cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An experimental setup for autonomous operation of surface vessels in rough seas

A small-scale experimental setup for autonomous target tracking of a surface vessel in the presence of obstacles is presented. The experiments are performed in simulated rough seas through wave, current, and wind generation in a small indoor pool. Absolute position of the agent and the target as well as the obstacle size and position are provided through an overhead camera by detecting color light emitting diodes installed on all objects. Ordinary differential equations with stable limit-cycle solutions are used to define transitional trajectories around obstacles based on the camera data. A sliding mode control law is implemented for real-time tracking control which is capable of rejecting large disturbances from the generated waves and wind. The sliding mode control signals are sent to wireless receivers on the autonomous vessel where a proportional integral speed controller maintains the commanded speed. A special scaling method is presented to show that the environmental forces are similar to those of moderate through high sea states. Several experiments are presented where the autonomous vessel catches and follows a target boat moving in arbitrary trajectories in both the presence and absence of obstacles.
Self-assembly of magnetically interacting cubes by a turbulent fluid flow

Previous work has demonstrated that combining mechanical vibration with magnetic interactions can result in the self-assembly of complex structures, albeit at low yield. Here we introduce a system where the yield of self-assembled structures is quantitatively predicted by a theoretical analysis. Millimeter-sized magnetic blocks, designed to form chains as their minimal energy state, are placed in a turbulent fluid flow. The distribution of chain lengths that form is quantitatively consistent with predictions, showing that the chain length distribution coincides with that of monomers or polymers in a thermal bath, with the turbulence strength parametrizing the effective temperature.
Accelerated aging and thermal-mechanical fatigue modelling of Cu-plated through holes with partial solder filling

The reliability of connector-to-board solder joints was investigated by accelerated aging experiments and finite element analysis (FEA), with a strain-based criterion for fatigue failure of Cu vias. The accelerated aging temperature cycle was ?55?C to +125?C. The pin/through hole solder joints were examined by metallography after test intervals up to 1000 thermal cycles. Partial solder filling of the joints was observed and attributed to Au contamination of the solder and thin solder gaps between the connector pins and Cu-plated vias. All fatigue cracks observed in the vias after thermal cycling were associated with partial solder filling of the joints. The effects of partial solder fill on failure location were confirmed by FEA and acceptable agreement was found between the predicted cycles to failure and the experimentally observed onset of via cracking. The model and experimental results were used to predict component lifetimes for milder thermal-cycle conditions typically found in service.
Primary cardiac sarcomas: a clinicopathologic analysis of a series with follow-up information in 17 patients and emphasis on long-term survival

Although cardiac sarcomas are rare in comparison to their soft tissue counterparts, they are the second most common type of primary cardiac neoplasm. Of the few hundred cases reported, most has been based on autopsy series. A series of 27 cardiac sarcomas removed at surgery for curative and diagnostic intent were reviewed for clinicopathologic features with correlation to available postoperative follow-up data in 17 patients. There were 6 angiosarcomas, 6 myxofibrosarcomas, 3 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, 3 leiomyosarcomas, 2 synovial sarcomas, 1 epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, 1 chondrosarcoma, 1 osteosarcoma, and 4 poorly differentiated sarcomas. There was a wide age and size range with slight female predilection. There were 20 cases that arose in the atria/pulmonary vessels, 4 in the ventricles, 1 in mitral valve, and 2 in epi/pericardium. There was a slight left predilection. The histologic grade was low in 4, moderate in 3, and high in 20 cases. Six high-grade and 1 low-grade tumors were also treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation. In 17 patients with follow-up data, 6 of 12 patients with high-grade tumor died (4 within 5 days of the initial surgery, 1 in 21 months, and 1 in 131 months), and 1 patient with moderate-grade tumor and all 4 patients with low-grade tumor were alive without evidence of disease at the end of follow-up. Tumor grade appeared to be prognostically important in cardiac sarcoma. Long survival was achieved in patients who survived the initial surgery well.
Experimental Poincare maps from the twist-and-flip circuit

We present a physical implementation of the twist-and-flip circuit containing a nonlinear gyrator. Many phase portraits and their associated Poincare maps are observed experimentally from this circuit and presented in this paper.
Ultrahigh-throughput Generation and Characterization of Cellular Aggregates in Laser-ablated Microwells of Poly(dimethylsiloxane).

Aggregates of cells, also known as multicellular aggregates (MCAs), have been used as microscale tissues in the fields of cancer biology, regenerative medicine, and developmental biology for many decades. However, small MCAs (fewer than 100 cells per aggregate) have remained challenging to manufacture in large quantities at high uniformity. Forced aggregation into microwells offers a promising solution for forming consistent aggregates, but commercial sources of microwells are expensive, complicated to manufacture, or lack the surface packing densities that would significantly improve MCA production. To address these concerns, we custom-modified a commercial laser cutter to provide complete control over laser ablation and directly generate microwells in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrate. We achieved ultra rapid microwell production speeds (>50 000 microwells per h) at high areal packing densities (1800 microwells per cm2) and over large surface areas for cell culture (60 cm2). Variation of the PDMS substrate distance from the laser focal plane during ablation allowed for the generation of microwells with a variety of sizes, contours, and aspect ratios. Casting of high-fidelity microneedle masters in polyurethane allowed for non-ablative microwell reproduction through replica molding. MCAs of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), murine 344SQ metastatic adenocarcinoma cells, and human C4-2 prostate cancer cells were generated in our system with high uniformity within 24 hours, and computer vision software aided in the ultra-high-throughput analysis of harvested aggregates. Moreover, MCAs maintained invasive capabilities in 3D migration assays. In particular, 344SQ MCAs demonstrated epithelial lumen formation on Matrigel, and underwent EMT and invasion in the presence of TGF-β. We expect this technique to find broad utility in the generation and cultivation of cancer cell aggregates, primary cell aggregates, and embryoid bodies.
Design Privacy with Analogia Graph

Human vision is often guided by instinctual commonsense such as proportions and contours. In this paper, we explore how to use the proportion as the key knowledge for designing a privacy algorithm that detects human private parts in a 3D scan dataset. The Analogia Graph is introduced to study the proportion of structures. It is a graph-based representation of the proportion knowledge. The intrinsic human proportions are applied to reduce the search space by an order of magnitude. A feature shape template is constructed to match the model data points using Radial Basis Functions in a non-linear regression and the relative measurements of the height and area factors. The method is tested on 100 datasets from CAESAR database. Two surface rendering methods are studied for data privacy: blurring and transparency. It is found that test subjects normally prefer to have the most possible privacy in both rendering methods. However, the subjects adjusted their privacy measurement to a certain degree as they were informed the context of security.
Internalism and the Origin of Rational Motivation

What makes a subject's motivationrational is its originating in her practicalreasoning. I explain the appeal of this thesisabout rational motivation, and explore itsrelation to recent discussions of internalismabout reasons for action. I do so in theservice of clarifying an important meta-ethicaldebate between Humean motivational skeptics andtheir Kantian opponents. This debate is oneover whether, as this skeptic contends andKantians deny, considerations about ourmotivational capacities, together withinternalism, restrict genuine reasons foraction to merely instrumental ones. I arguethat properly adjudicating this debate requiresidentifying one particular way in which thethesis about rational motivation has beendeveloped – namely, as a part of what I term``the traditional conception'' of themotivational efficacy of practical reason. Onthis conception, rational motivation consistsin choosing some course of conduct out of one'scognitive appreciation of the way its relationto one's practicable good gives one reason todo so. And I side with Kantians against theHumean motivational skeptic in part on groundsthat Kant himself – though not all Kantians –would find congenial: namely, that we shouldaccept the traditional conception.
Mechanistic Studies of Effect of Dispersity on the Photovoltaic Performance of PTB7 Polymer Solar Cells

Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymer solar cells (PSCs) are a popular research subject currently pursued by many groups around the world. The state-of-the-art PSCs are composed of a polymer donor and a fullerene acceptor as the active layer, and their overall photovoltaic performance is dependent on many factors, such as the electrical and optical properties of donor polymers, device architectures, and interfacial layers used. Among them, the nature of donor polymer is without doubt one of the determining factors in performance of PSCs. In this work, we report for the first time the study of the influence of polymer dispersity (Đ) on the performance of PSCs composed of PTB7 and PC71BM as the active layer materials. It was found that polymers exhibiting large Đ contained structural defects that played the role of energy transfer and charge trapping/recombination centers. The power conversion efficiency of PTB7 devices decreased from 7.59% to 2.55% with increased Đ. The results highlighted the importance of co...
Delta-operator formulated discrete-time approximations of continuous-time controllers

Given a continuous-time system, a technique to directly obtain a delta-operator formulated discrete-time approximation of continuous-time controller is presented. The proposed method is based on matching all the states for the development of the equivalent digital controllers. It is shown that, when the sampling time decreases, the state feedback gain, forward gain, and the eigenvalues of the delta-system tend to the continuous counter part. The technique is then applied to a space station example. (Author)
Implementing exercise programs to prevent falls: systematic descriptive review

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends exercise to prevent falls in community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years at increased fall risk. However, little is known about how best to implement exercise programs in routine care when a patient’s need for exercise is identified within the healthcare system. Using a qualitative approach, we reviewed the literature to determine how exercise programs to prevent falls are implemented from the vantage point of a health care setting. We synthesized descriptive information about each program with data on program features and implementation difficulties and facilitators. We found that programs sponsored by primary care providers (PCPs) or specialists may help with recruitment into exercise programs. PCPs have the opportunity to identify people at risk and promote participation since most older adults regularly visit, and inquire about exercise from, their physicians. In terms of referral options, both home-based and group-based exercise programs have been shown effective in preventing falls; however, each approach carries strengths and limitations. Home-based programs can include participants who are reluctant or unable to attend group classes and can be individually tailored, but provide less opportunity for supervision and socialization than classes. Adherence to programs can be encouraged, and attrition minimized, through positive reinforcement. Successful programs ranged in expense for exercise sessions: a weekly class combined with exercises at home cost $100 per participant per week. With increasing attention to population-based health management in the United States, clinicians and health system leaders need a deeper understanding of how to link patients in their healthcare systems with appropriate community programs. This review identifies key characteristics of successful fall prevention exercise programs that can be used to determine which local options conform to clinical evidence. In addition, we highlight tradeoffs between program options, such as home versus group exercise programs, to allow referrals to be tailored to local conditions and patient preferences. Finally, our work highlights the key role of the PCP in recruiting patients to participate in exercise programs, and identifies options, such as registries, to support referrals to the community.
Evolutionary Basis of Human Running and Its Impact on Neural Function

Running is not unique to humans, but it is seemingly a basic human capacity. This article addresses the evolutionary origins of humans running long distances, the basic physical capability of running, and the neurogenesis of aerobic fitness. This article more specifically speaks to the conditions that set the stage for the act of running, and then looks at brain expression, and longer-term consequences of running within a context of specific morphological features and diverse information molecules that participate in our capacity for running and sport. While causal factors are not known, we do know that physiological factors are involved in running and underlie neural function. Multiple themes about running are discussed in this article, including neurogenesis, neural plasticity, and memory enhancement. Aerobic exercise increases anterior hippocampus size. This expansion is linked to the improvement of memory, which reflects the improvement of learning as a function of running activity in animal studies. Higher fitness is associated with greater expansion, not only of the hippocampus, but of several other brain regions.
Transmit pre-coding for MIMO wireless

Summary form only given. This work overviews the use of linear pre-coding in space-time wireless communications. It first motivates the use of linear pre-coding as a way of exploiting available (possibly partial) channel state information at the transmitter to improve system performance. It then overviews different approaches to pre-coding, various performance criteria (capacity, BER, etc.) and different approaches to pre-coding and analytical techniques to evaluate their performance. The paper finally offers examples of performance improvements in a few cases.
Individual exposure estimates may be erroneous when spatiotemporal variability of air pollution and human mobility are ignored

This study aims to empirically demonstrate the necessity to consider both the spatiotemporal variability of air pollution and individual daily movement patterns in exposure and health risk assessment. It compares four different types of exposure estimates generated by using (1) individual movement data and hourly air pollution concentrations; (2) individual movement data and daily average air pollution data; (3) residential location and hourly pollution levels; and (4) residential location and daily average pollution data. These four estimates are significantly different, which supports the argument that ignoring the spatiotemporal variability of environmental risk factors and human mobility may lead to misleading results in exposure assessment. Additionally, three-dimensional (3D) geovisualization presented in the paper shows how person-specific space-time context is generated by the interactions between air pollution and an individual, and how the different individualized contexts place individuals at different levels of health risk.
PROBABILITY OF RECEIVING AN INDEMNITY PAYMENT FROM FEEDER CATTLE LIVESTOCK RISK PROTECTION INSURANCE

Livestock risk protection (LRP) insurance is a price risk management tool available to cattle producers; however, producers have been hesitant to adopt LRP. The objective of the study was to determine the monthly feeder cattle LRP contract coverage level and length maximizing the probability of the LRP net price being greater than the CME Feeder Cattle Index (CME FCI) price. The CME FCI prices were higher than the LRP net price for the majority of the contract lengths and coverage levels. Several coverage lengths and levels provided similar price protection, and there was no consistent preferred coverage length and level.
Readability, credibility and quality of patient information for hypogonadism and testosterone replacement therapy on the Internet

The incidence of hypogonadism and use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) are rising, while data evaluating the complexity and quality of health-care information available to patients on the Internet for hypogonadism or TRT are lacking. This study focuses on characterizing the readability, credibility and quality of patient-centered information for hypogonadism on the Internet. A Google search was performed to identify top-ranked websites offering patient-centered information on hypogonadism and TRT. Readability was quantified by reading grade level using several validated instruments. Credibility and quality were determined by several additional criteria, including authorship, references, health-care information quality certification and breadth of topic discussion. Twenty of 75 total sites identified (27%) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were evaluated. The mean reading grade level was 13.1 (interquartile range 11.7-15.1), with all websites demonstrating reading levels significantly above recommended levels. Less than half (45%) of the sites were neither authored nor reviewed by a physician, 60% contained at least one reference and 40% were certified for displaying quality health-care information. Over half (55%) did not comprehensively discuss management of hypogonadism or mention treatment-associated risks. In conclusion, the majority of patient-centered information available on the Internet regarding hypogonadism or TRT is of poor quality and too complex for the average patient to comprehend. These results highlight a critical shortage in easily accessible, high-quality, comprehensible online patient health-care information on hypogonadism and TRT.
Inter-joint coordination analysis of reach-to-grasp kinematics in children and adolescents with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.

Abstract Background Obstetrical brachial plexus palsy is a common birth injury to nerves passing through the brachial plexus that may result in structural and functional abnormalities. Individual joint trajectories from kinematic analyses have been used to evaluate the source and extent of abnormalities. Here, two summary measures of limb kinematics were utilized: 1) the Arm Profile Score summarizing upper limb joint kinematic abnormalities from a typical pattern across a task, and 2) the recently developed Multi-joint Coordination Measure using principal component analysis to characterize typical coordination of multiple joints throughout a task and compute deviations in time and space. Our aim was to compare these kinematic measures in persons with and without injury and relate these to clinical and functional scales. Methods 3D kinematic data from 10 upper limb joints were collected on 15 children and adolescents with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy and 21 controls during a reach-to-grasp task in both limbs. The two kinematic measures were computed and correlated with each other and the Mallet and ABILIHAND-Kids. Findings Both measures revealed that joint angles primarily contributing to shoulder and wrist motion were most prominently affected in the non-dominant limb in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, with the Multi-joint Coordination Measure additionally indicating when in the motion coordination worsens. These were moderately interrelated but neither correlated with other scales. Interpretation The Multi-joint Coordination Measure, while related to the Arm Profile Score, may have additional utility for individualized treatment planning and evaluation of any motor task due to the unique spatial-temporal information provided.
A New Voltage Stability-Constrained Optimal Power-Flow Model: Sufficient Condition, SOCP Representation, and Relaxation

This paper proposes a novel voltage stability-constrained optimal power-flow (VSC-OPF) model utilizing a recently proposed sufficient condition on power-flow Jacobian nonsingularity. We show that this condition is second-order conic representable when load powers are fixed. Through the incorporation of the convex sufficient condition and thanks to the recent development of convex relaxation of OPF models, we cast a VSC-OPF formulation as a second-order cone program. An approximate model is introduced to improve the scalability of the formulation to larger systems. Extensive computation results on Matpower and NESTA instances confirm the effectiveness and efficiency of the formulation.
As mulheres trabalhadoras em São Paulo: de operárias não-qualificadas a esposas profissionais

A partir do estudo de politicas e ideologias especificas - desenvolvidas por empregadores, educadores e assistentes sociais, em Sao Paulo entre 1910 e 1950 - pretende-se recuperar o processo de construcao da identidade "mulher trabalhadora" em oposicao ao papel idealizador da "dona de casa", destacando que essas identidades foram constantemente reproduzidas e reforcadas por agentes humanos que contribuiram ativamente para a criacao da imagem marginalizada da mulher que trabalha e na formulacao dos papeis ideais atribuidos as mulheres.AbstractBased on the study of politics and ideologies - developed by employers, educators and social assistants in Sao Paulo between 1910-1950 - This paper intends to recover the construction of the women worker's identity opposed to the ideal role of housewife.
Fast Sample-Based Planning for Dynamic Systems by Zero-Control Linearization-Based Steering

We propose linearizing about zero-control trajectories of the dynamics and cost instead of linearizing about a single point for steering and distance computations in RRT-like motion planning for highly dynamic systems. Formulated as a time-varying Linear Quadratic Regulator problem, the proposed steering is designed to be efficient and numerically tractable. We describe the computational trade-offs that arise when compared to solving a conventional time-invariant LQR, and provide numerical results for a 3-link inverted pendulum on a cart for a wide range of look-aheads (from hundredths of a second to a second). We find that planning with longer time horizons for the cart-pendulum system requires fewer total vertices, leading to faster exploration than short look-aheads as are customary when linearizing around a single state depending on the density of the obstacles.
Balloon-Assisted Banding for High-Output Heart Failure

This chapter discusses the case of a patient who had been on dialysis for 4 years. Over the past 6 months, he has developed progressively more severe congestive heart failure manifesting as dyspnea on exertion and orthopnea. The patient’s cardiac problems have been managed by a cardiologist who felt that he was receiving maximum medical management. The patient was referred to the dialysis access center because his nephrologist and cardiologist felt that he had a high blood flow fistula which was contributing to his cardiac failure.
A 14-bit 2.5 GS/s digital pre-distorted DAC in 65 nm CMOS with SFDR > 70 dB up to 1.2 GHz

This paper presents a 14-bit 2.5 GS/s current-steering digital-to-analog converter (DAC) in 65 nm CMOS. Small transistors are utilized in this design to reduce the 3rd-order harmonic distortion caused by finite output impedance. However, the adoption of small transistors increases the 2nd-order harmonic distortion and degrades the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR). Hence a digital pre-distortion (DPD) scheme is proposed for 2nd-order harmonic distortion cancellation. In addition, techniques including dynamic element matching (DEM), double-data-rate (DDR) quad switch and always-on cascode switch are employed in this design to further enhance the SFDR. Simulation results show > 70 dB SFDR for input frequencies from 34 MHz to 1.2 GHz. The DAC consumes 375 mW from a dual 1.2/2.5 V power supply.
Kinetics of the reoxidation of propylene-reduced γ-bismuth molybdate: A TAP reactor study

Abstract The reoxidation of γ-bismuth molybdate following reduction by propylene at elevated temperatures was examined using a TAP reactor. Use of the TAP reactor permitted examination of the catalyst surface at the earliest stages of reaction involving less than 1/100th of the surface. Pulsing of oxygen over the reduced catalyst at high (840 torr) and low (6 × 10 −7 torr) total pressures yielded kinetic information on the reoxidation rates as functions of oxygen partial pressures, oxygen vacancies and temperature. In both pressure regimes, the reoxidation was found to be first order in both oxygen and in oxygen vacancies created during the propylene reduction. At high pressures, the reoxidation activation energy was found to be 3.4 kcal/mol while at low pressures it was measured as 5.0 to 8.7 kcal/mol.
Solving for equilibrium in the basic bathtub model

Abstract The basic (identical individuals) bathtub model has an unfamiliar mathematical structure, with a delay differential equation with an endogenous delay at its core. The early papers on the model circumvented this complication by making approximating assumptions, but without solution of the proper model it is unclear how accurate the results are. More recent work has either considered special cases that can be solved analytically using familiar methods, or has turned to generic computational solution. This paper develops a customized method for computational solution of equilibrium in the basic bathtub model with smooth preferences that exploits the mathematical structure of the problem. An inner loop solves numerically for the entry rate, conditional on the equilibrium utility level, by verifying a trip distance condition. An outer loop uses the computed start time from the inner loop to solve for the population that commutes over the rush hour, then lowers the equilibrium utility level to repeat the inner loop for a new level of utility. One result in that, even though tastes and the congestion technology are smooth, the entry rate and exit rate functions exhibit discontinuities at breakpoints. Another result is that, depending on the form of tastes and the congestion technology, the user cost curve as a function of population and may be backward bending.
Scientific Evidence and Cue Theories in Deception Research: Reconciling Findings From Meta-Analyses and Primary Experiments

A widely held belief about human communication is that specific verbal and nonverbal behaviors signal deception. This belief is held as folk wisdom across many cultures. It is also often portrayed as accepted social scientific knowledge in academic works. Explanations for why specific behaviors signal deception fall under the umbrella label of “cue theories.” This commentary essay reviews the extensive social scientific theory and research on the utility of deception cues for detecting deception. Oddly, conclusions from meta-analyses do not align with the findings of the primary studies that comprise the meta-analyses. The divergent conclusions from meta-analyses and primary studies challenge both the validity of cue-based lie detection and what counts as the critical unit of scientific evidence in research. The implications for social science theory and research are discussed. Suggestions for improved applied lie detection are also provided.
Aging and Labor Force Participation

Population aging has been a highly significant economic and social force in NATO and other developed countries during the past three decades. Moreover, should fertility decline, as expected, in the less developed countries, these nations will also experience the aging of their populations. Accordingly, it is important to assess the economic and social implications of population aging. The interaction between the changing age structure of the population and the composition and size of the labor force is the primary concern of this paper. In addition, the economic consequences of these changes are examined in conjunction with potential technological advances.
The Danube: Its Role and Significance

The Danube, one of the greatest waterways of the world, has been the center of many of the most memorable events in East Central Europe. Its checkered history is filled with an ever-changing, kaleidoscopic pattern of life, revealing the wide gamut of a continuum between the extremes of black and white, just as its waters reflect myriad shades, changing from the crystal-white, youthful springs of the Black Forest into the gay “blue” Danube of the Vienna Woods, only to transform into a blood-washed “red” stream of the warring Balkans and then to turn into a muddy, blackish delta of a slowly vanishing river.
The physics of flash (supernova) spectroscopy

We examine flash spectroscopy of a circumstellar medium (CSM) ionized by the hard radiation pulse produced by the emerging shock of a supernova (SN). We first find that the rise and fall times of the Halpha emission constrains the location of the CSM with a peak at tpeak=Rstar sqrt(2/c vshock) for a star of radius Rstar and a shock velocity of vshock. The dropping temperature of the transient emission naturally reproduces the evolution of lines with different ionization energies. Second, for red supergiants (RSGs), the shock break out radiatively accelerates the CSM to produce broad, early-time line wings independent of the Thomson optical depth of the CSM. Finally, the CSM recombination rates in binaries can be dominated by a dense, cool, wind collision interface like those seen in Wolf-Rayet binaries rather than the individual stellar winds. Combining these three results, the flash spectroscopy observations of the normal Type IIP iPTF13dqy (SN 2013fs) are naturally explained by an RSG with a normal, Thomson optically thin wind in a binary with a separation of ~10^4 Rsun without any need for a pre-SN eruption. Similarly, the broad line wings seen for the Type IIb iPTF13ast (SN 2013cu), whose progenitors are generally yellow supergiants in binaries, are likely due to radiative acceleration of the CSM rather than pre-existing, Wolf-Rayet-like wind.
Four-Carbon Criegee Intermediate from Isoprene Ozonolysis: Methyl Vinyl Ketone Oxide Synthesis, Infrared Spectrum, and OH Production.

The reaction of ozone with isoprene, one of the most abundant volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere, produces three distinct carbonyl oxide species (RR′COO) known as Criegee intermediates: formaldehyde oxide (CH2OO), methyl vinyl ketone oxide (MVK-OO), and methacrolein oxide (MACR-OO). The nature of the substituents (R,R′ = H, CH3, CH═CH2) and conformations of the Criegee intermediates control their subsequent chemistry in the atmosphere. In particular, unimolecular decay of MVK-OO is predicted to be the major source of hydroxyl radicals (OH) in isoprene ozonolysis. This study reports the initial laboratory synthesis and direct detection of MVK-OO through reaction of a photolytically generated, resonance-stabilized monoiodoalkene radical with O2. MVK-OO is characterized utilizing infrared (IR) action spectroscopy, in which IR activation of MVK-OO with two quanta of CH stretch at ca. 6000 cm–1 is coupled with ultraviolet detection of the resultant OH products. MVK-OO is identified by comparison of t...
Using eDNA methodologies to identify thepresence/absence of S. thermophilus in yogurtproducts

The advent of low-cost nuclear acid extraction allows for the creation of low-cost assays which can specifically be used to determine the presence or absence of bacteria in a variety of environments. Commercially sold dietary yogurt claims to contain bacteria forming a microbiome which has been previously linked to improved health outcomes in incidence rates of type 2 diabetes in vulnerable populations. The predicted outcome was that a main bacterial culture used in yogurt production (S. thermophilus) would be present and would be detectable using eDNA methodologies since it is fundamental to the making of yogurt. We gathered DNA from yogurt using yogurt dilutions and filter paper; we then extracted the DNA and also sequenced and used PCR to amplify the DNA. We sequenced PCR products to verify their identity through processing with publicly available BLAST tools which reference already accessioned bacterial genomes. Yogurt from four different commercially available brands (in the U.S.) was tested; not all yogurts tested positive for the bacteria, with higher concentrations of the bacteria in imported Greek-style yogurts, lower concentrations in domestically produced Greek-style yogurts, and no bacterial DNA detected in domestically produced 9regular9 yogurt products. This research suggests that not all yogurts are equal, putting into question the whole-sale claims made on dietary yogurt9s probiotic preventative health effects and calling for a more detailed analysis to determine firm causal links between the microbiota of yogurts and preventative health effects.
Immigrants or Jobs: Which Comes First to a Metro?

Does immigration leads to more job creation in an MSA, or does employment opportunities entice immigrant inflows to an MSA? Is immigration responsible for higher unemployment in a metro, or does immigration cause increases in self-employment that lead to improvement in labor market conditions? The temporal causal relationship between immigrants, job growth and unemployment is a politically and economically salient subject, but has been statistically untested in the economic literature. Using annual data of 500 MSAs, we use panel Granger causality tests to assess the temporal ordering of immigration and labor market conditions in an MSA. Results demonstrate one-way Granger causality from immigration to rising job growth and lower unemployment. Causality tests further reveal that foreign-born inflows cause higher self-employment rates, which in turn contribute to job creation. Results reject the booming city hypothesis that immigration and labor market outcomes are spuriously correlated due to improving labor market conditions attracting immigration to an MSA.
Investigating Relationship between Teacher’s Gender and Experience of Teaching Types of Writing in Nigerian Secondary Schools

Acquiring writing skills is a prerequisite for success in school and in jobs. This study emanated from the fact that middle and high school students in Nigeria have shown poor performance in national and international examinations. It has set out to answer questions like whether there a relationship between teachers’ gender and teaching persuasive/argumentative essays in middle and high schools or whether there is a relationship between teaching experience and the teaching of persuasive /argumentation essays in middle and high schools. A questionnaire was designed to collect data. 100 English Language teachers from 15 junior secondary and senior secondary schools in South-South Nigeria participated and responded to the questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS package. Findings revealed a positive relationship between teacher gender and the teaching of persuasive/argumentative essays, with more male teachers teaching argumentative essays than female teachers. It was also discovered that there was a positive relationship between teacher gender and the teaching of comparing and contrasting type writing with female teachers found teaching more this type of writing The study also revealed a positive relationship between teacher gender and communicating with students on drafts before final submission with female teachers communicating more than male teachers. Based on these findings several recommendations have been made that would help improve the performance of students in writing.
Transition Opportunities for Post-Secondary Success (TOPS): A Pilot Program for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

As a result of the apparent need for transition services for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Fairfield University and a community partner, The Kennedy Center, have partnered to create a transition preparedness program: Transition Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (TOPS), in order to explore a new transition paradigm for young adults ages 18–21 of the greater Bridgeport, Connecticut area with ASD. The University-Community partnership aims to address a multitude of social challenges and independent living skills for young adults with ASD, provide increased self-sufficiency and self-advocacy, as well as, offer valuable experiences for graduate and undergraduate students who are planning a career in special education. This article provides an overview of the partnership, program, and preliminary research collected during the TOPS program pilot year. Future directions are discussed.
Solving Differential Equations Using Neural Network Solution Bundles.

The time evolution of dynamical systems is frequently described by ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which must be solved for given initial conditions. Most standard approaches numerically integrate ODEs producing a single solution whose values are computed at discrete times. When many varied solutions with different initial conditions to the ODE are required, the computational cost can become significant. We propose that a neural network be used as a solution bundle, a collection of solutions to an ODE for various initial states and system parameters. The neural network solution bundle is trained with an unsupervised loss that does not require any prior knowledge of the sought solutions, and the resulting object is differentiable in initial conditions and system parameters. The solution bundle exhibits fast, parallelizable evaluation of the system state, facilitating the use of Bayesian inference for parameter estimation in real dynamical systems.
Taxol in metastatic breast cancer the MD Anderson Cancer Center experience

We have performed three studies with taxol in metastatic breast cancer: a phase II trial in patients who had received only one prior chemotherapy regimen [1], an ongoing phase I trial of taxol with a fixed dose of Doxorubicin [2, 3], and an ongoing phase II trial in patients with either two or three or more chemotherapy regimens.
Generation of a Matrix Gla (Mgp) floxed mouse, followed by conditional knockout, uncovers a new Mgp function in the eye.

The ability to ablate a gene in a given tissue by generating a conditional knockout (cKO) is crucial for determining its function in the targeted tissue. Such tissue-specific ablation is even more critical when the gene’s conventional knockout (KO) is lethal, which precludes studying the consequences of its deletion in other tissues. Therefore, here we describe a successful strategy that generated a Matrix Gla floxed mouse (Mgp.floxed) by the CRISPR/Cas9 system, that subsequently allowed the generation of cKOs by local viral delivery of the Cre-recombinase enzyme. MGP is a well-established inhibitor of calcification gene, highly expressed in arteries’ smooth muscle cells and chondrocytes. MGP is also one of the most abundant genes in the trabecular meshwork, the eye tissue responsible for maintenance of intraocular pressure (IOP) and development of Glaucoma. Our strategy entailed one-step injection of two gRNAs, Cas9 protein and a long-single-stranded-circular DNA donor vector (lsscDNA, 6.7 kb) containing two loxP sites in cis and 900–700 bp 5′/3′ homology arms. Ocular intracameral injection of Mgp.floxed mice with a Cre-adenovirus, led to an Mgp.TMcKO mouse which developed elevated IOP. Our study discovered a new role for the Mgp gene as a keeper of physiological IOP in the eye.
Effects of a Dedicated Inpatient Diabetes Management Service on Glycemic Control in a Community Hospital Setting

Background:Community hospitals account for over 84% of all hospitals and over 94% of hospital admissions in the United States. In academic settings, implementation of an Inpatient Diabetes Manageme...
Chemical Modifications of the Capsid for Redirecting and Improving the Efficacy of Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-directed gene therapy is one of the most exciting modalities of biotechnology as more applications enter clinical stage. Although AAV vectors generally feature l...
Accelerating Distributed Deep Learning using Multi-Path RDMA in Data Center Networks

Data center networks (DCNs) have widely deployed RDMA to support data-intensive applications such as machine learning. While DCNs are designed with rich multi-path topology, current RDMA (hardware) technology does not support multi-path transport. In this paper we advance Maestro- a purely software-basedmulti-path RDMA solution - to effectively utilize the rich multi-path topology for load balancing and reliability. As a "middleware" operating at the user-space, Maestro is modulaR@and software-defined:Maestro decouples path selection and load balancing mechanisms from hardware features, and allows DCN operators and applications to make flexible decisions by employing the best mechanisms as needed. As such, Maestro can be readily deployed using existing RDMA hardware (NICs) to support distributed deep learning (DDL) applications. Our experiments show that Maestro is capable of fully utilizing multiple paths with negligible CPU overheads, thereby enhancing the performance of DDL applications.
Microcirculatory Effects of Polypeptides

It has long been appreciated that tissue homeostasis is mediated by chemical agents which arise in the blood and the tissues proper and serve to increase or decrease blood flow locally in accordance with the metabolic needs of the tissue. The blood vascular elements respond to a wide variety of biologic materials that exist either in a free-form state in tissues or are produced as a result of chemical activity. These range from substances that dilate or constrict vessels, to those that potentiate or inhibit the response to other stimuli, and finally to those that affect the permeability of the barrier that separates the blood and extravascular compartments (Spector, 1958). Among the many chemical agents in the blood that exhibit vasoactive properties are polypeptides such as vasopressin and angiotensin. There is some question whether these agents have a particular function in normal homeostasis. Other vasoactive polypeptides appear to be present in tissues in extremely small amounts under normal circumstances and are detected in body fluids in substantial concentrations only after tissue injury, systemic shock-like reactions, immune responses, etc.
Foraging Behavior and Coexistence of Two Sunbird Species in a Kenyan Woodland

We investigated the mechanism of coexistence of the rare Amani Sunbird (Hedydipna pallidigastra) and the widespread Collared Sunbird (H. collaris), within Brachystegia woodland in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya. We compared how prey abundance and search strategies affect resource exploitation by the two species. We used foraging theory to direct our measures of feeding activities as influenced by sunbird species, tree species and foraging height. We evaluated invertebrate abundance among tree species at different heights within trees. The Collared Sunbird primarily used the understory, and the Amani Sunbird primarily used the upper-canopy. Overall, the rate of prey attacks per flight of the Amani Sunbird was 2.8 times greater than that of the Collared Sunbird. The Amani Sunbird, however, used increased search and attack rates in the understory compared with the mid- and upper-canopies, but the Collared Sunbird foraged similarly throughout all strata. We hypothesize that the increased foraging rate of the Amani in the understory reflects increased foraging costs due to interference from the Collared Sunbird in that stratum. Furthermore, the Collared Sunbird exploits rich patches by moving frequently from place to place. The Amani Sunbird forages slowly, with reduced travel rates, and with a greater number of prey captures within a patch. Arthropod density did not differ among the vegetative strata, but was higher in Brachystegia spiciformis and Hymenaea verrucosa than in six other tree species. We hypothesize that the Amani Sunbird appears dependent upon continued tall B. spiciformis trees within the canopy of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.
Riding the Back of the Tiger: Leadership Between Domestic Threats and International Conflict

‘Riding the back of the tiger’ (RBT) is a phenomenon that refers to the behavior of a regime that delegates some of its most important governance prerogatives, such as the formulation of foreign policy and the use of force, to politically motivated groups that are often committed to extreme positions, in the hope of advancing the state’s strategic interests. Allowing, sometimes even encouraging, extremist groups that represent narrow interests to take ownership of the pursuit of state interests and to operate with impunity outside the state’s legal framework, is a highly risky act. Regimes that have gone down this path have found that outsourcing vital policy questions to political-ideological groups can backfire with grave repercussions.Thus, the research question at the heart of the RBT project is: why do some regimes support, or tolerate, the actions of extremist groups, particularly domestic ones, despite the real danger that this support may later limit their ability to pursue policies they consider to be in their states’ best interests, and at the price of undermining their authority and control? In this paper I will lay the foundations for the RBT project. I will define the niche of the RBT phenomenon by juxtaposing it with other types of delegation of state authority such as state-sponsored terrorism, the use of private security firms, and support of paramilitary groups. External support for kin groups involved in ethnic conflict in a neighboring country also bears elements of delegation. Using the comparisons I clarify the scope and boundaries of the RBT phenomenon, note factors pertinent to the identification of actors and cases, and present tentative explanations for future testing.
Towards Alias-Free Pointers

This paper argues that pointer-induced aliasing can be avoided in many cases by means of a concept of unique pointer. The use of such pointers is expected to fortify the concept of encapsulation, to make systems easier to reason about, to provide better control over the interaction between threads, and to make storage management safer and more efficient. We show that unique pointers can be implemented by means of few minor and virtually costless modifications in conventional OO languages, such as Eiffel or C++; and that they can be used conveniently in a broad range of algorithms and data structures.