cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of efficacy and reactive gas species generation for orange juice decontamination using high voltage atmospheric cold plasma

While multiple studies have demonstrated atmospheric cold plasma as an effective non-thermal technology for eliminating bacteria, spores, and biological contaminants from food and non-food surfaces1, few report the application of this technique to liquid food within a package2,3. In this study, we use plasma spectroscopy to characterize the high voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP)2 generated by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in orange juice (OJ) within a package containing either air or modified atmosphere (MA65). We also evaluate the effectiveness of HVACP for decontaminating Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) in OJ. We exposed 50 ml of OJ both directly and indirectly to 90 kV for up to 120 s and used optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and optical absorption spectroscopy (OAS) to characterize the reactive gas species (RGS). The sample was stored in a refrigerator at 4°C for 24 h following treatment. Conductivity, pH and hydrogen peroxide content was measured before and after the treatments. Treating 50 ml of OJ containing S. Typhi for 120 s with direct treatment resulted in a 2.9 log10 reduction in air and a 4.2 log10 reduction in MA65 24 h after treatment. Using indirect treatment resulted in a 3.8 log10 reduction in MA65. OES and OAS indicated that the levels of OH, N2, N2+, and O− generated in OJ varied with package gas and whether the application was direct or indirect. These differences in RGS between fill gases and contact methods may impact the decontamination efficiency of S. Typhi in OJ. The implications of RGS on microorganism decontamination and potential plasmas systems will be discussed.
Evolving adaptable service oriented solutions for development through citizen observatory portals

Bridging the digital divide has recently become the primary goals of any developing country as technology is increasingly being linked to development. Many developing countries have set up initiatives that focus on using Information Communication Technology (ICT) to bridge this gap in a visible future. However, a lot still needs to be done in ensuring that ICT solutions are relevant. Service Oriented technology offers a great opportunity to create and provide flexible solutions that can evolve to address changing environmental needs that often hinder the use of ICT for development. Moreover, there is a growing interest in Autonomic Computing Research, which is aimed at addressing the challenges presented by ICT solutions that cannot adapt to the user's environment. In view of this we propose a model for creating adaptable applications through the use of service oriented techniques that can be used for information access.
Steady-state control performance modeling and simulation analysis for grid-connected PV inverter

Because photovoltaic (PV) power generation has characteristics of volatility and randomness, with large-scale PV power generation connected to the grid, it will effect the safe and stable operation of power gird. It is necessary to establish an accurate grid-connected PV inverter model to carry out a reliable load flow analysis calculations. Under the steady-state, grid-connected PV inverter control performance mainly includes the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control, active power set point control, active power reduction control with increases in grid frequency, reactive power control, protection control, etc. In the paper, using DIgSILENT/ Powerfactory software to establish a 500kW three-phase grid-connected PV inverter model. The PV inverter model can give expression to the steady-state control strategy, carried out simulation analysis according to different control modes. The paper verifies the accuracy of the PV inverter model, combined with laboratory type testing data.
A pragmatic approach to adaptive antennas and space-time adaptive processing (STAP)

Summary form only given. In the conventional adaptive beamforming methodology typically weights are connected to each one of the antenna element in the array and the processing information is generated over time, as the correlation matrix of the data needs to be formed. Some of the problems associated with this procedure is that because of the formation of the covariance matrix and evaluation of its inverse it is difficult to carry it out in real time and its inverse may be computationally unstable if the signal to noise ratio is large. It is difficult to handle coherent multipaths in this methodology unless some additional processing is carried out. This article presents a novel methodology utilizing the direct data domain approach based on the spatial samples for the efficient computation of the adaptive weights in a phased array system. In this approach, the adaptive analysis is done on a snapshot-by-snapshot basis and therefore nonstationary environments can be handled quite easily including the coherent multipath environment. This is in contrast to conventional adaptive techniques where processing is done by taking the time averages as opposed to spatial averages. This approach is unlike the conventional statistical based techniques by eliminating the requirement of an interference covariance matrix and representing a rethinking of the entire conventional approach to adaptive processing. This approach provides greater flexibility in solving a wider class of problems at the expense of a slightly reduced number of degrees of freedom. Also in most adaptive processing the assumption that the target signal is coming from an exactly known direction will probably never be met in any real array. Or the adaptive array may be surveyed into location with small errors and thus the angle to the transmitter from the broadside of the array will be in error. Other applications of adaptive arrays will also have at least small errors in the direction of arrival of the desired signal. This article presents methodologies to treat this signal cancellation problem through the main beam constraints. Examples are presented to illustrate the applicability of this methodology to a wide class of problems. Finally, it is shown how to extend this methodology to two-dimensions, namely space-time adaptive processing (STAP). An example is presented to illustrate the detection of a saberliner tracked by an airborne forward looking radar in the presence of land, urban and sea-clutter.
Re-educating the Tumor Microenvironment in the Clinic

The tumor microenvironment plays a central role in lymphoproliferative disorders and constitution of the microenvironment is associated with patient outcome. Although malignant lymphocytes predominate, cells other than tumor cells are commonly present in malignant lymph nodes. These cells include T lymphocytes, NK cells, dendritic cells and monocytes that seem to be more than simple residual elements from the normal lymph node structure. It is thought that these infiltrating immune cells are part of an antitumor immune response, yet they appear unable to eradicate the malignant clone. Previous studies have shown however that multiple factors present in the tumor microenvironment oppose an effective antitumor immune response. Cells with suppressive function, including T regulatory cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells and suppressive monocytes, are abundant in lymphoma tissue. Suppressive cytokines such as TGFβ and IL-10 are highly expressed in tumors. Furthermore, intratumoral T-cell exhibit an exhausted phenotype with limited proliferation, cytokine production or cytolytic function. Recent therapeutic approaches have focused on overcoming T-cell suppression by activating T-cells or blocking inhibitory signals, thereby re-educating the suppressive tumor microenvironment. Clinical trial results with PD-1 and CTLA-4 directed antibodies in both non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma have been very promising. Overall response rates particularly in Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with anti-PD-1 antibodies have been remarkable, although complete responses have been uncommon. Current studies are in progress to confirm the initial results, and further trials will assess the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in combination with standard therapies. Disclosures Ansell: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celldex: Research Funding.
Anticancer Natural Compounds as Epigenetic Modulators of Gene Expression

Abstract: Accumulating evidence shows that hallmarks of cancer include: “genetic and epigenetic alterations leading to inactivation of cancer suppressors, overexpression of oncogenes, deregulation of intracellular signaling cascades, alterations of cancer cell metabolism, failure to undergo cancer cell death, induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, invasiveness, metastasis, deregulation of immune response and changes in cancer microenvironment, which underpin cancer development”. Natural compounds as bioactive ingredients isolated from natural sources (plants, fungi, marine life forms) have revolutionized the field of anticancer therapeutics and rapid developments in preclinical studies are encouraging. Natural compounds could affect the epigenetic molecular mechanisms that modulate gene expression, as well as DNA damage and repair mechanisms. The current review will describe the latest achievements in using naturally produced compounds targeting epigenetic regulators and modulators of gene transcription in vitro and in vivo to generate novel anticancer therapeutics.
A navigational guide to variable fitness: common methods of analysis, where they break down, and what you can do instead

Our methods for analyzing stochastic fitness are mostly approximations, and the assumptions behind these approximations are not always well understood. Furthermore, many of these approximations break down when fitness variance is high. This review covers geometric mean growth, diffusion approximations, and Markov processes. It discusses where each is appropriate, the conditions under which they break down, and their advantages and disadvantages, with special attention to the case of high fitness variance. A model of sessile and site-attached coastal species is used as a running example, and fully worked calculations and code are provided. Summary: The logarithm of geometric mean growth is usually only appropriate when (a) an invader growth rate is needed and (b) fitness variability is driven by environmental fluctuations. The usual approximation breaks down when fitness variance is high. Diffusion approximations can provide a reasonable guide to the expected change in frequency over a time step if expected fitnesses and fitness variances are appropriately scaled by the average expected fitness. Diffusion approximations can perform less well for fixation probabilities, especially since further approximations may be required. Fixation probabilities can be calculated exactly using a Markov process, regardless of how large fitness variance is, although an analytic expression is frequently not possible. If an analytic expression is desired, it may be worth using a diffusion approximation and checking it with a Markov process calculation.
A tri-serine cluster within the topoisomerase IIα-interaction domain of the BLM helicase is required for regulating chromosome breakage in human cells

The recQ-like helicase BLM interacts directly with topoisomerase IIα to regulate chromosome breakage in human cells. We demonstrate that a phosphosite tri-serine cluster (S577/S579/S580) within the BLM topoisomerase IIα-interaction region is required for this function. Enzymatic activities of BLM and topoisomerase IIα are reciprocally stimulated in vitro by ten-fold for topoisomerase IIα decatenation/relaxation activity and three-fold for BLM unwinding of forked DNA duplex substrates. A BLM transgene encoding alanine substitutions of the tri-serine cluster in BLM-/- transfected cells increases micronuclei, DNA double strand breaks and anaphase ultra-fine bridges (UFBs), and decreases cellular co-localization of BLM with topoisomerase IIα. In vitro, these substitutions significantly reduce the topoisomerase IIα-mediated stimulation of BLM unwinding of forked DNA duplexes. Substitution of the tri-serine cluster with aspartic acids to mimic serine phosphorylation reverses these effects in vitro and in vivo. Our findings implicate the modification of this BLM tri-serine cluster in regulating chromosomal stability.
Parsimonious Tomography: Optimizing Cost-Identifiability Trade-off for Probing-based Network Monitoring

Network tomography using end-to-end probes provides a powerful tool for monitoring the performance of internal network elements. However, active probing can generate tremendous traffic, which degrades the overall network performance. Meanwhile, not all the probing paths contain useful information for identifying the link metrics of interest. This observation motivates us to study the optimal selection of monitoring paths to balance identifiability and probing cost. Assuming additive link metrics (e.g., delays), we consider four closely-related optimization problems: 1) Max-ILCost that maximizes the number of identifiable links under a probing budget, 2) Max-Rank-Cost that maximizes the rank of selected paths under a probing budget, 3) Min-Cost-IL that minimizes the probing cost while preserving identifiability, and 4) Min-Cost-Rank that minimizes the probing cost while preserving rank. While (1) and (3) are hard to solve, (2) and (4) are easy to solve, and the solutions give a good approximation for (1) and (3). Specifically, we provide an optimal algorithm for (4) and a (1?1/e)-approximation algorithm for (2). We prove that the solution for (4) provides tight upper/lower bounds on the minimum cost of (3), and the solution for (2) provides upper/lower bounds on the maximum identifiability of (1). Our evaluations on real topologies show that solutions to the rank-based optimization (2, 4) have superior performance in terms of the objectives of the identifiability-based optimization (1, 3), and our solutions can reduce the total probing cost by an order of magnitude while achieving the same monitoring performance.
Ultra-Low Loss Si 3 N 4 Planar Waveguide Platform and Applications

The ultra low-loss Si 3 N 4 /Oxide on silicon waveguide platform has yielded a wide range of passive and active components that open up new PIC applications. Delay lines, 3D stacking, gratings, filters, gain, lasers, resonators and switches open new designs for applications including lasers, tunable filters, adaptive dispersion compensators and optical gyroscopes.
Integration of Insect and Mite Management With Disease and Weed Control in Pecan Production

Pecan orchards in the southeastern US are managed to conserve resources, protect the fruit and foliage from injury caused by phytophagous insects, mites, and pecan scab, and remove competition from weeds during the establishment of newly planted trees and in the preparation of the orchard floor as a harvesting surface. Costs associated with pest control are significant each year and the growers use integrated pest management methods to increase the effectiveness of pesticide treatments and reduce control costs. A coordinated research and extension effort over the past 25 years in entomology, plant pathology, weed science and horticulture has reduced the amount of pesticide use by 35%. Four advances have been responsible for the reduction. First, pecan scab sprays are reduced by linking the frequency of applications to the climatic conditions and the cultivar susceptibiltiy. Second, pest-specific insecticides that are toxic to the pests and not toxic to beneficial insects and mites are used to control lepidopterous pests and conserve aphidophagous insects and mite predators. Third, cover crops have been developed to supplement the soil with nitrogen and organic matter and conserve beneficial insects. Fourth, weed studies have led to the elimination of weeds in the first 8 years after planting around young trees, chemical mowing methods in established orchards and selective grass control to increase the growth of clover cover crops. The development and implementation of these and other significant advances in pecan management are reviewed in this chapter.
Local Singular Variation of Domain for Semilinear Elliptic Equations

We prove domain perturbation results for semilinear elliptic equations subject to Neumann or Robin boundary conditions. We consider perturbations of a given domain localized near a set of capacity zero. In this case results can be proved which do not in general hold for Neumann boundary conditions.
Further Results on Banach Spaces

In this chapter we will take a closer look at normed and Banach spaces. In a generic metric space there need not be any way to “add” points in the space, but a normed space is a vector space, so we can form linear combinations of vectors. Moreover, because we also have a notion of limits we can go even further and define infinite series of vectors (which are limits of partial sums of the series).
Assembling narratives: Tensions in collaborative construction of knowledge

Scientific and scholarly research is heterogeneous in that divergent viewpoints, and different interests must be brought together to achieve coherent accounts of research. The tensions caused by this multiplicity of interests and singularity of output frame most collaborative research practice. The goal of present study is to identify areas of tension in such collaborative and heterogeneous efforts. To this end, the present study investigates the co‐construction of archeological narrative at one of the largest multinational archeological campaigns in the world, the Catalhoyuk project in Turkey. This study conceptualizes archeological narratives as epistemic assemblages. Following Actor Network theorists, the archeological process is conceptualized as a series of translation processes (of heterogeneous engineering) that inscribe the found material remains of archeological investigation into a narrative. This complex process takes place within a heterogeneous sociotechnical network. This study decomposes this heterogeneous network to identify the areas of tension and struggle. Two sources of such tensions are identified as fragmentation and fault lines. Overcoming fragmentation and fault lines is key for the success of heterogeneous scientific work and maintaining productive scientific collaboration. The findings of this study have applications beyond archeology and can inform the design of cyberinfrastructure for heterogeneous collaborations.
Dual threshold neural closed loop deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease patients.

Abstract Background Closed loop deep brain stimulation (clDBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) using subthalamic (STN) neural feedback has been shown to be efficacious only in the acute post-operative setting, using externalized leads and stimulators. Objective To determine feasibility of neural (N)clDBS using the clinical implanted neurostimulator (Activa™ PC + S, FDA IDE approved) and a novel beta dual threshold algorithm in tremor and bradykinesia dominant PD patients on chronic DBS. Methods 13 PD subjects (20 STNs), on open loop (ol)DBS for 22 ± 7.8 months, consented to NclDBS driven by beta (13–30 Hz) power using a dual threshold algorithm, based on patient specific therapeutic voltage windows. Tremor was assessed continuously, and bradykinesia was evaluated after 20 min of NclDBS using a repetitive wrist flexion-extension task (rWFE). Total electrical energy delivered (TEED) on NclDBS was compared to olDBS using the same active electrode. Results NclDBS was tolerated for 21.67 [21.10–26.15] minutes; no subject stopped early. Resting beta band power was measurable and similar between tremor and bradykinesia dominant patients. NclDBS improved bradykinesia and tremor while delivering only 56.86% of the TEED of olDBS; rWFE velocity (p = 0.003) and frequency (p Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate that STN NclDBS is feasible, efficacious and more efficient than olDBS in tremor and bradykinesia dominant PD patients, on long-term DBS, using an implanted clinical neurostimulator and driven by beta power with a novel dual threshold algorithm, based on customized therapeutic voltage windows.
Intermolecular Reactions of Pyridyl Radicals with Olefins via Photoredox Catalysis.

Pyridines are valuable motifs in a number of bioactive and functional molecules. The chemoselective functionalization of these structures from stable and widely available starting materials is a meaningful goal. We have demonstrated selective formation of pyridyl radicals at any position (2-, 3-, 4-pyridyl), through the action of a reducing photoredox catalyst. These radicals readily engage alkenes to deliver high-value products. Alteration of the reaction medium has enabled the use of a diverse range of alkene subtypes in a highly divergent and chemoselective manner. 1 Introduction 2 Minisci-Type Pyridine Alkylation 3 An Alternate Approach – Reductive Radical Formation 4 Conjugate Addition of Pyridyl Radicals 5 Radical Hydroarylation of Neutral and Rich Olefins 6 Solvent-Based Chemoselectivity 7 Summary and Outlook
Proactive Vs Reactive Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Infliximab in Crohn's Disease: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in a Simulated Cohort

Background Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is increasingly performed for Infliximab (IFX) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Reactive TDM is a cost-effective strategy to empiric IFX dose escalation. The cost-effectiveness of proactive TDM is unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of proactive vs reactive TDM in a simulated population of CD patients on IFX. Methods We developed a stochastic simulation model of CD patients on IFX and evaluated the expected health costs and outcomes of a proactive TDM strategy compared with a reactive strategy. The proactive strategy measured IFX concentration and antibody status every 6 months, or at the time of a flare, and dosed IFX to a therapeutic window. The reactive strategy only did so at the time of a flare. Results The proactive strategy led to fewer flares than the reactive strategy. More patients stayed on IFX in the proactive vs reactive strategy (63.4% vs 58.8% at year 5). From a health sector perspective, a proactive strategy was marginally cost-effective compared with a reactive strategy (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $146,494 per quality-adjusted life year), assuming a 40% of the wholesale price of IFX. The results were most sensitive to risk of flaring with a low IFX concentration and the cost of IFX. Conclusions Assuming 40% of the average wholesale acquisition cost of biologic therapies, proactive TDM for IFX is marginally cost-effective compared with a reactive TDM strategy. As the cost of infliximab decreases, a proactive monitoring strategy is more cost-effective.
Impact of Teratoma on the Cumulative Incidence of Disease-Related Death in Patients With Advanced Germ Cell Tumors.

PURPOSEIn men with metastatic germ cell tumors (GCTs), risk-directed treatment is determined, in part, by a distinction between seminoma and nonseminomatous GCT (NSGCT). The importance of NSGCT cel...
Gifts and Ghosts: A Derridean Reading of Theravada Communities

Because Europeans have shaped scholarly discourse about Southeast Asia and Buddhism, movement away from understanding “pure” Theravada Buddhism through religious and philosophical doctrine was a technique to decenter Western readings and shows how practitioners shaped their own beliefs. Stanley Tambiah called for academics to pay more attention to common beliefs of laypeople and everyday practices of monks. This, in turn, placed anthropologists at the center of collecting knowledge about Theravada Buddhism. Yet French philosophers continued, through their theories, to influence the structure of anthropological analysis of Theravada cultures, particular through gift exchanges. In this paper, I will explore ways Derrida’s theories of gifts and ghosts can add to anthropological studies of Southeast Asian communities while also helping to recover philosophical and ethical components of Theravada practices.
Size-independent peak efficiency of III-nitride micro-light-emitting-diodes using chemical treatment and sidewall passivation

Micro-light-emitting-diodes (?LEDs) with size-independent peak external quantum efficiency behavior was demonstrated from 10×10 ?malt;supagt;2alt;/supagt; to 100×100 ?malt;supagt;2alt;/supagt; by employing a combination of chemical treatment and atomic-layer deposition (ALD) sidewall passivation. The chemical treatment and sidewall passivation improved the ideality factors of ?LEDs from 3.4 to 2.5. The results from the combination of chemical treatment and ALD sidewall passivation suggest the issue of size dependent efficiency can be resolved with proper sidewall treatments after dry etching.
Neanderthals, Bears and Hyenas, oh my! competition for exclusive use of space

Pleistocene cave sediments present a complex geological, paleontological and archaeological record. Cave strata represent long time-averaged depositional processes that reflect substantial climatic variation. Parsing the occupation of caves by hominids and carnivores during the Middle Palaeolithic is one of the challenges of taphonomic research. Both groups served as accumulators of animal bone in what became palimpsests of repeated occupations. These are low-resolution deposits, making it difficult to discern patterning and spatial organization or the relationship between hominids and carnivores. The Grotte du Bison, Arcy-sur-Cure, France contains a well documented sequence of occupations by Neanderthals and other carnivores within a long geologic sequence that reflects climatic variation. This paper explores the periodicity and frequency of use of the cave by different species over time. Data suggest a low frequency of habitation by hominids and more frequent occupation by hyenas and other large carnivores during the Mousterian, with little inter-species competition for space at any given time. Later in the sequence, during the Châtelperronian, data indicate exclusive occupation by Neanderthals, followed by abandonment of the space to hibernating bears, with a shift in occupation by humans to the neighboring Grotte du Renne.
What’s love got to do with it? The emotional language of early Zionism

This article looks to European Jewry between the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to illuminate the role of love in a modern nationalist movement. In the third quarter of the nineteenth...
COnfigurable Network Protocol Accelerator (COPA) † : An Integrated Networking/Accelerator Hardware/Software Framework

Modern FPGAs are more than just “gate arrays” – they offer hardware acceleration capabilities and advanced features that include High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), Cache/Memory coherent/IO interconnect (CXL/PCIe), high speed transceivers, and embedded processors. Unfortunately, lack of a standardized hardware/software infrastructure has relegated FPGAs to being second-class citizens under the control of a host platform rather than being compute/network accelerator nodes with SmartNIC capabilities. This stands in the way of broader deployment of FPGAs in a wide variety of distributed/heterogenous platforms.Intel’s COnfigurable Network Protocol Accelerator (COPA) addresses this challenge and provides a customizable framework that integrates communication with computation on an FPGA platform. The FPGA incorporates SmartNIC capabilities and functions as an “autonomous” node that attaches to the network. In this paper, we provide an overview of COPA architecture and the acceleration modes that it supports. The hardware component provides the necessary networking/accelerator infrastructure while the software component of COPA abstracts the underlying FPGA from the application or middleware. The API is based on an open standard network API (OFI) that has been extended for COPA to expose the various acceleration modes to software. Given the lack of a standard API for SmartNICs, the extended OFI can also potentially serve that purpose and efforts are underway to upstream the changes.COPA has been implemented on different variants of Stratix10 FPGAs. Multiple COPA FPGAs can autonomously connect to a standard 100GigE switching network with the ability to mix-and-match FPGA variants to this network. Both inline and lookaside accelerator functions are also supported. The framework has been validated by microbenchmarks as well as proxy benchmarks that mimic the behavior of client/server flows – and achieves bandwidths close to 100Gbps when acceleration is enabled.
Investigation of the optical and sensing characteristics of nanoparticle arrays for high temperature applications

Monitoring polluting gases such as CO and NO x emitted from gas turbines in power plants and aircraft is important, in order to both reduce the effects of such gases on the environment as well as to optimize the performance of the respective power system. Fuel cost savings as well as a reduced environmental impact can be realized if air traffic utilized next generation jet turbines with an emission/performance control sensing system. These monitoring systems must be sensitive and selective to gases as well as be reliable and stable under harsh environmental conditions where the operation temperatures are in excess of 500 °C within a highly reactive environment. In this work, plasmonics based chemical sensors with nanocomposites of a combination of gold nano particles and Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) has enabled the sensitive (PPM) and stable detection (100s of hrs.) of H 2 , NO 2 and CO at temperatures of 500 °C. Selectivity remains a challenging parameter to optimize and a layer by layer sputter deposition approach has been recently demonstrated to modify the resulting sensing properties through a change in the morphology of the deposited films. It is expected that further enhancements would be realized through control of the shape and geometry of the catalytically active Au nanoparticles. This level of control has been realized through the use of electron beam lithography to fabricate nanocomposite arrays. Sensing results towards the detection of H2 will be highlighted with specific concerns related to optimization of these nanorod arrays detailed.
Looking at education through the microscope

Advanced research microscopes in universities can be used to enhance the education of STEM students, as demonstrated by initiatives at Johns Hopkins University that give students the opportunity to get hands-on experience with sophisticated microscopes.
Bio-Inspired Distance Estimation using the Self-Induced Acoustic Signature of a Motor-Propeller System

In this paper we propose an algorithm to actively control the distance of a motor-propeller system (MPS) to a large obstacle using data from a single microphone. The method is based upon a broadband constructive/destructive interference pattern across the audible frequency band that is present when the MPS is near an obstacle. By taking the difference between the power spectrum in the obstacle-free case and the spectrum when recording near an obstacle, a broadband oscillation with respect to frequency is revealed. The frequency of this oscillation is linearly-related to the distance from the microphone to the wall. We present both static and dynamic experiments showcasing the ability of the proposed method to estimate the distance to a wall as well as actively control it.
Conceptual and Application Considerations of Emotionally Focused Therapy With White Heterosexual Working-Class Rural Males:

Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported approach to couple’s therapy and offers a clear structure and map for working with this population. There are few publications in the r...
A maximum-likelihood method for improving faint source flux and color estimates

Flux estimates for faint sources or transients are systematically biased high because there are far more truly faint sources than bright. Corrections which account for this effect are presented as a function of signal-to-noise ratio and the (true) slope of the faint-source number-flux relation. The corrections depend on the source being originally identified in the image in which it is being photometered. If a source has been identified in other data, the corrections are different; a prescription for calculating the corrections is presented. Implications of these corrections for analyses of surveys are discussed; the most important is that sources identified at signal-to-noise ratios of four or less are practically useless.
Big City Living: A Global Meta-Analysis Reveals Positive Impact of Urbanization on Body Size in Lizards

Urban environments pose different selective pressures than natural ones, leading to changes in animal behavior, physiology, and morphology. Understanding how animals respond to urbanization could inform the management of urban habitats. Non-avian reptiles have important roles in ecosystems worldwide, yet their responses to urbanization have not been as comprehensively studied as those of mammals and birds. However, unlike mammals and birds, most reptiles cannot easily move away from disturbances, making the selective pressure to adapt to urban environments especially strong. In recent years, there has been a surge in research on the responses of lizards to urbanization, yet no formal synthesis has determined what makes an urban lizard, in other words, which phenotypic traits are most likely to change with urbanization and in which direction? Here, we present a qualitative synthesis of the literature and a quantitative phylogenetic meta-analysis comparing phenotypic traits between urban and non-urban lizard populations. The most robust finding from our analysis is that urban lizards are larger than their non-urban counterparts. This result remained consistent between sexes and taxonomic groups. Hence, lizards that pass through the urban filter have access to better resources, more time for foraging, and/or there is selection on attaining a larger body size. Other results included an increase in the diameters of perches used and longer limb and digit lengths, although this may be a result of increased body size. Urban lizards were not bolder, more active or exploratory, and did not differ in immune responses than non-urban populations. Overall, studies are biased to a few geographic regions and taxa. More than 70% of all data came from three species of anoles in the family Dactyloidae, making it difficult to generalize patterns to other clades. Thus, more studies are needed across multiple taxa and habitats to produce meaningful predictions that could help inform conservation and management of urban ecological communities.
High Current Density in Monolayer MoS2 Doped by AlOx.

Semiconductors require stable doping for applications in transistors, optoelectronics, and thermoelectrics. However, this has been challenging for two-dimensional (2D) materials, where existing approaches are either incompatible with conventional semiconductor processing or introduce time-dependent, hysteretic behavior. Here we show that low-temperature ( 2 × 1013 cm-2, sheet resistance as low as ∼7 kΩ/□, and good contact resistance ∼480 Ω·μm in transistors from monolayer MoS2 grown by chemical vapor deposition. We also reach record current density of nearly 700 μA/μm (>110 MA/cm2) along this three-atom-thick semiconductor while preserving transistor on/off current ratio >106. The maximum current is ultimately limited by self-heating (SH) and could exceed 1 mA/μm with better device heat sinking. With their 0.1 nA/μm off-current, such doped MoS2 devices approach several low-power transistor metrics required by the international technology roadmap.
Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor: Case report of a rare pathologic diagnosis

Abstract Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor (MVNT) is a unique lesion first characterized in 2013. We report a case of MVNT in a 34-year-old male with a longstanding history of mood instability who presented after new onset seizure-like activity characterized by auditory and visual hallucinations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a non-enhancing, T2 hyperintense mass in the right anterior temporal lobe. The patient underwent right frontotemporal craniotomy, anterior temporal lobectomy, and amygdalohippocampectomy for resection of the tumor. Microscopic sections of the mass demonstrated lower cortical/subcortical nodular aggregates of “neuronal-type” tumor cells with eosinophilic and multivacuolated cytoplasm. The tumor cells diffusely infiltrated the hippocampus, but the normal neurons of the dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis remained intact. Synaptophysin and neurofilament protein immunostains confirmed the neuronal phenotype of the tumor cells
Searching for Dark Matter with an Optomechanical Accelerometer

We show that a silicon nitride optomechanical membrane, acting as an ac-celerometer, can be used to search for dark matter.
Lady Gaga and the sociology of fame: the rise of a pop star in an age of celebrity

Lady Gaga’s meteoric rise to fame in the late aughts ushered a true pop superstar into the cultural zeitgeist. The artist knew, seemingly intuitively, how to exploit the attention economy to her ad...
Bankers' Communication Know-how: An Analysis from Commercial Banks of Kathmandu valley

Background: In the modern era, communication has changed the way of working styles, banking sectors are practicing banking communication in order to make work easier, faster, comfortable and accurate. Banking communication plays the role of mediator in between bank, customer, government, shareholder, suppliers, client, board of directors and employees which strengthen connection between them. Therefore, banker's experience on banking communication enhances banking system, employee's behavior and core banking service facilities management. Objective: This study analyses socio demographic, financial service management, human resource management, corporate influence, organizational regulator, communication culture, responsiveness, organizational culture, e-banking service facilities, organizational functioning and communication encounters. Methodology: This study is based on exploratory research design showing causal relationship between latent and observed variables. The research prepares systematic questionnaire to interview respondents where 355 employees are interviewed by using purposive sampling technique. The result is based on descriptive analysis and Awareness Index. Results: The Employees Awareness Index depicts 12% of employees are inadequately aware about banking communication followed by 46% of employees are moderately aware and 37% of employees are adequately aware about banking communication. Conclusion: This study revealed that, in order to improve banking system, the bank should focus on financial service management and organizational regulator. For smooth control on employee's behavior bank should concentrate on communication culture, responsiveness and organizational culture. Similarly, core banking service facilities management should overview on e-banking service facilities.
Official Japanese intervention in foreign exchange markets: Leaning against the wind?

Abstract Several recent studies have suggested that official Japanese intervention in foreign exchange markets is limited to simple ‘leaning against the wind’. This note provides evidence, however, that Bank of Japan intervention is systematically biased against yen appreciation.
Nonoperative Management of Solid Abdominal Visceral Injury: Part I. Spleen:

The relatively recent recognition of the immunological consequences of splenectomy in both children and adults, coupled with an increased use of noninvasive methods of detecting splenic injuries, h...
Sensible heat flux estimated from one‐level air temperature near the land surface

[1] A new method for estimating sensible heat flux from one-level measurements of air temperature in the atmospheric surface layer is presented. An analytical solution of the heat transfer equation with a variable diffusion coefficient has been derived to express the vertical gradient of air temperature in terms of the time series of air temperature at a single height level. The case study indicates that the new method is able to give reasonable estimates of sensible heat flux using near surface air temperature measurements.
Impacts of Plug-in Electric Vehicles on local distribution feeders

This study investigates the impacts of Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEV) on end-service local distribution feeders. The results show that the PEV charging depresses the feeder voltages significantly and increase the feeder power losses up to 16.7 times. The voltage stress is more profound at the end of the feeder or at the point where many PEV are connected. The most noticeable impact of the PEV is that they can prohibit the customer motor-based appliances normal operation where the motors may either stall or trip offline. Furthermore, dynamic simulation suggests that PEV switching slows down the load power step-up and causes reactive power oscillation.
Impaired transport of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and the metabolic memory phenomenon associated with the progression of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetes damages retinal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and compromises the mtDNA transcription. In the transcription and replication of mtDNA, nuclear-encoded transcription factor A (TFAM) is considered as a key activator, and we have shown that in diabetes while retinal TFAM gene expression is increased, its mitochondrial levels are decreased. This study investigates the role of mitochondrial outer and inner membrane transport systems in the transfer of TFAM into the mitochondria in diabetes, and how reversal of hyperglycemia affects the ability of TFAM to reach to the mitochondria. Components of membrane transport system, Tom70, Tom40, Tim23 and Tim44, were analyzed in the retina from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats maintained in poor control (PC) or in good control (GC) for 8 months, or in PC for 4 months followed by in GC for 4 months (Rev). The binding of TFAM with Tom70 and Tim44 was determined by co-immunoprecipitation, and that with mtDNA by ChIP. Retinal expressions of Tom70, Tom40 and Tim44 were significantly decreased in diabetes, and the binding of TFAM with Tom70, Tim44 and mtDNA were impaired. Reversal of hyperglycemia had no beneficial effect on decreased binding of TFAM and Tom proteins and mtDNA. Thus, subnormal membrane transport system in diabetes impairs the transfer of TFAM into the mitochondria, and decreased TFAM-mtDNA binding results in subnormal mitochondria transcription. These processes continue to be dysfunctional even after the hyperglycemic insult is terminated. Strategies targeting mitochondrial membrane transport proteins could have potential in improving mitochondrial biogenesis and slowing/halting the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
A Field-Based Technique for Teaching about Habitat Fragmentation and Edge Effects

Abstract This article presents a field technique that exposes students to the indirect effects of habitat fragmentation on plant distributions through studying edge effects. This assignment, suited for students in an introductory biogeography or resource geography class, increases students' knowledge of basic biogeographic concepts such as environmental gradients and disturbance in addition to formulating research questions and design. In this exercise, fieldwork can be implemented with simple tools that are easily obtainable and found in most physical geography labs. In this example, student response to the exercise was positive; they indicated that the exercise was a fun and interactive way to learn fundamental biogeographic concepts.
Drinking water: A geochemical factor in human health

Water that is drunk primarily to slake thirst may also supply major, and especially minor or trace elements, nutritionally essential to good health and longevity. Of the 14 trace elements known to be essential for human beings (Schwarz, 1974), apparently some are significantly more readily assimilated from water than from food. Modern, municipal water-treatment plants condition water more for the sake of the steam boiler, laundry, and industry (the large volume users) than for the stomach. This paper considers water for drinking purposes from the perspective of health benefits. Means are explored by which healthful drinking water may be formulated. The use of glacial milk, essentially an aqueous extract (solution and suspension) of rocks, by the natives of Hunza, West Pakistan, has been cited as a major factor contributing to purported excellent health and unusual longevity of those peoples. A suspension of rock flour can supply not only immediately assimilable substances in solution, but also continuous, delayed-action, mineral-nutrient reserves after ingestion. Cooperative effort between geologists knowledgeable about water and nutritionists knowing the needs for optimum human health should upgrade the role of drinking water in human health and longevity.
The pathology of total joint arthroplasty.II. Mechanisms of implant failure.

Although the clinical results of total joint arthroplasty are usually excellent, some implants develop loosening and require revision. Implants usually fail by a combination of mechanisms, but different basic designs tend to show different dominant mechanisms of failure. Infection causes failure of about 1–5% of cases of primary arthroplasty. Clues to the presence of infection include clinical signs, a periosteal reaction, a positive culture of aspirated joint fluid, and acute inflammation identified in tissue around the implant. There are several different mechanisms and modes of implant wear, and perhaps the most important cause of aseptic loosening is an inflammatory reaction to particles of wear debris. Abrasive, adhesive, and fatigue wear of polyethylene, metal and bone cement produces debris particles that induce bone resorption and implant loosening. Particles can cause linear, geographic, or erosive patterns of bone resorption (osteolysis), the distributions of which are influenced by the implant design. Micromotion of implants that did not achieve adequate initial fixation is another important mechanism of loosening. Fatigue failure at the bone/cement and bone/implant interface may cause aseptic loosening, and may be especially important for implants with relatively smooth surfaces. Stress shielding can influence local bone density, but is rarely an isolated cause of implant loosening. Elevated hydrodynamic pressure has been associated with bone resorption in the absence of implants, and may also play a role in implant loosening.