of the interventional procedure. High-resolution intraluminal sonography is a unique approach for the evaluation of a wide range of abnormalities within the luminal structures throughout the body. This imaging technique has been able to obtain information not available with even the most sophisticated percutaneous sonography, CT, or MRI. The uniqueness of this approach has led to extensive research, establishing a variety of clinical applications. These miniature catheter-based transducers have become important supplemental tools in the evaluation of the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. Other areas need to be evaluated more thoroughly before efficacy is established, but the concept of using miniature transducers has shown promise in many areas of the body. This should lead to the provision of important information for decision making relative to patient care and surgical intervention. In the future, with projected technical progress, intraluminal sonography should substantially improve its diagnostic capabilities.
Calculating cancer risk: it is harder than it seems.

Many factors make cancer risk assessment difficult, especially when determining the risk for an individual.
Human Papillomavirus Infections of the Genital Tract

Infection of the genital tract by HPV is a sexually transmitted disease of increasing prevalence. The association of HPV infection with genital tract malignancies is of great concern, and further studies are needed to clarify this association. Few investigators believe at this time that proof of a direct causative role exists for HPV in these cancers, but indirect evidence of such a role is abundant. There are many clinical forms of HPV infection of the genital tract, and few clinicians can easily recognize them all. Treatment of condyloma acuminatum is difficult and frustrating. Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen is the safest and most effective therapy for most forms of condyloma acuminatum. Recurrence of condyloma acuminatum is common with all presently used forms of therapy, probably owing to latent HPV infection in normal-appearing skin. No form of treatment is ideal for all forms of condyloma acuminatum, but without continued efforts to find better therapeutic modalities and preventative measures, the epidemic of genital HPV infection will continue unchecked.
Measurement of Glass and Liquid Flats Using a Pentaprism Scanning System

A scanning pentaprism system may be used as an absolute test for an optical flat. We report results of the test on a 2-meter glass flat and current tests on liquid flats.
The Prohibition Against Torture: Is Torture Ever Permissible?

In this essay, I defend the view that torture is not absolutely prohibited, citing a ticking time-bomb case, like those championed by Alan Dershowitz, but argue that the justifying conditions for resorting to torture are quite stringent and include epistemic and other conditions that are satisfied in only the rarest of cases, if ever, even those involving ticking time-bombs. Indeed, I argue it is not generally permissible under these conditions to torture low-level soldiers or operatives are because such low-level combatants are highly unlikely to be in possession of detailed high-value information. I conclude that although the prohibition against torture is not absolute, torture will very rarely be justified in actual practice, if ever. Thus, the essay concedes the legitimacy of Dershowitz's analysis of the moral principle as not being absolute, but nonetheless condemns torture in the vast majority of instances in which it takes place.
Stability of HIV Frameshift Site RNA Correlates with Frameshift Efficiency and Decreased Virus Infectivity

UNLABELLED Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication is strongly dependent upon a programmed ribosomal frameshift. Here we investigate the relationships between the thermodynamic stability of the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) RNA frameshift site stem-loop, frameshift efficiency, and infectivity, using pseudotyped HIV-1 and HEK293T cells. The data reveal a strong correlation between frameshift efficiency and local, but not overall, RNA thermodynamic stability. Mutations that modestly increase the local stability of the frameshift site RNA stem-loop structure increase frameshift efficiency 2-fold to 3-fold in cells. Thus, frameshift efficiency is determined by the strength of the thermodynamic barrier encountered by the ribosome. These data agree with previous in vitro measurements, suggesting that there are no virus- or host-specific factors that modulate frameshifting. The data also indicate that there are no sequence-specific requirements for the frameshift site stem-loop. A linear correlation between Gag-polymerase (Gag-Pol) levels in cells and levels in virions supports the idea of a stochastic virion assembly mechanism. We further demonstrate that the surrounding genomic RNA secondary structure influences frameshift efficiency and that a mutation that commonly arises in response to protease inhibitor therapy creates a functional but inefficient secondary slippery site. Finally, HIV-1 mutants with enhanced frameshift efficiencies are significantly less infectious, suggesting that compounds that increase frameshift efficiency by as little as 2-fold may be effective at suppressing HIV-1 replication. IMPORTANCE HIV, like many retroviruses, utilizes a -1 programmed ribosomal frameshift to generate viral enzymes in the form of a Gag-Pol polyprotein precursor. Thus, frameshifting is essential for viral replication. Here, we utilized a panel of mutant HIV strains to demonstrate that in cells, frameshifting efficiency is correlated with the stability of the local thermodynamic barrier to ribosomal translocation. Increasing the stability of the frameshift site RNA increases the frameshift efficiency 2-fold to 3-fold. Mutant viruses with increased frameshift efficiencies have significantly reduced infectivity. These data suggest that this effect might be exploited in the development of novel antiviral strategies.
In vivo analysis of the myosin heavy chain IIB promoter region

The myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIB gene is preferentially expressed in fast-twitch muscles of the hindlimb, such as the tibialis anterior (TA). The molecular mechanism(s) for this preferential expres...
Yield optimization of CMOS logic circuit designs

Unlike memory applications where a repetitive cell is used and a relative insensitivity to faults is obtained through redundancy, the optimization task of a designer for large logic chips is very complex. To date most of the design optimization for yield is done by minimizing the chip area and usage of preestablished design rules. Based on the existing framework of yield calculation (1–2), we have developed a program which computes the actual random photolithographic yield and allows the designer to interactively optimize his layout for yield.
Environmental Exposures and Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects millions around the world. The Braak hypothesis proposes that in PD a pathologic agent may penetrate the nervous system via the olfactory bulb, gut, or both and spreads throughout the nervous system. The agent is unknown, but several environmental exposures have been associated with PD. Here, we summarize and examine the evidence for such environmental exposures. We completed a comprehensive review of human epidemiologic studies of pesticides, selected industrial compounds, and metals and their association with PD in PubMed and Google Scholar until April 2016. Most studies show that rotenone and paraquat are linked to increased PD risk and PD-like neuropathology. Organochlorines have also been linked to PD in human and laboratory studies. Organophosphates and pyrethroids have limited but suggestive human and animal data linked to PD. Iron has been found to be elevated in PD brain tissue but the pathophysiological link is unclear. PD due to manganese has not been demonstrated, though a parkinsonian syndrome associated with manganese is well-documented. Overall, the evidence linking paraquat, rotenone, and organochlorines with PD appears strong; however, organophosphates, pyrethroids, and polychlorinated biphenyls require further study. The studies related to metals do not support an association with PD.
Fabrication of micro-structures using non-planar lithography (NPL)

The authors present specific nonplanar lithographic (NPL) techniques for use in fabricating both monolithic micromachines and microcomponents for use in larger systems. The emphasis is on the use of numerically controlled E-beam-based lithography, with the resist exposed over nonplanar surfaces. Previously, nonplanar, optical-mask-based approaches have been used to fabricate devices such as wobble motor rotors, but with less success than the NPL techniques due to depth-of-field problems. The specific focus is on etching cylindrically shaped metal structures which are either (1) homogeneous or (2) layered by successive deposition, masking, and etching. Structures on the order of 80 to 500 microns in diameter have been constructed of either solid metals or sputtered thin metallic layers on quartz shafts. A number of either deep or shallow patterns have been fabricated on and through the structures, with promising results. Examples include helices, longitudinal lines, holes, notches, flexures, barbs, alphanumeric characters, and electrostatic field emitting patterns for use in wobble motors. Efforts are now proceeding toward generating complete systems, including transducers and actuators for industrial and medical applications. >
Editorial on “vascular ring diagnosis and management: notable trends over 25 years”

Vascular rings occur due to some perturbation in the normal sequence of development and selective involution of paired aortic arches to form a definitive left or right aortic arch. The two most common types of vascular rings are double aortic arch (DAA) and right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery and a left patent ductus arteriosus or ligamentum arteriosum (RAA-ALS) (1,2). The prevalence of vascular rings is unknown because many patients remain asymptomatic and are undiagnosed.
ROCKII inhibition promotes the maturation of human pancreatic beta-like cells

Diabetes is linked to loss of pancreatic beta-cells. Pluripotent stem cells offer a valuable source of human beta-cells for basic studies of their biology and translational applications. However, the signalling pathways that regulate beta-cell development and functional maturation are not fully understood. Here we report a high content chemical screen, revealing that H1152, a ROCK inhibitor, promotes the robust generation of insulin-expressing cells from multiple hPSC lines. The insulin expressing cells obtained after H1152 treatment show increased expression of mature beta cell markers and improved glucose stimulated insulin secretion. Moreover, the H1152-treated beta-like cells show enhanced glucose stimulated insulin secretion and increased capacity to maintain glucose homeostasis after transplantation. Conditional gene knockdown reveals that inhibition of ROCKII promotes the generation and maturation of glucose-responding cells. This study provides a strategy to promote human beta-cell maturation and identifies an unexpected role for the ROCKII pathway in the development and maturation of beta-like cells. Our incomplete understanding of how pancreatic beta cells form limits the generation of beta-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). Here, the authors identify a ROCKII inhibitor H1152 as increasing insulin secreting cells from hPSCs and improving beta-cell maturation on transplantation in vivo.
Stability of hydrated carbonates on Ceres

Abstract Deposits of carbonates have been observed and definitively identified by Dawn's Visible Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIR), particularly in the faculae that lie within the central portion of Occator, Oxo, and Haulani craters, implying geologically recent cryo-volcanism or extrusion with sub-surface CO2 and H2O. Carbonate composition varies from primarily sodium at the Cerealia and Vinalia Faculae and at Oxo crater, where carbonate deposits are most abundant, to magnesium and calcium for most other bright regions. The formation of hydrated salts is expected from the aqueous alteration of silicates; however, VIR measurements of the faculae show no water signature, potentially the result of dehydration after exposure to Ceres’ surface conditions. We investigate the stability and decomposition pathway for hydrated sodium-carbonate, natron (Na2CO3.10H2O), grains in the laboratory under Ceres’ cryogenic, low-pressure environment by UV–vis–NIR reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. H2O-loss begins simultaneously with vacuum-exposure, altering natron's spectral signature by attenuation of the water bands, enhancement of the carbonate features, and concurrent reduction of the NIR blue spectral slope. We find that the water absorption features in natron reduce below VIR's detection limit (
Epithelial remodeling after corneal crosslinking using higher fluence and accelerated treatment time.

Purpose To evaluate changes in regional corneal epithelial thickness after corneal crosslinking (CXL) using higher fluence (7.2 J/cm2) and accelerated treatment time (4 minutes) in eyes with progressive keratoconus using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to correlate focal epithelial and focal anterior curvature changes. Setting Academic medical center in the United States. Design Prospective case series. Methods Patients had anterior segment SD-OCT (RTVue-100) with focal stromal and epithelial measurements and Scheimpflug imaging before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after accelerated CXL. Results Twenty-seven eyes from 20 patients were evaluated. Before the accelerated CXL, the epithelium was thinnest in the inferior inner and outer temporal regions, whereas at 12 months postoperatively, the epithelium was significantly thinned in multiple inferior and nasal regions by 1.1 to 3.2 μm (P Conclusions Significant epithelial remodeling occurred after accelerated CXL in eyes with progressive keratoconus, with improved regularity across the central 6.0 mm, by 6 months after treatment. There was poor correlation between focal epithelial thickness and anterior curvature changes, with wide variability between patients. Establishing the pattern of epithelial remodeling after CXL might help optimize future custom treatment protocols.
GABA | Pathophysiology of Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus is a prolonged self-sustaining seizure, and a neurological emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality. A large number of animal models are available that can mimic key features of human status epilepticus. Hippocampus and parahippocampal structures (including subiculum and entorhinal cortex) appear to sustain status epilepticus. Prolonged hippocampal seizures reduce and alter the properties of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition of principal hippocampal neurons (dentate granule cells and CA1 pyramidal neurons). This reduction in inhibition is in part due to altered trafficking of GABAA receptors. These studies could explain the observation that drugs acting on GABAA receptors are effective in controlling seizures in early status epilepticus but fail to control prolonged seizures in animal models and in humans. Noncompetitive antagonists of NMDA receptors, such as ketamine and MK 801, can terminate prolonged seizures refractory to GABAergic drugs in certain animal models. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of activation of NMDA receptors and the role of other glutamate receptors during status epilepticus.
Approaches To Characterize Inequities In Air Pollution Exposures

Certain populations bear a disproportionate burden of air pollutant exposures resulting in inequity of risk. This may be due to proximity to outdoor sources such as major roadways and industry or i...
Implementing CS0 with Computer Science Principles Curriculum

As a prerequisite to ACM-IEEE CS1/CS2 curricula, common objectives of a CS0 course are: (i) to introduce CS to students who are interested, but do not have any prior CS skills, (ii) support student success while adapting to college life, and (iii) improve recruitment and retention of CS majors using the 'common first year' theme of many STEM programs. A previous CSO survey course at our institution focused on abstract logic, without any hands-on component, resulting in a CS0 "gate" course- a dull first encounter with computer science for most and an 'extremely fun and interesting' course for the few with pre-existing abstract thinking and reasoning skills. The missed opportunity to engage more students with CS, and thereby contribute to program viability and growth, spurred curriculum renewal. Given the existence of multiple high-quality offerings of CS curricula geared toward P-12 students, including at the AP-level, and also relying on our existing institutional partnership with a national non-profit organization dedicated to expanding access to CS in schools and addressing patterns of underrepresentation, we have implemented a new course based on a Computer Science Principles curriculum. This poster provides details of implementation as well as student experience and feedback with the first cohort of this brand-new course.
Using a Multiple-Schedule Procedure to Signal the Availability of Attention: Three Demonstrations:

Adjudicated adolescents detained in residential facilities for illegal sexual behavior, as well as adolescents living at home, may engage in problem behaviors such as excessive vocalizations. In residential detention facilities, these excessive vocalizations may result in disciplinary action and loss of privileges. Moreover, excessive vocalizations may also reduce the amount of positive social interactions that staff members and caregivers have with the adolescents. The current study evaluated a multiple-schedule procedure for reducing excessive vocalizations displayed by three adolescents. The procedure involved (a) a red card to signal that attention was not available and (b) either a green card or no card to signal that attention was available. Results show that the participants learned to abstain from vocalizing for up to 30 min when a caregiver presented the red card. In addition, the treatment effects persisted during generalization assessment sessions.
Mechanics and Dynamics of Bacterial Cell Lysis

Abstract Membrane lysis, or rupture, is a cell death pathway in bacteria frequently caused by cell wall-targeting antibiotics. Although previous studies have clarified the biochemical mechanisms of antibiotic action, a physical understanding of the processes leading to lysis remains lacking. Here, we analyze the dynamics of membrane bulging and lysis in Escherichia coli, in which the formation of an initial, partially subtended spherical bulge (“bulging”) after cell wall digestion occurs on a characteristic timescale of 1 s and the growth of the bulge (“swelling”) occurs on a slower characteristic timescale of 100 s. We show that bulging can be energetically favorable due to the relaxation of the entropic and stretching energies of the inner membrane, cell wall, and outer membrane and that the experimentally observed timescales are consistent with model predictions. We then show that swelling is mediated by the enlargement of wall defects, after which cell lysis is consistent with both the inner and outer membranes exceeding characteristic estimates of the yield areal strains of biological membranes. These results contrast biological membrane physics and the physics of thin, rigid shells. They also have implications for cellular morphogenesis and antibiotic discovery across different species of bacteria.
Mevalonate pathway activity as a determinant of radiation sensitivity in head and neck cancer

Radioresistance is a major hurdle in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we report that concomitant treatment of HNSCCs with radiotherapy and mevalonate pathway inhibitors (statins) may overcome resistance. Proteomic profiling and comparison of radioresistant to radiosensitive HNSCCs revealed differential regulation of the mevalonate biosynthetic pathway. Consistent with this finding, inhibition of the mevalonate pathway by pitavastatin sensitized radioresistant SQ20B cells to ionizing radiation and reduced their clonogenic potential. Overall, this study reinforces the view that the mevalonate pathway is a promising therapeutic target in radioresistant HNSCCs.
Multi-Sensor Fusion for Motion Estimation in Visually-Degraded Environments

Accurate motion estimation using low-cost sensors for autonomous robots in visually-degraded environments is critical to applications such as infrastructure inspection and indoor rescue missions. This paper analyzes the feasibility of utilizing multiple low-cost on-board sensors for ground robots or drones navigating in visually-degraded environments. We select four low-cost and small-size sensors for evaluation: IMU, EO stereo cameras with LED lights, active IR cameras, and 2D LiDAR. We adapt and extend state-of-the-art multi-sensor motion estimation techniques, including a factor graph framework for sensor fusion, under poor illumination conditions. We evaluate different sensor combinations using the factor graph framework, and benchmark each combination with its accuracy for two representative datasets acquired in totally-dark environments. Our results show the potential of this sensor fusion approach towards an improved ego-motion solution in challenging dark environments.
Octopods of deep reefs off Curaçao, southern Caribbean including description of one newly discovered species

Recent exploratory research on poorly studied deep reefs in the Caribbean Sea has yielded substantial new information about the diversity of deep-reef fishes and some invertebrates, but the diversity of deep-reef cephalopods has not been assessed. Using images, videos, and specimens collected with the aid of a manned submersible, as well as DNA sequences derived from the specimens, we surveyed the cephalopod diversity of the mesophotic and rariphotic reef communities in Curacao, southern Caribbean. Among the 50 records comprising 15 specimens, 39 photos, and 15 videos (of which six specimens matched video records), we found Octopus hummelincki Adam, 1937, Pteroctopus cf. tetracirrhus Delle Chiaje, 1830, Scaeurgus unicirrhus Delle Chiaje, 1841, Paroctopus mercatoris Adam, 1937, and Lepidoctopus joaquini Haimovici and Sales, 2019. In addition, we found one group of octopods, with two specimens that did not correspond to any known species. We describe this as a new species. One specimen of Lepidoctopus joaquini was hectocotylized on two arms.
Resting state fMRI connectivity analysis as a tool for detection of abnormalities in five different cognitive networks of the brain in Multiple Sclerosis patients.

Objectives Cognitive dysfunction is present in at least half of patients with Multiple Sclerosis. The purpose of this study was to examine functional connectivity abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using resting state fMRI (rsfMRI). Methods Conventional MRI, rsfMRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data was acquired from 10 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and 20 healthy controls. Cross-correlation of the resting state average signal among the voxels in each brain region of the five cognitive networks: default mode network (DMN), attention, verbal memory, memory, and visuospatial working memory network, was calculated. Voxelwise analyses were used to investigate fractional anisotropy (FA) of white matter tracts. The normalized gray matter (GM), white matter and thalamus volumes were calculated. Results Compared to controls, significant deficit in MS patients at each of five networks, attention (p=0.026), DMN (p=0.004), verbal memory (p<0.001), memory (p=0.001), visuospatial working memory (p=0.003) was found. Significant reduction (p=0.034) in the normalized GM volume and asymmetry in thalamus volume (p=0.041) was detected in MS patients compared to controls. Conclusion Wide spread of functional abnormalities are present within different cognitive networks in patients with RRMS, suggesting that DMN may not be sufficient for measurement of MS cognitive impairment. Larger and longitudinal studies should ascertain whether rsfMRI of cognitive networks and changes in GM and thalamus volume can be used as tools for assessment of cognition in clinical trials in MS.
Logging-debris and vegetation-control treatments influence competitive relationships to limit 15-year productivity of coast Douglas-fir in western Washington and Oregon

Abstract At two affiliate sites of the North American Long-Term Soil Productivity Study (Matlock, WA and Molalla, OR, USA), soil chemical properties and stand characteristics of planted coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) were compared 15 years after forest harvesting and application of three logging-debris configurations (dispersed, piled, or removed) combined with either initial vegetation control (IVC; year 0) or annual vegetation control (AVC; years 0 to 5). At Matlock, soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations each were 17% greater after IVC than after AVC; at Molalla, soil N was 13% greater where debris was removed than where it was dispersed. At Matlock, cover of nonnative Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) after IVC was greater where debris was removed (61%) than where it was piled (27%) or dispersed (7%), despite a control treatment in year 4. Conversely, covers of the native shrubs, trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus) and salal (Gaultheria shallon) were 20% to 30% greater where debris was dispersed than where it was piled or removed. With AVC versus IVC, Douglas-fir stand volume was 34% to 159% greater at Matlock depending on the logging-debris treatment, and it was 30% greater at Molalla independent of debris treatments. However, Douglas-fir survival and growth after AVC did not differ among logging-debris treatments at either site. Survival of Douglas-fir growing ≤ 1 m from the edge of debris piles at Matlock averaged 16% greater than that of trees > 1 m from debris piles. Debris dispersal or piling at Matlock strongly mitigated Scotch broom impacts to forest productivity compared to debris removal. Our findings demonstrate how disturbance characteristics associated with forest harvesting and regeneration practices can influence vegetation recruitment and competitive relationships to place limits on longer-term forest productivity.
Where Skilled Nursing Facility Residents Get Acute Care: Is the Emergency Department the Medical Home?

Objectives:This study aimed to characterize the distribution of acute care visits among Medicare beneficiaries receiving skilled nursing facility (SNF) services.Methods:We conducted a cross-section...
Approaches to ethical hacking: expanding conceptual frameworks for research

The ever-changing digital landscape remains more vulnerable than ever with cybersecurity becoming increasingly important to the success of the digital economy and its stakeholders. With models including cloud computing, mobility and IoT systems, understanding how tools and methodologies for security testing have evolved is an important task. In particular, more sophisticated approaches to vulnerability assessment are currently used and necessary to address more complex security vulnerabilities. One of the central tools used in vulnerability testing is penetration testing, along with other techniques that are more broadly classified as ethical hacking. This study addresses the following research questions. (1) What are the current research trends including, current terminology and concepts, used in ethical hacking? (2) What are current challenges and best practices in ethical hacking? (3) In our multiple case-study, how do these findings relate to each case of our three industry case studies in ethical hacking? We began by conducting a systematic review of 112 articles of peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings and edited books from the time period of 2012-2019 to address these questions. We ranked the techniques presented in the 42 papers, a subset of the original set, based on theoretical merits, transparency of information and additional strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. Next, we provide an analysis of current research in the field including application scenarios, models, methodologies and tools. This included the completion of a literature review that includes a conceptual analysis of current terminology used in ethical hacking, both in research and in practice. We then summarize our analysis, findings and suggestions for improvements in conceptual frameworks for research in this area. Lastly, we used our resulting conceptual framework in a multi-case study approach to three ethical hacking cases for three industry participants. These results include details of the ethical hacking process in each case. In concluding our study, we argue that current frameworks for research are limited in scope and unable to address the complexity of ethical hacking within complex cybersecurity ecosystems. The result of the literature review and multiple-case study research is an improved framework for research that encompasses a multitude of factors and attributes of major attacks that threaten computer security; a more robust, integrative multi-layered framework embracing the complexity of cybersecurity ecosystems.
Oxalohydrazide Ligands for Copper-Catalyzed C−O Coupling Reactions with High Turnover Numbers

Here, we report a class of ligands based on oxalohydrazide cores and N-amino pyrrole and N-amino indole units that generates long-lived copper catalysts for couplings that form the C-O bonds in biaryl ethers. These Cu-catalyzed coupling of phenols with aryl bromides occurred with turnovers up to 8000, a value which is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than those of prior couplings to form biaryl ethers and nearly an order of magnitude higher than those of any prior copper-catalyzed coupling of aryl bromides and chlorides. This ligand also led to copper systems that catalyze the coupling of aryl chlorides with phenols and the coupling of aryl bromides and iodides with primary benzylic and aliphatic alcohols. A wide variety of functional groups including nitriles, halides, ethers, ketones, amines, esters, amides, vinylarenes, alcohols and boronic acid esters were tolerated, and reactions occurred with aryl bromides in pharmaceutically related structures.
High-coercivity ThMn12-type monocrystalline Sm–Zr–Fe–Co–Ti particles by high-temperature reduction diffusion

Abstract The ThMn12-type (Sm,Zr)1(Fe,Co,Ti)12 compounds have the potential of powerful permanent magnets. Magnetically hard and anisotropic powders of such compound have been prepared by subjecting elemental oxides and Co mixed with Ca and CaO dispersant to a succession of high-energy ball-milling, reduction diffusion at 990–1220°C and repeated washing. The size of the resulting ThMn12-type crystallites, their coercivity and fraction of monocrystalline particles were all found to increase with the reduction-diffusion temperature. Particles synthesized at 1220°C were highly monocrystalline with a mean size of 0.54 μm and, after a magnetic-field alignment, exhibited a coercivity of 1.26 T and a full-density-projected maximum energy product of at least 209 kJ/m3 (26.3 MGOe). The strong positive effect of the reduction-diffusion temperature on the coercivity has been attributed to separation of the crystallites and to decrease in the incidence of structural defects.
Visualization of disrupted chromatin folding at nanoscale in early carcinogenesis via super-resolution microscopy

I will present our recent development of high-throughput super-resolution microscopy for robust imaging and reconstruction of super-resolution images on a widely used type of clinical samples – formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, referred to as PathSTORM. Its application to visualize disrupted higher-order chromatin folding in early carcinogenesis will also be discussed.
Minimal Lengthening Episodes in Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod Patients Often Resolve with Subsequent Lengthening Attempts

Background: Magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) are distraction-based spinal implants used to treat children with early-onset scoliosis (EOS). MCGR are lengthened via remote control, but lengthening attempts may result in minimal lengthening. There is little published information on the outcomes of patients with minimal lengthening episodes and the incidence of these events. The goals of this study were to determine the incidence of MCGR lengthening attempts …
Reciprocity without commitment: Characterization and performance of informal insurance arrangements

Abstract Various risk sharing arrangements are common in underdeveloped agrarian economies where households have no formal means of contract enforcement and little access to risk markets. Social insurance is still possible through repeated interaction in an environment with few informational asymmetries. In a simple repeated game model of two self-interested households facing independent income streams, we characterize the best arrangement that can be sustained as a noncooperative equilibrium. We establish precisely how this optimal informal arrangement differs from first best-risk sharing, and identify the conditions under which the divergence between the two is greatest.
Delayed cardiopulmonary arrest after Lomotil ingestion.

A 2-year-old boy had cardiopulmonary arrest 12 hours after ingestion of an unknown amount of a diphenoxylate hydrochloride and atropine sulfate compound (Lomotil). This history was obtained retrospectively after repeated denials of possible drug ingestion. We conclude that Lomotil toxicity, in particular, should be considered whenever a patient has respiratory depression many hours after suspected ingestion of a drug and that in general, drug ingestion should he excluded when unexplained coma or cardiopulmonary arrest occurs. REPORT OF A CASE A 2-year-old boy had cardiopulmonary arrest at six o9clock in the morning at home and was resuscitated by the emergency squad.
Equal Protection from Eminent Domain: Protecting the Home of Olech’s Class of One

Tragically, the victims of eminent domain takings for private development tend to be those least prepared to fight against it. The Supreme Court exacerbated this unfortunate fact in the landmark case Kelo v. City of New London, where it held that the government can use the power of eminent domain to take a person’s home for the purpose of private development that might improve the community’s economy. While Kelo generated many effective eminent domain reform bills in the states, this seminal case foreclosed a golden opportunity to restore meaningful protection for property rights under the Public Use Clause. This ruling made challenging eminent domain takings for private development under the Fifth Amendment a daunting, if not impossible, task. Because eminent domain takings incongruously fall on the poor, uneducated, or minorities who have difficulty competing in the political process, Kelo greatly impacted the ability of the weakest parts of society to keep their own homes free from the path of the bulldozer. This Article proposes a novel alternative avenue to challenge these takings and guarantee equal protection from eminent domain.In 2000, five years before Kelo, the Supreme Court held in Village of Willowbrook v. Olech that plaintiffs can establish a class of one under the Equal Protection Clause. Historically, equal protection suits required that the plaintiff define a class based on certain inherent conditions, such as race, nationality, or gender. Under the class of one approach, a single person can present himself as a class irrespective of these characteristics. Despite the recency and prominence of Olech, the scholarly literature has largely overlooked this significant ruling, having underestimated its ability and propensity to implement a fundamental revolution in modern equal protection jurisprudence. This Article seeks to shed light on this powerful but largely neglected precedent.Prior to Olech, plaintiffs arguably could only establish classes based on inherent characteristics, such as race or religion. However, after Olech, homeowners can establish a class of one (i.e., the person whose home the government takes) if their property is singled out for eminent domain while other similarly situated properties are not. The singled-out homeowner or homeowners can bring suit to challenge the arbitrariness of the decision to take the property.While many plaintiffs have used Olech to challenge zoning and other land use restrictions, none to date have proposed using the Olech rule to challenge an eminent domain taking for private development. This Article argues that an Olech claim is an essential mechanism to enable homeowners — especially the poor, uneducated, or minority citizens whose participation in the political process is more difficult and less effective than political insiders — to challenge the different treatment and rationality of an eminent domain taking for private development.
Revision and cladistic analysis of the jumping spider genus Onomastus (Araneae: Salticidae)

The jumping spider genus Onomastus Simon, 1900 is revised. Four new species: Onomastus indra sp. nov., Onomastus kaharian sp. nov., Onomastus pethiyagodai sp. nov., and Onomastus rattotensis sp. nov. are described. Parsimony analysis of 26 morphological characters supported the monophyly of Onomastus. Lyssomanes is sister to Onomastus. Onomastus separates into two clades: the widespread South-East Asia clade and the South Asia clade. The South Asia clade is restricted to the Sri Lanka–Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Species of the South Asia clade appear to be spot endemics, highly in danger of extinction because of habitat loss and climate change. Male palps are complex and species-specific, suggesting rapid divergent evolution. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 159, 711–745.
Polarimeter calibration error gets far out of control

This is a sad story about a polarization calibration error gone amuck. A simple laboratory mistake was mistaken for a new phenomena. Aggressive management did their job and sold the flawed idea very effectively and substantial funding followed. Questions were raised and a Government lab tried but couldn’t to recreate the breakthrough. The results were unpleasant and the field of infrared polarimetry developed a bad reputation for several years.
Choosing the right partner means choosing the right porn: how gay porn communicates in the home

Gay male communities have long had unique relations to pornography and the pornographic. From the time of the Physique Pictorial and Tom of Finland to the present age of porn at the click of a mouse, gay men have made choices about the porn they watch. As a result of these choices, porn becomes social in gay spaces, such as bathhouses, sex clubs, bars and discos. However, porn use and consumption in the gay home can also be highly social and communicative. In this article I engage anthropological methodologies in order to understand how a specific group of men engaging in online hook-up cultures communicate by and through the display of gay pornographic films within the space of the home. The data collected suggest that pornography is enmeshed within communicative systems that include commodities, bodies and pleasures.
Notch Regulates Cytolytic Effector Function in CD8+ T Cells

The maturation of naive CD8+ T cells into effector CTLs is a critical feature of a functional adaptive immune system. Development of CTLs depends, in part, upon the expression of the transcriptional regulator eomesodermin (EOMES), which is thought to regulate expression of two key effector molecules, perforin and granzyme B. Although EOMES is important for effector CTL development, the precise mechanisms regulating CD8+ effector cell maturation remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that Notch1 regulates the expression of EOMES, perforin, and granzyme B through direct binding to the promoters of these crucial effector molecules. By abrogating Notch signaling, both biochemically as well as genetically, we conclude that Notch activity mediates CTL activity through direct regulation of EOMES, perforin, and granzyme B.
Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and Impairments among US Farmers, 1986–1990

Farmers in the United States suffer disproportionately from certain chronic diseases and impairments. This analysis estimated the prevalence of selected diseases among farmers and compared these rates with those for other US workers. Five years (1986-1990) of National Health Interview Survey data on white male workers were combined to provide a basis for estimating the prevalence of selected conditions and impairments among this subgroup. Crude prevalence rates were significantly elevated for farmers compared with other workers for cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, skin cancer, hearing loss, and amputations. These elevations persisted when farmers were compared with blue-collar workers. The crude prevalence of orthopedic impairments and chronic respiratory diseases was not elevated among farmers, but the age-adjusted prevalence ratios for cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and amputations were significantly elevated for farmers as compared with other workers. The prevalence of hearing loss was significantly higher only for farmers older than 65 years. This method of pooling data holds promise for studying disease rates in other small segments of the US population. Language: en