cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the LISST-ST instrument for suspended particle size distribution and settling velocity measurements

The Laser In Situ Scattering Transmissometry (LISST) instruments produced by Sequoia Scientific Inc. use light scattering to measure concentration and size distributions of sediment suspensions. In this article, the capabilities of the LISST-ST instrument are studied. The instrument reports the suspended sediment concentration and the settling velocity for eight different size classes by measuring the sediment concentration at the bottom of a small settling column. The size resolution of the LISST-100 and LISST-ST instruments is studied. This study utilizes a new inversion algorithm to obtain the size distribution from the scattered light pattern. In addition, attention is directed to observed deviations in laboratory measurements that may affect the relative concentrations and the settling velocity estimations. These deviations are analyzed in terms of: sample mixing problems; deviations on the settling of a suspension from its ideal behavior; and the effect of the shape of natural particles on laser scattering compared to that of spheres. Results suggests, of these three points the difference in the light scattering by irregular particles compared to the scattering by spheres is the main source of deviation on the settling velocity estimations. Finally, practical recommendations are given in order to gain confidence in the instrument results.
Alpha-Chlorofatty Acid Accumulates in Activated Monocytes and Causes Apoptosis Through Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Objective—Myeloperoxidase-enriched monocytes play important roles in inflammatory disease, such as atherosclerosis. We previously demonstrated that α-chlorofatty aldehydes are produced as a result of plasmalogen targeting by myeloperoxidase-derived hypochlorous acid in activated monocytes. Here, we show α-chlorofatty acid (α-ClFA), a stable metabolite of α-chlorofatty aldehydes, accumulates in activated monocytes and mediates the molecular effects of α-ClFA on monocytes/macrophages. Approach and Results—Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that α-ClFA is elevated 5-fold in phorbol myristate–stimulated human monocytes rising to ≈20 μmol/L when compared with unstimulated cells. Using human THP-1 monocytes and RAW 264.7 cells as in vitro models, we tested the hypothesis that α-ClFA is a cell death mediator that could potentially participate in pathophysiological roles of monocytes in diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Indeed, 2-chlorohexadecanoic acid, the 16-carbon molecular species of α-ClFA, c...
A regression study of the number of efficient extreme points in multiple objective linear programming

In this paper we employ regression analysis to construct relationships for predicting the number of efficient extreme points in MOLPs (multiple objective linear programs) with up to 120,000 efficient extreme points, and the CPU time to compute them. Principal among the factors affecting the number of efficient extreme points and CPU time are the number of objectives, criterion cone size, number of constraints, number of variables, and the nonzero density of the constraint matrix. The regression equations show the degree to which interactions are present among the factors and provide a more formal basis for understanding how the complexity of the efficient set, an indicator of the difficulty involved in solving a multiple criteria problem, increases with problem size.
A family of zero current switching switched-capacitor dc-dc converters

This paper presents a new zero current switching (ZCS) technique for a family of switched-capacitor dc-dc converters. Compared to the traditional ZCS switched-capacitor dc-dc converters by inserting a magnetic core in the circuit, these new ZCS switched-capacitor dc-dc converters employ the stray inductance present in the circuit as the resonant inductor and provide soft switching for the devices. These ZCS switched-capacitor dc-dc converters do not utilize any additional components to minimize switching loss and reduce the current and voltage spike, thus leading to high efficiency and reliable benefit over traditional switched-capacitor dc-dc converters. Moreover, the bulky capacitor bank existing in traditional switched-capacitor circuits for high power high current application to achieve high efficiency was reduced significantly. Small size, low capacitance, low ESR, high current rating and high temperature rating ceramic capacitors can be employed. Therefore, by using proposed ZCS technique, small size, high power density, high efficiency, high temperature rating, and high current rating switched-capacitor dc-dc converter could be built. Simulation and experimental results are given to demonstrate the validity and features of the soft switching switched-capacitor dc-dc converters.
Designability of protein structures: a lattice-model study using the Miyazawa-Jernigan matrix.

We study the designability of all compact 3 × 3 × 3 and 6 × 6 lattice-protein structures using the Miyazawa–Jernigan (MJ) matrix. The designability of a structure is the number of sequences that design the structure, i.e., sequences that have that structure as their unique lowest-energy state. Previous studies of hydrophobic-polar (HP) models showed a wide distribution of structure designabilities. Recently, questions were raised concerning the use of a two-letter (HP) code in such studies. Here, we calculate designabilities using all 20 amino acids, with empirically determined interaction potentials (MJ matrix) and compare with HP model results. We find good qualitative agreement between the two models. In particular, highly designable structures in the HP model are also highly designable in the MJ model—and vice versa—with the associated sequences having enhanced thermodynamic stability. Proteins 2002;49:403–412. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Giving Voice to the Silenced: Using Critical Discourse Analysis to Inform Crisis Communication Theory

Research exists on how a corporation communicates during a crisis, the impact on its reputation, and how well it weathers that crisis. However, crisis communication research tends to view a company’s communication efforts from the standpoint of success or failure; looking at the communication critically to determine if the company’s power influences or silences potentially alternative voices and viewpoints is not currently part of the discussion. This article argues that critical discourse analysis techniques be added to the framework of crisis communication theory in an effort to ensure that the corporation’s message or position of power does not unfairly marginalize or altogether silence alternative discourses.
Secondary Data Analysis of NAEP Visual Arts Mother/Child Block: The Reference Connection Between Government and Users

ABSTRACTReference librarians are situated to provide technical assistance with searches, and they have skills that include the use of government sites. Their assistance can guide users to online repositories, white papers by government contractors, and the published works of secondary analysts. Key to the process is an artful reference interview that continues until an investigative path is clear to the user. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides an example of how skillfully the question environment can be managed by an external agent. A test can manage the environment to a certain point. In the NAEP Mother/Child example in this article, predetermined open-ended questions query what the individual knows and understands already, explore what can be known from given examples, and gradually help the test taker put the information together so as to answer a question about the relationship between artistic means and societal perspectives. Tests can reveal what the participant already ...
Theory of psychological adaptive modes

When an individual is facing a stressor and normal stress-response mechanism cannot guarantee sufficient adaptation, special emotional states, adaptive modes, are activated (for example a depressive reaction). Adaptive modes are involuntary states of mind, they are of comprehensive nature, they interfere with normal functioning, and they cannot be repressed or controlled the same way as many emotions. Their transformational nature differentiates them from other emotional states. The object of the adaptive mode is to optimize the problem-solving abilities according to the situation that has provoked the mode. Cognitions and emotions during the adaptive mode are different than in a normal mental state. These altered cognitions and emotional reactions guide the individual to use the correct coping skills in order to deal with the stressor. Successful adaptation will cause the adaptive mode to fade off since the adaptive mode is no longer necessary, and the process as a whole will lead to raised well-being. However, if the adaptation process is inadequate, then the transformation period is prolonged, and the adaptive mode will turn into a dysfunctional state. Many psychiatric disorders are such maladaptive processes. The maladaptive processes can be turned into functional ones by using adaptive skills that are used in functional adaptive processes.
Performance modeling of CMOS inverters using support vector machines (SVM) and adaptive sampling

Integrated circuit designs are verified through the use of circuit simulators before being reproduced in real silicon. In order for any circuit simulation tool to accurately predict the performance of a CMOS design, it should generate models to predict the transistors electrical characteristics. The circuit simulation tools have access to massive amounts of data that are not only dynamic but generated at high speed in real time, hence making fast simulation a bottleneck in integrated circuit design. Using all the available data is prohibitive due to memory and time constraints. Accurate and fast sampling has been shown to enhance processing of large datasets without knowing all of the data. However, it is difficult to know in advance what size of the sample to choose in order to guarantee good performance. Thus, determining the smallest sufficient dataset size that obtains the same accurate model as the entire available dataset remains an important research question. This paper focuses on adaptively determining how many instances to present to the simulation tool for creating accurate models. We use Support Vector Machines (SVMs) with Chernoff inequality to come up with an efficient adaptive sampling technique, for scaling down the data. We then empirically show that the adaptive approach is faster and produces accurate models for circuit simulators as compared to other techniques such as progressive sampling and Artificial Neural Networks.
Abstract IA14: Preclinical models for targeting oncogenic Ras signaling in cancer.

Somatic RAS mutations occur in 30% of human cancers, and are common in both melanoma and hematopoietic cancers. Importantly, whereas KRAS mutations predominate in epithelial cancers, NRAS is mutated much more often in melanoma and hematopoietic cancers. The most obvious therapeutic strategy for cancers with RAS mutations – developing specific inhibitors of the mutant protein – is extremely challenging due to the very high affinity of Ras for GTP, structural considerations of the Ras/GTPase activating protein (Ras/GAP) molecular switch, and the loss of normal enzymatic activity as a consequence of oncogenic RAS mutations. Given these issues, most recent drug discovery efforts have focused on inhibiting downstream biochemical targets of mutant Ras such as Raf, MEK, and Akt with many compounds undergoing clinical evaluation. We have exploited strains of mice that recapitulate endogenous expression of cancer-associated RAS alleles or NF1 inactivation to model human hematologic cancers and to conduct biologic and preclinical studies. In particular, we have deployed the MOL4070LTR retrovirus as an insertional mutagen to generate genetically heterogeneous transplantable myeloid and lymphoid leukemias characterized by hyperactive Ras signaling. We utilize cohorts of mice that are engrafted with the same primary leukemias for preclinical testing. In this presentation, I will focus on three biologic and therapeutic questions related to NRAS in tumorigenesis: (1) loss of the normal NRAS allele in cancers with oncogenic NRAS mutations; (2) responses of primary Nras mutant leukemias to MEK and PI3 kinase inhibitors; and, (3) potential strategies for selectively targeting oncogenic N-Ras in cancer. Note: This abstract was presented as part of the Joint Session: Clinical Science Interactions between Melanoma and Hematologic Malignancies with the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Melanoma: From Biology to Therapy held September 20-23, 2014 in Philadelphia, PA. Citation Format: Kevin Shannon. Preclinical models for targeting oncogenic Ras signaling in cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Hematologic Malignancies: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapies; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(17 Suppl):Abstract nr IA14.
PRA-Based Inspection for Oconee Unit 3

Guidance for inspecting systems and components at the Oconee Unit 3 nuclear power plant has been developed using information from the plant’s level 3 probabilistic risk assessment (PRA). This information will be used in conjunction with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspection and Enforcement Manual and has been prepared in the form of a plant-specific appendix for incorporation into this manual.
The results of combined drug therapy and early fusion in bone tuberculosis.

This is an early report of a regimen of treatment in which streptomycin, paraaminosalicylic acid, and isonicotinic acid hydrazide were administered to seventeen patients with bone tuberculosis on admittance to the Hospital. These drugs were used continuously and concurrently with surgery, if indicated, until six months after surgery. Fusion seemed to be safe, even in the presence of draining sinuses, after an average of seventy-two days of chemotherapy. There were fifteen successful fusions resulting from the first operation. The period of hospitalization for the patients with bone lesions was less than a year—the average time was 237 days. There were no fatalities in the group and all the patients have returned to their former occupations. We have found that the culture of tissue from extrapulmonary tuberculosis is positive in a large percentage of patients despite chemotherapy. Consequently, we must conclude that therapy with the three drugs is less effective in retarding the advance of extrapulmonary lesions than it is in sterilizing pulmonary tuberculosis.
Use of Mobile Device Accelerometry to Enhance Evaluation of Postural Instability in Parkinson Disease

Abstract Objective To determine the accuracy of inertial measurement unit data from a mobile device using the mobile device relative to posturography to quantify postural stability in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). Design Criterion standard. Setting Motor control laboratory at a clinic. Participants A sample (N=28) of individuals with mild to moderate PD (n=14) and age-matched community-dwelling individuals without PD (n=14) completed the study. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Center of mass (COM) acceleration measures were compared between the mobile device and the NeuroCom force platform to determine the accuracy of mobile device measurements during performance of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT). Analyses examined test-retest reliability of both systems and sensitivity of (1) the equilibrium score from the SOT and (2) COM acceleration measures from the force platform and mobile device to quantify postural stability across populations. Results Metrics of COM acceleration from inertial measurement unit data and the NeuroCom force platform were significantly correlated across balance conditions and groups (Pearson r range, .35 to .97). The SOT equilibrium scores failed to discriminate individuals with and without PD. However, the multiplanar measures of COM acceleration from the mobile device exhibited good to excellent reliability across SOT conditions and were able to discriminate individuals with and without PD in conditions with the greatest balance demands. Conclusions Metrics employing medial-lateral movement produce a more sensitive outcome than the equilibrium score in identifying postural instability associated with PD. Overall, the output from the mobile device provides an accurate and reliable method of rapidly quantifying balance in individuals with PD. The portable and affordable nature of a mobile device with the application makes it ideally suited to use biomechanical data to aid in clinical decision making.
Bulk and interface characterization and modeling of copper indium aluminum gallium selenide (CIAGS) solar cells

The saturation of V O c at larger band gaps in Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 devices presents a major challenge in developing high efficiency solar devices for tandem solar applications. Although recent studies have shown that recombination at the buffer/absorber interface dominates in high Ga samples with wide band gaps, the interface parameters are not well understood to accurately model the device behavior. In this work we have applied temperature dependent CV and DLCP methods to estimate the interface state density along the bandgap in CIGS and CIAGS based solar devices. We have also used DLTS to study the nature of deep levels in CIGS and CIAGS devices. Based on our analysis and device simulation results, we attribute the VOC saturation in wide gap CIAGS devices to increased recombination rate at the interface.
Indicators for Cardiovascular Catastrophe in Diabetic Patients with Renal Failure

Cardiovascular catastrophes are the most common cause of death in dialyzed patients and account for 50% of all patient deaths. Although there has been no change in relative death rate from cardiovascular diseases in hemodialyzed patients, there has been an astounding absolute decrease, particularly early in the first-year mortality, from 50% to 14% over the last decade.(1,2) This has occurred in spite of the marked rise in the age of patients when accepted into dialysis in spite of the fact that more patients with serious systemic diseases are now treated.(2) Actually, recent papers question whether there is still an increased incidence of cardiovascular deaths.(3,4)
Monocyte Mitochondrial Function as a Marker of Calcium Oxalate Stone Formers

The prevalence of kidney stones (KS) is 8.8% in the US and contributes significantly to health care costs. The most common type of KS is the calcium oxalate kidney stone (CaOx-KS). Both inflammatio...
Modeling Denitrifying Stormwater Biofilters Using SWMM5

AbstractUrban stormwater runoff can promote eutrophication by discharging excessive nitrogen loads into downstream surface waters. Conventional stormwater biofiltration systems are inefficient in r...
Identification of Parameters of the Capacitor Equivalent Scheme Using Monte Carlo Methods

The identification of the internal parameters of the model of real capacitor using Monte Carlo methods is considered. It is based on measurement results of the capacitor impedance or admittance components available for selected frequencies on its terminals. The measured parameters and identified parameters are usually linked by a system of nonlinear relationships and their analytical solution is either very troublesome or even non-existent. As an example, parameters of the five-element equivalent circuit of capacitor are identified by two Monte Carlo (MC) methods, single and multi-iterative. The results of simulated measurements of the equivalent impedance components of capacitor at several frequencies are given. From the received distributions of searched parameters, the accuracy of their identification is estimated. Obtained results show that the identification performed by MC multi-iterative method is sufficiently fast and is possible to obtain an acceptable accuracy. Then this MC method is recommended for use in the measurement practice.
Blast Loading Response of Glass Panels

Accidental explosions or bomb blast cause extreme loading on glass structures. This results in the shattering of glass panels. The shattered glass pieces have sharp edges and are moving at very high velocities. Most of the damage to humans is caused by these high velocity glass fragments. Apart from this, the blast pressure entering the building through the shattered window panels can also cause additional injuries to the occupants. Thus a controlled study has been performed to understand the physics behind the fracture and damage mechanisms in glass panels. This will enable us to reduce the shattering of the panels which in turn minimizes the injuries to the occupants.
Chapter 7 - Historical Development

This chapter surveys a growing body of evidence showing the impacts that historical events can have on current economic development. Over the past two decades historical persistence has been documented in a wide variety of time periods and locations, and over remarkably long time horizons. Although progress continues to be made identifying and understanding underlying mechanisms, the existing evidence suggests that cultural traits and formal institutions are both key in understanding historical persistence.
A SiGe BiCMOS Concurrent K/V Dual-Band 16-Way Power Divider and Combiner

A new dual-band 16-way power divider and combiner on a 0.18- ${\mu }\text{m}$ SiGe BiCMOS process that works concurrently over 18–26 GHz (K-band) and 57–64 GHz (V-band) is presented. The 16-way K/V dual-band power divider integrates a two-way K/V dual-band Wilkinson-based power divider with a high-pass filter and multiple broad-band two-way lumped-element and transmission-line Wilkinson power dividers. The two-way dual-band power divider is designed by employing a slow-wave transmission line and two shunt-connected series LC resonators in each arm, leading to miniaturization and low loss with dual-band transmission in K- and V-band, decent return losses, and good isolation of larger than 20 dB over the dual-band. The developed 16-way K/V dual-band power divider possesses good performance over the dual-band. Specifically, it achieves measured insertion losses of 18.4 and 21 dB at 24 and 60 GHz, respectively, with good return losses. Furthermore, it also exhibits measured isolation larger than 20.1 and 17.7 dB between any two output ports at 24 and 60 GHz, respectively.
Comparison of early versus delayed strategies for repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract Purpose For the last seven years, our institution has repaired infants with CDH that require ECMO early after cannulation. Prior to that, we attempted to decannulate before repair, but repaired on ECMO if we were unable to wean after two weeks. This study compares those strategies. Methods From 2002 to 2016, 65 infants with CDH required ECMO. 67.7% were repaired on ECMO, and 27.7% were repaired after decannulation. Data were compared between patients repaired ≤5days after cannulation ("early protocol", n=30) and >5days after cannulation or after de-cannulation ("late protocol", n=35). We used Cox regression to assess differences in outcomes between groups. Results Survival for the early and late protocol groups was 43.3% and 68.8%, respectively (p=0.0485). For patients that were successfully decannulated before repair, survival was 94.4%. Moreover, the early repair protocol was associated with prolongation of ECMO (16.8±7.4 vs. 12.6±6.8days, p =0.0216). After multivariate regression, the early repair protocol was an independent predictor of both mortality (HR=3.48, 95% CI=1.28–9.45, p =0.015) and days on ECMO (IRR=1.39, 95% CI=1.07–1.79, p =0.012). All bleeding occurred in patients repaired on ECMO (29.5%, 13/44). Conclusions Our data suggest that protocolized CDH repair early after ECMO cannulation may be associated with increased mortality and prolongation of ECMO. However, early repair is not necessarily harmful for those patients who would otherwise be unable to wean from ECMO before repair. Further work is needed to better move towards individualized patient care. Type of study Treatment Study. Level of evidence Level III.
Development of an informatics analytics workflow for DAP-seq data exploration and validation for auxin response factors in maize

DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq) is a recently developed technique for transcription factor (TF) binding site discovery that produces datasets like ChIP-seq. A major advantage of the DAP-seq method is that it uses exogenously expressed TFs to directly interrogate genomic DNA, without the need for tagged transgenic lines or gene-specific antibodies while still capturing TF binding events in their genomic sequence context. To assess the accuracy of the DAP-seq, we utilized this method to generate genome wide binding profiles of maize AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORS (ARFs). ARFs are responsible for activating or repressing auxin response genes and play an important role in growth and developmental processes. This provides a typical scenario in which researchers would use DAP-seq to better understand how this important family of TFs regulates gene expression. The informatics analysis workflow consists of a selection of highly validated read aligners and transcription factor binding site prediction bioinformatics tools supported by in-house built custom python scripts. We investigate the accuracy of pattern mining underlying the ARF binding signatures with respect to the presence and position of conserved motifs. ARFs are known to bind as dimers to pairs of TGTC motifs as direct repeats, inverted repeats and everted repeats. Based on this knowledge, our workflow mines the DAP-seq datasets to find specific genomic regions with such signatures. After each round of mining, we validate the accuracy of results with known patterns and domain knowledge from our collaborators.
Differential effects of cattle, mule deer, and elk herbivory on aspen forest regeneration and recruitment

Abstract The abundance and composition of ungulate herbivore communities are changing globally, which can impact the resilience and function of Earth’s ecosystems. Impacts from herbivory are compounded in areas where multiple ungulates overlap, which is common in forest ecosystems. The objective of this study was to examine the differential and combined effects of ungulate communities (deer, elk, and cattle) on aspen forest recruitment after fires that occurred in 2012. Eight sets of differential ungulate exclosures, monitored by camera traps, were established across three National Forests in Utah. We identified the differential effect of each of three ungulate species using fencing that allowed for deer-only, native ungulate only (deer and elk), all ungulates and a complete ungulate exclosure. Over a three year period (2013–2016) we quantified ungulate species impacts on aspen height, density, and browse rates using camera trap photos. Ungulate activity was nearly 10-fold higher in two National Forests compared to the third, and gradually decreased over time. Meristem removal by ungulates in unfenced plots across sites averaged 60% which we identified as a critical threshold point for aspen recruitment failure. All three ungulate species had significant and similar effects on aspen regeneration success, but when adjusted for differences in estimated forage intake (animal unit months), differential impacts became apparent (deer > elk > cattle). We estimated that 4 cattle per camera−1 day−1 and 2.5 deer or elk per camera−1 day−1 was sufficient to reach the critical recruitment threshold of 60% removal of apical meristems. We conclude that ungulates species differentially influence aspen regeneration and recruitment, and that ungulate browsing above 30% meristem removal impairs aspen recruitment with recruitment failure occurring above 60% meristem loss.
Some Potential Contributions of Social Psychology to Public Education in the Face of the Current Disinvestment in Education

In a recently published commentary on the state of funding for education in California, Wendy Brown (2010:3) argues that “California’s disinvestment in education not only entrenches and deepens inequalities, not only breaks the promise of opportunity for every able student, not only chokes the engine of invention and achievement that built California’s twentieth century glory, it destroys the fundament of democracy itself—an educated citizenry capable of thoughtful analysis and informed judgment.” She is not the only person worried about the consequences of the general disinvestment in education currently occurring across the nation as states and local communities struggle to balance tight budgets in the aftermath of the worst economic recession in US history in terms of its magnitude and its persistent, lingering effects on the economy. Faced with tough choices, citizens and their representatives seem to be backing away from the challenges confronting educational institutions at all levels, especially those in the public sector that rely heavily on public financing. Given the depth of the recession, it does not appear likely that private funding will be able to close the gap. Brown captures succinctly the reasons we should all be losing sleep over the state of education in the nation. And, those affected exist not only in the K–12 schools, but on either ends of the spectrum—in preschools and in our institutions of higher education, as funding for all of these programs is cut.
Sigmoid Colectomy and Left Hemicolectomy: Laparoscopic Approach

The purpose of this chapter is to review the technique of performing a laparoscopic sigmoid resection and left hemicolectomy. The essential steps of the procedure will be discussed in detail, including patient positioning, port placement, identification of key structures (inferior mesenteric artery pedicle, tumor, and ureter), mobilization techniques, extraction sites, and methods of reconstruction. While there are many different approaches to performing a sigmoid resection or Hartmann’s reversal, this chapter will describe the pure laparoscopic approach. Additionally, specific considerations and challenges encountered while performing a sigmoid resection will be reviewed.
Prionochelys matutina Zangerl, 1953 (Testudines: Pan-Cheloniidae) from the Late Cretaceous of the United States and the evolution of epithecal ossifications in marine turtles

Background Many neritic to nearshore species of marine adapted turtle from the Late Cretaceous of North America are thought to represent the stem lineage of Cheloniidae but due to fragmentary holotypes, low total specimen counts, and resultantly incomplete morphological character suites, are routinely placed either within or outside of crown group Chelonioidea leaving their precise cladistic affinities uncertain. Despite this systematic ambiguity, the referral of these species to either the stem of Cheloniidae or Chelonioidea belies the critical importance of these taxa in any investigation into the origins of extant marine turtles. The adequate incorporation of these species into phylogenetic studies requires the formal description of relatively complete specimens, particularly those possessing associated cranial and post-cranial material. Methods Remarkably complete fossil specimens of several adult and juvenile marine turtles from the Mooreville Chalk and Eutaw Formations (Alabama, USA) are formally described and assigned to Prionochelys matutina. This material provides new information into the anatomy, ontogeny, and cladistic affinities of the species. A phylogenetic hypothesis for Late Cretaceous marine turtles is then generated through the consilience of stratigraphic, morphological, and molecular data. Results Phylogenetic analysis places Prionochelys matutina on the stem of Cheloniidae as a member of a monophyletic clade with other putative pan-cheloniids, including Ctenochelys stenoporus, Ctenochelys acris, Peritresius martini, and Peritresius ornatus. The members of this clade possess incipient secondary palates, pronounced carapacial and plastral fontanelles at all stages of development, and are characterized by the presence of superficial ossifications at the apices of the neural keel elevations along the dorsal midline of the carapace. Discussion The epithecal osteoderms dorsal to the neural series (epineurals) found in Ctenochelyidae are unique among turtles. The presence of epineurals in ctenochelyid turtles shows that epithecal ossifications arose independently in both leatherback (Dermochelyidae) and hard-shelled (Cheloniidae) marine turtles. Whether or not the epineurals of Ctenochelyidae are homologous with the dermal ossicles comprising the carapace of Dermochelys coriacea remains untested however, histological thin sectioning of dermochelyid and ctenochelyd epithecal elements may reveal meaningful information in future studies.
Numerical Investigation of Geometric Size Effect on the Internal Heated Water Pool Natural Convection Behavior

Abstract The internal heated melt pool natural convection behavior is one of the important phenomena in the nuclear reactor severe accident investigation aspect. Based on the previous research, the Nusselt number is the function of the internal Rayleigh number, and the geometric size could affect the internal Rayleigh number in the order of 5. According to the previous experimental and simulation results, the relationship of Nusselt number and internal Rayleigh number varies with different tests and conditions, and the local heat transfer coefficient is also varied with the vessel polar angle. Therefore, it is important to investigate how geometric size could affect the internal heated melt pool natural convection behavior. In the present work, the validation of numerical simulation method is conducted through comparison with the COPRA water test experimental data. Then the geometric size effect on the internal heated water pool natural convection behavior is investigated by using ANSYS FLUENT 18.2 and the wall modeled large eddy simulation (WMLES) turbulence model is applied in the current simulation. The water pool temperature distribution, water pool velocity distribution, and local heat flux along the curved wall are obtained in this study. The mechanism of geometric size effect on the internal heated water pool natural convection behavior is investigated. Besides, both the upward and downward Nusselt number with internal Rayleigh number correlations are proposed based on the current simulation results. Based on the current simulation, the cases with 0.1 m, 0.3 m and 0.5 m water pool radius show the similar natural circulation behavior in the temperature distribution and heat flux distribution aspects, and the cases with 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m and 2.5 m water pool radius show another type of natural circulation behavior. However, the cases with 0.1 m, 0.3 m, 0.5 m and 1.0 m water pool radius show the similar Nusselt number with internal Rayleigh number correlations, and the cases with 1.5 m, 2.0 m and 2.5 m water pool radius show another type of Nusselt number with internal Rayleigh number correlations. The present study could provide useful references for the severe accident management, and further improve the understanding of how geometric size could affect the internal heated water pool natural convection behavior.
Nivolumab to pembrolizumab switch induced a durable melanoma response: A case report.

AbstractRationale:While checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of melanoma, it is not known whether switching from one monoclonal antibody drug to another one would be justified in the case of a treatment failure. Herein, we report a case illustrating a durable response to pembroliz
Immunological predictors of fatigue outcomes in prostate cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.

e16130 Background: Fatigue is one of the most debilitating side effects of cancer therapy, and it persists long after treatment completion. In this study, we aimed to examine correlations between l...
Children’s Poster Contest on Healthy Eating

Objective: To encourage children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades to learn about good nutrition and display their knowledge in an attractive poster. Method: A children’s poster contest was conducted through schools in the Washington, DC metro area in conjunction with the 2004 National Health Education Week’s campaign, “Healthy Eating – Every Bite Counts!”. Posters were judged on a 100 point scale, and six winners were chosen for each grade level. The children with the winning posters received cash prizes and were honored at an awards ceremony at the Society for Public Health Education’s (SOPHE) annual meeting. Results: Eligible entries were received from 76 students at 14 schools in the Arlington, VA and Washington, DC school districts. Almost all of the posters showed a good knowledge of nutrition by the students. Conclusion: National Health Education Week themes that are specific to children should encourage participation among schools, teachers, and parents. Partnerships offer possibilities for dissemination of public health education campaigns. A children’s poster contest about healthy eating in schools in the Washington, DC area was successful in gaining 76 entries from 14 schools, and children displayed a high level of knowledge of which foods were healthy for them and a high level of creativity and artistic talent.
Comprehensive Analysis of Factors Associated with Out-of-Sequence Construction

AbstractOut-of-sequence work (OOS) is an activity or series of activities that were not performed according to baseline planned logical productive sequencing. Since OOS significantly weakens projec...
Determining the dielectric constant of injection-molded polymer-matrix nanocomposites filled with barium titanate.

Barium titanate (BTO) is a ferroelectric perovskite with potential in energy storage applications. Previous research suggests that BTO dielectric constant increases as nanoparticle diameter decreases. This report recounts an investigation of this relationship. Injection-molded nanocomposites of 5 vol% BTO nanoparticles incorporated in a low-density polyethylene matrix were fabricated and measured. Finite-element analysis was used to model nanocomposites of all BTO sizes and the results were compared with experimental data. Both indicated a negligible relationship between BTO diameter and dielectric constant at 5 vol%. However, a path for fabricating and testing composites of 30 vol% and higher is presented here.
Laser-Assisted Chemical Etching of Inorganic Materials: Mechanistic Studies

Recent advances in applications of lasers to induce chemical etching and vapor deposition have raised the firm expectation that the laser chemical techniques may have significant impact on processing materials for microelectronics. In laser-induced chemical etching, it has been shown in various laboratories that a rather wide range of solid materials can be potentially processed by lasers [1,2]. These include the etching of semiconductors such as Si [3–9], Ge [10], GaAs [11–13] and InP [11], metals such as Ta [14], Te [15,16], Ni and Fe [lb], insulators such as SiO2 [15,17,18], and magnetic and ceramic materials such as MnZn ferrites [1a,9a] and TiC-Al2O3 [1b, 16], by various halogen-containing gases excited by ultraviolet, visible and infrared lasers. The laser-enhanced etch rates can be greater than 50 μm/sec and submicron spatial resolution has also been demonstrated.
365. Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to a regional health system in the southeast

Background: COVID-19, first described in Wuhan, China, is now a global pandemic We describe a cohort of patients (pts) admitted to our academic health system (HS) in the southeast, where demographics and comorbidities differ significantly from other regions in the U S Methods: This was a retrospective review of 161 consecutive pts admitted with COVID-19 from 3/12/20 to 6/1/20 We assessed demographics, comorbidities, presenting symptoms, treatments and outcomes and compared pts who died during hospitalization to those who survived to discharge (EpiInfo 7 2, Atlanta, GA) Results: Mean age was 60 5 years, 51 6% were female, 72% African American (AA) and 69 6% admitted from home 54 5% had a BMI >30, 72% had HTN, 47 2% diabetes, and 33 6% COPD or asthma The majority (68 8%) presented with fever (>38 0) and required supplemental oxygen within 8 hours of admission (63 4%) Cough (65 6%), dyspnea (57 5%), myalgias (30 6%) and diarrhea (23 8%) were also common 40 4% received hydroxychloroquine, 23 6% steroids and 19 9% convalescent plasma 42 9% required ICU care, 27 3% were intubated, and 19 3% died Characteristics associated with death included older age, male sex, HTN, ESRD on HD, and cancer Symptoms associated with death included absence of cough, absence of myalgias, previous admission for COVID- 19, tachypnea, need for supplemental oxygen, elevated BUN and creatinine, and elevated ferritin Interventions associated with death included use of steroids, receipt of ICU care, intubation, delay to intubation, and use of vasopressors or inotropes Complications associated with death included development of a new arrhythmia, bacteremia, pneumonia, ARDS, thrombosis, and new renal failure requiring HD (Table) Conclusion: COVID-19 pts admitted to our southeast U S HS had significant comorbidities, most commonly obesity, HTN, and diabetes Additionally, AA comprised a disproportionate share (72%) of our cohort compared to the general population of our state (30%), those tested in our region (32 9%), and those found to be positive for COVID-19 (35 8%) In-hospital mortality was 19 3% and intubation, particularly if delayed, was associated with death as were several complications, most notably arrhythmia, ARDS, and renal failure with HD
Iterating for Inclusion: A Cross-Case Analysis of Three Summer Writing Programs for Youth

This paper reports a cross-case analysis of three summer writing programs for youth in the northeast United States, each a longitudinal study in the tradition of design research. Initially, all thr...
Compounding Effects of Social Vulnerability and Recurring Natural Disasters on Mental and Physical Health.

Objective This study evaluated the relationships between the occurrence of recent and recurring natural disasters on the incidence of acute and chronic health outcomes at the census tract level in 500 cities across the United States between 2001 and 2015. Methods Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 500 cities data set, the CDC Social Vulnerability Index, and the US Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Database, we modeled the incidence of self-reported, poor mental and physical health, or a clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure or asthma in census tracts (N = 27 204 tracts in 500 cities) that had experienced recent or recurring natural disasters while controlling for social and environmental risk factors. Results Communities that experienced a natural disaster in the previous 5 years compared to those that had not had a higher incidence of poor mental health (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02), poor physical health (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.04), high blood pressure (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.05), and asthma (RR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02). The incidence of these poor health outcomes increased 1-2% with each additional year that a community experienced a disaster. Conclusions Prevention and preparedness plans that work to build resilience in communities before disasters should focus on closing the gap in environmental and social determinants that have been linked with disproportionate health burdens and slow recovery post-disaster.
BBS4 and BBS5 show functional redundancy in the BBSome to regulate the degradative sorting of ciliary sensory receptors

Cilia harbor sensory receptors for various signaling cascades critical for vertebrate development. However, the mechanisms underlying the ciliary homeostasis of sensory receptors remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that BBS-4 and BBS-5, two distinct BBSome components, show unexpected functional redundancy in the context of cilia in C. elegans. BBS-4 directly interacts with BBS-5 and the interaction can be disrupted by a conserved mutation identified in human BBS4. Surprisingly, we found that BBS-4 and BBS-5 act redundantly in the BBSome to regulate the ciliary removal, rather than the ciliary entry or retrograde IFT transport, of various sensory receptors. Further analyses indicate that co-depletion of BBS-4 and BBS-5 disrupts the lysosome-targeted degradative sorting of ciliary sensory receptors. Moreover, mammalian BBS4 and BBS5 also interact directly and coordinate the ciliary removal of polycystin 2. Hence, we reveal a novel and highly conserved role for the BBSome in fine-tuning ciliary signaling by regulating the ciliary removal of sensory receptors for lysosomal degradation.
Reversibility in Glutathione-Conjugate Formation

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrate that the discussions present in the chapter, it is evident that reversibility in Glutathion (γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine; GSH) GSH conjugate formation may represent a toxicologically important phenomenon largely for compounds bearing preformed isothiocyanate, isocyanate, or α , β- unsaturated carbonyl functionalities and for foreign compounds that can be metabolized to such electrophilic species. However, it is to be expected that new examples of reversible GSH conjugation emerges from metabolic studies on the current generation of drug candidates, which are characterized by increasingly complex structures and nontraditional functional groups. In addition, developments in high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for the direct analysis of crude biological specimens facilitates the study of GSH adducts that can revert spontaneously to their respective precursors in aqueous solution.
Gaussian Time-Dependent Variational Principle for Bosons

Abstract We investigate the Dirac time-dependent variational method for a system of non-ideal Bosons interacting through an arbitrary two body potential. The method produces a set of non-linear time dependent equations for the variational parameters. In particular we have considered small oscillations about equilibrium. We obtain generalized RPA equations that can be understood as interacting quasi-bosons, usually mentioned in the literature as having a gap. The result of this interaction provides us with scattering properties of these quasi-bosons including possible bound-states, which can include zero modes. In fact the zero mode bound state can be interpreted as a new quasi-boson with a gapless dispersion relation. Utilizing these results we discuss a straightforward scheme for introducing temperature.
A robust frequency compensation scheme for LDO regulators

In the frequency compensation scheme of low drop out (LDO) voltage regulators, a zero generated by the series combination of load capacitor and its electro static resistance (ESR) plays an important role. This frequency compensation tends to be inefficient, as one has to take into consideration a range of specified values for load capacitor and R/sub ESR/, along with their variation with process and temperature. This paper presents a robust frequency compensation scheme that generates a zero internally without relying on RESR of load capacitor. The proposed frequency compensation has better RF noise rejection, low power consumption and improved transient response. The LDO regulator is designed in 0.35/spl mu/m TSMC technology.
Model Versus Military Pilot A Mixed-Methods Study of Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Women in Varied Occupations

Using an experimental methodology, the present study investigated adolescents’ attitudes toward media images of women in non-appearance-focused (CEO and military pilot) and appearance-focused occup...
End the Deadlock on Governance of Geoengineering Research

(7), but attention and controversy have centered on methods to reduce incoming sunlightfor example, spreading refl ective in the stratosphere or spraying condensation nuclei to increase low ocean clouds