cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A history of color television displays

During the first half of the 50-year period covered by this paper, the color television display progressed from crude mechanical methods and rudimentmy cathode-ray-tube ideas to a more sophisticated combination of these with a rotating color disk in front of a black-and-white picture tube. By 1950, the need to make practicable a compatible color system resulted in an intensive program to develop something better. The result was the shadow-mask color tube, which has since been greatly improved and has been outstandingly successful. Although other cathode-ray approaches succeeded techinical, they have not supplanted the shadow-mask tube commercially. For larger screen applications, projection methods are employed, both with light valves and with projection cathode-ray tubes. The future will undoubtedly see major changes, particularly in the direction of paneltype displays.
Intraclass Correlations and Covariate Outcome Correlations for Planning Two-and Three-Level Cluster-Randomized Experiments in Education.

Background:Cluster-randomized experiments that assign intact groups such as schools or school districts to treatment conditions are increasingly common in educational research. Such experiments are inherently multilevel designs whose sensitivity (statistical power and precision of estimates) depends on the variance decomposition across levels. This variance decomposition is usually summarized by the intraclass correlation (ICC) structure and, if covariates are used, the effectiveness of the covariates in explaining variation at each level of the design.Objectives:This article provides a compilation of school- and district-level ICC values of academic achievement and related covariate effectiveness based on state longitudinal data systems. These values are designed to be used for planning group-randomized experiments in education. The use of these values to compute statistical power and plan two- and three-level group-randomized experiments is illustrated.Research Design:We fit several hierarchical linear ...
Do Phase Transitions Exist

There is considerable evidence for and against the existence of phase transitions in many-particle systems. This article is a brief survey of the available data.
Tourism-generated earnings in the coastal zone: a regional analysis.

Abstract Over the past thirty years, the coastal counties have shifted from traditional maritime activities such as fishing and boating, to a more service-oriented, and tourism-dependent economy. A key to economic growth in the coastal states has been the strength of the travel and tourist industry. This study links a regional model of tourism-generated earnings to a GIS model to quantify the relationship between the relative size of the travel and tourism sector in each county and the county's proximity to the coast. We find that tourism-related earnings, as a percent of total earnings, are concentrated in counties that lie within forty km (25 miles) of the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts of the United States. In contrast, the share of earnings attributable to tourism is not sensitive to distance from the coast for counties that are further than forty km (25 miles) inland. The literature on beach quality suggests that coastal tourism is dependent on clean, broad and sandy beaches. Key unanswered questi...
Exploring Anti-Spam Models in Large Scale VoIP Systems

Although the problem of spam detection in email is well understood and has been extensively researched, a significant portion of emails today are spam. A most widely used method to detect spam involves content filtering, where the spam detector scans the received email for keywords. However, the same approach cannot be applied to detect Voice over IP (VoIP) spam, since a call has to be categorized as a legitimate or a spam (each to a degree with a certain reliability) before the connection is established. Also, spammers over IP can potentially generate orders of magnitude more spam volume, at far less cost, and with greater anonymity than telemarketers using the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN). The spam problem in VoIP is further compounded by the absence of a do-not-call-list, which has been the main reason for the reduction of spam calls in PSTN. Thus, the spam issue for VoIP is as important as those pertaining to quality-of-service (QoS) of the voice traffic itself. To this end, we propose two different anti-spam frameworks for large scale VoIP systems. The first one is a centralized SIP-based spam detection framework that relies on SIP messages during the call establishment phase to identify spam calls, and the second one is a distributed referral social network model, where a user is assigned a reputation score by its neighbors. Based on the reputation, a callee can decide either to accept or decline a call. Our simulation results indicate that the referral model can provide better anti-spam capabilities by isolating a spammer faster than the SIP based approach, and can also correctly identify spam calls over 98% of time.
On Faraday resonance of a viscous liquid

The tri-diagonal determinant for Faraday resonance of a viscous liquid subject to an externally imposed vertical oscillation is expressed in terms of the surface-wave impedance of the liquid and developed as a continued fraction to obtain a systematic sequence of analytical approximations for the threshold acceleration. The impedance is calculated for either a clean or a fully contaminated surface on the assumption that the capillary, gravitational and viscous length scales are small compared with the breadth and depth of the liquid. Limiting approximations for weak and strong viscosity are constructed.
Periodic response of a sliding oscillator system to harmonic excitation

SUMMARY This paper deals with the periodic response of an oscillating system which is supported on a frictional interface. The base excitation is assumed harmonic and the frictional force is assumed to be of the Coulomb type. Though each segment of the motion of such a system is described by linear equations, its complete response is highly non-linear and varied. The most fundamental periodic solutions are derived analytically and numerically. The results indicate that such a system has several subharmonic resonant frequencies and that while the friction reduces the peak response of the system when it is excited at its ‘fixed-base’ natural frequency, w,, the sliding can induce considerably higher levels of response, when compared with those of a non-sliding, fixed-base system, for frequencies less than w,. The results obtained herein may find application in the area of vibration isolation.
Global Monitoring of Net Solar Irradiance at the Ocean Surface: Climatological Variability and the 1982-1983 El Niño.

Abstract A new method has been used to generate the first satellite-based long-term climatology of surface solar irradiance over the world oceans. These monthly mean data cover the period November 1978 through October 1985 on a global, 9° latitude-longitude spatial grid. The large-scale variability of surface solar irradiance is assessed over the world oceans for the entire (84-month) record. The results demonstrate the ability of the method to reveal large-scale seasonal and interannual phenomena. The reduction in surface solar irradiance due to clouds is evaluated globally both on monthly and long-term climatological scales. Monthly cloud forcing anomalies are found to display eastward propagation over the course of the 1982–1983 El Nino event. The mean January climatology is found to he consistent with the climatology obtained from a general circulation model run in perpetual January mode. This study marks the first large-scale observation-based examination of cloud solar forcing at the ocean surface. ...
Multiple Nest-Tending Behavior in an Adult Female White Ibis

Abstract A non-breeding adult female White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) was observed tending multiple nests during the 2006 wading bird breeding season in the Florida Everglades. This is the first known case of adult multiple nest-attending breeding behavior documented for the Ciconiiformes order.
Short communication: Comparison of predicted dietary phosphorus balance using bioavailabilities from the NRC (2001) and Virginia Tech model

The objective of the current work was to use digestion coefficients from the Feng et al. (2015) model (Virginia Tech model) to calculate P bioavailability of common feeds used in dairy production. Compared with the bioavailability calculated by the Virginia Tech model, using the NRC (2001) P absorption coefficient of 0.64 for forages would underestimate the bioavailabilities of alfalfa hay, alfalfa silage, corn silage, grass hay, and mixed mainly legume silage. For concentrates, using the NRC (2001) P absorption coefficient of 0.70 would overestimate the bioavailabilities of corn grain but underestimate bioavailability of high-moisture corn. Two dairy diets were formulated using nutrient values from the NRC (2001): a standard diet that includes minimal by-products, and a by-product diet that has reduced corn and soybean meal which was replaced with corn gluten feed, distillers grains, hominy feed, and wet brewers grains. For each diet, total bioavailable P was calculated using availability values from the NRC (2001) and the Virginia Tech model. Comparison of P balance (the difference between required and bioavailable P) for each diet was made using the 2 sets of bioavailabilities for a reference cow weighing 682 kg, producing 38.6 kg of milk/d (3.5% fat and 3.0% true protein, 100 d in milk), and consuming 23 kg of dry matter/d, yielding an absorbed P requirement of 59.4 g/d. The standard diet supplied 56.69 and 53.52 g of bioavailable P per day using bioavailabilities from the NRC (2001) and Virginia Tech models, respectively, resulting in a P balance of -2.71 and -5.88±0.26 g/d. The by-product diet provided 75.75 and 78.47 g/d of bioavailable P, yielding P balances of 16.35 and 19.07±0.37 g per day, respectively, using the 2 sets of bioavailabilities. Using P bioavailabilities for individual ingredients that were based on the Virginia Tech model resulted in different bioavailable P levels thus resulted in differing dietary P balances in a field setting.
Association of Dietary Nitrate Intake With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Prospective Analysis From the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study

Importance Nitric oxide signaling alterations in outflow facility and retinal blood flow autoregulation are implicated in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Nitric oxide donation has emerged as a POAG therapeutic target. An exogenous source of nitric oxide is dietary nitrates. Objective To evaluate the association between dietary nitrate intake, derived mainly from green leafy vegetables, and POAG. Design, Setting, and Participants We followed up participants biennially in the prospective cohorts of the Nurses’ Health Study (63 893 women; 1984-2012) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (41 094 men; 1986-2012) at each 2-year risk period. Eligible participants were 40 years or older, were free of POAG, and reported eye examinations. Exposures The primary exposure was dietary nitrate intake. Information on diet and potential confounders was updated with validated questionnaires. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was the incidence of POAG and POAG subtypes; 1483 cases were confirmed with medical records and classified into subtypes defined by intraocular pressure (IOP) (≥22 or Results During 1 678 713 person-years of follow-up, 1483 incident cases of POAG were identified. The mean (SD) age for the 1483 cases was 66.8 (8.3). Compared with the lowest quintile of dietary nitrate intake (quintile 1: approximately 80 mg/d), the pooled MVRR for the highest quintile (quintile 5: approximately 240 mg/d) was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.66-0.93; P for trend = .02). The dose response was stronger ( P for heterogeneity = .01) for POAG with early paracentral VF loss (433 cases; quintile 5 vs quintile 1 MVRR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.40-0.79; P for trend P for trend = .50). The association did not differ ( P for heterogeneity = .75) by POAG subtypes defined by IOP (997 case patients with IOP ≥22 mm Hg: quintile 5 vs quintile 1 MVRR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67-1.01; P for trend = .11; 486 case patients with IOP P for trend = .12). Green leafy vegetables accounted for 56.7% of nitrate intake variation. Compared with consuming 0.31 servings per day, the MVRR for consuming 1.45 or more servings per day was 0.82 for all POAG (95% CI, 0.69-0.97; P for trend = .02) and 0.52 for POAG with paracentral VF loss (95% CI, 0.29-0.96; P for trend Conclusions and Relevance Higher dietary nitrate and green leafy vegetable intake was associated with a lower POAG risk, particularly POAG with early paracentral VF loss at diagnosis.
Probing the structure of ribosome assembly intermediates in vivo using DMS and hydroxyl radical footprinting

The assembly of the Escherichia coli ribosome has been widely studied and characterized in vitro. Despite this, ribosome biogenesis in living cells is only partly understood because assembly is coupled with transcription, modification and processing of the pre-ribosomal RNA. We present a method for footprinting and isolating pre-rRNA as it is synthesized in E. coli cells. Pre-rRNA synthesis is synchronized by starvation, followed by nutrient upshift. RNA synthesized during outgrowth is metabolically labeled to facilitate isolation of recent transcripts. Combining this technique with two in vivo RNA probing methods, hydroxyl radical and DMS footprinting, allows the structure of nascent RNA to be probed over time. Together, these can be used to determine changes in the structures of ribosome assembly intermediates as they fold in vivo.
Surface plasmon enhanced fluorescence of cationic conjugated polymer on periodic nanoarrays.

The fluorescence from conjugated polymer assembled onto lithographically fabricated gold nanoarrays using genetically engineered peptides as molecular linkers is studied. A 16-fold increase in the photoluminescence of the conjugated polymer is observed when assembled on the optimized nanostructures due to surface plasmon enhanced fluorescence. This is achieved using a water-soluble cationic conjugated polymer, poly[(9,9-bis(6′-((N,N,N-trimethylammonium)hexyl)-2,7-fluorene)-co-4,7-di-2-thienyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole] dibromide (PFDBT-N+), systematically tuning the vertical distance of PFDBT-N+ from the gold nanopillar surface using solid-specific peptide linkers and horizontally optimizing the localized surface plasmon resonance by varying the geometric arrangements of the patterned metal nanoarrays. The diameter and tip-to-tip spacing of the nanopillars along with vertically tuning the distance of PFDBT-N+ from the nanopillar affected the observed fluorescence enhancements. The collective optical properti...
Constitutive Models for Filtered Two-Fluid Models of Fluidized Gas–Particle Flows

Our prior study [Igci et al., AIChE J., 2008, 54, 1431–1448] presented a methodology where computational results obtained through highly resolved simulations of a given microscopic two-fluid model (TFM) for gas-particle flows are filtered to deduce models for the residual correlations appearing in the corresponding filtered TFM equations that are appropriate for coarse-grid simulations of gas-particle flows. In the present study, we have performed a large number of highly resolved simulations of a kinetic theory based TFM in two- and three-dimensional periodic domains using this methodology and filtered the results to generate computational data on the filtered drag coefficient, the filtered particle phase pressure, and the filtered particle phase viscosity. These results have been captured in the form of correlations that can readily be employed in coarse-grid simulations of gas-particle flows.
Uncertainty Analysis With Probability and Evidence Theories

Both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties exist in engineering applications. Aleatory uncertainty (objective or stochastic uncertainty) describes the inherent variation associated with a physical system or environment. Epistemic uncertainty, on the other hand, is derived from some level of ignorance or incomplete information about a physical system or environment. Aleatory uncertainty associated with parameters is usually modeled by probability theory and has been widely researched and applied by industry, academia, and government. The study of epistemic uncertainty in engineering has recently started. The feasibility of the unified uncertainty analysis that deals with both types of uncertainties is investigated in this paper. The input parameters with aleatory uncertainty are modeled with probability distributions by probability theory, and the input parameters with epistemic uncertainty are modeled with basic probability assignment by evidence theory. The effect of the mixture of both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties on the model output is modeled with belief and plausibility measures (or the lower and upper probability bounds). It is shown that the calculation of belief measure or plausibility measure can be converted to the calculation of the minimum or maximum probability of failure over each of the mutually exclusive subsets of the input parameters with epistemic uncertainty. A First Order Reliability Method (FORM) based algorithm is proposed to conduct the unified uncertainty analysis. Two examples are given for the demonstration. Future research directions are derived from the discussions in this paper.© 2006 ASME
Population structure analysis on 2504 individuals across 26 ancestries using bioinformatics approaches

Background Characterizing genetic diversity is crucial for reconstructing human evolution and for understanding the genetic basis of complex diseases; however, human population genetics are very complicated. Previously, we proved that based on the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the heterozygous vs. non-reference homozygous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ratio (het/nonref-hom) is two [1]. Later, we found that this ratio is race dependent, with African being the most genetically diverse race and Asian being the most homozygous [2]. This observation prompted us to conduct further study to understand the reasoning behind this diversity.
Analysis of electric field distribution within a microwave assisted thermal sterilization (MATS) system by computer simulation

Abstract Microwave heating holds potential to improve food quality of low acid shelf-stable or chilled meals as compared to conventional thermal processes. Several thermal processes based on pilot-scale 915 MHz single-mode microwave assisted thermal sterilization (MATS) systems have received acceptances from regulatory agencies in USA. In this study a comprehensive computer simulation model was developed to study microwave distributions within waveguides and applicators of the MATS system. A three-dimensional model was developed based on Maxwell equations using the finite difference time-domain method. It was validated and then used to analyze electric field distribution in different parts of the MATS waveguide configuration and in a microwave heating cavity. Simulation results indicated that the TE10 mode was consistent within the waveguide elements. The dominant electric field component within the microwave heating cavity controlled the heating pattern in the food packages. Adjusting the dimension of the cavity in the dominant direction should help improve heating uniformity. Food packages immerged in water reduced the edge heating of packaged foods. Adjusting the phase of standing wave within the microwave heating cavity can improve the heating uniformity in the direction of the thickness. The information from this study should assist design of industrial systems with improved heating uniformity in food packages.
Life History Evolution: Delayed Flowering

Chapter 5 mentioned the work of Klinkhammer and de Jong on the advantages of delayed flowering in biennials. The species under consideration (such as Cirsium vulgare) reproduce by flowering only once and then die. The strict biennial habit involves flowering in the second year of life, but delayed flowering of up to several years is commonly observed. Klinkhammer and de Jong (1983) argued that delayed flowering is akin to iteroparity and evolved as a response to variable reproductive success; they used a computer simulation model. Roerdink (1987, 1989) analyzed their model using the theory of stochastic demography. I discuss below his work and some related questions; this analysis complements the more general discussion of the preceding chapter.
Bypassing Agents in Children with Inhibitors: How Much Do We Use and How Much Is Too Much?

Abstract Abstract 1217 Background: Children with hemophilia A and high-titer inhibitors suffer frequent severe bleeding events and often respond to bypassing agents more poorly than adults resulting in increased dosing and cost. Aims: This study was conducted to determine the amount and variability of bypass agent therapy currently given to children with inhibitors at a large combined adult and pediatric hemophilia treatment center in comparison to treatment of adult inhibitor patients. Methods: All subjects were enrolled onto a single institution prospective inceptional cohort study of bleeding disorders with appropriate IRB-approved consent and assent. All children who developed high-titer inhibitors were treated with immune tolerance induction, and children treated with bypassing agents primarily represent difficult inhibitors. Data regarding treatment agents, dose and duration were extracted for 24 bleeding events in 6 children in comparison to comparable data on 26 bleeding events in 5 adults with high-titer inhibitors. Treatment decisions were made clinically by academic hematologists in consultation with hemophilia nurses, patients and parents based on perceived severity of bleeding events and therapeutic response. Treatment was given as recombinant factor VIIa (NovoSeven, N, n=28), prothrombin complex concentrates (FEIBA, F, n=10) or alternating doses of both (A, n=12). Median results for individual children and aggregated adult data are shown on Table 1 . Children received seven times the treatment doses and duration compared with adults. In addition, children received both N and F for half of the bleeding events, while this was used for only one adult event. Treatment duration in children was not affected by initial dose or dose frequency of N (p > 0.05 for both). Bleeding events were severe and difficult to manage; significant long-term morbidity in these 6 children include ankle arthropathy in 3, elbow contracture following compartment syndrome in 2 and quadrucep pseudotumor in 1. Discussion: Children with hemophilia A and inhibitors experience bleeding episodes that are poorly responsive to both N and F, resulting in higher dosing, longer duration and enormous costs. Children require better inhibitor therapies. Clinical trials of new bypassing agents designed specifically for children are urgently needed. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
CAGE: Chromatin Analogous Gene Expression

Self-assembled nucleic acids perform biological, chemical, and mechanical work at the nanoscale. DNA-based molecular machines have been designed here to perform work by reacting with cancer-specific miRNA mimics and then regulating gene expression in vitro by tuning RNA polymerase activity. Because RNA production is topologically restrained, the machines demonstrate chromatin analogous gene expression (CAGE). With modular and tunable design features, CAGE has potential for molecular biology, synthetic biology, and personalized medicine applications.
Alternative Technological Interfaces with the Space Environment

To say that technology produces useful things understates the prodigious power that it has; technology is much more than the sum of all devices. It is not simply the making of gadgets or products of invention—it is a force majeure—with implications that are social, political, economical, cultural, and even evolutionary.
Epitaxial HgCdTe/CdTe Photodiodes For The 1 To 3 μm Spectral Region

Hgi-xCdxTe epitaxial layers have been successfully grown in various compositions, for 1-3 μm applications. n+/p junctions are formed either by a standard B-implantation into as-grown p-type layers or by doubly grown p- and n-layers. The SWIR HgCdTe photodiodes exhibit quantum efficiencies of 55-65% without AR coating. For the diodes with 1.39 μm cut-off at room temperature, the zero bias detector resistance-area (RoA) product is 4 x 10 4 Ω-cm2, and the dark current density is ~ 1 x 10 -4 A/cm2 at half-breakdown voltage. The same values of ~ 104 Ω-cm2 RoA products have also been measured for 2.4 μm cut-off photodiodes at 195K. The energy gap and temperature dependence of RoA product is in excellent agreement with the bulk limited generation-recombination model. The breakdown voltages of SWIR diodes vary from 12 volts to greater than 130 volts, depending on the Cd composition (x) and base carrier concentrations.
The impact of eliminating within-country inequality in health coverage on maternal and child mortality: a Lives Saved Tool analysis.

Inequality in healthcare across population groups in low-income countries is a growing topic of interest in global health. The Lives Saved Tool (LiST), which uses health intervention coverage to model maternal, neonatal, and child health outcomes such as mortality rates, can be used to analyze the impact of within-country inequality. Data from nationally representative household surveys (98 surveys conducted between 1998 and 2014), disaggregated by wealth quintile, were used to create a LiST analysis that models the impact of scaling up health intervention coverage for the entire country from the national average to the rate of the top wealth quintile (richest 20% of the population). Interventions for which household survey data are available were used as proxies for other interventions that are not measured in surveys, based on co-delivery of intervention packages. For the 98 countries included in the analysis, 24–32% of child deaths (including 34–47% of neonatal deaths and 16–19% of post-neonatal deaths) could be prevented by scaling up national coverage of key health interventions to the level of the top wealth quintile. On average, the interventions with most unequal coverage rates across wealth quintiles were those related to childbirth in health facilities and to water and sanitation infrastructure; the most equally distributed were those delivered through community-based mass campaigns, such as vaccines, vitamin A supplementation, and bednet distribution. LiST is a powerful tool for exploring the policy and programmatic implications of within-country inequality in low-income, high-mortality-burden countries. An “Equity Tool” app has been developed within the software to make this type of analysis easily accessible to users.
A Lower Bound for the Hardware Complexity of FIR Filters

Shannon's channel capacity theorem states that in a communication channel the available power budget (SNR) dictates the maximum realizable data rate. A relevant question for FIR filters then is this: Given a hardware budget, can we similarly define a general upper bound on the performance capabilities of a realizable FIR filter? And if yes, how close are the hardware complexities of existing FIR filter designs in relation to such performance limitations? Herein, we investigate such questions and we present a practical approach to derive a lower bound for the minimal hardware budget required for a practical FIR filter realization of a given set of target filter specifications. We believe this to be an important insight for fully understanding the design complexities of FIR filters and for properly managing their power consumption expectations.
Different responses of predator and prey functional diversity to fragmentation

The study of functional diversity, or the range of species' ecological roles in a community, is a rapidly expanding area in ecology. Given the extent that ecosystems are being altered, effort should shift toward assessing variation in functional diversity across landscapes with the goal of improving land use management decisions. We construct a workflow that creates three-dimensional surfaces and maps of functional diversity to examine changes in beetle functional diversity across an Indiana, USA landscape. We sampled 105 prey wood-borer and predator beetle species along a gradient of forest fragmentation across Indiana and used a number of functional traits from literature sources to capture their functional roles. We developed newly measured functional traits to estimate several traits relevant to beetles' ecological function that was unknown and not easily measured. Functional diversity indices (FRic, FDis, FDiv, and FEve) were calculated from species abundance and functional traits and used to assess changes in functional diversity along the fragmentation gradient. We predicted that habitat fragmentation would have a greater negative impact on predator beetle functional diversity than prey wood-borer functional diversity. Landscape metrics most important to the functional diversity of both wood-borer and predator beetle communities were landscape division index (LDI, an assessment of landscape subdivision) and mean shape index (MSI, a measure of patch shape complexity). Overall, three-dimensional surfaces of functional diversity and functional diversity maps across the Indiana landscape revealed that beetle functional diversity was greatest with minimal landscape subdivision. Opposite to what we predicted, we found that the prey wood-borer functional diversity was more negatively impacted by LDI than the predator beetle functional diversity. Furthermore, predator beetle functional diversity was greater with increasing MSI. The map predicted predator FRic to be highest in forested areas with intact habitat and also less sensitive to habitat fragmentation adjacent to more continuous forest. We propose that land management may be guided by revealing landscapes that are most appropriate for maximizing functional diversity of multiple communities or shifting the relative abundance within prey and beneficial predator beetle functional groups with the use of three-dimensional plots or maps.
Altruistic Emotion, Cognition, and Behavior (PLE: Emotion)

Originally published in 1986, this book was an effort to integrate thinking and research concerning the role of emotion and cognition in altruistic behaviour. Prior to publication there was a vast body of research and theorizing concerning the development and maintenance of prosocial (including altruistic) behaviour. This book focusses primarily on a specific set of intrapsychic factors involved in prosocial responding, especially emotions and cognitions believed to play a major role in altruistic behaviour. In the final chapters these intrapsychic factors are also discussed in relation to a variety of other relevant factors including socialization and situational influences on altruism.
Investigations in performance of a gas-combustion infrasound source

Designing a coherent (non-explosive) sound source within the infrasound band (0.1–4 Hz in our case) is a difficult engineering challenge. This is due to the large air mass that must be moved to created useful signal levels. The fundamental simple source equation, which will govern almost any human-made infrasound source due to the long wavelengths, shows this fundamental difficulty. As frequency decreases, the volume velocity must increase by the inverse factor of the frequency decrease in order to maintain an equal pressure amplitude at equal range. In other words, 1000 times the cubic volume of air must be moved at 0.1 Hz as compared to 100 Hz, in order to maintain an equal output pressure amplitude! For this reason, a novel method has been proposed to skirt this engineering challenge; using the large energy density available in gas combustion for periodic thermal expansion of an air mass. This talk builds on previous work by the authors (Smith and Gabrielson, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 137, 2407, 2015 and Smith and Gabrielson, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 143, 1808, 2018) and presents comparisons of a 1st-order thermodynamic model and empirical measurements using a large liquid-propane burner system from a hot air balloon.
3D Stress echocardiography: a novel application based on registration of real-time 3D ultrasound images

Stress echocardiography is a common clinical procedure to diagnose myocardial ishemia by comparing myocardial wall motion in pre- and post-stress ultrasound images. Complicated imaging protocol, incomplete data, and misaligned pre- and post-stress images, however, are known limitations of conventional stress echocardiography. We have proposed here a new stress testing procedure that uses real-time three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in place of conventional ultrasound and termed the new procedure “3D stress echocardiography.” Real-time 3D ultrasound is an emerging modality capable of imaging a beating heart in its entirety in the time of one cardiac cycle without requiring gating. The proposed 3D stress echocardiography addresses the limitations of complicated imaging protocol and incomplete data by collecting volumetric data rapidly. The problem of misaligned image sectors is solved by registering pre- and post-stress 3D images. We have described here our mutual information-based image registration and interactive 3D image visualization methods that are key engineering developments to enable performing 3D stress echocardiography. These methods were customized to meet the specific needs of 3D stress echocardiography. The preliminary results of the study are encouraging. Image registration used in conjunction with real-time 3D ultrasound offers the potential to simplify stress echocardiography and improve its diagnostic accuracy.
Current training in percutaneously inserted central catheter (PICC) placement and maintenance for neonatal-perinatal medicine fellows.

To describe the current educational status of percutaneously inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion/ maintenance training for neonatal–perinatal medicine (NPM) fellows in the United States. A cross-sectional 34-question survey was electronically distributed to NPM fellowship training program directors (PDs) in the United States. The response rate was 81.8% (81/99 PD). Most PDs (68.5%) reported that their neonatal intensive care unit has a PICC team. Fellows were PICC team members in 72%. Only 52% of programs offer formal training in PICC placement to fellows; 61.5% of these utilize a standardized curriculum. Dedicated PICC team existence was negatively associated with formal training for PICC insertion and maintenance for fellows (42.0% with PICC team vs. 73.91% without, p = 0.01). Wide variation exists in fellow’s exposure, education, and competency assessment in PICC-related activities nationally. Development of a standardized curriculum would be beneficial.
The effect of offspring value on variation of nest defense intensity in gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis)

Nest defense is an adaptive strategy used by adults to increase survival of independent young. However, the risk adults face by defending young from predators represents an important trade-off and parental investment theory predicts adults will modulate nest defense based on the value of offspring. We used a model of a black rat snake, a potential nest predator on our study site, to quantify nest defense in a population of gray catbirds in eastern Pennsylvania during the breeding seasons of 2017 and 2018. Specifically, we evaluated (1) the difference in nest defense between male and female parents, (2) the relationship between nest defense and nest success, and (3) how variation in nest defense was related to factors associated with offspring value. Although male catbirds tend to be larger than females, they did not defend their nests more aggressively than female catbirds. Response to the model predator we used was also not different between individuals whose nests were successful compared with individuals that failed. Although nests that contained more and older young were not defended more aggressively, our analyses did show that adult catbirds defended young that were laid earlier in the season more intensely than those laid later in the breeding season. In birds, earlier clutch initiation is associated with an increased chance of recruitment into the breeding population. Catbirds, therefore, follow predictions of parental investment theory because they defended offspring of higher value more aggressively. Defense of young from predators is an important component of parental care. Nest defense represents a trade-off because although it should increase reproductive success by increasing offspring survival, it presents a risk to adults, thus lowering their survival. We studied variation in nest defense of gray catbirds in relation to offspring value. Although nest defense was not related to nest success, we did find that adult catbirds defended nests that were produced earlier in the year more aggressively than later nests. In birds, the timing of reproduction is linked to prospects of juvenile survival in such a way that offspring produced early in the breeding season are more likely to survive and recruit into the breeding population. As predicted by parental investment theory, catbirds defended young that represented a higher increase in fitness more aggressively.
Management of Hemorrhage and Heart Transplant in Non-Cardiac Surgery.

Abstract In this case series we discuss two patients status post cardiac transplant undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and discuss the management of anti-rejection medication in the setting of blood loss and transfusion. It is rare for patients with heart transplants to require surgery with expected large volume resuscitation. Implications of large volume resuscitation extend beyond the immediate perioperative period. The first case experienced an acute rejection episode and the second case did not. Serum levels of anti-rejection agents were monitored during the hemorrhage and in the post-operative period. Pulse dose methylprednisolone was employed in the second case and continued in the early postoperative period. This appeared to be effective as an adjunct immunosuppressant until antirejection medications reach therapeutic titers.
Debugging real-time operating systems (RTOS)

Abstract This chapter is about debugging real-time software (and hardware) in the presence of a real-time operating system, or RTOS. It compares the nature of the RTOS with more familiar operating systems, such as Windows or Linux, and then goes on to discuss how the nature of the RTOS leads to debugging issues that may be difficult to find when a system is running in real time and can’t be stopped.
An orthogonal basis approach to formation shape control

Abstract In this paper, we propose a novel approach to the problem of augmenting distance-based formation controllers with a secondary constraint for the purpose of preventing 3D formation ambiguities. Specifically, we introduce three controlled variables that form an orthogonal space and uniquely characterize a tetrahedron formation in 3D. This orthogonal space incorporates constraints on the inter-agent distances and the signed volume of tetrahedron substructures. The formation is modeled using a directed graph with a leader–follower type configuration and single-integrator dynamics. We show that the proposed decentralized formation controller ensures the global asymptotic stability and the local exponential stability of the desired formation for an n-agent system with no ambiguities. Unlike previous work, this result is achieved without conditions on the tetrahedrons that form the desired formation or on the control gains.
When is it Safe to perform Abdominal Transplantation in patients with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic has negatively impacted worldwide organ transplantation. However, there is limited information on recipients transplanted after SARS-CoV-2 infection. A full understanding of this scenario is required, as transplantation is a lifesaving procedure and COVID-19 remains an ongoing threat. METHODS: Abdominal organ transplant recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to transplantation were identified by chart review and clinical data was collected. The primary outcome was the transplant outcome including graft loss, rejection and death, and reactivation of infection posttransplant. RESULTS: We identified 14 patients who received abdominal organ transplants after symptomatic PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection; four patients had a positive PCR at the time of admission for transplantation. The median time of follow-up was 79 (22-190) days. One recipient with negative PCR before transplant tested positive 9 days after transplant. One of 14 transplanted patients developed disseminated mold infection and died 86 days after transplant. During follow-up, only one patient developed rejection; thirteen patients had favorable graft outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to perform abdominal transplantation for patients with COVID-19 before transplant, even with positive PCR at the time of transplant. Larger studies are needed to determine the time to safe transplant after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Corrections, repudiations, and revisions: how computing made 2020 a year for change

2020 has been a strange year for many reasons. By February of 2020, the Pandemic was already impacting many parts of the world, and by April, a majority of human lives across the globe were well and truly disrupted by the Covid-19 virus. Some might remember this period as that time when hand sanitizer and toilet paper couldn't be obtained, even at gouged prices. Others may remember this past summer as the time when violence against Black people at the hands of the police achieved a visibility that forced all of us in the US, like it or not, to stop and take note. By the end of the summer headlines heralded what some thought might be the end of the modern university system as colleges and universities across the country announced mass lay-offs and even the dismantling of longstanding majors and departments. Even those with tenure found themselves suddenly without a job. By early fall, the death toll in the U.S. had slowed to the point that schools considered reopening, bars and restaurants unshuttered their doors, and house parties reappeared, if they ever disappeared to begin with. As the positive counts began to surge again, the only thing spreading faster than the virus was misinformation on social media. We end the year in the US with a new President Elect, an emergency approved vaccine, and hope. So many tumultuous events have occurred in this single year that it behooves us to pause for a minute or ten and reflect on what we've learned about the role we want computing to play moving forward.
Mathematical modeling of surface deformation during vitrification.

Abstract Mathematical modeling of surface deformation during cryopreservation by vitrification is presented in this study. The specific problem under consideration is of a cryoprotective agent (CPA) solution vitrifying in a vial, following previously obtained cryomacroscopy observations. A multiphysics solution is proposed in this study, combining coupled effects associated with heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and solid mechanics. Consistent with previous investigations, this study demonstrates that surface deformation is the result of material flow, which is the combined outcome of temperature gradients developed during the inward cooling process, the tendency of the material to change its volume with temperature, and the exponential increase in material viscosity with the decreasing temperature. During this process, the behavior of the CPA changes from liquid to a solid-like amorphous material, where the arrested flow in the vitrified state results in mechanical stresses. Results of this study show a good qualitative agreement of surface deformation with previously obtained experimental data, and support prior investigations to explain fracture tendencies propagating from the deformed surface. Results of this study also highlight the effect of heat convection in the CPA at the early stage of cooling.
Effects of Trematode Parasites on Snails and Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens) in Pesticide-Exposed Mesocosm Communities

Chemical contamination of aquatic environments is widespread, but we have a limited understanding of how contaminants alter critical host–parasite interactions that can influence disease dynamics. We manipulated Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) exposure to pesticides (no pesticides, the insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis [Bti], or the herbicide atrazine) and trematode-infected (Ribeiroia ondatrae and Echinostoma spp.) snails in outdoor mesocosms. Bti exposure extended host larval period, and atrazine exposure had a nonsignificant trend toward reducing host survival; however, neither pesticide influenced parasite success nor magnified the effects of parasites on their hosts. Parasites negatively influenced tadpole development and, by metamorphosis, parasitized frogs had severe limb deformities and greater mass than unparasitized frogs. The greater mass in parasitized frogs may have resulted from reduced competition between tadpoles and snails for algal resources because parasites decreased snail abundance in mesocosms. Reduced competition between tadpoles and snails may offset the direct negative effects of trematodes on tadpoles, enabling them to survive with high infection intensities. Trematodes may further facilitate their own success by inducing limb deformities that likely increase anuran consumption by definitive hosts. Our results demonstrate how common pesticides and parasites impact amphibians and suggest that, at environmentally relevant concentrations, these pesticides may not dramatically alter host–parasite dynamics.
New generation post-emergence herbicides and their impact on arbuscular mycorrhizae fungal association in rice.

To prevent weed invasion in direct seeded rice cultivation, several new generation post emergence herbicides viz. bispyribac sodium, flucetosulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, fenoxaprop-p ethyl, penoxsulam, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl plus ethoxysulfuron and cyhalofop‑butyl plus penoxsulam are widely used in sub-tropical rice ecosystems of Eastern India. The main objective of this study was to know whether application of above listed post emergence herbicides at recommended (n1) and double recommended dose (n2) has any negative impact on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) association in rice plants. Further, the effects of herbicides on soil microbial properties viz. microbial biomass carbon (MBC), fluroscein diacetate (FDA), dehydrogenase (DHA), acid phosphatase (AcP) and alkaline phosphatase (AkP) activities were analyzed using unsupervised and supervised learning methods. Results indicated that among different herbicides evaluated only application of penoxsulam significantly (p<0.05) reduced the AMF root colonization (58.0%) at recommended dose (n1) compared to only AMF (70.3%) application. Whereas, application of bispyribac sodium (both n1 and n2 dose) enhanced AMF sporulation (1100 spores/100 g) and root colonization (86.68%) compared to other herbicides application. Unsupervised learning approaches through PCA found that application of bispyribac sodium enhanced both above ground plant growth responses and soil microbial properties, but penoxsulam had negative impact. But, the combined application of penoxsulam and cyhalofop‑butyl did not show any negative impact on AMF association in rice plants. This study concluded that selection of right type of post-emergence herbicides are very important to minimize the harmful effect or enhance AMF association in rice plants.
Perceptions of barriers to patient financial hardship screening differ by provider role within gynecologic oncology outpatient care.

317Background: Although approximately half of patients with gynecologic malignancy experience financial hardship (FH) during treatment, best practices to identify and assist patients with FH are la...
Ziprasidone and the activity of cytochrome P450 2D6 in healthy extensive metabolizers.

Aims To determine whether ziprasidone alters the metabolizing activity of the 2D6 isoenzyme of cytochrome P450 (CYP2D6).