cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review: Unbuilt Utopian Cities 1460 to 1900: Reconstructing Their Architecture and Political Philosophy, by Tessa Morrison

Tessa Morrison Unbuilt Utopian Cities 1460 to 1900: Reconstructing Their Architecture and Political Philosophy Farnham, England: Ashgate, 2015, 262 pp., 30 color and 55 b/w illus. $124.95, ISBN 9781472452658 In 2008, Austrian architect, theorist, and scholar Gunther Feuerstein published a volume titled Urban Fiction: Strolling through Ideal Cities from Antiquity to the Present Day .1 The book combined visual evidence from historical illustrations and written evidence into a series of playful descriptions of what it might be like to wander through unbuilt places of utopian imagination. By rendering these fictional cities in a fictional fashion, Feuerstein adopted a unique strategy to avoid one of the problems that has long haunted would-be scholars of utopian architecture: how to subject the buildings of literature to the formal and historical analyses that are the tools of architectural historians. This problem has encouraged past historians to concentrate on ideal cities that have been visually rendered in some capacity, as with Ruth Eaton's copiously illustrated Ideal Cities: Utopia and the (Un)Built Environment (2002) and Helen Rosenau's narrower but more rigorous The Ideal City: Its Architectural Evolution (1972).2 One of the issues with utopian images, however, is that they often suffer from a lack of fidelity to the texts they are meant to illustrate, perhaps most famously in the case of Thomas More's germinal Utopia (1516), early editions of which featured a frontispiece depicting conventionalized representations of Renaissance cities bearing almost no likeness to the Utopian towns described in the book. Tessa Morrison attempts to tackle both the methodological problem of formally analyzing written architecture and the analytical problem of reconciling illustrations with texts in her new book, Unbuilt Utopian Cities 1460 to 1900 . She does so by creating digital models for ten ideal cities (four from the Renaissance and six from the age of industry), all of which, she …
Pathseer: a centralized tracer of packet trajectories in software-defined datacenter networks

Tracing packet trajectories is a key component of network fault diagnosis, especially in software-defined datacenter networks. The network operators and SDN developers often need to reason about the network forwarding behavior and localize the unpredicted network failures. The existing approaches for tracing packet trajectories in an SDN environment either incur large data collection overhead or trade off the data plane resources to satisfy pre-specified queries. This paper introduces PathSeer, a lightweight and scalable technique for tracing packet trajectories in SDN-enabled datacenters. PathSeer leverages OpenFlow features to reuse some fields in the packet header for encoding the path of the traced packet. It is designed as an SDN tool running on the centralized network controller. Therefore, PathSeer can efficiently trace the end-to-end paths taken by packets, and provide insights into the distributed forwarding state of the network. A preliminary evaluation on a fat-tree topology shows that PathSeer significantly reduces the overhead of tracing packet trajectories, compared to state-of-the-art techniques.
Complications of Spinal Cord Injury Over the First Year After Discharge From Inpatient Rehabilitation

Abstract Objectives To describe the prevalence and cumulative incidence of secondary complications of spinal cord injury (SCI) in the first year after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (IR); and to evaluate potential associations between risk of complications and sociodemographic and injury-specific factors. Design Secondary analysis of data collected for a single-site, single-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing telephone follow-up with usual care. Setting Inpatient rehabilitation units. Participants Adults ages ≥18 years (N=169) within 1 year of discharge from IR after SCI. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Self-report of 10 secondary complications of SCI. Results Participants experienced a mean of 4.7 complications over 12 months. The most frequently reported complications were urinary tract infection (UTI), autonomic dysreflexia (AD), and pressure ulcers, with cumulative incidences of 62%, 43%, and 41%, respectively. Bone and soft tissue injuries (cumulative incidence, 35%) and bowel problems, including impaction or severe constipation (cumulative incidence, 33%), were also common. Cumulative incidences of AD, decubitus ulcers, UTI, and problems with bladder were greater in participants with higher level and more complete injuries, and some recurrent complications were common. Age at injury and impairment level significantly affected rates of complications, and subjects developed an average of 2.33 distinct complications during the study period. Conclusions People with SCI are at high risk for a number of secondary complications over the first year after discharge from IR. Although these data offer some insight into who with SCI is at highest risk for first time and recurrent complications, further study is needed to refine this understanding and to develop effective educational and prevention strategies.
Hyperfine-mediated electric quadrupole shifts in Al + and In + ion clocks

Electric quadrupole shifts mediated by hyperfine interactions are calculated for the Al${}^{+}$ and In${}^{+}$ clock transitions. The shift is found to be accidentally small for Al${}^{+}$, and can generally be suppressed by adjusting the orientation of the bias magnetic field.
Predatory Formations Dressed in Wall Street Suits and Algorithmic Math

This article examines how assemblages of complex types of knowledge and technologies—including algorithmic mathematics, law and accounting, and high-level logistics—have generated complex predatory...
The Value of Representation: Toward a Critique of Networked Television Performance

By changing the relations of production and exhibition, networked Internet (digital, peer-to-peer) distribution offers ways to experiment with representations different from legacy (linear, one-to-many) network distribution. To advance a theory of value in representation, I founded the platform Open TV beta to develop queer, intersectional television in Chicago and online. I present a framework for assessing representational value through case studies of producing and exhibiting three local, queer, artist-driven pilots in Chicago. I argue that small-scale development processes restructure the politics of representation in television and art, allowing us to see value and innovation where it has historically been hidden in performances of cultures, organizations, and technologies of exhibition.
Turbulence and sheared flow structures behind the isotopic dependence of the L-H power threshold on DIII-D

Measurements of long wavelength ( < 1) density fluctuation characteristics in the edge of both Deuterium (D) and Hydrogen (H) plasmas across the L-H transition on DIII-D demonstrate the existence of single or double bands of low-wavenumber turbulence observed near the edge of H and D plasmas. These are strongly correlated with the L to H-mode transition power threshold (P LH) and can help explain the isotopic and density dependence of P LH, and how the P LH difference is reduced at higher density. Understanding and accurately predicting the L-H power threshold is critical to accessing to H-mode, and operating and achieving high confinement in burning plasmas such as ITER. Above about n e ~ 4 × 1019 m−3, P LH is seen to converge for H and D, and increases for both with higher density. Surprisingly, the P LH increases significantly at low density in H but not in D plasmas. Two distinct frequency bands of density fluctuations are observed in the D plasmas at low density, n e ~ 1.2–1.5 × 1019 m−3, but not in H plasmas with similar density, which appears to be correlated to the much lower power threshold in D at low density. Consistently, E × B shear in the region of r/a ~ 0.95–1.0 is larger in D plasmas than in H plasmas at low density; as the P LH increases with increasing density, the dual mode structure disappears while E × B shear becomes similar and small for both D and H plasmas at higher density, n e ~ 5 × 1019 m−3, where P LH is similar for both D and H plasmas. The increased edge fluctuations, increased flow shear, and the dual-band nature of edge turbulence correlating with lower P LH may account for the strong isotope and density dependencies of P LH and support current L-H transition theories but suggest a complex behavior that can inform a more complete model of the L-H transition threshold.
An Optimization-Based DC-Network Reduction Method

Reduced order models of dc networks using Ward, REI, and bus-aggregation approaches have been used to advantage for some time. Proposed in this paper is an optimization-based framework that can easily be modified to generate a Ward reduction, a bus-aggregation-based reduction, or a range of hybrid reductions between these two extremes, generating reduced-order models that are tailored to the purpose of the study. The so-called optimization-based Ward reduction method is demonstrated to be numerically stable on practical examples and is specifically applied to the problem of large-reactance branch elimination. We show that it offers accuracy advantages over the traditional approach of removing high-reactance branches using a threshold criterion.
Estimating benefits and costs of policies proposed in the 13th FYP to improve energy efficiency and reduce air emissions of China's electric power sector

This paper assesses the benefits and costs of five policies seeking to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of China's electric power sector in the 13th five-year plan. It also estimates for each policy, the cost per ton of coal saved and the cost per ton of CO2, SO2, NOx, PM and mercury abated. Results show that, compared with a business as usual (BAU) case, the implementation of these policies will reduce coal consumption and CO2 emissions by 9.61–13.77% and will eliminate more than half of air pollutant emissions, at an annualized cost in the range of $43.5–97.4 billion. Among the policies analyzed, the development of renewable power and the mandate for retrofits of existing coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) are the most promising for reducing energy consumption and emissions; the former has the highest potential for reducing coal usage and CO2 emissions; while the latter can contribute the most to the reduction of air pollutant emissions. The two most cost-effective policies for reducing coal consumption and air emissions are a) imposing technology standards for new CFPPs and b) mandating retrofits for existing CFPPs. In contrast, the adoption of low-sulfur coal is the costliest policy.
Behavior of Hygroscopic Pharmaceutical Aerosols and the Influence of Hydrophobic Additives

The high temperature and relative humidity in the lung can result in the hygroscopic growth of susceptible aerosol particles or droplets. The term hygroscopic growth describes the increase in particle diameter which occurs as the result of association with water vapor. The influence of hygroscopicity upon lung deposition of aerosols has been a productive area of research in industrial hygiene, environmental sciences, and inhalation toxicology. Many pharmaceutical inhalation aerosols display hygroscopic behavior in their passage through the airways; however, the effect has been neglected. Controlling the phenomenon of hygroscopic growth and, thus, the related lung deposition of aerosols might result in the therapeutic advantage of targeting the site of action. Such an approach might also allow identification of the location of pharmacologic receptor sites in the lung. This Review discusses an approach to achieving control of hygroscopic growth of aerosol particles. Theoretical and experimental studies have indicated that inhaled particle diameters increased significantly for drugs commonly administered to the lung. The presence of certain additives, notably glycerol, cetyl alcohol, and lauric and capric acids, has been demonstrated to reduce the growth of particles under conditions approaching those in the lung. Very few quantitative studies of the nature discussed herein have appeared in the literature. It is conceivable that an aerosol particle could be fabricated of known initial size and density, and by implication, deposition characteristic, and this might be induced to follow specific growth kinetics to enhance deposition in a particular region of the lung. Thus, physical targeting of regions within the lung might be achieved.
Individual differences in EEG correlates of recognition memory due to DAT polymorphisms

Introduction Although previous research suggests that genetic variation in dopaminergic genes may affect recognition memory, the role dopamine transporter expression may have on the behavioral and EEG correlates of recognition memory has not been well established. Objectives The study aims to reveal how individual differences in dopaminergic functioning due to genetic variations in the dopamine transporter gene influences behavioral and EEG correlates of recognition memory. Methods Fifty-eight participants performed an item recognition task. Participants were asked to retrieve 200 previously presented words while brain activity was recorded with EEG. Regions of interest were established in scalp locations associated with recognition memory. Mean ERP amplitudes and event-related spectral perturbations when correctly remembering old items (hits) and recognizing new items (correct rejections) were compared as a function of dopamine transporter group. Results Participants in the dopamine transporter group that codes for increased dopamine transporter expression (10/10 homozygotes) display slower reaction times compared to participants in the dopamine transporter group associated with the expression of fewer dopamine transporters (9R-carriers). 10/10 homozygotes further displayed differences in ERP and oscillatory activity compared to 9R-carriers. 10/10 homozygotes fail to display the left parietal old/new effect, an ERP signature of recognition memory associated with the amount of information retrieved. 10/10 homozygotes also displayed greater decreases of alpha and beta oscillatory activity during item memory retrieval compared to 9R-carriers. Conclusion Compared to 9R-carriers, 10/10 homozygotes display slower hit and correct rejection reaction times, an absence of the left parietal old/new effect, and greater decreases in alpha and beta oscillatory activity during recognition memory. These results suggest that dopamine transporter polymorphisms influence recognition memory.
Operando X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of solid electrolyte interphase formation and evolution in Li 2 S-P 2 S 5 solid-state electrolytes

Solid-state electrolytes such as Li2S-P2S5 compounds are promising materials that could enable Li metal anodes. However, many solid-state electrolytes are unstable against metallic lithium, and little is known about the chemical evolution of these interfaces during cycling, hindering the rational design of these materials. In this work, operando X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and real-time in situ Auger electron spectroscopy mapping are developed to probe the formation and evolution of the Li/Li2S-P2S5 solid-electrolyte interphase during electrochemical cycling, and to measure individual overpotentials associated with specific interphase constituents. Results for the Li/Li2S-P2S5 system reveal that electrochemically driving Li+ to the surface leads to phase decomposition into Li2S and Li3P. Additionally, oxygen contamination within the Li2S-P2S5 leads initially to Li3PO4 phase segregation, and subsequently to Li2O formation. The spatially non-uniform distribution of these phases, coupled with differences in their ionic conductivities, have important implications for the overall properties and performance of the solid-electrolyte interphase.
Challenges and Approaches for Large Graph Analysis Using Map/Reduce Paradigm

Analysis of big graphs has become possible due to the convergence of many technologies such as server farms, new paradigms for processing data in massively parallel ways (e.g., Map/Reduce, Bulk Synchronous Parallelization), as well as the ability to process unstructured data. This has allowed one to solve problems that were not possible (or extremely time consuming) earlier. Many algorithms are being mapped to new paradigms to deal with larger versions with a meaningful response time. This paper analyses a few related problems in the context of graph analysis. Our goal is to analyse the challenges of adapting/extending algorithms for graph analysis (graph mining, graph matching and graph search) to exploit the Map/Reduce paradigm for very large graph analysis in order to achieve scalability. We intend to explore alternative paradigms that may be better suited for a class of applications. As an example, finding interesting and repetitive patterns from graphs forms the crux of graph mining. For processing large social network and other graphs, extant main memory and disk-based) approaches are not appropriate. Hence, it is imperative that we explore massively parallel paradigms for their processing to achieve scalability. This is also true for other problems such as in-exact or approximate match of graphs, and answering queries on large data sets represented as graphs (e.g. Freebase). In this paper, we identify the challenges of harmonizing the existing approaches with Map/Reduce and our preliminary approaches to solve these problems using the new paradigm.
Web services architecture and implementation: tutorial presentation

This tutorial covers the architecture, operation, and implementation of web services. Web services applications are developed as a group of autonomous components, each is referred to as web service. Web services support interoperability among distributed software applications running on heterogeneous platforms. By developing an application as distinct reusable components, each component is responsible for providing only a specialized group of services, which are accessible to many applications over the Internet. Thus, web services provide practical reusability at the service level.
Aperture Integral Ultrasonic Pulse Transmission Model

This paper discusses a numerical algorithm and supporting formulation for evaluating ultrasonic pulse transmission through non-planar component geometries. The algorithm is engineered to model experimental configurations where irregularities in surface geometry preclude the use of less rigorous approaches, such as a field expansion about a single entry point. The algorithm formulation represents the transmitted pulse as a surface integral coinciding with a pulse origin aperture, employing the Green function for the water-component system. The model explicitly considers the component surface geometry over the footprint of the incident pulse, thus allowing consideration of smooth yet non-expandable (i.e. in power series about a single point) geometries, such as adjoining flat and fillet surfaces. A computationally efficient algorithm results from use of asymptotic Green function approximations. Approaches are also discussed under conditions where the asymptotic Green function expressions are singular or invalid, due to focusing by surface concavity or transmission near critical angles. Consideration of pulse time dependence represents an extension of previous work [1], as also does treatment of surface concavity and critical angle transmission. The following sections summarize theoretical formulation and algorithmic implementation, followed by the presentation of illustrative computations.
Urogenital symptoms in women with Tarlov cysts.

Aim To describe the clinical findings and urogenital symptoms associated with sacral perineural cysts (Tarlov cysts). Methods A retrospective chart review including 65 female patients with Tarlov cysts was completed. Clinical findings were collected from a database of subjects seen in our institution's urogynecology and neurosurgery clinics between 2004 and 2015. A statistical analysis was performed to test for any correlation between cyst size or location, and patient symptoms or examination findings. Results Tarlov cysts were most commonly located from S2 to S3 (73%), and ranged in size from 1 to 2 cm (55%). Frequently reported symptoms included lower back pain (83%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71-0.91), lower extremity radiculopathy (75%, CI 0.63-0.85), positional pain (62%, CI 0.50-0.73), urinary urgency (54%, CI 0.41-0.66) and urinary frequency (48%, CI 0.35-0.61). Common urodynamic findings included an early sensation of filling (70%), involuntary detrusor contractions (33%), urethral instability (33%) and stress urinary incontinence (33%). A statistical analysis comparing cyst size and location to clinical findings was significant for a correlation between an S2 location and central nervous system symptoms (P = 0.02), larger cyst size and urinary dysfunction (P = 0.05) and smaller cyst size and an early sensation of filling (P = 0.05). Conclusion Patients with symptomatic sacral Tarlov cysts frequently report pain and neuropathy related to the lower back, pelvis and urogenital system. As compared to the general population, urinary urgency and urodynamic findings associated with urgency were more frequent in our patient sample. These findings suggest that Tarlov cysts may have a clinically significant impact on urogenital function.
The role of metabolites in bioequivalency assessment. III. Highly variable drugs with linear kinetics and first-pass effect.

Purpose. Simulated pharmacokinetic (PK) studies were done to determine the effect of intrinsic clearance (CLINT) on the probability of meeting bioequivalence criteria for extent (AUC) and rate (Cmax) of drug absorption when the absorption rate and fraction absorbed (F) were formulated either to be equivalent or to differ by 25%.
Excess nonequilibrium collector adsorption and flotation rates

Experiments using an optically polished Pyrex disk and aqueous dodecylammonium acetate (DAA) films showed that the velocity with which the films recede increases markedly if the runs are repeated at short time intervals, where equilibrium cannot be reattained. This results from DAA molecules being desorbed from the disappearing liquid-air interface and being deposited on the solid-air interface being formed. Controlled experiments with Pyrex particles in a modified Hallimond tube showed a similar increase in flotation rate, again due to excess adsorption of DAA molecules that were transferred to the solid-air interface from the bubble on contact.
An introduction to cultural sensitivity and global pharmacy engagement

Global engagement between schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States and many regions of the world is increasing. For an enriching and fruitful interaction, sensitivity toward the cultural, ethical, educational, religious, historical, political, regulatory, and practice issues is critical. Lack of sensitivity may negatively impact engagement among students, professionals and other people from different regions of the world. In this special issue, eight papers will introduce general information about five regions of the world that have established and increased global engagements with institutions in the United States: Africa, the Arab world, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. In addition, the special issue will include a paper with key information related to global engagement within the United States. For each paper, the specifics provided about the selected countries include: demographics, culture, climate, pharmacy education, and health care systems, as well as common stereotypes and misconceptions held by and about the people of the country. Further, recommendations for pharmacists and other health care professionals on culturally sensitive engagement will be emphasized. Finally, recommendations for culturally sensitive engagement when US schools are hosting students and faculty members from those regions will be summarized. The papers are based on literature reviews of databases from 2000 to 2018 and internet searches with specific keywords or terms, such as cultural sensitivity, global, pharmacy, stereotypes, and ethics. Additional keywords are identified in individual papers on specific regions. Authors for each paper consist of practitioners with experience in travelling to and hosting students and professionals from the regions; practitioners with local work experience, and professionals from each region. The special issue is intended to serve as a resource for US schools and colleges of pharmacy currently engaged in or considering future outreach opportunities in these regions, and for those seeking opportunities in the United States. The special issue will provide key information to facilitate culturally sensitive engagement in existing or future relationships.
Evaluating Benefits and Harms of Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

In patients with NVAF, anticoagulants decrease the risk of stroke by approximately 60%. However, they also significantly increase the risk of a major bleeding event or intracranial hemorrhage.
Radiation Characteristics of a New Planar Array

A new class of low side lobe, rectangular planar arrays with monotonically decreasing nonuniform excitations is examined. Simulation results for directivity, side lobe level, and half-power beamwidths, are presented and their variations with the new array parameters and the direction of the pattern main beam maximum are discussed.
Toward Optimizing cVEMP: 2,000-Hz Tone Bursts Improve the Detection of Superior Canal Dehiscence.

BACKGROUND The cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) test measures saccular and inferior vestibular nerve function. The cVEMP can be elicited with different frequency stimuli and interpreted using a variety of metrics. Patients with superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD) syndrome generally have lower cVEMP thresholds and larger amplitudes, although there is overlap with healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate which metric and frequency best differentiate healthy ears from SCD ears using cVEMP. METHODS Twenty-one patients with SCD and 23 age-matched controls were prospectively included and underwent cVEMP testing at 500, 750, 1,000 and 2,000 Hz. Sound level functions were obtained at all frequencies to acquire threshold and to calculate normalized peak-to-peak amplitude (VEMPn) and VEMP inhibition depth (VEMPid). Third window indicator (TWI) metrics were calculated by subtracting the 250-Hz air-bone gap from the ipsilateral cVEMP threshold at each frequency. Ears of SCD patients were divided into three groups based on CT imaging: dehiscent, thin or unaffected. The ears of healthy age-matched control subjects constituted a fourth group. RESULTS Comparing metrics at all frequencies revealed that 2,000-Hz stimuli were most effective in differentiating SCD from normal ears. ROC analysis indicated that for both 2,000-Hz cVEMP threshold and for 2,000-Hz TWI, 100% specificity could be achieved with a sensitivity of 92.0%. With 2,000-Hz VEMPn and VEMPid at the highest sound level, 100% specificity could be achieved with a sensitivity of 96.0%. CONCLUSION The best diagnostic accuracy of cVEMP in SCD patients can be achieved with 2,000-Hz tone burst stimuli, regardless of which metric is used.
Individual differences in animal intelligence: Learning, reasoning, selective attention and inter-species conservation of a cognitive trait.

Humans’ performance on most cognitive tasks are commonly regulated by an underlying latent variable (i.e., “general” intelligence), and the expression of this latent modulator of cognitive performance varies across individuals. While “intelligence” in humans is easily recognized, a precise definition of this trait has proven elusive, and has impeded efforts to compare the emergence of thi strait across species. Here we describe our efforts to characterize this cognitive trait in genetically heterogeneous laboratory mice. Using batteries of as many as eight learning tasks and various principal component analysis regimens, we have found a robust general factor that accounts fornearly 40% of the variance of individual animals across all tasks. This “” is not attributable to variations in stress reactivity or exploratory tendencies. However, like human intelligence, this general factor covaries with the efficacy of selective attention and working memory capacity. Importantly, we also find that general learning abilities covary with animals’ performance on novel tests of reasoning. In total, this work indicates that learning abilities, attentional control, andthe capacity for reasoning, features that constitute both colloquial and formal definitions of human intelligence, are commonly regulated in individual genetically heterogeneous mice. These results suggest an evolutionary conservation of the qualitative and quantitative properties of intelligence, and indicate that like humans, sub-human animals express individual differences in this trait. //
Variable cytoplasmic actin expression impacts the sensitivity of different dystrophin‐deficient mdx skeletal muscles to eccentric contraction

Eccentric contractions (ECCs) induce force loss in several skeletal muscles of dystrophin-deficient mice (mdx), with the exception of the soleus (Sol). The eccentric force : isometric force (ECC : ISO), expression level of utrophin, fiber type distribution, and sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase expression are factors that differ between muscles and may contribute to the sensitivity of mdx skeletal muscle to ECC. Here, we confirm that the Sol of mdx mice loses only 13% force compared to 87% in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) following 10 ECC of isolated muscles. The Sol has a greater proportion of fibers expressing Type I myosin heavy chain (MHC) and expresses 2.3-fold more utrophin compared to the EDL. To examine the effect of ECC : ISO, we show that the mdx Sol is insensitive to ECC at ECC : ISO up to 230 ± 15%. We show that the peroneus longus (PL) muscle presents with similar ECC : ISO compared to the EDL, intermediate force loss (68%) following 10 ECC, and intermediate fiber type distribution and utrophin expression relative to EDL and Sol. The combined absence of utrophin and dystrophin in mdx/utrophin-/- mice rendered the Sol only partially susceptible to ECC and exacerbated force loss in the EDL and PL. Most interestingly, the expression levels of cytoplasmic β- and γ-actins correlate inversely with a given muscle's sensitivity to ECC; EDL < PL < Sol. Our data indicate that fiber type, utrophin, and cytoplasmic actin expression all contribute to the differential sensitivities of mdxEDL, PL, and Sol muscles to ECC.
Impedance measurements of acoustically nonlinear engine components

Currently, the acoustic analysis of combustion systems generally consists of simplified impedance networks. For effective simulation, the impedance of these components must be known, for which there is a large gap in the current knowledge. This study examines the acoustic impedance for various different types of gas-turbine engine components, including acoustically nonlinear components such as swirlers and orifice plates. Experimental results are obtained using a specially designed impedance tube. Acoustic pressure and velocity measurements are made using a multiple microphone method. The impedance is then calculated using the reflection coefficient, and impedance subtraction used to isolate the test article. This method obtains accurate results within a relatively wide range of frequency values, 100–1500 Hz for this study. Amplitude sweeps conducted for each test article demonstrate the nonlinear aspects, if any, for each test article. These results are then compared to acoustic simulations conducted in COMSOL to assess the capabilities and shortcoming of COMSOL’s linear acoustic package to provide predictions of the acoustic impedance of these components. The results for this are intended to provide valuable data for modeling the acoustics of combustion systems, as well as demonstrate an effective method for obtaining impedance data for various acoustic components.
The Potential of Flavonoids for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), currently affect more than 6 million people in the United States. Unfortunately, there are no treatments that slow or prevent disease development and progression. Regardless of the underlying cause of the disorder, age is the strongest risk factor for developing these maladies, suggesting that changes that occur in the aging brain put it at increased risk for neurodegenerative disease development. Moreover, since there are a number of different changes that occur in the aging brain, it is unlikely that targeting a single change is going to be effective for disease treatment. Thus, compounds that have multiple biological activities that can impact the various age-associated changes in the brain that contribute to neurodegenerative disease development and progression are needed. The plant-derived flavonoids have a wide range of activities that could make them particularly effective for blocking the age-associated toxicity pathways associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, the evidence for beneficial effects of multiple flavonoids in models of AD, PD, HD, and ALS is presented and common mechanisms of action are identified. Overall, the preclinical data strongly support further investigation of specific flavonoids for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Association Between Adverse Childhood Events and Multimorbidity in a Racial and Ethnic Diverse Sample of Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Background and objectives Adverse childhood events (ACEs) have been associated with increased health risks later in life. However, it is unclear whether ACEs may be associated with multimorbidity among diverse racial/ethnic middle-aged and older adults. We evaluated whether there were racial and ethnic differences in the association between ACEs and the number of somatic and psychiatric multimorbidity in a sample of U.S. middle-aged and older adults. Research design and methods Data from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (N = 10,727; ≥55 years) were used to test whether the number of self-reported somatic conditions (i.e., heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, and chronic lung problems) as well as DSM-5 psychiatric disorders (i.e., depression) during the past 12 months differed by history of ACEs while stratifying by age (i.e., 55-64 or ≥65) and racial/ethnic group (i.e., non-Hispanic White [NHW; n = 7,457], non-Hispanic Black [NHB; n = 1,995], and Hispanic [n=1275]). Results The prevalence of reporting more than two somatic conditions and psychiatric disorders was 48.8% and 11.4% for those with a history of ACEs, and 41.1% and 3.3% for those without a history of ACEs. Adjusting for sociodemographic and other health risk factors, ACEs was significantly associated with greater numbers of somatic multimorbidity among racial and ethnic middle-aged adults but this was not the case for older adults. Discussion and implications Our findings suggest that middle-aged adults with a history of ACEs are more likely to suffer from somatic and psychiatric multimorbidity, highlighting the importance of screening for ACEs in promoting healthy aging.
Outcomes of autologous blood collection prior to bone marrow harvest for matched unrelated donors.

e18535Background: Autologous (auto) blood collection prior to bone marrow (BM) harvest is a common procedure however there is little data to say whether this is beneficial. Methods: This is a retro...
Early post-operative opioid consumption: A comparison between medial unicompartmental, patellofemoral, and total knee arthroplasty

Abstract Background While there is emerging literature describing the use of narcotics for post-operative pain control following TKA, little data is available regarding narcotic use in partial knee replacements. The aim of this study is to compare the early post-operative narcotic requirements after medial compartmental arthroplasty (UKA) and patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) with that of TKA. Methods In this retrospective chart review, we identified 37 patients who underwent PFA and 71 patients who underwent UKA. We identified a cohort of TKA patients who were matched to the unicompartmental group based on sex and age (n = 108). The primary outcome measure was self-reported use of opioids for pain management at the first post-operative clinic visit. Opioid use between groups was compared using Chi-square analysis. Results The PFA group was younger (p Conclusion The prevalence of PFA patients who report opioid use at the first post-operative visit is similar to that for patients following TKA, suggesting that pain management protocols for this specific subset of partial knee arthroplasty patients should be structured similar to TKA patients and separate from UKA patients.
Modified Goda Equations to Predict Pressure Distribution and Horizontal Forces for Design of Elevated Coastal Structures

AbstractA hydraulic physical model study was conducted to quantify horizontal forces and pressure distributions on an elevated structure under nonbreaking, impulsive breaking, and broken wave condi...
Novel Nicotine Delivery Systems

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are devices that contain a power source, a heating element, and a tank or cartridge containing an "e-liquid," which is a mixture of nicotine and flavoring in a glycerol-propylene glycol vehicle. Their increasing popularity among adolescents might be attributed to aggressive marketing in physical venues, social media outlets, as well as irreversible changes caused by nicotine in the developing brains of youth and young adults, predisposing them to addictive behaviors. Adolescent ENDS users were 4 times more likely to initiate cigarette smoking, and the odds of quitting smoking were lower and, in many instances, delayed for those using ENDS. ENDS also renormalize cigarette-like behaviors, such as inhaling/exhaling smoke. The oral cavity is the initial point of contact of ENDS and the first affected system in humans. Oral health depends on an intricate balance in the interactions between oral bacteria and the human immune system, and dysbiosis of oral microbial communities underlies the etiology of periodontitis, caries, and oral cancer. Emerging evidence from subjects with periodontitis as well as periodontally healthy subjects demonstrates that e-cigarette use is associated with a compositional and functional shift in the oral microbiome, with an increase in opportunistic pathogens and virulence traits.
Laurencia natalensis (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta): a new record for the Atlantic Ocean

We report for first time the species Laurencia natalensis for the Atlantic Ocean based on collections made in Venezuela. Once thought to be restricted to the Indian Ocean, the presence of this species is confirmed in this study by phylogenetic analyses using the plastid-encoded large subunit ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase gene (rbcL). Sequences of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) barcode region were obtained for additional support of taxonomic placement. In the rbcL phylogenetic analyses, a well-supported clade was recovered unequivocally placing our specimen as conspecific to L. natalensis from the east coast of South Africa. The barcode region (COI) sequences from Venezuela also clustered with the one obtained from L. natalensis from KwaZulu-Natal. In pairwise comparison of both markers, African and Venezuelan species diverged within the intraspecific variation recorded for Laurencia sensu stricto species. The Venezuelan specimens showed a distinctive combination of anatomical features shared with African specimens that aided in the species determination. However, sterile and immature sporophytic plants of Laurencia natalensis from Venezuela are morphologically variable; particularly sterile plants showed overall anatomical differences in habit when compared with African species. This finding raises the possibility that L. natalensis have been overlooked and probably confused in the field with other species of the Laurencia sensu stricto group.
A Proactive Remanufacturing Planning Model for Enhancing Environmental Sustainability

In the past decade, remanufacturing has been increasingly recognized as an important approach for realizing long-term efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing industry. A considerable number of tools and methods have been developed to facilitate the planning and operations of remanufacturing process. However, most of the studies focus on the end-of-life phase of product, which may lead to more negative environmental impacts, increased energy use and higher operational cost. Proactive remanufacturing is a new strategy that allows us to determine the optimal remanufacturing timing based on the health condition of a product. The research on environmental sustainability from proactive remanufacturing is still in the early stage. In this paper, we develop a stochastic program to proactively determine the remanufacturing timing with the objective of minimizing the total environmental impacts. Our preliminary results show that proactive remanufacturing strategy can further reduce the environmental impacts compared with the reactive or end-of-life remanufacturing scheme.
4CPS-125 Acceptance of pharmacokinetic recommendations for everolimus in renal transplant patients

Background and importance Pharmacokinetic monitoring of the transplanted patient is essential to keep blood concentrations of immunosuppressive drugs in range, and to reduce the risk of organ rejection and the adverse effects associated with these drugs. Aim and objectives To assess the degree of acceptance by the nephrology service of recommendations made by the clinical pharmacokinetics unit after monitoring everolimus blood concentrations at a third level general university hospital. Material and methods This was a retrospective observational study in renal transplant patients with at least two everolimus determinations between January 2016 and September 2019. Patients were identified from the Gestlab programme and data collected were: age, sex, date of testing, concomitant immunosuppressive treatment, blood concentrations and pharmacokinetic recommendations. The number of blood determinations per patient, percentage of pharmacokinetic recommendations accepted by the physician and the proportion of values lower and higher than the established therapeutic range were evaluated; the target therapeutic interval for monotherapy is 6–10 ng/mL and in combination with calcineurin inhibitors is 3–8 ng/mL. Results Pharmacokinetic monitoring was performed in 49 patients, 59% men, with an average age of 60±12 years and an average of 9±5.3 everolimus determinations. In 65.3% of patients, treatment was with everolimus and tacrolimus simultaneously. A total of 443 samples were analysed, with a dose adjustment required in 34.7%. The average everolimus percentages lower and higher than the target range were 23% and 11.3%, respectively. The dosing recommendations of these patients were accepted in 69% of cases. After this adjustment, 66.1% of patients tested showed drug concentrations in range. Of the total recommendations not accepted, 31% of medical actions differed from the recommendation in the prescribed final dosing regimen. Conclusion and relevance During the study period, posology individualisation was necessary in almost 35% of the analyses performed by the clinical pharmacokinetics service, with the pharmacokinetic recommendations accepted by the prescriber in more than 60% of cases. References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.
Characterization of interstitial diffuse fibrosis patterns using texture analysis of myocardial native T1 mapping.

Background The pattern of myocardial fibrosis differs significantly between different cardiomyopathies. Fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characteristically as patchy and regional but in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) as diffuse and global. We sought to investigate if texture analyses on myocardial native T1 mapping can differentiate between fibrosis patterns in patients with HCM and DCM. Methods We prospectively acquired native myocardial T1 mapping images for 321 subjects (55±15 years, 70% male): 65 control, 116 HCM, and 140 DCM patients. To quantify different fibrosis patterns, four sets of texture descriptors were used to extract 152 texture features from native T1 maps. Seven features were sequentially selected to identify HCM- and DCM-specific patterns in 70% of data (training dataset). Pattern reproducibility and generalizability were tested on the rest of data (testing dataset) using support vector machines (SVM) and regression models. Results Pattern-derived texture features were capable to identify subjects in HCM, DCM, and controls cohorts with 202/237(85.2%) accuracy of all subjects in the training dataset using 10-fold cross-validation on SVM (AUC = 0.93, 0.93, and 0.93 for controls, HCM and DCM, respectively), while pattern-independent global native T1 mapping was poorly capable to identify those subjects with 121/237(51.1%) accuracy (AUC = 0.78, 0.51, and 0.74) (P<0.001 for all). The pattern-derived features were reproducible with excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability and generalizable on the testing dataset with 75/84(89.3%) accuracy. Conclusion Texture analysis of myocardial native T1 mapping can characterize fibrosis patterns in HCM and DCM patients and provides additional information beyond average native T1 values.
Colorblind Racial Ideology, Sense of Belonging, and Racism-Related Stress in Asian Indian International Students.

International students are an essential part of higher education institutions in the U.S.A., bringing diversity to the educational environment and enhancing the economy. Asian Indian students compr...
Reliability Sensitivity Analysis of Stochastic Resonance Failure of Vehicle Drum Brake

Brakes play an important role in the slowing down and stopping of vehicles, forming a critical part of the automotive safety system. The reliability of brakes can significantly impact the safety and reliability of the entire vehicle. In order to study the influence of random parameters (brake structure and material, etc.) on brake frequency reliability, Workbench software was used to conduct modal analysis and harmonic response analysis on a drum brake. A BP neural network was used to establish the first order natural frequency function model of a drum brake. The advanced First-Order Second-Moment method was adopted to obtain the frequency reliability and reliability sensitivity curves of the drum brake, the results were verified by the Monte-Carlo method. The results showed that the drum brake design is reliable and the influence of random parameters on the frequency reliability of the brake was determined, which lays a foundation for the robust optimization design of the drum brake.
Through the Glass Portable Radiography of Patients in Isolation Units: Experience During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic.

Objective: To reduce staff exposure to infection and maintain operational efficiency, we have developed a protocol to image patients using portable chest radiographs through the glass of an isolation room. The technique is safe and easy to implement. Images are of comparable quality to standard portable radiographs. Conclusion: This protocol, used routinely by our department during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, can be applied to any situation in which the patient is placed in isolation.