cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal signature training for military observers

The U.S. Army's CECOM Center for Night Vision and Electro-Optics, C2NVEO, has been conducting a series of human perception tests. These tests score military observers on their ability to identify and recognize thermal images. The results of these tests are used to develop and refine the Night Vision FLIR Performance Model (FLIR90/ACQUIRE). The Thermal Image Training Package is a useful by-product of these tests. It was originally developed to train military observers for perception tests, but the soldiers tested pointed out its value for general training. Since that time, the package has been used by several Army units and has been found to be a valuable asset for training. The Thermal Image Training Package consists of software and imagery designed to quickly teach an observer how to recognize and identify thermal images. It runs on an IBM PC/AT compatible computer with VGA graphics and a hard disk. It loads into a computer in about 15 minutes and a complete training session is self- paced and usually takes less than two hours. It is effective, inexpensive, and simple to use. The package uses actual thermal images, simulated ranges, allows contrast and brightness adjustments, black or white hot polarity, red, green, or gray screen coloring and provides output files of scores for progress checking and analysis. The training package is a useful tool in its present form, but with continued interest and the development of better, cheaper PCs possible future versions have even greater potential.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Vulnerability-Based Security Pattern Categorization in Search of Missing Patterns

A Security Pattern encapsulates security design expertise that addresses recurring information security problems in the form of a credentialed solution. It also presents potential problems and trade-offs in its application. This paper proposes a novel classification model for security patterns. Based on our review of more than one hundred security patterns, we categorize security patterns according to the type of vulnerability they address and also identify similar or identical patterns with different names. Our literature review indicates that there exists very little research on the categorization of security patterns based on vulnerabilities. Any attackers need to exploit existing vulnerabilities to break the security of an information system. To solve security problems effectively, we have to fix their root causes, which are vulnerabilities. The primary contribution of this paper is twofold: (1) to propose a novel security pattern classification model that helps software designers choose an appropriate security pattern once they know the type of a vulnerability they would like to remove and (2) to identify missing security patterns, which naturally emerge as a result of classifying security patterns according to the vulnerabilities they address. The identification of missing patterns could be useful in soliciting help to develop more patterns from the security community to tackle the vulnerabilities currently not handled by the existing patterns.
Positionit: an image-based remote target localization system on smartphones

We present PositionIt, a novel, low-cost, image-based remote target localization system using commodity smartphones. By leveraging smartphones' built-in sensors such as camera, digital compass, GPS, etc., the system can estimate the distance/position of remote targets. The system also takes advantage of the user-friendly interface of the smartphones to facilitate low complexity implementation (e.g., to locate target of interest and restrict the search area for matching).The feasibility of both single-image and two-image based systems are demonstrated.
Worthy the Name of a Grammar: Verb Morphology and Conjugation in Carochi’s Arte de la Lengua Mexicana (1645) and Eliot’s The Indian Grammar Begun (1666)

This article compares two missionary grammars written in the middle of the 17th century, Horacio Carochi’s (1579–1662) Arte de la Lengua Mexicana con la declaracion de los adverbios della (1645) and John Eliot’s (1604–1690) The Indian Grammar Begun: or, an Essay to Bring the Indian Language into Rules (1666). Although published only 21 years apart, the two works differ in both context and theoretical underpinnings. These differences are manifested both in the type and depth of analysis undertaken by each author. Indeed, Carochi’s analysis goes much deeper and offers a more complete description of the language treated. While this can be attributed in part to Carochi’s own linguistic ability, the quality and completeness of his grammar is due in large part to the existence of a tradition of scholarship concerning Nahuatl in New Spain, a tradition that is strikingly absent in New England of the time.
Supply of Buprenorphine Waivered Physicians: The Influence of State Policies

Buprenorphine, an effective opioid use disorder treatment, can be prescribed only by buprenorphine-waivered physicians. We calculated the number of buprenorphine-waivered physicians/100,000 county residents using 2008-11 Buprenorphine Waiver Notification System data, and used multivariate regression models to predict number of buprenorphine-waivered physicians/100,000 residents in a county as a function of county characteristics, state policies and efforts to promote buprenorphine use. In 2011, 43% of US counties had no buprenorphine-waivered physicians and 7% had 20 or more waivered physicians. Medicaid funding, opioid overdose deaths, and specific state guidance for office-based buprenorphine use were associated with more buprenorphine-waivered physicians, while encouraging methadone programs to promote buprenorphine use had no impact. Our findings provide important empirical information to individuals seeking to identify effective approaches to increase the number of physicians able to prescribe buprenorphine.
Regiospecific amine substitution into α-amanitin with retention of inhibitory properties against eukaryotic class II RNA polymerase

Treatment of α-amanitin with I2-morpholine (1:1:3 mole ratio α-amanitin: I2: morpholine) affords 7' substitution of the α-amanitin with the N-atom of the morpholine rather than the expected 7'-iodination. The 7'-(N-morpholino)-α-amanitin is isolable in yields up to 95% and shows electronic spectra similar to the parent amatoxin but with distinct Λmax and Λmin at 243 and 237 nm, respectively. Spectrophotometric titration of the phenolic hydroxyl shows an increase in pKa from 9.72 (α-amanitin) to 10.24 for this product; an increase in pKa is expected on chemical grounds following ortho substitution with an amine. Proton magnetic resonance shows two aromatic protons (δ4H= 7.56 p.p.m.; δ5H= 6.88 p.p.m.; J = 9 Hz), thus establishing the extent and position of substitution at the 7' carbon in the tryptophan residue. The 7'-(N-morpholino)-α-amanitin inhibits RNA polymerase activity with half-maximal inhibition at 1 times 10-8M and 3 times 10-4M for class II and class III sea urchin RNA polymerase, respectively. Extension of this procedure with additional dialkylamines affords the preparation of a family of 7'-(N-dialkylamino)-α-amanitins analogous to the prototypical morpholine derivative. With tertiary and aryl amines no amatoxin derivative results, while with primary alkyl amines this procedure yields an unresolved product mixture containing an as yet undefined inhibitor of the class I as well as class II and III RNA polymerases. The title reaction thus provides a facile, efficient route to modified amatoxins that do not disrupt the amatoxin: RNA polymerase binary complex formation. A means toward reporter molecule analysis of class II RNA polymerase structure and function is implied by these results.
Conjugated macrocycles related to the porphyrins. Part 18: Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of electron-rich benzi- and oxybenziporphyrins: influence of steric and electronic factors on porphyrinoid aromaticity ☆

Abstract Although 4,6-dihydroxyisophthalaldehydes failed to condense with tripyrranes to produce porphyrinoid products, the related dimethoxydialdehydes reacted with tripyrrane 9 to give, following oxidation with aqueous ferric chloride solution, nonaromatic dimethoxybenziporphyrins 20 in excellent yields. In the presence of TFA, dications were generated that showed weakly diatropic properties by proton NMR spectroscopy. This observation was attributed to the ability of the methoxy units to facilitate charge delocalization. Treatment of 20 with 50 equiv. of boron tribromide cleaved one of the methyl ethers to produce the related methoxyoxybenziporphyrins 24. These porphyrinoids showed strong diamagnetic ring currents due to the presence of 18 π-electron delocalization pathways within these structures. On treatment with TFA, the resulting dications show significantly reduced ring currents although their diatropic character is retained to a far greater extent than when the methoxy substituents are absent. For both 20 and 24, the methoxy groups are more effective at charge delocalization, which results in increased diatropicity, when there is no adjacent alkyl substituent. Treatment of 20a with HBr in refluxing acetic acid cleaved both methyl ethers to give the highly insoluble hydroxyoxybenziporphyrin 17. Although the spectroscopic properties of the free base could not be assessed, this compound was soluble in TFA–chloroform and the resulting dication proved to be highly aromatic as judged by NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy. Treatment of the 20b with HBr–acetic acid again cleaved both methyl ethers but also gave an unexpected oxidation to give a diketone bearing a 3° alcohol unit. This novel porphyrinoid retains an 18 π-delocalization pathway, shows porphyrin-like UV–vis spectra and is highly diatropic as the free base and in protonated form as judged by proton NMR spectroscopy.
Implementation of nonquasi-static effects in compact bipolar transistor models

Large-signal implementation of nonquasi-static (NQS) effects in bipolar transistors is reviewed. An approach is proposed to introduce first-order NQS correction to typical quasi-static phenomenological models. Both charge- and noncharge-conserving implementations are considered. The resulted large-signal equivalent-circuit model compares well with the two-dimensional physical model in simulating HBT transient response under high-current operations. The present approach advances the state-of-the-art by allowing arbitrary bias dependence of transit times in large-signal NQS models.
Agenda Discussion: Experiments on Clean Metal Surfaces with Adsorbates

Major discussion centered around problem areas posed by the Chairman as points for critical consideration. They were as follows: determination of surface atomic structure with particular consideration of surface crystallography, comparative usefulness of different approaches to the electron spectroscopy of surfaces, the nature and role of the study of simple catalytic reactions on metals, and the connection between simple catalytic reactions on metals and industrial catalytic processes. Considerations of additional related subjects such as analysis of molecular processes on metal surfaces, relation of information on the surface physics of metals to problems in practical catalysis, and suggestions of new types of experimental information on metal surface reactions needed to further general understanding of catalytic materials were also covered.
Syntactic Stylometry for Deception Detection

Most previous studies in computerized deception detection have relied only on shallow lexico-syntactic patterns. This paper investigates syntactic stylometry for deception detection, adding a somewhat unconventional angle to prior literature. Over four different datasets spanning from the product review to the essay domain, we demonstrate that features driven from Context Free Grammar (CFG) parse trees consistently improve the detection performance over several baselines that are based only on shallow lexico-syntactic features. Our results improve the best published result on the hotel review data (Ott et al., 2011) reaching 91.2% accuracy with 14% error reduction.
Defective LPS Signaling in C3H/HeJ and C57BL/10ScCr Mice: Mutations in Tlr4 Gene

Mutations of the gene Lps selectively impede lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signal transduction in C3H/HeJ and C57BL/10ScCr mice, rendering them resistant to endotoxin yet highly susceptible to Gram-negative infection. The codominant Lpsd allele of C3H/HeJ mice was shown to correspond to a missense mutation in the third exon of the Toll-like receptor-4 gene (Tlr4), predicted to replace proline with histidine at position 712 of the polypeptide chain. C57BL/10ScCr mice are homozygous for a null mutation of Tlr4. Thus, the mammalian Tlr4 protein has been adapted primarily to subserve the recognition of LPS and presumably transduces the LPS signal across the plasma membrane. Destructive mutations of Tlr4 predispose to the development of Gram-negative sepsis, leaving most aspects of immune function intact.
Diagnostic reasoning in digital systems

The authors describe an efficient method for fault diagnosis in digital systems based on the technique of reasoning. The methodology operates on the observed erroneous behavior and the structure of the system. The behavior consists of the error(s) observed on the circuit's output lines and specific values on the circuit's input lines. The technique described improves on previously published research on diagnostic reasoning in two ways. Previous work has stressed system independent techniques which could be used to diagnose any fault system whose structure can be represented. By concentrating their efforts on the specific case of diagnosing faulty digital circuits, the authors have been able to simplify the representation of the structure of the system. This representation, in the form of an AND/OR fault tree, efficiently abstracts the structure of a faulty digital system. More importantly, a method for partitioning the digital system is introduced which is shown to reduce greatly the complexity of the diagnosis. >
Nuclear factor-κB activation: a molecular therapeutic target for estrogen receptor–negative and epidermal growth factor receptor family receptor–positive human breast cancer

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), a transcription factor with pleotropic effects, is a downstream mediator of growth signaling in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative and erbB family particularly erbB2 (HER-2/neu) receptor-positive cancer. We previously reported activation of NF-kappaB in ER-negative breast cancer cells and breast tumor specimens, but the consequence of inhibiting NF-kappaB activation in this subclass of breast cancer has not been shown. In this study, we investigated the role of NF-kappaB activation by studying the tumorigenic potential of cells expressing genetically manipulated, inducible, dominant-negative inhibitory kappaB kinase (IKK) beta in xenograft tumor model. Conditional inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by the inducible expression of dominant-negative IKKbeta simultaneously blocked cell proliferation, reinstated apoptosis, and dramatically blocked xenograft tumor formation. Secondly, the humanized anti-erbB2 antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) and the specific IKK inhibitor NF-kappaB essential modifier-binding domain peptide both blocked NF-kappaB activation and cell proliferation and reinstated apoptosis in two ER-negative and erbB2-positive human breast cancer cell lines that are used as representative model systems. Combinations of these two target-specific inhibitors synergistically blocked cell proliferation at concentrations that were singly ineffective. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation with two other low molecular weight compounds, PS1145 and PS341, which inhibited IKK activity and proteasome-mediated phosphorylated inhibitory kappaB protein degradation, respectively, blocked erbB2-mediated cell growth and reversed antiapoptotic machinery. These results implicate NF-kappaB activation in the tumorigenesis and progression of ER-negative breast cancer. It is postulated that this transcription factor and its activation cascade offer therapeutic targets for erbB2-positive and ER-negative breast cancer.
Linear lightwave networks: how far can they go?

A novel type of lightwave network architecture that is based on establishing controllable, optically transparent paths among network users is described. The objective is to provide optical connections on demand. These connections would support a high degree of flexibility, including user-chosen modulation formats and bit rates, for large numbers of user stations (e.g., 100000) using mesh-type topologies that are spread over geographical areas that may extend to diameters of several thousand kilometers. The networks in question perform only linear operations on optical signals, essentially operating as a dynamically controlled 'ether' within which light beams are selectively directed between prescribed source-destination pairs. Because these linear lightwave networks are controllable, they are capable of being reconfigured in response to changing load conditions or component failures. >
Reading and Writing for Critical Reflective Thinking

This chapter examines the use of reading and writing activities to promote critical reflection among Asian students in higher education settings.
Ontology-based simulation of water flow in organic soils applied to Florida sugarcane

An ontology-based simulation (OntoSim) is a unique data modeling environment where soil–plantnutrient processes are represented as database objects and the user-defined relationships among objects are used to generate computer code (Java) for running the simulation. The aim of this study was to model hydrologic processes of sugarcane-grown organic soils utilizing OntoSim in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) of South Florida. This OntoSim-Sugarcane model describes the complex hydrology of subirrigation and open ditch drainage commonly used on Florida farms. Model calibration was conducted by (i) selecting rectangular farm water management units ( 0.65; coefficient of residual mass 0.55 and coefficient of residual mass <3%. It indicated that OntoSim-Sugarcane is able to simulate daily fluctuations of WT within the farm units and estimate lateral drainage/sub-irrigation and deep seepage that significantly contribute to the water balance at farms in the EAA. Thus, it can be a promising management tool to provide farmers with accurate assessment of water movement in this agricultural area.
A DC-DC digitally controlled buck regulator utilizing first-order ∑Δ frequency discriminators

This paper describes a novel feedback digitization architecture for a digitally controlled PWM DC-DC buck converter. A combination of a VCO followed by an all digital first-order Sigma-Delta frequency discriminators (SDFD) is used as a feedback analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The output of the discriminator is decimated to obtain a higher resolution depending on the output ripple specifications. A block diagram and a behavioral model are presented along with simulation results. Based on 1% allowed output voltage ripple, a 8-bit ADC resolution is achieved using a reference clock frequency of 16MHz. Since the SNR of this ADC is a strong function of sampling clock frequency and carrier frequency deviation, it is easy to achieve higher accuracy (resolution) to satisfy wide range of regulation and accuracy requirements. This architecture is flexible and scalable and can fully be implemented in standard digital CMOS.
Palladium-catalyzed bisdiene carboxyclizations: cycloisomerizations of bisdienes bearing an ester substituent

Abstract Bisdienes bearing a terminal ester substituent undergo facile diastereoselective palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerization to afford cyclized enediene products bearing a β,γ-unsaturated ester side chain.
Continuous probabilistic nearest-neighbor queries for uncertain trajectories

This work addresses the problem of processing continuous nearest neighbor (NN) queries for moving objects trajectories when the exact position of a given object at a particular time instant is not known, but is bounded by an uncertainty region. As has already been observed in the literature, the answers to continuous NN-queries in spatio-temporal settings are time parameterized in the sense that the objects in the answer vary over time. Incorporating uncertainty in the model yields additional attributes that affect the semantics of the answer to this type of queries. In this work, we formalize the impact of uncertainty on the answers to the continuous probabilistic NN-queries, provide a compact structure for their representation and efficient algorithms for constructing that structure. We also identify syntactic constructs for several qualitative variants of continuous probabilistic NN-queries for uncertain trajectories and present efficient algorithms for their processing.
An Investigation Into The Factors Affecting Infrared Temperature Measurements For Building Applications

Various factors affecting infrared temperature measurements are discussed. Temperature calibration curves at surrounding temperatures between -20°C and 25°C are presented for two infrared imaging systems operating in the 2 to 5 μm and 8 to 14 μm wavelength regions. The calibration curves for the 2 to 5 μm system were found to be independent to surrounding temperatures, while the calibration curves for the 8 to 14 μm system were found to be strongly dependent to surrounding temperatures. Equations to account for changes in surrounding temperatures are presented. Laboratory measurements of emissivity using both systems at different surrounding temperatures (22°C, 4°C, and -11°C) are given for several typical building materials. The emissivity measurements are used in computing surface temperatures of the materials. Comparisons are made between predicted and measured surface temperatures.
Subduction factory processes beneath the Guguan cross-chain, Mariana Arc: no role for sediments, are serpentinites important?

We need to understand chemical recycling at convergent margins and how chemical interactions between subducted slab and the overlying mantle wedge affect mantle evolution and magmagenesis. This requires distinguishing contributions from recycled individual subducted components as well as those contributed by the mantle. We do this by examining magmatic products generated at different depths above a subduction zone, in an intra-oceanic arc setting. The Guguan cross-chain in the intra-oceanic Mariana arc overlies subducted Jurassic Pacific plate lithosphere at depths of ~125--230 km and erupts mostly basalt. Basalts from rear-arc volcanoes are more primitive than those from the magmatic front, in spite of being derived by lower degrees of melting of less-depleted mantle. Rear-arc magmas also show higher temperatures and pressures of equilibration. Coexisting mineral compositions become more MORB- or OIB-like with increasing height above the subduction zone. Trace element and isotopic variations indicate that the subduction component in cross-chain lavas diminishes with increasing depth to the subduction zone, except for water contents. There is little support for the idea that melting beneath the Mariana Trough back-arc basin depleted the source region of arc magmas, but melting to form rear-arc volcanoes may have depleted the source of magmatic front volcanoes. Enrichments in rear-arc lavas were not caused by sediment melting; the data instead favor an OIB-type mantle that has been modestly affected by subduction zone fluids. Our most important conclusion is that sediment fluids or melts are not responsible for the K--h relationship and other cross-chain chemical and isotopic variations. We speculate that an increasing role for supercritical fluids released from serpentinites interacting with modestly enriched mantle might be responsible for cross-chain geochemical and isotopic variations.
Friend, not foe: Mill’s liberal multiculturalism:

Mill is commonly dismissed as being hostile to multiculturalism. A review of some existing interpretations and an exploration of some overlooked aspects of his thought shows this to be a mistake. H...
Focus on Family: From Number Rhymes to Number Sense

One potato, two potato,Three potato, four,Five potato, six potato,Seven potato, more!Young children and the adults in their lives enjoy reciting number chants and songs. The lilting cadence of popu...
Magnetic quenching of photonic activity in Fe3O4-elastomer composite

We report a quenching phenomenon within the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum in the photonic response of a passive Fe3O4-silicone elastomer composite film due to magnetically aligned Fe3O4 nanoparticles. We performed systematic studies of the polarization dependence, the effect of particle size, and an in- and out-of-plane particle alignment on the optical response of the Fe3O4-silicone elastomer composites using a UV/vis/NIR spectrometer. We observed systematic redshifts in the response of the out-of-plane composite films with increasing particle alignment and weight that are attributed to dipole-induced effects. There were no observable shifts in the spectra of the in-plane films, suggesting the orientation of the magnetic dipole and the induced electric dipole play a crucial role in the optical response. A dramatic suppression to near quenching of the photonic response occurred in films containing moderate concentrations of the aligned nanoparticles. This is attributed to the interplay between the intra- and the interparticle dipoles. This occurred even when low magnetic fields were used during the curing process, suggesting that particle alignment and particle size limitation are criti- cal in the manipulation of the photonic properties. A dipole approximation model is used to explain the quenching phenomenon. An active system of such a composite has a potential appli- cation in magneto-optic switches. © 2016 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
Direct Laser Writing of Air-Stable p–n Junctions in Graphene

Photo-oxidation of spin-cast films of 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene has been exploited to develop a novel means of spatially modulating doping in graphene. The degree of n-doping of initially p-type graphene can be varied by laser irradiation time or intensity with carrier density change up to ∼7 × 1012 cm–2. This n-doping approach is demonstrated as an effective means of creating p–n junctions in graphene. The ability to direct-write arbitrary shapes and patterns of n-doped regions in graphene simply by scanning a laser source should facilitate the exploitation of p–n junctions for a variety of electronic and optoelectronic device applications.
Comparison of phacotrabeculectomy with 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin-C, and without antifibrotic agents.

■ BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential benefits, complications, and prognostic risk factors for failure of phacotrabeculectomy performed with or without 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin-C (MMC). ■ PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 78 patients who underwent phacotrabeculectomy during a 2-year period. Patients were divided into 3 groups, those who received 5-FU (N=28), MMC (N=29), or no antifibrotic agent (N=21). ■ RESULTS: All 3 groups had statistically significant lower intraocular pressures (IOP) on fewer antiglaucomatous medications at 6-month, 12-month, and last follow-up compared to preoperative levels (P<.05). Intraocular pressures were lower in the group that received MMC compared to the 5-FU group, but not in the group that did not receive antimetabolites, at all time intervals measured (P<.05). Black race was a strong predictor of failure of trabeculectomy (P=009). No differences in final visual acuity or complications were found between groups. ■ CONCLUSIONS: Phacotrabeculectomy is effective regardless of antimetabolite use. Race is a strong predictor of failure.
Quality and accreditation of private higher education in Ghana

Abstract Quality in private higher education (PHE) in Ghana started in the 1990s. Sub-Saharan African governments allowed the provision of PHE due to their lack of capacity to support public higher education institutions and absorb the growing qualified postsecondary applicants. To ensure and preserve quality in these institutions, there was a need for procedures that private higher education institutions (PHEIs) have to undergo to gain accreditation. In Ghana, accreditation is mandatory for both private and public higher education institutions. The National Accreditation Board (NAB) has the responsibility of ensuring institutional and program accreditation. When institutions are accredited by an external body, the consumer is protected, and it signifies to the public that the PHEIs are validated, have requisite resources, and were following the rules and norms. Using Ghana as a case study, this chapter indicates that accreditation enables the institutions to be recognized in their environment. Private providers in Ghana must also be affiliated to a chartered higher education institution that supervises the institution and awards certificate to graduates among others. Both the NAB of Ghana and PHEIs have peculiar challenges. Nevertheless, the NAB has brought sanity into the Ghanaian higher education landscape. Private providers are aware of sanctions if they flout the accreditation board’s regulations.
Research on Domestic and Overseas Grid Integration Policies of Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation

The healthy development of distributed photovoltaic power generation is dependent not only on the guidance and incentives but also the norms and constraints of polices.The policy recommendations of grid integration of distributed photovoltaic power generation in Jiangsu province is proposed,referring the feed-in tariff policy,the net metering policy,the cost-sharing policy,the grid integration technical regulations in developed countries,combined with the existing grid integration policy of distributed photovoltaic power generation in our country.
Equity Valuation Consequences of the New Wave of Master Limited Partnership Formations

Using a sample of master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) formed from corporate assets between 1982 and 2011, I examine the share price effects to parent corporations from forming MLPs. Specifically, I compare announcement period returns during the first and second waves of MLP formations — 1982-1987 and 1988-2011, respectively — to assess the effect of structural changes in the MLP agency and operating environments on the market response to MLP formation. I document significantly higher 3-day and 5-day announcement period returns for second wave MLP formations, suggesting that changes to the MLP agency and operating environments have enhanced the value impact of MLP formation. I also find evidence that parent corporations benefit from the increased opportunity to exploit conflicts of interest with the MLP, which arises from these changes.
Peripheral vascular disease in diabetes mellitus

In caring for diabetic patients, we must broaden our focus beyond just treatment of hyperglycemia and begin to view diseases of the vascular system as critical sites for preventive efforts.
Wound Dehiscence in Bladder Exstrophy: An Examination of the Etiologies and Factors for Initial Failure and Subsequent Success

During the last 8 years 20 patients were seen for secondary or repeat closure for exstrophy of the bladder following dehiscence after initial closure. Various factors that may have contributed to the initial problems have been investigated. Wound infection (42 per cent) and bladder prolapse (46 per cent) were the major etiologies for initial failures. In 6 patients (30 per cent) colon conduits were required for bladder augmentation or colocolostomy, which emphasized the importance of achieving a good result at initial closure. Our successful protocol (only 5 per cent reclosure rate for 60 closures) is outlined.
Feeding and Swallowing Issues in Infants With Craniofacial Anomalies

The problems with feeding and swallowing that occur as a result of clefts and craniofacial anomalies range in severity. The extent of clefting, as well as other structural, airway, and neurologic issues, are factors that contribute to potential difficulty with oral feeding mechanics and with the integrity of airway protection during swallowing. Oral motor dysfunction in conjunction with obstruction in the upper airway secondary to anatomic or physiologic anomalies has the potential to cause serious disruption to the necessary coordination of respiration and swallowing. Timely identification of problems is necessary to address threats to nutritional status and/or respiratory health. The pediatric speech-language pathologist has a primary role in the clinical assessment of oral motor/feeding skills, and in the recognition of clinical signs and symptoms of swallowing dysfunction that may warrant referral for instrumental assessment of swallowing function and airway protection. The objective of this article i...
Studies of High-Frequency Acoustic Phonons Using Picosecond Optical Techniques

In the last fifteen years much work has been devoted to the development of new techniques for the generation and detection of high frequency phonons. [1] Nevertheless, the ideal phonon generation-detection scheme has not yet been invented. One would like to be able to: (1) Generate and detect phonons over a wide range of frequency from the upper limit of the ultrasonic range (~ 10 GHz or 1/2 K) to the highest frequencies of a lattice (~ 6000 GHz or 300K). (2) Make measurements over a broad range of temperature. (3) Apply the method to a wide variety of materials without the requirement that the materials be modified. For example, techniques in which it is necessary to introduce ions into a crystal to generate or detect phonons have the disadvantage that the ions also scatter phonons.
Million year old ice found under meter thick debris layer in Antarctica

Cosmogenic nuclide measurements associated with buried glacier ice in Ong Valley, in the Transantarctic Mountains, suggest the preservation of ancient ice. There are three glacial tills on the valley floor which have formed from the concentration of regolith contained within sublimating glacier ice. Two tills are less than 1 m thick and underlain by ice. Measurements of cosmogenic 10Be, 26Al, and 21Ne show that (i) the youngest buried ice unit and corresponding till are at least 11–13 ka, (ii) another ice unit and corresponding intermediate-age till are at least 1.1 Ma old under any circumstances and most likely older than 1.78 Ma, and (iii) the oldest till is at least 1.57 Ma and most likely greater than 2.63 Ma. These observations highlight the longevity of ice under thin debris layers and the potential to sample ancient ice for paleoclimate/paleoatmosphere information close to the present land surface.
Respiratory Virus Vaccines

This chapter reviews the main viral pathogens of the respiratory tract, the immune responses they induce, currently available vaccines, and vaccines that are in development to control them. The main viruses responsible for acute respiratory infection in people include respiratory syncytial, influenza, human parainfluenza, human metapneumo-, human rhino-, corona-, and adenoviruses. Licensed vaccines are available only for influenza virus, with vaccines against the other pathogens either in clinical trials or in preclinical stages of development. The majority of studies evaluating respiratory virus vaccines measure serum antibody responses, because, although both cellular and humoral responses contribute to the clearance of a primary infection, neutralizing antibodies are known to protect against secondary infection. Humoral responses can be readily detected after vaccination with inactivated or subunit vaccines; however, fewer individuals seroconvert after vaccination with live vaccines. Alternative immune mechanisms such as mucosal antibody responses are probably responsible for protection by live attenuated vaccines, and immune correlates of protection are under investigation.
Imagined Interactions and LGBT Identity

ABSTRACTImagined interactions are a type of cognition and mental imagery based on symbolic interactionism and cognitive script theory in which people imagine conversations with significant others. Prior research has examined gender differences in this type of mental imagery, but there is no research that simultaneously examines gender (men, women) and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) identity. The authors examined groups based on gender and LGBT identity: heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed that gay individuals had more imagined interactions followed by transgender and bisexual individuals while heterosexual individuals reported the least amount of imagined interactions. Lesbian women and gay men as well as bisexual individuals had more retroactive imagined interactions than transgender and heterosexual individuals. Additionally, lesbian women and gay men had the widest variety of interaction partners and topics compared to transgen...
The retirement problem

Many physicists love their subject so much that they do not want to retire. Robert P Crease looks at a community where many retired physicists live near one another
MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for the treatment of low-grade gliomas in children: a case-series review, description of the current technologies and perspectives

Pediatric low-grade gliomas (LGGs) account for approximately half of all pediatric central nervous system tumors. The low-grade gliomas’ first line of treatment is gross total resection. However, when gross total resection is not possible, options for adjuvant therapy are limited. MRI-guided laser ablation (magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT)) offers a new option for treatment in selected cases. We present a description of the current MRgLITT technology and an exemplary case-series review of our experience in its use in LGGs. A 19-month-old male was referred to the pediatric neurosurgery clinic with an incidental left temporal lesion discovered on a prenatal ultrasound. An MRI of the brain revealed a diffuse mesial temporal lesion. Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed generalized activity arising from the lesion. The patient underwent a navigation-guided biopsy then, two bolts were secured to the skull, and laser ablation was performed with intraoperative MR guidance. Pathology was consistent with ganglioglioma. Follow-up images 13 months after ablation showed a significant volumetric reduction in size of the tumor. It is important to achieve maximal resection of low-grade gliomas in children, lessening the need for adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while minimizing the length of hospital stay and disruption to the child’s life. Of our nine LGGs patients treated with this technology, six had undergone previous surgery and MRgLITT proved itself to be a safe surgical treatment option to achieve further cytoreduction. While most of the cases are pilocytic astrocytomas, the location of the tumors was surgically challenging. Eight of the nine cases required a single trajectory—laser—while our case example requires two lasers. Only a case of a midbrain-thalamic tumor presented a post-ablation significant brain edema as perioperative complication [1]. Eight of the nine tumors did not require any coadjuvant therapy or further surgical treatment to date. MRIgLITT is a successful option for treatment for selected de novo or recurrent low-grade gliomas in children. It can be combined with other therapies offering the advantages of a minimally invasive procedure. LITT may be added to the current pediatric neuro-oncology protocols, but larger prospective series are needed to show the effectiveness of LITT and to standardize indications and protocols.
Macrophages’ Choice: Take It In or Keep It Out

In tuberculosis, some macrophages in granulomas assume an epitheloid appearance. Using the Mycobacterium marinum-zebrafish model, Cronan et al. (2016) now show that granuloma macrophages undergo reprograming events involving E-cadherin-dependent formation of epithelial-like cell-cell junctions. Interference with the function of E-cadherin in macrophages disorganized the granulomas and protected the fish, introducing new ideas and questions about macrophage function and granulomatous diseases.
THE PROTECTIVE ACTION OF TYPE I ANTIPNEUMOCOCCUS SERUM IN MICE : V. THE EFFECT OF ADDED LIPIDS ON THE PROTECTIVE MECHANISM.

1. The addition of small amounts of cholesterol and of cephalin reduces markedly the protective action of antipneumococcus horse serum. 2. These lipids do not affect the protective action of antipneumococcus rabbit serum. 3. These findings may be explained (a)by the selective adsorption of lipid on the antigen-antibody complex, and (b) by certain lipid antagonisms. 4. The failure of large amounts of immune horse serum to protect mice against pneumococcus infection is explicable on the basis of selective participation of lipids dependent upon the species from which the antibody is derived. 5. The lipids modify the results of protection tests only through participation in the process of specific sensitization.
Engineering porous organic polymers for carbon dioxide capture

As atmospheric CO2 levels rise, the development of physical or chemical adsorbents for CO2 capture and separation is of great importance on the way towards a sustainable low-carbon future. Porous organic polymers are promising candidates for CO2 capture materials owing to their structural flexibility, high surface area, and high stability. In this review, we highlight high-performance porous organic polymers for CO2 capture and summarize the strategies to enhance CO2 uptake and selectivity, such as increasing surface area, increasing interaction between porous organic polymers and CO2, and pore surface functionalization.
Abstract 12497: Diminished Cavolin-1 Expression and Augmented Nitrative Stress Secondary to Prolyl-4 Hydroxylase 2 Deficiency Contribute to Obliterative Vascular Remodeling and Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and vascular remodeling. Our recent study for the first time demonstrated that loss of prolyl-4 hydroxylase 2 (PHD2) in endothelial cells and bone marrow cells in mice induces severe PAH with obliterative pulmonary vascular remodeling and plexiform-like lesions recapitulating clinical PAH. However, it is unclear whether nitrative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of PAH in this mouse model. Methods: Endothelial-specific Egln1 (encoding PHD2) disruption ( Egln1 Tie2 ), Egln1 and Hif2a double knockout ( EH2 ) mice were generated. Western blotting and immunostaining were performed to quantify nitration stress and caveolin-1 expression in WT, Egln1 Tie2 and EH2 mice. MnTMPyP (a superoxide scavenger) were administrated to Egln1 Tie2 mice. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and RV/(LV+S) ratio, indicator of RV hypertrophy, were measured. Medial thickness and muscularization of distal pulmonary arteries were assessed by histological examination. Human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMECs) was cultured. Results: Nitrotyrosine was increased in Egln1 Tie2 mice and normalized in EH2 mice. MnTMPyP treatment inhibited RVSP increase and RV hypertrophy, and decreased medial thickness and muscularization of distal pulmonary arterials in Egln1 Tie2 mice. Mechanistically, endothelial Caveolin-1 expression was decreased in Egln1 Tie2 mice and normalized in EH2 mice. Consistently, PHD inhibitor DMOG decreased Caveolin-1 expression in HLMECs. Conclusion: These data show that loss of endothelial PHD2 suppresses Caveolin-1 expression in a HIF-2α dependent manner. Decrease of Caveolin-1 expression and resultant activation of nitration stress contribute to the severe vascular remodeling and PAH in Egln1 Tie2 mice. Thus, targeting nitrative stress is a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PAH.
Detecting structural and inflammatory response after in vivo stretch injury in the rat median nerve via second harmonic generation.

Abstract Background Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy is a promising method for visualizing the collagenous structure of peripheral nerves. Assessing collagen continuity and damage after a stretch injury provides inferential insight into the level of axonal damage present. New methods This study utilizes SHG microscopy after a calibrated in vivo stretch injury of rat median nerves to evaluate collagen continuity at several time points throughout the recovery process. Endoneurial collagen was qualitatively assessed in nerves that were subjected to low strain (LS) and high strain (HS) injuries using SHG microscopy, conventional histology, and immunohistochemistry. Results Following an in vivo stretch injury, both LS and HS damaged nerves exhibit signs of structural collagen damage in comparison with sham control nerves (SC). Furthermore, LS nerves exhibit signs of full regeneration while HS nerves exhibited signs of only partial regeneration with lasting damage and intra-neural scar formation. Comparison with existing methods SHG observations of structural changes and inflammatory response due to stretch injury were validated upon comparison with conventional histological methods Conclusions We propose that SHG microscopy can be utilized to visualize significant structural artifacts in sectioned median nerves following in vivo stretch injury. Based on the findings in this study, we believe that the in vivo application of SHG microscopy should be further investigated as a means for real-time, intra-operative, quantitative assessment of nerve damage.
Potential Impact of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT on the Planning of Definitive Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Standard-of-care imaging for initial staging of prostate cancer (PCa) underestimates disease burden. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT detects PCa metastasis with superior accuracy, having a potential impact on the planning of definitive radiation therapy (RT) for nonmetastatic PCa. Our objectives were to determine how often definitive RT planning based on standard target volumes covers 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT–defined disease and to assess the potential impact of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT on definitive RT planning. Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of an intention-to-treat population of 73 patients with localized PCa without prior local therapy who underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for initial staging as part of an investigational new drug trial. Eleven of the 73 were intermediate-risk (15%), 33 were high-risk (45%), 22 were very-high-risk (30%), and 7 were N1 (9.5%). Clinical target volumes (CTVs), which included the prostate, seminal vesicles, and (in accord with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group consensus guidelines) pelvic lymph nodes (LNs), were contoured on the CT portion of the PET/CT images by a radiation oncologist masked to the PET findings. 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images were analyzed by a nuclear medicine physician. 68Ga-PSMA-11–positive lesions not covered by planning volumes based on the CTVs were considered to have a major potential impact on treatment planning. Results: All patients had one or more 68Ga-PSMA-11–positive primary prostate lesions. Twenty-five (34%) and 7 (9.5%) of the 73 patients had 68Ga-PSMA-11–positive pelvic LN and distant metastases, respectively. The sites of LN metastases in decreasing order of frequency were external iliac (20.5%), common iliac (13.5%), internal iliac (12.5%) obturator (12.5%), perirectal (4%), abdominal (4%), upper diaphragm (4%), and presacral (1.5%). The median size of the LN lesions was 6 mm (range, 4–24 mm). RT planning based on the CTVs covered 69 (94.5%) of the 73 primary lesions and 20 (80%) of the 25 pelvic LN lesions, on a per-patient analysis. Conclusion:68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT had a major impact on intended definitive RT planning for PCa in 12 (16.5%) of the 73 patients whose RT fields covered the prostate, seminal vesicles, and pelvic LNs and in 25 (37%) of the 66 patients whose RT fields covered the prostate and seminal vesicles but not the pelvic LNs.