cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermo‐analytical characterization of pigmented waterborne basecoats

Modern waterborne basecoats contain a high degree of pigments to fulfill the wanted high brilliance and optical effects. Different kinds of pigment systems (color, pearl-effect, aluminum flakes) in a model binder matrix were investigated by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) measurements at different pigment volume concentrations (PVC). To get more detailed information concerning the pigment binder interaction partially the binder system and the surface modification of pigments were varied. The results were correlated to technological tests (stone chip, adhesion). It can be shown, that special effects in waterbome basecoats like influences of resins or pigment-binder interaction can be investigated by means of DMA in a quite effective way. Thus it is possible to optimize one layer in a coating system in terms of its mechanical properties by reformulating the binder matrix and by a suitable surface treatment of the pigments.
Nanoscale Path Planning and Motion Control with Maglev Positioners

This paper addresses nanoscale path planning and motion control, which is essential in nanomanufacturing applications such as microstereolithography (muSTL), dip-pen-nanolithography (DPN), and scanning applications for imaging and manipulation of nanoscale surface phenomena, with the magnetic levitation (maglev) technology. We identified the motion trajectories commonly used in industrial applications along with the challenges in optimal path planning to meet the nanoscale motion-control objectives and achieve precise positioning and maximum throughput simultaneously. The key control parameters in path planning are determined, and control design methodologies, including a well-damped lead-lag controller and an optimal linear quadratic regulator are proposed to satisfy the positioning requirements. The proposed methodologies were implemented individually and collectively. The experimental results are presented in this paper to illustrate their effectiveness in planning optimal trajectories. The damped lead-lag controller exhibited the command overshoot values of as small as 0.37%, and the multivariable LQ controller reduced the dynamic coupling among the axes by 97.1% as compared with the decoupled single-input-single-output (SISO) lead-lag controllers. The position resolution of 5 nm was achieved in x and y with the errors in command tracking as small as 4.5 nm. The maglev stage demonstrated excellent performances for the chosen nanomanufacturing applications in terms of position resolution and accuracy, and speed
Integrated experimental and numerical investigation for fatigue damage diagnosis in composite plates

An integrated experimental and numerical investigation of fatigue damage diagnosis in composite plates is presented in this study. First, the fatigue testing setup for carbon–carbon composite coupo...
Correlation between polymerization shrinkage stress and C-factor depends upon cavity compliance.

Abstract Objectives The literature reports inconsistent results regarding using configuration factor (C-factor) as an indicator to reflect the generation of polymerization shrinkage stress (PS) from dental restorative composites due to the constraint of cavity configuration. The current study aimed at unraveling the complex effects of C-factor on PS based on analytical and experimental approaches together, such that the reported inconsistency can be explained and a significance of C-factor in clinic can be comprehensively provided. Methods Analytical models based on linear elasticity were established to predict PS measured in instruments (testing systems) with different compliances, and complex effects of C-factor on PS were derived. The analyses were validated by experiments using a cantilever beam-based instrument and systematic variation of instrumental compliance. Results For a general trend, PS decreased with increasing C-factor when measured by instruments with high compliance. However, this trend gradually diminished and eventually reversed (PS became increased with increasing C-factor) by decreasing the system compliance. Significance Our study indicates that the correlation between PS and C-factor are highly dependent on the compliance of testing instrument for PS measurement. This suggests that the current concept on the role of C-factor in the stress development and transmission to tooth structures, higher C-factor produces higher PS due to reduced flow capacity of more confined materials, can be misleading. Thus, the compliance of the prepared tooth (cavity) structure should also be considered in the effect of C-factor on PS.
Principles for a Lower-Division Discrete-Systems-Oriented Mathematics Sequence

The following five courses are designed first of all with the needs of computer science students in mind. These students would form the core of the initial enrollment base for this sequence. Motivating examples, modern applications and algorithmic approaches should be used widely.
Is It Exertional Heatstroke or Something More? A Case Report

Abstract Background Heat stroke, heat-related illness, and malignant hyperthermia all present with hyperthermia. The former two are common presentations in the emergency department (ED). On the other hand, malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an uncommon but equally dangerous condition that requires prompt recognition and specific treatment with dantrolene sodium and avoidance of certain medications to reduce morbidity and mortality. Recent research focusing on nonanesthetic or exercise-induced MH has demonstrated a relationship between certain gene mutations and malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. Case Report We report the case of a 19 year-old man with a family history of MH who was treated for exertional heat stroke, but despite cooling and adequate fluid resuscitation, demonstrated worsening rhabdomyolysis that subsequently responded to the administration of dantrolene sodium. Why Should An Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? This case illustrates the importance of recognizing the potential relationship between exertional heat stroke and malignant hyperthermia. The overlap between heat stroke and malignant hyperthermia susceptibility has important implications in the treatment and evaluation of patients presenting with signs and symptoms of heat stroke or heat-related illness in the ED.
Surface Processes in CVD: Laser- and Low Energy Electron-Induced Decomposition of W(CO)6 on Si(111)-(7×7)

The decomposition of W(CO)6 adsorbed on Si(111)-(7×7) using low energy electrons and ultraviolet photons has been investigated under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. This work is motivated by a desire to understand the mechanism for laser- and electron-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of tungsten using volatile coordination complexes and to specifically understand the role of the surface in these processes. Both electron stimulated and photo-assisted decomposition of the adsorbed W(CO)6 are observed. No thermal decomposition of the W(CO)6 occurs under the conditions of these experiments, based on independent temperature programmed reaction experiments, ruling out the possibility of laser- or electron-induced heating as the cause of decomposition. Furthermore, the interaction of the W(CO)6 with the Si(111)-(7×7) surface is shown to be exceedingly weak based on the fact that the desorption energy is 9.46 ± 0.77 kcal/mol. Desorption of CO is induced during both ultraviolet photolysis and electron bombardment. Carbon monoxide is exclusively evolved during ultraviolet photolysis: no W-containing fragments are desorbed. During electron bombardment, a small amount of the W(CO)6 is desorbed, accounting for ∼10% of the desorption. In both cases, CO-containing W fragments remain on the surface after decomposition at low surface temperature. The remaining surface fragments do not undergo further photolysis at 308 nm but do react thermally. Competing desorption and dissociation of CO are thermally induced resulting in carbide and oxide impurities in the deposited material. The fact that strongly bound W(CO)x fragments are trapped on the surface is proposed as a limiting factor in the purity of tungsten deposits using the decomposition of W(CO)6.
Wilson Cycles, Tectonic Inheritance, and Rifting of the North American Gulf of Mexico Continental Margin

The tectonic evolution of the North American Gulf of Mexico continental margin is characterized by two Wilson cycles, i.e., repeated episodes of opening and closing of ocean basins along the same structural trend. This evolution includes (1) the Precambrian Grenville orogeny; (2) formation of a rift-transform margin during late Precambrian opening of the Iapetus Ocean; (3) the late Paleozoic Ouachita orogeny during assembly of Pangea; and (4) Mesozoic rifting during opening of the Gulf of Mexico. Unlike the Atlantic margins, where Wilson cycles were first recognized, breakup in the Gulf of Mexico did not initially focus within the orogen, but was instead accommodated within a diffuse region adjacent to the orogen. This variation in location of rifting is a consequence of variations in the prerift architecture of the orogens. The Appalachian-Caledonian orogeny involved substantial crustal shortening and formation of a thick crustal root. In contrast, the Ouachita orogeny resulted in minimal crustal shortening and thickening. In addition, rather than a crustal root, the Ouachita orogen was underlain by the lower plate of a relatively pristine Paleozoic subduction system that is characterized by a shallow mantle. A finite element model simulating extension on the margin demonstrates that this preexisting structure exerted fundamental controls on the style of Mesozoic rifting. The shallow mantle created a strong lithosphere beneath the orogen, causing extension to initiate adjacent to, rather than within, the orogen. On the Atlantic margins, the thick crustal root resulted in a weak lithosphere and initiation of extension within the interior of the orogen. Major features of the modern Gulf of Mexico margin, including the Interior Salt Basin, outboard unextended Wiggins arch, and an unusually broad region of extension beneath the coastal plain and continental shelf, are direct consequences of the prerift structure of the margin.
Examining the Association between Patient-Reported Symptoms of Attention and Memory Dysfunction with Objective Cognitive Performance: A Latent Regression Rasch Model Approach.

Objective Patient-reported cognition generally exhibits poor concordance with objectively assessed cognitive performance. In this article, we introduce latent regression Rasch modeling and provide a step-by-step tutorial for applying Rasch methods as an alternative to traditional correlation to better clarify the relationship of self-report and objective cognitive performance. An example analysis using these methods is also included. Method Introduction to latent regression Rasch modeling is provided together with a tutorial on implementing it using the JAGS programming language for the Bayesian posterior parameter estimates. In an example analysis, data from a longitudinal neurocognitive outcomes study of 132 breast cancer patients and 45 non-cancer matched controls that included self-report and objective performance measures pre- and post-treatment were analyzed using both conventional and latent regression Rasch model approaches. Results Consistent with previous research, conventional analysis and correlations between neurocognitive decline and self-reported problems were generally near zero. In contrast, application of latent regression Rasch modeling found statistically reliable associations between objective attention and processing speed measures with self-reported Attention and Memory scores. Conclusions Latent regression Rasch modeling, together with correlation of specific self-reported cognitive domains with neurocognitive measures, helps to clarify the relationship of self-report with objective performance. While the majority of patients attribute their cognitive difficulties to memory decline, the Rash modeling suggests the importance of processing speed and initial learning. To encourage the use of this method, a step-by-step guide and programming language for implementation is provided. Implications of this method in cognitive outcomes research are discussed.
Research advances in epidemiology of the rodent-borne diseases

The rodent-borne diseases including plague, hemorrhagic fever with the renal syndrome and leptospirosis are great concern of public health. The current situation of rodent-borne disease prevention warrants enhanced investigation.The epidemic regions are expanding, vectors are widely distributed, and unknown and subtype pathogens need to be revealed. This article reviews the epidemiological status, vector ecology and etiology of rodent-borne diseases, and provides evidence for the prevention and control of rodent borne diseases. It is important to strengthen the comprehen sivesurveillance and risk assessment of rodent borne diseases for prevention and control.
The bereavement process in children of parents with AIDS.

AIDS has left tens of thousands of children with dead or dying parents. This epidemic is forcing us to take a new look at loss in childhood, paying attention to the impact of the social and cultura...
Gaston Bachelard's Scientific Pedagogy: Gaston Bachelard's (1888-1963) Interdisciplinary Contribution to the Role of Scientific Values in Education

ABSTRACT Often unacknowledged, Gaston Bachelard exercised profound influence on Foucault, Deleuze, and the ‘post-structuralists.' Much of the difficulty English speaking scholars have had coming to terms with the contemporary Continental ‘scene' would be mitigated by a study of Bachelard. In this essay, the connections between the current state of theory in the natural sciences and the pedagogy of values are explored. The method of ‘internal critique' is employed, while the works of several recent commentators are consulted, and many directions for further reading and research are indicated.
Ab initio study of interstitial cluster interaction with Re, Os, and Ta in W

Abstract The stability of tungsten self-interstitial atom (SIA) clusters is studied using first-principles methods. Clusters from one to seven SIAs are systematically explored from 1264 unique configurations. Finite-size effect of the simulation cell is corrected based on the scaling of formation energy versus inverse volume cell. Furthermore, the accuracy of the calculations is improved by treating the 5p semicore states as valence states. Configurations of the three most stable clusters in each cluster size n are presented, which consist of parallel [111] dumbbells. The evolution of these clusters leading to small dislocation loops is discussed. The binding energy of size-n clusters is analyzed relative to an n → (n-1) + 1 dissociation and is shown to increase with size. Extrapolation for n > 7 is presented using a dislocation loop model. In addition, the interaction of these clusters with a substitutional Re, Os, or Ta solute is explored by replacing one of the dumbbells with the solute. Re and Os strongly attract these clusters, but Ta strongly repels. The strongest interaction is found when the solute is located on the periphery of the cluster rather than in the middle. The magnitude of this interaction decreases with cluster size. Empirical fits to describe the trend of the solute binding energy are presented.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Macrosteles quadrilineatus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Aster leafhopper Macrosteles quadrilineatus was sequenced using an Illumina-based next-generation sequencing approach. The genome is 16,626 bp in length with 78.0% AT content. It encodes 37 typical mitochondrial genes including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 1 A + T-rich region. Two tandem repeats were identified within the A + T-rich region. One tRNA gene rearrangement (trnW-trnC-trnY→trnC-trnW-trnY) was found between nd2 and cox1.
Host Pipes: Direct Streaming Interface Between OpenCL Host and Kernel

To date, OpenCL acceleration has been primarily focused on improving application level throughput. Many of the best-known practices in OpenCL sacrifice latency to do so. This inherent trade-off between throughput and latency stems from the limitation that in OpenCL, the primary way to transfer data between host and accelerator has been via global memory. In this work, we present a direct streaming interface from host CPU to OpenCL kernels, referred to as host pipes. This interface eliminates the latency overhead of waiting for data transfer to complete before execution can start on the head of that data. A prototype of this feature capable of saturating the full duplex PCIe Gen3x8 bandwidth was built on Intel's Arria 10 FPGA Development Kit.
A novel surface plasmon coupled tunable wavelength filter for hyperspectral imaging

The development of ultra-compact handheld hyperspectral imagers has been impeded by the scarcity of small widefield tunable wavelength filters. The widefield modality is preferred for handheld imaging applications in which image registration can be performed to counter scene shift caused by irregular user motions that would thwart scanning approaches. Conventional widefield tunable filters like the liquid crystal tunable filter and acousto-optic tunable filter achieve narrow passbands across a wide spectral range by utilizing large interaction lengths, thereby increasing the thickness of the device along the optical path. In addition, these technologies rely on rather bulky external control circuitry and, in the case of acousto-optic filters, high power requirements. In the work presented here, we introduce a novel widefield tunable filter for visible and near infrared imaging based on surface plasmon coupling that can be miniaturized without sacrificing performance. The surface plasmon coupled tunable filter (SPCTF) provides diffraction limited spatial resolution with a <10nm nominal passband and a spurious free spectral range of more than 300nm. Acting on the π-polarized component, the device is limited to transmitting 50 percent of unpolarized incident light. This is higher than the throughput of comparable Lyot-based liquid crystal tunable filters that employ a series of linear polarizers. The design of the SPTF is presented along with a comparison of its performance to calculated estimates of transmittance, spectral resolution, and spectral range.
Exploring Summarization Differences for Two Types of Expository Discourse in Adolescents With Traumatic Brain Injury

Purpose Annually, nearly 700,000 U.S. children and adolescents experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Many of them struggle academically, despite failing to qualify for special education servic...
A 25 mV-startup cold start system with on-chip magnetics for thermal energy harvesting

Thermal energy harvesting systems use boost converters for high-efficiency low voltage operation, but lack the ability for low voltage startup without off-chip transformers. We present a cold start system that uses integrated magnetics instead of external transformers in a Meissner Oscillator to start up from ultra low voltages, with a switched capacitor DC-DC circuit for additional voltage gain. The oscillator analysis with on-chip magnetics allows device co-optimization for low voltage operation, despite 1000x lower inductance values than off-chip transformers. Co-optimized on-chip transformer and depletion-mode NMOS start up from 25 mV driven directly by a sourcemeter, or 50 mV with a 4.7 Ω series resistance, for the lowest integrated electrical startup. The co-packaged system provides proof of concept for integration with boost converter circuits on a single die to have a fully-integrated low voltage startup solution for thermal energy harvesting applications, without using off-chip transformers.
Home invaders provoke neighbouring cichlids

![Graphic][1] Social alliances are rare. Only in a handful of species, such as fiddler crabs and chipping sparrows, do unrelated neighbours team-up when a member of the same species invades their territory. Near-by residents will aid their harassed compatriots and help to ward off the
Non-canonical apical constriction shapes emergent matrices in C. elegans

Specialized epithelia produce intricate apical matrices by poorly defined mechanisms. To address this question, we studied the role of apical constriction in patterning the acellular cuticle of C. elegans. Knocking-down epidermal actin, non-muscle myosin II or alpha-catenin led to the formation of mazes, rather than long ridges (alae) on the midline; yet, these same knockdowns did not appreciably affect the pattern of circumferential bands (annuli). Imaging epidermal F-actin and cell-cell junctions revealed that longitudinal apical-lateral and apical-medial AFBs, in addition to cortical meshwork, assemble when the fused seam narrows rapidly; and that discontinuous junctions appear as the seam gradually widens. Ultrastructural analyses showed three protrusions beneath an interim matrix at peak of constriction, then relax to form a pocket in which the final ECM is deposited. Knocking-down actin abrogated the lateral pattern of two interim matrix (sheath) components. However, the circumferential pattern of the sheath remained. This and other findings contradict the model the annuli are patterned by circumferential actin filament bundles (CFBs). Instead, CFBs may comprise a temporary musculoskeletal system assembled to withstand the molt. Finally, knocking-down specific components of the sheath resulted in cuticle mazes. We propose that dynamic interactions among cortical actin networks, cell-cell junctions and apical matrices together control pulsatile constriction and pre-pattern the alae. Cell-aECM interactions may likewise affect outcome of AC in higher metazoans.
Analysis of Nonplanar Devices

As stated in the companion chapters, the objective of process modeling is to assist in the design of integrated devices. The focus of this chapter involves device analysis tools and particularly two-dimensional simulation, with emphasis on technology-oriented device design.
Anxiety Sensitivity: Its Relationship to Functional Status in Patients with Chronic Pain

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is the fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations based on the belief that they are harmful. The purpose of this study was to examine how AS contributes to functional status in chronic pain populations. This study examined the relationship between functional status and AS, demographic, work-related, and pain-related variables in 88 chronic pain patients. Dependent measures of functional status were the SF-36 scales for physical functioning, mental health, vitality, and social functioning. Variables were entered into regression analyses according to category. Significant variables were included in subsequent regressions. AS significantly contributed to lower levels of vitality and poorer social functioning, and was the only variable to significantly contribute to poorer psychological functioning. These results suggest that AS plays an important role in several aspects of functioning in chronic pain patients, and therefore may be a useful concept to be included in pain assessment batteries.
Translating Treatment Effects Between Rheumatoid Arthritis Activity Measures and American College of Rheumatology Responses in Direct Comparison Trials.

Objective Direct comparison trials in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increasingly use changes in continuous disease activity measures as endpoints. However, the between-arm differences in these scores that are clinically meaningful are uncertain. To aid interpretation of clinical trials that use the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) or Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) as endpoints, we developed statistical equivalences between changes in these measures and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responses. Methods For superiority trials, we computed the minimal detectable difference in DAS28 changes and SDAI changes that correspond to the ACR criteria for 20% improvement (ACR20) and 50% improvement (ACR50) responses at the same type I and type II errors and same sample size. For noninferiority trials, we computed noninferiority margins that were statistically equivalent across measures. Standard deviations of the changes in the DAS28 and SDAI from a recent observational study were used as the basis of calculations in our examples. Results In the base scenario with type 1 error 0.05 and power 0.80, a trial with 300 subjects per arm would detect a 0.31-point difference in mean DAS28 change scores and 3.71-point difference in mean SDAI change scores as statistically equivalent to an absolute difference of 11% in ACR20 between treatment arms. We developed a web-based utility that provides equivalent differences among these measures for customized sample sizes, error rates, and standard deviations of the DAS28 and SDAI between-arm differences. Conclusion The DAS28 and SDAI responses can be related to statistically equivalent changes in ACR responses, which can aid the interpretation of trials that use these measures.
Worldly Consumers: The Demand for Maps in Renaissance Italy

This short volume by Genevieve Carlton considers the Renaissance consumption of maps as cultural and artistic objects. A reworking of her doctoral dissertation completed at Northwestern University,...
Recent advances in gene function prediction using context-specific coexpression networks in plants.

Predicting gene functions from genome sequence alone has been difficult, and the functions of a large fraction of plant genes remain unknown. However, leveraging the vast amount of currently available gene expression data has the potential to facilitate our understanding of plant gene functions, especially in determining complex traits. Gene coexpression networks—created by integrating multiple expression datasets—connect genes with similar patterns of expression across multiple conditions. Dense gene communities in such networks, commonly referred to as modules, often indicate that the member genes are functionally related. As such, these modules serve as tools for generating new testable hypotheses, including the prediction of gene function and importance. Recently, we have seen a paradigm shift from the traditional “global” to more defined, context-specific coexpression networks. Such coexpression networks imply genetic correlations in specific biological contexts such as during development or in response to a stress. In this short review, we highlight a few recent studies that attempt to fill the large gaps in our knowledge about cellular functions of plant genes using context-specific coexpression networks.
Distributed Submodular Maximization on Partition Matroids for Planning on Large Sensor Networks

Many problems that are relevant to sensor networks such as active sensing and coverage planning have objectives that exhibit diminishing returns and specifically are submodular. When each agent selects an action local space of actions, sequential maximization techniques for submodular function maximization obtain solutions within half of optimal even though such problems are often NP-Hard. However, adapting methods for submodular function maximization to distributed computation on sensor networks is challenging as sequential execution of planning steps is time-consuming and inefficient. Further, prior works have found that planners suffer severely impaired worst-case performance whenever large numbers of agents plan in parallel. This work develops new tools for analysis of submodular maximization problems which we apply to design of randomized distributed planners that provide constant-factor suboptimality approaching that of standard sequential planners. These bounds apply when the objective satisfies a higher-order monotonicity condition and when cumulative interactions between agents are proportional to the optimal objective value. Problems including generalizations of sensor coverage satisfy these conditions when agents have spatially local sensing actions and limited sensor range. We present simulation results for two such cases.
Sexual selection in the Kinda baboon

Abstract Due to wide variation in the presence and degree of expression of a diverse suite of sexually-selected traits, the tribe Papionini represents an outstanding model for understanding how variation in sexual selection pressures and mechanisms leads to trait evolution. Here, we discuss the particular value of Papio as a model genus for studies of sexual selection, emphasizing the presence of multiple mating systems, and differences in the expression of sexually-selected traits among closely-related species. We draw particular attention to the Kinda baboon (Papio kindae), a comparatively less-studied baboon species, by providing a primer to Kinda baboon morphology, genetics, physiology, and behavior. Based on observations of large group sizes, combined with low degrees of sexual dimorphism and large relative testis size relative to other baboon species, we test the hypothesis that Kinda baboons have evolved under reduced direct, and increased indirect, male–male competition. We present the first long-term data on wild Kinda baboons in Zambia. Kinda baboon females show seasonal peaks in births and reproductive receptivity, and males exhibit a queing-rather than contest-based dominance acquisition with long alpha-male tenure lengths. We finish by making a number of explicit testable predictions about Kinda baboon sexual signals and behaviors, and suggest that Kinda baboons have potential to offer new insights into the selective environments that may have been experienced during homininization.
Safety of Noncontrast Imaging–Guided Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode Placement in Parkinson Disease

Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is considered standard of care for the treatment of medically refractory Parkinson disease (PD). The placement of brain electrodes is performed using contrast imaging to enhance blood vessel identification during stereotactic planning. We present our experience with a series of patients implanted using noncontrast imaging. Methods All cases of DBS surgery for PD performed between 2012 and 2018 with noncontrast imaging were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical features, postoperative imaging, and complications were analyzed. Results A total of 287 deep-seated electrodes were implanted in 152 patients. Leads were placed at the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus internus in 258 and 29 hemispheres, respectively. We identified 2 cases of intracranial hemorrhage (0.7%). Conclusions DBS lead placement can be performed without the use of intravenous contrast with a postoperative intracranial hemorrhage rate comparable with other reported series.
Information technology and patient protection

Abstract Information technology is the study or use of systems for storing, retrieving, and exchanging information. Modern clinical settings are dependent on information technology, and in some instances required by law to use it. As recently as 2008, integrating information technology into health care became a pillar goal of the USA federal government with the passage of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009. Since the passage of this bill, over four in five of all nonfederal acute care hospitals, adopted a basic electronic health record. Cloud data storage options have become more popular in healthcare over the past several years, as the general stigma of hosting data off premises has decreased, and the potential benefits have come to light. As organizations adopt mobile applications, storing clinical data in the cloud has the potential to give end-users complete access. Scalability of the cloud is also an enormous win due to the continuously increasing number of connected medical devices.
Characterization of a Monanema nematode in Ixodes scapularis

Metagenomic studies have revealed the presence of a filarial nematode in Ixodes scapularis. The phylogeny of this agent, and its potential for human infection, are unknown. We used existing metagenomic data from I. scapularis to determine the phylogeny of this tick-associated nematode and employed quantitative PCR to determine if the presence of this agent had an effect on the burden of Borrelia burgdorferi. We also developed a Luciferase Immunoprecipitation System assay using the Av33 antigen as a target to investigate the presence of antibodies against this nematode in 128 serum specimens from patients with Lyme disease and babesiosis. To demonstrate assay utility, we used 15 sera from patients with onchocerciasis as controls. We show that this agent is a new species in the genus Monanema and its presence in vector ticks does not impact the burden of B. burgdorferi. We did not detect IgG antibodies to this agent in 127 of 128 sera from patients with Lyme disease or babesiosis. One sample had reactivity above the threshold, but at the low-level equivalent to the least reactive onchocerciasis sera. This low positive signal could be a result of cross-reacting antibodies, antibodies from a previous infection with a filarial nematode, or, less likely, a exposure to the Ixodes scapularis-associated nematode. We found no evidence that this nematode contributes to the spectrum of human tick-borne infections.
Negative pressure face shield for flexible laryngoscopy in the COVID-19 era

Objective Introduce novel methods and materials to limit microdroplet spread when performing transnasal aerosol generating procedures in the COVID-19 era. Methods Prototypes of a negative pressure face shield (NPFS) were tested then used clinically to create a suction-clearing negative pressure microenvironment with controlled access to the nose and mouth. Air pressure measurements within prototypes were followed by prospective evaluation of 30 consecutive patients treated with the device assessed through questionnaires and monitoring oximetry. Results The NPFS is a transparent acrylic barrier with two anterior instrumentation ports and a side port to which continuous suction is applied. It is positioned on a stand and employs a disposable antimicrobial wrap to secure an enclosure around the head. This assembly was successfully used to complete transnasal laryngoscopy in all 30 patients studied. Tolerance of the design was excellent, with postprocedure questionnaire identifying no shortness of breath (27/30), no claustrophobia (27/30), no pain (29/30), and no significant changes in pulse oximetry. Conclusion Diagnostic laryngoscopy was successfully performed in a negative pressure microenvironment created to limit dispersion of aerosols. Further application of the NPFS device is targeted for use with transnasal laryngeal laser and biopsy procedures to be followed by additional modification to enable intranasal and intraoral procedures in a similar protected environment. Level of evidence Level 2b (Cohort Study).
COVID-19: a 2020 update

The 2019 COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the global health-care system into a chaotic flux. Consolidating and reviewing all available knowledge will be crucial to combating the spread of this novel coronavirus. Prevention is paramount, but health care workers are at increased risk, and protective supplies are being limited and being rationed. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Hospitalizations are estimated to occur in about 20% of cases and are mostly due to pneumonia.[1] While multiple promising treatments are being reported in the medical literature; there is limited, reliable clinical data are available. To minimize exposure of medical staff to contagious patients and to provide rapid escalation of care to these patients, a telehealth strategy could be leveraged. Such a strategy would entail the use of both telemedicine visits for communication and digital health platforms for monitoring.
Adventures in Shondaland: Identity Politics and the Power of Representation.: Meyer, Michaela D. E., & Griffin, Rachel Alicia. (Editors). New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2018. 268 pp. $32.00 (paperback). ISBN-10: 0813596319.

In Adventures in Shondaland coeditors Michaela Meyer and Rachel Griffin bring together media and communication scholars to analyze Shonda Rhimes’s cultural influence in the contemporary media lands...
Immunomodulation as Treatment for Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Systematic Review of Current Modalities and Future Directions.

In SARS-CoV-2 infection, the viral load peaks early setting off a cascade of immune dysregulation that persists well after viral clearance. Severe COVID-19 is marked by aberrant innate and adaptive immune responses with an abnormal cytokine profile and a prolonged illness course with multisystem organ dysfunction. Antiviral treatments have yet to show benefit later in critical illness. Taken together, this raises the concern that a purely antiviral treatment approach may be insufficient. A number of immunomodulatory strategies are being tested, including corticosteroids, cytokine and anti-cytokine therapies, small molecule inhibitors, and cellular therapeutics. The only drug to date to show a mortality benefit for COVID-19 in a randomized control trial is dexamethasone, but there remains uncertainty about which patients may benefit most and longer-term complications including secondary infections. Here we review the immune dysregulation of severe COVID-19, the existing data behind various immunomodulatory strategies, and consider future directions of study.
TRAIL-coated leukocytes to kill circulating tumor cells in the flowing blood from prostate cancer patients.

Radical surgery is the first line treatment for localized prostate cancer (PC), however, several studies have demonstrated that surgical procedures induce tumor cell mobilization from the primary tumor into the bloodstream. The number and temporal fluctuations of circulating tumor cells (CTC), cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) and CTC cluster present in each blood sample was determined. The results show that both CTC and CTC cluster levels significantly increased immediately following primary tumor resection, but returned to baseline within 2 weeks post-surgery. In contrast, the CAF level decreased over time. In patients who experienced PC recurrence within months after resection, CTC, CAF, and cluster levels all increased over time. Based on this observation, we tested the efficacy of an experimental TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-based liposomal therapy ex-vivo to induce apoptosis in CTC in blood. The TRAIL-based therapy killed approximately 75% of single CTCs and CTC in cluster form. Collectively, these data indicate that CTC cluster and CAF levels can be used as a predictive biomarker for cancer recurrence. Moreover, for the first time, we demonstrate the efficacy of our TRAIL-based liposomal therapy to target and kill prostate CTC in primary patient blood samples, suggesting a potential new adjuvant therapy to use in combination with surgery.
A kinome-wide RNAi screen identifies ERK2 as a druggable regulator of Shank3 stability (P1.6-030)

Objective: The objective of this work is to identify therapeutic entry points for an autism spectrum disorder, Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Background: Neurons are sensitive to changes in the dosage of many genes, especially those regulating synaptic functions. Haploinsufficiency of SHANK3 causes Phelan-McDermid syndrome and autism, whereas duplication of the same gene leads to SHANK3 duplication syndrome, a disorder characterized by neuropsychiatric phenotypes including hyperactivity and bipolar disorder as well as epilepsy. We recently demonstrated the functional modularity of Shank3, which suggests that normalizing levels of Shank3 itself might be more fruitful than correcting pathways that function downstream of it for treatment of disorders caused by alterations in SHANK3 dosage. Design/Methods: To identify upstream regulators of Shank3 abundance, we performed a kinome-wide siRNA screen and identified multiple kinases that potentially regulate Shank3 protein stability. Results: Interestingly, we discovered that several kinases in the MEK/ERK2 pathway destabilize Shank3 and that genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition of ERK2 increases Shank3 abundance in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that ERK2 binds Shank3 and phosphorylates it at three residues to promote its poly-ubiquitination-dependent degradation. Conclusions: Together, our findings uncover a druggable pathway as a potential therapeutic target for disorders with reduced SHANK3 dosage, provide a rich resource for studying Shank3 regulation, and demonstrate the feasibility of this approach for identifying regulators of dosage-sensitive genes. Disclosure: Dr. Holder has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wang has nothing to disclose.
No Small Thing: Clinical Implications of Rapid Syndromic Panel-Based Diagnostic Testing in Children

Abstract The introduction of rapid diagnostic testing has transformed the practice of infectious diseases, facilitating earlier pathogen identification and optimization of antimicrobial therapy. Rapid diagnostic panels have also created new challenges in the interpretation of increasing numbers of results of unclear clinical significance. We highlight the clinical implications of the increasing use of rapid diagnostic panels in pediatric infectious diseases, focusing on commonly adopted testing for the diagnosis of meningitis and encephalitis, bloodstream infections, gastrointestinal infections, and respiratory infections. Rapid diagnostic panels can be useful adjuncts to conventional culture methods, but results must be interpreted with caution and careful attention to the clinical scenario. They are most likely to be successful when implemented in conjunction with clinical guidance in collaboration between microbiology laboratories and antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Data-Driven Modeling of Operating Characteristics of Hydroelectric Generating Units

Hydroelectric generation is a potential flexible electricity source that can ease the transition to a decarbonized energy economy. As such, using scarce hydroelectric generating resources efficiently is important. We examine approaches to represent the operating characteristics of hydroelectric resources. Many hydroelectric-plant owners use water tables or generic unit characteristics for operational planning. Such practice may be inefficient, as it does not account for unit-specific operating-characteristic changes or time-related impacts, e.g., plant degradation. We demonstrate a data-driven approach to modeling plant operations that is unit-specific and depends solely on observable and controllable variables. Numerical results using historical data for four hydroelectric units illustrate the proposed methodology.
High Power RF Breakdown of Pressurized SF 6

The design and implementation of an experimental setup are demonstrated for the breakdown testing of pressurized $\text{SF}_{6}$ (1–3 atm) at 2.85 GHz. Sulphur hexafluoride $(\text{SF}_{6})$ is a common insulating gas used to mitigate breakdown in high power microwave systems. While this gas is known for its high dielectric strength, available data for the breakdown of pressurized SF 6 and $\text{SF}_{6}$ mixtures at S- Band frequencies is limited. The obtained breakdown characteristics are compared to mixtures of $\text{SF}_{6}$ and Nitrogen $(\mathrm{N}_{2})$ for similarities in breakdown fields in a pressurized environment.
Experimental Study of Water Freezing Process Improvement Using Ultrasound

Abstract The phase change process of freezing water is an important application in several fields such as ice making, food freezing technologies, pharmaceuticals, etc. Due to the widespread usage of ice-related products, process improvements in this technology can potentially lead to substantial energy savings. It is well known that supercooling has a negative effect on the overall time and energy consumption of the freezing process. Therefore, ultrasound is proposed as a technique to improve the freezing process by eliminating the supercooling effect and the resulting energy savings is investigated. An experimental study was conducted to analyze the energy expenditures in the freezing process with and without the application of ultrasound. After a set of preliminary experiments, an intermittent application of ultrasound at 3.52 W & 8.25 W power levels was found to be more effective than constant-power application. The supercooling phenomenon was thoroughly studied through iterative experiments. It was also found that the application of ultrasound during the freezing process led to the formation of shard-like ice crystals. From the intermittent ultrasound experiments performed at 3.52 W & 8.25 W power levels, energy savings relative to no-ultrasound processes of 12.4% and 10.8% were observed, respectively.
Trust metric integration in resource constrained networks via data fusion

There are numerous environments and situations where network infrastructure is sparse, latent, or partially out of service. There is a growing body of research on protocols, security, information assurance and trust for use in such Resource Constrained Networks. A few examples of a Resource Constrained Network include Delay Tolerant, Wireless Sensor, and many mobile ad-hoc and ad-hoc mesh networks. Data fusion of direct observations and recommendations from other nodes into an aggregate trust value on a given node allows for more efficient routing and enables information assurance security services that support data availability, confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation. Selecting proper data metrics and fusion scheme allows nodes in a network to quickly converge on an accurate trust value for a given node. This minimizes security risks and provides better quality of service to properly functioning nodes as well as quickly isolates malicious ones. This paper discusses our current work on distributed trust management schemes for use in Resource Constrained Networks. Specifically, it introduces fusion methods to integrate diverse clues into a composite trust value.
Survey of Straight Vegetable Oil Composition Impact on Combustion Properties

The combustion of straight vegetable oil (SVO) in internal combustion engines has shown conflicting results in emissions, power, and engine longevity. Many early studies suggested that SVO should not be considered for long term use in diesel engines. However, waste vegetable oil has been fueling adapted vehicles in progressive communities for years. The issues involved in the combustion of SVO or pure plant oils are complex. Engine injection systems, oil type, lipid acid ratio, and fuel temperature all have significant impact on the engine performance and emissions. A review of published studies of SVO combustion with a focus on known SVO composition and chemical structure reveals trends which merit further study. Future engine tests with known vegetable oil profiles will add significantly to the progression of SVO use in engines.
A study on the effects of induced abortion on subsequent pregnancy outcome

Abstract Presented here is the pregnancy outcome of 2,081 women who had one or more previous induced abortions compared with the outcome of 4,098 matched control subjects without a history of abortion. Data were collected from records and interviews of women delivering spontaneously at nine California hospitals during a 16-month period 1976 to 1978. Women with a history of previous induced abortion showed a small but statistically significant increase in incidence of subsequent pregnancy failure. The increased risk associated with previous abortion was substantially smaller than the increase associated with several other social, economic, and behavioral indicators measured at the same time.