cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent Progress in Quantum Inverse Scattering Method — Baxter Hierarchy and Its Applications

The Baxter model is generalized to the higher dimensional representations of SU(2) group. The factorized S-matrix, q-state vertex model and XXZ Heisenberg model of spin S are treated from the unified point of view. Some features of SU(2) Thirring model are also discussed.
Roger Penrose’s Theory and Quantum Decoherence

Increased interest in quantum mechanical theories of mind has been kindled by two recent books by Roger Penrose. These books, The Emperor’s New Mind, and Shadows of the Mind, along with a paper by Hameroff and Penrose (1996), propose a quantum theory of consciousness that, like the present one, is based on von Neumann’s formulation of quantum theory. But the Penrose–Hameroff theory brings in some controversial ideas that are not used in the more direct application of orthodox quantum mechanics described in this book.
Impact of EV and V2G on the Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Systems

This chapter is aimed at examining different electric vehicle (EV) technologies along with different electric vehicles such as cars, motorbikes, service mobiles, etc. Having covered these EV types, the chapter will further focus on the potential impact in the existing electric system. This will be done based on estimated migration to EV, the vehicle ownership in different countries and at generation, transmission and distribution levels. The introduction of EV and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) has impacts on the smart grid/microgrid management, and these will be discussed. Finally, standardization and plug-and-play requirements for wide-spread EV acceptance shall be covered.
Anatomy of an intruded coal, II: Effect of contact metamorphism on organic δ13C and implications for the release of thermogenic methane, Springfield (No. 5) Coal, Illinois Basin

Abstract Concerns about the present-day accelerated rate of carbon input to the atmosphere have prompted the search for comparable events throughout Earth's history. Recent research has attempted to determine the cause of such events, represented as negative δ 13 C excursions within the sedimentary record, and their subsequent effect on the Earth. It has been suggested that such excursions could be the result of the large-scale release of 13 C-depleted thermogenic methane produced by the intrusion of large igneous provinces (LIPs) into organic-rich rocks and/or coal (e.g., McElwain et al., 2005; Svensen et al., 2004, 2007). Our study asserts that if intrusions result in significant release of 13 C-depleted thermogenic methane from intruded coals, 13 C-enriched coal should be observed adjacent to the intrusions. In this study, values of bulk organic δ 13 C ( δ 13 C org ) are reported for fifteen samples along a coal transect in the Illinois Basin where a Pennsylvanian-age coal (the Springfield or No. 5 Coal) is intruded by a Permian ultramafic dike. The samples reveal significant bulk geochemical and petrographic changes within the alteration halo; for example, volatile matter (VM) decreases towards the intrusion, whereas fixed carbon (FC) and vitrinite reflectance (R r ) both increase, accompanied by the development of natural coke (both isotropic and anisotropic), mosaic structure, devolatilization vacuoles, and carbonate mineralization. Reflectance levels and coke development are consistent with exposure to temperatures > 450–500 °C. Despite the high level of alteration of the organic matter, no significant change is observed in δ 13 C org ; values across the transect vary by less than 0.5‰. Along this transect, δ 13 C org does not correlate with R r and does not appear to be influenced by maceral composition. The intruded coals show no evidence of pyrolytic carbon that could influence δ 13 C org . The relatively high VM contents of the intruded coals (compared to coals that have undergone normal burial maturation) and the lack of any trend in δ 13 C org approaching the intrusion raises questions about previously published models of the effects of large-scale igneous intrusions on atmospheric composition and δ 13 C org excursions associated with oceanic anoxic events. This study underscores the importance of the use of organic petrography in combination with isotope geochemistry to determine if contact metamorphosed coals and organic-rich shales could have released a significant amount of 13 C org -depleted volatiles leading to negative δ 13 C org excursions in the sedimentary record.
Complete Remission of Acute Myeloid Leukemia following Cisplatin Based Concurrent Therapy with Radiation for Squamous Cell Laryngeal Cancer

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a myeloid disorder with several established treatment regimens depending on patient and leukemic factors. Cisplatin is known to have strong leukemogenic potential and is rarely used even as salvage therapy in relapsed or refractory AML. We present a patient simultaneously diagnosed with AML and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, who was found to be in complete remission from AML following treatment with cisplatin based chemoradiotherapy for his laryngeal cancer.
Abstract B43: Co-targeting MAPK and PI3K signaling with concurrent radiotherapy as a strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

There is an urgent need for the development of novel therapies to treat pancreatic cancer, which is among the most lethal of all cancers. KRAS activating mutations, which are found in >90% of pancreatic adenocarcinomas, drive tumor dependency on the Ras/MAPK and Akt signaling pathways. Radiation is currently being explored as a component of the standard treatment regimen for pancreatic cancer. This study9s purpose was to test the hypothesis that MEK inhibitors will offer clear therapeutic benefit when integrated into radiotherapy treatment regimens for treatment of this disease. We explored the activation of the MAPK and Akt pathways in response to radiation in multiple pancreatic tumor cell lines. Small molecule inhibitors of MEK (PD0325901) and Akt (API-2) were subsequently evaluated for their radiosensitizing potential alone and in combination. In vivo efficacy was tested in subcutaneous MIA-PaCa2 xenografts. Phosphorylated levels of ERK-1/2 and Akt were found to increase in response to radiation treatment in our pancreatic tumor cell line panel. MEK inhibitor-induced radiosensitization was observed in vitro and in vivo. The further addition of an Akt inhibitor to the MEK inhibitor/radiation regimen resulted in enhanced therapeutic gain as determined by increased radiosensitization and tumor cell death. In conclusion, MEK inhibition results in growth arrest, apoptosis, and radiosensitization of multiple preclinical pancreatic tumor models, and the effects can be enhanced by combination with an Akt inhibitor. These results provide rationale for further testing of a treatment regimen in pancreatic cancer that combines MEK inhibition with radiation, optimally in conjunction with Akt inhibition. Citation Format: Terence M. Williams, Athena Flecha, Paul Keller, Ashwin Ram, David Karnak, Brian Ross, Theodore Lawrence, Alnawaz Rehemtulla, Judith Sebolt-Leopold. Co-targeting MAPK and PI3K signaling with concurrent radiotherapy as a strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges; Jun 18-21, 2012; Lake Tahoe, NV. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B43.
Renal function studies in the early stage of salt hypertension in rats.

SummaryRenal function studies were performed in 2 groups of young rats from a strain genetically prone to hypertension. The animals receiving a high NaCl diet rapidly developed moderate hypertension, while those maintained on a low NaCl regimen remained normotensive. GFR and RPF were comparable in both groups, 2 and 6 weeks after initiation of the high salt regimen, in spite of significant differences in blood pressure. It was concluded that the development of salt hypertension in these rats was not associated with evidence of impaired glomerular filtration rate or renal plasma flow during the early phases of the disease.
Quality of Ice-Packed and of Frozen Chicken 2. Taste Panel Evaluations

Abstract INTRODUCTION OVER 65 percent of broiler chickens are currently packed and distributed as a fresh, ice-packed product. In order to increase shelf life of the product and for other obvious logistic and inventory advantages, the poultry processing industry would like to produce more frozen chicken. However, consumer reactions to frozen chicken, as determined by survey studies, have indicated a decided resistance toward purchasing the frozen product (Brant and Sanborn, 1963; Forsythe et al., 1963; Swanson and Richards, 1963; Smith, 1959; and Weidenhamer, 1958). In an earlier study from this laboratory (Winawer and May, 1964), consumers indicated a significant preference for the ice-packed half of a broiler over the frozen, thawed half of the same chicken. However, the method used to identify the samples rather than actual differences might have contributed to the results. This study was designed to determine if a taste panel could detect differences between ice-packed and frozen…
Microscale Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators: Performance Characterization and Numerical Comparison

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma devices have been designed and manufactured with microscale dimensions utilizing semiconductor fabrication techniques. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements indicate induced wall jet velocities up to 2.0 m/s. Direct force measurements using a torsional balance indicate thrust values up to 3 mN/m at 5 kVpp and 1 kHz and consume an average power of 15 W/m. The measured thrust data is applied in a numerical model to compare simulated velocity flow fields with experimental PIV data. The model shows good agreement with experimental data for the velocity and wall jet thickness for macro device geometries, but inaccurately predicts the downstream velocity decay. Microscale devices demonstrated equivalent ‘thrust effectiveness’ to macroscale actuators, but with a 31% improvement in mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency. The microscale DBD actuators occupy an order of magnitude reduction in device footprint and mass, and potentially enable large arrays for distributed flow control applications.
Decentralization and security in dynamic traffic light control

Complex traffic networks include a number of controlled intersections, and, commonly, multiple districts or municipalities. The result is that the overall traffic control problem is extremely complex computationally. Moreover, given that different municipalities may have distinct, non-aligned, interests, traffic light controller design is inherently decentralized, a consideration that is almost entirely absent from related literature. Both complexity and decentralization have great bearing both on the quality of the traffic network overall, as well as on its security. We consider both of these issues in a dynamic traffic network. First, we propose an effective local search algorithm to efficiently design system-wide control logic for a collection of intersections. Second, we propose a game theoretic (Stackelberg game) model of traffic network security in which an attacker can deploy denial-of-service attacks on sensors, and develop a resilient control algorithm to mitigate such threats. Finally, we propose a game theoretic model of decentralization, and investigate this model both in the context of baseline traffic network design, as well as resilient design accounting for attacks. Our methods are implemented and evaluated using a simple traffic network scenario in SUMO.
On stability of islanded low-inertia microgrids

As the number of distributed energy sources (DERs) increases in a microgrid (MG), the likelihood of frequency and voltage instabilities increases. In particular, the control of frequency and voltage becomes a challenge in an islanded mode due to the inherent low-inertia feature of DERs compared to a grid-tied mode where there is a grid support. This instability problem becomes worse for low or medium voltage low-inertia MGs, where the line impedance is dominantly resistive. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the stability and power quality problems that can occur in islanded medium voltage MGs. PSCAD/EMTDC simulation results for an MG with a high share of low-inertia power generation units illustrate the importance of the frequency and voltage stability as power utilities adopting more DERs.
Software-Defined Storage-Based Data Infrastructure Supportive of Hydroclimatology Simulation Containers: A Survey

Hydroclimatic research requires highly intensive resources in terms of computation and data to perform simulations. Setting up complex experiment environment and configurations to submit jobs in computational clusters as well as managing user’s limited storage spaces by transferring big size data into the secondary storage are complicated and time-consuming. As a possible answer to address such issues in hydroclimatic research, new technologies, software-defined storage and containers have been introduced. When the two technologies are combined to support hydroclimatic simulations, we discuss how the software-defined storage data infrastructure strengthens containers in terms of flexibility of data handling and storage scalability.
A general network theory for the development of curing stresses in an epoxy/fiber composite

In previous works, a model was developed for the transition of an epoxy liquid to a cured solid as a result of the continuous formation of solid epoxy networks by crosslinking. The model accounts for volume decrease during crosslinking, thermal expansion due to heat generation, deformation and stress generation. The networks were assumed to be linear thermo-elastic isotropic solids, material properties were deduced from the literature, and the model was used to determine the stresses generated by curing in a number of examples. The purpose of the present work is to revisit the ideas on which this model is based and incorporate them into a general framework within the context of continuum mechanics. This will show the assumptions that have been made in the existing model because of the lack of experimental results and also provide a proper framework for extending the model as new experimental results are obtained. Each network is now assumed to be a nonlinear thermo-viscoelastic solid with its own properties. The assumption of small deformations is introduced to lead to a simplified model that is linear in the strains.
Mechanism of Axonal Contractility in Embryonic Drosophila Motor Neurons In Vivo.

Abstract Several in vitro and limited in vivo experiments have shown that neurons maintain a rest tension along their axons intrinsically. They grow in response to stretch but contract in response to loss of tension. This contraction eventually leads to the restoration of the rest tension in axons. However, the mechanism by which axons maintain tension in vivo remains elusive. The objective of this work is to elucidate the key cytoskeletal components responsible for generating tension in axons. Toward this goal, in vivo experiments were conducted on single axons of embryonic Drosophila motor neurons in the presence of various drugs. Each axon was slackened mechanically by bringing the neuromuscular junction toward the central nervous system multiple times. In the absence of any drug, axons shortened and restored the straight configuration within 2–4 min of slackening. The total shortening was ∼40% of the original length. The recovery rate in each cycle, but not the recovery magnitude, was dependent on the axon's prior contraction history. For example, the contraction time of a previously slackened axon may be twice its first-time contraction. This recovery was significantly hampered with the depletion of ATP, inhibition of myosin motors, and disruption of actin filaments. The disruption of microtubules did not affect the recovery magnitude, but, on the contrary, led to an enhanced recovery rate compared to control cases. These results suggest that the actomyosin machinery is the major active element in axonal contraction, whereas microtubules contribute as resistive/dissipative elements.
Comparing tax and spending multipliers by controlling for monetary policy

This paper derives empirical estimates for aggregate tax and spending multipliers. To deal with endogeneity concerns, I employ a large sample of fiscal consolidations identified through the narrative approach. To control for monetary policy, I study the output effects of fiscal consolidations in countries where monetary authorities are constrained in their ability to counteract shocks because they are in either a monetary union (and hence, lack an independent central bank) or a liquidity trap. My empirical estimates suggest that for fiscal consolidations, the tax multiplier is larger than the spending multiplier. The estimated tax multiplier is large - on the order of 3, suggesting strongly negative effects of tax increases on output.
Persistence analysis of poliovirus on three different types of fomites

Aims The goal of this study was to explore various models for describing viral persistence (infectivity) on fomites and identify the best fit models. Methods and Results The persistence of poliovirus over time was studied on three different fomite materials: steel, cotton, and plastic. Known concentrations of poliovirus type 1 were applied to the surface coupons in an indoor environment for various lengths of time. Viruses were recovered from the surfaces by vortexing in phosphate buffer. Seven different mathematical models of relative persistence over time were fit to the data, and the preferred model for each surface was selected based on the Bayesian Information Criterion. Conclusions While the preferred model varied by fomite type, the virus showed a rapid initial decay on all of the fomite types, followed by a transition to a more gradual decay after about 4 to 8 days. Estimates of the time for 99% reduction ranged from 81 hours for plastic to 143 hours for cotton. A 6 log reduction of recoverable infectivity of poliovirus did not occur during the 3 week duration of the experiment for any of the fomites. Significance and Impact In protected indoor environments poliovirus can remain infective for weeks. The models identified by this study can be used in risk assessments to identify appropriate strategies for managing this risk. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Verification of Arbitrary Radiation Pattern Control Using a Cylindrical Impedance Metasurface

A cylindrical impedance metasurface can be used to arbitrarily reshape the radiation pattern of a vertically polarized enclosed two-dimensional source. We verify this theory, developed in a previous work, by reporting waveguide transmission measurements of a cylindrical metasurface fabricated using printed circuit board techniques. The transmission measurement results are in good agreement with the desired azimuthal image pattern, verifying the use of a cylindrical impedance metasurface to produce a desired azimuthal radiation pattern.
Monte Carlo simulation study of multi-window imaging

A Monte Carlo simulation study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and validity of simultaneous dual-radionuclide imaging of tracers (Tc-99m, Tl-201 and Xe-133) using multi-window acquisition. Dual radionuclide imaging would allow simultaneous emission and transmission imaging, viewing of paired tracers during the same clinical and physiologic state, and eliminate problems in image registration incurred in comparing images from sequential imaging studies. Energy spectra, planar and SPECT images were obtained for a point source placed at various depths in a water filled cylinder and a brain phantom with and without lesions. The system energy resolution was set at 1% intervals between 6 and 14%. Simulations of image acquisition at 16 energy windows (EW) were recorded for each radionuclide. The study shows that large changes in lesion contrast and detectability due to cross-talk can be corrected using a third EW in dual radionuclide imaging of Tc-Xe and Tc-Tl. >
Political Philosophies and Why They Matter

Liberal democracies inherently confront the problem of plural belief systems. How much freedom is enough? Who decides? What binds free citizens together? These are the questions asked by political philosophy, which considers the possible configurations that can exist between the state, the individual, and civil society. Berner locates education within these models, contrasting Amy Gutmann and William Galston’s theories on democratic schooling and referencing Alexis de Tocqueville’s contribution on civil society. Drawing upon political philosophy, Berner outlines the history of America’s uniform school system and its striking contrast with the development of educational pluralism in the Netherlands. Finally, she suggests that a plural, rather than a uniform, educational system comports with democratic theory and practice.
A randomized trial of three diabetes registry implementation strategies in a community internal medicine practice.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Disease registries are powerful tools with the potential to transform the way chronic diseases are managed. To date, however, little work has been done to determine how to optimize the implementation of a chronic disease registry in practice. Methods Twenty-nine physicians and their nurse teams in a large community internal medicine practice participated in this 6-month prospective randomized trial in 2000. Teams were assigned to one of three implementation strategies using information from a diabetes registry. Process and outcome measures for diabetes management were analyzed. Process measures included the percentage of patients completing glycosylated hemoglobin (Hgb) testing within 6 months and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) testing within 12 months. Outcome measures included the percentage of patients with a glycosylated Hgb > 9.3% (equivalent to a HgbA1c > 8.0%), the percentage of patients with an LDL cholesterol > 130mg/dl, and the percentage of patients with controlled blood pressure, defined as Results Teams randomized to an intervention strategy that included direct letters to patients showed significant improvement across a number of measures. The improvement was most apparent among patients without recent testing or with poorly controlled disease. The two interventions that did not include direct patient letters resulted in limited improvement. Discussion Disease registries can be used to improve outcomes in the management of diabetes and other chronic diseases. Better outcomes were seen in patients who received letters based on registrygenerated data. This strategy should be included as part of a comprehensive chronic disease management plan. Further refinements in the use of registries should result in further incremental improvement.
HYPERGLYCEMIA AND HYPOGLYCEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES

Objective: Endocrinologists are faced with a growing elderly patient population with diabetes mellitus (DM), some of whom are in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Efforts at managing their DM is hampered by concerns for hypoglycemia. This study aimed to determine the frequency of hypo- and hyperglycemia in SNFs, and associated factors. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 200 consecutive residents admitted to two SNFs in the Cleveland area in 2014 with documented DM, aged ≥65 years. Data collected included blood glucose (BG) levels and DM regimens. Frequency of hyper- and hypoglycemic events was noted. Since patients had different frequencies of BG checks, event-days were calculated. Results: Mean age, BG, and glycated hemoglobin (±SD) were as follows: 80.2 ± 8.2 years, 172.4 ± 40.3 mg/dL, and 7.5 ± 1.9% (59 mmol/mol), respectively. Seventy-one percent were on insulin alone, 15.5% on insulin and oral diabetes agents, and 13.5% on oral diabetes agent on admission. Patients with at least one event were ...
NMR Studies of Conformational Selection of hnRNP H on RNA Splicing

Modularity provides proteins versatility in regulating many cellular processes. The RNA Recognition Motif (RRM) is a common protein family that adopts modularity to facilitate its biological activity. hnRNP H contains three RRMs that play important roles in RNA splicing by binding G-rich enhancer element2. However, the mechanism three RRMs use to recognize RNA is still unknown. Here, based on the analysis of paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE), the data indicates that hnRNP H RRM12 adopts a closed conformation in the absence of RNA. Second, dynamics experiments, T1, T2 and NOE also reveals that RRM1 and RRM2 domain share similar motion, which suggests that compact (closed) form is major population in solution. Moreover, in closed form, one of two bindings site was buried in compact structure. Based on above observation, we propose a hypothesis that there is chemical equilibrium between open form and close form. Once hnRNP H recognizes its G-rich binding sequencing, it will release the blocking RRM from closed form and reestablish chemical equilibrium toward to open form through conformational selection in presence of RNA3. Integrated methods like NMR paramagnetic relaxation enhancement, dynamics experiments and SAXS would be utilized to address this hypothesis.
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Response to Perennial Bioenergy Grass, Cover Crop and Nitrogen Fertilization

Abstract Cover crop and nitrogen (N) fertilization may maintain soil organic matter under bioenergy perennial grass where removal of aboveground biomass for feedstock to produce cellulosic ethanol can reduce soil quality. We evaluated the effects of cover crops and N fertilization rates on soil organic carbon (C) (SOC), total N (STN), ammonium N (NH 4 -N), and nitrate N (NO 3 -N) contents at the 0–5, 5–15, and 15–30 cm depths under perennial bioenergy grass from 2010 to 2014 in the southeastern USA. Treatments included unbalanced combinations of perennial bioenergy grass, energy cane ( Saccharum spontaneum L.) or elephant grass ( Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.), cover crop, crimson clover ( Trifolium incarnatum L.), and N fertilization rates (0, 100, and 200 kg N ha −1 ). Cover crop biomass and C and N contents were greater in the treatment of energy cane with cover crop and 100 kg N ha −1 than in the treatment of energy cane and elephant grass. The SOC and STN contents at 0–5 and 5–15 cm were 9%–20% greater in the treatments of elephant grass with cover crop and with or without 100 kg N ha −1 than in most of the other treatments. The soil NO 3 -N content at 0–5 cm was 31%–45% greater in the treatment of energy cane with cover crop and 100 kg N ha −1 than in most of the other treatments. The SOC sequestration increased from 0.1 to 1.0 Mg C ha −1 year −1 and the STN sequestration from 0.03 to 0.11 Mg N ha −1 year −1 from 2010 to 2014 for various treatments and depths. In contrast, the soil NH 4 -N and NO 3 -N contents varied among treatments, depths, and years. Soil C and N storages can be enriched and residual NO 3 -N content can be reduced by using elephant grass with cover crop and with or without N fertilization at a moderate rate.
2 – Modeling electromigration using the peridynamics approach

: This chapter presents a summary of the information and reasoning needed to justify learning about peridynamics for the purpose of analyzing electromigration and provides guidance for the development of a complete peridynamics analysis. The additions needed to convert the original peridynamics model as developed for mechanics problems to a multiphysics model capable of treating electromigration are reviewed. Experimental data on void drift by electromigration are introduced to provide a specific target for a demonstration of the peridynamical approach. Model results for the basic phenomena of this experiment are presented. The peridynamics approach appears capable of simultaneously accommodating both constitutive laws and explicit treatment of multibody interactions, for handling different aspects of the behavior of the material system to be modeled.
Bacchanale (John Amero and Lem Amero, 1970)

ABSTRACTBacchanale (1970), an early American hardcore feature film, shows the genre taking shape at the dawn of the 1970s, but also reflects the queer influences of the gay brothers who made it, John and Lem Amero. This article uses Bacchanale as a window into both the pornographic careers of the Ameros and also the generally overlooked influence of queer filmmakers on the development of hetero hardcore cinema.
RECENT NEW ZEALAND DEEP-WATER BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA: TAXONOMY, ECOLOGIC DISTRIBUTION, BIOGEOGRAPHY, AND USE IN PALEOENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTBy Bruce W. Hayward, Hugh R. Grenfell, Ashwaq T. Sabaa, Helen L. Neil, and Martin A. Buzas, 2010. GNS Science Monographs 26 (New Zealand Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin 77), ISBN 978-0-478-19777-8, 363 p. NZ$40 plus postage. (www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Products/Publications-for-Sale-Monographs).

Bruce Hayward’s group at Geomarine Research (Auckland, NZ) complements their earlier monograph on the shallow-water (<50 m) foraminiferal fauna of New Zealand (Hayward and others, 1999) with this new tome devoted to its deeper (50–5000 m) counterpart. This long-term project was undertaken to document the ecologic and biogeographic distribution of foraminifera around New Zealand, primarily to provide the kind of data on the modern fauna that can be extrapolated to the past with better reliability and precision for regional benthic foraminiferal paleoenvironmental assessments. Co-authoring this book is the biostatistics guru of foraminiferology, Marty Buzas of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Analytic metrics are presented throughout the text, which includes 44 tables and 191 color figures. In this comprehensive work, the authors combine new data with those reanalyzed from five previous studies …
Physics of the Stress Overshoot and Chain Stretch Dynamics of Entangled Polymer Liquids under Continuous Startup Nonlinear Shear

We construct a new theory for transient aspects of the shear rheology of entangled chain liquids. Within an established tube model constitutive equation framework, four new physical features are introduced: a tension blob scaling derivation of the interchain grip force that generates chain stretch, a force imbalance condition for the termination of affine stretch deformation, a delayed chain retraction process that after loss of grip is accelerated for fast deformations, and a distribution of tube diameters. Nonclassical predictions are made for the stress–strain curve to just beyond the overshoot, the existence of a master curve, and fractional power law scaling of the overshoot strain and stress at high shear rates, all in good agreement with experiment and simulation. Testable new predictions are made for chain stretch dynamics.
Costs at the End of Life Perspectives for North Carolina

Many elders require supportive services, with many costs covered by Medicaid. Once terminal illness sets in, palliative care and hospice may help control cost while ensuring quality. This commentary reviews trends in cost at the end of life and describes selected strategies to improve patient-centered care in North Carolina.
DNA Sequencing in the Clinical Laboratory: A Ladder to the Future

In a matter of 4 decades, the landscape of genetic sequencing has evolved dramatically. Through technological advancements and substantial decreases in costs, DNA sequencing has progressed from a nascent research tool that costs hundreds of dollars per base to a routine clinical assay. As a result, geneticists are predicting a future where everyone on Earth could have their DNA sequenced in both health and disease. In a recent article in Nature (1), authors Eric Green, Edward Rubin, and Maynard Olson ask the question: Where does DNA sequencing go from here? However, as they recognize, specifically “where” is a difficult question to answer. In this complicated landscape, Green et al. lay out a comprehensive framework on how to …
Modeling Highway Performance under Various Short-Term Work Zone Configurations

AbstractFederal rules mandate state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure and report on the performance of highways within their jurisdictions. Those rule...
Age-Related Alterations in β-Adrenergic Modulation of Cardiac Cell Function

The cardiovascular system’s raison d’etre is to transport oxygen, nutrients, blood cells, and other substances to body tissues, to remove the waste products of metabolism, and to maintain constant temperature. Since these are not fixed but can vary over at least a tenfold range (i.e., from sleep to maximum exercise) the cardiovascular system, to maintain optimal efficiency, adjusts its level of function to meet the body requirements.
9 – Anxiety and Fear

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the conceptualization of anxiety and anxiety disorders, along with the characterization of assessment in the context of cognitive behavior therapy. This chapter also includes a case study that shows some of the desiderata of anxiety assessment from our point of view. The concepts of fear- and anxiety-related disorders take the form of multielement models with biological, behavioral, and cognitive features. The assessment of these disorders entails both behavioral and traditional methods. Treatment, in general, involves exposing clients to anxiety cues and helping clients learn to think differently about them. Some of the major assessment strategies are based on clients' self-reports: interviews, questionnaires, self-monitoring, and situational ratings. Other important assessment strategies involve samples of behavior: behavioral avoidance tests, interpersonal performance tests, biological challenge tests, and symptom induction exercises.
Comparison of sampling methods for microbiological testing of beef animal rectal/colonal feces, hides, and carcasses.

This study compared sampling methods for detecting Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in beef cattle feces and on hides and carcasses and for enumerating E. coli biotype I counts (ECC) on carcasses. Fecal samples were collected by rectal/colonal palpation and colonal sponge swabbing. Hides were sampled by sponge swabbing three sites, hair clipping, excision, rinsing, and gauze swabbing, whereas carcasses were sampled by three-site thoracic and pattern-mark sponge swabbing and tissue excision. Overall, irrespective of sampling method, 36.7, 13.3, and 0.0% of lots contained at least one E. coli O157:H7-positive hide, fecal, and carcass sample, respectively, while the corresponding prevalence of Salmonella was 70.0, 16.7, and 6.7%, respectively. For hide sampling, excision and gauze swabbing yielded the fewest (13.3%) E. coli O157:H7-positive samples, while hair clipping and sponge swabbing yielded the most (23.3%). None of the carcass-sampling methods detected E. coli O157:H7 or differed (P > 0.05) in ...
Chapter 8 Fear and anxiety mechanisms of the brain: Clinical implications

Summary Our understanding of the neurobiology of human fears has emerged largely from basic research on the brains of “lower” animals. Evidence from behavioral neuroscience strongly suggests that the unconditional (innate) capacity to experience fear, along with fear-typical patterns of autonomic and behavioral arousal, emerge from specific systems of the brain—the most prominent being a FEAR circuit, which courses between the amygdala and the central gray of the midbrain. Fear behaviors can be evoked by artificially activating this circuit, and the response is coordinated with autonomic and experiential effects. The neurochemical controls of this emotional system include a variety of neuropeptides that can modulate anxiety. Minor tranquilizers of the benzodiazepine (BZ) class work, in part, by dampening activity in this emotional system through increased GABA-mediated neural inhibition. The traditional use of minor tranquilizers in the control of clinical anxiety is also summarized.
Parallel CFD Simulations of Unsteady Control Maneuver Aerodynamics

This paper describes a multidisciplinary computational study undertaken to model the flight trajectories and the free-flight aerodynamics of finned projectiles both with and without control maneuvers. Advanced capabilities both in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and rigid body dynamics (RBD) have been successfully fully coupled on high performance computing (HPC) platforms for “Virtual Fly-Outs” of munitions. Time-accurate Navier-Stokes computations have been performed to compute the unsteady aerodynamics associated with the free-flight of a finned projectile at a supersonic speed using a scalable unstructured flow solver on a highly parallel Linux Cluster. Some results relating to the portability and the performance of the flow solver on the Linux clusters are also addressed. Computed positions and orientations of the projectile along the flight trajectory have been compared with actual data measured from free flight tests and are found to be generally in good agreement. Computed results obtained for another complex finned configuration with canard-control pitch-up maneuver in a virtual fly-out show the potential of these techniques for providing the actual time-dependent response of the flight vehicle and the resulting unsteady aerodynamics for maneuvering projectiles.
Reimagining Human Capacity For Location-Aware Aural Pattern Recognition: A Case For Immersive Exocentric Sonification

The following paper presents a cross-disciplinary snapshot of 21st century research in sonification and leverages the review to identify a new immersive exocentric approach to studying human capacity to perceive spatial aural cues. The paper further defines immersive exocentric sonification, highlights its unique affordances, and presents an argument for its potential to fundamentally change the way we understand and study the human capacity for location-aware audio pattern recognition. Finally, the paper describes an example of an externally funded research project that aims to tackle this newfound research whitespace.
Nephrotoxicity of Select Rheumatologic Drugs

Several drugs commonly used in the management of rheumatic diseases may lead to nephrotoxicity, electrolyte disturbances, and hypertension. Here the authors focus on nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, uric-acid-lowering therapy, and commonly used immunosuppressant therapies. The authors include a drug dosing table for patients with kidney disease.
Therapeutic Hypothermia: Comparing Surface vs Intravascular Cooling.

Background Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has shown promise for increasing survival and neurological recovery for post-cardiac arrest patients who are not responding neurologically initially after return of spontaneous circulation. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the differences between surface and intravascular cooling methods of TH related to survival and neurological outcomes in post-cardiac arrest patients. Method A literature search was conducted from 2008 to 2018 using 4 databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus. Results Six articles were identified that compared surface and intravascular cooling for TH in post-cardiac arrest patients, with the outcomes being mortality and neurological outcome. The articles included observational retrospective studies, a systematic analysis, and randomized controlled studies. The articles had between 167 and 934 participants from multiple locations, including Europe, Australia, France, Norway, the Netherlands, and South Korea. The analyzed literature did not highlight differences in mortality or neurological outcome when surface cooling or intravascular cooling was used in post-cardiac arrest patients. One study did find that intravascular cooling was superior to surface cooling in mortality and neurological outcome. Three studies showed better survival rates after intravascular cooling even if not statistically significant. Clinically, using either cooling method is acceptable. Discussion This review found no difference between intravascular and surface cooling and effects on survival and neurological outcome. More research needs to be performed on the best type of cooling method as well as the best product within each category.
An exploration of placement-related psychosocial influences on school engagement among adolescents in foster care

Abstract There is ample evidence that experiencing foster care in childhood often predicts grim outcomes in adulthood, including under-education and resulting poverty and dysfunction. However, little is known about the exact mechanisms through which foster care corrodes academic trajectories, specifically. The current study uses a nationally representative sample of adolescent foster youth (i.e., NSCAW II) to test a model of the influences of placement-related factors on school engagement – namely, foster youth’s perceptions of security in their foster placements, their reports of education-specific involvement by foster caregivers, and the mediating potential of adolescents’ expectations for their future. Results indicate that adolescents’ feelings of “placement security” were linked to their future expectations of positive life outcomes and, ultimately, school engagement. Results also suggest that while educational involvement by foster caregivers was not important for future expectations or social school engagement, it may be related to the more explicitly cognitive aspects of school engagement (i.e., assignment completion, effort, etc.). These findings offer insight into relations between foster care-specific factors and school engagement – a known predictor of academic achievement and eventual educational attainment. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
RouTEAM: Home and School Partnerships to Support Communication for Children with Complex Communication Needs

A workshop format is often the professional development (PD) model used by educators; however, research shows that workshops are often not sufficient to change educator behavior. Additionally, including caregivers in PD can promote shared decision-making and support children’s transfer of skills between home and school environments. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of a PD intervention delivered to caregiver-educator teams that included team-based coaching to target adults’ use of evidence-based strategies delivered in a planned instructional sequence (i.e., CPR - create a communication opportunity, prompt as needed, respond to child communication) designed to support reciprocal interactions with children and use of aided augmentative or alternative communication. Using a multiple baseline across five caregiver-educator-child triads, the effect of intervention on adults’ percentage of correct CPR cycles was compared to a baseline condition in which adults learned isolated strategy implementation in a workshop format. Five adults showed positive behavior changes when intervention was implemented at three different time points, demonstrating promise of the intervention; however, for reasons discussed herein, the study produced mixed results. Results are consistent with prior research, and may be useful to administrators, educators, or families interested in PD and collaboration across home and school settings.
Hands-on Lab on Smart City Vulnerability Exploitation

In recent years, security has been a major concern to everyone. Some devices like energy meters, health appliances have been a life changing technology for smart city. These devices have assisted in connecting several different services and in turn have made life better for people living in smart city. Other services such as emergency responder, water system, disaster management, sanitation and infrastructure have evolved with the birth of a smart city. The rapid advancements in services provided in a smart city are now drawing major security concerns. One of the major security concerns are integrated systems. The purpose of this paper is to educate the audience of the vulnerabilities that are associated with the devices of a smart city. We demonstrate an example of hands-on lab hacking a CCTV camera and some suggestions to prevent attacks on smart city.
Incomplete Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada in a 14-year-Old African American female with bilateral disc edema.

Abstract Purpose To report an unusual case of incomplete Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) in a 14-Year-Old African American female. Observations Here we present a 14-Year-Old African American Female with incomplete VKH who presented to the emergency department with a one-month history of malaise, fever, bilateral decreased vision and temporal headaches. At the time of presentation, she was found to have bilateral anterior uveitis and disc edema. The brain and orbit MRI were unremarkable, CSF analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis with negative cultures and gram stain. An extensive lab workup was unrevealing. Conclusion This is an unusual case of incomplete VKH in a young African American female presenting with anterior uveitis and disc edema without serous retinal detachments. Initiation of high dose oral prednisone promptly after diagnosis resulted in rapid improvement of symptoms and improvement in visual acuity with the resolution of the disc edema. This case highlights the importance of considering VKH in the differential diagnosis of disc edema associated with uveitis, even in the absence of serous retinal detachment.
Low-Loss and High Power Handling Acoustic Delay Lines Using Thin-Film Lithium Niobate on Sapphire

In this work, we present the first group of GHz low-loss, wideband, and high power handling delay lines (ADLs) using a thin-film lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ) on sapphire platform. The ADLs leverage a single-phase unidirectional transducer (SPUDT) to efficiently excite the shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) in the film stack. The fabricated miniature SH-SAW ADL at 1.1 GHz shows a low insertion loss (IL) of 2.8 dB, a wide fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 6.14%, and a fast phase velocity of 5127 m/s. The device also features a high 1 dB compression point (P1dB) of 30.4 dBm. The propagation characteristics of SH-SAW are extracted, with a group velocity of 4747 m/s and a propagation loss of 6.73 dB/mm. The simultaneously low-loss and high power handling illustrate the great potential of LiNbO 3 -on-sapphire for RF and cross-domain applications at GHz.
Design and Implementation Issues

The early 1970s were a time of great optimism for researchers in the field of medical artificial intelligence. The initial successes of systems such as MYCIN,1 CASNET,2 and the Leeds abdominal pain system3 made it reasonable to assume that it was only a matter of time until computers became a standard part of physicians’ diagnostic armamentarium. Over the past few years, the emphasis in clinical decision support has shifted from its initial narrow focus on diagnostic expert systems to a much broader range of applications. Increasingly, clinicians have access to alerts, reminders, and patient-specific advice for such common tasks as prescription writing and test ordering.4,5,6,7 Despite these gains, CDSS are not yet common in patient care settings.8 This chapter will examine the key design and implementation concerns that must be addressed if these systems are to realize their full potential.
Point Sample Rendering

We present an algorithm suitable for real-time, high quality rendering of complex objects. Objects are represented as a dense set of surface point samples which contain colour, depth and normal information. These point samples are obtained by sampling orthographic views on an equilateral triangle lattice. They are rendered directly and independently without any knowledge of surface topology. We introduce a novel solution to the problem of surface reconstruction using a hierarchy of Z-buffers to detect tears. Our algorithm is fast and requires only modest resources.