cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Park or A Highway: Overcoming Tensions in Designing for Socio-emotional and Informational Needs in Online Health Communities

Over the years online health communities (OHCs) have become an important source of information regarding health management and a place for social interaction and emotional support. Previous research suggested that these two types of social support have intricate and complex relationships. In this paper, we report on the results from a secondary analysis of qualitative interviews conducted during several studies examining how individuals make sense of the information collected within an online forum dedicated to diabetes self-management, TuDiabetes. The analysis suggested that informational and socio-emotional needs can at times complement each other, but can also lead to contradictory priorities and expectations for OHC members. Specifically, the study suggested that there are important tensions between these two positions in regards to appropriate topics and focus of conversations, the desire for homogeneity and diversity in opinions, the perceived importance of identifying authoritative voices, and the importance of personal and health-related information in contextualizing members' posts. We discuss these tensions and draw implications for the design of future OHCs.
Review: Tacrine has limited efficacy for Alzheimer disease

Source Citation Glennie J, for the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA). The efficacy of tacrine and the measurement of outcomes in Alzheimer's Disease. CCOHTA Tec...
When presidential candidates voice party issues, does Twitter listen?

Presidential candidates often speak to their party’s issues because parties are thought to have “greater competence on handling” some issues versus others [Petrocik 1996, “Issue Ownership in Presid...
AMPLATZER VASCULAR PLUGS AND AMPLATZER DUCT OCCLUDER II ADDITIONAL SIZES FOR OCCLUSION OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS: A MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL STUDY

Variable patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) morphology and the desire to close PDA in small size patients (pts) has led physicians to use Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) I - IV and newly available Amplatzer Duct Occluder II - Additional Sizes (ADO II-AS). The purpose of this study was to analyze data,
How to Review Grant Applications

A cornerstone of any academic career is academic citizenship, which includes a broad range of activities from sustaining scientific integrity to participation in enterprises such as mentorship and manuscript and grant reviewing. There is a substantial need for experienced experts to review grants. For new academic investigators, this potential opportunity raises a number of key issues. When is it appropriate for me to begin reviewing grants? Is there any benefit to my own career development by reviewing grants? How would I go about obtaining opportunities to review grants? Are there guidelines for how to best review a grant? The goal of this chapter is to address these key questions.
Biotechnology of extremely thermophilic archaea

Although the extremely thermophilic archaea (Topt ≥ 70°C) may be the most primitive extant forms of life, they have been studied to a limited extent relative to mesophilic microorganisms. Many of these organisms have unique biochemical and physiological characteristics with important biotechnological implications. These include methanogens that generate methane, fermentative anaerobes that produce hydrogen gas with high efficiency, and acidophiles that can mobilize base, precious and strategic metals from mineral ores. Extremely thermophilic archaea have also been a valuable source of thermoactive, thermostable biocatalysts, but their use as cellular systems has been limited because of the general lack of facile genetics tools. This situation has changed recently, however, thereby providing an important avenue for understanding their metabolic and physiological details and also opening up opportunities for metabolic engineering efforts. Along these lines, extremely thermophilic archaea have recently been engineered to produce a variety of alcohols and industrial chemicals, in some cases incorporating CO2 into the final product. There are barriers and challenges to these organisms reaching their full potential as industrial microorganisms but, if these can be overcome, a new dimension for biotechnology will be forthcoming that strategically exploits biology at high temperatures.
Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Produced Water

Aromatic hydrocarbons are among the most abundant and toxic components of oil and gas well produced water. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the bioaccumulation of aromatic hydrocarbons by marine animals, with emphasis on bioaccumulation of PAHs from produced water discharged to the ocean. The focus of this paper is on bioaccumulation data collected during recent monitoring studies in the U.S Gulf of Mexico.
Compound-Specific Isotope Geochemistry in the Ocean

Compound-specific isotope analysis encompasses a variety of methods for examining the naturally occurring isotope ratios of individual organic molecules. In marine environments, these methods have ...
Chironomidae (Diptera) species diversity of estuaries across a land use gradient on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica

The family Chironomidae (Diptera) is the most widely distributed, most diverse, and often the most abundant of all families of benthic macroinvertebrates in aquatic ecosystems, including estuaries and other coastal marine ecosystems. Chironomid assemblages are likely to provide a useful measure of biotic integrity in estuaries of Costa Rica, which lack an intensive estuarine bioassessment tool to support environmental monitoring and regulatory programs. We characterized the taxonomic composition of Chironomidae, tested a Chironomidae Index of Biotic Integrity (CIBI) developed from extrinsic pollution tolerance values for its efficacy in evaluating the surface water quality and physical habitat, and made recommendations for increasing the sensitivity of the CIBI to detect differing degrees of stress across a range of estuaries in Costa Rica. Specifically, we selected nine estuaries within six different watersheds across a land use gradient located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and collected Chironomidae surface-floating pupal exuviae (SFPE) samples biannually for two consecutive years (July 2012, Jan. 2013, July 2013, Jan. 2014). We identified 228 morphospecies and 70 genera from 17 071 Chironomidae pupal exuviae collected from nine estuaries, which ranked in the following order from lowest to highest biotic integrity based on CIBI scores: Estero Negro, Laguna Cuatro, Laguna Jalova, Laguna del Tortuguero, Rio Parismina, Laguna Barra del Colorado, Rio Pacuare, Rio Bananito, and Rio Estrella. The CIBI successfully differentiated between estuaries with poor versus good biotic integrity, indicating that CIBI could be used to evaluate the surface water quality and physical habitat of Costa Rican estuaries. We recommend that future studies refine our approach by developing regionally accurate genus and corresponding species-level tolerance values to improve the sensitivity of the CIBI for biological monitoring of Costa Rican estuaries.
Factors associated with the progression of conservatively managed acute traumatic subdural hemorrhage.

Abstract Purpose Traumatic subdural hemorrhage (SDH) is associated with high mortality, yet many patients are not managed surgically. We sought to understand what factors might be associated with SDH enlargement to contribute to the triage of these conservatively managed patients. Materials and methods A consecutive series of 117 patients admitted to our institution's level 1 trauma center for SDH between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 were evaluated. Volumetric measurement of SDHs was performed on initial and follow-up head computed tomography (CT) scans with recording of initial midline shift and classification by location. Multimodel analysis quantified associations with change in SDH volume. Results Systolic blood pressure, presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and initial SDH volume demonstrated positive associations with change in SDH volume, while initial midline shift and transfusion of platelets demonstrated negative associations. Initial convexity SDH volume demonstrated positive association with change in convexity SDH volume, while initial midline shift and transfusion of platelets demonstrated negative associations. Anticoagulant/antiplatelet use demonstrated positive association with change in tentorial SDH volume, while time between CT scans demonstrated negative association. Conclusions Platelet transfusion, anticoagulation, and hypertension have significant associations with expansion in non-surgical cases of SDH. Monitoring these factors may assist triaging these patients.
Alarmed: sensory approaches to improving medical alarm systems

Medical alarms sound incessantly, loudly, and dissonantly, contributing to an already noisy ICU and OR soundscape, and ultimately harming both patients and staff. Sometimes triggered in error, the ...
A contemporary course on the introduction to computational fluid dynamics

The University of Florida Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering recently created a new senior technical elective in the field of computational fluid dynamics. The main objectives of th...
Fabrication and 3D tomographic characterization of nanowire arrays and meshes with tunable dimensions from shear-aligned block copolymers

We demonstrate a scalable method to create metallic nanowire arrays and meshes over square-centimeter-areas with tunable sub-100 nm dimensions and geometries using the shear alignment of block copolymers. We use the block copolymer poly(styrene)-b-poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (PS-P2VP) since the P2VP block complexes with metal salts like Na2PtCl4, thereby enabling us to directly pattern nanoscale platinum features. We investigate what shear alignment processing parameters are necessary to attain high quality and well-ordered nanowire arrays and quantify how the block copolymer's molecular weight affects the resulting Pt nanowires' dimensions and defect densities. Through systematic studies of processing parameters and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography, we determine that the equivalent of 2-3 monolayers of PS-P2VP are required to produce a single layer of well-aligned nanowires. The resulting nanowires' widths and heights can be tuned between 11-27 nm and 9-50 nm, respectively, and have periodicites varying between 37 and 63 nm, depending on the choice of block copolymer molecular weight. We observe that the height-to-width ratio of the nanowires also increases with molecular weight, reaching a value of almost 2 with the largest dimensions fabricated. Furthermore, we demonstrate that an additional layer of Pt nanowires can be orthogonally aligned on top of and without disturbing an underlying layer, thereby enabling the fabrication of Pt nanowire meshes with tunable sub-100 nm dimensions and geometries over a cm2-area.
Gender Differences and Other Factors Associated with Weight Gain Following Initiation of Infliximab: A Post Hoc Analysis of Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND In our clinical practice, women often report excess weight gain with infliximab (IFX) use. There are currently no studies investigating weight gain after antitumor necrosis factor therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of clinical factors, with a particular focus on sex and weight gain in patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) initiating IFX. METHODS Data was extracted from ACCENT I, ACCENT II, ACT 1, and SONIC; included patients received IFX for induction or maintenance of remission of CD or UC. Patients treated with azathioprine (IFX 0 mg/kg) were included as controls. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, and weight at each follow-up for the study duration were collected. In addition to descriptive statistics, adjusted mixed effects models were used to test the association between clinical variables and weight gain. RESULTS There were 1273 patients included for analysis; the majority was white (91%), with CD (81%), and half of patients (50%) were women. Upon univariate analysis, IFX dose, African American race, diagnosis of CD, elevated C-reactive protein, and low hematocrit and albumin were associated with weight gain (P < 0.001). Upon adjusted analysis, sex was significantly associated with weight gain (P = 0.009), with women experiencing a lower percentage increase from baseline weight than men (3.9% increase vs 4.3% increase). CONCLUSIONS When starting IFX, those with markers of severe disease and with a diagnosis of CD are likely to gain more weight. Adjusting for confounding variables, women actually gain less weight than men after IFX treatment, although this difference is not clinically relevant.
Environmental paths that inform adolescent substance use prevention

ABSTRACTPromoting healthy development among youth is one of the grand challenges taken on by social work. Because substance use can negatively affect the health and development of adolescents, this...
Blood Pressure and Statin Effects on Cognition: a Review.

This is a review of available data on the effects of blood pressure and statins on cognition. Recent randomized clinical trials have shown that intensive control of systolic blood pressure in older adults prevented the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the combined effects of MCI and probable dementia. Previous randomized clinical trials have suggested that statin use may prevent a decline in cognition; however, no randomized clinical trials have clearly shown evidence of statin’s either positive or negative effect on cognition. Continued follow-up of SPRINT-MIND participants is crucial to evaluate the long-term effects of intensive systolic blood pressure control on the prevention of cognitive decline. A well-conducted and adequately powered randomized control trial is needed to evaluate the effect of statins on cognition, especially for primary prevention of the cognitive decline in aging.
The role of ambiguity and skepticism in the effectiveness of sustainability labeling

Abstract Given various “green” communication protocols offered in the marketplace, this paper adds insight on how consumers process sustainability labeling information with scale ratings. Drawing from ambiguity theory and numerosity literature, we conduct two experiments to examine the impact of brand-based sustainability levels and the range of scale magnitude on product evaluations. In general, we find that labels with scale ratings can be effective in influencing consumer attitudes toward the brand. However, the use of moderately high sustainability scores (as opposed to extremely high) and/or a larger scale range (e.g., 1-1,000) increases perceived ambiguity for consumers and reduces the persuasiveness of the information. We also find that the degree of sustainability skepticism moderates these relationships and that consumers who are skeptical toward labeling are more difficult to convince. We provide implications for researchers, managers, and policy makers.
Utility of CD4 Cell Count and Viral Load Assay in Hospitalized Patients with Known HIV Infection: High Value Care Exercise

Purpose Healthcare spending as a percentage of Gross domestic product (GDP) is at all-time high and continues to rise in the United States. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimate that 33% of resources spent on healthcare goes to waste. As part of a 'high value care' exercise, we studied if estimating CD4 cell counts and HIV viral load in hospitalized patients with a known diagnosis of HIV led to any meaningful change in HAART regimen and discharge diagnosis. Methods Retrospective chart review for all patients admitted with a known diagnosis of HIV from January 1, through December 31, 2017. Results A total of 83 patient encounters were reviewed during the period. The mean age was 54.1 ± 16.4 years, 64.1 % of patients were males. 75 patients (90.3%) were already on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The median hospital length of stay (LOS) was 3 days (IQR 2.0 - 5.0). The mean turnaround time for CD4 counts and HIV viral load assay was 2.9 days (95% CI 2.1 - 3.7) and 3.9 days (95% CI, 3.2 - 4.6), respectively. A CD4 count estimation led to no change in HAART regimen. HIV viral load assay testing had no impact on a change in treatment or a change in diagnosis. Conclusions In our study, testing CD4 counts and HIV viral load for inpatients did not confer any benefit in altering the diagnosis or HAART regimen. We believe that our study identifies a systems level opportunity to add to the concept of 'Choosing Wisely.'
The Efficacy of Oral Celecoxib Following Surgical Rhinoplasty.

Importance: Exploring potential methods of controlling postoperative rhinoplasty pain with non-narcotic medications. Objective: To examine the effects of celecoxib in reducing pain and possible opi...
Do Corporate Social Responsibility Reports Convey Value Relevant Information? Evidence from Report Readability and Tone

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting is becoming mainstream, yet there is limited research on whether and how CSR reports communicate value relevant information. We examine the effects of CSR report readability and tone on future CSR performance and the market reaction around the release of CSR reports. Using a hand-collected dataset of Fortune 500 companies that published stand-alone CSR reports from 2002 to 2014, we find that 1-year-ahead CSR performance is positively associated with the changes in both CSR report readability and tone, suggesting that more readable text and more optimistic tone in a firm’s CSR report are indicative of better future CSR performance. Furthermore, consistent with the view that CSR reports communicate important value relevant information to the market, we document significant market reactions to report readability and tone around the release of CSR reports. Additional analyses suggest that CSR report readability enhances the association between the abnormal returns and the change in CSR report tone, and that the market reaction to CSR report readability is more pronounced for firms with lower analyst following and higher financial opacity. Taken together, our results substantiate the important roles of CSR report readability and tone in communicating future CSR performance and imparting value relevant information to the market.
5 – Choke Performance

Publisher Summary Wellhead chokes are used to limit production rates for regulations, protect surface equipment from slugging, avoid sand problems due to high drawdown, and control flow rate to avoid water or gas coning. Two types of wellhead chokes are used: positive (fixed) chokes and adjustable chokes. Placing a choke at the wellhead means fixing the wellhead pressure and thus the flowing bottom-hole pressure and production rate. For a given wellhead pressure, by calculating pressure loss in the tubing the flowing bottom-hole pressure can be determined. If the reservoir pressure and productivity index is known, the flow rate can be determined on the basis of inflow performance relationship. This chapter presents and illustrates different mathematical models for describing choke performance.
Implicit Factors and Voting Behaviour Inconsistency: From Theoretical Concept to Empirical Phenomenon

Several recent elections and referendums were marked by a dramatic failure in pre-election prediction based on large-scale surveys among voters. As a reaction to public anger and discontent among politicians alternative strategies (prediction markets, Implicit Association Test (IAT), expectation-based forecast, etc.) are being developed. The industry of election polling has also made progress: a number of studies have shown that a relatively low accuracy of forecasts was caused by inconsistencies in sample design and implementation. The present article considers another factor behind election forecast errors: insufficiency of data about the declared intentions needed to make an accurate prediction. For this purpose, the author introduces a tool called GATA (Graphic Association Test of Attitude) measuring implicit attitudes/intentions and proposes to add a “stream” of implicit effects to the usual Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). According to the findings, implicit factors are an actual and clearly detected phenomenon; inconsistency in explicit and implicit attitudes/intentions is typical of many voters. The present article aims to present this phenomenon. This will be followed by another article (Implicit Factors and Voting Behavior Inconsistency: From an Attitude to Behavior) in the next issue of the Monitoring of Public Opinion: Economic and Social Changes (2020, no.5) which will highlight behavioral effects of inconsistencies and the results of a combined use of implicit and explicit factors in the election forecast model.
[Met5]-enkephalin preserves diffusion metrics in EAE mice

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic progressive neurological disorder that has few distinctive biomarkers associated with disease progression or response to therapy. This research investigated whether non-invasive imaging correlated with animal behavior and morphological indicators of disease in response to serum levels of [Met5]-enkephalin. Using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, adult female C57BL/6 J mice were randomized to receive daily injections of 0.1 mg/kg naltrexone (NTX) (= low dose naltrexone, LDN), 10 mg/kg Opioid Growth Factor (OGF) (chemically termed [Met5]-enkephalin) or saline beginning at the time of disease induction. Daily composite behavior scores were recorded over a 30-day period based on tail tone, gait, righting reflex, and limb strength. Prior to disease onset (day 7), and at peak disease (day 18), mice were imaged and tissues (blood and spinal cord) collected at day 30 for serum analyses of OGF and morphology. Serum OGF levels of EAE mice treated with saline were significantly reduced from baseline and from normal mice. Longitudinal cohort data demonstrated an increase in fractional anisotropy in all cohorts by day 18. There was a significant decrease in radial diffusivity in the saline group seen at day 18 whereas the axial diffusivity was not altered amongst treatment groups. Treatment with OGF or LDN resulted in mean diffusivity rates that were comparable to baseline (normal) levels at days 7 and 18. Luxol fast blue staining of the lumbar spinal cords demonstrated a 16 % reduction in myelin staining in saline treated EAE animals when compared to OGF and LDN treated EAE mice. Immunohistochemistry with Olig2 (pan-oligodendrocyte marker) and myelin basic protein (MBP) revealed that OGF and LDN treatment restored the area (%) of MBP and number of oligodendrocytes to that of normal spinal cord (∼75 %). Saline treated EAE mice had more demyelination and fewer oligodendrocytes than normal mice. Collectively, these data suggest that a panel of biomarkers including imaging, serum biomarker levels, and behavior correlate with progression of disease, and may begin to validate use of specific non-invasive markers for MS.
Volumetric meta-optics for augmented image sensors

Three-dimensional elements, with refractive index distribution structured at subwavelength scale, provide an expansive optical design space that can be harnessed for demonstrating multifunctional free-space optical devices. We present three dimensional dielectric elements, designed to be placed on top of the pixels of image sensors that provide different functionalities like sorting and focusing of light based on its color and polarization with efficiency significantly surpassing two dimensional absorptive and diffractive filters, and ultra-compact polarimetry. The devices are designed via iterative gradient-based optimization to account for multiple target functions while ensuring compatibility with existing nanofabrication processes, and they are experimentally validated using a scaled device that operates at microwave frequencies. This approach combines arbitrary functions into a single compact element, even where there is no known equivalent in bulk optics, enabling novel integrate
A Riemannian optimization approach to the radial distribution network load flow problem

Abstract The Load Flow (LF) equations in power networks are the foundation of several applications on active and reactive power flow control, distributed and real-time control and optimization. In this paper, we formulate the LF problem in radial electricity distribution networks as an unconstrained Riemannian optimization problem, consisting of two manifolds, and we consider alternative retractions and initialization options. We introduce a Riemannian approximate Newton method tailored to the LF problem, as an exact solution method guaranteeing monotonic descent and local superlinear convergence rate. Extensive numerical comparisons on several test networks illustrate that the proposed method outperforms standard Riemannian optimization methods (Gradient Descent, Newton’s), and achieves comparable performance with the traditional Newton–Raphson method (in Euclidean coordinates), albeit besting it by a guarantee to convergence. We also consider an approximate LF solution obtained by the first iteration of the proposed method, and we show that it significantly outperforms other approximants in the LF literature. Lastly, we derive an interesting analogy with the well-known Backward–Forward Sweep (BFS) method showing that BFS iterations move on the power flow manifold, and highlighting the advantage of our method in converging under high constant impedance loading conditions, whereas BFS may diverge.
A Culture Change in Geriatric Traumatology: Holistic and Patient-Tailored Care for Frail Patients with Fractures

ABSTRACT Medical decision-making for frail geriatric trauma patients is complex, especially toward the end of life. The goal of this paper is to review aspects of end-of-life decision-making, such as frailty, cognitive impairment, quality of life, goals of care, and palliative care. Additionally, we make recommendations for composing a patient-tailored treatment plan. In doing so, we seek to initiate the much-needed discussion regarding end-of-life care for frail geriatric patients.
Pitch and Thrust Allocation for Full-Flight-Regime Control of Winged eVTOL UAVs

Trajectory tracking control for winged eVTOL aircraft is complicated by the high-angle-of-attack aerodynamics experienced during navigational flight occurring immediately after takeoff and immediately before landing. The total energy use of the vehicle can be reduced and the control performance can be improved by appropriately considering the pitch angle of the vehicle in varying flight conditions. We present a review of high-angle-of-attack aerodynamic models as well as an algorithm for finding the optimal pitch and thrust of a winged eVTOL throughout its flight regime. We show simulation results demonstrating a 75% reduction in tracking error over our previous work while maintaining a similar average thrust and an 85% reduction in tracking error over using a multirotor-like controller. The results show that the method is robust to modeling error in the stall characteristics.
Loss of PKA regulatory subunit 1α aggravates cardiomyocyte necrosis and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Reperfusion therapy, the standard treatment for acute myocardial infarction, can trigger necrotic death of cardiomyocytes and provoke ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, signaling pathways that regulate cardiomyocyte necrosis remain largely unknown. Our recent genome-wide RNAi screen has identified a potential necrosis suppressor gene PRKAR1A, which encodes PKA regulatory subunit 1α (R1α). R1α is primarily known for regulating PKA activity by sequestering PKA catalytic subunits in the absence of cAMP. Here, we showed that depletion of R1α augmented cardiomyocyte necrosis in vitro and in vivo, resulting in exaggerated myocardial I/R injury and contractile dysfunction. Mechanistically, R1α loss downregulated the Nrf2 antioxidant transcription factor and aggravated oxidative stress following I/R. Degradation of the endogenous Nrf2 inhibitor Keap1 through p62-dependent selective autophagy was blocked by R1α depletion. Phosphorylation of p62 at Ser349 by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a critical step in p62-Keap1 interaction, was induced by I/R, but diminished by R1α loss. Activation of PKA by forskolin or isoproterenol almost completely abolished hydrogen-peroxide-induced p62 phosphorylation. In conclusion, R1α loss induces unrestrained PKA activation and impairs the mTORC1-p62-Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidant defense system, leading to aggravated oxidative stress, necrosis, and myocardial I/R injury. Our findings uncover a novel role of PKA in oxidative stress and necrosis, which may be exploited to develop new cardioprotective therapies.
The Animal Welfare Act at Fifty: Problems and Possibilities in Animal Testing Regulation

In 1966, lawmakers enacted what was to become the federal Animal Welfare Act with the noble intentions of providing a fundamental groundwork of minimum protections for nonhuman animals used in various contexts, including laboratory testing, the focus of this Article. Over the past fifty years, however, those basic protections have eroded or otherwise proven ineffective. Laboratories operate using different paradigms of welfare, many with inadequate oversight and reporting, and the species comprising over ninety percent of test subjects have been completely written out of the very definition of “animal” in the statute. Scientific and technological advances call into question the necessity of some animal experimentation, and many other countries have moved forward to adapt to these changes in science and increasing public concern. After fifty years of failing to live up to its potential and the promise of its name, it is time for the Animal Welfare Act to change as well.
Passive Control of Supersonic Cavity Flowfields

A computational investigation has been conducted to study the effect and mechanisms of the passive control of a supersonic flow over a rectangular two-dimensional cavity. The passive control was included through the use of a porous surface over a vent chamber in the floor of the cavity. The passive control effectively suppressed the low-frequency pressure oscillations for the open type cavity, (length-to-depth ratio = 6.0). The mechanism for the suppression was observed to be the stabilization of the motion of the free shear layer. For the closed type cavity flow, (length-to-depth ratio = 17.5), the passive control modified the flowfield to nearly that of an open type cavity flow; further the cavity drag was reduced by a factor of four. The computational results of both cases showed good agreement with the available experimental data and the predictions of a semiempirical formula. This study demonstrates that the passive control concept can be used to improve the aerodynamic characteristics of open and closed cavity flowfields.
Fundamental Study of Electrospun Pyrene–Polyethersulfone Nanofibers Using Mixed Solvents for Sensitive and Selective Explosives Detection in Aqueous Solution

Fluorescent pyrene–polyethersulfone (Py–PES) nanofibers were prepared through electrospinning technique using mixed solvents. The effects of mixed solvent ratio and polymer/fluorophore concentrations on electrospun nanofiber’s morphology and its sensing performance were systematically investigated and optimized. The Py–PES nanofibers prepared under optimized conditions were further applied for highly sensitive detection of explosives, such as picric acid (PA), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), and 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in aqueous phase with limits of detection (S/N = 3) of 23, 160, 400, and 980 nM, respectively. The Stern–Volmer (S–V) plot for Py excimer fluorescence quenching by PA shows two linear regions at low (0–1 μM) and high concentration range (>1 μM) with a quenching constant of 1.263 × 106 M–1 and 5.08 × 104 M–1, respectively. On the contrary, S–V plots for Py excimer fluorescence quenching by TNT, DNT, and RDX display an overall linearity in the entire...
A role for Noxa in human primary T cell activation and metabolic reprogramming (LYM4P.756)

Upon activation, T cells undergo changes to meet the metabolic demands of proliferation, including the upregulation of aerobic glycolysis. The expression of the Bcl-2 protein Mcl-1 and paradoxically that of its pro-apoptotic binding partner Noxa is also upregulated. Studies showing Noxa is post-translationally modified in both primary and leukemic human T cells, such that its death function is masked, suggest that Noxa plays a direct role in T cell proliferation and survival. Our data show that Noxa also regulates metabolic flux in Jurkat T cells. Here we evaluate Noxa’s role in early proliferation and metabolic reprogramming of human primary T cells. Surprisingly glutamine, but not glucose, was essential for Noxa induction following stimulation. T cells stimulated in the absence of glucose or glutamine exhibit an activated phenotype comparable to controls although cell viability was low in the absence of glucose. The high oxygen consumption and low extracellular acidification rates (OCR and ECAR) of glucose-deprived cells pointed to an early switch to glutamine for mitochondrial respiration during activation. Conversely, glutamine-deprived cells decreased OCR but increased glycolysis to maintain an elevated ECAR, reminiscent of the Warburg effect. We also traced the path of [13C] glucose and glutamine during this metabolic switch. Our data demonstrate for the first time how human primary T cells reprogram metabolism upon activation and how Noxa contributes to these pathways.
Writing Rock Stars: An After-School Community Partnership in Childhood Literacy

In this essay, we explain the development, implementation, and preliminary findings of an innovative writing program that drew upon a peer collaborative model and a community literacy perspective. Developed as an after school program, this project represented a community-university partnership designed to provide an enjoyable forum for teaching and learning writing techniques and principles outside of the constraints of state curricular guidelines. Preliminary case study data suggest important benefits of this partnership for young children, parents, and the surrounding community.
Consistent Valuation in the Two Period Case: a pedagogical note

It is widely accepted that the correct discount rate for the tax shield depends on whether the value of the debt is a fixed amount or is a proportion of the value of the firm. In this pedagogical note, using a simple two period numerical example, I assume a fixed amount of debt and demonstrate that if the cost of debt is used to discount the tax shield to determine the value of the levered firm, arbitrage opportunities exist. I propose that it is always correct to use ρ , the return on unlevered equity, to discount the tax shield. Consequently, the correct discount rate for the tax shield does not depend on whether the value of the debt is a fixed amount or is a proportion of the value of the firm. It is not difficult to extend the analysis to the multiperiod case. Happily, all the inconsistencies are resolved if ρ, the return on unlevered equity, is used to discount the tax shield.
Chapter 11 The Dimensions of Membrane Barriers in Transepithelial Flow Pathways

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the structural parameters of cell shape and surface area of rabbit nephron. The analysis that has been applied to rabbit nephron segments is based on a deformability hypothesis, which states that if variations in cell circumference or channel width occur with cell height, then those changes indicate water entry into channels across lateral cell walls. The information gained from the shape and dimensions of cells and intercellular channels suggests that the measurements can help to quantify the velocity of flow across lateral cell walls, the forces required for that flow, the relative importance of transcellular versus paracellular flow routes, and the importance to flow of nonactive transport mechanisms perhaps including the oncotic effects of diffusing peritubular proteins.
Principles for the design and selection of combat simulations

Combat simulations have many uses and a wide diversity of users. As a result, choosing an appropriate simulation is a complex decision. Unfortunately, in the past the process has tended to be very unstructured. There are normally only two options: design and build a new simulation, or select an existing simulation and modify it as necessary. In both cases, the emphasis has been on short-term requirements, without much attention to long-term implications, such as operating and maintenance costs and how the simulation integrates with other analytical tools used by the combat modeling community. Systematic improvement in satisfying current user needs, as well as cost-effective use in the long term will occur only if some basic principles are employed in the design and use of combat models. This article first addresses the architectural principles associated with proper combat simulation design. It then focuses on user needs and the integration of combat simulations into a metasystem of analytical tools. The ...
The African electricity deficit: Computing the minimum energy poverty line using field research in urban Nigeria

Abstract Energy poverty has long been defined in Developing-Rural or Western-Urban contexts. For the parts of the world classified as energy-poor, the Developing-Rural context is used, but the population density of the energy poor is much higher in the urban areas of developing states and this trend is expected to continue over the next 30 years. Moreover, computations of energy use in developing states have been based on electricity use in industrialized states. Drawing on extensive qualitative and quantitative methods, and using field research in Nigeria, this article describes a context-specific way to compute actual energy consumption, with electricity as the proxy. It proposes a minimum energy poverty line of 3068 kWh/cap yr (350 W/cap), which is sufficient to provide for basic needs in an urban household. With the energy poverty line representing an energy-secure household, three scenarios were modeled for name-plate capacity generation based on data collected: low-consumer, high-consumer, and energy-secure households. These scenarios were compared to current generation capacity for select sub-Saharan West African countries. I found that these countries all produced insufficient power to supply all their citizenry, even if the entire populace were comprised of low-energy consumers. I found no relationship between actual household electricity consumption and electricity bills.
Solvent Peak Removal in NMR Spectra Using Bayesian Analysis

Abstract In this paper we demonstrate the use of Bayesian analysis methods for the removal or suppression of solvent peaks from NMR spectra. Typically solvent peaks are the dominant feature in the NMR spectrum and often mask or seriously overlap smaller resonance from which important information of the molecule under study may be obtained. Although applied to NMR spectra, the method is general and may be applied to large peak suppression in most spectroscopic techniques.
Network Support for Writing Across the Curriculum: Developing an Online Writing Center

Recent advances in computer and computer-network technologies make it possible to consider an alternative to the indirect, top-down pedagogy used in most writing-across-the-curriculum (WAC) programs (e.g., a pedagogy that views faculty as the primary audience for WAC-related training). Drawing on the results of a 4-year effort to establish a campus-wide, computer-supported writing environment, we suggest that computer networks and specifically designed instructional software (e.g., multimedia instructional materials and interactive writing exercises) can provide the basis for a network-supported, writing-center-based WAC program. Our discussion focuses on development of network communication tools and hypermedia courseware to support WAC.
The active audience: spectatorship, social relations and the experience of cinema in India

Mainstream audiences of popular Indian cinema adopt a participatory and interactive style of viewing. In cinema theaters viewers frequently cheer and whistle, shout out to characters on-screen, thr...
Maintenance of local cerebral blood flow after acute neuronal death: Possible role of non-neuronal cells

Abstract In brain, a major factor regulating local perfusion is local neuronal activity. However, we have recently discovered that, in rat, five days after selective neuronal destruction in the parietal cortex by local microinjections of the excitotoxin ibotenic acid, local cerebral blood flow, within the lesion, remains in the normal range. We studied whether proliferating non-neuronal cells and/or local changes in microvascular density participate to maintain local cerebral blood flow. Rats were anesthetized (halothane 1–3%), ibotenic acid (10 μg in 1 μ1) was locally microinjected in a restricted region of the parietal cortex, and animals were allowed to recover. Three, five, seven, 11, 30 days later local cerebral blood flow was measured autoradiographically under chloralose anesthesia (40mg/kg, s.c.) by the [ 14 C]iodoantipyrine technique. Cellular density or microvascular area were determined on sections stained with Thionine or processed for the endothelial marker alkaline phosphatase, respectively. Local neurons were destroyed by 24 h after microinjections of ibotenic acid. However, from three to 11 days after lesion local cerebral blood flow was unchanged ( P > 0.05 ; n = 5 ), thereafter declining so that by 30 days blood flow was 48 ± 6% of control ( P ; n = 5) . Cellular density increased within the lesion by 17.5-fold at seven to 11 days (P ) and declined to a 11.7-fold elevation above control at day 30 ( P . New cells consisted of macrophages, endothelium and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes. The microvascular area increased 4.2-fold from three to 11 days ( P . The patency of the presumably newly formed vessels was determined by the presence of intravascular red blood cells, which were revealed histochemically. The area occupied by red blood cells within cerebral microvessels, in contrast to microvascular area, did not increase until seven days after lesion, reaching a 3.2-fold increase at 11 days. Thus within the lesion, local cerebral blood flow remains constant during the phase in which cellular and microvascular density increases. The presumably newly formed vessels cannot contribute to maintain local cerebral blood flow since during this phase they are not patent; rather patency develops coincident with the decline in local cerebral blood flow. We conclude that non-neuronal cells, most likely activated macrophages, may be an important factor regulating local cerebral perfusion, after acute neuronal death.
Associative semantic ranking of satellite images using PathFinder Network Scaling ensemble methods

This article proposes a methodology to reduce overfitting when ranking high-resolution satellite images by domain semantics. Our approach uses PathFinder Network Scaling ensemble methods. We generate cross-fold co-occurrence matrices for relevance of feature subspaces to each semantic. Each matrix is then reduced using the PathFinder network scaling algorithm. Irrelevant nodes are removed using node strength metrics resulting in an optimized model for ranking by semantic that generalizes better to new images. The experiments show that, when using this approach, the quality of ranking by semantic can be significantly improved. Results show that Mean Average Precision (MAP) of ranking over cross-fold experiments increased by a 13.2% while standard deviation of MAP was reduced by 16.8% relatively to experiments without PathFinder network scaling.
Views of Genetics Health Professionals on the Return of Genomic Results

As exome and whole genome sequencing become clinically available, the potential to receive a large number of clinically relevant but incidental results is a significant challenge in the provision of genomic counseling. We conducted three focus groups of a total of 35 individuals who were members of ASHG and/or NSGC, assessing views towards the return of genomic results. Participants stressed that patient autonomy was primary. There was consensus that a mechanism to return results to the healthcare provider, rather than patient, and to streamline integration into the electronic health record would ensure these results had the maximal impact on patient management. All three focus groups agreed that pharmacogenomic results were reasonable to return and that they were not felt to be stigmatizing. With regard to the return of medically relevant results, there was much debate. Participants had difficulty in consistently assigning specific diseases to ‘bins’ that were considered obligatory versus optional for disclosure. Consensus was reached regarding the importance of informed consent and pretest counseling visits to clarify what the return of results process would entail. Evidence based professional guidelines should continue to be developed and regularly revised to assist in consistently and appropriately providing genomic results to patients.
The SEMATECH - Sandia National Laboratories partnership: A case study

Abstract SEMATECH was established in 1987 for defense and economic reasons to help the US regain a competitive posture in semiconductor manufacturing. For 10 years SEMATECH was jointly funded by the federal government and semiconductor manufacturing companies representing 85 percent of the US semiconductor industry. SEMATECH has spent about 80 percent of these funds on activities intended to produce useful results between 1 and 3 years. Very early in the establishment of SEMATECH, its members determined that their first priority would be to strengthen their US based suppliers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This has been the primary thrust of SEMATECH. SEMATECH first held some 30 workshops on a broad set of technical topics to assess the needs and opportunities to help the industry recover. These workshops scoped manufacturing process development, lithography, front end processes (doping and thermal processes), back end processes (etch and film deposition), packaging, etc., to determine those manufacturing areas where SEMATECH should focus. These early meetings were an early form of what later came to be termed road-mapping. The scope of R&D needs identified in these workshops well exceeded what SEMATECH could hope to accomplish with its $200 million annual budget. Sandia participated in five of these workshops and used the knowledge gained as the basis for proposals he later submitted to SEMATECH on behalf of Sandia. In the fall of 1989 the SETEC program was established at Sandia to support SEMATECH. This was initially a funds-in, work-for-others project that was fully funded by SEMATECH. Thus, the early work was entirely focused on SEMATECH's needs. Later in the program when SEMATECH funds were supplemented by Department of Energy (DOE) Cooperative Research and Development (CRADA) funds, attention was given to how this project would benefit Sandia's defense microelectronics program.