cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multimodal controls for soldier/swarm interaction

In theory, autonomous robotic swarms can be used for critical Army tasks, including accompanying vehicle convoys to provide security and enhance situational awareness. However, the Soldier providing swarm supervisory control must be able to correct swarm actions, especially in disrupted or degraded conditions. Dynamic map displays are visual interfaces that can be useful for swarm supervisory control tasks, because they can show the spatial positions of objects of interest (e.g., people, robots, swarm members, and vehicles), at different locations (e.g., on roads and intersections), while allowing user commands as well as world changes, often in real time. In this study, multimodal speech and touch controls were designed for a U.S. Army Research Laboratory dynamic map display to allow users to provide supervisory control of a simulated robotic swarm. This experiment explored the use of sequential multimodal touch and speech commands for placement of swarm-related map objects at different map locations. The criterion variable was temporal binding, the time between the onset of each command in the sequence, relative to the system's ability to fuse the two sequential commands into a unitary response. User preference of modality for the first command was also measured. These concepts were tested in a laboratory study using 12 male Marine volunteers with a mean age of 19 years. Results indicated significant differences in temporal binding for different map objects and map locations. Additionally, nine out of 12 Marines used speech commands approximately 75% or more of the time, while the remaining three Marines used touch commands first approximately 75% or more of the time. Temporal binding was significantly shorter for touch-first than for speech-first commands. Suggestions for future research and future applications to robotic command and control systems are described.
Performance analysis of mobility-assisted routing

Traditionally, ad hoc networks have been viewed as a connected graph over which end-to-end routing paths had to be established.Mobility was considered a necessary evil that invalidates paths and needs to be overcome in an intelligent way to allow for seamless ommunication between nodes.However, it has recently been recognized that mobility an be turned into a useful ally, by making nodes carry data around the network instead of transmitting them. This model of routing departs from the traditional paradigm and requires new theoretical tools to model its performance. A mobility-assisted protocol forwards data only when appropriate relays encounter each other, and thus the time between such encounters, called hitting or meeting time, is of high importance.In this paper, we derive accurate closed form expressions for the expected encounter time between different nodes, under ommonly used mobility models. We also propose a mobility model that can successfully capture some important real-world mobility haracteristics, often ignored in popular mobility models, and alculate hitting times for this model as well. Finally, we integrate this results with a general theoretical framework that can be used to analyze the performance of mobility-assisted routing schemes. We demonstrate that derivative results oncerning the delay of various routing s hemes are very accurate, under all the mobility models examined. Hence, this work helps in better under-standing the performance of various approaches in different settings, and an facilitate the design of new, improved protocols.
Experiments to Generate New Data About School Choice: Commentary on “Defining Continuous Improvement and Cost Minimization Possibilities Through School Choice Experiments” and Merrifield's Reply

Benefiting from new data provided by experimental economists, behavioral economics is now moving beyond empirical tests of standard behavioral assumptions to the problem of designing improved institutions that are tuned to fit real-world behavior. It is therefore worthwhile to consider the potential for new experiments to advance school choice debates and the daunting task of institutional reform. Deciding which new institutions to introduce and test is an important scientific question. New institutional alternatives are, however, by definition, untested, and empirical arguments to guide this process are difficult to construct without adding more layers of theoretical assumptions. This article analyzes normative criteria that can be used when introducing new institutions for delivering school services. Because of the long time-frames for testing the effects of new institutions and the extraordinarily high stakes for children and families who participate in such experiments, performance metrics that are no...
OPTIMAL USE OF QUALITATIVE MODELS: AN APPLICATION TO COUNTRY GRAIN ELEVATOR BANKRUPTCIES

amples of such decision making situations: a Qualitative models can be used for decision decision maker (regulator or loan officer) must making under uncertainty. This provides a choose among alternative actions (scheduling useful framework for evaluating the models. or not scheduling an extra audit, making or If the costs for every action/state of nature not making a loan) when the state of nature i combination are known, decisions made using unknown (the will e r survive or go a well-calibrated model would result in actual bankrupt, the loan will be collectible in full or costs being close to expected costs. In addi- result in a loss). tion, the actual cost can be compared to the This paper differs from previous studies in cost of perfect foresight actions, giving a that it explicitly recognizes that choice of acbound on the value of a better model. Applica- tion is a standard decision under uncertainty tion of these procedures is made using a logit problem. It is assumed that the decision model developed to predict Missouri country maker chooses actions which yield the highest grain elevator bankruptcies. expected value of the objective function. In
Protease-Activated Drug Development

In this extensive review, we elucidate the importance of proteases and their role in drug development in various diseases with an emphasis on cancer. First, key proteases are introduced along with their function in disease progression. Next, we link these proteases as targets for the development of prodrugs and provide clinical examples of protease-activatable prodrugs. Finally, we provide significant design considerations needed for the development of the next generation protease-targeted and protease-activatable prodrugs.
A GMCSF-neuroantigen fusion protein is a potent tolerogen in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) that is associated with efficient targeting of neuroantigen to APC.

Cytokine-NAg fusion proteins represent an emerging platform for specific targeting of self-antigen to particular APC subsets as a means to achieve antigen-specific immunological tolerance. This study focused on cytokine-NAg fusion proteins that targeted NAg to myeloid APC. Fusion proteins contained GM-CSF or the soluble extracellular domain of M-CSF as the N-terminal domain and the encephalitogenic 69–87 peptide of MBP as the C-terminal domain. GMCSF-NAg and MCSF-NAg fusion proteins were ∼1000-fold and 32-fold more potent than NAg in stimulating antigenic proliferation of MBP-specific T cells, respectively. The potentiated antigenic responses required cytokine-NAg covalent linkage and receptor-mediated uptake. That is, the respective cytokines did not potentiate antigenic responses when cytokine and NAg were added as separate molecules, and the potentiated responses were inhibited specifically by the respective free cytokine. Cytokine-dependent targeting of NAg was specific for particular subsets of APC. GMCSF-NAg and MCSF-NAg targeted NAg to DC and macrophages; conversely, IL4-NAg and IL2-NAg fusion proteins, respectively, induced an ∼1000-fold enhancement in NAg reactivity in the presence of B cell and T cell APC. GMCSF-NAg significantly attenuated severity of EAE when treatment was completed before encephalitogenic challenge or alternatively, when treatment was initiated after onset of EAE. MCSF-NAg also had significant tolerogenic activity, but GMCSF-NAg was substantially more efficacious as a tolerogen. Covalent GMCSF-NAg linkage was required for prevention and treatment of EAE. In conclusion, GMCSF-NAg was highly effective for targeting NAg to myeloid APC and was a potent, antigen-specific tolerogen in EAE.
Application Of Molecular Beam Epitaxy To Microwave And Millimeter Wave Devices

Material requirements for various microwave and millimeter wavelength solid state devices are discussed and the applicability of molecular beam exitaxy to growth of the epitaxial layers is presented. The complex doping profiles required for these devices suggest the precise control of epitaxial film thickness, impurity concentration, uniformity, interfaces, alloy composition and surface quality achievable with MBE.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Alpha interferon combined with ribavirin potentiates proliferative suppression but not cytokine production in mitogenically stimulated human lymphocytes

The improved clinical outcome observed among patients with hepatitis C treated with the combination of alpha interferon (IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) is presumed to result from immunomodulation and viral inhibition. However, the impact of the drug combination upon lymphocyte activity is unknown. The present study evaluated the effects of IFN and RBV, singly and in combination, upon proliferation, cell cycle sensitivity and cytokine elaboration following PHA stimulation of lymphocytes. Two formulations of IFN, interferon-a-2b (IFN-2b) and interferon-a-con-1 (CIFN), were included. Titration of each drug over a wide range of concentrations showed dose dependent proliferative suppression without cytotoxicity. Proliferation was suppressed 57‐99% (PB 0.001) by IFN-2b (10 5 ‐10 7 IU:ml), 41‐74% (PB0.001) by CIFN (1.5‐150 ng:ml), and 10‐94% (PB 0.001) by RBV (0.5‐50 mg:ml). Isobologram analysis showed that the interaction between IFN-2b and RBV on proliferative suppression was additive. In contrast, the interaction between CIFN and RBV was weakly antagonistic. Proliferative suppression by both the IFNs was cell cycle restricted. IFN-2b and CIFN added at the onset of PHA stimulation (G0:G1) versus 24 h later (S phase) inhibited proliferation by 50 versus 5%, respectively (PB 0.05). The onset of IFN resistance correlated with a 50% reduction (PB0.05) in IFN receptors on the cell surface. In contrast, RBV caused equivalent proliferative suppression (PNS) when added at any time during PHA activation. Cytokine secretion after 24 h of PHA stimulation showed that IFN-2b versus CIFN increased the secretion of IL2, TNF and gamma IFN by 4.5-, 4.1- and 8.3-fold (PB0.005) versus 1-, 1.9- and 1.9-fold (PB0.05), respectively, above control levels. Neither IFN affected IL10 secretion. RBV, singly and in combination with IFN, had no impact on cytokine expression (P NS). This study identifies several potential mechanisms by which the combination of IFN and RBV may exert a more potent effect upon cellular immunity than either agent alone and shows that different formulations of IFN may have non-identical effects upon lymphocyte responses. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Video otoscopy: bringing otoscopy out of the "black box".

Summary Background Several billion dollars are spent each year on otitis media, a diagnosis for which educational approaches and diagnostic skills are suboptimal. The Center for Disease Control has identified improvement in otoscopy skills as a key intervention to curb inappropriate antibiotic usage. Educators are looking for interventions to both improve and assess otoscopy skills. Video otoscopy (VO) uses endoscopic technology to project the image of the ear onto a monitor for all to see, offering unexplored educational opportunity. The objective of this study is to perform an evaluation of VO systems in medical education from a review of the literature and hands-on experience of available technology. Methods The evaluation will focus on the technical acceptability (user requirements), clinical appropriateness (validity, reliability, feasibility), operational effectiveness (training requirements and implementation), and equipment selection. Results The technical requirements in pediatric education exceed those available in some VO systems, specifically pneumatic capability, sophisticated cameras and optics, and pediatric-sized ear speculums. VO images are comparable to the conventional otoscopic and otomicroscopic examinations. VO is feasible in a primary care setting and can be integrated into resident and medical student education. The technology in VO systems is changing rapidly, necessitating comparison of systems before equipment is purchased. Conclusions VO is technically acceptable, clinically appropriate and can be integrated into the otoscopic education of residents and medical students. VO provides an opportunity to bring the pediatric ear examination out of the “black box,” potentially improving diagnostic skills, quality of care, and reducing antibiotic overuse.
Sanctioning Liberal Democracies

This article examines when economic sanctions should be imposed on liberal democracies that violate democratic norms. The argument is made from the social-liberal standpoint, which recognises the moral status of political communities. While social liberals rarely refer to the use of economic sanctions as a pressure tool, by examining why they restrict military intervention and economic aid to cases of massive human rights violations or acute humanitarian need, the article is able to show why they are likely to impose strong restrictions on the use of economic sanctions as well. After reconstructing the social-liberal case against economic sanctions, the article develops the argument that liberal democracies have reasons to support sanctions on other liberal democracies, even when they perpetrate injustices on a smaller scale. Liberal democracies share especially strong ideological, cultural and institutional bonds, and these peer group relations open them to mutual influence. When one liberal democracy co...
ALGODONCILLO: WHITE SIGN OF DANGER

Children commonly die in the developing world. Thus we were not surprised when, in our 1980 survey of childhood mortality rates experienced by Mexicans recently arrived in southern California, 43 of 100 clinic patients reported that at least one of their children or siblings had died before the age of 5. The reasons given ranged from entities known to scientific medicine such as pneumonia, measles, scorpion bites, and gastrointestinal infections to folk diseases such as bilis and susto. Though impressed that the specter of infant mortality was very real to our patients, we were puzzled when one subject, a 25-year-old woman from Tacambaro, Michoacan, stated that her infant brother had succumbed to algodoncillo. This term, a diminutive of algod6n (from the Arabic words for "the cotton"), is used in Mexico to refer to the oral form of Candida albicans, otherwise known as oral monilia or, in popular parlance, "thrush." Though algodoncillo is not so defined in most dictionaries, where it is said to refer to the milkweed plant, Santamaria (1959) clearly relates it to thrush by glossing it as a sickness that young children suffer in the mouth. This interpretation of the word was confirmed by several of our Mexican-born informants, who remarked that the characteristic white patches on the tongue resemble
Long-Term Care Needs and Related Issues in China

Long-term care is receiving increasing attention as population aging increases the demand for long-term care services and boosts the cost of health expenditures. Although China’s old age support system has been studied, previous research has insufficiently examined the long-term care system and its related issues.This chapter systematically evaluates long-term care needs, costs, unmet needs, provisions, finances, and their associated factors among the Chinese elderly population. We mainly use the data from the 2005 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) including 15,593 elders aged 65 and older with over-sampling of the oldest-old to investigate these issues. Additional data were analyzed including a nationwide survey on the elderly and the 2000 census.We find that about 5-6% (or about 5.7 million) of the Chinese elderly needed long-term care in 2005 if the long-term care need was defined as a status in which a person has been disabled in any of six of activities of daily living for more than ninety days. That figure will reach 27 million in 2050 given the same age-sex-specific prevalence rates. Yearly long-term care expenditures reached 21 billion Yuan in 2005, accounting for 2.7% of total health expenditures. The proportion of unmet and undermet needs was nearly 60%. In other words, there were 3.5 million Chinese elders who needed long-term care services but could not access them. This number could climb to 16 million in 2050 given the same age-sex-specific rate.Our results revealed that more than 80% of long-term care services were provided by family and more than 50% of costs were paid for by family. Our results further revealed that care needs, costs, unmet and undermet needs, provisions, and sources of payments varied across regions and between urban and rural areas, and that individual socioeconomic status and family/social resources were associated with long-term care needs, provisions, and finances, although such associations did not follow the same patterns across subpopulations. These findings are useful in identifying target populations, assessing the long-term care needed, and initiating appropriate services given that rapid population aging and dramatic social and demographic changes will bring great pressure on and challenges to the long-term care system in China.
Retirement Age Expectations of Older Americans Between 2006 and 2010

This paper examines how the retirement strategies of older (age 50 or older) Americans have changed over the period of 2006-2010. The data used for this study come from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study (HRS), sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and the most comprehensive national survey of older Americans. HRS asks individuals at what age they plan to stop working and what their chances are of working past ages 62 and 65. The survey retains a panel structure (where an individual is observed over several years), which makes it possible to study how these individuals’ plans to retire have changed over time. This study examines what percentage of the working population (age 50 or older) plans to retire at the traditional U.S. ages of retirement (62 and 65) and beyond. Then it examines how this expected retirement age has changed over the two-year periods of 2006-2008 and 2008-2010 and also the four-year period of 2006-2010. It also examines the trends in self-reported probability of working past ages 62 and 65 and how these probabilities have changed over the two-year periods of 2006-2008 and 2008-2010. Data from the HRS show a clear trend that workers age 50 or over are expecting to work longer, which is correlated with the financial crisis of 2007-2009. In 2006 (just before the recent recession), 11.2 percent expected to retire at age 70, and by 2010 (after it had officially ended) that had increased to 14.8 percent. Even at higher ages, the expected retirement has jumped: Just 1.7 percent of workers age 50 or over planned to retire at age 80 in 2006, which more than tripled to 5.2 percent in 2010. Expected retirement at ages 62 and 65 steadily declined over this four-year period. In 2008, during the recession, 22.4 percent of the workers age 50 or over said they plan to never retire. That declined to 16.3 percent in 2010 after the recession. Over the 2006-2010 period (before, during, and after the recession), another 14-18 percent of workers said they don’t know when they will retire. The PDF for the above title, published in the December 2011 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another December 2011 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: “Variation in Public Opinion on the Future of Employment-Based Health Benefits: Findings From the 2011 Health Confidence Survey.”
The Wrong Vampire

In Roman Polanski's horror-movie spoof, The Fearless Vampire Killers, a woman finds a vampire in her bedroom preparing to drink her blood. Being a well-educated Victorian lady, she grabs a crucifix and holds it up, expecting to repel the unholy assault. However, to her surprise, the vampire smiles happily and then says, in a stage-Yiddish accent, "Oy, have you got the wrong vampire!"This scene offers a parable of the difficulties of dialogue about religion between groups. A secular version of the same lesson is contained in an immortal dialogue between George Burns and Gracie Allen. "Gracie," says George, "I'm sorry to hear about your missing brother." Gracie replies, "You know, George, I think they ought to open the prisons. It would be good for prosperity." "Gracie," George says with his eternal patience, "that's the wrong answer." "No, it's not," Gracie replies. "You just asked the wrong question."These parables apply to the ongoing controversy about Congress's passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 ("RFRA") and the United States Supreme Court's invalidation of the Act (at least as applied to state law) in City of Boerne v. Flores. Boerne has been the subject of much criticism, a great deal of it merited. In Boerne, the Court reasoned that the RFRA must be voided--at least against the states--because, as an application of Congress's power to enforce civil rights under Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment, it violates a Court-mandated requirement of "congruence and proportionality between the injury to be prevented or remedied and the means adopted to that end." Whatever the merits of this view of Section 5, the opinion is indeed, as Dean Aviam Soifer has argued elsewhere, a poor piece of judicial craftsmanship, so broad and oracular that it has allowed lower court judges to take a meat-axe to the congressional power under Section 5. Thus, for example, Judge Boyle of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina has used Boerne as authority to invalidate the express congressional abrogation of state Eleventh Amendment immunity set out in the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). In language that suggests that the entire Act should be held unconstitutional, Judge Boyle wrote that Congress had no power to enact legislation protecting the disabled because the Supreme Court had not found them to be a "discrete and insular minority."
Distribution and seasonal occurrence of aquatic Saprolegniaceae in Northwest Iowa

Nine aquatic sites in northwest Iowa were sampled at three week intervals from April through November in 1977 and 1978 for members of the Saprolegniaceae. Saprolegnia diclina was associated predomi...
Protein Products for Rearing Three Species of Larval Tephritidae

Diets formulated with torula yeast type 200 (standard), cottonseed protein, soybean protein, Saccharomyces fragilis Jorgenson (yeast) combined with whey protein, and torula yeast type B, and a fluid larval medium (cottonseed + torula yeast) were all nutritionally and physically adequate, as determined by regression analysis, for rearing the melon fly, Dacus cucurbitae Coquillett, and the oriental fruit fly, D. dorsalis Hendel. However, only diets formulated with protein from yeast products, i.e., torula yeast and S. fragilis , were adequate for rearing the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Diet formulated with marine protein concentrate was inadequate for all 3 species. Data showing the number of pupae per liter of diet, the number of pupae per 100 neonate larvae, and the number of emerging adults for diets that had a signficant negative linear regression between weight per pupa and number of pupae per liter of diet indicated that S. fragilis yeast provided consistently high yields of the 3 species and should be tested in opentray mass rearing.
Grading the DOJ's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 'Pilot Program'

In April 2016, the Department of Justice issued a policy document titled “The Fraud Section’s FCPA Enforcement Plan and Guidance.” The document outlined various steps in the DOJ’s “enhanced FCPA enforcement strategy” including a “pilot program” intended to “encourage companies to disclose FCPA misconduct to permit the prosecution of individuals whose criminal wrongdoing might otherwise never be uncovered or disclosed to law enforcement.” This article grades the pilot program by addressing the following issues: the obvious logical gap in the pilot program; how the pilot program, both in terms of rhetoric and substance, is really nothing new; why the corporate community should take the pilot program with a grain of salt; and how the pilot program falls short of accomplishing the laudable goals articulated by the DOJ compared to other alternatives previously advanced.
Boiling Heat Transfer to a Cryogenic Fluid in Both Low and High Gravity Fields

This chapter discusses results of experiments conducted to study boiling heat transfer to a cryogenic fluid in both low and high gravity fields. The chapter also outlines that with the short free-fall time available, a transient technique was adopted in which the time rate of change of enthalpy of a body would provide a measure of the heat transfer rate at its surface. The report also points out that data were taken by immersing the copper sphere, initially at room temperature, into the liquid nitrogen on the test package. Because of the large initial temperature difference, stable film boiling is first obtained. It is also observed in the results that nucleate boiling heat transfer data for liquid nitrogen was obtained in the range from standard to 20 times standard gravity. The results were shown to be extended and the bubble Froude number computed for several cryogenic liquids in pool boiling. The results also showed that non-boiling free convection is gravity sensitive as is the region of incipient boiling.
Survival Outcomes for Patients (Pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) with Clonal Evolution (CE) Treated with 2nd Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) after Imatinib Failure.

Background: CE has been considered a criterion for accelerated phase (AP) CML, particularly when it appears during the course of therapy, when it is associated with a poor prognosis. CE may involve a variety of chromosomal abnormalities and may signal resistance to imatinib. The 2nd generation TKI (2nd TKI) dasatinib and nilotinib are effective in patients with AP after failure to imatinib, including those with CE. However, it is unclear whether different chromosomal abnormalities constituting CE may have the same outcome after therapy with 2nd TKI. Methods: We analyzed the outcome after 2nd TKI therapy of 61 pts with CML with CE who had failed prior imatinib therapy. Results: The median age was 55 years (range 23–76); the median follow-up after start of 2nd TKI was 18.9 months (mo) (range 5.3–39.3), and median CML duration 67.9 mo (0.4–206.6). Thirty-five pts had CE alone and 26 had CE with other AP features. At the time of this report 59 patients are evaluable for response: 30 treated with dasatinib and 29 with nilotinib. The accompanying table summarizes the findings. Conclusion: CE constitutes a heterogeneous entity with variable outcome with 2nd TKI. Regardless of the percentage of metaphases with CE, those with trisomy 8 or with abnormalities in chromosome 17 may have the worse outcome. In all cases, the presence of other features of AP further worsens the outcome. The molecular events behind this worse outcome and potential therapeutic approaches directed at them need to be defined. | Characteristics (n=59) | | CCyR n/no. evaluable(%) | p | EFS % (12mo) | p | OS % (12mo | p | |:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----- | ----------------------- | ---- | ------------ | ------ | ---------- | ------ | | CCyR: Complete Cytogenetic Response, EFS: Event Free Survival, OS: Overall Survival, Chr: Chromosome, Ph+: Philadelphia chromosome positive, n: number of patients | | % Cellls with CE | <16 | 3/12(25) | | 62 | | 77 | | | | 16-35 | 4/10(40) | | 60 | | 68 | | | | 36-99 | 9/15(60) | | 73 | | 80 | | | | 100 | 7/22(32) | 0.24 | 60 | 0.96 | 78 | 0.85 | | Other AP features | No | 18/34(53) | | 80 | | 89 | | | | Yes | 5/25(20) | 0.02 | 40 | <0.001 | 60 | 0.005 | | Double Ph+ | No | 9/28(32) | | 55 | | 69 | | | | Yes | 14/31(45) | 0.42 | 71 | 0.93 | 84 | 0.72 | | Trisomy 8 | No | 21/49(43) | | 72 | | 84 | | | | Yes | 2/10(20) | 0.29 | 20 | <0.001 | 40 | <0.001 | | Chr 17 Abnormalities | No | 19/45(42) | | 74 | | 83 | | | | Yes | 4/14(29) | 0.53 | 29 | 0.003 | 56 | 0.02 | | Other Translocations | No | 20/42(48) | | 61 | | 75 | | | | Yes | 3/17(18) | 0.04 | 69 | 0.71 | 82 | 0.81 | | Other abnormalities | No | 15/37(41) | | 62 | | 81 | | | | Yes | 8/22(36) | 0.79 | 65 | 0.45 | 70 | 0.93 |
Improved Design Optimization for High-Efficiency Matching Networks

Multistage matching networks are often utilized to provide voltage or current gains in resonant conversion applications, such as large conversion ratio power converters and wireless power transfer. In the conventional approach, each stage of a multistage matching network is designed to have a purely resistive input impedance and assumed to be loaded by a purely resistive load. This paper introduces an improved design optimization approach for multistage matching networks comprising L-section stages. The proposed design optimization approach explores the possibility of improvement in efficiency of the network by allowing the L-section stages to have complex input and load impedances. A new analytical framework is developed to determine the effective transformation ratio and efficiency of each stage for the case when input and load impedances may be complex. The method of Lagrange multipliers is used to determine the gain and impedance characteristics of each stage in the matching network that maximize overall efficiency. Compared with the conventional design approach for matching networks, the proposed approach achieves higher efficiency, resulting in loss reduction of up to 35% for a three-stage L-section matching network. The theoretical predictions are validated experimentally using a three-stage matching network designed for 1 MHz and 100 W operation.
Utility of Light Emitting Diodes for inter-satellite communication in multi-satellite networks

Future space missions will be designed to take advantage of multi-satellite network deployment because of their potential for providing improved spatial and temporal resolutions of a target and/or can provide a more comprehensive observation of the Earth. To enable interoperability within this satellite network particularly for autanomous operations and provide on-orbit data handling through distributed processing, a reliable inter-satellite communication (ISC) is required. In this paper, we examine the suitability of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for ISC in multi-satellite networks, and further propose an approach of the physical layer design that meets the requirements of the platform in terms of the size, weight and power (SWaP) of the satellite. An analytical model of the ISL is developed to test feasibility of using LEDs for reliable data communication in the presence of steady solar background illumination. Finally, the performance of the ISL is evaluated in terms of the Bit Error Rate (BER) and achievable data rates for four different intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) schemes.
A Patient and Provider Research Agenda on Diabetes and Hypertension Management

Introduction A demonstration project in Richmond, Virginia involved patients and other stakeholders in the creation of a research agenda on dietary and behavioral management of diabetes and hypertension. Given the impact of these diseases on morbidity and mortality, considerable research has been directed at the challenges patients face in chronic disease management. The continuing need to understand disparities and find evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes has been fruitful, but disparities and unmet needs persist. Methods The Stakeholder Engagement in Question Development (SEED) method is a stakeholder engagement methodology that combines engagement with a review of available evidence to generate research questions that address current research gaps and are important to patients and other stakeholders. Using the SEED method, patients and other stakeholders participated in research question development through a combination of collaborative, participatory, and consultative engagement. Steps in the process included: (1) identifying the topic and recruiting participants; (2) conducting focus groups and interviews; (3) developing conceptual models; (4) developing research questions; and (5) prioritizing research questions. Results Stakeholders were involved in the SEED process from February to August 2015. Eighteen questions were prioritized for inclusion in the research agenda, covering diverse domains, from healthcare provision to social and environmental factors. Data analysis took place September to May 2016. During this time, researchers conducted a literature review to target research gaps. Conclusions The stakeholder-prioritized, novel research questions developed through the SEED process can directly inform future research and guide the development of evidence that translates more directly to clinical practice.
Conceptualizing Perseverance in Problem Solving as Collective Enterprise.

ABSTRACTStudents are expected to learn mathematics such that when they encounter challenging problems they will persist. Creating opportunities for students to persist in problem solving is therefore argued as essential to effective teaching and to children developing positive dispositions in mathematical learning. This analysis takes a novel approach to perseverance by conceptualizing it as collective enterprise among learners in lieu of its more conventional treatment as an individual capacity. Drawing on video of elementary school children in two US classrooms (n = 52), this paper offers: (1) empirical examples that define perseverance as collective enterprise; (2) indicators of perseverance for teachers (and researchers) to support (and study) its emergence; and (3) evidence of how the task, peer dynamics, and student-teacher interactions afford or constrain its occurrence. The significance of perseverance as collective enterprise and as an object of design in developing effective learning communities...
Selecting the best stable isotope mixing model to estimate grizzly bear diets in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Past research indicates that whitebark pine seeds are a critical food source for Threatened grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). In recent decades, whitebark pine forests have declined markedly due to pine beetle infestation, invasive blister rust, and landscape-level fires. To date, no study has reliably estimated the contribution of whitebark pine seeds to the diets of grizzlies through time. We used stable isotope ratios (expressed as δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S values) measured in grizzly bear hair and their major food sources to estimate the diets of grizzlies sampled in Cooke City Basin, Montana. We found that stable isotope mixing models that included different combinations of stable isotope values for bears and their foods generated similar proportional dietary contributions. Estimates generated by our top model suggest that whitebark pine seeds (35±10%) and other plant foods (56±10%) were more important than meat (9±8%) to grizzly bears sampled in the study area. Stable isotope values measured in bear hair collected elsewhere in the GYE and North America support our conclusions about plant-based foraging. We recommend that researchers consider model selection when estimating the diets of animals using stable isotope mixing models. We also urge researchers to use the new statistical framework described here to estimate the dietary responses of grizzlies to declines in whitebark pine seeds and other important food sources through time in the GYE (e.g., cutthroat trout), as such information could be useful in predicting how the population will adapt to future environmental change.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatments

Abstract Mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral interventions refer to a broad group of interventions that integrate formal and informal mindfulness practices with varying other cognitive behavioral strategies. Mindfulness-based interventions target the reactive, fused, entangled relationship individuals have with their internal experiences, aim to reduce rigid experiential avoidance, and promote intentional engagement in personally meaningful activities. This chapter provides a description of these mindfulness-based treatments, with an emphasis on the conceptual model that informs them, their theoretical integration with more traditional cognitive behavioral therapies, and recommendations for practice. We also review recent meta-analyses on the efficacy of these interventions for different clinical presentations and mechanisms of action, and provide suggestions for future research.
Eigenvalue significance testing for genetic association.

Genotype eigenvectors are widely used as covariates for control of spurious stratification in genetic association. Significance testing for the accompanying eigenvalues has typically been based on a standard Tracy-Widom limiting distribution for the largest eigenvalue, derived under white-noise assumptions. It is known that even modest local correlation among markers inflates the largest eigenvalues, even in the absence of true stratification. In addition, a few sample eigenvalues may be extreme, creating further complications in accurate testing. We explore several methods to identify appropriate null eigenvalue thresholds, while remaining sensitive to eigenvalues corresponding to population stratification. We introduce a novel block permutation approach, designed to produce an appropriate null eigenvalue distribution by eliminating long-range genomic correlation while preserving local correlation. We also propose a fast approach based on eigenvalue distribution modeling, using a simple fit criterion and the general Marcenko-Pastur equation under a simple discrete eigenvalue model. Block permutation and the model-based approach work well for pure simulations and for data resampled from the 1000 Genomes project. In contrast, we find that the standard approach of computing an "effective" number of markers does not perform well. The performance of the methods is also demonstrated for a motivating example from the International Cystic Fibrosis Consortium.
Alternative Economic Base Bifurcation Techniques: Theory, Implementation, and Results

The economic base model divides a region’s economic activity into two sectors: a basic sector that satisfies demand originating outside the region, and a nonbasic sector that satisfies internal demand. In order to use the economic base model for impact analysis or forecasting, it is therefore necessary to estimate the levels of basic and nonbasic activity; that is to bifurcate total activity. However, no single method of bifurcation has gained universal acceptance. Four main techniques exist in the literature. Each has its own advocates who usually serve as critics of the other techniques. Because of the central role of these techniques in estimating impact multipliers, a detailed analysis of their theoretical rationales, data requirements, and empirical properties seems to be warranted. Such an analysis is presented here, as are procedural recommendations and a comparison of estimates for cities in the United States.1
Endovascular Renal Artery Stent Retriever Embolectomy in a Young Patient With Cardiac Myxoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Purpose:Cardiac myxomas are common tumors of the heart with disproportionate impact on young patients, occasionally with dramatic systemic dissemination of tumor emboli with catastrophic multiorgan...
Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors

Historically, drugs available for treating atopic dermatitis (AD) have been limited to topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors, with systemic immunosuppressants and phototherapy reserved for severe AD. Despite their efficacy and infrequent adverse events, phobia about the use of topical steroids and calcineurin inhibitors has limited their use. More targeted options with fewer systemic and cutaneous side effects are needed for treating AD. Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is involved in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokines via the degradation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. PDE4 activity is increased in the inflammatory cells of patients with AD, leading to increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Targeting PDE4 reduces the production of these proinflammatory mediators in AD. Both topical and oral PDE4 inhibitors have a favorable safety profile. Crisaborole 2% ointment, a topical PDE4, is now US Food and Drug Administration–approved for children older than 2 years and adults in the treatment of AD. Crisaborole 2% ointment shows early and sustained improvement in disease severity and pruritus and other AD symptoms, with burning and/or stinging upon application as the only related adverse event. Other PDE4 inhibitors are currently in trials with promising efficacy and safety.
An anaerobic-aerobic sequential batch process with simultaneous methanogenesis and short-cut denitrification for the treatment of marine biofoulings

Abstract Although combination of denitritation and methanogenesis for wastewater treatment has been widely investigated, an application of this technology to solid waste treatment has been rarely studied. This study investigated an anaerobic-aerobic batch system with simultaneous denitritation-methanogenesis as an effective treatment for marine biofoulings, which is a major source of intermittently discharged organic solid wastes. Preliminary NO2−-exposed sludge was inoculated to achieve stable methanogenesis process without NO2− inhibition. Both high NH4+-N removal of 99.5% and high NO2−-N accumulation of 96.4% were achieved on average during the nitritation step. Sufficient CH4 recovery of 101 L-CH4 kg-COD−1 was achieved, indicating that the use of NO2−-exposed sludge is effective to avoid NO2− inhibition on methanogenesis. Methanogenesis was the main COD utilization pathway when the substrate solubilization occurred actively, while denitritation was the main when solubilization was limited because of substrate shortage. The results showed a high COD removal efficiency of 96.0% and a relatively low nitrogen removal efficiency of 64.4%. Fitting equations were developed to optimize the effluent exchange ratio. The estimated results showed that the increase of effluent exchange ratio during the active solubilization period increased the nitrogen removal efficiency but decreased CH4 content in biogas. An appropriate effluent exchange ratio with high anaerobic effluent quality below approximately 120 mg-N L−1 as well as sufficient CH4 gas quality which can be used as fuel for gas engine generator was achieved by daily effluent exchange of 80% during the first week and 5% during the subsequent 8 days.
Characterization of different forms of Zr-2.5Nb samples before and after neutron irradiation

Abstract Deleterious effects of hydride precipitation on the mechanical properties of Zr-based alloy systems have been studied for many years. Most of these studies have been conducted at high-temperature irradiation conditions that are compatible with those in commercial reactor systems, such as light water and pressurized water reactors. Evaluations of hydride effects on the mechanical properties of welded Zr-2.5Nb are sparse among these reported studies. Research on the mechanical properties of Zr-based alloys neutron irradiated at low temperatures (
Lung-injury depresses glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the nucleus tractus solitarii via discrete age-dependent mechanisms in neonatal rats.

Abstract Transition periods (TPs) are brief stages in CNS development where neural circuits can exhibit heightened vulnerability to pathologic conditions such as injury or infection. This susceptibility is due in part to specialized mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, which may become activated by inflammatory mediators released under pathologic conditions. Thus, we hypothesized that the immune response to lung injury (LI) mediated synaptic changes through plasticity-like mechanisms that depended on whether LI occurred just before or after a TP. We studied the impact of LI on brainstem 2nd-order viscerosensory neurons located in the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) during a TP for respiratory control spanning (postnatal day (P) 11–15). We injured the lungs of Sprague-Dawley rats by intratracheal instillation of Bleomycin (or saline) just before (P9–11) or after (P17–19) the TP. A week later, we prepared horizontal slices of the medulla and recorded spontaneous and evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs/eEPSCs) in vitro from neurons in the nTS that received monosynaptic glutamatergic input from the tractus solitarii (TS). In rats injured before the TP (pre-TP), neurons exhibited blunted sEPSCs and TS-eEPSCs compared to controls. The decreased TS-eEPSCs were mediated by differences in postsynaptic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic-acid receptors (AMPAR). Specifically, compared to controls, LI rats had more Ca2+-impermeable AMPARs (CI-AMPARs) as indicated by: 1) the absence of current-rectification, 2) decreased sensitivity to polyamine, 1-Naphthyl-acetyl-spermine-trihydrochloride (NASPM) and 3) augmented immunoreactive staining for the CI-AMPAR GluA2. Thus, pre-TP-LI acts postsynaptically to blunt glutamatergic transmission. The neuroimmune response to pre-TP-LI included microglia hyper-ramification throughout the nTS. Daily intraperitoneal administration of minocycline, an inhibitor of microglial/macrophage function prevented hyper-ramification and abolished the pre-TP-LI evoked synaptic changes. In contrast, rat-pups injured after the TP (post-TP) exhibited microglia hypo-ramification in the nTS and had increased sEPSC amplitudes/frequencies, and decreased TS-eEPSC amplitudes compared to controls. These synaptic changes were not associated with changes in CI-AMPARs, and instead involved greater TS-evoked use-dependent depression (reduced paired pulse ratio), which is a hallmark of presynaptic plasticity. Thus we conclude that LI regulates the efficacy of TS → nTS synapses through discrete plasticity-like mechanisms that are immune-mediated and depend on whether the injury occurs before or after the TP for respiratory control.
The Effect of Solution Properties on the Photochemical Ability of Pulsed Light to Inactivate Soybean Lipoxygenase

Inactivation of pure soybean lipoxygenase (LOX) by pulsed light (PL) technique was found to occur due to a photochemical effect, while inactivation of soybean LOX in a real food (soymilk) was due to the photothermal effect of PL. The effect of solution properties on the photochemical ability of PL to inactivate and degrade LOX was investigated. LOX was placed in different conditions and treated with PL at a 7 cm distance with different times. The result showed that LOX was less stable during PL operation at pH 9 compared with pH 6.8. Increasing LOX concentration, adding starch, and making a colored solution did reduce the photochemical ability of PL to inactivate LOX. PL and thermal treatment of partially purified LOX degraded the LOX band (measured by using SDS-PAGE) when no protease inhibitors were added. Controlling protease activity led to degradation of LOX by PL but not by thermal treatment.