cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of Voltage-Independent Zinc Inhibition of NMDA Receptors by the NR1 Subunit

Zinc inhibits NMDA receptor function through both voltage-dependent and voltage-independent mechanisms. In this report we have investigated the role that the NR1 subunit plays in voltage-independent Zn2+ inhibition. Our data show that inclusion of exon 5 into the NR1 subunit increases the IC50 for voltage-independent Zn2+ inhibition from 3-fold to 10-fold when full length exon 22 is also spliced into the mature NR1 transcript and the NMDA receptor complex contains the NR2A or NR2B subunits; exon 5 has little effect on Zn2+ inhibition of receptors that contain NR2C and NR2D. Mutagenesis within exon 5 indicates that the same residues that control proton inhibition, including Lys211, also control the effects of exon 5 on Zn2+ inhibition. Amino acid exchanges within the NR1 subunit but outside exon 5 (E181Q, E339Q, E342Q, N616R, N616Q, D669N, D669E, C744A, and C798A) that are known to decrease the pH sensitivity also decrease the Zn2+ sensitivity, and concentrations of spermine that relieve tonic proton inhibition also relieve Zn2+ inhibition. In summary, our results define the subunit composition of Zn2+-sensitive NMDA receptors and provide evidence for structural convergence of three allosteric regulators of receptor function: protons, polyamines, and Zn2+.
Relationships among student evaluations, instructor effectiveness, and academic performance †

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationships among students’ grade expectations, students’ actual grades, and students’ evaluations of instructors. A total of 5399 individual student evaluations from 138 course offerings that were taught over four successive academic years were compiled and analyzed. The evaluation instrument included questions pertaining to course- and instructor-related items, as well as a question inquiring about the grade the student expected to receive in the course. Students’ grades (expected and actual) were significantly correlated with the mean instructor evaluation score ( p , 0.01 for both correlations). Also, there was a strong positive correlation (r 1⁄4 0.916) between the mean course evaluation score and the mean instructor evaluation score ( p , 0.01). Based on the results in this study, students’ expected and actual course grades appear to be an influential factor in how they evaluate instructors. Additionally, the ability of students to discriminate between course evaluations and instructor evaluations is suspect.
Polymyxins and Doripenem Combination Against KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Background: Most KPC-producing organisms have maintained susceptibility to polymyxins; however, development of resistance to polymyxins has been increasingly reported. One potential treatment modality is to optimize the use of combination therapy. Therefore, we evaluated the in vitro activity of doripenem, colistin sulfate, polymyxin B alone and in combination against KPC- producing K. pneumoniae . Methods: In-vitro time-kill assays were performed for four non-duplicate KPC-3 producing K. pneumoniae isolates with the following antibiotics: doripenem, polymyxin B and colistin sulfate alone and in combination. Bacterial densities were determined at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours. Bactericidal activity was defined as ≥ 3-log 10 CFU/mL reduction from the starting inoculum. Synergism was defined as ≥ 2-log 10 reduction with the combination when compared to the most active single agent at 24 hours. Results: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for polymyxin B and colistin sulfate ranged from 0.0625 to 0.25 µg/mL, and all isolates were resistant to doripenem (MICs ranged 16 - 32 µg/mL). Monotherapy with colistin sulfate and polymyxin B displayed bacterialcidal activity within 12 hours; however, significant re-growth occurred by 24 hours in all isolates. Monotherapy with doripenem did not show bactericidal activity in any isolate. Synergy occurred with combinations of both colistin sulfate and polymyxin B with doripenem against all isolates and was sustained at 48 hours. Combinations of colistin sulfate or polymyxin B with doripenem demonstrated rapid bactericidal activity by 4 hours in all isolates and was sustained for 24 hours. Conclusion: Polymyxin B and colistin sulfate in combination with doripenem may be an important treatment modality in treating KPC-producing organisms. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jocmr1220w
E-Collaboration and E-Commerce In Virtual Worlds: The Potential of Second Life and World of Warcraft

Virtual worlds can be defined as technology-created virtual environments that incorporate representations of real world elements such as human beings, landscapes and other objects. Recent years have seen the growing use of virtual worlds such as Second Life and World of Warcraft for entertainment and business purposes, and a rising interest from researchers in the impact that virtual worlds can have on patterns of e-collaboration behavior and collaborative task outcomes. This article looks into whether actual work can be accomplished in virtual worlds, whether virtual worlds can provide the basis for trade (B2C and C2C e-commerce), and whether they can serve as a platform for credible studies of e-collaboration behavior and related outcomes. The conclusion reached is that virtual worlds hold great potential in each of these three areas, even though there are certainly pitfalls ahead.
Bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil — A rate model

Abstract Three rate equations, a modified Monod equation and two mass transfer rate equations, were used to calculate the biodegration rate, oxygen transfer rate and oil transfer rate during a bioremediation process of oil-contaminated soil. Based on experimental rate constants, these three rates were calculated and compared. It was found the bioremediation rate of oil-contaminated soil could be controlled by the mass transfer process of oil into aqueous solution (0.12 mg BOD/(1·h)). When the oil transfer rate is enhanced by at least 10 times, the oxygen transfer process (0.1–1.0 mg BOD/(1·h) becomes the rate-controlling step. For most of the cases, the biodegradation of oil in aqueous solution is not the limiting step unless the microbial population in the aqueous solution is less than 100 mg VSS/1.
Young children with developmental delays as young adults: predicting developmental and personal-social outcomes.

Abstract We report on a 20-year follow-up of 30 children with developmental delays identified at age 3. Our purpose was to assess the relationship of early indicators of delay to cognitive and personal–social status in young adulthood. Predictors were Developmental and Personal–Social factors derived from standardized tests and parent questionnaires administered when the children were 3 and 6 to 7. Outcome measures in young adulthood included standardized and project-developed questionnaires and interviews with young adults and parents. Findings indicate that prediction varies relative to the outcome assessed. Developmental status at 6 to 7 was a strong predictor of developmental status in young adulthood. However, personal–social outcomes were generally not predicted by Personal–Social factors in the early years.
Evaluation of Lactic Acid Bacteria for Extending the Shelf Life of Shrimp

Forty-four strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were tested for inhibitory activity against three strains of Pseudomonas, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and naturally occurring microflora on fresh deheaded shrimp. Cell-free filtrates and cell suspensions of six strains of LAB were inhibitory to growth of Pseudomonas on agar lawns. Degree of inhibition depended upon medium used for cultivation of LAB prior to testing and the presence or absence of LAB cells on the test lawns. Filtrates were generally more inhibitory than cell suspensions. Certain strains of Streptococcus lactis and Lactobacillus casei inhibited rate of growth of Pseudomonas in broth culture. Neither LAB retarded development of microflora of iced shrimp stored at 5 and 12°C. L. casei may have had an inhibitory effect on rate of growth of V. parahaemolyticus on iced shrimp. Overall, data indicate that treatment of fresh shrimp with LAB to extend shelf life during storage on ice may not be practical.
Rapid simulation of silylation and the role of physical mechanisms in profile shapes

A rigorous simulator which includes the highly nonlinear diffusion and stress dependent reactions present in silylation is presented and used to assess the role of the key physical parameters in the resultant profile shapes for silicon uptake. The silylation model implemented includes (1) the relaxation of the polymer during silylation, (2) the resultant increase in the diffusivity of the silylating agent as a function of the resist matrix expansion, as well as a (3) local reaction rate retardation due to stresses associated with nonuniform resist swelling. The resulting differential equations are solved utilizing a Krylov subspace Newton convergence accelerator. A greater than one order of magnitude decrease is observed in simulation times as compared to traditional numerical techniques. Simulations of silylated profiles with various silylation uptake regimes elucidate the interplay of the physical mechanisms model in determining final silylation depth and sidewall angle.
Sex differences and the role of PPAR alpha in experimental stroke

Males and females respond differently to stroke. Moreover, females often experience worse long-term stroke outcomes. Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonist has been shown to improve stroke outcome and resolve neuroinflammation in male mice. The present study compares the effect of pretreatment with fenofibrate versus vehicle control in male and female mice during experimental stroke. Mice were treated with low-dose fenofibrate 30 min before and once a day for three additional days after stroke onset. We observed a reduction in infarct volume in male mice 96 h post-stroke with low-dose fenofibrate pretreatment that was due to increase of an M2 macrophage phenotype in the brain and an increase in regulatory cells in the periphery. These outcomes were not replicated in females, likely due to the lower PPARα expression in cells and tissues in females vs males. We conclude that PPARα agonist treatment prior to stroke is neuroprotective in males but not females. These findings indicate PPARα as a probable mechanism of sex difference in stroke outcome and support the need for representation of females in stroke therapy research.
Photofragment Spectroscopy of π Complexes: Au+(C2H4) and Pt+(C2H4)

Photodissociation spectra of the classic π complexes Au+(C2H4) and Pt+(C2H4) in the gas phase are reported, providing upper limits to metal−ligand bond strengths of 28 800 cm-1 (344 kJ mol-1) and 19 200 cm-1 (230 kJ mol-1), respectively. The spectrum of Au+(C2H4) features an extended progression in the metal−ligand stretch with a frequency of 176 cm-1, which drops to 160 cm-1 in Au+(C2D4). Hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level indicate that both complexes adopt a metallocyclopropane structure. The effect of basis set size and flexibility on the metal−ligand dissociation energy is explored. In addition, excited electronic states of both complexes have been investigated by using TD-DFT calculations.
University Patenting Amid Changing Incentives for Commercialization

Modern economies are characterized by a significant division of labor in the production of scientific and technical advance. In broad generalization, universities, other non-profit institutes and government laboratories pursue fundamental scientific and engineering research with little expectation of immediate commercial result. In contrast, private firms undertake applied research and development intended to improve the products and processes available for commercial use. Traditionally, these different missions have been largely carried out within incentive/reward systems that differ significantly between the two realms. University and government research is carried out largely with public funding, with the individual researchers receiving much of their “compensation” in the form of recognition within the profession, derived from publication of research results. Scientists and engineers working in firms are financed by those firms, and are more likely to receive financial rewards and less likely to receive wide public recognition for their discoveries.
LMFBR Core Materials

The extensive experience with the thermal reactor core materials (uranium dioxide, boron carbide, and stainless steel) has provided the basis for LMFBR core materials development. However, as noted in Chapter 1, the LMFBR fuel system must survive a much more hostile environment than the LWR fuel system with respect to temperature and fast neutron fluence. Typical fuel rod powers of 40 to 90 kW/m (compared to a maximum of ∼40 kW/m in LWRs) yield fast neutron fluences of ~2 × 1027 n/m2 (E > 0.1 MeV), or -90 dpa, with maximum cladding temperatures of the order of 920 K (Fig. 3-1). These more extreme conditions are manifested in more profound chemical and microstructural changes in the fuel and cladding; for instance, neither fission gas release approaching 100% nor void swelling of cladding are observed in LWR fuel rods, but they are normal occurrences in some LMFBR fuel systems and must therefore be accounted for in design. Similar allowances, although of a lesser nature, have had to be made in the LMFBR control rod design.
Analysis of axially dispersed systems with general boundary conditions—I: Formulation

Abstract Transient analysis in the past of finite axially dispersed systems with or without a rate process has been subject to the use of the Danckwerts boundar conditions. We present here a formulation which suggests a general set of boundary conditions from which the Danckwerts conditions arise as a special case. The resulting boundary value problems neatly fit the mold of self-adjoint operator theory. An integral transform approach is outlined for those not familiar with operator theory. Discussion of actual solutions to different cases is deferred to two other papers which appear as Parts II and III.
Telephone Survey Methods: The State of the Art:

Telephone interviewing is currently the dominant method of survey research. Managers who rely on consumer research data collected by this method should do so with an appreciation of its advantages ...
An Algorithm for the Knapsack Problem

Abstract This paper presents an efficient algorithm for the general (as opposed to the binary) knapsack problem. The algorithm generates tight bounds on the variables from the LP relaxation of the problem which give the optimal values of most of the variables very quickly. A branch-and-bound procedure is then employed to solve the remaining reduced problem. Extensive computatonal tests have confirmed the efficiency of this approach for a wide variety of problems with as many as 5000 variables.
Focus group sessions on formats of nutrition labels.

Four consumer focus group sessions, with a total of 40 participants, were conducted to gather information on the utility and appropriateness of selected components of nutrition label formats. The formats reviewed were bar graphs, pie charts, numeric listings, and adjectival descriptors such as high and low. Participants were asked to compare food labels using various format types and to discuss the utility and interpretability of the formats. The outcomes suggested that these consumers did not find pie charts useful. They considered bar graphs confusing or unnecessary when numeric values were provided. Participants expressed concern that adjectival descriptors could be misleading. The numeric listing format they considered the most useful consisted of two columns of numbers: one fisting the amounts of food components present in a serving of the food, and a second fisting either the percentage of the label reference value (eg, the US Recommended Daily Allowance) or the quantity established as the label reference value. Participants repeatedly stressed their interest in a simple label. The results form one component of the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts to evaluate nutrition label formats and will be used in conjunction with ongoing experimental and quantitative research studies.
Pathophysiology and Recoverability of Function and Structure in Obstructed Kidneys

SUMMARY Obstructive uropathy is common in childhood. Most obstructive abnormalities are congenital and often require surgical intervention. The most immediate effect of a successful surgical repair is probably the return of intrapelvic pressure to normal. This occurs after the edema and tissue injury secondary to the operation subsides. Recovery of glomerular filtration, if it is achieved, probably occurs relatively soon after surgery. Concentrating ability is the first parameter of renal function to be impaired and frequently is the last to return. The radionuclide scan appears to be one of the more valid means of assessing postoperative recoverability; it has the advantage of being able to evaluate renal function from each kidney. Recoverability of structure is dependent upon the duration of the obstruction. There is strong evidence to suggest that recoverability may occur over long periods of time; therefore, one should not become discouraged when the initial postoperative films are reviewed.
Advanced ultrafast imaging with synthetic transmit aperture (USTA) imaging

However, we are currently filing a patent application of the corresponding work. It won't be ready until Sep 18th so we are afraid we are not able to submit it before the deadline, Sep 4th. We are trying our best to finish the patent application before the symposium and hopefully we can still get a chance to add our paper to the proceedings.
Integration of a (6)LilnSe(2) thermal neutron detector into a CubeSat instrument

We present a preliminary design for a neutron detection system that is compact, lightweight, and low power consuming, utilizing the CubeSat platform making it suitable for space-based applications. This is made possible using the scintillating crystal lithium indium diselenide ( 6 LilnSe 2 ), the first crystal to include 6 Li in the crystalline structure, and a silicon avalanche photodiode. The schematics of this instrument are presented as well as the response of the instrument to initial testing under alpha radiation. A principal aim of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of such a neutron detection system within a CubeSat platform. The entire end-to-end system presented here is 10×10×15 cm 3 , weighs 670 g, and requires 5 V direct current at 3 W.
Heat and Mass Transfer in Materials Processing and Manufacturing

Abstract This review paper focuses on the heat and mass transfer mechanisms that form the basis for many materials processing and manufacturing systems. It is critical to link the basic thermal process with the manufactured product to improve existing manufacturing systems and develop new ones. The approaches that may be adopted to study these processes and their effect on the product are discussed. Of particular interest are practical aspects such as feasibility, product quality, optimal operating conditions, and production rate that are often governed by thermal issues. Many complexities arise in the modeling of the transport phenomena, as well as in experimentation. These are discussed, along with important techniques that may be employed. Several important processes are discussed to present characteristic results and solution strategies. The field is quite extensive and only a few important processes can be considered in detail. Validation of the model is crucial and is based on existing results, as well as on experimental systems specially developed for satisfactory validation. The coupling between the micro/nanoscale transport processes that affect product characteristics and the conditions imposed at the system level are discussed. The current status, future trends, and research needs, regarding new and emerging materials, processes, and applications, are also outlined. It is seen that there is critical need to understand the basic mechanisms that determine changes in the material due to thermal effects, to assess the impact on the overall field of materials processing.
Entrepreneurship: Bridging Academia and Industry

A case study is presented demonstrating the logistics and synergies behind starting a university spin-out company and the advantages of spawning entrepreneurship out of an academic environment. A recent start-up company, TIGON Enertec, Inc., has emerged out of the University of Colorado (CU) from the collaboration of multiple incubation programs with the vision to increase the success-rate of university spin-offs. Several timely developments, organizations, and funding opportunities were enabling this start-up; A) NASA funds on workforce development. B) The University of Colorado who created the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). C) The Center for Space Entrepreneurship (e-Space, Inc.), a not-for-profit organization recently formed as a partnership of the University of Colorado, a national leader in aerospace engineering education, and SpaceDev, Inc. a leading entrepreneurial space company. All three components served as pillars for the start-up. The creation of such a supportive environment, which has helped the TIGON team begin their venture, may serve as potential model for university and small business relationships.
Age- and sex-specific survival of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) at San Miguel Island, California

We conducted a mark-recapture study of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) using pups branded on San Miguel Island, California, from 1987 to 2014, and annual resightings from 1990 to 2015. We used the Burnham model (Burnham 1993), an extension of the Cormack-Jolly-Seber mark-recapture model, which includes recoveries of dead animals, to analyze age, sex, and annual patterns in survival. Generally, females had higher survival than males. For female pups, the average annual survival was 0.600 and for male pups it was 0.574. Yearling survival was 0.758 and 0.757 for females and males, respectively. Peak annual survival was at age 5 and was 0.952 for females and 0.931 for males. Pups with larger mass at branding had higher survival as pups and yearlings, but the effect was relative within each cohort because of large between-cohort variability in survival. Annual variability in sea surface temperature (SST) affected survival. For each 1°C increase in SST, the odds of survival decreased by nearly 50% for pups and yearlings; negative SST anomalies yielded higher survival. Annual variation in male survival was partly explained by leptospirosis outbreaks. Our study provides a unique view of one demographic parameter that contributed to the successful recovery of the California sea lion population.
Riverscape genetics identifies speckled dace ( Rhinichthys osculus ) cryptic diversity in the Klamath–Trinity Basin

Cataloging biodiversity is of great importance given that habitat destruction has dramatically increased extinction rates. While the presence of cryptic species poses challenges for biodiversity assessment, molecular analysis has proven useful in uncovering this hidden diversity. Using nuclear microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA we investigated the genetic structure of Klamath speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus klamathensis), a subspecies endemic to the Klamath–Trinity basin. Analysis of 25 sample sites within the basin uncovered cryptic diversity including three distinct genetic groups: (1) a group that is widely distributed throughout the Klamath River mainstem and its tributaries, (2) a group distributed in the Trinity River, the largest tributary to the Klamath River, and (3) a group identified above a 10 m waterfall in Jenny Creek, a small tributary to the Klamath River. All groups were resolved as divergent in nuclear microsatellite analysis and exhibited levels of divergence in mitochondrial DNA that were comparable to those observed among recognized Rhinichthys species. No physical barriers currently separate the Klamath and Trinity groups and the precise mechanism that generated and maintains the groups as distinct despite contact and hybridization is unknown. The present study highlights the importance of incorporating molecular analysis into biodiversity research to uncover cryptic diversity. We recommend that future biodiversity inventories recognize three genetically distinct groups of speckled dace in the Klamath–Trinity Basin.
PROSPECTIVE ASSOCIATION OF HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND HEART FAILURE, HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION, HEART FAILURE WITH REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Autonomic function can be measured by heart rate variability (HRV), and abnormalities may be associated with subclinical alterations in cardiac structure and function. We aim to assess the correlation of HRV to incident hospitalized heart failure (HF), HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and
Differential Gene Expression and Pathway Analysis in Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma Using RNA Sequencing

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a highly vascularized and locally aggressive tumor that typically presents in adolescent males. The molecular biology of this tumor remains understudied. We sought to identify differentially expressed genes in the JNA transcriptome through messenger RNA sequencing of primary fibroblasts from 2 tumor explants and tonsil tissue from tumor-free subjects. In total, 1088 significant, differentially expressed genes were identified with 749 upregulated and 339 downregulated. Pathway analysis identified a number of activated signaling pathways, most notably, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway (adjusted overlap P = .03). VEGF-A showed a 4.4-fold upregulation in JNA samples. In addition, the angiogenic receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), was not present in tumor-free samples but increased in JNA. We validate these findings with immunohistochemistry, demonstrating upregulation of VEGF and FGFR2 in patient sections. Inhibition of the VEGF or FGFR signaling axes may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of JNA.
Somatic, Articular and Visceral Noxious- Stimulus Evoked Expression of C-FOS in the Spinal Cord of the Rat: Differential Patterns of Activity and Modulation by Analgesic Agents

Recent years have seen a remarkable increase in our understanding of the anatomical circuitry through which noxious stimuli are presumed to access spinal cord, brainstem and thalamic structures. Many studies of the anatomy of pain processing mechanisms have addressed the distribution of primary afferent fibers, including the differential central projection of single nociceptive fibers which have been identified electrophysiologically. Those studies have demonstrated that there is a very dense projection to the superficial dorsal horn from Aδ and C fibers. Other studies have used retrograde tracing techniques to characterize the organization of ascending projection systems that arise from the dorsal and ventral horns. Still other studies have focused on the cytochemistry of the primary afferent and second order neurons and on the descending control systems that modulate their firing. Largely because of the high concentration of peptidergic cells and terminals in the superficial dorsal horn, EM immunocytochemical studies of peptide circuits have focused in that region. (For reviews see Basbaum and Fields, 1984; Besson and Chaouch, 1987)
Teaching computing on the web: a survey of computer science faculty

What are the successes and limitations of teaching computer science on the Web?What tools and methods have worked best for computer science? How do computer science faculty rate teaching on the web versus traditional teaching methods? To address these questions, a comprehensive questionnaire was developed and distributed to faculty at the SIGCSE Technical Symposium, 2005.This paper presents key results from analyzing the responses to many of the questions that were included in the questionnaire. This study comprises a large body of useful information that can be helpful to individual instructors and also to the academic computer science community.
Evolution of a Doxycycline-Induced Phototoxic Rash With an Unusual Distribution

Commonly used in clinical practice, doxycycline has been known to produce a cutaneous phototoxic reaction in combination with sunlight. Several mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to its pathogenesis such as UVA oxidation of cellular components, the formation of photoproducts, and altered melanogenesis. We describe a case of a phototoxic rash in a patient taking doxycycline 100 mg daily for the treatment of rosacea. We present several photos of the rash from erythema to desquamation several weeks later. The clinical presentation of a doxycycline-induced phototoxic rash varies from a sunburn like sensation to diffuse erythematous plaques on sun exposed areas. Treatment involves discontinuing the drug and providing symptomatic relief. Although sunscreen may prevent a doxycycline-induced phototoxic reaction, it is important to educate the patient to use a sunscreen with protection in the 340-400 nm range in which phototoxic reactions are thought to occur. As doxycycline-induced phototoxicity is poorly understood, it may be best to advise the patient to avoid sun exposure altogether while taking the drug.
Systemic arterial hypertension but not IGF-I treatment stimulates cardiomyocyte enlargement in neonatal lambs

Although cardiomyocyte terminal differentiation is nearly complete at birth in sheep, as in humans, very limited postnatal expansion of myocyte number may occur. The capacity of newborn cardiomyocy...
Measurements of Impurity Transport Due to Drift-Wave Turbulence in a Toroidal Plasma

The first direct measurements of an impurity particle flux driven by drift-wave turbulence in a toroidal magnetized plasma are reported. The correlation between the impurity density and radial velocity fluctuations is measured using ion Doppler spectroscopy. The small, very fast radial velocity fluctuation is resolved with the aid of a new linearized spectrum correlation analysis method that rejects uncorrelated noise as the sample size increases. The measured ${\mathrm{C}}^{2+}$ turbulent impurity flux in the edge of the plasma is directed inward and is consistent with impurity density measurements. This is also the first direct evidence for fluctuation-induced transport due to trapped-electron-mode turbulence in reversed field pinch plasmas.
New Configuration of Multifunctional Grid-Connected Inverter to Improve Both Current-Based and Voltage-Based Power Quality

A multifunctional grid-connected inverter (MFGCI) has been a promising solution to mitigate power quality problems in distributed generation system and microgrid applications. However, the capability of a conventional MFGCI is limited when compensating a voltage-based power quality problem. In this paper, a new configuration of MFGCI is proposed to improve both voltage-based and current-based power quality issues and is named shunt-series-switched MFGCI (SSS-MFGCI). The SSS-MFGCI can be connected in series or parallel to the grid by implementing bidirectional switches to provide different modes of operation depending on various grid disturbances. The required compensating current and voltage are analytically derived considering the grid and load conditions for voltage regulation. This paper also presents the compensation strategies, control scheme, and transition scheme between different modes of the proposed SSS-MFGCI. Simulation results to prove the concept are also included for unbalanced sag and swell cases.
A uniform momentum zone-vortical fissure model of the turbulent boundary layer

© 2018 Cambridge University Press. Recent studies reveal that at large friction Reynolds number the inertially dominated region of the turbulent boundary layer is composed of large-scale zones of nearly uniform momentum segregated by narrow fissures of concentrated vorticity. Experiments show that, when scaled by the boundary-layer thickness, the fissure thickness is while the dimensional jump in streamwise velocity across each fissure scales in proportion to the friction velocity. A simple model that exploits these essential elements of the turbulent boundary-layer structure at large is developed. First, a master wall-normal profile of streamwise velocity is constructed by placing a discrete number of fissures across the boundary layer. The number of fissures and their wall-normal locations follow scalings informed by analysis of the mean momentum equation. The fissures are then randomly displaced in the wall-normal direction, exchanging momentum as they move, to create an instantaneous velocity profile. This process is repeated to generate ensembles of streamwise velocity profiles from which statistical moments are computed. The modelled statistical profiles are shown to agree remarkably well with those acquired from direct numerical simulations of turbulent channel flow at large. In particular, the model robustly reproduces the empirically observed sub-Gaussian behaviour for the skewness and kurtosis profiles over a large range of input parameters.
Functional Neurological Disorder and Dissociative Disorders in Women

This chapter provides a review of the epidemiology, phenomenology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, and treatment of functional neurological disorders (FND) and dissociative disorders, highlighting aspects that are specifically pertinent to women. There is also discussion about their overlap. Women outnumber men in FND, though evidence of sex-based prevalence differences in dissociative disorders is mixed. Both disorders share a lack of integration of specific neurological functions, often in the setting of a trauma history. Evidence-based treatment for both disorders is emerging, with no clear indication at this point that intervention effectiveness differs based on sex.
Scaling Up Collaborative Filtering Data Sets through Randomized Fractal Expansions.

Recommender system research suffers from a disconnect between the size of academic data sets and the scale of industrial production systems. In order to bridge that gap, we propose to generate large-scale user/item interaction data sets by expanding pre-existing public data sets. Our key contribution is a technique that expands user/item incidence matrices matrices to large numbers of rows (users), columns (items), and non-zero values (interactions). The proposed method adapts Kronecker Graph Theory to preserve key higher order statistical properties such as the fat-tailed distribution of user engagements, item popularity, and singular value spectra of user/item interaction matrices. Preserving such properties is key to building large realistic synthetic data sets which in turn can be employed reliably to benchmark recommender systems and the systems employed to train them. We further apply our stochastic expansion algorithm to the binarized MovieLens 20M data set, which comprises 20M interactions between 27K movies and 138K users. The resulting expanded data set has 1.2B ratings, 2.2M users, and 855K items, which can be scaled up or down.
P159 Low rate vascular access related infections in thechronic haemodialysis patient cohort in a tertiary paediatric hospital

Background Vascular access is required for haemodialysis (HD), a form of renal replacement therapy required when a child has acute or end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Central venous catheter (CVC) line infections are the second most common cause of vascular access loss in the long term HD patient, commonly caused by poor hand hygiene practices, clinical environment or inadequate sterilisation procedures. In the literature the reported rates of infection range from 0.8–4.8 episodes/1000 catheter days in this patient group. Aim To audit CVC line related infection rates in our tertiary HD unit in Temple Street Children’s University Hospital (TSCUH) over a 5 year period. Methods A retrospective review was carried out on all patients who had HD from January 2012- January 2017 (inclusive) using a CVC. Results/Findings 34 patients required HD, of which 44% were female and 56% male. Twenty-three patients (68%) were aged between 5–10 years of age. Dysplastic kidneys was the most common reason for requiring HD (n=9, 26.2%). Eight patients required HD for 1–6 months, 5 patients for 6–12 months, 19 patients for 12–48 months, and 2 patients for >60 months. Five out of 34 children developed CVC line infections with an overall infection rate of 0.22 episodes per 1000 catheter days. Loss of protective caps was the main reason for infection (n=3). Staph-aureous, pseudomonas oryzihabitans, enterococcus faecalis and mixed coagulase negative staphylococci were the identified organisms causing infection. Conclusions CVC line infections in long-term HD patients attending TSCUH are maintained at a low rate in comparison to published data. Strict application of Aseptic Non Touch Technique shows favourable results without the need for prophylactic antibiotics locks. Future work includes a cost benefit analysis of this practice.
Influence of Sea Ice Anomalies on Antarctic Precipitation Using Source Attribution

Abstract. We conduct sensitivity experiments using a climate model that has an explicit water source tagging capability forced by prescribed composites of sea ice concentrations (SIC) and corresponding SSTs to understand the impact of sea ice anomalies on regional evaporation, moisture transport, and source–receptor relationships for precipitation over Antarctica. Surface sensible heat fluxes, evaporation, and column-integrated water vapor are larger over Southern Ocean (SO) areas with lower SIC, but changes in Antarctic precipitation and its source attribution with SICs reflect a strong spatial variability. Among the tagged source regions, the Southern Ocean (south of 50° S) contributes the most (40 %) to the Antarctic total precipitation, followed by more northerly ocean basins, most notably the S. Pacific Ocean (27 %), S. Indian Ocean (16 %) and S. Atlantic Ocean (11 %). The annual mean Antarctic precipitation is about 150 Gt/year more in the “low” SIC case than in the “high” SIC case. This difference is larger than the model-simulated interannual variability of Antarctic precipitation (99 Gt/year). The contrast in contribution from the S. Ocean, 102 Gt/year, is even more significant, compared to the interannual variability of 35 Gt/year in Antarctic precipitation that originates from the S. Ocean. The horizontal transport pathways from individual vapor source regions to Antarctica are largely determined by large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns. Vapor from lower latitude source regions takes elevated pathways to Antarctica. In contrast, vapor from the Southern Ocean moves southward within the lower troposphere to the Antarctic continent, so the contribution of nearby sources also depends on regional coastal topography. The impact of sea ice anomalies on regional Antarctic precipitation also depends on atmospheric circulation changes that result from the prescribed composite SIC/SST perturbations. In particular, regional wind anomalies along with surface evaporation changes determine regional shifts in the zonal and meridional moisture fluxes that can explain some of the resultant precipitation changes.
RIVER-MAC: A Receiver-Initiated Asynchronously Duty-Cycled MAC Protocol for the Internet of Things

This paper presents RIVER-MAC, a very efficient receiver-initiated asynchronously-duty-cycled medium access control (MAC) protocol for IoT devices. The key innovations of RIVER-MAC include (1) a CCA-based rendezvous to reduce idle listening for the sender node by an order of magnitude, and (2) a beacon train-based collision resolution scheme to reduce contention between receiver nodes, a previously-overlooked issue in receiver-initiated MAC protocol design. We have implemented RIVER-MAC in Contiki OS, and used extensive Cooja simulations to demonstrate its high performance compared to RI-MAC (a classic receiver-initiated protocol), as well as ContikiMAC (a state-of-the-art sender-initiated asynchronously duty-cycled MAC protocol) in our tested scenarios. We also have used analytic studies to show that RIVER-MAC yields a comparable performance with a wakeup radio-based scheme, an emerging alternative to duty-cycled MAC protocols for IoT devices.
Surfactant- and gravity-dependent instability of two-layer channel flows: linear theory covering all wavelengths. Part 1. ‘Long-wave’ regimes

A linear stability analysis of a two-layer plane Couette flow of two immiscible fluid layers with different densities, viscosities and thicknesses, bounded by two infinite parallel plates moving at a constant relative velocity to each other, with an insoluble surfactant monolayer along the interface and in the presence of gravity is carried out. The normal modes approach is applied to the equations governing flow disturbances in the two layers. These equations, together with boundary conditions at the plates and the interface, yield a linear eigenvalue problem. When inertia is neglected the velocity amplitudes are the linear combinations of certain hyperbolic functions, and a quadratic dispersion equation for the increment, that is the complex growth rate, is obtained, where coefficients depend on the aspect ratio, the viscosity ratio, the basic velocity shear, the Marangoni number that measures the effects of surfactant and the Bond number that measures the influence of gravity. An extensive investigation is carried out that examines the stabilizing or destabilizing influences of these parameters. Since the dispersion equation is quadratic in the growth rate, there are two continuous branches of the normal modes: a robust branch that exists even with no surfactant, and a surfactant branch that, to the contrary, vanishes when . Regimes have been uncovered with crossings of the two dispersion curves, their reconnections at the point of crossing and separations as changes. Due to the availability of the explicit forms for the growth rates, in many instances the numerical results are corroborated with analytical asymptotics.
The Equity Premium Puzzle Solution: Incentives to Under-Report Inflation

The biggest and most well-known unsolved problem in academic finance is famously referred to as the Equity Premium Puzzle. It refers to the unexplained phenomenon that for over 100 years the average return on a well-diversified portfolio of equities has far outperformed that of risk-free, short-term US treasuries. Although there have been countless proposed solutions, all have failed as these attempts implicitly assume perfectly-correct inflation statistics. Examining these assumptions, we discover that not only are the inflation numbers materially flawed, but more so, there are significant incentives for government entities to under-report inflation. With this, we find that to explain the Equity Premium Puzzle, inflation would only need to be under-reported by about 2-6% per year: an exceedingly likely scenario given the significance of these incentives.
Characteristic p methods in characteristic zero via ultraproducts

In recent decades, by exploiting the algebraic properties of the Frobenius in positive characteristic, many so-called homological conjectures and intersection conjectures have been established, culminating into the powerful theory of tight closure and big Cohen–Macaulay algebras. In the present article, I give a survey of how these methods also can be applied directly in characteristic zero by taking ultraproducts, rather than through the cumbersome lifting/reduction techniques. This has led to some new results regarding rational and log-terminal singularities, as well as some new vanishing theorems. Even in mixed characteristic, we can get positive results, albeit only asymptotically.
Current Advances in Minimally Invasive Surgical Management of Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

While the safety of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been reported for several liver malignancies, the role of MIS in the management of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) has been poorly defined. A systematic review of the literature was performed utilizing MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases up to January 2020 to assess the safety and feasibility of MIS in the management of patients with pCCA. Limited data exist on the MIS approach to treat pCCA. Staging laparoscopy carries a low diagnostic yield and typically is used only in select patients with high suspicion of metastatic disease. Data on the use of MIS approach for resection of pCCA have largely been limited to case reports or small case series. A MIS approach to pCCA resection has been demonstrated to be feasible and safe, yet in most series the surgeon failed to include resection of the caudate lobe. Given that caudate lobe involvement occurs in 31–98% of patients with pCCA, incomplete resection of the caudate lobe may be associated with higher local recurrence. More recently, several surgeons have reported complete R0 surgical with removal of the caudate lobe using a MIS approach. While patients may have a shorter length-of-stay, the true benefit of the MIS approach for pCCA needs to be better defined. MIS may be a safe and feasible approach at high-volume centers with robust expertise in the management of patients with pCCA. Further studies with larger number of patients are required prior to universal application of MIS for pCCA.
Diagnostic Methods for the Comprehensive Health Assessment of the Long-Spined Sea Urchin, Diadema antillarum

This 55-page document contains a wealth of information on the long-spined sea urchin, which is an important animal in coral reef ecosystems. The publication discusses diagnostic methods for Diadema antillarum and provides reporting forms for laboratory and diagnostic work. Written by Ruth Francis-Floyd, Jan Landsberg, Roy Yanong, Yasu Kiryu, Shirley Baker, Deborah Pouder, William Sharp, Gabriel Delgado, Nicole Stacy, Tom Waltzek, Heather Walden, Roxanna Smolowitz, and Greg Beck, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine—Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, May 2020.
Using a Thermal Camera to Measure Heat Loss Through Bird Feather Coats

Feathers are essential to insulation, and therefore to the cost of thermoregulation, in birds. There is robust literature on the energetic cost of thermoregulation in birds across a variety of ecological circumstances. However, few studies characterize the contribution of the feathers alone to thermoregulation. Several previous studies have established methods for measuring the insulation value of animal pelts, but they require destructive sampling methods that are problematic for birds, whose feathers are not distributed evenly across the skin. More information is needed about 1) how the contribution of feathers to thermoregulation varies both across and within species and 2) how feather coats may change over space and time. Reported here is a method for rapidly and directly measuring the thermal performance of feather coats and the skin using dried whole skin specimens, without the need to destroy the skin specimen. This method isolates and measures the thermal gradient across a feather coat in a way that measurements of heat loss and metabolic cost in live birds, which use behavioral and physiological strategies to thermoregulate, cannot. The method employs a thermal camera, which allows the rapid collection of quantitative thermal data to measure heat loss from a stable source through the skin. This protocol can easily be applied to various research questions, is applicable to any avian taxa, and does not require destruction of the skin specimen. Finally, it will further the understanding of the importance of passive thermoregulation in birds by simplifying and accelerating the collection of quantitative data.