cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Sulfate Concentrations in Water Used During Chemical Stabilization and Its Potential Impact on Sulfate Induced Heave

The occurrence of sulfate-induced heave of roadways that were chemically stabilized with either lime or cement can require expensive road repairs. Previous research attributed the heave to the formation of an expansive mineral named ettringite. However, not all chemically stabilized soils will exhibit heave. The overall goal of this research was to determine if the sulfate concentration in water can contribute to, or even cause, sulfate induced heave. Two soils, one with a soluble sulfate level below 3000 mg/kg and one with >8000 mg/kg sulfate, were stabilized with either lime or cement and subjected to a capillary soak with distilled water or saturated sulfate water. The low sulfate soils did not swell above the accepted limit of 1.5 %. The high sulfate soils swelled significantly (p < 0.05) above accepted level regardless of the stabilizer used. Overall, stabilized soils subjected to a capillary soak with saturated sulfate water swelled more than soils soaked with distilled water. The results found in this study demonstrated that cement will increase the axial load capacity of the soil, but the soil will still have the potential to heave excessively if sulfate and aluminum are present above the stoichiometric requirements to from ettringite.
Development of tolerance to depressant effects of atropine on isolated rabbit ileum.

Summary1) Repeated exposure of isolated sections of rabbit ileum to atropine (40 μg%), with washings 10 min after each exposure, results in development of tolerance, such that by sixth or seventh exposure, the depressant effects of atropine on height of spontaneous contraction are minimal or even abolished. The phenomenon of tolerance appears to be associated with gradual accumulation of atropine within the tissue. 2) Repeated exposure of rabbit ileum to adiphenine (1 mg%) results in no observable tendency toward the development of tolerance. Moreover, when adiphenine is applied to ileum which previously has been made tolerant to atropine, adiphenine is fully effective in depressing the height of spontaneous contraction.
Numerical Simulations of Vortex Generating Jets on Low Pressure Turbine Blades

The combination of low Reynolds number (~20,000) and adverse pressure gradient can induce laminar separation in low pressure turbine sections of a gas turbine propulsion system. Total pressure loss generated by the separation zone has a negative impact on overall engine efficiency. Vortex generating jets have been shown to mitigate laminar separation and offer the ability to actively adapt to varying flight conditions. Various fluid dynamics mechanisms have been observed in jet-affected flow fields such as primary vorticity and turbulent transition. Understanding the appearance and behavior of these mechanisms will aid future implementation of this flow control system into flight hardware. Direct numeric simulations were evaluated for use in analyzing these flow fields. Benchmark data in the blade wake and near the jet hole were obtained from hot film anemometry, particle image velocimetry, and various pressure measurements. Uncontrolled blade wakes behave comparably to experimental observations in terms of t ime-averaged velocity and pressure fields. Steady state and pulsed flow control simulations are shown to successfully mitigate separation effects. Separated shear layer dynamics occurring in response to pulsed jets are observed and discussed. The results s how the presence of non-linear shear layer distortion just prior to separation zone elimination. Short duration, low blowing ratio pulsed jets were shown to be just as effective as steady blowing jets.
Intrahyphal Hyphae in the Basidiomycete, Gloeophyllum (Lenzites) Saepiarium

cells were placed on freshly made 2% cornmeal agar, the swarm cells converted to nonflagellated myxamoebae as the water evaporated from the drops. These amoebae divided and produced large populations, and reverted to the swarm-cell stage if given a covering layer of water. Often plasmodia were produced and made small "tracks" in the mass of bacteria that arose from those present in the original drops of water; such plasmodia gave rise to typical sporangia. These results agree with the account of Indira and Kalyanasundaram (1963) for Stemonitis herbatica Peck. These authors refute the idea that all stemonitaceous
A Nonparametric Index of Stratification

The author presents a nonparametric approach to measuring stratification that highlights the distinction between stratification and inequality. Using pairwise comparison of ranks, the author develops an index of stratification that gauges the overall degree to which population subgroups occupy distinct strata with respect to a hierarchical outcome. This new index possesses a number of desirable properties that are not satisfied by existing measures of stratification. The overall index can be decomposed as a weighted average of pair-specific indices of stratification, which capture the extent of separation between any two particular groups. Besides, this index can be easily extended to measure conditional stratification through control of a third variable. In addition, the author builds a parallel between stratification and inequality in their measurement by developing a general formula of which the index of stratification and the Gini index of inequality can be considered as two special cases. Finally, th...
Certain Aspects of the Genetic Factors Involved in the Control of the Larval Diapause of the Pink Bollworm

Nondiapause as a genetic character in the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), was effectively selected. After 23 generations of mass selection the experimental population was 99.85% free of diapause. It was concluded that the nondiapause character was not in equilibrium in the eleventh generation of selection, that it is not sex-linked, and that temperature and photoperiod must stimulate diapause through the same or a very closely related genetic system.
Osmotic Pressure Simulations of Amino Acids and Peptides Highlight Potential Routes to Protein Force Field Parameterization.

Recent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of proteins have suggested that common force fields overestimate the strength of amino acid interactions in aqueous solution. In an attempt to determine the causes of these effects, we have measured the osmotic coefficients of a number of amino acids using the AMBER ff99SB-ILDN force field with two popular water models, and compared the results with available experimental data. With TIP4P-Ew water, interactions between aliphatic residues agree well with experiment, but interactions of the polar residues serine and threonine are found to be excessively attractive. For all tested amino acids, the osmotic coefficients are lower when the TIP3P water model is used. Additional simulations performed on charged amino acids indicate that the osmotic coefficients are strongly dependent on the parameters assigned to the salt ions, with a reparameterization of the sodium/carboxylate interaction reported by the Aksimentiev group significantly improving description of the osmo...
Research on Intercity Traffic Model in Virtual Societies

Traffic model is an important component of Synthetic Critical Infrastructure Simulation Environment(SCISE) in Virtual Societies.Traffic model includes intercity Traffic Model and intracity Traffic Model.Based on traditional four-step traffic model and our requirement of construct SCISE,a new intercity traffic model and its framework structure were put forward.The function of each sub module was defined.The main class types of the model were specifically designed.At last,the software realization method,main module algorithms and simulation result of the model was presented.The simulation result shows that the intercity traffic model was reasonable and right.
Interval mobile chemical analyzer measures the phenolic compounds in the air of residential areas

Objective:To study segmented flow chemical analysis in the air of the residential areas.Methods:Phenolic compounds in the air are absorbed by 4 g/L sodium hydroxide solution,PH value of the sample solution adjusted to 10±0.2 and directly injection.Content of phenolic compounds is determined by segmented flow chemical analysis instrument.Results:The concentration of its linear relationship in the concentration range of 0.25 mg/L～25.0 mg/L,when it is r≥0.999,the detection limit is 0.002 mg/L,the relative deviation is 1.0%～3.6%,and the recovery rate is in the range of 98%～104%,20 samples can be analyzed every hour.Conclusion:It is very easy to measure phenolic compounds in the air of residential areas in segmented flow chemical analysis instrument,good precision and accuracy,especially for large quantities of samples.
Observational Evidence for Buprenorphine's Impact on Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Veterans With Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder.

Objective Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, and substance use disorders are prevalent co-occurring conditions that are challenging to treat individually, and there is no evidence-based treatment for all 3. Buprenorphine, used to treat opioid use disorder and chronic pain, is a partial nociceptin opioid receptor agonist. In preclinical studies, a nociceptin opioid receptor agonist was shown to mitigate PTSD symptoms in acute trauma. We compared buprenorphine to other opioid medications in its impact on PTSD symptoms in patients with chronic pain and opioid and/or other substance use disorders. Method We assembled a retrospective cohort of 382 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in US Department of Veterans Affairs health care from October 1, 2007, to July 29, 2013, with ICD-9-CM diagnoses of PTSD, chronic pain, and substance use disorders. We used time-varying general estimating equation models to assess the primary outcome, which was change in PTSD symptoms (measured using the PTSD Checklist and the Primary Care PTSD Screen) among veterans initiated on sublingual buprenorphine versus those maintained on moderately high-dose opioid therapy. Results Twice as many veterans in the buprenorphine group (23.7%) compared to those in the opioid therapy group (11.7%) experienced improvement in PTSD symptoms (P = .001). Compared to veterans in the opioid therapy group, veterans receiving buprenorphine showed significant improvement in PTSD symptoms after 8 months, with increasing improvement up to 24 months (incidence rate ratio = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.16-2.77; P = .009). There were no differences in the longitudinal course of pain ratings between groups. Conclusions This observational study is the first to report an incidental effect of buprenorphine compared to opioid therapy in improving PTSD symptoms in veterans.
Infants Born Late Preterm: Indications and Recommendations for Obstetric Care

The preterm birth rate in the United States continues to rise, and the long-term consequences of prematurity are innumerable. Late preterm births account for most of the rise in preterm births, and such infants have increased morbidity and mortality compared with their term counterparts. Delivery indications for late preterm births include preterm labor, maternal comorbidities (diabetes, hypertensive disorders), multiple gestations, and fetal problems (abnormal growth, amniotic fluid abnormalities). In a pregnancy with these high-risk issues, delivery timing is determined to optimize maternal and fetal health and minimize the risk for stillbirth. Labor inductions and cesarean deliveries may account for a significant proportion of late preterm births. Following guidelines established by prior studies can prevent some of these late preterm births.
A perspective on wireless networks for education

We discuss how wireless computer networks may be used in schools, both K-12 and colleges, to improve the quality of education. It relates schools' reasons for installing computer networks, including a drive for increased authenticity in education, and mentions their options of installing wired or wireless networks. The ease of installation and flexibility in physical resource allocation and instructional design of wireless networks, along with the educational benefits they offer to students, make them a viable choice for schools. We explain the educational needs and requirements for wireless networks. New developments like mobile computer labs are discussed. The most criticized feature of wireless networks, security, is examined; and ways of improving security are discussed. The conclusion is that the disadvantages of wireless networks are outweighed by their educational and cost advantages. In most circumstances wireless networks can provide a superior educational environment.
Structural and energetic properties of haloacetonitrile – GeF4 complexes

Abstract The 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of FCH2CN and ClCH2CN with GeF4 have been investigated by M06/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations, low-temperature, thin-film IR spectroscopy, and an x-ray structure has been obtained for (FCH2CN)2–GeF4. Theoretical structures and binding energies for FCH2CN–GeF4 and ClCH2CN–GeF4 demonstrate that halogen substitution significantly weakens the Ge-N dative bonds. The Ge-N distances for the F- and Cl-complexes (2.447 and 2.407 A, respectively) are about 0.2 A longer than in CH3CN–GeF4, and the binding energies (6.5 and 6.9 kcal/mol) are 2–3 kcal/mol less. Furthermore, the Ge-N potential curves are flatter for the halogenated complexes, exhibit a greater response to dielectric media, and thus these systems are more prone to structural change in condensed-phases. For the 2:1 complexes, experimental and theoretical structure and frequency data are consistent with differences in the (calculated) gas-phase and solid-state structures. For (FCH2CN)2–GeF4 the calculated gas-phase structure has Ge-N distances about 0.3 A longer those in the x-ray structure (2.366 A vs. 2.059 A (ave)). Also, low-temperature IR spectra of CH3CN/GeF4, FCH2CN/GeF4, and ClCH2CN/GeF4 thin films are consistent with the presence of 2:1 nitrile:GeF4 complexes, and the splitting patterns of the GeF-stretching bands (∼700 cm−1) match predictions for the corresponding complexes, but are red-shifted relative to the gas-phase predictions, and reflect Ge-N bonds that are compressed in the solid-state, relative to predicted gas-phase structures.
Policing in Hong Kong: history and reform

Hong Kong is recognized as one of the safest and most stable societies in the world. The Hong Kong Police (HKP) also has gained a reputation as one of the finest police forces. Over the last 175 ye...
Simulating optoelectronics/MEMS hermetic packaging process with finite element method

For this work we have designed a hermetic packaging for a photonic Mini-module of 10Gb/s type. The device has a laser diode (LD) at the heart and other parts are mainly for mounting the LD light coupling paths and interconnects and providing mechanical stability as well as means of cooling. Another important part of the device is a photo diode (PD) which actually monitors the emitting optical, power of the LD. The main issue of this work is to determine the optical misalignment and coupling between the lasing line of LD and fiber core (about 9 microns in diameter), which is the direct measure of transmission efficiency of the device during the complete manufacturing process. We simulated the manufacturing process of the whole device and finally the hermetic sealing with ABAQUS finite element program. The materials for the actual package components are simplified with the available common materials before all the material data are available. The results of the thermo-mechanical FE analyses are obtained as the displacement and stress induced during the each step of seam welding process due to the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch of the different materials of different parts. The thermal stress generated during the testing and operational heating of the LD is not taken into account for this paper.
Adoption of body cameras by United States police agencies: an organisational analysis

In the wake of recent high-profile lethal force incidents in the United States, police agencies have felt pressure to mandate that officers wear cameras to video record encounters with citizens. In...
‘A Distant Idea of Proximity’: How Keats Handled Beauty

This essay brings together two questions that worried John Keats: first, can beautiful things (urns, mythologies, poems) suffer damage through mishandling or misinterpretation? Second, must the poe...
Decisional regret following ventilation tube insertion.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to see if parental regret following ventilation tube (VT) insertion was related to non-resolution of ear infections and thus ongoing need for otolaryngological care and VT reinsertion. Materials and methods All consecutive parents presenting with children who had VT in place were given a validated regret survey and asked the reason for their visit. Chart review was used for medical history. Results Two hundred and ten respondents were included. The children involved had a mean age of 5.2 years, 63.3% were male, and mean number of years since first VT insertion was 1.12 with a range of 0.04–9.28 years. 70.5% had a regret score of 0, with mean score 6.98 (95%CI 5.11–8.85). Scores were significantly higher for parents who presented their child with an ear complaint such as otorrhea (15.52, 95%CI 7.67–23.37, p = 0.004). Parents whose children had a history of reflux had significantly lower regret scores than parents whose children did not have a history of reflux (3.33 versus 7.89, p = 0.007). Parental regret was unrelated to patient age, other comorbidities, indication for initial tube insertion, hearing status on the day of inquiry, number of sets of tubes, visits for otorrhea, prescriptions given for eardrops, clinic visits, or length of follow-up. Conclusion Transient factors may influence decisional regret at any given time. For parents whose children receive VT, regret is not related to prolonged specialized ear care and need for VT reinsertion.
The Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansions and Personal Finance

Using a novel data set from a major credit bureau, we examine the early effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions on personal finance. We analyze less common events such as personal bankruptcy, and more common occurrences such as medical collection balances, and change in credit scores. We estimate triple-difference models that compare individual outcomes across counties that expanded Medicaid versus counties that did not, and across expansion counties that had more uninsured residents versus those with fewer. Results demonstrate financial improvements in states that expanded their Medicaid programs as measured by improved credit scores, reduced balances past due as a percent of total debt, reduced probability of a medical collection balance of $1,000 or more, reduced probability of having one or more recent medical bills go to collections, reduction in the probability of experiencing a new derogatory balance of any type, reduced probability of incurring a new derogatory balance equal to $1,000 or more, and a reduction in the probability of a new bankruptcy filing.
Efficient data lookup in non-DHT based low diameter structured P2P network

In this paper, we have considered a recently reported non-DHT based structured P2P system. The architecture is based on Linear Diophantine Equation (LDE) and it is an interest-based system; it offers very efficient data lookup. However, the architecture is restricted in that a peer cannot possess more than one distinct resource type. This may reduce the scope of its application. In this paper, we have extended the work by considering a generalization of the architecture, that is, a peer can possess multiple distinct resource types. We have proposed an efficient data lookup algorithm with time complexity bounded by (2+r/2); r is the number of distinct resource types. We have discussed about an alternative lookup scheme that needs constant number of hops and constant number of message exchanges. Besides, churn handling and ring maintenance have been shown to be very efficient.
Turning a hobby into millions

Before Philip King sold his five bookstores in Christchurch roughly 10 years ago to Whitcoulls, a large Australian-owned bookstore and office supplies operation, he hardly fancied himself as an entrepreneur. Books were his passion: He loved to read. However, his first job was selling barbeque charcoal to New Zealand℉s South Island residents.
INSIGHT responsive parenting intervention reduces infant’s screen time and television exposure

Sedentary behaviors, including screen time, in childhood have been associated with an increased risk for overweight. Beginning in infancy, we sought to reduce screen time and television exposure and increase time spent in interactive play as one component of a responsive parenting (RP) intervention designed for obesity prevention. The Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories (INSIGHT) study is a randomized trial comparing a RP intervention with a safety control intervention. Primiparous mother-newborn dyads (N = 279) were randomized after childbirth. Research nurses delivered intervention content at infant ages 3, 16, 28, and 40 weeks and research center visits at 1 and 2 years. As one component of INSIGHT, developmentally appropriate messages on minimizing screen time, reducing television exposure in the home, and promoting parent-child engagement through interactive play were delivered. Mothers self-reported their infant’s screen time at ages 44 weeks, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 years; interactive play was reported at 8 and 20 weeks and 2 years. More RP than control parents reported their infants met the American Academy of Pediatrics’ no screen time recommendation at 44 weeks (53.0% vs. 30.2%) and at 1 year on weekdays (42.5% vs. 27.6%) and weekends (45.5% vs. 26.8%), but not after age 1 year. RP mothers and RP children had less daily screen time than controls at each time point (p ≤ 0.01). Fewer RP than control group mothers reported the television was ever on during infant meals (p < 0.05). The frequency of tummy time and floor play did not differ by study group; approximately 95% of infants spent time in restrictive devices (i.e. swing) at 8 and 20 weeks. At 2 years of age, there were no study group differences for time children spent in interactive play. From infancy to early childhood, the INSIGHT RP intervention reduced screen time and television exposure, but did not increase the frequency or amount of interactive play. clinicaltrials.gov NCT01167270 . Registered on 21 July 2010.
Immunity, Cortisol and Psychiatric Disorders

Stress and psychiatric illness are often accompanied by a disturbance in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity, frequently resulting in the secretion of excessive amounts of cortisol, an immunosuppressive hormone (Carroll et al.,1976). We therefore hypothesized that psychiatric disorders such as depression, mania, and schizophrenia are associated with immune abnormalities, and that many of these abnormalities can be explained on the basis of increased secretion of cortisol. The present study was therefore conducted to characterize several aspects of immune dysfunction in psychiatric illness and to investigate the role of cortisol in such immune dysregulation.
Hemodynamic Response of Conscious Rats and Dogs to the Protein Kinase C Inhibitor Staurosporine

Agonist-induced contraction of vascular smooth muscle appears to be mediated by Cat2+ influx through voltage dependent and independent channels and by receptor-linked, G-protein coupled activation of phospholipase C (1). Two intracellular messengers, inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG), are generated by phospholipase C catalyzed hydrolysis of inositol bisphosphate (2). Considerable biochemical and physiological evidence suggests that IP3-mediated mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ results in calcium-regulated phosphorylation of the 20,000 dalton myosin light chain and the initiation of smooth muscle contraction (3–5). However, the mechanism(s) responsible for sustaining isometric force in vascular smooth muscle are not fully understood. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the maintenance of smooth muscle tension, including the “latch bridge” state (6) and DAG activation of protein kinase C (PKC) (7). Evidence supporting the role of PKC in the maintenance of smooth muscle tone is further reviewed in an earlier chapter (8). Staurosporine has been identified as a very potent PKC inhibitor (9). The cardiovascular actions of staurosporine in vivo have not been fully characterized. Therefore, we examined the hemodynamic response to staurosporine in conscious, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and conscious normotensive dogs.
Toward A Sustainable Future: An Environmental Agenda for the Second Term of the Obama Administration

Much was at stake in the Presidential election of 2012, which was marked by heated debate over the trajectory of the economy, the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, and the fate of the President’s health care plan. The candidates disagreed about nearly every issue from foreign policy and the war on terror to a woman’s right to choose and same-sex marriage. Lost amid the din and never mentioned in the Presidential debates or most of the campaign speeches was another divisive topic: how our environmental laws and policies should address global climate change and chart a sustainable future for the United States and the world.Yet the environment was on the ballot during the 2012 election, despite its absence from the national debate. The President’s efforts to address climate change, promote renewable energy, and provide stronger environmental protection would have been reversed or curtailed if he had lost the election. The environment also arguably influenced the outcome of the 2012 election when Hurricane Sandy struck and gave the President the opportunity to show bi-partisan leadership. It has become almost a cliche to say that no one storm can be attributed to climate change, but Hurricane Sandy underscored both our collective yearning to move beyond partisanship and the moral imperative of decisive steps to address climate change.
Establishment of a ΔF508-CF promyelocytic cell line for cystic fibrosis research and drug screening.

Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF), one of the most common genetic disorders, is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. In spite of significant improvement in patient life expectancy, the disease remains lethal and incurable. Clinically, CF lung disease claims the most morbidity and mortality, characterized by chronic bacterial infection, persistent neutrophilic inflammation, and purulent small airway obstruction. Although all these manifestations are highly associated with neutrophils, the actual role of this phagocyte in the disease pathogenesis has not been fully appreciated. One of the major obstacles impeding such progress is the lack of CF neutrophil cell lines. Taking advantage of the new CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, we have generated a homozygous ΔF508-CF promyelocytic cell line from HL-60 cells, from which unlimited CF neutrophil cells can be differentiated. The derived cells showed defective CFTR presentation, deficient phagosomal hypochlorous acid (HOCl) production, and compromised microbial killing. Such a phenotype recapitulates that of primary neutrophils from CF patients. Thus, the established human CF promyelocytic cell line should be a useful tool for future CF basic research and drug screening.
Organelle Formation in Bacteria and Archaea.

Uncovering the mechanisms that underlie the biogenesis and maintenance of eukaryotic organelles is a vibrant and essential area of biological research. In comparison, little attention has been paid...
Optical systems for task-specific compressive classification

Advancements in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) have enabled imaging systems to perform complex classification tasks, opening numerous problem domains to solutions driven by high quality imagers coupled with algorithmic elements. However, current ML and DL methods for target classification typically rely upon algorithms applied to data measured by traditional imagers. This design paradigm fails to enable the ML and DL algorithms to influence the sensing device itself, and treats the optimization of the sensor and algorithm as separate sequential elements. Additionally, this current paradigm narrowly investigates traditional images, and therefore traditional imaging hardware, as the primary means of data collection. We investigate alternative architectures for computational imaging systems optimized for specific classification tasks, such as digit classification. This involves a holistic approach to the design of the system from the imaging hardware to algorithms. Techniques to find optimal compressive representations of training data are discussed, and most-useful object-space information is evaluated. Methods to translate task-specific compressed data representations into non-traditional computational imaging hardware are described, followed by simulations of such imaging devices coupled with algorithmic classification using ML and DL techniques. Our approach allows for inexpensive, efficient sensing systems. Reduced storage and bandwidth are achievable as well since data representations are compressed measurements which is especially important for high data volume systems.
Research on Application of Multiple Optical Pattern Recognition Model in Power Equipment

This paper is mainly research on the power equipment of visible light spectrum recognition model. The main contents of the research include constructing experimental evaluation of image acquisition standard operating system, establishing multi-spectral sample library for power equipment, studying HDFS mode based image data storage and management technology, constructing spectral testing technology data centre service framework for power equipment, typical equipment image recognition and analysis algorithm for power network, etc. Through the study of these technologies, we aim to achieve the identification of electrical equipment.
Whither Election Rigging: The Puzzle of Election Reform

This chapter presents the fundamental puzzle of election reform: How have we allocated vast resources to fix documented problems in election administration without making consistent, significant dents in solving them, and often creating new ones in their wake? The chapter provides an overview of the book including the framework and methodological approaches to solving the puzzle.
Two-dimensional materials for functionality-enhanced devices

The book chapter provides a brief overview of some of the prominent features of non-carbon 2D materials that are currently being investigated and predicted to play significant role in the development of ultrathin electronic and optoelectronic devices in the coming years that could push the boundaries of current CMOS technology.
SCOPE: Selective Cross-Validation over Parameters for Elo.

It is crucial to develop reusable methods for explaining and evaluating esports given their popularity and diversity. Quantifying skill in an esport has the potential to improve win prediction, matchmaking, and storytelling for these games. Arpad Elo’s skill modeling system for chess has been adapted to many games and sports. In each instance, the modeler is challenged with tuning parameters to optimize for some metric, usually accuracy. Often these approaches are one-off and lack consistency. We propose SCOPE, a framework that uses grid search cross-validation to select optimal parameters for Elo based on accuracy, calibration, or log loss. We demonstrate this method on a season of Call of Duty World League, a first-person shooter esport, and we demonstrate comparable performance to other more complex, state-of-the-art methods.
Risk of Mortality between Untreated and Treated Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

Objectives:To examine the association between treatment status and mortality risk among patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).Methods:We identified 3,679 adults with PTC. Thirty-one untreate...
“Stat!” Acute Care With OT, Physical Therapy, and Nursing: Interprofessional Simulation With Peer Teaching

Date Presented 04/04/19 Innovative teaching methods can be used to increase student self-efficacy and preparedness for acute-care clinical situations. We found that combining interprofessional simulation and peer teaching was an effective experiential learning method for improving student understanding of the roles of other professions in an acute-care environment and increasing appreciation of the need for communication, collaboration, and respect for optimal teamwork. Primary Author and Speaker: Veronica Rowe Additional Authors and Speakers: Emily Millard, Chelsea Clarkson
Predicting the Future of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy With Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography: Ready for Prime Time?

See Article by Konerman et al Over the last 5 decades, significant advances in the care of heart transplant recipients have improved long-term survival. However, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains a significant problem with incidence varying from 30% at 5 years to 50% at 10 years. CAV is one of the leading causes of death after heart transplantation and accounts for ≈12% of deaths starting at 1 to 3 years posttransplant.1 CAV affects both epicardial and microvascular coronary vasculature. The microvascular dysfunction associated with CAV can result in early endothelial vasoreactive abnormalities which can reduce myocardial flow reserve (MFR). The pathogenesis of CAV is multifactorial and is influenced by both alloimmune dependent and independent factors.2 Because of denervation of the transplanted heart and absence of typical anginal symptoms, surveillance coronary angiography is recommended for CAV surveillance. Periodic screening is important for prognosis and management (ie, adjustment of cardiovascular and immunosuppressive therapies).3 Coronary angiography may not identify early small vessel or advanced diffuse CAV.4 Intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) is more sensitive than angiography for CAV detection and has prognostic value with >0.5 mm intimal thickening in the first year posttransplant associated with increased risk of death and angiographic CAV development.5 Although considered the gold standard, IVUS has limitations. It is only able to image larger epicardial vessels and is better at identifying focal eccentric narrowing of the vessel lumen rather than the more diffuse pattern typically found in CAV. Invasive methods, in general, have significant limitations associated with procedural- and contrast-related complications as well as reduced …
A review of prostate cancer treatment impact on the CNS and cognitive function

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the backbone of systemic therapy for men with prostate cancer (PC); almost one-half of patients receive treatment during their disease course. However, a range of cognitive and other central nervous system (CNS) changes have been associated with ADT. In this review, we discuss extant data describing these complications and the mechanisms through which medications used to deliver ADT may affect them. We performed a MEDLINE search for appropriate papers published between January 2000 and December 2018. Relevant papers were selected and reviewed; additional publications were identified by manually assessing references from included papers, and recent congress abstracts. Of ~230 search outputs, 33 were selected for inclusion. Some studies suggested a clear association between ADT and CNS effects in men with PC, whereas others did not. Accurate assessment is limited by test instrument variability, inadequate sample sizes, short follow-up duration, and limited prospective longitudinal studies. The approved second-generation androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors enzalutamide and apalutamide were associated with some CNS-related adverse events (AEs) in clinical studies, including fatigue (which can interfere with cognitive function). The androgen synthesis inhibitor abiraterone acetate was associated with a low CNS AE profile when compared with enzalutamide. The AR antagonist darolutamide demonstrated a comparable incidence of cognitive disorder in clinical trials to that of ADT alone. Adequately caring for men receiving ADT requires an understanding of the symptoms, incidence and magnitude of cognitive effects, and a feasible approach to cognitive assessment and management in clinical settings. Some CNS effects could relate to blood–brain barrier penetration and direct AR inhibitor activity; drug safety profiles may differ by the degree of blood–brain barrier penetration of particular agents. Ongoing clinical trials seek to define the CNS tolerability of newer AR pathway-targeted therapy options more clearly.
Adult attachment, stress-coping, and resilience in first-generation immigrants in the United States:

IntroductionPrevious studies have shown correlations between adult attachment, stress-coping, and resilience, but little is known about how attachment and stress-coping affect resilience, particula...
Total and free vitamin D metabolites in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

To evaluate total and free vitamin D metabolites and hormone-to-prohormone [1,25(OH)2D/25(OH)D] “activation ratio” in PHPT patients with low or insufficient vitamin D status. Thirty female patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and 30 age and body mass index (BMI) matched healthy controls were enrolled. Serum levels of calcium, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), vitamin D binding protein (DBP), albumin, total 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D were measured. The activation ratio of vitamin D was calculated as total 1,25(OH)2D/25(OH)D. Calculated serum-free 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels were also reported. Compared to the control subject, patients with PHPT had a lower total 25(OH)D and DBP levels (p < 0.001). The serum concentration of free 25(OH)D and total 1,25(OH)2D were similar between the two groups; but free 1,25(OH)2D levels were about 26% higher in the PHPT patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). PHPT patients had a significantly higher activation ratio (p < 0.01), although their total 25(OH)D were lower than controls. The free (but not total) 1,25(OH)2D level was inversely correlated with DBP (p < 0.01). Both free 1,25(OH)2D levels and activation ratio were positively correlated with iPTH and calcium levels (p < 0.01). The activation ratio was highly correlated with levels of total vitamin D stores and free vitamin D metabolites (p < 0.001). Patients with PHPT had significantly higher free 1,25(OH)2D levels and activation ratio compared to control subjects. We suggest that levels of free vitamin D metabolites and vitamin D activation ratio may provide additional values for the diagnosis and therapeutic choices in these patient populations with compromised vitamin D status.
Chronic LCMV Infection Is Fortified with Versatile Tactics to Suppress Host T Cell Immunity and Establish Viral Persistence

Ever since the immune regulatory strains of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), such as Clone 13, were isolated, LCMV infection of mice has served as a valuable model for the mechanistic study of viral immune suppression and virus persistence. The exhaustion of virus-specific T cells was demonstrated during LCMV infection, and the underlying mechanisms have been extensively investigated using LCMV infection in mouse models. In particular, the mechanism for gradual CD8+ T cell exhaustion at molecular and transcriptional levels has been investigated. These studies revealed crucial roles for inhibitory receptors, surface markers, regulatory cytokines, and transcription factors, including PD-1, PSGL-1, CXCR5, and TOX in the regulation of T cells. However, the action mode for CD4+ T cell suppression is largely unknown. Recently, sphingosine kinase 2 was proven to specifically repress CD4+ T cell proliferation and lead to LCMV persistence. As CD4+ T cell regulation was also known to be important for viral persistence, research to uncover the mechanism for CD4+ T cell repression could help us better understand how viruses launch and prolong their persistence. This review summarizes discoveries derived from the study of LCMV in regard to the mechanisms for T cell suppression and approaches for the termination of viral persistence with special emphasis on CD8+ T cells.
On immersed boundary kernel functions: a constrained quadratic minimization perspective

In the immersed boundary (IB) approach to fluid-structure interaction modeling, the coupling between the fluid and structure variables is mediated using a regularized version of Dirac delta function. In the IB literature, the regularized delta functions, also referred to IB kernel functions, are either derived analytically from a set of postulates or computed numerically using the moving least squares (MLS) approach. Whereas the analytical derivations typically assume a regular Cartesian grid, the MLS method is a meshless technique that can be used to generate kernel functions on complex domains and unstructured meshes. In this note we take a viewpoint that IB kernel generation, either analytically or via MLS, is a constrained quadratic minimization problem. The extremization of a constrained quadratic function is a broader concept than kernel generation, and there are well-established numerical optimization techniques to solve this problem. For example, we show that the constrained quadratic minimization technique can be used to generate one-sided (anisotropic) IB kernels and/or to bound their values.
Pesticides and Residues in Different Media with Especial Regard to Waters in Hungary

Agriculture practices using chemicals endanger soils and drinking water supplies worldwide. But, without chemicals, most agricultural systems cannot meet the requirements of our modern world. In soils, pesticide residues accumulate due to soil water retaining capacity. But after a time, pesticides eventually appear in surface waters and groundwater (Solymosi, Definition of concentration of pesticide agents with different SPE methods out of groundwater and surface water, PhD thesis, Veszprem, 2006). Regular water quality monitoring and the reduction of pesticide use are recommended in river catchment areas, and especially in the catchment of those surface and subsurface waters, which are used as source water for drinking water supplies. Low level contamination of drinking water sources may occur, especially in intensive agricultural areas, even though there is regular water quality monitoring, and occasionally it can contaminate the finished drinking water as well (Vagvolgyi, Introduction to HU-SRB calls and support system: an example of the BIOXEN project, Hungary – Serbia IPA Cross – border Co – operation programme: Bioxen, Development of xenobiotic – degrading bioaugmentation products, http://www2.sci.u-szeged.hu/microbiology/BIOXEN/indexhu.html, 2011). Our aim was to give a comprehensive picture on the average yearly occurrence of pesticides and pesticide degradation products in Hungarian drinking water supplies. Data of 3 years were analyzed, using the Hungarian Drinking Water Quality Database of National Institute of Environmental Health (NIEH). In 2008–2010, up to 2 % of all drinking water samples analyzed for pesticides per year were above the limit values. The main limitation of the monitoring and data interpretation is the low number of pesticides measurements, a large proportion (about 89 %) of the water supply zones were not analyzed for pesticides in this period.
Presence of Plasmodium falciparum DNA in Plasma Does Not Predict Clinical Malaria in an HIV-1 Infected Population.

Background HIV-1 and Plasmodium falciparum malaria cause substantial morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially as co-infecting pathogens. We examined the relationship between presence of P. falciparum DNA in plasma samples and clinical malaria as well as the impact of atazanavir, an HIV-1 protease inhibitor (PI), on P. falciparum PCR positivity. Methods ACTG study A5175 compared two NNRTI-based regimens and one PI-based anti-retroviral (ARV) regimen in antiretroviral therapy naive participants. We performed nested PCR on plasma samples for the P. falciparum 18s rRNA gene to detect the presence of malaria DNA in 215 of the 221 participants enrolled in Blantyre and Lilongwe, Malawi. We also studied the closest sample preceding the first malaria diagnosis from 102 persons with clinical malaria and randomly selected follow up samples from 88 persons without clinical malaria.
Studies of muscle development: II. Immunological and enzymatic properties and accumulation of chromatographically homogeneous myosin of the leg musculature of the developing chick

Abstract A comparison was made of myosin from the chick embryo with that from the hatched chick in respect to chromatographic, enzymatic, and immunological properties, and quantitative determinations of chromatographically homogeneous myosin at different stages of development were carried out. No differences were found between eluting properties of myosin from embryonic and mature muscle. The chromatographically homogeneous myosin from embryo and hatched chick showed the same quantitative precipitin curves, the same mobilities on immune electrophoresis, and the same specific activities for Ca++-activated ATPase. These findings led to the conclusion that highly purified myosins from embryonic and hatched chicks are chromatographically, immunologically, and enzymatically indistinguishable. Direct determinations of the quantities of chromatographically homogeneous myosin showed a more than tenfold increase in the amount of myosin during development from day 9 of incubation to day 8 after hatching. The quantities of myosin were calculated per gram freshweight and per DNA for the total cell population and for nonproliferating cells with the increase of myosin content accelerating maximally on day 18 when calculated for DNA of nonproliferating cells.
Magnetic data storage technology-the first century

It is noted that 1998 will mark the 100th anniversary since the invention of magnetic recording. The technology still indicates there is no end in sight into the further gains that are possible. At the densities being envisaged, a 1.8 in drive could store over a gigabyte of data. The current status of hard disk drives and removable storage (floppy disk drives and magnetic tape) is reviewed, and some future trends are projected. >
Differential expression of MHC class II antigens in myelomonocytic leukemia cell lines

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens are discordantly expressed on hematopoietic progenitor cells. Their expression is linked to differential responsiveness of the cells to growth factors and inhibitors. We examined the expression of different MHC class II antigens in a panel of human myelomonocytic cell lines representing different stages of differentiation, by cytofluorographic analysis with monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and Northern blot analysis with specific cDNA probes. These analyses revealed discordant expression of different MHC class II antigens both in basal state and after gamma-IFN induction. Thus KG-1 myeloblast cells express all class II antigens (DR greater than DP greater than DQ) constitutively and their expression increased after gamma-IFN treatment. KG-1a, an immature blast variant of KG-1, does not express class II antigens, even after gamma-IFN treatment. THP-1, a monocytic cell line expresses DR but not DP or DQ under basal conditions. DP and DQ are, however, gamma-IFN inducible. The class II negative HL-60 promyelocytic cell line, expresses DR and DP but not DQ after gamma-IFN induction. In all the above cell lines, surface expression of class II antigens correlated with the levels of mRNA expression as determined with specific cDNA probes. In U-937, a monocytic cell line, no surface expression of class II MHC antigens was observed either with or without gamma-IFN, however, specific mRNA message was observed under basal conditions and was further increased with gamma-IFN, indicating a possible defect in assembly or transport of class II antigens. The patterns of class II MHC antigens in these leukemic cell lines may be a useful model to delineate molecular basis of discordant MHC class II expression during myelomonocytic differentiation.