cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microvascular effects of subatmospheric pressure in striated muscle.

OBJECTIVE Topical application of subatmospheric pressure (TASAP) promotes faster wound healing, but tissue effects are not entirely understood. This study investigated microvascular effects of TASAP in striated muscle with the hypothesis being that TASAP elicits arteriolar vasodilation and decreases interstitial accumulation of protein. METHODS Rat cremasteric microcirculation was directly examined in two experiments utilizing a novel technique. First, TASAP was applied to the cremaster in three experimental groups and a non-TASAP control group. Arteriolar diameters were directly measured before and after TASAP. In experiment two, intravascular fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled albumin and topical leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were delivered to the cremaster. Microvascular permeability was assessed by measuring the accumulation/disappearance of FITC-albumin in the interstitial tissue. RESULTS TASAP produced significant arteriolar vasodilation compared with control values. The mean maximum percent increase in diameter with TASAP was 8.70% at -2 kPa (p < 0.05), 7.16% at -4 kPa (p < 0.05), and 10.43% at -6 kPa (p < 0.01). TASAP decreased interstitial FITC-albumin by 26.3% (p < 0.008) following LTB4; the control group showed a steady increase in interstitial FITC-albumin. CONCLUSIONS These results support the hypothesis that TASAP elicits significant arteriolar vasodilation with a subsequent increase in blood flow as well as a decrease in interstitial protein accumulation.
Herpes simplex reactivation or postinfectious inflammatory response after epilepsy surgery: Case report and review of the literature

Background: Herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) is the most morbid clinical syndrome associated with the human herpes virus. Despite treatment with appropriate dosages of acyclovir, neurologic relapse of HSV infection have been reported after cranial surgery. Rarely, neurological deterioration due to postinfectious inflammatory response without demonstrable HSV reactivation may recur following cranial surgery. Case Description: We report a case of a 17-year-old girl who presented with a HSVE relapse on the 6 th postoperative day following resective surgery for medically refractory epilepsy and review the literature. Postinfectious inflammatory reaction may be the underlying mechanism in cases with no HSV identified on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or brain polymerase chain reaction (PCR), such as in the current case. Conclusion: HSVE must be suspected in patients with previous history of HSVE and postoperative fever associated with an altered state of consciousness and/or seizures. Considering the high mortality and morbidity rates associated with HSVE, an adequate prophylactic administration of acyclovir should be considered for patients with previous history of HSVE undergoing neurosurgical procedures, especially when surgery involves the site of a previous herpetic lesion.
A Constant Current Square Wave Stimulator

SummaryA stimulator suitable for the determination of strength-duration curves, rheobase and chronaxia, ratio of cathodal to anodal thresholds, and galvanic tetanus ratio has been constructed of standard radio components. It has given reliable and reproducible results in cases of peripheral nerve injury.
Molecular genetics of cell interactions in Arabidopsis.

Many events in plant development are regulated by the interactions of neighboring cells. We are interested in determining what sorts of molecules act as signals and/or receptors in these interactions and how these mechanisms relate to those used in animals and fungi. We are presently working on two different types of systems to try to address this question. In one case we are starting at the molecular level and characterizing a family of receptor protein kinase genes which seem natural candidates for mediating cellular interactions. By analyzing the expression patterns of these genes as well as the phenotypes of transgenic plants bearing altered genes we hope to determine what roles these proteins play in plant development
The role of environmental management systems

Over the past twenty years, and especially since the introduction of the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 standard for environmental management systems (EMSs), there has been much discussion about the role EMSs could or should have in environmental compliance programs. Underlying all these discussions is the premise that EMSs have the potential to generate enhanced environmental performance through a process designed to achieve continuous improvement.The emergence of EMSs also coincided with the exploration of transforming regulatory systems from governmental command-and-control policies to more flexible regimes that allow private actors a greater range of options to meet governmental requirements. At the same time, the laws of individual nation-states have become just one of several considerations operating entities must take into account to compete in an increasingly global marketplace. Because EMSs provide an internationally recognized standard for evaluating environmental processes, they have been suggested as a mechanism providing for a more uniform global approach to environmental management as well as leveraging the capabilities of constrained environmental enforcement agencies, something particularly important for developing nations.EMSs have the potential to produce significant environmental performance benefits. Those benefits have already been well recognized in many markets, as demonstrated by both the number of companies that make having an EMS a requirement of doing business and the dramatic growth of EMSs throughout the world. What could use more focus is how governments can utilize EMSs better, to supplement their regulatory programs, as well as to encourage improvements in overall environmental performance which might be beyond their regulatory powers.
The Limits of Punishment

Structures of punishment are infused with anxiety about national belonging. Since the mid-1990s, governments in the United States, Australia, and much of Western F,urope have embraced the practice of immigration detention, building quasi-prisons for non-citizens at a breakneck pace (see Bacon 2005; Bosvvorth 2007; Kelly 2005; National Immigration Forum 2013)- Criminal justice systems have also warped under the pressure of border control. In the past five years alone, both the United States and the United Kingdom have established special prisons to hold foreign nationals serving criminal sentences (Guttin 2010; Greene & Mazon 2012). in Britain, non-citizens convicted of criminal offenses are transferred to prisons ‘embedded’ with border agents (Kaufman 2013). In the US, more than half of last year’s roughly 400,000 deportations started when a border agent entered a prison or a jail (American Immigration Council 2013).
SU-F-T-306: Validation of Mobius 3D and FX for Elekta Linear Accelerators

Purpose: Log file based IMRT and VMAT QA is a system that analyzes treatment log files and uses delivery parameters to compute the dose to the patient/phantom. This system was previously commissioned for Varian machines, the purpose of this work is to describe the process for commissioning Mobius for use with Elekta machines. Methods: Twelve IMRT and VMAT plans (6×) were planned and delivered and dose was measured using MapCheck, the results were compared to that computed by Mobius. For 10x and 18x, plans were generated, copied to a phantom and delivered, the dose was measured using a single ion chamber. The difference in measured dose to computed dose (Mobius) was used to adjust the dynamic leaf gap (DLG) in Mobius to achieve optimal agreement between measurements, Mobius and treatment plans. Results: For the measured dose comparison, the average 3%/3mm gamma 97.1% of pixels passed criteria using MapCheck where Mobius computed 96.9% of voxels passing. For 10×, a DLG of −5.5 was determined to achieve optimal results for TPS and measured ion chamber data with an average 0.1% difference and −1.7% respectively. For 18×, a DLG of −3 was determined to achieve optimal results from the TPS and measured data with an average of −0.7% and −1.4% difference on average from a set of IMRT and VMAT plans. The 6x data needed no DLG correction to arrive at agreement with the TPS and the MapCheck measured data. Conclusion: We have validated with measurements for IMRT and VMAT cases the use of Mobius FX with Elekta treatment machines for IMRT and VMAT QA. For 6×, no adjustments to the DLG were required to obtain good results utilizing Mobius whereas for 10× and 18×, the DLG had to be adjusted to obtain optimum agreement with measured data and our TPS.
Environmental Management in Coastal Louisiana: A Historical Review

ABSTRACT Colten, C.E., 2017. Environmental management in coastal Louisiana: A historical review. A series of state and federal environmental management policies have been implemented in Louisiana's coastal region over the last several centuries that have directly affected vulnerable coastal residents. The policies have shifted primary attention from flood protection, to wetlands reclamation, to wildlife conservation, to wetlands restoration. Adoption and implementation of these policies have seldom factored in the impacts of management regimes on the coastal society. This paper reviews the changing environmental management regimes, how they have affected access to natural resources in the region, the adaptations made by resource-dependent societies in response to these management changes, the role of public engagement in planning environmental management, and the lack of provisions in the plans to accommodate the human adjustments they impel.
The Chicxulub Tsunami

Having discussed the Chicxulub asteroid’s impact and catastrophic explosion that produced Earth-shaking seismic waves and sent Gigatons of ejecta into the atmosphere, leaving a massive crater; we now turn to the third major Chicxulub phenomena—the tsunami. This chapter, after defining three modes of tsunami generation, presents a short “primer” on the nature of tsunami waves, including a description of their most important property, refraction. Examples are presented of historical wave and tsunami events that demonstrate the behavior of refraction and run-up. Two models of tsunami waves are also examined—one created by a volcanic crater collapse in the Canary Islands and the other by a North Atlantic Ocean impact due to an NEO asteroid. Lastly, the Chicxulub impact tsunami formation is portrayed, wherein we track its relentless spreading waves into the ancient Gulf of Mexico thence, into the world’s oceans and finally dissipating their energies at the shorelines.
Temporal Community Structure in Two Gregarines (Rotundula gammari and Heliospora longissima) Co-Infecting the Amphipod Gammarus fasciatus

Abstract This study surveyed gregarine parasites that infect the amphipod, Gammarus fasciatus, to investigate temporal dynamics in infracommunity structure. We sampled a population of hosts for 2 yr from the north branch of the Raritan River in New Jersey. These hosts were infected with 2 direct life cycle gregarine parasites, Rotundula gammari and Heliospora longissima. Infections were separated temporally, with the prevalence of R. gammari peaking within the amphipod population in the fall (prevalence = 78% year 1 and 97% year 2) and H. longissima peaking in early spring (prevalence = 41% year 1 and 52% year 2). Increases in host population density did not significantly correlate with the abundance of these 2 parasites. However, H. longissima abundance was positively correlated with host body weight while R. gammari showed no significant relationship. The mean body mass of amphipods infected with H. longissima was 20.7 ± 1. 2 mg, and with R. gammari 8.1 ± 0.2 mg, which suggests a sized-based infection p...
Weibull distribution analysis of the tensile strength of the kenaf bast fiber

This paper presents the influence of the gage length on the kenaf fiber Young’s modulus and the tensile strength characterization. Four different gage lengths of 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm and 25.4 mm are selected in this study and the tensile testing is performed at a quasi-static loading rate of 1 mm/min. The cross-sectional area of the fiber after failure is considered for the stress calculations. Weibull probability distribution is used to characterize the tensile strength of the kenaf fiber. The Weibull parameters are obtained for the two parameter, three parameter and Weibull of Weibull models and the average tensile strength of the fibers are evaluated. The predicted average tensile strength from all the three approaches are in good agreement with the experimental results for the obtained parameters.
Cellulose Nanofibril Aerogels: Synergistic Improvement of Hydrophobicity, Strength, and Thermal Stability via Cross-Linking with Diisocyanate

A facile gelation cross-linking approach was devised to fabricate meso- and macroporous cellulose nanofibril (CNF) aerogels with multiple improved properties. CNF hydrogels made using a freezing–thawing method with a 94 kPa modulus were solvent exchanged with acetone and then cross-linked with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) to produce aerogels with significantly improved compressive properties that follow a power law increment against aerogel density with impressive 1.69, 2.49, and 1.43 scaling factors for Young’s modulus, yield stress, and ultimate stress, respectively. The optimally cross-linked aerogels had nearly tripled specific surface area (228 m2/g) and doubled pore volume (1 m3/g) from numerous new 9–12 nm wide mesopores as well as significantly improved thermal stability (43% char residue at 500 C vs 9.1% for un-cross-linked aerogel). Cross-linking also made the amphiphilic CNF aerogel highly hydrophobic and capable of completely separating chloroform from water via simple filtration. The...
A 700 kHz ultrasonic link for wireless powering of implantable medical devices

Wireless energy transmission to medical implants via ultrasonic waves is a promising technology with significant potential benefits over systems relying on radio frequency (RF) transmission in terms of (i) charging efficiency (ii) safety concerns. This paper discusses the design of an ultrasonic link to transfer energy from an external acoustic transmitter to an in-body deeply implanted medical device (IMD). Experimental results show that the rectified wave is able to convey enough power to completely charge a 0.22 F supercapacitor in 210 s.
Instrumental and Laboratory Techniques for Characterization of Reservoir Rock

Reservoir rock evaluation for determination of formation damage potential is a very extensive and cumbersome task requiring multidisciplinary effort and knowledge of instrumentation, data acquisition, testing and interpretation, and analysis and cross-correlation of various types of data. It is a continuously evolving area of science and engineering. The fundamental analytical techniques available for laboratory evaluation of core samples for sensitivity and damage potential are briefly described in this chapter. The readers are referred to manufacturers’ manuals and other pertinent sources for operational principles and specific detailed descriptions.
Roundtable review: Another Death in Kenya

We all know the story: a promising young man, usually an athlete or entertainer, dies suddenly and there is much heartache and misery about the loss of such a good person. Then an autopsy discovers...
The effect of manufacturing defects on compressive strength of ultralight hollow microlattices: A data-driven study

Abstract Hollow microlattices constitute a model topology for architected materials, as they combine excellent specific stiffness and strength with relative ease of manufacturing. The most scalable manufacturing technique to date encompasses fabrication of a sacrificial polymeric template by the Self Propagating Photopolymer Waveguide (SPPW) process, followed by thin film coating and removal of the substrate. Accurate modeling of mechanical properties (e.g., stiffness, strength) of hollow microlattices is challenging, primarily due to the complex stress state around the hollow nodes and the existence of manufacturing-induced geometric imperfections (e.g. cracks, non-circularity, etc.). In this work, we use a variety of measuring techniques (SEM imaging, CT scanning, etc.) to characterize the geometric imperfections in a nickel-based ultralight hollow microlattice and investigate their effect on the compressive strength of the lattice. At the strut level, where a more quantitative description of geometric defects is available, the gathered data is used to build a stochastic field model of geometric imperfections using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition. Using Monte Carlo simulations, the critical buckling loads of a large set of imperfect bars created using the stochastic model are then extracted by Finite Elements Analysis. The statistics of the buckling strength in artificially generated bars is then used to explain the scatter in the strength of CT-derived bars and its correlation with the lattice strength measured experimentally. Although the quantitative results are specific to microlattices fabricated by SPPW templating, the methodology presented herein is equally applicable to architected materials produced by other manufacturing processes.
Constitutional Coup: Privatization's Threat to the American Republic (Introduction)

Americans have a love-hate relationship with government. Rejecting bureaucracy — but not the goods and services the welfare state provides — Americans are insisting government be made to run like a business. But, as Constitutional Coup shows, separating the state from its public servants, practices, and institutions does violence to our Constitution, and threatens the health, stability, and legitimacy of the Republic. Weaving together dramatic accounts of the Framers’ original governing scheme, FDR’s New Deal, LBJ’s Great Society, Ronald Reagan’s Privatization Revolution, and — now — the instant Trumpist movement to run government like a business, Constitutional Coup tells the story of the rise, maturation, and present-day demise of American constitutional government. Casting privatization as an existential threat, Constitutional Coup explains how the fusion of politics and profits commercializes and destabilizes government, enriching big businesses cozy with the White House while emboldening CEO-style presidents to act imperially, with insufficient regard for bureaucratic expertise, public input, or the rule of law.
Remember the Drive Home? An Assessment of Emergency Providers' Sleep Deficit.

Objective. Sleep deprivation decreases work performance and predisposes workers to deleterious health outcomes. We sought to evaluate sleep hygiene and fatigue among emergency physicians. Methods. In March–June 2016, physicians and residents at an academic emergency medicine program were invited to complete a survey evaluating sleep and alertness. Results. Six attending physicians and 26 residents completed the survey. Among six personal priorities, sleep ranked fourth behind family, work, and leisure. 75% stated poor sleep impedes effectiveness as a physician while 53% noted difficulty falling asleep before a night shift. In the last three months, 39% of subjects forgot driving home from a shift, and 34% had fallen asleep while driving. 34% used medications to assist with sleep (including melatonin (36%), alcohol (27%), and prescription drugs (9%)). Most providers attested to phone (88%) and television exposure (69%) immediately prior to goal sleep onset. Conclusion. Despite sleep being identified as a priority among EM physicians, deleterious habits remain. Poor sleep affects perceived effectiveness and personal safety, as evidenced by a significant portion of providers falling asleep on the commute home. Night shift is the chief obstacle to optimal sleep hygiene.
Prediction of optimal structural water concentration for maximized performance in tunnel manganese oxide electrodes

Crystal water has been shown to stabilize next-generation energy storage electrodes with structural tunnels to accommodate cation intercalation, but the stabilization mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we present a simple physical model to explain the energetics of interactions between the electrode crystal lattice, structural water, and electrochemically cycled ions. Our model is applied to understand the effects of crystal water on sodium ion intercalation in a tunnel manganese oxide structure, and we predict that precisely controlling the crystal water concentration can optimize the ion intercalation voltage and capacity and promote stable cycling. The analysis yields a critical structural water concentration by accounting for the interplay between elastic and electrostatic contributions to the free energy. Our predictions are validated with first-principles calculations and electrochemical measurements. The theoretical framework used here can be extended to predict critical concentrations of stabilizing molecules to optimize performance in next-generation battery materials.
Noncross-linked collagen discs and cross-linked collagen shields in the delivery of gentamicin to rabbits eyes.

Using fluorescent polarization immunoassay, in vitro absorption and elution of gentamicin by noncrosslinked collagen discs was measured. This technique was compared with that of cross-linked collagen shields and topical drops to provide adequate gentamicin levels in the cornea and aqueous humor of the rabbit eye. In vitro results showed that the noncross-linked collagen discs absorbed increased gentamicin with prolonged soaking time. All 2-hr presoaked discs completely dissolved within 6 min after being placed in the lower fornix of the rabbit eye. The presoaked discs released most of their gentamicin load within 0.5 hr of elution. Gentamicin levels in the cornea and aqueous humor, using 2-hr presoaked discs, were similar to those obtained with a single drop (P > 0.05) of topical solution and significantly lower than those obtained by applying a collagen shield at all intervals (P < 0.01) and by hourly drops measured at 4- and 6-hr intervals (P < 0.01). These results suggest that, in their current formulation, the presoaked collagen discs may not be an effective alternative to collagen shields or topical drops for gentamicin delivery because of their rapid dissolution in the eye. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 33:21942198,1992 One of the significant problems with the delivery of ophthalmic drops is that drug administration is pulsed, with an initial period of overdosing followed by a longer period of relative underdosing. To overcome this disadvantage, various drug delivery devices have been used, such as therapeutic soft contact lenses, 1 " 3 drug-impregnated inserts, 45 and liposomal systems. 6 Recently, investigators became interested in using soluble porcine and bovine cross-linked collagen shields as a drug-delivery vehicle. 7 " 12 The collagen shield acts as a drug reservoir, lengthening the contact time between the cornea and the drug, and enhancing drug delivery to the cornea and aqueous humor. Collagen discs, sometimes referred to as minishields, with no cross-linkage, are a new design that can provide lubrication and relief from discomfort after surgery.
Synthesis and molecular and solid state structural characterization of mixed CH3–CF3 and CH3–C2F5 fluoroalkyl pyrazoles and a new, TpC2F5,CH3 ligand

Abstract We report a new mixed methyl-fluoroalkyl (Rf) 3,5-substituted pyrazole, Pz R f , CH 3 , with Rf = C2F5. An X-ray structural comparison of Pz R f , CH 3 (Rf = CF3 and C2F5) reveals a similar boat-type H-bonded tetrameric architecture, dominated by the 3,5 tautomers. The tetramers compactness could be compared by computing the volume of the tetrahedron defined by the geometric centers of the four pyrazole rings. Using this criterion the C2F5 group is found to induce a tighter intratetrameric packing relative to CF3, in addition to exhibiting a possibly higher degree of N–H proton delocalization. The new Tp R f , CH 3 (Rf = C2F5) sodium scorpionate is also reported. The X-ray structure of NaTp C 2 F 5 , CH 3 (H2O) shows discrete mononuclear units. The Na-coordinated H2O exhibits weak, 2.6 A intermolecular Na–O–H···F contacts leading to the formation of a head-to-tail chain assembly. In contrast, the NaTp CF 3 , CH 3 (H2O) complex forms dimers in solid-state, supported by Na-bridging water ligands and intermolecular Na···F interactions. The presence of metal-bonded H2O in the sodium complex of Tp C 2 F 5 , CH 3 as well as the formation of discrete complexes when CF3 is replaced by C2F5 in Tp R f , CH 3 reflect both the strong σ electronic acceptor nature of the ligand and its enhanced steric bulkiness.
Cancer of the Lip and Oral Cavity

The oral cavity consists of the upper and lower lips, gingivobuccal sulcus, buccal mucosa, upper and lower gingiva (including alveolar ridge), retromolar trigone, hard palate, floor of mouth, and anterior two-third of the tongue. CN XII provides motor innervation of the tongue, and the lingual nerve (CN V) provides sensory innervation. Taste is mediated by the chorda tympani branch of CN VII for the anterior two-third of the tongue and CN IX for the posterior 1/3. Risk factors for oral cavity cancer include tobacco, alcohol, poor oral hygiene, and betel and areca nuts. Oral leukoplakia can proceed to cancer (4–18%) as can erythroplakia (30%).
An Overview of Social Cognitive Treatment Interventions

Social cognition has emerged as an important construct in both the understanding of schizophrenia and its treatment. In this chapter, the definitions, domains, and measurement of social cognition in schizophrenia are discussed. Deficits and biases in the areas of emotion/social perception, theory of mind, and attributional style are reviewed, as well as general approaches to remediating these impairments. Social cognitive interventions are generally classified as targeted, comprehensive, or broad-based depending on what constructs are the focus of treatment and the methods used to bring about change. This chapter reviews research studies that attempt to remediate social cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and is followed by a discussion of current issues and concerns as this area of study moves forward.
Hydrophobic sorption of polar organics by low organic carbon soils

The sorption of three groups of polar organic compounds capable of H bonding with inorganic soil surfaces (phenols, alcohols, and ketones) by three soils having different organic-carbon (OC) contents was compared with the sorption of nonpolar compounds by the same soils. Soil OC content and compound hydrophobicity were observed to be of value in predicting sorption coefficients for all groups of compounds except phenols. The higher OC soil (1.2% OC) exhibited a significant relationship between sorption coefficient and hydrophobicity for all compound classes; the very low OC soil (0.06% OC), however, exhibited a relatively weak relationship between sorption coefficient and hydrophobicity.
ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES FOR THE PERCEPTION OF NASAL CONSONANTS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a brief acoustic characterization of nasal consonants as a sound class, focusing on the acoustic complexity of the nasal manner of articulation. The focus of studies on the acoustics and perception of nasal consonants has changed in the last decade. Emphasis is currently placed on more generalized spectral patterns rather than on absolute frequencies, and on patterns of change over time rather than on spectral attributes at a particular point in time. These changes are the result of two concurrent developments in speech acoustics and speech perception research. One of these developments involved advances in analytic techniques that have led to a reformulation of the basic approach to the question of how and where the acoustic and perceptual attributes for the phonetic dimensions of speech may be instantiated. Characteristic of this new approach is an emphasis on dynamic or temporally driven analyses. These analyses have been widely applied in research on the sound classes of speech.
Philips Versus Matsushita: The Competitive Battle Continues

Describes the development of the global strategies and organizations of two major competitors in the consumer electronics industry. Over four decades, both companies adapt their strategic intent and organizational capability to match and counter the competitive advantage of the other. The case shows how each is faced to restructure as its competitive advantage erodes.
Modeling the effect of two-stage fast charging protocol on thermal behavior and charging energy efficiency of lithium-ion batteries

Abstract To enable fast charging of lithium ion batteries, extensive attention is needed to reduce the heat generation rate to avoid thermal runaway. This work studies the impact of the fast charging protocol on thermal behavior and energy efficiency of a lithium ion battery cell for 30-minute charging with 80% rated capacity. A two-stage constant current (2SCC) charging protocol with different current level combinations is adopted to mitigate the temperature rise leading to thermal runaway and improve the charging energy efficiency, because different charging current will generate different rates of heat. An electrochemical thermal coupled model is developed to predict the heat generation rate, charging energy rate, and temperature rise with experimental validation. The simulation results indicate that the “high-low” charging protocols of the 2SCC fast charge can achieve a lower overall temperature rise and higher charging energy efficiency than both the “low-high” charging protocols and the standard one-stage constant current (1SCC) charging. Compared to the 1SCC charge, the 2SCC charging protocol can improve the overall charging energy efficiency by 1%. Additionally, the impact of the 2SCC charging protocol on the thermal behavior under different initial cell temperatures and the heat transfer coefficients are discussed.
Minimax Estimation of Discrete Distributions Under $\ell _{1}$ Loss

We consider the problem of discrete distribution estimation under $\ell _{1}$ loss. We provide tight upper and lower bounds on the maximum risk of the empirical distribution (the maximum likelihood estimator), and the minimax risk in regimes where the support size $S$ may grow with the number of observations $n$ . We show that among distributions with bounded entropy $H$ , the asymptotic maximum risk for the empirical distribution is $2H/\ln n$ , while the asymptotic minimax risk is $H/\ln n$ . Moreover, we show that a hard-thresholding estimator oblivious to the unknown upper bound $H$ , is essentially minimax. However, if we constrain the estimates to lie in the simplex of probability distributions, then the asymptotic minimax risk is again $2H/\ln n$ . We draw connections between our work and the literature on density estimation, entropy estimation, total variation distance ( $\ell _{1}$ divergence) estimation, joint distribution estimation in stochastic processes, normal mean estimation, and adaptive estimation.
Bone geometry and lower extremity bone stress injuries in male runners

Abstract Bone stress injuries (BSI) are common among distance runners and research investigations examining risk factors for BSI among men are limited. Therefore, investigations are needed to determine if men with a history of BSI have skeletal properties that may heighten BSI incidence. Objectives To analyze differences in bone density, bone geometry, and estimates of bone strength in male runners with and without a BSI history. Design Cross-sectional. Methods We recruited 36 male distance runners ages 18–41 for this study. We used peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) to assess volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD, mg/mm3), bone geometry (total and cortical bone area, mm2), tibia robustness (total area/tibia length, mm) and estimates of bone strength (section modulus and polar strength-strain index, mm3) at 5 tibial sites. Results After adjusting for age, the BSI group had more slender tibias (9%), lower stress strain indices (−16%), lower section moduli (−17%) and smaller total cross-sectional (−11%) and cortical areas (−12%) at the 66% site of the tibia compared with controls (P Conclusions These results indicate that men with a history of BSI have lower estimated bending strength compared to controls because of narrower tibias. However, differences are largely attenuated in the distal ½ of the tibia after adjusting for body size. Thus, smaller tibia size, particularly at the mid-diaphysis, may be an important indicator for BSI incidence.
High-Redox-Potential Chromophores for Visible-Light-Driven Water Oxidation at Low pH

Photochemical water oxidation at low pH requires chromophores with adequate photophysical properties and high redox potentials capable of oxidizing the catalysts. We report here a series of homolep...
Acousto-Optic Modulation of Water in a Microfluidic Channel Using Planar Fresnel Type GHz Ultrasonic Transducer

Acousto-optic modulation at GHz frequencies is demonstrated in water in a microfluidic channel. The photoelastic effect in water is induced by a silicon based GHz bulk acoustic wave aluminum nitride transducer placed in a Fresnel lens configuration. The planar GHz ultrasonic transducer is fabricated with a CMOS compatible process with no thin-film release step enabling easier integration with CMOS and microfluidics. A UHF vibrometer which is sensitive to changes in the refractive index along the laser path is used to measure the peak surface displacement. The peak refractive index change was determined to be O(10-6), when 1.08GHz RF drive voltages between 1Vp and 5Vp were applied to the focusing transducer. Peak phase modulation of 6mrad was determined from the experimental results for 5Vp RF drive signal. The total modulator area of such a system is 0.086 mm2. This result provides a framework to implement CMOS integrated acousto-optic modulator arrays.
An Intelligent Protection Scheme for Microgrids based on S-transform and Deep Belief Network

This paper develops a data-mining based intelligent protection scheme for fault detection in a microgrid with multiple distributed generations. The protection scheme uses one cycle of the three-phase post-fault currents at both ends of the feeders to derive some effective features. The retrieved current samples are pre-processed using S-transform to obtain statistical features, such as energy, standard deviation (STD), and median absolute deviation (MAD), which are further used to build a deep belief network (DBN) based model. The model is validated on the unseen data set for fault detection in the microgrid. The proposed relaying scheme is developed on a real time digital simulator (RTDS) platform which is integrated with Matlab. Using extensive test results, the performance of the proposed intelligent relaying scheme is evaluated for a microgrid with wide variations in operating conditions for radial and mesh topologies in grid-connected and islanded modes of operations. It is also shown that the proposed method outperforms the existing methods in the literature.
Parking access, beach usage, and race: a study of the relationship between parking access and racial inequality at public beaches in Palm Beach County, Florida

Numerous early environmental justice studies found a positive correlation between minority populations and exposure to toxins, air pollution, and other contaminants. More recent scholarship expande...
Transmissions, 1962–1968

Born in London in 1939 to a music-loving, middle-class Irish family, Mary O’Brien was destined to become a professional vocalist. Her parents adored American music. They played songs crafted by Duk...
Problems: Systems of Equations

In this chapter, the basic and advanced problems of systems of equations are presented. To help students study the chapter in the most efficient way, the problems are categorized in different levels based on their difficulty levels (easy, normal, and hard) and calculation amounts (small, normal, and large). Moreover, the problems are ordered from the easiest problem with the smallest computations to the most difficult problems with the largest calculations.
Cardenolide Increase in Foxglove During Stresses Corresponds to Cholesterol and Phytosterol Biosynthesis

Cardenolides are a group of steroidal metabolites found in Digitalis lanata with potent cardioactive effects on animals. In plants, cardenolides are involved in various stress responses. However, the molecular mechanism of cardenolide increase during stresses is mostly unknown. Here we show that cardenolides were increased upon methyl jasmonate (MJ), sorbitol, potassium (KCl) chloride, and salicylic acid analog (BTH: 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) treatments. However, the expression of three known genes for cardenolide biosynthesis did not correlate well with these increases. Specifically, the expression of progesterone-5{beta}-reductases (P5{beta}R and P5{beta}R2) did not correlate with cardenolide increase. The expression of 3{beta}-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3{beta}HSD) correlated with cardenolide levels only during the BTH treatment. Mining the D. lanata transcriptome identified genes involved in cholesterol and phytosterol biosynthesis: SSR1 (sterol sidechain reductase), SMO1, and SMO3 (sterol methyl oxidase). Surprisingly, the expression of all three genes correlated well with the cardenolide increase after BTH treatment. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SSR1 is likely involved in both cholesterol and phytosterol biosynthesis. In addition, SMO1 is likely specific to phytosterol biosynthesis, and SMO3 is specific to cholesterol biosynthesis. These results suggest that both cholesterol and phytosterol are involved in cardenolide biosynthesis. In summary, this work shows that cardenolides are important for stress responses in D. lanata and revealed a novel relationship between phytosterol and cardenolide biosynthesis.
Complications of Ureteroscopy

Introduction: Complications in ureteroscopy (URS) occur at a low incidence and most are minor but still major complications do happen. It is the responsibility of the surgeon to be able to recognize and manage these complications whether they occur intraoperatively or postoperatively.
Early estrogen action. Stimulation of the synthesis of methylated ribosomal and transfer RNAs.

Abstract The effects of estrogen on the rates of incorporation in vivo of radioactive uridine and Me-methionine, administered together, into RNA in the uterus of the ovariectomized adult rat have been measured. The ratio of incorporation of methionine to uridine during a 45-min labeling period was increased severalfold by hormone treatment. The increased rate of methylation was apparent in the uterus taken from the rat administered estrogen for 1 h, and the effect was more striking following 2 and 3 h of hormone treatment. This stimulation of methylation of RNA occurred in association with an increase in the whole-organ concentration of RNA. Analysis of the doubly-labeled uterine RNA on sucrose gradients revealed that the methylated species were mainly ribosomal and transfer RNA. These results show that very little methylation of RNA occurs in the atrophied uterus of the ovariectomized rat. During the first 3 h following estrogen administration to the ovariectomized animal, an increasing percentage of the newly synthesized RNA formed by the uterus is methylated ribosomal and transfer RNA. This result is discussed in light of recent studies of the efficiency of processing of ribosomal precursor RNA, as well as the synthesis of high-molecular-weight heterogeneous RNA in the early action of estrogen.
Structure of Liver Receptor Homolog-1 (NR5A2) with PIP3 hormone bound in the ligand binding pocket

The nuclear receptor LRH-1 (Liver Receptor Homolog-1, NR5A2) is a transcription factor that regulates gene expression programs critical for many aspects of metabolism and reproduction. Although LRH-1 is able to bind phospholipids, it is still considered an orphan nuclear receptor (NR) with an unknown regulatory hormone. Our prior cellular and structural studies demonstrated that the signaling phosphatidylinositols PI(4,5)P2 (PIP2) and PI(3,4,5)P3 (PIP3) bind and regulate SF-1 (Steroidogenic Factor-1, NR5A1), a close homolog of LRH-1. Here, we describe the crystal structure of human LRH-1 ligand binding domain (LBD) bound by PIP3 - the first phospholipid with a head group endogenous to mammals. We show that the phospholipid hormone binds LRH-1 with high affinity, stabilizing the receptor LBD. While the hydrophobic PIP3 tails (C16/C16) are buried inside the LRH-1 ligand binding pocket, the negatively charged PIP3 head group is presented on the receptor surface, similar to the phosphatidylinositol binding mode observed in the PIP3-SF-1 structure. Thus, data presented in this work reinforce our earlier findings demonstrating that signaling phosphatidylinositols regulate the NR5A receptors LRH-1 and SF-1.
Optimal Placement in a Limit Order Book

This paper proposes and studies an optimal placement problem in a limit order book. Two simple models are proposed: one with price impact and one without price impact. For the first model, optimal placement strategies for both single-period and multi-period cases are derived. For the second model, it is shown that the optimal strategy never mixes market orders and (best) limit orders; in particular, with special choices of parameters, the optimal strategy reduces to the VWAP type of Bertsimas and Lo (1998) for the optimal execution problem.
Dual genetic pathways of endothelin-mediated intercellular signaling revealed by targeted disruption of endothelin converting enzyme-1 gene

Recent gene targeting studies have revealed unexpected roles for endothelins in the development of neural crest-derived tissues. Endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) catalyzes the proteolytic activation of big endothelin-1 to endothelin-1(ET-1) in vitro. However, the importance of ECE-1 cleavage in the multiple endothelin pathways in vivo is unknown. Here we generated a targeted null mutation in the mouse ECE-1 gene. ECE-1-/- term embryos exhibited craniofacial and cardiac abnormalities virtually identical to the defects seen in ET-1 and endothelin A receptor (ETA)-deficient embryos. Epidermal melanocytes as well as enteric neurons of the distal gut were also absent in ECE-1-/- embryos, reproducing the developmental phenotype seen in ET-3-/- and endothelin B receptor (ETB)-/- mice. Surprisingly, large amounts of mature ET-1 peptide are found in ECE-1-/- embryos, indicating that non-ECE-1 protease(s) can activate ET-1 at certain sites. However, these enzymes cannot produce sufficient mature endothelin at the locations crucial for normal embryonic development. These findings reveal that ECE-1 is a bona fide activating protease for both big ET-1 and big ET-3 in vivo, and that the cell-cell communication pathways represented by the ET-1/ECE-1/ETA axis and the ET-3/ECE-1/ETB axis are each involved in the development of distinct subsets of neural crest cell lineages. Mutations in ECE-1 may cause developmental defects in humans, such as Hirschsprung disease, velocardiofacial syndrome and related neurocristopathies.
Pyrimidine N‐oxides. Preparation of 6‐chloro‐2,4‐diaminopyrimidine 3‐N‐oxide and its reactions

The peroxyacid oxidation of 6-chloro-2,4-diaminopyrimidine (1) led to two products, 6-chloro-2,4-diaminopyrimidine 3-N-oxide (2) and 2,4-diamino-5,6-dichloropyrimidine 3-N-oxide (3). The assignment of structure of both of these compounds was made on the basis of ir, uv, nmr, and mass spectral data. A discussion of the pathways involved in the formation of 3 is presented.
Characterization of obstacle negotiation behaviors in the cockroach,Blaberus discoidalis

SUMMARY Within natural environments, animals must be able to respond to a wide range of obstacles in their path. Such responses require sensory information to facilitate appropriate and effective motor behaviors. The objective of this study was to characterize sensors involved in the complex control of obstacle negotiation behaviors in the cockroach Blaberus discoidalis . Previous studies suggest that antennae are involved in obstacle detection and negotiation behaviors. During climbing attempts, cockroaches swing their front leg that then either successfully reaches the top of the block or misses. The success of these climbing attempts was dependent on their distance from the obstacle. Cockroaches with shortened antennae were closer to the obstacle prior to climbing than controls, suggesting that distance was related to antennal length. Removing the antennal flagellum resulted in delays in obstacle detection and changes in climbing strategy from targeted limb movements to less directed attempts. A more complex scenario – a shelf that the cockroach could either climb over or tunnel under – allowed us to further examine the role of sensory involvement in path selection. Ultimately, antennae contacting the top of the shelf led to climbing whereas contact on the underside led to tunneling However, in the light, cockroaches were biased toward tunnelling; a bias which was absent in the dark. Selective covering of visual structures suggested that this context was determined by the ocelli.
New Thoughts on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

The results of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have been distressingly poor when one considers the amount of research in this field since 1960. Accordingly, some improvements to present protocols have been suggested. Some of the suggestions can be applied by practicing veterinarians to increase the success rate for external chest massage. In addition, veterinarians are encouraged to switch to internal cardiac massage early in the resuscitation period.
Effects of high concentrations of L-arginine on acid production, cell yield and viability of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans BHT.

Abstract Strep. mutans strain BHT, a serotype b organism capable of hydrolysing arginine to ammonia and citrulline, was grown in media containing high concentrations of l -arginine (0.5–3.0 per cent, w/v) to determine the effects of ammonia production on growth rate, cell yield, viability and acid production. Ammonia production and final culture pH increased in proportion to the amount of arginine added initially. Whereas high concentrations of arginine reduced growth rate slightly, final cell yields were greatly increased. Maximum cell yields were obtained with arginine concentrations between 1.5 and 3.0 per cent, concentrations which resulted in final pH values of 7.0 and 8.0, respectively. At these concentrations, virtually 100 per cent of the cells remained viable for several days, even at 37 °C, whereas cell survival in unsupplemented media was reduced to zero within 2 days at 37 °C.
Simulated Aesthetics and Evolving Artworks: A Coevolutionary Approach

The application of artificial-life principles for artistic use has its origins in the early works of Sommerer and Mignonneau, Sims and Latham. Most of these works are based on simulated evolution and the determination of fitness according to aesthetics. Of particular interest is the use of evolving expressions, which were first introduced by Sims. The author documents refinements to the method of evolving expressions by Rooke, Ibrahim, Musgrave, Unemi, himself and others. He then considers the challenge of creating autonomously evolved artworks on the basis of simulated aesthetics. The author surveys what little is known about the topic of simulated aesthetics and proceeds to describe his new coevolutionary approach modeled after the interaction of hosts and parasites.
User Reaction to Wild and Scenic River Designation

: The National Wild and Scenic River Act of 1968 was designed to protect the nation's unique waterways. This Act, however, has been criticized for negatively affecting areas it was intended to protect. Findings, based on field investigation in the Upper Mississippi River basin suggest that designation may serve as a factor for increasing recreational use levels on the protected rivers. This study discusses the social and recreational consequences of designating rivers and the attitudes of river users regarding designation.