cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance of MFSK slow frequency-hopped SSMA system with equal-gain diversity

A slow frequency-hopped spread-spectrum multiple access; communication system with M-ary frequency shift keying (MFSK) modulation is studied. A closed-form expression for the symbol error probability of equal-gain diversity reception is obtained. It is assumed that the system operates through a frequency selective slow fading Rayleigh channel coupled with other user interference and additive white Gaussian noise. Numerical results show that the system performance can be significantly improved by means of equal-gain diversity. >
Relationships among the positive strand and double-strand RNA viruses as viewed through their RNA-dependent RNA polymerases

Abstract The sequences of 50 RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRPs) from 43 positive strand and 7 double strand RNA (dsRNA) viruses have been compared. The alignment permitted calculation of distances among the 50 viruses and a resultant dendrogram based on every amino acid, rather than just those amino acids in the conserved motifs. Remarkably, a large subgroup of these viruses, including vertebrate, plant, and insect viruses, forms a single cluster whose only common characteristic is exploitation of insect hosts or vectors. This similarity may be due to molecular constraints associated with a present and/or past ability to infect insects and/or to common descent from insect viruses. If common descent is important, as it appears to be, all the positive strand RNA viruses of eucaryotes except for the picornaviruses may have evolved from an ancestral dsRNA virus. Viral RDRPs appear to be inherited as modules rather than as portions of single RNA segments, implying that RNA recombination has played an important role in their dissemination.
Commitment, Absenteeism, and Turnover of New Employees: A Longitudinal Study

Longitudinal data were collected to explore the relationships among loss of commitment, absenteeism, and employee turnover. Using a median-based approach to investigate the structure of withdrawal among 52 nurses and 36 accountants, it was found that both loss of commitment and increased absenteeism preceded turnover. Decreases in commitment were better predictors of turnover than increases in absenteeism, although stayers in both occupational groups were distinguished by unchanging patterns of zero median days absent. Implications for the progression theory of job withdrawal are discussed.
How Efficient Peer-to-Peer Video Streaming Could Be?

We consider the problem of broadcasting video streams to a large number of users through P2P overlay, which is emerging as a killer application after P2P file sharing. Considerable research has been conducted in this area in recent years. But most of them are experimental or on a particular algorithm/implementation. The lacking of a general model prevents formal studies on P2P streaming. In this paper, we present some interesting and important results of our work on the theoretical aspect of P2P streaming. The main contribution of this paper includes (1)proposing a general probability model making the analytical analysis and evaluation of P2P streaming possible; (2)with the help of the proposed model, proving that the upper bound of the efficiency for any P2P streaming networks is 1- 1/2k, where k is the average number of neighbors each peer knows about; (3)obtaining the condition to reach that upper bound and showing how to use it to guide real design; (4)showing that P2P streaming is quite different from P2P file sharing. It is not always safe to apply the experience obtained in one context to the other. In particular, we demonstrate that unlike P2P file sharing, P2P streaming does not always benefit from a wide piece diversity(i.e., the total number of the available pieces across the entire network at a given time).
Soft-Supervised Learning for Text Classification

We propose a new graph-based semi-supervised learning (SSL) algorithm and demonstrate its application to document categorization. Each document is represented by a vertex within a weighted undirected graph and our proposed framework minimizes the weighted Kullback-Leibler divergence between distributions that encode the class membership probabilities of each vertex. The proposed objective is convex with guaranteed convergence using an alternating minimization procedure. Further, it generalizes in a straightforward manner to multi-class problems. We present results on two standard tasks, namely Reuters-21578 and WebKB, showing that the proposed algorithm significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art.
Heart-Rate Changes in Improved Spider-Phobic Patients

Two spider-phobic patients were treated with a participant-modeling therapeutic approach. Continuous ambulatory heart rates were measured before and after treatment on a spider course laid out so that subjects encountered a variety of spider-related stimuli and environs. Heart rates were also measured during treatment. Despite behavioral improvement pre- to post-treatment for both subjects, the two subjects' heart rates exhibited opposite effects pre- to post-treatment, results consistent with the notion that behavioral improvement and physiological changes do not necessarily occur simultaneously in phobic subjects.
High-Throughput Screening Fluorescence Polarization Assay for Tumor-Specific Hsp90

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone that has emerged as an important target in cancer and several other diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, nerve injuries, inflammation, and infection. Discovery of novel agents that inhibit Hsp90 and have druglike properties is therefore a major focus in several academic and industrial laboratories. In this study, the authors describe the development and optimization in a 384-well format of a novel assay for the identification of Hsp90 inhibitors using fluorescence polarization, which measures competitive binding of red-shifted fluorescently labeled geldanamycin (GM-cy3B) to Hsp90 found in the NCI-N417 small-cell lung carcinoma cells. The authors demonstrate that GMcy3B binds with high affinity and specificity to cellular Hsp90. The assay results in excellent signal-to-noise ratios (>10) and Z' values (>0.75) at tracer concentrations greater than 4 nM and 1 microg/well of total NCI-N417 protein, indicating a robust assay. It also equilibrates after 5 h of incubation at room temperature and remains stable for up to 24 h. Furthermore, it is a simple mix-and-read format that is cost-effective and uses only low amounts of fluorophore and cell lysates. A study using more than 15,000 compounds from the National Institutes of Health Molecular Libraries Screening Center Network was performed to validate its performance in a high-throughput screening format.
The effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and southern Wyoming, USA—a critical review

The Rocky Mountains of Colorado and southern Wyoming receive atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition that ranges from 2 to 7 kg ha 1 yr 1 , and some previous research indicates pronounced ecosystem effects at the highest rates of deposition. This paper provides a critical reviewof previously published studies on the effects of atmospheric N deposition in the region. Plant community changes have been demonstrated through N fertilization studies, however, N limitation is still widely reported in alpine tundra and subalpine forests of the Front Range, and sensitivity to changes in snowcover alone indicate the importance of climate sensitivity in these ecosystems. Retention of N in atmospheric wet deposition is <50% in some watersheds east of the Continental Divide, which reflects low biomass and a short growing season relative to the timing and N load in deposition. Regional upward temporal trends in surface water NO3 concentrations have not been demonstrated, and future trend analyses must consider the role of climate as well as N deposition. Relatively high rates of atmospheric N deposition east of the Divide may have altered nutrient limitation of phytoplankton, species composition of diatoms, and amphibian populations, but most of these effects have been inconclusive to date, and additional studies are needed to confirm hypothesized cause and effect relations. Projected future population growth and energy use in Colorado and the west increase the likelihood that the subtle effects of atmospheric N deposition now evident in the Front Range will become more pronounced and widespread in the future. # 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Time domain scattering of travelling wave radiance

I present, apparently, a new description of radiative transfer problems in the time domain. It appears that for the first time a simple physical picture emerges of the underlying essence of scattered radiance when dealing with isotropic axially-symmetric scattering in nonconservative linear media as attenuated travelling waves was by analogy. The method used a new differential equation approach. Initially its accuracy in the frequency domain was demonstrated by applying it to a solved problem, where in the literature it is dealt with using the conventional 95-year-old integro-differential equation description. Confidence in the differential equation method was bolstered by showing how this new method produces the same analytical answer. The new technique converts the integro-differential equation formulation of radiative transfer into a "pure" differential equation formulation, consisting here in a mixture of ordinary and partial derivatives, and solves that. This paper analyzes the situation in the time domain using the differential equation description and again yields a travelling wave description. However, this time it is not simply by analogy that such a description is obtained. It is exact. This result of attenuated travelling waves was demonstrated in a prior paper by solving the integro-differential equation for the classic problem of axially-symmetric scalar isotropic scattering in a nonconservative linear medium. In this paper we revisit the problem, this time solving it by the differential equation method and obtain the identical result, once again confirming the method.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Geophysical monitoring and reactive transport simulations of bioclogging processes induced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides

Although bioclogging has been used for various applications, its performance has been unpredictable. We carried out a bioclogging experiment and developed a reactive transport model to understand and quantify geophysical responses to the production of a biopolymer (dextran) in a silica sand porous medium. The developed model was used to predict effectiveness of bioclogging and the associated geophysical signature under different treatment conditions. The porosity reduction calculated from the reactive transport modeling matched the concurrent increase in electrical resistivity and confirmed the dominant contribution of pore fluid conductivity to the bulk electrical conductivity. Correlations between measured electrical phase signals and predicted mineral surface area reduction indicated the controlling effect of mineral surface area on polarization. The joint use of the two methods quantitatively estimated the extent of decrease in porosity as well as effective mineral surface area, both of which are challenging to measure nondestructivelyin biological systems. The joint use of the geophysical methods and reactive transport modeling provided a better understanding of the dominant processes that govern dextran-based bioclogging and the associated geophysical responses. This opens new opportunities for quantifying changes associated with bioclogging processes and can potentially lead to new conceptual models that relate hydraulic property changes to the porosity and mineral surface area, which will enhance prediction, monitoring, and control of applications that use bioclogging.
A new algorithm and its implementation for frame recompression

An algorithm and its implementation to recompress video frame data, which is to be stored into external memory, are proposed, thereby enabling reduction of memory requirements and bandwidth. To support random access capability, frames are organized as 1/spl times/8-pixel arrays, which are then compressed into 32-bit segments. The compression ratio is fixed at 50%. For both compression efficiency and low complexity, the modified Hadamard transform (MHT) and Golomb-Rice (GR) coding are utilized. Objective and subjective video quality assessments are performed. Efficient hardware designs including Golomb-Rice encoding/decoding and packing/unpacking are also proposed to reduce the total compression/decompression latency cycles. The proposed hardware designs are suitable for the integration with MPEG-2 decoders thanks to fast operation and simple interface logic.
AN ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF FOREST TAXATION: THEIR EFFECTS ON REAL FOREST INVESTMENT AND SOCIAL VALUE YIELDS NOT SUBJECT TO CAPTURE BY THE OWNER

UNTIL WORLD WAR II, the supply of virgin timber in the United States had precluded extensive real private investment in growing trees as a crop. The cost of production exceeded the price at which stumpage could be purchased. Nonetheless, the depletion of virgin forests, destructive fires in the wake of logging, periodic dire predictions of impending "timber famine," and other factors led many ardent conservationists to seek out and attempt elimination of the "barriers" to real private investment in growing forests. One of the consequences has been an almost universal condemnation of the general property tax in forest economic literature. It has rested primarily on a supposed theoretical deficiency of the property tax when applied to growing forests and hinges on their unique macroeconomic nature. Another consequence has been a legacy of proposals advocating various modifications of the property tax, or its replacement with alternative methods of taxation, in the special case of growing forests. A third has been the enactment of special forest tax legislation to modify or replace the property tax in many of the states. Following World War II, the advisability of modifying or replacing the property tax in the case of forests ceased to be primarily a matter of academic interest. Substantial and continuing real private forest investment had become a reality in the United States, at least in the regions best suited to timber growth. Therefore, this study was undertaken to examine the theoretical justification for abandonment of the property tax in the special case of forests; to determine the real investment effects of it and alternative methods of forest taxation; and to examine the effects to be expected from adoption of alternative taxation proposals on the yield of social values not subject to capture by the owner in the market. Chapter 1 develops the origin and general nature of the problem. Chapter 2 consists of an examination of the macroeconomic nature of
Synthesechemie expandierter Porphyrine

Expandierte Porphyrine sind synthetische Analoga der Porphyrine und unterscheiden sich von diesen und anderen naturlichen makrocyclischen Tetrapyrrolen durch einen groseren zentralen Ring mit mindestens 17 Atomen, wobei die ausgedehnte Konjugation erhalten bleibt, die die biologischen Pigmente kennzeichnet. Durch die Erweiterung des zentralen Rings entstehen Verbindungen mit neuen spektralen und elektronischen Merkmalen, ungewohnlichen Komplexbildungseigenschaften und in vielen Fallen der Eigenschaft, in bestimmten Protonierungszustanden Anionen zu binden. Zum Interesse an den expandierten Porphyrinen tragt auch ihre Schlusselrolle bei der Klarung von Fragen zur Aromatizitat bei. In vielen Fallen weisen sie in der Chemie der Porphyrine einmalige Strukturmerkmale auf, z. B. die nichtplanaren Figure-Eight-Konformationen. Dieser Aufsatz beschreibt schwerpunktmasig die heute verwendeten Syntheseverfahren fur expandierte Porphyrine und geht daneben auf spezielle Anwendungsaspekte ein.
Myxoma Virus Expressing Interleukin-15 Fails To Cause Lethal Myxomatosis in European Rabbits

Myxoma virus (MYXV) is a poxvirus pathogenic only for European rabbits, but its permissiveness in human cancer cells gives it potential as an oncolytic virus. A recombinant MYXV expressing both the tdTomato red fluorescent protein and interleukin-15 (IL-15) (vMyx-IL-15-tdTr) was constructed. Cells infected with vMyx-IL-15-tdTr secreted bioactive IL-15 and had in vitro replication kinetics similar to that of wild-type MYXV. To determine the safety of this virus for future oncolytic studies, we tested its pathogenesis in European rabbits. In vivo, vMyx-IL-15-tdTr no longer causes lethal myxomatosis. Thus, ectopic IL-15 functions as an antiviral cytokine in vivo, and vMyx-IL-15-tdTr is a safe candidate for animal studies of oncolytic virotherapy.
The Reactivity of Low Index [(111) and (100)] and Stepped Platinum Single Crystal Surfaces

Several high Miller index crystal surfaces of platinum have been shown to consist of low index (111) or (100) terraces of constant width, linked by steps of monatomic height. The surface structures that form in the presence of diatomic molecules (H 2 , O 2 , CO, NO), aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons on the (111), (100) and on these stepped platinum surfaces were studied by low energy diffraction. Several catalytic reactions (H 2 + D 2 ; H 2 + O 2 ; dehydrocyclization of n -heptane) that take place on the various platinum crystal surfaces at low pressures were monitored by means of a mass spectrometer and the surface composition by Auger electron spectroscopy. The chemisorption characteristics of diatomic molecules on stepped platinum surfaces are markedly different from those on low index [(111) and (100)] platinum surfaces. Organic molecules of different types form ordered surface structures on low index faces of platinum, but decompose rapidly on stepped surfaces under identical experimental conditions. Surface chemical reactions of diatomic molecules that were studied take place only on stepped surfaces at a detectable rate. The dehydrocyclization of n -heptane to toluene occurs slowly on the Pt(lll) face. The rate of decomposition of n -heptane on stepped platinum surfaces is rapid and the carbon deposit that forms prevents dehydrocyclization. In the presence of hydrogen, however, dehydrocyclization occurs at a rapid rate on stepped surfaces with atomic terraces of (111) orientation, while at a slower rate on stepped surfaces with atomic terraces of (100) orientation. It appears that catalytic reactions can readily be studied using one face of a single crystal of small surface area. Dissociation of diatomic molecules and breaking of C—C and C—H bonds occur preferentially at atomic steps, while the structure of the atomic terraces plays an important role in the more complex dehydrocyclization reaction.
The Globalization of Korean Industry: Korean Maquiladoras in Mexico

Este trabajo presenta los resultados de la investigacion sobre inversiones manufactureras coreanas en las maquiladoras mexicanas (a las que llamaremos maquilas). Estas inversiones coreanas forman parte de dos corrientes mayores: la primera es la que han seguido las empresas manufactureras de diversos paises que estan abriendo en Mexico fabricas dedicadas a satisfacer el mercado de Estados Unidos. La segunda corriente ha sido seguida por empresas coreanas que estan invirtiendo activamente en el extranjero. La inversion coreana en las maquilas es particularmente interesante porque es la mayor inversion de multinacionales de un pais desarrollado en uno no asiatico en vias de desarrollo. Los resultados que se presentan en este trabajo son el primer examen a conciencia que se hace de las fabricas coreanas que operan en Mexico. ABSTRACT his paper presents the results of research on Korean manufacturing investment in the Mexican maquiladoras (hereafter, maquilas). These Korean investments are a part of two much larger trends: The first trend is that manufacturing firms from various countries are opening factories in Mexico dedicated to serving the U.S. market. The second trend is that Korean firms are now actively investing overseas. Korean investment in the maquilas is particularly interesting because it is the largest investment by developing country multinationals in a non-Asian developing country. The results presented here are the first in-depth examination of Korean factories operating in Mexico.
Whatcha Gonna Do: One Space or Two?

Most lawyers put 2 spaces after periods, but the trend in professional writing and publishing is toward 1 space. This article discusses arguments for both practices and then recommends 1 space.
Die Suche nach Absoluter Gewissheit und die Rationalistische Auffassung der Erkenntnis

Das vorige Kapitel hat uns deutlich gezeigt, das viele dunkle philosophische Ansichten aus auserlogischen Motiven entspringen, die sich in den logischen Gedankengang einschleichen. So wird die durchaus verstandliche Suche nach Erklarung durch allgemeingultige Gesetze in einer Art von Selbstbetrug mit Hilfe von sprachlichen Bildern befriedigt. Dieser Durchsetzung von Wissenschaft mit Dichtung kommt zugleich der Trieb entgegen, sich eine Phantasiewelt auszudenken; und dieser Trieb kann starker als die Suche nach Wahrheit werden. Man kann den Trieb, in Bildern zu denken, ein auserlogisches Motiv nennen, da solches Denken keine Form von logischer Analyse darstellt, sondern psychologische Wunsche befriedigt, die nichts mit dem Intellekt zu tun haben.
Risk of contrast-induced nephropathy for patients receiving intravenous vs. intra-arterial iodixanol administration

To compare the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) for intravenous vs. intra-arterial administration of iodixanol, compared to non-administration. We retrospectively identified 650 patients who had intravenous iodixanol-enhanced CT, 695 with intra-arterial iodixanol cardiac catheterization, 651 with unenhanced CT, and those who also had baseline and follow-up serum creatinine within 5 days of the exam. From the medical records, we recorded the gender, age, baseline and follow-up serum creatinine/eGFR; underlying renal injury risk factors; indication for imaging; contrast material administration volume, concentration, and route of administration; and use of pre-imaging prophylactic measures for CIN. Univariate and multivariate models were used to determine predictors of CIN. Baseline eGFR was lower for patients undergoing unenhanced CT than intravenous or intra-arterial patients (68 vs. 74.6 and 72.2, respectively, p < 0.01) and not different between intravenous and intra-arterial patients (p = 0.735). Simple logistic regression did not show a difference in the rate of CIN in patients who received intravenous vs. intra-arterial iodixanol (28 of 650, 4%, vs. 28 of 695, 4%, respectively, p = 0.798), nor a higher rate of CIN than seen with unenhanced CT (45 of 651, 7%, p = 0.99 and p = 0.98 by one-sided t test). Multivariate regression modeling showed that only elevated baseline creatinine or decreased eGFR and low hematocrit/hemoglobin were associated with CIN incidence (odds ratio 1.28 and 2.5; p < 0.023 and <0.006, respectively). Elevation in serum creatinine due to intravenous and intra-arterial iodixanol administration is infrequent and is not more common than after unenhanced CT scans.
A study of a modified Tinsdale's medium for the primary isolation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

diphtheriae appear grey black and are surrounded by a distinctly outlined dark brown halo. Tinsdale's experiments indicate that this halo, "caused by an interaction of K^TeOs and H2S produced by the bacilli from L-cystine," fails to appear around diphtheroids or any other bacteria that might be encountered in the human throat. This laboratory was unable to repeat Tinsdale's results due to the complexity of
Effective Reversible Potential, Energy Loss, and Overpotential on Platinum Fuel Cell Cathodes

It is shown using quantum theory that the ∼0.9 V experimentally observed onset potential for O2 reduction to water over platinum electrodes, which is much less than the standard reversible potential, 1.229 V, is caused by the ∼1.2 eV exergonicity of the OOH(ads) dissociation step. The reduction in Gibbs energy available for electrical work leads to an effective reversible potential of about 0.93 V. These findings come from a fully self-consistent density functional treatment that includes surface charging for changing the electrode potential, and double-layer relaxation in response. It is shown that the adsorption Gibbs energies for reaction intermediates on an ideal catalyst can be predicted from solution phase reversible potentials. For O2 reduction, the ideal catalyst will have OOH(aq), O(aq), and OH(aq) adsorption energies of, respectively, 1.35, 2.41, and 1.49 eV at 1.229 V electrode potential.
Exploring haptic working memory as a capacity-limited information channel

This paper focuses on a particularly crucial aspect of haptic perception: the ability to temporarily store and manipulate haptic sensory information-a capacity termed haptic working memory (HWM). Despite the importance of HWM, the extent and nature of its limitations are largely unknown. Recent research however, has demonstrated that an information-theoretic analysis is able to provide a quantitative definition of working memory capacity for other sensory modalities (visual), and is able to yield novel predictions for human performance. Here we apply this framework to the results of a psychophysical experiment on HWM for object width. This analysis is framed around rate-distortion theory, a branch of information theory that provides optimal bounds on the accuracy of information transmission subject to a fixed information capacity. We demonstrate that a simple model developed from this framework provides an excellent account of the empirical data.
Information practices in the broader 'deportment' of mobile knowledge work

This paper presents preliminary findings from an in-depth, exploratory study aimed at gathering an understanding of mobile knowledge workers' information practices, which are presumed distinct from those of non-mobile, stationary, centrally located workers. Its focus arises from a need to understand more, from an empirical standpoint, about the information practices of this increasingly visible yet understudied population. Semi-structured interviews with sixteen mobile knowledge workers suggest that this demographic hones distinct but intertwined practices around dealing with information. Five of these are discussed here; together, they compose a broader mobile knowledge work 'deportment' of sorts. Mobile knowledge workers also appear to use bottom-up technological infrastructures to mediate their information practices, ones that are enacted independently of any organization for which they may work. This is discussed as a ripe area for further research. This paper's findings are relevant for advancing research around mobile knowledge work and information practices generally, and for organizations seeking to better support the work of their own mobile employees specifically.
Trained and dedicated staff appears to be the main factor in decreasing anxiety and improving overall satisfaction during urodynamic testing: A prospective, randomized trial.

Introduction: We sought to determine whether listening to patientselected music during urodynamic study (UDS) reduced pain and anxiety while increasing overall patient satisfaction and willingness to repeat the procedure. Methods: Fifty-one (51) patients who underwent UDS from March to July 2014 were randomized into two groups: Group 1 with patient-selected music during the procedure (n=27) and Group 2 without music (n=24). Standard multichannel filling cystometry was performed. Anxiety was self-assessed using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, while overall pain, satisfaction, and willingness to undergo the procedure again were self-measured using a visual analogue scale. Results: Demographic characteristics and reasons for testing were similar between the two groups. The state score for Groups 1 and 2 were 27.04 and 29.5, respectively (p=0.3225) and 31.78 and 33.86, respectively (p=0.4970) for the trait score. The mean pain scores were 1.04 and 1.57, respectively (p=0.2047); the mean satisfaction scores were 0.65 and 0.52, respectively (p=0.8169); and the scores for willingness to undergo the procedure again were 0.77 and 0.74, respectively (p=0.9442). While there were no significant differences between the two groups in anxiety and satisfaction scores, pain, and willingness to undergo the procedure again, both groups commented on the nurse as the most important factor in their overall comfort. Conclusions: Music during UDS did not appear to lower pain and anxiety, nor increase overall satisfaction and willingness to repeat the procedure. The most important aspect in alleviating patients’ pain and anxiety was the person actually performing the testing, highlighting the importance of having trained and dedicated staff.
Integrating Nanostructured Artificial Receptors with Whispering Gallery Mode Optical Microresonators via Inorganic Molecular Imprinting Techniques

The creation of label-free biosensors capable of accurately detecting trace contaminants, particularly small organic molecules, is of significant interest for applications in environmental monitoring. This is achieved by pairing a high-sensitivity signal transducer with a biorecognition element that imparts selectivity towards the compound of interest. However, many environmental pollutants do not have corresponding biorecognition elements. Fortunately, biomimetic chemistries, such as molecular imprinting, allow for the design of artificial receptors with very high selectivity for the target. Here, we perform a proof-of-concept study to show how artificial receptors may be created from inorganic silanes using the molecular imprinting technique and paired with high-sensitivity transducers without loss of device performance. Silica microsphere Whispering Gallery Mode optical microresonators are coated with a silica thin film templated by a small fluorescent dye, fluorescein isothiocyanate, which serves as our model target. Oxygen plasma degradation and solvent extraction of the template are compared. Extracted optical devices are interacted with the template molecule to confirm successful sorption of the template. Surface characterization is accomplished via fluorescence and optical microscopy, ellipsometry, optical profilometry, and contact angle measurements. The quality factors of the devices are measured to evaluate the impact of the coating on device sensitivity. The resulting devices show uniform surface coating with no microstructural damage with Q factors above 106. This is the first report demonstrating the integration of these devices with molecular imprinting techniques, and could lead to new routes to biosensor creation for environmental monitoring.
Invasion of tissue culture cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae colony phenotype variants

A method for determination of intracellular versus extracellular N. gonorrhoeae (GC) is presented. Using this method and culture of tissue culture monolayers with invaded GC it was determined that transparent phenotypes are the invasive colony phenotypes. Opaque colony phenotypes form microcolonies on tissue cultures, and these colonies produce transparent variants at their periphery. These variants are able to translocate over the tissue culture surface using twitching motility.
A topological approach for quantitative comparisons of ocean model fields to satellite ocean color data

Abstract In an effort to more fully employ underutilized satellite observations in ocean modeling, this work demonstrates a method for quantifying the agreement between time-evolving spatial features evident in fields of differing, but functionally related, variables that are more commonly compared qualitatively via visual inspection. This is achieved through application of the Modified Hausdorff Distance metric to the evaluation of ocean model simulations of surface salinity near riverine sources using satellite ocean color data. The Modified Hausdorff Distance is a metric from the field of topology designed to compare shapes and the methodology provides quantitative assessment of similarity of spatial fields. The Modified Hausdorff Distance can be applied for comparison of many geophysical and ecological fields that vary spatially and temporally. Here, the utility of the metric is demonstrated by applying it to evaluate numerical simulations of the time-evolving spatial structure of the surface salinity fields from three ocean models in the vicinity of large riverine sources in the northeast Gulf of Mexico. Using the Modified Hausdorff Distance, quantitative comparison of modeled sea surface salinity contours to contours of a gridded satellite-derived ocean color product is made under the assumption that the modeled fields are related to optically significant quantities that indicate the spatial extent of riverine influenced water. Three different ocean models are evaluated and are compared individually to the satellite data. The sea surface salinity values and ocean color index values that most closely match (lowest Modified Hausdorff Distance score) are identified for each model. The Modified Hausdorff Distance scores for these best pairings are used to both determine the degree to which surface salinity fields from the models match the satellite observations and obtain an empirical relationship between the two variables for each model. Furthermore, the best pairings are compared between models allowing key differences in the simulated riverine water distributions to be distinguished. The Modified Hausdorff Distance proves a robust and useful diagnostic tool that has the potential to be utilized in many geophysical applications and facilitates the use of satellite ocean color data for quantitative evaluation of hydrodynamic ocean models.
Tunable Cavity-Based Diplexer With Spectrum-Aware Automatic Tuning

This paper presents, for the first time, an automatically tunable diplexer using evanescent-mode cavity filters, with spectrum-aware and interference mitigation capabilities. The diplexer consists of two second-order bandpass filters and a bandstop filter (BSF) at the receiving path. The BSF is utilized in a spectrum sensing methodology to detect potential jammers. The automatic tuning system monitors each resonator in the diplexer and biases them to accurately reach the targeted frequency accordingly. The presented diplexer presents a measured tuning range 0.75–1 GHz, with an insertion loss (IL) of less than 3.7 dB in the receive path and 2.2 dB in the transmit path and a tuning resolution of ~0.05%. The closed-feedback loop tuning time, which accounts for all mechanical and electrical time constants, is around 250 ms. The spectrum sensing capability has been experimentally demonstrated to detect a jammer. Automatic diplexer tuning results in a total jammer suppression of 30 dB with 33-MHz transmit–receive separation. Further rejection of up to ~50 dB can be achieved for higher separations. The automatic tuning control system is also analyzed for stability.
The next New York.

In his new "cli-fi" novel New York 2140 , Kim Stanley Robinson envisions a future New York in which the city9s streets have been transformed by rising oceans into busy canals, and skyscrapers built on bedrock have sealed their lower floors but continue to function. The story unfolds through the overlapping lives of the residents of the Metropolitan Life Tower, who come together to prevent economic disaster in the wake of the collapse of a bubble in "intertidal" real estate. Filled with guarded optimism about our capacity to meet daunting challenges, the novel invites readers to imagine our own 21st-century future.
Estimating and Correcting the Device-Under-Test Transfer Function in Loaded Reverberation Chambers for Over-the-Air Tests

We assess the potential error in measurements of the power transfer function corresponding to a reverberation chamber set-up when different antenna types are used for the reference and device-under-test measurements. We derive a mathematical description of the transfer function that accounts for differences in the amount of unstirred energy, represented by the spatially averaged K factor, arising from various antenna types. Our results show that loaded chamber configurations, combined with reference/device antenna pairs having significantly different radiation patterns, can result in statistically significant errors in the prediction of the transfer function. If it is possible to obtain an estimate of the K factor associated with the device antenna, this correction can improve the estimate of the transfer function that would be experienced by the device under test. Finally, we develop a method that could be used in standardized test methods to bound the uncertainty associated with the unknown K factor for common antenna types.
Efficient and accurate jitter modeling method for unmatched memory bus

An efficient and accurate jitter modeling methodology for unmatched transmitter/receiver is proposed to close the gap among different disciplines, namely signal integrity, power integrity, and silicon design. This method accurately predict system timing risk, and provide design recommendations for silicon.
Microglia Are Critical in Host Defense against Prion Disease

Microglial cells in the central nervous system play important roles in neurodevelopment and resistance to infection, yet microglia can become neurotoxic under some conditions. An early event during prion infection is the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the brain prior to damage or death of neurons. Previous prion disease studies using two different strategies to manipulate signaling through the microglial receptor CSF-1R reported contrary effects on survival from prion disease. However, in these studies, reductions of microglial numbers and function were variable, thus confounding interpretation of the results. In the present work, we used oral treatment with a potent inhibitor of CSF-1R, PLX5622, to eliminate 78 to 90% of microglia from cortex early during the course of prion infection. Oral drug treatment early after infection with the RML scrapie strain significantly accelerated vacuolation, astrogliosis, and deposition of disease-associated prion protein. Furthermore, drug-treated mice had advanced clinical disease requiring euthanasia 31 days earlier than untreated control mice. Similarly, PLX5622 treatment during the preclinical phase at 80 days postinfection with RML scrapie also accelerated disease and resulted in euthanasia of mice 33 days earlier than infected controls. PLX5622 also accelerated clinical disease after infection with scrapie strains ME7 and 22L. Thus, microglia are critical in host defense during prion disease. The early accumulation of PrPSc in the absence of microglia suggested that microglia may function by clearing PrPSc, resulting in longer survival.IMPORTANCE Microglia contribute to many aspects of health and disease. When activated, microglia can be beneficial by repairing damage in the central nervous system (CNS) or they can turn harmful by becoming neurotoxic. In prion and prionlike diseases, the involvement of microglia in disease is unclear. Previous studies suggest that microglia can either speed up or slow down disease. In this study, we infected mice with prions and depleted microglia from the brains of mice using PLX5622, an effective CSF-1R tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Microglia were markedly reduced in brains, and prion disease was accelerated, so that mice needed to be euthanized 20 to 33 days earlier than infected control mice due to advanced clinical disease. Similar results occurred when mice were treated with PLX5622 at 80 days after infection, which was just prior to the start of clinical signs. Thus, microglia are important for removing prions, and the disease is faster when microglia are depleted.
Protamine to expedite vascular hemostasis after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: A randomized controlled trial.

Background There are no randomized controlled studies of the efficacy and safety of protamine to reverse anticoagulant effects of heparin after catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of protamine to expedite vascular hemostasis and ambulation after CA of AF. Methods CA to eliminate AF (n = 139) or left atrial flutter (n = 11) was performed in 150 patients using radiofrequency catheter ablation (n = 112) or cryoballoon ablation (n = 38). CA was performed under uninterrupted anticoagulation with warfarin in 28 patients or after skipping a single dose of a novel oral anticoagulant in 122 patients who were randomized to receive protamine (n = 77) or to the control group (n = 73). Baseline and procedural characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Hemostasis was achieved manually once the activated clotting time returned to preprocedural values. Results The maximum activated clotting time during CA was 359 ± 31 and 359 ± 29 seconds in the protamine and control groups, respectively (P = .91). The time to hemostasis was 123 ± 95 minutes in the protamine group and 260 ± 70 minutes in the control group (P .05). Conclusion Protamine expedites vascular hemostasis and time to ambulation by ∼3 hours after CA of AF without an increase in the risk of vascular or thromboembolic complications.
Trauma Team Activation Can Be Tailored by Prehospital Criteria

A two phase prospective study was carried out at a regional Level I trauma center over 1 year. Phase I involved collecting observational data to determine which trauma criteria could potentially be used to identify patients that could be evaluated by a lower level trauma activation (category-3). A category-3 involved a smaller response team with priority access to imaging. Phase II involved implementing this third tier activation system and prospectively evaluating the outcomes related to resources and patient care. A total of 3104 patients were evaluated with 2076 patients in phase I and 1037 in phase II. Three commonly identified activation criteria out of the 36 studied were not associated with admission. These criteria were pedestrian struck by vehicle, high speed vehicular crash, and Glasgow Coma Score 12-14. These criteria were then used as triggers for a category-3 activation in phase II. Comparisons of patients with these three identified criteria between phase I and II demonstrated that significantly fewer patients were admitted, charges were reduced, emergency department times were similar, and less man-power hours were needed in phase II. The utilization of a third tiered activation system resulted in a decrease utilization of many resources without sacrificing patient care.
Theory of the Superconducting Properties of Quasi-One-Dimensional Materials

In recent years, there has been a continuing interest in the superconducting properties of materials that are nearly one-dimensional in their electronic properties [1–22]. A few materials have been found which exhibit strong anisotropy in their electron conduction, with one axis being a much better conduction direction than the others in the normal state. These materials have been of interest due to the strong anisotropics in the superconducting properties they exhibit, and the hope that materials of sufficiently strong superconducting anisotropy might exhibit novel behavior has been growing, as better crystals of highly anisotropic superconductors have been made.
Optimizing Inpatient Body MRI Utilization: A Granular Look at Trends, Quality, Yield, and Timing.

OBJECTIVE. We sought to analyze body MRI utilization trends, quality, yield, and timing among inpatients in a tertiary care academic medical center. MATERIALS AND METHODS. By use of billing data fr...
The Future's Ecology

We collect data about our environment at an unprecedented scale and the surveillance of individuals on a global scale goes hand in hand with it. Global public surveillance has constricted human rights, human bodies, lives, work, and human relationships with others. Privacy as we know it has vanished de jure and de facto. To disappear from the grid – for instance to recover from privacy loss - is almost impossible. We live in a state of persistent surveillance and identity theft. Can one live outside of this kind of state system without becoming a criminal?
An Uncontrolled Open Trial of a Brief Behavioural Activation Treatment for Depression in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) has been associated with depression and can have an impact on quality of life. Therefore, researchers have suggested the potential utility of psychological interventions for targeting depression among CSU patients. Psychological interventions that may hold the most promise are those that are brief and easily transportable, such as brief behavioural activation treatment for depression. We report results of a preliminary investigation of an uncontrolled open trial of a one-session behavioural activation treatment for depression designed for patients with CSU (BATD-CSU) at a university-based allergy and immunology clinic. Participants were 11 females with chronic, poorly controlled urticaria and symptoms of depression. Following the completion of pretreatment questionnaires, participants were administered BATD-CSU primarily by non-mental health professionals trained and supervised in its delivery. One month post-BATD-CSU, participants completed follow-up questionnaires. Participants exhibited significant reductions in depression severity, avoidance/rumination, and work/school impairment. BATD-CSU was also associated with improvements in urticaria control one month post-treatment. Moreover, five of nine patients reported reliable and clinically significant improvement on at least one outcome. Results demonstrate that BATD-CSU may have benefits for CSU patients even when consisting of one session and delivered by professionals with limited background in psychological interventions, thus speaking to its feasibility and transportability.
Improved Parameterization of Amine–Carboxylate and Amine–Phosphate Interactions for Molecular Dynamics Simulations Using the CHARMM and AMBER Force Fields

Over the past decades, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of biomolecules have become a mainstream biophysics technique. As the length and time scales amenable to the MD method increase, shortcomings of the empirical force fields, which have been developed and validated using relatively short simulations of small molecules, become apparent. One common artifact is aggregation of water-soluble biomolecules driven by artificially strong charge–charge interactions. Here, we report a systematic atom pair-specific refinement of Lennard-Jones parameters (NBFIX) describing amine–carboxylate and amine–phosphate interactions, which bring MD simulations of basic peptide-mediated nucleic acid assemblies and lipid bilayer membranes into better agreement with experimental data. As our refinement does not affect the existing parametrization of bonded interactions or alter the solvation free energies, it improves the realism of an MD simulation without introducing additional artifacts.