cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Language of Driving: Advantages and Applications of Symbolic Data Reduction for Analysis of Naturalistic Driving Data.

Recent advances in onboard vehicle data recording devices have created an abundance of naturalistic driving data. The amount of data exceeds the resources available for analysis; this situation forces researchers to focus on analyses of critical events and to use simple heuristics to identify those events. Critical event analysis eliminates the context that can be critical in understanding driver behavior and can reduce the generalizability of the analysis. This work introduced a method of naturalistic driving data analysis that would allow researchers to examine entire data sets by reducing the sets by more than 90%. The method utilized a symbolic data reduction algorithm, symbolic aggregate approximation (SAX), which reduced time series data to a string of letters. SAX can be applied to any continuous measurement, and SAX output can be reintegrated into a data set to preserve categorical information. This work explored the application of SAX to speed and acceleration data from a naturalistic driving dat...
Pharmacokinetics of tobramycin following intravenous, intramuscular, and intra‐articular administration in healthy horses

The objectives of this study were to examine the pharmacokinetics of tobramycin in the horse following intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and intra-articular (IA) administration. Six mares received 4 mg/kg tobramycin IV, IM, and IV with concurrent IA administration (IV+IA) in a randomized 3-way crossover design. A washout period of at least 7 days was allotted between experiments. After IV administration, the volume of distribution, clearance, and half-life were 0.18 ± 0.04 L/kg, 1.18 ± 0.32 mL·kg/min, and 4.61 ± 1.10 h, respectively. Concurrent IA administration could not be demonstrated to influence IV pharmacokinetics. The mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ) after IM administration was 18.24 ± 9.23 μg/mL at 1.0 h (range 1.0-2.0 h), with a mean bioavailability of 81.22 ± 44.05%. Intramuscular administration was well tolerated, despite the high volume of drug administered (50 mL per 500 kg horse). Trough concentrations at 24 h were below 2 μg/mL in all horses after all routes of administration. Specifically, trough concentrations at 24 h were 0.04 ± 0.01 μg/mL for the IV route, 0.04 ± 0.02 μg/mL for the IV/IA route, and 0.02 ± 0.02 for the IM route. An additional six mares received IA administration of 240 mg tobramycin. Synovial fluid concentrations were 3056.47 ± 1310.89 μg/mL at 30 min after administration, and they persisted for up to 48 h with concentrations of 14.80 ± 7.47 μg/mL. Tobramycin IA resulted in a mild chemical synovitis as evidenced by an increase in synovial fluid cell count and total protein, but appeared to be safe for administration. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that tobramycin would be effective against bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 μg/mL for IV administration and 1 μg/mL for IM administration based on Cmax :MIC of 10.
Capillary column gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric-computer analysis of environmental spills

Abstract Two samples taken from the sites of environmental spills were analyzed by computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry utilizing packed and capillary chromatographic columns. An oil spill sample was compared with a sample from a possible source by examining specific ion profiles from both. A sample from a spill involving an industrial discharge was examined for the presence of specific types of compounds by examining characteristic ion profiles. The capillary columns provided greatly improved chromatographic separations compared to packed columns.
SEDUM: Exploiting Social Networks in Utility--Based Distributed Routing for DTNs

This work focuses on Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) in a social network environment. DTNs do not have a complete path from a source to a destination most of the time. Previous data routing approaches in DTNs are primarily based on either flooding or single-copy routing. However, these methods incur either high overhead due to excessive transmissions or long delays due to suboptimal choices for relay nodes. Probabilistic forwarding that forwards a message to a node with a higher delivery utility enhances single-copy routing. However, current probabilistic forwarding methods only consider node contact frequency in calculating the utility while neglecting the influence of contact duration on the throughput, though both contact frequency and contact duration reflect the node movement pattern in a social network. In this paper, we theoretically prove that considering both factors leads to higher throughput than considering only contact frequency. To fully exploit a social network for high throughput and low routing delay, we propose a Social network oriented and duration utility-based distributed multicopy routing protocol (SEDUM) for DTNs. SEDUM is distinguished by three features. First, it considers both contact frequency and duration in node movement patterns of social networks. Second, it uses multicopy routing and can discover the minimum number of copies of a message to achieve a desired routing delay. Third, it has an effective buffer management mechanism to increase throughput and decrease routing delay. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that SEDUM provides high throughput and low routing delay compared to existing routing approaches. The results conform to our expectation that considering both contact frequency and duration for delivery utility in routing can achieve higher throughput than considering only contact frequency, especially in a highly dynamic environment with large routing messages.
Becoming reality: the SOFIA Telescope

After 4.5 years of development, the telescope of the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA is becoming reality. The telescope module was delivered at the end of August 2002 from Germany to Waco/Texas, where the integration into the aircraft will begin in fall 2002. Here I present a progress report and describe the recent achievements as well as the status of the telescope.
Epigenetic gene regulation by noncoding RNAs

Functional noncoding RNAs have distinct roles in epigenetic gene regulation. Large RNAs have been shown to control gene expression from a single locus (Tsix RNA), from chromosomal regions (Air RNA), and from entire chromosomes (roX and Xist RNAs). These RNAs regulate genes in cis; although the Drosophila roX RNAs can also function in trans. The chromatin modifications mediated by these RNAs can increase or decrease gene expression. These results suggest that the primary role of RNA molecules in epigenetic gene regulation is to restrict chromatin modifications to particular regions of the genome. However, given that RNA has been shown to be at the catalytic core of other ribonucleoprotein complexes, it is also possible that RNA also plays a role in modulating changes in chromatin structure.
Albedo-Induced Radiative Forcing from Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreaks in Forests, South-Central Rocky Mountains: Magnitude, Persistence, and Relation to Outbreak Severity

Mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreaks in North America are widespread and have potentially persistent im- pacts on forest albedo and associated radiative forcing. This study utilized multiple data sets, both current and histori- cal, within lodgepole pine stands in the south-central Rocky Mountains to quantify the full radiative forcing impact of outbreak events for decades after outbreak (0-60 yr) and the role of outbreak severity in determining that impact. Change in annual albedo and radiative forcing peaked at 14- 20 yr post-outbreak (0.06± 0.006 and 0.8± 0.1 W m 2 , re- spectively) and recovered to pre-outbreak levels by 30-40 yr post-outbreak. Change in albedo was significant in all four seasons, but strongest in winter with the increased vis- ibility of snow (radiative cooling of 1.6± 0.2 W m 2 , 3.0± 0.4 W m 2 , and 1.6± 0.2 W m 2 for 2-13, 14-20 and 20-30 yr post-outbreak, respectively). Change in win- ter albedo and radiative forcing also increased with outbreak severity (percent tree mortality). Persistence of albedo ef- fects are seen as a function of the growth rate and species composition of surviving trees, and the establishment and growth of both understory herbaceous vegetation and tree species, all of which may vary with outbreak severity. The establishment and persistence of deciduous trees was found to increase the temporal persistence of albedo effects. MPB- induced changes to radiative forcing may have feedbacks for regional temperature and the hydrological cycle, which could impact future MPB outbreaks dynamics.
Gold-coated microelectrode array with thiol linked self-assembled monolayers for engineering neuronal cultures

We report the use of a gold coating on microelectrode arrays (MEAs) to enable the use of the relatively reliable surface modification chemistry afforded by alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The concept is simple and begins with planar MEAs, which are commercially available for neuronal cell culture and for brain slice studies. A gold film, with an intermediate adhesive layer of titanium, is deposited over the insulation of an existing MEA in a manner so as to be thin enough for transmission light microscopy as well as to avoid electrical contact to the electrodes. The alkanethiol-based linking chemistry is then applied for the desired experimental purpose. Here we show that polylysine linked to alkanethiol SAM can control the geometry of an in vitro hippocampal neuronal network grown on the MEA. Furthermore, recordings of neuronal action potentials from random and patterned networks suggest that the gold coating does not significantly alter the electrode properties. This design scheme may be useful for increasing the number of neurons located in close proximity to the electrodes. Realization of in vitro neuronal circuits on MEAs may significantly benefit basic neuroscience studies, as well as provide the insight relevant to applications such as neural prostheses or cell-based biosensors. The gold coating technique makes it possible to use the rich set of thiol-based surface modification techniques in combination with MEA recording.
Behavioral Engagement and Reading Achievement in Elementary-School-Age Children: A Longitudinal Cross-Lagged Analysis.

Using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, this study examined the cross-lagged relations between behavioral engagement and reading achievement in elementary school and whether these cross-lagged relations differed between low-socioeconomic status (SES) and mid- or high-SES students. Students’ behavioral engagement and reading were assessed in preschool, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 5th grade. Results showed that reading achievement in preschool predicted subsequent behavioral engagement in 1st grade and reading achievement in 3rd grade predicted subsequent behavioral engagement in 5th grade. However, behavioral engagement did not significantly predict later reading achievement. Furthermore, although the relationship patterns between reading achievement and subsequent behavioral engagement were the same across the 2 groups, the strength of relations was stronger for low-SES students.
Mechanism of muscarinic receptor-induced K+ channel activation as revealed by hydrolysis-resistant GTP analogues.

The role of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gk) in the coupling between muscarinic receptor activation and opening of an inwardly rectifying K+ channel [IK(M)] was examined in cardiac atrial myocytes, using hydrolysis-resistant GTP analogues. In the absence of muscarinic agonist, GTP analogues produced a membrane current characteristic of IK(M). The initial rate of appearance of this receptor-independent IK(M) was measured for the various analogues in order to explore the kinetic properties of IK(M) activation. We found that IK(M) activation is controlled solely by the intracellular analogue/GTP ratio and not by the absolute concentrations of the nucleotides. Analogues competed with GTP for binding to Gk with the following relative affinities: GTP gamma S greater than GTP greater than GppNHp greater than GppCH2p. At sufficiently high intracellular concentrations, however, all GTP analogues produced the same rate of IK(M) activation. This analogue-independent limiting rate is likely to correspond to the rate of GDP release from inactive, GDP-bound Gk. Muscarinic receptor stimulation by nanomolar concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh), which do not elicit IK(M) under control conditions, catalyzed IK(M) activation in the presence of GTP analogues. The rate of Gk activation by ACh (kACh) was found to be described by the simple relationship kACh = 8.4 X 10(8) min-1 M-1.[ACh] + 0.44 min-1, the first term of which presumably reflects the agonist-catalyzed rate of GDP release from the Gk.GDP complex, while the second term corresponds to the basal rate of receptor-independent GDP release. Combined with the estimated K0.5 of the IK(M)-[ACh] dose-effect relationship, 160 nM, this result also allowed us to estimate the rate of Gk.GTP hydrolysis, kcat, to be near 135 min-1. These results provide, for the first time, a quantitative description of the salient features of G-protein function in vivo.
Primary malignant brain tumor incidence and Medicaid enrollment.

To the Editor: I read with interest the article by Sherwood et al.1 discussing malignant brain tumor incidence and Medicaid enrollment at any time during a patient’s illness with a brain tumor (model 1A), and for a month prior to diagnosis for the years analyzed (model 1B). The incidence and relative risk was smaller in model 1B. Many patients with malignant and benign brain tumors (oligodendroglioma, astrocytoma, and neoplasm not otherwise specified) developed …
Noise analysis of gamma-ray TES microcalorimeters with a demonstrated energy resolution of 52 eV at 60 keV

We present recent results from our /spl gamma/-ray transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeters. We have demonstrated an energy resolution of 52 eV at 60 keV with devices composed of a high-purity Sn absorber and a Mo/Cu multilayer thin-film TES. In this paper, we present a detailed noise analysis of these devices and show that the major noise sources are device originated (thermal fluctuation and Johnson noise). Our performance analysis explicitly includes the noise contribution due to the composite geometry of these devices and electro-thermal feedback (ETF).
Only Children as Adults Psychological Well-Being

Data from seven U. S. national surveys were used to estimate the effects of number of siblings on eight dimensions of psychological well-being among adult white males and white females. All of the statistically significant estimated effects of having siblings are negative, and most of these cannot be accounted for by the lower mean family incomes and amount of education of the persons with siblings. The evidence for negative effects is stronger for white males than for white females. The evidence from this and previous studies is generally inconsistent with the popular stereotype of the unhappy, maladjusted only child, but additional evidence is needed before the issue is considered closed.
Theodore E. Woodward Award. HIV/AIDS, ethics, and medical professionalism: where went the debate?

The recent surge of dialogue about medical professionalism has largely ignored HIV/AIDS, perhaps because the ethical issues that abounded during the 1980s and early 1990s have become largely passe. Prior to the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996, the care ethic for patients with HIV/AIDS depended heavily on compassion since effective treatment was unavailable. Moreover, physicians and other health care workers often assumed physical risks on behalf of patients. HAART transformed the care ethic for HIV/AIDS to one dependent mainly on medical competence. Reflecting on the epidemic, I propose a distinction between "basic" and "higher" professionalism. Basic professionalism requires discipline-specific competence, facilitated by adherence to the four cardinal virtues (prudence, temperance, justice, and courage). Higher professionalism brings into play the transcendent virtues: faith, hope, and--especially--love (compassion). Specific examples of "compassion" in the strict sense of "suffering with" include caring without adequate reimbursement, caring when one would rather be doing something else, and assuming emotional or physical risks on behalf of patients. The physicians and other health care workers who displayed such compassion in abundance between 1981 and 1996 deserve our remembrance as exemplars of a higher professionalism.
Service composition for generic service graphs

Service composition is a promising approach to multimedia service provisioning, due to its ability to dynamically produce new multimedia content, and to customize the content for individual client devices. Previous research work has addressed various aspects of service composition such as composibility, QoS-awareness, and load balancing. However, most of the work has focused on applications where data flow from a single source is processed by intermediate services and then delivered to a single destination. In this paper, we address the service composition problem for multimedia services that can be modeled as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). We formally define the problem and prove its NP hardness. We also design a heuristic algorithm to solve the problem. Our simulation results show that the algorithm is effective at finding low-cost composition solutions, and can trade off computation overhead for better results. When compared with a hop-by-hop approach for service composition, our algorithm can find composition solutions that aress 10% smaller in cost, even when the hop-by-hop approach uses exhaustive searches.
alpha-Crystallin protein cognates in eggs of the moth, Plodia interpunctella: possible chaperones for the follicular epithelium yolk protein

alpha-Crystallin protein cognates were found in germ cells of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Shirk and Zimowska, 1997). A cDNA clone of 674 bp with a single open reading frame was isolated for a 25,000 molecular weight polypeptide member of this family, alpha CP25, and a single transcript of approximately 700 bp was found in the ovary of vitellogenic females. Both the DNA sequence and predicted amino acid sequence showed considerable homology with the embryonic lethal gene, l(2)efl, in Drosophila melanogaster. In addition to the sequence for l(2)efl, the predicted amino acid sequence for acp25 also showed significant sequence similarly with the alpha-crystallin A chain polypeptides from the lenses of vertebrae eyes. An N-terminal hydrophobic aggregation site and a C-terminal protective binding site common to alpha-crystallin proteins were present in the predicted acp25 and l(2)efl amino acid sequences, while only the C-terminal protective binding site was present in the small heat shock protein sequences from D. melanogaster. This evidence suggests that although the alpha-crystallin protein cognates in P. interpunctella evolved from a gene common with small heat shock protein genes, the amino acid sequence has converged on a structure similar to that of alpha-crystallin proteins. Native immunoblot analysis showed that the alpha-crystallin proteins formed high molecular weight complexes with the follicular epithelium yolk protein (FEYP) but not vitellin in yolk. An electroblot binding assay was used to show that the germ-cell alpha-crystallins of P. interpunctella bind specifically with the FEYP and that the binding was reversible in the presence of ATP or low pH. This evidence in conjunction with the evidence that the alpha-crystallins and FEYP form a stable complex that co-purifies from native egg proteins suggests that the alpha-cystallin cognates function as chaperones for the follicular epithelium yolk proteins in the embryos of P. interpunctella.
Predicting Straight Punch Force of Impact

The focus of this study was on the factors that contribute to the impact force of a straight punch. This study consisted of 22 health co2llege aged subjects (23.5 ± 3.2 yea r s; 17 males, 5 females). There were two testing sessions. During the first session, subjects performed a one arm cable push with their dominant arm. For the second testing session each subject was instructed to punch the bag “as hard as they could”. The subjects hit an F-Scan force sensory shoe sole that was used to measure force of impact. The final test was to determine hand speed. A tethered strap from the Humac 360 was looped around each subject’s gloved thumb. Again, they were instructed to hit the punching bag “as hard as they could”. A multiple regression was the statistical tool used to analyze the data. The independent variables analyzed were: arm length (meters), body weight (kgs), hand speed (meters/second), and 1RM (kgs). The dependent variable was the force of impact measured in newtons. The results of the study showed that model 2, which included 1RM and hand velocity as significant independent variables, was a good predictor of force of impact with r 2 = .634. The significant predictors were hand speed and 1RM strength with p = 0.009 and 0.014 respectively. Thus, it would appear that the greatest factors that determine the straight punch force of impact in untrained subjects are hand speed and 1RM strength in a movement pattern that emulates the straight punch.
Pioneering the Lens of Comparative Race Relations in Law: A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. as a Model of Scholarly Activism

Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr.'s scholarly legacy is one that continues to provide guidance for civil rights activism in the American legal process today. While the Judge's work as a legal scholar is justifiably lauded for its significant contribution to the development of a legal history of slavery and its consequences in the United States, his work also serves another significant role for legal scholars. I refer to Judge Higginbotham' s pioneering use of comparative race relations in legal scholarship. In his examination of the South African racial context, the Judge methodically demonstrated the commonalities between the United States and South Africa that allowed each country to sustain racial subordination despite distinctions in culture, history, and demography. In doing so, the Judge served up an enduring lesson for civil rights scholars. In particular, Judge Higginbotham' s combined use of racial history and comparative race relations in his legal scholarship demonstrated the global nature of racism and its features, and how racism functions as a societal process that preserves racial hierarchy and privilege across distinct landscapes and cultures. This fundamental insight articulated by the Judge has been implicitly deployed by scholars in a variety of international contexts: comparing the anti-discrimination laws of France with those of the United States,1 comparing Germany's racial history with that of the United States,2 comparing caste-based affirmative action of India with race-based affirmative action of the United States,3 and comparing
Clarence Thomas and the Question of Fitness

(1992). Clarence Thomas and the Question of Fitness. The Black Scholar: Vol. 22, The Clarence Thomas Confirmation, pp. 102-103.
Effects of Applied Electric Fields on Low-Calcium Epileptiform Activity in the CA1 Region of Rat Hippocampal Slices

It is well established that exogenous electric fields can suppress activity obtained in different models of epileptiform discharge such as penicillin and high potassium. In the low-calcium model of...
Modeling and Experimental Study of Complex Critical Condition for Ductile-regime Micro-grinding of Hard Brittle Material

Surface formation mechanism of hard brittle material in micro-grinding is analyzed. The mathematical model of undeformed chip thickness hm in slot micro-grinding is built. A model to describe complex critical condition of ductile-regime in micro-grinding of hard brittle material is proposed considering size effect factor Md and micro-grinding tool topography. Micro-grinding ductile-regime experiments on soda-lime glass and monocrystal silicon are designed and carried out. Influences of micro-grinding parameters to crack length are investigated based on analysis of experiment results. The model this paper proposes is also confirmed,ductile factorζ0 and ductile-brittle factorζ1 to soda-lime glass and monocrystal silicon are derived. Some finding would provide research theory and experimental reference to micro-grinding.
Extensional Relaxation Times of Dilute, Aqueous Polymer Solutions

We show that visualization and analysis of capillary-driven thinning and pinch-off dynamics of the columnar neck in an asymmetric liquid bridge created by dripping-onto-substrate can be used for characterizing the extensional rheology of complex fluids. Using a particular example of dilute, aqueous PEO solutions, we show the measurement of both the extensional relaxation time and extensional viscosity of weakly elastic, polymeric complex fluids with low shear viscosity η < 20 mPa·s and relatively short relaxation time, λ < 1 ms. Characterization of elastic effects and extensional relaxation times in these dilute solutions is beyond the range measurable in the standard geometries used in commercially available shear and extensional rheometers (including CaBER, capillary breakup extensional rheometer). As the radius of the neck that connects a sessile drop to a nozzle is detected optically, and the extensional response for viscoelastic fluids is characterized by analyzing their elastocapillary self-thinning...
Intraspecific functional diversity of common species enhances community stability.

Common species are fundamental to the structure and function of their communities and may enhance community stability through intraspecific functional diversity (iFD). We measured among-habitat and within-habitat iFD (i.e., among- and within-plant community types) of two common small mammal species using stable isotopes and functional trait dendrograms, determined whether iFD was related to short-term population stability and small mammal community stability, and tested whether spatially explicit trait filters helped explain observed patterns of iFD. Southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) had greater iFD than deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), both among habitats, and within the plant community in which they were most abundant (their "primary habitat"). Peromyscus maniculatus populations across habitats differed significantly between years and declined 78% in deciduous forests, their primary habitat, as did the overall deciduous forest small mammal community. Myodes gapperi populations were stable across habitats and within coniferous forest, their primary habitat, as was the coniferous forest small mammal community. Generalized linear models representing internal trait filters (e.g., competition), which increase within-habitat type iFD, best explained variation in M. gapperi diet, while models representing internal filters and external filters (e.g., climate), which suppress within-habitat iFD, best explained P. maniculatus diet. This supports the finding that M. gapperi had higher iFD than P. maniculatus and is consistent with the theory that internal trait filters are associated with higher iFD than external filters. Common species with high iFD can impart a stabilizing influence on their communities, information that can be important for conserving biodiversity under environmental change.
Antibodies as Probes of G-Protein Structure and Function

G-proteins involved in signal transduction are members of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein superfamily that includes cytoskeletal proteins such as tubulin, soluble proteins (initiation and elongation factors involved in protein synthesis), and low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins such as the ras p21 protooncogenes and ras-related proteins (Spiegel, 1987; Gilman, 1987; Iyengar & Birnbaumer, 1987). Members of the G-protein subset of the GTP-binding protein superfamily share certain general features in common with other members of the GTP-binding protein superfamily: 1) all GTP-binding proteins bind guanine nucleotides with high affinity and specificity, and possess intrinsic GTPase activity that modulates interactions between the GTP-binding protein and other elements; 2) GTP-binding proteins serve as substrates for ADP-ribosylation by bacterial toxins; this covalent modification disrupts normal function.
Evaluation of team-based learning in a doctor of physical therapy curriculum in the United States

Purpose The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate students' academic outcomes after implementation of the team-based learning (TBL) approach in patient/client management courses in an entry-level doctor of physical therapy (DPT) curriculum. Methods The research design of this study involved comparing written and practical exam scores from DPT student cohorts taught with the traditional instructional methods (lecture-based) to those of students from subsequent cohorts taught using the TBL approach in two patient/client management courses: basic skills and cardiopulmonary. For this comparison, the exams used, the number of contact hours and labs, and the instructors who taught these courses remained the same during the transition between these two instructional methods (traditional vs. TBL). The average of all individual course exam scores was used for data analysis. Results In both courses, there were no meaningful differences in the mean exam scores among students across years of cohorts receiving the same instructional method, which allowed clustering students from different years of cohorts in each course receiving the same instructional method into one group. For both courses, the mean exam score was significantly higher in the TBL group than in the traditional instruction group: basic skills course (P Conclusion Student cohorts taught using the TBL approach academically outperformed those who received the traditional instructional method in both entry-level DPT patient/client management courses.
Prospective evaluation of same day versus next day colon manometry results in children with medical refractory constipation

Background We evaluated the change in colon manometry (CM) parameters and interpretation comparing results when the study is performed the same day after the motility catheter is placed under anesthesia or the following day. Methods CM catheter was placed with colonoscopy under anesthesia and recorded on day 1 and repeated on day 2. Study parameters including motility index during fasting, post-prandial and post-Bisacodyl challenge phase; gastrocolonic response; number, presence and propagation of high amplitude propagating contractions (HAPCs); and, study interpretation were compared between both the days. Key Results Motility index (fasting, post-Bisacodyl phase, P<.05), HAPC number (10.1 vs 6.6, P=.01) and the proportion of patients having HAPCs (92% vs 70%, P=.002) was significantly higher on day 2 vs day 1. HAPC propagation improved on day 2 vs day 1 (fully propagated, 49% vs 37%; partially propagated, 43% vs 33%; absent 8% vs 30%). Study interpretation changed from day 1 to day 2. On day 1, 37% had a normal study and 63% had an abnormal study. On day 2, all patients with a normal study on day 1 remained normal, and patients with an abnormal study on day 1, 53% remained abnormal and 47% had a normal study. Conclusions & Inferences CM parameters are affected the day the catheter is placed with colonoscopy under anesthesia. The number, presence, and propagation of HAPCs were significantly higher/improved on day 2 compared to day 1. Overall, CM interpretation changed from abnormal to normal from day 1 to day 2 in 47% of the patients.
The epidemiology of diet and cancer.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the epidemology of diet and cancer. It describes the methodologic considerations of each type of study as it relates to diet and cancer research and reviews selected studies as the examples of the ways in which the study designs have been employed. Much of the complexity in nutrition–cancer literature results from the multidisciplinary nature of the field. Nutritionists, clinical physicians, epidemiologists, and biochemists, each sharing a common conviction that nutritional factors are of some consequence in cancer risk, must glean from the language and logic of each other's discipline those findings that integrate with their own. The chapter reviews critically the various observational studies of diet and cancer etiology in humans. It also briefly mentions the pertinent experimental research that generates or tests the hypotheses for human epidemiologic research. Only nutritional factors that occur prior to the onset of cancer are discussed in the chapter.
An automated design flow for synthesis of optimal multi-layer multi-shape PCB coils for inductive sensing applications

This paper presents an automated flow to quickly design and layout an optimal multi-layer square, hexagonal, octagonal spiral printed circuit board (PCB) coils for inductive sensing applications. The flow takes into account several constraints including via connections in the center of the coil well ahead in the calculations for minimum inner diameter in order avoid any iteration later. Step-by-step instructions on how to find the optimal solution for a given optimization criteria e.g. coil area, coil performance parameter, application performance parameters are presented including trade-off between area vs layers and area vs coil fill ratio. Next, the paper discusses the algorithm to generate the multi-layer multi-shape coil in order to layout the coil on a PCB using computer aided design tools. An online design tool is developed based on flow proposed in this paper for inductive sensing applications and results from the tool are discussed and generated PCB coil layout to five popular PCB CAD tools is presented. The online design tool has reduced the PCB coil design time to a fraction of a minute and is being actively used by hundreds of designers worldwide.
The Competing Effects of Stability and Humidity on Subtropical Stratocumulus Entrainment and Cloud Evolution from a Lagrangian Perspective

AbstractThe evolution of subtropical stratocumulus clouds and the boundary layer is studied on daily time scales from the Lagrangian perspective, following the flow. Measures of humidity above the ...
An Introduction to the Symposium

The symposium represented by the contents of this volume was held at Brookhaven National Laboratory during 22–25 May 1988 to discuss applications of synchrotron radiation to structural biology. The program included descriptions of the facilities available for biological studies at seven synchrotron radiation sources around the world. There are a dozen beamlines effectively dedicated to this research.
Smeagol: a specific-to-general semantic web query interface paradigm for novices

Most Semantic Web query interfaces let the user give an abstract specification of the desired results (perhaps using facets, or a natural language query.) We introduce the Smeagol visual query interface which, by contrast, guides the user from a specific example to a general result set. Users begin the query process with navigation and exploration activities, building a concrete subgraph of interest from the larger data set. They then generalize this subgraph to find other subgraphs similar in some way to the one identified. Among other advantages, this approach also lends itself quite naturally to querying on instance-based data; i.e., triples in which the predicate is not part of a defined ontology. We provide an analysis of this specific-to-general approach, contrasting it with existing systems. We also present the results of a usability experiment comparing novices' use of Smeagol with that of a standard Linked Data browser.
XMLLR for improved speaker adaptation in speech recognition.

In this paper we describe a novel technique for adaptation of Gaussian means. The technique is related to Maximum Likelihood Linear Regression (MLLR), but we regress not on the mean itself but on a vector associated with each mean. These associated vectors are initialized by an ingenious technique based on eigen decomposition. As the only form of adaptation this technique outperforms MLLR, even with multiple regression classes and Speaker Adaptive Training (SAT). However, when combined with Constrained MLLR (CMLLR) and Vocal Tract Length Normalization (VTLN) the improvements disappear. The combination of two forms of SAT (CMLLR-SAT and MLLR-SAT) which we performed as a baseline is itself a useful result; we describe it more fully in a companion paper. XMLLR is an interesting approach which we hope may have utility in other contexts, for example in speaker identification.
Moving from Discrete Molecules to Extended Structures: A Chemical and Theoretical Approach to the Solid State

Solid state inorganic chemistry, broadly encompassing novel conducting systems of varying dimensionality, surfaces, minerals etc. is one of the areas of chemistry in which activity will grow exponentally in the next decade. Theoretical chemists can make a contribution to problems of electronic structure in the solid state through the experience they have acquired in chemical interpretations of the wave functions they calculate. The following problem will provide an illustration of our approach to these problems. Among the many examples of the ThCr2Si2 structural type is a set of A B2X2 structures, B=transition metal, X=group 14 or 15 element, in which one X…X contact varies over the range of bonding between no bond and a fully formed X-X single bond. The tuning is provided by variation in the transition metal, X-X bonding promoted by metals on the right-hand side of the periodic table. We begin with chemical construction of the bonding in B2X2 layers. When these two-dimensional layers are stacked narrow X-X σand σ* bands result. The σ* level is filled (no X-X bond) or empty (X-X bonding) depending on the Fermi level of the transition metal B layer.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms—Clinical Assessment and Treatment

Aneurysmal dilatation of the aorta can occur along all the 3 divisions of the thoracic aorta and most commonly affect males in the sixth and seventh decade of life. These aneurysms, if remained un-noticed, grow and eventually dissect or rupture (or both). They are mostly degenerative in nature and are often discovered incidentally. A number of diagnostic modalities are used to diagnose them and Computed Tomography (CT) of the Aorta, has revolutionized the way we diagnose, follow and treat these aneurysms using different semi-automated algorithms. Proximal thoracic aneurysms (ascending and arch) are predominantly treated using an open approach, whereas distal aneurysms (descending) can be treated utilizing either an open or an endovascular approach, with the endovascular approach being favored for degenerative descending aortic aneurysms. More extensive aneurysms can be treated using hybrid procedures. The knowledge of different engineering principles, such as biomechanics of the thoracic aorta and computational flow dynamics has allowed us to understand the forces acting on these thoracic endografts and has and will provide further insights on how to modify the currently available devices and eventually patient outcomes.
The Constitutional Meaning of Religious Freedom: Part One

When the Constitution of 1787 was drafted, it reflected the people’s understanding of the free exercise of religion as summarized in Chap. 8. First, it did not proclaim or endorse any religious belief or practice; it was a secular document. Second, it banned the use of religious tests for holding public office. It did not, however, contain provisions guaranteeing religious freedom or other rights like freedom of the press. Many persons (Antifederalists), therefore, demanded that the Constitution not be ratified until it was amended to guarantee those rights. The Constitution’s proponents (Federalists) at first insisted that it did not need to be amended in that way, but eventually promised to add amendments after it was ratified, whereupon several states submitted proposed amendments to prevent Congress from legislating on religion.
Robust photometric stereo endoscopy via deep learning trained on synthetic data (Conference Presentation)

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and causes over 50,000 deaths annually. The standard of care for colorectal cancer detection and prevention is an optical colonoscopy and polypectomy. However, over 20% of the polyps are typically missed during a standard colonoscopy procedure and 60% of colorectal cancer cases are attributed to these missed polyps. Surface topography plays a vital role in identification and characterization of lesions, but topographic features often appear subtle to a conventional endoscope. Chromoendoscopy can highlight topographic features of the mucosa and has shown to improve lesion detection rate, but requires dedicated training and increases procedure time. Photometric stereo endoscopy captures this topography but is qualitative due to unknown working distances from each point of mucosa to the endoscope. In this work, we use deep learning to estimate a depth map from an endoscope camera with four alternating light sources. Since endoscopy videos with ground truth depth maps are challenging to attain, we generated synthetic data using graphical rendering from an anatomically realistic 3D colon model and a forward model of a virtual endoscope with alternating light sources. We propose an encoder-decoder style deep network, where the encoder is split into four branches of sub-encoder networks that simultaneously extract features from each of the four sources and fuse these feature maps as the network goes deeper. This is complemented by skip connections, which maintain spatial consistency when the features are decoded. We demonstrate that, when compared to monocular depth estimation, this setup can reduce the average NRMS error for depth estimation in a silicone colon phantom by 38% and in a pig colon by 31%.
Japanese Buddhism and Women: The Lotus, Amida, and Awakening

Buddhism’s claim to be a universal religion would seem to be severely compromised by its exclusion of certain groups of people from its scheme of salvation. Women, in particular, were treated at one time or another as less than fit vessels for attaining enlightenment. As is well known, even in the days of Gautama the Buddha, the Buddhist order was not entirely free of misogynist sentiments. Female devotees aspiring to follow the Buddha’s teaching often had to overcome discrimination and negative innuendos from their fellow monks and the monastic institutions. This view of women’s “spiritual inferiority” persisted, casting a long shadow over the Buddhism tradition that took root and developed in Japan. Although the idea of sangha—the community of believers made up of monks, nuns, and laymen and laywomen—was duly embraced in Japan, and although women played a vital role in patronizing Buddhism, the misogynistic view became prevalent around the fourteenth century, with the changes in socio-economic environments. It was only in the last century that the iniquitous treatment of women in Japanese Buddhism came to be critically acknowledged by the ecclesiastical authorities, symbolically marking an important first step for a change. Despite the hard-to -eradicate subtle institutional chauvinism and dubious perceptions concerning women’s spiritual ability, an increasing number of socially engaged and articulate Buddhist women are working on improving their image and their social standing in the last decades. What is still needed, however, is the emancipation of androcentric Buddhist ecclesiastical tradition from the yoke of its past.
Studying Human Responses to Environmental Change: Trends and Trajectories of Archaeological Research

Environmental archaeological enquiry has a long and vibrant history. Many of the same questions have persisted in archaeological dialogues over the past century. In particular, the effects of envir...
Inferring Respiratory Minute Volume from Wrist Motion

Exposure to air pollutants poses major health risk for patients with chronic pulmonary diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Such risk can be mitigated by continuous exposure tracking. The effective dose of exposure is directly proportional to the respiratory minute volume, aka minute ventilation (VE). Till date, the clinical standard for measuring VE is Spirometry, a highly invasive and cumbersome modality, which is not suitable for continuous day-to-day use. This paper presents a novel non-invasive method toward continuous assessment of VE using a wrist-mount wearable motion sensor. Data from 25 healthy subjects were collected while they performed ambulatory and sedentary activities and physical exercises. Noise and artifacts of the motion signal are removed and the processed signal is used to extract explanatory features. The features are used to train and evaluate multiple regression models, among which, the probabilistic Gaussian process regression achieves the best performance in inferring VE from the wearable motion signal. The effects of inter- and intra-personal variations are explored to demonstrate the potential of the proposed method for continuously monitoring pollutant exposure risk in respiratory health applications.
AI Gauge: Runtime Estimation for Deep Learning in the Cloud

Major cloud providers, including IBM Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, offer services to train, debug, store, and deploy machine learning models at scale. For enhanced user experience in SLA-driven control, cost effective budgeting, elastic scaling, and efficient operations, estimating the runtime of training a machine learning model is important. We present AI Gauge, a cloud service to estimate runtime and cost for training deep learning models under different configuration options on the cloud. AI Gauge is designed using micro-service architecture and performs estimations based on machine learning models calibrated by an extensive and continuously populated job trace data-set. We show that AI Gauge can accurately predict the remaining time of running jobs based on its runtime progress (< 10% relative error) and can accurately predict the total runtime for a job before it starts with 7-8% relative error on average.
Serum cotinine levels and nicotine addiction potential of e-cigarettes: an NHANES analysis.

This study aims to compare serum cotinine levels in e-cigarette and combustible cigarette smokers, in an attempt to quantify the potential chronic nicotine addiction risk that e-cigarettes pose. We analyzed 428 participants in 2015-2016 NHANES: 379 (87.03%) smoked combustible cigarettes alone and 49 (12.97%) smoked e-cigarettes. Serum cotinine levels were measured by isotope-dilution high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometric method with a detection limit of 0.015 ng/ml. Electronic cigarette smokers were younger than combustible cigarette smokers (mean age 36.79 versus 42.69 years, P = 0.03), more likely to be male (64.93% versus 48.32%, P = 0.09) and significantly less likely to live with other smokers (50.17% versus 90.07%, P < 0.01). Serum cotinine levels increased linearly with self-reported days of smoking in both electronic cigarette and combustible cigarette smokers, after accounting for living with a smoker. The analysis of the subgroup who reported daily use show non-statistically significantly higher serum cotinine levels in electronic cigarette smokers versus combustible cigarette smokers (β adj = 52.50, P = 0.10). This analysis of recent US data demonstrates that electronic cigarettes expose users to nicotine levels proportionate to, and potentially higher than combustible cigarettes, and thus pose a serious risk of chronic nicotine addiction. This could be particularly relevant in otherwise tobacco naive individuals; future risk of tobacco-related dependence, addiction and relapse, as well as of tobacco-related cancers in these subjects needs to be investigated.