cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Genus Gomphidius in the United States

I reviewed the salient characteristics of the genus Gomphidius in the introduction to the genus in the Agaricaceae of Michigan, 1: 170 (8). At that time only a few species had come to my notice in the field in this country, although I had seen G. viscidus Fr. and G. glutinosus Fr. growing in abundance in northern Europe. In European countries only four species of this genus are us? ually recognized in floras: G. viscidus Fr., G. glutinosus Fr., G. roseus Fr. and G. maculatus Fr. The British mycologists, however, report, in addition to these species, also G. gracilis Berk., and Rea (12) says the latter is "common" in fir woods and heaths. Recent accounts of the American species of this genus have been published by Murrill (9 and 10). The species of this genus usually possess a viscid or glutinous, and hyaline, universal veil; in some species, however, this veil is dry or merely moist, developing a slight viscidity only in very wet weather. The glutinous veil surrounds the young button, in the same manner as in the subgenus Limacium of the genus Hygrophorus; in the subgenus Myxacium of the genus Cortinarius; and in certain other genera of the Agaricaceae. In a few species, this veil is scarcely or not at all evident, although it is possible that even in these a blematogen is present in the early stages. In most species this veil forms a definite teleoblema as is shown by the fact that it is separable from the pileus as a distinct, thick pellicle. Confusion may easily arise concerning the color of the universal veil, because of its tendency to become black in a number of the species. Berkeley says (2) the pileus of G. gracilis Berk. "is covered with a smoke-colored gluten." How? ever, the veil of this species, like that of a number of others,
Multi-Objective Optimization of Micro Pin-Fin Arrays for Cooling of High Heat Flux Electronics

The thermal management capability of various candidates of micro-pin fin arrays is investigated. An integrated circuit having a footprint of 4 × 3 mm with micro-pin fin array having circular, airfoil and convex cross-section is considered. The three pin fin cross-sections along with the cooling schemes are optimized to handle a uniform heat flux of 500 W/cm2 applied to the top surface of the electronic chip. A fully three-dimensional, steady-state conjugate heat transfer analysis was performed on each cooling configuration and a constrained multi-objective optimization was carried out for each of the three micro-pin fin shapes to find pin fin designs configurations capable of cooling such high heat fluxes. The design variables were the geometric parameters defining each pin fin cross section, height of the chip and inlet speed of the coolant. The two simultaneous objectives were to minimize maximum temperature and pressure drop (pumping power), while keeping the maximum temperature below 85°C. A response surface was constructed for each objective function and was coupled with a genetic algorithm to arrive at a Pareto frontier of the best trade-off solutions. Stress-deformation analysis incorporating the hydrodynamic and thermal loads was performed on each of the three optimized configurations. The maximum displacement was found to be on the nano-level, and the Von-Mises stress for each configuration was found to be significantly below the yield strength of Silicon.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Time-Varying Expected Returns and Information in Home Prices

Executive Summary. In this article, we estimate a conditional two-beta asset pricing model in which the expected excess returns are not only related to the conditional beta with respect to the mark...
A QoS Routing Protocol for Cognitive Networks

With the rapid development of networked applications,the traditional network has confronted various kinds of challenges,making it difficult to meet with the QoS(Quality of Service)requirements of new applications.Meanwhile,network management is becoming more and more complex.All these ask the network with the cognitive capability.In this paper,a QoS routing protocol is proposed for cognitive networks.In order to satisfy the various QoS requirements of different applications,the routing requests are divided into different service types and quality levels,and mapped to the corresponding QoS parameters.Routing nodes are given certain cognitive behaviors,such as sensation,active sense,remembrance,search,decision,execution,reasoning and explanation,etc.The corresponding protocol messages are designed to support interactions between nodes,providing nodes with cognition abilities.Each routing node only gathers and maintains local status information from its neighboring nodes and connected links,and routing efficiency is further improved by using and maintaining the empirical path information.The proposed routing protocol has been implemented in prototype systems,and several performance metrics have been evaluated.The experimental results have shown that it is feasible and effective.
Lung Protective Effection of Leukocyte-depleted Priming Fluid on Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Infants

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the lung protective effect of infants by the removal of allogeneic leukocytes in priming fluid on cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)in infants.METHODSTotal 60 patients under 1 year-old with ventricular septal defect(VSD)repair undergoing CPB were randomly divided into experimental group and control group.The experimental group used leukocyte-removed priming fluid,and the control group used packed whole blood priming solution.The plasma levels of neutrophil elastase(NE),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-8(IL-8),oxygen index(OI),alveolar-arterial oxygen difference(P(A-a)O2),respiratory index(RI)of perioperation and mechanical ventilation supporting time postoperation were measured.RESULTSPost-operative mechanical ventilation supporting time,the level of NE,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8,P(A-a)O2,RI were lower in experimental group than those in control group(P0.05,P0.01);and OI was higher in experimental group(P0.05).CONCLUSIONUsing leukocyte-removed priming fluid could reduce the releasel of NE,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-8,improve pulmonary oxygenation function,and is helpful for post-opertive lung protection in infants.
Trial-by-Trial Hippocampal Encoding Activation Predicts the Fidelity of Cortical Reinstatement During Subsequent Retrieval

According to current models of episodic memory, the hippocampus binds together the neural representation of an experience during encoding such that it can be reinstated in cortex during subsequent retrieval. However, direct evidence linking hippocampal engagement during encoding with subsequent cortical reinstatement during retrieval is lacking. In this study, we aim to directly test the relationship between hippocampal activation during encoding and cortical reinstatement during retrieval. During a scanned encoding session, human participants studied Noun-Sound and Noun-Picture pairs. One day later, during a scanned retrieval session, participants retrieved the sounds and pictures when given the nouns as cues. First, we found that trial-by-trial hippocampal encoding activation was related to trial-by-trial reactivation during retrieval as measured by the univariate BOLD response in several modality-specific cortical regions. Second, using multivariate measures, we found a correlation between encoding-retrieval pattern similarity computed for each trial and hippocampal encoding activation on the corresponding encoding event, suggesting that the magnitude of hippocampal activation during an experience is related to the fidelity of subsequent reinstatement of cortical activity patterns during retrieval. Consistent with current theories of episodic memory, our findings demonstrate a critical link between initial hippocampal activation during an experience and subsequent cortical reinstatement.
Acute β-Hydroxy-β-Methyl Butyrate Suppresses Regulators of Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Lipid Oxidation While Increasing Lipid Content in Myotubes

Leucine modulates synthetic and degradative pathways in muscle, possibly providing metabolic benefits for both athletes and diseased populations. Leucine has become popular among athletes for improving performance and body composition, however little is known about the metabolic effects of the commonly consumed leucine-derived metabolite β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate (HMB). Our work measured the effects of HMB on metabolic protein expression, mitochondrial content and metabolism, as well as lipid content in skeletal muscle cells. Specifically, cultured C2C12 myotubes were treated with either a control or HMB ranging from 6.25 to 25 μM for 24 h and mRNA and/or protein expression, oxygen consumption, glucose uptake, and lipid content were measured. Contrary to leucine’s stimulatory effect on metabolism, HMB-treated cells exhibited significantly reduced regulators of lipid oxidation including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and PPARβ/δ, as well as downstream target carnitine palmitoyl transferase, without alterations in glucose or palmitate oxidation. Furthermore, HMB significantly inhibited activation of the master regulator of energetics, AMP-activated protein kinase. As a result, HMB-treated cells also displayed reduced total mitochondrial content compared with true control or cells equivocally treated with leucine. Additionally, HMB treatment amplified markers of lipid biosynthesis (PPARγ and fatty acid synthase) as well as consistently promoted elevated total lipid content versus control cells. Collectively, our results demonstrate that HMB did not improve mitochondrial metabolism or content, and may promote elevated cellular lipid content possibly through heightened PPARγ expression. These observations suggest that HMB may be most beneficial for populations interested in stimulating anabolic cellular processes.
Creative Pricing Issues in CPA Firm Practice for Ethical and Profitable Activity

The CPA office of “yesterday” was comparatively devoid of technology, relying on extensive labor, pencil pushing, manual spreadsheets, and green-bar printouts. A few adjusting journal entries could have taken several days to apply. The office of “today” still carries the traditional breakdown of total cost into raw materials, direct labor, and overhead. Significantly different, however, is the emergence of a swing in relative percentages of each cost to the firm. Client services are frequently spelled out in engagement letters, but some CPA firms are witnessing an increasing disadvantage of retaining the generally accepted approach of billing their work performed as a function of direct labor hours at the rate of the individual(s) performing the services. With increased emphasis on technology applications in processing client needs for financial statement services, income tax returns, management consulting, and other work, overhead costs balloon over the labor costs. Accordingly, incremental true costs tend to avoid capture in the pricing formula for client work. This paper offers a creative value pricing approach as superior to any method relying on cost drivers, one which CPA firms may apply to either public or private clients.
Anticipating nonresonant new physics in dilepton angular spectra at the LHC

At the LHC, dileptonic events may turn up new physics interacting with quarks and leptons. The poster child for this scenario is a resonant ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, much anticipated in ${\ensuremath{\ell}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ invariant mass spectra. However, angular spectra of dileptons may play an equal or stronger role in discovering a nonresonant species. This paper avails their LHC measurements to corner the couplings and masses of leptoquarks (LQs) that can mediate $q\overline{q}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ in the $t$ channel and dramatically alter Standard Model (SM) angular spectra. Also derived are constraints from alterations to ${m}_{\ensuremath{\ell}\ensuremath{\ell}}$ distributions. These dilepton probes exploiting the high rates and small uncertainties of the Drell-Yan process, rival or outdo dedicated LHC searches for LQs in single and pair production modes. The couplings of LQs with electronic interactions are best bound today by low-energy measurements of atomic parity violation, but can be probed better by ${\ensuremath{\ell}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ measurements in the high luminosity runs of the LHC, with the angular spectra leading the way. This work also urges the experimental presentation of boost-invariant angular asymmetries that vanish in the SM.
Multiple Identity Theory and the Implementation of School Integration Policies in the Era of Voluntary Integration

School diversity is considered to be a compelling state interest in current U.S. constitutional law. But how can American schools best achieve the benefits of school diversity if benign racial categorization is not broadly allowed? This paper employs multiple identity theory to explore how school districts can create school integration plans that are constitutionally valid per the 2007 landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in PICS. In this paper, I argue that the PICS decision suggests four "tailoring criteria" that should guide school diversification plans and allow them to consider race in the context of other forms of diversity. I further argue - though a multiple identities-based analysis - that how forms of identity contradiction are addressed in school settings can shape whether or not the benefits of school diversity are achieved. The paper closes by suggesting five threshold-goals central to implementing legally sound school integration policies that can heighten school diversity and achieve its benefits.
Fusarium verticillioides inoculum potential influences soybean seed quality

F. verticillioides (FVE) is an important Fusarium species that has been recovered from soybean seeds. In other crops, such as maize, it has the potential to decrease seed germination and vigor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of seed inoculum potential (amount of inoculum present in seeds) of FVE on soybean seed quality, as measured by germination of artificially inoculated seeds. Seeds were inoculated with 2.5 × 106 FVE conidia/ml for one minute as the low inoculum potential seed treatment. For the high inoculum potential seed treatment, inoculated seeds were inoculated with the same conidia suspension, but osmoconditioned on potato dextrose agar +8% mannitol for 48 h. Two soybean genotypes, ‘AG3039’ and ‘KSU3406’ were tested. Analysis of seeds inoculated with the low inoculum potential treatment showed that none of the FVE isolates tested and only the positive controls were able to significantly reduce soybean seed germination (P < 0.001) when compared with the mock-inoculated control for both genotypes tested. Under the high inoculum potential treatment, all three FVE isolates were able to decrease seed germination when compared with the mock-inoculated control treatment for both genotypes. This study suggests that F. verticillioides has the potential to reduce soybean seed quality, depending on the amount of inoculum present in seeds (inoculum potential), which affects pathogenicity and negatively influences soybean seed germination as well as the establishment of a uniform and healthy stand in the field.
Modulation enhancements for photonic crystal VCSELs

We have designed and fabricated single mode proton-implanted photonic crystal vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and subsequently performed DC and small signal modulation analysis. Impedance characteristics and electrical parasitics are studied for various photonic crystal designs to understand factors which limit high speed modulation. Photonic crystal designs are found to have low differential resistance, but high parasitic capacitance. By including a diffusion capacitance term in the modulation response equation, scattering parameter fitting suggests the diffusion capacitance to be the limiting factor of intensity modulation. Extracted parameters from DC, impedance, and modulation response measurements are cross-checked to verify accuracy.
Two-Stage Explantation of a Magnetic Lower Esophageal Sphincter Augmentation Device Due to Esophageal Erosion.

Abstract Introduction: Implanting a magnetic lower esophageal sphincter augmentation device (LINX, Torax Medical) has become an increasingly common option in the surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. As the enthusiasm for placing this device increases, experience in the management of device-related complications—including erosion—is necessary. Methods: We report a staged approach to LINX removal in a 64-year-old female with symptoms of odynophagia secondary to partial erosion of a LINX device into the esophagus. Results: The patient had a 12-bead LINX device placed in 2011 at an outside, international facility. In late 2013, she began experiencing symptoms of odynophagia. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy at our institution in October 2015 demonstrated two metallic beads eroding through the distal esophageal lumen. An elective endoscopic removal of the two visible beads was performed. A postoperative esophagram confirmed that there was no resulting esophageal perforation. The patient noted m...
Clinical Scoring Systems in Thrombotic Microangiopathies.

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are a group of rare but potentially lethal hematologic disorders characterized by platelet-rich thrombi in the microvasculature. In evaluating patients with TMA, it is crucial to identify those who have thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a subtype of TMA that occurs due to a severe deficiency in ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13). Individuals with TTP require urgent therapeutic plasma exchange, which is associated with a significant reduction in mortality; however, at most centers, the results of ADAMTS13 activity testing are usually not available for 3 to 5 days. Given the possible need for urgent intervention and the lack of timely test results to guide therapy, the assessment of patients with TMA represents an ideal situation for the deployment of diagnostic scoring systems to predict the presence of severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. Here, we review the literature surrounding clinical prediction tools in the diagnosis and prognostication of patients with TMA, describe the experience at our center with evaluating TMA patients, and discuss the utility of clinical scoring systems for TMA in the context of patient care.
Nerita Exuvioides Trechmann (Mollusca: Gastropoda) From the Gatun Formation of Panama

Due to their preference for a rocky littoral habitat, examples of fossil nerites rank a close second to hen's teeth. Therefore, it was a pleasant surprise to see a rather well preserved specimen found in the Gatun Formation of Panama by Robert H. Stewart, formerly geologist for the Panama Canal Company (now retired). First examination of the specimen yielded even more remarkable results for it became obvious that it is not even vaguely related to any New World members of the genus now living but is most closely related to the Philippine N. exuvia Linn., a form with extremely heavy spiral cords. The specific name that immediately came to mind was "exuvioides."
Direct Synthesis of 2-Formylpyrrolidines, 2-Pyrrolidinones and 2-Dihydrofuranones via Aerobic Copper-Catalyzed Aminooxygenation and Dioxygenation of 4-Pentenylsulfonamides and 4-Pentenylalcohols

A new method for the direct conversion of 4-pentenylsulfonamides to 2-formylpyrrolidines and a 2-ketopyrrolidine has been developed. This transformation occurs via aerobic copper-catalyzed alkene aminooxygenation where molecular oxygen serves as both oxidant and oxygen source. The 2-formylpyrrolidines can further undergo oxidative carbon–carbon bond cleavage in situ upon addition of DABCO, providing 2-pyrrolidinones. These transformations have been demonstrated for a range of 4-pentenylsulfonamides. 4-Pentenylalcohols also undergo oxidative cyclization to form γ-lactones predominantly. The reaction is chemoselective, oxidizing one alkene in the presence of others, and is compatible with several functional groups. Application of these reactions to the formal syntheses of baclofen and (+)-monomorine was demonstrated.
Detecting high and low-intensity fires in Alaska using VIIRS I-band data: An improved operational approach for high latitudes

Abstract Fire products from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) imagery provide timely information for wildfire detection, monitoring, and characterization at the global scale. However, in Alaskan boreal forest fires, their lower effectiveness in detecting residual fire once the high-intensity fire front has passed limits their practical use for regional or local fire management decisions. Using data acquired during Alaska's 2016 fire season, we analyzed the performance of the MODIS-based MOD14/MYD14, and the more recent VIIRS I-band active fire products. A comparison with the fire perimeter and properties data published by the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC) shows that both MODIS and VIIRS fire products successfully detect all fires larger than approximately 200–300 ha. For fires smaller than this threshold, the VIIRS I-band product offers higher detection likelihood. To map burn areas containing both low- and high-intensity active fire, we developed the VIIRS I-band Fire Detection Algorithm for High Latitudes (VIFDAHL). We apply this algorithm to regions of known Alaskan boreal forest fires and validate it using events mapped by fire management agencies and detected on closely-timed Landsat imagery. We find that for Alaska, an example of a high-latitude region, VIFDAHL more accurately captures the fire spread, can differentiate well between low- and high-intensity fires, and can detect 30–90% more fire pixels compared to the MODIS and VIIRS global fire products.
Approximate Motion Synthesis Via Parametric Constraint Manifold Fitting

In this paper we present a novel dyad dimensional synthesis technique for approximate motion synthesis. The methodology utilizes an analytic representation of the dyad’s constraint manifold that is parameterized by its joint variables. Nonlinear optimization techniques are then employed to minimize the distance from the dyad’s constraint manifold to a finite number of desired locations of the workpiece. The result is an approximate motion dimensional synthesis technique that is applicable to planar dyads. Here, we specifically address planar RR dyads since these are often found in the kinematic structure of industrial robotic systems and mechanisms. These dyads may be combined serially to form a complex open chain or, when connected back to the fixed link, may be joined so as to form a closed chain; e.g. a platform or mechanism. Finally, we present a numerical design case study which demonstrate the utility of the synthesis technique.
Campylobacter and Ethnicity-A Case-Case Analysis to Determine Differences in Disease Presentation and Risk Factors.

Abstract Background: Rates of Campylobacter infection in Arizona have historically been higher than the national average, with the highest rates in Hispanic populations. The purpose of this retrospective case–case analysis was to determine how risk factors and disease presentation differ by ethnicity (Hispanic vs. Non-Hispanic) in cases of campylobacteriosis from 2012 to 2015 in Maricopa County, Arizona. Methods: Basic demographics and seasonality, including standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs), were analyzed to determine differences by ethnicity. To determine differences in risk factors, adjusted univariate and multivariable logistic regression was conducted. Results: There were significant differences by ethnicity by age (1–14 years and >60 years), location of residence (urban vs. suburban), and testing methodology. Most months in the seasonality analysis showed higher than expected values of Hispanic cases based on population distributions (SMR Range: 0.91–1.78, annual mean: 1.23). Differences in disea...
Optimizing the Determination of Roughness Parameters for Model Urban Canopies

We present an objective optimization procedure to determine the roughness parameters for very rough boundary-layer flow over model urban canopies. For neutral stratification the mean velocity profile above a model urban canopy is described by the logarithmic law together with the set of roughness parameters of displacement height d, roughness length $$z_0$$ , and friction velocity $$u_*$$ . Traditionally, values of these roughness parameters are obtained by fitting the logarithmic law through (all) the data points comprising the velocity profile. The new procedure generates unique velocity profiles from subsets or combinations of the data points of the original velocity profile, after which all possible profiles are examined. Each of the generated profiles is fitted to the logarithmic law for a sequence of values of d, with the representative value of d obtained from the minima of the summed least-squares errors for all the generated profiles. The representative values of $$z_0$$ and $$u_*$$ are identified by the peak in the bivariate histogram of $$z_0$$ and $$u_*$$ . The methodology has been verified against laboratory datasets of flow above model urban canopies.
Serious Games for Children with Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to assess if serious games impact health outcomes for children less than 18 years of age with chronic disea...
INHIBITION OF E2F-MEDIATED TRANSCRIPTION BY P202

Many of the antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and cell growth inhibitory activities of the interferons are mediated by interferon-inducible proteins. Earlier we characterized an interferon-inducible murine protein, p202, whose expression in transfected cells inhibits cell proliferation and which can form a complex with retinoblastoma protein (pRb). Here we report that in transfected cells expression of p202 inhibits E2F-stimulated transcription of a reporter gene and of endogenous genes. Inhibition of the transcriptional activity of E2F by p202 does not depend on fully functional pRb and is correlated with inhibition of the sequence-specific DNA binding of E2F. p202 interacts with the transcription factor E2F (E2F-1/DP-1) in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of E2F activity by p202 may contribute to growth inhibition by the interferons.
Long Term Outcome of Phototherapy; Selected Aspects of the Nichhd Cooperative Phototherapy Study

In 1974, a six-center* cooperative clinical trial of photo-therapy for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was initiated by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Infants were randomized into control or phototherapy groups by a code established by the Biometry Branch of the NICHHD. Randomization was applied to each of the birth-weight groups, <2000 g, 2000–2499 g, and 2500 g or greater. Sex and race were also used in cohorting for randomization. Infants entered the study according to the following criteria: 1) All infants with birth weights <2000 g were entered at 24 ± 12 hours of age (922 infants). 2) Infants with birth weights 2000–2499 g were entered if the serum bilirubin reached 10 mg/dL within the first 96 hours after birth (141 infants). 3) Infants with birth weights <2499 g were entered if the serum bilirubin reached 13 mg/dL in the first 96 hours after birth. Before October 1974, the level of bilirubin for accession in this weight group was 15 mg/dL (276 infants).
Pattern recognition approach to assess the residual structural capacity of damaged tall buildings

Abstract A pattern recognition approach is proposed to quantitatively assess the residual structural capacity of earthquake-damaged tall buildings. Sequential nonlinear response history analyses using as-recorded mainshock-aftershock ground motions are conducted to generate distinct feature patterns comprised of spatially distributed global and local engineering demand parameters (EDP) within the tall building. Residual structural capacity is assessed based on the median spectral intensity corresponding to the collapse prevention performance level. Dispersion-based filtering and feature selection using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selector Operator (LASSO) are performed to effectively reduce the high dimensional feature space while selecting the most informative ones. The features that survive the filtering but excluded by LASSO are reserved and grouped based on their correlations with those that are selected. These reserved features can be utilized if the selected ones are unavailable. Predictive models using Support Vector Machine are constructed to map the EDP-based features to the residual structural capacity of the tall building, where satisfactory performance is observed as measured by the root mean square errors in the testing dataset. In addition to guiding post-earthquake inspections and residual structural capacity assessments, the proposed framework can inform optimal sensor placement as well as provide time-dependent limit state evaluation in aftershock environments.
A Clinically Applicable Positive Allosteric Modulator of GABA Receptors Promotes Human β-Cell Replication and Survival as Well as GABA's Ability to Inhibit Inflammatory T Cells

A major goal of T1D research is to develop new approaches to increase β-cell mass and control autoreactive T cell responses. GABAA-receptors (GABAA-Rs) are promising drug targets in both those regards due to their abilities to promote β-cell replication and survival, as well as inhibit autoreactive T cell responses. We previously showed that positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of GABAA-Rs could promote rat β-cell line INS-1 and human islet cell replication in vitro. Here, we assessed whether treatment with alprazolam, a widely prescribed GABAA-R PAM, could promote β-cell survival and replication in human islets after implantation into NOD/scid mice. We observed that alprazolam treatment significantly reduced human islet cell apoptosis following transplantation and increased β-cell replication in the xenografts. Evidently, the GABAA-R PAM works in conjunction with GABA secreted from β-cells to increase β-cell survival and replication. Treatment with both the PAM and GABA further enhanced human β-cell replication. Alprazolam also augmented the ability of suboptimal doses of GABA to inhibit antigen-specific T cell responses in vitro. Thus, combined GABAA-R agonist and PAM treatment may help control inflammatory immune responses using reduced drug dosages. Together, these findings suggest that GABAA-R PAMs represent a promising drug class for safely modulating islet cells toward beneficial outcomes to help prevent or reverse T1D and, together with a GABAA-R agonist, may have broader applications for ameliorating other disorders in which inflammation contributes to the disease process.
A non-target structural displacement measurement method using advanced feature matching strategy:

Most of the existing vision-based displacement measurement methods require manual speckles or targets to improve the measurement performance in non-stationary imagery environments. To minimize the ...
Boundary layer turbulence near an actively controlled deformable surface

Recent advances in technology, in particular soft robotics and micro-electronics, have renewed the interested in the impact of viscoelastic boundaries and active boundary modulation on hydrodynamic drag and boundary layer turbulence. Viscoelastic boundary materials, such as those found in dolphin skin, are known to have the potential to reduce boundary drag, by delaying the transition from laminar to turbulent flow in the boundary layer around the body and minimizing boundary layer turbulence. The possible mechanisms to reduce boundary layer turbulence include counteracting boundary layer coherent structures or impacting momentum transfer near the boundary. Actuating a deformable membrane in a channel flow allows the investigation of the impact of boundary actuation on boundary layer turbulence for a range of actuation parameters and flow channel speeds. We developed a deformable boundary and tested the system in channel flow, in direct contact with the water, actuating at various wave patterns and frequencies. The impact on boundary layer velocity was investigated with Particle Image Velocimetry, as well as numerical simulations (see companion paper). Boundary actuation is shown to impact the boundary layer velocity profile and near boundary momentum transfer. We characterize the parameter space most likely to reduce boundary layer turbulence in a natural environment, which could lead to more energy-efficient platforms and underwater vehicles.
Agency, Power, and Disability: A Textual Analysis of The Silence Between Us

This textual analysis examines Alison Gervais’ 2019 young adult novel The Silence Between Us through the framework of Critical Disability Theory (CDT). It investigates the ways in which the text conceptualizes disability according to three principles of CDT, and how the main character navigates interactions between impairment, response, and environment, which shape how she is perceived by and interacts with non-disabled peers. Gervais’ (The silence between us, Blink Young Adult Books, Grand Rapids, MI, 2019) book proves to be groundbreaking in its characterization of the main character, who has a sense of agency and power that allows her to overcome several obstacles and determine her own path in life. This analysis investigates the notion of disability in the text and offers implications for teachers, parents, and researchers who can use this text to promote and create a more inclusive society.
Refractory sprue

Celiac disease is a T cell-mediated disorder that results from intolerance to gluten. The major cause of failure to respond to a gluten-free diet is continuing gluten ingestion. In poorly responsive patients diagnosis of refractory sprue can be established after exclusion of a limited number of conditions. Refractory sprue may occur after an initial response to the diet or without evidence of preexisting celiac disease. The detection of aberrant, clonally expanded, intraepithelial lymphocytes has led to better definition and classification of patients with refractory sprue. Only a few series of patients with well-characterized refractory sprue have been reported in the literature. The prognosis is poor, though some patients respond to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. The presence of an aberrant clonal intraepithelial T-cell population has led to the designation of refractory sprue as a cryptic intestinal T-cell lymphoma.
Interdependence as a Prerequisite for Outcome-based Learning: An Exploration

Interdependence is the most important feature of cooperative learning. Cooperative learning is a ‘learning together’ model that can be exploited in ESL classroom; yet it remains unexplored in the Indian context due to various factors. Lack of proper understanding of the concept of cooperative learning has been a main reason for its non-implementation in English classrooms. It differs from collaborative and traditional group learning strategies as well. Conceptually, it is not clear if the whole of English can be learnt through this method or some skills and micro-skills of a macro-skill of English can alone be tried. There are some institutional and cultural constraints that might prevent this method being tried out. This paper examines the feasibility of cooperative learning as the outcome of English curriculum.
Sparse Plus Low Rank Matrix Decomposition: A Discrete Optimization Approach.

We study the Sparse Plus Low Rank decomposition problem (SLR), which is the problem of decomposing a corrupted data matrix $\mathbf{D}$ into a sparse matrix $\mathbf{Y}$ containing the perturbations plus a low rank matrix $\mathbf{X}$. SLR is a fundamental problem in Operations Research and Machine Learning arising in many applications such as data compression, latent semantic indexing, collaborative filtering and medical imaging. We introduce a novel formulation for SLR that directly models the underlying discreteness of the problem. For this formulation, we develop an alternating minimization heuristic to compute high quality solutions and a novel semidefinite relaxation that provides meaningful bounds for the solutions returned by our heuristic. We further develop a custom branch and bound routine that leverages our heuristic and convex relaxation that solves small instances of SLR to certifiable near-optimality. Our heuristic can scale to $n=10000$ in hours, our relaxation can scale to $n=200$ in hours, and our branch and bound algorithm can scale to $n=25$ in minutes. Our numerical results demonstrate that our approach outperforms existing state-of-the-art approaches in terms of the MSE of the low rank matrix and that of the sparse matrix.
NOTE ON VORTEX CONTROL IN SIMULATED SAIL-HULL INTERACTION

An experiment was performed in an attempt to use vortex "unwinders" to reduce or remove the horseshoe vortex that arises from the sail- hull intersection on submersibles. Although studies of the flow downstream of this sail-hull intersection show that the vortex can be reduced, removal of the vortex may have an adverse effect on the downstream wake region since the horseshoe or necklace vortex contributes to wake diffusion. Another approach to the horseshoe vortex problem is suggested whereby the vortex generated by the sail-hull intersection is initially augmented to aid in wake diffusion and subsequently removed downstream by appropriately placed unwinders.
Elements of Fluid Mechanics

The term ‘fluid’ will be used here in the ordinary sense, i.e., a material medium that is continuously deformable, has very little cohesion between its different particles, and may be compressible or incompressible. The material may totally or partially take the shape of its container. The concept of a continuum is also implied. This means that the pressure, temperature, and density vary continuously from point to point. Hydrodynamics is the study of such a system.
Focus on...Compensation Definitions for Retirement Plans

The term "compensation" is of fundamental importance in the design and operation of a qualified plan and in testing the plan's compliance with the qualification requirements.
Bag-of-feature-graphs: A new paradigm for non-rigid shape retrieval

This paper advocates a new paradigm, called bag-of-feature-graphs (BoFG), for non-rigid shape retrieval. It represents a shape by constructing graphs among its features, which significantly reduces the number of points involved in computation. Given a vocabulary of geometric words, for each word the BoFG builds a graph that records spatial information of features, weighted by their similarities to this word. This eliminates unlikely points in a word category, during shape comparison. Feature graphs are governed by their affinity matrices of weighted heat kernels, whose eigenvalues form a concise shape descriptor. Evaluations of the proposed method are conducted via quantitative measurements. The results demonstrate that the BoFG has competitive precisions w.r.t. state-of-the-art methods, and is much faster to compute.
Unilateral Keratoconus: Incidence and Quantitative Topographic Analysis

Objective: This study was designed to determine the incidence of unilaterality in a population of patients with clinical keratoconus and to compare quantitative descriptors of topography between affected corneas from patients with unilateral keratoconus and corneas of patients with bilateral disease. Design: Retrospective clinical study with new evaluation of some patients. Participants: One hundred sixty-four patients from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Wills Eye Hospital who were diagnosed to have moderateto-advanced keratoconus on the basis of characteristic topographic patterns associated with corneal thinning. Intervention: Corneal topography was evaluated in both eyes of each patient. Main Outcome Measures: Quantitative descriptors of corneal topography were compared between 5 affected corneas of patients with unilateral keratoconus (combined cases from University of Texas Southwestern, LSU Eye Center, and Wills Eye Hospital) and 15 corneas of patients with moderate-to-advanced bilateral keratoconus (1 cornea from each patient). Indices selected for statistical analysis were the Keratoconus Predication Index (KPI), Surface Asymmetry Index (SAI), and Surface Regularity Index (SRI). Results: Three (1.83%) of 164 patients with moderate-to-advanced keratoconus had no topographic evidence of keratoconus in the opposite eye. There were no statistically significant differences in KPI, SRI, or SAI values between the affected corneas of patients with unilateral and bilateral keratoconus. Over a period of 4 years of observation, signs of keratoconus in the previously normal eye developed in a patient with unilateral keratoconus. Conclusions: The authors found no differences in the quantitative descriptors of corneal topography between corneas with keratoconus from unilateral and bilateral cases. The authors' results suggest that the incidence of "unilateral" keratoconus is very low. Patients initially diagnosed with unilateral keratoconus, if observed for a sufficient period, commonly had signs of keratoconus develop in the opposite eye. The possibility that all cases of unilateral keratoconus may eventually become bilateral cannot be excluded. Therefore, refractive surgical procedures should not be performed on apparently normal corneas when keratoconus is detected in the opposite eye.
Study of cracking and spalling of Cr2O3 scale formed on Ni-30Cr alloy

Acoustic emission (AE) was used to monitor the scale cracking and spalling of Ni-30Cr alloy samples that had been oxidized at 1000°C for 2 hours or 20 hours then cooled slowly to room temperature in two different ways: natural furnace cooling or constant-rate cooling at a rate of about 19°C/ hour. The morphology of the remaining scale and spalled areas was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The AE results show that the scale started to crack and spall continuously during cooling when a certain temperature was reached. The cracking and spalling continued over a temperature range, indicating that there is distribution of the critical-fracture stresses. The SEM analysis shows that the interface between the Cr2O3 scale and the Ni-30Cr alloy substrate is relatively weak. Under this condition, a mathematical model proposed by A. G. Evans can be used to estimate the size of the spalled areas and the critical size of the interfacial flaws required to produce buckling. Measurements of the diameter of spalled areas from SEM images yielded a range of values that were well described by a normal distribution. By applying the Evans model to the AE data, normal distributions of the diameter of spalled areas were estimated, which were 2–3 times larger than the measured sizes. This lack of agreement may be because the model did not take into account stress-concentration effects of other defects, such as oxide grain boundaries, small porosity in the scale, or small V-notches between individual oxide crystals at the scale surface. It is suggested that the distribution of the interfacial-flaw sizes causes the distribution of the critical-fracture stresses that are inferred from the AE experiments.
USE OF A PORTABLE TRANSCUTANEOUS OXYGEN MONITOR |[lpar]|TcPO2 MONITOR|[rpar]| DURING NEONATAL TRANSPORTS

647 of 1308 neonatal transports (1979-83) had TcPO2 monitoring by a battery operated portable monitor. The inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) at start and end of transport was compared with the 661 infants who did not have TcPO2 monitoring during transport. Use of the TcPO2 monitor resulted in significantly (p>0.00001) more FiO2 changes during transport. This was especially so with decreases in FiO2 during transport (p>0.00001). TcPO2 monitoring, by giving quantitative measures of oxygenation, gives the transport team more confidence in making FiO2 changes during neonatal transports than by reliance on clinical judgement of oxygenation status alone. This helps in preventing both hyperoxia and hypoxia, and their deleterious consequences to the neonate.
Privacy, control and internet mobility (transcript of discussion)

This is work not yet done by myself and Alf Zugenmaier at Microsoft Research here in Cambridge. With Alf being a privacy person we’re starting to think about the kind of threats there are to a wireless mobile user’s privacy. We thought these threats actually matter to the user, and so what can we do about them? Especially, what can we do at the time of attack, or when designing network protocols to improve the users privacy? This is a position paper about the kinds of things we think probably matter and should be done.
Cost-Output Relation, Technological Progress, and Clinical Activity Mix of US Hospital Pharmacies

The fairly recent discovery and growing use of costly, revolutionary biotechnology drugs (e.g., GM-CSFs) in hospitals represent a major technical innovation in clinical pharmacy intervention. This paper models the translog production cost impacts of ten distinct clinical pharmacy tasks including pharmacokinetics, consultations with MDs, monitoring drug interactions,..., and presents results on decomposed technical change, economies of scope, scale economies, total factor productivity, and the alternatively defined pairwise factor substitution possibilities. The model was fitted to 1981–1990 time-series/cross-sectional data of US hospital pharmacies (source: Eli-Lilly Co.®). Zellner's ISURE (Iterative Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equations) system estimates reveal a non-homothetic underlying technology with biased and pure technical change effects dominating scale-augmentation. Certain clinical tasks increase costs but are cost-saving if jointly produced with selective others. One of the largest and statistically significant economies of scope estimates is between ‘monitoring drug interactions’ and ‘consultations with MDs’. Cost implications of findings are given in light of the recent trends in hospital pharmacy clinical activities, related professional health manpower, and piecemeal health policy reforms.
Source localization by 2-D root-MUSIC with "scalar triads" of velocity-hydrophones

This paper introduces a new and computationally efficient direction finding (DF) algorithm that (1) exploits the velocity vector-field information of impinging wave front (vs. the scalar wavefield model using only pressure-hydrophones), (2) estimates both elevation angles and azimuth angles, (3) requires rooting only two polynomials and no costly iterative searches. This paper successfully adopts the Root-MUSIC algorithm to L-shaped arrays of arrays of co-located but orthogonally oriented velocity hydrophones. Each velocity hydrophone measures one Cartesian component of the acoustic velocity vector-wavefield. In one two-signal scenario, this new algorithm increases estimation accuracy by about 3 folds and lowers the resolution threshold by 25 dB SNR relative to a pressure-hydrophone array of comparable hardware and software complexity.
Adducts of Anthrahydroquinone and Anthranol with Lignin Model Quinone Methides. 9,10-13C Labelled Anthranol-Lignin Aeducts; Examination of Adouct Formation and Stereochemistry in the Polymer

Abstract Threo and erythro isomers of 3-acetoxy-1-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -1- (9,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-9-oxoanthracen-10-yl) -2-(2-tnethoxyphenoxy)-propane 8 have been synthesized. These compounds are appropriate model compounds for adducts between anthranol (9-hydroxyanthracene) and quinone raethides of β-aryl ether units in the lignin polymer. Adducts of this type are believed to result from side reactions during the anthraquinone-accelerated pulping of wood and may contribute to extensive losses of anthraquinone from the pulping system. The 13C NMR chemical shift3 of C-10 in the threo and erythro isomers of β are 44.1 and 47.5 ppm relative to tetramethylsilane. Peaks with corresponding chemical shifts appeared in a spectrum of an acetylated adduct prepared from lignin and 9,10- 3C labelled anthranol. As in model systems the threo isomer predominated.