cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostics for Ground Support Systems: Case Study on Pneumatic Valves

Prognostics technologies determine the health (or damage) state of a component or subsystem, and make end of life (EOL) and remaining useful life (RUL) predictions. Such information enables system operators to make informed maintenance decisions and streamline operational and mission-level activities. We develop a model-based prognostics methodology for pneumatic valves used in ground support equipment for cryogenic propellant loading operations. These valves are used to control the ow of propellant, so failures may have a signicant impact on launch availability. Therefore, correctly predicting when valves will fail enables timely maintenance that avoids launch delays and aborts. The approach utilizes mathematical models describing the underlying physics of valve degradation, and, employing the particle ltering algorithm for joint state-parameter estimation, determines the health state of the valve and the rate of damage progression, from which EOL and RUL predictions are made. We develop a prototype user interface for valve prognostics, and demonstrate the prognostics approach using historical pneumatic valve data from the Space Shuttle refueling system.
Optimal Control of an Unmanned Lighter-Than-Air Vehicle Through Way-Point Navigation

The work presented in this paper deals with designing two, optimal, Linear-Quadratic controllers that are capable of navigating an airship through a series of planar waypoints. Two guidance laws are considered, a track-specific guidance law and a proportional navigation guidance law. Each provides commands to their corresponding controller based on vehicle and waypoint positions. A novel implementation of the extended Kalman filter (EKF) provides the required states and wind speed estimates to enhance the performance of the track-specific guidance law in the presence of wind disturbance.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Context-Based Sustainability and Corporate CO2 Reduction Targets: Are Companies Moving Fast Enough?

Corporate accounting and finance sustainability activities are often ad hoc; that is, the extent to which a company moves toward being more sustainable is based on organizational feasibility or economic acceptance rather than true sustainability criteria. This paper examines corporate climate and carbon policy through the lens of context- based sustainability (CBS). CBS argues that true sustainable efforts must consider the ecological capacity of the environment and the fair allocation of this capacity. Only by doing so will the result be an outcome of a livable and sustainable world. The paper combines aspects of physical science (atmospheric CO2 carrying capacity) and philosophy (inter-generational equity and resource allocation) with corporate policy. When applied to climate change this implies examining corporate efforts relative to climate stabilization paths and further examining what a fair allocation of future emissions would be. We look at the documented carbon reductions for a sample of large US corporations including EPA Climate Leadership Award Winners in 2012 and a larger sample of companies from the same industries and compare their carbon reductions to several allocations of the global carbon budget required to limit climate change to just 1°C or 2°C. We find that the emissions path of these US corporations only satisfies the most generous, business-as-usual allocation of carbon emissions.
Role of CD1d in Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Myocarditis

The myocarditic (H3) variant of Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) causes severe myocarditis in BALB/c mice and BALB/c mice lacking the invariant J alpha 281 gene, but minimal disease in BALB/c CD1d(-/-) animals. This indicates that CD1d expression is important in this disease but does not involve the invariant NKT cell often associated with CD1d-restricted immunity. The H3 variant of the virus increases CD1d expression in vitro in neonatal cardiac myocytes whereas a nonmyocarditic (H310A1) variant does not. V gamma 4(+) T cells show increased activation in both H3-infected BALB/c and J alpha 281(-/-) mice compared with CD1d(-/-) animals. The activated BALB/c V gamma 4(+) T cells from H3-infected mice kill H3-infected BALB/c myocytes and cytotoxicity is blocked with anti-CD1d but not with anti-MHC class I (K(d)/D(d)) or class II (IA/IE) mAbs. In contrast, H3 virus-infected CD1d(-/-) myocytes are not killed. These studies demonstrate that CD1d expression is essential for pathogenicity of CVB3-induced myocarditis, that CD1d expression is increased early after infection in vivo in CD1d(+) mice infected with the myocarditic but not with the nonmyocarditic CVB3 variant, and that V gamma 4(+) T cells, which are known to promote myocarditis susceptibility, appear to recognize CD1d expressed by CVB3-infected myocytes.
High Resolution Digital Time Base

A time base has been developed to supply general timing signals for the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, including beam bunch transfer triggers and beam detector triggers. The system consists of 8-bit counters and digital phase shifters of 8-bit resolution, under control of a data bus tied to the CESR control computer interface. The counters use conventional Schottky TTL techniques at a clock rate of 23.8 MHz, and the phase shifters are based on an ECL phase-locked loop, giving a resolution of 150 ps/LSB, jitter of 50 ps, an offset T.C. of 10 ps/°C, and a gain T.C. of 100 ppm/°C.
Combining Segmentation And Tracking For The Classification Of Moving Objects In Video Scenes

This paper describes a method of detecting, tracking and identifying moving objects in video scenes. The method is based on an adaptive change detector which detects and tracks moving objects and extracts silhouettes of the objects from the background so they can be classified by shape. The adaptive change detector uses estimates of image noise and contrast to dynamically adjust decision thresholds. A principal feature of this method is the synergistic interaction between the tracker, the segmenter and the classifier to eliminate uninteresting objects, to improve estimates of the background and noise, to guide threshold selection, and to influence feature selection for classification.
Bipolar coagulation at different energy levels: effect on patency.

Determining the extent of damage caused by bipolar coagulation at different levels is critical in microsurgery. If no significant damage occurs at known levels, this technique can be used instead of ligation, saving considerable time. One hundred eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups of 30 each. The effects of bipolar coagulation were assessed at either 2 or 10.4 watts at the junction between the common femoral artery and a branch vessel. Three common clinical settings were used: branch coagulation without interruption of blood flow in the common femoral artery; branch coagulation with interruption of blood flow for 30 minutes; and branch coagulation with arterial anastomosis 3–5 mm distal to the branch. Control procedures without coagulation were performed on the contralateral vessels. The animals were re-explored at 5–7 days. No differences occurred in patency of the coagulated vessels at 2 or 10.4 watts of delivered energy as compared with controls. Recanalization of the side branch occurred in approximately 80% (144/180) of specimens. Extensive damage to endothelium, tunica intima, and tunica media occurred for 1–2 mm around the site of the coagulated branch. The forceps pick-up test demonstrated little difference in flow of the cauterized vessel compared with controls. However, the cauterized vessel had a clinically weaker pulse stream of the transected common femoral artery. Recanalization of the coagulated side branch commonly occurred with a fibrin cap at the end of the vessel. Manipulation of the branch vessel frequently caused rebleeding. Our study shows that bipolar coagulation can be used effectively if coagulation is located at least 2 mm from the main vessel. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Are we sedating more than just the brain

Heavy sedation in the ICU is associated with coma, delirium, and prolonged stays, but links between sedatives and non-brain organ failure have rarely been described. In a post hoc analysis, Strom and colleagues explored associations between sedation and acute kidney injury among ICU patients randomly assigned to one of two sedation strategies. The 'no sedation' protocol was associated with less kidney injury, but methodologic limitations preclude firm conclusions regarding mechanisms underlying this association. This hypothesis-generating study warns that sedation may harm organs other than the brain during critical illness, a possibility that warrants careful study in the future.
Monte-Carlo calculations of Ge detector escape-peak efficiencies

The authors present calculated first and second escape peak efficiencies for a variety of n-type coaxial Ge detectors using the Monte Carlo method. The results are given for right-circular cylindrical geometries of size ranging from 3-cm diameter * 3-cm thick to 8-cm diameter * 8-cm thick. For completeness, the intrinsic interaction and photopeak efficiencies for energies ranging from 20 keV to 20 MeV are listed. The calculations have been tested against experimental measurement and found to be in agreement to within the quoted errors (typically 10%). It is found that the ratio of the second escape peak efficiency to the first escape peak efficiency, R, is approximately independent of energy for small detector volumes but has a weak power law energy dependence for large volumes. It is shown that R also varies as an inverse power law of the active volume. >
Combined Molecular Targeting for Cancer Therapy: A New Paradigm in Need of Molecular Imaging

The work by Capello et al. ( [1][1] ) published in this issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine demonstrates an important paradigm shift currently invading investigations and practice in oncology: the use of 2 biologic agents to achieve therapeutic synergy by coactivation or blockade of cancer cell
Towards a transnational hip-hop feminist liberatory praxis: a view from the Americas

The author argues that hip-hop feminism has come to a point where it needs to take a transnationalist turn if it is going to realize its potential to be a twenty-first century feminist praxis. The author highlights how people speaking from a U.S. American context inadvertently become a global referent for anti-oppression movements and subjectivities. Unfortunately, by virtue of being in one of the centers of global power, becoming a global referent of anti-oppression has the potential to distort and even render invisible the realities of Black women throughout the Americas. Through taking a transnational approach to hip-hop feminism, U.S. based advocates can increase the possibilities for hip-hop feminism to function as a politic of solidarity and mutual empowerment for Black women and girls throughout the Americas. Data are drawn from participant observation and interviews conducted in Havana, Cuba (1998–2010), and Sao Paulo, Brazil (2008–2013).
A magnetoelectronic register file cell for a self-checkpointing microprocessor: Research Articles

A self-checkpointing microprocessor periodically copies the state of the currently executing program to on-chip non-volatile storage, allowing it to resume execution of the program at the last checkpoint after a power supply interruption or shutdown. In this paper, we present a register file cell for a self-checkpointing microprocessor that integrates a magnetoelectronic non-volatile memory cell into a register cell similar to the one used in the Itanium 2 microprocessor. Our design allows the contents of each bit in the register file to be checkpointed simultaneously, reducing the time required to take a checkpoint to a few clock cycles, without compromising the performance of the register file during normal read and write operations. Because the area of the base register file cell is determined by the wiring tracks it requires, adding self-checkpointing to the cell only increases its area by 6p. Similarly, adding self-checkpointing has effectively no impact on the cell's performance, only increasing read and write times from 299 to 300 ps, even when the additional load on the bit lines from the larger cells is considered. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Cl Channel Family Defined by Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy

The macular region of the retina is responsible for high-acuity vision in the central part of the visual field. Macular degeneration leads to gradual decline and loss of the central vision, which we most heavily rely on in our everyday life. Most cases of macular degeneration are encountered as age-related macular degeneration, but their exact pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly defined. Although younger people develop macular degeneration much more rarely, some of them do develop the disease caused by mutated genes. A few such monogenic disorders have been identified and targeted for intensive study, both because of their intrinsic importance and because they may help understand the more common age-related forms of macular degeneration. These monogenic disorders include Stargardt disease, Sorsby’s fundus dystrophy, dominant familial drusen, and vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD, Best disease).
Holography with Schrödinger potentials

Abstract We examine the analogue one-dimensional quantum mechanics problem associated with bulk scalars and fermions in a slice of AdS5. The “Schrodinger” potential can take on different qualitative shapes depending on the values of the mass parameters in the bulk theory. Several interesting correlations between the shape of the Schrodinger potential and the holographic theory exist. We show that the quantum mechanical picture is a useful guide to the holographic theory by examining applications from phenomenology.
Ruptured spleen as a complication of laparoscopy and pelvic laparotomy. Report of an unusual complication.

Abstract Ruptured spleen as a complication of upper abdominal surgery is well known, although uncommon. Recently, a gynecology patient undergoing elective pelvic surgery experienced this complication. A detailed history as well as a review of the recent literature is presented. Guidelines are suggested to decrease the risk of this complication following gnecologic surgery.
Acute cholecystitis after autologous bone marrow transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia

Summary Background We investigated the incidence of acute cholecystitis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation in complete remission. Patients and methods Thirty-five consecutive acute myeloid leukemia patients were given oral busulfan4 mg/kg/day for 4 days and IV cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg/day for 4 days followed by reinfusion of autologous bone marrow purged with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide. Results Five of 35 patients developed clinical evidence of acute cholecystitis, manifested by fever, nausea, vomiting, right-upper-quadrant pain, and abdominal guarding, within 18 days after autologous bone marrow infusion.Ultrasonography and CT scans of the abdomen supported the diagnosis of cholecystitis. Three patients underwent cholecystectomy, while two patients were treated medically; all recovered uneventfully. A review of 338 consecutive bone marrow transplant patients who underwent marrow transplantation for a variety of diseases and were treated with other high-dose cytotoxic regimens during the same time period revealed significantly fewer cases of cholecystitis, i.e. two, (p Conclusions Five of 35 AML patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplant using busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and purged bone marrow developed evidence of acute cholecystitis. These findings suggest that the busulfan/cyclophosphamide preparative regimen may be associated with acute cholecystitis. The true incidence of this injury and its pathogenesis remain to be elucidated.
An accelerated laboratory study evaluating the disintegration rates of plastic films in simulated aquatic environments

Six plastic films were exposed to accelerated sunlight while in simulated aquatic environments to determine the effects of chemical composition and environment on the disintegration rates. An environment of UV light/no water was used as a control to determine if the microorganisms in the aquatic systems enhanced the breakdown of the plastic films. The disintegration rate of the plastics was determined by monitoring changes in selected physical properties. The plastics included two conventional plastics commonly used in packaging (LDPE and polystyrene) and four plastics enhanced to have more rapid breakdown in the environment (2% ECO, 10% ECO, PE with ketone graft, and PE with starch). The two ECO copolymers had a significantly faster loss of physical properties than the other plastics evaluated in this study. Degradation was influenced by environmental conditions. Those plastics that showed a change in physical properties had a greater change faster in the UV light/no water than in the environments where water was present. Plastics on the surface of the water showed a more rapid loss of properties than those samples partially or completely submerged. This can be attributed to decreased light intensity and the lack of heat buildup.
Experiment on hybrid sintering of acid and basic materials with extra-deep bed

By using the existing sinter technique,material and processing equipment,a new sintering technolgy is put forward in this project.It can achieve hybrid sintering on the sintering machine with an exthra-deep bed(1 000mm)to enhance pelletization effect of basic materials,which is mixed with acid pellet before distributing on the sintering machine.Results show that after adopting the new technique,the material layer permeability improved significantly.The negative pressure of 1 000 mm material layer was only 985 kPa which was better than 1 209 kPa of 600 mm material layer was.Moreover,the permeability of adding 5—8mm pellets was significantly higher than adding8mm pellets.When the amount of acid pellets was 40%,with wC=3.8%,1 200 kPa vacuum sintering,the quality of the sinterwas the best.
On elastic, perfectly locking materials

The mechanical behavior of the elastic, perfectly locking material considered in this paper is described by a finite number of scalar functions of the strain components, which are called locking functions. The states of strain for which all locking functions assume nonpositive values are supposed to be represented by the points of a convex domain in strain space. Only states of strain that correspond to points of this domain can be attained in the material. In a state of strain that corresponds to an interior point of the domain, the solid responds in a purely elastic manner to all sufficiently small changes of stress. On the other hand, when the state of strain is represented by a boundary point of the domain, there exist changes of stress that will not be accompanied by a change of strain. This phenomenon is called locking.
Benchmark Generation and Simulation at Extreme Scale

The path to extreme scale high-performance computing (HPC) poses several challenges related to power, performance, resilience, productivity, programmability, data movement, and data management. Investigating the performance of parallel applications at scale on future architectures and the performance impact of different architectural choices is an important component of HPC hardware/software co-design. Simulations using models of future HPC systems and communication traces from applications running on existing HPC systems can offer an insight into the performance of future architectures. This work targets technology developed for scalable application tracing of communication events. It focuses on extreme-scale simulation of HPC applications and their communication behavior via lightweight parallel discrete event simulation for performance estimation and evaluation. Instead of simply replaying a trace within a simulator, this work promotes the generation of a benchmark from traces. This benchmark is subsequently exposed to simulation using models to reflect the performance characteristics of future-generation HPC systems. This technique provides a number of benefits, such as eliminating the data intensive trace replay and enabling simulations at different scales. The presented work features novel software co-design aspects, combining the ScalaTrace tool to generate scalable trace files, the ScalaBenchGen tool to generate the benchmark, and the xSim tool to assess the benchmark characteristics within a simulator.
Effects of Biofeedback on Control and Generalization of Nasalization in Typical Speakers.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of biofeedback on control of nasalization in individuals with typical speech. Method Forty-eight individuals with typical speech attem...
Deposition Velocities of SO2 and O3 over Agricultural and Forest Ecosystems

The results of field studies that measured the flux anddeposition velocity of SO2 and O3 are reported. Three of the studies were over agricultural crops (pasture, corn, and soybean), and two were over forest (a deciduous forest and a mixed coniferous–deciduous forest). In all cases the deposition velocity for SO2 was higher than that for O3. Diurnal cycles of SO2 deposition velocity were similar in shape, but not magnitude for all surfaces; however those for O3 showed some difference between forest sites where the peak was in the morning, and the agricultural sites where the peak occurred at mid-day. Seasonal cycles of SO2 were affected by deposition to surfaces when leaves were not active, yet surface conductance is significant, but not for O3 where stomatal uptake is the primary pathway for deposition.
Expression of Cellulolytic Enzyme as a Fusion Protein That Reacts Specifically With a Polymeric Scaffold.

Abstract The formation of higher-order assemblies of multiple proteins or enzymes is a general mechanism to achieve more sophisticated biological function in biological systems. For example, cellulosomes are large complexes consisting of multiple cellulolytic enzymes that rely on the concerted actions of different enzymes built onto a common protein scaffold to facilitate the breakdown of the polymeric substrate, cellulose. One strategy for mimicking these highly effective nanomachines may involve the use of synthetic scaffolds that can react to and organize multiple engineered enzymes to promote synergistic action between the enzymes on the scaffold. As an example of the earlier strategy, we describe here an approach for the expression of cellulolytic enzymes with a serine esterase tag, and the rapid reaction between the tag and the end-functionalized polymers to form enzyme–polymer–enzyme multienzyme conjugates. In principle, this general and versatile supramolecular approach may be used to organize specific cellulolytic enzymes onto synthetic scaffolds to form multienzyme complexes to potentially work in synergy for enhanced biological activities. Best reaction conditions, good activities of the armored cellulolytic enzymes and the design of optimal protein linker in the fusion protein are discussed in detail. If other reactive tags are included on the enzyme in future, multiple types of synergistic enzymes may be positioned at specific sites on a designed polymer scaffold that mimics the complex structure and enhanced function of natural cellulosomes. This type of nanoarmoring of multiple enzymes on a nanoscale might also enhance enzyme stability, when compared to the unprotected enzymes.
Mesenchymal stem cell–derived extracellular vesicles attenuate kidney inflammation

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have distinct capability for renal repair, but may have safety concerns. MSC-derived extracellular vesicles emerged as a novel noncellular alternative. Using a porcine model of metabolic syndrome and renal artery stenosis we tested whether extracellular vesicles attenuate renal inflammation, and if this capacity is mediated by their cargo of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL) 10. Pigs with metabolic syndrome were studied after 16 weeks of renal artery stenosis untreated or treated four weeks earlier with a single intrarenal delivery of extracellular vesicles harvested from adipose tissue–derived autologous MSCs. Lean and sham metabolic syndrome animals served as controls (seven each). Five additional pigs with metabolic syndrome and renal artery stenosis received extracellular vesicles with pre-silenced IL10 (IL10 knock-down). Single-kidney renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and oxygenation were studied in vivo and renal injury pathways ex vivo . Retention of extracellular vesicles in the stenotic kidney peaked two days after delivery and decreased thereafter. Four weeks after injection, extracellular vesicle fragments colocalized with stenotic-kidney tubular cells and macrophages, indicating internalization or fusion. Extracellular vesicle delivery attenuated renal inflammation, and improved medullary oxygenation and fibrosis. Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate fell in metabolic syndrome and renal artery stenosis compared to metabolic syndrome, but was restored in pigs treated with extracellular vesicles. These renoprotective effects were blunted in pigs treated with IL10-depleted extracellular vesicles. Thus, extracellular vesicle–based regenerative strategies might be useful for patients with metabolic syndrome and renal artery stenosis.
Reimagining interdisciplinary team communication in hospice care: disrupting routinization with narrative inspiration

ABSTRACTNearly 70 years ago, the hospice movement relied upon narrative sensibilities to transform end-of-life care within a healthcare system dominated by biomedical logics. To ensure quality and safety, hospice practices are now guided by strict structures that tightly tether care professionals to routine and regulations. While volunteering on a hospice interdisciplinary team during this engaged ethnographic project, I witnessed individuals being inspired by and embracing narrative logics to reimagine an institutional script previously limited in its capacity to motivate creative, compassionate, holistic end-of-life care. These storied occasions, called Enrichment Moments, transformed rigid routines, enhanced identification with the hospice philosophy, and inspired collaboration that transcended regulatory requirements. This research suggests theoretical and practical implications in terms of urging assessment of metanarratives that guide healthcare organizing, developing a holistic view of narrative me...
Computed tomographic appearance of abdominal lymph nodes in healthy cats

Background Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used in veterinary medicine and plays an important role in disease identification and cancer staging. Identification of abnormal abdominal lymph nodes is important for clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic decision making. No published study describes the CT appearance of abdominal lymph nodes in healthy cats. Hypothesis/objectives All abdominal lymph centers will be identified on CT with the majority of lymph nodes being elongated and homogenously contrast enhancing. Animals Sixteen healthy cats without clinical or biochemical evidence of disease. Methods Precontrast and postcontrast CT images of sedated healthy cats were used to identify the presence and descriptive characteristics of intra-abdominal lymph nodes. These assessments then were compared with patient characteristics to identify possible correlations. Results Abdominal lymph nodes were readily identified on CT with caudal mesenteric, colic, hepatic, inguinal, and pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes identified in 16/16 cats. Lymph node size and shape varied among lymph centers with nearly all lymph nodes homogeneously contrast enhancing in 515/525. Significant negative correlations were identified between age and length (P = .0166) and width (P = .0387) of abdominal lymph nodes as well as age and number of sacral lymph nodes (P = .0493). Intranodal fat was present in 18/525 lymph nodes. Conclusions and clinical importance CT readily permitted identification and characterization of feline abdominal lymph nodes. This study provides subjective and objective data on the CT characteristics of abdominal lymph nodes in 16 healthy cats, with younger cats having larger abdominal lymph nodes and a higher number of sacral lymph nodes.
Plasticization and antiplasticization in amorphous food systems

The plasticization and antiplasticization of amorphous foods and food materials are reviewed in the context of recent advances in the understanding of their physical mechanisms. Novel insights in hydrogen bonding, matrix dynamics and molecular packing provide a molecular basis for the understanding of the impact of low molecular weight diluents as plasticizers and antiplasticizers on properties such as tensile strength, water vapor sorption and gas permeability. Applications in food development, encapsulation and biostabilization are discussed.
Comment on “Spatial and Temporal Trends in the Location of the Lifetime Maximum Intensity of Tropical Cyclones” by Tennille and Ellis

The latitude where tropical cyclones (TCs) reach their peak intensity has migrated poleward in some regions [...]
Motivational interviewing training of substance use treatment professionals: A systematic review.

Background: Through evaluations of training programs, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, advances in identifying best practices for disseminating motivational interviewing (MI) have emerged. To...
Base-to-apex gradient abnormality detection task performance in myocardial perfusion PET imaging

600 Objectives Diffuse luminal narrowing in patients with mild angiographic CAD can give rise to graded longitudinal base-to-apex perfusion abnormalities. This can also occur due to diminished or absent flow-dependent dilation of the epicardial coronary arteries in CAD or in the presence of coronary risk factors. We aimed to develop and investigate a novel task-based assessment paradigm for the detection of myocardial perfusion (MP) gradient abnormalities. Methods Extensive multiple-realization N-13 Ammonia datasets were generated based on realistic K1, k2 and vB values, w/ & w/o base-to-apex gradients in K1. The dynamic acquisition sequence was 10x12sec, 2x30sec, 1x1min, 1x6min, and static perfusion imaging consisted of an 8min frame after 2min delay. Quantitative MP parameter estimation was performed using constrained non-linear optimization as applied to compartmental modeling, w/ & w/o spatial-constraint regularization, and w/ & w/o Butterworth filtering (4th order, cutoff 0.5 cycle cm^-1). Circumferential profiles were used to divide the heart into septal, anterior, lateral and inferior quadrants. Then, for each quadrant, the activity from base to apex was best fit using a 3rd-degree polynomial, the 1st-derivative of which indicated the spatial slope along the long axis for each quadrant. ROC area-under-curve (AUC) analysis was finally performed for gradient detection at each longitudinal location. Results Base-to-apex gradients as low as 2.5% per cm for a given quadrant could be detected (AUC>0.85). This was especially the case for the septal and lateral quadrants (AUC>0.90) when utilizing Butterworth post-filtering in both static & dynamic MP imaging, for the latter especially if combined with spatial-constraint regularization. Conclusions In addition to conventional MP defect detection, novel image reconstruction & parametric image generation methods may be assessed in the context of gradient abnormality detection. In particular, our results demonstrate that appropriate post-filtering and spatial regularization can significantly enhance gradient detection task performance.
CLOSURE, RELEASE, AND NASAL CONTOURS

Publisher Summary Phonologists study contour segments as a class because they represent a paradox. On the one hand, they are tautosyllabic onset sequences even in languages where no other onset clusters are allowed. On the other hand, they are phonetic sequences of distinct gestures, each of which can be identified with a separate segment: /nd/ contains something that looks like /n/ and something that looks like /d/. This chapter presents the consequences of introducing notions, such as stop closure and stop release into the phonological analysis of nasality. Plosives—stops and affricates—are phonologically represented as a sequence of two positions, closure and release. In contrast, continuants—vowels, approximants, and fricatives—are assumed to carry a single position in phonological representations. An aperture position is rather similar to the feature-geometric notion of root node; it has the same functions of anchoring segmental features, such as place of articulation, nasality, and laryngeal features, and of connecting segments to prosodic structures such as syllables and moras.
Uniform Random Voronoi Meshes

We generate Voronoi meshes over three dimensional domains with prescribed boundaries. Voronoi cells are clipped at one-sided domain boundaries. The seeds of Voronoi cells are generated by maximal Poisson-disk sampling. In contrast to centroidal Voronoi tessellations, our seed locations are unbiased. The exception is some bias near concave features of the boundary to ensure well-shaped cells. The method is extensible to generating Voronoi cells that agree on both sides of two-sided internal boundaries.
System Level Design With Specc

Equipped with the SpecC system level design language presented in Chapter 3 and the methodology established in Chapter 4, this chapter demonstrates a detailed SOC design process on the design and implementation of a voice encoderldecoder (vocoder) for cellular applications. The actual design of the vocoder was carried to the RTL level and is ready for synthesis with standard EDA tools.
Behavioral Corporate Finance: Concepts and Cases for Teaching Behavioral Finance

© 2018, McGraw-Hill EducationBehavioural finance has come a long way. During the nascent years of behavioural finance, advocates of traditional or standard finance often looked askance at those esp...
Calcium and vitamin D supplementation and bone health in Marine recruits: Effect of season.

Abstract Stress fractures are common overuse injuries caused by repetitive bone loading. These fractures are of particular concern for military recruits and athletes resulting in attrition in up to 60% of recruits that sustain a fracture. Army and Navy recruits supplemented with daily calcium and vitamin D (Ca + D) demonstrated improved bone strength and reduced stress fractures. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether Ca + D supplementation improves measures of bone health in recruits undergoing United States Marine Corps initial military training (IMT), and whether the effect of supplementation on indices of bone health varied by season. One-hundred ninety-seven Marine recruits (n = 107 males, n = 90 females, mean age = 18.9 ± 1.6 y) were randomized to receive either Ca + D fortified snack bars (2000 mg Ca and 1000 IU vitamin D per day) or placebo divided into twice daily doses during 12 weeks of IMT. Anthropometrics, fasted blood samples, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scans of the tibial metaphysis and diaphysis were collected upon entrance to- and post-training (12 weeks later). Half of the volunteers entered training in July and the other half started in February. Time-by-group interactions were observed for vitamin D status (25OHD) and the bone turnover markers, BAP, TRAP and OCN. 25OHD increased and BAP, TRAP and OCN all decreased in the Ca + D group (p
Does religious involvement affect mortality in low-income Americans? A prospective cohort study.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of various forms of religious involvement, beyond individual socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, emotional well-being and social support, on all-cause and cause-specific mortality in socioeconomic disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Design This is a prospective cohort study conducted from 2002 through 2015. Settings This study included underserved populations in the Southeastern USA. Participants A total of nearly 85 000 participants, primarily low-income American adults, were enrolled. Eligible participants were aged 40–79 years at enrolment, spoke English and were not under treatment for cancer within the prior year. Results We found that those who attended religious service attendance >1/week had 8% reduction in all-cause death and 15% reduction in cancer death relative to those who never attended. This association was substantially attenuated by depression score, social support, and socioeconomic and lifestyle covariates, and further attenuated by other forms of religious involvement. This association with all-cause mortality was found being stronger among those with higher socioeconomic status or healthier lifestyle behaviours. Conclusion Our results indicate that the association between religious services attendance >1/week and lower mortality was moderate but robust, and could be attenuated and modified by socioeconomic or lifestyle factors in this large prospective cohort study of underserved populations in the Southeastern USA.
Reaction time and cognitive-linguistic performance in adults with mild traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACTObjective: The purpose of this study was to characterize cognitive-linguistic performance in adults with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) to advance assessment and treatment practices. We...
Single-Molecule Analysis of Reverse Transcriptase Enzymes.

The original discovery of enzymes that synthesize DNA using an RNA template appeared to contradict the central dogma of biology, in which information is transferred, in a unidirectional way, from DNA genes into RNA molecules. The paradigm-shifting discovery of RNA-dependent DNA polymerases, also called reverse transcriptases (RTs), reshaped existing views for how cells function; however, the scope of the impact RTs impose on biology had yet to be realized. In the decades of research since the early 1970s, the biomedical and biotechnological significance of retroviral RTs, as well as the evolutionarily related telomerase enzyme, has become exceedingly clear. One common theme that has emerged in the course of RT-related research is the central role of nucleic acid binding and dynamics during enzyme function. However, directly interrogating these dynamic properties is challenging because of the stochastic properties of biological macromolecules. In this review, we describe how the development of single-molecule biophysical techniques has opened new windows through which to observe the dynamic behavior of this remarkable class of enzymes. Specifically, we focus on how the powerful single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) method has been exploited to study the structure and function of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RT and telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) enzymes. These exciting studies have refined our understanding of RT catalysis, have revealed unforeseen structural rearrangements between RTs and their nucleic acid substrates, and have helped to characterize the mode of action of RT-inhibiting drugs. We conclude with a discussion of how the ongoing development of single-molecule technologies will continue to empower researchers to probe RT mechanisms in new and exciting ways.
Who, What, When, and Where of the Census

The objective of the census is to count every resident of the United States once, only once, and in the right place. Although there have been arguments that illegally present immigrants should not be counted, the current interpretation of the Constitution requires everyone to be counted for purposes of representation. This chapter identifies four hard-to-count populations and the census strategies for addressing these populations. Over half a million temporary workers will be trained and deployed, from remote villages in Alaska to the largest cities. Every household in 2020 will receive a short census form that asks only seven questions, but there are controversies about the questions asked, especially the questions on Hispanic origin and race. The census enumeration, because it locates every individual in a specific geographic location, allows the aggregation of census data into towns, cities, counties, school districts, ZIP codes, and other geographic areas of interest to government, business, and citizens.
Friends, Rivals, and Mentors

Sophie Germain was ill at ease by unwelcome attention. She may have been rude and even quick-tempered with those who treated her condescendingly. At the peak of her career, she displayed arrogance unexpected in a woman of her time, and she fought back with those who did not take her work seriously.
Use of virtual visits for the care of the arrhythmia patient

Background Virtual visits (VVs) are a modality for delivering health care services remotely through videoconferencing tools. Data about patient and physician experience in using VVs are limited. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess patient and physician experience with the use of VVs in cardiac electrophysiology. Methods We performed a prospective survey of cardiac electrophysiology patients and physicians who participated in an outpatient VV from December 2018 to July 2019. Results One-hundred consecutive VVs were included. Sixty-four patients elected to complete a survey. Patients rated their experience as either excellent/very good in scheduling a VV (87%), seeing their physician of choice (100%), transmitting arrhythmia data (88%), rating their physician's ability to communicate (98%), asking all questions (98%), rating the level of care received (98%), paying for the cost of a VV (67%), and rating their overall level of satisfaction (98%). Thirty-eight of 64 patients (59.4%) preferred a VV for their next visit, 12 of 64 (18.8%) preferred an in-office visit, 13 of 64 (20.3%) responded that their decision for a virtual or office visit depended on indication, and 1 of 64 (1.6%) had no preference. A total of 14 cardiac electrophysiologists participated in 100 VVs. Nine visits were not included due to technical difficulty. Physician responses to survey questions were rated as excellent/very good in the ability to communicate (92%), accessing monitoring data (95%), and overall level of satisfaction (98%). Conclusion In our small study population, most patients and physicians prefer VVs. Convenience, cost, and reason for follow-up were important determinants that affected both patient and physician preference.
Fetal Echocardiogram is Useful for Screening Fetuses with a Family History of Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is highly heritable with familial forms accounting for 30-40% of cases. Cardiomyopathy can present in the fetus and be detected by fetal echocardiogram. Data on the utility of fetal echocardiograms in patients with a family history of cardiomyopathy is limited and is not a current indication for fetal echocardiogram on the most recent American Heart Association guidelines. We investigated how useful fetal echocardiography is with a family history of cardiomyopathy. We screened all fetal echocardiograms performed at our institution for the past 5 years for the indication of …
Ordeals, inequalities, moral hazard and non-monetary incentives in health care

This essay begins by summarizing the reasons why unregulated health-care markets are inefficient. The inefficiencies stem from the asymmetries of information among providers, patients and payers, which give rise to moral hazard and adverse selection. Attempts to ameliorate these inefficiencies by means of risk-adjusted insurance and monetary incentives such as co-pays and deductibles lessen the inefficiencies at the cost of increasing inequalities. Another possibility is to rely on non-monetary incentives, including ordeals. While not a magic bullet, these are feasible methods for addressing the inadequacies of market provision of health care, such as moral hazard.
Inpatient addiction consultation and post-discharge 30-day acute care utilization

Abstract Background Addiction Consult Services care for hospitalized patients with substance use disorders (SUD), who frequently utilize costly medical services. This study evaluates whether an addiction consult is associated with 30-day acute care utilization. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 3905 inpatients with SUD. Acute care utilization was defined as any emergency department visit or re-hospitalization within 30 days of discharge. Inverse probability of treatment weighted generalized estimating equations logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between receipt of an addiction consult and 30-day acute care utilization. Exploratory subgroup analyses were performed to describe whether this association differed by type of SUD and discharge on medication for addiction treatment. Results The 30-day acute care utilization rate was 39.5 % among patients with a consult and 36.0 % among those without. Addiction consults were not significantly associated with care utilization (Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.02; 0.82, 1.28). No significant differences were detected in subgroup analyses; however, the decreased odds among patients with OUD given medication was clinically notable (AOR 0.69; 0.47, 1.02). Discussion Repeat acute care utilization is common among hospitalized patients with SUD, particularly those seen by the addiction consult services. While this study did not detect a significant association between addiction consults and 30-day acute care utilization, this relationship merits further evaluation using prospective studies, controlling for key confounders and with a focus on the impact of medications for opioid use disorder.
Systemic functional linguistics, teacher education, and writing outcomes for U.S. elementary English learners: A review of the literature

Abstract In recent years, there has been growing interest in the pedagogical applications of systemic functional linguistics (SFL) for improving writing instruction for elementary English learners (ELs) in the United States. However, there are few syntheses of the existing scholarship, particularly with regard to student outcomes. This article reviews the empirical scholarship from the last decade, considering how teacher training in SFL theory and pedagogy impacts writing and disciplinary learning outcomes for ELs. Four central themes emerged from this review, highlighting the potential for SFL-informed pedagogies to support elementary ELs in (1) composing genre-specific texts, (2) mastering academic language and literacy skills, (3) learning across academic disciplines, and (4) developing critical language awareness. We close with a discussion of the implications of these findings, limitations in the existing scholarship, and future directions of this work.
Mixed-input Gaussian process emulators for computer experiments with a large number of categorical levels

Computer models with both quantitative and qualitative inputs frequently arise in science, engineering and business. Mixed-input Gaussian process models have been used for emulating such models. Th...
Mobility Data-Driven Wireless Network Virtualization for Mobile Cyber Physical System

Wireless virtualization is an emerging approach to utilize the limited wireless resources effectively to support massive number of wireless connections and devices for different applications like mobile cyber physical system (CPS) and Internet of Things (IoT).With increasing use of mobile CPS and IoT, there will be an exponential rise in the demand for wireless services. Wireless virtualization is regarded as an important alternative to meet the demands of different applications, where wireless services are provided to end users (in CPS or IoT) via mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that are created adaptively using data about users and their demands. In this paper, we propose adaptive data-driven wireless virtualization by creating MVNOs, where the cloud based controller assembles the right set of physical base stations and RF slices to meet the quality of service (QoS) constraints of the users by using mobility prediction and QoS requirements of the users. Numerical results obtained from simulations show that the proposed data driven approach outperforms the static approach for wireless virtualization.