cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MONETARY CONTROL AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF MONEY

THIS THESIS FOCUSES on estimating member bank net demand deposits under the assumption that their legal reserve balances and required reserve ratios are controlled by the Federal Reserve. Given the policy controlled variables, it was necessary to estimate excess reserves and the distribution of deposits among the various classes to which different required reserve ratios apply. Daily average member bank net demand deposits were estimated for semimonthly periods from 1947 through 1959. The standard error of estimate was $510 million. Average error was $366 million or less than one-half of one per cent of average net demand deposits. Ninty-nine and seven-tenths per cent of the variation in net demand deposits was explained. The net demand deposit estimates were constructed for seasonally adjusted data by the product of (1) total reserves, (2) an estimated utilized reserve ratio, and (3) the reciprocal of an estimated average required reserve ratio. In addition to seasonality, explanatory variables included Treasury bill rates, the ratio of borrowed to total reserves, and particularly lagged values of the utilized reserve ratio and the average required reserve ratio adjusted for reserve requirement changes. The major source of error was accountable to the utilized reserve ratio. It averaged .96 with standard error of .004. Eightytwo per cent of its variation was explained. Little error in estimating net demand deposits was accountable 'to the reciprocal of the average required reserve ratio. It averaged about 5.2 with standard error of .004. Ninety-nine and nine-tenths per cent of its variation was explained. An alternative procedure, wherein seasonally unadjusted net demand deposits were estimated by the product of total reserves and the lagged ratio of net demand deposits to total reserves, yielded results with nearly twice the standard and average errors reported above. The conclusion is drawn that the Federal Reserve, to the extent it could control member bank reserves, could have a highly predictable impact on member bank net demand deposits.
Electric field-mediated growth of osteoblasts – the significant impact of dynamic flow of medium

The endogenous electric field plays an important role in accomplishing various functions including communication with the brain and with different parts of the physiological system, wound healing, and cellular functions. Furthermore, the endogenous electric field can be modified using the external electric field to induce changes in cell functionality. Given that the cells grow in contact with the dynamic flow of blood and nutrients, the objective of the study is to elucidate the effect of media flow (dynamic conditions) on osteoblast functions at a pulsed DC (direct current) electric field of strength of 0.5–1 V cm−1 and compared with the static conditions (no flow of media and in the presence of an electric field). The electric field provided a guiding cue to cells to move towards the cathode. An interesting aspect of the electric field was the migration of cells towards the cathode with the axis parallel to the direction of the electric field such that the lamellipodia was aligned. Furthermore, there was an absence of membrane blebbing or necrosis at the cathode. However, cell growth and expression of proteins (actin and vinculin) were higher than the anode. In contrast, at the anode, while the cells were healthy, the cell growth was less such that the expression of vinculin was relatively low together with less densely packed actin stress fibers. It is underscored that the biological functionality is favorably altered in the presence of an electrical field under dynamic conditions with a consequent effect on cell proliferation, growth, and expression level of prominent proteins, actin and vinculin.
Optimal dark hole generation via two deformable mirrors with stroke minimization

The past decade has seen a significant growth in research targeted at space-based observatories for imaging exosolar planets. The challenge is in designing an imaging system for high contrast. Even with a perfect coronagraph that modifies the point spread function to achieve high contrast, wavefront sensing and control is needed to correct the errors in the optics and generate a “dark hole.” The high-contrast imaging laboratory at Princeton University is equipped with two Boston Micromachines Kilo-DMs. We review here an algorithm designed to achieve high contrast on both sides of the image plane while minimizing the stroke necessary from each deformable mirror (DM). This algorithm uses the first DM to correct for amplitude aberrations and uses the second DM to create a flat wavefront in the pupil plane. We then show the first results obtained at Princeton with this correction algorithm, and we demonstrate a symmetric dark hole in monochromatic light.
Performance and cost effectiveness of a cluster of workstations and MD-GRAPE 2 for MD simulations

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed on systems of various sizes up to 32 million atoms. Performance is compared between an MD-GRAPE 2 board, specialized hardware optimized for MD, and a general purpose cluster computer utilizing varied numbers of processors for both short- and long-range potentials. While it is possible to outperform a single MD-GRAPE 2 board with a sufficient number of processors, tests verses a local cluster and comparison of original purchase price show the MD-GRAPE 2 board is often cost-effective. Potential-specific considerations are discussed.
Molecular epidemiology of Powassan virus in North America

Powassan virus (POW) is a tick-borne flavivirus distributed in Canada, the northern USA and the Primorsky region of Russia. POW is the only tick-borne flavivirus endemic to the western hemisphere, where it is transmitted mainly between Ixodes cookei and groundhogs (Marmota monax). Deer tick virus (DTV), a genotype of POW that has been frequently isolated from deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), appears to be maintained in an enzootic cycle between these ticks and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). DTV has been isolated from ticks in several regions of North America, including the upper Midwest and the eastern seaboard. The incidence of human disease due to POW is apparently increasing. Previous analysis of tick-borne flaviviruses endemic to North America have been limited to relatively short genome fragments. We therefore assessed the evolutionary dynamics of POW using newly generated complete and partial genome sequences. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inferences showed two well-supported, reciprocally monophyletic lineages corresponding to POW and DTV. Bayesian skyline plots based on year-of-sampling data indicated no significant population size change for either virus lineage. Statistical model-based selection analyses showed evidence of purifying selection in both lineages. Positive selection was detected in NS-5 sequences for both lineages and envelope sequences for POW. Our findings confirm that POW and DTV sequences are relatively stable over time, which suggests strong evolutionary constraint, and support field observations that suggest that tick-borne flavivirus populations are extremely stable in enzootic foci.
Improving Wait Times for Elective Chemotherapy Through Pre-Preparation: A Quality-Improvement Project at the National University Cancer Institute of Singapore

Pre-preparation of chemotherapy, together with effective telephone triaging, is an effective way to reduce chemotherapy wait times.
Comparative in vitro activities of clinafloxacin and trovafloxacin against 1,000 isolates of bacteroides fragilis group: effect of the medium on test results.

The in vitro antibacterial activities of clinafloxacin, trovafloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and cefoxitin against 1,000 clinical isolates of Bacteroides fragilis group were compared by agar dilution in brucella blood agar (BBA) and Wilkins Chalgren agar (WCA). Significantly higher geometric mean MICs for the three quinolones and cefoxitin (P < 0.001) were obtained in BBA than in WCA. Regardless of medium, clinafloxacin was slightly more active than trovafloxacin. The activity of clinafloxacin and trovafloxacin was greater than that of cefoxitin against B. distasonis, B. ovatus, and B. thetaiotaomicron but lower against B. vulgatus. High cross resistance between trovafloxacin and clinafloxacin was observed.
Hexahapto‐Metal Complexes of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

We report the preparation of organometallic side-wall complexes of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) under conditions, which allow the study of both mono- and bis-hexahapto SWNT coordination compounds [(η6-SWNT)Cr(CO)3, (η6-SWNT)Cr(η6-C6H6), (η6-SWNT)2Cr]. The results are interpreted in terms of exohedral and endohedral binding of chromium to the SWNT sidewalls and ligand competition reactions suggest that endohedral binding provides a very stable and kinetically inert mode of organometallic bonding. We demonstrate that the electrical conductivity of SWNT thin films are significantly enhanced by side-wall bonding to Group 6 transition metals (M = Cr, Mo, and W), which serve to reduce the inter-carbon nanotube junction electrical resistance by the formation of SWNT interconnects [(η6-SWNT)2M].
Turbo multi-user receiver for asynchronous multi-user OFDM systems

This paper proposes a low complexity turbo multi-user receiver for the coded asynchronous multi-user orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal over multipath fading channels. While asynchronous multi-user multiplexing with antenna diversity accommodates high speed applications and achieves the high spectral efficiency in communication systems, the multiple access interference deteriorates the quality of signal detection. In order to effectively suppress the interference and amplify a performance gain from channel coding, we employ a turbo equalization technique. Based on the asynchronous OFDM signal model and the corresponding linear minimum mean squared error (MMSE) estimator, an iterative space-time MMSE multi-user detector with a parallel soft interference canceller is developed. Simulation results demonstrate that iterative joint demodulation of the asynchronous multi-user OFDM signal achieves a significant performance gain even with a reduced complexity equalizer and a few iterations.
Regular Expressions and Predicate Logic in Finite-State Language Processing

This paper proposes an extension to the formalism of regular expressions with a form of predicate logic where quantified propositions apply to substrings. The implementation hinges crucially on the manipulation of auxiliary symbols which has been a common, though previously unsystematized practice in finite-state language processing. We also apply the notation to give alternate compilation methods for two-level grammars and various types of replacement rules found in the literature, and show that, under a certain interpretation, two-level rules and many types of replacement rules are equivalent.
Warts and Molluscum

Warts and molluscum are common viral skin infections of both children and adults. While generally harmless, they can cause significant discomfort at times and can be responsible for significant psychological distress. Conventional treatments center on destructive methods which can have significant side effects, thus opening the door to more gentle alternatives.
ACTH responses to CRF and AVP in pregnant and nonpregnant ewes

During both ovine and human pregnancy plasma cortisol is increased. In human pregnancy the placenta secretes corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), but pituitary responses to CRF are decreased. However, in ovine pregnancy there is no measurable placental secretion of CRF. This study tests for changes in pituitary responsiveness to CRF or AVP. Pregnant and nonpregnant ewes were infused with saline or CRF at three doses (3, 9, 45 μg/h), with or without coinfusion of AVP (9 μg/h). AVP infusion increased plasma AVP to ∼250 pg/ml. CRF infusions increased plasma CRF from ∼25 to 50, 150, and 850 pg/ml. ACTH was significantly increased by the infusion of AVP and by all infusions of CRF. Within-animal comparisons revealed a potentiation of the ACTH response to CRF in the presence of AVP. The ACTH responses to AVP and/or CRF were not different between pregnant and nonpregnant ewes. The results suggest that there is no change in pituitary responsiveness to CRF or AVP during ovine pregnancy.
J2-Modified GVE-Based MPC for Formation Flying Spacecraft

Formation flying is an enabling technology for many future space missions. This paper presents an MPC controller that uses dynamics based on a modified version of Gauss’ Variational Equations which incorporates osculating J2 effects. A linear parameter-varying version of existing dynamics is developed, creating a highly accurate model that can easily be embedded in the MPC controller design. The linearization assumptions are shown to be consistent with typical formation flying scenarios. The controller is demonstrated on an MMS-like formation flying mission in a highly elliptical orbit using a commercial orbit propagator with realistic disturbances (including J2). These simulations show that formation flying using MPC with J2-modified GVEs requires fuel expenditures comparable to using unmodified GVEs in simulations with no J2 effects.
Voice as Entry to Agriculturalists’ Conservationist Identity: A Cultural Inventory of the Yellowstone River

ABSTRACTWe explored the communicative construction of a conservationist identity among primary producers by excavating voices of agriculturalists operating along the Yellowstone River (Montana, USA). We used a cultural inventory approach to discover and then listen to informants’ voices as they constructed their conservation identity. Those who self-identified as conservationists talked about their ecological and social responsibilities, and described challenges they faced in protecting individual resources and system processes of the watershed. For these agriculturalists, conservation and production are inextricably linked, and enable them to provide a sustainable resource base for future generations. Insight from these voices enhances understanding of what sustainability could mean to those who self-identify as both conservationists and primary producers.
Investigation on Lead Hazards in Storage Battery Industry of A City

[Objective]To perform occupational health survey on 9 storage battery enterprises of a city,to understand the hazard of lead exposure,and provide scientific evidence for adopting interventions.[Methods]Occupational health status of the enterprises was investigated,lead concentration in the air of workplace was detected,the urinary lead and blood routine test were performed on the people with lead exposure.[Results]The production scale of storage battery enterprises in a city was small,the automation degree was low and the production equipment and protection equipment was simple and crude. The qualification rate of lead concentrations in the workplace was merely 36.4%. 59.1% workers' urinary lead exceeded diagnostic value 0.12 mg/L.[Conclusion]Lead hazards in storage battery industry are serious. It is of great urgency to adopt integrated control measure and strengthen the intervention of the occupational hazards of lead.
Anatomy and Embryology of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus

To truly understand surgical disease, one must have a comprehensive knowledge of the underlying anatomy and embryology. This chapter begins with a review of the anatomy of the rectum, anus, and pelvic floor. The anatomy of the colon is then discussed in a similar manner. Finally, the chapter concludes with a review of normal development, followed by a review of abnormal development and all of the disease states associated with abnormal development of the colon, rectum, and anus.
Surface degradation and nanoparticle release of a commercial nanosilica/polyurethane coating under UV exposure

Many coatings properties such as mechanical, electrical, and ultra violet (UV) resistance are greatly enhanced by the addition of nanoparticles, which can potentially increase the use of nanocoatings for many outdoor applications. However, because polymers used in all coatings are susceptible to degradation by weathering, nanoparticles in a coating may be brought to the surface and released into the environment during the life cycle of a nanocoating. Therefore, the goal of this study is to investigate the process and mechanism of surface degradation and potential particle release from a commercial nanosilica/polyurethane coating under accelerated UV exposure. Recent research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has shown that the matrix in an epoxy nanocomposite undergoes photodegradation during exposure to UV radiation, resulting in surface accumulation of nanoparticles and subsequent release from the composite. In this study, specimens of a commercial polyurethane (PU) coating, to which a 5 mass % surface treated silica nanoparticles solution was added, were exposed to well-controlled, accelerated UV environments. The nanocoating surface morphological changes and surface accumulation of nanoparticles as a function of UV exposure were measured, along with chemical change and mass loss using a variety of techniques. Particles from the surface of the coating were collected using a simulated rain process developed at NIST, and the collected runoff specimens were measured using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to determine the amount of silicon released from the nanocoatings. The results demonstrated that the added silica nanoparticle solution decreased the photodegradation rate (i.e., stabilization) of the commercial PU nanocoating. Although the degradation was slower than the previous nanosilica epoxy model system, the degradation of the PU matrix resulted in accumulation of silica nanoparticles on the nanocoating surface and release to the environment by simulated rain. These experimental data are valuable for developing models to predict the long-term release of nanosilica from commercial PU nanocoatings used outdoors and, therefore, are essential for assessing the health and environmental risks during the service life of exterior PU nanocoatings.
Corneal replacement tissue

Abstract Corneal diseases impair the vision of millions of people worldwide. The standard care for many corneal diseases is partial or full transplantation with the use of a cadaver cornea. The global shortage of corneas and complexity of logistics of providing donor corneas to patients prevents many patients from receiving treatment. Researchers and clinicians have recently made progress to address these issues by supplementing the supply of donor corneas utilizing tissue engineering. Significant progress has been made to treat patients for diseases such as limbal stem cell disease which affects the outer surface of the cornea with regenerative medicine. Replacement of the thickest layer of the cornea, the stroma, has been approached by employing a biosynthetic cornea in addition to cell replacement. A biosynthetic cornea that recruits the patient's own epithelial and the stromal cells has been tested and well tolerated, but further improvements are necessary. The isolation of adult stromal keratocytes has led to the healing of a disorganized stroma in an animal model of corneal disease. The deepest layer of the cornea, the endothelium was thought to be intractable to cell replacement because it has limited proliferative capacity in vitro. However, recent work highlights the progress in improving culture techniques to expand this reticent adult endothelium. Additionally, preliminary data highlights the potential of utilizing embryonic stem cell derived corneal endothelial cells. The hope for cures to many types of corneal diseases is in progress with the help of regenerative medicine and bioengineering.
Framing the human-technology relationship: How Religious Digital Creatives engage posthuman narratives

This article highlights the fact that careful study of common posthuman outlooks, as described by Roden (2015), reveals three unique narratives concerning how posthumanists view the nature of human...
Ne 21 from 12 C ( 10 B,p)

The $^{12}$C${(\mathrm{}}^{10}$B,p${)}^{21}$Ne reaction has been investigated at an incident energy of 20 MeV. Complete angular distributions were measured in the angular range ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{lab}=7.5\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}--161.25\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}$ using a multiangle spectrograph. Angular distributions for states in $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ up to 6.75 MeV excitation are found to be symmetric around 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Results have been analyzed in terms of Hauser-Feshbach compound-nucleus calculations. A simple analysis of the angle-integrated cross sections versus (2J+1) shows that the (2J+1) rule holds for states with angular momenta up to (7/2). States with higher J are significantly enhanced due to kinematical conditions. The Hauser-Feshbach calculations account fairly well for the high-J enhancement of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}}$.
Corrosion Performance of Fe-Based Alloys in Simulated Oxy-Fuel Environment

The long-term corrosion of Fe-based alloys in simulated oxy-fuel environment at 1023 K (750 °C) was studied. Detailed results are presented on weight change, scale thickness, internal penetration, microstructural characteristics of the corrosion products, and the cracking of scales for the alloys after exposure at 1023 K (750 °C) for up to 3600 hours. An incubation period during which the corrosion rate was low was observed for the alloys. After the incubation period, the corrosion accelerated, and the corrosion process followed linear kinetics. Effects of alloy, CaO-containing ash, and gas composition on the corrosion rate were also studied. In addition, synchrotron nanobeam X-ray analysis was employed to determine the phase and chemical composition of the oxide layers on the alloy surface. Results from these studies are being used to address the long-term corrosion performance of Fe-based alloys in various coal-ash combustion environments and to develop methods to mitigate high-temperature ash corrosion.
Cortisol dysregulation: the bidirectional link between stress, depression, and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Controversy exists over the role of stress and depression in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Depression has been shown to increase the risk for progressive insulin resistance and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple studies, whereas the association of stress with diabetes is less clear, owing to differences in study designs and in forms and ascertainment of stress. The biological systems involved in adaptation that mediate the link between stress and physiological functions include the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous and immune systems. The HPA axis is a tightly regulated system that represents one of the body's mechanisms for responding to acute and chronic stress. Depression is associated with cross-sectional and longitudinal alterations in the diurnal cortisol curve, including a blunted cortisol awakening response and flattening of the diurnal cortisol curve. Flattening of the diurnal cortisol curve is also associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this article, we review and summarize the evidence supporting HPA axis dysregulation as an important biological link between stress, depression, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The utility of early developmental assessments on understanding later nonverbal IQ in children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Abstract Objective In children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), it is helpful to have meaningful early measures of development in order to provide effective interventions and offer benchmarks that help recognize varied developmental trajectories. The main objective of this study was to compare results of an early developmental assessment prior to 3 years of age to later nonverbal IQ assessed between 3 and 6 years of age in children who are DHH. Methods This study included children 3–6 years of age with bilateral permanent hearing who were enrolled in a prospective cohort study on developmental outcomes. As part of the study, children received the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised, which provided a nonverbal Brief IQ, as well as standardized language assessment and behavioral checklists. Children were included in this analysis if they had received an early developmental assessment with the Gesell Developmental Schedules-Revised as part of a clinical visit with a developmental pediatrician. Correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis were used to associate the scores on the Gesell (using a developmental quotient) with scores on the Leiter-R Brief IQ. Results Forty-five participants who enrolled in the observational study had available evaluation results from the Gesell and complete Brief IQ results from the Leiter-R. The adaptive domain of the Gesell had good correlation (r = 0.61, p 24 months) at the early Gesell assessment. Degree of hearing loss or maternal education did not appear to confound the relationship between the Gesell and the Leiter-R. Conclusions The adaptive domain of the Gesell Developmental Schedules – Revised administered in early childhood (under 3 years of age) has good correlation with the nonverbal Brief IQ on the Leiter International Performance Scale-R. Because children who are DHH have a higher likelihood of having a developmental disability compared to the general population, early developmental assessments are often important. Although early developmental assessments have their limitations, our results indicate that they are fairly robust indicators of later development. Such early indicators can be extremely useful in the clinical and educational management of children who are DHH.
A systematic review of active video games on rehabilitative outcomes among older patients

Abstract Background Although current research supports the use of active video games (AVGs) in rehabilitation, the evidence has yet to be systematically reviewed or synthesized. The current project systematically reviewed literature, summarized findings, and evaluated the effectiveness of AVGs as a therapeutic tool in improving physical, psychological, and cognitive rehabilitative outcomes among older adults with chronic diseases. Methods Seven databases (Academic Search Complete, Communication & Mass Media Complete, ERIC, PsycINFO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Medline) were searched for studies that evaluated the effectiveness of AVG-based rehabilitation among older patients. The initial search yielded 946 articles; after evaluating against inclusion criteria and removing duplicates, 19 studies of AVG-based rehabilitation remained. Results Most studies were quasi-experimental in design, with physical functioning the primary outcome investigated with regard to the use of AVGs in rehabilitation. Overall, 9 studies found significant improvements for all study outcomes, whereas 9 studies were mixed, with significant improvements on several study outcomes but no effects observed on other outcomes after AVG-based treatments. One study failed to find any benefits of AVG-based rehabilitation. Conclusion Findings indicate AVGs have potential in rehabilitation for older patients, with several randomized clinical trials reporting positive effects on rehabilitative outcomes. However, existing evidence is insufficient to support the advantages of AVGs over standard therapy. Given the limited number of studies and concerns with study design quality, more research is warranted to make more definitive conclusions regarding the ability of AVGs to improve rehabilitative outcomes in older patients.
Biorthogonal click chemistry on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polymeric particles

Biodegradable polymeric materials are a key area of investigation in drug delivery and disease treatment. This is due to their proven clinical potential for payload protection, responsivity, and surface modification imparted by the versatile array of polymers available for their formulation. Here, we employ a novel biodegradable azide containing polymer in the formulation of polymeric nanoparticles and show that these particles can then be functionalized, with biorthogonal click reactions, to alter their surface appearance and their ability to interact with biological systems.
Reliability and Validity in Nonmarket Valuation

A central goal of nonmarket valuation studies is to provide accurate value estimates. We suggest a systematic, comprehensive approach to accuracy assessment using the twin concepts of reliability and validity. Reliability has to do with variance; validity has to do with bias. If procedures applied in a valuation study are produce erratic results, accuracy suffers even if those procedures are unbiased. And, even if the procedures in question are reliable, they will be less useful if the procedures applied produce large biases in the estimates. We adapt the general concepts of reliability and validity to apply to nonmarket valuation studies. As in many other disciplines, the concept to be measured, the “true values,” is unobservable. Hence, criteria must be developed to serve as indicators of accuracy. Reliability is typically observed using the estimated standard error of the mean from repeated estimates of value. Validity is assessed using the concepts of content validity, construct validity, and criterion validity; what we refer to as the “three Cs” of validity. After fleshing out these concept, we illustrate how they can be applied using two case studies. Contingent valuation serves as an example of stated preference methods. The travel cost method provides a case study of revealed preference methods.
Coordinate post-transcriptional regulation of ferritin and transferrin receptor expression: the role of regulated RNA-protein interaction.

Two of the best understood examples of post-transcriptional gene regulation in eukaryotic cells have emerged from studies on cellular iron metabolism. Although assimilation and metabolism of iron by higher eukaryotes is a complex process about which many unanswered questions remain (Seligman et al., 1987), some progress has been made in the understanding of iron uptake and sequestration by individual eukaryotic cells (Klausner & Harford, 1990; Theil, 1990; Harford et al., 1990). Iron is delivered to most cells via the “transferrin cycle” involving endocytosis of the iron-carrying protein transferrin (Tf). This endocytic pathway is mediated by the transferrin receptor (TfR). From an acidic endosome, iron is released from Tf and transferred by unknown means to the cytoplasm. Once in the cytoplasm, the iron is utilized for the many cellular processes that require iron or it is sequestered into ferritin, a hollow, spherical molecule composed of 24 subunits encoded by two homologous genes (termed H and L) (Munro & Linder, 1978; Theil, 1987). Presumably, this sequestration is largely responsible for the detoxification of unused iron.
Digital Fabrication and Integration of a Flexible Wireless Sensing Device

In this paper, we combine high functionality c-Si CMOS and digitally printed components and interconnects to create an mostly printed integrated electronic system on a flexible substrate that can read and process multiple discrete sensors. Our approach is to create an integrated platform for the fabrication of mechanically flexible sensor tags that can be powered and interrogated wirelessly, precluding the need of a separate on-board power source. The high level system design is aimed at minimizing the number of non-printed components and reducing power consumption to enable energy harvesting from the RF field. Digital fabrication of these systems requires a range of materials, feature sizes, and electrical characteristics. In order to integrate the various printed components on a single substrate, we developed an integrated printer to accommodate a range of inks for printing the antenna, different types of sensors, chip interconnects, and wiring. For chip attachment to the flexible substrate, a method of integrating the die within the thickness of the substrate was developed. With proper system design and fabrication, a complete integrated tag for wireless sensing of temperature, strain, and touch was demonstrated. Our approach facilitates customization to a wide variety of sensors and user interfaces suitable for a broad range of applications including remote monitoring of health, structures, and the environment.
Formal Verification of a Timing Enforcer Implementation

A timing enforcer is a scheduler that not only allocates CPU cycles to threads, but also uses timers to enforce time budgets. An approach for verifying safety properties of timing enforcers at the source code level is presented. We assume that the enforcer is implemented as a set of “enforcer” functions that are executed atomically on critical system-level events, such as the arrival and departure of jobs, and triggering of timers. The key idea is to express the safety property as an invariant, and prove that it is inductive across all the enforcer functions. A formal semantics of timing enforcers is presented, including the semantics of functions used to read the system clock and set timers. Using this semantics, the verification approach is presented, and its soundness proved. Further, the approach also takes into consideration the periodicity of tasks. It is validated by proving the correctness of the enforcement of CPU cycle budgets for tasks by the Zero-Slack Rate Monotonic (zsrm) scheduler, which is implemented in C as a Linux kernel module. The inductiveness of the necessary zsrm invariants is proved by expressing them as function contracts using the acsl specification language, and verifying the contracts using the frama-c tool.
Edge datastore for distributed vision analytics: poster

Autonomous machine vision is a powerful tool to address challenges in multiple domains including national security (for example, video surveillance), health care (for example, patient monitoring), and transportation (for example, autonomous vehicles). Distributed vision, where multiple cameras observe a specific geographic area 24/7, enables smart understanding of events in a physical environment with minimal human intervention. We observe that the cloud paradigm alone does not offer a pathway to real-time distributed vision processing. With potentially thousands of cameras, hundreds of gigabytes data per second needs to be transferred to the cloud, saturating the bandwidth of the network. More importantly, vision applications are inherently latency-critical with a high demand for real-time scene analysis (for example, feature extraction and object tracking). To meet latency requirements, computation - including both processing of raw video streams to identify objects, and analytics on this data, needs to be brought to the edge of the network. While object recognition may be done locally at the end node (next to the camera), vision analytics requires access to data generated across different nodes. For example, a subject of interest may need to be tracked across multiple cameras to identify the nature of activities. This creates a need for a low latency distributed data store communicating over a dynamic communication network (most often wireless), to be implemented at the edge. Moreover, the data store must be able to address the limited storage at the end nodes (typically gigabytes). Additionally, privacy and security are prime concerns in the design of such a distributed edge storage.
Cellular Immune Responses in Natural and Non-natural Hosts of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Several African non-human primate species are naturally infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and maintain high levels of viral replication without progressing to AIDS. Absence of chronic aberrant immune activation is a key feature that distinguishes nonpathogenic SIV infection in natural hosts from pathogenic infection in AIDS-susceptible non-natural hosts such as SIV-infected Asian macaque species. Elucidating the mechanisms by which SIV-infected natural hosts avoid increased immune activation despite persistent viral replication will provide insight into AIDS pathogenesis. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge on T lymphocyte responses in natural and non-natural hosts of SIV infection with emphasis on both adaptive and innate cellular immune responses. The role of virus-specific and innate T lymphocyte subsets in relation to viral control, prevention of immunodeficiency, prevention of immunopathology, modulation of immune activation and preservation of mucosal integrity are discussed.
Civic crowd-funding: a potential test of the voluntary theory of public finance for public capital goods

There have been many innovations in public finance in the 21st century to address increasing budget constraints and increasing demands from government. One innovation has been civic crowd-funding which began in 2009. This is predicated on the voluntary commitment of funds by individual and institutional donors and investors for specific projects. This paper explores this new approach to funding capital projects and grounds it within a discussion of the Voluntary Theory of Public Finance. There is a lack of research on civic crowd-funding and a lack of theoretical approaches to it. This paper draws these connections and develops future directions of research that includes the continuing application of this approach, the increasing engagement of citizens in the administrative process of government and increasing budget constraints.
Load Transfer of Drilled Shafts: Modeling and Simulating for Probability Analysis

Modeling and simulating load transfer data is essential when conducting probabilistic analyses for service limit state design of deep foundations. Before the research presented herein, there are no available records of a functional load transfer model or a quantified uncertainty for drilled shafts in shales (cohesive intermediate geomaterials). In addition, there were no methodologies for incorporating and simulating the variability and uncertainties of a load transfer model for probabilistic analyses. Based on a large data collection from full-scaled load testing on drilled shafts in shales, regression analyses were carried out to find the best fit model that reflects data, as well as their variability and uncertainty. Intensive nonlinear regression analyses were performed using constant standard deviation and constant coefficient of variation assumptions. Five different functional models and two approaches (collective and individual) were utilized. Accordingly, two methods to simulate the load transfer data are proposed for Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate the uncertainty of the models in probabilistic analyses. Recommendations were made to use non-weighted least square regression and collective approach of analysis to analyze the load transfer data. For the first time, quantified variability of the load transfer data, as well as the method to simulate the load transfer data, is available for probabilistic analysis for service limit state of drilled shafts in shales.
High-Throughput Screening and Insect Genomics for New Insecticide Leads

Feeding the world population has been a challenge in every century, and it is no different at the beginning of the new millennium. Insect damage worldwide is estimated to contribute up to 15% in pre-harvest loses to major crops (Oerke et al. 1995; Yudelman et al. 1998). The demands associated with feeding an ever-increasing human population make our ability to boost crop yields a continuing imperative. Insects cause significant damage and losses to human food, health, fiber, and structures. The cost to help control crop pests, turf and ornamental pests, house and garden insects, pests of forestry, livestock, and companion animals is approaching $10 billion per annum in conventional insecticide sales (PhilipsMcDougal 2004). Even as the need for new insecticides increases, the discovery of new active molecules has become more challenging in our modern world; new products must meet a number of conflicting demands (Lund et al. 1989; Bloomquist 1996). New insecticides must be active on a broad range of insect pests; however, those same products have to be safe to beneficial insects, insect predators and parasites. They should also be fast-acting and highly toxic to insect pests at exceedingly low-use rates, but these same compounds must show little or no mammalian effects, even in acute and chronic toxicity studies done at high exposure rates. The insecticide should be long lasting so that it is highly effective between application intervals, but it should break down rapidly in the environment. A desirable property of new insecticides is to be internalized and circulated by target plants, but it should not be detected in groundwater or persist in the soil after application. In addition, a systemic insecticide should not accumulate to excessive amounts in harvestable portions of the plant. Growers want to be able to use an effective, safe insecticide (which passed this gauntlet of requirements) numerous times during the course of a growing season, and year after year; however, they do not want development of resistance in the targeted insect pests. A chemical control agent needs to be inexpensive, even though research and development for a new product takes more than a decade, and costs to bring a new insecticide to market is estimated to be greater than $200 million (Short 2005). Continue to find new insecticides with these demanding and conflicting characteristics, such as shown in Table 1, will require that the crop protection industry use every viable research approach at its disposal.
Zinc, Cadmium, and Lead Resistance and Homeostasis

Metals such as zinc are required for life but can be toxic in excess. Other metals such as cadmium and lead have almost no known biological function, and can lead to cell damage and death even at low concentrations. Interestingly, all three metals are often recognized by the same gene regulators and membrane transporters. Therefore, an examination of the inherent chemical properties of these three metal ions is essential in understanding the basis of metal specificity displayed by target proteins responsible for metal homeostasis and resistance. The relationship between the chemical properties of these metals and similarities in structural responses they may elicit are discussed. The core elements regulating uptake, efflux, and sequestration of these metals are described and interpreted both biologically and chemically. Additional mechanisms aiding cell survival, such as precipitation of metal salts on the cell surface, are also mentioned.
What Do You Do When Oncology Chooses You

My journey through nursing school at the University of Hawaii Maui College has been the most challenging but, by far, the most memorable adventure of my life. During this short-lived period, I lost my mom, who was also my best friend, to stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Almost three years have passed, but the memories and the emotions are still quite vivid.
Nephron repair: powered by anaerobic energy metabolism.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is clinically classified as abrupt organ damage that occurs within a short time period spanning a few hours or days (1). AKI commonly attacks anatomical structures called nephrons, which are tubular units responsible for conducting the essential excretory and osmoregulatory functions of the kidney.
"I Don't Feel Like the Odd One": Utilizing Content Analysis to Compare the Effects of Social Media Use on Well-Being Among Sexual Minority and Nonminority US Young Adults.

Purpose:Although there is evidence of associations between social media (SM) use and mental well-being among the general population, these associations among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) person...
Photo-released drugs: a targeted treatment approach for arthritis

We have developed a technology that facilitates the targeted delivery of glucocorticoids to arthritic joints thereby side-stepping systemic immune suppression while potentially improving efficacy. Our technology loads phototherapeutics inside of red blood cell (RBC) carriers. This ensures that the inactive, RBC-contained phototherapeutic drug is transported throughout the body and released from the RBC carrier only after triggered release by long-wavelength light. We have demonstrated that medications bound to vitamin B12 can be photo-released from RBCs using tissue penetrating, longwavelength red, far-red, and near infrared light in the collagen antibody-induced arthritis model.
Minimally Invasive Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Abstract Objective To compare recurrence rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival for early-stage cervical cancer after minimally-invasive (MIS) versus abdominal radical hysterectomy Data Sources Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and Cochrane Library databases Methods of Study Selection We identified studies from 1990 to 2020 including women with stage 1 or higher cervical cancer treated with primary radical hysterectomy and compared recurrence and/or profession-free survival (PFS) and overall survival with MIS versus abdominal radical hysterectomy (PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020173600). Tabulation, Integration and Results We performed random-effects meta-analysis overall and by length of follow-up. 50 articles on 40 cohort and 1 RCT, including 22,593 women with cervical cancer, met inclusion criteria. 20% of studies had less than 36 months of follow-up, and 24% had 60+ months of follow-up. The odds of progression-free survival were worse for women undergoing MIS radical hysterectomy (OR 1.54, 95%CI 1.24-1.94, 14 studies). When limited to studies with longer follow-up, the odds of progression-free survival were progressively worse with MIS radical hysterectomy (HR 1.48 for 36+ months, 95%CI 1.21-1.82, 10 studies; HR 1.69 for 48+ months, 95%CI 1.26-2.27, 5 studies; and HR 2.020 for 60+ months, 95%CI 1.36-3.001, 3 studies). For overall survival, the odds were not significantly different for MIS vs. abdominal hysterectomy (OR 0.94, 95%CI 0.66-1.35, 14 studies). (HR 0.99 for 36+ months, 95%CI 0.66-1.48, 9 studies; HR 1.05 for 48+ months, 95%CI 0.57-1.94, 4 studies; HR 1.35 for 60+ months, 95%CI 0.73-2.51, 3 studies) Conclusion In our meta-analysis of 50 studies, MIS radical hysterectomy was associated with worse progression-free survival compared to open radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer. The emergence of this finding with longer follow-up highlights the importance of long-term, high-quality studies to guide cancer and surgical treatment.
Nanocrystalline materials – Current research and future directions

Nanocrystalline materials, with a grain size of typically < 100 nm, are a new class of materials with properties vastly different from and often superior to those of the conventional coarse-grained materials. These materials can be synthesized by a number of different techniques and the grain size, morphology, and composition can be controlled by controlling the process parameters. In comparison to the coarse-grained materials, nanocrystalline materials show higher strength and hardness, enhanced diffusivity, and superior soft and hard magnetic properties. Limited quantities of these materials are presently produced and marketed in the US, Canada, and elsewhere. Applications for these materials are being actively explored. The present article discusses the synthesis, structure, thermal stability, properties, and potential applications of nanocrystalline materials.
Comparison of RDSA and SPSA algorithms with different perturbations

Stochastic approximation (SA) algorithms can be used in system optimization problems when only noisy measurements of the system are available. This paper studies two types of SA algorithms in a multivariate Kiefer-Wolfowitz setting: random-direction SA (RDSA) and simultaneous-perturbation SA (SPSA), and then presents a complete proof for the convergence and asymptotic normality of the RDSA algorithm. Finally, this paper looks at several valid distributed perturbations in RDSA and SPSA and compares the two algorithms using mean-square errors in both theoretical and numerical ways.