cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
USING INTENT INFORMATION IN PROBABILISTIC CONFLICT ANALYSIS

A method to incorporate aircraft flight path intent information into a conflict detection and resolution system is described. The approach uses a set of probability density functions that describe potential trajectory errors such as cross-track, along-track, or course change, in a series of Monte Carlo simulations. The simulations are used to estimate the probability of conflict in traffic encounters. Intent information is readily included in the model, and can consist of a series of waypoints, heading or track holds, target altitudes, or maneuvering limitations from free flight concepts. The method also allows for direct incorporation of the confidence with which an intended path will be followed. An efficient modeling method is used that enables the Monte Carlo simulations to be run in real time, suggesting that such an approach could be used in conflict detection systems. Several example traffic encounters are discussed using conflict probability maps that show regions in which a conflict will likely occur. The potential benefit of access to intent information in a vertical conflict example is also shown.
Thermal Imaging of Vegetation to Detect CO2 Gas Leaking From Underground

Thermal imaging of vegetation has been used to detect CO2 gas leaking from an underground gas reservoir. Plant stress caused by increased soil gas concentration results in warmer daytime temperatures and larger diurnal temperature variations than surrounding vegetation.
A Nanonet-Enabled Li Ion Battery Cathode Material with High Power Rate, High Capacity, and Long Cycle Lifetime

The performance of advanced energy conversion and storage devices, including solar cells and batteries, is intimately connected to the electrode designs at the nanoscale. Consider a rechargeable Li ion battery, a prevalent energy storage technology, as an example. Among other factors, the electrode material design at the nanoscale is key to realizing the goal of measuring fast ionic diffusion and high electronic conductivity, the inherent properties that determine power rates, and good stability upon repeated charge and discharge, which is critical to the sustainable high capacities. Here we show that such a goal can be achieved by forming heteronanostructures on a radically new platform we discovered, TiSi2 nanonets. In addition to the benefits of high surface area, good electrical conductivity, and superb mechanical strength offered by the nanonet, the design also takes advantage of how TiSi2 reacts with O2 upon heating. The resulting TiSi2/V2O5 nanostructures exhibit a specific capacity of 350 Ah/kg, a...
The antecedents and correlates of necrotizing enterocolitis and spontaneous intestinal perforation among infants born before the 28th week of gestation

Objective To identify antecedents of "medical" necrotizing enterocolitis (mNEC), "surgical" NEC (sNEC), and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) in newborns delivered before 28 weeks gestation. Study design Prospective multicenter cohort study. During study period, 2002- 2004, women delivering before 28 weeks gestation at one of 14 participating institutions were enrolled. Well defined antenatal and postnatal variables were collected. Bivariate analyses were performed to identify candidates for developing multinomial multivariable time-oriented logistic regression models. Results Of the 1320 infants, 5% had mNEC, 6% had sNEC, and 4% had SIP. Antecedents of mNEC included mother's identification as Black, consumption of aspirin during the pregnancy, and vaginal bleeding after the 12th week of gestation. For sNEC the antecedents were maternal self- support, obesity and anemia during the pregnancy, birth before the 24th week, birth weight ≤750gm, and receipt of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) during the first postnatal week. An infant was at increased risk of SIP if the placenta had increased syncytial knots, birth occurred before the 24th week, and received FFP during the first week. Conclusions Maternal and neonatal characteristics might help identify at-risk ELGANs for NEC and SIP, who then may potentially benefit from targeted preventive strategies.
An In-Line Osmometer for Application in Tissue Based Biosensor Systems

Analysis tools that use living cells as the primary sensor element require samples be adjusted to physiological osmolarity levels prior to evaluation. This work demonstrates an in-line osmometer for the purpose of evaluating the baseline osmolarity of a sample prior to adjustment. The operational range of the device presented is 16 – 500 mOsm/kg with a resolution of 25 mOsm/kg and an accuracy of ± 45 mOsm/kg.
Update on the Michigan DIRECT operational field test

Two of the most essential features of the Michigan DIRECT (Driver Information Radio Utilising Experimental Communication Technologies) operational field test are simplicity of design and low cost to the motorist. The test has a focus on the in-vehicle receivers for real time driver information and with relatively limited in-vehicle processing. Additionally, there is no infrastructure expansion cost, as the existing ATMS equipment is proposed to be used for the test. The primary goal of the project is to evaluate the user benefits, institutional issues and technical issues of enroute driver advisory and traveler information services in an operational setting. The emphasis is on the testing and evaluation of voice-based communication systems that can offer: (a) basic services at a minimal incremental cost to the traveler; and (b) a high potential for operational deployment.
Health Behaviors and Care Decisions

The provision of high-quality health care for everyone in the United States remains an unattained goal because of limitations in financial resources. Evidence suggests, however, that reducing overall demand, particularly for high-cost, high-technology items, would make better use of these resources and thus increase the availability of medical services to all (Fries et al., 1993). This chapter will explore potential behavioral strategies for reducing overall demand and cost for medical services. These strategies involve interpersonal communication, adherence to recommendations for personal health behavior, and effective joint decision making on the part of medical practitioners and patients toward the goals of (1) reducing unnecessary, inappropriate medical treatment and (2) preventing chronic and acute illness and injury.
Effects of auroral potential drops on plasma sheet dynamics

The reaction of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system to dynamic auroral potential drops is investigated using the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global model including, for the first time in a global simulation, the dissipative load of field-aligned potential drops in the low-altitude boundary condition. This extra load reduces the field-aligned current (j||) supplied by nightside reconnection dynamos. The system adapts by forcing the nightside x-line closer to Earth, with a corresponding reduction in current lensing (j||/B = constant) at the ionosphere and additional contraction of the plasma sheet during substorm recovery and steady magnetospheric convection. For steady and moderate solar wind driving and with constant ionospheric conductance, the cross-polar cap potential and hemispheric field-aligned current are lower by approximately the ratio of the peak field-aligned potential drop to the cross polar cap potential (10-15%) when potential drops are included. Hemispheric ionospheric Joule dissipation is less by 8%, while the area-integrated, average work done on the fluid by the reconnecting magnetotail field increases by 50% within |y| < 8 RE. Effects on the nightside plasma sheet include: (1) an average x-line 4 RE closer to Earth; (2) a 12% higher mean reconnection rate; and (3) dawn-dusk asymmetry in reconnection with a 17% higher rate in the premidnight sector.
Using the Vehicle Routing Problem to reduce field completion times with multiple machines

Optimization focused on field completion times rather than total machine time.Optimization obtained by transformation into a Vehicle Routing Problem.Significant reductions possible with meta-heuristic procedures like Tabu Search.Tabu Search is more important in complex fields and with more vehicles. The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is a powerful tool used to express many logistics problems, yet unlike other vehicle routing challenges, agricultural field work consists of machine paths that completely cover a field. In this work, the allocation and ordering of field paths among a number of available machines has been transformed into a VRP that enables optimization of completion time for the entire field. A basic heuristic algorithm (a modified form of the common Clarke-Wright algorithm) and a meta-heuristic algorithm, Tabu Search, were employed for optimization. Both techniques were evaluated through computer simulations in two fields: a hypothetical basic rectangular field and a more complex, real-world field. Field completion times and effective field capacity were calculated for cases when 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 vehicles were used simultaneously. Although the Tabu Search method required more than two hours to produce its solution on an Intel i7 processor compared to less than one second for the method based on Clarke-Wright, Tabu Search provided better solutions that resulted in reduced field completion times and increased effective field capacity. The benefit provided by Tabu Search was larger in the more complex field and as the number of vehicles increased. With ten vehicles in the real-world field, the benefit provided by Tabu Search over the modified Clarke-Wright resulted in reduced completion time of 32%, but even with only three vehicles a 15% reduction was obtained. While ten vehicles may only be applicable with future autonomous machines, simultaneous usage of three machines is not uncommon in current production. As producers consider using multiple machines to improve field completion times and effective field capacity, optimization of the vehicle routing will play an important role in ensuring those improvements are fully realized.
Facilitative and competitive interaction components among New England salt marsh plants

Intra- and interspecific interactions can be broken down into facilitative and competitive components. The net interaction between two organisms is simply the sum of these counteracting elements. Disentangling the positive and negative components of species interactions is a critical step in advancing our understanding of how the interaction between organisms shift along physical and biotic gradients. We performed a manipulative field experiment to quantify the positive and negative components of the interactions between a perennial forb, Aster tenuifolius, and three dominant, matrix-forming grasses and rushes in a New England salt marsh. Specifically, we asked whether positive and negative interaction components: (1) are unique or redundant across three matrix-forming species (two grasses; Distichlis spicata and Spartina patens, and one rush; Juncus gerardi), and (2) change across Aster life stages (seedling, juvenile, and adult). For adult Aster the strength of the facilitative component of the matrix-forb interaction was stronger than the competitive component for two of the three matrix species, leading to net positive interactions. There was no statistically significant variation among matrix species in their net or component effects. We found little difference in the effects of J. gerardi on Aster at later life-history stages; interaction component strengths did not differ between juveniles and adults. However, mortality of seedlings in neighbor removal plots was 100%, indicating a particularly strong and critical facilitative effect of matrix species on this forb during the earliest life stages. Overall, our results indicate that matrix forming grasses and rushes have important, yet largely redundant, positive net effects on Aster performance across its life cycle. Studies that untangle various components of interactions and their contingencies are critical to both expanding our basic understanding of community organization, and predicting how natural communities and their component parts will respond to environmental change.
How Civilian Organizations Affect Civil War Violence

“In conflict zones, there always has to be someone there in the community to advocate for the community.” –Ex-FARC combatant (Exc#9), Bogota, 8/2009. Even as the La Violencia conflict still raged in some parts of Colombia, a small team of sociologists went to study the municipality of Choconta, Cundinamarca in 1959. They focused on the small village of Saucio as a microcosm of a new community development program that held the promise of social repair (Fals Borda 1960). The now-famous early account of the “communal action” program starts with the parable about the construction of a new school for the community. Desperate for a better educational facility for their children, residents of the village first joined together to hold a bazaar (fair) to collect donations, but they got burned when local authorities squandered the funds. With little to show for their efforts, decaying cooperative traditions, and a mistrust of authorities, the village formed a junta (board) in a second attempt to complete the project. A promoter (technical advisor) arrived to help break the community's inertia, and reach consensus on the need for the school. As a catalyst (Fals Borda 1960: 51), the promoter helped form the junta, broker with authorities, and train community leaders in organization, bookkeeping, and project management. But the promoter's stay was only temporary, since he was too costly to keep around for long (52). The decisions came from the people, with the junta taking the lead and dedicating the school when it was completed the next year. The Saucio junta next set its sights on electricity and road projects (33). An agricultural cooperative also sprang from the junta, including a store that provided credit and maintained the shared tractor and sewing machine (43). The communal action in Saucio was credited with producing “a resurgence of collective energies that otherwise would have been left dormant” (Preface). In his description of an awakening, Fals Borda notes the junta helped form a collective identity and ethos – “a liberation of the traditional campesino.” With newfound pride and independence (60), the campesinos were no longer “submissive and unsophisticated.” Instead, when the farm boss would pass, “they would no longer take off their hats and salute with reverence and fear” and would “act with dignity, and demand and command.”
The Effects of 4-Aminopyridine on Neuromuscular Block Produced by Succinyldicholine

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a study to analyze the effects of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on frog neuromuscular block produced by succinyldicholine (SDCh). Conventional voltage clamp technique was used to eliminate depolarization. The muscle was exposed to 30 μM SDCh for 45 min before 4-AP was added to the organ bath. The study shows that 4-AP (30 to 300 μM) did increase the amplitude of endplate currents (EPCs) depressed by SDCh but not sufficiently to overcome the neuromuscular block. No significant effect of either drug on the single exponential decay constant (τ) was observed. At some endplates, repetitive EPCs were observed in response to single nerve stimuli in the presence of all of the concentrations of 4-AP studied.
moM: Mean of Moments Feature for Person Re-identification

Person re-identification (re-id) has drawn significant attention in the recent decade. The design of view-invariant feature descriptors is one of the most crucial problems for this task. Covariance descriptors have often been used in person re-id because of their invariance properties. More recently, a new state-of-the-art performance was achieved by also including first-order moment and two-level Gaussian descriptors. However, using second-order or lower moments information might not be enough when the feature distribution is not Gaussian. In this paper, we address this limitation, by using the empirical (symmetric positive definite) moment matrix to incorporate higher order moments and by applying the on-manifold mean to pool the features along horizontal strips. The new descriptor, based on the on-manifold mean of a moment matrix (moM), can be used to approximate more complex, non-Gaussian, distributions of the pixel features within a mid-sized local patch. We have evaluated the proposed feature on five widely used re-id datasets. The experiments show that the moM and hierarchical Gaussian descriptor (GOG) [30] features complement each other and that using a combination of both features achieves a comparable performance with the state-of-the-art methods.
Comment on “A re-assessment of the safety of silver in household water treatment: rapid systematic review of mammalian in vivo genotoxicity studies”

We wish to thank Fewtrell, Majuru, and Hunter for their article highlighting genotoxic risks associated with the use of particulate silver for primary drinking water treatment. The recent promotion of colloidal silver products for household water treatment in developing countries is problematic due to previously identified concerns regarding manufacturing quality and questionable advertising practices, as well as the low efficiency of silver nanoparticles to treat bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in source waters. However, in the conclusion statement of the manuscript, Fewtrell et al. state, “Before colloidal Ag or AgNP are used in filter matrices for drinking water treatment, consideration needs to be given to how much silver is likely to be released from the matrix during the life of the filter.” Unfortunately, it appears Fewtrell et al. were unaware that studies of silver nanoparticle and silver ion elution from ceramic filters manufactured and used in developing countries have already been completed. These existing studies have found that: 1) silver ions, not silver nanoparticles, are eluted from ceramic filters treated with silver nanoparticles or silver nitrate; and, 2) silver ions have not been shown to be genotoxic. Thus, the existing recommendation of applying silver nanoparticles to ceramic filters to prevent biofilm formation within the filter and improve microbiological efficacy should still be adhered to, as there is no identified risk to people who drink water from ceramic filters treated with silver nanoparticles or silver nitrate. We note that efforts should continue to minimize exposure to silver nanoparticles (and silica) to employees in ceramic filter factories in collaboration with the organizations that provide technical assistance to ceramic filter factories.
Vitamin D levels do not predict the stage of hepatic fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A PRISMA compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of pooled data.

Vitamin D levels do not predict the stage of hepatic fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A PRISMA compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of pooled data
Ventilator Boot Camp Improves the Knowledge and Skills Associated With Mechanical Ventilator Use During Interfacility Transport of Intubated Pediatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Transport recommends the use of portable ventilators during the transport of patients with advanced airways. We sought to identify knowledge gaps and evaluate the effectiveness of a transport ventilator competency boot camp. METHODS: Electronic health records of children requiring ventilatory support during air and ground interfacility transport from January 1 through December 31, 2015, were reviewed to determine when manual ventilation was used in lieu of a portable ventilator, and simulations were constructed from commonly occurring scenarios. All registered respiratory therapists trained in air and ground critical-care transports participated. Demographic data were collected. We assessed performance on 3 facilitated simulated scenarios using a ventilator connected to a low-fidelity pediatric mannequin attached to breathing simulator. Scores were based on the participants9 ability to correctly perform pre-use checks, select and optimize ventilator settings, set alarms, and complete safety checks. A 60-min interactive education intervention was conducted between the pre- and post-assessments. The pre-assessment, intervention, and post-assessment were conducted 6 weeks apart. De-identified assessments were scored, and results were shared after study completion. Descriptive statistics reported participant demographics. Paired t tests compared before and after assessments. Statistical significance was established at P RESULTS: A total of 172 electronic health records were reviewed. Manual ventilation was used more frequently in toddlers requiring pressure control ventilation; noninvasive ventilation was rarely used. A total of 17 registered respiratory therapists participated; 18% were male, 41% had 6–9 years of tenure and 5 years of experience with our transport team. Completing ventilator pre-use check and engaging alarms provided the most opportunity for improvement. Improvements were greater with the use of noninvasive ventilation (P = .006) than pressure control ventilation (P = .10) and volume control ventilation use (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Quality data were useful in identifying areas requiring knowledge and competency assessment. Re-assessment results validated the need to conduct education and competency assessment at defined intervals.
State-to-state quantum dynamics of the H + LiF → Li + HF reaction on an accurate ab initio potential energy surface

Abstract Quantum state-to-state dynamics calculations are reported for the H + LiF(vi, ji) → HF(vf, jf) + Li reaction on a recently reported ground state X 2 A ′ potential energy surface. It was found that at low collision energies the title reaction is dominated by long-lived resonances, while the lifetimes of resonances become shorter at higher energies. The existence of resonances is also supported by the differential cross section, which has mostly forward and sideways bias. The integral cross section rises with collision energy slowly, and the opacity function suggests that the reaction is dominated by small impact parameter collisions. The HF product has cold vibrational state distributions in range of the collision energy studied here, although its rotational state distributions peak near the highest accessible rotational states. This early-barrier reaction shows some enhancement by translational energy, but internal excitations of the LiF reactant have more complex behaviors.
Purinergic inhibition of diazepam binding to rat brain (in vitro).

Abstract Our recent report that the endogenous purines inosine and hypoxanthine competitively inhibit [ 3 H] diazepam binding to rat brain synaptosomal membranes (1,2) has now been confirmed (3). We now report that a wide spectrum of purines are able to inhibit specific [ 3 H] diazepam binding while pyrimidines are inactive. Preliminary structure activity relationships indicate that the 2′-deoxypurines are more potent in diazepam binding inhibition as are the l-methyl compounds, whereas the 7-methyl purines are inactive. Data are also presented which show that the xanthine stimulants caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine as well as the central nervous system convulsant pentylenetetrazol all competitively inhibit [ 3 H] diazepam binding.
NTOS in the Pediatric Age Group

NTOS in a child the consequences may be devastating form both a physical and emotional perspective. The rarity of the condition in children and adolescents frequently results in a delayed diagnosis, and children often present at a stage where the condition is severe and disabling. In this age group, injection of into the anterior scalene muscle also is a very specific test which may assist in establishing the diagnosis of NTOS. While most adults with NTOS will benefit from physical therapy, adolescents and children tend to have such acute and severe presentations that PT is seldom sufficient to achieve resolution. Controlling symptoms with chemodenervation using Botulinum toxin A may allow some patients to complete a school term before proceeding with surgical decompression. Surgical decompression of the thoracic outlet is the most effective means of alleviating severe, disabling symptoms in the pediatric population.
Calculation of Average Network Parameters Using Combined Kinetic and Markovian Analysis

Molecular and network parameters of branched polymer systems can he computed using various theoretical models and analysis techniques. Kinetic analysis and Markov modeling are two general approaches. For certain complex polymer systems the best approach may be a hybrid approach which combines kinetic and Markovian analysis. This hybrid approach is described in general, and several specific examples and applications are given.
Aflatoxin M1 Contamination of Milk Samples in Virginia During 1981 to 1987

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ), when fed to dairy cattle, has been shown to yield the milkborne metabolite aflatoxin M1 (AFM1)(Figure 1). AFM1 carry over into milk via the secretory route is low (2% ± 1% of AFB1 introduced), but has been shown to be increased by treatment with polyhalogenated biphenyls (Heeschen and Bluethgen, 1989). Higher levels of AFB1 grain contamination in feed thus yields higher levels of AFM1 in the milk produced (Zimmerli and Blaser, 1979). AFM1 has been shown to be both toxic and carcinogenic (Hsieh et al., 1986). Even though AFM1 is less toxic when compared to its unoxidized precursor, AFB1, the risks that are posed to humans through the consumption of dairy products warrant concern. The toxicity and related carcinogenicity of AFM1 has prompted the testing of milk and associated products for the its presence and is addressed via the U.S. FDA (Federal Regulation) action level of 0.5 ppb AFM1. Methods for quantifying aflatoxin include, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and monoclonal antibody technology. The current Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods for analysis utilizes HPLC to quantify aflatoxins (Williams, 1984).
Adult Pilocytic Astrocytoma: Clinical Management and Prognostic Factors (P6.158)

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze adult patients with pilocytic astrocytomas and to identify factors associated with recurrence and survival. Background: Pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade I) represent the most common central nervous system tumor in the pediatric population, but is rare in the adult population. Given the rarity of this tumor in the adult population, we sought to understand the clinical behavior of adult pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) patients retrospectively. Design/Methods: Patients at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke were consented as part of a database registry between 12/31/2004 and 10/12/2016. All cases of adult PA (patients ≥ 18 years of age at time of diagnosis) were identified and data were evaluated retrospectively for demographic information, absence or presence of tumor progression, treatment, and survival outcomes. We estimated progression-free survival and overall survival using Kaplan-Meier methods. Results: There were 42 patients with adult PA identified (age 19–76 yrs, mean = 31.65, sd= 12.26). Of the 42 patients, 20 (47.6%) had tumor progression and 8 (21.4%) passed away. 7 of 8 patients (87.5%) that died experienced tumor progression. Tumor progression was seen in 7 of the 22 (31.8%) patients with gross total resection (GTR), 9 of the 13 (69.2%) patients with subtotal resection (STR), and 4 of the 7 (57.1%) patients with biopsy. Death was seen in 2 of the 22 (9.1%) patients with GTR, compared to 6 of the 20 (30.0%) patients with STR or biopsy. Progression-free 10-year survival was 45% (95% CI: 26.2%, 62.1%) and 10-year overall survival was 79.6% (95% CI: 61.8%, 89.8%). Conclusions: For adults with PA, 10-year progression-free survival was approximately 45%, which emphasizes the importance of long term monitoring. The number of progressions and deaths amongst adult PA patients receiving GTR was less than that among those receiving STR or biopsy. Disclosure: Dr. Inamullah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kirkpatrick has nothing to disclose. Dr. Healy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lipp has nothing to disclose. Dr. Johnson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ashley has nothing to disclose. Dr. Randazzo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Friedman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Peters has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Agios, Novocure, and Abbvie.
The Golden Age of Chivalry in the Iron Age of Gunpowder

Part II, “Arms or the Man,” turns its sights to gunpowder technology in the long sixteenth century. This chapter tackles the almost desperate elision of that technology in two traditions: the popular romance (both as printed narrative and performed chivalric tournament); and the humanist tract, with its incapacity to relinquish classical combat. Nayar begins by delineating just how pervasive gunpowder warfare was in the period, in order to make patent the extent to which certain genres were censoring its presence and, hence, marking and defending a martial territory that had existed prior to that technology’s onslaught. This proves especially the case vis-a-vis the noble classes, which were straining to hold onto pre-gunpowder means of self-definition.
Effects of a topical lotion containing aminophylline, caffeine, yohimbe, l-carnitine, and gotu kola on thigh circumference, skinfold thickness, and fat mass in sedentary females.

Background and objective Topical aminophylline, caffeine, yohimbe, l-carnitine, and gotu kola (Centella asiatica) may aid in reducing body fat. Lipoxyderm™ contains these ingredients and was used to test if fat loss of the thigh, in conjunction with a low intensity exercise program and restricted calorie intake, was enhanced via the topical application of this lotion. Methods This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-group study that investigated the effects of Lipoxyderm™ on thigh fat mass, circumference, and skinfold thickness. Seven participants underwent pre/post-exercise testing for weight, bilateral thigh circumference/skinfold thickness, and body composition/thigh fat mass assessment via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Participants followed a hypocaloric diet, walked 150 minutes/wk, and were randomly assigned to apply a placebo to one leg and Lipoxyderm™ to their other leg for 28 days. Separate two-way mixed factorial repeated measures ANOVAs were used to compare the effects of Lipoxyderm™ to the placebo on thigh circumference, skinfold thickness, and fat mass. Results A significant time x group interaction was found for thigh circumference (F1,6 = 18.2, P = 0.005), skinfold thickness (F1,6 = 14.6, P = 0.009), and fat mass (F1,6 = 37.1, P = 0.001). Conclusions A twice-daily topical application of Lipoxyderm™ for 28 days compared to a placebo combined with a walking program and a restricted caloric intake is more effective at reducing thigh circumference (1.2 vs 0.8 cm), thigh skinfold thickness (3.7 vs 2.0 mm), and thigh fat mass (100.0 g vs 57.3 g).
Myocardial Perfusion and Late Gadolinium Enhancement Imaging in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance to Assess Coronary Artery Disease

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a well established imaging modality for assessing patients with coronary artery disease. CMR images can provide high quality information about myocardial anatomy, function, perfusion, and viability. These are all critical elements in the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease. Perfusion and viability imaging by CMR most commonly depend on gadolinium contrast agents. This chapter aims to provide background in the methods, validations, and clinical utility of these methods.
Development of Continuous-Flow Total Artificial Heart for Use in Infants

Purpose Heart transplantation in infants and children is an accepted therapy for congenital heart disease, but donor organ availability remains unstable. Mechanical circulatory support is another standard option, but there is a lack of implantable devices due to size and functional range. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo performance of the initial prototype of an infant continuous-flow total artificial heart (I-CFTAH) with one motor and one rotating assembly supported by a hydrodynamic bearing. Methods The I-CFTAH was designed to cover a range of 3 kg infant to 9 kg child (flange diameter - 26.9 mm; length - 44 mm), with nominal design point was matched to a 6 kg child, requiring 1.0 L/min of flow. I-CFTAH was tested using in silico virtual simulation mock loop (VML; MATLAB; MathWorks®) and simulated the hemodynamics as they surge through the system implanted with blood pump (run at 0.5 L/min for 3 kg infant). Lumped-parameter model including systemic/pulmonary circulation, values for impedance, beat rate, and blood volume was used. Results The in silico experiments showed intended performance of scaled down pump (left and right pump flows - 0.5 L/min at 4380 RPM). The difference between the left and right atrial pressures was maintained within ± 5-15 mm Hg. Simulation of I-CFTAH was successfully performed and allowed creating arterial pulsation with this device. Conclusion The present simulation-based approach showed feasibility of I-CFTAH design. The I-CFTAH met the proposed requirements for self-regulation, performance and pulse modulation. Further in vitro validation and in vivo implantation will be necessary to explore this technology in more detail.
A Scoping Review of the Involvement of Children's Communication Partners in Aided Augmentative and Alternative Communication Modeling Interventions.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to inform practice and research by identifying and synthesizing research on interventions in which natural communication partners implemented aided augmentativ...
Asymptotic Behavior of Optimal Weighting in Generalized Self‐Normalization for Time Series

Self‐normalization has been celebrated for its ability to avoid direct estimation of the nuisance long‐run variance and its versatility in handling the mean and other quantities. The self‐normalizer in its original form uses only recursive estimators of one direction, and generalizations involving both forward and backward estimators were recently given. Unlike existing results that weigh the forward and backward estimators in a deterministic manner, the current article focuses on a data‐driven weight that corresponds to confidence intervals with minimal lengths. We study the asymptotic behavior of such a data‐driven weight choice, and find an interesting dichotomy between linear and nonlinear quantities. Another interesting phenomenon is that, for nonlinear quantities, the data‐driven weight typically distributes over an uncountable set in finite‐sample problems but in the limit it converges to a discrete distribution with a finite support.
Direct Silyl Ether Metathesis for Vitrimers with Exceptional Thermal Stability.

Vitrimers are a new class of polymeric materials that simultaneously offer the desired physical properties of thermosets and malleability/reprocessability of thermoplastics. Despite significant progress being made in the field of vitrimers, there exists a critical need for the development of robust dynamic covalent chemistries for the production of strong and thermally stable vitrimers. In this work, we discovered a new silyl ether metathesis reaction and used it for the preparation of vitrimers with exceptional thermal stability. In small-molecule model studies, we observed that silyl ether motifs directly exchange under anhydrous conditions catalyzed by a Bronsted or Lewis acid catalyst. For initial vitrimer demonstration, a commodity polymer, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (PEOH), was silylated with trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups followed by cross-linking with a bis-silyl ether cross-linker. The resulting thermoset showed exceptional thermal stability while maintaining malleability/reprocessability at elevated temperatures. The vitrimer properties such as recyclability and stress relaxation at various temperatures were carefully investigated. The material was reprocessable at 150 °C while also exhibiting good creep resistance at temperatures below its melting transition (Tm). This work demonstrates the silyl ether metathesis reaction as a new, robust dynamic covalent chemistry to introduce plasticity, reprocessability, and recyclability to thermosets.
Using a PIC32 microcontroller and simulator to teach computer organization

Our computer organization course focuses on the architecture of computer systems, interaction between components of a computer, and assembly language programming. The MIPS simulators MARS and SPIM have been used for assembly language programming as well as to demonstrate interface techniques with memory mapped input/output devices. Unfortunately, the memory mapped input/output capabilities of MARS and SPIM are limited. Instead of MARS or SPIM, a Microchip Technologies PIC32 MX microcontroller and simulator are being used. This versatile chip permits students to see code that controls actual I/O devices. The simulator allows programming in C or MIPS, and provides tools to view output logic and to stimulate input to the chip.
Stress Remains in the Eye of the Beholder.

Minimal residual disease prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has been associated with increased risk of relapse and death in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, but detection methodologies and results vary widely. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the prognostic role of minimal residual disease detected by polymerase chain reaction or multiparametric flow cytometry before transplant. We identified 19 articles published between January 2005 and June 2016 and extracted hazard ratios for leukemia-free survival, overall survival, and cumulative incidences of relapse and non-relapse mortality. Pre-transplant minimal residual disease was associated with worse leukemia-free survival (hazard ratio=2.76 [1.90–4.00]), overall survival (hazard ratio=2.36 [1.73–3.22]), and cumulative incidence of relapse (hazard ratio=3.65 [2.53–5.27]), but not non-relapse mortality (hazard ratio=1.12 [0.81–1.55]). These associations held regardless of detection method, conditioning intensity, and patient age. Adverse cytogenetics was not an independent risk factor for death or relapse. There was more heterogeneity among studies using flow cytometry-based than WT1 polymerase chain reaction-based detection (I2=75.1% vs.
Anisotropic current induced in topological surface states due to spin-polarized tunneling from a ferromagnet

In clean tunneling junctions (TJs), the momentum parallel to the barrier is conserved in the tunneling process. We predict that this phenomenon can be observed in a TJ between a ferromagnet (FM) and a topological insulator (TI). The FM possesses spin-polarized electron states, while the TI has spin-momentum locked electron states. The tunneling probability is determined by the spin-matrix element between these electron states and leads to the injection of electrons into the TI with finite momentum parallel to the topological surface state. Due to the spin polarization of the electrons in the FM, the resulting current in the TI is not isotropic. The magnitude of the current is calculated quantitatively in terms of the ferromagnetic polarization and should be experimentally detectable using only an electrical setup.In clean tunneling junctions (TJs), the momentum parallel to the barrier is conserved in the tunneling process. We predict that this phenomenon can be observed in a TJ between a ferromagnet (FM) and a topological insulator (TI). The FM possesses spin-polarized electron states, while the TI has spin-momentum locked electron states. The tunneling probability is determined by the spin-matrix element between these electron states and leads to the injection of electrons into the TI with finite momentum parallel to the topological surface state. Due to the spin polarization of the electrons in the FM, the resulting current in the TI is not isotropic. The magnitude of the current is calculated quantitatively in terms of the ferromagnetic polarization and should be experimentally detectable using only an electrical setup.
Toward unsupervised multiresident tracking in ambient assisted living: methods and performance metrics

Abstract Aging is a global challenge facing our society in the next few decades. Ambient assisted living (AAL) is a promising technology that helps people stay active, socially connected, and independent into older age. Even though ambient binary sensors, such as passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors, offer a low cost, easy to deploy, and less intrusive solution to constructing a smart environment, the limited ability of coping with multiple residents hinders the wide adoption of the AAL technology. In this work, we present three multiresident tracking algorithms, nearest neighbor with sensor graph (NN-SG), global nearest neighbor with sensor graph (GNN-SG), and multiresident tracking with sensor vectorization (sMRT), to solve the data association problem between the ambient sensor events and residents in the smart environment. We also introduce new performance metrics to evaluate the success of alternative approaches to multiresident tracking in smart homes. We evaluate all the algorithms with a recent smart home dataset recorded in real-life settings. Among the three algorithms, NN-SG and GNN-SG require sensor location and floor plan of the environment to derive the sensor graph, while sMRT does not require such information and relies solely on the unannotated sensor data. As an initiative of the unsupervised resident tracking solution, sMRT prompts additional research opportunities in multiresident tracking to improve the adoption of AAL technology in our daily life.
The afterlives of the lively commodity: Life-worlds, death-worlds, rotting-worlds:

This article engages with Rosemary-Claire Collard and Jessica Dempsey’s theory of lively commodities in a discussion of cows raised for dairy exchanged in farmed-animal auctions. Taking their theor...
Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) Telescope: Systems Engineering and STOP Modeling

The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory Mission (HabEx) is one of four missions studied for the 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey. Its goal is to directly image and spectroscopically characterize planetary systems in the habitable zone around nearby sun-like stars. Additionally, HabEx will perform a broad range of general astrophysics science enabled by 115 to 1700 nm spectral range and 3 × 3 arc-minute FOV. Critical to achieving its science goals is a large, ultra-stable UV/Optical/Near-IR (UVOIR) telescope. The baseline HabEx telescope is a 4-meter off-axis unobscured three-mirror-anastigmatic, diffraction limited at 400 nm with wavefront stability on the order of a few 10s of picometers. This paper summarizes the opto-mechanical design of the baseline optical telescope assembly, including a discussion of how we applied science driven systems engineering to derive the telescope's engineering specifications from the mission's science requirements, and presents analysis that the baseline telescope structure meets its specified tolerances.
Investigation of crowdshipping delivery trip production with real-world data

Abstract Crowd-shipping (CS) is an innovative logistics service that occasional and professional couriers sign up for via an online platform to deliver packages upon requests by senders. Currently the demand and supply of CS is not yet well understood, largely due to the limited real-world data. This study aims to first fill this gap by analyzing the real-world CS data from the city of Atlanta, GA between April 2015 and August 2018. We first present an overview of the real-world CS data in three aspects: (1) the CS pricing scheme; (2) the CS spatial and temporal delivery patterns; and (3) comparison of preferences between the senders’ requests and the couriers’ bids. The analysis finds that the CS service has a clear price advantage over FedEx in the same-day and express service, as well as in the large, extra large, and huge size package delivery. The data analysis also reveals considerable discrepancies between senders’ and couriers’ preferences. We then compare two classes of the state-of-the-art Deep Learning (DL) methods in their ability to predict short-term CS delivery trip production. One class captures only the temporal features, namely the Long Short-term Memory Neural Network (LSTM), the Bidirectional Long Short-term Memory Neural Network (BDLSTM), and the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). The other class considers both spatial and temporal features, namely Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), CNN-LSTM, and ConvLSTM. The results show that ConvLSTM has overall the best predictive performance among the six DL methods considered, proving the importance of capturing both the spatial and temporal features of the delivery trip production data, as well as the convolutional nature of the spatial and temporal features in the data.
Religious Studies and Race: The Wherefores of a Working Group

At the 2019 meeting of the AAR in San Diego, California, Richard Newton, Emily Crews, and Merinda Simmons led a workshop discussing the current state of race studies in academia, particularly in light of NAASR’s attempts to locate itself among other fields undergoing similar work. While highlighting work occurring outside our field, Simmons et. Al addressed the need for discussions in our field to become more proactive rather than reactive, urging scholars to move beyond debates that surround descriptive ethnographies and crypto-theologies and to instead use our skills to discuss more than the trouble spots we have located within our field.
Longitudinal Examination of Prenatal Tobacco Switching Behaviors and Birth Outcomes, Including Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) and Dual Use.

In the US, approximately 8% of pregnant women smoke, and 5–11.9% currently use ENDS products. The health effects of ENDS use are debated; however, most contain nicotine which is known to cause adverse perinatal outcomes. Studies have shown adult ENDS users significantly alter use behaviors over time (switch to conventional cigarettes-only or dual use) thus complicating efforts to examine health effects of ENDS use. The purpose of this study was to describe switching behaviors and associated birth outcomes among infants of women using conventional cigarettes only, ENDS-only, or both. This was a multisite, longitudinal study of biologically confirmed perinatal tobacco users, with nicotine product use assessed each trimester. For the purpose of analysis, participants were defined as switchers, no-switchers, or quitters. Birth outcomes were abstracted from electronic medical records. Analysis included descriptive statistics, linear and multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age, preterm birth, smoking behavior in the first trimester, and an interaction between smoking switching behavior and smoking behavior in the first trimester. Analysis was conducted using SAS v9.4 with significance determined as p < 0.05. At enrollment, 48.6% of participants used only conventional cigarettes, 41.7% were dual users, and 10% used ENDS-only. While almost two-thirds of participants used the same tobacco product throughout pregnancy, 26% reported switching behaviors that were complex and not easily clustered. No differences were found in birth outcomes between switchers and no-switchers; however, a difference emerged in birth weight between no-switchers and quitters. Given the limited data on health effects of ENDS use, and the known harmful consequences of perinatal nicotine use, capturing and classifying product switching behaviors is imperative to inform public health, and remains a challenge requiring further research.