cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survey of Perchlorate Extraction and Potential Uses on Mars

In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is an important consideration for any manned Mars mission. This is especially true for the manufacture of oxygen for both respiration and as an oxidizer for rocket propellant. To this end, the literature focuses primarily on conversion of the carbon dioxide Martian atmosphere through various means. Proposed herein is an alternative method that makes use of the perchlorates found in the Martian regolith. Mars offers an abundant source of this material with confirmed measured concentrations upwards of one percent from two landing sites. A summary of methods for extracting perchlorate compounds and separating them into more useable constituents is discussed. A number of uses for the raw materials are discussed, including in-situ oxygen production and solid oxygen candles. An additional and promising use is direct mixing of the perchlorate compounds as the solid oxidizer in a solid rocket motor configuration using suitable binder and fuel combinations.
Wire Bond Parameter Optimization in Semiconductor Assembly

This article briefly introduce the key process in semiconductor assembly-ultrasonic wire bonding, about its theory, application area and key technology. Also provide an example from real production to summarize a series of parameter optimization methods.
Fractures of both bones of the forearm in adults.

1. An end-result study of 100 cases of fresh fractures of the shafts of both bones of the forearm in adults has revealed a high incidence of unsatisfactory results. 2. Improper rotational alignment is an important causative factor in a high percentage of pooor results. 3. Transverse fractures in the middle and lower thirds of both bones of the forearm may, in some instances, be satisfactorily reduced by closed manipulation, if reduction is performed wit h correct rotational alignment. 4. Fractures of the upper third of the forearm, and oblique or comminuted fractures at any level in the forearm, are best treated by open reduction and rigid internal fixation of both bones. 5. Simple transverse and oblique fractures of the shafts may be plated; but comminuted fractures of the shafts are most satisfactorily treated by primary bone-grafting. 6. Intramedullary fixation is a very satisfactory method of maintaining the reduction and alignment of complicated fractures of the shafts of both bones of the forearm, partictilarly where there is major soft-tissue injury and where other methods of internal fixation, such as plating and primary grafting, are contra-indicated. 7. External plaster fixation must be maintained until union is clinically and roentgenographically complete, regardless of the type of internal fixation employed.
MOHS micrographic surgery

This exacting surgical technique with histologic examination of frozen sections is only applicable to tumors that spread locally by contiguous cell extension into local tissue. The narrow margins obtained with this technique may preserve function and cosmesis when basal or squamous cell carcinomas are resected and the defect is reconstructed.
Social dilemmas: Cooperation versus defection

The best chance for gains comes through cooperation. Fortune cookie message This chapter focuses on a specific type of decision problem: decisions involving situations in which the narrow self-interest of each person in a group conflicts with the interest of the group as a whole. Retired people who have medical insurance that covers all expenses stand to gain (from extra medical attention and reassurance) if they visit their doctor weekly, sick or not, but if everyone in their group did this, their insurance premiums would skyrocket. People who watch viewer-supported television can save their money by not contributing to support the station they watch, but if everyone did this the station would be off the air, and all who like to watch it would suffer. Each farmer stands to gain from letting the family cows graze on the commons, the common pasture for the town, but if everyone did this the pasture would disappear (Hardin, 1968). Such situations are called social dilemmas , or commons dilemmas (by analogy with the common-pasture example). In a simple social dilemma, each person is better off doing one sort of thing (given what others do), but all are better off if all do something else. The action that is best for all is called cooperation ; the action best for the self is called defection . It is best for all (cooperative) not to overgraze the common pasture but best for each to do so.
Bio-signal based emotion detection device

In the past several years, significant research has been conducted in the area of real-time emotion recognition. Emotion recognition has several potential applications in education, medicine, assistive technologies and human-machine interaction. A real-time emotion detection device that utilizes heart rate and skin conductance sensors is presented in this paper. OpenCV, open face libraries and insight SDK is utilized to detect emotions from facial expressions. The performance of the device is evaluated using experiments which had subjects watch audiovisual clips in various emotional categories. Also, in order to verify the feasibility of utilizing bio-signals to predict emotions, facial expressions captured from a webcam are processed in parallel to compare and contrast.
Amphibious Research: Action Research in a Multimedia World

La version espanola de este articulo se puede encontrar en: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2836211Action research combines academic studies, participation in public debates, public policy advocacy, and the strengthening of institutions (for example, think tanks and nongovernmental organizations).This book explores the advantages and challenges of this type of work. Closely interacting with diverse audiences tends to give the action researcher greater empirical accuracy and relevance, and also serves as a source of motivation. Nevertheless, it can also lead to the risk of dispersion, lack of analytical distance, and burnout.To help researchers capitalize on these advantages and overcome the difficulties, this book proposes a new technique — “amphibious research.” This technique, which is based on methodological approaches and hybrid styles of writing, allows action researchers to gather contributions from different fields and to circulate their results in multimedia formats.
Connected Autonomous Vehicle Control Optimization at Intersections

Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV)-enabled traffic system has demonstrated great potential to mitigate congestion, reduce travel delay, and enhance safety performance. According to the U.S. Based on seamless Vehicle-To-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-To-Infrastructure communication as well as autonomous driving technologies, traffic management and control will be revolutionized. The existing studies indicate that traffic lights will be eliminated and 75 % of vehicles will be autonomous vehicles by 2040. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) plans to mandate inter-vehicle communication technologies on every single vehicle by 2016. However, one should note that the current research regarding CAV system management and control is still in its early stage. The presented study concentrates on the VISSIM-based simulation platform development to enable an innovative autonomous intersection control mechanism and optimize CAV operations at intersections without signal lights. Simulation-based investigation on traffic system operations provides a cost-effective, risk-free means of exploring optimal management strategies, identifying potential problems, and evaluating various alternatives. In the study, a VISSIM-based simulation platform is developed for simulating individual-CAV-conflict-based traffic control optimization at intersections. A novel external module will be developed via VISSIM Component Object Model (COM) interfaces. A new CAV-based control algorithm entitled a Discrete Forward-Rolling Optimal Control (DFROC) model, is developed and implemented through the VISSIM COM server. This external module can provide sufficient flexibility to satisfy any specific demands from particular researchers and practitioners for CAV control operations. Research efforts will be made to calibrate driving behavior parameters in the simulation model using drivers’ characteristic data to further strengthen the simulation creditability. Furthermore, a method for statistically analyzing simulation outputs and examining simulation reliability is developed. The methodology developed is applicable for quantitatively evaluating the impacts of various CAV control strategies on urban arterials.
Proposal for a Global Fund for Women through Innovative Finance

ABSTRACTDespite the spread of budget initiatives for gender equality following the Beijing Declaration of 1995, resources allocated for eliminating gender inequalities remain inadequate. This paper proposes to create a Global Fund for Women through Innovative Finance (GFWIF) with the ability to raise funds through innovative sources of finance on a scale more appropriate to the estimated requirements of making reasonable progress toward gender equality (US$31–107 billion per year in constant 2014 dollars). It builds on previous calls by feminist economists for the establishment of such funds through global forms of taxation. Since donors’ commitments only meet the lower bound, the GFWIF could scale up funding for gender equality interventions commensurate with country needs. Global resource mobilization through innovative mechanisms, including allocations of new Special Drawing Rights, currency transaction taxes, and carbon taxes, have the potential to provide the necessary financing at a much faster pace...
When Women Kill Newborns: The Rhetoric of Vulnerability

Neonaticide, the act of killing a newborn, is a global problem. This chapter presents two pairs of vignettes as a way to explore jurisprudence regarding women who commit acts of violence and to argue for the application of a rhetoric of vulnerability as informed by the pre-Socratic concept of kairos, or right-timing and due measure. The case study approach illustrates the debate about whether women and men should be viewed with equality (sameness) or difference (specificity). In the context of neonaticide, some theorists urge that women who kill must be viewed the same as men (as having agency and responsibility) in order for women to claim their humanity and citizenship. Other theorists urge that women who kill newborns should be viewed different from men (as victims lacking agency) in order to qualify for a lesser offense such as manslaughter, which is the approach taken by England and over twenty other countries that have enacted Infanticide Acts (providing for the lesser offense of manslaughter when a woman is charged with killing her child)? This theoretical debate about sameness versus difference spans various disciplines from law to psychology to sociology, but has practical legal implications not only in criminal law, but in family law and the workplace.
Changes in Creatine Kinase and Hormones Over the Course of an American Football Season.

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in creatine kinase and hormones over the course of an entire season of American football. A secondary purpose was to determine differences between starters and nonstarters. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 19 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I (n = 19; 20 +/- 1 years) football athletes over the course of a season beginning before the start of summer off-season conditioning (T1), before (T2) and after preseason (T3) football camp, with remaining samples taken throughout the competitive season (T4-T8). A magnitude-based inference approach was used to define outcomes. Testosterone was higher in starters before the start of the season (T1, Effect Size [ES] = 0.8) and during preconference (T4; ES = 0.7). Postcamp (T3) testosterone was lower in all players, though greater in starters (starters, 0.0%/0.3%/99.7%; nonstarters, 0.2%/2.9%/96.9%). An increase cortisol relative to baseline (T1) was observed in starters early in season (T4, ES = 0.7; T5, ES = 0.5). Creatine kinase was elevated at all time points in all athletes, with starters having higher circulating levels throughout season. These data demonstrate that changes in hormonal markers may be experienced over a season of football and differ by playing status. Differences between starters and nonstarters may be indicative of greater damage and stress experienced by starters, which may result from a greater number of repetitions.
Transferable Potentials for Phase Equilibria. Improved United-Atom Description of Ethane and Ethylene

A more accurate version of the Transferable Potentials for Phase Equilibria – United Atom force field, called TraPPE–UA2, for ethane and ethylene is presented. Very similar molecular volumes, shapes, and self- and cross-interaction strengths of ethane and ethylene make their separation fundamentally interesting and industrially challenging. Separation factors as low as 1.5–3.0 necessitate very accurate molecular models in order to be able to computationally design potential separation processes. Additional force field parameters, namely the distance between the Lennard-Jones sites for both compounds and partial charges only for ethylene, are introduced in the parameterization and different combining rules for the Lennard-Jones interaction are considered. In addition to the liquid densities and critical temperature, the training set also includes saturation vapor pressures to yield an accurate two-site ethane model. Binary ethane/ethylene, CO2/ethylene, and H2O/ethylene vapor–liquid equilibria and H2O/ethylene dimer calculations are used for further optimization of a four-site ethylene model. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
You Can Give a Bee Some Water, But You Can’t Make Her Drink: A Socioscientific Approach to Honey Bees in Science Education

Human fascination with the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), likely since before we evolved from hominid relatives, has become even more important as honey bees increasingly perform pollination services for modern industrial agricultural systems. In this chapter, we advance a socioscientific issues approach for studying honey bees that engages students in arguing from evidence and exploring the ethical dimensions of science in society in ways that may inspire further student involvement in science. We provide some intriguing details about honey bees, including their history, their role in industrial agriculture, and the ways in which current honey bee management may pose risks to our food security. We also explore some of the debates scientists are having regarding honey bees, such as whether or not they are truly domesticated and their status as a non-native or invasive species in some parts of the world. Finally, we describe ways to involve bees in the classroom, ranging from the exploration of excellent texts to actual cultivation of honey bees.
Emerging Drugs, Today Versus Yesteryear

Since the 1800s, increasing numbers of new substances have hit the drug scene. Over time, the official responses to these substances have become increasingly more sophisticated. Yet, there still is much to learn from how societies have dealt and continue to deal with the next “scary drug of the year” as there appears to be more similarities than differences in these responses across time and place. While there is a demand for recreational intoxicants in most modern societies, various forces limit the list of legal substances available to those who wish to indulge. The following traces a selection of emerging substances through history to draw attention to the patterns that bridge these cases over time. This exercise will grant us a better focus on our current challenges with the benefit of over a century of hindsight.
Peak Inspiratory Flow Rate in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Implications for Dry Powder Inhalers

Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States with a significant economic burden related to hospital admissions for exacerbations. One of the primary treatment modalities for COPD is medications delivered through breath-actuated dry powdered inhalers (DPIs). For users to successfully receive inhaled medication, they must inhale with enough flow to overcome the internal resistance of the device, leading to deaggregation of the medication powder. Peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) is the maximal flow rate obtained during an inspiratory maneuver. PIFR measurement can be impacted by the internal resistance of the device, which varies with device design. Many devices require a PIFR >60 L/min for adequate medication dispersal, while others appear to have adequate drug deaggregation with a PIFR >30 L/min. Studies have shown PIFRs are reduced among females and decrease with age, without a clear correlation between forced expiratory volume in 1 second...
Topics for Discussion from Current Newspapers and Journals

by Gina Kolata, The New York Times, May 24, 2001, p. A20.by Asbjorn Hrobjartsson and Peter C. Gotzsche, New England Journal of Medicine, 344 (May 24, 2001), p. 1594–1602.by John C. Bailar III, New ...
Inhibitory Neurons in the Auditory Brainstem

Most chapters in this volume address the function of the major excitatory synapses in the lower auditory pathways, with respect to coincidence detection, the ion channels that determine neuronal firing, and the control of excitation through modulation and plasticity. However, none of these processes can be understood at a functional level without considering synaptic inhibition. Indeed, inhibition through GABAergic and glycinergic interneurons is likely to play an essential role in controlling the excitation at every level of central auditory processing. The present chapter examines inhibitory interneurons in several contexts in order to illustrate the diversity of their cellular mechanisms and circuit-level function, with a focus on the auditory brainstem. The term “interneuron” is used loosely; in fact, inhibitory cells are so fundamental to auditory processing that individual neurons may act as both proper interneurons (intrinsic neurons, i.e., those inhibiting within a local circuit) and inhibitory projection neurons (inhibiting across brainstem nuclei or regions). After introducing the study of interneurons and their general function, the chapter examines two prominent examples from the cochlear nucleus and superior olivary complex, rather than provide an exhaustive summary of all known auditory interneurons. Then four aspects of interneuron physiology are explored: the control of the reversal potential for Cl−, the gating properties of the receptor-channel complex, the role of corelease of the transmitters GABA and glycine from interneuronal synapses; and, lastly, mechanisms for prolonging the action of the transmitter.
Percutaneous Gastrostomy: How to Recognize, Avoid, or Get Out of Trouble.

Placement of gastrostomy tubes can be done with different techniques. The radiologic-guided tube placement relies on image guidance for safe placement of the tube. A thorough knowledge of the immediate and delayed hazards is essential. This article outlines the potential complications and how to recognize, avoid, and treat them. Several clinical examples are included. Key Words: gastrostomy, complication, feeding tubes, image guidance
A Novel Experimental Test of Social Network Opportunity and Structure in Entrepreneurial Pitch Evaluation Updating

In many facets of life, individuals make evaluations that they often update after consulting with others in their peer networks. But not all individuals have the same positional opportunities for social interaction in a given network, nor the ability and desire to make use of those opportunities that are available to them. The configuration of a person’s network can also alter how information is spread or interpreted. To complicate matters further, scant research has considered how positions in social networks and the valence of network content interact because of: (a) the difficulty of separating the “person” from the “position” in networks and (b) measuring network content. This research develops a novel experimental platform that addresses these issues. Participants viewed and evaluated an entrepreneurial video pitch and were then randomly assigned to different networks, and positions within networks, and thus various opportunities for peer influence. All the content of social interaction, including its valence, was recorded to test underlying assumptions. Results reveal that those assigned to a potential brokerage position in a network updated their evaluations of the entrepreneurial video considerably more negatively, an effect that is moderate further by negative peer effects.
Retropharyngeal Calcific Tendonitis in a Patient Seeking Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain: A Case Report.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this report is to describe the evaluation and treatment of a patient initially presenting for chiropractic care of neck pain (NP) who was subsequently diagnosed with retropharyngeal calcific tendonitis (RCT). Clinical Features A 53-year-old woman presented to a chiropractic office with severe idiopathic NP, loss of cervical mobility, and intermittent painful swallowing. She had a motor vehicle accident 6 months before with NP that resolved within a week without treatment. A brief examination and some manual palliative care were attempted by the chiropractor. Two days later, the patient developed severe NP and fever, sought emergency medical care on her own, and requested the chiropractor meet her at the hospital. The emergency physicians initially considered an infection, and antibiotics were provided along with oxycodone and naproxen sodium for pain. After advanced (computed tomography) imaging, RCT was diagnosed, and she was discharged the next day. Interventions and Outcome After being diagnosed, the patient’s primary care provider prescribed prednisone and physical therapy. After 3 weeks, the patient stated her pain continued and she went for chiropractic care and was treated for mechanical neck pain with manipulation, manual muscle treatment, postural training, and rehabilitative exercises. Conclusion Practitioners should recognize the clinical presentation of RCT, order appropriate computed tomography imaging, and implement effective treatments. Although uncommon, RCT should be considered in patients with NP, limited mobility, and painful swallowing.
A Study of Men and Women from Different Sides of Earth to Determine If Men Are from Mars and Women Are from Venus in Their Beliefs About Love and Romantic Relationships

This study contributes to the literature on gender differences (and similarities) in relationship beliefs by comparing men and women on several relationship beliefs, by comparing men and women from two different cultures (North America and China), and also by examining gender differences in more than 1 subculture within the American sample. In the American sample (n = 693; 73.3% White, 11.7% Black, 8.5% Hispanic/Latino; 80% of middle or higher social class), men, as compared to women, were more willing to marry without love, scored higher on the idealization component of a romanticism scale, were more ludic and agapic but less erotic and pragmatic in their love styles, and were less likely to view emotional satisfaction as important to the maintenance of marriage. Although men were also more agapic than women in the Chinese sample (n = 735; Asian ethnicity), the other gender differences found in the Chinese sample were different from those found in the North American sample: Chinese men were more romantic (particularly in the belief that love can overcome any obstacle) and storgic than Chinese women, but less likely to believe in destiny or fate concerning love. Chinese men were also more likely than Chinese women to view physical pleasure as important for maintaining marriage. Overall, culture explained more variance than did gender in love beliefs. In general, the Chinese had both a more idealistic and a more practical approach to love than did the Americans. Gender differences and similarities did not vary across subcultures within the American culture, although main effects for race/ethnicity and social class were found for a few relationship beliefs.
Hsp70-nucleotide exchange factor (NEF) Fes1 has non-NEF roles in degradation of gluconeogenic enzymes and cell wall integrity

Fes1 is a conserved armadillo repeat-containing Hsp70 nucleotide exchange factor important for growth at high temperature, proteasomal protein degradation and prion propagation. Depleting or mutating Fes1 induces a stress response and causes defects in these processes that are ascribed solely to disruption of Fes1 regulation of Hsp70. Here, we find Fes1 was essential for degradation of gluconeogenic enzymes by the vacuole import and degradation (Vid) pathway and for cell wall integrity (CWI), which is crucial for growth at high temperature. Unexpectedly, Fes1 mutants defective in physical or functional interaction with Hsp70 retained activities that support Vid and CWI. Fes1 and the Fes1 mutants bound to the Vid substrate Fbp1 in vitro and captured Slt2, a signaling kinase that regulates CWI, from cell lysates. Our data show that the armadillo domain of Fes1 binds proteins other than Hsp70, that Fes1 has important Hsp70-independent roles in the cell, and that major growth defects caused by depleting Fes1 are due to loss of these functions rather than to loss of Hsp70 regulation. We uncovered diverse functions of Fes1 beyond its defined role in regulating Hsp70, which points to possible multi-functionality among its conserved counterparts in other organisms or organelles.
Metabolism of D-glucose in a wall-less mutant of Neurospora crassa examined by 13C and 31P nuclear magnetic resonances: effects of insulin.

/sup 13/C NMR and /sup 31/P NMR have been used to investigate the metabolism of glucose by a wall-less strain of Neurospora crassa (slime), grown in a supplemented nutritionally defined medium and harvested in the early stationary stage of growth. With D-(1-/sup 13/C)- or D-(6-/sup 13/C)glucose as substrates, the major metabolic products identified from /sup 13/C NMR spectra were (2-/sup 13/C)ethanol, (3-/sup 13/C)alanine, and C/sub 1/- and C/sub 6/-labeled trehalose. Several observations suggested the existence of a substantial hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt: (i) a 70% greater yield of ethanol from C/sub 6/- than from C/sub 1/-labeled glucose; (ii) C/sub 1/-labeled glucose yielded 19% C/sub 6/-labeled trehalose, while C/sub 6/-labeled glucose yielded only 4% C/sub 1/-labeled trehalose; (iii) a substantial transfer of /sup 13/C from C/sub 2/-labeled glucose to the C/sub 2/-position of ethanol. /sup 31/P NMR spectra showed millimolar levels of intracellular inorganic phosphate (P/sub i/), phosphodiesters, and diphosphates including sugar diphosphates and polyphosphate. Addition of glucose resulted in a decrease in cytoplasmic P/sub i/ and an increase in sugar monophosphates, which continued for at least 30 min. Phosphate resonances corresponding to metabolic intermediates of both the glycolytic and HMP pathways were identified in cell extracts. Addition of insulin (100more » nM) with the glucose had the following effects relative to glucose alone: (i) a 24% increase in the rate of ethanol production; (ii) a 38% increase in the rate of alanine production; (iii) a 27% increase in the rate of glucose disappearance. Insulin thus increases the rates of production of ethanol and alanine in these cells, in addition to increasing production of CO/sub 2/ and glycogen, as previously shown.« less
Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Withaferin A: Potential in Integrative Oncology

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera, WS), belonging to the family Solanaceae, is an Ayurvedic herb known worldwide for its numerous beneficial health activities since ancient times. This medicinal plant provides benefits against many human illnesses such as epilepsy, depression, arthritis, diabetes, and palliative effects such as analgesic, rejuvenating, regenerating, and growth-promoting effects. Several clinical trials of the different parts of the herb have demonstrated safety in patients suffering from these diseases. In the last two decades, an active component of Withaferin A (WFA) has shown tremendous cytotoxic activity suggesting its potential as an anti-carcinogenic agent in treatment of several cancers. In spite of enormous progress, a thorough elaboration of the proposed mechanism and mode of action is absent. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the properties of WS extracts (WSE) containing complex mixtures of diverse components including WFA, which have shown inhibitory properties against many cancers, (breast, colon, prostate, colon, ovarian, lung, brain), along with their mechanism of actions and pathways involved.
Variation in song structure along an elevation gradient in a resident songbird

Heterogeneous environments can create differential selection pressures among populations, which may result in the evolution of local adaptations. Premating isolation mechanisms may emerge due to limited movement among locally adapted individuals, thus further enhancing such adaptations. The song of male songbirds is one potential premating isolation mechanism that has long been of interest because of its implications for mate choice, local adaptation, and speciation associated with environmental heterogeneity. We tested whether locally adapted mountain chickadees exhibit variation in song structure along an elevation gradient and whether song structure shifts with the distinct change in winter climate severity around the snowline. These birds exhibit large elevation-related differences in numerous behavioral and neurological traits, including variation in spatial cognition associated with fitness consequences. We recorded song along two continuous elevation gradients and detected significant differences among the sampling sites along an elevation gradient and between “high” and “low” elevation songs. Our current results, coupled with previously reported winter climate-related differences are generally consistent with the local adaptation hypothesis explaining geographic variation in song, which suggests that variation in song structure could serve as an indicator of local adaptation. Our study shows that song differences can evolve on a small spatial scale along a continuous species distribution when there is a rapid change in environmental conditions also favoring the evolution of local adaptations. Local adaptations may evolve when heterogeneous environments result in differential selection on fitness-related traits. If locally adapted populations experience reduced movement, additional traits may also change over time and serve as indicators of origin. The ability to identify and mate with local males, which are likely adapted to the prevailing environment, should procure a fitness advantage such that offspring produced with a local individual will inherit the genetic material that made that individual successful. Temperate male bird song is initially learned near the nest, varies geographically, and is commonly used by females to assess male quality. Using mountain chickadees that inhabit an elevation gradient associated with large phenotypic differences, we found significant variation in song structure along an elevation gradient and that male song also changes significantly at an important ecological threshold, consistent with high- and low-elevation songs that may be used by females to identify and mate with local males.
Trump’s Media War

With the 2020 U.S. presidential elections underway, American society is still deeply polarized with regard to guns, abortion, immigration, race, and LGBTQ+. Many blame President Donald Trump for fu...
Percutaneous Biventricular Hemodynamic Support Using Biatrial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract We describe the use of a fully percutaneous, biatrial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit, to provide biventricular support with left heart unloading by using a single TandemHeart (LivaNova, London, United Kingdom) circuit during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)
Everyday Solidarity: A Framework for Integrating Theological Ethics and Ordinary Life:

As moral theology responds to the pastoral emphases of Pope Francis’s pontificate, more work must be done to facilitate the integration of theological ethics and ordinary life. In order to pursue t...
Detecting Seizures and Epileptiform Abnormalities in Acute Brain Injury

Acute brain injury (ABI) is a broad category of pathologies, including traumatic brain injury, and is commonly complicated by seizures. Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies are used to detect seizures or other epileptiform patterns. This review seeks to clarify EEG findings relevant to ABI, explore practical barriers limiting EEG implementation, discuss strategies to leverage EEG monitoring in various clinical settings, and suggest an approach to utilize EEG for triage. Current literature suggests there is an increased morbidity and mortality risk associated with seizures or patterns on the ictal-interictal continuum (IIC) due to ABI. Further, increased use of EEG is associated with better clinical outcomes. However, there are many logistical barriers to successful EEG implementation that prohibit its ubiquitous use. Solutions to these limitations include the use of rapid EEG systems, non-expert EEG analysis, machine learning algorithms, and the incorporation of EEG data into prognostic models.
Ski wax use contributes to environmental contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in a wide variety of consumer products, including ski waxes, and are widespread persistent and hazardous environmental contaminants. We examined the environmental impact of ski wax use at an outdoor recreation area with significant cross-country ski activity by measuring PFAS levels in melted snow, soil and water following a collegiate ski race. We found extremely high levels of long- and short-chain PFAS (C4–C14) contamination in snow at the race start line (∑[PFAS] 7600–10,700 ng/L), with the longer-chain analytes (C10–C14) predominating. The complement of 14 PFAS detected in snow matched what has been found in ski wax. This snow contamination was greatly reduced at a point 3.9 km into the race. Soil at the start line contained the four most predominant PFAS in snow at a mean individual concentration of 2.81 ng/g dry weight. Control soil contained only perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), not found in other soil samples, at a concentration of 2.80 ng/g. Shallow groundwater from an on-site well contained only the shorter-chain PFAS (C4–C8), with a mean individual concentration of 4.95 ng/L. Our results suggest that ski wax use, from which fluorocarbons abrade at very high levels onto snow during a ski race, are the main source of PFAS contamination at our site. Regulation of ski wax use is warranted to reduce PFAS pollution.
Return to Golf, Tennis, and Swimming After Elective Cervical Spine Surgery.

Background After surgery for degenerative cervical spine problems, most patients hope to return to non-competitive sports and other leisure activities. Limited data are available to counsel patients about return to play (RTP) in non-competitive sports after cervical surgery. Methods Participants had cervical surgery for degenerative diagnoses from April 1, 2007, to April 1, 2018. Demographic data were collected, and participants were asked to complete a survey regarding sports participation before and after cervical surgery. Results Of the 73 participants who responded to the study, the majority (81.1%) were able to return to one or multiple hobby sports after elective spine surgery. RTP rates at 12 months for golf, tennis, and swimming were 67.6%, 31.2%, and 81.6%, respectively. Younger age and lack of preoperative motor deficit were significant predictors of return to swimming after surgery. After surgery, 54.3% of golfers reported similar or improved levels of play. Conclusions After elective cervical spine surgery, the majority of hobby athletes can expect to return to athletics. The majority of golfers returned to play with similar or improved frequency and quality of play compared to preoperative levels. Future prospective studies will further elucidate factors predicting RTP after different types of elective cervical surgeries.
Heat and mass transport in sublacustrine vents in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming: In-situ chemical and temperature data documenting a dynamic hydrothermal system

Abstract Recent advances in the development of in-situ chemical and temperature sensors have shown great promise as a means to investigate time series changes in marine and terrestrial hydrothermal systems. Here we apply this technology to assess chemical and physical controls on sublacustrine vent fluids in Yellowstone Lake, WY. Autonomous sensor systems were deployed in August 2017 using ROV assets to position instruments at two sites in the Deep Hole region of the Lake, off-shore from Stevenson Island. Earlier studies have documented that fissure related depressions (~120 m water depth) in this region host numerous vents issuing high enthalpy, CO2 saturated and H2S bearing vapor, at temperatures in excess of 150 °C. The YSZ (ceramic)-based in-situ chemical sensors deployed here were designed to measure pH and redox at 60 s intervals for up to one year. Two titanium-sheathed thermocouples, one coupled directly to the electrochemical sensor and another, independently powered and positioned slightly deeper in vents at deployment sites, provided insight on maximum temperature in the near surface region. In addition to in-situ chemical and temperature data, vent fluid samples were acquired at the outset and during recovery with a novel isobaric system that maintains lake bottom pressure, precluding fluid-sample de-gassing. At the same time, push cores of vents and in the near vent region were also acquired. The mineralized cores provide evidence of long term mass transfer processes, while also facilitating insertion and stabilization of the sensor units on the lake floor. Recovery of the sensors documented similar chemical controls at both sites, suggesting compositionally invariant vapor influx, characterized by moderately low pH (~4–5) and reducing conditions, buffered by CO2 and H2S, respectively. Accordingly, the diatomaceous sediment was extensively altered to kaolinite and pyrite. Temperature variability at the two sites was especially significant. One site (Site B), situated on the slope of what might be a hydrothermal domal structure, demonstrated noteworthy cooling and heating episodes that may be associated with hydrothermally or seismically triggered sediment slumping events. Upon instrument recovery in 2018, the vent site was largely sediment covered and the sensor insert showed evidence of dis-location and melting by conductive heating under the hot sediment overburden. The initially active and high temperature vent fluid (~148 °C) had largely ceased and replaced by diffuse flow venting at the margin of the previous up-flow zone. The time series in-situ chemical and physical data obtained in the course of the study document the existence of a dynamic hydrothermal system in time and space, while underscoring the challenges of research of this type in such environments.
Clearing the Field: How do Presidential Primary Candidates Win Big on Super Tuesday?

In presidential primaries, Super Tuesday elections play a significant role in winnowing candidate fields and establishing nomination frontrunners. Despite their importance, scholars know little about why and how candidates win or lose the states comprising these events. This study explores which factors help explain candidate performance in Super Tuesday primaries between 2008 and 2016. Using pooled cross-sectional time-series analysis, the results indicate three key drivers of Super Tuesday success: candidate viability, public attention, and media attention. These findings imply that presidential campaigns continue to be complex electoral events beyond the early primary states and suggest that underdog candidates can still win states under the right conditions. Future research should explore the interrelatedness of these three critical factors.
The maximum number of 10- and 12-cycles in a planar graph

For a fixed planar graph $H$, let $\operatorname{\mathbf{N}}_{\mathcal{P}}(n,H)$ denote the maximum number of copies of $H$ in an $n$-vertex planar graph. In the case when $H$ is a cycle, the asymptotic value of $\operatorname{\mathbf{N}}_{\mathcal{P}}(n,C_m)$ is currently known for $m\in\{3,4,5,6,8\}$. In this note, we extend this list by establishing $\operatorname{\mathbf{N}}_{\mathcal{P}}(n,C_{10})\sim(n/5)^5$ and $\operatorname{\mathbf{N}}_{\mathcal{P}}(n,C_{12})\sim(n/6)^6$. We prove this by answering the following question for $m\in\{5,6\}$, which is interesting in its own right: which probability mass $\mu$ on the edges of some clique maximizes the probability that $m$ independent samples from $\mu$ form an $m$-cycle?
Inhibition of Epigenetic Modifiers LSD1 and HDAC1 Blocks Rod Photoreceptor Death in Mouse Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Epigenetic modifiers are increasingly being investigated as potential therapeutics to modify and overcome disease phenotypes. Diseases of the nervous system present a particular problem as neurons are postmitotic and demonstrate relatively stable gene expression patterns and chromatin organization. We have explored the ability of epigenetic modifiers to prevent degeneration of rod photoreceptors in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), using rd10 mice of both sexes. The histone modification eraser enzymes lysine demethylase 1 (LSD1) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) are known to have dramatic effects on the development of rod photoreceptors. In the RP mouse model, inhibitors of these enzymes blocked rod degeneration, preserved vision, and affected the expression of multiple genes including maintenance of rod-specific transcripts and downregulation of those involved in inflammation, gliosis, and cell death. The neuroprotective activity of LSD1 inhibitors includes two pathways. First, through targeting histone modifications, they increase accessibility of chromatin and upregulate neuroprotective genes, such as from the Wnt pathway. We propose that this process is going in rod photoreceptors. Second, through nonhistone targets, they inhibit transcription of inflammatory genes and inflammation. This process is going in microglia, and lack of inflammation keeps rod photoreceptors alive.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Retinal degenerations are a leading cause of vision loss. RP is genetically very heterogeneous, and the multiple pathways leading to cell death are one reason for the slow progress in identifying suitable treatments for patients. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of LSD1and HDAC1 in a mouse model of RP leads to preservation of rod photoreceptors and visual function, retaining of expression of rod-specific genes, and with decreased inflammation, cell death, and Muller cell gliosis. We propose that these epigenetic inhibitors cause more open and accessible chromatin, allowing expression of neuroprotective genes. A second mechanism that allows rod photoreceptor survival is suppression of inflammation by epigenetic inhibitors in microglia. Manipulation of epigenetic modifiers is a new strategy to fight neurodegeneration in RP.
A New Coupling Insensitive Nonlinear Capacitive Resonant Wireless Power Transfer Circuit

This paper presents a nonlinear capacitive WPT system that automatically compensate for the coupling variation between the transmitter and receiver in a capacitive wireless power transfer (WPT) system with no active circuitry. The system is capable of minimizing the output power variation at a fixed operating frequency of13 MHz as the coupling distance varies. A constant output power is achieved over a wide range of coupling capacitance variation in comparison to the conventional capacitive wireless power transmission circuits. Such an approach is attractive for biomedical implants employing a capacitive WPT system.
Investigation of Noise Spectrum and Radiated EMI in High Switching Frequency Flyback Converters

This paper investigates noise spectrums and radiated EMI in high-frequency gallium nitride (GaN) integrated circuit (IC)-based active clamp flyback (ACF) converters. Influential factors for the noise spectrums are investigated, including the switching frequency, dv/dt and waveform symmetry, voltage magnitude, duty cycle, etc. Moreover, in the radiated EMI frequency range, the relationship between spectrum valleys and dv/dt is analyzed. In the investigated GaN IC-based ACF, the voltage spectrums and radiated EMI with high line and low line input voltages are analyzed and investigated experimentally.
Reliability Modeling of Micro-vias in High-Density Redistribution Layers

The ever-increasing demand for high-bandwidth interconnects has given rise to the need for high IO-density package redistribution layers (RDL). This necessitates scaling down RDL critical dimensions as well as microvias. There are numerous challenges pertaining to scaling down microvias below $5\ \mu \mathrm{m}$ diameter. The main challenge is the thermomechanical reliability of vias in polymer dielectrics. Modeling and design for reliability in various polymer dielectrics is the key to achieve mechanical reliability. This paper presents a model for the prediction of micro-via failure. The effects of via geometry such as-via angle and height as well as material properties such as-CTE and elastic modulus on via failure are presented. Furthermore, modeling results are correlated with experimental results to verify the accuracy of the model. Using this model, it was determined that the conventional via geometry reaches an engineering limit at $2 \mu \mathrm{m}$ of via diameter. Below this size, it becomes difficult to achieve reliable vias in polymers as they do not survive 1000 thermal cycles. Based on the modeling studies, a novel method is proposed for enhancement of reliability of vias below the engineering limit of $2\ \mu \mathrm{m}$ .
Fair Representation Learning using Interpolation Enabled Disentanglement.

With the growing interest in the machine learning community to solve real-world problems, it has become crucial to uncover the hidden reasoning behind their decisions by focusing on the fairness and auditing the predictions made by these black-box models. In this paper, we propose a novel method to address two key issues: (a) Can we simultaneously learn fair disentangled representations while ensuring the utility of the learned representation for downstream tasks, and (b)Can we provide theoretical insights into when the proposed approach will be both fair and accurate. To address the former, we propose the method FRIED, Fair Representation learning using Interpolation Enabled Disentanglement. In our architecture, by imposing a critic-based adversarial framework, we enforce the interpolated points in the latent space to be more realistic. This helps in capturing the data manifold effectively and enhances the utility of the learned representation for downstream prediction tasks. We address the latter question by developing a theory on fairness-accuracy trade-offs using classifier-based conditional mutual information estimation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of FRIED on datasets of different modalities - tabular, text, and image datasets. We observe that the representations learned by FRIED are overall fairer in comparison to existing baselines and also accurate for downstream prediction tasks. Additionally, we evaluate FRIED on a real-world healthcare claims dataset where we conduct an expert aided model auditing study providing useful insights into opioid ad-diction patterns.