cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust blind watermarking mechanism for point sampled geometry

Watermarking schemes for copyright protection of point cloud representation of 3D models operate only on the geometric data, and are also applicable to mesh based representations of 3D models, defined using geometry and topological information. For building such generic copyright schemes for 3D models, this paper presents a robust spatial blind watermarking mechanism for 3D point sampled geometry. To find the order in which points are to be encoded/decoded, a clustering approach is proposed. The points are divided into clusters, and ordering is achieved using inter-cluster and intra-cluster ordering. Inter-cluster ordering achieves local ordering of points, whereas intra-cluster ordering does it globally. Once ordered, a sequence of clusters is chosen based on nearest neighbor heuristic. An extension of quantization index of bit encoding scheme is proposed, and used to encode and decode inside the clusters. The encoding mechanism makes the technique robust against uniform affine transformations (rotation, scaling, and transformation), reordering attack and topology altering (e.g. retriangulation) attack when applied to 3D meshes as well. Replication of watermark provides robustness against localized noise addition, cropping, simplification and global noise addition attacks. Security of the scheme is analyzed, and the time complexity is estimated as O (n log n), where n is the number of 3D points. Theoretical bounds on hiding capacity are estimated, and experiments show that a high hiding capacity is high, with embedding rate greater than 3 bits/point. The bit encoding method reduces the distortions and makes the watermark imperceptible, indicated by a signal to noise ratio greater than 100 dB.
Dissection of functional domains of the polar localization factor podj in Caulobacter crescentus

Summary The polar organelle development protein, PodJ, is important for proper establishment of polarity in Caulobacter crescentus. podJ null mutants are unable to form holdfast or pili, have reduced swarming motility, and have difficulty ejecting the flagellum during the swarmer to stalked cell transition. In this study, we create a series of truncation mutants to investigate functional domains of PodJ. We show that PodJ has a transmembrane domain between amino acids 600 and 670. We identify a periplasmic region important for pili production and a cytoplasmic region required for holdfast formation and swarming motility, and establish that PleC localization is not required for holdfast formation and motility in soft agar. Analysis of the mutants reveals that the last 54 amino acids of the protein negatively regulate processing of the full-length form of the protein, PodJL, to a shorter form, PodJS. Finally, we identify a cytoplasmic region of PodJ involved in targeting it to the flagellar pole, and a periplasmic region required for localization of PleC.
Quantitative real-time PCR assay for determining transgene copy number in transformed plants.

The development of transgenic events can be limited by many factors. These include expression levels, insert stability and inheritance, and the identification of simple insertion events. All of the...
All sources are nearly successively refinable

Given an achievable quadruple (R/sub 1/, R/sub 2/, D/sub 1/, D/sub 2/) for progressive transmission, the rate loss at step i is defined as L/sub i/=R/sub i/-R(D/sub i/). Let D/sub 1/ and D/sub 2/ be any two desired distortion levels (D/sub 2/<D/sub 1/). It is shown that for an i.i.d. source and for squared error, an achievable quadruple can be found for which L/sub i//spl les/1/2 bit/sample (a similar statement is proved for situations in which more than two steps are required). Moreover, an achievable quadruple can be found with L/sub 2/ arbitrarily small and L/sub 1//spl les/1/2 bit/sample if D/sub 2/ is small enough. If an information-efficient description at D/sub 1/ is required (i.e., L/sub 1/=0), then there exists an achievable quadruple with L/sub 2//spl les/1 bit/sample. The results are independent of both the source and the particular D/sub 1/, D/sub 2/ requirements and extend to any difference distortion measure. The techniques employed parallel Zamir's bounding of the rate loss in the Wyner-Ziv problem. Bounds for the rate loss in other multiterminal source coding problems also are given.
Private Justice: California's General Reference Procedure

Under a California procedure, parties to litigation may agree to have their cases referred to retired judges for private trial. While the procedure affords substantial benefits in some kinds of cases, it does involve problems that will probably limit its more general use.
Contracting Constraints, Credit Markets, and Economic Development

INTRODUCTION Development economists are, perhaps by necessity, optimistic people. One does not become a development economist if one believes that the world's poorest are doing as well as they possibly could. Indeed, the premise of the entire field is that there is talent in every people, if not every person, and if there is one central question, it has to be: What prevents people from making the best use of their natural talents? There are at least five distinct answers to this question. The first, which is elaborated here, is the answer from contract theory: Talent is not an apple; one cannot simply go to the market, sell one's talent, and expect to be paid the appropriate price. The second is coordination failure: Talent is talent only if it gets to work with the appropriate other inputs. Even Lennon needed Paul and George – had they decided to go to the City instead, he too might have found himself a different profession. The third is political economy: Governments can and often do make it harder for people to do what they are best at doing. The fourth is learning: People may not know what they ought to be doing, and even when they do the rest of the world may not appreciate them. For example, a growing body of evidence shows that farmers are often ignorant or suspicious of more rewarding crops and better seeds. The final answer comes from what has come to be called behavioral economics: People may not always seek out the best options because they are held back by psychological constraints or social norms.
Hypofractionation does not increase radiation pneumonitis risk with modern conformal radiation delivery techniques

AbstractPurpose. To study the interaction between radiation dose distribution and hypofractionated radiotherapy with respect to the risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP) estimated from normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models. Material and methods. Eighteen non-small cell lung cancer patients previously treated with helical tomotherapy were selected. For each patient a 3D-conformal plan (3D-CRT) plan was produced in addition to the delivered plan. The standard fractionation schedule was set to 60 Gy in 30 fractions. Iso-efficacy comparisons with hypofractionation were performed by changing the fractionation and the physical prescription dose while keeping the equivalent tumor dose in 2 Gy fractions constant. The risk of developing RP after radiotherapy was estimated using the Mean Equivalent Lung Dose in 2-Gy fractions (MELD2) NTCP model with α/β=4 Gy for the residual lung. Overall treatment time was kept constant. Results. The mean risk of clinical RP after standard fractionation was 7.6% for To...
The Earth's Climate Sensitivity and Thermal Inertia

The Earth’s equilibrium climate sensitivity has received much attention because of its obvious relevance and importance for global warming policymaking. This paper focuses on the Earth’s thermal inertia time scale which has so far received relatively little attention. The dierence between the equilibrium climate sensitivity and the observed transient climate response is shown to be proportional to the thermal inertia time scale, and the numerical value of the proportionality factor is determined using recent observational data. Many useful policymaking insights can be extracted from the resulting empirical quantitative relation. For example, an equilibrium climate sensitivity above 4:5 C would imply a thermal inertia time scale of over 6 decades, and therefore the Earth’s response to any audacious mitigation eorts would be very sluggish.
Convection-Enhanced Delivery of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand with Systemic Administration of Temozolomide Prolongs Survival in an Intracranial Glioblastoma Xenograft Model

Although tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a potent activator of cell death, preferentially killing neoplastic cells over normal cells, the efficacy of TRAIL for the treatment of glioma might be limited due to cellular resistance and, importantly, poor distribution after systemic administration. TRAIL and temozolomide (TMZ) were recently shown to have a synergistic antitumor effect against U87MG glioma cells in vitro. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) can effectively distribute TRAIL protein throughout a brain tumor mass. In this study, we evaluated CED of TRAIL, alone and in conjunction with systemic TMZ administration, for antitumor efficacy. CED of TRAIL demonstrated safe and effective distribution in both normal brain and a U87MG intracranial xenograft model. Individually, both CED of TRAIL and systemic TMZ administration prolonged survival in tumor-bearing rats. However, the combination of these two treatments was significantly more effective than either treatment alone. CED of TRAIL in conjunction with systemic TMZ treatment is a promising strategy for the treatment of malignant gliomas.
The Remedy for a Nollan/Dolan Unconstitutional Conditions Violation

This paper addresses the remedy question left open by Koontz v. St. John's River Water Management District, decided by the United States Supreme Court in June 2013. It argues that invalidation of the condition is the proper remedy for a violation of the Takings Clause as a result of the imposition of an unconstitutional condition. This conclusion is consistent with past application of the unconstitutional conditions doctrine in numerous U.S. Supreme Court decisions in other contexts and is consistent with numerous other state and federal decision in the land-use exactions context.
On-Line Sputter Rate Measurements During SIMS, AES Depth Profiling

In high-sensitivity depth profiling techniques like SIMS, AES, ESCA, ISS, etc., the continuous measurement of sputter rate or sputtered depth during sputtering becomes increasingly important. Established on-line techniques for sputter rate measurements based on optical and electro-mechanical sensing are less suited because of the extensive calibration and sample preparation, the low depth resolution and the restricted availability with respect to different material. In this paper a simple electro-optical technique is used as an on-line method for measuring the sputtered depth during SIMS/AES depth profiling. Its optical arrangement is shown schematically in Fig. 1.
Revealing graphene oxide toxicity mechanisms: A reactive molecular dynamics study

Abstract We report the first atomistic-scale study on graphene oxide (GO) toxicity, revealing potentially harmful chemical mechanisms of GO during its interactions with biomolecules. ReaxFF-based reactive molecular dynamics study was utilized to assess the impact of different functional groups on GO biocompatibility. Our study predicts different chemical reactions between the GO sheet and peptides that lead to reactive oxidative species (ROS), acidic or basic pHs and cell surface adhesions. We observe that cell-surface adhesion is a result of strong H-bonding and stable π–π stacking interaction. This stacking can also lead to the disruption of the polypeptide secondary structure.
Borehole Acoustic Dipole Response With Drilling-induced Vertical Fractures

Understanding the effect of drilling-induced fractures on borehole dipole-flexural waves is important for interpreting the result of cross-dipole anisotropy measurement. This effect was analyzed using a discrete-wavenumber finite element method. We studied the dispersion characteristics of the acoustic dipole modes in an isotropic formation with various drilling-induced fractures along the borehole. Within the frequency range of dipole acoustic logging, these fractures induce two major dipole modes with different phase velocities and distinctive polarization directions along and perpendicular to the fracture orientation. The result indicates that shallow and deep fractures influence the dipole modes differently. Shallow fractures split the dipole velocities at high frequencies while deep fractures cause the splitting at low frequencies. As a result, deep fractures can induce significant shearwave azimuthal anisotropy measured by cross-dipole logging. Other aspects of fractures were also analyzed. Wider fractures cause larger velocity differences than narrower ones. Multiple fractures have a similar effect compared with a single fracture. The result of this work provides a theoretical foundation for interpreting the crossdipole shear-wave anisotropy measurement in the presence of drilling-induced fractures.
The Origins of the National Association of Life Underwriters

Behind the formation, in 1890, of the National Association of Life Underwriters lay two decades of localized, often abortive attempts at self-regulation through association. Malpractice, while not universal, was sufficiently widespread to hinder the growth of a broad market for life insurance. Early regulatory efforts failed when the organizers of those efforts were unable to solve the administrative problems of dealing with apathy on the one hand and defiance on the other. But these failures paved the way for renewed efforts. When, at last, a number of widely scattered associations had succeeded in accomplishing reforms, thereby solidifying member support, the stage was set for organization on a national scale.
America’s Golden Years? U.S. Security in an Aging World

One of the most important, and hotly contested, debates in the international-security literature is the likelihood of a balancing coalition being formed against American unipolarity by the other most powerful actors in the system. One factor that has profound implications for this debate but has received relatively little attention in the literature is global population aging. All of the great powers are growing older — in most cases at a substantial rate and extent. This phenomenon will be a potent force for the continuation of American power dominance, both economic and military. Aging populations are likely to result in the slow down of states’ economic growth at the same time that governments face substantial pressure to pay for massive new expenditures for elderly care. This double economic dilemma will create such an austere fiscal environment that the other great powers will lack the resources necessary to overtake America’s huge power lead. Investments designed to improve overall economic growth and purchases of military weaponry will be crowded out. Compounding these difficulties for the other great powers is the fact that although the United States is growing older, it is doing so to a lesser extent and less quickly than all of the other major actors in the system. Consequently, although the costs created by America’s own aging population are staggering, the other powers are in worse position that the U.S. Global aging is therefore not only likely to extend U.S. hegemony (because the other powers will lack the resources necessary to overtake America’s economic and military power lead), but deepen it as the other major actors in the system are likely to fall even farther behind the U.S. This paper explores the causes and likely extent of global aging, and especially this phenomenon’s numerous substantial effects on American security interests, both positive and negative.
Toward Meaningful Blood Usage Review: Comprehensive Monitoring of Physician Practice

Abstract During a one-year period, all blood transfusions at an acute care Veterans Administration hospital were concurrently reviewed. Inappropriate transfusion episodes represented less than 2% of the total according to clinical criteria established for purposes of screening cases. The percentage of episodes reviewed that did not meet the screening criteria decreased progressively (3.6% to 0.3%) during the study period. Episodes in which red blood cells (RBC) or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) alone and RBC and FFP together were transfused comprised almost all of the cases that were unjustified by peer review. The findings indicated that, although comprehensive review may document the overall appropriateness of clinical transfusion practice, more detailed profiling of clinical circumstances of each episode is necessary to provide convincing arguments for major revisions in hemotherapy practice.
Complexity in future cities: the rise of networked infrastructure

ABSTRACTHow will urban infrastructure systems (UIS) be planned in future cities? In the twenty-first century, cities will need to overcome many challenges. They will need to accommodate a growing urban population who aspire for higher standards of living, while reducing the amount of energy and resources that are being consumed, and UIS planning will be central to address these challenges. A conceptual approach is taken in this article to envision the role and structure of UIS in future cities. First by recalling concepts of diminishing marginal returns from Joseph Tainter, a brief history of infrastructure planning is then offered, spanning from the early human settlements and the Roman aqueducts to modern planning. A discussion of the current structure and co-dependence of UIS follows, and ideas are presented to better engineer networked infrastructure systems, notably using elements of complexity science. Finally, some ideas are offered to leverage current advances in information technology to better c...
Comparison of pediatric voice handicap index scores with perceptual voice analysis in patients following airway reconstruction.

ObjectivesWe performed a retrospective review to compare a subjective parental proxy-derived voice handicap survey to an observer-derived method of measuring voice perturbation in children who have...
Actual 5-year survivors following resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

352Background: Although several studies have reported on actuarial survival outcomes following resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, the characteristics of patients who actually reached the 5-year milestone have not been adequately described. Methods: Patients who underwent resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma from 2000-2015 in 10 US academic institutions participating in the Extrahepatic Biliary Malignancy Consortium were analyzed. Patients alive at last encounter with less than 5 years of follow-up were excluded. The clinicopathologic characteristics, perioperative, and long-term outcomes of actual 5-yr survivors and of patients who died within 5 years were compared. Results: Of 328 patients explored, 257 (78%) underwent curative resection and had an actuarial 5-year survival of 17%. After excluding 63 survivors with < 5 years follow-up, 194 patients were further classified as 5-year survivors (n = 23, 12%) and non-5-yr survivors. None of the 5-yr survivors had preoperative systemic biliary sepsis, p...
Electron-transfer reactions of halogenated electrophiles: a different look into the nature of halogen bonding

The rates of oxidation of ferrocene derivatives by brominated molecules R-Br (CBr3CN, CBr4, CBr3NO2, CBr3COCBr3, CBr3CONH2, CBr3F, and CBr3H) were consistent with the predictions of the outer-sphere dissociative electron-transfer theory. The similar redox-reactions of the R-Br electrophiles with the typical halogen-bond acceptors tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) or iodide were much faster than calculated using the same model. The fast redox-processes in these systems were related to the involvement of the transient halogen-bonded [R-Br, TMPD] or [R-Br, I-] complexes in which barriers for electron transfer were lowered by the strong electronic coupling of reactants. The Mulliken-Hush treatment of the spectral and structural characteristics of the [R-Br, TMPD] or [R-Br, I-] complexes corroborated the values of coupling elements, Hab, of 0.2-0.5 eV implied by the kinetic data. The Natural Bond Orbital analysis of these complexes indicated a noticeable donor/acceptor charge transfer, Δq, of 0.03-0.09 ē. The Hab and Δq values in the [R-Br, TMPD] and [R-Br, I-] complexes (which are similar to those in the traditional charge-transfer associates) indicate significant contribution of charge-transfer (weakly-covalent) interaction to halogen bonding. The decrease of the barrier for electron transfer between the halogen-bonded reactants demonstrated in the current work points out that halogen bonding should be taken into account in the mechanistic analysis of the reactions of halogenated species.
Principles and Methods of Statistical Assessment of Abuse-Deterrent Opioids

The FDA Guidance for Industry: Abuse-Deterrent Opioids—Evaluation and Labeling was published in April 2015. Since then questions have been raised regarding how to determine the relative abuse-deterrent (AD) effect of an AD formulation (a test product) compared to an immidiate release (IR) or NonAD extended release (ER) formulation of the same opioid (a positive control) and how to define a responder for responder analysis in clinical abuse potential studies. These questions are reasonable and important for the assessment of AD effect of an AD formulation. This article discusses the principles of the statistical assessment in this area and gives details on how to calculate sample size for the primary comparison in the study and how to perform the statistical analyses. In addition, the article also discusses the reason why the non-inferiority test is not proper for the comparison between a test product and an approved AD version of the same opioid product. Finally, a gatekeeping testing procedure is proposed for this comparison with an example.
Integrating Agricultural Injury Prevention with Rural Pediatrics: A Pilot Assessment

ABSTRACTBackground: Childhood agricultural injuries are an important public health problem. Pediatricians are a trusted source of expertise in children’s health and safety and could serve as a sphere of influence to augment child agricultural injury prevention efforts. The purpose of this pilot study was to begin to explore the perspectives of pediatricians in a large rural health clinic about addressing child agricultural injury prevention within their practice. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with nine pediatricians who maintain a clinical practice of at least 2 days a week and care for newborns through adolescents. Detailed interviewer notes were reviewed and summarized. Results: Rural pediatricians readily acknowledge substantial numbers of farm children in their practice. In general, these providers: (1) recognize farming environments as a safety risk and see agricultural injury prevention as an important topic to be addressed with their patients, (2) are comfortable discussing the topi...
Imagery, Probability and the Roots of Werner Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle Paper

I should like to set the stage for this meeting by exploring how the concept of probability was transformed by developments in atomic physics during 1913–1927. In outline I will proceed as follows: I will begin with a survey of the visual imagery, causality and probability of classical physics; then I turn to Niels Bohr’s 1913 theory of the atom and the emergence in 1924 of nonclassical notions of probability; the contrast between the quantum and wave mechanics in 1926; Max Born’s theory of scattering; Werner Heisenberg on fluctuations, discontinuity and probability; transformation theory and word meanings; the uncertainty principle paper; and then conclude with Niels Bohr’s concept of complementarity.
Friends Without Benefits: Understanding the Dark Sides of Workplace Friendship

Although many scholars and practitioners have assumed that workplace friendships lead to desirable organizational outcomes, a growing body of research suggests important complexities and downsides ...
An Analysis of a Large-Scale Machine Repair Model

A machine repair model under general operating/repair distributions is considered in the Quality-and-Efficiency Driven asymptotic (QED) regime: both the number of machines and the number of repairm...
Stability robustness of linear feedback controlled flexible mechanical systems

We consider linear mechanical systems containing flexible components and subject to linear memoryless feedback controllers. In general, if a stabilizing controller is designed based on a rigidified model, i.e., a model in which some of the flexible components are assumed rigid, it is not true that this controller also stabilizes the ‘real’ flexible system. We present a condition which guarantees that a stabilizing controller whose design is based on a rigidified model also stabilizes the flexible system, provided that the components, whose flexibilities are neglected in the rigidified model, are sufficiently stiff. This condition involves the location of the rate sensors and is independent of the location of the displacement sensors. For a natural class of systems and controllers, the condition is automatically satisfied when the rate sensors are collocated with the actuators.
Reconceptualizing the Role of Creativity in Art Education Theory and Practice

Reconceptualizing contemporary notions about creativity in visual arts education should be an important issue in art education today. Currently, creativity may not be a primary focus at National Art Education Association conferences or in its publications. There are recent indications that art education is a site where creativity can be developed and nurtured for all students with emphasis on both individual processes and cultural practices. It is advocated that through critical analysis of concepts related to art education and creativity that research and practice can be developed to cultivate creative education for all art students. Topics discussed in this article, related to reconsidering creativity, include the history of creativity in art education, definitions of creativity, assessment of creative processes, dispositional factors and creative individuals, cultural variability and creativity, and educational interventions that promote student creativity.
Activation of the Heat Shock Transcription Factor During G1

The regulation of the division cycles of eukaryotic cells has been intensively investigated in recent years and appears to involve both changes in gene expression and posttranslational modification of preexisting proteins1–3. Cell-cycle dependent transcription has been shown to be regulated by a number of transcription factors. Most of these factors are associated with the progression of cells from G0 to G1. The nature of the factors involved in cell cycle stage dependent transcription is more obscure although factors involved in the expression of the histone genes have been described4 and the recent discovery of the E2F transcription factor which may regulate events during G1 and S has supplied the link between cell cycle dependent transcription and the cyclin-cdc2 system that drives the cell cycle5–7. The regulation of G1 appears to be highly complex with at least three families of cyclins acting at different stages and with apparently discrete functions in the cell 2, 8. in the present report, we have examined the potential role of members of the heat shock transcription factor (HSF) family in cell cycle-dependent transcription. Cells from higher eukaryotic organisms express 2–3 distinct HSF genes9, 10. The prototypical family member, HSF-1 regulates transcription of genes encoding heat shock proteins (hsp) during stress while the functions of the other family members remain largely unknown9, 11. The rationale for investigating HSF activity during the cell cycle is that the expression of heat shock proteins, the downstream products of HSF activation is observed during the division cycles of many cell types12–14 We observed HSF activation during the early stages of G1 which was associated with the transcription of heat shock genes and the synthesis of heat shock mRNA and proteins. Using antibodies specific for HSF-1 and HSF-2, we identified the species active during G1 as HSF-l. HSF-l activation possessed many of the properties associated with a key point in the cell cycle known as the restriction point including a transient lifetime (3hr) and a marked sensitivity to cycloheximide treatment.
Descriptive Research in End User Computing: Embracing the “D Word” to Understand End User Innovation

Although end user computing appears to be enormously widespread and important, we do not have a detailed, data-grounded understanding of who end users are, what they do, or how they use computers to innovate. To develop that understanding, we need to do detailed descriptive research. We need to understand the ways in which corporations are structured and ways to segment the end user community into groups that are likely to have different needs and different paths to innovation. In marketing, we say that the customer is “the familiar unknown.” Although businesses think about customers all the time, marketers have learned over time that they cannot understand customers unless they do broad research on them. The same need exists in end user computing research. This paper discusses statistical data on occupational employment to give a broad picture of the diversity that exists among end users. It then discusses why we must reconceptualize organizational structure before we can understand the diversity of end users. Finally, the paper discusses a research project design to develop an understanding of organizational structure and of end user issues and innovations in a professional services organization.
Die Hauptarten der Gedanken

Allen Gedanken wohnt eine Intention inne; deren Ziel kann sein: ein Gegenstand, eine Beziehung, ein Gesamtsinn. Hiernach gliedern sich auch psychologisch die Hauptarten der Gedanken.
Time Petri Nets

Time Petri nets (TPN’s) are first introduced by Merlin and Farber [MF76]. In a TPN, two time values are defined for each transition, αs and βs, where αs is the minimum time the transition must wait for after it is enabled and before it is fired, and βs is the maximum time the transition can wait for before firing if it is still enabled. Times αs and βs, for transition t, are relative to the moment at which transition t is enabled. Assuming that transition t has been enabled at time τ, then t, even if it continuously enabled, cannot fire before time τ + αs and must fire before or at time τ + βs, unless it is disabled before its firing by the firing of another transition.
Abstract 5287: Challenges and opportunities using mobile technology for data collection in biomedical research: An observational discovery science investigation with Spanish-speaking Latinas

Mobile devices including phones offer significant contributions to improve reach and convenience of research participation and data collection. Technological advancements have enabled smartphone devices to track health behaviors such as physical activity and provide convenient feedback as well as survey data. High usage of mobile devices i.e., smartphones among both US born and immigrant Latinos may not similarly translate to mobile technology utility for research participation among Latinos and other ethnic minority populations. Among Latinos, smartphones are primarily used for communication as only 50% use the data application capabilities. The acceptability and application of mobile data harnessing tools can present both opportunities and challenges for engaging this population in research. We report our observations of the challenges Latinas face using mobile technology for data collection. Latina mothers were recruited from school to participate in a behavioral nutrition and physical activity study for cancer and chronic disease reduction. A total of 38 enrolled and 32 participated in the intervention. 63% were Spanish speakers, 59% were foreign-born, 66% had ≤high school education, 91% reported income Citation Format: Kimlin T. Ashing, Alejandro Fernandez, Mayra Serrano, Marisela Garcia, Katty Nerio. Challenges and opportunities using mobile technology for data collection in biomedical research: An observational discovery science investigation with Spanish-speaking Latinas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5287.
Efficient Monte Carlo simulation of a dissipative Ising chain

We numerically study the dissipative transverse field Ising model in a bosonic bath with Ohmic spectral density. We present Monte Carlo techniques for studying this model in previously inaccessible regimes of strong frustration. We then consider a well-studied limit of this model, infinite-separation, and further show that even for finite separations there is no magnetic ordering associated with the case of an infinite bath cutoff frequency. We discuss future applications for the Monte Carlo method.
Folded-chain single crystals of a liquid crystal polymer

We report here the results of an electron microscopy and electron diffraction study of the morphology of a random terpolymer crystallised from nematic state by cooling in the presence of a magnetic field and in the form of thin films on a liquid surface
A Deep Learning Approach to Dual-Polarization Radar Rainfall Estimation

Traditionally, radar rainfall algorithms are derived through nonlinear regression of rain rates and simulated radar observables from raindrop size distribution (DSD). The performance of such empirical relations is highly dependent on the physical model of DSD and the parametric relation between the physical model and radar parameters. Such algorithms also have large uncertainties that need to be adaptively adjusted based on local DSD properties. In this research, we propose an alternative approach to dual-polarization radar rainfall estimation. In particular, a non-parametric machine learning model is designed and trained using simulated radar data based on DSD measurements in different climatological regimes. The trained model is applied to real radar measurements to produce rain rate estimates. Preliminary results show the promising performance of this novel method compared to traditional parametric rainfall relations.
Analysis of CRISPR gene drive design in budding yeast.

Control of biological populations remains a critical goal to address the challenges facing ecosystems and agriculture and those posed by human disease, including pests, parasites, pathogens and invasive species. A particular architecture of the CRISPR/Cas biotechnology – a gene drive – has the potential to modify or eliminate populations on a massive scale. Super-Mendelian inheritance has now been demonstrated in both fungi and metazoans, including disease vectors such as mosquitoes. Studies in yeast and fly model systems have developed a number of molecular safeguards to increase biosafety and control over drive systems in vivo, including titration of nuclease activity, anti-CRISPR-dependent inhibition and use of non-native DNA target sites. We have developed a CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that allows for the safe and rapid examination of alternative drive designs and control mechanisms. In this study, we tested whether non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) had occurred within diploid cells displaying a loss of the target allele following drive activation and did not detect any instances of NHEJ within multiple sampled populations. We also demonstrated successful multiplexing using two additional non-native target sequences. Furthermore, we extended our analysis of ‘resistant’ clones that still harboured both the drive and target selection markers following expression of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9; de novo mutation or NHEJ-based repair could not explain the majority of these heterozygous clones. Finally, we developed a second-generation gene drive in yeast with a guide RNA cassette integrated within the drive locus with a near 100 % success rate; resistant clones in this system could also be reactivated during a second round of Cas9 induction.
Binormalized Factorizations for Magnetostatic Integral Equations

Localization-based sparse direct solvers provide a general framework for preconditioning sparse representations of integral equation formulations of magnetostatic field problems. However, problems involving complex meshes and geometries often lead to poorly conditioned system matrices. In some cases, localization-based preconditioners fail to yield convergent iterative solutions for these matrices. In this presentation it is shown that incorporating a multilevel matrix binormalization significantly increases the effectiveness of localization-based preconditioners.
Pediatric adenoidectomy in the very young child and indications for postoperative inpatient admission

Abstract Objectives To determine the rate of significant respiratory events following adenoidectomy in young patients and to identify factors that would prompt inpatient admission postoperatively. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of consecutive adenoidectomy surgeries at a high-volume, tertiary-care children's hospital between 2016 and 2018. Children under 3.5 years of age who had surgery for obstructive symptoms were included. Patients were grouped by age (youngest ≤1.5 years, middle 1.6–2.5 years, and oldest 2.6–3.5 years). We excluded patients having revision surgery, a concomitant tonsillectomy, or additional major surgical procedure. Results There were 353 patients that met inclusion criteria. The three age groups were similar with respect to all characteristics except age (p Conclusions Significant respiratory events are uncommon after adenoidectomy for obstructive symptoms, even in very young children. However, for children under 1.5 years of age or those with AHI scores above 5 events/hr, postoperative admission for monitoring is recommended. Clinical judgement should be used when considering outpatient surgery for older children or those with comorbidities.
Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks and the Catalytic Properties of Their Carbon Materials

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are traditionally synthesized solvothermally by using cost- and waste-incurring organic solvents. Here, a direct synthesis method is reported for ZIF-8, ZIF-67, and their heterometallic versions from solid precursors only. This solvent-free crystallization method not only completely avoids organic solvents, but also provides an effective path for the synthesis of homogeneous mixed-metal ZIFs. Furthermore, under templating by NaCl/ZnCl2 eutectic salt, carbonization of the ZIF materials gives rise to a series of N-containing high-surface-area carbon materials with impressive catalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Discriminating VCID subgroups: A diffusion MRI multi-model fusion approach

Abstract Background Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) and Alzheimer's disease are predominant diseases among the aging population resulting in decline of various cognitive domains. Diffusion weighted MRI (DW-MRI) has been shown to be a promising aid in the diagnosis of such diseases. However, there are various models of DW-MRI and the interpretation of diffusion metrics depends on the model used in fitting data. Most previous studies are entirely based on parameters calculated from a single diffusion model. New Method We employ a data fusion framework wherein diffusion metrics from different models such as diffusion tensor imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging and constrained spherical deconvolution model are fused using well known blind source separation approach to investigate white matter microstructural changes in population comprising of controls and VCID subgroups. Multiple comparisons between subject groups and prediction analysis using features from individual models and proposed fusion model are carried out to evaluate performance of proposed method. Results Diffusion features from individual models successfully distinguished between controls and disease groups, but failed to differentiate between disease groups, whereas fusion approach showed group differences between disease groups too. WM tracts showing significant differences are superior longitudinal fasciculus, anterior thalamic radiation, arcuate fasciculus, optic radiation and corticospinal tract. Comparison with existing method ROC analysis showed increased AUC for fusion (AUC = 0.913, averaged across groups and tracts) compared to that of uni-model features (AUC = 0.77) demonstrating increased sensitivity of proposed method. Conclusion Overall our results highlight the benefits of multi-model fusion approach, providing improved sensitivity in discriminating VCID subgroups.
Exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and diisononyl phthalate during adulthood disrupts hormones and ovarian folliculogenesis throughout the prime reproductive life of the mouse

Abstract Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a phthalate commonly used for its plasticizing capabilities. Because of the wide production and use of DEHP, humans are exposed to DEHP on a daily basis. Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) is often used as a DEHP replacement chemical, and because of the increased use of DiNP, humans are increasingly exposed to DiNP over time. Of concern is that DEHP and DiNP both exhibit endocrine disrupting capabilities, and little is known about how short-term exposure to either of these phthalates affects aspects of female reproduction. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that short-term exposure to DEHP or DiNP during adulthood has long-lasting consequences on ovarian follicles and hormones in female mice. Female CD-1 mice aged 39–40 days were orally dosed with either vehicle control (corn oil), DEHP (20 μg/kg/day–200 mg/kg/day), or DiNP (20 μg/kg/day–200 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. Ovarian follicle populations, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and inhibin B were analyzed at time points immediately post-dosing and 3, 6, and 9 months post-dosing. The results indicate that 10 days of exposure to DEHP and DiNP changed the distribution of ovarian follicle populations and sex steroid hormones at multiple time points, including the last time point, 9 months post-dosing. Further, FSH was increased at multiple doses up to 6 months post-dosing. Inhibin B was not affected by treatment. These data show that short-term exposure to either DEHP or DiNP has long-term consequences that persist long after cessation of exposure.
A Novel Pharmacological Approach to Enhance the Integrity and Accelerate Restitution of the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier.

Background Disruption of the gut barrier is an essential mechanism of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) contributing to the development of mucosal inflammation. A hallmark of barrier disruption is the disassembly of epithelial adherens junctions (AJs) driven by decreased expression of a major AJ protein, E-cadherin. A group of isoxazole compounds, such as E-cadherin-upregulator (ECU) and ML327, were previously shown to stimulate E-cadherin expression in poorly differentiated human cancer cells. This study was designed to examine whether these isoxazole compounds can enhance and protect model intestinal epithelial barriers in vitro. Methods The study was conducted using T84, SK-CO15, and HT-29 human colonic epithelial cell monolayers. Disruption of the epithelial barrier was induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ. Barrier integrity and epithelial junction assembly was examined using different permeability assays, immunofluorescence labeling, and confocal microscopy. Epithelial restitution was analyzed using a scratch wound healing assay. Results E-cadherin-upregulator and ML327 treatment of intestinal epithelial cell monolayers resulted in several barrier-protective effects, including reduced steady-state epithelial permeability, inhibition of cytokine-induced barrier disruption and junction disassembly, and acceleration of epithelial wound healing. Surprisingly, these effects were not due to upregulation of E-cadherin expression but were mediated by multiple mechanisms including inhibition of junction protein endocytosis, attenuation of cytokine-induced apoptosis, and activation of promigratory Src and AKT signaling. Conclusions Our data highlight ECU and ML327 as promising compounds for developing new therapeutic strategies to protect the integrity and accelerate the restitution of the intestinal epithelial barrier in IBD and other inflammatory disorders.
Beamforming Design for High-Resolution Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation

Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) has been shown to modulate neural activity. Recent experiments suggest potential applications of LIFU stimulation for treating neuropsychiatric disorders like depression and Alzheimer’s. The modulation effect is usually positively correlated with the ultrasound intensity, and there exists a minimum intensity threshold for the neuromodulation to be effective. Therefore, precise configuring of the ultrasound transducer is required to sonicate the target brain region at the desired intensity with appropriate spatial resolution. In this study, we investigate the optimization of targeting through fine temporal and spatial power delivery control of a phased array of ultrasound elements. A novel metric of the ultrasound neuromodulation resolution is proposed, and an optimization problem is formulated and solved to minimize side effects in the form of off-target region sonications. Simulation results show that our method is able to significantly improve the focusing resolution compared to the benchmark and reduce the volume experiencing possible off-target neuromodulation.
Porcine dermal matrix sandwich graft for lower eyelid reconstruction.

Purpose: To report the clinical outcomes of porcine acellular dermal matrix implants sandwiched between skin and conjunctival flaps for lower eyelid reconstruction following Mohs surgery.Methods: A...
Linking autoantigen properties to mechanisms of immunity

Abstract Antigen-specific immunotherapies (ASIT) present compelling potential for introducing precision to the treatment of autoimmune diseases where nonspecific, global immunosuppression is currently the only treatment option. Central to ASIT design is the delivery of autoantigen, which parallels allergy desensitization approaches. Clinical success in tolerizing allergen-specific responses spans longer than a century, but autoimmune ASITs have yet to see an FDA-approved breakthrough. Allergens and autoantigens differ substantially in physicochemical properties, and these discrepancies influence the nature of their interactions with the immune system. Approved allergen-specific immunotherapies are typically administered as water soluble, neutrally charged protein fractions from 10 to 70 kDa. Conversely, autoantigens are native proteins that exhibit wide-ranging sizes, solubilities, and charges that render them susceptible to immunogenicity. To translate the success of allergen hyposensitization to ASIT, delivery strategies may be necessary to effectively format autoantigens, guide biodistribution, and engage appropriate immune mechanisms.