cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructural and Biochemical Alterations of Livers from Rats Treated With 5,5-Diphenyl-2-thiohydantoin (DPTH) and Thyroxine

SummaryThe ultrastructure and chemical composition of rat livers were examined after the animals were fed 5,5-diphenyl-2-thiohydantoin (DPTH) and/or injected with L-thyroxine (T4). Mitochondria from T4-treated rats were more numerous (with respect to normal livers) and were larger with extremely electron-lucent matrices. That glycogen was radically reduced in the livers of T4-treated animals was confirmed by both electron microscopic and biochemical analysis. Cisternae of the RER were usually non-parallel and somewhat dilated. No other ultrastructural changes were easily discernible. Analysis for lipid and RNA content showed small increases on a wet weight basis. DPTH caused significant ultrastructural changes which included proliferation of the SER and the appearance of electron-lucent matrices in mitochondria, absence of mitochondrial granules and, in some cells, appearance of myelin figures. In addition, DPTH was shown to block conversion of acylcarnitines to ketone bodies by mitochondria in vitro and ...
An Information-Theoretic Active Localization Approach during Relative Circumnavigation in Orbit

This paper presents an information-theoretic active localization technique applied to the problem of relative navigation and self-localization in orbit. We apply the approach to the problem of a chaser satellite circumnavigating a target satellite in a circular orbit, while observing a set of feature points (landmarks) on the target satellite. The approach relies on the Cross Entropy (CE) optimization method to select camera orientation trajectories that minimize both the localization error and the corresponding uncertainty bounds, while moderating the required control effort. The proposed method provides a framework for near-optimal solutions by jointly considering control, planning and estimation. We show the benefits of the method in terms of landmark uncertainty reduction and we compare the proposed approach against an open-loop strategy and a “greedy” feedback strategy.
Sole Dependence on Urine Testing Strips and the Ability to Identify Clinically Significant Disease: Challenging the Current Paradigm for Heme Detection in General Clinical Situations.

Background: The ability of health care professionals to provide patient care is potentially compromised when predicated on untested, although longstanding, perspectives. One such example is urinalysis testing, which has been currently simplified to use only urine testing strips for detection of microscopic hematuria. Objective: To determine whether urine testing strips are sufficient for identification of clinically significant findings in urinalysis. Methods: To determine the presence of microscopic hematuria, I examined a collection of urine specimens that had tested heme negative during the 3-month study period. Results: Of the 342 patients from whom urine specimens were examined during this interval, 50 had microscopic hematuria, despite having tested negative for heme via urine testing strip. Also, 30% were not receiving any medication known to produce microscopic hematuria, and 18% had clinically significant pathology. Conclusions: Diagnosis of significant clinical pathologic manifestations would have been compromised had microscopic examination not been performed on the urine specimens from the cohort individuals. Examination of the novel approach of including microscopic examination of specimens in a specific clinical situation challenges the dominant paradigm of reliance on assaying using urine testing strips only, revealing that the current method is not only unreliable for determining microscopic hematuria but also is less than optimal in general clinical practice. The findings of this study provide evidence of the importance of microscopic evaluation as a routine component of urinalysis. * Abbreviations : IRMC : Indiana Regional Medical Center NSAID : nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug RBC/HPF : red blood cells per high power field Pap : Papanicolaou DMARDs : disease modifying antirheumatic drugs
Acetabular Anteversion Changes Due to Spinal Deformity Correction: Bridging the Gap Between Hip and Spine Surgeons.

Background: Hip osteoarthritis often coexists with adult spinal deformity, an abnormality in which sagittal spinopelvic malalignment is present. Debate exists whether to perform spinal realignment correction or total hip arthroplasty first. Hip extension and pelvic tilt are important compensatory mechanisms in the setting of sagittal spinopelvic malalignment and change after spinal realignment. We performed this study to evaluate the effect that the spinal realignment surgical procedure has on acetabular anteversion. Methods: This study is a retrospective review of a multicenter, prospective, consecutive database of patients with adult spinal deformity who underwent surgical spinal realignment. Only patients who already had undergone a total hip arthroplasty prior to the spinal realignment procedure were retained for analysis. Patients were excluded if they had insufficient imaging or large-head, metal-on-metal bearings or they had undergone revision total hip arthroplasty in the study period. Acetabular anteversion was calculated via the ellipse method on a standing, posterior-anterior, 90-cm radiograph with a well-centered pelvis. Anteversion was measured preoperatively and at six weeks or three months after the spinal realignment procedure. Spinopelvic parameters measured included pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, T1 pelvic angle, sagittal vertical axis, T1-spinopelvic inclination, and thoracic kyphosis. Results: Forty-one hips (thirty-three patients) were identified. Acetabular anteversion significantly reduced (p < 0.001) after spinal correction by mean change of −4.96° (range, −22.32° to +2.36°). The change in anteversion correlated with the changes in sagittal pelvic orientation (0.828 for the pelvic tilt, −0.757 for the sacral slope, and −0.691 for the lumbar lordosis) and global spinopelvic alignment (0.579 for the sagittal vertical axis and 0.585 for the T1 pelvic angle). Regression analysis revealed that anteversion decreased by 1° for each of the following spinopelvic parameter changes (p < 0.001): 1.105° for spinopelvic tilt, 1.032° for sacral slope, and 3.163° for lumbar lordosis. Conclusions: Patients with spinopelvic malalignment had a high prevalence of excessively anteverted acetabular components. Sagittal spinal correction following total hip arthroplasty resulted in reduced acetabular anteversion, which may have implications for stability. Changes in anteversion are most closely related to changes in pelvic tilt in an almost one-to-one ratio. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Can One Tamper with the Sample API?: Toward Neutralizing Bias from Spam and Bot Content

While social media mining continues to be an active area of research, obtaining data for research is a perennial problem. Even more, obtaining unbiased data is a challenge for researchers who wish to study human behavior, and not technical artifacts induced by the sampling algorithm of a social media site. In this work, we evaluate one social media data outlet that gives data to its users in the form of a stream: Twitter's Sample API. We show that in its current form, this API can be poisoned by bots or spammers who wish to promote their content, jeopardizing the credibility of the data collected through this API. We design a proof-of-concept algorithm that shows how malicious users could increase the probability of their content appearing in the Sample API, thus biasing the content towards spam and bot content and harming the representativity of this data outlet.
Model and application of service outsourcing vendor selection based on VIKOR

Service Outsourcing is an important approach for an enterprise to determine competitive marketing demands and improve core competence rapidly.The key factor for successful service outsourcing is outsourcing supplier.A compromise MCDA method is introduced for an enterprise to select a supplier.Based on the index system,empirical application of VIKOR model and its advantages are verified in detail.
Photon Localization and Exponential Scaling of Intensity Variance

We show that the extent of photon localization can be characterized by the relative size of fluctuations of intensity or of total transmission, even in absorbing samples. We find that above a value of approximately unity, the variance of normalized total transmission scales exponentially. Using this approach, we identify the spectral range for localization of microwave radiation in an ensemble of random configurations of alumina spheres contained in a copper tube at a volume fraction of 0.068.
Interactions of eosinophil granule proteins with skin: Limits of detection, persistence, and vasopermeabilization

Abstract Background Eosinophil granule proteins, including eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), and major basic protein (MBP), are prominently deposited in skin in several cutaneous disorders and likely contribute to disease pathology. Objective We sought to determine the limit of detection, persistence, and vasopermeabilization activity of the eosinophil granule proteins in skin. Methods The eosinophil granule proteins were injected intradermally. Their minimum detectable concentrations in human surgical waste skin and their persistence in guinea pig skin were determined by indirect immunofluorescence. Vasopermeabilization activity in the guinea pig without and with H 1 antihistamine (pyrilamine maleate) pretreatment was assessed by extrusion of Evans blue dye—treated plasma. Results The lowest detectable cutaneous concentrations were 0.05 μmol/L EPO, 0.1 μmol/L MBP, 0.25 μmol/L ECP, and 1 μmol/L EDN. Granule proteins persisted in guinea pig skin in vivo for 1 week (EPO), 2 weeks (ECP), 2.5 weeks (EDN), and 6 weeks (MBP). Each of the eosinophil granule proteins increased cutaneous vasopermeability in a concentration-dependent manner. The potency of vasopermeabilization induced by each granule protein was comparable with that of histamine. Pyrilamine maleate pretreatment of guinea pigs did not alter increased vasopermeability induced by ECP and EDN but significantly inhibited that induced by EPO and MBP. Conclusions Micromolar concentrations of eosinophil granule proteins are often deposited in skin in eosinophil-associated cutaneous disorders such as atopic dermatitis. These pathophysiologically relevant concentrations of eosinophil granule proteins cause increased cutaneous vasopermeability (both by means of histamine-independent and histamine-dependent mechanisms) and might alter cutaneous function for days to weeks.
The role of face transplantation in the self-inflicted gunshot wound

Summary Background Facial self-inflicted gunshot wounds (SIGSWs) cause a devastating midfacial defect and pose a challenging problem to the reconstructive surgeon. Face transplantation (FT) has the potential for near-normal restoration in otherwise non-reconstructible defects. Two out of 7 FT recipients at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) sustained SIGSWs. In this study, we illustrate the role of FT in the management of SIGSWs through an aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial examination of outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of individuals with SIGSWs who were screened at BWH between 2008 and 2015. We then collected data of the injuries, modes of conventional reconstruction (CR), and deficits. For the FT recipients, we critically reviewed the psychosocial screening process and post-transplantation aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes. Results A total of six individuals post-SIGSWs were screened for FT. All of them had undergone CR, with five receiving loco-regional flaps and free tissue transfers, and one undergoing serial debridement and primary soft-tissue repair. Following CR, all suffered from residual functional and aesthetic deficits. Two underwent partial FT and one is currently undergoing FT screening. We describe the pre-transplant psychosocial screening process and the aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes of the SIGSW FT recipients. Conclusions We examined the facial SIGSW injury, outcomes of CR, and the mechanism of FT to offer a potential solution to the shortcomings of CR. More importantly, we highlight the critical nature of the psychosocial component of the multidisciplinary evaluation given the history of mental illness and suicidal behavior in this subset of patients.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Quality of Life: Comparison of the SAQLI, FOSQ, and SF-36 Questionnaires.

This work was supported by HL U01HL53940 (University of Washington), U01HL53941 (Boston University), U01HL53938 and U01HL53938-07S (University of Arizona), U01HL53916 (University of California, Davis), U01HL53934 (University of Minnesota), U01HL53931 (New York University), U01HL53937 and U01HL64360 (Johns Hopkins University), U01HL63463 (Case Western Reserve University), and U01HL63429 (Missouri Breaks Research). Dr. Silva was supported by NHLBI grant HL 062373-05A2.
Continuous phone recognition in the Sigma cognitive architecture

Abstract Spoken language processing is an important capability of human intelligence that has hitherto been unexplored by cognitive architectures. This reflects on both the symbolic and sub-symbolic nature of the speech problem, and the capabilities provided by cognitive architectures to model the latter and its rich interplay with the former. Sigma has been designed to leverage the state-of-the-art hybrid (discrete + continuous) mixed (symbolic + probabilistic) capability of graphical models to provide in a uniform non-modular fashion effective forms of, and integration across, both cognitive and sub-cognitive behavior. In this article, previous work on speaker dependent isolated word recognition has been extended to demonstrate Sigma’s feasibility to process a stream of fluent audio and recognize phones, in an online and incremental manner with speaker independence. Phone recognition is an important step in integrating spoken language processing into Sigma. This work also extends the acoustic front-end used in the previous work in service of speaker independence. All of the knowledge used in phone recognition was added supraarchitecturally – i.e. on top of the architecture – without requiring the addition of new mechanisms to the architecture.
(2+1)-D propagation of spatio-temporal solitary waves including higher-order corrections

We study the propagation of bright two-dimensional spatio-temporal solitary waves using a higher-order multi-dimensional non-linear Schrodinger equation. Starting directly from Maxwell's equations, a multiple-scales derivation is presented which results in a generalized first-order vectorial evolution equation that is valid for the non-linear spatio-temporal propagation of a predominantly linearly polarized electric field with large spatial and temporal bandwidths. A reduced version of this full equation including the higher-order linear and non-linear effects of third- and fourth-order dispersion, space–time focusing, shock, stimulated Raman scattering, and ultrafast quintic index saturation, is solved numerically via a modified split-step algorithm. Material parameters corresponding to those of fused silica at λf=1.55 m are used, with the addition of a negative quintic saturation term. Without quintic saturation, the non-linear spatio-temporal wave broadens under the action of the higher-order space–time effects. In addition, in the absence of Raman scattering, the wave undergoes collapse until arrested by the remaining higher-order terms. Frequency down-shifting and spatio-temporal broadening due to Raman scattering are found to have the greatest effect on non-linear spatio-temporal wave propagation. Nevertheless, we demonstrate that quintic saturation effectively stabilizes the wave such that broadening is reduced considerably, permitting nearly stationary propagation over many confocal distances, albeit with substantial down-shift. The resulting spatio-temporal solitary waves should be useful for applications in ultrafast all-optical switching and logic, and the generalized evolution equations will provide a refined starting point for the study of spatio-temporal phenomena in other areas as well.
Cutaneous Findings of Collagen Vascular Disease and Related Emergent Complications

Collagen vascular diseases are disorders of unknown etiology, with features of autoimmunity, in which the immune system loses the capacity to distinguish self from nonself. This loss of immune tolerance can result in varied and protean clinical manifestations, ranging from mild constitutional symptoms to major organ failure. Skin changes may be the initial manifestation of, or have pathognomonic features, for specific collagen vascular diseases, and are often invaluable to diagnosis. In this chapter we focus on identifying features of collagen vascular diseases, with an emphasis on cutaneous findings and emergent complications.
Backward-Wave Oscillator Operating in Low Magnetic Fields Using a Hybrid-TE 11 Mode

We present the design of a backward-wave oscillator based on a novel slow-wave structure (SWS) operating under low magnetic field conditions (<0.2 T). The design features a high-power electron beam interacting in dual synchronism with TM01 and hybrid TE11 modes. By exploiting mode control techniques, low magnetic fields with asymmetrical beam trajectories, a dominant interaction with the higher frequency hybrid TE11 mode is established. We present a design of the full interaction circuit, which also features a compact mode converter and an output coupler to produce a TE01 mode at the dual rectangular waveguide output. Simulations with a high-frequency structural simulator demonstrate dual-mode backward wave synchronism. A quantitative analysis of the electric field profiles is also presented. We also use a particle-in-cell (PIC) solver to predict the SWS performance under hot-test facility specific conditions. Using a 490-kV, 84-A electron beam under a guiding magnetic field of 0.15 T, PIC simulations predict an output power of 18 MW at 5 GHz with a peak power efficiency of 44%.
Children's agenda-based regulation: The effects of prior performance and reward on elementary school children's study choices.

Abstract The main goal of the current experiments was to examine the influence of monitoring and reward on elementary school children’s study decisions. First and third graders studied names for 10 animals (e.g., “The elephant’s name is Suzy”) and then were given a cued recall test on which they were shown the animal and needed to recall the name. Next, they were given an opportunity to restudy the animal–name pairs, and some of these pairs were slated to earn a reward (a sticker) if correctly recalled. In Experiment 1, both groups of children were (a) more likely to restudy previously unrecalled pairs than previously recalled pairs and (b) more likely to restudy pairs that were slated to receive a reward. In Experiment 2, we further explored children’s use of reward using a forced-choice selection task. Namely, during selection, pairs were presented in dyads where one pair was slated for a reward and the other pair was not, and the children could choose only one pair from each dyad for restudy. Both first and third graders chose to restudy pairs slated for a reward. Thus, even young elementary school children consider both rewards and performance monitoring when regulating their learning.
Industrial hemp as a potential bioenergy crop in comparison with kenaf, switchgrass and biomass sorghum

This study takes combined field trial, lab experiment, and economic analysis approaches to evaluate the potential of industrial hemp in comparison with kenaf, switchgrass and biomass sorghum. Agronomy data suggest that the per hectare yield (5437kg) of industrial hemp stem alone was at a similar level with switchgrass and sorghum; while the hemp plants require reduced inputs. Field trial also showed that ∼1230kg/ha hemp grain can be harvested in addition to stems. Results show a predicted ethanol yield of ∼82gallons/dry ton hemp stems, which is comparable to the other three tested feedstocks. A comparative cost analysis indicates that industrial hemp could generate higher per hectare gross profit than the other crops if both hemp grains and biofuels from hemp stem were counted. These combined evaluation results demonstrate that industrial hemp has great potential to become a promising regional commodity crop for producing both biofuels and value-added products.
Radiologic Evaluation of ACL Tear and ACL Reconstruction

Imaging plays an important role in the diagnostic workup of suspected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and in the postoperative evaluation of ACL reconstruction. In this chapter we describe the normal imaging appearance of the ACL, as well as findings seen in the setting of complete tear, partial tear, and tibial eminence fracture, with an additional emphasis on partial tear findings as they are less commonly discussed in the literature. We then describe the normal postoperative imaging appearance of a range of ACL reconstruction techniques used in skeletally immature patients and conclude with a discussion of the imaging of postoperative complications.
Astrophysics. A stellar performance.

Using a network of telescopes spread across the United States, astronomers have made a movie of an expanding shell of gas that sheds light on the intricate processes of how a star is born.
Examining the Stability of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Factor Structure in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Objective The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a widely used screening measure of anxiety and depression symptoms. However, prior analyses of the measure have found heterogeneous factor structures and called into question its ability to differentiate between symptoms of anxiety and depression. As part of efforts to implement mental health screening in cystic fibrosis (CF) care, the European Cystic Fibrosis Society (ECFS) and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) conducted an international survey of 1,454 CF professionals. The HADS was the most commonly used measure in Europe and third most across all 48 countries surveyed. However, the HADS has not been validated for CF. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine its factor structure in a sample of adolescents and young adults with CF. Methods Three theory-based models were tested in 727 individuals with CF (ages 12-25 years, 54% female) using confirmatory factor analyses, with an additional two models tested to improve model fit. Results Chi-square difference tests and majority of fit indices indicated a three-factor structure based on Clark and Watson's tripartite model best fit the data. Conclusions The original HADS two-factor structure demonstrated problematic fit in this sample, indicating poor discrimination between symptoms of anxiety and depression. A three-factor structure demonstrated best fit, indicating existing scoring guidelines and cutoffs would be inappropriate for use with this patient population. Use of the HADS to screen for anxiety and depression in CF could lead to an underestimation of clinically relevant symptomatology for depression and potential overestimation of anxiety symptoms.
The Dynamism of Employee Affect: Spillover Effects of Emotional Regulation & Affective Events

Emotions as a part of organizational life are expanding both in interest and importance. This study seeks to continue this trajectory and increase our overall understanding of emotions and work lif...
Simple procedure for creation of in-frame deletion mutations throughout an open reading frame

A general method is presented for randomly mutagenizing open reading frames (ORF) to generate in-frame deletions and insertions. Theprotocol requires expression of the ORF of interest as a hybrid O...
Association Measures and Statistical Significance Measures

An association measure can be used to measure the relationships between two random variables. These variables may be numeric, categorical, or binary. Statistical test statistics can often be defined for deriving association measures. For example, several statistical test statistics (Fisher Z, Student t-test, Hotelling) can be used to calculate a statistical significance level (p value) for a correlation coefficient. Multiple comparison correction (MCC) procedures are needed to protect against false positives due to multiple comparisons. The Bonferroni- and Sidak correction are very conservative MCC procedures. The q-value (local false discovery rate) MCC is often advantageous since it allows one to detect more significant variables. To calculate the false discovery rate (FDR), one considers the shape of the histogram of p values. MCC procedures can often be interpreted as transformations that increase the p value to account for the fact that multiple comparisons have been carried out. For example, the Bonferroni correlation multiplies each p value by the number of comparisons. The q-value transformation is sometimes improper, i.e., it decreases significant p values. p values and q-values can be used to screen for significant variables. The WGCNA library contains several R functions that implement standard screening criteria for finding variables (e.g., gene expression profiles) associated with a sample trait y. In practice, many seemingly different gene screening methods turn out to be significant. p values (or q-values) can be used to formulate a statistical criterion for choosing the (hard) threshold τ when defining an unweighted correlation network. Many methods for defining unweighted networks on the basis of pairwise linear relationships between variables turn out to be equivalent.
Applications of multinuclear NMR in the solid state to structural and dynamical problems in macromolecular chemistry.

Nuclear magnetic resonance is a long established molecular spectroscopy that provides both dynamical and structural information about the molecules bearing the nuclear spin observed. Currently, data acquisition is accomplished in the time domain by the application of radio frequency excitation followed by acquisition of the transient nuclear induction signal using rapid analog to digital conversion for storage of the data set in a fast and usually dedicated digital computer. A Fourier transform of the time domain signal provides the usual frequency domain spectrum that is most often interpreted to yield structural information about the molecules observed.
Spontaneous Idiopathic Hematoma of the Spermatic Cord: A Report of 2 Cases

We present 2 cases of spontaneous idiopathic spermatic cord hematoma and review the literature. These hematomas predominately occur in untraumatized young adults after physically stressful exercise. Surgical exploration was performed in 4 previously reported cases and our own. In each case the preoperative diagnosis was incorrect. Since this clinical entity cannot clearly be distinguished from other causes of an acute scrotum surgical exploration seems warranted. Possible etiologies of spontaneous idiopathic spermatic cord hematoma are spermatic cord vein rupture and tear in the cremasteric muscle.
Computational challenges of evolving the language-ready brain: 2. Building towards neurolinguistics

Abstract A theory of evolving the language-ready brain requires a theory of what it is that evolved. We offer the TCG (Template Construction Grammar) model of comprehension and production of utterances to exhibit hypotheses on how utterances may link to “what language is about.” A key subsystem of TCG is the SemRep system for semantic representation of a visual scene. We offer an account of how it may have evolved as an expansion of the ventral pathway supporting the planning of manual actions, complemented by a dorsal pathway for articulation. The Mirror System Hypothesis (MSH) claims that early Homo sapiens had protolanguage but not language and that cultural evolution yielded the social structures within which children could indeed acquire language. The article poses the challenge of understanding how a brain system could be innately specified that could develop into a TCG-like form, posing a range of questions for future research.
The Implications of Investment–Cash Flow Sensitivities for Franchising Firms: Theory and Evidence From the Restaurant Industry:

Expansion through franchising could help restaurant firms solve financial constraints, but it could also make overinvestment easier for misaligned CEOs. Whereas the former topic has been extensivel...
Model Checking of Verilog RTL Using IC3 with Syntax-Guided Abstraction.

While bit-level IC3-based algorithms for hardware model checking represent a major advance over prior approaches, their reliance on propositional clause learning poses scalability issues for RTL designs with wide datapaths and complex word-level operations. In this paper we present a novel technique that combines IC3 with syntax-guided abstraction (SA) to allow scalable word-level model checking using SMT solvers. SA defines the abstraction implicitly from the syntax of the input problem, has high granularity and an abstract state-space size completely independent of the bit widths of the design’s registers. We show how to efficiently integrate IC3 with SA, and demonstrate its effectiveness on a suite of open-source and industrial Verilog RTL designs. Additionally, SA aligns easily with data abstraction using uninterpreted functions. We demonstrate how IC3+SA with data abstraction allows reasoning that is completely independent of the bit width of variables, and becomes scalable irrespective of the state-space size or complexity of operations.
A MODEL FOR SIZE ESTIMATION

This chapter presents how estimates of size can be obtained. The perception of size and distance must rely on processes at deeper-lying levels. The movements of eyes and head in scanning an object as well as the comparative extent of retinal images can provide such estimates that are influenced by such cues as distance, relative position, context, and prior experience. Size estimates can, however, be made without involving eye movements. The size of a light or dark area could be sensed by a large field responding to the extent of light or dark within it. Size estimates are mediated through the cooperation of a number of receptive fields in the retina, whose responses are pooled at a subsequent stage. Moreover, as there is no a priori specification of the shapes and sizes of objects seen, the receptive fields would be scattered over the retina in some more or less random fashion, and if they are not circular, they would probably also be found in all possible orientations at random.
Pt−Ru/Carbon Fiber Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance as Anode Catalysts of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells. A Search for Exceptional Performance

Six Pt−Ru/carbon fiber nanocomposites have been prepared by using a bimetallic precursor as a source of metal. Carbon fiber supports include singled-walled nanotubes, multiwalled nanotubes, or graphitic carbon nanofibers having either platelet, wide herringbone, or narrow tubular herringbone atomic structures. Preparative procedures have been optimized to enhance the performance of these nanocomposites as anode electrocatalysts in direct methanol fuel cells. Pt−Ru nanoparticles are the major metal-containing component of these nanocomposites along with variable amounts of Ru metal. A range of direct methanol fuel cell performance is observed with a Pt−Ru/narrow tubular herringbone graphitic carbon nanofiber nanocomposite showing the highest performance. This performance is equivalent to that recorded for an unsupported Pt−Ru colloid at an anode catalyst loading of 2.7 mg total metal/cm2, but 64% greater than that of the unsupported Pt−Ru colloid at a lower catalyst loading of 1.5 mg/cm2.
Web-based interactive simulations and virtual lab for photonics education

There is large industry demand for qualified engineers and technicians in photonics advanced manufacturing. Current workforce training methods require expensive state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, as well as commercial licenses for photonic design software, which can be prohibitively costly for many universities. Virtual laboratories and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) can help fill this training gap by providing a scalable approach to photonics workforce education for an international audience. In this project, AIM Photonics Academy—the education initiative of AIM Photonics, a Manufacturing USA Institute—is creating a virtual laboratory to enable self-directed learning for the emerging photonics workforce. Students learn photonic device and circuit modeling in a 3D online virtual lab environment with interactive simulations of micron-scale photonic visualizations. An intuitive interface highlights the most critical device design parameters and their optimal operational settings for applications in Datacom, wireless communication, sensing, and imaging. Simulations include silicon waveguide propagation and loss, radial waveguide bends, and directional couplers for photonic integrated circuits (PICs). In spring of 2019, AIM Academy has integrated these simulations into an online course focused on PIC-chip design, with a fundamentals course expected in fall of 2019. Additionally, these online tools will be used in a blended learning curriculum in 2020 to train engineers and technicians in semiconductor design, testing and packaging for photonics applications. Following online module completion, students can take blended learning on-site workshops at affiliated university laboratories to capitalize on their simulated training with hands-on experiments in chip design, packaging, and optical or electrical testing.
Anti-VEGF Drug Therapy

Abstract Anti-VEGF therapy is included in the VEGF PDE. The resulting reduction in VEGF slows the increase in tip capillary density and blood capillary density (thereby slowing neovascularization). The effect of a single injection of an anti-VEGF therapeutic drug and repeated injections is included in the PDE model.
Doherty-to-Balanced Switchable Power Amplifier

A novel Doherty-to-balanced (D2B) switchable power amplifiers (PAs) architecture based on branch-line quadrature hybrid couplers is presented. It is for the first time unveiled that by switching the 50-Ω loading at isolation port to a short circuit to ground, the balanced amplifier can be fully converted to a Doherty PA. The proof of the concept is demonstrated using a commercial SP2T SOI switch integrated with a balanced GaN power amplifier for mode reconfiguration. The implemented PA achieves efficient Doherty performance with a peak efficiency of 78.1% at maximum output power of 41.75 dBm, and 60.9% at 6 dB output power back-off (OBO). The balanced mode of this PA offers excellent immunity to load mismatch up to 5:1 VSWR achieving minimum output power fluctuation within 1 dB, as demonstrated experimentally.
Transmission Line Transformers

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Ideal Transmission Line Transformers Transmission Line Transformer Synthesis Electrically Long Transmission Line Transformers Baluns Dividers and Combiners The 90? Coupler Problems References ]]>
Christian thought and the moral permissibility of nuclear weapons

The moral permissibility of possessing and employing nuclear weapons is something with which Christians have long wrestled. At least three distinct approaches exist to addressing the use of nuclear...
GIobalFusion: A Global Attentional Deep Learning Framework for Multisensor Information Fusion

The paper enhances deep-neural-network-based inference in sensing applications by introducing a lightweight attention mechanism called the global attention module for multi-sensor information fusion. This mechanism is capable of utilizing information collected from higher layers of the neural network to selectively amplify the influence of informative features and suppress unrelated noise at the fusion layer. We successfully integrate this mechanism into a new end-to-end learning framework, called GIobalFusion, where two global attention modules are deployed for spatial fusion and sensing modality fusion, respectively. Through an extensive evaluation on four public human activity recognition (HAR) datasets, we successfully demonstrate the effectiveness of GlobalFusion at improving information fusion quality. The new approach outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms on all four datasets with a clear margin. We also show that the learned attention weights agree well with human intuition. We then validate the efficiency of GlobalFusion by testing its inference time and energy consumption on commodity IoT devices. Only a negligible overhead is induced by the global attention modules.
DECAY OF $sub 60$Nd$sup 151$(12 min)

The decay of ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{151}$(12 min) is characterized by beta emission to excited states in ${\mathrm{Pm}}^{151}$. This activity has been investigated by means of the Argonne 256-channel scintillation coincidence spectrometer and photographic internal-conversion-electron spectrographs. Sources were prepared by neutron irradiation of neodymium oxide, enriched in ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{150}$, in the Argonne reactor CP-5. The presence of six beta-ray branches is deduced; four of these were observed experimentally by means of absorption methods. Thirty gamma transitions are reported. Twenty-seven of these and the six beta-ray groups are fitted into a decay scheme which indicates the presence of excited states in ${\mathrm{Pm}}^{151}$ at 0.1172, 0.2560, 0.4265, 0.5336, 0.852, 0.937, 1.12, 1.29, 1.63, 1.87, and 2.17 Mev. The total energy difference between the ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{151}$ parent and the ${\mathrm{Pm}}^{151}$ ground state is found to be (2.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1) Mev. The low-lying levels in ${\mathrm{Pm}}^{151}$ are discussed with particular reference to the possible existence of a rotational series based on the ground state.
Structure of the yeast Nup84-Nup133 complex details flexibility and reveals universal conservation of the membrane anchoring ALPS motif

Abstract The hallmark of the eukaryotic cell is the complex endomembrane system that compartmentalizes cellular functions. Transport into and out of the nucleus, occurs through the Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC). The heptameric Nup84 or Y complex is an essential scaffolding component of the NPC. Here we report two nanobody-bound structures: the full-length Nup84-Nup133 C-terminal domain complex and the Nup133 N-terminal domain, both from S. cerevisiae. Together with previously published structures, this work enables the structural description of the entire 575 kDa Y complex, from one species. The structure of Nup84-Nup1 33CTD details the high flexibility of this dimeric unit of the Y complex. Further, the Nup133NTD contains a structurally conserved amphipathic lipid packing sensor (ALPS) motif, confirmed by liposome interaction studies. The new structures reveal important details about the function of the Y complex that affect our understanding of NPC structure and assembly.
Wage Stagnation and the Rise of Merit Pay, 1974-1991

In the 1970s, US workers' wages stopped growing and steadily declined through the mid-1990s. During this time, employers experimented with employment practices, like merit pay, that seemed likely t...
General Cognitive Ability Predicts Survival-Readiness in Genetically Heterogeneous Laboratory Mice

Although genetically heterogeneous laboratory mice express individual differences in general cognitive ability (c.f., “intelligence”), it is unknown whether these differences are translated into behaviors that would promote survival. Here, genetically heterogeneous laboratory CD-1 mice were administered a series of cognitive tests from which their aggregate general cognitive ability was estimated. Subsequently, all animals were tested on nine (unlearned) tasks designed to assess behaviors that could contribute to survival in the wild. These tests included nest building (in the home and a novel environment), exploration, several indices of food finding, retrieval, and preference, and predator avoidance. Like general cognitive ability, a principal component analysis of these measures of survival-related behaviors (survival-readiness) yielded a general factor that accounted for ~25% of the variance of mice across all of the tasks. An aggregate metric of general cognitive ability predicted an aggregate metric of general survival-readiness (r = .64), suggesting that more intelligent animals would be more suited for survival in natural environments. The nature of the pattern of correlations between general cognitive ability and performance on individual tests of fitness (where tests conducted in previously unexplored contexts were more closely related to general cognitive ability) suggests the possibility that heightened attention (which is taxed in a novel environment) may be the common mediator of both of these classes of abilities, although other potential mediators are discussed. In total, these results suggest that performance on tasks that are explicitly intended to assess the likelihood of survival can be impacted by cognitive abilities.
The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials:

In response to questions regarding the scientific basis for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), we evaluated their empirical status by systematically reviewing meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched six databases for effect sizes based on four or more trials that did not combine passive and active controls. Heterogeneity, moderators, tests of publication bias, risk of bias, and adverse effects were also extracted. Representative effect sizes based on the largest number of studies were identified across a wide range of populations, problems, interventions, comparisons, and outcomes (PICOS). A total of 160 effect sizes were reported in 44 meta-analyses (k = 336 RCTs, N = 30,483 participants). MBIs showed superiority to passive controls across most PICOS (ds = 0.10-0.89). Effects were typically smaller and less often statistically significant compared with active controls. MBIs were similar or superior to specific active controls and evidence-based treatments. Heterogeneity was typically moderate. Few consistent moderators were found. Results were generally robust to publication bias, although other important sources of bias were identified. Reporting of adverse effects was inconsistent. Statistical power may be lacking in meta-analyses, particularly for comparisons with active controls. Because MBIs show promise across some PICOS, future RCTs and meta-analyses should build on identified strengths and limitations of this literature.
Keeping up with influencers: exploring the impact of social presence and parasocial interactions on Instagram

An experiment was conducted to examine the level of social presence and the mediating role of parasocial interaction in influencer marketing. In a simulated fitness influencer’s Instagram posts, so...
A Study of Particle Size Metrics Using Non-Spherical Feedstock for Metal Additive Manufacturing

Abstract The goal of this work was to determine which standard particle size metric derived from optical analysis most closely approximates the sieved weight percent of irregularly shaped powder intended to be used for directed energy deposition. In this investigation, equivalent circle diameter, maximum diameter, minimum diameter, and perimeter were used as metrics to “virtually sieve” the particles in samples of irregularly shaped powder into the following particle size bins: 150 µm. The percentage in the 45 µm – 150 µm bin were then compared to the weight percent of the powder mechanically sieved into this size range. The absolute difference between the virtually sieved percentage and the mechanically sieved percentage was assessed for 81 samples of mechanically-generated stainless steel 316L powder, all produced under different processing conditions in an oscillation ball mill. This difference was found to be on average, the least with the minimum diameter assessed as an area percentage, followed by the equivalent diameter assessed as an area percentage, and then the maximum diameter assessed as a percentage of the total number of particles ranked third. These findings and the methodology used to obtain them may be used by powder production process engineers and quality assurance personnel to assist in process control as more diverse additive manufacturing feedstocks become utilized.
A Prelude to a Critical Race Theoretical Account of Civil Procedure

In this Essay, I examine the lack of scholarly attention given to the role of civil procedure in racial subordination. I posit that a dearth of critical thought interrogating the connections between procedure and the subjugation of marginalized peoples might be due to the limited experiences of procedural scholars; a misconception that procedural rules are a technical, objective, neutral area; and avoidance of discussion of race or other aspects of identity unless there is a case, material, or scholarly topic that meets an unreasonably high standard. I emphasize the importance of a critical race analysis of civil procedure.
The United States: A Contemporary Human Geography

Part 1 Introduction: economic dynamism and spatial change demographic and social change. Part 2 Population geography of the US: census geography of the US growth and change the agrarian period the industrializing period postwar and modern periods what does the future hold for US population growth? Part 3 Culture and environment: America as a new Eden two views of America the frontier spirit rural America industrial America urban America a new view of nature government views cultural regions. Part 4 The political organization of US space: the nature of the State the state in the United States the operation of the American form of government the political manipulation of American space space in American political processes. Part 5 The economic organization of US space: the evolution of the urban system development under advanced capitalism the role of government in urban and regional development overall perspectives. Part 6 Rural America: rural America - ideal and reality shaping rural America regional vignettes contemporary forces for change. Part 7 Metropolitan development: internal structure of American cities suburbanization, inter-regional shifts, and central city decline the American city of the 1980s urban policy and metropolitan development. Part 8 Geographic aspects of social problems: American social problems geographic patterns of social inequality the causes and costs of crime alcohol and substance abuse the nuclear arms race - the ultimate social problem? Part 9 Living in America: the outsiders' views the insiders' views in summary.
The RNA chaperon activity of the human La protein (LARP3)

Single-stranded RNA molecules fold intensively into secondary and tertiary structures and are often trapped in non-functional configurations. To adapt a functional configuration, structural changes have to be achieved. RNA helicases and RNA chaperones are proteins able to assist those structural rearrangements in an ATP-dependent or ATP-independent manner, respectively. The cancer-associated RNA-binding protein La (LARP3) is an RNA chaperone involved in various aspects of the RNA metabolism. Recently the RNA chaperone domain within the human La protein has been mapped and demonstrated that its activity is required to stimulate cyclin D1-internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-dependent protein synthesis. Furthermore, it has been shown that the La protein can be phosphorylated by serine/threonine kinase AKT in vitro . Taken together, we suggest a model in which the RNA chaperone La stimulates translation of specific target mRNAs by assisting structural changes in their translation start site surrounding RNA region.