cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast Weak Learner Based on Genetic Algorithm

An approach to the acceleration of parametric weak classifier boosting is proposed. Weak classifier is called parametric if it has fixed number of parameters and, so, can be represented as a point into multidimensional space. Genetic algorithm is used instead of exhaustive search to learn parameters of such classifier. Proposed approach also takes cases when effective algorithm for learning some of the classifier parameters exists into account. Experiments confirm that such an approach can dramatically decrease classifier training time while keeping both training and test errors small.
Stimulus effects of N-monoethyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (MDE) and N-hydroxy-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (N-OH MDA) in rats trained to discriminate MDMA from saline

Tests of stimulus generalization were conducted using rats trained to discriminate 1.5 mg/kg of N-monomethyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane HCl (MDMA) from saline in order to determine if two structurally related analogs (MDE and N-OH MDA) would produce similar stimulus effects. The MDMA-stimulus (MDMA, ED50 value = 0.76 mg/kg) generalized both to MDE (ED50 value = 0.73 mg/kg) and N-OH MDA (ED50 value = 0.47 mg/kg). Administration of (+)amphetamine resulted in partial generalization (maximum of 49% MDMA-appropriate responding) in the MDMA-trained animals. Taken together with our previous studies showing that MDMA substitutes for the phenylisopropylamine stimulant (+)amphetamine, but that neither MDE nor N-OH MDA substitute for (+)amphetamine or for the phenylisopropylamine hallucinogen 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM), the present results [i.e., MDMA-stimulus generalization to MDE, N-OH MDA, but not to (+)amphetamine] suggest that 1) MDMA produces effects other than those that may be considered amphetamine-like, and 2) MDE and N-OH MDA are MDMA-like agents with even less of an amphetamine-like component of action than MDMA itself.
Antimicrobial properties of biodegradable magnesium for next generation ureteral stent applications

Bacterial infection often causes clinical complications and failure of indwelling medical devices. This is a major problem of current ureteral stents, which are used clinically to treat the blockage of ureteral canals. This study investigates the effectiveness and applicability of magnesium as a novel biodegradable ureteral stent material that has inherent antimicrobial properties. Incubating Escherichia coli with the magnesium samples showed a decrease in the bacterial cell density as compared with the currently used commercial polyurethane stent. Magnesium degradation in the immersion solutions (artificial urine, luria bertani broth, and deionized water) resulted in an alkaline pH shift. Antimicrobial and biodegradation properties of magnesium make it an attractive alternative as next-generation ureteral stent material.
Extensions of scale-space filtering to machine-sensing systems

Major components of scale-space theory are Gaussian filtering, and the use of zero-crossing thresholders and Laplacian operators. Properties of scale-space filtering may be useful for data analysis in multiresolution machine-sensing systems. However, these systems typically violate the Gaussian filter assumption, and often the data analyses used (e.g. trend analysis and classification) are not consistent with zero-crossing thresholders and Laplacian operators. The authors extend the results of scale-space theory to include these more general conditions. In particular, it is shown that relaxing the requirement of linear scaling allows filters to have non-Gaussian spatial characteristics, and that relaxing of the scale requirements (s to 0) of the impulse response allows the use of scale-space filters with limited frequency support (i.e. bandlimited filters). Bandlimited scale-space filters represent an important extension of scale-space analysis for machine sensing. >
On the convergence of block constrained nonlinear equation solvers

The shortcomings associated with successive substitution nonlinear solvers are circumvented by introducing a so-called block constraint methodology. Specifically, by partitioning the governing field equations into various subsets, constraints can be applied individually to each separate block. To illustrate the formal properties of the scheme, a series of lemmas and a theorem will be developed. These define its convergence properties. Due to the generality of the approach taken, virtually any form of functional constraint may be employed.
Capacitive-piezoelectric AlN resonators with Q>12,000

A “capacitive-piezo” transducer that separates a piezoelectric resonator from its electrodes via small gaps to eliminate resonator-to-electrode loss while maintaining strong electromechanical coupling [1], has enabled demonstration of a 50-MHz wine-glass disk (WGD) resonator array with Q=12,748. This is higher than exhibited by any sputtered thin-film AlN resonator measured to date at any frequency and more than 2.2× larger than previously achieved by similar devices using conventional (i.e., contacting) electrodes [2]. By attaining such high Q, this work erases a common belief that material losses in sputtered AlN dominate the Q's of resonators constructed in this material and confirms that sputtered AlN is a high-Q material. It further suggests that energy loss associated with contacting electrodes is primarily responsible for the low Q's of previous AlN resonators. With Q's over 10,000, this work identifies AlN as a viable material for use in channel-selecting RF front ends targeted for future software-defined cognitive radio [3].
An attributional analysis of jurors' judgments in a criminal case: A preliminary investigation

A study was conducted to determine the extent to which attributional complexity influences juror decision-making. Using Fletcher’s (1986) attributional complexity scale, mock jurors ( N = 186), who were shown a videotape of a simulated armed robbery, then rendered individual judgments on the case. The results showed that attributionally-simple participants found the defendant guilty more often both before and after presentation of the evidence, reported more confidence in their final decision, and attributed more personal causes to the defendant’s behavior. Attributionally-complex participants, while not excluding the role of internal causes, were more likely to consider external causes as possible influences on the defendant’s behavior. The findings demonstrate the existence of clear individual differences in attributional style and the potential importance of this variable for jury selection.
Effects of drought and hurricane disturbances on headwater distributions of palaemonid river shrimp (Macrobrachium spp.) in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico

AbstractExtreme events (hurricanes, floods, and droughts) can influence upstream migration of macroinvertebrates and wash out benthic communities, thereby locally altering food webs and species interactions. We sampled palaemonid river shrimp (Macrobrachium spp.), dominant consumers in headwaters of the Luquillo Mountains of northeastern Puerto Rico, to determine their distributions along an elevational gradient (274–456 m asl) during a series of disturbances (Hurricane Hugo in 1989, a drought in 1994, and Hurricane Georges in 1998) that occurred over a 15-y period (1988−2002). We measured shrimp abundance 3 to 6 times/y in Quebrada Prieta in the Espiritu Santo drainage as part of the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program. In general, Macrobrachium abundance declined with elevation during most years. The lowest mean abundance of Macrobrachium occurred during the 1994 drought, the driest year in 28 y of record in the Espiritu Santo drainage. Macrobrachium increased in abundance for 6 y following t...
On The Importance Of Family In Family Firms

Family values may play an important role in shaping the organization of businesses and their efficiency. This paper first addresses the question of “Why family firms?” Family firms are discussed from the perspectives long-term, substitution, human capital, and politics. The paper then addresses “family values and family firms” discussing nepotism, legacy, and inheritance norms.
Using Enquiry-Based Learning in Sports and Exercise Sciences: A Case Study from Exercise Biomechanics

Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) has been used to develop student autonomy and independent thinking. However, few authors have documented how EBL has been integrated into sports-related courses. Fewer still have examined differences in the student experiences of EBL when it is introduced at different stages in the curriculum. This paper documents the student experiences of EBL when introduced to students in either a first year or second year undergraduate module. Following completion of each module, students participated in focus group interviews. Results revealed that, common across both year groups, students believed EBL to have developed skills and helped them engage in a more student-centred form of learning. Year 2 students also believed that EBL offered more in terms of social justice compared to traditional, lecture-led teaching. However, although Year 1 students saw the introduction of EBL positively, comments from year 2 students emphasised an assessment driven approach to learning and a preference to be ‘told’ what was needed rather than explore the subject in their own way. These results seem to indicate that EBL may be most effective when introduced early into the undergraduate curriculum to emphasise student’s autonomy for learning and to avoid an assessment driven approach being fostered in students.
Chrysoperla johnsoni (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): acoustic evidence for full species status

The substrate-borne courtship song of Chrysoperla johnsoni Henry et al., formerly the P3 song morph of C. plorabunda (Fitch) (sensu lato), is described. It is a multisyllabic tremulation signal, produced by rapid vertical oscillation (jerking) of the abdomen. Both sexes produce nearly identical shortest repeated units (SRUs) consisting of at least two vibrational volleys, each averaging 1.8–4.0 s long and sweeping in frequency from ≈71 to 43 Hz (25°C). Partners must duet with one another before mating. The song is recognizable and homogeneous over a broad geographical range from northern Idaho to southern Arizona. However, several of its temporal features show clinal variation with latitude, analyzed here using stepwise linear regression. The frequency components of the song show much less variation. Two other cryptic, sibling species, C. plorabunda (sensu stricto, formerly P1) and C. adamsi Henry et al. (P2), are syntopic with C.johnsoni at many sites and are physically indistinguishable from it. However, highly significant differences are found in every shared song feature when C. johnsoni is compared with C. plorabunda and C. adamsi in areas of sympatry. Temporal features such as volley duration and spacing show the largest differences, but frequencies are more constrained. In addition, the multisyllabic nature of the C. johnsoni SRU renders it behaviorally incompatible with the single-volley SRUs of C. plorabunda and C. adamsi . A strain of C. plorabunda (s. lat.) from Berkeley, CA, previously recognized as C. mohave (Banks), is shown here to be a population of C. johnsoni. C. johnsoni is a cohesive genetic unit deserving recognition as a separate species. With C. plorabunda and C. adamsi , it forms a complex of cryptic, sibling lacewing species in North America.
Antifungal Stewardship: an Emerging Practice in Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antimicrobial stewardship programs have gained increasing popularity in hospitals worldwide, given the growing emphasis on reducing antimicrobial resistance and data demonstrating inappropriate antibacterial drug use. Data on overuse and opportunities to optimize antifungal drug therapy justify that similar efforts should be focused on antifungal stewardship. Although more limited than antibacterial stewardship efforts, data are emerging that provide focus for antifungal stewardship activities. In this review, we discuss the essential elements for antifungal stewardship and compare and contrast with core elements for overall antimicrobial stewardship, highlighting areas where unique aspects of antifungal therapy provide opportunities for distinct stewardship strategies. A review of available data on successful antifungal stewardship activities provides examples of successful antifungal stewardship interventions that can be implemented in the acute care setting.
Determination of Perforation Intervals of Wells in Bottom-Water Reservoirs with Barriers

Determination of perforation intervals and optimal shot density of wells in bottom-water reservoirs with barriers is studied and presented.The study shows that barriers with both high critical rates and high production rates existed in bottom-water reservoirs are generally protected or retained,while those with high critical rates and low production rates or low critical rates and high production rates should be perforated.The wells perforated by distribution of the barriers appear in higher production rates and postpone the breakthrough time of bottom-water on a large scale.Bottom-water reservoirs with barriers display abundant natural drive energy in development and overcome the drawbacks of short water-free oil production period in bottom-water reservoirs without barriers.
Advances in alkanes isomerization over tungsten based catalysts

Advances in tungsten carbide alkanes isomerization catalysts,including their preparation and the isomerization mechanism,were reviewed.
Morphing of two-dimensional hole systems at ν = 3 / 2 in parallel magnetic fields: Compressible, stripe, and fractional quantum Hall phases

A transport study of two-dimensional (2D) holes confined to wide GaAs quantum wells provides a glimpse of a subtle competition between different many-body phases at a Landau level filling $\ensuremath{\nu}=3/2$ in tilted magnetic fields. At large tilt angles ($\ensuremath{\theta}$), an anisotropic, stripe (or nematic) phase replaces the isotropic compressible Fermi sea at $\ensuremath{\nu}=3/2$ if the quantum well has a symmetric charge distribution. When the charge distribution is made asymmetric, instead of the stripe phase, an even-denominator fractional quantum state appears at $\ensuremath{\nu}=3/2$ in a range of large $\ensuremath{\theta}$, and reverts back to a compressible state at even higher $\ensuremath{\theta}$. We attribute this remarkable evolution to the significant mixing of the excited and ground-state Landau levels of 2D hole systems in tilted fields.
Reflections from Key Design Team Members

Gary W. Siebein, FAIA, FASA is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Florida. He has written five books, 16 book chapters, and over 150 technical papers and presentations on architectural acoustics. He directs a graduate research program where masters and doctoral students from around the world study building and environmental acoustics. He is also the Senior Principal Consultant with Siebein Associates, Inc. (www.siebeinacoustic.com), an acoustical consulting firm located in Gainesville, Florida that specializes in design for natural and reinforced acoustics in worship, music performance, and theatrical spaces. He has worked on over 1,600 projects since the firm’s inception in 1981.
Performance Analysis of Electrodynamic Screens Based on Residual Particle Size Distribution

Dust accumulation on the optical surfaces of solar collectors causes significant losses in their energy yield. Fine dust particles, compared with coarse ones, contribute significantly more in the performance loss, assuming identical surface mass concentration. This study examines the performance of different electrodynamic screen (EDS) prototypes, operated under different conditions, in removing fine dust particles in the laboratory environment. After going through several cycles of dust deposition and cleaning using EDS, the dust residue left on each EDS prototype is collected and analyzed using a Horiba particle size distribution (PSD) analyzer. The PSD analyses determine which EDS design has performed superior in removing a given size range and in which operational condition. The results are advantageous in the optimization procedure of EDS to attain maximum dust removal efficiency and minimum optical interference.
Coherence model estimation in support of efficient recursive InSAR time-series processing

This paper introduces a newly developed interferometric coherence model that can be used to preselect pairs of images for InSAR time-series processing. As coherence values are pre-calculated, automatic image selection can be performed at very little computational cost and computing resources can be dedicated to the few remaining selected interferograms. This can lead to significant throughput improvements in an environment where the number of possible interferometric pairs is fast increasing (through rapidly repeated observations) and the processing of all possible pairs may no longer be computationally feasible. We are in the process of implementing this coherence-based preselection approach in an automatic processing system aimed at the continuous monitoring of volcanoes in Alaska [3].
Correlation of Metabolic Syndrome Severity with Cardiovascular Health Markers in Adolescents

Background and Objectives The presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in childhood is a significant risk factor for later cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent data showed temporal decreases in a sex- and race/ethnicity-specific MetS severity z-score among U.S. adolescents. Our goal was to characterize the relationship of this MetS z-score with other CVD risk indicators and assess their temporal trends and lifestyle influences.
Perceived discrimination among racial and ethnic minority drug users and the association with health care utilization.

ABSTRACTPeople who use drugs (PWUDs) are at increased risk for several medical conditions, yet they delay seeking medical care and utilize emergency departments (EDs) as their primary source of care. Limited research regarding perceived discrimination and PWUDs’ use of health care services exists. This study explores the association between interpersonal and institutional racial/ethnic and drug use discrimination in health care settings and health care utilization among respondents (N = 192) recruited from methadone maintenance treatment programs (36%), HIV primary care clinics (35%), and syringe exchange programs (29%) in New York City (n = 88) and San Francisco (n = 104). The Kaiser Family Foundation Survey of Race, Ethnicity, and Medical Care questionnaire was utilized to assess perceived institutional racial/ethnic and drug use discrimination. Perceived institutional discrimination was examined across race/ethnicity and by regular use of ERs, having a regular doctor, and consistent health insurance. P...
Influence of storage vial material on measurement of organophosphate flame retardant metabolites in urine

Use of organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) has increased over the past decade with the phase out of polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Urinary metabolites of PFRs are used as biomarkers of exposure in epidemiologic research, which typically uses samples collected and stored in polypropylene plastic cryovials. However, a small study suggested that the storage vial material may influence reported concentrations. Therefore, we aimed to examine the influence of the storage vial material on analytical measurement of PFR urinary metabolites. Using urine samples collected from participants in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study, we analyzed the PFR metabolites in duplicate aliquots that were stored in glass and plastic vials (n = 31 pairs). Bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP), diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) and isopropyl-phenyl phenyl phosphate (ip-PPP) were detected in 98%, 97% and 87% of duplicates. We observed high correlations between glass-plastic duplicates for BDCIPP (rs = 0.95), DPHP (rs = 0.79) and ip-PPP (rs = 0.82) (p < 0.0001). Urinary ip-PPP was an average of 0.04 ng/ml (p = 0.04) higher among samples stored in glass, with a mean relative difference of 14%. While this difference is statistically significant, it is small in magnitude. No differences were observed for BDCIPP or DPHP, however future research should seek to reduce the potential for type II error (false negatives). We conclude that storing urine samples in polypropylene plastic cryovials may result in slightly reduced concentrations of urinary ip-PPP relative to storage in glass vials and future research should seek to increase the sample size, reduce background variability and consider the material of the urine collection cup.
Employee Handbooks and Policy Statements: From Gratuities to Contracts and Back Again

This article is part of the Labor Law Group’s commentary on the recently adopted Restatement of Employment Law and focuses on Chapter 2 which addresses the legal significance of employee handbooks and disclaimers. Professor Befort argues that the Restatement does not adequately account for legitimate employee expectations in outlining the law with respect to the enforcement of employee handbooks. He is also skeptical of the Restatement’s adoption of the theory of “administrative agency estoppel” in deciding what handbooks to enforce, a theory for which there is no support in any American jurisdiction. Moreover, he argues that, the Restatement’s automatic endorsement of disclaimers without a fact specific analysis of employee expectations is inconsistent with the Restatement’s estoppel theory of enforcement and the weight of scholarly commentary. Professor Befort does not believe that the Restatement should give determinative weight to the insertion of boilerplate disclaimers in new and revised handbooks without regard to the overall promissory tenor of those documents or the reasonable expectations they might create.
Feeling, emotion and imagination: in defence of Collingwood's expression theory of art

ABSTRACTIn ‘The Principles of Art’, R. G. Collingwood argues that art is the imaginative expression of emotion. So much the worse, then, for Collingwood. The theory seems hopelessly inadequate to the task of capturing art’s extension: of encompassing all the works we generally suppose should be rounded up under the concept. A great number of artworks, and several art forms, have nothing to do with emotion. But it would be surprising were Collingwood philistine enough to think that art is only ever concerned with communicating quotidian affective states, like anger, fear or love. Surely he has some more sophisticated notion of emotion in mind, and quite probably of expression too. And it turns out that those sophisticated notions can be pushed towards a version of the expression theory that meets the extensional challenge. If we interpret Collingwood as saying that expression is a particular application of imagination, and that imagination is the faculty that refines ideas of emotions, and that ‘emotions’ ...
Biometric based human recognition using gait energy images

Biometric identification method is used to assess the characteristics of human behavior by identifying their different parameters. Gait recognition is an active biometric research topic which has many security and surveillance applications, and also can help in early diagnosis of different medical conditions such as Parkinson disease. It has been concluded from Psychological studies that people have slight but substantial capability to distinguish individuals by their gait characteristics. There are different techniques to perform gait recognition, and can be achieved by analyzing data from either imagery or radar sensors. This particular research project however will involve correct identification of a person from person’s gait by using images/video taken at different distances, angle of views and walking speeds of the person. CASIA Gait Recognition Dataset used in this project contains gait energy images. These images are extracted from images frame sequence of walking subject with camera positioned relative to subject, with increments of 18 degrees. Lower part of GEI is used in feature extraction, as it has most dynamic information. Gait signatures of a person created from gait energy images will be used to train artificial neural networks model to correctly classify the subject. Two Back propagation algorithms are compared in terms of performance. Cross-entropy and ROC curves are used as performance criteria for both training algorithms. Our system performs very well in terms of minimization of cross-entropy and classification rate.
Radiation from large-scale structures within a turbulent shear layer:

We examine the acoustic radiation from multiple high-speed subsonic and supersonic free shear layers. We decompose the flow field into a base component (an average), a component associated with the...
A Model for Deep Catalytic Oxidation of Hydrocarbon Mixtures in the Strong Pore Diffusion Region

Abstract A laboratory-scale tubular catalytic reactor used for low-temperature (160–360 °C) deep catalytic oxidation of n-hexane and benzene as single components and in a binary mixture was modeled both with and without internal (pore) diffusion effects. A multicomponent extension of the Mars/van Krevelen mechanism (ref. 1, ref. 2) provided the kinetic basis for the reactor models. Experimental conversion data for a 0.1-percent Pt, 3-percent Ni/γGM-Al 2 O 3 catalyst, using 120 × 170 mesh particles, were compared to model predictions. Both models provided similar predictions of the single component results indicating the absence of pore diffusion effects in the 120 × 170 mesh particles. Benzene oxidation in the binary mixture was somewhat overpredicted throughout the temperature range indicating the need for a more rigorous kinetic mechanism. Single component n-hexane oxidation was overpredicted above 260 °C presumably due to external diffusion effects in the laboratory reactor.
A mathematical formulation of reliability optimized design

The problem of optimization of system reliability through an optimum choice of parallel redundancy has been extensively researched in the literature. Many mathematical techniques have been adapted or developed to solve this integer programming problem, however, because of mathematical complexity few of these are widely known or used by reliability engineers.
A Photoneutron Antimony-124-Beryllium System for Fissile Materials Assay

An 124Sb-Be(γ,n) assay system has been designed and fabricated for the measurement of fissile content in small samples, fuel rods, and solutions. The instrument uses multiple 4He gas tube detectors...
On the Structure of Single Slip and its Implications for Inelasticity

We outline a program suggesting new possibilities for describing the inelastic behavior of materials at the macro scale by properly considering the dominant features of the corresponding micro scale. We show, in particular, that many phenomenological theories of inelasticity ranging from classical plasticity and viscoplasticity to recent internal variable models can be recovered from the structure of single slip. Single slip is assumed to occur by means of gliding dislocations which, in addition to their interaction with the lattice and themselves, can also be generated and annihilated. The transition from the micro scale to the macro scale is realized through a maximization procedure motivated by an argument of microscopic irreversibility. Even though the hypothesized microscopic configuration is highly idealistic, it is shown that the implied macroscopic situation is extremely rich. It provides a framework for calculating the phenomenological coefficients of various plasticity theories and leads, among other things, to finite size shear band widths and a physically motivated analysis of large plastic deformations.
Communication matters: Exploring older adults' current use of patient portals.

Abstract Objectives Patient portals have the potential to increase patient engagement. Older patients are of particular interest as they are likely to suffer from multiple chronic conditions. Yet, questions remain about how patient portals are perceived and deemed useful by older adults. This study explored attitudes toward, perceived utility of, and requirements of a patient portal from the perspective of older adults. Methods We used a mixed-method approach integrating online surveys, a review of existing portals, and participatory design workshops with 17 people who were 65 years old and over. Results The findings demonstrate that the participants used a patient portal primarily as one of the communication channels to interact with their providers, rather than as a tool for accessing and managing personal health information. Consequently, the perception of whether or not a provider would use the patient portal was a primary factor that older adults considered in determining the adoption and use of a portal. Conclusions It is important to understand that older adults would perceive a patient portal as one part of a larger communication system to interact with a provider. This finding will help researchers and practitioners to advance the design and use of a patient portal to effectively incorporate it into older adults’ health care and better serve the unique needs of the ageing population.
Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Characterization of Carbazole Based Dopamine Agonists as Potential Symptomatic and Neuroprotective Therapeutic Agents for Parkinson’s Disease

We have developed a series of carbazole-derived compounds based on our hybrid D2/D3 agonist template to design multifunctional compounds for the symptomatic and disease-modifying treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). The lead molecules (-)-11b (D-636), (-)-15a (D-653), and (-)-15c (D-656) exhibited high affinity for both D2 and D3 receptors and in GTPγS functional assay, the compounds showed potent agonist activity at both D2 and D3 receptors (EC50 (GTPγS); D2 = 48.7 nM, D3 = 0.96 nM for 11b, D2 = 0.87 nM, D3 = 0.23 nM for 15a and D2 = 2.29 nM, D3 = 0.22 nM for 15c). In an animal model of PD, the test compounds exhibited potent in vivo activity in reversing hypolocomotion in reserpinized rats with a long duration of action compared to the reference drug ropinirole. In a cellular antioxidant assay, compounds (-)-11b, (-)-15a, and (-)-15c exhibited potent activity in reducing oxidative stress induced by neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Also, in a cell-based PD neuroprotection model, these lead compounds significantly increased cell survival from toxicity of 6-OHDA, thereby producing a neuroprotective effect. Additionally, compounds (-)-11b and (-)-15a inhibited aggregation and reduced toxicity of recombinant alpha synuclein protein in a cell based in vitro assay. These observations suggest that the lead carbazole-based dopamine agonists may be promising multifunctional molecules for a viable symptomatic and disease-modifying therapy of PD and should be further investigated.
CHAPTER 12 – Development and testing of dendritic cell lines

This chapter describes immunological features of the long-term dendritic cells (DCs) lines and their utilities in biomedical research. Each DC line changes the surface phenotype dramatically depending upon the culture conditions for instance, fetal-skin-derived dendritic cell (FSDC) cells elevated the expression of MHC class II molecules and CD54 following IFNγ treatment. The oncogene-immortalized cell lines CB1, D2SC/1, and FSDC continued to proliferate in conventional culture media with 5 or 10% FCS in the absence of added growth factors. Long-term DC lines have served as useful tools for studying the biology of DCs at molecular and biochemical levels such as cDNA cloning has been employed in an attempt to identify the genes that are expressed selectively by DCs. DC lines have been used to develop several new technologies that are potentially applicable for the treatment of human disease. In conventional DC-based vaccines, DCs are pulsed with soluble protein antigens or antigenic peptides in vitro and then administered to animals.
THE VALUE OF COMMUNICATION IN TEAMS

This chapter highlights the value of communication in teams. A well-defined decision problem is needed to evaluate the communication system of an organization. It is useful to eliminate the game theoretic difficulties created by conflicting preferences of the members by assuming that the organization acts as a team. A team is a group of interdependent decision-makers who share a common objective. The team members acquire information that helps to improve the match of their actions and the state of nature, but they do not necessarily share the information. Actions, dependent on the information, are coordinated by selecting decision policies that help forecast the final action. Failure to anticipate the actions of other decision-makers may lead a member to distinctly awkward choices.
Generalized hydrodynamics, quasiparticle diffusion, and anomalous local relaxation in random integrable spin chains

We study the nonequilibrium dynamics of random spin chains that remain integrable (i.e., solvable via Bethe ansatz): because of correlations in the disorder, these systems escape localization and feature ballistically spreading quasiparticles. We derive a generalized hydrodynamic theory for dynamics in such random integrable systems, including diffusive corrections due to disorder, and use it to study nonequilibrium energy and spin transport. We show that diffusive corrections to the ballistic propagation of quasiparticles can arise even in noninteracting settings, in sharp contrast to clean integrable systems. This implies that operator fronts broaden diffusively in random integrable systems. By tuning parameters in the disorder distribution, one can drive this model through an unusual phase transition, between a phase where all wave functions are delocalized and a phase in which low-energy wave functions are quasilocalized (in a sense we specify). Both phases have ballistic transport; however, in the quasilocalized phase, local autocorrelation functions decay with an anomalous power law, and the density of states diverges at low energy.
Bending and Springback of Aluminum Alloy Sheet and Plate

A practical method was developed to predict the minimum bend radius and the amount of springback of aluminum alloy sheet and plate. Analytical equations describing the mechanics of bending were used and were correlated with extensive 90-deg air bend test results of alloys 2024-T3, 3003-H14, 5052-H32, 5083-O, 6061-O, 6061-T4, 6061-T6, and 7475-T6. The method utilises the fracture strain obtained from a bend test or tension test in the minimum radius prediction and the mechanical properties obtained from a tension test in the springback prediction.
A new magnesium sheet alloy and its multi-stage homogenization for simultaneously improved ductility and strength at room temperature

Abstract A new Mg-2Zn-0.3Ca-0.2Ce-0.1Mn 1 (ZXEM2000) alloy and a multi-stage homogenization process have been designed and developed based on CALculation of Phase Diagram (CALPHAD) modeling results and experimental validation. The new sheet alloy offers an excellent combination of ductility (about 29% elongation) and yield strength (157 MPa), promising room-temperature forming applications. Microstructure characterization reveals that the exceptional properties of this alloy are mainly attributed to the weak basal texture, fine average grain size and high density of nano-scale Mn and Mg6Zn3Ca2 precipitates achieved through multi-stage heat treatment and thermomechanical processing.
Native Valve Infective Endocarditis with Osteomyelitis and Brain Abscess Caused by Granulicatella adiacens with Literature Review

Granulicatella adiacens is a type of NVS (nutritionally variant streptococci) rarely causing infective endocarditis (IE). NVS are fastidious and unable to sustain growth on routine culture media due to lack of specific nutrients. Endocarditis caused by NVS due to their virulence is associated with higher treatment failures and mortality rates. New antimicrobial susceptibility patterns are indicative of a significant rise in penicillin resistance and susceptibility differences between NVS subspecies. Initial empirical therapy is essential as a delay in using the appropriate agent leads to poor results. We present a case of an immunocompetent young female with recent intravenous drug abuse resulting in native mitral valve endocarditis with ruptured chordae tendineae and septic embolization, causing brain abscess and lumbar spine osteomyelitis. She was transferred to a tertiary center where she underwent mitral valve replacement successfully and treated with six weeks of intravenous vancomycin and ertapenem. To our knowledge, ours is the first case report of G. adiacens endocarditis in an adult with brain abscess and osteomyelitis with an excellent response to antibiotic therapy. Based on our case report, literature review, and new antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, updates to treatment guidelines are suggested to improve the therapeutic outcomes.
Inflammation and the dimensions of depression: A review

Patients with depressive disorders show a wide range of clinical manifestations including cognitive and neurovegetative symptoms. Importantly, these symptoms can differ in terms of biological etiology, and deconstructing depression into specific symptoms may provide valuable insight into the underlying neurobiology. Little research has examined inflammation in the context of depressive dimensions. Here we conduct a narrative review of the existing literature (21 studies) to elucidate whether the depression-inflammation link is symptom specific. Overall, there is evidence that an association exists between neurovegetative symptoms of depression and inflammation, independent of cognitive symptoms. The same cannot be said of cognitive symptoms and inflammation. There is also some evidence of gender differences in the directionality of the relationship between depression and inflammation. Potential explanations for these findings, limitations of the existing literature and recommendations for future research design are discussed.
Enzyme Mechanisms: Wedging open a catalytic site

The activation mechanism of the nitric oxide receptor has been revealed by cryo-electron microscopy.
Human Reliability Analysis for Verification and Validation of New Designs

As the commercial nuclear industry prepares to extend the life of existing power reactors and build new reactors, it becomes necessary to verify and validate the human-system interfaces found in th...
Congressional Committee Resources on Space Policy During the 115th Congress (2017-2018): Providing Context and Insight Into US Government Space Policy

Abstract Article 1 of the US Constitution assigns the US Congress numerous responsibilities. These include creating new laws, revising existing laws, funding government programs, and conducting oversight of these programs' performance. Oversight of US Government agency space policy programs is executed by various congressional space policy committees including the House and Senate Science Committees, Armed Services, and Appropriations Committees. These committees conduct many public hearings on space policy, which invite expert witnesses to testify on US space policy programs and feature debate on the strengths and weaknesses of these programs. Documentation produced by these committees is widely available to the public, except for sensitive national security space policy matters. This assessment examines congressional committee oversight of US space policy programs during the 115th Congress (2017–2018) and reflects the variety of developments in space policy receiving congressional scrutiny.
Effects of ingested nanocellulose on intestinal microbiota and homeostasis in Wistar Han rats

Micron scale cellulose materials are "generally regarded as safe" (GRAS) as binders and thickeners in food products. However, nanocellulose materials, which have unique properties that can improve food quality and safety, have not received US-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as food ingredients. In vitro and in vivo toxicological studies of ingested nanocellulose revealed minimal cytotoxicity, and no subacute in vivo toxicity. However, ingested materials may modulate gut microbial populations, or alter aspects of intestinal function not elucidated by toxicity testing, which could have important health implications. Here, we report the results of studies conducted in a rat gavage model to assess the effects of ingested cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) on the fecal microbiome and metabolome, intestinal epithelial expression of cell junction genes, and ileal cytokine production. Feces, plasma, and ilea were collected from Wistar Han rats before and after five weeks of biweekly gavages with water or cream, with or without 1% CNF. CNF altered microbial diversity, and diminished specific species that produce short chain fatty acids, and that are associated with increased serum insulin and IgA production. CNF had few effects on the fecal metabolome, with significant changes in only ten metabolites of 366 measured. Exposure to CNF also altered expression of epithelial cell junction genes, and increased production of cytokines that modulate proliferation of CD8 T cells. These perturbations likely represent initiation of an adaptive immune response, however, no associated pathology was seen within the duration of the study. Additional studies are needed to better understand the health implications of these changes in long term.
The variation problem

It is often assumed that two linguistic agents can come to understand one another in part because they use the same words. That is, many philosophical theories of communication posit an intersubjective same-word relation. However, giving an account of this relation is complicated by what I call “The Variation Problem”—a problem resulting from the fact that the same word can be pronounced differently. In this paper, I first argue that previous models of the same-word relation, including Kaplanian and Chomskyan models, fail to escape The Variation Problem. I then propose a new model on which the same-word relation is grounded in a particular kind of social relation that holds between the speaker and the audience. On this model, using the same word requires not that agents make the same sounds, but that they coordinate their internal linguistic representations.
Chapter 12 – Adaptive Filtering

Publisher Summary The term adaptive filtering implies that filter parameters such as bandwidth and notch frequency change with time. As such, the coefficients of adaptive filters vary with time. This chapter discusses a subset of FIR adaptive filters of which weights are changed by a technique called steepest descent. This subset of adaptive filters is widely used and is described in terms of tapped-delay-line and lattice models. The chapter presents an introduction and working knowledge of such adaptive digital filters. It discusses some matrix operations that are used to derive a class of optimal least squares filters. The optimal solutions derived in the chapter involve autocorrelation matrices and cross-correlation vectors that are assumed to be known. In many applications, this is not the case. They may be difficult to estimate or the data statistics may be changing with time, that is, the data sequences may be nonstationary. In such cases, adaptive filtering techniques are employed. A useful algorithm in this regard is the least-mean-squares (LMS) algorithm. The notion of steepest descent plays a key role in arriving at the LMS algorithm. The chapter explores the implementation of LMS and modified LMS (MLMS) algorithms with the tapped-delay-line and lattice models and describes two models: (1) the one-step predictor model and (2) the filter model.
Estimating Sediment Settling Velocities from a Theoretically Guided Data-Driven Approach

AbstractSediment settling velocities are commonly estimated from analytical or process-based approaches. These approaches have theoretical constraints due to the incompletely resolved settling phys...
Quantifying Tremor in Essential Tremor Using Inertial Sensors—Validation of an Algorithm

Background Assessment of essential tremor is often done by a trained clinician who observes the limbs during different postures and actions and subsequently rates the tremor. While this method has been shown to be reliable, the inter- and intra-rater reliability and need for training can make the use of this method for symptom progression difficult. Many limitations of clinical rating scales can potentially be overcome by using inertial sensors, but to date many algorithms designed to quantify tremor have key limitations. Methods We propose a novel algorithm to characterize tremor using inertial sensors. It uses a two-stage approach that 1) estimates the tremor frequency of a subject and only quantifies tremor near that range; 2) estimates the tremor amplitude as the portion of signal power above baseline activity during recording, allowing tremor estimation even in the presence of other activity; and 3) estimates tremor amplitude in physical units of translation (cm) and rotation (°), consistent with current tremor rating scales. We validated the algorithm technically using a robotic arm and clinically by comparing algorithm output with data reported by a trained clinician administering a tremor rating scale to a cohort of essential tremor patients. Results Technical validation demonstrated rotational amplitude accuracy better than ±0.2 degrees and position amplitude accuracy better than ±0.1 cm. Clinical validation revealed that both rotation and position components were significantly correlated with tremor rating scale scores. Conclusion We demonstrate that our algorithm can quantify tremor accurately even in the presence of other activities, perhaps providing a step forward for at-home monitoring.
Fake Geek Girls: Fandom, Gender, and the Convergence Culture Industry: Scott, Suzanne. New York: New York University Press, 2019. 304 pp. $30.00 (paperback). ISBN-13: 978-1-4798-3860-8.

In a cultural moment when women receive death threats for writing negative video game reviews or critiquing film franchises, Suzanne Scott’s Fake Geek Girls: Fandom, Gender, and the Convergence Cul...
What can we learn about pleasure from the study of religion

Human emotions are emergent properties of biological, psychological, and cultural factors that influence and constrain each other. Natural selection shaped our emotional tendencies to maximize our ...
Osteoradionecrosis and microvascular free flap failure managed with negative pressure wound therapy: A case report.

A 56-year-old female with a history of meningioma status post subtotal resection (Simpson grade IV) and extensive radiation therapy presented with osteoradionecrosis (O.R.N.) managed previously with a microvascular free flap (MVFF). The evaluation revealed worsening O.R.N. and a scalp defect of 15 × 10 cm. The patient underwent MVFF reconstruction utilizing a free latissimus muscle flap covered by meshed split-thickness skin graft (STSG). Her surgery was complicated by delayed free flap failure and Serratia marcescens growth, which occurred sometime after discharge from the hospital. This was managed with removal of the free muscle flap and skin graft, serial debridement's, antibiotics, and replacements of a synthetic dural matrix and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Once a clean wound bed was again obtained, the patient underwent fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh (A.L.T.) MVFF reconstruction, which was complicated by left hypoglossal nerve injury, dehiscence of the flap inset, and dehiscence of the neck access incision requiring revision surgery. On the last follow-up 2 weeks after her surgery, the patient had 100% flap viability and a 2 × 1.5 cm on the left parietal aspect of the flap healing be secondary intent. We demonstrate that NPWT is successful in managing open calvarial wounds due to O.R.N.