cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acceleration of maximum likelihood estimation for tomosynthesis mammography

Maximum likelihood (ML) estimation is used during tomosynthesis mammography reconstruction. A single reconstruction involves the processing of high-resolution projection images, which is both compute-intensive and time-consuming. This workload is presently a bottleneck in the accurate diagnosis of breast cancer during screening. This paper presents our parallelization work on an ML algorithm using three different partitioning models: no inter-communication, overlap with inter-communication and non-overlap model. These models are evaluated to obtain the best reconstruction performance given a range of computing environments with different computational power and network speed. Our test results show that the non-overlap method outperforms the other two methods on all five computing platforms evaluated. This parallelization of ML has enabled tomosynthesis to become a viable technology in the breast screening clinic, reducing reconstruction time from 3 hours on a PentiumIVworkstation to 6 minutes on a 32-node PentiumIV cluster.
Rapid automatic NCS identification using heavy-atom substructures.

An important component of a fully automated system for structure solution and phase improvement through density modification is a capability for identification of non-crystallographic symmetry as early in the process as possible. Algorithms exist for finding NCS in heavy-atom sites, but currently require of the order of N5 comparisons to be made, where N is the number of sites to be examined, including crystallographically related locations. A method described here based on considering only sets of sites that have common interatomic distances reduces the computational time by several orders of magnitude. Additionally, searches for proper symmetry allow the identification of NCS in cases where only one heavy atom is present per NCS copy.
Respirable Quartz and Kaolin Alumino-silicate Induction of In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in the Presence of Surfactant or Serum: Caveats to Bioassay Interpretation

Respirable sized quartz and kaolin dusts at concentrations from 0.25 to 1.0 mg/ml were comparably cytotoxic measured as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from lavaged rat lung macrophages challenged for 2 h in serum-free medium. Kaolin was about twice as active as quartz on a mass basis and about half as active on a surface area basis. Use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the medium reduced this activity for both dusts in a serum concentration-dependent manner. Using rat alveolar macrophage-derived NR8383 cells in medium containing 10% FBS, quartz dust challenge for 6 h at dust concentrations from 50 to 400 μg/ml induced significant and dust concentration-dependent necrosis, as measured by LDH release, and apoptosis, as measured by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP–fluorescein nick end DNA labeling assay. Under these same conditions, kaolin dust was significantly active only at the highest dust concentration. Challenge at an intermediate concentration of 100 μg/ml over time periods of 6 h to 5 days produced significant LDH release with quartz at all times, while kaolin-induced activity was significant only at 3 and 5 days and was not as strong as quartzinduced activity at those times. Pretreatment of quartz with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), to model conditioning of respired dust surfaces by interaction with a primary phospholipid component of the pulmonary surfactant, further suppressed quartz activity in the FBS system over 3 days, with no additional DPPC prophylactic effect seen at 5 days. No additional prophylactic effect of DPPC was seen for kaolin in the FBS system. In vitro assays of respirable particulate necrotic or apoptotic activities can be significantly affected by non-physiologically meaningful surface modifications of dusts occurring in a cellular test system, as observed here for serum in cell culture medium. At the same time, interpretation of in vitro assays may be limited if in vivo physiological modification of particle surfaces, such as adsorption of prophylactic components of lung surfactant as studied here, is not modeled in the experimental design.
Diphenyldifluoroketone EF24 Suppresses Pro-inflammatory Interleukin-1 receptor 1 and Toll-like Receptor 4 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated dendritic cells

Background Unresolved and prolonged inflammation is a pathological basis of many disorders such as cancer and multiple organ failure in shock. Interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) superfamily consists of IL-1R1 and pathogen pattern recognition receptor toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) which, upon ligand binding, initiate pro-inflammatory signaling. The study objective was to investigate the effect of a diphenyldifluoroketone EF24 on the expression of IL-1R1 and TLR4 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated dendritic cells (DCs).
The Evolution of the U.S. Extraordinary Rendition Program: Violations of International Law Under Ker-Frisbe and the Convention Against Torture

This paper will contrast the relatively benign state practice of forcible extraterritorial abduction, as practiced by the United States under the Ker-Frisbe doctrine, with the United States’ more recent practice of extraordinary rendition in violation of the Convention Against Torture and the Ker-Frisbe doctrine. In so doing it will evaluate the liabilities that the violation of international legal obligations has caused for the United States and its allies. The facts of the well known extraordinary rendition of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri as part of the CIA “Rendition Detention and Interrogation” (“RDI”) program will provide insight into the scope of the CIA’s departure from simple extraterritorial abduction during the extraordinary rendition program.
Processing and Characterization of Al2Ti/Al 3Ti Two-Phase Alloys

Several buttons of each of three binary Ti-Al alloys containing nominally 70, 71 and 72 at.% Al were prepared from elemental Ti and Al by plasma arc-melting. One button of each composition was then either solution heat-treated, subjected to a two-step heat treatment, or hot forged. Each composition and material condition was then characterized using SEM/EDS and microhardness testing. The results show that while all three compositions have a predominantly two-phase, coarse microstructure in the as-cast condition, it is possible to produce an essentially single phase material through an appropriate solution heat treatment for the two lower Al content alloys. A fine two-phase microstructure can be achieved through an additional, lower temperature heat treatment step. The microhardness results show that the solution heat treatment reduced the hardness for all three compositions compared to the as-cast condition while hot forging as-cast samples increased hardness. The 70% Al alloy has the highest hardness for all four material conditions studied while the 71% Al alloy has the lowest hardness in three of the four material conditions.
Medical, Scientific And Commercial Uses Of Roentgens X-Rays Today

This article is an overview of a few current medical, scientific and commercial uses of an early information system, Roentgen’s x-rays. At the end a conclusion is drawn and recommendations made.
Statistical Methods for Trajectory Model Validation

This paper examines the uses of statistical methods based on characteristics of available data for validating trajectory models. In this paper, different sources of available data are first characterized by five attributes that include qualities of commanded inputs, random inputs, and outputs, as well as data range and sample size. A framework for validating a trajectory model or a component using a generic source of available trajectory data is then proposed. The extensions of scalar trajectory errors into evaluation metrics to account for error samples and time intervals are discussed next, followed by the discussions of applications of statistical methods based on the attributes of available trajectory data. A procedure is recommended that can be used to identify potential causes of model invalidity. Examples are presented to illustrate the applications of the proposed procedures and methods for trajectory model validation.
Electron interactions, spin-orbit coupling, and intersite correlations in pyrochlore iridates

We perform combined density functional and dynamical mean-field calculations to study the pyrochlore iridates ${\mathrm{Lu}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$, ${\mathrm{Y}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$, and ${\mathrm{Eu}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$. Both single-site and cluster dynamical mean-field calculations are performed and spin-orbit coupling is included. Paramagnetic metallic phases, antiferromagnetic metallic phases with tilted Weyl cones, and antiferromagnetic insulating phases are found. The magnetic phases display all-in/all-out magnetic ordering, consistent with previous studies. Unusually for electronically three-dimensional materials, the single-site dynamical mean-field approximation fails to reproduce qualitative material trends, predicting in particular that the paramagnetic phase properties of ${\mathrm{Y}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ and ${\mathrm{Eu}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ are almost identical, although in experiments the Y compound has a much higher resistance than the Eu compound. This qualitative failure is attributed to the importance of intersite magnetic correlations in the physics of these materials.
Impacts of the long-term presence of buried crude oil on salt marsh soil denitrification in Barataria Bay, Louisiana

Abstract Denitrification is typically the dominant process of nitrate removal in coastal wetlands, converting bioavailable N in surface waters into gases released to the atmosphere through microbial respiration. This critical function and valuable ecosystem service performed by soil microbes in coastal wetlands improves water quality and benefits the surrounding ecosystem. Five years after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a layer of crude oil was found ∼5 cm beneath the wetland soil surface in Bay Jimmy, LA. While previous research found potential denitrification in coastal wetland soils was significantly reduced immediately following oil exposure, this study sought to investigate the effects of the long-term presence of spilled crude oil on nitrate removal. Intact soil cores were collected from a salt marsh heavily oiled by the DWH spill, and a nearby, non-oiled site in Barataria Bay, LA. The presence of a layer of buried oil increased nitrate removal from the overlying water column, a proxy measure of denitrification, by 31.8% in intact cores compared to non-oiled cores. However, when the oil was thoroughly mixed through the surface soil intervals, there was an 18–53% decrease in the rate of denitrification. This seemingly contradictory result demonstrates that oil buried 5 cm below the surface, and not in contact with the newly accreted soil, did not negatively affect areal denitrification rates. However, when oil was in direct contact and well mixed in the soil, denitrifiers in that part of the soil profile are still negatively affected.
Propagation and Scattering by a Layer of Randomly Distributed Dielectric Cylinders Using Monte Carlo Simulations of 3D Maxwell Equations With Applications in Microwave Interactions With Vegetation

Transmission, scattering, and absorption by a layer of dielectric cylinders are studied in the context of microwave propagation through vegetation. The electromagnetic fields are calculated by numerical solutions of 3D Maxwell equations (NMM3D) using the method of Foldy-Lax multiple scattering equations combined with the method of the body of revolution (BOR). Using the calculated transmission, we derive, the “tau”, the optical thickness, which describes the magnitude of the transmission. Two cases are considered: the short-cylinder case and the extended-cylinder case. The case of short cylinders is that the lengths of cylinders are much smaller than the layer thickness, while the case of extended cylinders is that the lengths of the cylinders are the same as or comparable to the layer thickness. Numerical results are illustrated for vertically polarized plane waves obliquely incident on the layer of cylinders. The NMM3D results for the extended-cylinder case show large differences of transmission from the results of the other approaches, such as the effective permittivity (EP), the distorted Born approximation (DBA), and the radiative transfer equation (RTE). For the case of short cylinders, the NMM3D results are in close agreement with those of EP, DBA, and RTE.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the United Kingdom: A Proposal for Moderate GMO Regulations Post-Brexit, and an Opportunity in Genetically Modified Wheat

The use of GMOs is a contentious topic internationally, with the stringency of regulations varying widely between countries. While the United States has chosen to adopt permissive regulations, the EU in contrast has enacted some of the strictest regulations in the world. The current EU GMO regulations have not authorized a GM product since 2001. With the passage of the referendum authorizing the British exit from the EU, the UK has the chance to create more permissive regulations than those it was previously required to adopt due to membership in the EU. While the UK should not deregulate its existing framework to the permissiveness of the US,it should adopt more moderate rules than the EU. The moderate rules would allow the UK to take advantage of the growing GM crop market—and in particular the newly emerging GM wheat market—without compromising the safety of its citizens. More specifically, these moderate regulations call for an expanding of the evidentiary threshold for the precautionary rule, maintenance of labeling requirements, and the creation of a public awareness campaign to increase public knowledge about GMOs.
Cervical plates: comparison of physical characteristics and in vitro pushout strength.

Background context: There are many cervical plates available to the spine surgeon today. A single plate design may not be appropriate for every clinical situation. It is important for the surgeon to un- derstand the differences of these plating systems. Plate systems are known to fail by screw pullout from the bone, screw and plate breakage and a less frequent but clinically observed screw pushout from the plate. Pushout testing of the screws from the plate have not previously been subjected to study. Purpose: This compares the features of cervical plating systems and the strength of the locking mechanisms to allow the surgeon to make a knowledgeable choice of plating system. Study design: This is a review of descriptive geometric characteristics of cervical plate systems and a biomechanical evaluation of locking mechanism screw pushout strength. Methods: Physical characteristics of each plate were determined. Features of plates and screws were cataloged. Each of the test plate systems had a different locking mechanism. Biomechanical testing of the locking mechanism-screw-plate constructs was performed to determine the pushout strength of the fixation screw from the plate-locking mechanism. Results: Physical characteristics of the plating systems, including lengths, widths, shortest screw lengths and distance from edge of plate to nearest screw, were determined. Biomechanical test- ing showed significant differences in pushout strength, in part explained by the type of locking mechanism. Conclusions: Biomechanical screw pushout data demonstrate that a significant range of pushout strengths exist across the available cervical plate systems today. Knowing the physical characteris- tics of the cervical plating systems available may allow the selection of a plate best suited for a given clinical situation. © 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Lumbar Scoliosis (Degenerative) and MIS (Lateral) Surgery Complications

Minimally invasive lateral lumbar surgery has increased in popularity for the treatment of adult spinal deformity (ASD). It has decreased the risk of numerous comorbidities traditionally associated with the anterior approach as well as the need for anterior access surgeons. However, the unique complication profile that can occur when performing these lateral techniques has limited widespread mass adoption while prompting criticism and even condemnation from traditional spine surgeons. This chapter introduces a sampling of case report complications and discusses appropriate management and treatment strategies in hopes to provide education and insight for contemporary spine surgeons considering incorporating these techniques safely into their surgical repertoire.
The association between bullous pemphigoid and neurological disorders: a systematic review

Studies suggest an association between neurological disorders and bullous pemphigoid. The goal of this systematic review was to characterize the occurrence of neurological disorders in patients with bullous pemphigoid. We performed a systematic review of the current English literature from 1984 to June 1st, 2015 for documented cases of coexistent BP and neurological disorders. The literature search resulted in 53 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Patients with bullous pemphigoid had an increased risk of stroke (OR: 4.43 [95% CI: 2.69–7.28]; p<0.001), dementia (OR: 5.48 [95% CI: 3.26–9.23]; p<0.001), Parkinson’s (OR: 3.06 [95% CI: 1.97–4.77]; p< 0.001), and epilepsy/seizures (OR: 22.88 [95% CI: 2.64–198.21]; p = 0.0045). Neurological disorders preceded bullous pemphigoid in the majority of cases with a mean time interval of 6.7 years. The one-year mortality was increased in bullous pemphigoid patients who had concomitant stroke (OR: 2.87 [95% CI: 1.67–4.96]; p<0.001). Bullous pemphigoid patients have an increased association with neurological disorders which may increase mortality.
Characterization and discrimination of human breast cancer and normal breast tissues using resonance Raman spectroscopy

Worldwide breast cancer incidence has increased by more than twenty percent in the past decade. It is also known that in that time, mortality due to the affliction has increased by fourteen percent. Using optical-based diagnostic techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy, has been explored in order to increase diagnostic accuracy in a more objective way along with significantly decreasing diagnostic wait-times. In this study, Raman spectroscopy with 532-nm excitation was used in order to incite resonance effects to enhance Stokes Raman scattering from unique biomolecular vibrational modes. Seventy-two Raman spectra (41 cancerous, 31 normal) were collected from nine breast tissue samples by performing a ten-spectra average using a 500-ms acquisition time at each acquisition location. The raw spectral data was subsequently prepared for analysis with background correction and normalization. The spectral data in the Raman Shift range of 750- 2000 cm-1 was used for analysis since the detector has highest sensitivity around in this range. The matrix decomposition technique nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) was then performed on this processed data. The resulting leave-oneout cross-validation using two selective feature components resulted in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 92.6%, 100% and 96.0% respectively. The performance of NMF was also compared to that using principal component analysis (PCA), and NMF was shown be to be superior to PCA in this study. This study shows that coupling the resonance Raman spectroscopy technique with subsequent NMF decomposition method shows potential for high characterization accuracy in breast cancer detection.
Acute and Isolated Dissection of the Superior Mesenteric Artery: Presentation and follow-up with Duplex Ultrasound:

IntroductionIsolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a rare and often-fatal condition. Currently, only 47 cases of SMA dissection, in the absence of aortic dissection, have be...
LADAR‐based collision warning sensor to prevent over‐height vehicle bridge hits

Impacts by over-height (OH) vehicles on bridges, commonly known as `bridge hits', cause significant risk to safety and preservation of transportation infrastructure in the USA. Currently, available over-height vehicle detection systems (OHVDs) have specific site requirements, extremely high installation costs, and propensity for false alarms, which limit their field deployment to few locations. This study describes a new, enhanced LADAR-based OHVDs (L-OHVDs), which can be installed on the face of a structure to be protected and can measure the height of an approaching vehicle before the safe stopping distance from the structure. Built using off-the-shelf components and a patent pending optical design, it exhibits enhanced features like vehicle detection, actual height measurement, and collision prediction with no reported false alarms. The developed prototype has a detection range of 220 ft with height measurement accuracy (±0.66 inches) that is better than currently available OHVDs. This system has exceptional precision and is well suited to detect OH trucks and tractor trailers approaching a low vertical clearance bridge. With superior performance and cost-effective installation, the proposed L-OHVDs has the potential to reduce occurrences of `bridge hits', thereby limiting consequences such as congestion and damages to bridge while sustaining safety of motorists.
Complications of Laparoscopy

Overall complication rates for gynecologic laparoscopy have remained at <1% with an overall mortality rate of 3.33 per 100,000 patients. This chapter is designed to discuss possible complications related to laparoscopic surgery from the time of abdominal access to the postoperative period. Mastery of surgical technique, superior anatomical knowledge, and a continuous quest to improve are essential tools for all surgeons, while prevention remains the most important factor in avoiding complications. Early recognition and management of complications in a timely, safe, and efficient fashion is the key to overcoming the pitfalls of laparoscopy.
High Points in the Physiology of Extreme Altitude

The history of the physiology of extreme altitude is one of the most colorful in the whole area of physiology. Man seems to have a fundamental urge to climb higher and higher, and reaching the summit of Mt. Everest is still often referred to as one of the basic human aspirations. An interesting feature of the history is that physiologists through the years have repeatedly been astonished by some new altitude record but in spite of this have confidently predicted on each occasion that man can go no higher!
Introduction: Science, Social Science, and Measurement

Science, as practiced by physicists, chemists, biologists, and other physical scientists, is, no doubt, one of our most successful and respected intellectual enterprises. Clearly, in the case of science, success and respect have been intertwined with each other. On the one hand, science is looked up to because of its ability to explain and predict, and because, as a result, it is the primary reason for an enormous extension of, and improvement in, the quality of life that many human beings lead. Medical and biological sciences have provided cures for numerous diseases and adequate food for expanding populations. Other segments of physical science (together with the technological developments they have spawned) have given us central heating, refrigeration, the automobile, plastics, television, the computer, and much, much more. Thus success has bred respect. On the other hand, respect has brought increased funding into science along with the resources those funds provide, and it has encouraged many individuals to take up science as a career. Respect has therefore resulted in the expansion of scientific activity which, in turn, has brought forth more success. So pervasive and penetrating has been the combination of success and respect that it has led, in some quarters, to the glorification of science. Both those who practice it and scientific work itself are frequently held in the highest esteem. It is no wonder, then, that social science has often attempted to cloak itself in the mantle of science.
Ring compression tests on un-irradiated nuclear fuel rod cladding considering fuel pellet support

Abstract Ring compression tests on un-irradiated nuclear fuel rod cladding were conducted to analyze its mechanical behavior under pinching loads using appropriate boundary conditions, such as the consideration of fuel pellet support. The tested specimens included as-fabricated and artificially hydrogen-charged Zircaloy-4 cladding samples with a hydrogen content in a range of 285–470 ppm. Part of the samples were subjected to radial hydride treatment including a peak cladding hoop stress of 79 MPa and a peak cladding temperature of 400 °C to simulate SNF vacuum drying and to investigate treatment effects on the cladding response. Half of the tested rings were loaded with 20 mm long stainless steel pellets to analyze the impact of fuel pellet presence on the cladding loading capacity. The pellet-cladding gap width ranged from 60 to 180 μm. The other half of the rings was tested in empty state. The load-displacement curves obtained from ring compression tests conducted at room temperature on as-fabricated cladding exhibited a highly ductile material behavior. The presence of hydrogen in the cladding significantly embrittled the material, but unexpectedly, radial hydride treatment increased the cladding ductility. The ring compression tests conducted under pellet presence did not induce cladding cracking, even under extreme pinching loads. The results indicate that hydride-related material embrittlement likely does not cause nuclear fuel cladding failure when subjected to pinching loads, under the premise that a fuel pellet provides sufficient support to the cladding.
The ‘-Pacific’ part of ‘Asia-Pacific’: Oceanic diplomacy in the 2017 treaty for the prohibition of nuclear weapons

The 2017 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was negotiated at the UN over the objections of nuclear-armed and -allied states and established a global categorical ban on nuclear we...
BPS Hall algebra of scattering Hall states

Abstract Starting with a very pedestrian point of view we compare two different at the first glance definitions for an algebra associated to BPS states in supersymmetric fields theories. One proposed by Harvey and Moore exploits S -matrices of BPS states as structure constants of a new algebra. Another one proposed by Kontsevich and Soibelman gives a construction according to the structure of cohomological Hall algebras. We show these two constructions give equivalent algebras.
Nanoscavenger provides long-term prophylactic protection against nerve agents in rodents

Nerve agents are a class of organophosphorus compounds (OPs) that blocks communication between nerves and organs. Because of their acute neurotoxicity, it is extremely difficult to rescue the victims after exposure. Numerous efforts have been devoted to search for an effective prophylactic nerve agent bioscavenger to prevent the deleterious effects of these compounds. However, low scavenging efficiency, unfavorable pharmacokinetics, and immunological problems have hampered the development of effective drugs. Here, we report the development and testing of a nanoparticle-based nerve agent bioscavenger (nanoscavenger) that showed long-term protection against OP intoxication in rodents. The nanoscavenger, which catalytically breaks down toxic OP compounds, showed a good pharmacokinetic profile and negligible immune response in a rat model of OP intoxication. In vivo administration of the nanoscavenger before or after OP exposure in animal models demonstrated protective and therapeutic efficacy. In a guinea pig model, a single prophylactic administration of the nanoscavenger effectively prevented lethality after multiple sarin exposures over a 1-week period. Our results suggest that the prophylactic administration of the nanoscavenger might be effective in preventing the toxic effects of OP exposure in humans.
From genotype to phenotype: augmenting deep learning with networks and systems biology

Cells, as complex systems, consist of diverse interacting biomolecules arranged in dynamic hierarchical modules. Recent advances in deep learning methods now allow one to encode this rich existing knowledge in the architecture of the learning procedure, thus providing the models with the knowledge that is absent in the training data. By encoding biological networks in the architecture, one can develop flexible deep models that propagate information through the molecular networks to successfully classify cell states. Moreover, this flexibility in the architecture can be harnessed to model the hierarchical structure of real biological systems, efficiently converting gene-level data to pathway-level information with an ultimate impact on cell phenotype. Furthermore, such models could require fewer training samples, are more generalizable across diverse biological contexts, and can make predictions that are more consistent with the current understanding on the inner-working of biological systems.
Low Power Speaker Identification by Integrated Clustering and Gaussian Mixture Model Scoring

This letter discusses a novel low-power digital CMOS architecture for speaker identification (SI) by combining $k$ -means clustering with Gaussian mixture model (GMM) scoring. We show that $k$ -means clustering at the front-end reduces the dimensionality of speech features to minimize downstream processing without affecting SI accuracy. Implementation of cluster generator is discussed with novel distance computing and online centroid update datapaths to minimize overhead of the clustering layer (CL). The integrated design achieves $6\times $ lower energy than the conventional for SI among ten speakers.
Microbiomes as sources of emergent host phenotypes.

Microbial communities associated with animals exert powerful influences on host physiology, regulating metabolism and immune function, as well as complex host behaviors. The importance of host–microbiome interactions for maintaining homeostasis and promoting health raises evolutionarily complicated questions about how animals and their microbiomes have coevolved, and how these relationships affect the ways that animals interact with their environment. Here, we review the literature on the contributions of host factors to microbial community structure and corresponding influences of microbiomes on emergent host phenotypes. We focus in particular on animal behaviors as a basis for understanding potential roles for the microbiome in shaping host neurobiology.
Improvements in the accuracy of wavelet-based optical flow velocimetry (wOFV) using an efficient and physically based implementation of velocity regularization

This manuscript details recent improvements in a wavelet-based optical flow velocimetry (wOFV) method that represents a more physically sound implementation and results in increased accuracy of the velocity estimation. A novel regularization scheme is presented that is based on penalization of directional derivatives of the estimated velocity field or more specifically, second-order penalization of the gradients of divergence and curl, which enforces realistic flow structure. The regularization is performed in the wavelet domain with symmetric boundary conditions for the first time using an alternative wavelet transform approach of matrix multiplications. The method for the computation of full two-dimensional wavelet transforms by a single pair of matrix multiplications is described and shown to be significantly more efficient than a lifting implementation or convolution in MATLAB. Velocity fields are estimated from synthetic tracer particle images generated from 2D DNS of isotropic turbulence and from experimental results from a turbulent flow. Results are compared to an advanced correlation-based PIV algorithm and previous advanced optical flow methods. The velocity results estimated with the new regularization scheme are shown to be more accurate and exhibit a significant reduction in non-physical small-scale artifacts compared to previous results. A significant result from the current method is the ability to generate 2D velocity field images that resolve the dissipative scales in high-Reynolds number, turbulent flows.
Who Is Advocating for Children and Adolescents with HIV Infection

Despite significant gains in the past 10 years in the treatment and care of children and adolescents with HIV infection, there is still need for advocacy for this group. The author discusses how far we have come and the need for on-going efforts, not only for appropriate child-friendly drug formulations, but also for cooperation between quantitative and qualitative scientists to further the existing knowledge base of how best to help these children with a chronic disease.
Weapon Carrying and Weapon Brandishing at School: Responses to Strain Among Same-Sex Attracted Youth.

Studies consistently find lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning youth are more likely than other youth to experience discrimination, fear for their safety, and be victimized at school. We argue t...
EFFECT OF COSMIC ULTRAVIOLET BACKGROUND ON STAR FORMATION IN HIGH-REDSHIFT GALAXIES

The effect of the cosmic UV background on star formation in high-redshift galaxies is explored by means of high-resolution cosmological simulations. The simulations include star formation, three-dimensional radiative transfer, and a highly detailed interstellar medium model, and reach spatial resolution sufficient to resolve formation sites for molecular clouds. In the simulations, the local radiation field in the Lyman-Werner band around star-forming molecular clouds dominates over the cosmic UV background by a factor of 100, similarly to the interstellar radiation field in the Milky Way and in a few high-redshift galaxies for which measurements exist. The cosmic UV background in the Lyman-Werner band, therefore, is essentially irrelevant for star formation in normal galaxies.
Evidence Lacking for Cannabis Users Slacking: A Longitudinal Analysis of Escalating Cannabis Use and Motivation among Adolescents

Objective: Reduced motivation is often noted as a consequence of cannabis use. However, previous work has yielded mixed results and focused largely on adults. To address these limitations, this study examined longitudinal associations between cannabis use and self-reported motivation in a large adolescent sample. Method: Participants were 401 adolescents aged 14–17 at baseline who completed five bi-annual assessments. We assessed motivation at three timepoints using two self-report questionnaires: the Apathy Evaluation Scale and the Motivation and Engagement Scale (disengagement, persistence, planning, self-efficacy, and valuing school subscales). Controlling for relevant covariates, we used latent growth curve modeling to characterize patterns of cannabis use and motivation over time, examining bidirectional influences between these processes. Results: On average, adolescent cannabis use frequency increased significantly over time. The disengagement and planning facets of motivation also increased significantly over time, whereas other aspects of motivation remained stable. At baseline, greater cannabis use was associated with greater disengagement, lower planning, and lower valuing of school. Greater baseline cannabis use also predicted lesser increases in disengagement over time. After controlling for the effect of sex, age, depression, and use of alcohol and nicotine, only the baseline association between cannabis use and valuing school remained significant. Conclusions: Our results do not support a prospective link between cannabis use and reduced motivation among adolescents. Although most observed associations were accounted for by covariates, greater cannabis use was cross-sectionally associated with lower perceived value of school, which may contribute to poorer educational and later life outcomes.
Summer STEM Camp Goes Virtual: Implementing a Module on Infectious Disease

Due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, camp and program directors raced to make decisions about summer programming. Traditionally, GSI Summer Camp is a day camp held on a local university campus for four weeks. Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, the program staff decided to move forward with a seven-week virtual experience for 45 upper elementary, middle, and high school participants. This article presents a description of the implementation of an infectious disease module during a virtual STEM camp.
The Promise: A Mythic-Archetypal and Gender-Oriented Analysis of J.D. Salinger's "A Perfect Day for Bananafish"

This thesis is an analysis of J.D. Salinger’s “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” from both mythic-archetypal and gender-oriented perspectives. It looks specifically at the way a genderoriented reading allows one to interpret “Bananafish” as a radical reassessment of Carl Jung’s ideas about the process of individuation, as well as Joseph Campbell’s conception of what he describes as the monomyth in his The Hero with a Thousand Faces. The reader is asked to look at how patriarchal values have greatly limited the development of these characters’ identities over time, and the complex archetypal and mythic implications of this limitation.
Correlation of Foraminal Area and Response to Cervical Nerve Root Injections.

Introduction: Patients with age-related degenerative changes in the cervical spine leading to cervical spondylosis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Older patients with radicular pain tend to have a better response to epidural steroid injections, but it is often difficult to predict which patients will have a positive response to selective nerve root block (SNRB). We analyzed whether the cervical neuroforaminal area measured on MRI predicts immediate therapeutic responses to SNRB in patients who have cervical radiculopathy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who had cervical SNRBs treated at a single tertiary referral center. We recorded patient demographics, the neuroforaminal area of the symptomatic and contralateral sides, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score pre- and post-injection, history of previous cervical surgery, comorbidities, and history of tobacco use. Results: Sixty-four patients with symptoms of cervical radiculopathy treated with neuroforaminal nerve root injections had appropriate imaging and VAS scores recorded. The average foraminal area of the symptomatic side before treatment was significantly smaller than the contralateral asymptomatic neuroforamen (p<0.0001). Those patients with the smallest neuroforamen had a positive response to SNRB. Diabetes and tobacco use did not influence patient response to treatment . Conclusions: Measurement of neuroforaminal areas on MRI may represent a useful preprocedural technique to predict which patients with symptoms of cervical radiculopathy secondary to foraminal stenosis are likely to respond to selective nerve root injections. The predictive ability appears to be limited to those patients with severe stenosis and was less useful in those patients with moderate or mild stenosis.
A preliminary treatment of the genus Campylopus (Musci: Dicranaceae) in Central America

There are 26 species of Campylopus in Central America. They are divided into three groups on the basis of two characters: the presence or absence in the costa of a ventral layer of enlarged, hyaline cells and the presence or absence in the stem of an outer hylodermis. Dicranum costaricensis Bartr. is transferred to Campylopus as C. valerioi nom. nov. Campylopus hoffmanii and C. standleyi are recognized as distinct species. Six new synonyms are proposed: C. straminifolius = C. densicoma; C. costaricensis = C. surinamensis; C. roellii = C. tallulensis; C. donnellii = C. zygodonticarpus; C. tuerckheimii = C. zygodonticarpus; C. sargii = C. zygodonticarpus.
Alpha-tocopherol inhibits the development of select dendritic cell subsets and lung inflammation during allergic responses in neonates (HYP7P.282)

Offspring from allergic mothers develop allergic responses to suboptimal allergen challenge. This is mediated by dendritic cell responses in the offspring. Dendritic cell development and responses are dependent on protein kinase Cα (PKCα) and we reported that recombinant PKCα is inhibited by binding of the vitamin E isoform α-tocopherol (αT). However, it is not known whether αT regulates development of dendritic cell subsets or development of allergic responses. Therefore, we determined whether αT supplementation inhibited development of dendritic cell subsets and allergic responses in offspring of allergic female mice. αT supplementation of allergic female mice during pregnancy/lactation resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in allergic lung inflammation in the pups challenged with the antigen OVA. Interestingly, in these pups, there was a reduction in lung CD11b+ but not CD11b- subsets of dendritic cells. There was also a reduction in allergen-induced lung mRNA expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, IL-4, IL-33, TSLP, CCL11 and CCL24. In conclusion, supplementation with αT reduced development of CD11b+ dendritic cells and allergic responses in offspring from allergic mothers. These results have implications for supplementation of allergic mothers with αT.
Un guardián de las palabras

Llama de amor viva. Fernando Charry Lora. Nueva Biblioteca Colombiana de Cultura, Bogota , 1986.
Abstract 1513: Use of complex oligonucleotide libraries for concurrent high-resolution fluorescence imaging of both DNA and RNA in various sample types

Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) is a powerful technique for determining the localization specific nucleic acid sequences within individual cells. Previously, the use of FISH has often been dependent upon access to cloned template DNA for the generation of probes, which can be difficult if clones for specific regions are unavailable, or if the genomic region of interest contains repetitive and/or other problematic sequences. We have developed the ability to chemically synthesize DNA in massively parallel reactions, which we have used to produce libraries of oligonucleotides up to 200 bases in length that can be utilized for the generation of FISH probes. The sequences of the oligonucleotides in these libraries are selected in silico using empirically determined criteria so as to avoid repetitive elements or regions homologous to other non-targeted loci. We have found that these oligonucleotide library-derived FISH probes can detect human genomic regions as small as 1.8 kb and as large as whole chromosomes in both metaphase and interphase cells, using the same simple assay protocol. Because of the inherent flexibility in our probe design methods, we can readily visualize regions rich in repeats and/or GC content. We have also used these oligonucleotide library-derived FISH probes to detect the localization of a variety of both coding and non-coding RNAs in fixed tissue culture cells and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections, using both conventional fluorescence and structured illumination microscopy. Simultaneous hybridization of FISH probes labeled with different fluorophores enables visualization of multiple sequences at once. Using probes designed specifically to transcribed vs. non-transcribed regions has enabled the simultaneously detect DNA and RNA from the same locus, or from two different loci, in the same FISH assay. The ability to generate high performance FISH probes using chemically synthesized oligo libraries that can simultaneously detect DNA and RNA yields a valuable tool for studies of how localization of specific nucleic acids impacts biological function.
Isolation and Characterization of Human Natural Killer Cell Subsets

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune lymphocytes that play a critical role in the host defense against pathogens through their production of cytokines and cytotoxic activity. Human NK cells can be divided into two subsets, each with distinct phenotypic and functional properties, based on cell-surface density expression of CD56 (CD56bright and CD56dim). This unit describes the purification of human NK cell subsets from blood, protocols for the further characterization of NK cell function, and further background information on these cell types. Keywords: lymphocyte; human natural killer (NK) cell; CD56; innate immunity
Nonradioactive screening method for isolation of disease-specific probes to diagnose plant diseases caused by mycoplasmalike organisms.

DNA fragments of tomato big bud (BB) mycoplasmalike organism (MLO) in diseased periwinkle plants (Catharanthus roseus L.) were cloned to pSP6 plasmid vectors and amplified in Escherichia coli JM83. A nonradioactive method was developed and used to screen for MLO-specific recombinants. Cloned DNA probes were prepared by nick translation of the MLO recombinant plasmids by using biotinylated nucleotides. The probes all hybridized with nucleic acid from BB MLO-infected, but not healthy, plants. Results from dot hybridization analyses indicated that several MLOs, e.g., those of Italian tomato big bud, periwinkle little leaf, and clover phyllody, are closely related to BB MLO. The Maryland strain of aster yellows and maize bushy stunt MLOs are also related to BB MLO. Among the remaining MLOs used in this study, Vinca virescence and elm yellows MLOs may be very distantly related, if at all, to BB MLO. Potato witches' broom, clover proliferation, ash yellows, western X, and Canada X MLOs are distantly related to BB MLO. Southern hybridization analyses revealed that BB MLO contains extrachromosomal DNA that shares sequence homologies with extrachromosomal DNAs from aster yellows and periwinkle little leaf MLOs.
Microstructural effect on the electromigration of aluminum interconnects

Summary form only given. A new technique for studying aluminum microstructure is introduced. It utilizes reactive ion etching (RIE) to delineate the Al grain structure so that it can be clearly seen using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The RIE/SEM technique produces identical results of the average Al grain radius and the grain size distribution as those obtained using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The advantage of this technique over TEM is that sample preparation is greatly simplified and a large contiguous area can be studied. Previous studies of the Al microstructure, using TEM, have shown that there is a drastic increase in the electromigration median-time-to-fail (MTTF) as the Al grain diameter approaches the metal line width. The phenomenon is known as the bamboo effect. The authors present Al microstructure data from electromigration lines using RIE/SEM technique to show an additional cause for the increase in MTTF hidden in the bamboo effect. The total number of grains, triple points, bamboo grains, and electromigration MTTF were measured from Al-1%Si metal electromigration lots. The results show that the number of triple points is a more critical factor in electromigration performance than the number of bamboo grains. >