cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative mammalian cell cytotoxicity of wastewater with elevated bromide and iodide after chlorination, chloramination, or ozonation

Recycling wastewater is becoming more common as communities around the world try to better control their water resources against an increased frequency of either prolonged droughts or intense flooding. For communities in coastal areas, wastewaters may contain elevated levels of bromide (Br-) and iodide (I-) from seawater intrusion or high mineral content of source waters. Disinfection of such wastewater is mandatory to prevent the spread of pathogens, however little is known about the toxicity of wastewater after disinfection in the presence of Br- and I-. In this study we compared the induction of chronic cytotoxicity in mammalian cells in samples of municipal secondary wastewater effluent amended with elevated levels of Br-/I- after disinfection by chlorine, chloramines or ozone to identify which disinfection process generated wastewater with the lowest level of adverse biological response. Chlorination increased mammalian cell cytotoxicity by 5 times as compared to non-disinfected controls. Chloramination produced disinfected wastewater that expressed 6.3 times more cytotoxicity than the non-disinfected controls and was 1.3 times more cytotoxic than the chlorinated samples. Ozonation produced wastewater with cytotoxicity comparable to the non-disinfected controls and was at least 4 times less cytotoxic than the chlorine disinfected wastewaters. These results indicate that compared to chlorination and chloramination, ozonation of wastewater with high Br-/I- levels yielded the lowest mammalian cell cytotoxicity, suggesting its potential as a more favorable method to disinfect wastewater with minimizing the biological toxicity in mind.
Peak Inspiratory Flow Rate as a Criterion for Dry Powder Inhaler Use in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Dry powder bronchodilator devices have an internal resistance. Effective use depends on the patient generating an adequate inspiratory flow to break up the powder packets into particles less than 5-μm in diameter that can be inhaled into the lower respiratory tract. This disaggregation takes place inside the device before the dose leaves the inhaler; this process is increased if the acceleration is fast at the start of inhalation. Peak inspiratory flow depends on an individual’s effort along with the strength of the respiratory muscles, which may be compromised in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of lung hyperinflation, hypoxemia, and muscle wasting. A handheld inspiratory flow meter can be used with an adjustable dial to simulate internal resistances of dry powder devices to assess whether a patient can achieve an optimal peak inspiratory flow rate of at least 60 L/min. Observational studies demonstrate that 19 to 78% of stable outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary di...
Male Infertility and Risk of Cancer

Male infertility is a complex and incompletely understood process that is thought to affect around 10% of the male population. Infertility is a complex interaction between genetics and environmental factors, which is increasingly being recognized as a potential marker of contemporary or future medical disease, including cancer. The best characterized association between infertility and cancer risk is that of testicular germ cell tumor, but increased risk for prostate cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and others have also been described. Much like infertility, the mechanism behind these associations is not completely understood. Several hypotheses have been put forth including testicular dysgenesis syndrome, chromosomal abnormalities, damaged DNA repair mechanisms, or Y chromosome abnormalities. With the use of advance reproductive techniques, more men are bypassing a male fertility specialist who may be positioned to diagnose or counsel patients regarding these risks.
Memory Activism in a Historic Borderland

This chapter analyzes the practices of the Pogranicze Sejny (or “Borderlands Foundation”) group in Sejny, Poland. Pogranicze Sejny works with Sejny’s location on the Polish–Lithuanian border to support its activism in developing avenues for multi-cultural dialogue. Prior to World War II Sejny and the surrounding region was home to a substantial Jewish population, as well as a number of ethnic and religious minorities. After the war, ethnic hostility between Lithuanians and Poles persisted, as well as the marginalization of Sejny’s small numbers of Roma, Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Russians. Pogranicze created structures that allowed members of these groups to approach each other as equals. The chapter identifies the strengths and limitations of Pogranicze’s work, with a focus on traumatization and identification.
Using Humor to Combat Inequities

How to promote peace between groups of people remains an open question, and sometimes we seem very far from a solution. Eliminating large-scale societal injustices—so-called macro-inequities—is beyond the capacity of a small group of people. But improving the climate in a smaller community is a more tractable goal. The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Committee on the Participation of Women used the word “micro-inequities” to refer to unfair and/or offensive behaviors that individually may seem too small to be harmful. These behaviors may even seem humorous when recounted in a safe environment. Nonetheless, these occurred so frequently in the mathematical workplace that they felt hostile to the targeted women. Indeed, women felt unappreciated, helpless, and angry. Skits portraying micro-inequities were presented at the Winter and Summer Joint Math Meetings in the years 1990–1994. The goals were to increase awareness of micro-inequities and change some of those unfair behaviors. The skits illustrated true examples of micro-inequities, many but not all perpetrated by males on females, all taking place in the mathematics world. Some skits showed injustices that passed unnoticed by any except the recipient. Other skits showed how thoughtful observers found ways to challenge the behavior and support the recipient. This article will explain the origin of the skits, provide examples, and describe some of the results.
Prediction of Pareto-optimal performance improvements in a power conversion system using GaN devices

Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors have extremely low switching loss, high breakdown voltage, and high junction temperature rating. These characteristics enable improved device performance and thus improved switch mode power converter designs. This paper evaluates the Pareto-optimal performance improvements for a DC generation system with predicted GaN loss characteristics and a rigorous multi-objective optimization based design paradigm. The optimization results show that the application of GaN can achieve a 6.4% mass savings relative to Silicon Carbide (SiC) and 40% mass savings relative to Silicon (Si) at the same loss level for a 10 kW application.
THE TRIGONOMETRIC AND HYPERBOLIC FUNCTIONS

This chapter discusses calculus to the trigonometric functions. It discusses differentiation of trigonometric functions and presents the calculation of the six trigonometric functions: sin x , cos x , tan x , sec x , csc x , and cot x . The chapter discusses the rules for differentiating trigonometric functions. Periodic motion is a very common occurrence in physical or biological settings. A simple example is given by the back and forth motion of a pendulum. Another is given by the oscillating size of the population of an animal species. Yet another is given by the rise and fall of average daily temperature in a fixed location over a time span of several years. It often happens that the equations describing periodic or harmonic motion involve the sine and cosine functions. In many physical applications especially those involving differential equations, functions arise that are combinations of e x and e − x . This happens so often that certain of the combinations that occur most frequently have been given special names. These functions are named hyperbolic functions.
New concepts in palliative care in the intensive care unit

Some patients admitted to an intensive care unit may face a terminal illness situation, which usually leads to death. Knowledge of palliative care is strongly recommended for the health care providers who are taking care of these patients. In many situations, the patients should be evaluated daily as the introduction of further treatments may not be beneficial to them. The discussions among health team members that are related to prognosis and the goals of care should be carefully evaluated in collaboration with the patients and their families. The adoption of protocols related to end-of-life patients in the intensive care unit is fundamental. A multidisciplinary team is important for determining whether the withdrawal or withholding of advanced care is required. In addition, patients and families should be informed that palliative care involves the best possible care for that specific situation, as well as respect for their wishes and the consideration of social and spiritual backgrounds. Thus, the aim of this review is to present palliative care as a reasonable option to support the intensive care unit team in assisting terminally ill patients. Updates regarding diet, mechanical ventilation, and dialysis in these patients will be presented. Additionally, the hospice-model philosophy as an alternative to the intensive care unit/hospital environment will be discussed.
Effects of building size growth on residential energy efficiency and conservation in California

Abstract Many utility and government programs exist to promote energy efficiency (EE) in residential buildings. While programs have succeeded in reducing per square foot energy usage intensity (EUI), they do not necessarily promote conservation, in terms of reduced total energy consumption. Using statistical analysis and data mining techniques, we examined relationships between home size, electricity and natural gas EUIs, and neighborhood level socio-economic attributes among ∼1.3 million single-family homes in Los Angeles County (LAC). We observed that among homes constructed between 1900 and 2010, the growth in median home size by construction vintage year has outpaced combined EUI reductions by 60%. Results of a Monte-Carlo sampling procedure derived from these observed trends indicate that past historical energy savings within LAC, attributable to state mandated EE policies, could have been equivalently achieved by constraining growth in the size of newly constructed homes. These findings have significant implications for the design of future energy conservation policies within growing urban areas.
Clinical Credence — SGLT2 Inhibitors, Diabetes, and Chronic Kidney Disease

The number of people who die from kidney disease every year has risen over the past decade and is now estimated at 5 million to 10 million worldwide. The increase in rates of obesity — along with a...
Aufspannende Untergraphen und Wege

Wir kennen Algorithmen, die binar ganzzahlige und kombinatorische Optimierungsprobleme genereller Art in endlich vielen Iterationen losen. Allerdings ist der Begriff „endlich“ hier nicht sehr aussagekraftig, denn die worst-case-Rechenzeiten sind dabei gravierend hoch. Um effiziente Methoden zu gewinnen, muss man also auf spezielle Problemtypen eingehen und deren spezifische, insbesondere ihre kombinatorische Struktur ausnutzen. Also werden jetzt spezielle Klassen von ganzzahligen Problemen, insbesondere kombinatorisch oder graphentheoretisch induzierte Problemstellungen, untersucht.
Special Forms of Gastritis

Some unique forms of gastritis and other rare forms of gastric injury can be seen in routine clinical practice. Among these, the most commonly encountered conditions are lymphocytic and collagenous gastritis, and graft versus host disease. These clinical entities as well as other less common conditions such as eosinophilic gastritis, granulomatous gastritis, focally enhanced gastritis, and some hypertrophic gastropathies are discussed in detail. This chapter describes clinical and endoscopic features, as well as key histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of these specific forms of gastritis. Pertinent differential diagnoses are listed along with key differentiating features.
MIRDCalc V 1.0 - A community spreadsheet tool for organ-level radiopharmaceutical absorbed dose calculations.

473 Objectives: Internal radiation dosimetry is critical for the development of new diagnostic imaging radiotracers as well as therapeutic applications where dosimetry can be used to personalize treatments. To support our dynamic and expanding field, widely available, user-friendly tools that enable accurate dosimetry calculations are required. In response to this, we have developed MIRDCalc- an organ-level biodistribution-to-dosimetry calculation software tool, built in the universally available Microsoft EXCEL platform. MIRDCalc has not yet been reviewed or endorsed by the MIRD Committee. Methods: MIRDCalc can be run on any computer with Excel 2013 or later installed. The database powering MIRDCalc stores all necessary information for implementing biodistribution-to-dosimetry calculations using the MIRD schema and incorporates calculation-specific details for 333 isotopes (ICRP Publication 107), a family of 12 ICRP phantoms with 58 source organs and 44 target organs each. Additional features of mass scaling, error propagation, dynamic remainder-of-body source regions, quality-control checks, and summary graphics are also included. All input and software interactions are provided in a single-screen interface. The intention is to distribute MIRDCalc freely in the medical and dosimetry community, with open source coding. Results: MIRDCalc has been tested to run independently at multiple sites with no difficulties observed. Given a set of biodistribution data (i.e. time integrated activity coefficients), a user may open the spreadsheet, select the isotope and phantom, enter data, and arrive at a summary dosimetry calculation in a matter of seconds. For purposes of demonstration and preliminary validation, we tested the spreadsheet using a sample case of a typical FDG PET scan dose for a 15-year-old female, using input biodistribution parameters from ICRP Publication 128. The MIRDCalc output of the dosimetry, along with the analogous published estimates reported in ICRP Publication 128, are presented in Table 1. Reasonable agreement between the two datasets, derived using different models, is demonstrated. Conclusions: We have built a software tool that can access a large database of Monte Carlo-derived S value tables and implement MIRDCalc dosimetry in an easy and user-friendly manner. This tool will be distributed freely in the community to aid with research and dosimetry estimation. The tool can be easily updated with expanded isotopes/phantoms, and provides a framework for future innovation and development of dose calculation methodology and software in the community.
Get in line: Do part-time legislatures use sunset laws to keep executive agencies in check

Sunset provisions are clauses embedded in legislation that cause a piece of legislation or a regulatory board to expire on a certain date unless the legislature takes affirmative action to renew the legislation or board. Supporters and legislators offer several reasons why sunset laws are valuable and useful. An article by Baugus and Bose (2015), reported on the king‐and‐council model of Congleton (2001), suggests that sunset laws are a key tool legislatures use in asserting themselves against an executive branch that often dominates state government. We investigate this possibility using empirical analysis, which suggests that part‐time legislatures, specifically, a form of part‐time legislature referred to as hybrid legislatures, are more prone to use sunset legislation as a tool to keep the executive preferences in check.
Tofacitinib for rescue therapy in acute severe ulcerative colitis: a real-world experience.

Background Acute severe ulcerative colitis is a high stakes event with significant numbers still requiring emergent colectomy, representing a need to establish alternative medical management options. We report a case series of tofacitinib as rescue therapy in biologic-experienced patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis. Methods Four patients were identified over a 1-year period at our institution who initiated tofacitinib for acute severe ulcerative colitis. All four had previously failed at least two biologics, including infliximab, and were failing high-dose oral prednisone therapy before admission. All patients had Mayo disease activity index of at least 10 at admission. After no significant improvement despite receiving a minimum of 3 days of intravenous methylprednisolone and based on elevated Ho and Travis indices at Day 3, patients were offered rescue tofacitinib for induction of remission, or colectomy. Standard induction of tofacitinib was used [10 mg twice daily], and one patient was escalated to 15 mg twice daily after inadequate response. Results All patients experienced improvement in objective symptoms and laboratory markers, and were discharged without colectomy on tofacitinib as maintenance therapy and prednisone taper; 30-day and 90-day colectomy rates on tofacitinib maintenance therapy were zero and 90-day readmission rate was also zero. Two of four patients achieved steroid-free remission on maintenance tofacitinib monotherapy based on clinical symptoms and follow-up endoscopy. No major adverse reaction was reported during induction or maintenance therapy. Conclusions Tofacitinib may be an acceptable rescue agent in biologic-experienced patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis. Tofacitinib may also be safely continued as maintenance therapy once remission has been achieved.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Allograft Reconstruction for Stage II Adult Acquired Flatfoot: A Case Series

Surgical treatment for a stage II adult acquired flatfoot has consisted of reconstruction of the diseased posterior tibial tendon with flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer, combined with osteotomies to address the underlying deformity. This case series presents an alternative to tendon transfer using allograft tendon for posterior tibial tendon reconstruction. Four patients who underwent stage II flatfoot reconstruction with posterior tibial tendon allograft transplantation were included. All patients had preoperative radiographs demonstrating flatfoot deformity and magnetic resonance imaging showing advanced tendinopathy of the posterior tibial tendon. Allograft tendon transplant was considered in patients demonstrating adequate posterior tibial tendon excursion during intraoperative assessment. Additional procedures were performed as necessary depending on patient pathology. Postoperatively, all patients remained non-weightbearing in a short leg cast for 6 weeks. Radiographs performed during the postoperative course demonstrated well-maintained and improved alignment. No complications were encountered. Each patient demonstrated grade 5 muscle strength and were able to perform a single-limb heel rise at the time of final follow-up. The average follow-up duration was 19.0 months. Flexor digitorum longus transfer has been studied extensively for stage II adult acquired flatfoot. However, the flexor digitorum longus has been shown to be much weaker relative to the posterior tibial tendon, and concern remains regarding its ability to recreate the force of the posterior tibial tendon. Our results demonstrate that posterior tibial tendon allograft reconstruction combined with flatfoot reconstruction is a reasonable option. This alternative has the advantage of preserving the stronger muscle without disturbing regional anatomy.
Clinical Outcomes of Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation for Patients Refusing Blood Transfusion

Purpose Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation for patients refusing blood transfusion presents a distinct challenge. This study summarizes our center's experience in clinical outcomes of LVAD implantation for patients who refuse blood transfusion. Methods The cohort included 21 Jehovah's Witness (JW) patients who underwent an LVAD implantation between 2008-2019. Non-JW patients (N=427) served as a control. We previously established the perioperative optimization protocol for JW patients. The protocol includes preoperative optimization of hemoglobin (Hb) level with a goal of >12 g/dl using iron, vitamin B12, and erythropoietin. There are also protocolized intraoperative techniques and postoperative management to minimize blood loss. Results Hb levels in eight patients (38.1%) were successfully optimized (as defined by Hb>12g/dl) before surgery in the JW group. In-hospital mortality was 14.3% (3/21) in the JW group, and 11.7% (50/427) in the non- JW group (p=0.35). One-year survival was similar between in the JW group and the non- JW group (79.3±9.3% vs. 68.1±2.4%, p=0.43). Causes of mortality during the follow-up period in the JW group included stroke (N=4), right-sided heart failure (N=2), device thrombosis, sepsis, gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), and unknown (N=1), respectively. Freedom from GIB at 1 year was 83.9± 8.5% in the JW group and 74.9±2.4% in the non-JW group (Log-Rank p=0.95). Overall, 5 patients suffered from GIB during follow up in the JW group. Three of them required esophagogastroduodenoscopy or endovascular catheterization to obtain hemostasis with medical therapy including intravenous iron, erythropoietin, and octreotide. Conclusion The clinical outcomes of LVAD implantation for patients refusing blood transfusion were comparable to those who accepted blood transfusions. LVAD therapy for such a patient population is feasible in select patients and is facilitated with the use of perioperative optimization protocols.
Activity-dependent translation in astrocytes

Gene expression requires two steps-- transcription and translation-- which can be regulated independently to allow nuanced, localized, and rapid responses to cellular stimuli. Neurons are known to respond transcriptionally and translationally to bursts of brain activity, and a transcriptional response to this activation has also been recently characterized in astrocytes. However, the extent to which astrocytes respond translationally is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that astrocytes also have a programmed translational response by characterizing the change in transcript ribosome occupancy in astrocytes using Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification subsequent to a robust induction of neuronal activity in vivo via acute seizure. We identified a reproducible change in transcripts on astrocyte ribosomes, highlighted by a rapid decrease in housekeeping transcripts, such as ribosomal and mitochondrial components, and a rapid increase in transcripts related to cytoskeleton, motor activity, ion transport, and cell communication. This indicates a dynamic response, some of which might be secondary to activation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase signaling. Using acute slices, we quantified the extent to which individual cues and sequela of neuronal activity can activate translation acutely in astrocytes. This identified both BDNF and KCl as contributors to translation induction, the latter with both action-potential sensitive and insensitive components. Finally, we show that this translational response requires the presence of neurons, indicating the response is acutely or chronically non-cell autonomous. Regulation of translation in astrocytes by neuronal activity suggests an additional mechanism by which astrocytes may dynamically modulate nervous system functioning.
Studies on the characterization of the sodium-potassium transport adenosinetriphosphatase. I. Solubilization, stabilization, and estimation of apparent molecular weight.

Abstract A fairly high percentage of the Na-K ATPase can be extracted from guinea pig brain microsomes with Lubrol WX containing 2.5 mM ATP. The soluble enzyme remains stable in solution at 0–4 °C if either Na or K is also present. The concentrations of these ions for half-maximal stabilization of the soluble enzyme agree very closely with the concentrations of these ions for half-maximal activation of the guinea pig brain microsomal enzyme reported by others. This suggests that the stabilization exerted by these ions may be due to their binding at their activation sites. Chromatography of the Lubrol extract of guinea pig brain microsomes on 6% agarose gave an apparent molecular weight for the Na-K ATPase which averaged 670,000. Two ouabain-insensitive ATPases were also eluted. They gave apparent molecular weights of 775,000 and 265,000. The facts that the Na-K ATPase can be solubilized, maintained stable in solution, and chromatographed on columns open the door for purification of this important enzyme.
Percutaneous mitral valve repair in adults with congenital heart disease: Report of the first case-series

Background Systemic atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) is frequently encountered in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Surgical intervention is the mainstay of therapy, but in a specific high-risk subset, percutaneous valve repair might offer a lower-risk alternative. Methods Three patients with complex CHD and severe symptomatic AVVR underwent percutaneous mitral valve repair at a single center. All were deemed to be high-risk for surgery by a multidisciplinary CHD team and provided informed consent for the compassionate use of the MitraClip (Abbott, Santa Clara, CA). Three-dimensional heart models were generated for the procedure, which was performed by an adult CHD cardiologist (who provided imaging support) and an interventional cardiologist with expertise in CHD and percutaneous mitral valve repair. Results The first case was a 39 year-old-woman with [S,L,D] dextrocardia, double outlet right ventricle, mild tricuspid hypoplasia, and a secundum atrial septal defect, who was palliated at age 35 with a right bidirectional Glenn and later developed severe, symptomatic mitral regurgitation, and underwent placement of one MitraClip XTR device. Two patients with L-loop transposition of the great arteries each successfully underwent placement of two MitraClip XTR devices; one patient had a single-leaflet detachment of one of the clips with no change in regurgitation or clip position on follow-up. All patients had significant reduction of AVVR and improvement in NYHA functional class. Conclusions Percutaneous atrioventricular valve repair in adults with CHD is feasible with the MitraClip but requires significant preprocedural planning and a multidisciplinary team that combines CHD and interventional therapeutic expertise.
The Role of Attention in Designing Effective Interpretive Labels

Processes of attention can provide a conceptual framework for understanding visitor reactions to interpretive labels. In this article, three principles of attention are used to organize what we kno...
Teacher Data Analysis and Assets-Based Discourses about Multilingual Youth: Exploration of Relationships:

ContextThe pervasiveness of deficit-based discourses about multilingual students has long been documented in the scholarly literature. Such discourses severely erode the learning and well-being of ...
Influence of UHV DC Transmission Line Arrester on Electric Field Distribution of Composite Insulator

According to the typical tower structure of ±800 kV UHV DC transmission line, considering the influence of several factors including the tower, bundle conductor, grading ring, and dielectric as well as conductivity of ZnO varistor, the calculation of the impact of ±800 kV DC line arrester and its novel installation method on the composite insulator string, grading ring electric potential and field strength distribution have been done comparatively via the three-dimensional finite element method of the electrostatic field. Research indicates that the arrester slightly increases the maximum value of the potential and electric field strength of the composite insulator string. The arrester also makes the uniformity of the distribution of the electric potential and field strength along the composite insulator slightly reduced, but the impact is rather small. On the other hand, the arrester reduces the surface field strength of the grading ring on the side of the cross arm and increases the surface field strength of the grading ring on the conductor side, but the maximum electric field strength is far below the limit. Analysis indicates that the impact of the arrester on the electric field distribution of the insulator string can be neglected.
A Case of Bedside Ultrasound in COVID-19 to Prognosticate Functional Lung Recovery

Introduction. The fight against COVID-19 poses questions as to the clinical presentation, course, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition. This case study presents a patient infected with COVID-19 and suggests with additional research, that bedside ultrasound may be used to diagnose severity of disease and potentially, prognosticate functional lung recovery without using unnecessary resources and exposing additional healthcare professionals to infection. Case Report. A 46-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Chest X-ray showed patchy airspace opacities bilaterally. Rapid testing resulted positive for SARS-CoV-2. Bedside ultrasound showed abnormal lung parenchyma, with diffuse comet tail artifacts, consistent with interstitial pulmonary edema. Following a prolonged intubation, patient’s abnormal lung ultrasound findings are resolved.
Expanding the Scope of JPE

Editor in Chief Sean Shaheen presents a revised list of interest areas within the Scope of the Journal of Photonics for Energy.
Review Graphite

Graphite is reviewed in terms of its physics and chemistry, with particular attention on its physical properties, intercalation compounds, exfoliated form, activated form, fibers and oxidation protection.
EfficientPhys: Enabling Simple, Fast and Accurate Camera-Based Vitals Measurement

Camera-based physiological measurement is a growing field with neural models providing state-the-art-performance. Prior research have explored various ``end-to-end'' models; however these methods still require several preprocessing steps. These additional operations are often non-trivial to implement making replication and deployment difficult and can even have a higher computational budget than the ``core'' network itself. In this paper, we propose two novel and efficient neural models for camera-based physiological measurement called EfficientPhys that remove the need for face detection, segmentation, normalization, color space transformation or any other preprocessing steps. Using an input of raw video frames, our models achieve state-of-the-art accuracy on three public datasets. We show that this is the case whether using a transformer or convolutional backbone. We further evaluate the latency of the proposed networks and show that our most light weight network also achieves a 33% improvement in efficiency.
Physics-lumped parameter based control oriented model of dielectric tubular actuator

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) deform and change shape when an electric field is applied across them. They are flexible, resilient, lightweight, and durable and as such are suitable for use as soft actuators. In this paper a physics-based and control-oriented model is developed for a DE tubular actuator using a physics-lumped parameter modeling approach. The model derives from the nonlinear partial differential equations (PDE) which govern the nonlinear elasticity of the DE actuator and the ordinary differential equation (ODE) that governs the electrical dynamics of the DE actuator. With the boundary conditions for the tubular actuator, the nonlinear PDEs are numerically solved and a quasi-static nonlinear model is obtained and validated by experiments. The full nonlinear model is then linearized around an operating point with an analytically derived Hessian matrix. The analytically linearized model is validated by experiments. Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) and $$H_{\infty }$$ control are developed and implemented to perform position reference tracking of the DEA and the controllers’ performances are evaluated according to control energy and tracking error.
Micro Sun Sensor for Spacecraft Attitude Control

A micro sun sensor is being developed for use on a Mars rover for the Mars Science Laboratory Mission. The micro sun sensor, which is basically a small pinhole camera, consists of a small mask with pinholes, placed on top of an image detector.
Children and Socioeconomic Status

Connections between children's family socioeconomic position (SES), their early experiences, and later life outcomes are both strong and complicated. This chapter guides readers through the theoretical perspectives and empirical studies linking family SES to children's development, and summarizes which areas are well understood and which need more research. The chapter begins by reviewing how scholars define and measure family SES and focuses on its three most common indicators: income and poverty, parental education, and parental occupation. In the next section, demographic and economic trends in SES components are reviewed, with specific attention devoted to trends in inequality. Next, the three main theoretical approaches for explaining how SES affects child development are summarized: the family and environmental stress perspective, the resource and investment perspective, and cultural perspectives. We then describe methodological challenges that researchers face when trying to estimate causal associations between SES and child development and review the empirical literature. Finally, we discuss the implications of the research findings for policy and suggest key unanswered theoretical and empirical questions regarding how household SES affects children and families. Keywords: academic achievement; behavioral development; child development; education; educational attainment; family processes; health; income; investments; occupational prestige; poverty; socioeconomic status; stress
Epitopes on the major capsid protein of simian virus 40.

Thirteen monoclonal antibodies which react with the major capsid protein (VP1) of simian virus 40 (SV40) have been isolated. Of these, five neutralized viral infectivity when added in sufficient concentration. Seven of the antibodies reacted with denatured VP1 and also recognized fragments generated by protease or cyanogen bromide cleavage. The region of VP1 recognized by all seven antibodies was mapped within a nine-amino-acid segment located in the carboxyl portion of the protein (from amino acid positions 312 to 321). This region is likely to protrude from the surface of the protein as judged by high hydrophilicity and low hydropathy predicted from the amino acid sequence and lack of secondary structure by contrast with the rest of the protein for which predominantly β-sheet structure is predicted. Competition between these antibodies and synthetic peptides for binding to virus particles confirmed that the continuous epitope is contained within the nine-amino-acid sequence. Competition between the different monoclonal antibodies suggested that the continuous epitope was also part of more complex discontinuous epitopes recognized by some of the other antibodies. These results support a model in which a segment of the carboxyl-terminal portion of VP1 protrudes from the surface of the virus to form an antigenic structure.
Scanning Cathodoluminescence Microscopy

Publisher Summary Cathodoluminescence (CL) is light emitted by a solid material because of irradiation by an electron beam. When the spectral distribution of light is studied, CL spectroscopy is performed. This chapter focuses on advances in CL instrumentation, theory, and application. CL is a valuable technique for studying the optical emission properties of semiconductor and insulating materials at a very fine spatial resolution. CL is an indispensable tool for the study of light emission from materials and the factors that improve or degrade it in the semiconductor and optoelectronic industries. CL is also heavily used in studies of mineralogy and geology. The basic physics that gives rise to the CL signal and the way the nature of the solid material under investigation changes the CL response is also presented in the chapter.
Nine Billion Ways to Get Snowed

This note traces the past and guesses at the future of concepts in quantitative risk management by looking at the history of its vocabulary and seeing which newly introduced words have survived and prospered. It is adapted from a talk on Future Innovations in Risk Management, presented at the April Risk 2002 Conference in Paris.
Impact of diabetic retinopathy

In 2010, there was an estimated 26 million people who had diabetes, as well as 79 million individuals older than 20 years of age with prediabetes [1], and the prevalence of diabetes is projected to increase significantly across the globe. In fact, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 3 people could have diabetes by the year 2050 [2]. Although many prevention strategies are available for type 2 diabetes, not many strategies are available to patients with type 1 diabetes to address the increasing prevalence and burden [3]. The encumbrance of the disease lies within the many progressive longterm microvascular and macrovascular complications and the economic implications on health care systems and the patient population-at-large.
Role of Mitochondrial Amyloid-β in Alzheimer's Disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction is an early feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abnormalities in mitochondrial properties include impaired energy metabolism, defects in key respiratory enzyme activity/function, accumulation/generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and formation of membrane permeability transition pore. While the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction remain incompletely understood, recent studies provide substantial evidence for the progressive accumulation of mitochondrial Abeta, which directly links to mitochondria-mediated toxicity. In this review, we describe recent studies addressing the following key questions: 1) Does Abeta accumulate in mitochondria of AD brain and AD mouse models? 2) How does Abeta gain access to the mitochondria? 3) If mitochondria are loaded with Abeta, do they develop similar evidence of dysfunction? 4) What are the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial Abeta-induced neuronal toxicity? and 5) What is the impact of interaction of mitochondrial Abeta with its binding partners (cyclophilin D and ABAD) on mitochondrial and neuronal properties/function in an Abeta milieu? The answers to these questions provide new insights into mechanisms of mitochondrial stress related to the pathogenesis of AD and information necessary for developing therapeutic strategy for AD.
Subtypes of Characterological Depression

Current evidence indicates that chronic depression, what DSM-III has termed “dysthymic disorder,”1 represents a heterogeneous group of disorders.2 For example, chronic low-grade depression may be the residuum of one or recurrent, fullblown, usually late-onset unipolar episodes.3 Likewise, demoralization secondary to incapacitating chronic medical illnesses or to nonaffective psychiatric disorders often lead to fluctuating dysphoric symptoms.4,5 We exclude these kinds of chronic depressions, and instead will focus on dysphorias of longstanding developmental origin, typically beginning in the early teens or before.
Alkaline diets favor lean tissue mass in older adults

Background Maintaining muscle mass while aging is important to prevent falls and fractures. Metabolic acidosis promotes muscle wasting, and the net acid load from diets that are rich in net acid–producing protein and cereal grains relative to their content of net alkali–producing fruit and vegetables may therefore contribute to a reduction in lean tissue mass in older adults.
A novel DNA N-glycosylase activity of E. coli T4 endonuclease V that excises 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine from DNA, a UV-radiation- and hydroxyl radical-induced product of adenine

We report on a novel activity of T4 endonuclease V. This enzyme is well known to be specific for the excision of pyrimidine dimers from UV-irradiated DNA. In this work, we show that T4 endonuclease V excises 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine from DNA. 4,6-Diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine is formed as a product of adenine in DNA upon action of hydroxyl radicals and upon UV-irradiation. DNA substrates were prepared by UV-or gamma-irradiation of DNA in aqueous solution. DNA substrates were incubated either with active T4 endonuclease V or with heat-inactivated T4 endonuclease V or without the enzyme. After incubation, DNA was precipitated and supernatant fractions were separated. Supernatant fractions after derivatization, and pellets after hydrolysis and derivatization were analyzed by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. The results provide evidence for the excision of 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine by T4 endonuclease V from both gamma-and UV-irradiated DNA. Kinetics of excision were also determined. Fifteen other pyrimidine- and purine-derived base lesions that were identified in DNA samples were not substrates for this enzyme. It was concluded that, in addition to its well known activity for pyrimidine photodimers, T4 endonuclease V possesses an N-glycosylase activity for a major UV-radiation- and hydroxyl radical-induced monomeric product in DNA.
Perceptual assessment of multiple stent deployment

Evaluating the placement of multiple coronary stents requires fine judgments of distance between two or more deployed stents in order to determine if there is continuous coverage without a gap or overlap between the two. These judgments are made difficult by limited system resolution, noise, relatively low contrast of the deployed stent, and stent motion during the cardiac cycle. In this work, we assess the effect of frame rate and number of frames used in a sequence on the detection accuracy of gaps between the stents. Both of these factors can be used to reduce patient dose. We use real X-ray coronary angiograms as backgrounds along with stents imaged separately with Lucite for similar beam attenuation. Stents and simulated guidewires are embedded in the angiograms by adding optical densities after scatter subtraction. Realistic motion is rendered by manually synchronizing the stent densities to vascular features in each image. We find no significant difference the different frame rates or sequence lengths, indicating potential savings in dose.
CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT RENAL NEOPLASMS

A case report of a patient with malignant renal neoplasm who underwent emergency pulmonary embolectomy during operation is presented. Knowledge of degree of venous extension, appropriate operative positioning of the patient and consideration of elective cardiopulmonary bypass are suggested ways to reduce morbidity and mortality from massive pulmonary emboli in these patients.
Line-closed combinatorial geometries

Abstract We present some results on combinatorial geometries (geometric lattices) in which closure is line-closure. We prove that every interval of a line-closed geometry is line-closed. Furthermore, if every rank 3 interval of a geometry is line-closed, then the geometry is line-closed. This implies that every supersolvable geometry is line-closed. Though not true in general, supersolvability does characterize the line-closed graphic geometries.
466: End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Levels Are Associated With Mortality In Emergency Department Patients With Suspected Sepsis

Methods Objective End-tidal Carbon Dioxide Levels are Associated with Mortality in Emergency Department Patients with Suspected Sepsis Christopher L Hunter, M.D., Ph.D.1, Salvatore Silvestri, M.D.1, Matthew Dean2, Jay Falk, M.D.1, Linda Papa, M.D.1 Department of Emergency Medicine, Orlando Regional Medical Center1, Orlando, Florida; and The University of Central Florida College of Medicine2, Orlando, Florida
Structural Aspects of the Thermochromic Transition in Urethane-Substituted Polydiacetylenes

Thermochromic transitions of the polydiacetylenes (PDAs) of the bis(ethyl)- and bis(isopropyl)urethanes of 5,7-dodecadiyne-1,12-diol (poly(ETCD) and poly(IPUDO)) were investigated by solid-state 13...
Explanatory Item Response Models: A Generalized Linear and Nonlinear Approach

(2006). Explanatory Item Response Models: A Generalized Linear and Nonlinear Approach. Technometrics: Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 568-569.
Advantage of distance- versus time-based estimates of walking in predicting adiposity.

AB Purpose: Physical activity recommendations are defined in terms of time spent being physically active (e.g., 30 min of brisk walking, 5 d[middle dot]wk-1). However, walking volume may be more naturally assessed by distance than by time. Analyses were therefore performed to test whether time or distance provides the best metric for relating walking volume to estimated total and regional adiposity. Methods: Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to relate exercise dose to body mass index (BMI), body circumferences, and obesity in a cross-sectional sample of 12,384 female and 3434 male walkers who reported both usual distance walked and time spent walking per week on survey questionnaires. Metabolic equivalent hours per day (MET[middle dot]h[middle dot]d-1, 1 MET = 3.5 mL O2[middle dot]kg-1[middle dot]min-1) were calculated from the time and pace, or distance and pace, using published compendium values. Results: Average MET-hours per day walked was 37% greater when calculated from time spent walking versus usual distance in women and was 32% greater in men. Per MET-hours per day, declines in BMI and circumferences (slope +/- SE) were nearly twice as great, or greater, for distance- versus time-derived estimates for kilograms per squared meter of BMI (females = -0.58 +/- 0.03 vs -0.31 +/- 0.02, males = -0.35 +/- 0.04 vs -0.15 +/- 0.02), centimeter of waist circumference (females = -1.42 +/- 0.07 vs -0.72 +/- 0.04, males = -0.96 +/- 0.10 vs -0.45 +/- 0.07), and reductions in the odds for total obesity (odds ratio: females = 0.72 vs 0.84, males = 0.84 vs 0.92) and abdominal obesity (females = 0.74 vs 0.85, males = 0.79 vs 0.91, all comparisons significant). Conclusions: Distance walked may provide a better metric of walking volume for epidemiologic obesity research, and better public health targets for weight control, than walking duration. Additional research is required to determine whether these results, derived in a sample that regularly walks for exercise, apply more generally. (C)2012The American College of Sports Medicine
Market Reaction to Changes in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index

Firms added to (deleted from) the S&P 600 index experience a significant price increase (decrease) at announcement. Firms that newly enter (exit) the S&P universe experience a larger price increase (decrease) than firms that move between S&P indexes. Trading volumes are higher after the announcement and institutional ownership increases (decreases) following index additions (deletions). However, the price and volume effects are temporary and are fully reversed within 60 days, in contrast to the permanent effects reported for S&P 500 changes. Our results support the temporary price-pressure hypothesis and are similar to results reported for Russell 2000 index changes.