cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Nonintrusive and In-Service Motor Efficiency Estimation Method using Air-Gap Torque with Considerations of Condition Monitoring

Energy usage evaluation and condition monitoring for electric machines are important in industry for overall energy savings. They are often expected to be implemented in an integrated product because of many common requirements such as data collection. Because of the uninterrupted characteristic of industrial processes, traditional methods defined in IEEE Standard 112 cannot be used for these in-service motors. This paper proposes a truly nonintrusive method for in-service motor efficiency estimation based on air-gap torque using only motor terminal quantities and nameplate information, with special considerations of motor condition monitoring requirements. Rotor speed and stator resistance, the stumbling blocks of most in-service testing methods, are extracted from motor input currents instead of being measured. The no-load test, which is required for calculating the rotational loss and core loss, is eliminated by using empirical values. Stray-load loss is assumed according to the motor horse power as suggested in IEEE Standard 112. Finally, the proposed method is validated by testing three induction motors with different configurations. Experimental results show that the proposed method can estimate motor efficiencies with less than 2% errors under normal load conditions.
Ultrastructural characterization of Daphnia heart muscle.

The hear ts of vertebrates are myogenic whereas those of most ar thropods are neurogenic. However, the hear t of Daphnia is an exception, as indicated by Bekker and Kri jgsman (1) whose studies led to the conclusion that Daphnia hear t is myogenic with apparen t inhibi t ion by extracardiac cholinergic nerves. Since Daphnia have hearts similar to ver tebra te hearts and are transpa ren t and easy to handle, this species is a useful one for the study of cardiac response to drugs. Viehoever and Cohen (2), and Sollman and W e b b (3) have utilized Daphnia for this purpose. Al though cardiac function studies have been conducted for Daphnia, the lack of knowledge of the histology or ul t rastructure of its hear t has precluded any correlat ion of structure and function for this tissue. Cardiac musculature is reported to be striated in Ar th ropoda (4) bu t has not been character ized for Daphnia. Ultras t ructura l studies on the hear t have not been carried out for any of the arthropods. Therefore, we set out to determine the ul t rastructure of Daphnia pulex hear t and specifically to determine whether it is striated.
Coal-Clay Composite Ceramics from Yingjing, Sichuan Province, China

Ethnographic ceramics from Yingjing, Sichuan Province, China, made with half powdered coal cinder and half clay. Image analysis was done to compare porosity of unfired sherd (3% Total Optical Porosity), sherd that was fired in the kiln but did not go into the adjacent ash glaze pit (11% Total Optical Porosity), sherd that was fully fired and ash glazed (11% Total Optical Porosity), and overfired sherd (25% Total Optical Porosity). Image analysis was done using Image-Pro Premier with Smart Segmentation tool. Full details about the coal-clay ceramics of Sichuan Province are found in: Chandra L. Reedy, Pamela B. Vandiver, He Ting, Ying Xu, and Wang Yanyu, Preliminary investigation of the coal-clay composite ceramics of Sichuan Province, China, in 2015 International Symposium on Ancient Ceramics – It’s Scientific and Technological Insights, edited by Chen Shiping. Shanghai: Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, pp. 113-116 (2015).
Effects of Light Crude Oil Contamination on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Fine Sand

The use of oil-contaminated sand in building and construction is now being considered as an alternative and cost-effective way to minimize its adverse effect on the environment. To achieve this, the effect of oil contamination on the important mechanical properties of sand should be investigated first. This study investigated the effect of petroleum-derived contaminants on the water absorption, permeability, cohesion, friction angle, and shear strength of fine sand. Contaminated samples were prepared by mixing fine sand with different percentages of light crude oil (0 to 20%). The results indicated that the water absorption of fine sand decreases with an increase in crude oil. An increase in the cohesion was observed for sand with up to 1% of oil contamination, after which the cohesion began to decrease, which also results in the reduction in the permeability. A slight reduction in the friction angle was found for oil-contaminated fine sand. At a low normal stress of 50 kPa, as the percentage of light cru...
Bimanual phacoemulsification through 2 stab incisions. A wound-temperature study

Abstract Purpose: To determine the thermal parameters of bimanual ultrasound-based phacoemulsification through 2 stab incisions with a bare aspiration needle. Setting: In vitro laboratory. Methods: The Sovereign® phacoemulsification unit (Allergan) was used in 3 modes in conjunction with the Olson irrigating chopper (ASICO) in 6 fresh human cadaver eye-bank eyes to determine the temperature at which a wound burn would occur. A wound burn was defined as temperature exceeding 45°C, whitening around the wound, or wound contraction. Results: One hundred percent ultrasound power was required to create a wound burn in the unoccluded mode in continuous ultrasound and the burst mode. The time to create the wound burn was 160 and 180 seconds in 2 eyes in continuous ultrasound and 42 and 50 seconds in 2 eyes in the burst mode; it was 58 and 70 seconds in continuous ultrasound with complete occlusion and required 80% power. Conclusions: The energy necessary to obtain a wound burn during 2-incision bimanual ultrasound-based phacoemulsification with a bare aspiration needle in human cadaver eyes was extremely high. The parameters necessary to create a wound burn in each modality occurred well beyond normal clinical settings and provide evidence that 2-stab ultrasound-based lens extraction can be performed safely with the Sovereign machine.
Comparison among series compensators for transient stability enhancement of doubly fed induction generator based variable speed wind turbines

This study investigates the effects of series compensators, such as the dynamic voltage restorer (DVR), series dynamic braking resistor, thyristor switched series capacitor, and the high temperature superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL), in enhancing the transient stability of a doubly fed induction machine based variable speed wind generator system. The tested system consists of a 9 MW doubly fed induction generator based wind farm connected to an infinite bus through two step-up transformers and a double run transmission lines. A three-phase-to-ground (3LG) fault and a single-line-to-ground fault (1LG) were applied to one of the lines to demonstrate the transient stability enhancement ability of the series devices. A performance comparison among the four series compensators is made based on responses of active/reactive power, terminal voltage, rotor speed, dc link voltage, and current variations. Simulations were carried out in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Simulation results show that all series devices can improve the transient stability, however, the SFCL is the most efficient in terms of active power, rotor speed stability and fault current suppression, and the DVR seems to have a better performance than the SFCL in terms of voltage and reactive power.
Absorption of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase by rat intestine

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is a 43-kDa protein that catalyzes the degradation and inactivation of this potent phospholipid mediator. PAF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and the elevation of the plasma PAF-AH activity may be beneficial in the prevention of this disease. The activity of PAF-AH was transferred from the mucosal to the serosal fluid in intestinal sacs from neonatal rats. Translocation was highest on day 15, decreased by day 21, and disappeared by day 24. Greater transport of the enzyme was noted in the neonatal jejunum compared with duodenum or ileum. PAF-AH absorption in 15-day-old rats was decreased by the addition of inhibitors of energy production and by low temperature. We have, therefore, concluded that the enzyme transport is an energy-dependent process. It is suggested that PAF-AH found in milk may prove to be beneficial in the prevention of NEC by its translocation across the intestinal mucosa. The absorption of macromolecules in the neonate, in addition to providing a passive immunity, may also serve a protective role by inactivating certain proinflammatory agents, such as PAF.
Optical investigation of microscopic defect distribution in semi-polar (1-101 and 11-22) InGaN light-emitting diodes

Near-field scanning optical microscopy was applied to investigate the spatial variations of extended defects and their effects on the optical quality for semi-polar (1-101) and (11-22) InGaN light emitting diodes (LEDs). (1-101) and (11-22) oriented InGaN LEDs emitting at 450-470 nm were grown on patterned Si (001) 7° offcut substrates and m-sapphire substrates by means of nano-epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO), respectively. For (1-101) structures, the photoluminescence (PL) at 85 K from the near surface c+ wings was found to be relatively uniform and strong across the sample. However, emission from the c- wings was substantially weaker due to the presence of high density of threading dislocations (TDs) and basal plane stacking faults (BSFs) as revealed from the local PL spectra. In case of (11-22) LED structures, near-field PL intensity correlated with the surface features and the striations along the direction parallel to the c-axis projection exposed facets where the Indium content was higher as deduced from shift in the PL peak energy.
Model-Based Reactive Control for Hybrid and High-Dimensional Robotic Systems

Sequential action control (SAC) is a recently developed algorithm for optimal control of nonlinear systems. Previous work by the authors demonstrates that SAC performs well on several benchmark control problems. This work demonstrates applicability of SAC to a variety of robotic systems; we show that SAC can also be easily applied to hybrid systems without any modification and that its scalability facilitates application to high-dimensional systems. First, SAC is applied to a popular hybrid dynamic running model known as the spring-loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP). The results show that SAC can achieve dynamic hopping without using prescribed touchdown angles/leg stiffness. Moreover no specialized hybrid methods are necessary to handle the contact dynamics, despite the nonsmooth nature of the problem. The same SAC-controlled SLIP model is also implemented in a game for the Android operating system, demonstrating the minimal computational requirements for implementing SAC. Our second example involves successful stabilization and tracking control of a nonlinear, constrained dynamic model of a humanoid marionette with 56 states and 8 inputs. Finally, a discussion that includes best practices on tuning parameters of the SAC algorithm as well as the challenges of hardware implementation is also provided, along with a video that shows the resulting simulations for each example.
Mental health service use among firefighters with suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Objective:This study aimed to characterize rates and correlates of mental health service use, as well as barriers to care, among a sample of firefighters reporting a history of suicide ideation, plans, or attempts during their firefighting careers.Methods:Participants (N=483) completed a Web-based survey assessing history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, prior mental health service utilization, and barriers to treatment.Results:Overall, 77% of participants reported receipt of mental health services during their firefighting careers (attempt history, 93%; plan but no attempt, 77%; and ideation only 68%). Firefighters with fewer years of service were less likely than those with more years to have accessed treatment. Service nonusers were more likely than service users to report concerns regarding reputation and embarrassment as barriers to care.Conclusions:Findings from this preliminary investigation suggest that the majority of firefighters with a history of elevated suicide risk have received mental he...
New technique for access-borehole drilling in shelf glaciers using lightweight drills

This paper describes a new, environmentally friendly drilling technique for making short-and long-term access boreholes in shelf glaciers using lightweight drills. The new drilling technique was successfully developed for installation of small-diameter sensors under the Ross Ice Shelf through ~ 193 m thick ice at Windless Bight, McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica. The two access boreholes were drilled and sensors installed in 110 working hours. The total weight of the drilling equipment including the power system and fuel is <400 kg. Installation of small-diameter sensors was possible for 1.8– 6 hours after penetration through the glacier into the sea water beneath. The new drilling technique does not require drilling fluid and therefore has minimal environmental impact. It should permit access through ice-shelf ice up to 350 m thick, or glaciers on grounded ice or subglacial lakes if there is no water-permeable interface at the base. Modifications, presented in this work, of the drilling equipment and protocol will allow for (1) ~ 21 working hours for penetration through 200 m of ice, (2) installation of sensors up to 120 mm in diameter and (3) drilling long-term open boreholes through 400 m thick ice in 100 working hours.
Inactivation of malaoxon by mouse liver.

SummaryComparison of the manometric and anti-CHE methods for measuring malaoxon detoxification in vitro demonstrated that carboxylesterase hydrolysis of malaoxon accounted for only about 1/2 of the total malaoxon detoxification detected by the anti-CHE method. Evidence was obtained which showed that there was a rapid, temperature-independent loss of anti-CHE activity of malaoxon in the presence of liver which suggested that the discrepancy was due to non-catalytic binding of malaoxon to tissue constituents. Malaoxon binding was inhibited by malathion-potentiating doses of other organ-ophosphates which alsc inhibited carboxylesterase activity, in vivo. A close dose—effect correlation was observed between carboxylesterase inhibition and inhibition of malaoxon binding. This suggests that carboxylesterase enzymes may act as noncritical binding sites for malaoxon inactivation. Malaoxon binding, as well as catalytic hydrolysis, may play a role in malaoxon detoxification and inhibiton of binding may contribute t...
An optimal lower bound for distinct elements in the message passing model

In the message-passing model of communication, there are k players each with their own private input, who try to compute or approximate a function of their inputs by sending messages to one another over private channels. We consider the setting in which each player holds a subset Si of elements of a universe of size n, and their goal is to output a (1 + e)-approximation to the total number of distinct elements in the union of the sets Si with constant probability, which can be amplified by independent repetition. This problem has applications in data mining, sensor networks, and network monitoring. We resolve the communication complexity of this problem up to a constant factor, for all settings of n, k and e, by showing a lower bound of Ω(k · min(n, 1/e2) + k log n) bits. This improves upon previous results, which either had non-trivial restrictions on the relationships between the values of n, k, and e, or were suboptimal by logarithmic factors, or both.
WebPerf: Evaluating What-If Scenarios for Cloud-hosted Web Applications

Developers deploying web applications in the cloud often need to determine how changes such as service tiers or runtime loads may affect user-perceived page load time. We devise and evaluate a systematic methodology for exploring such "what-if" questions at the time a web application is deployed. Given a website, a web request, and “whatif” scenario, with a hypothetical configuration and runtime condition, our methodology, embedded in a system called WebPerf, can estimate a distribution of end-to-end response times for the request under the “what-if” scenario. WebPerf makes three contributions: (1) automated instrumentation of web sites written with increasingly popular task parallel libraries, to capture causal call dependencies of various computation and asynchronous I/O calls; (2) an algorithm to use the call dependencies, together with online- and offlineprofiled models of various I/O calls to estimate a distribution of end-to-end latency of the request; and (3) an algorithm to optimize modeling errors by deciding how many measurements to take within a limited time. We have implemented WebPerf for Microsoft Azure. Our experiments with five real websites and seven scenarios show that the median error of WebPerf’s estimation is within 7% for all applications and scenarios.
Using the automata processor for fast pattern recognition in high energy physics experiments—A proof of concept

We explore the Micron Automata Processor (AP) as a suitable commodity technology that can address the growing computational needs of pattern recognition in High Energy Physics (HEP) experiments. A toy detector model is developed for which an electron track confirmation trigger based on the Micron AP serves as a test case. Although primarily meant for high speed text-based searches, we demonstrate a proof of concept for the use of the Micron AP in a HEP trigger application.
Projective Testing in Psychotherapeutics

Projective measures utilize ambiguous stimuli and minimal directions to encourage the examinee to utilize perception, apperception, associative processes, and memory to create responses to the examiner's questions: the more ambiguous the stimuli, the greater freedom to form idiosyncratic responses that reveal aspects of individual personality. While intentionally opaque to the examinee, the majority of measures have been subjected to empirical validation, utilized in outcome research, and used to predict behavioral outcomes. The Rorschach inkblot method, for example, has surprisingly good accuracy in predicting suicide completion and attempt up to 60 days post-administration as well as predicting treatment response. In predicting treatment response, the Rorschach was found to be a better predictor of psychotherapy outcome than electrocardiogram stress tests in predicting subsequent cardiac disease. The broad empirical evidence base constructed over the last century aids clinicians in developing an accurate portrait of individual patient's personality—their frailties, strengths, and potential response to treatment. The diagnostic facets of projective testing are frequently integrated into treatment recommendations for specific patients to help the therapist develop a working model of the patient's functioning and to help predict potential therapeutic stalemates as well as positive developments.
Ensemble Hierarchical High-Order Functional Connectivity Networks for MCI Classification.

Conventional functional connectivity (FC) and corresponding networks focus on characterizing the pairwise correlation between two brain regions, while the high-order FC (HOFC) and networks can model more complex relationship between two brain region “pairs” (i.e., four regions). It is eye-catching and promising for clinical applications by its irreplaceable function of providing unique and novel information for brain disease classification. Since the number of brain region pairs is very large, clustering is often used to reduce the scale of HOFC network. However, a single HOFC network, generated by a specific clustering parameter setting, may lose multifaceted, highly complementary information contained in other HOFC networks. To accurately and comprehensively characterize such complex HOFC towards better discriminability of brain diseases, in this paper, we propose a novel HOFC based disease diagnosis framework, which can hierarchically generate multiple HOFC networks and further ensemble them with a selective feature fusion method. Specifically, we create a multi-layer HOFC network construction strategy, where the networks in upper layers are formed by hierarchically clustering the nodes of the networks in lower layers. In such a way, information is passed from lower layers to upper layers by effectively removing the most redundant part of information and, at the same time, retaining the most unique part. Then, the retained information/features from all HOFC networks are fed into a selective feature fusion method, which combines sequential forward selection and sparse regression, to further select the most discriminative feature subset for classification. Experimental results confirm that our novel method outperforms all the single HOFC networks corresponding to any single parameter setting in diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects.
Gaming, fitness, and relaxation

A game was designed to encourage the player to exercise their physical and mental faculties through the use of wearable devices. The player would receive in-game benefits from curling and punching repetitions, meditating, and calm movement while wearing commercially available ECG and EEG devices.
The Role of Statistics and Statisticians in the Future of Astrostatistics

Given the generic definition of statistics, it is clear that astronomers have engaged in statistical analysis of some variety since astronomy first emerged as a science. However, from the early nineteenth century until the beginning of the twenty-first the two disciplines have been somewhat estranged – there was no formal relationship between the two. This has now changed, as is evidenced by the recent creation of the International Astrostatistics Association (IAA), the ISI astrostatistics committee, astrostatistics working groups authorized by the IAU and AAS, and this Symposium. The challenge for us to come is in establishing how statisticians and astronomers relate in developing the discipline of astrostatistics. I shall propose a direction for how the discipline can progress in both the short term and well as for future generations of astrostatisticians.
15.7 Heterogeneous integrated CMOS-graphene sensor array for dopamine detection

Understanding dopamine (DA) signaling in the brain is essential for advancing our knowledge of pathological disorders such as drug addiction, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. Currently, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) with carbon microfiber (CMF) electrodes is the method of choice in neuroscience labs for monitoring the concentration of phasic (transient) DA release. This method offers sub-second temporal resolution and high specificity because the signal of interest occurs at a known potential. However, existing CMF electrodes are bulky, limiting the spatial resolution to single-site measurements. Further, they are produced through manual processes (e.g. cutting CMFs under optical microscope), thus introducing significant device variability [1]. Lastly, when long probes (3-to-5cm) are used to monitor DA release in deep brain structures of large animals, environmental noise severely diminishes the detection limit [1]. To address these problems, we combine advances in nanofabrication with silicon chip manufacturing to create a heterogeneous integrated CMOS-graphene sensor for accurate measurement of DA with high spatiotemporal resolution (Fig. 15.7.1).
Identifying high resource consumption areas of assembly-centric manufacturing in the United States

This paper examines supply chain value added in the US for producing assembly-centric products, which includes machinery, computers, electronics, and transportation equipment, and determines whether costs are disproportionally distributed. The implication being that reductions in resource consumption in some cost areas can disproportionally reduce total resource consumption. Efforts to develop and disseminate innovative solutions to improve efficiency can, therefore, be targeted to these high cost areas, resulting in larger efficiency improvements than might otherwise be achieved. An input–output model is used for this examination and is combined with labor data and data on assets. The top 20 industries, occupations, and industry occupation combinations contributing to production are identified. A sensitivity analysis is conducted on the model using Monte Carlo simulation. The results confirm that costs are disproportionally distributed, having a Gini coefficient of 0.75 for value added and for compensation it is 0.86. Wholesale trade, aircraft manufacturing, and the management of companies and enterprises were the industries with the largest contribution to assembly-centric manufacturing, even when including imports. Energy in the form of electricity and natural gas were discussed separately, but would rank 8th if compared to the industry rankings. In terms of occupation activities, team assemblers, general and operations managers, and sales representatives were the largest occupations. Public entities might use this model and results to identify efficiency improvement efforts that will have the largest impact on industry per dollar of expenditure.
Effect of Radiation Therapy on Survival in Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A SEER Data Analysis.

Background/Aim: Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) is curable in up to 80% of patients due, in part, to simultaneous advances in chemotherapy regimens as well as radiation therapy planning and delivery. Concerns regarding the historical use of large-field radiotherapy on overall survival have been published. In this study, we performed a Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) data analysis to evaluate the impact of patients and treatments related factors on survival in HL. Patients and Methods: Data from 39,700 adult patients registered in the SEER data with diagnosis of HL, between 1983-2011 and follow-up through 2012 were analyzed. Impact of patient demographics (sex, age, race, ethnicity, year of diagnosis, family income, education, unemployment, poverty level and stage of disease) and treatment characteristics (delivery of radiotherapy) on survival were evaluated via multivariate analysis. Results: Median age was 36 years. Most patients were Ann Arbor Stage II (39%) at diagnosis with the remainder distributed evenly between the remaining stages (I, III, IV: 19-21%). In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for secondary predictor variables including stage of disease, Radiation therapy (RT) was a statistically significant predictor of overall survival from HL (HR=0.72, (95% CI=0.68-0.75). At follow up of more than 25 years, Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that RT improved survival for all patients, irrespective of stage. Factors associated with worse survival included older age, male sex, extra nodal disease, advanced stage, African-American race, and non-Hispanic ethnicity. Conclusion: Radiation therapy improved survival in patients with all stages of HL. Demographic and disease factors associated with worse survival in this study may be related to particular patterns of care and warrant additional study.
THE PLASTIC WAVE MYTH

“Plastic Waves” do not exist because plastic flow is an entirely dissipative process. The terminology and theory of them arose historically because the time resolutions and stiffnesses of early test methods were not adequate to follow the true course of plastic flow. This inappropriate concept should have been abandoned some decades ago. It is now an anachronism.
Assessing the effect of sound file compression and background noise on measures of acoustic signal structure

AbstractThe study of animal acoustic signals is a central tool for many fields in ecology and evolution, but the diversity of analytical methods and sources of animal sound recordings poses important challenges for carrying out robust acoustic analyses. Sound file compression and background noise may both affect acoustic analysis, although little attention has been paid to their respective effects. We evaluated the effect of these factors by assessing the systematic deviation (i.e. bias) and measurement error (i.e. precision) that they generate on spectrographic parameters and two (dis)similarity methods (dynamic time warping on frequency contours and cross-correlation), which represent the most common methods currently used for quantitative characterization of acoustic signals. Measurements were taken across a wide range of signals from a diverse group of bird species, and compared between uncompressed files and decompressed files obtained from mp3-encoded files generated using the two most common mp3 en...
Using critical questions to evaluate written and oral arguments in an undergraduate general education seminar: a quasi-experimental study

Although the Toulmin model (1958) has dominated argumentation research, it does not provide many tools for evaluating argument quality. Towards that end, we draw on work in philosophy on argument schemes, and critical questions for evaluating those schemes. In our approach, we integrate the teaching of critical questions with argumentation vee diagrams (AVDs) and with oral and written discourse. AVDs are graphic organizers that prompt students to write arguments and counterarguments on different sides of the vee, and at the bottom of the vee, an integrative paragraph supporting a final conclusion. The present study was conducted in three sections of an undergraduate general education seminar. Two sections, comprising the experimental group, used AVDs containing a critical questions box reflecting questions for the arguments from consequence scheme (Walton, 1996). One section used AVDs without the critical question box. Students completed AVDs prior and during class discussions on social issues (e.g., drug legalization). Over time, students in the experimental group included more refutations related to the critical questions compared to the control group. The effect transferred to an in-class essay where no question prompts were provided, but not to a course paper written on whistleblowing. However, students in the experimental condition did include in their papers more explicit mention of moral principles. We explain these effects in relation to argument schema theory, in particular the development and automatization of a weighing schema. The critical questions appeared to provide students with a structure for evaluating arguments and counterarguments.
Towards transient imaging at interactive rates with single-photon detectors

Active imaging at the picosecond timescale reveals transient light transport effects otherwise not accessible by computer vision and image processing algorithms. For example, analyzing the time of flight of short laser pulses emitted into a scene and scattered back to a detector allows for depth imaging, which is crucial for autonomous driving and many other applications. Moreover, analyzing or removing global light transport effects from photographs becomes feasible. While several transient imaging systems have recently been proposed using various imaging technologies, none is capable of acquiring transient images at interactive framerates. In this paper, we present an imaging system that records transient images at up to 25 Hz. We show several transient video clips recorded with this system and demonstrate transient imaging applications, including direct-global light transport separation and enhanced depth imaging.
The effects of obesity with pregnancy termination: a literature review

Obesity has become a major health problem in the United States as well as globally which may affect the safety of pregnancy termination. Thus, a literature review was conducted to determine the available evidence regarding the effects of obesity with pregnancy termination to assist with patient care and counseling. The available evidence is limited by small numbers and descriptive study design. While pregnancy termination upon obese women may impart additional technical challenges, experienced providers complete procedures upon obese women without statistically significant differences in procedure or patient outcomes compared to normal weight women for first trimester gestations. Pharmacological abortion may be a more practical option in some very obese women.
Systems Dynamics Modeling of Air Warfare

The use of gaming to study contemporary warfare has evolved rapidly in recent years. Particularly important strides were taken during the 1960’s and 1970’s with advances in computer technology and the development of broader ranges of subject matter. The past two decades have seen a tremendous expansion in the role and influence of computer models as “policy assisting” devices — first in the analysis of national security issues, and now for the analysis of problems arising throughout the entire affairs of Government.
Evaluation of an NCAA sponsored online support group for career-ending injured collegiate athletes transitioning out of sports

ABSTRACTForced early retirement due to a career-ending injury is a unique and traumatic life event for an NCAA collegiate athlete. Although the NCAA financially helps some of these athletes, proble...
A Bidimensional Examination of Machismo in Relation to Risky Sexual Cognitions and Behavior among Latino College Men

Objective: College students and Latina/o individuals are disproportionately affected by adverse consequences related to risky sex, highlighting the importance of examining sociocultural factors related to risky sexual variables among Latina/o college students. We explored the link between machismo (a bidimensional form of masculinity often ascribed to Latino men) and risky sexual outcomes among Latino college men. Methods: Latino college men responded to an online study assessing two dimensions of machismo, and risky sexual cognitions (eg, risky sexual intentions) and behavior (eg, condom use). Results: Among our findings, a hypermasculine dimension of machismo predicted greater intentions to engage in risky sex, and more positive condom use attitudes. A dimension of machismo characterized by respect and chivalry predicted more frequent condom use. Conclusions: These findings indicate the relation between machismo and risky sex among Latino college men is complex, underscoring the need for sociocultural considerations in culturally tailored collegiate sexual-risk prevention programs.
Integration of millimeter-wave and optical link for duplex transmission of hierarchically modulated signal over a single carrier and fiber for future 5G communication systems

Integration of optical and millimeter-wave systems provide a promising solution for future giga-bits per second wireless communication systems. We have proposed and simulated full-duplex transmission of a hierarchically modulated signal carrying data for two different users at a combined rate of 1.5 Gbps. Analogue modulation of the optical carrier is used for the transmission of downlink data while the same carrier is re-used by digitally modulating it with the uplink data. The use of optical analogue and digital modulation schemes allow the transmission of duplex data over a single optical fiber. A millimeter-wave channel $$\hbox {NYUSIM}\_{\mathrm{v1}}\_4$$ is integrated with the optical link. The performance of the downlink and uplink signals are evaluated in terms of error vector magnitude and bit-error rate measurements, respectively. The effect of fiber length, received optical power and data rates on the performance has also been evaluated. It is shown that for a fiber length of 10 km, the lowest error vector magnitude obtained for the hierarchically modulated signal after transmission through a 14 m millimeter-wave link is 9.5%.
New residential perennial floras reflect distinctive decisions of residential developers and new homeowners

Abstract Urban patterns reflect the people who build and manage urban space. However, most field research on residential vegetation focuses on household or neighborhood preferences, norms, or socioeconomic drivers of observed patterns and plant traits. Very few urban ecology researchers have studied residential real estate developers, who configure the space and establish the initial plant communities. How do the landscaping decisions of developers and homeowners shape residential perennial floras? To answer this question, I collected a stratified random sample of perennials at 60 newly built and sold homes in the Seattle, WA area. Through field sampling, conversations with new homeowners, and archival research, I assigned each individual perennial to one of three origins: remnant, planted by developers, or planted by homeowners. After describing landscaping decisions using plant traits (as presented in gardening literature), I evaluated whether planting decisions of developers and homeowners were heterogeneous and whether urban form or economic drivers influenced planted species richness. I also tested whether homeowner yard and plant buying preferences could be linked to planted richness. Given that developers and homeowners have different incentives, I hypothesized that they would choose different types of perennials and that urban metrics related to area and economics would increase species richness. I also predicted that homeowner preferences would be linked to species richness patterns. Developers planted most of the trees, shrubs, and graminoids. Homeowners planted fewer woody and more herbaceous perennial species. Parcel planting area, wealth related metrics, and parcel density increased species richness for some perennials. However, homeowner preferences were stronger predictors of their planting behavior than urban metrics. Because assembly of residential perennial flora communities is heterogeneous, future investigations in other urban ecosystems should incorporate preferences of developers and homeowners, site-specific constraints, and broader scale influences. More work is needed to understand developer incentives and preferences.
Moral responsibility and manipulation: on a novel argument against historicism

Taylor Cyr offers a novel argument against, as he puts it, “all versions of historicism” about direct moral responsibility (Philos Stud. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-019-01315-y , 2019). The argument features constitutive luck and a comparison of manipulated agents and young agents performing the first actions for which they are morally responsible. Here it is argued that Cyr’s argument misses its mark. Alfred Mele’s historicism is highlighted.
Cytokinesis, Beta-Blockers, and Congenital Heart Disease

Beta-Blockers and Tetralogy of Fallot Cardiomyocytes in persons with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary stenosis have activated beta-adrenergic–receptor signaling. A recent study in human cells and ...
Incidence and Management of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody Interference in Monoclonal Gammopathy Monitoring

Background: The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has been revolutionized by the introduction of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (tmAbs). Daratumumab, a human IgG1/κ tmAb against CD38 on plasma cells, has improved overall survival in refractory MM and was recently approved as a frontline therapy for MM. Work on tmAb interference with serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) during MM monitoring has failed to provide information for laboratories on incidence of interference and effective methods of managing the interference at a practicable level. We aimed to evaluate daratumumab and elotuzumab interference in a large academic hospital setting and implement immediate solutions. Methods: We identified and chart reviewed all cases of possible daratumumab interference by electrophoretic pattern (120 of 1317 total cases over 3 months). We retrospectively reviewed SPE cases in our laboratory to assess clinical implications of tmAb interference before the laboratory was aware of tmAb treatment. We supplemented samples with daratumumab and elotuzumab to determine the limits of detection and run free light chain analysis. Results: Approximately 9% (120 of 1317) of tested cases have an SPE and/or immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) pattern consistent with daratumumab, but only approximately 47% (56) of these cases were associated with daratumumab therapy. Presence of daratumumab led to physician misinterpretation of SPE/IFE results. Limits of daratumumab detection varied with total serum gammaglobulin concentrations, but serum free light chain analysis was unaffected. Conclusions: Clinical laboratories currently rely on interference identification by electrophoretic pattern, which may be insufficient and is inefficient. Critical tools in preventing misinterpretation efficiently include physician education, pharmacy notifications, separate order codes, and interpretive comments.
Food and beverage marketing in schools: school superintendents’ perspectives and practices after the healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

Objective Children are surrounded by ubiquitous forms of unhealthy food marketing at home and in schools. The US Department of Agriculture now restricts food and beverage marketing that does not meet Smart Snacks in School standards. School superintendents, as districts' top administrators, play a critical role in ensuring marketing policies are implemented and adhered to; however, there is limited research involving this stakeholder group. The current study examined superintendents' perspectives on food marketing in schools and the marketing provision in wellness policies, as well as experiences with the implementation of such policies. Design Qualitative focus groups and follow-up interviews (with focus group participants) were conducted by trained researchers. Setting Focus groups occurred at The School Superintendents' annual meeting; follow-up interviews were over the telephone. Participants Superintendents and assistant superintendents (n 39) from twenty-three states participated. Interviews were recorded and professionally transcribed; transcripts were team-coded in Atlas.ti using an iteratively revised coding guide to facilitate theme generation. Results Despite common concerns that marketing to children was 'insidious', superintendents reported a wide range of food and beverage marketing policies. In addition, the main issue is fundraising - such as 'restaurant nights' - that results in marketing that occurs on- and off-campus and afterschool. Conclusions Discrepancies between perspectives and practices point to the challenges that superintendents face with budgetary constraints, as well as relationships with parent-teacher organisations. These findings provide important insights about superintendents' perspectives and challenges, particularly for government and child health advocates supporting school districts, to implement these policies.
Arterial Stiffness, Central Blood Pressure and Cardiac Remodelling: From Cardiac Hypertrophy to Heart Failure

Over the past several decades much has been learned about arterial stiffness and central blood pressure (BP) and their relations to left ventricular (LV) remodelling and hypertrophy. In addition, the impact of central hemodynamics on LV performance and the development of clinical heart failure is under active investigation and is of particular importance from a public health and therapeutic standpoint. The ability to examine these topics has been vastly accelerated by the development of reliable, noninvasive technology to permit evaluation of cardiac and vascular structure and function on an epidemiologic scale. The present review will discuss data regarding the interaction of arterial stiffness and central BP with LV structure and function; the impact of arterial stiffness on the development of heart failure, particularly with preserved ejection fraction, will also be discussed.
Oncoplastic Breast Reconstruction: Extreme Oncoplasty and Split Reduction Techniques

Oncoplastic breast surgery combines oncologic principles with plastic surgical techniques to completely excise the cancer, with a wide surgical margin, while maintaining or improving cosmesis. Poor aesthetic outcomes have been reported in up to 30% of breast conservation. For large, poorly defined, or unfavorably situated tumors, standard lumpectomies may lead to unacceptable cosmetic results in addition to close or involved resection margins. Similar problems may occur for smaller tumors in a small-sized breast. Integration of the two surgical disciplines avoids or minimizes poor cosmetic results after wide excision. It increases the number of women who can be treated with breast-conserving surgery by allowing larger breast excisions with more acceptable cosmetic results.
The Importance of Verification CT-QA Scans in Patients Treated with IMPT for Head and Neck Cancers.

Purpose To understand how verification computed tomography-quality assurance (CT-QA) scans influenced clinical decision-making to replan patients with head and neck cancer and identify predictors for replanning to guide intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) clinical practice. Patients and Methods We performed a quality-improvement study by prospectively collecting data on 160 consecutive patients with head and neck cancer treated using spot-scanning IMPT who underwent weekly verification CT-QA scans. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to determine the cumulative probability of a replan by week. Predictors for replanning were determined with univariate (UVA) and multivariate (MVA) Cox model hazard ratios (HRs). Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (ORs). P 60 Gy equivalent (GyE; relative biologic effectiveness, 1.1) (UVA: HR, 1.99, P < .01; MVA: HR, 2.20, P < .01), primary disease (UVA: HR, 2.00 versus recurrent, P = .01; MVA: HR, 2.46, P = .01), concurrent chemotherapy (UVA: HR, 2.05, P < .01; MVA: not statistically significant [NS]), definitive intent treatment (UVA: HR, 1.70 versus adjuvant, P < .02; MVA: NS), bilateral neck treatment (UVA: HR, 2.07, P = .03; MVA: NS), and greater number of beams (5 beam UVA: HR, 5.55 versus 1 or 2 beams, P < .02; MVA: NS). Maximal weight change from baseline was associated with higher odds of a replan (≥3 kg: OR, 1.97, P = .04; ≥ 5 kg: OR, 2.13, P = .02). Conclusions Weekly verification CT-QA scans frequently influenced clinical decision-making to replan. Additional studies that evaluate the practice of monitoring IMPT-treated patients with weekly CT-QA scans and whether that improves clinical outcomes are warranted.
Caseload is increased by resequencing cases before and on the day of surgery at ambulatory surgery centers where initial patient recovery is in operating rooms and cleanup times are longer than typical.

Abstract Study objective The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacts operating room (OR) management in regions with high prevalence (e.g., >1.0% of asymptomatic patients testing positive). Cases with aerosol producing procedures are isolated to a few ORs, initial phase I recovery of those patients is in the ORs, and multimodal environmental decontamination applied. We quantified the potential increase in productivity from also resequencing these cases among those 2 or 3 ORs. Design Computer simulation provided sample sizes requiring >100 years experimentally. Resequencing was limited to changes in the start times of surgeons' lists of cases. Setting Ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department. Main results With case resequencing applied before and on the day of surgery, there were 5.6% and 5.5% more cases per OR per day for the 2 ORs and 3 ORs, respectively, both standard errors (SE) 90% probability of each OR finishing within the prespecified 12-h shift. Thus, the additional cases were all scheduled before the day of surgery. The greater allocated time also resulted in less overutilized time, a mean of 4.2 min per OR per day for 2 ORs (SE 0.5) and 6.3 min per OR per day for 3 ORs (SE 0.4). The benefit could be achieved while limiting application of resequencing to days when the OR with the fewest estimated hours of cases has ≤8 h. Conclusions Some ambulatory surgery ORs have unusually long OR times and/or room cleanup times (e.g., infection control efforts because of the pandemic). Resequencing cases before and on the day of surgery should be considered, because moving 1 or 2 cases occasionally has little to no cost with substantive benefit.