cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are nonrenormalizable theories really unrenormalizable

Using scalar field theories as illustrative models, we elaborate on a previous proposal for rendering amplitudes in perturbation theory manifestly finite by expanding in terms of propagators of perturbed dimensions. We first considerρ4, then we apply our scheme toρ6 and, finally, we comment on the general case ofρn,n≥4 and even. As in the usual approach to perturbation theory, we observe deviations from naive scaling of the amplitudes. But in this scheme, these deviations are due to the nonnaive scaling behavior of the momentum variables.
Cognitive Therapy Techniques for Children and Adolescents: Tools for Enhancing Practice.

Robert D. Friedberg, Jessica M. McClure, & Jolene Hillwig Garcia, New York: Guilford Press, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-60623-313-9 Cognitive Therapy Techniques for Children and Adolescents: Tools for Enhanc...
Differences Among Veterinary Students’ and Faculty Members’ Perceptions of Appropriate Interactions with Corporate Entities at One US College of Veterinary Medicine

Colleges of veterinary medicine are developing conflict of interest (COI) policies to guide interactions with corporate entities. This study examines differences in student and faculty opinions of acceptable behavior, via the newly developed Interaction with Corporate Entities scale. There were no differences among students based on program year; however, there were significant differences in how faculty and students rated 12/17 scenarios. In all instances, faculty felt the listed actions constituted less acceptable behavior than students did. Participants felt behaviors pertaining to indirect/non-monetary transfers presented a small risk of COI, while the situations pertaining to prescription misuse were flagged as problematic.
James G. Anderson Tribute.

The most important event in the history of atmospheric chemistry, and arguably environmental science, was the discovery and subsequent diagnosis of the Antarctic ozone hole. The pinnacle of that research was the “smoking gun” figure published by Anderson, Toohey, and Brune [Science, 1991, DOI: 10.1126/science.251.4989.39], reproduced here in Figure 1. That plot, based on measurements of chlorine monoxide (ClO), ozone (O_3), and other species on the NASA ER-2 aircraft in 1987, helped galvanize international resolve to remove reactive halogens from the stratosphere, leading first to the London amendments to the Montreal Protocol when the data were known in preliminary form and then to the Copenhagen amendments once the final results were published. Without that action, the global ramifications of ozone loss today would be catastrophic, and increases in the radiative forcing by chlorofluorcarbons would have led to even larger changes in global climate.
Estimation of design effects and diarrhea clustering within households and villages

The degree to which diarrheal disease clustered within households and within villages among preschool age children was examined using data from 4 population-based prevalence surveys undertaken in Malawi Zambia Indonesia and Nepal over the past decade. The design effect for each cluster survey was calculated using the diarrhea prevalence the cluster sizes and the magnitude of diarrhea clustering within the sampling unit (villages). A recently developed statistical method alternating logistic regression was used to estimate disease associations within households of up to 9 preschool age children residing within villages of up to 589 such children. Pairwise odds ratios estimating diarrhea clustering within villages ranged from 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.07) in Zambia to 2.19 (95% CI 1.73-2.78) in Indonesia. Design effects were strongly dependent on cluster size. The design effects for clusters of size 50 would have ranged from 1.38 to 4.73. Pairwise odds ratios for diarrhea clustering within households ranged from 1.88 (95% CI 1.61-2.19) in Nepal to 10.05 (95% CI 8.46-11.94) in Indonesia. Household odds ratios were always larger than village odds ratios. The village and household pairwise odds ratio adjusted for age the type of latrine used by the household and presence of a market in the village were slightly higher than the unadjusted odds ratios. Alternating logistic regression provided useful estimates of disease clustering within villages and household while allowing for covariate adjustment. (authors)
Stereotactic core needle biopsy of mammographic breast lesions as a viable alternative to surgical biopsy.

Background: Stereotactic needle biopsy technique has received considerable attention as a possible alternative to surgical biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions. The exact role of this procedure in the management of mammographic breast lesions has not yet been accurately defined.
Multiple Pure Tone Noise Prediction and Comparison with Static Engine Test Measurements

This paper presents an integrated numerical procedure to predict the generation, in-duct propagation, and radiation of multiple pure tone (MPT) noise of aircraft engines. Reynoldsaveraged Navier-Stokes (RANS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using part-annulus grids have been performed to resolve the non-uniform shock signature just upstream of the fan blades. A linear superposition method is then used to reconstruct the full-annulus pressure field using the part-annulus CFD results and the as-manufactured blade stagger angles measured by a coordinate-measuring machine. In order to account for the nonlinear propagation of the shock waves inside the nacelle, a one-dimensional model has been employed to simulate the propagation of MPT from upstream of the fan leading edge to the nacelle lip. For far-field propagation, a commercially available software ACTRAN/TM is used to linearly propagate the acoustic modes to far-field microphone locations. The entire analysis process has been applied to predict MPT noise of a typical high bypass ratio engine at operating conditions when the relative tip Mach number of the fan is transonic. Comparisons against static engine test measurement are made for in-duct, near-field, and far-field sound pressure levels. Good agreement has been observed between predictions and measured data.
UPWIND TRAVEL OF REFLECTED WAVES

Wind waves in a lake have been observed to reflect from a barrier and to travel upwind for considerable distances. A model has been devised which provides a means of predicting the decay of these waves as a function of wind speed and direction with respect to the barrier. Two floating bridges across a deep lake have formed a convenient, full-scale test basin for the formation and observation of the reflected waves under a range of wind speeds and directions. Wave characteristics have been measured to a limited extent by photographic means, a portable wave probe and visually to provide seme verification of the results computed from the model. The measured and the predicted wave heights and the zones influenced by the waves were found to be in general qualitative agreement.
Evaluation of Alternative Implementation Methods of a Failure Sampling Approach for Structural Reliability Analysis

AbstractIn this paper, several alternative approaches are used to implement the failure sampling method for structural reliability analysis and are evaluated for effectiveness. Although no theoretical limitation exists as to the types of problems that failure sampling can solve, the method is most competitive for problems that cannot be accurately solved with reliability-index-based approaches and for which simulation is needed. These problems tend to have nonsmooth limit-state boundaries or are otherwise highly nonlinear. Results from numerical integration and three extrapolation approaches using the generalized lambda distribution, Johnson’s distribution, and generalized extreme-value distribution are compared. A variety of benchmark limit-state functions were considered for evaluation where the number of random variables, degree of nonlinearity, and level of variance were varied. In addition, special limit-state functions as well as two complex engineering problems requiring nonlinear finite-element an...
"Dangerously Absent Dreamers": Genealogy, History and the Political Left in Vineland

In the presidential election year 1 984, the American liberal left, with gaping mouth, found itself having already experienced four years of a Reagan presidency, and about to face four more. How had America arrived at such a point, when only twenty years before, Goldwater's defeat had marked Reagan as a "staunch proponent of seemingly outdated ideas" (Dallek 30)? Where was that liberal activism when Reagan was elected in 1980, "with only 28 percent of the eligible vote" (60)? What kind of political environment would allow a former movie and television actor to assume the powerful role of president of the United States? In Vineland, Pynchon looks at America during that election year and elaborates, in the form of the genealogy of heroine Frenesi Gates, its political malaise through a narrative representation of the twentieth-century American left's history and cooptation. Although many factors contributed to eclipsing the left's influence, Pynchon focuses on the cultural apparatus that simultaneously excuses and lays blame on the victim/participant-the apparatus of radio, film and television, whereby viewers are interpellated, according to the Althusserian definition, and come to desire their own commodification. Finally, Pynchon encourages us to read Vineland through the lens of traditional family values, thus establishing a reading code which provides a framework and closure for the novel, suggesting to some readers "the possibility of redemption," "a yearning for transcendence" (Porush 98, 104), or a recuperated salvation (Hayles 77–91). Instead, however, this code functions as what Fredric Jameson describes as "a preparation for the principal narrative … [as] a means to a more unexpected end" (163). In the unconscious of this principal narrative, the reader discovers both a shady political presence looming like Vineland's absent monster that left its footprint where the Chipco lab used to be, and an indictment of the transcendent and the history that results from our turning toward it.
Visceral Pedagogy: Teaching Challenging Topics Emotionally as Well as Cognitively.

AbstractThis article explores the pedagogical implications of students' embodied and emotional reactions to difficult course material inside and outside of the classroom. Scholarship on teaching typically focuses on dimensions of students' cognitive engagement and development, yet geographical coursework often involves emotionally fraught topics: environmental cataclysm, poverty, inequality, oppression, (ill) health, etc. Instructors who anticipate their students' emotional experiences will be able to better engage with and use these experiences toward learning goals. Some topics may be most effectively taught through emotionally activated learning activities, prompting reflection on the role of visceral learning experiences in higher education.
Providing line-of-sight in a free-space-optics based data center architecture

To overcome the shortcomings of traditional static (wired) data center architectures, we recently proposed FireFly, a fully-flexible and fully-wireless data center network fabric based on free space optical (FSO) links. To facilitate a clear line-of-sight between the FSO devices placed on racks, FireFly uses a full-ceiling mirror for beam redirection. Use of a full-ceiling mirror imposes significant operational and infrastructural challenge and expense. The focus of our paper is to propose and evaluate alternative schemes to provide line-of-sight for FSO links in FireFly. In particular, we propose two schemes: (i) strategically placed multiple but small overhead mirrors, and (2) “towers” on top of racks, on which FSOs can be placed at regular heights. We develop comprehensive techniques for the above suggested schemes, and demonstrate the viability of these schemes by evaluating their performance using simulations for various performance metrics of interest.
World Wide W+W-

For CERN to have pushed the energy of their large electron-positron collider above the threshold for W+ and W- particle production is a fine achievement, for which I congratulate them. However, your article (August p12) ignores the rest of the world. At the Tevatron collider at Fermilab in the US, the CDF and the D0 experiments have together recorded about 200 000 W bosons and have measured its mass to be 80.41±0.18 GeV and 80.37±0.15 GeV respectively. These are errors of about 0.2%. High-energy physics is a worldwide undertaking and we should acknowledge fairly the achievements of all.
Nitrosothiol formation and S-nitrosation signaling through nitric oxide synthases.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous signaling molecule impacting many biological pathways. NO is produced in mammals by three nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms: neuronal (nNOS), endothelial (eNOS), and inducible (iNOS). nNOS and eNOS produce low concentrations of NO for paracrine signaling; NO produced and released from one cell diffuses to a neighboring cell where it binds and activates soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC). iNOS produces high concentrations of NO using NO toxicity to amplify the innate immune response. Recent work has also defined protein cysteine S-nitrosation as a pathway of sGC-independent NO signaling. Though many studies have shown that S-nitrosation regulates the activity of NOS isoforms and other proteins in vivo, many issues need to be resolved to establish S-nitrosation as a viable signaling mechanism. Several chemical mechanisms result in S-nitrosation including transition metal-catalyzed pathways, NO oxidation followed by thiolate reaction, and thiyl radical recombination with NO. Once formed, nitrosothiols can be transferred between cellular cysteine residues via transnitrosation reactions. However, it is largely unclear how these chemical processes result in selective S-nitrosation of specific cellular cysteine residues. S-nitrosation site selectivity may be imparted via direct interactions or colocalization with NOS isoforms that focus chemical or transnitrosation mechanisms of nitrosothiol formation or transfer. Here, we discuss chemical mechanisms of nitrosothiol formation, S-nitrosation of NOS isoforms, and potential S-nitrosation signaling cascades resulting from NOS S-nitrosation.
Considerations in Dysphagia Management Following Esophagectomy

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. Esophageal resection is the mainstay treatment for cancers of the esophagus. While curative, surgical resection may resu...
Controlling Swarms by Visual Demonstration

Agent-based modeling is a paradigm of modeling dynamic systems of interacting agents that are individually governed by specified behavioral rules. Training a model of such agents to produce an emergent behavior by specification of the emergent (as opposed to agent) behavior is easier from a demonstration perspective. While many approaches involve manual behavior specification via code or reliance on a defined taxonomy of possible behaviors, the meta-modeling framework in existing work generates mapping functions between agent-level parameters and swarm-level parameters which are re-usable once generated. This work builds on that framework by integrating demonstration by image or video. The demonstrator specifies spatial motion of the agents over time, and retrieves agent-level parameters required to execute that motion. The framework, at its core, uses computationally cheap image processing algorithms. Our work is tested with a combination of primitive visual feature extraction methods (contour area and shape) and features generated using a pre-trained deep neural network in different stages of image featurization. Experimental results show significant coherence between demonstrated behavior and predicted behavior based on estimated agent-level parameters specific to a class of behaviors (spatial arrangement of agents).
Dynamic behaviour of human neuroepithelial cells in the developing forebrain

To understand how diverse progenitor cells contribute to human neocortex development, we examined forebrain progenitor behaviour using timelapse imaging. Here we find that cell cycle dynamics of human neuroepithelial (NE) cells differ from radial glial (RG) cells in both primary tissue and in stem cell-derived organoids. NE cells undergoing proliferative, symmetric divisions retract their basal processes, and both daughter cells regrow a new process following cytokinesis. The mitotic retraction of the basal process is recapitulated by NE cells in cerebral organoids generated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells. In contrast, RG cells undergoing vertical cleavage retain their basal fibres throughout mitosis, both in primary tissue and in older organoids. Our findings highlight developmentally regulated changes in mitotic behaviour that may relate to the role of RG cells to provide a stable scaffold for neuronal migration, and suggest that the transition in mitotic dynamics can be studied in organoid models.
Small data well-posedness for derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equations

Abstract We study the local and global solutions of the generalized derivative nonlinear Schrodinger equation i ∂ t u + Δ u = P ( u , u ‾ , ∂ x u , ∂ x u ‾ ) , where each monomial in P is of degree 3 or higher, in low-regularity Sobolev spaces without using a gauge transformation. Instead, we use a solution decomposition technique introduced in [4] during the perturbative argument to deal with the loss on derivative in nonlinearity. It turns out that when each term in P contains only one derivative, the equation is locally well-posed in H 1 2 , otherwise we have a local well-posedness in H 3 2 . If each monomial in P is of degree 5 or higher, the solution can be extended globally. By restricting to equations to the form i ∂ t u + Δ u = ∂ x P ( u , u ‾ ) with the quintic nonlinearity, we were able to obtain the global well-posedness in the critical Sobolev space.
How to Set Up, Staff, and Fund Your Basic Science or Translational Research Laboratory

Establishing a basic or translational research laboratory is a substantial effort that requires commitment and advance planning but that can offer substantial rewards to the dedicated surgical investigator. This chapter will review the sorts of resources that will be required, including space, time, personnel, equipment, and mentorship. We will then further discuss various options in filling these needs as well as ways to acquire such resources, including intramural and extramural sources. Finally, we will briefly consider how to maintain the laboratory once it has been established and how to respond to unexpected setbacks.
Acute TMJ Dislocation and Technique of Manual Reduction

Temporomandibular joint dislocation accounts for 3% of all joint dislocations [1]. Most oral and maxillofacial surgeons, as well as many dental and emergency professionals, are likely to encounter a patient with acute TMJ dislocation in their career. With a similar presentation to open lock or subluxation, understanding the difference in history, clinical, and radiographic presentations can lead to earlier diagnosis and subsequent treatment. This chapter will focus on providing an understanding of the anatomy and pathology, as well as reviewing the different manual reduction techniques that can be used in the office or operating room settings.
Electrokinetic ion transport in nanofluidics and membranes with applications in bioanalysis and beyond

Electrokinetic transport of ions between electrolyte solutions and ion permselective solid media governs a variety of applications, such as molecular separation, biological detection, and bioelectronics. These applications rely on a unique class of materials and devices to interface the ionic and electronic systems. The devices built on ion permselective materials or micro-/nanofluidic channels are arranged to work with aqueous environments capable of either manipulating charged species through applied electric fields or transducing biological responses into electronic signals. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the application of electrokinetic ion transport using nanofluidic and membrane technologies. We start with an introduction into the theoretical basis of ion transport kinetics and their analogy to the charge transport in electronic systems. We continue with discussions of the materials and nanofabrication technologies developed to create ion permselective membranes and nanofluidic devices. Accomplishments from various applications are highlighted, including biosensing, molecular separation, energy conversion, and bio-electronic interfaces. We also briefly outline potential applications and challenges in this field.
Understanding Surgical Resident and Fellow Perspectives on Their Operative Performance Feedback Needs: A Qualitative Study

Objective Operative performance feedback is essential for surgical training. We aimed to understand surgical trainees′ views on their operative performance feedback needs and to characterize feedback to elucidate factors affecting its value from the resident perspective. Design Using a qualitative research approach, 2 research fellows conducted semistructured, one-on-one interviews with surgical trainees. We analyzed recurring themes generated during interviews related to feedback characteristics, as well as the extent to which performance rating tools can help meet trainees′ operative feedback needs. Setting Departments or divisions of general or plastic surgery at 9 US academic institutions. Participants Surgical residents and clinical fellows in general or plastic surgery. Results We conducted 30 interviews with 9 junior residents, 14 senior residents, and 7 clinical fellows. Eighteen (60%) participants were in plastic and 12 (40%) were in general surgery. Twenty-four participants (80%) reported feedback as very or extremely important during surgical training. All trainees stated that verbal, face-to-face feedback is the most valuable, especially if occurring during (92%) or immediately after (65%) cases. Of those trainees using performance rating tools (74%), most (57%) expressed positive views about them but wanted the tools to complement and not replace verbal feedback in surgical education. Trainees value feedback more if received within 1 week or the case. Conclusions Verbal, face-to-face feedback is very or extremely important to surgical trainees. Residents and fellows prefer to receive feedback during or immediately after a case and continue to value feedback if received within 1 week of the event. Performance rating tools can be useful for providing formative feedback and documentation but should not replace verbal, face-to-face feedback. Considering trainee views on feedback may help reduce perceived gaps in feedback demand-versus-supply in surgical training, which may be essential to overcoming current challenges in surgical education.
Cognitive effort in comprehending non-native speech decreases with listening experience

Listeners adapt to non-native accents, as shown by improved accuracy transcribing a speaker's intended utterance during testing (Baese-Berk et al., 2013; Bradlow & Bent, 2008; Sidaras et al., 2009). However, this improvement does not address whether cognitive effort decreases with accent experience, or whether accented speech continues to require effort to compensate for atypical features. The present study addresses this question using pupil dilation, a physiological measure indexing cognitive effort (Sirois & Brisson, 2014). In a matched-guise experiment, 48 participants heard 90 sentences spoken in either a General American Accent (GAA) or a non-native accent (NNA) while an eye tracker measured pupil diameter. An equal number of sentences with words predictable from context (e.g., “Sugar tastes very sweet.”) and without (e.g., “It can’t be brown.”) were included. Participants transcribed (typed) each sentence. Pupil dilation while participants listened to each sentence was measured as the difference between average diameter for 100 ms immediately before and after the sentence played. Dilation decreased significantly more in the NNA than in the GAA condition, indicating that perception of accented speech becomes less effortful with experience. No effects of semantic predictability were observed. The relationship between effort and transcription accuracy will be discussed.Listeners adapt to non-native accents, as shown by improved accuracy transcribing a speaker's intended utterance during testing (Baese-Berk et al., 2013; Bradlow & Bent, 2008; Sidaras et al., 2009). However, this improvement does not address whether cognitive effort decreases with accent experience, or whether accented speech continues to require effort to compensate for atypical features. The present study addresses this question using pupil dilation, a physiological measure indexing cognitive effort (Sirois & Brisson, 2014). In a matched-guise experiment, 48 participants heard 90 sentences spoken in either a General American Accent (GAA) or a non-native accent (NNA) while an eye tracker measured pupil diameter. An equal number of sentences with words predictable from context (e.g., “Sugar tastes very sweet.”) and without (e.g., “It can’t be brown.”) were included. Participants transcribed (typed) each sentence. Pupil dilation while participants listened to each sentence was measured as the difference be...
Radioiodine Whole-Body Imaging

Radioiodine imaging is an important diagnostic modality for the evaluation of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. A basic understanding of the physics, radioisotopes, equipment, and imaging techniques help the endocrinologist fully comprehend the logistics, interpretation, strengths, and weaknesses of this diagnostic tool. This chapter presents a primer of the subjects noted in Table 1.
Comment on James Davies’, “Explaining Intergenerational Transfers”

Jim Davies argues that we have learned enough about empirical patterns in intergenerational transfers to start making assessments about their motives. He reviews the main “stylized facts” and proceeds to see how they square with predictions of alternate models of transfer behavior-altruism versus exchange. Further, he advances some intriguing new approaches to the enforcement of intergenerational, exchange-related contracts, drawing on some recent work in game theory. This is a valuable paper for anyone wishing to become up-to-date in the private-transfers literature or get an indication of fruitful research directions in the area.
Ultrasound of the Gravid and Pelvic Kidney

This chapter addresses the assessment of hydronephrosis and renal colic during pregnancy, as well as the assessment of conditions associated with congenital pelvic and transplant kidneys utilizing ultrasound imaging.
Chapter Nine Levels of Knowledge Utilization in Visual Information Processing

Summary The aim of this chapter is to consider the interactive effects of aging and experience on knowledge utilization at several levels of analysis. Age-related and knowledge-related changes in visual information processing operate at a range of levels of encoding and access beginning with the information available to the observer in the visual array. It is suggested that there are several ways in which knowledge and the processes of aging interact to affect visual information processing performance. First, there are age-related and experience-related changes in the extent to which stimulus constraints enable object recognition. Second, the possession of prior knowledge affects the extent to which particular stimulus factors trigger or prime the* semantic aspect of visual object recognition. Third, the amount and type of prior knowledge affects information selection (e.g., target/distractor filtering) and the semantic processes (e.g., object naming) associated with visual object recognition. Age-related deficits are mainly associated with the selective processing of available information and with access to the semantics of visual object recognition. That these aspects of perceptual processing are (or seem) less impaired when older adults possess specific prior knowledge relevant to the visual domain suggests that the skilled visual information processing performance of older adults depends on the extent to which knowledge utilization processes have become inpenetratable to normal age losses as a function of domain-relevant experience.
Tradition and Originality in the Songs of Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen works within musical traditions in a way that acknowledges their influence and at the same time creates something new. This paper focuses on Springsteen’s relationship to the American folk tradition and the ways in which he creates a dialogue with that tradition in order to offer his own distinct perspective. By looking at Springsteen’s lyrics and their intertexts, we can appreciate how he engages the tradition and transforms it. Ultimately, his audience makes meaning from his songs by understanding them as part of a tradition, recognizing the earlier works that inform Springsteen’s lyrics, and considering both the effect the tradition has on Springsteen’s work and the effect Springsteen's work has on their understanding of that tradition.
A Multi-agent Simulator Environment Based on the Robot Operating System for Human-Robot Interaction Applications.

This paper describes a simulator environment for humans to direct a team of independent drones by allowing humans to issue high-level goals to the teams or drones. Given a goal, the environment will generate plans for the drones and monitor their execution while attending to humans requests (e.g., aborting a goal, introducing a new goal). For this reason, the environment includes two specific modules, a planning module and an execution and monitoring module, besides the modules for simulation and control of drones. The environment is implemented on the Robot Operating System (ROS), a well-known framework for the development of robotic applications, that facilitates the communication between its components. Experiments are included to highlight the applicability of the environment.
Unsolved Lattice Path Problems in Computational Science II

Lattice path enumeration and its applications have been studied by researchers in many areas such as computer science, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry and statistics. They are related to number theory, geometry theory, combinatorics, graph theory, linear algebra and group theory. They are easy to state and understand although they are very difficult to be solved by researchers in mathematics or computer science. It seems to us that it is very challenging to find suitable mathematical methods or efficient algorithms to deal with them. This paper is the continuation of our previous paper, under the same title , which we refer to as Part I. In Part I: we discussed some enumerative problems on pattern avoidance in lattice paths, and many closed formulas, integer sequences, generating functions, and open problems were posted. In this paper, we will present the number of walks taking steps from various sets, such at {E,N,SW}, {W,S,NE}, ENW, and PSAWs, and closed formulas, integer sequences, generating functions, and open problems.
Two-Step Optimization of Linear Distributed Arrays

Coherent distributed arrays are composed of widely separated elements which are coherently coordinated for distributed phase-coherent operations. Such arrays are inherently sparse, and thus their radiation patterns are characterized by significant sidelobe energy. In this work, we explore the use of a two-step optimization routine to mitigate sidelobe energy within a window around the mainbeam in extremely sparse arrays. We consider a linear sparse linear array consisting of 9 distributed elements within a span of 1000A, each with a minimum distance of 10λ separation. The two-step optimization consists of an initial genetic algorithm (GA) optimization routine as a coarse layout design after which a particle swarm optimization (PSO) routine is used to refine the solution. We show that the GA achieves > 10 dB sidelobe suppression within a 10° region, and the PSO step improves this by > 1.5 dB.
How climate affects extreme events and hence ecological population models

Extreme events significantly impact ecosystems and are predicted to increase in frequency and/or magnitude with climate change. Generalized extreme value (GEV) distributions describe most ecologically relevant extreme events, including hurricanes, wildfires, and disease spread. In climate science, the GEV is widely used as an accurate and flexible tool over large spatial scales (>105 km2 ) to study how changes in climate shift extreme events. However, ecologists rarely use the GEV to study how climate change affects populations. Here we show how to estimate a GEV for hurricanes at an ecologically relevant (<103 km2 ) spatial scale, and use the results in a stochastic, empirically based, matrix population model. As a case study, we use an understory shrub in southeast Florida, USA with hurricane-driven dynamics and measure the effects of change using the stochastic population growth rate. We use sensitivities to analyze how population growth rate is affected by changes in hurricane frequency and intensity, canopy damage levels, and canopy recovery rates. Our results emphasize the importance of accurately estimating location-specific storm frequency. In a rapidly changing world, our methods show how to combine realistic extreme event and population models to assess ecological impacts and to prioritize conservation actions for at-risk populations.
Athletic Training Student Perspectives on Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Clinical Practice: A Pilot Study

Context Spirituality is an important component of holistic health care. While attitudes of athletic training program directors and clinicians toward spirituality are documented, the attitudes and p...
Diaphragm neuromuscular transmission failure in aged rats

Diaphragm muscle (DIAm) sarcopenia, phrenic motor neuron loss, and perturbations of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are well described in aged rodents and selectively affect FInt and FF motor units....
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) mitochondria modulate epigenetic mechanisms in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Abstract Mitochondrial damage and epigenetic modifications have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). This study was designed to investigate the effects of AMD/normal mitochondria on epigenetic regulation in human transmitochondrial retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro. Human RPE cybrid cell lines were created by fusing mitochondria-deficient (Rho0) ARPE-19 cells with platelets obtained from either AMD patients (AMD cybrids) or normal subjects (normal cybrids). Therefore, all cybrids had identical nuclei (derived from ARPE-19 cells) but mitochondria derived from either AMD patients or age-matched normal subjects. AMD cybrids demonstrated increased RNA/protein levels for five methylation-related and four acetylation-related genes, along with lower levels of two methylation and three acetylation genes compared to normal cybrids. Demethylation using 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC) led to decreased expression of VEGF-A gene in AMD cells. Trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC inhibitor, also influenced protein levels of VEGF-A, HIF1α, NFκB, and CFH in AMD cells. Our findings suggest that retrograde signaling leads to mitochondria-nucleus interactions that influence the epigenetic status of the RPE cells and this may help in the identification of future potential therapeutic targets for AMD.
Comparison of uncoated vs superhydrophobic copper surfaces for metal spray ionization

Abstract In order to evaluate the utility of copper surfaces as spray initiators for mass spectrometric ionization sources, it is necessary to establish how efficient and reproducible the methodology is. To do this, a superhydrophobic and bare copper surface were used to ionize the singly and doubly charged peptides, bradykinin and leucine-enkephalin spiked with substance P as an internal standard, respectively. Both treated and bare copper surfaces were cut to 90, 60, and 30° angles. Calibration curves were constructed for both peptides on a superhydrophobic surface using covalently bonded trichloro(1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perflourooctyl)silane-treated copper, and bare copper surface. The highest sensitivity for all peptides was observed using a 30 or 60° tip with the silane-treated copper. Limits of detection and quantitation for the 60° silane-treated surface for bradykinin were 6.01 × 10−3 μM and 2.00 × 10−2 μM respectively, with a R2 of 0.9959. Limits of detection and quantitation for the 30° silane-treated surface for leucine-enkephalin were 3.28 × 10−2 μM and 1.09 × 10−1 μM respectively, with a R2 of 0.9993.
Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant public health burden, with up to 30% of the US population affected. The prevalence of NAFLD among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is unknown. Understanding risk factors for NAFLD in IBD patients has implications in the treatment of these patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of NAFLD among IBD patients and to identify risk factors associated with NAFLD development. METHODS Embase and MEDLINE databases were searched using Medical Subject Headlines to find studies that assessed the prevalence of NAFLD among IBD patients. Twenty-seven English-language research abstracts/articles were identified between January 2005 and April 2018. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models. Prevalence of NAFLD among IBD patients was compared with prevalence of NAFLD in the general population. RESULTS Based on data pooled from all 27 studies, the prevalence of NAFLD among IBD patients was 32% (95% CI, 24%-40%) with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 98%). The prevalence of NAFLD among IBD patients (32%) is statistically significantly higher than the prevalence of NAFLD in the general population (25.2%; P < 0.001). Factors associated with the development of NAFLD among IBD patients included age, BMI, diabetes, IBD duration, and prior history of bowel resection. CONCLUSIONS There is a higher prevalence of NAFLD among IBD patients compared with the general population. Previous treatment regimens may be a risk factor for the development of NAFLD. Future studies are needed to further clarify these risk factors and determine screening recommendations.
Demographic and exposure characteristics as predictors of serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) levels - A community-level biomonitoring project in Pennsylvania

Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used in industrial and consumer products and have been linked to various adverse health effects. Communities near two former military bases in Pennsylvania were exposed to PFAS through contaminated drinking water for several decades. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) conducted biomonitoring of 235 randomly selected community members living in four public water system (PWS) service areas to evaluate a toolkit developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). DOH also collected data on participants’ demographics, exposure history and self-reported health conditions. Serum PFAS levels were compared with the national averages for 2013–2014 and their relationships with demographic and exposure characteristics were analyzed. Of the 11 PFASs analyzed for, only perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were consistently detected in the serum samples. The average levels of PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA among the study participants were 3.13, 10.24, 6.64 and 0.74 μg per liter (μg/L), respectively. Overall, 75, 81, 94 and 59 percent of the study participants had levels exceeding the national average for PFOA (1.94 μg/L), PFOS (4.99 μg/L), PFHxS (1.35 μg/L) and PFNA (0.66 μg/L), respectively. Results indicated associations between serum levels of some PFAS compounds and sex, age, employment in the study area, PWS area, quantity of daily tap water consumption, and length of residence in the study area.
Communication frequency between visits is associated with improved glycemic control in pediatric diabetes

OBJECTIVES Children with diabetes are advised to see their diabetes team every 3 months, with interim communication to address insulin dose adjustments. Despite increasing digital accessibility, there is limited data on whether provider-patient communication frequency is associated with glycemic control in pediatric diabetes. We assessed patterns of communication between diabetes clinic visits and whether communication frequency via electronic messaging (EM) and telephone was associated with glycemic control in pediatric diabetes. METHODS Retrospective chart review of 267 children with type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) over a 1-year period (July 2018-June 2019) at an urban academic pediatric diabetes center. Association between frequency of communication (via EM and telephone) and HbA1c was analyzed using regression analysis. RESULTS Of 267 participants, 224 (84%) had T1DM, 43 (16%) had T2DM, mean age 11.6 years (SD 4), mean duration of diabetes 3.5 years (SD 3.4), and mean HbA1c 73.8 ± 23 mmol/mol (8.9 ± 2.2%). Most participants (82%) communicated with their diabetes team at least once per year, with a mean number of overall communications of 10.3 ± 13.6 times. Communications were via EM (48%), phone (40%), or both (53%). Participants with more frequent communication had lower HbA1c values (p=0.007), even when controlling for age, sex, provider, and number of clinic visits per year. We determined that a threshold of three communications per year was associated with a lower HbA1c (p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS More frequent communication with the diabetes team between visits is associated with improved glycemic control. Initiatives to contact diabetes patients between clinic visits may impact their overall glycemic control.
The Demise of the Caldron and Laddle Model: Psychological Theory of Distribution

This chapter explores how Clark, Fetter, Davenport and Wicksteed, improved on Menger and Bohm-Bawerk regarding the theory of distribution, with the main emphasis on the marginal productivity theory of wages. The chapter will show how they applied marginal analysis in detail to the theory of production (and not only to consumption, as Menger and Bohm-Bawerk). J.B. Clark’s concepts of “static equilibrium” and Knights’ “perfect competition” will be assessed as to their usefulness in elucidating the main problems of distribution. Both economic and philosophical consequences of this theory will be discussed, including the changed view of poverty and income inequality that stems from the marginal productivity theory of wage determination. The theory offers a partial unification of production and distribution theories and undercuts the socialist insistence on capitalism as a “class society”. It also corrects an analytical error of Smith, Ricardo, Mill and Marx that production of goods and distribution of income are two separate processes, which implies a possibility of combining free market way of production with socialistic forms of redistribution. This chapter will show in practical detail how Mengerian ‘imputation’ works at the level of factor prices, primarily of labor, i.e. how individual preferences of consumers indirectly determine the compensations that capitalists pay to workers.
Patient specific implants in orbital reconstruction: A pilot study

Abstract Purpose Successful repair of the orbital skeleton restores function and cosmesis by normalizing globe position and allowing full motility of the extraocular muscles. Routine repairs are successful with standard implants. However, defects that are irregular or cause volume deficiency can be challenging to repair. The development of patient specific implants (PSI) offers an additional tool in complex cases. Herein, we report our experience using PSI for orbital reconstruction. Methods An IRB-approved review was conducted of consecutive patients who received PSI from 8/2016–9/2018. Demographic and examination findings were recorded. PSI was designed using high-density porous polyethylene or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and implanted for repair. The postoperative course was reviewed for outcomes and complications. Results Eight patients were identified. Two had silent sinus syndrome, 3 were complex facial fracture revisions, and 3 were post-oncologic reconstruction. Seven received porous polyethylene implants, and 1 had a PEEK implant. Mean follow up time was 10.2 months (3.3–28.3). All had an improved functional and aesthetic result. Diplopia and enophthalmos completely resolved in 60% of fracture and silent sinus patients. All fracture and silent sinus patients were orthotropic without diplopia in primary gaze at last follow up. Tumor patients had improvement in symmetry and functionality. There were no complications. Conclusion and importance Complex orbital skeleton derangements can be difficult to repair and standard implants may incompletely resolve the anatomic problem. In challenging cases, PSI may better achieve an aesthetically and anatomically successful outcome and improve functionality.
Development of an integrated simulation platform for real-time task performance assessment

A re-configurable, portable test station was developed for integrating and testing real-time performance metrics for continuously assessing operator effectiveness in operationally-relevant spaceflight piloting tasks. The test station includes a single computer for hosting the vehicle simulation, rendering both graphical flight displays and a 3-D out-the-window view, and computing the performance metrics in real-time. The pilot interacts with the simulation using four displays (two piloting displays, one out-the-window display, and a mission summary display), a rotational hand controller, a translational hand controller, and a microphone. A fifth display provides a system status / engineering view for the experimenter. A key component of the simulation station is the real-time metrics engine and algorithms, which estimates pilot workload, situation awareness, and flight performance without interfering with the piloting task, or adding equipment or infrastructure to the flight deck. Workload and flight performance are estimated based on an analysis of the vehicle state (e.g., attitude, altitude, % fuel) and the pilot commands (e.g., hand controller movement), whereas situation awareness is estimated based on the comparison of the actual vehicle state and that spoken (and converted to text through an automatic speech recognition algorithm) by the flying pilot. This real-time simulation station development is discussed in the context of four operationally-relevant spaceflight tasks: piloted lunar landing, Orion/MPCV docking operations with the International Space Station (ISS), and manual control of the spacewalking Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) jet pack near the ISS.