cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural networks underlying contributions from semantics in reading aloud

Reading is an essential part of modern society, yet much is still unknown about the physiological underpinnings of its information processing components. Two influential cognitive models of reading, the connectionist and dual-route cascaded models, offer very different accounts, yet evidence for one or the other remains equivocal. These models differ in several ways, including the role of semantics (word meaning) in mapping spelling to sound. We used a new effective connectivity algorithm, IMaGES, to provide a network-level perspective on these network-level models. Left hemisphere regions of interest were defined based on main effects in functional magnetic resonance imaging and included two regions linked with semantic processing – angular gyrus (AG) and inferior temporal sulcus (ITS) – and two regions linked with phonological processing – posterior superior temporal gyrus (pSTG) and posterior middle temporal gyrus (pMTG). Participants read aloud words of high or low spelling-sound consistency, word frequency, and imageability. Only the connectionist model predicted increased contributions from semantic areas with those computing phonology for low-consistency words. Effective connectivity analyses revealed that areas supporting semantic processing (e.g., the ITS) interacted with phonological areas (e.g., the pSTG), with the pattern changing as a function of word properties. Connectivity from semantic to phonological areas emerged for high- compared to low-imageability words, and a similar pattern emerged for low-consistency words, though only under certain conditions. Analyses of individual differences also showed that variation in the strength of modulation of ITS by AG was associated with reading aloud performance. Overall, these results suggest that connections with semantic processing areas are not only associated with reading aloud, but that these connections are also associated with optimal reading performance.
Discrete state-space approximation of the continuous Kalinin-Milyukov-Nash cascade of noninteger storage elements

Summary A generalization of the discrete linear cascade model (DLCM), which is a state-space-formulated discretized version of the continuous Kalinin–Milyukov–Nash Cascade, is described for noninteger number of uniform storage elements. The generalized model was tested against numerically integrated values of the Saint-Venant equations and was found to yield improved model accuracy in comparison with the traditional uniform cascade of integer number of storage elements. The storage coefficient of the last reservoir can be specified independently of that of the rest of the cascades, which makes the present model better suited for flow routing over reaches where the target gauging station is found near sudden changes in channel properties.
Next year on the US farmland market: an informational approach

This study formulates an information measure for changes in asset values and applies the formulation to farmland values in the United States for 1960 to 1999. The results indicate that changes in asset values contained significant information following the Russian wheat sale in the early 1970s and the financial crisis in agriculture in the mid 1980s. Further, information about preceding year's asset values largely explains the regional distribution of current year's farmland values.
Electroencephalography of DSM‐III borderline personality disorder

– The EEG's of hospitalized males with the sole diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (n= 37) were compared to those of a group with only dysthymic disorder (n= 31). Borderline patients were found to have significantly more marginal, definite, and combined (marginal and definite) abnormalities on the EEG. The most prevalent abnormality in the borderline was slow-wave activity. The mixture of wave frequencies occurring in the electroencephalogram, known as fusing, occurred significantly more often in the borderline group compared to the dysthymic group. Severity of illness of the borderline group and the depressed group was not significantly correlated with EEG abnormality. Neurophysiologic implications for the pathogenesis of the borderline personality disorder are discussed in light of these findings.
Hydrology: The diversified economics of soil water.

Soil water that evaporates or is tapped by plants is largely separate from that which runs into streams and recharges groundwater. This finding has big implications for our understanding of water cycling. See Letter p.91 Soil water is usually assumed to be available for all purposes in equal measure, supplying plant transpiration as well as groundwater and streamflow. Building on prior but limited studies, Jaivime Evaristo et al. have assembled a dataset of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes — drawn from widely distributed sites — and show that ecohydrological separation is the rule. Water used by plants tends to be isotopically distinct from that used for streamflow, suggesting that hydrological separation of precipitation inputs creates distinct pools of water resources. This finding implies that that existing land surface model parameterizations of plant physiological processes and streamflow can be made more realistic through the incorporation of ecohydrological separation.
The chlorination of indoles with aqueous sodium hypochlorite. Proof of the existence of an N-chloro intermediate

N-Chloroindole (2) is an intermediate in the chlorination of indole (1) with aqueous sodium hypochlorite and rearranges to give 3-chloroindole (4).
Dual trigger with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and standard dose human chorionic gonadotropin to improve oocyte maturity rates.

Objective To evaluate the percentage (%) of mature oocytes retrieved in patients with a previous history of >25% immature oocytes retrieved who were triggered with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce oocyte maturation. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting A university-based tertiary fertility center. Patient(s) Patients with a history of >25% immature oocytes retrieved in a prior in vitro fertilization cycle who were triggered with GnRH-a and hCG 5,000 IU or 10,000 IU in a subsequent cycle from January 2008 through February 2012. Intervention(s) Dual trigger of GnRH-a and hCG 5,000 or 10,000 IU. Main outcome measure(s) Percent of mature oocytes retrieved and fertilization rate. Result(s) The proportion of mature oocytes retrieved was significantly higher with a dual trigger compared with the subject's previous cycle (75.0%, interquartile range 55.6%-80.0% vs. 38.5%, interquartile range 16.7%-55.6%). The odds of a mature oocyte retrieved for patients who received a dual trigger was 2.51 times higher after controlling for stimulation protocol, hCG dose, gonadotropin dose, and oocyte retrieval time interval (odds ratio 2.51; confidence interval 1.06-5.96). The implantation, clinical, and ongoing pregnancy rates for the dual trigger were 11.8%, 26.1%, and 17.4%, respectively. Conclusion(s) In patients with a low percentage of mature oocytes retrieved who are triggered with a combination of GnRH-a and hCG, the % of mature oocytes retrieved improved. in vitro fertilization outcomes, however, remain poor, suggesting an underlying oocyte dysfunction.
Acute hormonal and neuromuscular responses to hypertrophy, strength and power type resistance exercise

The purpose of the current study was to determine the acute neuroendocrine response to hypertrophy (H), strength (S), and power (P) type resistance exercise (RE) equated for total volume. Ten male subjects completed three RE protocols and a rest day (R) using a randomized cross-over design. The protocols included (1) H: 4 sets of 10 repetitions in the squat at 75% of 1RM (90 s rest periods); (2) S: 11 sets of three repetitions at 90% of 1RM (5 min rest periods); and (3) P: 8 sets of 6 repetitions of jump squats at 0% of 1RM (3 min rest periods). Total testosterone (T), cortisol (C), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined prior to (PRE), immediately post (IP), 60 min post, 24 h post, and 48 h post exercise bout. Peak force, rate of force development, and muscle activity from the vastus medialis (VM) and biceps femoris (BF) were determined during a maximal isometric squat test. A unique pattern of response was observed in T, C, and SHBG for each RE protocol. The percent change in T, C, and SHBG from PRE to IP was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater in comparison to the R condition only after the H protocol. The percent of baseline muscle activity of the VM at IP was significantly greater following the H compared to the S protocol. These data indicate that significant acute increases in hormone concentrations are limited to H type protocols independent of the volume of work competed. In addition, it appears the H protocol also elicits a unique pattern of muscle activity as well. RE protocols of varying intensity and rest periods elicit strikingly different acute neuroendocrine responses which indicate a unique physiological stimulus.
LUTS After Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Evaluation and Treatment

Use of radiotherapy including external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy (BT), and combination therapy (EBRT + BT) for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) is rising. Persistent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) requiring surgical intervention after radiation for the treatment of prostate cancer are rare, and as a result, there is a paucity of data in the urologic literature. Owing to the location of the prostate, toxicity of radiotherapy for prostate cancer affects the bladder, prostate, urethra, and rectum which results in a range of complications including radiation cystitis, urinary incontinence, fistulas and outlet obstruction from bladder neck contractures, and the prostate or bulbomembranous urethral strictures. We review the cause and incidence of LUTS, workup and treatment options.
Estimation of uncertainties in eigenspectral estimates from decaying geophysical time series

The response of many dynamical systems to an impulse is a linear combination of decaying cosines. The frequencies of the cosines have generally been estimated in geophysics by periodogram analysis and little formal indication of uncertainty has been provided. This work presents an estimation procedure by the methods of complex demodulation and nonlinear regression that specifically incorporates in the basic model the decaying aspect of the cosines (periodogram analysis does not). The use of plots of the instantaneous phase as a function of time is shown to greatly enhance resolution. Expressions for the variances of eigenfrequencies, amplitudes, phases and damping constants Q are derived by non-linear least-squares. The results are illustrated, for the problem of the free oscillations of the Earth, by computations with the record made at Trieste of the Chilean earthquake of 1960 May 22.
The Relation of Energy to Fiber in Chick Rations

Abstract ENERGY is receiving an increasing amount of attention in the development of rations for early rapid growth in broilers and turkeys. Fraps (1946) has shown that in general available energy is correlated with the fiber content of feedstuffs. Poultry have only a limited ability to digest fiber. Halnan (1930) reported that fowls digested less than 10 percent of the fiber. His experiments showed that fiber appreciably lowered the digestibility of organic matter and nitrogen-free extract, but had only a slight effect on the digestibility of protein and fat. Fiber, according to Halnan, can be ignored as contributing to the nutritive value of poultry rations, its role being to regulate the volume of the ration and, thus, automatically regulating the amount of nutrients consumed. Mangold (1934) reviewed the digestion of fiber and reported that 20 to 30 percent of the fiber of grain was digested by poultry. The digestion coefficients of . . .
Adaptation of a Psycho-Oncology Intervention for Black Breast Cancer Survivors: Project CARE

Black women are traditionally underserved in all aspects of cancer care. This disparity is particularly evident in the area of psychosocial interventions where there are few programs designed to specifically meet the needs of Black breast cancer survivors. Cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention (CBSM) has been shown to facilitate adjustment to cancer. Recently, this intervention model has been adapted for Black women who have recently completed treatment for breast cancer. We outline the components of the CBSM intervention, the steps we took to adapt the intervention to meet the needs of Black women (Project CARE) and discuss the preliminary findings regarding acceptability and retention of participants in this novel study.
Responses of Fast- and Slow- Feathering Male Broilers to Dietary Threonine During 42 to 56 Days of Age

Abstract Threonine content of feather protein is relatively high, and broilers differing in the rate of feathering may have different dietary threonine needs. This study examined the response of fastand slow-feathering male broilers to feeds either adequate or deficient in threonine. Birds were fed a common feeding regimen from placement until six wk of age. Then a corn-peanut meal diet containing 0.56% threonine was compared with one having 0.18% of supplemental L-threonine (0.74% total) until eight wk. Increasing threonine from 0.56 to 0.74% improved growth rate with fast-feathered broilers but not slow-feathered broilers. Additional threonine also improved feed/gain; however, birds differing in feathering responded similarly.
Hip muscle activity during 3 side-lying hip-strengthening exercises in distance runners.

Context: Lower extremity overuse injuries are associated with gluteus medius (GMed) weakness. Understanding the activation of muscles about the hip during strengthening exercises is important for r...
The msl-2 dosage compensation gene of Drosophila encodes a putative DNA-binding protein whose expression is sex specifically regulated by Sex-lethal

In Drosophila dosage compensation increases the rate of transcription of the male's X chromosome and depends on four autosomal male-specific lethal genes. We have cloned the msl-2 gene and shown that MSL-2 protein is co-localized with the other three MSL proteins at hundreds of sites along the male polytene X chromosome and that this binding requires the other three MSL proteins. msl-2 encodes a protein with a putative DNA-binding domain: the RING finger. MSL-2 protein is not produced in females and sequences in both the 5′ and 3′ UTRs are important for this sex-specific regulation. Furthermore, msl-2 pre-mRNA is alternatively spliced in a Sex-lethal-dependent fashion in its 5′ UTR.
Ratio of amniotic fluid cortisol and maternal serum cortisol (AFC/MSC) as an index of fetal lung maturity.

Fifty-eight samples of amniotic fluid from pregnant women between the gestation period of 34-42 weeks were analyzed for total cortisol levels. Thirty-four simultaneous maternal serum total cortisol levels were also measured. Amniotic fluid cortisol (AFC), maternal serum cortisol (MSC) and the ratio of AFC/MSC were correlated with L/S ratio. AFC alone and AFC/MSC ratios correlate with L/S ratios (r=0.36, p <0.01, and r=0.46, p <0.01, respectively). MSC and L/S ratios had no correlation. AFC/MSC had less individual variation as compared to AFC alone. The AFC/MSC had less individual variation as compared to AFC alone. The AFC/MSC could be divided by an arbitrary line at 0.1 and values less than 0.1 signify immature fetal lungs. Values of 0.1 and greater signify mature fetal lungs.
Synergistic effects of mixing hybrid poplar and wheat straw biomass for bioconversion processes

Low cost of raw materials and good process yields are necessary for future lignocellulosic biomass biorefineries to be sustainable and profitable. A low cost feedstock will be diverse, changing as a function of seasonality and price and will most likely be available from multiple sources to the biorefinery. The efficacy of the bioconversion process using mixed biomass, however, has not been thoroughly investigated. Considering the seasonal availability of wheat straw and the year round availability of hybrid poplar in the Pacific Northwest, this study aims to determine the impact of mixing wheat straw and hybrid poplar biomass on the overall sugar production via steam pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification. Steam pretreatment proved to be effective for processing different mixtures of hybrid poplar and wheat straw. Following SO2-catalyzed steam explosion pretreatment, on average 22 % more sugar monomers were recovered using mixed feedstock than either single biomass. Improved sugar recovery with mixtures of poplar and wheat straw continued through enzymatic hydrolysis. After steam pretreatment and saccharification, the mixtures showed 20 % higher sugar yields than that produced from hybrid poplar and wheat straw alone. Blending hybrid poplar and wheat straw resulted in more monomeric sugar recovery and less sugar degradation. This synergistic effect is attributable to interaction of hybrid poplar’s high acetic acid content and the presence of ash supplied by wheat straw. As a consequence on average 20 % more sugar was yielded by using the different biomass mixtures. Combining hybrid poplar and wheat straw enables sourcing of the lowest cost biomass, reduces seasonal dependency, and results in increasing biofuels and chemicals productivity in a cellulosic biorefinery.
Facile solvolysis of a surprisingly twisted tertiary amide

A bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivative containing both a tertiary amide and a methyl ester (1) was shown crystallographically to adopt a conformation in which the amide is in the cis configuration, which is sterically disfavored, but electronically favored. The steric strain induces a significant torsion (15.9°) of the amide, thereby greatly increasing the solvolytic lability of the amide to the extent that we see competitive amide solvolysis in the presence of the normally more labile methyl ester also present in the molecule.
High Cost/High Risk Components to Chalcogenide Molded Lens Model: Molding Preforms and Mold Technology

This brief report contains a critique of two key components of FiveFocal's cost model for glass compression molding of chalcogenide lenses for infrared applications. Molding preforms and mold technology have the greatest influence on the ultimate cost of the product and help determine the volumes needed to select glass molding over conventional single-point diamond turning or grinding and polishing. This brief report highlights key areas of both technologies with recommendations for further study.
Islamophobia, Feminism and the Politics of Critique

This article discusses recent critical works within the frame of what is considered a paramount concern in feminist scholarship today: How do we name and publicize acts of violence against women wi...
Covenant Liberty in Puritan New England

This Article argues that New England Puritan covenant theology was a fertile seedbed for a number of American constitutional ideas of ordered liberty and orderly pluralism. Puritan constructions of the "liberty of covenant" inspired later theories of liberty of conscience and free exercise of religion. Puritan constructions of social, political, and ecclesiastical "covenants of liberty" provided a foundation for later understanding of republican nationalism, separation and cooperation of church and state, and sundry checks and balances on authorities within both church and state.
A Peripheral Integrated Status Display: Is it Really Giving the “Big Picture” or is It a Miniseries?

Much effort has been directed towards the creation of effective integerated displays for vehicle or system control. These efforts have generally been aimed at “primary” instruments or indices of system performance and only comparatively recently have secondary indices received similar attention. Each group of indices, however, has generally been kept separate, resulting in systems having multiple nonintegrated integrated displays. A method is proposed whereby these may be combined within a single instrument or “integrated” integrated display. This method is based upon the use of spatial cues created by regular versus irregular polygons. A major question at issue is whether such a display constitutes a single integrated shape or merely an assembly of subshapes that are serially scanned.
Framework for engineering finite state machines in gene regulatory networks.

Finite state machines are fundamental computing devices at the core of many models of computation. In biology, finite state machines are commonly used as models of development in multicellular organisms. However, it remains unclear to what extent cells can remember state, how they can transition from one state to another reliably, and whether the existing parts available to the synthetic biologist are sufficient to implement specified finite state machines in living cells. Furthermore, how complex multicellular behaviors can be realized by multiple cells coordinating their states with signaling, growth, and division is not well understood. Here, we describe a method by which any finite state machine can be built using nothing more than a suitably engineered network of readily available repressing transcription factors. In particular, we show the mathematical equivalence of finite state machines with a Boolean model of gene regulatory networks. We describe how such networks can be realized with a small cla...
Assessing cross frequency coupling in EEG collected from subjects viewing video using a modified metric

Cross frequency coupling (CFC) quantifies the extent to which low frequency phase controls high frequency amplitude in electroencephalograph (EEG) signals. Neurologically, this can be seen as a global communication between head regions influencing the local processing of stimuli by neuron groups. Several metrics exist for measuring CFC and this paper presents a modification that can be applied to a number of them that decrease the sensitivity to false low frequency phase couplings that arises from real world filters. We show that this method improves CFC results in subjects participating in a video test looking at the perceptual quality of video.
Precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions: the multicultural "male" risk factor.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To review current knowledge regarding characteristics of males whose partners develop cervical cancer. DATA SOURCES Classic and current descriptive, cohort, and case-control studies of "male factors" associated with risk of precancerous squamous cell intraepithelial lesions and invasive cervical cancer. DATA SYNTHESIS Male hygiene sperm and seminal fluids, occupational exposure to carcinogens, smoking, promiscuity, and venereal infections have been linked to increased risks for developing cervical cancer in a number of studies. Results vary from culture to culture. CONCLUSIONS Areas of strongest association that can be targeted for prevention programs include male history of genital warts, poor hygiene, smoking, high numbers of sexual partners, and infrequent practice of safe sexual behaviors. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Establishment of prevention programs predicated on reducing male factors known to increase risk, encouraging screening of high-risk populations, and using patient education to reduce the practice of high-risk sexual behaviors are called for.
Identification and characterization of Salmonella isolates by automated ribotyping

A study was conducted with the RiboPrinter, an automated ribotyping system, to evaluate its ability to identify and characterize isolates of Salmonella from broiler operations. Isolates of Salmonella obtained from a local broiler company were serotyped by a reference laboratory and ribotyped using the RiboPrinter. The RiboPrinter generated ribotype patterns by probing EcoRI digests of Salmonella DNA with an E. coli DNA probe to the ribosomal RNA operon. The RiboPrinter identified isolates by band matching of their ribotype patterns to ribotype patterns in its database. In addition, the RiboPrinter characterized isolates by sorting them into ribotypes on the basis of the similarity of their ribotype patterns. Of 117 isolates, the RiboPrinter identified 34 (29%) at the serotype level, 11 (9%) at the strain level, 46 (39%) at the genus level, and 26 (22%) were not identified. Thus, only 38% of the isolates were identified at or below the serotype level, indicating that the RiboPrinter was limited in its ability to identify Salmonella isolates by band matching. In contrast, the RiboPrinter was very effective at characterizing Salmonella isolates. Out of 108 isolates, the RiboPrinter detected 31 ribotypes, compared to serotyping which only detected 22 types of Salmonella. Thus, automated ribotyping was more discriminatory than serotyping. However, when results of both typing methods were combined, 40 types of Salmonella were detected, indicating that the best discrimination was obtained when automated ribotyping and serotyping were used together.
Influence of Choice of Null Network on Small-World Parameters of Structural Correlation Networks

In recent years, coordinated variations in brain morphology (e.g., volume, thickness) have been employed as a measure of structural association between brain regions to infer large-scale structural correlation networks. Recent evidence suggests that brain networks constructed in this manner are inherently more clustered than random networks of the same size and degree. Thus, null networks constructed by randomizing topology are not a good choice for benchmarking small-world parameters of these networks. In the present report, we investigated the influence of choice of null networks on small-world parameters of gray matter correlation networks in healthy individuals and survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Three types of null networks were studied: 1) networks constructed by topology randomization (TOP), 2) networks matched to the distributional properties of the observed covariance matrix (HQS), and 3) networks generated from correlation of randomized input data (COR). The results revealed that the choice of null network not only influences the estimated small-world parameters, it also influences the results of between-group differences in small-world parameters. In addition, at higher network densities, the choice of null network influences the direction of group differences in network measures. Our data suggest that the choice of null network is quite crucial for interpretation of group differences in small-world parameters of structural correlation networks. We argue that none of the available null models is perfect for estimation of small-world parameters for correlation networks and the relative strengths and weaknesses of the selected model should be carefully considered with respect to obtained network measures.
On nonoscillatory solutions of two dimensional nonlinear delay dynamical systems

We study the classification schemes for nonoscillatory solutions of a class of nonlinear two dimensional systems of first order delay dynamic equations on time scales. Necessary and sufficient conditions are also given in order to show the existence and nonexistence of such solutions and some of our results are new for the discrete case. Examples will be given to illustrate some of our results.
The QTP family of consistent functionals and potentials in Kohn-Sham density functional theory

This manuscript presents the second, consistent density functional in the QTP (Quantum Theory Project) family, that is, the CAM-QTP(01). It is a new range-separated exchange-correlation functional in which the non-local exchange contribution is 100% at large separation. It follows the same basic principles of this family that the Kohn-Sham eigenvalues of the occupied orbitals approximately equal the vertical ionization energies, which is not fulfilled by most of the traditional density functional methods. This new CAM-QTP(01) functional significantly improves the accuracy of the vertical excitation energies especially for the Rydberg states in the test set. It also reproduces many other properties such as geometries, reaction barrier heights, and atomization energies.
Stability: Courant Criterion

This chapter describes the application and yield of Courant criterion for stability. It is applicable to hyperbolic partial differential equations. A statement about whether or not a difference scheme may converge to the exact solution of a hyperbolic equation. The numerical domain of dependence for a hyperbolic equation must include the actual domain of dependence in order for the numerical approximation of the solution to converge to the true solution. A hyperbolic partial differential equation has characteristics. Generally, the dependent variables will satisfy ordinary differential equations along the characteristics. The characteristics will propagate from the curves along which the initial data is given to every point in the domain. It is suggested that given a specific point at which the solution is desired, the characteristics through that point must be determined.
Semiochemicals in the natural history of southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann and their role in pest management.

Abstract The southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann is generally considered to be one of the most significant biotic mortality agents of pines within North America, with a range stretching from New England to eastern Texas and from Arizona south to Nicaragua. As with other aggressive pine beetles, it relies on semiochemicals for coordinating the mass attacks necessary for colonization of healthy pines. Over the past 50 years its chemical ecology has received extensive study aimed at development of effective and practical semiochemical-based management strategies which might replace the destructive and costly techniques in practice. I review the literature on the chemical ecology of this insect with particular attention to the functional categorizations assigned to different semiochemicals and the data underlying these assignments. Additionally, I attempt to identify conflicts and knowledge gaps within current understanding of the chemical ecology of this insect that might represent a significant hindrance to progress in development of effective semiochemical-based management strategies.
A course gamification platform supporting student motivation and engagement

Gamification — the use of game design elements in non-game contexts — has seen rapid adoption in various areas in recent years. Its application in education is particularly promising, due to its potential to shape user behavior in desirable directions through increasing user motivation and engagement. This work-in-progress paper presents a course gamification platform aimed at supporting instructors to gamify courses that target skill development, such as computing-related courses.
Learning and synchronization of movement primitives for bimanual manipulation tasks

Bimanual manipulation tasks require strong coordination between the two hands performing the task. Trajectories of both arms must be temporally synchronized while satisfying certain spatial constraints while performing the task. In this paper, control laws for the desired trajectory tracking and synchronization of multiple agents modeled using dynamic movement primitives (DMPs) are developed. The control laws are developed using contraction analysis of nonlinear systems. Specific control laws and tracking and synchronization constraints for bimanual tasks are developed. Experimental results suggest that the proposed control laws are robust to spatial perturbations and on-the fly goal location changes.
Lithography-free microfabrication of AlGaN/GaN 2DEG strain sensors using laser ablation and direct wire bonding

Abstract This work presents a simple and rapid lithography-free (i.e., maskless) microfabrication process for strain-sensitive aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN)/GaN sensors. We microfabricated an AlGaN/GaN strain sensor through laser ablation of the underlying Si (111) substrate and direct bonding of aluminum wires to the sensor surface, creating a Schottky contact to the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). We measured the sensor's current-voltage operation while displacing the center of the membrane up to approximately 106 μm and characterized its sensitivity at from 0.5 to 2 V bias (i.e., ~ 5 to 100 nA/μm). This work advances the development of AlGaN/GaN-on-Si microelectronics (e.g., pressure sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes) using the simplified fabrication process, which eliminates lithography, metallization, and etching, and reduces the manufacturing time (5 min) and cost, as well as the need for cleanroom environments.
Computation of the Nonlinear Nyquist Robust Stability Margin for Unstructured Uncertainties

Abstract The critical direction theory for analyzing the robustness of uncertain feedback systems is extended to include nonlinear elements in the closed loop, making the approach applicable to a wider variety of systems. A redefinition of the critical perturbation radius is introduced, preserving key properties of the original theory. Necessary and sufficient conditions for robust stability are developed, and analytic conditions are derived to determine the Nyquist robust stability margin for systems with circular uncertainty. An example is presented to illustrate the theory.
Respite for 2-Dimensional Right Ventricular Imaging?

The complex geometry and structure of the right ventricular (RV) cavity make the assessment of RV function and volumes by 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography arduous. Highly trabeculated endocardial border and bellows-like contractile pattern are not explicitly imaged by 2D echocardiography.1,2 Furthermore, the retrosternal position of the right ventricle hinders its visualization, and minimal changes in the angle of insonification affect RV chamber measurement and thereby, reproducibility. See Article by Amsallem et al Parameters of RV function and volume derived from 2D echocardiography (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV to left ventricular diameter ratio, and fractional area change) do not reliably predict the risk of RV failure during mechanical circulatory support with left ventricular assist device.3,4 Similarly, 2D assessment of RV function and volume in pulmonary hypertension has been challenging. The etiology and hemodynamic classification (pre- versus postcapillary) of pulmonary hypertension are important determinants of the RV remodeling …
An Introduction to Multiple Sequence Alignment — and the T-Coffee Shop. Beyond Just Aligning Sequences: How Good can you Make your Alignment, and so What?

I begin the chapter with a discussion of the fundamental principles of multiple-sequence alignment starting with pair-wise dynamic programming, then I move onto significance and similarity statistics, then amino acid scoring matrices, and I end the introduction with multiple-sequence alignment algorithms themselves. Reliability issues, complications, and applications of multiple-sequence alignment are discussed next. The chapter concludes with a description and tutorial about using the T-Coffee multiple-sequence alignment package.
Vaulting into the Spotlight: Upward-striving Toward the $100 Million Revenue Goal

We document a significant increase in firms’ revenue growth rate as they approach $100 million annual revenue. We identify substantial capital markets and other visibility benefits to firms achieving this goal, including discontinuous increases in analyst and media coverage and in transient and growth-focused institutional investment. We find no evidence of decreased investment efficiency or overall profitability. We find that firm CEOs benefit through higher bonuses, pay-for-performance sensitivity, and stock and stock option awards in the year after reaching the goal. We find that firms make acquisitions, expand their labor forces, and increase leasing of assets to reach $100 million revenue. Collectively, our results suggest that achieving $100 million revenue is a critical event in the trajectory of firm growth that enhances firms’ capital market receptions and information environments and sharpens CEOs’ incentives. These results constitute rare systematic firm-level evidence of upward-striving, and they suggest conditions under which setting challenging goals enables firms to achieve positive performance effects.
Vertical Flow Dynamics in Kelp Forests: Implications for Nutrient Uptake, Condition and Survival

Author(s): Edwards, Matthew S. | Abstract: (1) The influence of ocean waves on giant kelp fronds results in the vertical transport of water along the thallus(2) Morphological traits of giant kelp result in vertical transport being greater than in the absence of giant kelp(3) Vertical flow along giant kelp thalli is persistent, but flow rate is correlated with vertical orbital displacements of the incident ocean waves
Advancing Coastal Habitat Resiliency Through Landscape-Scale Assessment

Coastal areas are among the most biologically rich regions in the world. They provide tremendous benefit to people through ecological services like pollution filtration, carbon sequestration, and storm protection. However, human activity has decreased the ability of ecosystems to provide these services, and in many coastal areas, restoration is not as effective as it could be. Limited success is largely attributed to vague goals and a lack of holistic, science-informed planning. Quantifying coastal habitat health can aid in setting better restoration goals and lead to greater restoration success. The Long Island Sound Study National Estuary Program conducted the first comprehensive look at coastal habitat health for the Long Island Sound Estuary. In this study we also reviewed landscape-scale habitat assessment progress within other coastal programs. Results can be applied to establish ecosystem health-oriented goals that improve habitat function and resilience across coastal areas.
Minimal Building Fragility Portfolio for Damage Assessment of Communities Subjected to Tornadoes

AbstractTornadoes are considered a low-probability high-consequence event that can cause significant damage to community infrastructure, resulting in injuries and fatalities and ultimately creating...
COUNTERCURRENT FLOW IN A SEMI-INFINITE GAS CENTRIFUGE. PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Preliminary results on optimum and practical countercurrent tlow in gas ultracertrifuges are presented. An irternal flow problem for countercurrent centrifuges was solved for a semi-infinite-length case. The lowest mode results indicate that at values of the speed parameter above about 2.5, decay lengths are higher than those calculated in an isothermal version of the problem. (J.R.D.)
The Classification Problem

Having reached the full measure of a half century since countable abelian p-groups were classified, it seems appropriate that we consider this occasion (a survey talk on the classification of abelian groups presented to the Udihe Conference) as a kind of golden anniversary of that event, which still ranks as one of the great achievements in the history of abelian groups. We wish to honor here especially tne work of Prufer, Ulm, Zippin, Baer and other pioneer researchers who were able to determine completely the structure of important classes of abelian groups [1, 23, 27, 30]. It is proper and fitting that we review at this time what has been accomplished in classifying abelian groups over the last fifty years and that we reflect on what we have done to carry on and complete the work they started. Moreover, it may be beneficial for us to examine methods and techniques that have developed over this period and to analyse those in current use. Finally, we consider a few open problems and discuss briefly directions for future research.
Drug treatment of asthma

It is the purpose of this review to emphasize recent progress in the understanding and use of drugs for asthma. In fact, much of the recent progress has been in the area of increased understanding of the appropriate use of drugs which have been available for a number of years. Hence, this review will emphasize these new and developing concepts. The reader who wishes to obtain details an specific drugs should refer to earlier reviews [1–3].
Wide educational disparities in young adult cardiovascular health.

Abstract Widening educational differences in overall health and recent stagnation in cardiovascular disease mortality rates highlight the critical need to describe and understand educational disparities in cardiovascular health (CVH) among U.S. young adults. We use two data sets representative of the U.S. population to examine educational disparities in CVH among young adults (24–34) coming of age in the 21st century: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2010; N= 689) and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (2007–2008; N=11,200). We employ descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results show that fewer than one in four young adults had good CVH (at least 5 out of 7 ideal cardiovascular indicators). Young adults who had not attained a college degree demonstrate particularly disadvantaged CVH compared with their college-educated peers. Such educational disparities persist after accounting for a range of confounders, including individuals’ genetic propensity to develop coronary artery disease. The results indicate that the CVH of today’s young adults is troubling and especially compromised for individuals with lower levels of educational attainment. These results generate substantial concern about the future CVH of the US population, particularly for young adults with a low level of education.
Historical perspective on the Department of Energy mortality studies: Focus on the collection and storage of individual worker data.

Purpose To present how the Department of Energy's (DOE) Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource (CEDR) is integrated into the Million Person Study of Low Dose Health Effects (MPS). The history of DOE's worker health surveillance and its epidemiology program are described. Methods and materials A standard protocol is used to extract data from CEDR for use in the MPS. The data files are pulled from CEDR to form the basis for the cohort analyzed in the MPS. The previous study data are reviewed to formulate the protocol for the MPS study cohort. The activities needed to update the data to construct the new analytic files are carried out in parallel. The primary efforts relate to updating the vital status, retrieving cause of death information and calculating annual radiation doses for the specific organs of interest. Working data files containing the updated data are produced for construction of analytic data files used in the biostatistical analysis. At study completion the working and analytic data files are placed into CEDR for use by other researchers. Results The use of CEDR to study the scientific and maintenance workers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory which is currently underway is used to demonstrate the process. Conclusions There is a pressing need to answer the question of the health risk of exposure to chronic low level exposure to ionizing radiation. Using CEDR as the starting point to identify new cohorts to include in the MPS is a cost effective and a time efficient way to expedite answering this question.
Would You Refer This Patient With Cancer to a Palliative Care Specialist?: Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

In 2016, the American Society of Clinical Oncology published a guideline recommending that all patients with advanced cancer be referred to palliative care providers. This recommendation was based on a series of trials showing that palliative care, when added to standard oncology treatment, improves outcomes, including quality of life. Here, 2 oncologists, 1 of whom is also a palliative care specialist, debate the guideline and discuss how best to care for a 71-year-old woman with metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma who has a short life expectancy but feels well and has no symptoms related to her cancer or chemotherapy.
Smart Growth at the Ballot Box: Understanding Voting on Affordable Housing and Land Management Referendums:

This study investigates voter decision-making on two smart-growth components: land preservation and affordable housing. We seek to understand how voters make concurrent decisions about unpaired sma...
Beg, borrow, and steal: Formal and informal access to the scholarly literature at U.S. master's universities

Abstract This study investigates the methods by which faculty obtain scholarly articles, books, and chapters. It focuses on full-text retrieval rather than discovery, drawing on a survey of 529 full-time faculty at U.S. colleges and universities in the Carnegie master's—large and master's—medium categories. When seeking articles, faculty rely mainly on their home-institution library collections, freely accessible online resources, and interlibrary loan. The situation is different for books, however; faculty most often purchase the books they need. Despite the continuing importance of formal access mechanisms (home-institution library collections and interlibrary loan), faculty rely on other sources of full text—informal access mechanisms—for 50% of the articles and 66% of the books they use. Nearly 25% get more articles from the open web than from any other source, and substantial minorities report heavy reliance on other sources. In particular, faculty sometimes use other libraries, often relying on current or past affiliations (e.g., part-time teaching) or on the user accounts of family, friends, and colleagues. Many are critical of their university library collections, but most are satisfied with freely accessible online resources and interlibrary loan.
Resilience of a ponderosa pine plantation to a backfiring operation during a mid-summer wildfire

The Mill Fire, which burned in north-western California during the summer of 2012, provided a unique research opportunity when firefighters implemented a backfiring operation to limit wildfire growth. This backfire was ignited and burned through research plots from a long-term study designed to determine the effects of tree density manipulation and shrub control on the growth and stand development of a ponderosa pine plantation. The objectives of this study were to examine the response of these 53-year-old trees to the backfire and to determine how the fire effects differed with plantation structure and composition. Measurements made 4 years post-fire showed that mortality rate was highly variable (from 0 to 100%) and did not relate to tree density, height of live crown, total basal area or shrub cover. Bole char height explained 65% of the variation in mortality rate. Fire appeared to spread primarily through the surface litter and killed a substantial proportion of the shrubs competing with the trees for water and nutrients. Importantly, post-fire tree growth was not significantly affected relative to pre-fire growth. A lack of negative effects of the fire on radial growth was possibly a result of release from inter-tree and shrub competition, which balanced any declines that might have been expected from bole injury or crown loss. Results from the present study demonstrate that ponderosa pine plantations could potentially be treated with managed fire (e.g. prescribed fire) without pretreatment (i.e. thinning, mastication), and still achieve good survival and improved resilience to wildfires burning under uncontrolled conditions.