cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of the delayed mask for improved demonstration of aneurysms on intraarterial DSA.

PURPOSE We retrospectively explored the use of the delayed mask technique for intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) to demonstrate the anatomy of aneurysm necks. METHODS The delayed mask technique was utilized in 22 patients who had craniotomies for aneurysms demonstrated at angiography. The operative notes were compared to the angiographic findings of both the traditionally masked IADSA and the delayed mask IADSA. In addition, an in vitro model was constructed to examine the relationship between the size of the aneurysm neck and the ability to indirectly define its anatomy by demonstrating the flow jet. RESULTS In 12 of 22 cases, the delayed mask technique demonstrated a systolic jet that was not demonstrated by traditional subtraction techniques. In nine of 12 cases, the delayed mask technique gave more specific information regarding the size, location, and orientation of the aneurysm neck. CONCLUSION The delayed mask technique can add important information regarding the anatomy of aneurysm without adding time or risk to the procedure.
Interferometric SAR coherence arising from the vertically-polarized electromagnetic interrogation of layered, penetrable dielectric media

We model coherence trends in vv-polarized Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) images arising specifically from the penetration of electromagnetic (EM) waves into geophysical media. Departing from previous InSAR coherence models, we simultaneously incorporate the interacting effects (on coherence) of (i) “multi-bounce” (wave guidance) within an arbitrary number of dielectric layers, (ii) azimuthal deviation in antenna pointing, (iii) local topography, and (iv) subsurface interface and volume scatter mechanisms. Including multi-bounce phenomena, in particular, allows better understanding of chief mechanisms behind backscatter enhancement, and the resultant strong corruption of InSAR observables, arising from interrogation of strongly guiding geophysical medium layers. Moreover, modeling the subsurface guidance behavior's influence from terrain topography expands upon many previous InSAR models that assumed simpler terrain and sensor geometries. As the two key results of this paper then, we quantitatively elucidate (i) how guidance behavior in dielectric slabs can engender unbounded, diverging interferometric phase bias, as well as (ii) how terrain sloping can render sub-sections of InSAR coherence images, generated by otherwise terrain-robust sensor geometries, susceptible to guidance-related phase bias and correlation degradation.
Ensemble Monte Carlo Investigation of Nonlinear Transport Effects in Semiconductor Heterostructure Devices

The advent of precise epitaxial crystal growth techniques, such as molecular beam epitaxy, MBE, and metal-organic chemical vapor deposition, MOCVD, have fomented the development of new semiconductor devices which contain two or more dissimilar materials grown in contact with one another. Depending upon the type of alignment of the conduction and valence bands as well as the doping differential, various effective potential discontinuities can be formed across the interface. The heterostructure discontinuities are often used to create devices in which the position of the carriers can be controlled in real space. Devices such as heterostructure and quantum well lasers [1] exploit heterostructure band-edge discontinuities to enhance carrier confinement in order to affect higher device efficiency. Spatial control of the free carrier concentration can be further exploited through modulation doped heterostructures in which the free carriers are spatially separated from their parent donor atoms [2]. As a result, high mobility at high carrier concentration can be attained in these structures.
Learning analytics for the assessment of interaction with App Inventor

Position statement on the ongoing development of an instrument to capture snapshots of App Inventor projects as students are developing, allowing examination of the students' processes. Data mining techniques will be used to process the code snapshots, identifying patterns of behavior. Future tools may include real-time assessment, and improved taxonomy of programming process.
Cardiac Arrhythmia After Myocardial Infarction: Insights From a Dynamic Canine Ventricular Myocyte Model

Background: Electrophysiological remodeling of sarcolemmal ion channels in myocytes neighboring a myocardial infarct is thought to create a substrate for life-threatening arrhythmias. Computational biology is a powerful tool in elucidating arrhythmogenic mechanisms at the cellular level, where complex interactions between ionic processes determine behavior. Methods and Results: A novel theoretical model of canine cardiac ventricular action potential (AP) and calcium cycling is used to investigate ionic mechanisms underlying Ca 2+ transient (CaT) and AP duration (APD) rate dependence. Remodeling changes measured in the 5-day old canine infarct epicardial border zone (BZ) are integrated into the model to study ionic mechanisms underlying altered rate dependence of AP and CaT in BZ myocytes. For the first time, Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII) regulatory pathway is integrated into a whole-cell model, which is paced over the physiological and arrhythmic range of cycle lengths (CL). Decreasing CL from 8,000 ms to 300 ms shortens APD due primarily to I Ca(L) reduction, with additional contributions from I to1 , I NaK , and late I Na . CaT amplitude increases as CL decreases from 8,000 ms to 500 ms. This positive force-frequency property depends on CaMKII activity. We test the hypothesis that CaMKII dysfunction during infarction contributes to abnormal rate-dependent properties of BZ myocytes. CaMKII suppression results in greater L-type calcium current reduction at fast pacing rates compared to control, loss of normal rate-dependent abbreviation of CaT, a negative relationship between CaT amplitude and frequency, and abnormal CaT restitution. Conclusions: The model of CaMKII regulation serves as a paradigm for modeling other regulatory pathways and effects on cell function. This study identifies CaMKII dysfunction as a potential root component of the remodeling process, suggesting that pharmacological interventions targeting CaMKII may reduce heterogeneity in cardiac tissue post-infarction.
A Glimmer of My Mother.

The melancholy days have come, the saddest of the year, Of wailing winds, and naked woods, and meadows brown and sere; Heaped in the hollows of the grove, the autumn leaves lie dead; -----------------------------------------------------------------------In the cold moist earth we laid her, when the forests cast the leaf, And we wept that one so lovely should have a life so brief: Yet not unmeet it was that one, like that young friend of ours, So gentle and so beautiful, should perish with the flowers.
Remote Sensing of Biological Substances

The time and space problems so traditional to the study of ocean processes can be partially resolved using high altitude colorimetry and fluorescence. The primary goal of remote sensing has been to estimate the amount of photosynthetic pigment — chlorophyll. The remote systems for sensing chlorophyll depend on the manner in which phytoplankton chlorophyll influences the color of water and/or light emission (fluorescence) from the pigment itself.
Coaching intervention as a strategy for enhancing accrual to phase I/II clinical trials

6580 Background: Lack of both trust and rapport with health care providers has been identified as possible causes for under- representation of minorities within clinical trials. Our study used a “P...
Weight Gain and Metabolic Consequences of Risperidone in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objective We examine weight gain and metabolic consequences of risperidone monotherapy in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method This was a 24-week, multisite, randomized trial of risperidone only versus risperidone plus parent training in 124 children (mean age 6.9 ± 2.35 years; 105 boys and 19 girls) with ASD and serious behavioral problems. We monitored height, weight, waist circumference, and adverse effects during the trial. Fasting blood samples were obtained before treatment and at week 16. Results In 97 children with a mean of 22.9 ± 2.8 weeks of risperidone exposure, there was a 5.4 ± 3.4 kg weight gain over 24 weeks ( p p z scores from pretreatment to week 24 ( p p = .02), hemoglobin A1c ( p = .01), insulin ( p p p = .01), and leptin ( p p = .003). At baseline, 7 children met conventional criteria for metabolic syndrome; by week 16, 12 additional children were so classified. Conclusion Rapid weight gain with risperidone treatment may promote the cascade of biochemical indices associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Appetite, weight, waist circumference, liver function tests, blood lipids, and glucose warrant monitoring. Clinical trial registration information —Drug and Behavioral Therapy for Children With Pervasive Developmental Disorders; http://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT00080145
Initial stages of square lattice stacks of CH 4 /MgO(001)

Calculations of monolayer and bilayer lattices of methane on MgO(001) are reported for a spherical model of the molecule. The observed stability of $c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ [also termed $(\sqrt{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{2})$R45${}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$] commensurate square monolayer and bilayer lattices is reproduced with a surface energy corrugation that implies a large gap in the monolayer phonon density of states of the commensurate CH${}_{4}$. This gap is present in the incoherent inelastic neutron scattering measurements reported here.
Gambling on Real Estate: Limited Rationality in the Global Economy

Urbanization is taking on a more global character, with increasing scale of development organizations and new linkages between developers and financial institutions. These changes bring into question the way sociologists think about urbanization processes. This paper argues that the reshaping of real estate markets under the influence of global restructuring is not a one-way process, nor is it necessarily rational or functional. One should be skeptical of theoretical approaches from either an ecological or Marxist perspective that attribute autonomous causal power to “globalization” or “economic restructuring.” Deal-making, politics, mistakes, and miscalculations are as essential to the interorganizational network at the global level as at the local level. The challenge for urban theory is not to shift from local to global explanations, but rather to examine how processes at both levels intersect and collide with one another.
METHODOLOGY FOR FUTURE DELIVERY ARCHITECTURES CONSISTING OF AUTONOMOUS VTOL VEHICLES- A SYSTEM-OF'-SYS TEMS PROBLEM

In this paper, ideas are introduced that extend the motives and goals of multi-"discip line" analysis and design to multi-"systen T analysis and design. This transition is important since aerospace engineers and designers are increasingly being posed with "system-ofsystems" type problems. Future aviation transportation concepts, future package delivery architectures, and future air-traffic management systems are just three prime examples of such emerging system-of-systems. No longer confined to a focus on the aircraft as the totality of the system, designers need new theories, algorithms, and implementation tools to tackle this new class of problems. A system-of-syst ems synthesis capability is needed most urgently, to serve in much the same capacity as sizing routines serve in aircraft design. It is proposed in this paper that system dynamics modeling, especially including causal loop diagrams, can fulfill this purpose by representing information flow between heterogeneous systems. Further, individual systems (e.g. vehicles) within the global system can be represented either as contributing analyses or via netamodels. In this way, the sensitivities of overall system-of-systems responses to both vehicle and inter-system architecture variables can be computed. After an introduction to the problem and a brief survey of related fields, a detailed description of key elements of a new system-of-systems conceptual design method is presented. An example application problem is introduced as the method is presented to further illustrate the approach. This problem involves the design of a package delivery architecture utilizing autonomous, vertical flight-capable air vehicles.
Significant Inter-Test Reliability across Approximate Number System Assessments.

The approximate number system (ANS) is the hypothesized cognitive mechanism that allows adults, infants, and animals to enumerate large sets of items approximately. Researchers usually assess the ANS by having subjects compare two sets and indicate which is larger. Accuracy or Weber fraction is taken as an index of the acuity of the system. However, as Clayton et al., (2015) have highlighted, the stimulus parameters used when assessing the ANS vary widely. In particular, the numerical ratio between the pairs, and the way in which non-numerical features are varied often differ radically between studies. Recently, Clayton et al. (2015) found that accuracy measures derived from two commonly used stimulus sets are not significantly correlated. They argue that a lack of inter-test reliability threatens the validity of the ANS construct. Here we apply a recently developed modeling technique to the same data set. The model, by explicitly accounting for the effect of numerical ratio and non-numerical features, produces dependent measures that are less perturbed by stimulus protocol. Contrary to their conclusion we find a significant correlation in Weber fraction across the two stimulus sets. Nevertheless, in agreement with Clayton et al., we find that different protocols do indeed induce differences in numerical acuity and the degree of influence of non-numerical stimulus features. These findings highlight the need for a systematic investigation of how protocol idiosyncrasies affect ANS assessments.
Peer relationships and mentoring between LIS doctoral students: A qualitative approach:

Despite the critical role of peers in the socialization of doctoral students, relatively few researchers have studied types of peer relationships and information exchanged between doctoral students...
Nereistoxin and cartap neurotoxicity attributable to direct block of the insect nicotinic receptor/channel

Nereistoxin (NTX) (4-dimethylamino-1,2-dithiolane) is the naturally occurring prototype for cartap [the bis(thiocarbamate) derivative of the NTX dithiol], which is generally regarded as a proinsecticide reverting to NTX. The aim of this study is to define the target site(s) for dithiolanes and dithiol esters. The affinity of [(3)H]NTX was not suitable for binding assays with honeybee (Apis mellifera) head membranes. However, NTX and cartap are equally potent, direct-acting, and competitive displacers of [(3)H]thienylcyclohexylpiperidine binding at the noncompetitive blocker (NCB) site of the Apis nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)/channel. NTX also binds at the Apis [(3)H]imidacloprid agonist site, but cartap does not. As candidate metabolic pathways, sequential N-desmethylation and S-oxidation of NTX progressively reduce its potency at the NCB site and toxicity to houseflies. A P450 inhibitor reduces the toxicity of NTX and enhances it with cartap. Surprisingly, cartap is not just a pro-NTX but instead directly induces inhibitory neurotoxicity by blocking the nAChR/channel, whereas NTX may have dual NCB and agonist targets.
Quality Control in a Peritoneal Dialysis Program

A reliable and effective quality-control program in the peritoneal dialysis (PD) unit requires a team effort. Historically, the nursing staff has been responsible for PD program development, and in some programs the physicians are frankly uninvolved. An enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and committed physician is necessary. In the early days of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in the United States, lack of physician understanding and commitment tarnished the image of this promising, evolving therapy. After recognizing this problem, Baxter embarked on an intensive effort to upgrade the expertise of the physicians. Concurrently, PD programs were identified with successful outcomes and "best demonstrated practice" techniques were promulgated. The key to quality control is the involvement of all members of the team, including physicians, nurses, dietitians, social workers, technicians, administrators, and patients. A commitment is needed for continuing education, continuing reevaluation of policies and procedures, and the empowerment of all team members to achieve the programmatic goals.
Exploiting atomic operations for barrier on cray XE/XK systems

Barrier is a collective operation used by many scientific applications and parallel libraries for synchronization. Typically, a Barrier operation is implemented by exchanging a short data message that requires demultiplexing, thereby adding undesired latency to the operation. In this work, we reduce the latency of Barrier operations for Cray XE/XK systems by leveraging the atomic operations provided by the Gemini interconnect, tailoring algorithms to utilize these capabilities, and utilizing a hierarchical design to arrive at an efficient implementation. Our micro-benchmark evaluation shows that for a 4,096 process Barrier operation, the atomic-operations-based Barrier outperforms the data exchange Barrier by 52% and the native Barrier by 111%.
Cardiac Rehabilitation After Complex Procedures

The population of patients with congestive heart failure is increasing at a steady rate. This increase is leading to a parallel increase in patients seeking care from rehabilitation providers to address a multitude of functional impairments that reduce their quality of life. Rehabilitation providers need to be aware of the common mechanical devices and what potential issues can arise with the medically complex patient who is receiving rehabilitation services. The population of patients accessing rehabilitation services with either congestive heart failure or a left ventricular device, transaortic valvular replacement, or implantable cardiac defibrillator is steadily increasing. This population has a high prevalence of functional impairments due to baseline demographics and medical interventions that have been performed. It is essential the rehabilitation provider be aware of the special needs and recommended modifications to the exercise prescription in order to maintain safety and promote successful rehabilitation. Understanding patients’ underlying medical pathophysiology combined with identifying their functional impairments will lead to the best possible functional outcome. When rehabilitation providers have a basic understanding of how advanced congestive heart failure and mechanical devices impact on the rehabilitation prescription, more specific treatment plans can be created to fully address the rehabilitative needs of these medically complex patients.
15.3 Cross Cultural Issues in Consumer Behavior: Regional Comparisons in Consumer Behavior

As part of a program of ongoing research, a set of 180 international print ads in eleven product categories was assessed by two groups of trained judges (n=5 each), one from the USA and the other from Australia. Across three classes of measures, the Americans' assessments were not substantially different from those of their Australian counterparts. Such differences as did emerge are due as much to the judges' gender as their nationality, suggesting that it is possible to conduct cross-cultural advertising research--at least among Western societies--from a single geographic venue, so long as its resident judges are given sufficient training.
Vitamin D Regulation of Type I Collagen Expression in Bone

Publisher Summary Vitamin D has multiple functions in humans and animals. It is the best known as a nutrient required for adequate growth and mineralization of bone. Some of the most well-recognized features of vitamin D deficiency are undermineralized bone in children (rickets) and adults (osteomalacia), a reduction in bone matrix formation and mineralization and an alteration in the pattern of collagen crosslinking. Calcium deficiency also decreases bone formation and mineralization in rats. Defective bone formation and mineralization in vitamin-D-deficient rats can be largely corrected by the administration of calcium and phosphate, suggesting that the trophic effect of vitamin D on the skeleton may be due to its ability to stimulate intestinal calcium absorption. Accordingly, preservation of mineral homeostasis in vitamin D receptor- (VDR) null mice reverses the abnormal skeletal phenotype (including excessive osteoid production) seen in animals, suggesting that a key effect of vitamin D on bone mineralization may be due to its stimulation of intestinal calcium absorption. The effect of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 on collagen expression, either inhibitory or stimulatory, may depend in part on in vitro culture conditions such as cell density, the timing, and concentration of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 . When serum calcium and phosphate are low, parathyroid hormone increases the synthesis of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 . Both hormones increase bone resorption to increase the supply of calcium and phosphate for soft tissues. At the same time, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 may stimulate the differentiation of early osteoprogenitors to differentiation into a new cohort of osteoblasts that would initiate the phase of coupled formation.
Therapeutics and DNA Methylation Inhibitors

Dysregulation of cellular epigenetic machinery is linked to the pathogenesis of a number of malignancies and has been studied extensively in the myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. Alteration of DNA methylation in cancer cells results in transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressor genes. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, such as azacitidine and decitabine, have been used to reexpress these genes and have demonstrated therapeutic benefit in both benign and malignant diseases. In this chapter, we discuss the clinical application of demethylating agents, the data that has led to their approval in hematologic diseases, and future potential uses of these agents both alone and in combination
Thinking About the Future of Communication Studies

This chapter presents the authors’ thoughts on the future of communication studies. They argue that communication scholars and teachers should direct their attention to significant problems of our times (e.g., people making choices together). The authors assert that adequate conceptions of communication and negotiation can facilitate democratic processes and better joint decisions.
PTPN22 contributes to exhaustion of T lymphocytes during chronic viral infection

The protein encoded by the autoimmune-associated protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 gene, PTPN22, has wide-ranging effects in immune cells including suppression of T-cell receptor signaling and promoting efficient production of type I interferons (IFN-I) by myeloid cells. Here we show that mice deficient in PTPN22 resist chronic viral infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus clone 13 (LCMV cl13). The numbers and function of viral-specific CD4 T lymphocytes is greatly enhanced, whereas expression of the IFNβ-induced IL-2 repressor, cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) is reduced. Reduction of CREM expression in wild-type CD4 T lymphocytes prevents the loss of IL-2 production by CD4 T lymphocytes during infection with LCMV cl13. These findings implicate the IFNβ/CREM/IL-2 axis in regulating T-lymphocyte function during chronic viral infection.
Johann von Tepl, Der Ackermann aus Böhmen: Keith Spalding. Blackwell’s German Texts. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1950. Pp. xlvii, 118. 6 s.

(1954). Johann von Tepl, Der Ackermann aus Bohmen. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 78-79.
Synthesis of Poly(dichlorophosphazene) by the Melt Phase Polymerization of P-Trichloro-N-(dichlorophosphoryl)monophosphazene

A major barrier to commercialization of any of the many exciting applications of the poly(phosphazenes) has been the cost and ease of preparation of the most widely utilized starting polymer, poly(dichlorophosphazene) (Cl2PN)n (1). One attractive route is the thermal polycondensation reaction of P-trichloro-N-(dichlorophosphoryl)monophosphazene, Cl3P=N–P(O)Cl2 (2). We are reporting a modified bulk polymerization of 2 which represents a convenient route to laboratory scale amounts of (NPCl2)n with moderate molecular weights and polydispersity. GPC characterization data were obtained on the corresponding phenoxy derivatives, [(PhO)2PN]n. We also have developed a one pot synthesis of 1 from ammonium sulfate and phosphorus pentachloride which are the starting materials for the synthesis of 2 and examined the major variables, time and temperature, for this process. The resulting poly(phosphazene) exhibits more branching than the product of bulk polymerization of 1.
Application of Elastic Theory to High-Speed Impact Sensing of Fruits

Abstract The theory of two impacting elastic spheres was used as a model to analyze different impact sensing techniques for sensing firmness of fruits. It was found that the technique of impacting the fruit with a low-mass impactor has many advantages over the technique of dropping the fruit on a force sensor. Based on this analysis, design criteria for a low-mass impact sensor were determined and an experimental low-mass impact sensor was developed for real-time sorting of fruits.
Understanding, Detecting, and Reporting Criminal Antitrust Violations: Case Demonstration

This minicase provides examples of bid rigging and shows how it can be recognized. It accompanies "A Note on Understanding, Detecting, and Reporting Criminal Antitrust Violations" (UVA-OM-1174).
Dissolution, migration, and deposition of transition metal ions in Li-ion batteries exemplified by Mn-based cathodes – a critical review

Unlike the revolutionary advances in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries from Li intercalation materials to Li alloy and/or conversion reaction materials, the development of the cathode is still dominated by the Li intercalation compounds. Transition metal ions are essential in these cathodes as the rapid redox reaction centers, and one of the biggest challenges for the TM-based cathodes is the capacity and power fading especially at an elevated temperature, which is directly associated with the dissolution–migration–deposition (DMD) process of TMs from the cathode materials. This process not only alters the surface structure of the cathode materials, but more importantly, changes the SEI composition at the anode side. There is no doubt that the TM-DMD issue should be addressed thoroughly to unlock the potential of these compounds to enable a prolonged battery lifetime. This review article mainly focuses on research activities with regard to the DMD process in TM-based cathode materials. In the first four sections, we choose Mn-based cathodes as an example to discuss how Mn DMD relates to the capacity fade of the cell, and what possible approaches might suppress the DMD process by modification of the electrode or electrolyte. In the fifth section, we discuss the TM DMD process in Ni-, Co-, Fe- and V-containing cathode materials. This article reviews the frontier electrochemical research on TM-based cathodes and summarizes the progress and challenges, thereby helping to advance future R&D of LIBs.
The effects of public pre-kindergarten attendance on first grade literacy achievement: a district study

This study investigated the link between public pre-kindergarten attendance and first grade literacy achievement in the United States. Participants (N = 1056; first grade children from one mixed-urban city in Virginia in 2012–2013) had either attended district-provided public Pre-K or had not attended formal or institutional preschool of any kind. Significant effects were found on each literacy measure in both the beginning and the middle of first grade (avg. ES = .32 and predicted gain of 13%). On average, Pre-K attendees were meeting reading benchmarks in the beginning and middle of first grade, while the no-preschool group was reading below the benchmarks during both time points. Findings strengthen the evidence base for the ability of public Pre-K to improve children’s literacy achievement in first grade while also describing a transferable example of universal Pre-K at the district level which policy-makers and practitioners may wish to consider.
Factors That Affect Drug Concentrations in Maternal Plasma

It has been generally assumed that most teratogens evoke their toxic actions by combining with various target sites in the fetus at critical stages of development. In order to enter the fetal tissues, however, the teratogen must traverse a host of physiological barriers. Teratogens taken orally enter the mother’s blood by being absorbed from the buccal cavity, stomach, or intestines. After reaching the maternal blood, they are distributed to other maternal tissues and to the placenta. The teratogens then cross the placenta and enter the fetal blood and are distributed to the fetal tissues. At the same time various mechanisms in the mother eliminate the teratogen by excreting it into urine, air, or bile and converting it to other compounds which in turn are excreted. The extent of the exposure of the fetus to the teratogen thus depends on many interrelated physiological and biochemical processes.
Capillary Force Actuation: A Mechatronic Perspective

Capillary force actuation is a new technology holding particular promise for microelectromechanical systems. Relying upon the ability of electrical fields to alter the capillary pressure in a liquid, this technology permits larger actuation forces and strokes than conventional microactuators. Herein, the physical principles of electrowetting are discussed along with the relationships between changing apparent contact angle and capillary bridge shape. Several configurations of capillary force actuators are reviewed. For the standard configuration with two electrowetting surfaces, both equilibrium and non-equilibrium models of actuator performance are discussed. Three applications are examined where capillary force actuators may offer significant benefits.
RAS Inhibitors in Hematologic Cancers: Biologic Considerations and Clinical Applications

As the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development and propagation of cancer are becoming elucidated, the nascent field of gene-directed therapy is emerging. Recently, several investigators have described inhibitors of the Ras protein. This molecule has been targeted because RAS is one of the most commonly mutated oncogenes in human neoplasia. In this review, we will discuss the role of Ras in the pathogenesis of hematologic neoplasms, and the biology behind the development of novel compounds which specifically suppress Ras function.
The integrated luteal progesterone: an assessment of luteal function

An integrated luteal progesterone (ILP L ) was calculated on the basis of a luteal progesterone (P) level with the assumption that the daily plasma P level in the luteal phase closely approximates a sine curve. The midluteal P-amplitude (K) was also obtained mathematically. Daily luteal P levels from five normal ovulatory cycles were assessed for the biologic variation of ILP L and K, then compiled to construct a normogram of the ILP during the luteal phase. The coefficient of variation of K and total ILP L in each cycle ranged from 9.7% to 24.3% and 3.5% to 13.2%, respectively. Fifty-two infertility patients were evaluated for their luteal function by the luteal P and estradiol (E 2 ) level, K, ILP L , endometrial biopsy (EBX)-lag-day, as well as the lengths of follicular phase, luteal phase (L#), and cycle. Thirty-nine patients had EBX-lag day≤2 days and were designated as infertile-normal (INF-NL) luteal phase, while the remaining 13 patients who had EBX-lag day>2 days were considered as luteal phase defect (LPD). Significant ( P L (170±8.3 versus 113±8.5ng/ml-day, respectively). No differences were seen in luteal P, E 2 and K levels, nor in follicular and cycle length. Significant ( P L and luteal P, E 2 , L#, and K; while a negative correlation was noted between follicular and luteal length. Briefly, the total ILP L is a convenient and reliable parameter to assess luteal function in addition to or in place of EBX; and it can be used in clinical research or in monitoring therapy for ovulatory dysfunction.
Energy Use and Weatherization Practices: Applications for Agent-Based Modeling to Support Vulnerable Populations

This work surveyed residents of an economically disadvantaged community on their attitudes toward weatherization and their energy use behaviors. To support urban leaders making decisions to mitigat...
Design and baseline characteristics of a low-income urban cohort of children with asthma: The Asthma Action at Erie Trial

Abstract Objective To describe the methodology of a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of integrated asthma community health workers (CHW) and a certified asthma educator (AE-C) to improve asthma outcomes in low-income minority children in Chicago. Methods Child/caregiver dyads were randomized to CHW home visits or education in the clinic from an AE-C. Intervention was delivered in the first year after enrollment. Data collection occured at baseline, 6-, 12-, 18, and 24-months. The co-primary outcomes included asthma control using the Asthma Control Test/childhood Asthma Control Test (ACT/cACT) and activity limitation over the past 14 days. Results A total of 223 participants ages 5–16 years were randomized. The majority of children were in the 5–11 year old range (78.9%). Most caregivers (96.9%) and 44% of children were female. Approximately 85% of caregivers and children reported Hispanic ethnicity and 62.3% reported a household income of ≤ $59,000. Over half (55.7%) had uncontrolled asthma as measured by ACT/cACT; 13.9% had a normal ACT/cACT score but were uncontrolled using the Asthma Control Questionnaire and 20.2% were controlled on both measures but had received oral steroids in the past year for asthma. Conclusion The Asthma Action at Erie Trial successfully recruited a largely Hispanic cohort of children with uncontrolled or high-risk asthma to study the differential effects of clinic-based AE-C and home-based CHW interventions. Strengths of the trial include its comparative effectivness design that integrates interventionists and intervention delivery into a clinical setting. Categorizing asthma control in community settings for research purposes presents unique challenges. Clinical trial registration University of Illinois at Chicago Protocol Record R01HL123797, Asthma Action at Erie TrialClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02481986 “ ClinicalTrials.gov Registration” register@clinicaltrials.gov
Microclot array elastometry for integrated measurement of thrombus formation and clot biomechanics under fluid shear.

Blood clotting at the vascular injury site is a complex process that involves platelet adhesion and clot stiffening/contraction in the milieu of fluid flow. An integrated understanding of the hemodynamics and tissue mechanics regulating this process is currently lacking due to the absence of an experimental system that can simultaneously model clot formation and measure clot mechanics under shear flow. Here we develop a microfluidic-integrated microclot-array-elastometry system (clotMAT) that recapitulates dynamic changes in clot mechanics under physiological shear. Treatments with procoagulants and platelet antagonists and studies with diseased patient plasma demonstrate the ability of the system to assay clot biomechanics associated with common antiplatelet treatments and bleeding disorders. The changes of clot mechanics under biochemical treatments and shear flow demonstrate independent yet equally strong effects of these two stimulants on clot stiffening. This microtissue force sensing system may have future research and diagnostic potential for various bleeding disorders. Blood clotting is a complex process involving platelet adhesion and clot stiffening. Here the authors present a microfluidic system to recapitulate the dynamic changes in clot mechanics under physiological shear.
An investigation of ballistic response of reinforced and sandwich concrete panels using computational techniques

Structural performance of nuclear containment structures and power plant facilities is of critical importance for public safety. The performance of concrete in a high-speed hard projectile impact is a complex problem due to a combination of multiple failure modes including brittle tensile fracture, crushing, and spalling. In this study, reinforced concrete (RC) and steel-concrete-steel sandwich (SCSS) panels are investigated under high-speed hard projectile impact. Two modeling techniques, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and conventional finite element (FE) analysis with element erosion are used. Penetration depth and global deformation are compared between doubly RC and SCSS panels in order to identify the advantages of the presence of steel plates over the reinforcement layers. A parametric analysis of the front and rear plate thicknesses of the SCSS configuration showed that the SCSS panel with a thick front plate has the best performance in controlling the hard projectile. While a thick rear plate is effective in the case of a large and soft projectile as the plate reduces the rear deformation. The effects of the impact angle and impact velocity are also considered. It was observed that the impact angle for the flat nose missile is critical and the front steel plate is effective in minimizing penetration depth.
Introduction: Adventures of a Scrap Artist

The Progressive Era designer and social activist Louise Brigham spent a pivotal summer on the far-northern island of Spitsbergen in the early 1900s developing her system for building box furniture out of recycled packing crates. This chapter considers how a young, well-to-do Boston woman came to be in this remote spot in 1906 (then known to Europeans mainly as a jumping-off point for polar exploration), what life was like in the Arctic Coal Company mining camp where she stayed, and how she went about her work there. Following this is an examination of how women like Brigham came to be largely written out of standard histories of design through a combination of gender bias and devaluation of the social aspects of design that were prominent in Brigham’s box furniture project.
Catatonia-Like Syndrome Treated With Low-Dose Ketamine.

Abstract Background Ketamine's application in psychiatry have expanded, but it appears never to have been previously used to diagnose and treat patients with catatonia-like syndrome that occasionally present to emergency departments. Case Report A 23-year-old male was observed to suddenly stop talking. His ED GCS was 8 and had normal vital signs. While verbally unresponsive, he refused to open his eyes, demonstrated waxy flexibility of his arms, but the balance of his physical, neurological, and laboratory exams were normal. Strongly suspecting a catatonic state, they needed to rapidly confirm that diagnosis or begin evaluating him for potentially life-threatening non-psychiatric illnesses. Lacking other diagnostic modalities, they administered low-dose ketamine boluses. Ketamine 25 mg (1 mL) was diluted in 9 mL NS (2.5 mg/mL). Based on similar protocols, 1 mL of the solution (0.03 mg/Kg) was given intravenously every few minutes. After 12.5 mg ketamine, he was conscious and verbal. Subsequent history confirmed a prior episode requiring an extensive, non-productive medical evaluation. Psychiatry later confirmed the diagnosis. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Patients with catatonia-like states pose a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. Multiple interventions have been used with varying success. Optimal interventions provide a rapid resolution (or demonstrate that a psychiatric cause is not likely), be safe, encompass few contraindications, and be familiar to the clinician. In our patient, subanesthetic doses of ketamine fulfilled these criteria and successfully resolved the condition. If shown effective in other cases, ketamine would be a valuable addition to our psychiatric armamentarium.
Beamforming with Photonic Integrated Circuits for Millimeter Wave Communications and Phased Arrays

In this paper, two categories of 1 × 4 TTD-OBFNs are implemented within a 4 × 32 mm2 ultralow loss silicon nitride chip ─ switched delay line (SDL) based OBFN and optical ring resonators (ORRs) based OBFN. The SDL-OBFN is based on switches routing light among multiple physical paths. An improved ripple-free architecture is employed and 6 delay distributions with delay difference in range of 0-22.5 ps are achieved. The ORR-OBFNs employ three cascaded optical ring resonators as the tunable delay line for each channel with continuously tuned TTDs. For one delay channel, a dynamic tuning ranges of 209 ps for TTD bandwidths of 6.3 GHz are achieved, which corresponds to a phase shift of 37.57π for a 90-GHz signal. A 55° beam angle equivalent OBFN response for a 90 GHz half-wavelength pitch antenna array is achieved. Using the SDL-OBFN, the mmW beamforming experiment demonstrates 6 beamsteering angles in the range of -51° ~ 32°, and beam radiation patterns agree well with the simulations. To our best knowledge, this is the first TTD based beamforming experiment with Photonic Integrated Circuits for mmW signal.
Factor structure of the family environment scale among adolescents in Chinese

Objective To seek the second steps factor structure of Chinese version of Family Environment Scale (FES-CV) among adolescents. Methods Adopt a random sampling method, a total of 878 adolescents of 13～19 years old were measured with Chinese version of family environment scale, carried on factor analysis to 826 valid samples, and built up factor structure model. Results Factor analysis using PROMAX rotation revealed the eight subscales of FES-CV could be divided into three key dimensions:relationship,personal growth and stability,which account for 63.2% of the total variance. Relationship dimension includes cohesion,expressiveness and conflict. Personal growth dimension includes intellectual-cultural orientation and active-recreational orientation. Stability dimension includes achievement orientation,organization and control. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a goodness-of-fit index of 0.985 and an adjusted goodness-of-fit index of 0.967. Conclusion Independence and Moral-Religious orientation, the two subscales whose internal consistencies were very low, were not suitable to measure teenager's population in China. The results of analysis on normative pathways are satisfactory, which explains that the eight subscales of such measuring model provide good conception validity. Key words: Family environment scale; Factor structure; Adolescents
Peering Through the Glass Ceiling: A Mixed Methods Study of Faculty Perceptions of Gender Barriers to Academic Advancement in Infectious Diseases.

Background The drivers of the gap in advancement between men and women faculty in academic Infectious Diseases (ID) remain poorly understood. This study sought to identify key barriers to academic advancement among faculty in ID and offer policy suggestions to narrow this gap. Methods During the 2019 IDWeek, we conducted focus groups with women faculty members at all ranks and men Full Professors, then we administered a brief survey regarding work-related barriers to advancement to the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) membership. We report themes from the 4 focus group discussions that are most closely linked to policy changes and descriptive analyses of the complementary survey domains. Results Policy change suggestions fell into 3 major categories: (1) Policy changes for IDSA to implement; (2) Future IDWeek Program Recommendations; and (3) Policy Changes for IDSA to Endorse as Best Practices for ID Divisions. Among 790 faculty respondents, fewer women reported that their institutional promotion process was transparent and women Full Professors were significantly more likely to have been sponsored. Conclusions Sponsorship and informed advising about institutional promotions tracks may help to narrow the advancement gap. The Infectious Disease Society of America should consider ambitious policy changes within the society and setting expectations for best practices among ID divisions across the United States.
Using Posterior EEG Theta Band to Assess the Effects of Architectural Designs on Landmark Recognition in an Urban Setting.

The process of urban landmark-based navigation has proven to be difficult to study in a rigorous fashion, primarily due to confounding variables and the problem of obtaining reliable data in real-world contexts. The development of high-resolution, immersive virtual reality technologies has opened exciting new possibilities for gathering data on human wayfinding that could not otherwise be readily obtained. We developed a research platform using a virtual environment and electroencephalography (EEG) to gather preliminary evidence about the neural processes associated with landmark usage and recognition during urban navigation tasks. By adjusting the architectural parameters of different buildings in this virtual environment, we isolated and tested specific design features to determine whether or not they served as a target for landmarking. EEG theta band (4-7 Hz) event-related synchronization (ERS) over posterior scalp areas was evaluated on twenty-one participants at the time when they observed each target building along a predetermined self-paced route. A multi-level linear model was used to investigate the effects of salient architectural features on posterior scalp theta ERS. Our results support the interpretation that highly salient architectural features—those that contrast sharply with the surrounding environment—are more likely to attract visual attention, remain in short-term memory, and potentially activate brain regions associated with wayfinding compared with non-salient buildings. After establishing this main aggregate effect, we tested hypotheses about specific salient architectural features. The buildings that most strongly associated extended gaze time, location recall accuracy, and changes in posterior theta-band ERS with landmarking in our study were those that incorporated rotational twist designs and natural elements such as trees and gardens. Other building features, such as unusual facade patterns or building heights, were to a lesser extent also associated with landmarking.
Efficient dynamic occupancy grid mapping using non-uniform cell representation

Occupancy grids are widely used in robotics and autonomous systems to create a representation of the environment. Originally designed to map a static environment, recently also dynamic occupancy grids are emerging for the handling of dynamic scenes. However, a major drawback of (dynamic) occupancy grids is the high computational cost (memory and compute) to store and process the information. This is due to the fact, that occupancy grids usually divide the environment in cells of the same size (i.e. uniform grids). As a result, the computational cost increases quadratically with decreasing cell size. Therefore, for many use cases, a trade-off between accuracy (high resolution grid) and distance covered by the grid is required to keep the computational cost in an acceptable range. To overcome this issue we propose in this paper a novel approach for dynamic occupancy grids using non-uniform cell sizes. Our results show, that these non-uniform occupancy grids reduce the numbers of required cells and therefore the computational cost significantly without compromising on the quality of the results.