cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 171: The Effect of Ischemia and Reperfusion and Tissue Plasminogen Activator on Cerebrovascular Function, Oxidative Stress and Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils in Ovariectomized Female Rats

Introduction: Stroke is a growing health problem in women. We previously showed that ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in male rats reduced tone in middle cerebral arteries (MCA) but enhanced tone in parenchymal arterioles (PA). Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may contribute to vascular dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation. However, vascular dysfunction and the effect of tPA have not been studied in females. Hypothesis: I/R in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats impairs MCA and PA function differentially, increases vascular oxidative stress and intravascular polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). tPA has an additive effect on the vascular dysfunction after I/R. Methods: OVX female rats underwent 2 h MCA filament occlusion (n=16) or sham surgery (n=17) with 30 min reperfusion. tPA (1 mg/kg, i.v.) or vehicle (Vh) was given 10 min prior to reperfusion. Myogenic tone and reactivity to nitric oxide synthase (L-NNA, 10-4M) and Rho kinase (Y27632, 10-8 to 10-5M) inhibition were measured in pressurized MCA and PA. MCA were stained for F-actin and 3-nitrotyrosine (NT), a marker of oxidative stress. Brain intravascular PMN were identified with myeloperoxidase and collagen IV using immunohistochemistry, and counted blinded to group. Results: In MCA, I/R decreased tone at 75 mmHg (Sham Vh: 26±3%, Sham tPA: 27±3% vs. MCAO Vh: 21±2%, MCAO tPA: 21±3%, P Conclusions: The differential effect of I/R on MCA vs. PA in OVX females on tone suggest parenchymal blood flow may be restricted during reperfusion that could increase perfusion deficits. tPA had no effect on tone in MCA and PA but might enhance intravascular PMN, implicated in no-reflow after I/R. Therapies to alleviate parenchymal vasoconstriction may improve stroke outcome in females.
Additive manufacturing of a new Fe-Cr-Ni alloy with gradually changing compositions with elemental powder mixes and thermodynamic calculation

It is becoming an urgent need to synthesize novel alloy possessing both corrosion resistance and sufficient plasticity to meet various functionality requirements in severe corrosion working environment. This study introduced a new Fe-Cr-Ni-based alloy with gradient composition which was fabricated by additive manufacturing with pre-mixed elemental powder. A thin wall sample was fabricated from bottom to top layer by layer following four composition designs (Fe-16Cr-8Ni, Fe-14Cr-16Ni, Fe-12Cr-23Ni, and Fe-9Cr-28Ni) to achieve the transition from ferritic phase to austenite phase. The elemental powders’ shape and size distribution were characterized and analyzed first. The mixing enthalpy for the three elements was studied since it can impact on the deposits homogeneity. Microscopic metallography of the sample was acquired to analyze the microstructure. Then, the phase identification was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis examined the composition in the sample. The results indicate that the microstructure of regions with 8 and 16% of Ni was mainly the lathy and skeletal morphologies, while standard austenite morphology, cells, and dendrites were observed in the regions with 23 and 28% Ni. Then, Vickers hardness test was used to observe the gradually changing hardness profile. In addition, a thermodynamic modeling was employed to predict the Fe-Cr-Ni alloy’s formed phase at room temperature, then compared with the XRD pattern. The experimental-computational approach described herein for characterizing the new Fe-Cr-Ni alloy can be used to improve the understanding and design of other new alloys.
Designing Regenerative Cultures. Dorset, UK: Triarchy Press, 2016 (288 pp., ISBN: 9781909470774)

Many books these days rightly challenge humanity's status quo of unsustainable practices. However, it's rare to find a book that not only challenges the status quo, but also provides a systemic, st...
Voluntary placements in child welfare: A comparative analysis of state statutes

Abstract Removing children from their families is a serious, and often traumatic, experience for children and youth, even if this process is a voluntary choice of the parents or caregivers. This exploratory study aimed to further the understanding of voluntary foster care placements, a topic on which there has been very little research and attention. For this content analysis, we analyzed the statutes of all 50 states and Washington D.C. We developed a coding rubric to record data on each statute, including factors such as definitions, timelines, and process for court involvement. Researcher memos were used to help identify themes across statutes, as well as unique cases. Findings suggest a wide degree of variation in how states regulate voluntary placement in foster care, with 11 states having no statutes at all, and states varying even on fundamental aspects of these placements such as parents maintaining legal custody and authority of their children. Several state's statutes mention voluntary placements but provide no guidance at all on implementation, other states' statutes provide a detailed description on processes including special considerations regarding access to treatment for children with disabilities. The lack of clarity in statutes on voluntary placements needs further attention by child welfare administrators and policy-makers, in order to ensure the on-going safety, permanency, and well-being of children in these voluntary arrangements.
Oxygen Dependence of Neuronal Metabolism

In the brain, as in many other tissues, the delivery of oxygen is highly regulated and the tissue oxygen pressure is normally maintained within a narrow range. Periods of hypoxia and/or ischemia followed by reoxygenation/reperfusion present a complex series of stresses to cellular and vascular physiology. Depending on the duration and severity of the initial period of hypoxia/ischemia and the succeeding reoxygenation protocol, there are various degrees of irreversible damage to cells. The primary cause of the damage is oxygen deprivation, which results in a deficiency in the metabolic energy available for cellular maintenance and repair. Energy-deprived cells in the central nervous system (CNS) first undergo progressive dissipation of the cellular ionic balance, including a very rapid (seconds) increase in intracellular Na+ levels and decrease in intracellular K+ levels, membrane depolarization with attendant increased intracellular Ca2+ levels, and release of neurotransmitters such as the excitatory amino acids. After longer periods (minutes) there is progressive lipolysis and proteolysis. In the first minutes of this process it may be fully reversible, and reoxygenation leads to essentially complete recovery. As the duration of the hypoxic/ischemic episode increases, however, the extent of recovery progressively decreases. The physiological basis for the irreversible component of the recovery remains poorly understood, although it has been reported that hyperglycemia exacerbates the damage (Meyers and Yamaguchi, 1977; Rehncrona et al., 1981; Welsh et al., 1983) and that many factors, including excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters released during the hypoxic episode (see, for example Olney [1978]; Watkins and Evans [1981]) and oxygen radicals produced during reperfusion, may be important contributors to the lack of recovery (Siesjo, 1981; Bazan and Rodriguez de Thrco, 1980; Yoshida et al., 1980). The present review will focus on the initial metabolic consequences of oxygen depravation in the eNS and will highlight only key elements of the more complex recovery process.
Moving to evidence-based practice for pain management in the critical care setting.

Evidence-based pain management in the critical care setting is the integration of clinical expertise and the best available research findings in order to assess and treat critically ill patient's pain. There must be organized and individual commitment to apply current evidence of pain management at the bedside. A multi-disciplinary team must proactively plan specific strategies to infuse and reinfuse an evidence-based standard of care into practice. Education needs to be coupled with specific strategies such as investments in opinion leaders and change agents, in addition to reminders and patient empowerment, in order to change current clinical regimes.
Pharmacology of Cav1 (L-Type) Channels

Calcium is a critical cation both physiologically and pathologically. Its control is of fundamental significance to the life and death of the cell. Calcium is a key physiological requirement for both sperm motility and the fertilization response, and calcium is a pathological contributor to cell death processes. Thus, in a very real sense we are conceived in a moment of calcium-mediated enthusiasm, we die from an excess of calcium and we are laid to rest under a tombstone of calcium carbonate. Voltage-gated calcium channels are important contributors to both the life and death of the cell.
Metabolism of sedatives in liver disease.

The liver has a key role in drug disposition and elimination. This is by virtue of 1) its strategic location astride the portal vein and 2) its large enzymatic complement for drug metabolism. The first of these, location along intestinal venous drainage, implies that drugs absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract will initially enter the liver and be excluded from the systemic circulation (presystemic or first pass effect). To the extent that such absorbed drugs are metabolized within the liver or are shunted around it, concentrations of the parent drug in blood and target organs will vary. Drugs with extensive hepatic metabolism are thus likely to be affected the most with liver disease- and/or shunting. The bioavailability of such agents (see later) in such a setting is likely to be increased, leading to a lesser first pass effect and toxic side effects may ensue. As regards the second point, the liver has the largest amount of biotransforming enzymes for most drugs. It contributes also importantly to the removal of some drugs via biliary excretion. Thus, impairment of either process, as with liver disease, is likely to decrease drug removal and may result in drug accumulation and ultimately in its toxicity. It is evident, therefore, that liver disease and drug metabolism are closely related processes (1).
Thermal transport in semiconductor nanotubes

Abstract Semiconductor nanotubes present an exciting avenue to create very thin one-dimensional nanostructures using currently available growth techniques. Due to their large surface-to-volume ratio, nanotubes allow for an effective control over thermal energy transfer. Here, we study thermal transport in crystalline nanotubes made of silicon and germanium-alloyed-silicon by developing a methodology that accurately accounts for phonon dynamics in these nanostructures. The flexibility of the proposed approach allows considering the two nanotube boundaries as distinct from one another and is used to analyze the impact of nanotube morphology such as shell thicknesses, outer diameters, and surface properties on thermal transport. We also evaluate the frequency and mean-free-path spectra in these nanostructures to elucidate and provide insight on the phonon transport mechanisms in nanotubes. The results of this work advance the understanding of thermal conduction in nanotubes and the abilities to create rationally designed thermal materials, which are critical for obtaining high efficiency of thermoelectrics, photovoltaics, and electronic materials.
A Pilot Randomized Trial of an Intervention to Enhance the Health-Promoting Effects of Older Adults' Activity Portfolios: The Engaged4Life Program.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of the Engaged4Life program, an intervention to encourage inactive community-dwelling older adults to embed physical activity, cognitive activity, and social interaction into their everyday lives in contexts that are personally meaningful and natural for them. Fifteen participants were randomized to the intervention group (technology-assisted self-monitoring of daily activity via pedometers and daily tablet-based surveys; psychoeducation + goal-setting via a 3-hour workshop; and peer mentoring via phone 2×/week for 2.5 weeks) and 15 to the control (technology-assisted self-monitoring only). Recruitment was shown to be feasible and efficient, but not able to reach the target for men. Retention rate was 83% and participants manifested high adherence and engagement with the intervention. Though this pilot trial was not powered to demonstrate significant differences between groups, daily steps increased by 431 (11% increase) from baseline to Week 4 for the intervention (p < .05), but decreased by 458 for the control, for a net difference of 889 steps (p < .05). Findings were sustained at Week 8 (p < .01). In a future trial, difficulties in recruiting men, barriers due to the technology-intensive design, and the optimization of secondary outcome measures should be addressed.
GUIDOVILLE: Labeling Italian Americans Deviant

This chapter focuses on a particular historical event that named Guido in the public discourse for the first time. Mass media representations are a key external boundary in the transaction of youth culture identity. Historically, Italian American youth are prominently represented in the mass media as unruly, specifically around themes of deviance that marginalize Italian ethnicity as a minority group culture. Guido was framed as a category of deviance in the narrative of a notorious “racial killing” in Bensonhurst in 1989. Press accounts that muted a style-based youth subculture also pathologized local Italian American community, and the chapter underscores the narrative connection between Guido and urban ethnic minority culture. Mass media discourses that problematized ethnic Italian culture reflect shifting agendas in the city’s social, political, and economic landscape.
Shifts in Metabolic Fuel Use Coincide With Maximal Rates of Ventilation and Body Surface Rewarming in an Arousing Hibernator

It is well established that hibernating mammals rely predominantly on lipid stores to fuel metabolism throughout the hibernation season. However, it is unclear if other endogenous fuels contribute ...
The combination of intravenous bevacizumab and metronomic oral cyclophosphamide for recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

5039 Background: This study was undertaken to determine the progression free survival and overall survival in heavily pre-treated patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma treated with bevacizumab ...
Ambidexterity in government: The influence of different types of legitimacy on innovation

Abstract Using a comparative case study of four independent infrastructure agencies in Australia, this article explores how governments can use structural ambidexterity to innovate. Independent agencies can serve as exploration units, but their innovation needs to be integrated into the rest of government. Instead of relying on an executive team to do it, independent agencies can take on this role, but they need to become legitimate to several government actors to influence government processes. Legitimacy can come from regulations, practical value, moral values or cognitive frames. Relying on regulations solely reduces influence; but relying on cognitive legitimacy leads to losing one's ability to radically innovate. We conclude that leading both exploration and integration relies on the exploration unit employees’ practical and moral legitimacy to several actors, and their ability to maintain cognitive distance from other governmental units. However, we caution that such a balance is hard to sustain over the long run, leading many innovative agencies to appeal to cognitive legitimacy and revert to incremental innovation over time.
Digital neuromorphic chips for deep learning inference: a comprehensive study

Over the past few years, deep neural networks have achieved state-of-the-art accuracy in a broad spectrum of applications. However, implementing deep networks in general purpose architectures is a challenging task as they require high computational resources and massive memory bandwidth. Recently, several digital neuromorphic chips have been proposed to address these issues. In this paper, we explore sixteen prominent rate based digital neuromorphic chip architectures, optimized primarily for inference. Specific focus is on: What is the motivation to design digital neuromorphic chips? Which optimizations play a key role in improving their performance? What are the main research trends in current generation chips?
Neighborhood-Level Analysis on the Impact of Accessibility to Fast Food and Open Green Spaces on the Prevalence of Obesity.

Abstract Background The complex epidemiology of obesity includes environmental factors. We examined how accessibility to fast food restaurants and green spaces is associated with obesity. Methods We used geocoded body mass index values of 20,927 subjects that visited the largest statewide health care network in Rhode Island. Spatial analysis and logistic regression were used to examine the association of obesity at the individual level, and obesity hot and cold spots with the accessibility to fast food restaurants and green space areas. Results The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in our sample was 33%. Obese subjects were less likely to live in neighborhoods with the highest accessibility to green space areas (odds ratio [OR] 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-0.97), compared with neighborhoods with low accessibility. Obese subjects were more likely to live in neighborhoods with medium or high accessibility to fast food restaurants (OR 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14-1.31; OR 1.20; 95% CI, 1.10-1.32, respectively). Looking at obesity clustering, hot spots were 18% and 21% less likely to be located in neighborhoods with medium and high accessibility to green space areas, respectively (OR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76-0.88; OR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.71-0.86). In contrast, hot spots were 1.65 and 4.81 times more likely to be located in neighborhoods with medium and high accessibility to fast food restaurants, respectively (OR 1.65; 95% CI, 1.53-1.77; OR 4.81; 95% CI, 4.39-5.27, respectively). Conclusions Accessibility to fast food restaurants is positively associated with the presence of obesity hot spots, while access to green space areas is associated with decreased neighborhood obesity rates.
Broadband Array Antennas For Curved Geometries

Employing a Generalized theoretical broadbanding algorithm developed for curved surfaces, this paper utilizes new improved radiator models to develop, test and assess broadband Conformal open-Waveguide arrays realized on Curved Surfaces.
Personalized Synthesis of Intentional and Emotional Non-Verbal Sounds for Social Robots

Non-verbal sounds are an essential communication channel for social robots. However, it requires expert knowledge to create and compose synthesizers, develop melodic structures or record samples which express a robot's internal intentions and emotions. This paper presents an approach for adapting a robot's timbre based on non-expert human comparative feedback in order to personalize the sonic interaction design to an individual user's preferences. An evolution strategy learns parameters of real-time sound synthesis for different intentions and emotions. Ultimately, the strategy aims to improve the perceived goodness of how well a specific melody's sound maps to a specific emotion or intention. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, we report on a user study with a robot, 6 exemplary melodies and 27 participants. Our study results show that the strategy indeed results in improved and preferred sound designs and that many participants are willing to apply such a process to improve their robots' expressivity.
Designing Magnetic Topological van der Waals Heterostructure

We demonstrate a new method of designing 2D functional magnetic topological heterostructure (HS) by exploiting the vdw heterostructure (vdw-HS) through combining 2D magnet CrI$_3$ and 2D materials (Ge/Sb) to realize new 2D topological system with nonzero Chern number (C=1) and chiral edge state. The nontrivial topology originates primarily from the CrI$_3$ layer while the non-magnetic element induces the charge transfer process and proximity enhanced spin-orbit coupling. Due to these unique properties, our topological magnetic vdw-HS overcomes the weak magnetization via proximity effect in previous designs since the magnetization and topology coexist in the same magnetic layer. Specifically, our systems of bilayer CrI$_3$/Sb and trilayer CrI$_3$/Sb/CrI$_3$ exhibit different topological ground state ranging from antiferromagnetic topological crystalline insulator (C$_M$= 2) to a QAHE. These nontrivial topological transition is shown to be switchable in a trilayer configuration due to the magnetic switching from antiferromagnetism to ferromangetism in the presence an external perpendicular electric field with value as small as 0.05 eV/A. Thus our study proposes a realistic system to design switchable magnetic topological device with electric field.
The extradural extended eyebrow approach: A cadaveric feasibility study.

Abstract Introduction Extradural anterior clinoidectomy (eAC) is key to expose the paraclinoid region. Several authors have pointed limitations of performing an eAC through a supraorbital craniotomy. In this article, we aim to provide educational material and discuss the technical nuances to successfully perform an eAC throughout a modification of the supraorbital approach, the extradural extended eyebrow approach (xEBA + eAC). Methods Four embalmed heads were used for anatomic dissection and perform the xEBA + eAC. Additionally, one head was used for a video demonstration of the surgical approach. Results The anterior clinoid process was successfully removed, and the ophthalmic artery and paraclinoid region were exposed in all specimens. Drilling the sphenoid wing until exposing the meningo-orbital band and further interdural dissection are vital steps to expose the anterior clinoid process. Removal of the anterior clinoid process can be simplified in 3 osteotomies, including the optic canal unroofing, detachment from the lateral pillar, and drilling of the optic strut. Sectioning of the distal dural ring facilitates the mobilization of the internal carotid artery and the surgical exposure of the ophthalmic artery. Conclusions xEBA + eAC is a technically feasible approach that provides exposure to the paraclinoid region, along with anterior and middle cranial fossa.
The Most Informative Order Statistic and its Application to Image Denoising.

We consider the problem of finding the subset of order statistics that contains the most information about a sample of random variables drawn independently from some known parametric distribution. We leverage information-theoretic quantities, such as entropy and mutual information, to quantify the level of informativeness and rigorously characterize the amount of information contained in any subset of the complete collection of order statistics. As an example, we show how these informativeness metrics can be evaluated for a sample of discrete Bernoulli and continuous Uniform random variables. Finally, we unveil how our most informative order statistics framework can be applied to image processing applications. Specifically, we investigate how the proposed measures can be used to choose the coefficients of the L-estimator filter to denoise an image corrupted by random noise. We show that both for discrete (e.g., salt-pepper noise) and continuous (e.g., mixed Gaussian noise) noise distributions, the proposed method is competitive with off-the-shelf filters, such as the median and the total variation filters, as well as with wavelet-based denoising methods.
Effect of air pockets in drug delivery in jet injections

Needle-free jet injections are actuated by a pressure impulse that can be delivered by different mechanisms, and the resultant jets are O(10^2) m/s. Here, we report on the effect of entrapped air bubbles since filling procedures for pre-filled ampoules can induce bubbles, especially for viscous fluids. We use spring-piston devices as the principal actuation mechanism and vary both the location and size of the initial bubble. We find that the bubble location does have a statistically significant (p
An Adaptive Method for the Stochastic Orienteering Problem

We consider the NP-hard Stochastic Orienteering Problem, where the goal is to navigate between start and end vertices in a graph, maximizing the sum of rewards for visited vertices while obeying a travel budget over edges with stochastic cost within a given probability of failure. Previously, we solved this by finding an initial path using a deterministic orienteering solver and transformed it into a path policy using a Constrained Markov Decision Process that can skip vertices based on arrival time. In this work we augment our technique, creating a path tree which branches at vertex-time states with high probability of being skipped, allowing for new sequences of vertices in the resulting policy. We demonstrate that this adaptive path method collects significantly more reward in expectation, even when the number of branches is limited to control computation time.
Comments on the 2001 Draft Report to Congress on the Costs and Benefits of Federal Regulations

OMB-overseen regulatory cost-benefit analysis (CBA) requirements distort the regulatory decision-making process in ways that cause serious harm to public health, safety and the environment. The methodologies used in these analyses are fatally flawed. In general, no real effort is made to measure changes in consumer and producer surplus; instead, industry estimates of compliance costs are compared with poorly-monetized and incomplete estimates of a portion of expected short-term regulatory benefits, with long-run benefits disappearing due to overzealous discounting. For example, society’s willingness-to-accept (WTA) environmental and other regulated risks is generally considered by welfare economists to be the best measure of the value of risk regulation. By relying on willingness-to pay (WTP) estimates — which are generally a small fraction of WTA estimates — regulatory CBAs systematically understate the value of environmental, health and safety goods. In addition, although experts disagree over whether all goods properly may be discounted, to the extent that an academic consensus with respect to discounting intergenerational, nonmarket goods can be said to exist, the consensus is to use a much lower rate than seven percent. Use of the seven-percent discount rate significantly undervalues all benefits that are expected to accrue in the future, and thus seriously distorts evaluation of the benefits of public protection. In application, a seven-percent discount rate means that saving a single life this year will be considered more valuable to society than saving ten lives thirty-five years from now. This simply does not reflect our actual preferences as a nation that cares about its children. Finally, regulatory CBA gives equal weight to monetized goods no matter to whom they accrue. This makes it impossible for the promotion of justice, fairness, and equity — goods that are often among the intended goals of the statutes agencies operationalize — to receive any weight in the analysis whatsoever. Proposals to add distributional weights to CBA (or to otherwise adjust CBA practice to accommodate agency efforts to uphold principles) have been repeatedly rejected.
Analysis of adolescent patient satisfaction and well-being following reduction mammaplasty using the BREAST-Q survey.

Abstract Background: While functional breast reduction surgery has been shown to lead to increased quality of life in adult patients, the effects of this operation has not been investigated as thoroughly in adolescent patients. This study uses the BREAST-Q, a validated, surgery-specific questionnaire, to measure changes in adolescent patient well-being and satisfaction following reduction mammaplasty. Methods: All patients presenting for breast reduction consultation between February and December 2016 were asked to complete the BREAST-Q. Post-operative surveys were completed at three-month follow up. A matched control cohort was established using patients who completed a pre-operative survey and were deemed appropriate surgical candidates, but then were denied by insurance and did not undergo surgery. Results: Of the 28 adolescent patients who presented for breast reduction consultation, 15 met inclusion criteria; 11 patients underwent reduction mammaplasty, and 4 patients were included in the control cohort. When these groups were compared, statistically significant improvements were observed in all BREAST-Q categories except for sexual well-being. Overall patient satisfaction correlated most highly to satisfaction with information. Conclusions: This study examines quality of life outcomes in adolescent breast reduction patients using the BREAST-Q survey. Our findings indicate that adolescent patients have an improved quality of life following breast reduction, but that their satisfaction stems from different sources from those of adult patients. Further characterization of outcomes specific to young patients with surgically managed symptomatic macromastia will increase the practice of tailored, evidence-based medicine for adolescent patients. Level of Evidence: Treatment Study, Level III
Milcah Martha Moore’s Commonplace Book and the Early American Editorial Function

Let us start by imagining Milcah Martha Moore in her Philadelphia home on a Saturday in 1768, waiting for a fresh batch of letters. The winter of 1768 was harsh, and a severe storm in March disrupt...
Modeling of liquid lithium flow in porous plasma facing material

Abstract Flowing liquid lithium can, in principle, create a renewable surface interacting with the plasma, providing protection for the underlying solid substrate. Recent experiments [1] showed that liquid lithium supplied through a porous medium can limit the plasma facing surface temperature, even at high heat flux values in excess of 10 MW/m2. The use of new 3D printing techniques allows creation of plasma facing components that supply liquid lithium through capillary channels. Numerical analysis can be used to develop and optimize porous plasma facing component using virtual prototyping. The present contribution introduces a numerical model of liquid metal flow in a porous structure, interacting with the plasma. The model uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model a flow through a complex 3D geometry including magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) effects. The CFD set-up covers the liquid metal, plasma and solid structures, simultaneously, connected by realistic interfaces. Small scale interface structures are modeled separately to obtain a self-consistent interface functions. Customized version of the general-purpose CFD is used to handle complex 3D geometries, and efficient pre- and post-processing. MHD is introduced using the magnetic vector potential approach, allowing precise fluid–solid interface treatment. Special stabilization procedures were derived and applied to improve convergence of the momentum balance equations with source terms due to Lorentz force and surface tension. Conjugate heat transfer analysis was performed in the plasma, liquid metal and solid components. The customized code was validated using analytical results for high Hartmann number flow. Results of the validation and numerical analysis of liquid lithium plasma facing components using porous walls will be presented.
Towards an expanded neuroscientific understanding of social play.

Abstract Play has been recognized as a complex and diverse set of behaviors that has been difficult to define. Play can range from rough and tumble play among rats to a human child playing a computer game. Play has been understood to exist in multiple forms such as social, object, and locomotor (Burghardt, 2005). In this article we review the literatures on the neural basis of social play, on heart rate variability, on behavioral switching and set-shifting, on prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex, and on learning at the level of the basal ganglia. Each of these neuronal pathways, aside from heart rate variability, is rooted in the parafascicular nucleus of the thalamus, an important neural substrate for social play. We argue that social play optimally balances a number of opposing neural pathways by engaging systems involved in safety versus danger (heart rate variability), automatized reactions versus learned reactions to new stimuli (behavioral switching and set-shifting), and gating relevant versus less relevant stimuli (prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex). The idea that play, in addition to its role in interpersonal adaptation to social life, may have a central role in optimizing flexibility and creativity in individual response to novelty has been explored by previous authors ( Huizinga, 1955 ; Spinka et al., 2001; Pellegrini et al., 2007; Pellis and Pellis, 2017 ). In this paper we explore the possible underlying neural basis for this function of play, having to do with balancing various neural networks, and in doing so propose an expanded understanding of the nature and function of social play.
The structure of the pro-apoptotic protease granzyme B reveals the molecular determinants of its specificity

Granzyme B is a serine protease of the chymotrypsin fold that mediates cell death by cytotoxic lymphocytes. It is a processing enzyme, requiring extended peptide substrates containing an Asp residue. The determinants that allow for this substrate specificity are revealed in the three-dimensional structure of granzyme B in complex with a macromolecular inhibitor. The primary specificity for Asp occurs through a side-on interaction with Arg 226, a buried Arg side chain of granzyme B. An additional nine amino acids make contact with the substrate and define the granzyme B extended substrate specificity profile. The substrate determinants found in this structure are shared by other members of this protein class and help to reveal the properties that define substrate specificity.
Stereotypic Behavior Disorder

The psychological study of human stereotypic behavior disorder began in the 1960s. Stereotypic behaviors encompass a broad range of response topographies and are emitted for a variety of reasons. Most investigators consider stereotypic behaviors to be voluntary actions repeated over long periods of time, remaining impervious to environmental changes, and developmentally inappropriate. Because stereotypic behavior can interfere with learning and persist across a variety of contexts, several treatment approaches have been developed to reduce stereotypy. This chapter reviews diagnostic features and evidence-based treatments for stereotypic behaviors in people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Treatments are further classified as function-based or non-function-based according to the criteria set forth by the Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedure (1995). Results of this review suggest that only recently have investigators used functional assessment strategies for identifying events maintaining stereotypy. Nonetheless, several treatment strategies have been well-established as long as they are implemented with fidelity and sustained over time. Furthermore, treatment strategies can be tailored to individuals and/or combined in a variety of ways to attenuate stereotypic responding. Well-established function-based treatments for stereotypy include enriched environment, differential reinforcement, and sensory extinction. Well-established non-function-based treatments include exercise, self-monitoring, overcorrection, and response restriction. Inhibitory stimulus control is possibly efficacious for reducing stereotypy. Keywords: stereotypy; enrichment; reinforcement; extinction; exercise; restriction
Abstract T P131: Racial Disparities in Post-Stroke Activity Limitations are not due to Pre-Stroke Activity Limitation Differences

Introduction: African Americans have higher stroke incidence and more long-term disability than whites, in spite of similar stroke severity. We sought to explore whether these differences may be due to differences in pre-stroke functioning. Methods: Initiated in 1968, the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) is a nationally representative US panel survey of approximately 5,000 families and their descendants, including an oversample of African-American families. We studied all PSID household heads and spouses (about 12,000 individuals per year) who reported they had an incident stroke in the prior two-year period (directly or by proxy response) between 2001-2011. PSID queries difficulty with seven different self-care and mobility activities. Our primary outcome was an index representing the sum of total activity limitations (0-7). Racial differences in activity limitations were estimated using survey-weighted descriptive statistics for study waves before, with and after the wave when incident stroke was r...
Enabling Systems Biology: A Scientific Problem-Solving Environment

Biologists today are striving to solve multidisciplinary, complex systems biology questions. To successfully address these questions, software tools must be created to allow scientists to capture data and information, to share this information, and to analyze the data as elements of a complete system. At Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, we are creating the Computational Cell Environment, a biology-centered collaborative problem-solving environment with the goal of providing data retrieval, management, and analysis through all aspects of biological study. A horizontal prototype called SysBioPSE, demonstrates this vision. Our initial work is centered on developing the Distributed Data Management and Analysis subsystem, which is a specific tool for retrieving data from multiple heterogeneous data stores, providing storage facilities that support pedigree tracking and data and information analysis under a common user interface. With time, many such individual subsystems will be developed and integrated to fulfill the Computational Cell Environment vision.
In vitro Fertilization

Fertilization in mammals takes place within the female reproductive tract, so information about mechanisms and molecules regulating them must come largely from studies on in vitro fertilization. Such studies have been most informative about fertilization mechanisms, including chemotaxis, the sperm acrosome reaction, the molecular nature of sperm–egg binding, and events occurring during and after sperm–egg plasma membrane fusion. However, many details remain to be elucidated, such as the molecular nature of sperm capacitation, the precise way in which the spermatozoon traverses the egg's zona pellucida, the identity of the sperm-derived signal that initiates egg activation, the mechanistic linkage between calcium oscillations and subsequent developmental events, and the mechanism by which paternal mitochondria are normally eliminated so that only maternal mtDNA is inherited. A major concern is whether use of novel technologies for alleviating human infertility can introduce anomalies such as paternal mtDNA inheritance, and if so, what consequences this may have for pre- or postnatal development. Until recently, it was difficult to detect small amounts of anomalous mtDNA that might be present within an embryo. However, the application of highly sensitive techniques such as RT-PCR and molecular beacon analysis can compensate for the very small numbers of oocytes that are available for analysis in mammals and so will rapidly provide further insights into the molecular mechanisms of fertilization and subsequent development. Keywords: Assisted Reproductive Technology; Mitochondria; Oocyte; Spermatozoa; Zona Pellucida
That Which Bends Up: A Case Report and Literature Review of Chikungunya Virus

We present a case of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in a 39-year-old female who developed an acute febrile illness marked by polyarthralgia and rash after returning from Saint Lucia. This epidemic-prone pathogen is increasingly likely to be encountered by primary care and hospital physicians in the coming months. The virus was first locally transmitted in the Caribbean in December 2013 and has since spread to 44 countries and 47 US states, affecting a suspected 1.2 million people. A mosquito-borne virus, CHIKV causes a severe and symmetric polyarthralgia that can relapse for months to years, creating debilitating illness and profound socioeconomic consequences. Current treatment is limited to supportive measures, which are dependent on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Research into immunomodulatory agents, antiviral therapies, and vaccines is ongoing. Prevention remains key in slowing the spread of disease. Patient education should focus on personal protective measures, such as insect repellant and remaining indoors, while public health departments should implement strategies to control vector breeding grounds. Given the possibility of relapsing and debilitating disease, general internists should consider CHIKV in the differential diagnosis of a returning traveler with acute onset of fever, polyarthralgia, and rash.
Laboratory Instruments in Clinical Chemistry, Principles of

In the last 40–45 years, instruments have evolved from simple analyzers that analyze few analytes in an hour to auto analyzers that analyze hundreds of tests in a fraction of an hour. A historical perspective on the evolution of the instruments, with discussion on the basic principles of their operation, along with the advantages and limitations of methodologies, is provided. Information on standardization, quality control and quality assurance in the clinical laboratory is also included. The article concludes with a brief discussion on the future developments in instrumentation. The material presented in this article is meant as a reference. For detailed information the reader is referred to other books and publications.
Evaluation of balloon tamponade of the abdominal aorta. An adjunct to the treatment of hemorrhagic shock.

Abstract Intra-aortic balloon tamponade of the infra-diaphragmatic aortic is an effective means of reducing intra-abdominal hemorrhage. However, its therapeutic use when preceeded by hypotension and in the face of persistent hypovolemia, often results in death or hind limb paralysis in dogs.
Nonverbal Communication: The Hand's Role in Talking and Thinking

This chapter is about childrens' use of gesture—how they produce gestures of their own and understand the gestures that others produce. It is divided into six parts and begins by situating gesture within behaviors traditionally identified as nonverbal. Because gesture is intimately tied to speech, it is important to chart its development not only in children whose language-learning follows a typical course (section 2) but also in children for whom language-learning has gone awry (section 3). Gesture turns out to be remarkably versatile, assuming a new form when circumstances require it to assume a new function. Gesture is thus shaped by the functions it serves, rather than by the modality in which it is produced and, as a result, has the potential to tell us about those functions. Section 4 shows that gesture fulfills its potential, providing insight into a child's thoughts and, at times, offering a unique picture of those thoughts. The remainder of the chapter asks what makes us gesture (section 5) and what purpose gesture serves (section 6). The focus is on gesture's role in communication and thinking and whether gesture has an impact on cognitive change. We will find that gesture goes beyond reflecting children's thoughts to having a hand in shaping those thoughts. Keywords: embodied knowledge; gesture; homesign; implicit knowledge; language-learning; language delay; learning; nonverbal communication; sign language; teaching
Information and communication technology and user knowledge-driven innovation in services

AbstractUser knowledge has been an important source of novel product development and innovation, but gathering accurate user knowledge has been time consuming and difficult because user knowledge is tacit and globally dispersed. However, information and communication technology can expand the boundaries by making user knowledge easier and less expensive to access. Structures and organizations are emerging to perform the task of user information gathering. This paper examines the nature of user knowledge and the emergence of a new system/structure for user knowledge gathering and user involvement in innovation. Three case studies of business innovation in three different organizations illustrate the ways that the organization matches the type of innovation with the characteristics of user knowledge. User involvement can occur either through direct input or via feedback provided after customers received services. User input can also be either proactive or reactive. User knowledge is often employed to monito...
Halo-Independent Comparison of Direct Dark Matter Detection Data

We review the halo-independent formalism that allows comparing data from different direct dark matter detection experiments without making assumptions on the properties of the dark matter halo. We apply this method to spin-independent WIMP-nuclei interactions, for both isospin-conserving and isospin-violating couplings, and to WIMPs interacting through an anomalous magnetic moment.
Fenoaltea on open fields: A reply☆

I have argued (Fenoaltea, 1976a) that the open fields can be understood as a productivity-maximizing system: Individuals held diversified portfolios of land to save (labor market) transaction costs in optimizing the schedule of cultivation; communal coordination ensured positive externalities, and was essentially costless in the presence of an underlying consensus as to the most desirable use of the land. To my mind, risk aversion dictated not the structure of the open fields but hard work, abstinence, and storage. Donald McCloskey characterizes these views as conjecture, with no evidence in their favor and some against them; and he claims to have established the empirical validity of his own model of the open fields as behavior toward risk. While I admire the erudition and ingenuity displayed in McCloskey (1976), I do not consider it a successful test of his hypothesis; and I believe the evidence supports my model over his. Let me take up his points in order. McCloskey and I both believe that scattering represented systematic diversification, and that diversification stabilized individual output; we differ on the value (cost) of that stabilization benefit.’ McCloskey (1976, p. 125) believes that medieval peasants paid about 10% of their income to obtain it; I believe that it was quasi-free, because it amounted to no more than a stabilization of output shares that disappears upon aggregation to the village level and could have been readily reproduced without sacrificing productivity (e.g., by interest-free credit rationed in accord with the publicly known incidence of relatively favorable or unfavorable agricultural conditions; Fenoaltea, 1976a, pp. 13 1 ff., 144n).2 Do “the views of the
Estimating occupancy dynamics in an anuran assemblage from Louisiana, USA

ABSTRACT Effective monitoring programs are designed to track changes in the distribution, occurrence, and abundance of species. We developed an extension of Royle and Kery's (2007) single species model to estimate simultaneously temporal changes in probabilities of detection, occupancy, colonization, extinction, and species turnover using data on calling anuran amphibians, collected from 2002 to 2006 in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Louisiana, USA. During our 5-year study, estimates of occurrence probabilities declined for all 12 species detected. These declines occurred primarily in conjunction with variation in estimates of local extinction probabilities (cajun chorus frog [Pseudacris fouquettei], spring peeper [P. crucifer], northern cricket frog [Acris crepitans], Cope's gray treefrog [Hyla chrysoscelis], green treefrog [H. cinerea], squirrel treefrog [H. squirella], southern leopard frog [Lithobates sphenocephalus], bronze frog [L. clamitans], American bullfrog [L. catesbeianus], and Fowle...