cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing and Characterizing the LEED Concrete for Drilled Shaft Applications

In order to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines, research is underway to produce concrete (LEED concrete) with alternative binders. LEED concepts provide for environmentally sustainable construction. Since its inception in 1998, LEED has grown to encompass projects in 50 US States and over 30 other countries. In this study, a LEED concrete mix with 70% Class C fly ash as replacement for cement, with appropriate chemical admixture was designed and tested. The behavior of LEED concrete mixture was compared to a conventional Portland cement control mix. The LEED concrete mixture reached similar to higher strength as Portland cement concrete with time due to the pozzolanic properties of Class C fly ash. Internal curing temperature of the LEED concrete mixture was reduced with the addition of fly ash and the setting time of the LEED concrete mixture was increased, which is generally achived by using a retarder in the conventional concrete mix. In addition, volume changes due to shrinkage, and the water absorptions by the LEED concrete mixture were lower than the conventional Portland cement concrete mixture at all ages, indicating that durability of the LEED concrete mixture was comparable or even better than the conventional Portland cement concrete mixture. By using appropriate chemical admixture, highly workable LEED concrete mixture with up to 200 mm (8 in) slump was developed for drilled shaft and/or other pile foundation applications.
Reducing the effects of component mismatch by using relative size information

This paper shows how the relative size of components can be used to increase matching performance - saving orders of magnitude in component area. The relative size information can be found by ordering the elements from smallest to largest. A circuit to do this is described. Properties of ordered devices are summarized. Improvements are quantified for simple feedback circuits and matched devices constructed from ordered sub- elements. The INL of a 17-level D/A converter is simulated, and the methods are shown to increase linearity by 5 bits.
Nicotinic Receptors in Addiction Pathways

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that consist of pentameric combinations of α and β subunits. These receptors are widely distributed throughout the brain and are highly expressed in addiction circuitry. The role of nAChRs in regulating neuronal activity and motivated behavior is complex and varies both in and among brain regions. The rich diversity of central nAChRs has hampered the characterization of their structure and function with use of classic pharmacological techniques. However, recent molecular approaches using null mutant mice with specific regional lentiviral re-expression, in combination with neuroanatomical and electrophysiological techniques, have allowed the elucidation of the influence of different nAChR types on neuronal circuit activity and behavior. This review will address the influence of nAChRs on limbic dopamine circuitry and the medial habenula-interpeduncular nucleus complex, which are critical mediators of reinforced behavior. Characterization of the mechanisms underlying regulation of addiction pathways by endogenous cholinergic transmission and by nicotine may lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets for treating tobacco dependence and other addictions.
Vertical integration, innovation, and alliance portfolio size: Implications for firm performance

We examine the consequences of alliance portfolio configuration by focusing on contingencies that affect the impact of alliance portfolio size on innovation and financial performance. While increasing alliance portfolio size is expected to positively impact innovation and financial performance, we propose that, at high levels of innovation of the focal firm, increasing alliance portfolio size dampens financial performance. We also propose that firm boundaries moderate the impact of alliance portfolio size on innovation and financial performance differently. Specifically, vertically integrated firms benefit less (more) than their vertically specialized counterparts in leveraging higher innovation (financial) performance with increasing alliance portfolio size. Our analysis suggests that both vertical scope and innovation levels of the firm play an important role in understanding how alliance portfolios impact performance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convergence of English in Russian TV commercials

: Russian TV commercials are under the influence of Western advertising discourse. The presence of English and an English-Russian mix as the main source of linguistic creativity is a salient feature of Russian TV commericals. Three fourths of commercials shown on Russian TV during the last five years employ a bilingual mix. English is present in abundance in many structural components in the layout of Russian commercials, especially in brand name, name of the company, logo, wrapper, and attention-getter. Creativity is also observed through using structural patterns influenced by English, exploiting multiple meanings and ambiguous interpretations, using literary devices and figures of speech, as well as employing social meanings and connotations. The English usage in commercials is explained by functional, social, and psychological reasons: English serves as an external code to attract the attention of the customers, as a source of cross-cultural creativity and as a marker of Westernization, internationalism, modernization, innovation, and prestige.
Matrix parametrization of compactly supported orthonormal wavelets

We derive a new set of necessary and sufficient conditions for the filter coefficients of the two-scale difference equation to yield an orthogonal wavelet of compact support. The conditions constitute a linear set of equations of an arbitrary decision vector of half the filter size. The vector of the filter coefficients is a differentiable function of the decision vector. The formulation enables the optimization of the filter design under any regular objective function. The proposed parametrization is used to design customized orthonormal wavelets and to reproduce the classical orthogonal wavelets as a solution of a nonlinear optimization problem.
In vitro study of the safety limits of bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation in the presence of airway stents

Objective and background The purpose of this study was to identify the safety limits of bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) around indwelling airway stents. Methodology This is an experimental in vitro study simulating a patient-care environment. Uncovered and covered Nitinol (Ultraflex), uncovered and covered Wallstent and studded silicone stents were deployed in the tracheobronchial tree of a ventilated and oxygenated heart-lung block from an expired pig. APC was performed at power settings of 40 and 80 W using F(I)O(2) of 0.21, 0.40 and 1.00 and an argon gas-flow rate of 0.8 L/min through a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. The primary outcome was the time taken for the APC to cause stent damage. Stent damage was defined as discoloration, ignition or rupture. Results Airway fires involving all five stents consistently occurred in the presence of 100% oxygen at powers of 40 W and 80 W. At lower F(I)O(2) (0.21 and 0.40) silicone stents were not damaged at 40 W and 80 W. Uncovered Ultraflex stents were undamaged using 40 W at either F(I)O(2) (0.21 and 0.40), but could be damaged using both F(I)O(2) levels when the power was increased to 80 W. Covered Ultraflex and both uncovered and covered Wallstents were damaged at both power settings (40 W and 80 W) and F(I)O(2) (0.21 and 0.40) levels, with a trend towards earlier damage using higher F(I)O(2) and power. Conclusion Working within the parameters identified in this study (power 40 W, F(I)O(2) 0.21, APC flow-rate 0.8 L/min), APC is a safe method for tissue devitalization and destruction and avoids the risk of airway stent ignition, especially if short bursts of APC are employed. The safety limits identified using an F(i)O(2) of 0.4, however, are also important because some patients undergoing resection may require oxygen therapy.
A reciprocal theorem for Marangoni propulsion

We study the Marangoni propulsion of a spheroidal particle located at a liquid–gas interface. The particle asymmetrically releases an insoluble surface-active agent and so creates and maintains a surface tension gradient leading to the self-propulsion. Assuming that the surface tension has a linear dependence on the concentration of the released agent, we derive closed-form expressions for the translational speed of the particle in the limit of small capillary, Peclet and Reynolds numbers. Our derivations are based on the Lorentz reciprocal theorem, which eliminates the need to develop the detailed flow field.
The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the germination of Nosema algerae Vávra and Undeen (Microsporida: Nosematidae) spores.

Spores of Nosema algerae Vavra and Undeen were subjected to various dosages of 254 nm ultraviolet radiation (UV). Very high dosages of UV were required to block germination. Germination was normal immediately after UV dosages of 0.2 to 1.0 J/cm2, followed by a delayed effect in which both percentage germination and the intrasporal concentration of trehalose decreased with time after UV exposure. Although a few spores were germinated, most of them were inactivated (rendered temporarily unable to germinate) by exposure to UV of 1.1 J/cm2. Ultraviolet radiation between 1.1 and 3.4 J/cm2 stimulated spores to germinate. However, spores were completely unable to germinate immediately after exposure to dosages above 3.8 J/cm2. Ammonia had little effect on stimulation by UV but was inhibitory to germination after stimulation had occurred. These results demonstrate that UV behaves like a germination stimulus and are discussed in terms of the hypothesis that germination is initiated by the breakdown of barriers between trehalose and trehalase.
Thienopyridines in Acute Coronary Syndrome

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the thienopyridines in order to identify their current place in therapy for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).DATA SOURCES:Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1966-October 2010 week 1), EMBASE (1980–2010 week 40), and a bibliographic review of published articles using the search terms acute coronary syndrome, clopidogrel, and prasugrel. Articles were limited to clinical trials conducted in humans and published in the English language.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Head-to-head clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of the thienopyridines in patients with ACS were critically reviewed. Trials evaluating ticlopidine were excluded due to its limited clinical use.DATA SYNTHESIS:Thienopyridines are an integral part of the treatment of ACS. Prior to the approval of prasugrel, clopidogrel was considered the agent of choice due to safety concerns associated with ticlopidine. A randomized controlled trial comparing prasugrel and clo...
On-Site ESMA Inspections: Chancery Division Gives Procedural Guidance

European Securities & Markets Authority v DTCC Derivatives Repository Ltd [2015] EWHC 1085 (Ch) (25 April 2015) is a first of a kind judgment given by Mrs Justice Rose. It involved the application of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) for authorisation to conduct an inspection at the premises of a trade repository, the DTCC Derivatives Repository Limited (DTCC), in England. Rose J began her judgment by clarifying that DTCC was not suspected of engaging in misconduct and that the intended inspection was simply part of ESMA’s general supervisory functions. DTCC, which was notified, agreed to cooperate fully with the visiting ESMA officials but the European agency nevertheless required the High Court’s authority to proceed with the inspection. In light of the novelty of the situation, the court handed down a short judgment to set out the principles that apply to the exercise of ESMA’s power. The court reiterated the Chancellor’s guidance that future applications for authorisation by either ESMA or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under regulation 17 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Over the Counter Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories) Regulations 2013 can be submitted for consideration on the papers in certain cases. Rose J imparted guidance that such applications should be issued by ESMA and allocated a case number rather than treated as a pre-issue application. Over the Counter Derivatives (OTCs) create a complex web of inter-dependence that may make it hard to identify the nature and level of risks involved. As a consequence, a risk to financial stability is posed. In light of this situation, the Pittsburgh summit of G20 leaders in September 2009 made a commitment that all standardised OTC derivative contracts should be cleared through a central counter-party and reported to trade repositories. The reporting requirement seeks to enable central storage of information on the risks inherent in derivatives markets and makes it easily accessible to ESMA and other regulators. The registration and supervision of trade repositories (to ensure that they are subject to strict operational, record-keeping and data-management requirements) is the responsibility of ESMA.
Determinants of household food security of paddy farmers in Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka

Declining crop productivity and farm income in Sri Lanka forced rural households to adopt various coping mechanisms to mitigate the food insecurity status. This study aimed to analyze the paddy farmer’s coping behaviors, food security status and the determinants of food security. Food security was measured using coping strategies index and multinomial logistic regression was done to analyze the determinants of food security. Results revealed that, mean monthly income of the household was Rs. 13, 104.33. Almost all the households adopted various coping mechanisms. 30% of households were in food insecure condition. Multinomial logistic regression results revealed that family size, education level of the head of the household and total monthly income significantly influence the food security status. When household monthly income increases, the odds ratio to be food secure and moderately food secure increases by one. Considering the diversity of coping strategies employed in the study area, policy instruments should be designed to improve the income level coupled with proper education and thereby to improve the food security status among rural household in Batticaloa district.
Resource use efficiency as a function of species richness and stand composition in upper montane conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada

Abstract Questions: 1. Does resource use efficiency increase with increased species richness in conifer forests? 2. Do patterns found in resource use support niche differentiation/complementarity between species, or is any increase indicative of a selection effect? Location: All data were collected from upper montane (2200–2600 m a.s.l) conifer forests of the Desolation Wilderness in the central California Sierra Nevada, USA. Methods: We established 281 plots of varying levels of conifer richness throughout the wilderness area. Within each plot we used hemispherical photos to measure canopy closure and LAI, total soil carbon and nitrogen from the A-horizon, and stand basal area. We used linear regression and ANOVA to analyse the relationship between stand species richness and resource availability. Results: We found no correlation of either soil nitrogen or carbon with stand biomass. Nor did soil nitrogen and carbon levels change with species richness. Canopy closure increased with species richness but al...
Kinetic and mechanistic study of the reactions of atomic chlorine with CH3CH2Br, CH3CH2CH2Br, and CH2BrCH2Br.

A laser flash photolysis−resonance fluorescence technique has been employed to investigate the reactions of atomic chlorine with three alkyl bromides (R−Br) that have been identified as short-lived atmospheric constituents with significant ozone depletion potentials (ODPs). Kinetic data are obtained through time-resolved observation of the appearance of atomic bromine that is formed by rapid unimolecular decomposition of radicals generated via abstraction of a β-hydrogen atom. The following Arrhenius expressions are excellent representations of the temperature dependence of rate coefficients measured for the reactions Cl + CH3CH2Br (eq 1) and Cl + CH3CH2CH2Br (eq 2) over the temperature range 221−436 K (units are 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1): k1(T) = 3.73 exp(−378/T) and k2(T) = 5.14 exp(+21/T). The accuracy (2σ) of rate coefficients obtained from the above expressions is estimated to be ±15% for k2(T) and +15/−25% for k1(T) independent of T. For the relatively slow reaction Cl + CH2BrCH2Br (eq 3), a nonline...
Rational drug therapy based on understanding the pathophysiology of hypertension.

Increased peripheral vascular resistance is the hemodynamic hallmark of chronic hypertension. Evidence suggests that Ca2+ is vital in mediating vasoconstrictive mechanisms. Calcium channel blockers correct the specific arteriolar vasoconstrictive mechanism without unwanted compensatory actions. Human primary hypertension may also be related to volume variations in which renal influences contribute to elevated arterial pressure and diuretics may be necessary to control the hypertension. Patients in whom neurogenic-mediated vasoconstriction predominates show increased catecholamine production and renin release. These patients can be treated with either α - or β -receptor blocking agents or with converting enzyme inhibitors. Recent biochemical and pharmacological advances and a clear understanding of cardiovascular physiology have allowed more rational and individualized therapy for hypertensive patients, using minimal numbers of drugs in their minimal effective doses. Long-term monotherapy is now possible for different subgroups because of the specific and selective actions of newer antihypertensive agents.
Estimating the Southern Pine Beetle's Hydrologic Impact

Decisions concerning institution or expansion of forest pest control programs should be based on all relevant effects of the pest. The southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.) is a forest pest and the forest's watershed values could be affected by it (Leuschner and Newton 1974). This study's objectives were to develop a methodology for estimating the physical impacts of D. frontalis infestations on forest-produced water and to place a value on that impact within the benefit-cost framework.
Effects of Plant Diversity and Density on the Emigration Rate of Two Ground Beetles, Harpalus pennsylvanicus and Evarthrus sodalis (Coleoptera: Carabidae), in a System of Tomatoes and Beans

Emigration rates of Evarthrus sodalis LeConte and Harpalus pennsylvanicus DeGeer were compared in fenced tomato monocultures and polycultures of tomatoes and bean plots grown at two plant densities, as suggested by results obtained from pitfall traps in southern Michigan. Results show higher emigration rates at low plant-density treatments and a negative interaction between density and diversity (cropping system). In high plant-density treatments the emigration rate was higher in polycultures than in monocultures. The reverse was true for low-density treatments.
A supra-monolayer nanopattern for organic nanoparticle array deposition.

Nanopatterns have applications in many areas including sensors, optoelectronics, and crystallization screening. Particle lithography is a convenient method to manufacture nanoring nanopatterns based on organosilane surface chemistry. The pattern thickness is generally limited to the monolayer thickness. This work is focused on the chemical vapor deposition conditions that yield nanopatterns with multilayer thickness. The supra-monolayer n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) nanoring patterns are made using polystyrene particle lithography. The supra-monolayer nanopatterns are used as “nano-flasks” to deposit and nucleate nanoparticles of small organic molecules including n-docosane, aspirin, and clarithromycin. The supra-monolayer OTS nanopattern is an effective template for nanoparticle array deposition of all three chemicals with high degree of fidelity to the substrate pattern. The nanoparticle size is varied by solution concentration. The preferential deposition of the organic molecules inside the nanoring...
Reduction of α-oxo carboxyylic acids by pigeon liver `malic' enzyme

Abstract 1. Pigeon liver `malic' enzyme [l-malate–NADP+ oxidoreductase (decarboxylating); EC 1.1.1.40] was shown to catalyse the reductase reaction: [Formula: see text] l-Malate was identified as the reaction product, and was formed in stoicheiometric amount. 2. In addition to oxaloacetate and pyruvate, a number of other α-oxo carboxylic acids were also reduced.
Miscellaneous Useful Results

Herbert Federer's treatise presents many basic methods of geometry and analysis in a generality that embraces manifold applications. This chapter describes his treatment of Sard's Theorem, Green's Theorem, relative homology, and functions of bounded variation. The usual statement of Sard's Theorem says that the set of critical values of a C ∞ function f : R m → R n has Lebesgue measure 0. Herbert Federer's refinement shows precisely how the Hausdorff measure of the image depends on the rank of Df and the smoothness class of f . An important class of functions in analysis is the space BV loc of functions of locally bounded variation.
A SELF-ACTUATING BACKDRAFT DAMPER FOR PASSIVE SOLAR APPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT Natural thermosiphoning of solar-heated air is important for many passive solar applications. It is also important to prevent reverse thermosiphoning at night, often with the use of backdraft dampers. Commonly used plastic film dampers may restrict air flow. Therefore, this project developed a novel backdraft damper that utilizes bimetal coils to actuate a conventional metal damper. Two prototype dampers were tested in the upper and lower vents of a thermosiphoning air panel. The upper damper opened fully on sunny days, but partial opening of the lower damper reduced collector efficiency by 19%. A single upper damper should minimize reverse thermosiphoning. Future efforts will study the performance of plastic-film dampers and a single, bimetal-actuated damper in the upper vent.
Metallo-organic n-type thermoelectrics: Emphasizing advances in nickel-ethenetetrathiolates

Metallo-organic complexes with nickel as the metal center have been shown to exhibit high electrical conductivities warranting investigation of their thermoelectric potential. A review of metallo-organic n-type thermoelectrics is presented with a focus on nickel-sulfur coordination compounds. Herein, we also investigate the extent of oxidation on thermoelectric properties of poly(Ni-1,1,2,2-ethenetetrathiolate) (Ni-ETT) based materials. Elemental analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to characterize samples with different air exposure times, leading to differing levels of oxidation. When blended with an inert polymer matrix, the sample exposed to air for 30 min resulted in an eight times enhancement in electrical conductivity compared to the sample exposed to air for 24 h. Furthermore, the elemental composition of the 30 min sample fit the empirical formula Ax(MC2S4) postulated in literature, while the 24 h sample does not, which we attribute to decomposition during the oxidation process and presence of disulfides. The Seebeck coefficient remains largely unchanged as a function of oxidation time, indicating that this may be a viable technique to decouple Seebeck and electrical conductivity for high-performance organic thermoelectric materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44402.
LibGuides to the rescue: The cure for the same old boring papers

ABSTRACTDevising new ways to collaborate with faculty can be a challenge. In offering professors the opportunity to replace a written paper with a LibGuide assignment, the librarians hoped that the close working relationship necessary to ensure the success of this pilot would allow us to become actively engaged in the classroom. From the perspectives of faculty, a LibGuides assignment can represent an interesting alternative to a research paper that offers flexibility in design and content. For students, a LibGuide assignment can not only be fun but also challenging, since they will have to assess everything they put in the guide.
Insurance status and mortality among patients with AIDS.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors for mortality, including health care insurance status, among patients with AIDS in the era of modern combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). METHODS This study was part of the prospective, multicentre, observational Longitudinal Study of the Ocular Complications of AIDS (LSOCA). Patients were classified as having private health care insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or no insurance. Hazard ratios (HRs) for death were calculated using proportional hazards regression models and staggered entries, anchored to the AIDS diagnosis date. RESULTS Among 2363 participants with AIDS, 97% were treated with cART. At enrolment, 31% of participants had private insurance, 29% had Medicare, 24% had Medicaid, and 16% were uninsured. Noninfectious, age-related diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and renal disease, were more frequent among persons with Medicare than among those with private insurance. Compared with those who were privately insured, mortality was greater among participants with Medicare [adjusted HR (HRadj ) 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.67; P = 0.008]. Among participants with a suppressed HIV viral load, compared with those who were privately insured, HRadj values for mortality were 1.93 (95% CI 1.08-3.44; P = 0.02) for those with Medicare and 2.09 (95% CI 1.02-4.27; P = 0.04) for those with Medicaid. Mortality among initially uninsured participants was not significantly different from that for privately insured participants, but these participants typically obtained ART and insurance during follow-up. Compared with privately insured participants, time-updated HRadj values for mortality were 1.34 (95% CI 1.05-1.70; P = 0.02) for those with Medicare, 1.34 (95% CI 1.01-1.80; P = 0.05) for those with Medicaid, and 1.35 (95% CI 0.97-1.88; P = 0.05) for those who were uninsured. CONCLUSIONS In persons with AIDS, compared with those with private insurance, those with public insurance had increased mortality, possibly as a result of a greater burden of noninfectious, age-related diseases.
A low-power FSK/spatial modulation transmitter for mm-wave wireless links

Energy-efficient, multi-Gb/s wireless links are of interest for short-range board-to-board links within server chassis/enclosed server platforms. In this paper, we propose to leverage the small physical size/large available bandwidth of mm-wave systems to demonstrate combined frequency and spatial modulation in a mm-wave TX, targeting links operating in slow-varying channels. A pulsed mm-wave digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) provides low-power FSK capability, while variable pulse trigger delay achieves controlled relative phase between TX elements for low-power space-shift keying (SSK). A two-element 65-nm CMOS TX prototype is packaged with PCB antennas to demonstrate a 2-FSK/4-SSK 3-Gb/s TX up to 60-cm with 21.4 mW power consumption, achieving ∼7.1 pJ/bit.
How do tobacco power walls influence adolescents? A study of mediating mechanisms.

Objectives Tobacco power walls display hundreds of tobacco products and are known to be a key part of the impact of point-of-sale tobacco advertising on risk for smoking in adolescents. The current study examined factors that are hypothesized to mediate the effect of tobacco power wall exposure on adolescents' susceptibility for smoking in the future. Method Participants (N = 148) aged 11-17 years were invited to shop in the RAND StoreLab, a life-sized replica of a convenience store. They were randomized to 1 of 2 conditions: one in which the power wall was located in its typical position behind the cashier and the other in which it was hidden behind an opaque wall. Participants shopped in the RAND StoreLab and then completed measures of susceptibility for smoking in the future, perceived smoking norms, and perceived accessibility of cigarettes. Participants' movements in the store were electronically tracked. Results Having the tobacco power wall behind the cashier increased adolescents' susceptibility for smoking in the future by 14.3% (total effect) compared with when the power wall was hidden (p = .01), and 14% of this effect was mediated by participants' perceived smoking norms. Time spent in front of the cashier and perceived accessibility of cigarettes did not play a role in the association between study condition and susceptibility for smoking in the future. Conclusions The tobacco power wall increases adolescents' smoking risk, and this effect is partly explained by the effect of the power wall on adolescents' perceptions of how normative smoking is. (PsycINFO Database Record
Reprint of: Optimal decomposition for distributed optimization in nonlinear model predictive control through community detection

Abstract Distributed optimization, based on a decomposition of the entire optimization problem, has been applied to many complex decision making problems in process systems engineering, including nonlinear model predictive control. While decomposition techniques have been widely adopted, it remains an open problem how to optimally decompose an optimization problem into a distributed structure. In this work, we propose to use community detection in network representations of optimization problems as a systematic method of partitioning the optimization variables into groups, such that the variables in the same groups generally share more constraints than variables between different groups. The proposed method is applied to the decomposition of the optimal control problem involved in the nonlinear model predictive control of a reactor-separator process, and the quality of the resulting decomposition is examined by the resulting control performance and computational time. Our result suggests that community detection in network representations of the optimization problem generates decompositions with improvements in computational performance as well as a good optimality of the solution.
Gastrocnemius Tear: Incidental Finding During a Venous Doppler Exam:

Calf muscle tears are relatively common. They can be identified well as incidental findings using duplex sonography when performing a lower extremity venous Doppler exam. A case is presented of a 4...
Writing Across the Curriculum: Professional Communication and the Writing That Supports It

As professionals-in-training, law students must become fluent in the written forms by which legal practitioners communicate information and professional analysis to and on behalf of their clients – in various documents such as client letters, law office memoranda, and briefs to a court. Generated in the context of representing clients, formal law-practice-based writing should reflect an accurate understanding of a client’s concerns, goals, and expectations. If we agree that formal legal writing is organic to the attorney-client relationship, then helping students form a writing identity that is attentive to all dimensions of that professional relationship seems critical to a law school’s professionalizing mission. The goal of building a client-centered writing identity, then, would be to produce writing that is rigorously precise and accurate, as well as clear, engaged, evocative, and humane. To that end, legal educators need strategies that speak to the multiple contexts in which lawyers engage in client-centered professional writing. At the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Law Schools, the program I organized and chaired for the Section on Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research considered in depth one such strategy: the set of theories and practices known as Writing across the Curriculum (WAC), an educational initiative that originated in Britain at the secondary school level in the 1960s, and was adapted to undergraduate higher education in the United States in the 1970s. This essay introduces the theme of the panel and addresses how law schools can draw productively on insights from WAC literature and practice.
Improved Location Features for Meeting Speaker Diarization

This paper proposes several improvements to the correlationbased location features recently used in meeting speaker diarization. A speech-specific alternative to the generalized cross correlation phase transform (GCC-PHAT) algorithm is tested and shown to provide equal or better results without noise reduction or continuity-enforcing smoothing. The limitations of a single correlation reference waveform are discussed, and it is shown how a multi-band energy ratio feature can help overcome them, yielding significantly improved performance. An all-pairs correlation is also proposed, and when combined with energy ratios, it also improves upon the baseline system. However, the best combination is the baseline correlation features with energy ratios. Index Terms: speaker identification, diarization, localization
A Test Method to Measure the Response of Composite Materials Under Reversed Cyclic Loads

A test method to measure the response of composite materials under reversed cyclic loads is described. The method approximates the long-term response of a component by permitting the composite specimen to respond to the imposed loads and fail in an unconstrained mode rather than in a constrained mode. The method has been successfully used for the reversed cyclic loading of unnotched and notched graphite/epoxy and graphite/PEEK laminates of various stacking sequences. Included in the paper are monotonic tensile and compressive stiffness and strength data at several points in the fatigue lifetime, and damage development information obtained via X-ray radiography for quasi-isotropic T300/5208 and AS4/PEEK laminates with unloaded circular holes.
Effects of Long-Term Caloric Restriction on Hepatic Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme Activities in the Fischer 344 Rat

It is well established that caloric restriction (CR) in rodents can result in an increased maximally achievable life span and a decreased incidence and proliferative rate of neoplasia (Maeda et al. 1985; Masoro 1985, 1988). Although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects have not been satisfactorily elucidated, CR has been associated with a wide range of biochemical and endocrinological alterations that occur in a spectrum of tissues (Weindruch and Walford 1988).
Biochemical mechanisms of platelet activation

This review summarizes our current understanding of the biochemical pathways of platelet activation and inhibition, with specific emphasis on recent advances and unresolved issues. Several previous reviews have provided descriptions of various aspects of extracellular signal transduction
Enhancing landscape connectivity through multifunctional green infrastructure corridor modeling and design

Abstract Landscape connectivity is critical for ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation, yet urbanization is increasing habitat fragmentation. Green corridors that connect isolated remnant habitat patches (e.g. parks) can increase connectivity and provide ecosystem services in cities. Vacant land, especially prevalent in shrinking cities, presents a unique opportunity to reconnect these landscapes. This paper provides a practical and replicable approach for assessing landscape connectivity patterns and identifying priority locations for green corridors. The methodology integrates social and ecological factors coupled with site-scale multifunctional greenway designs and is applied to the city of Detroit as a proof of concept. First, we use FRAGSTATS to evaluate structural landscape connectivity patterns at a census tract scale. A functional connectivity assessment based on graph theory and Conefor software is used to validate the results, which indicate that habitat is highly fragmented in Detroit. To identify opportunities to reduce this fragmentation, we use a least-cost path approach to map potential green corridors linking city parks through vacant parcels, alleys, and smaller green spaces, and prioritize these corridors using a gravity model and network analysis. To make the model more concrete and useful for decision-makers, we develop site-level multifunctional corridor design typologies. This study presents a novel approach to assessing urban connectivity and a multi-scalar, systematic methodology for planning urban green infrastructure networks that connects landscape ecology with practical planning and design considerations to maximize social and ecological functions.
Synthesis of Myrocin G, the Putative Active Form of the Myrocin Antitumor Antibiotics

The antiproliferative antimicrobial fungal metabolites known as the myrocins have been proposed to cross-link DNA by double nucleotide addition. However, the nature of the DNA-reactive species is ambiguous, as myrocins have been isolated as functionally distinct 5-hydroxy-γ-lactone and diosphenol isomers. Based on literature precedent, we hypothesized that the diosphenol 7 (assigned here the trivial name myrocin G) is the biologically active form of the representative isolate (+)-myrocin C (1). To probe this, we developed a short enantioselective route to 7. A powerful fragment-coupling reaction that forms the central ring of the target in 38% yield and in a single step was developed. In support of our hypothesis, 7 was efficiently transformed to the bis(sulfide) 6, a product previously isolated from reactions of 1 with excess benzenethiol. This work provides the first direct access to the diosphenol 7, sets the stage for elucidating the mode of interaction of the myrocins with DNA, and provides a foundat...
Exploring early sport specialization: associations with psychosocial outcomes.

Sport specialization has been linked to multiple negative health related outcomes including increased injury risk and sport attrition, yet a gap remains in our understanding of potential psychologi...
Non-reciprocity in time-periodic phononic materials with a non-zero moving velocity

Non-reciprocal wave propagation in elastic structures has received considerable attention lately. A common mechanism to break elastic wave reciprocity is the use of phononic materials with traveling-wave-like properties. Among the popular methods to study wave dispersion in periodic media are the plane wave expansion and transfer matrix method (TMM). However, owing to the time-variant nature of such non-reciprocal systems, the implementation of both methods requires the truncation of harmonic terms. In this work, we adopt the TMM to extract the dispersion patterns of a moving phononic material with a prescribed velocity. In the presence of a temporal modulation of material properties in one direction accompanied by physical motion in an opposing direction, both effects cancel out and the problem becomes effectively time-invariant. This facilitates the analysis and yields interesting results. Subsequently, we exploit the well-established relationship between the momentumenergy spaces of moving and stationary elastic media to reconstruct exact dispersion diagrams of a stationary space-time-periodic system. The proposed approach provides a platform to incorporate the TMM in the analysis of non-reciprocal time-variant materials. Finally, given the lack of harmonic truncation, the accuracy of the new method does not diminish as the modulating speed increases.
Patterns of Antihypertensive Drug Utilization among US Adults with Diabetes and Comorbid Hypertension: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2014.

Background:Diabetes and hypertension are the 2 leading risk factors for suboptimal cardiovascular and renal outcomes. These 2 conditions often coexist and can benefit from antihypertensive therapy,...
Effects of intracerebroventricular arginine vasotocin on a female amphibian proceptive behavior.

Mate choice decisions of animals show significant variability—both among and within individuals. Clearly, such variability can profoundly impact individual fitness, as well as subtly alter sexual selection processes, but we know little about the neural mechanisms underlying such variability. We examined the influence of the neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) on the strength of attraction of female gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) showing positive phonotaxis to the call of a conspecific male. Female treefrogs received intracerebroventricular injections with either saline, AVT (five doses), or the AVT receptor antagonist Manning compound (two doses). By 30 min after injection, AVT significantly increased the speed with which females approached the speaker, at doses of 1, 10 and 50 ng per frog. At the highest dose, the average speed was doubled. The AVT antagonist significantly inhibited phonotaxis at both doses (50 and 100 ng). The effects of AVT on treefrog phonotaxis were shorter lived (disappearing within 60–90 min), compared to Manning compound (effects persisted at least 90 min). These findings support the hypothesis that endogenous AVT is critical to the display of female phonotaxis behavior. AVT may thus contribute to variability in female mate choices by modulating proceptive behaviors.
Sickle Cell Pain Crisis: The Effect of CYP2D6 Polymorphisms.

Abstract Background: Many children with painful sickle cell crises take prescription opioid pain medications, such as codeine. Drug efficacy depends on metabolic activation by a specific cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP2D6. CYP2D6 exhibits clinically relevant genetic polymorphism with poor and intermediate metabolizers having marked and somewhat reduced CYP2D6 activity, respectively, resulting in decreased production of active opioid. We hypothesize that a higher proportion of children with sickle cell disease who fail outpatient therapy with opioids will have a reduced functioning allele compared to norms for the African American population. We further posited that the proportion of children with reduced functioning alleles would be higher among children with more severe disease, defined by a history of hydroxyurea therapy. Methods: Children with sickle cell disease (4–18 years) who presented to the emergency department with a painful crisis unresponsive to oral CYP2D6-dependent opioid therapy were eligible. Those taking other CYP2D6 substrates were excluded. Blood was drawn for CYP2D6 genotyping, with allelic determination performed by DNA PCR amplification followed by single base extention. The main outcome measure was the proportion of children who possessed at least one of the alleles previously associated with reduced function (CYP2D6 *4, *5, *6, *10, *17 and *40). This proportion was compared to previously published norms for the African American population. A chi-square test was then used to examine whether a difference existed between sample children classified as mild or severe based on hydroxyurea status. Results: Seventy-six children were enrolled of which 47 (62%) had HgbSS, 17 (22%) had HgbSC, 8 (11%) had HgbSβ+ and 4 (5%) had HgbSβ°. Twenty-seven of the children were classified as severe based on hydroxyurea usage. Overall, 45 (58%) of the 76 children had at least one reduced functioning allele. This proportion was similar to the African American population norms previously described. When analyzed by severity, a significantly greater proportion of severe children (21/27; 78%) possessed at least one reduced functioning allele compared to children with mild disease (24/49; 49%); p=0.014. A subanalysis of children with HgbSS revealed about half of the children (22/47) to be on hydroxyurea. Among HgbSS patients, patients treated with hydroxyurea were more likely to have a reduced functioning allele (18/22; 82%) compared to patients not treated with hydroxyurea [12/25 (48%); p = 0.016]. Conclusions: Children with sickle cell disease severe enough to warrant hydroxyurea therapy who present to the emergency department for pain crisis are more likely to possess a CYP2D6 allele with reduced function. This variation in allelic frequency would be expected to result in poorer pain control, which may lead to increased care seeking for pain crises and thus be a factor in health care provider decisions to use hydroxyurea. Screening for genetic polymorphisms or the use of non-CYP2D6 dependent pain medications should be considered in this patient group.
A Neighborhood Search Technique for the Freeze Tag Problem

The Freeze Tag Problem arises naturally in the field of swarm robotics. Given n robots at different locations, the problem is to devise a schedule to activate all robots in the minimum amount of time. Activation of robots, other than the initial robot, only occurs if an active robot physically moves to the location of an inactive robot. Several authors have devised heuristic algorithms to build solutions to the Freeze Tag Problem. Here, we investigate an update procedure based on a hill-climbing, local search algorithm to solve the Freeze-Tag Problem.
Executive functions and components of oral reading fluency through the lens of text complexity

As readers struggle to coordinate various reading- and language-related skills during oral reading fluency (ORF), miscues can emerge, especially when processing complex texts. Following a miscue, students often self-correct as a strategy to potentially restore ORF and online linguistic comprehension. Executive functions (EF) are hypothesized to play an interactive role during ORF. Yet, the role of EF in self-corrections while reading complex texts remains elusive. To this end, we evaluated the relation between students’ probability of self-correcting miscues—or P(SC)—and their EF profile in a cohort of 143 participants (aged 9–15) who represented a diverse spectrum of reading abilities. Moreover, we used experimentally-manipulated passages (decoding, vocabulary, syntax, and cohesion) and employed a fully cross-classified mixed-effects multilevel regression strategy to evaluate the interplay between components of ORF, EF, and text complexity. Our results revealed that, after controlling for reading and language abilities, increased production of miscues across different passage conditions was explained by worse EF. We also found that students with better EF exhibited greater P(SC) when reading complex texts. While text complexity taxes students’ EF and influences their production of miscues, findings suggest that EF may be interactively recruited to restore ORF via self-correcting oral reading errors. Overall, our results suggest that domain-general processes (e.g., EF) are associated with production of miscues and may underlie students’ behavior of self-corrections, especially when reading complex texts. Further understanding of the relation between different components of ORF and cognitive processes may inform intervention strategies to improve reading proficiency and overall academic performance.
HIGH SENSITIVITY CARDIAC TROPONIN: NOT JUST HEART DISEASE

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hscTn) assays are becoming widely available and are standard in the evaluation of chest pain (CP). A 29-year-old female with a history of myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1 and bicuspid aortic valve presented with intermittent, left-sided CP to the ambulatory