cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What dysarthrias can tell us about the neural control of speech

Abstract Dysarthrias, part of the class of neurogenic speech disorders, provide several sources of evidence concerning the neural control of speech. Although the dysarthrias have been studied primarily from a clinical perspective directed to issues of assessment and management, they have much to tell us about how the brain regulates the act of speaking. This paper considers five major areas in which disordered and normal speech can be integrated into an improved understanding of speech motor control: sensory function in the regulation of speech; rhythm as a temporal substrate for the organization of speech movements; kinematics of individual movements and motor systems; neural bases of multi-articulator coordination; and strategies for compensation, adaptation, and re-organization. A theme that runs through these five areas is consideration of the overarching hypothesis that speech motor regulation is based on a modular organization that can be defined partly by consideration of results from neurogenic speech disorders.
Tropical cyclogenesis sensitivity to environmental parameters in radiative–convective equilibrium

In this study, the relationship between the likelihood of tropical cyclogenesis and external environmental forcings is explored in the simplest idealized modelling framework possible: radiative-convective equilibrium on a doubly periodic f-plane. In such an environment, control of the equilibrium environmental sounding is reduced to three parameters: the sea-surface temperature, the Coriolis parameter, and the imposed background surface wind speed. Cloud-resolving mesoscale model simulations are used to generate environments of radiative-convective equilibrium determined by these three factors. The favourability of these environments for tropical cyclogenesis is measured in three ways: in terms of the maximum potential intensity (MPI) of the sounding, based on the thermodynamic theory of Emanuel; in terms of the ‘genesis potential’ determined by an empirical genesis parameter; and in terms of the propensity of weak initial vortices in these environments to form into tropical cyclones. The simulated environments of radiative—convective equilibrium with no vertical wind shear are found to be very favourable for tropical cyclogenesis. Weak initial vortices always transition to a tropical cyclone, even for rather low sea-surface temperatures. However, the time required for these vortices to make the transition from a weak, mid-level vortex to a rapidly developing tropical cyclone decreases as the MPI increases, indicating the importance of MPI in enhancing the frequency of cyclogenesis. The relationship between this ‘time to genesis’ and the thermodynamic parameters is explored. The time to genesis is found to be very highly (negatively) correlated to MPI, with little or no relationship to convective instability, Coriolis parameter, mid-level humidity, or the empirical genesis parameter. In some cases, tropical cyclones are found to form spontaneously from random convection. This formation is due to a cooperative interaction between large-scale moisture, long-wave radiation, and locally enhanced sea-surface fluxes, similar to the ‘aggregation’ of convection found in previous studies. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Vertical Path Guidance Computer

A low-cost airborne computer which provides a multiangular glide path for the landing problem is independent of ILS or GCA methods. A barometric altitude signal is divided by slant-range information from a DME interrogator. The resulting ground-based angle is subtracted from the selected approach angle to provide the displayed departure from the glide path. Angular and lineal outputs are available. DME station position may be electrically offset to serve all airdrome runways. Theoretical and experimental results are presented
Biomass smoke exposures: Health outcomes measures and study design

Epidemiological studies of biomass smoke health effects have been conducted in a variety of settings and with a variety of study designs. The Health Effects Workgroup discussed several approaches for the investigation of health effects in communities exposed to wood smoke from nearby wildland fires, intentional agricultural burning, or residential biomass burning devices such as woodstoves or cookstoves. This presentation briefly reviews observational and intervention studies that have been conducted within these exposure settings. The review is followed by a summary of discussion points among the workgroup members with particular emphasis on study design and the use of biomarkers for assessing outcomes in biomass smoke-exposed populations.
The Mafia and al‐Qaeda: Violent and Secretive Organizations in Comparative and Historical Perspective

In the immediate aftermath of September 11, we circulated an essay outlining possible comparisons between the 1980s and 1990s repression of organized crime in Italy and Sicily and the pending repression of the al-Qaeda network. Distributed in several countries, and as a contribution to the Anthropological Quarterly's reflections on September 11, the essay elicited critical and provocative commentary. Respondents questioned, in particular, our neglect of abuses of civil liberties in the antimafia process, our implied conflation of racketeering with religious extremism, and our positive assessment of the role of citizens' social movements in delegitimating terrorist violence. In this article, we address these and related criticisms, in part through expanding and clarifying the original argument. Our premise at the time, that the rhetoric (and pursuit) of a "war" on terrorism distorts what should be framed as a repressive action against a cellular and networked, violent and secretive organization, is reinforced. [Keywords: criminal networks, mafia, social movements, Cold War, revenge]
Covert low-power QoS attack in all-optical wavelength routed networks

In transparent WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) optical networks, some component and network vulnerabilities can be used by malicious attackers to implement QoS (quality of service) degrading/disruptive attacks. Among the attacks, some are easy to detect, locate and isolate, while some are not. For those covert attacks, which impair the BER of the legitimate channels without triggering alarms at the immediate attacking spot, the service impact may be much more severe than the overt attacks, since the NMS (network management system) might mis-diagnose the failure location. This paper studies one specific form of the covert attacks, which we name the low-power QoS attack. The attacking method, QoS impact, as well as the propagating nature of this attack are investigated. Our study shows that the low-power attack is easy to implement, yet its damage to the BER performance can be significant. Multiple colluding low-power attacks are capable of greater QoS impact using less attacking intensity. Measures to protect the network from low-power attack are also proposed.
L2 Tense and Time Reference

The meaning and forms of tenses are complex and often difficult for nonnative speakers to acquire. The concepts associated with time which differ among language communities can present an additional level of complexitv for learners. In a survey, 130 ESL students were asked to describe the meanings of English tenses in terms of time concepts used in ESL grammar texts. The results suggest that speakers of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic associate different temporal relationships with the terms right now, present, and past than do native speakers. An implication of this finding is that grammar teaching that utilizes descriptions of time accepted in English-speaking communities to explain usages and meanings of English tenses can produce a low rate of learner comprehension.
RNA Recognition by the Human U1A Protein is Mediated by a Network of Local Cooperative Interactions that Create the Optimal Binding Surface

Abstract One of the most common structural motifs in RNA-binding proteins is the RNA-binding domain (RBD). These domains share a common α/β sandwich tertiary fold, and are highly conserved, though they bind diverse RNA targets with a wide range of binding affinities. The N-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD1) of the human U1A protein binds specifically to stem/loop II of the U1 snRNA with sub-nanomolar affinity. Solvent-exposed aromatic residues on the β-sheet surface are highly conserved among RBD domains; in RBD1, these are Tyr13 and Phe56, with a unique Gln at position 54. Effects of substitutions at these positions were examined using energetic pairwise coupling to describe the communication between these residues in both the free and RNA-bound states of the protein. 15N NMR experiments were used to determine effects of the β-sheet substitutions on the structural and dynamic properties of this domain. The combination of thermodynamic pairwise coupling and 15N-backbone dynamics provides direct evidence for local cooperative interactions among Y13, Q54, and F56, and a non-conserved loop that directly affect RNA-binding. The results describe how conserved and non-conserved regions of an RBD can communicate with each other to mediate recognition of the RNA.
CHANGES IN THE PERMEABILITY OF ASCOSPORES OF NEUROSPORA TETRASPERMA DURING GERMINATION

The respiration and germination of activated ascospores of Neurospora tetrasperma have been shown to be almost completely inhibited by concentrations of ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as low as 0.0035 M. In contrast, however, dormant ascospores are insensitive to this chelating agent. At any time up to about 150 minutes after activation Ca++ or Mg++ can completely reverse this toxicity but Cu++, Co++, and Mn++ only partially reverse it. After this time, the minerals of the Neurospora "minimal" medium taken singly, or in various combinations cannot reverse this effect. Adding EDTA at 120 minutes after activation eliminates the lag period associated with its effect upon respiration. Inhibition occurs even though the cells seem to be impermeable to EDTA. Cationic exchange resins, as another example of a non-penetrating metal-binding agent, gave effects similar to those noted with EDTA. Of the resins used the H+ form of IR-120 and the Na+ and K+ forms of amberlite IRC-50 were the most toxic to activated ascospores. On the other hand, dormant ascospores were entirely unaffected by the resins. The release of Ca++ from activated ascospores coincided with the period of maximum sensitivity to EDTA. More than 60 per cent of the cell's content of K+ is released by EDTA-inhibited ascospores. A low pH decreased the effectiveness of EDTA as a poison. The data are consistent with the possibility that non-penetrating metal-binding agents are toxic because of the irreversible removal of essential cations from the cell. The kinetic data for the inhibitory effects, and for the release of Ca++ establish that the permeability of germinating ascospores to minerals changes drastically as a result of activation.
When Worlds Collide: Exploring Intersections between Legal Writing and Clinical Pedagogy, Scholarship, and Practice

The 2007 Annual Program of the AALS Section on Legal Writing, Reasoning and Research, When Worlds Collide, focused on relationships between legal writing teachers and clinicians in teaching and scholarship. . . . [T]hese essays explore existing intersections between legal writing and clinical pedagogy, scholarship, and practice as well as the spaces where there is an undeveloped potential for forging and developing professional relationships between writing and clinical teachers. Thus, this symposium is about where legal writing and clinical teachers meet as colleagues and as collaborators. But it is equally about where we collide and where we miss each other.
Regulation of alveolar septation by microRNA-489

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small conserved RNA that regulate gene expression. Bioinformatic analysis of miRNA profiles during mouse lung development indicated a role for multiple miRNA, including miRNA-489. miR-489 increased on completion of alveolar septation [postnatal day 42 (P42)], associated with decreases in its conserved target genes insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf1) and tenascin C (Tnc). We hypothesized that dysregulation of miR-489 and its target genes Igf1 and Tnc contribute to hyperoxia-induced abnormal lung development. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to normoxia (21%) or hyperoxia (85% O2) from P4 to P14, in combination with intranasal locked nucleic acid against miR-489 to inhibit miR-489, cytomegalovirus promoter (pCMV)-miR-489 to overexpress miR-489, or empty vector. Hyperoxia reduced miR-489 and increased Igf1 and Tnc. Locked nucleic acid against miR-489 improved lung development during hyperoxia and did not alter it during normoxia, whereas miR-489 overexpression inhibited lung development during normoxia. The 3' untranslated region in vitro reporter studies confirmed Igf1 and Tnc as targets of miR-489. While miR-489 was of epithelial origin and present in exosomes, its targets Igf1 and Tnc were produced by fibroblasts. Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) had reduced lung miR-489 and increased Igf1 and Tnc compared with normal preterm or term infants. These results suggest increased miR-489 is an inhibitor of alveolar septation. During hyperoxia or BPD, reduced miR-489 and increased Igf1 and Tnc may be inadequate attempts at compensation. Further inhibition of miR-489 may permit alveolar septation to proceed. The use of specific miRNA antagonists or agonists may be a therapeutic strategy for inhibited alveolarization, such as in BPD.
Organic molecules in an electrical circuit: An AFM study of a negative-differential-resistance molecule

2,5-di(phenylethynyl)-4′-4″-dithiolate-1-nitrobenzene has been shown to exhibit negative differential resistance (NDR) and spontaneous switching when inserted into inert molecular monolayers between metal contacts. We have used conducting atomic force microscopy to measure the electronic properties of individual dithiolated molecules 2,5-di(phenylethynyl)-4′-4″-dithiolate-1-nitrobenzene and 2,5-di(phenylethynyl)-4′4″-thioacetyl-benzene inserted into an alkanethiol monolayer and chemically bonded to gold nano-contacts to form a covalentlyconnected molecular circuit (bonded contacts). The data show qualitative agreement with previously published results for similar molecules deposited in a nanopore containing several hundred molecules, allowing us to make the important conclusion that the measured negative differential resistance (NDR) is native to the molecule and not an intermolecular phenomenon.
Pseudorandom Time-Hopping Anti-Jamming Technique for Mobile Cognitive Users

The 5G wireless networks will support massive connectivity mainly due to device-to-device communications. An enabling technology for device-to-device links is the dynamical spectrum access. The devices, which are equipped with cognitive radios, are to be allowed to reuse spectrum occupied by cellular links in an opportunistic manner [1]. The dynamical spectrum availability makes cognitive users switch between channels. Switching leads to communication overhead, delay, and energy consumption. The performance degrades even more in the presence of security threats. It is important to countermeasure security threats while meeting a desired quality of service. In this paper, we analytically model the impact of spectrum dynamics on the performance of mobile cognitive users in the presence of cognitive jammers. The spectrum occupancy is modeled as a two-state Markov chain. Our contribution is proposing a pseudorandom time hopping technique to countermeasure jamming. We achieve an analytical solution of jamming probability, switching and error probability. Based on our findings, our proposed technique out performs the frequency hopping anti-jamming technique.
Rationale for eliminating the hormone-free interval in modern oral contraceptives

Abstract Background Although most low-dose combined oral contraceptives (COCs) include 7-day hormone-free intervals (HFIs), these COCs could incompletely suppress ovarian activity. Objectives To review the impact of HFIs on ovarian suppression and tolerability, and evaluate the utility of COCs without traditional 7-day HFIs. Search strategy PubMed was searched for clinical studies published in English between January 1980 and April 2015 on the impact of HFIs and HFI modifications in COCs. Selection criteria Articles assessing contraceptive efficacy or tolerability as the primary focus were included. Data collection and analysis Abstracts of 319 articles were screened. Results Analysis of the 161 articles selected revealed that suppression of ovarian activity with low-dose COCs with 7-day HFIs is suboptimal. Loss of ovarian suppression during 7-day HFIs is commonly associated with follicular development, and most dominant follicles appear during this period. By contrast, increased ovarian suppression was noted in regimens that shortened or eliminated the HFI, or that substituted low-dose ethinyl estradiol for the HFI. Conclusions Extended regimens with modified HFIs may provide greater ovarian suppression with the potential for increased contraceptive effectiveness. Additional research is needed to evaluate whether COC regimens that include 10 μg ethinyl estradiol instead of an HFI may improve tolerability.
The ubiquity of iron.

The importance of iron in living systems can be traced to the many complexes within which it is found, to its chemical mobility in undergoing oxidation–reduction reactions, and to the abundance of iron in Earth’s crust. Iron is the most abundant element, by mass, in the Earth, constituting about 80% of the inner and outer cores of Earth. The molten outer core is about 8000 km in diameter, and the solid inner core is about 2400 km in diameter. Iron is the fourth most abundant element in Earth’s crust. It is the chemically functional component of mononuclear iron complexes, dinuclear iron complexes, [2Fe–2S] and [4Fe–4S] clusters, [Fe–Ni–S] clusters, iron protophorphyrin IX, and many other complexes in protein biochemistry. Metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese are present in the crust and could in principle function chemically in place of iron, but they are scarce in Earth’s crust. Iron is plentiful because of its nuclear stability in stellar nuclear fusion reactions. It seems likely that ot...
A Revision of the Neotropical Genus Symbolia (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

Symbolia maculata , S. schildi, S. costaricensis, S. setifer , S . mexicana, S . aldrichi, S . latifacies, and S . hirticauda are described. Sixteen species are recognized in Symbolia Becker. This Neotropical genus is interpreted to include Cyrtosymbolia Parent, Eutarsus (sensu Aldrich and Van Duzee), Anepsius (sensu Aldrich), and Sympycnus longihirtus Van Duzee.
The Ethics, Obligations, and Stakeholders of Ecotourism Marketing

Ecotourism is small-scale tourism that visits areas of exceptional natural and cultural interests in a manner that: (1) protects the nature; (2) preserves the culture; (3) enhances the local economy; and (4) educates the tourists. Ecotourism was created as the antidote to mass tourism’s disregard at best, or exploitation at worst, of pristine destinations. But the term ecotourism is easily abused. Marketing, from product development to promotion, creates expectations for both hosts and guests. Procedures and oversight must be established to ensure that ecotourism remains true to its intended purpose. Worldwide, this is still a work in progress. This paper discusses the ethics, obligations, and stakeholders involved in the marketing of ecotourism products using insights, examples, and best practices from around the world.
Space Shuttle shell structure waffle panel optimization

The design of aerospace structure requires a precise maximum strength-to-weight ratio and minimum cost versus critical design loads. Structural optimization produces significant cost savings as vell as minimum weight. The waffle panel's weight, as an objective function, must be minimized, subject to side constraints and nonlinear implicit behavior constraints. The number of weight optimization parameters is reduced by evaluating each parameter's sensitivity and developing relationships among the parameters. Once the nonlinear weight optimization problem has been simplified, the waffle is optimized by using the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method. The waffle panel optimization methodology considers the maximum strength-to-weight ratio, multiple sets of loads, frame and subsystem attachment capability, minimum machining, and manufacturing costs. Nomenclature a Plate length along X axis, a > b (in.) b Plate width along Y axis (in.) Bsx Stiffener spacing along X axis (in.) Bsy Stiffener spacing along Y axis (in.) Bw Stiffener height (in.) H Panel height, H = Bw + Ts (in.) P Pressure load (psi) *Senior Engineering Specialist AIAA Associate Fellow Copyright Q 1992 by the American Institute of Acronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved. T
Diflubenzuron (Solvent-Water Suspension) Dip for Boll Weevils : Effects Measured by Flight, Sterility, and Sperm Transfer

Previously, boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, were dipped in chemosterilant solutions using 100% methanol, ethanol, or acetone. It was suspected that pure solvents may often have adverse effects. Boll weevils at 5 or 6 days old, dipped in 75 to 100% methanol, ethanol, or acetone, had significantly reduced flight activity. Boll weevils dipped in 25% suspensions of methanol, ethanol, or acetone containing 0.025% diflubenzuron and then irradiated had acceptable flight activity, mortality, and sperm transfer, but the females were not adequately sterilized. Male weevils dipped in 50% methanol or ethanol suspensions containing 0.05% diflubenzuron + 10 krads of irradiation had normal flight for 4 days, were adequately sterilized and transferred sperm to more females 7 days after treatment than males dipped in acetone.
Plastic Sectioning for Light Microscopy of Pyrenomycetes

In preparation for light microscopy, ascocarps of Sordaria fimicola Ces. & DeNot. were embedded in Spurr's medium and sectioned at 1-1.5 μm on an ultramicrotome. Sections were floated on Giemsa staining solution at 60 C for 10-30 min, washed in distilled water, affixed to slides by drying, and mounted in immersion oil. Best preservation of the delicate sterile tissues of the centrum was obtained by fixation in 1% KMnO4 for 2.5-3 hr, followed by the Giemsa stain. This method is suggested for future studies on the morphology of perithecial ascomycetes.
Comparative genome-wide analysis reveals that Burkholderia contaminans MS14 possesses multiple antimicrobial biosynthesis genes but not major genetic loci required for pathogenesis

Burkholderia contaminans MS14 shows significant antimicrobial activities against plant and animal pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The antifungal agent occidiofungin produced by MS14 has great potential for development of biopesticides and pharmaceutical drugs. However, the use of Burkholderia species as biocontrol agent in agriculture is restricted due to the difficulties in distinguishing between plant growth-promoting bacteria and the pathogenic bacteria. The complete MS14 genome was sequenced and analyzed to find what beneficial and virulence-related genes it harbors. The phylogenetic relatedness of B. contaminans MS14 and other 17 Burkholderia species was also analyzed. To research MS14's potential virulence, the gene regions related to the antibiotic production, antibiotic resistance, and virulence were compared between MS14 and other Burkholderia genomes. The genome of B. contaminans MS14 was sequenced and annotated. The genomic analyses reveal the presence of multiple gene sets for antimicrobial biosynthesis, which contribute to its antimicrobial activities. BLAST results indicate that the MS14 genome harbors a large number of unique regions. MS14 is closely related to another plant growth-promoting Burkholderia strain B. lata 383 according to the average nucleotide identity data. Moreover, according to the phylogenetic analysis, plant growth-promoting species isolated from soils and mammalian pathogenic species are clustered together, respectively. MS14 has multiple antimicrobial activity-related genes identified from the genome, but it lacks key virulence-related gene loci found in the pathogenic strains. Additionally, plant growth-promoting Burkholderia species have one or more antimicrobial biosynthesis genes in their genomes as compared with nonplant growth-promoting soil-isolated Burkholderia species. On the other hand, pathogenic species harbor multiple virulence-associated gene loci that are not present in nonpathogenic Burkholderia species. The MS14 genome as well as Burkholderia species genome show considerable diversity. Multiple antimicrobial agent biosynthesis genes were identified in the genome of plant growth-promoting species of Burkholderia. In addition, by comparing to nonpathogenic Burkholderia species, pathogenic Burkholderia species have more characterized homologs of the gene loci known to contribute to pathogenicity and virulence to plant and animals.
Constitutive modeling and experimental calibration of pressure effect for polyurea based on free volume concept

Abstract The combined effect of pressure and temperature on the mechanical behavior of polyurea is characterized and integrated into a constitutive model based on Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) equation. An increase in pressure is related to a decrease in temperature, both pressure and temperature affecting the polymer's molecular free volume and thereby introducing a pressure-dependent term into the WLF equation. The model is derived based on Fillers and Tschoegl's original work, regarding the free volume as a state variable. The model provides a closed-form expression for the time scale shift factor for equivalent temperature in terms of temperature and pressure and its three-dimensional surface representation. The prediction of the present model agrees well with pressure shift factor data obtained from confined compression tests of polyurea, reported elsewhere, confirming our constitutive model and its experimental calibration procedure. A simplified model of the pressure effect is also developed which yields good approximate results.
A system-on-chip FPGA design for real-time traffic signal recognition system

Traffic signal detection has long been an important function in an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). This paper presents a complete system design based on the techniques of blob detection, histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) and support vector machine (SVM). Blob detection is applied to detect potential candidates, and then HOG and SVM is for feature classification. A novel hardware/software co-design architecture is developed for traffic light recognition at real-time. With well-balanced workload on FPGA fabric and the on-chip ARM processor, the entire system-on-chip can achieve a processing rate of 60 fps for XGA 1024-by-768 video. The system can achieve an accuracy rate of over 90% on both red lights and green lights. The proposed system can be improved by replacing HOG with more advanced feature algorithm to obtain higher accuracy.
Amnesia and the Archive

Through a consideration of the archive as a site of consignation that, following Jacques Derrida, sits at the interface of technologies of inscription and the psychology of memory, the chapter questions the potential of rememoration afforded by the filmic archival trace as affect and emotion. The chapter focuses on the works of artists and filmmakers Lutz Becker, Yervant Gianikian and Angela Ricci Lucchi, Harun Farocki, and Eyal Sivan, whose practice variously re-montages and remediates archival film footage to question the repressed and unremembered traces within the archive of the contested histories of fascism, colonialism and the Holocaust soliciting a reflection on their enduring presence at the boundaries of cultural and transcultural articulations of memory and history.
How Do We Eliminate Risk Factors for ACL Injury

Noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common and often affect young athletes involved in jumping, cutting, and pivoting sports. The impact of ACL injury can be considerable for the future of the athlete, society, and our healthcare system. Modifiable risk factors associated with ACL injury include intrinsic factors such as muscle weakness/imbalance, poor conditioning, and abnormal landing mechanics, as well as extrinsic factors such as footwear, playing surface, and playing conditions. Modifiable risk factors should be identified and corrected. Successful prevention programs are multidisciplinary and should include stretching, strengthening, plyometrics, and balance components. Education and feedback should be provided to athletes to improve their jump landing and cutting techniques. Knowledge of the modifiable risk factors and implementation of prevention programs can help to reduce the risk of ACL injuries.
A multifunctional Ka-band electronic scanning antenna (ESA)

A future goal of the army is to deploy a highly mobile force that is more survivable and lethal than today's heavy tank centric force structure. These future goals can be met by simultaneously removing some of the tank's armor, significantly reducing the weight, and enabling a millimeter wave (mmW) multifunction sensor that includes an active protection function. With the paramount need of enabling an advanced sensor in mind, the Army Research Laboratory is developing a multifunction RF (MFRF) system with a common electronic scanning antenna (ESA) that will perform the functions of target acquisition and tracking, high data rate communications, combat ID, weapons guidance and active protection. The motivation of this mmW sensor is to mitigate the target acquisition, identification and communication timelines in the complex electromagnetic environments encountered in tactical situations. This paper presents an overview of the ESA and some measured results from a first prototype.
Cold cases: evaluation models with follow-up strategies for investigators

Cold Cases: Evaluation Models with Follow-up Strategies for Investigators is one of a series of books in Advances in Police Theory and Practice. The authors of this volume are well trained in cold ...
Duration of Agitation, Fluctuations of Consciousness, and Associations with Outcome in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Agitation is common after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and may be independently associated with outcomes. We sought to determine whether the duration of agitation and fluctuating consciousness were also associated with outcomes in patients with SAH. We identified all patients with positive Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) scores from a prospective observational cohort of patients with SAH from 2011 to 2015. Total duration of agitation was extrapolated for each patient using available RASS scores, and 24-h mean and standard deviation (SD) of RASS scores were calculated for each patient. We also calculated each patient’s duration of substantial fluctuation of consciousness, defined as the number of days with 24-h RASS SD > 1. Patients were stratified by 3-month outcome using the modified Rankin scale, and associations with outcome were assessed via logistic regression. There were 98 patients with at least one positive RASS score, with median total duration of agitation 8 h (interquartile range [IQR] 4–18), and median duration of substantially fluctuating consciousness 2 days (IQR 1–3). Unfavorable 3-month outcome was significantly associated with a longer duration of fluctuating consciousness (odds ratio [OR] per day, 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–2.20; p = 0.031), but a briefer duration of agitation (OR per hour, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89–0.99; p = 0.031). Though a longer duration of fluctuating consciousness was associated with worse outcomes in our cohort, total duration of agitation was not, and may have had the opposite effect. Our findings should therefore challenge the intensity with which agitation is often treated in SAH patients.
Defining Christianity and Judaism from the Perspective of Religious Anarchy: Martin Buber on Jesus and the Ba‘al Shem Tov

This essay explores Martin Buber’s rendering of Jesus and the Ba‘al Shem Tov as two exemplars of religious anarchism that create a lens through which to see the symmetry between Judaism and Christianity. The essay argues that Buber’s use of Jesus to construct his view of the Ba‘al Shem Tov enables us to revisit the “parting of the ways” between Judaism and Christianity through the category of the religious anarchist.
Plant Disease Monitoring With Vibrational Spectroscopy

Abstract In the past decades, plant disease has been witnessed as the major cause of production and economic losses in the agriculture sector, negatively impacting the ability to feed the world. Vibrational spectroscopy methods such as Infrared and Raman spectroscopy have been used for plant monitoring in agriculture and forestry systems, particularly for disease monitoring. These methods can identify the chemical fingerprints of the physiological interactions caused by diseases in the plants that may not be observed by human eyes. Usually, the latent physiological changes in the plants happen before their presentations on plant phenotypes. Vibrational spectroscopy has been largely successful in lab-scale plant monitoring, whereas the mixed success has been reported in field conditions due to the complex interactions of soil characteristics, environmental conditions, and diseases on plants. In this chapter, we will (1) summarize the applications of vibrational spectroscopy in plant disease detection, (2) introduce how abiotic (plant nutrition deficiency) and biotic factor affect plant health, (3) discuss the relationship between plant disease and vibrational spectroscopic phenomenon, (4) introduce vibrational spectroscopic techniques for plant pathogen detection using feature selection/extraction and machine learning methods.
History of bioacoustics research on aquatic and marine organisms in Hawaii

Modern bioacoustic research with aquatic animals began in Hawaii in the 1968–1969 period when three independent programs started almost simultaneously. Two faculty members began studying various facets of hearing in fish at the University of Hawaii. Another faculty member from a different department established a laboratory in which dolphin hearing and echolocation were among some of the topics studied. The Navy started a dolphin facility to train dolphins to perform Navy related tasks. The Navy program also included research on dolphin echolocation including a study comparing the performance of two dolphins and a Straza-500 CTFM sonar in target detection. The Navy facility closed in 1993 but some of the bioacoustics research was transferred to the University’s Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology on Coconut Island about a mile from the former Navy facility in the same bay. The HIMB program expanded into field research with spinner dolphins and humpback whales, and passive acoustic monitoring of marine organisms. The local National Marine Fisheries Service of NOAA became a close partner in the PAM development and studies. This presentation will focus of the bioacoustic research performed with marine mammals highlighting some of the more important findings and contributions to the field.
Structural studies of glycerinated skeletal muscle. I. A-band length and cross-bridge period in ATP-contracted fibers.

An electron microscope study is reported of structural changes during ATP-induced contraction of glycerinated rabbit psoas. In the absence of ATP, A-band length is constant at sarcomere lengths above 1.9 μm, with average length of 1.54 μ. In ATP-treated fibers, A-band length is also constant at sarcomere lengths above 2.0 μm, but the apparent length of A-band decreases to approximately 1.3 μm, as sarcomere length decreases from 1.9 μm to 1.5 μ. The occurrence of short A-bands cannot be attributed to crumpling of thick filaments against Z-lines, since I-bands remain patent; nor to the presence of heterogeneous filaments, since resting muscle does not show comparable heterogeneity, nor to compressive artifacts, which are minor when knife edge is oriented parallel with fiber axis during microtomy. The decrease of A-band length appears related, at least in part, to disarray of terminal cross-bridges as the thick filaments encroach upon the N-line, a structure which becomes evident within the I-band during contraction of glycerinated fibers. In preliminary studies, optical transforms of A-bands from individual sarcomeres reveal a characteristic myosin layer-line pattern as low as 1.5 μm sarcomere length. A cross-bridge repeat of 143 A is obtained for sarcomeres above 1.6 μm length; however, an appreciable proportion of sarcomeres in the range from 1.5 μm to 1.9 μ length generate meridional reflections less than 143 A, and as low as 130 A.
Interplay between innate immunity and Alzheimer disease: APOE and TREM2 in the spotlight

Alzheimer disease is more than a pure proteopathy. Chronic neuroinflammation stands out during the pathogenesis of the disease and in turn modulates disease progression. The central nervous system (CNS) is separated from the blood circulation by the blood-brain barrier. In Alzheimer disease, neuroinflammation heavily relies on innate immune responses that are primarily mediated by CNS-resident microglia. APOE (which encodes apolipoprotein E) is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease, and APOE was recently shown to affect the disease in part through its immunomodulatory function. This function of APOE is likely linked to triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), which is expressed by microglia in the CNS. Here, we review the rapidly growing literature on the role of disease-associated microglia, TREM2 and APOE in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and present an integrated view of innate immune function in Alzheimer disease.
Comparing Off-clamp and On-clamp Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy: A Prospective Randomized Trial

ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether performing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy without warm ischemia “off-clamp” results in favorable postoperative renal functional outcomes compared with the on-clamp method. Methods We conducted a prospective trial of 80 patients who underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. They were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to undergo the procedure with renal artery clamping or without clamping. The groups were compared across demographics, operative information, perioperative outcomes, and postoperative renal function. We assessed renal function by estimated glomerular filtration rate and renal scintigraphy both preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. Results Patients in the on-clamp and off-clamp groups were similar in age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, clinical tumor size, nephrometry score, and laterality. Off-clamp procedures were lengthier at an average 178.0 minutes vs 156.0 minutes for on-clamp (P = .011). Estimated blood loss, rates of pelvicalyceal repair, postoperative complications, and positive margins were not different. At a median 3-month follow-up, no significant differences were seen in change in postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate or percent split renal function between both groups. Conclusion In this prospective study, off-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy resulted in similar perioperative outcomes compared with the on-clamp technique. No benefit was demonstrated in the preservation of renal function. Urologists may safely employ either an on-clamp or off-clamp strategy depending on surgeon preference and patient-specific factors including baseline renal insufficiency, multiple masses, or solitary kidney.
Algebra, Geometry, and Computations of Exact Relations for Effective Moduli of Composites

In this paper we will review and extend the results of [21], which covered the case of 3D thermopiezoelectric polycrystals. In that context the settings of conductivity, elasticity, pyroelectricity, piezoelectricity, thermoelectricity, and thermoelasticity can be viewed as particular cases. We will consider a class of composites more general than polycrystals, where the set of allowable materials is not constrained in any way. In addition, the tensors of material properties are not assumed to be symmetric—an assumption we made in [21]. For example, the Hall effect for conduction in a weak magnetic field is described by a nonsymmetric conductivity tensor. We explain the step-by-step process of finding all exact relations for the simple example of the 2D Hall effect. The paper concludes with a discussion of new algebraic and geometric questions posed by the theory of exact relations.
A Qualitative Study of Perception of School Safety among Youth in a High Crime City

School safety is a key feature of the learning environment. Research suggests if students perceive their environment as unsafe they will face a myriad of possible detrimental consequences. Using qu...
Effect of Aspiration Therapy on Obesity-Related Comorbidities: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS Aspiration therapy (AT) involves endoscopic placement of a gastrostomy tube with an external device that allows patients to drain 30% of ingested calories after meals. Its efficacy for inducing weight loss has been shown. This study aimed to assess the effect of AT on obesity-related comorbidities. METHODS A meta-analysis of studies that assessed AT outcomes was conducted through December 2018. Primary outcomes were changes in comorbidities at 1 year following AT. Secondary outcomes were the amount of weight loss at up to 4 years and pooled serious adverse events (SAEs). RESULTS Five studies with 590 patients were included. At 1 year, there were improvements in metabolic conditions: mean difference (MD) in systolic blood pressure: -7.8 (-10.7 - -4.9) mm Hg; MD in diastolic blood pressure: -5.1 (-7.0 - 3.2) mm Hg; MD in triglycerides: -15.8 (-24.0 - -7.6) mg/dL; MD in high-density lipoprotein: 3.6 (0.7-6.6) mg/dL; MD in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): -1.3 (-1.8 - -0.8) %; MD in aspartate transaminase: -2.7 (-4.1 - -1.3) U/L; MD in alanine transaminase: -7.5 (-9.8 - -5.2) U/L. At 1 (n=218), 2 (n=125), 3 (n=46), and 4 (n=27) years, the patients experienced 17.8%, 18.3%, 19.1%, and 18.6% total weight loss (TWL), corresponding to 46.3%, 46.2%, 48.0%, and 48.7% excess weight loss (EWL) (p<0.0001 for all). Subgroup analysis of 2 randomized controlled trials (n=225) showed that AT patients lost more weight than did controls by 11.6 (6.5-16.7) %TWL and 25.6 (16.0-35.3) %EWL and experienced greater improvement in HbA1c and alanine transaminase by 1.3 (0.8-1.8) % and 9.0 (3.9-14.0) U/L. The pooled SAE rate was 4.1%. CONCLUSION Obesity-related comorbidities significantly improved at 1 year following AT. Additionally, a subgroup of patients who continued to use AT appeared to experience significant weight loss that persisted up to at least 4 years.
A 45nm 76-81GHz CMOS Radar Receiver for Automotive Applications

This paper describes the design and performance of a 45nm CMOS (f T =160GHz) 76-81GHz radar receiver used in Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems which utilizes Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) synthesis. The receiver achieves 18dB noise figure and -7dBm 1dB compression point consuming 225mW power. The design includes programmable gain for linearity-noise trade-off, 15MHz wide bandwidth baseband filters, 1.8G samples per second 3rd order Sigma-Delta ADC with 70dB Spurious free dynamic range. In-built safety architecture enables meeting stringent automotive safety requirements.
CHAPTER 2 – ALGORITHMIC SPECIALIZATION USING VLSI

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses VLSI related topics ranging from models and implementation techniques, through specific algorithms, to a programmable system for a family of algorithms. Very large scale integration provides the technological impetus for algorithmic specialization, because high density, low cost chips make the implementation feasible. The lower the hardware costs become the wider is the range of problems for which specialized hardware is economically justified. Although the availability of VLSI technology may make it practical to have specialized systems, the medium is not perfectly malleable. Many problems must be solved before an algorithmically specialized processor is implemented in VLSI. For example, VLSI technology favors planar architectures with much geometric locality, but these characteristics have not typically been considered. Moreover, they are often difficult to achieve.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities, Referral Source and Attrition From Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment Among Adolescents in the United States:

The following study examined the association between race, ethnicity, referral source, and reasons for attrition from substance use treatment in a sample of 72,643 discharges of adolescent youth in...
Triple metachronous primary pancreatic and gallbladder cancer associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction: a case report.

Metachronous pancreatic and gallbladder cancer is a rare condition and has a dismal prognosis. Herein, we present a patient with triple metachronous primary pancreatic and gallbladder cancer associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction who achieved long-term survival after undergoing repeat curative surgery. A 65-year-old female patient with advanced gallbladder cancer associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction underwent extended cholecystectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection. The pathological diagnosis was T3N0M0 stage III A papillary adenocarcinoma with hepatic invasion. During a monthly follow-up, a diffuse hypovascular 2.0 × 1.5-cm mass was detected in the pancreatic head 6.2 years after the initial surgery. Hence, the patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Histological examination revealed T3N0M0 stage IIA well-differentiated adenocarcinoma without lymph node metastases. Marked inflammatory reaction was observed in the non-cancerous lesions of the proximal pancreatic head parenchyma containing bile pigment within ductular lumens. After 12.5 years from the initial surgery, total pancreatectomy for a 4.0 × 3.0-cm mass in the remnant pancreas was performed. Histological examination revealed T3N1M0 stage IIB moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with lymph node metastases. Hence, surgical curative resection was achieved. Based on the pathological findings, a definitive diagnosis of triple metachronous pancreatic and gallbladder cancer was made. The pathology suggests no precursor lesions such as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and atypical flat lesions, but marked inflammations in the non-cancerous lesions, strengthening our hypothesis that chronic inflammation induced by the pancreaticobiliary maljunction is related to carcinogenesis of the pancreas. Despite further adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient’s general condition worsened; however, she remained alive 15.2 years after the initial surgery while receiving the best supportive care. Repeat curative surgery for triple metachronous cancer was associated with a favorable prognosis. Both the biliary tract and the pancreas should be closely monitored during follow-up among patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction, which can be managed with curative surgery.
Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches in echocardiography

Artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches have become increasingly applied in the field of echocardiography to streamline diagnostic and prognostic assessments, and to support treatment decisions. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been applied to aid image acquisition and automation. They have also been applied to the integration of clinical and imaging data. Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches in echocardiography in conjunction with health information databases may be promising in improving the classification and treatment of many cardiac conditions. This review article provides an overview of the applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches in echocardiography.