cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laser Ignition Characteristics of RDX-CMDB Propellants

Laser ignition characteristics of double-based(DB) propellant SQ-2 and RDX-CMDB propellants were studied by CO2 laser ignition at different laser fluxes.The effects of content of RDX,Al powder and burning catalysts on ignition characteristics of RDX-CMDB were discussed.Results show that the laser ignition delay time of DB propellant SQ-2 and RDX-CMDB propellants except the sample containing Al powder becomes shorter with the heat fluxes increasing,and its change slows down.The influence of the content of RDX,the additives of Al powder and the burning catalysts on the ignition delay time was related with the laser fluxes.The content of other components had little effect on the laser ignition delay time of propellants.Al powder could prolong the delay time at lower heat fluxes,and the delay time increased with increasing of the content of RDX,and Al powder and the catalysts in the propellant had both great influence on the laser ignition process and the delay time of the propellants at the higher heat fluxes.
Characterizations and identification of the candidate gene of rice thermo-sensitive genic male sterile gene tms5 by mapping

Previous study indicated that the thermo-sensitive genic malesterile(TGMS) gene in rice was regulated by temperature.TGMS rice plays an important role in hybrid rice production,because the application of the TGMS system in two-line breeding is laborsaving,timesaving,simple,inexpensive,efficient,and eliminating the limitations of the cytoplasmic male sterility(CMS) system.'AnnongS' is the first discovered and deeply studied TGMS rice lines in China.'AnnongS-1' and 'Y58S',two derivatives of TGMS line AnnongS,were both controlled by a single recessive gene named tms5,which was genetically mapped on chromosome 2.In this study,three populations('AnnongS-1' × 'Nanjing11','Y58S' × 'Q611',and 'Y58S' × 'Guanghui122') were developed and used for the molecular fine mapping of the tms5 gene.By analyzing recombination events in the sterile individuals using a total of 125 probes covering the tms5 region,the tms5 gene was physically mapped to a 19-kb DNA fragment between two markers 4039-1 and 4039-2,which were located on the BAC clone AP004039.After the construction of the physical map between two markers 4039-1 and 4039-2,a member(ONAC023) of the NAC(NAM-ATAF-CUC-related) gene family was identified as the candidate gene of the tms5 gene.
Increased Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Signaling Underlies Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder-like Behavioral and Striatal Circuit Abnormalities in Mice

Abstract Background Development of treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is hampered by a lack of mechanistic understanding about this prevalent neuropsychiatric condition. Although circuit changes such as elevated frontostriatal activity are linked to OCD, the underlying molecular signaling that drives OCD-related behaviors remains largely unknown. Here, we examine the significance of type 5 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR5s) for behavioral and circuit abnormalities relevant to OCD. Methods Sapap3 knockout (KO) mice treated acutely with an mGluR5 antagonist were evaluated for OCD-relevant phenotypes of self-grooming, anxiety-like behaviors, and increased striatal activity. The role of mGluR5 in the striatal circuit abnormalities of Sapap3 KO mice was further explored using two-photon calcium imaging to monitor striatal output from the direct and indirect pathways. A contribution of constitutive signaling to increased striatal mGluR5 activity in Sapap3 KO mice was investigated using pharmacologic and biochemical approaches. Finally, sufficiency of mGluR5 to drive OCD-like behavior in wild-type mice was tested by potentiating mGluR5 with a positive allosteric modulator. Results Excessive mGluR5 signaling underlies OCD-like behaviors and striatal circuit abnormalities in Sapap3 KO mice. Accordingly, enhancing mGluR5 activity acutely recapitulates these behavioral phenotypes in wild-type mice. In Sapap3 KO mice, elevated mGluR5 signaling is associated with constitutively active receptors and increased and imbalanced striatal output that is acutely corrected by antagonizing striatal mGluR5. Conclusions These findings demonstrate a causal role for increased mGluR5 signaling in driving striatal output abnormalities and behaviors with relevance to OCD and show the tractability of acute mGluR5 inhibition to remedy circuit and behavioral abnormalities.
An Afterloading 192Ir Surface Mold

Abstract Patients with basal cell skin cancer can be treated with afterloading 192Ir surface molds constructed from dental wax. High activity 192Ir seeds in ribbons are distributed in the mold to uniformly irradiate the target volume. The treatment is preplanned with a treatment planning system to achieve a uniform dose distribution in the planned target volume. The implant parameters optimized include the seed strength and number of seeds, inter- and intracatheter spacing between 192Ir seeds, and the distance between the implant and treatment planes. The radioactive 192Ir strands are afterloaded in the catheters embedded in the wax mold and the position secured with buttons. The treatment area drawn on the patient surface is visually overlapped with the uniformly irradiated area sketched on the mold surface. The mold is taped to the head to secure this position. The dose rate on the surface of the mold in contact with the patient skin is measured with calibrated LiF TLD chips and is within +5% of the computer preplanned dose rate value. This technique is a viable alternative to external beam treatments when daily treatments are not feasible and a dose distribution conforming to the treatment area is desirable.
The use of intelligently controlled simulation to predict a machine's long-term behavior

I present algorithms for automated long-term behavior prediction which can recognize when a simulation has run long enough to produce a representative behavior sample, characterize the behavior, and determine whether this behavior will continue forever, or eventually terminate or otherwise change its charader. I have implemented these algorithms in a working program which does longterm behavior prediction for mechanical devices.
Ultralow-Power Electronic Trapping of Nanoparticles with Sub-10 nm Gold Nanogap Electrodes.

We demonstrate nanogap electrodes for rapid, parallel, and ultralow-power trapping of nanoparticles. Our device pushes the limit of dielectrophoresis by shrinking the separation between gold electrodes to sub-10 nm, thereby creating strong trapping forces at biases as low as the 100 mV ranges. Using high-throughput atomic layer lithography, we manufacture sub-10 nm gaps between 0.8 mm long gold electrodes and pattern them into individually addressable parallel electronic traps. Unlike pointlike junctions made by electron-beam lithography or larger micron-gap electrodes that are used for conventional dielectrophoresis, our sub-10 nm gold nanogap electrodes provide strong trapping forces over a mm-scale trapping zone. Importantly, our technology solves the key challenges associated with traditional dielectrophoresis experiments, such as high voltages that cause heat generation, bubble formation, and unwanted electrochemical reactions. The strongly enhanced fields around the nanogap induce particle-transport...
The Paradox of Social Media Security: Users' Perceptions versus Behaviors

Social networking sites have become major targets for cyber-security attacks due to their massive user base. Many studies investigated the security vulnerabilities and privacy issues of social networking sites and made recommendations on how to mitigate security risks. Users are an integral part of any security mix. In this paper, we explore the relationship between users' security perceptions and their actual behavior on social networking sites. Protection motivation theory (PMT), initially was developed to study fear appeals, and has been widely used to examine people's behavior in information security domains. We propose that PMT theory can also be adapted to explain and predict social media users' behaviors that have security implications. We plan to use a web-based survey to measure users' security awareness on social networking sites and collect data on their actual behavior. The research design and plan are presented in accordance to our research
Abstract LB-025: Survivin is trafficked into cancer cell-derived exosomes via a microtubule-dependent mechanism

Cell-cell communication plays important roles in promoting tumor growth and metastasis, and these events are frequently targeted by therapies. The generation of extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles (MVs), are beginning to be appreciated as one such form of communication that has important consequences in cancer. MVs are small vesicular structures (0.1-2 μm) that are derived from plasma membranes and are shed into the cell9s surroundings; exosomes (30-100 nm) are rerouted endosomes that are released by the fusion of multi-vesicular bodies with the plasma membrane. Both types of EVs influence the behavior of recipient cells through the transfer of their cargo, which includes oncogenic factors, signaling proteins, RNA transcripts, and cytoskeletal components. However, the mechanism through which cargo is selectively trafficked to EVs has not yet been elucidated. We have discovered that disrupting microtubule dynamics in the MDAMB231 breast cancer cell line using the microtubule inhibitor nocodazole has the intriguing effect of significantly increasing the amount of the anti-apoptotic factor survivin that is contained within the EVs shed by these cells. This finding has been replicated in several additional human cancer cell lines and also when using the chemotherapy agent Paclitaxel (Taxol), which also inhibits microtubule dynamics. When MVs were separated from exosomes using procedures that were developed to resolve these two classes of EVs from MDAMB231 cell conditioned medium, survivin was found to be a specific cargo of exosomes and was absent from MVs. Moreover, the exosomes containing survivin enhanced the survival of recipient cells exposed to serum-starvation. Overall, these results show how a specific protein (e.g. survivin) can be selectively packaged into exosomes, as well as shed light on a novel mechanism that underlies Paclitaxel resistance. Citation Format: Bridget T. Kreger, Marc Antonyak, Richard Cerione. Survivin is trafficked into cancer cell-derived exosomes via a microtubule-dependent mechanism. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-025. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-LB-025
Pathway- and Cell-Specific Kappa-Opioid Receptor Modulation of Excitation-Inhibition Balance Differentially Gates D1 and D2 Accumbens Neuron Activity

Endogenous dynorphin signaling via the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) powerfully mediates negative affective states and stress reactivity. Excitatory inputs from the hippocampus and amygdala play a fundamental role in shaping the activity of both NAcc D1 and D2 MSNs, which encode positive and negative motivational valences, respectively. However, a circuit-based mechanism by which KOR modulation of excitation-inhibition balance modifies D1 and D2 MSN activity is lacking. Here, we provide a comprehensive synaptic framework wherein presynaptic KOR inhibition decreases the excitatory drive of D1 MSN activity by the amygdala, but not the hippocampus. Conversely, presynaptic inhibition by KORs of inhibitory synapses on D2 MSNs enhances integration of excitatory drive by the amygdala and hippocampus. In conclusion, we describe a circuit-based mechanism showing differential gating of afferent control of D1 and D2 MSN activity by KORs in a pathway-specific manner.
Grain boundarues in Ni3Al—II. The dislocation structure of small angle boundaries

This paper discusses the dislocation structure of small angle tilt and twist boundaries in ordered Ni{sub 3}Al, with and without boron, investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Dislocation with Burgers vectors that correspond to anti-phase boundary (APB)-coupled superpartials were found in small angle twist boundaries in both boron-free and boron-doped Ni{sub 3}Al, and a small angle tilt boundary in boron-doped Ni{sub 3}Al. The boundary structures are in agreement with theoretical models proposed by Marcinkowski and co-workers. The APB energy determined from the dissociation of the grain boundary dislocations was lower than values reported for isolated APBs in Ni{sub 3}Al. For small angle twist boundaries the presence of boron reduced the APB energy at the interface until it approached zero. This is consistent with the structure of these boundaries containing small regions of increased compositional disorder in the first atomic plane next to the interface.
Towards Understanding the Molecular Mechanism of Synchronous Neurotransmitter Release

Most communication between neurons is achieved at synapses by the process of neurotransmitter release. Neurotransmitter release is initiated by depolarization of a neuron, which in turn activates voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. The resulting Ca2+ influx then triggers the fusion of the synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane. Synaptic vesicle fusion is mediated by a core fusion machinery SNARE complex, a small regulatory factor complexin (Cpx), and Ca2+ sensor synaptotagmin (Syt). However, it was unknown how they cooperate to trigger synaptic vesicle fusion. Combining X-ray crystallography and electrophysiological recording techniques, we determined two atomic resolution crystal structures of the synaptic vesicle fusion machinery at different states, revealing a large, specific, Ca2+-independent interface which is essential for synchronous neurotransmitter release in mouse neuronal synapses. We propose a working model and further reveal the molecular mechanism of synchronous neurotransmitter release.
Methoxyluteolin Inhibits Neuropeptide-stimulated Proinflammatory Mediator Release via mTOR Activation from Human Mast Cells.

Mast cells (MCs) are critical for allergic reactions but are also important in inflammatory processes. Stimulation by neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP) and neurotensin (NT), leads to release of preformed molecules stored in numerous MC secretory granules and newly synthesized proinflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Here, we investigate the role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in the stimulation of cultured human LAD2 MCs by NT or SP, as well as the inhibitory effect of the natural flavonoids 3′,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone (luteolin) and its novel structural analog 3′,4′,5,7-tetramethoxyflavone (methoxyluteolin). Stimulation by NT (10 μM) or SP (1 μM) increases (P
Measuring intention to refer: Older adults and social service agencies.

The public is encouraged to engage in socially responsible behaviors such as helping people get needed services, possibly by referring them. However, referral behavior is little researched. Informe...
Differences in the protective capabilities of bicycle helmets in real-world and standard-specified impact scenarios.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate relative differences in impact attenuation capabilities of bicycle helmets under real-world impact conditions and safety standard-specified c...
Risk and Information Disclosure in Google Drive Sharing of Tax Data

Risk abounds as individuals engage in activities involving the sharing of sensitive information through a third-party cloud storage tool. In this research, we investigate the storage and sharing of very sensitive information (an individual’s tax filing information) through a specific third-party technology provider, Google Drive. Within the specifics of such a potentially risky act we argue that information assurance mechanisms implemented by the cloud storage service provider reduce risk perceptions of individuals even when very sensitive information is being shared. Previous positive experience with a cloud service is likely to mitigate concerns on information sharing on the cloud. To elaborate this proposed relationship a research model of information assurance is proposed and tested in the context of tax filing sharing intention.
THE MINIMAL COMPLETE CLASS OF PROCEDURES FOR COMBINING INDEPENDENT NONCENTRAL F-TESTS

This chapter idiscusses the admissibility or inadmissibility of several combination procedures— Fisher's nonparametric procedure, Tippett's procedure, inverse normal procedure, inverse logistic procedure, inverse chisquare procedure—when combining independent noncentral F tests. The combined problem is to test H 0 : Δ ≡ (Δ 1 ,…,Δ n ) = 0 versus H A : Δ Ω–{0}. The chapter presents the minimal complete class of tests for above mentioned problem, which comes from Marden, and some necessary conditions and sufficient conditions for admissibility which are deducible from the minimal complete class. These conditions were obtained in a different manner in Marden. A test is admissible if it has an acceptance region convex and decreasing in Y ≡ ( Y 1 ,…, Y n )-space and is inadmissible if it has an acceptance region not convex or not decreasing in Y *-space.
Long-term opioid treatment.

Tolerance is a natural occurrence in long-term treatment of chronic pain with opioids, not necessarily a slippery slope to addiction.
THE RNA POLYMERASES OF THE NUCLEUS AND CHLOROPLASTS OF MAIZE

ABSTRACT. Three forms of RNA polymerase have been isolated from leaves of maize. Two of these enzymes are of nuclear origin. The third appears to be unique to chloro-plasts. Nuclear RNA polymerase II and the chloroplast polymerase have been highly purified and their properties examined. While differing in sensitivity to inhibitors and in chromatographic properties, they are similar in response to monovalent and divalent cations and in that each has a subunit of 180,000 daltons.
Individual Retirement Account Balances, Contributions, and Rollovers, 2012; With Longitudinal Results 2010-2012: The EBRI IRA Database

This paper, the annual, cross-sectional analysis of the EBRI IRA Database, examines the distribution of IRA owners by IRA type, average and median account balances, and contributions and rollovers to IRAs. Added to this cross-sectional study is a longitudinal component that looks at account balance changes and contribution behavior of a consistent sample of individual IRA owners from 2010 to 2012. For year-end 2012, the EBRI IRA Database contained information on 25.3 million accounts owned by 19.9 million unique individuals, with total assets of $2.09 trillion. The EBRI IRA Database is unique in its ability to track individual IRA owners with more than one account, thereby providing a more accurate measure of how much they have accumulated in IRAs. The average IRA account balance in 2012 was $81,660, while the average IRA individual balance (all accounts from the same person combined) was $105,001. Overall, the cumulative IRA average balance was 29 percent larger than the unique account balance. Rollovers overwhelmingly outweighed new contributions in dollar terms. While almost 2.4 million accounts received contributions, compared with the 1.3 million accounts that received rollovers in 2012, 10 times the amount of dollars were added to IRAs through rollovers than from contributions. The average individual IRA balance increased with age for owners ages 25 or older, from $11,009 for those ages 25-29 to $192, 961 for those ages 70 or older. Looking at individuals who maintained an IRA account in the database over the three-year period in question, the overall average balance increased each year--from $95,431 in 2010 to $95,547 in 2011 and to $106,205 in 2012. Males had higher individual average and median balances than females: $139,467 and $36,949 for males, respectively, vs., $81,700 and $25,969 for females. However, the likelihood of contributing to an IRA did not significantly differ by gender within the database, as both Roth and traditional IRAs owned by either males or females (as well as those without a gender identified in the database) had similar probabilities of receiving contributions. IRA owners were more likely to be male. In particular, those with an IRA originally opened by a rollover or a SEP/SIMPLE IRA were much more likely to be male (57.4 percent of the former, and 58.2 percent of the latter). Younger Roth IRA owners were more likely to contribute to the Roth IRA than were older Roth IRA owners: 43 percent of Roth owners ages 25-29 contributed to their Roth in 2012, compared with 21 percent of Roth owners ages 60-64.
Development of black soldier fly larvae (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) on seafood wastes

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is well suited for remediating biological waste. Larvae of this species are nutrient rich, grow rapidly, and convert organic w...
Naloxone-Induced Withdrawal in Individuals With and Without Fentanyl-Positive Urine Samples

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE This retrospective analysis of data from heroin users screening for clinical research, sought to determine if more naloxone is needed to precipitate opioid withdrawal among those who regularly use heroin with fentanyl, as opposed to those who use heroin without fentanyl. METHODS Over the course of three to five screening visits, participants completed assessments of drug use, along with urine toxicology tests at each visit. To test for opioid dependence, 29 participants completed a modified Wang test (score: 0-150) during which an intramuscular dose of naloxone (0.2-0.4 mg) was administered and the severity of withdrawal was quantified. RESULTS The severity of opioid withdrawal was compared between individuals whose urine toxicology regularly tested positive for fentanyl (N = 15), and those only positive for other opioids (N = 14). No significant differences were found in demographic or drug use between the fentanyl-positive (mean: age 41.1 years, 9.1 bags heroin/d) and fentanyl-negative (42.0 years, 10.0 bags heroin/d) groups. Intramuscular naloxone-precipitated robust withdrawal in both samples (P < .01) with no significant difference (P = .8) in the severity (fentanyl positive [100.6 ± 13.4]; fentanyl negative [82.7 ± 9.6]). CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE These data suggest that a standard naloxone dose can be equally effective at precipitating withdrawal in individuals using heroin with fentanyl compared to heroin without fentanyl. These data contribute to our understanding of how naloxone antagonizes the effects of fentanyl and may have significant implications for the clinical laboratory and opioid overdose. A prospective clinical laboratory study with the proper opioid maintenance controls is needed to provide a more definitive finding. (Am J Addict 2019;00:00-00).
N-Vinyl and N-Aryl Hydroxypyridinium Ions: Charge-Activated Catalysts with Electron-Withdrawing Groups

Charge-enhanced Bronsted acid organocatalysts with electron-withdrawing substituents were synthesized, and their relative acidities were characterized by computations, 1:1 binding equilibrium constants (K1:1) with a UV-vis active sensor, 31P NMR shifts upon coordination with triethylphosphine oxide, and in one case by infrared spectroscopy. Pseudo-first-order rate constants were determined for the Friedel-Crafts alkylations of N-methylindole with trans-β-nitrostyrene and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone and the Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with methyl vinyl ketone. These results along with kinetic isotope effect determinations revealed that the rate-determining step in the Friedel-Crafts transformations can shift from carbon-carbon bond formation to proton transfer to the catalyst's conjugate base. This leads to an inverted parabolic reaction rate profile and slower reactions with more acidic catalysts in some cases. Electron-withdrawing groups placed on the N-vinyl and N-aryl substituents of hydroxypyridinium ion salts lead to enhanced acidities, more acidic catalysts than trifluoroacetic acid, and a linear correlation between the logarithms of the Diels-Alder rate constants and measured K1:1 values.
Obesity and metabolic syndrome correlate with a higher risk of biochemical recurrence in high risk and intermediate risk prostate cancer patients who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

5580Background: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS) is prevalent in our society, and have been linked to a higher incidence of prostate cancer (PCa). The relationship of obesity or MS and cancer co...
A multi-electrode glow discharge ionization source for atomic and molecular mass spectrometry

A new, multi-electrode, liquid sampling glow discharge ionization source for mass spectrometry is described. This ion source consists of multiple (2–4) counter (anode) electrodes in comparison to prior single counter electrode designs of this type. In the experiments presented here these ion sources have been interfaced with ThermoScientific Exactive Orbitrap instruments and Advion Expression Compact Mass Spectrometer instruments. Advantages and analytical performance improvements are described. These include the ability to use higher plasma currents, resulting in a more robust and energetic plasma exhibiting higher sensitivity, lower spectral background, ppt detection limits, and 2–3× faster washout times. A low-cost, 3D printed version of a dual counter electrode design is also described. The ion source can further be utilized in either atomic (elemental/isotopic) or molecular (molecular ion, fragmentation) ionization modes.
Mistrust and Misinformation: A Two-Component, Socio-Epistemic Model of Belief in Conspiracy Theories

Although conspiracy theories are endorsed by about half the population and occasionally turn out to be true, they are more typically false beliefs that, by definition, have a paranoid theme. Consequently, psychological research to date has focused on determining whether there are traits that account for belief in conspiracy theories (BCT) within a deficit model. Alternatively, a two-component, socio-epistemic model of BCT is proposed that seeks to account for the ubiquity of conspiracy theories, their variance along a continuum, and the inconsistency of research findings likening them to psychopathology. Within this model, epistemic mistrust is the core component underlying conspiracist ideation that manifests as the rejection of authoritative information, focuses the specificity of conspiracy theory beliefs, and can sometimes be understood as a sociocultural response to breaches of trust, inequities of power, and existing racial prejudices. Once voices of authority are negated due to mistrust, the resulting epistemic vacuum can send individuals “down the rabbit hole” looking for answers where they are vulnerable to the biased processing of information and misinformation within an increasingly “post-truth” world. The two-component, socio-epistemic model of BCT argues for mitigation strategies that address both mistrust and misinformation processing, with interventions for individuals, institutions of authority, and society as a whole.
Adolescents and Young Adults Have Difficulty Understanding Nicotine Concentration Labels on Vaping Products Presented as mg/mL and Percent Nicotine.

INTRODUCTION E-cigarette e-liquid nicotine concentrations typically are labeled as mg/mL or percent nicotine. We examined whether these metrics accurately convey nicotine strength to young e-cigarette users and if youth can compare concentrations presented in mg/mL and percent nicotine. AIMS AND METHODS Eight hundred and twenty-one adolescent and young adult e-cigarette users participated in the survey. Participants rated nicotine concentration strengths presented as mg/mL (0-60 mg/mL) and percent nicotine (0%-6%) from "no nicotine" to "very high nicotine." Participants also viewed pairs of nicotine concentrations (eg, 18 mg/mL vs. 5%) and indicated which concentration was stronger or if the concentrations were equivalent. RESULTS On average, participants correctly identified 5.92 (2.68) of 18 nicotine strengths, correctly identifying strengths labeled as mg/mL (3.47 [2.03]) more often than percent nicotine (2.45 [1.38], p < .001). Excluding nicotine-free, participants rated concentrations presented as mg/mL as stronger, more addictive, and more harmful than equivalent concentrations presented as percent nicotine. Participants seldom correctly identified that one concentration was stronger or that both were equivalent (7.58 [5.88] of 19 pairings), although they more often correctly identified the stronger concentration when it was presented in mg/mL (4.02 [SD = 3.01]) than in percent nicotine (2.53 [2.73], p < .001). The most consistent predictor of correct answers on these tasks was familiarity with using both products labeled as mg/mL and labeled as percent nicotine. CONCLUSIONS Young e-cigarette users had difficulty understanding nicotine concentrations labeled using the most common metrics, raising concerns about inadvertent exposure to high nicotine levels and suggesting that a more intuitive labeling approach is needed. IMPLICATIONS This study extends prior work showing that young e-cigarette users often are uncertain whether the e-liquids they use contain nicotine by demonstrating that adolescents and young adults have difficulty understanding nicotine concentrations labeled using the two most common metrics (mg/mL and percent nicotine). Errors generally underestimated nicotine strength, and users were not able to accurately compare nicotine concentrations presented as mg/mL and percent nicotine. Difficulty understanding labeling metrics persisted even after accounting for user characteristics like age and vaping experience, suggesting that a novel, easy to understand labeling system is needed to convey information about nicotine strength accurately.
Interstitial fluid velocity is decreased around cortical bone vascular pores and depends on osteocyte position in a rat model of disuse osteoporosis

Muscle paralysis induced with botulinum toxin (Botox) injection increases vascular porosity and reduces osteocyte lacunar density in the tibial cortical bone of skeletally mature rats. These morphological changes potentially affect interstitial fluid flow in the lacunar–canalicular porosity, which is thought to play a role in osteocyte mechanotransduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of disuse-induced morphological changes on interstitial fluid velocity around osteocytes in the bone cortex. Micro-CT images from a previous study that quantified the effects of Botox-induced muscle paralysis on bone microarchitecture in skeletally mature rats were used to create high-resolution, animal-specific finite element models that included the vascular pores and osteocyte lacunae within the tibial metaphysis of Botox-injected (BTX, n = 8) and saline-injected control (CTRL, n = 8) groups. To quantify fluid flow, lacunar and canalicular porosities were modeled as fluid-saturated poroelastic materials, and boundary conditions were applied to simulate physiological loading. This modeling approach allowed a detailed quantification of the fluid flow velocities around osteocytes in a relatively large volume of bone tissue. The analysis demonstrated that interstitial fluid velocity at the vascular pore surfaces was significantly lower in BTX compared to CTRL because of the decreased vascular canal separation. No significant differences in average fluid velocity were observed at the osteocyte lacunae and no correlation was found between the fluid velocity and the lacunar density, which was significantly lower in BTX. Instead, the lacunar fluid velocity was dependent on the osteocyte’s specific position in the bone cortex and its proximity to a vascular pore.
MetaHDR: Model-Agnostic Meta-Learning for HDR Image Reconstruction.

Capturing scenes with a high dynamic range is crucial to reproducing images that appear similar to those seen by the human visual system. Despite progress in developing data-driven deep learning approaches for converting low dynamic range images to high dynamic range images, existing approaches are limited by the assumption that all conversions are governed by the same nonlinear mapping. To address this problem, we propose "Model-Agnostic Meta-Learning for HDR Image Reconstruction" (MetaHDR), which applies meta-learning to the LDR-to-HDR conversion problem using existing HDR datasets. Our key novelty is the reinterpretation of LDR-to-HDR conversion scenes as independently sampled tasks from a common LDR-to-HDR conversion task distribution. Naturally, we use a meta-learning framework that learns a set of meta-parameters which capture the common structure consistent across all LDR-to-HDR conversion tasks. Finally, we perform experimentation with MetaHDR to demonstrate its capacity to tackle challenging LDR-to-HDR image conversions. Code and pretrained models are available at this https URL.
Feedback Focused: A Learner- and Teacher-Centered Curriculum to Improve the Feedback Exchange in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship.

Introduction Learners consistently report insufficient feedback, despite interventions to improve the quantity and quality of feedback. Effective feedback requires a dynamic partnership and a trust...
The historical geography of Azemmour: environment and empire on the Moroccan Atlantic coast

This article examines the social history of the Moroccan city of Azemmour and its hinterland during the two decades straddling the establishment of the French Protectorate in 1912. The town’s uniqu...
Research on Reduced-Order Modeling of Droop Controlled Inverter Suitable for Analysis of Transient Characteristics

Under the background of a large number of converters connected to the power grid, the converter’s weak overcurrent capability and poor anti-interference ability bring challenges and hidden dangers to the transient safe and stable operation of the power grid. It is urgent to carry out the transient characteristics analysis of the converter. Numerical simulation calculation is an important means to study transient characteristics. However, numerical simulation is time-consuming and poor in generality, which greatly limits the study of transient characteristics of systems with multiple converters. In this paper, the vertical control is the object, and the inverter reduced-order simplified model suitable for different transient stability problems is studied. First, a full-order model of the droop control inverter is established, and the singular perturbation method is used to complete the extraction of system characteristic roots and the analysis of participating factors. Then, according to the droop control of the inverter’s power angle, voltage, and frequency transient response process, accuracy and rapidity are selected as the goals, and a reduced-order simplified model suitable for different transient stability analysis is obtained. The transient characteristic analysis of the numerical simulation of the converter system provides a reduced order reference.
Step length estimation with wearable sensors using a switched-gain nonlinear observer

Abstract This paper focuses on step length estimation using inertial measurement sensors. Accurate step length estimation has a number of useful health applications, including its use in characterizing the postural instability of Parkinson’s disease patients. Three different sensor configurations are studied using sensors on the shank and/or thigh of a human subject. The estimation problem has several challenges due to unknown measurement bias, misalignment of the sensors on the body and the desire to use a minimum number of sensors. A nonlinear estimation problem is formulated that aims to estimate shank angle, thigh angle, bias parameters of the inertial sensors and step lengths. A nonlinear observer is designed using Lyapunov analysis and requires solving an LMI to find a stabilizing observer gain. It turns out that global stability over the entire operating region can only be obtained by using switched gains, one gain for each piecewise monotonic region of the nonlinear output function. Experimental results are presented on the performance of the nonlinear observer and compared with gold standard reference measurements from an infrared camera capture system. An innovative technique that utilizes three sensors is shown to provide a step length accuracy nearly equal to that of the four-sensor configuration.
Cable Suspended Large-Scale Field Phenotyping Facility for High-Throughput Phenotyping Research

Field-based high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) research has evolved rapidly in recent years. Various HTP platforms are developed with the aim of improving the phenotyping efficiency for plant breeding. To the best of our knowledge, field HTP systems, which have been widely integrated into breeding research, have not been reported yet. In this chapter, we started explaining why researchers are doing this research and briefly introduced the state of arts of the development of different types of field HTP systems. A general comparison between large-scale ground systems, ground vehicles, and aerial platforms was also carried out based on their pros and cons. Then, we introduced a cable suspended large-scale HTP facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which has been used as a core research facility to explore different research frontiers in field HTP research. The integration of the hardware and software, the information of onboard instruments, and its unique features were described. We also showed several innovative datasets captured by the system at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Phenotypic parameters at canopy and leaf levels can be retrieved from these datasets, which would deepen our understanding of the interactions between genetics, phenomics, and the growing environment. At last, we end this chapter with a concise summary and truly believe that all relevant research progress in this field will incubate new generations of field HTP systems, which could dramatically increase the efficiency of field phenotyping for plant breeding at an unprecedented scale.
Why Spay Heifers

The price spread between steers and heifers is the most important reason buyers purchase market heifers. To illustrate this price difference consider the following information summarized from a marketing study reported in 1979 comparing steer and heifer prices:11. The average heifer calf was worth about $58.00 less than the average steer calf due to weight and price. 2. Feeder heifers sold for about 15% less than feeder steers of similar quality.3. Fat heifers sold for approximately 4% less than fat steers of comparative quality.4. Heifer carcasses were valued at approximately 5% less than steer carcasses. This price differential is a strong indication that most stocker and feeder cattle buyers have a strong preference for steers. A further look at market prices also shows that slaughter steers consistently sell for more per hundred weight than comparative fat heifers. Why?
The utility of calibration - Landsat 4 TM simulator data, Patrick Draw, Wyoming

A novel calibration approach was used for Landsat 4 TM simulator data acquired at the Patrick Draw test site, Wyoming, where the 'true' reflectance spectrum for any pixel area cannot be practically determined because of mixing of spectral components. An empirically derived function was first applied to the scanner data to remove the brightness gradient due to directional scattering and surface geometry. Based on the observation that the distribution of scanner brightness values (DN) were Gaussian, the minimum, mean, and maximum DN for each band were extracted and plotted versus the similar percent reflectance values determined from a large representative collection of field reflectance data for the area. These plots provided linear transformations relating DN value to reflectance in each band.
Infrared spectra of CO2-H2 complexes.

Infrared spectra of weakly bound CO2–H2 complexes have been studied in the region of the CO2 v3 asymmetric stretch, using a tunable diode laser probe and a pulsed supersonic jet expansion. For CO2–paraH2, results were obtained for three isotopic species, C12O216, C13O216, and C12O218. These spectra were analyzed using an asymmetric rotor Hamiltonian, with results that resembled those obtained previously for OCS– and N2O–paraH2, except that half the rotational levels were missing due to the symmetry of CO2 and the spin statistics of the O16 or O18 nuclei. However, for CO2–orthoH2, more complicated spectra were observed which could not be assigned, in contrast with OCS– and N2O–H2 where the paraH2 and orthoH2 spectra were similar, though distinct. The CO2–paraH2 complex has a T-shaped structure with and intermolecular distance of about 3.5 A, and the CO2 v3 vibration exhibits a small redshift (−0.20cm−1) in the complex.
Influence of Sowing Properties on Winter Oilseed Rape in a Sub-humid Mediterranean Environment

The effects of three row spacings (17.5, 35.0 and 52.5 cm) and four seeding rates (100, 200, 300 and 400 viable seeds m-2) on seed yield and some yield components of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) were evaluated under rainfed conditions in Bursa, Turkey in the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 growing seasons. Row spacing and seeding rate significantly affected most yield components measured. The number of plants per unit area increased with increasing seeding rate and decreasing row spacing. Greater plant heights were obtained from narrow row spacings and higher seeding rates. Narrow row spacings and higher seeding rates reduced the number of primary branches and the number of pods per terminal raceme. Also, the number of seeds per pod and 1000-seed weight were not affected by either row spacing or seeding rate. In contrast, the number of pods per plant clearly increased with increasing row spacing but decreased with increasing seeding rate. The highest seed yields were obtained for the 17.5 cm row spacing (1709.2 kg ha-1) and 200-seeds m-2 seeding rate (1721.4 kg ha-1).
Mechanizing Logical Relations

We give an algorithm for deciding whether there exists a definable element of a finite model of an applied typed lambda calculus that passes certain tests, in the special case when all the constants and test arguments are of order at most one. When there is such an element, the algorithm outputs a term that passes the tests; otherwise, the algorithm outputs a logical relation that demonstrates the nonexistence of such an element. Several example applications of the C implementation of this algorithm are considered.
Who Do You Say That I Am? A History of How Religion Communicators Have Often Avoided “Public Relations”

ABSTRACTThis article argues that Religion Communicators Council members have historically avoided identification with public relations—especially practices associated with Edward Bernays. Council members appear to consider Bernays’ research-based approach evil and manipulative. Instead, religion communicators follow in Ivy Lee's footsteps. The one-time journalist promised to provide honest, accurate news about his clients, not advertising. Comments in council documents have shown that since 1929 members describe themselves more as technicians and in-house journalists who provide news about their organizations than as management-level public relations counsels. These comments reflect Lee's 1905 Declaration of Principles and a public-information approach to public relations.
A review of advances in prescreening for teratogenic hazards

During the past several years there has been a marked increase of interest in, and attention to, reproductive and developmental toxicology. Knowledge that reproductive capacity and embryonic development can be altered by environmental and other factors is not new though it has expanded considerably, perhaps due in part to increased public awareness and expanded research efforts. Coupled with this awareness is the fact that women are entering the workplace at an increasing rate and in a wider variety of settings. In contemporary society the fact of pregnancy does not necessarily preclude gainful employment any more than it has ever precluded the considerable work of the homemaker. Taken together, these factors tend to focus attention on considerations of reproductive effects. All parties are aware that both the primary and secondary organs of reproduction maybe vulnerable to the toxic action of specific agents just as may any other organ or organ system.
Dislocation reduction in CdTe/Si by molecular beam epitaxy through in-situ annealing

Abstract The relatively high dislocation density of HgCdTe material grown on CdTe/Si by MBE has become a major roadblock toward achieving high operability of LWIR HgCdTe/Si FPAs. One approach to mitigate this problem is to reduce the dislocation density of the underlying CdTe/Si composite substrate, which is currently about two orders higher than that of bulk CdZnTe. In this paper, we will report on our systematic study of in-situ cyclic annealing of CdTe/Si and its impact on dislocation density. We observed a two orders of magnitude reduction of dislocation density on in-situ annealed CdTe/Si with respect to un-annealed CdTe/Si. The degree of reduction is proportional to the number of annealing cycles applied during the growth run. Depth profiling of the dislocation density of CdTe/Si layers with and without in-situ cyclic annealing has also been investigated. We do not observe the conventional 1/ h behavior of the dislocation density for layers grown without any thermal treatment. In contrast, for the layer grown with in-situ cyclic annealing, we observe an exponential decay of dislocation density as a function of layer thickness. However, we also observe a saturation of dislocation density in low to mid 10 5 cm −2 , regardless of the annealing temperature and number of the cycles used during annealing.
Urban planning in the Asia port city: Madras, an overview, 1920‐1970

(1979). Urban planning in the Asia port city: Madras, an overview, 1920‐1970. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies: Vol. 2, No. 1-2, pp. 30-45.
New Alleles of the Yeast MPS1 Gene Reveal Multiple Requirements in Spindle Pole Body Duplication

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Mps1p protein kinase is critical for both spindle pole body (SPB) duplication and the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint. The mps1–1mutation causes failure early i...
Identification of relict forsterite grains in forsterite-rich chondrules from the Mokoia CV3 carbonaceous chondrite

Magnesium-rich forsterite grains (>Fo 98 ) in FeO-poor chondrules show variations in cathodoluminescence (CL) intensity that are associated closely with variations in Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 contents. CL thus can be used to map the distribution of Al and Ti in individual grains. We describe several categories of CL distribution, including grains that are homogeneous, grains that are zoned continuously, grains that show oscillatory zoning, and grains that show a heterogeneous distribution of CL intensity. Heterogeneous CL intensity is interpreted as the result of disequilibrium growth from the chondrule melt. CL surveys of individual chondrules help to identify forsterite grains that are potentially relics in their host chondrules, i.e., grains that did not crystallize in situ from the chondrule melt. Several of these grains show minor-element variations that differ from the majority of melt-grown grains in their host chondrules: this observation supports the inference that they are relics. Little evidence exists for growth of individual grains in multiple brief heating episodes. Identification of the abundance of relict grains is important for determining the thermal histories of chondrules as well as the nature of the precursor assemblages from which they formed.
A high-resolution mass-identification system for heavy ions☆

Abstract A ΔE − E surface-barrier detector time-of-flight telescope in heavy-ion reactions yields 150 keV energy resolution and 84 ps time resolution in routine operation. Fast analog circuitry, pile-up rejection, and direct computer-memory access allow high count rates that are desirable for the study of heavy-ion transfer reactions at extreme forward angles.