cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioural vigilance in schizophrenia. Evidence for hyperattentional processing.

BACKGROUND Despite 30 years of research, some surprisingly fundamental gaps remain in our understanding of schizophrenic input dysfunctions. METHOD In a provisional test of a 'hyperattention' hypothesis, schizophrenic patients and control subjects performed a behavioural test that was adapted from a paradigm originally developed for characterising vigilance or sustained attention in animals. On this computerised operant testing procedure, subjects discriminated between signals of various salience and non-signal presentations. Hits and correct rejections resulted in monetary rewards while misses and false alarms entailed monetary costs. RESULTS Data from in-patients with schizophrenia and age, education and gender-matched controls support hypotheses not only about hyperattentional dysfunctions in schizophrenia with respect to overall signal detectability but also in terms of resistance to the vigilance decrement that normally occurs over trials. CONCLUSIONS The theoretical importance of impairments of this sort are discussed with respect to the cognitive and perceptual consequences of hypervigilance and 'input dysfunction'.
Bis(μ‐pyridine‐1‐carbaldehyde azine‐κ2N,N′:κ2N′′,N′′′)disilver(I) bis(methanesulfonate)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Ag2(C12H10N4)2](CH3SO3)2, comprises a dinuclear dication, with each Ag atom in an approximate T-shaped AgN3 geometry, and two methyl­sulfonate anions. Weak connections between the ions are afforded by long (>2.6 A) Ag⋯O contacts. The crystal structure comprises zigzag layers connected by π–π inter­actions [centroid-to-centroid separation = 3.667 (3) A]. The layers are stabilized by C—H⋯O inter­actions between the anions and cations as well as between anions.
Polarimetric measurements of sea surface brightness temperatures using an aircraft K-band radiometer

Presents the first experimental evidence that the polarimetric brightness temperatures of sea surfaces are sensitive to ocean wind direction in the incidence angle range of 30 to 50/spl deg/. The experimental data were collected by a K-band (19.35 GHz) polarimetric wind radiometer (WINDRAD) mounted on the NASA DC-8 aircraft. A set of aircraft radiometer flights was successfully completed in November 1993. The authors performed circle flights over National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) moored buoys deployed off the northern California coast, which provided ocean wind measurements. The results indicate that passive polarimetric radiometry has a strong potential for global ocean wind speed and direction measurements from space. >
Temporal Trends, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes of Histoplasmosis in a Tertiary Care Center in Kentucky, 2000 to 2009:

The impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the epidemiology of AIDS-associated histoplasmosis in the past decade is poorly defined. Among 100 patients with histoplasmosis in an endemic region between 2000 and 2009, 42 patients were immunocompetent, 32 were infected with HIV, and 26 were non-HIV-immunocompromised patients. The percentage with HIV decreased 67% in 2000-2001 to 18% in 2008-2009 (P = .004), while the proportion of non-HIV immunocompromised patients increased, 8% to 41% (P = .14). Histoplasma antigen was the most sensitive test (73%), whereas potassium hydroxide examination of clinical specimens was the least sensitive test (33%) in all 3 groups. Bronchoalveloar fluid culture (74%) had the highest yield among the cultures. The relapse rate was higher in HIV-infected patients compared to the other 2 groups (P = .04). The epidemiology of histoplasmosis in our endemic area has changed during the era of HAART. Organ transplantation and increasing use of immunosuppressive agents ...
Rho/Rho kinase signaling mediates increased basal pulmonary vascular tone in chronically hypoxic rats.

Recent evidence suggests that Rho/Rho kinase signaling plays an important role in the sustained vasoconstriction induced by many agonists and is involved in the pathogenesis of systemic vascular di...
Recurrent idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood

Background Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a common haematological disease during childhood, that usually has a benign course; however, literature on the recurrent form of the disease (rITP) is limited. Procedure rITP was characterized by intermittent episodes of thrombocytopenia (TP) followed by periods of recovery, unrelated to therapeutic intervention. We retrospectively reviewed features of patients with rITP, diagnosed and systematically followed up at our center, during the period 1975–2004. Results Forty-eight of 795 children with ITP (6.0 %) presented with rITP. The majority of patients (68.8%) had only one recurrence, whereas only one patient had four. A time interval between two episodes longer than 3 months (up to 96) was identified in 2/3 of episodes and <3 months in 1/3. The initial episode and the first recurrence mostly shared features of acute ITP; however, 22.9% of the episodes appeared with a chronic self-limited course. Bleeding manifestations were rare (18.6% of episodes) and mild, and they tended to occur in severely thrombocytopenic patients, mainly at the onset of the initial episode; intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) occurred in a toddler with short duration thrombocytopenia. Intravenous γ globulin (IVIG) or corticosteroids were administered in 24.5% of episodes. None of the patients needed splenectomy. Conclusion: rITP is a rare, mild, self-limited type of ITP, although ICH may occur in a profoundly TP child. Recurrence may occur close or far apart to a previous isolated TP episode. The duration of episodes varies considerably from patient to patient and from episode to episode in the same patient. The pathogenesis of rITP still remains unclear. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:261–264. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Genetic algorithms for clustering: a preliminary investigation

Cluster analysis is a technique which is used to discover patterns and associations within data. More specifically, it is a multivariate statistical procedure that starts with a data set containing information on some variables and attempts to reorganize these data cases into relatively homogeneous groups. One of the major problems encountered by researchers, with regard to cluster analysis that different clustering methods can and do generate different solutions for the same data set. What is needed, is a technique that has discovered the most 'natural' groups in a data set. Genetic algorithms belong to a class of 'artificially intelligent' techniques, that are founded on principles of natural selection and natural genetics. The primary goal of this research effort is to investigate the potential feasibility of using genetic algorithms for the purpose of clustering. >
Clicking at the wrist due to fibroma in an anomalous lumbrical muscle: A case report and review of literature

A 33-year-old man had clicking at the wrist and symptoms that were characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome, which were secondary to a fibroma arising from an anomalous lumbrical muscle in the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel release and excision of the fibroma relieved both of the conditions.
Cesium spin-exchange-relaxation-free magnetometer

We have built and tested a Cs atomic magnetometer operating in the spin-exchange-relaxation-free (SERF) regime at much lower temperature than a more conventional potassium SERF magnetometer developed at Princeton University.
On reorder density and its application to characterization of packet reordering

A formal approach for characterizing, evaluating and modeling packet reordering is presented. Reordering is, a phenomenon that is likely to become increasingly common on the Internet, and it can have an adverse impact on end-to-end performance and network resource utilization. Reorder density (RD) is a comprehensive metric for reordering. Several properties of RD are presented that provide insight into the nature of reordering present in a sequence. Based on measurements of packet reordering, certain basic patterns of reordering that are prevalent on the Internet are identified. By focusing on these basic patterns, a model is developed for reordering in networks involving two parallel paths, using a simple load-balancing scenario as an example. The model is verified using an emulation testbed
Using stylized agent-based models for population-environment research: a case study from the Galapagos Islands

Agent-based models (ABMs) are powerful tools for population–environment research but are subject to trade-offs between model complexity and abstraction. This study strikes a compromise between abstract and highly specified ABMs by designing a spatially explicit, stylized ABM and using it to explore policy scenarios in a setting that is facing substantial conservation and development challenges. Specifically, we present an ABM that reflects key Land Use/Land Cover dynamics and livelihood decisions on Isabela Island in the Galapagos Archipelago of Ecuador. We implement the model using the NetLogo software platform, a free program that requires relatively little programming experience. The landscape is composed of a satellite-derived distribution of a problematic invasive species (common guava) and a stylized representation of the Galapagos National Park, the community of Puerto Villamil, the agricultural zone, and the marine area. The agent module is based on publicly available data and household interviews and represents the primary livelihoods of the population in the Galapagos Islands—tourism, fisheries, and agriculture. We use the model to enact hypothetical agricultural subsidy scenarios aimed at controlling invasive guava and assess the resulting population and land cover dynamics. Findings suggest that spatially explicit, stylized ABMs have considerable utility, particularly during preliminary stages of research, as platforms for (1) sharpening conceptualizations of population–environment systems, (2) testing alternative scenarios, and (3) uncovering critical data gaps.
A design platform for 90-nm leakage reduction techniques

Methodology, EDA Flow, scripts, and documentation plays a tremendous role in the deployment and standardization of advanced design techniques. In this paper we focus not only on leakage reduction techniques but also on their deployment as a worldwide infrastructure as the added-value resides not only in the techniques themselves but also in the way they are implemented to build an efficient, re-usable, robust, low cost and portable platform. Techniques have been silicon proven on the 90-nm TI CMOS technology and is commonly used to design SoC with complexities over 100 Million transistors.
Nitric oxide decreases estradiol synthesis of rat luteinized ovarian cells: possible role for nitric oxide in functional luteal regression

This study was designed to examine the synthesis and function of nitric oxide during follicular development and luteinization in the rat ovary. Cells were obtained from hypophysectomized diethylstilbestrol-implanted immature female rats subjected to several hormonal regimens that resulted in preantral, Graafian, ovulatory, atretic, or luteinized ovaries. Cells obtained from ovaries at all stages of follicular development synthesized nitric oxide in a linear manner over time. The basal production of nitric oxide was 6- to 14-fold higher (P < 0.009) in cells obtained from luteinized ovaries than that in cells obtained from ovaries at all other developmental stages. Inhibiting endogenous nitric oxide synthesis in cells obtained from luteinized ovaries resulted in a 3-fold increase (P < 0.007) in the estradiol level without affecting progesterone synthesis. We used isoform-specific antisera to determine the cellular location and isoform(s) of nitric oxide synthase expressed in our cell culture system and in t...
A selective thyroid hormone β receptor agonist enhances human and rodent oligodendrocyte differentiation

Nerve conduction within the mammalian central nervous system is made efficient by oligodendrocyte-derived myelin. Historically, thyroid hormones have a well described role in regulating oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination during development; however, it remains unclear which thyroid hormone receptors are required to drive these effects. This is a question with clinical relevance since nonspecific thyroid receptor stimulation can produce deleterious side-effects. Here we report that GC-1, a thyromimetic with selective thyroid receptor b action and a potentially limited side-effect profile, promotes in vitro oligodendrogenesis from both rodent and human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. In addition, we used in vivo genetic fate tracing of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells via PDGFaR-CreER;Rosa26-eYFP double-transgenic mice to examine the effect of GC-1 on cellular fate and find that treatment with GC-1 during developmental myelination promotes oligodendrogenesis within the corpus callosum, occipital cortex and optic nerve. GC-1 was also observed to enhance the expression of the myelin proteins MBP, CNP and MAG within the same regions. These results indicate that a b receptor selective thyromimetic can enhance oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro and during developmental myelination in vivo and warrants further study as a therapeutic agent for demyelinating models.
An I3 Theory analysis of human sex differences in aggression

According to I 3 Theory, individuals enact aggressive behaviors when (a) instigating triggers are severe, (b) impelling forces are strong, and/ or (c) inhibiting forces are weak. Archer's analysis of human sex differences in aggression could be bolstered by a careful analysis of male-female discrepancies in reactivity (or exposure) to instigating triggers, proneness toward impelling forces, and/or proneness toward inhibiting forces.
A Decision-Based Approach to Rhetorical Parsing

We present a shift-reduce rhetorical parsing algorithm that learns to construct rhetorical structures of texts from a corpus of discourse-parse action sequences. The algorithm exploits robust lexical, syntactic, and semantic knowledge sources.
A Mutant of Paramecium Defective in Chemotaxis

In an effort to study the sensory-motor pathway of chemotaxis in Paramecium tetraurelia, I have generated mutants defective in their responses to chemicals. One mutant in particular, d4-530, is repelled by sodium acetate, which attracts normal paramecia by klinokinesis. The mutant is repelled by the mechanism of orthokinesis. To my knowledge, this is the first report of orthokinesis in chemotaxis of paramecia.
WOCE Radiocarbon IV: Pacific Ocean Results; P10, P13N, P14C, P18, P19 & S4P

The World Ocean Circulation Experiment, carried out between 1990 and 1997, provided the most comprehensive oceanic survey of radiocarbon to date. Approximately 10,000 samples were collected in the Pacific Ocean by U.S. investigators for both conventional large volume p counting and small volume accelerator mass spectrometry analysis techniques. Results from six cruises are presented. The data quality is as good or better than previous large-scale surveys. The 14C distribution for the entire WOCE Pacific data set is graphically described using mean vertical profiles and sections, and property-property plots.
Incidence of hip fractures, United States, 1970-83.

Hip fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Twenty to 40% of persons who fracture their hips die within 6 months of the injury, and many survivors need long-term care. To assess the public health impact of hip fractures in the United States, we analyzed sample-based data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey, National Center for Health Statistics, for the United States for the period 1970-83. For these years, an estimated annual average of 197,000 persons 45 years of age or older was hospitalized for hip fractures. The age-, race-, and sex-adjusted hospitalization rates for hip fractures rose from 28.9 per 10,000 persons in 1970 to 30.9 per 10,000 in 1983 (P less than .01). Hospitalization rates rose exponentially by successive 10-year age groups, with persons 85 years of age or older having the highest rate (251.4 per 10,000). For each age group, women had hospitalization rates twice those of men, and whites had hospitalization rates twice those of other races. Never-married and divorced persons had higher hospitalization rates than currently married persons. The percentage of mortality before discharge from hospital fell from 11% in 1970 to 6% in 1983, with most of the decrease occurring among persons 75 years of age or older. The age-adjusted mean length of hospital stay declined 24%, from 23.9 days in 1970 to 18.2 days in 1983.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Facet model and mathematical morphology for surface characterization

This paper describes an algorithm for the automatic segmentation and representation of surface structures and non-uniformities in an industrial setting. The automatic image processing and analysis algorithm is developed as part of a complete on-line web characterization system of a paper making process at the wet end. The goal is to: (1) link certain types of structures on the surface of the web to known machine parameter values, and (2) find the connection between detected structures at the beginning of the line and defects seen on the final product. Images of the pulp mixture, carried by a fast moving table, are obtained using a stroboscopic light and a CCD camera. This characterization algorithm succeeded where conventional contrast and edge detection techniques failed due to a poorly controlled environment. The images obtained have poor contrast and contain noise caused by a variety of sources.
Modulation of gamma and alpha spinal motor neurons activity by trans-spinal direct current stimulation: Effects on reflexive actions and locomotor activity

Spontaneous and evoked spinal activities interact to set the characteristics of emergent motor responses. Gamma motor neurons have feedforward and feedback functions in motor control, which are crucial for transforming motor commands into action. Meanwhile, the intrinsic excitability and functional connectivity of alpha motor neurons determine the accuracy of actions. In this study, we investigated the effects of trans‐spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) on spontaneous and cortically evoked activity of well‐isolated single units of gamma and alpha motor neurons in mice. We also investigated the effects of tsDCS on reflexive and locomotor actions. In general, motor neurons showed increased responses to cathodal tsDCS (c‐tsDCS) and decreased responses to anodal tsDCS (a‐tsDCS). These effects were observed for cortically evoked discharges and spontaneous firing rates of gamma motor neurons, cortically evoked discharges of larger alpha motor neurons, and spontaneous firing rates of smaller alpha motor neurons. An exception was that spontaneous firing rates of larger alpha motor neurons showed the opposite pattern of reduction by c‐tsDCS and increase by a‐tsDCS. Reflexive and voluntary behavior were also increased by c‐tsDCS and reduced by a‐tsDCS. Specifically, the amplitude and duration of crossed and tail pinch reflexes in decerebrate animals and the quality of ground and treadmill walking patterns in healthy awake animals showed this pattern. These polarity‐specific changes in behavior could be attributed to polarity‐mediated modulation of alpha and gamma motor neuron activity and spinal circuitry. The results reveal an important principle: effects of tsDCS on spinal motor neurons depend on current polarity and cell size.
Social media data assisted inference with application to stock prediction

The access to the massive amount of social media data provides a unique opportunity to the signal processing community for extracting information that can be used to infer about unfolding events. It is desirable to investigate the convergence of sensor networks and social media in facilitating the data-to- decision making process and study how the two systems can complement each other for enhanced situational awareness. In this paper, we propose a copula-based joint characterization of multiple dependent time series from sensors and social media. As a proof-of-concept, this model is applied to the fusion of Google Trends (GT) data and stock price data of Apple Inc. for prediction, where the stock data serves as a surrogate for sensor data. Superior prediction performance is demonstrated, by taking the non-linear dependence among social media data and sensor data into consideration.
Implementing Community Engagement as a Mission at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles

This manuscript describes the development and implementation of community engagement as a mission at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) and UCLA Health System, and summarizes survey results documenting existing community-engaged projects and interest between 2010 to 2013.
Apiculture—As Art and Science

At the university level apiculture is often the poor stepsister of other disciplines. In very few cases is it treated as an entity by itself. Because bees are insects, entomologists say that it should be a part of entomology. But entomology is a part of zoology, since it is concerned with animal life. Apiculture is, therefore, a part of zoology, a branch of biology, and, traditionally, apiculture has fared better as a part of zoology or biology than as a part of entomology.
Amplitude for n-gluon scattering.

A nontrivial squared helicity amplitude is given for the scattering of an arbitrary number of gluons to lowest order in the coupling constant and to leading order in the number of colors.
ALMA and the Future of Millimeter Imaging Observations

The Nearby Young Moving Groups sample the critical age when primordial disks around stars complete their transformation into planetary systems with associated debris. Millimeter wavelengths provide direct access to cool material in these circumstellar disks. The high angular resolution of interferometry at these long wavelengths enables resolved observations of solids in an optically thin regime, as well as the thermal, chemical, and dynamical structure of gas, if present. In this contribution, I briefly review the evolving landscape of millimeter telescopes, with emphasis on the revolutionary capabilities of the new international Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and describe pertinent early science results.
Estimating signals over graphs via multi-kernel learning

Estimating functions on graphs finds well-documented applications in machine learning and, more recently, in signal processing. Given signal values on a subset of vertices, the goal is to estimate the signal on the remaining ones. This task amounts to estimating a function (or signal) over a graph. Most existing techniques either rely on parametric signal models or require costly cross-validation. Leveraging the framework of multi-kernel learning, a data-driven nonparametric approach is developed here. Instead of a single kernel, the algorithm relies on a dictionary of candidate kernels and efficiently selects the most suitable ones by minimizing a convex criterion using a group Lasso module. Numerical tests demonstrate the superior estimation performance of the novel approach over competing alternatives.
Introduction to the Variational Monte Carlo Method in Quantum Chemistry and Physics

Variational Monte Carlo (VMC) methods are a powerful set of quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods that may not only be used to determine the variational energy of a fully parameterized wave function, but to optimize wave functions as well. Because they can provide highly accurate trial wave functions for more advanced quantum Monte Carlo methods at a comparatively low cost, they may be viewed as the foundation upon which modern quantum Monte Carlo methods are built. In this chapter, I provide a basic introduction to VMC methods intended for beginning graduate students and workers in the fields of quantum physics and chemistry unfamiliar with the topic. I begin with a general introduction to quantum Monte Carlo methods and then describe how VMC methods fit into this larger context. I then describe how VMC may be used to determine the variational energy of a given wave function and subsequently detail how this algorithm can be modified to optimize wave functions. After illustrating how a number of basic VMC algorithms work, I elucidate how two of the most important modern VMC methods—the Linear and Stochastic Reconfiguration methods—work. To provide context, I present a few recent, novel applications of VMC methods to important problems in chemistry and physics, including the Hubbard model, excited state chemistry, and the calculation of accurate atomization energies. I end with a discussion of possible future directions for VMC algorithms.
Cysts of the Iris Pigment Epithelium. What Is New and Interesting? The 2016 Jose Rizal International Medal Lecture.

PURPOSE Cysts of the iris pigment epithelium (IPE) can involve the pupillary margin, midzone, or peripheral location or can be free-floating in the aqueous or vitreous or lodged in the anterior chamber angle. Avariant of IPE cyst, known as iris flocculi, can be a marker for systemic thoracic aneurysm. DESIGN Review of IPE cysts and description of new observations of the lesions. METHODS Review of IPE cysts. RESULTS Lesions in 672 eyes were classified as of the pupillary margin (n = 49; 7%), midzone (n = 188; 28%), peripheral (n = 424; 63%), or dislodged/free-floating (n = 11; 2%). Cysts of the IPE occurred most often in young adults (21-40 years) (n = 229; 34%) manifesting with peripheral or midzonal cysts. The characteristic clinical features of pupillary margin cyst were teardrop configuration at the pupillary margin, midzonal cyst with fusiform brown appearance, peripheral cyst as iris stromal bulge, dislodged cyst as a brown lesion in the angle, and free-floating cyst with round mass moving by gravitational forces in the aqueous or vitreous. Ultrasound biomicroscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrated the lesions. Surgical intervention for drainage/resection was rarely necessary (<1%). Some (<1%) cysts were associated with iris nevus, iris melanoma, or ciliary body melanoma. Pupillary margin cysts (flocculi) can be found with dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm, related to genetic mutation in smooth muscle of the iris and aorta. CONCLUSIONS Cysts of the IPE most often affect the peripheral region (iridociliary) and rarely require intervention. These cysts can be associated with underlying iris or ciliary body nevus or melanoma. Patients with iris flocculi should be monitored for dissecting thoracic aneurysm.
An Edible, High Molecular Weight Glycoprotein Fraction from Ganoderma Lucidum Inhibits the Akt Pathway in Resistant Myeloma Cell Lines Decreasing Mcl-1 Expression, Up-Regulating FKHR and Inducing Apoptosis.

Abstract We observed apparent synergy between dexamethsone and a nutritional supplement taken by a patient with poor prognosis plasma cell leukima. The rapidity of the clinical remission induction and the duration of remission, which was sustained without consolidation, suggested possible inhibition of the Akt pathway. A review of the supplements ingested indicated two mycelial derivatives, one of which was Ganoderma Lucidum, (Ling-Zhi, Reishi) a traditional Chinese medicine used to prevent kidney and liver disease and to promote anti-tumor immunity. We obtained a known quantity of certified shell broken spore of G Lucidum from China. Dissolved in 70 degree C water and then diluted as a 2.5% v/v solution in RPMI1640, it induced apoptosis of 80% of OPM6 cells by 72 hours, which was only marginally improved by the addition of1uM dexamethasone. It induced 70% cell death in MM.R cells by 72 hours. This was associated with a 90% reduction in measurable Mcl-1 by Western blot after two hours of incubation. In additon phosphorylation of FKHR was reduced 70% at 2 hours and was undetectable after 72 hours. Phosphorylation of Akt at threonine 308 was reduced 75%. To further purify this activity we separated out molecular weight fractions by Centricon centrifugation. We were able to 10 fold concentrate the active material in the >100,000 MW fraction by centrifugation. Used in the same relative dilution of 2.5% v/v, this concentrate killed between 90% and 96% of glucocorticoid resistant cells at 72 houyrs. Of interest the concentrate induced a lesser degree of apoptosis in corticosteroid sensitive cells, but enhanced the activity of dexamethasone. Spectrophotometry followed by oxidation with sodium meta-periodate and measurement absorption at 550 nm suggested a glycoprotein enrichment in this concentration. Further isolation of the active component of this fraction is underway in order to determine if it is the Lin-Zhi 8 protein sequenced in 1991 or a distinct glycoprotein from the Ganoderma Lucidum. It appears to be an orally tolerable inhibitor of the Akt pathway. It also shows activty in rheumatoid arthritis synovium RAS cells and may have usefulness in T cell supression and graft tolerance.Pre-clinical testing in a SCID mouse model has been begun.
Autonomous Footstep Counting and Traveled Distance Calculation by Mobile Devices Incorporating Camera and Accelerometer Data

Step counting is being increasingly used as an activity-level measure, which is evidenced by different types of widely available commercial wristbands, pedometers, and applications (apps) developed for smart phones and smart watches. In addition to measuring daily activity levels and keeping logs for health monitoring, an accurate and reliable count of footsteps can be used for motion estimation, calculating traveled distance and indoor navigation. Yet, most of the available devices and approaches for step counting rely only on accelerometer data, and thus are prone to over-counting. Moreover, most existing devices calculate the traveled distance based on the counted number of steps and a preset stride length, or rely on GPS data, which might not be suitable for GPS-denied areas and indoor environments. In this paper, we present an autonomous and robust method for counting footsteps, and tracking and calculating stride length by using both accelerometer and camera data from smart phones or Google™ glass. To provide higher precision, instead of using a preset stride length, the proposed method calculates the distance traveled with each step by using the camera data. Experiments are performed with different subjects, either holding a smart phone, or carrying it in a holder around waist, or wearing a Google™ glass. The proposed method is compared with the commercially available accelerometer-based step counter apps. The results show that the proposed method provides a significant increase in accuracy, and has the lowest average error rate both in number of steps taken and the distance traveled.
A coarse-grained model captures the temporal evolution of DNA nanotube length distributions

We derive a coarse-grained model that captures the temporal evolution of DNA nanotube length distribution during growth experiments. The model takes into account nucleation, polymerization, joining, and fragmentation processes in the nanotube population. The continuous length distribution is segmented, and the time evolution of the nanotube concentration in each length bin is modeled using ordinary differential equations. The binning choice determines the level of coarse graining. This model can handle time varying concentration of tiles, and we foresee that it will be useful to model dynamic behaviors in other types of biomolecular polymers.
Deep Defects Seen on Visual Fields Spatially Correspond Well to Loss of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Seen on Circumpapillary OCT Scans

Purpose To examine the structure-function relationship in glaucoma between deep defects on visual fields (VF) and deep losses in the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) circle scans. Methods Thirty two glaucomatous eyes with deep VF defects, as defined by at least one test location worse than ≤ -15 dB on the 10-2 and/or 24-2 VF pattern deviation (PD) plots, were included from 87 eyes with "early" glaucoma (i.e., 24-2 mean deviation better than -6 dB). Using the location of the deep VF points and a schematic model, the location of local damage on an OCT circle scan was predicted. The thinnest location of cpRNFL (i.e., deepest loss) was also determined. Results In 19 of 32 eyes, a region of complete or near complete cpRNFL loss was observed. All 19 of these had deep VF defects on the 24-2 and/or 10-2. All of the 32 eyes with deep VF defects had abnormal cpRNFL regions (red, 1%) and all but 2 had a region of cpRNFL thickness <21 μm. The midpoint of the VF defect and the location of deepest cpRNFL had a 95% limit of agreement within approximately two-thirds of a clock-hour (or 30°) sector (between -22.1° to 25.2°). Individual fovea-to-disc angle (FtoDa) adjustment improved agreement in one eye with an extreme FtoDa. Conclusions Although studies relating local structural (OCT) and functional (VF) measures typically show poor to moderate correlations, there is good qualitative agreement between the location of deep cpRNFL loss and deep defects on VFs.
Stimulation of α-synuclein amyloid formation by phosphatidylglycerol micellar tubules.

Abstract α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a presynaptic protein that is accumulated in its amyloid form in the brains of Parkinson's patients. Although its biological function remains unclear, α-syn has been suggested to bind to synaptic vesicles and facilitate neurotransmitter release. Recently, studies have found that α-syn induces membrane tubulation, highlighting a potential mechanism for α-syn to stabilize highly curved membrane structures which could have both functional and dysfunctional consequences. To understand how membrane remodeling by α-syn affects amyloid formation, we have studied the α-syn aggregation process in the presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) micellar tubules, which were the first reported example of membrane tubulation by α-syn. Aggregation kinetics, β-sheet content, and macroscopic protein-lipid structures were observed by Thioflavin T fluorescence, circular dichroism spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Collectively, the presence of PG micellar tubules formed at a stochiometric (L/P = 1) ratio was found to stimulate α-syn fibril formation. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed the co-assembly of PG and α-syn into fibril structures. However, isolated micellar tubules do not form fibrils by themselves, suggesting an important role of free α-syn monomers during amyloid formation. In contrast, fibrils did not form in the presence of excess PG lipids (≥L/P = 50), where most of the α-syn molecules are in a membrane-bound α-helical form. Our results provide new mechanistic insights into how membrane tubules modulate α-syn amyloid formation and support a pivotal role of protein–lipid interaction in the dysfunction of α-syn.
Chemotaxis increases the retention of bacteria in porous media with residual NAPL entrapment.

Chemotaxis has the potential to decrease the persistence of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminants in aquifers by allowing pollutant-degrading bacteria to move toward sources of contamination and thus influence dissolution. This experimental study investigated the migratory response of chemotactic bacteria to a distribution of residual NAPL ganglia entrapped within a laboratory-scale sand column under continuous-flow at a superficial velocity of 0.05 cm/min. Naphthalene dissolved in a model NAPL 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane partitioned into the aqueous phase to create localized chemoattractant gradients throughout the column. A pulse mixture of equal concentrations of Pseudomonas putida G7, a strain chemotactic to naphthalene, and Pseudomonas putida G7 Y1, a nonchemotactic mutant, was introduced to the column and effluent bacterial concentrations were measured with time. Breakthrough curves (BTCs) for the two strains were noticeably different upon visual inspection. Differences in BTCs (compared t...
New Particle Spectroscopy and Decays

In the year since the last meeting in this series, great progress has been made in the spectroscopy of the new particles and their decays. Much of this progress is either directly the result of experiment or at least has been very much stimulated by the astonishing results presented to us one after another by our experimental colleagues. In one way, what has happened is exemplified by the contrast between what was known about the 4-GeV region in e+e− → hadrons a year ago1 (Figure 1) and data2 which were shown this morning (Figure 2).
Discussion of “Performance Evaluation and Corporate Income Taxes in a Sequential Delegation Setting”

Baldenius and Ziv (2003), emphasize the role played by corporate taxes in the context of a multi-period setting that features project selection and incentive issues. In this discussion, I employ a parametric example to illustrate the intuition behind their findings, as well as to delineate their incremental contribution and to speculate on the robustness of the results. I also highlight the differences between the residual income framework employed in their paper and traditional models of agency.
Librarians and user privacy in the digital age

Innovative, digital information programs have been launched involving libraries around the world. These programs permit people to satisfy their information needs regardless where they, the information resources they need or the information specialists whose assistance they need to utilize those resources, may be; or, for that matter, the time of day when those needs arise. They utilize the latest communication technologies, including Instant Messaging (IM). IM permits real-time, interactive consultation with the information professionals best able to deal with particular information needs. These programs are exemplary manifestations of knowledge management principles. Global, digital reference services combined with a growing body of machine readable information and high speed, readily accessible communication networks are bringing the concept of the virtual library, if not to complete realization, then surely within reach. However, in the US and in many parts of Europe surveillance laws and the primacy accorded intellectual property threaten to undermine the promise and efficacy of this emerging, global library, information and knowledge resource. This paper explores the potential and promise of the knowledge resource that digital information sources make possible, and the legal and social impediments that threaten the full realization of that promise.
Organochlorine Contamination in Selected Estuarine and Coastal Marine Finfish and Shellfish of New Jersey

Analysis of PCB, DDT, and chlordane contamination in selected finfish and shellfish species from estuarine and coastal marine waters of New Jersey (U.S.A.) indicates consistently highest organochlorine contaminant levels in samples from the north and northeast regions of the state in proximity to industrialized sites. Gas chromatographic analysis of tissue samples from three finfish species (bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix; striped bass, Morone saxatilis; weakfish, Cynoscion regalis) and one shellfish species (blue crab, Callinectes sapidus) collected throughout the state during the 1986–1987 and 1988–1991 sampling periods revealed mean PCB, DDT, and chlordane concentrations ranging from 200–5, 380 µg g-1 wet weight, 25.14–492.52 µg kg-1 wet weight, and 5–106.44 µg kg-1 wet weight, respectively. A major conclusion of this study is that some commercially and recreationally important finfish and shellfish species in New Jersey waters, especially those which are lipid-rich, have continued to accumulate PCBs, DDTs and chlordane from the environment long after restrictive regulations were first placed on their use in the United States during the 1970s. The greatest impact of organochlorine contamination is nearby urban centers, most notably Newark and New York City.
The Communicative Constitution of Hate Organizations Online: A Semantic Network Analysis of “Make America Great Again”:

In the context of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, President Donald Trump’s use of Twitter to connect with followers and supporters created unprecedented access to Trump’s online political camp...
A unified current-voltage and charge-voltage model of quasi-ballistic III-nitride HEMTs for RF applications

III-nitride high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are a strong candidate for high-power radio frequency (RF) applications due to their ability to support high breakdown fields, while maintaining a high electron mobility and a high density of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Analytic device models that are physically motivated and mathematically robust are preferred for circuit simulations. Most prior works have focused on compact models for 111-nitride HEMTs that operate in the drift-diffusive limit, while Ref. [1] presents a threshold-voltage-based compact model for quasi-ballistic gallium nitride (GaN) HEMTs using an empirical channel charge model. In this paper, we present a unified and self-consistent current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) model of III-nitride HEMTs that is valid for quasi-ballistic transport. The terminal charges are used to calculate inter-nodal capacitances ensuring charge conservation in the device. Both I-V and C-V model are validated against numerical TCAD simulations and experimental data of short-channel GaN HEMTs. Effects of fringing charge resulting from bulk and surface traps are also incorporated in the model. Key equations of the dynamic model are presented in Table 1. Details of the static I-V model of III-nitride HEMTs are presented elsewhere by the authors [2], and equations are omitted for brevity.
Prologue: Interests Versus Ideals

The conflict between moral values and amoral national interests is a part of the diplomatic history of the United States. In fact, the conflict between morality and self-interest is a fundamental part of all human relations. In foreign policy, as in personal relations, the problem of reconciling national interests with ideals held sacred by the nation has always been a central theme of American foreign relations, and it is one that is never completely resolvable.
Charge Reductions Associated With Shorter Time to Recovery in Septic Shock

Background Septic shock therapies that shorten the time to physiologic and clinical recovery may result in financial savings. However, the financial implications of improving these nonmortal outcomes are not well characterized. Therefore, we quantified hospital charges associated with four outcomes: ICU length of stay, duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, duration of vasopressor use, and new renal replacement therapy. Methods This was an observational study using administrative data from a large academic hospital in the United States. The analysis included adults treated with vasopressors for septic shock in a medical ICU. Linear regression modeling with ordinary least square was used to estimate the incremental hospital charges associated with 1 day of ICU length of stay, 1 day of mechanical ventilation, 1 day of vasopressor use, and new renal replacement therapy. Results The study population included 587 adults with septic shock, including 180 (30.7%) who died in the hospital. The median charge for a septic shock hospitalization was $98,583 (interquartile range [IQR], $61,177-$136,672). Decreases in ICU length of stay, mechanical ventilation duration, and vasopressor duration of 1 day were associated with charge reductions of $15,670 (IQR, $15,023-$16,317), $15,284 (IQR, $13,566-$17,002), and $17,947 (IQR, $16,344-$19,549), respectively. Avoidance of new renal replacement therapy was associated with a charge reduction of $36,051 (IQR, $22,353-$49,750). Conclusions Septic shock therapies that reduce the duration of organ support and ICU care have the potential to lead to substantial financial savings.
High-resolution mapping of fluoroquinolones in TB rabbit lesions reveals specific distribution in immune cell types

Understanding the distribution patterns of antibiotics at the site of infection is paramount to selecting adequate drug regimens and developing new antibiotics. Tuberculosis (TB) lung lesions are made of various immune cell types, some of which harbor persistent forms of the pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. By combining high resolution MALDI MSI with histology staining and quantitative image analysis in rabbits with active TB, we have mapped the distribution of a fluoroquinolone at high resolution, and identified the immune-pathological factors driving its heterogeneous penetration within TB lesions, in relation to where bacteria reside. We find that macrophage content, distance from lesion border and extent of necrosis drive the uneven fluoroquinolone penetration. Preferential uptake in macrophages and foamy macrophages, where persistent bacilli reside, compared to other immune cells present in TB granulomas, was recapitulated in vitro using primary human cells. A nonlinear modeling approach was developed to help predict the observed drug behavior in TB lesions. This work constitutes a methodological advance for the co-localization of drugs and infectious agents at high spatial resolution in diseased tissues, which can be applied to other diseases with complex immunopathology.
Blade dynamics in combined waves and current

Abstract Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), such as seagrass, is flexible and reconfigures (bends) in response to waves and current. The blade motion and reconfiguration modify the hydrodynamic drag. The modified drag can be described by an effective blade length, l e , which is defined as the length of a rigid blade that results in the same drag as a flexible blade of length l . In many natural settings SAV is exposed to combinations of waves and current. This study derived and used laboratory measurements to validate new predictions of effective blade length for combined waves and current based on a Cauchy number, which describes the ratio of hydrodynamic drag to the restoring force due to rigidity of blade. Force measurements on and digital images of blades exposed to waves with a 2-s period and with a range of wave velocity ( U w ) and current speed ( U c ) were used to estimate the effective blade length. The measurements were also used to validate a numerical simulation of blade motion. Once validated, the simulation was used to expand the investigated parameter space to a wider range of wave conditions, and in particular longer wave periods. For U c 1 4 U w , the blade motion and hydrodynamic drag were wave-dominated. For U c > 2 U w , the blade motion and hydrodynamic drag were current-dominated.
Cardiac Protective Engineering.

Cardioprotective engineering is an emerging bioengineering discipline aiming to develop engineering strategies to optimize cardioprotective actions against cardiac injuries and disorders. Although there exist innate cardioprotective mechanisms capable of supporting cardiomyocyte survival in response to an insult, not all these mechanisms are optimized in promptness and effectiveness, suggesting the necessity of cardioprotective engineering. Various cardioprotective strategies have been developed and used in experimental and clinical investigations; however, few of these strategies have exerted a significant clinical impact. There are two major challenges in cardioprotective engineering - understanding the innate cardioprotective mechanisms and developing engineering strategies for precise control of the types, levels, timing, and coordination of cardioprotective actions to facilitate recovery from injuries and disorders. Understanding the innate mechanisms is the foundation for developing cardioprotective engineering strategies. Here, ischemic myocardial injury is used as an example to demonstrate the concept of cardioprotective engineering.