cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The mechanism of propagation of impulse creepage in oil

The results of a study of the propagation mechanism of impulse creepage discharges over oil-immersed Kraft board is reported in this paper. This study was carried out using Leica and high-speed Boys cameras to record the progression of the discharges and using a special probe technique to measure the discharge potentials at various points along the channel. The electrode configuration used in these experiments consisted of a rod electrode on one side of a sheet of one-eighth inch Kraft board and a grounded copper surface deposited on the opposite side. Capacitance probes were imbedded in the copper surface to measure the approximate potentials of streamers passing along the rod side of the insulation. Impulse waves (1.5 × 7000 μsec) were applied to the rod at 120 kv which was about three times the corona starting level. The entire test structure was placed in a lucite tank filled with commercial quality insulating oil. Photographs of the discharges were made through the walls of the tank by means of a slit and mirror arrangement. The Kraft board insulation used in these tests was first impregnated with oil under vacuum, and transferred to the testing tank just before tests were begun.
Online gain switching algorithm for joint position control of a hydraulic humanoid robot

This paper proposes a gain switching algorithm for joint position control of a hydraulic humanoid robot. Accurate position control of the lower body is one of the basic requirements for robust balance and walking control. Joint position control is more difficult for hydraulic robots than it is for electric robots because of a slower actuator time constant and the back-drivability of hydraulic joints. Backdrivability causes external forces and torques to have a large effect on the position of the joints. External ground reaction forces therefore prevent a simple proportional-derivative (PD) controller from realizing accurate joint position control. We propose a state feedback controller for joint position control of the lower body, define three modes of state feedback gains, and switch the gains according to the zero moment point (ZMP) using linear interpolation. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated with a dynamic simulation of a hydraulic humanoid.
Loss of Krüppel-Like Factor 4 (KLF4) Leads to Increased Self-Renewal Under Stress Conditions and Improved Survival of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Abstract Abstract 861 Hematopoiesis is a highly regulated process in which a small number of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) generate all mature blood cells. In order to preserve homeostasis of the hematopoietic system throughout lifetime, this pool of HSC must be maintained by the processes of self-renewal and survival. Self-renewal requires a coordination of survival signals and control of proliferation uncoupled from differentiation. Even though extrinsic signals from the microenvironment and cell-intrinsic regulators are required for self-renewal of HSCs, the intricate transcriptional machinery that selectively regulates HSC self-renewal and survival is still poorly understood. Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc-finger transcription factor that regulates proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and self-renewal. The role of KLF4 in reprogramming adult somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells along with OCT3/4, c-Myc and SOX2 suggests that KLF4 is required for preservation of an undifferentiated state. To investigate the function of KLF4 in HSC maintenance, we used conditional Klf4 knockout mice (Klf4fl/fl Vav-iCre+) to specifically delete KLF4 gene in hematopoietic cells. We first analyzed the frequency of HSC and progenitor cells in the bone marrow (BM) of Klf4fl/fl Vav-iCre– (control) and Klf4fl/fl Vav-iCre+ (knockout) by flow cytometry. We found that KLF4 deficiency leads to a 2.4-fold increase in the number of long-term HSC (Lin–Sca-1+c-Kit+ CD150+ CD48–) and a 2.2-fold increase in short-term HSC compartements (Lin–Sca-1+c-Kit+ CD150+ CD48+) whereas no significant changes were found in myeloid and lymphoid progenitor cells. Consistent with this phenotypic analysis, KLF4 expression in HSC is higher than hematopoietic progenitor cells and mature lineages (n=3; P Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Study of Plasma Disruption During the Ignited Phase in a Single-Turn Tokamak Fusion Experiment

Major disruptions are an important impediment to improve tokamak plasma performance and a critical design consideration of tokamak ignition devices. Ignited plasma disruptions are studied in the IG...
Assessing the Risk of Engineered Nanomaterials in the Environment: Development and Application of the nanoFate Model

We developed a dynamic multimedia fate and transport model (nanoFate) to predict the time-dependent accumulation of metallic engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) across environmental media. nanoFate considers a wider range of processes and environmental subcompartments than most previous models and considers ENM releases to compartments (e.g., urban, agriculture) in a manner that reflects their different patterns of use and disposal. As an example, we simulated ten years of release of nano CeO2, CuO, TiO2, and ZnO in the San Francisco Bay area. Results show that even soluble metal oxide ENMs may accumulate as nanoparticles in the environment in sufficient concentrations to exceed the minimum toxic threshold in freshwater and some soils, though this is more likely with high-production ENMs such as TiO2 and ZnO. Fluctuations in weather and release scenario may lead to circumstances where predicted ENM concentrations approach acute toxic concentrations. The fate of these ENMs is to mostly remain either aggregated...
Heart rate, serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotype, and violence in an incarcerated sample

Abstract Purpose The current study tested the association between officially recorded criminal behavior and the interaction of heart rate with serotonin transporter genotype. Methods Data were gathered from an incarcerated sample of males in a large city jail in the southern United States (n = 90). Arrest rates for violence and property crime were considered separately. Results The interaction between low heart rate and 5-HTTLPR L/L genotype was associated with arrest rates for violence, but not property offenses. Higher arrest rates for violence occurred among individuals with both low resting heart rate and the 5-HTTLPR L/L genotype. Conclusion Individual differences in risk for violent behavior may be influenced by the interaction of multiple biological substrates.
Magnetic resonance imaging of myocardial ischemia and infarction in experimental animal models

Experimental animal studies have demonstrated that changes occur in T1 and T2 relaxation, proton density and flow signal as a result of myocardial infarction and reperfusion [1, 2]. These parameters are mainly responsible for the changes in signal intensity on the magnetic resonance (MR) images. The change in signal intensity produced by myocardial ischemia is less than with infarction, and an MR contrast agent is usually required to enhance image contrast between ischemic and normal myocardium [3]. The ability of MR imaging to separate the various acute coronary syndromes has been addressed [4, 5], but requires further experimentation [4]. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the experimental data that is presently available regarding myocardial ischemia, infarction and reperfusion, and to indicate how these studies can be helpful in enhancing the potential of MR imaging for the characterization of coronary artery disease in the human subject. Already, it has been clearly demonstrated that recent myocardial infarction can be distinguished in humans and some estimation of the size of the infarction can be made [6, 7, 8]. The ability to differentiate viable from nonviable myocardium, and the place of MR contrast agents in helping to distinguish these conditions will require further animal experimentation. These studies will be useful in determining the place of MR imaging in the assessment of patients following acute myocardial ischemic events.
Narrating Historical Injustice: Political Responsibility and the Politics of Memory:

Memory and justice are intricately linked. To adequately address historical wrongs, liberal democracies must engage the past. Historical memory provides a connective tissue between past wrongs and ...
Self-Retrieval Practice of the Cranial-Nerve Table During a Gross Anatomy Class Review

The complexity of remembering basic factual knowledge, an early, sometimes discouraging necessity in dental and medical education, is often under-appreciated. Here, we outline a pedagogical application of self-retrieval, an efficient technique for improving memorization, in gross anatomy course. We provided students with a table concisely summarizing primary features of the cranial nerves, and particularly emphasizing their seven functional components. This table served as a scaffold through which students could manage their own learning of innervation in the head. Students overwhelmingly reported positive feedback about this table, describing it as an important tool for coherently integrating a daunting array of information.
High-precision CRISPR-Cas9 base editors with minimized bystander and off-target mutations

Recently described base editor (BE) technology, which uses CRISPR-Cas9 to direct cytidine deaminase enzymatic activity to specific genomic loci, enables the highly efficient introduction of precise cytidine-to-thymidine (C to T) DNA alterations in many different cell types and organisms. In contrast to genome-editing nucleases, BEs avoid the need to introduce double-strand breaks or exogenous donor DNA templates and induce lower levels of unwanted variable-length insertion/deletion mutations (indels). However, existing BEs can also efficiently create unwanted C to T alterations when more than one C is present within the five base pair "editing window" of these proteins, a lack of precision that can cause potentially deleterious bystander mutations. Mutations in the cytidine deaminase enzyme can shorten the length of the editing window and thereby partially address this limitation but these BE variants still do not discriminate among multiple cytidines within the narrowed window and also possess a more limited targeting range. Here, we describe an alternative strategy for reducing bystander mutations using a novel BE architecture that harbors an engineered human APOBEC3A (eA3A) domain, which preferentially deaminates cytidines according to a TCR>TCY>VCN (V = G, A, C, Y = C, T) hierarchy. In direct comparisons with the widely used BE3 fusion in human cells, our eA3A-BE3 fusion exhibits comparable activities on cytidines in TC motifs but greatly reduced or no significant editing on cytidines in other sequence contexts. Importantly, we show that eA3A-BE3 can correct a human beta-thalassemia promoter mutation with much higher (>40-fold) precision than BE3, substantially minimizing the creation of an undesirable bystander mutation. Surprisingly, we also found that eA3A-BE3 shows reduced mutation frequencies on known off-target sites of BE3, even when targeting promiscuous homopolymeric sites. Our results validate a general strategy to improve the precision of base editors by engineering their cytidine deaminases to possess greater sequence specificity, an important proof-of-principle that should motivate the development of a larger suite of new base editors with such properties.
Risk factors for 5-year prospective height loss among postmenopausal women.

AbstractObjective:Height loss is common in older women and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In this study, we identified factors that could predict prospective height loss in postmenopausal women.Methods:Height was measured in 1,024 postmenopausal women, enrolled in the Bu
We Have Interesting Problems: Some Applied Grand Challenges from Digital Libraries, Archives and Museums

Libraries, Archives and Museums now have massive digital holdings. There is tremendous potential for library and information science, computer science and computer engineering researchers to partner with cultural heritage institutions and make our digital cultural record more useful and usable. In particular, there is a significant need to bridge basic research in areas such as computer vision, crowdsourcing, natural language processing, multilingual OCR, and machine learning to make this work directly usable in the practices of cultural heritage institutions. In this talk, I discuss a series of exemplar projects, largely funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services National Digital Platform initiative, that illustrate some key principles for building applied research partnerships with cultural heritage institutions. Building on Ben Schniderman's The New ABCs of Research: Achieving Breakthrough Collaborations, I focus specifically on why the public purpose and missions of cultural heritage institutions are particularly valuable in establishing new kinds of collaborations that can simultaneously advance basic research and the ability for people of the world to engage with their cultural record.
A journey to excellence in process safety management

Abstract The benefits of achieving excellence in process safety are multifold: it reduces the probability of chemical incidents, mitigates the consequences of incidents when they occur, and provides effective emergency response. In addition, excellence in process safety contributes to sustainability, quality, and improved productivity. While most people would agree with these overarching concepts, the more important question is what are the ingredients for excellence in process safety? Even more important is that once an organization accomplishes this level of performance, what actions or programs are needed to maintain that level in perpetuity? This review tracks issues that hinder the achievement of excellence and provides solutions to remove them through the development and implementation of programs aimed at accomplishing and maintaining that excellence. Often incidents are linked to internal organizational issues; but the journey to excellence in process safety starts with external influences as well as commitment from the highest levels of leadership from within the company. Starting from the importance of appropriate regulations, and how they should be developed, this paper discusses what individual organizations can do in terms of setting and enforcing strict operational discipline, ensuring competency of all personnel, and learning and implementing the learnings from past incidents for pushing forward on process safety performance.
Regulation of sarcolemmal Ca2+ pump by endogenous protein phosphatases.

The function of several key sarcolemmal proteins is modulated through phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of serine/threonine residues. While the involvement of sarcolemma-associated protein kinases in the phosphorylation of these proteins has been established, the nature of the protein phosphatases controlling these proteins has not been investigated. Rat heart sarcolemma contains two protein phosphatase isozymes, protein phosphatase 1 and 2A, which are distinguished on the basis of their susceptibility of inhibitor 2. Both isozymes elute from a Bio Gel A-0.5 column in association with the highest molecular weight protein fraction. However, some protein phosphatase 1 activity elutes with a smaller molecular weight fraction of about 37000, suggesting that the native enzyme exists as a catalytic subunit in complex with an anchor protein. Inhibition of the protein phosphatases using standard inhibitors leads to a stimulation in both the rate and extent of32P incorporation into isolated sarcolemma. Also affected by inhibition of protein phosphatase activity is the rate of ATP-dependent calcium uptake, which is stimulated following exposure to either inhibitor 2, a classical protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor, and microcystin, a protein phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitor. The data suggest that the protein phosphatases regulate the dephosphorylation of sarcolemmal proteins Through this mechanism they serve as important modulators of the sarcolemmal Ca2+ pump.
A Method for Improving the Accuracy of Polynomial Regression Analysis

This paper presents a method for improving the accuracy of polynomial regression analysis. It is applicable when the relationship being investigated is between one independent and one dependent variable.The least squares equation which best "fits&q..
The Effect of Random Material Density on Reactor Criticality

In this paper within the context of one-group diffusion theory, the authors discuss the effect of randomness (stochasticity) on the criticality of a bare nuclear reactor. Previous authors have concluded that randomness decreases the critical size for a given amount of fuel, and that such randomness, when introduced into a homogeneous critical reactor, leads most probably to a supercritical state. By considering a sufficiently simple stochastic problem so that exact results can be obtained, we judge these prior conclusions to be only partially correct. The authors show that the effect of randomness on a criticality problem depends on both the nature of the randomness and the ensemble-averaging procedure and interpretation used to describe the reactor in the stochastic setting.
Revealing structural involvement of chromophores in algal light harvesting complexes using symmetry-adapted perturbation theory.

Abstract The attribution of quantum beats observed in the time-resolved spectroscopy of photosynthetic light-harvesting antennae to nontrivial quantum coherences has sparked a flurry of research activity beginning a decade ago. Even though investigations into the functional aspects of photosynthetic light-harvesting were supported by X-ray crystal structures, the non-covalent interactions between pigments and their local protein environment that drive such function has yet to be comprehensively explored. Using symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT), we have comprehensively determined the magnitude and compositions of these non-covalent interactions involving light-harvesting chromophores in two quintessential photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes — peridinin chlorophyll-a protein (PCP) from dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae and phycocyanin 645 (PC645) from cryptophyte Chroomonas mesostigmatica. In PCP, the chlorophylls are dispersion-bound to the peridinins, which in turn are electrostatically anchored to the protein scaffold via their polar terminal rings. This might be an evolutionary design principle in which the relative orientation of the carotenoids towards the aqueous environment determines the arrangement of the other chromophores in carotenoid-based antennas. On the other hand, electrostatics dominate the non-covalent interactions in PC645. Our ab initio simulations also suggest full protonation of the PC645 chromophores in physiological conditions, and that changes to their protonation states result in their participation as switches between folded and unfolded conformations.
Abstract P295: Ambulatory Blood Pressure And Heart Rate Variability In Dietary Sodium And Weight Intervention

Blood pressure (BP) fluctuates due to complex interactions between genetic factors and environmental stimulation. BP variability (BPV) is a physiological phenomenon, as a measure of hemodynamic con...
Taking case out of the Person-Case Constraint

The Person-Case Constraint (pcc) is a restriction on co-occurring weak pronominal direct (do) and indirect objects (io) that restricts the person value of the do. This article presents a previously unnoticed variant of the pcc found in Slovenian, where the canonical pcc operates alongside a reverse pcc, where the restriction applies to the io. This pattern is not predicted by standard syntactic approaches to the pcc (which rely on inherent asymmetries between the io and do). It is argued that the pcc (in all its forms) arises with pronouns that are inherently unspecified for a person value and need to receive it externally from a functional head via Agree. The structurally higher pronoun blocks the structurally lower pronoun from receiving a person value, giving rise to the pcc. The reverse pcc then arises due to optional do-over-io clitic movement prior to person valuation. The proposed analysis is shown to capture cross-linguistic variation regarding the pcc including the Strong/Weak pcc split, which is attributed to a variation in the structure of pronouns. The article also establishes a cross-linguistic typology of the reverse pcc, where the reverse pcc exists exclusively as an optional pattern alongside the baseline pcc pattern.
From the taxi drivers’ rear-view mirror: Masculinity, marginality and sexual violence in India’s capital city, Delhi

The Delhi Gang Rape and other public sexual violence cases have led Delhi to acquire the dubious distinction of being called India’s ‘rape capital’. This has been accompanied by an outcry for guara...
Composing Community in Late Medieval Music: Self-Reference, Pedagogy, and Practice

When we sing lines in which a fifteenth-century musician uses ethereal polyphony to complain mundanely about money or hoarseness, more than half a millennium melts away. Equally intriguing are moments in which we experience solmization puns. These familiar worries and surprising jests break down temporal distances, humanizing the lives and endeavors of our musical forebears. Yet many instances of self-reference occur within otherwise serious pieces. Are these simply in-jokes, or are there more meaningful messages we risk neglecting if we dismiss them as comic relief? Music historian Jane D. Hatter takes seriously the pervasiveness of these features. Divided into two sections, this study considers pieces with self-referential features in the texts separately from discussions of pieces based on musical self-referential elements. Examining connections between self-referential repertoire from the years 1450–1530 and similar self-referential creations for painters' guilds, reveals musicians' agency in forming the first communities of early modern composers.
Development and Application of a Thin Flat Heat Pipe Design Optimization Tool for Small Satellite Systems

With easier access to space and the increasing integration of power-dense components, small-scale thermal management solutions are in-demand for small satellite systems. Due to the strict mass and volume requirements commanded by such power-dense small spacecraft, heat pipes with thin and flat architectures provide a nearly ideal solution for the efficient transfer and dissipation of heat. Unlike traditional heat pipes, however, the performance of thin heat pipes is heavily dependent on detailed internal parameters, including the vapor core geometry and structural mechanics characteristics. In this study, the development and testing of a new computational modeling and optimization tool for the design of thin heat pipes is presented. The computational model is described in detail and includes parameters that define properties of the liquid wick, vapor core, and structural case. This model is coupled to a gradient-based optimization procedure that minimizes a multi-objective cost function expressed as a weighted sum of the total temperature drop, maximum heat dissipation, mass, and structural deflection for a range of operating conditions. The model is then used to optimize the design of a copper-methanol flat heat pipe applied to a small satellite mission. The flat heat pipe design is optimized with respect to both cold and hot orbital conditions.
Effects of carton material and storage temperature on the flavor of UHT-sterilized milk.

Ultra-high-temperature sterilized milk packaged in aluminum foil-lined or plain polyethylene-lined cartons was stored 1.5 months at 4 C in the dark or 22 C under fluorescent light. Five trained judges found milk at 4 C was not as stale and thus had a more acceptable flavor than milk at 22 C. Flavor of milk in aluminum foil-lined cartons was not as good as freshly pasteurized milk, but superior to milk in polyethylene-lined cartons. Increases in off-flavor intensity paralleled increases in concentrations of n-pentanal and an unidentified neutral volatile compound. A 24-member, untrained consumer taste-panel preferred the flavor of freshly pasteurized milk to 3-month-old commercial or 6-month-old experimental ultra-high-temperature sterilized milks in aluminum foil-lined cartons, which in turn were preferred over 6-month-old experimental ultra-high-temperature sterilized milk in polyethylene-lined cartons.
Pharmacokinetic methods for TDM data analysis and optimal individualization of drug dosage regimens

Abstract When a drug has a narrow margin of safety and requires therapeutic drug monitoring or management, we must keep its dosage not too low, but not too high. We will see more clearly what this means as we go on. If it is too low, the result may be a poor effect. If too high, the patient may become toxic. We must carefully individualize the dosage for each patient, to achieve most precisely a specific target goal (not a range!) which we judge is clinically most appropriate for his or her unique need, such as a serum concentration or effect (a target prothrombin time or INR, for example, and not just one range for everyone, as is the case now), its profile over time, a desired area under the serum concentration curve, or the response of a biomarker.
Ethical Concerns in the Care of Patients with Advanced Kidney Disease: a National Retrospective Study, 2000-2011.

Understanding ethical concerns that arise in the care of patients with advanced kidney disease may help identify opportunities to support medical decision-making. To describe the clinical contexts and types of ethical concerns that arise in the care of patients with advanced kidney disease. Retrospective cohort study. A total of 28,568 Veterans with advanced kidney disease between 2000 and 2009 followed through death or 2011. Clinical scenarios that prompted clinicians to consider an ethics consultation as documented in the medical record. Dialysis initiation, dialysis discontinuation, receipt of an intensive procedure during the final month of life, and hospice enrollment. Patients had a mean age of 67.1 years, and the majority were male (98.5%) and white (59.0%). Clinicians considered an ethics consultation for 794 patients (2.5%) over a median follow-up period of 2.7 years. Ethical concerns involved code status (37.8%), dialysis (54.5%), other invasive treatments (40.6%), and noninvasive treatments (61.1%) and were related to conflicts between patients, their surrogates, and/or clinicians about treatment preferences (79.3%), who had authority to make healthcare decisions (65.9%), and meeting the care needs of patients versus obligations to others (10.6%). Among the 20,583 patients who died during follow-up, those for whom clinicians had considered an ethics consultation were less likely to have been treated with dialysis (47.6% versus 62.0%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.63, 95% CI 0.53–0.74), more likely to have discontinued dialysis (32.5% versus 20.9%, aOR 2.07, CI 1.61–2.66), and less likely to have received an intensive procedure in the last month of life (8.9% versus 18.9%, aOR 0.41, CI 0.32–0.54) compared with patients without documentation of clinicians having considered consultation. Clinicians considered an ethics consultation for patients with advanced kidney disease in situations of conflicting preferences regarding dialysis and other intensive treatments, especially when these treatments were not pursued.
Cadaveric Evaluation of Myelinated Nerve Fiber Count in the Nerve to the Gracilis Muscle in Relation to Use as a Free Functional Muscle Transfer for Elbow Flexion.

Background Optimizing axon count is essential for successful nerve transfer surgery, and a donor-to-recipient axon count ratio greater than 0.7:1 has been associated with improved outcomes. A gracilis free functioning muscle transfer (FFMT) is an option to restore elbow flexion, but its axon count has not been evaluated. Our aim was to quantify the axon count of the nerve to the gracilis muscle. Methods The nerve to the gracilis was dissected in 10 fresh frozen adult cadaveric hindquarter specimens (four females and six males). The length of the nerve to the gracilis was measured and a biopsy taken. A validated histologic preparation technique was utilized, and axons were counted. The mean length and axon counts were calculated. Results The average axon count in the nerve to the gracilis was 818 (range = 684–1,000, standard deviation [SD] = 116). The average length was 98 mm (range = 81–115 mm, SD = 13 mm). Conclusion Our study found the average axon count in the nerve to the gracilis was 818. Prior literature suggests axon count ratio greater than 0.7:1 is associated with better clinical outcomes. Using data from prior studies, the spinal accessory, three intercostal, and two intercostal nerves are all sufficient for the transfer to the nerve to the gracilis with donor to recipient ratios of 1.7:1, 1.3:1, and 0.9:1, respectively.
Keindahan dalam Disabilitas: Sebuah Konstruksi Teologi Disabilitas Intelektual

This article challenges conceptions of intellectual disability that view such conditions from the perspective of normalcy. In Indonesia, conversations of theological anthropology still employ a medical model lens, which perceives disability merely as bodily and intellectual impairments, thus failing the standard of "normal." Normalcy unilaterally defines disability and dictates normative approaches toward persons with disabilities. Consequently, persons with disabilities are perceived in Indonesia as mere objects of charity to be pitied. On the other hand, they remain susceptible to suffering violence. These trends owing to the fact that Indonesian society does not adequately provide either tangible resource considerations or sufficient social support. Lacunae in the theological literature concerning disability in Indonesian contexts foment in the life of the church further challenges for persons with disabilities. For persons there with intellectual disabilities, in particular, the situation is even more severe, as their condition is regarded as a kind of punishment for sin and further stigmatized as abnormal. This article offers a constructive theology of disability to dismantle the myth of normalcy, which reduces persons with disabilities to being merely impaired organisms within society. Theological musings on the beauty of all creation, the perichoretic relationship within the Trinity, the doctrines of imago Dei and imago Christi are taken up in this essay, to offer an inclusive theology expressly for persons with intellectual disabilities.
Arthroscopic Tool Classification using Deep Learning

Shoulder arthroscopy is a common surgery to diagnose and treat tears to improve patient's quality of life. Quality of cleaning the tear during shoulder arthroscopy significantly affects the outcome of the surgery. Appropriate cleaning is necessary to reduce healing time and avoid feature pain in the area. In this paper, we used convolutional neural networks to automatically differentiate between two tools-electrocautery and shaver tools- that are used during the cleaning phase of a shoulder arthroscopy. We captured images from the actual shoulder arthroscopy videos. We used 8,691 images that contain the shaver tool, 7,773 images that contain the electrocautery tool, and 4,834 images that contain no tools. Our results showed that average accuracy of our model is 99.1(+/- 0.49) %. For the electrocautery tool precision and sensitivity was calculated as 0.988 and 0. 988, respectively. For the shaver tool precision and sensitivity was calculated as 0.993 and 0. 988, respectively. For the no tool scenes precision and sensitivity was calculated as 1.0 and 1. 0, respectively.
Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision

This chapter is intended to provide an introduction to artificial intelligence as applied to modern computer vision. The history in the field of computer vision is highlighted, providing a brief review of the progress forged and milestones achieved over the course of the past seven decades. Particular focus is given to modern machine learning using convolutional neural networks. Working examples of how computers classify images and compute loss functions are provided. This chapter is directed principally toward surgeons who want to understand the fundamental techniques and architecture of modern computer vision and how these systems could be incorporated into real-world operative environments.
Sensitivity and low-energy response of the Small Anode Germanium well detector with ceramic insert

Abstract A Small Anode Germanium (SAGe) detector was recently installed in the Shallow Underground Laboratory (SUL) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The unique electrode structure and the short signal wire length in the detector guarantees superior energy resolution than traditional well detectors. The detector is inside an ultra-low background graded lead shield and is fitted with a CosmicGuard TM cosmic veto background reduction system. In this work, the capabilities of this SAGe well detection system were explored using samples with broad characteristics (a Heisenberg cube and individual samples containing 161Tb and 140Ba). The results demonstrate impeccable sensitivity of the system to resolve low-energy complex spectra and provide trustworthy activity estimates by correcting for cascade summing effects.
Copula-based Sensitivity Analysis for Multi-Treatment Causal Inference with Unobserved Confounding

Recent work has focused on the potential and pitfalls of causal identification in observational studies with multiple simultaneous treatments. On the one hand, a latent variable model fit to the observed treatments can identify essential aspects of the distribution of unobserved confounders. On the other hand, it has been shown that even when the latent confounder distribution is known exactly, causal effects are still not point identifiable. Thus, the practical benefits of latent variable modeling in multi-treatment settings remain unclear. We clarify these issues with a sensitivity analysis method that can be used to characterize the range of causal effects that are compatible with the observed data. Our method is based on a copula factorization of the joint distribution of outcomes, treatments, and confounders, and can be layered on top of arbitrary observed data models. We propose a practical implementation of this approach making use of the Gaussian copula, and establish conditions under which causal effects can be bounded. We also describe approaches for reasoning about effects, including calibrating sensitivity parameters, quantifying robustness of effect estimates, and selecting models which are most consistent with prior hypotheses.
Oxidative stress and the differential expression of traits associated with mating effort in humans

Abstract Oxidative stress is a physiological condition in which reactive oxygen species created through cellular respiration can potentially damage DNA and tissue. Oxidative stress may partially mediate trade-offs between reproductive effort and survival efforts. On the one hand, traits associated with reproductive effort, particularly costly male-male competition, are expected to raise oxidative stress. On the other hand, behavioral strategies may be a critical mediating mechanism, such that those who can better resist the physiological costs of oxidative damage exhibit increased mating effort. In a sample of 248 college students (173 men), we examined the associations between traits linked to mating effort—including personality features, athleticism, and history of illness—with levels of 8-OHdG, a biomarker of oxidative stress. 8-OHdG was measured twice, one week apart, once during active hours and once at awakening. In men, surgency, social dominance, and athleticism were all negatively associated with 8-OHdG levels in awakening, but not lab samples collected during active hours. In women, these same traits were positively associated with 8-OHdG levels, particularly in morning samples. Differences in associations based on sex and time of collection introduce additional complexities to understanding links between oxidative stress and mating effort.
A multi-stage SEIR(D) model of the COVID-19 epidemic in Korea.

This paper uses a SEIR(D) model to analyse the time-varying transmission dynamics of the COVID-19 epidemic in Korea throughout its multiple stages of development. This multi-stage estimation of the...
Ocular Penetrance and Safety of the Dopaminergic Prodrug Etilevodopa.

Purpose Animal models have demonstrated the role of dopamine in regulating axial elongation, the critical feature of myopia. Because frequent delivery of dopaminergic agents via peribulbar, intravitreal, or intraperitoneal injections is not clinically viable, we sought to evaluate ocular penetration and safety of the topically applied dopaminergic prodrug etilevodopa. Methods The ocular penetration of dopamine and dopaminergic prodrugs (levodopa and etilevodopa) were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in enucleated porcine eyes after a single topical administration. The pharmacokinetic profile of the etilevodopa was then assessed in rats. A four-week once-daily application of etilevodopa as a topical eye drop was conducted to establish its safety profile. Results At 24 hours, the studied prodrugs showed increased dopaminergic derivatives in the vitreous of porcine eyes. Dopamine 0.5% (P = 0.0123) and etilevodopa 10% (p = 0.370) achieved significant vitreous concentrations. Etilevodopa 10% was able to enter the posterior segment of the eye after topical administration in rats with an intravitreal half-life of eight hours after single topical administration. Monthly application of topical etilevodopa showed no alterations in retinal ocular coherence tomography, electroretinography, caspase staining, or TUNEL staining. Conclusions At similar concentrations, no difference in ocular penetration of levodopa and etilevodopa was observed. However, etilevodopa was highly soluble and able to be applied at higher topical concentrations. Dopamine exhibited both high solubility and enhanced penetration into the vitreous as compared to other dopaminergic prodrugs. Translational relevance These findings indicate the potential of topical etilevodopa and dopamine for further study as a therapeutic treatment for myopia.
Elevated parathyroid hormone levels in older women treated for osteoporosis using denosumab.

To determine factors associated with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) elevation in a cohort of postmenopausal women being managed for osteoporosis. Age was positively associated with iPTH in older women being treated for osteoporosis with denosumab. Continuation of denosumab may be safe in lowering the risk of fracture in older women with osteoporosis. Primary care physicians (PCPs) often struggle with elevated serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in osteoporotic patients on antiresorptive treatment, specifically, denosumab. As iPTH and calcium levels need to be within normal ranges to receive the next dose of denosumab, continuously high serum iPTH may necessitate additional tests to rule out pathological causes. We aimed to determine factors associated with iPTH elevation in a cohort of postmenopausal women receiving osteoporosis treatment. A cross-sectional analysis of electronic medical records of patients 50 years and older who visited a geriatric osteoporosis clinic between October 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019, was conducted. We divided patients into 3 categories: not currently on treatment, on bisphosphonates or on denosumab. Percentage change in iPTH levels from baseline to 1 year follow-up was the outcome measure. Other variables used are age, body mass index, chronic co-morbidities, 25OH-vitamin D, calcium, TSH, glomerular filtration rate and femoral neck BMD. Linear regression models were used to assess independent associations between treatment group and iPTH changes. Mean (SD) age of 173 participants in our study was 78 (± 10) years, and 71% were Caucasian. At follow-up, mean percent change of iPTH was 13.47 ± 62.76, 30.35 ± 61.17, and 39.60 ± 35.51 in the “no treatment”, “bisphosphonate” and “denosumab” groups, respectively. Age was a predictor of elevated percent change of iPTH in the denosumab group. Increasing age is associated with iPTH elevations in osteoporotic patients on denosumab. In the absence of any pathology, continuation of denosumab may be safe in lowering fracture risk. However, a larger study may be required to confirm this.
Interaction between Arctic sea ice and the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation in a warming climate

Tentative evidence suggests that the contraction of Arctic sea ice and the slowdown of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) may have already started in the 1970 or 1980s, which raises the question of how changes in these two key climate components are connected across different timescales. Here, we investigate two-way interactions between Arctic sea ice and AMOC variations using a broad suite of models and climate simulations, including those from the CMIP5 and CMIP6 datasets. Our analysis of preindustrial simulations suggests that Arctic sea ice loss can drive an AMOC slowdown after a multi-decadal delay primarily through the downstream propagation of positive buoyancy (warm/low salinity) anomalies spreading from the Arctic to the subpolar North Atlantic and suppressing deep convection. The AMOC weakening on the other hand acts to expand Arctic sea ice cover within several years via a reduction in northward oceanic heat transport. Analyzing greenhouse-warming simulations, further we show that these interactions should operate under anthropogenic global warming, affecting future projections for Arctic sea ice and the AMOC.
NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY. PART I

This paper reviews the fundamentals, concepts and merits of new technologies that can potentially benefit the railroad industry. The technologies reviewed in this paper are in a more distant horizon (10-15 years) compared to the more immediate future developments that have been covered in other research. Magneto-rheological technology is reviewed, along with its common applications and a discussion on how magneto-rheological technology can be used in the railroad industry. Future papers will be devoted to other new technologies.
Comparing cognitive and computational models of narrative structure

A growing number of applications seek to incorporate automatically generated narrative structure into interactive virtual environments. In this paper, we evaluate a representation for narrative structure generated by an automatic planning system by 1) mapping the plans that control plot into conceptual graphs used by QUEST, an existing framework for question-answering analysis that includes structures for modeling a reader's narrative comprehension and 2) using methods originally employed by QUEST's developers to determine if the plan structures can serve as effective models of the understanding that human users form after viewing corresponding stories played out within a virtual world. Results from our analysis are encouraging, though additional work is required to expand the plan language to cover a broader class of narrative structure.
Evaluating Calcined Coke for Aluminum Smelting by Bulk Density

Improved tests were developed for rating calcined cokes for aluminum smelting according to bulk density. The maximum density-possible in blending particle size fractions of a coke and the sizing which produced the maximum density were reliably predicted from simple bulk density measurements of selected fractions. Green apparent densities and baked apparent densities of small scale anodes were correlated with coke bulk densities.
Decomposition: Relative Bacterial Heterotrophic Activity on Soluble Organic Matter

The decomposition of organic matter in aquatic ecosystems by microorganisms generally involves two processes: (1) the hydrolytic degradation of high molecular weight organic polymers into compounds of low molecular weight, such as glucose, cellobiose, and amino acids; and (2) the nonhydrolytic oxidative mineralization of low molecular weight organic compounds to inorganic compounds, especially CO2, H2S, NH 4 + , and PO 4 -3 . Measurement of the rates of decomposition and of mineralization of organic matter in natural waters is difficult and has been approached in a number of ways.
Quantum Mechanical Methods for Biomolecular Simulations

We discuss quantum mechanical methods for the description of the potential energy surface and for the treatment of nuclear quantum effects in chemical and biological applications. Two novel electronic structure methods are described, including an electronic structure-based explicit polarization (X-Pol) force field and an effective Hamiltonian molecular orbital and valence bond (EH-MOVB) theory. In addition, we present two path integral techniques to treat nuclear quantum effects, which include an analytical pathintegral method based on Kleinert’s variational perturbation theory, and integrated pathintegral free-energy perturbation and umbrella sampling (PI-FEP/UM) simulation. Studies have shown that quantum mechanics can be applied to biocatalytic systems in a variety of ways and scales. We hope that the methods presented in this article can further expand the scope of quantum mechanical applications to biomolecular systems
Mass spectral analysis of epicuticular n-alkadienes in three Sitophilus weevils

Abstract Positions of double bonds in the n- alkadienes from surface lipids of three species of Sitophilus weevils were determined by combined GC-MS of their monomethoxy derivatives. The first double bond was usually at C-7 and less frequently at C-9 in the alkadienes from the maize weevil, S. zeamais, and the rice weevil, S. oryzae. Isomers with the second double bond at C-17 or C-19 were found in the shorter alkadienes and at C-21, C-23, or C-25 in the longer alkadienes. These alkadienes ranged from C31:2 to C39:2. The granary weevil, S. granarius, had a much simpler but higher molecular weight composition of alkadienes. The series ranged from C33:2 to C45:2 and only 9,23-alkadienes were identified.
Noninvasive imaging identifies new roles for cyclooxygenase-2 in choline and lipid metabolism of human breast cancer cells

The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is observed in approximately 40% of breast cancers. A major product of the COX-2-catalyzed reaction, prostaglandin E2, is an inflammatory mediator that participates in several biological processes, and influences invasion, vascularization and metastasis. Using noninvasive MRI and MRS, we determined the effect of COX-2 downregulation on the metabolism and invasion of intact poorly differentiated MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells stably expressing COX-2 short hairpin RNA. Dynamic tracking of invasion, extracellular matrix degradation and metabolism was performed with an MRI- and MRS-compatible cell perfusion assay under controlled conditions of pH, temperature and oxygenation over the course of 48 h. COX-2-silenced cells exhibited a significant decrease in invasion relative to parental cells that was consistent with the reduced expression of invasion-associated matrix metalloproteinase genes and an increased level of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. We identified, for the first time, a role for COX-2 in mediating changes in choline phospholipid metabolism, and established that choline kinase expression is partly dependent on COX-2 function. COX-2 silencing resulted in a significant decrease in phosphocholine and total choline that was detected by MRS. In addition, a significant increase in lipids, as well as lipid droplet formation, was observed. COX-2 silencing transformed parental cell metabolite patterns to those characteristic of less aggressive cancer cells. These new functional roles of COX-2 may identify new biomarkers and new targets for use in combination with COX-2 targeting to prevent invasion and metastasis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.