cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensorless adaptive neural network control of permanent magnet synchronous motors

Rotor speed and position estimations in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) suffer from accuracy due to variations of machine parameters such as torque constant, stator resistance and inductance, especially at low speeds. Also, conventional linear estimators are not adaptive. In this paper, two neural network-based model reference adaptive systems (MRAS) for position and speed estimation are presented for PMSM drives. The first network estimates the rotor speed and adapts online to any change in stator resistance. The second network estimates the rotor position and adapts online for any changes in the torque constant. A q-axis model for stator inductance based on current is used. In both cases, the MRAS adjusts the neural weights to give optimal performance over a wide speed range. Simulation results showed the estimation adjusts well to changes in the motor operating points.
AN INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION THEORY

Abstract : Information theory is concerned with developing a framework for the study of communication systems and their capacity to transmit messages in the presence of natural disturbances. The information function or entropy of a message source gives a quantitative measure of the usefulness of the source for transmitting messages. The capacity of the channel over which the message is being transmitted, gives a measure of the most efficient communication of information possible under given conditions. This subject is developed in a purely mathematical fashion and by making reference to descriptive concepts in electrical engineering.
A flux control for improved dynamic response

Abstruct- Flux levels of induction motor field oriented control systems are generally set to be at the rated level of the machine in order to achieve a high dynamic response. An induction machine can be made to run more efficiently, however, by adjusting its flux levels according to the load. Flux levels can be easily adjusted using field orientation, but this considerable reduces response times. The flux response is increased by using an estimate of the flux generated by an open loop observer in a flux control. Computer simulations are made to verify improvements made in the flux response and torque responses. The effect of current limitations along with errors in estimation in parameters in the observer are investigated using these simulations.
Functionalizing micro-3D-printed protein hydrogels for cell adhesion and patterning

The extracellular matrix has been shown to profoundly influence both cell morphology and numerous cellular processes – including adhesion, differentiation, and alignment – through a range of chemical, mechanical, and topographical features. In these studies, we investigate a versatile platform for functionalizing micro-3D-printed (μ-3DP) protein hydrogels via multiphoton excitation of benzophenone-biotin, a photoactivatable ligand capable of reacting with the hydrogel matrix, which is subsequently linked to a biotinylated cell-adhesive peptide through a NeutrAvidin® bridge. This functionalization strategy is potentially applicable to a broad range of hydrogel platforms, enabling biomolecules to be precisely patterned at specified locations within 3D materials. As proof-of-concept of this strategy's utility, we demonstrate that chemical modifications can be made to μ-3DP protein hydrogels that enable Schwann cells to be patterned without altering the mechanical or topographical properties of the hydrogel to an extent that influences SC cell adhesion. The ability to independently control potential cellular cues within in vitro cellular microenvironments is essential to investigating decoupled effects of biomaterial properties on cell-matrix interactions. In addition, we demonstrate feasibility for generating arbitrary immobilized chemical gradient profiles, a result that opens important opportunities for understanding and controlling haptotactic behaviors, such as directed migration, that are key to various tissue regeneration applications.
Salesperson Bonuses and Their Impact on Residential Property Price and Time on Market

This paper investigates the impact on both sales price and marketing time of offering a bonus to the selling broker of property. Recognizing and controlling for the different incentives inherent in...
Effect of low oxygen tensions on glucose-metabolizing enzymes in cultured articular chondrocytes.

SummaryThe specific activities of 12 glucose-metabolizing enzymes of rabbit articular chondrocytes in monolayer culture were generally higher than those of cutaneous fibrocytes. A greater LDH:MDH ratio in the former suggests preservation of a chondroid phenotype in vitro. At reduced oxygen concentrations, levels of LDH, MDH, PGM, aldolase, enolase, PFK and PGI increased. IDH and GAPDH decreased under these conditions while HK and G6DPH were unaffected.
Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA):Enzymatic studies in 5 non-related patients

MMA may be caused by at least three different enzyme defects: l)Defect of methylmalonyl-CoA(MMCoA)mutase-apoenzyme; 2)Defective metabolism or transport of the coenzyme of MMCoA mutase, 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin(dA-Bl2), or of its precursor, vitamin B12; 3) Deficiency of MMCoA racemase. -We have studied methylmalonate metabolism in leucocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts of 5 p. with MMA (1 p.B12-responsive, 4 p. clinically non-responsive). Intact fibroblasts of all 5 p. failed to metabolize 2-methyl-14C-malonate (MM-14C)to 14CO2, whether or not vitamin B12 or dA-B12 (10−5M) were added; whereas in intact leucocytes of the 3 p. so far investigated, 14CO2 formation from MM-14C was always present and similar to controls. Disrupted fibroblasts were studied using a specific enzyme assay with propionyl-CoA and NaH14CO3 as substrates. Methylmalonate metabolism was absent or severely impaired in all p. as revealed by methylmalonate accumulation and succinate formation. While addition of vitamin B12 (10−11 to 10−5M) had no effect in any of the p., addition of dA-B12 (10−7 to 10−5M) did not enhance succinate formation in 2 p., but fully restored enzyme activity in 2 other p. These data suggest a defective metabolism rather than a defective transport mechanism of the B12-coenzyme in the latter 2 p.
Abstract 938: Silencing the elephant in the room: therapeutic KRAS targeting with siRNA.

Introduction: Despite being one of the first known oncogenes in human cancer, to date there are no effective therapeutic options for inhibiting KRAS. We investigated whether systemically delivered KRAS siRNA using biocompatible nanoparticles has therapeutic potential in lung cancer models. Methods: We identified two KRAS siRNA sequences with notable potency in knocking-down KRAS expression, which were combined for the in vivo experiments. Using a lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) with a KRAS mutation (G12S), we assessed anti-proliferative affects of KRAS silencing with MTT assays. Using luciferase-labeled A549 cells in athymic nude mice, we created an orthotopic lung cancer model in the left lower lung and performed weekly IVIS imaging beginning one week after injection. We used a nanoliposomal delivery platform, DOPC, for systemic delivery of siRNAs. Mice were randomly distributed into the following treatment groups (n=10 mice per group): 1) Control (NC) siRNA, 2) KRAS siRNA, 3) NC siRNA+cisplatin (CDDP), 4) KRAS siRNA +CDDP. One week after cell line injection, treatment began and continued for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment mice were sacrificed, necropsied, and tumors were stained and evaluated for Ki-67 and caspase-3 by immunohistochemistry. Results: For both KRAS siRNA sequences, greater than 90% knock-down of KRAS was seen by western blot; which individually resulted in a 38% and 61% reduction in A549 cell viability (p=0.001 and p Discussion: Here, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept approach to therapeutic KRAS targeting using nanoparticle delivery of siRNA. This study highlights the potential translational impact of therapeutic RNA interference, which may have broad applications in oncology. Citation Format: Chad V. Pecot, Anshumaan Maharaj, Sherry Wu, Cristian Rodriguez-Aguayo, Vianey Gonzalez-Villasana, Rajesh Rupaimoole, Behrouz Zand, Thiru Arumugam, Gabriel Lopez, Anil Sood. Silencing the elephant in the room: therapeutic KRAS targeting with siRNA. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 938. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-938
Matrix and polymer soft-landing isolation of selected acids with pyridine and poly(4-vinylpyridine): a comparative infrared spectroscopic study of hydrogen bonding.

Hydrogen bonding plays a key role in the formation of nanostructures, as it is the “glue” between layers that are built by the layer-by-layer technique. Poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP) is one of the mo...
Influence of Scan Duration on Pulmonary Capillary Hemorrhage Induced by Diagnostic Ultrasound

Diagnostic ultrasound can induce pulmonary capillary hemorrhage (PCH) in rats and display this as "comet tail" artifacts (CTAs) after a time delay. To test the hypothesis that no PCH occurs for brief scans, anesthetized rats were scanned using a 6-MHz linear array for different durations. PCH was characterized by ultrasound CTAs, micro-computed tomography (μCT), and measurements of fixed lung tissue. The μCT images revealed regions of PCH, sometimes penetrating the entire depth of a lobe, which were reflected in the fixed tissue measurements. At -3 dB of power, PCH was substantial for 300-s scans, but not significant for 25-s scans. At 0 dB, PCH was not strongly dependent on scan durations of 300 to 10 s. Contrary to the hypothesis, CTAs were not evident during most 10-s scans (p > 0.05), but PCH was significant (p = 0.02), indicating that PCH could occur without evidence of the injury in the images.
Replacement of Oxygen by Sulfur in Small Organic Molecules. 3. Theoretical Studies on the Tautomeric Equilibria of the 2OH and 4OH-Substituted Oxazole and Thiazole and the 3OH and 4OH-Substituted Isoxazole and Isothiazole in the Isolated State and in Solution

This follow-up paper completes the author’s investigations to explore the in-solution structural preferences and relative free energies of all OH-substituted oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole, and isothiazole systems. The polarizable continuum dielectric solvent method calculations in the integral-equation formalism (IEF-PCM) were performed at the DFT/B97D/aug-cc-pv(q+(d))z level for the stable neutral tautomers with geometries optimized in dichloromethane and aqueous solution. With the exception of the predictions for the predominant tautomers of the 3OH isoxazole and isothiazole, the results of the IEF-PCM calculations for identifying the most stable tautomer of the given species in the two selected solvents agreed with those from experimental investigations. The calculations predict that the hydroxy proton, with the exception for the 4OH isoxazole and 4OH isothiazole, moves preferentially to the ring nitrogen or to a ring carbon atom in parallel with the development of a C=O group. The remaining, low-fraction OH tautomers will not be observable in the equilibrium compositions. Relative solvation free energies obtained by the free energy perturbation method implemented in Monte Carlo simulations are in moderate accord with the IEF-PCM results, but consideration of the ΔGsolv/MC values in calculating ΔGstot maintains the tautomeric preferences. It was revealed from the Monte Carlo solution structure analyses that the S atom is not a hydrogen-bond acceptor in any OH-substituted thiazole or isothiazole, and the OH-substituted isoxazole and oxazole ring oxygens may act as a weak hydrogen-bond acceptor at most. The molecules form 1.0−3.4 solute−water hydrogen bonds in generally unexplored numbers at some specific solute sites. Nonetheless, hydrogen-bond formation is favorable with the NH, C=O and OH groups.
Epithelial Transplantation into the Cleared Mammary Fat Pad

Chapter Summary Established decades ago by DeOme and coworkers, transplantation of mammary epithelial cells or fragments into the “cleared” mammary fat pad of a host mouse continues to be an essential technique in the study of mammary gland biology. The technique exploits the fact that the murine mammary epithelium undergoes most of its development after puberty. Taking advantage of this early developmental stage, the inguinal mammary fat pad of a prepubertal host mouse is “cleared” of its rudimentary epithelium by surgically removing the fat pad tissue between the nipple and lymph node. The surgical resection leaves an epithelium-free fat pad that can be repopulated with transplanted mammary epithelial cells or tissue fragments from an exogenous source. With this technique, the natural development of the epithelial transplant can be studied during puberty, progressive stages of pregnancy and lactation, or in response to exogenous hormones. When applied to gene-knockout mouse models, the technique has proven to be indispensable for bypassing both embryonic lethal phenotypes and reproductive defects that would ordinarily preclude the study of such genotypes in the mammary epithelium of the adult or pregnant mouse. Beyond addressing the direct role of a gene product in the mammary epithelium, this technique is frequently used to assess the relative regenerative potential of epithelial cell populations that are enriched for (or depleted of) mammary stem or progenitor cells.
Regression Guided Deformable Models for Segmentation of Multiple Brain ROIs

This paper proposes a novel method of using regression-guided deformable models for brain regions of interest (ROIs) segmentation. Different from conventional deformable segmentation, which often deforms shape model locally and thus sensitive to initialization, we propose to learn a regressor to explicitly guide the shape deformation, thus eventually improves the performance of ROI segmentation. The regressor is learned via two steps, (1) a joint classification and regression random forest (CRRF) and (2) an auto-context model. The CRRF predicts each voxel’s deformation to the nearest point on the ROI boundary as well as each voxel’s class label (e.g., ROI versus background). The auto-context model further refines all voxel’s deformations (i.e., deformation field) and class labels (i.e., label maps) by considering the neighboring structures. Compared to the conventional random forest regressor, the proposed regressor provides more accurate deformation field estimation and thus more robust in guiding deformation of the shape model. Validated in segmentation of 14 midbrain ROIs from the IXI dataset, our method outperforms the state-of-art multi-atlas label fusion and classification methods, and also significantly reduces the computation cost.
Truck trip generation in small- and medium-sized urban areas

This paper describes procedures to develop truck trip generation (TTG) rates for small- and medium-sized urban areas and its implications. Ordinary least squares models are used to develop separate...
Why there? Developers' rationale for building social housing in the urban periphery in Latin America

Abstract Inadequate housing has become endemic to Latin American cities for over six decades. All that has changed has been who is going where. In the 1960s, the rural poor who came to the city solved their housing needs by building their own informal settlements on peri-urban lands. Today, the urban poor relocate to peri-urban housing complexes built by the private sector with state subsidies. Why have these new housing units for low-income households been built in peri-urban areas? This paper examines some of the mechanisms behind the location of the urban poor in cities, with a specific focus on the role developers have played in the construction of affordable housing in peri-urban areas of Brazil and, Mexico. The paper explores these mechanisms through interviews with affordable housing developers. We found that economies of scale – and not land prices – explain developers' preference for building in peripheral areas. Initial savings that accrue to developers due to lower land prices in the periphery are offset by the cost of having to build basic onsite infrastructure. Plus, large lots – which are available almost exclusively in urban peripheries – enable developers to achieve significant cost savings because these large lots make it possible for developers to build more than 500 units. In addition, weaker municipal regulations and fewer bidders, both of which are typical for projects in difficult-to-access peripheral locations, make for a shorter and easier approval process for these large housing projects.
Dynamics of Peer Production of Knowledge in Online Social Q&A Communities: A Life-Cycle Perspective of Successful and Failed Cases

Online peer production communities, such as Wikipedia, Yahoo Answers, and Stack Overflow, not only generate knowledge resources with low cost access, but also have tremendous potential to complement both online and offline movement of societies. As peer production communities flourished, merely describing successful cases has become less useful. Instead, scholars must identify the dynamics, structures, and conditions that contribute to or impede that success, including how communities change, what makes some communities succeed while others fail, and how and when to intervene successfully. In this dissertation project I combine Activity Theory, computational techniques, and qualitative and quantitative methods to understand the differences of dynamics, structures, and conditions of two social Q&A communities that produced contrasting results within the same context, based on the community life cycle.
Perspectives on good mothering from low-income mothers of color with maternal depression

The dominant sociocultural view of “good mothering” consists of a woman who selflessly provides for and attends to all of her children’ physical, financial, social, and emotional needs. For low-inc...
Creating Jewish Otherness: The Jew as an Archetype in Fourteenth-Century Philosophical and Theological Reasoning

In the medieval mind, the idea of the Jew often functioned as a fixed archetype around which individual actors in a Christian society could define themselves. High level philosophical and theological debates staged during the Middle Ages employed these archetypes and helped to solidify the Jew as a stock character in the culture at large, recognizable by his stubbornness, malice, and hatred of God. Using the writings of the fourteenth-century English Dominican, Robert Holcot, as a case study, instructors can illuminate for students how medieval Christian scholars frequently invoked the archetype of the Jew in their argumentation. Further, these insights illustrate how the influence of scholars like Holcot would have spilled over from the academic world into the lay community.
Emotion, Imagination, and the Limits of Reason, by Talia Morag

Talia Morag's Emotion, Imagination, and the Limits of Reason presents an interesting new theory of emotions. On her view, emotions are governed by densely interwoven associations among emotional me...
What should be computed in low level vision systems

Recently, there has been a trend towards developing low level vision models based on an analysis of the mapping of a three dimensional scene into a two dimensional image. Emphasis has been placed on recovering precise metric spatial information about the scene. While we agree with this approach, we suggest that more attention be paid to what should be computed. Pschophysical scaling, adaptation, and direct determination of higher order relations may be as useful in the perception of spatial layout as in other perceptual domains. When applied to computer vision systems, such processes may reduce dependance on overly specific scene constraints.
Ventricular Wall Stress: Stimulus to Hypertrophy and Determinant of Ejection Performance

As other contributors to this Symposium have shown, the echocardiogram has made possible continuous and accurate assessment of ventricular dimensions and wall thickness in humans. When the echocardiogram is obtained during cardiac catheterization [1] measurement of simultaneous ventricular pressure, dimension and wall thickness gives the opportunity to assess ventricular wall stress (Fig. 1). As seen in Fig. 2, wall stress for an ellipisoidal ventricle may be derived by setting pressure loading, PπR 2, equal to total wall force, σ x cross-sectional area of wall; a necessary equality at equilibrium if cardiac rupture is to be avoided. The meridional stress, σm, can be solved for, and measured throughout the cardiac cycle. When such measurements were compared with σm measured by traditional angiographic methods, excellent agreement was observed [2].
The VW Cephei System

It is well known that the original Lucy CCE model (Lucy, 1968a, 1968b) was unable to represent W-subclass light curves of W Ursae Majoris stars. Lucy’s zero order barotropic model, with gray atmosphere limb darkening produces a deeper transit eclipse and zero color variation with phase. These predictions disagree with observation. Changing the limb darkening coefficient alone, within acceptable limits, cannot deepen occultation eclipse enough to make it deeper than the transit eclipse, as observations require.
Transients In Cooling-Water Systems

Cooling-water systems are utilized in thermal and nuclear power plants to condense steam after it leaves the turbine. The condensed water is then used in the steam generators. For this purpose, steam is passed around a large number of small-diameter tubes through which cooling water, or coolant, is pumped. These tubes are contained in a large chamber, known as a condenser.
A new approach to phosphonopeptide analogs

Phosphonopeptide analogs 1 (Fig. 1) in which an amide bond is replaced with a phosphonate ester or phosphonamide linkage are highly effective inhibitors of proteases [1] and synthetases [2] and are widely employed as haptens for catalytic antibody generation [3]. While simple phosphonates and phosphonamides can be prepared easily via nucleophilic addition to phosphonochloridates 2, the additional functionality (A = PhthN, BocNH, FmocNH, CbzNH; or CONHR) and αcarbon branching present in the amino acid or peptide coupling partners result in moderate to poor yields for most phosphonopeptides. For example, a phosphonate ester analog of cyclohexylglycine-Trp (1, X = O, R = p-nitrobenzyl, A = FmocNH, cyclohexyl, indolylmethyl, could be prepared in 40% yield, but the corresponding phosphonamide (X = NH) could not be prepared at all [3]. Although advances in the phosphoryl chloride method for preparation of both phosphonate ester [4] and amide [5,6] peptide analogs have been made, further improvements are needed.
The CHI of Teaching Online: Blurring the Lines Between User Interfaces and Learner Interfaces

The growing prevalence of online education has led to an increase in user interface design for educational contexts, and especially an increase in user interfaces that serve a central role in the learning process. While much of this is straightforward user interface design, there are places where the line between interface design and learning design blur in significant ways. In this analysis, we perform a case study on a graduate-level human-computer interaction class delivered as part of an accredited online program. To evaluate the class, we borrow design principles from the HCI literature and examine how the class’s design implements usability principles like equity, flexibility, and consistency. Through this, we illustrate the unique intersection of interface design and learning design, with an emphasis on decisions that are not clearly in one design area or the other. Finally, we provide a brief evaluation of the class to endorse the class’s value for such an analysis.
Applications of GaN power devices

Abstract With recent advances made in gallium nitride power devices, this new generation of switches can be operated with significantly higher frequency compared to their silicon counterparts. In this chapter, a number of designs have been demonstrated in applications such as front-end power factor correction, high-voltage DC/DC converters, and battery chargers. All of these designs demonstrate a significant improvement in power density by a factor of 5–10. It is notable that not only is this not achieved at the expense of efficiency, but in some cases better efficiency is achieved together with significantly higher power density. Furthermore, in most of these designs, magnetics are distributed in the form of matrix transformers or integrated inductors. For operating frequencies in the mega-hertz range, the magnetics are integrated in the printed circuit board with significantly improved manufacturability and reduced cost.
Nanotechnology-mediated crossing of two impermeable membranes to modulate the stars of the neurovascular unit for neuroprotection

The success of nanoparticle-mediated delivery of antioxidant and antiinflammatory-based neuroprotectants to the brain to improve neuronal functions in neurodegenerative diseases has demonstrated lesser impact instead of achieving its full potential. We hypothesized that these failures were due to a combination of parameters, such as: (i) unavailability of a delivery vehicle, which can reproducibly and efficiently transport through the brain capillary endothelium; (ii) inefficient uptake of therapeutic nanoparticles in the neuronal cell population; and (iii) limited ability of a single nanoparticle to cross the two most-impermeable biological barriers, the blood–brain barrier and mitochondrial double membrane, so that a nanoparticle can travel through the brain endothelial barrier to the mitochondria of target cells where oxidative damage is localized. Herein, we demonstrate optimization of a biodegradable nanoparticle for efficient brain accumulation and protection of astrocytes from oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunctions to enhance the neuroprotection ability of astrocytes toward neurons using neurodegeneration characteristics in SOD1G93A rats. This biodegradable nanomedicine platform with the ability to accumulate in the brain has the potential to bring beneficial effects in neurodegenerative diseases by modulating the stars, astrocytes in the brain, to enhance their neuroprotective actions.
Intravenous Methamphetamine Does Not Appear to Be a Contraindication for Heart Donation in Heart Transplantation

Purpose Intravenous methamphetamine (IV meth) use in potential heart donors has been of concern due to the possibility of methamphetamine cardiomyopathy and transmission of infections. There is also concern regarding the development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) due to possible endothelial cell dysfunction. Therefore, we reviewed our HTx data to identify those donors who primarily used IV meth in the past 6 months prior to organ donation. Methods Between 2010-2017 we identified 32 heart donors who were actively using IV meth. We compared this to 329 donors who had no history of drug use during the same time period. Endpoints included 1-year survival, 1-year freedom from CAV (as defined by stenosis ≥ 30% by angiography), non-fatal major adverse cardiac events (NF-MACE: myocardial infarction, new congestive heart failure, percutaneous coronary intervention, implantable cardioverter defibrillator/pacemaker implant, stroke), Any-Treated Rejection (ATR), Acute-Celular Rejection (ACR), Antibody-Mediated Rejection (AMR), and Biopsy-Negative Rejection (BNR). The incidence of PGD was also assessed. Results There was no significant difference in endpoints between IV meth use in donors and those donors without meth use (see table). The incidence of PGD was also not different between the groups. Other drugs that were being abused (in combination) included heroin at 46.8% and cocaine at 9.4%. The addition of these drugs did not change outcome. Conclusion The use of donors using IV meth does not appear to be a contraindication for HTx. Longer term follow up will be necessary to confirm these findings.
Defining Normal Balance for Army Aviators.

INTRODUCTION One challenge clinicians face is determining when a military Service Member (SM) can return to duty after an injury that affects the postural control. The gold standard to measure postural control is the Sensory Organization Test (SOT). This test measures the amount of sway present in an individual's static stance that may be used to examine range of function and monitor recovery from injury. Normative values currently available were developed using a sample of clinically normal adults from the general population (i.e., civilian non-aviator). Previous research suggests that these values should not be used as a comparative cohort for high-performing populations in the military. However, normative values, specific to military SMs, do not exist. The aim of this study was to develop a normative clinical database for functional balance (i.e., the SOT) for military-trained aviators, an occupational specialty that may consist of high performers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-three U.S. Army trained aviators, between 23 and 40 years old with medical clearance for flight operations from the Fort Rucker, Alabama area community consented and participated in this study. The SOT was delivered using the NeuroCom SMART EquiTest Clinical Research System with the Data Acquisition Toolkit (version 9.3). RESULTS A statistically significant (p < 0.01) difference between the study cohort of Army-trained aviators and the publically available general civilian normative values was found for the more challenging conditions, in which the force plate was not fixed (i.e., conditions four through six). The study cohort of Army-trained aviators were found to have a higher equilibrium score in each of these three conditions. Similarly, a significant difference (p < 0.01) between the two cohorts was found on the visual and vestibular sensory analysis ratios, and the visual preference scores (i.e., greater reliance upon visual information in the maintenance of balance). The study cohort were found to have a higher ratios (i.e., greater dependence upon these sensory cues) in each of these conditions. CONCLUSION Army-trained aviators are high-functioning performers whose SOT scores differ from that of the general civilian population, particularly for the more challenging test conditions. New normative values were developed from this study population. Use of the developed normative values could be used as a comparative cohort in screening aviators who are recovering from injuries that affect postural stability.
Numerical investigation of vortex tubes with extended vortex chambers

Abstract Ranque–Hilsch vortex tubes are often utilized to produce cooling when a compressed air source is readily available. In comparison with traditional cooling technologies, vortex-tube devices are much simpler, since they do not have moving parts. However, their thermal efficiencies are also lower, so they are used primarily for industrial spot cooling. Several options to modify and improve vortex tube performance exist. While a lot of previous research efforts addressed optimization of the inlet and outlet components, the main tube variations have not been thoroughly explored beyond simple tapered tubes. In this paper we numerically investigate augmenting vortex tubes with cyclonic-type extensions of the vortex chambers. The computational fluid dynamics software STAR-CCM+ was utilized to simulate a typical counter-flow vortex tube operating with air. The numerical approach was validated via comparison to experimental studies available in the literature. A reasonably efficient high-capacity vortex tube design was parametrically analyzed. This setup and its several modifications were numerically modeled under selected external conditions. The configuration with an intermediate-size vortex chamber extension demonstrated the highest performance among the studied setups. This variant of the vortex tube was also predicted to perform better than the original system by about 15% in a range of cold-flow fractions.
Incorporation of Biologic Response Variance Modeling Into the Clinic: Limiting Risk of Brachial Plexopathy and Other Late Effects of Breast Cancer Proton Beam Therapy.

Abstract Purpose The relative biologic effectiveness (RBE) rises with increasing linear energy transfer toward the end of proton tracks. Presently, there is no consensus on how RBE heterogeneity should be accounted for in breast cancer proton therapy treatment planning. Our purpose was to determine the dosimetric consequences of incorporating a brachial plexus (BP) biologic dose constraint and to describe other clinical implications of biologic planning. Methods and Materials We instituted a biologic dose constraint for the BP in the context of MC1631, a randomized trial of conventional versus hypofractionated postmastectomy intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT). IMPT plans of 13 patients treated before the implementation of the biologic dose constraint (cohort A) were compared with IMPT plans of 38 patients treated on MC1631 after its implementation (cohort B) using (1) a commercially available Eclipse treatment planning system (RBE = 1.1); (2) an in-house graphic processor unit-based Monte Carlo physical dose simulation (RBE = 1.1); and (3) an in-house Monte Carlo biologic dose (MCBD) simulation that assumes a linear relationship between RBE and dose-averaged linear energy transfer (product of RBE and physical dose = biologic dose). Results Before implementation of a BP biologic dose constraint, the Eclipse mean BP D0.01 cm3 was 107%, and the MCBD estimate was 128% (ie, 64 Gy [RBE = biologic dose] in 25 fractions for a 50-Gy [RBE = 1.1] prescription), compared with 100.0% and 116.0%, respectively, after the implementation of the constraint. Implementation of the BP biologic dose constraint did not significantly affect clinical target volume coverage. MCBD plans predicted greater internal mammary node coverage and higher heart dose than Eclipse plans. Conclusions Institution of a BP biologic dose constraint may reduce brachial plexopathy risk without compromising target coverage. MCBD plan evaluation provides valuable information to physicians that may assist in making clinical judgments regarding relative priority of target coverage versus normal tissue sparing.
Design of Silk-Elastin-Like Protein Nanoparticle Systems with Mucoadhesive Properties

Transmucosal drug delivery is a promising avenue to improve therapeutic efficacy through localized therapeutic administration. Drug delivery systems that increase retention in the mucosal layer are needed to improve efficiency of such transmucosal platforms. However, the applicability of such systems is often limited by the range of chemistries and properties that can be achieved. Here we present the design and implementation of silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) with mucoadhesive properties. SELP-based micellar-like nanoparticles provide a system to tailor chemical and physical properties through genetic engineering of the SELP sequence, which enables the fabrication of nanoparticles with specific chemical and physical features. Analysis of the adhesion of four different SELP-based nanoparticle systems in an artificial mucus system, as well as in in vitro cellular assays indicates that addition of mucoadhesive chemical features on the SELP systems increases retention of the particles in mucosal environments. The results indicated that SELP-based nanoparticles provide a useful approach to study and develop transmucosal protein drug delivery system with unique mucoadhesive properties. Future studies will serve to further expand the range of achievable properties, as well as the utilization of SELPs to fabricate mucoadhesive materials for in vivo testing.
Association between liver diffusion-weighted imaging apparent diffusion coefficient values and other measures of liver disease in pediatric autoimmune liver disease patients.

Multiple quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods have been described to noninvasively detect and characterize liver fibrosis, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). To evaluate associations between liver MRI DWI apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and clinical factors and other quantitative liver MRI metrics in pediatric patients with autoimmune liver disease (AILD). Fifty-seven research liver MRI examinations performed from January 2017 to August 2018 for pediatric AILD registry participants were evaluated. Liver DWI ADC values, liver and spleen stiffness (kPa), and iron-corrected T1 (cT1; Perspectum Diagnostics) were measured at four anatomic levels. Participant age, sex, and laboratory data (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT]) were recorded. Spearman’s rank-order correlation (rho) and multiple linear regression were used to evaluate the associations between liver ADC values and predictor variables. Mean (SD) participant age was 14.8 (4.0) years, 45.6% (26/57) were girls. Mean liver DWI ADC value was 1.34 (0.14 × 10−3) mm2/s. Liver ADC values showed weak to moderate correlations with liver stiffness (r = − 0.42, p = 0.001), spleen stiffness (r = − 0.34; p = 0.015), whole-liver mean cT1 (r = − 0.39; p = 0.007), ALT (r = − 0.50; p = 0.0001), and GGT (r = − 0.48; p = 0.0004). Multiple linear regression showed liver stiffness (p = 0.0009) and sex (p = 0.023) to be independent predictors of liver ADC values. Liver DWI ADC values are significantly associated with liver and spleen stiffnesses, liver cT1, ALT, GGT, and participant sex, with liver stiffness and sex remaining significant at multivariable regression. Liver ADC ultimately may play a role in multi-parametric prediction of chronic liver disease/fibrosis severity.
Vector Balancing in Lebesgue Spaces.

A tantalizing conjecture in discrete mathematics is the one of Komlos, suggesting that for any vectors $\mathbf{a}_1,\ldots,\mathbf{a}_n \in B_2^m$ there exist signs $x_1, \dots, x_n \in \{ -1,1\}$ so that $\|\sum_{i=1}^n x_i\mathbf{a}_i\|_\infty \le O(1)$. It is a natural extension to ask what $\ell_q$-norm bound to expect for $\mathbf{a}_1,\ldots,\mathbf{a}_n \in B_p^m$. We prove that, for $2 \le p \le q \le \infty$, such vectors admit fractional colorings $x_1, \dots, x_n \in [-1,1]$ with a linear number of $\pm 1$ coordinates so that $\|\sum_{i=1}^n x_i\mathbf{a}_i\|_q \leq O(\sqrt{\min(p,\log(2m/n))}) \cdot n^{1/2-1/p+ 1/q}$, and that one can obtain a full coloring at the expense of another factor of $\frac{1}{1/2 - 1/p + 1/q}$. In particular, for $p \in (2,3]$ we can indeed find signs $\mathbf{x} \in \{ -1,1\}^n$ with $\|\sum_{i=1}^n x_i\mathbf{a}_i\|_\infty \le O(n^{1/2-1/p} \cdot \frac{1}{p-2})$. Our result generalizes Spencer's theorem, for which $p = q = \infty$, and is tight for $m = n$. Additionally, we prove that for any fixed constant $\delta>0$, in a centrally symmetric body $K \subseteq \mathbb{R}^n$ with measure at least $e^{-\delta n}$ one can find such a fractional coloring in polynomial time. Previously this was known only for a small enough constant -- indeed in this regime classical nonconstructive arguments do not apply and partial colorings of the form $\mathbf{x} \in \{ -1,0,1\}^n$ do not necessarily exist.
Playing with method: testing one approach towards identifying the places of past children

Before approaching larger questions surrounding the role of children as agents of innovation in the past, we must first be able to confidently archaeologically identify their presence within social spaces. While previous research has broken down some assumptions surrounding the use of material culture by children, there still exists a considerable gap in the identification of features relating to children's activities in the archaeological record. The identification of play areas at archaeological sites contributes to a better understanding of the artefacts located in proximity to them, increasing the accuracy of interpretations of the past. This paper presents a possible methodological solution to identifying children's spaces in the archaeological record of North America's Northwest Plains. The historic record indicates that Indigenous children engaged in domestic play using several varieties of play tipis, some of which have potential to be identified in the archaeological record as small stone circles. I examine if there is any significant difference between stone circles possibly representing play areas from those representing hearths based on the feature attributes identified from archival collections. Analysis of these features from nine Wyoming counties reveals significant differences between hearths and play tipis.
Looking back at 2020; planning for the big questions of the future

This issue is going to press at the end of 2020. Normally, in a year with record global temperatures, an Atlantic hurricane season that used the Greek alphabet, and forest fires in places that rare...
Deletion of TLR4 reduces apoptosis and improves histology in a murine kidney transplant model.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after transplantation of human deceased donor kidneys is associated with upregulation of tubular toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), but whether TLR4 is required for AKI is unknown. We hypothesized that TLR4 knockout mice (TLR4KO) subjected to cold ischemia followed by kidney transplant (CI + Txp) would be protected from AKI. C57Bl/6J wild type or TLR4KO kidneys were subjected to CI + Txp into wild type recipients. Tubular cell apoptosis, tubular injury and cast formation were significantly improved in recipients of TLR4KO kidneys. TLR4KO kidneys also demonstrated significantly decreased expression of the effector caspase 8. Brush border injury scores and serum creatinine were not different in recipients of TLR4KO versus wild type kidneys. Phosphorylated RIP3 and MLKL through which TLR4 signals programmed necrosis were expressed in both recipient groups. In addition, TNF-α and TNFR1 expression were significantly increased in recipient serum and TLR4KO kidneys respectively after CI + Txp, suggesting continued activation of programmed necrosis despite TLR4 deletion. Our results suggest that TLR4 deletion decreases apoptosis via inhibition of the death receptor pathway and decreases tubular injury and cast formation.
Hierarchical modeling of C and Si nano-cluster nucleation utilizing quantum and statistical mechanics

A hierarchical, multi-scale computer model for the nucleation of nano-phase materials from the vapor phase is presented. The model utilizes full solutions to quantum mechanics cluster energy equations for sizes up to 10 atoms, and statistical rate theory for larger cluster sizes. Ab initio and semi-empirical quantum mechanics methods are used to investigate the energetics of Si and C clusters. The results of binding energy and most stable configurations show significant differences between C and Si nano-clusters. Atomic cluster size distributions are obtained from reaction rate theory on the basis of collision frequencies in the vapor phase. Cluster reaction rates are determined from the energetics and vibrational modes, as investigated by quantum mechanics for small sizes. The nucleation and further evolution of the cluster size distribution is modeled by solutions to detailed kinetic equations. This multi-scale model is shown to be a useful computer simulation tool, which can be utilized to design experiments on nano-phase materials with minimum adjustable parameters.
An Analysis of Guaranteed Student Loans

"The Guaranteed Student Loan Program provides loans to students even without collateral, income, or credit history, which creates a great risk." This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol4/iss1/12 An Analysis of Guaranteed Student Loans
Kovalevsky, Alexander Onufrevitch

Russian embryologist and invertebrate zoologist Alexander Onufrevitch Kovalvsky (1840–1901) was one of the founders of cellular and evolutionary embryology. His acclaimed scientific work focused on embryological and invertebrate anatomy of amphioxus, ascidians and other invertebrates. The innovation of this work was to trace the history of adult tissues cell-by-cell from the original egg-cell. Based on these studies, Kovalevsky proposed an evolutionary theory of germ layers and argued that the process of gastrulation is homologous among all animals. Along with his friend and colleague Ilja Iljich Metschnikoff, Kovalevsky published detailed descriptions of most major invertebrate groups. His combination of detailed embryological observations and evolutionary considerations make Kovalevsky one of the founders of an approach now called evolutionary developmental biology. Key Concepts: Kovalevsky was one of the founders of cellular and evolutionary embryology. Kovalevsky was an embryologist and invertebrate zoologist. Keywords: Kovalevsky; gastrulation; germ layers; evolutionary embryology; evolutionary developmental biology; Metchnikoff; stazzione zoologica
Locomotor development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) under novel hydrodynamic conditions.

The kinematics, neuromuscular control, and hydrodynamic aspects of normal locomotor activity in larval zebrafish have been extensively studied. Although locomotion depends heavily on the fluid properties of water, we have little knowledge of what sensory and developmental cues zebrafish larvae receive from their interaction with the fluid medium in which they grow. In this study, I manipulate the viscosity of water in which larvae grow until 5 and 7 days postfertilization (dpf) and record the kinematics of routine turns in their growth medium. Larvae are then transferred to a new medium of different viscosity and filmed again after short and long acclimation periods. Four hypotheses are tested: (1) larval kinematics are constrained by muscle activation patterns, (2) larval kinematics are guided by kinematic objectives, (3) routine turning control is independent of early locomotor experience, and (4) response to novel fluid environment is independent of developmental stage. The results indicate that a kinematic parameter, stage 1 angle, correlates with the kinematics of stage 1 while muscle activation patterns likely constrain stage 2. Development of this behavior is not dependent on locomotor experience both at 5 and 7 dpf, although the two age groups respond differently to increased viscosity. J. Exp. Zool. 317:117–126, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An RSSI-based scheme for sybil attack detection in wireless sensor networks

A sybil node impersonates other nodes by broadcasting messages with multiple node identifiers (ID). In contrast to existing solutions which are based on sharing encryption keys, we present a robust and lightweight solution for sybil attack problem based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) readings of messages. Our solution is robust since it detects all sybil attack cases with 100% completeness and less than a few percent false positives. Our solution is lightweight in the sense that alongside the receiver we need the collaboration of one other node (i.e., only one message communication) for our protocol. We show through experiments that even though RSSI is time-varying and unreliable in general and radio transmission is non-isotropic, using ratio of RSSIs from multiple receivers it is feasible to overcome these problems.