cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vision based shape estimation for continuum robots

The investigation of continuum robots has become an area of considerable interest in the last several years. Unlike conventional robotic manipulators which bend in discrete locations, continuum robots bend over continuous sections. One of the main issues that is hampering research in this area is the determination of the robot's shape. In this paper we present a shape-determining scheme that is based on machine vision. The approach uses a high speed camera, an engineered environment, and image processing to determine the shape of our continuum robot called the Elephant's Trunk Manipulator. We present experimental results showing the effectiveness of the technique.
Evolution of novel morphological and reproductive traits in a clade containing Antirrhinum majus (Scrophulariaceae).

Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences of the chloroplast genes rbcL and ndhF revealed a highly supported clade composed of the families Plantaginaceae, Callitrichaceae, and Hippuridaceae in close association with the model organism Antirrhinum majus and other members of family Scrophulariaceae. Plantago has miniature actinomorphic wind-pollinated flowers that have evolved from zygomorphic animal-pollinated precursors. The aquatic Hippuridaceae have reduced windpollinated flowers with one reproductive organ per whorl, and three, rather than four, whorls. In monoecious aquatic Callitrichaceae, further reduction has occurred such that there is only one whorl per flower containing a single stamen or carpel. Optimization of character states showed that these families descended from an ancestor similar to Antirrhinum majus.Recent studies of plant developmental genetics have focused on distantly related species. Differences in the molecular mechanisms controlling floral development between model organisms are difficult to interpret due to phylogenetic distance. In order to understand evolutionary changes in floral morphology in terms of their underlying genetic processes, closely related species exhibiting morphological variation should be examined. Studies of genes that regulate morphogenesis in the clade described here could aid in the elucidation of a general model for such fundamental issues as how changes in floral symmetry, organ number, and whorl number are achieved, as well as providing insight on the evolution of dicliny and associated changes in pollination syndrome.
Reactions at supercritical conditions: Applications and fundamentals

Supercritical fluids posses properties that make them attractive as media for chemical reactions. Conducting chemical reactions at supercritical conditions affords opportunities to manipulate the reaction environment (solvent properties) by manipulating pressure, to enhance the solubilities of reactants and products, to eliminate interphase transport limitations on reaction rates, and to integrate reaction and separation unit operations. Supercritical conditions may be advantageous for reactions involved in fuels processing, biomass conversion, biocatalysis, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, environmental control, polymerization, materials synthesis, and chemical synthesis. Moreover, supercritical fluids can be used profitably in fundamental chemical investigations of intermolecular interactions and their influence on chemical processes. Work on chemical reactions in and with supercritical fluids is reviewed. We discuss both fundamental studies and applications of reactions at supercritical conditions, with focus on work published after 1985.
Evaluation of Partially Defatted Chopped Beef in Fermented Beef Snack Sausage

Five levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20%) of partially defatted chopped beef (PDCB) were substituted for lean in fermented beef stick sausage to evaluate changes over a 90 day period (24°C). Replacement of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% of the lean with PDCB did not affect percentage of fat, moisture, protein, moisture:protein ratio, or aw of the final product. TBA values were different (P<0.05) between storage periods, but were all lower than those associated with oxidative rancidity. Warner-Bratzler shear values increased incrementally with increasing PDCB but were still within acceptable limits. Sensory profiles indicated that concentration of PDCB in the formulation had no effect on aroma, mouthfeel, taste, or texture of the product over storage time.
An ear for quality: differential associative characteristics of taste-potentiated auditory and odor avoidance.

This research compared the avoidance behavior of rats exposed to either a taste-tone (NaCl-70 dB, 1800 Hz) or a taste-odor (NaCl-almond) compound that had been paired with LiCl-induced illness. When tested in the presence of either the odor or the auditory cue presented alone it was found that taste potentiated both cues, but stronger initial avoidance and resistance to extinction was shown to the odor cue. A second experiment examined the generalization of potentiated odor and auditory aversions to a novel environment. Rats were exposed to either a taste-odor or taste-tone compound, again followed by illness. Half of each group was tested in the conditioning chamber and half in a novel chamber. Odor aversions were not affected by location, whereas auditory aversions were significantly stronger in the conditioning chamber. Experiment 3 showed that taste-potentiated odor and auditory aversions showed different patterns of extinction when the taste aversion on which they were based was gradually extinguished. These experiments provide evidence that while the taste potentiation of auditory cues is a reliable phenomena, the pattern of effects is different from that of taste-potentiated odor aversions
Space-charge wave considerations in MIS waveguide analysis

A transport-based small-signal analysis of the fundamental mode of propagation in a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) waveguide is presented. The formulation incorporates the full set of Maxwell's equations and the equations of motion of the carriers based on a drift-diffusion model, providing a quantitative description of the space-charge wave induced of the surface of the semiconductor. Effects of an external DC bias on the propagation characteristics are also accounted for. Numerical solutions to the system of equations for a waveguide with typical material parameters and dimensions are obtained using an iterative algorithm. Results indicate that the transverse component of the electric field in the semiconductor is strongly influenced by the screening effect of the charge carriers, whereas the longitudinal component is governed mainly by energy dissipation arising from the conduction current. >
Direct solution of performance constraints during placement

A practical set of features for meeting the constraints of high performance designs during placement has been developed. The tool observes signal path constraints in units of time, automatically trading off delay between nets on the critical paths. The tool can observe net constraints in units of delay or capacitance. These features are based on a fast and accurate algorithm for net wiring estimation. Using a constraints method enables the true timing problem to be solved better and eliminates design iteration. Additional features specific to ECL design are also available. Results show a 52% reduction in interconnect delay versus an unconstrained placement on the first test case. >
DD36: Mitarbeiter wie gehütete Flöhe (März 2007)

Flohe springen sehr hoch! Wer viele hat, verliert sie. Denn sie springen weg. „Schwer wie einen Sack Flohe huten“ nennt man das fast Unmogliche. Wie Flohe sind wir als Kinder – kaum zu bandigen. Aber im Alter muss man uns wieder auf die Sprunge helfen, oder?
Immunopathogenesis of human inflammatory arthritis: lessons from Lyme and reactive arthritis.

Human inflammatory arthritic diseases developing in response to infections with known pathogens provide unique models for studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human chronic inflammatory diseases. For example, Lyme disease serves as an appropriate clinical entity for immunopathogenetic studies, since the tickborne spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease, has been identified [1]. Patients with Lyme disease frequently develop intermittent inflammatory symptoms [2]. In both adults [2] and children [3], most Lyme disease patients will have resolution of their arthritic symptoms over time. However, a subset of patients with Lyme disease (~10*) develop a chronic inflammatory arthritis that resembles other forms of human inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis [4]. Synovial tissue obtained from this subset of patients is histopathologically identical to that of rheumatoid arthritis [2]. T lymphocytes, predominantly CD4~h T cells, are present in the synovial tissue in both arthritides [5]. Similarly, reactive arthritis triggered by Yersinia enterocolitica provides another clinical model for studying the pathogenesis of human inflammatory arthritis. Among the bacteria known to cause reactive arthritis, which include Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Chlamydia species, Yersinia is one of the more common etiologic genera [6]. Y. enterocolitica causes acute gastroenteritis. At 1-3 weeks after infection, a subset of patients develop a reactive arthritis that varies from mild arthralgia to severe polyarthritis and usually resolves within a few weeks or months in most patients. Synovial fluid and blood samples from these patients are particularly valuable for pathogenetic studies, since they can be obtained at an early stage of disease from patients with characteristic clinical features, a known time of disease onset, and a serologically and microbiologically confirmed diagnosis. As in Lyme arthritis, a subset of these patients (10*) will
Tunable Oxygen Vacancy Formation Energetics in the Complex Perovskite Oxide SrxLa1–xMnyAl1–yO3

The composition dependence of oxygen vacancy formation energies (EV) in the complex perovskite SrxLa1–xMnyAl1–yO3, a material system demonstrated to significantly outperform ceria for solar thermochemical (STC) fuel production, was investigated using a combination of ab initio and experimental techniques. Density functional theory calculations predict that EV as a function of composition spans a large range from near 0 to over 3 eV under standard conditions and exhibits trends consistent with equilibrium oxygen nonstoichiometries we determined using thermogravimetric analysis. Our findings show that the strong sensitivity of EV to composition arises from the composition dependence of the Fermi energy relative to the O 2p band center. From these results, we identify the range of EV particularly suited for STC cycles for a given set of reduction and oxidation reaction conditions and present a materials design strategy for the optimization of EV through compositional tuning.
Regulatory and Resource Management Practices for Urban Watersheds: The Florida Experience

Urban water quality management is becoming an increasingly complex and widespread problem. The long-term viability of aquatic ecosystems draining urban watersheds can be addressed through both regulatory and nutrient and water management initiatives. This review focuses on U.S. regulatory (federal, state, and local) and management (runoff, atmospheric deposition, and wastewater) impacts on urban water quality, specifically emphasizing programs in Florida. Because of rapid population growth in recent decades, and projected increases in the future, appropriate resource management in Florida is essential. Florida enacted stormwater regulations in 1979, before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) amended the Clean Water Act (CWA) to regulate stormwater discharges. However, in the United States, more research has been conducted on larger structural best management practices (BMPs) (e.g., wet ponds, detention basins, etc.) compared with smaller onsite alternatives (e.g., green roofs, permeable pavements, etc.). For atmospheric deposition, research is needed to investigate processes contributing to enhanced deposition rates. Wastewater (from septic systems, treatment plants, and landfills) management is especially important in urban watersheds. Failing septic systems, elevated nutrient concentrations in discharged effluent, and landfill leachate can all potentially degrade water quality. Proposed numeric nutrient criteria from the USEPA and innovative technologies such as bioreactor landfills are emergent regulatory and management strategies for improved urban water quality.
Psychological Characteristics of Interdisciplinary Graduate and Countermeasures

The rapid development of modern science and the urgent need for a large number of research-based,compound talents,more and more cross-disciplinary graduate timely.This is high level compound talents training opportunities,but also management challenges to colleges and universities graduate.Interdisciplinary graduate thought showing a more complex trend,their mental health is related to the success of training.This paper analyzes psychological characteristics and problems of the cross disciplines-biomedical engineering graduate student,explores the method of ideological and political education of cross-disciplinary graduate students.
Design of Coal Mine Safety Patrolling System Based on RFID Handhold Terminal

In view of problem existed in traditional coal mine safety patrolling method which uses artificial patrolling mode,the paper proposed a design scheme of coal mine safety patrolling system based on RFID handhold terminal.In the scheme,patrolling personnel uses handhold terminal to read his identifi-(cation) card in order to login safety management server to download patrolling tasks and hidden danger(database.) Then the patrolling personnel reads address identification card at patrolling sites in underground according with the downloaded tasks,detects gas concentration and hidden dangers and makes relative(records.) When patrolling is finished,the patrolling personnel uploads patrolled data to safety management server.Safety manager statistics and summaries uploaded data,so as to find hidden dangers timely and judges(behind) schedule according to recorded time.The actual application showed that the system can(promote) standardization and informatization of coal mine safety patrolling work and can improve safety management level of coal enterprise.
Classification and prognostic factors of endodontic-periodontic lesions in the dog.

The classification of the possible pathologic relationships between the periodontium and endodontium in man includes three separate groups. This classification system is adapted for utilization in ...
Thermal restacking of graphene structure to improve lithium-air battery cyclability

Abstract Poor rechargeability is one of major drawbacks of lithium-air batteries. Our study reveals that the accumulation and subsequent removal of reaction products during cycles can lead to a serious disruption and volume expansion of the cathode structure and demonstrates that by restacking and realigning the three phase interface of the cycled cathodes via mild heat treatment results in the enhanced cycle performance by over 200% and reduces the discharge overpotential at the same time. The results stress the importance of maintaining the physical configuration of lithium-air cathodes, and provide a new insight towards pulling out capacity retention of the system by better utilization of the available carbon surface.
On-chip graphene optoelectronic devices for optical interconnects

Graphene has unique mechanical, electrical, and thermal characteristics that make it appealing for a variety of optoelectronic applications. Here, we present recent advances in integrating graphene with silicon channel waveguides and planar photonic crystal cavities to make this otherwise weakly absorbing material optically opaque. Based on these devices, we demonstrate high-speed modulators and photodetectors for optical communications in the telecom spectrum. The silicon photonic integrated circuits used in these studies were fabricated using fully CMOS compatible processing.
Sensitivity analysis of photovoltaic hosting capacity of distribution circuits

The decrease in PV panel cost has globally increased the residential PV installations in the distribution grid. Studies have shown that high PV penetration can cause overvoltage, voltage deviation and reverse power flow concern in the distribution grid. To avoid the grid concerns, the utilities typically limit the PV penetration in the distribution feeder. However, the PV hosting capacity limits of the distribution feeder depend on various key factors such as voltage class of the feeder, PV location, short circuit capacity, and presence of voltage regulation devices. This paper focuses on calculating the sensitivity of PV hosting capacity to various factors affecting it. The analysis is validated with the help of simplified feeder model and also with stochastic framework of analysis.
Waveform Variation in Neuromodulation

As neuromodulation therapies continue to expand worldwide, modifications of existing stimulus waveforms as well as innovative new stimulus patterns and approaches are being developed. Some of these are more efficacious, more efficient, capture more important salient features of the underlying neural circuitry, or are better able to serve as a useful signal to implement closed-loop paradigms that self-regulate their stimulation moment-to-moment. Some of these approaches, including high-frequency and burst modes of spinal cord stimulation, are examined and their potential mechanisms are explored.
Exploring Deletion Strategies for the BoND-Tree in Multidimensional Non-ordered Discrete Data Spaces

Box queries on a dataset in a multidimensional data space are a type of query which specifies a set of allowed values for each dimension. Indexing a dataset in a multidimensional Non-ordered Discrete Data Space (NDDS) for supporting efficient box queries is becoming increasingly important in many application domains such as genome sequence analysis. The BoND-tree was recently introduced as an index structure specifically designed for box queries in an NDDS. Earlier work focused on developing strategies for building an effective BoND-tree to achieve high query performance. Developing efficient and effective techniques for deleting indexed vectors from the BoND-tree remains an open issue. In this paper, we present three deletion algorithms based on different underflow handling strategies in an NDDS. Our study shows that incorporating a new BoND-tree inspired heuristic can provide improved performance compared to the traditional underflow handling heuristics in NDDSs.
Uniaxial Compressive Strengths of Rocks Drilled at Gale Crater, Mars

Measuring the physical properties of geological materials is important for understanding geologic history. Yet there has never been an instrument with the purpose of measuring mechanical properties of rocks sent to another planet. The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover employs the Powder Acquisition Drill System (PADS), which provides direct mechanical interaction with Martian outcrops. While the objective of the drill system is not to make scientific measurements, the drill's performance is directly influenced by the mechanical properties of the rocks it drills into. We have developed a methodology that uses the drill to indicate the uniaxial compressive strengths of rocks through comparison with performance of an identically assembled drill system in terrestrial samples of comparable sedimentary class. During this investigation, we utilize engineering data collected on Mars to calculate the percussive energy needed to maintain a prescribed rate of penetration and correlate that to rock strength.
Microenvironmental signals and biochemical information processing: Cooperative determinants of intratumoral plasticity and heterogeneity

Intra-tumor cellular heterogeneity is a major challenge in cancer therapy. Tumors are composed of multiple phenotypic subpopulations that vary in their ability to initiate metastatic tumors and in their sensitivity to chemotherapy. In many cases, cells can transition between these subpopulations, not by genetic mutation, but instead through reversible changes in signal transduction or gene expression programs. This plasticity begins at the level of the microenvironment where local autocrine and paracrine signals, exosomes, tumor-stroma interactions, extracellular matrix composition, and more recently discovered exosomes create a signaling landscape that varies over space and time. The integration of this complex array of signals engages signaling pathways that control gene expression. The resulting modulation of gene expression programs causes individual cells to sample a wide array of phenotypic states that support tumor growth, dissemination, and therapeutic resistance. In this review, we discuss how information flows dynamically within the microenvironmental landscape to inform cell state decisions and to create intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Lastly, we address the role of plasticity in the acquisition of transient and prolonged drug resistant states and address how targeted pharmacological modification of the signaling landscape may be able to constrain phenotypic plasticity, leading to improved treatment responses.
Spoken Language Production: Psycholinguistic Approach

The ability to speak a language fluently is the commonplace standard by which one's knowledge of a language is judged in everyday communication. This ability rests on the cognitive mechanisms of normal language production. Language production minimally requires the formulation of some communicative intention and the translation of the communicative intention into speech, calling on the semantics, syntax, and lexicon of the language being spoken. This article surveys the central components of the production process, presenting the natural phenomena and the psycholinguistic evidence that illuminate how production is organized and how it unfolds in time.
How to Evaluate Biomedical Research Publications Rigorously

Evaluating the quality of published studies and their outcomes is much more complex than is typically imagined. Lack of uniformity makes it difficult for readers to properly assess the validity of empirical findings in the biomedical literature. Many guidelines have been developed to help academic faculty in reporting study findings and understanding the adequacy of the study design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation. Dedicated efforts to apply these guidelines will bring benefit to individual health and society at large.
Singular Value Decomposition of Wigner Distribution for Time-Frequency Representation of Ultrasonic Echoes

Wigner distribution (WD) is an effective tool for characterizing non-stationary signals where different frequency components arrive at different times. WD was proposed in 1932 by Wigner with applications in quantum mechanics [1]. WD offers high frequency resolution, and satisfies important properties such as marginals and time/frequency shifts. However, in spite of these advantages, WD creates spurious frequency information (cross-terms) when it is applied to signals consisting of multiple echoes or to a signal corrupted by noise. The cross-terms interfere with and often mask the true time-frequency information associated with echoes of interest. Due to the random and complex nature of backscattered ultrasonic echoes, and because the echoes are not exactly Gaussian in shape, the WD of ultrasonic signals is corrupted by the cross-terms. In this paper, singular value decomposition (SVD) is used to analyze and reduce the cross-terms.
An interpolation technique to enable accurate three-dimensional joint kinematic analyses using asynchronous biplane fluoroscopy

Abstract Biplane 2D-3D model-based registration and radiostereometric analysis (RSA) approaches have been commonly used for measuring three-dimensional, in vivo joint kinematics. However, in clinical biplane systems, the x-ray images are acquired asynchronously, which introduces registration errors. The present study introduces an interpolation technique to reduce image registration error by generating synchronous fluoroscopy image estimates. A phantom study and cadaveric shoulder study were used to evaluate the level of improvement in image registration that could be obtained as a result of using our interpolation technique. Our phantom study results show that the interpolated bead tracking technique was in better agreement with the true bead positions than when asynchronous images were used alone. The overall RMS error of glenohumeral kinematics for interpolated biplane registration was reduced by 1.27 mm, 0.40 mm, and 0.47 mm in anterior-posterior, superior-inferior, and medial-lateral translation, respectively; and 0.47°, 0.67°, and 0.19° in ab-adduction, internal-external rotation and flexion-extension, respectively, compared to asynchronous registration. The interpolated biplane registration results were consistent with previously reported studies using custom synchronous biplane fluoroscopy technology. This approach will be particularly useful for improving the kinematic accuracy of high velocity activities when using clinical biplane fluoroscopes or two independent c-arms, which are available at a number of institutions.
Mini-review of hair cortisol concentration for evaluation of Cushing syndrome.

Introduction: The diagnosis of endogenous Cushing syndrome is often challenging and requires multiple repeated blood, urine, and saliva tests to detect elevated cortisol levels. Hair cortisol conce...
FROM POLITY TO EXCHANGE: THE FATE OF DEMOCRACY IN THE CHANGING FIELDS OF EARLY AMERICAN HISTORIOGRAPHY

Gordon Wood stoked a strong response from his fellow early American historians in 2015 when, in the pages of the Weekly Standard, he accused the Omohundro Institute of Early American History, publishers of the prestigious William and Mary Quarterly, of abandoning interest in the development of the United States. “A new generation of historians is no longer interested in how the United States came to be,” Wood argued. “That kind of narrative history of the nation, they say, is not only inherently triumphalist but has a teleological bias built into it.” Wood blamed the shift away from the nation on historians’ interest in such issues as race and gender: “The inequalities of race and gender now permeate much of academic history-writing, so much so that the general reading public that wants to learn about the whole of our nation's past has had to turn to the history books written by nonacademics who have no PhDs and are not involved in the incestuous conversations of the academic scholars.” Of the William and Mary Quarterly, Wood concluded, “without some kind of historical GPS, it is in danger of losing its way.”
Dielectrophoresis: From Molecular to Micrometer-Scale Analytes.

The complexity of biological analytes demands powerful analysis techniques in order to reveal cellular processes and pathways on the molecular level.1 Thus, ever refining analytical tools or combinations of various analysis techniques are required to reveal such complexities. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) refers to an analytical technique in which a polarizable particle experiences an attractive or repulsive force when placed in a non-uniform electric field. Realized in microenvironments, DEP phenomena have allowed innovative analytical applications due to the strong dependency on the size of the analyte in conjunction with its dielectric properties and are especially suitable for manipulating µm-sized, cellular bioanalytes. However, the demonstration of DEP for smaller sub-cellular entities or non-biological, sub-µm sized particles has been more difficult, as the required DEP forces impose design challenges.2 In addition, the structural complexity of sub-cellular bioanalytes, and the huge variety of microbes s...
Epigenome modulated xenobiotic detoxification pathways control DMBA-induced breast cancer in agouti Avy/a mice.

Environmental xenobiotics with genotoxic activity are carcinogenic. However, individual differences in the susceptibility to xenobiotic-induced breast cancer remain unclear. Since epigenetic modifi...
Identification of novel inhibitors for TNFα, TNFR1 and TNFα-TNFR1 complex using pharmacophore-based approaches

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is a multifunctional cytokine with a potent pro-inflammatory effect. It is a validated therapeutic target molecule for several disorders related to autoimmunity and inflammation. TNFα–TNF receptor-1 (TNFR1) signaling contributes to the pathological processes of these disorders. The current study is focused on finding novel small molecules that can directly bind to TNFα and/or TNFR1, preventing the interaction between TNFα or TNFR1, and regulating downstream signaling pathways. Cheminformatics pipeline (pharmacophore modeling, virtual screening, molecular docking and in silico ADMET analysis) was used to screen for novel TNFα and TNFR1 inhibitors in the Zinc database. The pharmacophore-based models were generated to screen for the best drug like compounds in the Zinc database. The 39, 37 and 45 best hit molecules were mapped with the core pharmacophore features of TNFα, TNFR1, and the TNFα–TNFR1 complex respectively. They were further evaluated by molecular docking, protein–ligand interactions and in silico ADMET studies. The molecular docking analysis revealed the binding energies of TNFα, TNFR1 and the TNFα–TNFR1 complex, the basis of which was used to select the top five best binding energy compounds. Furthermore, in silico ADMET studies clearly revealed that all 15 compounds (ZINC09609430, ZINC49467549, ZINC13113075, ZINC39907639, ZINC25251930, ZINC02968981, ZINC09544246, ZINC58047088, ZINC72021182, ZINC08704414, ZINC05462670, ZINC35681945, ZINC23553920, ZINC05328058, and ZINC17206695) satisfied the Lipinski rule of five and had no toxicity. The new selective TNFα, TNFR1 and TNFα–TNFR1 complex inhibitors can serve as anti-inflammatory agents and are promising candidates for further research.
Holographic fabrication of octagon graded photonic supercrystal and potential applications in topological photonics

Novel optical properties in graded photonic super-crystals can be further explored if new types of graded photonic super-crystals are fabricated. In this paper, we report holographic fabrication of graded photonic super-crystal with eight graded lattice clusters surrounding the central non-gradient lattices through pixel-by-pixel phase engineering in a spatial light modulator. The prospect of applications of octagon graded photonic super-crystal in topological photonics is discussed through photonic band gap engineering and coupled ring resonators.
Thermodynamic stability analysis of Bi-containing III-V quaternary alloys and the effect of epitaxial strain

Abstract The thermodynamic stability of Bi-containing III-V quaternary alloys was determined using the delta lattice parameter (DLP) model in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The DLP model and DFT-calculated enthalpy of mixing show remarkably good agreement for the In1-yGayAs1-xBix and GaAs1-x-yBixPy systems. Binodal and spinodal isotherm contours have been constructed for these systems, as well as In1-yGayP1-xBix, In1-yGaySb1-xBix, GaAs1-x-yBixSby, InAs1-x-yBixPy and InAs1-x-yBixSby, for their unstrained and pseudomorphically strained states as a function of lattice parameter. Enhanced Bi solubility can be achieved by epitaxial growth of alloys on substrates with lattice parameters from 0.565 to 0.6058 nm. The incorporation of an anion element with a smaller atomic size also increases the Bi solubility in the Bi low concentration regime. This work elucidates the thermodynamic stability dependence for Bi-containing quaternary alloys on choice of cation, anion and strain state. It also extends the DLP model to a wider composition range.
Why is service life prediction of polymers and plastics exposed to outdoor weathering important? An industrial perspective

Abstract The ability to predict the service life of materials is central to effective risk assessment for many products. Like the tools and methodologies for the broader evaluation of risk, service life prediction (SLP) is a methodology that is both well established and continuously improving, challenging researchers to increase the insight and accuracy of prediction within acceptable ranges of speed and cost. As our collective understanding of accelerated aging, failure modes, and predictive models improves, so does our ability to elucidate the relationship between environmental variables and a given material’s response. However, formidable challenges—both technical and practical—remain. Understanding failure modes and underlying mechanisms is essential to accurately predicting service life via accelerated testing. Importantly, the real world can be much more complex than accelerating exposure to a single factor. Thus, useful testing in support of lifetime analysis requires that the operative mechanism that governs a given material’s service life is activated in the accelerated test. One of the enduring challenges of successfully implementing SLP into the product development lifecycle is the difficulty of predicting the results of often complex real-world usage. This work provides a roadmap to the SLP process followed by two case studies that highlight the practical intersection of SLP and risk assessment in industry. One study establishes how SLP has been used effectively to describe lithium ion battery performance in an electronic device to facilitate operational choices to extend lifetime. A second study demonstrates the unintended service life reduction due to formulation change in a building sealant.
Safety and Effectiveness of Sedation With Adjunctive Ketamine Versus Nonketamine Sedation in the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

Background:Ketamine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist with sedative and analgesic properties, is becoming more popular as an adjunctive sedative in the critically ill patients.Methods:We...
Proton beam position measurement in air using a BPM

A Beam Position Monitor (BPM) is potentially useful to measure the position and phase of the beam in air in a non-destructive way. An air-gap BPM in experiments, such as beam-induced radioactive waste management and dynamic radiography applications, where a so-called air gap is needed, can be utilized to measure the beam position and phase. In this study, a stripline BPM was used in the air-gap of an 800 MeV proton beam transport line. The downstream end of the primary beamline exit window was made of a thin aluminum plate and allowed the beam to travel 1.2 m in ambient air before re-entering into a vacuum drift section. Such a configuration was arranged to examine the BPM effectiveness in atmospheric temperature and pressure where ionization of air occurs. In this study, a high energy (800 MeV), high current (0.6 A beam peak current/pulse) proton beam of 5 mm radius was transported in the air. The beam position relative to the axis was measured by detecting the signature of the beam in a nanosecond scale. This nanosecond scale detection ability was useful to identify other signals such as plasma effects. The BPM signals were processed at a frequency of 201 MHz; thus, one gets a stronger response in a stripline pattern as it was used in this study instead of a dot-type BPM. Experimental data show that the BPM works well in air, but ionization of air or plasma formation could not be measured over the BPM signal. The design, construction, and performance of a BPM in air environment are presented.
Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumors or Bilateral Leydig Cell Tumors

Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumors, also known as Testicular Tumors of the Androgenital Syndrome, are benign tumors found in the testes of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. While considered benign, they are significant in that they can proliferate within the rete testis and cause infertility. We present a patient who appeared to have findings consistent with testicular adrenal rest tumors and is in the process of malignancy rule out.
A Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Network Can Differentiate Between Helicobacter Pylori Gastritis and Autoimmune Gastritis With Results Comparable to Gastrointestinal Pathologists.

Context.— Pathology studies using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have focused on neoplasms, while studies in inflammatory pathology are rare. We previously demonstrated a CNN differentiates reactive gastropathy, Helicobacter pylori gastritis (HPG), and normal gastric mucosa. Objective.— To determine whether a CNN can differentiate the following 2 gastric inflammatory patterns: autoimmune gastritis (AG) and HPG. Design.— Gold standard diagnoses were blindly established by 2 gastrointestinal (GI) pathologists. One hundred eighty-seven cases were scanned for analysis by HALO-AI. All levels and tissue fragments per slide were included for analysis. The cases were randomized, 112 (60%; 60 HPG, 52 AG) in the training set and 75 (40%; 40 HPG, 35 AG) in the test set. A HALO-AI correct area distribution (AD) cutoff of 50% or more was required to credit the CNN with the correct diagnosis. The test set was blindly reviewed by pathologists with different levels of GI pathology expertise as follows: 2 GI pathologists, 2 general surgical pathologists, and 2 residents. Each pathologist rendered their preferred diagnosis, HPG or AG. Results.— At the HALO-AI AD percentage cutoff of 50% or more, the CNN results were 100% concordant with the gold standard diagnoses. On average, autoimmune gastritis cases had 84.7% HALO-AI autoimmune gastritis AD and HP cases had 87.3% HALO-AI HP AD. The GI pathologists, general anatomic pathologists, and residents were on average, 100%, 86%, and 57% concordant with the gold standard diagnoses, respectively. Conclusions.— A CNN can distinguish between cases of HPG and autoimmune gastritis with accuracy equal to GI pathologists.
It Happened Matters More Than What Happened: Associations Between Intimate Partner Violence Abuse Type, Emotion Regulation, and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has varied consequences including post-traumatic stress (PTS). One proposed risk factor for PTS is escalating types of violence; however, data are mixed. Because emo...
In situ X-ray assisted electron microscopy staining for large biological samples

Electron microscopy of biological tissue has recently seen an unprecedented increase in imaging throughput moving the ultrastructural analysis of large tissue blocks such as whole brains into the realm of the feasible. However, homogeneous, high quality electron microscopy staining of large biological samples is still a major challenge. To date, assessing the staining quality in electron microscopy requires running a sample through the entire staining protocol end-to-end, which can take weeks or even months for large samples, rendering protocol optimization for such samples to be inefficient. Here we present an in situ time-lapsed X-ray assisted staining procedure that opens the "black box" of electron microscopy staining and allows observation of individual staining steps in real time. Using this novel method we measured the accumulation of heavy metals in large tissue samples immersed in different staining solutions. We show that the measured accumulation of osmium in fixed tissue obeys empirically a quadratic dependence between the incubation time and sample size. We found that potassium ferrocyanide, a classic reducing agent for osmium tetroxide, clears the tissue after osmium staining and that the tissue expands in osmium tetroxide solution, but shrinks in reduced osmium solution. X-ray assisted staining gave access to the in situ staining kinetics and allowed us to develop a diffusion-reaction-advection model that accurately simulates the measured accumulation of osmium in tissue. These are first steps towards in silico staining experiments and computational optimization of staining protocols for large samples. Hence, X-ray assisted staining will be a useful tool for the development of reliable staining procedures for large samples such as entire brains of mice, monkeys or humans.
Heart Failure Syndrome With Preserved Ejection Fraction Is a Metabolic Cluster of Non-resolving Inflammation in Obesity

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is an emerging disease with signs of nonresolving inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and multiorgan defects. Moreover, based on the clinical signs and symptoms and the rise of the obesity epidemic, the number of patients developing HFpEF is increasing. From recent molecular and cellular studies, it becomes evident that HFpEF is not a single and homogenous disease but a cluster of heterogeneous pathophysiology with aging at the base of the pyramid. Obesity superimposed on aging drives the number of inflammatory pathways that intersect with metabolic dysfunction and suboptimal inflammation. Here, we compiled information on obesity-directed macrophage dysfunction that coincide with metabolic defects. Obesity-associated proinflammatory stimuli facilitates heart and interorgan inflammation in HFpEF. Furthermore, diversified mechanisms that drive heart failure urge the need of studying pervasive and unresolved inflammation in animal models to understand HFpEF. A broad and system-based approach will help to study major translational aspects of HFpEF, since no single animal model recapitulates all signs of differential HFpEF stages in the clinical setting. Here, we covered experimental models that target HFpEF and emphasized the advances observed with formyl peptide 2 (FPR2) receptor, a prime sensor that is important in inflammation-resolution signaling. Dysfunction of FPR2 led to the development of spontaneous obesity, impaired macrophage function, and triggered kidney fibrosis, providing evidence of multiorgan defects in HFpEF in an obesogenic aging experimental model.
The Epidemiology, Impact, and Diagnosis of Micronutrient Nutritional Dermatoses Part 1: Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C

Dermatologists play a critical role in diagnosing and managing nutritional deficiencies as they often present with cutaneous findings. Traditionally, nutritional dermatoses are taught in the context of developing countries, famine, population displacement, and poor healthcare access; however, in the United States, common risk factors include chronic liver disease, alcoholism, psychiatric disease, bariatric surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, and hemodialysis. Additionally, nutritional dermatoses may be underdiagnosed in the United States and result in increased morbidity and utilization of hospital resources. There is a need for providers in developed nations to identify these deficiencies, and this review aims to meet that practice gap and provide relevant context to these diseases for dermatologists. This two-part review series will focus on the epidemiology, impact, appearance, and diagnostic modalities for micronutrient deficiencies, including zinc, selenium, copper, and vitamins A and C in part one. The companion review will focus on the B-complex vitamins.
Bone Loss, Fracture Histories, and Body Composition Characteristics of Older Males

The National Institutes of Health sponsored a consensus development conference on osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis, and therapy in its Bethesda, Maryland campus in March of 2000 (National Institutes of Health, 2001). This conference was stimulated by the recognition of the fact that osteoporosis has become a major worldwide public health problem. In fact, osteoporosis has already become a major challenge to the health care professions as the number and proportion of the elderly continue to grow. According to the statistics cited at the outset of the conference, 10 million Americans already had osteoporosis at the beginning of the year 2000, and 18 million more had low bone mass that placed them at risk for non-traumatic fractures.
Automated Query Formulation Using an Entity–Relationship Conceptual Schema

Significant effort is expended in developing a high–level conceptual schema for a relational database. However, critical knowledge is often discarded when the conceptual schema is mapped to a set of relation schemas. As a result, designers and users must employ sparser logical–level knowledge to access data. Unfortunately, naive users do not possess the detailed logical–level knowledge required to formulate queries corresponding to ad hoc requests. A universal relation interface can shield users from underlying design details. However, most universal relation systems have been based on abstractions not typically used by database designers. Consequently, the usefulness of these interfaces has been limited. This article demonstrates how an Entity–Relationship (ER) conceptual schema can be used by a high–level interface to formulate queries automatically. The notion of contexts is introduced to describe the segmentation of an ER conceptual schema into overlapping subgraphs that correspond to sets of relations that can be joined in a lossless manner. Given a set of contexts, natural join query formulation is straightforward. As demonstrated with a case study using the prototype QUICK system, the techniques presented facilitate the construction of high–level, intelligent interfaces.
Thoughts on Single Point of Entry

This comment letter was recently submitted to the FDIC in response to their Single Point of Entry (SPOE) Strategy for implementing Dodd Frank’s Orderly Liquidation Authority (Federal Register/Vol. 78, No. 243).In the comment letter, I describe SPOE as a promising first start, but urge the agency to develop an more realistic description of the process that includes financial distress at the operating subsidiary level.Holding companies are unlikely to be the direct source of financial distress that would warrant the use of OLA, yet the SPOE proposal as explicated is almost exclusively focused on holding companies. Certainly resolving holding companies is much easier than resolving operating companies, but if the SPOE is to provide a realistic roadmap for future use of OLA, it must engage in a full discussion of a more realistic, and specific scenario.
Increasing Phonemic Awareness in Kindergarten Students: Using iPads in Language Arts Centers

Language arts teachers find that students at any elementary grade show a wide range of abilities, specifically in the area of phonemic awareness. Student abilities are not evaluated accurately using paper pencil tests. A review of the literature addresses teaching approaches and effective use of technology in an elementary classroom. Implications of the research suggest that student engagement with technology have an impact on their learning (Kearsley & Shneiderman 1998). The research indicates that, if teachers do not monitor progress,students often view the use of iPad apps as games, not educational opportunities. Research findings emphasize that in order for students to become motivated in their learning, they must be engaged. This is a teacher action research study in which students in a kindergarten class participated in small group instruction using selected iPad Apps that promote phonemic awareness development. After instruction, three days a week for ten minutes each day, with different phonemic awareness applications, the students were reassessed to check for growth in phonemic awareness abilities using school district created benchmarks. The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of select iPad apps that address phonemic awareness in Kindergarten. This study measured the growth of student abilities in reference to their phonemic awareness with the use of iPad technology. Results indicated that student performance increased following instruction in phonemic awareness using select iPad apps.