cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current Therapies for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease of the pulmonary vasculature, characterized by relentless deterioration and death. Patients with PAH are known to be at increased risk for anesthetic complications and surgical morbidity and mortality. However, outcomes in patients have improved with the recent development of new drug therapies. The 3 major drug classes for treatment of PAH are prostanoids, endothelin-receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. In this review, the authors provide an overview of each drug class, its mechanism of action, indications, and current supportive literature. Surgical and interventional treatments of PAH, including atrial septostomy, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, and transplantation, are briefly reviewed, and the rationale, indications, and selection criteria for each are discussed. Although available medical and surgical therapies for PAH have improved patient outcomes, acute decompensated right heart failure (RHF) remains a common and challenging complication of PAH. The authors review this topic and provide an outline of the general pathophysiology of RHF and an approach to its management.
Demand response for smart microgrid: Initial results

This study is an attempt to address the frequency and voltage regulation inside of an islanded microgrid. Central demand response along with an adaptive hill climbing methodology is applied to a small islanded microgrid powered by a diesel generator. All dynamic models are developed in MATLAB/Simulink®. Simulation results show that the proposed method has the potential to suppress the frequency variations and stabilize the voltage of the microgrid.
Meta-analysis discovery of tissue-specific DNA sequence motifs from mammalian gene expression data

Background A key step in the regulation of gene expression is the sequence-specific binding of transcription factors (TFs) to their DNA recognition sites. However, elucidating TF binding site (TFBS) motifs in higher eukaryotes has been challenging, even when employing cross-species sequence conservation. We hypothesized that for human and mouse, many orthologous genes expressed in a similarly tissue-specific manner in both human and mouse gene expression data, are likely to be co-regulated by orthologous TFs that bind to DNA sequence motifs present within noncoding sequence conserved between these genomes.
For God and Country: the Origins of Slavic Catholic Self-Consciousness in America

America made its immigrants ethnocentric. Except for the travelers from England, every other nationality sensed its cultural distinctiveness soon after settling here with countrymen. The process of identity-consciousness went on continually with every group. In a strange and unknown environment, newcomers, particularly the least Anglo-Saxon, joined their fellows for a security of continuity, yearning for that Old World basis of religion, language, and social customs. Although these fresh ties could not restore their European community exactly, they could offer a reasonable substitute for adjustment, the American immigrant society. To latecoming arrivals the reconstructed ethnic colony moderated the differences of the original and destined community and made the contrast less jarring. The immigrants had refashioned the old primary settlements in America and struggled to maintain them. In the recent debate over the acculturative process, how the “melting pot” worked, certainly the ultural pluralists describe best the first-generation communities.
The value of fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of palpable breast lesions.

In recent years there appears to be a growing movement toward the use of core needle biopsy (CNB) over fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for the detection of breast carcinoma. This tendency is caused in part by the idea that CNB can provide a more specific or definitive diagnosis as well as the belief that the assessment of prognostic/predictive factor is not possible or reliable on cytologic specimens. At our institution, FNAB of breast has been practiced for over 25 years with excellent cytologic–histological correlation. This practice has been beneficial not only for patients, but also for training physicians since nowadays a very small number of centers in the United States still routinely perform fine needle aspiration as a diagnostic tool in breast cases. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB in palpable breast lesions, we reviewed our experience during an 8-year-period and compared fine needle aspiration results with follow-up surgical specimens. From the cytology point of view, the lesions were divided as negative/benign, atypical/suspicious, positive, and insufficient. Only cases performed by pathologists were included. A total of 1,583 cases were retrieved from our archives. A definitive malignant diagnosis was reached in 357 cases. One-hundred and thirty-nine cases were classified as atypical/ suspicious, 135 cases had insufficient cells for establishing a diagnosis, and 952 were categorized as negative. A total of 408 follow-up surgical specimens were available for comparison with cytologic results. There were 19 false-negative, and no false-positive results were found. The majority of false-negative results were secondary to sampling errors. In 93% of the malignant cases, there was enough material obtained in cytological specimens to perform prognostic/predictive factors studies. Our data proves once again that FNAB is a reliable method for the initial evaluation and diagnosis of palpable masses of the breast. In addition, it also has the ability of providing necessary prognostic/predictive information, particularly for patients that may undergo neoadjuvant therapy. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High frequency ultrasonic imaging using optoacoustic arrays

Optical generation and detection of ultrasound is a promising alternative to piezoelectricity for high frequency arrays. We have used the thermoelastic effect to produce high frequency, broadband ultrasound in water. A pulsed diode laser, followed by an erbium doped fiber amplifier, is focused onto a light absorbing film deposited on a transparent substrate. Conversion efficiency was improved by 18 dB using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film instead of a more commonly used metallic one. Radiation pattern measurements with an 85 MHz spherically focused transducer show that our array element is 20 /spl mu/m in diameter. Measurements using our optoacoustic detector show the drawback of a glass substrate, where leaky Rayleigh waves launched from the PDMS/glass interface degrade the radiated field. Replacing the glass with a clear PDMS substrate produces a broad and smooth radiation pattern suitable for a 75 MHz array. Our work in optoacoustic detection has relied on interferometric techniques. We have previously shown a 2-D synthetic receive array producing images at 10-50 MHz with near optimal resolution and wide fields of view. We are currently exploring a more sensitive technique where the incident ultrasound modulates the thickness of an etalon. Preliminary experiments demonstrate improved sensitivity using a high finesse etalon. These results demonstrate the potential of optoacoustic generation and detection for producing high frequency ultrasound arrays.
Successful pretreatment/therapy of soman, sarin and VX intoxication

ABSTRACTChemical pretreatment is effective against a 2 LD50 challenge of soman, sarin or VX or a 5 LD50 challenge of tabun. Chemical pretreatment followed by post challenge therapy should be effective against greater levels of agent. Such tests in guinea pigs are reported here; pretreatment regimens (PRGs) consisted of physostigmine (0.15 mg/kg, im) and an adjunct. The adjuncts [mg/kg, im] used were aprophen [8], atropine (AT)[16], azaprophen (AZA)[5], benactyzine [1.25], benztropine (BT) [4], scopolamine [0.08] and trihexyphenidyl [2]. Pretreatment was given 30 min before, and atropine (16 mg/kg, im) and 2-PAM (25 mg/kg, im) therapy (T) at one min after, 5 LD50s of agent. Results indicate that, all of the PRG+T regimens, except BT-not tested with T, prevent lethality by soman; trihexyphenidyl and scopolamine (the only adjuncts used therein) regimens each prevent lethality by sarin and VX. Against soman, all PRG+T regimens (vs PRG only) may shorten the median recovery time to 2 hrs or less. Even without t...
Caught in the crossflow.

Suspension-feeding fishes filter water through complex structures in their throats. Food particles could clog the filters, but the fishes have a cunning system to prevent that happening.
Detection of cytomegalovirus infection during a vaccine clinical trial in healthy young women: seroconversion and viral shedding.

Abstract Background An antibody method based on absorption of serum with cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B (gB) was developed for detection of infection during clinical trials of CMV gB vaccine. Previous study showed that this method detected the antibody response to infection and was negative with vaccine induced immunity. Objectives In an ongoing efficacy trial of CMV gB vaccine the ability of the gB-absorbed CMV IgG assay to detect CMV infection was assessed and compared with viral culture results. Study design Two hundred and ninety two healthy, seronegative young women in a phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of recombinant CMV gB vaccine (sanofi pasteur) with MF59 adjuvant (Chiron) were randomized to receive CMV gB vaccine or placebo (1:1) on a 0, 1 and 6 month schedule. Participants were screened every 3 months for CMV infection using the gB-absorbed CMV IgG assay, and a subgroup was also screened for infection with viral cultures. Viral culture (urine, vaginal swab and saliva) was used to confirm CMV infection in all subjects with a positive gB-absorbed CMV IgG result. Results Evidence of CMV infection (gB-absorbed CMV IgG levels ≥ 5.0 AU/ml) was found in 23/292 (7.88%) study participants. The gB-absorbed CMV IgG levels of their first positive serum ranged from 15.7 to 251.0 AU/ml with a mean of 77.0 AU/ml and a median of 44.9 AU/ml. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from all 23 of them from culture specimens collected after their first positive gB-absorbed CMV IgG. The time to first CMV positive culture from first positive gB-absorbed CMV IgG ranged from 0 to 12 weeks with a median of 2 weeks. Conclusions The gB-absorbed CMV IgG assay detects CMV infection in CMV gB vaccine clinical trials earlier and more rapidly than virus culture and does not reveal whether subjects received CMV gB vaccine or placebo.
Power Management System for Embedded RTOS: An Object Oriented Approach

Power management systems for embedded devices can be developed in operating system (OS) or in applications. If power management policy is applied in OS, then developers can concentrate only on application development. OS contains specific and accurate information about the various tasks being executed. Therefore, it is logical to place algorithms that place components not being used into lower power states. This can significantly reduces the energy consumption by the system. Real-time-operating-system (RTOS) has a comprehensive set of power management application programming interfaces (APIs) for both device drivers and applications within a power management component. In this paper, we provide abstracted concepts of a system power manager (PM), device power managers, and application power managers. We present relationship and interactions of these managers with each using unified modeling language (UML) class diagrams, sequence diagrams and state charts. We recommend that PM must be implemented at operating system level in any embedded device. We also recommend the interfaces for interactions between PM and the devices power manager, as well as PM and application power manager. Device driver and application developers can easily use this object oriented approach to make the embedded system more power efficient, easy to maintain, and faster to develop.
Low-dimensional azimuthal characteristics of suddenly expanding axisymmetric flows

Two rakes of cross-wire probes were used to capture the two-point velocity statistics in a flow through an axisymmetric sudden expansion. The expansion ratio of the facility is 3, and has a constant geometry. Measurements were acquired at a Reynolds number equal to 54000, based on centreline velocity and inlet pipe diameter. The two-point velocity correlations were obtained along a plane normal to the flow (r, 0), at eleven downstream step-height positions spanning from the recirculating region, through reattachment, and into the redeveloping region of the flow. Measurements were acquired by means of a flying-hot-wire technique to overcome rectification errors near the outer wall of the pipe where flow recirculations were greatest. A mixed application of proper orthogonal (in radius) and Fourier decomposition (in azimuth) was performed at each streamwise location to provide insight into the dynamics of the most energetic modes in all regions of the flow. This multi-point analysis reveals that the flow evolves from the Fourier-azimuthal mode m = 2 (containing the largest amount of turbulent kinetic energy) in the recirculating region, to m = 1 in the reattachment and redeveloping regions of the flow. An eigenvector reconstruction of the kernel, using the most energetic modes from the decomposition, displays the spatial dependence of the Fourier-azimuthal modes and the characteristics that govern the turbulent shear layer and recirculating regions of the flow.
Continuity of Solutions of Schrödinger Equation

In this paper we present a simpler proof of a Theorem due to M. Aizenman and B. Simon in [1] which states that the Schrodinger equation (1/2)Δu + q u = 0 in Rd, d≥3, q∈Kd, given in distributional sense, has a continuous solution in an open set D in Rd.
“Mentoring is Sharing the Excitement of Discovery”: Faculty Perceptions of Undergraduate Research Mentoring

Although an increasing number of studies have examined students’ participation in undergraduate research (UR), little is known about faculty perceptions of mentoring in this context. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate four aspects of mentoring UR, including how faculty define high-quality UR mentoring and operationalize it in practice; what the perceived benefits and challenges of UR participation are for mentors and students; how mentoring relates to faculty perceptions of their other roles (teachers, advisors, and scholars); and how participation in various communities of practice influences UR mentoring. Sixty faculty respondents at a private, midsized comprehensive institution completed an online survey. In a series of qualitative analyses, responses to open-ended questions were coded as instrumental, psychosocial, or blended. Analyses revealed that faculty perceptions of UR mentoring were impacted by faculty approach to UR mentoring and faculty rank. These findings may be helpfu...
Back-bombardment compensation in microwave thermionic electron guns

Improved thermionic guns may provide picosecond bunch lengths, gigahertz repetition rates, and high average current.
Plasticity and the Problem of Choice in Food Selection

The interaction of plasticity, choice, and diet breadth is discussed, and the problems faced by generalists highlighted. The case is made that insects with very broad diets, and hence an ability to choose among foods at some time in their life history, have a problem making decisions that are ef"cient in terms of speed and quality. Reinterpretations of data from some insect groups, such as sower visitors, are presented in the light of such a neural problem, and explicit tests of the concept that there are neural constraints are reviewed. Possible mechanisms underlying changes in diet breadth are discussed. KEY WORDShost plant choice, diet breadth, specialist, generalist, selective attention, neural constraints IAM PLEASEDto provide this article for a commemo-
Measuring atomic emission from beacons for long-distance chemical signaling.

In an effort to exploit chemistry for information science, we have constructed a system to send a message powered by a combustion reaction. Our system uses the thermal excitation of alkali metals to transmit an encoded signal over long distances. A message is transmitted by burning a methanol-soaked cotton string embedded with combinations of high, low, or zero levels of potassium, rubidium, and/or cesium ions. By measuring the intensities at the characteristic emission wavelengths of each metal in the near-infrared, 19 unique signals can be distinguished. We have built a custom telescope to detect these signals from 1 km away for nearly 10 min. The signal is isotropic, is self-powered, and has a low background. A potential application of this platform is for search and rescue signaling where another layer of information can be transmitted, in addition to the location of the beacon. This work, which seeks to encode and transmit information using chemistry instead of electronics, is part of the new field o...
Idea rzeczy i idee w rzeczach

In this excerpt from the introduction to A Sense of Things Bill Brown examines the relationship between the surface and inside of objects in American modernist poetry. Drawing inspiration from William Carlos William’s phrase „No ideas but in things”, Brown investigates the possibility of the existence of ideas in things (instead of ideas of things). In his analysis, the author looks at the poetry of Williams, Paul Strand’s photography, as well as essays by Walter Benjamin and Charles Baudelaire (both about the experience of children) and proposes a framework of thinking with things, while also posing questions about contemporary social relations of humans and things.
Squeezed vacua in loop quantum gravity

We introduce squeezed vacua in loop quantum gravity, a new overcomplete basis of states that contain prescribable correlations between geometric operators. We study the behavior of long-range correlations and discuss the relevance of these states for the reconstruction of a semiclassical spacetime from loop quantum gravity.
Managing Common Dental Problems and Emergencies

This article discusses the more common oral and dental emergencies that children and adolescents may present to a physician. Many of these problems represent true emergencies that require immediate treatment or referral, whereas others are more common and less critical problems perceived by the child's parents as needing immediate attention. The problems presented in this article fall into three general areas: gingival and soft-tissue-related problems; problems related to teeth; and traumatic injuries to the teeth, their roots, and supporting structures.
Cost of seven-brane gauge symmetry in a quadrillion F-theory compactifications

We study seven-branes in $O(1{0}^{15})$ four-dimensional F-theory compactifications where seven-brane moduli must be tuned in order to achieve non-Abelian gauge symmetry. The associated compact spaces $B$ are the set of all smooth weak Fano toric threefolds. By a study of fine-star-regular triangulations of three-dimensional reflexive polytopes, the number of such spaces is estimated to be $5.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1{0}^{14}\ensuremath{\lesssim}{N}_{\text{bases}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1{0}^{17}$. Typically hundreds or thousands of moduli must be tuned to achieve symmetry for ${h}^{11}(B)l10$, but the average number drops sharply into the range $O(25)--O(200)$ as ${h}^{11}(B)$ increases. For some low-rank groups, such as $SU(2)$ and $SU(3)$, there exist examples where only a few moduli must be tuned in order to achieve seven-brane gauge symmetry.
Immunoassays for Analysis of Mycotoxins.

During the past few years, several laboratories have prepared specific antibodies against aflatoxins B1, M1, B2a and Q1, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone. These antibodies were obtained from rabbits after immunizing with various mycotoxin-protein conjugates. With the availability of these antibodies, specific, simple and sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedures for monitoring mycotoxins and their metabolites in foods, feeds and body fluids have been developed. In this review, details are presented for the preparation of antibodies and the application of RIA and ELISA to determine aflatoxins B1 and M1, ochratoxin A and T-2 toxin in corn, peanuts, milk and other biological fluids. The sensitivity of ELISA for analysis of these mycotoxins in foods varied from 0.1 μg/L for aflatoxin M1 in milk to 5 μg/kg of aflatoxin B1 in peanuts. The advantages and disadvantages of ELISA for monitoring mycotoxins in foods and feeds are discussed. In addition, a description of recent progress on simplified clean-up procedures which may increase the sensitivity of immunoassays is presented.
Musics of Algeria: Selected Recordings

Algeria holds a singular place for Arab culture as a region in which the musical traditions of Islamic Spain, the Ottoman Empire, the eastern Arab countries (the Mashriq), Saharan and West Africa, Berbers, Bedouin and Europe have all interacted to various degrees. Morocco to the west was never as directly exposed to Ottoman and eastern Arab musical traditions; Tunisia and Libya to the east have had far less contact with sub-Saharan and West African musics and far more direct contact with the musics of their eastern neighbors. To simplify this complex musical landscape to some degree, the many distinct musical traditions of Algeria can be roughly divided into five groups: 1) Andalusian traditions, 2) Urban popular traditions, 3) Arabic-language folk traditions, 4) Berber and Saharan traditions, 5) the modern rai, or “pop-rai,” phenomenon. Recordings listed below have been selected for their representativeness and availability in the United States and Canada.
Bias correction of bounded location errors in presence-only data

Summary Location error occurs when the true location is different than the reported location. Because habitat characteristics at the true location may be different than those at the reported location, ignoring location error may lead to unreliable inference concerning species–habitat relationships. We explain how a transformation known in the spatial statistics literature as a change of support (COS) can be used to correct for location errors when the true locations are points with unknown coordinates contained within arbitrary shaped polygons. We illustrate the flexibility of the COS by modelling the resource selection of Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) using citizen contributed records with locations that were reported with error. We also illustrate the COS with a simulation experiment. In our analysis of Whooping Crane resource selection, we found that location error can result in up to a five-fold change in coefficient estimates. Our simulation study shows that location error can result in coefficient estimates that have the wrong sign, but a COS can efficiently correct for the bias.
Care Ethics and Education

Educators almost always claim that they care about their students. Indeed, many of the rules laid down in schools are enforced because “we care about our kids.” When students are questioned, however, many express serious doubts about this claim. Unfortunately, they often say of the school, its teachers, and administrators, “Nobody cares.” Care theory can help us to understand this anomaly and, perhaps, to overcome it.
Library Conversations: Reclaiming Interpersonal Communication Theory for Understanding Professional Encounters

In Don't Make Me Think (2000), Steve Krug quotes his wife as observing “If something is hard to use, I just don't use it as much.” This applies to personal interactions in libraries as much as it d...
Copper-Catalyzed Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition of Enoldiazoimides with Sulfur Ylides.

Enoldiazoimides, a new subclass of enoldiazo compounds, generate enol-substituted carbonyl ylides whose reactions with sulfur ylides enable an unprecedented formal [4+2] cycloaddition. The resulting multifunctionalized indolizidinones, which incorporate sulfur, are formed in good yields under mild reaction conditions. The uniqueness of this transformation stems from the role of the silyl-protected enol, since the corresponding acetyldiazoimide failed to provide any cross-products in metal-catalyzed reactions with sulfur ylides. This copper-catalyzed cycloaddition is initiated with the generation of enol-substituted carbonyl ylides and sulfur ylides from enoldiazoimides and sulfonium salts, respectively, and proceeds through stepwise six-membered ring formation, C-O and C-S bond cleavage, and silyl and acetyl group migration.
Risky Investments: How Local and Foreign Investors Finesse Corruption-Rife Emerging Markets:

How do investors enter and navigate markets where there is a general lack of access to information and where the law is open to interpretation? Drawing on interview data with 100 research subjects ...
The Ahmed shunt versus the Baerveldt shunt for refractory glaucoma II: longer-term outcomes from a single surgeon.

Objective To analyze the longer-term surgical outcomes of Ahmed and Baerveldt shunt implants in the treatment of refractory glaucoma. Design Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative trial. Participants Consecutive patients who underwent glaucoma shunt implantation (70 Baerveldt, 48 Ahmed) by a single surgeon. Methods Follow-up retrospective analysis of 118 consecutive cases of refractory glaucoma that required placement of either Ahmed or Baerveldt shunt implants for intraocular pressure (IOP) control. The longer term clinical course (survival curve analysis up to 48 months) was reviewed. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was surgical success (6 mmHg ≤ IOP ≤ 21 mmHg without additional glaucoma surgery or devastating complication). Secondary outcome measures included mean IOP and number of medications used at the following postoperative visits: day 1, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter (up to 48 months). In unsuccessful cases, the median time to failure was determined. Results No significant differences in success rates were noted at 1, 2, 3, or 4 years after surgery, with 4-year success rates of 62% for the Ahmed group and 64% for the Baerveldt group ( P = 0.843). Mean IOPs were comparable from 1 to 48 months ( P >0.05). However, patients in the Ahmed group required more glaucoma medications at 18, 24, 30, and 36 months ( P P = 0.009). Conclusions No differences were observed in longer term survival rates and IOP profiles between Ahmed and Baerveldt shunt implants up to 48 months following surgery. Patients in the Baerveldt group were more likely to develop early postoperative hypotony-related complications and failure, whereas patients undergoing Ahmed implants were more likely to be on additional glaucoma medications (starting at 18 months postsurgery) and develop later onset failure.
C-reactive Protein is Associated With Sleep Disordered Breathing Independent of Adiposity

Study Objectives: It is well established that medical conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular disease are associated with increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Prior studies have produced inconsistent results regarding the association between sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and CRP, possibly due to the confounding effects of obesity or medical comorbidity. The present study examined the association between degree of SDB and level of CRP independent of prevalent medical conditions and obesity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects and Setting: University-based clinical sample referred for diagnostic polysomnography. Measurements and Results: The study sample consisted of 69 men (mean age 40 years; mean BMI of 31.2 kg/m 2 ) free of prevalent medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Measurements of morning and evening CRP levels were performed along with full-montage polysomnography. Confounding due to obesity was assessed by adjustments for body mass index, waist circumference, and percent body fat. A strong association was found between degree of SDB and serum levels of CRP, with or without adjustment for age and several measures of adiposity. Between the lowest and highest quartiles of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) the mean difference in adjusted level of CRP was 3.88 μg/ml (P < 0.001). Moreover, an independent association between serum CRP levels and nocturnal hypoxia was also observed, whereas no association was noted with parameters of sleep architecture. Conclusions: While more research is needed to elucidate causal pathways involving the effects of sleep-related hypoxia on low-grade systemic inflammation, the results of this study suggest that mechanisms other than adiposity per se could contribute to the inflammatory state seen in adults with SDB.
Self-Assembled Magnetic Nanoparticle Arrays by Anodization and Electrodeposition

The fabrication of arrays of nanometer scale particles has recently assumed enormous relevance in the study of the magnetic, optical and electronic properties of materials having dimensions comparable to the length scales where size quantization and surface phenomena determine the properties of interest. Large area arrays of identical particles in fact not only provide means for the study of the properties of nanoparticles by macroscopic methods, but also model systems for the implementation of devices exploiting these properties.
Drift-Free Range, Velocity, and Acceleration Sensing via Magnetoquasistatic Field Couplings

We demonstrate and discuss a technique to enable drift-free wireless sensing of range, velocity, and acceleration of a mobile device by measurements of the magnetoquasistatic field couplings between the device and a base sensor or anchor node.
Assessment of constellation designs for earth observation: Application to the TROPICS mission

Abstract The orbit and constellation design process for Earth observation missions is complex and it involves trades between mission lifetime, instrument performance, coverage, cost, and robustness among others. This paper describes an orbit and constellation design study conducted during Pre-Phase A and Phase A for the NASA-funded Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of SmallSats (TROPICS) mission. Thousands of potential constellations were enumerated, simulated using an open-source astrodynamics library, and compared with one another across multiple dimensions, focusing on cost and coverage considerations. The robustness of different constellations to various hypothetical operational failures (e.g., loss of one satellite or one launch) was systematically assessed. A deployment strategy based on differential drag was proposed and analyzed for selected constellations. Finally, the orbital lifetime of various architectures was also studied with respect to NASA's 25-year de-orbiting recommendation. The contributions of this work include: (1) an exhaustive analysis of figures of merit commonly used in Earth observation orbit design; (2) A methodology to assess robustness of constellations based on a brute-force disjoint scenario simulation approach; (3) Results and recommendations from the mission analysis process for the TROPICS mission.
A generic all-purpose transformation for multivariate modeling through copulas

Copulas have been used in various applications in biomedical sciences and finance. We suggest copulas as the generic all-purpose transformations which can enable one to apply various standard multivariate procedures more efficiently and with better statistical properties and results. More specifically, we consider the problem of transformation of any continuous data to multivariate normality using copulas as a device for defining the transformation. Such a transformation effectively enables us to model a variety of problems involving non-normal data using the classical multivariate statistical techniques. We evaluate and illustrate various applications including those in regression, multicollinearity, principal component analysis, factor analysis, partial least square modeling and structural equation modeling where analyses using the appropriate copula transformations result in substantial improvement in implementation, interpretation, prediction as well as in the corresponding models. A great many datasets available in the literature are analyzed which amply demonstrate the power of such an approach.
Using Bluetooth beacon technology to reduce distracted pedestrian behaviour: a cross-over trial study protocol

Objective Over 6400 American pedestrians die annually, a figure that is currently increasing. One hypothesised reason for the increasing trend is the role of mobile technology in distracting both pedestrians and drivers. Scientists and policy-makers have attended somewhat to distracted driving, but attention to distracted pedestrian behaviour has lagged. We will evaluate Bluetooth beacon technology as a means to alert and warn pedestrians when they approach intersections, reminding them to attend to the traffic environment and cross streets safely. Methods Bluetooth beacons are small devices that broadcast information unidirectionally within a closed proximal network. We will place beacons at an intersection frequently trafficked by urban college students. From there, the beacons will transmit to an app installed on users’ smartphones, signalling users to attend to their environment and cross the street safely. A cross-over trial will evaluate the app with 411 adults who frequently cross the target intersection on an urban university campus. We will monitor those participants’ behaviour over three distinct time periods: (1) 3 weeks without the app being activated, (2) 3 weeks with the app activated and (3) 4 weeks without the app activated to assess retention of behaviour. Throughout the 10-week period, we will gather information to evaluate whether the intervention changes distracted pedestrian behaviour using a logistic regression to estimate the likelihood of key behavioural outcome measures and adjusting for any residual confounding. We also will test for changes in perceived risk. The trial will follow CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement guidelines, as modified for cross-over design studies. Conclusion If this program proves successful, it offers exciting implications for future testing and ultimately for broad distribution to reduce distracted pedestrian behavior. We discuss issues of feasibility, acceptability and scalability.
Quasi-Direct Drive Actuation for a Lightweight Hip Exoskeleton With High Backdrivability and High Bandwidth

High-performance actuators are crucial to enable mechanical versatility of wearable robots, which are required to be lightweight, highly backdrivable, and with high bandwidth. State-of-the-art actuators, e.g., series elastic actuators, have to compromise bandwidth to improve compliance (i.e., backdrivability). In this article, we describe the design and human–robot interaction modeling of a portable hip exoskeleton based on our custom quasi-direct drive actuation (i.e., a high torque density motor with low ratio gear). We also present a model-based performance benchmark comparison of representative actuators in terms of torque capability, control bandwidth, backdrivability, and force tracking accuracy. This article aims to corroborate the underlying philosophy of “design for control,” namely meticulous robot design can simplify control algorithms while ensuring high performance. Following this idea, we create a lightweight bilateral hip exoskeleton to reduce joint loadings during normal activities, including walking and squatting. Experiments indicate that the exoskeleton is able to produce high nominal torque (17.5 Nm), high backdrivability (0.4 Nm backdrive torque), high bandwidth (62.4 Hz), and high control accuracy (1.09 Nm root mean square tracking error, 5.4% of the desired peak torque). Its controller is versatile to assist walking at different speeds and squatting. This article demonstrates performance improvement compared with state-of-the-art exoskeletons.
A Direct Multi-Field Coupling Methodology for Modeling Moisture-Induced Stresses and Delamination in Electronic Packages

A direct multi-field coupling method is proposed to integrate hygroscopic swelling and vapor pressure effects with thermos-mechanical stress. Moisture diffusion is modeled using water activity theory that is a unified and versatile approach for multi-materials systems. Water activity theory can be simply understood as an alternative normalization approach with normalized concentration defined as ${\overline C _k} = {a_w} = C/K$, where K is the generalized solubility. Vapor pressure p w is calculated as p w = p sat • a w according to water activity definition (i.e., water activity is the ratio between the vapor pressure and saturated vapor pressure p sat ). The integration of water vapor pressure is achieved by the effective stress theory assuming polymeric materials as porous medium with vapor pressure acting on the skeletal portion. An equivalent coefficient of diffusion expansion (CDE) is derived as a new material property to consider both the hygroscopic swelling and vapor pressure effects. For isotropic materials, CDE can be expressed as CDE=CHS+p Sat (/(3B • K), where CHS is the coefficient of hygroscopic swelling and B is bulk modulus. It can be seen from the equation that vapor pressure effects can be significant at high temperatures when the saturated vapor pressure is high but material modulus is low. The equivalent CDE method is applied to study the delamination of solder mask in a low-profiled ball grid array (LPBGA) package subjected to moisture preconditioning and reflow process. The direct coupling of thermal stresses and moisture-induced stresses is performed in ANSYS using its coupled-field elements. The results of the simulation match well with the experimental observations. The design of experiments shows that increasing the solder mask thickness could reduce solder mask tensile stress/strain and thus provides a viable solution to reduce the delamination issues.
Dual-perspective boundary layer thickness measurements using filtered natural emissions of species

Abstract Boundary layer thickness measurements have been taken via spectroscopic methods in the past, but were traditionally limited to a single point of view due to the need of an excitation source (such as a laser) and a detector. A new optical technique that measures the broadband filtered natural emissions of species does not require an excitation source to measure the boundary layer and thus can be used in multiple perspectives. In this work, two mid-wavelength infrared cameras are used to determine the boundary layer thickness on two inside surfaces of a rapid compression machine based on the emission from a gaseous mixture of N2, CO and CO2. The experiments were performed at two different gas pressures of 5.1 and 9.9 bar, and with gas temperatures of approximately 666 and 669 K, respectively. The wavelength ranges of 4.35–4.55, 4.545–4.785 and 4.069–4.445 μm were used to determine the boundary layer thicknesses at the side and front optical access of the rapid compression machine.
Home Telemonitoring to Reduce Readmission of High-Risk Patients: a Modified Intention-to-Treat Randomized Clinical Trial.

Home telemonitoring has been used with discharged patients in an attempt to reduce 30-day readmissions with mixed results. To assess whether home 30-day telemonitoring after discharge for patients at high risk of readmission would reduce readmissions or mortality. Prospective, randomized controlled trial. We compared 30-day readmission rates and mortality for patients at high risk for readmission who received home telemonitoring versus standard care between November 1, 2014, and November 30, 2018, in 2 tertiary care hospitals. The intervention group received home-installed equipment to measure blood pressure, heart rate, pulse oximetry, weight if heart failure was present, and glucose if diabetes was present. Results were transmitted daily and reviewed by a nurse. Both groups received standard care. The primary outcome was a composite end point of hospital readmission or death within 30 days after discharge. The secondary outcome was an emergency department visit within 30 days after discharge. A total of 1380 participants (mean [SD] age, 66 [14] years; 722 [52.3%] men and 658 [47.7%] women) participated in this study. Using a modified intention-to-treat analysis, the risk of readmission or death within 30 days among patients at high readmission risk was 23.7% (137/578) in the control group and 18.2% (87/477) in the telemonitoring group (absolute risk difference, − 5.5% [95% CI, − 10.4 to − 0.6%]; relative risk, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.61 to 0.98]; P = .03). Emergency department visits occurred within 30 days after discharge in 14.2% (81/570) of patients in the control group and 8.6% (40/464) of patients in the telemonitoring group (absolute risk difference, − 5.6% [95% CI, − 9.4 to − 1.8%]; relative risk, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.42 to 0.87]; P = .005). Thirty days of postdischarge telemonitoring may reduce readmissions of high-risk patients. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02136186.
Complex scaling approach for the quantum confined Stark effect in quantum wells

A computationally efficient approach to calculate characteristics of quantum well excitons in an external electric field is introduced. The nonstationary nature of eigenstates in the presence of an electric field is taken into account with the help of the complex scaling approach. The method allows one to simultaneously obtain the field-induced shift and the broadening of the exciton resonance. The method is applied to a shallow quantum well in the regime of strong confinement. It is shown that in this case the field-induced broadening is strongly affected by the effective electron-hole interaction at small to moderate electric fields.
Blind source separation for frequency dependent channels

An algorithm is developed for the blind separation of combinations of independent signals traveling over frequency dependent channels. The algorithm relies on the simple observation that if signals are independent in one domain, then their corresponding components in a linear transformed domain are also independent. The algorithm lends itself to the computationally efficient FFT implementation, which is given in this work. In addition, permutation indeterminacy inherent in the frequency domain blind source separation (BSS) is resolved by using cross-statistics between the source frequency components. Due to gain indeterminacy, the recovered signals after IFFT are the linear filtered versions of the source signals. The signals are postprocessed by an equalizer to solve this problem. Simulation results are given, which confirm the effectiveness of the proposed technique
Diagnosis of toxic alcohols: limitations of present methods.

AbstractContext. Methanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and propylene glycol intoxications are associated with cellular dysfunction and an increased risk of death. Adverse effects can develop quickly; thus, there is a need for methods for rapidly detecting their presence. Objective. To examine the value and limitations of present methods to diagnose patients with possible toxic alcohol exposure. Methods. I searched MEDLINE for articles published between 1969 and 2014 using the terms: toxic alcohols, serum osmolality, serum osmol gap, serum anion gap, metabolic acidosis, methanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and fomepizole. Each article was reviewed for additional references. Results. The diagnosis of toxic alcohol exposure is often made on the basis of this history and physical findings along with an increase in the serum osmol and anion gaps. However, an increase in the osmol and/or anion gaps is not always present. Definitive detection in blood requires gas or liquid chr...
Challenges to Software/Computing for Experimentation at the LHC

The demands of future high energy physics experiments towards software and computing have led the experiments to plan the related activities as a full-fledged project and to investigate new methodologies and languages to meet the challenges. The paths taken by the four LHC experiments ALICE, ATLAS, CMS and LHCb are coherently put together in an LHC-wide framework based on Grid technology. The current status and understandings have been broadly outlined.
Diamond formation due to a pH drop during fluid–rock interactions

Diamond formation has typically been attributed to redox reactions during precipitation from fluids or magmas. Either the oxidation of methane or the reduction of carbon dioxide has been suggested, based on simplistic models of deep fluids consisting of mixtures of dissolved neutral gas molecules without consideration of aqueous ions. The role of pH changes associated with water–silicate rock interactions during diamond formation is unknown. Here we show that diamonds could form due to a drop in pH during water–rock interactions. We use a recent theoretical model of deep fluids that includes ions, to show that fluid can react irreversibly with eclogite at 900 °C and 5.0 GPa, generating diamond and secondary minerals due to a decrease in pH at almost constant oxygen fugacity. Overall, our results constitute a new quantitative theory of diamond formation as a consequence of the reaction of deep fluids with the rock types that they encounter during migration. Diamond can form in the deep Earth during water–rock interactions without changes in oxidation state. The cause of diamond precipitation has previously been attributed to poorly understood redox changes at depth. Here, the authors propose that a drop in pH during water–rock interactions leads to diamond formation as a consequence of the migration of reactive fluids at elevated temperatures and pressures.
Case Report Hyperthyroxinemia and Hypotriiodothyroninemia with Clinical Euthyroidism

Abstract A clinically euthyroid woman had substernal goiter and thrombocytopenia. There was a striking elevation in serum thyroxine (T 4 ) level when the level of triiodothyronine (T 3 ) was low, reverse T 3 (rT 3 ) was normal, I 131 uptake was suppressed, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was blunted. The elevation of T 4 was transient and required no treatment. Postmortem examination revealed a thyroid gland that showed only multinodular goiter. Multiple factors contributed to the dissociation between T 4 and T 3 levels. There was a lack of clinical symptoms in the face of high T 4 and normal T 3 . The report stresses the need for thorough evaluation of thyroid function in such cases before instituting treatment.
Evolution and outlook of TSV and 3D IC/Si integration

3D integration consists of 3D IC packaging, 3D IC integration, and 3D Si integration. They are different and in general the TSV (through-silicon via) separates 3D IC packaging from 3D IC integration and 3D Si integration since the latter two use TSV but 3D IC packaging does not. TSV (with a new concept that every chip or interposer could have two surfaces with circuits) is the heart of 3D Si integration and 3D IC integration and is the focus of this investigation. The origin of 3D Si integration and 3D IC integration is presented. Furthermore, the evolution and outlook of 3D Si integration and 3D IC integration are discussed as well as their road maps are presented. Finally, a generic, low-cost and thermal-enhanced 3D IC integration system-in-package (SiP) is proposed for high performance applications.
Collaboration and Outreach in a Small Junior College Library

As we look back over the last six months, we are surprised at what we have accomplished with a coordinated effort and a team attitude. The librarians who “check their egos at the door” (Sanders 2008) will find that their joint accomplishments exceed the sum of their individual efforts. The willingness to accept others’ ideas (both internal and external), plus professional abilities in librarianship have helped us in numerous efforts in our small library. These efforts will be described with an emphasis on the teamwork that made them happen.