cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and calibration of a semi-synthetic DNA phasing assay

Electrophoretic assays of intrinsic DNA shape and shape changes induced by ligand binding are extremely useful because of their convenience and simplicity. The development of calibrations and empirical quantitative relationships permits highly accurate measurement of DNA shape using electrophoresis. Many conventional analyses employ the unidirectional ligation of short DNA duplexes. However, many oligonucleotides (typically more than 20) must often be synthesized for a single experiment. Additionally, the length of the DNA duplex can become limiting, preventing the analysis of certain DNA sequences. We now describe a semi-synthetic electrophoretic phasing method that offers several advantages, including a reduced number of required synthetic oligonucleotides, the ability to analyze longer DNA duplexes and a simplified approach for data analysis. We characterize semi-synthetic DNA probes in electrophoretic phasing assays by ligation of synthetic duplexes containing A5 tracts between two longer restriction fragments. Upon electrophoresis, the gel mobility is strongly correlated with the predicted DNA curvature provided by the reference A5 tracts. Having obtained this calibration, we show that the semi-synthetic phasing assay can be readily and economically applied to analyze DNA curvature induced by DNA charge modifications and DNA bending due to peptide binding.
Range of motion assessment of elderly arthritis sufferers at Montana (USA) Radon Health Mines

Radioactive radon therapy is a little-known pain relief modality in the US, although it is an accepted therapeutic choice in many parts of Europe and Japan. Radon therapy has been extensively studied by European and Japanese physicians and scientists but information about the specific therapeutic applications of radon in the US is limited to anecdotal and ethnographic data. The purpose of this pilot study was to use range of motion measurements to evaluate the effect of radon therapy on joint flexibility in elderly arthritis sufferers at the Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine in Montana (USA). Finger, shoulder and/or neck flexibility of 21 participants were measured before, during and after a course of radon therapy, using a goniometer and an arthrodial protractor. Results were mixed but indicate overall patterns of improvement. Larger controlled studies should be undertaken to test joint flexibility and other quantifiable effects of radon therapy.
Experimental investigations of the structure and stability of Rb+n extracted from a liquid metal ion source

Abstract The structure and stability of rubidium ions (Rb + n ) are investigated experimentally from the relative mass abundance spectra. Rb + n clusters are produced in a liquid metal ion soruce. A sharp reduction in the relative abundances of cluster ions is observed at the edges of Rb + 3 , Rb + 5 , Rb + 9 , Rb + 19 , Rb + 21 and Rb + 31 . In the region of n ⪢ 9, Rb + 13 shows a pronounced maximum. The relative abundances of certain sizes, Rb + 10 and Rb + 22 , are very small. Some of the mass spectral features we observe are similar to those observed in the neutral alkali clusters. We also observed several new features: the large amplitude of Rb + 13 and a sharp reduction beyond Rb + 31 . Certain features appear only in the cluster ions and not in the isoelectronic neutrals. Mass spectra of the neutral fragments generated by unimolecular decomposition of the cluster ions are also presented.
Simian Virus 40 Large T Antigen Stabilizes the TATA-Binding Protein–TFIIA Complex on the TATA Element

Large T antigen (T antigen), the early gene product of simian virus 40 (SV40), is a potent transcriptional activator of both cellular and viral genes. Recently we have shown that T antigen is tightly associated with TFIID and, in this position, performs a TATA-binding protein (TBP)-associated factor (TAF)-like function. Based on this observation, we asked whether T antigen affected steps in preinitiation complex assembly. Using purified components in in vitro complex assembly assays, we found that T antigen specifically enhances the formation of the TBP-TFIIA complex on the TATA element. T antigen accomplishes this by increasing the rate of formation of the TBP-TFIIA complex on the TATA element and by stabilizing the complexes after they are formed on the promoter. In addition, DNA immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that T antigen is associated with the stabilized TBP-TFIIA complexes bound to the DNA. In this regard, it has previously been shown that T antigen interacts with TBP; in the present study, we show that T antigen also interacts with TFIIA in vitro. In testing the ability of T antigen to stabilize the TBP-TFIIA complex, we found that stabilization is highly sensitive to the specific sequence context of the TATA element. Previous studies showed that T antigen could activate simple promoters containing the TATA elements from the hsp70 and c-fos gene promoters but failed to significantly activate similar promoters containing the TATA elements from the promoters of the SV40 early and adenovirus E2a genes. We find that the ability to stabilize the TBP-TFIIA complex on the hsp70 and c-fos TATA elements, and not on the SV40 early and E2A TATA elements, correlates with the ability or inability to activate promoters containing these TATA elements.
Optimal Utilization Of Alternative Energy Sources

Many areas of the world today have access to alternative energy sources to meet their energy needs. A fundamental problem facing societies today is to determine the optimum utilization of energy sources. This paper analyzes the issues involving co-utilization of different types of energy production in Iceland. Formulating a dynamic social optimization problem, expressions are derived for optimal energy supply prices from each energy source. Based on the economic characteristics of the energy sources, an optimal solution is derived that involves both periods of specialization in a single energy source as well as periods of simultaneous co-utilization of available sources.
Strengthening collaborative groups through art-mediated self-expression

Self-expression and interpersonal sharing of emotion have been shown to strengthen groups. However, how to accomplish such interpersonal sharing in public settings is a challenge. In a pilot study of a prototype system, we sought to facilitate public self-expression and sharing of affective information. We followed five design principles around the concept of art-mediated self-expression and created a collective doodling installation. The pilot trial demonstrated positive results around engagement of end users. As we reflected on the results from this trial, we found implications for building trust and collaboration in teams.
THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CAPITAL TO AGRIBUSINESS

The global economy has continued to experience lingering effects of the global financial crisis that began in 2007. Although attention was initially given to the liquidity crisis and survival of some the world’s largest corporations and institutions, the financial crisis is likely to have long-lasting implications for agribusiness. As the world slowly recovers from the crisis, another round of problems are emerging as governments and international institutions attempt to unwind the positions they took in an effort to prevent the global economic bubble from bursting. Perhaps the most problematic factor for businesses is access to capital in sufficient amounts and at affordable rates. Governments and institutions, particularly in the United States (U.S.) and the European Union, have increased their financial obligations as the result of activities taken to curtail the economic crisis. These financial obligations and the associated financial risks place pressure on financial markets and tend to restrain the availability of capital and increase the cost of capital for businesses. However, the U.S. agricultural credit market has not experienced problems to the same extent as general business (commercial and industrial) and real estate credit markets have. In general, U.S. farm businesses have a strong balance sheet, adequate repayment capacity, sufficient amount of assets to offer collateral for loans, and reasonable profits. Thus, U.S. farm businesses have had an ample supply of credit at relatively low interest rates.
Proof without Words: The law of cosines via Ptolemy's Theorem

(1992). Proof without Words: The law of cosines via Ptolemy's Theorem. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 65, No. 2, pp. 103-103.
Vector Control of Static Start-up for Gas-steam Turbine Combined Cycle Machine

The principle of working and static start-up of gas-steam turbine combined cycle machine was introduced,following research the static frequency converter control system LCI of gas turbine machine,put forward the static start-up control strategy of gas turbine machine,make the gas turbine static frequency converter model on RTDS and validate the control algorithm,obtain curves of speed,voltage,current and torque during different start-up stage.The modeling algorithm and simulation results have important reference for deeply research on static start-up of gas turbine station.
Photochromic Silver Halide Glasses

AbstractPhotochromic materials, which react reversibly to light, may be distinguished from the familiar photographic materials, which, because of the chemical development of the image, are essentially irreversible. Many organic photochromics, and a few inorganic ones, are known. Their general properties are described, with particular emphasis on those of a system of photochromic glasses. The behaviour of these glasses is that of silver halide crystals deliberately formed in the glass during its manufacture. They show relatively large variation in all their photochromic properties resulting from ranges in composition, and in size and number of the included crystals. The behaviour of typical glasses, in both sunlight and under artificial sources, will be described, and some applications for them will be suggested.
Cognitive-Behavior Interventions for Adult Sibling Issues

Cognitive-behavior intervention with adult sibling issues is used when the focus of treatment is repairing the contentious sibling relationships of clients. As examined in the next chapter, the integration of sibling issues in treatment can also be used when the presenting problem of a client is not sibling-linked as a means to gain insight into the way past sibling tensions may be permeating psychological well-being more broadly. In these situations, the sibling tensions and their consequences are obscured and need to be assessed and examined using psychodynamic approaches.
Cord Blood Nucleated Cells Induce Delayed Proliferative and Cytotoxic T Cell Alloreactivity.

Transplantation of HLA-mismatched nucleated cells from cord blood (CB) has reduced risks of graft rejection and severe acute graft-versus-host disease. In this study we analyzed the in-vitro alloantigen presenting capacity of cord blood nucleated cells. CB mononuclear cells (MNCs) or immunomagnetically-selected CD34+ cells, or CD14+ monocytes, were irradiated and tested as stimulators of allogeneic blood T cells in primary (stimulator:responder ratio = 1:1) or secondary (stimulator:responder ratio = 1:2) mixed leukocyte culture (MLC), or in cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) assays. CB-MNCs failed to induce allogeneic T cell proliferation in 6-days primary MLC, whereas CD34+ or CD14+ cells stimulated brisk T cell responses. A suppressive effect of CB-MNCs was ruled out since CD3+ cell-depletion of CB-MNCs did not restore CB immunogenicity and the addition of increasing doses of CB-MNCs did not inhibit T cell alloreactivity to CD34+ cells. Despite allogeneic T cells were unresponsive to CB-MNCs after primary and secondary MLC, T cell anergy was ruled out since T cells that were unresponsive after primary MLC proliferated potently in secondary MLC stimulated with CB CD34+ cells, and even more with CB monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DC) generated in-vitro with GM-CSF and IL-4. Interestingly, after co-culture with irradiated allogeneic T cells for 6 days, CB-MNCs showed a greater proportion of CD86+ cells and elicited allo- T cell proliferation. In addition, allo-CTL activity was induced by CB-MNCs only after restimulating effector cells for 3–4 weeks (26±7% lysis of antigen-specific PHA-blast at 50:1 E:T ratio), and was comparable to CTL activity induced after 1 week by Mo-DC generated from the same CB. When T cell effectors were stimulated by combining two incompatible cord blood MNCs mixed together, CTL activity was then detected after 4 weeks against both of them regardless of the CB:CB cell ratio. These results show an impaired allo-APC activity of CB-MNCs, without suppressive or tolerogenic activity. These findings might partially explain the initial engraftment of combined HLA mismatched CB grafts in vivo, however they also suggest that a delayed T cell response may occur due to CB-derived APCs activating CTLs.
Leveraging hardware description languages and spiral learning in an introductory computer architecture course

This paper describes our experience with using hardware description languages (HDLs such as VHDL) in the sophomore level Computer Architecture course for Computer Science (CS) majors. In our approach, we leverage the students' understanding of Object Oriented Programming (OOP) to introduce programmatic specifications of computer components such as multiplexors, adders etc. Students will be exposed to HDLs yet again in more advanced hardware courses such as Digital Design, Computer Architecture and Embedded Systems Programming. In this manner, we plan to harvest the benefits of spiral learning, whose effectiveness in pedagogy is well accepted. The proliferation of Fully Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and modern development environments makes it feasible for CS majors to experience the creation of functioning hardware using specifications coded in VHDL. We expect our approach will result in improved learning outcomes for CS majors in the hardware field.
Citrate: its relation to free magnesium ion concentration and cellular energy.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses citrate and its relation to free magnesium ion concentration and cellular energy. The effects of the concentration of free Mg 2+ in determining the extent and direction of the reaction catalyzed by aconitase has been recognized for some time. This effect is because of the fact that the binding constant of citrate ion is about 1.6 × 10 3 M, whereas the di- and mono-valent anionic metabolites of the major pathways of intermediary metabolism have Mg 2+ -binding constants that are one to two orders of magnitude lower than that of citrate. The relationship of the concentrations of citrate within a tissue, and more importantly the ratio of the concentration of citrate to its metabolic precursor or product, can therefore be subject to variation depending on the concentration of free Mg 2+ within the tissue. This is most simply seen in considering the simplest reaction in which citrate takes part, the reaction catalyzed by aconitase.
CFD Modeling of a Pilot-Scale Steam Methane Reforming Furnace

Hydrogen is a required key material for petroleum refineries that convert crude oil into a variety of products with higher economic value, e.g., gasoline. In chemical process plants and petroleum refineries, hydrogen is produced primarily by the steam methane reforming (SMR) process synthesizing hydrogen and carbon oxides from methane and superheated steam in the presence of a nickel-based catalyst network in a steam methane reformer. Traditionally, the optimized and profitable operating conditions of a steam methane reformer are analyzed and determined by on-site parametric study at industrial-scale plants or pilot-scale units, which is an experimental approach, and therefore, it must be conducted by changing process parameters in small increments over a long time period in order to prevent significant production and capital loss. Motivated by the above considerations, the present work focuses on developing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a pilot-scale steam methane reformer comprised of four industrial-scale reforming reactors, three industrial-scale burners and three flue gas tunnels. The pilot-scale reformer CFD model is developed by analyzing well-established physical phenomena, i.e., the transport of momentum, material and energy, and chemical reactions, i.e., combustion and the SMR process, that take place inside the steam methane reformer. Specifically, the \(P-1\) radiation model, standard \(k-\epsilon \) turbulence model, compressible ideal gas equation of state and finite rate/eddy dissipation (FR/ED) turbulence-chemistry interaction model are adopted to simulate the macroscopic and microscopic events in the reformer. The conditions for the tube-side feed, burner feed and combustion chamber refractory walls are consistent with typical reformer plant data Latham (2008) so that the simulation results generated by the pilot-scale reformer can be validated by the plant data. The simulation results are shown to be in agreement with publicly available plant data reported in the literature and also with the simulation data generated by a well-developed single reforming tube CFD model. Subsequently, the proposed pilot-scale reformer CFD model is employed for a parametric study of the mass flow rate of the burner feed, i.e., a \(20\,\%\) increase from its nominal value. The corresponding simulation results demonstrate the advantages offered by this CFD model for parametric study by showing that with the increased burner feed, the outer reforming tube wall temperature exceeds the maximum allowable temperature; these results were developed quickly with the aid of a CFD model, compared to the timescale on which parametric studies are performed on-site and without the potential for rupture of the reforming tubes during the study.
Vandermonde-form Preserving Matrices And The Generalized Signal Richness Preservation Problem

In this paper, a theoretical problem arising in digital communications, namely the generalized signal richness preservation problem, is addressed and studied. In order to solve the problem, a special class of square matrices, namely the ldquoVandermonde-form preservingrdquo (VFP) matrices, is introduced and found to be highly relevant to the problem. Several properties of VFP matrices are studied in detail. The necessary and sufficient conditions of the problem have been found and a systematic proof is also presented.
Robustness of Wiener filtering as an approximation to the Bayesian observer stragegy

Wiener filters applied to channel-summed RF echo data was approximated to the ideal Bayesian beamforming strategy for imaging breast lesion features. They can be computed in real-time and perform well provided the system response matrix is circulant. Real systems exhibit depth-varying impulse responses, so performance degrades for some essential diagnostic features. This paper describes the effects of circulant assumption (CA) violations on the robustness of human visual discrimination efficiency, and the effects of regularization, as applied to beamformers for breast sonography. The Wiener filter is then adapted for shift-varying system responses. The trade off between performance and computation time for each approach is studied using simulations and phantoms scanned with a commercial system.
Selective excitation using phase shifted ultrasound radiation force from focused transducers in air

In recent years, it has been demonstrated that the ultrasound radiation force can be used as a noncontact technique for modal excitation. A novel capability of this method is the ability to perform selective excitation. A phase shift is imparted between the modulation signals emitted from a pair of ultrasound transducers focused at different positions on an object. When there is no phase difference between the radiation force produced by the transducer pair, they push in unison on the object, which induces symmetric or transverse eigenstates. When there is a 180 phase shift between the radiation force from the transducers, they will excite antisymmetric or torsional eigenstates. We describe the first demonstrations of this selective excitation using high-frequency focused ultrasound transducers.
What to Teach and When

Introductory physics courses are a fundamental offering in physics departments around the globe. Most often, introductory physics is offered as a two-semester sequence with basic mechanics being taught in the first semester and electricity and magnetism in the second. Introductory physics is required for students pursuing engineering and many other STEM disciplines. There are timeless questions that arise pertaining to these foundation courses in physics. These questions include: What topics should be taught? When should these topics be taught? This paper will address these questions and include a brief discussion on student learning in a second-semester algebra-based physics course. An additional question to be raised is: Does taking the introductory course sequence “out of order” have an impact on student learning in physics? Finally broader implications regarding the content and topic order in introductory physics will be explored. This exploration will also include implications for the larger STEM communities.
Navigating mobile robots to target in near shortest time using reinforcement learning with spiking neural networks

The autonomous navigation of mobile robots in unknown environments is of great interest in mobile robotics. This article discusses a new strategy to navigate to a known target location in an unknown environment using a combination of the “go-to-goal” approach and reinforcement learning with biologically realistic spiking neural networks. While the “go-to-goal” approach itself might lead to a solution for most environments, the added neural reinforcement learning in this work results in a strategy that takes the robot from a starting position to a target location in a near shortest possible time. To achieve the goal, we propose a reinforcement learning approach based on spiking neural networks. The presented biologically motivated delayed reward mechanism using eligibility traces results in a greedy approach that leads the robot to the target in a close to shortest possible time.
R290 (propane) and R600a (isobutane) as natural refrigerants for residential heat pump water heaters

Abstract Growing awareness of the potential environmental impacts of various refrigerants has led to the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants and to initiatives replacing HFCs with hydrocarbons or other environmentally friendlier fluids. This study evaluated the performance of R290 (propane) and R600a (isobutane) as substitutes for R134a (a HFC) for heat pump water heating (HPWH). A component-based model (calibrated against the experimental data) was used to predict the performance of the HPWH system. Key performance parameters such as unified energy factor, first hour rating, condenser discharge temperature, thermal stratification in the water tank, and total refrigerant charge were investigated. Analysis results suggest that both alternative refrigerants could provide comparable system performance to that of the baseline system containing R134a, with one caveat. As a drop-in alternative, R290 was found to be a better substitute for R134a, whereas R600a is expected to provide similar performance if the compressor size is increased to provide similar heating capacity. Significant reductions in system charge and lower condenser discharge temperatures were identified as additional benefits.
Structure-Activity Study with Haloalkane Attractants of Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Larvae Using a Behavioral Bioassay

A two-choice laboratory behavioral bioassay was used to compare the dose-dependent responses of second-instar western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, larvae to a series of st...
Aligned and stable metallic MoS2 on plasma-treated mass transfer channels for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Ultra-thin molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets have attracted intensive attention due to their catalytic properties. However, most of the previously described MoS2 nanosheets show poor electrical conductivity and a limited amount of active sites. Moreover, these nanosheets tend to restack severely due to van der Waals forces causing a reduction in the density of their active sites. Inspired by nature, for the first time, we have vertically grown 1T metallic MoS2 on well-aligned, freestanding, 1000 μm long channels obtained from carbonized wood to maximize the exposition of active catalytic sites and increase the electrolyte and hydrogen transport through the well-aligned channels using a scalable approach. Furthermore, the carbonized wood surface was plasma treated to assist the dissipation of generated hydrogen, thus reducing the proton transport barrier at the electrode surface. The vertically grown 1T metallic MoS2 on thoroughly aligned long carbonized wood channels exhibits remarkable catalytic activity with an operating overpotential of 128 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. This work provides a new approach for 1T metallic MoS2 synthesis and an interesting configuration to optimize and maintain the active catalytic sites and dissipate hydrogen on time by in situ vertically grown catalyst on the well-aligned channels made by nature.
Presence and characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae from the intestinal tract of diarrhoea patients.

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence and characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) from the intestinal tract. Forty-three KP strains were isolated from 551 stool specimens from diarrhoea patients from 2013 to 2016, with a carriage rate of 7·80%. All isolates were hypervirulent KP strains with hypermucoviscosity phenotype. The virulence factors and antibiotic resistance exhibited diverse distribution. 2·33% (1/43), 2·33% (1/43), 6·98% (3/43), 6·98% (3/43), 4·65% (2/43), 11·63% (5/43) and 18·60% (8/43) were identified as serotypes of K1, K2, K3, K5, K20, K54 and K57 respectively. K54 and K57 were relatively predominant. Virulence genes distribution differed with serotypes. fimH, ureA and wabG had the highest detection rates while iroNB the lowest. With the highest resistance rates to azithromycin and sulfamethoxazole of 97·67%, and the lowest to imipenem of 0%, 31 isolates (79·02%) were detected to be multidrug resistant. A significant negative correlation existed between multidrug resistance and number of virulence genes (R2 = -0·78). Forty one PFGE types had been identified among the 43 isolates and the diversity banding pattern had no relation with the drug-resistance and virulence factors. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This is the first study to comprehensively report the presence, distribution of serotypes and virulence genes, antimicrobial susceptibility and DNA fingerprints of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) from intestinal tract of diarrhoea patients of China. Distribution of virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance spectrum, and relationship between virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance are clarified. It will be of great public health significance to estimate the prevalence of KP in faeces of diarrhoea patients, and to provide a theoretical foundation for the traceability, prevention and control, and reasonable treatment of infections caused by this bacterium.
The Economics of HIV Primary Prevention

Every hour, an average of approximately five people in the United States become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).1 If the US government decided to open a trust fund and place in it enough money to pay for the future care and treatment of newly HIV-infected persons, it would have to deposit between $750,000 and $1,000,000 every hour (or between $6.57 billion and $8.76 billion per year), assuming current projections of medical care costs and HIV incidence.2
Catholic Education in the 21st Century

Catholic schools have always served immigrant populations, minority groups, and the urban poor. Demographic shifts in society at large and in Catholic circles have precipitated changes in the mission and purpose of Catholic education. This article explores ways to both preserve and expand the historical mission of Catholic schools as we progress into a new century filled with technological advancements.
Allele-Specific Inhibition of Histone Demethylases

Histone demethylases play a critical role in mammalian gene expression by removing methyl groups from lysine residues in degree- and site-specific manner. To specifically interrogate members and isoforms of this class of enzymes, we have developed demethylase variants with an expanded active site. The mutant enzymes are capable of performing lysine demethylation with wild-type proficiency, but are sensitive to inhibition by cofactor-competitive molecules embellished with a complementary steric "bump". The selected inhibitors show more than 20-fold selectivity over the wild-type demethylase, thus overcoming issues typical to pharmacological and genetic approaches. The mutant-inhibitor pairs are shown to act on a physiologically relevant full-length substrate. By engineering a conserved amino acid to achieve member-specific perturbation, this study provides a general approach for studying histone demethylases in diverse cellular processes.
Implementation Fidelity and the Design of a Fractions Intervention

Interventions are implemented with greater fidelity when their core intent is made explicit. The core intent of this intervention was to increase access to higher order learning opportunities for s...
Social Psychological Theories and Nudges as Tools for Health Promotion

In this issue, Engelen (2019) provides an excellent overview of the use of nudges in health behavior change, including thoughtful criteria for evaluating the ethical use of nudges. Considering nudg...
Morphological variation of the velum in children and adults using magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate variations in velar shape according to age, sex, and race using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and methods The study sample consisted of 170 participants (85 children, 85 adults) between 4 and 34 years of age. Velar morphology was visually classified using midsagittal MRI scans for each participant by 2 independent raters. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was assessed. Statistical analyses were performed to identify correlations of velar shape with sex, age, and race. Results The most frequent velar shape was "butt" for both adults (41%) and children (58%) in this study. The least common shapes for adults were "leaf" and "S." The children did not exhibit any "leaf" or "straight" velar shapes. A statistically significant difference was noted for age with respect to velar shape (P=0.014). Sex and race were found to have no significant impact on velar shape in this study. Conclusion When using MRI to evaluate velar morphology, the "butt" shape was most common in both children and adults. Velar shape varied significantly with age, while race and sex did not have a significant impact.
Preferential deficit of fat-free soft tissue in the appendicular region of children with cerebral palsy and proposed statistical models to capture the deficit.

Summary Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder characterized by a profound skeletal muscle deficit. However, whether there is a regional-specific skeletal muscle deficit in children with CP is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether fat-free soft tissue mass (FFST), a commonly used surrogate for skeletal muscle mass, is more compromised in the limbs than in the trunk in children with CP. A second purpose was to determine whether physical characteristics can be used to accurately estimate appendicular FFST (AFFST) in children with CP. Methods Forty-two children with CP (4–13 y) and 42 typically developing children matched to children with CP for sex, age and race were studied. Whole body FFST (FFSTwhole), FFST in the upper limbs (FFSTupper), FFST in the lower limbs (FFSTlower), the ratio of AFFST to height (AFFST/ht), the ratio of AFFST to height2 (AFFST/ht2) and non-appendicular FFST were estimated from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Statistical models were developed to estimate AFFST, AFFST/ht and AFFST/ht2 in both groups of children, and the leave-one-out method was used to validate the models. Results Children with CP had 21% lower FFSTwhole, 30% lower AFFST, 34% lower FFSTlower, 14% lower non-appendicular FFST, 23% lower AFFST/ht, 19% lower AFFST/ht2 and 9% lower AFFST/FFSTwhole (all p 0.99). However, when the difference in estimated values and measured values of AFFST, AFFST/ht and AFFST/ht2 were plotted against measured values, there was an inverse relationship (r = −0.38, −0.47 and −0.61, respectively, all p Conclusion Children with CP have a remarkable deficit in FFST that is more pronounced in the appendicular than in the non-appendicular region and more pronounced in the lower than in the upper limbs. Preliminary models developed using data from children with CP can provide reasonable estimates of AFFST and indexes of AFFST relative to height, but further development of the models may be needed.
Corrosion behavior of Fe–Cr–Si alloys in simulated PWR primary water environment

Abstract Fe–Cr–Si alloys are potential candidates as accident tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding, which could offer similar benefits as Fe–Cr–Al alloys. The corrosion and oxidation behaviors of three Fe–Cr–2Si alloys with various chromium content (12 wt. %, 16 wt. %, 20 wt. %) in simulated primary water chemistry of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) were investigated. Post-test characterization included weight change, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that Fe12Cr2Si had the worst corrosion/oxidation resistance among the three alloys, while Fe16Cr2Si and Fe20Cr2Si showed excellent oxidation resistance due to their thin, continuous, dense oxide layers grown in simulated PWR conditions. These results bring insight into the corrosion behavior of Fe–Cr–Si alloys with varying chromium content exposed to the primary water environment during normal operating conditions found in PWRs.
Beta-Carotene and Chemoprevention of Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the U.S., responsible for over 20% of the approximately two million total annual deaths (1). Treatment of cancer has provided and will continue to provide enormous benefits to some categories of affected individuals. At the same time, however, interventions that may prevent cancer in healthy individuals could, at least in theory, also afford great benefits to society as a whole. For example, a complete cure for acute leukemia, which accounts for several thousand of the approximately 400,000 total cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, would certainly be a remarkable breakthrough in medical research. In terms of public health impact, however, even a small reduction, on the order of 30%, in the development of epithelial cell cancers, which account for 90% of U.S. cancer deaths, due to dietary supplementation with micronutrients could conceivably prevent over 100,000 cancer deaths annually. With respect to known etiologies, cigarette smoking is the leading identified avoidable cause of cancer as well as mortality from all causes, accounting for about 30% of all deaths due to malignancy in the United States (2). Heavy alcohol consumption, which ranks second, is responsible for about 3% of cancer deaths. Recently, promising, but unproven, hypotheses have suggested that a substantial percentage of cancers may be preventable through dietary changes. Although diet has been postulated to account for as many as 35% of the annual deaths from cancer, which characteristics of diet, if any, increase or decrease the risk of cancer remains unclear (2).
Experimental investigation of 3D printed rock samples replicas

Abstract Laboratory Experiments on rock specimens are designed for understanding and characterizing subsurface environment, quantifying potential recovery, and tuning fluid flow models in porous media. The spatial variability and reservoirs' heterogeneities predicate acquiring expensive cores from different locations. These experiments are mechanically and petrophysically destructive and cannot be repeated or extended on the same core. Replicating core samples with 3D-printing technology innovation alleviates the acquiring cost of rock samples and enables experiments repeatability and extension. This paper explains the workflow of creating accurate 3D printed core samples replicas using a machine learning image processing tool (MLIPT) based on natural cores’ CT scans. In addition to that, an extensive experimental investigation was conducted to check the veracity of the similarities between the natural samples and their 3D printed replicas. This comprehensive investigation showed that 3D printed rock-sample replicas are accurate, inexpensive, and adaptable specimens for laboratory research in the oil and gas sector.
Perceptions of Marijuana Use for Glaucoma from Patients, Cannabis Retailers, and Glaucoma Specialists.

Purpose As marijuana’s popularity continues to grow, patients with glaucoma will encounter conflicting opinions on marijuana’s role in glaucoma therapy. This study seeks to define the differing perceptions among glaucoma specialists, medical marijuana dispensaries, and glaucoma patients in a state with legalized marijuana. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants Medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado, members of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS), and patients with glaucoma at the University of Colorado glaucoma clinic. Methods First, medical marijuana dispensary employees were surveyed using a mystery call approach and a brief phone script. Dispensary employees were questioned as to whether marijuana was recommended and whether marijuana was safe and effective. Second, a self-administered survey was distributed to AGS members to determine the history of recommending marijuana and influencing factors for or against this recommendation. Third, the self-administered glaucoma patient survey assessed demographics, history of glaucoma, knowledge and rate of marijuana use, and perceptions of marijuana use. All surveys were conducted from October 2018 to March 2019. Main Outcome Measures The proportion of medical marijuana dispensaries and glaucoma specialists recommending marijuana for the treatment of glaucoma, and the proportion of patients with glaucoma using marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma. Results A total of 203 of the 300 medical marijuana dispensaries called were successfully contacted (68%). Of these, 103 respondents (51%) recommended marijuana products for the treatment of glaucoma. The remaining 100 (49%) deferred making a recommendation or were unsure. Of the 1308 AGS members, 290 (22%) responded to the survey. Twenty-two respondents (7.6%) reported that they had recommended marijuana for the treatment of glaucoma, with the majority of these (86.4%) having done so infrequently. Among the 231 respondents with glaucoma, most (58.9%) had heard about the possible use of marijuana for glaucoma, but only 2.6% had used marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma. Conclusions Few glaucoma specialists have recommended marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma, and an even smaller percentage of patients report its use as a treatment for their glaucoma. In contrast, many marijuana dispensary employees endorse its use. As legal access and public acceptance of marijuana escalate, physicians should be aware of these perceptions when educating patients.
Awareness of and willingness to use PrEP among Black and Latinx adolescents residing in higher prevalence areas in the United States

This mixed-methods study examined awareness of and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among sexually active Black and Latinx adolescents (13-17 years) residing in five cities in the United States with some of the highest burden of HIV. Data are from adolescents who participated in a cross-sectional survey (n = 208) and one-on-one interviews and focus groups (n = 26) conducted from September 2017-August 2019. Approximately 50% of the sample were recruited through community efforts, and the other half through a panel. Logistic regression with covariates including sexual orientation, relationship status, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity were used to assess factors associated with PrEP awareness and willingness. For the qualitative data, thematic analysis was used to develop a codebook of a-priori and inductive codes while analytic memos were written to identify key themes. PrEP awareness was reported by 38% of the sample and was associated with Black race (AOR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.27, 0.90) and prior HIV testing (AOR = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.25, 12.08). PrEP willingness (defined as "definitely would use PrEP") was reported by 22% of the sample and was associated with higher age, more education, having had condomless sex in the past 6 months (AOR = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.10, 0.56), perceived likelihood of acquiring HIV (AOR = 3.59; 95% CI = 1.06, 12.21), and PrEP awareness (AOR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.89). Qualitative data showed that misconceptions about PrEP persist and PrEP stigma, fear of being punished, provider attitudes and recommendations, and empowerment were related to adolescents' willingness to use PrEP. Study findings reveal important strategies for improving PrEP delivery and scale-up to Black and Latinx adolescents. These strategies include using sociodemographic and health behavior data to target adolescents who may be more or less willing to use PrEP, improving provider communication about PrEP, and creating culturally and developmentally appropriate PrEP education materials that address common misconceptions held by adolescents.
ST Elevation in the COVID-19 Era: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Abstract Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 induces a marked prothrombotic state with varied clinical presentations, including acute coronary artery occlusions leading to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, while STEMI on electrocardiogram (ECG) is not always associated with acute coronary occlusion, this diagnostic uncertainty should not delay cardiac catheterization. Case Reports We present 2 cases of patients with COVID-19 that presented with STEMI on ECG. While both patients underwent cardiac catheterization, a delay in time to intervention in the patient found to have acute coronary artery occlusion may have contributed to a poor outcome. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? These cases highlight the fact that while not all COVID-19 patients with STEMI on ECG will have acute coronary artery occlusions, there is continued need for prompt percutaneous coronary intervention during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic.
Notes on a Nonparametric Estimate of Effect Size

Researchers are encouraged to report effect size statistics to quantify treatment effects or effects due to group differences. However, estimates of effect sizes, most commonly Cohen’s d, make assu...
Exploring hackers assets: topics of interest as indicators of compromise

The need to develop actionable intelligence that is proactive is very critical to current security controls and systems. Hackers and hacking techniques continue to grow and become more sophisticated. As such Security teams start to adopt proactive and offensive approaches within hackers' territories. In this scope, we proposed a systematic approach to automatically extract "topics of interest, ToI" from hackers' websites. Those can eventually be used as inputs to actionable security controls or Indicators of Compromise (IOS) collectors. As a showcase, we selected the hackers' news website "CrackingFire". ToI can be integrated into Indicators of Compromise (IoC) and once correlated with other signs of attacks from those IoC will trigger further cybersecurity offense or defense actions. We also developed our own dark web crawler and evaluate extracting ToIs. We observed the types of challenges in both the crawling and the processing stages.
Intermittent light studies to investigate electron mobility in dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Dye sensitized solar cells can be constructed out of inexpensive materials such as titanium dioxide and the anthocyanin dye from raspberries but have shown efficiency issues related to the diffusion of electrons. Intermittent light studies were used to characterize the time-dependent photocurrent decay and growth after a shutter was either closed or opened, respectively, to gain insight on how photoinjected electrons diffuse through these semiconductor films. The data was fit with a biexponential decay or growth model, and significant differences were seen between devices with and without lithium ions in the electrolyte solution as well as a hysteresis depending on how long the device was under illumination or in the dark. We found that for both the photocurrent growths and decays, the faster lifetime component had a larger relative population. For both the decay and growth, the lifetime of the faster component did not have a significant difference when lithium perchlorate was added to the electrolyte solution. However, the presence of the lithium increased the lifetime of the slower component in both the growth curves and the decay curves. When comparing the data for devices that had a 10-second on/off cycle compared to a 1-minute on/off cycle, both the longer and the shorter lifetime components are shorter for the 10-second cycles. These results support the electron hopping model where electrons must diffuse through a dispersive energetic landscape.
Is General Purpose Sensing a Pipe Dream?: A Case Study in Ambient Multi-sensing for Human Activity Recognition

Smart spaces equipped with sensors and combined with learning are becoming increasingly popular for many ubiquitous computing applications. However, application performance depends on many factors, including the number of sensors deployed, the phenomena they measure, their placement throughout the space, and spatio-temporal human-activity distribution characteristics. This work examines the sensitivity of activity-recognition models on the placement and distribution of multi-sensing measurement points in space. We present the results of an empirical study, whereby multi-sensing measurement units are placed throughout a room and train models to identify the type of human activity they observe. Our results show that while our models achieve 95% accuracy, performance degrades with distance and can be highly dependent on unanticipated sensor types. Certain phenomena trigger sensors that are difficult to anticipate a priori, supporting the notion that multi-sensing is useful for general activity recognition and improves robustness. We also show that the pattern of triggered sensors may not be consistent for the same event. Our results suggest designing more adaptive classification models and can guide the design of future cyber-physical systems to capture human activities.