cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bridge motion to collision alarming using driving video

the objective of this work is to compute the Time-to-Collision (TTC) of surrounding vehicles of a vehicle using motion information in driving video. The key advantage in this work is the extraction of potential danger without vehicle detection and recognition in prior, but directly from the motion divergence in the video. We analyze the trace expansion both horizontally and vertically condensed in the collision sensitive zones in the driving video. Long term motion is stably obtained through filtering in the spatial-temporal video profiles at collision sensitive parts in the video. This overcomes the accuracy problem in object recognition and saved the computation cost tremendously in the real time sensing. The fine velocity computation yields reasonable TTC accuracy so that the video camera can achieve collision avoidance alone from size changes of visual patterns.
MLK3 regulates FRA-1 and MMPs to drive invasion and transendothelial migration in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Mixed-lineage kinase 3 (MLK3), a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K), has critical roles in metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in part by regulating paxillin phosphorylation and focal adhesion turnover. However the mechanisms and the distinct step(s) of the metastatic processes through which MLK3 exerts its influence are not fully understood. Here we report that in non-metastatic, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (ER+ BC) cells, induced MLK3 expression robustly upregulates the oncogenic transcription factor, FOS-related antigen-1 (FRA-1), which is accompanied by elevation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-1 and MMP-9. MLK3-induced ER+ BC cell invasion is abrogated by FRA-1 silencing, demonstrating that MLK3 drives invasion through FRA-1. Conversely, in metastatic TNBC models, high FRA-1 levels are significantly reduced upon depletion of MLK3 by either gene silencing or by the CRISPR/Cas9n editing approach. Furthermore, ablation of MLK3 or MLK inhibitor treatment decreases expression of both MMP-1 and MMP-9. Consistent with the role of tumor cell-derived MMP-1 in endothelial permeability and transendothelial migration, both of these are reduced in MLK3-depleted TNBC cells. In addition, MLK inhibitor treatment or MLK3 depletion, which downregulates MMP-9 expression, renders TNBC cells defective in Matrigel invasion. Furthermore, circulating tumor cells derived from TNBC-bearing mice display increased levels of FRA-1 and MMP-1 compared with parental cells, supporting a role for the MLK3–FRA-1–MMP-1 signaling axis in vascular intravasation. Our results demonstrating the requirement for MLK3 in controlling the FRA-1/MMPs axis suggest that MLK3 is a promising therapeutic target for treatment of TNBC.
Transmembrane Kinases and Their Role in Entamoeba histolytica Pathogenesis

The transmembrane kinases (TMKs) of Entamoeba histolytica are a recently discovered family of cell-surface proteins that bear sequence similarity to the intermediate subunit of the Gal/GalNAc adherence lectin. The TMKs have been implicated in growth response to serum components as well as the phagocytosis of host cells and bacteria, processes that are critical to amebic pathogenesis during infection of the human host. Members of the TMK family appear to function variously as active kinases or pseudo-kinases depending on the structure of their intracellular domains and likely interact with intracellular signaling networks during signal transduction.
Horizontal Curve Driving Performance and Safety Affected by Road Geometry and Lead Vehicle

To help enhance safety and reduce crashes occurred on horizontal curved roads, it is important to understand their potential causes. The study reported in this paper aimed to examine the effects of...
Minimally Invasive Strategies for the Treatment of Necrotizing Infected Pancreatitis: Video-Assisted Retroperitoneal Debridement (VARD)

Infected pancreatic necrosis is a complex disease process associated with significant morbidity and mortality. For years, management relied on extensive open operations to remove the necrotic tissue. The operations, themselves, also had high mortality rates. Over the past 15 years, however, improvements in laparoscopy and other “minimally invasive” techniques have led to newer approaches to manage this disease. In particular, the advent of the “step-up” approach and the concurrent development of video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) have resulted in reduced incidence of major complications, long-term morbidity, and mortality.
Moments of Impact: Injury, Racialized Memory, and Reconciliation in College Football

In the 1968 Olympic Games, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists into the air to demonstrate to the world the plight of African-Americans in the United States. The aftermath of their ‘Bla...
Using policy goals to evaluate red wolf reintroduction in eastern North Carolina

Despite being politicized in its early stages, the Red Wolf (Canis rufus) Recovery Program (RWRP) existed for 30 years in eastern North Carolina with little attention paid to finding common ground ...
Numerical investigation of porous materials composites reinforced with natural fibers

The present article tends to predict the effective thermal properties of porous biocomposites materials. The composites matrix consists on porous materials namely gypsum and the reinforcement is a natural fiber as date palm fibers. The numerical study is done using Comsol software resolving the heat transfer equation. The results are fitted with theoretical model and experimental results. The results of this study indicate that the porosity has an effect on the Effective thermal conductivity biocompoites.
A Quasi-Absorptive Microwave Resonant Plasma Switch for High-Power Applications

In this paper, a new plasma-based high-power microwave single-pole single-throw (SPST) switch is introduced and experimentally investigated. This switch is composed of a two-pole evanescent-mode cavity structure loaded with two gas discharge tubes over its posts. Since part of the energy required for the tubes ignition is supplied by the incoming electromagnetic waves, the switching mechanism is quasi absorptive. A prototype SPST switch at the frequency range of 2.8–3.9 GHz is fabricated and successfully examined over the power range of 2–20 W. With less than 1 dB of insertion loss, the ON/OFF isolation varies from 13 to 22 dB, depending on the input power. The measured switching time was on the order of tens of nanoseconds, and the input third-order intercept point that characterizes linearity was +53 dBm. Upon ignition, the microwave-sustained plasma in the switch operates in the $\alpha $ -discharge regime, ensuring that the switch performance is quite stable, with no degradation after long periods of operation.
Bitches, Fishes, and Monsters: Prison Slang and Nonhuman Animal Terminology

The adult prison population in the U.S. is one of the most important, marginalized, yet misunderstood groups within the country. Not only is the population larger than those of other industrialized nations, but the prisons themselves also tend to be more punitive in nature. While there have been many proposed reasons for this, ranging from differences in the “American Character” to the increasing severity of mandatory sentencing guidelines, explanations of the American prisoner setting remain thin. One area that has relevance to this topic but in which there has been little research is the language used to describe prisoners. This language is replete with images of nonhuman animals. Examples and explanations of this phenomenon are provided through the inspection of the lexicons and argots (“prison slang”) for animal themes, and implications regarding implicit power relationships and the effects on both prisoners and nonhuman animals stemming from this language are explored.
Interaction Effects on the Drag of Bluff Bodies in Tandem

The objective of this study is to obtain better understanding of the flow over two tandemly positioned bluff bodies in close enough proximity to strongly interact with each other. This interaction is often beneficial in that the drag of the overall system is reduced. Prototypes for this problem come from tractor-trailer and cab-van combinations, and from various add-on devices designed to reduce their drag.
Hormonal Regulation of Phosphoinositide Metabolism in Rat Hepatocytes

This chapter reviews recent advances on the hormonal regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism in rat hepatocytes. The pioneering work of Hokin and Hokin on pancreatic slices demonstrated that acetylcholine stimulated the uptake of 32P into phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol (PI) but not into other phospholipids [1]. Durell et al. [2] suggested that the increased turnover of PI and phosphatidic acid was secondary to an initial hormone-stimulated breakdown of PI.
Why Do Some People Lose Weight and Keep It Off? Ten Common Steps for Successful Weight Loss Over the Lifespan

The health and psychological consequences of weight problems and obesity have been well documented over the past 30 years. Pi-Sunyer (1991) andVan Itallie (1985) documentedmore than 15–20 years ago the adverse effects of obesity. Wadden and Stunkard (2002), Baum, Revenson, and Singer (2001),Manson et al. (1995), Foster,Wadden, Kendall, Stunkard, and Vogt (1996), and Fairburn and Brownell (2005) have all eloquently described the health consequences of obesity. These authors have provided data to document that as one’s weight increases beyond a body mass index (BMI) of 27, morbidity increases as well as diabetes, cancer, essential hypertension, depression, orthopedic problems, negative self-image, and a sense of worthlessness and medical complications from cholesterol disorders. Needless to say, the obesity research data shown above suggest that it is rather unlikely for an obese patient to lose weight and keep it off. Yet, some researchers have implemented interventions or described key components to successful weight loss (Epstein, Valoski, Wing, & McCurley 1994; Epstein, 1996; Perri, Nezu, & Viegener, 1992; Perri, Shapiro, Ludwig, Twentyman, & McAdoo, 1984; Wing, 2002). How do some patients lose weight andmaintain the weight loss for life and others are usually unsuccessful? Are there common aspects to successful weight loss across the lifespan? James and his colleagues in 1995 at Tripler Army Medical Center sought to develop a healthy lifestyle treatment program for patients diagnosed with obesity, type II diabetes, essential hypertension, and elevated cholesterol ( 200). James, Folen, Garland, and Davis (1997a) and James et al. (1997b) built their program on the years of successful obesity research programs pioneered by Wing (1997), Perri et al. (1984, 1992), Wadden and Stunkard (2002), and Brownell and Jeffrey (1987). James and Folen integrated these research findings into their healthy lifestyle program. James and Folen’s healthy lifestyle program has been providing cutting-edge services to obese patients since 1995 and has provided services to over 1000 male and female patients. In 1997, James and Folen et al. published their findings that summarized the common variables for successful weight loss in both male and female adult patients. These researchers identified 10 variables for successful weight loss based on their data. James, Folen, and Earles (2001) and James, Folen, and Noce (1998) later expanded their program to include innovative telemedicine technology to deliver clinical services to a greater number of patients throughout the Pacific Rim (Earles, James, Folen, & Verschell, 2001; James, Folen, & Earles, 2001). Not only did
Some recent directions in finite semifields

A brief history of finite semifields upto 1965 is followed by a more detailed examination of recent discoveries with particular emphasis on constructions, fractional dimensions and cyclic semifield...
Working out the Bugs: Piloting Library Instruction in an Online Entomology Graduate Program

Like most of its peer institutions, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries faced the challenge of meeting the needs of a growing number of students taking online courses. The author, hired as...
Small Force Measurement at CMS/ITRI

This paper introduces the small force measurement system at micronewton level at Center for Measurement Standards, Industrial Technology Research Institute (CMS/ITRI). The construction of the system started in 2009 and completed in 2014. The force measurement system consists of three main parts: a monolithic flexure stage, a three planar electrodes capacitor and a digital controller. The three planar electrodes capacitor is utilized simultaneously as a position sensor and an electrostatic force generator. Accurate electrostatic force is generated by constantly adjusting and maintaining gap distances between three planar electrodes. The lowest force uncertainty was evaluated to be 4.7 nN. The previous results show that the relative standard uncertainty at $10\ \mu \mathrm{N}$ and $100\ \mu \mathrm{N}$ are $2.3\times 10^{-4}$ and $7.4\times 10^{-5}$ , respectively. At current stage, the mass of mg level realized by this system has a slightly larger uncertainty than that obtained from traditional subdivision method. We discuss future works to further improve this system.
Melt-driven erosion in microparticle impact.

Impact-induced erosion is the ablation of matter caused by being physically struck by another object. While this phenomenon is known, it is empirically challenging to study mechanistically because of the short timescales and small length scales involved. Here, we resolve supersonic impact erosion in situ with micrometer- and nanosecond-level spatiotemporal resolution. We show, in real time, how metallic microparticles (~10-μm) cross from the regimes of rebound and bonding to the more extreme regime that involves erosion. We find that erosion in normal impact of ductile metallic materials is melt-driven, and establish a mechanistic framework to predict the erosion velocity. Supersonic particle impacts can cause permanent damage to space vehicles and satellites, but how exactly remains unclear. Here, the authors visualise for the first time the high impact of single tin microparticles on a tin substrate and show erosion of ductile metallic materials is melt-driven.
CRISPR-mediated removal of antibiotic resistance genes in Enterococcus faecalis populations

Multidrug resistant infections caused by Enterococcus faecalis are serious threats in hospitals where immunocompromised individuals are at elevated risk of infection. A major cause for the rise of ...
Multiscale Evaluation of Synergistic and Antagonistic Interactions between Bitumen Modifiers

Introduction of various organic and inorganic modifiers to bitumen has been commonly practiced mainly to upgrade the bitumen performance and its sustainable properties; polyphosphoric acid (PPA) an...
Controlling the Meandering Wake Using Measurement Feedback

In this paper we design and analyze a measurement feedback $H_{2}$ controller to reduce the wake meandering behind a wind turbine. The control design and analysis proceeds in two steps. First, a linear reduced order model of the turbine is obtained using snapshots from a higher-order nonlinear 2D actuator disk model. The higher-order model includes a disturbance precursor generated to model realistic disturbance and turbulence scales. A measurement feedback $H_{2}$ controller is then designed for the reduced order linear model assuming access to measurements at 8 downstream locations and the disturbance. The downstream measurement points are determined using insights from a static controller designed using full information of the wind field and incoming disturbances. The control performance is evaluated by simulations on the higherorder nonlinear model.
WiDrive: Adaptive WiFi-Based Recognition of Driver Activity for Real-Time and Safe Takeover

Autonomous vehicles often need human driver to take over in some complicated conditions. Such a sudden takeover could jeopardize the vehicle's safety and stability if not han-dled properly. Hence, if the driver's takeover intention can be recognized as early as possible, the vehicle can have sufficient time to make important takeover preparation. The existing in-car monitoring systems are mostly based on camera, which have several key limitations, such as brightness condition and motion obscurity. On the other hand, WiFi-based wireless sensing has recently shown a great promise in human activity recognition, but mainly for large-scale movements performed in the room environment. In this paper, we propose WiDrive, a real-time in-car driver activity recognition system based on Channel State Information (CSI) changes of WiFi signals. WiDrive consists of three major components: A novel algorithm to extract small-scale in-car human activity features, a real-time recognition system based on Hidden Markov Model (HMM), and an online adaptation algo-rithm to adapt for different drivers and vehicles. We implement WiDrive with commercial WiFi devices and evaluate it in real cars. Our results show that WiDrive has an average recognition accuracy of 91.3% and improves the takeover safety.
Turning Toward the Sun: A Cross-National Analysis of Solar Energy Generation

Anthropogenic climate change has provoked worldwide responses to address existing and impending dangers to the natural world and society. The rapid expansion of solar energy in recent decades has e...
Discovery and Characterization of Thermoproteus Spherical Piliferous Virus 1: a Spherical Archaeal Virus Decorated with Unusual Filaments

We describe the discovery of an archaeal virus, one that infects archaea, tentatively named Thermoproteus spherical piliferous virus 1 (TSPV1), which was purified from a Thermoproteales host isolated from a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park (USA). TSPV1 packages an 18.65-kb linear double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome with 31 open reading frames (ORFs), whose predicted gene products show little homology to proteins with known functions. A comparison of virus particle morphologies and gene content demonstrates that TSPV1 is a new member of the Globuloviridae family of archaeal viruses. However, unlike other Globuloviridae members, TSPV1 has numerous highly unusual filaments decorating its surface, which can extend hundreds of nanometers from the virion. To our knowledge, similar filaments have not been observed in any other archaeal virus. The filaments are remarkably stable, remaining intact across a broad range of temperature and pH values, and they are resistant to chemical denaturation and proteolysis. A major component of the filaments is a glycosylated 35-kDa TSPV1 protein (TSPV1 GP24). The filament protein lacks detectable homology to structurally or functionally characterized proteins. We propose, given the low host cell densities of hot spring environments, that the TSPV1 filaments serve to increase the probability of virus attachment and entry into host cells.IMPORTANCE High-temperature environments have proven to be an important source for the discovery of new archaeal viruses with unusual particle morphologies and gene content. Our isolation of Thermoproteus spherical piliferous virus 1 (TSPV1), with numerous filaments extending from the virion surface, expands our understanding of viral diversity and provides new insight into viral replication in high-temperature environments.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USAGE: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SMARTPHONE SECURITY AWARENESS AND PRACTICES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES

Mobile phone usage is growing at an unprecedented rate. The ability to remain connected, the ease of smart phone use and declining mobile costs have allowed this technology to expand at a very high rate globally. The study aimed to quantitatively determine the reasons for inactive practice of security measures of smart-phone usage among college students in the United States. The study also examined the Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC) level in relation to the level of smart-phone security measures, determined the levels of security measures on smart-phone (SP) by users, and establish the relationship between CFC level and the levels of smart-phone security measures among college students. Using a quantitative research survey and simple random sampling procedure, the methodology focused on analyzing data through testing of hypotheses. The t-test, Pearson’s correlation, regression coefficients and their respective p-values. The results showed 69.8% of college students set PIN, password and screen lock on their smart phones while 74.8% were cautious with smart phone applications and 6.2% practiced on setting of security software including rooting services. On the other hand, 35.4% protected their SP data through encryption, 47.4% had data checks and security alert while 46.2% had set Bluetooth applications and 41.4% had used backup storage for sensitive data. Use of Biometrics or other security unknown security adoptions were not included in the study. The study also found that lack of knowledge about technology or applications for SP security, lack of security habits and practices, rigorous involvement of setting SP security details like backups, encryption, security software etc., assumptions that SP are security and tamper-proof as well as lack of training, guidance and after sale services on SP security are significant reasons for lack of security measures practices concerning smart-phone usage by college students.
Statistical Analysis of Data Repeatability Measures

The advent of modern data collection and processing techniques has seen the size, scale, and complexity of data grow exponentially. A seminal step in leveraging these rich datasets for downstream inference is understanding the characteristics of the data which are repeatable -- the aspects of the data that are able to be identified under a duplicated analysis. Conflictingly, the utility of traditional repeatability measures, such as the intraclass correlation coefficient, under these settings is limited. In recent work, novel data repeatability measures have been introduced in the context where a set of subjects are measured twice or more, including: fingerprinting, rank sums, and generalizations of the intraclass correlation coefficient. However, the relationships between, and the best practices among these measures remains largely unknown. In this manuscript, we formalize a novel repeatability measure, discriminability. We show that it is deterministically linked with the correlation coefficient under univariate random effect models, and has desired property of optimal accuracy for inferential tasks using multivariate measurements. Additionally, we overview and systematically compare repeatability statistics using both theoretical results and simulations. We show that the rank sum statistic is deterministically linked to a consistent estimator of discriminability. The power of permutation tests derived from these measures are compared numerically under Gaussian and non-Gaussian settings, with and without simulated batch effects. Motivated by both theoretical and empirical results, we provide methodological recommendations for each benchmark setting to serve as a resource for future analyses. We believe these recommendations will play an important role towards improving repeatability in fields such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, genomics, pharmacology, and more.
Management strategy for lower extremity malperfusion due to acute aortic dissection.

Abstract Objective Aortic dissection can result in devastating cerebral, visceral, renal, spinal, and extremity ischemia. We describe the management and outcomes of patients presenting with aortic dissection and lower extremity malperfusion (LEM). Methods A single-center institutional aortic database was queried for patients with aortic dissection and LEM from 2011 to 2019. The primary end point was resolution of LEM after aortic repair. Secondary end points were amputation, in-hospital mortality, time to intervention, and postoperative complications. Results Of 769 patients with aortic dissection, 42 (5.5%) presented acutely with LEM: 16 with Stanford type A and 26 Stanford type B aortic dissection (age 55 ± 13 years; 90% men). Most presented as Rutherford IIB symptoms, but patients with type A had Rutherford III more often, compared with those with type B. Aortic repair was performed before limb interventions in 36 patients (86%; 19 TEVAR, 16 open arch and ascending repair, and 1 open descending aortic repair with fenestration). Seven (19%) had immediate failure with persistent malperfusion recognized in the operating room and underwent additional limb intervention, including extra-anatomic revascularization (n = 4), iliac stenting (n = 2), and femoral patch with septal fenestration or tacking (n = 2). Three patients (8%) had early delayed failure requiring extra-anatomic bypass in two and amputation in one. In contrast, six patients had limb-first intervention with extra-anatomic revascularization. None had immediate failure, but one-half had early delayed failure requiring proximal aortic intervention: two TEVAR and one open aortic fenestration. Limb-first patients were more likely to have early delayed failure compared with aortic dissection treated first patients (50% vs 8%; P = .029). The amputation rate was 2%, occurring in one type A patient. The overall in-hospital mortality was 7% (n = 3), with no difference between type A and type B aortic dissection. There was no difference in surgical site infection, postoperative dialysis need, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Conclusions In patients presenting with acute aortic dissection with limb ischemia, resolution of the malperfusion occurs in the majority of cases after primary aortic dissection intervention, emphasizing the usefulness of urgent TEVAR for complicated type B and open repair of type A before lower extremity intervention. Limb-first interventions have a higher early delayed failure rate and thus require more frequent reoperation. However, the overall amputation rate in LEM owing to aortic dissection remains low.
The learning community faculty experience: how longitudinal relationships with learners enhance work meaning

Work meaning has gained attention as an important contributor to physician job engagement and well-being but little is known about how faculty participation in medical school learning communities might influence this phenomena. Our study goals were to determine how physician faculty members may derive meaning from serving as mentors for longitudinal learning communities of medical students, to understand how that meaning may impact other areas of their work, and relate our findings to existing literature and theoretical frameworks. The research team conducted, recorded, transcribed, and coded 25 semi-structured telephone interviews of faculty mentors from four US medical schools with curricular learning communities. The team used an iterative interview coding process to generate final themes and relate these themes to existing literature. The authors identified five themes of meaning faculty derive from participation as learning community mentors: “I am a better professional,” “I am more connected,” “I am rejuvenated,” “I am contributing,” and “I am honored.” A sixth theme, “I am harmed,” encompassed the negative aspects of the learning community faculty experience. The authors found that their identified themes related closely to the theoretical framework for pathways to meaningful work proposed by Rosso et al. The alignment of the themes we identified on the experience of learning community faculty to existing literature on work meaning corroborates the theoretical framework and deepens understanding of beneficial and harmful learning community effects on faculty. As learning communities become increasingly common within medical schools, this understanding may be important for leaders in academic medicine considering potential indirect benefits of this educational model.
The Impact of Advanced Image-Guided Breast Surgery and Oncoplastic Techniques on Margin Positivity in Breast Conserving Surgery.

Objective Positive margins remain a significant psychological and economic burden after breast conserving surgery. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that advanced oncoplastic techniques as well as intraoperative integrative imaging with intraoperative ultrasound and mobile digital specimen radiography decreases positive margin rate in breast conserving surgery. Methods A single-institution retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed. Patients with breast neoplasms who underwent lumpectomy with or without using intraoperative integrative imaging approaches and oncoplastic techniques were included. The primary outcome was positive margin rate for each technique. Results A total of 392 patients were included in the study. The median age of the cohort was 59 years. Overall positive margin rate was 15%. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) histology and larger tumor size were associated with higher positive margin rate. Intraoperative integrative imaging significantly decreased positive margin rate (9% vs. 18%, p=0.018). Oncoplastic techniques also decreased positive margin rate from 16% to 12%, however this was not significant. Conclusion Positive margin rate was significantly lower when intraoperative integrative imaging was used. Oncoplastic techniques also decreased positive margin rate in a selected group of patients with large tumor size. We suggest incorporating these techniques in all breast conserving surgery cases.
Differences in Fund Trackers’ Performance Rankings: A Mean-Variance Perspective

Fund tracking firms use seemingly unrelated, historical returns-based performance measures when ranking the performance of mutual funds. Mean-standard deviation (i.e. "Modern Portfolio Theory") approximations are used to characterize their different implicit weightings of fund returns’ means and standard deviations. As a result of the different weightings, performance rankings computed with actual mutual fund returns can and do differ along important dimensions.
Dairy and swine manure management - Challenges and perspectives for sustainable treatment technology.

Abstract Global dairy and swine production growth has increased significantly over the past decades, resulting in higher manure generation in certain areas and environmental concerns. Therefore, manure management is an essential focus for farmers and environmental regulators. Systematic selection of manure management practices can provide environmental benefits, but accounting for local constraints, economics and farming practices are significant challenges. All these factors drive the selection of appropriate manure management systems (MMSs). MMSs are highly varied for their design, partly due to individual farm settings, geography, and the end-use applications of manure. However, the benefits of technological advancements in MMSs provide higher manure treatment efficiency and co-production of value-added products such as recycled water, fiber, sand bedding, and nutrient-rich bio-solids, among others. To achieve higher environmental benefits, advanced manure treatment technologies have to be implemented, which comes with additional costs. So, there is a tradeoff between environmental benefits and cost. With the above prospects, this article reviews: 1) the different treatment technologies used in dairy and swine farms, 2) the life cycle assessment (LCA) method's importance in evaluating various treatment technologies for better environmental returns, and 3) decision support tools (DST) and their significance in MMSs prioritization. We found considerable heterogeneity in the available datasets, mainly on crucial parameters such as water consumption, types and amount of bedding materials, manure removal frequency, manure treatment technologies, and the extent of resource recovery. Thus, suitable environmental impact assessment inventory models are needed to evaluate a more comprehensive range of treatment technologies in MMSs, representing the spatial and farming system heterogeneities. There is also a need for user-friendly DST with adjustable inputs for the functional components of MMSs and evaluation criteria, which can rapidly evaluate the techno-economic feasibility of alternative systems.
Quantum dot and quantum well solar energy converters

We review designs of a solar cell constructed from pn junctions, quantum dots and quantum wells. In the first instance we show that quantum wells of varying size embedded in the depletion region yields spatial variation of the energy gap that can be controlled. An advantage of the proposed structure is efficient utilization of the broad solar spectrum, lessening of lattice matching problems and generation of electron-hole pairs in narrow depletion regions which yields fast spatial separation of charges and, thus, reduces recombination losses. In another model we show how quantum coherence can be used, in principle, to eliminate radiative recombination and increase photocell power.
G-quadruplex targeting chemical nucleases as a nonperturbative tool for analysis of cellular G-quadruplex DNA.

Summary G-quadruplex structures are associated with various biological activities, while in vivo evidence is essential to confirm the formation of G-quadruplexes inside cells. Most conventional agents that recognize G-quadruplex, including antibodies and small-molecule G-quadruplex ligands, either stabilize the G-quadruplex or prevent G-quadruplex unfolding by helicase, thereby artificially increasing the G-quadruplex levels in cells. Unambiguous study of G-quadruplexes at natural cellular levels requires agents that do not enhance the stability of G-quadruplex. Herein, we report the first example of nonperturbative chemical nucleases that do not influence the stability of G-quadruplex telomeric DNA but can selectively cleave G-quadruplex DNA over duplex DNA. These chemical nucleases can be readily taken up by cells and promote selective cleavage of telomeric DNA with low levels of nonselective DNA cleavage of other regions of the genome. The cleavage of G-quadruplex telomeric DNA by nonperturbative chemical nucleases confirms the formation of G-quadruplex telomeric DNA in live cells.
Theme Park Water Slides: A New Mechanism of Causing 61B2.3 Pelvic Ring Injuries: A Case Series.

CASE We present a series of 3 pelvic ring injuries that occurred on 1 high-speed water slide at a theme park in Orlando, FL. This is the first time this injury has been reported at a water park in the United States. All patients underwent surgical management and had an excellent outcome. CONCLUSION Pelvic ring injuries usually occur because of high-energy mechanisms, but unique mechanisms of injuries are possible. We aim to draw attention to this unique mechanism of injury because serious injury may occur to riders. Water parks should use the information presented in this study to develop and refine safety requirements for patrons.
The Epidemiologic Association Between Opioid Prescribing, Non-Medical Use, and Emergency Department Visits

Abstract Introduction: Since the 1990s prescriptions for and the non-medical use of opioids have increased. This study examines associations between opioid prescribing, non-medical use, and emergency department (ED) visits. Methods: Data were abstracted from four federally sponsored, nationally representative, annual surveys (National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and Drug Abuse Warning Network). Results: For hydrocodone and oxycodone, associations between prescribing and non-medical use, and prescribing and ED visits were statistically significant (p-values < 0.04) and strongly associated (correlation coefficient range 0.73 to 0.87). Male gender, White race, and age ≥ 35 were all statistically significant (p-values < 0.0001) predictors of receiving a hydrocodone or oxycodone-containing prescription. Conclusion: The increased number of prescriptions written for hydrocodone and oxycodone between 1995 and 2004 was as...
Simple Strategies for Vaginal Health Promotion in Cancer Survivors

ABSTRACT Introduction With the population of cancer survivors nearing 12 million, an ever‐increasing number of women will face vaginal health issues related to their disease and/or treatment. Abrupt menopause triggered by cancer treatment, for example, can cause intense and prolonged estrogen deprivation symptoms, including vaginal dryness and discomfort. Simple strategies to promote vaginal health are available. Aims To provide a comprehensive overview of vaginal health issues caused by estrogen deprivation in female cancer patients/survivors and provide recommendations to identify, treat, and promote vaginal health. Methods We describe a treatment algorithm, based on scientific literature and supported by clinical experience, found to be effective in treating these patients at two major cancer centers. We also provide examples of handouts for patient education on vaginal health promotion. Main Outcome Measures Evidence‐based medicine and psychosocial literature, in addition to clinical experience at two major cancer centers. Results Simple, non‐hormonal interventions for sexual dysfunction are often overlooked. Several studies show that education on vaginal lubricants, moisturizers, and dilator use (as needed) can decrease the morbidity of vaginal atrophy. These studies also provide support for our clinical treatment recommendations. Our goal in this article is to increase awareness of these strategies and to provide assistance to general gynecologists and oncologists caring for cancer patients and survivors. Conclusion Dedicating a small amount of time to educate female cancer survivors about methods to promote vaginal health can result in the reduction or elimination of vaginal discomfort. Non‐hormonal vaginal health strategies often appear sufficient to remedy these issues. However, large randomized trials are needed, varying the format and components of the treatment program and exploring efficacy in various groups of female cancer survivors. Carter J, Goldfrank D, and Schover LR. Simple strategies for vaginal health promotion in cancer survivors.
Direct coronary motion extraction from a 2D fat image navigator for prospectively gated coronary MR angiography.

Purpose Direct 2D tracking of cardiac motion may provide superior respiratory navigator gating for coronary magnetic resonance angiography compared to conventional liver-diaphragm navigators. However, additional 2D processing for motion extraction is unsuitable for real-time prospective gating. In this work, a 2D fat-selective image navigator, which delineates the epicardial fat surrounding coronary arteries, is developed to directly monitor epicardial fat motion at every heartbeat in real-time for prospective gating. Methods The proposed navigator is incorporated into a real-time interactive software that allows rapid setup and efficient motion extraction, and runs on standard clinical hardware without any additional dedicated components for processing. The proposed 2D cardiac fat image navigator was compared with the conventional 1D diaphragm navigator in free-breathing b-SSFP coronary MRAs in 12 healthy volunteers at 1.5T. Results Real-time motion extraction from 2D cardiac fat navigator images was feasible within 20 ms, enabling successful prospectively gated coronary magnetic resonance angiographies in all subjects. Compared to 1D diaphragmatic navigator, 2D fat image navigator reduced scan time by 38% (P < 0.0005), and significantly improved vessel sharpness, myocardial suppression, and image quality (P < 0.05). Conclusion This demonstrates the feasibility of a 3D SSFP coronary magnetic resonance angiography sequence using a 2D epicardial fat image as a navigator for real-time prospective motion tracking. Magn Reson Med 71:599–607, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
COMPARISON OF GROUND RAW SOYBEAN AND SOYBEAN MEAL DIETS ON CARCASS TRAITS OF GILTS

As part of an ongoing reproductive efficiency study with gilts fed a raw soybean (RSB) diet, an assessment of carcass traits was performed to measure the effect of antinutritional factors present in RSB. Yorkshire × Landrace crossbred gilts (n = 20) were assigned to balanced isonitrogenous (crude protein 14%), isocaloric diets using either soybean meal (SBM, n = 10) or ground RSB (n = 10) as the protein supplement. Gilts were fed to day 35–45 of gestation and then harvested for recovery of the reproductive tract and carcass assessment. Carcass trait values included: a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in hot carcass weight of RSB gilts, but no differences in carcass length, back fat thickness (cm) at 1st rib, 10th rib, last rib, last lumbar and average back fat. Loin area cm2, % fat free lean, muscle score and United States Department of Agriculture grade scores did not differ (P > 0.05). Thus, supplementing diets of prepubertal gilts through to early gestation with ground RSB had no observed adverse effects on carcass quality traits. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Raw soybeans (RSB) are not commonly used in swine diets due to known presence of antinutritional factors that may retard growth in young swine and may also affect carcass quality. However, the effect of using RSB on carcass quality in older swine has yet to be examined. The data from this study show that supplementation of swine diets with RSB can be used in gilts 155 days of age and older without affecting carcass quality.
Optimal strategies in the neighborhood of a collision course

We consider a simple differential game between pursuer P and evader E in the neighborhood of a nominal collision course. The payoff is the terminal lateral miss-distance. The control of each player is his acceleration normal to his velocity vector, and both players' controls are bounded. Saddlepoint strategies are deduced for three combinations of the acceleration bounds and are shown to be related to the sign of the derivative of the orientation of the line of sight (L.O.S.).
Impedance Variations over Time for a Closed-Loop Neurostimulation Device: Early Experience with Chronically Implanted Electrodes

Objective Responsive neurostimulation (RNS®) is an investigational treatment modality for intractable focal epilepsy. We analyzed impedance values over time to gain a better understanding of RNS device stability, potential differences between depth and strip electrodes, and general implications of long-term electrode implantation. Materials and Methods Impedance measurements were retrospectively reviewed from seven patients over a 3-year period. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate trends in impedance values over time and to determine if any differences existed between the means and variances of impedance values for the two different electrodes. Results Intraparenchymal depth electrodes demonstrated lower mean impedances and had less variation over time when compared to subdural strip electrodes. There was no significant change in mean impedance over time for depth electrodes, while that of subdural electrodes increased over time to peak at 16–20 months and returned to baseline by 2 years. Conclusion The RNS device provides unique long-term data for both depth and subdural electrodes in human subjects. Although changes in impedance were observed with respect to time after implantation and electrode type, these variations were of a clinically insignificant magnitude. As a constant-current system, the device is ultimately able to administer stable therapeutic doses in the setting such minor variability. While further animal research and post mortem investigations in human subjects are necessary to broaden our understanding of the mechanisms occurring at the electrode–neural interface and the biocompatibility of chronically implanted electrodes, the relative stability of impedances seen in this cohort of chronic implants brings promise to future implementations of chronic intracranial neural implants.
A portal for access to complex distributed information about energy

The Digital Government Research Center (DGRC) has completed phase one of the Energy Data Collection (EDC) project. In this paper, we present the results of building and evaluating system components, along with plans for phase two of the project. Phase one focused on data about petroleum products' prices and volumes, provided by the Energy Information Administration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Census Bureau, and the California Energy Commission, in the form of over 50,000 data tables. This research centers on providing dynamically planned access to multiple non-homogeneous databases and other data collections, using a query planner and a largescale (90,000-node) concept ontology and a domain model, both of which are accessed via various interfaces, including cascaded menus, a natural language question analyzer, and an ontology browser. Other data access research focuses on the caching and very fast display of massive amounts of data. In order to more rapidly construct the domain models, systems were developed for automatically identifying terminology glossary files from websites, extracting and formalizing the glossary definitions, clustering them appropriately, and automatically embedding them into the existing ontology and domain model. Work on evaluation focuses on measuring the effectiveness of the use of this system by a variety of users at various levels of expertise.
Control of surface waves in planar printed antennas

When printed antennas are fabricated monolithically on semiconductor substrate materials, the substrate thickness tends to be electrically thick, which can increase the impedance bandwidth of the antenna. However, it has the negative effect of increasing the power coupled into the surface wave. Thus, there is a need to control the surface wave behavior, especially before they reach the edge of the ground plane. In this paper, we present two schemes to control surface waves. The first scheme is to convert them into leaky waves so they radiate in a controlled fashion before they reach an edge. An example of this scheme is leaky wave antennas. Another example is the use of chokes around the edge of the ground plane. The second scheme, which is briefly discussed here, is to absorb the surface waves using a lossy material. A lossy material that is suitable to absorb surface waves is the resistive card. It has been used in the past to minimize edge diffraction from metal edges which can reduce the cross-section of aircraft, missiles, ships, etc. It is noted that thin resistive cards can be efficiently modeled by the resistive boundary condition.