cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Constraining Multiplicative Bias in CFHTLenS Weak Lensing Shear Data

Several recent cosmological analyses have found tension between constraints derived from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Lensing Survey (CFHTLenS) data and those derived from other data sets, such as the Planck cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature anisotropies. Similarly, a direct cross-correlation of the CFHTLenS data with Planck CMB lensing data yielded an anomalously low amplitude compared to expectations based on Planck or WMAP-derived cosmological parameters Liu and Hill [Phys. Rev. D 92, 063517 (2015)]. One potential explanation for these results is a multiplicative bias afflicting the CFHTLenS galaxy shape measurements, from which shears are inferred. Simulations are used in the CFHTLenS pipeline to calibrate such biases, but no data-driven constraints have been presented to date. In this paper, we cross-correlate CFHTLenS galaxy density maps with CFHTLenS shear maps and Planck CMB lensing maps to calibrate an additional multiplicative shear bias ($m$) in CFHTLenS (beyond the multiplicative correction that has already been applied to the CFHTLenS galaxy shears), following methods suggested by Vallinotto [Astrophys. J. 759, 32 (2012)], and Das et al. [arXiv:1311.2338]. We analyze three magnitude-limited galaxy samples, finding $2--4\ensuremath{\sigma}$ evidence for $ml1$ using the deepest sample ($il24$), while the others are consistent with $m=1$ (no bias). This matches the expectation that the shapes of faint galaxies are the most prone to measurement biases. Our results for $m$ are essentially independent of the assumed cosmology, and only weakly sensitive to assumptions about the galaxy bias. We consider three galaxy bias models, finding in all cases that the best-fit multiplicative shear bias is less than unity (neglecting photometric redshift errors and intrinsic alignment contamination). A value of $m\ensuremath{\approx}0.9$ would suffice to reconcile the amplitude of density fluctuations inferred from the CFHTLenS shear two-point statistics with that inferred from Planck CMB temperature data. This scenario is consistent with our results.
Robust and Efficient Transistor-Level Envelope-Following Analysis of PWM/PFM/PSM DC-DC Converters

The envelope-following (EF) simulation of practical dc-dc converters is challenging due to the presence of digital behavior, strong nonlinearity, complex frequency module schemes, and feedback loops. This paper presents a novel EF method for time-domain analysis of dc-dc converters-based upon a numerically robust time-delayed phase condition to track the envelopes of circuit states under a varying switching frequency. We further develop an EF technique that is applicable to both fixed and varying switching frequency operations, thereby providing a unifying solution to converters with pulse width modulation, pulse frequency modulation, and pulse skipping modulation. By adopting three fast simulation techniques, our proposed EF method achieves higher speedup without composing the accuracy of the results. The robustness and efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated using several dc-dc converter and oscillator circuits modeled using the industrial standard BSIM4 transistor models. A significant runtime speedup of up to $30{X}$ with respect to the conventional transient analysis is achieved for several dc-dc converters with strong nonlinear switching characteristics.
Decomposing time series with application to temporal segmentation

We propose a novel univariate time series decomposition algorithm to partition temporal sequences into homogeneous segments. Unlike most existing temporal segmentation approaches, which generally build statistical models of temporal observations and then detect change points using inference or hypothesis testing techniques, our algorithm requires no domain knowledge, is insensitive to the choice of design parameters and has low time complexity. Our algorithm first symbolizes the time series into a string, and then decomposes the string recursively, similar to the construction process of a decision-tree classifier. We extend this univariate decomposition algorithm to multivariate cases by decomposing each dimension as an univariate time series and then searching for temporal transition points in a coarse-to-fine manner. We evaluate and compare our algorithm to two state-of-the-art approaches on synthetic data, CMU motion capture data, and action videos. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, which yields both significantly higher precision and recall of temporal transition points.
Cache-Oblivious Iterated Predecessor Queries via Range Coalescing

In this paper we develop an optimal cache-oblivious data structure that solves the iterated predecessor problem. Given k static sorted lists \(L_1, L_2, \ldots , L_k\) of average length n and a query value q, the iterated predecessor problem is to find the largest element in each list which is less than q. Our solution to this problem, called “range coalescing”, requires \(O(\log _{B+1} n + k/B)\) memory transfers for a query on a cache of block size B, which is information-theoretically optimal. The range-coalescing data structure consumes O(k n) space, and preprocessing requires only O(kn / B) memory transfers with high probability, given a tall cache of size \(M = \varOmega \mathopen {}\left( B^2\right) \mathclose {}\).
Shock initiated instabilities in underwater cylindrical structures

Abstract An experimental investigation to understand the mechanisms of dynamic buckling instability in cylindrical structures due to underwater explosive loadings is conducted. In particular, the effects of initial hydrostatic pressure coupled with a dynamic pressure pulse on the stability of metallic cylindrical shells are evaluated. The experiments are conducted at varying initial hydrostatic pressures, below the critical buckling pressure, to estimate the threshold after which dynamic buckling will initiate. The transient underwater full-field deformations of the structures during shock wave loading are captured using high-speed stereo photography coupled with modified 3-D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique. Experimental results show that increasing initial hydrostatic pressure decreases the natural vibration frequency of the structure indicating loss in structural stiffness. DIC measurements reveal that the initial structural excitations primarily consist of axisymmetric vibrations due to symmetrical shock wave loading in the experiments. Following their decay after a few longitudinal reverberations, the primary mode of vibration evolves which continues throughout later in time. At the initial hydrostatic pressures below the threshold value, these vibrations are stable in nature. The analytical solutions for the vibration frequency and the transient response of cylindrical shell are discussed in the article by accounting for both (1) the added mass effect of the surrounding water and (2) the effect of initial stress on the shell imposed by the hydrostatic pressure. The analytical solutions match reasonably well with the experimental vibration frequencies. Later, the transient response of a cylindrical shell subjected to a general underwater pressure wave loading is derived which leads to the analytical prediction of dynamic stability.
Home is Where the Confusion Is: Pennsylvania Formally Adopts the “Gist of the Action” Doctrine and Builds a House for Ambiguity in Bruno v. Erie Insurance Co

Part II of this Note details the history of the gist of the action doctrine in Pennsylvania and the legal landscape leading up to Bruno. Part III describes the facts, procedural history, and analysis behind the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Bruno. Part IV then critiques the court’s analysis and examines the impact of the majority’s holding on future litigation. Part V concludes by recommending a judicial strategy for lower courts seeking to interpret Bruno’s ambiguous holding.
An in vivo study of the dimensional changes of the aortic valve leaflets during the cardiac cycle.

The reported systolic enlargement of the aortic root in the adult, and the resultant sharing of leaflet stress with the aortic wall, could explain the longevity of aortic leaflets. Previous studies of the aortic root have been confined to the excised specimen; this study, however, was undertaken to determine the in vivo dynamic relationship between leaflet motion and aortic root expansion. In each of nine adult dogs, we attached four Dacron sutures to appropriate parts of the leaflet and commissures to connect them to linear displacement transducers during right heart bypass. Changes in leaflet length during the cardiac cycle were measured. Diastolic leaflet lengths were measured from silicone rubber casts made at 80 mm. Hg. Histologic evaluation was performed to provide a structural basis for understanding the in vivo measurements of changes in leaflet length. The results indicate that, during the cardiac cycle, changes in leaflet length are less than 2 percent. This observation, which is supported histologically by the orientation of collagenous fibers, suggests that the leaflets resist repeated lengthening and shortening. The date support the hypothesis that the entire aortic root plays a critical role in the opening and closing of the normal aortic valve and that the leaflets sustain less stress than has been postulated previously.
Environmental and Cost Synergy in Supply Chain Network Integration in Mergers and Acquisitions

In this paper, we quantify and assess, from a supply chain network perspective, the environmental effects resulting when a merger or acquisition occurs and the resulting synergy from possible strategic gains. We develop a multicriteria decision-making supply chain network framework that captures the economic activities of manufacturing, storage, and distribution pre and post the merger. The models yield the system optima associated with the minimization of the total costs and the total emissions under firm-specific weights. We propose a synergy measure that captures the total generalized cost. We then apply the new mathematical framework to quantify the synergy obtained for specific numerical examples.
Optimal treatment regimes for survival endpoints using a locally-efficient doubly-robust estimator from a classification perspective

A treatment regime at a single decision point is a rule that assigns a treatment, among the available options, to a patient based on the patient's baseline characteristics. The value of a treatment regime is the average outcome of a population of patients if they were all treated in accordance to the treatment regime, where large values are desirable. The optimal treatment regime is a regime which results in the greatest value. Typically, the optimal treatment regime is estimated by positing a regression relationship for the outcome of interest as a function of treatment and baseline characteristics. However, this can lead to suboptimal treatment regimes when the regression model is misspecified. We instead consider value search estimators for the optimal treatment regime where we directly estimate the value for any treatment regime and then maximize this estimator over a class of regimes. For many studies the primary outcome of interest is survival time which is often censored. We derive a locally efficient, doubly robust, augmented inverse probability weighted complete case estimator for the value function with censored survival data and study the large sample properties of this estimator. The optimization is realized from a weighted classification perspective that allows us to use available off the shelf software. In some studies one treatment may have greater toxicity or side effects, thus we also consider estimating a quality adjusted optimal treatment regime that allows a patient to trade some additional risk of death in order to avoid the more invasive treatment.
A Compounded Multi-resolution-Artificial Neural Network Method for the Prediction of Time Series with Complex Dynamics

Time series realizations of stochastic process exhibiting complex dynamics are dealt with. They can be affected by a number of phenomena, like asymmetric cycles, irregular spikes, low signal-to-noise ratio, chaos, and various sources of turbulences. Linear models are not designed to perform optimally in such a context, therefore a mixed self-tuning prediction method—able to account for complicated patterns—is proposed. It is a two-stage approach, exploiting the multi-resolution capabilities delivered by Wavelet theory in conjunction with artificial neural networks. Its out-of-sample forecast performances are evaluated through an empirical study, carried out on macroeconomic time series.
Business, Technology, and Marketing Trends Influencing the Financial Performance of The Hotel Industry

In today's world, hotel organizations contend with a highly competitive environment—an environment that is saturated with new technologies, customers who expect superior service, a drive toward innovation, and the challenge of ever-increasing costs. The survival of these organizations often depends on their overall financial performance, their ability to adapt to the changing environment, and the way in which they transform and expand their services to meet their customers' needs. Remaining abreast of the newest trends in the hotel industry can be costly to hotels and may influence their overall financial performance. In this article, the director of finance of a resort hotel in Orlando, Florida, USA, shares some thoughts with the author on the newest business, technology, and hotel marketing trends that are believed to influence the financial performance of the hotel industry in the next few years.
Programming Contests: What Can they Tell Us?

Since 1983, elementary and secondary students in Kentucky have been participating in an annual computer programming contest sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Each year data have been gathered focusing on three main categories: type of training and exposure to computers (most participants had studied BASIC in a programming class at their schools), gender differences related to computer use (males had been programming for a longer period of time and spend more time per week working at a computer than females), and factors related to contest scores (gender was not a significant factor; other factors varied over the years). This article compares the findings over the three years and poses questions resulting from these findings.
The Levinthal Problem in Amyloid Aggregation: Sampling of a Flat Reaction Space

The formation of amyloid fibrils has been associated with many neurodegenerative disorders, yet the mechanism of aggregation remains elusive, partly because aggregation time scales are too long to probe with atomistic simulations. A microscopic theory of fibril elongation was recently developed that could recapitulate experimental results with respect to the effects of temperature, denaturants, and protein concentration on fibril growth kinetics (Schmit, J. D. J. Chem. Phys. 2013, 138 (18), 185102). The theory identifies the conformational search over H-bonding states as the slowest step in the aggregation process and suggests that this search can be efficiently modeled as a random walk on a rugged one-dimensional energy landscape. This insight motivated the multiscale computational algorithm for simulating fibril growth presented in this paper. Briefly, a large number of short atomistic simulations are performed to compute the system diffusion tensor in the reaction coordinate space predicted by the anal...
Ablative therapy to induce local and systemic immune changes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

505Background: Ablative therapy including cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation is a therapeutic option for small renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and provides effective palliation for symptomatic metastatic lesions, with reports of associated abscopal phenomenon in small numbers of patients. Pre-clinical animal modeling has suggested potential synergy with the use of ablative therapy and immune checkpoint blockade with ipilimumab. Methods: We performed retrospective analysis of 17 patients who underwent an ablative procedure followed later by nephrectomy. These samples were analyzed by IHC and gene expression studies. We also prospectively evaluated pre and post treatment blood samples from a different cohort of 13 patients. These samples were evaluated for immune cell subsets and cytokine profiles. Results: IHC studies revealed an increased frequency of PD-1 + immune cells in post-ablative tumor samples as compared to control samples. Gene expression studies also revealed higher expression of immune gene s...
Vicarious Calibration of sUAS Microbolometer Temperature Imagery for Estimation of Radiometric Land Surface Temperature.

In recent years, the availability of lightweight microbolometer thermal cameras compatible with small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) has allowed their use in diverse scientific and management activities that require sub-meter pixel resolution. Nevertheless, as with sensors already used in temperature remote sensing (e.g., Landsat satellites), a radiance atmospheric correction is necessary to estimate land surface temperature. This is because atmospheric conditions at any sUAS flight elevation will have an adverse impact on the image accuracy, derived calculations, and study replicability using the microbolometer technology. This study presents a vicarious calibration methodology (sUAS-specific, time-specific, flight-specific, and sensor-specific) for sUAS temperature imagery traceable back to NIST-standards and current atmospheric correction methods. For this methodology, a three-year data collection campaign with a sUAS called “AggieAir”, developed at Utah State University, was performed for vineyards near Lodi, California, for flights conducted at different times (early morning, Landsat overpass, and mid-afternoon”) and seasonal conditions. From the results of this study, it was found that, despite the spectral response of microbolometer cameras (7.0 to 14.0 μm), it was possible to account for the effects of atmospheric and sUAS operational conditions, regardless of time and weather, to acquire accurate surface temperature data. In addition, it was found that the main atmospheric correction parameters (transmissivity and atmospheric radiance) significantly varied over the course of a day. These parameters fluctuated the most in early morning and partially stabilized in Landsat overpass and in mid-afternoon times. In terms of accuracy, estimated atmospheric correction parameters presented adequate statistics (confidence bounds under ±0.1 for transmissivity and ±1.2 W/m2/sr/um for atmospheric radiance, with a range of RMSE below 1.0 W/m2/sr/um) for all sUAS flights. Differences in estimated temperatures between original thermal image and the vicarious calibration procedure reported here were estimated from −5 °C to 10 °C for early morning, and from 0 to 20 °C for Landsat overpass and mid-afternoon times.
Inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin as an adjunctive therapy for cerebral malaria (MPF7P.714)

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium spp . In endemic areas, in approximately 1% of cases, almost exclusively in young children, malaria becomes severe resulting in nearly seven hundred thousand deaths each year in Africa alone. Cerebral malaria (CM) is a common form of severe malaria and one for which we have no effective adjunctive therapy. The kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), through its regulation of cellular metabolism, is a central regulator of immune responses and drugs that inhibit the mTOR pathway have been shown to be antiparasitic, raising the possibility that mTOR inhibitors could be effective adjunctive therapies for CM. Here we show in a mouse model of CM, experimental CM (ECM), that the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin protects against ECM when administered within the first four days of infection. Treatment with rapamycin increased survival, blocked breakdown of the blood brain barrier and brain hemorrhaging, decreased influx of both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells into the brain and the accumulation of parasitized red blood cells in the brain. Remarkably, animals were protected against ECM even though rapamycin treatment significantly increased the inflammatory response induced by infection in both the brain and spleen and elevated the levels of peripheral parasitemia. These results open a new avenue for the development of highly selective adjunctive therapies for CM, by targeting pathways that regulate host and parasite metabolism.
Venus Flytrap Rarely Traps Its Pollinators

AbstractBecause carnivorous plants rely on arthropods as pollinators and prey, they risk consuming would-be mutualists. We examined this potential conflict in the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), whose pollinators were previously unknown. Diverse arthropods from two classes and nine orders visited flowers; 56% of visitors carried D. muscipula pollen, often mixed with pollen of coflowering species. Within this diverse, generalized community, certain bee and beetle species appear to be the most important pollinators, on the basis of their abundance, pollen load size, and pollen fidelity. Dionaea muscipula prey spanned four invertebrate classes and 11 orders; spiders, beetles, and ants were most common. At the family and species levels, few taxa were shared between traps and flowers, yielding a near-zero value of niche overlap for these potentially competing structures. Spatial separation of traps and flowers may contribute to partitioning the invertebrate community between nutritional and reproductive fun...
Molecular Events Accompanying Morphogenesis

Morphogenesis, the development of shape, can be discussed both at the organismal level and the cellular level. Within a multicellular embryo several distinct morphogenetic processes occur simultaneously. First, differential mitosis results in selective stimulation of the growth of certain cell types relative to others. Selective growth can be due to any one of several cellular or extracellular factors, or to the localization of a cell type within a part of the embryo: (1) differential nutrient supplies or differential abilities of the cell types to transport and accumulate nutrients; (2) the presence of cell-specific hormones and growth factors which stimulate (or inhibit) growth of those cells that possess the requisite receptor proteins; or (3) bioelectric activities, due to the presence of ion selective channel proteins in the plasma membranes of certain cells, which may influence growth rate either by controlling the cytoplasmic ion composition or by creating a transcellular electrical potential. Second, programmed cell death plays an important role in morphogenetic processes during embryogenesis. In the developing tadpole, the Rohan-beard cells, which are important constituents of the nervous system, are programmed to die at a certain developmental stage so that other conducting cells can replace them. Loss of the tadpole tail, loss of the webbing between the fingers of the developing human hand, and regression of the Mullerian or Wolfian duct in developing male or female mammals, respectively, represent other examples of programmed cell death allowing embryonic morphogenesis. Third, cell migration and changes in cell shape occur continuously during development.
Carbon Avoids Hypercoordination in CB6-, CB62-, and C2B5- Planar Carbon-Boron Clusters

In the past two decades, computational chemistry has made dramatic advances, enabling the prediction of novel molecules that often contradict chemical intuition. Many theoretical chemists have participated in this endeavor, proposing myriads of unusual molecules. However, very often the predicted species are not the global minima, and it is difficult if not impossible to observe them experimentally. Molecules with hypercoordinated carbons in planar boron-carbon clusters are vivid examples of such predictions. Here we aim to show via a joint experimental and theoretical investigation that such species are too high in energy to be experimentally observed.
Direct Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy: Procedural and Nutrition Outcomes in a Large Patient Cohort

BACKGROUND Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) is used for enteral nutrition (EN) in patients with postoperative anastomotic leaks after esophagectomy/gastrectomy and at high risk for aspiration. We characterized the indications, technical success, procedural/nutrition outcomes, and adverse events in a large cohort of patients undergoing DPEJ insertion. METHODS Patients undergoing DPEJ insertion between January 2009 and March 2015 were identified from an institutional endoscopy database. Demographic, procedural, and nutrition outcome data were collected from electronic medical records. Regression analyses were used to identify predictors of adverse events and procedural success. RESULTS A total of 452 patients underwent 480 attempts at DPEJ insertion. Indications included preoperative or postoperative weight loss (64%), postoperative upper gastrointestinal (UGI) anastomotic leak (13%), aspiration prevention (10%), and other (13%). Of attempted procedures, 398 (83%) were successful. Feeding was initiated in 389 (98%) of patients; a median of 1775 calories was delivered daily. Median body mass index (BMI) at baseline was 22.9 (11.4-44.7) and did not change over follow-up. Median change in BMI after DPEJ was similar in groups that received EN with palliative and curative intent. Adverse events following 480 attempted DPEJ insertions included 13 (3%) immediate and 74 (15%) delayed, 13 (3%) of which were serious. Patients with head and neck cancer had more adverse events than those with esophageal cancer (P = .020). CONCLUSION DPEJ is a successful and safe procedure that effectively provides access for EN support in malnourished patients and patients with postoperative UGI cancer.
Duns Scotus on the metaphysics of virtue and conformity to right reason

For Duns Scotus, facts about moral psychology are ultimately reducible to facts about ontology. The created agent has a soul which includes as formal “parts” the intellect and will; the intellect and will, of course, are the seat of qualities (e.g. thoughts and volitions, respectively) and habits (e.g. virtues) that are related to one another in various ways. One of these ways is the conformity relation. From a metaphysical base of categorical being – whether Substance, Quality/Habit, or Relation – Scotus constructs an ethical theory which complements, though in some interesting ways departs from, the Aristotelian tradition of which he is a part. In this essay, our aim is twofold: first, to reconstruct the ontological status of virtue within Scotus's overall metaphysical framework. Second, we attend to the ways in which this metaphysic of virtue places constraints on how one is to understand the conformity relation that, according to Scotus, must exist between an agent's will and right reason whenever a m...
Keynote 290: Pembrolizumab (pem) in combination with stereotactic body radiotherapy for resectable liver metastatic colorectal cancer.

TPS874Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the few cancers in which aggressive local approaches to treat systemic metastases have resulted in clinical benefit. Despite these approaches 70-...
Prediction of endotracheal tube size in children by predicting subglottic diameter using ultrasonographic measurement versus traditional formulas

Background: Paediatric airway assessment remains the most challenging task before the anaesthesiologists. Recent advancement in ultrasonography techniques should now allow for accurate and descriptive evaluation of paediatric airway. To compare calculated external diameters of the endotracheal tube from physical indices of traditional formulas and predetermined by ultrasound. Materials and Methods: 100 subjects of either sex between 12-60 months of age, undergoing various elective surgeries under general anaesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation were enrolled in the study. The transverse diameter was measured at the level of cricoids cartilage by ultrasonography. The tracheal tube was considered best fit if air leak was satisfactory at 15-20 cm H2O of airway pressure. The obtained values were compared with the values of endotracheal tube size calculated by various age, height, weight based formulas and diameter of right and left little finger. The correlation of size of Endotracheal tube by different modalities was done and Pearson's correlation coefficient was obtained. Results: According to Pearson's correlation there was a moderate correlation of best fit Endotracheal tube with endotracheal tube size by age based formula (r = 0.743), body length based formula (r = 0.683), right little finger based formula (r = 0.587), left little finger based formula (r = 0.587) and multivariate formula (r = 0.741). There was a strong correlation with ultrasonography (r = 0.943). Conclusion: Ultrasonography is a reliable method of estimation of subglottic diameter and for prediction of endotracheal tube size in children.
Development and validation of RP-UPLC method for the determination of darifenacin hydrobromide, its related compounds and its degradation products using design of experiments.

A selective stability-indicating ultra-performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) method was developed for the quantitative determination of darifenacin hydrobromide (DFN) and its related compounds in API and pharmaceutical dosages. The chromatographic separation was achieved on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (100, 2.1 mm and 1.7 µm) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, and detection was performed at 210 nm. The typical retention behaviors of impurities at various pH values were depicted graphically. The LC conditions were optimized by design of experiments (DOE) to obtain optimal separation in the shortest possible run time. A central composite design (CCD) was employed to study the main effects and interactions of the independent variables. The drug and its thirteen impurities were eluted within 13 min. The method exhibited consistent, high-quality recoveries (93.8 ± 2.1 to 99.8 ± 1.5 (mean ± RSD)) with a high precision for the drug and impurities. Linear regression analysis revealed an excellent correlation between peak responses and concentrations (R2 values of 0.9991-0.9999) for the drug and impurities. The stability-indicating capability of the method was verified by forced degradation experiments and mass balance study. LC-MS revealed protonated molecular ion peaks (M + H)+ at m/z 428.20, m/z 425.20 and m/z 281.30 for the acid (Imp-4), oxidized (Imp-6) and N-dealkylated (Imp-1) forms of DFN, respectively. Possible degradation pathways were established based on the known reactivity of the drug through hydrolysis, oxidation, N-dealkylation, phenyl hydroxylation, dihydrobenzofuran ring hydroxylation and ring opening. The m/z values of unknown degradation products were matched with the proposed structures and reported DFN metabolites.
Reduced deformability contributes to impaired deoxygenation‐induced ATP release from red blood cells of older adult humans

Key points Red blood cells (RBCs) release ATP in response to deoxygenation, which can increase blood flow to help match oxygen supply with tissue metabolic demand. This release of ATP is impaired in RBCs from older adults, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, improving RBC deformability in older adults restored deoxygenation-induced ATP release, whereas decreasing RBC deformability in young adults reduced ATP release to the level of that of older adults. In contrast, treating RBCs with a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor did not affect ATP release in either age group, possibly due to intact intracellular signalling downstream of deoxygenation as indicated by preserved cAMP and ATP release responses to pharmacological Gi protein activation in RBCs from older adults. These findings are the first to demonstrate that the age-related decrease in RBC deformability is a primary mechanism of impaired deoxygenation-induced ATP release, which may have implications for treating impaired vascular control with advancing age. Abstract In response to haemoglobin deoxygenation, red blood cells (RBCs) release ATP, which binds to endothelial purinergic receptors and stimulates vasodilatation. This ATP release is impaired in RBCs from older vs. young adults, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Using isolated RBCs from young (24 ± 1 years) and older (65 ± 2 years) adults, we tested the hypothesis that age-related changes in RBC deformability (Study 1) and cAMP signalling (Study 2) contribute to the impairment. RBC ATP release during normoxia ( P O 2 ∼112 mmHg) and hypoxia ( P O 2 ∼20 mmHg) was quantified with the luciferin-luciferase technique following RBC incubation with Y-27632 (Rho-kinase inhibitor to increase deformability), diamide (cell-stiffening agent), cilostazol (phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor), or vehicle control. The mean change in RBC ATP release from normoxia to hypoxia in control conditions was significantly impaired in older vs. young (∼50% vs. ∼120%; P 0.05). Cilostazol did not change ATP release in either age group (P > 0.05), and RBC cAMP and ATP release to pharmacological Gi protein activation was similar in both groups (P > 0.05). We conclude that decreased RBC deformability is a primary contributor to age-related impairments in RBC ATP release, which may have implications for impaired vascular control with advancing age.
Introduction: Size effects in materials

Abstract In material science, size effects are described as the variation of material properties as the sample size changes. The size effects include various properties such as optical and Photocatalytic properties, thermal conductivity, Young’s Modulus, material strength, diffusion processes, electrical conductivity, and magnetic properties. In this book, the size dependency of the material strength is addressed as size effects. The size effects underlying mechanisms depend on the nature of the considered material. The governing mechanisms of size effects in brittle materials, quasibrittle materials, and crystalline metals are different from each other. In the case of brittle materials, the size effects have a statistical nature. It may be considered to be originated from the random nature of the material strength that can be generally captured using Weibull statistical theory. The basic assumptions of the theory are the structure failure occurs by failing any element of the structure, and the strength of the structure elements is a random function that can be described by the Weibull distribution. The Weibull theory can successfully capture the size effects in brittle materials. In the case of quasibrittle materials, however, the nature of the size effects is deterministic and not statistical and it is due to the stress redistribution around the cracks. In the case of crystalline metallic structures, the sources of size effects are more versatile. The size effects in crystalline metallic samples can be related to some internal length scales, such as grain size, the average distance of second phase particles or precipitates, and dislocations mean free path. Finally, the external geometrical properties of the specimen such as the thin film thickness, pillar diameter, or indentation depth may lead to size effects.
DIGITAL INFORMED CONSENT IN A RURAL AND LOW-INCOME POPULATION

Rural, minority, and low-income populations are underrepresented in clinical research. Digital technology holds promise to improve access to clinical trials, but there is limited evidence detailing adoption in underserved populations. We implemented a protocol for digital informed consent for
Bacterial Blight of Ficus elastica Caused by Xanthomonas

In the summer of 2010, leaf blight cases were reported on several Ficus elastica cultivars in Homestead nurseries. Symptoms somewhat resembled those caused by Xanthomonas campestris p.v. fici, but this pathogen has never been reported to occur on Ficus elastica. The outbreak was severe, and the majority of commercial producers in the southern portion of the state were affected. The widespread outbreak from 2010 to date has caused many nurseries to lose entire Ficus elastica crops. This 3-page fact sheet describes the symptoms and disease management recommendations. Written by E. V. Campoverde and A. J. Palmateer, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, April 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp305
Teaching the electrical origins of the electrocardiogram: An introductory physics laboratory for life science students

We present the design, pedagogical logic, and assessment of a laboratory and supporting materials that integrate a clinical academic cardiologist's understanding of the origins of the electrocardiogram (ECG) with a physics educator's insights into how to teach the underlying physics at the introductory level to life science students. In this article, we explain the choices made throughout the design process, connect a more advanced treatment of the physics to our approach, and present our assessment of the curriculum. Before the laboratory, students learn the cellular origins of the electric dipole potential produced by the heart on the body's surface, including a simple physical model for the electrical activity of excitable cells, and learn to interpret the measured voltages of an ECG as probing components of the heart's time-varying electric dipole moment. In the laboratory, students measure their own ECGs and analyze the data accordingly; they animate their data to display their own heart's dipole moment for a single heartbeat. Our results from the assessment of student understanding and attitudes indicate that although students find the content challenging, nearly all students find it at least moderately interesting, and for about a quarter of the students in the course, this lab plays a highly meaningful part in connecting physics to medicine.
A student typology based on instructional method preferences

Undergraduate business students (N = 307) reported their learning preferences from a list of 18 instructional methods commonly used by college of business educators. Data were also collected on aca...
Civil War and Agrarian Unrest: The Confederate South and Southern Italy: by Enrico Dal Lago, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2018, Pp. 465, $59.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781107038424

In 1861, at first sight, Italy and the United States were undergoing divergent historical processes. As the Italian peninsula unified, becoming the Kingdom of Italy under the rule of the House of S...
Live imaging of hair bundle polarity acquisition demonstrates a critical timeline for transcription factor Emx2

The asymmetric hair bundle on top of hair cells (HCs), comprises a kinocilium and stereocilia staircase, dictates HC's directional sensitivity. The mother centriole (MC) forms the base of the kinocilium, where stereocilia are subsequently built next to it. Previously we showed that transcription factor Emx2 reverses hair bundle orientation and its expression in the mouse vestibular utricle is restricted, resulting in two regions of opposite bundle orientation (Jiang et al, 2017). Here, we investigated establishment of opposite bundle orientation in embryonic utricles by live-imaging GFP-labeled centrioles in HCs. The daughter centriole invariably migrated ahead of the MC from the center to their respective peripheral locations in HCs. Comparing HCs between utricular regions, centriole trajectories were similar but they migrated towards opposite directions, suggesting that Emx2 pre-patterned HCs prior to centriole migration. Ectopic Emx2, however, reversed centriole trajectory within hours during a critical time-window when centriole trajectory was responsive to Emx2.
Ultrasound-Guided Polypectomy: Evaluation of a Novel Technique to Remove Endometrial Polyp in the Office

Study Objective To demonstrate a novel technique of office-based polypectomy using universal grasping device under transabdominal ultrasound guidance. Design Stepwise demonstration of ultrasound guided polypectomy with narrated video footage. Setting Academic tertiary care Hospital. Patients or Participants 43-year-old female with abnormal uterine bleeding secondary to endometrial polyp (20 × 11 × 16 mm) for 3 months Interventions Saline infusion sonogram (SIS)was used to delineate the polyp. Then using the universal grasping forceps (2.5 mm X 25 cm), which was introduced through the cervix into the uterus, the polyp was removed in multiple attempts. Measurements and Main Results Complete removal of polyp as confirmed by follow up transvaginal ultrasound after 2 months. Complete resolution of patient's symptoms. Conclusion During the time of COVID 19 global pandemic, this technique can be used safely and effectively to remove endometrial polyp in the right patient population, hence decreasing the burden of OR procedures.
Statistical Analysis of Power Consumption by the Industrial Sewing Machines of Bangladesh and Performance Assessment of an Energy-Efficient Solution by Using Single-Phase Variable Frequency Drive

Readymade Garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh has rapidly attained high importance for a high contribution to GDP for more than the last 30 years. 80% of the motor used in these industries for sewing machines are inefficient clutch motors. As a result, these RMG sectors suffer from huge power loss from the very beginning. An efficiency improved device can make huge differences in power consumption and energy savings annually. This paper shows a clear scenario of the RMG sector's annual power consumption data and power losses due to inefficient devices. A single-phase Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) based efficient sewing machine is also presented here. Annual statistical analysis on the energy efficiency and savings of energy-efficient sewing machines is carried out to provide a clear image of energy losses and possible energy savings of the last 10 years in the RMG sector of Bangladesh. A case study is also presented after implementing a VFD based energy efficient sewing machine by showing the possible economic benefits.
Open-label placebo vs double-blind placebo for irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACT It is commonly believed that blinding to treatment assignment is necessary for placebos to have an effect. However, placebos administered without concealment (ie, open-label placebos [OLPs]) have recently been shown to be effective in some conditions. This study had 2 objectives: first, to determine whether OLP treatment is superior to no-pill control (NPC) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and, second, to compare the efficacy of OLP against double-blind placebo (DBP). In a 6-week, 3-arm, randomized clinical trial, participants were randomized in equal proportions to 3 arms: OLP, DBP, or NPC. Two hundred sixty-two adults (72.9% women), with a mean age of 42.0 (SD = 18.1) years, participated in the primary study. The mean improvement on the IBS Severity Scoring System from baseline to the 6-week end point was significantly greater in OLP compared with that in NPC (90.6 vs 52.3, P = 0.038). Open-label placebo and DBP did not differ significantly on IBS Severity Scoring System improvement (100.3 vs 90.6, P = 0.485). Standardized effect sizes were moderate for OLP vs NPC (d = 0.43) and small for OLP vs DBP (d = 0.10). Participants treated with OLP reported clinically meaningful improvements in IBS symptoms that were significantly greater than those on NPC. Open-label placebo and DBP had similar effects that did not differ significantly, suggesting that blinding may not be necessary for placebos to be effective and that OLP could play a role in the management of patients with refractory IBS.
Facing The Future: The Fifth Amendment's Privilege Against Self-Incrimination & Your 'Face ID' Passcode

Apple, Inc. broke new ground when it unveiled "Face ID," a new biometric security feature on the iPhone smartphone. Face ID is paving the future for new forms of password features on our digital devices. In contrast to a traditional written password, when an individual uses a biometric as a password, the user is implementing something that he is rather than something that he knows as a privacy feature. This is a notable distinction because modern readings of the Fifth Amendment's privilege against self-incrimination protect only the latter. Today, as passive biometric security features become commonplace on digital devices, courts across the United States grapple with the application of these biometric technologies to our constitutional safeguards.
Heavy Quark Production in QCD

In this paper I review the status of the theory of heavy quark production. The production of heavy quarks in hadron-hadron and photon-hadron collisions continues to be a topic of great theoretical interest. The reasons for this enthusiasm are the existence of experimental data on charm production and the recent publication of data on bottom quark production in hadronic reactions. For a review of the data on the hadroproduction and photoproduction of heavy quarks I refer the reader to refs. [1] and [2] respectively. An additional motivation is provided by the need to relate the results of the search for the top quark[3] to a value of the heavy quark mass.
The Sensitive Flesh

First, what is it that we perceive? We perceive things — configurations against a background. From time to time, it is true, perceptions of the light, or the darkness, or fog, or sky, or rumble, or stench get mentioned in Merleau-Ponty’s text, but they are perhaps moments of instability, or inachievement, not the normal case. For Merleau-Ponty finds there is such a thing as a norm, a finality, in perceptual consciousness; it is the positing of things. The phenomenon of perceptual constancies, of a sense of the real colors, the right lighting, the true size and shape, shows that there are norms within the perceptual flux; what determines the real and the true and the right is the possibility of a thing taking form. And the compossibility of things — there is a coherence, a consistency in the flowing field of perception; it is a world of coexisting, compossible things. That is why, despite the fog, despite the darkness, despite the rumble, Merleau-Ponty can say that a figure against a field is the essence of, the very definition of consciousness. We cannot explain the apparition of things by a subject of the perception which collates or synthesizes its sensations; it is rather the thing that polarizes and focuses and synthesizes the various surfaces and senses of the perceiving subject.
Hyperspectral anomaly detection based on maximum likelihood method

Detection of a subspace anomaly is an important application of hyperspectral imaging in remote sensing. Sub-space anomaly detection depends on the unknown dimension of the main background subspace. When the dimension is high, detection algorithms tend to have unsatisfactory performance. This paper proposes an anomaly detection algorithm that will continue to perform satisfactorily when the dimension is high.
Control of an airborne wind energy system using an aircraft dynamics model

We consider the modeling aspects of an airborne wind energy (AWE) system which consists of a kite (or glider aircraft) with a tether connected between the kite center of mass and a generator (load) on the ground. Kites in AWE systems move in high-speed crosswind motion at several times the wind velocity to efficiently harness wind energy. Central to the controller design for maximum power generation is the accurate modeling of the kite and tether dynamics. In this work we use aircraft dynamics models that incorporate rotational pitch, roll, and yaw dynamics in the equations of motion. Additionally, we assume a variable length, straight-line, inelastic, uniform density tether and model aerodynamic forces on the tether and kite. The resulting dynamical system which includes both translational and rotational motion results in an under-actuated mechanical system for the translational motion. Using Lyapunov-based controller design, the controllers for the translational and rotational motions are designed independently and which take the form of D and PD type controllers. A baseline simulation that achieves successive power-retraction cycles with net power generation is studied.