cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Feedback-Guided Voluntary Breath-Hold Gating for Cone Beam CT-Based Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Purpose To analyze tumor position reproducibility of feedback-guided voluntary deep inspiration breath-hold (FGBH) gating for cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Methods and materials Thirteen early-stage lung cancer patients eligible for SBRT with tumor motion of >1cm were evaluated for FGBH-gated treatment. Multiple FGBH CTs were acquired at simulation, and single FGBH CBCTs were also acquired prior to each treatment. Simulation CTs and treatment CBCTs were analyzed to quantify reproducibility of tumor positions during FGBH. Benefits of FGBH gating compared to treatment during free breathing, as well treatment with gating at exhalation, were examined for lung sparing, motion margins, and reproducibility of gross tumor volume (GTV) position relative to nonmoving anatomy. Results FGBH increased total lung volumes by 1.5 times compared to free breathing, resulting in a proportional drop in total lung volume receiving 10 Gy or more. Intra- and inter-FGBH reproducibility of GTV centroid positions at simulation were 1.0 ± 0.5 mm, 1.3 ± 1.0 mm, and 0.6 ± 0.4 mm in the anterior-posterior (AP), superior-inferior (SI), and left-right lateral (LR) directions, respectively, compared to more than 1 cm of tumor motion at free breathing. During treatment, inter-FGBH reproducibility of the GTV centroid with respect to bony anatomy was 1.2 ± 0.7 mm, 1.5 ± 0.8 mm, and 1.0 ± 0.4 mm in the AP, SI, and LR directions. In addition, the quality of CBCTs was improved due to elimination of motion artifacts, making this technique attractive for poorly visualized tumors, even with small motion. Conclusions The extent of tumor motion at normal respiration does not influence the reproducibility of the tumor position under breath hold conditions. FGBH-gated SBRT with CBCT can improve the reproducibility of GTV centroids, reduce required margins, and minimize dose to normal tissues in the treatment of mobile tumors.
Effects of Fire on Grasshopper Assemblages in a Northern Mixed-grass Prairie

Grassland fires have been shown to influence grasshopper community composition and population dynamics, but studies of their effects on rangeland grasshopper assemblages in the northern Great Plains are lacking. This study was designed to examine the effect of a grassland wildfire on grasshopper community composition and population densities of three grasshopper subfamilies in western North Dakota northern mixed-grass prairie with sampling in paired burned and unburned plots. A rapidly moving fire occurred in late October 1999, after egg-overwintering grasshoppers had died. Vegetation biomass and nitrogen content of grasses did not differ statistically between burned and unburned plots in 2000. The fire negatively affected grasshopper population densities the year after the fire, but species diversity was not affected by the fire. Much of the reduction in grasshopper population densities was caused by a decline in densities of Gomphocerinae species. Grasshopper subfamily densities did not differ statistically between burned and unburned plots in 2001. Additional research is needed to determine the mechanisms leading to the reduction in Gomphocerinae species densities.
Prerequisites for Teacher Certification in Physical Education in the United States

(1942). Prerequisites for Teacher Certification in Physical Education in the United States. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 286-298.
Orientation-Dependent Electronic Structures and Optical Properties of the P3HT:PCBM Interface: A First-Principles GW-BSE Study

In this work, the effect of [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) orientation on the electronic and optical properties of the regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):PCBM blend interface was studied by means of first-principles density functional theory calculations with G0W0 approximation plus the Bethe–Salpeter equation (BSE). The band structures and photoresponse are shown to depend on the PCBM orientation. The origin of the two main optical absorption peaks is determined, and the effect of PCBM rotation on optical properties is revealed. The calculated lowest charge transfer complex state energy, exciton binding energy, and the absorption spectrum for the flat-lying model are in good agreement with the experimental values, which indicates the flat-lying structure is the predominant interface structure in the experiments. The lowest-energy configuration is also determined as the flat-lying orientation in our calculations. Our results further suggest that the dissociation of excitons and ...
Perceptions of Secondhand E-Cigarette Aerosol Among Twitter Users.

OBJECTIVES There is considerable debate among the public health community about the health risks of secondhand exposure to the aerosol from electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Despite mounting scientific evidence on the chemical content of e-cigarette aerosol, public perceptions of the relative safety of secondhand e-cigarette aerosol have not been well characterized. METHOD This study collected tweets, or messages sent using Twitter, about exposure to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol over a 6-week period in 2015. Tweets were coded on sentiment about e-cigarettes (pro-, anti-, or neutral/unknown) and topic (health, social, advertisement, or unknown). RESULTS The 1519 tweets included 531 pro-e-cigarette tweets, 392 anti-e-cigarette tweets, and 596 neutral tweets. Social tweets far outnumbered health tweets (747 vs. 182, respectively). Social-focused tweets were predominantly pro-e-cigarette, whereas health-focused tweets were predominantly anti-e-cigarette. DISCUSSION Twitter discussions about secondhand vaping are dominated by pro-e-cigarette social tweets, although there is a presence of anti-e-cigarette social tweets and tweets about negative and positive health effects. Public health and regulatory agencies could use social media and traditional media to disseminate the message that e-cigarette aerosol contains potentially harmful chemicals and could be perceived as offensive. This study identifies the prevalent topics and opinions that could be incorporated into health education messages.
Analysis on Current Status of CDCs in 18 Quake-hit Counties in Sichuan After Wenchuan Earthquake

Objective To analyze the losses of the Centers for Diseases Control (CDCs) in 18 Quake-hit counties in Sichuan after May 12 Wenchuan Earthquake, and to provide evidences for the reconstruction of CDCs. Methods A statistical analysis was conducted on the bases of the basic data of disease control institutions in 2007 and the data obtained by the survey in 18 quake-hit counties in June, 2008 by using EXCEL. Results In 18 CDCs of these areas, 30 staffs were injuried, and 1 was killed. The building of 240 m2 completely collapsed, accounting for 0.35% of the total construction area of 67 543 m2 used as administrative/ professional houses and laboratory before earthquake. The equipments with the value of 45 160 000 yuan RMB were damaged. The losses on the vaccine, disinfectant, drug /reagent and other materials were 2 310 000, 1 420 000, 2 940 000 and 530 000 yuan RMB, respectively. The total loss was 7200000 yuan RMB. Conclusion The May 12 earthquake did a great damage to the CDCs in 18 quake-hit counties in Sichaun Province, therefore, the governments at all levels should strengthen the staff training for CDC and increase the investment of equipments and funds to insure the normal operation of CDC in quake-hit areas.
A simple technique for intraoperatively stenting a transected ureter.

AbstractWe present a simple technique for intraoperative stenting of a transected ureter. This method does not require cystoscopy, or a separate incision in the bladder or skin.
The effects of conspecifics on burrow selection in juvenile spotted salamanders ( Ambystoma maculatum)

Spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) are pond-breeding amphibians that disperse into terrestrial habitat from natal wetlands after undergoing metamorphosis, relying on small-mammal burrows and coarse woody debris for refugia. The effect of conspecifics on burrow use in juvenile salamanders is poorly understood. Determining how the presence of conspecifics influences the settlement decisions of juvenile salamanders can increase our understanding of amphibian dispersal and our ability to predict population dynamics. We conducted behavioral laboratory trials using 58 recently metamorphosed salamanders to examine how salamanders selected burrows in the presence of conspecifics. Salamanders were more likely to settle in a burrow that was occupied by a conspecific versus an unoccupied burrow. Our results indicate that juvenile salamanders may show conspecific attraction and/or trailing behavior during the dispersal phase.
Presidentialization of Presentation and Impact

This chapter examines the pattern of stability and change in the role of Conservative and Labour party leaders in post-war general elections in Britain. This is an area of study that remains terra incognita by and large, especially relative to other influences on the vote, like social class, partisanship and issues. A good part of the reason for its neglect has been continued widespread acceptance of the unanimous conclusion of survey-based studies of the 1950s that party leaders did not matter for the vote. With the class alignment strong, the evidence suggested that people voted for their party pretty much regardless of who was at its head. Thus, party leaders were often ignored, as in the first survey-based voting study in Britain when they were mentioned only once — and that was merely in connection with the number of radio broadcasts they had made during the campaign (Benney et al. 1956). Alternatively, after consideration of any effect they might have had on the vote, they ended up being passed over as secondary, indistinguishable components of more encompassing party images and largely irrelevant to the understanding patterns of stability and change in election outcomes: (A) leader’s real contribution to the party in the way of popular support is a great deal less than his reputation might lead one to believe … He (the leader) is not expected to transcend the party and he is not indispensable … (He) is to a large extent the embodiment of general political attitudes. (Trenaman and McQuail 1961: 60; see also Milne and Mackenzie 1958)1
Direct-Current Circuits

An electric circuit is a collection of components through which electric charges may flow. Two components of circuits, resistors and capacitors, were introduced in Chapter 14 . In this chapter we will introduce one more component and begin consideration of circuits that carry steady currents , that is, currents with a constant magnitude. Circuits in which charges flow in only one sense are called direct-current circuits . Finally, we analyze some circuits in which capacitors are charged and discharged through resistors. Such circuits are characterized by transient currents , currents with magnitudes that change before reaching steady-state values.
Three Dimensional Velocity Measurements Using Hybrid HPIV

A hybrid holographic particle image velocimetry system has been developed and implemented while studying fully developed turbulent flow in a rectangular channel. The system combines the advantages of both in-line and off-axis holography without having their drawbacks. It improves the signal to noise ratio of the reconstructed images, allows use of 3 – 15 µm particles in water at high density, and achieves large dynamic ranges both in velocity and space. An automated image acquisition system and correlation based software are used for analyzing data. In a sample volume of 47 × 47 × 42 mm3 the data consist of 97 × 97 × 87 vectors. The success rate exceeds 80% of the total sample points. Sample results are provided.
Parent-Child Connectedness and Long-Term Risk for Suicidal Ideation in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adolescents.

Abstract. Background: Few studies have addressed on the role of parent–child connectedness (PCC) on adolescents' risk for suicidal ideation from a longitudinal, developmental perspective. Aim: This study examined PCC during adolescence and risk of suicidal ideation into adulthood among a nationally representative sample of American adolescents. Method: The study includes 13,234 adolescents aged 11–18 from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) who were surveyed during adolescence (1994–1995) and then again in early adulthood (2008–2009). Multinomial logistic regression estimated the association between PCC during adolescence and having ideation during the adolescence period only, in adulthood only, and in both adolescence and adulthood as compared with those without suicidal ideation. Results: After adjusting for depressive symptoms and other parent and adolescent characteristics, adolescents in two-parent households who reported higher PCC during adolescence had lower ...
Evaluation of right atrial-pulmonary artery conduits for tricuspid atresia. Experimental study.

Blood flow through right atrial-pulmonary artery (RA-PA) conduits was investigated. Experiments were designed to evaluate the pumping function of the right atrium, effects of the atrial versus ventricular pacing site, the necessity of a valve within the conduit, and the effect of positive-pressure ventilation on conduit flow. Twenty foxhounds were subjected to silicone patch closure of 90 percent of the tricuspid valve orifices to create stenosis. Ten dogs successfully underwent RA-PA shunting with a conduit with parallel limbs, one containing a prosthetic valve. The proximal main pulmonary artery was ligated to ensure total diversion of blood via the conduit. Valved and nonvalved conduit flow was significantly correlated with right atrial pressure (RAP): r = 0.95, p
Phase II , biomarker and genomic correlative study of GFL: Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), bolus/infusion 5-FU and leucovorin (LV) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 4456 Introduction: In vitro and in vivo xenograft studies demonstrate synergistic interaction between 5-FU and IFN-γ, dependent on upregulation of the Fas receptor and other IFN-γ regulated components of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. IFN-γ has been combined safely with 5-FU/LV +/- bevacizumab in a Phase I trial and upregulates Fas expression in mCRC patients (Schwartzberg, ASCO GI 2006). We performed a phase II clinical trial with a molecular correlate companion study to assess markers of apoptosis, proliferation, and genomic expression of IFN-γ and 5-FU related genes in primary tumor, pre and post treatment biopsies. Methods: Chemotherapy naive (cohort 1) or prior chemotherapy resistant (cohort 2) mCRC patients were enrolled in a Phase II trial adding IFN-γ 150 mcg SQ immediately before and after a bolus/infusional 5-FU/LV regimen over 48 hr in a 14 day cycle. The primary endpoint was objective response by RECIST criteria assessed after 8 weeks. Patients in cohort 1 with stable disease at 8 weeks were eligible for the addition of bevacizumab to GFL. Blood samples for 5-FU and IFN-γ PK were obtained using a limited sampling model. Peripheral blood was obtained at 0, 6.5, 24, 48 and 96 hours to assess Fas expression in various cell compartments. Primary formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor samples were available for most patients as were fresh frozen biopsies taken prior to initiation of GFL in 17 patients and immediately after cycle 1 in 15 patients. Results: Thirty six patients were enrolled, mean age 63.8 (range 42-89), 92% ECOG 0-1, 18 in cohort 1 and 18 in cohort 2. GFL was well tolerated with 17% experiencing highest grade adverse event (AE) grade 4, and 25% highest AE grade 3. Patient disposition as of 11/1/07 revealed 30 patients off study: 22 with disease progression, 4 investigator decision, 2 for adverse events, 2 withdrew consent; and 6 remaining on study. Intent to treat response analysis demonstrated 6/18 (33.3%) of cohort 1 had partial response (PR), 5 at week 8 and 1 after addition of bevacizumab. In cohort 2, 1/18 (5.6%) had PR and 10 had stable disease. Both cohorts met prespecified response boundaries to continue enrollment. Median time to progression in cohort 1 was 5.8 months and in cohort 2 was 4.1 months. Fas expression in neutrophils increased from mean (range) 1621 (12-4090) units at time zero to 2790 (772-5710) at 96 hours after IFN-γ, p<0.001. Conclusion: GFL is an active regimen in mCRC with response rates exceeding historical results with 5-FU/LV alone. DNA microarray analysis from primary tumor and biopsy samples are currently being analyzed and preliminary data will be compared to that obtained from xenograft models treated with the GFL combination. These results will be available at the time of the meeting.
A Glycine max homolog of NON-RACE SPECIFIC DISEASE RESISTANCE 1 (NDR1) alters defense gene expression while functioning during a resistance response to different root pathogens in different genetic backgrounds

A Glycine max homolog of the Arabidopsis thaliana NON-RACE SPECIFIC DISEASE RESISTANCE 1 (NDR1) coiled-coil nucleotide binding leucine rich repeat (CC-NB-LRR) defense signaling gene (Gm-NDR1-1) is expressed in root cells undergoing a defense response to the root pathogenic nematode, Heterodera glycines. Gm-NDR1-1 overexpression in the H. glycines-susceptible genotype G. max[Williams 82/PI 518671] impairs parasitism. In contrast, Gm-NDR1-1 RNA interference (RNAi) in the H. glycines-resistant genotype G. max[Peking/PI 548402] facilitates parasitism. The broad effectiveness of Gm-NDR1-1 in impairing parasitism has then been examined by engineering its heterologous expression in Gossypium hirsutum which is susceptible to the root pathogenic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. The heterologous expression of Gm-NDR1-1 in G. hirsutum effectively impairs M. incognita parasitism, reducing gall, egg mass, egg and juvenile numbers. In contrast to our prior experiments examining the effectiveness of the heterologous expression of a G. max homolog of the A. thaliana salicyclic acid signaling (SA) gene NONEXPRESSOR OF PR1 (Gm-NPR1-2), no cumulative negative effect on M. incognita parasitism has been observed in G. hirsutum expressing Gm-NDR1-1. The results indicate a common genetic basis exists for plant resistance to parasitic nematodes that involves Gm-NDR1. However, the Gm-NDR1-1 functions in ways that are measurably dissimilar to Gm-NPR1-2. Notably, Gm-NDR1-1 overexpression leads to increased relative transcript levels of its homologs of A. thaliana genes functioning in SA signaling, including NPR1-2, TGA2-1 and LESION SIMULATING DISEASE1 (LSD1-2) that is lost in Gm-NDR1-1 RNAi lines. Similar observations have been made regarding the expression of other defense genes.
Small Bowel Diverticulitis

Small bowel diverticulitis is a less commonly discussed disease process when compared to colonic diverticulitis; however, the morbidity and mortality are significant. Affected patients tend to have a nonspecific presentation. Complications such as obstruction, hemorrhage and perforation range from 6 to 10%. Axiomatically, high clinical suspicious is critical. This chapter aims to review the common presenting symptoms, diagnostic workup and management of diverticulitis involving the small intestine.
Phase Congruency for damage mapping with guided wavefields

Abstract The Phase Congruency for damage mapping method utilizes full guided wavefield measurements to visualize the extent of subsurface damage in plate-like structures. The method exploits the phase of wavefield components calculated from a filter bank decomposition of the wavefield in space. Testing for alignment of phase between components over the measurement domain generates a plot of discontinuities in the wavefield. Discontinuities in the wavefield indicate the existence and extent of damage in the specimen considered. Damage maps for a host of cases ranging from simple changes in thickness to complex impact damage are presented.
Occurrence and significance of morphologic changes in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer treated with Cabozantinib.

Abstract Objective To compare performance of RECIST1.1 and Choi criteria in assessment of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer treated with cabozantinib. Methods Thirty patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer enrolled in phase 2 clinical trial received cabozantinib. Clinical benefit rates assessed by prospectively determined RECIST1.1 and retrospectively assessed Choi criteria were compared. Results Decreased tumor density (≥ 15%) at first follow-up was seen in 22/30(73%) patients. CBR was 40% (95%CI:23–59%) by RECIST1.1, and 73% (95%CI:54–88%) by Choi (NPV = 100%, 95%CI:63–100%; PPV = 55%, 95%CI:32–76%). Conclusions Morphologic changes are seen in the majority of patients treated with cabozantinib, making Choi criteria valuable in response assessment.
Effect of Fertilizer and Irrigation on Leachate Levels of NH4-N, NO3-N, and P in Container Production of Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Fluffy Ruffle’

Abstract Nitrogen leaching into surficial aquifers continues to become more of a problem in several areas of the U.S., and thus potential for regulation of foliage plant producers is increasing. A ...
Background Results on Elasticity and Conductivity

This chapter summarizes the background material on linear elasticity and conductivity that is used throughout the book. It includes less traditional material on approximate symmetries of the elastic properties and on multipole expansions.
Performance Differences Between The Hands: Implications For Studying Disruption To Limb Praxis

The basis of manual asymmetries in motor performance is examined. On selected tasks it is possible to identify the task demands that maximize observed hand differences. Identifying the aspect of the movement most responsible for hand differences provides a frame of reference from which to contrast experiments that use similar but not identical tasks. The nature of normal hand differences should provide some foundation from which to view disruptions to limb praxis. The merits of using experimental paradigms that manipulate motor task parameters as is done in some research into manual asymmetries should be useful in the study of apraxia.
MCNP-BRL: A Linkage between MCNP and CAD Geometry

MCNP-BRL, an extended computer-aided design (CAD) geometry-driven version of MCNP5, was developed by linking MCNP5 [1] to the BRL-CAD [2] via a new geometry interface called the Geometry Interface for Transport (GIFT) library Application Programming Interface (API). In this summary BRL-CAD implementation of the GIFT library in MCNP5 and the main features of MCNPBRL are introduced. In addition, performance of the new code and its limitations are discussed.
Accurate by way of aggregation: Should you trust your intuition-based first impressions?

Abstract How much should you trust your intuition about other people's job performance? Different literatures provide different answers to this question. Social psychological research on “thin slices” suggests that untrained observers can predict a person's job performance based on a few moments of observation. Industrial/organizational psychologists have found a weaker relationship between job performance and the intuitive judgments that people make following employment interviews. This paper argues that interviewers' intuitive judgments appear to be weaker predictors than intuitive judgments of thin slices because thin slices research measures predictive validity at the aggregate-level of analysis. Intuition-based first impressions will not usually be valid predictors of job performance unless people have an opportunity to collect and combine the judgments of multiple independent raters.
Synthetic Data via Quantile Regression for Heavy-Tailed and Heteroskedastic Data

Privacy protection of confidential data is a fundamental problem faced by many government organizations and research centers. It is further complicated when data have complex structures or variables with highly skewed distributions. The statistical community addresses general privacy concerns by introducing different techniques that aim to decrease disclosure risk in released data while retaining their statistical properties. However, methods for complex data structures have received insufficient attention. We propose producing synthetic data via quantile regression to address privacy protection of heavy-tailed and heteroskedastic data. We address some shortcomings of the previously proposed use of quantile regression as a synthesis method and extend the work into cases where data have heavy tails or heteroskedastic errors. Using a simulation study and two applications, we show that there are settings where quantile regression performs as well as or better than other commonly used synthesis methods on the basis of maintaining good data utility while simultaneously decreasing disclosure risk.
Role of Habit and Value Perceptions on m-Learning Outcomes

The significance of mobile devices in digital learning is growing fast as they allow users to have easier access to content materials and build engaging interactions with others. On the other hand,...
A Survey of Privacy Concerns in Wearable Devices

With the continued improvement and innovation, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. The rapid adoption of technology and its affordability has given rise to the Internet-of-Things (IoT). IoT is an interconnected network of devices that are able to communicate and share information seamlessly. IoT encompasses a gamut of heterogeneous devices ranging from a small sensor to large industrial machines. One such domain of IoT that has seen a significant growth in the recent few years is that of the wearable devices. While the privacy issues for medical devices has been well-researched and documented in the literature, the threats to privacy arising from the use of consumer wearable devices have received very little attention from the research community. This paper presents a survey of the literature to understand the various privacy challenges, mitigation strategies, and future research directions as a result of the widespread adoption of wearable devices.
Innovative InterLabs System for Smart Learning Analytics in Engineering Education

Learning analytics is a fast growing area in academia; it is focused on collecting, analysis, cleaning, processing, and visualization of data from various academic sources that are related to course, student, faculty, program director and chair/department levels. This paper presents the features and functions, architectural models, software engineering diagrams, main components, inputs and outputs, hierarchical levels and smartness features, mathematical methods and algorithms used in a design, development, testing and implementation of the innovative InterLabs smart learning analytics system into the Computer Science and Information Systems curriculum at Bradley University (Peoria, IL, USA). Conceptually the InterLabs system is based on 1) smartness features such as adaptivity, sensing, inferring, anticipation, self-learning, self-organization, and 2) the Gartner’s Analytics Ascendancy Model. The InterLabs system is focused on descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive types of analytics of student academic performance__
A two-stage stochastic programming model for biofuel supply chain network design with biomass quality implications

Biofuel, an efficient alternative to fossil fuels, has gained considerable attention as a potential source to satisfy energy demands. Biomass collection and distribution typically incur a significa...
Exploring the nature and correlates of caregiving among parents of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Background As adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have longer lives, parents may remain caregivers into old age. In addition, it is unknown who will fulfil caregiving roles after parents are no longer able to be caregivers. In the current study, we explored the nature (e.g. number of hours of caregiving) and correlates of parental caregiving for their adult offspring with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their future caregiving plans. Method In the United States, data were collected from 334 parents of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities via a national survey. Results Altogether, 55% of the sample spent more than 15 hr conducting caregiving per week. Individual characteristics (e.g. maladaptive behaviour and functional abilities) and parent characteristics (e.g. physical proximity of the adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities and caregiving ability) positively correlated with caregiving hours. Notably, 38.58% of participants were unsure who would fulfil caregiving roles. Conclusion Implications for research about caregiving and practice are discussed.
Inflammation and Cancer

Tissues impacted by chronic infiltration of immune cells, for example, chronic inflammation, have a significantly increased risk of neoplasia. Once tumor development begins, immune cells that infiltrate and subsequently reside within neoplastic microenvironments regulate paracrine pathways in the tissue that foster neoplastic cell survival and proliferation, as well as regulating vascular cells, mesenchymal support cells, and other immune cells to similarly support neoplastic progression and tumor development. We now appreciate that immune microenvironments in solid tumors are targets for anticancer therapy, whereby therapeutics aim to neutralize their tumor-promoting activities, which is coincident with bolstering their embedded activities to foster T cell mobilization and cytotoxic functions through enhanced recognition of tumor-specific antigens. The key leukocytes that contribute to acute versus chronic inflammation in cancer, as well as the mechanisms by which they do so are subjects of the ongoing investigations. This article outlines differences between acute and chronic inflammation in the context of cancer, how each state arises, and how each can be manipulated for development of new cancer therapeutics.
Facilitating stochastic resonance as a pre-emphasis method for neural spike detection

Objective We aim to increase the number of neural spikes that can be detected in a single channel extracellular neural recording. Approach We propose a pre-emphasis method facilitating stochastic resonance (SR), where we introduce the band-pass-filtered noisy extracellular recording to an overdamped Brownian particle in a monostable well. The x-position of the Brownian particle is the output of the proposed pre-emphasis method. Threshold is applied on the output for spike detection. To characterize the dynamics and the solution of the system, we use a synthetic dataset generated by adding Gaussian white noise at different intensities to an intracellular recording. Then, we evaluate and compare the spike detection performance of the proposed method on a public synthetic extracellular dataset. Main results The proposed SR-based spike detection improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the intracellular-based synthetic dataset as much as 7.35 dB and outperforms the state-of-the-art pre-emphasis methods in false positive and false negative rates in 15 of the 16 synthetic extracellular datasets, with 100% sensitivity and positive predictivity values in seven of the recordings. Significance The method has the potential of significantly increasing the number of neurons that can be monitored from a single-channel extracellular recording.
Crossing the waterline: Integrating terrestrial and submerged site investigations in the Aucilla River, Florida

Over the past decade, research in the Aucilla River of northwestern Florida, USA, has focused upon understanding the geoarchaeological context of numerous formerly-terrestrial, now-inundated sinkho...
Ubx orchestrates tissue identity through regional and bidirectional changes to chromatin accessibility

Abstract Hox proteins are homeodomain transcription factors that diversify serially homologous segments along the animal body axis, as revealed by the classic bithorax phenotype of Drosophila melanogaster where mutations in Ultrabithorax (Ubx) transform the third thoracic segment into the likeness of the second thoracic segment. To specify segment identity we show that Ubx both increases and decreases chromatin accessibility, coinciding with its role as both an activator and repressor of transcription. Surprisingly, whether Ubx functions as an activator or repressor differs depending on the proximal-distal position in the segment and the availability of Hox cofactors. Ubx-mediated changes to chromatin accessibility positively and negatively impact the binding of Scalloped (Sd), a transcription factor that is required for appendage development in both segments. These findings reveal how a single Hox protein can modify complex gene regulatory networks to transform the identity of an entire tissue.
Green's functions extraction between ships of opportunity using a vertical array

This work describes a method for extracting the time-domain Green’s function between two ships in a shallow-water environment. First, the individual Green’s functions from each ship are estimated along the vertical receiver array using blind deconvolution. Then, the Green’s function between two ships is obtained simply by either correlation or convolution of the individual Green’s functions, depending on the array position with respect to the ships. Simulation and experimental results are presented and discussed to demonstrate the feasibility of extracting the Green’s functions between ships radiating random broadband noise (100–500 Hz), using a 56.25 m long vertical array in about 100-m deep shallow water.
Strong selection consistency of Bayesian vector autoregressive models based on a pseudo-likelihood approach

Vector autoregressive (VAR) models aim to capture linear temporal interdependencies among multiple time series. They have been widely used in macroeconomics and financial econometrics and more recently have found novel applications in functional genomics and neuroscience. These applications have also accentuated the need to investigate the behavior of the VAR model in a high-dimensional regime, which will provide novel insights into the role of temporal dependence for regularized estimates of the models parameters. However, hardly anything is known regarding posterior model selection consistency for Bayesian VAR models in such regimes. In this work, we develop a pseudo-likelihood based Bayesian approach for consistent variable selection in high-dimensional VAR models by considering hierarchical normal priors on the autoregressive coefficients, as well as on the model space. We establish strong selection consistency of the proposed method, namely that the posterior probability assigned to the true underlying VAR model converges to one under high-dimensional scaling where the dimension p of the VAR system grows nearly exponentially with the sample size n. Further, the result is established under mild regularity conditions on the problem parameters. Finally, as a by-product of these results, we also establish strong selection consistency for the sparse high-dimensional linear regression model with serially correlated regressors and errors.
The MiniHawk-VTOL: Design, Modeling, and Experiments of a Rapidly-prototyped Tiltrotor UAV

This work addresses the rapidly-prototyped design of a small Tricopter/Fixed-Wing Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAS with solar-recharge-capability, capable of repeatedly landing, recharging, and taking off, without need for physical intervention or externally placed maintenance devices or platforms. The design uses Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing to rapidly prototype and fabricate the majority of the aircraft structures and parts. Provisions are made for carrying high-level single board computing solutions, or other similar payloads. Details are provided for mechanisms, aerodynamic geometry, solar cell integration and manufacturability. The design is analyzed to estimate inertial moments, aerodynamic performance, and static and dynamic stability. Simulation models for the Gazebo and RealFlight environments are provided, targeting Software-In-The-Loop architectures that run the ArduPilot and PX4 flight stacks. A flight testing methodology is developed, and results are presented with multiple prototype vehicles constructed. We finally contribute all production definitions, files, and models as open-access resources, with the goal of supporting and promoting migratory/swarming behavior and autonomy research.
Student Experiences With An Intervention Utilizing the Salience Principle to Reduce Psychological Attraction to Smartphones.

Objective. To determine pharmacy student reactions to and experiences with an intervention based upon the principle of salience to reduce psychological attraction and attention to smartphones. Method. For a period of 3 weeks, participants were directed to change their smartphone’s color setting to grayscale mode, turn off social media notifications, remove social media icons from smartphone home screen, and place the device away from bed when sleeping. A thematic analysis was performed on responses to an anonymous, open-ended survey question that asked participants to record any positive/negative changes to their life and well-being as a result of participating in the study. Results. Thematic analysis revealed twenty unique themes, which provided a variety of notable observations including a reduction in both smartphone and social media use, reduced allure because of grayscale mode, frustrations caused by grayscale mode, increased productivity, and general improvements in sleep, face-to-face interactions, and overall well-being Conclusion. Results of this study provide initial evidence that changes to smartphone settings and physical placement at night may lead to positive outcomes. Participants reported primarily positive effects regarding well-being and reduced smartphone usage as a result of participating in the study. In many cases, less time on smartphones meant improved sleep, more productivity, more time for social/leisure activities, improved face-to-face interactions, and/or improvement in well-being.
Afrofuturism Revelation and Revolution; Voices of the Digital Generation:

The art movement known as Afrofuturism uses various forms of artistic expression to create speculative fictions linking African-Americans’ ancestral past with envisioned, utopian futures. In the pr...
Social Factors Predictive of Intensive Care Utilization in Technology-Dependent Children, a Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Objective: Technology-dependent children with medical complexity (CMC) are frequently admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The social risk factors for high PICU utilization in these children are not well described. The objective of this study was to describe the relationship between race, ethnicity, insurance status, estimated household income, and PICU admission following the placement of a tracheostomy and/or gastrostomy (GT) in CMC. Study Design: This was a retrospective multicenter study of children 1) PICU admissions within one year from index hospitalization. In multivariate analysis, Black children [OR 1.20 (95% C.I. 1.10-1.32), p < 0.001] and those with public insurance [OR 1.34 (95% C.I. 1.24-1.46), p < 0.001] had higher odds of multiple PICU admissions. Social risk factors were not associated with total hospital costs accrued within 1 year of tracheostomy and/or GT placement. Conclusions: In a multicenter cohort study, Black children and those with public insurance had higher PICU utilization following tracheostomy and/or GT placement. Future research should target improving healthcare outcomes in these high-risk populations.
Nonperturbative bounds on electron spin coherence times induced by hyperfine interactions

We address the decoherence of a localized electron spin in an external magnetic field due to the hyperfine interaction with a lattice of nuclear spins. Using a completely nonperturbative method, rigorous bounds on the ${T}_{1}$ and ${T}_{2}$ coherence times for the electron spin are provided. It is shown that for magnetic fields $B$ greater than some critical field ${B}_{c}$ (${B}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}0.001\text{--}2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{T}$ for the systems studied here), the $z$ polarization of the electron spin cannot relax, and hence ${T}_{1}$ is infinite. However, even at high fields dephasing can still occur. We provide a lower bound on the ${T}_{2}$ coherence time that explicitly takes into account the effects of a spin-echo pulse sequence.
Tryptase: a mast cell serine protease.

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights tryptase derived from human mast cells. Tryptase, along with chymase, carboxypeptidase, and a cathepsin G-like protease, are the dominant protein components of secretory granules in human mast cell. Such enzymes serve as selective markers that distinguish mast cells from other cell types, including basophils, and different mast cell subpopulations from one another. Tryptase activity can be measured by cleavage of small synthetic ester or peptide substrates with Arg or Lys in the C-terminal position. Cleavage of tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME) is determined by addition of tryptase to 1 ml of 0.04 M Tris-HCl, pH 8.1, containing 0.15 M NaCl and 1 mM TAME at either room temperature or at 37°. A variety of tripeptide derivatives of p -nitroanilide are also used to assay tryptase. The pH optima for peptide substrates tend to be slightly lower than for ester substrates. Tryptase hydrolyzes proteins and peptides on the C-terminal side of the basic residues, lysine and arginine. Tripeptide substrates with basic amino acid residues in the S1 and S2 positions are preferred by tryptase.
The Public Chamber and Social Conflicts in Russia

The Public Chamber of the Russian Federation was created in response to a proposal by Vladimir Putin, and it began functioning in January 2006. The creation of that institution reflected a conception of civil society as supporting the state rather than confronting it. Yet the Public Chamber was expected to provide a safety valve for public discontent and a mechanism for correcting problems in the operation of state legislative and executive bodies. This paper examines the manner in which the Public Chamber, on some occasions, has intervened to protect citizens from the abuse of their interests by officials on one or another level in the state. The paper concludes that mechanisms introduced by the leaders of a semi-authoritarian regime to provide feedback for the state may also serve as channels of appeal for citizens who feel that their rights have been violated.
Effect of Curing Conditions on the Porosity Charcteristic of Metakaolin-Fly Ash Geopolymers

Abstract : The porosity characteristics of metakaolin (MK)- and fly ash (FA)-based geopolymers cured under ambient, thermal, and moist conditions were investigated using nitrogen adsorption porosimetry. In general, surface areas were higher for materials prepared from FA (29.0-59.2 m(2)/g) than for MK (5.3-12.8 m(2)/g). Total pore volumes ranged from 0.034-0.104 cc/g for MK-based materials and from 0.077-0.089 cc/g for FA-based materials. For MK-based geopolymers, curing under ambient conditions resulted in a single, broad pore size distribution (PSD) between 250-500 A. PSDs for MK-based geopolymers cured using thermal or moist methods were bimodal with broad peaks between approximately 60-250 A and 250-500 A. For FA-based geopolymers, a single, broad PSD was observed and ranged from 20-100 A for ambient temperature cured materials and 40-200 A for materials cured under thermal or moist conditions. The observed pore size distributions were accompanied by a shift to higher wavenumber in the position of the main geopolymer band in the A TR-FTIR spectra of geopolymer materials after thermal or moist curing, indicating a higher concentration of Si-0-Si bonds formed in the materials cured at elevated temperatures. These results suggest that the observed PSDs result from Si-0-Al and Si-0-Si bond formation during curing and are affected by the curing conditions.
Informal animation sketching: Requirements and design

We present an interface design for creating informal animations from sketches. Current tools for creating animation are extremely complex. This makes it difficult for designers to prototype animations and nearly impossible for novices to create them at all. Simple animation systems exist but severely restrict the types of motion that can be represented. To guide our design of an animation sketching interface, we conducted field studies into the needs of professional and novice animators. These studies show the wide variety of motions that users desire in informal animations and indicate how to prioritize these types of motion. The interface described here allows the most important types of motion to be defined with pen gestures, and gives visual feedback for coordination of events.
Lewis acid-base titration employing megacycle-frequency oscillators : Titrations involving aluminum chloride in acetonitrile solution

Abstract An investigation of the applicability of megacycle-frequency oscillators to following reactions between Lewis acids and bases was initiated with the following objectives : ( 1 ) quantitative determination of Lewis acids and bases by titration, ( 2 ) evaluation of reaction stoichiometry, and ( 3 ) measurement of relative base strength of Lewis bases with respect to a given Lewis acid. The Lewis acid, aluminum chloride, has been titrated with nitrogen bases in acetonitrile as solvent with an accuracy of 0.5 to 4%, which compares favorably with that attainable by other techniques for following Lewis acid-base reactions. The method is convenient, rapid and sensitive; commercially available equipment can be used. In titrations involving electrical conductance, the megacycle-frequency technique appears to be more rapid and more sensitive than conventional conductometry. The shapes of the titration curves (positions of inflection) give information regarding the species forming during the course of reaction. It was thus shown that aluminum chloride forms soluble AB adducts and insoluble AB 2 adducts in acetonitrile with pyridine, quinoline, p -toluidine, dimethylaniline, diphenylguanidine and tri- n -butylamine; diphenylamine forms only a soluble AB adduct. The relative degree of ionization of the various adducts, including that of aluminum chloride with the solvent, can be estimated.
A Beaconless Minimum Interference Based Routing Protocol for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

We propose a novel on-demand minimum interference based routing protocol (MIF) that minimizes the end-to-end delay per data packet for mobile ad hoc networks. MIF does not require periodic exchange of beacons in the neighborhood. During the broadcast of the Route Request (RREQ) messages, each node inserts its identification and location information. The interference index of a link is the number of interfering links surrounding it. Two links are said to interfere with each other, if the distance between the mid points of the two links is within the interference range. The interference index of a path is the sum of interference index values of the constituent links. The destination uses the RREQs to locally construct a weighted graph of the network topology and selects the path with the minimum interference index value. In addition to end-to-end delay, MIF provides higher route stability and packet delivery and lower energy consumption.