cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direction-Finding Experimentation through Acoustic Sensor Fabrication

The purpose of this work is to simulate the entire direction-finding system and create sensors that are optimal for Direction-finding (DF). This project will also provide the flexibility to alter parameters in order to test the microphone performance. Furthermore, an optimal design of the microphone will lead to a more accurate direction-finding system. Most sensors that are used as direction-finding arrays are not small enough and consume way too much power; which makes them not useful for some applications. If direction-finding can be achieved on a micro-scale level, its applications can be expanded tremendously. We plan to fabricate an acoustic sensor on a micro-scale level which is much more suitable for a variety of applications. It will also increase functionality and improve portability of direction-finding. The experiments we conducted are geared toward optimizing direction-finding by designing sensors with efficient parameters that can improve DF accuracy.
Conflitti culturali a Venezia dalla prima età moderna ad oggi

La storia della letteratura e della cultura italiana e stata scritta secondo varie chiavi ideologiche: una patriottica e risorgimentale, un’altra positivistica e tesa al progresso, un’altra ancora ...
SAMI3‐RCM simulation of the 17 March 2015 geomagnetic storm

We present a self-consistent modeling study of the ionosphere-plasmasphere system response to the 17 March 2015 geomagnetic storm using the coupled SAMI3-RCM code. The novel feature of this work is that we capture the important storm time dynamics of the ionosphere on a global scale and its manifestation in the plasmasphere. We find that the penetration electric fields associated with the magnetic storm lead to a storm time enhanced density in the low- to middle-latitude ionosphere. We compare the modeled total electron content (TEC) with GPS-measured TEC in the American sector. Additionally, we observe the development of polar cap “tongues of ionization” and the formation of subauroral plasma streams in the postsunset, premidnight sector, and its impact on the plasmasphere. However, we did not see the development of plasmaspheric plumes during this event which we attribute to the long main phase of the storm (∼18 h).
GOKb: Opening Up the Knowledgebase

AbstractThe Global Open Knowledgebase Project (GOKb) is providing an open, community-based solution to resource metadata curation. The project's success pivots between data accumulation and enhancement, quality control, open data, and community involvement. In the following, participants in the project respond to questions about where GOKb is today, its usefulness in current workflows, and GOKb's future.
Role of resilience in the rehabilitation of adults with acquired brain injury.

ABSTRACTPurpose: The goals of this review paper are to present an overview of the literature on resilience in adults with ABI, to describe approaches to measuring resilience in clinical practice and to discuss practical suggestions for promoting resilience in rehabilitation of adults with ABI.Method: We employed systematic review of journal articles, books, and websites related to resilience in adults with acquired brain injury (ABI).Results: Resilience was associated with adaptation and adjustment for individuals faced with serious injury such as ABI. However, research examining the construct of resilience is limited.Conclusion: While rehabilitation typically focuses on the identification and reduction of impairments for improving functioning, a focus on resilience may allow for recovery in a broader sense that exceeds expected outcomes.
Reconstruction Options for Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Patients with Prior Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Abstract Background: Patients with prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) operations for weight loss present reconstruction challenges during a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). With over 60,000 RYGB performed annually, the increasing odds of encountering such patients during a PD make it imperative to understand the RYGB anatomy and anticipate reconstruction options. This article describes the possible reconstruction options and their rationale. Methods: We reviewed our PD reconstruction options, compared them to what have been described in the literature, and derived a consensus from internal conferences comprising bariatric and hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons to describe known reconstruction options. Results: In general, reconstruction options can include one of three options: (1) remnant gastrectomy, (2) preservation of gastric remnant, or (3) reversal of gastric bypass. Conclusion: This article describes individualized reconstruction options for RYGB patients undergoing PD. The reconstruction options can ...
Partial melting of oxidized planetesimals: An experimental study to test the formation of oligoclase-rich achondrites Graves Nunataks 06128 and 06129

Abstract The meteorites Graves Nunataks (GRA) 06128 and 06129 are igneous meteorites dominated by oligoclase feldspar and have basaltic trachyandesite-like whole rock compositions. Formation of the GRA 06128/9 meteorites as primary melts on an oxidized planetesimal has been previously proposed (Day et al. 2009a, 2012a; Gardner-Vandy et al., 2013; Wang et al., 2014). We show experimentally that anhydrous partial melting of an oxidized R chondrite at IW to IW+1 between 1120–1140 °C produces melts of GRA 06128/9-like compositions: intermediate SiO 2 and FeO concentrations that are enriched in volatile sodium. From a process perspective, GRA 06128/9-like magmas are complementary to partial melt residues such as olivine-rich brachinite and FeO-rich brachinite-like meteorites. Magmas of GRA 06128/9’s composition can be generated under equilibrium conditions, as demonstrated by MELTS modeling, but only at temperatures ∼1140 °C. At lower degrees of partial melting liquids formed under equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions follow distinct compositional pathways to reach GRA 06128/9-like melts. For lower degrees of melting, the non-equilibrium trend more closely resembles GRA 06128/9’s composition. Phase abundance modeling indicates that GRA 06128/9-composition magmas form by 14–22% silicate melting of an oxidized R-chondrite. We conclude that GRA 06128/9-composition magmas can be generated at ∼1140 °C from partial melting of an oxidized chondritic precursor under both non-equilibrium and equilibrium conditions.
Postpartum care and contraception provided to women with gestational and preconception diabetes in California's Medicaid program.

Abstract Objectives To compare rates of postpartum care and contraception provided to women with gestational or preconception diabetes mellitus to women with no known diabetes mellitus. Methods A retrospective cohort study of 199,860 women aged 15–44 years who were continuously enrolled in California's Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, from 43 days prior to 99 days after delivering in 2012. Claims for postpartum clinic visits and contraceptive supplies were compared for 11,494 mothers with preconception diabetes, 17,970 mothers with gestational diabetes, and 170,396 mothers without diabetes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to control for maternal age, race/ethnicity, primary language, residence in a primary care shortage area, state-funded healthcare program and Cesarean delivery, when examining the effects of diabetes on postpartum care and contraception. Results Although postpartum clinic visits were more common with diabetes (55% preconception, 55% gestational, 48% no diabetes, p= Conclusions Low-income Californian women with pregnancies complicated by diabetes do not consistently receive postpartum care or contraception that may prevent complication of future pregnancies. Implications Efforts are needed to improve rates of provision of postpartum care and high quality contraceptive services to low income women in California, particularly following pregnancies complicated by diabetes.
Shining a light on GPCR complexes

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways mediating information exchange across the cell membrane are central to a variety of biological processes and therapeutic strategies, but visualizing the molecular-level details of this exchange has been difficult for all but a few GPCR-G protein complexes. A study by Gao et al. now reports new strategies and tools to obtain receptor complexes in a near-native state, revealing insights into the gross conformational features of rhodopsin-transducin interactions and setting the stage for future studies.
Late Glacial Climate Variability and General Circulation Model (GCM) Experiments: An Overview

Publisher Summary This chapter attempts to provide an overview of general circulation model (GCM) experiments for the late glacial period, a time of rapid climate variability. Two basic approaches to modeling the late glacial climate involve the time slice approach, and the sensitivity test approach. The time slice approach attempts to model a particular past climate interval using a set of multiple boundary conditions, while the sensitivity test approach isolates the effect of one boundary condition at a time for a particular time interval. Examples are given for each approach, including studies of various forcing parameters such as changes in insolation, ice sheets, sea surface temperature (SST), ocean transports, and CO2. Despite the use of different atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs), including the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), and European Community Hamburg Model Version 3 (ECHAM3), there are similarities in the various model responses to forcing parameters. With other forcing parameters, SST and sea ice, the results are not comparable from model to model because duplicate experiments have not been made with different models. Recent focus on coupled ocean-atmosphere GCM's provides new tools for exploring ocean-atmosphere links. The iterative process of data-model comparison, and the development of new questions are essential to this pursuit.
Large-scale brain organization during facial emotion processing as a function of early life trauma among adolescent girls

Abstract Background A wealth of research has investigated the impact of early life trauma exposure on functional brain activation during facial emotion processing and has often demonstrated amygdala hyperactivity and weakened connectivity between amygdala and medial PFC (mPFC). There have been notably limited investigations linking these previous node-specific findings into larger-scale network models of brain organization. Method To address these gaps, we applied graph theoretical analyses to fMRI data collected during a facial emotion processing task among 88 adolescent girls (n = 59 exposed to direct physical or sexual assault; n = 29 healthy controls), aged 11–17, during fMRI. Large-scale organization indices of modularity, assortativity, and global efficiency were calculated for stimulus-specific functional connectivity using an 883 region-of-interest parcellation. Results Among the entire sample, more severe early life trauma was associated with more modular and assortative, but less globally efficient, network organization across all stimulus categories. Among the assaulted girls, severity of early life trauma and PTSD diagnoses were both simultaneously related to increased modular brain organization. We also found that more modularized network organization was related both to amygdala hyperactivation and weakened connectivity between amygdala and medial PFC. Conclusions These results demonstrate that early life trauma is associated with enhanced brain organization during facial emotion processing and that this pattern of brain organization might explain the commonly observed association between childhood trauma and amygdala hyperactivity and weakened connectivity with mPFC. Implications of these results for neurocircuitry models are discussed.
A spatially explicit classification model for affective computing in built environments

We explore a wearables and sensors centric approach for collecting data in built environments. In addition, we propose a design methodology as a focus to assist in the design of applications and experiments for affective computing. The implications of such systems is to aid in the reproducibility of experiments and better intelligent systems.
Reply to Selin: Human impacts on the atmospheric burden of trace metals.

We thank Selin (1) for pointing out that in our recent paper (2) on the global biogeochemical cycle of vanadium (V), we misinterpret her calculation of the flux of mercury (Hg) to the atmosphere. In table 1 of our paper (2), the correct value for the natural volatilization of Hg should be 3.2 × 109 g/yr and … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: schlesingerw{at}caryinstitute.org. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
A splice-site mutation in USMG5 causes Leigh Syndrome due to lack of ATP synthesis (P2.085)

Objective: To describe a patient with a homozygous splice-site mutation in USMG5 , a protein required for ATP synthase function Background: Leigh syndrome, the most common pediatric presentation of mitochondrial disease, is characterized by progressive encephalopathy. Leigh syndrome has been linked to mutations in more than 70 genes, most of which are required for mitochondrial energy metabolism. Mitochondria produce energy through the oxidation of substrates and generation of ATP. Mutations in structural and assembly genes for complex V (ATP synthase) have been frequently associated with Leigh syndrome. Defect in USMG5 have never been linked to human diseases Design/Methods: A homozygous mutation in USMG5 was detected by whole exome sequencing. The mutation was validated by functional assays in patient’s fibroblasts. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to study cell ATP production. To confirm the pathogenicity of the mutation, genetic rescue of the biochemical phenotype was performed by transfecting patient’s fibroblasts with wild type human USMG5 Results: Here we describe a 2-year-old boy with Leigh syndrome. Whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous splice-site mutation in USMG5. Studies conducted in patient’s fibroblasts revealed altered ATP synthase levels and reduced ATP synthesis despite the normal activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes. Genetic rescue of USMG5 demonstrated increase ATP synthase and recovery of ATP synthesis rate. Conclusions: We here demonstrate that a novel variant in USMG5 causes Leigh syndrome. The identification of defects in ATP synthase levels and ATP production in the patient’s fibroblasts indicates that USMG5 plays a critical role in cell mitochondrial energy homeostasis. Disclosure: Dr. Barca has nothing to disclose. Dr. Juanola-Falgarona has nothing to disclose. Dr. Emmanuele has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tadesse has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ziosi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Akman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tanji has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chung has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hirano has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Meves Pharmaceuticals Inc., Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc, and Sarepta Therapeutics Inc.
Political Opinion in the Collapse of the USSR: A Reassessment Twenty Years Later Using a New Consolidated and Linked Data Set

Among the many explanations of the Soviet collapse, the role of public opinion and political participation remains under explored. Elite and structural explanations of change minimize the role of the mass public. Event driven and social movement explanations provide a role for the public through elite led protests, yet it seems likely that the nationalist movements in the Baltics and the Caucasus were fueled by public opinion and public behaviors as well as being activated by elite leadership. Drawing upon 89 surveys by the All-Union Institute for Public Opinion (81) and others (8 ) which we have consolidated into a rolling cross-section from 1989 to 1992, we trace how public opinion and political behavior in Russia and the other Union Republics changed through time and how attitudes and behaviors differed by nationality, and other characteristics. We combine measures from different surveys using statistical measurement models to get continuous readings for the popularity of Gorbachev and Yeltsin.The paper describes two methods for analyzing public approval over time which can deal with varying question formats. These methods both support the finding that there was a tremendous bouleversement in Gorbachev’s and Yeltsin’s popularity around July 1990 and that this reversal was especially strong in Russia. We still must explain the reasons for this change, but merely identifying it is important because it suggests that one of the keys to the ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union was Gorbachev’s loss of legitimacy and Yeltsin’s growing power due to his popularity with the mass public. This observation is not novel in the literature on the collapse, but it is, we believe, somewhat innovative to have direct measures of the relative popular support of these two figures and to be able to pinpoint changes in it. With this measure and the larger database of which it is a part, we have a tool for exploring the sources of Gorbachev’s fall and Yeltsin’s coming to power.
Warts and molluscum: author’s reply

Dr Roberts questions the point of treating warts and molluscum which are benign and will often spontaneously resolve, and expresses concern about discussing these methods of treatment at all. In terms of the former, I regret that I did not more explicitly state that the so-called “tincture of time” is, by far, the preferred method of treating these lesions. The focus of the review is on those cases where there is a compelling reason to seek further treatment, with emphasis on sorting through the vast (and often anecdotal) literature on these treatments. As Dr Roberts notes, the consultant dermatologists carry a heavy load in the UK, and …
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery at an Outpatient Surgicenter

The case of a healthy 24-year-old male undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with controlled hypotension at an outpatient surgicenter is discussed. The advantages of allowing spontaneous breathing intraoperatively are presented. Methods to provide controlled hypotension to facilitate surgical field visualization and the need for smooth extubations to prevent rebleeding are discussed. Advantages and disadvantages of deep versus awake extubation are discussed. The repercussions of an unplanned hospital admission following an outpatient surgery are discussed.
Solar Radiation Transfer in Semitransparent Materials

The present article discusses radiation transfer in materials used in solar energy collection systems. The review is largely focused on semitransparent solids such as different glasses which are used as optical components of collectors and other materials (glass, water suspensions and semitransparent solids) employed for direct absorption of solar radiation or as structural components. The emphasis is on fundamentals of radiative transfer and combined conduction and radiation heat transfer, with the applications being mentioned only in passing.
Brain Stem Mechanisms Regulating the Tonic and Reflex Control of Blood Pressure

It has been known from the middle of the last century [1], that in experimental animals transection of the brain at the spinal-medullary junction results in a collapse of arterial pressure (AP) to extremely low levels. Yet, if the transection is placed some millimeters more rostrally, at the border between medulla and pons, AP remains normal.
The Gambler’s Ruin Problem and Population Sizing

This chapter presented a solution to a long-standing problem in genetic algorithms: how to determine an adequate population size to reach a solution of a particular quality. The model is based on a random walk where the position of a particle on a bounded one-dimensional space represents the number of copies of the correct BBs in the population. The probability that the particle will be absorbed by the boundaries is well known, and it was used to derive an equation that relates the population size with the required solution quality and several domain-dependent parameters.
Predictive Path Planning Algorithm Using Kalman Filters and MTL Robustness

In order to preserve an unmanned autonomous vehicle's (UAV) safety in a dynamic obstacles environment, several technologies must be utilized including mobile obstacle prediction, path planning, and real-time obstacle avoidance. In this paper, we develop a path planning and monitoring approach where metric temporal logic (MTL) and predictive MTL (P-MTL) are used to specify the desired behavior of the UAV and specify its environment. We rely on a theory of robustness based on MTL as applied to offline verification and online control of hybrid systems to augment our previous path planning algorithm. During the path execution, a Kalman Filter is utilized to predict the motion model for the observed mobile obstacles. Then, the monitoring algorithm uses the prediction model to logically and probabilistically reason about the P-MTL formulas of the current trajectory. By predicting the obstacle's path, the MTL robustness of the trajectory can be monitored and deduced without observing the obstacle movement at each time step, which reduces the re-planning attempts and decreases the risk.
Management of foregut malignancies and hepatobiliary tract and pancreas malignancies.

The term foregut arises from the common embryologic origin of this part of the gastrointestinal tract. These include tumors of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, and bile duct and can be particularly difficult treat.
A Rights-Based Approach to Social Work in Jails

Safeguarding rights is a critical duty for social workers in jail settings where human rights violations are prevalent and can be divided into two general categories: (1) when holding someone in jail violates their human rights and (2) when the treatment provided within the jail violates human rights. This paper will address these areas of concern, and then focus on how rights-based approaches to social work are currently practiced and can be expanded by collaborative public defense teams including those that work with clients who could be sentenced to death. A call for research on rights-based practice methods and complementary therapeutic approaches will include the presentation of testimony therapy as a potential clinical method that may be effective with (and for) this population. Social workers are ethically bound to attend to jailed individuals in ways that respect their dignity and build on their strengths. Employing these strategies, social workers can strengthen individuals, as well as our human societies.
Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Use to Reduced Surgical Site Complications in Lung Transplant Patients

Purpose Surgical site infections and wound dehiscence in lung transplant recipients are known potential complications that are costly for both patients and health care systems. It was hypothesized that placing an incisional negative pressure wound therapy device at time of skin closure in the operating room could reduce surgical site complications. Methods Single center, retrospective analysis of surgical site complications. Historic cohort consisted of all patients transplanted at our center from March 2014, which is when we began formally documenting our complication rates, to July 2017. No patients were excluded from this group. An incisional negative pressure wound therapy system was placed over the surgical incision site of all lung transplant recipients at our center from August 2017 to July 2018 and remained until POD 7. Presence of surgical site complications were evaluated at POD 30 and 90. Patients were excluded who did not have device on at POD 7. Results The historic cohort consisted of 67 patients, 52% male,48% female with mean BMI 25 and mean age of 56. Indication for lung transplantation: primarily COPD (56%) followed by ILD (23%). Single lung transplant was performed on 4 (6%) and 63 (94%) received double lung transplant. In this group, there were 7 (10%) surgical site complications at a rate of 7.2 per 1,000 patient days, one of which was a deep surgical site infection. Of the 24 patients eligible to receive the superficial negative pressure wound therapy, 19 were able to be included in this study. The primary reason for exclusion was device inability to hold suction. Of this cohort, 56% were male and 44% were female with mean BMI 27 and mean age of 57. Indication for lung transplantation: primarily ILD (46%) followed by COPD (25%). Single lung transplant was performed on 4 (6%) and 14 (78%) received a double lung transplant. In this group, there was only 1 (5%) surgical site complications at a rate of 2.7 per 1,000 patient days. All patients tolerated the therapy and there were no negative effects associated with the therapy. Of note, of the 5 patients that were excluded, one patient did develop superficial dehiscence. Conclusion Implementing prophylactic incisional negative pressure wound therapy is a safe, well tolerated intervention that shows potential at reducing rates of surgical site complications in lung transplant patients.
Drivers of plant functional group richness and beta diversity in fire‐dependent pine savannas

AIM: To assess the drivers of plant functional group richness and beta diversity in fire‐maintained North American Coastal Plain (NACP) savannas. LOCATION: The southern portion of the NACP, a global biodiversity hotspot. This region is characterized by fire‐dependent pine savanna fragments that are isolated within a matrix of agriculture, urban development, non‐pyrogenic plant communities and plantation forestry. METHODS: We used nested quadrats to sample plant species on 30 fire‐maintained savanna preserves in Florida and Georgia, USA. We analysed between‐site Sorenson dissimilarity, a measure of beta diversity, using NMDS and PerMANOVA. We measured nestedness using NODF, and we used Betapart to partition Sorenson dissimilarity into nestedness and turnover components. We used linear and generalized linear mixed models to explore drivers of functional group richness and composition, including fire regime (return interval, number of fires, time since fire and seasonality), vegetation structure (herbaceous cover, woody cover and tree density) and spatial factors (surrounding landscape and geographic distance). RESULTS: We found turnover‐dominated beta‐diversity patterns in all functional groups. Turnover was explained partly by spatial and environmental gradients, but roughly half of the turnover between sites was unexplained. Species richness was higher on sites where fire and fire surrogates had been used longer and more consistently, and these effects were partly independent of current vegetation structure. Fire regimes containing more growing season fire and more diversity of burn seasons promoted higher species richness. Relationships between small‐scale and large‐scale species richness varied by soil type and functional group. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Fire‐maintained savannas in the southeastern NACP vary greatly in their plant functional group richness, but high beta diversity resulting primarily from species turnover suggests that even species‐poor sites can harbour less‐common members of the regional plant metacommunity. Prescribed fire regimes that include growing season fire as well as a diversity of burn seasons may best promote species and functional group richness.
Lived Experiences of Suicide Risk and Resilience among Alaska Native and American Indian People

This study explored the lived experiences of suicidality and help-seeking for suicide prevention among Alaska Native and American Indian (AN/AI) people in a tribal health system. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used to analyze semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 individuals (ages 15-56) with self-reported histories of suicide ideation and/or attempt. Several factors were found to be central to acquiring resilience to suicide risk among AN/AI people across a wide age range: meaningful and consistent social connection, awareness about how one's suicide would negatively effect loved ones, and knowledge and utilization of available health services. Findings highlight the mutable nature of suicide risk and resilience, as well as the importance of interpersonal factors in suicidality.
Factors associated with attendance at the postpartum blood pressure visit in pregnancies complicated by hypertension.

Abstract Objectives Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy should have a blood pressure evaluation no later than 7–10 days after delivery. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with patient attendance at the postpartum blood pressure follow-up visit. Study design This was a retrospective cohort study of postpartum women who had a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Postpartum follow-up rates were recorded, and characteristics of women who attended a postpartum visit for blood pressure evaluation were compared to women who did not return for the visit. Multiple logistic regression was performed. Main outcome measures Characteristics of women who returned for a blood pressure visit. Results There were 378 women who met inclusion criteria; 193(51.1%) attended the blood pressure visit. Women who returned were older and more likely to have preeclampsia, severe features, magnesium sulfate use, or severe hypertension during hospitalization. They were less likely to have gestational hypertension. Adjusted analysis demonstrated that black/non-Hispanic women (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34–0.83), the presence of any preeclampsia diagnosis (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.03–4.81), and whether the woman underwent a cesarean delivery (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.85–5.14) remained significant factors in predicting adherence. Conclusions Women who returned for a blood pressure visit were more likely to have had significant hypertensive disease or a cesarean delivery. Non-Hispanic black women had the lowest rate of follow-up. Given black women have the highest rates of maternal morbidity and mortality nationwide, effective interventions to increase follow-up for them are needed.
A Yardstick for Danger: Developing a Flexible and Sensitive Measure of Risk Perception

While individual perceptions of risk are central to many behavioral theories of hazard response and are of considerable interest in both conceptual and applied work surrounding risk, hazards, and decision making, there is currently no consensus on how perceived risk should best be measured. Several recent efforts have laid the groundwork for a conceptual model outlining four key factors that make up risk perception: exposure, susceptibility, severity, and affective response. In this article, we use an extensive scale-development process to develop empirically supported 3-4 item subscales to measure each of those four dimensions. Using cognitive interviewing techniques and several quantitative psychometric methods including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and item-response theory analyses, we reduce a large set of potential items to the highest-quality items to assess each subscale. These subscales can be used to make comparisons across perceived risk in different hazard contexts and populations.
Cross-Sectional Associations of Built and Social Neighborhood Environment Variables with Body Mass Index in a Large Sample of Urban Predominantly African American Children.

Background and Objectives: Neighborhood environments may play a role in the development of child obesity by providing or limiting opportunities for children to be physically active and access healt...
Deiodinases and the Metabolic Code for Thyroid Hormone Action

Deiodinases modify the biological activity of thyroid hormone (TH) molecules, ie, they may activate thyroxine (T4) to 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), or they may inactivate T3 to 3,3'-diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) or T4 to reverse triiodothyronine (rT3). Although evidence of deiodination of T4 to T3 has been available since the 1950s, objective evidence of TH metabolism was not established until the 1970s. The modern paradigm considers that the deiodinases not only play a role in the homeostasis of circulating T3, but they also provide dynamic control of TH signaling: cells that express the activating type 2 deiodinase (D2) have enhanced TH signaling due to intracellular build-up of T3; the opposite is seen in cells that express type 3 deiodinase (D3), the inactivating deiodinase. D2 and D3 are expressed in metabolically relevant tissues such as brown adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and liver, and their roles have been investigated using cell, animal, and human models. During development, D2 and D3 expression customize for each tissue/organ the timing and intensity of TH signaling. In adult cells, D2 is induced by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and its expression is invariably associated with enhanced T3 signaling, expression of PGC1 and accelerated energy expenditure. In contrast, D3 expression is induced by hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1a), dampening T3 signaling and the metabolic rate. The coordinated expression of these enzymes adjusts TH signaling in a time- and tissue-specific fashion, affecting metabolic pathways in health and disease states.
A Literature Review of Remuneration as an Evidence in Promoting Employee Retention in the Public Sectors

Purpose: Human resource is the most valuable resource in every organisation as they contribute greatly to the success of organisations. To this effect, it is imperative for organisations to institute appropriate measures to retain adroit employees. Public Sectors suffers the highest risk of labour turnover due to intense competition as most of high calibre public officers who are trained from public coffers ends up leaving the service in search for greener opportunities in the private sector, parastatals and NGO’s and multi-laterals. The findings of the study highlighted the fact that employee remuneration is vital to employees and indeed influence employee retention in the public sector. Finally, to improve employee retention in the public sectors, it is recommended that HR Managers and policy makers in the public sector must pay attention to its human resource needs; so that they can achieve a competitive advantage through them. Methodology: Data where driven from both empirical research and literature reviewed articles from internet and a dissertation submitted by Rabiatou Jallow to American International University West Africa The Gambia.
Multi-UAV Method for Continuous Source Rate Estimation of Fugitive Gas Emissions from a Point Source

A multi unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based method for making continuous source rate estimations is proposed. The multi-UAV method utilizes the signal processing, spatial interpolation, and data-driven techniques to apply centroidal Voronoi tessellations (CVT) based coverage control. The method uses low frequency modes from dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) as the CVT density kernel. The method also employs an ordinary kriging estimation variance based entropy as a regularization term to improve exploration behavior. A 3D short time-scale plume simulation model (POSIM) is used to test the continuous source rate estimation performance.
Minimum Path Star Topology Algorithms for Weighted Regions and Obstacles.

Shortest path algorithms have played a key role in the past century, paving the way for modern day GPS systems to find optimal routes along static systems in fractions of a second. One application of these algorithms includes optimizing the total distance of power lines (specifically in star topological configurations). Due to the relevancy of discovering well-connected electrical systems in certain areas, finding a minimum path that is able to account for geological features would have far-reaching consequences in lowering the cost of electric power transmission. We initialize our research by proving the convex hull as an effective bounding mechanism for star topological minimum path algorithms. Building off this bounding, we propose novel algorithms to manage certain cases that lack existing methods (weighted regions and obstacles) by discretizing Euclidean space into squares and combining pre-existing algorithms that calculate local minimums that we believe have a possibility of being the absolute minimum. We further designate ways to evaluate iterations necessary to reach some level of accuracy. Both of these novel algorithms fulfill certain niches that past literature does not cover.
Rethinking Contraceptive Retail Placement for Male Consumers

As a product category which can induce anxiety among purchasers, condoms possess a relatively unique set of marketing characteristics. Unfortunately, these characteristics, and the psychological needs of male consumers of these products, appear to be largely overlooked by most retailers. As a result, many consumers may be discouraged from obtaining condoms. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the need for further research in this area by defining issues related to current retail practices. Specifically, it is suggested that retailers need to be more cognizant of shopping anxiety among condom purchasers and reconfigure merchandising tactics for this product category.
Lossless voltage regulation and control of the resonant switched-capacitor DC-DC converter

This paper presents an approach for nominally lossless regulation of the output voltage, and for design of tight closed-loop voltage control of a resonant switched-capacitor (ResSC) dc-dc converter. A switching pattern for the ResSC dc-dc converter that enables wide range lossless voltage regulation and zero voltage switching (ZVS) is developed. An appropriate small signal model is derived based on the generalized averaging method. In view of the dynamics of the developed small signal transfer functions, a compensation method based on a minor phase loop is introduced to stabilize the system. The steady state and transient responses of the system are evaluated based on the developed model. The performance of the proposed controller is verified by a switch-based simulation in a design example for on-chip power delivery application.
Feedback from Productivity Growth to R & D

It is shown that while the scale of R & D activity affects the rate of growth of productivity in manufacturing, that rate of growth, in turn, affects the relative cost of R & D and, hence, its demand. For relative productivity of manufactures and R & D services are crucial in determining their relative prices. Thus, success in R & D and the consequent increase in manufacturing productivity may raise the relative price of R & D, reducing the quantity demanded. Formal models of this feedback process are provided and show how it can lead to oscillatory behavior an to a slowdown of the economy’s long-run productivity growth.
Fully static multiprocessor realization for real-time recursive DSP algorithms

A systematic approach to implement a real time recursive digital signal processing algorithm on a dedicated multiprocessor array is presented. First, the authors unfold the algorithm so that its corresponding dependence graph becomes a newly defined generalized perfect rate graph. They prove that the dependence graph of a recursive algorithm admits a desirable rate optimal, full static multiprocessor implementation if and only if it is a generalized perfect rate graph. Based on these results, an efficient heuristic algorithm is presented to perform optimal multi-processor scheduling and task assignment so that the number of processors required is minimized. >
Drowsy driver detection using discriminant analysis

Driver drowsiness represents a serious hazard, and methods need to be developed to detect and counteract its effects. In this research, 14 dependent driving variables were investigated for their po...
Exploiting multiple cameras for environmental pathlets

We present a novel multi-camera framework to extract reliable pathlets [1] from tracking data. The proposed approach weights tracks based on their spatial and orientation similarity to simultaneous tracks observed in other camera views. The weighted tracks are used to build a Markovian state space of the environment and Spectral Clustering is employed to extract pathlets from a state-wise similarity matrix. We present experimental results on five multi-camera datasets collected under varying weather conditions and compare with pathlets extracted from individual camera views and three other multi-camera algorithms.
Noggin producing, MyoD-positive cells are crucial for eye development

A subpopulation of cells expresses MyoD mRNA and the cell surface G8 antigen in the epiblast prior to the onset of gastrulation. When an antibody to the G8 antigen was applied to the epiblast, labeled cells were later found in the ocular primordia and muscle and non-muscle forming tissues of the eyes. In the lens, retina and periocular mesenchyme, G8-positive cells synthesized MyoD mRNA and the bone morphogenetic protein inhibitor Noggin. MyoD expressing cells were ablated in the epiblast by labeling them with the G8 MAb and lysing them with complement. Their ablation in the epiblast resulted in eye defects, including anopthalmia, micropthalmia, altered pigmentation and malformations of the lens and/or retina. The right eye was more severely affected than the left eye. The asymmetry of the eye defects in ablated embryos correlated with differences in the number of residual Noggin producing, MyoD-positive cells in ocular tissues. Exogenously supplied Noggin compensated for the ablated epiblast cells. This study demonstrates that MyoD expressing cells serve as a Noggin delivery system to regulate the morphogenesis of the lens and optic cup.
Optimal recognition of neuronal waveforms

Statistically optimal methods for identifying single unit activity in multiple unit recordings are discussed. These methods take into account both the nerve impulse waveforms and the firing patterns of the units. A generalized least-squares fit procedure is shown to be the optimal recognition scheme under some reasonable statistical assumptions, but the amount of computation becomes prohibitively large when the method is applied to the problem of sorting superimposed waveforms. A linear filter technique which relies on simultaneous recording from several electrodes in shown to give good separation of superimposed waveforms. An iterative recognition procedure can be applied to improve the results and reduce the number of recording electrodes required.
The (1 + β)-choice process and weighted balls-into-bins

Suppose m balls are sequentially thrown into n bins where each ball goes into a random bin. It is well-known that the gap between the load of the most loaded bin and the average is Θ (√mlog n/n), for large m. If each ball goes to the lesser loaded of two random bins, this gap dramatically reduces to Θ (log log n) independent of m. Consider now the following "(1 + β)-choice" process for some parameter β ∈ (0, 1): each ball goes to a random bin with probability (1 - β) and the lesser loaded of two random bins with probability β. How does the gap for such a process behave? Suppose that the weight of each ball was drawn from a geometric distribution. How is the gap (now defined in terms of weight) affected?In this work, we develop general techniques for analyzing such balls-into-bins processes. Specifically, we show that for the (1 + β)-choice process above, the gap is Θ(log n/β), irrespective of m. Moreover the gap stays at Θ(log n/β) in the weighted case for a large class of weight distributions. No non-trivial explicit bounds were previously known in the weighted case, even for the 2-choice paradigm.
DATA MINING REQUIREMENTS FOR CUSTOMIZED GOODS AND SERVICES

Customized goods and services occur when their respective supply and demand chains are managed in a simultaneous and real-time manner. From a research perspective, we classify the methods that are employed in the management of these chains, based on whether supply and/or demand are flexible or fixed. Interestingly, our classification scheme highlights a critical and rewarding research area at which both supply and demand are flexible, thus manageable. Simultaneous management of supply and demand chains sets the stage for mass customization which is concerned with meeting the needs of an individualized customer market. Simultaneous and real-time management of supply and demand chains, in turn, set the stage for real-time mass customization (e.g. wherein a tailor first laser scans an individual's upper torso and then delivers a uniquely fitted jacket within a reasonable period, while the individual is waiting). The benefits of real-time mass customization cannot be over-stated as products and services become indistinguishable and are co-produced in real-time, resulting in an overwhelming economic advantage. Customized goods and services can only be achieved through sophisticated data mining techniques that can define the customization requirements from both a supply and a demand chain perspective, techniques that can obtain pertinent information from the mass of non-homogeneous data, in order to make informed customization decisions.
The U.S. program for fusion nuclear technology development

The Fusion Nuclear Technology (FNT) research and development program in the United States is shaped by a hierarchy of documents and by the environment for nuclear energy existing in the United States. The fission nuclear industry in the United States has suffered problems with public perception of safety, waste disposal issues, and economics as influenced by safety and environmental issues. For fusion to be a viable energy alternative, it must offer significant improvements in these areas. The hierarchy of documents defining objectives, plans, and strategy of the U.S. FNT program consists of the Magnetic Fusion Program Plan (MFPP) (February 1985), The Technical Planning Activity Final Report (January 1987), the Finesse Program Report (January 1987), and the Blanket Comparison and Selection Study Final Report (September 1984). In addition, two other documents are also significant in shaping FNT policy. These are the IEA report on Material for Fusion (December 1986) and the Summary of the Report of the Senior Committee on Environmental, Safety, and Economic Aspects of Magnetic Fusion Energy (September 1987). The U.S. Magnetic Fusion Program Plan defines four key technical issues (magnetic confinement systems, properties of burning plasmas, fusion nuclear technology, and fusion materials). The goal of the plan is to establish the scientific and technological base required for economic and environmental assessment of fusion energy in the early post-2000 time period. The Technical Planning Activity (TPA) provides the program logic for accomplishing the MFPP goal. The Development and Technology Program of the Office of Fusion Energy contains the two key technical issues: Fusion Nuclear Technology and Materials. The FNT program seeks to develop safe and environmentally acceptable systems to ensure fuel (tritium) self-sufficiency, and energy conversion systems. The fuel self-sufficiency program consists of programs to breed tritium in blankets and for processing the tritium both from the blankets and the plasma exhaust. At present only a small amount of effort is devoted to the energy conversion systems, with most of the effort on tritium production and handling. The blanket program is focused on critical feasibility issues for both solid and liquid breeders, and the Tritium System Test Assembly is focused on safe handling and processing of tritium. Throughout the blanket program, emphasis is placed on low activation materials and safety. This talk will provide details of the FNT research and development program including its structure and budget for FY 1988.