cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION AND ASSESSMENT OF A SUITE OF MULTIMEDIA AND HANDS-ON ACTIVE LEARNING ENHANCEMENTS FOR MACHINE DESIGN

Over the last eight years, the Machine Design courses at the United States Air Force Academy and at the University of Texas, Austin have evolved through the development, implementation and assessment of extensive active learning methods. In particular, the courses have evolved to include extensive hands-on projects that are integrated throughout the course as well as a significant multimedia component. The hands-on educational innovations, which promote experiential investigation using devices such as remote controlled cars, Lego RoboLab, and reverse engineering of consumer products, have received very positive assessment. The multimedia content, which includes extensive foundational content on Mechanics of Materials as well as a separate multimedia experience for learning about planetary gear systems, has also been assessed and received very affirmative feedback. The assessment of these active learning educational innovations has been multifaceted. Quantitative components of the assessment have included student end-of-course critiques, homework, specific exam questions and survey data. Qualitative assessment has been achieved through focus groups as well as both written and verbal feedback from students and professors using the active learning aids. Although the majority of the assessment has been positive, we have also received important constructive criticism during the development of these educational enhancements. The “iterative” development of these active learning techniques has involved responding to these criticisms and reassessing the program’s effectiveness. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the previous work done in this area, then move on to show new developments and related assessment. In particular, new assessment, which is correlated with Myers Briggs personality types, is reported, showing results of the current integrated use of active learning techniques, including hands-on and multimedia experiences. In this light, the current paper should work as a roadmap for others who desire to integrate active learning into their courses, whether they are courses in Machine Design or not.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Religious freedom in American Catholic higher education

Amid mounting threats to religious liberty in the United States, the Supreme Court's unanimous opinion in Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, upholding the ministerial exception, stands out as something of a counterweight. In addition, Hosanna-Tabor raises potentially significant issues for Catholic colleges and universities in particular as they seek to maintain their missions and identities in asserting the ministerial exception. Thus, this article explores the interplay between the ministerial exception, Hosanna-Tabor, and Ex Corde Ecclesiae, a papal pronouncement that requires Roman Catholic theologians at Catholic institutions of higher learning to receive a mandatum from their local bishops, essentially a license that their scholarship and teaching are consistent with Church doctrine before they can assume their jobs.
Neuroethology of the katydid T-cell. I. Tuning and responses to pure tones.

The tuning and pure-tone physiology of the T-cell prothoracic auditory interneuron were investigated in the nocturnal katydid Neoconocephalus ensiger. The T-cell is extremely sensitive and broadly tuned, particularly to high-frequency ultrasound (>20 kHz). Adult thresholds were lowest and showed their least variability for frequencies ranging from 25 to 80 kHz. The average best threshold of the T-cell in N. ensiger ranged from 28 to 38 dB SPL and the best frequency from 20 to 27 kHz. In females, the T-cell is slightly more sensitive to the range of frequencies encompassing the spectrum of male song. Tuning of the T-cell in non-volant nymphs was comparable with that of adults, and this precocious ultrasound sensitivity supports the view that it has a role in the detection of terrestrial sources of predaceous ultrasound. In adults, T-cell tuning is narrower than that of the whole auditory (tympanic) organ, but only at audio frequencies. Superthreshold physiological experiments revealed that T-cell responses were ultrasound-biased, with intensity/response functions steeper and spike latencies shorter at 20, 30 and 40 kHz than at 5, 10 and 15 kHz. The same was also true for T-cell stimulation at 90 degrees compared with stimulation at 0 degrees within a frequency, which supports early T-cell research showing that excitation of the contralateral ear inhibits ipsilateral T-cell responses. In a temporal summation experiment, the integration time of the T-cell at 40 kHz (integration time constant tau =6.1 ms) was less than half that measured at 15 kHz (tau =15.0 ms). Moreover, T-cell spiking in response to short-duration pure-tone trains mimicking calling conspecifics (15 kHz) and bat echolocation hunting sequences (40 kHz) revealed that temporal pattern-copying was superior for ultrasonic stimulation. Apparently, T-cell responses are reduced or inhibited by stimulation with audio frequencies, which leads to the prediction that the T-cell will encode conspecific song less well than bat-like frequency-modulated sweeps during acoustic playback. The fact that the T-cell is one of the most sensitive ultrasound neurons in tympanate insects is most consistent with it serving an alarm, warning or escape function in both volant and non-volant katydids (nymphs and adults).
Computer-based critics

The authors describe computer-based critics and articulate some of the general principles learned from their system-building experience. They propose a general framework for critics, present specific requirements, and describe two prototypical critic systems: LISP-CRITIC, which criticizes Lisp programs, and CRACK, a system that assists the user in designing a kitchen. The authors illustrate the generalized main components of the critic systems and discuss their evaluation. It is concluded that computer-based critics incorporate many powerful ideas from human-computer communications and artificial intelligence into a system that makes use of the best aspects of human and computational cognition. They have the potential to provide a symbiotic relationship between a user and a knowledge-based system. The results should be applicable to the entire class of cooperative problem-solving systems. >
Retrospective analysis of detomidine infusion for standing chemical restraint in 51 horses

Abstract Objective To assess the effectiveness of a detomidine infusion technique to provide standing chemical restraint in the horse. Design Retrospective study. Animals Fifty–one adult horses aged 9.5 ± 6.9 years (range 1–23 years) and weighing 575 ± 290.3 kg. Methods Records of horses presented to our clinic over a 3–year period in which a detomidine infusion was used to provide standing chemical restraint were reviewed. Information relating to the types of procedure performed, duration of infusion, drug dosages and adjunct drugs administered was retrieved. Results Detomidine was administered as an initial bolus loading dose (mean ± SD) of 7.5 ± 1.87 μg kg −1 . The initial infusion rate was 0.6 μg kg −1 minute −1 , and this was halved every 15 minutes. The duration of the infusion ranged from 20 to 135 minutes. Twenty horses received additional detomidine or butorphanol during the procedure. All horses undergoing surgery received local anesthesia or epidural analgesia in addition to the detomidine infusion. A wide variety of procedures were performed in these horses. Conclusions Detomidine administered by infusion provides prolonged periods of chemical restraint in standing horses. Supplemental sedatives or analgesics may be needed in horses undergoing surgery. Clinical relevance An effective method that provides prolonged periods of chemical restraint in standing horses is described. The infusion alone did not provide sufficient analgesia for surgery and a significant proportion of animals required supplemental sedatives and analgesics.
Intertwining extensions and a two-sided corona problem

In this paper we discuss two seemingly unrelated problems: a two-sided corona problem and an extension problem for an intertwining operator with conservation of the intertwining property. We show that these two problems are intimately connected. Furthermore, we find situations when the two-sided corona problem is solvable.
Measurement of worst-case power delivery noise on chip under operating conditions

Maximum power delivery noise is a major indicator of chip performance. The measurement of the worst-case noise is technically difficult because maximum possible noise might not be achieved in a typical chip operation and creating a special stimulus generating this noise might push the chip beyond its operational margin. The paper considers an approach in which extraction of the absolute maximum power delivery noise of the operating chip does not require generation of a special stimulus. The measurement is conducted for controlled periodic computer process with step-wise changing computer activity. Measurement of computer activity variation is also discussed.
On fault-sensitive feasibility analysis of real-time task sets

In this paper, we consider the problem of checking the feasibility of a set of n aperiodic real-time tasks while provisioning for timely recovery from (at most) k transient faults. We extend the well-known processor demand approach to take into account the extra overhead that may be induced by potential recovery operations under earliest deadline first scheduling. We develop a necessary and sufficient test using dynamic programming technique. An improvement upon the previous solutions is to address and efficiently solve the case where the recovery blocks associated with faults of a given task do not have necessarily the same execution time. Further, we provide an on-line version of our algorithm that does not require a priori knowledge of release times. The on-line algorithm runs in O(m/spl middot/k/sup 2/) time where m is the number of ready tasks. We also show how to quickly adjust the recovery-related parameters of the algorithm for the remaining part of the execution when a fault is detected.
Optical nano-textile sensors based on the incorporation of semiconducting and metallic nanoparticles into optical fibers

By incorporating optical fiber based devices into woven and non-woven fabrics, one can distribute these devices across large areas. In this work, novel fiber optic devices with nanofunctionality are developed by incorporating metallic and semiconducting films and nanoparticles inside the optical fibers. This is accomplished by first depositing the material of interest on the tip of the optical fiber, then overcoating the fiber with a protective layer of silicon dioxide before fusing this structure to an optical fiber. This results in a continuous fiber that can be woven, or placed into nonwoven textiles. In this study the incorporation of gold nanoparticles and vanadium oxide compounds into the core of optical fibers and an in-line Fabry-Perot sensor using these techniques are described.
The Additive Beneficial Effects of Ramipril Combined with Candesartan in Hypertensive Patients on Insulin Resistance, Plasma Adiponectin

Background and Objectives：Ramipril and candesartan have decreased the incidence of new onset diabetes in large scale randomized clinical studies. Because ramipril and candesartan have distinct mechanisms of action in the renin angiotensin aldosterone system, we hypothesized that combination therapy would have additive beneficial metabolic effects in patients with hypertension. Subjects and Methods：Thirty-four patients were given ramipril 10 mg and placebo, ramipril 10 mg and candesartan 16 mg, or candesartan 16 mg and placebo daily in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial with three treatment arms and two washout periods (each being 2 months). Results：Ramipril, combination therapy or candesartan significantly increased the plasma adiponectin levels relative to the baseline measurements by 17±6% (p=0.038), 25±5% (p<0.001), and 14±6% (p=0.016), respectively. Combination therapy significantly increased the plasma adiponectin levels more than either ramipril or candesartan alone (p=0.020 by ANOVA). Only combination therapy significantly increased the QUICKI level relative to the baseline measurements (p=0.002). There were no significant correlations between these changes of the metabolic parameters and reduction of the systolic blood pressure (-0.288≤r≤ 0.284) and reduction of the diastolic blood pressure (-0.282≤r≤0.190). On multivariate analysis, only the change of adiponectin levels was an independent predictor of the changes in the QUICKI levels (β=1.549, p=0.040) following combination therapy. Conclusion：Ramipril in combination with candesartan increases the plasma adiponectin levels to a greater extent than monotherapy with either drug alone. Only combination therapy significantly improves insulin sensitivity relative to the baseline measurements. The only predictor for the improvement of insulin sensitivity is the increase of plasma adiponectin levels by combination therapy. (Korean Circulation J 2007;37:173-179)
A Low THD, Low Power, High Output-Swing Time-Mode-Based Tunable Oscillator Via Digital Harmonic-Cancellation Technique

An architectural solution for designing and implementing low THD oscillators is presented. A digital harmonic-cancellation-block is used to suppress the low-frequency harmonics while a passive, inherently linear, filter is used to suppress the high-frequency ones. The proposed technique eliminates the need for typical high-Q BPF to suppress the harmonics. Thus, eradicates the effect of increasing device nonlinearities in the nanometric technologies by having pure digital solution. In addition, eliminating the need for high-Q band-pass-filter (BPF) releases the output swing from the constraints imposed by the linearity of the filter. The prototype is fabricated in 0.13 ?m CMOS technology. Measurement results show -72 dB THD at 10 MHz along with a differential output swing of 228 mVpp. The oscillator prototype can be tuned from 5 MHz to 11 MHz with less than 4.5 dB variations in the THD. The circuit consumes 3.37 mA from 1.2 V supply at 10 MHz and occupies an area of 0.186 mm2. As the performance depends solely on the timing precision of digital signals, the proposed oscillator is considered the best time-mode-based oscillator in literature.
A Preliminary Study on Racial Differences in HMOX1, NFE2L2, and TGFβ1 Gene Polymorphisms and Radiation-Induced Late Normal Tissue Toxicity

Purpose This study tested whether racial differences in genetic polymorphisms of 4 genes involved in wound repair and response to radiation can be used to predict the occurrence of normal tissue late effects of radiation therapy and indicate potential therapeutic targets. Methods and Materials This prospective study examined genetic polymorphisms that modulate the expression of 4 genes involved in inflammation and fibrosis and response to radiation ( HMOX1, NFE2L2, NOS3, and TGFβ1 ). DNA from blood samples of 179 patients (∼80% breast and head and neck) collected at the time of diagnosis by their radiation oncologist as exhibiting late normal tissue toxicity was used for the analysis. Patient demographics were as follows: 56% white, 43% African American, 1% other. Allelic frequencies of the different polymorphisms of the participants were compared with those of the general American population stratified by race. Twenty-six additional patients treated with radiation, but without toxicity at 3 months or later after therapy, were also analyzed. Results Increased frequency of a long GT repeat in the HMOX1 promoter was associated with late effects in both African American and white populations. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs1800469 in the TGFβ1 promoter and the rs6721961 SNP in the NFE2L2 promoter were also found to significantly associate with late effects in African Americans but not whites. A combined analysis of these polymorphisms revealed that >90% of African American patients with late effects had at least 1 of these minor alleles, and 58% had 2 or more. No statistical significance was found relating the studied NOS3 polymorphisms and normal tissue toxicity. Conclusions These results support a strong association between wound repair and late toxicities of radiation. The presence of these genetic risk factors can vary significantly among different ethnic groups, as demonstrated for some of the SNPs. Future studies should account for the possibility of such ethnic heterogeneity in the late toxicities of radiation.
Detection of Heavy Metal Ions Based on Quantum Point Contacts

We report on a method to detect trace amounts of metal ions using electrodes separated by atomic scale gaps. By sweeping the electrode potentials cathodically, we deposit metal ions into the gap and form a point contact between the two electrodes, which triggers a quantum jump in the conductance. The deposition time required to form the point contact increases as the ion concentration decreases. We can also dissolve the point contact by sweeping the potentials anodically, which causes a sharp decrease in the conductance. The potentials at which a point contact is formed and dissolved provides the identity of the ions.
PIP kinases from the cell membrane to the nucleus.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is a membrane bound lipid molecule with capabilities to affect a wide array of signaling pathways to regulate very different cellular processes. PIP2 is used as a precursor to generate the second messengers PIP3, DAG and IP3, indispensable molecules for signaling events generated by membrane receptors. However, PIP2 can also directly regulate a vast array of proteins and is emerging as a crucial messenger with the potential to distinctly modulate biological processes critical for both normal and pathogenic cell physiology. PIP2 directly associates with effector proteins via unique phosphoinositide binding domains, altering their localization and/or enzymatic activity. The spatial and temporal generation of PIP2 synthesized by the phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs) tightly regulates the activation of receptor signaling pathways, endocytosis and vesicle trafficking, cell polarity, focal adhesion dynamics, actin assembly and 3’ mRNA processing. Here we discuss our current understanding of PIPKs in the regulation of cellular processes from the plasma membrane to the nucleus.
Lactation characteristics of nine breeds of cattle fed various quantities of dietary energy.

Milk yield data were collected by weigh-suckle-weigh procedures at approximately 14, 28, 56, 84, 112, 138, 156, 184, and 212 d postpartum for mature Angus, Braunvieh, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Red Poll, Pinzgauer, and Simmental cows over a 4-yr period. Individual cows were fed at one of four energy intake levels. Parameters characterizing lactation curves for 431 lactations from 179 cows were estimated by nonlinear regression. Differences due to breed, level of energy intake, and the two-factor interaction between breed and level of ME allow- ance for scale and shape parameters of lactation curves and derived estimates for time of peak lactation, yield at time of peak lactation, and for total yield for a 210-d lactation period were evaluated. Breed and energy intake level were significant sources of variation for all traits. Pooled over energy levels, daily yields at time of peak lactation of Braunvieh, Gelbvieh, and Pinz- gauer were greater (P < .05) than those of Angus, Charolais, Hereford, and Limousin. Simmental and Red Poll were intermediate. Total lactation yield of the Braunvieh exceeded (P < ,051 that of all other breeds with the exception of Gelbvieh. Hereford produced less milk than (P c ,051 the other breeds. The response in yields at time of peak lactation as energy allowances increased for Braunvieh, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Limousin, and Pinzgauer cows was linear and resulted in higher yields at this time. Linear increases in total 210-d yield and times of peak lactation were observed for all breeds with the exception of Hereford.
Small pornographies

Online pornography has largely been defined by its negative, by the social and regulatory restrictions it engendered. This has helped to obscure the everyday sexual discourse that represents a common and important part of many online communities. A better understanding of the every day sexual discourse, these "small pornographies," may provide the keys to comprehending larger social organization and the links between our virtual online identities and our corporeal existence.
Cost-Effectiveness of Oral Anticoagulants for Ischemic Stroke Prophylaxis Among Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Background and Purpose—The objective of the study is to compare the cost-effectiveness of oral anticoagulants among atrial fibrillation patients at an increased stroke risk. Methods—A Markov model was constructed to project the lifetime costs and quality-adjusted survival (QALYs) of oral anticoagulants using a private payer’s perspective. The distribution of stroke risk (CHADS2 score: congestive heart failure, hypertension, advanced age, diabetes mellitus, stroke) and age of the modeled population was derived from a cohort of commercially insured patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation. Probabilities of treatment specific events were derived from published clinical trials. Event and downstream costs were determined from the cost of illness studies. Drug costs were obtained from 2015 National Average Drug Acquisition Cost data. Results—In the base case analysis, warfarin was the least costly ($46 241; 95% CI, 44 499–47 874) and apixaban had the highest QALYs (9.38; 95% CI, 9.24–9.48 QALYs). Apixaban wa...
A Logical Reasoning Algorithm For Generating Geographical Wiring Diagrams Automatically

For electric distribution network based on the geographical features,it brings out a logical reasoning algorithm to generate geographical wiring diagrams automatically,establishes a simplified model of geographic structure,analyzes the data storage structure based on the ArcSDE,and describes the basic idea and processes of the algorithm.Geographical wiring diagrams examples show that algorithm is simple,the process can improve electric distribution network management effectively.
426 HIGH GLUCOSE, HIGH INSULIN AND THEIR COMBINATION INDUCE LAMININ BETA-1 SYNTHESIS IN PROXIMAL TUBULAR EPITHELIAL (MCT) CELLS: INVOLVEMENT OF TRANSLATION MECHANISM

Our aim was to investigate the cellular effects of high glucose, high insulin and their combination on laminin beta-1 synthesis in MCT cells, which form the bulk of the kidney cortex. The three incubation conditions mimic their respective levels observed during the progression of type II diabetes. High glucose (30 mM) alone, high insulin (1 nM) alone, and high glucose and high insulin together significantly increased laminin beta1 protein in both cell lysates (p
Using RGB displays to portray color realistic imagery to animal eyes

RGB displays effectively simulate millions of colors in the eyes of humans by modulating the relative amount of light emitted by 3 differently colored juxtaposed lights (red, green, and blue). The relationship between the ratio of red, green, and blue light and the perceptual experience of that light has been well defined by psychophysical experiments in humans, but is unknown in animals. The perceptual experience of an animal looking at an RGB display of imagery designed for humans is likely to poorly represent an animal’s experience of the same stimulus in the real world. This is due, in part, to the fact that many animals have different numbers of photoreceptor classes than humans do and that their photoreceptor classes have peak sensitivities centered over different parts of the ultraviolet and visible spectrum. However, it is sometimes possible to generate videos that accurately mimic natural stimuli in the eyes of another animal, even if that animal’s sensitivity extends into the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. How independently each RGB phosphor stimulates each of an animal’s photoreceptor classes determines the range of colors that can be simulated for that animal. What is required to determine optimal color rendering for another animal is a device capable of measuring absolute or relative quanta of light across the portion of the spectrum visible to the animal (i.e., a spectrometer), and data on the spectral sensitivities of the animal’s photoreceptor classes. In this article, we outline how to use such equipment and information to generate video stimuli that mimic, as closely as possible, an animal’s color perceptual experience of real-world objects.
Interfacing the internet of a trillion things

Meaningful, reusable applications built on top of ubiquitous and networked devices will be slow to materialize as long as device APIs vary widely, communication protocols are not standardized, and programming support is limited and inconsistent. When even feature-identical devices present different APIs and application creators are burdened with managing the variability, the promise of the swarm of devices will go unrealized. We start addressing this issue by providing a model for devices, based on input and output ports, that allows for a set of common interfaces to represent a range of devices. Further, we provide a solution to the bootstrapping problem, providing a general means to bridge the adoption gap for a new API for the Internet of Things. We borrow both the name, accessor, and several key design concepts from a recent proposal by Latronico et. al, for our interface layer that wraps currently non-conforming devices with the standard interface. We show how a small, straightforward to write (and read) JavaScript file can convert diverse devices into common interfaces that are conducive for creating applications.We realize our system with three environments that can execute accessors, Python, Java, and Node.js, a range of accessors for both IoT and legacy devices, and a browser-based application for interacting with devices using our proposed interfaces. We show how the same accessor mechanism can form synthetic devices with higher-level interfaces and we outline how our system can be extended to support authentication, accessor control, and cloud storage support.
LOCUS OF CONTROL IN BLIND CHILDREN.

This investigation was designed to gather construct validation data for a much used test of a promising new personality construct. The Bialer-Cromwell Children's Locus of Control Scale was administered to 54 blind children and sighted children matched for mental age. The results indicated that blind children scored lower for internal control than sighted children; younger children scored lower than older children on the same trait. The scale demonstrated itself to be a valid measure of a trait seemingly related to an individual's ability to perceive himself in control of events around him.
Process Modeling in Non-Ferrous Metallurgy

Abstract Section 2.4.1 describes the general principles involved in developing quantitative models for complex processes. Section 2.4.2 describes models of processes operated at or near equilibrium conditions in which thermodynamic relations determine the overall process performance. The emphasis is placed on the behavior of minor element distribution to gas, slag, and matte or metal in nonferrous sulfide matte smelting and converting steps in batch and continuous operations under various conditions. Model predictions are compared with industrial data, which show satisfactory results. Finally, an example of modeling a system in which combined equilibrium and fluid flow must be considered is discussed. Section 2.4.3 describes mathematical models for individual process steps within overall metallurgical production systems, typically taking into account heterogeneous chemical reactions and rate phenomena that incorporate chemical kinetics and mass transfer. Such models form basic building blocks for models for an overall process, which in turn are a component of process models for an entire plant. Section 2.4.4 discusses the principles involved in computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling and presents examples of metallurgical process models based on CFD. This tool allows the simulation of multiphase fluid flow in complicated geometric systems, to which other subprocesses such as heat and mass transfer and chemical reactions can be incorporated. It is shown that real, industrial processes have become amenable to more detailed analysis and simulation, thanks to this versatile and useful technique. Its availability has also resulted in the merging of the basic principles of various previously independent sub-disciplines such as chemical reaction engineering, transport phenomena, and unit operations to formulate comprehensive and increasingly more realistic descriptions of complex processes.
Data-driven haptic perception for robot-assisted dressing

Dressing is an important activity of daily living (ADL) with which many people require assistance due to impairments. Robots have the potential to provide dressing assistance, but physical interactions between clothing and the human body can be complex and difficult to visually observe. We provide evidence that data-driven haptic perception can be used to infer relationships between clothing and the human body during robot-assisted dressing. We conducted a carefully controlled experiment with 12 human participants during which a robot pulled a hospital gown along the length of each person's forearm 30 times. This representative task resulted in one of the following three outcomes: the hand missed the opening to the sleeve; the hand or forearm became caught on the sleeve; or the full forearm successfully entered the sleeve. We found that hidden Markov models (HMMs) using only forces measured at the robot's end effector classified these outcomes with high accuracy. The HMMs' performance generalized well to participants (98.61% accuracy) and velocities (98.61% accuracy) outside of the training data. They also performed well when we limited the force applied by the robot (95.8% accuracy with a 2N threshold), and could predict the outcome early in the process. Despite the lightweight hospital gown, HMMs that used forces in the direction of gravity substantially outperformed those that did not. The best performing HMMs used forces in the direction of motion and the direction of gravity.
Folding- and Dynamics-Based Electrochemical DNA Sensors

A number of electrochemical DNA sensors based on the target-induced change in the conformation and/or flexibility of surface-bound oligonucleotides have been developed in recent years. These sensors, which are often termed E-DNA sensors, are comprised of an oligonucleotide probe modified with a redox label (e.g., methylene blue) at one terminus and attached to a gold electrode via a thiol-gold bond at the other. Binding of the target to the DNA probe changes its structure and dynamics, which, in turn, influences the efficiency of electron transfer to the interrogating electrode. Since electrochemically active contaminants are less common, these sensors are resistant to false-positive signals arising from the nonspecific adsorption of contaminants and perform well even when employed directly in serum, whole blood, and other realistically complex sample matrices. Moreover, because all of the sensor components are chemisorbed to the electrode, the E-DNA sensors are essentially label-free and readily reusable. To date, these sensors have achieved state-of-the-art sensitivity, while offering the unprecedented selectivity, reusability, and the operational convenience of direct electrochemical detection. This chapter reviews the recent advances in the development of both "signal-off" and "signal-on" E-DNA sensors. Critical aspects that dictate the stability and performance of these sensors are also addressed so as to provide a realistic overview of this oligonucleotide detection platform.
Applications of the augmented Van der Waals theory of fluids - III – The gas-liquid critical state

The residual molar Helmholtz energy [Math] at the gas-liquid critical point, calculated from the accurate equation of state (Part I) for 19 substances, appears to be constant, — 0.99 ± 0.02. This result leads to an accurate correlation of critical locus curves, T c (x), P c (x) and [Math] of mixtures. It is shown that the combining rule for pair interactions [Math], derived for systems of small molecules (Part II), is valid also for large molecules if (i) segment interactions e ij and surface fractions are used and (ii) the Flory-Huggins excess combinatorial A EC is added to [Math]. When A EC is neglected, wrong values of [Math] are obtained. This is a first proof that A EC must be considered on the gas-liquid critical locus curve.
Survival trends of metastatic small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor: SEER analysis.

e13561Background: Incidence rates of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SNETs) are increasing and has become the most common type of small intestinal cancer. SNETs often present with distant m...
Synthesis and transport of glutathione by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: To characterize synthesis and transport of glutathione (GSH) by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. METHODS: Cultured human RPE cells were depleted of glutathione, then incubated with various concentrations of cysteine, glutamate, and glycine or with glutathione. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure intracellular glutathione with time. RESULTS: After depletion with diethylmaleate, intracellular glutathione was resynthesized from the amino acid precursors within 60 minutes. The addition of buthionine sulfoximine, a known inhibitor of GSH synthesis, completely eliminated the observed increase. Similar incubation with exogenous GSH failed to increase the intracellular GSH concentration. CONCLUSION: Cultured human RPE cells are able to rapidly synthesize glutathione from exogenously administered amino acids, but they are incapable of direct GSH uptake.
Characterizing three types of negative narrow bipolar events in thunderstorms

Abstract Data from fast antennas (FAs) with bandwidth of 16 Hz–2.5 MHz and VHF power sensors (Log-RF) with bandwidth of 186–192 MHz are used to examine negative narrow bipolar events, or NNBEs. The main focus is on low-altitude ( 8.0 km) NNBEs are also examined. The low-altitude NNBEs are found to have two types called NNBE(L) and NNBE(H). NNBE(L)s have a bipolar FA waveform typical of NBEs while NNBE(H)s have a unipolar FA waveform. It is hypothesized that NNBE(H)s may be weak versions of NNBE(L)s in which the second, overshoot part of the bipolar waveform is too weak to detect amid the FA sensor noise. Together the 33 NNBE(L)s and NNBE(H)s occurred at an average altitude of 6.2 km (range 4.6–7.8 km), had average range-normalized (to 100 km) amplitude of 0.4 V/m (range 0.06–1.5 V/m), and had average VHF power of 130 W (range 1–1300 W). These low-altitude NNBE properties are substantially smaller and weaker than the same properties of the high-altitude NNBEs and of positive NBEs that initiate intracloud (IC) flashes; these analyses indicate that -CG flashes are easier to initiate than IC flashes. Visual inspection of the FA and Log-RF data of 868 -CG flashes showed that only 33 flashes (4%) were preceded by either an NNBE(L) or NNBE(H), so 96% of the -CG flashes investigated probably did not begin with an NNBE.
A Stem-Cell-Derived Platform Enables Complete Cryptosporidium Development In Vitro and Genetic Tractability.

Summary Despite being a frequent cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants and an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients, Cryptosporidium research has lagged due to a lack of facile experimental methods. Here, we describe a platform for complete life cycle development and long-term growth of C. parvum in vitro using “air-liquid interface” (ALI) cultures derived from intestinal epithelial stem cells. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that differentiating epithelial cells grown under ALI conditions undergo profound changes in metabolism and development that enable completion of the parasite life cycle in vitro . ALI cultures support parasite expansion > 100-fold and generate viable oocysts that are transmissible in vitro and to mice, causing infection and animal death. Transgenic parasite lines created using CRISPR/Cas9 were used to complete a genetic cross in vitro , demonstrating Mendelian segregation of chromosomes during meiosis. ALI culture provides an accessible model that will enable innovative studies into Cryptosporidium biology and host interactions.
Pectic Polysaccharides in Plants: Structure, Biosynthesis, Functions, and Applications

Pectic polysaccharides, a broad class of exopolysaccharides that are made by plants and contain negatively charged sugars, are some of the most complex biomolecules in nature. They modulate the mechanics and adhesion of the extracellular cell walls of plants and require complex biosynthetic machinery to produce their array of structures. They are also post-synthetically modified by a large apparatus of enzymes. Recent advances in genomics and biochemistry have revealed some parts of this machinery, but many mysteries remain unsolved. Intermolecular cross-linking between pectins is thought to underlie cell adhesion and constrain cell expansibility in plants, and modulating this cross-linking, pectin hydration, and the interactions of pectins with other wall components is thought to be one of the drivers of key developmental processes, from wall assembly and growth through tissue maturation to the release of pollen and seeds. The large number of pectin-related genes in many plant taxa belies their fundamental importance in evolutionary innovations in plants. Finally, pectins can both facilitate and complicate the use of plant cell walls as feedstocks for useful products and might also possess unique applications in human health and medicine.
Review: The Roman Villa in theMediterranean Basin: Late Republic to Late Antiquity, edited by Annalisa Marzano and Guy P. R. Métraux

Annalisa Marzano and Guy P. R. Metraux, eds. The Roman Villa in the Mediterranean Basin: Late Republic to Late Antiquity Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018, 599 pp., 21 maps, 244 b/w illus. $180 (cloth), ISBN 9781107164314 This monumental volume on Roman villas, encyclopedic in conception and meticulous in presentation, is a testament to the importance of its subject and the expertise of its coeditors. In twenty-five chapters by thirty-one specialists, the book explores the vital role played by villas in the Roman economy and elite society, both in Italy and in the Roman provinces that bordered the Mediterranean. A fundamental goal of the book is to present an overview of recent research on villas around the Roman Empire that can serve as a guide to further exploration. While the editors have necessarily been selective, the collected chapters convey a sense of the vitality of that research and of the discoveries that are shaping the field. In Italy and around the Mediterranean basin, villas with luxurious residential quarters were requisite signifiers of Roman elite identity and, along with their productive facilities, signs of Roman economic and cultural presence in a given region. Accordingly, tracking the spread of such villas as “a formula and phenomenon” is an overarching theme (xxviii). The book is organized into four parts preceded by an introduction and two chapters addressing general concerns. The introduction lays out the rationale, structure, and focus of the book. It is followed by the editors’ “The Roman Villa: An Overview,” which introduces a number of broad themes, including the ways in which villas related to urban and rural infrastructure, urban houses, and the social and economic expansion of the Roman Empire. Next, in “The Roman Villa: Definitions and Variations,” Ursula Rothe explains the terminological problems that arise from conflicting literary and archaeological sources and points out the range of climatic and cultural conditions that affected the various ways in which farmhouses were designed and built. The villa perfecta of the Roman author Varro remains elusive, and yet, despite …
Measurements of temporally- and spatially-resolved neutron production in a sheared-flow stabilized Z-pinch

Abstract A novel approach using multiple scintillator detectors is applied to measure temporally- and spatially-resolved neutron production in the Fusion Z-pinch Experiment (FuZE) device, a Sheared-Flow Stabilized (SFS) Z-pinch. Diagnosing neutron production from FuZE is important for determining if fusion is thermonuclear and whether the FuZE device can be scaled toward reactor conditions. Absolute yields of up to 2 × 10 5 neutrons per discharge are measured with calibrated plastic scintillator detectors operating in pulse-counting mode. Neutron emission durations of up to ∼ 8 μ s are inferred by recording the time difference between the first and last pulses for each discharge. Multiple scintillator detectors located at different positions with respect to the fusing plasma are used to demonstrate that the axial extent of the neutron producing region is comparable to the device volume. Scintillator detectors are well-suited as neutron diagnostics for FuZE and other plasma devices with similar yields and emission durations. Increasing the neutron yield, duration, and volume of the neutron emitting region within the plasma column are significant experimental objectives for FuZE.
PROMIS® Pediatric Depressive Symptoms as a Harmonized Score Metric.

Objective To conduct an evidence-based review of adolescent self-report depression measures and to demonstrate how various measures can be rescored onto a harmonized metric. Method Six widely used person-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were reviewed. Psychometric properties were evaluated using previously published guidance for PROMs. Next, two secondary data sources (from an outpatient behavioral health clinic and from the general population) were evaluated to harmonize scores across three of the measures. Both item response theory and equipercentile linking methods were used and compared. Results All six PROMs demonstrated a high evidence base for widespread use depending on the purpose of the assessments. Adolescent involvement when developing the PROM for content validity and floor or ceiling effects were the least frequent available evidence. Three of the PROMs were linked to the PROMIS® Pediatric Depressive Symptoms v2.0 (PROMIS-PedDepSx) metric. The scales were highly correlated and essentially unidimensional when aggregated. All linking methods were broadly comparable. Group-level score conversions are recommended to minimize linking bias. Conclusions There are a number of strong, widely used PROMs for the evidence-based assessment (EBD) of adolescent depression. However, score comparability is a concern whenever there is a proliferation of measures. Harmonized score metrics support data aggregation and re-analysis. Using four PROMs, one of which served as the scoring metric, we demonstrated the possibility of harmonized depression scores. Future directions for EBD should evaluate whether harmonized PROMs for other pediatric health domains would be useful.
A Novel Technology for Free Flap Monitoring: Pilot Study of a Wireless, Biodegradable Sensor

Background Accurate monitoring of free flap perfusion after complex reconstruction is critical for early recognition of flap compromise. Surgeons use a variety of subjective and objective measures to evaluate flap perfusion postoperatively. However, these measures have some limitations. We have developed a wireless, biodegradable, and flexible sensor that can be applied to real-time postoperative free flap monitoring. Here we assess the biocompatibility and function of our novel sensor. Methods Seven Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were used for biocompatibility studies. The sensor was implanted around the femoral artery near the inguinal ligament on one leg (implant side) and sham surgery was performed on the contralateral leg (control side). At 6 and 12 weeks, samples were harvested to assess the inflammation within and around the implant and artery. Two animals were used to assess sensor function. Sensor function was evaluated at implantation and 7 days after the implantation. Signal changes after venous occlusion were also assessed in an epigastric artery island flap model. Results In biocompatibility studies, the diameter of the arterial lumen and intima thickness in the implant group were not significantly different than the control group at the 12-week time point. The number of CD-68 positive cells that infiltrated into the soft tissue, surrounding the femoral artery, was also not significantly different between groups at the 12-week time point. For sensor function, accurate signaling could be recorded at implantation and 7 days later. A change in arterial signal was noted immediately after venous occlusion in a flap model. Conclusion The novel wireless, biodegradable sensor presented here is biocompatible and capable of detecting arterial blood flow and venous occlusion with high sensitivity. This promising new technology could combat the complications of wired sensors, while improving the survival rate of flaps with vessel compromise due to its responsive nature.
GPR Anomaly Detection with Robust Principal Component Analysis

This paper investigates the application of Robust Principal Component Analysis (RPCA) to ground penetrating radar as a means to improve GPR anomaly detection. The method consists of a preprocessing routine to smoothly align the ground and remove the ground response (haircut), followed by mapping to the frequency domain, applying RPCA, and then mapping the sparse component of the RPCA decomposition back to the time domain. A prescreener is then applied to the time-domain sparse component to perform anomaly detection. The emphasis of the RPCA algorithm on sparsity has the effect of significantly increasing the apparent signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR) as compared to the original data, thereby enabling improved anomaly detection. This method is compared to detrending (spatial-mean removal) and classical principal component analysis (PCA), and the RPCA-based processing is seen to provide substantial improvements in the apparent SCR over both of these alternative processing schemes. In particular, the algorithm has been applied to both field collected impulse GPR data and has shown significant improvement in terms of the ROC curve relative to detrending and PCA.
Lower intimate relationship satisfaction among partnered female service members/veterans is associated with the presence of suicidal ideation.

Objectives Risk for suicide among female service members/veterans (SM/Vs) is increasing, suggesting a need for additional studies of risk factors in this population. This study examined relationship satisfaction as a correlate of suicidal ideation (SI) after accounting for established risk factors for SI. Method Partnered female SM/Vs (N = 818) completed a demographic inventory and measures of SI, relationship satisfaction, sexual function, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Results After accounting for covariates, lower relationship satisfaction, higher depression and PTSD severity, and minority race were associated with the presence of SI. PTSD and depression severity did not moderate this association, suggesting that regardless of mental health symptoms, relationship satisfaction is associated with increased SI risk. Conclusions Screening for relationship satisfaction may identify SI risk in partnered female SM/Vs. Future studies should explore relationship satisfaction as a risk factor for suicidal attempts as not all SM/Vs who experience SI will attempt suicide.
Is Obesity a Disease of Stem Cells

Obesity disrupts physiological homeostasis and alters both systemic and local microenvironments that impact stem cell plasticity and impair regenerative capacity. We present growing evidence that reveals the bidirectionality of obesity-induced stem cell dysfunction and how the molecular changes in stem cells residing in obese environments may accelerate disease severity.