cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Liver Stem Cells

The identification of liver stem cells would have many applications. In cell-based therapy, transplantation of liver stem cells could be an alternative to whole liver transplantation for patients suffering liver dysfunctions. For liver diseases, the identification of liver stem cells would result in a better understanding of diseases like cancer. Both the field of cell therapy and anti-cancer therapy are inextricably linked, and by understanding the biology of the liver stem cells, both fields will benefit greatly. This review will be limited to the stem cells in the liver.
Comparison of current methods for the evaluation of Einstein's integrals

AbstractEinstein’s integrals constitute one of the salient developments in theoretical sediment mechanics. An analysis of the accuracy and computational efficiency of proposed methods for the calcu...
An improved synchronization scheme for OFDMA systems with initial ranging transmissions

In initial ranging process, it is crucial to estimate multi-user's multiple parameters such as ranging code, timing and frequency offsets and to pair up these parameters for each user. This paper presents an improved parameter estimation and pairing algorithm for initial ranging process in OFDMA uplink systems by exploiting multidimensional harmonic retrieval (HR) technique. Unlike most existing techniques that estimate each parameter independently and associate the ranging codes with the estimated parameters manually, the proposed method estimates multiple users' ranging codes, timing and frequency offsets simultaneously, and pair up all parameters automatically. The simulation results confirm that the proposed technique not only improves the ranging code detection capability and adjusts the acquisition range of the estimators, but also increases the maximum number of resolvable users for a given samples.
A method for directional detection of dark matter using spectroscopy of crystal defects

We propose a method to identify the direction of an incident weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) via induced nuclear recoil. Our method is based on spectroscopic interrogation of quantum defects in macroscopic solid-state crystals. When a WIMP scatters in a crystal, the induced nuclear recoil creates a tell-tale damage cluster, localized to within about 50 nm, with an orientation to the damage trail that correlates well with the direction of the recoil and hence the incoming WIMP. This damage cluster induces strain in the crystal, shifting the energy levels of nearby quantum defects. These level shifts can be measured optically (or through paramagnetic resonance) making it possible to detect the strain environment around the defect in a solid sample. As a specific example, we consider nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond, for which high defect densities and nanoscale localization of individual defects have been demonstrated. To localize the millimeter-scale region of a nuclear recoil within the crystal due to a potential dark matter event, we can use conventional WIMP detection techniques such as the collection of ionization/scintillation. Once an event is identified, the quantum defects in the vicinity of the event can be interrogated to map the strain environment, thus determining the direction of the recoil. In principle, this approach should be able to identify the recoil direction with an efficiency greater than 70% at a false-positive rate less than 5% for 10 keV recoil energies. If successful, this method would allow for directional detection of WIMP-induced nuclear recoils at solid-state densities, enabling probes of WIMP parameter space below the solar neutrino floor. This technique could also potentially be applied to identify the direction of particles such as neutrons whose low scattering cross section requires detectors with a large target mass.
Angina Pectoris with a Normal Coronary Angiogram

Angina in the setting of a normal angiogram (NOCAD) occurs in 20-30% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. The etiologies of NOCAD can be anatomically classified into three groups: epicardial disease, coronary microvascular dysfunction, and noncoronary disease. Epicardial disease resulting in NOCAD includes endothelial dysfunction, coronary artery spasm, and coronary artery bridging. Microvascular dysfunction may be secondary to hypertension, cardiomyopathy, infiltrative disease, valvular disease, or idiopathic. Noncoronary artery disease states involving other organs systems such as the pulmonary, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal systems can also result in NOCAD. This review focuses on the coronary etiologies of NOCAD. The pathophysiology of disease is discussed as well as a systematic diagnostic strategy. Potential therapeutic options and prognosis are also reviewed.
Self-watering container design and salinity affect growth of two foliage plants

Abstract Dracaena marginata L. and Spathiphyllum Schott. ‘Mona Loa’ were grown for 90 days in either one of two ‘self-watering’ containers, one plastic and one kiln-fired clay. The plastic container relied on the upward movement of water via capillary flow from a subjacent reservoir. The kiln-fired clay container was a ‘pot-within-a pot’ design with an adjacent water reservoir located between the larger and smaller pots. Water seeped horizontally through the inner pot along the pot-rooting medium interface. Reservoirs of each container were filled with either one of three levels of saline water (0.3, 1.3, or 2.3 dS/m). Rooting medium leachate electrical conductivity was lower for ‘pot-within-a-pot’ containers compared with the plastic containers. Irrespective of irrigation salinity, canopy leaf area, root length, shoot to root ratio, gas exchange values, and foliar visual quality of both species were highest for the ‘pot-within-a-pot’ containers. Also, Dracaena leaf area and dry weights were highest for t...
Trichomonas vaginalis: Pathogenesis, Symbiont Interactions, and Host Cell Immune Responses.

The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) causes a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection. As an extracellular pathogen, the parasite mediates adherence to epithelial cells to colonize the human host. In addition, the parasite interfaces with the host immune system and the vaginal microbiota. Modes of Tv pathogenesis include damage to host tissue mediated by parasite killing of host cells, disruption of steady-state vaginal microbial ecology, and eliciting inflammation by activating the host immune response. Recent Tv research has uncovered new players that contribute to multifactorial mechanisms of host–parasite adherence and killing, and has examined the relationship between Tv and vaginal bacteria. Mechanisms that may lead to parasite recognition and killing, or the evasion of host immune cells, have also been revealed.
Multi-Beam Multiple Access Scheme for Uplink Traffic of Wireless Virtual Reality with Millimeter-Wave Analog Beamforming

Wireless Virtual Reality (VR) is a new-arising technology to enable the untethered connection between VR server and VR client, whose traffic characteristics include both ultra-high data rate in downlink and periodic small-size data packets in uplink. The downlink requires ultra-wide bandwidth and hence leads to the usage of millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum with analog beamforming; however, this causes difficulty for the uplink: the efficient multiple access of small-packet users in the same mmWave carrier by time-division duplex (TDD). Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-beam multi-access scheme for the uplink traffic of multiple VR users with mmWave analog beamforming. Specifically, this scheme contains an analog beamforming weight determination function and a frequency-division user scheduling function, which are executed iteratively with the increasing number of selected users. Therein, the proposed multi-beam analog beamforming pattern generation method is able to generate arbitrary number of beams with flexible beam directions, beam widths and beamforming gain ratios, by the constant-modulus weights with one radio-frequency chain. It is demonstrated by the simulation results that the proposed multi-beam multi-access scheme increases 200% for the maximum number of simultaneously served VR uplink users than the traditional single-beam multi-access scheme in 5G systems with mmWave analog beamforming.
Theoretical Explanation and Unification

The explanatory value of a theory and the degree to which it unifies a body of scientific knowledge are two widely recognized and intimately related theoretical virtues. These two virtues seem so closely related, in fact, that it is tempting to reduce the explanatory character of theories to their unifying power.
Third Culture Kids: Growing up with mobility and cross-cultural transitions

The study reported in this paper focuses on the narratives of six adult Third Culture Kids (TCKs) who lived in multiple countries during developmental years. It explores their childhood experiences...
Dynamic Modeling of Binding Kinetics Between GD1b Ganglioside and Cholera Toxin Subunit B

Cholera toxin (CTx) has to attach to host cell membrane before it is internalized to initiate infection processes. The attachment of CTx is mediated by cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) to the ganglioside receptors in host cell membrane. Prior studies revealed the complex nature of the CTB-ganglioside binding process by examining the properties of GM1, the major CTB receptor. Other gangliosides (e.g. GD1b) exhibiting moderate binding affinities to CTB also mediate the CTx internalization process. However, due to its intrinsic complexity, the binding mechanisms of other ganglioside receptors still remain elusive. In this work, a new dynamic model is proposed to describe a multistep binding process between CTB and GD1b by considering the cooperative binding effect as well as the GD1b receptor aggregation in a cell membrane. Moreover, in order to quantitatively calibrate the model against the experimental data, a numerical scheme including the local sensitivity under uncertainty and parameter selection method is implemented to identify several important parameters to be estimated. After estimating the selected parameters, the calibrated model agreed well with the experimental measurements, which demonstrated its predictive capability in the CTB-GD1b binding process.
Emerging Technologies for Delivery of Biotherapeutics and Gene Therapy Across the Blood–Brain Barrier

Antibody, immuno- and gene therapies developed for neurological indications face a delivery challenge posed by various anatomical and physiological barriers within the central nervous system (CNS); most notably, the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Emerging delivery technologies for biotherapeutics have focused on trans-cellular pathways across the BBB utilizing receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT). ‘Traditionally’ targeted RMT receptors, transferrin receptor (TfR) and insulin receptor (IR), are ubiquitously expressed and pose numerous translational challenges during development, including species differences and safety risks. Recent advances in antibody engineering technologies and discoveries of RMT targets and BBB-crossing antibodies that are more BBB-selective have combined to create a new preclinical pipeline of BBB-crossing biotherapeutics with improved efficacy and safety. Novel BBB-selective RMT targets and carrier antibodies have exposed additional opportunities for re-targeting gene delivery vectors or nanocarriers for more efficient brain delivery. Emergence and refinement of core technologies of genetic engineering and editing as well as biomanufacturing of viral vectors and cell-derived products have de-risked the path to the development of systemic gene therapy approaches for the CNS. In particular, brain-tropic viral vectors and extracellular vesicles have recently expanded the repertoire of brain delivery strategies for biotherapeutics. Whereas protein biotherapeutics and bispecific antibodies enabled for BBB transcytosis are rapidly heading towards clinical trials, systemic gene therapy approaches for CNS will likely remain in research phase for the foreseeable future. The promise and limitations of these emerging cross-BBB delivery technologies are further discussed in this article.
Integrating Skill-Related Components of Fitness into Physical Education

Skill-related fitness is broken down into six different components; agility, speed, power, balance, coordination, reaction time. These skill-related components are movements that are necessary for ...
Staphylococcus aureus Colonization Is Increased on Lupus Skin Lesions and Is Promoted by IFN-Mediated Barrier Disruption.

Cutaneous inflammation is recurrent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), yet mechanisms that drive cutaneous inflammation in SLE are not well defined. Type I IFNs are elevated in nonlesional SLE skin and promote inflammatory responses. Staphylococcus aureus, known to induce IFN production, could play a role in cutaneous inflammation in SLE. We show here that active cutaneous lupus erythematosus lesions are highly colonized (∼50%) by S. aureus. To define the impact of IFNs on S. aureus colonization, we examined the effects of type I and type II IFNs on S. aureus adherence and invasion. An increase in adherent S. aureus was observed after exposure to both IFN-α and -γ, whereas IFN-γ appeared to inhibit invasion of S. aureus. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus lesional skin microarray data and RNA sequencing data from SLE keratinocytes identified repression of barrier gene expression, such as filaggrin and loricrin, and SLE keratinocytes exhibited increased S. aureus–binding integrins. These SLE-associated changes could be replicated by IFN treatment of keratinocytes. Further, SLE keratinocytes exhibited increased binding to S. aureus. Together, these data suggest that chronic exposure to IFNs induces barrier disruption that allows for higher S. aureus colonization in SLE skin.
Sensor-based characterization of daily walking: a new paradigm in pre-frailty/frailty assessment

Frailty is a highly recognized geriatric syndrome resulting in decline in reserve across multiple physiological systems. Impaired physical function is one of the major indicators of frailty. The goal of this study was to evaluate an algorithm that discriminates between frailty groups (non-frail and pre-frail/frail) based on gait performance parameters derived from unsupervised daily physical activity (DPA). DPA was acquired for 48 h from older adults (≥65 years) using a tri-axial accelerometer motion-sensor. Continuous bouts of walking for 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s without pauses were identified from acceleration data. These were then used to extract qualitative measures (gait variability, gait asymmetry, and gait irregularity) and quantitative measures (total continuous walking duration and maximum number of continuous steps) to characterize gait performance. Association between frailty and gait performance parameters was assessed using multinomial logistic models with frailty as the dependent variable, and gait performance parameters along with demographic parameters as independent variables. One hundred twenty-six older adults (44 non-frail, 60 pre-frail, and 22 frail, based on the Fried index) were recruited. Step- and stride-times, frequency domain gait variability, and continuous walking quantitative measures were significantly different between non-frail and pre-frail/frail groups (p < 0.05). Among the five different durations (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s), gait performance parameters extracted from 60s continuous walks provided the best frailty assessment results. Using the 60s gait performance parameters in the logistic model, pre-frail/frail group (vs. non-frail) was identified with 76.8% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Everyday walking characteristics were found to be associated with frailty. Along with quantitative measures of physical activity, qualitative measures are critical elements representing the early stages of frailty. In-home gait assessment offers an opportunity to screen for and monitor frailty. The clinical trial was retrospectively registered on June 18th, 2013 with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01880229.
The economic order quantity model with compounding

Abstract The standard Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model is a cornerstone of inventory management. It is one of the oldest and highly recognized models in business and operations research. In the EOQ model, the inventory holding cost consists of two parts: a financial cost that represents the opportunity cost of capital tied up in the inventory and a warehousing cost. In the classical model, the inventory holding cost is expressed as a percentage of the monetary value of the physical inventory, like an interest rate. The classical model assumes simple interest accrual, which is not realistic because compound interest is used in practice; and it is the rule rather than an exception. In this research, we extend the classical model to account for compound interest and develop an intuitive closed form equation for the optimal order quantity.
Towards development of nature-inspired thermo-responsive vascular composites: Analysis of polymeric composites

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) have gained popularity as thermal energy storage (TES) materials because they reduce the active energy required to heat or cool a composite component. However, use of PCMs to manage heating/cooling faces two major challenges: their low thermal conductivity and their heterogeneous distribution within the depth of the composite component. This research considers Nature-inspired vascularization in designing PCM composite systems as a possible solution. In some animals, vascularization enhances thermal exchange by increasing surface area and temperature gradients of surfaces. To evaluate the effectiveness of vascularized composites, paraffin-based PCMs were incorporated in acrylic polymeric samples having 1D-mono discrete and 2D-square architected channels, incorporated using micro-machining, with different channel widths. PCM was then injected into the channels and the samples were placed in an environmental chamber that underwent thermal cycling. Infrared images were periodically taken to monitor and analyze thermal response of the samples. It was found that vascularization enhanced heat transfer/efficiency of PCM within the acrylic composite. The experimental analysis showed that doubling the channel width doubles the effective time for heat transfer while increases in the effective area and heat release were found to be small. The experiments also identified an optimal region near the channel where the effect of phase change on controlling heat loss/gain was the highest. The results of this study can be further used in the design optimization of PCM-filled vascular composites to increase the thermal efficiency of thermo-responsive composites.
Microstructural characterization and In Situ transmission electron microscopy analysis of laser-processed and thermally treated Fe-Cr-W-C clad coatings

Rapidly solidified microstructures of Fe-Cr-W-C quaternary alloy deposited on low-carbon steel by laser cladding were investigated. The clad-coating alloy, a powder mixture of Fe, Cr, W, and C with a weight ratio of 10:5:1:1, was processed with a high-power continuous wave CO2 laser. The developed clad coatings possessed fine microstructures, uniform distributions of al- loying elements, and high microhardness. Analytical electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the crystal structures and microchemistries of the various phases in the clad coatings. The laser processed microstructure comprised fine primary dendrites of a face-centered cubic (fcc) austenitic y phase and interdendritic eutectic consisting of a network of pseudohexagonal M7C3 carbides rich in Cr in an fcc austenitic γ phase. The interlamellar spacing in the eutectic matrix was about 20 nm. The relatively high microhardness, about 900 kgf/mm2, of such fine microstructures is attributed to the formation of complex ter- nary carbides uniformly distributed in the eutectic matrix. In situ transmission electron micros- copy (TEM) of thermally treated clad coatings revealed that transformation of the primary γ phase to body-centered cubic (bcc) ferrite (α phase) commenced after heating at 843 K for about 7 minutes. The transformation initiated at the interface of the primary dendrites and the eutectic and propagated gradually into the primary phase. Phase change of the interdendritic γ austenite to a bcc α ferrite occurred after about 30 minutes of hold period at 843 K. Transformation of the M7C3 carbides did not occur even after heating at 843 K for about 3.2 hours. The growth of a thin M2O3 (M = Fe, Cr) oxide scale was detected after heating at 843 K for approximately 24 minutes. After cooling gradually to room temperature, the softened (723 kgy/mm2) micro- structure consisted of primary dendrites with a bcc α ferrite crystal structure and interdendritic ternary eutectic of untransformed M7C3 carbides in α ferrite.
Nanoparticle-delivered miriplatin ultrasmall dots suppress triple negative breast cancer lung metastasis by targeting circulating tumor cells.

Abstract No effective therapy is yet available to treat triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which has poor prognosis due to frequent metastasis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or CSC-like cells play crucial roles in cancer metastasis and are exceptionally tolerant with genetic lesions. The extent of DNA damages has an important impact on the fate of CSCs. Despite the importance of platinum [Pt(II)] agents in cancer therapy, accumulating reports showed the treatment failure of conventional Pt(II) drugs, which is likely due to their inadequate DNA damage effects. Miriplatin is a clinically approved drug only being locally-used for treating liver cancer. In this study, we developed a novel ultrasmall Pt(II) dot (uPtD) from miriplatin and encapsulated it into our recently-reported integrin α5(ITGA5) active targeting nanoparticles (uPtDs NPs) and tested their therapeutic efficacy against TNBC metastasis. It was found that uPtDs NPs displayed a superior DNA damage capability via enhanced-interactions with DNA and a significantly stronger effect in reducing CSC-like property of TNBC cells, compared to conventional cisplatin and miriplatin. Mechanistically, the severe DNA damages induced by uPtDs NPs activated the CHK1/2-CDC25A-cyclin A/E pathway to induce cell cycle arrest. Moreover, uPtDs NPs could target the in vivo circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to suppress TNBC lung metastasis. Given the desired-safety profile of miriplatin, the uPtDs represent a promising therapeutic agent of the metal-based nanomedicines to reduce cancer metastasis. Significance The miriplatin ultrasmall dots developed from clinically-prescribed miriplatin may serve as a potent systemically-administered agent to target CTCs and reduce cancer metastasis.
Cybersecurity: Breaches and Heartbleed to BYOD - Are Bankers, Entertainment Company Executives, Celebrities, Postal Workers, Ice Cream Lovers, Home Builders, and CIOS the Only Ones Who Should Be Concerned?

In 2013 and 2014, several high-profile data security breaches underscored the importance of cybersecurity in today’s world, including the legal community. Reports of leaked information and security breaches at legal information vendors, firms, universities, and even courts continue to increase. Ms. Jackson addresses these concerns and suggests some considerations in developing responses to such security threats.
Extended field-of-view ultrasound imaging is reliable for measuring Transversus Abdominis muscle size at rest and during contraction

The strength and size of core muscles, including the abdominal muscles, are crucial to proper function in most activities. Therefore, it is important to reliably assess these characteristics. Our primary objective was to determine if the length, thickness and cross-sectional area of the transversus abdominis (TrA) can be visualized independently from the internal and external abdominal oblique muscles using extended field of view ultrasound imaging at rest and with contraction and to establish its intra- and inter-tester reliability. Twenty-six individuals were recruited to participate in the study (20 F, 6 M), average age 24.0 years (SD 9.4), height 170.7 cm (SD 8.6) and weight 63.9 kg (SD 9.0). From this total number of participants, two groups of 16 randomly selected participants were assessed to determine intra- and inter-tester reliability respectively. Extended field of view ultrasound images were obtained at three vertebral levels during rest and contraction in the side lying position for both the right and left sides of the trunk. Excellent intra-tester and inter-tester reliability was seen (ICC range of 0.972 to 0.984). The overall average percent standard error of the measurement for all measurements and locations was approximately 4%. The overall average minimal difference for the thickness measurement for the resting and contraction conditions combined were as follows: intratester 0.056 (0.014) cm and intertester 0.054 (0.017) cm, for area intratester 0.287 (0.086) cm2 and intertester 0.289 (0.101) cm2 and for length intratester 0.519 (0.097) cm and intertester 0.507 (0.085) cm. Extended field of view ultrasound imaging is an effective method of reliably capturing clear images of the TrA during rest and contraction. It provides an efficient mechanism for the analysis of muscle morphology by being able to measure the cross-sectional area, thickness, and length on one image. This methodology is recommended for studies investigating TrA function and training.
Early literacy training among medical students.

BACKGROUND The American Academy of Pediatrics regards literacy promotion as essential. Medical professionals are in a key position to promote children's early literacy, however this requires knowledge of existing literacy programmes. This study describes medical student training, awareness, experiences, and attitudes towards early literacy and the 'Reach Out and Read' (ROR) initiative. METHODS An anonymous online survey was sent to all medical students at a medical school in the Midwest with two campuses. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS We received data from 275 medical students. Almost half (46.5%) had completed their paediatric clerkship, 22.9% had observed ROR, and only 2.9% had received any training. Most (67%), wanted to learn more about early literacy, and 59% expressed a desire for more ROR training. Most respondents expressed preference for learning from residents and faculty in clinic followed by online training. 47% agreed that it was a role of medical students to assess and encourage reading. DISCUSSION Medical students understand the importance of early literacy in primary care and emphasising this during clinical encounters. Most are eager to learn more about early literacy promotion and ROR. This interest decreases during third and fourth year so targeting the first 2 years of medical school is an important strategy. Providing formal literacy promotion training and education for medical students should be considered during this critical time in their education.
Sage Advice? The Impacts of Explanations for Machine Learning Models on Human Decision-Making in Spam Detection

The impact of machine learning (ML) explanations and different attributes of explanations on human performance was investigated in a simulated spam detection task. Participants decided whether the metadata presented about an email indicated that it was spam or benign. The task was completed with the aid of a ML model. The ML model’s prediction was displayed on every trial. The inclusion of an explanation and, if an explanation was presented, attributes of the explanation were manipulated within subjects: the number of model input features (3, 7) and visualization of feature importance values (graph, table), as was trial type (i.e., hit, false alarm). Overall model accuracy (50% vs 88%) was manipulated between subjects, and user trust in the model was measured as an individual difference metric. Results suggest that a user’s trust in the model had the largest impact on the decision process. The users showed better performance with a more accurate model, but no differences in accuracy based on number of input features or visualization condition. Rather, users were more likely to detect false alarms made by the more accurate model; they were also more likely to comply with a model “miss” when more model explanation was provided. Finally, response times were longer in individuals reporting low model trust, especially when they did not comply with the model’s prediction. Our findings suggest that the factors impacting the efficacy of ML explanations depends, minimally, on the task, the overall model accuracy, the likelihood of different model errors, and user trust.
Implementation and Outcomes of a Maternal Smoking Cessation Program for a Multi-ethnic Cohort in California, USA, 2012-2019.

Smoking during pregnancy remains one of the most significant risk factors for poor birth outcomes. During 2012-2019, the Loma Linda University Health Comprehensive Tobacco Treatment Program (CTTP) used a multicomponent behavioral intervention for tobacco cessation for 1402 pregnant smokers with components of known efficacy (i.e., incentives, biomarker testing, feedback, and motivational interviewing). The CTTP cohort includes a multi-ethnic sample of pregnant women with a mean age of 27 years referred by collaborating community-based healthcare providers in San Bernardino county. Evaluation of program outcomes from 7 years of follow-up (2012-2019) creates a rich cohort dataset for implementation science research to examine the real-world effectiveness of the program. In this report, we provide a cohort profile, and 8-week prolonged abstinence (8-week PA) and relapse findings from the first year of follow-up (n = 233). We found: (1) 28.4% achieved 8-week PA, (2) At a median of 6.2 months of follow-up after achieving 8-week PA, 23.2% of enrolled subjects reported tobacco cessation, and (3) a high rate of loss to follow-up (44%). In addition, our modeling indicated that the odds of relapse/smoking after enrollment was significantly higher in young mothers, non-Hispanic mothers (White, Black/African-American), mothers in the first and third trimester, and rural mothers. Formative quantitative and qualitative research on the CTTP cohort will consider the effects of a range of implementation science (number of intervention sessions, addition of a mHealth component, distance to care) and individual (partner/household smoking, birth outcomes, NICU) outcome measures for the purpose of scaling up the CTTP model.
Current and Emerging Technologies for Resonance Frequency Analysis-Based Devices for Measuring Dental Implant Stability: A Review

In modern clinical dentistry, the success rate of implants depends on many biological and mechanical aspects, the main factor affecting it is osseointegration. The proper anchorage of the implant into the bone is extremely necessary to avoid implant failure. The stability of the implant is classified into two stages, the primary stability and the secondary stability. Measuring the primary stability before loading the implant is of the utmost importance. Owing to its non-invasiveness and reliability, resonance frequency analysis (RFA) has become one of the most commonly used techniques for implant stability measurement. The aim of the present study is to highlight or focus on current and emerging technologies for resonance frequency analysis-based devices to measure the implant stability. This paper provides a brief overview of the working principle, development, challenges and advantages of these different RFA technologies and existing commercial devices developed for stability measurement. The electromagnetic RFA is the most widely used. The vibro-acoustic method has showed potential to overcome the challenges faced by the electromagnetic technique, but it needs more clinical trials and in vitro experimentation.
Enhanced Adaptive Equalization for High-Rate Ultrasonic Communication through Solid Channels

This paper presents an adaptive equalizer design for high-rate ultrasonic communication through solid channels. Ultrasonic communication through solid channels is prone to multipath effects, dispersion, refractions, and reverberations. These effects cause severe intersymbol interference (ISI), resulting in a high Bit Error Rate (BER) and overall deterioration of communication performance. Thus, an adaptive decision feedback equalizer (DFE) based on the fast Kalman filter algorithm is used for the equalizer design. The Kalman filter algorithm has fast convergence and good tracking ability, which is essential to reverse the distortion incurred by the ultrasonic solid channel. The performance of the proposed equalizer design is examined using simulated data to train and evaluate the efficiency of the algorithm. Simulation results confirm that adaptive equalizer improves bit rate and lowers BER.
Relation of shape and metabolism in human erythrocytes: I. Volume, ATP, and monovalent cation interdependence of cells incubated at 37°C

Abstract Erythrocytes of whole blood incubated at 37°C underwent large increases in average density and cellular hemoglobin (indicative of volume decrease) soon after depletion of ATP. Coincident were rapid exchanges of cell potassium with plasma sodium ions. The incubation time corresponding to loss of 90% or more of ATP correlated with the onset of cell contraction and rapid cation exchange. This time (approximately 45 hr) in whole blood preserved in ACD was diminished in heparinized blood or ACD blood containing fluoride, approximately the same in four units of previously frozen red cells, and extended by 15 or more hr in whole blood containing adenine, adenine + inosine, or adenine + inosine + guanosine.
A review on ESD protection for RF and microwave ICs

This paper reviews the key issues in designing on-chip ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection structures for RF and microwave ICs. ESD protection basics, uniqueness in RF ESD protection, design methods, RF ESD protection characterization techniques and design optimization are discussed.
Conflict and Socioemotional Development

Conflict is inherent in growth, and human development cannot proceed without conflict. Intrapersonal conflict reflects competing impulses and desires as well as incongruent information. The resolution of intrapersonal conflict shapes the individual's view of the self and the self's place in the world. Interpersonal conflict is a social episode marked by overt behavioral opposition. The characteristics of the participants and their relationship, the issue, the frequency, and the tactics employed determine the developmental significance of interpersonal conflicts. Adaptive, constructive conflicts are known to facilitate individuation, growth, and positive adjustment. Maladaptive, destructive conflicts hinder development and foster social, emotional, and cognitive problems.
THE MEASUREMENT OF TRANSPORT PROPERTIES IN STRONGLY COUPLED PLASMAS

Transport properties of strongly coupled plasmas are of interest in solid state physics, astrophysics, and high energy-density plasma physics. Many theoretical models have been presented to describe transport phenomena in strongly coupled plasmas, however few experiments have been performed to compare with calculations. We present the results of an experiment which measure the low-frequency electron resistivity in a partially degenerate (1.2 < θ < 1.9), strongly coupled (0.6 < Γ < 1.8) plasma. In addition, we suggest experiments to measure the stopping power and the energy transport in strongly coupled plasmas.
Fourth order algorithms for a semilinear singular perturbation problem

Fourth order finite-difference algorithms for a semilinear singularly perturbed reaction–diffusion problem are discussed and compared both theoretically and numerically. One of them is the method of Sun and Stynes (1995) which uses a piecewise equidistant discretization mesh of Shishkin type. Another one is a simplified version of Vulanovic's method (1993), based on a discretization mesh of Bakhvalov type. It is shown that the Bakhvalov mesh produces much better numerical results.
Consumer-directed services: lessons and implications for integrated systems of care.

Over the past decade, policy makers in developed countries have begun to pay increasing attention to reform of the long-term care system for the frail elderly and younger people with disabilities. A continuum of strategies have generated interest, including integrated systems of care with agency/professionally managed service packages on the one end, and programs offering cash benefits along with the flexibility to decide how to best use these funds to meet individual needs and preferences, on the other. The latter approach, known as “consumer-directed care,” is found in various forms and degrees in Europe and North America. Primarily organised around the provision of home and community care, consumer-directed services are aimed at empowering clients and family carers, giving them major control over the what, who and when of needed care. Consumer-directed care appears to be the antithesis of integrated care. However, it actually holds important lessons and implications for the latter. This policy paper explores the rationale and models of consumer-directed services at home, reviews developments, designs and outcomes of programs in the Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and the US. It also discusses how this experience could be helpful in shaping better and more responsive integrated models of care for vulnerable long term care populations.
Treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: advances in current therapy

The past decade has seen incredible progress in the treatment of myeloma as a result of more widespread application of autologous stem cell transplantation and introduction of several new drugs. Hence, the survival of patients with this disease has significantly improved during this period. The treatment approach for patients with myeloma has undergone a paradigm shift as a result of the different choices available for treating the patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. In addition, appreciation of the heterogeneity in the outcome of these patients and the impact of genetics on the prognosis has led to efforts at developing a risk-adapted approach to treatment. This article summarizes the recent advances in the treatment of newly diagnosed myeloma and suggests a treatment algorithm for approaching newly diagnosed myeloma.
Episulfide inhibitors of lipoxygenase

Abstract A set of epoxide and episulfide substrate mimics were synthesized as inhibitors of soybean lipoxygenase. Enzyme inhibition was observed exclusively with the 12,13-episulfides (1a and 4a), with a high degree of regio- and chemoselectivity. Inhibition by 1a was shown to occur with reduction of the enzyme active site iron from the catalytically active Fe(III) to the inactive Fe(II).
On the Application of Magneto-Rheological Fluid Technology for Improving Rail Vehicle Dynamics

The primary purpose of this paper is to review the fundamentals, concepts, and merits of new technologies that hold a promise for helping the railroad industry in its missions. The author hopes that this paper will be the first of a series of papers that will be devoted to reviewing new technologies that are on the horizon and can benefit the rail industry, in a manner similar to the current papers that report on the progress of different aspects of transit and passenger cars, locomotives, and freight cars. The fundamental difference between this paper and current papers is that it will be devoted to new technologies that are in a more distant horizon (10–15 years), as opposed to the more immediate future developments that are covered in current papers. The first technology that will be highlighted is the magneto-rheological (MR) technology that has received a tremendous amount of attention in the past five years in the transportation industry, in particular for automotive applications. This paper will provide an overview of MR technology and its common applications, and provide some fruits for thoughts on how MR technology can be used in the rail industry.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Bose-Einstein Condensation of Lithium: Observation of Limited Condensate Number

Bose-Einstein condensation of ${}^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ has been studied in a magnetically trapped gas. Because of the effectively attractive interactions between ${}^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ atoms, many-body quantum theory predicts that the occupation number of the condensate is limited to about 1400 atoms. We observe the condensate number to be limited to a maximum value between 650 and 1300 atoms. The measurements were made using a versatile phase-contrast imaging technique.
Domain and value checking of web application invocation arguments

Invocations are widely used by many web applications, but have been found to be a common source of errors. This paper presents a new technique that can statically verify that an invocation's set of argument names, types, and request method match the constraints of a target interface. An empirical evaluation of the technique shows that it is successful at identifying previously unknown errors in web applications.
Behavioral and Toxicological Responses of Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to 10 Monoterpene Alcohols

ABSTRACT The effect on locomotor activity, the repellency, and the knock-down produced by 10 monoterpene alcohols were evaluated on first-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans, vectors of Chagas disease. A video tracking technique was used to evaluate locomotor activity and repellency by exposure to papers impregnated with monoterpenes. Eugenol on R. prolixus and (S)-cis-verbenol on T. infestans did not modify the locomotor activity. The remaining monoterpenes produced hyperactivity on both species, although the concentration required was at least a 1,000 times higher than that of deltamethrin (positive control). Carvacrol, eugenol, and geraniol resulted as repellent as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (positive control) for both species. A similar result was observed for almost every monoterpene on T. infestans. Knock-down effect was evaluated by exposing the nymphs in closed recipients. The order of increasing toxicity on R. prolixus was (KT50 values in min): geraniol (213.7) < α-terpineol (1...
Shear creep of epoxy at the concrete–FRP interfaces

Abstract This paper presents the results of experimental and analytical investigations of the long-term behavior of the epoxy used at the concrete–FRP interfaces. Double shear long-term test was performed on specimens composed of concrete blocks bonded to FRP sheets using epoxy. Three test replicates were examined under sustained shear stress for up to six month time period with two primary parameters: the shear stress level and the epoxy thickness. The investigation showed that shear stress level might have significant effect on the long-term behavior of epoxy at the concrete–FRP interfaces. Based on the experimental results, creep characteristics of epoxy in the concrete–FRP interfaces were evaluated. Finite element analysis was performed incorporating these creep characteristics to investigate the long-term deformations and stress redistributions in the test specimens. It was recognized that creep of epoxy might result in stress-redistribution at the concrete–FRP interfaces.
Nanoparticle effects during pressure-induced crystallization of polypropylene

Abstract We describe here phase and morphological changes that are induced when polypropylene containing dispersion of nanoclay is isothermally crystallized in the pressure range of 0.1–200 MPa. To delineate and separate the effects of applied crystallization pressure from nanoparticle effects, a relative comparison is made between neat polypropylene and polypropylene containing dispersion of nanoclay under similar experimental conditions. The significant finding is that nanoparticles of clay interact with the host polypropylene in a manner such that they alter the structural morphology of α- and γ-crystals of polypropylene presumably via nanoparticle interface driven evolution. Interestingly, nanoclay promotes the formation of γ-phase at low pressure, which is expected to have significant bearing on physico-chemical and mechanical properties. The equilibrium melting point measurements point to thermodynamic interaction between nanoclay and polypropylene, which is supported by the change in glass transition temperature and modification of absorption bands of polypropylene between 995 and 973 cm −1 corresponding to tertiary methyl skeletal in Fourier transform infrared spectrum.
Test–retest reliability of multidimensional dyspnea profile recall ratings in the emergency department: a prospective, longitudinal study

Dyspnea is among the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visits by patients with cardiopulmonary disease who are commonly asked to recall the symptoms that prompted them to come to the ED. The reliability of recalled dyspnea has not been systematically investigated in ED patients. Patients with chronic or acute cardiopulmonary conditions who came to the ED with dyspnea (N = 154) completed the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile (MDP) several times during the visit and in a follow-up visit 4 to 6 weeks later (n = 68). The MDP has 12 items with numerical ratings of intensity, unpleasantness, sensory qualities, and emotions associated with how breathing felt when participants decided to come to the ED (recall MDP) or at the time of administration (“now” MDP). The recall MDP was administered twice in the ED and once during the follow-up visit. Principal components analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was used to assess domain structure of the recall MDP. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. Test–retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for absolute agreement for individual items and domains. PCA of the recall MDP was consistent with two domains (Immediate Perception, 7 items, Cronbach’s alpha = .89 to .94; Emotional Response, 5 items; Cronbach’s alpha = .81 to .85). Test–retest ICCs for the recall MDP during the ED visit ranged from .70 to .87 for individual items and were .93 and .94 for the Immediate Perception and Emotional Response domains. ICCs were much lower for the interval between the ED visit and follow-up, both for individual items (.28 to .66) and for the Immediate Perception and Emotional Response domains (.72 and .78, respectively). During an ED visit, recall MDP ratings of dyspnea at the time participants decided to seek care in the ED are reliable and sufficiently stable, both for individual items and the two domains, that a time lag between arrival and questionnaire administration does not critically affect recall of perceptual and emotional characteristics immediately prior to the visit. However, test–retest reliability of recall over a 4- to 6-week interval is poor for individual items and significantly attenuated for the two domains.
Determining True and False Witnessed Events: Can an Eyewitness-Implicit Association Test Distinguish Between the Seen and Unseen

Despite the current popularity of indirect cognitive measures in psychology, there is a paucity of research using indirect measures in the psychology and law literature. We bridge this gap in two studies in which we tested whether a modified version of the Implicit Association Test (IAT) could distinguish between seen and unseen events from a previously witnessed incident. College students (total N = 69) viewed a short crime video and completed an eyewitness-Implicit Association Test (eIAT) and recognition task. In Study 1, the eIAT and recognition task presented true and false central and peripheral details from the video. In Study 2, we used a misinformation paradigm to test the utility of the eIAT. In both studies, the eIAT successfully distinguished between witnessed and non-witnessed details. However, in Study 2, the eIAT did not improve upon the recognition task's ability to correctly classify participants (i.e., control vs. misinformed group). Implications are discussed.