cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Masters of War: “Seeing Things Through in Vietnam”: LBJ, the Military, and the Growing U.S. Commitment to Vietnam, November 1963-December 1964

Some say we should withdraw from South Viet-Nam, that we have lost almost 200 lives there in the last four years and we should come home. But the United States cannot and must not and will not turn aside and allow the freedom of a brave people to be handed over to communist tyranny. Lyndon Baines Johnson As Lyndon Johnson moved into the Oval Office, U.S. policy in Vietnam was in disarray. The events of November 1963 had undermined the optimistic claims of Harkins, Taylor, and others, and the enemy was successfully exploiting the political crisis in the south. Despite those problems, the new president would not deviate from the path that Kennedy had established. With over 16,000 military personnel already deployed, the United States had made a substantial commitment to the RVN, and the American presence would grow exponentially in the coming years. In the course of his first year in the Oval Office, Johnson would authorize covert operations, approve a massive bombing campaign against the DRVN, and prepare to introduce ground combat troops into the conflict. By early 1965, despite many military leaders' reservations, the United States was about to take over the war in Vietnam. During the first year of his presidency, Johnson expanded the U.S. presence in Vietnam with clear recognition of the deteriorating conditions in the south and the hazards of intervention there. Like Kennedy, however, he believed that political factors, both at home and internationally, made it imperative to continue to protect the RVN.
What’s a Special Character Anyway? Effects of Ambiguous Terminology in Password Rules:

Although many aspects of passwords have been studied, no research to date has systematically examined how ambiguous terminology affects the user experience during password rule comprehension, a nec...
Knowledge-based Framework for Intelligent Emotion Recognition in Spontaneous Speech

Automatic speech emotion recognition plays an important role in intelligent human computer interaction. Identifying emotion in natural, day to day, spontaneous conversational speech is difficult because most often the emotion expressed by the speaker are not necessarily as prominent as in acted speech. In this paper, we propose a novel spontaneous speech emotion recognition framework that makes use of the available knowledge. The framework is motivated by the observation that there is significant disagreement amongst human annotators when they annotate spontaneous speech; the disagreement largely reduces when they are provided with additional knowledge related to the conversation. The proposed framework makes use of the contexts (derived from linguistic contents) and the knowledge regarding the time lapse of the spoken utterances in the context of an audio call to reliably recognize the current emotion of the speaker in spontaneous audio conversations. Our experimental results demonstrate that there is a significant improvement in the performance of spontaneous speech emotion recognition using the proposed framework.
Protective Effects of Glutamine Antagonist 6-Diazo-5-Oxo-l-Norleucine in Mice with Alphavirus Encephalomyelitis.

ABSTRACT Inflammation is a necessary part of the response to infection but can also cause neuronal injury in both infectious and autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). A neurovirulent strain of Sindbis virus (NSV) causes fatal paralysis in adult C57BL/6 mice during clearance of infectious virus from the CNS, and the virus-specific immune response is implicated as a mediator of neuronal damage. Previous studies have shown that survival is improved in T-cell-deficient mice and in mice with pharmacological inhibition of the inflammatory response and glutamate excitotoxicity. Because glutamine metabolism is important in the CNS for the generation of glutamate and in the immune system for lymphocyte proliferation, we tested the effect of the glutamine antagonist DON (6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine) on the outcome of NSV infection in mice. DON treatment for 7 days from the time of infection delayed the onset of paralysis and death. Protection was associated with reduced lymphocyte proliferation in the draining cervical lymph nodes, decreased leukocyte infiltration into the CNS, lower levels of inflammatory cytokines, and delayed viral clearance. In vitro studies showed that DON inhibited stimulus-induced proliferation of lymphocytes. When in vivo treatment with DON was stopped, paralytic disease developed along with the inflammatory response and viral clearance. These studies show that fatal NSV-induced encephalomyelitis is immune mediated and that antagonists of glutamine metabolism can modulate the immune response and protect against virus-induced neuroinflammatory disease. IMPORTANCE Encephalomyelitis due to infection with mosquito-borne alphaviruses is an important cause of death and of long-term neurological disability in those who survive infection. This study demonstrates the role of the virus-induced immune response in the generation of neurological disease. DON, a glutamine antagonist, inhibited the proliferation of lymphocytes in response to infection, prevented the development of brain inflammation, and protected mice from paralysis and death during treatment. However, because DON inhibited the immune response to infection, clearance of the virus from the brain was also prevented. When treatment was stopped, the immune response was generated, brain inflammation occurred, virus was cleared, and mice developed paralysis and died. Therefore, more definitive treatment for alphaviral encephalomyelitis should inhibit virus replication as well as neuroinflammatory damage.
The role of lateral neck ultrasound in detecting single or multiple lymph nodes in papillary thyroid cancer

Abstract Background Lateral neck dissection (LND) for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) transitioned from isolated lymphadenectomy or “berry picking” based on clinical examination to multicompartment lymphadenectomy. We aimed to assess ultrasound (US) as a predictor of solitary (SLN) or multiple lymph node (MLN) metastases. Methods Demographics, US findings, extent of LND, and pathology were collected in patients with PTC who underwent LND. US sensitivity and specificity were calculated, and accuracy was correlated with US findings and patient characteristics. Results A total of 462 patients underwent 590 LNDs. US showed an SLN in 179 patients (30%) and MLNs in 411 patients (70%). Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy were 61%, 43%, and 75% for US detected SLN and 78%, 89%, and 75% for US detected MLNs. US accuracy for MLNs increased as node size increased ( 20 mm, 89%; P Conclusions US has limited accuracy in the detection SLN metastasis in the lateral neck. Care should be taken when considering a focused compartment dissection.
Interaction Between Cellular Metabolic States and Chromatin Dynamics

Abstract Chromatin modifications are established through the usage of chemical moieties attached to DNA and histones. In particular two of those modifications, acetylation and methylation, are obtained through direct utilization of intermediate metabolites (acetyl-CoA and S-adenosylmethionine), establishing an intimate crosstalk between metabolism and epigenetics. Although neglected for many years, recent advances have demonstrated that cellular metabolism, and more specifically changes in nutrient availability, directly influence epigenetic adaptations by means of histone modifications and DNA methylation. In this chapter, we will review the current literature linking metabolism to epigenetics, both in the context of normal physiology as well as the imbalance of such cross talk in disease.
Cpg Oligodeoxynucleotide-Mediated Effects on B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia In Vitro Are Influenced by Cytogenetic Status and the Presence of Serum.

Immunostimulatory CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) are TLR9 agonists that mediate a number of immunologic effects in normal and malignant B cells including upregulation of immunogenic molecules. They are therefore felt to be attractive as potential components of immunotherapy for B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). The cytogenetic status of B-CLL is predictive of clinical prognosis, but little is known about how CpG ODN-mediated effects on B-CLL cells correlate with cytogenetic status. The present study was designed to explore the impact cytogenetic status has on in vitro B-CLL cell survival and immunogenicity. Since most in vitro studies to date have been performed under serum-low conditions, we also evaluated how the presence of autologous serum or plasma impacts on CpG ODN-mediated effects on B-CLL cells. B-CLL cytogenetic status by interphase FISH, as well as immunophenotype and cell survival in the absence or presence of CpG ODN was determined in 23 samples. CpG ODN decreased in vitro survival of B-CLL cells with good prognosis cytogenetics, but had little effect on cells with poor prognosis cytogenetics. In contrast, CpG ODN upregulated costimulatory and antigen-presenting molecules and enhanced allogeneic T cell response in samples with good and poor prognosis cytogenetics. The optimal concentration for CpG ODN-mediated effects in the presence of 100% autologous serum or plasma was higher (10–20 micrograms/ml ODN) than for serum-low conditions (2.5–5 micrograms/ml ODN). The observed inhibition of CpG ODN-mediated effects by serum directly correlated with a lower uptake of ODN into B-CLL cells in the presence of serum. In conclusion, CpG ODN induced changes in B-CLL consistent with enhanced immunogenicity in all samples studied, but induced apoptosis most effectively in the subset of B-CLL cells with good prognosis cytogenetics. Approximately 4-fold more CpG ODN was needed to induce these changes when serum was present as compared to low serum conditions due to decreased ODN uptake by the cells in the presence of serum. These studies suggest CpG ODN may be useful as immunotherapeutic agents for B-CLL irrespective of cytogenetic status because of their potential effects on immunogenicity. Higher systemic doses of CpG ODN than previously thought might be necessary to induce these changes because of the effect of serum proteins on ODN uptake.
23.1 An 8Gb 12Gb/s/pin GDDR5X DRAM for cost-effective high-performance applications

Over the last years, GDDR5 has emerged as the dominant standard for applications requiring high system bandwidth like graphic cards and game consoles. However, GDDR5 data rates are saturating due to limitations in the clock frequency and column-access cycle time (t CCD ). To reach the data rate of 9Gb/s/pin [1], a GDDR5 DRAM has to be clocked at 2.25GHz and operate at a t CCD of 888ps. This combination makes the design of control logic, data path and memory core difficult in a typical DRAM process. Still, the industry is demanding higher system bandwidth to enable continuous improvements in the visual computing arena. For this purpose, an 8Gb GDDR5X DRAM has been developed reaching a data rate of 12Gb/s/pin, which surpasses the fastest published GDDR5 [1] by 33%. This paper introduces GDDR5X and discusses relevant circuit techniques in clock generation, receiver and transmitter design to enable the higher data rates on a conventional DRAM process.
Exploring Low-Temperature Dehydrogenation at Ionic Cu Sites in Beta Zeolite To Enable Alkane Recycle in Dimethyl Ether Homologation

Cu-based catalysts containing targeted functionalities including metallic Cu, oxidized Cu, ionic Cu, and Bronsted acid sites were synthesized and evaluated for isobutane dehydrogenation. Hydrogen productivities, combined with operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, indicated that Cu(I) sites in Cu/BEA catalysts activate C–H bonds in isobutane. Computational analysis revealed that isobutane dehydrogenation at a Cu(I) site proceeds through a two-step mechanism with a maximum energy barrier of 159 kJ/mol. These results demonstrate that light alkanes can be reactivated on Cu/BEA, which may enable re-entry of these species into the chain-growth cycle of dimethyl ether homologation, thereby increasing gasoline-range (C5+) hydrocarbon yield.
Using the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer as a Mixture Performance Test to Select Appropriate Binder Grades for Airport Pavements

AbstractIn this study, the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA) was investigated for its ability to detect asphalt paving mixtures designed for airfields that may be prone to rutting. The objective of t...
Multiple Mobile Robot Dispatch Strategy for Cooperative Applications in Confined Space

In this paper, we propose a path planning and dispatch strategy of multiple mobile robots for cooperative applications in confined spaces. The proposed two level path planning method incorporates the segment reservation mechanism to maximize the utilization of robots. The two level path planning reduces the computational complexity while providing the flexibility for real-time adaptation. Any potential deadlock is completely eliminated and the starvation due to unpredictable service request patterns is avoided. Since the proposed methodology is used for confined areas, any possible path blockage due to idling robots is eliminated with idling robot relocation mechanism. The dynamic path planning is achieved by monitoring and controlling the speed of the robots. The dynamic replanning is triggered with periodic monitoring of the service constraints. The method can be effectively used for low power multiple robot navigation applications and the performance of the proposed system is evaluated with largescale simulations.
Song type matching and vocal performance in territorial signalling by male swamp sparrows

In songbird species with repertoires of multiple songs, individuals in territorial interactions can engage in song type matching, in which one bird responds to another using the same song type. Song type matching is thought to be associated with aggressive intent, although empirical support for this hypothesis is mixed. Here we test the alternative hypothesis that males selectively use song type matching, depending on singing ability, to optimize their relative performance in a communication network. We recorded the responses of male swamp sparrows, Melospiza georgiana, to playback trials in which they heard stimulus songs of higher or lower vocal performance relative to their own version of those songs. We predicted that, if males use song type matching to influence the perceptions of conspecifics outside the interacting dyad, males would (1) match stimulus songs that they themselves could perform better and (2) respond with a different song type to stimulus songs that they could not perform as well. We found that males song-type matched more often than expected by chance across trials, but contrary to our expectations, they were at least as likely to match to playback of higher-performance songs as to playback of lower-performance songs. As in previous studies, we also found that males sang with higher vocal performance in response to playback than when singing spontaneously, and that they did not preferentially respond with their highest-performance song type as a countersinging strategy. Our results support the idea that in swamp sparrows, song type matching functions primarily within the dyad rather than to broadcast superior performance ability to other conspecifics in the communication network.
Individual Housing Stress Elevates Brain and Adrenal Tryptamine Content

Tryptamine (T) is present in a variety of tissues, including brain and adrenal glands (Boulton and Baker, 1975; Philips and Jourio, 1978). The role of T in psychological stress has not been established, but there are several indications that tissue levels of the compound may be changed by psychological stress. As a result of stress, the amount of tryptophan available as a T precursor increases in brain (Curzon et al., 1972) and a related compound, phenylethyl amine, which is also formed by the catalytic action of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase is increased in urine (Paulos and Tessel, 1982). In addition, assays of monoamine oxidase (MAO), the enzyme responsible for the degradation of T, indicate a decrease in MAO activity in animals that have been psychologically stressed (Maura and Vaccari, 1975). Since T has a rapid turnover in the CNS (Durden and Phillips, 1980), then a slight decrease in MAO activity could presumably produce large changes in T concentrations.
Quantification of Friction in Microsystem Contacts

Contact between moving structures in micromachines occurs at interfaces that are rough on the nanometer scale. While surface height distributions differ from other engineering applications, these interactions are far from single asperity contacts. The pressure-velocity regime in which microsystems operate is also different than in other engineering applications. Experimental methods for nanometer displacement and nanonewton force measurement are critical to the fundamental understanding of energy dissipation mechanisms at the molecular scale. However, experimental investigation of surface interactions in microsystems requires tools beyond scanning probe microscopy and the surface forces apparatus. New tools are needed to define the technology design space, to investigate aging and failure mechanisms in real microsystems, and to validate models of friction and wear in microsystems derived from molecular-scale simulations. To this end, devices for quantifying friction in simplified microsystem contacts have been developed. Since the experimental apparatus are also microsystems, the surface morphology and chemistry duplicate exactly those found in more complicated systems having contacting surfaces. A surface micromachined device has been used to investigate the friction and wear of adsorbed silane monolayers and selective tungsten treatment in micromachine contacts. Silane films decrease friction and permit longer sliding contact than possible with untreated surfaces, but eventually degrade to permit debris generation in environments containing water vapor. Selective tungsten treatment results in reduced wear in environments containing water vapor. A methodology for developing a predictive capability for friction between microsystem surfaces will be presented, and areas requiring further developments in metrology, experimentation, and modeling will be discussed.
A novel S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase from rat liver cytosol catalyzes the formation of methylated arsenicals

Publisher Summary The discovery that inorganic arsenic (As) was converted into methylated metabolites in many species, including humans, elucidating the pathway for As metabolism is a topic of considerable interest. Cyt19, a methyltransferase that catalyzes both monomethylation and dimethylation reactions, is purified from rat liver cytosol and cloned to permit its expression as a recombinant protein. Cyt19 is also expressed in human tissues and is also an arsenic (As) methyltransferase. Future research will probe the mechanism by which cyt19 catalyzes the oxidative methylation of arsenicals and the role of reductants in its function.
Specific coupling of a cation-sensing receptor to G protein alpha-subunits in MDCK cells

Extracellular cations such as Ca2+ stimulate a G protein-coupled, cation-sensing receptor (CaR). We used microphysiometry to determine whether an extracellular cation-sensing mechanism exists in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The CaR agonists Ca2+ and Gd3+ caused cellular activation in a concentration-dependent manner. mRNA for the CaR was identified by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using nested CaR-specific primers, identification of an appropriately located restriction site, and sequencing of the subcloned fragment obtained by PCR. G protein activation was evaluated using the GTP photoaffinity label [alpha-32P]GTP azidoanalide (AA-GTP). After stimulation with Gd3+ and cross-linking, plasma membranes were solubilized and immunoprecipitated with antisera specific for Gq/11 alpha and Gi alpha family members. Gd3+ increased incorporation of AA-GTP into Gq/11 alpha precipitates by 146 +/- 48% and into G alpha i-2 and G alpha i-3 to a lesser extent but not into G alpha i-1. Direct effects of Gd3+ on the G proteins were ruled out using partially purified mammalian G proteins expressed in Escherichia coli or Sf9 cells. We conclude that MDCK cells possess a cell-surface CaR that activates Gq/11 alpha, G alpha i-2, and G alpha i-3 but not G alpha i-1.
Person first and patient first: Tailoring language to individual patient needs.

Since I started residency training in 2016, I have had a keen interest in pursuing a career in primary care/addiction medicine. As my interest has developed, so too has my devotion to act as a chan...
Polarization Orientation Angle and Polarimetric SAR Scattering Characteristics of Steep Terrain

Polarization orientation angle (POA) is an important parameter of polarimetric radar scattering from slopes in mountainous region. It is known that surface tilted in azimuth direction and buildings not aligned in the along-track direction induce polarization orientation shifts. Earlier research has established orientation angle as a function of radar imaging geometry and surface slopes, and that POA estimation can be derived from polarimetric radar data using circular polarization. Besides these, polarimetric scattering from steep slopes and its relation to POA remain not well understood. In this paper, we address these issues by adopting a tilted surface model based on Bragg scattering. We have found that, as the azimuthal slope increases, $\vert $ VV $\vert $ decreases at a faster rate than $\vert $ HH $\vert $ , they become equal, when POA is ±45°, and $\vert $ HH $\vert >\vert $ VV $\vert $ afterward. In other words, the Pauli component, $\vert $ HH - VV $\vert $ reduced to zero at POA = ± 45°, and the typical Bragg scattering characteristics of $\vert $ VV $\vert >\vert $ HH $\vert $ does not apply when steep slope is present inducing $\vert $ POA $\vert > 45^{\circ }$ . Furthermore, the cross-pol $\vert $ HV $\vert $ does not always increase with azimuth slope but also reaches a maximum then decreases to zero. In addition, we investigate the effect of soil moisture on polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) scattering characteristics of steep terrain and the effect of vegetation over surface on POA estimation. The latter is demonstrated with NASA/JPL TOPSAR L-band PolSAR data and C-band InSAR data. Another significance of this paper is that it provides a direct and rigorous derivation of POA equations. The earlier version was derived from a different concept.
Improving Wireless Network Performance under MPTCP based Multipath Access

The emergence of multipath TCP (MPTCP) has made it much easier for mobile devices to use multiple wireless network access paths simultaneously. However, we find that a large amount of multipath users could negatively impact the performance of wireless networks in terms of throughput and fairness due to increased amount of wireless connections. Therefore, in this paper, we aim to mitigate such a problem while retaining the benefits of multipath access in wireless networks from the perspective of network owner. We solve the challenge by 1) identifying a solution principle that can effectively balance the two goals and 2) implementing the principle through an SDN based bandwidth usage management system on the network side. When there is congestion on an AP, our method enforces necessary suppressions on non-primary subflows from multipath users to protect the network performance, while keeping the multipath benefits as much as possible. When an AP owns idled capacity, no intervention is imposed, thus offering the maximal benefits to multipath users without substantially affecting the network performance. Thus, the multipath access is dynamically scaled to achieve a balance of the two goals. Extensive NS3 experiment with Linux Kernel MPTCP implementation demonstrates our findings as well as the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Multi-dimensional wind fragility functions for wood utility poles

Abstract Risk assessment and life cycle cost analysis of electric power systems facilitate analysis and efficient management of compound risks from wind hazards and asset deteriorations. Fragility functions are key components for these analyses as they provide the probability of failure of poles given the hazard intensity. Despite a number of efforts that analyzed the wind fragility of utility wood poles, impacts of key design variables on the likelihood of failure of poles have not been yet characterized. This paper, for the first time, provides a set of multi-dimensional fragility models that are functions of key factors including class, age, and height of poles, number and diameter of conductors, span length, and wind speed and direction. Unlike existing generic pole fragility models, this new class of fragility functions is able to accurately represent various configurations of power distribution systems. Therefore, it can reliably support decisions for installation of new or replacement of existing damaged or decayed poles. The generated fragility models are also used to investigate impacts of design variables. For example, results indicate that when height is considered as a covariate for the fragility function, the likelihood of failure of wood poles for a given height increases with class number. However, if height is treated as an uncertain variable, and therefore, excluded as a covariate from the fragility model, lower classes of poles may have higher failure probability as they are often used for higher clearance limits.
Structured Hydrogel Particles With Nanofabricated Interfaces via Controlled Oxygen Inhibition

Hydrogels have been engineered for a variety of biomedical applications, including biosensing, drug delivery, cell delivery, and tissue engineering. The fabrication of hydrogels into nanoscale and microscale particles has been a subject of intense activity and promises to extend their range of applicability. As hydrogels are reduced in size, their interfacial properties represent an increasingly significant contribution to their function and behavior. Hydrogel microparticle-based biosensing and drug delivery platforms, for instance, requires delicate spatial control over the conjugation of biofunctional groups and network architecture, which impacts their mechanical properties and molecular permeability and diffusivity. Here, we demonstrate the ability to tune, with extraordinary precision, the interfacial properties of PEGDA particles generated in a droplet microfluidic device exploiting oxygen-inhibited photopolymerization. We demonstrate the broad utility of these engineered microgels by creating spherical particles with complex but predictable radial crosslinking density gradients. Immunoassays were conducted to examine the network properties of these particles, revealing a high degree of structural tenability, which, in turn, dictates macromolecule encapsulation and release profiles, as well as the presence of radial crosslinking gradients that impact the availability of functional groups.
(260) Examining Sex Differences in Analgesic Tolerance to a Peripherally-Restricted Opioid combination

The development of analgesic tolerance to opioid pharmacotherapies presents a persistent issue in the treatment of chronic pain, resulting in dose escalation and increased risk for dependence and respiratory depression. Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of peripheral opioid receptors in the development of opioid tolerance to classical opioids like morphine and oxycodone. There have also been reports of differences in opioid analgesia, tolerance and addiction between males and females. Therefore, we studied whether peripherally-restricted opioid combinations would differentially induce tolerance in a rodent model of neuropathic pain. For these studies, we used loperamide (Lo), a peripherally-restricted mu-opioid agonist, in combination with oxymorphindole or N-benzyl-oxymorphindole (OMI, BOMI), which are partial and full agonists at the delta-opioid receptor, respectively. The Lo-OMI and Lo-BOMI combinations have been shown to synergistically reverse neuropathic pain states in mice and rats. After the induction of a neuropathic pain phenotype with spared nerve injury, male or female mice and rats were given once daily injections of Lo-OMI, Lo-BOMI or morphine for 10 days, and daily mechanical sensitivity was monitored by an electronic von Frey apparatus. Initial experiments indicate that male mice do not develop tolerance to either peripherally-restricted combination, but that female mice rapidly become tolerant to the analgesic effects of Lo-BOMI. Based on these results, we sought to determine whether the same difference persists in rats. We conclude that in female mice—but not males—the delta-opioid receptor component of the mu-delta synergistic combination is involved in the development of analgesic tolerance.
Markovnikov-Selective Hydroboration of Olefins Catalyzed by a Copper N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complex

The efficient and atom-economical hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes using an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) copper hydroxide catalyst has been developed. An equimolar combination of substrate and ...
Utilization trends of respiratory medication in premature infants discharged on home oxygen therapy

BACKGROUND Roughly half of all extremely preterm infants will be diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and a third will be discharged on home oxygen therapy (HOT). To date, there have been no studies that have examined the relationship between respiratory medication utilization in infants with BPD on HOT. METHODS The recorded home oximetry trial was a multicenter, randomized trial comparing two home oxygen management strategies in premature infants. Infants were enrolled at first outpatient pulmonary or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) follow-up visit with a pulmonary component. Respiratory medication prescriptions and dosage were collected from time of enrollment through 6 months after HOT discontinuation. Patients were seen monthly while on HOT and at 1, 3, and 6 months after successful discontinuation. RESULTS During protocol visits, 174 (89%) infants had respiratory medications documented. Respiratory medication use was higher at initial follow-up visit compared with NICU discharge and decreased at the final 6-month follow-up visit. Infants who received inhaled steroids (IS) before weaning had mean HOT duration of 138 days (range: 24-562 days); infants who received IS after weaning had shorter mean HOT duration (55 days, range: 21-264). In time-to-event analysis the no IS group and the postwean group differed significantly (χ21 = 8.1; P = .004). NICU clinics gave a total of 35 prescriptions to 43 patients, an average of 0.8 per patient, while the pulmonary clinics gave 837 prescriptions to 153 patients, or 5.5 per patient (P < .0001). CONCLUSION Respiratory prescribing patterns for infants on HOT are highly variable. Utilization of IS was not associated with shorter duration of HOT.
Rheology of a KREEP analog magma: Experimental results applied to dike ascent through the lunar crust

Abstract Among the Apollo returned samples were basaltic rocks belonging to the KREEP suite, which are thought to have been erupted ~4.1–3.9 ​Ga via dike propagation from the residual magmatic layer residing below the lunar crust as the last part of the solidifying lunar magma ocean. The emplacement dynamics of KREEP magma reaching the lunar surface are generally poorly understood, in part because no rheological data are available to model the conditions of KREEP ascent in detail, even ~50 years after KREEP basalt discovery. This study provides the first rheological data for KREEP magmas, as a function of temperature and crystal content, from the liquidus temperature (~1205 ​°C) to ~16% crystals by volume at ~1177 ​°C. The lava’s rheological behavior becomes non-Newtonian at just a few degrees of cooling below the liquidus and is well represented by a shear-thinning power-law equation. We applied these data to a buoyancy-driven dike ascent model, suggesting that if KREEP magma ascended through dikes comparable in size to those that fed the lunar mare, it most likely erupted below its liquidus in the range of 1180 ​°C to 1160 ​°C, with effective viscosities in the range 103–107 ​Pas and traversing the lunar crust on timescales of minutes to hours.
On the Boundary Injectivity Radius of Buser-Colbois-Dodziuk-Margulis Tubes

We give a lower bound on the boundary injectivity radius of the Margulis tubes with smooth boundary constructed by Buser, Colbois, and Dodziuk. This estimate depends on the dimension and a curvature bound only.
Manufacturing and Society – A Freshman Introduction to Engineering Course with Manufacturing and Social Science Partnership

Abstract The curriculum and pedagogy of a freshman introduction to engineering course on manufacturing and society are presented. This course is designed to use the quadcopter drone as an example to teach knowledge in manufacturing processes and systems, illustrate potential impacts of manufacturing to society, and stimulate learning in innovation, teamwork, and communication in a real-world engineering environment. It is also designed to teach students how to best communicate their findings and conclusions. This course is built on two team-based projects. Students practiced and timed the assembly of a state-of-the-art drone, the DJI Spark, and created a mid-term project presentation and report of their plan to setup an assembly plant in Michigan for this drone. Students learned the assembly line design, cycle time balancing, time study, automation, robotics, ergonomics, process capability index, and plant layout. The final project is the design and manufacture of an attachment to a hobby drone, DJI F330, for a mission that will benefit society. Students learned the social-aspects of manufacturing, computer-aided design, additive manufacturing, fabrication skills, and manufacturing processes. Each team identified a societal need, designed an attachment to the DJI F330 drone, reviewed the design with experienced engineers, manufactured components, assembled the attachment, and evaluated them in drone test flights. This course was implemented in close collaboration with a local community college to share the lecture and lab materials as well as pedagogy in manufacturing to benefit the same cohort of high school graduates. This approach of integrated social science, manufacturing, and technical communication to teach manufacturing using drones and connect manufacturing and society were demonstrated to be effective for an introductory freshman engineering course. Freshman engineering students often experience tremendous changes and pressure in their first semester. The lecture, lab, and discussion session for communication were adjusted to help students’ transition in their first semester engineering study.
Coincidences between OVI and OVII Lines: Insights from High Resolution Simulations of the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium

With high resolution (0.46kpc/h), adaptive mesh-refinement Eulerian cosmological hydrodynamic simulations we compute properties of O VI and O VII absorbers from the warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM). Our new simulations are in broad agreement with previous simulations, with ~40% of the intergalactic medium being in the WHIM at z=0. It is found (1) The amount of gas in the WHIM at temperature below and above 10^6K is about equal within uncertainties. (1) Our simulations are in excellent agreement with observed properties of O VI absorbers, with respect to the line incidence rate and Doppler width-column density relation. (2) Velocity structures within absorbing regions are a significant, and for large Doppler width clouds, a dominant contributor to the Doppler widths of both O VI and O VII absorbers. A non-negligible fraction (in number and mass) of O VI and O VII clouds can arise from gas of temperature lower than 10^5, until the Doppler width is well in excess of 100km/s. (3) Strong O VI absorbers are predominantly collisionally ionized. About (61%, 57%, 39%) of O VI absorbers in the column density ranges of log N(OVI) cm^2=(12.5-13,13-14,>14) have temperature lower than 10^5K. (4) Quantitative prediction is made for the presence of broad and shallow O VI lines, which current observations may have largely missed. Upcoming observations by COS may be able to provide a test. (5) The reported 3 sigma upper limit on the mean column density of coincidental O VII lines at the location of detected O VI lines by Yao et al is above the predicted value by a factor of 2.5-4. (6) The claimed observational detection of O VII lines by Nicastro et al, if true, is 2 sigma above what our simulations predict.
Protocols for encounter with extraterrestrials: Lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic

This paper explores lessons evident from the Covid-19 pandemic as a framework for thinking about contact with extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) The Covid-19 pandemic represents an opportunity to think through challenges that may arise in response to contact with ETI in part because it represents a potential threat to the entire population of Earth, thus forcing nations to implement similar measures, even if the specifics of those measures and levels of restrictions vary from one country to another We argue that contact with ETI will not occur in a political and ideational vacuum It will occur within an historical context and diverse cultural contexts from which people will interpret the import and risks associated with a contact event Just as local conditions are influencing the response to Covid-19, governments and political leaders will draw on localized cultural and social conditions as they conduct risk assessments related to ETI contact and consider the value associated with managing or controlling the context and potential outcomes of a contact event Thinking about how governments, in particular, respond to events like the Coronavirus pandemic represents an opportunity to explore how other potential existential threats to global society like contact with ETI might pan out © 2020 British Interplanetary Society All rights reserved
Differential substrate use in EGF- and oncogenic KRAS-stimulated human mammary epithelial cells

Many metabolic phenotypes in cancer cells are also characteristic of proliferating non-transformed mammalian cells, and attempts to distinguish between phenotypes resulting from oncogenic perturbation from those associated with increased proliferation are limited. Here, we examined the extent to which metabolic changes corresponding to oncogenic KRAS expression differed from those corresponding to epidermal growth factor (EGF)-driven proliferation in human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). Removal of EGF from culture medium reduced growth rates and glucose/glutamine consumption in control HMECs despite limited changes in respiration and fatty acid synthesis, while the relative contribution of branched-chain amino acids to the TCA cycle and lipogenesis increased in the near-quiescent conditions. Most metabolic phenotypes measured in HMECs expressing mutant KRAS were similar to those observed in EGF-stimulated control HMECs that were growing at comparable rates. However, glucose and glutamine consumption as well as lactate and glutamate production were lower in KRAS-expressing cells cultured in media without added EGF, and these changes correlated with reduced sensitivity to GLUT1 inhibitor and phenformin treatment. Our results demonstrate the strong dependence of metabolic behavior on growth rate, and provide a model to distinguish the metabolic influences of oncogenic mutations and non-oncogenic growth.
Structured Stochastic Gradient MCMC.

Stochastic gradient Markov chain Monte Carlo (SGMCMC) is considered the gold standard for Bayesian inference in large-scale models, such as Bayesian neural networks. Since practitioners face speed versus accuracy tradeoffs in these models, variational inference (VI) is often the preferable option. Unfortunately, VI makes strong assumptions on both the factorization and functional form of the posterior. In this work, we propose a new non-parametric variational approximation that makes no assumptions about the approximate posterior's functional form and allows practitioners to specify the exact dependencies the algorithm should respect or break. The approach relies on a new Langevin-type algorithm that operates on a modified energy function, where parts of the latent variables are averaged over samples from earlier iterations of the Markov chain. This way, statistical dependencies can be broken in a controlled way, allowing the chain to mix faster. This scheme can be further modified in a ''dropout'' manner, leading to even more scalability. By implementing the scheme on a ResNet-20 architecture, we obtain better predictive likelihoods and larger effective sample sizes than full SGMCMC.
Neuronal modulation in the mouse superior colliculus during covert visual selective attention

Abstract Covert visual attention is accomplished by a cascade of mechanisms distributed across multiple brain regions. Recent studies in primates suggest a parcellation in which visual cortex is associated with enhanced representations of relevant stimuli, whereas subcortical circuits are associated with selection of visual targets and suppression of distractors. Here we identified how neuronal activity in the superior colliculus (SC) of head-fixed mice is modulated during covert visual attention. We found that spatial cues modulated both firing rate and spike-count correlations, and that the cue-related modulation in firing rate was due to enhancement of activity at the cued spatial location rather than suppression at the uncued location. This modulation improved the neuronal discriminability of visual-change-evoked activity between contralateral and ipsilateral SC neurons. Together, our findings indicate that neurons in the mouse SC contribute to covert visual selective attention by biasing processing in favor of locations expected to contain relevant information.
Determination of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Medication Use and Safety among Saudi People: A Public- based Versus an Internet-based Survey

Suboptimal knowledge and negative attitudes on medication use and its safety, coupled with irrational practices, negatively impact the general public health. The major objective of this study was to measure public knowledge, identify their attitudes and practices on medication use and safety, and identify predictors of the three studied domains (knowledge, attitudes, and practices). Two cross-sectional surveys (Public-based and internet-based) were conducted from June to October 2015. Adult (> 18 years old) Saudi residing in Taif City, KSA were included. The convenience sampling method was adopted. Data was collected using a structured- questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. SPSS was used to analyse the data. A total of 788 people(386 for the public study and 402 for the internet study, respectively) were recruited . 302 (75.1%) of respondents recruited electronically had adequate knowledge of medication use, compared to 234 (60.6%) recruited manually (P = 30 years) and higher educational level were significantly associated with satisfactory knowledge [OR= 0.6; 95 percent CI (0.4-1.0); P = 0.032] and [OR= 1.9; 95 percent CI (1.1-3.2); P = 0.015], respectively.Misconceptions about medication use and safety were discovered in knowledge, attitudes, and practises. It is critical to provide public education that results in positive changes.
Gastroschisis Complicated by Colonic Atresia.

INTRODUCTION Gastroschisis with colonic atresia is a rare association. Due to its rarity and variation in presentation, no standardized surgical treatment option exists. Complicated gastroschisis is associated with a higher morbidity and mortality than intestinal atresia or gastroschisis alone. METHODS This is a case report of a neonate with congenital gastroschisis. On day of life 1, a silo was placed. On day of life 4, the upper portion of silo contents appeared more congested with dusky discoloration and the patient was oliguric. She was taken to the operating room for exploration. RESULTS The patient required resection of the terminal ileum and an atretic portion of the cecum due to necrosis. Four days later, primary closure of the gastroschisis defect was performed with creation of an end ileostomy. Elective ileostomy takedown was performed 5 months later. She returned to the operating room for anastomotic revision and gastrostomy tube placement for intestinal dysmotility and prolonged ileus. Tube feedings were discontinued 3 months post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS Gastroschisis with intestinal atresia is associated with increased hospital length of stay, longer duration of parenteral nutrition, more severe intestinal dysfunction, increased surgical complications, and higher mortality than gastroschisis or intestinal atresia alone. With associated colonic atresia, loss of a significant length of bowel due to necrosis, including the ileocecal region, is almost unavoidable. An already compromised blood supply to the atretic bowel is further impaired by a tight abdominal wall defect and postnatal increases in gravitational force. Complicated gastroschisis remains a complex surgical challenge requiring further discussion.
17β-Estradiol Induced Effects on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Laxness and Neuromuscular Activation Patterns in Female Runners.

Abstract Background: We investigate the effects of 17β-Estradiol across phases of menstrual cycle on the laxness of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the neuromuscular control patterns around the knee joint in female runners. Methods: Twelve healthy female runners who reported normal menstrual cycles for the previous 6 months were tested twice across one complete menstrual cycle for serum levels of 17β-estradiol, and knee joint laxity (KJL). Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles was also recorded during running on a treadmill. The changes in the EMG activity, KJL, and hormonal concentrations were recorded for each subject during the follicular and the ovulatory phases across the menstrual cycle. Results: An observed increase in KJL in response to peak estradiol during the ovulatory phase was associated with increased preactivity of the hamstring muscle before foot impact (p<0.001). A consistent pattern was also observed in the firing of the quadriceps muscle recr...
Expression of an angiotensin-(1-7) endopeptidase in proximal tubules of the sheep and human kidney (1088.10)

Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang 7] is a an active peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) that generally antagonizes the actions of Ang II. Within the kidney, Ang 7 is derived from Ang I by endopeptid...