cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SMA actuator material model with self-sensing and sliding-mode control; experiment and multibody dynamics model

Shape memory alloys (SMA) can be used to create actuators that are simple, high strength, and inexpensive. These benefits come at the cost of low electrical efficiency, moderate lifetime, and complex mechanical behavior that makes them difficult to design into new applications and products. To improve the integration of SMA actuators—in particular thin SMA wires heated by passing electric current through them—into modern mechanical applications, we have created tools for modeling SMA mechanical and thermal behavior in dynamic systems and under feedback controls. Thermo-electro-mechanical constitutive models are implemented in a multibody dynamics software where they are easily applied to an actuator emplaced in a multibody dynamic system. Mechanical behavior is modeled with 1D constitutive equations. The material state determines the electrical resistivity of the material which drives ohmic heating, while thermal cooling is based on a heat transfer analysis of thin cylinders. These models contain states which are very difficult to measure experimentally (such as crystal phase fraction) and thus provide insight into the material behavior and design that experimental results cannot offer. This thermomechanical model is used in conjunction with sliding mode control—historically difficult to simulate in numerically integrated models—to develop a working ball-on-a-beam setup in which the ball position is controlled via current passed through an SMA wire and with application of an original self-sensing method. The constitutive model is developed in the multibody dynamics software MSC ADAMS and validated through the simulation of the same system.
Development of controlled solid-state alignment for alnico permanent magnets in near-final shape

The 2011 price shock in the rare earth (RE) permanent magnet (PM) marketplace precipitated realization of extremely poor RE supply diversity and drove renewed research in RE-free permanent magnets such as “alnico.” Essentially, alnico is an Al-Ni-Co-Fe alloy with high magnetic saturation and TC, but low coercivity. It also was last researched extensively in the 1970’s. Currently alnico “9” magnets with the highest energy product (10MGOe) are manufactured by directional solidification to make highly aligned anisotropic magnets. This work developed novel powder processing techniques to improve on unaligned anisotropic alnico “8H” with elevated coercivity. Gas atomization was used to produce pre-alloyed powder for binder-assisted compression molding of near-final shape magnets that were vacuum sintered to full density (<1% porosity). Biased grain growth with resulting grain alignment was achieved during a second solution annealing step, during which a uni-axial stress was applied along the axis parallel to t...
Modeling blur in various detector geometries for MeV radiography

Monte Carlo transport codes have been used to model the detector blur and energy deposition in various detector geometries for applications in MeV radiography. Segmented scintillating detectors, where low Z scintillators combined with a high-Z metal matrix, can be designed in which the resolution increases with increasing metal fraction. The combination of various types of metal intensification screens and storage phosphor imaging plates has also been studied. A storage phosphor coated directly onto a metal intensification screen has superior performance over a commercial plate. Stacks of storage phosphor plates and tantalum intensification screens show an increase in energy deposited and detective quantum efficiency with increasing plate number, at the expense of resolution. Select detector geometries were tested by comparing simulation and experimental modulation transfer functions to validate the approach.
Phosphorylation of the inhibitor component of troponin by phosphorylase kinase.

Phosphorylase kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of the inhibitor component (TNI) of troponin in the presence of ATP and Mg2+. Phosphorylation by nonactivated and activated phosphorylase kinase occurs at equal rates with a ratio of activity at pH 6.8 to 8.2 of 0.7. Measurements suggest that 1 mole of phosphate per mole of TNI is bound after phosphorylation by phosphorylase kinase. Troponin, as isolated, contains endogenous protein-bound phosphate.
An Outpatient Methadone Weaning Program by a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

Abstract Through retrospective chart review, this study described characteristics and length of stay for a cohort of newborns discharged on methadone following an inpatient weaning for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Data were assessed for all term infants born between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014, admitted to the hospital with a co-diagnosis of NAS at discharge, for gestational age, length of stay, days on treatment protocol before discharge, time to once-daily interval methadone dosing, and hospital charges, as well as for categorical characteristics. The 53 patients were predominantly male (58%), white (71%), and covered by Medicaid insurance (72%). Mean gestational age was 39.5 ± 1.1 weeks; length of hospital stay was 11.8 ± 5 days. Common co-diagnoses were newborn feeding problems (26%) and neonatal hypoglycemia (23%). In conclusion, use of the study site's methadone weaning protocol, which can be easily replicated, resulted in a relatively short length of stay and low readmission rates...
Prosecuting Internet Website Development Under the Material Support to Terrorism Statutes: Time to Fix What's Broken

This article examines the recent federal prosecution Saudi graduate student Sami Al-Hussayen under the "material support statutes," 18 USC 2339A and 18 USC 2339B for internet website development activities in order to analyze whether prosecutions targeting such internet activities violate First Amendment freedom of speech protections. The author concludes that although such prosecutions are permissible under the First Amendment, the material support statutes were not the proper vehicle for such prosecutions. The author then outlines and recommends passage of new legislation that contains a heightened specific intent mens rea requirement as a means of addressing internet activity which sustains international terrorist activity.
Rule of Law and Economic Performance

This chapter explores the connection between the rule of law and economic performance. First, we analyze the role of interjurisdictional competition, and how the rule of law emerged as a by-product of this competitive process, initially in Western Europe. Second, we discuss the role of intrajurisdictional competition between interest groups, which reinforced the emergence of the rule of law within states. Finally, we discuss the mechanism by which the rule of law successfully or unsuccessfully became established in Western offshoots, particularly in Africa and the Americas, affecting the long-term economic performance of these areas.
Sustainability: An Unintended Consequence of the Integration of Digital Curation Core Competencies into the MLIS Curricula

The unprecedented expansion of the digital universe presents a dilemma for the digital curation profession: there is a need for professionals with skills and knowledge to provide long-term stewardship of digital assets, but education and training programs designed exclusively to prepare digital curators are inadequate to meet the demand. An infusion of digital curation competencies into the LIS curriculum will ensure that students pursuing related professions—including archivists, museum technicians, librarians, and conservators—are also prepared to serve as stewards of our digital treasure. The unintended consequence of this approach may well be the sustainability of Digital Curation courses and, therefore, Digital Curation curricula. This paper discusses the correlation between SJSU SLIS core competencies and Digital Curation core competencies and outlines the steps being taken as a result of this analysis to launch a Digital Curation Post Master’s Certificate program and provide a Digital Curation career pathway for MLIS students.
Semaphorin 7A in circulating regulatory T cells is increased in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease and decreases with tolvaptan treatment

Semaphorin 7A (SEMA7A) is an immunomodulating protein implicated in lung and liver fibrosis. In autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the progressive expansion of renal cysts, inflammation, and subsequent renal fibrosis leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). SEMA7A may play a role in renal fibrosis and in ADPKD. We evaluated Sema7a in a mouse model of renal fibrosis and determined the expression of SEMA7A in human ADPKD kidney. We analyzed SEMA7A expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), including CD45+ (leukocyte), CD14+(monocyte), CD4+ (T lymphocytes) and CD4+Foxp3+CD25+ [regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs)] from 90 ADPKD patients (11 tolvaptan treated and 79 tolvaptan naive), and 21 healthy volunteers, using a Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). Sema7a is required for renal fibrosis. SEMA7A shows robust expression in ADPKD kidneys, localizing to cysts derived from distal tubules. SEMA7A is higher in circulating monocytes, but unchanged in CD4+ lymphocytes in ADPKD patients. The SEMA7A increase was detected early (stage 1 CKD) and seemed more prominent in patients with smaller kidneys (p = 0.09). Compared to tolvaptan-naive ADPKD patients, those treated with tolvaptan showed reduced SEMA7A expression on monocytes, T lymphocytes, and Tregs, although the number of PBMCs was unchanged. After 1 month of tolvaptan treatment, SEMA7A expression on Tregs decreased. SEMA7A shows potential as both a therapeutic target in mammalian kidney fibrosis and as a marker of inflammation in ADPKD patients. SEMA7A expression was lower after tolvaptan treatment, which may reflect drug efficacy.
History of Ureteroscopy

Technology is the application of science, engineering to producing products or devices that improve upon mankind’s existence. Ureteroscopy has rapidly evolved to become one of the most common procedures performed by the urologist in his/her everyday work life and represents one of urology’s remarkable technologies [Bratslavsky and Moran (Urol Clin NA 31(1):181–187, 2004)]. To fully comprehend ureteroscopy and the urologic applications that will be presented in this textbook, looking backwards in time is essential. The history of this technology is fascinating in its own right and demonstrates the rapidity of impact that the technology can have upon the profession of urology.
Transcriptional response of Clostridium difficile to low iron conditions

Clostridium difficile (Cd) is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. During an infection, Cd must compete with both the host and other commensal bacteria to acquire iron. Iron is essential for many cell processes, but it can also cause damage if allowed to form reactive hydroxyl radicals. In all organisms, levels of free iron are tightly regulated as are processes utilizing iron molecules. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis of Cd grown in iron-depleted conditions revealed significant changes in expression of genes involved in iron transport, metabolism and virulence. These data will aid future studies examining Cd colonization and the requirements for growth in vivo during an infection.
Reynolds and Froude Number Scaling in Stably-Stratified Flows

High resolution direct numerical simulations and analytical scaling arguments are used to understand the dynamics of turbulence strongly affected by stable stratification, and to estimate the Reynolds number above which laboratory and numerical experiments of these flows must be conducted in order for the results to scale up to geophysical cases. For low Froude number F h and high enough Reynolds number R h , where F h and R h are based upon the horizontal integral scale of the motion, it is found that the simulated flows become quasi-horizontal with high vertical shearing of the horizontal velocity; this in turn leads to locally low Richardson numbers and susceptibility to shear instabilities. This occurs even though the nominal Richardson number is greater than order one. Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities were observed to be one pathway to turbulence in the simulated flows. It is estimated that instabilities and turbulence in these flows will occur if Re h F h 2 O(1), suggesting that this criterion need be met for the laboratory and numerical experiments to be useful in modeling geophysical scale flows.
Universal procedure for the assessment of the reproducibility and the classification of silica-based reversed-phase packings: I. Assessment of the reproducibility of reversed-phase packings

A method is described that has been used since 1985 to assess the quality and reproducibility of several popular reversed-phase packings. Both the precision of the method and the reproducibility of the packing materials are described. The reproducibility of the newer packings surpasses that of the older packings. In addition, improved results are achieved today for the packings that existed in 1985.
Corrugator and Procerus Rhytid Treatment with Botox

Cosmetic injection of Botox for glabellar rhytids was approved by the FDA in April 2002. To reduce pain and avoid blunting the needle tip during injection, avoid injecting too shallow or too deep: stay deep enough to be subdermal, but not so deep as to engage the periosteum. Pain may be reduced by palpating the supraorbital notch and thereby avoiding the vertical course of the supraorbital nerve. Stay 5 mm superior to the eyebrow to reduce the risk of eyelid ptosis.
Cannabinoids and interleukin-6 enhance the response to NMDA in developing CNS neurons.

Maternal cannabinoid use during pregnancy is harmful to the central nervous system (CNS) of the developing infant12. Cannabinoids pass easily from the mother to the fetus, where they can access neuronal receptors in the developing CNS. Cannabinoid receptors are known to be expressed by CNS neurons, although their role in normal brain functions has yet to be defined. It is likely that these receptors mediate some form of intercellular signaling, since biochemicals endogenous to the CNS (e.g., anandamide)5 have been shown to act at CNS cannabinoid receptors.4 Cannabinoid receptors are expressed during the main period of morphological and physiological development of the CNS,11 a correlation that may reflect a role in the developmental process. Hyperactivation of these receptors by maternal cannabinoid use could lead to a disruption of the normal signaling pattern and, consequently, altered development and permanent changes in CNS function.
The impact of age on thyroid cancer staging.

Purpose of reviewPatient age at diagnosis is a well established prognostic factor for thyroid cancer survival; it is included in the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) thyroid cancer-staging system. This review provides an update on the epidemiology, risk stratification, and staging of differ
Effective Chronic Pain Management and Responsible Opioid Prescribing: Aligning a Resident Workshop to a Protocol for Improved Outcomes.

Introduction Effective chronic pain management is a core competency of internal medicine. Opioid use in the United States, both therapeutic and nonmedical in origin, has dramatically increased, as ...
Epidemiology of Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors

Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) comprise a broad and diverse collection of neoplasms within pediatric oncology. Yet when taken together pediatric brain and spine tumors represent the most common childhood cancer with an incidence of 5.57 per 100,000 annually and are a leading cause of cancer-related death in patients under 19 years of age (Ostrom et al. 2014; Siegel et al. 2015). Factors such as genetic predisposition, age, and sex play an increasingly significant role in understanding presentation, management, and etiology of childhood brain tumors. Although long-standing observations regarding general patterns of CNS tumors continue to be clinically useful, the introduction of molecular subtypes, such as in medulloblastoma and ependymoma, and the discovery of epigenetic regulators, such as in diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) and other diffuse midline gliomas with H3K27M mutations, have repurposed epidemiological findings and reconceptualized CNS tumor classification (Louis et al. 2016). The elucidation of the molecular profile of pediatric CNS tumors has made it clear that epidemiology, viewed through a prism of genetics and epigenetics, can offer even greater insights into this incredibly challenging group of tumors. Epidemiology today considers not only environmental, parental, and birth factors that may increase the risk of pediatric CNS tumors, but also germline and molecular features that are causal or pathognomonic of tumor types and subtypes.
Reliability of birth weight recall by parent or guardian respondents in a study of healthy adolescents.

Birth weight, which can be an indicator for risk of chronic diseases throughout the lifespan, is one of the most commonly used measures in the study of developmental origins of health and disease. There is limited information on the reliability of parent/guardian reported birth weight by race or by respondent type (i.e., mother, father, other caregiver). Birth weight was reported by a respondent for 309 of the 333 (92.8%) study participants; of these, chart obtained birth weight was available for 236 (76.4%). There was good agreement between respondent report and chart obtained birth weight. Over half (N = 145, 61.4%) of respondents reported a birth weight within ± 100 g of what was in the chart; 60.9% of black participants (n = 81) and 62.1% of white participants (n = 64) fell within 100 g. Overall, mothers were 3.31 (95% CI 1.18, 9.33) times more likely than fathers to correctly recall the child’s birthweight within ± 100 g (p = 0.023). Respondent reported birth weight is a reliable alternative to chart obtained birth weight. Mothers were found to be most accurate in reporting birth weight of the child. Race/ethnicity was not significantly associated with reliability of birth weight reporting.
Electrochemical irreversibility of ion transfers at liquid/liquid interfaces

Abstract Constant-current transport of oppositely-charged ions across liquid/liquid interfaces is a common occurrence because of the narrow potential ‘window’ and the limited range of single-ion partition coefficient values. Transition times and potential-time curve shapes are derived for fixed ratios of the two ions' forward rate constants. Effects of two-ion transport on determination of kinetic parameters for the first ion, using the log analysis plot method, are illustrated. Experimental examples cover the range of behavior from two isolated, irreversible waves to merged, single waves as forward rates approach a common value.
Improvements in Ureteroscopy Efficiency When Performed at an Ambulatory Surgery Center

AbstractIntroduction:We compared the perioperative efficiency and outcomes of ureteroscopy performed at an ambulatory surgery center versus a tertiary care academic medical center.Methods:With inst...
Metal Dependence of Ligand Binding and Heavy-Atom Derivatization of Evolutionarily Distinct PreQ1 Riboswitches

Riboswitches are functional RNA elements located most frequently within the 5′-leader sequences of bacterial mRNAs. By directly binding to small molecules via an aptamer domain, a riboswitch can adapt quickly to changes in the concentration of a specific intracellular ligand, thereby establishing a feedback loop that controls gene expression. Here we discuss methods utilized in the structure determination of evolutionarily distinct classes of preQ1 riboswitches known as class I and II, respectively. These riboswitches “sense” the pyrrolopyrimidine metabolite preQ1—an intermediate on the biosynthetic pathway that produces the hypermodified tRNA base queuosine, which imparts translational fidelity. Herein, we describe (1) the use of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to explore metal ion requirements for ligand binding and (2) modifications to crystallization media containing SO 4 2 − or Na+ that were necessary for phase determination using site-bound Os(NH3) 5 3 + or Cs+ ions, respectively. Our experience has shown that simple manipulations to the mother liquor can lead to favorable binding of the latter ions without the need to engineer metal-binding sites, thus making our methods a first-choice approach that is broadly applicable to functional RNAs.
Systematic Identification of Host Cell Regulators of Legionella pneumophila Pathogenesis Using a Genome-wide CRISPR Screen

During infection, Legionella pneumophila translocates over 300 effector proteins into the host cytosol, allowing the pathogen to establish an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-like Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) that supports bacterial replication. Here, we perform a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen and secondary targeted screens in U937 human monocyte/macrophage-like cells to systematically identify host factors that regulate killing by L. pneumophila. The screens reveal known host factors hijacked by L. pneumophila, as well as genes spanning diverse trafficking and signaling pathways previously not linked to L. pneumophila pathogenesis. We further characterize C1orf43 and KIAA1109 as regulators of phagocytosis and show that RAB10 and its chaperone RABIF are required for optimal L. pneumophila replication and ER recruitment to the LCV. Finally, we show that Rab10 protein is recruited to the LCV and ubiquitinated by the effectors SidC/SdcA. Collectively, our results provide a wealth of previously undescribed insights into L. pneumophila pathogenesis and mammalian cell function.
Weed control by 2,4-D dimethylamine depends on mixture water hardness and adjuvant inclusion but not spray solution storage time

Herbicides are an important tool in managing weeds in turf and agricultural production. One of the earliest selective herbicides, 2,4-D, is a weak acid herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds. Water-quality parameters, such as pH and hardness, influence the efficacy of weak acid herbicides. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate how varying water hardness level, spray solution storage time, and adjuvant inclusion affected broadleaf weed control by 2,4-D dimethylamine. The first experiment evaluated a range of water-hardness levels (from 0 to 600 mg calcium carbonate [CaCO₃] L–¹) on efficacy of 2,4-D dimethylamine applied at 1.60 kg ae ha–¹ for dandelion and horseweed control. A second experiment evaluated dandelion control from spray solutions prepared 0, 1, 4, 24, and 72 h before application. Dandelion and horseweed control by 2,4-D dimethylamine was reduced when the CaCO₃ level in water was at least 422 or at least 390 mg L–¹, respectively. Hard-water antagonism was overcome by the addition of 20 g L–¹ ammonium sulfate (AMS) into the mixture. When AMS was included in spray mixtures, no differences were observed at 600 mg CaCO₃ L–¹, compared with distilled water. Spray solution storage time did not influence dandelion control, regardless of water-hardness level or adjuvant inclusion. To prevent antagonism, applicators should use a water-conditioning agent such as AMS when applying 2,4-D dimethylamine in hard water. Nomenclature: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D); 2,4-D dimethylamine; dandelion, Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg. TAROF; horseweed, Conyza canadensis (L.), Cronq. ERICA
Barriers and Facilitators to Exercise Participation Among Frail Older African American Assisted Living Residents

Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity, older adults are more sedentary than any other age group. This issue is particularly true for assisted living (AL) residents, which also represents an important and often overlooked aspect of palliative care. Here, we analyze ethnographic and interview data from a longitudinal study aimed at identifying best practices for palliative care in one African American AL community. The aim was to identify the factors that facilitate and constrain resident participation in instructor-led group exercise. Thematic analysis identified several main themes including the quality and location of the exercise program, AL staffing limitations, residents' health and function, values about exercise, and residents' interest in recreation and social engagement. We identified facilitators and barriers that shaped residents' opportunity, desire, and commitment related to attending group exercise. Findings have implications for interventions aimed at increasing resident participation in group exercise, leading to multiple health benefits.
Multifractal analysis of geomagnetically induced currents using wavelet leaders

Abstract The sun is constantly emitting electrons and ions as a magnetized plasma, forming the solar wind and carrying with it the sun's rotating magnetic field. The solar wind subsequently interacts with Earth's magnetosphere and the magnetospheres of other planets. Occasionally large amounts of magnetized plasma is released at one time in a Corona mass ejection (CME). When the CME interacts with Earth's magnetic field, it induces perturbations that may have a significant impact on critical infrastructure, for instance, by disturbing communication systems, and inducing currents on pipelines and electric power lines, which in turn may cause increased corrosion or blackouts, among other effects. In this paper, we analyze measured electrical signals provided to us by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, which were induced by geomagnetic storms on pipelines located in Finland and recorded in 2003. Specifically, we perform a wavelet leader multifractal analysis of these current signals to generate singularity spectra, and then using the bootstrapping technique we apply statistical tests to show that these signals exhibit multifractal characteristics.
Generating Information-Diverse Microwave Speckle Patterns Inside a Room at a Single Frequency With a Dynamic Metasurface Aperture

We demonstrate that dynamic metasurface apertures (DMAs) are capable of generating a multitude of highly uncorrelated speckle patterns in a typical residential environment at a single frequency. We use a DMA implemented as an electrically-large cavity excited by a single port and loaded with many individually-addressable tunable metamaterial radiators. We placed such a DMA in one corner of a plywood-walled L-shape room transmitting microwave signals at 19 GHz as we changed the tuning states of the metamaterial radiators. In another corner, in the non-line-of-sight of the DMA, we conducted a scan of the field generated by the DMA. For comparison, we also performed a similar test where the DMA was replaced by a simple dipole antenna with fixed pattern but generating a signal that spanned 19 - 24GHz. Using singular value decomposition of the scanned data, we demonstrate that the DMA can generate a multitude of highly uncorrelated speckle patterns at a single frequency. In contrast, a dipole antenna with a fixed pattern can only generate such a highly uncorrelated set of patterns when operating over a large bandwidth. The experimental results of this paper suggest that DMAs can be used to capture a diversity of information at a single frequency which can be used for single frequency computational imaging systems, NLOS motion detection, gesture recognition systems, and more.
Acute Nicotine Exposure Alters Ventral Tegmental Area Inhibitory Transmission and Promotes Diazepam Consumption.

Abstract Nicotine use increases the risk for subsequent abuse of other addictive drugs, but the biological basis underlying this risk remains largely unknown. Interactions between nicotine and other drugs of abuse may arise from nicotine-induced neural adaptations in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system, a common pathway for the reinforcing effects of many addictive substances. Previous work identified nicotine-induced neuroadaptations that alter inhibitory transmission in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Here, we test whether nicotine-induced dysregulation of GABAergic signaling within the VTA increases the vulnerability for benzodiazepine abuse that has been reported in smokers. We demonstrate in rats that nicotine exposure dysregulates diazepam-induced inhibition of VTA GABA neurons and increases diazepam consumption. In VTA GABA neurons, nicotine impaired KCC2-mediated chloride extrusion, depolarized the GABAA reversal potential, and shifted the pharmacological effect of diazepam on GABA neurons from inhibition toward excitation. In parallel, nicotine-related alterations in GABA signaling observed ex vivo were associated with enhanced diazepam-induced inhibition of lateral VTA DA neurons in vivo. Targeting KCC2 with the agonist CLP290 normalized diazepam-induced effects on VTA GABA transmission and reduced diazepam consumption following nicotine administration to the control level. Together, our results provide insights into midbrain circuit alterations resulting from nicotine exposure that contribute to the abuse of other drugs, such as benzodiazepines.
Gene duplication to enable genetic programming to concurrently evolve both the architecture and work-performing steps of a computer program

Susumu Ohno's provocative book Evolution by Gene Duplication proposed that the creation of new proteins in nature (and hence new structures and new behaviors in living things) begins with a gene duplication and that gene duplication is "the major force of evolution." This paper describes six new architecture-altering operations for genetic programming that are patterned after the naturally-occurring chromosomal operations of gene duplication and gene deletion. When these new operations are included in a run of genetic programming, genetic programming can dynamically change, during the run, the architecture of a multi-part program consisting of a main program and a set of hierarchically-called subprograms. These on-the-fly architectural changes occur while genetic programming is concurrently evolving the work-performing steps of the main program and the hierarchically-called subprograms. The new operations can be interpreted as an automated way to change the representation of a problem while solving the problem. Equivalently, these operations can be viewed as an automated way to decompose a problem into an non-pre-specified number of subproblems of non-pre-specified dimensionality; solve the subproblems; and assemble the solutions of the subproblems into a solution of the overall problem. These operations can also be interpreted as providing an automated way to specialize and generalize.
NIST NeXT: a system for truly simultaneous neutron and x-ray tomography

Neutrons and X-rays provide excellent complementary, nondestructive probes to understand internal structure of systems across engineering and material science. With its sensitivity to hydrogen, neutrons excel at separating fluids, such as water or oil, from solid and gas phases in three-phase systems whereas X-rays excel at identifying the solid phase. To fully leverage the complementarity of the two methods, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed the Neutron and X-ray Tomography (NeXT) system which orients a microfocus X-ray generator orthogonally to a reactor sourced thermal neutron beam. This orientation allows for truly simultaneous acquisition of both modalities so that the multi-modal data sets of samples that are evolving with time or undergoing stochastic processes can be directly correlated. The NeXT system has been available for external researchers since 2015 through the NIST Center for Neutron Research user facility program. Significant efforts have resulted in distributable software packages to facilitate image denoising, tomography reconstruction, volume registration, and bivariate histogram segmentation. This paper will give an overview of the NeXT system, explain the process for bivariate histogram segmentation, and provide several examples of use cases for the system.
On the material consequences of (digital) literacy: Digital writing with, for, and against racial capitalism

This article argues that digital writing pedagogy needs to prepare students to deal with underlying oppressive realities within the range of everyday digital writing practices as opposed to simply ...
Transcription of protease and chitinase genes provides a window onto macromolecular organic nitrogen decomposition in soil

Nitrogen is a common limiting nutrient in soil in part because most N is present as macromolecular organic compounds, not directly available to plants. The microbial community present in soil near roots (rhizosphere) is in many ways analogous to the human gut microbiome, transforming nutrients present in organic substrates to forms available to plants through extracellular enzymes. Many recent studies have focused on the genetic potential for nitrogen cycling by bacteria in the rhizosphere, and on measuring inorganic N pools and fluxes. Between those two bodies of knowledge, there is scarce information on functionality of macromolecular nitrogen decomposing bacteria and fungi and how it relates to life stages of the plant. This is particularly important as many soil bacteria identified in community composition studies can be inactive or not viable. Here we use a time-series of metatranscriptomes from rhizosphere and bulk soil bacteria and fungi to follow extracellular protease and chitinase expression during rhizosphere aging. In addition, we explore the effect of adding plant litter as a source of macromolecular carbon and nitrogen. Expression of extracellular proteases increased over time in the absence of litter, more so in the presence of roots, whereas the dominant chitinase (chit1) was upregulated with exposure to litter. Structural groups of proteases were surprisingly dominated by serineproteases, possibly due to the importance of betaproteobacteria and actinobacteria in this grassland soil. Extracellular proteases of betaprotebacterial origin were more highly expressed in the presence of roots, whereas deltaroteobacteria and fungi responded to the presence of litter. We found functional guilds specializing in decomposition of proteins in the rhizosphere, detritusphere and in the vicinity of aging roots. We also identify a guild that appears to specialize in protein decomposition in the presence of roots and litter and increases its activity in aging rhizosphere, which may imply that this guild targets rhizodeposits or the senescing root itself as a protein source. Different temporal patterns of guilds imply that rather than functional redundancy, microbial decomposers operate within distinct niches.
Use of Atherectomy During Index Peripheral Vascular Interventions.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to describe physician practice patterns and examine physician-level factors associated with the use of atherectomy during index revascularization for patients with femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease. Background There are minimal data to support the routine use of atherectomy over angioplasty and/or stenting for the endovascular treatment of peripheral artery disease. Methods Medicare fee-for-service claims (January 1 to December 31, 2019) were used to identify all beneficiaries undergoing elective first-time femoropopliteal peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) for claudication or chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to evaluate patient- and physician-level characteristics associated with atherectomy. Results A total of 58,552 patients underwent index femoropopliteal PVI by 1,627 physicians. There was a wide distribution of physician practice patterns in the use of atherectomy, ranging from 0% to 100% (median 55.1%). Independent characteristics associated with atherectomy included treatment for claudication (vs. chronic limb-threatening ischemia; odds ratio [OR]: 1.51), patient diabetes (OR: 1.09), physician male sex (OR: 2.08), less time in practice (OR: 1.41 to 2.72), nonvascular surgery specialties (OR: 2.78 to 5.71), physicians with high volumes of femoropopliteal PVI (OR: 1.67 to 3.51), and physicians working primarily at ambulatory surgery centers or office-based laboratories (OR: 2.19 to 7.97) (p ≤ 0.03 for all). Overall, $266.8 million was reimbursed by Medicare for index femoropopliteal PVI in 2019. Of this, $240.6 million (90.2%) was reimbursed for atherectomy, which constituted 53.8% of cases. Conclusions There is a wide distribution of physician practice patterns for the use of atherectomy during index PVI. There is a critical need for professional guidelines outlining the appropriate use of atherectomy in order to prevent overutilization of this technology, particularly in high-reimbursement settings.
HIF1α or HIF2α: Enhancing CD8+ T-cell Fitness for Antitumor Immunity.

Adoptive T-cell therapy requires the transferred lymphocytes to adapt to the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. In this issue, Velica and colleagues found that modified HIF2α expression in CD8+ T cells increases antitumor efficacy.See article by Velica et al., p. 401.
The Evolution of Judicial Standards: Evidence from Litigated Merger Trials

Monday-morning assessments of antitrust merger trial outcomes are common. Critics of a court decision blocking a merger may opine that the outcome is an indication that the judiciary has become overzealous in its interpretation of the Clayton Act’s prohibition of mergers whose effects “may be to substantially lessen competition, or tend to create a monopoly.” Similarly, in the wake of an adjudicated merger that is allowed to proceed, critics may argue that the judiciary has become too lax in its interpretation of the Clayton Act. Less common are attempts to systematically assess the body of merger outcomes to determine judicial trends and tendencies. This void is particularly salient because in recent years a substantive narrative has emerged that judicial application of the antitrust laws — overly influenced by the Chicago School — has become increasingly hostile toward antitrust authorities’ (Agencies’) challenges of mergers over time. A corollary of this narrative is the claim that the shifting composition of the judges hearing merger cases has also contributed to the propensity of the courts to deny the Agencies’ merger challenges. In this paper, we first describe the historical context within which the current narrative has arisen. Although this narrative builds upon certain developments in merger enforcement over the years, we find that a more complete assessment of the evolution of merger enforcement and judicial outcomes yields a substantially more ambiguous interpretation of the evolution of judicial standards than has been proffered. That is, the current narrative does not provide an unambiguous basis upon which to draw conclusions regarding shifts in judicial standards in litigated merger cases. Given this ambiguity, the paper then develops a theoretical model designed to capture the essence of the interplay among merging firms, antitrust authorities and the courts. The model yields clear predictions on shifts in judicial standards from the outcomes of both litigated mergers cases and those that settle prior to trial. The paper then provides an empirical investigation of litigated merger outcomes based on the population of all merger challenges in the United States over 1979-2019. Two-stage econometric methods are employed to account for the potential that the set of litigated mergers is a non-random sample of all merger challenges. This empirical analysis reveals that, contrary to the current narrative, judicial standards have shifted in favor of the Agencies over time. The probability that merger challenges proceed to trial has declined over time while the probability that antitrust agencies win trials has increased over time — both results are indicative of judicial standards applied to merger challenges that have grown increasingly pro-enforcement over time. We find no statistically significant evidence that the outcomes of antitrust merger cases vary according to whether the judges involved were appointed by Republican or Democratic presidents.
Spectral Line Identification of a Photoionized Silicon Plasma In Emission

Photoionized silicon plasma experiments were performed using the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories. A spectrometer with high spectral resolution (λ/δλ~9200) was conceived to record emission from the expanding plasma. The data resolution is unprecedented for plasma emission and include detections of many previously unobserved spectral lines. The observations were made possible by a combination of a low-density plasma, highly resolving quartz crystal, minimum source size effect in the spherical geometry, and highly resolving x-ray film. These data compose the first set of benchmark emission spectra suitable to test theoretical assumptions related to the atomic data used in astrophysical models of accretion-powered photoionized plasmas. The data allow for measurements of relative wavelengths for Silicon emission lines which can be used to test model predictions for multiple silicon charge states (He-like to B-like) as well as level states within those charge states. We discuss our method to identify statistically significant emission line detections using multicomponent Gaussian decomposition. We also describe how the results will be used to expand astrophysical and laboratory based atomic databases with constrained uncertainties.
Most Cited Health Education Journal Articles, 1990–1997

Abstract This study identified the most frequently cited health education journal articles for 1990–1997. The most cited articles in the American Journal of Health Behavior, Health Education & Behavior, Health Education Research, and the Journal of School Health were identified using databases available from the Institute for Scientific Information. HIV/AIDS and substance abuse were the most commonly cited topics. Health Education & Behavior published 11 of the top 20 most cited articles. The most cited articles dealt with recalcitrant health problems and were written by authors who were most often from schools of public health.
Effects of hormone receptor activation on tumor associated dendritic cell signaling (TUM4P.921)

Gender disparity has been observed in cancer in relation to incidence, disease aggressiveness and prognosis. However, the role of the immune system and the activation of an anti-tumor immune response based on gender is unclear. Some of the most successful cancer therapies to date have focused on hormone receptor blockade in tumor cells. Immune suppression is a major hurdle to overcome in the effort to find an effective and durable treatment against cancer. The underlying causes of immune suppression are complex and not completely understood. Hormones, including androgen and estradiol, are also known to dampen immune responses, but immune suppression or activation has not been studied during hormone deprivation therapy. Many studies indicate that tumor-associated dendritic cells within the tumor microenvironment are key regulators of cytotoxic T cell function and may serve as a critical target for immunotherapy. Therefore, in the current study, we demonstrate that hormone receptor signaling, androgen receptor and estrogen receptor in dendritic cells has a critical impact on the transcriptional regulation of factors known to induce immune suppression and may be a key factor to consider when designing immune therapies. Furthermore, the data may also implicate the patient’s gender as an important consideration in boosting anti-tumor immune responses.
How Do You Plead, Guilty or Not Guilty?: Does the Plea Inquiry Violate the Defendant's Right to Silence?

Early in every criminal case, the trial judge or magistrate asks the defendant a question which probably violates the defendant's right to silence: "How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?" The defendant confronts the "cruel trilemma," often condemned by the Supreme Court, of lying, confession, or silence in a situation where silence implies guilt. The plea inquiry raises all of the problems that have led the Court to prohibit questioning in other contexts. It interferes with the defendant's dignity, autonomy, and privacy. It is inconsistent with the adversary system, implying that the defendant has a responsibility to establish his innocence. The plea inquiry is a remnant of a day when England had many elements of an inquisitorial system. Of course, the common practice is for defense attorneys to instruct defendants to plead "not guilty" at the plea inquiry, irrespective of their guilt. This practice has deep roots in English history and it probably has enabled courts to avoid dealing with the constitutional problems of the plea inquiry. But the "remedy" to the plea inquiry's constitutional problems has its own problems. The false "not guilty" plea unnecessarily alienates the defendant from the victim and the public, reinforces any inclination the defendant might have had to lie, reinforces a tendency on the part of lawyers to assist clients in lying, and adds to the cynicism which lawyers, clients, and the public feel toward the criminal justice system. This practice merely steers the defendant toward one of the trilemma's "cruel" options-lying. The constitutional, social, and moral problems of the plea inquiry might be worth it if it served a significant purpose, but it does not. All the plea inquiry does is signal whether the defendant will take his trial or not. Rather than pose the current plea inquiry, courts could ask the defendant whether he will plead "guilty" or take his trial or, in the alternative, courts could merely assume that the defendant will take his trial, in the absence of a defendant motion to the contrary.
High-Energy Photoproduction of π 0 Mesons from Hydrogen

Bremsstrshlung from the Comell electron synchrotron passed through a liquid hydrogen target and was monitored in a quantometer. The end-point energy was set in each case sufficiently above the maximum energy being studied so that the detailed shape of the spectra was unimportant. Protons were counted in a range telescope of six scintillators with copper absorbers. Subsidiary experiments showed that only protons were counted in the telescope and that the kinematics of the reaction agreed with those expected. (A.C. )
Linearity testing issues of analog to digital converters

This paper is a detailed overview of the practical issues related to linearity testing of analog to digital converters. The focus is on the available technology and methods for ADC linearity testing, and the goal is to demonstrate the issues and problems affecting the test capability. Delta-Sigma DACs and LC filtered RF Frequency synthesizers are covered as linear sources for the ADCs. Histogram based ramp and sine wave methods are covered as linearity test techniques. Integral non-linearity (INL) plots from a 10-bit 20MSPS pipeline ADC are given to demonstrate the test problems and performance. This work attempts to close the gap between the general theory and actual implementation problems of linearity tests for high performance ADCs.
A New Species of Atheta (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from Sri Lanka found with Termites (Isptera: Termitidae)

Atheta dominguezae (Coleoptera) is described from SR I lANKA where it is found with Hospitalitermes monocerus (Isoptera). Behavioral observations indicate that the beetles are termitariophiles. What is novel about this ttermitariophile is that this species was found to live in this same nest over a period of 13 years .
Impulse response testing of acoustic spaces

The use of high energy spark discharges to measure the impulse response of rooms will be discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on reverberation measurements, but other measurements will be included. Equipment designed at Rensselaer to simplify and speed this process will be described. This equipment is extremely compact and easily transported enabling field measurements by one person. The methods employed by other researchers will be explained, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Results of actual measurements will be presented and compared to those using more conventional techniques.