cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Coordination Based on Connected Vehicle Technology

This paper presents a methodology that integrates coordination with adaptive signal control in a connected vehicle environment. The model consists of two levels of optimization. At the intersection level, an adaptive control algorithm allocates the optimal green time to each phase in real time by using dynamic programming that considers coordination constraints. At the corridor level, a mixed-integer linear program is formulated on the basis of data from the intersection level to optimize offsets along the corridor. After the corridor-level algorithm solves the optimization problem, the optimized offsets are sent to the intersection-level algorithm to update the coordination constraints. The model was compared with actuated–coordinated signal control by means of Vissim simulation. The results indicate that the model can reduce average delay and average number of stops for both coordinated routes and the entire network.
Islamophobia and the making of Latinos/as into terrorist threats

ABSTRACTResearch on Islamophobia has focused on how Muslims have been subjected to new and old forms of policing and surveillance. Very few studies have focused on the potential of Islamophobia to affect non-Muslim groups. This study addresses the role that Islamophobia has played in introducing changes to the management of US immigration and, in particular, how Latinos/as as a group have been affected and further racialized as a result. This article draws on primary and secondary sources to illustrate how Islamophobia and discourses of terrorism have been used to justify militarized border security and immigration agendas. We find that the implementation of Islamophobia to matters of border security and immigration have affected Latinos/as in a non-traditional way beginning in the 1990s and exacerbated in the 2000s – a manner in which Muslim populations have historically been racialized in the US.
Social Safety Nets in the Western Balkans: Design, Implementation, and Performance

This chapter provides a comparative perspective on the design, implementation, financing, and performance of the noncontributory cash transfer programs (social assistance) across the six countries in the Western Balkan region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia) and benchmarks their performance against similar programs in other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The means-tested last-resort social assistance programs that exist in all six Western Balkan countries are the primary focus of the analysis. This chapter examines their core features, taking stock of basic indicators of their scope and performance and reviewing their financing, institutional setup, eligibility criteria, main design aspects, and implementation processes in the context of the main functions of social protection—the three “P”s for resilience and opportunity: (1) prevention against drop in well-being, income, and expenditure shocks; (2) protection from destitution and losses of human capital; and (3) promotion of human capital development, opportunities, livelihoods, and better jobs (World Bank. Building Resilience and Opportunity. The World Bank’s Social Protection and Labor Strategy 2012-2022. Concept Note for CODE Review. The World Bank, Washington, DC, 2011; Grosh et al. For Protection & Promotion: The Design and Implementation of Effective Safety Nets. The World Bank, Washington, DC, 2008).
Functional Difficulties and Inequalities Through a Static Lens

This chapter is about the association between disability and inequalities. Results from both descriptive statistics and regressions indicate that functional difficulties have significant and large associations with both individual and household deprivations in Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. This is found through an indicator-by-indicator analysis as well as through an assessment of multidimensional poverty. There are four wellbeing dimensions for which functional difficulties were systematically associated with deprivations in the four countries: education, morbidity, employment, and economic security. Some persons with functional difficulties do achieve levels of wellbeing comparable to persons with no difficulty. The association between functional difficulties and deprivations was found for both severe and moderate functional difficulties, although it was typically larger and more often significant for the former.
The bond rupture force for sulfur chains calculated from quantum chemistry simulations and its relevance to the tensile strength of vulcanized rubber

From quantum chemistry simulations using density functional theory, we obtain the total electronic energy of an eight-atom sulfur chain as its end-to-end distance is extended until S–S bond rupture occurs. We find that a sulfur chain can be extended by about 40% beyond its nominally straight conformation, where it experiences rupture at an end-to-end tension of about 1.5 nN. Using this rupture force as the chain failure limit in an explicit polymer network simulation model (EPnet), we predict the tensile failure stress for sulfur crosslinked (vulcanized) natural rubber. Quantitative agreement with published experimental data for the failure stress is obtained in these simulations if we assume that only about 30% of the sulfur chains produce viable network crosslinks. Surprisingly, we also find that the failure stress of a rubber network does not scale linearly with the chain failure force limit.
Comparison of muscular activities between subjects with and without scapular downward rotation impairment during diagonal pattern of exercises

Abstract Backgrounds One form of abnormal scapular alignment is scapular downward rotation (SDR). Changes in muscle function in SDR have not been clearly identified, and SDR exercises also require investigation. Although a diagonal pattern of exercise is commonly used as part of the exercise protocol, a direct comparison of shoulder and scapular diagonal exercises has not yet been conducted. The objectives of this study were to determine the altered activation of the scapular musculature in the SDR group and to investigate which diagonal pattern of exercise effectively activates the scapular musculature. Methods Thirty-two participants (18 in the control group and 14 in the SDR group) volunteered to participate in this study. Electromyographic signals were collected from four muscles, the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and anterior deltoid (AD), during standing performance of diagonal shoulder and scapular exercises. Results The control group showed significantly lower UT activity, UT/LT ratio, and UT/SA values than the SDR group (p Conclusion Our findings suggest that reduced activation of the UT could lead to greater activation in the AD in SDR. Scapular posterior elevation exercise is advantageous as selectively activates the trapezius musculature, and shoulder diagonal pattern exercise is advantageous in activating the SA and AD.
Design and analysis of forward and reverse models for predicting defect accumulation, defect energetics, and irradiation conditions

Abstract The complexity of radiation effects in a material’s microstructure makes developing predictive models a difficult task. In principle, a complete list of all possible reactions between defect species being considered can be used to elucidate damage evolution mechanisms and its associated impact on microstructure evolution. However, a central limitation is that many models use a limited and incomplete catalog of defect energetics and associated reactions. Even for a given model, estimating its input parameters remains a challenge, especially for complex material systems. Here, we present a computational analysis to identify the extent to which defect accumulation, energetics, and irradiation conditions can be determined via forward and reverse regression models constructed and trained from large data sets produced by cluster dynamics simulations. A global sensitivity analysis, via Sobol’ indices, concisely characterizes parameter sensitivity and demonstrates how this can be connected to variability in defect evolution. Based on this analysis and depending on the definition of what constitutes the input and output spaces, forward and reverse regression models are constructed and allow for the direct calculation of defect accumulation, defect energetics, and irradiation conditions. This computational analysis, exercised on a simplified cluster dynamics model, demonstrates the ability to design predictive surrogate and reduced-order models, and provides guidelines for improving model predictions within the context of forward and reverse engineering of mathematical models for radiation effects in a materials’ microstructure.
Effect of Race on the Incidence of Aortic Stenosis and Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States

Abstract Objective To assess the effect of race on the incidence of aortic stenosis (AS) and utilization and outcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR). Patients and Methods Patients older than 60 years hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of AS and those who underwent AVR between 2003 and 2014 were included. Adjusted and unadjusted incidence of AS-related hospitalizations, utilization rates of AVR, in-hospital morbidity and mortality, and resource utilization was compared between whites and African Americans (AAs). Results Between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2014, the incidence of AS-related admissions increased from 13 (95% CI, 12.8-13.2) to 26 (95% CI, 25.7-26.4) cases per 100,000 patient-years in whites and from 3 (95% CI, 3.5-3.8) to 9.5 (95% CI, 9.4-9.8) cases per 100,000 patient-years in AAs ( P P P P =.12). African Americans also had longer hospitalizations (12±12 days vs 10±9 days; P P =.004), and higher cost of hospitalization ($55,631±$37,773 vs $52,521±$38,040; P Conclusions African Americans undergo AVR less than whites. The underlying etiology of this disparity is multifactorial, but may be related to a lower incidence of AS in AAs. Aortic valve replacement is associated with similar risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality but higher cost and longer hospitalizations in AAs than in whites.
Automated screening of Papanicolaou tests: A review of the literature

Automated Papanicolaou test screening systems have now been available for over 25 years. Currently two automated screening systems are in widespread clinical use. These are the ThinPrep Imaging System and the FocalPoint GS Imaging System. In their current configurations, both facilitate faster screening by showing a limited number of fields of view (FOV) to cytotechnologists. The FOV are based on the use of proprietary algorithms applied to computerized images of the slide that determine the cells and cell groups with the highest likelihood of abnormality. If all of the FOV are deemed to be negative, the case can be signed out with no additional review; if one or more fields appear possibly abnormal, the entire slide must be manually screened. The United States Food and Drug Administration has ruled that for workload calculation purposes, looking at only the FOV review counts as one-half slide, potentially greatly increasing the number of slides that can be screened. However, follow-up studies of this technology have shown that screening accuracy declines when very large numbers of cases are reviewed per day. Recommendations designed to limit screening volumes to levels that do not jeopardize patient care have therefore been created. The development of fully automated screening that does not rely on human judgment remains an unrealized aspiration. This review covers the history of the development and clinical implementation of automated screening technology with descriptions of the various automated screening systems and their performance as reported in published literature.
Improved Executive Function and Science Achievement for At-Risk Middle School Girls in an Aerobic Fitness Program:

This study explored the effects of a middle school physical activity intervention for adolescent girls on the executive functioning involved in science learning. The girls, ages 11 to 14, were at r...
CBG Activity in Mouse, Rabbit and Guinea Pig during Pregnancy and Lactation; PBG in the Guinea Pig

The observation of a marked decline of CBG activity in the rat early in lactation (Fig. IX-9) suggested that CBG may play a role in the initiation of lactation (Gala and Westphal, 1965 a). If such a mechanism were of general significance, similar changes in the CBG level should occur in other species. Corticosteroid-binding activity was therefore determined in mouse, rabbit and guinea pig during pregnancy and lactation (Gala and Westphal, 1967).
A Designer's Associate: Software Design Support for Command and Control Systems

Abstract Design support for command and control software development represents a new, but interesting, aspect of the human-machine systems engineering problem. The design support approach described in this paper is rooted in a computer-based Designer’s Associate which facilitates learning at the organizational level via the collection and diffusion of domain-specific experience.
Gillmor’s Coulomb (1973)

The name of Charles-Augustin Coulomb (1736–1806) is known to every student of mechanics and physics: “Coulomb’s law” of electrostatics, “Coulomb friction”, “Coulomb’s criterion for failure” of masonry piers, “Coulomb’s equation” for the pressure of earth upon a retaining wall, “Coulomb’s theory” of the rupture of arches, “Coulomb’s torsional balance” and “law” of torsion. The circumstances of Coulomb’s life and work are rarely mentioned and little known. The book under review is the first biography of the great savant. As such it is most welcome, and doubly so because it is the first biography of any great figure of French science (except for Laplace and Fourier, those tiresome and overadvertised genii [and for Monge]) whose active life began before yet continued through the French Revolution. Gillmor has searched the records with industry and competence, and the first seventy-nine pages of his book present the facts and circumstances of Coulomb’s life. The reader learns what it was to be a membre adjoint of the Societe des Sciences of Montpellier (1757–1761), student at the engineering school of Mezieres (1760–1761), a military engineer stationed in Martinique (1764–1772), a correspondent of the Academie des Sciences (1774–1781) who was on active duty as an engineer at various forts in France, and, finally, an influential academician (1781–1793) and Membre de l’Institut (1795–1806).
The Neighborhood As Patient: 1 Hospital's Approach to Neighborhood Effects.

> Dwelling is not just a family in a fine house, it is a community in a fine place. > > —Mindy Thompson Fullilove1 Kelleher et al2 described Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s use of the medical model to present a case of the surrounding neighborhood, Southern Orchards, as a patient suffering from a “syndrome” comprised of concentrated poverty, housing instability, racial segregation, environmental toxins, violence, property crimes, and poorly performing schools. The patient is suffering from a diagnosis called “community trauma,” the etiology of which is structural violence: the harm that individuals, families, and communities experience from inequitable economic and social structures, social institutions, relations of power, privilege, and inequality that prevent them from meeting their basic needs.3,4 After completing a detailed neighborhood diagnostic assessment using multiple sources of data, the authors conclude that this syndrome was driven primarily by a lack of housing stability, created and sustained by an ongoing housing crisis and exacerbated by the subprime mortgage collapse of 2008. The treatment plan included a multifaceted strategy aimed at stabilizing the housing market and improving … Address correspondence to Leslie Dubbin, PhD, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, 3333 California St, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94118. E-mail: leslie.dubbin{at}ucsf.edu.
Multiphase Equilibrium Calculation Framework for Compositional Simulation of CO2 Injection in Low-Temperature Reservoirs

CO2 injection into an oil reservoir at low temperature can lead to the formation of three hydrocarbon phases. Key challenges persist in the development of phase equilibrium calculations for three-p...
Transition to adulthood and adult health care for patients with sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis: Current practices and research priorities.

Introduction A growing population of adults living with severe, chronic childhood-onset health conditions has created a need for specialized health care delivered by providers who have expertise both in adult medicine and in those conditions. Optimal care of these patients requires systematic approaches to healthcare transition (HCT). Guidelines for HCT exist, but gaps in care occur, and there are limited data on outcomes of HCT processes. Methods The Single Disease Workgroup of the Lifespan Domain Task Force of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Clinical and Translational Science Award programs convened a group to review the current state of HCT and to identify gaps in research and practice. Using cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease as models, key themes were developed. A literature search identified general and disease-specific articles. We summarized key findings. Results We identified literature characterizing patient, parent and healthcare provider perspectives, recommendations for transition care, and barriers to effective transition. Conclusions With increased survival of patients with severe childhood onset diseases, ongoing study of effective transition practices is essential as survival increases for severe childhood onset diseases. We propose pragmatic methods to enhance transition research to improve health and key outcomes.
Review: In adults, general health checks do not reduce all-cause, cardiovascular, or cancer mortality.

Source Citation Krogsboll LT, Jorgensen KJ, Gotzsche PC. General health checks in adults for reducing morbidity and mortality from disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;1:CD009009. 30699470
Morphology and Molecular Ordering of Langmuir-Blodgett and Self-Organized Films from Organic Compounds

The formation of ultrathin ordered molecular films at solid surfaces from various organic compounds, including discotic liquid crystals (LCs), alkylsilanes, ladder polymers, polyglutamates, lipids and dye molecules were explored. The molecular packing and mesoscale morphology of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films and self-organized films from these compounds at the surfaces of silicon wafers and glasses were studied by atomic force microscopy. Parameters of molecular ordering in the bulk state as well as thickness of molecular layers at the solid support were obtained from X-ray analysis and used for analysis of AFM data. Molecular modeling, including conformational analysis and molecular packing, provided additional information useful for interpretation of molecular images.
Machine learning versus traditional risk stratification methods in acute coronary syndrome: a pooled randomized clinical trial analysis

Traditional statistical models allow population based inferences and comparisons. Machine learning (ML) explores datasets to develop algorithms that do not assume linear relationships between variables and outcomes and that may account for higher order interactions to make individualized outcome predictions. To evaluate the performance of machine learning models compared to traditional risk stratification methods for the prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that are treated with antithrombotic therapy. Data on 24,178 ACS patients were pooled from four randomized controlled trials. The super learner ensemble algorithm selected weights for 23 machine learning models and was compared to traditional models. The efficacy endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The safety endpoint was a composite of TIMI major and minor bleeding or bleeding requiring medical attention. For the MACE outcome, the super learner model produced a higher c-statistic (0.734) than logistic regression (0.714), the TIMI risk score (0.489), and a new cardiovascular risk score developed in the dataset (0.644). For the bleeding outcome, the super learner demonstrated a similar c-statistic as the logistic regression model (0.670 vs. 0.671). The machine learning risk estimates were highly calibrated with observed efficacy and bleeding outcomes (Hosmer–Lemeshow p value = 0.692 and 0.970, respectively). The super learner algorithm was highly calibrated on both efficacy and safety outcomes and produced the highest c-statistic for prediction of MACE compared to traditional risk stratification methods. This analysis demonstrates a contemporary application of machine learning to guide patient-level antithrombotic therapy treatment decisions. Clinical Trial Registration ATLAS ACS-2 TIMI 46: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00402597. Unique Identifier: NCT00402597. ATLAS ACS-2 TIMI 51: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00809965. Unique Identifier: NCT00809965. GEMINI ACS-1: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02293395. Unique Identifier: NCT02293395. PIONEER-AF PCI: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01830543. Unique Identifier: NCT01830543.
Management of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: a review of nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) condition involving numerous potential causative factors (e.g. alterations in gut microbiota, motility, brain-gut axis). Several interventions are available for the management of patients with IBS, but no universal management algorithm currently exists. The aim of this article is to review interventions that may be considered in the management of patients with IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). Nonpharmacological interventions include dietary and lifestyle modification, which are generally used as first-line therapy. Probiotics have demonstrated efficacy and safety in patients with IBS, but studies are inconsistent in strains examined, dosing, and treatment duration. Psychological therapies (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy) also may improve IBS symptoms. Pharmacological interventions for the management of IBS-D include the US Food and Drug Administration-approved agents eluxadoline, rifaximin, and alosetron, as well as loperamide, smooth muscle antispasmodics, bile acid sequestrants, and antidepressants (i.e. tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Eluxadoline and rifaximin have been shown to improve abdominal pain and stool consistency in patients with IBS-D. In addition, data indicate that alosetron improves IBS symptoms; however, it is approved only for women with severe IBS-D. Of the three approved agents, rifaximin has the most favorable safety profile. The risk-benefit ratio is an important consideration with every medication, but is especially important in the treatment of functional GI disorders such as IBS-D. Thus, the most troublesome symptoms, quality of life, symptom intensity, and individual patient preferences should be considered when formulating a management plan for patients with IBS-D.
The effect of Hydrogen sulfide oxidation with ultraviolet light and aeration on sour water treatment via membrane contactors

Abstract During natural gas extraction and production, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is often brought to the surface. In some cases, H2S could be present in water streams, referred to as “sour water”, treatment of that sour water is required before disposal or reuse. Sour water can be treated in a variety of ways including conventional stripping and chemical scavenging. Hydrophobic membrane contactors are an alternative technology for the treatment of sour water. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the membrane, dissolved gases, including H2S, can pass through while water is retained on the feed side. The sodium hydroxide receiving solution acts as a trap that captures the H2S. Once the H2S is trapped, ultraviolet (UV) light and oxygen can be applied to oxidize the sulfide to non-hazardous forms of sulfur allowing more disposal options for the receiving solution. This research focused on evaluating the feasibility and performance of a hybrid process combining a membrane contactor and a sulfide oxidation step through UV light and aeration. Oxidation experiments showed that UV light alone can oxidize the sulfide to disulfide. On the other hand, UV combined with oxygen, via aeration, was capable of further oxidizing sulfide to sulfate and thiosulfate; the two main sulfur species present in the treated water based on mass balance calculations. Both oxidation methods (UV with and without aeration) were found to follow a first order reaction rate, that of UV alone was 0.015 min−1, and when combined with aeration the rate was more than two times higher (0.035 min−1). The proposed hybrid technology can be applied in both upstream and downstream operations as a standalone process for the treatment of sour produced and process water.
ISI Mitigation Using Three Taps FIR Zero-Forcing Technique for Diffusion-Based Molecular Communications

Molecular communications are the bio-communication system inspired by nature to convey information in nanoscale networks. The transmitter and receiver can be manufactured from biological materials, hybrid materials, or entirely artificial materials to perform simple tasks such as sensing and counting. The channel impulse response of the diffusion-based propagation channel has a long tail as a result of delayed residual molecules that hit the receiver. Those molecules generate intersymbol interference (ISI) between symbols which harshly-distorted the received signals and complicate detection process. Furthermore, molecular communications always have low throughput measurements due to the presence of ISI. In this paper, we proposed a channel equalization technique that uses only three taps FIR zero-forcing approach to mitigate the ISI. The performance of our equalizer shows remarkable BER and throughput improvement compared to no equalization.
The Relationships Among Quality, Glume Color and Certain Gliadin Electrophoregrams in Durum Wheat

In this research, 13 out of 60 genotypes carried only gliadin band 42, while 16 genotypes possessed only gliadin band 45. Twenty-eight of remaining genotypes had both gliadin 42 and 45. Three genotypes carried neither gliadin band 42 nor gliadin band 45. When the genotypes examined with respect to glume color, 13 genotypes were classified as buff glumed. All these 13 genotypes had gliadin band 42. Of the 16 white-glumed, 15 genotypes had gliadin band 45 present. Only one genotype had gliadin band 42 present. We concluded that electrophoretic analysis in combination with glume color may be used in segregating populations, and such reliable markers should be evaluated with SDS-sedimentation test for developing to cooking quality in durum wheat breeding programs.
Scoring of radiographic cortical healing with the radiographic humerus union measurement predicts union in humeral shaft fractures.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the radiographic humerus union measurement (RHUM) is predictive of union in humeral shaft fractures treated nonoperatively. All patients with long bone fracture nonunion presenting to a single surgeon were enrolled in a prospective registry. This registry was queried to identify patients with humeral shaft fractures treated nonoperatively and developed nonunion. The nonunion cohort was matched to a three to one gender- and age-matched control group that were treated nonoperatively for a humeral shaft fracture and achieved union. Two fellowship-trained orthopedic traumatologists blinded to eventual union scored radiographs obtained 12 weeks after injury using the RHUM. A binomial logistic regression determined the effect of the RHUM on the likelihood of developing union. Nine patients with humeral shaft fractures treated nonoperatively with radiographs 12 weeks after injury that developed nonunion were identified. These patients were matched to 27 controls. Logistic regression demonstrated the RHUM was a significant predictor of healing 12 weeks after humeral shaft fracture treated nonoperatively (p = 0.014, odds ratio 9.434, 95% CI for OR 1.586–56.098). All patients with RHUM below 7 went on to nonunion. All patients with RHUM above 8 healed. Three of seven patients (43%) with RHUM of 7 or 8 healed. The RHUM demonstrated an increased likelihood of achieving union 12 weeks after injury. Orthopedic surgeons can counsel patients that fractures with RHUM scores of 6 or below are in danger of developing nonunion and can target interventions appropriately.
Interposing of Microelectronics by Micro Transfer Printing to Create 3-D Structures

Micro transfer printing (µTP) is a useful method for heterogenous integration of micro-scale devices but typically requires additional electrical interconnection of devices following print. In this paper, the concept of interconnect at print is explored and a stacked configuration demonstrating electrical interconnection of 3-D micrometer scale electrical devices is shown. Structures that are 45µm by 25µm consisting of four metallized spikes on the bottom and recessed pyramids at the top are stacked, probed, and shown to illuminate light demonstrating their electrical interconnection from print.
Transient Unfolding and Long-Range Interactions in Viral BCL2 M11 Enable Binding to the BECN1 BH3 Domain

Viral BCL2 proteins (vBCL2s) help to sustain chronic infection of host proteins to inhibit apoptosis and autophagy. However, details of conformational changes in vBCL2s that enable binding to BH3Ds remain unknown. Using all-atom, multiple microsecond-long molecular dynamic simulations (totaling 17 μs) of the murine γ-herpesvirus 68 vBCL2 (M11), and statistical inference techniques, we show that regions of M11 transiently unfold and refold upon binding of the BH3D. Further, we show that this partial unfolding/refolding within M11 is mediated by a network of hydrophobic interactions, which includes residues that are 10 A away from the BH3D binding cleft. We experimentally validate the role of these hydrophobic interactions by quantifying the impact of mutating these residues on binding to the Beclin1/BECN1 BH3D, demonstrating that these mutations adversely affect both protein stability and binding. To our knowledge, this is the first study detailing the binding-associated conformational changes and presence of long-range interactions within vBCL2s.
Extension of the Bessmertnyi Realization Theorem for Rational Functions of Several Complex Variables

We prove a realization theorem for rational functions of several complex variables which extends the main theorem of M. Bessmertnyi, "On realizations of rational matrix functions of several complex variables," in Vol. 134 of Oper. Theory Adv. Appl., pp. 157-185, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 2002. In contrast to Bessmertnyi's approach of solving large systems of linear equations, we use an operator theoretical approach based on the theory of Schur complements. This leads to a simpler and more "natural" construction to solving the realization problem as we need only apply elementary algebraic operations to Schur complements such as sums, products, inverses, and compositions. As such our approach leads to a solution of the realization problem that not only has a greater potential for further extensions and applications, but is also more natural within multidimensional systems theory especially for those linear models associated with electric circuits, networks, and composites.
Information Technology Solutions, Challenges, and Suggestions for Tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Various technology innovations and applications have been developed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic also has implications for the design, development, and use of technologies. There is an urgent need for a greater understanding of what roles information systems and technology researchers can play in this global pandemic. This paper examines emerging technologies used to mitigate the threats of COVID-19 and relevant challenges related to technology design, development, and use. It also provides insights and suggestions into how information systems and technology scholars can help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper helps promote future research and technology development to produce better solutions for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics.
Effect of Ionic Strength, Nanoparticle Surface Charge Density, and Template Diameter on Self-Limiting Single-Particle Placement: A Numerical Study.

For the bottom-up approach where functional materials are constructed out of nanoscale building blocks (e.g., nanoparticles), it is essential to have methods that are capable of placing the individual nanoscale building blocks onto exact substrate positions on a large scale and on a large area. One of the promising placement methods is the self-limiting single-particle placement (SPP), in which a single nanoparticle in a colloidal solution is electrostatically guided by electrostatic templates and exactly one single nanoparticle is placed on each target position in a self-limiting way. This paper presents a numerical study on SPP, where the effects of three key parameters, (1) ionic strength (IS), (2) nanoparticle surface charge density (σNP), and (3) circular template diameter (d), on SPP are investigated. For 40 different parameter sets of (IS, σNP, d), a 30 nm nanoparticle positioned at R above the substrate was modeled in two configurations (i) without and (ii) with the presence of a 30 nm nanoparticle at the center of a circular template. For each parameter set and each configuration, the electrostatic potentials were calculated by numerically solving the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, from which interaction forces and interaction free energies were subsequently calculated. These have identified realms of parameter sets that enable a successful SPP. A few exemplary parameter sets include (IS, σNP, d) = (0.5 mM, -1.5 μC/cm2, 100 nm), (0.05 mM, -0.5 μC/cm2, 100 nm), (0.5 mM, -1.5 μC/cm2, 150 nm), and (0.05 mM, -0.8 μC/cm2, 150 nm). This study provides clear guidance toward experimental realizations of large-scale and large-area SPPs, which could lead to bottom-up fabrications of novel electronic, photonic, plasmonic, and spintronic devices and sensors.
Privacy-Preserving Analysis of Vertically Partitioned Data Using Secure Matrix Products

Reluctance of statistical agencies and other data owners to share possibly confidential or proprietary data with others who own related databases is a serious impediment to conducting mutually beneficial analyses. In this article, we propose a protocol for conducting secure regressions and similar analyses on vertically partitioned data – databases with identical records but disjoint sets of attributes. This protocol allows data owners to estimate coefficients and standard errors of linear regressions, and to examine regression model diagnostics, without disclosing the values of their attributes to each other. No third parties are involved. The protocol can be used to perform other procedures for which sample means and covariances are sufficient statistics. The basis is an algorithm for secure matrix multiplication, which is used by pairs of owners to compute off-diagonal blocks of the full data covariance matrix.
Multi-criteria inoperability analysis of commodity-specific dock disruptions at an inland waterway port

Decision making for managing risks to critical infrastructure systems requires accounting for the widespread impacts of disruptions that render these systems inoperable. This paper integrates a dynamic risk-based interdependency model with a weighted multi-criteria decision analysis technique to evaluate discrete resource allocation alternatives to improve port preparedness. Dock-specific resource allocation provides a more tangible assessment of the effect of preparedness planning on particular commodities that flow through an inland waterway port. Uncertainty is accounted through the use of probability distributions of total expected loss per industry. We analyze a set of discrete allocations options of preparedness plans of a study of the Port of Catoosa in Oklahoma along the Mississippi River Navigation System.
MANAGEMENT OF RADIATION-INDUCED VAGINAL FISTULAS.

Abstract Occasionally an apparently cured patient with gynecologic malignancy is left with major injury secondary to treatment. One of the most vexing of these complications is the radiation-induced vaginal fistula. Fistulas are difficult to correct, sometimes impossible to correct, and a certain futility has been associated with these complications. This report deals with our limited but optimistic experience with the labial fat pad pedicle method of Martius. From October, 1967, through February, 1969, 10 radiation-induced vaginal fistulas have been repaired. Eight have been successful with the first attempt at correction. The technical problems in managing radiation-induced recto- and vesicovaginal fistulas are reviewed, and our method of the Martius procedure is described. A brief survey of other methods is included.
NON-CANONICAL TRANSFORMATIONS OF NONLINEAR HAMILTONIANS

We describe a new method based on Lie transformations for simplifying perturbed Hamiltonians in one degree of freedom. A non-canonical Lie transformation is used to eliminate terms from the perturbation that are not of the same form as those in the main part, or even to eliminate the perturbation entirely. The system is thus transformed into a modified version of the principal part. In conjunction with a time transformation which recovers the dynamical equations, the procedure synchronizes the motions of the perturbed system onto those of the unperturbed part. The method is most useful when the unperturbed part has solutions in non-elementary functions. Applications of the method are described.
Autonomic mechanisms of muscle metaboreflex control of heart rate.

Ischemia in active skeletal muscle induces reflex increases in systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and heart rate (HR), termed the muscle metaboreflex. When metaboreflex activation is maintained during postexercise muscle ischemia, SAP remains elevated; however, HR decreases. Why the HR responses differ with metaboreflex activation during exercise vs. during postexercise ischemia while the SAP responses are similar in each setting remains unclear. Two hypotheses were tested: 1) the increase in HR with muscle ischemia occurs predominantly via an increase in sympathetic activity, and 2) sympathetic activity to the heart remains elevated during post-exercise ischemia; however, HR decreases because of an increase in parasympathetic outflow. The muscle metaboreflex was activated in conscious dogs during treadmill exercise (3.2 kph, 0% grade) by progressively decreasing perfusion to the hindlimbs. Experiments were performed before and after muscarinic (atropine) or beta- (atenolol or propranolol) receptor blockade. In control experiments, once beyond the threshold for the reflex, the HR sensitivity of the muscle metaboreflex averaged -2.4 +/- 0.3 beats.min-1.mmHg-1 and the reflex open-loop gain averaged -3.2 +/- 0.3 (calculated as the ratio of the increase in HR or SAP to the decrease in hindlimb perfusion pressure beyond threshold). Atropine had no effect on either HR sensitivity (-2.7 +/- 0.4 beats.min-1.mmHg-1) or open-loop gain (-3.3 +/- 0.5, both P > 0.05 vs. control). However, pretreatment with beta-receptor antagonist significantly decreased both HR sensitivity (-0.7 +/- 0.1 beats.min-1.mmHg-1, P < 0.001) and open-loop gain (-1.9 +/- 0.3, P < 0.01). During postexercise ischemia, HR decreased while SAP remained elevated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Iron: Heme Proteins, Peroxidases, Catalases & Catalase‐Peroxidases

This article describes recent advances made in understanding structure–function relationships in representative peroxidases, catalases, and catalase-peroxidases. Emphasis will be placed on those enzymes for which crystal structures are available. Of particular interest are recent advances in elucidating the structure of peroxidase compounds I and II, important intermediates that are formed from the reaction of the enzyme with peroxides. The repertoire of known structures in the catalase/peroxidase superfamily now include KatG catalases-peroxidases and di-heme peroxidases. These new structures coupled with a wealth of biochemical and biophysical data have provided important new insights into structure and function. Keywords: peroxidases; catalases; catalase-peroxidases; Trp π-cation radical; porphyrin π-cation radical; high-resolution structures
Angiotensin stimulates bicarbonate transport and Na+/K+ ATPase in rat proximal straight tubules.

The effect of angiotensin on HCO3- absorption, fluid absorption, and Na+/K+ ATPase activity in isolated rat proximal straight tubules was investigated. During the control period, tubules absorbed fluid at 0.66 +/- 0.12 nL/mm.min and bicarbonate at 60.2 +/- 10.7 pmol/mm.min. After 10(-10) M angiotensin was added to the bath, tubules absorbed fluid at 0.93 +/- 0.19 nL/mm.min and bicarbonate at 77.4 +/- 15.2 pmol/mm.min, indicating stimulation of both parameters. Time controls showed no significant change in the rate of bicarbonate or fluid absorption. To determine whether this stimulation was due to an increase in the maximum rate of transport, tubules were perfused at greater than or equal to 20 nL/mm.min. During the control period, tubules absorbed bicarbonate at 82.5 +/- 13.0 pmol/mm.min. After 10(-10) M angiotensin was added to the bath, these same tubules absorbed bicarbonate at 75.9 +/- 11.9 pmol/mm.min. Thus, angiotensin did not alter the maximum rate of transport. Angiotensin also had no effect on bicarbonate permeability, which was 1.1 +/- 0.2 x 10(-4) cm/s before treatment and 1.3 +/- 0.3 x 10(-4) cm/s afterward. Finally, the effect of angiotensin on Na+/K+ ATPase activity was measured in paired experiments. Na+/K+ ATPase activity of control tubules was 36 +/- 6 pmol of ADP/mm.min; after angiotensin treatment, it was 47 +/- 6 pmol ADP/mm.min. From these data it was concluded that: (1) angiotensin stimulates bicarbonate absorption in the rat proximal straight tubule; (2) this stimulation is the result of a change in Km rather than of an increase in the maximum rate of transport or permeability; and (3) angiotensin directly stimulates Na+/K+ ATPase activity in the proximal nephron.
Using coarse/fine manipulation with vision to place fine pitch SMD components

An experimental system that can accurately align and place SMDs (surface mount devices) on a printed circuit board is described. Features of the system are fine positioning and endpoint sensing after an IBM 7576 robot coarsely aligns the SMD to its target. Fine positioning is done using a customer-designed micropositioning device. The endpoint sensor is a single camera vision system that by image analysis determines the alignment error of the SMD to the board. System performance was evaluated by placing SMDs of 100 leads with 25 mil lead spacing on a board. The alignment error is less than 0.5 mil and 0.015 degrees , independent of feeder and board position error or robot repeatability. The average cycle time is less than 10 s. >
Protein and lipid trafficking induced in erythrocytes infected by malaria parasites

The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum develops in a parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) within the mature red cell and extensively modifies structural and antigenic properties of this host cell. Recent studies shed significant new, mechanistic perspective on the underlying processes. There is finally, definitive evidence that despite the absence of endocytosis, transmembrane proteins in the host red cell membrane are imported in to the PVM. These are not major erythrocyte proteins but components that reside in detergent resistant membrane (DRM) rafts in red cell membrane and are detected in rafts in the PVM. Disruption of either erythrocyte or vacuolar rafts is detrimental to infection suggesting that raft proteins and lipids are essential for the parasitization of the red cell. On secretory export of parasite proteins: an ER secretory signal (SS) sequence is required for protein secretion to the PV. Proteins carrying an additional plastid targeting sequence (PTS) are also detected in the PV but subsequently delivered to the plastid organelle within the parasite, suggesting that the PTS may have a second function as an endocytic sorting signal. A distinct but yet undefined peptidic motif underlies protein transport across the PVM to the red cell (although all of the published data does not yet fit this model). Further multiple exported proteins transit through secretory 'cleft' structures, suggesting that clefts may be sorting compartments assembled by the parasite in the red cell.
Radioluminescence detector for the flow injection determination of phosphorus as vanadomolybdophosphoric acid

A radioluminescent light source has been used in a detector for the flow injection (FI) determination of phosphorus by means of the vanadomolybdophosphoric (VMP) acid spectrophotometric method. A comparison with previous studies in which lamp-based instrumentation was utilized proves that radioluminescence (RL) is a viable alternative source. RL enables the design of compact, inexpensive light sources for spectroscopic studies. Through the selection of a radioisotope and scintillation medium, the spectral and temporal characteristics of the source can be chosen independently. In this study, a broadband radioluminescent source provided detection limits similar to those of conventional lamp-based detectors while increasing the dynamic range of the method. Possible interferences caused by the use of a broadband light source have been explored as a function of the spectral region employed.
Excitation and ionization states of ions penetrating solids

Abstract The nature of the states of the penetrating ion in dense media has been a subject of conjecture for some time. Until recently the only information available has been that obtained from (1) measurement of charge state distributions of ions after emergence from the target and (2) that adduced from measurement of the electronic stopping power of the ion. More information on stopping power has come from the use of the channeling technique. Measurements of X-ray production cross sections and X-ray energies generated in solids coupled with new knowledge concerning these processes have added to the picture. An overview of the subject including some recent experimental results is presented.
Support Systems For Testing Thin Meniscus Optical Mirrors

The principles of elastic structural behavior and superposition were used in conjunction with finite element analysis to find a suitable test support system for thin meniscus mirrors. The finite element method was used to calculate the deflections of a thin meniscus mirror supported by various mechanisms. The support systems were explicitly represented in the finite element model by including the forces and moments that are induced by the support system. To minimize the number of finite element runs, the basic loading cases were analyzed one at a time, and the deflections in each case were fit to Zernike polynomials. To represent the effect of each support system on the optical surface, the basic loading cases were combined by using the appropriate proportions of the Zernike polynomial coefficients. The analytical results favored airbag support over other possible support systems. If the pressure in the airbag is varied in a controlled manner, optical errors may be separated out from the mechanical errors caused by an imperfect support system even for optical elements of a very high diameter-to-thickness ratio or asymmetric shapes. Using holographic techniques, several sets of experimental results were obtained that strongly confirmed the analytical findings.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.