cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Lithium Niobate Piezoelectric Transformer Resonant High-Voltage Power Source

Miniaturized high-voltage power converter techniques might offer an improved outlook for the development of compact accelerator technologies. We view the identification of materials and circuits that provide both high-voltage isolation and efficient power coupling characteristics to be the primary engineering challenge. A lithium niobate resonant piezoelectric transformer was mated to a voltage multiplier circuit, and the input–output terminal characteristics were investigated. This paper considers the piezoelectric transformer-coupled voltage multiplier circuit as a black box and reports on the input impedance, output voltage, power conversion efficiency, and transient charging capacity. We found that the circuit was well suited to the charging capacitors of arbitrary size to voltages well over ten kilovolts at power-conversion efficiencies approaching 20%. The circuit was also quite capable of driving a vacuum diode to high voltage. The piezoresonant transformers coupled to output power conditioning circuits appear to be good candidates for producing high voltage in a small footprint.
A compressible two-phase model for dispersed particle flows with application from dense to dilute regimes

Multiphase flows are present in many important fields ranging from multiphase explosions to chemical processing. An important subset of multiphase flow applications involves dispersed materials, such as particles, droplets, and bubbles. This work presents an Eulerian–Eulerian model for multiphase flows containing dispersed particles surrounded by a continuous media such as air or water. Following a large body of multiphase literature, the driving force for particle acceleration is modeled as a direct function of both the continuous-phase pressure gradient and the gradient of intergranular stress existing within the particle phase. While the application of these two components of driving force is well accepted in much of the literature, other models exist in which the particle-phase pressure gradient itself drives particle motion. The multiphase model treats all phases as compressible and is derived to ensure adherence to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. The governing equations are presented and discussed, and a characteristic analysis shows the model to be hyperbolic, with a degeneracy in the case that the intergranular stress, which is modeled as a configuration pressure, is zero. Finally, results from a two sample problems involving shock-induced particle dispersion are presented. The results agree well with experimental measurements, providing initial confidence in the proposed model.
Do all we can in building up innovation province-level electric power corporation and power grid corporation with making best use of advantages of province-level electric power research institute

Building up innovation corporation is of vital strategy that the scientific outlook on development is com-pletely fulfilled and the electric power industry's development is continuously forced,which is an inevitable choice that the developing strategy of 'one-stronger and three-advantages' modern corporation is implemented,changing the developing mode of power grid and electric power corporation and replying to different challenges,an effective means that the total industrial chain's innovation and development is promoted with corporation' s playing an im-portant role in power technology innovation.The province-level electric power research institute,as a center of technique and scientific research for provincial and or power grid corporation,should make better use of its advan-tages in HR,advanced equipment and rich experiences in the line and play much more important role in promoting self-innovation,enhancing test and research,building up technical team of innovation and compiling works.
66 KETOSIS-PRONE TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

Many newly diagnosed African Americans with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) display clinical, metabolic, and immunological features of type 2 diabetes during follow-up. Their initial presentation is acute and without precipitating cause. Most patients are able to discontinue insulin therapy within a few weeks/months of follow-up. This clinical presentation is common, affecting 20-50% of newly diagnosed black and Hispanic patients with DKA. This subtype of diabetes is referred to as diabetes type 1B, idiopathic type 1 diabetes, atypical diabetes, Flatbush diabetes, type 1.5 diabetes, and, more recently, ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes (KPDM). We reviewed current knowledge regarding the clinical presentation, metabolic, and immunologic features of subjects with this "atypical " form of diabetes. We performed a computerized search of biomedical journal literature from Medline, PubMed, and Ovid from 1/1966 to 10/2005. English-language original articles found under the subject headings "ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes " and "atypical diabetes " were reviewed. In this analysis we included 484 cases (429 blacks, 39 Hispanics, 8 Asians, 8 Caucasians) from 7 series reported from America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Clinical characteristic include a mean age of 40 6 3 years, male gender 67% 6 9, new-onset diabetes: 83%, % family history: 80 6 5, % positive antibodies: 7.1 6 7, % patients who attained remission: 59 6 15, A1C at presentation: 13.2 6 0.6%, and A1C at remission: 7.0 6 1.2%. At presentation, they have markedly impaired insulin secretion and insulin action, but intensified treatment improves b-cell function and insulin sensitivity during follow-up. Determination of autoimmune markers (islet cell and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies) and measurement of insulin secretion (basal or glucagon-stimulated C-peptide levels) may be useful in predicting near-normoglycemic remission. Our analysis indicates that what was once considered as "atypical diabetes " is a common clinical presentation among newly diagnosed black and Hispanic patients with DKA. This subtype of diabetes with phasic insulin dependence represents a subset of type 2 diabetes and confirms the wide spectrum of clinical presentation of type 2 diabetes.
Evaluation of Five Image Registration Tools for Abdominal CT: Pitfalls and Opportunities with Soft Anatomy

Image registration has become an essential image processing technique to compare data across time and individuals. With the successes in volumetric brain registration, general-purpose software tools are beginning to be applied to abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans. Herein, we evaluate five current tools for registering clinically acquired abdominal CT scans. Twelve abdominal organs were labeled on a set of 20 atlases to enable assessment of correspondence. The 20 atlases were pairwise registered based on only intensity information with five registration tools (affine IRTK, FNIRT, Non-Rigid IRTK, NiftyReg, and ANTs). Following the brain literature, the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean surface distance, and Hausdorff distance were calculated on the registered organs individually. However, interpretation was confounded due to a significant proportion of outliers. Examining the retrospectively selected top 1 and 5 atlases for each target revealed that there was a substantive performance difference between methods. To further our understanding, we constructed majority vote segmentation with the top 5 DSC values for each organ and target. The results illustrated a median improvement of 85% in DSC between the raw results and majority vote. These experiments show that some images may be well registered to some targets using the available software tools, but there is significant room for improvement and reveals the need for innovation and research in the field of registration in abdominal CTs. If image registration is to be used for local interpretation of abdominal CT, great care must be taken to account for outliers (e.g., atlas selection in statistical fusion).
Stability of amphotericin B in four concentrations of dextrose injection

The stability of amphotericin B in 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% dextrose injection was investigated. The dextrose solutions were prepared in triplicate from sterile water for injection and 70% dextrose injection and placed in empty 50-mL polyvinyl chloride bags. The pH of each solution was determined before amphotericin B was added to a concentration of approximately 100 micrograms/mL. The bags were stored at 15-25 degrees C and protected from light. Three 1-mL samples were taken from each bag at various times up to 24 hours. One sample was analyzed for precipitation and color and pH changes. Two samples were analyzed in duplicate by stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography. No visual changes were observed, and pH did not change substantially. The mean amphotericin B concentration was greater than 90% of the initial concentration at each sampling time. However, the drug concentration in 3 of the 27 samples from the admixtures with 10% dextrose injection and 5 of the 27 samples from the admixtures with 20% dextrose injection fell below 90% of the initial concentration. Amphotericin B 100 micrograms/mL was stable in 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% dextrose injection when stored for up to 24 hours at 15-25 degrees C and protected from light.
Safety of lower extremity neurodynamic exercises in adults with diabetes mellitus: a feasibility study

Objectives: Neurodynamic exercises aim to improve neural mechanosensitivity in order to promote pain-free movement and function. People with diabetes mellitus (DM) may be candidates for neurodynamic exercises to address common DM-related impairments such as reduced lower extremity range of motion (ROM) and altered neural mechanosensitivity. However, no studies have examined the safety and immediate effects of neurodynamic exercise in people with DM. This study aims to determine the feasibility of applying neurodynamic exercises in adults with DM by evaluating the rate of adverse events and quantifying immediate changes in straight leg raise (SLR) ROM.Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 20 people with DM who performed a series of neurodynamic exercises on their right leg. Their left leg was used as an internal control. SLR testing was performed before and immediately after these exercises. Adverse events were monitored, including provocation of their neuropathy symptoms or discomfort or pain.Re...
Overcoming Overconfidence: Teamwork and Self-Control

This paper analyzes interactions between agents who are overconfident regarding their own future self-control relative to others. The paper considers the problem of incentivizing several such agents, and compares two methods: assigning work individually to each agent or jointly to pairs of agents. If the agents are homogenous in their preferences and beliefs, then the joint assignment method dominates individual assignments. In the case of heterogenous agents, the effects of the joint assignment are twofold: teamwork mitigates the efficiency loss from overconfidence, but introduces inefficiency by disincentivising the more patient members of the team. The results in the paper suggest that team-based incentives are more effective when employees are relatively overconfident and when teams are formed based on similarity in present-bias and beliefs.
Role of Hydrogen Bonding on Nonlinear Mechano-Optical Behavior of L-Phenylalanine-based Poly(ester urea)s.

The uniaxial mechano-optical behavior of a series of amorphous l-phenylalanine-based poly(ester urea) (PEU) films was studied in the rubbery state. A custom, real-time measurement system was used to capture the true stress, true strain, and birefringence during deformation. When the materials were subjected to deformation at temperatures near the glass transition temperature (Tg), the photoelastic behavior was manifested by a small increase in birefringence with a significant increase in true stress. At temperatures above Tg, PEUs with a shorter diol chain length exhibited a liquid–liquid (Tll) transition (rubbery–viscous transition) at about 1.06Tg (K) under the tested strain rate of 0.017 s–1 (stretching speed of 20 mm/min), above which the material transforms from a heterogeneous “liquid of fixed structure” to a “true liquid” state. The initial photoelastic behavior disappears with increasing temperature, as the initial slope of the stress optical curves becomes temperature independent. Fourier transfo...
Lyse-It™: A Rapid Platform for Cellular Lysing and Tunable DNA/Protein Fragmentation

In this article, we review Lyse-It™; a method for the low cost, efficient, and rapid sample preparation of various bacteria and cell types. Currently, bacterial detection and identification is underpinned by two discreet processes, namely genomic isolation followed by its identification. While molecular detection strategies are available to detect DNA and proteins in time-frames ranging for minutes to hours, the bottleneck in all of these detection strategies lies in the initial sample preparation, i.e. in the cellular lysing, which can add several hours or more to the overall bacterial identification process. For intercellular components, such as DNA and proteins, there is typically a two-step process of breaking open cells (lysis) and then fragmenting the released DNA or degrading the proteins. Cellular lysing is typically a multi-step, multi-reagent process that is tedious, expensive, and time-consuming. Following cell lysis, the DNA and/or proteins must be extracted and purified before downstream analysis.
Off-nominal trajectory computation applied to unmanned aircraft system traffic management

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management System (UTM) relies significantly on automation, introducing the need for efficient and accurate trajectory computation to enable coordination and safety. The main objective of this paper is to present and to organize prior work and relevant concepts with the goal of developing a framework for UAS trajectory prediction in the presence of anomalous events. Literature documenting UAS safety and risk assessment has provided multiple pointers for identification and characterization of system failures that cause trajectory deviations or changes to its associated qualities. A UAS trajectory modeling framework considering endogenous and exogenous factors affecting the trajectory is introduced and used in this exposition. In addition, a general formulation of the trajectory computation challenge is presented along with key requirements for potential solution approaches.
Predictors of Postoperative Urinary Tract Infection After Bariatric Surgery

In bariatric surgery patients, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common postoperative infections. In this study, we sought to determine if preoperative patient factors and perioperative processes contribute to an increased risk of UTI. A retrospective analysis was performed of patients who underwent bariatric surgery at a single institution between March 2012 and May 2016. Standard protocol was antibiotic prophylaxis with cefazolin. Patients with a penicillin allergy received clindamycin. Urinary catheters were placed selectively. A univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine risk factors for patients who developed a UTI within 30 days postoperatively. Six hundred ninety-four patients (82.7% female) underwent bariatric surgery in the study interval. UTIs were more common in females (4.9 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.12). On univariate analysis age, operative time, length of stay, urinary catheter placement, clindamycin prophylaxis, and revisional surgery were significantly correlated with UTI. A multivariate logistic regression model revealed the risk of UTI increased 5.38-fold [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.41–12.05] with clindamycin use, 6.37-fold [95% CI 2.22–18.18] with revision surgery, and 1.25-fold [95% CI 1.05–1.49] for every 5 years gained in age. Older age, clindamycin prophylaxis, and revisional procedures are significantly associated with an increased rate of UTI following bariatric surgery. Several identified variables are modifiable risk factors and targets for a quality improvement initiative to decrease the rate of UTI in bariatric surgery patients.
Werbewirkung ausgewählter Website Elemente

Im Vergleich zu anderen Werbemedien hat das Internet, dessen Nutzung mittlerweile schon zum Tagesablauf vieler Konsumenten gehort und dessen Einsatz fester Bestandteil des Marketing-Mix der meisten werbetreibenden Unternehmen ist, einige spezifische Vorteile (vgl. Ansari/Mela 2003; Yoon/Kim 2001). Zum einen besitzt dieses Werbemedium die Besonderheit, dass die online gestellten Inhalte rund um die Uhr verfugbar sind. Zum anderen konnen Inhalte mit vergleichsweise geringem Aufwand und kostengunstig aktualisiert werden. Daruber hinaus bietet das Internet Anwendungen, die weit uber die Moglichkeiten klassischer Medien hinausgehen, wie beispielsweise die Interaktivitat, die Multimedialitat oder die Moglichkeit zur Individualisierung von Inhalten. Schlieslich ist festzuhalten, dass Internetnutzer auf Inhalte freiwillig zugreifen, wahrend Rezipienten klassischer Werbung haufig unfreiwillig mit Werbeinhalten konfrontiert werden (vgl. Berthon/Pitt/Watson 1996).
Extreme delta - With or without brushes: A potential surrogate marker of disease activity in anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis.

Abstract Objective Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (NMDARE) may not respond to first line immunotherapy. Biomarkers to track disease course and guide escalation of immunotherapy are needed. We describe the evolution of EEG in four patients with NMDARE requiring prolonged intensive care. Methods Within a database of 121 patients with immune-mediated neurological disorders, ten with NMDARE were retrospectively identified. Four patients did not respond to first line immunotherapy. Continuous EEG was reviewed and correlated with clinical status and treatment. Results Intermittent polymorphic delta slowing was present in all patients. Generalized rhythmic delta occupied increasing proportion of the EEG as disease progressed, at times with superimposed beta. The institution of second line immunotherapy was followed by progressive decrease in rhythmic delta, predating clinical improvement. In one patient who did not respond to second line immunotherapy, rhythmic delta continued to occupy a majority of the recording. The extreme delta pattern was not seen in a comparison cohort of patients with autoimmune encephalitis without anti-NMDA-R antibodies. Conclusions Extreme delta, with or without brushes, increases with progression of NMDARE, responds to escalation of immunotherapy, predating clinical improvement, and is likely specific to NMDA-R antibodies. Significance Extreme delta may be a surrogate marker of disease activity in NMDARE refractory to first line immunotherapy.
Insulin-like growth factors are essential for the differentiation of Th17s in EAE (LYM8P.635)

Insulin-like growth factors (Igfs) are highly conserved proteins similar to pro-insulin in both sequence and structure. They function primarily by binding the Igf1 receptor (Igf1R) and exert pleiotropic effects on many tissues throughout life. These factors were shown to be essential for the normal development and proliferation of B and T lymphocytes, and to positively influence their proliferation and survival following activation. But early attempts to identify potential roles in T cell differentiation and function lead to conflicting results, and the field was largely abandoned. More recent advances in our understanding of T cell biology, however, including the discovery of Th17 and Treg C4s, have permitted a more sophisticated analysis of the role of this system in T cells. Our data indicate that Th17 and Treg CD4s express Igf1R and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (Igfbp4), a critical regulator of Igf activity, at much higher levels than other CD4 T cells, and appear uniquely capable of responding to Igfs. Exogenous Igfs promote Th17 and suppress Treg differentiation in-vitro, yet fail to influence Th1 or Th2 differentiation. Deletion of Igf1R leads to a defect in Stat3 phosphorylation and IL17a production, and enhanced Treg differentiation in-vitro. Mice lacking Igf1R on T cells are substantially protected from Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, an effect that can be recapitulated through the in-vivo administration of Igf1R blocking antibodies.
Image-based multichannel vaginal cylinder brachytherapy for the definitive treatment of gynecologic malignancies in the vagina.

Abstract Purpose Brachytherapy is integral to vaginal cancer treatment and is typically delivered using an intracavitary single-channel vaginal cylinder (SCVC) or an interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) applicator. Multi-channel vaginal cylinder (MCVC) applicators allow for improved organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing compared to SCVC while maintaining target coverage. We present clinical outcomes of patients treated with image-based high dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy using a MCVC. Methods and materials Sixty patients with vaginal cancer (27% primary vaginal and 73% recurrence from other primaries) were treated with combination external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and image-based HDR brachytherapy utilizing a MCVC if residual disease thickness was 7 mm or less after EBRT. All pts received 3D image-based BT to a total equivalent dose of 70–80 Gy. Results The median high-risk clinical target volume was 24.4 cm3 (interquartile range [IQR], 14.1), with a median dose to 90% of 77.2 Gy (IQR, 2.8). After a median follow-up of 45 months (range, 11–78), the 4-year local-regional control, distant control, DFS, and OS rates were 92.6%, 76.1%, 64.0%, and 67.2%, respectively. The 4-year LRC rates were similar between the primary vaginal (92%) and recurrent (93%) groups (p = 0.290). Pts with lymph node positive disease had a lower rate of distant control at 4 years (22.7% vs. 89.0%, p Conclusions Clinical outcomes of pts with primary and recurrent vaginal cancer treated definitively in a systematic manner with combination EBRT with image-guided HDR BT utilizing a MCVC applicator demonstrate high rates of local control and low rates of severe morbidity. The MCVC technique allows interstitial implantation to be avoided in select pts with ≤7 mm residual disease thickness following EBRT while maintaining excellent clinical outcomes with extended 4-year follow-up in this rare malignancy.
Continuum Solvation Models

This chapter reviews the theoretical background for continuum models of solvation, recent advances in their implementation, and illustrative examples of their use. Continuum models are the most efficient way to include condensed-phase effects into quantum mechanical calculations, and this is typically accomplished by the using self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) approach for the electrostatic component. This approach does not automatically include the non-electrostatic component of solvation, and we review various approaches for including that aspect. The performance of various models is compared for a number of applications, with emphasis on heterocyclic tautomeric equilibria because they have been the subject of the widest variety of studies. For nonequilibrium applications, e.g., dynamics and spectroscopy, one must consider the various time scales of the solvation process and the dynamical process under consideration, and the final section of the review discusses these issues.
On the cooperative and competitive aspects of strategic monitoring

Strategic monitoring occurs in myriad situations such as principal–agent relationships, law enforcement and treaty verification. Such situations are generally known as enforcement or inspection gam...
Smartphone measures of day-to-day behavior changes in children with autism.

Smartphones offer a flexible tool to collect data about mental health, but less is known about their effectiveness as a method to assess variability in children’s problem behaviors. Caregivers of children with autism completed daily questions about irritability, anxiety and mood delivered via smartphones across 8-weeks. Smartphone questions were consistent with subscales on standard caregiver questionnaires. Data collection from 7 to 10 days at the beginning and 7 to 10 days at the end of the study were sufficient to capture similar amounts of variance as daily data across 8-weeks. Other significant findings included effects of caregiver socioeconomic status and placebo-like effects from participation even though the study included no specific treatment. Nevertheless, single questions via smartphones collected over relatively brief periods reliably represent subdomains in standardized behavioral questionnaires, thereby decreasing burden on caregivers.
Evaluation of the prognostic utility of the hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio in head and neck cancer

Hemoglobin is a known prognostic marker in many cancers, including head and neck cancer (HNC). There is some evidence that the red cell distribution width, which is an index of variation in size of red blood cells (RBCs), might be associated with prognosis as well. Recently, a novel prognostic biomarker has been reported—the ratio of the hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width (Hb/RDW). Our objective was to evaluate the prognostic utility of the pretreatment Hb/RDW in HNC, controlled with known prognostic indices. Retrospective cohort study in a tertiary academic hospital setting. Patients diagnosed with HNC treated with curative-intent surgery were eligible. Metastatic disease was excluded. The variables collected were age, sex, BMI, alcohol/tobacco exposure, performance scores, ACE-27, tumor characteristics, adjuvant treatment, and lab values. The primary endpoints were event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). OS was defined as time from start of treatment to death from any cause, and EFS was defined as time from start of treatment to any progression, recurrence, or death from any cause. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis was performed on the primary endpoints. A total of 205 patients were enrolled from 2010 to 2016. In multivariate analysis, the factors independently associated with EFS were BMI (p = 0.0364), advanced T stage (p = 0.001), and low Hb/RDW ratio (p = 0.017). The factors independently associated with OS were ECOG score (p = 0.042), advanced T stage (p < 0.0001), positive nodes (p = 0.0195), and Hemoglobin (0.0134). A low Hb/RDW ratio was associated with poorer EFS (HR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.13–3.61, p = 0.017), but was not associated with OS. This is the first study reporting the prognostic utility of Hb:RDW in head and neck cancer.
Large volume re-irradiation for recurrent meningioma with pulsed reduced dose rate radiotherapy.

Meningiomas comprise up to 30% of primary brain tumors. The majority of meningioma patients enjoy high rates of control after conventional therapies. However, patients with recurrent disease previously treated with radiotherapy have few options for salvage treatment, and systemic interventions have proven largely ineffective. The aim of this study was to determine whether pulsed reduced dose rate radiotherapy (PRDR) was well tolerated in a small cohort of patients with recurrent meningioma. We retrospectively identified eight patients with recurrent intracranial meningioma treated with PRDR from April 2013 to August of 2017 at a single institution. All patients had radiographic and/or pathologic evidence of progression prior to treatment and had previously completed conventional radiotherapy. Acute and late toxicities were graded based on CTCAE 4.0. Of eight patients, six had histologically confirmed atypical meningiomas upon recurrence. All patients were re-treated with IMRT at an apparent dose rate of 0.0667 Gy/min. Median time between radiation courses was 7.7 years. Median PRDR dose was 54 Gy in 27 fractions to a median volume of 261.6 cm3. Two patients (25%) had in field failure with a median follow up of 23.3 months. PFS at 6 months was 100%. All but one (87.5%) patient was still alive at last follow up. No patient experienced grade ≥ 2 acute or late toxicities. PRDR re-irradiation was well tolerated and appeared effective for a small cohort of patients with recurrent meningioma previously treated with radiotherapy. A phase II trial to assess this prospectively is in development.
Genetic studies in isolated populations: Victor McKusick's contributions to population genetics

Shortly after my arrival at Johns Hopkins in September 2000, as the Director of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Victor McKusick presented me with a copy of his book Medical Genetic Studies of the Amish: Selected Papers [1]. This collection of previously published papers, many authored by McKusick, his collaborators, and his trainees, was assembled with commentary and published by McKusick in 1978. The total body of research represents a broad view of the contributions of the Old Order Amish communities to human medical genetics. McKusick was keenly aware of my prior work in population genetics and complex disease, including among the Old Order Mennonites of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and presented me the book wanting me to be more educated on the genesis and history of these genetic studies. I surmised that he also wanted me to continue these types of studies through the newly founded Institute but now with greater molecular depth in the age of the human genome sequence [2, 3].
Investigations of High Performance Fiberglass Impact Using a Combustionless Two-stage Light-gas Gun

Abstract Two types of high performance fiberglass panels were investigated at normal impact conditions of around 1 km/s (2200 mph). Thin phenolic laminates of plain-weave glass cloth impregnated with synthetic thermosetting resins, one melamine and the other epoxy, were impacted by a 1.6 mm diameter nylon sphere using a combustionless two-stage light-gas gun. The resulting impact and ejecta was captured using high-speed imaging, and the perforation characteristics and damage zone were examined post-mortem using optical microscopy. Both composites had a fiber volume fraction of an estimated 56% and identical fiber weave so that the role of the matrix on impact performance could be comparatively investigated. The epoxy fiberglass resulted in full perforation of the target, whereas the melamine fiberglass resulted in deformation, but not full perforation. The overall damage zone of melamine fiberglass was twice the size on the rear surface than the epoxy fiberglass. In addition, the melamine fiberglass rear damage zone was 5 times the impactor diameter and exhibited ductile debonding and delamination as the main failure mechanisms. In contrast, the epoxy matrix rear damage was 3 times the impactor diameter and exhibited brittle failure mechanisms of fiber breakage and pullout. These experimental results suggest that the matrix material is a driving factor in the impact damage and perforation characteristics, and is discussed in context of the compressive and tensile strength at break of the materials.
Genetic Suppression of mTOR Rescues Synaptic and Social Behavioral Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of Pten Haploinsufficiency

Heterozygous mutations in PTEN, which encodes a negative regulator of the mTOR and β-catenin signaling pathways, cause macrocephaly/autism syndrome. However, the neurobiological substrates of the core symptoms of this syndrome are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the relationship between cerebral cortical overgrowth and social behavior deficits in conditional Pten heterozygous female mice (Pten cHet) using Emx1-Cre, which is expressed in cortical pyramidal neurons and a subset of glia. We found that conditional heterozygous mutation of Ctnnb1 (encoding β-catenin) suppresses Pten cHet cortical overgrowth, but not social behavioral deficits, whereas conditional heterozygous mutation of Mtor suppresses social behavioral deficits, but not cortical overgrowth. Neuronal activity in response to social cues and excitatory synapse markers are elevated in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of Pten cHet mice, and heterozygous mutation in Mtor, but not Ctnnb1, rescues these phenotypes. These findings indicate that macroscale cerebral cortical overgrowth and social behavioral phenotypes caused by Pten haploinsufficiency can be dissociated based on responsiveness to genetic suppression of Ctnnb1 or Mtor. Furthermore, neuronal connectivity appears to be one potential substrate for mTOR-mediated suppression of social behavioral deficits in Pten haploinsufficient mice. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1463-1471. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: A subgroup of individuals with autism display overgrowth of the head and the brain during development. Using a mouse model of an autism risk gene, Pten, that displays both brain overgrowth and social behavioral deficits, we show here that that these two symptoms can be dissociated. Reversal of social behavioral deficits in this model is associated with rescue of abnormal synaptic markers and neuronal activity.
Abstract P2039: Nitric Oxide Inhibition Enhances the Protein Expression of TNF-α Receptor Type 1 in Cultured M-1 Cells With Characteristics of Renal Collecting Duct Epithelium

Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors in the development of salt sensitive hypertension (SSH). Enhanced sodium reabsorption in the distal nephron, particularly the collecting duct (CD) ...
Gender Identity in ASD

Gender nonconformity is more common on the autism spectrum than the non-autistic population. Issues related to gender, such as gender performance, are discussed.
Pyrogenic organic matter effects on soil bacterial community composition

Abstract Pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) is produced by the incomplete combustion of organic matter, and can represent a large portion of total soil organic carbon in both fire-affected systems and managed systems where PyOM is added intentionally as a soil amendment. The effects of PyOM on the structure of soil microbial communities remain a topic of fundamental interest, and a number of studies have begun to identify and characterize the PyOM-associated microbial community. However, it is unclear to what extent the effects of PyOM on soil bacteria are consistent. Our goals were to synthesize current related studies to (1) determine if there is a detectable and consistent “charosphere” community that characterizes PyOM-amended soils, (2) distinguish consistent responders at the phylum level to PyOM amendments, and (3) identify individual PyOM-responsive taxa that increase in relative abundance consistently across different soil types. We re-analyzed publicly available raw 16S Illumina sequencing data from studies that investigated the bacterial communities of PyOM-amended soils. We determined that soil source is more important than PyOM for shaping the trajectory of the community composition. Although we were able to identify a few genera that respond positively and somewhat consistently to PyOM amendments, including Nocardioides, Micromonospora, Ramlibacter, Noviherbaspirillum, and Mesorhizobium, in general, neither phylum-level nor genus-level responses to PyOM were consistent across soils and PyOM types. We offer suggestions for our future efforts to synthesize the effects PyOM may have on soil microbial communities in an array of different systems. Due to the dual challenges of high functional diversity at fine taxonomic scales in bacteria, and diverse ranges of soil and PyOM properties, researchers conducting future studies should be wary of reaching a premature consensus on PyOM effects on soil bacterial community composition. In addition, we emphasize the importance of focusing on effect sizes, their real-world meanings, and on cross-study effect consistency, as well as making data publicly available to enable syntheses such as this one.
Understanding Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Affirmative Consent

A clear understanding of sexual consent is important for sexual violence prevention. To date, most research has focused on how college students understand and negotiate consent. Although adolescence is a critical period for the development of sexual attitudes, identity, and intimate relationships, the perspectives of high school-aged youth have been largely absent from the consent literature. The current study investigated adolescents' attitudes toward affirmative consent in a sample of 226 high school students (58% female; 46% White, 24% Black, 25% Hispanic) from the southeastern U.S., as well as associations between affirmative consent attitudes and gender, gender role beliefs, and sexual activity status. Additionally, we tested whether gender role beliefs were a mediator between gender and affirmative consent attitudes. Overall, adolescents reported supportive attitudes toward affirmative consent. On average, girls and adolescents with more egalitarian gender role beliefs had more positive attitudes toward affirmative consent than boys and those with less egalitarian gender role beliefs, though no differences by sexual activity status were found. Gender role beliefs mediated the relationship between gender and attitudes toward affirmative consent. The results suggest that adolescents are generally supportive of affirmative consent practices, although some important group differences emerged.
Treatment of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: Considerations for Tailoring Therapy in the Contemporary Era

Standard options for the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) include breast-conserving surgery (BCS) alone; BCS with radiotherapy or endocrine therapy, or both; and mastectomy. Survival is excellent with all options, but rates of local recurrence (LR) vary, as do quality-of-life measures. Here, we discuss treatment outcomes, risk factors for LR, and tools for risk estimation. After BCS, radiotherapy reduces the risk of LR by half, and endocrine therapy reduces the risk by a third. Young age, inadequate margins, and greater volume of disease are associated with higher risk of LR after BCS, while young age, high grade, and microinvasion are associated with higher risk of locoregional recurrence after mastectomy. Clinical tools, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) DCIS nomogram, provide LR risk estimates after BCS that appear more accurate than current genomic assays. The safety of active surveillance for seemingly low-risk patients remains uncertain. Estimation of LR risk, utilizing a multitude of clinicopathologic and treatment factors, can help a woman balance that risk with her values and priorities, and allow her to choose the optimal treatment option for her.
Coverage in Millimeter-Wave Networks with SNR-Dependent Beam Alignment Errors

Narrow beamwidth and inaccurate angle-of-arrival (AoA) estimation make perfect beam alignment difficult in millimeter-wave (mm-wave) systems. The extent of beam misalignment depends on the uplink received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at a single antenna element of the array. Using stochastic geometry, this paper analyzes and quantifies the loss in downlink SNR coverage probability due to beam misalignment. The standard deviation of the beam alignment error is obtained through the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) of AoA estimation. The analytical results are verified through Monte-Carlo simulations and it is shown that the beam alignment errors affect the system coverage significantly when the downlink SNR threshold (with array gain) is less than 5 dB. It is also illustrated that increasing the number of antennas alone cannot counter the effects of beam alignment errors.
Adult correlates of adverse childhood experiences in Ukraine.

Abstract Background The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult life outcomes is well-documented by a considerable body of research. This study investigates the relationship between ACEs and both physical and mental health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of Ukrainian adults. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze whether ACEs are associated with lifetime physical and mental health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of Ukrainian adults. Participants and Setting In 2002, the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI) was administered to a national probability sample of Ukrainian adults (n = 4725). Methods Associations between ACEs and later life physical and mental health outcomes are examined using logistic regression models. Results ACEs were significantly correlated with poor later life mental and physical health. Participants with three or more ACEs were most likely to have chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, other disease, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, and all disability metrics analyzed. Adjusted odds ratios for these models ranged from 1.80 to 3.81. Additionally, we found a large association between the number of ACES and later negative health outcomes. Conclusions Our results indicate that in Ukraine, ACEs have a strong negative effect on later life mental and physical health. Further research is needed to explore specific ACEs and examine potential mediators such as social support in the relationship between ACEs and health outcomes.
A Sub-Hertz Bandpass Low Noise Amplifier for Biopotential Signal Acquisition with Parasitic Pole Cancellation

Conventional capacitively coupled low-noise amplifiers (LNA) often require a large feedback resistance (>1GΩ) to implement a sub-Hertz bandpass cut-off frequency, which is necessary for many biopotential signal acquisition applications (0.1Hz to 5kHz). When implemented using pseudo-resistors or duty-cycled resistors, the parasitic capacitance at series resistor nodes introduces a gain peak near the cut-off frequency in the bandpass transfer function. This paper presents two approaches for mitigating this peaking behavior: a parallel bypass capacitor, and an auxiliary G m amplifier; the latter approach enables the lower cut-off frequency to be shifted lower (~0.1Hz), relaxing the feedback resistor requirements. The proposed architectures are implemented in a 180nm CMOS process, and simulated results demonstrated mid-band LNA gain of 34dB with 10.0pF input capacitance and 0.2pF feedback capacitance. The LNA consumes 3.78µW with an input-referred noise of 4.03µV rms from 1Hz to 5kHz, bandwidth of 25kHz, and NEF of 3.18.
A Scalable 60GHz 4-Element MIMO Transmitter with a Frequency-Domain-Multiplexing Single-Wire Interface and Harmonic-Rejection-Based De-Multiplexing

This work demonstrates a 60GHz 45nm RF-SOI 4-element scalable MIMO TX with a single-wire interface (SWI) to alleviate the challenge of supporting high data-rate I/O in a large-scale tiled MIMO mm-wave array. Frequency-domain multiplexing is used on the single wire to simultaneously support the signals of all 4 MIMO channels while breaking the trade-off between channel-to-channel isolation and single-wire bandwidth. Harmonic-rejection mixing (HRM) is used to demultiplex the 4 modulated signals simultaneously from the single-wire, each with 2GHz bandwidth (total BW of 8GHz). A novel two-stage wideband HRM achieves high channel-to-channel isolation with low power overhead. The single-wire interface can support 8GHz total IF bandwidth across the 4 channels with 30-40dB SFDR. Each TX in the array achieves 20-35dB conversion gain and 8.8-10.9dBm OP1dB while maintaining a channel-to-channel isolation >30dB. System level measurements show the ability of the MIMO chip to form multiple simultaneous independent beams carrying independent signals.
Two arguments against human-friendly AI

The past few decades have seen a substantial increase in the focus on the myriad ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Included amongst the numerous issues is the existential risk that some believe could arise from the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) which is an as-of-yet hypothetical form of AI that is able to perform all the same intellectual feats as humans. This has led to extensive research into how humans can avoid losing control of an AI that is at least as intelligent as the best of us. This ‘control problem’ has given rise to research into the development of ‘friendly AI’ which is a highly competent AGI that will benefit, or at the very least, not be hostile toward humans. Though my question is focused upon AI, ethics and issues surrounding the value of friendliness, I want to question the pursuit of human-friendly AI (hereafter FAI). In other words, we might ask whether worries regarding harm to humans are sufficient reason to develop FAI rather than impartially ethical AGI, or an AGI designed to take the interests of all moral patients—both human and non-human—into consideration. I argue that, given that we are capable of developing AGI, it ought to be developed with impartial, species-neutral values rather than those prioritizing friendliness to humans above all else.
Pain and Trauma: The Role of Criterion A Trauma and Stressful Life Events in the Pain and PTSD Relationship.

Abstract Chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently co-occur, and research suggests that these 2 conditions exacerbate one another producing greater impact on normal functioning in combination than separately. The influence of traumatic experiences on both pain and PTSD has been shown, but the nature of this interplay remains unclear. Although Criterion A trauma is required for the diagnosis of PTSD, whether the association between PTSD and chronic pain is dependent on Criterion A is underexplored. In this observational cohort study, we examined the association between pain and PTSD-like symptoms in the context of Criterion A trauma in 5,791 men from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. Correlations and mixed-effects regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version symptoms and multiple indicators of pain from the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire across trauma history and chronic pain conditions. 53.21% of the participants experienced trauma consistent with DSM-IV Criterion A for PTSD. The associations between pain indicators and PTSD-like symptoms was stronger for individuals with a history of trauma but remained robust for individuals without trauma history. Small but significant interactions between past trauma and pain indicators and PTSD-like symptoms were observed. Findings were similar in a subsample of participants with history of chronic pain conditions. The relationship between PTSD-like symptoms and indicators of pain were largely independent of trauma consistent with Criterion A, highlighting the need to better understand and address stressful life events in chronic pain patients and pain concerns in individuals reporting trauma. Perspective This article demonstrates that the relationship between PTSD-like symptoms and indicators of pain is largely independent of trauma consistent with Criterion A. This finding highlights the need to better understand and address stressful life events in chronic pain patients and pain concerns in individuals reporting trauma.
Thoracic aorta—What we still don’t know

Abstract Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic aortic disease, it remains a highly morbid disease with an increased risk of dissection and death from rupture. Most patients with thoracic aneurysms are asymptomatic, with identification of aneurysms occurring through incidental imaging more frequently than symptoms. When considering “what we do not know about women in thoracic aortic disease,” we aim to examine this pathology in the context of what is already known. Beginning with the incidence of thoracic aortic aneurysms and thoracic aortic dissection, we will examine what is known about women in the context of current literature and further opportunities for research in sex-specific risk factors and outcomes in thoracic aortic disease.
An Investigation of Underwriting Fees for Asset-Backed Securities:

This paper uses a proprietary database of asset-backed securities (ABS) to make two contributions to the literature: A detailed descriptive analysis of the ABS market and an investigation of the fa...