cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
P-002 The Two Catheter Technique in Comparison to Stent-Assisted Coil Embolisation in the Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms

Introduction/Purpose Scientific data currently demonstrates the superiority of coil embolisation over open surgical clipping for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. As technological advancements continue within the endovascular arena, these endovascular outcomes are expected to improve. Adjunct measures such as balloon remodelling and stent-assistance are increasing the percentage of intracranial aneurysms that can be treated endovascularly, and data is actively being collected to better understand the safety and efficacy of these adjunct modalities. The two catheter technique of endovascular aneurysm treatment is a competitive treatment strategies to these adjunct methods that involves the simultaneous deployment of coils through two catheters placed in an intracranial aneurysm sac for treatment of wide-necked aneurysms. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of the two catheter technique in comparison to stent-assisted coil embolisation in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Methods A retrospective chart review identified 110 consecutive aneurysms which were embolised using the two catheter technique and 101 consecutive aneurysms treated by stent assisted coil embolisation. Patient demographics, details of treatments, effects of treatments, results of follow up procedures, and complications were recorded. Comparison of the two catheter and stent groups was performed using Fisher’s exact test. Results The technical success rates between the two-catheter and stent groups were similar at 91% and 95%, respectively. Primary occlusion rates were also similar at 14% for the two-catheter technique and 16% for stent-assisted embolisation. An additional 38% and 39%, respectively, had only neck remnants. As might be expected, recanalisation rates were slightly higher in the two catheter group, 25% vs 16%, though this was not statistically significant (p=0.141). This did not result in a statistically significant increase in the number of retreatments. Permanent morbidity was lower in the two catheter group, 7% vs 11%; however, this was not statistically significant (p=0.108). Conclusion The two catheter technique appears to be as safe and effective as stent-assisted coil embolisation in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Although not statistically significant, the treatment trended towards lower permanent morbidity. Disclosures J. Gaughen: 2; C; Covidien. C. Durst: None. S. Geraghty: None. N. DeMartini: None. D. Kreitel: None. R. Medel: None. J. Patrie: None. M. Jensen: 2; C; Covidien, Microvention, Stryker. A. Evans: 2; C; Covidien, Microvention.
HIGH LEVELS OF COLICIN RESISTANCE IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

Colicins are plasmid-encoded antibiotics that are produced by and kill Escherichia coli and other related species. The frequency of colicinogeny is high, on average 30% of E. coli isolates produce colicins. Initial observations from one collection of 72 strains of E. coli (the ECOR collection) suggest that resistance to colicin killing is also ubiquitous, with over 70% of strains resistant to one or more colicins. To determine whether resistance is a common trait in E. coli, three additional strain collections were surveyed. In each of these collections levels of colicin production were high (from 15 to 50% of the strains produce colicins). Levels of colicin resistance were even higher, with most strains resistant to over 10 colicins. A survey of 137 non-E. coli isolates revealed even higher levels of resistance. We discuss a mechanism (pleiotropy) that could result in the co-occurrence of such high levels of colicin production and colicin resistance.
Peak Regulating Turbine Rotor's Thermal Stress on-line Monitoring System

This paper has calculated the unit rotor's temperature and thermal stress field on different operation condition by nine-node-finite-element programs according to the operation data of peak regulating unit. Based on the results of calculation, the extent of thermal stress concentration on the dangerous section and maximum stress position are found precisely. Then the results are applied for correcting one dimension thermal stress simplified formula and calculating rotor's low fatigue life loss. The mathematical model is established for rotor on-line monitoring. At last, the author develops the rotor stress monitoring software based on Windows 95/98 operating system. So this monitoring system will be used for supervising onsite operation.
Purification and functional characterization of homodimeric gamma B- gamma B fibrinogen from rat plasma

Heterogeneity in the human and rat plasma fibrinogen (FBG) gamma chains is due to differential splicing of the primary gamma chain mRNA transcript. The subunit composition of FBG containing the predominant form of the gamma chain is homodimeric (human: A alpha 2, B beta 2, gamma 50-gamma 50; rat: A alpha 2, B beta 2, gamma A-gamma A). The subunit composition of FBG containing the longer, minor form of the gamma chain is heterodimeric (human: A alpha 2, B beta 2, gamma 50-gamma 57.5; rat: A alpha 2, B beta 2, gamma A-gamma B). The variant gamma chain-FBGs comprise about 10% of the total plasma FBG in the human and 30% in the rat. Although the presence of homodimeric gamma B-gamma B FBG has been speculated, proof of its existence has been difficult to obtain experimentally. We now show that 5% to 6% of rat plasma FBG is found as homodimeric FBG with a subunit composition of A alpha 2, B beta 2, gamma B-gamma B. Commercially purified rat FBG was further purified by diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel chromatography with a combined pH and ionic strength gradient. The enriched gamma B-gamma B FBG fraction eluted at the lowest pH (6.3) and highest ionic strength (4.5 mmho) due to its increased net negative charge. To further purify gamma B-gamma B FBG, a Mono Q column with an NaCl gradient was used. The subunit composition of the purified gamma B-gamma B FBG was confirmed by its electrophoretic mobility under reducing and denaturing conditions both as FBG, and clotted and cross-linked fibrin. Homodimeric gamma B-gamma B FBG was unable to support adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation, whereas heterodimeric gamma A-gamma B FBG was able to support ADP-induced platelet aggregation at 40% of that achieved with homodimeric gamma A-gamma A FBG, similar to previous observations with human FBGs. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that the A alpha-RGD sites alone are not sufficient for dimeric FBG support of platelet aggregation. Furthermore, the data suggest that at least one intact platelet recognition site at the carboxyterminus of the gamma A or gamma 50 chain is required.
Treatment outcomes in stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer in a community cancer center.

BACKGROUND Treatment outcomes for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients diagnosed at stage IIIA have been analyzed in many studies, which generally involve patients younger and healthier than the average patient with this disease. OBJECTIVE To analyze demographics and treatment outcomes in patients with stage IIIA NSCLC at a community cancer center. METHODS We reviewed charts of 226 patients diagnosed with stage IIIA NSCLC from January 2003 to December 2008 treated at our community cancer center. Results Median overall survival for all patients and sequentially and concurrently treated chemoradiation patients were 18 months, and 18 months, and 20 months, respectively. Median overall survival for women and men was 24 months and 16 months, respectively. RESULTS Median overall survival for all patients and sequentially and concurrently treated chemoradiation patients were 18 months, and 18 months, and 20 months, respectively. Median overall survival for women and men was 24 months and 16 months, respectively. LIMITATIONS Study design was retrospective and some medical records were not available. However, this population is likely representative of patients treated in similar settings. CONCLUSIONS In our population, advanced age and male gender were associated with lower median survival. Responses to concurrent and sequential chemoradiation seemed to differ based on age group, which may be useful as a prognostic guideline for similar populations.
Improving person re-identification systems: a novel score fusion framework for rank-n recognition

Person re-identification is an essential technique for video surveillance applications. Most existing algorithms for person re-identification deal with feature extraction, metric learning or a combination of both. Combining successful state-of-the-art methods using score fusion from the perspective of person re-identification has not yet been widely explored. In this paper, we endeavor to boost the performance of existing systems by combining them using a novel score fusion framework which requires no training or dataset-dependent tuning of parameters. We develop a robust and efficient method called Unsupervised Posterior Probability-based Score Fusion (UPPSF) for combination of raw scores obtained from multiple existing person re-identification algorithms in order to achieve superior recognition rates. We propose two novel generalized linear models for estimating the posterior probabilities of a given probe image matching each of the gallery images. Normalization and combination of these posterior probability values computed from each of the existing algorithms individually, yields a set of unified scores, which is then used for ranking the gallery images. Our score fusion framework is inherently capable of dealing with different ranges and distributions of matching scores emanating from existing algorithms, without requiring any prior knowledge about the algorithms themselves, effectively treating them as "black-box" methods. Experiments on widely-used challenging datasets like VIPeR, CUHK01, CUHK03, ETHZ1 and ETHZ2 demonstrate the efficiency of UPPSF in combining multiple algorithms at the score level.
Transposable elements: genome innovation, chromosome diversity, and centromere conflict.

Although it was nearly 70 years ago when transposable elements (TEs) were first discovered “jumping” from one genomic location to another, TEs are now recognized as contributors to genomic innovations as well as genome instability across a wide variety of species. In this review, we illustrate the ways in which active TEs, specifically retroelements, can create novel chromosome rearrangements and impact gene expression, leading to disease in some cases and species-specific diversity in others. We explore the ways in which eukaryotic genomes have evolved defense mechanisms to temper TE activity and the ways in which TEs continue to influence genome structure despite being rendered transpositionally inactive. Finally, we focus on the role of TEs in the establishment, maintenance, and stabilization of critical, yet rapidly evolving, chromosome features: eukaryotic centromeres. Across centromeres, specific types of TEs participate in genomic conflict, a balancing act wherein they are actively inserting into centromeric domains yet are harnessed for the recruitment of centromeric histones and potentially new centromere formation.
Less Is Best in the Convergent Evolution of Typhoidal Salmonella

Related works in this issue of Cell Host & Microbe (Bronner et al., 2018) and in a recent issue of Cell Reports (Hiyoshi et al., 2018) demonstrate how loss-of-function mutations in butyrate utilization and lipopolysaccharide O-antigen processing contribute to evasion of innate host defenses and the convergent evolution of distinct typhoidal Salmonella lineages.
A quantitative approach for optimal alarm identification

Abstract Alarm identification refers to selecting a set of measurements to be configured to the alarm system. Contrary to prior literature which uses qualitative cause-effect based techniques, the present work incorporates quantitative aspects such as the time taken by measurements for deviation, to make alarm identification more reliable. The present work proposes a systematic approach to alarm identification through an optimization formulation, as a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problem, for the time. The proposed formulation maximizes the time available for operators to respond to faults while keeping the number of alarms triggered at a minimum. Subsequently, a linear multi-objective optimization formulation reduces the number of optimal solutions taking into account additional criteria, such as order of priority of potential faults. The proposed formulation is applied to the Tennessee Eastman (TE) Challenge problem. A closed-loop simulator was used for fault propagation, to obtain quantitative information required to apply the formulation, and CPLEX solver in GAMS was used to solve this case study problem.
Underpricing and Aftermarket Liquidity: An Empirical Exploration of Hong Kong IPOs

This study evaluates the implications of three of the extant IPO models relating underpricing and aftermarket liquidity. Using hand collected data from a sample of bookbuilt Hong Kong IPOs, this study tests the predictions of the aforementioned models by evaluating not only the direction and sign of the theorized relation between underpricing and aftermarket liquidity, but also the role played by the shareholder base and information environment factors suspected of shaping this relation. The public availability of bid and allocation data in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has made it possible to conduct such an in-depth evaluation of these models, an undertaking not yet attempted by prior empirical research. Test results show little support for models that posit that aftermarket liquidity and liquidity risk are responsible for higher underpricing. In contrast, I find strong support for models that conceive observed underpricing as a significant driver of post-IPO liquidity.
Disaster Events and Policy Change in Florida

After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Florida Governor’s Disaster Planning and Response Review Committee published the Lewis Report containing recommendations for state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit and private organizations. Practical and policy recommendations from this focusing event included issues with communications, shelter, evacuation, response and recovery operations, medical care, and coordination of volunteers, donations, and supplies. Twelve years later, Central Florida experienced three major hurricanes within 6 weeks: hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. This chapter compares the Lewis Report recommendations with the results of after action reports from three Central Florida counties. This chapter concludes with a discussion of how focusing events provide the context for policy learning.
Simple Observations and Simple Data: Increasing Female Success in an Introductory Course

ABSTRACTThe study discusses the insertion of experimental course materials into a general education political science course in an effort to increase female student success. The experimental materials highlighted women serving in political office, with a goal of combatting stereotype threat. Stereotype threat occurs when a person is aware of a negative performance stereotype and the awareness causes anxiety, resulting in poor performance; this phenomenon occurs in fields where gender stereotypes exist. This study uses documented methods of stereotype threat-mitigation from the fields of science, math, and psychology and applies them to the political science classroom. The experiment used materials that were already slated for update, and simple statistics were used to evaluate impact on success.
Unraveling the Stereodynamics of Cold Controlled HD − H 2 Collisions

Measuring inelastic rates with partial-wave resolution requires temperatures close to a Kelvin or below, even for the lightest molecule. In a recent experiment, Perreault, Mukherjee, and Zare [Nat. Chem. 10, 561 (2018).NCAHBB1755-433010.1038/s41557-018-0028-5] studied collisional relaxation of excited HD molecules in the v=1, j=2 state by para- and ortho-H_{2} at a temperature of about 1 K, extracting the angular distribution of scattered HD in the v=1, j=0 state. By state preparation of the HD molecules, control of the angular distribution of scattered HD was demonstrated. Here, we report a first-principles simulation of that experiment which enables us to attribute the main features of the observed angular distribution to a single L=2 partial-wave shape resonance. Our results demonstrate important stereodynamical insights that can be gained when numerically exact quantum scattering calculations are combined with experimental results in the few-partial-wave regime.
Residential Load Forecasting Using Deep Neural Networks (DNN)

Forecasting of consumer electricity usages plays an important role to make total smart grid system more reliable. As the activities of individual residential consumers has many uncertain variables, it is hard to accurately forecast the residential load levels. For planning of the electrical resources and to balance demand and supply, accurate forecasting tasks are critical. This paper presents Deep Neural Network (DNN) based short term load forecasting for Residential consumers. In this work, we compare the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) value for residential electricity dataset using different types recurrent neural network (RNN). Our preliminary results indicate that Long short-term memory (LSTM) based RNN performed better compared with simple RNN and gated recurrent unit (GRU) RNN for a single user with 1-minute resolution based on one year of historical data sets.
Ethnicity, nonviolent protest, and lethal repression in Africa:

Why do governments use deadly force against unarmed protesters? The government’s threat perception may be a function of the mobilization potential of the opposition and/or the size of the ruling el...
Collective topo-epitaxy in the self-assembly of a 3D quantum dot superlattice.

Epitaxially fused colloidal quantum dot (QD) superlattices (epi-SLs) may enable a new class of semiconductors that combine the size-tunable photophysics of QDs with bulk-like electronic performance, but progress is hindered by a poor understanding of epi-SL formation and surface chemistry. Here we use X-ray scattering and correlative electron imaging and diffraction of individual SL grains to determine the formation mechanism of three-dimensional PbSe QD epi-SL films. We show that the epi-SL forms from a rhombohedrally distorted body centred cubic parent SL via a phase transition in which the QDs translate with minimal rotation (~10°) and epitaxially fuse across their {100} facets in three dimensions. This collective epitaxial transformation is atomically topotactic across the 103–105 QDs in each SL grain. Infilling the epi-SLs with alumina by atomic layer deposition greatly changes their electrical properties without affecting the superlattice structure. Our work establishes the formation mechanism of three-dimensional QD epi-SLs and illustrates the critical importance of surface chemistry to charge transport in these materials. A structural investigation on the formation of 3D superlattices of colloidal PbSe quantum dots reveals a topotactic transition from the self-assembled phase of ligand-capped quantum dots to the epitaxially fused phase typical of conductive solids.
50kW Nano-Crystalline Core Based Three Port Transformer for Triple Active Bridge Converter

This paper discusses a 50kW high frequency three port transformer made of Nano-Crystalline core, for three port phase shifted DC-DC converter integrating Renewable Energy Sources(RES) & Energy Storages(ES). Phase shifted DC-DC converters need an isolating transformer with series inductances or leakage inductances for power transfer among different ports. However, using leakage inductances for a tape wound or Nano-Crystalline transformer as energy transferring element, causes high leakage fluxes to induce significant eddy currents & related losses in transformer cores. At high switching frequency, this eddy current losses can go too high, reducing efficiency. In order to avoid the eddy current losses in cores, an external inductor based approach along with the concentric winding transformer is presented in this paper for Three Port Phase Shifted Triple Active Bridge(TAB) converter. The three port converter can use either a three inductor or two inductor approach, which is discussed in this paper. The TAB converter uses 1.2kV & 1.7kV SiC Mosfets as switching devices along with Nano-Crystalline core based transformer & ferrite based series inductors. In this paper, analysis & design for concentric winding transformer and experimental results are presented.
Trimming and Re-shoeing Results in More Steps per Day and More Time Spent Lying per Day.

Abstract To examine the impact of trimming and re-shoeing on behavior, light horse geldings (3–21 year-old Quarter Horse, Dutch Warmblood, or Thoroughbred) were fitted with three-axis accelerometers (IceTag, Ice Robotics, Edinburgh, Scotland) on the left rear limb. Boots were placed under the accelerometer, and both were removed daily for approximately 1 hour while horses were stalled for morning feeding to examine the horses’ limb. After a two-day adaptation period and five days of activity tracking, horses were treated by having shoes removed, feet trimmed, and new shoes fitted (re-shod; n = 3) or being handled but not trimmed or fitted with new shoes (sham; n = 4). Horse activity was monitored for five days after treatment. Steps per day, time spent lying per day, and the number of lying bouts were tested for effects of treatment, time (before or after treatment), and interaction of treatment by time using procedures for repeated measures with JMP Software (version 7, SAS Inst. Inc, Cary, NC). Means separation was performed using the Student’s t-test. There was a treatment by time interaction on time spent lying per day (P = .0447) and steps per day (P = .0501). Re-shod spent more time lying after treatment than before (121.4 ± 22.8 vs 66.8 ± 22.8 minutes per day, respectively). After treatment, re-shod also took more steps than sham (3499 ± 527 vs 3056 ± 456 steps per day, respectively). These results may indicate increased mental and physical comfort following trimming and re-shoeing in horses.
Change in Bone CT Attenuation and C-reactive Protein Are Predictors of Bone Biopsy Culture Positivity in Patients With Vertebral Discitis/Osteomyelitis.

STUDY DESIGN Case-control study. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify the best laboratory and imaging factors to predict bone biopsy culture positivity in the setting of vertebral discitis/osteomyelitis (VDO). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Good predictors of bone biopsy culture positivity in the setting of VDO are unknown. METHODS Retrospective review was performed for 46 patients who underwent CT-guided bone biopsy for the evaluation of clinically confirmed VDO. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), mean CT attenuation of the biopsied bone, and the change in the CT attenuation of the bone compared to unaffected vertebral bone (delta CT attenuation) were measured. Receiver-operator characteristic curve analyses were performed to identify the optimal threshold value for each variable. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to predict the probability of a positive bone culture using delta CT attenuation and CRPx100% fold above normal. RESULTS For one of the 46 VDO patients, bone cultures were not obtained. Approximately 35.6% (16/45) of bone cultures were positive. The most significant predictors of bone culture positivity were CRP x100% fold above normal (P = 0.011) and delta CT attenuation (P = 25.9 HU lower relative to unaffected bone (93.8% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity). CONCLUSION Delta CT attenuation, as well as CRP level over four times the upper limits of normal, were the strongest predictors for bone culture positivity in patients with VDO. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Exploring Medication Adherence with P2Y12 Inhibitors Using Conditional and Unconditional Quantile Regression Approaches

Previous research assessing medication adherence with P2Y12 inhibitors has shown good adherence rates, ranging from 78% to 92%. Studies that used administrative claims data defined adherence using an arbitrary cut point of ≥ 80% medication possession ratio (MPR) or proportion of days covered (PDC). While this method is used frequently, it does not allow the researcher to observe how each factor impacts adherence along the entire distribution. The objective of the study was to use conditional quantile regression (CQR) and unconditional quantile regression (UQR) to assess heterogenous effects of adherence to P2Y12 inhibitors and covariates of interest and compare these results to those from a traditional logistic regression framework. This study used the commercial claims and encounters databases from IBM® MarketScan® from 2010 to 2017. We included patients who had an incident percutaneous coronary intervention, used a drug-eluting stent, and filled an incident prescription for a P2Y12 inhibitor. Adherence was measured for 185 days using PDC. Adherence to branded clopidogrel, generic clopidogrel, branded prasugrel, and branded ticagrelor was assessed, along with factors that could impact adherence, using logistic regression, CQR, and UQR. We found that while adherence to the antiplatelets was generally high, prasugrel and ticagrelor had significantly lower PDC compared to branded clopidogrel, especially around the 30th percentile. Across all quantiles in both the CRQ and UQR frameworks, comorbidities such as diabetes and depression and living in the southern region had significant negative effects on adherence, although the relative impact differed across quantiles. Using CQR and UQR allowed for heterogenous assessment of covariates along the adherence distribution, which is not possible with the traditional logistic regression method. The UQR framework revealed patients who initiate prasugrel or ticagrelor generally have lower adherence compared to those treated with branded clopidogrel, especially around the 30th quantile. Using these methods in other types of data sets, such as electronic health records, could help strengthen our results to develop policies to improve antiplatelet adherence in a targeted population.
Potential for Clay Clogging of Pervious Concrete under Extreme Conditions

Pervious concrete is a novel paving material with macropores that aid in maintaining natural hydrologic infiltration rates on developed properties. There is a concern that the pores in the pervious concrete might clog due to long-term deposition of fine materials in runoff, or due to a catastrophic event(s) such as the failure of upstream erosion control measures or flooding. This research focuses on these extreme events and presents a laboratory procedure mimicking a series of catastrophic clogging cycles with clay laden runoff. It is predicted that the clay materials would tend to remain near the surface of pervious concrete systems since most placements have a vertical porosity distribution with the smaller pores near the top. The cores used were from actual field placements and the results indicate that extreme events with substantial deposition of clay on a pervious concrete pavement will substantially reduce its service capability, even temporarily fully “clogging” the pavement. However, most of the...
Sexually Transmitted Infections among First-Generation College Students

Because of the social and systemic barriers encountered by first-generation college students, this population is at risk for poorer health outcomes. However, there is no identified research investi...
Coping with stress and anxiety: an ethnographic comparison of labor and health vulnerabilities among Dominican deportees in two transnational industries

This study explores how the labor practices and experiences post-deportation contribute or exacerbate health vulnerabilities for deported Dominican male. Using an ethnographic approach and drawing ...
Leader-member exchange and organizational climate effects on clinician turnover intentions.

Purpose Clinician turnover in mental health settings impacts service quality, including availability and delivery of evidence-based practices. Leadership is associated with organizational climate, team functioning and clinician turnover intentions (TI). This study examines leader-member exchange (LMX), reflecting the relationship between a supervisor and each supervisee, using mean team LMX, dispersion of individual clinician ratings compared to team members (i.e. relative LMX) and team level variability (i.e. LMX differentiation), in relation to organizational climate and clinician TI. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 363 clinicians, nested in children's mental health agency workgroups, providing county-contracted outpatient services to youth and families. A moderated mediation path analysis examined cross-level associations of leader-member exchange with organizational climate and turnover intentions. Findings Lower relative LMX and greater LMX differentiation were associated with higher clinician TI. Higher team-level demoralizing climate also predicted higher TI. These findings indicate that poorer LMX and more variability in LMX at the team level are related to clinician TI. Originality/value This study describes both team- and clinician-level factors on clinician TI. Few studies have examined LMX in mental health, and fewer still have examined relative LMX and LMX differentiation associations with organizational climate and TI. These findings highlight the importance of leader-follower relationships and organizational climate and their associations with clinician TIs. Mental health service systems and organizations can address these issues through fostering more positive supervisor-supervisee relationships.
Stray light analysis and reduction for IFU spectrograph LLAMAS

The Large Lenslet Array Magellan Spectrograph (LLAMAS) is an Integral Field Unit (IFU) spectrograph under construction as a facility instrument for the 6.5-meter Magellan Telescopes. For each pointing, LLAMAS delivers 2400 optical spectra (λ =350-970nm) over a 37”x37” celestial solid angle with a resolution of 2000 through a densely packed microlens+fiber array and replicated low-cost spectrographs. One of our main science goals is to study circumgalactic gas through Lyα emission. To achieve the required signal-to-noise ratio for these observations, LLAMAS must minimize stray light reaching the detector: diffuse scattered light must stay below 0.25% of sky flux and ghost images must not exceed 0.1% of the source signal. We present a non-sequential ray tracing analysis of a simplified LLAMAS model using Photon Engineering’s FRED Optical Engineering Software. We focus on stray light resulting from the volume phase holographic grating and from focal ratio degradation of the fibers. The analysis feeds into a discussion of the design and fabrication of baffles to mask the primary sources of stray light. Additionally, we develop a backup system of mounting rings inside of the cameras where pre-made baffles can be quickly added as needed. Finally, we report on the laboratory performance of a 2-camera LLAMAS prototype featuring the aforementioned stray light interventions.
Predictive Runtime Monitoring of Vehicle Models Using Bayesian Estimation and Reachability Analysis

We present a predictive runtime monitoring technique for estimating future vehicle positions and the probability of collisions with obstacles. Vehicle dynamics model how the position and velocity change over time as a function of external inputs. They are commonly described by discrete-time stochastic models. Whereas positions and velocities can be measured, the inputs (steering and throttle) are not directly measurable in these models. In our paper, we apply Bayesian inference techniques for real-time estimation, given prior distribution over the unknowns and noisy state measurements. Next, we pre-compute the set-valued reachability analysis to approximate future positions of a vehicle. The pre-computed reachability sets are combined with the posterior probabilities computed through Bayesian estimation to provided a predictive verification framework that can be used to detect impending collisions with obstacles. Our approach is evaluated using the coordinated-turn vehicle model for a UAV using on-board measurement data obtained from a flight test of a Talon UAV. We also compare the results with sampling-based approaches. We find that precomputed reachability analysis can provide accurate warnings up to 6 seconds in advance and the accuracy of the warnings improve as the time horizon is narrowed from 6 to 2 seconds. The approach also outperforms sampling in terms of on-board computation cost and accuracy measures.
Comparative study of MBE- and ALD-deposited doped zinc oxide

Recently, materials with vanishing refractive index, near-zero-index (NZI), have garnered considerable amount of attention, primarily for their ability to exhibit enhanced light matter interaction, due to slow light affects. Furthermore, effects such as static light, enhanced nonlinearities and emission tailoring have made such materials a heavily researched area. Amongst them, transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), a class of materials that have vanishing index at technologically relevant near-IR spectral range, are increasingly being investigated, for their potential use in photonic circuits. Wide natural abundance of ZnO together with well-studied properties make ZnO-based TCOs, such as aluminum- and gallium-doped ZnO particularly attractive for NZI applications.
Conservative Clothing Effects on Body Composition Assessment by Air Displacement Plethysmography

Form-fitting spandex swimsuits or single-layer compression shorts are recommended during BOD POD® testing to ensure accurate results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of various outfit types on body composition measurements using the BOD POD®, and self-reported comfort level wearing each outfit. Twenty-one participants, 8 females and 13 males, (age 31.6 ± 9.8 years) wore a spandex swim cap and three different outfits during BOD POD® testing (manufacturer-recommended form-fitting spandex swimsuit, short sleeve spandex, long sleeve spandex). Measured variables include body mass, body fat percentage, body volume, and self-reported comfort level wearing each outfit. Calculated variables include BMI and body density. Mean body density when wearing the control outfit was 0.004 g/cm3 lower than both short (p < 0.001) and long sleeve (p = 0.001) alternatives. Short and long sleeve outfits resulted in body fat percentage underestimations of 2.0% and 2.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). The short sleeve outfit had the highest mean comfort rating followed by the long sleeve outfit, and the lowest was the control swimsuits. The short sleeve outfit and control outfit had the largest differences in reported comfort levels (p < 0.05). Wearing short and long sleeve spandex outfits instead of recommended form-fitting swimsuits resulted in body density increases and body fat percentage underestimations. Participants should follow manufacturer recommendations by wearing spandex swimsuits. Participants had higher self-reported comfort levels when wearing short or long sleeve outfits.
Toward multiscale simulations of tailored microstructure formation in metal additive manufacturing

Abstract Much of the latent promise of metal additive manufacturing (AM) rests in the potential for controlled creation of spatially tailored microstructures, designed to optimize key build-scale properties through systematic variation across a build. Component optimization possibilities and performance potential expand enormously when this becomes possible. However, the extreme conditions created by AM energy sources and the nature of alloy solidification under such conditions are not adequately understood. Modeling and simulation tools capable of quantitatively predicting AM microstructural outputs would enable a major leap forward. We demonstrate through experimental validation that a multiscale (nm/ns to mm/ms) simulation framework coupling CALPHAD thermodynamic models, microstructure scale phase field simulations, and laser track scale multiphysics simulations can quantitatively predict tailored microstructure formation in laser processed Ti-Nb. Extensive simulations and analysis of detailed microstructural predictions over a broad range of conditions reveal scaling laws for characteristic microstructural features that should generalize to a wide range of materials. Several of our findings highlight the central importance of the alloy freezing range Δ T f , which provides the basis of a generalized strategy for optimizing spatial control of microstructure during AM. This proposed strategy integrates alloy design with process design & control to identify optimal material and process condition combinations. We have also identified conditions and phenomena that appear to require a more complete treatment of far from equilibrium solidification kinetics, highlighting a fundamental need in the field. We anticipate that further development of such methodologies will contribute centrally to realizing the potential of materials with spatially tailored microstructure.
CCIR papers on telecommunications for deep space research

A brief description is given of United States participation in the process of developing the technical basis for international allocation and regulation of the radio frequency spectrum. The telecommunication requirements for deep space research are considered. Topics include functional requirements, methods and techniques, and equipment characteristics.
The Sign-Chart Method for Solving Inequalities

Many methods have been proposed for solving inequalities (Dreyfus and Eisenberg 1985; Eaves and Wilson 1964; Garfunkel and Plotkin 1966; McLaurin 1985). The sign-chart method described in this article is not fundamentally new. We became acquainted with it while using a later edition of Eaves and Wilson (Eaves and Carruth 1978). It is interesting to note that as the method evolved from the earlier edi tion to the later one, the roles of the rows and the columns were interchanged. The original's tabular presentation has evolved to the more graphical form presented in this article. The sign-chart method has often been used to solve inequalities that involve prod ucts or quotients of polynomial functions. In this article we shall demonstrate how this method can also be used for inequalities that involve radical, logarithmic, exponential, or trigonometric functions. Because this method implicitly uses continuity, it is a useful vehicle to help anticipate the continu ity concept in a precalculus course.
A monocyte-derived factor interferes with detection of reverse transcriptase in HIV-1 infection.

Culture supernatants from the rabbit macrophage cell line 6083 infected with a retrovirus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), were negative for reverse transcriptase (RT) expression although the line was shown to be productively infected by all other criteria tested. Supernatants from uninfected cultures of 6083, the human monocyte line U937, and from freshly isolated peripheral human monocytes, were found to contain a monocyte-derived inhibitory factor (MDIF) which interferes with a standard assay for RT. MDIF is a heat-labile activity of approximately of 40 kD. Both substrates and products of the reverse transcriptase assay are degraded by MDIF which is not affected by reduction and alkylation of disulfide bonds. MDIF is inhibited by the addition of a particular thioated oligonucleotide (S-dG30) to the reaction mixture but this addition also inhibits RT. The optimum method to minimize MDIF interference in the RT assay is by addition of ethylene glycol bis-(β-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'-tetraac...
Narrative Conflict Coaching

Conflict coaching is a relatively new concept, derived from the domain of executive coaching. The concept has gained a foothold in the conflict resolution literature.AÂ There have been references made to a narrative practice of conflict coaching but it has not been articulated as fully as it might be.AÂ Here we seek to describe such a practice in relation to FoucaultA¢â¬â¢s concept of the care of the self and DeleuzeA¢â¬â¢s concept of the event.AÂ We also outline DeleuzeA¢â¬â¢s approach to the reading of time as chronos and aion and show how these different readings might be put to use.AÂ A set of guidelines for narrative conflict coaching are proposed and transcribed conversation is provided as a case study to illustrate the process in action.AÂ In this conversation, the conflict coach asks questions which lead the client through an exploration of the series of events that make up the conflict story, the externalizing and deconstructing of this conflict story, and the opening of a counter story as a basis for the clientA¢â¬â¢s preferred future conduct in relation to the conflict. AÂ
Interactive One-Max Problem Allows to Compare the Performance of Interactive and Human-Based Genetic Algorithms

Human-based genetic algorithms (HBGA) use both human evaluation and innovation to optimize a population of solutions (Kosorukoff, 2001). The novel contribution of HBGAs is an introduction of human-based innovation operators. However, there was no attempt to measure the effect of human-based innovation operators on the overall performance of GAs quantitatively, in particular, by comparing the performance of HBGAs and interactive genetic algorithms (IGA) that do not use human innovation. This paper shows that the mentioned effect is measurable and further focuses on quantitative comparison of the efficiency of these two classes of algorithms. In order to achieve this purpose, this paper proposes an interactive analog of the one-max problem, suggests human-based innovation operators appropriate for this problem, and compares convergence results of HBGA and IGA for the same problem.
Rethinking Infrastructure Delivery: Case Study of a Green, Inclusive, and Cost-effective Road Program in Nicaragua

This paper presents a development case study on alternative thinking in rural road infrastructure delivery. The delivery advances the agendas of green growth, social inclusion, and cost-effectiveness. The empirical evidence presented in this case study focuses on 6 years of engagement in a specific road program—the Fourth Roads Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project—financed by the government of Nicaragua and the World Bank. “Green,” in this case, refers to the use of road construction materials that are clean, durable, and friendly to the environment. The use of adoquines, also known as concrete cobblestones or pavers, has proved to be an economic and environmentally friendly paving alternative at the secondary and tertiary classification levels. “Inclusion” refers to the empowerment of all citizens to participate in and benefit from the development process and the removal of barriers against those who are often excluded. The community development approach presented in this paper is implemented by specia...
Laughter Detection in Meetings

We build a system to automatically detect laughter events in meetings, where laughter events are defined as points in the meeting where a number of the participants (more than just one) are laughing simultaneously. We implement our system using a support vector machine classifier trained on mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs), delta MFCCs, modulation spectrum, and spatial cues from the time delay between two desktop microphones. We run our experiments on the ‘Bmr’ subset of the ICSI Meeting Recorder corpus using just two table-top microphones and obtain detection results with a correct accept rate of 87% and a false alarm rate of 13%.
Harvesting, Isolation, and Functional Assessment of Primary Vagal Ganglia Cells

Airway sensory nerves play an important defensive role in the lungs, being central in mediating protective responses like cough and bronchoconstriction. In some cases, these responses become excessive, hypersensitive, and deleterious. Understanding the normal function of airway nerves and phenotype changes associated with disease will help in developing new therapeutics for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic cough. Guinea pigs, and to a lesser extent ferrets, are commonly employed for studying the cough reflex because they have a cough response similar to humans. While rats and mice do not exhibit a cough response, they do possess sensory nerves that respond to the same range of tussive stimuli as guinea pigs and humans. Described in this unit are protocols for harvesting guinea pig, mouse, and rat sensory nerve cell bodies to assess molecular and functional changes associated with pulmonary disease, and to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Nickel(II) Acetate

[6018-89-9] C4H14NiO8 (MW 248.87) InChI = 1S/2C2H4O2.Ni.4H2O/c2*1-2(3)4;;;;;/h2*1H3,(H,3,4);;4*1H2/q;;+2;;;;/p-2 InChIKey = OINIXPNQKAZCRL-UHFFFAOYSA-L (autoxidation catalyst;1 hydrogenation catalyst;2 catalyst for isomerization of aldoximine4 to amides;3 template for Schiff base condensations4) Physical Data: decomposition above 250 °C; d = 1.798 g cm−3. Solubility: sol H2O and MeOH; insol most organic solvents. Form Supplied in: widely available as tetrahydrate in high purity as a green powder or small crystals. Purification: anhydrous nickel acetate can be obtained by heating the tetrahydrate to 100 °C under vacuum over P2O5 or other desiccants. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: excellent shelf life, carcinogen, toxic.
Influences of seasonal flow regime on the fate and transport of fine particles and a dissolved solute in a New England stream

[1] Fine particles are necessary for biogeochemical cycling but pose a risk to water quality if they are present in excess or carry sorbed contaminants. The objective of this work is to elucidate the effects of flow on the transport and retention of fine particles within a mountain stream and to compare particulate matter transport processes to those of a conservative solute tracer. We measured the migration of bromide (a conservative solute tracer) and micrometer-sized titanium-dioxide particles under three seasonal flow regimes in second-order stream in Connecticut. A one-dimensional transport model based upon the transient storage model was applied in inverse mode to the measured data to quantify solute and particle transport processes. Rates of particle movement by advection and longitudinal dispersion matched those of bromide. Transient, or temporary, storage influenced conservative solute transport, while particle storage was irreversible on the time scale of our experiments and likely dominated by deposition within the sediments of the hyporheic zone. Both solute transient storage and particle deposition increased with decreasing discharge.