cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tin Whisker Nucleation and Growth on Sn-Pb Eutectic Coating Layer Inside Plated Through Holes With Press-Fit Pins

It has been long believed that residual stress is the root cause for tin whisker formation on pure tin-plated component leads. However, tin whisker formation could be observed on the surface of other tin-based alloys under certain conditions. In this study, the whisker formation was reported on a coating layer of Sn-Pb eutectic hot air solder leveling (HASL), which was under compression stress conditions due to the inserted compliant pins. In-Situ scanning electron microscopy was used to monitor the nucleation and growth of whiskers. In addition, a mechanical experiment and non-linear contact finite element analysis were used to estimate the magnitude of the stress in the HASL coating layer. It was found that the tin whisker formation with whisker size of more than 10 mum could occur on the surface of 60Sn-60Pb plating within less than 30 min at an ambient temperature under compressing stress conditions. The tin whisker initiation and growth were further studied at an elevated temperature of 70 degC to check if a higher temperature effects Tin whisker formation. It is believed that establishment of a quantitative relationship of whisker formation/growth under compressive stress and elevated temperature conditions could lead to better scientific methods for risk and reliability assessment and smooth transitions to lead-free assemblies.
Neutrophil elastase downmodulates native G-CSFR expression and granulocyte-macrophage colony formation

Background: The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR) plays a critical role in maintaining homeostatic levels of circulating neutrophils (PMN). The mechanisms modulating G-CSFR surface expression to prevent chronic neutrophilia are poorly understood. Here, we report that neutrophil elastase (NE) proteolytically cleaves the G-CSFR on human PMN and blocks G-CSFR-mediated granulopoiesis in vitro. Methods: Human peripheral blood PMN isolated from healthy donors were incubated with NE. Expression of the G-CSFR was analyzed by flow cytometry and western blot analyses. Detection of G-CSFR cleavage products from the culture supernatants was also performed. Human bone marrow mononuclear cells were also cultured in the presence or absence of NE to determine its effects on the proliferation of granulocyte-macrophage colony forming units (CFU-GM). Results: Treatment of PMN with NE induced a time-dependent decrease in G-CSFR expression that correlated with its degradation and the appearance of proteolytic cleavage fragments in conditioned media. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the G-CSFR was cleaved at its amino-terminus. Treatment of progenitor cells with NE prior to culture inhibited the growth of granulocyte-macrophage colony forming units. Conclusions: These findings indicate that in addition to transcriptional controls and ligand-induced internalization, direct proteolytic cleavage of the G-CSFR by NE also downregulates G-CSFR expression and inhibits G-CSFRmediated granulopoiesis in vitro. Our results suggest that NE negatively regulates granulopoiesis through a novel negative feedback loop.
The electromagnetic interchange mode in a partly-ionized collisional plasma

A collisional electromagnetic dispersion relation is derived from two-fluid theory for the interchange mode coupled to the Alfven, acoustic, drift, and entropy modes in a partially ionized plasma. The fundamental electromagnetic nature of the interchange mode is noted: coupling to the intermediate Alfven mode is strongly stabilizing for finite perturbations of the magnetic field. Both ion-viscous and ion-neutral stabilization are included; and it is found that collisions destroy the FLR (finite Larmor radius) cutoff at short perpendicular wavelengths.
Cardiovascular disease risk in youth with diabetes mellitus

In the United States, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in adults with diabetes over age 30 years. Studies in persons without diabetes have shown that atherosclerosis, a central factor in cardiovascular disease, begins in childhood and the presence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in youth lead to increased cardiovascular disease risk in adults. Therefore, youth with diabetes are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease as adults and there is a role for risk factor screening and addressing modifiable factors to lower cardiovascular disease risk starting in childhood. This paper reviews the literature on traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors in youth with diabetes including hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity and family history of cardiovascular disease with an emphasis on type 1 diabetes as well as current American Diabetes Association guidelines for screening and treatment of modifiable risk factors. Current roles of inflammatory markers and measures of subclinical vascular changes such as arterial stiffness are also discussed.
Novel genetic variants in miR-191 gene and familial ovarian cancer

Half of the familial aggregation of ovarian cancer can't be explained by any known risk genes, suggesting the existence of other genetic risk factors. Some of these unknown factors may not be traditional protein encoding genes. MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a critical role in tumorigenesis, but it is still unknown if variants in miRNA genes lead to predisposition to cancer. Considering the fact that miRNA regulates a number of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and oncogenes, genetic variations in miRNA genes could affect the levels of expression of TSGs or oncogenes and, thereby, cancer risk. To test this hypothesis in familial ovarian cancer, we screened for genetic variants in thirty selected miRNA genes, which are predicted to regulate key ovarian cancer genes and are reported to be misexpressed in ovarian tumor tissues, in eighty-three patients with familial ovarian cancer. All of the patients are non-carriers of any known BRCA1/2 or mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutations. Seven novel genetic variants were observed in four primary or precursor miRNA genes. Among them, three rare variants were found in the precursor or primary precursor of the miR-191 gene. In functional assays, the one variant located in the precursor of miR-191 resulted in conformational changes in the predicted secondary structures, and consequently altered the expression of mature miR-191. In further analysis, we found that this particular variant exists in five family members who had ovarian cancer. Our findings suggest that there are novel genetic variants in miRNA genes, and those certain genetic variants in miRNA genes can affect the expression of mature miRNAs and, consequently, might alter the regulation of TSGs or oncogenes. Additionally, the variant might be potentially associated with the development of familial ovarian cancer.
Neural Network Models In Simulation: A Comparison With Traditional Modeling Approaches

Neural models are enjoying a resurgence in systems research primarily due to a general interest in the connectionist approach to modeling in artificial intelligence and to the availability of faster and cheaper hardware on which neural net simulations can be executed. We have experimented with using a multi-layer neural network model as a simulation model for a basic ballistics model. In an effort to evaluate the efficiency of the neural net implementation for simulation modeling, we have compared its performance with traditional methods for geometric data fitting such as linear regression and surface response methods. Both of the latter approaches are standard features in many statistical software packages. We have found that the neural net model appears to be inadequate in most respects and we hypothesize that accuracy problems arise, primarily, because the neural network model does not capture the system structure characteristic of all physical models. We discuss the experimental procedure, issues and problems, and finally consider possible future research directions.
Computing Varieties of Representations of Hyperbolic 3-Manifolds into SL(4, ℝ)

The geometric structure on a closed orientable hyperbolic 3- manifold determines a discrete faithful representation ρ of its fundamental group into SO+(3, 1), unique up to conjugacy. Although Mostow rigidity prohibits us from deforming ρ, we can try to deform the composition of ρ with inclusion of SO+(3, 1) into a larger group. In this sense, we have found by exact computation a small number of closed manifolds in the Hodgson- Weeks census for which ρ deforms into SL(4,ℝ), thus showing that the hyperbolic structure can be deformed in these cases to a real projective structure. In this paper we describe the method for computing these deformations, particular attention being given to the manifold Vol3.
The Reference Guide to Data Sources, by Julia Bauder Chicago: American Library Association, 2014. 172p. ISBN 978-0-8389-1227-0. $62.00 (softcover)

Thanks to the rise of the Internet, gone are the days of searching for data and statistics on reel-to-reel tapes or in print resources such as the Statistical Abstract of the United States. However...
T-REX: partitioned inference for AUV mission control

In this chapter Teleo-Reactive Executive (T-REX) is designed, developed, tested and deployed as an onboard adaptive control system that integrates artificial intelligence (AI)-based planning and probabilistic state estimation in a hybrid executive. Probabilistic state estimation integrates a number of science observations to produce a likelihood that the vehicle sensors perceive a feature of interest. Onboard planning and execution enable adaptation of navigation and instrument control based on the probability of having detected such a phenomenon. It further enables goal-directed commanding within the context of projected mission state and allows for replanning for off-nominal situations and opportunistic science events.
Effects of photoperiod on the induction of embryonic diapause in Aedes taeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Fully developed embryos of Aedes taeniorhynchus from 35°15′N latitude were exposed to short-day and long-day photoperiods at a constant 27, 22, and 15°C to determine the role of photoperiod in the induction of diapause. Diapause was induced in embryos in response to short-day photoperiods, but the effect of photoperiod was greatly influenced by temperature. Photoperiod induced the highest incidence of diapause at 15°C; only 14.9% of the eggs hatched following storage for 6 wk at L:D 6:18 and 15°C. The critical photoperiod at 15°C was between L:D 10:14 and 12:12. Storage of diapausing eggs at L:D 14:10 and 27°C terminated diapause within 24 h in a few embryos and in essentially all embryos by day 6. During submergence of eggs in the hatching medium, the temperature (ca. 10–26°C) of the medium had no significant effect on hatching. However, a constant 10°C was lethal to all larval instars.
In Situ Parametric Investigation of the Mechanism of Diamond Film Deposition from Low Energy Ion Beams

A general scheme for the analysis of deposition from hyperthermal (10-5000 eV) species is presented. Successful deposition involves consideration of species range, maximum local concentration obtainable, trapping efficiency, radiation damage, and sputtering efficiency. Examples of in situ parametric investigations of carbon deposition performed with a controlled mass selected UHV ion beam facility are presented. A subplantation model for diamond film deposition is discussed. XRD evidence for epitaxial growth of diamond(111) on Si(111) is provided.
Probing excited-state lifetimes of particles and cells labeled with fluorescent tags in flow cytometry

We present a novel technique, based on phase-sensitive flow cytometric principles,1,2 that probes the excited state lifetimes of fluorochrome-labeled cells in flow simultaneously at more than one modulation frequency. It allows one to distinguish, in real time, between single-exponential and nonexponential decays for each cell at a high speed (hundreds to thousands of cells per second).
Effect of incomplete double strandedness of test DNA on DNA binding results.

Abstract Four commercial radiolabeled "double-stranded" DNA preparations were chromatographed on BNDC to determine proportion of incompletely ds-DNA in each. Sera from 10 patients with rheumatic diseases other than SLE, chosen for strong binding to one of the commercial DMAs, were retested with each of the other DNAs. Binding to each commercial DNA by all 10 sera was proportional to percent of that DNA containing ss-regions and in nine cases declined to zero for completely ds-DNA.
Management of Patients with Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: The Role for Systemic Therapy

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an uncommon neuroendocrine malignancy that arises from the parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid gland and which frequency metastasizes to local and distant sites. Although often slowly growing, progressive metastatic disease is the cause of death in most patients with advanced MTC and the prognosis typically falls between that of differentiated follicular epithelial and anaplastic forms of thyroid cancer. In the past, effective treatment options were lacking for patients with advanced MTC, since only minimal response rates were seen with the use of traditional cytotoxic agents. However, recent elucidation of key intracellular signaling cascades that contribute to tumorigenesis has fostered development of small molecule kinase inhibitors that offer effective therapeutic options for patients with progressive disease. While these novel agents have had a profound effect on the management of advanced MTC, standardization of practice is challenged by the relative rarity of this tumor and the infrequent need for systemic therapy . This chapter outlines a suggested approach to the use of systemic therapy in progressive metastatic MTC.
New graph classes characterized by weak vertex separators and two-pairs

A set of vertices whose deletion from a graph would increase the distance between two remaining vertices is called a weak vertex separator of the graph. Two vertices form a two-pair if all chordles...
Creating a structured practice space with online mini-speeches

ABSTRACTCourses: This semester-long assignment series was developed for an online introductory public speaking class, but it has also been used successfully in a hybrid (combination of online/face-to-face meetings) format.Objectives: Students will practice delivering speeches in an online format by applying key concepts from course materials to personal experiences. Students will engage in peer-feedback processes to encourage collaboration and interaction in the online public speaking classroom.
Wireless power grid: Leapfrogging in power infrastructure of developing countries

Access to electricity considered essential for socio-economic development for any nation. The non-electrified regions of developing countries are aimed to connect using grid extensions. And Wireless power transfer (WPT) can play a major role for providing wireless distribution in these countries with lack of infrastructure. After application of mobile phones, drones in telecommunication and transport sector respectively, WPT is considered as third level leapfrogging in power sector. This paper presents the ideas and possibilities of realizing wireless homes and wireless power grid. It discusses the framework of upcoming wireless power networks and its resemblance with conventional power grid. The various functions of traditional power grid as well as wireless power grid operations are discussed. Also, possible future research trends in wireless power grid are predicted which will transform the power infrastructures around the globe.
A formal characterization of person-based alignment

We put forth a formal analysis within the Minimalist framework of argument alignment in languages with one type of direct/inverse system. Our proposal involves the cyclical application of a phase-edge Person constraint, which ensures that a [+Participant] argument (when present) is promoted from the verbal (vP) to the inflectional (IP) domain. We illustrate the proposed analysis with Paraguayan Guarani, a language with direct/inverse alignment whose morpho-syntax has received little attention from a formal perspective. Paraguayan Guarani does not mark tense morphologically in Infl(ection); instead, the overt realization of Infl varies depending on the person specification of the arguments. We refer to languages of this type as Generalized P(erson)-languages, in contrast to Restricted P-languages, whose direct/inverse system is limited to the vP domain and whose Infl encodes tense (e.g., Hungarian and Kashmiri). Building on insights in Ritter and Wiltschko (2014) on the anchoring function of Infl, we link the distinction between the two types of language to the presence vs. absence of an interpretable tense feature and its complementary interpretable person feature in the Infl node of the clausal structure.
Vertebral column resection for complex spinal deformity

Abstract Vertebral column resection is a powerful tool in the management of complex spinal deformity. Indications for VCR include rigid or focal, angular kyphosis or coronal deformity, hemivertebrae, and post-tuberculous spinal deformity. We review the approach to the patient with complex spinal deformity, VCR surgical technique, intraoperative considerations and outcomes reported in the literature.
Investigating Approaches to Lesson Study in Prospective Mathematics Teacher Education

Features of two lesson study contexts, one with prospective secondary teachers engaged in microteaching lesson study and one with prospective elementary teachers engaged in field experiences, were investigated for providing US prospective teachers with opportunities for growth as teachers of mathematics. In both contexts, the prospective teachers (PTs) exposed their knowledge, beliefs and practices to the scrutiny of peers and other experts, developing and reconsidering their thinking and practices through the shared teaching experiences. Similarities and differences in features of the two contexts are discussed with respect to PT learning. Similarities included the importance of negotiation during teaching cycles as catalysts for PT learning, the value of the cooperative nature of the experiences for sharing varying ideas and perspectives among PTs, the merits of overarching student learning goals for PT lesson planning, and the contributions of the group products (written or oral reports of the lesson study) to the learnercenteredness of the experiences. Differences influencing prospective teacher learning included the extent of focus on mathematics knowledge, extent of focus on classroom processes and management, use of videotaped lessons as part of formative feedback, and participation of knowledgeable advisors during or at the end of the cycles.
Higher-Order Differential Equations with Variable Coefficients

In the previous two chapters we studied differential equations having constant coefficients. The theory was straightforward, and, with the help of Mathematica, the solutions were easy to obtain—even when the order of the differential equations was rather large. The persistent difficulty was, when we needed the roots of a polynomial of degree five or more, we could not be certain that they could be obtained exactly. This opened up the possibility of needing approximations to the roots, which opened up the need for knowing how accurately those approximations could be obtained, which led to numerical analysis, etc. The difficulties lay outside the field of differential equations, so we did not press for a resolution of them.
Midlife risk factors for late-life cognitive decline

Abstract Cognitive aging is a distinct process of gradual change in cognitive function throughout the lifespan, with the most pronounced decline occurring in memory and reaction time during old age (Blazer, Yaffe, & Karlawish, 2015). A multitude of factors in midlife predict subsequent cognitive decline. This paper reviews research from five areas of midlife functioning that are associated with late-life cognitive impairment, ranging from mild decline to clinical manifestations of dementia. Within each area, risk and protective factors are discussed, and particular emphasis is placed on the ways in which these factors interact with the APOE genotype, a well-validated risk factor for cognitive decline (Poirier et al., 1993).
Dialogue and Interaction

Dialogue has processing demands and involves cognitive resources distinct from those involved in monologue or in language use in groups. Interlocutors' actions are tightly coordinated; both parties can influence each other's moves on a millisecond-by-millisecond basis, providing important constraints on the other's production and comprehension. In analyses of large-scale corpora and in laboratory experiments, researchers can examine enough cases to be able to generalize about speakers' and listeners' processes. The challenge is to create situations with sufficient experimental control that maintain the spontaneity of conversation. Ultimately, the facts of dialogue stretch the bounds of what counts as language.
New perspectives for the prediction and statistical quantification of extreme events in high-dimensional dynamical systems.

We discuss extreme events as random occurrences of strongly transient dynamics that lead to nonlinear energy transfers within a chaotic attractor. These transient events are the result of finite-ti...
Computational Study of Combustor Dilution Flow Interaction with Turbine Vanes

Higher efficiency and greater performance in gas-turbine engines can be achieved by increasing the combustion temperature but is limited by durability concerns for downstream hardware. Large-scale ...
Immunotherapy in mycosis fungoides: opening night or dress rehearsal?

Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS) are the most common subtypes of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). When systemic therapy is needed, traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy rarely provides...
Abstract 423: Cardiomyocyte-Specific Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Deletion Differentially Alters Cardiac Contractility and Remodeling During Physiologic versus Pathologic Development

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), a member of the Erbb receptor tyrosine kinase family, is essential to the development of multiple tissue and organs. Due to the embryonic lethality of globa...
A Ricardian Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change on South American Farms

A B S T R A C T This study estimates the impact of climate change on South American agriculture taking into account farmer adaptations. The study used a Ricardian analysis of 2300 farms to explore the effects of global warming on land values. In order to predict climate change impacts for this century, were examined climate change scenarios predicted by three Atmospheric Oceanic General Circulation Models (AOGCM): the Canadian Climate Center (CCC), the Centre for Climate System Research (CCSR), and the Parallel Climate Model (PCM) models. Several econometric specifications were tested, and five separate regressions were run: for all farms, small household farms, large commercial farms, rainfed farms, and irrigated farms. Farmland values will decrease as temperature increases, but also as rainfall increases except for the case of irrigated farms. Under the severe Canadian Climate Center (CCC) scenario, South American farmers will lose on average 14% of their income by the year 2020, 20% by 2060, and 53% by 2100, but half of these estimates under the less severe Centre for Climate System Research (CCSR) scenario. However, farms will lose only small amounts of income under the mild and wet Parallel Climate Model (PCM) scenario. Both small household farms and large commercial farms are highly vulnerable, but small farms are more vulnerable to warming, while large farms are more vulnerable to rainfall increases. Both rainfed and irrigated farms will lose their incomes by more than 50% by 2100, with slightly more severe damage to irrigated farms, but the subsample analysis treats irrigation as exogenous.
Pathological changes produced by the subcutaneous injection of rattlesnake (crotalus) venom into Macaca mulatta monkeys.

Reports of the gross and microscopic lesions in fatal cases of rattlesnake poisoning are rare. Knowledge of the pathologic changes is based mainly upon findings in experimental animals,1 These changes have been described in detail in dogs.2,3 Taube and Essex3 administered large doses of venom (crotalin) intravenously and produced widespread hemorrhagic lesions throughout the body. In nature, however, the venom is usually injected subcutaneously. It is our purpose to report the lesions produced by the subcutaneous injection of a lethal dose of crotalin into the Macaca mulatta4 monkey.Nine young Macaca mulatta monkeys were given rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom into the subcutaneous tissues of the lumbar region. The dose, given as a 1% solution in saline, corresponded to 7 to 10 mg of the dried venom per kilo of body weight.For several hours after injection the animals behaved about as usual, but later became weak, lethargic, and refused to eat. The lethargy and weakness increased in severity until death ...
Identifying Candidates for Medical Coding Audits: Demonstration of a Data Driven Approach to Improve Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Group Coding Compliance

Correct code assignment of Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Group (MS-DRG) is critical for healthcare. However, there is a gap currently on automatically identifying all potentially miscoded cases and prioritizing manual reviews over these cases. This paper reports a new process using a data-driven machine learning approach to flag potentially misclassified cases for manual review. We investigated using a stack of regularized logistic/softmax regression, random forest, and support vector machine to suggest potential cases for manual review by care providers, provided details addressing the data imbalance, and explored using features from various source including diagnosis and procedure codes, length of stay and the access log data from the electronic health record system. This potentially improves the efficiency of the coding review by care providers, providing another line of defense against miscoding to enhance coding compliance, and reduce the negative effects of upcoding and downcoding. We tested the new method with four common pediatric conditions and demonstrated its feasibility.
Abstract B010: SOX2-mediated 5hmC dysregulation in GBM Stem Cells

Primary brain tumors are among the most devastating forms of cancer and glioblastoma (GBM) represents the most aggressive and lethal form of the disease. We now know that GBM contain small subsets of cells that display tumor-propagating stem-like phenotypes (i.e. glioma stem cells or GSCs) that act as critical determinants of GBM resistance to current treatments and tumor recurrence for which there is no proven therapy. Altered patterns of DNA methylation are widely reported in human GBM. However, substantial knowledge gaps remain in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for this epigenetic dysregulation, its downstream consequences and role in the GBM tumor propagating phenotype. Understanding and ultimately targeting the epigenetic mechanisms that induce and maintain these tumor-propagating cell subsets is critical to improving GBM therapy and patient outcomes. DNA methylation generally occurs in cytosine-guanine (CpG) sequences and is established by DNMTs, which catalyze the conversion of cytosine to 5-methylcytosine (5mC). DNA methylation is a reversible process and is partially mediated by the ten-eleven translocation (TET) family of enzymes which function as deoxygenases to catalyze the conversion of 5mC to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Levels of 5hmC closely track with the differentiation state of cells with terminally differentiated cells containing high levels of 5hmC and less differentiated cells having very low levels. Multiple studies found negative correlations between 5hmC levels and glioma gradeand loss of 5hmC correlates with poor prognosis of GBM patients, strongly suggesting that these enzymes activate tumor suppressing mechanisms. Our preliminary data shows that exogenous SOX2 represses the TET2 demethylase and decreases 5hmC, the enzymatic product catalyzed by TET proteins, in GSCs. TET2 repression using 2 independent shRNA hairpins efficiently decreases 5hmc levels and significantly enhanced self-renewal capacity and tumor growth capacity of low-passage GSC isolates. We also show that SOX2 induces expression of miR-10b-5p, a known onco-miR predicted to target TET2, and inhibiting this miRNA partially rescues the reduction in 5hmC expression observed in GSCs expressing transgenic SOX2, thus implicating miR-10b-5p as a critical mediator of SOX2-induced onco-methylation, GSC induction and glioma malignancy. Our preliminary results support a mechanism in which SOX2 represses TET2 leading to 5hmC loss by directly activating miR-10b-5p transcription and predicts that targeting this novel mechanism of epigenetic dysregulation by inhibiting miR-10b-5p in vivo will can lead to pre-clinical GBM therapeutics. Citation Format: Hernando Lopez-Bertoni. SOX2-mediated 5hmC dysregulation in GBM Stem Cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B010. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-B010
Resident perception of fundamental endoscopic skills exam: a single institution’s experience

Graduating general surgery residents are required to pass the FES exam for ABS certification. Trainees and surgery educators are interested in defining the most effective methods of exam preparation. Our aim is to define trainee perceptions, performance, and the most effective preparation methods regarding the FES exam. General surgery residents from a single institution who completed the FES exam were identified. All participated in a flexible endoscopy rotation, and all had access to an endoscopy simulator. Residents were surveyed regarding preparation methods and exam difficulty. Descriptive statistics and a Kruskal–Wallis test were used. A total of 26 trainees took the FES exam with a first-time pass rate of 96.2%. Of 26 surveys administered, 21 were completed. Twenty trainees (76.9%) participated in a dedicated endoscopy curriculum. Scores were not different among those who received dedicated curricular instruction compared to those who did not (547 [IQR 539–562.5] vs. 516 [484.5–547], p = 0.1484; 535.5 [468.5–571] vs. 519 [464.75–575], p = 0.9514). Written exam difficulty was rated as 5.5 on a 10-point Likert scale, and 85.7% felt it was a fair assessment of endoscopy knowledge; skills exam difficulty was rated as 7, and 71% felt it was a fair assessment of endoscopy skills. Online FES modules, the endoscopy clinical rotation, and an exam preparation session with a faculty member were most effective for written exam preparation. The most effective skills exam preparation methods were independent simulator practice, the endoscopy clinical rotation, and a preparation session with a faculty member. The most difficult skills were loop reduction and retroflexion. Skill decay did not appear to be significant. A clinical endoscopy rotation, a method for independent skills practice, and faculty-mediated exam instruction appear to be effective exam preparation methods. When these are present, trainees report minimal need for dedicated exam preparation time prior to taking the FES exam.
Distributionally Robust Variance Minimization: Tight Variance Bounds over $f$-Divergence Neighborhoods

Distributionally robust optimization (DRO) is a widely used framework for optimizing objective functionals in the presence of both randomness and model-form uncertainty. A key step in the practical solution of many DRO problems is a tractable reformulation of the optimization over the chosen model ambiguity set, which is generally infinite dimensional. Previous works have solved this problem in the case where the objective functional is an expected value. In this paper we study objective functionals that are the sum of an expected value and a variance penalty term. We prove that the corresponding variance-penalized DRO problem over an $f$-divergence neighborhood can be reformulated as a finite-dimensional convex optimization problem. This result also provides tight uncertainty quantification bounds on the variance.
Theoretical Modeling of Complicated Inductive Wireless Power Transfer Systems

Inductive RF power transfer designs can be incredibly versatile, designed with a multiplicity of geometries and current paths to focus and enhance the transfer of power. However, most inductive systems in engineering practice are limited to either two-flat-loop systems or several basic coils with simplifying symmetry aspects. Complicated loop designs are largely ignored or untried by engineers because they are notoriously difficult to understand and model. This paper presents a foundational model for inductive systems with an arbitrarily large number of mutually-coupling loops. For the first time, comprehensive first-principle expressions for calculating voltage gain, s-parameters, and transfer efficiencies for these arbitrarily complicated inductive systems are presented and compared to measurements. The final result is a set of tools for designing the next-generation inductive RFID and wireless power transfer systems.
Sex Crimes: First Edition

This is a textbook for an upper-level Sex Crimes course at a law school or graduate-level seminar in a variety of disciplines. It covers the criminalization of sexual deviance, rape, sexual assault, obscenity, non-consensual pornography, child molestation, incest, child pornography, sex trafficking, sex work, prostitution, sex offender registration, sex offender residency restrictions, and sex offender civil commitment. The included material is either public domain, Creative Commons, or included with the copyright owner's permission. The book itself is released under a Creative Commons license which you can find at the beginning of the book. I encourage editing, revising, and distributing under those permissive terms. If you are interested in using this book in your class, please email me at coreyyung@ku.edu from your official school account and I can provide access to an editable Word version of the casebook and accompanying slides. At some point in the future, I hope to have an available teacher's manual as well.
Analysis of allelic series with transcriptomic phenotypes

Although transcriptomes have recently been used to perform epistasis analyses, they are not yet used to study intragenic function/structure relationships. We developed a theoretical framework to study allelic series using transcriptomic phenotypes. As a proof-of-concept, we apply our methods to an allelic series of dpy-22, a highly pleiotropic Caenorhabditis elegans gene orthologous to the human gene MED12, which is a subunit of the Mediator complex. Our methods identify functional regions within dpy-22 that modulate Mediator activity upon various genetic modules.
Rationally Designed ACE2-Derived Peptides Inhibit SARS-CoV-2.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 is a novel and highly pathogenic coronavirus and is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 and the lack of an approved drug or vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 underscores the urgent need for developing effective antiviral therapies. Therapeutics that target essential viral proteins are effective at controlling virus replication and spread. Coronavirus Spike glycoproteins mediate viral entry and fusion with the host cell, and thus are essential for viral replication. To enter host cells, the Spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronavirus, SARS-CoV, bind the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor through their receptor binding domains (RBDs). Here, we rationally designed a panel of ACE2-derived peptides based on the RBD-ACE2 binding interfaces of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. Using SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV Spike-pseudotyped viruses, we found that a subset of peptides inhibits Spike-mediated infection with IC50 values in the low millimolar range. We identified two peptides that bound Spike RBD in affinity precipitation assays and inhibited infection with genuine SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, these peptides inhibited the replication of a common cold causing coronavirus, which also uses ACE2 as its entry receptor. Results from the infection experiments and modeling of the peptides with Spike RBD identified a 6-amino-acid (Glu37-Gln42) ACE2 motif that is important for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 with peptide-based inhibitors. These findings will allow for the successful development of engineered peptides and peptidomimetic-based compounds for the treatment of COVID-19.
Particle Swarm Optimization towards Data Collection in the Internet of Things with a Mobile Sink

Aiming at the characteristic that the data collection performance of energy-limited Internet of things is directly affected by its energy efficiency level, an energy optimization method of Internet of things sensing layer nodes based on particle swarm optimization was proposed. Combining location deployment of data aggregation nodes and path planning of mobile sink nodes, the simulation model for energy efficiency optimization was constructed. In this model, the node coverage rate is used as the evaluation function to calculate the deployment position of the data aggregation node by using particle swarm algorithm. Next, the energy cost function is established on account of the energy consumption of data communication and the energy consumption of sink nodes. And it was applied to the particle swarm algorithm improved by the simulated annealing algorithm to plan the movement path of sink nodes. Final simulation results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the method, which not only maintains the integrity of the network, but also meets the actual requirements for reducing energy consumption.
Images in Primary Care Medicine: Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Gout.

Gout is the most common crystal arthropathy and is frequently diagnosed and managed by primary care physicians. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a valuable tool to aid in the diagnosis of gout via the identification of the double contour sign, aggregates of crystals, tophi, and erosions. In addition, POCUS can aid in the management of gout by recognizing early signs of gout, monitoring the effectiveness of urate-lowering therapy, and guiding aspiration and corticosteroid injection.
Selective Proliferation of Gene-Modified Human Erythroid Cells with Truncated Erythropoietin Receptors

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell disease, has stringent requirements for high-level gene marking with robust β-globin expression in erythroid cells for widespread successful clinical application. In vivo selection of gene-modified cells could allow for enhanced therapeutic effects. Erythropoietin (Epo) is a key cytokine for erythroid cell proliferation and differentiation. Various mutations in a C-terminal negative regulatory region of Epo receptor (EpoR) were reported in familial polycythemia. We hypothesized that coexpression of EpoR activated by C-terminal deletions could confer a selective advantage among gene-modified erythroid cells, thus raising the curative potential of therapeutic globin vectors. We generated a selectable truncated human EpoR (thEpoR) by deleting a 40 amino acid C-terminus, and prepared lentiviral vectors encoding both thEpoR and GFP (thEpoR/GFP) connected by internal ribosome entry site (IRES) controlled by murine stem cell virus promoter (Mp). K562 cells, Epo-dependent immortalized erythrocyte HUDEP-2 cells, and human CD34+ cell-derived erythroid cells (Epo-based differentiation) were transduced with thEpoR/GFP vector, and GFP-positive percentages (%GFP) were evaluated for 1-2 weeks. We observed increasing %GFP over 1 week for thEpoR/GFP-transduced HUDEP-2 cells at various Epo doses (3, 1, 0.3, and 0.1U/ml, p Since Epo-based negative feedback among erythroid cells is required to maintain normal hematopoiesis, we switched from the constitutive Mp to the erythroid specific Ankyrin-1 (ANKp) or EpoR promoter with or without a WPRE enhancer. After erythroid differentiation of transduced CD34+ cells with the erythroid specific thEpoR/GFP vectors, we observed higher %GPA (81-85% vs 69±4%, p We then evaluated the ANKp-WPRE-derived thEpoR/GFP utilizing either an IRES or a 2A sequence to coexpress a GFP reporter (thEpoR-IRES-GFP, thEpoR-2A-GFP, and GFP-2A-thEpoR), since lower GFP intensity was observed in all thEpoR-IRES-GFP vectors (17-24 vs 95±5, p In summary, we developed erythroid specific thEpoR-expressing vectors, allowing for larger expansion and accelerated differentiation in human erythroid cells. While farther in vivo studies are desirable, this system should be beneficial for providing a selective advantage for gene-modified erythroid cells in gene therapy strategies for hemoglobin disorders. Download : Download high-res image (100KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure . Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A novel framework for hosting capacity analysis with spatio-temporal probabilistic voltage sensitivity analysis

Abstract Smart grids are envisioned to accommodate high penetration of distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation, which may cause adverse grid impacts in terms of voltage violations. Therefore, PV Hosting capacity is being used as a planning tool to determine the maximum PV installation capacity that causes the first voltage violation and above which would require infrastructure upgrades. Traditional methods of Hosting capacity analysis are scenario based and computationally complex as they rely on iterative load flow algorithms that require investigating a large number of scenarios for accurate assessment of PV impacts. Therefore, this paper presents a computationally efficient analytical approach to compute the probability distribution of voltage change due to random behavior of randomly located multiple distributed PVs. The proposed approach is based on Spatio-temporal probabilistic voltage sensitivity analysis that exploits both spatial and temporal uncertainties associated with PV injections. Thereafter, the derived distribution is used to quantify voltage violations for various PV penetration levels and subsequently determine the hosting capacity of the system without the need to examine large number of scenarios. Results of the proposed framework are validated via conventional load flow based simulation approach on the IEEE 37 and IEEE 123 node test systems.
Reset Networks: Emergent Topography by Composition of Convolutional Neural Networks

We introduce Reset networks, which are compositions of several neural networks - typically several levels of CNNs - where outputs at one level are gathered and reshaped into a spatial input for the next level. We demonstrate that Reset networks exhibit emergent topographic organization for numbers, as well as for visual categories taken from CIFAR-100. We outline the implications of this model for theories of the cortex and developmental neuroscience.
Water Budget Measurement

Performing a water budget on a stormwater treatment practice is often necessary when assessing a practice. A water budget measures or estimates all the flow rates entering and exiting the practice as a function of time and/or the total water volumes entering and exiting the practice through various pathways. If all pathways are measured accurately, the total volume of water entering the practice less the total volume of water leaving the practice should be equal to the change in water storage within the practice. If the water volume leaving the practice via a single pathway (e.g., infiltration) is not measured, a water budget can be used to estimate this volume. This chapter discusses possible modes of water flow into and out of stormwater practices that must be considered when performing a water budget. These modes include precipitation directly on the practice, infiltration into surrounding soil, evaporation and evapotranspiration, open channel flow, and full conduit flow. Techniques for measuring the flow rate of each mode are presented, discussed in detail (with examples, where beneficial), and compared. Recommendations are made regarding preferred measurement methods based on site conditions.
The Ethics of Evidence

Professor J. Alexander Tanford offers a unique perspective on the ethics of evidence, illustrated by examples of his own personal experiences as well as excerpts from film and literature. This Article is a must read for any litigator as it addresses the issue of where the line is to be drawn regarding evidence in the courtroom.
Content Acquisition in Problem-Based Learning: Depth versus Breadth in American Studies:

A continuing barrier to the implementation of curriculum fostering higher order thinking skills is the perception that use of these programs inevitably results in lower levels of content acquisitio...
Evidence of fine‐grained sediment transport and deposition in Sheboygan River, Wisconsin, based on sediment core chemical tracer profiles

[1] Fine-grained sediment transport and deposition is observed in nine dated sediment cores obtained from the Sheboygan River. The sediment cores were dated by 1 3 7 Cs and 2 1 0 Pb methods. Sediment dating was supported by a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analysis and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) hydrographic surveys from 1976 to 2002. Plots of 1 3 7 Cs activity versus depth show distinct peaks related to peak Sheboygan River discharges in the years 1966, 1975, 1979, and 1989. These peaks result from the scouring of sediments during storm discharges and the increased deposition of the fine-grained fraction of particles, including colloidal clay particles (associated with 1 3 7 Cs and, to some extent, PCBs), in place of the scoured sediments. Core SR1a, upstream of the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge, and cores SR5-SR8, farther downstream, show continuous sedimentation (1.2-11.8 cm/yr) since the late 1950s, whereas net sediment accumulation virtually ceased after 1988 at the intermediate sites of cores SR1-SR4. The maximum PCB concentration (161 ppm) occurs in 1969 in core SR4.
Seismological evidence for a sub‐volcanic arc mantle wedge beneath the Denali volcanic gap, Alaska

[1] Arc volcanism in Alaska is strongly correlated with the 100 km depth contour of the western Aluetian Wadati-Benioff zone. Above the eastern portion of the Wadati-Benioff zone however, there is a distinct lack of volcanism (the Denali volcanic gap). We observe high Poisson's ratio values (0.29–0.33) over the entire length of the Alaskan subduction zone mantle wedge based on regional variations of Pn and Sn velocities. High Poisson's ratios at this depth (40–70 km), adjacent to the subducting slab, are attributed to melting of mantle-wedge peridotites, caused by fluids liberated from the subducting oceanic crust and sediments. Observations of high values of Poisson's ratio, beneath the Denali volcanic gap suggest that the mantle wedge contains melted material that is unable to reach the surface. We suggest that its inability to migrate through the overlying crust is due to increased compression in the crust at the northern apex of the curved Denali fault.
Kinematic viscosity and speed of sound in gaseous CO, CO2, SiF4, SF6, C4F8, and NH3 from 220 K to 375 K and pressures up to 3.4 MPa

Abstract An acoustic Greenspan viscometer was used to measure the kinematic viscosity and speed of sound in the gases: CO, CO2, SiF4, SF6, C4F8, and NH3. The measurements cover the temperature range 220 K to 375 K, and pressures up to 3.4 MPa or 80% of the saturation pressure. The viscometer was calibrated at 298.16 K using five reference gases, Ar, He, N2, CH4, and C3H8, for which the viscosity and the speed of sound are known. With this calibration, we estimated the relative standard uncertainty of the kinematic viscosity ur(η/ρ) = 0.006 and the uncertainty of speed of sound ur(c) = 0.0001, except for very low pressures where the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates and quality factor for the Helmholtz mode is ⩽20.