cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influences of ENSO on Stratospheric Variability, and the Descent of Stratospheric Perturbations into the Lower Troposphere

AbstractThe linkage between El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) through the stratospheric pathway is examined using a global coupled climate model [GFDL Climate Model version 3 (CM3)], with increased vertical resolution and extent in the stratosphere as compared to an earlier model [GFDL Climate Model version 2 (CM2)]. It is demonstrated that the relationship between ENSO and NAO is stronger in CM3 than in CM2.It is found that ENSO plays an important role in modulating the frequency of occurrence of the stratospheric polar vortex anomalies through enhancement/attenuation of the amplitudes of zonal wavenumbers 1 and 2, especially in late winter. A higher frequency of weak (strong) stratospheric vortex events is simulated in CM3 during El Nino (La Nina) episodes.The weak vortex events during El Nino winters are preceded by enhancement of the zonal wave-1 pattern and weakening of zonal wave-2 pattern. These modified tropospheric planetary waves propagate upward and then w...
Noise and sampling analysis for multiple-image radiography

We have recently proposed a new X-ray imaging method called multiple-image radiography (MIR), which produces three images that separately depict the effects of X-ray absorption, X-ray refraction, and ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering. Because MIR is a relatively recent development, many of its basic properties have not yet been determined. In this paper we investigate the noise properties of MIR by deriving the Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLB) for the three MIR images. Next using this bound an evaluation of the uniform angular sampling acquisition procedure is given.
A probabilistic framework for next best view estimation in a cluttered environment

Next best view estimation.Probabilistic framework.Evaluated on multiple exploration scenarios. In this article, we present an information gain-based variant of the next best view problem for occluded environment. Our proposed method utilizes a belief model of the unobserved space to estimate the expected information gain of each possible viewpoint. More precise, this belief model allows a more precise estimation of the visibility of occluded space and with that a more accurate prediction of the potential information gain of new viewing positions. We present experimental evaluation on a robotic platform for active data acquisition, however due to the generality of our approach it also applies to a wide variety of 3D reconstruction problems. With the evaluation done in simulation and on a real robotic platform, exploring and acquiring data from different environments we demonstrate the generality and usefulness of our approach for next best view estimation and autonomous data acquisition.
"Performance below Aspirations, Cultural Motivations of Owners and Slack"

In this paper, we study how organizational slack changes in Japanese firms when performance falls below the aspiration level. Furthermore, we also examine the contingency of the owners’ culture and institutional background in understanding how the mix of different types of slack is affected when performance falls below aspirations. We consider two types of owners who display very distinct institutional and cultural differences: relational and transactional. Our results indicate that when performance falls below aspiration, relational ownership leads to an increase in absorbed slack, but a decrease in unabsorbed and potential slack.
Telenovelas and representations of national identity in Brazil

The article analyses the representations of national identity in the fictional programming of TV Globo, Brazil’s dominant media conglomerate. A textual analysis of telenovelas (soap operas) broadca...
High Environmental Temperature and Broiler Livability

Abstract Evaporative cooling is a tool available to the broiler producer to lower broiler house temperature during the hot summer months. Three trials were conducted to determine if broiler males exposed to a temperature regimen similar to evaporative cooling would be more susceptible to heat prostration than those exposed to a normal summer cyclic regimen. Results show that broiler males exposed to a temperature regimen similar to evaporative cooling are more susceptible to heat prostration with significantly higher mortality than those exposed to a normal summer cyclic regimen. Extra care should be exercised for broilers reared under an evaporative cooling regimen to be certain they are not exposed to excessive high temperature, especially when catching, transporting, and holding the broilers at the processing plant.
Hemodynamic Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Gene and Protein Expression in Adult Feline Myocardium

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA and protein biosynthesis were examined in adult feline myocardium in the presence and absence of superimposed hemodynamic pressure overloading. A brief period of hemodynamic pressure overloading ex vivo resulted in de novo TNF-alpha mRNA expression within 30 minutes and de novo TNF-alpha protein production within 60 minutes; neither TNF-alpha mRNA nor protein was detected in hearts perfused at normal perfusion pressures. Moreover, TNF-alpha mRNA and protein biosynthesis were observed in myocyte and nonmyocyte cell types in the pressure-overloaded hearts. To determine whether a simple passive stretch of the myocardium was a sufficient stimulus for TNF-alpha biosynthesis, we examined TNF-alpha mRNA expression in stretched and unstretched papillary muscles. This study showed that myocardial stretch was a sufficient stimulus for the induction of TNF-alpha mRNA biosynthesis. The functional significance of the intramyocardial production of TNF-alpha was determined by examining cell motion in isolated contracting cardiac myocytes treated with superfusates from pressure-overloaded and control hearts. These studies showed that cell motion was depressed in myocytes treated with superfusates from the pressure-overloaded hearts but was normal with the superfusates from the control hearts. Finally, hemodynamic pressure overloading in vivo under physiological conditions was also shown to result in de novo intramyocardial TNF-alpha mRNA biosynthesis. In conclusion, this study constitutes the initial demonstration that the adult mammalian myocardium elaborates biologically active TNF-alpha, both ex vivo and in vivo, in response to hemodynamic pressure overloading.
Letting Sleeping dos Lie: Does Dormancy Play a Role in Tuberculosis?

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis, remains a major human public health threat. This is largely due to a sizeable reservoir of latently infected individuals, who may relapse into active disease decades after first acquiring the infection. Furthermore, patients have a very slow response to treatment of active disease. Latency and antibiotic tolerance are commonly taken as a proxy for dormancy, a stable nonreplicative state. However, latency is a clinical term that is solely defined by a lack of disease indicators. The actual state of the bacterium in human latency is not well understood. Here we evaluate the results of several in vitro models of dormancy and consider the applicability of various animal models for studying aspects of human latency and resistance to killing by antibiotics. Furthermore, we propose a model for the initiation of dormancy and resuscitation during infection.
Atherosclerosis imaging using MR imaging: current and emerging applications.

Atherosclerosis Imaging Using MR Imaging: Current and Emerging Applications Milind Y. Desai, MD, David A. Bluemke, MD, PhD* National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892-5477, USA Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiologic Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
Effect of replacement algorithms on a paged buffer database system

In a database system a buffer may be used to hold recently referenced pages. If this buffer is in virtual memory, the database paging system and the memory paging system affect its performance. The study of the effect of main memory replacement algorithms on the number of main memory page faults is the basic objective of this paper. We assume that the buffer replacement algorithm is least recently used (LRU), and page fault rates for LRU, random (R), and generalized least recently used (GLRU) main memory replacement algorithms are calculated and compared. A set of experiments validates these fault rate expressions and establishes some conditions for the practical application of the results.
Smoothing in environmental epidemiology

Smoothing is a branch of regression analysis that allows for a predictor to impact the response as an arbitrary smooth function. It is also known as nonparametric regression. The purpose of this article is to alleviate the restrictiveness of parametric functional relationships, such as that imposed by linearity. Keywords: splines; kernel smoothing; non parametric regression
Principles of conservative parallel simulation

This tutorial describes considerations in writing parallelized discrete-event simulations. We identify key principles behind various synchronization methods tailored to simulate complex systems.
Dissolution of mixed amorphous–crystalline Cd-containing Fe coprecipitates in the presence of common organic ligands

Environmental context Common soil minerals, which often contain trace metals in contaminated environments, are thought to limit metal-related risks in the environment. We studied the stability of these contaminated minerals and found that the presence of plant-derived organic compounds can alter contaminant availability in such environments. Understanding how soluble organics may change trace metal availability helps to predict risk and potentially remediate such environments more efficiently. Abstract Trace metals are common impurities in Fe oxides in soils and can be liberated by organic compounds in the soil. Impurities can also alter and potentially destabilise mineral structures by increasing amorphous or nanocrystalline components. Two Fe oxides found in smelter-contaminated soils, goethite (α-FeOOH) and franklinite (ZnFe2O4), were synthesised as coprecipitates with Cd and subjected to dissolution using oxalic acid, citric acid, cysteine and histidine. Substantial quantities of amorphous- (10–60% of total) and surface-associated Cd (5–70% of total) were present in all coprecipitates. Histidine and oxalic acid consistently enhanced, while cysteine inhibited, Cd release from all coprecipitated minerals. Mixed amorphous–crystalline mineral aggregations are common in natural soils, and must be further studied to understand their role in contaminant availability. In addition, Fe oxides, often considered sinks for toxic metals, may be less effective at reducing contaminant mobility and bioavailability in biologically active soils.
Do Attitudes Affect Memory? Tests of the Congeniality Hypothesis:

Social psychologists have usually hypothesized that attitudinal selectivity biases people's memory in favor of information that is congenial to their attitudes, because they are motivated to defend their attitudes against uncongenial information. However, our meta-analysis found that such effects have been only inconsistently obtained. One reason for these inconsistencies is that the defense of attitudes against attacks does not necessarily entail avoiding the uncongenial information. As shown by our experiments, people often expose themselves to attitudinally uncongenial information, attend to it, scrutinize it carefully, encode it accurately, and remember it fairly well, even though they dislike the information and are not persuaded by it. Given sufficient motivation and capacity, people mount an active defense that enhances memory for the information.
Involvement of cyclic GMP in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic inhibitory neurotransmission in dog proximal colon.

1. Nitric oxide (NO) may serve as a non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) neurotransmitter released from enteric inhibitory nerves in the gastrointestinal tract. We tested whether guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) may serve as a second messenger in transducing the NO signal into inhibitory junction potentials (i.j.ps) and relaxation in the canine proximal colon. 2. The membrane permeable analogue of cyclic GMP, 8-bromo cyclic GMP (8-Br-cyclic GMP) mimicked the effects of NO by hyperpolarizing cells near the myenteric border of the circular muscle layer and shortening slow waves in cells near the submucosal surface of the circular muscle layer. 8-Br-cGMP also inhibited spontaneous phasic contractions. 3. The specific cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, M&B 22948, hyperpolarized cells near the myenteric border and prolonged the duration of i.j.ps. M&B 22948 also inhibited phasic contractile activity. 4. Methylene blue failed to reduce significantly the amplitude and duration of i.j.ps and had variable effects on contractions. 5. Cyclic GMP levels were assayed in unstimulated muscles and in muscles exposed to exogenous NO and electrical field stimulation. Both stimuli hyperpolarized membrane potential, inhibited contractions, and elevated cyclic GMP levels. 6. Treatment of muscles with L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) increased spontaneous contractile activity and lowered cyclic GMP levels. The inhibitory effect of M&B 22948 on contractions was greatly reduced after muscles were treated with L-NAME. 7. These data support the concept that the effects of NANC nerve stimulation and NO (which may be one of the enteric inhibitory transmitters) may be mediated by cyclic GMP.
Dominant-Negative Effect on Adhesion by Myelin Po Protein Truncated in Its Cytoplasmic Domain

The myelin Po protein is believed to hold myelin together via interactions of both its extracellular and cytoplasmic domains. We have already shown that the extracellular domains of Po can interact in a homophilic manner (Filbin, M.T., F.S. Walsh, B.D. Trapp, J.A. Pizzey, and G.I. Tennekoon. 1990. Nature (Lond.). 344:871-872). In addition, we have shown that for this homophilic adhesion to take place, the cytoplasmic domain of Po must be intact and most likely interacting with the cytoskeleton; Po proteins truncated in their cytoplasmic domains are not adhesive (Wong, M.H., and M.T. Filbin, 1994. J. Cell Biol. 126:1089-1097). To determine if the presence of these truncated forms of Po could have an effect on the functioning of the full-length Po, we coexpressed both molecules in CHO cells. The adhesiveness of CHO cells expressing both full-length Po and truncated Po was then compared to cells expressing only full-length Po. In these coexpressors, both the full-length and the truncated Po proteins were glycosylated. They reached the surface of the cell in approximately equal amounts as shown by an ELISA and surface labeling, followed by immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, the amount of full-length Po at the cell surface was equivalent to other cell lines expressing only full-length Po that we had already shown to be adhesive. Therefore, there should be sufficient levels of full-length Po at the surface of these coexpressors to measure adhesion of Po. However, as assessed by an aggregation assay, the coexpressors were not adhesive. By 60 min they had not formed large aggregates and were indistinguishable from the control transfected cells not expressing Po. In contrast, in the same time, the cells expressing only the full-length Po had formed large aggregates. This indicates that the truncated forms of Po have a dominant-negative effect on the adhesiveness of the full-length Po. Furthermore, from cross-linking studies, full-length Po, when expressed alone but not when coexpressed with truncated Po, appears to cluster in the membrane. We suggest that truncated Po exerts its dominant-negative effect by preventing clustering of full-length Po. We also show that colchicine, which disrupts microtubules, prevents adhesion of cells expressing only the full-length Po. This strengthens our suggestion that an interaction of Po with the cytoskeleton, either directly or indirectly, is required for adhesion to take place.
Misconduct at the Lab? A Performance Task Case Study for Teaching Data Analysis and Critical Thinking

A distractor-rich performance task case study was developed to teach undergraduate analytical chemistry students about standard addition while reinforcing their grasp of data analysis and quality control principles. The performance task presents students with an e-mail from a fictional district attorney that asks them to investigate allegations of data falsification in a crime lab and determine whether fabricated, falsified, or faulty analyses may have impacted one particular court case. It also asks students to suggest changes to the lab’s quality assurance practices. Correct analysis of the task scenario requires students to recognize that the accused analyst systematically overestimated analyte levels when they incorrectly assumed that their standard addition data fell within the linear region of their method’s signal-response curve. The task is also designed to help students to grow in their professional awareness as chemists, critical thinking, and communication skills. This is because students are e...
Intravenous immunoglobulin skews macrophages to an anti-inflammatory, IL-10 producing activation state

Intravenous Ig is used to treat autoimmune or autoinflammatory disorders, but the mechanism by which it exerts its immunosuppressive activity is not understood completely. To examine the impact of intravenous Ig on macrophages, we compared cytokine production by LPS-activated macrophages in the presence and absence of intravenous Ig. Intravenous Ig treatment induced robust production of IL-10 in response to LPS, relative to LPS stimulation alone, and reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines. This anti-inflammatory, intravenous Ig-induced activation was sustained for 24 h but could only be induced if intravenous Ig were provided within 1 h of LPS stimulation. Intravenous Ig activation led to enhanced and prolonged activation of MAPKs, Erk1/2, p38, and Erk5, and inhibition of each reduced intravenous Ig-induced IL-10 production and suppression of IL-12/23p40. IL-10 production occurred rapidly in response to intravenous Ig + LPS and was sufficient to reduce proinflammatory IL-12/23p40 production in response to LPS. IL-10 induction and reduced IL-12/23p40 production were transcriptionally regulated. IL-10 played a direct role in reducing proinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages treated with intravenous Ig + LPS, as macrophages from mice deficient in the IL-10R β chain or in IL-10 were compromised in their ability to reduce proinflammatory cytokine production. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of intravenous Ig or intravenous Ig + LPS into mice activated macrophages to produce high levels of IL-10 during subsequent or concurrent LPS challenge, respectively. These findings identify IL-10 as a key anti-inflammatory mediator produced by intravenous Ig-treated macrophages and provide insight into a novel mechanism by which intravenous Ig may dampen down inflammatory responses in patients with autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases.
'Bringing Home the Pork' When 'Home' is the Entire National Electorate: Reelection Incentives of Senators of the Philippines

We analyze how Philippine senators spent their annual lump sum appropriations over the last decade to provide fresh evidence that reelection incentives per se explain variation in pork spending. Philippine senators are unique in that their constituency is the entire national electorate and that they have a fixed but limited fund for constituency services. These imply that senatorial reelectionists face a tradeoff between providing constituency services to signal ability/credibility and minimizing the adverse effects of differential pork allocation. Using the staggered-term structure of the Senate as the exogenous source of variation in reelection status, we find that Philippine senators 'bring home the pork' in ways that take into account this tradeoff. In particular, we find that senatorial reelectionists substantially increase efforts to utilize their lump sum appropriations, however, they do not behave any differently than non-reelectionists in terms of choosing the mix of targeted versus non-targeted pork spending.
Mutant p53 Promotes Epithelial Ovarian Cancer by Regulating Tumor Differentiation, Metastasis, and Responsiveness to Steroid Hormones

Mutations in the tumor protein p53 (TP53) are the most frequently occurring genetic events in high-grade ovarian cancers, especially the prevalence of the Trp53(R172H)-mutant allele. In this study, we investigated the impact of the Trp53(R172H)-mutant allele on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in vivo We used the Pten/Kras(G12D)-mutant mouse strain that develops serous EOC with 100% penetrance to introduce the mutant Trp53(R172H) allele (homolog for human Trp53(R172H)). We demonstrate that the Trp53(R172H) mutation promoted EOC but had differential effects on disease features and progression depending on the presence or absence of the wild-type (WT) TP53 allele. Heterozygous WT/Trp53(R172H) alleles facilitated invasion into the ovarian stroma, accelerated intraperitoneal metastasis, and reduced TP53 transactivation activity but retained responsiveness to nutlin-3a, an activator of WT TP53. Moreover, high levels of estrogen receptor α in these tumors enhanced the growth of both primary and metastatic tumors in response to estradiol. Ovarian tumors homozygous for Trp53(R172H) mutation were undifferentiated and highly metastatic, exhibited minimal TP53 transactivation activity, and expressed genes with potential regulatory functions in EOC development. Notably, heterozygous WT/Trp53(R172H) mice also presented mucinous cystadenocarcinomas at 12 weeks of age, recapitulating human mucinous ovarian tumors, which also exhibit heterozygous TP53 mutations (∼50%-60%) and KRAS mutations. Therefore, we present the first mouse model of mucinous tumor formation from ovarian cells and supporting evidence that mutant TP53 is a key regulator of EOC progression, differentiation, and responsiveness to steroid hormones. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2206-18. ©2016 AACR.
Rapid diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy using emergency bedside ultrasonography.

Is your patient’s abdominal pain a pregnancy gone wrong? Using bedside ultrasonography can improve your diagnostic proficiency and provide expedient care for your patients.
Analysis on the mercury hazard of Biomedical materials corporation in Beijing City from 2011-2013

[Objective]To understand the situation of occupational health examination and field monitoring among workers exposed mercury in biomedical materials corporation of Beijing City.[Methods] The field investigation,detection and occupational health examination methods were taken to analyze and evaluate.[Results]The results of field investigation showed that the short term exposure limit concentration( CSTEL) of mercury was 0. 042 1 mg/m3in mercury operation site of south workshop in 2012,which exceeded the national standard. The miss detection rate of physical examination in 2013 and 2011 were 25. 0% and 37. 5% respectively. The urine β2microglobulin in 2012( 13 cases) and 2013( 21 cases) were( 0. 12 ± 0. 04) mg / L and( 0. 17 ± 0. 06) mg / L; the urine mercury were( 1. 31 ± 0. 75) μg / L and( 2. 38 ± 1. 43) μg / L,the difference between two years was statistically significant( all P 0. 01).[Conclusion]In the process of operation mercury,workers should ensure the efficient operation of fume hood and pay attention to individual protection. In the aspect of occupational health examination,the integrity of physical examination item should be given attention.
Design of PC104-based wind turbine state monitoring system

A multi-functional state monitoring system based on PC104 bus is presented,which monitors the vibration of wind turbine driving system and detects the fire and smog caused by short circuit in real time with the functions of video surveillance,vocal interaction and radio frequency identification.The multi-functional hardware platform for synchronous data acquisition is based on PC104 bus.Various data acquired in real time are packaged and transferred to the superordinate computer through network,which sorts and processes them for analysis and diagnosis.The field application shows the designed system meets the actual requirements of wind farm.
Safety and feasibility of quantitative multiplexed cytokine analysis from Office-Based vitreous aspiration

Purpose The goals of this study were to evaluate the safety of office-based vitreous sampling, and determine the utility of these samples with multiplex cytokine analysis. Methods Vitreous samples were collected from office-based needle aspiration and the rate of adverse events during follow-up was reviewed. The vitreous cytokine concentrations in a subset of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) were analyzed using a 42 plex-cytokine bead array. These results were compared with vitreous cytokine concentrations in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and controls (macular hole, epiretinal membrane, symptomatic vitreous floaters) from pars plana vitrectomy. Results An adequate volume of vitreous fluid (100-200 μL) was obtained in 52 (88%) of 59 office-based sampling attempts. The average length of follow-up was 300 days (range, 42-926 days). There were no complications, including cataract, retinal tear or detachment, and endophthalmitis. Two patients (3%) had posterior vitreous detachments within 3 months. Vitreous cytokine concentrations were measured in 44 patients: 14 controls, 13 with DME, and 17 with PDR. The concentration of ADAM11, CXCL-10, IL-8, and PDGF-A were higher in PDR compared with controls and DME. The concentration of IL-6 was higher in PDR compared with controls, but not compared with DME. Conclusions Office-based vitreous aspiration is safe and yields high-quality samples for multiplex vitreous cytokine analysis. Significant elevations of vitreous cytokines were found in PDR compared with DME and controls, including the novel finding of elevated ADAM11. As such, office-based aspiration is a safe and effective means to identify vitreous factors associated with vitreoretinal disease.
Abdominal and Thoracic Radiography in the Neonate

Plain and contrast radiographic techniques are used infrequently in the diagnostic evaluation of abdominal or thoracic disease in the adult horse because of the animal's large body size and the limited availability and expense of suitable equipment. The importance of radiography as a critical tool has also been lessened through the accessibility of ultrasound, although this technique is limited by depth and offers only a superficial window. Traditional radiographic techniques can be readily used in young foals because of their small body size, and radiography frequently provides critical information that aids in decision making. The ability to physically restrain a foal allows not only standing lateral images, but laterally recumbent and ventrodorsal views without the necessity for general anesthesia.
Multidimensionality in the measurement of math-specific anxiety and its relationship with mathematical performance

Traditionally, mathematical anxiety has been utilized as a unidimensional construct. However, math-specific anxiety may have distinguishable factors, and taking these factors into account may better illuminate the relationship between anxiety and mathematics performance. Drawing from the Western Reserve Reading and Math Project (N = 244 children, mean age = 12.28 years), the present study examined math-specific anxiety and mathematics problem evaluation, utilizing a structural equation modeling approach with an item-level measurement model structure. Results suggested math-specific anxiety tapped into three factors: anxiety about performing mathematical calculations, anxiety about math in classroom situations, and anxiety about math tests. Among the three math anxiety factors, only calculation anxiety was significantly and negatively related to math performance while holding other anxiety factors constant. Implications for the measurement of math-specific anxiety are discussed.
Social Media, Online Sharing, and the Ethical Complexity of Consent in Revenge Porn

This chapter examines the putatively simple concepts of "revenge porn" and "nonconsensual pornography" to argue that these are really complex online phenomena. While partisan narratives tend to see them as simple and unified occurrences, we demonstrate the variations of revenge porn posting behaviors. Using this novel analysis as a foundation, we discuss a series of revenge porn posting cases to demonstrate the complex nature of consent in the world of online content sharing.
Challenges for optical interconnect for beyond Moore's law computing

We describe the challenge of implementing optical interconnect for beyond Moore's electronic devices. In particular, we developed a simple link model and calculated the optical communications energy for logic voltages down to 10 mV. The results of this link model show a limit to the minimum communications energy that depends on the achievable extinction ratio of the devices. This work gives some insight into the tact that should be taken for improved optical devices to have an impact in future computing systems using ultra-low voltage transistor devices.
A uniplanar frequency reconfigurable MIMO antenna for laptop computer applications

In order to deal with real time applications in wireless devices, reliable links with high data rates are required. MIMO antenna systems are capable of mitigating the multipath effects and suppression of co-channel interference which results in more reliable links even in noisy environment. MIMO antenna systems offer high data throughput as compared to traditional single element antennas. It's a key design challenge to deploy maximum antenna element within single portable device package (e.g., mobile or laptop computer) with isolation better than −10 dB.
Utility of long-term video-EEG monitoring for children with staring.

Abstract Objective Staring spells are a common reason for referral to overnight epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) evaluation. However, inpatient EMU admissions are expensive and time consuming. This study determined what percentage of those referred for staring had a confirmed epileptic seizure on long-term video-EEG monitoring (LTM) and developed a scoring system to help prioritize which patients should undergo this procedure. Methods We performed a four-year retrospective chart review of all children at a tertiary pediatric hospital who received LTM (long-term monitoring) for the purposes of characterizing staring. The two goals were to: a) assess how often an LTM admission captured a staring spell that was diagnosed as a seizure and b) determine if any baseline factors predicted this particular positive result. We coded several characteristics of the most recent prior routine EEG if available. We also coded parental reports of the duration, frequency, and breakability of the events as well as post-ictal mental status and the presence/absence of automatisms. Finally, we coded previous neurological and psychiatric diagnoses and medications, as well as family history of epilepsy. Results Of the 276 admissions, only 29 (11%) captured a staring spell and diagnosed it as seizure. Several baseline variables predicted the likelihood of this positive result. Based on this information, we created a scoring system as follows: − 3 points if the previous EEG was normal, − 1 point if the child took a medication for a psychiatric condition, + 1 point if the child took an anti-epileptic drug for epilepsy, and + 1 point if the spells lasted less than 1 min. If the total score was zero or less, staring spells diagnosed as seizures rarely occurred (less than 5% of the studies). Significance Our scoring system shows how consideration of prior EEG findings, medication history, and staring spell duration can help prioritize patients for LTM admission to evaluate if staring spells are epileptic seizures.
Transmission of Signal Nonsmoothness and Transient Improvement in Add-On Servo Control

Plug-in or add-on control is integral for high-performance control in modern precision systems. Despite the capability of greatly enhancing the steady-state performance, add-on compensation can introduce output discontinuity and significant transient response. Motivated by the vast application and the practical importance of add-on control designs, this paper identifies and investigates how general nonsmoothness in signals transmits through linear control systems. We explain the jump of system states in the presence of nonsmooth inputs in add-on servo enhancement, and derive formulas to mathematically characterize the transmission of the nonsmoothness. The results are then applied to devise fast transient responses over the traditional choice of add-on design at the input of the plant. Application examples to a manufacturing control system are conducted, with simulation and experimental results that validate the developed theoretical tools.
Booster Seat Effectiveness Among Older Children: Evidence From Washington State.

Introduction The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children as old as 12 years use a booster seat when riding in motor vehicles, yet little is known about booster seat effectiveness when used by older children. This study estimated the association between booster use and injuries among children aged 8–12 years who were involved in motor vehicle crashes. Methods Researchers analyzed data on all motor vehicle crashes involving children aged 8–12 years reported to the Washington State Department of Transportation from 2002 to 2015. Data were collected in 2015 and analyzed in 2016. Children who were in a booster seat were compared with children restrained by a seat belt alone. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders. Results In unadjusted models, booster use was associated with a 29% reduction in the odds of experiencing any injury versus riding in a seat belt alone (OR=0.709, 95% CI=0.675, 0.745). In models adjusted for potential confounders, booster use was associated with a 19% reduction in the odds of any injury relative to riding in a seat belt alone (OR=0.814, 95% CI=0.749, 0.884). The risk of experiencing an incapacitating/fatal injury was not associated with booster use. Conclusions Children aged 8–12 years involved in a motor vehicle crash are less likely to be injured if in a booster than if restrained by a seat belt alone. Because only 10% of U.S. children aged 8–12 years use booster seats, policies encouraging their use could lead to fewer injuries.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: The Plastic Surgery Paradigm Shift.

Background With a focus on providing high quality care and reducing facility based expenses there has been an evolution in perioperative care by way of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). ERAS allows for a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach to perioperative care which not only expedites recovery but maximizes patient outcomes. This paradigm shift has been generally accepted by most surgical specialties, including plastic surgery. Objectives The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of ERAS on outcomes in cosmetic plastic surgery. Methods A prospective study consisting of phone call questionnaires was designed where patients from two senior plastic surgeons (N.H.R. and J.D.F.) were followed. The treatment group (n = 10) followed an ERAS protocol while the control group (n = 12) followed the traditional recovery after surgery which included narcotic usage. Patients were contacted on postoperative days (POD) 0 through 7+ and surveyed about a number of outcomes measures. Results The ERAS group demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative pain on POD 0, 1, 2, and 3 (all P < 0.01). There was also statistically less nausea/vomiting, fatigue/drowsiness, constipation, and hindrance on ambulation compared to the control group (all P < 0.05). Significance was achieved for reduction in fatigue/drowsiness on POD 0 and 1 (P < 0.01), as well as ability to ambulate on POD 0 and 3 (P = 0.044). Lastly, opioid use (P < 0.001) and constipation (P = 0.003) were decreased. Conclusions ERAS protocols have demonstrated their importance within multiple surgical fields, including cosmetic plastic surgery. The utility lies in the ability to expedite patient's recovery while still providing quality care. This study showed a reduction in postoperative complaints by avoiding narcotics without an increase in complications. Our findings signify the importance of ERAS protocols within cosmetic plastic surgery. Level of Evidence 4
Strain distribution in small blood vessels with zero-stress state taken into consideration.

The active and passive deformation of a blood vessel is related to the stress in it. Any analysis of stress and strain must begin with the zero-stress state. Recent reports on large blood vessels s...
IL-13 promotes in vivo neonatal cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity and heart regeneration.

Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, that IL-13 is involved in neonatal cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity and heart regeneration in vivo. Prior work has shown that IL-13 promotes cardiomyocyte...
Creep behavior of Alloy 709 at 700 °C

Abstract Alloy 709 is an austenitic stainless steel with potential for structural applications in advanced nuclear reactors. In this study, creep tests on Alloy 709 specimens were performed at a temperature of 700 °C under applied stresses in the range of 125–250 MPa. The alloy exhibited a brief primary, insignificant secondary and prolonged tertiary creep stages. A Norton stress exponent (n) of 5.9±0.7 was obtained from the double-logarithmic plot of minimum creep rate versus stress. Microstructural analyses were carried out for both as-received and crept specimens using optical microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The microstructures of the as-received and crept specimens were compared. The mode of fracture was transgranular as revealed by scanning electron microscopy of the creep-ruptured specimens. Thermodynamic and precipitation modeling was performed in order to obtain information on the phase types and the kinetics of precipitation for the sigma−phase and the M23C6 carbide. Based on the creep data, microstructural observations and relevant modeling, creep deformation and failure mechanisms at the considered temperature are elucidated.
Equality: Donald E. Klingner

Equality is the American dream; inequality is the reality. This editorial addresses the barriers to equality and the way forward. The next will focus on gender equality.
Modeling of constant distributed parameter transmission line for simulation of natural and envelope waveforms in power electric networks

A transmission line model with constant distributed parameters for the efficient simulation of diverse transients in power electric networks is proposed. The novelty of the model lies in its capability to simulate both natural waveforms as observed in reality and envelope waveforms that modulate AC carriers. To achieve the bridging between natural and envelope waveforms, the model processes analytic signals whose Fourier spectrums can be shifted. The shift frequency is introduced as a simulation parameter in addition to the time step size. Interpolation is used to obtain results when the wave propagation time between both ends of the line is not an integer multiple of the time step size of the simulation. The model is implemented in a nodal analysis based simulator and validated through the study of the energization of a transmission line.
Low-Ripple High-Voltage DC Generation Using a Serially Segmented Multiphase Voltage Multiplier

This paper presents a voltage multiplier topology that is suitable for a low-ripple high-voltage dc generation. The topology has a number of voltage multipliers connected in series and driven at different phases. Compared to a single-phase multiplier, an n-phase voltage multiplier has an output ripple that is smaller by n times. Since the ripple frequency is simultaneously increased by n times, a simple RC lowpass filter further reduces the ripple amplitude by n times, resulting in ripple reduction of n2 times. We demonstrate the ripple reduction of the proposed topology using a 6 V-to-800 V power supply with a 16-stage four-phase bipolar voltage multiplier. The output ripple frequency is eight times the converter’s switching frequency and the ripple amplitude is significantly smaller than the conventional single-phase voltage multiplier.
Cognitive Event-Related Potential Responses Differentiate Older Adults with and without Probable Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Older adults rarely seek cognitive assessment, but often visit other healthcare professionals (e.g., audiologists). Noninvasive clinical measures within the scopes of practice of those ...
An ecotoxicological approach to microplastics on terrestrial and aquatic organisms: A systematic review in assessment, monitoring and biological impact

Marine and land plastic debris biodegrades at micro- and nanoscales through progressive fragmentation. Oceanographic model studies confirm the presence of up to ∼2.41 million tons of microplastics across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian subtropical gyres. Microplastics distribute from primary (e.g., exfoliating cleansers) and secondary (e.g., chemical deterioration) sources in the environment. This anthropogenic phenomenon poses a threat to the flora and fauna of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as ingestion and entanglement cases increase over time. This review focuses on the impact of microplastics across taxa at suggested environmentally relevant concentrations, and advances the groundwork for future ecotoxicological-based research on microplastics including the main points: (i) adhesion of chemical pollutants (e.g., PCBs); (ii) biological effects (e.g., bioaccumulation, biomagnification, biotransportation) in terrestrial and aquatic organisms; (iii) physico-chemical properties (e.g., polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and biodegradation pathways in the environment (e.g., chemical stress, heat stress); and (iv) an ecotoxicological prospect for optimized impact assessments.
Physical and Electrical Characterization of Deep Trench Isolation in Bulk Silicon and SOI Substrates

In this paper the authors present case studies for physical and electrical characterization of Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) in bulk silicon and SOI substrates. For bulk silicon, experimental results demonstrate how the effectiveness of the isolation is determined by the gain of NPN parasitic device that is formed between neighboring pockets. For SOI, the effectiveness of isolation is determined by encapsulation of dielectrics by the trench connection to the Buried Oxide (BOX). In both cases consistent DTI etch rate is an important factor for good process control. DTI etch rate dependency with pattern density is characterized and used to adjust DTI etch time in order to reduce variability. DTI depth can be monitored in-line using n&k metrology system and by electrical measurements of simplified test structures that are constructed with shallow trench.
Recollecting the Archives of Artist and Monuments Man Lewis Stanton Williams

In conducting original research for a graduate archival studies course, the paintings of Monuments Man Lewis Stanton Williams (1893–1970) emerged as an important archival collection that would requ...
F 3 S: Free Flow Fever Screening

Identification of people with elevated body temperature can reduce or dramatically slow down the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. We present a novel fever-screening system, F3S, that uses edge machine learning techniques to accurately measure core body temperatures of multiple individuals in a free-flow setting. F3S performs real-time sensor fusion of visual camera with thermal camera data streams to detect elevated body temperature, and it has several unique features: (a) visual and thermal streams represent very different modalities, and we dynamically associate semantically-equivalent regions across visual and thermal frames by using a new, dynamic alignment technique that analyzes content and context in real-time, (b) we track people through occlusions, identify the eye (inner canthus), forehead, face and head regions where possible, and provide an accurate temperature reading by using a prioritized refinement algorithm, and (c) we robustly detect elevated body temperature even in the presence of personal protective equipment like masks, or sunglasses or hats, all of which can be affected by hot weather and lead to spurious temperature readings. F3S has been deployed at over a dozen large commercial establishments, providing contact-less, free-flow, real-time fever screening for thousands of employees and customers in indoors and outdoor settings.
Presence of Gonadotropic and Prothoracicotropic Factors in Pupal and Adult Heads of Mosquitoes

During insect posteiribyronic development, ecdysteroids stimulate the molecular events in target tissues that culminate in molting and metamorphosis (Bollenbacher and Granger, 1985). The cerebral peptide prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) regulates the hemolymph titer of ecdysteroids through its activation of the prothoracic glands to synthesize ecdysone. In recent years, insect reproduction has been shown to be controlled by ecdysteroids as well. This is a surprising finding considering that in adult insects the prothoracic glands are absent (see Hagedorn, 1985). The role of ecdysteroids in insect reproduction has been most extensively investigated in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, where the cerebral peptide egg development neurosecretory hormone (EDNH) stimulates the ovaries to synthesize ecdysone (Hagedorn et al., 1979). This results in an increased hemolymph eodysteroid titer which evokes vitellogenesis and ovary maturation.
Panel: Public Key Infrastructure: PKIX, Signed XML or Something Else?

In January of 1999, after four years of discussion and debate, the Public-Key Infrastructure (PKIX) working group of the IETF finally published its Internet X.509 Public Key Infrastructure Certificate and CRL Profile (a.k.a. “PKIX Part 1”) [RFC 2459] as a Proposed Standard. Lack of a formal standard, however, did not deter individual software vendors from deploying products embodying their own interpretations of what would be in compliance with the end result of the working group. This market urgency has created a situation in which major “PKIX” software products “basically interoperate,” in that they agree on the message formats, but they do not necessarily “fully interoperate.” In the best case, they ignore anything their processing engines do not understand; in the worst case they simply fail.
Volicitin, an elicitor of maize volatiles in oral secretion of Spodoptera exigua: isolation and bioactivity

Plants respond to insect-inflicted injury by systemically releasing relatively large amounts of several volatile compounds, mostly terpenoids and indole. As a result, the plants become highly attractive to natural enemies of the herbivorous insects. In maize, this systemic response can be induced by the uptake via the stem of an elicitor present in the oral secretions of caterpillars. Such an elicitor was isolated from the regurgitant of Spodoptera exigua larvae, identified as N-(17-hydroxylinolenoyl)-L-glutamine, and named volicitin. Here we present details on the procedure that was used to isolate volicitin and the biosasays that demonstrate its potency as an elicitor of maize volatiles that attract parasitoids. With a series of liquid chromatography purification steps, volicitin was separated from all other inactive substances in the regurgitant of larvae of the noctuid moth S. exigua. Maize seedlings that were incubated in very low concentrations of pure natural volicitin released relatively large amounts of terpenoids and became highly attractive to the parasitoid Microplitis croceipes. The identification of this and other insect-derived elicitors should allow us to determine their precise source and function, and better understand the evolutionary history of the phenomenon of herbivore-induced volatile emissions in plants.