cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emergency medical services communication systems

This paper discusses Emergency Medical Service Systems with a primary emphasis on Land Mobile communication systems. The basic purpose of EMS systems and the applicable FCC Rules and Regulations are reviewed. Descriptions of several communication systems follow including how the various systems address some of the common EMS requirements and problem areas.
Determinants of Consumers' Use of Nutritional Information on Food Packages

This study examines how sociodemographic characteristics of a household’s main meal planner affect use of nutritional information concerning ingredients, health benefits, calories, sodium, vitamins/minerals, fiber, fat, cholesterol, and sugar content on food packages. Results generally suggest that well-educated, female main meal planners are more likely to use various types of nutritional information than others. Main meal planners who place more importance on nutrition but less importance on taste and those who have a higher perception of the healthfulness of their diet are more likely to use nutritional information on packages than others. Household size, race, employment status, urbanization, region, age, and income are also significant factors.
Quantitation of Streptococcus mutans by the membrane filter fluorescent antibody technique.

Abstract The aetiologic relationship of Streptococcus mutans to human dental caries may be of a quantitative nature. For the quantitation of these organisms, the fluorescent antibody technique (FA) was adapted for use in conjunction with the membrane filter technique. Membrane filters with a porosity of 0.45 μm were adequate for doing total colony counts of the oral flora and for screening Strep, mutans strains AHT, BHT, GS-5 and B13, Bratthall serotypes a, b, c and d, respectively. In the FA technique, the filters containing the samples were incubated anaerobically overnight on mitis-salivarius agar (Difco). Total colonies were counted and the filters were then stained for 30 min with fluorescein-labelled antisera specific for strains AHT and GS-5. The short incubation time was a distinct advantage. The Strep. mutans colonies were small and showed a sharp, bright fluorescence following staining. They could readily be differentiated from autofluorescent colonies which were much larger and had a hazy fluorescence. In addition, a bivalent fluorescent antiserum mixture was useful in quantitating strains AHT and GS-5 in one step. It is suggested that a mixture of a broader range of antisera to cover all serotypes of Strep. mutans could be useful in the total quantitation of Strep. mutans in dental plaque samples.
Insights from population genetics for range limits of a widely distributed native plant

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Species' range limits are determined by a combination of history, ecology, and genetics. While much of our understanding of range limits comes from ecological studies, molecular population genetic methods can provide insight into the contribution of historical range shifts and gene flow to current range limits. METHODS We sequenced nine nuclear loci in 68 individuals from four populations (two within the range interior, one at the western range edge, and one at northern range edge) of the native annual legume Chamaecrista fasciculata in the Upper Midwest of North America. KEY RESULTS Molecular diversity was greatest in an interior population and significantly reduced at both the western and northern range edges. We found no molecular genetic evidence for historical demographic expansion or contraction in any of the populations. Coalescent simulations indicate that the absence of a genetic signal for expansion or contraction could be due to inadequate statistical power or to a bottleneck that was weak and old. Populations were significantly differentiated and clustered into three demes, with the fourth population containing individuals that were assigned to the two nearest populations. We found evidence that recent migration between the northern edge and the most proximate interior population has been slight, within the distribution of values that theoretical models predict would alleviate genetic load without impeding adaptation. CONCLUSIONS When coupled with results from transplant experiments, these results suggest that ecological-genetic factors other than gene flow currently limit range expansion of C. fasciculata. Further, they highlight challenges in using molecular data to make inferences about species' distributions that have complex demographic histories.
iSAM: Fast Incremental Smoothing and Mapping with Efficient Data Association

We introduce incremental smoothing and mapping (iSAM), a novel approach to the problem of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) that addresses the data association problem and allows real-time application in large-scale environments. We employ smoothing to obtain the complete trajectory and map without the need for any approximations, exploiting the natural sparsity of the smoothing information matrix. A QR-factorization of this information matrix is at the heart of our approach. It provides efficient access to the exact covariances as well as to conservative estimates that are used for online data association. It also allows recovery of the exact trajectory and map at any given time by back-substitution. Instead of refactoring in each step, we update the QR-factorization whenever a new measurement arrives. We analyze the effect of loops, and show how our approach extends to the non-linear case. Finally, we provide experimental validation of the overall non-linear algorithm based on the standard Victoria Park data set with unknown correspondences.
Intrathecal saline infusion in the treatment of obtundation associated with spontaneous intracranial hypotension: technical case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an increasingly recognized cause of postural headache. However, appropriate management of obtundation caused by intracranial hypotension is not well defined.CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 43-year-old man presented with postural headache follo
FcRn: The Architect Behind the Immune and Nonimmune Functions of IgG and Albumin

The neonatal FcR (FcRn) belongs to the extensive and functionally divergent family of MHC molecules. Contrary to classical MHC family members, FcRn possesses little diversity and is unable to present Ags. Instead, through its capacity to bind IgG and albumin with high affinity at low pH, it regulates the serum half-lives of both of these proteins. In addition, FcRn plays an important role in immunity at mucosal and systemic sites through its ability to affect the lifespan of IgG, as well as its participation in innate and adaptive immune responses. Although the details of its biology are still emerging, the ability of FcRn to rescue albumin and IgG from early degradation represents an attractive approach to alter the plasma half-life of pharmaceuticals. We review some of the most novel aspects of FcRn biology, immune as well as nonimmune, and provide some examples of FcRn-based therapies.
Augmented Lagrangians and Applications of the Proximal Point Algorithm in Convex Programming

The theory of the proximal point algorithm for maximal monotone operators is applied to three algorithms for solving convex programs, one of which has not previously been formulated. Rate-of-convergence results for the “method of multipliers,” of the strong sort already known, are derived in a generalized form relevant also to problems beyond the compass of the standard second-order conditions for oplimality. The new algorithm, the “proximal method of multipliers,” is shown to have much the same convergence properties, but with some potential advantages.
Design of algorithm-based fault-tolerant multiprocessor systems for concurrent error detection and fault diagnosis

Algorithm-based fault tolerance (ABPT) is a low-overhead system-level concurrent error detection and fault location scheme for multiprocessor systems. We present new methods for the design of ABFT systems. Our design procedure is applicable to a wide range of systems in which processors share data elements. A feature of our design approach is that the type of checks to be used in the final system can be controlled by the system designer. We also present some new bounds on the number of checks needed in ABFT system design. >
Referenceless MR Thermometry for Monitoring Thermal Ablation in the Prostate

Referenceless proton resonance frequency (PRF) shift thermometry provides a means to measure temperature changes during minimally invasive thermotherapy that is inherently robust to motion and tissue displacement. However, if the referenceless method is used to determine temperature changes during prostate ablation, phase gaps between water and fat in image regions used to determine the background phase can confound the phase estimation. We demonstrate an extension to referenceless thermometry which eliminates this problem by allowing background phase estimation in the presence of phase discontinuities between aqueous and fatty tissue. In this method, images are acquired with a multi-echo sequence and binary water and fat maps are generated from a Dixon reconstruction. For the background phase estimation, water and fat regions are treated separately and the phase offset between the two tissue types is determined. The method is demonstrated feasibile in phantoms and during in vivo thermal ablation of canine prostate.
SK Channel Distribution on Neuronal Axons Revealed by Single Molecule Atomic Force Microscopy

Introduction: The axon initial segment (AIS) is a specialized cellular compartment where action potentials (APs) initiate. Calcium-activated small conductance potassium (SK) channels reduce excitability by mediating the afterhyperpolarizing (AHP) current and thus modulate the intervals between spikes during a burst of action potentials. SK channels have a polarized distribution in neurons with high density in dendrites and lower density in the soma. However, it is not clear if and which SK channels are expressed on the axon and their spatial distribution. Here, we employ single molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with natural toxins to determine the localization of SK channels on neuronal axons.Methods and Results: We have previously demonstrated that integration of single molecule AFM and toxin pharmacology allows for high resolution mapping of native SK2 channels on soma and dendrites of living neurons. AFM tip functionalized with SK channel blocker-apamin, was used to detect the distribution of SK channels by measuring the unbinding forces between apamin and SK channels. The axon was identified by transfecting rat pyramidal neurons with tau-gfp which localizes at the axon. Apamin-functionalized AFM tips were used to probe 1µm∧2 scan area on the axon of transfected pyramidal neurons. We detected unbinding forces with a mean of µ=20± 9pN and a surface density of 5.9% (n=8). To determine the specificity of the detected unbinding forces, the experiments were repeated with neurons pretreated with apamin. Along with a lower frequency of unbinding events, we found that in neurons pretreated with apamin, there was a decrease in the unbinding forces. The results above indicate that apamin sensitive SK channels reside on the axon of pyramidal neurons.Conclusion: Employing single molecule AFM, we have revealed that SK channels reside on axonal surfaces of neurons.
Establishment of Par-Polarized Cortical Domains via Phosphoregulated Membrane Motifs

The Par polarity complex creates mutually exclusive cortical domains in diverse animal cells. Activity of the atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) is a key output of the Par complex as phosphorylation removes substrates from the Par domain. Here, we investigate how diverse, apparently unrelated Par substrates couple phosphorylation to cortical displacement. Each protein contains a basic and hydrophobic (BH) motif that interacts directly with phospholipids and also overlaps with aPKC phosphorylation sites. Phosphorylation alters the electrostatic character of the sequence, inhibiting interaction with phospholipids and the cell cortex. We searched for overlapping BH and aPKC phosphorylation site motifs (i.e., putative phosphoregulated BH motifs) in several animal proteomes. Candidate proteins with strong PRBH signals associated with the cell cortex but were displaced into the cytoplasm by aPKC. These findings demonstrate a potentially general mechanism for exclusion of proteins from the Par cortical domain in polarized cells.
High-Throughput Enzyme Kinetics Using Microarrays

We report a microanalytical method to study enzyme kinetics. The technique involves immobilizing horseradish peroxidase on a poly-L-lysine (PLL)- coated glass slide in a microarray format, followed by applying substrate solution onto the enzyme microarray. Enzyme molecules are immobilized on the PLL-coated glass slide through electrostatic interactions, and no further modification of the enzyme or glass slide is needed. In situ detection of the products generated on the enzyme spots is made possible by monitoring the light intensity of each spot using a scientific-grade charged-coupled device (CCD). Reactions of substrate solutions of various types and concentrations can be carried out sequentially on one enzyme microarray. To account for the loss of enzyme from washing in between runs, a standard substrate solution is used for calibration. Substantially reduced amounts of substrate solution are consumed for each reaction on each enzyme spot. The Michaelis constant K{sub m} obtained by using this method is comparable to the result for homogeneous solutions. Absorbance detection allows universal monitoring, and no chemical modification of the substrate is needed. High-throughput studies of native enzyme kinetics for multiple enzymes are therefore possible in a simple, rapid, and low-cost manner.
Perspective of Vaccine Manufacturers on Financing Pediatric and Adolescent Vaccines in the United States

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to understand vaccine manufacturers9 perspectives on vaccine financing as a barrier to immunization. METHODS: Individual telephone interviews with representatives of the 6 manufacturers that produce routinely recommended vaccines for children and adolescents in the United States were conducted in November and December 2006. RESULTS: Although manufacturers acknowledged that the price of newer vaccines presents challenges to optimal vaccine use, they asserted that children and adolescents have access to vaccinations through public and private insurance. Respondents suggested that the system could be improved through adequate funding of the public-sector safety net. Respondents stated that providers should receive timely reimbursement for the full costs of vaccine purchase and administration, and manufacturers who sell directly to health care providers may provide flexible payment terms for vaccine purchases. Manufacturers supported targeted expansion of the Vaccines for Children program to allow children with incomplete insurance coverage for vaccines to receive vaccines at health department clinics. Manufacturers perceived delays in publication of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations as a potential barrier to vaccine uptake. They viewed the perceived lack of public value for vaccines as a potential barrier to adequate reimbursement and optimal utilization. Respondents also maintained that their ability to negotiate vaccine prices through the private market is a crucial priority. CONCLUSIONS: Manufacturers assert that children and adolescents have access to immunizations through public and private insurance. Manufacturers think that they have mitigated the challenge most directly in their control: the large financial outlays required for up-front vaccine purchases.
SMA texture and reorientation: simulations and neutron diffraction studies

With increased usage of shape memory alloys (SMA) for applications in various fields, it is important to understand how the material behavior is affected by factors such as texture, stress state and loading history, especially for complex multiaxial loading states. Using the in-situ neutron diffraction loading facility (SMARTS diffractometer) and ex situ inverse pole figure measurement facility (HIPPO diffractometer) at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANCE), the macroscopic mechanical behavior and texture evolution of Nickel-Titanium (Nitinol) SMAs under sequential compression in alternating directions were studied. The simplified multivariant model developed at Northwestern University was then used to simulate the macroscopic behavior and the microstructural change of Nitinol under this sequential loading. Pole figures were obtained via post-processing of the multivariant results for volume fraction evolution and compared quantitatively well to the experimental results. The experimental results can also be used to test or verify other SMA constitutive models.
Recent progress with ethyleneoxy phosphazenes as lithium battery electrolytes

We report here a series of high-conductivity liquid- and gel-electrolytes based on a mixture of ethyleneoxy phosphazenes and propylene carbonate, which have potential applications in lithium battery assembly. Phosphazene compounds are known to be good materials for solid polymer lithium electrolytes and, following that idea, we have developed low-volatility liquid phosphazene electrolytes that maintain 10 −4 S/cm conductivity. A high conductivity of 10 −3 S/cm can be achieved when polymeric phosphazenes are used as solidifying agents for conventional battery electrolytes. We also report here the fire retardant properties of the materials, which may lead to future use of these materials as fire retardant additives.
A juvenile mandible with deciduous teeth of Ancylotherium pentelicum (Perissodactyla, Chalicotheriidae, Schizotheriinae), collected by Barnum Brown from the late Miocene of Samos (Greece)

Chalicotheres are a relatively rare but important group of extinct perissodactyls, best known for combining clawed ungual phalanges with an herbivorous dentition. Unequivocal Chalicotherioidea firs...
Characteristics Predicting Nursing Home Admission in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly People

Purpose This study determined overall risk and predictors of long-term nursing home admission within the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Design and methods DataPACE records for 4,646 participants aged 55 years or older who were enrolled in 12 Medicare- and Medicaid-capitated PACE programs during the period from June 1, 1990, to June 30, 1998, were obtained. Participants were enrolled for at least 30 days and had baseline evaluations within 30 days of enrollment. Cox proportional hazard models predicting an outcome of nursing home admission of 30 days or longer were estimated. Results The cumulative risk of admission to nursing homes for 30 days or longer was 14.9% within 3 years. Individuals enrolled from a nursing home were at very high risk for future admission, with a relative risk of 5.20 when compared with those living alone. Among individuals enrolled in PACE from the community, age, instrumental activity of daily living dependence, and bowel incontinence were predictive of subsequent nursing home admission. Asians and Blacks had a lower risk of institutionalization than Whites. However, other characteristics were not independently predictive of institutionalization, namely poor cognitive status, number of chronic conditions, activity of daily living deficits, urinary incontinence, several behavioral disturbances, and duration of program operation. Before adjusting for other variables, there was substantial site variability in risk of nursing home admission; this decreased considerably after other characteristics were adjusted for. Implications Despite the fact that 100% of the PACE participants were nursing home certifiable, the risk of being admitted to a nursing home long term following enrollment from the community is low. The presence of some reversible risk factors may have implications for early intervention to reduce risk further, although the effect of these interventions is likely to be modest. Individuals who received long-term care in a nursing home prior to enrollment in PACE remain at high risk of readmission, despite the availability of comprehensive services.
Chinese Immigrant Religious Institutions’ Variability in Views on Preventing Sexual Transmission of HIV

Objectives. We examined Chinese immigrant religious institutions’ views on teaching about preventing sexual transmission of HIV and the consistency of their views with public health best practices in HIV prevention.Methods. We used 2009 to 2011 survey data from 712 members of 20 New York City–based Chinese immigrant religious institutions to analyze their views on (1) teaching adolescents about condoms, (2) discussing homosexuality nonjudgmentally, and (3) promoting abstinence until marriage.Results. Religion type was a significant predictor of views in the 3 domains, with Evangelical Protestants in least agreement with public health best practices, Buddhists in most agreement, and mainline Protestants between them. Greater HIV knowledge was significantly associated with agreement with best practices in all 3 domains. The frequency of prayer, meditation, or chanting and the level of acculturation were significant predictors of views on teaching adolescents about condoms and promoting abstinence until marr...
Do Taxes Matter: Evidence of Individual and Corporate Tax Incentives on the Choice to Hold Shares Acquired from Exercise of Employee Stock Options

This paper extends prior stock option literature by examining whether individual and corporate tax incentives are associated with the decision to hold shares acquired through option exercises. Aboody, Hughes, Liu, and Su (2008) refute the previously-held assumption that individuals immediately sell shares acquired through option exercise. We extend their work by focusing on the trade-off between tax incentives and the costs of holding, including liquidity constraints, opportunity costs, and future share price decline. We find that insiders hold shares for at least a year in 18.26 percent of exercises. Additionally, insiders are more likely to hold shares obtained through exercise of ISOs (specifically ISOs that are deeper in the money) relative to NQSOs, as ISOs allow for the transfer of pre-exercise gains from ordinary income to capital gain treatment. Finally, we find corporate tax incentives associated with employee stock sales mitigate insiders’ likeliness to hold.
Aggregate matchings

This paper characterizes the testable implications of stability for aggregate matchings. We consider data on matchings where individuals are aggregated, based on their observable characteristics, into types, and we know how many agents of each type match. We derive stability conditions for an aggregate matching, and, based on these, provide a simple necessary and sufficient condition for an observed aggregate matching to be rationalizable (i.e. such that preferences can be found so that the observed aggregate matching is stable). Subsequently, we derive moment inequalities based on the stability conditions, and provide an empirical illustration using the cross-sectional marriage distributions across the US states.
What drives gold demand in central bank's foreign exchange reserve portfolio?

Abstract This study examines the determinants of gold demand in central bank's foreign exchange reserves portfolio by using a panel data set of over 100 nations for 1998–2014. I find gold's US dollar and inflation-hedge properties as well as higher exchange rate risk and monetary policy instability to significantly increase central bank's gold holdings while higher economic growth and financial development to reduce such share. Moreover, the recent global financial crisis caused central banks to increase this share. The results imply the rationale for holding gold in central banks’ reserves is actually not different than hedge fund managers or individual investors.
Anomalous Scattering of Polarized X-Rays

Some elements in some chemical states exhibit strong dichroism and birefringence near x-ray absorption edges. The atomic scattering factor is a complex tensor. This polarization anisotropy has profound effects on the transmission and scattering of x-rays even when the incident radiation is unpolarized. The linear polarization of synchrotron radiation makes it easier to study the effects and to use them for new methods of structure determination. Several of these anomalous scattering tensors have been measured by absorption spectroscopy and in diffraction experiments. New polarization terms enter the calculation of diffraction intensities, with interesting consequences. Reflections forbidden by a screw-axis rule are observed in sodium bromate near the Br K edge and permit direct observation of the structure factor phases of their second order reflections. This technique is a method of selective diffraction in which atoms of single element in a single chemical state contribute to the signal, and it can reveal their positions with precision. These effects can be a handicap for some applications of near-edge anomalous scattering in the study structures of crystals and amorphous materials.
Analysis for the chemical drugs approved during 2006-2010

In 2007,Provisions for Drug Registration(SFDA Order No.28) has been officially carried out which indicated in the funther and improvement of drug registration and approval the management system.Through the statistical analysis for the chemical drugs approved from 2006 to 2010,the influence of Provisions for Drug Registration to drug registration can be found.
Pharmacogenetics: has it reached the clinic?

Genetic variation in drug-metabolizing enzymes contributes to the variability in drug responses seen in humans. Information in the area is expanding rapidly, and the clinical significance of many of the polymorphisms is only now being elucidated. It is clear that polymorphism frequency varies markedly by race and ethnicity, but major differences by sex have not been reported. Screening for genetic variation in most drug-metabolizing enzymes is not recommended; the very important exception is the need to determine the thiopurine transferase activity of patients who may receive thiopurines (e.g., 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine) because clinically life-threatening complications or decreased efficacy is strongly related to the genetically determined activity of this enzyme.
Activation of Neutrophil Superoxide Production by Concanavalin A Can Occur at Low Levels of Intracellular Ionized Calcium

The effect of concanavalin A (Con A) on the concentration of ionized intracellular calcium [( Cai++]) in human granulocytes (PMN) was monitored using the fluorescent calcium indicator and chelator, Quin2. The addition of Con A to PMN resulted in a rise in [Cai++] that was markedly enhanced by the presence of Ca++ in the external buffer. The onset of the increment in [Cai++] preceded the onset of O2- production. The rise in [Cai++] induced by Con A is not transient, with a new, higher steady-state level of [Cai++] being attained within five minutes. The addition of alpha-methylmannoside (alpha-MM) one minute after Con A resulted in the return of [Cai++] to the original baseline level and the cessation of O2- production. The addition of a second stimulus (such as arachidonic acid) to these cells resulted in a second increment in [Cai++] and the return of O2- production. Thus the rise in [Cai++] induced by Con A is tightly coupled to the activation, inactivation, and reactivation of the O2- generating system by Con A. Further experiments were undertaken to assess the possible requirement for the rise in [Cai++] in the activation of PMN by Con A. PMN could be depleted of Cai++ by loading with Quin2 in the absence of extracellular Ca++. These Ca++- depleted PMN can be induced to produce O2- after treatment with PMA but not with Con A. The addition of Ca++ to Ca++ - depleted PMN results in a return of [Cai++] to the normal resting level of Ca++ -replete PMN. The time required to return to baseline is a function of the concentration of intracellular Quin2. The addition of Ca++ to Ca++ -depleted, Con A-treated PMN results in the elevation of [Cai++] and the production of O2-. Over a tenfold range of intracellular Quin2 concentration, the onset of O2- production always occurred at [Cai++] that were less than the normal resting level. Thus, activation of the O2- generating system by Con A can occur at [Cai++] which are much lower than the incremental level induced by Con A in Ca++ -replete PMN. Supporting this is the observation that only a very small increment in [Cai++] is induced by Con A in PMN cytoplasts, even though Con A could induce O2- production in the Quin2-loaded cytoplasts.
The Effect of Particles on Performance of Fixed-Valve Micropumps

Although numerous designs for micropumps have been reported in the literature, very few studies have addressed pumping of anything but pure fluids. In a previous study done in our laboratory, the ability of fixed-valve micropumps to directly transport particle-laden fluids was demonstrated with suspensions of polystyrene microspheres ranging from approximately 3 to 20 µm in diameter without clogging at densities as high as 9000 particles/µl of suspension. In the present study, degassing procedures and a wide range of particle concentration were utilized to better understand characteristics associated with maximum pump performance, defined as the point at which higher driving voltage causes cavitation. Our findings indicate that compared to pure water degassing procedures profoundly affected pumping characteristics for particle suspensions composed of either charged or uncharged polystyrene particles. In addition, degassing durations after which pumping characteristics did not change were found to be approximately 250% longer for particle-laden fluid compared to pure water. Lastly, maximum pump performance was inversely related to particle concentration for low concentrations, to 70 µ/ml for 3 µm diameter microspheres, which, when combined with previous results indicated that higher concentrations result in a concentration threshold beyond which maximum pump performance is not affected. The results of this study serve as a guideline for transport of particle-laden fluids directly through and design of fixed-valve and other types of micropumps.
Longitudinal, label-free, quantitative tracking of cell death and viability in a 3D tumor model with OCT

Three-dimensional in vitro tumor models are highly useful tools for studying tumor growth and treatment response of malignancies such as ovarian cancer. Existing viability and treatment assessment assays, however, face shortcomings when applied to these large, complex, and heterogeneous culture systems. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, label-free, optical imaging technique that can visualize live cells and tissues over time with subcellular resolution and millimeters of optical penetration depth. Here, we show that OCT is capable of carrying out high-content, longitudinal assays of 3D culture treatment response. We demonstrate the usage and capability of OCT for the dynamic monitoring of individual and combination therapeutic regimens in vitro, including both chemotherapy drugs and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for ovarian cancer. OCT was validated against the standard LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity Assay in small tumor spheroid cultures, showing excellent correlation with existing standards. Importantly, OCT was shown to be capable of evaluating 3D spheroid treatment response even when traditional viability assays failed. OCT 3D viability imaging revealed synergy between PDT and the standard-of-care chemotherapeutic carboplatin that evolved over time. We believe the efficacy and accuracy of OCT in vitro drug screening will greatly contribute to the field of cancer treatment and therapy evaluation.
A Successful Control Processing for Composite Particles of Oxide Superconductor

A successful processing for the preparation of the composite oxide superconductor was developed, and the properties of that composite were evaluated. The purposes of this processing are the control of dispersions of fine pinning-centers in the matrix phase and the design of structures of the sintered composite body. The composite powder of the fine particles were fabricated by Mist-Pyrorysis method, and the sintered composite bodies were made by using these powder. In this paper, the sinterability and superconductive properties for the sintered composite bodies of oxide superconductor dispersed Ag particles in Y-Ba-Cu-O matrix were evaluated.
TSSC1 is Novel Component of the Endosomal Retrieval Machinery

Endosomes function as a hub for multiple protein-sorting events, including retrograde transport to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and recycling to the plasma membrane. These processes are mediated by tubular-vesicular carriers that bud from early endosomes and fuse with a corresponding acceptor compartment. Two tethering complexes named GARP (composed of ANG2, VPS52, VPS53, and VPS54 subunits) and EARP (composed of ANG2, VPS52, VPS53, and Syndetin subunits) were previously shown to participate in SNARE-dependent fusion of endosome-derived carriers with the TGN and recycling endosomes, respectively. Little is known, however, about other proteins that function with GARP and EARP in these processes. Here we identify a protein named TSSC1 as a specific interactor of both GARP and EARP and as a novel component of the endosomal retrieval machinery. TSSC1 is a predicted WD40/β-propeller protein that coisolates with both GARP and EARP in affinity purification, immunoprecipitation, and gel filtration analyses. Confocal fluorescence microscopy shows colocalization of TSSC1 with both GARP and EARP. Silencing of TSSC1 impairs transport of internalized Shiga toxin B subunit to the TGN, as well as recycling of internalized transferrin to the plasma membrane. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching shows that TSSC1 is required for efficient recruitment of GARP to the TGN. These studies thus demonstrate that TSSC1 plays a critical role in endosomal retrieval pathways as a regulator of both GARP and EARP function.
Approximate solution to discrete-time optimal switching problems with minimum dwell time constraint

Optimal switching between different subsystems with discrete-time dynamics subject to a minimum dwell time constraint is investigated in this study. A feedback solution, using the framework of approximate dynamic programming, is proposed through tuning parameters of a function approximator. Once tuned, online control will be conducted with a computational load as low as evaluating a few scalar-valued functions. Moreover, the cases of applying a full or partial constraint on the mode sequence and/or having a mode-dependent minimum dwell time constraint are investigated. Finally, the performance of the scheme in handling different challenges is numerically evaluated.
Grain Boundaries and Grain Boundary Mobility in Hot-Forged Alkali Halides

Recent interest in alkali halide crystals as infrared windows for high power lasers has led to the development of high temperature deformation processing of halide single crystals to improve their mechanical properties. From these studies, Pitha et al (1974), yield strengths and fracture strengths have been improved; but a complete understanding on the relationship between hot-forging parameters and the resultant microstructures has not been suggested nor have quantitative relationships for grain boundary mobility been reported. The substructure development in hot-worked KC1 crystals depends directly on the stress and strain and only indirectly on the temperature, crystallographic orientation and dopant concentration. The observed boundary mobility depends on the temperature, driving forces, (grain boundary area, residual strain, etc.) and impurity drag forces exerted on moving boundaries. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the substructure formation and subsequent motion of boundaries in hot-forged KC1.
Choice of Coded Waveform and Correlation Filter for Self-Noise Suppression in Ultrasonic Correlation Systems

Various ultrasonic correlation systems have been suggested in the past [1–5] in order to improve the flaw detection capability of ultrasonic NDE systems. These systems use a coded waveform for transmission, and the received signal is processed through a correlation filter. Although, these systems provide considerable improvement in the flaw detection capability, their performance is limited by what is called “self-noise” of the system. This paper discusses the self-noise limitation of conventional ultrasonic correlation systems and presents various approaches for self-noise suppression. Theoretically predicted performance has been verified using detailed computer simulations. Finally, comparison of the performance and practicability of each approach is discussed.
Retractors for Transoral Robotic Surgery

With the introduction of endoscopic and transoral robotic approaches (TORS) to lesions of the head and neck, larger surgical approaches such as a lip-split mandibulotomy, lateral pharyngotomy, or transhyoid approach can be avoided for oropharyngeal and laryngeal lesions. TORS has made significant advances over the past 10+ years and is a viable option in the surgical treatment of benign and malignant lesions of these sites. However, to be a viable alternative to open surgery, one of the major requirements of TORS is obtaining adequate exposure of the surgical site, allowing for visualization of and access to the lesion to be excised. Without this, it is not possible to place instruments through the oral cavity in a manner that safely maximizes the use of the increased dexterity. While the majority of TORS surgeons use the da Vinci robot (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA), more recent advances in robotic technology have brought devices to the market that are designed with the head and neck surgeon in consideration, such as the Medrobotics Flex robot (Medrobotics, Raynham, MA).
Bedside twist drill aspiration of cerebral abscess less than 2.5 cm in size: A case series and discussion.

BACKGROUND Intracranial abscess remains a potentially deadly condition despite development of newer antibiotics and improved surgical methods. Many studies have evaluated the surgical indications for abscess drainage, and it has been generally accepted that intracranial abscesses greater than 2.5 cm may best be treated with surgical intervention followed by antibiotic therapy. More recently, studies have shown good results with stereotactic aspiration of abscesses to 1 cm in size. Furthermore, a recent case series in 2014 of 103 cases of bedside twist drill aspiration of cerebral abscess >2.5 cm showed a good recovery in 83.4% of cases. CASE DESCRIPTION This case series examines the benefits of bedside twist drill aspiration of peripherally located brain abscess less than 2.5 cm in size. In our series, all patients were placed on broad-spectrum antibiotics and had negative blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Our bedside biopsy resulted in de-escalation of antibiotics in 2 of the 3 patients and decreased hospital length of stay. CONCLUSION In patients with peripherally located brain abscesses less than 2.5 cm in size, bedside twist drill drainage may be a safe and reasonable approach. Positive identification of infective pathogen allows for a decreased hospital length of stay and de-escalation of antibiotics regiment resulting in significant reduction of hospital costs and resources in 2 of the 3 patients treated. This is of benefit to the patient as well as the health system.
A longitudinal analysis of coping style and cardiovascular reactivity to laboratory stressors

Abstract The association between active and passive coping and cardiovascular reactivity has been of interest because of its theoretical implications. However, most past studies utilized laboratory manipulations and cross-sectional data. A complementary approach would be to examine individual differences in active and passive coping and their links to lab-based reactivity over time. The present longitudinal study used the COPE Inventory to assess active and passive coping styles, which were used to predict cardiovascular reactivity of 107 individuals to a laboratory stressor at a 10-month follow-up. Consistent with hypotheses, results showed that Time 1 active coping scores predicted significantly greater heart rate reactivity at Time 2, β = 0.16, p = .02. In contrast, passive coping did not predict any indices of cardiovascular reactivity over time. These findings are discussed in light of their theoretical implications.
Acute pericarditis following endoscopy

The differential diagnoses for patients presenting with chest discomfort after endoscopy remain broad. In addition to infectious, traumatic and bleeding complications, intrinsic cardiac pathology should be considered. Though rare, pericarditis and pericardial tamponade are additional entities that the clinician should consider when evaluating these patients. We present a 74-year-old man who arrived to the emergency department with substernal chest discomfort that began shortly after upper and lower endoscopy the previous day. Biopsies were obtained during the procedure (ileal and colonic mucosa) without complication. The patient reported worsening chest discomfort with deep inspiration or lying flat. ECG was significant for diffuse ST-segment elevation and PR depression. Cardiac workup was otherwise negative; the patient improved with conservative measures. In this case report, we describe a little known complication after upper endoscopy. By highlighting the clinical features of pericarditis in this setting, the provider can be alert to recognise and promptly treat this clinical entity.
The Solutions to Problems

Hypotheses are tentative solutions to problems. They are guesses, or conjectures, but they are not wild guesses; they are guesses made by informed and creative minds. Even after such rigorous testing any scientific theory or hypothesis may be ultimately replaced one that is superior. In this sense all scientific knowledge is regarded as being provisional.
Process design kit for flexible hybrid electronics

Flexible Electronics (FE) is emerging for wearables and low-cost internet of things (IoT) nodes benefiting from its low-cost fabrication and mechanical flexibility. Combining FE with thinned silicon chips, known as flexible hybrid electronics (FHE), can take advantages of both low-cost printed electronics and high performance silicon chips. To design a FHE system, the process design kit (PDK) offering the capabilities for circuit design, simulation and verification for both FE and silicon chips is needed. The key elements of FHE-PDK include technology files for design rule checking (DRC), layout versus schematic (LVS) and layout parasitics extraction (LPE), as well as SPICE-compatible models for flexible thin-film transistors (TFTs) and passive elements. Wafer scale measurements are used to validate our SPICE models and design rules are derived accordingly to assure a satisfactory yield. With FHE-PDK, circuit and system designers can therefore focus on design innovations and can rely on design tools to produce manufacturable designs.
Metalloenzyme Active-Site Structure and Function through Multifrequency CW and Pulsed ENDOR

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques have long been major tools in efforts to determine the structure and function of metalloen-zyme active sites (Beinert et al., 1962; Hoff, 1989). Much of the information EPR provides about the composition, structure, and bonding of a paramagnetic metal center is obtained by analysis of hyperfine coupling constants (Abragam and Bleaney, 1970; Atherton, 1973) that arise from interactions between the spin of the unpaired electron(s) and the spins of nuclei associated with the metal center, endogenous ligands, or bound substrate. At the most basic level, the observation of hyperfine coupling and its assignment to one or more nuclei (e.g., 1H, 14N) provide information about the chemical composition of the center. Detailed analysis of these couplings can provide information about its geometry or about substrate binding, as well as deep insights into chemical bonding. In principle these coupling constants can be calculated from splittings in the EPR spectrum. However, as illustrated in Fig. 1, for most metalloproteins these splittings cannot be resolved, and thus the chemical information they carry is lost.
Sphincter Mechanisms at the Esophago-Gastric Junction

Understanding of the sphincter mechanism at the esophago-gastric junction (EGJ) is crucial to the understanding of esophageal motor disorders and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Smooth muscles of the lower end of esophagus (LES) and skeletal muscles of crural diaphragm are the key components of sphincter mechanism at the EGJ. Basal LES tone/contraction is partly myogenic and party neurogenic. LES relaxation is mediated via the vagus nerve, which activates inhibitory motor neurons located in the esophageal wall. Longitudinal muscle contraction of the esophagus appears to play a critical role in the LES relaxation. LES and crural diaphragm relax together during transient LES relaxation (TLESR), which is the major mechanism of gastroesophageal reflux. TLESR is also important during belching, vomiting, and rumination. A large number of pharmacological agents decrease the TLESR frequency and could be potentially useful in the treatment of reflux disease. High-resolution and high-definition manometry has and will continue to improve our understanding of the complex functioning of EGJ.
Introduction to Engineering: An Assessment and Problem Solving Approach

Developed for the Ultimate Introductory Engineering Course Introduction to Engineering: An Assessment and Problem-Solving Approach incorporates experiential, and problem- and activity-based instruction to engage students and empower them in their own learning. This book compiles the requirements of ABET, (the organization that accredits most US engineering, computer science, and technology programs and equivalency evaluations to international engineering programs) and integrates the educational practices of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). The book provides learning objectives aligned with ABET learning outcomes and AAC&U high-impact educational practices. It also identifies methods for overcoming institutional barriers and challenges to implementing assessment initiatives. The book begins with an overview of the assessment theory, presents examples of real-world applications, and includes key assessment resources throughout. In addition, the book covers six basic themes: Use of assessment to improve student learning and educational programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels Understanding and applying ABET criteria to accomplish differing program and institutional missions Illustration of evaluation/assessment activities that can assist faculty in improving undergraduate and graduate courses and programs Description of tools and methods that have been demonstrated to improve the quality of degree programs and maintain accreditation Using high-impact educational practices to maximize student learning Identification of methods for overcoming institutional barriers and challenges to implementing assessment initiative A practical guide to the field of engineering and engineering technology, Introduction to Engineering: An Assessment and Problem-Solving Approach serves as an aid to both instructor and student in developing competencies and skills required by ABET and AAC&U.