cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hematocrit and Inertial Losses on Pressure-Flow Relations in the Isolated Hindpaw of the Dog

The effect of hematocrit on pressure-flow relations was studied in the perfused isolated hindpaw of the dog. Blood and suspensions of erythrocytes (RBC) in albumin-Ringer solution, hematocrit range of 0 to 80%, were used as perfusates. Flow resistance was found to increase markedly with hematocrit. No significant difference was found between pressure-flow data obtained with blood and RBC in albumin-Ringer solution when comparisons were made at comparable hematocrits, indicating negligible effect of RBC aggregation when blood was the perfusion fluid. Computations of flow resistance relative to cellfree perfusate indicated that non-Newtonian viscosity, as well as vessel distensibility, contributed to the nonlinearity of pressure-flow curves. Perfusion of paws with two Newtonian fluids of different viscosities allowed computation of inertial pressure losses under conditions of steady flow. At physiological perfusion pressures, inertial losses accounted for about 40% of the total pressure drop for cell-free albumin-Ringer solution, and dropped to about 5% for a hematocrit of 50. The results suggest that inertial losses, rather than a Fahraeus-Lindqvist effect, play an important role in pressure-flow relations in the hindpaw.
Antennas for the array-based deep space network: current status and future designs

Development of very large arrays of small antennas has been proposed as a way to increase the downlink capability of the NASA deep space network (DSN) by two or three orders of magnitude thereby enabling greatly increased science data from currently configured missions or enabling new mission concepts. The current concept is for an array of 400 times 12-m antennas at each of three longitudes. The DSN array will utilize radio astronomy sources for phase calibration and will have wide bandwidth correlation processing for this purpose. NASA has undertaken a technology program to prove the performance and cost of a very large DSN array. Central to that program is a 3-element interferometer to be completed in 2005. This paper describes current status of the low cost 6-meter breadboard antenna to be used as part of the interferometer and the RF design of the 12-meter antenna
Implementation and test of an Optimization-based Space-Vector Modulation method for the 3φ-3φ matrix converter

An innovative Optimization-based Space Vector Modulation method (OSVM) for 3φ-3φ matrix converter was proposed in paper [1]. OSVM is a direct modulation method which maximizes the modulation capability for reference vectors by using available input voltages and output currents. The solution of OSVM immediately tells the modulability of reference vectors. The algorithm of OSVM proposed in [1] has been implemented in a matrix testbed. The experimental results will be presented in this paper. The experimental results will show the performance and validity of the OSVM method.
Internet addiction's effect on likeability and rapport

The Internet Paradox refers to findings that demonstrated that the increase in communications brought about by Internet usage actually had negative effects on user's psychological well-being and social involvement. This study proposes that face-to-face contact promotes the development of rapport and thereby individuals that use the internet excessively will lack these necessary social skills. Specifically, we investigate whether, through use of telephone communications, average users ratings of likeability and rapport would differ when speaking to excessive internet users. This experiment utilized previously unacquainted individuals who conversed by telephone while discussing both, a cooperative and an adversarial task. Results indicate that excessive users were more likely to be depressed and socially inhibited, and also were rated as having a lower level of rapport and likeability. Further research is required in order to explain the role of personality in excessive internet usage.
Synthesis, biophysical properties and biological activity of second generation antisense oligonucleotides containing chiral phosphorothioate linkages

Bicyclic oxazaphospholidine monomers were used to prepare a series of phosphorothioate (PS)-modified gapmer antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) with control of the chirality of each of the PS linkages within the 10-base gap. The stereoselectivity was determined to be 98% for each coupling. The objective of this work was to study how PS chirality influences biophysical and biological properties of the ASO including binding affinity (Tm), nuclease stability, activity in vitro and in vivo, RNase H activation and cleavage patterns (both human and E. coli) in a gapmer context. Compounds that had nine or more Sp-linkages in the gap were found to be poorly active in vitro, while compounds with uniform Rp-gaps exhibited activity very similar to that of the stereo-random parent ASOs. Conversely, when tested in vivo, the full Rp-gap compound was found to be quickly metabolized resulting in low activity. A total of 31 ASOs were prepared with control of the PS chirally of each linkage within the gap in an attempt to identify favorable Rp/Sp positions. We conclude that a mix of Rp and Sp is required to achieve a balance between good activity and nuclease stability.
Fuzzy neural network models for multispectral image analysis

Fuzzy neural networks (FNNs) provide a new approach for classification of multispectral data and to extract and optimize classification rules. Neural networks deal with issues on a numeric level, whereas fuzzy logic deals with them on a semantic or linguistic level. FNNs synthesize fuzzy logic and neural networks. Recently, there has been growing interest in the research community not only to understand how FNNs arrive at particular decisions but how to decode information stored in the form of connection strengths in the network. In this paper, we propose fuzzy neural network models for classification of pixels in multispectral images and to extract fuzzy classification rules. During the training phase, the connection strengths are updated. After training, classification rules are extracted by backtracking along the weighted paths through the FNN. The extracted rules are then optimized using a fuzzy associative memory (FAM) bank. The data mining system described above is useful in many practical applications such as mapping, monitoring and managing our planet's resources and health, climate change impacts and assessments, environmental change detection and military reconnaissance.
Reexamining the frustration effect in rats: Aftereffects of surprising reinforcement and nonreinforcement

The reinforcement-omission effect (ROE; also called frustration effect), or greater response strength immediately after nonreinforcement (N) than reinforcement (R), has been traditionally interpreted in terms of one of two factors: transient facilitation after N induced by primary frustration or transient suppression after R induced by postconsummatory processes. Three instrumental lever-pressing experiments with rats demonstrated that the ROE can be caused by either factor in isolation, or by both acting simultaneously. The distribution of trials and the interval between N or R and the target response determine which factor would cause the ROE. Both aftereffects decay in time, but the after-N process decays at a slower rate than the after-R factor.
Perinatal outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus by race/ethnicity

Objective. To determine if racial/ethnic differences exist in perinatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies with GDM cared for by the Sweet Success: California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program (CDAPP) between 2001 and 2004 at inpatient obstetric and neonatal services in California. There were a total of 26,411 women with gestational diabetes who were subgrouped by four races/ethnicities: Caucasian, African-American, Latina, and Asian. The chi-squared test was used to compare the dichotomous outcomes and p < 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to control for potential confounders. Perinatal outcomes, including severity of GDM, cesarean delivery (CD), birthweight, preterm birth, intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission were compared.Results. Compared to Caucasians, African-Americans had higher odds of p...
Self-Identified Goals of Adolescents With Cancer and Healthy Peers: Content, Appraisals, and Correlates

goals, rated appraisals of goals, and completed psychosocial measures. Results Adolescents with cancer identified fewer goals, were more likely to identify a health-related goal, less likely to identify an intrapersonal or leisure goal, and rated their goals as more achievable and supported compared with control subjects. For adolescents with cancer, female gender predicted having a health-related goal. Additionally, age and parent-reported adolescent quality of life predicted having a future-oriented goal. 63 percent of adolescents with cancer reported establishing at least one goal because of cancer. Conclusions Despite similarities between groups, evidence supports that adolescents with cancer made changes to their repertoire of goals, suggesting the need to balance various priorities.
Treatment methods for the determination of δ2H and δ18O of hair keratin by continuous‐flow isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry

The structural proteins that comprise � 90% of animal hair have the potential to record environmentally and physiologically determined variation in d 2 H and d 18 O values of body water. Broad, systematic, geospatial variation in stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of environmental water and the capacity for rapid, precise measurement via methods such as high-temperature conversion elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (TC/EA-IRMS) make these isotope systems particularly well suited for applications requiring the geolocation of hair samples. In order for such applications to be successful, however, methods must exist for the accurate determination of hair d 2 H and d 18 O values reflecting the primary products of biosynthesis. Here, we present the results of experiments designed to examine two potential inaccuracies affecting d 2 H and d 18 O measurements of hair: the contribution of non-biologic hydrogen and oxygen to samples in the form of sorbed molecular water, and the exchange of hydroxyl-bound hydrogen between hair keratin and ambient water vapor. We show that rapid sorption of molecular water from the atmosphere can have a substantial effect on measured d 2 H and d 18 O values of hair (comprising � 7.7% of the measured isotopic signal for H and up to � 10.6% for O), but that this contribution can be effectively removed through vacuum-drying of samples for 6 days. Hydrogen exchange between hair keratin and ambient vapor is also rapid (reaching equilibrium within 3‐4 days), with 9‐16% of the total hydrogen available for exchange at room temperature. Based on the results of these experiments, we outline a recommended sample treatment procedure for routine measurement of d 2 H and d 18 O in mammal hair.
Optimal control of a manufacturing system based on a novel continuous-flow model with minimal WIP requirement

This work aims to establish alternative continuous approximations to discrete event dynamic systems (DEDS) so as to mitigate some of the problems with the conventional fluid models. Conventional continuous-flow (fluid) models do not accurately represent the transient behavior of the discrete event systems that they represent, Furthermore, the approximation error can increase with such factors as the magnitude of operation times and the number of operations. In addition, they impose certain state variable constraints which lead to nonlinear dynamics for which the theory is not as developed as for linear systems. Some notions from continuous Petri net theory are used to establish an alternative fluid model for production systems. The effectiveness of the new formulation is illustrated through an application to the linear optimal control of a two-machine, single-part-type manufacturing system operating under a fixed demand rate. The control constraints imposed by the new formulation are interpreted as imposing a minimum nonzero WIP requirement on the system. >
Pheromone detection by mammalian vomeronasal neurons

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) of mammals plays an essential role in the perception of chemical stimuli of social nature including pheromone-like signals but direct evidence for the transduction of pheromones by vomeronasal sensory neurons has been lacking. The recent development of electrophysiological and optical imaging methods using confocal microscopy has enabled researchers to systematically analyze sensory responses in large populations of mouse vomeronasal neurons. These experiments revealed that vomeronasal neurons are surprisingly sensitive and highly discriminative detectors of volatile, urinary metabolites that have pheromonal activity in recipient mice. Functional mapping studies of pheromone receptor activation have uncovered the basic principles of sensory processing by vomeronasal neurons and revealed striking differences in the neural mechanisms by which chemosensory information is detected by receptor neurons in the VNO and the main olfactory epithelium. These advances offer the opportunity to decipher the logic of mammalian pheromonal communication.
Field Methods for Identification of Bearing Support Parameters: Part II — Identification From Rotor Dynamic Response Due to Imbalances

This paper describes a procedure suitable for field implementation that allows identification of synchronous bearing support parameters (force coefficients) from recorded rotor responses to imbalance. The experimental validation is conducted on a test rotor supported on two dissimilar bearing supports, both mechanically complex, each comprising a hydrodynamic film bearing in series with a squeeze film damper and elastic support structure. The identification procedure requires a minimum of two different imbalance distributions for identification of force coefficients from the two bearing supports. Presently, the test rotor responses show minimal cross-coupling effects, as also predicted by analysis, and the identification procedure disregards cross-coupled force coefficients thereby reducing its sensitivity to small variations in the measured response. The procedure renders satisfactory force coefficients in the speed range between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm, enclosing the rotor-bearing system first critical speed. The identified direct force coefficients are in accordance with those derived from the impact load excitations presented in a companion paper [1].Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Pulmonary tissue oxygen requirement.

Earlier studies in an animal model of granulomatous lung disease demonstrated that at normal alveolar oxygen pressure the diseased lung apparently consumed oxygen but did not produce lactate, whereas under hypoxia oxygen consumption diminished and lactate production developed (1–3). Although oxygen uptake decreased when the alveolar oxygen pressure fell below 100 mm Hg, no conclusion was possible regarding the exact tissue oxygen pressure at which this response to hypoxia was manifest. The present studies in lung slices were designed to determine more precisely the oxygen requirement for pulmonary tissue respiration.
Chromatin: Physical Organization

In most eukaryotic cells, DNA is not free, but complexed with proteins to form chromatin. The fundamental unit of chromatin physical organization is the nucleosome, in which 146 bp of DNA is wrapped on an octameric core of small, highly basic proteins, the histones. How this beads-on-a-string primary structure of chromatin is folded and compacted in the living nucleus continues to be a challenging topic of research. The primary organization is modulated in many ways, including distance between nucleosomes, postsynthetic modification of histones, the presence of variant histones, and the presence of nonhistone chromosomal proteins. Although the ubiquitous presence of nucleosome is undisputed, and its compaction into chromatin fibers well established through in vitro studies, neither nucleosomes nor fibers are typically seen in whole nuclei or sections of nuclei. This is likely due to the remarkably high level of chromatin compaction in vivo , coupled with a tendency of close-packed arrays of nucleosomes to assume a molten-globule state. Recently, dramatic progress in understanding in vivo long-range genomic interactions has been achieved by chromatin conformation capture, a family of techniques using chemical cross-linking to capture neighboring segments of chromatin in three-dimensional space. The nucleus is highly dynamic, with many of its associated proteins showing high levels of intranuclear mobility.
On Indecomposable Polyhedra

(1948). On Indecomposable Polyhedra. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 55, No. 7, pp. 411-413.
Nutritive Value of Low and High Protein Sorghum Grains for Growing Chickens

Abstract READY adaptability of sorghum grains to varied growing conditions, especially to irrigated arid areas, has stimulated research on these grains in widely separated parts of the world, Adolph and Cheng (1935) in China, Anderson and Martin (1949) in the U. S., Lal (1950) and Balasubramanian et al. (1952) in India, Adrian and Sayerse (1954) in Africa, and Kik (1956) in the U. S. In the United States this research is primarily concerned with development of high-yielding hybrids for poultry and animal feeds as a substitute for corn. They have even been suggested as a possible supplement for corn in human diets by Mangay et al. (1957), since sorghums contain an appreciable content of tryptophan which corn lacks. In other parts of the world, notably India and Mexico, sorghums are used widely for human consumption. Data concerning amino acid and protein content of various sorghums are incomplete. Studies by Sauberlich et …
Polar Charges Induced Electric Hysteresis of ZnO Nano/Microwire for Fast Data Storage

We demonstrate an innovative memory device made of a single crystalline ZnO nanowire/microwire that works with a different mechanism from the p-n junction based memristor. A nonsymmetric, SchottkyOhmic contacted ZnO nano/microwire can serve as a memristor if the channel length is short and the applied frequency is high. The observed phenomena could be explained based on a screening model of thepolarchargesatthetwoendsofthewireowingtothecrystal structure of ZnO. The polar charges are usually fully screened by free electrons coming from the metal sides. But when the magnitude of the externally applied field exceeds a threshold value, the free electrons that screen the polar surfaces can be pulled away from the interface region, leading to a transient change in the effective height of the local Schottky barrier height owing to the electrical field formed by the polar surfaces of ZnO nanowires, which acts as a resistor with its magnitude depending on the total charges being transported. Such a phenomenon could be used for high density and fast writing/erasing data storage.
Optimising acute care and secondary prevention for patients with acute coronary syndrome

Ascertaining a patient's risk of ischaemic complications after admission with an acute coronary syndrome is an important determinant of management. The treating clinician must determine whether and how urgently to send the patient for coronary angiography and whether to select more intensive antithrombotic therapies in the acute phase, and facilitate secondary prevention strategies. Risk stratification is infrequently applied and, as a consequence, undertreatment of higher-risk patients is common. Ensuring routine application of risk stratification across hospitals may improve treatment of patients who have the most to gain from evidence-based therapies. This requires embedding standard practices into complex clinical environments, and includes the routine implementation of treatment algorithms in a permissive environment with clinical champions and support from the hospital administration. The implementation of routine systems of care defining prehospital, interhospital and individual hospital practice is challenging, but essential to minimise deficits in care.
452 PALIVIZUMAB: ADHERENCE TO AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS GUIDELINES.

Background Prophylactic therapy with palivizumab has been shown to be effective in reducing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated hospitalizations. Because of its high costs we evaluated the extent to which health care providers adhere to guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Methods All patients who received palivizumab for the 2003-2004 season at 5 different clinics affiliated with University of California, Irvine Medical Center were identified using ICD-9 codes and their charts were reviewed. Results 181 subjects were identified. Of 654 injections, 262 (40%) were not in accordance with the AAP guidelines. The main reasons for nonadherence were (a) infants were older than the age recommended by the AAP guidelines, (b) the injections were given too late, in April, when widespread RSV activity had ended, and c) the required risk factors recommended by AAP for the 32- to 35-week gestational age were not documented. Depending on the weight of the patient and the choice of the vial ($690 per 50 mg vial and $1,300 for 100 mg vial), the health care dollars that would be saved for non-adherent injections was estimated to be between $999/patient and $1,882/patient. Conclusions A significant proportion of palivizumab injections were not in accordance with the AAP guidelines. Intervention programs are needed to improve adherence to AAP guidelines.
Comparative Study on Cross-strait Agricultural Land Use Policy

The agricultural land use policy mainly aims at promoting rational use of agricultural land resources and improving the efficiency of agricultural land use.This paper tackled the similarities and differences of Mainland and Taiwan agricultural land-use policies.It was considered that the first goals,the development core and the recent attentive focus of the Cross-Strait agricultural land policies were similar,while the evolution of agricultural land interests,system change mode and recent priorities of Cross-Strait agricultural land use policy were different.Finally,it was suggested that changes in agricultural land-use policies should gradually tend to be "up and down interaction" means,take "improving agricultural efficiency" as a goal,tend to organized,large-scale in agricultural land use and strengthen the classification management of agricultural land use in Mainland in the future.
RNAi-Based Gene Silencing Using a GFP Sentinel System in Histoplasma capsulatum

RNA interference (RNAi) has revolutionized reverse genetics in eukaryotic organisms, particularly those in which homologous recombination is inefficient or impractical. The ability to deplete or knock-down a targeted gene product without requiring genetic disruption provides a rapid means of analyzing mutant phenotypes and defining gene functions. In Histoplasma capsulatum, in vivo-produced RNA stem-loop molecules are effective in triggering RNAi of the targeted gene and the RNAi effect is both heritable and stable. The use of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) sentinel for RNAi, in which cosilencing of GFP fluorescence is used as an indicator of target gene depletion, rapidly identifies RNAi lines of H. capsulatum. Here, we describe the construction of RNAi-triggering vectors, generation of silenced lines, and utilization of the GFP sentinel RNAi system in H. capsulatum.
The US National Ocean Policy: Priorities, Benefits, and Limitations in the Insular Pacific

We all share the ocean as a commons—the actions of any nation in the region directly impact the productivity and resource potential of every other nation. This is true with fisheries, with other marine natural resources, and even with security and maritime sovereignty. While the notion of ecosystem-based management within America is a noble goal, we must not forget the principal species of interest in the region, for commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries are highly migratory. Truly changing the paradigm with respect to fisheries, and ocean resource management as a whole, requires a collective effort of all parties. One nation can make a difference in how they interact with the environment, but the full Pacific community must work together to tackle our shared problems if we all expect to continue extracting benefit from the ocean for generations to come.
Chapter 21 – Proteomics in Pesticide Toxicology

Publisher Summary This chapter is an introduction of concept, method, and application of proteomics in pesticide toxicology, with specific examples of proteomics studies in bacterial degradation of pesticides. Proteomics is the study of the proteome or the entirety of proteins, particularly structures and functions of proteins in a biosystem. It involves identification and profiling of all proteins or as many as possible in a sample, quantitation of proteins, protein networks, protein folding, and protein modifications. Proteomics techniques have been applied to the mechanism of toxicity, mode of action, identification of protein biomarkers of exposure, exposure monitoring, metabolism of pesticides in humans and animals, and biodegradation of pesticides and are referred to as toxicoproteomics. It has already begun to enhance understanding of mechanisms of pesticide resistance, mechanisms of toxic action, mode of action, and biodegradation of pesticides, and it has aided in the discovery of new effective and safe pesticides and in the identification of biomarker proteins. However, there are challenges in proteomics methodologies, including extending the dynamic range to cover low- and high-abundant proteins and performing efficient protein quantitation and data mining. Streamlining protein preparation and fractionation with a suitable analytical technique (e.g., MS and NMR) is essential for extending the potential of proteomics to pesticide toxicology. Although MS-based approaches are very powerful for qualitative metaproteome investigations, there is a great need to develop and demonstrate improved approaches for quantitative measurements. Further improvements in MS technology and methodology are of significance in life sciences, including pesticide toxicology. Finally, a need in MS-based proteomics is to make use of the enormous amount of data being generated.
Indirect effects of contextual factors on patients' consultations with healthcare professionals about health information found online.

E-health users are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals about the health information they found online because it facilitates e-health users to participate in an informed decision-making process with healthcare professionals on treatment options. However, few studies have examined the path of how e-health users consult healthcare professionals about the health information. Using psychological empowerment, which claims that empowering individuals requires understanding contextual factors that interact with the individuals’ intrapsychic factors, this study tested a hypothesis: the contextual factors play an indirect role between patients’ perceived poor health and their consultations with healthcare professionals about the health information found online, holding predisposing factors constant. The data were collected from the Health Information National Trends Survey and used a subsample of e-health users who used healthcare services during the past year. The subsample (N = 2,297) was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The SEM analysis supported the hypothesized indirect model. Meanwhile, patients with low socioeconomic statuses tended to score high in the outcome measurement of the contextual factors; however, they tended not to consult professionals. It is important to acknowledge contextual factors, which encompass communication and relational aspects as well as the process and outcomes of treatments, when empowering e-health users to use e-health tools meaningfully and become empowered in caring for their own health. Particularly, those with low income and education levels were the less powered or powerless patients: they tended not to be competent in having a voice and discussing the health information that they found online with professionals.
Neurodevelopmental functioning in children being evaluated for heart transplant prior to 2 years of age.

ABSTRACTCardiac defects represent the most common type of birth defect and children with these abnormalities are known to experience a variety of developmental and neuropsychological delays. Children receiving heart transplants may be at the highest risk for delays as they tend to represent the most severely ill patients with heart disease. This study investigates neurocognitive and adaptive functioning in 20 children under 2 years of age who were undergoing evaluation for heart transplant, comparing their performance to that of normative samples. The results indicate delays across various domains of neurocognition, including general cognitive, receptive language, expressive language, fine motor, and gross motor skills. In addition, adaptive and social-emotional functioning fell significantly below that of normative samples. No significant differences were found when comparing the test performance of patients with congenital heart defects (n = 12) to patients with cardiomyopathy (n = 8). Secondary analyse...
Remission of pre-diabetes to normal glucose tolerance in obese adults with high protein versus high carbohydrate diet: randomized control trial

Objective Remission of pre-diabetes to normal is an important health concern which has had little success in the past. This study objective was to determine the effect on remission of pre-diabetes with a high protein (HP) versus high carbohydrate (HC) diet and effects on metabolic parameters, lean and fat body mass in prediabetic, obese subjects after 6 months of dietary intervention. Research design and methods We recruited and randomized 24 pre-diabetes women and men to either a HP (30% protein, 30% fat, 40% carbohydrate; n=12) or HC (15% protein, 30% fat, 55% carbohydrate; n=12) diet feeding study for 6 months in this randomized controlled trial. All meals were provided to subjects for 6 months with daily food menus for HP or HC compliance with weekly food pick-up and weight measurements. At baseline and after 6 months on the respective diets oral glucose tolerance and meal tolerance tests were performed with glucose and insulin measurements and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. Results After 6 months on the HP diet, 100% of the subjects had remission of their pre-diabetes to normal glucose tolerance, whereas only 33.3% of subjects on the HC diet had remission of their pre-diabetes. The HP diet group exhibited significant improvement in (1) insulin sensitivity (p=0.001), (2) cardiovascular risk factors (p=0.04), (3) inflammatory cytokines (p=0.001), (4) oxidative stress (p=0.001), (5) increased percent lean body mass (p=0.001) compared with the HC diet at 6 months. Conclusions This is the first dietary intervention feeding study, to the best of our knowledge, to report 100% remission of pre-diabetes with a HP diet and significant improvement in metabolic parameters and anti-inflammatory effects compared with a HC diet at 6 months. Trial registration number NCT0164284.
Real Time Sound Processing on Android

The introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the ubiquity of mobile devices has generated interest in leveraging smartphones for deploying and running sophisticated mobile sound applications. Modern smartphones have good connectivity, a significant amount of processing, and are always with us, making them an ideal candidate for envisioned applications. Many such applications have stringent latency requirements and in some cases, special I/O capabilities. One example is a class of real-time audio applications that require the ability to overlay sounds of different frequencies for joint playback. Currently, Android is unable to provide such tight timing requirement due to the design decisions for the underlying platform.In this paper, we present a new architecture for scheduling and managing sound playback that supports overlays. We show that our prototype has competitive performance and significantly reduces latency spikes compared to stock Android. We evaluate our system on both micro benchmarks as well as sound applications including a wind farm monitoring application that leverages sound to detect micro fractures and a multiphase surround sound playback application that leverages sound overlays to coordinate between multiple devices.
Contextualising compliance: hybrid governance in global value chains

ABSTRACTWidespread disappointment with compliance auditing in supply chains has led to a search for new governance solutions in global industries. Recent scholarship on labour standards in supply chains emphasises the need for complementarity between public and private forms of governance, and the importance of local contexts in shaping compliance outcomes. This paper, in contrast, argues that the distinction between public and private governance belies the complex interaction of regulatory forms and industry dynamics in global production networks. It develops this argument via an analysis of the International Labour Organisation Better Work programme, which, over the last decade, has metamorphosed from a country-specific monitoring programme into a unique model of hybrid governance that has been implemented in a half dozen countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Drawing from field research conducted on Nicaragua’s Better Work programme, it examines the achievements and limitations of hybrid governan...
Ethos, Character, and Discoursal Self in Persuasive Legal Writing

This article examines the concept of ethos and its application in contemporary persuasive legal writing. In particular, the article looks at a dichotomy in the concept of ethos that dates back to its origins in classical Greek rhetoric - a dichotomy between possession and appearance. Aristotle regarded ethos as persuasion by means of one’s character, one of the three available artistic means of persuasion. The question is whether one needs to actually possess the character traits that would make the speaker or writer seem persuasive. For one of Aristotle’s rhetorical predecessors, Isocrates, the answer was yes; one would need to actually possess those character traits. But in his Rhetoric, Aristotle indicates that the character traits are more an artifact of the speech (or writing), a matter of it appearing that the speaker or writer possessed those traits.After discussing this dichotomy in classical rhetoric, the article turns to its persistence in discussions of contemporary legal persuasion. The article then offers the concept of the discoursal self as one way of addressing the dichotomy, using selected judicial writings by two Supreme Court justices to illustrate how ethos-as-discoursal-self might work.
On the brittle fracture characteristics of lamella walls of ice-templated sintered alumina scaffolds and effects of platelets

Abstract We attempted to develop a phenomenological understanding of the evolution of the fracture events within fine-grained lamella walls of partially deformed ice-templated sintered Al 2 O 3 scaffolds and revealed the effects of the platelets on the crack propagation characteristics. Detailed microstructural analyses suggest that intergranular cracks within the walls evolved at two orientations, parallel and perpendicular to the loading direction. We proposed probable mechanisms including one based on the so-called wing-crack model to rationalize the observed crack orientations. We presented crack propagation behavior in lamella walls in presence of the platelets and discussed the effects in terms of the crack deflection mechanism.
Motion Control of Flexible Space Robots Using Optimal Trajectory Planning and Stable Inversion

Abstract A space robot is typically controlled to move extremely slowly in order to avoid structural vibrations, to minimize interference with the spacecraft, and to reduce energy consumption, This paper investigates a new motion control strategy to achieve the fastest motion without violating these goals, First, the dynamics equation of a flexible space robot is developed using the assumed modes method, Then, the optimal motion control problem is formulated as a two-stage functional optimization problem. The inner stage is solved by a newly developed stable inversion theory. The outer stage then becomes an optimal trajectory planning problem that is further simplified into a finite dimensional optimization problem. Simulation results are finally presented.
Novel Therapies for Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence.

Abstract Background Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)–induced angioedema can occur at any point during therapy and, when severe, can require mechanical ventilation. Standard agents for anaphylactic reactions have limited efficacy for bradykinin-mediated angioedema and, therefore, agents approved for hereditary angioedema are increasingly prescribed for these patients. Objective of the Review This systematic review critically evaluates evidence describing the off-label use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), complement 1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), icatibant, and ecallantide for treatment of ACEI-induced angioedema. Discussion A PubMed search was conducted and articles were cross-referenced for additional citations. All full-text clinical trials, case series, and case reports published in the English language describing pharmacologic treatment of ACEI-induced angioedema were included. Thirty-seven publications detailing FFP, PCC, and regimens approved for hereditary angioedema, including icatibant, ecallantide, and C1-INH, are reviewed extensively. Conclusions While findings of decreased time to symptom resolution or a cessation in symptom progression have been reported with each of these therapies, additional data showing clinically relevant implications, such as reduced intensive care unit length of stay or avoidance of mechanical ventilation, are warranted, especially when taking cost into consideration. FFP has limited evidence demonstrating a benefit for treatment of ACEI-induced angioedema without consistent dosing strategies. However, given its wide availability and low potential for adverse reactions, FFP therapy may be reasonable. Of the novel agents traditionally used for hereditary angioedema, icatibant has the highest level of evidence and has been reported to be successful in limiting the progression of angioedema.
Biophysics of the developing heart:I. The force-interval relationship

Abstract The force-interval relationship was evaluated in the developing heart of the lamb. The qualitative characteristics of the relationship were the same in isolated muscle (from 93 to 141 days' gestation to 1 year old) as in the chronically instrumented in utero fetus (122 to 141 days' gestation): (1) contractility, e.g., the maximum rate of rise of force, increased monotonically from a small value immediately after a contraction to a plateau, and (2) postextrasystolic potentiation was present in all preparations. In the intact animal, postextrasystolic potentiation depended on the basic pacing interval, t0, and the timing of the extrasystole, t1: when t0 was held constant and t1 was increased, potentiation decreased; when t1 was held constant and t0 was increased, potentiation increased. The qualitative characteristics of the relationship, and so the underlying myocardial basis, were unchanged over the developmental period studied.
ISIS beyond the spectacle: communication media, networked publics, terrorism

October 1, 2017: A “gunman” uses automatic weapons and opens fire on a crowd of concert goers in Las Vegas, Nevada, killing 58 persons and injuring 546 people. ISIS’s claim of responsibility for th...
Development of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Spinal Arachnoid Cysts in a Patient With Intractable Epilepsy

Neuromyelitis optica is an inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by severe relapsing attacks of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. The current case describes a 29-year-old man with intractable epilepsy and diplegic spastic cerebral palsy who was given the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder after presenting with weakness, incontinence, and decreased visual acuity. His symptoms recurred 21 months after initial presentation. Magnetic resonance imaging of his spine revealed arachnoid cysts with regional mass effects. Differentiation of arachnoid cysts from a demyelinating process may be difficult in the early stages of the disease. Close monitoring of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is important, especially in patients with recurrent or refractory symptoms.
HOT MWIR detectors on silicon substrates

The main driving force for High Operating Temperature (HOT) detectors is the strong need for low cost, compact IR imaging solution capable of supporting a wide range of military and civilian applications. In the HOT regime where imagers can be cooled with multi-stage thermoelectric coolers, the major portion of the cost is due to the die-level back-end process, from the chip hybridization to final packaging. We present here an approach to achieve significant cost reduction of MWIR imagers by monolithically integrating III-V devices directly on Silicon substrates for wafer-scale fabrication and packaging of focal plane arrays (FPAs). High quality InAs films can be grown on a blanket Silicon wafer by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) in a low growth temperature regime that complies with the thermal budget of the Si-electronics. High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy reveals predominantly oriented, single-crystal-like InAs films, with Σ3(111) twin boundaries, which our band structure calculations predict to be electrically benign. More intriguingly, selective-area growth on SiO2-masked ROIC-like templates is demonstrated with single-crystal-like InAs film nucleation at small Si(001) openings, together with the suppression of unwanted deposition on the dielectric mask. High crystallinity lateral epitaxial overgrowth of the InAs islands and film coalescence is achieved, enabling the potential to fully cover the entire patterned substrate. MBE-grown MWIR devices (λcut-off = 4.1 μm) on blanket InAs/Si templates exhibit a dark current of 2x10-5 A/cm2 , a specific detectivity of 6x1011 Jones and a quantum efficiency (QE) above 60% at 100K. The QE remains constant at high temperatures (<200K) where the dark current approaches that of baseline single-crystal HOT devices grown on native substrates At 230K, it is 6x10-2 A/cm2, yielding a specific detectivity of 1010 Jones.
Fragility and Recovery in the Arctic

Henry P. HuntingtonGrasses and flowers flourish atop the ancient middens of stone-age villages on the Arctic tundra. Permafrost thaws into linear ponds where bulldozers drove a half-century ago on ...
Thalamic relay functions.

The lateral geniculate nucleus is the best understood thalamic relay. Only 5-10% of the inputs to geniculate relay cells derive from retina, which is the driving input. The rest, being modulatory, derive from local inhibitory inputs, descending inputs from visual cortex, and ascending inputs from brainstem. The nonretinal, modulatory inputs, which form the vast majority, dynamically control the nature of the geniculate relay. Among other actions, these modulatory inputs regulate membrane properties of relay cells and thereby control their mode of response to retinal inputs, and this dramatically affects the nature of information relayed to cortex. Our studies of the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat lead to the speculation that this dynamic control depends on the animal's behavioral state and represents the neuronal substrate for many forms of visual attention. The lateral geniculate nucleus is a first-order relay, because it relays subcortical (i.e. retinal) information to cortex for the first time. In contrast, the other main thalamic relay of visual information, the pulvinar (and lateral posterior nucleus in carnivores), is largely a higher-order relay, since much of it seems to relay information from one cortical area to another. Much more corticocortical processing may involve these 're-entry' routes than has been hitherto appreciated. If so, the thalamus sits at an indispensable position for corticocortical processing.
Amelioration of photic injury in rat retina by ascorbic acid: A histopathologic study

It has been postulated that ascorbic acid may help to protect the retina from oxidative insult by light. To confirm this hypothesis, the authors compared light-damaged retinas of rats with or without ascorbate supplement by morphologic and morphometric studies at different time periods after light exposure. No dramatic morphologic differences were observed in the photoreceptor-retinal pigment epithelium complex between the two groups six hr after light exposure to 200 to 250-foot candles of visible light. Six to 13 days after 24 hr of exposure, the retina of rats that received ascorbate supplement showed significantly less severe damage than the retina of unsupplemented rats. The superior and temporal quadrants of the retina appeared to be most susceptible to the light damage when comparing rats with or without ascorbate supplement. These findings suggested that ascorbate ameliorates the photic injury in rat retina.
Terminal myeloid gene expression and differentiation requires the transcription factor PU.1.

Hematopoiesis is a multi-stage developmental process which yields at least eight distinct lineages including monocytes, granulocytes, lymphocytes, megakaryocytes, and erythrocytes. During myelopoiesis, pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells become committed as myeloid precursor cells which differentiate into morphologically and functionally distinct end-stage macrophages and neutrophils. Multipotent progenitors differentiate into macrophages through successive intermediates involving monoblasts, promonocytes, monocytes, and then macrophages. Granulocytic development involves the differentiation of progenitors into myeloblasts, promyelocytes, myelocytes, and then neutrophils. Hematopoiesis in the developing mouse embryo is initiated in the yolk sac on the seventh day of gestation. Primitive macrophages first appear in yolk sac blood islands on day 9, bypassing the differentiation pathway of the monocytic series, to become fetal macrophages in various tissues [13, 22].
The Racial Identification of Young Adults in a Racially Complex Society

Quantitative studies of racial identification have commonly focused on the identification choices of children and adolescents living in the parental home. Less is known about the racial self-identi...