cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Space-Time Transmission Scheme for Large MIMO Systems

In this letter, we propose a space-time transmission scheme (STTS) for large multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. These systems are primarily used to transmit a huge amount of data. The existing space-time block codes (STBCs) are not suitable for these systems due to the fact that these STBCs require very large channel coherence time (more than the number of transmit antennas), render poor data rate (less than one), and aim at full spatial diversity. In a practical large MIMO system with one thousand transmit and one thousand receive antennas, the diversity order of ${10}^{{6}}$ can be achieved; however, such a high value of diversity order is not required in practical systems. Therefore, an STTS with good data rate, parsimoniously utilized temporal dimensions, and symbol-wise decoding is essentially required for practical large MIMO systems. In this letter, we emphasize design of a new STTS by relaxing the constraint of achieving full spatial diversity. In the proposed STTS, the data rate of the large MIMO system is increased at the expense of the reduction in spatial diversity order. An approximate expression of symbol error rate of the proposed system is obtained-based on the moment generating function of the instantaneous received signal-to-noise ratio. Further, it is shown that the diversity order of the proposed STTS-based system is one less than the number of receive antennas.
Microbial communities and their predicted metabolic functions in a desiccating acid salt lake

The waters of Lake Magic in Western Australia are among the most geochemically extreme on Earth. This ephemeral saline lake is characterized by pH as low as 1.6 salinity as high as 32% total dissolved solids, and unusually complex geochemistry, including extremely high concentrations of aluminum, silica, and iron. We examined the microbial composition and putative function in this extreme acid brine environment by analyzing lake water, groundwater, and sediment samples collected during the austral summer near peak evapoconcentration. Our results reveal that the lake water metagenome, surprisingly, was comprised of mostly eukaryote sequences, particularly fungi and to a lesser extent, green algae. Groundwater and sediment samples were dominated by acidophilic Firmicutes, with eukaryotic community members only detected at low abundances. The lake water bacterial community was less diverse than that in groundwater and sediment, and was overwhelmingly represented by a single OTU affiliated with Salinisphaera. Pathways associated with halotolerance were found in the metagenomes, as were genes associated with biosynthesis of protective carotenoids. During periods of complete desiccation of the lake, we hypothesize that dormancy and entrapment in fluid inclusions in halite crystals may increase long-term survival, leading to the resilience of complex eukaryotes in this extreme environment.
When do states disrupt industries? Electric cars and the politics of innovation

When do states forge technological change in mature industries? This article challenges the emphasis on bureaucratic autonomy in explaining the ability of governments to promote technological chang...
Additive Effects of Forecasted and Reported Stressors on Negative Affect

Objectives Many studies of daily life have framed stressors as unpredictable disruptions. We tested age differences in whether individuals forecast upcoming stressors, whether individuals show anticipatory stress responses prior to stressors, and whether having previously forecasted any stressors moderates stressor exposure on negative affect. Method Adults (n = 237; age 25-65) completed surveys five times daily for 14 days on current negative affect, stressor exposure, and stressor forecasts. Results Older age was associated with slightly greater likelihood of reported stressors but unrelated to forecasted stressors. Following forecasted stressors, individuals were four times more likely to report a stressor had occurred; age did not moderate this effect. Even prior to stressors, current negative affect was significantly higher when individuals forecasted stressors compared to when no stressors were forecast. No support was found for forecasts buffering effects of stressors on negative affect and age did not moderate this interaction. Instead, the effects were additive. Discussion In an age-heterogeneous sample, individuals showed early and persistent affective responses in advance of stressors. Anticipatory stress responses may be a mechanism for chronic stress.
On the Number of Eigenvalues of the Biharmonic Operator on R 3 Perturbed by a Complex Potential

In this paper we study the biharmonic operator on ℝ3 perturbed by a complex potential, which decays exponentially at infinity. We obtain bounds on the total number of eigenvalues of the said operator.
Advances in machine perfusion, organ preservation, and cryobiology: potential impact on vascularized composite allotransplantation

Purpose of review In this review, we discuss novel strategies that allow for extended preservation of vascularized composite allografts and their potential future clinical implications for the field of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA). Recent findings The current gold standard in tissue preservation - static cold preservation on ice - is insufficient to preserve VCA grafts for more than a few hours. Advancements in the field of VCA regarding matching and allocation, desensitization, and potential tolerance induction are all within reasonable reach to achieve; these are, however, constrained by limited preservation time of VCA grafts. Although machine perfusion holds many advantages over static cold preservation, it currently does not elongate the preservation time. More extreme preservation techniques, such as cryopreservation approaches, are, however, specifically difficult to apply to composite tissues as the susceptibility to ischemia and cryoprotectant agents varies greatly by tissue type. Summary In the current scope of extended preservation protocols, high subzero approaches of VCA grafts will be particularly critical enabling technologies for the implementation of tolerance protocols clinically. Ultimately, advances in both preservation techniques and tolerance induction have the potential to transform the field of VCA and eventually lead to broad applications in reconstructive transplantation.
Diminished Value Discrimination in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Prospect Theory Model of Decision-Making Under Risk

Introduction: It has been hypothesized that people diagnosed with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) exhibit behavioral aberrations when faced with the potential for negative outcomes, but the specific cognitive aspects of decision-making that may be altered have not been systematically studied in clinical populations. Here, we studied decision-making in a clinical cohort using a task that allows for examination of the subjective perceptions of values and probabilities associated with different choice outcomes. Methods: Patients diagnosed with OCD (n=10), generalized anxiety disorder (n=15), social anxiety disorder (n=14), and healthy controls (n=20) were given a decision-making task and choices were modeled using a cumulative prospect theory framework. Results: We found OCD patients to have lower value discrimination than controls, as well as less optimal performance on the task, an effect that was mostly driven by trials with only positive outcomes. Discussion: Our results shed light on the cognitive processes that drive altered decision-making under risk in OCD. Specifically, they demonstrate that OCD patients have diminished sensitivity to positive outcomes, which might be associated with risk aversion and altered reward processing. These findings also extend prior reports, suggesting that altered cognitive processing during decision-making is linked to altered perception of value, but not probability, in these patients.
A New Computing Paradigm Leveraging Interconnect Noise for Digital Electronics Under Extreme Environments

Digital CMOS based Integrated Circuits are susceptible to both permanent and transient errors in extreme environments like space due to radiation. The vulnerabilities arise mostly due to the static CMOS circuit style and use of planar devices, which can have junction breakdowns and latchups under radiation. These effects are expected to worsen with technology scaling. We propose a new computing fabric that not only provides a scalable alternative to traditional CMOS but also incorporates intrinsic fabric features for radiation resilience. A core component of the fabric is metallic nano-lines organized compactly. Whenever signal transitions take place in these metal lines, the sum of their crosstalk interference gets induced through virtual coupling capacitance in another metal line that was left floating (not connected to any signal/VDD/GND); in this case the transitioning signals are inputs and the net induced charge on the floating metal line is the output. Coupling strength between the input and output nano-lines and the net induced charge determines the logic being computed. The Crosstalk Computing fabric requires very few devices, which also implies less susceptibility. A byproduct of using interference for computing as opposed to device switching dependency is that whenever a high current spike is induced on interconnects due to radiation, the charges will get shared in multiple coupling capacitances connected to the net and thereby prevent extra charge build up at device nodes. Besides, the circuit style is dynamic as opposed to static CMOS, which also decreases the window of vulnerability. Moreover, the devices used in this fabric are ultra-thin body SOI Junction-less nanowire transistors where CMOS like latch-up mechanism is impossible as the substrate is not conductive. Our simulation results validate the concepts for radiation hardening and also indicate potentials for huge improvements; for a full adder design, density benefit is over 5x. Under worse case radiation scenarios, the simulations show superior resilience compared to CMOS.
Foundational Elements of a Rendezvous: When (and Where) Planning & Prediction Meet

For one entity to initiate a meeting, interception, or rendezvous with another, such situations necessitate both accurate perception of the target’s trajectory and also planning of one’s own trajec...
Reconstruction of Nonlinear Contact Forces Beyond Limited Measurement Locations Using an SVD Modal Filtering Approach

Assessment of operating loads is often approached as an inverse process using vibration response data and some form of system model to reconstruct external forces. Any mismatch in dynamic behavior between the model and the real system may distort the estimated loads. However, if the changes in system behavior are of interest, then those changes may be characterized through force reconstruction as equivalent loads acting in conjunction with the original external inputs. While these system changes may be linear in nature, the concept may be extended to nonlinear behavior, including intermittent contact between components. A modal based methodology for localization and reconstruction of inputs at potentially unmeasured locations is applied to the characterization of local system changes through their equivalent loading. An analytical study of a simple M-C-K system subject to contact nonlinearity is presented for validation. An experimental study is then presented using a multi-plate structure subject to impact loading and an unmodeled contact condition.
Teaching Research Methods Online

As you have read through this book, you have seen that research methods is a complicated course that requires a lot of interaction between the students and the instructor. There are so many difficult concepts for students to learn. Teaching research methods online adds another layer to the puzzle. It can be done successfully, but it involves careful planning and a lot of attention to detail. Two separate methods for teaching the course online will be discussed in this chapter: teaching it with a proposal as the final project and teaching it with a full experimental write-up as the final project.
A Case Study: Undergraduate Self-Learning in HPC Including OpenMP, MPI, OpenCL, and FPGAs

High Performance Computing (HPC) continues to develop and encroach on higher-education in the computing fields. With the ubiquitous availability and growth in commercial cloud computing and the diminishing performance returns on sequential programs, many developers must be able to understand and exploit parallel computing paradigms for certain applications. Focusing on Computer Engineering undergraduates, who arguably, will be future leaders in these parallel domains, the CE2016 recommended curriculum has a number of hours dedicated for parallel and distributed computing where approximately 10 core hours are to be taught in parallel programming, other ideas are taught in and among networking and embedded systems, and an entire section on digital design (50 hours). In reality, this is not enough time to become competent in the broader HPC field, nor do we expect standard undergraduate curriculum to develop competent undergraduate into parallel programmers. However, as demand increases for HPC developers, one wonders how students will attain this knowledge. Many people learn HPC competencies in graduate work and industrial work, but what might be done early. In this paper, we look at what a developer can possibly learn in the HPC world, and what tools and understanding is needed to build and experiment with parallel implementations. Our goal is to look at aspects of HPC given the constraints of a typical laptop, and we ask what can a developer test and learn about on their system in the HPC domain. The benefits of this work is a better understanding of what tool sets students will need to understand to develop simple parallel implementations, what HPC platforms can be used for courses or personalized learning, and we provide a basic framework and code samples for people to start from.
From the fixity of the past to the fixity of the independent

There is an old but powerful argument for the claim that exhaustive divine foreknowledge is incompatible with the freedom to do otherwise. A crucial ingredient in this argument is the principle of the “Fixity of the Past” (FP). A seemingly new response to this argument has emerged, the so-called “dependence response,” which involves, among other things, abandoning FP for an alternative principle, the principle of the “Fixity of the Independent” (FI). This paper presents three arguments for the claim that FI ought to be preferred to FP.
Regulatory Rollbacks and Deepening Social Inequalities

Regulatory rollbacks under the Trump administration are heightening social divides and deepening social inequalities. In this article, we examine key dynamics underlying this trend including the ch...
Abstract B26: A tumor specific molecular network promotes tumor growth by enforcing a JNK-YKI feed forward loop

Cancer cells expand rapidly in response to altered cell-cell interactions among tumor and their surrounding cells; however, the molecular mechanisms by which alterations in these interactions promote aggressive metastatic tumor growth remain unclear. Earlier studies showed that increased oncogenic signaling and deregulation of inflammatory cytokines may be underlying tumor growth and progression. To study the nature of these interactions, we made mosaic clones expressing oncogenic forms of Yorkie (Yki) or Ras in polarity deficient cells (RasV12, scrib- or Yki3SA, scrib-) that are marked with GFP in Drosophila imaginal discs. This mosaic system recapitulates the clonal origins of human cancer and provides a distinct advantage in analyzing cell-cell (intratumoral and tumor-surrounding cell) interactions affecting tumor growth. Using these models of oncogenic cooperation, we show that tumor cells grow by activation of a previously unidentified network comprising Wingless (Wg), Dronc (Drosophila Caspase 9 ortholog), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and Yki. Further, Toll-like receptor (TLR) component Cactus is highly expressed in the tumor cells. We show that Wg, Dronc, JNK, and Yki signaling are all required for the growth of tumors (RasV12, scrib-, and other tumor models), and downregulating Cactus affects both tumor progression and invasion. It is notable that Wg, Dronc, JNK, and Yki play a signaling and patterning role in normal development, and act as regulators of cell-cell interactions like cell competition and compensatory proliferation. JNK was previously shown to undergo a paradoxical signaling switch from proapoptosis to proproliferation that leads to activation of Yki. We report that Yki not only regulates the TLR component Cactus, but also positively regulates JNK in the tumor cells to form a JNK-Yki self-reinforcing positive feedback signal-amplification loop downstream of Wg and Dronc. We further demonstrate that the Wg-Dronc-JNK-Yki signaling network promotes tumor growth in other contexts of oncogenic cooperation. Overall, the identification of the Wg-Dronc-Yki-JNK molecular network and the organization of the signaling elements provide novel insights into how altered cell-cell interactions and signaling promote tumorigenesis. Our findings suggest that identification of molecular networks may provide significant insights about the key biologically meaningful changes in signaling pathways and paradoxical signals that promote tumorigenesis. Citation Format: Madhuri Kango-Singh. A tumor specific molecular network promotes tumor growth by enforcing a JNK-YKI feed forward loop [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Hippo Pathway: Signaling, Cancer, and Beyond; 2019 May 8-11; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(8_Suppl):Abstract nr B26.
Evaluation of Wireless Communication Networks on Secondary Control in Underwater Microgrid

The underwater microgrid is becoming an emerging application for the ocean energy, which integrates ocean current energy converter systems, underwater loads, and the onshore main utility. The multi-layer hierarchical control is employed to maintain the underwater microgrid stability. Under this control architecture, the wireless communication networks between the centralized controller and the local controllers require a detailed evaluation in the underwater environment. This paper evaluates the most conventional wireless communication network technologies for data transmission in the underwater microgrid. First, the different communication modulation technologies and antenna configurations are reviewed and compared in the aspects of the error rate, latency, and capacity. Then, their performances on the frequency restoration by secondary control in the underwater microgrid are evaluated in simulations. The analytical results are dedicated to providing the future research with the innovative insights and the design guidelines.
Age of Information Based Statistical Delay-Bounded QoS Provisioning Over Multimedia Mobile Wireless Networks

Time-sensitive multimedia services and applications aim at satisfying users’ stringent requirements on the delay-bounded quality-of-service (QoS). The statistical delay-bounded QoS provisioning theory has been developed to guarantee a given delay-bound with a small violation probability in multimedia wireless networks. The age of information (AoI) theory characterizes the freshness of information, which is the time-difference between the current time and the time-stamp of the latest observation, and thus, is another important theory to analyze the information latency in multimedia wireless networks. This paper proposes to integrate the statistical delay-bounded QoS provisioning theory with the age of information theory to investigate information latency and to improve the delay-bounded QoS performance over a stationary and ergodic first-come-first-serve M/M/1 channel in multimedia wireless networks. First, we define an AoI-exponent to measure the decaying rate of the violation probability for the maximum allowed AoI and characterize the relationship between the key parameter QoS-exponent in statistical delay-bounded QoS provisioning theory and the AoI-exponent in AoI theory. Second, we also derive a closed form expression of the AoI-based effective capacity, as a function of both the QoS-exponent and the AoI-exponent, to measure the optimal constant information updating rate for a given service process to support the statistical-bounded AoI guarantee. Third, we jointly optimize the statistical delay-bounded QoS and statistical upper-bounded AoI schemes. Finally, we validate and evaluate AoI based statistical delay-bounded QoS provisioning schemes over multimedia mobile wireless networks through numerical analyses.
Machine learning model to characterize seizure development in traumatic brain injury patients.

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in 69 million people annually and many patients go on to develop disabling disorders such as post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). This work focuses on data modeling and analysis for TBI patients who develop seizures. We investigated and analyzed MRI scans using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to characterize gray level intensity differences between TBI patients who developed seizures and TBI patients who have not developed seizures. We used MRI scans from the Epilepsy Bioinformatics Study for Antiepileptogenic Therapy, which aims to identify epileptogenic biomarkers through an international project involving multiple species, modalities, and research institutions. Using the VBM approach, statistically significant voxel changes were identified between the two clinical groups in different brain regions. Stochastic modeling and statistical analysis of the data in terms of interesting, confounding factors (age and total intracranial volume) and residual variability applied to each voxel independently, are presented. Statistical inference is used to test hypotheses that are expressed as functions of the General Linear Model estimated regression parameters. In addition, we used significant voxels to train a Neural Network (NN) classifier and evaluate the informative power of the proposed approach. The NN was able to distinguish the two clinical groups with an Area Under the receiver operating characteristics Curve of 62%.
Teaching Smartphone Funduscopy with 20 Diopter Lens in Undergraduate Medical Education.

Purpose To assess attitudes of pre-clinical undergraduate medical students toward learning smartphone funduscopy (SF) and its appropriateness as a teaching tool. Patients and Methods Second year medical students received instruction on direct ophthalmoscopy (DO) and SF; they were then paired with a peer and randomly assigned to perform DO or SF first. The SF technique involved freehand alignment of the axes of the smartphone camera with a condenser lens. Both techniques were done through a maximally dilated pupil. A questionnaire was completed to acquire data on baseline experience, performance of both examination techniques, attitudes, and appropriateness. Statistical significance testing and Bland-Altman analysis were used to determine differences between DO and SF, and a multivariable mixed regression model was fitted to identify any predictors for positive attitudes toward DO or SF. Results One hundred thirty-seven (137) individuals completed the study. A similar proportion of students could identify the optic nerve, macula, and vessels using DO and SF. However, self-reported quality scores were higher for DO for the optic nerve (p = 0.006) and macula (p = 0.08). The mean (standard deviation) attempts to identify these major structures were 2.7 (SD 2.3) for DO and 4.5 (SD 2.9) for SF (p < 0.001). Attitudes of students were consistently more positive toward DO across the five questions assessed. A small subset of students had equally positive attitudes toward DO and SF. Improved quality scores were predictive of positive attitudes for both DO and SF. Ultimately, 24% of students preferred SF over DO. Conclusion Among inexperienced examiners of the fundus through a dilated pupil, SF is a non-inferior technique to DO in identifying structures. Despite overall favorable attitudes towards the more familiar DO, those students who quickly learned the SF technique had similar satisfaction scores. Teaching SF should be considered in undergraduate medical education.
Trends in Diversity and Representativeness of Health Care Workers in the United States, 2000 to 2019

Despite evidence that greater diversity among health care workers may allow them to better care for patients with diverse cultural, social, economic, and clinical needs,1,2,3 data are limited on trends in diversity and representativeness of US health care workers by occupation. Using US Census data from 2000 to 2019, we examined national trends in representativeness in select health care occupations by race/ethnicity and sex.
Managing Quality in Aviation Projects

From aircraft manufacturing, product customization, aircraft maintenance, and aircraft launch and recovery, project management is threaded through all aspects of aviation. Given the supreme importa...
Comparison of polynomial fitting versus single time point analysis of ECIS data for barrier assessment

Electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) is an in vitro methodology for measuring the barrier integrity of a variety of cell types, including pulmonary endothelial cells. These experiments are frequently used for in vitro assessment of lung injury. The data derived from ECIS experiments consists of repeated measures of resistance across an endothelial monolayer. As such, these data reflect the dynamic changes in electrical resistance that occur over time. Currently methodologies for assessing ECIS data rely on single point assessments of barrier function, such as the maximal drop in trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TERMax ). However, this approach ignores the myriad of changes in resistance that occur before and after the TERMax data point. Herein, we utilize polynomial curve fitting on experimentally generated ECIS data, thus allowing for comparing ECIS experiments by examining the mean polynomial coefficients between groups. We show that polynomial curves accurately fit a variety of ECIS data, and that concordance between TERMax and coefficient analysis varies by type of stimulus, suggesting that TERMax differences may not always correlate with a significant difference in the overall shape of the ECIS profile. Lastly, we identify factors that impact coefficient values obtained in our analyses, including the length of time devoted to baseline measurements before addition of stimuli. Polynomial coefficient analysis is another tool that can be used for more comprehensive interrogation of ECIS data to better understand the biological underpinnings that lead to changes in barrier dysfunction in vitro.
Costume Society of America Fellow 2021 Patricia Hunt-Hurst

Dr. Patricia (Patti) Hunt-Hurst joined the Costume Society of America in the 1980s and since 1996 has taken on increasingly challenging leadership roles in the organization. She served as a vice pr...
Antioxidant therapies for ulcerative dermatitis: A potential model for skin picking disorder

Skin Picking Disorder affects 4% of the general population, with serious quality of life impacts, and potentially life threatening complications. Standard psychoactive medications do not help most patients. Similarly, Mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis (skin lesions caused by excessive abnormal grooming behavior) is very common in widely used inbred strains of mice, and represents a serious animal welfare issue and cause of mortality. Treatment options for Ulcerative Dermatitis are largely palliative and ineffective. We have proposed mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis as a model for human Skin Picking Disorder based on similar epidemiology, behavior, and its comorbidity and mechanistic overlap with hair pulling (trichotillomania). We predicted that mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis would be treated by N-Acetylcysteine, as this compound is highly effective in treating both Skin Picking Disorder and Trichotillomania. Furthermore, we hypothesized that N-Acetylcysteine’s mode of action is as a precursor to the production of the endogenous antioxidant glutathione in the brain, and therefore intranasal glutathione would also treat Ulcerative Dermatitis. Accordingly, we show in a heterogenous prospective trial, the significant reduction in Ulcerative Dermatitis lesion severity in mice receiving either N-acetylcysteine (oral administration) or glutathione (intranasal). The majority of mice treated with N-acetylcysteine improved slowly throughout the course of the study. Roughly half of the mice treated with glutathione showed complete resolution of lesion within 2-4 weeks, while the remainder did not respond. These findings are the first to show that the use of N-acetylcysteine and Glutathione can be curative for mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis. These findings lend additional support for mouse Ulcerative Dermatitis as a model of Skin Picking Disorder and also support oxidative stress and glutathione synthesis as the mechanism of action for these compounds. As N-Acetylcysteine is poorly tolerated by many patients, intranasal glutathione warrants further study as potential therapy in Skin Picking, trichotillomania and other body-focused repetitive behavior disorders.
Prolonged survival of a patient with metastatic leptomeningeal melanoma treated with BRAF inhibition-based therapy: a case report

Background Leptomeningeal metastasis of melanoma is a devastating complication with a grave prognosis, and there are no known effective standard treatments. Although selective BRAF inhibitors have demonstrated a significant clinical activity in patients with metastatic melanoma harboring a BRAF mutation, the clinical benefit of BRAF inhibitor-based therapy in leptomeningeal disease is not clear.
Division site regulation in a temperature-sensitive mutant of Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract Division site location was measured in Bacillus subtilis clones grown from spores at 30 and 45 C. Regulation of division location is lost in mutant 168ts-151 at 45 C.
Extensions to the Ash Algorithm for Finding Root Loci

This paper describes extensions to the Ash root-locus-finding algorithm that increase its efficiency and robustness. Also described are improvements to the implementation that increase the program's portability and the amount of information available to the user. An example of the use of the improved program is given.
Acoustic modeling for speech recognition based on spotting of phonetic units

A two stage approach to acoustic modeling for speech recognition is presented. First, a set of phoneme-like units are spotted in the continuous speech stream, then the outputs of the spotters are modeled as the observations generated by an HMM. The motivation is that this model allows overlap and/or gaps in the acoustic realizations of the phonetic units upon which recognition is based. This is in contrast to conventional HMM-based approaches, which model continuous speech as a concatenation of models for the individual phonetic units, and which therefore assume that the acoustic realizations also concatenate. We argue that phenomena such as coarticulation can be viewed as temporal overlap of the acoustic realizations of adjacent phonetic units. Some TIMIT-phone recognition experiments are presented, in which the new model has an error rate approximately 8% higher than a conventional context-independent HMM-based recognizer using standard CEP-based features. Some possible improvements to the model are discussed, and experiments are continuing. >
Control of oxytetracycline-resistant American foulbrood with tylosin and its toxicity to honey bees (Apis mellifera).

SUMMARYThe antibiotic tylosin was found to be effective in controlling oxytetracycline-resistant American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies, while not affecting adult and larval honey bee mortality. An optimal rate of 200 mg tylosin, applied in 20 g of confectioners' sugar at weekly intervals for three weeks, resulted in complete remission of detectable disease symptoms 45 days after initial treatment. No detectable disease symptoms were observed seven months after treatment with this rate. Various higher doses of tylosin (600 mg and 1000 mg per 20 g confectioners' sugar) applied over three honey bee brood cycles, resulted in no significant increase in adult and larval bee mortality when compared with controls. Discussion is given as to long term American foulbrood control and tactics for resistance management.
CNV during Memory Retrieval by Normal and Retarded Adults

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses contingent negative variation (CNV) during memory retrieval by normal and retarded adults. The moderately and mildly retarded with no apparent organic or medical involvement are known to do poorly on short term memory tasks. They are also known to perform slower memory scans than normals of the same age, at least for alphanumeric stimuli. On the other hand, these memory scan studies have shown no qualitative difference between the retarded and normal's scan stage of processing. The present chapter is of initial findings of memory scan and event-related potentials in the retarded and during development. It is expected that event-related potentials (CNV and P300) could provide additional information on the processes responsible for the slower scans of the retarded. Any interpretation of the retarded data must be considered tentative because of the small sample relative to the large variability. There are, however, a few points that are suggestive of the results of previous studies. As with other memory scanning studies the retarded had slower scans.
Solar Power for Future NASA Missions

An overview of NASA missions and technology development efforts are discussed. Future spacecraft will need higher power, higher voltage, and much lower cost solar arrays to enable a variety of missions. One application driving development of these future arrays is solar electric propulsion.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies on the carbothermal reduction reaction products of 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia

Extended X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS) at the Zr K edge has been used to determine changes in various bond lengths in 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) during zirconium carbide (ZrC) formation. The principal objective of this study was to determine if ZrC formation at the YSZ/carbon interface alters the zirconia structure. A mixed-phase sample (YSZ and graphite) was carbothermally reduced to form ZrC. X-ray diffraction phase quantification by Rietveld analysis confirmed the formation of ∼50% ZrC in the analyzed sample volume. EXAFS data of ZrC and YSZ powders and a sintered YSZ pellet (∼96.7% density) were used as standards to compare with the carbothermally reduced sample. Ab inito calculations using these spectra quantified various Zr—O, Zr—C and Zr—Zr bond distances in the system. Best fit results revealed Zr—OI (tetragonal), Zr—O (monoclinic), Zr—Zr (tetragonal) and Zr—Zr (monoclinic) bond length values of 2.10, 2.25, 3.65 and 3.52 A, respectively, in the YSZ powder, Zr—OI (tetragonal) and Zr—Zr (tetragonal) bond length values of 2.12 and 3.62 A, respectively, in the sintered pellet, and Zr—C and Zr—Zr bond lengths of 2.32 and 3.33 A, respectively, in the ZrC powder. Similar fitting procedures were carried out on the carbothermally reduced pellet, with measured Zr—O, Zr—Zr (of YSZ), Zr—C and Zr—Zr (of ZrC) bond lengths of 2.13, 3.62, 2.36 and 3.33 A, respectively. These bond lengths indicate that the formation of ZrC in the YSZ matrix does not influence the local structure when compared to pure standards. Therefore, carbothermal reduction does not induce any apparent strain or thermally induced effects on the first and second coordination shells of Zr as measured by the X-ray absorption spectra of the carbothermally reduced sample. Interestingly, the results indicated that sintering of the YSZ powder into pellets did not result in any significant change in the Zr—O and Zr—Zr distances for tetragonal YSZ.
Seawater desalination using Dewvaporation technique: experimental and enhancement work with economic analysis

This paper presents experimental data using Dewvaporation towers. The data was collected as a function of temperature and then compared against the theory for both brackish (1000 ppm) and sea waters (42,000 ppm). Based on experimental data, an overall heat transfer coefficient was determined. It was concluded that the effective heat transfer area was 25% of the total 7.9 m2 (85 ft2) with hg = 15.3 W/m2) K (2.7 Btu/h.ft2°F). This reduction was proven, using flow visualization experiments, to be the result of the unbalanced air streamlines on either side of the heat transfer wall. The purity of the distillate was less than 500 ppm for 42,000 ppm feed. A desiccant heat exchanger was proposed as a potential enhancement technique for energy consumption in the Dewvaporation operation. Mathematical modeling showed that the energy reuse factor could be improved by a factor of 3/2 using desiccant heat exchanger. Nevertheless, initial experimental data provided support for the desiccant concept. Finally, economics analysis was performed based on 3.8 m3/d (1000 gal/d) production for different designs. Capital cost ranged from $1646 to $2814 and operating cost per day ranged from $3.82 to $3.43.
Polarizability of an optical lattice clock at 20 ppm

Optical lattice clocks, which are based on highly-forbidden 1S 0 ↔ 3P 0 transitions of ultracold alkaline-earth atoms confined in standing-wave optical potentials [1], offer exquisite frequency stability and uncertainty. We leverage these advantages to determine the sensitivity of a ytterbium optical lattice clock to external electric fields at 20 part-per-million (ppm) accuracy [2]. We describe an electrode design compatible with various neutral optical atomic clocks and capable of absolute electric field generation at the ppm level. Importantly, the result bounds the uncertainty of the ytterbium clock frequency due to room-temperature blackbody radiation at the level of 3×10−17.
Administrative Reports Accomplishments of a Salaried Blood Donor Recruiter in a Municipal Hospital

A salaried blood donor recruiter was appointed at a municipal hospital in 1971. Efforts were directed at both the community and hospital staff. The year prior to the appointment, 4,076 units of blood were purchased from commercial sources. During the last year no blood was purchased.
The role of the π NN coupling in mesonic-exchange corrections to electron scattering from 2H and 3He☆

Abstract The magnetic form factor of the three-body system is found to be sensitive to the π NN coupling through its dependence on the axial mass. Hence, it provides the means for an investigation of this mass. In contrast the electromagnetic form factors of the deuteron and the charge form factor of the three-body system cannot furnish information along these lines.
The preservation of the mechanical properties of venous allografts by freezing

Abstract Stored venous allografts are potential alternatives to autogenous materials when the latter are unavailable for arterial replacement. Among the criteria necessary for utilization would be the preservation of hemodynamically favorable elastic properties. A study was undertaken to assess the effects of frozen storage on venous compliance (percentage volume change/mm Hg) and elastic modulus (dyn/cm 2 × 10 8 ) of 40 canine jugular vein segments. The veins were allotted to two experimental groups. Five from each group acted as controls. Fifteen vein segments were frozen immediately with liquid N 2 (−196°C) and stored at −70°C (unprotected). Another fifteen were pre-treated with 15% DMSO and then frozen (DMSO). The veins were thawed by immersion in Hanks' balanced salt solution (37°C) after either 1 or 24 hr, or 1 week. Compliance and elastic modulus were calculated from the volumetric responses to pressure of the vein segments mounted in a special saline-filled cylinder. There was a modest but statistically insignificant increase in compliance from initial control values of 1.9 ± 0.68 (unprotected) and 1.3 ± 0.44 (DMSO-treated) to 2.16 ± 0.29 and 2.04 ± 0.70, respectively, at 1 week. The elastic moduli of the control groups (16.3 ± 4.5, unprotected; 22.6 ± 4.5, DMSO) were also indistinguishable from the frozen groups (13.5 ± 2.3, unprotected; 15.4 ± 3.9, DMSO). Short-term freezing preserves the important functional elastic properties of veins and this preservation is independent of the use of DMSO.
Generalized Dispersion Relations for Waveguide Frequency Doubler

The optimum design of an efficient waveguide frequency doubler depends on many parameters such as the refractive indices of the guide n2ω and cladding n1ω materials, their respective dispersions from to to 2ω (ω=2π/λ), the thickness of the waveguide t, and the fundamental wavelength λ.
Treatment of Brucella canis and Brucella abortus in Vitro and in Vivo by Stable Plurilamellar Vesicle-Encapsulated Aminoglycosides

Stable plurilamellar vesicles (SPLVs) entrapping aminoglycosides were used to treat infections due to Brucella species (Brucella canis and Brucella abortus). SPLV-entrapped antibiotics effectively eliminated internalized B. canis in cultures of resident murine peritoneal macrophages and internalized B. abortus in cultures of resident guinea pig peritoneal macrophages. In vivo studies demonstrated that SPLV-entrapped aminoglycosides administered to B. canis-infected mice and B. abortus-infected guinea pigs effectively eliminated bacteria from infected organs. The dosage schedule used involved two intraperitoneal administrations of SPLV-entrapped aminoglycosides at three-day intervals. The results demonstrate the superiority of SPLV-entrapped aminoglycosides to free aminoglycosides in effecting elimination of facultative intracellular bacteria in vitro and in vivo. The use of SPLVs as a drug carrier has broad application to treatment of infections due to other organisms.
Generation of phosphor nanoparticles for temperature sensing by laser ablation in liquid

Nano-size phosphor particles of Y2.97Ce0.03(Al1−x Gd x )5O12 were fabricated by ablating commercial micron-size powders in deionized water. We show that these colloidal phosphor nanoparticles suspended in deionized water can be used as a liquid sensor for all-optical, non-contact measurements of temperature with nanosecond time resolution. The nanophosphors can be used as temperature-sensing reporters in many applications where real-time measurements of temperature are necessary to understand physical processes, such as the mechanisms of temperature–time profiles in laser ablation.
LOSS OF BIOACTIVE PHOSPHORUS AND ENTERIC BACTERIA IN RUNOFF FROM DAIRY MANURE APPLIED TO SOD

Information on the concurrent release and interactions between manure-borne phosphorus (P) and enteric bacteria to runoff from a live or dead grass sod is limited. A study of simulated runoff and an enzyme-based fractionation of runoff P forms from dairy manure applied on grass-covered soil in runof
A linked fusion of things, services, and data to support a collaborative data management facility

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the use of semantic technologies and approaches to seamlessly link things, services, and data in the proposed design of a scientific offshore wind energy research for the U.S. Department of Energy Wind and Water Technology Office of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). By adapting linked community best practices, we were able to design a collaborative facility supporting both operational staff and end users that incorporates off-the-shelf components and overcome traditional barriers between devices, resulting data, and processing services. This was made largely possible through complementary advances in the Internet of Things (IoT), semantic web, Linked Services, and Linked Data communities, which provide the foundation for our design.
Toxic gases from fires

The major lethal factors in uncontrolled fires are toxic gases, heat, and oxygen deficiency. The predominant toxic gas is carbon monoxide, which is readily generated from the combusion of wood and other cellulosic materials. Increasing use of a variety of synthetic polymers has stimulated interest in screening tests to evaluated the toxicity of polymeric materials when thermally decomposed. As yet, this country lacks a standardized fire toxicity test protocol.
Closed-loop bandwidth optimization to maximize adaptive optics system performance

We present results of research aimed at optimizing adaptive optics closed loop bandwidth settings to maximize imaging system performance. The optimum closed loop bandwidth settings are determined as a function of target object light levels and atmospheric seeing conditions. Our work shows that for bright objects, the optimum closed loop bandwidth is near the Greenwood frequency. However, for dim objects without the use of a laser beacon, the preferred closed loop bandwidth settings are a small fraction of the Greenwood frequency. In addition, under low light levels, selection of the proper closed loop bandwidth is more critical for achieving maximum performance than under high light levels. We also present a strategy for selecting the closed loop bandwidth to provide robust system performance for different target object light levels.
Autoxidation of methyl oleate, methyl stearolate, and methyl 9,10-dieuteroöleate

A comparative study of the autoxidation of methyl oleate, methyl 9,10-dideuterooleate, methyl stearolate, and stearolic acid has re-emphasized the complexity of the autoxidation phenomenon. The autoxidation of the acetylenic compounds indicates the importance of peroxidation of the active methylene group as compared to the addition of oxygen at the unsaturated linkages. The importance of olefinic hydrogens and the role of the double bond with respect to the induction periods and possible addition reactions has been brought out by the studies on the autoxidation of the deuterooleate. Consequently it appears that during autoxidation of methyl oleate, oxidative attack is initiated at the olefinic position and then at α-methylenic position and that water formation occurs shortly thereafter. At least some of the hydrogen of the water formed during autoxidation comes from the olefinic hydrogens.
Error probability of a binary differentially coherent phase-shift-keyed system having a realisable receiver filter

The effect of using bandpass filters derived from lowpass filters by means of a standard lowpass-bandpass transformation as receiver filters in a binary differentially coherent phase-shift-keyed system is examined. The results presented show how the system-error performance depends on the ratios between the intermediate frequency (i.f.), bit rate and bandwidth. In particular, if the optimum value of the bandwidth/bit-rate ratio is chosen, for i.f./bit-rate ratios as low as 4, there is only a very small degradation in system performance relative to that obtained with the corresponding arithmetically symmetric receiver filter, which is more difficult to design.
Do not Rho tight junctions (or they become leaky)

Comment on Persidsky et al, page [4770][1] Impaired functions of brain vasculature contribute to the neurodegenerative changes associated with HIV infection. The article by Persidsky and colleagues in this issue of Blood sheds new information on the processes that regulate monocyte trafficking