cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SeeMote: In-Situ Visualization and Logging Device for Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper we address three challenges that are present when building and analyzing wireless sensor networks (WSN) as part of ubiquitous computing environment: the need for an in-situ user interface, a data logger, and a power consumption meter. Solutions for the above have been presented using laptops, personal digital assistants (PDA), onboard flash memory chips of limited size (usually 1MB), and laboratory test equipment. All of them have a good utility for the right applications. However, considering a certain variety of WSNs, where size, battery life, and cost are crucial, none of the above solutions is satisfactory. In this paper we present a compact, lightweight, low power, and low cost multimodal sensor module SeeMote that meets the stated challenges, and is compatible with the popular MICAz mote. Our module has the following components: (1) a graphical user interface component that combines a color liquid crystal display (LCD) and 5-way buttons, (2) a power meter component that is reconfigurable for attaching various low-power devices, and (3) a data logger component that is interfaced to a removable secure digital (SD) or multimedia memory card (MMC). The module dimensions are 34times58times12 mm. This paper describes the hardware and software design and experiences while developing and using the device. The device is evaluated by comparing its parameters and functionality to laptop and PDA solutions. We conclude that SeeMote is preferred for certain WSNs, such as very large scale, difficult to reach, and wearable WSNs. We also present several applications that use the LCD module, such as the portable frequency spectrum analyzer and remote sensory data display device.
Network Formation Among Selfish Energy-Constrained Wireless Devices

We study the formation of ad-hoc networks among selfish energy-constrained wireless devices that are primarily interested in being connected with other devices. We use a non-cooperative bilateral connection game (BCG) framework to study network formation. For a BCG in which devices choose their individual strategies to remain connected by minimizing only their direct transmission power costs, we show that the price-of-anarchy is unbounded in the network size. We propose a BCG with an alternate cost structure in which each device additionally pays the transmission power costs incurred by other devices for its own traffic. We show that a unique network structure emerges in this game that is stable as well as socially efficient. We then study the achievable throughput for random point-to-point traffic in this stable energy-efficient network. When the nodes of a network are located in a bounded planar region the distribution of point- to-point flows through the nodes exhibits a scale-free behavior.
Accelerating Multiprocessor Simulation with a Memory Timestamp Record

We introduce a fast and accurate technique for initializing the directory and cache state of a multiprocessor system based on a novel software structure called the memory timestamp record (MTR). The MTR is a versatile, compressed snapshot of memory reference patterns which can be rapidly updated during fast-forwarded simulation, or stored as part of a checkpoint. We evaluate MTR using a full-system simulation of a directory-based cache-coherent multiprocessor running a range of multithreaded workloads. Both MTR and a multiprocessor version of functional fast-forwarding (FFW) make similar performance estimates, usually within 15% of our detailed model. In addition to other benefits, we show that MTR has up to a 1.45x speedup over FFW, and a 7.7x speedup over our detailed baseline
Non‐3D domain swapped crystal structure of truncated zebrafish alphaA crystallin

In previous work on truncated alpha crystallins (Laganowsky et al., Protein Sci 2010; 19:1031-1043), we determined crystal structures of the alpha crystallin core, a seven beta-stranded immunoglobulin-like domain, with its conserved C-terminal extension. These extensions swap into neighboring cores forming oligomeric assemblies. The extension is palindromic in sequence, binding in either of two directions. Here, we report the crystal structure of a truncated alphaA crystallin (AAC) from zebrafish (Danio rerio) revealing C-terminal extensions in a non three-dimensional (3D) domain swapped, "closed" state. The extension is quasi-palindromic, bound within its own zebrafish core domain, lying in the opposite direction to that of bovine AAC, which is bound within an adjacent core domain (Laganowsky et al., Protein Sci 2010; 19:1031-1043). Our findings establish that the C-terminal extension of alpha crystallin proteins can be either 3D domain swapped or non-3D domain swapped. This duality provides another molecular mechanism for alpha crystallin proteins to maintain the polydispersity that is crucial for eye lens transparency.
X-linked lymphocyte regulated gene 5c-like (Xlr5c-like) is a novel target of progesterone action in granulosa cells of periovulatory rat ovaries.

Progesterone (P4), acting through its nuclear receptor (PGR), plays an essential role in ovulation by mediating the expression of genes involved in ovulation and/or luteal formation. To identify ovulatory specific PGR-regulated genes, a preliminary microarray analysis was performed using rat granulosa cells treated with hCG ± RU486 (PGR antagonist). The transcript most highly down-regulated by RU486 was an EST (expressed sequence tag) sequence (gb: BI289578.1) that matches with predicted sequence for Xlr5c-like mRNA. Since nothing is known about Xlr5c-like, we first characterized the expression pattern of Xlr5c-like mRNA in the rat ovary. The level of mRNA for Xlr5c-like is transiently up-regulated in granulosa cells of periovulatory follicles after hCG stimulation in PMSG-primed rat ovaries. The transient induction of Xlr5c-like mRNA was mimicked by hCG treatment in cultured granulosa cells from preovulatory ovaries. We further demonstrated that the LH-activated PKA, MEK, PI3K, and p38 signaling is involved in the increase in Xlr5c-like mRNA. The increase in Xlr5c-like mRNA was abolished by RU486. The inhibitory effect of RU486 was reversed by MPA (synthetic progestin), but not by dexamethasone (synthetic glucocorticoid). Furthermore, mutation of SP1/SP3 and PGR response element sites in the promoter region of Xlr5c-like decreased Xlr5c-like reporter activity. RU486 also inhibited Xlr5c-like reporter activity. ChIP assay verified the binding of PGR and SP3 to the Xlr5c-like promoter in periovulatory granulosa cells. Functionally, siRNA-mediated Xlr5c-like knockdown in granulosa cell cultures resulted in reduced levels of mRNA for Snap25, Cxcr4, and Adamts1. Recombinant Xlr5c-like protein expressed using an adenoviral approach was localized predominantly to the nucleus and to a lesser extent to the cytoplasm of rat granulosa cells. In conclusion, this is the first report showing the spatiotemporally regulated expression of Xlr5c-like mRNA by hCG in rat periovulatory ovaries. P4/PGR mediates the LH-induced increase in Xlr5c-like mRNA. In turn, Xlr5c-like is involved in regulating the expression of specific ovulatory genes such as Snap25, Cxcr4, and Adamts1, possibly acting in the nucleus of periovulatory granulosa cells.
Sputtering Behavior and Evolution of Depth Resolution upon Low Energy Ion Irradiation of GaAs

We investigate the sputtering behavior and depth resolution upon low energy ion irradiation during Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling of GaAs. We present a systematic and quantitative study of the impact of ion species, primary ion impact energy, and incident angle on the evolution of depth resolution, using a well-defined InGaAs/GaAs multilayer structure with highly abrupt hetero-interfaces. We demonstrate that for low energy O2+ ion beam irradiation, SIMS depth resolution becomes progressively degraded by (transient) incorporation of high surface O-concentration levels in the altered layer, leading to detrimental ion-beam induced formation of topography. In case of low energy oblique Cs+ ion beam irradiation, sputtering behavior of GaAs is well-behaved with no significant transient yield changes and a constant depth resolution. This enables SIMS depth profiling of sharp hetero-epitaxial III-V compound semiconductor structures and shallow dopant profiles with sufficiently good depth resolution with good detection efficiency.
Abstract LB-107: Targeting the glycolytic pathway as an effective therapeutic approach for triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative, and HER-2-negative phenotype. TNBC often exhibits poor prognosis due in part to their resistance to therapeutic agents. Thus, development of novel therapeutic approaches and effective agents are urgently needed to improve the clinical outcomes of this disease. In our recent study of metabolic alterations in cancer cells, we observed a striking metabolic pattern in TNBC cells manifested by lower mitochondrial respiration and elevated glycolysis. Using the extracellular flux analyzer XF24, we compared 4 TNBC cell lines (BT-20, MDA-231, MDA-468, MDA-436) with other subtypes of breast cancer cells (BT-474, MCF7, T47D, ZR-751) for their oxygen consumption rate (OCR) as an indicator of mitochondrial respiration and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) as an indication of lactic acid production from glycolysis. All TNBC cell lines consistently exhibited lower OCAR and higher ECAR. These metabolic alterations were further confirmed using several conventional biochemical analyses including Clark-type electrode detection of oxygen consumption, [ 3 H]-glucose uptake, and direct lactate measurement. In triple-positive breast cancer cells (BT474), blockage of ER-signaling by 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (4-HOT), progestin signaling by RU486, or the HER-2 pathway by herceptin caused a moderate decrease in mitochondrial respiration when each inhibitor was used alone. Simultaneous inhibition of the three receptors by a combination of 4-HOT, RU486 and herceptin significantly down-regulated mitochondrial respiration (40%), suggesting a possible cross-talk among the three pathways in regulating mitochondrial metabolism. Western blot and mitochondrial functional analyses revealed that TNBC cells had altered expression of certain respiratory chain components and corresponding defect in the respiratory complex activity. Based on these novel observations, we further tested the hypothesis that TNBC cells might be more dependent on glycolysis for ATP generation and thus more vulnerable to glycolytic inhibitors. Indeed, our results demonstrated that TNBC cells were significantly more sensitive to the glycolytic inhibitors 3-bromopyruvate and 2-deoxyglucose than other breast cancer subtypes. Inhibition of glycolysis caused a massive cell death in TNBC cells, as evidenced by positive annexin-V staining and loss of membrane potential. Our study suggest that TNBC cells have profound metabolic alterations characterized by decreased mitochondrial respiration and increased glycolysis, and that glycolytic inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic strategy to effective kill the drug-resistant TNBC cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-107.
Moving Further Upstream in the Prevention of Cardiac Arrest and its Complications.

Sudden cardiac arrest is defined as an unexpected, pulseless condition attributable to a cardiac arrhythmia [(1)][1]. Most cardiac arrests present without warning symptoms and are nearly always fatal despite resuscitation attempts [(2,3)][2]. Given these poor outcomes, few studies have evaluated the
Long-Term Follow-Up of Zinc Sulfate Combined with Penicillamine Therapy in Children with Hepatolenticular Degeneration

Objective To explore the long-term effect of combined treatment with large dose zinc sulfate and low dose penicillamine in children with hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD).Methods The patients who had symptoms were treated with large dose zinc sulfate (100-150 mg/time, 6 years; 150-200 mg/time, 6-8 years; 200-300 mg/time, 8-10 years; 300 mg/time,10 years; 3 times a day) in addition to low dose penicillamine [8-10 mg/(kg·d)] at the beginning of treatment. Zinc sulfate alone was given to the presymptomatic patients and it was used as maintenance therapy when clinical improvement was obtained. Seventeen children were followed up for 3-8 years.Results In 2 presymptomatic patients, no clinical abnormalities were found.Fifteen cases with symptoms, 12 cases (80%) had their symptoms and signs subsided or much improved, 2 cases (13%) remained unchanged, and 1 case (7%) died. Blood concentrations of copper were persistently lower than normal. Urine copper excretion of 24 h was significantly lower than that before the combined therapy in all patients, and it became normal in 2 cases (13%) after 6 months of treatment, and in 13 cases (87%) after 1-2 years of treatment. Higher blood concent rations of zinc were found in 10 cases (67%), and higher urine zinc excretion was noted in 12 cases (80%) once or more times during therapy.Conclusion Combined therapy of large dose zinc sulfate and low dose penicillamine is an effective, safe treatment for children with HLD.
Cellular Communication by Permeable Membrane Junctions

Fine channels built into the plasma membranes where cells are joined enable large masses of cells to exchange a variety of substances and thereby to interact and function as a unit rather than as discrete bodies. This finding has major implications for biology and medicine, in particular for our understanding of both normal (e.g., embryonic differentiation) and abnormal growth (e.g., cancer).
Maintaining Oral Health

The prevention of dental disease plays a significant role in the comprehensive health care of children. This responsibility should be shared by the child, the parents, and the health care professional, and it is essential that programs be initiated early in life to incorporate the proper use of oral hygiene, fluoride, and appropriate dietary practice.
Ovarian function in the cycling cow: relationship between gonadotropin binding to theca and granulosa and steroidogenesis in individual follicles.

Thirty-six Angus and Angus crossbred cows were used in a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment designed to determine the effects of stage of the estrous cycle (day 6, 12 or 18), a long term with a single ovary (2 years) and side of previous ovulation or remaining ovary on the development of large ovarian follicles (LF; diameter greater than or equal to 8 mm). Follicular fluid estradiol-17 beta (FFE) concentration, localization of gonadotropin binding sites and granulosa cell condition were determined for each LF by radioimmunoassay, autoradiography and histological examination, respectively. No side differences were noted. However, the sample was biased by the use of equal numbers of left and right side ovulators. Compared to intact controls, one-ovary cows showed 100% compensation of LF development. Eighty-five percent of the LF studied bound follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the granulosa and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the theca. Thirty-eight percent also bound hCG in the granulosa. Both binding patterns were found on all days studied. Atretic follicles had lower (P less than .05) FFE concentrations than healthy follicles (r = -.59). The number of LF per cow increased (P less than .05) from day 6 (1.3) to days 12 (1.8) and 18 (2.1). Conversely, their FFE content per cow decreased (P less than .05) from 109 ng/cow on day 6 to 20 ng on; day 12 and 34 ng on day 18. The data suggested the emergency of two LF classes on day 18, one preovulatory, with exceptionally high FFE levels, the other atretic or becoming atretic, with low FFE levels.
Sequence-Specific Peptide Nucleic Acid-Based Antisense Inhibitors of TEM-1 β-Lactamase and Mechanism of Adaptive Resistance

The recent surge of drug-resistant superbugs and shrinking antibiotic pipeline are serious challenges to global health. In particular, the emergence of β-lactamases has caused extensive resistance against the most frequently prescribed class of β-lactam antibiotics. Here, we develop novel synthetic peptide nucleic acid-based antisense inhibitors that target the start codon and ribosomal binding site of the TEM-1 β-lactamase transcript and act via translation inhibition mechanism. We show that these antisense inhibitors are capable of resensitizing drug-resistant Escherichia coli to β-lactam antibiotics exhibiting 10-fold reduction in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). To study the mechanism of resistance, we adapted E. coli at MIC levels of the β-lactam/antisense inhibitor combination and observed a nonmutational, bet-hedging based adaptive antibiotic resistance response as evidenced by phenotypic heterogeneity as well as heterogeneous expression of key stress response genes. Our data show that b...
I never shall be a white man again: race and junior officers in the Mexican War

Throughout the Mexican War, the impact of professionalization was felt on the battlefields of Mexico. This professionalism did not, and could not insulate these officers from social issues such as race. When American junior officers viewed the filthy conditions in Mexico, they argued that these conditions could only be explained by the racial inferiority of the Mexican people as a race. Volunteers and regulars reacted to these issues in exactly the same manner. This fact challenged the traditional fears that a professional standing army would become disconnected with the society they protected, and would thus become despotic. Similarly, the excesses of the volunteers demonstrated that they were not the paragon of virtue which many in the US hoped.
Policies and Professional Development: An Oil Boom’s Effect on Rural Schools and Teachers

In 2008, Western North Dakota experienced an extraordinary energy boom, creating waves of new residents seeking employment in the lucrative oil fields. Resultantly, many communities in the area, which were almost exclusively isolated and rural, dramatically changed. The purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to investigate the experiences of school staff in two rural schools within the North Dakota oil boom region. Data were teacher and administrator interviews with 15 participants and classroom observations. The findings indicated that teachers faced three key challenges in their classrooms as a result of the population influx, including: changing educational space, student academic proficiency, and a lack of cultural competence and pedagogical knowledge to effectively educate new, diverse students. Implications for policies and teacher professional development in rural boomtown areas are discussed.
AI profiles: an interview with Peter Norvig

This column is the first in a new series profiling senior AI researchers. This month focuses on Peter Norvig.
Safety interventions on the labor and delivery unit.

Purpose of reviewThe present review highlights recent advances in efforts to improve patient safety on labor and delivery units and well tolerated care for pregnant patients in general.Recent findingsRecent studies in obstetric patient safety have a broad focus but repetitive themes for interdiscipl
A Practical Guide to CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in Lepidoptera

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has revolutionized functional genetic work in many organisms and is having an especially strong impact in emerging model systems. Here we summarize recent advances in applying CRISPR/Cas9 methods in Lepidoptera, with a focus on providing practical advice on the entire process of genome editing from experimental design through to genotyping. We also describe successful targeted GFP knockins that we have achieved in butterflies. Finally, we provide a complete, detailed protocol for producing targeted long deletions in butterflies.
Inhibition of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) in endocrine-resistant ER+ breast cancer.

515 Background: Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers initially respond to antiestrogens but eventually become hormone-independent and recur. ER+ breast cancer cells resistant to long-term estrogen deprivation (LTED) exhibit estrogen-independent ER transcriptional activity and growth. Mechanisms of endocrine resistance remain to be fully characterized. Methods: A siRNA screen was used to identify kinases required for growth of MCF7/LTED cells. PLK1 RNAi oligonucleotides and the small molecule inhibitor volasertib were tested against ER+ LTED cells. Estrogen independent transcription and target genes were assessed with ER reporter assays and qRT-PCR, respectively. Volasertib and fulvestrant were used in ovariectomized athymic mice bearing MCF7 xenografts. Preclinical findings were correlated with RPPA and RNA-seq data from tumor biopsies of patients with ER+/HER2– breast cancer who received letrozole prior to surgery (NCT00651976). Results: A siRNA kinome screen identified Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1...
High-throughput computational screening for low work function perovskite electron emitters

Our recent computational discovery of SrVO 3 possessing a low work function has spurred a much larger modeling effort to search for additional, new perovskite compounds with low work function for applications as thermionic electron emitting cathodes. Here, we detail our initial progress of conducting high-throughput Density Functional Theory calculations on hundreds of perovskite compounds. After screening approximately 600 perovskite materials, we have predicted that other new perovskite materials, BaNbO 3 and SrNbO 3 , should display intrinsic (undoped) work functions of 1.50 and 1.20 eV, respectively, superior to undoped SrVO 3 . We have also demonstrated that transition metal d-electron count can provide guidance for tuning the work function of perovskites by altering their composition.
Can 5 minutes of repetitive prone press-ups and sustained prone press-ups following a period of spinal loading reverse spinal shrinkage?

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate if sustained and repetitive prone press-ups could reverse decreased spinal height following spinal loading and if there was a correlation be...
Is it the baby or the bath water

Technique makes a difference Pharmaceutical support is essential Secondary procedures are frequent.
A Bayesian Hierarchical Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic Model for Network Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Tests

In studies evaluating the accuracy of diagnostic tests, three designs are commonly used, crossover, randomized, and non-comparative. Existing methods for meta-analysis of diagnostic tests mainly consider the simple cases in which the reference test in all or none of the studies can be considered a gold standard test, and in which all studies use either a randomized or non-comparative design. The proliferation of diagnostic instruments and the diversity of study designs create a need for more general methods to combine studies that include or do not include a gold standard test and that use various designs. This paper extends the Bayesian hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic model to network meta-analysis of diagnostic tests to simultaneously compare multiple tests within a missing data framework. The method accounts for correlations between multiple tests and for heterogeneity between studies. It also allows different studies to include different subsets of diagnostic tests and provides flexibility in the choice of summary statistics. The model is evaluated using simulations and illustrated using real data on tests for deep vein thrombosis, with sensitivity analyses.
Monitoring of O2 Uptake and CO2 Elimination During Anesthesia and Surgery

Indirect calorimetry, the measurement of pulmonary oxygen uptake (\( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2} \)) and carbon dioxide elimination (\( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} \)), is used extensively in the critical care medicine unit and in exercise physiology testing. However, in anesthesia, metabolic monitoring is mostly confined to the inspired oxygen fraction (to preclude the delivery of hypoxic gas mixture) and to tidal \( {P}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} \) monitoring (to ensure a patent airway and to estimate the alveolar \( {P}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} \) during mechanical ventilation). The main reason, we believe, for the lack of understanding of metabolic monitoring during anesthesia is that the measurements of \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2} \) and \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} \) are challenging in the rebreathing anesthesia circle circuit and there are few accurate measurement devices. In this chapter, we describe the development and implementation of the bymixer, an in-line flow-averaging hydraulic gas mixer, and the fast response humidity and temperature airway sensor. Along with a fast response and accurate airway flow sensor, we have demonstrated accurate and precise bymixer-flow measurements of the \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2} \) and \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} \) during extensive validations with a metabolic lung simulator. We believe that there are at least three main areas of clinical interest for the measurements of airway \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2} \) and \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} \) during anesthesia and surgery: First, there are many acute perturbations during anesthesia and surgery that can be quickly and noninvasively detected and diagnosed by non-steady-state changes in airway \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2} \) and \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} \). Second, we hypothesize that indirect calorimetry can first detect onset of anaerobic lactic acidosis during anesthesia and surgery. Third, we predict that airway \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2} \) and \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} \) will be directly affected by the level of anesthesia depth. We plan to test the hypothesis that indirect calorimetry measurements of airway \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2} \) and \( {\dot{V}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} \) will help diagnose and drive treatment of these pathophysiology perturbations and improve patient outcome.
Assessing the effects of severe weather events through remote sensing on Samothrace, Greece: applications for the management of cultural resources

Abstract This article demonstrates the utility of high temporal and spatial resolution satellite imagery for the detection and study of the effects of intense surface runoff, particularly in respect to mitigation efforts to protect archaeological sites. We make use of PlanetScope imagery, which has recently become available as a freely available remote sensing data source with a revisit time of less than 24 hours, almost global coverage, and spectral and spatial resolution on par with other commercially available sensors. The high temporal resolution of PlanetScope data allows for better detection of changes in land cover that are the result of severe weather events, whose effects may be cleared up within several days of occurring or are more pronounced in the immediate aftermath of disturbances. Focusing on two severe storms that struck the island of Samothrace, in the northern Aegean, on July 17 and September 25/26 2017 respectively and which caused considerable damage to local infrastructure and archaeological sites, we test the utility of these data for detecting the island-wide distribution of the effects of these weather events. We find that these data are sufficiently sensitive to detect and quantify the extent of surface runoff processes and argue that the detection and monitoring capabilities of these data provide a useful tool for outlining policies to mitigate future damages to cultural heritage sites.
Fick Diffusion Coefficients of the Gaseous CH4–CO2 System from Molecular Dynamics Simulations Using TraPPE Force Fields at 101.325, 506.625, 1013.25, 2533.12, and 5066.25 kPa

Gaseous Fick diffusion coefficients are calculated for the CH4–CO2 system using molecular dynamics. CH4 was modeled using the united-atom transferable potentials for phase equilibria (TraPPE) force field developed by Martin and Siepmann [J. Phys. Chem B. 1998, 102, 2569], and CO2 was modeled using the rigid TraPPE force field developed by Potoff and Siepmann [AIChE J. 2001 47, 1676]. They can adequately predict the compressibility factor of the CH4–CO2 system over a substantial temperature, pressure, and composition range. However, deviations from experimental values are observed at conditions for which the ideal gas mixture assumption is not valid. It is shown that reasonable calculations of the Fick diffusion coefficient are obtained when compared to experimental data, and a correlation is found in the literature at conditions for which the ideal gas mixture behavior is observed. Calculations are also performed where the mixture does not behave as an ideal gas and are compared to calculations from the a...
Hierarchical organization of melodic sequences is encoded by cortical entrainment.

Abstract Natural speech is organized according to a hierarchical structure, with individual speech sounds combining to form abstract linguistic units, and abstract linguistic units combining to form higher-order linguistic units. Since the boundaries between these units are not always indicated by acoustic cues, they must often be computed internally. Signatures of this internal computation were reported by Ding et al. (2016), who presented isochronous sequences of mono-syllabic words that combined to form phrases that combined to form sentences, and showed that cortical responses simultaneously encode boundaries at multiple levels of the linguistic hierarchy. In the present study, we designed melodic sequences that were hierarchically organized according to Western music conventions. Specifically, isochronous sequences of “sung” nonsense syllables were constructed such that syllables combined to form triads outlining individual chords, which combined to form harmonic progressions. EEG recordings were made while participants listened to these sequences with the instruction to detect when violations in the sequence structure occurred. We show that cortical responses simultaneously encode boundaries at multiple levels of a melodic hierarchy, suggesting that the encoding of hierarchical structure is not unique to speech. No effect of musical training on cortical encoding was observed.
Perceptions of Reproductive Rights among Young Adults with Disabilities

Background: The perception that people with disabilities are asexual and lack reproductive rights has existed in the United States since the early 1900s. In the early 1900s in the U.S., approximately 42,000 institutionalized people with disabilities were lawfully sexually sterilized as a result of the Eugenics Movement. The state of California was responsible for one-third of all sterilizations during the Movement. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the perceptions of reproductive rights among young adults with disabilities. Methods: Purposive and snowball sampling was used. Twelve semi-structured interviews with eight young adults with various mental health, physical, intellectual/developmental, and learning disabilities were conducted. Results: Participants reported that their ability to have sex and their reproductive rights were commonly questioned by peers and professionals. Some internalized asexual stereotypes and questioned whether they should reproduce due to the potential that they might pass on a disability or burden their children with their own disability. Others confidently reported their desire to bear their own children. Conclusion: The asexuality stereotype of people with disabilities is pervasive and continues to be present in society today. It is important that professionals reflect on their own biases toward the reproductive rights of people with disabilities.
Considerations for using distributed research networks to conduct aspects of randomized trials

Stakeholders in the clinical research enterprise are aligned around the need to make clinical research in general, and randomized controlled trials in particular, more meaningful and efficient. To that end, we have built distributed research networks (DRNs) for the Sentinel System, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Collaboratory, and the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet). DRNs reuse electronic health record (EHR) and claims data for research. The design and use of health data DRNs is complicated by lack of uniformity in data collection, a fragmented healthcare system, and the imperative to protect research participants. We describe the key elements of successful DRNs, as well as methods, challenges, and solutions we have encountered in using DRNs to support different phases of randomized, multi-site, clinical research. This work supports "real-world" efforts to build a learning health system and will enable others to conduct randomized clinical trial research using a DRN.
Black Votes Count, But Do They Matter? Symbolic Empowerment and the Jackson-Obama Mobilizing Effect on Gender and Age Cohorts

Using data from the 1984–1988 National Black Election Studies as well as the 2008 and 2012 American National Election Studies, we provide a comprehensive study of African American political behavio...
Experimental study of the post-fire mechanical properties of Q690 high strength steel

Abstract In this paper, the post-fire mechanical properties of Q690 steel obtained experimentally are presented and empirical equations to estimate the post-fire elastic modulus, yield strength, tensile strength and fracture strain are proposed. The variables considered in the present study include the level of temperature exposure (from 300 °C to 900 °C), the cooling methods (natural air and submersion in water) used, the effects of different heating rates, repeated heating and cooling, and different initial loading conditions. The test results show that while the post-fire elastic modulus is not too sensitive to the exposed temperature level and the manner of cooling, it decreases about 10% when a higher initial heating rate, repeated heating and cooling, or a load is applied to the specimen. The post-fire yield strength tends to decrease with the exposed temperature level when the temperature reaches 400 °C if the air cooling method is used and 500 °C if the water quenching method is used. Further reduction in yield strength occurs when the specimen is subjected to a higher initial heating rate, repeated heating and cooling, or an applied load. The post-fire tensile strength does not show significant variations if air cooling is used but for specimens heated to a temperature above 700 °C and rapidly cooled by submersion in water, noticeably higher post-fire tensile strength is observed as a result of the formation of martensite. Martensite formation also reduces the ductility (as measured by the fracture strain) of steel heated above 700 °C and cooled suddenly.
Effect of temperature and oxygen regime on growth and physiology of juvenile Salvelinus fontinalis × Salvelinus alpinus hybrids

Abstract Effect of oxygen saturation and thermal regimes on growth and selected physiological indicators of juvenile Salvelinus fontinalis × Salvelinus alpinus hybrids were investigated in separate experiments. Hybrid status of tested fish, with S. fontinalis as the maternal species, was confirmed by sequence analysis. During both experiments fish doubled their initial weight in most tested groups. In experiment 1, fish (n = 516, 70.6 ± 1.5 g) were exposed to one of four oxygen regimes (normal, hyperoxic, 12 h alternating normal/hyperoxic, and 24 h alternating normal/hyperoxic) in triplicate (12 rearing tanks of four separate RAS) for 63 days. More favourable growth parameters were observed under normoxic conditions (85–95%) in comparison with hyperoxia (120–130%). Oxygen saturation was not associated with final feed conversion ratio, size variation, condition factor, selected somatic indices, or overall mortality rate. Oxygen saturation was significantly positively associated with leukocyte count and negatively associated with mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Gills showed slight to moderate atypia in groups exposed to hyperoxia compared to the normoxia group. In experiment 2, fish (n = 560, 21.7 ± 0.3 g) were held in 7, 10, 13, or 16 °C water in four repetitions (16 rearing tanks of four separate RAS) for an 84-day period. Selected growth parameters were significantly higher at 13 °C than at 7, 10, and 16 °C. Feed conversion ratio was the lowest at 13 and 16 °C. Size variation and somatic indices exhibited no differences among treatments, while condition factor was significantly higher at 10 and 13 °C. Mortality rate increased from 1.4% to 30.5% with rise in temperature, with highest mortality recorded at 16 °C. Hyperoxia showed no advantage on growth of tested hybrids, while 13 °C was optimal water temperature for their culture.
Multidisciplinary PE Response Team Development and Implementation

The exact incidence of venous thromboembolic disease is unknown, but it is estimated to be as high as 1–2 per 1000 in the United States. Furthermore, up to 100,000 people die from this condition each year in the United States. At presentation, pulmonary embolism is often an emergency and requires rapid decision-making. Over the past decade, therapeutic options for the treatment of pulmonary embolism have blossomed, making this a complex and multidisciplinary medical condition. In this setting, the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) was created with the goal of providing rapid, streamlined care to these often critically ill patients. Here, we will describe the development and implementation of a PERT, the initial institutional experiences with the deployment of these teams, and the creation of the PERT Consortium.
Retrospective Impact Analysis and Cost-Effectiveness of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Infant Program in Australia.

Australia introduced the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPCV) on the universal infant National Immunisation Program (NIP) in 2005 and replaced it with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13vPCV) in 2011, both under a 3 + 0 schedule. The objective of this analysis was to quantify the clinical and economic impact of the universal infant PCV program in Australia from its introduction. A decision-analytic model was developed to estimate the historical impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) programs in Australia from a direct health care perspective. Historical incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), pneumonia, and otitis media (OM) were obtained from available Australian epidemiologic databases supplemented with published data. Costs were from Medicare Benefits Schedule in 2018 Australian dollars and utility weights from published sources. Historical observed changes in disease for the universal PCV NIP era (2005–2017) were compared against a “no-vaccine” scenario. The expected incidence for the no-vaccine scenario in years 2005–2017 was calculated using pre-universal PCV NIP era (2001–2004) data. Averted cases, deaths, incremental costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were obtained by subtracting the vaccine scenario totals from the no-vaccine scenario totals. From the inclusion in the universal infant NIP, 7vPCV and 13vPCV are estimated to have prevented 1,770,024 cases of pneumococcal disease (IPD = 16,392; OM = 1,575,491; pneumonia = 102,059) and 1195 associated deaths. Over this period, there was a total 24,335 QALYs gained. Costs for the universal infant NIP were offset by $733 million direct costs saved, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $3347 per QALY gained. PCVs have provided substantial public health and economic value from sustained use in Australia. Results are conservative, since long-term pneumococcal disease consequences and broader socioeconomic benefits were not considered. Maintaining 13vPCV on the Australian infant NIP under the newly implemented 2 + 1 schedule will likely provide more return on investment and sustained reductions in pneumococcal disease.
Long-Term Secure Deniable Group Key Establishment

In this paper we present a long-term secure deniable group key establishment protocol. Long-term security provides resistance again-st an adversary, even if some underlying hardness assumptions become invalid later, after completion of the protocol. Deniability feature of a group key establishment protocol allows each participant to join a protocol session and authenticate a message for the other group members, but the receiver(s) cannot convince a third party that such involvement of the group members in the process ever took place.
Image- versus histogram-based considerations in semantic segmentation of pulmonary hyperpolarized gas images.

PURPOSE To characterize the differences between histogram-based and image-based algorithms for segmentation of hyperpolarized gas lung images. METHODS Four previously published histogram-based segmentation algorithms (ie, linear binning, hierarchical k-means, fuzzy spatial c-means, and a Gaussian mixture model with a Markov random field prior) and an image-based convolutional neural network were used to segment 2 simulated data sets derived from a public (n = 29 subjects) and a retrospective collection (n = 51 subjects) of hyperpolarized 129Xe gas lung images transformed by common MRI artifacts (noise and nonlinear intensity distortion). The resulting ventilation-based segmentations were used to assess algorithmic performance and characterize optimization domain differences in terms of measurement bias and precision. RESULTS Although facilitating computational processing and providing discriminating clinically relevant measures of interest, histogram-based segmentation methods discard important contextual spatial information and are consequently less robust in terms of measurement precision in the presence of common MRI artifacts relative to the image-based convolutional neural network. CONCLUSIONS Direct optimization within the image domain using convolutional neural networks leverages spatial information, which mitigates problematic issues associated with histogram-based approaches and suggests a preferred future research direction. Further, the entire processing and evaluation framework, including the newly reported deep learning functionality, is available as open source through the well-known Advanced Normalization Tools ecosystem.
Valuing wind as a distributed energy resource: A literature review

Abstract As more distributed energy resources are deployed on electric grid systems across the world, it is important to identify, characterize, and quantify the value elements of different types of distributed energy resources so that policymakers, developers, and utilities can make informed energy deployment decisions. This paper focuses on the value of wind energy as a distributed energy resource (i.e., “distributed wind”). Because of a lack of distributed wind-specific valuation studies, in this review we document the current state of distributed energy resource valuation, analyze a wide array of distributed energy resource valuation metastudies, and identify several value elements for which we recommend developing more robust and standardized calculation methodologies for their potential inclusion in distributed wind valuation. These value elements are ancillary services and locational, resilience, reliability, and resource diversity benefits. This work lays the foundation for a future comprehensive framework for distributed wind valuation studies.
Comparing Data Processing and Transmission Scenarios for Spacecraft

Continually increasing amounts of data being generated on spacecraft are driving the need for faster and more power-efficient processing. However, it remains a challenge to determine whether the best option for a given mission scenario is to (1) transmit raw data to ground stations for terrestrial processing, (2) compress data on-board and transmit compressed data to ground stations for terrestrial decompression and processing, or (3) process data on-board and transmit processed data to ground stations. In this study, results are generated and analyzed for timing and energy usage for various mission scenarios using commercial GPUs, military-grade radio transmitters, a neural network application, and both lossy and lossless image compression techniques, all operating on satellite imagery. Results are used to demonstrate how to identify the most efficient data processing options to enable better design and planning for future space missions.
Metabolism of bromobenzene. Analytical chemical and structural problems associated with studies of the metabolism of a model aromatic compound.

Abstract Our studies of bromobenzene metabolism have shown that the 3,4-oxide is metabolized to 3- and 4-bromophenol through an extended glutathione pathway. The mechanism of sulfur elimination from a dihydrobromobenzene metabolite is not known, although it is known that the aromatization reaction will occur in a 9000- g supernatant fraction of rat liver. The hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic metabolites of bromobenzene are most likely bromothiocatechols and a bromothiopyrogallol, respectively.
Use of M1-M5 muscarinic receptor knockout mice as novel tools to delineate the physiological roles of the muscarinic cholinergic system

In this review we report recent findings on the physiological role of the five known muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) as shown by gene targeting technology. Using knockout mice for each mAChRs subtype, the role of mAChRs subtypes in a number of physiological functions was confirmed and new activities were discovered. The M1 mAChRs modulate neurotransmitter signaling in cortex and hippocampus. The M3 mAChRs are involved in exocrine gland secretion, smooth muscle contractility, pupil dilation, food intake, and weight gain. The role of the M5 mAChRs involves modulation of central dopamine function and the tone of cerebral blood vessels. mAChRs of the M2 subtype mediate muscarinic agonist-induced bradycardia, tremor, hypothermia, and autoinhibition of release in several brain regions. M4 mAChRs modulate dopamine activity in motor tracts and act as inhibitory autoreceptors in striatum. Thus, as elucidated by gene targeting technology, mAChRs have widespread and manifold functions in the periphery and brain.
Practicing What We Preach: Understanding Why Project Management Methodologies Are Often Ignored

Effective project management of software development efforts is one of the most challenging aspects within IT management today. Literature has greatly extended our understanding of project management characteristics that enhance the likelihood of software development project success. Nevertheless, a disconnect seems to exist between an individual’s knowledge of pertinent project management characteristics and their subsequent use of those characteristics. The research model presented in this paper seeks to explain why software developers don’t consistently follow through with institutionalized project management principles. This model builds on previous research by addressing temporal aspects of the intention to use – usage relationship, examining institutional factors that impact eventual use of a project management practice, investigating phenomena at the level of an individual project, and considering the impacts of faithful or ceremonial use. The result is a model that is expected to explain a large degree of variance in the project management practice usage decision.
Use of deuterium oxide for the in vivo prediction of body composition in female rats in various physiological states.

Deuterium oxide (D2O) was used to estimate total body water (TBW) and subsequently to predict the body composition of female rats at breeding, after pregnancy and after lactation as influenced by dietary manipulation. The correlation between D2O space (grams) and body water (grams) was 0.893 (P 0.05) when the fixed effects (pregnancy, lactation, feeding levels and two-way interactions) were included in the model.
MMF bandwidth enhancement by longitudinal displacement launch

Experimental study shows that axial displacement of a single mode fiber (SMF) with respect to a multimode fiber (MMF) results in nearly complete recovery of the multimode fiber bandwidth. A separation of a SMF of 125 /spl mu/m from a MMF results in a significant reduction in the power coupled to MMF's low, on-axis modes.