cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation Of Instrumental Correction Factors For Infrared Absorption Concentration Measurements

This paper presents an analysis of a large multilaboratory set of infrared spectra to investigate the possibility of self-calibration of infrared spectrophotometers. The spectra were obtained from a round-robin study conducted in the U.S., Europe, Japan and China to determine the conversion coefficient for the determination of interstitial oxygen in silicon by infrared absorption spectroscopy.' Accurate measurement of the oxygen content of silicon wafers destined for integrated circuit manufacture is required in order to properly design the fabrication process.2
Economics of simulated beef-forage rotational grazing under weather uncertainty

Abstract A biophysical model GRAZE is used to simulate pasture growth and animal weight gain for steers pastured on Bermudagrass. Economic performance is simulated for a continuously grazed pasture and compared to the performance of nine systems in which a rotational grazing schedule is strictly adhered to. Sensitivity of the performance of each strategy to weather risk is assessed for ten alternative weather scenarios, and each pasture management system is ranked for trade-offs between risk and returns using stochastic dominance ordering. Results indicate that expected net returns are highest with a continuous grazing system, but that risk considerations may influence some producers to select one of the rotational systems.
Sexual conflicts along gradients of density and predation risk: insights from an egg-trading fish

In principle, the intensity of sexual conflict is best measured as a loss of fitness associated with the expression of conflict-related traits. But because the relevant traits may be difficult to manipulate and fitness difficult to assess, proxy variables linked to conflict intensity may provide important tools for empirical measurement. Here we identify two common types of sexual conflict—one within mating pairs over the less expensive male role, and one between mating pairs and intruders seeking to obtain fertilizations—and consider how they vary in intensity along gradients of population density and predation risk. To do this, we develop and analyze a model of mating dynamics in the chalk bass, an egg-trading simultaneous hermaphrodite that lives on Caribbean coral reefs. In this species, within-pair sexual conflict leads each female-role partner to provide in each mating episode only a subset (parcel) of its egg clutch to its mate for fertilization. Pair-intruder sexual conflict (i.e., sperm competition) increases the proportion of the gonad allocated to male function. In the model, more parceling and greater male allocation both resulted in lower fitness at the ESS, our measure of conflict intensity. Male allocation increased along the density gradient but decreased along the predation-risk gradient, reflecting shifts in intrusion frequency. Parcel number sharply increased and then decreased more gradually along a gradient of increasing local density, initially responding to increased availability of alternative mates across low densities and then to diminishing clutch size toward higher densities. Parcel number decreased with predation risk as each mating episode became more dangerous. Conflict intensities were usually greatest at intermediate positions along the two environmental gradients, and each conflict ameliorated the intensity of the other. Overall, parceling and sex allocation may be good though imperfect proxies for intensities of within-pair and pair-intruder sexual conflicts among chalk bass.
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY Audio tape storage of experimental data: An application to tachistoscopic research with children

An inexpensive portable system is described for storing digital data on audio tape for later computer processing. The technique involves the use of integrated circuits and an ordinary stereo tape recorder. Each datum is converted to a binary-coded voltage level that, through a sampling device, controls the phase of a square-wave signal. Depending on whether the bit being coded is \ld0\rd or \ld1,\rd the signal recorded on one tape track is either in phase or 180 deg out of phase with a reference signal recorded on the other track. Later, the recorded tape may be played back into a computer for data analysis. An application of this technique for tachistoscopic research is described.
One Percent Tenofovir Applied Topically to Humanized BLT Mice and Used According to the CAPRISA 004 Experimental Design Demonstrates Partial Protection from Vaginal HIV Infection, Validating the BLT Model for Evaluation of New Microbicide Candidates

Recent iPrEx clinical trial results provided evidence that systemic preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) can partially prevent rectal HIV transmission in humans. Similarly, we have previously demonstrated that systemic administration of the same FTC-TDF combination efficiently prevented rectal transmission in humanized bone marrow/liver/thymus (BLT) mice. The CAPRISA 004 trial recently demonstrated that topical application of the tenofovir could partially prevent vaginal HIV-1 transmission in humans. To further validate the usefulness of the BLT mouse model for testing HIV prevention strategies, we evaluated the topical administration of tenofovir as used in CAPRISA 004 to prevent vaginal HIV transmission in BLT mice. Our results demonstrate that vaginally administered 1% tenofovir significantly reduced HIV transmission in BLT mice (P = 0.002). Together with the results obtained after systemic antiretroviral PrEP, these topical inhibitor data serve to validate the use of humanized BLT mice to evaluate both systemic and topical inhibitors of HIV transmission. Based on these observations, we tested six additional microbicide candidates for their ability to prevent vaginal HIV transmission: a C-peptide fusion inhibitor (C52L), a membrane-disrupting amphipathic peptide inhibitor (C5A), a trimeric d-peptide fusion inhibitor (PIE12-Trimer), a combination of reverse transcriptase inhibitors (FTC-TDF), a thioester zinc finger inhibitor (TC247), and a small-molecule Rac inhibitor (NSC23766). No protection was seen with the Rac inhibitor NSC23766. The thioester compound TC247 offered partial protection. Significant protection was afforded by FTC-TDF, and complete protection was offered by three different peptide inhibitors tested. Our results demonstrate that these effective topical inhibitors have excellent potential to prevent vaginal HIV transmission in humans.
A boundary-integral study of a drop squeezing through interparticle constrictions

A three-dimensional boundary-integral algorithm is developed to study the squeezing of a deformable drop through a tight constriction formed by several solid particles rigidly held in space. The drop is freely suspended and driven by a flow that is uniform away from the solid obstacles. Particular emphasis is on the trapping mechanism and flow conditions close to critical, when the drop squeezes with high resistance. The problem is a close prototype of drop–solid interactions for emulsion flow through a granular material; such interactions are much more lubrication-sensitive than drop–drop interactions and require advanced numerical tools to succeed. The algorithm is based on the Hebeker representation for the solid–particle contribution, leading to a well-behaved system of second-kind integral equations, combined with novel regularization techniques for singular and near-singular boundary integrals; high-order near-singularity subtraction for the solid-to-drop double-layer contribution is the most crucial element. Simulations are performed for drop squeezing between (i) two close spheres, (ii) two parallel spheroidal disks, and (iii) three close spheres forming an equilateral triangle (including the case of close solid–solid contact). The drop non-deformed diameter is from two to several times larger than the inner constriction diameter and, in some simulations, the drop decelerates $10^3$ – $10^4$ times in the throat before being able to pass through. The effects of the constriction type, capillary number, and viscosity ratio on the drop velocity in the throat, exit time, and drop–solid spacing (of the order of 1% of the particle size) are explored in detail; critical capillary numbers (below which trapping occurs) are accurately determined. Even for a substantially supercritical capillary number, the drop has to nearly coat solid particles to be able to pass through a tight constriction. The ability of the algorithm to simulate both supercritical and subcritical conditions (when the drop is trapped, with a small but non-zero drop–solid spacing) is vital for future applications to large-scale simulations of emulsion flow through granular media.
Effect of age on center of mass motion during human walking

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of age and speed on body center of mass (COM) motion over a gait cycle. Whole body kinematics and ground reactions were recorded for 21 healthy young (21–32 y) and 20 healthy older adults (66–81 y) walking at 80%, 100% and 120% of preferred speed. The limb-induced COM accelerations and the work done on the COM by the limbs were computed. Despite walking with similar gait speeds, older adults did significantly (p < 0.05) less positive work on the COM during push-off but then performed more positive work on the COM during midstance. As a result, older adults induced lower tri-axial COM accelerations via the trailing limb and higher vertical COM acceleration via the leading limb during double support. Older adults also reduced the mediolateral COM acceleration induced by the leading limb during the last third of double support. The forward and vertical components of the limb-induced COM accelerations were highly correlated (p < 0.005) but were not correlated to the mediolateral component during double support, at any speed. Together, these results suggest that older adults use the leading limb to compensate for reduced vertical support and work done by the trailing limb. Further, older adults seem to adapt their gait patterns to reduce mediolateral COM accelerations. These findings are relevant for understanding the factors that underlie walking performance and lateral balance in old age.
Treating Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) evaluation and treatment are critical for comprehensive patient care. A thorough assessment of nonsuicidal self-injury(NSSI) following DSM-5-proposed criteria is critical in understanding and treating NSSI and should be informed based upon past and current self-harm behaviors, including self-injury methods, frequency, severity, and intent, along with a comprehensive suicide risk assessment. After NSSI is diagnosed, patients should be offered proper management of co-occurring psychiatric illnesses, if applicable, enhanced by an 8 – 12 week trial of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) focusing on NSSI. Cognitive strategies to be used include Socratic questioning, keeping thought records, and addressing self-derogatory and distorted beliefs about NSSI. Behavioral strategies include contingency management, behavioral activation, and addressing environmental factors maintaining NSSI. In adolescents, individual CBT work might be supplemented with family-based therapy. Dialectical strategies (acceptance and distress tolerance) and skills training (focus on improving emotion regulation, problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills) can be used to enhance CBT, but in some cases DBT can be cost prohibitive. If adequate psychotherapy trials are ineffective, a pharmacotherapy trial of emerging drug therapies for NSSI, e.g. naltrexone, N-acetylcysteine, or topiramate to enhance supportive psychotherapy would be recommended. We would encourage patients to continue effective treatment for at least 6 months and would continuously assess for self-harm urges and behaviors. Psychoeducation and adequate treatment of comorbid conditions should be provided on an ongoing basis along with attention to physical self-care and regular exercise.
A compact multi-polarised broadband antenna

An innovative concept to meet the multioctave polarization diverse challenge is described. Equal right- and left-hand polarization performance has been achieved from a single radiating aperture using an inherent symmetry. This concept employs an edge-fed, interleaved log-periodic antenna, referred to as the interLog antenna. The edge-fed geometry improves antenna reliability over that of the center-fed spiral due to mechanical and thermal stability. The antenna consists of four interleaved, curved dipole, log-periodic elements placed over an absorber-loaded cavity. Opposite elements are excited 180 degrees out of phase using a printed circuit infinite balun approach. Orthogonal circular polarizations are achieved by connecting the balun output to an integral stripline 90 degrees coupler. Analysis, measured pattern, VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio), and isolation data are given, demonstrating the effectiveness of the antenna approach. >
Transition Response Characteristics of Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording and Their Performance With MTR Codes

The response of a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) system is very sensitive to the laser spot position. The response is determined by transition characteristics like the center, curvature, and length. In this paper, by using the thermal Williams-Comstock model and the microtrack model, the effects of laser spot position on transition characteristics are investigated for both longitudinal and perpendicular recording from a read channel systems perspective. The general trend in their variation is determined and used to explain the resultant change in response. By simulation, we determine the post-Viterbi dominant error events for longitudinal HAMR system. Finally, we apply the well-known MTR codes to mitigate such errors and present their bit-error performance
Analysis of CDMA range extension due to soft handoff

We provide an analysis of CDMA range extension due to soft handoff. A simulation of GSM hard handoff and CDMA soft handoff is presented. In these simulations, a collection of 90 second calls are tracked through the system and the margin required to meet a constant call reliability is determined. A comparison of these margins for both GSM and CDMA indicate that, under a variety of conditions, the shadow fade margin required by the GSM system is about 2.6-3.6 dB higher than that needed by the CDMA soft handoff.
DVS based energy minimization algorithm for parallel machines

Energy consumption is a critical issue in parallel and distributed embedded systems. We present a novel algorithm for energy efficient scheduling of Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) based applications on Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) enabled systems. Experimental results show that our algorithm provides near optimal solutions for energy minimization with considerably smaller computational time and memory requirements compared to an existing algorithm that provides near optimal solutions.
ASIAN AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: EMERGING CONSTITUENTS AND THEIR POLITICAL IDENTITIES

Janelle Wong, Karthick S. Ramakrishnan, Taeku Lee and Jane Junn, ASIAN AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: EMERGING CONSTITUENTS AND THEIR POLITICAL IDENTITIES, New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation,...
Simultaneous Piezoelectric Sensing/Actuation: Analysis And Application To Controlled Structures

Abstract A general formulation for coupled electromechanical modelling is specialized to the analysis of transducers used for simultaneous sensing and actuation. Important issues related to modelling and implementation of a simultaneous piezoelectric sensor/actuator are investigated. Open and closed loop experiments performed on a cantilevered beam test specimen are described, and substantial predictive capability is demonstrated. The results highlight the utility of the simultaneous sensor/actuator for vibration control. The sensitivity of both open and closed loop results to representative errors introduced in the implementation of the transducer is demonstrated analytically and experimentally. The simultaneous sensor/actuator is also sucessfully implemented in an open loop experiment using an active piezoelectric strut in a truss structure. The ability to correctly predict experimental results is also proven in the truss case.
Synaptotagmin arrests the SNARE complex before triggering fast, efficient membrane fusion in response to Ca2+

Neuronal communication is mediated by Ca(2+)-triggered fusion of transmitter-filled synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic plasma membrane. Synaptotagmin I functions as a Ca(2+) sensor that regulates exocytosis, whereas soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein (SNAP) receptor (SNARE) proteins in the vesicle and target membrane assemble into complexes that directly catalyze bilayer fusion. Here we report that, before the Ca(2+) trigger, synaptotagmin interacts with SNARE proteins in the target membrane to halt SNARE complex assembly at a step after donor vesicles attach, or dock, to target membranes. This results in fusion complexes that, when subsequently triggered by Ca(2+), drive rapid, highly efficient lipid mixing. Ca(2+)-independent interactions with SNAREs also predispose synaptotagmin to selectively penetrate the target membrane in response to Ca(2+); we demonstrate that Ca(2+)-synaptotagmin must insert into the target membrane to accelerate SNARE-catalyzed fusion. These findings demonstrate that Ca(2+) converts synaptotagmin from a clamp to a trigger for exocytosis.
Rituals of Solidarity and Security in the Wake of Terrorist Attack

Conflict produces group solidarity in four phases: (1) an initial few days of shock and idiosyncratic individual reactions to attack; (2) one to two weeks of establishing standardized displays of solidarity symbols; (3) two to three months of high solidarity plateau; and (4) gradual decline toward normalcy in six to nine months. Solidarity is not uniform but is clustered in local groups supporting each other's symbolic behavior. Actual solidarity behaviors are performed by minorities of the population, while vague verbal claims to performance are made by large majorities. Commemorative rituals intermittently revive high emotional peaks; participants become ranked according to their closeness to a center of ritual attention. Events, places, and organizations claim importance by associating themselves with national solidarity rituals and especially by surrounding themselves with pragmatically ineffective security ritual. Conflicts arise over access to centers of ritual attention; clashes occur between pragmatists deritualizing security and security zealots attempting to keep up the level of emotional intensity. The solidarity plateau is also a hysteria zone; as a center of emotional attention, it attracts ancillary attacks unrelated to the original terrorists as well as alarms and hoaxes. In particular historical circumstances, it becomes a period of atrocities.
Improved fuzzy approximation accuracy using a linear TSK approach

We propose a new Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) approach for fuzzy function approximation. We use a novel linear TSK design to define the rule base and obtain the membership functions for the inputs and outputs of a given system. Unlike traditional TSK, the output is obtained as a weighted sum of linear functions of the inputs. We provide an upper bound on the approximation error for this class of fuzzy systems achievable using a reduced number of membership functions. To demonstrate the new approach, we apply it to a numerical example.
A semi-custom voltage-island technique and its application to high-speed serial links

Supply-voltage reduction is a known technique for reducing CMOS active power. We propose a semi-custom voltage-island approach based on internal regulation and selective custom design. This approach enables transparent embedding, since no additional external power supply is needed. We apply the approach to high-speed serial links, and we show that high performance is retained through targeted application of custom circuit and logic design. A chip is presented that evaluates the presented approach on a 3000-gate 3.2-Gbps multi-protocol serial-link receiver logic core. When reducing the supply from 1.2V to 0.95V, the chip demonstrates power savings of over 25%.
Anterior Segment Imaging and the Intraocular Pressure Lowering Effect of Cataract Surgery for Open and Narrow Angle Glaucoma

Anterior segment imaging modalities including anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) are increasingly widespread, and can quantify several parameters of the anterior segment, such as anterior chamber depth and angle anatomy. These parameters are important to assess, particularly in patients with forms of narrow angle glaucoma. In many cases of open and narrow angle glaucoma, cataract extraction has been shown to result in favorable modification of these parameters, and a lasting decrease in intraocular pressure. Anterior segment imaging has the ability to enable the development of predictive models regarding the potential intraocular pressure lowering effect of cataract extraction in a given individual.
MEAN STREAM NUMBERS AND BRANCHING RATIOS FOR TOPOLOGICALLY RANDOM CHANNEL NETWORKS

Abstract Shreve's formulas for topologically random networks are used to calculate mean stream numbers and mean bifurcation ratios for particular values of n 1. The exact values are compared with the Monte Carlo results of Liao and Scheidegger.
The parabigeminal nucleus as a recursive estimator

The parabigeminal nucleus (PBN) is known to estimate the retinal position error (RPE) of an intended target. Recently it has been discovered that PBN activity continues to encode the extrapolated RPE of a “virtual” target, although less vigorously as compared with an actual target. Besides target movement, PBN activity also responds to eye movements generated by the animal itself that change the RPE of the virtual target. These phenomena imply the existence of an internal model within the PBN. We hypothesize that PBN performs recursive estimation akin to a Kalman filter, and manifests the characteristics of the computation in its spiking activities. This hypothesis is tested with a point process generalized linear model (GLM) of the PBN spike train. The results suggest the hypothesis is viable, and attribute the origination of PBN's less vigorous responses to virtual target to the uncertainty of the estimation. Furthermore, this study provides a generalizable means for the neural computations that are essential for proper control of behavior and decision making to be embodied in spike train data.
Human LSD2/KDM1b/AOF1 Regulates Gene Transcription by Modulating Intragenic H3K4me2 Methylation

Dynamic histone H3K4 methylation is an important epigenetic component of transcriptional regulation. However, most of our current understanding of this histone mark is confined to the regulation of transcriptional initiation. We now show that human LSD2/KDM1b/AOF1, the human homolog of LSD1, is an H3K4me1/2 demethylase that specifically regulates histone H3K4 methylation within intragenic regions of its target genes. Genome-wide mapping reveals that LSD2 associates predominantly with the gene bodies of actively transcribed genes, but is markedly absent from promoters. Depletion of endogenous LSD2 results in an increase of H3K4me2 as well as a decrease of H3K9me2 at LSD2-binding sites and a consequent dysregulation of target gene transcription. Furthermore, characterization of the LSD2 complex reveals that LSD2 forms active complexes with euchromatic histone methyltransferases G9a and NSD3 as well as cellular factors involved in transcription elongation. These data provide a possible molecular mechanism linking LSD2 to transcriptional regulation after initiation.
Public Corporations in Single–Country and Regional Settings: Kenya and the East African Community

This essay draws from the experience of Kenya and the East African Community to ascertain the impact of single–country or regional ownership on the commercial performance of public enterprises. The advantages of the larger resource base of a regional community are mooted by the problems of mobilizing those resources. A fledgling public corporation can secure assistance most readily when owned by one state. It is also clear that traits of a corporation independent of its regional or single–country status affect commercial success. The essay concludes with a discussion of the limited contribution public corporations make to further levels of regional integration.
Review: Teaching New Literacies in Grades K-3; Grades 4-6

Moss, Barbara. and Diane Lapp. Teaching New Literacies in Grades K-3: Resources for 21st Century Classrooms . New York: The Guilford Press, 2010. 321 pp. ISBN: 9781606234976. $35.00 Softcover. ----. Teaching New Literacies in Grades 4-6: Resources for 21st Century Classroom . New York: The Guilford Press, 2010. 354 pp. ISBN: 9781606235010. $35.00 softcover.
A Feature Extraction Metod for Multimedia data Analysis in Robot Wireless Sensor Networks

Multimedia sensor networking technologies have developed very rapidly in the last ten years. Robot wireless sensor networks are an increasingly capable platform and show great potential in environments from future battlefields to disaster discovery. Robot wireless sensor networks can enhance multimedia surveillance and provide the foundation for strategies based on multi-modal sensor integration. We illustrate this concept with an example feature extraction approach for image or video data: lines are extracted as image features from images transformed using the Hough transform technique. This approach enables features to be combined and constrained by their structure, allowing for example region correspondence mapping between images from different sensors or the same sensor in different time phases.
Simplified swift and safe vascular closure device deployment without a local arteriogram: Single center experience in 2074 consecutive patients.

Abstract Objective Vascular closure devices (VCDs), such as the Angio-Seal, a three-component hemostatic plug, have greatly facilitated the routine clinical practice in the catheterization laboratory. The manufacturer recommends a local angiogram before Angio-Seal deployment. However, from the outset, we employed a simplified routine of deploying this VCD, i.e. without use of local angiography. Methods The Angio-Seal was employed without a preceding femoral arteriogram over 8 years in 2074 consecutive patients, 72% presenting with acute coronary syndromes and subjected to coronary angiography ( n = 1032) or PCI n = 1042) via a transfemoral approach with use of heparin and dual antiplatelet therapy. Results Deployment of the VCD was successful in 99.4%. Complete hemostasis was obtained in 98% of cases. In 14 patients, Angio-Seal deployment failed. Mean time for placement of Angio-Seal was Conclusion Deployment of Angio-Seal without use of local angiography was efficacious and safe, characterized by a high success rate of deployment and hemostasis with few correctable complications in a large patient cohort undergoing transfemoral catheterization for PCI and non-PCI procedures under anticoagulation and antiplatelet drug therapy. VCD reduced the time-to-hemostasis and time-to-mobilization and minimized the incidence of complications.
Political Parties and Perceptions of Election Fraud in the U.S.

This paper uses a series of survey experiments to assess what individuals understand about election fraud and under what circumstances they see it as a problem. I argue that political parties are central to answering both these questions. Results from the 2011 CCES survey suggest respondents are able to differentiate accurately between the relative incentives of Democrats and Republicans where fraud tactics are concerned, but whether voters see these tactics as problematic is heavily influenced by partisan bias. These results provide limited evidence for motivated reasoning based on accuracy goals (Taber and Lodge 2006) and more compelling evidence for motivated reasoning based on partisan goals that are shaped by party cues rather than values (Kam 2005).
Labeling Unlabeled Data using Cross-Language Guided Clustering

The effort required to build a classifier for a task in a target language can be significantly reduced by utilizing the knowledge gained during an earlier effort of model building in a source language for a similar task. In this paper, we investigate whether unlabeled data in the target language can be labeled given the availability of labeled data for a similar domain in the source language. We view the problem of labeling unlabeled documents in the target language as that of clustering them such that the resulting partitioning has the best alignment with the classes provided in the source language. We develop a cross language guided clustering (CLGC) method to achieve this. We also propose a method to discover concept mapping between languages which is utilized by CLGC to transfer supervision across languages. Our experimental results show significant gains in the accuracy of labeling documents over the baseline methods.
Playing 20 Questions with the Mind: Collaborative Problem Solving by Humans Using a Brain-to-Brain Interface

We present, to our knowledge, the first demonstration that a non-invasive brain-to-brain interface (BBI) can be used to allow one human to guess what is on the mind of another human through an interactive question-and-answering paradigm similar to the “20 Questions” game. As in previous non-invasive BBI studies in humans, our interface uses electroencephalography (EEG) to detect specific patterns of brain activity from one participant (the “respondent”), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to deliver functionally-relevant information to the brain of a second participant (the “inquirer”). Our results extend previous BBI research by (1) using stimulation of the visual cortex to convey visual stimuli that are privately experienced and consciously perceived by the inquirer; (2) exploiting real-time rather than off-line communication of information from one brain to another; and (3) employing an interactive task, in which the inquirer and respondent must exchange information bi-directionally to collaboratively solve the task. The results demonstrate that using the BBI, ten participants (five inquirer-respondent pairs) can successfully identify a “mystery item” using a true/false question-answering protocol similar to the “20 Questions” game, with high levels of accuracy that are significantly greater than a control condition in which participants were connected through a sham BBI.
The Electric Propulsion Interactions Code (EPIC): A Member of the NASA SEE Program Toolset

Science Applications International Corporation is currently developing the Electric Propulsion Interactions Code, EPIC, as part of a project sponsored by the Space Environments and Effects Program at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Now in its second year of development, EPIC is an interactive computer toolset that allows the construction of a 3-D spacecraft model and the assessment of a variety of interactions between its subsystems and the plume from an electric thruster. This paper reports on the progress of EPIC including the recently added ability to exchange results with the spacecraft charging analyzer program, Nascap2k. The capability greatly enhances EPIC’s range of applicability. Expansion of the toolset’s various physics models proceeds in parallel with the overall development of the software. Also presented are recent upgrades of the elastic scattering algorithm in the electric propulsion Plume Tool. These upgrades are motivated in part by the need to assess the impact of elastically scattered ions on spacecraft for ion beam energies that exceed 1000 eV. Such energy levels are expected in future high-power (>10 kW) ion propulsion systems empowered by nuclear sources.
Anything, Anytime, Anywhere: Proxy Servers, Shibboleth, and the Dream of the Digital Library

Abstract Students and faculty have come to expect off-campus access to the full portfolio of electronic resources made available by their library. They demand, and should be provided, simple access to electronic information sources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of their location. Proxy servers have been the solution of choice for remote authentication for some time now, but library users tend to have difficulty with manually configured proxies, and there are beginning to be robust alternatives that can provide secure off-campus access to library resources. Remote authentication should not be a matter of getting a proxy server running and then forgetting about it. New developments should be investigated to ensure the easiest, most reliable and most secure access possible-in the interests of libraries and their users.
Application and effects of target monitoring management in hospital infection control of comprehensive ICU

Objective To explore the application method and effects of target monitoring management in hospital infection control of comprehensive ICU.Methods Target monitoring management was implemented among patients hospitalized in comprehensive ICU from November 2009 to April 2010.Then the data were analyzed.Results During the period of implementing target monitoring,the hospital infection rate was reduced significantly comparing with the same period last year(P0.01).And the majority of the hospital infection cases were lower respiratory tract infection.Conclusion The implementation of target monitoring can improve the awareness of medical staff about hospital infection and enhance the continuous improvement of quality control by strengthening the link quality and process management.
Research on The Competition Situation and Development Strategies of Professional Sports Event Market:Take Basketball,Volleyball,Football Leagues in China for Example

Adopting the research methods of literature review,questionnaire and expert interview,the present study has constructed the evaluation index system of the consumer market competition situation of basketball,volleyball and football leagues in China from the perspective of competitive advantage theory.The study has also conducted an empirical analysis on the consumer market competition situation of basketball,volleyball and football leagues in China,and proposed corresponding development strategies for the current problems,so as to provide reference for the smooth development of competitive sports professionalism in China.
Diagnosis and management of disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Wide variations in the clinical picture complicate the diagnosis of this disorder, which is extremely dangerous in its severe form. Particular attention is paid to diagnosis of DIC in the neonate.
Lead-Time Bias and Interhospital Transfer after Injury: Trauma Center Admission Vital Signs Underpredict Mortality in Transferred Trauma Patients

Background Admission physiology predicts mortality after injury, but may be improved by resuscitation before transfer. This phenomenon, which has been termed lead-time bias , may lead to underprediction of mortality in transferred patients and inaccurate benchmarking in centers receiving large numbers of transfer patients. We sought to determine the impact of using vital signs on arrival at the referring center vs on arrival at the trauma center in mortality prediction models for transferred trauma patients. Study Design We performed a retrospective cohort study using a state-wide trauma registry including all patients age 16 years or older, with Abbreviated Injury Scale scores ≥ 3, admitted to level I and II trauma centers in Pennsylvania, from 2011 to 2014. The primary outcomes measure was the risk-adjusted association between mortality and interhospital transfer (IHT) when adjusting for physiology (as measured by Revised Trauma Score [RTS]) using the referring hospital arrival vital signs (model 1) compared with trauma center arrival vital signs (model 2). Results After adjusting for patient and injury factors, IHT was associated with reduced mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.85; 95% CI 0.77 to 0.93) using the RTS from trauma center admission, but with increased mortality (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.27) using RTS from the referring hospital. The greater the number of transfer patients seen by a center, the greater the difference in center-level mortality predicted by the 2 models (β −0.044; 95% CI −0.044 to −0.0043; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions Trauma center vital signs underestimate mortality in transfer patients and may lead to incorrect estimates of expected mortality. Where possible, benchmarking efforts should use referring hospital vital signs to risk-adjust IHT patients.
Erratum to: Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the pediatric population: a review of technique, outcomes, complications, and special considerations in infants.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a common condition encountered by the pediatric urologist, and treated with pyeloplasty when indicated. Recent technological advancements and a shift across all surgical fields to embrace minimally invasive surgery have led to increased utilization of minimally invasive pyeloplasty. Conventional laparoscopy is a reasonable choice, but its use is limited by the technical challenges of precise suturing in a confined space and the associated considerable learning curve. Robotic technology has simplified the minimally invasive approach to pyeloplasty, offering enhanced visualization and improved dexterity with a fairly short learning curve. As utilization of robotic pyeloplasty continues to increase, we sought to critically assess the literature on this approach. We begin with a review of the technical aspects of robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty including tips for surgical proficiency and patient safety. Outcomes and complications from the contemporary literature are reviewed, as well as special considerations in the pediatric population including infant pyeloplasty, cost concerns, training, and postoperative diversion/drainage.
Fecal Transplant Bioethics: Beyond Chicken Little

Chicken Little bioethics—we've all seen it before. To engage in it is to list every conceivable ethical, legal, or social implication—always negative—of a given program, procedure, or line of inqui...
Toolbox for exploration of energy-efficient event processors for human-computer interaction

The advent of high speed input sensor and display technologies and the drive for faster interactive response suggests that human-computer interaction (HCI) task processing deadlines of a few milliseconds or less may be required in future handheld devices. At the same time, users will expect the same, if not better, battery life than today's devices under these more stringent response requirements. In this paper, we present a toolbox for exploring the design space of HCI event processors. We first describe the simulation platform for interactive environments that runs mobile user interface code with inputs recorded from human users. We validate it against a hardware platform from prior work. Given system-level constraints on latency, we demonstrate how this toolbox can be used to design a custom heterogeneous event processor that maximizes battery life. We show that our toolbox can pick design points that are 1.5–2.5x more energy-efficient than general-purpose big. LITTLE architectures.
Abstract 2136: Inhibiting cancer growth by targeting the TNFR2 oncogene with TNFR2 antagonistic antibodies

Background: Although antibody targeting of the HER2 oncogene represents an outstanding clinical treatment and a success story showing direct cancer killing with antibodies, many oncogenes are intracellular and are not expressed broadly, whether on a single or multiple tumor types. The recently discovered TNFR2 oncogene is broadly expressed on many human tumors. Colon cancer cells, multiple myeloma cells, renal cell carcinoma cells, Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells, ovarian cancer epithelial cells and cutaneous non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells can aberrantly express the TNFR2 receptor as an oncogene for growth. For non-cutaneous T cell lymphomas, the genetic basis of the TNFR2 deregulation has recently been tied to constitutive overexpression of TNFR2 from frequent gene duplications or cytoplasmic TNFR2 mutations that confer constitutive agonism, i.e. tumor expansion. These features make TNFR2 an advantageous molecular target for direct tumor targeting. Methods: We designed monoclonal antibodies to target the TNFR2 oncogene and directly kill human tumor cells. TNFR2-directed antibodies were screened for their ability to induce the death of rapidly growing tumor cells, such as ovarian cancer cells (i.e., OVCAR3). Results: Novel dominant anti-TNFR2 antibody candidates (TNFR2 antagonistic antibodies) did not require Fc binding for activity, expressed dominance over TNF-mediated agonism, and hampered intracellular NF-κB activation and phosphorylation obligatory for TNFR2 signaling and cell growth of tumor cells. Even low doses of TNFR2 antagonists rapidly and directly killed TNFR2 oncogene-expressing ovarian cancer cells. Examination of the structural biology of these dominant TNFR2 antagonist antibodies uncovered a unique and stabilizing TNFR2 receptor formation, anti-parallel dimeric TNFR2, which inhibits intracellular signaling, cannot bind TNF, cannot be cleaved to create soluble TNFR2 and is exponentially more active on the dividing cells of cancer. Conclusions: TNFR2 is a unique and broadly expressed human oncogene that can potentially be targeted to directly stop the growth of cancer cells (including ovarian cancer cells) by antibody-induced cell death. The creation of dominant TNFR2 antagonism provides a unique, non-signaling complex that has implications for the therapeutic targeting of TNF superfamily receptors, especially TNFR2. Citation Format: Heather Torrey, John Butterworth, Toshiyuki Mera, Yoshiaki Okubo, Limei Wang, Danielle Baum, Audrey Defusco, Sara Plager, Sarah Warden, Daniel Huang, Eva Vanamee, Rosemary Foster, Denise L. Faustman. Inhibiting cancer growth by targeting the TNFR2 oncogene with TNFR2 antagonistic antibodies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2136. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2136
Underutilization of Thrombolytic Therapy for Patients Diagnosed with Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis in the Outpatient Setting.

Background Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for the management of acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The potential benefits of this therapy include more rapid resolution of symptoms and possible reduction in the long-term sequelae. Many patients diagnosed with DVT in the inpatient setting have contraindications to lytic therapy, but less is known regarding the suitability of thrombolysis for outpatients diagnosed with acute DVT. We sought to determine the proportion of patients who were candidates for thrombolytic therapy and referred to a vascular specialist for evaluation. Methods A manual search of an outpatient vascular laboratory associated with a tertiary medical center was performed to identify all patients referred for the purpose of ruling out DVT between January 2013 and December 2014. Vascular laboratory studies conducted for evaluation of venous insufficiency were excluded. The electronic medical records were reviewed to evaluate for contraindications for thrombolysis. Results Over a 2-year period, there were 689 referrals to the outpatient vascular laboratory for the evaluation of patients with suspected DVT. Of the 689 referrals, 47 (6.8%) were found to have acute DVT, and 66 (9%) were found to have chronic DVT. Of the 47 patients with acute DVT, 41 involved the lower extremities. Fifteen of the 41 patients (37%) with extensive acute iliofemoral DVT had no absolute or major contraindications for CDT. Of these 15 patients, only 33% were referred to a vascular specialist (4 to vascular surgery and 1 to IR). Two patients (13%) agreed to and underwent successful CDT. Conclusions Although the majority of patients with acute lower extremity DVT diagnosed in the outpatient vascular laboratory were not candidates for thrombolysis, one-third of those who may have benefited from CDT were referred to a vascular specialist to discuss lytic therapy. Given the potential benefits of CDT, it is imperative that patients with acute iliofemoral or extensive femoral DVT be offered an evaluation by a vascular specialist to optimize outcomes after this diagnosis.
Does "body talk" improve body satisfaction among same-sex couples?

Abstract Research suggests the important role of romantic partners in shaping how individuals feel about their bodies (e.g., Markey & Markey, 2013, 2014), but the processes that result in changes in body satisfaction within relationships have rarely been examined. To investigate how partners may potentially affect body image, 72 lesbian couples and 72 gay male couples (total N = 288) completed body image assessments on their own and with the help of their partners. Multilevel modeling revealed that both men and women reported an improvement in body satisfaction after talking with their partners while completing the body image assessment together. Improvement in body satisfaction appeared to result from participants’ reconsideration of their body ideals, not their appraisal of their current bodies. Implications of these findings for improving body image in the context of relationships are discussed.
Breathing new life into an old target: pulmonary disease drugs for Parkinson's disease therapy.

Increases in α-synuclein protein expression are suspected to increase the risk of the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). A recent study has demonstrated that β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonists decrease histone acetylation in the α-synuclein gene and suppress transcription. Coupled with the anti-inflammatory effects that are associated with β2AR activation, this two-pronged attack holds promise for PD treatment and the development of new therapeutic approaches for this disease.
Synthesis of Supported Pd0 Nanoparticles from a Single-Site Pd2+ Surface Complex by Alkene Reduction

A surface metal–organic complex, (-AlOx)Pd(acac) (acac = acetylacetonate), is prepared by chemically grafting the precursor Pd(acac)2 onto γ-Al2O3 in toluene at 25 °C. The resulting surface complex is characterized by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and dynamic nuclear polarization surface-enhanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DNP SENS). This surface complex is a precursor in the direct synthesis of size-controlled Pd nanoparticles under mild reductive conditions and in the absence of additional stabilizers or pretreatments. Indeed, upon exposure to gaseous ethylene or liquid 1-octene at 25 °C, the Pd2+ species is reduced to form Pd0 nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 4.3 ± 0.6 nm, as determined by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). These nanoparticles are catalytically relevant using the aerobic 1-phenylethanol oxidation as a probe reaction, with rates ...