cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seeing with your hands: A better way to obtain perception capabilities with a personal robot

For centuries humans have been dreaming of robotic systems assisting them in their lives. Slowly but steady robots get involved or take over human tasks. Today we can find a variety of different robots, deployed and used in all kinds of different environments for a variety of tasks and purposes. These mechanical helpers are deployed in application sites like the manufacturing industry, search and rescue scenarios or as assistive robots in our daily live, to just name a few. Benefits to utilizing a robotic system which either assists or takes over human tasks ranges from economical benefits over saving human lives to improve human quality of life. In factories robots are used to optimize highly repetitive tasks, increasing production margins. In hazardous environments robots are put to use instead of humans, preventing death or life threatening injuries. In our homes or gardens, we find robots vacuuming or mowing the lawn. Today’s robots however, are still very limited in tasks they can perform. They are either restricted to a very specific or known environment, remote operated, simplified in their task execution or not fully autonomous. These limitations arise from deficits in perception, manipulation and state estimation algorithm, to name only a few reasons why operating a fully autonomous general purpose robot in an unstructured environments is still impossible to realize. Incentives to overcome these limitations and utilize more sophisticated and smarter robotic systems are plenty available. Surely everyone of us has dreamed of a robotic servant that takes care of all the unloved duties in our household. A robot that could handle such duties when we are at work or pursue our hobbies. Tasks like cleaning, washing the dishes, doing laundry, setting the table and so many more things could be performed by a personal robot butler, Fig. 1. Compared to household robots, which only benefit individuals, robots in healthcare could potentially reward entire societies. With healthcare costs rising for several years robots could help lowering or stabilizing these costs. They could be operated in hospitals, senior homes or other healthcare facilities. Tasks like patient transport within the hospital, food delivery, errants and so on, could be performed by a robot in the future. Furthermore they could assist elderly in their day to day living, like in senior homes or facilitate home care. These two applications and their possibilities are just a small glimpse of the endless possibilities how robots could help.
Fifth Eastern Intercollegiate Poultry Judging Contest

Abstract The fifth Eastern Intercollegiate Poultry Judging Contest was held at Madison Square Garden, January 27, 1922. New Jersey won the sweepstakes cup by having the best balanced team. New York was second in total points having the best exhibition judges. Pennsylvania was third having the best judges of egg production. The contest was longer than usual since five birds were entered in each class instead of four as in the past. Inasmuch as judges are expected to place at least five ribbons on a class it seemed desirable to increase the class to five thereby more nearly approaching actual judging conditions. The increase seemed to be generally satisfactory. A study of the scores seems to show that it is easier to place birds differing by 15 eggs than it is to place birds differing by a few points in their exhibition score. With the exception of the Wyandotte production class . . .
High-pressure denaturation of apomyoglobin.

Abstract The pressure denaturation of wild type and mutant apomyoglobin (apoMb) was investigated using a high-pressure, high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance and high-pressure fluorescence techniques. Wild type apoMb is resistant to pressures up to 80 MPa, and denatures to a high-pressure intermediate, I p , between 80 and 200 MPa. A further increase of pressure to 500 MPa results in denaturation of the intermediate. The two tryptophans, both in the A helix, remain sequestered from solvent in the high-pressure intermediate, which retains some native NOESY cross peaks in the AGH core as well as between F33 and F43. High-pressure fluorescence shows that the tryptophans remain inaccessible to solvent in the I p state. Thus the high-pressure intermediate has some structural properties in common with the apoMb I 2 acid intermediate. The resistance of the AGH core to pressures up to 200 MPa provides further evidence that the intrinsic stability of these α-helices is responsible for their presence in a number of equilibrium intermediates as well as in the earliest kinetic folding intermediate. Mutations in the AGH core designed to disrupt packing by burying a charge or increasing the size of a hydrophobic residue significantly perturbed the unfolding of native apoMb to the high-pressure intermediate. The F123W and S108L mutants both unfolded at lower pressures, while retaining some resistance to pressures below 50 MPa. The charge burial mutants, A130K and S108K, are not stable at very low pressures and both denature to the intermediate by 100 MPa, half of the pressure required for wild type apoMb. Thus a similar intermediate state is created independent of the method of perturbation, and mutations have similar effects on native state destabilization for both methods of denaturation. These data suggest that equilibrium intermediates that can be formed through different means are likely to resemble a kinetic intermediate.
Role of short distance behavior in off-shell open-string field theory

A recent proposal for a background-independent open-string field theory is studied in detail for a class of backgrounds that correspond to general quadratic boundary interactions on the world sheet. A short distance cutoff is introduced to formulate the theory with a finite number of local and potentially unrenormalizable boundary couplings. It is shown that renormalization of the boundary couplings makes both the world-sheet partition function and the string field action finite and cutoff independent, although the resulting string field action has an unpalatable dependence on the leading unrenormalizable coupling.
Biofuel co-products as swine feed ingredients: Combining corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and crude glycerin

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the effects of combining corn DDGS with crude glycerin on growth performance and carcass traits to determine if a high level of crude glycerin supplementation could counteract the impact of corn DDGS on fatty acid profile of pork adipose. The experimental design was a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with three levels of corn DDGS (0, 150, or 250 g/kg diet) and two levels of crude glycerin (0 or 100 g/kg diet). Pigs were fed one of six experimental diets over a 3-phase feeding program for 84 d with each diet within phase formulated to be equal in metabolizable energy (ME) and standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID Lys). Pigs and feeders were weighed every 14 d to determine average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed efficiency (G:F). On d-84, pigs were weighed and scanned using real-time ultrasound to obtain fat depth and longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) area. Pigs were then harvested at a commercial abattoir and a sample of adipose was collected from the jowl of each pig. Because there was no interaction between level of corn DDGS and crude glycerin fed, only main effects are presented. Pig performance and carcass characteristics were not affected by dietary treatment (P≥0.05). Differences in fatty acid composition were present due to dietary treatment. Increasing the level of corn DDGS reduced concentration of both saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and increased the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in pork jowl adipose (P
Electronic structural properties and photosynthesis

A review of recent theoretical studies of molecules of interest to photosynthesis is given, in which the results of ab initio self-consistent-field plus configuration-interaction studies are discussed. Ground-state and low-lying excited singlet and triplet state descriptions are presented for six molecules, including Mg-porphine Mg-chlorin, ethyl chlorophyllide a, and their corresponding magnesium-free analogs. The data are then used to rationalize a variety of observed properties, including molecular orbital structure, ionization potentials, chemical reactivity, Franck-Condon transition energies, oscillator strengths, transition polarizations, and other properties. As a result, relatively comprehensive and complete descriptions of the electronic structural features of chlorophyll a and related molecules are obtained, which are in general good agreement with available experimental data, but which also provide new concepts and reinterpretation of existing data in several instances. 66 references, 21 figures, 1 table.
Expression cloning and periplasmic orientation of the Francisella novicida lipid A 4'-phosphatase LpxF.

Francisella tularensis and related intracellular pathogens synthesize lipid A molecules that differ from their Escherichia coli counterparts. Although a functional orthologue of lpxK, the gene encoding the lipid A 4′-kinase, is present in Francisella, no 4′-phosphate moiety is attached to Francisella lipid A. We now demonstrate that a membrane-bound phosphatase present in Francisella novicida U112 selectively removes the 4′-phosphate residue from tetra- and pentaacylated lipid A molecules. A clone that expresses the F. novicida 4′-phosphatase was identified by assaying lysates of E. coli colonies, harboring members of an F. novicida genomic DNA library, for 4′-phosphatase activity. Sequencing of a 2.5-kb F. novicida DNA insert from an active clone located the structural gene for the 4′-phosphatase, designated lpxF. It encodes a protein of 222 amino acid residues with six predicted membrane-spanning segments. Rhizobium leguminosarum and Rhizobium etli contain functional lpxF orthologues, consistent with their lipid A structures. When F. novicida LpxF is expressed in an E. coli LpxM mutant, a strain that synthesizes pentaacylated lipid A, over 90% of the lipid A molecules are dephosphorylated at the 4′-position. Expression of LpxF in wild-type E. coli has no effect, because wild-type hexaacylated lipid A is not a substrate. However, newly synthesized lipid A is not dephosphorylated in LpxM mutants by LpxF when the MsbA flippase is inactivated, indicating that LpxF faces the outer surface of the inner membrane. The availability of the lpxF gene will facilitate re-engineering lipid A structures in diverse bacteria.
Fis plays a role in Tn5 and IS50 transposition.

Abstract The Fis (factor for inversion stimulation) protein of Escherichia coli was found to influence the frequency of transposon Tn5 and insertion sequence IS50 transposition. Fis stimulated both Tn5 and IS50 transposition events and also inhibited IS50 transposition in Dam-bacteria. This influence was not due to regulation by Fis of the expression of the Tn5 transposition proteins. We localized, by DNase I footprinting, one Fis site overlapping the inside end of IS50 and give evidence to strongly suggest that when Fis binds to this site, IS50 transposition is inhibited. The Fis site at the inside end overlaps three Dam GATC sites, and Fis bound efficiently only to the unmethylated substrate. Using a mobility shift assay, we also identified another potential Fis site within IS50. Given the growth phase-dependent expression of Fis and its differential effect on Tn5 versus IS50 transposition in Dam-bacteria, we propose that the high levels of Fis present during exponential growth stimulate transposition events and might bias those events toward Tn5 and away from IS50 transposition.
Dietary Cholesterol Protects Against Alcohol‐Induced Cerebral Artery Constriction

Background Binge drinking represents the major form of excessive alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) consumption in the United States. Episodic (such as binge) drinking results in blood alcohol levels (BAL) of 18 to 80 mM and leads to alcohol-induced cerebral artery constriction (AICAC). AICAC was shown to arise from EtOH-induced inhibition of large-conductance, calcium/voltage-gated potassium (BK) channels in the vascular smooth muscle. Factors that modulate BK channel-mediated AICAC remain largely unknown. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats were placed on high-cholesterol (2% of cholesterol) diet for 18 to 23 weeks. Their littermates were placed on control iso-caloric diet. AICAC was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro, by means of pial arteriole diameter monitoring through a closed cranial window and diameter measurements of isolated, pressurized cerebral arteries. Cholesterol level in the cerebral artery tissue was manipulated by methyl-β-cyclodextrin to reverse dietary-induced accumulation of cholesterol. BK channel surface presence on the plasma membrane of cerebral artery myocytes was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. BK channel function in pressurized cerebral artery was assessed using selective BK channel blocker paxilline. Results Within 5 minutes of 50 mM EtOH injection into carotid artery in vivo, arteriole diameter decreased by 20% in control group. Pial arteriole constriction was significantly reduced in rats on high-cholesterol diet, resulting in only 10% reduction in diameter. BAL in both groups, however, remained the same. Significant reduction in AICAC in group on high-cholesterol diet compared to control was also observed after middle cerebral artery dissection and in vitro pressurization at 60 mmHg, this reduction remaining after endothelium removal. Cholesterol level in de-endothelialized cerebral arteries was significantly increased in rats on high-cholesterol diet. Removal of excessive cholesterol content restored AICAC to the level observed in cerebral arteries of rats on normal diet. Immunofluorescence staining of BK channel-forming and accessory, smooth muscle-specific β1 subunit in freshly isolated cerebral artery myocyte showed that high-cholesterol diet did not down-regulate surface presence of BK protein. However, paxilline-induced cerebral artery constriction was diminished in arteries from rats on high-cholesterol diet. Conclusions Our data indicate that dietary cholesterol protects against AICAC. This protection is caused by cholesterol buildup in the arterial tissue and diminished function (but not surface presence) of EtOH target—BK channel.
Morphometric analysis of floral variation in the Pyrola picta species complex (Ericaceae): interpretation and implications for ecological and phylogenetic differentiation

The Pyrola picta species complex of western North America comprises four species (P. picta, P. dentata, P. aphylla and P. crypta) that grow sympatrically in some parts of their collective ranges, have remarkably similar flowers and share pollinators. These species do not exhibit the genetic signatures typical of random or heterospecific mating, but instead show genetic divergence patterns indicating that they maintain surprising levels of reproductive isolation. To better understand how species boundaries are maintained, the current study uses statistical ordination analyses to determine whether species isolation across shared geographical ranges might be achieved through subtle differences in floral characters among species. The possible contribution of differences in flowering phenology (e.g. temporal reproductive isolation) to reproductive isolation was also evaluated for the small subset of populations in which two or more species occur in direct sympatry. Among species in the P. picta complex, there are both phylogenetic and geographical trends in some floral characteristics, whereas other characters do not covary with either geography or species identity. In several sympatric populations, differences in flowering phenology among species suggest that timing plays a major role in non-random (i.e. mainly conspecific) mating. The conclusions of this study are that reproductive isolation in the P. picta species complex is reinforced by differences in the timing of floral maturation and the morphologies of androecium and floral display characters. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 00, 000–000.
Development and model-based transparency analysis of an Internet-distributed hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform

This paper summarizes efforts to integrate, for the first time, two geographically dispersed hardware-inthe-loop simulation setups over the Internet in an observer-free way for an automotive application. The two setups are the engine-in-the-loop simulation setup at the University of Michigan (UM) in Ann Arbor, MI, USA, and the driver-in-the-loop ride motion simulator at the US Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Warren, MI, USA. The goal of such integration is to increase the fidelity of experiments and to enable concurrent geographically dispersed systems engineering. First, experiments with the actual hardware are presented. The concept of transparency is discussed, and the infeasibility of performing a baseline experiment with ideally integrated hardware is presented as a challenge to characterize the transparency of the experimental setup. This motivates the second half of the paper, in which a model-based approach is taken to analyze the transparency of the system. The conclusion is that an observer-free solution is feasible for integrating the two pieces of hardware over the Internet in a transparent manner, even if the nominal delay is increased by four times. It is also found that different signals in the system can exhibit different levels of transparency.
The Order of the Factors Affects a Product

Patients receiving nebulized respiratory treatments and airway clearance therapies often combine the treatments to decrease treatment time, despite a lack of data supporting this practice. Moreover, manufacturers advertise simultaneous use in their marketing. The airway clearance devices that allow
Metagenomic and Small-Subunit rRNA Analyses Reveal the Genetic Diversity of Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi, and Viruses in Soil

Recent studies have highlighted the surprising richness of soil bacterial communities; however, bacteria are not the only microorganisms found in soil. To our knowledge, no study has compared the diversities of the four major microbial taxa, i.e., bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, from an individual soil sample. We used metagenomic and small-subunit RNA-based sequence analysis techniques to compare the estimated richness and evenness of these groups in prairie, desert, and rainforest soils. By grouping sequences at the 97% sequence similarity level (an operational taxonomic unit [OTU]), we found that the archaeal and fungal communities were consistently less even than the bacterial communities. Although total richness levels are difficult to estimate with a high degree of certainty, the estimated number of unique archaeal or fungal OTUs appears to rival or exceed the number of unique bacterial OTUs in each of the collected soils. In this first study to comprehensively survey viral communities using a metagenomic approach, we found that soil viruses are taxonomically diverse and distinct from the communities of viruses found in other environments that have been surveyed using a similar approach. Within each of the four microbial groups, we observed minimal taxonomic overlap between sites, suggesting that soil archaea, bacteria, fungi, and viruses are globally as well as locally diverse.
Towards a clinically useful sonic flashlight

We have previously shown a new method of merging a direct view of the patient with an ultrasound image displayed in situ within the patient, using a half-silvered mirror. We call this method Real Time Tomographic Reflection (RTTR). This paper reviews our progress to date in developing an embodiment of RTTR that we call the sonic flashlight/spl trade/. The clinical utility of the sonic flashlight for guiding invasive procedures will depend on a number of factors, and we have explored these factors through a series of prototypes. Responding to feedback from our clinical collaborators, we have upgraded various elements of our original apparatus and implemented a new generation of the system that is smaller, lighter, and more easily manipulated. We have improved performance as we gain a better understanding of the optical parameters of the system. Our results demonstrate in situ visualization of vasculature of the neck in a human volunteer and the anatomy of the eye in a cadaver.
Dual scalable 500MS/s, 5b time-interleaved SAR ADCs for UWB applications

A dual 500MS/s, 5b ADC chip is implemented in a 0.18 mum CMOS process. The two ADCs have synchronized sampling for use in an I/Q UWB receiver. Each ADC has a 6-way time-interleaved successive approximation register topology and uses full custom logic, self-timed bit-cycling, and duty cycling of the comparator preamplifiers to enable 500MS/s operation with 7.8mW power consumption
Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Management of Lupus Nephritis

The occurrence of nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of lupus nephritis is complex, involving innate and adaptive cellular and humoral immune responses. Autoantibodies in particular have been shown to be critical in the initiation and progression of renal injury, via interactions with both Fc-receptors and complement. One approach in the management of patients with lupus nephritis has been the use of intravenous immunoglobulin. This therapy has shown benefit in the setting of many forms of autoantibody-mediated injury; however, the mechanisms of efficacy are not fully understood. In this paper, the data supporting the use of immunoglobulin therapy in lupus nephritis will be evaluated. In addition, the potential mechanisms of action will be discussed with respect to the known involvement of complement and Fc-receptors in the kidney parenchyma. Results are provocative and warrant additional clinical trials.
The Effect of Potassium Sorbate and pH on the Growth of Listeria Monocytogenes in Ham Salad

This study examined the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in ham salads of various pHs and sorbate concentrations. Ham was inoculated with L. monocytogenes and mixed with potassium sorbate (0–0.2%) and mayonnaise to achieve salad pHs of 5.4–5.8. The population increases of L. monocytogenes in salads stored at 4C for 4 weeks were correlated to salad pH and sorbate concentration. In salads with pHs of 5.4–5.8 containing 0.0, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2% sorbate, the populations of L. monocytogenes increased 2.7–6.4, 2.4–5.2, 1.0–3.7 and 0.2–2.0 log cfu/g, respectively. A polynomial model was developed to describe the population increases as a function of salad pH and sorbate concentration. It indicated that the increases of L. monocytogenes were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in salads containing higher sorbate concentrations. Results from this study will help identify the salad pH and sorbate levels that reduce the hazard of L. monocytogenes in mayonnaise-based salads. Practical Applications Delicatessen salads are susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The products receive no terminal heat treatment during manufacturing and are ready-to-eat without further cooking. The ability of L. monocytogenes to grow at refrigerated temperature makes it a significant public health hazard in salads. Potassium sorbate is a generally recognized as safe preservative used in various food products. This study identified the levels of sorbate in combination of salad pH that were capable of controlling the growth of L. monocytogenes in a model ham salad. The information can be used by salad producers to formulate their products with the addition of sorbate to reduce L. monocytogenes hazard in mayonnaise-based salads.
LIDAR: a layered intrusion detection and remediationframework for smartphones

Given the advanced set of capabilities offered by smartphone and tablet computing devices, they have become the platform of choice for many users for day-to-day work and leisure. There is however a fundamental difference in the attitude of a typical user when it comes to using their mobile device as compared to their personal computers. While the use of anti-virus software on PCs to protect our security and privacy is ubiquitous today, there is little by the way of security and privacy protection available on these mobile computing platforms. Our work focuses on developing a Layered Intrusion Detection and Remediation framework (LIDAR) to automatically detect, analyze, protect, and remediate security threats in this domain. We have focused on Android devices and have developed several algorithms that would help detect abnormal behavior in the operation of Android smartphone and tablets that could potentially detect presence of malware. In this paper, we present a high-level overview of our approach and briefly summarize a suite of algorithms developed to identify certain types of malicious behavior.
Reduced order control in microchemical systems

We examine the problem of regulation of thermal transients in a microsystem. Using second-order statistical properties we obtain the dominant structures that characterize the dynamics of an ensemble of data. These dominant structures, otherwise called empirical eigenfunctions, are the most efficient way of capturing the dynamics of an infinite dimensional process with a finite number of modes. We propose a new receding horizon boundary control scheme using these empirical eigenfunctions in a constrained optimization procedure to track a desired spatiotemporal profile. Additionally we consider a disturbance rejection problem. Finite element method simulations of heat transfer are provided and used in order to implement and test the performance of the controller.
Estimates of biological variation in routinely measured biochemical analytes in clinically healthy dogs.

Background The degree of biological variation in routinely measured concentrations and activities of biochemical analytes has not been well defined in client-owned pet dogs. Objectives The aim of this study was to define indices of biological variation and, where appropriate, indices of individuality and critical change values for routinely measured serum biochemical analytes in a group of clinically healthy dogs owned and housed privately. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted. Serum samples obtained from clinically healthy adult dogs at varying intervals over a 12-week period were analyzed. For each sample, a panel of 14 analytes was measured. Three levels of outlier analyses were applied (analytical, intra-individual, and inter-individual), followed by nested ANOVA to calculate intra-individual, inter-individual, and analytical coefficients of variation (CVI, CVG, and CVA, respectively). Results Specimens from 11 dogs were analyzed. Individuality indices ranged from 0.9 for glucose and total triglyceride concentrations to 3.4 for ALT activity. Analytical variation (CVA) was > ½ CVI for 9/14 analytes, failing to meet criteria for acceptable analytical variation when defining critical change values. Where analyzer performance was acceptable, critical change values ranged from 26.4% for glucose concentration to 84.0% for total triglyceride concentration. Conclusions Many frequently measured analytes included in routine serum biochemical panels have high individuality. Thus, use of standard reference intervals to monitor changes over time in an individual is likely to miss meaningful biological change.
Response of apple and pear trees to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers

Abstract Apple (Malus domestica, Borkh) and pear (Pyrus communis, L.) trees responded to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers. In low P soils, leaf, and fruit P concentrations were increased and yield was improved with moderate rates of mono‐ammonium phosphate (MAP) fertilizers. Improved fruit quality including fruit firmness, red fruit color of ‘Delicious’ apples, and a lower incidence of fruit disorders of apples (bitter pit) and pears (alfalfa greening and cork spot) was frequently associated with trees that were fertilized with calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2] (CN). Although yield was often improved in experiments containing N‐P‐K or MAP fertilizers, long‐term use of N‐P‐K or MAP could be associated with a higher incidence of fruit disorders and a lower soil pH than with CN fertilizer at equivalent rates of N.
The Effect of Pole and Zero Locations on the Transient Response of Linear Dynamic Systems

The effect of the locations of the poles and zeros of the transfer function of a linear dynamic system on the locations and the magnitudes of the maxima and minima of the transient response resulting from the application of a step-function input to the system is studied. Consideration is given to the necessary conditions for the production of a monotonic time response, expressed in terms of the pole and zero locations. In general, the results of the investigation are limited to stable low-pass systems, having only first-order poles and no poles on the jω axis. A method of computing the locations and magnitudes of the maxima and minima in the time response is given which allows the calculations to be made in a straightforward and efficient manner. The evaluation of the transient performance of many practical lowpass systems can be simplified considerably by the use of this method. It is shown that, under certain conditions of pole and zero locations, the normalized time response may be well approximated by a single dominant time term. Methods of ascertaining from the pole and zero pattern whether these conditions exist are given. On the basis of the dominant-term approximation, a method is outlined for the design of pole and zero patterns to yield prescribed time-response characteristics of a certain class to step-function inputs. Constant overshoot-factor curves and charts are provided for this purpose and for rapid solution of analysis problems when applicable.
A total power radiometer (TPR) and measurement test bed for non-contact biomedical sensing applications

A Total Power Radiometer (TPR) and measurement test bed for non-contact biomedical sensing is presented as a precursor to developing a health monitoring device. The TPR is designed as a non- contact sensor for detecting thermal noise radiated from the human body, which can be related to core body temperature. Previous works have demonstrated successful results in on-body radiometric sensing applications, however when deployed as a non-contact sensor new challenges arise especially in the area of antenna design. Herein measurement data using a printed dipole antenna positioned a few cm from the measurement test bed (muscle tissue phantom) is presented. The radiometer tracked thermal variations in the phantom as the physical temperature was monitored. We have demonstrated that radiometers are capable of non-invasively tracking changes in the temperature of tissue simulating materials within the range of human temperature (T h ) in conditions of heat related disorders (T h ≤93Ð,T h ≤102ÐF).
Percutaneous carotid artery access in infants < 3 months of age.

Background Carotid artery access in infants with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac catheterization via a surgical cut down has been well described. There is a paucity of information regarding percutaneous carotid artery (CA) access in infants <3 months. Methods A retrospective review of infants <3 months of age undergoing cardiac catheterization via percutaneous CA approach was performed after IRB approval. Between January 2012 and May 2015, 18 patients underwent 20 procedures; median age 13 days (2–77); median weight 3.3 kg (1.6–5). Procedures performed were patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stenting (8), modified blalock taussig (BT) shunt stenting (3), balloon aortic valvuloplasty (6), and balloon angioplasty of coarctation (3). Results Percutaneous access was obtained with a Doppler needle under ultrasound guidance into the right (16) and left CA (4). Sheath size used was 4 Fr (17), 5 Fr (2), and 6 Fr (1). Median time to sheath insertion was 6.5 min (2–20). Percutaneous access was obtained successfully in all cases. There were no major procedural complications. There were two minor complications; hypotension, and ductal spasm. Hemostasis was achieved by manual compression; median time was 14.5 min (8–36). There were two post-procedural complications involving development of CA pseudo aneurysms that were repaired surgically. Post-procedure CA patency was documented by angiography (3), MRA (3), or vascular ultrasound (14). There were no documented arterial occlusions. Conclusion Our experience suggests that percutaneous CA access in infants <3 months of age is safe and feasible with preserved vascular patency and no neurological adverse events. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Safer sex in a digital world: A Web-based motivational enhancement intervention to increase condom use among college women.

ABSTRACTObjective: This study is a randomized trial of a Web-based intervention to increase condom use among college women. Participants: From October 2012 to March 2013, N = 422 completed baseline questionnaires and intervention procedures. n = 216 completed 3-month follow-up. Methods: Participants completed a decisional balance exercise examining their sex acts over the past 3 months and wrote an essay encouraging young girls to use condoms. All procedures were conducted online. Results: The intervention improved intentions to use and attitudes towards condoms for 3 subscales of condom attitudes. Attitudes following the intervention significantly predicted condom use at 3-month follow-up, and this relationship was mediated by condom intentions immediately post intervention. The relationship between intentions and condom use was moderated by group. Conclusions: The intervention improved condom attitudes and intentions immediately post intervention, and immediately post intervention intentions had a great...
A more efficient mean estimator for judgement post-stratification

Meeden and Lee [More efficient inferences using ranking information obtained from judgment sampling. J Surv Stat Methodol. 2014;2:38–57] recently showed that one can improve upon the standard unbiased mean estimator for judgement post-stratification (JPS) by using the ordering information in the sample. We propose an alternate mean estimator that uses this same information. This alternate estimator is far simpler to compute than the estimator of Meeden and Lee (2014), and we show through simulations that it typically outperforms the Meeden and Lee (2014) estimator in cases where the rankings are sufficiently good that JPS is useful.
Characterization of the I ( | Ω | = 1 ) – X 1 Σ + ( 0 , 0 ) band of thorium oxide

The $I(|\ensuremath{\Omega}|=1)\phantom{\rule{1.0pt}{0ex}}--\phantom{\rule{1.0pt}{0ex}}X\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}(0,0)$ band near 512 nm of thorium oxide has been recorded and analyzed field free and in the presence of both static electric and magnetic fields. The determined ${T}_{00}$, $B$, and $q$ field-free parameters for the $I(|\ensuremath{\Omega}|=1)(v=0)$ state are $(\text{in}\phantom{\rule{5.0pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1})19539.3823\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0003,0.328 69\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.000 03$, and 0.001 54 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.000 05. The Zeeman-induced shifts and splittings of the low-$J$ lines were analyzed to determine $g$ factors and suggest that the $I(|\ensuremath{\Omega}|=1)(v=0)$ state has a dominant ${}^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}$ character. The Stark tuning of the low-$J$ lines was analyzed to determine the permanent electric dipole moment ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{el}}$ for the $I(|\ensuremath{\Omega}|=1)(v=0)$ state of 4.25 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.02 D.
Starvation of Cabbage Looper Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Increases Attraction to Male Pheromone

We compared the attraction of fed versus unfed cabbage looper moths, Trichoplusia ni (HA¼bner), to male pheromone. Significantly more starved females and starved males were attracted to male pheromone than were females or males that were provided a sugar-honey mixture. Food availability did not affect male attractiveness or male pheromone production, only female responsiveness. Female T. ni that were fed either honey, fructose, glucose, maltose, or sucrose were less likely to respond to male pheromone, compared to females that were not fed. Cabbage looper moth attraction to male pheromone may be related to foodfinding behavior.
A SCALE FOR "PROBLEMS-IN-LIVING" RESEARCH

The author has developed a brief scale called the Problem Pathological Potential Scale (PPPS). This has been designed primarily as a research instrument to assess outcome research done within the framework of Thomas Szasz' “problems-in-living” approach to maladjustment. It may also prove useful to educators and guidance counselors, and others who wish to assess a person's particular problem areas. The scale's face validity is discussed, and the results of a pilot reliability study are presented.
Socioeconomic Disparities in Subjective Well-being in Colombia

The aim of this chapter is to quantify disparities in Subjective Well-being (SWB) using data from a nationally representative survey of Colombia from 2011 (n = 2988). After controlling for socio-demographic and regional characteristics, results showed that higher educational attainment and higher household income were positively associated with higher SWB. Unemployed subjects reported lower SWB relative to those working in the formal or in the informal sector. t
Analysis of Heshan City during 2010-2014 epidemic characteristics of HFMD

Objective To analyze the 2010-2014 years in Heshan City, hand foot mouth disease epidemiological characteristics, and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of Heshan City, hand foot and mouth disease. Methods Collect Heshan City during 2010-2014 epidemic of HFMD epidemic data were analyzed with descriptive method. Results Heshan City 2010-2014 years reported a total of 2427 cases of HFMD, the average incidence rate of 347.01/10 million. The peak incidence in the 5~6 month, the incidence in winter had a peak 2011-2013. The male to female ratio is 1.64:1, 3 years old and younger children accounted for 88.42%, scattered children accounted for 67.53%. Pathogenic to type EV71 virus, accounting for 46.37%. Conclusions Heshan City, 2010-2014 years of hand foot mouth disease incidence rate is rising year by year. We should strengthen the hand foot and mouth disease monitoring and early warning work actively, adopt comprehensive prevention and control measures.
Deep tree-structured face: A unified representation for multi-task facial biometrics

Automatic facial image analysis has received considerable research interests due to its important role in computer vision and biometrics. As the key component, face feature is usually extracted under largely controlled environment and learnt for specific tasks which limits its discriminant capability in a multi-task learning scenario. In this paper, we present a novel deeply learnt tree-structured face representation to model the human face with multiple semantic meanings, such as identity, expression and age, that wouldyield a unified feature representation of the facial image. The tree structure is built based on the incorporation of an unsupervised shallow network that generates the low-level features serving as the leaf nodes and the recursive application of the designed semi-supervised AutoEncoder to generate the intermediate and root nodes. By incorporating the label information with different semantic meanings, the designed semi-supervised AutoEncoder aims to distinguish the latent factors embedded in facial images with automatically learned tree structure and weights. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed facial representation, we design comprehensive experiments based on the FACES dataset which is considered as the most challenging benchmark that reflects multiple biometric factors. We show that the proposed feature yields unified representation in multitask facial biometrics. The multi-task learning framework is applicable to many other computer vision tasks.
Renal H+-ATPase Function, Regulation, and Role in Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis

The kidney plays an important role in systemic acid–base balance by maintaining the blood HCO3− concentration within narrow limits. Various H+/base transport processes and metabolic pathways have evolved that orchestrate in a coordinated fashion, the absorption of the filtered bicarbonate load and the generation of new HCO3−. The impairment of either of these processes in the nephron can result in a decrease in the blood HCO3− concentration with concomitant metabolic acidosis. In the renal proximal tubule and the collecting duct, secretion of protons by the vacuolar H+-ATPase is one of the key transport steps involved in both the reclamation of filtered HCO3− and the generation of new HCO3−. The activity of the vacuolar H+-ATPase is dynamically regulated by various local and systemic factors. Naturally occurring mutations in specific subunits of the vacuolar H+-ATPase cause the disease distal renal tubular acidosis.
Extraction and Measurement of NAD(P) + and NAD(P)H

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides are critical redox-active substrates for countless catabolic and anabolic reactions. Ratios of NAD+ to NADH and NADP+ to NADPH are therefore considered key indicators of the overall intracellular redox potential and metabolic state. These ratios can be measured in bulk conditions using a highly sensitive enzyme cycling-based colorimetric assay (detection limit at or below 0.05 μM or 1 pmol) following a simple extraction procedure involving solutions of acid and base. Special considerations are necessary to avoid measurement artifacts caused by the presence of endogenous redox-active metabolites, such as phenazines made by diverse Pseudomonas species (see Chapter 25).
Growth factors and metanephrogenesis

The formation of all organs during embryogenesis, including kidney, is dependent on the timed and sequential expression of a number of polypeptide growth factors. Synthesis and actions of one or more members of the insulin-like growth factor, epidermal growth factor/transforming growth factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and nerve growth factor families have been characterized in the developing metanephric kidney. Studies originating from a number of laboratories have defined the localization of growth factor mRNAs, receptors and peptides, have delineated patterns of growth factor synthesis, and have established the growth factor dependency of embryonic kidney development. The results of these investigations will be summarized in this editorial review and integrated within the broader context of growth factor cellular physiology and growth factor expression in nonrenal systems.
Nanostructured electrooptically active smart coatings based on conjugated polymer networks: Precursor polymer approach, devices, and nanopatterning

In this paper, we report several strategies for preparing smart coating based on the synthesis, electrodeposition, and patterning of ultrathin films of conjugated polymer network (CPN) films on flat electrode surfaces using the "precursor polymer" approach. This involves a rational synthesis and design of a precursor polymers followed by careful electrodeposition and characterization of ultrathin films and coatings on conducting substrates. A precursor design involves the tethering of electropolymerizable monomers to polymer backbones that can have "active" or "passive" electro-optical properties. This has resulted in the preparation of smooth, high optical quality films, which should be important for practical electro-optical coatings applications. Characterization of these films has been made using surface sensitive spectroscopic and microscopic analytical techniques. Copoly-merization with monomers, polymer backbone design, and grafting on modified surfaces are key points in a coatings strategy. Novel methods of in-situ characterization techniques have also been developed combing electrochemistry and surface plasmon resonance techniques. These coatings have found applications for devices as well as sensors.
Chromosomes in solid tumors

Systematic chromosomal studies in solid tumors have been scanty (excepting meningiomas), because of the fact that it is difficult to obtain tumor material at desired times and only in about 10–15% of the cases adequate chromosome preparations are suitable with a direct technique or short term culture. A few facts that emerge from the study of various solid tumors are as follows: 1. modal number of chromosomes in primary tumors tends to be lower that of the metastatic; 2. certain chromosomes and chromosome regions are more susceptible for breakage to oncogenic conditions, hence, there is non-random involvement of certain chromosomes in human neoplasia and 3. certain chromosome changes are more often associated with metastatic spread than others.
Arc plasma fabricated phase shifter elements

It has been established that the arc plasma process can be used to fabricate ferrite phasors. The resultant ferrite-dielectric composite, except for the coercive force, has excellent microwave device characteristics. With the advent of a dielectric possessing optimum temperature coefficient of expansion, a phasor can be arc plasma sprayed which will be economical and exhibit the required device performance for phased arrays. The greatest economic impact of the arc plasma is expected to be in phasors requiring thin ferrite walls, since these are more difficult to fabricate by current processes and can be arc plasma fabricated at rapid rates. It should be noted that to achieve low cost phasors with the arc plasma technique, massive production numbers of phasors (in excess of 100,000 units) (6), are not required. That is, one can arc plasma fabricate a relatively small number of phasors and still maintain the economics of this technique.
Motivating Agents to Acquire Information

It is difficult to motivate advisors to acquire information through standard performance-contracts when outcomes are uncertain and/or only observed in the distant future. Decision-makers may however exploit advisors’ desire to influence the outcome. We build a model in which a decision-maker and two advisors care about the decision’s consequences, which depend on an unknown parameter. To reduce uncertainty, the advisors can produce information of low or high accuracy; this information becomes public but the decision-maker cannot assess its accuracy with certainty, and monetary transfers are unavailable. Moreover, the information the two advisors produce may be conflicting. We show the optimal decision-rule involves making the final decision exceedingly sensitive to the jointly provided information.