cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stochastic iterative algorithms for signal set design for Gaussian channels and optimality of the L2 signal set

We propose a stochastic iteration approach to signal set design. Four practical stochastic iterative algorithms are proposed with respect to equal and average energy constraints and sequential and batch modes. By simulation, a new optimal signal set, the L2 signal set (consisting of a regular simplex set of three signals and some zero signals), is found under the strong simplex conjecture (SSC) condition (equal a priori probability and average energy constraint) at low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). The optimality of the L1 signal set, the confirmation of the weak simplex conjecture, and two of Dunbridge's (1967) theorems are some of the results obtained by simulations. The influence of SNR and a priori probabilities on the signal sets is also investigated via simulation. As an application to practical communication system design, the signal sets of eight two-dimensional (2-D) signals are studied by simulation under the SSC condition. Two signal sets better than 8-PSK are found. Optimal properties of the L2 signal set are analyzed under the SSC condition at low SNRs. The L2 signal set is proved to be uniquely optimal in 2-D space. The class of signal sets S(M, K) (consisting of a regular simplex set of K signals and M-K zero signals) is analyzed. It is shown that any of the signal sets S(M, K) for 3/spl les/K/spl les/M-1 disproves the strong simplex conjecture for M/spl ges/4, and if M/spl ges/7, S(M, 2) (the L1 signal set) also disproves the strong simplex conjecture. It is proved that the L2 signal set is the unique optimal signal set in the class of signal sets S(M, K) for all M/spl ges/4. Several results obtained by Steiner (see ibid., vol.40, no.5, p.721-31, 1994) for all M/spl ges/7 are extended to all M/spl ges/4. Finally, we show that for M/spl ges/7, there exists an integer K'<M such that any of the signal sets consisting of K signals equally spaced on a circle and M-K zero signals, for 4/spl les/K/spl les/K', also disprove the strong simplex conjecture.
Detection of tunnels in low loss media illuminated by a transient pulse

The field scattered from a subsurface object illuminated by a transient pulse is determined using the T-matrix method. Although the method itself is a resonance-region, frequency-domain technique, it is shown that it can be applied to problems in which the pulse has energy that spans several decades in the frequency domain. The illuminating pulse simulates one used in an actual VHF subsurface radar exploration device. The pulse is radiated from an electric dipole in a vertical borehole. The scattered pulse is obtained by first calculating the components in the spectral description of the transmitting antenna current. The T-matrix method is then used to determine the system transfer function, which, in turn, gives the scattered energy in terms of the antenna current. An inverse Fourier transform yields the temporal scattered field. The scatterer is modeled as a dielectric ellipsoid, which is presented as an approximation to a cylindrical tunnel. >
Understanding the effectiveness of online digital music sampling: an exploratory study

Despite the popularity of online digital music and the broad application of digital music sampling, in the existing literature, there is a lack of substantial studies that examine online digital music sampling. This study uses a laboratory experiment to explore the determinants of the five effectiveness dimensions, i.e., evaluation, Willingness-to-Pay (WTP), perceived sampling usefulness, sampling cost and the likelihood of being a free rider, of online digital music sampling. Digital music samples with a higher quality and longer segments were found to increase the sampler's music evaluation and make the evaluation process more useful. Also, the sampler's music evaluation significantly determines his/her WTP. Higher music evaluations not only decrease the sampler's sampling cost during the sampling process, but also reduces the probability that the sampler will take the music sample as a substitute for the original music. This study also shows that the current practice of online digital music sampling is not ideal and music retailers could improve their music sampling strategies by providing digital music samples with longer segments and of higher quality. All of these findings have significant implications for music retailers to use digital music sampling strategies better.
Mental Health Effects of Intimate Terrorism and Situational Couple Violence Among Black and Hispanic Women

An important aspect of Johnson's intimate terrorism (IT) and situational couple violence (SCV) typology is his assertion that victims experience different negative outcomes depending on which category of violence they endure. Anderson calls for reexamining this typology to highlight the importance of coercive control with or without physical violence present. Similar to most studies, Anderson's research uses a sample that includes mostly White women. The current study employs Anderson's methods and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses, but uses a sample of predominantly Black women and Latinas from the 1998 Chicago Women's Health Risk Study.
Interactions between sorption and biodegradation: Exploring bioavailability and pulsed nutrient injection efficiency

[1] Understanding the dynamics of sorption and bioavailability is crucial to the success of transport models as bioavailability often limits the complete bioremediation of contaminated soils. This paper examines the interplay between sorption and bioavailability with pulsed injection of nutrients based on a mechanistic model of microbially mediated reactive transport. We used a dimensionless parametric approach based on nondimensional groups such as the Damkohler and Peclet numbers to assess the relative importance of processes and rates. We consider case studies involving the biodegradation of carbon tetrachloride (CT) as well as a chemically induced degradation system to evaluate the effects of bioavailability. We first used these two cases to explore the effects of selectively activating the degradation terms in the aqueous and sorbed phases. The models for these two cases consistently predict that degradation is insensitive to retardation if degradation terms are not included for the sorbed phase. A specific mass removal rate was developed as an efficiency metric to explore the effects of pulsed nutrient injection on contaminant degradation and to estimate an optimal injection interval. The contaminant mass degraded per unit pumping was shown to be significantly higher for pulsed injection of substrates than with continuous injection. The presented results clearly indicate that considerations of bioavailability profoundly alter model predictions of degradation as well as parameter estimation results.
Pelvic inflammatory disease in patients with bilateral tubal ligation

Classic teaching has stated that women who have undergone bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) are not susceptible to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The purpose of this study was to confirm the existence of PID in patients with BTL and to compare clinical parameters of these patients with PID patients who have not had BTL. A retrospective chart review of emergency department (ED) patients diagnosed with PID over a 1-year period at a large urban university hospital found 209 patients who fulfilled the criteria for a definition of PID. Of the 209 patients with PID, 24 (11.7%) had undergone BTL. Patients with and without BTL were compared with respect to age, white blood cell count (WBC), temperature, admission rate, length of hospitalization, prior history of PID, culture results, presence of bilateral abdominal pain, presence of rebound tenderness, and complications of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) and hydrosalpinx. Patients with BTL had lower WBCs (11,100/microL v14,700/microL) and were 2.5 times less likely to be hospitalized compared to those patients without BTL. These results show that PID in the setting of a prior BTL not only exists but occurs with surprising frequency and deserves further study. Patients with BTL and PID may have a clinically milder form of PID than those patients without BTL.
Laser processing for electronic circuit restructuring

The Center for Microelectronics Research (CMR) at the University of South Florida has pursued the development of high density interconnect technologies for advanced electronic systems. Primary focus has been in the area of Laser created interconnects for quick-turn around prototyping of electronic circuits fabricated using standard Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) process techniques. The Laser Restructuring of a specific application circuitry at the wafer or packaged chip level is accomplished by creating low electrical resistance links between conductors and cutting conductor lines using an integrated computer controlled Laser system. Laser restructuring of generic electronic circuits, is an excellent technique for low-cost, quick turn around custom programmed circuits. A great effort was put into developing an infrastructure within the Laboratory that will conduct state of the art research while keeping manufacturing capabilities for rapid turn around of restructured circuitry using optimized process parameters. Total system control, flexibility, high data quality, and full documentation are examples of this R&D developed environment. Using Design of Experiment techniques and statistical data analysis, Laser created interconnects were studied. Optimum process parameters were obtained using this methodology. The complete process development will be presented at the conference including among others the design and software development of a stand alone interconnect controller (ICON), testing procedure for packaged, and the statistical data analysis for generating the optimum process parameter.
Mid-gestation right basal ganglia lesion: Clinical observations in two children

Objective: To describe the neurobehavioral syndrome in two children with destruction of the right basal ganglia ostensibly from amniocentesis needle penetration at 17 weeks of gestation. Background: Early-life unilateral lesions of the basal ganglia are rare and the resulting syndrome not described. Methods: Both children had repeated clinical assessments, MRI and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET scans, and psychometric and achievement testing over 10 years. Results: Right basal ganglia destruction was similar and virtually coextensive in both children; optic nerve and oculomotor dysfunction were disparate. One had a right temporal pole porencephalic cyst with anomalous overlying cortex. The clinical syndrome included left hemiparesis with distal spasticity and without hypotrophy; extraocular movement disorders; severe episodic disinhibition, impulsiveness, hitting reflexively, and extreme emotional lability. Outbursts of screaming and cursing resembled “sham rage.” Both had mild intellectual retardation with competent language but poor nonverbal and visual-spatial abilities, visual memory, and daily living and socialization skills. Conclusions: The shared behavioral and cognitive syndrome is most reasonably attributed to the right basal ganglia lesions, which were complete and coextensive in both, whereas other lesions were partial, milder, and disparate. Early destruction of the right basal ganglia may preclude normal development of right hemisphere functions without evidence of plasticity and appears associated with intense disinhibition and impulsiveness of aggressive attack activities and with general lability and dyscontrol of emotion.
Historical Overview and Perceptions of Racial and Terrorist Profiling in an Era of Homeland Security: A Research Note

This study explores and compares the viewpoints of law enforcement and non-law enforcement/student populations regarding terrorist profiling. The research reveals that law enforcement subjects are more likely than non-law enforcement subjects to support the usefulness of terrorist profiling and to be more suspicious of Middle Eastern males in regard to terrorist acts similar to September 11. No significant difference is found between their beliefs regarding racial or terrorist profiling being required to effectively combat terrorism. To explain the results, the article provides the historical background of criminal, racial, and terrorist profiling. The findings provide knowledge useful for enhancing the understanding needed for more effective community policing in a homeland security era.
Evaluation of stocking density and feeding regime on production of red swamp crawfish in outdoor mesocosms.

Seven stocking densities and three feeding regimes were evaluated, in combination, to determine their effects on production and relative condition of red swamp crawfish, Procambarus clarkii, in outdoor mesocosms. Juveniles were grown from November through June at densities of 5 to 35/m2 with either no cultivated rice, cultivated rice, or cultivated rice+formulated pellets as food resources. Crawfish size was influenced primarily by stocking density, survival was equally influenced by density and feeding regime, and yield was affected mostly by feeding regime. Individual harvest weight and survival decreased with an increase in stocking density. Most crawfish exceeded 20 g at 5 and 10/m2 in treatments with cultivated rice, but significant stunting occurred in all feeding regimes at 15/m2 or higher. Survival decreased with increased density, and was significantly less in the no-rice system, presumably from starvation and cannibalism. Mean crawfish yield in rice (1549 kg/ha) and rice+feed (1629 kg/ha) treatments was about 2.5 times higher than in the no-rice treatment (618 kg/ha). Formulated feed did not prevent stunting at high densities, but crawfish provided feed were in better physiological condition. Planted rice with an initial population density of about 10/m2 appears to provide the best combination to maximize both size and yield.
Development of a linear piston-type pulse power electric generator for powering electric guns

There is a vigorous program within the US Army to produce fieldable electric gun systems for both tactical and strategic defense missions. Princeton Combustion Research Laboratories proposes to develop its concept for a linear piston-type electric pulse-power generator capable of powering electric guns, both electromagnetic (EM rail and EM coil) guns and electrothermal (ET) guns, now under development. The pulse-power generator consists of a cylindrical armature pushed by gases from the combustion of fuel or propellant through an externally produced magnetic field. An arrangement of electrodes and connecting straps serves to extract current from the moving armature and to send it to an external load (the electric gun). >
Recovery of 15N in the Body, Urine, and Gas Phase of Piglets Infused Intravenously with 15N l-Alanine from 12–72 Hours of Age

Previous studies of nitrogen metabolism provided evidence suggesting that nitrogen excretory product(s) not measured by standard methods of analysis escape detection. To determine whether (15)N could be recovered quantitatively in the body, urine, or expired gas, newborn piglets (n = 16; 1.47 +/- 0.27 kg) were infused intravenously with (15)N L-alanine from 12 to 72 h of age at a rate providing 25% of the piglets' resting energy expenditure and a (15)N abundance of 2.3 (n = 4), 2.8 (n = 10), or 3.3 (n = 2) atom percent. To investigate the possibility of gaseous nitrogen excretion, 4 piglets infused with (15)N L-alanine were housed in a closed circuit respiration system initially flushed with an 80% argon:20% O(2) mixture. The gas composition of the system was monitored at 12-h intervals throughout the experiment. Mean total recovery of (15)N was 93.3 +/- 2.8% and was significantly different from 100% (P < 0.001). To determine whether (15)N recovery was altered by metabolism, 2 piglets (1.34 +/- 0.13 kg) were killed 6 min after a bolus i.v. infusion of (15)N L-alanine (97.96 +/- 1.13 atom percent). Mean recovery of (15)N in the bodies of these piglets was 101.5 +/- 1.6% and was not different from 100%. No change in chamber gas (28)N(2) (P = 0.0969) or (29)N(2) (P = 0.08565) over 72 h was evident. The inability to recover 6.7 +/- 2.8% of infused (15)N suggests that a nitrogen-containing excretory product or metabolite may be escaping detection, but the discrepancy cannot be explained by gaseous nitrogen ((28)N(2), (29)N(2), or (30)N(2)) excretion.
Polymer Matrix Composites

Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) have established themselves as engineering structural materials, not just as laboratory curiosities or cheap stuff for making chairs and tables. This came about not only because of the introduction of high-performance fibers such as carbon, boron, and aramid but also because of some new and improved matrix materials (see Chap. 3). Nevertheless, glass fiber reinforced polymers represent the largest class of PMCs. Carbon fiber reinforced PMCs are perhaps the most important structural composites; especially in the aerospace field. In this chapter, we discuss polymer composite systems containing glass, aramid, polyethylene, boron, and carbon fibers.
Assessing the Success of Postfire Reseeding in Semiarid Rangelands Using Terra MODIS

Successful postfire reseeding efforts can aid rangeland ecosystem recovery by rapidly establishing a desired plant community and thereby reducing the likelihood of infestation by invasive plants. Although the success of postfire remediation is critical, few efforts have been made to leverage existing geospatial technologies to develop methodologies to assess reseeding success following a fire. In this study, Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data were used to improve the capacity to assess postfire reseeding rehabilitation efforts, with particular emphasis on the semiarid rangelands of Idaho. Analysis of MODIS data demonstrated a positive effect of reseeding on rangeland ecosystem recovery, as well as differences in vegetation between reseeded areas and burned areas where no reseeding had occurred (P,0.05). We conclude that MODIS provides useful data to assess the success of postfire reseeding.
HB-EGF enhances restitution after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion via PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK1/2 activation.

Background & Aims: Early recovery of intestinal function after injury occurs by restitution, a complex process with a poorly understood molecular basis. Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a potent chemotactic factor that is induced during ischemia/reperfusion in vivo and intestinal wounding in vitro. The role of HB-EGF in intestinal restitution and the underlying intracellular signaling pathways involved were investigated. Methods: Adult rats were subjected to intestinal ischemia, with histologic and biochemical damage assessed during the first 3 hours of reperfusion. The effect of recombinant HB-EGF (rHB-EGF) on structural and functional recovery of the intestine by restitution was evaluated in vivo. Scrape wounding of intestinal epithelial cell monolayers was used to elucidate the mechanisms of intrinsic and rHB-EGF-induced restitution. Results: Early structural recovery occurred within 3 hours of reperfusion and was attributed to restitution rather than proliferation. HB-EGF treatment significantly improved structural recovery and accelerated functional recovery of the gut barrier. In vivo restitution was preceded by activation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, which were accelerated and enhanced by HB-EGF treatment. Blocking of ErbB-1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, or mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK)/ERK activity resulted in significant reduction in intrinsic and HB-EGF-induced restitution in vitro. Endogenous HB-EGF was shown to play an essential role in wound-induced ErbB-1 and ERK1/2 activation and in intrinsic restitution. Conclusions: Endogenous HB-EGF, ErbB-1, PI3K/Akt, and MEK/ERK are involved in intrinsic restitution. rHB-EGF enhances restitution in vivo and in vitro in a PI3K/Akt- and MEK/ERK1/2-dependent fashion.
A political ecology of violence and territory in West Kalimantan

This paper uses a political ecology perspective to examine relationships between violence and territory in West Kalimantan, focusing on the violent incidents of 1996-1997 and 1967-1968. Besides a regional account, the paper examines some of the ways residents of one village were drawn into and chose to participate in violence. The author concludes that while regional analyses can identify broad patterns, local analyses enable a greater understanding of both variation and the processes by which ethnic categories are constructed through violence.
Standardization of work - a statistical approach using spreadsheet

Abstract One of the techniques of work study is work measurement employed to ensure the best possible use of human in carrying out a specific activity. Using appropriate measurement procedures, a work standard can be set which will reflect the gross time required by a normal operator working under normal conditions and with normal pace to complete a unit of work satisfactorily. One of the approaches in setting the work standard is based on the statistical analysis of time data. This paper presents a method of establishing work standard by generating statistical control chart using Excell -- an integrated spreadsheet and graphics software for the Apple-Macintosh.
Immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs enhance the efficacy of monoclonal antibody therapy of lymphoma

Bacterial DNA and synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing the CpG motif (CpG ODN) can activate various immune cell subsets, including natural killer cells and macrophages. We evaluated whether the combination of CpG ODN and antitumor monoclonal antibody is effective at preventing tumor growth in an immunocompetent murine lymphoma model. CpG ODN-activated murine splenocytes induced lysis of tumor targets more effectively than unactivated splenocytes. These effector cells were also superior to unactivated splenocytes or cells activated with a control methylated ODN at inducing antibody-mediated lysis of 38C13 murine lymphoma cells. In vivo, CpG ODN alone had no effect on survival of mice inoculated with 38C13 cells. However, a single injection of CpG ODN enhanced the antitumor response to antitumor monoclonal antibody therapy. Ninety percent of mice treated with monoclonal antibody alone developed tumor compared with 20% of mice treated with antibody and CpG ODN. These antitumor effects were less pronounced when treatment consisted of an identical ODN containing methylated CpG dinucleotides. A single dose of CpG ODN appeared to be as effective as multiple doses of interleukin-2 at inhibiting tumor growth when combined with antitumor monoclonal antibody. We conclude that immunostimulatory CpG ODN can enhance antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity and warrant further evaluation as potential immunotherapeutic reagents in cancer.
Flow gating

Synopsis: The standard arrangement used to transfer information from one flip-flop to another requires severing elements in the connection between them. The number of diodes and triodes in these "gates" is often comparable to that in the flip-flop. This paper describes a scheme in which the transfer is effected by a simple diode going from the sending to the receiving flip-flop and by changing the supply voltage of one of the two circuits. The method appears to be attractive for small memories composed of flip-flops. It is also shown that all inputs and outputs can be tied together and that information can then be exchanged between two partially selected units.
Can empathy, other personality attributes, and level of positive social influence in medical school identify potential leaders in medicine?

PurposeTo test the hypotheses that medical students recognized by peers as the most positive social influencers would score (1) high on measures of engaging personality attributes that are conducive to relationship building (empathy, sociability, activity, self-esteem), and (2) low on disengaging pe
Effect of dietary lipid on rat serum and liver cholesterol and tissue mast cells.

Summary1 An increase of blood serum cholesterol has been observed in rats subsisting on Purina chow diet when supplemented with butterfat, or sunflower seed oil. Animals on sunflower seed oil also showed increase of liver cholesterol. Rats on “fat-free” diet showed increase in serum cholesterol but no change in liver cholesterol. When Purina chow-butter diet was supplemented with cholesterol and propylthiouracil, an even greater increase in both serum and liver cholesterol was found. 2) Separation of serum protein fractions by paper electrophoresis revealed that most of the cholesterol was associated with albumin and alpha globulin fraction in the rat; whereas, in man, the greatest proportion of cholesterol is found in the beta globulin fraction. This same general distribution was observed in all dietary groups regardless of their serum cholesterol levels, although rats receiving butter-cholesterol-propylthiouracil diet showed a slight shift of cholesterol toward the beta globulin fraction. 3) No diets in...
The problem of hernia in infants and adolescents.

The emphasis here is on umbilical and inguinal hernias from infancy through adolescence. It is not the author’s intent to take sides in the controversy of bilateral versus unilateral repair of inguinal hernias, but to suggest guidelines and techniques for both.
Sézary cells in ascitic fluid.

Sezary's syndrome is a neoplasm of T-lymphocytes characterized by skin lesions histologically typical of mycosis fungoides together with the presence of malignant (Sezary) cells in the peripheral blood. These cells have a characteristic appearance in tissues, peripheral blood and body fluids, and their presence in large numbers in ascitic fluid is an indicator of disseminated disease. A patient with Sezary's syndrome was found to have the distinctive malignant lymphocytes in ascitic fluid. We believe that this report is the first to document the appearance of the cells in a body cavity fluid. Treatment modalities in Sezary's syndrome may be determined by the stage of the disease, and the presence of the distinctive "convoluted" or "cerebreform" lymphocytes should be noted.
Radio Source Theories

This chapter discusses radio source theories. The energy responsible for the radio source radiation originates in a compact region in the nucleus of the parent galaxy. The energy is ultimately gravitational in origin; the release mechanism may involve a compact cluster of evolved objects of stellar mass or one or more coherent massive objects. A very characteristic feature of the energy release is its initial bifurcation leading to the formation of a double structure. It could be the result of a natural asymmetry of the central regions of the parent galaxy in the density distribution due to rotation, or connected with the presence of a magnetic field either pre-existing, or amplified by a rotating massive object. It could also be a manifestation of the momentum conservation in a three-body interaction process of massive objects in the gravitational field of the nucleus.
Complicated contradictions amid Black feminism and millennial Black women teachers creating curriculum for Black girls

ABSTRACTMillennial Black women teachers wrestle with two simultaneous burdens: disrupting the racist and sexist status quo of schooling through curriculum, and employing tactics to survive school politics among their majority White women colleagues. This article describes how the Sisters of Promise (SOP) curriculum aligned with Black feminism and Black feminist pedagogy, and how it did not. This curriculum was created for Black girls within the margins of school by a millennial Black woman teacher and other Black women teachers. Analysis of the SOP curriculum revealed that even with the best of intentions, and even for relatively self-aware millennial Black women teachers, it is possible to present Black girl students with contradictory messages, due to a lack of exposure to Black feminism, Black feminist pedagogy, and the work of Black women educational scholars, in their curriculum studies. Included are implications and recommendations for millennial Black women teachers creating curriculum for Black girls.
Defining the Patient Cohort

In this chapter, the reader will learn how to define the patient cohort to best address a research question.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Expression Phenotype of Primary Melanoma and Matched Metastases and Relationship with Overall Survival.

E-Cadherin and N-cadherin are important components of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). The majority of studies on EMT in melanoma have been performed with cultured cell lines or pooled melanoma samples. The goal of our study was to evaluate the expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in matched tissue samples from primary and metastatic sites of melanoma and to determine the correlation with survival outcome. We analyzed tissues from 42 melanoma primary lesions and their corresponding metastases, as well as 53 benign nevi, for expression levels of E-cadherin and N-cadherin using immunohistochemical methods. There were heterogenous expression patterns of E- and N-cadherin in both primary and metastatic melanomas. Overall, metastatic tumor showed a decrease in E-cadherin expression and an increase in N-cadherin expression compared to the primary tumor, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.24 and 0.28 respectively). A switch of membranous expression from E-cadherin to N-cadherin from primary to metastatic melanoma was seen in eight patients (19%). Aberrant E-cadherin expression (defined as negative to weak membranous E-cadherin or positive nuclear E-cadherin expression) was more frequently observed in metastatic than in primary melanomas (p=0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that absence of N-cadherin expression in primary melanomas and the presence of aberrant E-cadherin expression in primary melanomas and metastatic melanomas was associated with a significantly worse overall survival. Our data support the importance of E-cadherin and N-cadherin proteins in melanoma progression and patient survival.
Examining Task Priority Effects in Multi-Task Management:

The Strategic Task Overload Model (STOM) seeks to predict the choices of operators when they are confronted with multiple task options in an overloading situation. These situations characterize saf...
CMOS-nano-bio interface array for cardiac and neuro technology

Optical methods based on voltage sensitive proteins and Ca2+/voltage sensitive dyes have significantly benefited the field of electrophysiology, parallelizing intracellular recording from a network of electrogenic cells. Creating an analogous all-electrical device — an electrode array capable of intracellular recording from a network of electrogenic cells — has long been an outstanding challenge. On the one hand, though the CMOS microelectrode array has enabled network-level studies with massive parallelism, its extracellular interface has a limited sensitivity. On the other hand, planar patch clamp arrays achieve intracellular access but are not applicable to network-level interrogations. We will present our recent development of a CMOS nanoelectrode array that combines both parallel and intracellular features for high-precision recording across a large network of electrogenic cells, and its outlooks in neurobiology and cardiology.
Elevated medial temporal lobe and pervasive brain tau-PET signal in normal participants

Abstract Introduction Medial temporal lobe (MTL) uptake on tau–positron emission tomography (PET) is seen not only in Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia but also in the aging population. The relationship of these findings to the development of AD dementia needs to be better understood. Methods Tau-PET with AV-1451 was performed on 576 cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants aged 50–94 years. The number of CUs with and without abnormal MTL regions and those with or without extra-MTL abnormalities was determined. Left and right regions were compared within each subject. Results Of CUs, 58% (334/576) had abnormal tau-PET findings. MTL abnormalities were present in 41% (238/576) of subjects. Discussion MTL tau-PET signal is often associated with abnormal extra-MTL tau-PET signal in CU participants and may represent neurofibrillary tangle development that could identify participants most likely to develop AD dementia. Tau-PET signal exclusively outside of the MTL is seen in 17% of CU participants and could be the initial findings in participants in different AD dementia pathways. Significant ( P
Exploring the nurses' role in antibiotic stewardship: A multisite qualitative study of nurses and infection preventionists.

Background There is a growing recognition of the need to partner with nurses to promote effective antibiotic stewardship. In this study, we explored the attitudes of nurses and infection preventionists toward 5 nurse-driven antibiotic stewardship practices: 1) questioning the need for urine cultures; 2) ensuring proper culturing technique; 3) recording an accurate penicillin drug allergy history; 4) encouraging the prompt transition from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) antibiotics; and 5) initiating an antibiotic timeout. Methods Nine focus groups and 4 interviews with 49 clinical nurses, 5 nurse managers, and 7 infection preventionists were conducted across 2 academic pediatric and adult hospitals. Results Nurse-driven antibiotic stewardship was perceived as an extension of the nurses' role as patient advocate. Three practices were perceived most favorably: questioning the necessity of urinary cultures, ensuring proper culturing techniques, and encouraging the prompt transition from IV to PO antibiotics. Remaining recommendations were perceived to lack relevance or to challenge traditionally held nursing responsibilities. Prescriber and family engagement were noted to assist the implementation of select recommendations. Infection preventionists welcomed the opportunity to assist in providing nurse stewardship education. Conclusions Nurses appeared to be enthusiastic about participating in antibiotic stewardship. Efforts to engage nurses should address knowledge needs and consider the contexts in which nurse-driven antibiotic stewardship occurs.
Consequences of secondary nectar robbing for male components of plant reproduction

Premise of the study Organisms engage in multiple species interactions simultaneously. While pollination studies generally focus on plants and pollinators exclusively, secondary robbing, a behavior that requires other species (primary robbers) to first create access holes in corollas, is common. It has been shown that secondary robbing can reduce plants' female fitness; however, we lack knowledge about its impact on male plant fitness. Methods We experimentally simulated primary and secondary robbing in the monocarpic perennial Ipomopsis aggregata (Polemoniaceae), quantifying indirect effects on pollinator-mediated pollen (dye) donation. We also assessed whether continual nectar removal via the floral opening has similar effects on hummingbird-pollinator behavior as continual secondary robbing through robber holes. Key results We found no significant indirect effects of secondary robbing on a component of Ipomopsis male fitness. Although robbing did reduce pollen (dye) donation due to avoidance of robbed plants by pollinating hummingbirds, pollen donation did not differ between the two robbing treatments. The effects of secondary robbing on hummingbird behavior resembled effects of chronic nectar removal by pollinators. Our results indicate that hummingbird pollinators may use a combination of cues, including cues given by the presence or absence of nectar, to make foraging decisions. Conclusions Combined with prior research, this study suggests that secondary robbing is less costly to a component of male fitness than to female fitness in Ipomopsis, broadening our knowledge of the overall costs of mutualism exploitation to total plant fitness.
A Course Guideline for Biomedical Engineering Modeling and Design for Freshmen

Johns Hopkins University’s Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department Freshmen Modeling and Design course provides a taste of BME by integrating first-order modeling of physiological systems with quantitative experimentation at a level that freshmen students can understand. It is a team-based course from both instructor and student perspectives, combining lectures with practical and project components.
Involuting common warts: Clinical and histopathologic findings

Patterns of regression in common warts were studied. Patients with multiple verrucae vulgaris lesions applied topical agents to the warts and were observed at regular intervals until the lesions disappeared. Regression took place without the warts turning black in all but one instance. All warts did not disappear simultaneously; some lesions persisted weeks after others had disappeared. Microscopic examination in five patients of a wart persisting after most had regressed demonstrated mononuclear cell infiltration, exocytosis, and degenerative epidermal changes. Failure to demonstrate cellular infiltration in regressing common warts in earlier studies was probably due to concentration on studying only warts that had turned black. The regression of some of the warts in patients with multiple common warts may serve as an indicator that involution is in progress. Utilization of this observation to recognize clinically the period of involution may make possible studies during the critical phase of the involutionary process.
The Transmembrane Conformation of the Influenza B Virus M2 Protein in Lipid Bilayers

Influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal flu epidemics. The M2 protein of influenza B (BM2) is a membrane-embedded tetrameric proton channel that is essential for the viral lifecycle. BM2 is a functional analog of AM2 but shares only 24% sequence identity for the transmembrane (TM) domain. The structure and function of AM2, which is targeted by two antiviral drugs, have been well characterized. In comparison, much less is known about the structure of BM2 and no drug is so far available to inhibit this protein. Here we use solid-state NMR spectroscopy to investigate the conformation of BM2(1-51) in phospholipid bilayers at high pH, which corresponds to the closed state of the channel. Using 2D and 3D correlation NMR experiments, we resolved and assigned the 13C and 15N chemical shifts of 29 residues of the TM domain, which yielded backbone (φ, ψ) torsion angles. Residues 6-28 form a well-ordered α-helix, whereas residues 1-5 and 29-35 display chemical shifts that are indicative of random coil or β-sheet conformations. The length of the BM2-TM helix resembles that of AM2-TM, despite their markedly different amino acid sequences. In comparison, large 15N chemical shift differences are observed between bilayer-bound BM2 and micelle-bound BM2, indicating that the TM helix conformation and the backbone hydrogen bonding in lipid bilayers differ from the micelle-bound conformation. Moreover, HN chemical shifts of micelle-bound BM2 lack the periodic trend expected for coiled coil helices, which disagree with the presence of a coiled coil structure in micelles. These results establish the basis for determining the full three-dimensional structure of the tetrameric BM2 to elucidate its proton-conduction mechanism.
Dopamine D4 Receptor-Selective Compounds Reveal Structure-Activity Relationships that Engender Agonist Efficacy.

The dopamine D4 receptor (D4R) plays important roles in cognition, attention, and decision making. Novel D4R-selective ligands have promise in medication development for neuropsychiatric conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and substance use disorders. To identify new D4R-selective ligands, and to understand the molecular determinants of agonist efficacy at D4R, we report a series of eighteen novel ligands based on the classical D4R agonist A-412997 (1, 2-(4-(pyridin-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-N-(m-tolyl)acetamide). Compounds were profiled using radioligand binding displacement assays, β-arrestin recruitment assays, cyclic AMP inhibition assays, and molecular dynamics computational modeling. We identified several novel D4R-selective (Ki ≤ 4.3 nM and >100-fold vs other D2-like receptors) compounds with diverse partial agonist and antagonist profiles, falling into three structural groups. These compounds highlight receptor–ligand interactions that control efficacy at D2-like receptors and may provide insight...
A right atrial mass

A woman with a history of endometrial adenocarcinoma presented with occasional shortness of breath and dizziness.
Poisson Line Cox Process: Asymptotic Characterization and Performance Analysis of Vehicular Networks

In this paper, we consider a cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) network in which the road system is modeled by a Poisson line process (PLP) and the locations of vehicular nodes and RSUs on each road are modeled by a 1D Poisson point process (PPP), thereby forming a Poisson line Cox process (PLCP). Further, we model the locations of cellular macro base stations (MBSs) by a 2D PPP. While the PLCP model has recently been used to characterize vehicular network performance, the technical complexity induced by the doubly stochastic nature of the PLCP has deterred the inclusion of shadowing effects in these studies. In this paper, we approach towards closing this knowledge gap by computing the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR)-based coverage probability of a typical receiver in this network under log-normal shadowing. In order to enable this analysis, we first establish that the PLCP asymptotically converges to a 2D PPP and using this result, we develop an approximate yet accurate spatial model that is much more conducive to the coverage analysis in the presence of shadowing than the PLCP. Our analysis offers useful insights into the deployment of RSUs based on their impact on the coverage performance of the network under various scenarios.
Behavioral development in children with prenatal substance exposure and neonatal abstinence syndrome: Associated factors and implications.

PROBLEM Prenatal substance exposure and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) are risk factors for adverse behavioral outcomes in children at 24 months of age. METHODS The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with abnormal behavioral development in children with prenatal substance exposure or NAS through 10 years of age. A retrospective, nonexperimental, longitudinal design to examine the effects of prenatal substance exposure and NAS on behavioral development at 1, 5, and 10 years of age, while controlling for intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, organizational, and public policy characteristics. A hierarchical multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the influence of substance exposure and NAS on behavioral outcomes. FINDINGS Abnormal behavioral development was predicted at 10 years of age with polysubstance exposure to three substances (odds ratio [OR] = 2.711, p < 0.01) and NAS (OR = 2.077, p < .001). CONCLUSION Psychiatric nursing care for children with prenatal substance exposure and NAS should include implementation of early and continued behavioral evaluation and childhood trauma and adversity surveillance in children through middle childhood.
Abstract PR06: The glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 potentiates antimelanoma activity of standard-of-care targeted therapies and immunotherapies

Nearly all metastatic melanoma patients who respond to targeted therapies will relapse with the disease within a year. Although more durable responses are seen with immune therapies, about half of the melanoma patients do not respond to them, and a significant number of responders eventually relapse. Most relapsed melanomas also exhibit post-treatment resistance to these treatments. Hence, there is a clear and present need to develop therapeutics that counteract resistance associated with relapse. We and others earlier showed that melanomas with elevated mitochondrial activity possess improved cellular rigor and are intrinsically resistant to the antitumor effects of BRAF and MEK inhibitors. In many other instances, melanomas that initially respond to these inhibitors acquire resistance by elevating mitochondrial activity. Mitochondrial activity is elevated in part by increased cellular uptake of glutamine, and its conversion to alpha-ketoglutarate in the TCA cycle, with glutaminase enzyme playing a rate-limiting role. In this study, we show that BRAFV600E-mutant melanomas with intrinsic or acquired resistance to MAPK pathway inhibitors have lower glucose uptake and increased glutamine uptake compared to those that are sensitive. Treatment of these resistant melanomas with single-agent glutaminase inhibitor, CB-839, moderately inhibited their growth. However, a more robust inhibition of their growth was achieved when CB-839 was combined with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. In addition, CB-839 increased the in vivo activity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in a mouse vaccine model and also enhanced the proapoptotic effect of human autologous patient-derived TILs on their cognate melanoma cells. Seahorse bioenergetics stress tests showed that CB-839 inhibited mitochondrial OxPhos in tumor cells to a greater extent than in activated TILs. Additional molecular studies are currently in progress. A recent clinical trial in melanoma patients showed that combination treatment with CB-839 and the immune checkpoint blocker, nivolumab, caused an objective response in three melanoma patients who had earlier progressed on treatment with immune checkpoint blockade. Our preclinical results complement this clinical finding and suggest that CB-839 combination could potentiate the efficacy of targeted and immune therapies in refractory melanomas. Citation Format: Sruthy Varghese, Snigdha Pramanik, Rishika Prasad, Hannah Hodges, Leila Williams, Weiyi Peng, Hussein Tawbi, Vashisht Yennu Nanda. The glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 potentiates antimelanoma activity of standard-of-care targeted therapies and immunotherapies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Melanoma: From Biology to Target; 2019 Jan 15-18; Houston, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(19 Suppl):Abstract nr PR06.
Studying Friendship in Housing: the MIT School of Architecture at MIT in the Postwar Years:

The architect Burnham Kelly hired social scientist Leon Festinger to analyze friendship among residents living in veteran housing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1946. Festinger acc...
Intraoral Local Mandibular Anesthesia

Mastery of technique and understanding of pertinent anatomy are important for predictable, profound mandibular anesthesia. In this chapter, we discuss three basic techniques for intraoral mandibular anesthesia as well as supplemental and alternative injection protocols. Basic mandibular anesthesia techniques include the (1) inferior alveolar nerve block, (2) Gow-Gates block, and the (3) Vazirani-Akinosi block. Supplemental blocks discussed include the (1) long buccal, (2) mylohyoid, and (3) incisive and mental blocks. Alternative blocks briefly discussed include intraosseous protocols. Each outlined protocol includes steps on positioning for both patient and operator, syringe orientation, anatomical landmarks, and potential approaches to consider if the initial block is ineffective. Additional discussion on practice-building principles is given with regard to safety, navigating complications, maximizing effectiveness, and patient comfort. With practice and study, “missed blocks” become less frequent and patient comfort can be increased to improve the efficiency of practice and increase consistency of delivery for decreased operator stress and increased patient comfort.
Iteration vs. Recursion: Two Basic Algorithm Design Methodologies

Iteration and recursion are two essential approaches in Algorithm Design and Computer Programming. Both iteration and recursion are needed for repetitive processes in computing. An iterative structure is a loop in which a collection of instructions and statements will be repeated. A recursive structure is formed by a procedure that calls itself to make a complete performance, which is an alternate way to repeat the process.