cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytoplasmic Histidine Kinase (HP0244)-Regulated Assembly of Urease with UreI, a Channel for Urea and Its Metabolites, CO2, NH3, and NH4+, Is Necessary for Acid Survival of Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the normal human stomach by maintaining both periplasmic and cytoplasmic pH close to neutral in the presence of gastric acidity. Urease activity, urea flux through the pH-gated urea channel, UreI, and periplasmic alpha-carbonic anhydrase are essential for colonization. Exposure to pH 4.5 for up to 180 min activates total bacterial urease threefold. Within 30 min at pH 4.5, the urease structural subunits, UreA and UreB, and the Ni(2+) insertion protein, UreE, are recruited to UreI at the inner membrane. Formation of this complex and urease activation depend on expression of the cytoplasmic sensor histidine kinase, HP0244. Its deletion abolishes urease activation and assembly, impairs cytoplasmic and periplasmic pH homeostasis, and depolarizes the cells, with an approximately 7-log loss of survival at pH 2.5, even in 10 mM urea. Associated with this assembly, UreI is able to transport NH(3), NH(4)(+), and CO(2), as shown by changes in cytoplasmic pH following exposure to NH(4)Cl or CO(2). To be able to colonize cells in the presence of the highly variable pH of the stomach, the organism expresses two pH-sensor histidine kinases, one, HP0165, responding to a moderate fall in periplasmic pH and the other, HP0244, responding to cytoplasmic acidification at a more acidic medium pH. Assembly of a pH-regulatory complex of active urease with UreI provides an advantage for periplasmic buffering.
Model-based super-resolution for MRI

Conventional 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems suffer from poor out-of-plane resolution (slice dimension), usually with in-plane resolution being several times higher than the former. Post-acquisition, super-resolution (SR) filtering is a viable alternative and a less expensive, off-line image processing approach that is employed to improve tissue resolution and contrast on acquired three-dimensional (3D) MR images. We introduce an SR framework that models a true acquired volume information by taking into account slice thickness and spacing between slices. Previous SR schemes have not considered this type of acquisition information or they have required specialized MR acquisition techniques. Evaluations based on synthetic data and clinical knee MRI data show superior performance of this method over an existing averaging method.
International Infectious Disease Law Revision of the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations

The International Health Regulations (IHR), the only global regulations for infectious disease control, have not been significantly changed since they were first issued in 1951. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently engaged in a process to modernize the IHR. This article reviews WHO's draft revised IHR and recommends new reforms to improve global health, which include (1) a robust mission, emphasizing the WHO's core public health purposes, functions, and essential services; (2) broad scope, flexibly covering diverse health threats; (3) global surveillance, developing informational networks of official and unofficial data sources; (4) national public health systems, setting performance criteria, measuring outcomes, and holding states accountable; (5) human rights protection, setting science-based standards and fair procedures; and (6) good governance, adopting the principles of fairness, objectivity, and transparency. The WHO should ensure state compliance with health norms and generous economic and technical assistance to poorer countries. An important issue for the international community is how sovereign countries can join together to make global health work for everyone, the poor and the wealthy alike.
Does atrial fibrillation pattern affect stroke risk? Data dredging to help the clinician

This editorial refers to ‘Risk of ischaemic stroke according to pattern of atrial fibrillation: analysis of 6563 aspirin-treated patients in ACTIVE-A and AVERROES’[†][1], by T. Vanessche et al ., on page 281. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide, and has a major impact on morbidity and mortality rates of those affected. In 2010, it was estimated that there were 33.5 million people worldwide with AF and ∼5 million new cases each year.1 AF has been found to double mortality and increase risk of stroke by approximately five-fold.2,3 AF and its pathogenesis and treatment continue to be topics of extensive research. Vanessche et al . have now evaluated the pattern of AF and its association with stroke risk by examining patients with AF on aspirin alone with a retrospective look at the ACTIVE-A and AVERROES databases.4 A total of 6573 patients were included in their analysis, 24% with paroxysmal, 17% with persistent, and 59% with permanent AF. Non-haemorrhagic stroke was examined as the sole outcome. The study found differing risk of embolic events by AF type, specifically that the incidence increased in permanent and persistent AF as compared with paroxysmal AF. Across the entire study population, a statistically significant hazard ratio of 1.91 (95% confidence interval 1.50–2.43) was seen for permanent/persistent AF vs. paroxysmal AF. This association was also found to be … [1]: #fn-2
QoS Scheduling for Networked Storage System

Networked storage incorporates networking technology and storage technology, greatly extending the reach of the storage subsystem. In this paper, we present a novel Quality of Service (QoS) scheduling scheme to satisfy the requirements of different QoS requests for access to the networked storage system. Our key ideas include breaking down the requests into appropriate chunks of smaller sizes and taking the network characteristics into consideration such that 1) each session channel has smoother data access, 2) resource requirements such as buffer usage are reduced, and 3) more urgent requests can preempt a less urgent request. Our experimental results show that our scheme is effective in obtaining these goals.
Direct-drive flight actuators: new challenging problems in nonlinear analysis and control of servo-systems

This paper designs advanced servo-systems to actuate control surfaces of flight vehicles (aircraft and helicopters, missiles, etc.). Advanced research is needed to design novel flight actuators with management systems to attain the specified objectives. The actuator dynamics and deflection rate capabilities significantly influence the vehicle performance. In this paper we study the application of brushless limited angle torque motors with high-frequency zero-current switching converters. Nonlinear mathematical models of servo-motors and resonant converters are developed, and tracking control algorithms are designed. These controllers are verified to analyze the servo-system performance, assessing it possible implementation in flight vehicles.
Endophthalmitis after ganciclovir implant in patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus retinitis

Abstract Purpose To describe the incidence, clinical course, and outcomes of endophthalmitis in patients treated with a ganciclovir implant. Design Retrospective review of cases identified from a clinical survey. Methods Cases of endophthalmitis were identified from a survey of 30 clinical practices known to treat a large number of patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis. Results Twenty-four cases of endophthalmitis were identified from 5,185 implants performed (incidence, 0.46%). Final visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to no light perception, with 50% (12/24) seeing light perception or worse. Vitreous cultures revealed Staphylococcus epidermidis in 29% (7/24) of patients, whereas other gram-positive organisms were responsible in 42% (10/24) of cases. In the remaining 29% (7/24) of cases, no organisms were cultured; these cases exhibited a better visual outcome ( P = .007). Six of the eight late-onset cases were associated with wound problems such as implant strut or suture exposure. There was no significant relationship between implant removal and final visual acuity. Conclusions Endophthalmitis is an infrequent but potentially devastating complication associated with placement of a ganciclovir implant.
An ultra&#8211;low power ADC for distributed sensor networks

A successive approximation ADC targeted for use in distributed sensor networks is presented. The individual nodes in these sensor networks are very energy constrained. Typical use of the individual nodes will include long periods of idle time in a low power standby mode followed by a period of activity that may include sampling of the sensors, computation, and communication. The ADC reported here consumes only 3.1 µW, resulting in 31 pJ/8-bit sample at 1V supply with a maximum sampling rate slightly over 100 kS/s. The standby power consumption at 1 V supply is 41 pW. The µ-power consumption makes this one of the lowest power ADCs ever reported.
An Analysis of the Alias Method for Discrete Random-Variate Generation

This paper introduces and studies an optimization problem related to the alias method for discrete random-variate generation. The alias method is an efficient method to generate random variates from a discrete probability distribution. The efficiency of the alias method can be improved by designing the alias table such that the expected number of computations that must be performed per value generated is minimized. The problem of optimizing the construction of the alias table is proven to be strongly NP-hard, even if either of two variations of the alias method relaxing the alias-table-generation restrictions are used. Integer-programming formulations describing these three optimization problems are presented, and insights regarding necessary optimality criteria and relationships among their optimal solutions are discussed.
Innovation and standards in telecommunications

After reviewing the nature and the development process of standards, we examine how standards Impact on the evolution of technologies and services in the telecommunication industries. Special emphasis is placed on exploring ways to improve the pace of standardization while limiting possible negative effects on the innovation process.
A Study on the Effects of Example Familiarity and Modality on Design Fixation.

Design fixation is a factor that negatively influences the generation of novel design concepts (Jansson & Smith, 1991). When designers fixate, they tend to reproduce example features or features from their initial ideas. In order to mitigate design fixation, it is crucial to identify the factors that influence the extent of design fixation. This paper investigates two such factors: the modality of examples and the familiarity of designers with the example features. To investigate this, an experiment is conducted with mechanical engineering students who were asked to generate ideas to solve a peanut sheller design problem. The students generated ideas in five different experimental conditions: control, where no example was given; the first example given in a sketch form; the first example given as a nonfunctional prototype; a second example in sketch form; and the second example in a working prototype form. The first example was a nonfeasible solution, but it contained several features familiar to the participants. The second example was a feasible solution, but it contained less familiar features. In order to understand the extent of fixation triggered by the examples, three metrics were utilized to compare across the experimental conditions: the quantity of nonredundant ideas generated by the participants, the presence of example features in their solutions, and their fixation to the example's energy source. The results showed that in the case of the familiar example, the example modality did play an important role in the extent of design fixation. Across the examples, it was found that the first example containing several familiar features caused more fixation than the second one. Overall, this paper shows that the modality in which the example was communicated and the presence of familiar features in an example influenced the fixation caused by those examples.
A response to “To what extent is the Academic Vocabulary List relevant to university student writing?”

Abstract In this paper we offer our comments on “To what extent is the Academic Vocabulary List relevant to university student writing?”.
Real-World Experiences of the Coaching Pathos: Orchestration of NCAA Division I Sport

Sport coaching is marked by a pathos created by limited control and limited awareness, contradictory beliefs, and novelty. Still, coaches can enhance the likelihood of optimal outcomes through orchestration, a process marked by unobtrusive, flexible actions that enhance athletes’ ability to work toward competitive goals (Jones & Wallace, 2005). This research sought to create a detailed understanding of pathos and orchestration in collegiate coaching. Participants were 10 head coaches from National Collegiate Athletic Association universities. Analysis of semistructured interviews produced four themes: (a) true control is limited but attempted control is extensive, (b) orchestration strategies are varied in context and method, (c) relationships enhance the effectiveness of the orchestration process, and (d) planning the next step allows for relative stability in the pathos. These results expand our understanding of pathos and orchestration, suggesting the concepts have promise in educating coaches about so...
Carotid Space Mass Proximal to Vagus Nerve Causing Asystole and Syncope

Manipulation of vagal nerve rootlets, whether surgical or through mass effect of a neoplasm, can result in asystole and hypotension, accompanied by ST depression and right bundle branch block. There are few case reports of a neoplasm causing these effects, and this case describes a patient with such a mass presenting with syncopal episodes. A 43-year-old man with a past medical history of HIV, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy was admitted to the neurology service for a video electroencephalogram (vEEG) to characterize syncopal episodes that were felt to be epileptic in origin. During the study, he experienced symptoms of his typical aura, which correlated with a transient symptomatic high degree AV block on telemetry, and an absence of epileptic findings on vEEG. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a mass in the left posterior carotid space at the skull base. The patient underwent permanent dual chamber MRI-compatible pacemaker placement for his heart block. His syncopal episodes resolved, but presyncopal symptoms persisted. We discuss the presentation and treatment of vagal neoplasms.
Determining Intrinsic Dimension and Entropy of High-Dimensional Shape Spaces

Given a finite set of random samples from a smooth Riemannian manifold embedded in ℝd, two important questions are: what is the intrinsic dimension of the manifold and what is the entropy of the underlying sampling distribution on the manifold? These questions naturally arise in the study of shape spaces generated by images or signals for the purposes of shape classification, shape compression, and shape reconstruction. This chapter is concerned with two simple estimators of dimension and entropy based on the lengths of the geodesic minimal spanning tree (GMST) and the k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) graph. We provide proofs of strong consistency of these estimators under weak assumptions of compactness of the manifold and boundedness of the Lebesgue sampling density supported on the manifold. We illustrate these estimators on the MNIST database of handwritten digits.
Measurement of the W boson mass at the Tevatron

Presented are measurements of the W boson mass from the D0 and CDF collaborations at the Tevatron from the 1994-1996 run. The W events are produced in p{anti p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.8 TeV. The W mass extracted from W {yields} e{nu} decays at D0 is determined to be 80.45 {+-} 0.12 GeV; and from W {yields} {mu}{nu} decays at CDF is 80. 43 {+-} 0.16 GeV. The world average W mass from the hadron collider measurements is 80.41 {+-} 0.09 GeV.
Abstract P313: Genetic Deletion of Pim Causes Premature Cardiac Senescence

Rationale: Cardiac aging is defined as increased cellular senescence and loss of survival signaling within cardiomyocytes and the cardiac stem cell population. To prevent myocardial, aging it is im...
Making a Big Deal out Of Nothing

Although most individuals have little difficulty identifying their own victimization within some major system of oppression—whether it be by race, social class, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age or gender—they typically fail to see how their thoughts and actions uphold someone else’s subordination.
Is There a Typology of Teacher and Leader Responders to CALL, and Do They Cluster in Different Types of Schools? A Two-Level Latent Class Analysis of CALL Survey Data:

BackgroundAcross the recent research on school leadership, leadership for learning has emerged as a strong framework for integrating current theories, such as instructional, transformational, and d...
Dual Raman-Brillouin spectroscopic investigation of plant stress response and development

Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy are powerful tools for non-invasive and non-destructive investigations of material chemical and mechanical properties. In this study, we use a newly developed custom-built dual Raman-Brillouin microspectroscopy instrument to build on previous works studying in-vivo stress response of live plants using only a Raman spectroscopy system. This dual Raman-Brillouin spectroscopy system is capable of fast simultaneous spectra acquisition from single-point locations. Shifts and changes in a samples Brillouin spectrum indicate a change in the physical characteristics of the sample, namely mechano-elasticity; in measuring this change, we can establish a relationship between the mechanical properties of a sample and known stress response agents, such as reactive oxygen species and other chemical constituents as indicated by peaks in the Raman spectra of the same acquisition point. Simultaneous application of these spectroscopic techniques offers great promise for future development and applications in agricultural and biological studies and can help to improve our understanding of mechanochemical changes of plants and other biological samples in response to environmental and chemically induced stresses at microscopic or cellular level.
Oligomer Hydrate Crystallization Improves Carbon Nanotube Memory

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) field-effect transistor (FET) devices have potential for memory storage applications. Devices fabricated with semiconducting SWCNT ink using dielectrophoresis were coated with a renewably sourced poly(oxacyclobutane) oligomer. It was found that this oligomer crystallizes with water to form a semicrystalline oligomer hydrate material. Crystallization also occurs on the SWCNT device surface in ambient conditions, resulting in dramatically increased hysteresis of the SWCNT-FET I-Vg curves. Using alternating current impedance measurements, we found that the oligomer hydrate crystals store charge, acting as a capacitor encapsulating the nanotube network. This capacitive material can serve to electrostatically gate the SWCNT network. The charge storage properties of the oligomer hydrate crystals were applied to store “0” and “1” bits separated by ∼4 orders of magnitude of current. Utilizing powder X-ray diffraction and simulation, we have demonstrated that this semicrystall...
Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced intra-articular fractures of the glenoid fossa

Ten displaced intra-articular fractures of the glenoid fossa were treated with open reduction and internal fixation between 1980 and 1987. Nine patients were available for evaluation at an average of four years (range, two to ten years) after the operation. Eight patients had mild or no symptoms and little or no restriction of the motion of the shoulder. There were no infections or malunions. The only complication was heterotopic ossification in one patient. Radiographic evaluation showed no evidence of traumatic osteoarthrosis in any patient. Open reduction and internal fixation is a useful and safe technique for the treatment of selected, displaced fractures of the glenoid fossa, and it can restore excellent function of the shoulder.
Current status of macular translocation surgery

Macular translocation surgery remains the only treatment with potential for significant visual improvement. Indications are expanding and the surgical technique is continuously improving. The knowledge of the fixation and microperimetry pattern enables better understanding of the macular dysfunction in eyes with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization and should be useful for evaluation of baseline retinal cell viability in order to optimise patient selection. Improved surgical technique and appropriate patient selection result in higher effectiveness and decreased complications.
Report on the Castañeda Nachlass

Upon his death, Hector-Neri Castaneda left several file cabinets filled with papers at both his home office and his departmental office. His computer also contained numerous files dealing with a variety of philosophical topics. The papers were taken to the Lilly Library at Indiana University in accordance with his wishes. His son, Kicab Castaneda, obtained possession of the electronic files.
Development of rodent peripheral blood lymphocyte culture systems to detect cytogenetic damage in vivo.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) offer many advantages for in vivo cytogenetic studies. They can be removed nonlethally from the animal allowing a subject to serve as its own control, permit ting the analysis of cytogenetic damage over time. Furthermore, mature PBLs normally do not divide, and some populations are long-lived. Thus, they have the potential to accumulate DNA lesions during chronic exposures to genotoxicants. We have developed standard methodologies for the whole blood culture of rat and mouse PBLs to serve as models for determining the sensitivity of PBLs to cytogenetic damage. The cultures obtained with these protocols give reproducible results with high mitotic indices, stable baseline sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies, and ample numbers of first-and second-division methaphases for scoring both chromosomal aberrations and SCEs. The methodologies have been especially useful for examining cytogenetic damage after inhalation exposures to toxicants such as ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and nitrobenzene. Of these compounds, only benzene and ethylene oxide were found to induce significant dose-dependent increases in SCEs in PBLs. Also, dose-response curves have been obtained for several carcinogens administered by ip injection. These studies show that PBLs are sensitive indicators of the genotoxic effects of the carcinogens benzo(a)pyrene, 2-acetylaminofluorene, cyclophosphamide (CP), N-nitrosomorpholine, and ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS). In addition, because subpopulations of lymphocytes can be stimulated to divide using different mitogens, it has been possible to compare the sensitivity of murine B and T lymphocytes following in vitro and in vivo cyclophosphamide exposure. Once the sensitivity and selectivity of rodent lymphocyte cultures are determined, these assays should be valuable not only as a means for predicting which environmental agents could lead to increases in human cytogenetic damage, but also as a way to corroborate human cytogenetic studies.
Fractionating Small Amounts of Radioactive Tissue

Following the administration of a labeled substance to hydra, it may be necessary to determine the metabolic fate of that substance kinetically. I describe here two methods which make use of microfilters to fractionate labeled hydra. One uses a combination of centrifugation and microfilters to fractionate as few as 5–10 hydra. The second uses only microfilters during the separation procedures. I place particular emphasis on methods fractionating for proteins, nucleic acids, or carbohydrates.
Membrane Excitability and Secretion from Peptidergic Nerve Terminals

1. Thin slices of the posterior pituitary can be used as a preparation for the study of biophysical mechanisms underlying neuropeptide secretion. Patch-clamp techniques in this preparation have revealed the properties of ion channels that control the excitability of the nerve terminal membrane and have clarified the relation between Ca2+ and exocytosis. 2. Repetitive electrical activity at high frequencies broadens action potentials to allow more Ca2+ entry and thus enhance exocytosis. Action potential broadening results from the inactivation of a voltage-dependent K+ channel. 3. When repetitive electrical activity is sustained, secretion is depressed. This depression can be attributed in part to action potential failure caused by the opening of a Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel. This channel can be modulated by protein kinases, phosphatases, and G-proteins. 4. The inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA activates a GABAA receptor in the nerve terminal membrane. The gating of the associated Cl- channel depolarizes the membrane slightly to inactivate voltage-gated Na+ channels and block action potential propagation. 5. The response of the nerve terminal GABAA receptor is enhanced by neuroactive steroids and this can potentiate the inhibition of neurosecretion by GABA. The action of neurosteroids at this site could play a role in changes in neuropeptide secretion associated with reproductive transitions. 6. Ca2+ channels in the nerve terminal membrane are inactivated by sustained depolarization and by trains of brief pulses. Ca2+ entry promotes Ca2+ channel inactivation during trains by inhibiting the recovery of Ca2+ channels from inactivation. The inactivation of Ca2+ channels can play a role in defining the optimal frequency and train duration for evoking neuropeptide secretion. 7. Measurements of membrane capacitance in peptidergic nerve terminals have revealed rapid exocytosis and endocytosis evoked by Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Exocytosis is too rapid to account for the delays in neuropeptide secretion evoked by trains of action potentials. Endocytosis sets in rapidly after exocytosis with a time course comparable to that of the rapid endocytosis observed in nerve terminals at rapid synapses. Our results support the finding in rapid synaptic nerve terminals that endocytosis is inhibited by intracellular Ca2+. Multiple pools of vesicles were revealed, and these pools may reflect different stages in the mobilization and release of neuropeptide.
Uncertainty and the welfare economics of medical care: an Austrian rebuttal Part 2

Abstract Part 2 of this 3 part series continues a rebuttal to Kenneth Arrow’s famous argument that health care is special and free market economic principles do not apply. The rebuttal is based on concepts of Austrian Economics. Part 1 of the series framed the debate and discussed general concepts. Part 2 discusses specific examples of how health care is special and does not behave according to market principles. Uncertainty of demand and uncertainty of outcome are discussed in detail. Information asymmetry is a special form of uncertainty that Kenneth Arrow claimed was somewhat unique to health care. Free market solutions to these problems are discussed in general with specific examples provided. The conclusions are that free market insurance (as opposed to subsidy) handles uncertainty of demand, branding handles uncertainty of outcome, and the free market for specialized information handles information asymmetry.
Dual users of e-cigarettes and cigarettes have greater positive smoking expectancies than regular smokers: a study of smoking expectancies among college students.

Objective: In the present study, we sought to determine the differences among college students using e-cigarettes, cigarettes, or both products (dual users) on smoking outcome expectancies and the ...
The —ick of It: Phalluses, Swords, and Character Development in “Beowulf” and “Morte d'Arthur”

This essay explores the quintessential accessory to any male warrior in medieval literature. The swords that belong to Grendel’s Mother in the medieval epic poem “Beowulf ”and King Arthur in the “Morte d’Arthur” are used as metaphors and symbols to illuminate specific motivations fueling medieval English representations of masculinity. Grendel’s Mother’s sword underscores anxieties of Hrothgar’s people in “Beowulf”—namely, that of procreation and the subversion of traditional gender roles. Its destruction is key to understanding the disdain that the Danes hold against Grendel’s Mother as an aberrant model of loyalty. King Arthur’s, thrown into a lake and seemingly cleansed of its impurities, likewise highlights faults in his reign and their absolution after his death. The history of the medieval sword plays an important role in this analysis, as the jewels and engravings provide a new reading of weapons in medieval English poetry. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Elizabeth E. Tavares
Characterizing the Rural Opioid Use Environment in Kentucky Using Google Earth: Virtual Audit.

Background: The opioid epidemic has ravaged rural communities in the United States. Despite extensive literature relating the physical environment to substance use in urban areas, little is known about the role of physical environment on the opioid epidemic in rural areas. Objective: This study aimed to examine the reliability of Google Earth to collect data on the physical environment related to substance use in rural areas. Methods: Systematic virtual audits were performed in 5 rural Kentucky counties using Google Earth between 2017 and 2018 to capture land use, health care facilities, entertainment venues, and businesses. In-person audits were performed for a subset of the census blocks. Results: We captured 533 features, most of which were images taken before 2015 (71.8%, 383/533). Reliability between the virtual audits and the gold standard was high for health care facilities (>83%), entertainment venues (>95%), and businesses (>61%) but was poor for land use features (>18%). Reliability between the virtual audit and in-person audit was high for health care facilities (83%) and entertainment venues (62%) but was poor for land use (0%) and businesses (12.5%). Conclusions: Poor reliability for land use features may reflect difficulty characterizing features that require judgment or natural changes in the environment that are not reflective of the Google Earth imagery because it was captured several years before the audit was performed. Virtual Google Earth audits were an efficient way to collect rich neighborhood data that are generally not available from other sources. However, these audits should use caution when the images in the observation area are dated.
Flexible and printable dielectric polymer composite with tunable permittivity and thermal stability

Lightweight and printable polymer dielectrics are ubiquitous in flexible hybrid electronics, exhibiting high breakdown strength and mechanical reliability. However, their advanced electronic applications are limited due to their relatively low permittivity, compared to their ceramic counterparts. Here, we report flexible all organic percolative nanocomposites that contain in situ grown conductive polymer networks and dielectric polymer matrix, in which their dielectric properties can be designed and guided from the percolation theory. High dielectric constant of all organic percolative nanocomposites is shown over a broad frequency range under intensive bending cycles, while their thermal stability is attributed to thermally conductive 2D montmorillonite nanosheets. The printable polymer composites with high dielectric performance and thermal stability will find broader interest in flexible hybrid electronics and radio frequency devices.
Testing the limits of radical-anionic CH-amination: a 10-million-fold decrease in basicity opens a new path to hydroxyisoindolines via a mixed C-N/C-O-forming cascade.

An intramolecular C(sp3)–H amidation proceeds in the presence of t-BuOK, molecular oxygen, and DMF. This transformation is initiated by the deprotonation of an acidic N–H bond and selective radical activation of a benzylic C–H bond towards hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). Cyclization of this radical–anion intermediate en route to a two-centered/three-electron (2c,3e) C–N bond removes electron density from nitrogen. As this electronegative element resists such an “oxidation”, making nitrogen more electron rich is key to overcoming this problem. This work dramatically expands the range of N-anions that can participate in this process by using amides instead of anilines. The resulting 107-fold decrease in the N-component basicity (and nucleophilicity) doubles the activation barrier for C–N bond formation and makes this process nearly thermoneutral. Remarkably, this reaction also converts a weak reductant into a much stronger reductant. Such “reductant upconversion” allows mild oxidants like molecular oxygen to complete the first part of the cascade. In contrast, the second stage of NH/CH activation forms a highly stabilized radical–anion intermediate incapable of undergoing electron transfer to oxygen. Because the oxidation is unfavored, an alternative reaction path opens via coupling between the radical anion intermediate and either superoxide or hydroperoxide radical. The hydroperoxide intermediate transforms into the final hydroxyisoindoline products under basic conditions. The use of TEMPO as an additive was found to activate less reactive amides. The combination of experimental and computational data outlines a conceptually new mechanism for conversion of unprotected amides into hydroxyisoindolines proceeding as a sequence of C–H amidation and C–H oxidation.
A Method for Reducing the Performance Gap Between Non-Coherent and Coherent Sub-Arrays

We consider the problem of estimating the angles of arrival (AOAs) of multiple sources from a single snapshot obtained by a set of non-coherent sub-arrays, i.e., while the antenna elements in each sub-array are coherent, each sub-array observes a different unknown phase offset. Previous relevant works are based on eigendecomposition of the sample covariance, which requires a large number of snapshots, or on combining the sub-arrays using non-coherent processing. In this paper, we propose a technique to estimate the sub-arrays phase offsets for a given AOAs hypothesis, which facilitates approximate maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) of the AOAs from a single snapshot. We derive the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) for the problem at hand, and analytically show that for a single source it may suffice to use a simple non-coherent AOA estimation. However, as we demonstrate by computer simulations, for multiple sources the proposed approach clearly outperforms the non-coherent estimator, and even attains the CRLB in various scenarios. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed method is often close to the performance of MLE in the coherent case, and the gap between the estimators is unavoidable, as implied by the gap between the CRLB for the coherent and non-coherent cases.
Sustainability and Maturation of School Turnaround: A Multiyear Evaluation of Tennessee's Achievement School District and Local Innovation Zones.

Recent evaluations of reforms to improve low-performing schools have almost exclusively focused on shorter term effects. In this study, we extend the literature by examining the sustainability and ...
L’institution médicale allemande et l’holocauste : Un aide — mémoire À l’occasion du 60’anniversarie de la libération d’Auschwitz

Le but de cet essai est de nous rappeler, soixante ans apres, la participation active des professionnels de sante allemands dans des crimes sans pareils. Comprendre pourquoi et comment la communaute medicale allemande - une des plus avancees et respectees de l’epoque - a accepte et servi l’ideologie nazie, est l’un des points les plus complexes dans l’histoire de l’holocauste. Il n’est pas dans l’intention de cette courte communication d’examiner de maniere detaillee la brutalite et l’etendue des actions des medecins nazis. Il s’agit seulement de proposer un bref rappel alors que nous venons de commemorer l’anniversaire de la liberation du camp de la mort d’Auschwitz-Birkenau le 27 janvier 1945, il y a 60 ans.
Ethnography in the time of Covid-19: Vectors and the vulnerable

We examine the choices, dilemmas, and opportunities confronting ethnography at a moment in which face-to-face interaction is deemed dangerous and prohibited by many university human subjects committees As scholars who have examined vulnerable seniors through intense engagement, we recognize that our presence can spread disease, just as we might become infected by those very informants Yet, ethnography serves a necessary role in charting the conditions of the vulnerable and identifying points of intervention The Covid-19 virus and its effects on research might truncate the granular observations that have made ethnography such a profoundly incisive method in the short term, but it may also permit reflection and methodological innovation that can contribute to both theory and policy In this vein, our unwanted hiatus provides an opportunity to work on longstanding concerns such as ethnographic transparency while simultaneously advancing innovative styles of research Whether we will seize this opportunity remains uncertain © 2020 Societa Editrice il Mulino All rights reserved
"Suspended in Wonderment": Beauty, Religious Affections, and Ecological Ethics

Three figures in the American Reformed tradition—the novelist Marilynne Robinson, the theocentric ethicist James Gustafson, and the biocentric poet Robinson Jeffers—treat the perception of beauty as the framework of moral discernment in ways that seem particularly significant for ecological ethics. Their work makes vividly concrete dimensions of Calvin’s theology of creation that have been the subject of increasing theological attention over the past twenty-five years. By focusing on receptivity to natural beauty, their approach suggests a reorientation of the Christian ecological conversation that would root responsibility in grateful awe rather than stewardship, and would substitute graced responsiveness for obligation. This shift away from duty, sacrifice, and self-denial has the prophetic potential to inspire life-way changes that have been hard to effect through caustic critiques of wasteful materialism or exhortations to just regard for generations as yet unborn.
Wavefront shaping and modulation with resonant electro-optic phase gradient metasurfaces

Phase gradient metasurfaces have revolutionized modern optical components by significantly reducing the path length of bulk optics while maintaining high performance. However, their geometric design makes dynamic modulation challenging, with devices facing a trade-off between the modulation range and efficiency. Here, we introduce Silicon-on-Lithium Niobate (LNO) high-Quality-factor (high-Q) metasurfaces for efficient electro-optic wavefront shaping and modulation. Periodic perturbations within Si metasurface elements allow incident light to be weakly coupled into guided modes, generating high-Q resonances that manifest in the far-field diffraction spectrum. The near field of each Si element spatially overlaps with the LNO substrate, enabling electrically tunable modulation of the resonant frequency. Using full-field simulations, we demonstrate near-infrared, dynamically tunable beamsteering, and beamsplitting metasurfaces. First, we demonstrate beamsteering metasurfaces whose +1st order diffracted intensity can be modulated from 70% to 7% absolute efficiency near the resonant frequency with applied electric fields of order V/μm. Next, we design a tunable beam splitter, switching between direct, 0th order transmission and beamsplitting with the application of 30 V across the metasurface. Our high-Q electro-optic metasurfaces provide a foundation for efficient, time-dependent transfer functions in subwavelength footprints.
A Sweet Voice: Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis of the Larynx.

Significance StatementAcute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet syndrome) is a rare idiopathic condition characterized by fever and whole-body rash of tender erythematous plaques of unknown etio...
An Adaptive Machine Learning System for predicting recurrence of child maltreatment: A routine activity theory perspective

Abstract Child maltreatment, including abuse and neglect of children, is one of the most appalling activities routinely occurring in the United States. Every year millions of child maltreatment incidents are reported to Child Protection Services (CPS) agencies. Experts in child protection face enormous workloads of analyzing reported incidents to assess the victims’ risk of experiencing a reoccurrence of maltreatment in the future. However, the existing systems deployed to help the experts are limited in two aspects: first, most have a limited capability in integrating a large amount of data originating from various entities dealing with child maltreatment; second, they are not adaptable enough to accommodate various degrees of un-structuredness inherent in the knowledge-intensive nature of CPS’s tasks, thus relying on CPS and various other experts for system configuration beyond typical users’ skillsets. In response, we propose an adaptive machine learning system (AMLS) inspired by the Routine Activity Theory focused on predicting recurrent child maltreatment. Our system offers a robust prediction for the recurrence of child maltreatment using a multi-faceted adaptive capability. We perform and report the results of extensive computational analysis to demonstrate the superiority of our system’s performance over various existing systems currently deployed.
A Non-Masing Microslip Rough Contact Modeling Framework for Spatially and Cyclically Varying Normal Pressure

The development of predictive computational models of joints is an ongoing challenge within the community. Unlike monolithic structures, the addition of friction in joints introduces nonlinearities in the vibration response of the structure. Frictional contact models can be applied to reproduce the nonlinear behavior, but the best predictive modeling framework is not clear. Elastic dry friction is a popular choice for predictive modeling, but recent work has highlighted its inability to recreate experimental behavior. As an alternative, several microslip rough contact models have been derived from distributions of asperity heights. Unlike elastic dry friction, these models have a smooth transition from sticking to slipping allowing them to capture smoother experimental trends. However, these models have often used the Masing assumptions and constant (over the interface and a cycle) normal pressures. The assumption of constant normal pressures neglects the kinematics of jointed interfaces, while the Masing assumptions do not generally hold for normal pressures that vary throughout a cycle. The present work seeks to further develop a microslip rough contact modeling framework without the simplifying assumptions to realize more physical simulations. Experiments on a benchmark structure, along with interfacial scans, are used to assess the validity of the proposed modeling framework.
THE ROLE OF PERIMETER SHAPE IN ESTIMATING ANNUAL RUNOFF FROM SMALL SIERRA NEVADA BASINS

Perimeter shape of drainage basins is evaluated as a control of annual runoff depth from small Sierra Nevada basins underlain by granitic rocks. In contrast to three perimeter shape ratios, none of which contributes a statistical explanation of annual runoff depth, three terms of a Fourier expansion of the basin perimeter substantially improve the estimating model. When added to annual precipitation, the first, third, and seventh Fourier amplitudes increase statistical explanation by 15 percent and prediction accuracy by 10 percent. These improvements are much greater than corresponding gains atributable to other morphological variables. [Key words: basin runoff, basin shape, Sierra Nevada.]
“Upper Limits of Normal” Antistreptolysin O and Antideoxyribonuclease B Titers

“Upper limits of normal” antistreptolysin O (ASO) and antideoxyribonuclease (ADN) B titers were determined on serum specimens from various age groups of pediatric patients with no history of a recent streptococcal infection and on healthy adult hospital employees. The upper limit of normal value is that level of antibody titer exceeded by no more than 15% of the total subjects in each age group. This value varies with the age of the subject, and the most pronounced differences are between the values of preschool age children, school age children, and adults. The upper limit of normal values for these groups were as follows: preschool age, ASO = 85(100); ADN B = 60(50); school age, ASO = 170(166); ADN B=1 70(166); and adult, ASO = 85(100); ADN B = 85(100).
Does active learning help automatic dialog act tagging in meeting data

Knowledge of Dialog Acts (DAs) is important for the automatic understanding and summarization of meetings. Current approaches rely on a lot of hand labeled data to train automatic taggers. One approach that has been successful in reducing the amount of training data in other areas of NLP is active learning. We ask if active learning with lexical cues can help for this task and this domain. To better address this question, we explore active learning for two different types of DA models – hidden Markov models (HMMs) and maximum entropy (maxent).
Long Non-coding RNA ANRIL and Polycomb in Human Cancers and Cardiovascular Disease

The long non-coding RNA CDKN2B-AS1, commonly referred to as the A ntisense N on-coding R NA in the I NK4 L ocus (ANRIL), is a 3.8-kb-long RNA transcribed from the short arm of human chromosome 9 on p21.3 that overlaps a critical region encompassing three major tumor suppressor loci juxtaposed to the INK4b-ARF-INK4a gene cluster and the methyl-thioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) gene. Genome-wide association studies have identified this region with a remarkable and growing number of disease-associated DNA alterations and single nucleotide polymorphisms, which corresponds to increased susceptibility to human disease. Recent attention has been devoted on whether these alterations in the ANRIL sequence affect its expression levels and/or its splicing transcript variation, and in consequence, global cellular homeostasis. Moreover, recent evidence postulates that ANRIL not only can regulate their immediate genomic neighbors in cis, but also has the capacity to regulate additional loci in trans. This action would further increase the complexity for mechanisms imposed through ANRIL and furthering the scope of this lncRNA in disease pathogenesis. In this chapter, we summarize the most recent findings on the investigation of ANRIL and provide a perspective on the biological and clinical significance of ANRIL as a putative biomarker, specifically, its potential role in directing cellular fates leading to cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Orthodontic tooth extrusion to enhance soft tissue implant esthetics.

Purpose The purpose of this report was to review the published data on orthodontic extrusion and make recommendations for its use according to the evidence presented, including the technique for use by clinicians. Materials and Methods A MEDLINE search was performed to identify reports in referenced journals in English. These studies were collated and reviewed for clinical and animal data on orthodontic extrusion. In addition, the experiences of our team using orthodontic extrusion was added to the evidence used to make the recommendations. Results From this background information, orthodontic tooth extrusion is able to move the soft tissues when the sulcular attachment apparatus is intact. Bone formation as the tooth is extruded is dependent on the vector of the movement of the tooth. The rate of tooth extrusion is effected by the bone–tooth attachment. Conclusions When used as we have described, extrusion can effectively move the facial gingival margin to allow for esthetic restoration of implants placed in the extruded tooth position.