cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular simulation and experimental characterization of the nanoporous structures of coal and gas shale

Abstract Characterization of coal and shale is required to obtain pore size distribution (PSD) in order to create realistic models to design efficient strategies for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) at full scale. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) cryoporometry and low-pressure gas adsorption isothermal experiments, conducted with N2 at 77 K over a P/P0 range of 10− 7 to 0.995, were carried out to determine the PSD and total pore volumes to provide insight into the development of realistic simulation models for the organic matter comprising coal and gas shale rock. The PSDs determined on the reference materials (SiliaFlash F60 and Vycor 7930) show a reasonable agreement between low-pressure gas adsorption and NMR cryoporometry showing complementarity of the two independent techniques. The PSDs of coal and shale samples were determined with low-pressure gas adsorption isothermal experiments, but were unable to be measured by NMR cryoporometry. This is likely due to a combined size and pore surface chemistry effect that prevents the water from condensing in the pores, such that when the sample is heated there is no distinction based upon melting or phase change. Molecular modeling is carried out to create the pore structure network in which the transport and adsorption predictions are based. The three-dimensional (3D) pore network, representative of porous carbon-based materials, has been generated atomistically using the Voronoi tessellation method. A comparison of the computed PSD using this method was made to the measured PSD using isothermal low-pressure gas adsorption isothermal experiments on coal and gas shale samples. Applications of this work will lead to the development of more realistic 3-D models from which enhanced understanding of gas adsorption and transport for enhanced methane recovery and CO2 storage applications can be developed.
The Spectroscopy and Photophysics of the Amino Acid Tryptophan in the Gas Phase

The resonantly enhanced two photon ionization spectrum and the fluorescence spectrum of the amino acid tryptophan have been observed in the gas phase in a supersonic molecular beam. The gas phase spectra are well resolved as compared with solution spectra, and this resolution permits the assignment of features in the excitation spectrum to distinct conformers of the tryptophan molecule. The emission spectra of the various conformers contain both sharp and broad features, and the broad features have been assigned to emission from an intramolecular exciplex formed from an interaction between the indole chromophore and the amino acid sidechain. Excitation is initially to a non-exciplex excited electronic state that is similar in geometry to the ground electronic state. This excitation is followed by energy redistribution to the exciplex state that takes place on the timescale of the fluorescence lifetime. A prerequisite to intramolecular exciplex formation is the formation of a zwitterion in the excited electronic state. The zwitterion is formed by proton tunneling through the barrier that separates the initially excited state from the exciplex state.
Obama's Prescription for Low-Wage Workers: High Implicit Taxes, Higher Premiums

House and Senate Democrats have produced health care legislation whose mandates, subsidies, tax penalties, and health insurance regulations would penalize work and reward Americans who refuse to purchase health insurance. As a result, the legislation could trap many Americans in low-wage jobs and cause even higher health-insurance premiums, government spending, and taxes than are envisioned in the legislation.Those mandates and subsidies would impose effective marginal tax rates on low-wage workers that would average between 53 and 74 percent - and even reach as high as 82 percent - over broad ranges of earned income. By comparison, the wealthiest Americans would face tax rates no higher than 47.9 percent.Over smaller ranges of earned income, the legislation would impose effective marginal tax rates that exceed 100 percent. Families of four would see effective marginal tax rates as high as 174 percent under the Senate bill and 159 percent under the House bill. Under the Senate bill, adults starting at $14,560 who earn an additional $560 would see their total income fall by $200 due to higher taxes and reduced subsidies. Under the House bill, families of four starting at $43,670 who earn an additional $1,100 would see their total income fall by $870. In addition, middle-income workers could save as much as $8,000 per year by dropping coverage and purchasing health insurance only when sick. Indeed, the legislation effectively removes any penalty on such behavior by forcing insurers to sell health insurance to the uninsured at standard premiums when they fall ill. The legislation would thus encourage "adverse selection" - an unstable situation that would drive insurance premiums, government spending, and taxes even higher.
Inoculum optimization of Clostridium beijerinckii for reproducible growth

Spore-forming solventogenic Clostridium spp. are receiving renewed attention due to their butanol production abilities. However, there is an absence of literature describing the preparation of dense, vigorous and homogeneous seed cultures of Clostridium spp., guaranteeing reproducibility during fermentation. Therefore, we performed a series of growth experiments of Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 and its offspring SA-1 to evaluate the influence of inoculum age (harvest time) on the subsequent population's maximum specific growth rate, as a signal of population homogeneity. The organisms were cultivated in Reinforced Clostridial Medium and supplemented sweet sorghum juice. The best inoculum ages coincided with the late-exponential growth phase: between 9 and 11 h in the conditions tested. Additionally, the harvest time was delayed up to 4 h by pre-adapting the seed culture with 0.75 g L(-1) butyric acid. These findings were validated by performing a series of bench-top batch fermentations showcasing reproducibility in growth kinetics with 95% confidence limits. Overall, these experiments allowed us to understand the transient nature of seed cultures of C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 and SA-1, while enabling reproducibility and consistent culture performance.
Cataloging & managing film and video collections: A guide to using RDA and MARC21, John Higgins

This book is the latest addition to various manuals on RDA (Resource Description and Access) that have been written since RDA was first published in 2010. Prior to this date, several resources had ...
Directed Self-Assembly of Metallosupramolecular Polymers at the Polymer−Polymer Interface

Directed self-assembly of a metallosupramolecular polymer is achieved at the interface between two polymer films by simple melt pressing. Blends of a 2,6-bis(N-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine (MeBip) side-chain functionalized polystyrene in a polystyrene matrix and Zn(NTf2)2 in a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix were pressed together above the Tg of the matrix polymers resulting in diffusion of the components and subsequent self-assembly of the metallosupramolecular polymer at the polymer–polymer interface. The formation of the metallosupramolecular polymer was monitored by spectroscopy and microscopy and it was found that the interfacial self-assembly occurs at the processing temperatures (ca. 210 °C) within 5 min. It was further shown that this materials system resulted in robust films that exhibited a new emergent property, namely, phosphorescence, which is not exhibited by any of the individual components nor the metallosupramolecular polymer itself.
Total-Coverage Discrete Hole Wall Cooling

The present study investigates heat/mass transfer for flow through perforated plates for application to combustor wall and turbine blade film cooling. The experiments are conducted for hole length-to-diameter ratios of 0.68 to 1.5, for hole pitch-to-diameter ratios of 1.5 and 3.0, for gap distance between two parallel perforated plates of 0 to 3 hole diameters, and for Reynolds numbers of 60 to 13,700. Local heat/mass transfer coefficients near and inside the cooling holes are obtained using a naphthalene sublimation technique. Detailed knowledge of the local transfer coefficients is essential to analyze thermal stress in turbine components. The results indicate that the heat/mass transfer coefficients inside the hole surface vary significantly due to flow separation and reattachment. The transfer coefficient near the reattachment point is about four and half times that for a fully developed circular tube flow. The heat/mass transfer coefficient on the leeward surface has the same order as that on the windward surface because of a strong recirculation flow between neighboring jets from the array of holes. For flow through two in-line layers, the transfer coefficient affected by the gap spacing is approximately 100% higher on the windward surface of the second wall and is about 20% lower on the inside hole surface than that with a single layer. The transfer coefficient on the leeward surface is not affected by upstream flow conditions due to probably strong recirculation in the wake flow.Copyright © 1995 by ASME
Abstract 1882: Short- and long-term risk of adenoma recurrence with cigarette smoking: An analysis of the Polyp Prevention Trial and Continued Follow-Up Study

Background: Prospective studies have evaluated the association between cigarette smoking and colorectal adenoma recurrence within 4 years of follow-up, a relatively short duration. We sought to examine short- and long-term risk of adenoma recurrence in association with cigarette smoking among participants in the Polyp Prevention Trial (PPT), a multicenter, randomized controlled trial that evaluated the effect of a low fat, high fiber, fruits and vegetable diet on the risk of colorectal adenoma recurrence. Methods: A cohort of 774 participants with colorectal adenoma completed a baseline questionnaire including tobacco use and completed the 4-year trial during which they underwent colonoscopy at 1 year and 4 years after enrollment. After the trial was completed, these participants consented to passive follow-up in the Continued Follow-up Study (CFS) during which the colonoscopy reports subsequent to the trial were collected and analyzed. We defined adenoma recurrence as any adenoma detected after the baseline colonoscopy. We used Poisson regression models to evaluate risk of adenoma recurrence up to 4 years (short-term) and up to 12 years of follow-up (long-term). Results: At baseline, 461 (59.6%) participants had a history of smoking: 379 (49.0%) former smokers and 82 (10.6%) current smokers. Mean age of the patients was 59.6 years and 66.2% were males. The mean total duration of follow-up was 8.4 years (range 4.9 – 12.4 years). When compared with never smokers, there was no association between cigarette smoking and adenoma recurrence with either short- or long-term follow-up (Table). Conclusions: Cigarette smoking is not associated with adenoma recurrence in the short- or the long-term. Table: Relative Risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for adenoma recurrence during short-term and long-term follow-up according to baseline smoking status Models were adjusted for age, sex, NSAIDs use, BMI and family history of colorectal cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1882. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1882
Beyond rights as recognition: Black Twitter and posthuman coalitional possibilities

AbstractThis essay analyzes the Black Twitter hashtags #IfTheyGunnedMeDown and #AliveWhileBlack to develop a revisionary theory of anti-racist activism that reveals how certain socially mediated protest movements, in insisting on the ability of the Black body and human to “matter,” encourage the recognition of alternative forms of humanity and embodiment to those offered by humanist, economic, and juridical models. I argue that the embedded, distributed modes of collectivity on Twitter can create critical posthuman coalitions and affirmative bonds (Braidotti, Chavez), not only by decentering hegemonic models of human value that often depend on the dehumanization of Black bodies, but also by disidentifying with the hypercapitalist composing practices of digital spaces. Ultimately, I argue that an epistemological framework for recognizing social protest that moves beyond a discourse of rights allows us to witness how activists build alternative rhetorical imaginaries and possibilities, even if they might so...
Athermal achromat lens enabled by polymer gradient index optics

An optical design is shown which provides simultaneous color correction over the visible spectrum and passive thermal compensation, for an f/4 doublet made of a glass and a polymer gradient index (GRIN) element. The design is enabled by a new optical model for the thermally varying GRIN element, which incorporates measured material properties from 20-40°C (limited only by the extent of the measured data set). The design is made possible because of the GRIN degrees of freedom available to the material. A color-corrected doublet is most efficient when there is a large ratio of the dispersion strength (Abbe number) between the two materials. To make that doublet athermal, however, there needs to be an equally high ratio between the thermal coefficients. The large ratio of polymer to glass thermal coefficients presents a unique advantage for GRIN: the effective GRIN dispersion coefficient can have just as large a ratio to the glass as the thermal coefficients, making for a powerful athermal achromat. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a polymer GRIN used for simultaneous chromatic and thermal correction.
Foudnry technology and service

Future will be a smarter, greener, and ubiquitous connected world with proliferation of emerging applications like IoT. Integrating of Sensing, Security, Power Management, and Data Processing / Communication are getting important. With this market trend, we have observed larger volume and performance driven digital products follow Moore's law, while analog intensive specialty applications, many offered by IDM, are migrating from 8" to 12" and from legacy to more advanced technologies. With this new market dynamics, foundry technology and service will also need to evolve to serve both large volume and growing fragmented markets. We believe foundry with comprehensive technology portfolio, collaborative ecosystem, and flexible business model, is essential to meet the growing demands.
Effect of fat type and forage level on performance of finishing cattle.

Four trials were conducted to determine the effects of adding various levels and types of fat to dry-rolled corn (DRC) finishing diets containing 0 or 7.5% forage. In Trial 1, 88 yearling steers (mean BW = 352 +/- 38 kg) and 176 heifers (mean BW 316 +/- 15 kg) were blocked by sex and weight into four replications. Treatments were 0, 2, 4, or 6% (DM basis) bleachable fancy tallow (BT) fed with 0 or 7.5% (DM basis) forage. Addition of BT to the 7.5% forage diet had no effect on ADG or gain/feed (G/F). However, adding BT to the all-concentrate diet decreased ADG (linear, P < .01) and G/F (linear, P = .08). In Trial 2, 184 yearling steers (mean BW = 347 +/- 21 kg) and 144 heifers (mean BW 322 +/- 8 kg) were blocked by sex and weight into six replications. Fat treatments were 0% fat, 4% BT, or 4% animal-vegetable oil blend (A-V); each fat treatment was fed with 0 or 7.5% forage. Across forage levels, the addition of fat increased (P < .01) ADG and G/F for cattle fed DRC. In Trial 3, 18 crossbred wether lambs (mean BW = 44.4 +/- 2.5 kg) were fed DRC and 7.5% forage and allotted randomly to the same fat treatments fed in Trial 2. Apparent total tract fat digestibility increased (P < .01) with the addition of BT or A-V. In Trial 4, 40 crossbred wethers (mean BW = 25 +/- 4.1 kg) and 16 ewes (mean BW = 23 +/- 2.7 kg) were individually fed 7.5% forage diets containing 0, 1, 2, or 4% BT. Addition of BT increased (linear, P = .10) G/F. In summary, fat addition to DRC finishing diets fed to yearling cattle did not consistently affect gain/feed, feed intake, and ADG.
Tablet Computers: Everyone’s a God

It was the introduction of the iPad in 2010 that made the tablet an important new consumer device and now 10 inch and smaller 7 inch tablets are very popular, though the sales of tablets peaked in 2014. An article by Steven Levy suggests that the tablet represents an important rethinking of how people use computers—clicking on icons rather than on programs—and is designed for media consumption, reading, and gaming. Microsoft introduced a tablet in 2002 but it used a computer’s operating system that was large and expensive. A fanciful analysis of tablets as they relate to myths is offered and the popularity of tablets is connected to certain imperatives in the collective consumer unconscious. The tablet is an important example of a product that people didn’t know they wanted until they could get them.
Nano to Macro: Mechanical Evaluation of Macroscopically Long Individual Nanofibers

Nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene attract considerable attention due to their extraordinary mechanical and other properties. However, discontinuous nature of these carbon allotropes prevents easy transfer of their mechanical properties to the macro scale. Continuous nanofibers represent an emerging class of nanomaterials with critical advantages for structural and functional applications. However, their mechanical testing to date has been largely conducted using micrometer-long specimens in AFM-type or MEMS devices. In addition, most published reports did not test nanofibers through failure. As a result, information relevant to potential macroscopic structural applications of nanofibers is currently very limited. Here, we will present and discuss a recently developed, comprehensive mechanical evaluation protocol spanning controlled nanomanufacturing, handling, and mounting of long individual nanofiber specimens, as well as analysis of their large-deformation behavior through failure, and data reduction. The protocol will be demonstrated on several types of synthetic and biological nanofibers, including nanofibers exhibiting unique simultaneously ultrahigh elastic modulus, strength, and deformation to failure, resulting in superhigh toughness. The developed protocol will be instrumental for further optimization of mechanical properties of continuous nanofibers.
Precipitation of Al3Zr Dispersoids during Homogenization of Al-Zn-Cu-Mg-Zr Alloys

Dispersoids of Al3Zr in Al-Zn-Cu-Mg-Zr alloys are important as they pin grain boundaries and inhibit recrystallization during extrusion and solution heat treatment. A high volume fraction, \({V_{A{l_3}Zr}}\) , and low dispersoid radius, \({r_{A{l_3}Zr}}\), give \({V_{A{l_3}Zr}}/{r_{A{l_3}Zr}}\) values above a critical value which are essential to prevent recrystallization. Precipitation of Al3Zr during homogenization is studied for different homogenization schedules. A 1D finite difference model based on classical nucleation and growth theory for a multicomponent system is developed to simulate precipitation of Al3Zr dispersoids. The 1D domain represents one half of a secondary dendrite arm spacing with initial concentration gradients based on Scheil type solidification. Single-step homogenization, slow heating to homogenization temperatures, and two-step homogenization are evaluated for maximum dispersoid number density, maximum volume fraction and minimum dispersoid radius. V/r ratios along the length of the SDAS are compared. Two step homogenization (10hrs at 420°C and more than 10hrs at 475°C) provides better V/r ratios across the grain and provides the maximum recrystallization resistance.
Light-Tissue Interactions

A fundamental challenge in biophotonics is to understand the interaction of light with multilayered, multicomponent, and optically inhomogeneous biological tissues. The effects of light-tissue interactions include reflection and refraction when light encounters different tissue types, absorption of photon energy, and multiple scattering of photons. Light absorption determines how far light can penetrate into a specific tissue. It depends strongly on wavelength and is important in the diagnosis and therapy of abnormal tissue conditions. Scattering of photons in tissue is another significant factor in light-tissue interactions. Together, absorption and multiple scattering of photons cause light beams to broaden and decay as photons travel through tissue. Light can interact with biological tissue through many different mechanisms, including photobiomodulation, photochemical interactions, thermal interactions (e.g., coagulation and vaporization), photoablation, plasma-induced ablation, and photodisruption. Two key phenomena used in tissue analyses are random interference patterns or speckle fields and the principles of fluorescence.
Clinical Approaches for Studying Calcium Metabolism and Its Relationship to Disease

This chapter describes several types of clinical studies for studying the relationship of dietary calcium to health. Fractional calcium absorption studies are used to evaluate bioavailability from various sources or intrinsic calcium absorption capacity. The latter is an important risk factor for osteoporosis and possibly other disorders associated with low calcium status. The accuracy of different methods commonly used to determine fractional calcium absorption varies widely. Calcium retention measurements are useful to determine influences on bone mass in short-term studies. Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) are the inferentially strongest approach to understanding the relationship between calcium intake and outcome measures of disease.
Preparing MPA Students to Succeed in Government-Nonprofit Collaboration: Lessons from the Field

Most graduates of MPA programs will lead cross-sector collaborative efforts during their careers, and they will find that this task requires a skill set distinctive from that required by management within a single organization or within a single sector. Based on a grounded analysis of in-depth interviews with 30 experienced public and nonprofit managers, this paper distills their lessons learned into a collaboration model and a set of learning objectives and activities to help prepare students to lead successful cross-sector collaboration. These practitioners' experiences teach that students must understand the interplay between formal and informal aspects of collaborative relationships and how these affect collaboration outcomes, organizational learning, and learning throughout the collaborative system. Cross-sector collaboration is the "new normal" that characterizes the work awaiting todays MPA students. For at least two decades, public administration educators have asked how they may better prepare students to lead collaboration, particularly the forms of cross-sector collaboration that have grown in popularity with the rise of "third-party government" (Salamon, 1987). Meanwhile, the public administration profession has had at least two decades to accumulate practical wisdom to guide cross-sector collaboration. This paper focuses specifically on government-nonprofit collaboration in providing social services, and describes the lessons learned by experienced public and nonprofit managers; lessons were identified through a grounded analysis of 30 in-depth interviews. These lessons are formalized in a model of the government-nonprofit
Abstract 17: The Association Between Erythrocyte n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (n-3 PUFAs) Content and Inflammation in Male Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Objectives Dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs has been associated with cardiovascular disease, though the relationship to PAD is unclear. PAD patients have an increased burden of systemic inflammation. In a cross-sectional PAD cohort study, we evaluated the relationship between n-3 PUFAs content of red blood cells (omega-3 index) and biomarkers of systemic inflammation. Methods This was a prospective cohort study of patients (n=83) presenting to vascular surgery clinic for evaluation of PAD. The omega-3 index was measured using gas chromatography and inflammatory markers (hsCRP, IL-6, TNF-α and ICAM-1) via ELISA kits. We used linear regression to evaluate the independent association between the omega-3 index and inflammation. Results 70 patients had PAD while 13 were found to have a normal ankle-brachial index (ABI). Mean (±SD) age was 67 ± 7 years. Mean ABI was 0.85 ± 0.23. The omega-3 index decreased across defined AHA hsCRP categories (Figure 1, p=0.04). One percentage point decrease in the omega-3 index was associated with increases in CRP (14%, 95% CI 0, 25, p=0.04), IL6 (8%, 95% CI 1, 15, p=0.02) and possibly ICAM-1 (4%, 95% CI -1, 12, p=0.13), but not TNF-α. After adjusting for age, race, HDL, smoking status, ABI and the body-mass index, the omega-3 index remained significantly (negatively) associated with systemic inflammation as measured by hsCRP in a male population at risk or suffering from PAD (p=0.05). Conclusions In a contemporary cohort of patients with PAD, the omega-3 index was negatively associated with biomarkers of inflammation. Our findings suggest a rationale for future studies of dietary manipulation of omega-3 index to reduce inflammation in patients with PAD.
Optical pattern recognition with nonlinearly transformed matched filters

Nonlinearly transformed matched filters including the k th law nonlinear filters for optical correlation are reviewed. The interesting property of the k th law nonlinear filters is that the nonlinear transformation modifies the amplitude of the conventional matched filter by a power of k. Various types of filters may be produced by varying the severity of the nonlinearity. Correlation results for the images tested indicate that nonlinear matched filters produce good correlation performance in the terms of correlation peak intensity, signal-to-noise ratio, and peak-to-sidelobe ratio. The sensitivity of the k th law nonlinearly transformed filter to rotational changes of the input signal is investigated. The rotational sensitivity of the k th law nonlinearly transformed filter increases for higher degrees of nonlinearity. However, for a given input signal rotation, a highly k th law nonlinearly transformed filter could produce a better peak-to-sidelobe ratio and better SNR compared with a moderately k th law nonlinearly transformed filter and/or a conventional matched filter.
Herramientas digitales para la ciudad del futuro

espanolSi el diseno es tanto un mecanismo como una metodologia para anticipar el futuro, entonces puede entenderse como un instrumento predictivo. Cada vez que disenamos algo estamos mostrando una forma en la que el futuro podria concretarse. Durante mas de una decada, el mit Senseable City Lab ha estado elaborando el futuro, utilizando el diseno y la tecnologia como instrumentos para dar forma a las ciudades EnglishIf design is both a mechanism and a methodology to anticipate the future, then it can be understood as a predictive instrument. Each time we design something we are showing a way in which the future could unfold. For more than a decade, the mit Senseable City Lab has been crafting the future, using design and technology as instruments to shape cities.
Scleroderma Lung Fibroblasts

The role of myofibroblasts in various fibrotic disorders is currently well established. These smooth-muscle-like fibroblasts promote deposition of ECM proteins and contractility of lung parenchyma. The present studies were performed to characterize the contractile activity of SSc lung fibroblasts. Previously, we demonstrated that the early stages of interstitial lung disease of SSc are characterized by a prominence of cells prossessing a myofibroblast phenotype. A major feature of such myofibroblasts is contractility, explained by an over-expression of α-smooth muscle actin. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the contractility of SSc lung fibroblasts dependends on expression of CTGF as well, and that the VWC domain is primarily responsible for the contractile activity of CTGF in human lung fibroblasts. Future studies are required to identify the mechanisms by which CTGF stimulates collagen gel contraction.
A Monte Carlo Swindle for Estimators of Location

Savings in time and money can be achieved through the use of a Monte Carlo swindle in place of unaided experimental sampling. A description is provided of a swindle currently in use which often achieves efficiencies of several orders of magnitude in terms of the number of samples needed to achieve a given precision. Data are provided to show some efficiencies actually observed.
Synthesis of the Heptamethylbenzenium Cation in Zeolite-β: in situ NMR and Theory

We synthesized the heptamethylbenzenium cation on zeolite-β by co-feeding excess methanol and benzene into a flow rector at 250 °C. Experimental isotropic 13C chemical shifts are in excellent agreement with theoretical (GIAO-MP2/tzp/dz) values calculated for the theoretical (B3LYP/6-311G*) structure of the cation. These results, along with a previous study of the pentamethylbenzenium cation on HZSM-5, afford an example of zeolite topology controlling the substitution pattern of persistent carbenium ions.
Development of AAV vectors for the therapy of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been used as a gene delivery vehicle in over 60 human trials as a therapy for neurological, blood, lung, inflammatory, and muscle disorders. In these cases, the AAV vector has demonstrated both safety and efficacy; therapeutic transgene expression was observed in humans for greater than 5 years without associated side effects. Within the past decade, great progress has been achieved in AAV vector optimization for enhanced and targeted tissue transduction. Such advancements manifest at two levels, capsid and genome optimization, and include the characterization of new serotypes, rational and random capsid engineering, and the application of self-complementary, and split vector AAV genomes. These optimizations have allowed, not only enhanced and specific tissue transduction, but also the ability to evade the humoral response to the capsid and the delivery of payloads twice the packaging capacity. However, a recent clinical trial has put into question the immunogenicity of the AAV capsid in humans suggesting that transduced cells are often targeted by cytotoxic T cells, thus limiting the approaches efficacy in vivo. These advancements and limitations will be introduced and discussed with a focus on AAV’s utility for treating auto-immune disorders including preclinical and clinical trials.
Trans- and Extraperitoneal Approach for Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

The number of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies has increased tremendously in recent years. In many institutions robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy has become the standard of care. In the United States more than 85% of radical prostatectomies are performed by a robotic system (Leow et al., Eur Urol 70:837–845, 2016]. Advances of the console, the surgical arm cart as have made robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy have a standardized procedure all over the world (Su, Curr Opin Urol 20:130–135, 2010). Its advantages over conventional laparoscopy, such as seven degrees of freedom, dexterity enhancement, stereovision and tremor filtering result in a steeper learning curve for surgeons in comparison to conventional laparoscopy and for open surgeons allows easier adoption of minimal invasive techniques (Khatlani et al., Minerva Urol Nefrol 62:193–201, 2010)
Health Policy, Health Behavior, and Injury Control

The United States has two policies that contribute substantially to its excessive health care costs: (1) neglect of application of cost-effective injury reduction programs and (2) required medical treatment of the injured on demand. The neglect of effective prevention programs is partly due to a non sequitur espoused since the early days of the automobile by its manufacturers (Eastman, 1984) and in recent decades by some professionals in public health, medicine, and engineering: Behavior is a major factor in injury causation; therefore, behavior must be changed to reduce injury. This false bromide is often applied as well to other major health problems, such as cancer and heart disease (e.g., American Public Health Association, 1994).
200 Students in 20 minutes: Freshman Orientation Tours

Abstract The University of North Florida hosts 12 overnight new student orientation sessions each summer. The Thomas G. Carpenter Library was given a 20-minute time slot, yet session caps grew from 120 students the previous year to 200. This chapter explores the planning and implementation steps used to create a successful library tour plan for massive groups and will provide tips for libraries to create their own plan.
Implementation and Manufacturing of a 3-Axes Plotter Machine by Arduino and CNC Shield

This paper shows how to design and building low cost Arduino plotter machine based on the open source hardware and software. The Arduino plotter machine has been dependent on the principle of Computer Numerical Control with limited area depends on the motion X, Y and Z axes. The objectives of this paper are to design the Plotter and to develop open source software for control the machine. Basically, the system of this plotter machine is modeling by solidwork software to work with three axes stepper motors (as X, Y and Z axes), this three stepper motors are controlled by shield for movement (X, Y and Z axes). This machine’s movement on the X axis is 215 mm and Y axis is 235 mm. Length of travel means the linear movement of stepper motors that control for X, Y and Z axes from point to another point. The left and right movement controlled by X axis stepper motor, front-back movement controlled by Y axis stepper motor and the pen is up-down that is controlled by Z axis stepper motor.
The shortest way: Kant’s rewriting of the transcendental deduction

This work examines Kant’s remarkable decision to rewrite the core argument of the first Critique, the Transcendental Deduction of the Categories. I identify a two-part structure common to both vers...
Using matrix models to estimate aboveground forest biomass dynamics in the eastern USA through various combinations of LiDAR, Landsat, and forest inventory data

The ability to harmonize data sources with varying temporal, spatial, and ecosystem measurements (e.g. forest structure to soil organic carbon) for creation of terrestrial carbon baselines is paramount to refining the monitoring of terrestrial carbon stocks and stock changes. In this study, we developed and examined the short- (5 years) and long-term (30 years) performance of matrix models for incorporating light detection and ranging (LiDAR) strip samples and time-series Landsat surface reflectance high-level data products, with field inventory measurements to predict aboveground biomass (AGB) dynamics for study sites across the eastern USA—Minnesota (MN), Maine (ME), Pennsylvania-New Jersey (PANJ) and South Carolina (SC). The rows and columns of the matrix were stand density (i.e. number of trees per unit area) sorted by inventory plot and by species group and diameter class. Through model comparisons in the short-term, we found that average stand basal area (B) predicted by three matrix models all fell within the 95% confidence interval of observed values. The three matrix models were based on (i) only field inventory variables (inventory), (ii) LiDAR and Landsat-derived metrics combined with field inventory variables (LiDAR + Landsat + inventory), and (iii) only Landsat-derived metrics combined with field inventory variables (Landsat + inventory), respectively. In the long term, predicted AGB using LiDAR + Landsat + inventory and Landsat + inventory variables had similar AGBpatterns (differences within 7.2 Mg ha−1) to those predicted by matrix models with only inventory variables from 2015–2045. When considering uncertainty derived from fuzzy sets all three matrix models had similar AGBs (differences within 7.6 Mg ha−1) by the year 2045. Therefore, the use of matrix models enabled various combinations of LiDAR, Landsat, and field data, especially Landsat data, to estimate large-scale AGBdynamics (i.e. central component of carbon stock monitoring) without loss of accuracy from only using variables from forest inventories. These findings suggest that the use of Landsat data alone incorporating elevation (E), plot slope (S) and aspect (A), and site productivity (C) could produce suitable estimation of AGBdynamics (ranging from 67.1–105.5 Mg ha−1 in 2045) to actual AGBdynamics using matrix models. Such a framework may afford refined monitoring and estimation of terrestrial carbon stocks and stock changes from spatially explicit to spatially explicit and spatially continuous estimates and also provide temporal flexibility and continuity with the Landsat time series.
Smoking is Associated With 1-year Suboptimal Patient-reported Outcomes After 2-level Anterior Cervical Fusion.

Study Design:Retrospective cohort study.Objective:To study the impact of smoking on patient-reported outcomes after primary 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).Summary of Background Data:Previous studies have found suboptimal outcomes after multilevel ACDF in smoking patients. The
Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation: A Novel Method of Resuscitation for Hemorrhagic Shock

OBJECTIVES To determine if trigeminal nerve stimulation can ameliorate the consequences of acute blood loss and improve survival after severe hemorrhagic shock. DESIGN Animal study. SETTING University research laboratory. SUBJECTS Male Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTIONS Severe hemorrhagic shock was induced in rats by withdrawing blood until the mean arterial blood pressure reached 27 ± 1 mm Hg for the first 5 minutes and then maintained at 27 ± 2 mm Hg for 30 minutes. The rats were randomly assigned to either control, vehicle, or trigeminal nerve stimulation treatment groups. The effects of trigeminal nerve stimulation on survival rate, autonomic nervous system activity, hemodynamics, brain perfusion, catecholamine release, and systemic inflammation after severe hemorrhagic shock in the absence of fluid resuscitation were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Trigeminal nerve stimulation significantly increased the short-term survival of rats following severe hemorrhagic shock in the absence of fluid resuscitation. The survival rate at 60 minutes was 90% in trigeminal nerve stimulation treatment group whereas 0% in control group (p < 0.001). Trigeminal nerve stimulation elicited strong synergistic coactivation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system as measured by heart rate variability. Without volume expansion with fluid resuscitation, trigeminal nerve stimulation significantly attenuated sympathetic hyperactivity paralleled by increase in parasympathetic tone, delayed hemodynamic decompensation, and improved brain perfusion following severe hemorrhagic shock. Furthermore, trigeminal nerve stimulation generated sympathetically mediated low-frequency oscillatory patterns of systemic blood pressure associated with an increased tolerance to central hypovolemia and increased levels of circulating norepinephrine levels. Trigeminal nerve stimulation also decreased systemic inflammation compared with the vehicle. CONCLUSIONS Trigeminal nerve stimulation was explored as a novel resuscitation strategy in an animal model of hemorrhagic shock. The results of this study showed that the stimulation of trigeminal nerve modulates both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity to activate an endogenous pressor response, improve cerebral perfusion, and decrease inflammation, thereby improving survival.
Metabolic networks of the human gut microbiota

The human gut microbiota controls factors that relate to human metabolism with a reach far greater than originally expected. Microbial communities and human (or animal) hosts entertain reciprocal exchanges between various inputs that are largely controlled by the host via its genetic make-up, nutrition and lifestyle. The composition of these microbial communities is fundamental to supply metabolic capabilities beyond those encoded in the host genome, and contributes to hormone and cellular signalling that support the dynamic adaptation to changes in food availability, environment and organismal development. Poor functional exchange between the microbial communities and their human host is associated with dysbiosis, metabolic dysfunction and disease. This review examines the biology of the dynamic relationship between the reciprocal metabolic state of the microbiota-host entity in balance with its environment (i.e. in healthy states), the enzymatic and metabolic changes associated with its imbalance in three well-studied diseases states such as obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis, and the effects of bariatric surgery and exercise.
pSConv: A Pre-defined S parse Kernel Based Convolution for Deep CNNs

The high demand for computational and storage resources severely impedes the deployment of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in limited resource devices. Recent CNN architectures have proposed reduced complexity versions (e.g,. SuffleNet and MobileNet) but at the cost of modest decreases in accuracy. This paper proposes pSConv, a pre-defined sparse 2D kernel based convolution, which promises significant improvements in the trade-off between complexity and accuracy for both CNN training and inference. To explore the potential of this approach, we have experimented with two widely accepted datasets, CIFAR-10 and Tiny ImageNet, in sparse variants of both the ResNet18 and VGG16 architectures. Our approach shows a parameter count reduction of up to 4.24× with modest degradation in classification accuracy relative to that of standard CNNs. Our approach outperforms a popular variant of ShuffleNet using a variant of ResNet18 with pSConv having 3 × 3 kernels with only four of nine elements not fixed at zero. In particular, the parameter count is reduced by 1.7× for CIFAR-10 and 2.29× for Tiny ImageNet with an increased accuracy of ∼ 4%.
Detecting feigned symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD, in college students with the structured inventory of malingered symptomatology.

Objective: Research consistently shows how easily students can feign symptoms of ADHD on self-report checklists to determine eligibility for curricular and standardized testing accommodations. However, it is unclear how easily students can feign psychological symptoms to accesses academic accommodations, making the assessment of symptom validity important in both populations.Method: Using a between-subjects design, 75 college students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) coached feigning of ADHD, (2) coached feigning of depression and anxiety (DA), and (3) honest responding (HR). Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS).Results: The SIMS showed 100% specificity, but low sensitivity (36-52%) for detecting feigned symptoms with different cutoffs. Differences on SIMS subtests were apparent by group with elevated scores for the DA group on the Affective Disorders subscale and elevation for the ADHD group on the Low Intelligence and Amnestic subscales. Participants identified as feigning by the SIMS typically reported more severe symptoms than participants not identified on the DASS-21.Conclusions: The SIMS equally classified the feigned ADHD and DA participants for both cutoff scores utilized. Potential reasons for low sensitivity rates are discussed and future research recommendations are made.
At the Intersection of COVID-19 and Sex Work in the United States: A Call for Social Work Action

The emergence of COVID-19 in the United States in early 2020 has severely disrupted the lives of most Americans, and people engaged in sex trade are no exception. People in sex work encounter multi...
The Effects of Amyloid and Tau on Functional Network Connectivity in Older Populations

Background: Neuroimaging studies suggest that aged brains show altered connectivity within and across functional networks. Similar changes in functional network integrity are also linked to the acc...
Traumatic ischemic injury in a top of the basilar distribution: a case report

Top of the basilar syndrome is a rare, heterogeneous disorder that has previously only been described in the setting of acute ischemic stroke in predominantly elderly patients. We present the first reported case of traumatic brain injury (TBI) causing ischemia in a top of the basilar distribution. A 19-year-old woman suffered an acute subdural hematoma and sustained hypoxemia after being struck by a motor vehicle. Neurosurgical evacuation of the hematoma was undertaken. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed ischemic injury in the midbrain and diencephalic structures fitting a top of the basilar distribution. No associated vascular injury was identified. The patient was eventually discharged in a state of persistent unresponsive wakefulness. Ischemia in a top of the basilar distribution may occur in the setting of TBI. A high degree of clinical suspicion is required to identify this disorder. Further study of the complex inflammatory microenvironment and associated tissue perfusion dynamics in TBI are needed in order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying ischemic injury patterns, develop management paradigms and predict prognosis.
Visualizing Human-Autonomy Team Dynamics Through the Development of a Global After-Action Review Technology

This paper describes the importance of visualization to support after-action review technologies to develop appropriate human-autonomy team dynamics. Key to developing accurate visualizations in this context requires the capability to quantify critical team dynamics by parsing large, diverse sensor data in offline, low-latency environments. Here, we describe the use of open-source technology and scalable web-based applications for the quick ingestion of these massive datasets and timely visualizations for the AAR process for the development of the Global After-Action Review Technology. This technology explores human-autonomy team interaction problems by identifying key features needed for computer vision, including image classification, object recognition, scene understanding, gait recognition, pose estimation, tracking, and behavior recognition.
Exoscopic En Bloc Carotid-Sparing Total Temporal Bone Resection: Feasibility Study and Operative Technique.

Objective To delineate the steps of exoscopic en bloc carotid artery–sparing total temporal bone resection for malignancies involving the temporal bone in a cadaveric model. Methods Dissections were performed on 3 right-sided (3 sides) formalin-fixed, latex-injected cadaveric specimens. An exoscopic en bloc carotid artery–sparing total temporal bone resection was performed on each cadaver. In the past 4 years, 8 patients have undergone exoscope-assisted internal carotid artery–sparing total temporal bone resection with the technique described in this report. As an example, we present a representative case of a patient in whom this technique was used. Results Exoscope-assisted en bloc total temporal bone resections were performed on 3 right-sided cadaveric specimens. The following steps were described to circumferentially expose the petrous temporal bone: infratemporal fossa exposure, temporal craniotomy for subtemporal middle fossa approach to the petrous bone, retrosigmoid craniotomy, and transjugular approach. Finally, 3 skull base osteotomies were performed to liberate anterior, medial, posterior attachments of the petrous bone for en bloc removal. Possible extensions of these dissections as indicated by tumor pathology were described. A case illustration and operative video utilizing these techniques is presented. Conclusions Exoscope-assisted en bloc carotid artery-sparing total temporal bone resection is a feasible technique for management of malignancies with temporal bone invasion.