cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural Diet of Callinectes Ornatus (Brachyura: Portunidae) in Bermuda

ABSTRACT Foregut contents of 56 specimens of Callinectes ornatus collected from Mullet Bay, Bermuda, in 1981 and 1988 were examined. Foreguts which were ≥ half full contained more prey items per gut (x = 4.67) than did guts < half full ( x = 2.73). Dietary analysis was based on 2 methods: (1) the index of relative importance (IRI), which combined frequency of occurrence (FO), percentage of total biomass, and percentage of total numbers consumed, and (2) weighted points, which combined FO and estimated relative volumes of each prey item. No significant differences were revealed in relative proportions of foregut contents between males and females, or between adult and juvenile crabs. Modulus modulus, a cerithiacean gastropod mollusk, dominated the diet, accounting for 21.1 % of the total IRI. Two other cerithiaceans collectively ranked second (19.9% of total IRI). Carbonate substrate was the most frequently occurring category (51.79%) and ranked third in IRI (17.2% of total). Plant material, crustaceans, nereid polychaetes, fish, and bivalve mollusks ranked fourth through eighth in IRI. The validity of including carbonate substrate as a dietary component is discussed, as is the relative merit of the indices used in dietary analysis.
Reversal of renal dysfunction by targeted administration of VEGF into the stenotic kidney: a novel potential therapeutic approach

Renal microvascular (MV) damage and loss contribute to the progression of renal injury in renovascular disease (RVD). Whether a targeted intervention in renal microcirculation could reverse renal d...
NGO Frequent Flyers: Youth Organisations and the Undermining of Reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Twenty years after the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), reconciliation on the national and local level is still largely absent. Billions of dollars were invested in reconstruction and reco...
Crystal structure of (E)-4,4'-(but-2-ene-1,4-di-yl)bis-(2-meth-oxy-phenol).

The title compound, C18H20O4, was synthesized via the ruthenium-catalyzed alkene methathesis dimerization of eugenol. The whole mol­ecule is generated by inversion symmetry; the center of inversion being located at the mid-point of the trans C=C bond. The phenol ring is inclined to the mean plane of the central C—C=C—C unit (r.m.s. deviation = 0.014 A) by 68.83 (16)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, involving the hy­droxy and meth­oxy groups, forming undulating sheets parallel to (010).
Rhinovirus and airway inflammation

Rhinovirus(RV)can cause infection of the lower respiratory tract.Along with the development of polymerase chain reaction techniques,the detection rate of RV has obviously increased.The role of RV in respiratory tract infection has been paid more and more attention.After RV infection,it releases many kinds of inflammatory mediators,which can cause corresponding inflammation reaction and hyper-reaction of airway,decrease the function of lungs,and up-regulate the expression of adherence genes on the epithelia of bronchus that results in related airway dysfunction,and then cause symptoms in general respiratory tract.Some viruses can be detected during asthma attack,and the most frequent one is RV.The early wheezing caused by RV is the important dangerous element for recurrence of wheezing.RV infection may be more common than respiratory syncytial virus infection in recurrent wheezing.
Genetic characteristics of Echovirus 30 strains isolated in China

Objective To characterize the genetic variability of Echovirus 30(ECHO 30)strains isolated from 6 provinces of China and compare with sequences of other countries.Methods The VP1 gene sequences of 87 strains of ECHO 30 were downloaded from GenBank,EBI and DDBJ.Their nucleotide and amino acid diversities were calculated and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using the MEGA software.Results A total of 87 ECHO 30 strains were classified into 4 genotypes(A-D);genotype D is further grouped into 7 subtypes.The sequence diversities of nucleotides and amino acids were 8.89%-21.57% and 1.03%-7.51%,respectively among different ECHO 30 strains;and 19.73%-21.57% and 5.25%-7.51%,respectively among various different genotypes.Conclusions Analysis of 87 Echovirus 30 strains showed that most genotypes contain isolates that have circulated over a wide geographical(several countries from different continents/areas)and temporal range.Several genotypes were also shown to co-circulate in a region during the same period of time,suggesting that the epidemic of ECHO 30 has its temporal and geographical features.
Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage among Health-Care Personnel in the United States:

Objectives.We compared self-reported hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine coverage among health-care personnel (HCP) with HepB vaccine coverage among the general population and determined trends in vaccinati...
High Degree Multivariate Fuzzy Approximation by Neural Network Operators Using the Error Function

Here we study in terms of multivariate fuzzy high approximation to the multivariate unit sequences of multivariate fuzzy error function based neural network operators. These operators are multivariate fuzzy analogs of earlier considered multivariate real ones.
Estrogen-related Receptor β (ERRβ) – Renaissance Receptor or Receptor Renaissance?:

Estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) are founding members of the orphan nuclear receptor (ONR) subgroup of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Twenty-seven years of study have yet to identify cognate ligands for the ERRs, though they have firmly placed ERRα and ERRγ at the intersection of cellular metabolism and oncogenesis. The pace of discovery for novel functions of ERRβ, however, has until recently been somewhat slower than that of its family members. ERRβ has also been largely ignored in summaries and perspectives of the ONR literature. Here, we provide an overview of established and emerging knowledge of ERRβ in mouse, man, and other species, highlighting unique aspects of ERRβ biology that set it apart from the other two estrogen-related receptors, with a focus on the impact of alternative splicing on the structure and function of this receptor.
Differential Requirements for Survivin in Hematopoietic Cell Development.

Abstract The development of the complete repertoire of blood cells from a common progenitor, the hematopoietic stem cell, is a tightly controlled process that is regulated, in part, by the activity of lineage specific transcription factors. Despite our knowledge of these factors, the mechanisms that regulate the formation and growth of distinct, but closely related lineages, such as erythroid cells and megakaryocytes, remain largely uncharacterized. Here we show that Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family that also plays an essential role in cytokinesis, is differentially expressed during erythroid versus megakaryocyte development. Erythroid cells express Survivin throughout their maturation, up to the terminal stage of differentiation (orthochromatic), even after the cells exit the cell cycle. This is surprising because Survivin is generally expressed in a cell cycle dependent manner and not thought to be expressed in terminally differentiated cells. In contrast, purified murine megakaryocytes express nearly 5-fold lower levels of Survivin mRNA compared to erythroid cells. To investigate whether Survivin is involved in the differentiation and/or survival of hematopoietic progenitors, we infected primary mouse bone marrow cells with retroviruses harboring either the human Survivin cDNA or a mouse Survivin shRNA, and then induced erythroid and megakaryocyte differentiation in both liquid culture and colony-forming assays. These studies revealed that overexpression of Survivin promoted the terminal differentiation of red blood cells, while its reduction, by RNA interference, inhibited their differentiation. In contrast, downregulation of Survivin facilitated the expansion of megakaryocytes, and its overexpression antagonized megakaryocyte formation. In addition, consistent with a role for survivin in erythropoiesis, downregulation of Survivin expression in MEL cells led to a block in terminal differentiation. Finally, since caspase activity is known to be required for erythroid maturation, we investigated whether survivin associated with cleaved caspase-3 in erythroid cells. Immunofluorescence revealed that Survivin and cleaved caspase-3 co-localized to discrete foci within the cytoplasm of erythroid cells at the orthochromatic stage of development. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that Survivin cooperates with cleaved caspase-3 in terminal maturation of red blood cells. Together, our findings demonstrate that Survivin plays multiple, distinct roles in hematopoiesis.
Genome Editing of Monogenic Neuromuscular Diseases: A Systematic Review

Importance Muscle weakness, the most common symptom of neuromuscular disease, may result from muscle dysfunction or may be caused indirectly by neuronal and neuromuscular junction abnormalities. To date, more than 780 monogenic neuromuscular diseases, linked to 417 different genes, have been identified in humans. Genome-editing methods, especially the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)–Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) system, hold clinical potential for curing many monogenic disorders, including neuromuscular diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Objectives To provide an overview of genome-editing approaches; to summarize published reports on the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of current genome-editing methods as they relate to the potential correction of monogenic neuromuscular diseases; and to highlight scientific and clinical opportunities and obstacles toward permanent correction of disease-causing mutations responsible for monogenic neuromuscular diseases by genome editing. Evidence Review PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for articles published from June 30, 1989, through June 9, 2016, using the following keywords: genome editing , CRISPR-Cas9 , neuromuscular disease , Duchenne muscular dystrophy , spinal muscular atrophy , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1 . The following sources were reviewed: 341 articles describing different approaches to edit mammalian genomes; 330 articles describing CRISPR-Cas9–mediated genome editing in cell culture lines (in vitro) and animal models (in vivo); 16 websites used to generate single-guide RNA; 4 websites for off-target effects; and 382 articles describing viral and nonviral delivery systems. Articles describing neuromuscular diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1, were also reviewed. Findings Multiple proof-of-concept studies reveal the feasibility and efficacy of genome-editing–meditated correction of monogenic neuromuscular diseases in cultured cells and animal models. Conclusions and Relevance Genome editing is a rapidly evolving technology with enormous translational potential once efficacy, delivery, and safety issues are addressed. The clinical impact of this technology is that genome editing can permanently correct disease-causing mutations and circumvent the hurdles of traditional gene- and cell-based therapies.
Automatic Recognition of Defect Signatures and Notification of Tool Malfunctions - IECON'06

We have developed an automatic method that efficiently detects the defect signatures of substrates and identifies possible problems pertaining to LSI/TFT-LCD manufacturing processes and tools. This system, which has no built-in libraries, can be applied to the mass production line of thin film devices. This method is useful to quickly detect problems that have been overlooked thus far.
Kunitz trypsin inhibitor in addition to Bowman-Birk inhibitor influence stability of lunasin against pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysis

Soybean contains several biologically active components and one of this belongs to the bioactive peptide group. The objectives of this study were to produce different lunasin-enriched preparations (LEP) and determine the effect of Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) and Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) concentrations on the stability of lunasin against pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysis (PPH). In addition, the effect of KTI mutation on lunasin stability against PPH was determined. LEP were produced by calcium and pH precipitation methods of 30% aqueous ethanol extract from defatted soybean flour. LEP, lunasin-enriched commercially available products and KTI control and mutant flours underwent PPH and samples were taken after pepsin and pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysis. The concentrations of BBI, KTI, and lunasin all decreased after hydrolysis, but they had varying results. BBI concentration ranged from 167.5 to 655.8μg/g pre-hydrolysis and 171.5 to 250.1μg/g after hydrolysis. KTI concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 122.3μg/g pre-hydrolysis and 9.0 to 18.7μg/g after hydrolysis. Lunasin concentrations ranged from 8.5 to 71.0μg/g pre-hydrolysis and 4.0 to 13.2μg/g after hydrolysis. In all products tested, lunasin concentration after PPH significantly correlated with BBI and KTI concentrations. Mutation in two KTI isoforms led to a lower concentration of lunasin after PPH. This is the first report on the potential role of KTI in lunasin stability against PPH and must be considered in designing lunasin-enriched products that could potentially survive digestion after oral ingestion.
The Model Low Vision Clinical Service: An Interdisciplinary Vision Rehabilitation Program.

An optical aid is not an ordinary spectacle correction which can be easily prescribed and comfortably worn. A comprehensive service program utilizing optical aids consists of an interdisciplinary v...
Intermittency of Unimpaired and Amputee Arm Movements

Abstract A significant feature of human arm movements is intermittency ; the limbs often move as if distinct submovements have been smoothed together. An experiment is outlined which compares a popular arm prosthesis to the unimpaired arm, and a performance measure based on intermittency is introduced. Origins of the intermittency phenomenon are discussed, and potential engineering applications are presented.
Amending a Gravel Based Growing Medium with Calcined Clay Improves Physical Properties and Seedling Growth

Abstract The Missouri Gravel Bed (MGB) is a system that uses pea gravel with 10% sand (v/v) as a root growth medium, allowing plants to be removed from the gravel and planted, bare root, during the growing season. However, the low water holding capacity of the medium necessitates frequent irrigation. This study was conducted to determine the effects of amending pea gravel with calcined clay (Terra-Green®) on the physical properties of the medium and on growth of Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) K. Koch seedlings. Adding 10% sand (v/v) increased water holding capacity of the medium slightly at water tensions above 1 kPa. Gravel amended with 40% calcined clay had 16% air-filled porosity and had 3.5 times more plant available water than gravel with sand only. Dry weights of seedlings grown in gravel amended with 40% calcined clay and no sand were over twice as great as those of seedlings grown in the standard MGB medium.
Neuropsychology and Worship

In Scripture man is challenged to transform himself through the renewal of his mind. Research in neuropsychology suggests that there are at least two minds, a verbal, analytic left hemisphere and a...
Classification and Principals of Treatment

Intra-abdominal infection (IAI) is the second most common cause of severe sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU). Even with optimal care, this disease process confers significant morbidity and mortality. The most common causes of IAI involve inflammation and perforation of the gastrointestinal tract including appendicitis, diverticulitis, and peptic ulcer disease. Other etiologies often more challenging to treat include postoperative complications, iatrogenic procedural complications, and traumatic injuries. Treatment is multimodal including, most importantly, source control in conjunction with timely systemic antimicrobial therapy, resuscitation, and supportive care. Given the wide spectrum of disease from focal isolated inflammation to diffuse peritonitis with septic shock and organ failure, the treatment is varied and complex. This chapter includes a review of clinical definitions and classification of the disease process as well as a basic overview of treatment.
Curriculum-Based Language Interventions: What, Who, Why, Where, and How?

Purpose School-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have been asked to be contributors to the educational curriculum (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2010). The aim of this tutor...
Phase II Study of Interferon-α and Chemotherapy (5-Fluorouracil and Mitomycin C) in Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer

AbstractA total of 49 patients with metastatic renal cell cancer underwent recombinant interferon-α2a therapy combined with chemotherapy. Before therapy the patients without nephrectomy underwent angioinfarction of the primary renal tumor. Combined treatment included interferon at 5 × 106 units per m.2 intramuscularly daily, 5-fluorouracil at 750mg./m.2 daily by continuous infusion intravenously (days 1 to 5) and mitomycin C at 5mg./m.2 per day intravenously (days 1 and 2) repeated every 28 days. Of the patients 17 (35%, 95% confidence interval 22 to 49%) responded, and all 17 had partial remission that lasted a median of 7.1 months (range 4.2 to 20.9+ months). Response rate differed by metastatic sites: lung 46% (18 of 39 patients), lymph nodes 46% (6 of 13), mediastinum 20% (2 of 10) and liver 18% (2 of 11). Grade 3 to 4 toxicity (World Health Organization) included neutropenia (79% of the patients), thrombocytopenia (45%), stomatitis (34%), diarrhea (8%), nausea (18%) and central nervous system disorde...
Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with periorbital edema

Abstract Objective To describe a rare presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is important to the field of pediatric otolaryngology. Methods The case of a nine-year old female who presented with left periorbital edema as her initial symptom of ALL was reviewed along with pertinent literature. Results At the time of patient's initial presentation, a computed tomography scan of the sinuses showed sphenoid sinus opacification and left lateral rectus muscle enlargement. She was started on antibiotics without improvement. Subsequently, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated an infiltrative process involving the sphenoid sinus marrow space, lateral rectus muscles and dura. Her peripheral blood count revealed 40% blasts, and a bone marrow biopsy demonstrated B-cell ALL. She immediately underwent induction chemotherapy, and her post-induction bone marrow biopsy showed no evidence of residual disease. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of understanding and considering rare, aggressive diseases that can masquerade as simple periorbital edema.
Collagenous and elastotic marginal plaques of the hand: A potential clue to the diagnosis of alkaptonuria

Collagenous and elastotic marginal plaques of the hand (CEMPH) is a rare, chronic keratoderma characterized by hyperkeratotic linear plaques located along the radial and ulnar aspects of the hands bilaterally. As an isolated finding, CEMPH occurs secondarily to chronic trauma and photodamage. Herein, CEMPH is described as a manifestation of alkaptonuria (AKU). In addition to keloidal collagen, ochronotic fibers and fragmented, thickened elastic fibers were observed. Additionally, mucin deposition-not previously described in this clinical context-was also identified. Given their overlapping clinicopathologic features, CEMPH due to AKU should be distinguished from the acquired variant as well as acrokeratoelastoidosis.
Critical Variables to be Considered when Attempting to Estimate Blood Ethanol Concentrations in Rats from g/kg Exposure Data

Abstract Background In rodent studies of ethanol (EtOH) consumption where blood sample collection does not occur, there is often mention of likely BECs based on prior studies. These studies may vary in dose(s) used, age/sex/species, or administration route. Often, intake studies may presume that binge-levels were achieved without knowing that BECs exceeded 80 mg% (binge threshold). In human studies, estimated BECs (eBECs) have been derived using complex formulas that consider EtOH consumption level and the weight and sex of the individual. Method Three datasets were used to derive eBECs using a conversion factor (CF) that considers gram (g) of EtOH per kilogram (kg) of animal weight and other variables that may influence BECs such as age, sex, dose, route, vehicle, chronicity, and timing post-exposure. Regression analyses were also conducted for each dataset, building regression models with BEC as the response and other variables in the study specific to each dataset as predictor variables. Results Dataset1 assessed age, sex and post-injection time point. Both CF and regression analyses determined that different CFs should be used for 10- and 30-min post-administration time points. Dataset2 assessed age, dose, vehicle and post-intubation time point. Depending on the post-intubation time point, several CFs were used to derive eBECs. When weight was not used as a regression variable, data across approaches corresponded, with age differences emerging later in elimination phase. In Dataset3 that used BECs from a repeated intake study, chronic exposure influenced CFs, although regression analysis did not yield similar findings. Conclusions Although eBECs can be derived, critical variables vary with subject and test conditions and do not always concur with results of regression analyses. Although, not designed to replace assessment of BECs when sample collection is possible, the CF approach may prove useful when estimating BECs in studies where assessments are not feasible.
In-situ observations of abrasion mechanisms of nonwoven fabric

Abstract Experiments were conducted to observe non-woven fabrics in-situ during abrasion, with a view to elucidating the mechanism of abrasive damage. The initial stage involves the generation of fuzziness, characterized primarily by unbroken fibers being pulled out of the fabric with or without detachment from a bond site. Use of higher bonding temperatures during manufacture reduces this form of damage, and leads to better abrasion resistance. The morphology of the pills that were formed has been correlated to the abrasion conditions. For example, long pills are formed preferentially upon abrasion with a smooth surface, while ball pills are generated upon abrasion with another fibrous material.
Intracellular Assays to Monitor Survival and Growth of Yersinia pestis Within Macrophages

Yersinia pestis is able to survive and replicate within macrophages, while also being able to live in the extracellular milieu of the host. Assays that facilitate better understanding of how Y. pestis survives intracellularly and subverts normal host antimicrobial defenses require the ability to monitor intracellular Y. pestis survival and replication. In this chapter three different assays for monitoring intracellular survival and replication will be described, along with the formulas and methods to quantify and present the acquired data. These assays are fundamental to answering a multitude of questions pertaining to which bacterial factors are important for intracellular survival. Additionally, these assays can be used, with modifications, for other intracellular pathogens of interest. The first assay discussed will be the conventional bacterial enumeration assay, which quantifies bacterial numbers directly through a classic colony forming units (CFU) assay. Quantifying bacterial burden through CFU determination allows for differentiation between intracellular/cell-associated bacteria and extracellular bacteria. However, CFU determination is laborious, does not allow for direct kinetic monitoring of bacterial growth, and is difficult to adapt to high throughput assays. Bioluminescence bioreporters that use luciferase to monitor bacterial numbers allow for simple, plate reader-based, real-time kinetic monitoring of bacterial growth that is amendable to high throughput techniques. Finally, we will describe live cell microscopy using fluorescent bioreporters, which allows for monitoring of bacterial replication in individual cells and the possibility to visualize interactions between bacterial and host proteins during intracellular infection.
Taxing Wealth and Capital Income

Taxing the wealthy is a hot issue among Democratic candidates for president. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is proposing an annual wealth tax on the richest households, while other candidates are proposing higher taxes on incomes, estates, capital gains, and corporations. Calls for tax increases are animated by claims about the fairness of income and wealth distributions in the economy. Warren wants to address “runaway wealth concentration,” while Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) says that the wealthy are not “paying their fair share of taxes.” The proposed tax increases run counter to the international trend of declining tax rates on capital income and wealth. The number of European countries with a Warren-style wealth tax has fallen from 12 in 1990 to just 3 today. The Europeans found that imposing punitive taxes on the wealthy was counterproductive. Wealth taxes encouraged avoidance, evasion, and capital flight. In most countries, wealth taxes raised little revenue and became riddled with exemptions. This study discusses why targeting wealth for higher taxation is misguided. Wealth is simply accumulated savings that economies need for investment. The fortunes of the richest Americans mainly consist of active business assets that generate jobs and income. Increasing taxes on wealth would not help workers, but instead would undermine productivity and wage growth. Basic economic theory suggests that taxes on capital should be low, and that conclusion is strengthened by the realities of today’s global economy. Furthermore, wealth taxes are even more distortionary than current federal taxes on capital income. Nonetheless, taxing capital in a fair and efficient manner is a challenge. This study argues that the best approach would be a consumption-based tax system. Such a system would tax capital income but in a simpler way that does not stifle investment and economic growth.
ON THE THERMODYNAMIC STABILITY OF ILLITE AND I-S MINERALS

A review of the models proffered to advance the notion of the metastability of illite shows that these models are not supported by the various data groups that have become available. Given that clay minerals are products of water–rock interactions, low-temperature hydrothermal experiments provide singular insights into their relative stabilities; such experiments with natural materials of contrasting pedigree (illites, sericites, muscovites, and chlorites) show that clay-mineral behaviors in low-temperature hydrothermal solutions are amenable to equilibrium thermodynamic conventions. The data from hydrothermal experiments coupled with data from geothermal fields indicate that muscovite is not a stable phase in the P-T-X range in which authigenic illite occurs; given that experimental data and field occurrence suggest that muscovite and illite have different P-T stability regimes, the continued use of muscovite as a proxy for illite in thermodynamic models is of questionable utility. Furthermore, morphometric studies of clays undergoing illitization show that crystal-size distributions exhibit log-normal patterns. Because log-normal distributions derive from maximum entropy effects, these crystal-size distributions may reflect the effects of entropy production during crystallization rather than kinetically driven Ostwald ripening of illitic phases; the small crystal size of clay minerals may derive from constraints imposed by the physicochemical conditions of their environments of formation. Presumably, irreversible thermodynamics provides the framework for a quantitative understanding of the evolution of complex clay minerals in space and time.
Theory of Spatial Statistics: A Concise Introduction

This book surveys the main topics in spatial statistics, including modeling random fields, variogram estimation, hierarchical models, and spatial point processes. The book is meant for graduate stu...
Electric Discharges Inside Tornadoes

Laboratory data on a vortex-stabilized arc suggest that its contribution to energy of a tornado would be small.
Dynamic Grasping with a "Soft" Drone: From Theory to Practice.

Rigid grippers used in existing aerial manipulators require precise positioning to achieve successful grasps and transmit large contact forces that may destabilize the drone. This limits the speed during grasping and prevents "dynamic grasping", where the drone attempts to grasp an object while moving. On the other hand, biological systems (e.g., birds) rely on compliant and soft parts to dampen contact forces and compensate for grasping inaccuracy, enabling impressive feats. This paper presents the first prototype of a soft drone -- a quadrotor where traditional (i.e., rigid) landing gears are replaced with a soft tendon-actuated gripper to enable aggressive grasping. We provide three key contributions. First, we describe our soft drone prototype, including electro-mechanical design, software infrastructure, and fabrication. Second, we review the set of algorithms we use for trajectory optimization and control of the drone and the soft gripper; the algorithms combine state-of-the-art techniques for quadrotor control (i.e., an adaptive geometric controller) with advanced soft robotics models (i.e., a quasi-static finite element model). Finally, we evaluate our soft drone in physics simulations (using SOFA and Unity) and in real tests in a motion-capture room. Our drone is able to dynamically grasp objects of unknown shape where baseline approaches fail. Our physical prototype ensures consistent performance, achieving 91.7% successful grasps across 23 trials. We showcase dynamic grasping results in the video attachment.
Perspectives on Breastfeeding from Mothers with Postpartum Depression Symptoms: A Qualitative Assessment of Antecedents, Barriers, Facilitators, and Intervention Suggestions.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common birthing complications, and studies negatively associate PPD with breastfeeding initiation and continuation. However, little is kno...
A Computational Model for Estimating the Speech Motor System's Sensitivity to Auditory Prediction Errors.

Purpose The speech motor system uses feedforward and feedback control mechanisms that are both reliant on prediction errors. Here, we developed a state-space model to estimate the error sensitivity...
Does prior treatment with anti-PD 1 immune check point inhibitors (ICIs) mitigate infection with herpes and SARS-CoV-2 viruses: Clinical evidence supporting basic hypotheses

e24045Background: We present the initial clinical evidence of likely mitigation of viral infections in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who previously responded to pembrolizumab. Th...
Identification Of Clostridium Perfringens Epsilon Toxin As A Candidate Trigger For New Lesion Formation In Multiple Sclerosis (P6.151)

Background: The earliest MS lesions exhibit oligodendrocyte apoptosis, BBB permeability, and early microglial activation with a conspicuous absence of infiltrating lymphocytes, arguing against MS beginning as an autoimmune phenomenon. We reasoned that the environmental trigger for initial lesion formation in MS might be a soluble toxin based on these histopathologic features and have identified Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin (ETX) as a candidate toxin. Methods: Stool specimens were self-collected by patients and controls, were resuspended in modified rapid perfringens media, PCR-based toxinotyping was performed. SDS page electrophoresis included a mixture of 100ng of His tagged proETX and molar equivalents of PA63, Cholera toxin beta, His tagged Shiga toxin 1 beta and His tagged Shiga toxin 2 beta. Immobilon membranes were probed with diluted sera/CSF. Results: We examined a population of MS patients and controls for carriage of C. perfringens toxinotypes in the GI tract and identified C. perfringens type B, an ETX-secreting bacillus, in a young woman at clinical presentation of MS with actively enhancing lesions on MRI, the first time C. perfringens type B has been detected in a human. The human commensal C. perfringens type A was present in ~50% of healthy controls compared to only 23% in MS patients. Immunoreactivity to ETX was present in 10% of MS subjects and 1% of healthy controls, indicating prior exposure to ETX in the MS population. Conclusion: The cellular targets of C. perfringens ETX fit mechanistically with the histopathology of nascent lesions: ETX binds to BBB endothelium, disrupts BBB function and binds to CNS white matter. The low value of immunoreactivity to ETX in MS may be explained by the difficulty mammals have maintaining humoral immunity to ETX. We also find that people with MS are less likely to harbor C. perfringens type A, thought to outcompete types B and D for resources in an ecological niche. We identified a newly diagnosed MS patient who harbored C. perfringens type B. Disclosure: Dr. Vartanian has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Genzyme Corp., and Teva Neuroscience as a consultant/member of the speaker9s bureau. Dr. Vartanian has received research support from Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Rumah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Linden has nothing to disclose.
Signature analysis of acceleration and torque signals of compressor pump assemblies for quality control

A description is given of an evaluation of signature analysis techniques for online inspection of every compressor pump assembly from an automatic manufacturing and assembly line. Time-domain and frequency-domain diagnostic methods are tested for the ability to amplify the signal from a flaw in the presence of background signals. A signature analysis method is then developed for which the signals are only evaluated in the time domain. The torque signal must stay within a maximum and minimum pass band to be acceptable. The accelerometer signal is averaged to reduce random-noise signals, then squared and integrated. This is shown to provide a superior method for the detection of transient defects and the angular location of flaws. >
On the performance of vector quantizers empirically designed from dependent sources

Suppose we are given n real valued samples Z/sub 1/, Z/sub 2/, ..., Z/sub n/ from a stationary source P. We consider the following question. For a compression scheme that uses blocks of length k, what is the minimal distortion (for encoding the true source P) induced by a vector quantizer of fixed rate R, designed from the training sequence. For a certain class of dependent sources, we derive conditions ensuring that the empirically designed quantizer performs as well (on the average) as the optimal quantizer, for almost every training sequence emitted by the source. In particular, we observe that for a code rate R, the optimal way to choose the dimension of the quantizer is k/sub n/=[(1-/spl delta/)R/sup -1/ log n]. The problem of empirical design of a vector quantizer of fixed dimension k based on a vector valued training sequence X/sub 1/, X/sub 2/, ..., X/sub n/ is also considered. For a class of dependent sources, it is shown that the mean squared error (MSE) of the empirically designed quantizer w.r.t the true source distribution converges to the minimum possible MSE at a rate of O(/spl radic/(log n/n)), for almost every training sequence emitted by the source. In addition, the expected value of the distortion redundancy-the difference between the MSEs of the quantizers-converges to zero for a sequence of increasing block lengths k, if we have at our disposal corresponding training sequences whose length grows as n=2/sup (R+/spl delta/)k/. Some of the derivations extend results in empirical quantizer design using an i.i.d. Training sequence, obtained by Linder et al. (see IEEE Trans. on Info. Theory, vol.40, p.1728-40, 1994) and Merhav and Ziv (see IEEE Trans. on Info. Theory, vol.43, p.1112-23, 1997). Proof of the techniques rely on the results in the theory of empirical processes, indexed by VC function classes.
On estimating the quality of doppler sonar data

This paper describes efforts to determine the accuracy (bias) and precision of water velocity measurements obtained with the MPL Doppler Sonar System. Precision is well quantified by comparing velocity estimates from similar sonars pointed in parallel. It is found that 2-5 cm/sec rms precision is possible after averaging over only 15 returns ( \sim 30 seconds). The smaller velocity errors are associated with longer pulses, which have poorer range resolution. Bias in Doppler measurements has been investigated by intercomparison of Doppler and electromagnetic estimates of the vertical profile of horizontal velocity. For the relative velocities present during the intercomparison, which were less than 30 cm/sec, no bias was detectable. Further tests are necessary at higher, known, relative velocities to quantify bias errors.
Thermoelectric Properties of ZnxInyOx + 1.5y Films

Ceramic thin film thermocouples are being developed to replace noble metal thermocouples operating within the harsh environments of advanced turbine engines used for power generation and propulsion. Seebeck coefficients as large as 158 μV/°C were determined for indium oxide (In 2 O 3 ) at 950°C and 256 μV/°C for zinc oxide (ZnO) at 1250°C relative to platinum reference electrodes. Because these Seebeck coefficients are appreciably larger than those for metallic thermocouples, alloys in the system indium zinc oxide (Zn x In y O x+1.5y ) were investigated by cosputtering from high purity ZnO and In 2 O 3 targets. Thermocouple libraries were patterned with platinum reference electrodes and rapidly screened using combinatorial chemistry techniques. Thermoelectric response, power, and resistivity were determined for each thermocouple in the library. Thermocouples with the optimum compositions were prepared and the resulting power factor of the biceramic junctions was determined from 75 to 650°C.
“One Moment of Beauty”: An East-West Dialogue of Paul Tillich and Farewell My Concubine

This paper looks at Paul Tillich’s discourse on the religious dimension in art and culture, and the way Sandro Botticelli’s painting shaped his aesthetics. Since Tillich’s depiction of his encounter with beauty through art is so similar to a Beijing opera scene in Chinese filmmaker Chen Kaige’s movie, Farewell My Concubine, I will draw on Tillich’s aesthetic notions to dialogue with the motion picture. To my knowledge, there is no scholarly work in whole or in large part that analyzes Tillich’s thoughts in conjunction with this film from a theological perspective. At the same time, the opera scene discussed in this paper is also a less investigated aspect of this movie.
Correlating high-resolution magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy and gene analysis in osteoarthritic cartilage.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common multifactorial and heterogeneous degenerative joint disease, and biochemical changes in cartilage matrix occur during the early stages of OA before morphologic changes occur. Thus, it is desired to measure regional biochemical changes in the joint. High-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) NMR spectroscopy is a powerful method of observing cartilaginous biochemical changes ex vivo, including the concentrations of Alanine and N-acetyl, which are markers of collagen and total proteoglycan content, respectively. Previous studies have observed significant changes in chondrocyte metabolism of OA cartilage via the altered gene expression profiles of ACAN, COL2A1, and MMP13, which encode aggrecan, type II collagen, and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (a protein crucial in degrading type II collagen), respectively. Employing HRMAS, this study aimed to elucidate potential relationships between N-acetyl and/or Alanine and ACAN, COL2A1, and/or MMP13 expression profiles in OA cartilage. Thirty samples from the condyles of five subjects undergoing total knee arthroplasty to treat OA were collected. HRMAS spectra were obtained at 11.7 T for each sample. RNA was subsequently extracted to determine gene expression profiles. A significant negative correlation between N-acetyl metabolite and ACAN gene expression levels was observed; this provides further evidence of N-acetyl as a biomarker of cartilage degeneration. The Alanine doublet was distinguished in the spectra of 15 of the 30 specimens of this study. Alanine can only be detected with HRMAS NMR spectroscopy when the collagen framework has been degraded such that Alanine is sufficiently mobile to form a distinguished peak in the spectrum. Thus, HRMAS NMR spectroscopy may provide unique localized measurements of collagenous degeneration in OA cartilage. Identifying imaging markers that could provide a link between OA pathology and chondrocyte metabolism will facilitate the development of more sensitive diagnostic techniques and will improve methods of monitoring treatment for patients suffering from OA.
Partitioning Behavior of Organic Contaminants in Carbon Storage Environments: A Critical Review

Carbon capture and storage is a promising strategy for mitigating the CO(2) contribution to global climate change. The large scale implementation of the technology mandates better understanding of the risks associated with CO(2) injection into geologic formations and the subsequent interactions with groundwater resources. The injected supercritical CO(2) (sc-CO(2)) is a nonpolar solvent that can potentially mobilize organic compounds that exist at residual saturation in the formation. Here, we review the partitioning behavior of selected organic compounds typically found in depleted oil reservoirs in the residual oil-brine-sc-CO(2) system under carbon storage conditions. The solubility of pure phase organic compounds in sc-CO(2) and partitioning of organic compounds between water and sc-CO(2) follow trends predicted based on thermodynamics. Compounds with high volatility and low aqueous solubility have the highest potential to partition to sc-CO(2). The partitioning of low volatility compounds to sc-CO(2) can be enhanced by cosolvency due to the presence of higher volatility compounds in the sc-CO(2). The effect of temperature, pressure, salinity, pH, and dissolution of water molecules into sc-CO(2) on the partitioning behavior of organic compounds in the residual oil-brine-sc-CO(2) system is discussed. Data gaps and research needs for models to predict the partitioning of organic compounds in brines and from complex mixtures of oils are presented. Models need to be able to better incorporate the effect of salinity and cosolvency, which will require more experimental data from key classes of organic compounds.
Kinship Care: Analysis of the Health and Well-Being of Grandfathers Raising Grandchildren Using the Grandparent Assessment Tool and the Medical Outcomes Trust SF-36 TM Health Survey.

ABSTRACT As more and more children are being separated from their biological parents because of AIDS, substance abuse, mental and physical illness, incarceration, and child abuse and neglect, child welfare agencies are relying more often on kinship care as a viable option for out-of-home placements. In many cases, kinship care falls on the grandparents. While keeping children within their families is generally viewed as preferable by child welfare agencies, it can be a burden on grandparent caregivers, who often exist on severely limited incomes and without much assistance or support from social service agencies. A research project was conducted which used both quantitative and qualitative data from research conducted by Jones and Gibbons (2000) on grandparent care, but this study focuses on the experiences of grandfathers who participated in the project and examines their outcomes in several different areas.
Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from food animal clinical cases: PFGE pattern similarity to strains from human listeriosis cases

Twenty-one isolates of Listeria monocytogenes from food animal clinical cases that involved meningitis or meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, mastitis and abortion were characterized by serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in order to improve our understanding of the genetic links between individual strains and strains recovered from human listeriosis cases. Results showed that five of the isolates were serotype 1/2a, six were 1/2b, nine were 4b, and one was untypeable. A caprine, two bovine and an ovine brain isolate shared identical PFGE patterns indicating that strains of L. monocytogenes are not host specific. Other isolates exhibited distinct patterns that were not shared, indicating a genetic diversity. Dendrogram analysis revealed that PFGE patterns of the isolates clustered primarily according to serotype. We compared the PFGE types obtained for these isolates with PFGE types for human clinical isolates present in the CDC national PulseNet database. Six (29%) of the twenty-one strains had patterns that were indistinguishable from pathogenic human isolates in the database. Our observations offer preliminary evidence that food animals could be significant reservoirs of L. monocytogenes that lead to human infections and support the inclusion of PFGE patterns of veterinary clinical isolates in the national PulseNet database for increased surveillance.
Some peculiar cases of gangrene and their possible relationship to tropical phlebitis

Abstract 1. 1. Three peculiar cases of gangrene of the fingers or toes in Africans are described. In one case pneumonia preceded the gangrene, but in the remaining two no apparent illness was present. Oedema preceded the gangrene in each case. 2. 2. It is suggested, in view of the fact that the oedema in tropical phlebitis disappears rapidly after a lumbo-sympathetic block, that such peculiar cases of gangrene seen in the African may be tropical phlebitis in which there is also an associated arterial spasm or arteritis with thrombosis. 3. 3. Its suggested relationship to tropical phlebitis is discussed.
Electrical interconnect design for testing of high-speed IC transceivers

This paper discusses the requirements and challenges associated with the design of electrical interconnects to support the test and evaluation of high-speed transceivers working up to 40 Gb/s. It will be shown that relatively low cost technologies such as FR-4 boards, push-on connectors, and wire bonding can effectively achieve this goal. A specific platform and its application for testing of a 40-Gb/s VCSEL-based optoelectronic link are presented.
Detection of karst structures using airborne EM and VLF

NS1.2 SUMMARY Through the combined use of multi-frequency helicopter electromagnetic and VLF data, it is possible to detect and delineate a wide variety of karst structures and possibly to assess their interconnectedness. Multi-frequency EM can detect karst features if some element of the structure is conductive. This conductive aspect may derive from thick, moist soils in the depression commonly associated with a doline, from conductive fluids in the cavity, or from conductive sediments in the cavity if these occupy a significant portion of it. Multiple loop configurations may also increase the likelihood of detecting karst features. Preliminary evidence indicates total field VLF measurements may be able to detect interconnected karst pathways, so long as the pathways are water or sediment filled. Neither technique can effectively detect dry, resistive air-filled cavities.