cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microstructural Evolution of Co-fired Ceramic Tapes for MEMS Applications

A study of the structure and thermodynamics of the densification process in a model alumina-based ceramic tape system during thermal processing is presented. DuPont's Green Tape ™ 951, which is primarily composed of frit (>50% silica), alumina and an organic binder, is used as the model system. The microstructures of annealed specimens are characterized by scanning electron microscopy as a function of annealing time and temperature. The distribution and shape of pre-existent pores and frit particles are found to be strongly dependent on the processing conditions. With the processing temperatures significantly below conventional sintering temperature of alumina, the behavior of the frit is the critical determinant of the final microstructure and mechanical behavior.
An approach to disconnected operation in an object-oriented database

With the advent of mobile computers, new challenges arise for software designers. The paper focuses on disconnected operation: making mobile computers work well on shared data whether the network is available or not. Initially the shared data is cached on the mobile computer. Modifications and additions to this cached data will be reconciled with the shared data when the mobile computer is reconnected to the network. Conflict resolution will be used to reconcile conflicting changes. We examine these issues by adding support for disconnected operation to Thor an object-oriented database.
Experimental Studies of Instabilities and Chaos in Single-Mode, Inhomogeneously Broadened Gas Lasers

Inhomogeneously broadened lasers offer a complex problem for detailed theoretical modelling, particularly when the broadening arises from Doppler shifts of the resonant frequencies because of the thermal spread of velocities of individual atoms, as is true for gas lasers. Nevertheless there are several high-gain transitions in gas lasers (3.3 9 μm in neon, and 3.51 μm and 5.57 μm in xenon) which are particularly easy to use in constructing laboratory lasers. We are fortunate that, despite the formal difficulties, these lasers often lend themselves to straight-forward pictorial interpretations in terms of gain and dispersion for many steady-state (and some simple time-dependent) behaviors in the interaction between fields and the material. This makes qualitative discussions of the physics of these devices not only possible but instructive1–9.
Fiber optic method for health assessment of pipelines subjected to earthquake-induced ground movement:

Natural disasters, in particular earthquakes, can cause damage to pipelines with disastrous humanitarian, social, economic, and ecologic consequences. Thus, real-time, automatic, or on-demand asses...
Kaempferol enhances cisplatin's effect on ovarian cancer cells through promoting apoptosis caused by down regulation of cMyc

Background Ovarian cancer is one of the most significant malignancies in the western world. Studies showed that Ovarian cancers tend to grow resistance to cisplatin treatment. Therefore, new approaches are needed in ovarian cancer treatment. Kaempferol is a dietary flavonoid that is widely distributed in fruits and vegetables, and epidemiology studies have revealed a protective effect of kaempferol against ovarian cancer risk. Our early studies also found that kaempferol is effective in reducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in ovarian cancer cells. In this study, we investigated kaempferol's effects on sensitizing ovarian cancer cell growth in response to cisplatin treatment.
Elastic property of vertically aligned nanowires.

An atomic force microscopy (AFM) based technique is demonstrated for measuring the elastic modulus of individual nanowires/nanotubes aligned on a solid substrate without destructing or manipulating the sample. By simultaneously acquiring the topography and lateral force image of the aligned nanowires in the AFM contacting mode, the elastic modulus of the individual nanowires in the image has been derived. The measurement is based on quantifying the lateral force required to induce the maximal deflection of the nanowire where the AFM tip was scanning over the surface in contact mode. For the [0001] ZnO nanowires/nanorods grown on a sapphire surface with an average diameter of 45 nm, the elastic modulus is measured to be 29 ± 8 GPa.
Expression of a Murine Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor-Luciferase Fusion Gene in Transgenic Mice Is Diminished by Immunoneutralization of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

A line of transgenic mice harboring a fusion gene consisting of 1900 bp of proximal 5′-flanking region from the murine GnRH receptor gene linked to the complementary DNA encoding luciferase was established to determine whether this promoter can direct tissue-specific expression in vivo and serve as a model for identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying hormonal regulation of this gene. Of 10 tissues screened, luciferase was detected predominantly in pituitary gland, but also in brain and testis. To assess hormonal regulation, luciferase activity was measured in intact males and ovariectomized females treated with an anti-GnRH serum alone, and in combination with testosterone or 17β-estradiol. No effect of steroid treatment on transgene expression was detected. However, immunoneutralization of GnRH resulted in decreased serum LH concentrations and suppressed pituitary expression of luciferase. Furthermore, the effects of GnRH antiserum could be prevented by the administration of a noncross-reactive Gn...
Issues in the design of digital Nyquist filters

The authors examine the tradeoffs involved in the design of digital raised-cosine Nyquist filters for application in digital computer simulation or for incorporation in all-digital data modems. Both floating-point arithmetics (for simulation applications) and finite-precision arithmetics are considered. Tapped-delay-line (finite impulse response) with time- or frequency-domain design, direct-form infinite-impulse-response, Rao-Kailath, and Lei-Yao structures are examined. The main criteria for a comparison among the various solutions, besides their relative complexities, are the digital filter behavior in the time domain (residual intersymbol interference) and in the frequency domain (stopband attenuation). >
Earned- and continuous-security in adult attachment: Relation to depressive symptomatology and parenting style

The secure working model classification of adult attachment, as derived from Main and Goldwyn's (in press) Adult Attachment Interview scoring system, was considered in terms of earned-security and continuous-security. Earned-security was a classification given to adults who described difficult, early relationships with parents, but who also had current secure working models as indicated by high coherency scores; continuous-security referred to a classification in which individuals described secure early attachment relationship with parents and current secure working models. Working models of attachment were classified as earned-secure, continuous-secure, or insecure in a sample of 40 parents of preschool children. Comparisons among the classifications were conducted on a measure of depressive symptoms and two sets of ratings of observed parenting styles. Adults with earned-secure classifications had comparable depressive symptomatology to insecures, with 30% of the insecures, 40% of the earned-secures, and only 10% of the continuous-secures having scores exceeding the clinical cut-off. The rate of depressive symptomatology in the earned-secure group suggests that reconstructions of past difficulties may remain emotional liabilities despite a current secure working model. With regard to parenting styles with their preschoolers, the behavior of earned-secure parents was comparable to that of the continuous-secures. This refinement in conceptualizing secure working models suggests ways for understanding variation in pathways to competent parenting as well as a possible perspective on how adults' adverse early experiences may continue to place them and their children at risk.
Low-loss surface-wave propagation on coated or uncoated cylindrical conductor from 0.1 to 1 THz

Abstract Surface-wave propagation on coated or uncoated conducting wires, rods, or tubes has been shown to provide low attenuation, moderate field extent, low dispersion, and high power-handling at frequencies from 100 GHz to 1 THz. Typical conductors are copper, aluminum, or stainless steel. Uncoated conductors provide the lowest loss, while conductors coated with a thin layer of low- loss dielectric (such as Teflon, polystyrene, or polyethylene) have the smallest field extent. The guided mode is the TM01, often referred to as the Sommerfeld mode. The properties of the guided wave have been theoretically analyzed and measured results were obtained at 105 and 140 GHz. In the last two years four different research groups have reported new results. While the earlier work was conducted in the search for long, low-loss transmission lines (100 meters to 1 kilometer), the current applications are for lengths about 1 meter long, as might be used in probes. The recent results will be summarized, and an optimized design will be present, along with general curves of attenuation, field extent, and power handling capability from 100 GHz to 1 THz.
Reproductive Risk Factors for Cutaneous Melanoma in Women: A Case-Control Study

Reproductive hormonal factors may have a potential role in cutaneous melanoma. This study estimated the risk of melanoma in women related to self-reported changes in nevi during pregnancy, while using oral contraceptives and/or hormone replacement therapy. Trained interviewers administered a questionnaire obtaining information about oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy, reproductive history, sun exposure, occupation, and medical history from 318 Caucasian women newly diagnosed between 1991 and 1992 from two pigmented lesion clinics in San Francisco, California, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A total of 395 frequency-matched control participants were recruited from hospital-affiliated outpatient clinics. Clinicians conducted skin examinations to assess the number and type of nevi, extent of freckling, solar damage, and skin type. For women aged less than 55 years, there was an association between a livebirth 5 years before diagnosis (odds ratio = 2.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.3, 5.3) and between number of births and melanoma risk (for > or = 3 births: odds ratio = 3.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.7, 6.5; ptrend < 0.001). Changes in nevi during recent pregnancies were a risk factor for melanoma, based upon small numbers (odds ratio = 2.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 8.1). Oral contraceptive use and hormone replacement therapy were not associated with melanoma risk.
c‐IAP ubiquitin protein ligase activity is required for 4‐1BB signaling and CD8+ memory T‐cell survival

Cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (c-IAP) 1 and 2 are widely expressed ubiquitin protein ligases that regulate a variety of cellular functions, including the sensitivity of T cells to costimulation. 4-1BB is a TNF receptor family member that signals via a complex that includes TRAF family members and the c-IAPs to upregulate NF-κB and ERK, and has been implicated in memory T-cell survival. Here, we show that effector and memory T cells from mice expressing a dominant negative E3-inactive c-IAP2 (c-IAP2(H570A)) have impaired signaling downstream of 4-1BB. When infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, unlike mice in which c-IAPs were acutely downregulated by c-IAP antagonists, the primary response of c-IAP2(H570A) mice was normal. However, the number of antigen-specific CD8(+) but not CD4(+) T cells declined more rapidly and to a greater extent in c-IAP2(H570A) mice than in WT controls. Studies with T-cell adoptive transfer demonstrated that the enhanced decay of memory cells was T-cell intrinsic. Thus, c-IAP E3 activity is required for 4-1BB coreceptor signaling and maintenance of CD8(+) T-cell memory.
Bertrand Competition, Market Information and Observability

Recent economics literature shows renewed interest in models of Bertrand competition with cost uncertainty. We continue this reexamination and introduce cost correlation as a way to mitigate the asymmetry of information between firms facing Bertrand competition. We also allow firms to make an investment to decrease the variance of their cost signals. Our results demonstrate that when the firms’ choices of precision of their cost signals are observable, all firms will choose to be uninformed about their marginal costs and price at the average equilibrium price. On the other hand, with unobservable choices of precision, firms will choose as precise information as possible within the cost-benefit trade-off. Because of the correlation between the firms’ marginal costs, the increased precision of the cost signals not only provides better information about a firm’s own cost but also allows the firm to better infer the rivals’ costs and better anticipate their pricing choices.
Environmental Ethics and Information Asymmetry among Organizational Stakeholders

This paper addresses the conflicting environmental interests of a firm and the community, an important stakeholder. The short-term profit maximization objective of a firm may stand in contrast with what the community wants – a "safe and clean environment". This paper argues that the information regarding the environmental impact of a firm's products, processes, and waste may be asymmetrically distributed between the firm and the community. The resultant information asymmetry may influence the probability of a firm acting opportunistically, and ultimately, a firm's ethical behavior. The paper identifies information asymmetry between a firm and community, as well as that within the community. The perceived information asymmetry across various community segments may perhaps be a determinant of environmental discrimination. The paper further contends that information asymmetry may diminish in the long run. Finally it examines the implications of information asymmetry for firms and government policy.
The combined effects of storage temperature and packaging on the sensory, chemical, and physical properties of a Cabernet Sauvignon wine.

A Californian Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 6 months at three different constant temperatures to study the combined effects of storage temperature and packaging configuration. Glass bottles with natural cork, synthetic cork, and screw cap closure, as well as two Bag-in-Box treatments, were used in the experiment. A trained sensory panel was able to detect significant changes in aroma, flavor, taste, mouthfeel, and color attributes among the samples, differences that were found also with various chemical and physical measurements (volatile profile, polyphenol pattern, enological parameters, color space). Additionally, two commonly used polyphenol assays were compared to each other in terms of their ability to detect the changes in the polyphenol profile. Generally, sample changes were more pronounced due to the different storage temperatures, with 30 sensory attributes differing significantly among the three different storage temperatures, while only 17 sensory attributes showed a significant packaging...
Perceptual Inference: A Matter of Predictions and Errors

A recent study finds that separate populations of neurons in inferotemporal cortex code for perceptual predictions and prediction errors, supporting predictive coding theories of perception.
The Determinants of Productivity in Medical Testing: Intensity and Allocation of Care

A large body of research has investigated whether physicians overuse care. There is less evidence on whether, for a fixed level of spending, doctors allocate resources to patients with the highest expected returns. We assess both sources of inefficiency, exploiting variation in rates of negative imaging tests for pulmonary embolism. We document enormous across-doctor heterogeneity in testing conditional on patient population, which explains the negative relationship between physicians' testing rates and test yields. Furthermore, doctors do not target testing to the highest risk patients, reducing test yields by one-third. Our calibration suggests misallocation is more costly than overuse.
Seventeen days in July at Hollywood and Highland: Examining the television critics association tour

Through collective organization, the Television Critics Association forced the networks to evolve what were once network-funded and network-controlled junkets into a rich journalistic opportunity that the TCA controls. The author explores the TCA tour and continued challenges to the organization and the place it has established in cultural production.
PHOTOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS OF MAJOR PLANETS AND THEIR MOONS DURING 1961-1990 AT THE MAO NAS OF UKRAINE

We present the results of photographic observations’ processing of Saturn’s moons, Uranus, Neptune and their moons on the basis of MAO NAS of Ukrainephotographic observational archive. The analysis of the results is given. Observations were obtained using 4 telescopes: Double Long-Focus Astrograph (DLFA, D/F = 400/5500), Zeiss Double Astrograph (DAZ, D/F= 400/3000), Reflector Zeiss-600 (D/F= 600/7500), Wideangle Astrograph, (DWA, D/F= 400/2000). Observations were carried out during 1961 – 1990 (http://gua.db.ukrvo. org). Digitizing of plates has been done by EPSON EXPRESSION 10000XL (EE) flatbed scanner in 16-bit gray color range with resolution 1200dpi.( Andruk et al.: 2005, 2012; Golovnja et al.: 2010;. Protsyuk et al. 2014a, 2014b). The reduction of plates was made using the software developed in MAO NASU in the enhanced LINUX-MIDAS software kit. (Andruk V. et al.: 2016a, 2016b). Tycho2 was used as a reference system. The internal accuracy of the reduction for the first three instruments is ±0.08 – ±0.13 arcsec for both coordinates. For the wide angle astrograph DWA, RMS errors appeared 2 – 2.5 times higher. The total amount of processed plates with images of Saturn’s moons is 209 (511 frames), 33 plates contain the images of Uranus and U1,U2,U3,U4 moons, 29 plates have images of Neptune and N1 moon (Yizhakevych et al., 2015, 2016, 2017; Protsyuk et al., 2015). The online comparison of calculated positions of objects with IMCCE ephemeris data was made (http://lnfm1.sai.msu.ru/neb/nss/nssephmf.htm).
Using Checklists and Repetitive Simulation to Improve Patient Safety: A Pilot Project with the Impella® Left Ventricular Assist Device

Abstract Background Low-frequency, high-risk patients in a cardiac intensive care unit have a greater risk for medical errors with serious clinical consequences. Patients with an Impella® left-ventricular assist device were chosen as representative of this population. Methods This project involved the development and implementation of two specialized crisis checklists with repetitive simulation sessions for patients with an Impella® left ventricular assist device. Participants included 26 cardiac intensive care unit nurses who were identified as Impella® superusers. Evaluation measures included nursing performance, patient and manikin outcomes, self-confidence, and self-efficacy. Results The participants were found to have improved adherence to critical processes of care and reduced errors in management of patients with an Impella® left ventricular assist device in simulated as well as actual patient events. Conclusion The results while limited due to small sample size do provide support for the use of safety checklists in combination with repetitive simulations to improve adherence to critical safety practices as well as self-confidence for low-frequency high-risk patients.
Development of sexing primers in Glyptemys insculpta and Apalone spinifera turtles uncovers an XX/XY sex-determining system in the critically-endangered bog turtle Glyptemys muhlenbergii

In species or developmental stages where the sex of an individual cannot be reliably identified through external morphology, molecular markers can provide a critical tool to study sex-specific traits that are elusive otherwise. Here we generated two sets of sex-diagnostic PCR primers for each of two focal turtle species with contrasting genotypic sex determination (GSD) systems: the wood turtle, Glyptemys insculpta (XX/XY), and the spiny softshell turtle, Apalone spinifera (ZZ/ZW). These markers identified males and females with 100% accuracy as validated with numerous individuals of known sex. Notably, one of the markers developed for G. insculpta permitted the successful diagnosis of individual sex in the critically-endangered bog turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii, also with 100% accuracy. This cross-species application provided the first evidence that G. muhlenbergii shares an XX/XY sex-determining mechanism with G. insculpta, a finding with important evolutionary and conservation implications. Similarly, the markers from A. spinifera were successful in identifying the sex of two individuals (one male and one female) of the Chinese softshell turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis (ZZ/ZW). These cross-species observations highlight the potential applicability of these types of markers on closely related taxa that share a sex-determining mechanism, which should be tested in a case-by-case basis.
MultiDK: A Multiple Descriptor Multiple Kernel Approach for Molecular Discovery and Its Application to Organic Flow Battery Electrolytes.

We propose a multiple descriptor multiple kernel (MultiDK) method for efficient molecular discovery using machine learning. We show that the MultiDK method improves both the speed and accuracy of molecular property prediction. We apply the method to the discovery of electrolyte molecules for aqueous redox flow batteries. Using multiple-type—as opposed to single-type—descriptors, we obtain more relevant features for machine learning. Following the principle of “wisdom of the crowds”, the combination of multiple-type descriptors significantly boosts prediction performance. Moreover, by employing multiple kernels—more than one kernel function for a set of the input descriptors—MultiDK exploits nonlinear relations between molecular structure and properties better than a linear regression approach. The multiple kernels consist of a Tanimoto similarity kernel and a linear kernel for a set of binary descriptors and a set of nonbinary descriptors, respectively. Using MultiDK, we achieve an average performance of ...
Abstract 14842: Half of the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator-Eligible Patients That Undergo Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Improve Their Ejection Fraction to Above 35% Post-operatively

Background: In patients with preoperative ejection fraction (EF) ≤35%, a 90-day waiting period after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is recommended to assess the impact of revascularization on left ventricular (LV) EF, prior to considering implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. However, there is very little data to show whether EF improves to >35% after CABG, rendering these patients ICD-ineligible postoperatively. We sought to determine the incidence and predictors of EF improvement to >35% in ICD-eligible patients undergoing CABG. Methods: Of the 2,838 patients who underwent isolated CABG between 2001 and 2014 at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 375 had echocardiographic assessment of LV EF before (within 6 months) and after (3-24 months) CABG. Of these 375 patients, 74 (20%) had an LV EF ≤35% prior to CABG and were examined in this analysis. Logistic regression was used to examine the variables associated with perioperative improvement in LV EF. Results: Mean age of the 74 patients was 65±9 years. Mean preoperative EF was 28±6%, and improved to 36±12% postoperatively (p 35% after CABG (mean EF in this subgroup increased from 29±5% to 46±8% postoperatively, p 35% was 5 times more likely in patients with a preoperative EF of 26-35% than those with preoperative EF ≤25% (odds ratio 4.95, 95% confidence interval 1.73 to 14.1; p=0.003). Other baseline clinical characteristics were similar between patients with vs. without an improvement in EF to >35%. Conclusion: More than 50% of the ICD-eligible patients who underwent CABG with a preoperative EF ≤35% improved their EF to >35% after CABG and became disqualified for primary prevention ICD therapy. Preoperative EF was a strong determinant of EF improvement postoperatively. These results provide evidence for the current practice guideline recommendation of reassessing EF 90 days after CABG in ICD-eligible patients. They also suggest that it is less likely for patients with a preoperative EF ≤25% to become ineligible for primary-prevention ICD after CABG.
Computational Analysis of Thermo-Fluid Dynamics with Metallic Powder in SLM

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) process. The metallic powder particles are subject to melting-solidifying along each line scanning which consequently results in intense thermo-capillary convection within the melt pool. Therefore, in order to accurately capture the fluid dynamics, discrete powder particles should be properly modelled. In this study, a 3D thermo-fluid model using the volume of fluid approach with powder particles incorporated was developed using ANSYS/FLUENT. A sequential powder adding algorithm was utilized to generate randomly dispersed particles of a given size distribution in a powder bed. As a result of continuous melting and solidification, the temperature distribution, the molten metal flow, and the free-surface formation can be numerically analyzed. The influence of sequential addition of powder particles to the transport phenomena can be studied and the mechanisms of different pore formation investigated. When the powder particles are melted, the formed melt pool would solidify to form the single track and its density depends on the process parameters. The high speed, 1600 mm/s, of laser would result in less dense tracks with numerous pores would further aggravate with increasing layers.
Substance matters: a reply to Jardine (2016)

Jardine (2016) claims that tonal phonology is more formally complex than the phonology of other segmental features, in that only tonal phonology goes beyond the class of weakly deterministic maps. He then goes on to argue that this formal distinction is superior to any available treatment in Optimality Theory. This reply points out that Jardine's formal distinction conflates attested and unattested tonal patterns, which can be distinguished in Optimality Theory, given a substantively defined constraint set.
Intracranial Hemorrhage in Familial Cerebral Cavernous Malformation: Clinical presentation vs. incidental MRI findings in the follow-up Imaging (P1.237)

Objective: We aimed to study the New Mexico Hispanic population with Cerebral Cavernous Malformation type 1-Common Hispanic Mutation (CCM1-CHM) to understand and characterize the phenotypic expression and Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH) in these patients. Background: Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM) can be found in 0.1–0.5% of the general population. Approximately 20–50% cases are familial, the most common of which is CCM-1. There is extensive variability in disease severity even among family members. Design/Methods: We prospectively enrolled 88 patients with a CCM1-CHM mutation from 2009–2014 for baseline and longitudinal follow-up MRI. Imaging review included the presence, number, location, size, and signal intensity characteristics of CCMs. Record review included patient and family history and baseline characteristics, follow-up period, number of lesion seen previously and number & location of new lesions. We reviewed the baseline presentation, duration of signs/symptoms and whether or not the surgery was performed for the symptoms of hemorrhage. Results: Out of eighty-eight patients, twelve had ICH confirmed through MRI, half of them were symptomatic. Six patients had moderate to the severe clinical presentation ranging from seizures, severe headache (HA), nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, aphasia and facial weakness which required surgical intervention, one of the patients had medullary bleeding died following the surgery. The remaining six patients were found to have ICH on follow-up MRI, and one had seizures, headache, nausea, diplopia, and loss of consciousness. MRI played a pivotal role in diagnosing either hemorrhage of previously known lesions, increase in the lesion size and identification of new lesions. Conclusions: Signs and symptoms of ICH in CCM1 patients may result in high morbidity and mortality if ICH occurs. Prompt surgical evaluation is required with frequent intervention. Study Supported by: NINDS Disclosure: Dr. Arsalan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Morrison has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ikram has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zafar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nelson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hart has nothing to disclose.
9.5 – The Adrenal Cortex

The adrenal gland has two main layers: the cortex and the medulla. The cortex in turn has three layers. The outermost zona glomerulosa makes aldosterone; the middle zona fasciculata makes glucocorticoids; the inner zona reticularis makes adrenal androgens. The chemical structures of these hormones and their synthesis are traced. Regulation of secretion of the glucocorticoids by ACTH, and the hypothalamic control of ACTH secretion, is discussed. These are the “stress hormones” that respond to a variety of physiological or psychological stresses. The mechanism of regulation of glucocorticoid secretion is shown. Some of the basis of glucocorticoid action, for example on suppression of inflammation, is examined. Control of aldosterone secretion through the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is explored. The mechanism of action of aldosterone on distal nephron principle cells is discussed. Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome are described.
Structural Studies of Naturally Occurring Cyclic Polypeptides at Rockefeller University

I consider it a great privilege to write an essay for a book on polypeptides that is to honor Professor L. Zervas. Every peptide chemist is familiar with the important contributions he made many years ago in opening the peptide field to synthesis and the many important contributions since then from his laboratory.
Clock Synchronization and Synchronous Systems

Previous chapters of this book have made a number of uses of clocks or time in distributed protocols. In this chapter, we look more closely at the underlying issues. Our focus is on aspects of real-time computing that are specific to distributed protocols and systems.
Magnetic Order in Alkaliborate and Aluminosilicate Glasses Containing Large Concentrations of Iron-Group Ions

In this paper is presented a brief review of our stud-ies of magnetic interactions and atomic structure of borate and silicate base inorganic glasses containing large amounts of iron group ions. Several experimental techniques have been employed in this laboratory to study the atomic struc-ture and magnetic properties of alkaliborate glasses con-taining large amounts of iron and aluminosilicate glasses containing large percentages of cobalt and manganese ions. This work includes extensive Mossbauer studies, low field magnetic susceptibility measurements, x-ray diffraction studies, magnetic resonance measurements and ultrasonic sound velocity measurements. Various magnetic behavior; paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, and antiferromagnetic; are exhibited by these glasses, depending on glass composition and the glass preparation procedure.
The dynamics of folic acid metabolism in an adult given a small tracer dose of 14C-folic acid.

Folate is an essential nutrient that is involved in many metabolic pathways, including amino acid interconversions and nucleotide (DNA) synthesis. In genetically susceptible individuals and populations, dysfunction of folate metabolism is associated with severe illness. Despite the importance of folate, major gaps exist in our quantitative understanding of folate metabolism in humans. The gaps exist because folate metabolism is complex, a suitable animal model that mimics human folate metabolism has not been identified, and suitable experimental protocols for in vivo studies in humans are not developed.
New Developments in the Field of Monoliths for Chromatography.

Monoliths are separation media in the format that can be compared to a single large “particle” that does not contain interparticular voids. As a result, all the mobile phase must flow through the stationary phase. This convective flow greatly accelerates the rate of mass transfer. In contrast to diffusion, which is the typical driving force for mass transfer within the pores of particulate stationary phases during chromatographic processes in packed columns, convective flow through the pores of monoliths enables a substantial increase in the speed of the separation. The monolithic columns are about two decades old. Although a few approaches to monolithic stationary phases have been suggested in the past, they were not successful and research concerning the monolithic formats has started only in the late 1980s and the early 1990s. The focused work of several groups led to family of useful monoliths comprising compressed hydrophilic gels, macroporous polymer discs, columns, tubes, and silica rods. At the beginning all these new developments experienced a hard time to be accepted by the community as demonstrated with difficulties encountered during the publication of the first wave of manuscripts submitted by Stellan Hjerten, Nobuo Tanaka, and ourselves. Fortunately, the authors have been persistent, the science interesting, and the audience pre-informed about their advantages through presentations at conferences. Today, both organic and inorganic monolithic separation media are generally accepted as an alternative type of stationary phases enabling rapid separations of the wide spectrum of analytes. The number of publications concerning monolithic technologies grew steadily and the monolithic products are commercially available. A very detailed account of these materials can be found in a monograph (1) and numerous review articles (e.g.(2,3)). Some time ago I wrote an article (4) describing the war chromatographers are waging against diffusion of analytes in the stagnant mobile phase within pores of standard packings and the new weapons they invented and used including sub 2μm particles, core/shell packings, high temperature, and monoliths. These new column technologies are being continuously perfected and the chromatographic separations are getting more efficient and faster. Here, I will focus on monoliths and let the other authors of this issue to deal with the other technologies. This article is traditionally included in LC-GC magazine that is published before the HPLC symposium held in USA (5–7). Typically, focus of these contributions was on porous polymer-based monolith treating formats such as discs, columns, capillaries, tubes, chips, etc. each separately. In contrast, the article you read today describes a few selected new developments in the field I found interesting and also includes monoliths formed from inorganic materials.
Plastic Microfluidic Devices for DNA and Protein Analyses

Microfluidics and integrated microsystems are the current focus of unusually intense interest and activity on the part of academia, industry, and governmental agencies, an assertion substantiated by the solid attendance at the 2003 International Conference on Micro Total Analysis Systems (µTAS) [45] and by the recent publication of various books on this topic [46], both at a time when the economy in general, and the technology sector in particular, are at relative low points. Significant advances have been realized since the concept of µTAS was developed more than a decade ago as a means to enhance versatility and functionality relative to discrete chemical sensor devices [41]. Functional examples of the µTAS concept include on-chip PCR (polymerase chain reaction) [28, 44, 72], DNA analysis and sequencing [14, 58, 76], immunoassays [10, 19, 57], protein separations [23, 48, 64], and intra- and inter-cellular analysis [29, 53, 63]. Advantages of these µ-TAS over bench-top instruments include low reagent consumption, small sample volumes, high separation efficiencies, short reaction times, ease of automation, and potential for massproduction with low cost [41].
Study and application of transmission tracking analysis technique during incubation period of respiratory infectious diseases

Objective To develop a new transmission tracking analysis technique during incubationperiod of respiratory infectious diseases,and to discuss its practical value in the field survey of infectiousdiseases.Methods The classical epidemiological theory was integrated with geographic informationsystem.The transmission tracking analysis technique was established based on the modeling platform ArcGISEngine Developer Kit 9.3,using the techniques of address matching,shortest path analysis and bufferanalysis,and programming bv Visual C ++.Eight serious sever acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases inShanghai in year 2003 were then chose as prototype to set up the test cases A-H.The electronic map andpopulation density data were separately collected from Institute of Surveying and Mapping in Shanghai andShanghai statistical yearbook 2003,to calculate and explore the parameters as length of transmission path,area of buffer zone and key departments by single and multi case analysis module.Results The single casetransmission tracking analysis showed that the length of transmission track of case A was 129.89 km duringApril 25th to 29th in 2003,including 12 tracing point and 108 intimate contacts,and the total area of bufferzone was 7.11 km2 including 81 important institutes,naming 72 schools,6 kindergartens and 3 gerocomiums.The multi-case transmission tracking analysis showed that the 8 cases shared 5 tracks without any temporalcommunication.However,there was a spatial communication whose length was 1.42 km and area wasO.60 km2-.There were no important institutes found in this communication area.Conclusion Transmissiontracking technique is practicable and efficient to trace the source of infection,analyze the transmission tracks,establish the isolation buffer area and explore the important geographic positions in epidemiological investigation. Key words: Infectious diseases; Disease transmission; Virus incubation; Transmission tracking technique
Knowledge of Autism for Parents of Low Income with Low Literacy: Description and Relationship to Child Development Knowledge

Parents are critical for early detection of autism; however, children of low SES are identified later than their counterparts. Such delays in detection of autism may be attributed to limited parental knowledge of early developmental milestones and early signs of autism. Authors examined knowledge of developmental milestones and autism in 41 parents of low SES with low literacy. Participants were recruited from adult literacy programs and completed measures of developmental milestones and autism knowledge. Parents reported greater knowledge of motor milestones when compared to other milestones, including language, cognitive, social, and play milestones. Parent knowledge of milestones did not correlate with knowledge of autism. Parents overestimated social and play milestones that indicate autism risk, such as delays in responding to name and pointing to show interest, which may contribute to delays in detection of autism. Authors discuss implications of the results in terms of areas of future research.
UAS-based Multispectral Remote Sensing and NDVI Calculation for Post Disaster Assessment

This paper focuses on the use of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for multispectral remote sensing in post disaster situation awareness and damage assessment applications. The KHawk UAS was developed as a test bed for multispectral aerial video acquisition. Efficient UAS flight planning, data acquisition, and post flight orthomosaic generation workflows are created to ensure the robustness of the overall remote sensing system. The generated 2D orthomaps and the accuracy analysis are presented for validation purposes. A robust normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) calibration procedure using ground reflectance targets and a pixel-level linear regression algorithm is proposed. The developed KHawk UAS and the proposed procedure is validated in a post tornado (EF2) damage assessment mission.
Full motion video geopositioning algorithm integrated test bed

In order to better understand the issues associated with Full Motion Video (FMV) geopositioning and to develop corresponding strategies and algorithms, an integrated test bed is required. It is used to evaluate the performance of various candidate algorithms associated with registration of the video frames and subsequent geopositioning using the registered frames. Major issues include reliable error propagation or predicted solution accuracy, optimal vs. suboptimal vs. divergent solutions, robust processing in the presence of poor or non-existent a priori estimates of sensor metadata, difficulty in the measurement of tie points between adjacent frames, poor imaging geometry including small field-of-view and little vertical relief, and no control (points). The test bed modules must be integrated with appropriate data flows between them. The test bed must also ingest/generate real and simulated data and support evaluation of corresponding performance based on module-internal metrics as well as comparisons to real or simulated “ground truth”. Selection of the appropriate modules and algorithms must be both operator specifiable and specifiable as automatic. An FMV test bed has been developed and continues to be improved with the above characteristics. The paper describes its overall design as well as key underlying algorithms, including a recent update to “A matrix” generation, which allows for the computation of arbitrary inter-frame error cross-covariance matrices associated with Kalman filter (KF) registration in the presence of dynamic state vector definition, necessary for rigorous error propagation when the contents/definition of the KF state vector changes due to added/dropped tie points. Performance of a tested scenario is also presented.
Accounting for multiplicity in calculating eta Earth

Using the updated exoplanet population parameters of our previous study, which includes the planetary radius updates from Gaia DR2 and an inferred multiplicity distribution, we provide a revised η_⊕ calculation. This is achieved by sampling planets from our derived population model and determining which planets meet our criterion for habitability. To ensure robust results, we provide probabilities calculated over a range of upper radius limits. Our most optimistic criterion for habitability provides an η⊕ value of 0.34±0.02 (planets/star⁠). We also consider the effects of multiplicity and the number of habitable planets each system may contain. Our calculation indicates that 6.4±0.5 per cent of GK dwarfs have more than one planet within their habitable zone. This optimistic habitability criterion also suggests that 0.036±0.009 per cent of solar-like stars will harbour five or more habitable planets. These tightly packed highly habitable systems should be extremely rare, but still possible. Even with our most pessimistic criterion, we still expect that 1.8±0.2 per cent of solar-like stars harbour more than one habitable planet.
Cervical cancer in Tanzania: A systematic review of current challenges in six domains

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Tanzania. After excluding human immunodeficiency virus, lower respiratory infections, malaria, diarrheal diseases, and tuberculosis, cervical cancer kills more women than any other form of illness in the country. Unfortunately, Tanzania has a low doctor-to-patient ratio (1:50,000) and nearly 7000 women die each year from this disease. The clinical problem is further magnified by the country's lack of resources and prevailing poverty, sporadic cervical cancer screening, prevalence of high-risk oncogenic human papillomavirus subtypes, and relatively high rates of human immunodeficiency virus co-infection. In recent years, addressing the cervical cancer problem has become a priority for the Tanzanian government. In this systematic review of 39 peer-reviewed publications that appeared in the PubMed/MEDLINE (NCBI) database from 2013 to 2018, we synthesize the growing body of literature to capture current trends in Tanzania's evolving cervical cancer landscape. Six domains were identified, including risk factors, primary prevention, barriers to screening, treatment, healthcare worker education, and sustainability. In addition to traditional risk factors associated with sexual behavior, acetowhite changes observed during visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid, lower education, rural setting, and HIV positivity also have a noteworthy clinical impact.
Topology Control in Wireless Sensor Networks: with a companion simulation tool for teaching and research

Topology Control in Wireless Sensor Networks addresses the need for a text that combines the background material needed to understand wireless sensor networks with in-depth material about topology control, which is a very important topic related to this technology; and a companion simulation tool of great value for instructors and researchers.
Abstract PL04-02: Extracellular vesicles as opportunities for integrative or focused liquid biopsy studies

Background: For patients who present with or develop progressive, metastatic cancer, new immunotherapies offer significant hope of remission or cure. However, many of the most effective immunotherapies and cancer vaccines are often effective in fewer than 50% of patients treated, and assessment of treatment responses is only feasible after multiple weeks or months of treatment, a period of time during which other more effective treatment options or combinations might have been selected instead for the non-responding patients. Therefore, improved methods for monitoring treatment responses, especially early during treatment, are needed. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), are continuously released and carry surface receptors and RNA/DNA cargo related to the state of their cell of origin. Thus, EVs may enable near-real-time clinical blood and/or urine tests for early screening, risk stratification, and monitoring of cancer immunotherapies. Methods: To extract the information that is carried by EVs, our lab has developed a first-in-class pipeline to characterize EV heterogeneity and provide high-sensitivity quantification of informative EV subsets by combining multiplex assays with high-resolution, single EV flow cytometric methods together into a Multiplex-to-Single EV Analysis (Mt-SEA) pipeline. Results: In preliminary data from ongoing clinical trials, we have identified EV subset changes that correspond to responses to treatment. Moreover, as with other complex biological systems, we find that it is possible to interrogate several dimensions of EV cargo to further improve the utility and impact of this approach. The methods and tools that we have developed are being made available for use in the wider research community. Conclusions: We hypothesize that identification of sensitive and specific EV-associated biomarkers for responses to immunotherapies would significantly advance efforts to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for advanced cancer patients. The Mt-SEA Pipeline of methods developed by the NCI Translational Nanobiology lab establishes a foundation for interrogating different genetic and molecular profiles in tumor-derived and immune cell-derived EVs in urine and/or blood within 1-2 weeks of the start of treatment. Citation Format: Joshua Welsh, Kenneth Aldape, Jennifer Jones. Extracellular vesicles as opportunities for integrative or focused liquid biopsy studies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PL04-02. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-PL04-02