cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Electoral System in Uruguay

U RUGUAY has the reputation among students of Latin American government, and indeed among the Latin Americans themselves, of being one of the most democratic nations of the world in both form and fact.1 Many factors contribute to this impression, not the least of them being the freedom, in the fullest possible sense of that word, which is evidenced in the electoral system of the nation. For nearly thirty years this system has produced elections notable for their honesty and integrity. In an area in which elections are often considered "honest" if the most popular man wins and is allowed to take office even though he may not be the selection of the government party, a system productive of such results is nearly unique. Most Uruguayan political parties staunchly support the secret vote, proportional representation (PR), and the electoral bodies which implement this system; the importance of electoral honesty has long been realized.2 The principal opposition to PR is found in a section of the major party whose policies and ambitions would be furthered by the possession of a clear majority, which
The Economic Emancipation of the Non-Slaveholding Class: Upcountry Farmers in the Georgia Cotton Economy

The transformation of the Cotton South after the Civil War involved distinct regional developments. Regional analysis of crop production in Reconstruction Georgia, for example, identifies different patterns of specialization in cotton in the Cotton Belt and Upcountry counties. It also reveals an overlooked aspect of Reconstruction, the integration of Upcountry farmers into the cotton economy. The spread of cotton culture into the Upcountry followed the construction of an internal marketing and transportation system in Georgia in the 1870s which was related to and was part of the formation of a national market in the postbellum United States.
Niche Relationships of Two Syntopic Species of Shrews, Sorex Fumeus and S. Cinereus, in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

Abstract The smoky shrew (Sorex fumeus) and the masked shrew (S. cinereus) are common soricids in mature southern Appalachian hardwood forests. To better understand the role of body size and niche relationships in these syntopic species, 12 50- by 50-m plots were established in the Pisgah National Forest of western North Carolina. Trapping was conducted from August through November 1996 and from March through August 1997 using Y-shaped drift fences with associated pitfalls. Prey items and microhabitat components were measured to examine correlations with abundance of shrew species. Total shrew captures (n = 176) included 105 (59.7%) Sorex fumeus and 41 (23.3%) S. cinereus. Smoky shrews were significantly larger than masked shrews in both mass and body length. Stepwise multiple regression analyses determined that a combination of litter moisture, class 5 coarse woody debris (CWD), and number of invertebrates and mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus) was the best predictor of S. fumeus abund...
Which Nonprofit Gets More Government Funding?: Nonprofits’ Organizational Attributes and Their Receipts of Government Funding

Government represents one of the most important funding sources for nonprofit organizations. However, the literature has not yet provided a systematic understanding of nonprofits’ organizational factors that are associated with their receipts of government funding. This study combines interorganizational relationships and organizational institutionalism literature to examine the determinants of nonprofits’ obtainment of government funding. Based on a survey of human service nonprofits in Maryland, this research finds that nonprofits with higher bureaucratic orientation, stronger domain consensus with government, and longer government funding history are more likely to receive government contracts and grants. Nonprofits’ revenue diversification, professionalization, and board co-optation might have very limited impacts.
Functional rehabilitation with a foot plate modification for circular external fixation.

Background:Customized foot plates attached to the foot ring of an ankle-spanning circular external fixator present a unique opportunity for patients undergoing complex lower-extremity limb salvage to participate in highly advanced weight-bearing physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to identify the rehabilitation capabilities afforded by this external fixator modification.Methods:Surgical logs and radiographs were reviewed to identify all lower-extremity limb salvage patients from February 2008 to December 2010 treated with an ankle-spanning circular external fixator and a customized foot plate treated by the same orthopedic surgeon and enrolled in our institution’s Return To Run clinical pathway. Medical records were reviewed to identify a series of exercises that each patient was able to perform.Results:Eleven patients were identified. All patients were treated by the same physical therapist. All 11 patients were able to bear full weight on their foot plates and perform regular and split squat...
Minimizing HVAC Energy Consumption Using a Wireless Sensor Network

This paper presents a conceptual design of a multizone HVAC controller based on a wireless sensor network that aims to optimize energy consumption while maintaining the comfort level of users. The proposed system is capable of learning the occupancy pattern of the residents in the building. Moreover, it is transparent (requires no manual configuration). Wireless sensor network technology is used to collect the required measurements for the control system, simulation results are used to demonstrate the system performance in terms of power consumption and comfort level Additionally, a comparison between the proposed system and other HVAC control systems is presented. The results show that the proposed system is capable of providing a major energy savings.
Alternating layer addition approach to CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots with near-unity quantum yield and high on-time fractions

We report single-particle photoluminescence (PL) intermittency (blinking) with high on-time fractions in colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QD) with conformal CdS shells of 1.4 nm thickness, equivalent to approximately 4 CdS monolayers. All QDs observed displayed on-time fractions >60% with the majority >80%. The high on-time fraction blinking is accompanied by fluorescence quantum yields (QY) close to unity (up to 98% in an absolute QY measurement) when dispersed in organic solvents and a monoexponential ensemble photoluminescence (PL) decay lifetime. The CdS shell is formed in high synthetic yield using a modified selective ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique that employs a silylated sulfur precursor. The CdS shell provides sufficient chemical and electronic passivation of the QD excited state to permit water solubilization with greater than 60% QY via ligand exchange with an imidazole-bearing hydrophilic polymer.
Collective fear, individualized risk: the social and cultural context of genetic testing for breast cancer.

The purpose of this article is to provide a critical examination of two aspects of culture and biomedicine that have helped to shape the meaning and practice of genetic testing for breast cancer. These are: (1) the cultural construction of fear of breast cancer, which has been fuelled in part by (2) the predominance of a ‘risk’ paradigm in contemporary biomedicine. The increasing elaboration and delineation of risk factors and risk numbers are in part intended to help women to contend with their fear of breast cancer. However, because there is no known cure or foolproof prevention for breast cancer, risk designations bring with them recommendations for vigilant surveillance strategies and screening guidelines. We argue that these in effect exacerbate women’s fears of breast cancer itself. The volatile combination of discourses of fear, risk and surveillance have significant ethical and social consequences for women’s lives and well-being. Genetic testing decisions are made within this context; if nurses u...
Flows on centre manifolds for scalar functional differential equations

By assuming that a linear scalar functional differential equation (FDE) has only the zero eigenvalue on the imaginary axis, it is shown that the flows on the centre manifolds of all Cr-perturbations of this equation coincide with the flows obtained from scalar ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of order m, where m is the multiplicity of the zero eigenvalue. Furthermore, it is shown that the above situation can be realized through differential difference equations with m – 1 fixed distinct delays.
TNF-α protein synthesis inhibitor restores neuronal function and reverses cognitive deficits induced by chronic neuroinflammation

Chronic neuroinflammation is a hallmark of several neurological disorders associated with cognitive loss. Activated microglia and secreted factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α are key mediators of neuroinflammation and may contribute to neuronal dysfunction. Our study was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a novel analog of thalidomide, 3,6'-dithiothalidomide (DT), an agent with anti-TNF-α activity, in a model of chronic neuroinflammation. Lipopolysaccharide or artificial cerebrospinal fluid was infused into the fourth ventricle of three-month-old rats for 28 days. Starting on day 29, animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of DT (56 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 14 days. Thereafter, cognitive function was assessed by novel object recognition, novel place recognition and Morris water maze, and animals were euthanized 25 min following water maze probe test evaluation. Chronic LPS-infusion was characterized by increased gene expression of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the hippocampus. Treatment with DT normalized TNF-α levels back to control levels but not IL-1β. Treatment with DT attenuated the expression of TLR2, TLR4, IRAK1 and Hmgb1, all genes involved in the TLR-mediated signaling pathway associated with classical microglia activation. However DT did not impact the numbers of MHC Class II immunoreactive cells. Chronic neuroinflammation impaired novel place recognition, spatial learning and memory function; but it did not impact novel object recognition. Importantly, treatment with DT restored cognitive function in LPS-infused animals and normalized the fraction of hippocampal neurons expressing the plasticity-related immediate-early gene Arc. Our data demonstrate that the TNF-α synthesis inhibitor DT can significantly reverse hippocampus-dependent cognitive deficits induced by chronic neuroinflammation. These results suggest that TNF-α is a critical mediator of chronic neuroinflammation-induced neuronal dysfunction and cognitive impairment and targeting its synthesis could provide an effective therapeutic approach to several human neurodegenerative diseases.
The Zebrafish Swimbladder: A Simple Model for Lung Elastin Injury and Repair

In this communication we offer data to suggest that the zebrafish swimbladder may provide a simple model of elastin injury and repair which is amenable to genetic analysis and pertinent to lung physiology. In situ hybridization of zebrafish embryos illustrated that elastin gene expression is evident in the developing gut tract prior to swimbladder morphogenesis. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the major zebrafish elastin mRNA is 2.0 kb which is significantly smaller than its higher vertebrate counterpart. Amino acid analysis of alkali-resistant protein from the anterior chamber of the adult zebrafish swimbladder showed a composition similar to higher vertebrate elastins including significant amounts of desmosine crosslinks. Electron microscopic investigations of the swimbladder wall indicate a simple structure with an inner layer of elastin fibers. Elastase delivery to the swimbladder in vitro resulted in significant fragmentation of elastin in the anterior chamber providing an environment for studying elastin repair within the tissue.
Phase II Study of Imatinib Mesylate in Patients with Prostate Cancer with Evidence of Biochemical Relapse After Definitive Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy or Radiotherapy

OBJECTIVES Patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after definitive or salvage local therapy in the absence of metastatic disease represent a group well suited to a novel therapeutic intervention. Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has previously been tested in men with androgen-independent and metastatic prostate cancer. This Phase II study was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of imatinib mesylate in men with biochemical relapse of nonmetastatic, androgen-sensitive prostate cancer after local therapy. METHODS Twenty-seven patients were treated with imatinib mesylate 400 mg twice daily for up to 12 months. Three patients (11%) completed less than 4 weeks of therapy and were included in the intent-to-treat analysis of the response to therapy. RESULTS Of the 27 patients treated, 5 (18.5%) had a stable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) during the course of treatment; 2 patients (7.4%) experienced a partial response. The remaining 20 patients (74.1%) demonstrated PSA progression. The median progression-free survival was 3 months. The proportion of patients achieving a partial PSA response during therapy did not significantly differ from the null rate of 5% (P = 0.394). Seven patients (25.9%) discontinued therapy secondary to grade 1 to 3 toxicities. No irreversible National Institutes of Health Common Toxicity Criteria grade 3 or 4 toxicities occurred. Grade 3 and 4 toxicity included leukopenia (3.7%), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (3.7%) and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (3.7%) elevation, and rash (18.5%). CONCLUSIONS The results of our study have demonstrated that imatinib mesylate delivered at a dose of 400 mg twice daily is associated with a moderate degree of toxicity and a limited PSA response in this patient population.
Seizures in Organ Transplant Recipients

Seizures are a nonspecific neurological manifestation of cerebral dysfunction and are not indicative of any particular disease processes or pathology. Thus, the evaluation and treatment of seizures in transplant patients generally follows the same clinical approach used for other patients. A seizure in a transplant patient is commonly unanticipated and entirely unexplained. The effects can be substantial, with aspiration, loss of vascular catheters, and tissue trauma. Patients undergoing organ transplantation are at risk for seizures for multiple reasons, and although much of the neurological and transplantation literature reports on the incidence of seizures according to the particular organ transplanted (Table 1), there are many similarities (e.g., immunosuppression drugs). This chapter concentrates on organ transplantation as a whole.
Nitrogen Adsorption onto Silane‐Derived Silicon Powders

Nitrogen chemisorption onto silane-derived silicon powder was studied at atmospheric pressure in N2, using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to examine the reaction kinetics and using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to characterize the surface chemistry. Above 700°C the initial Si—H surface is transformed to an Si—N surface; the latter is characterized by a broad infrared absorption band at 830 to 840 cm−1. Isothermal TGA data exhibit a sigmoidal shape which is apparently caused by simultaneous hydrogen desorption and nitrogen adsorption. By holding samples under vacuum at 900°C before nitridation the adsorption reaction was isolated. The kinetics of this reaction are well described by a simple first-order model with an activation energy of 140 kJ/mol, and with very low sticking probabilities (between 10−13 and 10−10).
Distinguishing Development Incentives from Developer Give‐Aways: A Critical Guide for Development Practitioners and Citizens

The vast majority of communities offer financial incentives to private businesses and, among these, tax incentives remain the most widely used. Tax and other financial subsidies used to attract firms account for the bulk of public resources spent on economic development. Yet the interests of city residents—especially those marginalized in city politics—generally are not a key consideration in the fashioning of incentives. Using a hypothetical abatement proposal, this article highlights nine key questions that must be addressed to understand the potential benefits to the community of tax incentive programs. This exercise demonstrates how proponents of incentive deals typically overvalue benefits. By asking the right questions and conducting their own analysis, citizens can arrive at a more realistic estimate of net benefits.
Anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: identification and management

Anxiety disturbances are recognized as common psychiatric comorbidities in Parkinson's disease (PD) and contribute to significant impairments in areas of cognitive, functional, motor and social performance. Anxiety in PD results in reduced quality of life, higher levels of care dependency and increased caregiver burden. Surprisingly, there is a paucity of treatment data. In one randomized, controlled study, bromazepam was found to be effective for anxiety in PD. However, usage of benzodiazepines in the PD population is limited by potential risk of confusion and falls. There are no controlled studies of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for anxiety in PD. However, results from uncontrolled studies suggest that SSRIs are effective for anxiety in PD, although in these studies anxiety outcomes were secondary. This review underscores that, given the high prevalence of anxiety disturbances in PD, there is a significant paucity of treatment data for this population. Additional studies are warranted. In the meantime, clinicians should rely on empiric assessments of known risks and putative benefits to guide treatment decisions. Cognitive and behavioral therapies (with or without pharmacotherapy) have demonstrated efficacy and warrant consideration. When feasible, a targeted and individualized multimodal approach utilizing psychotherapeutic interventions along with pharmacologic therapies should be considered.
The expectation-maximization algorithm for symbol unsynchronized sequence detection

The expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for maximizing likelihood functions, combined with the Viterbi algorithm, is applied to the problem of sequence detection when symbol timing information is not present. Although the EM algorithm is noncausal, results obtained using the algorithm on the problem of nonsynchronized sequence detection indicate that it converges most of the time in three iterations, making it both of theoretical and of practical interest. A practical algorithm based on the EM algorithm is introduced. It reduces the computational burden and improves performance by making use of timing estimates in previous observation windows. >
Multiplex Assay for Comprehensive Genotyping of Genes Involved in Drug Metabolism, Excretion, and Transport

Background: Drug metabolism is a multistep process by which the body disposes of xenobiotic agents such as therapeutic drugs. Genetic variation in the enzymes involved in this process can lead to variability in a patient’s response to medication. Methods: We used molecular-inversion probe technology to develop a multiplex genotyping assay that can simultaneously test for 1227 genetic variants in 169 genes involved in drug metabolism, excretion, and transport. Within this larger set of variants, we performed analytical validation of a clinically defined core set of 165 variants in 27 genes to assess accuracy, imprecision, and dynamic range. Results: In a test set of 91 samples, genotyping accuracy for the core set probes was 99.8% for called genotypes, with a 1.2% no-call (NC) rate. The majority of the core set probes (133 of 165) had ≤1 genotyping failure in the test set; a subset of 12 probes was responsible for the majority of failures (mainly NC). Genotyping results were reproducible upon repeat testing with overall within- and between-run variation of 1.1% and 1.4%, respectively—again, primarily NCs in a subset of probes. The assay showed stable genotyping results over a 6-fold range of input DNA. Conclusions: This assay generates a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s metabolic genotype and is a tool that can provide a more thorough understanding of patient-to-patient variability in pharmacokinetic responses to drugs.
Frequency of diagnosis of cancer or high-risk lesion at operation for pathologic nipple discharge

Background Pathologic nipple discharge is managed customarily with diagnostic subareolar duct excision. We evaluated for features predictive of malignancy to identify cases where operation might be avoided. Methods We studied 311 consecutive subareolar duct excisions for pathologic nipple discharge from January 2008 to July 2014. χ 2 tests were used to test for associations with final pathology. Results In 27 cases, cancer was diagnosed preoperatively. Among the remaining 284, 26 (9%) were diagnosed with cancer and 8 (3%) with atypia at operation. At greatest risk of upstage to cancer were patients with prior ipsilateral breast cancer (3/8; 38%), BRCA mutation (2/3; 67%) or atypia on core needle biopsy (CNB; 3/8 [38%]). Excluding these patients lowered cancer and atypia upstages (7% [18/265] and 3% [7/265]), with bloody (versus serous) discharge ( P = .001), and focal imaging abnormality ( P = .02), the strongest risk factors. Serous discharge and either normal imaging or a benign CNB had a 1.3% cancer upstage rate. Conclusion Despite contemporary imaging, pathologic nipple discharge upstage rates to malignancy and atypia remain high, especially with prior ipsilateral breast cancer, BRCA mutation, or atypia on CNB. Absent these risk factors, patients with serous discharge and a benign CNB or normal imaging (cancer risk
Parametric Coding of the Size and Clutter of Natural Scenes in the Human Brain

Estimating the size of a space and its degree of clutter are effortless and ubiquitous tasks of moving agents in a natural environment. Here, we examine how regions along the occipital–temporal lobe respond to pictures of indoor real-world scenes that parametrically vary in their physical “size” (the spatial extent of a space bounded by walls) and functional “clutter” (the organization and quantity of objects that fill up the space). Using a linear regression model on multivoxel pattern activity across regions of interest, we find evidence that both properties of size and clutter are represented in the patterns of parahippocampal cortex, while the retrosplenial cortex activity patterns are predominantly sensitive to the size of a space, rather than the degree of clutter. Parametric whole-brain analyses confirmed these results. Importantly, this size and clutter information was represented in a way that generalized across different semantic categories. These data provide support for a property-based representation of spaces, distributed across multiple scene-selective regions of the cerebral cortex.
Effects of anticipatory action on human-robot teamwork efficiency, fluency, and perception of team

A crucial skill for fluent action meshing in human team activity is a learned and calculated selection of anticipatory actions. We believe that the same holds for robotic team-mates, if they are to perform in a similarly fluent manner with their human counterparts. In this work, we propose an adaptive action selection mechanism for a robotic teammate, making anticipatory decisions based on the confidence of their validity and their relative risk. We predict an improvement in task efficiency and fluency compared to a purely reactive process. We then present results from a study involving untrained human subjects working with a simulated version of a robot using our system. We show a significant improvement in best-case task efficiency when compared to a group of users working with a reactive agent, as well as a significant difference in the perceived commitment of the robot to the team and its contribution to the team's fluency and success. By way of explanation, we propose a number of fluency metrics that differ significantly between the two study groups.
Multi-hop wireless backhaul networks: a cross-layer design paradigm

Multihop wireless backhual networks are emerging as a cost-effective solution to provide ubiquitous and broadband access to meet the rapidly increasing demands of multimedia applications. In this paper, we consider the joint optimal design of routing, medium access control (MAC) scheduling and physical layer resource allocation for such networks, where beamforming antenna arrays are equipped at the physical layer. The notion of transmission set (TS) is introduced to separate the physical layer operations from those at the upper layers; and a column generation approach is employed to efficiently identify the TSs. We then apply the dual decomposition method to decouple the routing and scheduling subproblems, which are performed at different layers and are coordinated by a pricing mechanism to achieve the optimal overall system objective. To efficiently support multimedia traffic, an admission control criterion is considered for the system objective. The performance of the proposed scheme is verified by simulation results, and the impact of the physical layer capabilities on the network performance is evaluated. We also discuss the implementation issues of the cross-layer scheme based on the IEEE 802.16 mesh mode.
An Automated Motion Detection and Reward System for Animal Training

A variety of approaches has been used to minimize head movement during functional brain imaging studies in awake laboratory animals. Many laboratories expend substantial effort and time training animals to remain essentially motionless during such studies. We could not locate an "off-the-shelf" automated training system that suited our needs. We developed a time- and labor-saving automated system to train animals to hold still for extended periods of time. The system uses a personal computer and modest external hardware to provide stimulus cues, monitor movement using commercial video surveillance components, and dispense rewards. A custom computer program automatically increases the motionless duration required for rewards based on performance during the training session but allows changes during sessions. This system was used to train cynomolgus monkeys ( Macaca fascicularis ) for awake neuroimaging studies using positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The automated system saved the trainer substantial time, presented stimuli and rewards in a highly consistent manner, and automatically documented training sessions. We have limited data to prove the training system's success, drawn from the automated records during training sessions, but we believe others may find it useful. The system can be adapted to a range of behavioral training/recording activities for research or commercial applications, and the software is freely available for non-commercial use.
Abstract 283: p27kip1 Dose Affects Collateralization Through Arterial Wall Cells

Objectives: p27 deficiency (p27-/-) improves blood flow after hindlimb ischemia through enlargement of a bridge collateral pathway. p27-/- VSMC both migrate and proliferate more than wt VSMC. We hypothesized that p27’s effect on ischemic collateralization is from arterial wall cells and not from bone marrow derived cells. Methods: p27-/- and wt (C57BL/6) after reciprocal bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and p27+/- female mice underwent left femoral artery ligation. Footpad laser Doppler perfusion imaging was performed weekly. MicroCT scans were performed on both hindlimbs after sacrifice (days 14 and 28 for BMT and p27+/- mice respectively). VSMC were isolated from all groups and used in cell proliferation, migration, and gel contraction assays. Results: p27-/- mice transplanted with wt bone marrow recovered significantly more blood flow and enlarged bridge collaterals than wt mice transplanted with p27-/- bone marrow (117±15 vs. 55±7 μm, p<0.001). p27+/- mice had intermediate blood flow recovery and had...
Medical and Surgical Management of a Descending Aorta Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcer and Associated Ascending Intramural Hematoma

A 69-year-old man presented with chest pain and a computed tomography scan demonstrated an acute penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU) of the proximal descending aorta with an associated intramural hematoma (IMH) extending retrograde to the aortic root and distally to the renal arteries. He successfully underwent endovascular repair of the PAU and medical management of the associated ascending intramural hematoma with complete resolution at 6 months.
Dynamic Model of 25% Yak-54 Unmanned Aerial System

This paper presents the dynamic modeling analyses performed on a 25% Yak-54 unmanned aerial system. The contents include an overview of the aircraft geometry, description of the dynamic model, derivation of the aircraft state-space, and longitudinal and lateral-directional mode analysis. Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA) was used to compute the stability and control derivatives. MATLAB was used to compute the aircraft state-space and derive the transfer functions. With the dynamic model, the 25% Yak-54 can be effectively implemented as a research platform for small unmanned aerial systems less than 25 lbs. Nomenclature
Hypersonic flow over bodies in tandem and its relevance to ballute design

A computational study of hypersonic flow over two bodies in tandem shows that if the second body is simply connected, the flow is violently unsteady in a similar way as in spiked body flow. The worst part of the unsteadiness can be avoided by making the second body in the shape of a ring. If this arrangement is used for aerocapture of a spacecraft, the ring requires significantly less gas than the simply connected body for the same drag. The ring could be given radial lift to counteract radial tether force.
Improving Inclusion Segmentation Task Performance Through Human-Intent Based Human-Robot Collaboration

Introducing autonomy into robotic minimally-invasive surgery has the capability to improve surgical performance. While pure autonomy is not yet feasible for many surgical procedures, human-robot collaboration models, which operate on a combination of human and autonomous input, have the potential to foster the transition to autonomy and offer enhanced performance over pure human control. Building on our previous work on human-robot collaboration models, we focus on designing and testing collaborative control models based on human intent for an inclusion segmentation task. We seek to use learning techniques and support vector machine classifiers to predict both local regions of human interest and the level of interest in these regions; these predictions will then inform the role of the robotic agent in the task. The intent-based collaboration models will be tested in a human subject study for the inclusion segmentation task against teleoperation and pure autonomy to assess task performance. We anticipate that these collaboration models will outperform both pure human and pure autonomous control.
Strategy to Suppress Torque Ripple During Commutation of Brushless DC Motor

Torque ripple was an important factor affecting the performance of brushless DC motor(BLDCM).The commutation torque ripple was analyzed,focusing on the torque ripple caused by non-ideal back EMF and the ascending speed of current in the upcoming phase and descending speed of current in the outgoing phase were not equal.The segment control strategy was proposed.The strategy which integrated the advantage of torque direct control and overlapping commutation method could effectively suppress the torque ripple caused by the two factors mentioned above.The simulation experiments showed the difference between the strategy and the two methods using alone,and prove the validity of the segment control strategy suppressing the torque ripple during commutation.
Psychostimulants in Preschool Children with ADHD

A retrospective chart review of 27 preschool children with ADHD who were treated with psychostimulants between 3 and 5 years of age, inclusive, was conducted at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
RadarMAC: Mitigating Radar Interference in Self-Driving Cars

Self-driving cars typically rely on a set of radars for mapping the environment to avoid obstacles and operate safely. Currently, the radar parameters are uncoordinated and can interfere with each other. This results in inefficient use of the spectrum and, more importantly, in dangerous blinding of the radars especially in dense urban settings, posing a barrier to widespread deployment of self-driving cars. We present RadarMAC - the first system architecture and dynamic radar parameter assignment algorithms for radar interference mitigation in self-driving cars. We characterize the degrees of freedom for vehicular radar parameters, and model the channel parameter assignment problem as one of dynamically coloring the corresponding time-varying interference graph. RadarMAC guarantees interference-free radar operations within a defined capacity region. Using extensive simulations, we demonstrate that RadarMAC significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art random assignment scheme commonly used today with off-the-shelf radars in terms of safety and spectrum efficiency metrics in both dense and sparse settings. Finally, we identify a set of research challenges in medium access control for vehicular radars.
Non-Integrating Gene Transfer To Redirect Specificity of Lymphocytes towards Pediatric CD19+ Malignancies

Pediatric B-lineage malignancies, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), generally have a poor prognosis upon relapse of tumor cells exhibiting resistance to conventional chemotherapy. In the absence of new commercially-available therapies for refractory pediatric cancers, it is up to pediatric oncologists to develop and apply new therapeutics. One candidate targeted therapy for B-lineage leukemia/lymphoma, is adoptive transfer of autologous T cells genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and rendered specific for CD19. However, the broad adoption of T-cell gene therapy for children is limited by the expense to produce and release expression vectors and cell products and the risk of insertional mutagenesis. Therefore, we are developing an approach to express the CAR without integration of transgene and therefore without causing genotoxicity. Here we demonstrate that non-viral gene transfer of vector-free in vitro -transcribed messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) can efficiently introduce CAR into T cells. We demonstrate, using a commercially available electroporator, that codon-optimized mRNA coding for CD19-specific CAR is expressed on primary human T cells (Figure 1A) that redirects the specificity of CD19+ tumors (Figure 1B). When scaled-up for clinical trials, the electro-transfer of one or more mRNA species into T cells has the advantage of (i) ex vivo manipulation of T cells with preservation of homing receptors for lymph nodes and bone marrow (sites of leukemia/lymphoma), (ii) availability of clinically-meaningful numbers of genetically manipulated T cells within a day of apheresis, (iii) high levels of transgene expression, (iv) reduced cost (preparation of clinical-grade plasmid and mRNA compared with recombinant virus), and (iv) safety (no insertional mutagenesis). The relative ease of gene/mRNA transfer coupled with minimal manipulation of large numbers of T cells allows investigators to give patients multiple doses using existing infrastructure such as already widely exists for processing hematopoietic stem cells and blood banking. We are preparing a multi-institution clinical trial in which pediatric patients with refractory B-ALL receive personalized medication, prepared at each site, in the form of recursive infusions of CAR+ T cells repetitively electroporated with mRNA. This application of transient transfection to adoptive immunotherapy is expected to be of wide appeal for pediatric and adult patients alike with tumors that can be targeted by CAR. ![Figure: ][1] Figure: (A) Expression of CAR in primary human T cells. (B) Specific lysis of CD19+ tumor target by genetically manipulated T cells expressing CAR mRNA [1]: pending:yes
This Changes Everything: The Sixth Extinction and its Implications for Pastoral Theology

In this article, I consider how climate change and its current and future calamities might alter pastoral theology. I then ask how pastoral theology as a guild and discipline might change given the realities of the Anthropocene Age. More particularly, I address three areas of pastoral theology vis-a-vis change, namely research, teaching, and the guild's organization (Society for Pastoral Theology). The aim is not to be prescriptive, but to invite discussion about this key issue for humanity.
Synchrotron Radiation and Free-Electron Lasers: Principles of Coherent X-Ray Generation

Learn about the latest advances in high-brightness X-ray physics and technology with this authoritative text. Drawing upon the most recent theoretical developments, pre-eminent leaders in the field guide readers through the fundamental principles and techniques of high-brightness X-ray generation from both synchrotron and free-electron laser sources. A wide range of topics is covered, including high-brightness synchrotron radiation from undulators, self-amplified spontaneous emission, seeded high-gain amplifiers with harmonic generation, ultra-short pulses, tapering for higher power, free-electron laser oscillators, and X-ray oscillator and amplifier configuration. Novel mathematical approaches and numerous figures accompanied by intuitive explanations enable easy understanding of key concepts, whilst practical considerations of performance-improving techniques and discussion of recent experimental results provide the tools and knowledge needed to address current research problems in the field. This is a comprehensive resource for graduate students, researchers and practitioners who design, manage or use X-ray facilities.
A Bird’s Eye View on Chinese Organized Crime in North America

Professor Ernesto Savona argues that it is important to view organized crime from different ranges and perspectives. Each perspective is unique and thus contributes differently to the total understanding of organized crime, and yet no one is so important as to replace the others. It is important to examine individual trees as well as to appreciate the forest. In the end, different perspectives are needed to present a thorough understanding of any criminal organizations or illicit enterprising activities. While I am still trying to find a good pair of spectacles, so to speak, to examine my data, I have become keenly aware of the limitations in the current research on Chinese organized crime in North America.
The adjustment mechanisms: types and their applications in optical systems

The various optical elements in a sophisticated optical system must be precisely aligned to each other to obtain an aberration-free image. In optical systems with very tight alignment tolerance requirements, the optics and their mounts are usually manufactured to rather loose tolerances, and adjustment mechanisms are then used to align the optics relative to each other at assembly. Another class of adjustment mechanisms is employed to move one or more optical elements of a system in real time to compensate for the image degradation due to environmental effects. This paper discusses the three basic types of adjustment mechanisms namely: linear, rotary and tilt mechanisms. Each mechanism consists of a number of parts such as the actuator, locking and preloading components. The selection criteria for these components of the adjustment mechanisms are presented in detail. Finally, some design guidelines for applications of the adjustment mechanisms in complex optical systems are presented.
Influence of Land Rolling on Soybean Production and Associated Weeds

Introduction Land rolling soybean has become a common practice in some areas of northern Iowa. Land rolling pushes rocks and corn root balls down to the soil surface, improving combine harvest operations. However, land rolling field pea, barley, and summer fallow in eastern Montana essentially doubled density of several troublesome broadleaf weeds, including horseweed (also called marestail), kochia, Russian thistle, tumble mustard, prickly lettuce, and redroot pigweed. Iowa has different weed community and environments from Montana, and little is known how, or if, land rolling might influence weed community in Iowa. We conducted a replicated study on eleven Iowa farms on the influence of land rolling on soybean stand density, yield, and early-season weed density.
Blood pressure and leg deoxygenation are exaggerated during treadmill walking in patients with peripheral artery disease

This is the first study to simultaneously measure skeletal muscle oxygen saturation and blood pressure (BP) during treadmill exercise in patients with peripheral arterial disease. We found that BP ...
Imagining Replications: Graphical Prediction & Discrete Visualizations Improve Recall & Estimation of Effect Uncertainty

People often have erroneous intuitions about the results of uncertain processes, such as scientific experiments. Many uncertainty visualizations assume considerable statistical knowledge, but have been shown to prompt erroneous conclusions even when users possess this knowledge. Active learning approaches been shown to improve statistical reasoning, but are rarely applied in visualizing uncertainty in scientific reports. We present a controlled study to evaluate the impact of an interactive, graphical uncertainty prediction technique for communicating uncertainty in experiment results. Using our technique, users sketch their prediction of the uncertainty in experimental effects prior to viewing the true sampling distribution from an experiment. We find that having a user graphically predict the possible effects from experiment replications is an effective way to improve one's ability to make predictions about replications of new experiments. Additionally, visualizing uncertainty as a set of discrete outcomes, as opposed to a continuous probability distribution, can improve recall of a sampling distribution from a single experiment. Our work has implications for various applications where it is important to elicit peoples' estimates of probability distributions and to communicate uncertainty effectively.
Using the Taxonomy for Transition Programming 2.0 to Guide Transition Education

It’s been two decades since Kohler’s seminal work was conducted to link transition research to everyday practices. Her Taxonomy for Transition Programming has provided the framework to delivering scientifically-based education and services for transition-age youth with disabilities across the United States and countries around the world (Kohler, 1996).
Leucism in Two Tri-colored Bats (Perimyotis subflavus) in Texas

Although aberrant coloration is known to occur in mammals, few records of the phenomenon exist in the literature for North American bats. Here we report on 2 leucistic Perimyotis subflavus (Tri-colored Bats) in Leon County, TX, that had a distinct white patch on their bodies. Our observation is the third documentation of leucism in Tri-colored Bats.
Achieving flexibility, efficiency, and generality in blackboard architectures

Achieving flexibility and efficiency in blackboardbased AI applications are often conflicting goals. Flexibility, the ability to easily change the blackboard representation and retrieval machinery, can be achieved by using a general purpose blackboard database implementation, at the cost of efficient performance for a particular application. Conversely, a customized blackboard database implementation, while efficient, leads to strong interdependencies between the application code (knowledge sources) and the blackboard database implementation. Both flexibility and efficiency can be achieved by maintaining a sufficient level of data abstraction between the application code and the blackboard implementation. The abstraction techniques we present are a crucial aspect of the generic blackboard development system GBB. Applied in concert, these techniques simultaneously provide flexibility, efficiency, and sufficient generality to make GBB an appropriate blackboard development tool for a wide range of applications.
Shell Mixed Caputo Fractional Ostrowski Inequalities

Here we present general shell mixed Caputo fractionalOstrowski inequalities, radial and nonradial cases. One of them is proved to be sharp and attained. Estimates are with respect to ‖⋅‖ p , 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞. This chapter is based on [4].
Unmingling Commingled Museum Collections: A Photographic Method

Post-curation commingling is complicated. Unlike commingling at deposition, curated remains have additional opportunities to become mixed. The importance and increasing use of osteological collections means that these collections must be carefully curated. It also means that there are additional opportunities for institutional commingling. Knowledge of a collection’s history prior to analysis is important for recognizing possible collection commingling and for sorting it out. Collection-associated documents, namely, photographs, are helpful for further refining the organization of a skeletal assemblage. A photo-matching method was applied to the Aztalan human remains collection. The method is simple but effective. It restored provenience for some skeletal elements, corrected misinterpretation, and helped in rediscovering the locally famous Aztalan Princess. The rearticulation of the princess was the most important result achieved using this method. It was a means of giving back to the community while expanding knowledge of the Aztalan site. The photo-matching method is easy and inexpensive. It can be broadly applied to almost any material in any context.
Stellar Density Enhancements in L1641

We obtained 1.6–4.8 μm images of 59 IRAS sources associated with dense molecular gas in L1641. We find that 14 IRAS sources are associated with small (but statistically significant) groupings of young stars defined as stellar density enhancements (SDEs). The spatial distribution of young stars in Orion A can be characterized by a range of stellar densities. We conjecture that the SDEs are regions of continuous star formation within or around dense cores and that they may represent an important mode of star formation in LI641.
Implicit Function Theorems for Variational Problems

Solutions mappings in the classical setting of the implicit function theorem concern problems in the form of parameterized equations. The concept can go far beyond that, however. In any situation where some kind of problem in x depends on a parameter p, there is the mapping S that assigns to each p the corresponding set of solutions x. The same questions then arise about the extent to which a localization of S around a pair \((\bar{p},\bar{x})\) in its graph yields a function s which might be continuous or differentiable, and so forth.