cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Air Sac Primordium of Drosophila: A Model for Invasive Development.

The acquisition of invasive properties preceding tumor metastasis is critical for cancer progression. This phenomenon may result from mutagenic disruption of typical cell function, but recent evidence suggests that cancer cells frequently co-opt normal developmental programs to facilitate invasion as well. The signaling cascades that have been implicated present an obstacle to identifying effective therapeutic targets because of their complex nature and modulatory capacity through crosstalk with other pathways. Substantial efforts have been made to study invasive behavior during organogenesis in several organisms, but another model found in Drosophilamelanogaster has not been thoroughly explored. The air sac primordium (ASP) appears to be a suitable candidate for investigating the genes and morphogens required for invasion due to the distinct overlap in the events that occur during its normal growth and the development of metastatic tumor cells. Among these events are the conversion of larval cells in the trachea into a population of mitotically active cells, reduced cell–cell contact along the leading edge of the ASP, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds the structure. Here, we summarize the development of ASPs and invasive behavior observed therein.
Sessile Serrated Adenoma of the Appendix and Perforated Cecal Lymphoma in a Nonagenarian on Novel Anticoagulant Undergoing Emergent Surgery: The Challenges, Decision Making and Management of a Rare Case

A 92-year-old male with significant past medical history of atrial fibrillation, congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), hyperlipidemia (HLD), hypertension (HTN), myocardial infarction (MI), and peripheral vascular disease presented to emergency department (ED) with shortness of breath and right sided chest pain. He was hypotensive and tachycardic with right upper and lower quadrant tenderness on clinical examination. Initial pulmonary embolism (PE) protocol CT scan was negative for pulmonary embolism but revealed a large 13 cm mass in right lower quadrant (RLQ) with adjacent free peritoneal air and fluid, suspicious for perforated cecal neoplasm or abscess. He received activated prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) for emergent reversal of apixaban and taken emergently for exploratory laparotomy, where he underwent an extended right hemicolectomy with end ileostomy and a long Hartmann’s. The ileocecal lesion was large and extended from the terminal ileum to almost the hepatic flexure. Histopathology revealed high-grade B-cell lymphoma involving the terminal ileum, cecum, ascending colon, appendix, and mesenteric lymph nodes. The specimen also contained a serrated sessile appendicular adenoma. We discuss urgent/emergent surgeries in nonagenarians with multiple comorbidities on novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) as well as the indications of palliative surgery in these patient groups. We also discuss synchronous serrated adenoma along with the perforated high-grade lymphoma in the same patient. J Med Cases. 2018;9(9):313-319 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3124w
Optimizing methods to quantify intramuscular fat in rotator cuff tears with normalization

To determine which normalization method may best account for confounding individual factors, such as age or BMI, when quantifying fat infiltration on MRI in patients with rotator cuff tears, the effects of normalization using three different muscles (teres major; triceps brachii; teres minor) were compared. Thirty-seven consecutive patients diagnosed with rotator cuff pathology were included. MRI fat–water sequences were used to quantify rotator cuff intramuscular fat (%fat). Three reference muscles (teres major, triceps, teres minor) were used to derive normalized %fat. Relationships between intramuscular %fat and tear size, age, and BMI in each rotator cuff muscle, before and after normalization, were compared with Fisher transformations (α = 0.05). Normalization with teres major ameliorated confounding relationships of age and BMI on rotator cuff %fat. In contrast, normalization with triceps maintained the confounding relationships between %fat and age in supraspinatus (p = 0.03) and infraspinatus/teres minor (p = 0.028). Normalization with teres minor maintained the confounding relationship between %fat and BMI in subscapularis (p = 0.039). Normalization with teres major best-maintained relationships between tear size and infraspinatus/teres minor %fat (p = 0.021). In contrast, normalization with triceps or teres minor eliminated all significant relationships with tear size. Results of this pilot study suggest normalization to teres major using MRI-based %fat quantification methods can effectively control for individual factors, such as BMI or age, and may have utility in evaluating and monitoring rotator cuff fat infiltration attributed specifically to a tendon tear.
tIGAr: Automating isogeometric analysis with FEniCS

Abstract This paper introduces tIGAr , a library for using the open-source finite element (FE) automation software FEniCS to perform isogeometric analysis (IGA). The library uses a global variant of Bezier extraction to avoid modifying the finite element assembly procedures of FEniCS . This makes much of the convenient functionality of FEniCS directly available for IGA. General rational splines are implemented through an abstraction that sees only an extracted representation of the IGA function space. Through this abstraction, an enormous variety of spline spaces can be used for analysis, so long as a corresponding preprocessor is developed for each one, implementing a simple interface. As examples, we discuss preprocessors for B-splines specified analytically, non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) designed using the open-source software igakit , and T-splines designed using commercial software. We then demonstrate the implementation of solvers for several non-trivial partial differential equations that benefit from IGA. We also evaluate the parallel performance of tIGAr on a distributed-memory supercomputer . Finally, we outline possibilities for further development of IGA in FEniCS . Source code for tIGAr is continuously updated online at https://github.com/david-kamensky/tIGAr .
The effect of high-velocity dust particle impacts on microchannel plate (MCP) detectors

Abstract The detection efficiency and durability of a microchannel plate (MCP) detector to direct impacts of high-velocity dust particles is investigated experimentally. A new type of in situ time-of-flight cosmic dust analyzer instrument has been developed, where the ion detector is exposed to occasional impacts of cosmic dust particles. The dust accelerator facility operated at the University of Colorado is used to directly measure the effect of dust impacts on a commercial, off-the-shelf microchannel plate (MCP) detector. The MCP is exposed to approx. 480 dust particle impacts from wide size and velocity ranges of 0.05–1.6 μm radii and 2–35 km/s, respectively. The dust impact events are registered with 96% efficiency. Of these, 57% of the output signals are single charge pulses, and 43% are more complex signals that suggest ion feedback mechanisms within the detector. For all dust detection events, the output charge pulse is significantly larger than those from the detection of single ions or photons. The gain of the MCP detector shows no apparent degradation after the bombardment. In the investigated size/velocity range, the dust particles do not pose a risk of damaging the MCP. Scanning electron microscope images show that the impact generated craters are small, on the order of the size of the impacting particles. The performed measurements and the extrapolation of the results to the worst case expected to occur for the duration of a spaceflight mission indicate that MCP detectors require protection from dust impacts in order to reduce the risk of detector damage for these types of dust analyzer instruments, and a mechanism for providing protection is described.
Heart of Gold

Heart of Gold A 3-year-old girl was brought to the emergency department after she ingested a metal pendant. A radiograph of the chest showed a heart-shaped pendant in the esophagus.
Monte Carlo modeling of low-energy electron-induced secondary electron emission yields in micro-architected boron nitride surfaces

Abstract Surface erosion and secondary electron emission (SEE) have been identified as the most critical life-limiting factors in channel walls of Hall-effect thrusters for space propulsion. Recent wall concepts based on micro-architected surfaces have been proposed to mitigate surface erosion and SEE. The idea behind these designs is to take advantage of very-high surface-to-volume ratios to reduce SEE and ion erosion by internal trapping and redeposition. This has resulted in renewed interest to study electron–electron processes in relevant thruster wall materials. In this work, we present calculations of SEE yields in micro-porous hexagonal BN surfaces using stochastic simulations of electron-material interactions in discretized surface geometries. Our model consists of two complementary parts. First we study SEE as a function of primary electron energy and incidence angle in flat surfaces using Monte Carlo simulations of electron multi-scattering processes. The results are then used to represent the response function of discrete surface elements to individual electron rays generated using a ray-tracing Monte Carlo model. We find that micro-porous surfaces result in SEE yield reductions of over 50% in the energy range experienced in Hall thrusters. This points to the suitability of these micro-architected surface concepts to mitigate SEE-related issues in compact electric propulsion devices.
Between Feeling and Symbolization: Philosophical Paths to Thinking About Oneself

This chapter presents three philosophical paths to thinking about oneself in processes of self-reflection represented in the work of C.S. Peirce, John Dewey, and Susanne K. Langer. Self-reflection, they show, is a conjoint double action: (a) an existential search for self-knowledge, a becoming aware of what we have become and (b) a search for the right categories to be able to describe and ultimately to measure how we do or can live up to ‘what we are.’ Relying on analytical tools supplied by their linked philosophical and semiotic projects I sketch how we can construct an adequate conceptual frame for determining what is involved in the fateful and engaged practices of thinking about ourselves by ‘calling ourselves to mind.’
Peltosaurus granulosus (Squamata, Anguidae) from the middle Oligocene of Sharps Corner, South Dakota, and the youngest known chronostratigraphic occurrence of Glyptosaurinae

ABSTRACTGlyptosaurinae is an extinct group of anguid lizards commonly found in the Cretaceous and Paleogene fossil record of North America and Eurasia. Glyptosaurines are well documented up until t...
Autism and arousal

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition with no known cause or cure and generates lifelong effects. Autism is a highly heterogeneous condition with a spectrum of phenotypes including poor social skills, disrupted communication skills, and aberrant behavior. Current Center for Disease Control data suggest that 1 out of 59 children are diagnosed with ASD with a lifetime cost of nearly $2.4 million dollars per family. This chapter discusses earlier and recent findings on the neurobiological basis of ASD, clinical presentation, and treatment with particular emphasis on sensory gating and arousal. Addressing the dysregulation of vigilance in this disorder may be a key to successful treatment.
Risk Factors for Drug Overdose in Young People: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Objectives: Drug overdose (OD) deaths have been increasing over the past 20 years. Although risk factors for drug OD have been identified in adult populations, less is known about risk factors for OD in young people. The aim of this review is to systematically examine the literature to identify risk factors for drug OD specific to young people, including adolescents and young adults. Methods: Our initial PubMed search identified 4001 articles. Included were cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort studies published in English that compared young people who experienced a drug OD to those who did not. Review articles, meta-analyses, case-reports, editorials, epidemiological studies, and qualitative studies were excluded. Two investigators reviewed the full texts of all relevant articles and extracted data on sample demographics, prevalence of OD, and correlates associated with OD. Results: Twelve relevant studies were identified reflective of a sample of 5020 unique individuals with an age range of 14-30 years, and a mean age range of 20.2-26 years. The lifetime prevalence of OD in these young people ranged from 24% to 48%. Substance use characteristics most often associated with OD included injection drug, opioid, and tranquilizer use. Polysubstance use was also found to be strongly associated with OD in three studies. Other replicated risk factors for OD in young people included histories of psychopathology, incarceration, unstable housing, and witnessing an OD. Conclusion: Opioid, tranquilizer, and injection drug use have been identified as risk factors for OD in both younger and older adult populations. Risk factors that emerged as noteworthy predictors of OD in young people specifically include polysubstance use, psychiatric comorbidity, unstable housing, and witnessing an OD. There remains a paucity of literature on drug OD risk factors in young people, with little information regarding medical and treatment history risk factors.
Abstract 090: Intergenerational Inheritance of Obesity-Induced Diastolic Dysfunction With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Obesity is strongly associated with cardiomyopathy and heart failure. We examined the impact of paternal and maternal obesity on systolic and diastolic function in male adult offspring. The followi...
Quantitation of copper chlorophylls in green table olives by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Table olives, a widely consumed delicacy, are often selected by consumers based on the shade of their green color. The appealing coloration of fresh olives fades to brown or pale yellow during the industrial processing necessary for commercialization and storage, as a result of the degradation of chlorophyll a and b to their corresponding pheophytins and other chlorophyll degradation products (CDP). The re-greening of table olives may be achieved by complexation of CDP with Cu2+, to form stable bright green copper CDP (Cu-CDP) complexes. To study this phenomenon, we developed a novel method to separately extract lipophilic and hydrophilic Cu-CDP and quantify Cu-CDP by UHPLC combined with inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ICP-ID-MS) using post-column isotopic dilution with 65Cu. This technique does not require species-specific calibration standards and was applied to survey the Cu-CDP composition of the various types of table olives sold in the US market. The CDP and Cu-CDP extracted from table olives were identified by high resolution full-scan mass spectrometry. Total elemental Cu in table olives was measured by microwave digestion followed by ICP-MS detection and correlated with the content of Cu-CDP. Pale yellow olives contained <1 mg/kg lipophilic Cu-CDP and <3.5 mg/kg total elemental Cu. Bright green table olives contained 4-22 mg/kg lipophilic Cu-CDP and 14.4-161 mg/kg total elemental Cu in contrast to <6 mg/kg reported for natural abundance, indicating the formation of Cu-CDP was achieved by addition of copper salts. A dark green sample with 2.5 mg/kg of total copper and 0.267 mg/kg lipophilic Cu-CDP may have been processed by addition of sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC); the higher content of Cu isochlorin e4 compared to Cu 152-Me-chlorin e6 supports this conclusion.
Pericardial rupture leading to cardiac herniation after blunt trauma.

Pericardial rupture with cardiac herniation is a rare traumatic injury with an estimated incidence of 0.37% after blunt trauma. Most commonly occurring after high-speed impact, such as in motor vehicle or motorcycle collisions, pericardial rupture is associated with a high mortality rate. Radiologic diagnosis can be challenging; cross-sectional imaging findings can be suggestive of pericardial rupture but are often non-specific, and echocardiography windows are often obscured. Definitive diagnosis is generally made intra-operatively. Treatment involves reduction of the heart into normal anatomic position with repair of the pericardium, either primarily or with a patch. Fewer than 60 cases of pericardial rupture from blunt trauma have been reported in the literature. We describe a 65 year old poly-trauma patient who sustained pericardial rupture with subsequent cardiac herniation with cardiovascular collapse, and we discuss the considerations and complexities of his successful repair.
Application of near infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy in noninvasive monitoring of tumor photodynamic therapy

A novel near-infrared (NIR) diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) has recently been developed for noninvasive monitoring of tumor blood flow during photodynamic therapy (PDT).DCS offers several attractive new features for tumor blood flow measurement such as noninvasiveness,portability,low cost,high temporal resolution and relatively large penetration depth.DCS technology has been utilized for continuous measurement of tumor blood flow before,during and after PDT in both animals and humans.The ultimate goal is to predict treatment outcomes from the measured tumor hemodynamic responses to PDT. Key words: Diffusion; Correlation; Spectroscopy; Blood flow; Cancer; Photodynamic therapy
Thiazol-2-thiolate-Bridged Binuclear Platinum(II) Complexes with High Photoluminescence Quantum Efficiencies of up to Near Unity.

Binuclear platinum(II) complexes with strong Pt–Pt interactions are an interesting class of luminescent materials, of which photophysical properties could be controlled via multiple ways through or...
Search for the $\chi'_c$ Charmonium States as Solution to the CDF $\psi'$ Puzzle

The efforts of Roy-Sridhar-Close-Cho-Wise-Trivedi to resolve the CDF $\psi'$ anomaly with cascades from above-threshold $\chi^\prime_c$ states require well defined signature states require well defined signatures [a small total width and a large branching fraction for $\cp \ra \gamma + \pp]$ for the solution to be viable. Here we estimte the production of such states from $BR (B \ra \cp + X)BR (\cp \ra \gamma \pp)$ and $\gamma \gamma$ production of $\chi^\prime_{c2}$ at CLEO II, and comment on the feasbility of testing the hypothesis in terms of current experimental capabilities.
The spin -function on for Siegel modular forms

We give a Rankin–Selberg integral representation for the Spin (degree eight) -function on that applies to the cuspidal automorphic representations associated to Siegel modular forms. If corresponds to a level-one Siegel modular form of even weight, and if has a nonvanishing maximal Fourier coefficient (defined below), then we deduce the functional equation and finiteness of poles of the completed Spin -function of .
A Step in the Right Direction: Point-of-Care Ultrasound as an Evaluation Tool of Achilles Tendon Injuries in the Emergency Department.

This report describes the diagnosis of an Achilles tendon tear in a female patient with an inconclusive physical exam, which was limited by the patient’s body habitus. Expedient use of point-of-care ultrasound supported the diagnosis of an Achilles tear with findings of a tendinous defect, fibrous stranding, and surrounding anechoic fluid, suggestive of localized hemorrhage. The patient was splinted in plantar flexion and had prompt orthopedic referral with MRI that verified Achilles tear.
Dental resins used in 3D printing technologies release ovo-toxic leachates.

Abstract We recently engineered the first female reproductive tract on a chip (EVATAR), to enable sex-based ex vivo research. To increase the scalability and accessibility of EVATAR, we turned to 3D printing (3DP) technologies, selecting two biocompatible 3DP resins, Dental SG (DSG) and Dental LT (DLT) to generate 3DP microphysiologic platforms. Due to the known sensitivity of reproductive cells to leachable compounds, we first screened for toxicity of these biomaterials using an in vitro mammalian oocyte maturation assay. Culture of mouse oocytes in 3DP plates using conventionally treated DSG resin resulted in rapid oocyte degeneration. Oxygen plasma treatment of the surface of printed DSG resin prevented this degeneration, and the majority of the resulting oocytes progressed through meiosis in vitro. However, 57.0% ± 37.2% of the cells cultured in the DSG resin plates exhibited abnormal chromosome morphology compared to 19.4% ± 17.3% of controls cultured in polystyrene. All tested DLT resin conditions, including plasma treatment, resulted in complete and rapid oocyte degeneration. To identify the ovo-toxic component of DLT, we analyzed DLT leachate using mass spectroscopy. We identified Tinuvin 292, a commercial light stabilizer, as a major component of the DLT leachate, which resulted in a dose-dependent disruption of meiotic progression and increase in chromosomal abnormalities with oocyte exposure, showing significant ovo-toxicity in mammals. Severe reproductive toxicity induced by in vitro exposure to these 3D-printed resins highlights potential risks of deploying insufficiently characterized materials for biomedical applications and underscores the need for more rigorous evaluation and designation of biocompatible materials.
Treating scouring beef and dairy calves

Diarrhea is the leading cause of calf mortality prior to weaning in both beef and dairy calves. Therefore, both veterinarians and producers should put some effort into designing rational and efficacious protocols for both prevention and treatment of diarrhea. The primary goals of treating calf diarrhea are to 1) correct free water and electrolyte abnormalities; 2) correct acid-base deficits (acidemia); 3) provide nutritional support; and 4) eliminate and/or pre¬ vent E. coli bacteremia. This presentation will focus on both oral electrolyte and intravenous fluid therapy in calves with diarrhea. Practical approaches to correcting dehydration and metabolic acidosis on-farm will be emphasized.
Quasi-Imaging near Millimeter Radar

Visible light and FLIR imaging systems provide detailed imagery suitable for acquisition and recognition of tactical targets at ranges up to several kilometers, as long as suitable propagation conditions exist. However, when visibility is limited by fogs or battlefield smokes, such systems are blinded and other means must be provided. A Near Millimeter Wave (NMMW) quasi-imaging system shows promise in satisfying this critical requirement [1, 2]. Propagation of near millimeter waves through the clear air (where water vapor is the principal cause of attenuation), and through fogs and smokes, improves with increasing wavelength [3]. But resolution, and therefore imaging performance, improves with decreasing wavelength. The tradeoff between propagation and resolution dominates other system design characteristics.
Study on the Accommodation Ability and Development Demand with High Proportion Renewable Energy Integrated into Grid in China

In recent years, China's renewable energy has grown rapidly and continuously, and its proportion in the power grid has been increasing gradually to enter a large-scale development stage. This paper constructs a scientific and reasonable grid development scenario under the assumption that China's high proportion of renewable energy have been integrated into grid in 2030. Use production simulation technology to verify the feasibility of development scenario, and propose reasonable suggestions to provide decision-making reference for the development and utilization of renewable energy and energy structure in China.
Lactoferrin as an antimicrobial against Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw milk

Abstract Improper storage conditions or processing of milk leads to potential spoilage and illness, due in part to temperature abuse, allowing bacteria present to grow and spoil the product. However, certain proteins naturally found in raw milk, such as lactoferrin, have reported antibacterial properties. The levels of lactoferrin required to effectively inhibit growth of pathogens have not been investigated thoroughly. This study aimed to examine various concentrations of lactoferrin as a potential biopreservative and as an antimicrobial against the common dairy pathogens Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Minimum inhibitory concentration assays were conducted on raw bovine milk in which the bacteria were exposed to varying concentrations of lactoferrin. In the raw milk system, the growth of E. coli O157:H7 was significantly decreased at levels greater than 14.05 mg/mL lactoferrin based on the reduction of tetrazolium salts. For S. enterica, only lactoferrin concentrations at or above 112.5 mg/mL in the milk resulted in reduced growth. Taken together, these results indicate that lactoferrin may have biopreservative potential. To fully examine the practicality and effectiveness of lactoferrin as an antimicrobial additive, a similar study should be conducted using additional (gram-positive) pathogens, such as Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes. If effective, lactoferrin could prolong the shelf life of dairy products and help reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses in developing countries with limited refrigeration capability.
Impact of Insurance Provider on Postoperative Hospital Length of Stay After Spine Surgery.

OBJECTIVE Differences in insurer and payer status have been shown to increase patient hospital length of stay (LOS) by delaying the approval of transfer to a rehabilitation facility. The aim of the current study is to determine the impact of the type of insurance provider on postoperative hospital LOS after spine surgery. METHODS In our single-institution retrospective study, all patients undergoing elective spine surgery between August 2018 and August 2019 as part of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol were enrolled in a prospectively collected registry. Insurance payer type was analyzed to determine its effect on total patient LOS after surgery. RESULTS A total of 106 patients were included in the study. Insurance payers studied were Medicare, private insurers (preferred provider organization and health maintenance organization), and the Veterans Affairs payer TriWest. Patients in all groups had comparable demographic characteristics and procedural variables. There was a statistically significant difference in days stayed beyond medical clearance among the 3 insurance provider groups (P < 0.001); TriWest patients stayed an average of 3.2 days beyond clearance, compared with private insurance (1.2 days) and Medicare (0.3 days). Individual subanalysis of the ERAS complex pathway population mirrored these findings. CONCLUSIONS Hospitalization beyond medical clearance after spine surgery follows a predictable pattern regardless of ERAS pathway complexity, with Medicare having a shorter delay in approving patient progression than private insurance, which has less of a delay than Triwest.
Understanding the Pricing of Currency Risk in Global Equity Markets

This paper explores potential economic mechanisms through which fluctuations in exchange rates are priced in international stock returns. Our investigation focuses on two currency risk factors – a dollar-risk factor and a carry-trade-risk factor – and their explanatory power for a variety of test assets comprised of monthly returns for over 47,000 stocks from 46 countries and over four decades. We find that currency risk is more likely to be priced among firms producing tradeable goods, and especially during periods of sudden exchange rate fluctuations. The divergent evolution is robust with respect to the evaluating criteria on firm internationalization, the benchmark factor models chosen, the sub-periods examined, and the test asset portfolios assessed.
Could You Marry a Sex Robot? Shifting Sexual Norms and the Transformation of the Family

Sex matters. How men and women regard sex and bond sexually powerfully shapes the lifeworld. Sex is one of the major forces that influence a society and its background taken-for-granted norms. This chapter explores the ways in which the now dominant Western secular culture has generally deflated and demoralized the significance of sexual activity. Differences in preferred sexual activities (e.g., choosing one’s partners from members of the opposite sex, the same sex, sex robots, and so forth) are, according to this secular culture, to be appreciated as morally neutral lifestyle choices provided that they are consensual and affirm the “dignity” of the parties involved. As I argue, the dominant secular culture seeks to place consensual sexual acts, of which the use of sex robots is just one additional example, beyond moral judgment, further isolating individuals from the rich social connections of traditional family life, thereby transforming the family and advancing the secularization of society.
Validation of an Acoustic-Based Framework of Speech Motor Control: Assessing Criterion and Construct Validity Using Kinematic and Perceptual Measures.

Purpose This study investigated the criterion (analytical and clinical) and construct (divergent) validity of a novel, acoustic-based framework composed of five key components of motor control: Coordination, Consistency, Speed, Precision, and Rate. Method Acoustic and kinematic analyses were performed on audio recordings from 22 subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during a sequential motion rate task. Perceptual analyses were completed by two licensed speech-language pathologists, who rated each subject's speech on the five framework components and their overall severity. Analytical and clinical validity were assessed by comparing performance on the acoustic features to their kinematic correlates and to clinician ratings of the five components, respectively. Divergent validity of the acoustic-based framework was then assessed by comparing performance on each pair of acoustic features to determine whether the features represent distinct articulatory constructs. Bivariate correlations and partial correlations with severity as a covariate were conducted for each comparison. Results Results revealed moderate-to-strong analytical validity for every acoustic feature, both with and without controlling for severity, and moderate-to-strong clinical validity for all acoustic features except Coordination, without controlling for severity. When severity was included as a covariate, the strong associations for Speed and Precision became weak. Divergent validity was supported by weak-to-moderate pairwise associations between all acoustic features except Speed (second-formant [F2] slope of consonant transition) and Precision (between-consonant variability in F2 slope). Conclusions This study demonstrated that the acoustic-based framework has potential as an objective, valid, and clinically useful tool for profiling articulatory deficits in individuals with speech motor disorders. The findings also suggest that compared to clinician ratings, instrumental measures are more sensitive to subtle differences in articulatory function. With further research, this framework could provide more accurate and reliable characterizations of articulatory impairment, which may eventually increase clinical confidence in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with different articulatory phenotypes.
Influencing leading and following in human–robot teams

Roles such as leading and following can emerge naturally in human groups. However, in human–robot teams, such roles are often predefined due to the difficulty of scalably learning and adapting to them. In this work, we enable a robot to efficiently learn how group dynamics emerge and evolve in human teams and we leverage this understanding to plan for influencing actions for autonomous robots that guide the team toward achieving a common goal. We first develop an effective and concise representation of group dynamics, such as leading and following, by enforcing a graph structure while learning the weights of the edges corresponding to one-to-one relationships between the agents. We then develop an optimization-based robot policy that leverages this graph representation to attain an objective by influencing a human team. We apply our framework to two types of group dynamics, leading-following and predator–prey, and show that our structured representation is scalable with different human team sizes and also generalizable across different tasks. We also show that robots that utilize this representation are able to successfully influence a group to achieve various goals compared to robots that do not have access to these graph representations (Parts of this work has been published at Robotics: Science and Systems (RSS) (Kwon et al. in Proceedings of robotics: science and systems (RSS), 2019. https://doi.org/10.15607/rss.2019.xv.075 ).
Effect of air and growing medium temperatures on rhizoctonia foot rot of Epipremnum aureum.

Abstract Air and growing medium temperatures affected severity of foot rot of Epipremnum aureum (pothos) caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG4. Maximum daily temperatures of 30°C (86°F) for either air or soil resulted in optimal disease development. Maximum daily temperatures of 35°C (95°F) decreased disease development significantly due to fungal pathogen growth reduction. A continuous temperature of 30°C (86°F) was also too high for significant disease development.
Effects of thiol antioxidants on the atropselective oxidation of 2,2',3,3',6,6'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 136) by rat liver microsomes.

Chiral polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, such as PCB 136, are atropselectively metabolized to various hydroxylated PCB metabolites (HO-PCBs). The present study investigates the effect of two thiol antioxidants, glutathione and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), on profiles and chiral signatures of PCB 136 and its HO-PCB metabolites in rat liver microsomal incubations. Liver microsomes prepared from rats pretreated with phenobarbital were incubated with PCB 136 (5 μM) in the presence of the respective antioxidant (0–10 mM), and levels and chiral signatures of PCB 136 and its HO-PCB metabolites were determined. Three metabolites, 5-136 (2,2′,3,3′,6,6′-hexachlorobiphenyl-5-ol), 4-136 (2,2′,3,3′,6,6′-hexachlorobiphenyl-4-ol), and 4,5-136 (2,2′,3,3′,6,6′-hexachlorobiphenyl-4,5-diol), were detected in all incubations, with 5-136 being the major metabolite. Compared to microsomal incubations without antioxidant, levels of 4,5-136 increased with increasing antioxidant concentration, whereas levels of PCB 136 and both mono-HO-PCBs were not affected by the presence of either antioxidant. PCB 136, 4-136, and 5-136 displayed significant atropisomeric enrichment; however, the direction and extent of the atropisomeric enrichment was not altered in the presence of an antioxidant. Because 4,5-136 can either be conjugated to a sulfate or glucuronide metabolite that is readily excreted or further oxidized a potentially toxic PCB 136 quinone, the effect of both thiol antioxidants on 4,5-136 formation suggests that disruptions of glutathione homeostasis may alter the balance between both metabolic pathways and, thus, PCB 136 toxicity in vivo.
Synthesis of amide-functionalized cellulose esters by olefin cross-metathesis

Cellulose esters with amide functionalities were synthesized by cross-metathesis (CM) reaction of terminally olefinic esters with different acrylamides, catalyzed by Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst. Chelation by amides of the catalyst ruthenium center caused low conversions using conventional solvents. The effects of both solvent and structure of acrylamide on reaction conversion were investigated. While the inherent tendency of acrylamides to chelate Ru is governed by the acrylamide N-substituents, employing acetic acid as a solvent significantly improved the conversion of certain acrylamides, from 50% to up to 99%. Homogeneous hydrogenation using p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide successfully eliminated the α,β-unsaturation of the CM products to give stable amide-functionalized cellulose esters. The amide-functionalized product showed higher Tg than its starting terminally olefinic counterpart, which may have resulted from strong hydrogen bonding interactions of the amide functional groups.
Conformational studies on helicenes—IX1

Abstract The reaction of phenathro[3,4-c]fluorene ( 1 ) with lithium in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPT) leads to the fully aromatic phenanthro[3,4-c]fluorenyl anion ( 2 ). The influence of the ring current of the five-membered ring and the negative charge on the proton chemical shifts has been analyzed. The low-field position of the A-portion (H(16)) is ascribed to the nearby position of the Li-cation. Even in HMPT the Li −+ 2 − salt appears to be present as a contact ion pair.
Fast covariance computation and dimensionality reduction for sub-window features in images

This paper presents algorithms for efficiently computing the covariance matrix for features that form sub-windows in a large multidimensional image. For example, several image processing applications, e.g. texture analysis/synthesis, image retrieval, and compression, operate upon patches within an image. These patches are usually projected onto a low-dimensional feature space using dimensionality reduction techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), which in-turn requires computation of the covariance matrix from a set of features. Covariance computation is usually the bottleneck during PCA or LDA (O(nd2) where n is the number of pixels in the image and d is the dimensionality of the vector). Our approach reduces the complexity of covariance computation by exploiting the redundancy between feature vectors corresponding to overlapping patches. Specifically, we show that the covariance between two feature components can be reduced to a function of the relative displacement between those components in patch space. One can then employ a lookup table to store covariance values by relative displacement. By operating in the frequency domain, this lookup table can be computed in O(n log n) time. We allow the patches to sub-sample the image, which is useful for hierarchical processing and also enables working with filtered responses over these patches, such as local gist features. We also propose a method for fast projection of sub-window patches onto the low-dimensional space.
Quantitative urine culture method using a plastic "paddle" containing dual media.

A new dip-inoculum method for quantitative urine culture is described which utilizes a dual-chambered plastic „paddle” housing both a general purpose and differential medium. Comparative bacterial counts of 1,000 clinical specimens using the pour plate and this device were identical in 82.9% and within a factor of five in 95.6%. The „paddle” detected all but 19 of 258 specimens (92.6%) with 100,000 or greater colonies per ml. This simple, convenient method should allow more extensive use of quantitative urine culture in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with urinary tract infections in office practice. It should not be considered as a substitute for the more definitive pour plate method or for standard methods for characterization of bacteriological species when more exact information is required.
The effect of wind mixing on the vertical distribution of buoyant plastic debris

[1] Micro-plastic marine debris is widely distributed in vast regions of the subtropical gyres and has emerged as a major open ocean pollutant. The fate and transport of plastic marine debris is governed by poorly understood geophysical processes, such as ocean mixing within the surface boundary layer. Based on profile observations and a one-dimensional column model, we demonstrate that plastic debris is vertically distributed within the upper water column due to wind-driven mixing. These results suggest that total oceanic plastics concentrations are significantly underestimated by traditional surface measurements, requiring a reinterpretation of existing plastic marine debris data sets. A geophysical approach must be taken in order to properly quantify and manage this form of marine pollution.
Walkout NYC!: On Strike in a World of Fetishes, Fictions, and Beleaguered Workers

New York City was abuzz with labor struggles in December 2007. The most prominent were that of the Writers Guild of America (East), picketing as part of their nation-wide strike for a fair share of online and digital content “residuals.” NYC-based shows like Letterman’s the Late Show, the Daily Show, and Saturday Night Live languished for months without their creative workers. In December, though, another smaller intersecting struggle also erupted at one of the world’s largest media conglomerates, when Viacom’s vulnerable and (until then) unorganized ‘freelance’ workers (known in-house as “permalance”) walked off the job. The following comic and introduction present preliminary observations and themes from research conducted during this tumultuous time.
Application of control theoretic principles to manage inventory replenishment in a supply chain

Using uncertain real-time information to update supply chain operational policies creates a need for developing dynamic supply chain management capabilities that increase responsiveness to demand a...
Diffusion and Adoption of Crops in Evolutionary Perspective

Abstract Optimization models developed within evolutionary ecology provide a useful framework for analyzing patterns of acceptance and utilization of new crops by food-producing populations. The deterministic version of the diet choice model predicts that new crops of relatively low profitability are likely to enter the diet if highly ranked resources are in short supply, but will be ignored if such items are abundant. A stochastic version of the same model (the “zscore” model) predicts adoption when the chance of energetic shortfall is very low and addition of new foods (even if they are of poor quality) may minimize risk by reducing variance in yields. Similar environments may consequently elicit strikingly different responses to new resources depending on which goal (e.g., risk minimization or efficiency maximization) guides decision-making. A case study, the introduction of the peach to eastern North America, illustrates how these models might be enlisted to develop and evaluate adaptation-based explanations of crop adoption. The opportunity cost model is used to predict optimal time allocation to different tasks as a function of the relationship between rising opportunity costs and diminishing returns. Manipulation of the model suggests that high opportunity costs may have limited investment in maize production following the initial introduction of this crop to eastern North America. Both increased productivity of maize and improvement in labor efficiency are likely causes of its eventual establishment as an economic staple. These findings illustrate the heuristic value of evolutionary ecology models as tools for investigating the origins and development of agricultural systems, including the diffusion of specific crops.
Teaching phacoemulsification in US ophthalmology residencies: can the quality be maintained?

Purpose of reviewTo examine the current status of phacoemulsification training and the factors that will influence the future quality of training in phacoemulsification.Recent findingsRecent developments include residents performing phaco without previous ECCE experience, residents using topical ane
Relationship between the chemical composition of aquatic macrophytes and their consumption by grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella

The rate at which triploid grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, consumed two plant species from different locations was measured and compared to the chemical composition of the plants. Grass carp fed on Elodea canadensis from three lakes at significantly different rates (P> 0.001), but did not eat Elodea densa from two of the sites at different rates. Feeding rate of the grass carp was positively correlated to the concentration of calcium (r= 0.976) and lignin (r= 0.946), but negatively correlated to the content of iron (r=−0.808), silica (r=-0.934) and cellulose (r=−0.922). Multiple regression analysis revealed that calcium and cellulose content were the most important predictors of consumption rate. These experiments demonstrate that water chemistry may affect palatability and could in part be responsible for some of the discrepancies in grass carp consumption rate and preference studies.
Management of the patient with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in the third millennium.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) devices were originally developed for prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD). They are now widely regarded as the primary therapy for this condition. Clinical trials have led to a progressive expansion in indications for their use.1,2⇓ Recent clinical reports show effectiveness of these devices in patients with recurrent syncope, in the prevention of SCD in high-risk patients with coronary disease, and in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Refinements in ICD technology have improved functionality and enhanced safety. Optimal patient management requires intimate knowledge of these complex devices and of the diverse arrhythmias that may be treatable by a single multifaceted ICD device. A 75-year-old man presented with near-syncope and ventricular arrhythmias. He had a past history of dilated cardiomyopathy, old cerebrovascular accident, symptomatic atrial flutter/fibrillation, and heart failure. He had been treated with anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic drugs, but it was noted on admission that he was in atrial flutter with a ventricular rate of 110 bpm. Electrophysiological evaluation revealed isthmus- (common or typical) and nonisthmus- (atypical) dependent atrial flutter and inducible hypotensive monomorphic sustained ventricular tachycardia. A linear ablation of the tricuspid valve-inferior vena cava isthmus interrupted common flutter, but atypical flutter persisted. The following day, a dual chamber ICD capable of defibrillation and antitachycardia, as well as standard demand pacing in both chambers, was inserted. An additional coronary sinus lead was placed to permit dual site right atrial pacing for prevention of atrial flutter and fibrillation (Figure 1A). The patient was given a handheld activator for termination of atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter. Figure 1. A, Lateral radiograph of the chest showing the first dual chamber atrioventricular defibrillator inserted in patient with refractory atrial fibrillation. Note the distinct atrial and ventricular pacing and defibrillation leads. An additional coronary sinus pacing lead is placed …
Grinding surface characterization by CEST

Abstract A newly developed Computer Evaluation of Surface Topography (CEST)_tecnique is used to characterize grinding surface. This CEST technique calculates the profile spectrial moments and finds variances of heights, slopes and curvatures of asperities for any anisotropic homogeneous surface in the form of pictorial conic sections. Ten different soft steel ground surfaces were evaluated using CEST techniques to study the effects of five different operating variables on surface finish. Results showed strong anistropic properties for all the ground surfaces. Also, the cross-feed and depth of cut were shown to be the two strongest factors influencing the surface characteristics. Finally, suitable operating conditions for grinding soft steel are suggested to produce desired surface quality.