cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Students’ understandings of multivariate integrals and how they may be generalized from single integral conceptions

Abstract Prior research has documented several conceptions students have regarding the definite integral, but these largely describe how students understand single-variable integral expressions. There is little research that has focused specifically on investigating students’ personal understandings of advanced types of integrals, including multiple integrals, nor how these might be generalized from the students’ understanding of single-variable definite integrals. Through interview data from 10 students and survey data from 42 students, we present a variety of student understandings of multiple integrals. We also investigate the relationship between these understandings and students’ conceptions of single-variable integrals.
Dynamic obstacle avoidance for bacteria-powered microrobots

As microscale robots are becoming increasingly popular due to their potential for medical and industrial applications, various designs of microscale robotic system have been developed. However, there has not been much work on autonomous control algorithms for microscale robots in microfluidic environments. In this paper, we introduce an autonomous navigation algorithm for the bacteria-powered microrobots (BPMs) in a workspace with moving obstacles. A BPM consists of a rigid inorganic body with bacteria attached on the surface. The attached bacteria provide propulsive force and are controllable using electric fields, which had been demonstrated in previous work. We take the controllability of BPMs and the unpredictable motion of dynamic obstacles into account to develop a dynamic obstacle avoidance approach. Moreover, we use finite element simulation to observe an electric field around a moving obstacle to model the field's deformation. Demonstration of dynamic obstacle avoidance approach through simulation results and experimental data are presented in the paper.
Gummy Bears in Space: Factorial Designs and Interaction

The experimental designs used in this activity are called factorial designs. They have two main advantages: They allow you to study the effects of two or more influences (called factors) in a single experiment, and they allow you to measure the interaction between the two (or more) factors.
Roper v. Simmons: Can juvenile offenders be executed?

In Roper v. Simmons , the U.S. Supreme Court was once again asked to determine if the execution of a juvenile, aged 16 or 17 years at the time of the offense, represents cruel and unusual punishment. In a five‐to‐four decision, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Supreme Court of Missouri to overturn the death penalty of Christopher Simmons and held that the execution of juvenile offenders violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments.
On the Spin Stability Investigation of Dual-Spin Spacecraft With and Without Nutation Dampers

relative spin rates of R with respect toP. Based on the general model for the system with two nutation dampers, models are presented for a system whose nutation damper exists only in the platform as well as a system without nutation damper. The results obtained from the Floquet theory agree with the energy sink analysis in the literature. The investigations show that for spacecraft with less than two nutation dampers there is no need to apply Floquet theory, and the Routh-Hurwitz criteria provides necessary and sucient conditions for stability. Furthermore, for the system with less than two nutation dampers, the Lyapunov stability criteria agrees with Routh-Hurwitz criteria.
DFT Study of Atomically-Modified Alkali-Earth Metal Oxide Films on Tungsten

The work function and stability of 570 alloyed alkali-earth oxide films on W(100) have been calculated within density functional theory. Computational screening of this large phase space was enabled by utilizing the virtual crystal approximation, where the degree of freedom in the chemical composition is modeled with virtual atoms of mixed Ca, Sr, and Ba character. Low work functions are achieved by doping the films with Sc or Li and alloys containing small amounts of Ca. In particular, Li-doped systems with small Ca content also show favorable stability. Identification of such alloys outperforming any of the constituents relies on careful sampling of the chemical composition. We have identified the interactions within the film that limit the reduction in work function given by the dipole normal to the surface. We have shown that control of the screening of the intrafilm interactions by O atoms is essential for the design of new low work function materials.
Studies on Serum Protein Changes and Organ Dye Concentrations in Trypan Blue Carcinogenesis.

SummaryA single injection of trypan blue produced a prompt reduction in total serum proteins due largely to a decrease in the albumin fraction. The hypoproteinemia, with a reduction in all fractions, found in animals bearing dye induced reticuloendothelial tumors was attributed to the advanced stage of neoplasia. An“abnormal” band between α1 and α2 previously described in the serum of rats only after trypan blue treatment was seen in the present study in the serum of untreated animals, but was quantitatively increased after the dye injection. The incidence and concentration of this band were not increased in tumor bearing animals. Evaluation of the degree of cellular response and the concentration of protein bound dye in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes following one dye injection indicated that neither could be correlated with the eventual development of reticuloendothelial neoplasms in the liver. However, the relatively rapid fall in the concentration of protein bound trypan blue in the liver led to sp...
Cardiomyopathy Linked Mutations in Alpha Tropomyosin Influence Blocked State Stability but not Myosin Strong Binding

Coiled-coil tropomyosin binds super-helically along F-actin. Together with the troponin complex, tropomyosin inhibits myosin-binding. McKillop and Geeves (1993) introduced a three-state model for thin filament regulation with tropomyosin occupying three positions on the actin filament; blocked, closed and open. In the absence of myosin, tropomyosin primarily occupies the closed and blocked-states with the blocked-state being stabilized by Ca2+-free troponin. The probability of tropomyosin occupying any one of these two states is dependent on factors including cytosolic Ca2+-concentration (altering troponin conformation), mechanical strain, ionic strength, pH, and mutations that alter tropomyosin affinity for actin. Recently, we examined the impact of cardiomyopathy-linked tropomyosin mutations on the energy landscape of the tropomyosin/actin interaction. Our results demonstrated that mutations associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy showed reduced interaction-energy with actin resulting in a destabilization of the blocked-state. Using an in vitro motility assay here, we tested the ability of the mutant tropomyosins to regulate acto-myosin interactions, as well as the impact of strong binding cross-bridges on reconstituted thin filaments containing E40K and E62Q mutations in human alpha-tropomyosin (which lead to dilated (DCM) and hypertrophic (HCM) cardiomyopathies, respectively). Regulated thin filament velocity measurements showed an increase in low-Ca2+ contractility of E62Q reconstituted thin filaments when compared to wild-type and E40K reconstituted thin filaments. The ability of myosin to activate reconstituted mutant thin filaments at low-Ca2+ was not significantly different between the three tropomyosins, indicating that the enhanced motile fraction observed with E62Q is likely due to a destabilization of the blocked-state rather than alterations in myosin-dependent activation. The motility data is consistent with molecular dynamics simulations of the mutant tropomyosins in the presence of actin which show significant, yet subtle and complex alterations to the electrostatic interactions between tropomyosin and actin.
Electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of energy drinks and Panax ginseng in healthy volunteers: A randomized clinical trial.

Abstract Background Energy drink usage has been linked to emergency room visits and deaths. The objective of the study is to assess the electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of energy drinks, Panax ginseng and placebo in healthy individuals. Methods This was a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, crossover study. Young healthy volunteers with no comorbid conditions consumed 32oz of an energy drink, control drink with 800mg of Panax ginseng or matching placebo-control drink over 45min. Primary endpoints were QTc interval and systolic blood pressure. Secondary endpoints included QT interval, PR interval, QRS duration, heart rate, and diastolic blood pressure. All endpoints were assessed at baseline, 1, 2, 3.5, and 5.5h. Results A significant increase in QTc interval 2h post energy drink consumption was evident when compared to placebo (3.37±10.7ms and −3.19±11.8ms respectively; p=0.030). Similarly, systolic blood pressure 2h post energy drink consumption increased when compared to placebo (2.00±6.37mmHg and −2.67±5.83mmHg respectively; p=0.014). The PR interval significantly reduced over a 2h period post energy drink use in a clinically non-meaningful manner. Heart rate at 2h was not significantly higher in the energy drink group when compared to others. The QT interval, QRS interval and diastolic blood pressure were not impacted at any time point. Conclusions Certain energy drinks consumed at a high volume significantly increase the QTc interval and systolic blood pressure by over 6ms and 4mmHg respectively. Panax ginseng does not have a significant impact on ECG or blood pressure parameters.
Analysis on Technical Performance of Amorphous Core Distribution Transformer

Amorphous core distribution transformer is a type of energy-saving distribution equipment adopting new materials,new structure and new technology. Its core is made of amorphous alloy material,so that the no-load loss of this type of distribution transformers is much lower than that of traditional distribution transformers,which adopt the cores made of conventional laminated silicon steel sheets. The architectural characteristic of amorphous core distribution transformer and its sensitivity to mechanical stress are presented; its performance parameters as well as the stability of its low no-load loss characteristics are analyzed; the relation between active loss rate of SH15 type of amorphous core distribution transformer and load factor is discussed; the efficiency characteristics and annual synthetical loss of SH15 type of amorphous core distribution transformer are analyzed and compared with those of S11 type of distribution transformer,and the results are available for reference in the evaluation of technical performances of amorphous core distribution transformer.
The Effects of Presintering Temperature on Microstructure and Properties of Inert Anodes of NiFe_2O_4 Spinel with Additives TiO_2,MnO_2

The effects of presintering temperature on microstructure,density,thermal shock resistance,bend strength and corrosion resistance of inert anodes of NiFe_2O_4 spinel with additives TiO_2、MnO_2 are researched.The re- sults show that presintering temperature has the great effects on properties of inert anodes.When the presintering tem- perature is 1000℃,the density and bend strength are max;and corrosion resistance is the best.When the presintering temperature is lower than 1200℃,the thermal shock resistance is good.Considering all properties,the optimal presin- tering temperature is 1000℃.
The Subjective Turn and the Problem of Transparency

The difficulties we have found in our common sense views of vision pertain not just to the seeing of distant objects such as stars but to all cases of seeing. Even when we observe things close up, information about them is contained in the light waves that they reflect or emit. The perceiver gains access to this information as a result of his eyes being affected by light which thereby triggers a series of inner episodes in his nervous system and brain. Observation has a quite different meaning in the scientific story than it has for common sense. The directness and immediacy by which we seem to be visually in touch with the ‘external world’ is, for the scientific story, just an illusion. What we call ‘seeing something’ is not a simple inspection of an external fact, but the production of a chain of inner events which then are interpreted in order to extract their informational content.
Combination gemcitabine/cisplatin therapy and ERCC1 expression for resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Results of a Phase II prospective trial.

Background Standard adjuvant treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is gemcitabine [Gem(CONKO-001: Gem vs. placebo DFS:13.4 vs. 6.7 mo; P < 0.001; OS:22.8 vs. 20.2 mo; P = 0.01)]. Addition of cisplatin (Cis) to Gem has resulted in increased PFS for advanced and metastatic disease, which may be predicted by low expression of excision repair cross-complementing group–1 (ERCC1), the key enzyme in nucleotide excision repair. This Phase II prospective trial assesses outcomes of patients treated with adjuvant Gem/Cis, stratifying results by tumor ERCC1 expression. Methods Patients with resected PDAC were enrolled (2010–2013) and received Gem(1,000 mg/m2)/Cis(50 mg/m2). Tumor ERCC1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and dichotomized into low or high expression. Primary outcomes were recurrence-free and overall survival (RFS/OS). Results Of 22 pts, 16(73%) were Stage IIB, 5(23%) Stage IIA, and 1(4%) Stage IA. Grade 3/4 toxicity occurred in 13 pts (59%); neutropenia was most common (n = 9;41%). Median follow-up was 37.5 months. Median RFS was 16.7 mo; OS was 35.5 mo. Low ERCC1 (n = 15;75%) compared to high ERCC1 (n = 5;25%) was not associated with improved RFS (12.4 vs. 16.7 mo; P = 0.68) or OS (Median not reached vs. 21.6 mo; P = 0.22). Conclusions Adjuvant Gem/Cis is feasible in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma. RFS and OS for Gem/Cis appear promising compared to historic control. Tumor ERCC1 expression can be reliably evaluated, and low expression is present in most patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:336–341. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interrogating the superconductor Ca 10 (Pt 4 As 8 )(Fe 2-x Pt x As 2 ) 5 Layer-by-layer.

Ever since the discovery of high-Tc superconductivity in layered cuprates, the roles that individual layers play have been debated, due to difficulty in layer-by-layer characterization. While there is similar challenge in many Fe-based layered superconductors, the newly-discovered Ca10(Pt4As8)(Fe2As2)5 provides opportunities to explore superconductivity layer by layer, because it contains both superconducting building blocks (Fe2As2 layers) and intermediate Pt4As8 layers. Cleaving a single crystal under ultra-high vacuum results in multiple terminations: an ordered Pt4As8 layer, two reconstructed Ca layers on the top of a Pt4As8 layer, and disordered Ca layer on the top of Fe2As2 layer. The electronic properties of individual layers are studied using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S), which reveals different spectra for each surface. Remarkably superconducting coherence peaks are seen only on the ordered Ca/Pt4As8 layer. Our results indicate that an ordered structure with proper charge balance is required in order to preserve superconductivity.
Determinants of longitudinal health-related quality-of-life change in children with asthma from low-income families: a report from the PROMIS® Pediatric Asthma Study.

Background How the longitudinal asthma control status and other socio-demographic factors influence the changes of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among asthmatic children, especially from low-income families, has not been fully investigated. Objectives This study aimed to describe the trajectories of asthma-specific HRQOL over 15 months, and examine the effect of asthma control status on HRQOL by taking socio-demographic factors into consideration. Methods 229 dyads of asthmatic children and their parents enrolled in public insurance programs were recruited for assessing asthma control status and HRQOL over 4 time points of assessment. Asthma control status was measured using the Asthma Control and Communication Instrument and asthma-specific HRQOL was assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System's Pediatric Asthma Impact Scale. Latent growth models (LGMs) were applied to examine the trajectory of HRQOL and the factors contributing to the changes of HRQOL. Results Unconditional LGM revealed that HRQOL was improved over time. Conditional LGM suggested that accounting for asthma control and participants’ socio-demographic factors, the variation in the initial level of HRQOL was significant, yet the rate of change was not. Conditional LGM also revealed that poorly-controlled asthma status was associated with poor HRQOL at each time point (p's<0.05). Lower parental education was associated with lower baseline HRQOL (p<0.05). Hispanic children had a larger increase in HRQOL over time (p<0.01) than non-Hispanic White children. Conclusions Vulnerable socio-demographic characteristics and poorly controlled asthma status affect HRQOL in children. This finding encourages interventions to improve asthma control status and HRQOL in minority children. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Paired Siglec receptors generate opposite inflammatory responses to a human-specific pathogen.

Paired immune receptors display near‐identical extracellular ligand‐binding regions but have intracellular sequences with opposing signaling functions. While inhibitory receptors dampen cellular activation by recognizing self‐associated molecules, the functions of activating counterparts are less clear. Here, we studied the inhibitory receptor Siglec‐11 that shows uniquely human expression in brain microglia and engages endogenous polysialic acid to suppress inflammation. We demonstrated that the human‐specific pathogen Escherichia coli K1 uses its polysialic acid capsule as a molecular mimic to engage Siglec‐11 and escape killing. In contrast, engagement of the activating counterpart Siglec‐16 increases elimination of bacteria. Since mice do not have paired Siglec receptors, we generated a model by replacing the inhibitory domain of mouse Siglec‐E with the activating module of Siglec‐16. Siglec‐E16 enhanced proinflammatory cytokine expression and bacterial killing in macrophages and boosted protection against intravenous bacterial challenge. These data elucidate uniquely human interactions of a pathogen with Siglecs and support the long‐standing hypothesis that activating counterparts of paired immune receptors evolved as a response to pathogen molecular mimicry of host ligands for inhibitory receptors. ![][1] Escherichia coli K1 uses its polysialic acid capsule to interact with Siglec‐11 and hijack its immune‐inhibiting function, but this is counteracted by the activating Siglec‐16. [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Convergence of the Z-Bus method and existence of unique solution in single-phase distribution load-flow

For a single-phase distribution network with constant-power, constant-current, and constant-impedance loads (ZIP loads), sufficient conditions are presented that explicitly define a region where a unique load-flow solution exists. The Z-Bus method is shown to be a contraction mapping iteration, which upon initialization within this region, is guaranteed to converge to the unique load-flow solution. The sufficient conditions for convergence of the Z-Bus method are numerically verified for IEEE distribution test feeders.
Simulation study of switching-dependent device parameters of high voltage 4H-SiC GTOs

The silicon carbide (SiC) “Super” gate turn-off thyristor (SGTO) is a viable device for high voltage and fast dI/dt switching applications. These devices are well suited for various pulsed power applications requiring high peak currents in the kilo-amp regime. The turn-on transition speed is determined by the spreading velocity, which depends on applied gate current, applied anode current density, minority carrier lifetime, and both the gate base-width and the drift region of the thyristor. The impact of device parameters on switching performance is discussed in this work.
Harnessing optical loss for unique microlaser functionality (Conference Presentation)

Lasers, as the key driving force in the field of optics and photonics over other photonic components, are now being significantly benefited from the studies of nanophotonics and metamaterials, broadening laser physics and device applications. The properties of light are much more beyond its simple intensity and temporal characteristics. The fruitful nature of light provides a great variety of freedoms in manipulating light for modern photonic applications, including spin (polarization), chirality, angular momentum, and spin-orbit coupling. Unfortunately, all these fundamental properties and functionalities of light have not been fully exploited in micro/nano-laser systems because the conventional principles of laser design in bulk optics cannot be easily scaled down to the micro/nano scale. The capability of creating microlasers with controlled spin/orbital information and chirality in their radiations is expected to revolutionize next generation of photonic systems for computing and communication. In this talk, I will focus on our recent effort in harnessing optical losses for unique microlaser functionalities, in particular, an orbital angular momentum (OAM) microlaser that structure and twist the lasing radiation at the microscale. The effective generation of OAM lasing, especially at a micro/nano-scale, could address the growing demand for information capacity. By exploiting the emerging non-Hermitian photonics design at an exceptional point, we demonstrate a microring laser producing a single-mode OAM vortex lasing with the ability to precisely define the topological charge of the OAM mode and its polarization state. Our OAM microlaser could find applications in the next generation of integrated optoelectronic devices for optical communications.
Skeletal muscle mitochondrial protein synthesis and respiration in response to the energetic stress of an ultra-endurance race

The mechanisms that maintain skeletal muscle function during extreme stresses remain incompletely understood. In the current study, greater rates of mitochondrial protein synthesis during the energ...
Conflicts of Interest and Family Nepotism, Fake News and Telephone Diplomacy

While the Media Circus swirled around Trump’s transition team and appointments, criticism intensified of Trump’s conflicts of interest. Trump’s initial response was that conflict-of-interest laws generally do not apply to the president, but critics continued to bring up laws and clauses in the constitution. Critics argue that if Trump does not divest his business interests, he would be at risk of violating the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which bars U.S. officeholders from taking anything of value from foreign governments.
Selection of Cold Compressors for the Fermilab Tevatron

This paper discusses performance of a final prototype cold compressor and the specification and purchase of production units for the Fermilab Tevatron. Cold helium vapor compressors will be added to the satellite refrigeration system in order to operate the accelerator at higher beam energy. A final machine specification emerged from extensive prototype testing in actual Tevatron refrigerators. These tests resulted in a decision to use high speed turbomachines instead of reciprocating units. The choice was based on performance, size, maintenance requirements, and reliability. IHI Co., Ltd. was selected to provide a final prototype centrifugal machine. Thermodynamic as well as mechanical performance of this unit is described.
Toward ultimate efficiency: progress and prospects on planar and 3D nanostructured nonpolar and semipolar InGaN light-emitting diodes

Nonpolar and semipolar III-nitride-based blue and green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been extensively investigated as potential replacements for current polar c-plane LEDs. High-power and low-efficiency-droop blue LEDs have been demonstrated on nonpolar and semipolar planes III-nitride due to the advantages of eliminated or reduced polarization-related electric field and homoepitaxial growth. Semipolar (202¯1) and (202¯1¯) LEDs have contributed to bridging “green gap” (low efficiency in green spectral region) by incorporating high indium compositions, reducing polarization effects, and suppressing defects. Other properties, such as low thermal droop, narrow spectral linewidth, small wavelength shift, and polarized emission, have also been reported for nonpolar and semipolar LEDs. In this paper we review the theoretical background, device performance, material properties, and physical mechanisms for nonpolar and semipolar III-nitride semiconductors and associated blue and green LEDs. The latest progress on topics including efficiency droop, thermal droop, green-gap, and three-dimensional nanostructures is detailed. Future challenges, potential solutions, and applications will also be covered.
Challenges and Opportunities in Automotive, Industrial, and IoT Physical Design

Taping out modern, complex SOCs presents a myriad of challenges in physical design. Doing so for demanding markets such as automotive, industrial, and IoT multiplies that complexity. In this talk we will take a broad look across the physical design space and discuss what works, what doesn't work, and where the major gaps are today and evolving challenges for future devices. We will look at experiences gained over the last 20 years for devices in high volume production and devices in active development across a myriad of technologies including bulk CMOS, low-power nodes, and FinFET.
Electric Field Sensing with Graphene Optoelectronics for Action Potential Detection

Graphene, exhibiting field-dependent optical absorption, offers great opportunities for action potential sensing for bioelectric researches. We demonstrate two novel schemes of graphene opto-electronic realizing high voltage sensitivity and large bandwidth electric field imaging techniques.
A Vehicle Detection and Tracking Approach Using Probe Vehicle LIDAR Data

Detection, identification and tracking of multiple moving targets have important applications in transportation and vehicle control areas. In this paper we present our approach to detect, recognize and track the vehicles within the detection region of a moving probe vehicle, based on the data collected by multiple sensors, including LIDAR and GPS. This paper develops a methodology to group the LIDAR measurements into targets, classify the targets as vehicles or fixed objects, and track the vehicular targets within lanes using a Kalman-filter. One important feature of this approach is that we track all of the observations in world coordinates, allowing us to average over many samples and ideally many runs to differentiate between the fixed objects (road boundaries) and moving objects (vehicles).
Life of Microbes on Aerial Plant Parts

The phyllosphere, or leaf environment, is a temporally erratic, spatially heterogeneous, and inherently transient habitat that supports a large and diverse population of microorganisms. This chapter offers an introductory exploration of the leaf surface as a microbial biome and of the genes and gene functions that underlie the unique adaptations for epiphytic survival in this inhospitable milieu. Also reviewed are the various ways in which host plant and environmental conditions affect the assembly, structure, and function of microbial communities on plant foliage. Special emphasis is placed on the challenges of studying microbial life on leaf surfaces, on the impact of leaf-associated microbiota on the ecosystem services provided by plant leaves, and on the interactions of epiphytic microorganisms with their host, each other, and plant and human pathogens in the context of food security and food safety.
Testing a Biological System for Indicating Ozone in Minnesota

The capability of the environment to meet the needs of an organism largely determines the overall health of that organism, and ultimately determines its success in survival and reproduction. Although physical and chemical measurements may help quantify an organism’s environment, they do not measure the interactions of those components to sustain life. Living organisms, by integrating their environment, provide a more meaningful assessment of environmental quality.
Tuning Length Scales of Small Domains in Cell-Derived Membranes and Synthetic Model Membranes.

Abstract Micron-scale, coexisting liquid-ordered (Lo) and liquid-disordered (Ld) phases are straightforward to observe in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) composed of ternary lipid mixtures. Experimentally, uniform membranes undergo demixing when temperature is decreased: domains subsequently nucleate, diffuse, collide, and coalesce until only one domain of each phase remains. The sizes of these two domains are limited only by the size of the system. Under different conditions, vesicles exhibit smaller-scale domains of fixed sizes, leading to the question of what sets the length scale. In membranes with excess area, small domains are expected when coarsening is hindered or when a microemulsion or modulated phase arises. Here, we test predictions of how the size, morphology, and fluorescence levels of small domains vary with the membrane’s temperature, tension, and composition. Using GUVs and cell-derived giant plasma membrane vesicles, we find that 1) the characteristic size of domains decreases when temperature is increased or membrane tension is decreased, 2) stripes are favored over circular domains for lipid compositions with low energy per unit interface, 3) fluorescence levels are consistent with domain registration across both monolayer leaflets of the bilayer, and 4) small domains form in GUVs composed of lipids both with and without ester-linked lipids. Our experimental results are consistent with several elements of current theories for microemulsions and modulated phases and inconsistent with others, suggesting a motivation to modify or enhance current theories.
Regulation of Space Activities in The Netherlands

The Netherlands, being aware of its relative size when compared to the major spacefaring nations not only globally but also in the European context, has always addressed outer space and space activities from the perspective of the role it could feasibly play.
Guaranteed Collision Avoidance Based on Line-of-Sight Angle and Time-to-Collision

This paper deals with the problem of collision avoidance amongst autonomous vehicles that can be represented by the unicycle model on a 2D plane. The control strategy is inspired by the way animals navigate, relying only on line-of-sight (LOS) angle and time-to-collision (TTC) as feedback, made available by the on-board gimbaled monocular camera. The novelty of this work is in the proposed avoidance strategy that achieves collision avoidance without the measurement of distance, including the guarantees supported by Lyapunov-based analysis. Additionally, the proposed solution does not require an underlying logic that decides to avert or not the collision, therefore relaxing the conservatism of previous results. The proposed framework is also suitable for evading collisions in a scenario with multiple obstacles. Simulation results validate the collision avoidance law and illustrate its application to multiple obstacles.
Spatial-temporal distribution of Anopheles larval habitats in Uganda using GIS/remote sensing technologies.

Anopheles mosquitoes impose an immense burden on the African population in terms of both human health and comfort. Uganda, in particular, boasts one of the highest malaria transmission rates in the world and its entire population is at risk for infection. Despite the immense burden these mosquitoes pose on the country, very few programmes exist that directly combat the issue at the vector control level and even fewer programmes focus on the vector in its most vulnerable juvenile stages. This study utilizes remote sensing techniques and spatial autocorrelation models to identify and prioritize the most prolific Anopheline larval habitats for control purposes in a rural community in Uganda. A community-based mosquito surveillance programme was developed and implemented in Papoli Parish in Eastern Uganda over a 4-month period. Each day, a trained field team sampled the larval habitats of Anopheles mosquitoes within the population-dense areas of the community. Habitats and their productivity were identified and plotted spatially on a daily basis. Daily output was combined and displayed as a weekly habitat time-series. Additional spatial analysis was conducted using the Global and Anselin’s Local Moran’s I statistic to assess habitat spatial autocorrelation. Spatial models were developed to identify highly significant habitats and dictated the priority of these habitats for larval control purposes. Weekly time-series models identified the locations and productivity of each habitat, while Local Moran’s I cluster maps identified statistically significant clusters (Cluster: High) and outliers (High Outlier) that were then interpreted for control priority. Models were stitched together in a temporal format to visually demonstrate the spatial shift of statically significant, high priority habitats over the entire study period. The findings show that the spatial outcomes of productive habitats can be made starkly apparent through initial habitat modelling and resulting time-series output. However, mosquito control resources are often limited and it is at this point that the Local Moran’s I statistics demonstrates its value. Focusing on habitats identified as Cluster: High and High Outlier outputs allow for the identification of the most influential larval habitats. Utilizing this method for malaria control allows for the optimization of control resources in a real time, community driven, fashion, as well as providing a framework for future control practices.
Abstract 26: Stroke Impairs Epithelial Microfold Cells in Intestinal Peyer’s Patches

Introduction: Peyer’s patches (PP) are lymphatic tissue in the small intestine. Tissue-resident specialized epithelial cells [microfold (M) cells] are essential for immune surveillance in the gut b...
Digital revolution in cardiac imaging

Recent progress in the field of medical imaging have led to tremendous improvements and diversification of cardiovascular imaging techniques. More than any other system, the cardiovascular system requires anatomical, functional, dynamic and metabolic investigations. These types of investigations can be obtained from a variety of competing and complementary imaging modalities. Often for historical and traditional reasons, the different imaging modalities such as angiography, echocardiography, radionuclide scintigraphy or MRI are performed by specialists from different departments such as radiology, cardiology, nuclear medicine or internal medicine. Depending on the local traditions and strategic and economic influences, the usage of these different diagnostic modalities may vary significantly. This chapter discusses the strategic, technical and economical issues regarding existing and emerging imaging techniques in cardiology. It also highlights the evolution toward digital imaging techniques and the rapid growth and extension of variety of cardiovascular investigation techniques beyond the cardiology community in the radiology and nuclear medicine community.
8 Degrees of freedom human lower extremity kinematic and dynamic model development and control for exoskeleton robot based physical therapy

The World Health Organization reports that approximately 15% of the world’s population is disabled. Physiotherapy helps promote functional recovery in upper and lower extremity impairment. An exoskeleton robot-based exercise tool for neurorehabilitation is an appealing solution to treat many disabled people. Knowledge of anatomical characteristics and anthropometrical properties are equally important for mechanical design, as well as modeling, and control of exoskeleton robots. However, most of the anthropometrical data is not readily available from a single source. Additionally, eight degrees of freedom human lower extremity kinematic and dynamic models are also not available. This paper presents dynamic modeling and simulation of the human lower extremity (HLE). A comprehensive review of HLE anatomical characteristics, degrees of freedom, and range of motion of various joints are presented. The Lagrange energy method is used for developing the dynamic model. The developed model includes both linear and rotational displacements of the knee joint. The dynamic simulation uses a sliding mode controller. Simulation results show the performance of the controller, joint torque, and power requirements for tracking specified trajectories. It is also shown that sliding mode control (SMC) is a robust control scheme that works effectively even in the presence of external disturbances and parameter variations. The simulation results indicate that SMC is a suitable choice for controlling a physical exoskeleton robot.
Analysis of laser-induced microcracking in tungsten under additive manufacturing conditions: Experiment and simulation

Abstract Tungsten is receiving increasing interest as a plasma facing material in the ITER fusion reactor, collimators, and other structural, high temperature applications. Concurrently, there is a demand for manufacturing techniques capable of processing tungsten into the desired geometries. Additive manufacturing is a promising technique able to produce complex parts, but the structural integrity is compromised by microcracking. This work combines thermomechanical simulations with in situ high-speed video of microcracking in single laser-melted tracks, visualizing the ductile-to-brittle transition. Microcracking is shown to occur in a narrow temperature interval between 450 K–650 K, and to be strain rate dependent. The size of the crack-affected area around the scan track is determined by the maximum Von Mises residual stress, whereas crack network morphology depends on the local orientation of the principal stress. The fundamental understanding provided by this work contributes to future efforts in crack free, additively manufactured tungsten.
P142 Vegetable Intake, Preferences, and Variety in Michigan Gardeners Over a Single Gardening Season

Background Gardening is associated with health and health behaviors, including vegetable intake. Qualitative research has indicated that gardening may increase preferences for vegetables, which may contribute to higher vegetable intake frequency found in gardeners, but quantitative research examining vegetable preferences of gardeners is scarce. Objective The objective of this pilot study was to examine vegetable preferences, variety, and intake consumed before gardening and during peak harvest time. This data was collected as part of a larger study examining the relationship between gardening and the composition of the gut microbiome. Study Design, Setting, Participants Participants were adults enrolled in a gardener support program that serves both home and community gardeners. Thirty-two percent of participants had no previous gardening experience, 36% had 1-5 years of gardening experience, and 32% had 5 or more years of experience. Twenty-nine participants enrolled in the study and completed a baseline survey prior to beginning gardening and 25 of these completed a follow-up survey at the peak of garden harvest. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Surveys assessed vegetable intake frequency, preferences for 20 different vegetables, and number of the 20 different vegetables eaten in the past month (variety). Paired, 2-tailed t-tests were used to compare pre-gardening and harvest time survey data. T-tests were considered significant at P Results Preferences for vegetables were initially high and did not increase from baseline to harvest time. Vegetable consumption frequency in times per day also did not significantly change from baseline to harvest time. Vegetable intake variety significantly increased from 12.1(SD ± 2.9) at baseline to 13.6(SD ± 3.1) at harvest time (P = .026). Conclusions In this study, we found gardeners consumed a greater variety of vegetables during harvest time than before gardening. Previous research has found that consuming a high variety of plant-based foods has a positive influence on gut microbiome diversity. This has relevance to the primary aim of this study, to examine the relationship between gardening and gut microbiome composition.
Mapping Human Vulnerability to Extreme Heat: A Critical Assessment of Heat Vulnerability Indices Created Using Principal Components Analysis.

Background: Extreme heat poses current and future risks to human health. Heat vulnerability indices (HVIs), commonly developed using principal components analysis (PCA), are mapped to identify popu...
Structure, Function and Physiology of 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptors Subtype 3

5-hydroxytryptamine receptor subtype 3 (5-HT3R) is a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC) involved in neuronal signaling. It is best known for its prominent role in gut-CNS signaling though there is growing interest in its other functions, particularly in modulating non-serotonergic synaptic activity. Recent advances in structural biology have provided mechanistic understanding of 5-HT3R function and present new opportunities for the field. This chapter gives a broad overview of 5-HT3R from a physiological and structural perspective and then discusses the specific details of ion permeation, ligand binding and allosteric coupling between these two events. Biochemical evidence is summarized and placed within a physiological context. This perspective underscores the progress that has been made as well as outstanding challenges and opportunities for future 5-HT3R research.
Modelling the future distribution of the amphibian chytrid fungus: the influence of climate and human‐associated factors

Summary 1. Many of the global losses of amphibians are believed to be caused by the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Hence, determining its present and future environmental suitability should help to inform management and surveillance of this pathogen and curtail the amphibian biodiversity crisis. 2. In this issue of Journal of Applied Ecology, Murray et al. (2010) offer an important step in this direction by providing a species distribution model that projects the environmental suitability of Bd across Australia and predicts locations of chytridiomycosis and amphibian declines. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis presence was predicted by diurnal temperature range (a measure of temperature variability) and mean precipitation. Human population density, a positive predictor of Bd, accounted for the most variation when removed from the statistical model. 3. This work represents an invaluable case study and has great potential for managing chytridiomycosis and associated amphibian declines, but its value in practice will depend on how well managers understand the limitations of species distribution models. 4. Synthesis and applications. To improve the management of chytridiomycosis, amphibian-chytrid research should attempt to understand how humans may affect the distribution of Bd, how climatic means and variances affect Bd transmission, how much variation in the distribution of Bd is unique to and shared among climate, human, and other factors, whether human-related factors and climate statistically interact, and how these potentially correlated factors and any interactions affect the predictability of species distribution models. In response to the swift spread of Bd and our rapidly changing planet, we encourage the application of Bd distribution models to other regions of the globe and predictions of Bd’s distribution under future climate change scenarios.
A software architecture for distributed geospatial decision support systems

The National Agricultural Decision Support System (NADSS) is a joint project with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The initial focus of the NADSS project is to improve the quality and accessibility of drought related knowledge, information, and data for drought risk management. At the core of the NADSS project is a software architecture for distributed geospatial decision support systems that consists of four distributed layers: the data layer, the information layer, the knowledge layer, and the presentation layer. This work presents that architecture as well as the benefits and impact of the architecture and the NADSS project.
A Review of “The Faces of Intellectual Disability: Philosophical Reflections”

Licia Carlson, who teaches philosophy at Providence College in Rhode Island, received her doctoral degree in philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1998 writing on the topic of the classifica...
Troubles for Content II: Explaining Grounding

In this paper, I address the question whether it is adequate for a theory of linguistic or mental representation to provide a specification of modal determinants or, differently, grounds of content. (I focus on grounding, but my arguments generally apply to modal determination as well.) I first show that a specification of the grounds of a phenomenon is not an account of the nature of the phenomenon and does not permit straightforward derivation of such an account. I then argue for the claim that, in general, what grounds a phenomenon can be explained by an account of the nature of the phenomenon. Theorists of content have often assumed that an appeal to deference to other people can explain how a thinker with incomplete understanding of a concept can have thoughts involving the concept. In a companion paper, "Troubles with Content I," I argue that, once a theory of content appeals to deference, it no longer offers a unified account of what it is to have content. In the present paper, I address the potential response that we should be satisfied with such a disjunctive account – one that specifies different ways in which having content can be grounded. Similarly, I address attempts, such as that of David Lewis, to offer determinants or grounds of content without saying what it is for a representation to have content. I argue that specifications of determinants or grounds leave important questions unresolved, e.g., whether the phenomenon is fundamentally disjunctive, or whether it is unified but a complete account of its nature is not possible. We should seek a unified account of the nature of the phenomenon that explains its determinants or grounds. I am not optimistic about the prospects for a reduction of what it is for a representation to have content to the physical, the functional, or the like. But an account of a phenomenon need not offer such a low-level reduction in order to explain the way in which the phenomenon is grounded.
Strain-induced ferroelectricity in orthorhombic CaTiO 3 from first principles

First-principles calculations are used to investigate the effects of the epitaxial strain on the structure of the perovskite oxide ${\text{CaTiO}}_{3}$. At 1.5% tensile strain, we find an epitaxial orientation transition between the $ab\text{\ensuremath{-}}ePbnm$ phase favored for compressive strains and the $c\text{\ensuremath{-}}ePbnm$ phase. While no ferroelectric instability is found for compressive strains, larger tensile strains are found to stabilize a ferroelectric phase related to a polar instability identified in previous first-principles studies of the ideal cubic perovskite high-symmetry reference structure but hidden in the orthorhombic equilibrium bulk $Pbnm$ structure. This strain-induced ferroelectric $c\text{\ensuremath{-}}ePbnm$ phase has polarization along a $⟨110⟩$ direction with respect to the primitive perovskite lattice vectors of the square substrate with a magnitude of $0.46\text{ }\text{C}/{\text{m}}^{2}$ at 4% tensile strain.