cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vital marking of single cells in developing tissues: India ink injection to trace tissue movements in hydra.

SUMMARY A new vital marking procedure was devised, studied, and applied to the phenomenon of hydra column tissue movements. The method involves injecting colloidal carbon (India ink) into the ectodermal epithelium of hydra. The carbon is taken up specifically by epithelial cells and packed into lysosome residual bodies. Each marked cell is then identifiable by its aggregated carbon particle, which appears as a black dot; this is passed to a daughter cell during cell division. Using this method to stain vitally the ectoderm of the green hydra, Chlorohydra viridissima, whose endodermal cells were marked by symbiotic algae, the relative movements of ectoderm and endoderm along the body column were analysed. Ectoderm and endoderm move in different directions or at different rates in the top quarter of the gastric column, but move together in the lower part of the column. This indicates that some epithelial cell movements involve cells migrating relative to the mesoglea; other movements involve translocation of the entire body wall, including ectoderm, mesoglea and endoderm.
Pre- and Postemergence Herbicide Tolerance of Tropical Fimbry, a Native Hawaiian Sedge with Potential Use for Roadside Revegetation

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. oxadiazon, oryzalin, aminopyralid, roadside weed management, button sedge, Fimbristylis cymosa SUMMARY. Tropical fimbry (Fimbristylis cymosa) is a salt, wind, and drought tolerant sedge under consideration as a native roadside revegetation species in Hawaii. Multiple rate studies were conducted on transplanted tropical fimbry plugs to identify pre- and postemergence herbicides that are safe for selective weed control during plant establishment. The response of newly transplanted tropical fimbry plugs to applications [1 and 44 days after transplanting (DAT)] of oxadiazon (2.0 and 4.0 lb/acre), oryzalin (2.0 and 4.0 lb/acre), and oxadiazon + oryzalin (2.0 + 2.0 and 4.0 + 4.0 lb/acre) were evaluated at 212 DAT through visual vigor ratings and seedhead counts. Response of established transplants to the postemergence broadleafherbicides,aminopyralid(0.06and0.11lb/acre)sulfosulfuron(0.06lb/ acre), prepackaged mixes of carfentrazone-ethyl + (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA) + mecoprop + dicamba (0.02 + 1.11 + 0.22 + 0.11 lb/acre), and carfentrazone-ethyl + 2,4-D + mecoprop + dicamba (0.02 + 0.77 + 0.24 + 0.07 lb/ acre) were evaluated through visual vigor ratings 35 days after spraying (DAS). Results of the preemergence study indicate that low rates of oxadiazon and oryzalin provided an acceptable level of growth suppression to the sedge (>60% visual vigor). Postemergence applications of the prepackagedformulations of carfentrazone-ethyl resulted in moderate to high foliar injury (46% to 74%) and plant mortality (17% to 23%). Plants treated with sulfosulfuron showed signs of stunting (visual vigor of 36%), but exhibited the least foliar injury (16%) and no mortality. Plants treated with high and low recommended rates of aminopyralid exhibited very low injury ratings (1% to 2%) at 35 DAS. Results obtained from these preliminary studies identified oxadiazon, oryzalin, and aminopyralid as potentially safe for controlling weed species in transplanted tropical fimbry.
An autonomous polymerization motor powered by DNA hybridization.

We present a synthetic molecular motor capable of autonomous nanoscale transport in solution. Inspired by bacterial pathogens such as Rickettsia rickettsii, which locomote by inducing the polymerization of the protein actin at their surfaces to form 'comet tails', the motor operates by polymerizing a double-helical DNA tail. DNA strands are propelled processively at the living end of the growing polymers, demonstrating autonomous locomotion powered by the free energy of DNA hybridization.
A UTD based asymptotic solution for the surface magnetic field on a source excited circular cylinder with an impedance boundary condition

An asymptotic solution based on the uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (UTD) is proposed for the canonical problem of surface field excitation on a circular cylinder with an impedance boundary condition (IBC). The radius of the cylinder and the length of the geodesic path between source and field points, both of which are located on the surface of the cylinder, are assumed to be large compared to a wavelength. Unlike the UTD based solution pertaining to a perfect electrically conducting (PEC) circular cylinder, some higher order terms and derivatives of Fock type integrals are found to be significantly important and included in the proposed solution. The solution is of practical interest in the prediction of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) between conformal slot antennas on a PEC cylindrical structure with a thin material coating on which boundary conditions can be approximated by an IBC. The cylindrical structure could locally model a portion of the fuselage of an aircraft or a spacecraft, or a missile. Validity and accuracy of the numerical results obtained by this solution are demonstrated in comparison with those of an exact eigenfunction solution.
BOOK REVIEW: Environmental Due Diligence: A Professional Handbook

Environmental Due Diligence: A Professional Handbook. Kenneth S. Tramm and Ernest C. Crosby. 2006. Infinity Publishing, West Conshohocken, PA. 434 pp. $67.95 paperback.This book is a concise and comprehensive summary of information needed by professionals conducting evaluations to determine whether a location is contaminated and in need of cleanup. Since the USEPA has recently established clarified expectations in the form of its All Appropriate Inquiry Rule (40 CFR Part 312, pursuant to the 2002 Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act), this book is timely. It is an extremely useful text not just for anyone conducting or seeking to perform this aspect of environmental consulting, but also for those in organizations owning or dealing in real property who use (or should use) the services of environmental professionals. This is because the law places responsibility on many parties for cleaning up contamination, and that responsibility has been interpreted by courts to be strict, joint, and several, and, for the most part, retroactive and perpetual. The only way to manage responsibility for cleanup is to go into commercial property deals with your eyes open—by conducting a thorough pre-purchase evaluation. You either learn that you don't want the property because it will come with a likely cleanup, or you take your chances because one seems unlikely. In the latter case you want to be able to take advantage of the defenses for innocent landowners, or “brownfields” developers, in case you are wrong and it turns out the place is indeed contaminated. These defenses are, with few exceptions, only afforded to those who have conducted such evaluations with “due diligence.”
Serotonergic Activation Rescues Reproductive Function in Fasted Mice: Does Serotonin Mediate the Metabolic Effects of Leptin on Reproduction?

Negative energy balance inhibits reproduction by restraining GnRH secretion. Leptin is a permissive metabolic signal for reproduction, but GnRH neurons do not appear to express leptin receptors, suggesting that interneurons transmit leptin signals to these cells. Serotonin (5HT) has satiety effects similar to those of leptin and alters LH release, and serotonergic neurons, which have been shown to express leptin receptors, terminate on GnRH neurons. We hypothesized that serotonergic neurons convey leptin signals to the reproductive neuroendocrine axis. To test this, mice were fasted for 48 h beginning on Diestrous Day 1. While fasting, mice received saline or leptin every 12 h or the 5HT-selective reuptake-inhibitor fluoxetine once at the start of the fast. Estrous cycles of fasted mice were longer (mean ± SEM, 10.2 ± 0.5 days; P < 0.0001) than those of fed mice (4.5 ± 0.2 days). As previously reported, leptin prevented fasting-induced cycle lengthening (4.6 ± 0.7 days). Fluoxetine also rescued estrous cycles in fasted mice (4.7 ± 0.6 days), suggesting that 5HT and leptin have similar positive effects on reproduction. Coadministration of the 5HT 1/2/7 receptor-antagonist metergoline blocked rescue of cycle length by fluoxetine and by leptin. Treating leptin-deficient ob/ob and leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice with fluoxetine did not normalize body weight or rescue fertility, perhaps due to altered serotonergic tone in these animals. Together, these data demonstrate a permissive role for serotonergic systems in the metabolic control of reproduction and are consistent with the hypothesis that serotonergic neurons convey leptin signals to GnRH neurons.
An integrated microfluidic self-regulating and self-circulating hydrogen generator for fuel cells

This paper introduces a micro-hydrogen generator with self-circulation and self-regulation mechanisms for delivering alkaline sodium borohydride solution without parasitic power consumption. The self-circulation of the sodium borohydride solution was achieved by using directional growth and selective venting of hydrogen bubbles in microchannels, which leads to agitation and addition of fresh solution without power consumption. The pumping rate can be automatically regulated by the pressure at the gas outlet, which directly corresponds to the current output of the fuel cell, and thus the electrical load. Design, fabrication, and testing results of a prototype system are described. A maximum hydrogen generation rate of 0.5 sccm and self-circulation/self-regulation mechanisms have been demonstrated in this paper.
Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Barrett's Esophagus

The objective of this study was to examine the associations between dietary patterns and the risk of Barrett's esophagus, a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma. The authors conducted a case-control study within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population between 2002 and 2005. Patients with a new diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus (n = 296 cases) were matched to persons with gastroesophageal reflux disease (n = 308) without Barrett's esophagus and to population controls (n = 309). Dietary information was obtained from a validated, 110-item food frequency questionnaire. A principal component analysis was used to identify major dietary patterns. Two major dietary patterns were "Western" (high in fast food and meat) and "health-conscious" (high in fruits, vegetables, and nonfried fish). When cases and population controls were compared, strong adherence to the health-conscious dietary pattern was inversely associated with Barrett's esophagus (odds ratio = 0.35, 95% confidence interval: 0.20, 0.64; fourth vs. first quartile comparison). In contrast, data suggested an adverse effect of the Western dietary pattern on the risk of Barrett's esophagus, although no dose-effect relation was found. Results suggest strong associations between a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and the risk of Barrett's esophagus.
Parallel Algorithms for Bayesian Indoor Positioning Systems

We present two parallel algorithms and their Unified Parallel C implementations for Bayesian indoor positioning systems. Our approaches are founded on Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations. We evaluated two basic partitioning schemes: inter-chain partitioning which distributes entire Markov chains to different processors, and intra-chain which distributes a single chain across processors. Evaluations on a 16-node symmetric multiprocessor, a 4-node cluster comprising of quad processors, and a 16 single- processor-node cluster, suggest that for short chains intra- chain scales well on the first two platforms with speedups of up to 12. On the other hand, inter-chain gives speedups of 12 only for very long chains, sometimes of up to 60,000 iterations, on all three platforms. We used the LogGP model to analyze our algorithms and predict their performance. Model predictions for inter-chain are within 5% of the actual execution time, while for intra-chain they are 7%-25% less due to load imbalance not captured in the model.
Effect of organic matter on estuarine flocculation: a laboratory study using montmorillonite, humic acid, xanthan gum, guar gum and natural estuarine flocs

Riverine particles undergo a rapid transformation when they reach estuaries. The rapid succession of hydrodynamic and biogeochemical regimes forces the particles to flocculate, settle and enter the sediment pool. The rates and magnitudes of flocculation depend on the nature of the particles which are primarily affected by the types and quantities of organic matter (OM). Meanwhile, the OM characteristics vary widely between environments, as well as within a single environment due to seasonal climate and land use variability. We investigated the effect of the OM types and quantities through laboratory experiments using natural estuarine particles from the Mississippi Sound and Atchafalaya Bay as well as model mixtures of montmorillonite and organic molecules (i.e., biopolymers (guar/xanthan gums) and humic acid). Biopolymers promote flocculation but the magnitude depends on the types and quantities. Nonionic guar gum yields much larger flocs than anionic xanthan gum, while both of them exhibit a nonlinear behavior in which the flocculation is the most pronounced at the intermediate OM loading. Moreover, the effect of guar gum is independent of salinity whereas the effect of xanthan gum is pronounced at higher salinity. Meanwhile, humic acid does not affect flocculation at all salinity values tested in this study. These results are echoed in the laboratory manipulation of the natural estuarine particles. Flocculation of the humic acid-rich Mississippi Sound particles is unaffected by the OM, whereas that of biopolymer-rich Atchafalaya Bay particles is enhanced by the OM. Flocculation is positively influenced by the presence of biopolymers that are produced as the result of marine primary production. Meanwhile, humic acid, which is abundant in the rivers that drain the agricultural soils of Southeastern United States, has little influence on flocculation. Thus, it is expected that humic acid-poor riverine particles (e.g., Mississippi River, and Atchafalaya River, to a lesser degree) may be prone to rapid flocculation and settling in the immediate vicinity of the river mouths when mixed with biopolymer-rich coastal waters. It is also expected that humic acid-rich riverine particles (e.g., Pearl River) may resist immediate flocculation and be transported further away from the river mouth.
Risk factors for mesh erosion 3 months following vaginal reconstructive surgery using commercial kits vs. fashioned mesh-augmented vaginal repairs.

Our objective was to establish the overall graft erosion rate in a synthetic graft-augmented repair 3 months postoperatively. A retrospective chart review was performed on a cohort of subjects who underwent mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery during an 18-month period. We defined graft erosion as exposure of any mesh upon visual inspection of the entire vagina at the 3-month postoperative visit. Statistical tests performed to evaluate proportional differences were the Pearson chi square and Fisher exact tests. Independent t test was performed to compare mean differences. A total of 124 grafts were implanted. The overall erosion rate was 11.3%. There was a significantly lower erosion rate when using “commercial kits” vs. our traditional repairs (1.4% [one out of 69] vs. 23.6% [13 out of 55]; p < 0.001). Our study demonstrates a significantly lower erosion rate when using a “commercial kit” to repair pelvic organ prolapse compared to our traditional synthetic graft-augmented repair.
Resistance to Oculimacula yallundae and Oculimacula acuformis is conferred by Pch2 in wheat

The recent report of a differential response of wheat lines containing the Pch2 gene to infection with the eyespot pathogens Oculimacula yallundae and O. acuformis has prompted this re-examination of the response to these fungi by the recombinant lines used to map Pch2. Homozygous recombinant substitution lines (RSL) derived from the hybridization of Chinese Spring (CS) and the CS chromosome substitution line Cappelle Desprez 7A (CS/CD7A), previously evaluated for response to glucuronidase (GUS)-transformed O. yallundae, were evaluated for response to infection with GUS-transformed O. acuformis. Based on visual scores and on GUS expression level, which reflects fungal colonization of seedling plants, evidence of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) conferring resistance to O. acuformis was found in two separate growth chamber experiments (logarithm of the odds, LOD, = 27 and 67 at 305 and 289 cM, respectively) that was equivalent in location to that for resistance to O. yallundae (LOD = 132 and 114 at 289 and 304 cM, respectively). These results confirm that Pch2 confers some degree of resistance against both O. yallundae and O. acuformis under these conditions.
Aggregation chimeras demonstrate that the primary defect responsible for aganglionic megacolon in lethal spotted mice is not neuroblast autonomous.

The lethal spotted (ls) mouse has been used as a model for the human disorder Hirschsprung9s disease, because as in the latter condition, ls/ls homozygotes are born without ganglion cells in their terminal colons and, without surgical intervention, die early as a consequence of intestinal obstruction. Previous studies have led to the conclusion that hereditary aganglionosis in ls/ls mice occurs because neural crest-derived enteric neuroblasts fail to colonize the distal large intestine during embryogenesis, perhaps due to a primary defect in non-neuroblastic mesenchyme rather than migrating neuroblasts themselves. In this investigation, the latter issue was addressed directly, in vivo, by comparing the distributions of ls/ls and wild-type neurons in aggregation chimeras. Expression of a transgene, D beta H-nlacZ, in enteric neurons derived from the vagal neural crest, was used as a marker for ls/ls enteric neurons in chimeric mice. In these animals, when greater than 20% of the cells were wild-type, the ls/ls phenotype was rescued; such mice were neither spotted nor aganglionic. In addition, these ‘rescued’ mice had mixtures of ls/ls and wild-type neurons throughout their gastrointestinal systems including distal rectum. In contrast, mice with smaller relative numbers of wild-type cells exhibited the classic ls/ls phenotype. The aganglionic terminal bowel of the latter mice contained neither ls/ls nor wild-type neurons. These results confirm that the primary defect in ls/ls embryos is not autonomous to enteric neuroblasts, but instead exists in the non-neuroblastic mesenchyme of the large intestine.
Chapter 5: Documenting Physical Injuries

This chapter in The Handbook of Human Rights Investigation provides detailed methodologies for the documentation of physical injuries.
A Framework to Determine the Upper Bound on Extractable Power as a Function of Input Vibration Parameters

This paper outlines a mathematical framework to determine the upper bound on extractable power as a function of the forcing vibrations. In addition, the method described provides insight into the dynamic transducer forces required to attain the upper bound. The relationship between vibration parameters and transducer force gives a critical first step in determining the optimal transducer architecture for a given vibration source. The method developed is applied to three specific vibration inputs: a single sinusoid, the sum of two sinusoids, and a single sinusoid with a time-dependent frequency. As expected, for the single sinusoidal case, the optimal transducer force is found to be that produced by a resonant linear spring and a viscous damping force, with matched impedance to the mechanical damper. The resulting transducer force for the input described by a sum of two sinusoids is found to be inherently time dependent. The upper bound on power output is shown to be twice that obtainable from a linear harvester centered at the lower of the two frequencies. Finally, the optimal transducer force for a sinusoidal input with a time-dependent frequency is characterized by a viscous damping term and a linear spring with a time-dependent coefficient.
Protons Potentiate GluN1/GluN3A Currents by Attenuating Their Desensitisation

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are glutamate- and glycine-gated channels composed of two GluN1 and two GluN2 or/and GluN3 subunits. GluN3A expression is developmentally regulated, and changes in this normal pattern of expression, which occur in several brain disorders, alter synaptic maturation and function by unknown mechanisms. Uniquely within the NMDA receptor family, GluN1/GluN3 receptors produce glycine-gated deeply desensitising currents that are insensitive to glutamate and NMDA; these currents remain poorly characterised and their cellular functions are unknown. Here, we show that extracellular acidification strongly potentiated glycine-gated currents from recombinant GluN1/GluN3A receptors, with half-maximal effect in the physiologic pH range. This was largely due to slower current desensitisation and faster current recovery from desensitisation, and was mediated by residues facing the heterodimer interface of the ligand-binding domain. Consistent with the observed changes in desensitisation kinetics, acidic shifts increased the GluN1/GluN3A equilibrium current and depolarized the membrane in a glycine concentration-dependent manner. These results reveal novel modulatory mechanisms for GluN1/GluN3A receptors that further differentiate them from the canonical glutamatergic GluN1/GluN2 receptors and provide a new and potent pharmacologic tool to assist the detection, identification, and the further study of GluN1/GluN3A currents in native preparations.
A Fatal Septicemic Disease of Infant Puppies Caused by Gytopathogenic Organisms with Characteristics of Mycoplasma

SummaryPathogenic organisms were isolated from 2 outbreaks of a fatal septicemic disease of infant puppies and from dog kidney cells that degenerated spontaneously. The isolates were indistinguishable serologically and possessed characteristics of Mycoplasma. The pathogenic organisms were cytopathogenic for dog kidney cell cultures, and in inoculated puppies, produced pathological changes that resembled those seen in natural cases. Lesions consisted principally of necrosis and hemorrhage. The isolates were culturally and serologically distinct from recognized canine Mycoplasma species.
Application of Artificial Neural Networks to the Simulation of Progressive Damage in Composite Laminates

A procedure has been developed for simulating progressive damage in composite laminates using a combination of an accurate stress analysis technique, a quasicontinuum approximation of the damaged material, and artificial neural networks. A response surface model, based on a multi-layer feed-forward network, is constructed as a surrogate for the computationally intensive higher fidelity finite element models by performing a series of numerical experiments and then observing the responses from those experiments. Two partially recurrent neural network topologies are proposed as part of an adaptive structural health monitoring strategy that emphasizes damage diagnostics as a prelude to predicting potential damage. A finite element model for nonlinear analysis of composite plates coupled with a micromechanics-based mechanistic model for modeling the initiation and evolution of damage and for predicting the effective composite properties is used to construct data for the response surface models.
Individual and Contextual Constraints on Ideological Labels in Latin America

Ideological labels are theoretically useful tools with which individuals comprehend, discuss, and engage in politics. Their actual significance, however, varies. We assess how select individual and contextual factors systematically affect individuals’ use and understandings of the classic left–right dimension in Latin America. Using data from the 2010 AmericasBarometer survey, we show that although education, political interest, and political sophistication help citizens place themselves on the ideological continuum, context also matters such that polarization (positively), fragmentation (negatively), and volatility (negatively) affect left–right response. Our analyses further demonstrate that, generally speaking, placements on the left–right scale are linked to individuals’ stances on economic, democratic, religious, and social issues, but context matters in important ways here as well. In short, ideological labels in Latin America hold important potential for orienting citizens within the political aren...
A Comparison of SHILLA GROWTH GUIDANCE SYSTEM and Growing Rods in the Treatment of Spinal Deformity in Children Less Than 10 Years of Age.

Background:The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of the SHILLA GROWTH GUIDANCE SYSTEM and “intermittent distraction growing rod” (IDGR) in the treatment of children (less than 10 y of age) with progressive spinal deformity. This was a multicenter retrospective study of the SHILLA use
Study on the Innovative Model of Supply Chain Management Based on the Combination

This paper will surmise the characteristics of combination that based on the basis of the combination of industries,financial industry,and funds.During the innovation process of supply chain management,the above mentioned combination would provide with the solid foundation of innovative concept,organization as well as technology.It would optimize the supply chain management process by adapting the concept of combination,to actualize the mutual beneficial sharing of customer information and funds resource by building up a close cooperative relationship between all internal and external units that along the entire supply chain,thus,to create more value for the companies and its associated business partners while creating more added value for its customers.This paper will propose a concept about building up an innovative supply chain management system that based on the combination in China by analyzing the typical innovative supply chain management model of foreign countries.
Detection and treatment of carcinoid tumors.

Carcinoid tumors seem to be more prevalent than is generally appreciated. The essentials of diagnosis and management are reviewed, with emphasis on those clinical, biochemical, and pathologic hallmarks that facilitate early diagnosis. Carcinoids arise at various sites and present in various ways. They sometimes have a good prognosis even if metastases are present.
Ultrasound-facilitated intrauterine transfusions

Ultrasound-facilitated intrauterine transfusion was performed on 35 fetuses. Eleven fetuses were hydropic and less than 26 weeks’ gestation at the time of the first intrauterine transfusion (JUT). Only two (18°/c) neonates survived. Twelve fetuses were not hydropic and less than 26 weeks’ gestation at time of IUT. Six (50%) neonates survived. Corrected neonatal survival rates for three hydropic and nine nonhydropic fetuses transfused after 26 weeks were 100% and 78%, respectively. The presence of ascites documented by ultrasound is an adequate indication for an IUT and permitted earlier detection of sicker fetuses; however, as a therapeutic aid, ultrasound neither diminished the fetal morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure nor completely eliminated the need for radiography to confirm proper intra-abdominal localization of the transfusion tubing.
Predicting coin flips: using resampling and hierarchical models to help untangle the NHL’s shoot-out

ABSTRACTRoughly 14% of regular season National Hockey League games since the 2005–06 season have been decided by a shoot-out, and the resulting allocation of points has impacted play-off races each season. But despite interest from fans, players and league officials, there is little in the way of published research on team or individual shoot-out performance. This manuscript attempts to fill that void. We present both generalised linear mixed model and Bayesian hierarchical model frameworks to model shoot-out outcomes, with results suggesting that there are (i) small but statistically significant talent gaps between shooters, (ii) marginal differences in performance among netminders and (iii) few, if any, predictors of player success after accounting for individual talent. We also provide a resampling strategy to highlight a selection bias with respect to shooter assignment, in which coaches choose their most skilled offensive players early in shoot-out rounds and are less likely to select players with po...
Transform-coded pel-recursive video compression

We propose an algorithm that accomplishes transform-coded, spatiotemporal, pel-recursive video compression. Traditional pel-recursive coders obtain sophisticated spatio-temporal predictions for the current pixel based on previously decoded data. The resulting per-pixel prediction errors are encoded independently so that the decoder can use previously-encoded pixels in the prediction of the current. It is well-known that pel-recursive coders significantly under-perform modern hybrid coders which use comparatively very simple predictors but transform code the prediction errors. Our algorithm combines the accurate predictors of pel-recursive techniques with transform coders so that the strengths of both approaches can be taken advantage of. In the proposed work, the decoder transform decodes the residuals for a block and then acts like a simple pel-recursive decoder for the pixels of that block. We show that the proposed algorithm can be seen as the use of a pel-recursion enabling transform at the encoder, which generates and encodes the correct transform coefficients to avoid error propagation at the decoder. A straightforward implementation of our work (implemented as an extension of HEVC that preserves independent decodability of INTER blocks) shows compression improvements over the baseline HEVC.
Comparative survival analysis of porous tantalum and porous titanium acetabular components in total hip arthroplasty.

BackgroundPorous tantalum acetabular components (PoTa) are well-studied, but less is known about widely used porous titanium (PoTi) acetabular components. We performed a comparative survival analys...
Quasi-Frobenius Rings

A ring A is quasi-Frobenius (QF) in case A is right and left Artinian, and there exists an A-duality fin. gen. mod-A ↝ fin. gen. A-mod.
Cell Cycle and Cell Division

Cell division is the most complex process undertaken by a single cell and must be stringently regulated to maintain fidelity of reproduction. Proliferative cells are in a continuous loop or cycle composed of four stages: S, during which DNA synthesis occurs, M (mitosis), G1 and G2. The gap phases G1 and G2 are growth and regulatory periods which are required to assure fidelity of the synthetic and division processes, as illustrated in Figure 5.1 (1). Gi is required for most cell types to complete cell growth. A critical checkpoint in G1, called START in yeast or the restriction point in mammalian cell, is the point in the cycle at which the cell commits to DNA replication (2). Both positive and negative signals operate at this point to determine whether the cell continues through the cycle (3). G2 is necessary to assure that DNA synthesis is complete to initiate mitosis and can be extended if DNA replication is incomplete or DNA has been damaged. In the rapidly dividing cells of early embryogenesis following fertilization, the cell cycle and G1 are short because no cell growth is required (4). Much of the research on the cell cycle has been done in unicellular eukaryotic organisms, particularly yeast. Control of the cell cycle in the unicellular organism is relatively simple because their cellular requirements are simple. They respond primarily to cues concerning nutrition and proliferation. In contrast, cells of multicellular organisms must be regulated by the overall needs of the organism. Thus, many cell types are required to be in a quiescent state (Go) most of their life. Other cell types are transiently proliferative and undergo cycles of cell growth and cell death according to the needs of the organism. Multicellular organisms have therefore evolved a highly complex set of mechanisms for regulating the cell cycle, which must then be integrated with all of the processes involved in cell growth and division.
Manipulating Drone Dynamic State Estimation to Compromise Navigation

To address fast-increasing security incidents of drones, in this paper, we investigate fundamental solutions to defend against unsophisticated commercial drones. We have examined several common flight control and navigation algorithms and identified weaknesses in the prevalent EKF-based dynamic state estimation schemes. Exploiting the unique circumstances and characteristics of these drone algorithms, we have developed a theoretical framework of False Data Injection (FDI) specific to drone dynamic state estimation, different from existing FDI attacks on static state estimation. We have further defined two FDI attacks that allow compromised magnetometer “measurements” to pass the drone anomaly detection for misleading a drone’s dynamic state estimation, such that its navigation and flight control are misguided. We have evaluated two practical scenarios to show the effectiveness of the proposed attacks with simulations on the popular ArduPilot flight control system. Our evaluation shows that the proposed attacks on these common algorithms can seriously affect drone navigation, stability, and power consumption. We believe this work is the first FDI attack against common drone dynamic state estimation schemes, which opens a new area of research. We are currently expanding our investigation on exploiting other related issues in this direction.
Targeted Versus Nontargeted Communication About Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems in Three Smoker Groups

Background: This study used an audience segmentation and message targeting approach to identify three distinct smoker groups—Older Freedom Smokers (OFS), Reluctant Smokers (RS), and Young Enthusiasts (YE)—and examined whether an electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) message targeting each smoker group (targeted message) was associated with more health-enhancing outcomes than messages targeting other groups (nontargeted messages). Methods: An online experiment was conducted among 580 adult smokers with 180 OFS, 200 RS, and 200 YE. Each smoker group viewed a targeted message and two nontargeted messages in a random order. Following the presentation of each message, participants reported their perceived message effectiveness, message reactions, ENDS- and cigarette-related beliefs, and behavioral intentions. Results: The targeted vs. nontargeted messages mostly did not produce more health-enhancing outcomes on perceptions of absolute and comparative risks of ENDS and cigarettes, response efficacy of ENDS, and self-efficacy as well as intentions to quit smoking. Conclusions: Our targeted messages did not appear to be a better choice over nontargeted messages to communicate about ENDS to smokers. Given the increasing call to accurately inform the public of the risk differences among various tobacco products, future studies should continue to explore whether targeted messages could be employed to communicate about the comparative risks of ENDS.
A Phase 1/2 Trial of Reirradiation for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Purpose To identify an optimal dose for reirradiation (reRT) of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Methods and Materials ReRT dose levels were selected using an adaptive utility–based dose-finding method. The coprimary endpoints were toxicity (mild, moderate, high, or severe) and efficacy, evaluated 1 month after reRT. Efficacy was defined as improvements in imaging, clinical status, and quality of life. Secondary endpoints were progression-free and overall survival. Utility of each dose level was calculated based on a combined toxicity/efficacy score, ranging from 0 for (severe toxicity, no efficacy) to 100 for (mild toxicity, all 3 efficacy improvements). Results Twelve patients completed reRT at 3 dose levels: 24 Gy in 12 fractions (6 patients), 26.4 Gy in 12 fractions (4 patients), and 30.8 Gy in 14 fractions (2 patients). One patient treated at dose level 3 developed a grade 3 acute toxicity. Five of the 6 patients receiving 24 Gy demonstrated improvement in 2 of 3 efficacy domains, and the sixth demonstrated improvement in all efficacy domains. Of 4 patients receiving 26.4 Gy, 1 demonstrated no improvement, and 1 patient each demonstrated improvement in 1, 2, and 3 efficacy domains. Of 2 patients receiving 30.8 Gy, 1 demonstrated improvement in 3 efficacy domains, and 1 did not complete the quality of life and was not assessed. Mean utilities were 88 for dose level 1, 76 for dose level 2, and 25 for dose level 3. For all patients, the median overall survival was 19.5 months from initial diagnosis (95% confidence interval, 15.6-21.1 months), and the median progression-free survival was 4.5 months from the start of reRT (95% confidence interval, 2.7-6.2 months). Conclusions ReRT can safely be delivered for progressive diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Clinical improvement was seen in almost all patients. Utility analysis suggests that a regimen of 24 Gy in 12 fractions is preferred.
Using an Individualized Observational Measure to Understand Children’s Interactions in Underserved Kindergarten Classrooms:

This study extended existing work on the Individualized Classroom Assessment Scoring System (inCLASS), established as a measure of preschool-age children’s observed interactions in the four domains...
Is your business sustainable? A sentiment analysis of air passengers of top 10 US-based airlines

The airline industry has become an inevitable part of the lives of American passengers. Along with that, dissatisfying flight experiences have always been associated with this industry since the be...
Divining responder populations from survival data.

ABSTRACT Background Biomarkers that predict treatment response are the foundation of precision medicine in clinical decision-making and have the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of clinical trials. Such biomarkers may be identified before clinical testing but many trials enroll unselected populations. We hypothesized that time-varying treatment effects in unselected trials may result from identifiable responder subpopulations that may have associated biomarkers. Materials and methods We first simulated scenarios of clinical trials with biomarker populations of varying prevalence and prognostic and predictive associations to illustrate the impact of subgroup-specific effects on overall population estimates. To show a real-world example of time-dependent treatment effects resulting from a prognostic and predictive biomarker, we re-analyzed data from a published clinical trial (RTOG, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, 9402). We then demonstrated a quantitative framework to fit survival data from clinical trials using statistical models incorporating known estimates of biomarker prevalence and prognostic value to prioritize predictive biomarker hypotheses. Results Our simulation studies demonstrate how biomarker subgroups that are both predictive and prognostic can manifest as time-dependent treatment effects in overall populations. RTOG 9402 provides a representative example where 1p/19q co-deletion and IDH mutation biomarker-specific effects led to time-varying treatment effects and a considerable deviation from proportional hazards in the overall trial population. Finally, using biomarker data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we were able to generate statistical models that correctly identified and prioritized a commonly used biomarker through retrospective analysis of published clinical trial data. Conclusions Biomarkers that are both predictive and prognostic can result in characteristic changes in survival results. Retrospectively analyzing survival data from clinical trials may highlight potential indications for which an underlying predictive biomarker may be found.
Continuous Recrystallization and Grain Boundaries in a Superplastic Aluminum Alloy

Superplasticity refers to exceptional tensile ductility for certain polycrystalline materials when they are deformed under appropriate temperature and strain rate conditions. Utilization of superplastic forming has experienced steady growth in recent years due to component weight savings as well as improved performance and reliability for engineering systems incorporating this technology (Grimes, 1988). However, despite such benefits the range of available alloy compositions suitable for use in superplastic forming of components has remained restricted. Improvements in the forming characteristics and superplastic response for a wider range of engineering aluminum alloys than is currently the case would enable great expansion of the utilization of this technology. The micro structural prerequisites that must be met to enable superplasticity are now well established. They include highly refined grains, smaller than 10 μm in size, and grain boundaries capable of sliding while resisting tensile separation (Sherby and Ruano, 1982; Langdon, 1982). The need for a fine grain size reflects the independent contributions of grain boundary sliding (GBS) and slip creep during elevated temperature deformation (Sherby and Ruano, 1982; Langdon, 1982; Sherby and Wadsworth, 1984; Ruano and Sherby, 1988).
Water—Energy—Food: Our Existence Will Require Natural Gas

Abstract Natural gas, as an energy source, is typically classified as a fossil fuel and is quickly linked to the problems of climate change as well as fresh water pollution and shortages. Natural gas is an abundant energy source and is evenly distributed throughout the world. This energy source is capable of replacing every coal fired and nuclear power facility in the world. The facts, however, show that natural gas, if applied in the development of micro-community electrical and heat generation facilities, will be the key technological development that will reverse CO2 emissions and significantly increase the world's fresh water inventories. The natural gas technological advancement will be the nucleus of efficiency and productivity. Less energy and water inputs will result in increased food production leading to continuous improvement in the quality of life throughout the global community.
Vehicle Identification and Route Reconstruction via TPMS Data Leakage

Tire pressure monitoring systems have become a mandatory feature of modern automobiles, but their presence opens a new attack vector for a potential adversary.These systems have minimal security features, allowing for eavesdropping and data injection with low technical and financial costs.
The second moment of GL(4)×GL(2) L-functions at special points

Abstract In this paper, we obtain upper bounds for the second moment of L ( u j × ϕ , 1 2 + i t j ) , where ϕ is a Hecke Maass form for S L ( 4 , Z ) , and u j is taken from an orthonormal basis of Hecke-Maass forms on S L ( 2 , Z ) with eigenvalue 1 / 4 + t j 2 . The bounds are consistent with the Lindelof hypothesis. Previously these types of upper bounds are available for only G L ( n ) × G L ( 2 ) , where n ≤ 3 .
Media sensory curation and family media conflict: replication and validation of short-form measures

Media sensory curation theory conceptualizes sensory regulation within the built environment as a gratification of electronic media use and predictor of parent-child conflict over children’s media ...
No Evidence for an Object Working Memory Capacity Benefit with Extended Viewing Time.

Abstract Visual working memory is the ability to hold visual information temporarily in mind. A key feature of working memory is its starkly limited capacity, such that only a few simple items can be remembered at once. Prior work has shown that this capacity limit cannot be circumvented by providing additional encoding time, whether providing just 200 ms or up to 1300 ms, capacity is still limited to only three to four items. In contrast, Brady et al. (2016) hypothesized that real-world objects, but not simple items used in prior research, benefit from additional encoding time and are not subject to traditional capacity limits. They supported this hypothesis with results from both behavior and the contralateral delay activity (CDA), an EEG marker of working memory storage, and concluded that familiar, complex stimuli are necessary to observe encoding time effects. Here, we conducted three replications of Brady et al.’s key manipulation with a larger number of human participants and more trials per condition. We failed to replicate their primary behavioral result (objects benefit more than colors from additional encoding time) and failed to observe an object-specific increase in the CDA. Instead, we found that encoding time benefitted both simple color items and real-world objects, in contrast to both the findings by Brady et al., and some prior work on this topic. Overall, we observed no support for the hypothesis that real-world objects have a different capacity than colored squares. We discuss the implications of our findings for theories of visual working memory (VWM).
Data-Driven Shape Sensing of a Surgical Continuum Manipulator Using an Uncalibrated Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor

This article proposes a data-driven learning-based approach for shape sensing and Distal-end Position Estimation (DPE) of a surgical Continuum Manipulator (CM) in constrained environments using Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. The proposed approach uses only the sensory data from an unmodeled uncalibrated sensor embedded in the CM to estimate the shape and DPE. It serves as an alternate to the conventional mechanics-based sensor-model-dependent approach which relies on several sensor and CM geometrical assumptions. Unlike the conventional approach where the shape is reconstructed from proximal to distal end of the device, we propose a reversed approach where the distal-end position is estimated first and given this information, shape is then reconstructed from distal to proximal end. The proposed methodology yields more accurate DPE by avoiding accumulation of integration errors in conventional approaches. We study three data-driven models, namely a linear regression model, a Deep Neural Network (DNN), and a Temporal Neural Network (TNN) and compare DPE and shape reconstruction results. Additionally, we test both approaches (data-driven and model-dependent) against internal and external disturbances to the CM and its environment such as incorporation of flexible medical instruments into the CM and contacts with obstacles in taskspace. Using the data-driven (DNN) and model-dependent approaches, the following max absolute errors are observed for DPE: 0.78 mm and 2.45 mm in free bending motion, 0.11 mm and 3.20 mm with flexible instruments, and 1.22 mm and 3.19 mm with taskspace obstacles, indicating superior performance of the proposed data-driven approach compared to the conventional approaches.
Conquest and Improvement in the “Graveyard of Empires”: The Men Who Would Be Kings in Afghanistan and Vietnam

This chapter reads Rudyard Kipling’s The Man Who Would Be King (1888) alongside John Huston’s Vietnam-era adaptation of Kipling’s story (1975). Kao examines the figure of Alexander the Great and the many ways in which British imperial discourse invoked him to illustrate the unsettled relationship between conquest and improvement in the nineteenth century. A close reading of Kipling’s novella considers how it engages with the conflict between conquest and improvement—and the proper role of imperial rule—that Alexander exemplified. The final section reads Huston’s film as both a literary adaptation and an anti-Vietnam War genre film that tries to rescue America’s image of itself as a powerful and beneficent empire. By examining the film’s evolution from classic Hollywood adventure flick to a film that criticizes, but also validates, western imperialism in Asia, Kao argues that the film allows Huston to save American imperialism in the face of its defeat in Vietnam.