cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mobile satellite vehicle antennas: noise temperature and receiver G/T

Two L-band mobile vehicle antennas designed in support of NASA's MSAT-X program are evaluated in terms of antenna temperature and receiver G/T. The antenna temperature measurement setup is detailed and its accuracy given. The noise test method is capable of +or-20 K accuracy for antenna temperatures of under 300 K. Antenna temperature is measured in locations representative of the mobile satellite environment. Antenna performance is used in conjunction with receiver noise figure to calculate the mobile receiver G/T at each site and thereby obtain a realistic range for this system figure of merit. The significance of mobile G/T for antenna comparison, antenna design optimization, and mobile satellite system operation is discussed. >
Deriving source-time functions using principal component analysis

Abstract Factors such as source complexity, microseismic noise, and lateral heterogeneity all introduce nonuniqueness into the source-time function. The technique of principal component analysis is used to factor the moment tensor into a set of orthogonal source-time functions. This is accomplished through the singular value decomposition of the time-varying moment tensor. The adequacy of assuming a single source-time function may then be examined through the singular values of the decomposition. The F test can also be used to assess the significance of the various principal component basis functions. The set of significant basis functions can be used to test models of the source-time functions, including multiple sources. Application of this technique to the Harzer nuclear explosion indicated that a single source-time function was found to adequately explain the moment tensor. It consists of a single pulse appearing on the diagonal elements of the moment-rate tensor. The decomposition of the moment tensor for a deep teleseism in the Bonin Islands revealed three basis functions associated with relatively large singular values. The F test indicated that only two of the principal components were significant. The principal component associated with the largest singular value consists of a large pulse followed 16-sec later by a diminished pulse. The second principal component, a long-period oscillation, appears to be a manifestation of the poor resolution of the moment-rate tensor at low frequencies.
Comparison of crash test and simulation results for impact of Silverado pickup into New Jersey barrier under Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware

The National Crash Analysis Center (NCAC) at the George Washington University simulated the crash of a 2,270-kg Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck into a standard 32-in. New Jersey shape concrete barrier under the requirements of Test 3-11 of the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). The new, detailed finite element (FE) model for the Chevrolet Silverado was used as the surrogate for the MASH 2270P test vehicle. An FE model of the New Jersey barrier was drawn from the array of NCAC hardware models. The primary objective of this analysis was to simulate the crash test conducted to evaluate how this commonly used, NCHRP 350-approved device would perform under the more rigorous MASH crashworthiness criteria. A secondary objective was to use newly developed verification and validation (V&V) procedures to compare the results of the detailed simulation with the results of crash tests under-taken as part of another project. The crash simulation was successfully executed with the detailed Silverado FE model ...
FPGA design of HECC coprocessors

Efficient design of suitable public key cryptographic algorithms is one of the most important problems facing their use in communication systems. An emerging public key cryptosystem that promises to be extremely useful for devices built on embedded systems which are resource constrained in memory, space and processing power is that of hyperelliptic curve cryptosystem (HECC). This work outlines an FPGA implementation of a HEC coprocessor which is based on projective and mixed coordinate representations of the curves. A transformation of variables of the curves is also suggested to improve the operating time. Numerical results are provided that shows the improvements offered by these implementations in terms of space and operation time.
Secure deletion myths, issues, and solutions

This paper has three goals. (1) We try to debunk several held misconceptions about secure deletion: that encryption is an ideal solution for everybody, that existing data-overwriting tools work well, and that securely deleted files must be overwritten many times. (2) We discuss new and important issues that are often neglected: secure deletion consistency in case of power failures, handling versioning and journalling file systems, and metadata overwriting. (3) We present two solutions for on-demand secure deletion. First, we have created a highly portable and flexible system that performs only the minimal amount of work in kernel mode. Second, we present two in-kernel solutions in the form of Ext3 file system patches that can perform comprehensive data and metadata overwriting. We evaluated our proposed solutions and discuss the trade-offs involved.
First-principles calculation of atomic structure and electrochemical potential of Li1+xV3O8

Abstract Interest in the γ-bronze, Li 1+ x V 3 O 8 , as a possible electrode material in rechargeable Li batteries has stimulated several experimental studies on this system. Detailed interpretation of the electrochemical and physical-property measurements is complicated by uncertainties regarding the structural arrangement of Li atoms as a function of x and by a phase transition between two monoclinic structures (γ a , γ b ) during intercalation. To elucidate the atomic structures and the phase transition, first-principles calculations are performed with the local-density-functional-theory (LDFT) planewave pseudopotential method for both γ a and γ b as a function of lithiation. Calculations for the compositions 1+ x =1.5 and 1+ x =4 confirm that the Li configuration determined in the existing X-ray diffraction structure refinements (at 1+ x =1.2 and 1+ x =4, respectively), coincide with the predicted low-energy configurations. Structure predictions were made at intermediate compositions, for which no experimental structure measurement is available. The order in which the tetrahedrally coordinated Li sites are filled at equilibrium as a function of x in γ a was predicted. Calculated electrochemical potentials as a function of composition agree well with experimental data.
Ad Hoc Distributed Simulations

An ad hoc distributed simulation is a collection of autonomous on-line simulations brought together to model an operational system. They offer the potential of increased accuracy, responsiveness, and robustness compared to centralized approaches. They differ from conventional distributed simulations in that they are created bottom-up rather than top-down. They combine concepts from conventional distributed simulations and replicated trials, raising new issues in data management and synchronization. The ad hoc simulation approach is proposed as well as an optimistic synchronization algorithm. A prototype coupling in-vehicle transportation simulations is evaluated, yielding promising results. Experiences applying this concept to a commercial transportation simulator in an emergency scenario are described.
An actor-critic architecture and simulator for goal-directed brain-machine interfaces

The Perception-Action Cycle (PAC) is a central component of goal-directed behavior because it links internal percepts with external outcomes in the environment. Using inspiration from the PAC, we are developing a Brain-Machine Interface control architecture that utilizes both motor commands and goal information directly from the brain to navigate to novel targets in an environment. An Actor-Critic algorithm was selected for decoding the neural motor commands because it is a PAC-based computational framework where the perception component is implemented in the critic structure and the actor is responsible for taking actions. We develop in this work a biologically realistic simulator to analyze the performance of the decoder in terms of convergence and target acquisition. Experience from the simulator will guide parameter selection and assist in understanding the architecture before animal experiments. By varying the signal to noise ratio of the neural input and error signal, we were able to demonstrate how the learning rate and initial conditions affect a motor control target selection task. In this framework, the naive decoder was able to reach targets in the presence of noise in the error signal and neural motor command with 98% accuracy.
Dynamics of particulate organic carbon flux in a global ocean model

The sinking of particulate organic carbon (POC) is a key component of the ocean carbon cycle and plays an important role in the global climate system. However, the processes controlling the fraction of primary production that is exported from the euphotic zone (export ratio) and how much of it survives respiration in the mesopelagic to be se- questered in the deep ocean (transfer efficiency) are not well understood. In this study, we use a three-dimensional, cou- pled physical-biogeochemical model (CCSM-BEC; Com- munity Climate System Model-ocean Biogeochemical Ele- mental Cycle) to investigate the processes controlling the ex- port of particulate organic matter from the euphotic zone and its flux to depth. We also compare model results with sed- iment trap data and other parameterizations of POC flux to depth to evaluate model skill and gain further insight into the causes of error and uncertainty in POC flux estimates. In the model, export ratios are mainly a function of diatom rel- ative abundance and temperature while absolute fluxes and transfer efficiency are driven by mineral ballast composition of sinking material. The temperature dependence of the POC remineralization length scale is modulated by denitrification under low O2 concentrations and lithogenic (dust) fluxes. Lithogenic material is an important control of transfer effi- ciency in the model, but its effect is restricted to regions of strong atmospheric dust deposition. In the remaining regions, CaCO3 content of exported material is the main factor affect- ing transfer efficiency. The fact that mineral ballast compo- sition is inextricably linked to plankton community structure results in correlations between export ratios and ballast min- erals fluxes (opal and CaCO 3), and transfer efficiency and diatom relative abundance that do not necessarily reflect bal- last or direct ecosystem effects, respectively. This suggests that it might be difficult to differentiate between ecosystem and ballast effects in observations. The model's skill in re- producing sediment trap observations is equal to or better than that of other parameterizations. However, the sparseness and relatively large uncertainties of sediment trap data makes it difficult to accurately evaluate the skill of the model and other parameterizations. More POC flux observations, over a wider range of ecological regimes, are necessary to thor- oughly evaluate and test model results and better understand the processes controlling POC flux to depth in the ocean.
A Path Oriented In Time optimization flow for mixed-static-dynamic CMOS logic

The complexity of timing optimization has been increasing rapidly in proportion to the shrinking CMOS device size, due to the increased number of channel-connected transistors in a path, and the rising magnitude of process variations. These significant challenges can be addressed through the implementation of designs with an optimal balance between static and dynamic circuits. This paper presents a process variation-aware path oriented in time (POINT) optimization flow for mixed-static-dynamic CMOS logic designs, where a design is partitioned into static and dynamic circuits based on timing critical paths. Implemented on a 64-b adder and ISCAS benchmark circuits, the POINT optimization flow demonstrated an average improvement in delay by 44% and average improvement in delay uncertainty from process variations by 37% in comparison with a state-of-the-art commercial optimization tool.
Floodplain hydrology after restoration of a Southern Appalachian mountain stream

Determining the success of restored wetland hydrology is often accomplished by documenting changes in wetland hydroperiod before and after restoration. Ideally, post-restoration hydropatterns would approach those that existed before site degradation. We evaluated the average monthly water-table levels of a mountain floodplain and fen wetland complex before and after restoration with manual wells that included seven or eight years of pre-restoration data and with electronic wells that included one or two years of pre-restoration data. Site restoration included reconstruction of a meandering 1.9 km stream channel to replace a previously straightened channel. A higher water table was noted within 50 m of the restored channel regardless of the length of pre-restoration assessment. Many of the manual wells further from the stream had insignificant changes in average monthly water levels, whereas higher water levels were common for the electronic wells regardless of proximity to the restored channel. The longer prerestoration assessment period for the manual wells captured the climatic averages of rainfall and provided a more accurate description of pre-restoration conditions. The electronic wells provided the appropriate data to determine if a given area met the compliance aspects of wetland restoration, but a thorough assessment of hydrologic changes could not be accomplished with the electronic well data because of the lower annual rainfall during the shorter pre-restoration assessment. We recommend that pre- and post-restoration assessment periods account for rainfall variability when documenting changes in hydrology associated with wetland restoration in fluvial systems. If no control wetland or water-table data are available, periods of nearly-average rainfall are helpful for evaluating wetland hydroperiod before and after restoration.
Localization and function of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat pancreatic islets

Pancreatic islets contain ionotropic glutamate receptors that can modulate hormone secretion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether islets express functional group III metabotropic glu...
Orphan drugs for sickle vaso-occlusion: dawn of a new era of targeted treatment

While an orphan disease in the USA, sickle cell disease (SCD), a group of genetic disorders of hemoglobin structure and function, is a major public health problem in much of the rest of the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. The pathophysiology of SCD stems from the formation of sickle hemoglobin polymers that deform the erythrocyte into a characteristic sickle shape, the rapidity of which is regulated by its intracellular hemoglobin concentration. Subsequent vaso-occlusion is dependent on adhesion of sickled erythrocytes, and perhaps other cellular elements, including leucocytes and platelets, to abnormal vascular endothelium using a number of receptor-ligand pairs. This propensity for vaso-occlusion may be enhanced by altered vascular tone from excessive amounts of vaso-constrictive factors or diminished amounts of vasodilatory factors. Acute pain is the hallmark symptom caused by sickle polymer formation and subsequent vaso-occlusion, and is represented in the endpoints of most previous and current clinical trial designs. Numerous failures of prior investigational agents have frustrated clinicians and patients alike. Hydroxyurea is currently the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for SCD and reduces the frequency of vaso-occlusive complications in many individuals. A considerable therapeutic need remains as hydroxyurea usage is currently not approved for all types of SCD, is not always clinically effective, and requires frequent monitoring. Recent improvements in our understanding of SCD pathophysiology have generated many new therapeutic targets and associ- ated investigational agents. For example, a number of more specific fetal hemoglobin inducers and several therapies to reduce sickle polymer formation are being tested in preclinical and early phase clinical trials. Several agents that target receptor-ligand interactions which mediate cellular adhesion to vascular endothelium have shown considerable promise and are entering Phase III trials, but present some continuing challenges in clinical trial design and conduct. Gene therapy
Overview of the obesity intervention taxonomy and pooled analysis working group

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institutes of Health Office of Disease Prevention convened a meeting on August 29-30, 2013 entitled “Obesity Intervention Taxonomy and Pooled Analysis.” The overarching goals of the meeting were to understand how to decompose interventions targeting behavior change, and in particular, those that focus on obesity and to combine data from groups of related intervention studies to supplement what can be learned from the individual studies. This paper summarizes the workshop recommendations and provides an overview of the two other papers that originated from the workshop and that address decomposition of behavioral change interventions and pooling of data across diverse studies within a consortium.
Influence of VPM afferents on putative inhibitory interneurons in S1 of the awake rabbit: evidence from cross-correlation, microstimulation, and latencies to peripheral sensory stimulation

1. Responses of thalamocortical projection neurons and suspected cortical interneurons (SINs) to very brief peripheral stimuli were examined within the vibrissae, the sinus hair, the lip, and the chin representations of ventroposterior medial thalamus (VPM) and primary somatosensory cortex (S1). VPM thalamocortical neurons (N = 40) were identified by their antidromic activation after electrical stimulation of S1. SINs were identified by a high-frequency (> 600 Hz) burst of three or more spikes elicited by suprathreshold stimulation of one or more afferent pathways. SINs also had spikes of very short duration. 2. Previous work has shown that electrical stimulation of VPM elicits a very early and powerful synaptic response in many S1 SINs. Three experimental strategies were employed to test the hypothesis that such responses reflect a monosynaptic VPM input onto SINs and to examine the effects of such input. 1) After a brief peripheral stimulus, the arrival times of VPM thalamocortical impulses in S1 were determined and compared with the initial response times of S1 SINs. 2) Shift-corrected cross-correlograms (CCGs) were constructed from the spike trains of pairs of VPM neurons and SINs that were in precise topographic alignment. 3) Inferences of connectivity based on such CCGs were supported by applying very low-intensity (1-10 microA) microstimulation pulses to the recording microelectrode in VPM and observing evoked responses in the cortical SIN. 3. VPM thalamocortical neurons responded to a brief air puff stimulus at a median latency of 5.05 ms, and the estimated arrival time of the VPM impulses at S1 had a median value of 5.97 ms. This estimate was obtained by adding the antidromic latency of each VPM neuron to the latency of the peripheral stimulus and was supported by similar values obtained from three VPM thalamocortical axons recorded near their termination site within S1. SINs of S1 were among the first cortical neurons to respond to the peripheral stimulus, responding to the air puff at a median latency of 6.6 ms (range 5.7-13.0 ms). The latency of SINs to the peripheral stimulus was strongly related to the latency to gross electrical stimulation of VPM (median value 1.52 ms, r2 = +0.44, P < 0.0001). Many SINs (23 of 34) showed significant shift-corrected CCGs with VPM neurons that were in precise topographic alignment. Most significant CCGs revealed a very brief increase in SIN spike probability (half-amplitude response of approximately 1 ms) that reached a peak value at intervals of 1.4-2.0 ms after the VPM spike.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
P5-S6.30 HPV catch-up vaccination among a community sample of young adult women

Background Despite the high efficacy of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, uptake has been slow and little data on psychosocial barriers to catch-up vaccination exist. Methods A community sample of 428 women enrolled in a longitudinal study of social development were interviewed about HPV vaccine status, attitudes, and barriers to HPV vaccination in spring 2008 or 2009 at ∼age 22. Results 19% of women had initiated vaccination, 10% had completed the series, and ∼40% of unvaccinated women intended to get vaccinated. Peer approval was associated with vaccine initiation (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (APR) 2.5; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.8) and intention to vaccinate (APR 1.5; 1.2–1.9). Belief the vaccine is 5 lifetime sex partners, but less common among women perceiving low susceptibility to HPV (APR 0.6; 0.4–0.8) see Abstract P5-S6.30 table 4. Conclusions HPV catch-up vaccination uptake was low in this community sample. Increasing awareness of susceptibility to HPV and the high vaccine efficacy, along with peer interventions to increase acceptability, may be most effective.
Correspondence: Comments on ‘Controllability of descriptor systems’

In this note, it is pointed out that part (iii) of Lemma 1 in the above paper (Chu 1987) is incorrect.
Winifred Mayer Ashby (1879–1975): Medical Laboratory Scientist Extraordinaire

Winifred Mayer Ashby was born in London, England in 1879. She later relocated with her family to the United States in Chicago, Illinois and became a citizen when she was 14 years old. She studied at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago; at the latter institution, she attained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1903. She then earned a Master of Science degree from Washington University in 1905. Next, she relocated to the Philippines, where she taught in schools and studied malnutrition. When she returned to the United States, she worked for a few years teaching chemistry and science in high schools; also, she worked in several clinical and medical laboratories. In 1917, while working at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, she won a fellowship training award in pathology and immunology. At the Mayo Clinic, she began her seminal work on survival measurements of red blood corpuscles in healthy individuals and in patients with a variety of diseases. During that time she also performed studies on compatibility assessments and the transfusion of human blood. Blood groups had recently been elucidated and were initially named using Roman numerals: I (A), II (B), III (AB), and IV (O). Because of these antigenic differences, she was able to transfuse compatible group-O blood to patients of other types and then agglutinate out the inherited blood type by in vitro techniques. She then painstakingly diluted and counted the remaining cells …
Proton radiotherapy dose perturbations caused by esophageal stents of varying material composition are negligible in an experimental model

Background: Self-expanding metal and plastic esophageal stents (SEMS and SEPS, respectively) are used in conjunction with chemoradiation for palliation of malignant dysphagia. To date, the dosimetric effects of stents undergoing proton radiotherapy are not known. Study aim: To investigate the proton radiotherapy dose perturbations caused by esophageal stents of varying designs and materials undergoing external beam treatment for esophageal cancer. Patients and methods: Simulated clinical protocol. Solid acrylic phantom was used to mimic the esophageal tissue environment. Stents made of nitinol, stainless steel and polyester were tested. Proton beam dose of 2 Gy-E was delivered to each stent in a single anterior to posterior field. Film and image based evidence of dose perturbation were main outcomes measured. Results: Only the stainless steel and plastic stents demonstrated slight overall dose attenuations (– 0.5 % and – 0.4 %, respectively). All the nitinol-based stents demonstrated minimal overall dose perturbations ranging from 0.0 % to 1.2 %. Negligible dose perturbations were observed on each of the stent surfaces proximal to the radiation source, ranging from – 0.8 % (stainless steel stent) to 1.0 % (nitinol stent). Negligible dose effects were also observed on the distal surfaces of each stent ranging from – 0.5 % (plastic and stainless steel stents) to 1.0 % (nitinol stent). Conclusion: Proton radiotherapy dose perturbations caused by stents of varying designs and material composition are negligible. Negligible dose perturbation is in keeping with the inherent advantage of proton therapy over traditional radiotherapy composed of photons – given its relative large mass, protons have little side scatter.
The physiological basis of synchronizing conversational rhythms: the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.

Objective During conversation, people tend to converge and become more similar across discourse characteristics, such as producing similar speaking turn lengths and even similar words. This "conversational synchrony" enhances social affiliation and rapport. Here, we investigated the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in conversational synchrony. We focused on the vmPFC because this region is strongly implicated in social behaviors related to synchrony, such as empathy. Method To examine the role of the vmPFC role in conversational synchrony, convergence of total words and words per turn were measured in the discourse of participants with bilateral vmPFC damage, healthy comparison participants (CP), and a brain-damaged comparison group with bilateral hippocampal damage (HPC) as they interacted with an unfamiliar partner. Results CP and HPC interactions displayed convergence as the interactants' productions of words and words per turn became more similar across the sessions. In striking contrast, vmPFC interactions did not display convergence for either variable. A follow-up experiment revealed the same lack of convergence in the interactions of vmPFC participants with a more familiar conversational partner. Conclusions Our results suggest that vmPFC is a crucial part of the neurobiological system that supports the ability to synchronize conversational rhythms by dynamically adjusting behavior to the social environment.
Tensions, Ethics, Conflicts, and Vulnerabilities

This book is about teachers critically inquiring into the rituals, values, emotions, joys and challenges that are part of teaching and learning. Doing such research on one’s own interactions and practices can be invigorating and beautiful as we begin to discover layers of complexities and emotions that can keep us interested for a lifetime of inquiry.
Wetlands Regulation: The Case of Mitigation Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act

The requirement to mitigate impacts to wetlands and streams is a frequently-misunderstood policy with a long and complicated history. We narrate the history of mitigation since the inception of the Clean Water Act Section 404 permit program in 1972, through struggles between the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), through the emerging importance of wetland conservation on the American political landscape, and through the rise of market-based approaches to environmental policy. Mitigation, as it is understood today, was not initially foreseen as a component of the Section 404 permitting program, but was adapted from 1978 regulations issued by the Council on Environmental Quality as a way of replacing the functions of filled wetlands where permit denials were unlikely. The Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the ACOE agreed in 1990 to define mitigation as the three steps of avoidance, minimization, and compensation, principles which must be applied to permit decisions in the form of the environmental criteria in USEPA’s 404(b)(1) Guidelines. Through the 1980s and 1990s, the compensation component of mitigation has become nearly the sole focus of mitigation policy development, and has been the subject of numerous guidances and memoranda since 1990. Avoidance and minimization have received far less policy attention, and this lack of policy development may represent a missed opportunity to implement effective wetland conservation.
Applying Big Data Technologies to Manage QoS in an SDN

Managing QoS in a telecommunications network is a complex process. Effective network design and sizing in conjunction with load balancing, access control and traffic prioritization need to be orchestrated to optimize CAPEX investment, maximize network utilization and ensure that performance metrics and SLAs are met. This work shows how big data analytics were used to improve the management of QoS in an SDN by performing multi-dimensional analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and applying machine learning algorithms to discover new correlations, perform root cause analysis and predict traffic congestion.
Inflammatory myopathy associated with anti-mitochondrial antibodies: A distinct phenotype with cardiac involvement

Abstract Objective In the context of clinical evaluations performed on our prospective myositis cohort, we noted a striking association of severe cardiac disease in myositis patients with anti-mitochondrial antibodies. We sought to review all cases of anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) associated myositis in our cohort to describe the clinical features of this disease subset. Methods We identified 7 patients with confirmed anti-mitochondrial antibodies who presented as an inflammatory myopathy. A retrospective chart review was completed to assess their clinical presentation, laboratory, imaging, electrophysiologic, and histopathologic features. Results One patient presented with dermatomyositis and 6 were classified as polymyositis using Bohan and Peter criteria. In all but one patient, a chronic course of muscle involvement was appreciated with an average of 6.5 years of weakness prior to presentation. Muscle atrophy was often noted, as well as atypical findings of scapular winging in 2 of the patients. Muscle biopsies were consistent with immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy in 4 patients, dermatomyositis in 1, polymyositis in 1 and nonspecific or granulomatous myositis in 1 patient. Changes pointing to mitochondrial alterations were seen in 2 of the 7 patients. Cardiac involvement (including myocarditis, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy), was seen in 5 out of 7 (71%) of the patients, and usually preceded the muscle involvement. Coexisting autoimmune conditions were seen in 3/7of the patients and included primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, psoriasis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Conclusions Anti-mitochondrial antibodies identify a distinct inflammatory myopathy phenotype that is frequently associated with chronic skeletal muscle disease and severe cardiac involvement. Early recognition of this rare entity as an immune-mediated process is important due to implications for treatment. We propose that anti-mitochondrial antibody status should be determined in patients with a compatible clinical picture.
Oxidative Stress and Heart Failure

Heart failure is an end point of many types of heart disease. Although symptoms or cardiac structure may differ among individuals or stages of heart failure, the most common clinical presentation of heart failure involves reduced exercise tolerance, elevated blood levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and reduced cardiac output. Unmanaged hypertension, ischemia, valvular disease, myocarditis, and toxin-induced cardiomyopathy are the common causes of heart failure. Morphologically, failing hearts show enlarged cardiomyocytes, and apoptosis of a small fraction of cardiomyocytes has also been detected. In parallel with these changes of cardiomyocytes, fibrosis is evident as proliferation of fibroblasts and altered secretion of extracellular matrix protein. The progression of heart failure is often related to activation of neurohormonal and renin–angiotensin–aldosterone systems, resulting in increased levels of catecholamines and angiotensin II. Catecholamines bind to β-adrenergic receptors in the plasma membrane of cardiomyocytes to initiate a cascade of signaling events regulating contraction–relaxation coupling. Chronic activation of β-adrenergic or angiotensin II signaling contributes to cardiac remodeling, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and heart failure. While catecholamines can undergo autooxidation to generate free radicals, angiotensin II produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) following receptor binding and activation of a membrane-associated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form) (NAD(P)H) oxidase. Additional sources of oxidants include ischemia and reperfusion injury, drugs undergoing redox cycling, and inflammatory response. ROS are known to induce apoptosis and have been shown to play a role in fibrosis. Recent evidence suggests that ROS contribute to hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. Measurements of biomarkers of oxidative stress have indicated an association with heart failure. Transgenic animals null for antioxidant enzymes show increased cardiac injury consequential to ischemia and reperfusion, while overexpression of antioxidant enzymes or proteins protects the heart from various types of heart failure inducers. Several pharmacological agents currently used for treatment of heart failure, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors captopril and ramipril, angiotensin receptor blocker telmisartan, aldosterone receptor antagonist eplerenone, and β-blockers nebivolol and carvedilol, exhibit antioxidant activity. However, clinical trials of antioxidant vitamins have failed to clearly show their role in the prevention of heart failure or reduction of the mortality rate associated with heart failure. Therefore, the role of ROS in heart failure remains to be investigated.
Ectopic Phosphorylated Creb Marks Dedifferentiated Proximal Tubules in Cystic Kidney Disease

Ectopic cAMP signaling is pathologic in polycystic kidney disease; however, its spatiotemporal actions are unclear. We characterized the expression of phosphorylated Creb (p-Creb), a target and mediator of cAMP signaling, in developing and cystic kidney models. We also examined tubule-specific effects of cAMP analogs in cystogenesis in embryonic kidney explants. In wild-type mice, p-Creb marked nephron progenitors (NP), early epithelial NP derivatives, ureteric bud, and cortical stroma; p-Creb was present in differentiated thick ascending limb of Henle, collecting duct, and stroma; however, it disappeared in mature NP-derived proximal tubules. In Six2cre;Frs2αFl/Fl mice, a renal cystic model, ectopic p-Creb stained proximal tubule-derived cystic segments that lost the differentiation marker lotus tetragonolobus lectin. Furthermore, lotus tetragonolobus lectin-negative/p-Creb-positive cyst segments (re)-expressed Ncam1, Pax2, and Sox9 markers of immature nephron structures and dedifferentiated proximal tubules after acute kidney injury. These dedifferentiation markers were co-expressed with p-Creb in renal cysts in Itf88 knockout mice subjected to ischemia and Six2cre;Pkd1Fl/Fl mice, other renal cystogenesis models. 8-Br-cAMP addition to wild-type embryonic kidney explants induced proximal tubular cystogenesis and p-Creb expression; these effects were blocked by co-addition of protein kinase A inhibitor. Thus p-Creb/cAMP signaling is appropriate in NP and early nephron derivatives, but disappears in mature proximal tubules. Moreover, ectopic p-Creb expression/cAMP signaling marks dedifferentiated proximal tubular cystic segments. Furthermore, proximal tubules are predisposed to become cystic after cAMP stimulation.
Partners in Child Protection: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Assessment in Child Welfare

The Partners in Child Protection (PICP) project is a trauma-informed, evidence-based assessment and consultation program designed to support collaborative decision-making and service provision within the child welfare system. PICP is an academic-public child welfare partnership that utilizes state-of-the art assessment technologies to develop case plans that better promote the permanency, safety and well-being of children. PICP also supports decision-making through training, coaching, and consultation services provided to individual child welfare workers and service teams. The program serves trauma-exposed youth aged 0–18 who are actively involved in the child welfare system and includes two types of assessments—a comprehensive family assessment model and an individual trauma assessment model. Both assessment protocols employ overlapping methodologies designed to reduce bias and accurately identify areas of converging data to be targeted in case planning. PICP evaluation data indicates the successful identification of traumatic stress-related symptoms for referred children, the importance of applying a therapeutic jurisprudence framework when working with child welfare involved families, the reduction of risk rating scores for families receiving recommended services, and the utility of multi-method, standardized assessment approaches in child welfare. This chapter provides a description of the project, the assessment protocols utilized, and the implementation strategies applied to support and maintain the partnership. The incorporation of adequate structures to promote cultural sensitivity within the PICP project is also discussed.
Crowdfunding as a Font of Entrepreneurship: Outcomes of Reward-Based Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding has attracted considerable interest as a new way of financing a variety of ventures, from creative works to for-profit companies. For example, as of 2017, Kickstarter, the largest reward-based crowdfunding site, has facilitated the raising of over USD 2.9 billion from over 12 million people, funding over 100,000 projects. In this chapter, I will use data from two large-scale surveys of Kickstarter funders to shed light on the impacts of reward-based funding. I will first examine whether crowdfunded projects actually provide their promised rewards. Then I will delve into the wider impact of reward crowdfunding projects.
Understanding the impact of water distribution system conditions on the biodegradation of haloacetic acids and expression of bacterial dehalogenase genes

The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of water distribution system conditions (pH, total organic carbon, residual chlorine, and phosphate) on haloacetic acids (HAAs) biodegradation. A series of batch microcosm tests were conducted to determine biodegradation kinetics and collected biomass was used for real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses to monitor how these drinking water distribution system conditions affect the relative expression of bacterial dehalogenase genes. It was observed that tested water distribution system conditions affected HAA biodegradation with different removal efficiencies (0-100%). HAA biodegradation was improved in tested samples with TOC (3 mg/L) and pH 8.5 compared to those of TOC (0 mg/L) and pH 7, respectively. However, slight improvement was observed with the increased PO4 concentration (3.5 mg/L), and the presence of residual chlorine even at low concentration prohibited biodegradation of HAAs. The observed trend in the relative expression of dehII genes was compatible with the HAA biodegradation trend. Overall relative expression ratio of dehII genes was lower at pH 7, phosphate (0.5 mg/L), and TOC (0 mg/L) in comparison with pH 8.5, phosphate (3.5 mg/L), and TOC (3 mg/L) in the same experimental conditions.
Just and Well-Tempered Tuning

This table lists the just coordinates of the just tuning intervals (with respect to c, second tone in first column) according to Vogel [1089], see Section 7.2.1.4, together with the value in Cents, and the deviation in % from the tempered tuning with 100, 200, 300, etc. Cents.
Parasitoid Community Structure

Modern agricultural landscapes range in structure from the highly simplified containing little in the way of non-crop habitat, to the very complex, containing small patches of cropland nested within extensive and interconnected areas of non-crop vegetation. This diversity in the structure of agricultural landscapes can have strong impacts on the diversity, abundance and effectiveness of insect natural enemies that occur within crops (Szentkriralyi & Kozar, 1991; Kruess & Tscharntke, 1994). Understanding how these landscape features affect the interactions between crops, pests and their natural enemies is a complex problem that can significantly impact the success or failure of insect biological control (Landis, 1994).
Clinical workflows to support cost-of-care conversations: Multisite design study.

168Background: Patients prefer to discuss costs in the clinical setting, but current workflows are not designed to support cost-of-care conversations. Methods: We conducted a human centered design study to identify clinical workflows that optimize cost of care conversations. We conducted ethnographic observations at primary care departments or oncology clinics at two integrated health systems, assessing barriers and facilitators to discussing costs with patients. We then designed three unique patient experiences of having financial concerns addressed in the clinic setting. We refined these experiences following in-person patient interviews (n = 20). All data was synthesized into (1) a set of clinical workflow requirements and (2) journey maps describing sample workflows for the three patient experiences. Results: Most patient cost concerns take one of three unique pathways, each with workflow implications: (1) informing clinical decision-making, such as alternative treatment selection, mode of administrat...
Digital Image Processing for Counting Chips in Micro-End-Milling

In conventional milling, the cutting mechanism is dominated by shearing due to the sharp cutting edge. However, it is no longer possible to assume that the cutting edge is sharp in micro-end-milling since the size of the cutting edge of a micro-end-mill becomes comparable to the feed per tooth. As a result, more than one chip formation mechanism occurs in micro-end-milling at the tool-workpiece interface: shearing, elasto-plastic deformation, and ploughing. In the shearing-dominant chip formation, one chip per tooth cut occurs. However, the chip formation mechanism changes into the elasto-plastic deformation or ploughing when the cutting edge of a tool becomes dull due to the tool wear generating no chip per tooth cut. Therefore, the number of chips produced during a cutting operation can be an important indicator of the state of the interaction between a tool and a workpiece. In this paper, the chips from a slot micro-end-milling operation with a 200 pan tool are counted through digital image processing using Locally Adaptive Threshold Method. In order to count the chips, a chip counting system is developed. The chips are collected and images of the chips are taken by a digital USB microscope. Image processing is applied to the images using Locally Adaptive Threshold Method. The number of chips counted by Locally Adaptive Threshold Method shows less than 10 % counting error.
Pontine Infarct Camouflaged as Bell’s Palsy

Facial palsy is a neurological disorder triggered by dysfunction of the seventh cranial nerve, categorized as either central, between the cerebral cortex and brainstem nuclei, or peripheral, between the brainstem nuclei and peripheral organs. Central lesions cause impairment of the contralateral lower facial musculature with associated sparing of the forehead and ocular muscles. Conversely, peripheral lesions produce ipsilateral whole-sided facial hemiplegia including both forehead and ocular muscles. Facial palsy is diagnosed clinically, while imaging studies and additional subsidiary testing (e.g. electromyography, nerve conduction studies), serologies, and rarely biopsy can assist in confirming or refuting the working diagnosis. The differential diagnosis comprises Bell’s palsy (idiopathic), HIV infection, Ramsey Hunt syndrome, Lyme, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, acoustic neuroma, parotid gland tumor, temporal bone biopsy, otitis media, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and brainstem infarct. Facial palsy is branded as Bell’s palsy if one of the aforementioned etiologies is not identified as the root cause. Herein, we report the case of a 58-year-old male, who presented with left facial weakness involving both the upper and lower face, posterior circulation symptoms in the setting of hypertensive emergency. Initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was unrevealing for any acute process, however given lack of improvement repeat imaging was ordered. The patient was ultimately confirmed to have an acute versus subacute pontine infarct where the seventh and eighth cranial nerve exits at the cerebellopontine angle. Ancillary laboratory studies were non-contributory. Subsequently, the patient’s symptoms continued to improve, blood pressure control was achieved, and was consequently discharged on goal-directed medical therapy. J Neurol Res. 2019;9(1-2):14-17 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr524
Automated tunneling over IP land: run NDN anywhere

Named Data Networking (NDN) proposes a fundamental architectural change to the Internet, moving from point-to-point communication to a data-centric model. NDN-enabled nodes can communicate over any substrate that can deliver datagrams, such as layer-2 links (WiFi, BLE, Ethernet, etc.) and IP/UDP/TCP tunnels over IP connectivity. However in the latter case, NDN-enabled nodes must be able to discover the presence of each other and the data each serves in an automated way. This poster describes the design of an NDN Neighbor Discovery service (NDND), which enables isolated NDN nodes to discover each other and interconnect through tunneling over IP connectivity.
Use of anti-inflammatory agents in clinical islet cell transplants: A qualitative systematic analysis.

ABSTRACTImmunologic and non-immunologic loss of islet cells upon their transplantation into the liver leads to suboptimal outcomes. Anti-inflammatory agents are used during autologous and allogenei...
Achieving Secure, Reliable, and Sustainable Next Generation Computing Memories

The design of next generation memory systems for increasingly large datasets is primarily being pursued through two fronts: (1) The continued progression of process scaling for conventional memories such as DRAM and Flash and (2) the commercialization of emerging non-volatile memory technologies including Phase Change, Resistive, and Spin-Torque Transfer Magnetic memories. Both avenues have illuminated reliability concerns including crosstalk-based disturbance and limited endurance. Crosscutting to these issues are challenges in maintaining or improving performance and operational energy. However, an emerging critical challenge is understanding, quantifying, and optimizing the sustainability of these memories in the face of exponentially increasing embodied costs (including energy and carbon emissions) due to the fabrication approaches of increasingly smaller nodes and processes for new technologies.I have contributed several approaches to different layers of this effort. For example, I designed low-energy network-on-chip (NoC) buffers for many-core systems using domain-wall memories. To support fault tolerance in these memory technologies, I have designed several fault map approaches. Based on knowledge of the types of faults in particular memory technologies and in using these fault maps, I have designed low-overhead encoding schemes to avoid faults and developed methods to increase memory lifetime. I have also developed collaboratively designed approaches that integrate fault tolerance with security. Finally, I have demonstrated the energy and environmental impacts of different memory design choices including technologies and fault tolerance approaches with holistic energy tradeoff analyses. My work provides advances in architectures, fault tolerance, security, and sustainability of these next generation memory systems.