cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coalignment and synchronization of the AIRS instrument suite

Previous multispectral sounders have consisted of infrared and microwave instruments operated asynchronously, with the data interpolated during ground processing to common fields of view (FOVs) for geophysical retrieval processing. To help achieve the high retrieval accuracy required for the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) system, the four instruments making up the AIRS suite are aligned and synchronized in such a way as to achieve common FOVs without interpolation. We describe the system, how the alignment is accomplished, and the plans to verify performance after launch and compensate for misalignments that might be revealed then.
Fool’s Gold? Assessing the Impact of the Value of Airline Loyalty Programs on Brand Equity Perceptions and Share of Wallet

Despite substantial investments in loyalty programs, hospitality industry managers and marketers are given little evidence regarding the loyalty programs’ overall effectiveness in driving consumer ...
A theoretical analysis of tape helical antennas

The authors consider a tape helix separated from a concentric conducting core by a dielectric substrate. A characteristic equation that rigorously accounts for the substrate and conducting core is derived for the propagation constant beta . For a given geometry, the characteristic equation can be solved numerically to produce the complete k- beta diagram. The k- beta diagram for an infinite helical geometry having tape radius 1.0 m, core radius 0.8 m, substrate relative permittivity 1.0, and tape pitch angle 10 degrees is shown. The ratio of tape width to period along the axial direction is 1.0*10/sup -5/. >
Multi-scale computational models of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: genotype to phenotype.

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is an inherited disorder affecting roughly one in 500 people. Its hallmark is abnormal thickening of the ventricular wall, leading to serious complications that include heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Treatment is complicated by variation in the severity, symptoms and risks for sudden death within the patient population. Nearly all of the genetic lesions associated with FHC occur in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins, indicating that defects in cardiac muscle contraction underlie the condition. Detailed biophysical data are increasingly available for computational analyses that could be used to predict heart phenotypes based on genotype. These models must integrate the dynamic processes occurring in cardiac cells with properties of myocardial tissue, heart geometry and haemodynamic load in order to predict strain and stress in the ventricular walls and overall pump function. Recent advances have increased the biophysical detail in these models at the myofilament level, which will allow properties of FHC-linked mutant proteins to be accurately represented in simulations of whole heart function. The short-term impact of these models will be detailed descriptions of contractile dysfunction and altered myocardial strain patterns at the earliest stages of the disease—predictions that could be validated in genetically modified animals. Long term, these multi-scale models have the potential to improve clinical management of FHC through genotype-based risk stratification and personalized therapy.
Assaying susceptibility of avian and other influenza A viruses to zanamivir: comparison of fluorescent and chemiluminescent neuraminidase assays.

Abstract Zanamivir has been shown to inhibit both human and avian influenza viral neuraminidases (NAs) and has been approved in several countries for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza infection. Reliable monitoring of drug resistance is important for assessment of the impact of drug therapy on circulating virus populations. This study compares the current fluorometric (FL) method for evaluating zanamivir susceptibility with a recently developed chemiluminescent (CL) NA activity assay using viruses representative of all nine NA subtypes. The CL assay displayed signal/noise ratios that are 50–100 times greater than those associated with the FL assay. Human H3N2 strains appeared to exhibit greater NA activity relative to avian subtypes with the FL substrate but not with the CL substrate. Additionally, the CL assay remained linear over three orders of magnitude compared to only one order of magnitude for the FL assay. Four of the nine NA subtypes tested in this study displayed slightly higher inhibit...
On the synthesis of optimally reliable networks having unreliable nodes but reliable edges

The author considers a network reliability model which is pertinent to many computer networks. Nodes are assumed to fail with equal and independent probabilities, while edges are assumed to be perfectly reliable. Several problems regrading the synthesis of optimally reliable networks are introduced. A few results are given, and a collection of open questions and conjectures are stated. >
Rights protection for categorical data

A novel method of rights protection for categorical data through watermarking is introduced in this paper. New watermark embedding channels are discovered and associated novel watermark encoding algorithms are proposed. While preserving data quality requirements, the introduced solution is designed to survive important attacks, such as subset selection and random alterations. Mark detection is fully "blind" in that it doesn't require the original data, an important characteristic, especially in the case of massive data. Various improvements and alternative encoding methods are proposed and validation experiments on real-life data are performed. Important theoretical bounds including mark vulnerability are analyzed. The method is proved (experimentally and by analysis) to be extremely resilient to both alteration and data loss attacks, for example, tolerating up to 80 percent data loss with a watermark alteration of only 25 percent.
System imposed and application compliant adaptations

As more and more inexpensive, small and lightweight computer devices become available, a lot of what were formerly though of as in-office computer related activities are carried out anywhere and anytime. Reading Web news is an example. We can surf the Web at airports, on trains, and even in camp grounds. However, is it possible that more complicated distributed applications, such as scientific computing, multisite video game playing, etc., can be adapted to the mobile environment? More interestingly, how can we achieve this without rewriting the complex applications that are designed for distributed platforms in which resource locations, resource types, network connectivity, and locations of the applications themselves are more stationary and stable than in a mobile distributed environment? Our research focuses on application level context-aware adaptations. In our new application paradigm, mobile applications are a composition of three independent parts: (1) application context which identifies the application itself, such as its location, application type, quality of service constraints, hosting device power limit, etc; (2) functionality of the application, which we call the application's functional behavior; and (3) application adaptation behavior. In traditional distributed applications, it is sufficient to consider only an application's functional behavior, but for mobile applications it is also necessary to be able to adapt to a changing environment. Our research provides a new paradigm to achieve application level adaptations in mobile environment. We also distinguish between two forms of adaptations; imposed adaptations and compliance adaptations.
Oxidative capacity of the Mexico City atmosphere – Part 2: A RO x radical cycling perspective

Abstract. A box model using measurements from the Mexico City Metropolitan Area study in the spring of 2003 (MCMA-2003) is presented to study oxidative capacity (our ability to predict OH radicals) and ROx (ROx=OH+HO2+RO2+RO) radical cycling in a polluted (i.e., very high NOx=NO+NO2) atmosphere. Model simulations were performed using the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCMv3.1) constrained with 10 min averaged measurements of major radical sources (i.e., HCHO, HONO, O3, CHOCHO, etc.), radical sink precursors (i.e., NO, NO2, SO2, CO, and 102 volatile organic compounds (VOC)), meteorological parameters (temperature, pressure, water vapor concentration, dilution), and photolysis frequencies. Modeled HOx (=OH+HO2) concentrations compare favorably with measured concentrations for most of the day; however, the model under-predicts the concentrations of radicals in the early morning. This "missing reactivity" is highest during peak photochemical activity, and is least visible in a direct comparison of HOx radical concentrations. We conclude that the most likely scenario to reconcile model predictions with observations is the existence of a currently unidentified additional source for RO2 radicals, in combination with an additional sink for HO2 radicals that does not form OH. The true uncertainty due to "missing reactivity" is apparent in parameters like chain length. We present a first attempt to calculate chain length rigorously i.e., we define two parameters that account for atmospheric complexity, and are based on (1) radical initiation, n(OH), and (2) radical termination, ω. We find very high values of n(OH) in the early morning are incompatible with our current understanding of ROx termination routes. We also observe missing reactivity in the rate of ozone production (P(O3)). For example, the integral amount of ozone produced could be under-predicted by a factor of two. We argue that this uncertainty is partly accounted for in lumped chemical codes that are optimized to predict ozone concentrations; however, these codes do not reflect the true uncertainty in oxidative capacity that is relevant to other aspects of air quality management, such as the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Our analysis highlights that apart from uncertainties in emissions, and meteorology, there is an additional major uncertainty in chemical mechanisms that affects our ability to predict ozone and SOA formation with confidence.
Cadmium Induces Transcription Independently of Intracellular Calcium Mobilization

Background Exposure to cadmium is associated with human pathologies and altered gene expression. The molecular mechanisms by which cadmium affects transcription remain unclear. It has been proposed that cadmium activates transcription by altering intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and disrupting calcium-mediated intracellular signaling processes. This hypothesis is based on several studies that may be technically problematic; including the use of BAPTA chelators, BAPTA-based fluorescent sensors, and cytotoxic concentrations of metal.
Effects of Mach number on the development of a subsonic rectangular jet

ASUBSONIC jet of air emanating from a rectangular nozzle of intermediate aspect ratio has been investigated using hot-wire anemometry. The purpose of this investigation was to extend our knowledge of a rectangular jet from incompressible to compressible flow. Results of the hot-wire measurements show that a compressible subsonic rectangular jet behaves in a manner similar to that of an incompressible jet. It exhibits three distinct regions characterized by the decay of the mean axial velocity along the axis of the jet. These three regions are a potential core region, a two-dimensiona l type region, and an axisymmetric type region. The principal effect of increasing the Mach number of the rectangular jet was found to be the extension of the two-dimensional type region, and the jet behaves more nearly like a two-dimensional jet at higher Mach numbers. Contents The experiment was carried out on a rectangular nozzle, 50 mm long (L) and 3 mm wide (D), which was preceded by a 40 mm long smooth channel (50x3 mm). A Cartesian coordinate system was used with its origin located at the center of the nozzle and the X axis oriented along the centerline of the jet. The Y and Z axes are parallel to the long and short dimensions of the nozzle, respectively. Four exit Mach numbers (M^=0.18, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8) were studied in this experiment. The corresponding Reynolds numbers based on the width of the nozzle were 12,000-52,000. For all the Mach numbers studied, a top-hat mean velocity profile with a centerline turbulence intensity of about 0.4% was obtained at the nozzle exit. Measurements were made with standard constant temperature anemometer system (DISA 55P11, 55M10, and 55M25). The mean hot-wire output voltage was linearized for a velocity range of 20-280 m/s, with the voltage directly proportional to the velocity. The variation of the (squared) normalized mean velocity along the centerline of the jet for four exit Mach numbers is shown in Fig. 1. The centerline mean velocity Uc is normalized with respect to the mean velocity at the center of the nozzle exit U0. The three regions of an incompressible rectangular jet as described above can be identified in this figure. It appears that the jet decay rate has a fairly weak dependence on the Mach number.
Control of eye and arm movements using active, attentional vision

Recent related approaches in the areas of vision, motor control and planning are attempting to reduce the computational requirements of each process by restricting the class of problems that can be addressed. Active vision, differential kinematics and reactive planning are all characterized by their minimal use of representations, which simplifies both the required computations and the acquisition of models. This paper describes an approach to visually-guided motor control that is based on active vision and differential kinematics, and is compatible with reactive planning. Active vision depends on an ability to choose a region of the visual environment for task-specific processing. Visual attention provides a mechanism for choosing the region to be processed in a task-specific way. In addition, this attentional mechanism provides the interface between the vision and motor systems by representing visual position information in a 3-D retinocentric coordinate frame. Coordinates in this frame are transformed into eye and arm motor coordinates using kinematic relations expressed differentially. A real-time implementation of these visuomotor mechanisms has been used to develop a number of visually-guided eye and arm movement behaviors.
Pregnancy Intention and Health Behaviors: Results from the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Health Study Cohort

Objective Our objective was to determine whether intention for future pregnancy affects selected preconception health behaviors that may impact pregnancy outcomes. Methods Analyses are based on data from a population-based cohort study of women ages 18–45 residing in Central Pennsylvania. A subsample of 847 non-pregnant women with reproductive capacity comprise the analytic sample. We determined the associations between intention for future pregnancy and the pattern in the following health behaviors over a 2-year period: nutrition (fruit and vegetable consumption), folic acid supplementation, physical activity, binge drinking, smoking, and vaginal douching. Multivariable analyses controlled for pregnancy-related variables, health status, health care utilization, and sociodemographic variables. Results At baseline, 9% of women were considering pregnancy in the next year, 37% of women were considering pregnancy some other time in the future, and 53% of women were not considering future pregnancy. In multivariable analyses, there were no associations between intention for future pregnancy and maintaining healthy behavior or improving behavior for any of the seven longitudinal health behaviors studied. Conclusions The importance of nutrition, folic acid supplementation, physical activity, avoiding binge drinking, not smoking, and avoiding vaginal douching in the preconception period needs to be emphasized by health care providers and policy makers.
Selection of Invariant objects with a data-mining approach

An approach based on data-mining for identifying invariant objects in semiconductor applications is presented. An invariant object represents a set of parameter (feature) values of a process and the corresponding outcome, e.g., process quality. The key characteristic of an invariant object is that its outcome can be accurately predicted in the changing data environment. One of the most powerful applications of invariant objects involves the generation of robust settings for controllers in a multiparameter process. The prediction accuracy of such robust settings should be invariant in time, features, and data form. The notion of time-invariant objects refers to objects for which the prediction accuracy is not affected by time. Analogous to time-invariance, objects can be invariant in the features and the data form. The former implies that the prediction accuracy of a set of objects is not impacted by the set of features selected from the same data set. The outcomes of data-form invariant objects prevail despite the change in the data form (data transformation). The use of data transformation methods defined in this paper is twofold: first, to identify the invariance of objects and secondly, to enhance prediction accuracy. The concepts presented in this paper are illustrated with a numerical example and two semiconductor case studies.
Syntax and semantics of PRETSEL-a specification language for parallel real-time systems

For many real-time applications (e.g. command, control, and communications), parallel computers offer a natural computing platform. However, very little attention has been paid to the specification requirements of real-time systems implemented on parallel machines. Towards this end, we propose a specification language PRETSEL (Parallel Real-Time Specification Language). The PRETSEL specification language is based on a traditional two-level view of parallel computing whereby a parallel computation is viewed as a collection of interacting (data) parallel algorithms. This view is naturally reflected in PRETSEL syntax where at the lower level various constructs are provided for the specification of a data-parallel real-time algorithm (data-parallelism). At the upper level another set of constructs is provided to combine such tasks in a variety of way (task-parallelism). Furthermore, the PRETSEL language allows for the specification of performance requirements. PRETSEL is currently being evaluated for real-time avionics applications. We describe the syntax and operational semantics of PRETSEL and establish results relating the functional and the temporal behaviors.
EPIDEMIOLOGY, OBESITY, AND NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS

"While there is little doubt that obesity is in some way associated with both the prevalence and subsequent incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes, its exact role and its interaction with other factors have remained somewhat elusive" (1, p. 982). Epidemiologic studies of obesity and diabetes, one of the oldest known chronic condition associations in medicine, antedated studies of obesity and cancer or heart disease. Joslin (2) was among the first to draw attention to the association between obesity and diabetes in a manner that would be acceptable to modern epidemiologists. In 1921, he described a study of weight and height in 1,000 diabetics compared by age with insured lives. He understood the importance of using consecutive cases and large samples, of actually measuring both height and weight, of giving some variation around the "normal standard" of the life insurance tables, of considering the degree of leanness as well as overweight, and the importance of the basic concept of risk ratios. Describing his data, Joslin wrote, "The table as a whole shows that of the 1,000 diabetics considered, the maximum weights of only 10 per cent were below the standard weight zone, while 15 per cent came in that zone and 75 per cent above it" (2, p. 81).
Direct Effects of UV-B Radiation on the Freshwater Heterotrophic Nanoflagellate Paraphysomonas sp.

The formation of DNA photoproducts in organisms exposed to ambient levels of UV-B radiation can lead to death and/or reduced population growth in aquatic systems. Dependence on photoenzymatic repair to reverse DNA damage caused by UV-B radiation is demonstrated for Paraphysomonas sp., a member of a widely distributed genus of heterotrophic nanoflagellates. At 20°C, Paraphysomonas sp. was exposed to a range of UV-B intensities encountered in natural systems. Populations of the flagellate survived and grew in a dose-dependent manner, but only when simultaneously exposed to photorepair radiation (PRR). In contrast, flagellates exposed to UV-B at 15°C suffered 100% mortality except at the lowest UV-B level (with PRR) tested, which suggested a photorepair temperature optimum above 15°C. After acute UV-B exposures, DNA damage (measured as the formation of pyrimidine dimers) was reduced only in organisms that underwent subsequent exposure to PRR. Populations kept in the dark after UV-B exposure maintained the initial levels of pyrimidine dimers. These results are the first to demonstrate the reliance of a heterotrophic flagellate on photoenzymatic DNA repair for survival from UV-B exposure.
A simulation model for floating-gate MOS synapse transistors

We propose an empirical simulation model for p-channel floating-gate MOS synapse transistors. Since our model requires only a transistor and controlled sources, and does not use the MOSFET's channel potential in its description, we can apply the model in any SPICE circuit simulator. The model parameters derive from simple oxide-current measurements. We present fit parameters from MOSFETs with 70 /spl Aring/ oxides in a 0.35 /spl mu/m process, and verify our model by comparing simulations and measured data from a capacitive-feedback CMOS operational amplifier.
Multicasting in Delay Tolerant Networks: Delegation Forwarding

Delay tolerant networks (DTNs) are a kind of wireless mobile network which may lack continuous network connectivity. Multicast supports the distribution of data to a group of users, a service needed for many potential DTNs applications. While multicasting in the Internet and mobile ad hoc networks has been studied extensively, due to the unique characteristic of frequent partitioning in DTNs, multicasting in DTNs is a considerably different and challenging problem. It not only requires new destinations of multicast semantics, but also brings new issues to the design of routing algorithms. In this paper, we propose new forwarding models for DTNs multicast and develop several multicast forwarding algorithms. We use delegation forwarding (DF) in DTNs multicast and compare it with single and multiple copy multicast models, which are also designed by us. The effectiveness of our approach is verified through extensive simulation.
When should Mayfield model data be discarded

Abstract Much confusion exists over the proper way to handle nest-fate data collected after the fledge date when using the Mayfield method. I provide a simple numerical example showing how use of these data can bias estimates of daily survival probability, and present a likelihood function demonstrating that nest-fate data collected after the fledge date do not contribute any information for parameter estimation, except in a seldom-realized special case. Consequently, it is recommended that under the Mayfield model, nest-fate data collected after the fledge date be discarded.
Output encoding for cochlear signal analysis

The biological inner ear, or cochlea, is an amazing sensor that performs auditory frequency analysis over an ultra-broadband frequency range of ∼20 Hz to 20 kHz with exquisite sensitivity and high energy efficiency. Electronic cochlear models, which mimic the exponentially-tapered structure of the biological inner ear using transmission lines or filter cascades, have been shown to be fast and extremely efficient spectrum analyzers at both audio and radio frequencies (RF). Here we present improved output encoding methods for such cochlea-like analyzers. We have developed neuron-like asynchronous event-generation circuits to efficiently encode cochlear outputs, including ring-oscillator-based injection-locked frequency dividers (ILFDs) that accurately encode input frequencies and phase-sensitive detectors that encode both amplitude and phase information and thereby improve frequency resolution without reducing temporal resolution.
Concomitant JAK2 V617F-positive polycythemia vera and BCR-ABL-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia treated with ruxolitinib and dasatinib.

Concomitant JAK2 V617F-positive polycythemia vera and BCR-ABL -positive chronic myelogenous leukemia treated with ruxolitinib and dasatinib
Synthesis, Characterization, and Spectroscopy of NaGdF4: Ce3+, Tb3+/NaYF4 Core/Shell Nanoparticles

Cerium- and terbium-doped NaGdF4 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized with monodisperse particle sizes and uniform shapes. The cubic NaGdF4 NCs are colloidally stable in nonpolar organic solvents and exhibit green luminescence under mercury lamp excitation. Core/shell NPs were also synthesized as a way of increasing the luminescence efficiencies of the NPs.
Blood-injection-injury phobia in older adults.

Background: This study aims to (i) estimate the prevalence of blood-injection-injury phobia (BIIP) diagnosed as present at any time during the life prior to the interview, with or without another Specific Phobia diagnosed as present during the 12 months prior to the interview, (ii) characterize types and frequencies of co-occurring fears, (iii) evaluate the association with chronic medical conditions and lifetime psychiatric comorbidity, and (iv) explore medical service use associations in a nationally representative sample of older adults. Methods: A sample of 8,205 older adults, aged 65 years or older, was derived from Wave 1 of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Results: The weighted lifetime prevalence of BIIP with and without 12-month Specific Phobia was 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4–0.8) and 4.2% (95% CI: 3.7–4.8), respectively, and these two groups ranked similarly in terms of sociodemographic, health, and psychiatric characteristics. BIIP most frequently co-occurred with other lifetime fears, and was positively associated with hypertension and lifetime history of anxiety and personality disorders after controlling for sociodemographic and psychiatric confounders. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that lifetime BIIP may bear mental and physical health significance in older adults.
Multimedia and task-based approach assisted teaching mode in college English for art students

Multimedia CAI and task-based language teaching are both based on the Constructivist Learning Theory,which stresses the learner-centered teaching activities.Using the diversification,interactivity and integration of multimedia projection technology to assist the task-based language teaching,we can create a cheerful and relaxed environment to language learning for classroom English teaching for art.It will not only help develop the ability to use language,but also help increase art cultivation for the professional art students.
In vivo production of nitric oxide correlates with NMDA-induced cerebral hyperemia in newborn sheep

Stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in brain increases nitric oxide production in vitro. We tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide participates in the increase in local cerebral blood flow (CBF) caused by infusion of NMDA in anesthetized newborn sheep. We used the combined hydrogen clearance and microdialysis technique for simultaneous measurement of local CBF, infusion of drugs, and measurement of interstitial levels of L-[14C]citrulline in the parietal cortex. Release of L-[14C]citrulline into the dialysate during continuous infusion of L-[14C]arginine was used as a marker of nitric oxide production in vivo. Citrulline recovery and CBF were measured hourly during a 4-h infusion of cerebrospinal fluid containing either 1) no additional drugs, 2) 1 mM NMDA, 3) 1 mM NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), 4) 1 mM NMDA + 1 mM L-NAME, 5) 0.1 mM 2-chloroadenosine (adenosine receptor agonist), or 6) 0.1 mM 2-chloroadenosine + 1 mM L-NAME. At 240 min of perfusion, CBF (ml.min-1.100 g-1; means +/- SE) was as follows: control 52 +/- 3, NMDA 116 +/- 11, L-NAME 32 +/- 5, NMDA+L-NAME 40 +/- 4,2-chloroadenosine 201 +/- 63, and 2-chloroadenosine+L-NAME 129 +/- 18. Citrulline recovery (fmol/min) at 240 min of perfusion was as follows: control 38 +/- 12, NMDA 149 +/- 21, L-NAME 9 +/- 1, NMDA+L-NAME 39 +/- 5, 2-chloroadenosine 13 +/- 5, and 2-chloroadenosine+L-NAME 17 +/- 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Successful pregnancies from men with retrograde ejaculation with the use of washed sperm and gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT)

Viable sperm were collected from men suffering from retrograde ejaculation by the technique of rapid washing of semen/urine in a buffered collection solution. The utilization of washed semen/urine from two men with retrograde ejaculation in the GIFT procedure lead to successful conceptions and the birth of two healthy female babies. Thus, the technique of rapid washing of sperm from retrograde ejaculating men coupled with GIFT represents a viable alternative for the attainment of pregnancy.
Model-Based Iterative Flaw Sizing for Thick Composites

Ultrasonic inspection of thick composites has been plagued by many problems such as the high degree of anisotropy and difficulties in achieving sufficient signal penetration. The dependency of wave speed to propagation direction causes beam skewing and excess beam divergence in certain directions, leading in turn to distortion of beam profile. Consequently, the beam distortion generates false indication of size and location of a flaw. This distortion of the beam in thick composites depends on several factors such as fiber layout of the material, size and frequency of the transducer used, etc.
Preventing Adolescent Social Anxiety and Depression and Reducing Peer Victimization: Intervention Development and Open Trial.

Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) and depression are common among adolescents, frequently comorbid, and resistant to change. Prevention programs for adolescent SAD are scant, and depression prevention programs do not fully address peer-risk factors. One critical peer-risk factor for SAD and depression is peer victimization. We describe the development and initial evaluation of a transdiagnostic school-based preventive intervention for adolescents with elevated symptoms of social anxiety and/or depression and elevated peer victimization. We modified Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Adolescent Skills Training for depression, incorporating strategies for dealing with social anxiety and peer victimization.
The maximum likelihood based intensity estimate for circular point processes

Identifying the geometrical nature of spatial point patterns plays an important role in many areas of scientific research. Common types of spatial point processes involve random, regular, and cluster patterns. However, some point patterns suggest identifiable geometrical shapes such as a circular or other conic patterns. These patterns may be recognized as either a specific clustered shape or an inhomogeneous point pattern. Less noisy conic shapes, including circular patterns, are heavily discussed in the pattern recognition literature, but the goodness-of-fit of conic-fitting algorithms is rarely discussed for very noisy data. This study addresses a parameter estimation technique for noisy circular point patterns using the maximum likelihood principle. Additionally, a spatial statistical tool known as the L-function is used to investigate whether the fitted location pattern is reasonably attributable to a circular shape. A novel quantity named ‘relative log-error’ ( $$\gamma $$ ) is introduced to quantify the goodness-of-fit for circular model fits. An iteratively re-weighted least squares procedure is introduced and robustness is evaluated under several error structures. Computational efficiency of the current and novel circle-fitting methods is also discussed. The findings are applied to two environmental science data sets.
Review of Sterilization Techniques and Clinical Updates

Sterilization is the most common form of contraception used worldwide and is highly effective in preventing unintended pregnancy. Each of the available sterilization methods has unique advantages and disadvantages that influence the choice of approach for each individual patient. Salpingectomy for sterilization has become more popular in recent years, with mounting evidence suggesting a protective effect against ovarian cancers originating in the fallopian tube. At the same time, Essure hysteroscopic sterilization has come under scrutiny because of increasing reports of possible adverse effects associated with its use. Here we review clinical updates in sterilization techniques, with a focus on salpingectomy and Essure hysteroscopic sterilization.
Network topology inference via elastic net structural equation models

Linear structural equation models (SEMs) have been very successful in identifying the topology of complex graphs, such as those representing social and brain networks. In many cases however, the presence of highly correlated nodes hinders performance of the available SEM estimators that rely on the least-absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). To this end, an elastic net based SEM is put forth, to infer causal relations between nodes belonging to networks, in the presence of highly correlated data. An efficient algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is developed, and preliminary tests on synthetic as well as real data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The Unfinished Business of Postcolonialism: Theological Perspectives

Bongmba discuss the important background to postcolonial discourse in the African context. Drawing from the philosophical and political critique of the imperial order articulated by Kwame Nkrumah, Ali Mazrui, Fabien Eboussi Boulaga, and Achille Mbembe and V.Y. Mudimbe, Bongmba recounts the malaise of the postcolony and offers theological perspectives on building a vibrant postcolonial praxis.
Synthesis and Evaluation of a New 18F-Labeled Radiotracer for Studying the GABAB Receptor in the Mouse Brain.

New GABAB agonists, fluoropyridyl ether analogues of baclofen, have been synthesized as potential PET radiotracers. The compound with highest inhibition binding affinity as well as greatest agonist response, (R)-4-amino-3-(4-chloro-3-((2-fluoropyridin-4-yl)methoxy)phenyl)butanoic acid (1b), was radiolabeled with 18F with good radiochemical yield, high radiochemical purity, and high molar radioactivity. The regional brain distribution of the radiolabeled (R)-4-amino-3-(4-chloro-3-((2-[18F]fluoropyridin-4-yl)methoxy)phenyl)butanoic acid, [18F]1b, was studied in CD-1 male mice. The study demonstrated that [18F]1b enters the mouse brain (1% ID/g tissue). The accumulation of [18F]1b in the mouse brain was inhibited (35%) by preinjection of GABAB agonist 1a, suggesting that the radiotracer brain uptake is partially mediated by GABAB receptors. The presented data demonstrate a feasibility of imaging of GABAB receptors in rodents and justify further development of GABAB PET tracers with improved specific binding ...
Silicon Photonic 50GHz Wavelength (De)Multiplexer with Low Crosstalk and Flat Passband

We demonstrated an eight-channel flat-topped wavelength (de)multiplexer with 50GHz channel spacing on a SOI chip. The measured crosstalk is < -26.0 dB at central wavelengths of the channels and 1-dB bandwidth is 33.0 GHz.
A complete Internet of Things (IoT) platform for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is becoming a crucial research topic to improve the human safety and to reduce maintenance costs. However, most of the existing SHM systems face challenges performing at real-time due to environmental effects and different operational hazards. Furthermore, the remote and constant monitoring amenities are not established yet, properly. To overcome this, Internet of Things (IoT) can be used, which would provide flexibility to monitor structures (building, bridge) from anywhere. In this paper, a complete IoT SHM platform is proposed. The platform consists of a Raspberry Pi, an analog to digital converter (ADC) MCP3008, and a Wi-Fi module for wireless communication. Piezoelectric (PZT) sensors were used to collect the data from the structure. The MCP3008 is used as an interface between the PZT sensors and the Raspberry Pi. The raspberry pi performs the necessary calculations to determine the SHM status using a proposed mathematical model to determine the damage's location and size if any. The All the data is pushed to the Internet filter using ThingWorx platform. The proposed platform is evaluated and tested successfully.
A Prospective Test of the Family Stress Model with Mexican-origin Adolescent Mothers.

The current six-wave longitudinal study tested the Family Stress Model among 204 Mexican-origin families in which an adolescent pregnancy had occurred. Wave 1 (W1) occurred when adolescents (M age = 16.80 years; SD = 1.00) were pregnant, and the last wave (W6) occurred when children were 5 years of age. In the current study, the Family Stress Model was expanded to include parenting relations among adolescent mothers and fathers, and among adolescent mothers and grandmothers. In support of the Family Stress Model, findings indicated that W1 family income was negatively associated with W6 child internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors via increased W2 economic pressure, increased W3 maternal depressive symptoms, increased W4 mother-grandmother coparenting conflict, and increased W5 maternal parenting hassles. Additionally, W4 mother-father coparenting conflict was positively associated with W6 child internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors via W5 maternal parenting hassles. Findings are discussed with attention to the processes by which family income informs child problem behaviors over time. El presente estudio longitudinal de seis anos analizo el Family Stress Model con una muestra de 204 familias de origen mexicano en las cuales habia ocurrido un embarazo durante la adolescencia. La primera fase (W1) del estudio se llevo a cabo cuando las adolescentes (M edad= 16.80 anos; DE= 1.00) estaban embarazadas, y la ultima fase (W6) ocurrio cuando sus ninos tenian cinco anos. En el presente estudio, el Family Stress Model se amplio para incluir variables sobre la co-paternidad entre las madres adolescentes y los padres, y entre las madres adolescentes y las abuelas. Los resultados apoyaron las ideas del Family Stress Model; ingreso familiar en W1 mostro un efecto negativo con problemas de comportamiento y problemas de internalizacion de los ninos en W6 a traves del aumento de la presion economica en W2, el aumento de sintomas de depresion maternos en W3, el aumento del conflicto de la co-paternidad entre madre y abuela en W4, y el aumento de problemas de crianza maternas en W5. Adicionalmente, conflicto de la co-paternidad entre la madre y el padre mostro un efecto positivo con problemas de comportamiento y problemas de internalizacion de los ninos en W6 a traves de problemas de crianza maternas en W5. Varias ideas se presentan en la Discusion sobre como el ingreso familiar informa el comportamiento problematico en ninos a largo plazo.
Hierarchical partial matching and segmentation of interacting cells

We propose a method that automatically tracks and segments living cells in phase-contrast image sequences, especially for cells that deform and interact with each other or clutter. We formulate the problem as a many-to-one elastic partial matching problem between closed curves. We introduce Double Cyclic Dynamic Time Warping for the scenario where a collision event yields a single boundary that encloses multiple touching cells and that needs to be cut into separate cell boundaries. The resulting individual boundaries may consist of segments to be connected to produce closed curves that match well with the individual cell boundaries before the collision event. We show how to convert this partial-curve matching problem into a shortest path problem that we then solve efficiently by reusing the computed shortest path tree. We also use our shortest path algorithm to fill the gaps between the segments of the target curves. Quantitative results demonstrate the benefit of our method by showing maintained accurate recognition of individual cell boundaries across 8068 images containing multiple cell interactions.
Mutations, protein homeostasis, and epigenetic control of genome integrity

From bacteria to humans, ancient stress responses enable organisms to contend with damage to both the genome and the proteome. These pathways have long been viewed as fundamentally separate responses. Yet recent discoveries from multiple fields have revealed surprising links between the two. Many DNA-damaging agents also target proteins, and mutagenesis induced by DNA damage produces variant proteins that are prone to misfolding, degradation, and aggregation. Likewise, recent studies have observed pervasive engagement of a p53-mediated response, and other factors linked to maintenance of genomic integrity, in response to misfolded protein stress. Perhaps most remarkably, protein aggregation and self-assembly has now been observed in multiple proteins that regulate the DNA damage response. The importance of these connections is highlighted by disease models of both cancer and neurodegeneration, in which compromised DNA repair machinery leads to profound defects in protein quality control, and vice versa.
Relationship Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Mean Platelet Count and Volume: Quantitative Assessment.

Background The hormones of the hypophysis-thyroid axis (HTA), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid hormones, L-thyroxine (T4) and 3, 3', 5-L-triiodothyronine (T3), modulate the metabolism, differentiation, and proliferation of almost every cell in the body. Several studies have examined the effect of HTA hormones on platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV), but have reported inconsistent results. Our aim was to examine the association between HTA hormones and platelet count and MPV in a large cohort of the adult population of the United States. Methods We used the continuous National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) which made available data on HTA hormones (1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2011-2012) to examine the association between HTA hormones and platelet count and MPV. Analyses were performed with adjustments for the complex survey sampling methods of NHANES data. Unadjusted and adjusted generalized linear regressions were performed to examine the relationship between HTA hormones and platelet count and MPV. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex, race, alcohol use, smoking status, serum c-reactive protein, red blood cell folate, diabetes mellitus, glomerular filtration rate, body mass index, and hypertension. Results Of the 10,619 individuals eligible for inclusion in the analyses, 5,267 (49.6%) were females and 2,132 (20.08%) were African Americans. The mean ± standard deviation of platelet count was 256.4 ± 67.1 109/L, MPV 8.04 ± 0.92 fL, serum T4 7.92 ± 1.68 mg/dL, and serum T3 114.08 ± 24.6 ng/dL. In unadjusted analyses, an increase in the serum levels of T4 or T3 was associated with a significant increase in the platelet count and MPV (all p-values < 0.05). In contrast, an increase in serum TSH level was associated with a significant decrease in the platelet count (p-value = 0.05) but had no effect on MPV. After adjustment for potential confounders, serum T4 levels were significantly associated with platelet count but not with MPV. Individuals in the lowest quartile of T4 had 18.73 x 109/L lower platelet count than individuals in the upper-most quartile (p-value = 0.03). Serum TSH and serum T3 levels had no effect on platelet count or MPV after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Conclusions We report that only serum T4 levels, and not TSH or T3 levels, are independently associated with platelet count and there is no independent association between HTA hormones and MPV. Our findings suggest a possible role of serum T4 on thrombopoiesis or on platelet lifespan.
Avoiding the Need for Bowel Anastomosis during Pelvic Exenteration-Urinary Sigmoid or Descending Colon Conduit-Short and Long Term Complications.

Abstract Objective To educate surgeons of distal colon urinary diversion as an alternative to ileal conduit. To assess perioperative outcomes of distal colon conduit in pelvic exenteration including conduit-related, gastrointestinal, infectious, metabolic, and wound complications within 30 days, 31-89 days, and greater than 90 days from the time of surgery. Materials and Methods Forty-one patients who underwent distal colon urinary diversion for malignancy, fistula, or neurogenic bladder were identified in our IRB approved database from 1/2007 to 7/2017. Results Twenty-six (63.4%) were male with mean age of 54.1 years. Complications were stratified by early (≤30 days), intermediate (31-89 days), and late (≥90 days). Within 30 days, 2 (4.9%) had partial small bowel obstructions requiring nasogastric tube (NGT) placement and total parenteral nutrition (TPN); 8 (19.5%) prolonged ileus with 6 (14.6%) requiring TPN and 5 (12.2%) requiring NGT placement; 1 (2.4%) enterocutaneous fistula; 1 (2.4%) conduit hemorrhage, 10 (24.4%) treated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Between 31 and 89 days, 1 patient (2.4%) had urinary conduit leak and 3 (7.3%) treated UTIs. At ≥90 days, 2 (4.9%) had partial small bowel obstructions requiring NGT placement, 4 (9.8%) ureterocolonic strictures and 1 (2.4%) parastomal hernia, 3 (7.3%) treated UTIs. Readmission rate in ≤30 days was 10 (24.4%), 31-89 days was 13 (31.7%), and 90+ days was 16 (39%). Long-term metabolic complications at ≥90 days included 16 (39%) with hypokalemia, 10 (24.4%) with hyperchloremia, and 14 (34.1%) with metabolic acidosis. Conclusion Distal colon urinary conduit is a relatively safe and feasible option and obviates the need for small bowel anastomosis and possible associated complications.
Profile of Personnel Preparation Programs in Visual Impairments and Their Faculty: A Status Report

This article profiles the program delivery models, funding sources, and faculty demographics of 43 personnel preparation programs in 2002–03. It shows that there was an increase in the number of pr...
Hill, Erin. Never Done: A History of Women’s Work in Media Production. Rutgers UP, 2016. 283 pp. $27.95 (paperback). ISBN: 978-0-8133-7486-8

Confronting the myth that women were absent from film production in early Hollywood, Erin Hill’s Never Done: A History of Women’s Work in Media Production demonstrates that women played integral ro...
Impact of dual anti-HER2 therapy on pathologic complete response rate in breast cancer in a minority-enriched population.

e18111Background: The addition of pertuzumab (P) to a neoadjuvant trastuzumab (H) plus chemotherapy combination has been shown to significantly improve the pathologic complete response rate (pCR) i...
Clinical Computer Applications in Mental Health

Direct patient-computer interviews were among the earliest applications of computing in medicine. Yet patient interviewing and other clinical applications have lagged behind fiscal, administrative, and research uses. Several reasons for delays in the development and implementation of clinical computing programs are discussed. Patient interviewing, clinician consultation, and other applications of clinical computing in mental health are reviewed, as well as changes that will facilitate their appropriate use.