cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beacon Placement for Indoor Localization using Bluetooth

We describe a method for determining the location of a mobile device, such as a handheld computer or mobile phone, in an indoor environment using Bluetooth beacons. Since it uses inexpensive commodity devices, this method is inexpensive to deploy. The limited range of Bluetooth reception is used to advantage. Another important advantage of this method is that it allows the mobile device to determine its location while remaining anonymous, unidentified to the beacons or other nearby devices. In such a deployment, an important design task is the placement of beacons. Signal propagation in indoor environments is complex, affected by factors such as floor-plans and duct-work, varying transmission and reflection properties of building materials and furniture, and interference from other devices. Therefore, the area from which a beacon is visible is very irregular and not well approximated by simple models such as ellipsoids. Our solution permits complex reception characteristics to be accurately modeled and provides a simple method for choosing beacon locations.
Proteomic Analysis of Mouse Lung Neoplasia

2002;121;28S-29S Chest Rannels Lynn M. Brown, Danny R. Welch, D. Eugene Rannels and Stephen R. * Metastasis to Mouse Lungs Partial Pneumonectomy Enhances Melanoma http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/121/3_suppl/28S.2.full.html can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services ) ISSN:0012-3692 http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( distributed without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved. No part of this article or PDF may be reproduced or College of Chest Physicians, 3300 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. has been published monthly since 1935. Copyright2002by the American is the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. It Chest
Developmental variation in cytochrome P450 expression in Papilio polyxenes in response to xanthotoxin, a hostplant allelochemical.

Although developmental variation in activity and inducibility is typical of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) in insects, the adaptive significance of such variation is often unclear, in part because the natural function of insect P450s is rarely known. In this study, we examined developmental variation in expression of CYP6B1 and CYP6B3 in Papilio polyxenes, the black swallowtail. Enzymes encoded by these genes have been implicated in the metabolism of xanthotoxin, a furanocoumarin characteristic of the apiaceous hostplants of P. polyxenes. In each life stage-egg, five larval instars, pupa, and adult-we examined individuals exposed to foliage with and without supplemental xanthotoxin. For each stage, we conducted enzyme assays to estimate xanthotoxin metabolism, Northern analysis to detect constitutive and induced mRNA levels, and RT-PCR amplification and Southern analysis to differentiate among P450 genes expressed. Inducible xanthotoxin metabolism, previously reported in fifth instars, was observed in four of five larval stages but was absent or undetectable in all stages that do not feed on foliage; the highest levels of activity were in early larval instars. The same pattern was observed in both Northern and RT-PCR gel blot analyses. In inducible larval stages, inducibility of CYP6B1 transcripts by xanthotoxin was greater than the inducibility of CYP6B3 transcripts. These findings support earlier suggestions that these two P450s contribute to xanthotoxin metabolism in this species and that expression of these P450 genes is regulated in an adaptive fashion with respect to probability of exposure to hostplant toxins over the course of development.
A Programmable Lens-Array Antenna With Monolithically Integrated MEMS Switches

This paper describes a reconfigurable millimeter-wave lens-array antenna based on monolithically integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches. This device is constructed as a planar array of 2-bit programmable MEMS antenna-filter-antenna (AFA) unit cells that are used to provide a 1-D programmable ldquoaperture transfer functionrdquo between the input and output wavefronts. The fully integrated device consists of 484 (22 times 22) AFA elements and 2420 switches. Switches, bias lines, antennas, and the rest of the RF structure are fabricated on two quartz wafers (epsivr = 3.8, tandelta = 0.002) that are subsequently stacked using adhesive bonding to form the tri-layer metal structure of the AFA array. The bonded structure also forms a package for the MEMS switches. This paper investigates the design and fabrication issues and presents the measured data related to yield and frequency response of this lens-array. It also characterizes the performance of this device as a steerable antenna. Measured results show that this lens-array can be used to steer the beam of a low gain horn antenna to plusmn40deg in either the E- or the H-plane. For the fabricated prototype, the yield is estimated to be 50% for the best region of the array, resulting in a relatively high insertion loss and sidelobe level.
Distinguishing fall activities from normal activities by velocity characteristics.

The purpose of this study was to identify unique features of the velocity profile during normal and abnormal (i.e., fall) activities so as to make the automatic detection of falls during the descending phase of a fall possible. Normal activities included walking, rising from a chair and sitting down, descending stairs, picking up an object from the floor, transferring in and out of a tub, and lying down on a bed. The fall activities included tripping, forward and backward falls from standing. The horizontal and vertical velocities (V(h) and V(v)) at various locations of the trunk was measured. It was found that the V(h) and V(v) of the trunk during normal activities were within a well-controlled range, and that when the velocity in one direction increased, the velocity in the other direction usually did not. In contrast, the V(h) and V(v) demonstrated two different characteristics for the fall movement. Firstly, the magnitude of both V(h) and V(v) of the trunk increased dramatically during the falling phase, reaching up to 2-3 times that of normal velocities. Secondly, the increase of V(h) and V(v) magnitude usually occurred simultaneously, and usually about 300-400 ms before the end of the fall. These two velocity characteristics, that is, the magnitude change and the timing of the magnitude change of both V(h) and V(v), could be used to distinguish fall movements from normal activities during the descending phase of the fall. It is hoped that the application of these two velocity characteristics could lead to potentially preventing or degrading fall-related injuries in the elderly population when connected with other devices.
Analysis of gene expression in resynthesized Brassica napus Allopolyploids using arabidopsis 70mer oligo microarrays.

Background Studies in resynthesized Brassica napus allopolyploids indicate that homoeologous chromosome exchanges in advanced generations (S5∶6) alter gene expression through the loss and doubling of homoeologous genes within the rearrangements. Rearrangements may also indirectly affect global gene expression if homoeologous copies of gene regulators within rearrangements have differential affects on the transcription of genes in networks.
The crystal and molecular structure of an unusual conjugated hydrocarbon : Cycloocta[1,2,3,4-def]benzo[3,4]cyclobuta[6,7]biphenylene

Abstract The conjugated hydrocarbon, cyclo[1,2,3,4-def]benzo[3,4]cyclobuta[6,7]biphenylene, crystallizes in the space group P212121 with a = 15.136(4), b = 16.453(4), c = 5.584(1) A, Z = 4, ϱcal = 1.32, ϱobs = 1.31 g cm−3. The structure was solved by application of direct methods after reducing the dominance of hk0 reflections in starting set selection. Full-matrix, least-squares refinement of 1910 independent data collected with MoKα radiation on a four-circle diffractometer yielded a final conventional R = 0.068. Bond lengths in this unusual conjugated hydrocarbon range from 1.34 to 1.53 A. Calculated iterated-Huckel bond lengths that include effects of σ strain reasonably correspond to the observed bond distances, with the largest differences (0.03 A) occurring in the four membered rings. The molecule is essentially planar, but exhibits an overall bowing that is probably due to crystal packing forces.
Building efficient, accurate character skins from examples

Good character animation requires convincing skin deformations including subtleties and details like muscle bulges. Such effects are typically created in commercial animation packages which provide very general and powerful tools. While these systems are convenient and flexible for artists, the generality often leads to characters that are slow to compute or that require a substantial amount of memory and thus cannot be used in interactive systems. Instead, interactive systems restrict artists to a specific character deformation model which is fast and memory efficient but is notoriously difficult to author and can suffer from many deformation artifacts. This paper presents an automated framework that allows character artists to use the full complement of tools in high-end systems to create characters for interactive systems. Our method starts with an arbitrarily rigged character in an animation system. A set of examples is exported, consisting of skeleton configurations paired with the deformed geometry as static meshes. Using these examples, we fit the parameters of a deformation model that best approximates the original data yet remains fast to compute and compact in memory.
Population Attributes of an Endangered Mussel, Epioblasma Torulosa Rangiana (Northern Riffleshell), in French Creek and Implications for Its Recovery

Abstract Baseline information on the current status of rare mussel populations in a given water body is necessary to better understand the effects of actions to protect or enhance populations. We conducted river-wide surveys in French Creek, known for its mussel abundance, to quantify population-level indicators that could be used for measuring viability of Epioblasma torulosa rangiana (Northern Riffleshell), a critically imperiled freshwater mussel, in recovering or reintroduced populations. We estimated multiple attributes of Northern Riffleshell populations, including longitudinal distribution, densities and abundances, sex-specific age structure, and mortality rates. Northern Riffleshell has been documented in French Creek since at least the early 1900s and is distributed unevenly throughout the creek (12 of 32 sites in a bimodal pattern), with no animals found in the upper third of the creek. At sites containing Northern Riffleshell, site-specific densities ranged from 0.009–6.668 m2. Maximum age of ...
Low cost at-speed testing using On-Product Clock Generation compatible with test compression

At-speed testing with functional speed clocks is often done using On-Product Clock Generation (OPCG). When test compression logic is also embedded within the circuit's DFT architecture, the loading of the OPCG programming bits can impact test compression results. We present an approach to the use of OPCG that enables high-speed testing and is compatible with test compression. It also enables the use of tests that pulse multiple domains to further reduce test time and data volume. It also supports generation of inter-domain and static ATPG tests. We present results on four designs; one design shows an over 35% reduction in patterns due to use of multiple clock domains per test. An additional 10+% savings is possible using side-scan to load the OPCG programming registers.
The association between sleep disturbances and suicidal behaviors in patients with psychiatric diagnoses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Identifying patients with increased risk of suicidal behaviors is a constant challenge and concern for clinicians caring for patients with psychiatric conditions. We conducted a systematic review to assess the association between suicidal behaviors and sleep disturbances in psychiatric patients. A systematic literature search of Ovid Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid PsycInfo, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus was conducted using earliest inclusive dates to 28 June 2013. Eligible studies were comparative observational studies that reported sleep disturbances in psychiatric patients and the outcome of interest (any type of suicidal behaviors). Pairs of reviewers extracted descriptive data, study quality, and outcomes. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled across studies using the random-effects model. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to critically appraise study quality. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Compared to those without sleep disturbances, patients with psychiatric diagnoses and co-morbid sleep disturbances were significantly more likely to report suicidal behaviors (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.72, 2.30, P <0.001). The association was also demonstrated across several psychiatric conditions including depression (OR = 3.05, 95% CI 2.07, 4.48, P <0.001), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (OR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.91, 3.43, P <0.001), panic disorder (OR = 3.22, 95% CI 1.09, 9.45, P = 0.03), and schizophrenia (OR = 12.66, 95% CI 1.40, 114.44, P = 0.02). In subgroup analysis based on the type of sleep disorder, we also found suicidal behavior to be significantly associated with the presence of insomnia, parasomnias, and sleep-related breathing disorders, but not hypersomnias. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that in patients with psychiatric diagnoses, sleep disturbances are associated with the increased risk of suicidal behaviors.
Development of Vegetation Maps for Assessing Everglades Restoration Progress

One critical component of any wetland restoration program is reliably documenting temporal changes in the spatial extent, pattern, and proportion of plant communities within the landscape. This study describes the development of a 2003 baseline vegetation map for a 42,635 ha wetland impoundment located in the northern portion of the remnant Everglades, Florida. Vegetation communities were photointerpreted and mapped with a 1/4 ha minimum mapping grid unit from 1:24,000 scale color infrared aerial photography utilizing 1st order analytical stereo-plotters. Results show an impoundment that has significantly changed in comparison to an earlier 1940s mapping effort. These included the loss of most of the tree island habitat and the establishment of large expanses of invasive cattail adjacent to and downstream of inflow structures with 28% of the grid cells containing cattail. Our techniques will be very useful in evaluating Everglade’s restoration and are applicable to wetlands around the world.
Seasonal Dietary Stress in Peruvian Children

This article examines the seasonal variation in energy intake among young children in a farming community in southern Peru. Caloric intakes among young children fall to their lowest annual level during the post-harvest season even though food and cash resources are at their highest levels. Among toddlers (1–3 years) the decline is statistically significant (p = 0.006). Their energy intake meets only 65.6 per cent of their predicted requirement during the post-harvest season. In contrast to the literature dietary stress for young children is not greatest in the pre-harvest season. Also household food availability does not accurately indicate dietary risk among young children in this community. (authors)
Big Soda Lake (Nevada). 4. Vertical fluxes of particulate matter: Seasonality and variations across the chemocline

Vertical fluxes of particulate organic matter were measured with sediment traps above and below the chcmocline of Big Soda Lake to dcfinc the seasonality of sinking losses from the mixolimnion and dctcrmine the effectiveness of the chcmocline (pycnocline) as a barrier to the sinking of biogenic particles. Seasonality of sedimentation rates reflected seasonal changes in the community of autotrophs. During summer-autumn, when production is dominated by autotrophic bacteria, vertical fluxes were small: z 100 mg C m-* d-l and ~0.5 mg Chl a m-* d-r. Following the winter diatom bloom, vertical fluxes increased markedly: ~570 mg C m-* d-l and 23 mg Chl a m-* d-r. The bulk of the seston (> 80%) and particulate carbon (= 65%) sinking to the chemocline passed through it, showing that this very sharp density discontinuity dots not effectively retard the sinking of particulate matter. However sinking losses of particulate carbon were generally small (= 10%) relative to previous measures of primary productivity, indicating that the mixolimnion is a zone of efficient carbon cycling. Exceptions occurred following the winter bloom when sinking losses were a larger fraction (= 40%) of productivity.
An Improved Distance Indicator for Elliptical Galaxies

We present a new relation between velocity dispersion, surface brightness, and radius (or luminosity) for elliptical galaxies. Relative distances of galaxies can be estimated to within 0.13 in log D. Most or all of that uncertainity is due to the measurement errors, and it may be reduced further. Our analysis shows that the elliptical galaxies are at least a three-parameter family. We discuss briefly the implications for theories of galaxy formation.
Ultrasensitive and Highly Selective Detection of TNT From Environmental Sample Using Two-Photon Scattering Properties of Aminothiophenol-Modified Gold Nanoparticle

The detection of illegally transported explosives materials has become important for assuring safety at airports and air travel. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is also one of the most commonly used nitroaromatic explosives for landmines of military and terrorist activities. As a result, there is an urgent need for rapid and reliable methods for the detection of trace amount of TNT for screening in airport, analyzing forensic samples, and environmental analysis. Driven by the need to detect trace amounts of TNT from environmental samples, this paper demonstrates a label-free ultrasensitive and highly selective two-photon scattering (TPS) assay using aminothiophenol-modified gold nanoparticle for TNT recognition in 120 picomolar (pM) level from environmental sample. Our experimental results show that TNT can be detected quickly and accurately in pM level with excellent discrimination against other nitro compounds from environmental sample. A detailed mechanism for significant TPS intensity change has been discussed.
Parental Time Pressures and Depression Among Married Dual-Earner Parents

This article examines whether there is an association between depression and parental time pressure among employed parents. Using a sample of 248 full-time employed parents and using the stress process framework, I also examine the extent to which gender, socioeconomic status, social support, and job conditions account for variation in the association between parenting strains and depression. Results indicate that parental time pressure is significantly associated with depression among mothers and fathers, and that well-off parents are significantly less depressed by parental time strains than less affluent parents. A significant portion of the association between parental time strains and depression is explained by job demands, and perceived social support does not buffer the association between parental time pressure and depression. Women in high control jobs are less depressed by parental time pressure than other employed mothers but conversely, among fathers, high job control amplifies the association...
Immune privilege persists in eyes with extreme inflammation induced by intravitreal LPS. 2001.

Since immune privilege is believed to exist in the eye in order to suppress sight-destroying inflammation, we wondered whether eyes with intraocular inflammation retain the immune privileged state. Intraocular inflammation was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the vitreous cavity of BALB/c mouse eyes, which showed a peak in intensity at approximately 9 h. At this time point, inflamed eyes were examined for their capacity to afford immune privilege to injected allogeneic tumor cells, and to promote anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID) to antigens injected locally. In addition, aqueous humor (AqH) harvested from inflamed eyes was tested for its ability to suppress T cell activation. Surprisingly, eyes with acute, intense intraocular inflammation allowed allogeneic tumor cells to form progressively growing tumors, and these same eyes promoted ACAID. Moreover, AqH harvested from inflamed eyes strongly inhibited T cell activation. We conclude that the type of extreme, intrao...
Imaging NO elimination in the infrared multiphoton dissociation of nitroalkanes and alkyl nitrites

Abstract We present a DC slice imaging study of the decomposition of C2, C3 and C4 nitroalkanes and alkyl nitrites, focusing on the NO elimination channel, possibly a minor pathway. Infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) is used to induce dissociation on the ground electronic state under collisionless conditions. The channels that produced NO as a product were studied and compared among the target molecules to gain a better understanding of the isomerization of the nitroalkanes prior to dissociation. Trends in the total translational energy and NO rotational temperatures obtained from the images are discussed.
Nicotinic Stimulation of Anterior Regional Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Alzheimer’s Disease: Preliminary Study with Transdermal Patches

We studied the effects of nicotine delivered by transdermal patch during positron emission tomography (PET) scanning while subjects performed verbal fluency as a measure of semantic memory. Since it is known that nicotine increases cognitive performance in nonclinical populations, and small but measurable improvements on selected cognitive tests in Alzheimer disease (AD) (Newhouse et al., 1988, 1990, 1993; Jones et al., 1992) we hypothesized that nicotine would increase regional cerebral glucose metabolism (rCMRglc) and verbal fluency in both AD and elderly controls.
CUTANEOUS ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS WITH ANTIBODIES OF DIFFERENT QUALITIES.

ConclusionsThese results indicate that a 7S γ2 rabbit antibody having a low affinity for its antigen was equally as efficient as a 7S γ2 high affinity antibody in producing cutaneous anaphylaxis in guinea pigs when abundant antigen was present. However, when the concentration of antigen in the reaction was reduced the antibody of low affinity was not as potent as the antibody of higher affinity. A possible explanation of the inefficiency, marked by a slow rate of development and at times less severe anaphylactic reaction, was found to lie in a relatively slower rate of association noted between the absorbed antiserum and its antigen (Fig. 1). This slower rate of association may well bear causal significance when considering the finding that when one merely increases the concentration of antigen in the circulation, the rate of anaphylactic response of the slowly associating antiserum was increased to equal that of the control, rapidly associating antiserum (Table I). These latter conditions favored more ra...
Le débat sur le temps présent

Precis : Au lieu d'intervenir dans le debat sur la nature du temps present en creant une nouvelleschematisation de notre âge, nous proposons ici une intervention sur ce debat en esquissant lescoordonnees concep-tuelles qui determinent l'espace des possibles de la controverse. Il s'agit alorsd'une reflexion sur la logique historique, sociale et normative qui structure le debat sur le tempspresent, et plus particulierement la controverse postmoderne. Loin pourtant d'etre une simple analyse«externe», cette interrogation sur les parametres concep-tuels et pratiques qui determinent d'avance lanature meme des in-terventions dans le debat postmoderne est aussi l'occasion d'examiner de presdes prises de position specifiques, comme celles d'Alex Callinicos, Fredric Jameson, Jean-FrancoisLyotard, Ihab Hassan, Jurgen Habermas, Richard Rorty et Gianni Vattimo. Mots clefs : postmodernisme, postmodernite, debat postmoderne, histoire du present. Resumen : En lugar de intervenir en el debate acerca de la naturaleza del tiempo presente creando unanueva esquematizacion de nuestra epoca, proponemos aqui una intervencion sobre este debateesbozando las coordenadas concep-tuales que determinan el espacio de posibilidades de lascontroversias. Se trata entonces de una reflexion sobre la logica historica, social y normativa queestructura el debate sobre el tiempo presente, y mas especificamente la controversia postmoderna. Noobstante, lejos de ser un simple analisis "externo", esta interrogacion esta interrogacion sobre losparametros concep-tuales y practicos que determinan previamente la naturaleza misma de las intervencionesen el debate postmoderno es tambien la oportunidad de examinar de cerca unas posturasespecificas, como las de Alex Callinicos, Fredric Jameson, Jean-Francois Lyotrad, Ihab Hassan, JurgenHabermas, Richard Rorty y Giani Vattimo Palabras clave : postmodernismo, postmodernidad, debate postmoderno, historia del presente.
Role based access control and authentication for SCADA field devices using a dual Bloom filter and challenge-response.

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems are networked control systems used in many critical infrastructure areas such as power water and transportation. Many of these systems continue to use legacy field devices that lack cyber security features. The field device security preprocessor is a bump-in-the-wire security solution of legacy field devices. This thesis describes the design and analysis of a dual Bloom filter structure for use in a field device security preprocessor. A dual Bloom filter is a variant of the traditional Bloom filter, that performs role based access checks in O(1) time. It is shown this structure, which can produce false authentications is shown to be acceptable for this security use thought analysis and penetration testing. Analysis and testing shows that in spite of false positives this structure can provide the required level of security, while maintaining the required level of performance on low cost hardware.
High-temperature superconductor and ferroelectric thin films for microwave applications

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the essential properties of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) and ferroelectric materials for applications in microwave communications. Planar HTS micro strip circuits are attractive for communication applications because of their lower conductor losses compared to normal conducting circuits at cryogenic temperatures. A variety of HTS circuits have been demonstrated in the past decade—such as resonators, filters, and phase-shifting circuits—aimed at high-performance communication systems. As the demand for high bandwidth continues, more applications are evolving at frequencies above the traditionally used C-band in which the integration of HTS is attractive because of the low-loss HTS thin films currently available. Among the HTS components that are useful for the communication industry are high-Q planar micro strip resonators, filters, phase shifters, and highly directive antennas. It is known that for most filters and other resonant structures, attainment of optimal performance requires some level of additional tuning through either mechanical means or other coupling mechanisms.
Catherine Winkworth et al., [‘Letters about Charlotte and Her Marriage’] (1849–1854), in Memorials of Two Sisters: Susanna and Catherine Winkworth, edited by Margaret J. Shaen (London: Longmans, Green, 1908), pp. 53, 60, 111–17

So you like’ shirley’ better than ‘Jane Eyre’; so do I, in some points. In power and in descriptions of scenery, there is nothing in ‘Shirley’ which seems to me to come up to some parts of ‘Jane Eyre’, but then there is nothing also in ‘Shirley’ like the disagreeable parts of ‘Jane Eyre’. The book is infinitely more original and full of character than the ordinary run of novels — it belongs quite to a higher class — but it is also infinitely below such as ‘Mary Barton’ and ‘Deerbrook’.1 Caroline and Mr Helstone are thoroughly good characters. Shirley and Mrs Pryor are good ideas, but badly worked out — the rest seem to me all exaggerated — Oh, Hortense Moore should be excepted, she is good, too. The conversations seem to me astonishingly poor; here and there comes an eloquent speech, as in Shirley’s conversation with Mr Yorke, but the stiffness and dryness of the whole book, its utter want of brilliancy of wit or humour, and the unhappy tone of all the meditations, make it altogether painful. That is not, however, so much to be wondered at, when one knows that the author is herself threatened with consumption at this time, and has lost her two sisters, Ellis and Acton Bell, by it. Their real name is Bronte, they are of the Nelson family.2
Spatial Involvement in Training Mental Rotation with Minecraft

What aspects of gameplay have a positive impact on cognitive development? This work-in-progress focuses on the role of spatial involvement via different control schemes by implementing a training regimen through Minecraft for mental rotation in order to understand the impact of aspects of involvement on the training outcome. A proven engaging training experience was recreated, making training mental rotation more accessible and extending it using digital media. We compare different levels of spatial involvement in a pilot study to understand factors of the experience's impact as a first step towards an improved understanding of relevant aspects of digital games for training.
Arterial Cannulation and Cerebral Perfusion Strategies for Aortic Arch Operations

Neurologic injuries following aortic arch operations can be devastating, with stroke occurring in up to 12% of elective operations and significant cerebral dysfunction occurring in up to 25% of cases. The primary challenge unique to aortic arch operations involves interruption of direct perfusion of the brachiocephalic vessels during arch reconstruction. For this reason, neuroprotection is paramount. The 2 main modes of protection are (1) reducing metabolic demand through hypothermia and (2) limiting, or even eliminating, the ischemic period. Preoperative selection of the cerebral perfusion plan for each operation is imperative to maintain maximal diffuse cerebral protection and prevent focal neurologic events.
Great Expectations: Anticipatory Control of Magnocellular Vasopressin Neurons

Real-time activity measurements of genetically identified neuroendocrine vasopressin neurons show they can anticipate osmotic challenges. In this issue of Neuron, Mandelblat-Cerf et al. (2017) show that correlating these results with ongoing behavior and plasma osmolality points to the existence of brain networks that integrate exterosensory cues with interosensory signals to drive neuroendocrine output.
Rapid Time Scale Analysis of T4 DNA Ligase–DNA Binding

DNA ligases, essential to both in vivo genome integrity and in vitro molecular biology, catalyze phosphodiester bond formation between adjacent 3'-OH and 5'-phosphorylated termini in dsDNA. This reaction requires enzyme self-adenylylation, using ATP or NAD+ as a cofactor, and AMP release concomitant with phosphodiester bond formation. In this study, we present the first fast time scale binding kinetics of T4 DNA ligase to both nicked substrate DNA (nDNA) and product-equivalent non-nicked dsDNA, as well as binding and release kinetics of AMP. The described assays utilized a fluorescein-dT labeled DNA substrate as a reporter for ligase·DNA interactions via stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. The analysis revealed that binding to nDNA by the active adenylylated ligase occurs in two steps, an initial rapid association equilibrium followed by a transition to a second bound state prior to catalysis. Furthermore, the ligase binds and dissociates from nicked and nonsubstrate dsDNA rapidly with initial association affinities on the order of 100 nM regardless of enzyme adenylylation state. DNA binding occurs through a two-step mechanism in all cases, confirming prior proposals of transient binding followed by a transition to a productive ligase·nDNA (Lig·nDNA) conformation but suggesting that weaker nonproductive "closed" complexes are formed as well. These observations demonstrate the mechanistic underpinnings of competitive inhibition by rapid binding of nonsubstrate DNA, and of substrate inhibition by blocking of the self-adenylylation reaction through nick binding by deadenylylated ligase. Our analysis further reveals that product release is not the rate-determining step in turnover.
Graphene-based plasmonic slot electro-optic modulator (Conference Presentation)

Graphene, as the first identified two dimensional material, has shown great electro-optic response via Pauli-blocking for near IR frequencies and modulating functionality. However, this ability to modulate light is fundamentally challenged by its small optical cross-section leading to miniscule modal confinement factors in diffraction-limited photonics despite intrinsically high electro-optic absorption modulation (EAM) potential given by its strong index change. Yet the inherent polarization anisotropy in graphene and device tradeoffs lead to additional requirements with respect to electric field directions and modal confinement. The extinction ratio of graphene based EAM has, so far, been limited due to the small light matter interaction given the monolayer structure nature. Here we report an ultra-compact graphene based EAM by integrating graphene with a plasmonic slot waveguide. We show that the modal confinement and hence the modulation strength of a single-layer modulated graphene in this plasmonically confined mode is able to improve by more than 10x compared to diffraction-limited modes. Combined with the strong-index modulation of graphene the modulation strength could achieve more than 1dB/um, which is more than 2-orders of magnitude higher compared to Silicon platform graphene modulators. Furthermore, the modal confinement was found to be synergistic with performance optimization via enhanced light-matter-interactions. These results show that there is room for scaling 2D material EAMs with respect to modal engineering towards realizing synergistic designs leading to high-performance modulators.
Thoughts on “‘We’ or ‘Me’ consumer goods” five years later

AbstractCulture and self-construal impact on how consumers purchase and use products as well as the strategies marketers use to promote and position their products. Consumer behavior in individualist societies can be quite different from that of collectivist societies. Similarly, consumers with an independent self-construal can react quite differently in various contexts from those who have an interdependent self-construal. This paper reviews the consequences of these findings for various contexts in marketing as found in subsequent literature. The topics include purchase of luxury goods through the work of Kastanakis and Balabanis. Secondly, it examines impulse purchases. It also follows the consequences of culture and self-construal on brand strategy. Lastly, this paper takes a look at implications within the context of choice tasks.
Facilitating Innovation through Knowledge Sharing: A Look at the Us Naval Surface Warfare Center-Carderock Division

One of the key reasons for engaging in knowledge management is to stimulate innovation in organizations. This would hopefully lead to new products and services in the e-business age. Through knowle...
Defining and Managing Normal and Abnormal First Stage of Labor

Modern data have redefined the normal first stage of labor. Key differences include that the latent phase of labor is much slower than was previously thought and the transition from latent to active labor does not occur until about 6 cm of cervical dilatation, regardless of parity or whether labor was spontaneous or induced. Providers should have a low threshold to use one of the safe and effective interventions to manage abnormal progression in the first stage of labor, including oxytocin, internal tocodynamometry, and amniotomy.
Introduction to Virtual Dark Tourism: Disaster in the Space of the Imagination

A major draw of what scholars call “dark tourism” is being in the physical presence of objects or spaces connected to atrocities; however, the desire to journey to dark places of the past also extends to the realm of the imagination. Writers, filmmakers, and designers of Internet sites and video games have created virtual dark tourism experiences for armchair travelers by devising imaginary voyages to lands and times where terrible acts have occurred. Shaping popular memories of historical disasters, these simulated journeys—like the physical ones—bring the past into the present, encourage empathy for past peoples, provide opportunities for public grieving and spiritual questioning, produce vicarious thrills and chills, offer solace for tragic losses, and invite reflection on the possibility of catastrophe in the here-and-now.
Activities within an Ecological, Relationship-Based Model of Children’s Subjective Well-Being

This paper describes the epistemological approach, methodological considerations and results of a qualitative study examining activity participation in the context of an ecological, relationship-based model of children’s subjective well-being. Qualitative data was gathered using the Multinational Qualitative Interview Protocol and the Paediatric Activity Card Sort (PACS), and coded using grounded theory methodology. Inductive analysis of interviews with 17 children, ages eight to 13 years, led to multiple indicators of subjective well-being, classified into six domains - social connectedness, physical health, mastery and agency, safety and security, meaningful access to resources, and meaningful use of time through activity. Children’s perspectives about their well-being led us to expand the theoretical model to include constructs from developmental and occupational sciences. We posit that children’s subjective well-being can be understood as the transformative interaction between the child, his or contexts of home and family, community, school, and peers, and engagement in meaningful activity.
New Antigens and Avenues to Immunotherapy of Cancer

Tumor immunology has seen many exciting developments in the last few years. In addition to tumor antigens that are defined by anti-tumor T and B cell responses in patients the human telomerase reverse transcriptase has been identified by “reverse immunology” as the most widely expressed tumor antigen. Molecular remission has been associated with a cancer vaccine targeting the clonal idiotype of B cell malignancies and sophisticated cellular vaccines including fusions of tumor cells and antigen presenting cells have demonstrated promising results. Moreover, our capabilities to measure immunity have been significantly enhanced by novel technology such as ELISPOT and MHC/peptide tetramer analysis. With these techniques, antigen-specific T cells are tracked on the single cell level.
The chain of exploitation: intersectional inequalities, capital accumulation, and resistance in Burkina Faso's cotton sector

This paper examines how intersectional inequalities can facilitate the extraction of surplus value from agriculture. Through an ethnographic case study of the Burkina Faso cotton sector, I describe...
On the fabrication and characterization of heterogeneous composite neutron detectors with triple-pulse-shape-discrimination capability

Abstract This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of a novel triple-pulse-shape-discrimination (PSD) capable heterogeneous composite neutron detector that utilizes fast neutron-sensitive scintillating polyvinyl toluene (PVT) and 6 Li-glass rods. The objective of this study was twofold: 1) Assess the effect of PPO (primary dopant) loading on the mechanical properties of the PVT, and 2) fabricate a triple PSD-capable composite detector using PPO-doped PVT and 6 Li-glass rods. Thermal and mechanical characterization reveals that, as the weight content of the PPO in PVT increases, the glass transition temperature ( T g ) of the PVT decreases. This decrease in T g leads to a mechanically soft polymer which is undesirable for machining and susceptible to damage and deformation. Therefore, a crosslinking agent (divinylbenzene, DVB) was introduced to control the mechanical properties while still exploiting the PSD capabilities of the high PPO content PVT. The composite was then fabricated using the crosslinked PVT as the fast neutron and gamma sensitive material and 6 Li-glass rods as the thermal neutron sensitive material. The final fabricated composite sample has a glass weight content of 6% and dimensions of 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm. A UV/Vis spectrometer was used to characterize the optical properties of the composite sample. A 252 Cf source was used to test the PSD capabilities and intrinsic efficiency of the sample. The figure of merit for the fast neutron and gamma rays was measured to be ∼ 1, while the thermal neutrons and gamma rays exhibit a figure of merit of ∼ 3. A 60Co source was used to measure the gamma rejection of the sample, which was found to be 10−5. The capture efficiency of the small prototype sample for unmoderated neutrons was measured to be 0.09%, closely matching the result of simulation (0.11%).
A 25kW SiC Universal Power Converter Building Block for G2V, V2G, and V2L Applications

This paper presents a universal power converter building block (PCBB) with isolation transformer which can perform various functionalities such as charging (G2V), vehicle to grid (V2G) regenerative capability, and vehicle to load (V2L) feature. This converter can output different types of voltage, such as AC or DC, high voltage or low voltage, singlephase or three-phase. With different combinations of modularized PCBB, various voltage and power rating can also be achieved. The control algorithms for each operation mode are explained, including G2V, V2G, and V2L. Simulation results are accompanied to validate its capability. To achieve high power density, SiC MOSFET power module with high frequency switching is adopted along with the isolation transformer of nanocrystalline core. Overall, this paper extends a promising circuit topology of multiple practical and essential features for vehicle electrification.
Improved Outcomes Utilizing a Valveless-Trocar System during Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP).

Author(s): Shahait, Mohammed; Cockrell, Ross; Yezdani, Mona; Yu, Sue-Jean; Lee, Alexandra; McWilliams, Kellie; Lee, David I | Abstract: Introduction:To evaluate the effect of valveless trocar system (VTS) on intra-operative parameters, peri-operative outcomes, and 30-day postoperative complications in patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Methods:A total of 200 consecutive patients undergoing Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy by a single surgeon were prospectively evaluated using either the valveless trocar (n = 100) or standard trocars (n = 100). Patient demographics, intra-operative parameters, length of stay, presence or absence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, analog pain score at 0-6 hours, 6-12 hours, 12-18 hours, and g24 hours, and 30-day postoperative complications were analyzed. Results:There were no significant differences in estimated blood loss, intra-operative urine output, length of stay, or 30-day complication rates between the two groups. While the VTS group had higher Body Mass Index (BMI) (28.45 vs. 27.23; P = 0.049), the operative time was significantly shorter in the VTS group (146 minutes vs. 167 minutes; P l .005). The VTS group experienced fewer episodes of nausea (2% vs. 10%; P = 0.0172). The VTS group had less pain intensity compared to the control in the first 18 hours: 0-6 hours (1.9 vs. 2.5; P = 0.034), 6-12 hours (2.8 vs. 3.6; P = 0.044), and 12-18 hours (2.2 vs. 3.1; P = 0.049), respectively. Conclusion:The use of a valveless trocar system during robot-assisted robotic prostatectomy may shorten operative times, and reduce postoperative pain scores and nausea episodes without increasing the 30-day complication rate. Further prospective randomized trials should be performed to validate these findings.
Synthesis of contraries: Hughlings Jackson on sensory-motor representation in the brain.

Abstract This paper examines the concept of representation in the brain which occurs in the writings of the neurologist John Hughlings Jackson (1835–1911). Jackson was immersed in Victorian physiological psychology, a hybrid of British associationism and a reflex theory of the operation of the nervous system. Furthermore, Jackson was deeply influenced by Herbert Spencer, and I argue that Spencer's progressivist evolutionary ideas are in tension with the more mechanistic approach of the reflex theory. I also discuss Jackson's legacy in the 20th century and the longstanding debate about localisation of function in the brain.
Binomial Classification of Pediatric Elbow Fractures Using a Deep Learning Multiview Approach Emulating Radiologist Decision Making.

Deep learning using a multiview approach combining a recurrent neural network and a convolutional neural network can distinguish elbow abnormality from normal growth centers of the pediatric elbow ...
Multiscale additive manufacturing of polymers using 3D photo-printable self-assembling ionic liquid monomers

3D photoprinting of a self-assembled ionic liquid (IL) monomer based liquid-crystalline mesophase introduces high-resolution nanoscale features (2–5 nm) into otherwise low-resolution (microscale features) polymer builds. A wide variety of geometric builds possessing internal hexagonal perforated lamellar (HPL) nanostructure containing ∼2.4 nm diameter pores are fabricated by the digital light processing 3D printing of an aqueous mixture (61(w/w%)) of an ionic liquid monomer, 1-decyl-3-vinylimidazolium chloride, a co-monomer, polyethylene diacrylate (PEGDA, Mn 575), and a visible light photo-initiator (eosin Y and triethanolamine). Vibrational spectroscopy and thermal analysis proves acrylate moiety polymerization occurs during printing but incomplete consumption of the IL vinyl groups. Post-printing exposure to UV light (λ 350 nm) completes vinyl polymerization serving to further improve nanostructure ordering as determined by SAXS. Solvent swelling (ethanol) induces a structural transformation to a body center cubic architecture accompanied by slight pore expansion (to 3.2 nm). The introduction of nanoscale features into low-resolution photo-printed polymers establishes a low-cost strategy for the additive manufacturing of multi-scale, structured nanoporous polymer membranes.
The World’s Oldest Living Proverb Discovered Thriving in Ethiopia

The world’s oldest living proverb, from around 3,800 years ago, is found on a tablet from the Assyrian empire. The proverb has been documented from later eras, northwest from the Middle East up into Europe, as far northwestas Britain. Evidence is given here now demonstrating that the proverb is also found to the south of the Middle East, in Ethiopia. In some places, a cat is substituted for the dog, but the Ethiopian evidence indicates that the dog version of the proverb is original.