cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alkyltrichlorosilane-based self-assembled monolayer films for stiction reduction in silicon micromachines

We have investigated the potential of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) coatings for the purpose of adhesion reduction in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Two types of SAM coatings, derived from the precursor molecules octadecyltrichlorosilane [CH/sub 3/(CH/sub 2/)/sub 17/SiCl/sub 3/, OTS] and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane [CF/sub 3/(CF/sub 2/)/sub 7/(CH/sub 2/)/sub 2/SiCl/sub 3/, FDTS], were applied to polycrystalline silicon microstructures in a liquid-based process. Due to the hydrophobicity of these coatings, the water capillary forces responsible for the phenomenon known as release-related stiction are eliminated, and SAM-coated cantilever beams 2 /spl mu/m thick, 2 /spl mu/m above the substrate, and up to 2 mm in length emerge dry and free standing when removed from the final water rinse. The effects of SAM coating on adhesion encountered during device operation, termed in-use stiction, were characterized using arrays of cantilever beams of varying lengths. Structures made with a polycrystalline silicon of 3-nm rms roughness gave apparent works of adhesion of 30 and 8 /spl mu/J/m/sup 2/ for the OTS and FDTS SAM coatings, respectively, in comparison to 56 mJ/m/sup 2/ for standard oxide-coated structures. These results demonstrate that OTS coating reduces adhesion by more than three orders of magnitude over the conventional process and that the fluorinated SAM can lessen it further by four times. With regard to thermal stability, both SAM coatings can withstand heat treatment for 5 min at 450/spl deg/C in an N/sub 2/ ambient. In air, the OTS film begins to degrade at 150/spl deg/C while the fluorinated coating remains intact up to 400/spl deg/C. Therefore, both types of SAM coatings are compatible with several MEMS packaging techniques, with the FDTS monolayers exhibiting superior stiction and thermal stability properties to those derived from OTS. Furthermore, the FDTS formation does not require any chlorinated solvents such as carbon tetrachloride, which has been banned from industrial use, making the latter coating an industrially viable antistiction treatment.
Optimizing data popularity conscious bloom filters

Bloom filters are compact set representations that support set membership queries with small, one-sided error probabilities. Standard Bloom filters are oblivious to object popularity in sets and membership queries. However, sets and queries in many distributed applications follow known, stable, highly skewed distributions (e.g., Zipf-like). This paper studies the problem of minimizing the false-positive probability of a Bloom filter by adapting the number of hashes used for each data object to its popularity in sets and membership queries. We model the problem as a constrained nonlinear integer program and propose two polynomial-time solutions with bounded approximation ratios -- one is a 2-approximation algorithm with O(Nc) running time (c ≥ 6 in practice); the other is a (2+e)-approximation algorithm with running time O(N2/e)$, e > 0. Here N denotes the total number of distinct data objects that appear in sets or queries. We quantitatively evaluate our proposed approach on two distributed applications (cooperative caching and full-text keyword searching) driven by real-life data traces. Compared to standard Bloom filters, our data popularity-conscious Bloom filters achieve up to 24 and 27 times false-positive probability reduction for the two applications respectively. The quantitative evaluation also validates our solution's bounded approximation ratio to the optimal.
Prevention of Gastric Cancer: When is Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori Warranted?

Chronic gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the strongest known risk factor for adenocarcinoma of the distal stomach, yet the effects of bacterial eradication on carcinogenesis remain unclear. H. pylori isolates possess substantial genotypic diversity, which engenders differential host inflammatory responses that influence clinical outcome. H. pylori strains that possess the cag pathogenicity island and secrete a functional cytotoxin induce more severe gastric injury and further augment the risk for developing distal gastric cancer. Carcinogenesis is also influenced by host genetic diversity, particularly involving immune response genes such as interleukin-1s and tumor necrosis factor-α. Human trials and anima studies have indicated that eradication of H. pylori prior to the development of atrophic gastritis offers the best chance for prevention of gastric cancer. However, although the timing of intervention influences the magnitude of suppression of premalignant and neoplastic lesions, bacterial eradication, even in longstanding infections, is of clear benefit to the host. It is important to gain insight into the pathogenesis of H. pylori-induced gastritis and adenocarcinoma not only to develop more effective treatments for gastric cancer, but also because it might serve as a paradigm for the role of chronic inflammation in the genesis of other malignancies that arise within the gastrointestinal tract.
Infinite Mass Testing of a Scaled Parachute using a Tow Tank Facility

The drag characteristics of a round parachute with a constructed diameter of 30.5 cm are investigated using a water tow tank facility. Force measurements on the parachute are obtained for a range of constant velocity cases during parachute deployment and steady descent. These constant velocity tests represent an infinite mass parachute drop. The peak opening force and average drag during steady descent are determined for a range of velocities between 0.2 m/s and 0.7 m/s. The corresponding Reynolds numbers (based on constructed diameter) are between 60,000 and 200,000. The parachute opening time is also documented. Two series of tests are conducted. One series examines an unconstrained parachute that is free to oscillate about its towing axis. For the second series, the parachute is constrained about its center axis by a retaining line. Results indicate that the peak opening force for a given Reynolds number is the same for both the unconstrained and constrained parachute. In addition, the average force on the constrained parachute is larger than the average force on the unconstrained parachute during steady decent. This difference in average force is attributed to the large off-axis oscillations present for the unconstrained parachute testing. Since the constrained testing does not have off-axis oscillations, the constrained testing provides the best indication of the steady drag for the round parachute canopy design. The average steady drag coefficient for the constrained parachute canopy ranged between 0.7 and 0.8.
Automatic Generation of Virtual Lumbar Motion Segments for Population-Based Simulation of Lumbar Spine Biomechanics

Computational modeling of the spine has become a viable option for evaluating new implants and procedures. Most models described in the literature, however, represent only a single subject and neglect the normal variation that exists among specimens. A probabilistic simulation comprised of virtual specimens representing a broad population of subjects can address this limitation and be used to evaluate implants or procedures pre-clinically. Challenges exist to applying probabilistic modeling techniques to biologic systems, and perhaps the greatest is parameterization of the anatomy to capture normal variation in shape from specimen to specimen. It’s also critical to implement soft tissues in a robust, automated manner that produces representative biomechanics. The purpose of our research is to overcome these challenges and develop a probabilistic framework to perform population-based studies of lumbar spine biomechanics. This paper describes our results to date for the automated generation of virtual lumbar motion segments.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Structural and magnetic transitions in cubic Mn3Ga

The structural, magnetic and electron-transport properties of cubic Mn3Ga have been investigated. The alloys prepared by arc melting and melt-spinning show an antiferromagnetic spin order at room temperature but undergo coupled structural and magnetic phase transitions at 600 and 800 K. First-principles calculations show that the observed magnetic properties are consistent with that of a cubic Mn3Ga crystallizing in the disordered Cu3Au-type structure. The samples exhibit metallic electron transport with a resistance minimum near 30 K, followed by a logarithmic upturn below the minimum. The observed anomaly in the low-temperature resistivity has been discussed as a consequence of electron scattering at the low-lying excitations of the structurally disordered Mn3Ga lattice.
Adjuvant Therapy Improves Survival for T2N0 Gastric Cancer Patients with Sub-optimal Lymphadenectomy.

The benefit of adjuvant therapy following resection of early stage, node-negative gastric adenocarcinoma following a margin negative (R0) resection is unclear. The National Cancer Data Base was used to identify patients with a T2N0 gastric adenocarcinoma (tumor invasion into the muscularis propria) who underwent R0 resection. Patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy and those for whom lymph node count was unavailable were excluded from the analysis. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression were used to evaluate differences in and predictors of overall survival. A total of 1687 patients underwent R0 resection for T2N0 gastric adenocarcinoma between 2003–2011. Adjuvant chemotherapy treatment was administered to 7.1 and 14.1 % received adjuvant chemoradiation; 65.4 % had 0.74). Adequate lymph node dissection and pathologic staging is critical in directing optimal treatment of patients with early gastric cancer. Understaging as a result of suboptimal lymphadenectomy may explain the perceived benefit of adjuvant chemoradiation after an R0 resection for T2N0 gastric cancer.
Search times and probability of detection in time-limited search

When modeling the search and target acquisition process, probability of detection as a function of time is important to war games and physical entity simulations. Recent US Army RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision and Electronics Sensor Directorate modeling of search and detection has focused on time-limited search. Developing the relationship between detection probability and time of search as a differential equation is explored. One of the parameters in the current formula for probability of detection in time-limited search corresponds to the mean time to detect in time-unlimited search. However, the mean time to detect in time-limited search is shorter than the mean time to detect in time-unlimited search and the relationship between them is a mathematical relationship between these two mean times. This simple relationship is derived.
Intra-articular 5-fluorouracil in antigen-induced arthritis.

A model system has been described in which a single injection of Ovalbumin into the knee joints of previously sensitized rabbits consistently produced a chronic, self-perpetuating reaction which was grossly and histologically similar to human rheumatoid arthritis. This reaction was markedly diminished in knees receiving intra-articular 5-fluorouracil three times a week. The drug itself produced no demonstrable injury to the normal joint and was well tolerated systemically in reasonable doses. These observations raise the question whether this agent might serve some clinical role as an adjunct in the management of human rheumatoid arthritis. Further animal experimentation must be carried out to establish the mechanism of action and optimum treatment regimen.
Abstract 15607: Renal Artery Stenting Causes Acute Proximal Tubule Dysfunction

Background: The effects of renal artery stenting on renal function are not well understood. N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) is released from injured proximal tubule cells, and β-2-Microglobulin (B2M) reabsorption is dependent on proximal tubule function. We investigated if urine NAG and B2M are elevated at baseline in patients with renal artery stenosis, and if levels increase following stenting. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 30 healthy adults (Normals), 30 patients with atherosclerosis and risk factors for renal disease but not renal artery stenosis (Atherosclerosis), and 72 patients with stenosis undergoing renal artery stenting (RAS). In the RAS group, additional samples were obtained 24 hours and one month post procedure. Samples were measured by ELISA and corrected for urine creatinine. Statistical analysis was performed on the natural log transformed data of matched pairs, reported as mean±SD. Results: NAG was higher in RAS than in Atherosclerosis (1.4±1.5 U/g vs. 0.69±0.74 U/g; p=0.0066), and higher in Atherosclerosis than in Normals (0.38±0.37 U/g; p=0.0017 compared to Atherosclerosis, p=0.0001 compared to RAS). Likewise, B2M was higher in RAS than in Atherosclerosis (−3.2±2.2 μg/L vs. −4.2±0.86 μg/L; p=0.031), and higher in Atherosclerosis than in Normals (−5.6±1.30 μg/L; p=0.0019 compared to Atherosclerosis, p Conclusions: Proximal tubule injury is commonplace in patients with renal artery stenosis and is not fully attributable to risk factors such as atherosclerosis. Proximal tubule function appears to worsen in the 24 hours following stenting, but returns to baseline by one month.
THE RELATION OF THE PARABOLIC EQUATION METHOD TO THE ADIABATIC MODE APPROXIMATION

Two possible methods for approximately computing the long range guided propagation of sound in an ocean whose environmental parameters vary slowly with range are (1) the parabolic equation method and (2) the adiabatic mode approximation. The latter emerges as the leading term in a perturbation expansion, but the circumstances for the former yielding satisfactory numerical results are still imperfectly understood. The present paper examines two versions of the parabolic equation method, the first version with constant reference wavenumber k0. The second version is that previously introduced by the author, in which the reference wave number is a functional of the wave function versus depth at the local range and consequently a function of range when the environment varies with range. It is proven that, if only a single guided mode is initially excited, then the latter version of the parabolic equation method will yield the same results as the adiabatic mode approximation in the limit that the environment varies sufficiently slowly with range, even though the net change over a large range interval may be substantial. Circumstances are described in which the constant k0 version can lead to highly erroneous results.
Structural–functional organization of cytochrome P450 containing monooxygenase and some aspects of modeling

The article deals with a superfamily of monooxygenases, a multienzymeproteinaceous complex containing cytochrome P450 as a terminal electron acceptor. Due to the low substrate specificity, this monooxygenase actively participates in biosynthesis and oxidation of numerous endogenous cell compounds, and also in oxidation and detoxification of wide spectrum of compounds that are foreign to an organism (xenobiotics). The main peculiarity of animal monooxygenase is its interaction with the membrane: all three components of it are true membrane proteins that gain some advantages (binding of hydrophobic substrates to cytochrome P450, creation of optimal conditions by reaction with its own reductase, modulation of electron transport, etc) over other soluble oxidases. In plants, cytochrome P450 is embedded in the membrane but simultaneously, it occurs in a soluble form as well. As a result, a stronger protection barrier against the impact of xenobiotic-toxicants is created in it. In addition, it is shown that in plants, the same isoforms of cytochrome P450 participate in biosyntheses and xenobiotic degradation. Penetration of xenobiotics into a plant cell and especially, its polarity represents a regulatory signal, which ensures proper distribution of hemoprotein pool in these processes. Action mechanism of cytochrome P450, i.e. the functioning of monooxygenase cycle and its completion stage, when oxygen activated by two electrons is inserted into the substrate and hydroxylation product is formed, is described in more detail. Nowadays, functional models of monooxygenases are used effectively to study this stage. It is considered that in oxygenase reaction, oxygen atom formed by its interaction with ferric ion complex and redox-active ligand is transferred to the substrate via so-called oxenoid mechanism. The rate of the whole hydroxylation process is limited by the stage of insertion of activated oxygen into the substrate. It deserves consideration that hydroperoxides, which are reduced by two electrons and perform shunting of the cycle, model incompletely its operation. Action mechanism of monooxygenase essentially differs from this model and the cycle prefers phasic successive proceeding.
Mohs micrographic surgery for periorbital skin cancer.

With documentation of more than 600 cases of periorbital skin cancer, 315 of which penetrated to and beyond the orbital septum, the Mohs micrographic surgical technique proved to have a 5-year recurrence rate of less than 1%. This contrasts sharply with the standard technique of frozen section studies of the margins of periorbital skin cancer, which has a 5-year recurrence rate of 10%.
The Independence Transformation: A Review and Some Further Explorations

The objective of this chapter is to discuss the relationship between the technique of principal components, first applied to economic data in the pioneering paper by Stone (1947), and the analysis of consumer demand.
Use of natalizumab in multiple sclerosis: current perspectives.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Natalizumab is an efficacious monoclonal antibody approved for use in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Multiple studies have demonstrated reduced relapse rate, decreased disability progression and prolonged disease-free intervals with natalizumab use. However, natalizumab is associated with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), thus restricting its widespread use with populations at high risk for developing PML. Recently, the effect of natalizumab in secondary-progressive (SPMS) population has been explored.Areas covered: This review highlights the pathophysiology behind disease progression in MS and summarizes various attributes of natalizumab including: its pharmacological properties and global economic impact, results of clinical efficacy studies, its role in SPMS, pregnancy and its adverse events profile including PML and discontinuation protocols.Expert opinion: Despite an established role in reducing RRMS disease activity, natalizu...
Closeness and Structure of Friends Help to Estimate User Locations

A tremendous amount of information is being shared every day on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter or Google+. However, only a small portion of users provide their location information, which can be helpful in targeted advertising and many other services.Current methods in location estimation using social relationships consider social friendship as a simple binary relationship. However, social closeness between users and structure of friends have strong implications on geographic distances. In this paper, we introduce new measures to evaluate the social closeness between users and structure of friends. We propose models that use them for location estimation. Compared with the models which take the friend relation as a binary feature, social closeness can help identify which friend of a user is more important and friend structure can help to determine significance level of locations, thus improving the accuracy of the location estimation models. A confidence iteration method is further introduced to improve estimation accuracy and overcome the problem of scarce location information. We evaluate our methods on two different datasets, Twitter and Gowalla. The results show that our model can improve the estimation accuracy by 5i¾ź%---20i¾ź% compared with state-of-the-art friend-based models.
A high-speed silicon metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector fully integrable with (Bi)CMOS circuits

The authors have fabricated and characterized interdigitated silicon metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors (MSM-PDs) using a self-aligned PtSi Schottky barrier metallurgy and SiO/sub 2/ passivation in a VLSI-compatible process. These MSM-PDs are optimal for high speed applications at wavelengths >
Lamb's problem on random mass density fields with fractal and Hurst effects

This paper reports on a generalization of Lamb's problem to a linear elastic, infinite half-space with random fields (RFs) of mass density, subject to a normal line load. Both, uncorrelated and correlated (with fractal and Hurst characteristics) RFs without any weak noise restrictions, are proposed. Cellular automata (CA) is used to simulate the wave propagation. CA is a local computational method which, for rectangular discretization of spatial domain, is equivalent to applying the finite difference method to the governing equations of classical elasticity. We first evaluate the response of CA to an uncorrelated mass density field, more commonly known as white-noise, of varying coarseness as compared to CA's node density. We then evaluate the response of CA to multiscale mass density RFs of Cauchy and Dagum type; these fields are unique in that they are able to model and decouple the field's fractal dimension and Hurst parameter. We focus on stochastic imperfection sensitivity; we determine to what extent the fractal or the Hurst parameter is a significant factor in altering the solution to the planar stochastic Lamb's problem by evaluating the coefficient of variation of the response when compared with the coefficient of variation of the RF.
Of Innocence and Dissonance: Reviewing the Conviction-Prone Status of Death Qualified Juries from a Cognitive Dissonance Perspective

This work reviews the legal history of the death qualification in Witherspoon v. Illinois (1968) and Hovey v. Superior Court (1980) to introduce the tenets of the death qualification standard. Summaries of the prior social psychological criticism will be augmented by a discussion and integration of justice theory, criminal justice orientation, and personality. This work argues that a cognitive dissonance perspective may add to the debate regarding the conviction-prone status of death qualified juries. This review contends that the selection procedures for death qualification may create juries that hold attitudes that are contrary to the fundamental assumption of innocence presupposed by the court. As a result of this conflict between juror attitudes and the assumption of innocence, cognitive dissonance will occur and need to be resolved - resulting in a high rate of conviction. The empirical findings from juror studies support this dissonance interpretation of the conviction-prone status of death qualified juries.
Using wind speed from a blade-mounted flow sensor for power and load assessment on modern wind turbines

Abstract. In this paper an alternative method to evaluate power performance and loads on wind turbines using a blade-mounted flow sensor is investigated. The hypothesis is that the wind speed measured at the blades has a high correlation with the power and loads such that a power or load assessment can be performed from a few hours or days of measurements. In the present study a blade-mounted five-hole pitot tube is used as the flow sensor as an alternative to the conventional approach, where the reference wind speed is either measured at a nearby met mast or on the nacelle using lidar technology or cup anemometers. From the flow sensor measurements, an accurate estimate of the wind speed at the rotor plane can be obtained. This wind speed is disturbed by the presence of the wind turbine, and it is therefore different from the free-flow wind speed. However, the recorded wind speed has a high correlation with the actual power production as well as the flap-wise loads as it is measured close to the blade where the aerodynamic forces are acting. Conventional power curves are based on at least 180 h of 10 min mean values, but using the blade-mounted flow sensor both the observation average time and the overall assessment time can potentially be shortened. The basis for this hypothesis is that the sensor is able to provide more observations with higher accuracy, as the sensor follows the rotation of the rotor and because of the high correlation between the flow at the blades and the power production. This is the research question addressed in this paper. The method is first tested using aeroelastic simulations where the dependence of the radial position and effect of multiple blade-mounted flow sensors are also investigated. Next the method is evaluated on the basis of full-scale measurements on a pitch-regulated, variable-speed 3.6 MW wind turbine. It is concluded that the wind speed derived from the blade-mounted flow sensor is highly correlated with the power and flap-wise bending moment and that the method has advantages over the traditional approach where the met-mast wind speed is used as reference, e.g. the capability of measuring the shear, veer and turbulence. The aeroelastic simulations show that the assessment time can be reduced, but this reduction cannot be confirmed from the current measurement database due to sensor problems and practical circumstances. Measuring the wind speed at the rotor plane comes with a price as the wind speed is affected by the induction which may be sensitive to the changes you want to evaluate, e.g. different vortex generator configurations. Furthermore it is concluded that a robust instrument and measurement system is required to obtain accurate and reliable wind speed recordings from pitot-tube measurements.
Quasi-steady modeling of data center heat exchanger under dynamic conditions

The transient modeling of cross flow heat exchangers requires the use of complicated analytical solutions or complex numerical schemes to solve the set of coupled partial differential equations representing the air, coolant and wall temperatures. Since most of the dynamic mass flow or temperature perturbations encountered in data center environment are slow compared with the timescale of the heat exchanger, using a simpler quasi-steady model instead of a complex transient solution represents a good alternative. The present work shows the use of a quasi-steady heat exchanger model to recreate the transient response of a 12×12 in heat exchanger core under ramp and sinusoidal perturbations. A criteria to identify the regimes where the quasi-steady model is valid is developed. Finally the model is used to model a rear door heat exchanger and the results compared with experimental results.
Privilege messaging: an authorization framework over email infrastructure

The current email infrastructure is burdened by multiple resource constraints and a plethora of security issues. Apart from the fact that email users are spending more time and effort sifting through unsolicited emails, more serious problems such as Phishing are on the rise. This can be attributed to a fundamental shortcoming in the current email infrastructure: a lack of an authorization framework. This allows any user to create content in anyone's mailbox. In this paper, we revisit the fundamental problem of nonexistent authorization and discuss the design of an effective authorization service overlaying the existing email infrastructure. We propose Privilege Messaging (P-Messaging), a fine-granular authorization framework that operates on the principle that a sender requires a set of privileges in order to send messages, simultaneously enables the receiver's infrastructure server to verify the messages before accepting it. We present a prototype implementation and discuss its benefits. An automatic classification of email can be effectively performed based on the privilege-tag. Privilege-tag can provide flexible and fine-granular reputation management than current domain-based solutions. The use of privilege-tag as entry ID in a white-list can be more manageable than the use of individual email address. Finally, the privilege-tag can be used as an email header, retaining the benefits of currently deployed MTA architecture, namely reliability and flexibility.
Developing a Safe, Nurturing and Therapeutic Environment for the Families of the Garbage Pickers in Guatemala and for Disabled Children in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This chapter focuses on the role of natural places in rebuilding children’s lives concurrent with a disaster, and on how the rebuilding of a place for safe play, learning and skill building can help children endure and move beyond the immediate effects of the disaster in the red zone. Through the exploration of two case studies, in Guatemala City and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, respectively, we show how garden creation and natural space design play a role in recovery after disaster.
Literal and Metaphorical Advocacy: Differentiating the Limited Preparation Speaking Events.

The forensics community has unsuccessfully attempted to differentiate the extemporaneous and impromptu speaking events. By assessing rules and conventions, coaching strategies, and judging practice...
Vulnerability to Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease or Systemic Infection Due to Genetic/Heritable Disorders

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in the natural and man-made environments, and yet human disease due to NTM is not widely pervasive. Presuming that human exposure to NTM is common, it suggests that NTM are relatively avirulent and that established infection resulting in disease occurs mostly in those who are innately susceptible. Most cases of NTM-LD and essentially all of extrapulmonary visceral/disseminated NTM disease occur in individuals with identifiable risk factors. While acquired disorders may predispose to either isolated NTM-LD or extrapulmonary visceral/disseminated NTM disease, this review focuses on genetic/heritable causes of these two forms of NTM disease.
Position-free monte carlo simulation for arbitrary layered BSDFs

Real-world materials are often layered: metallic paints, biological tissues, and many more. Variation in the interface and volumetric scattering properties of the layers leads to a rich diversity of material appearances from anisotropic highlights to complex textures and relief patterns. However, simulating light-layer interactions is a challenging problem. Past analytical or numerical solutions either introduce several approximations and limitations, or rely on expensive operations on discretized BSDFs, preventing the ability to freely vary the layer properties spatially. We introduce a new unbiased layered BSDF model based on Monte Carlo simulation, whose only assumption is the layer assumption itself. Our novel position-free path formulation is fundamentally more powerful at constructing light transport paths than generic light transport algorithms applied to the special case of flat layers, since it is based on a product of solid angle instead of area measures, so does not contain the high-variance geometry terms needed in the standard formulation. We introduce two techniques for sampling the position-free path integral, a forward path tracer with next-event estimation and a full bidirectional estimator. We show a number of examples, featuring multiple layers with surface and volumetric scattering, surface and phase function anisotropy, and spatial variation in all parameters.
Lower Limb Motion Estimation Using Ultrasound Imaging: A Framework for Assistive Device Control

Objective: Powered assistive devices need improved control intuitiveness to enhance their clinical adoption. Therefore, the intent of individuals should be identified and the device movement should adhere to it. Skeletal muscles contract synergistically to produce defined lower limb movements, so unique contraction patterns in lower extremity musculature may provide a means of device joint control. Ultrasound (US) imaging enables direct measurement of the local deformation of muscle segments. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using US to estimate human lower limb movements. Methods: A novel algorithm was developed to calculate US features of the rectus femoris muscle during a non-weight-bearing knee flexion/extension experiment by nine able-bodied subjects. Five US features of the skeletal muscle tissue were studied, namely thickness, angle between aponeuroses, pennation angle, fascicle length, and echogenicity. A multiscale ridge filter was utilized to extract the structures in the image and a random sample consensus (RANSAC) model was used to segment muscle aponeuroses and fascicles. A localization scheme further guided RANSAC to enable tracking in a US image sequence. Gaussian process regression models were trained using segmented features to estimate both knee joint angle and angular velocity. Results: The proposed segmentation-estimation approach could estimate knee joint angle and angular velocity with an average root mean square error value of 7.45° and 0.262 rad/s, respectively. The average processing rate was 3–6 frames/s that is promising toward real-time implementation. Conclusion: Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of using US to estimate human lower extremity motion. The ability of the algorithm to work in real time may enable the use of US as a neural interface for lower limb applications. Significance: Intuitive intent recognition of human lower extremity movements using wearable US imaging may enable volitional assistive device control and enhance locomotor outcomes for those with mobility impairments.
Control of the Vortical Structure in the Early Stages of Transition in Boundary Layers

The effect of suction and pressure gradient on controlling the production of the three-dimensional vortical structure due to secondary instability is investigated for a boundary layer in the presence of small but finite amplitude Tollmien-Schlichting wave. The subharaionic instability is the focus of the study due to its realistic application in low disturbance flight environment The spanwise wavelength of the most unstable secondary subharmonic disturbance increases with the increase of control indicating possible alteration of the flow structure from H-type to C-type.
Behavioural analysis of Village Weavers Ploceus cucullatus in an Ethiopian breeding colony during early incubation: 2. Males

We observed a colony of Village Weavers Ploceus cucullatus in Ethiopia at the height of the breeding season to assess variation and relationships amongst male behaviours. Individuals spent most of ...
Latent space visualization, characterization, and generation of diverse vocal communication signals

Animals produce vocalizations that range in complexity from a single repeated call to hundreds of unique vocal elements patterned in sequences unfolding over hours. Characterizing complex vocalizations can require considerable effort and a deep intuition about each species9 vocal behavior. Even with a great deal of experience, human characterizations of animal communication can be affected by human perceptual biases. We present here a set of computational methods that center around projecting animal vocalizations into low dimensional latent representational spaces that are directly learned from data. We apply these methods to diverse datasets from over 20 species, including humans, bats, songbirds, mice, cetaceans, and nonhuman primates, enabling high-powered comparative analyses of unbiased acoustic features in the communicative repertoires across species. Latent projections uncover complex features of data in visually intuitive and quantifiable ways. We introduce methods for analyzing vocalizations as both discrete sequences and as continuous latent variables. Each method can be used to disentangle complex spectro-temporal structure and observe long-timescale organization in communication. Finally, we show how systematic sampling from latent representational spaces of vocalizations enables comprehensive investigations of perceptual and neural representations of complex and ecologically relevant acoustic feature spaces.
FAK activates AKT-mTOR signaling to promote the growth and progression of MMTV-Wnt1-driven basal-like mammary tumors

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Hence, stratification of patients based on the subtype of breast cancer is key to its successful treatment. Among all the breast cancer subtypes, basal-like breast cancer is the most aggressive subtype with limited treatment options. Interestingly, we found focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, is highly overexpressed and activated in basal-like breast cancer. To understand the role of FAK in this subtype, we generated mice with conditional deletion of FAK and a knock-in mutation in its kinase domain in MMTV-Wnt1-driven basal-like mammary tumors. Tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis were characterized for these mice cohorts. Immunohistochemical and transcriptomic analysis of Wnt1-driven tumors were also performed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying FAK-dependent phenotypes. Pharmacological inhibition of FAK and mTOR in human basal-like breast cancer cell lines was also tested. We found that in the absence of FAK or its kinase function, growth and metastasis of the tumors were significantly suppressed. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analyses of cleaved caspase 3 revealed that loss of FAK results in increased tumor cell apoptosis. To further investigate the mechanism by which FAK regulates survival of the Wnt1-driven tumor cells, we prepared an isogenic pair of mammary tumor cells with and without FAK and found that FAK ablation increased their sensitivity to ER stress-induced cell death, as well as reduced tumor cell migration and tumor sphere formation. Comparative transcriptomic profiling of the pair of tumor cells and gene set enrichment analysis suggested mTOR pathway to be downregulated upon loss of FAK. Immunoblot analyses further confirmed that absence of FAK results in reduction of AKT and downstream mTOR pathways. We also found that inhibition of FAK and mTOR pathways both induces apoptosis, indicating the importance of these pathways in regulating cell survival. In summary, our studies show that in a basal-like tumor model, FAK is required for survival of the tumor cells and can serve as a potential therapeutic target.
Focus parameters of oxygen metabolism in the diagnosis and treatment of shock on progress

Search relative literature according to key words, focus parameters of oxygen metabolism in the diagnosis and treatment of shock on progress.The importance of hemodynamic monitoring is reflected in the correct interpretation of the monitoring results and takes simultaneously the appropriate treatment strategy according to the correct interpretation of the results.The essence of the shock is body tissue hypoperfusion, which result in tissue hypoxia and organ dysfunction, the essence of the hemodynamic imbalance is the imbalance of oxygen supply and oxygen consumption.The end point of the fluid resuscitation for shock is now increasing emphasis on monitoring mixed / central venous oxygen saturation and the concentration of blood lactate, the rate of lactate clearance. Key words: Oxygen dynamics; Shock; Monitoring; Oxygen metabolism; Child
Feature Selection Modeling on Predicting EV Charging Station Coverage Rate in Southern California

This project emphasizes on the meso-level dynamics behind the selection of EV charger locations. The central argument of this article is that many socio-economic and demographic factors explain the distribution of EV charging stations in Southern California. Using EV station data from the US Department of Energy and 2017 ACS data, we adopt multiple model selection method to select best demographic features in predicting the coverage rate of EV charging stations in given zip code area. In sum, we hope to provide a succinct but accurate picture that explains dispersion of EV charging stations in the Southern Californian region.
Screening for Social Risk Factors: A Comparison of Two Multi‐Domain Social Risk Screening Tools

Research Objective Amidst growing interest in identifying patients' social and economic risks in the context of health care delivery, many health care organizations have developed recommendations for multidomain social risk screening. A 10‐item instrument developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) includes six questions on material hardship (housing stability and quality, food security, transportation access, utilities security) and four on interpersonal violence. A set of measures recommended by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) includes one question on financial strain (difficulty paying for basic needs) and four on intimate partner violence (IPV), in addition to behavioral topics like smoking, alcohol use, and stress. We field‐tested both the CMMI and NAM questions to compare (1) rates of screening positive for socioeconomic risk factors (material hardship, financial strain, personal safety); and (2) patient acceptability.
Bridging Bayesian, frequentist and fiducial (BFF) inferences using confidence distribution

Bayesian, frequentist and fiducial (BFF) inferences are much more congruous than they have been perceived historically in the scientific community (cf., Reid and Cox 2015; Kass 2011; Efron 1998). Most practitioners are probably more familiar with the two dominant statistical inferential paradigms, Bayesian inference and frequentist inference. The third, lesser known fiducial inference paradigm was pioneered by R.A. Fisher in an attempt to define an inversion procedure for inference as an alternative to Bayes' theorem. Although each paradigm has its own strengths and limitations subject to their different philosophical underpinnings, this article intends to bridge these different inferential methodologies through the lenses of confidence distribution theory and Monte-Carlo simulation procedures. This article attempts to understand how these three distinct paradigms, Bayesian, frequentist, and fiducial inference, can be unified and compared on a foundational level, thereby increasing the range of possible techniques available to both statistical theorists and practitioners across all fields.
Exploring Potential Carcinogenic Activity of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances Utilizing High-Throughput Toxicity Screening Data:

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic chemicals that pose public health risks. Recent carcinogenicity concerns have arisen based on epidemiological studies, animal tumor findings, and mechanistic data. Thousands of PFAS exist; however, current understanding of their toxicity is informed by studies of a select few, namely, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. Hence, the computational, high-throughput screening tool, the US EPA CompTox Chemical Dashboard's ToxCast, was utilized to explore the carcinogenicity potential of PFAS. Twenty-three major PFAS that had sufficient in vitro ToxCast data and covered a range of structural subclasses were analyzed with the visual analytics software ToxPi, yielding a qualitative and quantitative assessment of PFAS activity in realms closely linked with carcinogenicity. A comprehensive literature search was also conducted to check the consistency of analyses with other mechanistic data streams. The PFAS were found to induce a vast range of biological perturbations, in line with several of the International Agency for Research on Cancer-defined key carcinogen characteristics. Patterns observed varied by length of fluorine-bonded chains and/or functional group within and between each key characteristic, suggesting some structure-based variability in activity. In general, the major conclusions drawn from the analysis, that is, the most notable activities being modulation of receptor-mediated effects and induction of oxidative stress, were supported by literature findings. The study helps enhance understanding of the mechanistic pathways that underlie the potential carcinogenicity of various PFAS and hence could assist in hazard identification and risk assessment for this emerging and relevant class of environmental toxicants.
An overview of alectinib hydrochloride as a treatment option for ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Alectinib is a second-generation inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and RET. Phase III clinical trials have established its superiority to crizotinib in the first-line ALK inhibitor-naive setting. Studies also support its use over chemotherapy in the post-crizotinib setting. It is currently one of several FDA- and EMA-approved ALK inhibitors, and it is listed as a preferred initial therapy for treatment-naive ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Areas covered: Herein, the authors provide the reader with details of the chemical structure, pharmacologic properties, resistance mutations, phase I, II, and III clinical trials, and safety profile of alectinib. Furthermore, the authors provide the reader with the expert opinion and future perspectives on the drug.Expert opinion: Alectinib compares favorably to other second-generation ALK inhibitors with regards to safety, tolerability, and efficacy. Based on currently available data, it is an appropriate first-line option. Ongoing studies will better resolve the ideal sequencing of ALK inhibitors in the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC.
Limiting Behavior of Resistances in Triangular Graphs

The paper introduces new computation and proof methods connected with electrical resistances of triangular graphs. Let $T_1(k)$ and $T_r(k)$ indicate triangular graphs with $k$ rows of triangles, $k^2$ cells, $\frac{(k+1)(k+2)}{2}$ vertices, and $\frac{3k(k+1)}{2}$ edges. The edge-resistances of $T_1(k)$ are uniformly 1; the edge-resistances of $T_r(k)$ are products of linear rational functions in three variables. This paper calculates resistances using a row reduction step instead of the Laplacian, allowing access to all intermediate calculations, and facilitating formulation of more precise conjectures. Let $T_1(k,k'), T_r(k,k')$ indicate the triangular grid of $k'$ rows of triangles ($1 \le k' \le k$) resulting from $k-k'$ row reduction steps applied to $T_1(k), T_r(k)$ respectively. Let $t_1(k,k'),t_r(k,k')$ be the resistance of the discardable tails arising from applying one reduction step to $T_1(k,k'), T_r(k,k')$ respectively. Let $c$ be a constant and let $k$ go to infinity. CONJECTURE 1: $t_k(k,c) \asymp \frac{1}{c} t_k(k,1) \asymp \frac{1}{c} \frac{1}{2e}.$ CONJECTURE 2: The ratios of certain edge resistances of $T_1(k,c)$ asymptotically approach the specified fractional ratios connected with $T_r(c).$ THEOREM: i) $T_r(c,c-1) = g(c) T_r(c-1),$ where equality indicates equality of all edge resistances and g(c) is a rational function in $c.$ ii) Additionally, $t_r(c,c') = \frac{1}{c'} t_r(c,1), \text{ with } t_r(c,1) = \frac{c}{2c+1}.$ A major contribution of the paper is the streamlining of proofs using a (computer) verification method; proofs are reduced to verifications that two rational functions are equal.
Renal Oncocytoma With Both Lymphovascular Invasion and Prominent Intracytoplasmic Vacuole-Like Spaces: A Case Report and Review of the Literature:

Here we report a case of renal oncocytoma in a 68 year-old male. The diagnosis was initially made on a needle biopsy 6 years prior to the partial nephrectomy. The case is unique that in addition to the gross and microscopic features commonly seen in renal oncocytomas, both lymphovascular invasion and prominent intracytoplasmic vacuole-like spaces are also present in this tumor. Although vascular invasion is increasingly recognized as compatible with renal oncocytoma, intracytoplasmic vacuoles are a rare and unusual finding that may lead to diagnostic difficulty. The diagnosis of renal oncocytoma was confirmed after immunohistochemistry was performed to argue against succinate dehydrogenase deficient renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and chromophobe RCC. This case highlights the importance for practicing pathologists to recognize the rare co-occurrence of lymphovascular invasion and large intracytoplasmic vacuole-like spaces in renal oncocytoma. Other differential diagnoses may include emerging renal tumor entities, such as the recently-proposed eosinophilic vacuolated tumor.