cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of excitons in wurtzite GaN quantum wells under valence band mixing, strain, and piezoelectric field

Low-dimensional excitons in general, and quantum-well (QW) excitons in particular, are important for linear and nonlinear semiconductor optics applications. The recent observation of the high binding energy of bulk excitons in gallium nitride samples being the main impetus, we undertake a theoretical work to characterize QW excitons in wurtzite semiconductors. In our formulation, we take into account valence band mixing, strain, and piezoelectric field effects. The in-plane behavior of excitons is treated variationally, whereas the finite-element method is used for the dependence along the growth direction. The formulation is applied to GaN-Al/sub x/ Ga/sub 1-x/N QW's. The presence of the piezoelectric field leads to the well-known quantum-confined Stark effect. We deduce from an oscillator strength analysis that the quantum-confined Franz-Keldysh effect is operational for QW's of width around 45 /spl Aring/ for an aluminum content of x=0.15. Our results further indicate that, for very clean samples, QW excitons should not ionize at room temperature even in the presence of the piezoelectric field for sufficiently narrow QW's. We determine the fractional dimensionality of the QW excitons in the absence of the piezoelectric field, which can in principle be cancelled by introducing delta-doped ionized layers on either side of the QW. The absorption spectra associated with the low-lying 1s excitons are also presented for several well widths.
Identification of Differential Gene Expression in Bacteria Associated with Coral Black Band Disease by Using RNA-Arbitrarily Primed PCR

RNA-arbitrarily primed PCR techniques have been applied for the first time to identify differential gene expression in black band disease (BBD), a virulent coral infection that affects reef ecosystems worldwide. The gene activity for the BBD mat on infected surfaces of the brain coral Diploria strigosa was compared with that for portions of the BBD mat that were removed from the coral and suspended nearby in the seawater column. The results obtained indicate that three genes (DD 95-2, DD 95-4, and DD 99-9) were up-regulated in the BBD bacterial mat on the coral surface compared to the transcript base levels observed in the BBD mat suspended in seawater. Clone DD 95-4 has homology with known amino acid ABC transporter systems in bacteria, while clone DD 99-9 exhibits homology with chlorophyll A apoprotein A1 in cyanobacteria. This protein is essential in the final conformation of photosystem I P700. DD 95-2, the only gene that was fully repressed in the BBD mat samples suspended in seawater, exhibited homology with the AraC-type DNA binding domain-containing proteins. These transcriptional activators coordinate the expression of genes essential for virulence in many species of gram-negative bacteria.
Acquisition footprint suppression via the truncated SVD technique: Case studies from Saudi Arabia

An acquisition footprint is noise in 3D seismic data that should be removed prior to interpretation. This paper presents an adaptation of the standard truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD) algorithm that is not only capable of removing random noise, but is actually a very powerful tool for suppressing acquisition footprint artifacts in seismic data.
Selective and Brain Penetrant Neuropeptide Y Y2 Receptor Antagonists Discovered by Whole-Cell High-Throughput Screening

The role of neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor (Y2R) in human diseases such as obesity, mood disorders, and alcoholism could be better resolved by the use of small-molecule chemical probes that are substantially different from the currently available Y2R antagonist, N-[(1S)-4-[(aminoiminomethyl)amino]-1-[[[2-(3,5-dioxo-1,2-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolidin-4-yl)ethyl]amino]carbonyl]butyl]-1-[2-[4-(6,11-dihydro-6-oxo-5H-dibenz[b,e]azepin-11-yl)-1-piperazinyl]-2-oxoethyl]-cyclopentaneacetamide) (BIIE0246). Presented here are five potent, selective, and publicly available Y2R antagonists identified by a high-throughput screening approach. These compounds belong to four chemical scaffolds that are structurally distinct from the peptidomimetic BIIE0246. In functional assays, IC50 values between 199 and 4400 nM against the Y2R were measured, with no appreciable activity against the related NPY-Y1 receptor (Y1R). Compounds also displaced radiolabeled peptide YY from the Y2R with high affinity (Ki values between 1.55 and 60 nM) while not displacing the same ligand from the Y1R. In contrast to BIIE0246, Schild analysis with NPY suggests that two of the five compounds behave as competitive antagonists. Profiling against a panel of 40 receptors, ion channels, and transporters found in the central nervous system showed that the five Y2R antagonists demonstrate greater selectivity than BIIE0246. Furthermore, the ability of these antagonists to penetrate the blood-brain barrier makes them better suited for pharmacological studies of Y2R function in both the brain and periphery.
Allies in the Workplace: Including LGBT in HRD

The problem and the solution. The national climate is currently one in which many religious and political entities actively oppose sexual and gender identity minorities. Human resource development professionals, with expertise in learning and education, advocacy, organizational change, and research are uniquely positioned to work on behalf of equity and the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons in the workplace.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Use of Mental Health Services in Poverty Areas

Objectives. This study examined racial/ethnic disparities in mental health service access and use at different poverty levels. Methods. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics and service use patterns of Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians living in low-poverty and high-poverty areas. Logistic regression models were used to assess service use patterns of minority racial/ethnic groups compared with Whites in different poverty areas. Results. Residence in a poverty neighborhood moderates the relationship between race/ethnicity and mental health service access and use. Disparities in using emergency and inpatient services and having coercive referrals were more evident in low-poverty than in high-poverty areas. Conclusions. Neighborhood poverty is a key to understanding racial/ethnic disparities in the use of mental health services.
Distortion processing in image matching problems

An image matching algorithm, called the dynamic space-warping algorithm (DSWA), is presented. It is based on both local-distance diagrams and dynamic programming. The DSWA can solve space-warping problems (e.g., shrinking, enlarging, rotation, and distortion) with good performance by embedding controllable flexibility (or warping). The concept of flexibility can be explained using local-distance diagrams. With flexibility, the local-distance diagram between two two-dimensional images is four dimensional. Based on compression and expansion, DSWA generates a minimum distance from the four-dimensional local-distance diagram. Experimental results show that the DSWA is very reliable. >
The Undergraduate Science Research Experience (USRE) and its Transformative Nature for Houston Community College Students

Since 2005 the author has provided community college science and engineering students the opportunity to conduct substantive summer research projects in the areas of materials science, physical sciences, engineering disciplines and other multidisciplinary research areas. To date, nineteen students have participated in research experiences at regional universities and NASA-Johnson Space Center. This paper will examine the genesis of the program, providing an overview of the program structure, the role that materials research has played in the success of the various student experiences, and thoughts on future directions and improvements.
Preparation of transfer ribonucleic acid with silicic acid.

Abstract A modification of the nondenaturing procedure of Sueoka and Hardy (1) for the isolation of transfer ribonucleic acid is described. This procedure has been used for the large scale isolation of transfer-RNA from extracts of Escherichia coli and involves a batch treatment with silicic acid, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, and an optional ethanol precipitation of the product. The final product is homogeneous when run in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and highly active with respect to aminoacylation.
Efficient algorithms for mining closed itemsets and their lattice structure

The set of frequent closed itemsets uniquely determines the exact frequency of all itemsets, yet it can be orders of magnitude smaller than the set of all frequent itemsets. In this paper, we present CHARM, an efficient algorithm for mining all frequent closed itemsets. It enumerates closed sets using a dual itemset-tidset search tree, using an efficient hybrid search that skips many levels. It also uses a technique called diffsets to reduce the memory footprint of intermediate computations. Finally, it uses a fast hash-based approach to remove any "nonclosed" sets found during computation. We also present CHARM-L, an algorithm that outputs the closed itemset lattice, which is very useful for rule generation and visualization. An extensive experimental evaluation on a number of real and synthetic databases shows that CHARM is a state-of-the-art algorithm that outperforms previous methods. Further, CHARM-L explicitly generates the frequent closed itemset lattice.
Quantifying the Targeting Performance Benefit of Electrostatic Haptic Feedback on Touchscreens

Touchscreens with dynamic electrostatic friction are a com-pelling, low-latency and solid-state haptic feedback technology. Work to date has focused on minimum perceptual difference, texture rendering, and fingertip-surface models. However, no work to date has quantified how electrostatic feedback can be used to improve user performance, in par-ticular targeting, where virtual objects rendered on touchscreens can offer tactile feedback. Our results show that electrostatic haptic feedback can improve targeting speed by 7.5% compared to conventional flat touchscreens.
Multi-power Legendre Series in Cm

Nehari’s theorem links the singularities of Legendre series in Cz. with those of associated Taylor’s series in C t Recently, the theory was generalized to products of m Legendre polynomials in C m . This paper continues the development to series of products of powers of Legendre polynomials in C m .
Associations and Implications of Low Health Literacy in Parkinson's Disease

Background Low health literacy (HL) indicates a limited ability to understand and use basic information to make appropriate health care decisions. Whereas low HL is associated with higher morbidity, mortality, and health care costs in multiple chronic conditions, little is known about HL and its associations in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods This was a cross-sectional study of nondemented adults with PD participating in the National Parkinson Foundation Parkinson's Outcomes Project at the University of Pennsylvania. Subjects were administered two brief HL assessments—the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-Short Form (REALM-SF), a word-recognition test, and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS), a test of literacy, numeracy, and understanding of health information—as well as demographic and clinical questionnaires. Adverse outcomes included falls in the 3 months preceding the study visit and hospital admissions, emergency room visits, infections, or injuries in the preceding year. Caregiver burden was measured using the Multidimensional Caregiver Strain Index. Results A total of 168 subjects completed both HL screens (mean, 65.8 years; 65.5% male; 65.2% H & Y stage 2). Using the REALM-SF, 97.6% of subjects had adequate HL. Using the NVS, however, 29.8% had low HL, which was associated with older age, lower education, male sex, greater disease severity, and poorer cognition. Low HL was associated with hospital admission and increased caregiver burden. Conclusions Low HL is common and associated with greater caregiver burden and a higher likelihood of hospitalization in patients with PD. Because HL is associated with both disease severity and adverse outcomes, it may be an important, modifiable contributor to morbidity.
Ultrastructure of the mental gland of the Red‐Backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus (Amphibia: Plethodontidae)

Mental glands are sexually dimorphic glands found in the skin of the submandibular region in males of many species in the salamander family Plethodontidae. These glands have been demonstrated to secrete pheromones that increase female receptivity to courtship and mating. A number of studies exist on the morphology of mental glands at the light microscopy level, but ultrastructural studies on the glands exist for only two species, Eurycea quadridigitata and Hydromantes italicus. In this study, ultrastructure of the mental gland is described from seasonal samples of the eastern North American plethodontid Plethodon cinereus. The mental glands are most hypertrophied in males examined in mating condition (i.e. sperm in their Wolffian ducts) in October and April. In these specimens, 6- to 8-μm electron-dense secretory vacuoles are found in the apical cytoplasm (October) or throughout the entire epithelial cells (April). Mental glands from June and August contain only condensing vacuoles, and the cytoplasm is otherwise packed with stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The ultrastructure of the mental gland of P. cinereus agrees with earlier descriptions for E. quadridigitata and H. italicus. Two other sexually dimorphic skin glands, the caudal courtship gland and the cloacal vent gland, were previously examined from males in this sample of P. cinereus. Although all three glands show similarities in histology and histochemistry at the light microscopy level, they are dissimilar in ultrastructure. Whereas the secretory vacuoles of mental glands are uniformly electron dense, those of caudal courtship glands are smaller (1.2–1.5 μm), oblong and biphasic, and vent glands have spherical biphasic secretory vacuoles (1.8–2.1 μm). This indicates a difference in secretory product and function for the three glands and needs further investigation. Whether other plethodontids show similar variation among sexually dimorphic glands is another topic for future research.
Underwater archæological search with sonar

The location of shipwrecks and other artifacts underwater, especially items buried underneath the bottom, can be aided with many scientific techniques, one of which is pulsed sound or sonar. The theory of sonar devices and several examples are discussed in this paper.
Abstract A37: Talazoparib predictive biomarker analysis in human small cell lung cancer cells and PDX tumors

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive subtype of lung cancer, accounting for ∼15% of all lung cancer cases in US. Talazoparib (BMN 673) is a potent, specific PARP1/2 inhibitor that has demonstrated significant clinical activity in ovarian and breast cancer patients with deleterious germline BRCA1/2 mutations (ASCO 2014). Antitumor responses were also reported in SCLC patients treated with talazoparib (ASCO 2014). However, molecular determinants for SCLC response to talazoparib treatment have not been determined. Method: in vitro: 38 human SCLC cell lines were screened for their sensitivity towards single-agent treatment with talazoparib or cisplatin. Sensitive vs. resistant cell lines were categorized based on median GI50 of 38 cell lines (as measured by generational growth inhibition approach) and 90% experimental maximum inhibition. Bioinformatics analysis was carried out to search for genomic features associated with talazoparib sensitivity, using CCLE genomic profiling data. in vivo: 12 human SCLC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models were established in immunocompromised mice. These PDX models were treated with either vehicle or talazoparib, and tumor growth was monitored by standard methods. Untreated tumor samples were collected from mice for molecular analyses (Myriad HRD assay, Foundation Medicine gene mutation analysis, reverse-phase protein array (RPPA), and Western blotting) to survey for talazoparib sensitivity biomarkers. Result: The 38 SCLC lines showed a wide range of sensitivity to talazoparib (GI50 ranging from 2 nM to >2000 nM, with median GI50 = 56 nM) and cisplatin treatment (GI50 ranging from 10 nM to >10,000 nM). Sensitivity towards talazoparib and cisplatin are well correlated (Pearson r = 0.748). Differential gene expression analysis suggests sensitivity to talazoparib correlated well with high SLFN11 expression in SCLC lines (nominal p-value Citation Format: Ying Feng, Karen Yu, Robert Cardnell, Yuanbin (Kevin) Ru, Evelyn Wang, Jing Wang, Leonard E. Post, Lauren A. Byers, Yuqiao (Jerry) Shen. Talazoparib predictive biomarker analysis in human small cell lung cancer cells and PDX tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr A37.
Fetal and Neonatal Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias

Several types of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias can occur in the fetus and neonate, including premature atrial contractions, ectopic atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, and supraventricular tachycardia. This review describes the pathophysiology and corresponding electrocardiographic findings of each arrhythmia. In addition, this summary compares the clinical findings, management, and outcomes of these arrhythmias during fetal and postnatal life. The distinctive characteristics of ectopic and re-entrant tachycardias are also described.
Isometric, shortening, and lengthening contractions of muscle fiber segments from adult and old mice

In old animals, skeletal muscle force decreases during both isometric and shortening contractions. In contrast, force during lengthening appears to be unaffected by aging. We hypothesized that with aging single permeabilized muscle fibers would demonstrate the same impairments in force as are observed for whole muscles. For single permeabilized fibers from extensor digitorum longus muscles of adult and old mice, forces were measured during isometric, shortening, and lengthening contractions performed at 15 degrees C. Maximum isometric forces normalized for fiber area were not different for fibers from adult and old mice. During submaximal isometric contractions a decreased calcium sensitivity resulted in lower forces for fibers from old compared with adult mice. In contrast to a lack of difference in forces developed by fibers from old and adult mice during shortening contractions, during lengthening contractions fibers from old mice developed forces approximately 30% higher than those of adult mice. We conclude that the impairments in force of whole muscles with aging are not the result of impairments in intrinsic force-generating capacity of cross bridges, but changes do occur in single permeabilized muscle fibers of old mice that result in higher forces during stretch.
Diagnosis and treatment of tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies in 686 children

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment,and proper time for surgery for foreign bodies in the airway of children. Methods The clinical data of 686 children with tracheobronchial foreign bodies were retrospectively summarized. The foreign bodies in the airway were removed with a rigid tracheoscope,fiberbronchoscope or thoracotomy. Clinical outcomes were observed. Results Vegetative foreign bodies were found in 658 cases (95.9%),while plastic foreign bodies in 7 and metal foreign bodies in 6 cases. The foreign bodies were removed in 660 patients with rigid tracheoscopy. 5 Fiberbronchoscopy and 1 thoracotomy were performed due to the foreign bodies residing in the basal segment of lowed lobe. In one case,the foreign body was coughed out. Conclusion Tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies is a common disease in early childhood. The progress is rapid and the surgery is risky. Quick,accurate removal of the foreign body and intensive post-operative surveillance is required.
Target cell specificity of a bacteriocin molecule: a C-terminal signal directs lysostaphin to the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus.

Microbial organisms secrete antibiotics that cause the selective destruction of specific target cells. Although the mode of action is known for many antibiotics, the mechanisms by which these molecules are directed specifically to their target cells hitherto have not been described. Staphylococcus simulans secretes lysostaphin, a bacteriolytic enzyme that cleaves staphylococcal peptidoglycans in general but that is directed specifically to Staphylococcus aureus target cells. The sequence element sufficient for the binding of the bacteriocin as well as of hybrid indicator proteins to the cell wall of S.aureus consisted of 92 C-terminal lysostaphin residues. Targeting to the cell wall of S.aureus occurred either when the hybrid indicator molecules were added externally to the bacteria or when they were synthesized and exported from their cytoplasm by an N-terminal leader peptide. A lysostaphin molecule lacking the C-terminal targeting signal was enzymatically active but had lost its ability to distinguish between S.aureus and S.simulans cells, indicating that this domain functions to confer target cell specificity to the bacteriolytic molecule.
CHAPTER 32 – Monoclonal Antibodies from Display Libraries

The chapter discusses the monoclonal antibodies from display libraries. Although hybridoma technology has proved useful for the generation of reagent and diagnostic antibodies, however the immunogencity of rodent monoclonal antibodies has limited their therapeutic development. This limitation has been largely overcome by the chimerization and humanization of murine monoclonal antibodies. Display technologies promise new and improved approaches for the isolation and optimization of fully human antibodies, with affinities not achievable by rodent immunization. For pre-existing murine monoclonal antibodies, display technologies can be used to obtain antibodies that are entirely human in sequence, but that bind to the same epitope as the murine monoclonal. Once antibody fragments are isolated using display technologies, they can be engineered into a range of different antibody formats depending on the application. For therapeutic antibody fragments, the display technologies offer a means to increase stability and production levels. Antibodies have become an important new class of therapeutic molecules, with thirteen now approved by the food and drug association (FDA). Their utility as therapeutics relates to their general safety, ability to interrupt protein–protein interactions better than small molecules, and their known means of production. The display technologies described in this chapter should continue to fill the pipeline of therapeutic applications for monoclonal antibodies.
A Proposed Recreation Field Standard for Institutional Master Planning

A variety of standards exist to guide architects and engineers in the design of recreation facilities. Existing recreation facility standards do not, however, adequately meet the needs of college a...
The discourses of sexual dissidence and memoria histórica in Alicia Giménez Bartlett’s Donde nadie te encuentre

Gimenez Bartlett’s novel recovers the historical figure of La Pastora , who was represented by Franco’s discourse as a diabolic monster. La Pastora is an intersex person, and she also is a maquis (guerrilla). It is this double level of marginalization as intersex and maquis that is to be studied in this essay. Through the analysis of La Pastora’s character, memoria historica and sexual identity will be uncovered as central to Gimenez Bartlett’s novel since they reveal as well as denounce the lack of space for the “other” stories of the Civil War and Franco’s dictatorship. At the same time, Donde nadie te encuentre lays bare the issue of marginalization and repression in Franco’s Spain of non-normative gender and sexual identities — “dissident identities” as Raquel Osborne (2012) calls them — of any identity that does not conform to the models of sexuality imposed by Francoist discourse.
The effect of non-randomized and randomized teams on students’ opinions of team assessment

Abstract Objective To compare the effect of different team formations, non-randomized versus randomized teams, on the students’ opinions of team assessment. Methods UMES-SOP P1 students (n = 85) completed an online survey regarding summative team assessments (TAs). Students rated their opinions on a Likert scale. Responses were further examined using an independent samples t-test with respect to non-randomized (Cohort NR) and randomized teams (Cohort R). Results Cohort NR (76%) and Cohort R (78%) completed the survey. Cohort NR (93%) and Cohort R (73%) believed that TA is beneficial overall. Cohort NR and Cohort R believed that the discussion helped to clarify misconceptions. However, there was a significant difference in opinion between the two cohorts regarding the contribution of each member. Cohort NR ranked the benefits of TA as improves individual score > enhances understanding of material > promotes collaboration. Cohort R appeared to value the development of communication and listening skills more than Cohort NR based on average ranking. Conclusion TA offer educational benefits such as enhanced understanding of the material. It can also be a meaningful activity for the development of collaboration skills. The overall TA quality can be improved to further enhance student learning outcomes, both the knowledge and behavioral component.
The risk of stroke in spouses of people living with dementia in Korea.

Background and purpose As the Korean population ages, the number of patients with dementia is expected to increase. Although prior studies have reported that the burdens associated with caregiving impact the health of spouses of individuals with dementia, it is unclear whether those spouses have increased risk of stroke. We examined the relationship between the risks of stroke among spouses of people with dementia (SPD). Methods We retrieved a total of 314,526 respondents from the population-based surveys of the 2012 and 2013 Korea Community Health Survey. We used unmatched and matched samples (1:1 Greedy matching) to examine the risk of stroke for SPD using logistic regression models. Results A total of 3868 spouses (1.2% of the Korean population) lived with a patient with dementia in 2012 and 2013. After we matched samples of those who live with a patient with dementia and those who do not, all baseline demographics were balanced ( p > 0.05), including sex, age, income, education, insurance, smoking, drinking, stress level. The spouses who lived with a patient with dementia had a higher risk of stroke than those who lived with non-dementia spouse in both the unmatched (adjusted odds ratios (AOR), 1.70; 95%CI, 1.47-1.96) and matched samples (AOR, 1.69; 95%CI, 1.35-2.10) after controlling for stroke risk factors, including demographics and nine chronic conditions. Conclusions Living with a patient with dementia is associated with a 69% increased odds of stroke in the matched sample. Spouses of individuals with dementia should be closely monitored and educated for risk factors of stroke.
Multi-angle narrow-band remote sensing of gross primary production

As of 2015, global carbon flux analyses indicate that 30% of anthropogenic carbon emissions are taken up by an unidentified carbon “sink” likely through vegetation on land. Until the sink can be localized and studied, the processes underlying the carbon uptake cannot be identified, and its future response to a rapidly changing climate cannot be predicted. Satellite remote sensing combined with terrestrial carbon models have shown promise to locate and quantify the magnitude of the land carbon sink, understand it's underlying causes, and how vegetation might respond to climate change.
Fathers Behaving Badly: The Role Of Progesterone Receptors

This chapter examines the role of progesterone receptors on the father behavior. Male mammals display a wide range of complex social behaviors toward young that can range from aggression to indifference to parental care. Results are consistent with observations in primates in which treatment with progesterone inhibits reproductive behavior in male cynomolgus monkeys, but has been observed to increase male-on-male aggression independently of male-on-female aggression, while testosterone levels remained unchanged. In humans the progesterone agonist medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is used clinically to suppress sexual activity in male sex offenders. MPA is reported to reduce pedophilia, incest, and rape; however, the reported theoretical basis for these treatments relies on the “antiandrogenic” function of progestins rather than other functions of progestins and their receptors. Despite its long history as a female hormone, progesterone is emerging as a hormone of importance in male reproductive physiology and behavior. The activation of progesterone receptors either by ligand-dependent or ligand-independent mechanisms may influence organizational and activational aspects of the male reproductive system. These effects include the propensity to mount females, the propensity to care for young, and the propensity to commit acts of aggression toward infants. The deletion or blockade of the progesterone receptor enhances the anticipatory components of sexual activity and promotes parental behavior in male mice.
Propagation of phase transformation fronts in pseudoelastic NiTi tubes under uniaxial tension

Abstract Under tension a pseudoelastic NiTi tube traces a closed hysteresis with an upper stress plateau associated with transformation from the austenitic to the martensitic phase during loading, and the reverse with a lower stress plateau on unloading. The transformations induce multi-helical localization patterns of higher/lower strain that propagate as the two stress plateaus develop. The experiment is simulated numerically by implementing a recently developed constitutive model for the pseudoelastic behavior of NiTi in a finite element analysis using solid elements. The unstable behavior of the material is modeled by introducing softening that spans the two stress plateaus recorded in the structural response. Localized deformation of nearly 7% initiates from a small thickness imperfection at one end of the model and propagates via a multi-helical front with ten prongs symmetric about a plane passing through the imperfection and the center of the circular tube. The specimen initially unloads homogeneously, but reverts to a single helical band of lower strain, which broadens as it propagates along the length of the tube. A parametric study demonstrates that the shape of localization patterns is influenced by the type and location of the imperfection used to initiate instability, by the imposed boundary conditions, and to some degree by the strength of the softening modulus adopted.
Stark: Optimizing In-Memory Computing for Dynamic Dataset Collections

Emerging distributed in-memory computing frameworks, such as Apache Spark, can process a huge amount of cached data within seconds. This remarkably high efficiency requires the system to well balance data across tasks and ensure data locality. However, it is challenging to satisfy these requirements for applications that operate on a collection of dynamically loaded and evicted datasets. The dynamics may lead to time-varying data volume and distribution, which would frequently invoke expensive data re-partition and transfer operations, resulting in high overhead and large delay. To address this problem, we present Stark, a system specifically designed for optimizing in-memory computing on dynamic dataset collections. Stark enforces data locality for transformations spanning multiple datasets (e.g., join and cogroup) to avoid unnecessary data replications and shuffles. Moreover, to accommodate fluctuating data volume and skeweddata distribution, Stark delivers elasticity into partitions to balance task execution time andreduce job makespan. Finally, Stark achieves bounded failure recovery latency byoptimizing the data checkpointing strategy. Evaluations on a 50-server cluster show that Stark reduces the job makespan by 4X and improves system throughput by 6X compared to Spark.
Differential Effects of Superoxide Dismutase Mimetics after Mechanical Overload of Articular Cartilage

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis can develop as a result of the initial mechanical impact causing the injury and also as a result of chronic changes in mechanical loading of the joint. Aberrant mechanical loading initiates excessive production of reactive oxygen species, oxidative damage, and stress that appears to damage mitochondria in the surviving chondrocytes. To probe the benefits of increasing superoxide removal with small molecular weight superoxide dismutase mimetics under severe loads, we applied both impact and overload injury scenarios to bovine osteochondral explants using characterized mechanical platforms with and without GC4403, MnTE-2-PyP, and MnTnBuOE-2-PyP. In impact scenarios, each of these mimetics provides some dose-dependent protection from cell death and loss of mitochondrial content while in repeated overloading scenarios only MnTnBuOE-2-PyP provided a clear benefit to chondrocytes. These results support the hypothesis that superoxide is generated in excess after impact injuries and suggest that superoxide production within the lipid compartment may be a critical mediator of responses to chronic overload. This is an important nuance distinguishing roles of superoxide, and thus superoxide dismutases, in mediating damage to cellular machinery in hyper-acute impact scenarios compared to chronic scenarios.
Timescales of energy storage needed for reducing renewable energy curtailment

Abstract Integrating large amounts of variable generation (VG) resources such as wind and solar into a region's power grid without causing significant VG curtailment will likely require increased system flexibility via changing grid operation and deploying enabling technologies such as energy storage. This article analyzes the storage duration required to reduce VG curtailment under high-VG scenarios. The three analysis scenarios assume VG provides 55% of the electricity demand in the largely isolated Electricity Reliability Council of Texas grid system in 2050, with three different proportions of wind and solar generation. Across the three scenarios, 11%–16% of VG energy is curtailed without storage due to system-generation constraints. When 8.5 GW of storage capacity with 4 h of duration are added, curtailment is reduced to 8%–10% of VG. Additional storage duration further reduces curtailment, but with rapidly diminishing returns. At least half the potential avoided-curtailment benefits are realized with 8 h of storage, and the first 4 h provide the largest benefit. At VG penetrations up to 55%, there appears to be little incremental benefit in deploying very-long-duration or seasonal storage.
A Broad Spectrum Racemase in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 Plays a Key Role in Amino Acid Catabolism.

The broad-spectrum amino acid racemase (Alr) of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 preferentially interconverts the L- and D-stereoisomers of lysine and arginine. Despite conservation of broad-spectrum racemases among bacteria, little is known regarding their physiological role. Here we explore potential functional roles for Alr in P. putida KT2440. We demonstrate through cellular fractionation that Alr enzymatic activity is found in the periplasm, consistent with its putative periplasm targeting sequence. Specific activity of Alr is highest during exponential growth, and this activity corresponds with an increased accumulation of D-lys in the growth medium. An alr gene knockout strain (Dalr) was generated and used to assess potential roles for the alr gene in peptidoglycan structure, producing soluble signaling compounds, and amino acid metabolism. The stationary phase peptidoglycan structure did not differ between wild type and Dalr strains, indicating that products resulting from Alr activity are not incorporated into peptidoglycan under these conditions. RNA-seq was used to assess differences in the transcriptome between the wild type and Dalr strains. Genes undergoing differential expression were limited to those involved in amino acid metabolism. The Dalr strain exhibited a limited capacity for catabolism of L-lysine and L-arginine as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. This is consistent with a predicted role for Alr in catabolism of L-lysine by virtue of its ability to convert L-lysine to D-lysine, which is further catabolized through the L-pipecolate pathway. The metabolic profiles here also implicate Alr in catabolism of L-arginine, although the pathway by which D-arginine is further catabolized is not clear at this time. Overall, data presented here describe the primary role of Alr as important for basic amino acid metabolism.
Surgery for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis are at high risk of developing colorectal cancer. Successful prevention of cancer depends on timely and appropriate surgery. Decisions regarding the timing and choice of surgery are driven primarily by the severity of the polyposis and the social situation of the patient. Immediate surgery is recommended for patients presenting with cancer, while symptomatic patients and those with profuse polyposis should be operated without delay. Asymptomatic patients and those with mild or attenuated polyposis may be operated electively, and surgery can be delayed for years as long as regular colonoscopy shows no increase in cancer risk. A secondary aim of prophylactic colectomy in familial adenomatous polyposis is preservation of bowel function and quality of life. To this end, patients with mild polyposis are recommended to have a colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis, often performed with minimally invasive technique. Careful selection results in a low incidence of rectal cancer and proctectomy. Severely affected patients have proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, and most have acceptable functional outcomes. Lifetime surveillance of residual gastrointestinal tract is mandatory for all patients. Desmoid disease occurs in 30% of familial adenomatous polyposis patients, and is the second most common cause of death. Patients at high risk of desmoid disease should have the surgical strategy re-evaluated with a view to minimizing the incidence and impact of desmoids.
Application of the GAPT population analysis to some organic molecules and transition structures

Atomic charges in ozone, carbon monoxide, silylene, silaketene and dimethylsilaketene (for both the pyramidal minimum and the planar transition state), 2-methyl-2-silacyclopropanone, ethylenebromonium cation (open and bridged), (Z)-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-cyclopentadiene, cyclopropene, methylenecyclopropene, the transition state for the Diels-Alder reaction between 1,3-cyclopentadiene and cyclopropene, and (E,E,E,E,E)-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene have been calculated within the recently introduced GAPT population analysis. Effects of different basis sets and electron correlation on the atomic charges have been examined. On the basis of these studies it is found that the GAPT population analysis should be recommended as a standard tool for analyzing the electronic structure of organic molecules and transition states.
Improvement in Hyperphosphatemia Using Phosphate Education and Planning Talks

Objective Hyperphosphatemia is a common complication in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. The mainstay of phosphate management involves a low-phosphate diet and use of phosphate binders, yet these are often insufficient. This study was the first to use behavioral change techniques to encourage the use of phosphate binders and dietary modifications through a series of Phosphate Education and Planning (PEP) talks. Design and Methods A total of 46 hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia were enrolled. All patients were eligible to receive a series of 4 talks, each with defined goals of the long-term management of serum phosphate levels. Qualitative data from the talks were gathered during each intervention, whereas serum phosphate was selected as an outcome measure. Results There was a modest improvement (−0.31 mg/dL) in the serum phosphate levels of the patients who received the entire PEP talk series. Furthermore, the most common self-identified barriers for patients were phosphate binder prescriptions not tailored to their eating routines and lack of resources for suitable dietary changes. Conclusions The PEP talk series model is appropriate to manage persistent hyperphosphatemia despite usual management in outpatient dialysis unit by identifying patient-specific barriers and providing resources that can mitigate them. The strength of this model lies in using a multifaceted approach by applying both pharmacotherapy and dietary changes, along with behavioral change, to achieve lasting improvements in serum phosphate levels in hemodialysis patients with persistently elevated serum phosphate levels.
Family & Business during the Industrial Revolution. By Hannah Barker. (Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2017. Pp. viii, 262. $90.00.)

For tradespeople, including craft workers who made things and retailers who sold things and composed mainly of people who did both, business and family were so closely intertwined that it is diffic...
A comparison of 12- and 19-week CHOP protocols using non-randomized, contemporaneous controls.

This study is a concurrent comparison of two versions of CHOP protocols, a 19-week CHOP and a comparatively overall dose-intense 12-week CHOP. The 12-week protocol was designed to be 58% more dose intense than the 19-week protocol for both doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide; however, it was 21% less dose intense for vincristine (VCR). Forty-seven dogs were included for evaluation, and the characteristics of each population were similar. For dogs receiving the 19-week CHOP protocol, 89.5% experienced a complete response, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 245 days and median overall survival (OS) of 347 days. For dogs receiving the 12-week CHOP protocol, 89.3% experienced a complete response, with a median PFS of 141 days and median OS of 229 days. When evaluated by Log-rank analysis, the difference of PFS (P = 0.047) and OS (P = 0.013) between the groups were statistically significant. In summary, these data suggest that despite overall increased dose-intensity, dogs receiving treatment with a 12-week CHOP protocol experience less durable remission than our standard 19-week protocol in this population. Additional prospective investigation will be required to explore the implication that VCR dose intensity and/or shorter overall temporal drug exposure in this protocol may result in diminished efficacy.
Designing and managing resilient recreation landscapes

Landscape architects are professionals who design, plan, and manage the land, and so it is a profession that is essential to defining the character of our National Forests and Grasslands. There are key points of entry and engagement where we have a chance to make a first and lasting impression for the public when they come to visit their public lands. Providing quality recreation experiences is perhaps one of the most relevant, as many people come to understand the value and meaning of their landscapes through recreational visits (Figure 1). Outdoor recreation activities occur in numerous places across the American landscape, on and outside of the National Forests and Grasslands. They take place in neighborhoods, undeveloped woodlots and streams, city and state parks, county open spaces, and a vast array of Federal and Native American lands.
PySAL: the first 10 years

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the field of regional science from the perspective of wider developments surrounding open-source software and the rising open-science movement. Regional science has been...
Performance Analysis of Tape Libraries for Supercomputing Environments

In this paper, we analyzed the performance of various robotically-accessed tape libraries for supercomputing workloads. We used an event-driven simulator to conduct the performance analysis, and we considered the workloads at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). The simulation results showed that tape libraries with adequate performance parameters perform quite well on the supercomputing workloads, thus they are promising to be an important part of the mass storage systems used in the supercomputing environments. The results also showed that the tape drive forward search and rewind rate is the bottleneck in the tape libraries used under the supercomputing workloads.
Understanding process force transients with application towards defect detection during friction stir welding of aluminum alloys

Abstract The formation of sub-surface defects during friction stir welding has limited the adoption of the process in high volume production. A potential exists to eliminate/reduce the need for costly post weld inspection of such defects through the development of an in-process defect detection method based on a measured process output. The current state of in-process defect detection consists primarily of applying “black box” methods of correlating process outputs to defect occurrence without a fundamental physical understanding of what is producing the change in the output. This approach constrains the application of such methods when altering any aspect of the friction stir welding process. The current study seeks to provide a fundamental physical explanation as to what is driving the oscillation of friction stir welding process forces at the tool rotational frequency, as well as what is occurring when the tool interacts with defects and the oscillatory process forces are altered. A novel understanding was enabled through the synchronization of force measurements with angular position measurements of tool features. The results suggest that the eccentric motion of the tool and/or the rotation of a slanted shoulder surface are the primary drivers of process force oscillations. A fundamental explanation of the interaction between features on the tool probe and defective volumes has been proposed. The physical understanding helps to explain how altering the process will alter the force transients on which the detection method is based, which will enable a more robust and transferable method.