cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Niche expansion, body size, and survival in Galápagos marine iguanas.

Foraging theory predicts that dietary niche breadth should expand as resource availability decreases. However, Galapagos marine iguanas often die during algae shortages (El Ninos) although land plants abound where they rest and reproduce. On Seymour Norte island, a subpopulation of iguanas exhibited unique foraging behavior: they consistently included the succulent beach plant B. maritima in their diet. We investigated the consequences of land-plant feeding for body size and survival. Batis-eaters supplemented their algae diet both before and after intertidal zone foraging, and more Batis was eaten during tides unfavorable for intertidal zone foraging (dawn and dusk). Larger, energy-constrained iguanas fed more on land than did smaller animals. Compared to intertidal zone algae, Batis was 39% lower in caloric content (1.6 vs. 2.6 kcal g–1 dry mass), 56% lower in protein (8.3 vs. 18.9% dry mass) and 57% lower in nitrogen (1.3 vs. 3.0% dry mass). In spite of its lower nutrient value, iguanas that supplemented their diet with this plant were able to attain nearly twice the body size of other iguanas on the island. Age estimates indicate that many Batis-eaters survived repeated El Nino episodes during which animals of their relative size-class experienced high mortality on other islands. The larger animals were, however, completely dependent upon this supplementary source of food to maintain condition, and all perished in the 1997–1998 El Nino when high tides inundated and killed Batis on Seymour Norte Island. We hypothesize that Batis feeding developed as a local foraging tradition, and that dietary conservatism and strong foraging site fidelity explain why the inclusion of land plants in the diet has been observed in only a single population. Ultimately, a unique algae-adapted hindgut morphology and physiology may limit a switch from marine to terrestrial diet.
Can I Live? College Student Perceptions of Risks, Security, and Privacy in Online Spaces

This study explores U.S. college students’ perceptions of risk, security, and privacy in online spaces, and the strategies used by students to manage online risks. Twenty-one students participated in in-depth interviews and shared their experiences with online spaces and their perceptions of cyber threats. Our findings indicate that student cybersecurity concerns are shaped mainly by routinization and ritualization of risk, optimistic bias, and self-efficacy. Strategies commonly employed to overcome risks include accessing sources that are perceived as credible and trustworthy, restricting information sharing, and exercising learned helplessness—or, what we term here as the “can-I-live syndrome.”
Convex optimized diffusion encoding (CODE) gradient waveforms for minimum echo time and bulk motion–compensated diffusion-weighted MRI

Author(s): Aliotta, Eric; Wu, Holden H; Ennis, Daniel B | Abstract: PurposeTo evaluate convex optimized diffusion encoding (CODE) gradient waveforms for minimum echo time and bulk motion-compensated diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).MethodsDiffusion-encoding gradient waveforms were designed for a range of b-values and spatial resolutions with and without motion compensation using the CODE framework. CODE, first moment (M1 ) nulled CODE-M1 , and first and second moment (M2 ) nulled CODE-M1 M2 were used to acquire neuro, liver, and cardiac ADC maps in healthy subjects (n=10) that were compared respectively to monopolar (MONO), BIPOLAR (M1 = 0), and motion-compensated (MOCO, M1 + M2 = 0) diffusion encoding.ResultsCODE significantly improved the SNR of neuro ADC maps compared with MONO (19.5 ± 2.5 versus 14.5 ± 1.9). CODE-M1 liver ADCs were significantly lower (1.3 ± 0.1 versus 1.8 ± 0.3 × 10-3 mm2 /s, ie, less motion corrupted) and more spatially uniform (6% versus 55% ROI difference) than MONO and had higher SNR than BIPOLAR (SNR = 14.9 ± 5.3 versus 8.0 ± 3.1). CODE-M1 M2 cardiac ADCs were significantly lower than MONO (1.9 ± 0.6 versus 3.8 ± 0.3 x10-3 mm2 /s) throughout the cardiac cycle and had higher SNR than MOCO at systole (9.1 ± 3.9 versus 7.0 ± 2.6) while reporting similar ADCs (1.5 ± 0.2 versus 1.4 ± 0.6 × 10-3 mm2 /s).ConclusionsCODE significantly improved SNR for ADC mapping in the brain, liver and heart, and significantly improved DWI bulk motion robustness in the liver and heart. Magn Reson Med 77:717-729, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Photoacoustic image reconstruction from ultrasound post-beamformed B-mode image

A requirement to reconstruct photoacoustic (PA) image is to have a synchronized channel data acquisition with laser firing. Unfortunately, most clinical ultrasound (US) systems don’t offer an interface to obtain synchronized channel data. To broaden the impact of clinical PA imaging, we propose a PA image reconstruction algorithm utilizing US B-mode image, which is readily available from clinical scanners. US B-mode image involves a series of signal processing including beamforming, followed by envelope detection, and end with log compression. Yet, it will be defocused when PA signals are input due to incorrect delay function. Our approach is to reverse the order of image processing steps and recover the original US post-beamformed radio-frequency (RF) data, in which a synthetic aperture based PA rebeamforming algorithm can be further applied. Taking B-mode image as the input, we firstly recovered US postbeamformed RF data by applying log decompression and convoluting an acoustic impulse response to combine carrier frequency information. Then, the US post-beamformed RF data is utilized as pre-beamformed RF data for the adaptive PA beamforming algorithm, and the new delay function is applied by taking into account that the focus depth in US beamforming is at the half depth of the PA case. The feasibility of the proposed method was validated through simulation, and was experimentally demonstrated using an acoustic point source. The point source was successfully beamformed from a US B-mode image, and the full with at the half maximum of the point improved 3.97 times. Comparing this result to the ground-truth reconstruction using channel data, the FWHM was slightly degraded with 1.28 times caused by information loss during envelope detection and convolution of the RF information.
A Body Reorientation Strategy in Insect Takeoff Flight

Fast and efficient recovery of flight orientation during takeoff or after a severe disturbance is desirable for micro flapping fliers. Navigating body through desired path in limited space and time needs fast and accurate control mechanisms to modulate flight moments. In this work we shot high-speed videos from dragonflies taking off starting from various initial orientations. Modifying equations of motion of a rigid flying body, we introduced governing equations for fast turns of dragonflies. Results suggest that there are other levels of maneuver planning rather than manipulating aerodynamic moments to accomplish fast and efficient turn maneuvers. Rapid change (within few wing beats) in flight course was accomplished through efficient kinetic energy transfer between pitching and yawing motion via body rolling velocity.
Effect of nanostructures on the meniscus shape and disjoining pressure of ultrathin liquid film.

The stability of thin liquid films on nanostructured surfaces is important but poorly understood. Here, we develop a general model of the meniscus shape and disjoining pressure for thin liquid films on nanostructured surfaces based on the minimization of the free energy and the Derjaguin approximation. This model is then compared with molecular dynamics simulations for a water–gold system with triangular and square nanostructures of varying depth and film thickness, demonstrating the robustness of the analytical model.
Electrographic Recording of Foregut Activity in Larvae of Galleria Mellonella

In the technique used here for recording electrical activity associated with movements of the foregut, the larva was essentially intact but interfering activity of somatic musculature was blocked by specific paralyzants. The esophagus, crop, and proventriculus were found to be centers of activity. Simple pulsating contractions and peristaltic contractions both occurred. Electrograms of these contractions showed independent actions as characteristic waves, and integrated actions as complex tracings. Disorganized activity was recognized as such, but components could not be identified. As examples of pharmacologic action, serotinin and epinephrine stimulated peristaltic contractions in the crop. Carbon dioxide reversibly stopped any action, and under certain conditions DDT induced spasmodic contractions and regurgitation.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSRADIAL PRIMARY PCI AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH STEMI IN THE MEDICARE FEE-FOR-SERVICE BENEFICIARIES

The transradial (TRI) approach reduces bleeding, vascular complications and mortality in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), as compared with the transfemoral approach (TFI). However, no study has examined the costs
Analysis of disinfection efficacy in medical institutions of Weifang in 2013

Objective To study the monitoring situation of disinfection in medical institutions of Weifang in 2013 and provide a scientific basis for instructing the prevention and control of nosocomial infection in medical institutions. Methods Analysis was made on the disinfection monitoring situation of medical institutions in Weifang according to GB15982- 2012 and disinfection technical specifications. Results Totally 1 295 samples from 99 medical institutions were detected in 2013. The total pass rate was 98. 1%. The qualified rates were 98. 7%,93. 6%,100%,99. 5% and 97. 9% for indoor air,staff hand surface( the unqualified are mainly from small clinics),surface of disinfected object,disinfectant and sterilization supplies respectively. Conclusion Larger hospitals attached more importance to the disinfection work than small clinics in Weifang. The latter should strengthen clinic in the aspects of management.
Immunogold localization of high-affinity glucose transporter isoforms in normal rat kidney.

BACKGROUND : Facilitative glucose transporters (GLUT) have unique kinetic characteristics and distributions suited to the functions of the tissues in which they reside. However, little is known about their individual roles in renal glucose metabolism, and previous investigations of renal GLUT expression have been extensive only with respect to their mRNA levels. We provide here a complete analysis of three GLUT isoforms along the nephron using a sensitive immunodetection method. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN : Normal rat kidneys were harvested, fixed in paraformaldehyde, and embedded in either paraffin or resin as required for immunogold labeling of individual GLUT Isoforms 1, 3, and 4. Samples were evaluated by light microscopy and selected regions analyzed by high resolution optical scanning with computer-assisted detection of immunogold-labeled GLUT at the subcellular level. We describe, compare, and relate to the local patterns of glucose metabolism the cellular and subcellular expression patterns of these GLUT along the nephron. RESULTS : GLUT1 was most intensely labeled in the medullary thick ascending limbs of Henle, cortical collecting ducts, and inner medullary collecting ducts. In contrast, GLUT3 was most prominent in the inner medullary collecting ducts and GLUT4 in medullary thick ascending limbs of Henle. All three GLUT were detected in glomerular tufts, and GLUT1 was also detected in parietal epithelial cells. The predominant subcellular distributions in tubule cells were : basolateral and basolateral/cytoplasmic for GLUT 1 ; basolateral and cytoplasmic for GLUT3 ; and perinuclear/cytoplasmic for GLUT4. GLUT 1 and 3 expressions were confirmed in specific regions by immunoblotting. CONCLUSIONS : 1) GLUT 1, 3, and 4 are expressed in both glomeruli and renal tubules. 2) The unique GLUT expression patterns along the renal tubules suggests unique functional roles for these isoforms. 3) The renal cortex demonstrates lesser labeling intensity for the high-affinity GLUT compared with the medulla, where higher rates of glucose oxidation and glycolytic metabolism are paralleled by higher GLUT labeling intensities.
System Design Considerations

The purpose of this paper is not to discuss the system elements, but to describe important topics in system design and analysis. The nature of speech and hearing is reviewed, and speech intelligibility and the articulation index (Al) are given precise definitions. The effect of speech clipping on these characteristics is discussed. Section 2.1 continues with an exposition of signal representations and Hilbert transforms, leading into the various forms of AM, including SSB. For completeness, and to form a basis of comparison with SSB, angle modulation is also discussed. Finally, a comparison is made between the various forms of AM and FM. Section 2.2 covers collocated system designs. The various factors that cause problems in simultaneous operation of receiver and transmitter are discussed. These include transmitter out-of-band noise and distortion, receiver distortion and reciprocal mixing, and transmitter back-IM distortion. One of the reasons for a resurgence of interest in HF radio transmission by the military services is its use as a backup to satellite communications. To meet modern needs for communication in a potential jamming environment, such equipment must be designed to incorporate electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM). Those elements of ECCM design that affect the SSB receiver and transmitter are discussed in section 2.3.
Meaningful and meaningless statements using metrics for the border condition

In the United States, there has been a search for metrics to measure the condition at the nation's border, with emphasis on border security. A goal is to produce a single metric or perhaps several metrics that could be used to assess whether the security at the border has improved or gotten worse. This paper considers metrics for the border condition and what claims using these metrics are meaningful, using a precise concept of meaningfulness from the theory of measurement.
An Empirical Study of Digital Taxi Clearances for Departure Aircraft

This article presents an experiment that examined the use of digital-taxi (D-Taxi) clearances for departure aircraft under three levels of data link equipage (Voice Only, 40% Data Comm, and 75% Data Comm). Sixteen controllers participated in a high-fidelity, human-in-the-loop experiment to assess the effects of D-Taxi on controller communications, workload, and performance. D-Taxi reduced the time that the participants used the ground control radio frequency when 75% of the aircraft were data link equipped. The participants preferred D-Taxi compared to voice because it reduced their communication responsibilities and removed the potential for readback and hearback errors. Airport system efficiency measures did not provide additional support for the D-Taxi concept and workload remained stable across conditions. Usability measures of the Tower Operations Digital Data System that enabled D-Taxi supported the use of an integrated air traffic display. Overall, the results support the implementation and use of ...
Jet Fuel Thermal Stability Investigations using Ellipsometry

Jet fuels are typically used for endothermic cooling in practical engines where their thermal stability is very important. In this work the thermal stability of Sasol IPK (a synthetic jet fuel) with varying levels of naphthalene has been studied on stainless steel substrates using spectroscopic ellipsometry in the temperature range 385-400 K. Ellipsometry is an optical technique that measures the changes in a light beam’s polarization and intensity after it reflects off of a thin film to determine the film’s thickness and optical properties. All of the tubes used were rated as thermally unstable by the color standard portion of the Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Test, and this was confirmed by the deposit thicknesses observed using ellipsometry. A new amorphous model on a stainless steel substrate was used to model the data and obtain the results. It was observed that, as would be expected, increasing the temperature of the tube increased the overall deposit amount for a constant concentration of naphthalene. The repeatability of these measurements was assessed using multiple trials of the same fuel at 385 K. Lastly, the effect of increasing the naphthalene concentration in the fuel at a constant temperature was found to increase the deposit thickness.In conclusion, ellipsometry was used to investigate the thermal stability of jet fuels on stainless steel substrate. The effects of increasing temperature and addition of naphthalene on stainless steel tubes with Sasol IPK fuel were investigated. It was found, as expected, that increasing temperature lead to an increase in deposit thickness. It wasAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics6also found that increasing amounts of naphthalene increased the maximum deposit thickness. The repeatability of these measurements was investigated using multiple tests at the same conditions. The present work provides as a better quantitative tool compared to the widely used JFTOT technique. Future work will expand on the fuel types, temperature, and substrate materials.
Further Imaging Techniques

This chapter is concerned with techniques of processing that are largely nonlinear and include deconvolution, that is removing, to the extent possible, the limitations of the visibility measurements. There are two principal deficiencies in the visibility data that limit the accuracy of synthesis images. These are (1) the limited distribution of spatial frequencies in u and v and (2) errors in the visibility measurements. The limited spatial frequency coverage can be improved by deconvolution processes such as CLEAN that allow the unmeasured visibility to take nonzero values within some general constraints on the image. Calibration can be improved by adaptive techniques in which the antenna gains, as well as the required image, are derived from the visibility data. Wide-field imaging, multifrequency imaging, and compressed sensing are also discussed.
Ethnic markets and community food security in an urban “food desert”:

In recent years, the concept of food desert has come to dominate research and policy debates around food environments and their impacts on health, with mounting evidence that low-income neighborhoo...
CNT-based sensor arrays for local strain measurements in soft pneumatic actuators

Soft robotics is a recent trend in engineering that seeks to create machines that are soft, compliant, and capable of withstanding damage, wear and high stress. Soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) are a key element of soft robots, and their elastomeric substrate enables generation of sophisticated motion with simple controls. Although several methods for fabrication, material selection, and structure design have been investigated for the construction of SPAs, limited attention has been paid to the integration of distributed sensors for performing localized measurement. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are molecular-scale tubes of carbon atoms with remarkable mechanical and electronic properties, showing potential application in sensing devices. In this paper, we present the design, fabrication, and testing of a novel type of CNT-based sensor array combined with silver nanowires for measuring localized strain along the bottom layer of a SPA. Simulation and experimentation have been performed in order to analyze the soft actuator deformation during bending. The results demonstrate the promise of the proposed SPA with integrated strain sensing, which lays groundwork for a myriad of applications in grasping, manipulation, and bio-inspired locomotion.
A cold-atom Fermi–Hubbard antiferromagnet

Exotic phenomena in systems with strongly correlated electrons emerge from the interplay between spin and motional degrees of freedom. For example, doping an antiferromagnet is expected to give rise to pseudogap states and high-temperature superconductors. Quantum simulation using ultracold fermions in optical lattices could help to answer open questions about the doped Hubbard Hamiltonian, and has recently been advanced by quantum gas microscopy. Here we report the realization of an antiferromagnet in a repulsively interacting Fermi gas on a two-dimensional square lattice of about 80 sites at a temperature of 0.25 times the tunnelling energy. The antiferromagnetic long-range order manifests through the divergence of the correlation length, which reaches the size of the system, the development of a peak in the spin structure factor and a staggered magnetization that is close to the ground-state value. We hole-dope the system away from half-filling, towards a regime in which complex many-body states are expected, and find that strong magnetic correlations persist at the antiferromagnetic ordering vector up to dopings of about 15 per cent. In this regime, numerical simulations are challenging and so experiments provide a valuable benchmark. Our results demonstrate that microscopy of cold atoms in optical lattices can help us to understand the low-temperature Fermi-Hubbard model.
Utilitarianism: Contemporary Applications

Utilitarianism, or welfarism, is a moral and political theory that combines a theory of welfare and a concern with welfare as the good. The focus on welfare as the good has been constant, but the theory of welfare has undergone substantial changes. Utilitarianism was the chief moral theory in Anglo–American law for more than a century until recent decades and is the principal moral stance of contemporary economists. During the twentieth century, philosophical utilitarianism became disconnected from economics and from further developments of value theory. Bentham conceived welfare or utility as cardinal and additive across individuals. Contemporary economics is grounded in an ordinal-value theory that does not allow interpersonal comparisons and that incompletely ranks states of affairs. Ordinal utilitarianism is a mutual-advantage theory that is applied ex ante to the design of institutional structures and legal rules, not directly to policy choices. The Coase theorem in law and economics typically commends rules that are ex ante mutual advantage, even though any application of such a rule may entail losses to some. Similarly, cost–benefit analysis is justified not as though it were directly utilitarian but, rather, as a device that ex ante allows us to improve on the status quo.
Synthesis and crystal structures of two purpurin derivatives: 1,4-dihy­droxy-2-propoxyanthra­quinone and 2-but­oxy-1,4-di­hydroxy­anthra­quinone

The title compounds were obtained by deprotonation of 1,2,4-tri­hydroxy­anthra­quinone (purpurin) using sodium hydride followed by reaction with either 1-bromo­propane or 1-bromo­butane. 1,4-Dihy­droxy-2-propoxyanthra­quinone crystallizes as a 1:1 solvate from aceto­nitrile, C17H14O5·CH3CN. The anthra­quinone core of the mol­ecule is essentially planar and both hy­droxy groups participate in intra­molecular O—H⋯O (carbon­yl) hydrogen bonds. The propyl chain is angled slightly above the plane of the anthra­quinone moiety with a maximum deviation of 0.247 (2) A above the plane for the terminal carbon atom. In contrast, 2-but­oxy-1,4-di­hydroxy­anthra­quinone, C18H16O5, crystallizes from nitro­methane with two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. The anthra­quinone core of each independent mol­ecule is essentially planar and both hy­droxy groups on both mol­ecules participate in intra­molecular O—H⋯O(carbon­yl) hydrogen bonds. The butyl chain in one mol­ecule is also angled slightly above the plane of the anthra­quinone moiety, with a maximum deviation of 0.833 (5) A above the plane for the terminal carbon atom. In contrast, the butyl group on the second mol­ecule is twisted out of the plane of the anthra­quinone core with a torsion angle of 65.1 (3)°, resulting in a maximum deviation of 1.631 (5) A above the plane for the terminal carbon atom.
Target-Bequest Investment and Insurance Fund

We propose a new type of investment fund, a Target-Bequest Fund (TBF), for which the manager of the fund invests to maximize the probability of reaching a bequest goal, specified by the investor. We assume the fund pays dividends at a rate proportional to the value of the fund, with the proportion also specified by the investor. In addition to considering this basic fund, we propose two extensions. The first extension is to impose a no-borrowing constraint. Indeed, unless the investment fund is a hedge fund, it will likely not allow the manager to invest more in the risky asset than is available in the fund, so this constraint is a realistic one. The second extension is to allow the fund manager to buy life insurance to help reach the bequest goal. We consider both extensions in the special case for which the proportional dividend rate is less than or equal to the riskless rate of return. Our focus is to obtain explicit solutions in a simplified market and insurance setting to give actuaries implementing ...
The New Entrepreneur: Worker Experiences in the Sharing Economy

My mixed-methods dissertation utilizes interviews with nearly 80 workers for Airbnb, Uber, Taskrabbit and Kitchensurfing in New York City in an exploration of the socioeconomic implications of this new wave of entrepreneurship. Using grounded theory, I categorize workers into three classifications: Struggler, Striver and Success Story. While the firms market an entrepreneurial ethos, I find that the sharing or gig economy has simply increased economic insecurity and worker vulnerability. Workers, especially the Strugglers and Strivers, find themselves outside standard workplace protections and exposed to considerable risks. Although the Success Stories are able to pursue entrepreneurship, such opportunities are often linked to their high level of skills and capital, rather than an equalizing of the entrepreneurial playing field.
Understanding Incidence and Prevalence Rates in Mixed Dementia

Countries throughout the world are reporting increased life-spans and lower birth rates. These sociodemographic changes result in the elderly, particularly the oldest old, comprising an increasingly larger segment of the population (1). Consequently, dementia is projected to be one of the major health-care problems of future decades (2).
On the Annual Cycle of Latent Heat Fluxes over the Equatorial Pacific Using TAO Buoy Observations

In this paper, we describe the annual cycle in the latent heat flux (LHF) and its associated bulk variables (sea surface temperature, wind speed, humidity difference) over the equatorial Pacific. The in-situ, daily-averaged TAO buoy observations between 8°N and 8°S during the period 1992-1996 form the database. LHF was computed using a modified bulk parameterization scheme to account for active convection and low wind speed frequently observed in the western Pacific. Harmonic analysis was used to help quantify the phase and amplitude of the annual and semiannual cycles. The annual cycle of LHF was found to be conspicuous in two regions, namely, the northeastern and western/central Pacific. For the former region, the maximum LHF occurs in boreal summer and early fall, when surface wind speeds are strong and the temperature difference between sea surface and air near the bottom of the atmospheric boundary layer is large. For the western/central Pacific, maximum LHF occurs in boreal winter, when the winter monsoon is strong. In contrast to the aforementioned two regions, the annual cycle in LHF in the equatorial cold tongue is weak and low LHF prevails throughout the year. Also noted in this study is a westward propagation of the maximum LHF region from the northeastern Pacific around July to the western Pacific by the following March. We also ascertained the relative importance of dynamic and thermodynamic processes in regulating the month-to-month variations of the LHF along two meridional transects, one in the eastern and another in the western Pacific. In the eastern Pacific, except to the north of the cold tongue, variations in humidity difference (i.e., thermodynamic process) seem to be of primary importance to the annual variations in LHF. On the other hand, variations in wind speed (i.e., dynamic process) are more important to the LHF in the western/central Pacific.
Profile of the first 1,400 patients receiving diagnostic evaluations for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder at the Washington State Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic & Prevention Network.

BACKGROUND An interdisciplinary approach to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) diagnosis using rigorously defined diagnostic guidelines has been adopted as best practice. Diagnostic clinics are being established worldwide. If these clinics are to successfully compete for limited health care dollars, it is essential to document their value. OBJECTIVE The primary objectives were to document the value of the largest and longest standing interdisciplinary FASD diagnostic program; the Washington State Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic & Prevention Network (WA FAS DPN). Now in its 17th year of operation, the WA FAS DPN is a statewide network of diagnostic clinics all using the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code and contributing to a centralized electronic database. METHODS The clinical database was used to generate comprehensive profiles of all patients evaluated for FASD from 1993-2005. These profiles were used to answer a multitude of clinical, research, and public health questions including: What is the demand for FASD diagnostic services, who is referred to the clinics, and what are their FASD diagnostic outcomes? Can FAS/D prevalence estimates from this clinical population be used to estimate FAS/D prevalence estimates in the general population? Do FASD diagnostic outcomes vary by race, age or alcohol exposure? Does the presence of other adverse exposures/events lead to more severe outcomes? Does this approach to diagnosis meet the needs of families? RESULTS Demand for diagnosis remains very high. Of 1,400 patients (newborn to adult) with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure, 11% were diagnosed with FAS/PFAS, 28% with static encephalopathy, 52% with neurobehavioral disorder, and 9% with no evidence of CNS abnormality. FASD outcomes varied significantly by age, race, gender, alcohol exposure, and presence of other risk factors. Families reported high satisfaction with the diagnostic process, and receipt of information/services they were unable to obtain elsewhere. CONCLUSIONS This report documents the immense contribution of a statewide FASD diagnostic program, and underscores the extraordinary value of a comprehensive FASD clinical dataset.
Functional Interactions Between Inwardly Rectifying Conductances and GABAA-mediated Inhibition

We are studying interactions between inwardly rectifying conductances (IRs) and inhibitory inputs in pyramidal cells of turtle visual cortex. Kinetic parameters for fast and slow IR conductances were estimated from intracellular data. Simulations with compartmental models of pyramidal cells indicated that GABA A -mediated IPSPs effectively activate both fast and slow IRs, creating an interactive system of conductances which may help to control levels of cortical excitability under different stimulus conditions.
Corneal oxygen scavenging systems: lysis of corneal epithelial cells by superoxide anions.

The cornea is an unique tissue because it is exposed to insults from the external environment and the toxic effects of topically applied agents as well as the normal spectrum of physiological processes. Scarring can result from infection, trauma or numerous other causes which can compromise visual acuity. The cornea consists of three main layers: the epithelium, the stroma and the endothelium. Injury to either the epithelium or endothelium can lead to disruption of the underlying nonregenerative stroma resulting in permanent scarring.
Spectral Efficiencies of WDM Network Architectures with Sliceable Bandwidth Variable Transponders

We compare three long-haul transport network architectures based on spectral efficiency and find that muxponder architectures are 1.3-2x worse than switching architectures. We also observe that SBVTs do not adversely affect spectral efficiency.
An Open-Source Feature Extraction Tool for the Analysis of Peripheral Physiological Data

Electrocardiogram, electrodermal activity, electromyogram, continuous blood pressure, and impedance cardiography are among the most commonly used peripheral physiological signals (biosignals) in psychological studies and healthcare applications, including health tracking, sleep quality assessment, disease early-detection/diagnosis, and understanding human emotional and affective phenomena. This paper presents the development of a biosignal-specific processing toolbox (Bio-SP tool) for preprocessing and feature extraction of these physiological signals according to the state-of-the-art studies reported in the scientific literature and feedback received from the field experts. Our open-source Bio-SP tool is intended to assist researchers in affective computing, digital and mobile health, and telemedicine to extract relevant physiological patterns (i.e., features) from these biosignals semi-automatically and reliably. In this paper, we describe the successful algorithms used for signal-specific quality checking, artifact/noise filtering, and segmentation along with introducing features shown to be highly relevant to category discrimination in several healthcare applications (e.g., discriminating patterns associated with disease versus non-disease). Further, the Bio-SP tool is a publicly-available software written in MATLAB with a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI), enabling future crowd-sourced modification to these tools. The GUI is compatible with MathWorks Classification Learner app for inference model development, such as model training, cross-validation scheme farming, and classification result computation.
The evolution of image reconstruction for CT—from filtered back projection to artificial intelligence

The first CT scanners in the early 1970s already used iterative reconstruction algorithms; however, lack of computational power prevented their clinical use. In fact, it took until 2009 for the first iterative reconstruction algorithms to come commercially available and replace conventional filtered back projection. Since then, this technique has caused a true hype in the field of radiology. Within a few years, all major CT vendors introduced iterative reconstruction algorithms for clinical routine, which evolved rapidly into increasingly advanced reconstruction algorithms. The complexity of algorithms ranges from hybrid-, model-based to fully iterative algorithms. As a result, the number of scientific publications on this topic has skyrocketed over the last decade. But what exactly has this technology brought us so far? And what can we expect from future hardware as well as software developments, such as photon-counting CT and artificial intelligence? This paper will try answer those questions by taking a concise look at the overall evolution of CT image reconstruction and its clinical implementations. Subsequently, we will give a prospect towards future developments in this domain. KEY POINTS: • Advanced CT reconstruction methods are indispensable in the current clinical setting. • IR is essential for photon-counting CT, phase-contrast CT, and dark-field CT. • Artificial intelligence will potentially further increase the performance of reconstruction methods.
Effect of Gas Environment on Mechanochemical Reaction: A Model Study with Tribo-Polymerization of α-Pinene in Inert, Oxidative, and Reductive Gases

Mechanically induced or assisted chemical reactions readily occur in many tribological interfaces; however, the reactants involved in such reactions are often not well understood. Using the tribo-polymerization of α-pinene as a model system, this study investigated how the surround gas environment influences the surface chemistry of substrate controlling the tribochemical reactivity. Based on the hypothesis that oxidative chemisorption of α-pinene at the sliding solid surface plays critical role, inert (dry N2), oxidative (dry air), and reductive (10% H2 in Ar) gas environments were chosen to alter the degree of surface oxidation in the sliding contact. Comparing the tribo-polymerization yield of α-pinene on two highly reactive substrates (Pd and CuO) and two relatively inert substrates (diamond-like carbon and silicon oxide), it was found that the oxidative gas significantly enhances the tribochemical reactivity of α-pinene. Infrared spectroscopy analysis was employed to confirm that the chemisorption of α-pinene on the surface in the oxidative gas environment plays a critical role. The gas environment was also found to affect the chemical composition and elastic modulus of the tribo-polymer products.
SREBP Plays a Regulatory Role in LH/hCG Receptor mRNA Expression in Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells.

Context LH receptor (LHR) expression has been shown to be regulated posttranscriptionally by LHR mRNA binding protein (LRBP) in rodent and human ovaries. LRBP was characterized as mevalonate kinase. The gene that encodes mevalonate kinase is a member of a family of genes that encode enzymes involved in lipid synthesis and are regulated by the transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs). Objective The current study examined the regulation of LHR mRNA expression in human granulosa-lutein cells in response to alterations in cholesterol metabolism. Design Using atorvastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, we examined its effect on LHR mRNA expression. The effect of atorvastatin on SREBP and mRNA expression as well as LHR mRNA binding protein expression was examined. Finally, the effect of atorvastatin on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated progesterone production and the expression of key steroidogenic enzymes was also examined. Results Statin treatment reduced LHR mRNA expression by increasing the levels of SREBP1a and SREBP2, leading to an increase in LRBP. RNA gel shift assay showed that increased binding of LHR mRNA to LRBP occurred in response to atorvastatin, leading to LHR mRNA degradation. The granulosa-lutein cells pretreated with atorvastatin also showed decreased responsiveness to hCG by decreasing the mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes. Atorvastatin also attenuated LH/hCG-induced progesterone production. Conclusion These results imply that LHR mRNA expression by the human granulosa-lutein cells is regulated by cholesterol, through a mechanism involving SREBP and SREBP cleavage activating protein serving as the cholesterol sensor.
Histopathologic Patterns of Recurrent Choroidal Melanoma Following I-125 Plaque Brachytherapy.

Purpose Histologic correlation of clinical patterns of recurrent choroidal melanoma following I-125 plaque brachytherapy was performed to identify pathologic mechanisms of recurrence. Methods We reviewed 7 cases of recurrent choroidal melanoma following I-125 plaque brachytherapy managed with enucleation. Clinical characteristics included tumor dimensions, radiation dose, time to local recurrence, and clinical pattern of recurrence. Histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid - Schiff) and immunohistochemistry (Ki-67, CD-163, HMB45, and SOX10) were performed. Results Mean follow-up time and time to local recurrence were 42 and 21 months after brachytherapy, respectively. Tumor recurrences were described clinically as marginal in 43%, diffuse in 29%, and extraocular extension (EOE) in 29%. Eighty-six percent were classified as mixed cell type and 14% were epithelioid type. Tumor zonation (histologic demarcation between zones of recurrent and nonrecurrent tumor cells by immunohistochemistry) was present in marginal and EOE cases (n = 6) and absent in the diffuse cases (n = 2). Ki-67 proliferative index was higher in marginal and EOE recurrences, while diffuse cases showed uniform -Ki-67 staining. CD-163 staining was found to be greater in nonrecurrent tumor. HMB45 correlated with SOX10 with a greater staining in recurrent tumor. Conclusion Our observations provide a correlation between histopathologic and clinical patterns of local recurrence of choroidal melanoma after brachytherapy.
Sparse Operation of Multi-Winding Transformer in Multiport-Ac-Coupled Converters

The multi-winding transformer in a Multiport-Ac-Coupled (MAC) converter interfaces with a large number of ac-dc ports and processes multi-way power flow. This paper investigates the "sparse operation" of multi-winding transformers, i.e. when only a few windings deliver power and a majority of the windings remain open-circuited. These open-circuited windings induce additional leakage inductance and skin & proximity effects in planar magnetics, change the circuit behavior, and increase the losses. By modeling a ten-winding PCB-embeded planar transformer in SPICE, the impact of "sparse operation" on transformer performance is predicted. To verify the theoretical modeling and simulation results, the performance of a 10-winding planar PCB transformer is experimentally compared to the performance of a 10-winding litz wire transformer in a 10-port MAC converter while transferring power from one winding to another. In the planar transformer, it is observed that windings that are physically closer to each other can transfer more power at higher efficiencies than those that are further, while this trend is not present in the litz wire transformer.
Relative susceptibility of commercial watermelon varieties to powdery mildew.

Abstract Powdery mildew (PM) of watermelon caused by Podosphaera xanthii has been occurring more frequently in recent years than in the past and now growers routinely apply fungicides to manage PM. Powdery mildew is known to be able to cause a significant yield reduction in watermelon. The current study was conducted in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to determine the relative susceptibility of twenty six watermelon varieties (seeded and seedless) and three pollenizers to P. xanthii populations prevailing in Charleston, South Carolina. USVL677-PMS, which is highly susceptible to PM and USVL531-MDR, which is resistant to PM were included as controls. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used each year and plants were rated on a 0–10 scale of increasing disease severity. During all three years, USVL677-PMS was the most susceptible line with the highest values for area under disease progress curve (AUDPC). Disease severity at the last ratings for USVL677-PMS ranged from 61 to 82%. In comparison USVL531-MDR was very resistant to PM based on disease severity (1–3%) and AUDPC. The commercial pollenizers, SP5, SP6 and Lion were all resistant to PM (1–5% disease severity) and had significantly lower AUDPC compared to USVL677-PMS and most other varieties evaluated. Among the red fleshed varieties, Suprema (seedless variety), was relatively resistant compared to other seeded and seedless varieties. Most of the seeded varieties evaluated (e.g. Malali, Black Mama, Mickey Lee) were highly susceptible to PM, however, some were relatively less susceptible (e.g. Declaration) under field conditions. Currently very few to no varieties with high levels of resistance to PM are available and there is a need to develop newer resistant varieties as PM is occurring more frequently during the growing season.
Militarized Law Enforcement Forces, State Capacity and Terrorism

Gendarmerie forces are actively deployed by many states in the world to fight terrorism, but their impact on terrorism has not been explored. This study fills this gap in the literature and examine...
Declines in NGDP, Autocratization, and the Failure to Democratize: A Descriptive Analysis

Sumner (2015) proposes that macroeconomic mismanagement on the part of central bank authorities, which leads to declines in nominal output, will cause voters to respond with populism in the ballot box. Murphy and Smith (2018) previously found evidence for this hypothesis with populism interpreted as movements away from market liberal institutions. This paper extends the hypothesis to macroeconomic mismanagement and its relationship with democratic political institutions. It finds both that recessions foreshadow a lower probability of a dictatorship becoming a democracy, and a higher probability of a democracy becoming a dictatorship. The relationship with autocratization is most visible after fifteen years, while the negative relationship with democratization is far more persistent over time. These findings, it must be stressed, are historical and descriptive, not necessarily causal.
High-speed fiber-optic scanning nonlinear endomicroscopy for imaging neuron dynamics in vivo

Fiber-optic-based two-photon fluorescence endomicroscopy is emerging as an enabling technology for in vivo histological imaging of internal organs and functional neuronal imaging on freely-behaving animals. However, high-speed imaging remains challenging due to the expense of miniaturization and lack of suited fast beam scanners. For many applications, a higher imaging speed is highly desired, especially for monitoring functional dynamics such as transient dendritic responses in neuroscience. This Letter reports the development of a fast fiber-optic scanning endo-microscope with an imaging speed higher than 26 frames/s. In vivo neural dynamics imaging with the high-speed endomicroscope was performed on a freely-behaving mouse over the primary motor cortex that expressed GCaMP6m. The results demonstrate its capability of real-time monitoring of transient neuronal dynamics with very fine temporal resolution.
Postnatal growth of preterm infants 24 to 26 weeks of gestation and cognitive outcomes at 2 years of age.

Weight z scores at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) define postnatal growth failure (PGF) and malnutrition. This study aimed to determine weight z scores at 36 weeks PMA that are associated with adverse cognitive outcomes at 2 years of age. In this retrospective cohort study, 350 infants 24–26 weeks of gestation born between 2006 and 2014 and followed at 2 years were included. Weight z scores at birth and at 36 weeks PMA were calculated using the INTERGROWTH-21st growth curves. The primary outcome was cognitive delay at 2 years of age (Bayley-III cognitive score < 85). Neither the traditional definition of PGF (z score below −1.3) nor the recently proposed definition of malnutrition (z score decline of 1.2 or greater) was associated with cognitive delay. Both a weight z score below −1.0 at 36 weeks PMA (RR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.10–2.49; p < 0.05) and a decline below −1.0 in weight z score from birth to 36 weeks PMA (RR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.00–1.94; p < 0.05) were associated with a higher risk of cognitive delay. With optimal cutoffs, INTERGROWTH-21st weight z scores can predict the risk of cognitive delay.
Acceleration, Braking, and Steering Controller for a Polaris Gem e2 Vehicle

This paper discusses both software and physical implementation of actuators to control the acceleration, braking, and steering of a Polaris Gem e2 vehicle. A 2 degree of freedom (DOF) kinematic car model is utilized to design and simulate general controllers for lane keeping and speed control. Lane keeping is tested using both proportional integral derivative (PID) and sliding mode to control the steering angle. Velocity control is tested using a derived dynamic model for the longitudinal motion of the car. For velocity control, PID is compared to an adaptive control method.