cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extraction of the signature of a buried object using GPR

This paper deals with the possibility of remotely detecting buried objects using impulse radiating GPR. Most GPR systems involve the B-scan or the C-scan of the ground requiring the usage of advanced imaging techniques. Identification of a buried target is done using only a single snapshot of the ground. An electromagnetic pulse is sent into the ground from a transmitting antenna. The target reflects the pulse and the reflection is received by a receiving antenna. A single temporal scan of the ground is utilized for identification of the target characteristics. The antenna responses are deconvolved out from the receiver response. The deconvolution is carried out by using the conjugate gradient method. Finally, the target response is identified by extracting the natural resonance frequencies by applying the matrix pencil method on the transient waveform. Successful identification of buried targets is achieved through this methodology.
Phenomenology of streamer propagation during pulsed dielectric surface flashover

There is a growing demand for understanding the physics of surface flashover, as it relates to the breakdown of electric fields on high power systems in the aerospace community. Specifically, the quantitative role of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation which is self-produced during the initial nanoseconds of surface flashover is virtually unknown. An experiment was constructed which allows detailed electrical and optical measurements of VUV emission during the timescales in which streamers are propagating before the transition into spark discharge. Repeated surface flashover events are generated using a solid-state high voltage pulser, with breakdown recorded in a number of gases at atmospheric pressure. Streamers are photographed using fast optical imaging with 3 ns resolution. Fast voltage and current diagnostics revealed a number of distinct stages of streamer development ranging from the onset of cathode directed streamers to the sharp current rise during final voltage collapse. The emission of VUV radiation is discussed in context to the observed streamer and electrical characteristics.
Pitx2 Regulates Procollagen Lysyl Hydroxylase (Plod) Gene Expression: Implications for the Pathology of Rieger Syndrome

The Rieger syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by ocular, craniofacial, and umbilical defects. Patients have mutations in PITX2, a paired-bicoid homeobox gene, also involved in left/right polarity determination. In this study we have identified a family of genes for enzymes responsible for hydroxylizing lysines in collagens as one group of likely cognate targets of PITX2 transcriptional regulation. The mouse procollagen lysyl hydroxylase (Plod)-2 gene was enriched for by chromatin precipitation using a PITX2/Pitx2-specific antibody. Plod-2, as well as the human PLOD-1 promoters, contains multiple bicoid (PITX2) binding elements. We show these elements to bind PITX2 specifically in vitro. The PLOD-1 promoter induces the expression of a luciferase reporter gene in the presence of PITX2 in cotransfection experiments. The Rieger syndrome causing PITX2 mutant T68P fails to induce PLOD-1–luciferase. Mutations and rearrangements in PLOD-1 are known to be prevalent in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, kyphoscoliosis type (type VI [EDVI]). Several of the same organ systems are involved in Rieger syndrome and EDVI.
Propagation direction of natural mechanical oscillations in the biceps brachii muscle during voluntary contraction.

The aim of the study was to determine the directionality of the coupling of mechanical vibrations across the biceps brachii muscle at different frequencies of interest during voluntary contraction. The vibrations that are naturally generated by skeletal muscles were recorded by a two-dimensional array of skin mounted accelerometers over the biceps brachii muscle (surface mechanomyogram, S-MMG) during voluntary isometric contractions in ten healthy young men. As a measure of the similarity of vibration between a given pair of accelerometers, the spatial coherence of S-MMG at low (f 25Hz) frequency bands were investigated to determine if the coupling of the natural mechanical vibrations were due to the different physiological muscle activity at low and high frequencies. In both frequency bands, spatial coherence values for sensor pairs aligned longitudinally along the proximal to distal ends of the biceps were significantly higher compared with those for the sensor pairs oriented perpendicular to the muscle fibers. This difference was more evident at the higher frequency band. The findings indicated that coherent mechanical oscillations mainly propagated along the longitudinal direction of the biceps brachii muscle fibers at high frequencies (f>25Hz).
Photochemistry of A1E, a retinoid with a conjugated pyridinium moiety: competition between pericyclic photooxygenation and pericyclization.

The photochemistry of the retinoid analogue A1E shows an oxygen and solvent dependence. Irradiation of A1E with visible light (Iirr ) 425 nm) in methanol solutions resulted in pericyclization to form pyridinium terpenoids. Although the quantum yield for this cyclization is low (10 -4 ), nevertheless the photochemical transformation occurs with quantitative chemical yield with remarkable chemoselectivity and diastereoselectivity. Conversely, irradiation of A1E under the same irradiation conditions in air-saturated carbon tetrachloride or deuterated chloroform produced a cyclic 5,8-peroxide as the major product. Deuterium solvent effects, experiments utilizing endoperoxide, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence quenching studies strongly support the involvement of singlet oxygen in the endoperoxide formation. It is proposed that, upon irradiation, in the presence of oxygen, A1E acts as a sensitizer for generation of singlet oxygen from triplet oxygen present in the solution; the singlet oxygen produced reacts with A1E to produce cyclic peroxide. Thus, the photochemistry of A1E is characterized by two competing reactions, cyclization and peroxide formation. The dominant reaction is determined by the concentration of oxygen, the concentration of A1E, and the lifetime of singlet oxygen in the solvent employed. If the lifetime of singlet oxygen in a given solvent is long enough, then oxidation (peroxide formation) is the major reaction. If the singlet oxygen produced is quenched by the protonated solvent molecules faster than singlet oxygen reacts with A1E, then cyclization dominates.
Images in cardiovascular medicine. Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus by 64-detector-row computed tomographic coronary angiography: a rare intracardiac mass.

A 70-year-old diabetic, hypertensive woman underwent transesophageal echocardiography to evaluate a recent cerebrovascular accident. She was found to have mild mitral valve insufficiency with severe mitral annular calcification and a small patent foramen ovale. Because of complaints of chest pain, 64-detector-row computed tomographic coronary angiography was performed (Figures 1 and 2⇓). A 2×1.8-cm heterogeneous mass consistent with caseous calcification of the mitral annulus …
Determination of matrix crystallinity of composites by X‐ray diffraction

Determination of the degree of crystallinity of the matrix of polymer matrix composites by wide-angle X-ray diffraction is discussed. An extensive theoretical review is given, and many of the practical difficulties are also discussed. Poly(aryl ether ether ketone)-carbon fiber composites are used as example materials. It is shown that although wide-angle X-ray diffraction is potentially useful for unoriented samples, there are practical and theoretical difficulties in applying the technique to highly oriented materials.
E.S.R. of Spin-trapped Radicals in γ-irradiated Polycrystalline Amino Acids, N-acetyl Amino Acids and Dipeptides

SummaryThe radicals produced in several polycrystalline amino acids, N-acetyl amino acids and dipeptides by γ-radiolysis at room temperature were investigated by spin-trapping. After irradiation in the solid state, the samples were dissolved in aqueous solutions of t-nitrosobutane and the trapped radicals identified by e.s.r. For α-amino acids, deamination radicals were found, and in some cases H-abstraction radicals were also observed. No decarboxylation radicals could be detected. For N-acetyl amino acids, except for N-acetylglycine, the major radical was the decarboxylation radical. For N-acetyglycine the H-abstraction radical from the glycine residue was observed. For dipeptides of the type x-glycine, the radical formed by removal of H from the α-carbon of the carboxyl-terminal residue was always spin-trapped. Some primary deamination radicals and minor amounts of decarboxylation radicals could also be observed. For dipeptides of the type x-alanine, glycine-x and alanine-x, the decarboxylation radical...
Addressing Emerging Pathogens and Parasites in the Galápagos Islands

Introduced pathogens and parasites pose a threat to endemic Galapagos species. I examine the Galapagos penguin ( Spheniscus mendiculus ) as a case study for the threat of introduced diseases in the Galapagos Islands. I show that the Galapagos penguin is especially susceptible to introduced diseases due to population fluctuations, low MHC (major histocompatibility complex) diversity, and immunological naivety. I determine that the Galapagos penguin is at risk of contracting diseases from domestic chickens, cats, and the introduced Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito. El Nino events may compromise the immune system of the Galapagos penguin, increasing susceptibility to introduced parasites including Plasmodium spp ., the causal agent of avian malaria, and Toxoplasma gondii . The findings lead me to recommend new policy and management practices, including heightened surveillance of disease, strengthened fumigation protocols, and development of outreach programs to educate locals about transmission of disease in livestock.
Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Critical Analysis Review.

There is controversy regarding the appropriate treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures, underscored in a recent clinical practice guideline published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, in which twelve of sixteen recommendations were supported by “weak” or “inconclusive” evidence1. The basis of debate has shifted, however, as new functional rehabilitation protocols have altered the risk-benefit analysis inherent to decisions about whether to provide operative or nonoperative management2,3. In this review article, we highlight the expanding role of nonoperative management and delve into its effects on rerupture rates and functional outcomes. In patients opting for operative repair, minimally invasive techniques may assuage some operative risks. We also underscore a potentially heightened risk of thromboembolic events among at-risk populations. The overall incidence of Achilles tendon rupture has increased …
Intraoperative and postoperative complications of laser in situ keratomileusis

Laser in situ keratomileusis for the treatment of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism is one of the most widely performed ophthalmic surgical procedures in the world. The quest for a safer, more precise and effective refractive procedure has led to many strides in the technology and the procedure itself. With significant advancements in technology, the complications associated with this procedure have declined significantly. However, complications do occur, both intra- and post-operatively. In this article we review some of the more commonly encountered intraoperative, early postoperative and late postoperative complications. Some of these complications are preventable, and we discuss safeguards that can be utilized to avoid them. We further discuss the management of other complications and review current literature regarding technologies and treatments on the horizon.
Modelling of fluidized bed reactors—II: Uniform catalyst temperature and concentration

Abstract A model based on the simple two phase theory of fluidization including the catalyst particles as a third phase has been developed for a nonisothermal fluidized bed catalytic reactor with continuous circulation of catalyst particles. The dilute phase is assumed to be in plug flow, the emulsion phase gas is considered to be perfectly mixed and the particles are assumed to be perfectly mixed and uniform. Exact criteria for uniqueness and multiplicity of the steady state solutions are presented and some conclusions derived therefrom. Several examples illustrating the influence of some parameters on the steady state multiplicity are reported. The steady states are analyzed for local asymptatic stability using Liapunov's direct method, but the sufficient conditions for stability are found to be rather conservative. Numerical examples illustrating the transient behavior of the system are presented, and it has been found that the initial temperature of the catalyst particles is a predominant factor in determining which steady state will be approached.
CONTRASTING BLADE FLOW FIELD ARCHETYPES IN THE HAWT OPERATING REGIME

Horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT's) routinely suffer significant time varying aerodynamic loads that exercise adverse effects on structures, mechanical components, and power production. As lighter and more flexible wind energy machines are designed to reduce overall cost of energy, greater accuracy and reliability will become even more crucial in future aerodynamics models. Aerodynamics modeling advances will, in turn, rely on improved understanding of the three-dimensional, unsteady, vortical flows that reside on turbine blades under high load conditions. To experimentally characterize these flows, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Phase VI Unsteady Aerodynamics Experiment (UAE) turbine was erected in the NASA Ames National Full- Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) 80 foot x 120 foot wind tunnel. Then, under strictly controlled inflow conditions, turbine blade surface pressures and local inflow velocities were acquired at multiple radial locations. Surface pressure histories and normal force records were used to characterize dynamic stall vortex kinematics and normal forces. Stall vortices occupied approximately two-thirds of the aerodynamically active blade span, and persisted for nearly one-fourth of the blade rotation cycle. Stall vortex convection varied dramatically along the blade radius, yielding pronounced, dynamic stall vortex deformation. Analysis of these data revealed systematic alterations to vortex kinematics due to changes in wind speed, yaw error, and blade span location. NOMENCLATURE
Primeros años de docencia en contextos de pobreza: preguntas que la evidencia desde EE.UU. sugiere para la conversación en Chile

In light of the lack of research in Chile about beginning teachers in high-poverty schools, this literature review examines 44 papers published in the United States about this topic over the past decade. Because the two countries are different in many ways, the conclusions from one cannot be extrapolated to the other; however, both share a neoliberal context, making this review valuable. Overall, studies suggested that the early years of teaching in high-poverty schools have become increasingly complex, due to economic, political, and cultural factors. The main research focus has been on teacher retention, and results indicate that monetary bonuses above an average teacher salary are not as relevant as other factors for attracting teachers to high-poverty schools. Research in the United States indicates the need to pay attention to working conditions, collaboration among colleagues, the pressure to achieve on standardized tests, and the lack of cultural relevance of what is taught in high-poverty schools. The review concludes by proposing six questions based on evidence from the United States to spark conversation in Chile.
Simultaneous slack matching, gate sizing and repeater insertion for asynchronous circuits

Slack matching, gate sizing and repeater insertion are well known techniques applied to asynchronous circuits to improve their power and performance. Existing asynchronous optimization flows typically perform these optimizations sequentially, which may result in sub-optimal solutions as all these techniques are interdependent and affect one another. In this paper, we present a unified leakage power optimization framework by performing simultaneous slack matching, gate sizing and repeater insertion. In particular, we apply Lagrangian relaxation to integrate all these techniques into a single optimization step. A methodology to handle slack matching under the Lagrangian relaxation framework is proposed. Also, an effective look-up table based repeater insertion technique is developed to speed up the algorithm. Our approach is evaluated using a set of asynchronous designs and compared with both a sequential approach and a commercial asynchronous optimization flow. The experimental results have achieved significant savings in leakage power and demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach.
Precaution against UAV Scientific Research Project Risk

As technologies develop,UAVs are highly valued by all countries by showing its good potentials in application,and playing an increasingly important part in military use and social application.This article follows the flow based on the attributes of UAV's development research.It analyses various risk factors,and discusses all kinds of precaution methods.It also created an initial idea of a set of precautionary processes against UAV's project risk.
Post-translational Modification

Posttranslational modifications, including chemical and covalent conjugation of small proteins, play dynamic regulatory roles underlying the functional modulation of proteins. Posttranslational modifications mediate virtually all cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and epigenetics in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In this chapter, we will summarize the major progresses in this field and expect to help to understand the importance of acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, and SUMO conjugation in cardiac function and diseases. Reviews on phosphorylation posttranslational modifications were excluded because of space.
Fuzzy Screening Systems

We describe a procedure, which we call the Fuzzy Screening method. This procedure is useful in environments in which we must select, from a large class of alternatives, a small subset to be further investigated. This initial screening procedure is based on preliminary information. The technique suggested here requires only a non-numeric scale for this the evaluation and selection of alternatives. Using this procedure each alternative is evaluated by each expert for satisfaction to his multi-criteria selection function. Each criteria can have a different degree of importance. The individual expert evaluations can then be aggregated to obtain an overall evaluation function.
The Political Economy of Elections

When my grandchildren ask me: ‘Daddy, what did you do for the New Frontier?,’ I shall sadly reply: ‘I kept telling them down at the office, in December, January, and April that what this country needs is an across the board rise in disposable income to lower the level of unemployment, speed up the recovery and the return to healthy growth, promote capital formation and the general welfare, insure domestic tranquility and the triumph of the democratic party at the polls.’ – Paul Samuelson, economic adviser to President Kennedy. More than thirty years ago, political scientist Edward Tufte and economist William Nordhaus of Yale University put forth a seminal new theory, known as the political business cycle. While a business cycle typically refers to the economy's regular booms and busts, their central insight was that politics also influences the business cycle. In line with Paul Samuelson's blunt quip to President Kennedy about the economy, they expected incumbent presidents to maximize the economy's growth performance in the prelude to new elections today, even at the cost of an economic bust tomorrow. In mapping out his research design, Tufte employs the metaphor of a detective solving a murder mystery. After establishing a motive of inflating the economy before elections, he searches for clues (such as changes in economic policy and outcomes) that prove his suspicions that there is a political business cycle. Tufte's study of developed country politics finds electoral cycles in fiscal transfers, growth, and unemployment.
Quantitative Evaluation of Factor VIII in Factor VIII Products.

Abstract Several factor VIII products, recombinant and natural, have been used for hemophilia A treatment worldwide. Typically, two activity-based assays (factor Xase and aPTT) are used for the assessment of factor VIII concentration in these products. Frequently, the results are dependent upon the assay and its modifications in different laboratories. In this study, we evaluated five pharmacologic factor VIII products (three lots of each) in three activity-based assays and in two immunoassays for the concentration and activity of factor VIII protein. Two factor VIII products were plasma-derived (Immunate and Hemofil M) and three were recombinant; two of these contained full-length factor VIII (Recombinate and Kogenate) and one was B-domainless (ReFacto). Albumin-free full-length recombinant factor VIII was used as a standard in all assays. In the factor Xase assay, all recombinant factor VIII products and Immunate at 1U/ml (indicated by manufacturer) showed activity similar to that of 0.7nM (1U/ml) standard, whereas activity of Hemofil M was 64–68% of the standard. In the aPTT assay both full-length recombinant products and Hemofil M displayed activity similar to the standard, whereas Immunate had increased (142% of standard) and ReFacto decreased (83% of standard) activity. In synthetic plasma, all three recombinant products had standard-like activity, whereas Hemofil M and Immunate were slightly more active than standard. The ELISA immunoassay revealed that the factor VIII protein content in Recombinate, Kogenate and Hemofil M corresponded to the units assigned by manufacturers (1.4–1.6x1012U/mol vs1.4x1012U/mol calculated for standard), whereas the specific activity of Immunate was 50% of that expected (0.7x1012U/mol). In contrast, the specific activity of ReFacto was almost 3-fold that of full-length factor VIII (4.0x1012U/mol). The data of this study indicate that: 1) factor VIII activity estimated in different assays gives dissimilar results; 2) the specific activity of factor VIII in various factor VIII products is different and, as a consequence, administration of an equal factor VIII activity in U/ml means the administration of different amounts of factor VIII protein.
The Paradigm Shift in Smart Manufacturing System Architecture

Smart Manufacturing seeks to integrate advanced manufacturing methods, operational technologies (OT), and information and communication technologies (ICT) to drive the creation of manufacturing systems with greater capabilities in cost control and performance. A crucial differentiation of smart manufacturing systems (SMS) lies in their architectures, which are organized as networks of cooperating manufacturing components specialized for different functions as opposed to the previous organization characterized by rigid, hierarchically-integrated layers of application components. This “ecosystem” of manufacturing components enables SMS that can provide heretofore unattainable levels of performance for manufacturers with respect to agility, productivity, and quality. This paper provides a study of the architectural impact of individual ICT technologies on the emerging manufacturing ecosystem that potentially eliminates the need to design manufacturing systems based on the hierarchical levels of the legacy ISA 95 model. Additionally, we propose a service-oriented SMS architecture that leverages the benefits of ICT and the safety and security requirements from the OT domain. Key challenges of implementing such architectures are also presented.
Abstract 227: Phosphorylation Patterning Determined by AMP-Activated Kinase, the LKB1/MO25/STRAD Complex, and Protein Phosphatase 1 Alters Contractile Function in Cardiac Rat Trabeculae

Post-translational modifications (PTM) of myofilament proteins alter contractile function of the heart in healthy as well as diseased myocardium and the patterning of PTMs can influence cardiac disease progression. PTM of the thin filament regulatory protein cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is known to modify contractile properties, including steady-state Ca2+ sensitivity of force and crossbridge cycling rates. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cTnI PTM patterning on myofilament function. Therefore, I hypothesize that the impact of cTnI PTM on contractile function will depend on the relative phosphorylation levels. To do this, demembranated rat cardiac trabeculae from 2 month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with AMP activated kinase (AMPK) (0.005 U/ µL), Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1) (1U/µL), and the upstream AMPK kinase, the LKB1/MO25/STRAD complex (0.2 mU/µL). Fibers that were incubated with activated AMPK displayed an increase in Ca2+ sensitivity compared to untreated control fibers (EC50 1.41±0.08 μM [n=2] vs. 2.52±0.43 μM [n=9] p
Abstract 1: Chemical Biology of Cardiac Regeleration: an Instructive Hydrogel-based Platform for Heart Repair

Regeleration is the myocardium’s natural adaptive remodeling response to implanted biopolymer hydrogels, a new heart failure treatment modality with promising success in early clinical trials. Clas...
FILTH FLY (DIPTERA) OVIPOSITION AND LARVAL DEVELOPMENT IN POULTRY MANURE OF VARIOUS MOISTURE LEVELS

Oviposition by four species of muscid flies on poultry manure having six levels of moisture in the range of 40–90% was compared using caged populations of adults. Musca domestica L., Muscina stabul...
TRIM5α SPRY/coiled-coil interactions optimize avid retroviral capsid recognition

Restriction factors are important components of intrinsic cellular defense mechanisms against viral pathogens. TRIM5α is a restriction factor that intercepts the incoming capsid cores of retroviruses such as HIV and provides an effective species-specific barrier to retroviral infection. The TRIM5α SPRY domain directly binds the capsid with only very weak, millimolar-level affinity, and productive capsid recognition therefore requires both TRIM5α dimerization and assembly of the dimers into a multivalent hexagonal lattice to promote avid binding. Here, we explore the important unresolved question of whether the SPRY domains are flexibly linked to the TRIM lattice or more precisely positioned to maximize avidity. Biochemical and biophysical experiments indicate that the linker segment connecting the SPRY domain to the coiled-coil domain adopts an α-helical fold, and that this helical portion mediates interactions between the two domains. Targeted mutations were generated to disrupt the putative packing interface without affecting dimerization or higher-order assembly, and we identified mutant proteins that were nevertheless deficient in capsid binding in vitro and restriction activity in cells. Our studies therefore support a model wherein substantial avidity gains during assembly-mediated capsid recognition by TRIM5α come in part from tailored spacing of tethered recognition domains.
F-spondin Is Essential for Maintaining Circadian Rhythms

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the master pacemaker that drives circadian behaviors. SCN neurons have intrinsic, self-sustain rhythmicity that is governed by transcription-translation feedback loops. Intrinsic rhythms within the SCN do not match the day-night cycle and are therefore entrained by light-derived cues. Such cues are transmitted to the SCN by a class of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). In the present study, we sought to identify how axons from ipRGCs target the SCN. While none of the potential targeting cues identified appeared necessary for retinohypothamic innervation, we unexpectedly identified a novel role for the extracellular matrix protein F-spondin in circadian behavior. In the absence of F-spondin, mice lost their ability to maintain typical intrinsic rhythmicity. Moreover, F-spondin loss results in the displacement of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-expressing neurons, a class of neurons that are essential for maintaining rhythmicity among SCN neurons. Thus, this study highlights a novel role for F-spondin in maintaining circadian rhythms.
Including Kinetic Ion Effects in the Coupled Global Ionospheric Outflow Solution

We present a new expansion of the Polar Wind Outflow Model (PWOM) to include kinetic ions using the Particle-in-Cell (PIC) approach with Monte Carlo collisions. This implementation uses the original hydrodynamic solution at low altitudes for efficiency, and couples to the kinetic solution at higher altitudes to account for kinetic effects important for ionospheric out flow. The modeling approach also includes wave-particle interactions, suprathermal electrons, and an hybrid parallel computing approach combining shared and distributed memory parallelization. The resulting model is thus a comprehensive, global, model of ionospheric outflow that can be run efficiently on large supercomputing clusters. We demonstrate the model's capability to study a range of problems starting with the comparison of kinetic and hydrodynamic solutions along a single field line in the sunlit polar cap, and progressing to the altitude evolution of the ionconic distribution in the cusp region. The interplay between convection and the cusp on the global outflow solution is also examined. Finally, we demonstrate the impact of these new model features on the magnetosphere by presenting the first 2-way coupled ionospheric outflow-magnetosphere calculation including kinetic ion effects.
Helmet Clasp Cracks Larynx? A Case Series and Literature Review.

Introduction:Helmet use is well known to greatly reduce the risk of head injury in both bicycle and motorcycle riding. However, helmet buckle position may increase the risk of injury to the neck cartilages. We present a series of cases in which thyroid cartilage fracture is presumed to arise from the position of the helmet buckle during a crash. Our objective with this case series is to outline an unusual series of cases and review the literature regarding laryngeal injuries secondary to helmet impact.Design:Single institution case series.Materials and Methods:We present 3 adult patients with laryngeal fractures following bicycle and motorcycle accidents. Medical records were reviewed for history.Results:All patients in this series presented with voice or swallowing complaints and were found to have thyroid cartilage fractures. It was determined that the buckle of the helmet was positioned overlying the larynx during these accidents, so the impact and flexion of the head and neck may have produced suffici...
Early experiences in software economics

My first exposure to software economics came on my first day in the software business, in June 1955 at General Dynamics in San Diego. My supervisor took me on a walking tour through the computer, and ERA 1103, which occupied most of a large room. His most memorable comment was, “Now listen. We’re paying this computer six hundred dollars an hour, and we’re paying you two dollars an hour, and I want you to act accordingly.”
C-7: Molecular mechanisms of cell death following cryosurgery and the impact of super critical nitrogen

The lesion formed during cryosurgery is a highly dynamic environment composed of gradients in ice composition, osmolarity, pH, and temperature that vary both spatially and temporally. Investigations into the mechanisms of cell death within this complex cryolesion have led to the classical view that cell death is transitional with freeze rupture nearest the cryoprobe, necrosis throughout the lesion, and a delayed apoptosis confined primarily to the periphery. More recent studies, however, have shown cell death to be more fluid. Apoptotic cell death has been observed not only in the periphery, but also at colder isotherms deep within a lesion, and studies with caspase inhibitors have shown the ability of cells to transition between apoptosis and necrosis. As studies continue to show the innate, multi-faceted nature of cryosurgery, a window has opened for the development of new strategies and technologies to more effectively ablate targeted tissues. The identification of the combination of physical and molecular cell death throughout the lesion has begun to drive a series of technological advancements in cryosurgical devices. This has led, in part, to the development of a novel cryosurgical device utilizing super critical nitrogen (SCN) as the cryogen. Capable of generating colder temperatures more rapidly and confined to a smaller overall volume, the SCN system represents the next generation of cryosurgical devices. This presentation will focus on the recent findings of rapid-onset cell death and the growing understanding of the cell death continuum, and how the integration of the molecular response with the technological advances of SCN are providing a next generation approach to cryosurgery. As the field of cryosurgery continues to evolve, it is critical that the impact on the biology of cells, tissues, and organs be understood through both device development and laboratory/clinical research. This is particularly significant as new technologies begin to offer clinically effective, cryoablative options for disease states beyond the reach of current cryosurgical devices.
Meeting Structure Annotation: Data and Tools.

We present a set of annotations of hierarchical topic segmentations and action item subdialogues collected over 65 meetings from the ICSI and ISL meeting corpora, designed to support automatic meeting understanding and analysis. We describe an architecture for representing, annotating, and analyzing multi-party discourse, including: an ontology of multimodal discourse, a programming interface for that ontology, and an audiovisual toolkit which facilitates browsing and annotating discourse, as well as visualizing and adjusting features for machine learning tasks.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Toward a Comprehensive Framework of Evidenced-Based Practice with Performers

In the search of laws, which govern human behavior, Skinner (1969) wrote “Science is, of course, more than a set of attitudes. It is a search for order, for uniformities, for lawful relations among the events in nature. It begins, as we begin, by observing single episodes, but it quickly passes on to the general rule, to scientific law. If we could not find some uniformity in the world, our conduct would remain haphazard and ineffective” (p. 13). Our intent in this concluding chapter is to summarize chapters in the book by identifying several salient themes that impact behavioral sport psychology assessment, intervention, and research. In doing so, we present a framework of evidence-based practice and associated recommendations that expand upon many of the suggestions offered by chapter authors.
Hydrologic Modeling for Water Resources Planning

Technology is the motor of human progress, but it moves slowly. Recent advances in hydrology may not be adopted in practice. We need to assess why and what can be done. A model is a set of equations organized for rapid computation in linked systems of spatial and linear transforms. Model assessments can help decision makers in facility, operations, and nonstructural planning; but planner response is limited by organizational structure, laws and policies, politics, and pressure groups. Thus, hydrologic modeling is an institutional process. Acceptance requires good credentials, understandability, and validity. Models are expected to convey facts, answer doubts, and be readily updated. They should free time for professional reflection. Modelers should state explicit goals to reduce model misuse and track the many interactions among large numbers of alternatives. Then institutions would accept them more readily.
Techniques for Purifying, Analyzing, and Identifying Pheromones

“The ultimate practical goal of pheromone research on insect pests is to place the communication system on a molecular basis and to use the knowledge to detect, survey, trap, or disrupt the population” (Silverstein, 1982). Achievement of this goal requires the combined efforts of entomologists working in behavior and ecology and analytical and synthetic organic chemists. Analytical chemistry is the indispensable link between field ecology, the observation of pheromone induced behavior, and the development of a bioassay on one hand and field application of the synthesized pheromone on the other. Thus the success of a pheromone project often depends on the proper selection of analytical procedures for isolation and identification of the biologically active compound (s) and for evaluation of the purity and structural congruity of the synthesized pheromone.
PW-CT: Extending Compact-Table to Enforce Pairwise Consistency on Table Constraints

The Compact-Table (CT) algorithm is the current state-of-the-art algorithm for enforcing Generalized Arc Consistency (GAC) on table constraints during search. Recently, algorithms for enforcing Pairwise Consistency (PWC), which is strictly stronger than GAC, were shown to be advantageous for solving difficult problems. However, PWC algorithms can be costly in terms of CPU time and memory consumption. As a result, their overhead may offset the savings of search-space reduction. In this paper, we introduce PW-CT, an algorithm that modifies CT to enforce full PWC. We show that PW-CT avoids the high memory requirements of prior PWC algorithms and significantly reduces the time required to enforce PWC.
Assessment of Credit Risk Models on Rule 144A Corporate Bonds

Accurate assessment of credit risk can improve the performance of bond portfolio managers. Using credit ratings and market-based credit risk models from SP (2) with regard to convertible bonds, a convertible option has a stronger effect than credit ratings in determining yields, and only Bloomberg default risk ratings, not SP (3) for convertible bonds, the continuous market-based models of SP and (4) when it comes to predicting actual defaults, Bloomberg models are superior to S&P’s models, and the Bloomberg discrete model has more power than its continuous counterpart.
Large Bone not Necessarily High Bone Mineral Density: Evidence from a National Survey.

There is scarcity of population-level data on the bone areal size (BA) that produces the highest bone mineral density (BMD), and how BA relates to BMD among racial groups. We use population-level data to estimate the BA that coincide with the highest BMD among racial groups in the United States. A total of 7425 participants, age 18–75 years, whose BA and BMD were measured in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2014, were assessed in this study. Multiple regression models were used to estimate race-specific relationships between BA and BMD. The critical BA that associates with the highest (peak) BMD among racial groups adjusted for confounders was estimated. Results showed a curvilinear relationship between BA and BMD at the population level such that BMD increases with BA at lower values and then decreases after a peak value. Races combined, BA of about 45 cm2 seems to correspond to a peak femur BMD in this sample. The peak BMD was different among racial groups. The BA at which BMD peaks was lower among blacks and Mexicans compared to whites. We conclude that femur BMD increases up to a critical femur BA and then decreases thereafter. Persons with femur BA at or close to the critical value may tend to have higher than average BMD.
Biological active matter aggregates: Inspiration for smart colloidal materials

Aggregations of social organisms exhibit a remarkable range of properties and functionalities. Multiple examples, such as fire ants or slime mold, show how a population of individuals is able to overcome an existential threat by gathering into a solid-like aggregate with emergent functionality. Surprisingly, these aggregates are driven by simple rules, and their mechanisms show great parallelism among species. At the same time, great effort has been made by the scientific community to develop active colloidal materials, such as microbubbles or Janus particles, which exhibit similar behaviors. However, a direct connection between these two realms is still not evident, and it would greatly benefit future studies. In this review, we first discuss the current understanding of living aggregates, point out the mechanisms in their formation and explore the vast range of emergent properties. Second, we review the current knowledge in aggregated colloidal systems, the methods used to achieve the aggregations and their potential functionalities. Based on this knowledge, we finally identify a set of over-arching principles commonly found in biological aggregations, and further suggest potential future directions for the creation of bio-inspired colloid aggregations.
Southpointe Corporation—Key Experiences

During the five years Southpointe Corporation had used its custom Leadership Development Program (LDP), a significant number of existing and high-potential managers from all the company's functional areas and geographic regions had been through the LDP. Now in response to some ongoing leadership development concerns, Southpointe's CEO, wants to develop a “key experiences” program for a handful of managers viewed as viable executive team candidates. Excerpt UVA-G-0634 Jul. 29, 2013 SOUTHPOINTE CORPORATION—KEY EXPERIENCES Carol Kahn, Southpointe Corporation's executive vice president of human resources, was very pleased with the custom Leadership Development Program (LDP) that Evergreen Executive Education, LLC, had designed for Southpointe and been delivering for the previous five years. A significant number of existing and high-potential managers from all the company's functional areas and geographic regions had been through the LDP. Designing, administering, reviewing, funding, and populating the LDP offerings had been no small task. That program was now running smoothly, on a once per year basis, and no longer required as much attention from her as it had. But in response to some ongoing leadership development concerns expressed by Southpointe's CEO, she now thought it was imperative to develop an in-house sequel to the LDP. More specifically, she decided it was important to develop a “key experiences” program for a handful of managers viewed as viable executive team canidates in the next four to eight years. Such a program would play a vital role in the company's overall approach to executive succession planning. She looked forward to finally spending some concentrated time over the next few days crafting a general set of guidelines and foci for it. Southpointe Corporation Southpointe, based near North Carolina's Research Triangle, was a large, publicly held company with revenues topping the $ 13 billion mark. The company had 14,000 employees, most of whom were based in the United States. About 1,500 were located in Europe and the Middle East. The company was engaged in the design and manufacture of high-end security systems and navigation equipment. Many of Southpointe's products were favored by numerous agencies of both federal and local governments. Recently, the company had signed some long-term contracts with several overseas governments to develop state-of-the-art scanning technology for various types of cargo containers and for personal identification purposes. . . .
Slow depressurization following intradiscal injection leads to injectate leakage in a large animal model.

Needle injection has been indicated as the most practical method of delivering therapeutic agents to the intervertebral disc due to the disc's largely avascular nature. As the disc is characterized by both high stiffness and low permeability, injection requires substantial pressure, which may not relax on practical time scales. Additionally, needle puncture results in a localized disruption to the annulus fibrosus that can provide a leakage pathway for pressurized injectate. We hypothesized that intradiscal injection would result in slow relaxation of injectate pressure, followed by leakage upon needle retraction. This hypothesis was tested via controlled injection of fluorescently labeled saline into bovine caudal discs via a 21 gauge needle. Injections were performed with 10% of total disc volume injected at 3%/s followed by a 4-minute dwell. An analytical poroelastic model was calibrated to the experimental data and used to estimate injectate delivery with time. Experimental results confirmed both pressurization (with a peak of 199 ± 45 kPa) and slow recovery (final pressure of 81 ± 23 kPa). Injectate leakage through the needle puncture was verified following needle retraction in all samples. Histological sections of the discs displayed a clear defect at each disc's injection site with strong fluorescent labeling indicating a leakage pathway. The modeling results suggest that less than one-fourth of the injected volume was absorbed by the tissue in 4 minutes. Taken together these results suggest that needle injection is a feasible, albeit inefficient method for delivery of therapeutic agents into the intervertebral disc. Particular care should be taken to aspirate un-absorbed injectate prior to needle retraction to prevent leakage and exposure of surrounding tissues.
Comparison of three short-term load forecast models in Southern California

Abstract Short-term load forecasts are important tools for electrical utilities to balance electricity supply and demand. The exponential increase in behind-the-meter solar panel installation in California has made it more difficult to accurately predict electrical load. This study developed three forecast models based on multiple linear regression, random forest, and gradient boosting that incorporated solar capacity to predict hourly load in southern California 24-h in advance. Air temperature was the most important meteorological variable and holiday, month, solar capacity and the load from the previous week were the most important non-meteorological variables. All three models were more accurate when load was lower, such as early morning, late at night and during the winter. In contrast, all models had larger errors during the middle of the day and in summer when load was higher. The mean error, based on the forecasts for each hour of the day, was 3.5% for the random forest, 3.4% for the multiple linear regression, and 3.1% for the gradient boosting. Overall, the gradient boosting model performed the best and had errors
Indirect Insider Trading

Insiders must disclose indirect trades made through accounts they control, including family, trust, retirement, and foundation accounts. Indirect trades through these accounts are more profitable than direct trades in the insider’s own account. They are also more likely to be made by ‘opportunistic’ insiders who make non-routine trades, or who trade profitably before earnings announcements, or have a short investment horizon. These trades contain more predictive information about earnings surprises and large price changes, and they tend to be made by insiders at firms with high information asymmetry. Insiders also make fewer indirect trades following periods of intense regulatory scrutiny.