cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A pilot study: 131I-Antitenascin monoclonal antibody 81c6 to deliver a 44-Gy resection cavity boost

Adults with primary malignant glioma have an unacceptably poor outcome. Although temozolomide plus radiotherapy improves survival of newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients,1 most patients develop tumor progression within 1 – 2 years. Outcome following recurrence is poor.2 Most tumors recur at or adjacent to the site of origin, indicating that failure to eradicate local tumor growth is a major factor contributing to poor outcome.3 For this reason, we have focused on augmenting local control to improve overall outcome by administering tumor-associated radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directly into spontaneous tumor cysts, surgically created resection cavities (SCRCs), the intrathecal space, and solid tumors.4–8 Tenascin, an extracellular matrix hexabrachion glycoprotein, is expressed ubiquitously in several cancers, including high-grade gliomas, but not in normal brain.9,10 mAb 81C6, a murine isotype 2b immunoglobulin G (IgG2b) that binds to an alternatively spliced region of tenascin,9–12 reacts specifically with tenascin-expressing tumors.13 When labeled with 131I, 81C6 delays tumor growth and prolongs survival in flank and intracranial human xenograft models.14,15 An initial human experience demonstrated the specificity of 131I-labeled murine 81C6 (131I-81C6) mAb compared to 125I-labeled nonspecific IgG2b mAb but also revealed limited intratumor penetration following intravenous or intraarterial administration.16 Hence, subsequent studies incorporated administration into an SCRC, tumor cyst, or intrathecal space. Prior phase I studies established the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 131I-81C6 injected into the SCRC of patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent malignant brain tumors to be 120 mCi and 100 mCi, respectively.7,8 Phase II studies demonstrated that patients treated with 131I-81C6 had favorable overall survival compared to established historical controls.4,5 Based on constraints of our U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved phase I and II studies, patients received a “fixed” dose of 131I-81C6 in which the administered level of radioactivity was the same among groups of patients. As a result of this design, 131I dosages were not adjusted to compensate for patient-specific variables such as SCRC volume and SCRC residence time. Dosimetry of patients treated on these studies revealed a wide range of radiation absorbed doses at the SCRC margin. Moreover, outcome correlated with delivered radiation dose to the SCRC. Specifically, patients who received less than 44 Gy were more likely to develop recurrent tumor, whereas those who received significantly more than 44 Gy were more likely to develop radionecrosis. Therefore, a 44-Gy boost to the SCRC margin was considered optimal.17 We now report a pilot study using a novel, patient-specific dosing strategy of 131I-81C6 designed to achieve a 44-Gy boost to the 2-cm SCRC margin in adults with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas.
Identities, Intentionality and Institutional Fit: Perceptions of Senior Women Administrators at Liberal Arts Colleges in the Upper Midwestern Usa.

This qualitative study engaged women senior administrators at liberal arts colleges in the Upper Midwestern USA to better understand how their intersecting identities mediate their enacted leadership. Data were collected from eight participants via a questionnaire, document review, one-on-one interviews and observations. Positionality theory informed the study design and inquiry. Data analysis using the constant comparative method revealed that women leaders' positionality is intentionally monitored and constantly negotiated in the liberal arts college context. Participants described that they had to be more intentional about revealing or displaying traits associated with those identities that did not fit their institutional environment. This study was an important step in broadening understandings of the complex ways in which leaders' multiple identities interact to shape women's leadership.
Princely States and the Hindu Imaginary: Exploring the Cartography of Hindu Nationalism in Colonial India

In the early twentieth century, Hindutva, or Hindu nationalism, was a philosophy premised on exclusivist notions of “nation-ness” and “nation-state-ness.” India, proponents claimed, had since the earliest times been the pitrabhumi and the punyabhumi of Hindus—their fatherland and holy land. This ideal realm was corrupted by Muslim and Christian “invaders,” foreigners who defiled and split asunder “Akhand Hindustan,” the one India of Hindus. In the context of British rule of the subcontinent, Hindu nationalists mirrored colonial claims and held up the native princely states as exemplars of “tradition,” as territories unspoiled by foreign hands and thus representative of the “true India.” The idea behind Akhand Hindustan came from a prominent member of the princely state bureaucracy, K. M. Munshi. Here the author explores how and why princely states were idealized in the Hindu imaginary and what role reformers, particularly Munshi, played in perpetuating this hard-line ideology. By exploring the regions on which early Hindu nationalism was mapped, the author illuminates the teleology of Hindutva while providing a better understanding of the place of princely states in the politics and society of colonial India.
Electrical and chemical stability of polymer transistors

We describe the effects of both electrical stress and environmental exposure on polythiophene TFTs.The physical mechanisms of the bias stress effects, and whether they are intrinsic to the polymer semiconductor, will be discussed. We propose that molecular impurities cause an increase the local disorder and provide localized states that modify the electrical transport.
ANISOTROPY EFFECTS IN THE EXCITONIC INSULATOR.

Abstract : A new insulating phase in semiconductors and semimetals has been discussed recently in the literature. The analysis of this excitonic phase is extended to the more general case of an anisotropic band structure of the underlying two band model. The thermodynamic properties of the excitonic phase are worked out. Whereas the anisotropy does not lead to qualitatively new features in the case of a positive band gap (semiconductor region), important changes occur in the case of a negative band gap (semimetallic region). The latter situation is discussed in detail. Finally the phase diagram of the excitonic phase is calculated for a particular anisotropic band model. (Author)
Failure properties and strain distribution analysis of meniscal attachments

The menisci are frequently injured due to both degeneration and traumatic tearing. It has been suggested that the success of a meniscal replacement is dependent on several factors, one of which is the secure fixation and firm attachment of the replacement to the tibial plateau. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to (1) determine the failure properties of the meniscal horn attachments, and (2) determine the strain distribution over their surfaces. Eight bovine knee joints were used to study the mechanical response of the meniscal attachments. Three meniscal attachments from one knee of each animal were tested in uniaxial tension at 2%/s to determine the load deformation response. During the tests, the samples were marked and local strain distributions were determined with a video extensometer. The linear modulus of the medial anterior attachment (154+/-134 MPa) was significantly less than both the medial posterior (248+/-179 MPa, p=0.0111) and the lateral anterior attachment (281+/-214 MPa, p=0.0007). Likewise, the ultimate strain for the medial anterior attachments (13.5+/-8.8%) was significantly less than the medial posterior (23+/-13%, p 0.05). No significant differences in ultimate strain or moduli across the surface of the attachments were noted. Based on the data obtained, a meniscal replacement would need different moduli for each of the different attachments. However, the attachments appear to be homogeneous.
Dissecting the mechanisms of squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis) social learning

Although the social learning abilities of monkeys have been well documented, this research has only focused on a few species. Furthermore, of those that also incorporated dissections of social learning mechanisms, the majority studied either capuchins (Cebus apella) or marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). To gain a broader understanding of how monkeys gain new skills, we tested squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) which have never been studied in tests of social learning mechanisms. To determine whether S. boliviensis can socially learn, we ran "open diffusion" tests with monkeys housed in two social groups (N = 23). Over the course of 10 20-min sessions, the monkeys in each group observed a trained group member retrieving a mealworm from a bidirectional task (the "Slide-box"). Two thirds (67%) of these monkeys both learned how to operate the Slide-box and they also moved the door significantly more times in the direction modeled by the trained demonstrator than the alternative direction. To tease apart the underlying social learning mechanisms we ran a series of three control conditions with 35 squirrel monkeys that had no previous experience with the Slide-box. The first replicated the experimental open diffusion sessions but without the inclusion of a trained model, the second was a no-information control with dyads of monkeys, and the third was a 'ghost' display shown to individual monkeys. The first two controls tested for the importance of social support (mere presence effect) and the ghost display showed the affordances of the task to the monkeys. The monkeys showed a certain level of success in the group control (54% of subjects solved the task on one or more occasions) and paired controls (28% were successful) but none were successful in the ghost control. We propose that the squirrel monkeys' learning, observed in the experimental open diffusion tests, can be best described by a combination of social learning mechanisms in concert; in this case, those mechanisms are most likely object movement reenactment and social facilitation. We discuss the interplay of these mechanisms and how they related to learning shown by other primate species.
Effect of red blood cells on platelet aggregation

This study briefly reviews the model that describes platelet behavior resulting in aggregation and thrombus formation. This is followed by an overview of the basics of the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD), the simulation method adopted here.Details of the numerical simulations is then described and results of these simulations are presented.
Conserved Shifts in the Gut Microbiota Due to Gastric Bypass Reduce Host Weight and Adiposity

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) results in rapid weight loss, reduced adiposity, and improved glucose metabolism. These effects are not simply attributable to decreased caloric intake or absorption, but the mechanisms linking rearrangement of the gastrointestinal tract to these metabolic outcomes are largely unknown. Studies in humans and rats have shown that RYGB restructures the gut microbiota, prompting the hypothesis that some of the effects of RYGB are caused by altered host-microbial interactions. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse model of RYGB that recapitulates many of the metabolic outcomes in humans. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of murine fecal samples collected after RYGB surgery, sham surgery, or sham surgery coupled to caloric restriction revealed that alterations to the gut microbiota after RYGB are conserved among humans, rats, and mice, resulting in a rapid and sustained increase in the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria (Escherichia) and Verrucomicrobia (Akkermansia). These changes were independent of weight change and caloric restriction, were detectable throughout the length of the gastrointestinal tract, and were most evident in the distal gut, downstream of the surgical manipulation site. Transfer of the gut microbiota from RYGB-treated mice to nonoperated, germ-free mice resulted in weight loss and decreased fat mass in the recipient animals relative to recipients of microbiota induced by sham surgery, potentially due to altered microbial production of short-chain fatty acids. These findings provide the first empirical support for the claim that changes in the gut microbiota contribute to reduced host weight and adiposity after RYGB surgery.
Failure of clinical response to prostaglandin e1 in a cyanotic infant with congenital absence of the ductus arteriosus

A cyanotic newborn with virtual pulmonary atresia who failed to improve with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) infusion, was found at autopsy to have congenital absence of the ductus arteriosus. Such infants require immediate alternative management, since short-term palliation using PGE1 is not effective.
Towards real-time enabled Microsoft Windows

Many computer scientists recognize the adverse relationship between Microsoft Windows, a general purpose operating system, which by design does not support Real Time, a specific purpose feature. However, the boundary between a general-purpose system and a special-purpose feature has begun to blur and Microsoft and its partners have kept working on adding real-time services to Windows. In this paper, we will describe existing real-time solutions for Windows, the on-going projects for the next release of Windows and future trends lead by hardware evolution.
Formation of γ‐glutamyl‐ϵ‐lysine bridges between membrane proteins by a Ca2+‐regulated enzyme in intact erythrocytes

A rise in the intracellular concentration of Ca2+-ions in human erythrocytes causes the formation of high-molecular-weight membrane protein polymers, cross-linked by gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine side chain bridges. Cross-linking involves proteins at the cytoplasmic side of the membrane (band 4.1, spectrin, and band 3 materials) and the reaction is catalyzed by the intrinsic transglutaminase. This enzyme is regulated by Ca2+-ions and it exits in a latent form in normal cells. The protein polymer, isolated from the membranes of Ca2+-loaded intact human red cells, is heterogeneous in size and may contain as many as 6 moles of gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine cross-links per 100,000 gm of protein. Synthetic compounds, which either compete against the epsilon-lysine cross-linking functionalities of the protein substrates (eg, histamine, aminoacetonitrile, cystamine) or directly inactivate the transamidase (eg, cystamine), inhibit the membrane polymerization reaction in intact human erythrocytes. They also interfere with the Ca2+-induced irreversible shape change from discocyte to echinocyte and inhibit the irreversible loss of membrane deformability. Thus, the transamidase-catalyzed production of gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine cross-links in the membrane may be a common denominator in these cellular manifestations.
USE OF TWO SONG CATEGORIES BY GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLERS

Abstract I tape-recorded and counted the songs of color-banded Golden-cheeked Warblers (Dendroica chrysoparia) on Fort Hood, Texas in 1993 and 1994 to determine whether males use a two-category song system common to many wood-warbler species. More than 97% of all songs I documented belonged to two categories: A and B. A songs were higher in frequency, shorter, less complex, and were delivered at lower rates than B songs. Males used A songs primarily early in the nesting season, when near females, and from the interior of territories. In contrast, B songs were more common later in the nesting season, at dawn, and when males sang near territory boundaries. Songs delivered near territory edges were usually sung from one or two preferred perches on each male's territory that often coincided with the edge of a cliff or a break in the forest canopy. Based on these data, and in contrast to the implications of an early account of Golden-cheeked Warbler song use, this species shares the song system used by many wo...
Learning Social Calculus with Genetic Programing

Physical or simulated agents sharing an environmentwith humans must evaluate the impact of their own and other agents'actions in the specific social and cultural context. It is desirablethat this social calculus aligns itself with the models developed insociology and psychology — however, it needs to be expressed in anoperational, algorithmic form, suitable for implementation. While we can develop the framework of social calculus based onpsychological theories of human behavior, the actual form of thealgorithms can only be acquired from the knowledge of the specificculture. In this paper we consider social calculus based onculture-sanctioned social values (CSSMs). A critical component of thismodel is the set of action-impact functions (AIFs), which describe howthe actions of the agents change the CSSMs in specific settings. Wedescribe a technique to evolve the AIFs using genetic programming basedon a limited set of data pairs which can be obtained by surveying humansimmersed in the specific culture. We describe the proposed model througha scenario involving a group of soldiers and a robot acting on apeacekeeping mission.
Adsorption Characteristics of Linear Alkanes Adsorbed on Purified HiPco Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

We present the results of adsorption isotherm measurements for propane films on single-walled carbon nanotubes, for coverages limited to the first layer. Isotherms were measured at six different te...
Effect of Artificial Achylia Gastrica and a Diet Restricted in Vitamin B2 (G) on Hematopoiesis

ConclusionA diet restricted in vitamin B2 (G) when fed to dogs with an artificial achylia gastrica did not produce macrocytic anemia.
Some Boleti from Alaska

Reported here are 12 species, subspecies or varieties of boletes—one each in Suillus, Xerocomus and Boletus, and nine in Leccinum. Described as new are one of Boletus, and four species of Leccinum.
Abstract 1866: Stable isotope resolved metabolomics of colorectal cancer cells treated with inhibitor of monocarboxylate transporter-1.

The rationale of this cell based study was to examine the metabolic effects of a synthetic monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) inhibitor (AR-C155858) on multiple cellular metabolites in colorectal tumor cells using [1,2,3,4,5,6- 13 C6]-D-glucose or [1,2,3,4,5- 13 C5]-D-glutamine as the single precursor metabolic tracer. DiFi colorectal cancer cells were cultured for 24 hrs in the presence of 0.1% DMSO (vehicle control) or 100 nM of MCT-1 inhibitor. Intracellular glycolysis intermediates measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) included phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), phosphoglycerate (PG), fructose 1,6 bisphosphate (FBP), Glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), Gluconate-6-phosphate, glyceraldehydes 3-phosphate (G3P), ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), seduheptulose-7-phosphate (S7P), pyruvate, and lactate. TCA cycle intermediates measured included malate, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, fumarate, and citrate. Both glutamine and glutamate were also measured. Increases in PEP, PG3, G6P, Gluconate-6-phosphate, G3P, S7P, pyruvate, and lactate were induced by MCT1 inhibitor when traced with 13 C6 glucose. When traced with 13 C5 glutamine, PEP, G6P, S7P, pyruvate, and lactate were increased by MCT1 inhibitor. In contrast, decreases in α-ketoglutarate and glutamate were seen with both tracers. Citation Format: Bo Tan, Ming-Shang Kuo, Matthew D. Breyer, Ling Liu, Yang Zhao. Stable isotope resolved metabolomics of colorectal cancer cells treated with inhibitor of monocarboxylate transporter-1. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1866. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1866
Exploring Categorical Body Mass Index Trajectories in Elementary School Children.

BACKGROUND Studies of body mass index (BMI) change have focused on understanding growth trajectories from childhood to adolescence and adolescence to adulthood, but few have explored BMI trajectories solely in elementary (grades K-5) school children. This report complements these studies by exploring changes in obesity status using analytic methods developed to investigate categorical changes in life-course events. METHODS Sequences of a 4-state BMI variable (underweight, normal, overweight, and obese) were calculated using height and weight data collected annually (2008-2013) from 414 kindergarten and first-grade students participating in the Community and Schools Together (CAST) project. These sequences were explored using the TraMineR software package to investigate the distribution of sequences and states, calculate transition rates among states, and examine clustering of sequences. RESULTS Aggregated cluster solutions were identified consisting of either 4 clusters (normal, stepped, mixed, and obese) or 3 clusters (aggregation of obese cluster cases into stepped cluster) with membership in the former predicted by ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) and the latter by SES alone. Transition rate patterns among states varied markedly by cluster and state. CONCLUSION The finding of early emergence of stable obesity states, especially in Hispanic children confirms the need for early childhood interventions to influence BMI.
Oxidized Copper Wire Particles as an Oral Copper Supplement for Cattle

Areas of endemic copper deficiency occur in California and animals show a response in production to supplementation.
Stargazin Modulation of AMPA Receptors

Fast excitatory synaptic signaling in the mammalian brain is mediated by AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors. In neurons, AMPA receptors co-assemble with auxiliary proteins, such as stargazin, which can markedly alter receptor trafficking and gating. Here, we used luminescence resonance energy transfer measurements to map distances between the full-length, functional AMPA receptor and stargazin expressed in HEK293 cells and to determine the ensemble structural changes in the receptor due to stargazin. In addition, we used single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer to study the structural and conformational distribution of the receptor and how this distribution is affected by stargazin. Our nanopositioning data place stargazin below the AMPA receptor ligand-binding domain, where it is well poised to act as a scaffold to facilitate the long-range conformational selection observations seen in single-molecule experiments. These data support a model of stargazin acting to stabilize or select conformational states that favor activation.
Crystal Structure of the C2 Domain of Lactadherin and Computational Docking of Phosphatidyl-L-Serine.

Lactadherin is a phosphatidyl-L-serine (Ptd-L-Ser)-binding protein that decorates the membranes of milk fat globules. Lactadherin is also secreted by macrophages, engaging Ptd-L-Ser on the membranes of apoptotic cells and hastening clearance by the macrophages. Sequence homology between the lectin-like C1 and C2 domains of lactadherin and those of factor VIII and factor V correlates with the capacity of lactadherin to compete for sites on Ptd-L-Ser-containing membranes and function as a potent anticoagulant. The C2 domain of lactadherin contains a major Ptd-L-Ser binding motif. Solution studies have shown that binding of the phospho-L-serine head group exhibits stereospecificity, consistent with the existence of one or more specific binding sites on the protein. Neither the three-dimensional structure of the lactadherin C2 domain nor the identity of specific residues that interact with Ptd-L-Ser have been determined. We have solved the crystal structure of the bovine lactadherin C2 domain (Lact-C2) at 1.67 A resolution. The β-barrel protein core, composed of eight anti-parallel strands, is homologous with the previously published structures of the factor VIII C2 domain (fVIII-C2) and factor V C2 domain (fV-C2). The loops on the lower surface of Lact-C2 display four water-exposed hydrophobic amino acids, reminiscent of the membrane-interacting residues of fVIII-C2 and fV-C2. These hydrophobic amino acids, Trp26, Leu28, Phe31, and Phe81, form a diamond-shaped hydrophobic patch on the lower surface of Lact-C2. This hydrophobic patch is well positioned to interact extensively with the phospholipid membrane. The longest loop, predicted to participate in membrane binding, has a W-like shape that contrasts with the simpler shapes adopted by the corresponding loops of fV-C2 and fVIII-C2. Furthermore, in Lact-C2 glycine residues within putative membrane-interacting loops appear likely to provide conformational flexibility that may facilitate Lact-C2 binding to the membrane. To investigate potential Ptd-L-Ser binding sites on the protein, computational docking studies were performed, utilizing the program AutoDock. A Ptd-L-Ser analog with acetyl moieties replacing both acyl chains was utilized as the docking ligand. This approach avoided spurious identification of non-specific binding sites for acyl chains, which would naturally be immersed in a membrane bilayer. We identified two candidate Ptd-L-Ser binding sites that could engage the hydrophilic head group of Ptd-L-Ser in a stereoselective manner. The binding pocket for the better of the two solutions is not homologous with the Ptd-L-Ser binding sites previously proposed for fVIII-C2 or fV-C2. These results provide the basis for a testable hypothesis rationalizing the efficient phospholipid binding of lactadherin vs. factor VIII and factor V and the mechanism for Ptd-L-Ser stereoselectivity.
Quantitative iodine content threshold for discrimination of renal cell carcinomas using rapid kV-switching dual-energy CT

Determine iodine content threshold discriminating papillary renal cell carcinomas (pRCC) from complex cysts (CCs) using rapid kV-switching dual-energy CT (rsDECT). IRB-approved retrospective study of 72 consecutive patients with pathologic diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma, who underwent rsDECT from 2011 to 2015. Controls included consecutive patients with CC during same period. Iodine content of each pRCC (n = 27) was measured on rsDECT workstation for arterial (n = 15) or nephrographic phase (n = 12), and compared to iodine content for clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC, n = 46) and complex cysts (n = 54). An optimal iodine content threshold was estimated using logistic regressions and Youden’s J based on maximum specificity and sensitivity. Iodine threshold of 1.28 mg/cc was optimal to discriminate between pRCCs and CCs for nephrographic phase (sens 1.0, spec 0.96, PPV 0.92, and NPV 1.0, AUC 0.997, acc 0.97, p < 0.0001). Iodine threshold of 1.22 mg/cc was the optimal cutoff value to discriminate between pRCCs and CCs in the arterial phase (sens 0.67, spec 0.97, PPV 0.91, NPV 0.85, AUC 0.76, and acc 0.84, p = 0.006). The optimal threshold to discriminate between ccRCCs and pRCCs was 1.85 mg/cc in the arterial phase (sens 0.87, spec 0.92, PPV 0.87, NPV 0.92, p < 0001) and 2.71 mg/cc in the nephrographic phase (sens 1.0, spec 1.0, PPV 1.0, NPV 1.0, p < 0.0001). Quantitative iodine values on rsDECT discriminate between papillary RCC and complex cysts, and between papillary RCC and clear cell RCC, the former addressing an important clinical challenge particularly when an unenhanced series has not been performed. These rsDECT thresholds differ from values derived from dual-source DECT technology.
Evidence of Middle School Science Assessment Practice From Classroom-Based Portfolios

Assessments are powerful tools for informing teachers and students about where student thinking stands with relation to a learning goal. Yet, few studies provide qualitative analyses of assessment practice across a unit. This study uses a framework of nine dimensions of effective assessment practice in science classrooms to compare more and less effective assessment practice among a purposive sample of middle school science teachers. Participating teachers collected 10 days of assessment artifacts, lesson plans, and student work for a science unit. Our comparison indicated that particular dimensions, such as setting goals, aligning assessments with goals, frequency, and variety of assessment, can be addressed relatively easily by teachers whose overall collection of artifacts were rated in the top and bottom quartile. However, dimensions that take into account the quality or depth of student learning, such as the cognitive complexity of the task, the type of feedback that is provided, or how well teachers adapt instruction based on information from assessments, differ more significantly among teachers in our sample. The conceptualization of these nine dimensions along with evidence from actual classrooms across consecutive instructional days targets areas for professional development and teacher education.
Photonic crystal coupled plasmonic hybrid nanosensors

We present an approach to enhance particle nanoplasmonics by using coupling to the high-Q dielectric photonic crystal (PC) resonance. The PC-coupled gold nanorods (AuNRs) exhibit strong amplification (>9x) of the SERS signal compared to the PC-uncoupled AuNRs.
A Residual Based Method for Fitting PAR Models Using Fourier Representation of Periodic Coefficients

In this paper we present a preliminary simulation study of a method for estimating the Fourier coefficients of the periodic parameters of a periodic autoregressive (PAR) sequence. For motivational and comparative purposes, we first examine the estimation of Fourier coefficients of a periodic function added to white noise. The method is based on the numerical minimization of mean squared residuals, and permits the fitting of PAR models when the period T equals the observation size N. For this paper, algorithms and simulations were coded in MATLAB, but an implementation will be available in the R package, perARMA.
ALGEBRAIC MESH GENERATION FOR LARGE SCALE VISCOUS-COMPRESSIBLE AERODYNAMIC SIMULATION

Publisher Summary This chapter presents computation of viscous compressible flow using boundary-fitted coordinate systems and the application of this computational philosophy on a vector computer. Viscous-compressible aerodynamic simulation is the numerical solution of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations and associated boundary conditions. An algebraic approach to boundary-fitted coordinate systems is one where an explicit functional relation describes a mesh on which a solution is obtained. This approach has the advantage of rapid-precise mesh control. The basic mathematical structure of three algebraic mesh generation techniques is described. They are transfinite interpolation, the multi-surface method, and the two-boundary technique. The Navier-Stokes equations are transformed to a computational coordinate system where boundary-fitted coordinates can be applied. Large-scale computation implies that there is a large number of mesh points in the coordinate system. Now a transformation between the physical domain and the computational domain is a mathematical relationship mapping one domain into the other. Similarly the mesh in one domain is mapped into the mesh in the other domain. When the transformation maps boundaries in the physical domain into boundaries in the computational domain, the term “boundary-fitted coordinate system” is used to describe the transformation.
SCALELESS: A DOMINANT AUTOSOMAL MUTANT OF THE BOLL WEEVIL

A new mutant of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, is described. Weevils carrying the dominant autosomal mutation, scaleless, have very few or no scales on the elytra, but many have the n...
Disinformatics: The Discipline behind Grand Deceptions

We need to bring serious study of misinformation and deception into the academy for analysis. A new discipline might be just the vehicle.
Analysis of Patients Discharged From the Hospital With a Chest Tube in Place.

Background Persistent air leak can complicate pulmonary resection, and one management option is dismissal with a chest tube in place. This study evaluated the rate of empyema and readmission after dismissal with a chest tube. Methods A retrospective review of our prospective database from January 2004 to December 2013 identified 236 patients who were discharged from our institution with an indwelling chest tube and attached one-way valve for air leak. Empyema was defined by leukocytosis or fever and undrained effusion on chest roentgenogram or computed tomography. Readmission was defined as readmission for any reason. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for empyema or readmission. Results Median age was 67 years (range, 18 to 91 years). Median chest tube duration was 18 days (range, 6 to 90 days). Empyema occurred in 40 patients (16.9%), and 62 patients (26.3%) were readmitted. Treatment required included antibiotics alone in 45% (18 of 40), further drainage in 30% (12 of 40), fibrinolytic therapy in 12.5% (5 of 40), and operative decortication in 12.5% (5 of 40). Predictors of empyema included male sex, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease. A secondary analysis grouping patients into an earlier era (2004 to 2008) vs a later era (2009 to 2013) revealed that the use of thoracoscopy increased from 34% to 48% of lung resections and dismissal with a chest tube increased from 3.4% to 4.5% ( p = 0.03). Conclusions Dismissal with an indwelling chest tube is not without consequence, having significant risk for further complications and potential need for additional interventions.
Sinonasal malignant melanoma. A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 14 cases.

The clinical, light microscopic, and immunohistochemical features of 14 sinonasal malignant melanomas were studied to show their diverse morphologic appearance and distinction from therapeutically more amenable neoplasms that occur in this region. The tumors arose in 6 men and 8 women (median age, 70 years). Eleven patients died of disease 7 to 44 months (median, 18 months) after diagnosis. The absolute median survival time was 18.5 months (range, 7 to 44 months). The predominant microscopic appearance was categorized as small blue cell in eight cases, spindle cell in three cases, epithelioid in two cases, and pleomorphic in one case. Eight tumors had multiple patterns. Five sinonasal malignant melanomas had theque-like growth, five had junctional change, and 10 contained at least rare melanin pigment. Fourteen, 13, and 12 sinonasal malignant melanomas were immunoreactive with anti-vimentin, HMB45, and anti-SlOO protein antibodies, respectively. One epithelioid tumor positive for vimentin, S100, and HMB45 also contained scattered epithelial membrane antigen-positive and cytokeratin-positive cells, which emphasizes the need for a battery of stains to distinguish sinonasal malignant melanoma from carcinoma. All tumors were negative for leukocyte common antigen, muscle-specific actin, and synaptophysin. Diffuse immunopositivity for vimentin, SI 00 protein, and HMB45 allows distinction of sinonasal malignant melanomas from histologically similar neoplasms.
Hugoniot elastic limits and compression parameters for brittle materials

The physical properties of brittle materials are of interest because of the rapidly expanding use of these material in high-pressure and shock wave techology, e.g., geophysics and explosive compaction as well as military applications. These materials are characterized by unusually high sonic velocities, have large dynamic impedances and exhibit large dynamic yield strengths.
Diabetes Technology: Monitoring, Analytics, and Optimal Control

Over the past 50 years, the diabetes technology field progressed remarkably through self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), risk and variability analysis, mathematical models and computer simulation of the human metabolic system, real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and control algorithms driving closed-loop control systems known as the "artificial pancreas" (AP). This review follows these developments, beginning with an overview of the functioning of the human metabolic system in health and in diabetes and of its detailed quantitative network modeling. The review continues with a brief account of the first AP studies that used intravenous glucose monitoring and insulin infusion, and with notes about CSII and CGM-the technologies that made possible the development of contemporary AP systems. In conclusion, engineering lessons learned from AP research, and the clinical need for AP systems to prove their safety and efficacy in large-scale clinical trials, are outlined.
Review of Fe-6.5 wt%Si high silicon steel—A promising soft magnetic material for sub-kHz application

Abstract To meet the growing need for energy efficiency in power electronics and electric machines, a number of new soft magnetic materials are being investigated. Among them, high silicon Fe-Si alloy has been recognized as a promising candidate for low-to-medium-frequency applications. Compared to the currently most widely used 3 wt% silicon steel, the steel containing 6.5 wt% Si possesses more favorable properties, including high electrical resistivity, good saturation magnetization, and near-zero magnetostriction. However, the high silicon content facilitates the formation of ordered phases, resulting in severe brittleness that prohibits mass production using the economical conventional processing methods. A number of new processing routes have been investigated and inspiring progress has been made. Prototypes of motors and transformers using high silicon steel have been demonstrated with improved efficiency and power density. If the processing cost and limitations of size and shape are properly addressed, high silicon steel is expected to be widely adopted by the industries. Among all the investigated processing techniques, rapid solidification appears to be the most cost-effective method for mass producing thin sheet of high silicon steel. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art of the Fe-Si based soft magnetic materials including their history, structure, properties, processing, and applications.
Single-Support Stance and VR Implementation as Visual Perturbation in Human Balance Assessment

Human controls their balance through variety of sensors and one of it is visual input. Previous study found that the visual proprioceptive information is more potent than the nonvisual. In this research, authors conducted an experiment on the implementation virtual reality (VR) as visual perturbation combined with single-support stance to distort human’s balance. This research focused on the single-support stance where subject stood on their dominant leg during the experiment with VR goggle.
Child maltreatment and depressive symptomatology among adolescents in out-of-home care: The mediating role of self-esteem

Abstract Compared with the general population, adolescents in out-of-home care are at greater risk of having higher rates of mental health problems including depressive symptomatology. Although child maltreatment is the main reason for entering the out-of-home care system, only a few studies explored the association between child maltreatment and depressive symptomatology among youth in out-of-home care. In addition, although self-esteem may be a potential mediator linking child maltreatment and depressive symptomatology, this has not yet been evaluated with adolescents in out-of-home care. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of self-esteem as a mediator in the association between different types of child maltreatment (i.e., physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse) and depressive symptomatology among a sample of adolescents in out-of-home care. The sample consisted of 404 (226 males, 178 females) adolescents derived from the Mental Health Service Use of Youth Leaving Foster Care study. Depressive symptomatology was assessed at age 18 using the Depression-Arkansas Scale. Three types of child maltreatment (physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse) were assessed at age 17 using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Self-esteem was assessed at age 18 using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. A path analysis was conducted to test the mediating role of self-esteem in the association between child maltreatment types and depressive symptomatology. Physical neglect was directly associated with depressive symptomatology. Emotional abuse was indirectly related to depressive symptomatology via self-esteem. The findings suggest that self-esteem may be a powerful mediator linking emotional abuse and depressive symptomatology for adolescents in out-of-home care. For emotionally abused adolescents in out-of-home care, interventions that help them promote self-esteem could reduce depressive symptomatology.
Investigation of factors affecting the calibration of strain gage based transducers (Goodzeit gages) for SSC magnets

These transducers are designed to measure stresses on SSC collared coils. They are individually calibrated with a bonded ten-stack of SSC inner coil cable by applying a known load and reading corresponding output from the gages. The transducer is supported by a notched backing plate'' that allows for bending of the gage beam during calibration or in use with an actual coil. Several factors affecting the calibration and use of the transducers are: the number of times a backing plate'' is used, the similarities or difficulties between bonded ten-stacks, and the differences between the ten-stacks and the coil they represent. The latter is probably the most important because a calibration curve is a model of how a transducer should react within a coil. If the model is wrong, the calibration curve is wrong. Information will be presented regarding differences in calibrations between Brookhaven National Labs (also calibrating these transducers) and Fermilab -- what caused these differences, the investigation into the differences between coils and ten-stacks and how they relate to transducer calibration, and some suggestions for future calibrations.
A Lyapunov-like Function for Full Information Estimation

Full information estimation (FIE) is a type of optimization-based state estimation related to moving horizon estimation (MHE). In FIE, all available measurements (as opposed to those within a fixed horizon) are used to estimate the system's state. Although we expect it to produce a better state estimate than MHE because it includes more information, recent results have shown MHE to be robustly stable in the presence of bounded disturbances, while a general proof for FIE remains elusive. Lyapunov functions and ISS Lyapunov functions are invaluable tools for robustness analysis in model predictive control (MPC). Here, we present a Lyapunov-like function for FIE and use it to show that FIE is asymptotically stable in the absence of disturbances. This function is, to our knowledge, the first of its kind for nonlinear optimization-based state estimation, and it construction requires both an assumption of nonlinear stabilizability and a new type of storage function, termed an i-IOSS Lyapunov function, related to the property of incremental input/output-to-state stability (i-IOSS), a common form of nonlinear detectability.
Discrimination in the United States: Experiences of Latinos.

Objective To examine experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination among Latinos in the United States, which broadly contribute to their poor health outcomes. Data source and study design Data come from a nationally representative, probability-based telephone survey including 803 Latinos and a comparison group of 902 non-Hispanic white US adults, conducted January-April 2017. Methods We calculated the percent of Latinos reporting discrimination in several domains, including health care. We used logistic regression to compare the Latino-white difference in odds of discrimination, and among Latinos only to examine variation by socioeconomic status and country of birth. Principal findings One in five Latinos (20 percent) reported experiencing discrimination in clinical encounters, while 17 percent avoided seeking health care for themselves or family members due to anticipated discrimination. A notable share of Latinos also reported experiencing discrimination with employment (33 percent applying for jobs; 32 percent obtaining equal pay/promotions), housing (31 percent), and police interactions (27 percent). In adjusted models, Latinos had significantly higher odds than whites for reporting discrimination in health care visits (OR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.61, 6.26) and across several other domains. Latinos with college degrees had significantly higher odds of reporting discrimination in multiple domains than those without college degrees, with few differences between foreign-born and US-born Latinos. Conclusions Latinos in the United States report experiencing widespread discrimination in health care and other areas of their lives, at significantly higher levels than whites. Being born in the United States and earning a college degree are not protective against discrimination, suggesting that further health and social policy efforts to eliminate discrimination are needed.
A Survey of Attack Models for Cyber-Physical Security Assessment in Electricity Grid

This paper surveys some prior work regarding attack models in a cyber-physical system and discusses the potential benefits. For comparison, the full paper will model a bad data injection attack scenario in power grid using the surveyed prior work.
Minimum dose rate estimation for pulsed FLASH radiotherapy: A dimensional analysis.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To provide an order of magnitude estimate of the minimum dose rate ( Rmin ) required by pulsed ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy (FLASH RT) using dimensional analysis. MATERIALS/METHODS In this study, we postulate that radiation-induced transient hypoxia inside normal tissue cells during FLASH RT results in better normal tissue sparing over conventional dose rate radiotherapy. We divide the process of cell irradiation by an ultra-short radiation pulse into three sequential phases: (a) The radiation pulse interacts with the normal tissue cells and produces radiation-induced species. (b) The radiation-induced species react with oxygen molecules and reduce the cell environmental oxygen concentration ( O2 ). (c) Oxygen molecules, from nearest capillaries, diffuse slowly back into the resulted low O2 regions. By balancing the radiation-induced oxygen depletion in phase II and diffusion-resulted O2 replenishment in phase III, we can estimate the maximum allowed pulse repetition interval to produce a pulse-to-pulse superimposed O2 reduction against the baseline O2 . If we impose a threshold in radiosensitivity reduction to achieve clinically observable radiotherapy oxygen effect and combine the processes mentioned above, we could estimate the Rmin required for pulsed FLASH RT through dimensional analysis. RESULTS The estimated Rmin required for pulsed FLASH RT is proportional to the product of the oxygen diffusion coefficient and O2 inside the cell, and inversely proportional to the product of the square of the oxygen diffusion distance and the drop of intracellular O2 per unit radiation dose. Under typical conditions, our estimation matches the order of magnitude with the dose rates observed in the recent FLASH RT experiments. CONCLUSIONS The Rmin introduced in this paper can be useful when designing a FLASH RT system. Additionally, our analysis of the chemical and physical processes may provide some insights into the FLASH RT mechanism.
Identification of Biodiversity Informatics Needs to Support Biodiversity Net Gains Reporting by Corporates in India

The relationship between Biodiversity and Business is complex and involves risks as well as opportunities. Various frameworks, policies, tools and indicators for assessing corporate impacts on biodiversity are established. IUCN advocates a “Biodiversity Net Gains” approach for businesses in their operations and at a landscape level that will contribute to the global goals for biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity informatics can help corporates in identifying their impacts, planning interventions and finally reporting Biodiversity Net Gains on a global scale. This study aimed to review Indian biodiversity informatics infrastructure and its usefulness to corporate agencies for reporting Biodiversity Net Gains.